October 17th

5:43 PM

Diana

Corporal Alex Lopez tapped her foot on the floor, observing the contents of the Datacube given by Belle, who was by my side and had returned from the Fourth Precinct. She sighed, looking at Belle. "You're saying this was delivered anonymously to your aunt's address by the initials I.D?"

"Correct." Belle lied, my heart thankful for his assistance with my secrets.

"Dreamframes… Metal Heavens… Steel Tygers…" The Corporal sighed. "I'll have Staff Sergeant Omen look over this in more detail, but I don't like this. The Iron Devil took those children from under our noses and is promising… to return them. What the fuck does he think this is, an IOU?"

I gave some input: "Whether or not he can be trusted, we have evidence of him eliminating several gang hideouts over the last few days. It seemed like Steel Tygers were just the first."

"Criminals killing criminals doesn't make one of them right, all we can do is hope that his word remains true. Lousy as it is." Alex rubbed her eyes, the silver disks flickering in multiple directions every second. "You stumbled onto something big, Diana. Seem to make a habit of it."

"I've always attracted attention." I said tiredly. "But with evidence of Metal Heavens contacting lesser organizations in the Fourth Precinct…"

"It's likely they're doing this in the others as well." Alex surmised. "I'll get this around the chain, put more pressure on low-income areas… not that we can do anything if their damned Precinct is corrupt. Tch, Ponsky, some damn Lieutenant she ended up being. Eleven years she's been playing her games, and now I have evidence that would require tearing apart half a Precinct just to make sure we remove all the bad apples."

Belle leaned forward. "What'll happen next to New Houston Yards?"

"If we want stability at the risk of corruption, she might get demoted or jailtime as one of her underlings takes her place… but she'll leverage her info to get a weaker sentencing. If the higher ups really do decide to give a shit, then more than a few Investigators will be transferred for an internal investigation and we'll assign one of our Sergeants to become their Lieutenant. Though that might lead to a bloodbath."

"But… it's out of our control." I sighed.

"Not in mine, either. Could take months for this to be taken into motion." Alex sighed, before nodding. "Good job, you two. Seriously. This was more than I could have expected, but now we'll have to see about the Iron Devil. He's a damn ghost, can never tell whose side he's on except…"

"Except Missy. Emizren." I said solidly.

Alex flicked her eyes to me, nudging to Belle. "Investigator Rockfel… I'll be needing a moment with Investigator Ulrich."

Belle glanced at me, but I stared straight ahead as he left. As the door closed, Alex raised her voice in a hushed tone. "Now how do you know about Emizren?"

"How do you?"

"She's an informant for the Staff Sergeant." Alex said with a steady gaze.

I returned it. "Likewise for me."

Alex Lopez scoffed, eyes opened in a mix of humor and disbelief. "Oh, fuck, I knew your survival from The Toxin Club was too suspicious. Was that your first contact?"

"It was, she provided Gene-Limiters for concealing my Gold's effectiveness." I leaned forward. "That was our only contact, but using some sway of her NeoCore past, she got me into contact with Archangel."

"The Enforcer who aided the defeat of your Gold MAL, currently in rehabilitation from injuries sustained during the event." Alex recollected her thoughts.

I provided more for her to know. "Archangel had information on Missy's group and more than a few high-ranking crime bosses; I'd assume either sent to her by Inquisitor Tusk, or transited between Emizren to Herald Ruby and then to Archangel. I realize it now, but Missy likely wanted me to be aware of who she works with… and who they're working against."

"Skeleton." Alex gritted.

"The Uncaged." I corrected, "Dogwhistler, Soul Killer, Mr. Skeleton."

Alex tiredly gripped her head. "So then, the Iron Devil only got involved because you were there?"

"Indirectly." I now had to sprinkle in some lies. "I requested information from one of their… associates, and as a result The Iron Devil likely took an interest as well. From Archangel's file, I know he has a history with Metal Heavens, a bad one."

