November 25th

11:29 PM

The Ripper I was waiting for the Snake Fangs downstairs. By now… my other had known our secret was in jeopardy. Either Hoaqin had broken our trust and told the Snake Fangs of the Gold Implant and Dreadwire's identity, or they had discovered it when Brim tried to assassinate Diana.

Four of them stormed down the staircase and into my clinic — familiar faces from a distant — haunting — past. Anger and eagerness swelled from my other to take off these goggles and tear them apart as I looked upon them.

Johnny, snub-nosed and with a crooked smile, scoffed at me. "Oh, isn't this just a fuckin' miracle? Our club gets destroyed and now we hear some guy called 'The Ripper' is in charge of it?! You got some fucking nerve, Ripley!"

Yes… this was not a job for The Ripper, but for him. And so, the goggles slid off.

———

Ripley

"How's it going, Johnny?" I chuckled as my hair darkened and face became mine. "Been a while since I saw you? How's the leg — lookin' for an upgrade?"

He scowled and rushed towards me. I made no move to stop him.

"Oh, you think you've got some balls now?! You're that same fuckin' piece of piss rotting away here!" John tugged my shirt up, but failed to lift me as two Arachnodyne limbs dug into the ground. "And you- you took that fucking Gold? Didn't you?! That thing destroyed our club? What makes you think you can have it!"

"Calm down… and no, I didn't. I sold it." The lie came easy from me. "What, do you really think I'd put that target in my head? I sold it to Dreadwire and became a Silver." I reached into Shardweave, my liver's upgrades, and my Frequency Sync with the Droneforge Module. Whereas before, I was only be able to imitate a Bronze Adapter's Energy, now I could entirely mask my form as a Silver.

And with the Shadow Tendency, it was all but imperceptible. "In fact, you might want to look behind you."

I pointed my finger behind them, to the ceiling. Starlight encompassed a Dreadwire drone, clinging in silence as her mask was enough to weave dread into their paling faces. I told her to be silent. Her speaking immediately erased any of my... mojo.

'Dreadwire' took a good look at each of them, waiting like a predator to strike. John let go of me, his breath staggering as he couldn't decide to look at me or Dreadwire.

I tapped his shoulder. "Eyes on me. You're here to talk with me after all?"

"I… What the fuck is this?" John looked all around me. "How the fuck did you get the money to buy all of this?"

"Investors." I chuckled. "You'd be surprised how far I've come. I bet Shaun would be jealous — heard you've cooped up with Skeleton."

"Shaun wants you in a gutter." He growled and I shrugged.

"He can blame whoever he wants. In the end, it was him who took that deal. He suffered his consequences. I'm dealing with mine." To elaborate my point, I took out a hefty pile of Bronze Shards and began counting them. "Now tell me something, what do you know of my… endeavours?"

Dreadwire dropped behind them, the drone's heavy machinery grating into the air like a dog's growl. Another guy, Mylo, grabbed the wall and stepped back as Dreadwire's mask turned to him.

Good job, Starlight. Just be quiet. Be intimidating.

"Shaun…" I tapped my chin. "I don't care for Shaun, if he wants me… he can-"

"You act like you're so tough." John stepped forward. "Are you forgetting what we can do to your mother?"

My eyes narrowed, and a deep resonant chuckle erupted from me.

I was going to keep things peaceful.

"You know… for nearly a fucking decade — I kept this club afloat."

"Talk as big as you-"

My hand grasped around his throat. I enjoyed feeling the weakness of his trachea — I could crush his windpipe here and now. My gaze slimmed, Gold slipping into my Shardware. No... no playing nice with them now…

"You're going to listen to me. Founders… John, I'm surprised I even remember your name! But how couldn't I? After all, weren't you the one who slapped Selene's ass the first day she joined, Hoaqin had to push you off and you just laughed about it."

That's right… I could remember everything now. Elsa truly had been very helpful and honest.

