Chapter Two - Walkabout Punks

Chapter Two - Walkabout Punks

Chapter Two - Walkabout Punks

Why Samurai? Fuck, I dont know. Its not the Protectors that picked the name. When you boot-up for the first time they call you the vanguard of humanity. Youre told straight-up that youre the one at the front, the one breaking the tide. Samurai? Thats some jacked-up punks clever idea that stuck like shit on drywall. Makes sense, once youre one of us, its like... youre part of a new caste, you know?

-- Rising Tide, Interview with CyberStar, June 2032

***

Yeah, thanks, I said before pulling the bracelet on tight with my teeth.

You are very very welcome, the half-asleep voice of some kid in India said out of the androids mouth. Thank you for using... Nimbertainment Incs services today.

I made sure the bracelet wasnt too tight and tested my wrists flexibility by showing my middle finger to the robot sitting behind the desk.

Lucy giggled and moved over to the android. She had her own bracelet on in just a few seconds.

Still a little angry, I stomped to the entrance of the museum followed by the clack-clack of Lucys crutches on the marble floor.

Lets go exploring! Lucy said as soon as we were away from the security desk.

Were supposed to look after the kids, I said.

We turned around a corner and found ourselves on a little landing above the open-concept museum. Most of the displays had walls around their backs, with a few of them clustered together in bunches that left plenty of room for people to walk around in.

I imagined they were expecting decently large crowds. As it was, there were maybe three dozen kids running around.

Hovering camera drones were moving about, filming the kids staring at displays or poking at the interactive exhibits that were meant to teach them something. They were probably getting great footage of the kittens and the kids from other places enjoying themselves to add to their media feeds.

Bah, the kittens arent all dumb. They can run around and bleed off some energy for a bit. The threat of us alone should keep them in line, Lucy said. Aint that right? she barked at the twins who squealed and ran off giggling.

Youre terrifying, I deadpanned. I nodded to the main corridor that, according to the floorplan hovering by the entrance, bisected the main floor. We can find Daniel. My eye is still giving me trouble.

Lucy grinned her special grin and click-clacked her way ahead of me. We can check things out as we go!

Snorting, I followed.

For all that I didnt care much for museums that were more propaganda pieces than anything else, I was still impressed by the exhibits by the front entrance. The first steps along the main path opened up to a one-to-one scale model of an Antithesis that stood tall and menacing in the middle of the corridor. Its four-hinged jaws were opened wide, with a hovercar crushed within, and its skin bristled with tapered spikes that looked genuinely dangerous.

Holograms of different Samurai were fading into existence around the monster, some of them flying in the air on hoverboards or with jetpacks, others appeared next to the monster or behind holographic cover with fantastical weapons. One or two even appeared to ride the creature atop its back, close-ranged weapons gleaming as they prepared to strike down their foe.

Cool, Lucy said.

I didnt think of contradicting her. It was an impressive showpiece.

Thats a Model Twelve, Daniel said as he rolled over. He pointed to the monsters long, drawn-out backside. See its second abdomen bit? Theres supposed to be some sort of organic ECM in there. They can spoof even the best cameras and scanners, make them think that the entire beastie is meant to be there. Thats why theyre called Bus-Bugs. They get flagged as hoverbuses all the time and they carry Model Ones and Threes all over the place.

Have you been wiki-walking? Lucy asked, her tone light and syrupy sweet.

Daniels cheeks reddened just a pinch. Nah, I read the plaque, he said. Uh, hey, still need help with your aug-gear?

I nodded. It was surprisingly easy to pretend that I wasnt seeing the flashes of images out of the corner of my eye, but they were pervasive and annoying nonetheless. I decided that I could do without being asked if I had erectile dysfunction that afternoon. If you can get rid of this mess I promise not to mock you when you fanboy about the Samurai.

ChillMaster! The Chillest!* Sparky Coola

275Cr

Hot Brown Drink

275Cr

Shiawase Cola

250Cr

Prepsi

300Cr

Golden Goose

300Cr

*Not actually the chillest

Yeah, it works, I said. And these prices are highway robbery.

Its a museum, you want cheap drinks, go buy them elsewhere, Daniel said.

Lucy jumped to her feet, then gripped the edge of the table not to fall over. We can move on! she said.

I grinned after her and got up while pulling the plug out of my gear. Here, and thanks.

No problem, Daniel said. Every boy dreams of going on a date with two girls.

I snorted. Dont try your luck. I dont mind smacking idiots around, wheelchair or no.

Youd hit a cripple? Daniel said with a laugh.

We got up, Lucy pushed off the bench before sliding her crutches under her arms. As the only one with working legs I bounced to my feet and spun around Daniel. You can hit a cripple if youre also a cripple. Its a big loophole, you know.

Ah, the infamous cripple-clause, Lucy said with a smart nod. Its why I have these crutches instead of some fancy gravity rig. So I can use them as a weapon of last resort.

Shaking my head, I headed our little group out of the cafeteria area, then looked around. Nose was leaning against a glass display, one finger in his nostril and with an unamused Junior next to him. The other kids around werent my problem so I paid them no mind. Where to? I asked.

I wanna see the pretty dresses, Lucy said.

Seriously? I asked.

Hell yeah. Theres an entire Samurai fashion section. Lucy pointed to a little sign hanging off of a pillar. One look at it opened up a small map of the museum, fashion section included.

Whats that have to do with human endurance? I asked. Youd think theyd at least try to keep things on theme.

Maybe it talks about the endurance of the miniskirt and its effects on humanity? Daniel wondered.

Shush you, I said.

Daniel grinned up at me. I want to see the tech section. Theyve got first generation decks and aug-gear. Like, stuff from twenty-twenty. We can mock how they thought thirty-two gigs of ram was a lot?

I sighed to let the two know just how much of a long suffering saint I was, then got behind Daniel and started pushing. Tech first. Then Lucy can bore us to sleep while gushing about... lace or whatever.

Hey! Lucy shouted.

I was surprised at how much fun I was having as I pushed Daniel along.

Then the lights in the museum flashed red, the entire building trembled, and what I could see of the sky turned a deep crimson.