"Associates, huh?" She stared at me with scrutiny and accusation, but didn't press the matter, "and now you're asking me to turn a blind eye if you decide to get a little more… involved with the Devil."

"Precisely. I intend to continue tracking Metal Heaven's involvement, and it's likely that the Devil is doing the same. We could cross paths sooner than later, and I want you to be informed that I will not take him into custody. Not if he's actively aiding our cases." I made my point.

Alex's ringed eyes stripped my words apart. "This case is more befitting for a Special Investigator."

"And I intend to be one by next March." I declared.

"You know… that would make you the youngest Special Investigator in the history of the District." Alex crossed her legs.

"I know," I said confidently, "and I have every intent of being that."

"Wow." She chuckled with mild amusement. "You weren't saying anything to us just a few weeks ago, a quiet worker who did her job, and now you're barking declarations to your commanding Corporal. Where'd the balls come from?"

"A realization." I muttered. "Of my father's intentions."

She leaned closer.

"Risa Wickett. Kendrick Rorsche. Indra Harmony. Anthony Grazhe." I counted on my fingers. "Upon first becoming an Investigator, my father had me transferred to Intelligence Squad 13. Anthony was there so I always had to confront the fact that his grandfather died during an operation I played a key role with, while Kendrick and Risa permuted a toxic cohabitation where Kendrick got to play dirty with new female Investigators such as Indra Harmony. Now, I'll admit, my father likely had no role with Harmony's abduction of my friend, but the very reason he put me into such a group was to show how even with an Implant, I would need to contact him to have my problems solved."

With a sigh, I continued. "He won. A single phone call sent Kendrick away. Since then, he's had leverage over me… mentally. Following that was the case of Simon Jugosla, another… emotionally taxing endeavor, one that my father twisted to get my name known across the District and my Grade certified. Now, he could have continued pushing me into unfavorable groups filled with corruption, but instead… he sent me here."

The Corporal eyed me, indicating to continue with a nod. I did. "SIO… well funded, a squad with a good reputation, neither too involved nor too docile. Friendly and capable coworkers, a perfect scenario… because his ideals changed. He no longer needed me out of the police, he needed me in once he realized I had a Gold SIM. To be a symbol, an advertisement, a headline."

A case of theft: this story is not rightfully on Amazon; if you spot it, report the violation.

I took a breath, preparing to reveal my thoughts.

"Because he's looking for power; popularity; a foothold to whatever's coming to this city. What better way than to have that than to have his daughter become a shining figure of not just the police-force but the entire government. If I had to bet, he's aiming for me to be instrumental during the Swarm. A hero for New California, Silvereye. And so, he's leaving me in your care, a welcome home away from home. I have no complaints about this squad, truly… but that's only because he designed it that way."

Alex furrowed her eyebrows. "That's in line with my orders about you."

"As I figured, what are they?"

"To do as follows:" an exasperated sigh left her mouth, "Diana Ulrich is to take cases favorable for media coverage once a month; Diana Ulrich is to have controlled successes, effectively any case where you will have a positive outcome no matter upon accomplishment or not; Diana Ulrich is to be redirected from… Uncaged activity she follows in, by use of her psychological profiling to direct her towards other cases; Diana Ulrich is to be kept away from any scandals within the police force, or if she does come across them then she is to be portrayed as though unveiling them."

I frowned. "Ah, so that's why you let me take the Fourth Precinct case. I figured out something about the MAL that Skeleton was selling and you immediately assigned me to follow a case of my choice. To distract me."

"And yet, you dragged yourself into a deeper mess." Alex snickered. "You really do attract attention, don't you?"

"As I've learned — and intend to exploit." I commented.

"And yet, despite these orders, you're going to investigate further… won't you?" Alex sighed.

"I will, rest assured. But will you stop me?"

