Waking with throbbing pain in my left side and feeling like being hammered, I've dragged myself under showers we had installed in the safehouse. Cold water but at least clean.
Cleaned up and dressed, I've noticed my pants and sleevless jacket were still stained with red. I had no change so to hell with this.
Stepping out from my cubicle of 'sleeping basement' I've noticed Eiger was up, busy as always with some gear. Reminding how previous talks went down, I've just decided to walk past her.
"Rai." She called while putting tools away.
"Yes, Eiger?" I've asked waiting for another tyrade about how I should rush to get Winters so he could not be already dead.
"I owe you an apology." Eiger finally speaks, with difficulty, but she looked more painstaken than disapproving. At my silence she tries to continue. "When Monika died I was pissed...beyond pissed off. And I've taken it out on you. I shouldn't have..."
Have to say I was surprised. Admitting to something like that wasn't her style.
"When I saw Winters' body there...I've understood there wasn't anything you, me or anyone else could do for Monika. Jolt like that straight into your skull is a death sentence. This is something I've never seen and can't process fully. So I apologize for that."
"Alright, Eiger. But now I want to say a thing or two." I cross arms on my chest "You had the right to snap and yell, even accuse me when anger blinded you. But try getting in my face again like that or insulting me without seeing the full picture...And it'll be the last thing you make in your life Eiger. I promise you that."
Eiger's jaw muscles twitch a few times but then she relaxes. "That's a backbone. Good to see...Alright, I've seen my errors and I won't complain or go against you. At least in front of the team. But you can be sure I'll make you know when we won't be seeing eye to eye."
"Good. I'd have no use of people who can't stand up to me fo a reason. For a reason, Eiger." I finish and leave her be.
Moving past the corner where Monika's console rested I stopped and sat in front of it. I still have to get the password...Hold on! Digging in my pockets I produce my lighter. 'Redwood Original est. 1976' the engraving around the image of grim reaper said. Oh Monika, you romantic soul...
Inputting the numbers I am welcomed with main screen and blinking icon of awaiting message. The title...Can't be.
"Hello, ace." Monika's image forms as video begun playing. That wry smile, hands on her hips and sparkle in her eye...My heart sped up hoping to hear it was all a play and she's alive. "If you're hearing this it means I've either died or stepped down...Damn I hope for the latter."
And just like that, invisible hand clenched and twisted my gut.
"I've picked you up from Seattle exactly for that - I knew you and only you can step in my place. You'll keep Krezubasar spinning like I did because only you thought the way I did. If you'll need anything about people or contacts, Amsel will show you the way...And one more thing. Eiger. She'll be or probably already is quite a trouble for you. But she's invaluable, she brings balance to anarchy and too much freedom. You need her in your team and on your side."
Yeah, already racked up quite a story with her.
"If she pushes you, push back. Stand up to her. Just don't try any flattery, she hates it. Last but not least, get her respect on your own. She won't follow only because you'll invoke my name."
Tell me something I don't know, babe. Could use a smile after all that.
"Last thing...Don't botch this up or I'll come back and haunt your ass for the rest of your days! I mean it...Ciao!"
The message ended and window folded down but I've kept sitting there. And then I've laughed. I've felt tears in my eyes but still I laughed. Monika, always the same...At least you never changed.
Wiping my eyes I've adjusted in the seat and begun scrolling through other features on her-err-mine console. Some selected threads from Shadowland, DarkNet of shadowrunners that made me frown. It felt like reading random message boards from regular matrix. I don't have time for this crap. Monika's personal files on the others, hmmm...
Monika wasn't enamoured with herself so this time it were simple text files. One about Amsel had nothing except stating he's a good fixer and that any information about him are hard to come by.
About Dietrich, Monika was more chatty, calling him dearest friend and a very powerful shaman. Support role, she said. Yeah, old man worn no armor and brought knives to the gunfight but still, between magic and stabbing necks he was threatening enough. Nothing about his past either.
She called Glory 'a damaged enigma'. Well that fits. Monika said she knew Glory for five years and still hasn't even scratched the surface as brunette barely talks and mostly stares at the wall when off the run. I really hoped I'd be able to dig deeper. Speaking of depth, I've learned that Glory had adrenal pump installed in her body. Explains how she was able to get to that scorpyrine so fast and kill it. Additionally, she had some medical degree or training, with Schafer calling her a competened medic. That reminded me I'm gonna have to thank Glory properly for stitiching me up after that buckshot. Good excuse to probe further as instead of nightmares last night I remembered Glory hovering above me, but she was smiling. She never smiled in real life.