"Oh, you know what I wanted to do to you then?" My Arachnodyne unravelled its seams, exposing thin blades. "Johnny, Johnny… I don't think you deserve hands."

With a blink, blood ribboned into the air and his hands fell to the ground as satisfying chunks of flesh. He tried to scream, but my grip on his throat only tightened. "What's Shaun planning? Did Hoaqin say anything?"

"He-" One of the other men in the back raised their weapons, I looked at it in boredom. "You don't know who we're with now! J-John, do it!"

"It'll kill me!" He wheezed. "It'll…"

"No, John. I want to see exactly what Skeleton gave you? Probably some shit involving red-liquid, right?"

"Shit… you know?" Liam staggered, bumping right into Dreadwire.

"My girlfriend's very good at figuring things out." I snapped John's neck, leaving him on the floor as a crumpled mess as I turned to the other three. "But so am I. It's time I figured out which shithole you're living in now."

They couldn't scream before their innards fell on my floor.

Starlight looked at me. Even behind that mask of Dreadwire… I could tell what she was thinking. I answered first. "It's us or them. I'm not letting them get to my mother first — this was always going to happen at some point."

Dreadwire only nodded, stiffly, fear evident in the movement. Sighing, I pat her shoulder. "I'll have some others clean this up, you… you just have fun with Seraphim. Don't involve yourself in my fight."

"Where are you going?" Starlight said shakily.

Picking up a red-veined BUG that began to dissolve away, I chuckled. "To pay some old friends a visit."

———

November 26th

1:34 AM

Ripley

The other two didn't have dosed Implants. From what I could tell, Skeleton was experimenting on the Snake Fangs -- likely trying to make some sort of drug out of Soul Killer. From their memories, I saw their warehouse was located in the dumps, quite literally next to a fucking trashyard. It was fitting.

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Tonight, I wasn't wearing my Dreadwire mask. I had no need for it. My Arachnodyne pulled me down into the darkness of the guards there, my eyes reflecting as torches beamed in my direction.

"Oh fuck! It's Dre- is… is that you, Ripley?" The man was named Remy.

Was. My Arachne tip speared through his throat, and my other impaled into the man beside him, Louie. I knew them, I'd drank with them, they weren't bad men.

But tonight, they were my enemies. I walked past their dead bodies, aiming for a more… personal audience. Elsa whispered in my ear. "Stay in caution, Snake Fangs individually are weak… but Shaun. The Bloodmuncher is 95% of their strength."

A Silver Tier III Mutant. He couldn't be taken lightly, and with his ability to manipulate blood… even my nanites wouldn't be effective on him. Not unless I had entire body masses worth.

Only the midnight moon illuminated me, the rocking of a generator sputtering to mask my steps and more than a few cameras bursting as Elsa disabled them.

The last person I expected to walk out of the warehouse was Mr. Skeleton.

He looked at me with the red dots of his eyes, a humorous chuckle coming out. "I have a gift for you, Donovick."

He threw a box and out spilled two mangled pieces of flesh.

Penises.

"Why did you just…" I was entirely focused up until now.

"Shaun has three of them. Cut him down to the normal amount." Skeleton laughed. "It was… a punishment for his oversight. I had strict orders upon him."

"Strict orders?"

"To stay away from you — or well… Dreadwire. His nephew is such a fucking blabbermouth, real lack of professionalism around here." Skeleton pointed to an approaching car. It opened up, and he motioned inside. "It's been a while since we talked one-on-one. You haven't taken any new orders from me since the Heist on Yuzhou."

"Well… now I know you can somehow delve your mind into them, extract my secrets." I pitted a knowing gaze onto him. It was satisfying seeing him briefly stare at me with a measure of surprise.

I got into the car, my Arachnodyne compacting just late enough that it scratched the door. Settling in, I helped myself to the champagne in the center of our seats, as Skeleton took space beside me. "I was going to say to help yourself, but you've clearly taken a head start."

