The Apple's wrath
Hello everyone, it’s time for another story in the “Roll of the Dice” challenge. I rolled up a two this time. So, brotherpayne @jpayneinidaho from Minds came up.
The Genre he’s chosen is Cyberpunk crime noir. The word he chose is Apple, both of which are good ones. I knew watching all those police dramas and Ghost in the Shell would pay off some day, and today is that day.
And so, the mold is set! Let the tale begin.
Roger Morton stepped outside the auditorium at the new Oregon Convention Center. Tonight, the Cybernetic Enhancement Extravaganza was taking place. He scratched at his tux and sighed finally able to breathe.
“Needed to take a break from all the BS I see.” The head of the Portland Cyber Crimes Bureau heard from his Mind Communicator.
He turned to see a radiant redhead woman in a slinky evening gown approaching. The cream skinned woman had a bemused expression on her face. She was also wearing an exquisite looking ring.
Roger looked at the matching ring he wore. He smiled at his fiancée in greeting. “I thought the Multnomah County D.A. had no problem mingling with Portland High Society.” He quipped in amusement.
The woman let out a derisive snort. “Yeah, there’s only so much of that I can take before I have to step away from these fakes!”
Roger chuckled and added, “And that scathing wit is part of why I proposed to you.”
D.A. Amanda Quimby quipped in mock hurt, “What, you mean my red hair and good looks didn’t play a factor?”
The head of Portland’s Cyber Crimes unit for the F.B.I. chortled in amusement. “Don’t be a tease!” He retorted.
She chuckled before her face turned serious. Roger heard the woman use her mind comm, “Anything happening boys?”
A southern accented voice called, “Watkins here, nothing happening at the moment ma’am.”
Hakumo anything happening with the extravaganza? Roger called out on his own mind com.
The voice of Tatsuo Hakumo answered, “Nope it’s been pretty quiet boss. No sign of Eden's Exile yet, but I have a bad feeling. I've seen his trademark apple pictures, and reports are a technician suit is missing.”
“Our perp has likely disguised himself, and he’s a master hacker. The fact that Eden’s Exile hasn’t tried anything yet is cause for concern.” Amanda observed.
Roger added, “Agreed, he said he was going to hit the extravaganza tonight. But the big questions are when and how?”
“Chief, D.A. Quimby, a question. Do you think this has to do with cybernetic enhancement prices skyrocketing?” Hakumo asked.
Roger and Amanda’s faces furrowed in thought. “A good chance of that Tatsuo,” Amanda ventured.
“There's been some shady stuff going on as of late. First four of the five big cybernetic enhancement companies are trying to jack up prices. Second many smaller companies have seen frequent equipment and product failures." Watkins noted.
“Also, CEOs Kenta Yoshida and Dikembe Motumbo had car accidents a few days ago. And in both accidents Eden's Exile left his trademark apple sign on both car computers. It's all signs something much bigger is going on," Roger noted.
The F.B.I. agent looked around and spotted a table with cups and a water cooler. “Let's get some water to rehydrate ourselves dear.” The clean-shaven man suggested.
“Please,” She responded in eagerness.
The two stepped over to get some cups of water. Roger sighed as he let the cool liquid flow down his throat. Being in that hot and crowded auditorium with all those lights was hard enough.
Roger then said, “Dear, I’ll be right back, I have to use the men’s room.”
“Don’t be away too long,” she called.
The agent walked off to find a men’s room.
After relieving himself Roger exited the men’s room. He was about to turn a corner when he noted a middle-aged woman in an evening gown walking away from the auditorium.
Hello there, the Chief thought.
If it isn’t Alexa Bronson the head of Bronson Corporation. What are you doing outside the extravaganza?
Roger switched on his mind comm even as he activated his cybernetic hearing. Everyone, I’ve spotted Alexa Bronson outside the extravaganza. And she’s behaving like someone who wants to remain inconspicuous.
“I hear you dear, and that's odd. From what I've heard she's a 24-karat bitch to work with, and she loves hogging the spotlight. Why the need to stay out of sight?”
“Good question,” Hakumo and Watkins added.
Roger watched her walk around a corner at a brisk pace. He followed her. Tuning almost everything out he listened in. Finally, he heard her call, “There you are Heinrich.”
Heinrich, as in Heinrich Kroitz of Kroitz Cyber Associates? What’s the CEO of that company doing talking to Alexa Bronson? The F.B.I. agent thought, suspicion emerging.
“You’re certain that it’s him?” Alexa asked.
“Jawohl, there is no doubt of it. He broke out of New San Quentin Prison, after he hijacked the computer systems."
Watkins? Roger sent to his Southern-accented agent.
“We got Brad and Jenna all over this boss,” he assured.
“As much of a relief as it is to see Motumbo and Yoshida incapacitated they’ll not be so forever. Five companies in the cybernetic enhancement business are five too many,” Alexa stated.
“Agreed mein friend. Those two are keeping us from raising prices on cybernetics even further. Add the upstarts at Wundercorp and we have a real problem.”
Hakumo whistled, “Price gouging, that’s a serious offense right there. Add in Criminal monopolization, and enough said.”
Roger nodded but continued to listen.
“Our people are making sure none of these upstart companies get their products out on the markets. And he has helped by taking Yoshida and Motumbo out for the moment." Kroitz commented.
Alexa answered, “Agreed, but he still represents a threat to our control of the market. We need to get a hold of Yoshida and Motumbo's portions of his idea."
