Galactic High

The group had wasted no time in gearing up and letting the others know they were heading out. Though the timing and location had them all on edge, some further research revealed that the area they were to head to was an open area restaurant reportedly considered safe by visitors, and on the outskirts of Corvin Enterprises’ undisputed territory.

They were all dressed respectfully, with a grumbling Jack wearing a white shirt, black trousers and shoes, and his grey greatcoat. Though the paranoid human wanted to go in armed and armoured to the teeth, Alora had been insistent that they dress appropriately, rather than in anything that would get them shot, but Jack was still insistent on having his fancy tie loose in an act of petty disagreement, and with his sunglasses he had a proper ‘CryptoBro’ look, with all the weapons the others had allowed him to take.

At least if he was going to get shot at again, he’d look good in the process.

Calm yourself, Jack. Chiyo tried to reassure him. We’re not there yet, conserve yourself!

“Yeah because the last time we met a client for a job it went so well for us!” the grumpy human huffed back, not calming down in the slightest, as he anticipated a fight.

“You’re not wrong to be paranoid, considering what happened last time,” Nika acknowledged. “But we’ll be much more careful this time. We have a plan. I’m not saying don’t be cautious of a fight, but try not to let the anticipation overwhelm you right now. When we’re meeting a client we’ve got to keep our heads in the game, especially when we’ll be meeting in Corvin territory.”

“Basically, save that brooding expression of yours for when we get there.” Alora chuckled. “And you keep cool too, Dante!”

“Woof!” The ‘dog’ barked determinately from where he padded alongside them.

“Alright, I’ll try.” Jack sighed. “I’m still inexperienced with client meets after all. But we all agree that the quick reply we got wasn’t a good sign, right?”

“Right.” Sephy nodded. “It’s sus as hell. Honestly, what we really need is to find ourselves a good fixer to find jobs for us.”

Agreed, but we have nobody yet, Chiyo pointed out. Repeat clients however…

“Yeah, we do have a few of those,” Nika acknowledged. “But we haven’t had any hits from them for a while, and most of the jobs were small-time. A fixer would be good, but they take a commission, and there are stories about betrayals out there...”

The narrow alley the group were travelling down echoed with the distant hum of neon lights above them, which cast a flickering glow on the rain-soaked pavement beneath their feet. Though there were citizens still walking around conducting business, many of them were understandably cautious about the ongoing city conflicts, and though those had quietened down in recent days, the caution was still there. Though there were homes about, the district they were in was mostly a transitional one, with a few convenience stores and open parks scattered about the otherwise bare district. Still, each puddle reflected the towering corporate skyscrapers of their destination ahead looking over them.

That’s Corvin Enterprises up ahead. Chiyo indicated with a nod of her head. Up at the wall in front of them were several flags of neon green geometric patterns, with purple and black backgrounds and accents. Directly in front of them at the gate was a neon-green triangular logo raised high in a place of prominence, that showed several triangles within each other on a black background, with a fierce-looking bird with purple eyes in the middle, and the words ‘Corvin Enterprises’ bright and clear underneath.

“Well this is it.” Sephy sighed. “Local Datanet says things are normal, so we should be alright.”

“Good.” Alora nodded. “Now remember - if anything bad happens, we stick together no matter what and make a line towards the nearest border-district. We all should have something we can use to jump off the wall into neutral territory and survive.”

“Don’t be paranoid, she says…” Jack grumbled under his breath.

Oh shush, we will be fine, Chiyo reassured him, rolling her eyes. Corporate Districts are like many of the neutrals we’ve been through, just with more security. If we don’t get caught acting against the interests of Corvin Enterprises, we will be perfectly fine.

“Indeed, Corporate Districts are often some of the safest,” Alora added. “Though perhaps less so with the current conflicts, where we are heading isn’t of much strategic value to the other corps.”

“I guess I’ll just have to see for myself.” Jack sighed, giving a nervous smile and a nod. “I’ll be fine, let’s just go.”