Eiger, that woman was making even Monika wind up. At one side she praised her skills in combat coming from formal, military training. Smart and strong, both especially high and rare mix for a troll. On the other, Eiger's custom of discipline, paperwork and rules made conflicts with anarchy-oriented freedom fighters like Monika or Dietrich who did not liked to plan everything outright. Being somwhere in the middle I could understand both sides. Tasted the rift already.
Feeling uncertain, lastly I've opened file labeled with my name. Every previous report had something of a theme hidden between the words and one about me, I dare to call nostalgic. She seemed happy having me back, close and working together. She praised I was one of if not the best of her 'old friends'. And that addendum to re-write it before I could read it...I would very much prefer for Monika to be here and re-write it. Then giggle how she used to, just once, for old times sake.
Now I was getting sappy...Ugh.
Powering the console down, I've strided towards Glory's hiding. Just like before, folding chair under her and concrete wall in front. I had to dig deep enough to shake her off it.
"Hey Glory." I try casually and she turns to me. Her eyes blank but lips twitch and curl into ghost of a smile. Interesting...
"Rai. Can I help you with something?"
"Just wanted to thank you for saving my skin with that scorpion monstrosity...That was really impressive. I appreciate patching me up later too of course."
"You're welcome" Glory nods at me. She still seems content and I'd hate to destroy it but questions needed answers.
"I've been thinking on the way back...You've started running like what? Five years ago? Six? Basically to have a vintage chrome like that you'd be a pensioner now. So why that model? Because of the claws?" I snap a light chuckle, trying to keep it lighthearted.
Her eyes stop being dead but get cold. "That's not a story I could tell without a context. To tell it, I'd have to go way back."
"I'm here, ready to listen what you have to say."
"Why do you care?" She suddenly sounds suspicious.
"You're on my team, Glory. You're on of us. I need to know what's behind everyone's decision. What shadow follows you. Just as I can answer questions about my past. Truth for truth."
"Alright Rai...I'll tell you. But on my terms." She relents after a minute.
"Mhm."
"You sure you're up for a long and cruel story?"
"Please, Glory."
And with that, she began her story. With many pauses and emotions slowly sipping through, she told me about her home in Stuttgart, about her good mother and father who's war-induced PTSD pushed towards local fascist movement. Hearing talk about witnessing her own drunk father joining lynches on non-humans made me uneasy but Glory wasn't joking - it only got worse. That's what I assumed as the moment she told me everything changed when she grew up a bit, she snapped. Flush of red went over her face and sparks of fire seemed to struck in her eyes but moment later she went flat and dead as she always way, refusing to talk about it further.
"I understand, I won't push you to say anything you don't want to...But if you'd want to talk, I'm here."
"Thank you Rai...Thank you for understanding." She given me another tiny smile then went robotic again.
Leaving, I've felt I've managed to get my fingers between the doors inside her, only now I'll have to be careful to not lose them.
Common room as I've came to call the biggest space in the safehouse, welcomed me with a happy bark of Dante. Mongrel nearly toppled me onto ground when he rested on my chest and started licking my face.
"Alright, that's enough cleaning!" I chuckle, gently throwing him off then giving him a good scratch behind ears. That beast could bite my leg off easily and yet now he was like a puppy, rolling on his back and getting belly scratches. After few minutes I've call it enough and threw him soy jerky treat. He seemed happy with that.
Striding towards the couch, I've slumped next to Dietrich.
"Hey boss." He welcomed me "Need anything?"
"Just getting other's thoughts on what we've seen in Drogenkippe yesterday."
"Ah..." Dietrich shakes his head like still in disbelief "We've got Winters, he got what he deserved, I think. Still, we got no real answers."
I sigh, digging deeper in touchy stuff. "Been meaning to ask you D...How are you holding up? I know you and Monika knew each other longer than anyone else. You weren't beating around the bush with showing how you felt about her death."
"I did knew her a long time but...You got that right, I wasn't hiding how I've felt. That's it." Shaman shrugged "Eiger thinks she's so professional by bottling up everything inside and Glory...She's so full of chrome and wires that despite all she done for us, I'm wondering if she can actually feel anything at all."
Getting similar vibe, I could relate with the old man.
"Besides, I'm too old to hide anything or act for others. Been on stage for too long to do that anymore."
"Stage? You performed somwhere?" I've asked in slight shock, having hard time picturing tattooed and rowdy Dietrich starring in some theater or one of those digital tri-vids productions.
"I used to front a punk band, Rai. I've spent better years of my life up there, with microphone in my hand and tearing my throat out for the audience." Dietrich replied and nostalgic smile washed across his features. "Damn good time..."