"I agree, if anyone got hold of his ideas it would represent a threat to our ability to manipulate the market. I'm thinking it's time we terminated our deal with our CEO friends." Heinrich ventured.
"Agreed, it's time to see about arranging accidents for our friends. Then we swallow up their companies. Afterwards, there's the simple matter of eliminating Wundercorp."
“Son of a bitch!” Roger heard Amanda whisper.
Roger heard the two head back in his direction. The head of Portland’s Cyber Crimes unit pulled up a cuff of his tux. He pressed a button on the watch-like device that protruded from his skin. The invisibility field formed around him.
The two walked by Roger neither the wiser. To this the F.B.I. agent couldn’t help but smirk.
Bronson and Kroitz’s companies produced much of the world’s cybernetics. But the CEOs had very basic cyber enhancements. The F.B.I. agent had better upgrades so he could be a superior agent, his fiancée the same way.
“Hey Chief, Boss Lady, you read?” called a female voice with a clear Jersey accent on their mind comms.
I hear you Jenna, Roger sent her way.
“As do I, by the fact you’re contacting us you’ve found some things?”
“Have we ever! First, have you noticed that one of the big five companies ain't at the extravaganza?” Jenna asked.
Roger thought for a long moment. Now that you mention it, Wundercorp isn’t here, the Chief observed.
“I did notice that. But why is that? Are they somehow involved in this?” Amanda wondered.
“Don’t think so, I’ve done some research on them. They only became a big company a couple years ago. And they’ve been outspoken critics of the high price of cybernetic enhancements.
"Hell, they’ve actually been trying to open the markets for new companies to come in.” Jenna explained.
“That sounds generous. But what happened?" Watkins chimed in.
A Brooklyn accented male voice chimed in. “Here’s the catcher, The CEO of Wundercorp Mrs. Kaitlyn Wunder, she has a brother Reggie Montgomery.”
“How’s that important to the case Brad?” Amanda asked.
“Because Reggie boy has done work for four of the five big cybernetics companies.” Jenna pointed out.
Let me guess. Kenta Yoshida, Dikembe Motumbo, Heinrich Kroitzand Alexa Bronson, Roger inquired.
“That’s right,” Brad and Jenna stated.
Brad then explained, “I have a friend who’s done freelance work for those companies. He was never all that happy with their pay. That's why he jumped at Wundercorp’s offer.
"But while he worked at Bronson Corp, he found some interesting information.”
Jenna picked up. “From what Brad’s friend said, it's a companywide secret that Alexa Bronson was actually married for a while. Guess who her now ex-husband is.”
“Reggie Montgomery?” Amanda asked.
Oh boy I can see where this is heading, but continue, Roger added to the conversation.
“When Alexa divorced Reggie, she claimed she was the victim of domestic abuse." Jenna explained.
“While there was bruising on her, some speculated the bruising was self-inflicted. Also, she never showed any of the psychological symptoms of domestic abuse. If anything after the trial, she looked like the proverbial fox in the henhouse," Brad added.
Uh-Oh, D.A. and F.B.I. agent thought both starting to come to a disturbing conclusion.
Babe, what do you say to Jenna’s information? Roger inquired of his fiancée.
“I’d say that’s probable cause to do a little investigation into Miss Bronson. I'm beginning to smell some rats playing dirty games here.”
And here we thought it was going to be a dull night, Roger quipped.
His fiancée let out a snort of a laugh. “No such luck for people such as us handsome,” she quipped.
“I’ll send the information to Judge Reinhold. He can sign the search warrant in the morning.” Amanda stated.
Brad then added, “Oh, I forgot to mention something. Word had it Reggie was working on something. A means to produce cybernetics at a cheaper price with the same quality."”
"And taking into account how greedy Alexa Bronson is..." Amanda added leaving the sentence unfinished.
Hakumo added, “As my father always said when bad situations like this came up, oh crap!”
If Mr. Montgomery is good with cybernetics, then he's good with computers. I recall there was a breakout at New San Quentin three months ago, so everyone be ready for trouble. The Cyber Crimes unit head stated having a sinking feeling.
"Code red, Eden's Exile on stage, I repeat Eden's Exile on stage!" Watkins called.
Shouts came from the auditorium as shots rang out. Then came the sounds of bodies hitting the floor and struggling. Then Roger saw the terrified crowd that had fled the auditorium.
The F.B.I. agent ran back towards the room. "Confirmed Chief, he's on stage, and he has Alexa Bronson hostage!" Hakumo added.
Looks like this criminal conspiracy turned into a hostage situation, Roger stated.
The cyber enhanced F.B.I. agent leapt over the fleeing crowd and landed at the top of the escalator. He looked around and saw his fiancée up against a glass wall. He ran over to the red head. “Are you all right Amanda?” he asked.
She nodded in confirmation. “I’m fine dear, but I have a bad feeling about what’s going on in the auditorium. It’s time for you to go to work my love.”
He nodded. “Hakumo, Watkins, status report?” he said out loud.
"It's a bad one Chief," The Asian stated. "He's got a military grade auto rifle that has a rocket launcher on it. And that thing's loaded and ready!"
"Damn it, he has Alexa Bronson in front of him so I can't get a clear shot!" Watkins swore. "And holy crap boss, my scans show our perp's got an explosive device built into his cybernetic body."
“Stay where you are, and don’t move until I give the word!” