A few hours later, I was back in the Nest, flopped on the old cot against the wall. I was still feeling some tingles from the new implants, but nothing that worried me. My mind was running through the previous day’s shit show trying to figure out a way to keep the mission moving forward. I didn’t have any direct connections to the Rats, hell not much of anything inside of the Ash as a whole. I’d need to buy intel from some informant and potentially lead too many eyes onto the situation, or reach out to Moth. Neither option thrilled me.

  An alert hit my HUD and a glitching moth icon appeared with the message, as if I had summoned them. I automatically quarantined it and scanned for malicious attachments, but it came up clean.

  [INCOMING // ENCRYPTED BURST]

  ??????? The city’s bleeding secrets again and I caught one in a jar.

  Come see it glow before the lip pops off. ???????

  [message deleted…]

  I needed to figure out how they managed that much control in my personal system, but that was a problem for another time. I sighed as I rolled over on the cot, I wasn’t thrilled to get tangled up with Moth again, but it was the only lead I had for now. It was time to get my head back in the game. Maybe getting the mission moving would help me recenter. I pulled up the coordinates, expecting to find another unregulated club or bar somewhere in the Ash but was surprised to find it linked to a decently well-known spot in Chromeline.

  ————————————————————————————

  The Pulse was an EDM club in the southern end of Chromeline. Like most clubs in the city, it had a reputation for being a front for fixers and mercs to make deals while the average person is there to dance and get laid. I was glad to be out of the Ash and back on the steady ground of the main sectors, and the Pulse was a different beast from the Flicker. I clocked a few disinterested guards as I entered, they packed some standard tech but wouldn’t be on alert until much later this evening when the club got really active. Clubs in Peachveil were generally twenty-four hours, perfect to draw in money and keep the citizens lubed up inside an out.

  Bass heavy music was thumping from within, but not quite as loud as it would be later when the place inevitably filled up. They had a low end mood fog in place here as well, but much more subtle and less narcotic than what the Flicker pumped. I didn’t need my filters here, which was good as they were still clearing out the junk from the previous day. A few people were dancing or posted up at the bar, only a few servers zipping around in their fishnets and neon skin mods. I glanced around as I ordered a beer to fit in, trying to spot where Moth was hiding. My eyes were skimming the mezzanines when the familiar icon hit my HUD again.

  [INCOMING // ENCRYPTED BURST]

  ??????? Upstairs. Booth 18. ???????

  [message deleted…]

  I downed my beer with a grimace and made my way around the bar to the stairs leading up to the VIP booths. A massive wall of a man, decked out in body armor mods and likely hiding a few nasty surprises under his suit and tattoos, held up a finger to the VIP only sign. I didn’t slow my approach, ready to talk my way through him when his head tilted as if he was listening to a message. Before I could say anything, he stepped aside and unhooked the rope barrier gesturing that I could ascend. Of course Moth is already pulling strings here.

  I frowned and let the realization simmer as I climbed the carpet padded stairs to the sound dampened mezzanine. If Moth was that patched in here, there was likely going to be more theatrics and confusing riddles. I wondered if they would have another pile of toys on display waiting for me. I chuckled to myself picturing them carrying a suitcase full of toys around Peachveil’s club scene. The bass dulled with each step, impressive sound damper tech, as I made my way to booth eighteen.

  I tapped a knuckle on the cold steel door behind the holo ads for booth prices and services, and it slid open to welcome me inside. The booths were small, but still had enough room for four or five people to fit comfortably. A projection of a stripper danced in the air above the table in the center of the room. Moth lounged back on the right side of the booth, bare chest poking out from a fuzzy jacket was all that was visible in the dim light. A lighter flicked on, lighting the tip of something clearly hand rolled, and Moth greeted me with a grin.

  I sat on the opposite side of the table, not wanting to be too close, and disappointed there were no dolls or toys on display. Moth’s chest rose with a deep drag before filling the room with a cloud of familiar scented smoke. They offered the joint to me, but I declined with a firm wave.

  “Nyx! I’m hurt, you don’t trust my drugs?” they laughed

  “Of course not, you’re into some freaky shit, no telling what in there.”

  “Marijuana grown outside Peachveil borders, some synthetic low dose pain relievers, and a splash of Cuban tobacco.”