“Alright.” Alora nodded. “Shall we?”

As the group approached the checkpoint for Corvin Enterprises, they could see a group of five guards ahead. Unlike the Myrodin corporate troops the group had encountered previously, these troops were disciplined, and were clad in sleek black and purple uniforms with rich green stripes running down the seams, emitting a soft glow. The leader also possessed a sleek, glossy-looking black exoskeleton, and a cloak that shimmered with the now ever-familiar neon-green. All five of them stared the group down with the purple-tinted visors of their helmets and readied their guns.

“Halt. State your business!” The leader ordered, and the group dutifully stopped, with Jack once again wishing he could have taken his new plasma rifle with him.

He really wanted to try out the grenade launcher!

“Good evening Sergeant.” Alora indicated her head respectfully. “We are merely passing through, and are expected at the Verbannte Restaurant. Once our business is concluded, we shall return from whence we came.”

“I see, hold a moment,” The Sergeant ordered, as Jack noticed a set of static turrets behind the guards, though they didn’t do anything.

“They’re using the CCTV cameras to run a search on us,” Sephy warned over subvocal comms. “I’ll edit the records to self-wipe twenty minutes after we leave.”

Good call, Chiyo agreed subtly. There is no need for Corvin to have information on us.

Several seconds later, the Sergeant clearly got the all-clear on his visor.

“Very well.” the man nodded. “You may enter, but if you give us trouble, we’ll give you something worse.”

“Understood,” Alora quickly replied before anyone else got any ideas. “We shall be sure to behave ourselves while we’re here.”

“Ensure you do,” The Sergeant told them as the guards moved out of their way, allowing the group to pass them by.

As they stepped into the corporate district, Jack let out an involuntary gasp as he took in the sights around him. The streets were immaculately paved, completely devoid of all the potholes and cracks that constantly marred the well-worn roads and paths that dominated most of the city. Looking around, he could see meticulously manicured gardens melded perfectly with the clean stone, metal and glass of the sleek modern buildings all around them, each displaying the logo of Corvin Enterprises. Even the air seemed cleaner, completely devoid of the acrid scent of pollution that he had been used to since his arrival.

“Woah…” Jack finally mumbled.

“It looks nice…” Alora began, gently pulling at his arm to get him to keep moving. “But make no mistake. This is nothing but a mask.”

“Yeah I guess.” Jack sighed with a nod as they kept moving. “Those guards looked more competent than the Myrodin lot we fought a few weeks ago.”

“That’s because the Myrodin lot we faced were the scrubs at the bottom,” Nika told him. “They can field better, but a recon team being sent into the unknown usually involves disposable troops.”

“Alright then, that makes sense.” Jack shrugged. “I’m pretty sure Mx Cxilla mentioned that Myrodin has worse than what we faced.”

Magical constructs and creatures, Chiyo confirmed. Be thankful we’ve never encountered them.

“No complaints here.” Jack grinned before a chime pinged from a nearby streetlight, a sound that was echoed from all around them.

“What was that for?” Sephy asked, before they were abruptly answered when a light flashed on one of the buildings, causing several of the few citizens they could see to stop and look at the projection of the company logo, before it quickly began to chime a quick jingle as the projection simply stated ‘Announcement Incoming’.

As the jingle ended, the projection changed to a sight that completely baffled the human. Wearing a tiara and pink ballroom dress, the fair-haired Eladrie-looking girl gave the camera a wide, almost creepy smile as she leaned on her magical staff - a fancy looking gold and silver one with a glowing pink heart at the top that pulsed with arcane power.

“Good evening citizens of Corvin Enterprises!” The girl greeted, in a voice that sounded far too sickly cutesy for Jack’s liking. “My daddy and I hope you’ve all had a wonderful, productive day today! Chuuu!”

“We also have a few announcements to make today! Isn’t that exciting!?” The girl asked with a manic grin.

“First of all, we wish to announce that the first screenings of Zyberbeam will be broadcast this weekend, and tickets are still available for those who wish to see the latest exciting instalment in the Corvin Cinematic Universe!” The girl clapped her hands in excitement.

“Secondly, I have some unfortunate news. Foooo…” The girl continued, mimicking a crying face. “I know we’re all super excited to see the next Hell Ring, but unfortunately, due to the ongoing conflicts, this shall be postponed for a later date. But don’t worry! It’s sure to be an exciting event, and just like you I can’t wait to see the chaos and mayhem that is to come! Maybe I’ll even join in and get me some kills!”

She stopped, looking very excited at the prospect, before she finally closed off.

“And our final announcement for today is that Corvin Enterprises continues to be in active conflict against our enemies, especially Myrodin Magitechnology and Shaskasaki Cybertronics..” The girl nodded solemnly, but to Jack it was clearly an act as she grinned wickedly.

“But don’t worry citizens of Corvin Enterprises! Everybody’s favourite Slaughtergal is hot on the case! Because with the almighty power of friendship and a sparkle of starshine I’m gonna obliterate every single last one of them! UwU!”

The projection ended.

Nobody said anything for several moments.

“What. The. Fuck?” Jack finally deadpanned.

“Yeaaaaaah.” Nika sighed. “That crazy bitch is someone to be avoided at all costs...”

Jack, that was who we almost encountered during our heist against Shaskasaki, Chiyo warned him. And why we escaped as quickly as we did.

“Yeah I was going to ask you about that, but we were floating in the air trying not to throw up so it must have slipped my mind.” Jack sighed, shaking the bizarre image of the Magical Girl out of his head. “So who the hell is she?”

“Cecily Corvin,” Alora answered him, while Sephy checked to make sure the coast was clear as they kept moving, trying to look casual as they did. “Apparent daughter of Atticus Corvin, and the ‘Slaughtergal’ of Corvin Enterprises. She’s an idol, pop star, actress and a very powerful witch who debuted almost four years ago as Corvin Enterprises resident ‘superhero’, though what that usually means is that if Corvin Enterprises wants a public execution or massacre outside their territory, they send her.”

“Fuck, I’ll still take her over Captain Marvel…” Jack quipped with a bemused grin.

“Yeah holy shit…” Sephy added. “There was no way we could have known she’d show up at the Shaskasaki warehouse. Fucking hell it wasn’t even anything important!”

“She was probably just sent to make an example of Shaskasaki.” Nika shrugged. “It’s not exactly a rare circumstance.”

“You sure she’s not one of your people, Alora?” Sephy asked. “Everyone seems to think so!”

“I’m very sure,” Alora firmly stated. “Not Eladra either, though I’ll be honest, I’d say there’s far more similarities with Jack!”

“What?” Jack snorted in astonishment. “Not a chance!"

Everyone, we need to stay on task, Chiyo reminded them firmly.

“You’re right, Chiyo.” Alora nodded. “Let’s go.”

Undeterred, the group carried on, and Jack realised that the modern-looking buildings tended to be very samey to him, almost like everything was moulded to a very specific template. No matter what he thought when he first arrived, the place now felt almost soulless to him, as he spotted various commuters in fancy uniforms chatting on their comms. None of them looked particularly happy or energised, just simply going through the motions of yet another workday, and ready to work the next one in an endless loop.

Jack shook his head. Would this kind of future have been his if he lived a normal life on Earth? He shuddered at the thought.

He was thankful when there was a change in their surroundings, as they approached a glass and concrete structure that had several escalators leading up to multiple floors, and he quickly realised that this place was some kind of shopping centre.

“We’re here,” Sephy confirmed. “Looks quiet.”

We have time, Chiyo reassured them. Let’s find somewhere hidden nearby and you and I can check the local matrix and astral.

“What are the work times around here?” Jack asked. “Surely they’d be people around after work.”

