Moonshot: Hmm, Vser makes an interesting point. Can’t say I disagree. Hey, speaking of Psi-Corp, I’ve been hearing some troubling rumors about them on the streets for a while now.
VseR: What’d you hear?
Moonshot: Well, first, I’ve been hearing that Zonos has lifted the ban they previously set on the COGLIMS, at least in private, and are using those damned devices on the Psi-Corp Force. And secondly, I’ve been hearing for some time from a number of people that the Psi-Corp force is made up entirely of clones! Can you believe that shit?
Raker: Clones?
Red Ice: No way! I don’t believe that for a second.
Queenalona: Clones on the Psi-Corp force is a rather preposterous presumption. And a dangerous one at that. You ought to check your facts on that one. Now, Zonos bringing back the use of COGLIMS is a much more real and dangerous issue.
VseR: I put nothing past the government. Zonos would take any measure possible to assert their control over the population. Clones and COGLIMS included.
Red Ice: Wait a sec. I heard there was a small group of people in West Andromeda that suddenly went psychotic and went on a killing spree. It was fuckin’ nuts! I heard Psi-Corp had to gun them down. I also remember the coverage being a bit fishy too, like the news and Psi-Corp purposely left out details, yet again. I had one of my guys look into it out of curiosity and they told me ten people were wearing Datashades when it all happened.
Queenalona: You don’t really think they’re trying to expand the COGLIMS project into the general public, do you?
Raker: It would be a shit storm all over again if they did.
Red Ice: Again. Is anybody really surprised by any of this shit? This is the same ole Neon District we’ve all come to know. The big dogs get the biggest dish, the little guys gotta dig our hands in the fuckin’ dirt to make our way. What else is new? It’s not like we can assemble some super army to combat these guys.
VseR: For once, I gotta agree with Ice on this. The only way anything is ever gonna change is if we’re willing to die for it.
Che Le Che: Zonos is weakening. Slowly, but surely, it’s weakening. If there is any time we should strike, it should be now.
Moonshot: Oh, Mr. Silence finally speaks. So, Che le Che, how do you know that Zonos is weakening? You gotta inside man or some credible source in that mess of a government?
Che le Che: You could say something like that, yes.
Red Ice: Now that it's come up, how did you get invited to this anyway? Nobody here has ever heard of you. What work have you put in to get here? Are you a Psi-Corp special agent or something?
Queenalona: Ice, relax, he’s a good friend of mine. I invited him here because he has reliable contacts on the inside.
Vser suddenly received a secret request by ‘Che le Che’ for a private chat between the two of them in the middle of the meeting. Intrigued, Vser accepted.
Che le Che: Thanks for accepting my request.
VseR: It’s really interesting that you reached out to me during all this. You have some sort of job for me? Or is there something more you’re after?
Che le Che: I’m impressed. You’re as shrewd as they say. I do have a job request. Something big.
VseR: ‘Big’ is gonna cost you. Give me the details and I’ll decide if I want to accept or not.
Che le Che: Very well. I’m offering ten million Creds for this particular job, but it would require you to meet me in real life. Three days from now, there will be a rendezvous point at the docks in East Blue Emerald. My driver will be there waiting for you at noon to go over the job and help you execute it.
VseR: No. Sounds like a setup. You’ve given me a price, but no actual description of the job. No details, no job. Period.
Che le Che: As cautious as ever, I see. This job is definitely worth your time, I can promise you that.
VseR: Naw, I wouldn’t be so sure of that. I’m ending this useless conversation.
Che le Che: Wait! I wouldn’t do that if I were you. The Chimera hacking incident! I know you were behind it! And that methodical infiltration of their Enzen Bank accounts too; flawless! The skillful way in which your DDoS attack distributed the money from the crooked Prime-1 Bank back into the hands of the people! What you did was a work of art, and I need someone of your skill to help me.
VseR: Who are you, really?
Che le Che: I am merely someone who seeks change. This system has been killing us for too long.
VseR: Give half of the ten million Creds upfront, and I will think about your request. If you really need my help, I may consider it. But you need to show that you’re serious.
Che le Che: Okay. Five million Creds will be forwarded to your CWR funds account in an hour.
VseR: I’ll be waiting.
Vser cut the transmission. He turned back his full attention to the meeting of the kings.
Raker: Now ZOBE is hijacking aircrafts too? What is this world coming to? These guys were nothing more than tree hugging fanatics at first! Now they’re slowly becoming militarized. I wonder where they’re getting funding from?
Red Ice: Products of the system of hatred.
VseR: Lady and gentlemen, I appreciate your time, but I must now take my leave.
Queenalona: But don’t you want to stay and help us?
VseR: I apologize. I have things to do.
Queenalona: Wait!
Caiden logged out of the chatroom and CWR. The harbinger of danger loomed more than ever before. Should I face it? Become one with it? Could I, if I tried? Or should I run from it? These questions lingered in his mind, tormenting, and pulling at him more and more. Before the panic and doubt set in, he decided to take action. There’s more to Che le Che than he’s letting on. And I would be an idiot to meet him as he suggested on his terms, he thought to