"Ah, cut the shit, Mikail." I said, drinking straight from the bottle. "What the fuck is it that you want?"

"How much do you know about Muramasa Dynasty?" He got straight into business mode.

"Not much, Elsa told me you're technically in a political engagement with them?" I raised my eyebrow. "Fiancé's with The Bladedaughter, she tells me."

"Ah, so you've heard of our alliance. Let me fill you in on some backstory…" Skeleton raised his hand, a stream of light forming a white-robed man wielding a blade that was blood-red from tip to hilt. And he wore a Dragon Mask. Not Black like Muramasa's elites, or Red like the ones worn by the Princes and Princesses.

It was bone white.

"Kensuke Muramasa." Skeleton said in a low rumble. "Former Yuzhou assassin. He was tasked with killing key SynTec personnel in The Floridian Gulf during the Fourth Swarm. They happened to kill his old family due to some... negligence, and so he's since defected and become a thorn in their side. Similar to The R0N1N, albiet, far more... criminal."

"Is that...?" I began, but he spoke over me.

"He's known as The Bladefather and runs the dynasty. Or at least, that's the public story the police believe… you would never believe what actually happened." He chuckled before continuing. "Those directly under him are his Princes and Princesses; adopted children of war and crime he's taken a liking to. Survival into adulthood is their test; each of them is a weapon that could kill you in a heartbeat. Other than them, he has his elites. The Black Dragons, each given a sword crafted by him personally, they carry it on them at all times. It's a show of loyalty and respect."

"Oh…" I'd stolen one of those swords from Black Dragon Long. "Alright, why all this information?"

"Muramasa Dynasty… is about to fall." Skeleton chuckled. "It all started with Soul Killer, the Revenant was the perfect ally for them. With their aid, Muramasa devoured every crime family other than Metal Heavens and Los Diablos, for the reason that they couldn't be infected. After the earthquake, they reigned supreme."

"And now you're looking to collect their scrap when they die." I gathered.

"Ah, yes… but there are complications. Muramasa has since splintered from Soul Killer, I'm assuming you've heard lately there has been more than some internal strife. They purged their ranks, any trace of Soul Killer was removed — even one of their princes died and was framed as a suicide just a few months ago. All in preparation… to join with me." Skeleton had a proud look on his face. "However, I am no fool. The Bladefather does not see me as an equal."

"So what, you're going to have him killed?"

"In a sense, it's more of a... rebellion from his children." He chuckled. "Not for you to worry about, but rather… the police. I'm playing both sides, but I ask you to join the police on that day as allies. And kill Anabelle Grazhe."

I… put the drink down as I heard that. "Why?"

"As you may know, her mind is… twisted. Unstable. Powerful. I want her dead and want a new Lieutenant put into place." Skeleton said with a smile. "Once Morgan 'Omen' Kirell is Lieutenant, you shall receive an Implant that will heal your mother."

"What?" I leaned forward, looking as he plucked out an Implant from his pocket. My arm felt a tinge of connection with it.

Skeleton's eyes met mine. No emotion in the thin pinpoints of light. "Your father died having this Implant on him. The police confiscated it. Since then, it has come into my care. You likely have some idea of where he got this Silver from."

"My grandfather, from the storage locker." I took a deep breath, anger rising up. "The Implant that belonged to me and my mother."

"No need to be so rageful." He slid at ease into his seat. "I've already tested it with her, 87% compatibility. The Features are Accommodation, Integration, and a Unique Feature… Technopath."

"Technopath…?" I felt my breaths tighten.

"Your Grandfather… he… imbued it with a Fragment of Connection. I do not know what his own Unique Feature is, or are, if multiple… but I trust you understand the value of this Implant."

"It would save my mother's life." My thoughts aligned, knowing the truth of the matter. "And all I need to do is kill Anabelle Grazhe."

"She's suffering, anyway. It's a mercy kill." Skeleton put the Implant back into his pocket. "As for your endeavors under that new name… The Ripper, I take it I'm not welcome to your craftsmanship."