"The question is… can I?" Alex trailed her eyes onto me. "You're Gold. An Esper — telekinetic at that. Highest benchmark scores I've ever seen on a fresh Tier II not including SI Kim Liyung. Even if you weren't smart as all fuck, you'd be capable of holding your own at the top of the pyramid in the SIO. I have my orders from your dad, and I have my own agenda — I don't think what these Uncaged guys are doing is right, if we let them slide by as the Swarm takes over our minds… we'll only be on the losing side."

My voice came strong and clear. "We agree in that much."

"But your agenda is personal, isn't it? It's not out of a sense of duty." Alex said sternly. "You're prone to anger issues, putting yourself in harm's way, and worst — have the Mutations to back up your outbursts. If you're asking me to let you take borderline suicidal cases, I can't. My ass is on the line… but knowing you, you'll find a way to take part somehow. So instead, take your role and use it in your favor."

"Silvereye," I said under my breath, "fuck, I'm going to have to make media appearances aren't I?"

"You have no idea how many people are waiting to interview you." She rubbed her cheek with her knuckles. "If you have more than one avenue to create change, use them."

"My dad's a fucking cunt, always putting me into positions that only help himself." I let out a bitter chuckle. "You know he wanted me to be an actress? Founders, looks like he's getting his wish anyway! I already have an idea or two."

I had Ripley to thank for that. "I… I'm going to make my dad spend a lot of money."

———

Sabrina

What point was there to living?

Sabrina jousted that thought away as she focused on why she needed to live, what she needed to do before she died. Till then, everything else was just a distraction. From guilt, from shame, from the knowing that her plans helped no one except…

She let coffee burn her tongue, a breath of carbon dioxide rapidly freezing the liquid to a manageable temperature. Surely, it would be any day soon, when she could stop pretending. Then again, she didn't know what parts of her were pretending and what parts weren't. Such was the curse of spending years undercover.

Sometimes, she missed the friends she made in Muramasa.

As Diana walked into the breakroom, Sabrina's demeanor changed with ease, no need for any mutation or fancy gimmick whatsoever, all those dull thoughts vanished as a bright smile chirped up some teasing words. "So… I heard you met one of our fuck, marry, kill options? Albeit, not in person."

———

Diana

"Yeah." I sighed. "Made a mess of the whole thing."

"Well, I'm jealous." Sabrina stirred her finger over a coffee cup. "But not too jealous. Want to know why?"

I tilted my head. "Why?"

Belle took a deep gulp of his coffee as he approached the table, gaze trailing on with inquisitiveness. Sabrina smirked and took my hands to force me onto the couch next to her. A holographic view settling into my sights as she transferred a file over to me.

Case Opened: Investigation into Dreadwire's Identity

Lead Investigator: First Investigator Sabrina Thraum

"Oh?" I leaned back, eagerly accepting the coffee Belle handed me. "Con- congratulations for getting the case."

"Yeah, it was a pain in the ass." She groaned. "You know, they were only going to give the case to people who are as fast as him, not a whole lot of Investigators with that kinda speed. Or aerial mobility."

"How'd you get it?"

"I made a list." She declared with a smile.

"A list?" I took a deep sip.

"Of all people Dreadwire has interacted with, and possible suspects." Sabrina sent another file to me.

Dreadwire's history:

First appearance as a Vulture using a different mask and suit. From research on the AbyssNet, it appeared during this time he took a proactive role in scavenging for parts and making social links with Little Requiem affiliated Criminals. He acquired a bounty from both Muramasa and Metal Heavens, having stolen weaponry from a Black Dragon and killed a Priest of the Contemporary faction. During this point, he lacked any usage of an Arachne.

Inside intel later reports he was responsible for the deaths of four Tier II Criminals who all died the same night. Rather than an assasination, it appeared that instead Dreadwire lured them to the same location and engaged in combat with them. Notably, all were Shard Adapters. Based on the damages to the walls occurring at the scene of the crime, we can assume that he possessed an Arachne at this point. This occurred roughly two weeks after his last sighting in Little Requiem.

