In a dark run down basement, a mysterious pod opened with a loud hiss. Phantom stumbled out of the chamber gasping for air and struggling to stand. The detective noted that it was a little quiet, but the muffled sounds of the street above were heard. In the corner of the room, a dusty probe whirred to life and approached the thawed detective.
"Hello detective. I am Revitalized Intelligence Communicator class-0, but you can call me by my nickname, Rico." The probe said with a peppy attitude.
"Ugh… Where am I?" Phantom groggily asked the probe with confusion.
"You are in a storage room at 21st and north. But I must advise you rest before you head upstairs. The world has changed quite a bit since you last saw it." Rico responded to the detective.
"Why? What's today's date?" Phantom asked.
"January 12th." Rico answered.
Phantom walked upstairs and opened a door to the alleyway. He opened the door to a massive futuristic cityscape of the place he once knew. Rico flew up to Phantom who was awestruck to the massive changes to his hometown.
"I forgot to mention the year, detective. The year is 2416 A.D." Rico said to Phantom. Phantom stumbled back into the alley and sat down with his back against the wall, succumbing to culture shock. He fell quiet remembering the city he once knew, how he used to defend its denizens against crime, now he felt like he did not belong.
"Rico… Where can I get a drink?" Phantom asked the probe with a somber tone.
"There is a small establishment that serves inexpensive alcoholic beverages. I can provide you with the necessary credits if you are interested." Rico says to a crestfallen Phantom. As he is comforting Phantom, a small silver card ejects out of one of Rico's slots. Rico then gives the card to Phantom.
"Here, This should contain 500 credits. It should be enough to buy you a beverage. I'll guide you to the establishment, it is definitely better than rotting in that alleyway." Rico says to Phantom as he exits the alley. Phantom follows the android out of the alley and onto the sidewalk. As the two walked, the city was full of activity from flying cars, neon advertisements, and ill guided fashion senses. Phantom also learned that the city has a new name, Rossenberg. Before long, the two arrive at the bar, aptly named, Old Timer.
"I will wait outside until you return." Rico says to phantom as he hovers to a small charging post. Phantom enters the establishment and felt completely out of his element. The entire place was dim as multi colored lasers flashed, a loud techno beat was booming through the establishment, and scantly dressed individuals danced to the pulsing beat. Phantom found an open spot at the bar and sat down on the stool. A bartender saw the sullen detective and approached him.
"What will you have?" The bartender said to the detective.
"You have any scotch?" Phantom asked the bartender. The bartender nods and gets the sullen detective a shot of scotch.
"You look depressed. Got laid off at work?" The bartender asks Phantom, noticing the detective's sullen attitude.
"Not exactly. "Phantom says as he slams his scotch. "Have you ever felt like you woke up one day and you felt lost in the world?"
"A few times, stranger. A few times." The bartender responded. As the bartender pours Phantom his drink, a group of goons with a familiar bonfire symbol etched on their vests, gather at the entrance wielding multiple SMG's. One of the goons fires his weapon into the air forcing everyone into a panic.
"ALRIGHT! EVERYONE OUT! WE'RE ROBBING THIS JOINT!" One of the goons yelled at the crowd. The crowd complied and rushed out of the establishment with great speed. However, Phantom stayed behind the bar, remaining hidden from the goons who are now sweeping for stragglers. As Phantom hid behind the bar, He noticed that a local police officer had the same idea. The Officer was a large African American man with a crew cut and looked about 35. He also noted that there were five goons in the establishment. Phantom looked around for a suitable weapon to fight back against the goons. The detective saw a pistol on the ground and a shotgun, perfect for his plan. Phantom shoved the shotgun across the floor to the officer and made subtle hand motions describing his plan to take out the goons. The officer nods and remains hidden as he takes position behind an overturned table. Phantom picks up the pistol noting it had a full clip of 18 rounds and gets ready to face the goons. Phantom gets up and begins to open fire on the goons, taking out two out of five goons and expended 5 rounds of ammunition in the process. The three remaining goons turn to face Phantom and began to open fire, unaware of the officer behind them with a loaded shotgun. Phantom dives behind cover as the valiant officer aims and fires two shots into two of the goons, leaving one goon remaining. As the goon runs for the door, Phantom acts quickly and tackles the goon to the ground.
"Who is your boss?" Phantom asks the goon while holding him to the ground.
"His name is Saint Nick and he says kiss my ass!" the goon sarcastically retorts. Phantom sighs and promptly breaks the goon's pinky finger, causing the goon to cry out in pain.
"Try again. For every wrong answer you give, I break a finger. Got It?" Phantom says while still holding down the goon.
"Dr. White. His name is Dr. White. I swear on my honor this is true." The goon said in a horrified tone.
"Thank you for the info." Phantom says as he promptly knocks the goon out cold. Phantom gets up off the floor and brushes himself off.
"Thanks for the save back there. Got a name?" Phantom says to the officer as he pulls out a cigarette.
"Edmund. Edmund Wards, and you are?" The police officer says to the detective.
"Phantom. And I'm having a rough day. " Phantom says to Edmund as he pulls up a chair and smokes his cigarette.
"Believe me, I can relate. " Edmund pulls up a chair and sits next to Phantom. " I was denied a promotion even though I was at the top of my class and was turned down. The kicker is that the wise guy that got the promotion was doing high-grade narcotics and was having an affair with the chief's wife at the time. The reason why they give him a promotion was because they wanted to introduce 'diversity'." Phantom gives an understanding look to Edmund.
"Try being in an icebox for about 400 years and waking up to find that the entire world has moved on without you and you just feel out of your element." Phantom says to Edmund as he finishes his cigarette. "You definitely seem like you can handle yourself in a tight situation. I'll put in a good word for you."
Rico burst in through the door, obviously in a panic.
"There you are! I heard gunshots! I can't leave you alone for ten minutes without you getting in some predicament!" Rico says as he surveys the scene. "Anyway, I found a establishment you can stay at until proper housing is found for you."
Phantom tosses his cigarette aside and gets up from his chair.
"I best get going, I need to find a place to stay before it get's dark. Stay safe Ed." Phantom says as he follows the Rico out the door. As he traversed the streets, Phantom noted the grime and grit the city had. It honestly almost felt homely in a sense.
"Over 400 years, and nothing seems to have changed a day." Phantom said to himself as he pulled out and lit another cigarette. Him and Rico kept walking until they see a run down apartment building. Rico unlocks the door and floats inside. Phantom walks inside the building, the pungent smell of dust and mold filled the room. After scanning the area, Rico finds an elevator and hovered inside. Phantom steps inside as Rico pushes the button to the 8th floor. The elevator shoots up to the 8th floor in a matter of seconds. Rico floats out of the elevator and down the hall, stopping at one of the doors.
"Over here, Detective. This is the room I found." Rico says as he unlocks the door. Phantom walks in to find the room is in mass disrepair. Phantom notices a chair in the corner and takes a seat.
"Guess some things aren't meant to change." Phantom says to himself as he sat on the chair smoking his cigarette, contemplating on how he was going to adjust to this new life of his.