  I paused and tilted my head at them, that was my blend but I could only get it in resin for my vape. Either they knew a surprising amount about me, or it was coincidence, I couldn’t be sure. I was tempted, but not enough to trust Moth not to dose me. I pulled my vape and took a hit, and Moth just laughed.

  “A little bird told me the Rats sold off something you’re after. Bought up by a fixer with some deep-pocketed connections.” They muttered through another drag.

  “You seem to know a lot about what I’m after. Why is that?” I cut back.

  “It’s my job, honey! I deal in information and a moth always flutters towards the brightest lights.”

  “You tipped me off before, what’s the play here? You got skin in this?”

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  “Maybe…” They trailed off for a moment, distracted. “I like this club. Thinking about expanding my ops outside the Ash.”

  “Lot of fixers in Peachveil might have an issue with you encroaching.”

  “Exactly why I want room to move. That clown with your specs? Thorn in my side. I want them removed.” They seemed to shudder as they spoke, breath spiking.

  “You want me to kill them? That’s costly.” I said flatly.

  I hid a sigh. Vera would gripe about collateral, but as long as credits cleared, she could stuff it.

  “I pay for quality, and I tip well. I’ll cover your fee, but I also need to recover something for me. Keep your Omni files, I want the contact list in his personal.”

  “You got a plan or am I doing all the leg work?” I asked.

  Moth shuddered again and then knocked on the table, a realization hit me as they took a sharp breath and let it go breathily. My cheeks flushed slightly as the purple skinned young man emerged from under the table. He gave me a sly grin after wiping his mouth on the back of his hand. I glared at Moth who just beamed back.

  “Booth seventeen,” Moth said, voice low and clinical. “Buyer celebrates after the deal. He always takes one of the girls. Get him while he’s soft. You smile, you dance, you leave with the prizes. Simple.”

  “I get the feeling with you it’s never simple. I can work with that though. What’s the payout?” I sighed.

  “Twenty grand now, and again after. Not to mention, priority on my list of mercs if you get in and out without tearing up the club.”

  “You know when they’ll be in the booth?”

  “Unless the Rat’s fuck this deal up too, he should be here in about four hours.” Moth tapped on the table again, and a woman emerged from beneath the table this time. I rolled my eyes as they laughed. I was concerned about them hearing the hit job but spotted the ear plugs as she left the room.

  “You’re a freak, Moth.” I groaned.

  “Takes one to know one, darling. No go on, polish that chrome. You’ll want to shine tonight.” Moth laughed through another long drag.

  I started rolling the conversation in my head, trying to figure out where the riddle was. It hit me when I turned to leave and realized you could see through the door to the mezzanine. Booth seventeen was directly across from where Moth sat at the table, giving them a clear view of anyone coming and going. Of course they’d picked the perfect vantage to watch the mark’s little celebration. And the two under the table? I was going to need backup. I hated that I was starting to follow their logic. Moth didn’t just hand out jobs; they staged them. The sting of realization followed me down the stairs. Another fucking test.

  I hummed with anger as I stepped out onto the street, I was tired of everyone playing games with me. I was going to make a name for myself in this city one day, and wouldn’t have to deal with this bullshit anymore. The daylight hid hard after the haze of the Pulse’s interior. I tucked my hands in my hoodie and started towards the maglev to the Hives. I just wanted to be done with this and spend some time hunting some higher profile gigs.

  I heard some hushed voices and laughs up ahead, a few bulky dudes standing at the edge of an alleyway. I instantly clocked the patchy mods and Cinder Rat patches. They stepped out onto the sidewalk to block my path. The leader spit out a glob of dark chewing tobacco before speaking out.

  “Well, fuck me… if this ain’t the easiest bounty we ever grabbed. Look at her!” He laughed. “Hey you! Nyx! Gnaw’s popped a hefty price on that pretty little ass-“

  I didn’t let him finish. Just as I stepped within a few feet of the looming goons I whipped out the iron hand-cannon from my waistband behind my back, fingers curled firmly around the grip. I was fast, and they didn’t see it coming. Three controlled shots, half the mag in a split second. The first round split his head apart mid sentence, the next two dropped a little lower and to the left, catching one of the others square in the chest.