"Never pictured you for a guy who could sing." I've chuckled, hearing in my mind harsh voice of the shaman singing some lousy, love-struck ballad.
"I was a front man of a punk band...Fuck no, I can't sing!" Dietrich laughed. "But I was good a riling up the crowd so much they didn't cared. It was all about energy, aggressive beliefs pounding in your heart. Nobody cared if I was singing off key."
"What was the name of the band? I used to go stir crazy about music like that as a kid, maybe I've heard it."
"Doubt it...We never actually got any airtime. Just live concerts that mostly ended in riots."
"Since when airtime has anything to do with good music? C'mon, spill it."
"Fine...MESSERKAMPF! was the name. With capital letters and-"
"And huge exclamation point." I finish and feel like fate given me one of those rare pleasant coincidences. At the questioning stare of Dietrich, I've unbuttoned my jacket to display really worn out t-shirt with handpainted logo of Dietrich's former band.
Expression that old man had on his face was priceless.
"Wow...Just...How even?"
"You guys were in England, no? I've seen MESSERKAMPF! back in '32 when I was just a little brat. London's East End, then in Dingwalls Rebooted. Man that show was one fire..."
"Dingwalls...I remember that show. One of the very few shows when we were completely sober and focused on the music." Dietrich smiled broadly. "Still, can't process the coincidence that you've not only knew but apparently even liked my shitty band."
"Hey, little kid that didn't fit anywhere but hated rules was bound to end up on a punk rock concert. Especially back in thirties."
"True. Seen a lot of youngsters like me walking out from our shows like they were invincible...But that's Dragonslayer for you. I am his servant and by showing off my magic on stage, some of it fell onto audience. You see, Dragonslayer is a ballsy idol. Only thing he likes is when you scrap with those bigger than you. With my disrespect for authorities and fight against the system, Dragonslayer was getting fat on the energy siphoning from me and those on our shows."
"How did you come into that whole shamanism thing and Dragonslayer? Magic like that is inborn?"
"No, Rai. Idols choose their servants. I was chosen when I was a kid, goaded by it to fight harder, yell louder...Blaze my own trail with fist and shout. My family didn't liked that so I've just left...Knocked some heads, heads of bad people. My reward was magic, I've used it to fight even bigger fights. From that, It was an endless circle really. Simple, easy in some way."
"Explains why you can still give gangers run for their money even if you fight with knives and knuckledusters."
"Hey, real men use fists to settle their differences. That's what my Idol likes, that's what I give him. Besides...It's fun."
"Never change, D. Never change." I leave shaman and make my way to Paul who apparently was waiting for me patiently.
"Eiger told me that Winters died and in the same way Monika did." Amsel speaks to me without greetings.
"Eiger likes to push and prod where she shouldn't..." I let out unwillingly when recalling my ill-tempered confession to her about my peronal war with drug dealers. "But yes, it looked exactly like Black IC overload that cut Monika down."
"I know you and Eiger have differences but that is also why she told me about it not waiting for you. She was shaken, far more than I've ever seen her."
"Well at least in front of you she doesn't play cold and heartless."
"About those discs you've found...These were in fact DVD/RW discs that I haven't seen since I was a boy. Strange why Winters would use such ancient technology."
"Got anything out of them?"
"No, they're too damaged for me to try. We'll need a specialist. The owner of the shop outside, Mallit Hoyley may be able to help. She doesn't look like much but I know she's quite an expert in data retrieval. Just like many others, she came to Krezubasar to start anew." Paul finishes conspirationally. "And when it comes to paying, tell her it will be covered from my account."
"On it." I reply and move towards the exit, with Dante already following me.
Right next to the hidden wall, I've noticed makeshift workspace in form of folding chair and folding table, from the looks of it pulled from the storage above. Red mohawk reminded me of the newest memeber of my band of misfits.
"Heyya boss. What's up?" Lazy voice welcomes me and soon screen light of the set up console illuminates Blitz's face.
"Just dropped in to see how you like your new home."
"Chief...I've gotten better sleep in that chair than I ever got in bed, all because I did not had to be afraid of some ganger sneaking up on me and slitting my throat in my sleep. So that's one. Second is that I'm finally out of the mediocre existence being leashed to the gang. I can't wait to get on a run with ya and show you off my skills."
"Oh that time is coming with big steps, Blitz. Believe it. But since I'm here, I have some questions."
"Lay it on me chief. I won't bullshit you."
"How long you were in Drogenkippe?"
"Woah, well it'll be...Damn, it'll be since anarchist revolt in '39. You've made me feel old for a second." Blitz snapped a nervous chuckle "I was just a kid back then, not really knowing what I can and what I should do with decking skills. Also, being a young idiot, I thought it was genius idea to run with a gang crowd, instead of shadows."
