The osiris shift trinity.., p.28
The Osiris Shift (Trinity Sprawl Book 1), page 28
I felt thoroughly chastised my cheeks burning a little red in embarrassment. It was a rookie mistake to push hard on a run. It makes you blind and stupid. I’d been pushing hard now for two days. It didn’t take much effort to analyze the most recent conflict to see how far I had been chasing bad decisions with stupid ones.
The rubber cushioning bags inflated to cradle the small bike in its protective grip. I could hear the pumps and the straining of the rubber as the system worked to gauge the right amount of pressure needed to hold the bike securely. The self park lowered the Henderson into the depths smoothly taking it out of sight.
I pulled up a map within my visual display and gave it a quick scan. The nearest hyperloop station was about ten kilometers away while the nearest redlight district was within easy walking distance.
“Breck.” Harry said, her normal husky tone soft and light. She was cradling the shoulder of her missing arm. “We’ve both lost too much in the last few days. I don’t want to lose you both to stupidity. Get some rest and get your head on.”
“I will. I promise.” I said my voice matching her intensity. I heard Bast sniff sharply as if trying to hold something back. “It’s a promise.” She said her voice a little tight. Harry smiled at both of us. It was the same smile that only mothers know how to give. The one that melts through all your defenses and warms you with soft words. “It’s going to be alright.”
For the first time I truly felt everything was going to be fine. A little rest and recharge was all that we needed. Ogygia could wait a few hours more. It would even still be the same day. So, I wouldn’t break my promise to D.D. about coming for a visit. I embraced the warmth spreading throughout my chest. It was going to be alright.
Case Entry 42
The two kilometer walk to the love motel I had chosen was grueling. I didn’t choose the first one I found but instead looked for one that was off the beaten path and had decent reviews. If you’re going to have to go to ground quality over expedancy can matter. Unless you need to simply vanish then any rat infested hole would work. Bast and I just needed some place to lay low until we got our feet under us again. So quality was important.
That being said the two kilometers was like walking on pins and needles. My muscles were still twitching from caffeine withdrawal. It made any coordinated walking a bit of a challenge. We walked with a slow shuffling gait ploding our way through back alleys to get to this monument of temporary fulfillment.
The pain from my ribs and now from where I had gotten shot pulsed like iron bands trying to constrict me. If it hadn’t been for the painkillers in my system I think I would have fallen to the ground half a kilometer back.
Bast, I could tell, wasn’t doing much better. She was slumping forward with the weight of her arms threatening to pull her to the ground. Her breathing was getting more labored with the exertion of trying to keep upright. She had been holding close to a wall using her hands to walk along its surface to help keep herself upright.
We came out of the alleyway into a back street that held small shop stalls interwoven with the buildings. The hotel was just up and to our left. I moved closer to Bast and offered her my shoulder. There was no more wall for her to use. She looked at me and hesitated for a moment before she wrapped two of her arms around me. The third she kept on the butt of one of her machine pistols.
We tried to walk as calmly and inasmuch confidence as we could. It wasn’t much but we did look dangerous, even in our half worn out state. In the Sprawl you always have to do your best to keep the wolves at bay.
The hotel was not really what I was expecting. From the outside it looked like a small traditional japanese Ryokan, an inn. But it was a front that led into a much larger and more modern building. As soon as we stepped in the door my node connected with the hotel’s PAN. Reflexively I opened the menu and was almost overwhelmed by the options. I had to close it to prevent myself from falling over at the animated menu icons that kept jumping out at me.
We walked a little further in and I spotted a small automated sake bar with stools. A last stop before booking I guessed. I helped Bast take a seat and she relaxed her arms and weight onto the little bartop. I heard the mdf boards groan under the weight. I took a seat next to her and pulled open the menu.
“Two beds if they have it.” Bast asked with a sleepy yawn. “It’s a love hotel, guess how many beds come to a room?” I replied. “Damnit.” She mumbled.
The menu was pretty comprehensive. It seemed that this ten story hotel had about a hundred and fifty rooms. All with various options. I worked through the options ensuring to pick a deluxe room that had a king size bed with cyber prosthetic friendly spider silk sheets.
The deluxe room came with an ensuite, standing shower and toilet, along with a combo cleaner. It wasn’t much but at least we’d be able to wash our underwear. No doubt it was drenched in sweat by now.
I selected a “by the hour” payment option. It was a higher rate than buying a block of time but it would let us use what we needed and not have to worry about getting evicted. I also tacked on bathrobes, nice soap, a hair brush, single use toothbrushes, other random toiletries, and a disposable beard trimming kit. Shower and a good sleep would do our bodies wonders. At least I hoped.
All fees paid I received the node pass key and room assignment. I was given a warning that the room would take about fifteen minutes to become ready and to please enjoy a complimentary drink at the sake bar. I turned to see Bast pushing herself up. Her breathing became more stable now that she had been able to rest and remove the weight from her shoulders.