“There are probably some,” Nika agreed. “But this is a weekday and out of the way of any landmarks of note. Probably why the client picked this spot, unless this is another ambush.”

“Don’t jinx it,” Jack mumbled under his breath. “Where do you want to sit?”

“Some public benches in a remote corner should do it, the balcony over there will do.” Alora decided, leading the way. “That way we can play it off if a patrol finds us.”

“Sounds good.” Nika nodded. “We take a break and work out our approach.”

“Woof!” Dante barked softly in agreement.

Two minutes later, Jack was awkwardly sat on the bench with both Chiyo and Sephy leaning against him on either side, doing their thing in the local Matrix and Astral.

“So Jack, I think you and Dante should be visible with Alora when she talks to the client,” Nika proposed, as she pulled out seemingly random bits of metal from her pockets and satchel, which she began assembling into her sniper rifle. “I’ll maintain overwatch from one of the balconies with Chiyo’s physical body. She’ll be keeping an eye on things from the astral, while Sephy’s going to use the Trickster’s cloak to hide nearby. I know you’ve not done these kind of meets before, but if things go to shit you and Dante are the best choice for getting Alora out of there alive.”

“And if things go bad, that’s the wall we make our way to,” Alora added, pointing at the long district wall to the left of their position. They had discussed this in detail before heading out, but pointing at a place on a map and actually being aware of it in the field were two very different things. “No conventional entryway, but on the other side is neutral territory, so unconventional is always an option if we need it. Trust the others, they’ll keep us informed if there’s anything suspicious and make the call to go loud and bail if we need to.”

“Of course I trust the others.” Jack nodded, sighing as he tried to calm down his nerves. “So what do you want me to do? Just look scary and be ready to go apeshit?”

“Not scary, just look professional.” Alora giggled. “I’ll lead and do most of the talking, and others can talk to us over subvocal comms, but feel free to speak up yourself if you feel the need to.”

“Sure.” Jack nodded. “I’ll try my best and follow your lead. I’m sure the others can tell me if they think I need to shut up.”

“Don’t worry, we will!” Nika grinned as Sephy began to stir. “But definitely let Alora do the price negotiation on her own.”

“Got it.” Jack nodded as Chiyo also began to shift. He checked his commlink, and saw that they had several minutes to go. Plenty of time to set up, he reasoned, as he put his shades on and cycled through several of the settings.

Everything looks fine on my end, Chiyo confirmed. Once Alora is in proximity I can check to see if the grey stuff we got from the Cult of the Destroyer ambush is a match.

“Good on my end too, at least in theory,” Sephy confirmed, a little unsurely. “No active surveillance on this location, but it looks like there’s been a recent shift arrangement to move ground and aerial patrols away from this location for two hours, with only a VI overseer. I can delete camera footage of us when we leave no problem.”

“I guess the client doesn’t want to be disturbed.” Nika nodded. “But if there was any doubt before that they’re with Corvin Enterprises, this crushes it.”

“We’ll be appropriately cautious.” Alora nodded. “Alright, those of you with Brooches of Disguise, I know we used them on our way in, but change your look again to something similar enough to what you actually look like so we don’t spook the client. Chances are they’ve done research on us anyway, but we don’t want to make it easy for them to try and dox us.”

“Got it,” Jack confirmed with the others, as he touched the brooch he had pinned to his coat. His disguise shifted and morphed to look like an Eladrie, one that looked suspiciously like Nicolas Cage.

“Good!” Alora smiled. “Everyone ready? Let’s move out!”

*****

“I’m in position with Chiyo. Got eyes on the client,” Nika called out over subvocal comms. “Guy in green robes sitting down, two bodyguards.”

“Sect of Esin?” Sephy asked.

“No, definitely Corvin colours,” The Kizun replied. “Which makes me wonder why he needs us when he’s connected to company resources. Don’t be afraid to walk away from this one, Alora. Also he’s sat at a table with four seats, maybe he doesn’t know about Jack and Dante? Otherwise the place is clear.”