"So what about the gang that was running Des Kesselhaus?"
"Uh...The Schwarze Herzen. I've kinda joined them back when they were little streetsmarts but already ambitious. Done some lucrative decking in the gesture of good will and soon Dieter, the boss, treated me like a long time brethren. They were dirty with whole drug selling business but still came out quite clean in perspective of Drogenkippe. Everything was going smooth and nuyens kept flowing into my pocket until Dieter caught a bullet in a fight and everything fell apart."
"Dieter died during takeover of the hotel?"
"Not exactly..." Judging from uneasy grimace from Blitz, he really wouldn't want to continue it. His loss.
"I'm listening, mate."
"Dieter kicked the bucket because his second in command, Leoni Luster, blew his head off. She was a real handful with mile long rap sheet of nasty things and worst, she didn't really liked me."
"I don't know how's that possible Blitz, you're a natural."
"Don't know. She was hot but even now thinking about that bitch is making my knees shake a bit. Good thing she was already dead when you got there. You've taken down her turncoat second in command though."
"What? When?" It didn't occured to me earlier.
"Great orc in a white suit. He was guarding the vault with new-found friends, probably activated the defenses himself by trying to get into the whole thing. That grenade trick you've pulled down there, it looked like Realer-Than-Life combat simulation. Cool as hell."
"I've watched a lot of movies as a kid." I grin, always happy to admit my inspirations. "But back on track, few things doesn't add up, you know?"
"What do you mean?" Blitz got really nervous and I knew I had him nailed.
"What happened after Luster went after you but before hotel got attaked?"
"Um-I...I mean..."
"You've had your part in the take over, huh?"
"Look chief, it's not like I've betrayed them, okay? I was in good relations with Dieter but that bitch Leoni had some mad-on for me. Guys I've been having beer every night turned against me! What else ould I do but to feed Luster's info to the rival gang?"
"But they didn't let you go, no?"
"No...My plan backfired at me. Nobody likes loose ends."
"Well I'm not here to give you lessons on morals and ethics Blitz. You've done what you could to save your skin. Just remember one thing..." By suddenly grabbing handful of his ferro-elastic jacket I've made his eyes widen from fear. "You're among shadowrunners now. Try pulling a number like that on us and whole Berlin will start hunting for you. In this business, traitors never last."
"S-Sure. Chief, c'mon man." Blitz started to stutter "You've saved my ass and you're straight with me. I'm gonna pull my own weight out there, no dobut about it!"
"Good." I replied letting him go. "Keep it up Blitz, there's a future for you if you'll just keep head on your shoulders and not in your arse."
"Yeah. I'll keep that in mind." Decker turned nervously back to his console. Shaking him up like that, I needed to crack on his confidence. He needed to be grateful for a second chance, otherwise he might've tried someting in the future.
Walking out into early evening, I reminded myself that lack of sunlight wasn't such of an issue when taking day off now and then. Could use a day off and some warmer weather...
Hoyley fortunately had some vintage display that could be hooked up to DVD player. Problem was, she did not had a player. But she told me there was a scavenger on the junkyard laying on the other side of Krezubasar...
Small place was littered with rust and scrap, in the middle of it an old man in many layers of oiled clothes. Looking up on me from behind inch-thick glasses he welcomed me in elderly voice.
"Mallit Holyey told me you have old tech around here." I cut to the chase, feeling put off with glint striking in old man's eye.
"But of coure I do, finest pieces in Krezubasar. Always from Schrotty!" he beams in his stout figure.
"DVD player. I need one that works. Now." I came out more harsh than I intended but damned if I did not needed answers pronto and these were locked on old, beat up discs. Shame on you Green Winters! Shame on you and shame on your cow!
"Ah, the little shrew cracked up finally and sent you to old Schrotty? Well, Schrotty may have exactly what you need..." Old junker cackles and trotts away for a minute, audibly rummaging through piles of electronics and pieces of machines he must've been stripping as first-gen turbo bike stands in front of me, already picked clean to the frame from everything. "There we are! 2010 model...Korean! A-plus primo merchandise, everything working and shiny, Schrotty always provides the best!"
"Looks like what I'm after..." I look over box kept in Schrotty's hands. "How much Schrotty wants for that?" I ask, playing along with apparent schizophrenia.
"Well you know it is a rare commodity these days, a white raven to find authentic Korean model..." Schrotty begins mumbling and now I see that glint back in his eye. Oh you old crafty scoundrel, trying to up the price...You never haggled with a scotsman so let's see if you germans have an answer for that.
