June stood on the edge of the tallest building, and she did not waver.
She loved it - the wind, the coolness, the freedom. There was talk that once the entire planet was like this, but even more so. She could hardly imagine such a place. Sounded more like fiction than fact.
June's display beeped to signal an incoming transmission. Of course, it was him. Even in her most frivolous moments, he needed her.
June loved that about him.
[transmission engage]
"Ah, thank you for gracing me with your presence madam," Sept said.
"Cache off," June chuckled. "Also madam hasn't graced you with anything."
"Figure of speech." Sept's holo shrugged. "Listen. Job's a go. I know you're having your private time now but we have to be quick."
June nodded. "Pick up?"
"By the south junction. Be there in three."
[transmission end]
June allowed herself one last inhale before the plunge. Her moments of peace were few and she cherished them dearly. For they were sparse and lasted but for a moment. And said moment had just passed.
June did not waver. She stepped off the edge.
She was like a bullet heading downward. Precisely measured to land on the transport pad. Police drones swarmed her, two from each side. Their indicators red with alarm. No one was allowed to use public airspace so recklessly. Their scanners were all over her and - they all deactivated their alarm and flew away. June was just anyone.
June noticed there were others on the pod, a little borg girl and her mother. Both looked like they were in shock. June smiled but it did nothing to appease the shaking mother.
"You could've crushed us!" She yelled, clutching her girl.
June brushed the comment aside. "Ma'am, trust me, I could split an ant in half with my precise sensors." She crouched to meet the borg's eyes. "I am sorry for frightening you though."
The mother said nothing, only retreated to the edge of the pod. June was saddened by the lack of communication but she was used to it. Such was the life of the Agents. Envied by all, hated by most, loved by none.
June was fortunate enough to have one.
[transmission engage]
"I'm on the pod, Sept," June said.
"You nearly squished those two! Have you no sense?" Sept said overdramatically.
"Very funny."
"When we meet, we go with Plan Beta."
[transmission end]
June sighed. She knew it would come to this. Nothing was ever simple was it? As the pod neared the docking station June looked back at the now intrigued little borg girl. At least it wasn't a frown anymore. June tried smiling again and the girl reciprocated, which in turn made June grin. She gave the duo a salute and then engaged her thrusters.
June shut up into the air. She flew straight and true until she reached the next section. She landed on the street corner, scanning the group that awaited her.
Sept was among them, looking like some hungry sewer rat. He was such a great actor. The three other losers around him were hungry sewer rats. June couldn't help but chuckle as she approached them. Her scanners showed they were harmless.
The three looked at Sept like he was some prophet. "I told you guys!" Sept shrugged, "And now here she is, what are we gonna do?"
Their expressions of surprise morphed into concern. "I'll be honest with you young blood." The most decked out with cybernetics spoke to Sept, "we planned on offing you and your friend, but..."
"You weren't expecting his friend to be an actual Agent." June finished.
"No," The lowlife sneered. "So what now? We're arrested?"
"Sept here is a good informant," June said. "Why would I want to blow his cover?"
"His cover isn't already blown?" The lowlife raised his neon eyebrow.
"No, because you are all informants now."
"I ain't no snitch." One said.
"Yeah! We sooner die than work for you!" Another agreed.
The leader, however, was silent. Good. "Quiet you two!" He barked. This one understood the order of things. "Don't you get it? If we don't comply we'll get zapped!" The two ceased their protests immediately.
"I'd never do that!" June would. "We have codes of our own to follow," they didn't.
The speeding roadster appeared on cue, driven by Sept in the guise of artificial intelligence. The roadster slid and swayed, drawing the attention of nearby police drones. It almost hit the three lowlifes with astonishing speed. Almost, for June stopped it with one augmented hand.
"And we take care of our own," June said to the petrified three.
They gave their thanks and then pledged their loyalty. Sometimes June debated whether using people as tools was moral. But then she remembered the goal and realized she was being childish again.
Stage one of the plan was complete. Now she needed to call -
Her sensors identified the laser in a millisecond. June moved so it hit her protected side. She rolled. Loading her arm cannon.
[transmission engage]
Her thought relaid Code Red to Serpt's transmission. He would know something was wrong and June was unable to pick up. Another laser, this one from the other side. June jumped to the side. Someone screamed as she did so but June was too focussed on surviving.
Her scanners located the combat drones. June sent two micro missiles for each. The drones were soon a pile of trash.
"You monster!"
June turned to see the mother from before, holding the body of her daughter. The laser had done irreversible damage to the poor soul. June fell to her knees, remembering the smile the little one had given her.
"If you weren't here... she would... she could..."
June could not take it anymore. She turned and ran. Ran and ran and ran. There was no running from it, however. No matter how hard she tried, no matter how much she justified it. She would always be a monster.
June ran through the streets of the elevated level, sobbing.
[transmission engage]
Obligatory shout-out to the 🍕PIZZA🍕 gang, 🤙 gang. 🤙
A little cyberpunk story for you all. Hope you enjoyed!
Cover image source.
I hope you are having a fantastic day! And if not, don't threat! The sun always rises. 🙌
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