Underground

Alex takes the offer. Even though he knows it was a great risk job but at least he can survive and regain his simple life when everything's done. Alex woke up in the morning, and the AI assistance's polite voice greeted him as usual. He got up from the bed—bare chested, showing a decent but fit body with several cyberware implants in his time when still becoming a police officer. Technology has brought mankind this far between either the bright or the dark side, implants are already becoming essential in society—style or function purposes. He remembered back then having first of this to patch up his wound and even adding a subdermal armor to make his skin protective because of constant warfare with gangs.

Begin his routine with taking a bath, then having a cheap-instant breakfast from VistaMart is Alex's daily. Can't say too much because this is all he got for now. He says on the couch turn on TV, nothing really interesting about it. News, sports, entertainment all seem generic, like watching the same template every single day; at least it does not make him bored. In the middle of watching, he made a call to Gustav, and after a few seconds, he finally answered the call.

"Hey, Gustav. You still got the job offer?" Alex said.

"Yeah, I still have it. You really want it?" Gus asked.

"Yeah, I'm a hundred percent sure. It is better than dying with zero money, haha."

"Hahaha, I understand. Here, I'll send you the number. Just call him; I'm sure he will pick it up in no time."

"Why though?"

"Because both of you are apparently having the same needs, right?"

"Fair enough. Thanks; when this job is over, I'll treat you to lunch."

"Hoho, really? Finally, your cheapskate ass learns beholden? Very well then, I shall wait for you."

"Damn, you old man. See ya later."

Not long after, a notification appears at his vision, showing a client's phone number. Without further ado, he made a call and waited. A few seconds have passed and still no answer. Anxiety grew within him because of the uncertainty, and then, a few moments later, the call connected.

"Hello, Alex, it seems you're interested in my offer?" The client said, his voice calm but rough.

"Yes—wait, how do you know my name?" Alex asked.

"Doesn't matter, son. I'm here to offer you a job with wholesome payment, around one million credits. How?"

The prize was a truly crazy amount with that money. He could not buy some expensive cigarettes but buying a better residence and even got him a nice car. But of course, Alex is still wary about this and he doesn't want to take the job without details.

"That's a really substantial amount, sir. But what should I do in order to have that prize?"

"Simple, your task is to capture the man named Ivan, and he's a new CEO of the Red Arms Industry. Dead or alive."

"Huh, corporate war or something?"

"You could say that, but it is more than that. So, would you take it? If yes, I will transfer you the first half amount and the rest will be in your pocket once done."

Alex comes to silent, thinking about these consequences and every scenario that would happen. In the end, it is worth nothing since he just has two options—take it or leave it. With a firm but doubtful voice, he accepts the offer.

"Very well, as I promised. Enjoy your money."

A notification appears, and it exactly happened; five hundred thousand Creds is inside his account. Giving him an instant euphoria sensation yet cautiously knowing he had something to face and surely is not a delightful one.

"The money has come in. Thanks for keeping your word."

"Of course, I am. Now, I shall wait for the result."

"Wait, I have to know at least a little about him; perhaps you have any information or advice. It would help me in this case."

"Oh... you're right, apparently, he had himself having a deal with a local gang in the Slum; I believe you want to start there to gather more information."

"Just that? I see. Thank you."

He hung up the call, filled with a surge of purpose for the first time again. He got dressed and immediately settled his way to the Slum. The place of misery, the dark side of this city's grandeur. Often called a shadow or a defection of the city by elites who seek to remove it from the very earth ground. But it is simply not that easy. The Slum always known not only for the poor to gather, but the rebel group and a gang. Nothing but violence and harsh people dominated this place.

Back in 2010, when the corporate powers quickly rose and brought the city a new life with their brilliant vision, people started being taken over by their grand presentation and promised to bring humanity to a better future. The majority accept it and see it as a great opportunity, but there's the minority of people who deny them because they know corporates have brought something off. Both sides had an intense situation until it broke in 2012.

The first civil war happened between the Rebel and corporates. Damaged the city and takes around 20.000 thousand deaths of both parties. The outcome shows corporates win, since they have a better access to technology to conduct warfare and many things. The remaining rebel flees to the abandoned site of the city, which is the Slum and potentially plotting for something else in the future. When the corporates started take over the city, they could see subtle changes happening like most of the small individual companies being bought or even forced to kneel toward new ruling power. Most of the land is not even in the grasp of the original owner, but sold to them. People know they're not saints, but it doesn't mean the Rebel is good too. Until now, the problem hasn't ceased.

After some time, Alex got out of the subway and headed immediately to the Slum. The terrible conditions immediately greeted him; the gate, made of junk and scrap, looked ready to collapse. The stench of rotting and piles of garbage smelled from afar combined with the hazard of a factory which is just scattered everywhere. The deeper he steps in, the dimmer light goes in. The inside is total chaos, resembling a small, dimly lit underground tunnel. Makeshift tents, fragile hut, even some people just lay down on the ground with a minimum layer. On the left and right, merchants sell junk and contraband.