"Foive hundred? Are ye takin a bloody piss ya glaikit?" I burst into horrible english, pretending to sound like a scottish friend of mine from the past. "Ye heed aren't bolted! Three hundred!" I make a gesture with my fingers.
"Nein nein, five hundred nuyen!" Schrotty thickens the accent and for a good few minutes we argue in different languages, understaning only tones and hand gestures of numbers.
"Aright, alright, shut yer geggy!" Schrotty suddenly snapped in english. "A wouldny believe a'll see a fella scot in tae glaikit like that! Take tae bloody thing fer three hundred! A canny take foive from ye."
"Thanks mate. A remember tah drink fer ye." I've replied, hiding astonishment at that twist of events and handing him the credsticks.
"Bolt ya rocket!" Schrotty grumbled and walked away but leaving I've seen his old face twisted in something of a quiet nostalgia. Evidently being able to yell for a moment in his native slang must've work him up. Good thing I was able to fool the man, thank you Charlie for all these drunken nights at the pub...
Still little shakened with the exchange I've had, absent-mindedly I've trotted the wrong way, finding myself in front of Laine.
"Hey Rai, I've heard you're the one running Monika's outfit now." Old troll welcomes me, adjusting weight on the crutch.
"Word travels fast here."
"Here? Old man farts and kids across the block complain." Aleksi bursted into cackle with me. Oh yeah, good old toilet humor never gets old. "Need anything or just doing rounds to piss on some trees?"
"You have an ear to the ground more than others Laine...Anyone acting up more than should after loss of Monika? Trouble?"
Laine grunts then clears his throat and spits onto side walk "Most are still in shock. But that'll pass and panic will set in...Few folks around here have their nerves collected. Without Monika popping their corks with goodwill, people will start seeing through Schafer's paint, miserable reality seeping back into Krezubsar. Some will not handle it too well."
"And you?"
"I'm too old to bother...I've died once and now I'm just a sad, grumpy old man waiting for my number to come." Laine replied "Monika was able to read the Flux, feeling the wind blowing. Without her playing entire Krezubasar like a piano, things will go to shit. Fast."
"Not if I can help it. It's my home now Laine. Whether I like it or not, this stinkhole is all I got. Even a shitter gets comfy if you'll clean it." I shrug.
"Hah! Monika used to say something like that, only more with those honeyed words tricking others to listen as she played smartass.."
"Yeah, she did that...Changing subject, these prosthetics of your look antique. You fought that long ago or somebody was cutting expenses when cutting your legs off?"
Laine shifts, his limbs hissing with working hydraulics. "I've fought in first Euro War. Bombing run caught me in the open field...None of that tri-vid heroic shit. Just a fucking bad luck."
"Okay, okay I get it. I'm leaving."
"Until, Rai." Aleksi nodds to me, his one good eye turning away to scanning the street in front of him.
Since already being at Moritzplatz, I've checked around the corner to find Beckenbauer as always busy with some arrangements with his charity. Let's see if my faith in people wasn't wasted...
"Herr Rai, good evening." Samuel welcomes me. What a nice shift, help up with some money and suddenly they want to shake your hand...People are so similar everywhere.
"Mr. Beckenbauer, how are things?"
"Oh they are terrific in comparison where we were before thank to your help! Entire shelter is well stocked with blankets and we even managed to strike a bargain on basic foodstuffs that'll help us survive the winter."
"That's great news, I'm glad I could help those people." I've nodded, honestly surprised two hundred and fifty done all that. Starting to feel the value of the cash I've been spending on pleasures like grenades and tracer rounds. "Is there any way I could do more for you?"
"Well um, as much as I am not going to impose anything Mr. Rai, we are currently gathering money for a library to help in education of our guests. Many are depraved of standard education so we're aiming at providing basic knowledge about the world and also to give them some form of entertainment that will be beneficial." Beckenbauer explained, his stare telling me not many people were pitching in. Can't blame them this time. Still, no reason not to waste some of that nuyens to get a rap sheet of helper of the poor, be the man of the people and whatnot...
"I happen to be able to donate a bit..." I've ruffled through my pocket, letting out bigger credsticks safely "...350?"
"Herr Rai that is-That's extremely generous! It would cover the entire expenses!" Samuel jumps out of his suit at the sight of money.
"Then take it and give people a library they deserve...One more thing Mr. Beckenbauer, I have a...personal request."
"How can I be of service?"
"Yesterday I've talked to a girl named Silke and she seemed convinced to join here, to knock off her addiction."
