Noir Nights

Another stygian night, or at least I think it’s night. The Panzer gang seem to migrate out into the city at that time. The rooms quietness suggest it’s indeed late, and if night it’s a somber and starless one. The Hex-ark force field domed around the city ensures it.

Three days or so Ive been here. I would much rather be in my crummy lower district office right now. A bottle of Earnie Jacks whiskey keeping me company. The stench of a stale cigarette filling the room. Instead I’m here at the finest Panzer retreat. Strung up like a carnival prize. The reek of old blood fills my nose from the retired potato sac’s previous and almost certainly departed owner.

To the uninformed eye it would seem I’m in a dilemma, but the truth is I’m exactly where I want to be. Four nights ago I received gainful information from a needle riddled junkie looking for a quick payout. I can visualize his rat looking face even now forming the words “ little black book.” Those three words appeal to any ear organic or augmented. The book was a myth made real in 2370, when Tyrant Industries publicly broadcasted 1.5 billion Cryptos to anyone who relinquished possession of it. For me those three words meant opening my detective agency on a larger scale, actually giving me the means to really apply pressure on the territorial gangs.

I’ve never been one to be called lucky, but the book was five meters from my grasp. I thought luck was on my side that night. That was until the pressure to the back of my skull made me blackout, just to wake up chained arms over head to a water pipe for three days. Lucky for me the Panzers seems not to be up to code on this buildings safety specifications.

I muster up the last bit of strength I have just to pull my body as close to my wrist as I can. It felt as if the muscles in my bicep was trying to tear as I rise higher to my goal. Releasing all the tension in my arms, my body drops like a ship anchor. The pain of the chain and pipes debris falling on my head was no thrill, but that didn’t stop me from instantly acting.

I swiftly remove the potato sac from my head. The rooms dim light seemed like a spotlight to my unwonted eyes. Squinting trying to make out the rooms surroundings, and potential hostiles I proceed forward feeling for any object to arm myself. The sound of the pipes busting surely had alerted any close by thugs. My hand feels the cold steel of hard piping, no doubt the pipe that previously hoisted me in the air.

“Hurry the hell up, it came from here!” There’s more than one goon, great just what I need. At least my visions starting to come back. My only option seems to fight my way out. I progressed toward the door from where I heard the voice, leaning behind the hinged side of the door. My fatigued hands still bound holding this rustic pipe hoping for a bit of luck. Maybe I’ll gain the advantage in this one sided affair.

The rusty door came bursting open, two skinny pale looking punks shot through the hole, standing still with I assume a dumbfounded look on their face as they just stared at the wreckage and lack of a hanging corpse. I quickly evaluate my targets and spring for my attack. In a forward rush I swing the lead pipe at the closest man, knocking him abruptly to the ground. Pushing my body with what felt like the momentum of a steam engine, I connect my shoulder with the second mans sternum. I could feel the snap in his chest. Falling to the ground I straddled across his gut, bringing my weapon down like a mighty axe across his head.

Extremely exhausted I search the second mans pockets finding the key to my restricted freedom. Dropping the chains next to my assailants. This place is big and I’m sure there’s more Panzers lurking around. I’m going to have to be stealthy from here on out, I’ve exhausted all strength except that to push me to the exit. Dropping the pipe to keep from encumberment, I push forward to the books location.

I found the room I had seen the book in. The iron cross insignia above the door was my marker. This place was a real shithole even the bosses personal office was rat infested and wore out. There it is the little black book that caused me so much pain this far. For something so valuable you would think it to be better guarded. Wrapping my beaten fingers around it grasping it tighter than any love I’ve ever had.

This was it, my ticket to better rid the scum off the streets. Even though curious of what the book contains, It wouldn’t do me any good to try and open it. This book was a piece of tech. One that took a fingerprint scanner or a hacker to open it. None of which I could supply correctly. I better just push forward the exit and make my escape.

Exiting the old factory was no easy task, but fortunately it was over. It’s roughly 3 kilometers to the city, I can hail a taxi and head straight for Tyrant industries. The rough jagged rocks did my already bloodied feet no favors. I have to endure and press on. Nearing the finish line now, no reason I can’t complete my goal. I find myself constantly checking the back side of my shoulder hoping to not be followed. The glow of the cities light start to reflect off the road in front of me. I made it and with no more complications.