Alex walked to a man who sat on the wooden chair near the shop and asked. "Excuse me, can I have a moment with you?"

"What is it, stranger? What you seek?" The man asked in a weak tone.

"Do you know any gang in here, perchance?"

"Why... you ask such a thing? Do you have any problems with them?"

"No... I... uh, just wanna know, I'm looking for someone and the gang knows it."

"You're weird... why would the gang know it?"

Alex's impatience grows because this man didn't give him a proper answer; he even looks like doesn't able to stand up on his own.

"Just tell me, dude. Are there any gangs here?"

"I will... but not free... hehe."

"How much?"

"Fifty.... Creds. Yeah, that... would do."

Alex reluctantly pulled out a piece of money from his pocket and gave it to him.

"Happy? Now, tell me."

"I... just thinking that this maybe not... sufficient."

"What? I already gave you money!"

"No, no... that's not how it works, bud. Hehe."

Without warning, Alex choked on the man and threatened him in a distasteful tone.

"Listen to me you, shit! Tell me or I'll end your disgusting life!"

The threat caused the man's eyes to fully open and react. His hands tremble while holding Alex's grip. Coughing and suffocating, he slowly nodded. Alex let go of his neck and let speak.

"W—what was that?! You trying... to kill me?"

"Because you won't give me a single damn thing!"

"Relax, o—okay? Alright, I'll tell you everything I know. So... there's only one gang; they were called Mad Dogs. They operated in the pit, a place where they... usually conduct a brutal fight against their own. That's all I know... I swear."

Alex leaves the man alone with sceptics. At least he got something that he needs. He went straight to the pit, which was in the center of the isolated area. It was a hexagonal arena surrounded by spectators' seats. The iron cage was electrified. Inside, there's an ongoing brawl of two bloodthirsty fighters. As he stepped inside the arena, the guard halted him.

"Stop! Who are you, city-boy?"

"It's Alex, you needle head. And I'm here to see your boss."

"Why? What's the matter with him?"

"It's between me and him only, punk. Get lost."

"Not so fast, bozo." He said and grip his nailed club.

"Listen, I don't wanna have a problem. I'm here to meet your boss, dead serious. I need to talk to him face to face."

"Fine, but don't get inside before I told you so." The guard rushed inside and reported to his boss. "Come in; he said he can meet you and put your weapon here."

"I'm unarmed." The guard does a scanning over his body, and true that Alex was unarmed.

He gets in and shows an enthusiast of people with a taste of violence; they clearly love to watch their champion beating each other, it's a gambling though. He then found an immense man, dressed differently from others, sitting in the highest place on his throne, surrounded by strippers; he must be the boss, Alex thought.

"You're the boss?" Alex asked.

"I am, and you're the one who wants to see me? Who are ya?" the boss said.

"I'm Alex. I'm here to ask a few questions."

"Questions... it cost me time... and time is money, do you understand?"

"I know what you mean, how much?"

"A thousand Creds for one question; how? Hahaha."

Not only a huge and fat man, he surely is greedy like a pig. But it is no smart move to wreak havoc on his den, good negotiation is needed more than brawn.

"Seriously? A thousand Creds? Come on, man. You're a king here-you literally own everything; the man and woman of this slum surely sees you as a great and visionary ruler. Why don't you do the same thing to me? I just lost my job, and I have no single penny. I know your reputation precedes you on some occasions, not only brutality."

A sweet talk surely swayed over his mind. And it was intoxicated with how deluded and arrogant he was. He chuckled, then laughed, and didn't know what that meant. Does he know Alex tries to flatter him, or does he think the other way?

"Hey... I think you're a good man. Why don't we talk about this together?"

Alex smiles, knowing his plan is successful. "Why not? Thanks for your humbleness."

"Haha, at ease, friend." He swung his hand a few times towards the girls, signaling them to get away. "Care for a drink?"

"Why not?"

"So, tell me, what questions do you wish to ask?"

"I just wanna know, are there any execs who came here and made a deal with you?"

"Hmm... yes, there's one." He poured the drink into both glasses. "He's a man with a thick Russian accent."

Alex's eye widened, knowing this was his chance to dig deeper. "Interesting… what kind of deal does he possibly want?"

"Eh... you know, those dirty corporations literally control four regions of this city—west, north, east and south; inside of the regions, they're not only guarded by the company's forces but also by other gangs under their care. Every company does that so they can secure their position and power. They want to dominate each other by gaining internal or external power. Like me. I go with Ivan for the north region and his company."

"I think that's enough for me, thanks for your insight. I really appreciate it." Alex said and finished his drink.

"Hahaha, no problem, bud."

As Alex was about to go away, he asked him one more time about Ivan's trace.

"Eh... One more thing, actually."

The boss who just gulped his drink was eager to hear and let him speak. "What is it?"

"Do you know where he went from here?"

The boss caresses his chin, trying to recall that day, "I'm not sure… he spoke Russian as I overheard his speech. But he mentioned a place within the Night District. Madam Lover. I think he went there."

Alex nods and thanks once again, then moves his way to the Night District.