"Ah yes, terrible sight of a nineteen-year old addicted to cram..." Samuel saddened "Usually addicts to nova-amphetamines are very stubborn in their addiction but Silke...I do not know what have you told her but her commitment is truly inspiring. Since she came yesterday there wasn't even single complaint from our rehab group. There's a long journey in front of her but with commitment she shown, she has a very good chance to get healthy within six months."
"That's terrific news, Mr. Beckenbauer. Please update me on her progress."
"Done. May I ask about your interest in young Silke? If it is not personal of course."
"I've pulled her from Drogenkippe before she sold herself for drugs. I've made her come here and I want the girl to straighten out...Drugs is the one thing I will always be against, Mr. Beckenbauer and I will die before letting some more poor kids go down because of them."
I must've had fire of all nine hells burning in my eyes and shadow of Grim Reaper above me, judging from the way Samuel's eyes widened hearing me.
"It is uncommon to meet someone with such firm stance against poisons damaging our society. I am glad to be an associate of yours." Samuel shook my hand, his posture changing further into relaxed.
"Feeling's mutual. Have a good evening." Parting ways with the orc I've already heard his excited talk through the phone, arranging shipment of reading material, mostly manuals for simple jobs. Huh, he really start to sound like a good egg.
Feeling flakes of snow falling onto my bare arms, I shiver and pick up the pace, Rein Neugier import shop was near. Home sweet home...
"I have the device, now any of you..." I suspend the question to the entire team assembled by Amsel but he takes the box from my hands and plugs everything together after few minutes of recalling old times.
"Don't keep us in the suspense, plug the damned thing already." Dietrich calls, his impatient drumming of fingers against the couch's rest reflects everyone's anticipation.
"Do the honors, Rai." Glory speaks, crossing arms on her chest. With chest like that and outfit like that she shouldn't be doing it.
Doing my best to focus and be professional I've managed to put tiny disc on the tray and stuff it back into player. After few seconds I was welcomed by list of unnamed tracks. Top to bottom, let's go for a ride...
Quickly, a sight of disheveled man pops in, along with date stamp in the corner: 2034-9-15
"Hermie...I think I've found her! Feuershwinge...She isn't dead! That creature did not perished during Dragonfall!" Man's excited voice coming through buzz of interference chilled blood in my veins. I've still did not read up on this but from what Paul told me already...
Screen flickered and white static fills the display for a good minute before the man shows up again, evidently static interrupting longer speech "...Taking the team to SOX to retrieve her. Radiation isn't the factor as it used to be then...Maybe, just maybe if *she* survived then maybe the body too...Look Hermie I'll be gone for some time so do me a favour and look after our mother, alright? And one more thing...Look after yourself in Berlin, I've heard things were starting to heat up back there...I need to do this, to enter SOX and end Firewing once and for all."
Display flickers and goes black, indicating end of the recording. I look at the team, their stares riveted to now blank display. Silently I switch next track on, knowing if I'll stop this, I won't have the strength to continue.
Data stamped as 2053-12-25 so 19 years after...Green Winters in the flesh. Unburned and alive flesh. Yet.
"Found Adrian's message he left all those years ago...Strange to hear him again. Calling me 'Hermie'...Old days be damned." Winters stopped and taken a long sip from bottle of cheap whiskey he held in his hand. Overweight and with recinding hair that guy was just nasty. Didn't looked much better than when we found him to be honest. "Dr. Adrian Vauclair. Hero of the people, dragonslayer...my brother. Hard to believe I've lost him almost twenty years ago."
Wait, what?
"So now, I'll start recording these DVDs for me, for Adrian...For anyone who'd found it to know and pass down these important facts...Starting with that for twenty years I've couldn't find one word about my brother's expedition, not a peep about entire squad entering SOX...Funny thing is, I've lately dug up a rumor that there was one group that got back from SOX but they simply vanished without a trace. Nothing more, not a data or a name, nothing...Just a rumor, isn't it brother? You're gone for a long time and I just can't deal with it."
Screen fades black and before I know it, my finger pushes in play for next recording.
2054-10-12. Winters seemed eager. "I've found old footage from Firewing's attacks, months before her death...Comments followed." Screen buzzed a moment, displaying attached reording of news bulletin from July 6 2012. Wow, that's quite old...
Short, clipped interview the reporter vulture was making with survivor of attack from the dragon. I always knew the stories about dragons but damn, that Feuershwinge wasn't holding out on some poor little town, razing it to the ground with fire.
"It was a dark time for Germany...We were all afraid." Amsel spoken suddenly when the interview ended. "News like that came every night on every channel."
Winters came back on, pleasant as always with company of his three chins. "I've tried new approach since Adrian's a dead end. Been diging up on Feuershwinge, circling my way around..."