“Understood, thanks Nika,” Alora replied as she, Jack and Dante made their way out into the open dining area. Alora was calm and confident, and Jack tried his best to present himself as professionally as he could. Dante was happily padding alongside them keeping pace, though the ‘dog’ was more subdued than usual, knowing that this wasn’t a time for playing around.

“Ah, excellent,” The figure in green robes called over to them, being the first to notice them arrive, and as they lazily spun around to look at them Jack noticed that they had a fancy looking staff at their side “And precisely on time too, assuming you are my expected appointment?”

The first thing Jack noted about the voice was that it sounded almost melodic. A tenor pitch that was punctuated by a subtle rhythm. As they walked closer, Jack saw under their hood an avian being with mostly grey feathers on their face and blue on top, with four luminous eyes that gleamed with intelligence, changing from light yellow to light blue the closer they got. However the most prominent feature was the thick, powerful looking beak which bore sharp fangs.

Alora halted near the table, followed by Jack who was looking at the bodyguards. Lightly armed, but they looked professional. A display of confidence by the client?

“I stand by for verification,” Alora told the man. “Valtorian.”

“Pregar.” The figure responded easily.

“Zaalt.” Alora finished the passphrase, as the figure nodded.

“Everything is in order, though I was expecting three others, rather than your two companions.” He cocked his head, looking between Jack and Dante.

“Will that be a problem?” Alora asked cooly.

“No, of course it won’t. Please, won’t you join me?” The green robed figure extended his hands, revealing sharp talons as he encouraged them to sit down.

Alora slowly walked forward and sat at the indicated seat, and pulled out the other one for Jack, subtly indicating to him that it was okay to join her. Dante stayed sat on the other side of the Eladrie, but kept alert for threats.

“Now, perhaps introductions are in order?” The client proposed.

“You first,” Jack retorted, the words coming out of his mouth before he could even think. The client paused.

“Or perhaps they are not?” The client proposed.

“I like that idea,” Jack continued, fighting the urge to look to Alora for any kind of clarification or permission. “It is a pleasure to meet you Mr Johnson.”

“Likewise,” ‘Mr Johnson’ professionally replied, tipping his head briefly.

“You may call me Vela,” Alora told Johnson,

“Bombaclot,” Jack nodded his head, before pointing to Dante. “And this is Pikachu.”

‘You had better not be referencing human pop culture during the damn meet, Jack!’ Nika whispered over subvocal comms.

“A pleasure.” Mr Johnson gave a polite smile. “Now I hope you don’t mind, I have already ordered and paid for food and drink for everybody I was expecting. It should be arriving soon, and then we can discuss business. It is a delicate situation and I believe your group can proceed with discretion.”

Nobody eats any of the food until Sephy and I have checked it, Chiyo spoke up in their minds, which came to Jack a little fainter than he was used to, likely as a result of Chiyo astrally projecting. Jack, Alora has an ability to detect poison, so only eat if you see her do so.

Soon, Jack heard the whining of gears behind him, and he resisted the urge to turn around as several droids carrying trays quickly filled up the table with platters of fruit and several bottles of wine, followed by yet more as they pulled the nearby tables closer to them to accommodate the sheer mass of food and drink Mr Johnson had ordered.

‘They’d better have go-bags for all that.’ Sephy complained over comms. ‘It’s all clear on my end, no microtags of any kind. Also, Johnson’s got a white noise generator going under the table, nothing bad. I’m cloning his commlink right now.’

Once Chiyo gave the confirmation and Alora took the first sip, Jack tried some of the wine. It was very sweet, more of a spritzer than wine, tasting of tropical punch.

“Why are we here, Mr Johnson?” Alora finally asked. “Surely a simple recon mission is well within the scope of what Corvin Enterprises is capable of.”