Shortly after, on August 31st, he played an instrumental role in raiding two of three Yuzhou-Shandian Shardware Factories. While originally serving as a mechanic to the R0N1N, he would later separate and ride his bike to a new facility. Known associates of the raid are: The Iron Devil, Mirage, Quickshot, Stonewall and an unknown Dual Adapter.

Based on these three events, we can infer that Dreadwire had likely been contacted by his associates for the raid and spent time as a Vulture in Little Requiem to gather parts for his Arachne. During the two weeks where he was inactive, he made no appearances in LR, likely visiting another Shard Operator — or building the Arachnodyne himself. His decision to kill the four Tier IIs can then be assumed to be an attempt at his to Develop his Implant for preparation of the Raid.

Since then, he had made intermittent appearances throughout the city using his Arachnodyne as a mode of transport. Likely, traversing to various Mercenary Contracts.

Criminal Profiling: Dreadwire is most probably a new initiate to the criminal world, but unaffiliated with either of the major gangs. Instead, running in a cabal of high-profile Mercenaries who likely cultivated his usage of the Gold BUG for their benefit. He appears to have a tendency to precisely break apart Shardware during his fights, meaning he has considerable knowledge about Shard Operating — either from previous experience or through a Technician Feature.

He shows no particular expertise in firearm usage nor hand-to-hand combat, likely having no formal training in either, and is supplementing them with a circuitry of sensory-motor reactive Shardware. Profiling pins him to be a thrill-seeker; he enjoys making public appearances, which have since garnered him much infamy as a vigilante-esque figure due to his main targets being high-profile criminals and Corporations.

It was all information that wasn't particularly hidden, but Sabrina had put together into a neat timeline that, if pulled apart, might lead to other clues. "It's all really great work… but how are you going to investigate this further if most of his exact dealings took place in LR? We aren't exactly welcome there."

"That's the thing." Sabrina grinned. "Everyone's so focused on who Dreadwire is since he's had the Implant, what I need to look at is who he was before he had the Implant."

Belle bit into his mug, while my hand gripped mine tightly. Sabrina coughed, explaining further. "Based on all of this, we know Dreadwire had no formal induction into the criminal sphere before his Implant. But he was likely affiliated with enough criminals to get him into their sphere. Considering he had to be present during The Toxin Club event, that puts him in line with the Snake Fangs gang… either he ran away from them, or used the chaos of the club's destruction to make himself believed dead to them. Now, I'm willing to bet that it isn't just Technician that makes him good at breaking and building things, for him to be trusted by the R0N1N means he has to have some background in Shard Operating… and… Diana?"

"Yeah." I muffled my voice by taking a sip of the coffee.

"I was reading through transcripts of the events of the Toxin Club, and in one of them, you mentioned meeting a Shard Operator who was… unofficially affiliated with them. Do you remember his name?" Sabrina's gentle eyes prodded at me.

"Nope." I choked out.

Belle pointed to his eyebrow. I scowled at him.

Sabrina muttered to herself. "Well… I guess that puts me towards one lead."

"What?"

"The Snake Fangs." She chimed. "Some of them have been taken into custody since the club's destruction, so I'll have them tell me who that Shard Operator was."

Oh fuck. "Um… do you want me to help you?"

Sabrina's eyes lit up. "Oh, would yo- actually, better not. I'd assume Snake Fangs don't like you very much."

The one time I actually offered help to her and-

"But thanks for the sentiment." She patted my back. "So… what do you think of my educated guess?"

That it's very well educated. Placing the mug to my lips, I nodded. "Good start."

"Great, because I actually already got the name of that Shard Operator from a jailed Snake Fangs member." She gave a sly grin. "His name's Ripley Donovick." I spat my mouthful back into the mug.

If you find any errors ( broken links, non-standard content, etc.. ), Please let us know < report chapter > so we can fix it as soon as possible.