“What’s the word on the room?” She asked, blinking back sleep. “It’s getting ready. Got us a king, a shower, and a combo cleaner for our clothes.” I said. She laughed and smiled up at me. “Are you trying to tell me I smell? Cause, just so you know, you’re not smelling like peaches either.” It was my turn to laugh. “What we’ve been through today alone I don’t think either one of us has the right to complain about the others smell.”
Bast must have thought that funny because she let out a little snort of laughter. “Is it always this exciting with you around or are you just trying to show off?” She said, straightening and cracking her back. “Because if you’re showing off you can stop. I’m more than impressed enough.” The sarcasm in her words hit me wrong and I just smiled and laughed harder which didn’t do my ribs any favors.
“Tell me about it. I wish I could stop being so damn impressive. It’s getting close to killing me.” We both laughed and kept laughing. It wasn’t that anything we were saying was really that funny but stress has a funny way of expressing itself.
The notification that our room was ready displayed in my visual field. “Time to go. Rooms ready.” I said. Bast’s laughter trailed off as she groaned. It pained me to watch her brace and stand up. To take the weight of her arms again. Her rig was good but it needed work. I spun off a thread or two of my mind to start working the problem. There had to be a better set up for her.
I offered her my shoulder again and this time she took it gratefully. It was painful to be moving again, our bodies protesting the use. They condemned us for the short rest branding us as liars. But, a short trip in the elevator and a few steps down the hall we were at our room.
The room was nice looking like an upscale hotel room. Soft accent lighting filled the space and the scent of lilac and citrus was in the air. I helped Bast to the bed where she promptly sat and then sprawled across it, her arms stretching out across the bed letting the blissful feeling of comfort envelop her.
“Do you want me to help you take your boots off?” I asked as she just lay still enjoying the rest. “Yes please, but that is the only clothing you get to help take off.” She said. I removed her boots a bit unceremoniously which earned me a stare.
“There should be bathrobes and toiletries in the bathroom as well as the combo cleaner. Do you want to take a shower first or second?” She seemed to mull it over and brought herself upright on her elbows. Her eyes narrowed as she spoke. “Shower first.” She said.
“After you.” I said and started to remove my own boots and leathers. It took about twenty minutes and she emerged in one of the bathrobes. She had cut the sleeves off of it to allow her to fit her arms through. It left a large opening and I could see the pale somewhat scarred skin of her torso. “All yours.” She said coming to a stop in front of me.
I stood and smiled at her. “Look now.” She said, taking a step back. “This, ” She gestured to her figure. “Is not on the menu tonight. Just so we’re clear. You stay on your side of the bed and I’ll stay on mine.” I smiled softly and shook my head. “It’s just as you say.” I said and started off to the bathroom.
“As long as we understand each other. Otherwise I’m going to.” I’m not quite sure what she said after that. I closed the door on her and was slightly impressed by the sound dampening installed. I could guess what she said but I didn’t need a reminder of how to be a gentleman. I was also far too tired and in truth I wasn’t sure she was my type. Then again I didn’t even know if I had a type.
Really, the only women that have been in my life recently have been Myranda, Harry, and Libby. Only one of them I had actually had a romantic relationship with. There had been others but they had been temporary. Just someone to fill the void we all seem to have. I learned that the harder you try to fill that void with temporary people the deeper and darker that void becomes. Maybe that’s why I allowed myself to become a hermit. Far too many temporary people in my life.
The shower was nice. It helped wash away more than just the sweat and grime. I tossed my clothes into the cleaner and started it. I brushed my teeth and hair and was almost feeling human again. I looked deep into the mirror and for the first time I really didn’t like what I saw there.
My torso was covered in ugly discolored bruising. I had more across my arms and legs I picked up from who knows where. But that wasn’t it. It was the look in my eyes. The look of a beaten man.
I had lost a lot in the last few days and I had come to several disturbing truths about myself. And here I was looking face to face with the coward I had been. Too afraid of the world to live in it. It sickened me. I had to change.
I turned my head and looked at the door then back to the mirror. All I know is that Bast is my friend. She is what I needed right now. Someone to trust when I didn’t trust myself.
I turned the sink on and cupped a hand full of cold water with both hands. I splashed it on my face and took a deep breath. I pulled open the beard trimming kit and assembled it. I looked again at the mop of hair that had become unkempt and unruly.
In many ways it was a signature of who I was. A part of my personal identity. I had worn it this way through my Running days and as a Fixer. Those days were gone. I wouldn’t be returning to them regardless of what happened at the end of this path. It was time to become something new. I flicked the switch on the clippers and felt them come to life in my hand. Perhaps, someone I respected.
Case Entry 43
Quietly, I moved out of the bathroom turning off the light before opening the door. The ambient lighting was set low casting the room in shades of soothing blue and purple. It made me sleepy as I watched the hypnotic shapes dance slowly around the room.
Bast, I noticed, had taken the side closest to the door. Her kit was within easy reach. I took my Taurus and set it gently between the bed and the night stand on my side. It fit snuggly and would allow for a good draw. Not that I expected much in the way of trouble but you never know.
