“Um, okay, how about you start with a ‘thank you’, maybe? What are you talking about? Why wouldn’t I have your back?” Caiden shouted back.
“That not what I mean! Okay, look. I am thankful that you saved my ass back there with those frickin’ androids. I really am! I’m just pissed at myself for being weak. The truth is, I hate having to burden you with saving my ass when I should be able to save my damn self,” Vantz ranted in frustration.
Caiden calmed down before he spoke again. “Look, don’t you ever worry about putting any burden on me. If it wasn’t for you and your mom, I dunno what I would’ve done, or if I would even be alive right now. The least I can do is return the favor for what you guys have done for me. So, if you get in a jam, it’s nothing for me to jump into action. You bet your ass I’m gonna do whatever it takes to help you guys,” Caiden said firmly.
“Fuck, man. You don’t think I know that?" Vantz said as he paused briefly. "Look, I’m sorry dude. Just remember though, I will return the favor one of these days, okay? We cool?” Vantz replied.
Caiden smiled. “Sure, asshole,” he said lightheartedly.
“Phew! Now that that’s over with, what’s up with you and Yvora, huh? Aren’t you guys supposed to be schmoozin tonight, huh?” Vantz asked suggestively.
“Schmoozin? Really? What does that even mean?” Caiden asked, a bit embarrassed.
“Ah, come on man! Don’t be coy! This is Yvora Blue we’re talkin’ about! She’s easily one of the top five prettiest chicks I’ve ever laid eyes on.”
“I guess you would know! But, honestly, I don’t even know what she has planned. I guess we’re just gonna hang out and see what comes our way,” Caiden replied, unsure. “How in the world do you know her, by the way?”
“I took a shot at her, but let’s just say I got shot down. I guess I’m not her type. I didn’t take it hard, though. She’s a really cool girl, and it turns out that we know a lot of the same people, so we kinda just became friends,” Vantz said.
“Ha! Go figure. the socialite works his magic, yet again,” Caiden replied sarcastically.
“Better than your antisocial ass!” Vantz joked.
“Yeah, yeah, whatever. Not to be a downer, but I’ve been thinking about everything that happened last night and I’ve been wrestling with this for a while now, but let me put it like this; if by some chance things start to get real dangerous, like all hell breaks loose and the city goes to shit, I want you to take these coordinates,” Caiden said as he handed him a small piece of folded paper. Vantz slowly took the paper and examined it, then skeptically stared at Caiden.
“What kind of sketchiness are you getting into? Is there something else I need to be worried about?” Vantz asked while casting a cynical eye on his best friend.
“I know it doesn’t make much sense and I know it sounds sketchy. Just promise me you will take your mom with you and head there, okay?”
“You know, this doesn't surprise me one bit you know that right? But man are you sketchy, haha. Okay, I’ll remember these coordinates. Cool?” Vantz said.
“Thank you,” a relieved Caiden replied.
The lingering tension that circulated in his chest finally subsided. His shoulders relaxed and he let out a sigh of relief.
“Oh, hey! Viana and Penny are heading over in a little bit so—”
“Penny’s coming?” Caiden began to hyperventilate.
“Uh, yeah. Why, is that a problem?” Vantz asked.
The memory of the Penny’s predatory nature overwhelmed Caiden. “Uh, no. It’s okay. When she comes, tell her I’m not here, okay? She’s a little bit too much for me.”
“Uh oh, somebody got the mighty Caiden Nyx nervous. Holy hell!” Vantz howled with laughter. “Don’t worry, I’ll make sure to let her know you told me your door is wide open for her!”
“Please don’t,” Caiden replied as he walked out of the room.
“Hey, dude. You may wanna lock your door then. Penny’s got a sixth sense. She’ll probably sense your presence the moment she steps foot in here, man!” Vantz joked.
Caiden returned to his room, anxious to take his mind off the lunacy of the preceding night and focus on a new idea he wanted to develop with the help of the files on the nano codec. Just before he could dive into the material, he received a text from Yvora.
Hey, it’s me, Yvora. Don’t forget about tonight! My address is 43 Rhodes Way, East Andromeda District. See you tonight! xoxo
CHAPTER 25
---usr/systems/server-x/YVORA, STAR HILLS PRINCESS---
It was seven thirty p.m., and Caiden was dressed and ready to head out. Vantz, Viana, and Penny were in the living room drinking and watching TV, allowing Caiden to slip out unnoticed. He made his way to the building’s underground parking garage toward his hypercycle. He revved the engine and made his way to East Andromeda. The sun was a beautiful pink, giving way to the night sky as it set.
The drive wasn’t long at all. He pulled up to Yvora’s place. The neighborhood was comprised of high-end brownstone buildings. The night was calm, but Caiden was nervous beyond belief. This is what I get for not going out much, he thought. As he walked up the brick steps to her door, a facial recognition camera emerged.
“State your name and your visit,” the automated voice spoke.
“Uh, Caiden Nyx, here to see Yvora?” he said.
“Hey Caide! Sorry about that; I just installed it a few days ago. I need something like this to stave off the crazy fans. Come on up!” Yvora said over the connected intercom.
Caiden
