Silver Sahara

Chapter 10: Blood Baggin'

"The medical catalog must be riveting for you to be taking this long." Alex mocks impatiently. Her burdensome alloy heels tap against the firm concrete walkway. She steps beside the obelisk like Revtech vending machine. With a bored expression, she leans against it, facing Jay. Her spiral eyes unwaveringly watch him. His strong, proud jaw and tired, alluring hazel eyes ensnare her fixation.

Jay narrows his eyes while muttering the words on the screen. "I want to make sure I get just the right dose where I can do my job while forgetting you're there." Jay calmly replies while scrolling through the description of medication. "I'll be done soon. I'm getting distracted by you staring at me though." Jay says while glancing at Alex.

Alex nods and steps away from the terminal and walks to the strider. She eyes the people walking along the sidewalks. Each one distinctly unique, thanks to her augments she is given a description about nearly each one. There were outliers whose information shifted or consisted of nonsensical data, but it doesn't concern her; they were all strangers in the end, some with protective cyberware or the handy skill of netrunning. One thing she swiftly notices waiting for Jay is the fluid movement of the mass. Among all the faces and the data, the people marched in a direction that warped as a whole due to simple changes in the environment. A car using the sidewalk as a shortcut, RCPD guarding a crime scene, or a Kranos assassin waiting impatiently by a suspected partner. She imagines the people more so as a force of nature. A rushing river segmented by obstacles or a sudden intrusive step by giants above. An alienating feeling sinks into her for a moment; she rarely gives such thoughts a chance to fester. Being with a partner, even if it were for a short time, she imagines a life without the hustle of solitude. The exclusion from the crowd is gratifying in many respects, but for a human it becomes tiresome.

"Alright, what's the plan?" Jay asks while placing various injectors and medications into different coat pockets. He turns to Alex. A subtle shift of his eyes shows he examines her form.

"I have shit to do, so we're just going to get it over with. Straight to the elevator." Alex displays a holographic rendition of Deemo Tower upon the floor using her eyes. "The target will likely rush for the closest pad to escape. If we don't beat them to it, we'll still have time to jump aboard."

"Why do you say we'll still have time?"

"The model of aerojumper on the pad is old. Antique, made to cruise drunk tourists. It takes time to get it going."

Jay nods. "What's the plan for the guards?" Jay takes a seat on the strider.

"Kill em. They'll be armed in a defensive position for sure. Won't change the results." Alex shrugs. Her voice gives the impression of uniformity, that the job is nearly unremarkable to any other.

"Here, I was thinking you'd have a little more finesse." Jay smiles.

Alex looks at him, apathy resting upon her beautiful pale face. "There's always 'finesse' in the technique." Alex readies the strider.

"Kill everyone and collect the blood. Good plan, bagger. I suppose we will go straight in then." Jay assures his thick mahogany-colored coat is sealed and the latch around his collar is clipped.

"Not your style? Your little ego match in Levy says otherwise." Alex pursues the corporate tower, directed by her internal data.

Jay laughs. "Not every fight is necessary. Let me say this in corporate words so you'll understand. It is more cost-effective to avoid damages when possible."

Alex chuckles. "So that fight was necessary? I think I heard him say you killed his brother. Wouldn't it be more 'cost-effective' to spend a bullet and kill the other? Sorry, my corporate mindset might just be too advanced for this matter." Alex jests.