2054-10-31. "Firewing's a bust. But something is off, way off...All the information I've found was hidden abstractively, meant to be found and sate anyone's curiosity, keeping people from prodding further...Then there is an issue that came up since I've started this...I'm being followed. I'm not a decker like Clockwork or Shafer but I know few tricks, and tracing routines are hunting me everytime I'll log into Net no matter how and where."
Oh? He mentioned Monika? She was a good decker so maybe that's how Winters heard about her...Told you to not advertise so hard Moni...I've told you so many times...
2054-11-09. Development happened in that short time, seeing Green literally green and pale at once from nauseous panic.
"I'm getting close, too close to something big...There's a trail of bodies already and more are disappearing. Gearbox, Marcian, Peregrine. All gone in the past years with Gearbox going AWOL recently. All of them were looking into Feuershwinge. There are ghost stories about deckers going off grid and then coming back *changed*...I'm starting to think that's true."
"I know what stories he's talking about, chief." Blitz piped in quickly "Thought some urban legends myself but maybe not...That's grim stuff, horrors really."
"This is not me being paranoid, I must've stepped into something huge. Something that calls for measures like that must be colossal!" Winters continued his rant. "There's one thing to support claim of big player behind the scene: Tolstoi told me that around five years ago there was a decker named Hellebore that posted information about Feuershwinge onto Shadowland and hour later a mil-spec kill squad crashed into Hellebore's safehouse and cooked the place with her in it. Tolstoi told me that Hellebore live streamed the whole thing, including one person of the hit squad coming unmasked - a large orc with skin grafts and cybernetic augs. After this the camera melts with Hellebore lighting up like a match..."
"That orc sounds all too familiar...We're onto his ass!" Dietrich growls from the couch.
"Everything, all of these ghastly stories, points into one conclusion...Firewing is still alive and Adrian was right. It must be a Dragon, nothing else would have the power like that..." Winters continued, exhausted by his own revelations "I need to find Adrian and somehow put Firewing down...For all of our sake."
"This shit is unbelieveable man." Blitz muttered while Winters made another break for taking a swig from the bottle.
"I've backtraced nodes Hellebore was using and managed to create set of coordinates, forming a map...Harfeld Manor. Matrix record show this was where Hellebore reached right before her death. Nice, convenient place far away from prying eyes. I need to get into the vault that seems to be in that estate-"
"Spoilers people, we know what's in there." I've let out, flat humor being one of last coping mechanisms I've had.
"I'm gonna tap Schafer for this job, she's decent skilled and gullible enough...I'll forge some tip that vault has info threatning Flux State and she'll swallow it like a good fish." Winters cackled, making Dante flatten ears and growl at the screen.
"I warned her..." Amsel whispered rubbing his eyes "I've warned her this man was off and the mission was unreliable but she insisted. 'Anything for our freedom' she said."
"By tommorrow I'll either have the intel from Harfeld or...Schafer's death will give me an answer too. Shame a bit but better her than me."
Winters was lucky he died already. For that one line I would lock all my civility away and make him wish he went to Harfeld and plugged into grid on his own.
Data stamped with 2054-11-10 switch on though I did not recall moving towards the player. Interior behind Winters changed, no longer nice and preppy, instead familiar stained misery of Des Kesselhaus showed up. Video was much worse and shook as if Green was talking to a handheld camera.
"Suspicions confirmed, Schafer's dead." Green coughs, seeing even worse than before. He must've lost some of that beauty sleep, looking worse from wear than before and that's an achievement. "Got tip from Krezubasar. Matrix feedback fried her brain. Considering her skills, the IC at the estate must've been top shelf, even for Berlin standards. Now there's no point in hiding it - we're dealing with a dragon. Actual, royally angry dragon known for destruction and relentlessness. And everything points that she's coming for me next. But I'm not out of the game yet. I have connections...Flux-State can be manipulated into weapon which I intend to do. Now I'll gotta risk plugging again into Matrix, pulling the strings and calling in favors. Twenty minutes should be enough, they won't find me that fast."
"What do they say in America? No refunds..." Dietrich grinned predatorially at the blackout screen. "Still he got off easy in comparison what I'd do to him for setting us up and getting Monika killed. In cold blood!"
Right on cue the screen chirped and another video of Green appeared. Close up of his bloodshot eyes haunted me for days after I've heard his raspy voice one last time. "If you're reading this then that means I'm dead and also that means now they're after YOU!"
Player clicked and tray pulled, showing there was nothing more on the disc. Silence fell in the room, heavy and thick like a smoke, choking down any words we wanted to say.
Blitz was the first to snap, I could hear his thumping heart from two feet away.