I pulled back the covers sitting down; the bathrobe parting as my legs pushed at the sides of the robe. I ran my hand through my much shorter hair. I couldn’t bring myself to cut it all off. I had tried for something stylistic but given my limited skills as a barber I ended up cutting it short with some pretty messy bangs and just a little undercut. But with a little styling in the morning I could spike it up and it wouldn’t look half bad.
On the other side of the bed I could hear Bast lightly snoring. Her arms seem to move of their own accord trying to anticipate how she might move and how they could stay out of her way. I checked the thread I had set to work the problem that was her arm rig but so far there weren’t any quick solutions at hand. A software upgrade was the best I could come up with.
I let the thread rejoin and promised myself I would look into it later. To go further she would need a better set up. The weaknesses right now just out weighed the benefit in my opinion.
Yawning I turned and laid back into the bed pulling the covers over my legs. I took a deep breath and let it out. It felt nice to just stop. Speaking of stopping, I needed to stop the hammer start of my sleep regulator. I was done with that macho bullshit kick start.
I looked at my control options and shook my head. I really hadn’t updated much of my tech in six years and it showed. It was all still on the cutting edge but the design philosophy I had really showed. The way I had approached each of my implants and augments spoke of a man who enjoyed hardcore violence. To others as much as to himself. My concept of the hardcore runner, was a joke.
I reset my sleep regulator for six hours, I was really going to need it. The main issue however was the ball busting kick start. If I didn’t recode it I was never going to truly get any rest.
I let a few threads go and watched as new options appeared in my control menu. My mental selfs rewrote and refactored the code neatly and I gained a small percentage boost to efficiency. Unlike the trauma implant this one was designed for granularity.
I selected the new slow start option that would drip the stim slowly into my system and bring me out of sleep more naturally. Satisfied, I crawled further into the covers until my head hit the pillow. Regulator active I drifted off to sleep neat as you please.
Dreams are a funny thing. Sometimes you remember them and sometimes you don’t. I remembered dreaming this time. I was standing in front of a great scale. Like one of those antique scales with the two platters.
On the left platter there was a feather while the right was empty. Before me was a line of people: Men, women, the elderly, the young. They all possessed horrific wounds. Many were riddled by bullets. Others had vicious knife wounds. And, some looked as if they had clawed their own eyes out.
One by one they would step before me. They would reach into their chests and place their heart on the scale. The scale didn’t move, it never moved. Satisfied I allowed them to pass. But they didn’t. They just continued to gather and pile up around me. One after the other.
Soon they began to chant my name. The sound was harsh and guttural and grew in intensity. As it grew it changed. They demanded that I place my heart on the scale. They demanded it was my turn to be judged.
I reached into my own chest and withdrew my heart. It was cold and almost lifeless. It beat a slow sad rhythm. I placed it on the scale and it moved downward with the weight of it. The crowd started to shout. Sinner! Sinner! Sinner! Sinner!
I looked out across them and they parted. A giant beast appeared, it was cast in shadow but it was humanoid with the head of a dog. Frightened, I turned and tried to run but no matter how fast I was it was always just behind me.
I tried to run faster and faster only to hear it laugh. I turned to face it, to try and fight, but as soon as I did the beast thrust it’s spear into my guts and glowered sadistically at me. As the shadows parted I saw the face of my killer. It was my own.
I jerked awake breathing hard and heart pounding. For a moment I thought I had messed up the regulator then came to the quick realization that it had just been a bad dream. The regulator kick start had been worse.
I laid there for a moment breathing the dream still fresh in my mind. But the more I tried to remember it the more elusive the full details seemed to become. Which, I think, was for the best. There was far too much to analyze.
I turned on my side to look for Bast when I came face to face with Myranda. Her blue eyes smiled at me followed by the rest of her. “I take it you didn’t sleep well?” She said her soft feminine alto full of worry.
Resisting another body jerk and the instinct to draw my Taurus I forced myself to relax. “It was just a bad dream. That’s all.” I said a little hoarse, my mouth dry. “What are you doing here? Where’s Bast?” I asked a little too quickly, still reeling a little from the surprise.
“She went to go grab some food for you both.” Myranda said scooting closer. I could feel the electric tingle of her as she drew closer. She smiled softly at me. “I finished my analysis and thought you would want it as soon as possible. But you weren’t answering my calls so I came in person.” She said leaning back just a little to better look at me. “When I got here you were asleep so I decided to wait and take a nap with you.”
That explained quite a bit. I reached out and gently moved a lock of her hair away from her face. The tingle I felt as my finger touched her was pleasant and the simulation followed my gesture. She smiled at the intimacy of the act.
“You cut your hair.” She said. “I did.” I replied. “You seem different too.” She said coming closer and resting herself against me. “I am.” I said. She buried her head deeper into my chest and I felt the strong pressure of her there. “What changed?” She asked.
I was quiet for a long moment before leaning down and placing a kiss on her forehead. “I’ve been awakened.” I said. “I’ve come to an understanding about myself. I’m not who I should be. Not who my mother would have wanted me to be at any rate.”
Myranda shifted next to me. I wondered if she was debating on how deep she wanted to dive into this revelation. “And who is that?” She asked. I thought for a moment. “Someone who helps people not hurt them.”