"No," I said, adamant on the stance. "You'll probably still find a way to get it, I bet."

"I shall." He confirmed with a nod. "But we do not need to be enemies, Ripley. You should know that your current allies aren't honest with you."

"…the more I learn about Missy… the less I trust her." I stilled. "But what I know is you let Juliet Grazhe lose her sanity by giving her the Allseeing's power. I don't trust you, either."

"Ah, that. Was it truly wrong of me? What purpose did she have otherwise? Her father hated her, and her sister was a puppet. I offered her a choice to escape that, and she took it." Skeleton smirked. "It was Missy who gave her… an elongated and very painful death."

"Did Missy know you were alive?" I felt my hands itching for that Implant in his pockets. But I was also… wary. This didn't feel right.

"She knew." Skeleton said simply. "She knew I never died. Even then, she was using Diamante… ultimately, I am not an ally with her despite her decision to not confirm my death."

"I see." Except I didn't. Everything was so cryptic. "What'll you do if you win?"

"If I win? I will win." Skeleton's voice darkened. "I will claim this city, from its deepest underworld to the soaring citadel it could be. The Titans will come, war will be waged between corporations for the profit the MAL can bring, and I will be the quartermaster collecting coin. From Gold, I will rise to Platinum. To… what lay beyond it."

"You want to be a new Founder." That was easy to read.

"No, Ripley." Skeleton's eyes looked deep into mine. "I will be the only Founder. Humanity deserves a chance for ascension beyond their rule, and it shall be me. No matter the bodies I have to bury."

"Or the ones you fucking control with your weird bullshit Implant necromancy. You, Soul Killer… you both seek to control people with their damn Implants." I let spite shoot from my tongue.

"You think me a tyrant, Ripley." He gazed outside the car window. "But I don't impose control. I expose it. People already worship necessity. I only changed what necessity demands. In my hands, death became continuity. Legacy. Profit. That's all it ever takes. Even your Silvereye — imagine her, dead and divine, fighting you not from fear… but because this city needs her."

…

I felt my jaw was about to break from the pressure I was squeezing with. "It was you who ordered the headshot on her, wasn't it?"

"In a sense. Yet, you both proved remarkable…" Skeleton tapped his finger on his knee. "My plan was foiled. That doesn't happen very often."

"Get used to it." I barked… before looking outside the window. We were here, outside my megabuilding.

"Ripley, take care… and give your mother the life she deserves." He patted my shoulder as the door opened. "And also… tell your girlfriend I no longer require her services."

I stepped out, breathing out. Not sure if it was from relief or rage.

That bastard. Elsa agreed in my head. "Oh, he has no fucking clue that you know who I am. He thinks you're under my control or some shit."

"Yeah, keep it that way… but do you think…"

"I don't know what his plans are regarding Anabelle's death. A lieutenant dying and getting replaced by someone — my guess is on Omen — would be… it would open up many opportunities to him." Her speech was shaky. "But he wasn't wrong about Muramasa's plans. War-Watcher hired my — and I mean The Dogwhistler's — expertise."

"What do you mean?"

"NeoCore is sending their first shipments out to Westcrook next month," Elsa whispered. "They wanted me to find their route so they could intercept the Aerodyne."

"Intercept? They're stealing Implants?!"

"Yeah, far as I can figure. They're doing this all while the Bladefather is... indisposed."

A theft of that scale? It would be a direct aggression against both the Corporations and the City's government.

"Ripley…" Her voice took a teasing tone. "Six Silver. One Gold. You want those BUGs?"

My breathing stilled. Six Silver Implants... all unused and fresh, no prior Adapters to have influenced them and corrupt their Compatibility.

Silver Implants were rare on the black market, unused ones even more so. And it just so happened that they were the exact ones I needed to cure my mother. This was... troublesome.

But it was also my best chance. One that didn't rely on Skeleton.

I spoke through the comms. "Tell me the plan."

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