A makeshift arch, consisting of assorted scrap metal, stood as a proverbial entrance gate. It was covered in neon lights that read, ‘Darkside Bazaar’. The bazaar was basically one massive, quarter-mile pop-up shop. Clothing stands, produce stands, illegal drugs tents, and, designated areas for sex-related business were housed there. The wonderful scent of barbecued food wafted under the noses of the trio, causing them to salivate and stomachs to rumble. The excitement was electric. Inhabitants of Darkside were out in droves. The Bazaar also attracted many people from out of town, as well. Men and women were dressed to the nines and joining in the festivities.
“Hey, pretty ladies and gentleman! Would you like to invest in some meteora fruit from the famed Rune Village?” one merchant called out to them.
“Ooh! We haven’t had those in so long, right sis?” an energetic Nami looked to her sister.
“Wow, yeah, I could definitely have me a few,” Hitomi replied.
“Yes, yes, of course! Come this way,” the merchant said, waving his hand.
“Iyav’s Produce Stand, huh?” Caiden asked.
“Why, yes, sir. You’ve heard of I?” Iyav said with a strange accent.
“Yeah, heard you charge a fortune for all your stuff. You know you’re in Darkside, right? Not everyone has money like that,” Caiden asked skeptically.
“Ah, yes. But business is business. My team and I take great risks to get our hands on these special fruits ya’know. Look, I’ll cut you a deal. I’ll charge you twenty Creds each for two meteoras, yah?” Iyav said, targeting the sisters.
“Bullshit, I can get exotic fruit from another produce stand here for a quarter of that price. Let’s go, guys,” Caiden said defiantly.
“Wait! Okay, okay, okay. How about I give you these two fruits for free, but in exchange, you tell others about my stand, huh? Whaddya say?” Iyav said.
“Thanks, Iyav,” Caiden said, grabbing the pieces of fruit. He and the twins wandered deeper into the market place.
“Sheesh! The nerve of that asshole! Oh, this is so good,” Hitomi said.
“Yeah, it’s fucked up that even though these merchants know the state of Darkside, they’ll still try to rip people off. You gotta con the con-man here,” Caiden said.
The twins were thoroughly enjoying the fruit. “Oh man, it makes me miss home so much,” Nami said.
“Don’t worry, we’ll get home soon. Right, Caide?” Hitomi said while putting her hand on Nami’s shoulder. Caiden nodded confidently.
“Oh, look! What is going on over there?” Nami asked.
“Oh, yeah, that’s one of the many dance parties taking place,” Caiden replied.
“Wow, it looks like those people are getting a little too serious, wouldn’t ya say?” Nami said.
“They might as well just fuck right there on the dance floor. Hmm, that would be kind of interesting,” Hitomi chimed in.
“Those folks are professional ravers. You wouldn’t get a quality conversation out of any of ‘em, they’re all high on some strong stuff. Probably mania or some other mind-altering drugs. Trippy, man,” Caiden said.
“Some spectacle,” Nami said.
“Ah, perfect. The fine goods section of the bazaar is a little further ahead,” Caiden pointed to past the crowds to some tents.
“This wasn’t a part of the market place before?” Hitomi asked.
“Yeah it was. But what makes this place so unique isn’t just the fact that it’s an illegally run market place; it’s that the organizers purposely rearrange the areas of commerce. One; to give all merchants a fair shake at gaining new customers in the areas of the bazaar that get the most foot traffic. Two; There are secret, undercover agents lurking these grounds too, and a lot of the material is being brought here and sold illegally. By switching the locations of the store tents, it makes them harder to track,” Caiden said.
“That’s really clever,” Hitomi replied as the three of them entered into the fine goods section.
It was noticeably different than the previous sector. It was mellower and the booths were also larger. There were black market cybernetics in one booth, rare metals in another, and booths that specialized in manna. It was also where most of the high rollers were found.
“Big money items are sold here. And this is also where I’m gonna gather the materials for the weapons I promised you,” Caiden said.
They approached the rare metals booth. “Welcome to Guy’s. How can I be of service?” the merchant said.
“Guy, is it? I’m looking to purchase close to sixteen kilos of NT, broken down into bricks. You have that?” Caiden asked. Nami and Hitomi, through their holo-disguises, looked at each other in confusion.
“Um, what did he say?” Nami whispered.
“I dunno, man, just wait and see,” Hitomi replied under her breath.
“Hmm, I believe we do. But that’s gonna cost you, young fella. And despite them two pretty girls with you, you look too young to be a high roller like these other patrons,” Guy said. “Hmm, that amount is worth seven hundred thousand Creds.”
“Two hundred thousand Creds,” Caiden countered with a deadpan stare.
“What?? Do you know how much we had to go through just to get this shit here, youngin? That offer’s practically blasphemy!” Guy exclaimed.
“I also know that despite whatever danger you claim to have gone through to get your hands on that new titanium, you manage to either steal it and come here to sell it, or you acquire it for dirt cheap but inflate the prices by an average of at least four hundred percent, allowing you to make a tidy profit.
“I could go through the normal channels and get what I need for the same ridiculous price you’re charging me, but this is Darkside, buddy. The reason why this place is so popular is because we make shitheads like you eat your prices and get the stuff we need for much cheaper. So my offer of two hundred thousand Creds stands,” Caiden said firmly. The twins looked on in anticipation.
“How ‘bout four hundred and fifty thousand Creds, then? That should do it!” Guy responded.
Caiden gave Guy an unconvinced look. He gestured the numbers two-zero-zero
