Metropolis

Annual Android Auction

As a rogue bot, I was risking a lot just by going into public. My skin is also starting to need a refresher. I have to keep my skin in a cold chamber inside my RAM to preserve a youthful appearance.

Usually I would refresh it but I had to continue in this skin since Chung never left. I have yet to reveal myself to anyone other than our supreme leader. I couldn't risk it.

This skin I wore was nothing but an empty vessel that I "borrowed" from an old friend, completely disposable. I had many more in my closet. Means to an end so to speak. In this skin, I am no longer A15793. I'm now Alissa Vanderwaal.

Usually a distinguishment between the rich and the poor is the technology you yield. Chung has the latest. He flicked his arm to the side and instantly his screen projected into the empty space.

"Long or short," his voice interrupted my thoughts.

"Just pick a random dress and we can get tonight over," I grumbled. He clicked the random assortment button and I reached my hand to the dress. He abruptly pushed my palm away from the screen.

"Don't do that, it will know your hand isn't mine and it will reject my hand from now on and completely disarm-"

"Okay I understand, don't touch," I interrupted him once again as he continued to glare daggers at me.

Once the dress materialized on my form, I was ready to go. We put in the coordinates on our RAM and teleported to the auction.

As soon as we arrived at the auction, he chooses an umbrella for his bidding device. We are sat in our respective seats and the auction begins while the crowd is captivated by Cindi performing her new hit song.

Chung looks overly confident. Not beginning well already.

He threw in some vampire dentures and told me he was identifying as a vampire tonight before we left, whatever that means.

One of my sisters, Charlotte, floats in as it is her turn to be auctioned. He raises his umbrella.

"Remember the deal," I warn him.

He completely ignores me as one of the MPs raise their bidding device. He flashes them at the Metropolis Polis immediately and then raises umbrella once more. The commander taps on the ground and the MPs head towards us or more specifically, Chung.

I say my final words to him, "I warned you," as he is escorted out of the auction. I already know he will be dealt with by one of the spies we have in the MP, as I had already informed him of a possible turnout tonight. He is loyal to our leader and she will have cosigned on this.

I walk to the entrance of the auction house and think of how the execution will go tonight. More than likely he will try to throw me under the bus, but I am more than prepared to show her what lead to tonight.

Ping...

'She has requested your presence.'

I glance at the cryptic message and open my RAM to type in my new location. I float through the portal and gather my bearings. It's a full house tonight. Any time one of our proteges is on trial, every single person in the organization must be present.

Chung was not mine, but his lead was killed before she could fully examine him which put him automatically in her place. I type in our usual meeting place and head down to the chambers.

Our supreme leader was waiting for me as I walked inside. Along with her two loyal guards.

"Alissa," she nodded her head in greetings to me.

"Yes, ma'am," I responded.

"Explain to me what has occurred here,"

"In an effort to show you how fickle "Dag" is, I merely made a small suggestion to him as he seemed to be on the verge of doing something drastic that could potentially harm our cause. I made sure we were covered and had him do it in such a way that we wouldn't be suspects. I even made sure he wrote out a private contract outlining his idea as well with a will leaving everything to you, as you know him more than we all do," I explain to her in a calm tone.

"Very well, he will go on trial, report to your usual seat," she tells me, rising from her desk.

"Roger," I say, following her order.

As I walk into the arena, I tilt my head briefly in acknowledgement of everyone there. This is not social hour. I knew before I left her chambers, the final verdict would be his death. He begins to plead his case, also stating my involvement. Being that the supreme leader trusts my word, I knew she would not do anything to dismember me. I have never lied, nor betrayed her so she will never do that to me either.

The trail ends with what I had aligned, he is killed before our very eyes.

She is now discussing plans to move forward with our mission. Nothing leaves the room. As a solemn silence fills the room, we hash over the details and get prepared to fulfill our duties. We're so close that I can already see our victory.