Chapter Thirty-Four - Thump

Chapter Thirty-Four - Thump

Chapter Thirty-Four - Thump

For a period of time, it was common practice to think of the human element as the weakest link in any security system.

That changed when technology grew complex enough that no one could predict the exact loyalties of their own devices.

As it turns out, humans might be a weak link, but theyre one that is understandable and predictable.

--Anonymous during a virtual hacker conference, 2054

***

You know what I want? I asked as I weaved through a line that cut across a corridor. It ended at one of those corporate soup kitchens. People filled out forms on some tablets at the end of the line, then got their vouchers for a free meal.

I can only guess.

Well, I need a new jacket for one, I said. Something... like my last one, maybe? A bit cooler? Maybe semi-armoured? But yeah, I need that. But what I really want is a grenade launcher.

You want a grenade launcher. Somehow, that wasnt in the top percentile of things I expected to hear, but I suppose it makes sense. You are aware that you are essentially on a stealth mission?

Do you expect this mission to not involve high explosives at some point? I asked.

That is a very fair point. I have a few questions to narrow down exactly what sort of launcher you need. How accurate do you want the weapon to be? What are your tolerances for size? Are there any particular things you want this weapon to do?

I thought for a second. I want something that makes that cool thump sound. Maybe some rapid-ish fire? And something thats easy to reload?

I see. I think you may need to purchase a new catalogue for that. Might I suggest the rather generic Explosive Launchers class? The first tier costs seventy-five points.

Alright, fine.

Class I Explosive Launchers Unlocked!

Points reduced to... 7790

Now, as for an actual weapon. I suggest the Icarus Mark II. Its a one-hundred point grenade-launching rifle. Rather slim, with a titanium chassis. The magazine holds eighteen rounds, which can be fired in single shot, or in three-round bursts.

Thats a lot of grenades, I said.

They pack just as much punch as larger ones. I think youll find the weapon enjoyable. It has a rather high skill-ceiling, but youll learn. And there are special ammunitions that you can purchase that have multiple uses. More standard explosive rounds are significantly more expensive, of course, and you can use any kind of explosive from your Class one Esoteric Single-Use Explosive Devices catalogue.

I paused for a moment and glanced at the wire-map of the area to make sure I was heading the right way. Does it look cool? No cat stuff on it?

... Certain changes can be made to remove any such decorations.

Snorting, I moved over to an elevator bank, then waited for one to come down. Sure then.

New Purchase: Icarus Grenade Launcher Platform

At the end of the next corridor, right? I asked as I took off to my left. The new coat swished quite satisfyingly as I walked.

Indeed. Now would be a good time to test your new cloaking device.

I agreed. With a twitch of my eye, I brought up the menu for all of my gear with my augs and looked at the new icon for my cloak. It was just a floating image of the belt-buckle-like device. The menu that brought up was a long list of options. It was like looking at an extended list of halloween costumes.

Ah, I said. Thats a lot of choices.

I have access to their network. Do you want me to create a cover for you that should get you past their security?

Sounds perfect, I said as I flicked out of the menu. Too much choice was too much.

The entrance to Sunshine Weapons R&D lab was a plain lobby. A pair of sliding doors that led to a security checkpoint, then a corridor deeper into the labs. Just as I rounded the corner, I noticed my everything shifting and when I looked down, it was to see that I was wearing something different. Clothes on top of my clothes.

It looked like I was in a plain overall, with a logo-covered jacket atop it, and the gun bouncing by my side now looked like a case.

I stepped into the first room, then had to wait a moment until one of the guards by the front desk waved me in.

You already have an appointment here, and Ive cracked their security. Just act natural and you should be fine.

Moving up to the security desk, I faced the sleepy looking guy behind it and waved. Hey there, I said, trying to sound friendly but professional. Just an eager young technician or whatever.

Youre from... he paused and looked at his screen. SuperCat, Animal Care and Grooming Co.?

I flinched. Y-yup, I said.

Whats with the helmet?

I glanced to the side. On the cameras behind the guys desk was an image of me wearing a plain white helmet, still with the cat-ears. Its for, uh, protection. While handling animals.

Really? he asked.

Yeah, really. Corporate protocol, you know? I was going to drown Myalis, the fact she was in my head be damned.

Hmm, yeah. Wanna pass through the scanner? Put your bag on the side there. He pointed to an x-ray machine, with a walk-through scanner next to it.

I put my gun on the black threads, then stepped through the scanner. The x-ray that I saw on his screen looked nothing like a high-tech grenade launcher, and a lot more like a bag full of stuff.

Right, you can go.

I made it halfway down the corridor before I huffed. I hate you.

I sent the recording to Lucy already.

I really hate you.

***