The Atrium

Inner Ring, Kudan.

1430 Hours, July 30th 3039.

"Whoa, that's one hell of a building." Dayle admired the Atrium's spiral architecture as he, Raines and Arthur emerged from the train station opposite. Most buildings in Kudan followed the giant-block format, so it was nice to see such a fantabulous design. Of course, Dayle heavily doubted this was replicable in real life, but who cared?

Raines and Arthur muttered brief words of agreement before trio crossed the street and then entered the building.

Dayle was spared having to seek out the recruitment location by a holographic lady who held a sign with the words, "Low Guruk Expedition" and an arrow pointing to the side. Thankful for modern technology, the fireteam followed the arrows to a small conference room by the side that had been converted to a registration center.

Dayle was surprised to find the hall packed to the brim. For whatever reason, the teams who registered remained in the room rather than leave. Instead, the teams began striking up conversations and sharing information with other teams. Clearly, they hoped to better understand their companions before the battle began.

"Dayle, over here!"

Dayle followed Raines shout to a counter at the corner of the room.

A middle aged woman looked up from her console to look at the trio. She gave the team a once-over, and then scoffed. "Are you here to register?"

Despite her venomous tone, Dayle responded with a sweet smile, "Yes, we are."

The clerk sneered. She could tell from their get-up that these were a bunch of newbies. There was no end to fools who were willing to risk their lives for money. "I'm sure you heard, but you will be rewarded for every piece of intel you find. Credits will also be awarded for every Nexus bot killed."

"Oh? There's a reward?" Dayle's eyes sparkled. So, there was a chance to earn some cash from this? What was the thing FireRain needed most right now? Money, certainly! "Someone's bankrolling this mission?"

The clerk looked at Dayle in disbelief. "You didn't know? So, why are you here if not for the reward?"

Dayle awkwardly coughed. Damn, he messed up! He could not give away the fact he wanted intel. "Uh..."

"The Nexus are a dangerous threat to all our existence." Arthur suddenly spoke up, drawing the attention to himself. "It is our duty as the powerful to do all we can to take them down as swiftly as possible. Noblesse Oblige.:

"Ha-ha! Noblesse Oblige!?" A man guffawed from the side. "Didn't think I'd ever hear that from an Auger."

Arthur turned to look at the voice's source.

A thirty-something tall, muscular man with dark-chocolate skin grinned as he gave the group a once over. The man, who was dressed in a tight T-shirt that wrapped around his powerful chest and biceps, took out the cigar in his mouth and snuffed it in an ashtray. "You kids are something special." The man held out his hand, which had been replaced by an intimidating, metal bionic model. "Name's Glock. Haven't seen your faces around. You guys new?"

Dayle smiled as he shook Glock's hand. "Yeah, you could say that. We've only been in here a couple days. Name's Dayle." He introduced Raines and Arthur, who shared pleasantries as they too shook Glock's bionic hand. When the pleasantries were done, Dayle gave Glock a strange look as he asked, "Why did you say we were something special? Did we say something wrong?"

"Wrong?" Glock shook his head. "Far from it. It's just very rare to find Augurs who gives a damn about the Residents." He pointed at Arthur and said with a chuckle, "Never thought I'd hear someone say Noblesse Oblige in this world. Y'all must be pretty green if you still have time to think about others. It's a man-eat-man world out here. Everyone's looking out for number one. I suggest y'all do the same."

"Hoh? On the contrary, I believe only those who think about others can make it to the top." Dayle countered Glock with a firm smile. "Going lone wolf can only take you so far."

Glock shrugged. A wild light flashed in his eyes. "Well, we'll see who's right in the end." He pause and once more surveyed their clothing. Doubt surfaced in his eyes. "What level did you guys say you were again?"

"We didn't."

"Level 10." Raines answered, and then quickly followed up when she saw Glock's heavy scowl. "Is there a problem?"

"Problem?" Glock frowned. "Yes and no. Technically, this mission does not have a level limit, but level 10 is far too low to attack a Nexus base. Chances are you're gonna get whacked!"

Arthur looked at Glock. "Yes, but there is only reward and no risk. At worst, if we die we get revived. All we have to do is ensure we do not take anything we would regret losing, right?"

"That's absolutely wrong!" Glock shook his head. "They don't tell you this, but every death's recorded in your profile." He jerked his head to scan the room. "Most missions aren't as open-ended as this one. The best, and most lucrative missions require the best of the best. These missions not only have level limits, but also death limits."