I walk up to the cross walk pressing the taxi pickup switch. “Your driver will arrive in approximately two minutes” said the autonomous voice. Two minutes can seem like an eternity when your deprived of sleep and security. All the taxis in Shrine City have flashing yellow lights, that’s how I knew the car approaching was my ride. The car comes to an abrupt stop next to the curb. The door flipped open. This was my invitation, I get In and start punching in my credentials and crypto transfer number. The computer speaks out to me. “ Welcome Cliff Jager, where is your preferred destination?” Tyrant Industries I respond. “ Destination Tyrant Industries” the car starts toward its given command.

“We have arrived at Tyrant Industries, your charge is 200 cryptos, Thank you and good day.” “Yeah thanks” I grumble as I depart the car. I’m an awful mess no doubt they will have security on standby as soon as I enter the building. The Tyrant building was massive and updated with the latest designs. Rex Tyrant founded Tyrant Industries 40 years ago, giving the world the most advanced technology and best genetic research. He’s a world renowned tycoon, and my current buyer with the highest bid.

I proceed through the rotating doors at the entrance the secretary had no doubtlessly spotted me outside the glass windows. Three security guards met me with their hands placed on their hips ready to draw. “Hey buddy, I think your at the wrong place” I slowly raise one hand showing I pose no threat. Slowly reaching with my other hand I go to pull the book from the back of my trousers. “Stop right there buddy!” One of the guards yell. Reversing my arm I place it in the air with the second. The guards are on high alert with guns drawn now, “ I have the book, Mr. Tyrant offered a reward for it.”

The bigger man walks up on my blind side and removes the book from my backside. “Vikki, call The boss” the guard states to the secretary. Though at gunpoint my predicament was still better than the start of my night. Focused on the guns I could hardly make out the conversation over the phone. “ He says take him up” Vikki responded to the guard. “Let’s go” the guard says as he slightly nudges me toward the elevators. The guards were big so it made for a cramped elevator ride. One of the men slides his card in front of the control panel then pushes number 45.

Reaching the 45th floor the doors ding and open. A wide dim lit room appears to my gaze, “ Wow nice office” I declare. A low rumbling voice reaches out to me from across the room “ Welcome, Mister Jager”. Surprised by the hearing of my name. I exclaim “ you know who I am?” I proceed toward the man, “ Of course the scanners picked up your identity the moment you walked through the doors.” I scuffed, “Of course.”

The guard hands the book the Rex, looking it over I could tell by the expression he was excited even though he tried to keep a poker face on. “This is indeed what I’ve been looking for Mr. Jager, I’m happy the relinquish you of this possession and make you a wealthy man.” Now my poker face was hard to hide as a grin started to draw upon my face. “ I’m happy to hear that” I reply! “Please enter your crypto information. I must say Mr. Jager it appears you went through a great length of trouble to get this to me. So I feel relieved to pay this to someone who earned it.” I couldn’t find the words to respond. I finished entering my information, and handed the pad back to Rex.

“Well that’s that, Mr.Jager. Please confirm your account and we can conclude business”. I look into my account and notice the deposit of 1.5 billion cryptos, confirming that the payment was successful. “It’s all there” I respond. “Good, I will have Vikki get a personal driver to take you wherever you desire.” I nod in acknowledgment to his words.

A discerning notion came from my gut, “ Turning that book over to you... is that something I’m going to regret?” Rex meets my eyes with a stern look. “ Nothing to worry about Mr.Jager. This book is in the best hands possible.” I accept the answer waiving my suspicions. I push forward to the elevator clicking the button to the lobby floor.

I may never know the intentions of Tyrant Industries, or of the books holdings. I only know the good I can do with the money I made in its release. Rex Tyrant isn’t a man to be trifled with and if he has any ill intentions with the book I would need to be better prepared, for now I’ll take my leave and get my agency set up. Taking care of the city I can finally apply pressure to the ones who run the organized syndicates.