  Brains, blood, and chrome splattered the walkway behind them before the two bodies hit the ground leaving a single Rat standing in awe. He gaped and stared at me, eyes wide with a mix of terror and disbelief. The pistol in my hand was dead straight, not even a quiver in my arm as it vented the heat from the shots into the still air. I cut my eyes, waiting to see his next move.

  He started to babble something, reaching for his gun at his hip. Wrong move, shithead. I tiled the barrel and let my arm snap in between us as he drew, and emptied the remaining three rounds into his ribcage. The smell from the gun’s emissions were harsh, plasma and gunpowder blended to assault my nose as I waited for the barrel to cool before returning it to my holster. I stepped over the oozing bodies, and continued towards the transit hub.

  I grumbled to myself in my seat as I rode towards my apartment. A bounty complicated things further. Moth was right again, I’d need back up, and they’d need to be good. There was an obvious answer, but I wasn’t thrilled with the idea.

  ————————————————————————————

  I let out a held breath as I stepped into the bedroom of my apartment. I only had a few hours to put together this plan, and I needed to knock out quite a few things while I was here. I pulled the gun holster from my belt, and removed the iron. I took a few minutes to break it down and clean it at my desk, a habit akin to ritual even though I preferred to not use guns. I was in the zone and focused, my movements were rigid and mechanical.

  I quickly put the weapon back together and into a case hidden under my bed before stripping down and taking a quick shower. I was in and out in record time, too focused on what I needed to do to let my mind wander as it normally would under the water. Something clicked into place. Amara Dahl was taking a back seat now, and NyxVxyn was coming out to play.

  I ran through my skin implant settings, and set up a macro to quickly change the color from my natural caramel brown to a neon pink, much like the servers and dolls working the club. It would be risky to stroll in with the mod active, but I could slink away once I was inside, change up my clothes and skin tone, and then find my way into the booth. I wasn’t sure how to get in without raising suspicions, but I could figure that out once I was back there. It couldn’t be that hard.

  I stood in front of my open closet, flicking through garments I had acquired since moving into this apartment, a mix of street clothes, durable gear, and seductive outfits for situations like this one. I enjoyed this aspect of the gig, I got to put on a mask and a costume, step away from myself and be someone else for a while. It was a fleeting freedom, but one I could enjoy in the moment. I could relax a little, dress up and have fun, and not worry about Amara. There was a snag that needed to be addressed before that could happen, however. I pulled up her contact in my HUD while I flicked through my dress options, and called Kaela.

  The line rang for just a moment, and I expected it to go to voice mail or be blocked entirely.

  “Oh, finally have something to say?” Kaela’s words cut like a knife.

  I almost froze, but I swallowed and kept my composure up.

  “Got a lead on the documents. Rats sold it off to a fixer, got an op set up to take it back. Need someone I can trust to run support.”

  “Is this a fucking joke?”

  “No. You’re solid at what you do. I need-“

  “You need… that’s the key phrase, Nyx.” She scoffed. “It’s all about what you need. Fuck’s sake…”

  I just paused, letting her anger linger over the line for a moment. It couldn’t deny it was valid, but I didn’t want to stir it up further.

  “Fine… what’s the op?” she said finally.

  I gave her the rundown. I needed her to be in the club and keep an eye on security for me while I posed as one of the girls to make a move.

  “Run backup and watch for Rats. You planning to disappear again after?”

  “Depends on how smoothly things go.” I replied without thinking.

  The line was silent for a moment, long enough for me to recognize the mistake.

  “Three hours?”

  “Give or take a few.”

  “If you ghost again, don’t even bother calling me next time.”

  “I won’t.” I replied, letting the meaning go vague.

  Kaela dropped the call without another word. She was clearly hurt, and while I couldn’t blame her for it, this wasn’t the time. It was time, however, to put Amara’s feelings to the side and focus on the mission. I was Nyx now, in my element, and ready to play.

  I slipped into a set of fishnets under a skimpy black dress that barely covered anything. I put another more casual dress over top that I could ditch in the bathroom or something when I made my move. I cycled the pink macro on as I stared at the stranger I’d built in the mirror, and smiled to hide the emotions behind my eyes. I pitched up my voice a little and gave myself a light valley-girl accent and leaned towards the reflection to speak.

  “Let’s party!”