"Makes sense," reasoned Raines. "Dying leaves evidence of your presence. Also, those who die a lot might fail during an important part of a mission. And I can imagine delivery or recovery missions would demand those who've died the least."

Glock snapped his fingers. "Exactly! The best paying missions have strict death limits. It'll be too late to cry once you've hit a high level with 100 deaths. Can't undo a death, you know?"

Dayle nodded in agreement. Indeed, this was a massive oversight on their part. Thankfully, someone warned them early, or they would have continued with a lackadaisical attitude towards death. That would have most certainly come back to bite them in the butt.

Glock smiled when he saw the look in Dayle's eyes. Thankfully, it seemed like this crew was not as hard-headed and stupid as most he came across. "So, I'm guessing you're gonna quit?"

"Nah, actually we're gonna stay." Dayle shrugged and then looked at the clerk. "Yeah, we'd like to confirm our registration."

"I take that back."

Dayle looked at Glock, whose expression had turned dark. "What's that?"

"Nothing, never mind."

"Don't mind him. He's a troll." Raines, sensing Glock's mood turning sour, jumped in to smooth things out. "He was going to tell you in a few that there's some things we absolutely hope to gain from this mission."

"Yes." Arthur nodded. "We cannot afford to quit, but we do heavily appreciate the advice you gave us. Trust we shall keep your warnings close to heart to preserve our lives as much as possible."

Glock's expression warmed into a small smile. "Well, English boy's got a way with words." He chuckled and then spread his arms. "Well, if you change your mind, I can introduce you to some high-paying jobs that are more suited to your levels." Glock rapped on the table. "I'm usually slumming it at Gunter's Ring. If you can find me, we'll have a lot more to talk about." With those words, he sent them a salute, and then walked away.

Dayle looked at Glock's receding back with a slight smile. "What a strange man." He then turned to the clerk. "Do you know anything about Glock, or this Gunter's Ring?"

The clerk shook her head. "I have not heard of Gunter's Ring, but Glock I do know." Her lips curled in an enigmatic smile. "Glock's called the Tutorial King. He's famous for helping new Fireteams avoid some of the more common errors. He also sets people up with well-paying but safe jobs to establish firm foundations. He's got as many friends as there are stars in the sky, and even more enemies."

"Really?" Dayle's eyes lit up. "Sounds like a man with a lot of connections. What faction does he work for?"

"That's the thing. He works for no one." The clerk wore a puzzled frown. "Glock is famous for being a lone wolf. He's collaborated with a few fireteams, sure, but never committed to an organization."

"Is there a reason?" Arthur questioned. "I imagine it is not easy getting by in this world by his lonesome."

"I'm not sure. From what I've heard, he hasn't found an organization that suits him."

Raines murmured thoughtfully. "So, it's not that he doesn't want one, but that he hasn't found a right fit." She looked at Dayle. The light in his eyes clued her in on the man's desire. With a wry smile, she muttered, "You've chosen to recruit him, haven't you?"

Dayle smiled. "A unaffiliated man with connections like his? There are only pluses and no minuses. Remember, we're fighting an information battle. Widespread connections should always take priority."

"I do not see how we could possibly recruit a man like that." Arthur shook his head, doubt in his eyes. "What could we possibly offer that the top organizations couldn't?"

"A dream."

"What?"

Dayle's eyes shone as his lips spread in a bright smile. "A dream, Art. No one takes up a job helping people without some sort of dream. We find out what it is, and we might be able to lure him to our side." Dayle paused and then looked at the clerk. "All that is in the future though. For now, we have to get past this first task alive. Our registrations are complete, yes?"

"Yes, they are." The clerk confirmed with a smile. "Dayle, Arthur, and Raines of FireRain, you are now officially part of the Low Geruk Expedition." She paused and then looked at Dayle. "The expedition leaves tomorrow from the North Gate at 9.a.m prompt. Be on time, or you will have to travel alone. Do you have Sprites? If not, we can make provisions for you to join the bus. There will be a cost, though."

"No, thank you. We've got Sprites." Dayle confirmed. "Thanks for the help." He flashed a bright smile. "Perhaps we'll meet again soon." He then winked and left the counter with his squad, leaving a blushing middle-aged woman twirling her hair with a dreamy look in her eyes.

"So, what do you think we should do next?" Raines asked after leaving the building. They had a few hours to kill, and they were far from tired. It felt like a waste to sleep the time away.