"Woah what the fucking fuck, man?! Nobody told me that you were kicking up a dragon! Why you haven't told me anything?!"
"We didn't knew until now-"
"You didn't knew?! I didn't signed up for a dragon!" Decker was losing his shit, nothing too rare, it occured to me.
"You are involved now, so be quiet and take your hand off him!" Sharp voice of Glory silenced Blitz and made him step away, only then making me realize he grabbed a handful of my jacket. Her reaction surprised me but I had no time to muse, everyone suddenly rising voice.
"Quiet...I SAID QUIET!" My voice proven to be stronger than theirs, silencing others. "We're in a pinch so don't lose your cool, people! Slowly, everyone take a breath...Good. Now let's break it down."
"Dragon. Winters set us up against a fucking dragon..." Dietrich was first to speak up.
"Worst of them all, Firewing." Amsel adds thickly, wiping sweat from his forehead "She's alive and scheming God knows what.
"I shoulda stayed in that hotel. I knew this was too good to be true-"
"Shut your gob or I'll fill it with shot!" I snap at Blitz, once again reverting into mix of english accent. Old habits die hard when I'm really angry.
"We don't know for certain-"
"We do, Eiger love. Trust me, the writing's on the wall here." Dietrich interrupts sniper. "I'm willing to go with my gut and as now I understand what I felt when we've eneterd that complex...Dragonslayer smelled greatest foe or I say that we've walked into Firewing's nest."
Glory and Eiger looked at me, him, each other and then back at Dietrich. I could've heard cogs in their heads moving. Or was it in mine?
"Think about it. A decker posts some sensitive intel about Feuershwinge and quickly gets killed by the same scarred orc that we've met and was at least partially responsible for Monika's death too. He said that we've seen too much. Connection is clear between the orc, the dragon and that damned estate."
"And the Black IC that killed Moni also melted Winter's brain...Yeah, I'm hearing you D. We've stepped into giant pile of dragon shit." I nod to the shaman, feeling how my legs are getting lighter despite all the blood and confidence falling down there.
"Alright, let's pretend this really is a dragon, more so a dragon from outside the corporate circle and the one that is supposedly dead for twenty years..." Eiger adjusted headband keeping her golden locks away "What are we gonna do against it? What do we *can* do about it?"
"Find the guy that tried to kill it twice already...This whole Vauclair guy. Paul, what can you tell us about this Doctor?" I've asked our fixer.
"He is the dragonslayer, pardon the namesake Dietrich, a man who developed weapons for the Luftwaffe that finally pierced the hide of Firewing, making her fall into SOX. Before his inventions, nothing was able to hurt the dragon." Paul replied slowly. "Yes, we need to contact only man who knows how to actually get under dragon's skin, literally."
"That fat slob looked for Vaulcair for twenty years and as much I hate the fucker, that's a lot of time to get results even going half-cocked." I retorted, hoping for Amsel to pull out a rabbit from his hat.
"We will contact information broker." Paul explains and I already smell that gust of soykaf from Cafe Cezve.
"Fine, I'll get another bag of coffee-"
"Not even close Rai. Altug knows a lot but that level of infomation is far beyond him..." Paul taken off his glasses and sighed "We need to dig deep, for the very best in Berlin."
"So how far down the rabbit hole we'll go?"
"All the way." Paul smiles lightly "I will put you in contact with Alice."
Wait, what? Is this some word game or Paul is just messing with me?
"You're kidding right? Finding her is an achievement. To buy her info you need to sleep on hoard of gold!" Blitz pipes in, making me sure that there actually is a broker named Alice, probably residing in a bar or something that is called Rabbit's Hole. Fate, you crafty minx...
"I've never heard of that 'Alice'." Eiger pipes in.
"Most prominent and powerful broker in Berlin's shadowcommunity. Ex-Schokwellenreiter. She provides data retrieval for the F-State..."
Shockenwell-Hey I heard that name before! From that phonebooth offering money for data...Well if they're connected like that then this whole Alice could be worth the hassle. Only that thing about steep prices worried me.
Amsel taps few things on his machine and then produces an encoded credstick, handing it to me. "Your key to Alice. Ten thousand nuyen, which is all of my personal savings, to get you down the rabbit's hole. We have one shot at this, make the most out of this meeting Rai." Paul's words lay heavy on me, making my hands start to sweat.
"Where's the Rabbit's Hole?"
"Alstadt Spandau U-Bahn station. From there, the locals will show you where it is...You'll find Alice there. Just...Be careful Rai."
"Alright, I will...See you guys in a few." I only reply and wave at them, moving without any distractions, knowing every minute takes me closer to falling onto floor and reeling from all that shit pouring on me like rain.