Evolve

Thirteen

I tried to look through the window on the front of the cylinder, but no luck, it was simply too dark and my multiple visions weren't helping me see into it either. I then decided this was no time for finesse, so I began using my strength to pry the machine open. It took a bit more effort than expected, but I was able to complete my task.

The machine was empty of course, but that was to be expected. What I really wanted to see was the information and components hidden inside. This was a smaller container than the one that held me, which struck me as odd since Evelyn was slightly bigger. It had tools still attached on the inside along with a metallic headband near the top. I remembered that device well, it would plug straight into my brain so I could download all sorts of information into my head. It was useful and efficient, but was not comforting or enjoyable for someone's first moments of life. The amount of knowledge put in me all at once short circuited my brain at first, I had to be rebooted and then it all came back to me little by little. I was glad now that I knew as much as I did, but it still brought back unpleasant memories.

As I examined the rest of the machine, I realized there was a label on the inside. It was old and faded, but readable. This one read "EV-0", which confused me even more. Was Evelyn created before me?

"Did you find anything interesting?" Delilah said as she approached.

"Interesting is one word for it." I replied. I showed her my discovery and explained to her what it might mean.

"So...my father created you, you and Evelyn? She is EV-0?" She asked.

"Possibly, though her technology seems to be almost superior to mine, which doesn't make sense to me. She should be just a prototype." I stated and looked around for anything else that could help.

"Well then, go find her and figure this all out. I don't think I have to order you to do this, you seem determined enough as it is." She said, and handed me Ricardo's old device to track his missing technology.
"However, do not let her interfere with the mission. Yokozuna owns even more territory now and has no doubt gone underground since the recent yakuza murders. I'd expect the same goes for Maximum Caliber and the others, it'll make your job more difficult but not impossible. I still need you to take out the leaders before they can get to me. This includes Evelyn now as well. Soon after that is done, I should have enough income to relocate Miguel and myself somewhere safe."

I nodded and looked at the device now in my hand. It wasn't exactly modern, but it was high tech for the time it was made. Though, if it could still work had remained to be seen. I tried pressing the button on the front, but nothing happened. I realized what was wrong and walked quickly to the door. Delilah seemed confused and hesitant by my movements, but that did not slow me down. I began rewiring the orb that previously powered the door, and plugged it into the machine. The orb worked much like my core so it was not hard for me to configure.

The device in my hand lit up and began to work. It was designed much like a radar system, and was easy to operate. There was one dot blinking in the middle of the screen and I realized it was me. What really intrigued me was the fact there was a second dot blinking on the upper part of the screen. I stepped forward in the room towards the dot, moving north according to the compass like design, but it did not move any closer to me.

"Did it work?" Delilah asked.

"Yes, though if these markers on the screen are myself and Evelyn, then I think she is quite far. I wonder how far the range is for this machine." I stated and let the tracker's power source charge before putting it in my bag.

"I hate to ask, but what else do you keep in there?" Delilah asked, clearly half joking by the tone of her voice.

"My few personal things." I answered. Over the years I collected several things in my bag that I did not let anybody go through.
"I will use the tracker to find Evelyn and make sure she stays away from here. You should secure Miguel like normal and arm yourself just incase. Perhaps a guard or two." I added.

"I do not have guards for a reason, I can't bring attention to my house. I have a family and this is a home, not a war zone. Although, your advice is appreciated. I shall see what can do and make a few calls." Delilah replied, patting Miguel gently.

"When I find Evelyn, what would you have me do?"

"She is a threat and apparently only listens to herself. She must be eliminated if I am to secure Miguel's safety." She replied firmly. I nodded and pulled my bag onto my back and left without a sound.

It was sometime in the afternoon, my internal clock told me just before 4p.m. This was a dangerous time for me to be out doing my job, but I had no choice. It was much closer to rush hour than I wanted it to be and there would be witnesses everywhere. This normally would be ok, but Evelyn was a wild card and had no problem murdering innocents. That fact made my mission more difficult, but not impossible. From what I did know of her, she apparently took system damage and needed time to repair the same as I did, but she healed quicker. She also seemed...off. After my years of encounters with humanity, especially some of the worst it had to offer, I could tell when someone was behaving abnormally. I could not figure it out exactly, but she did not act like I would expect her to. Perhaps it was something in her vocal patterns or maybe her design, but I would be sure to find out soon either way.

I traveled by rooftop this time, as my energy was restored for the time being. Most of the people on the crowded streets below wouldn't bother to look up and even if they did they probably wouldn't realize what they were seeing. Truth be told, I enjoyed leaping from building to building. I could not fly, but this came close for me. I had little luxuries due to my line of work, so this time to myself helped clear my head. I just had to be careful not to get carried away and misjudge my landing, it could result in property damage or perhaps worse.

I ran into the city and then checked my tracker again. The dot was moving, slowly but surely. It was heading east of me, in a definitive pattern. I jumped to the next rooftop and the next as the dot on the map got closer to my own. I soon ran into a problem as the area around me changed from apartments to houses, small and fragile houses, but houses nonetheless. I was running out of rooftops to jump on, so I slide down a fire escape and walked the rest of the way.

The tracker told me my target was close, though there was no sign of Evelyn. A large bus stopped near some of the houses and a small crowd of people got off. I tried to scan through them quickly, but still no sign of her. After the crowd cleared I checked again and the marker on the screen had moved to the east side of me. According to the tracker, Evelyn was in one of the houses. Was she possibly following one of the people? I hated that there was still so much unknown to me about Evelyn and her intentions.

I looked around and then began moving in on my target. Apparently she was in an average looking house across the street from me, it was not completely falling apart but could definitely use improvements. I made my way over without interruption and scanned the inside of the house with. Surprisingly, there were no signs of life. I figured someone from the buses must have come in here...unless they were no longer alive.

I used some of my tools in my bag to quickly pick the lock and enter the house. It looked normal, all the furniture was arranged as expected and no signs of struggle. There was a backpack on the floor with what looked like school work hanging out of it. I knelt down and read the papers.

"Evan Ramos." I read aloud. This made no sense, I doubted the last name was a coincidence. The work appeared to be for a child, perhaps adolescent, but I did not think Delilah had any relatives this young.

"Put the paper down. You have ten seconds to tell me who you are or I shoot." I heard a young male voice say behind me, followed by the all too familiar sound of a gun about to fire.