Arthur looked up at an overhead train. "We could seek out Dayle's girl, Viper. We did give her a lot of money. It would be prudent to check on how it is being spent." He looked at Dayle. "What do you think? This is your project."

"It's our project, Art." Dayle chuckled as he wrapped his arm around Arthur's neck. "Well, I was planning on checking out the red-light district, but your plan sounds a lot better."

"Seriously?" Raines rolled her eyes. "You were gonna go without telling us?"

Dayle sneered at his partner as they made their way to the train. "Hey Art's a good kid. No way I'm taking him there. And you... You always steal the best girls. Like hell I'm taking you with me."

"One time, Dayle. One time!" Raines groaned. "I've helped you score so much more. Let it go already."

"Like hell I will. You broke the sacred wingman code."

Arthur, meanwhile, just chuckled as he followed the bickering couple onto the train.

Outer Ring, Kudan.

1834 Hours, July 30th 3039.

"Seriously, Dayle! Where the hell is she supposed to be!?"

Raines gulped on a bottle of water as she slumped against a wall. By her side, Arthur sat on the floor, wiping sweat off her forehead.

Dayle, meanwhile angrily argued with a fifteen-sixteen year old boy, who wore a disdainful expression. "Listen kid, I've been searching for Viper all damn day! Y'all keep sending me in circles!"

The teenager picked his nose. "Like I said, old ma—"

"I'm not old!"

"Whatever. Listen old man; like I said, she was here, but she just left. Check The Cyclone. You might find her there."

"And what in heaven's name is The Cyclone?"

The teen stopped picking his nose. His eyes suddenly grew sharp as he once again evaluated Dayle and the others. "You're new to the slums? Why'd you say you were searching for Viper, again?"

"We didn't!" Dayle had almost gone red from apoplectic rage. The kids had sent them running all around the slums for over three hours. And, now, this one wanted to complicate things further.

Thankfully, a voice of reason persevered in the group.

"We're sponsoring a business with her," interrupted Raines before things could really turn sour.

"Ah!" The youth's eyes lit up. "You're Raines and Arthur, right?" He then glanced at Dayle. "The sleazebag must be Dayle. I remember now. Viper said you guys might be coming. We didn't' believe her of course. Some rich dude sponsoring her?" The teen sneered. "More like she sol—urk!"

Dayle grabbed the youth's throat. The young man's eyes suddenly turned cold, causing the area's temperature to plunge by at least a few degrees. "I will release your throat in three seconds. Choose your next words wisely. Three, two, one."

Dayle released the teenager.

*cough**cough*

The teenager coughed and then nervously swallowed gulps of air. "I-I'm sorry! Please don't tell Viper I said anything." His eyes widened in genuine fear and terror as he pleaded, "Please, she'll kill me!"

Dayle snorted and then patted the teenager's head. "Don't worry, I'm not in the business of gossiping. Now, can you take us to Viper. Is she really at this Cyclone place?"

The teen nodded. "Yeah, she is. She's been there for the past couple of hours. I'll take you there, right now." With those words, he led the trio onto the main street, and they soon began weaving their way through the dense crowds.

Dayle frowned and asked as he walked. "Wait, if she was at the cyclone, then why send us running around this entire time?"

"Policy." The teen shrugged and then looked at Dayle. "If Viper can't be disturbed, and someone we don't know is searching for her, we send them on a wild goose chase. It weeds out the important from the trash, you know. Also, it buys us time to get bodies around her in case it's a hit."

Dayle grinned as he looked at Raines. "Wow. What a set-up."

"Yeah, Viper's something else. You have no idea how many gangs want her head. It's just one of many tricks she's thought up to protect herself."

"Gangs?" Arthur frowned. "There are gangs after her? She's but a child."

"Hmph. Underestimate Viper, and you get a dose of her poison." The teenager had an almost fanatic smile as he continued, "Viper may be a child, but she's managed to muscle in on many gangs' territories. No one knows how, but she's blackmailed many gang leaders into seceding territories to her. Many others want her dead before she makes a move on their territories."

"That bad, huh?" Dayle grinned, but a hint of worry flashed in his eyes. Viper was a wanted figure. She would be in grave danger if word got out she was starting a large organizations. The young man's eyes turned vicious. "...It's been a while."

"Huh?"

"Nothing." Dayle glanced at Arthur and Raines. "Tell me about these gangs."

Arthur and Raines recognized the bloodlust in Dayle's eyes. It appeared the Outer Ring would soon be drowned in a sea of blood.