‘Johnson’ gave a dry chuckle. “While such a statement is true, I am not contacting you on behalf of Corvin Enterprises. This is a personal matter, so even if I could utilise company resources for such an expedition, I can’t trust them to handle the matter without scrutiny from my colleagues.”

“For a recon mission?” Jack asked, with eyebrows raised.

“This goes far beyond a simple recon.” Johnson shook his head. “I’ll give you the background. My mother was a Greenwarden, and we had been mostly estranged for several decades, though for the most part I still maintained some kind of contact with her. She lived remotely with members of her Circle, but they had the means to contact the outside world, mostly because I sent some of our outdated tech their way out of a sense of loyalty. However, when I last attempted to contact her almost three weeks ago to warn her of the Killer Klown being recently active, I was unable to do so.”

“And that’s…unusual?” Alora asked uncertainly.

“The lack of dialogue was very usual.” Mr Johnson nodded with a thin smile. “However the communication suite she had was down. I had last spoken to her about a month prior to this, and I sensed no issues at the time. While technical issues are often an issue, she had other ways of contacting the outside if she needed help, and there are other members of her Circle I know. I suspect the worst has happened, but I am unable to go myself to confirm her death.”

“So that’s where we come in,” Jack confirmed, receiving a nod.

“Yes. I want you to investigate and find out what happened at the Shrine of Elphil her and her Circle protected, and provide sufficient evidence to give me closure.” The Johnson gave a tired sigh. “That is your main objective. Secondary to that, Corvin Enterprises will pay a reasonable bounty on information for the general area beyond our outpost over there. I tried to make inquiries to our people there, but I received nothing from them either, and I don’t like it.

“”Finally, if you find my mother’s body I want you to ensure she returns to the Great Cycle in the traditions of druidic custom. Though I would be willing to pay you for any of her…keepsakes you decide to bring back with you, what I absolutely want most is a bone pendant, simple in design with a rune. Though this is a powerful artefact, it is a family heirloom of great sentimental value to me, tied to my bloodline, and I would be willing to trade well to receive it.” The Johnson sighed again.

“I understand, though I cannot promise to find it, we will try our best should we accept the job.” Alora nodded. “Anything else?”

“I have no more objectives to add. Travel I can arrange, but the closest point we can get you will still require you to travel on foot.”

“I see.” Alora smiled. “Let me think…”

‘I’m game for it.’ Nika whispered.

‘Same, this guy seems legit,’ Sephy added. ‘Lots of bonuses mean more pay for us!’

We should still be cautious. Mr Johnson is magically active, Chiyo told them all. But I think we should take the job.

Alora canted her head towards Jack for a moment, seeking his approval. Honestly? This one didn’t sound so bad. He gave a slight nod of his head in agreement.

“What are you offering?” Alora asked Mr Johnson.

“I offer 50,000 CorvCoin, half in scrip,” Johnson replied immediately. “The bounty on area information will be reflective of what you’re able to give us, and the treatment of my mother’s remains will earn you another 5000. The belongings you wish to trade can be negotiated upon your return, but the pendant will earn you two magical items of equal value.”

Alora frowned. “We have a point of contention, Mr Johnson. If scrip is being offered then I believe 70,000 CorvCoin will be more acceptable…”

“55,000,” The Johnson retorted instantly, his face calculative and shrewd.

“60,000,” Alora retorted, just as quickly. “And an additional 5000 worth of scrip in advance to gear ourselves up for the journey.”

“Deal.” Mr Johnson nodded, and they shook on it. “I’ll send all the information to your profile address. As for now, our business is concluded. Goodbye.”

And with that, Mr Johnson got up, supporting himself with his intricate looking wooden staff, and made his way out, flanked by his bodyguards.

Jack stared with wide eyes at the huge platters of food and drink that had been mostly untouched while they were talking. Soon, he felt a slight breeze over him as he sensed a cloaked Sephy next to him.

“Guys…” The Skritta spoke aloud, and Jack could tell how excited she was.

“Get the bags!”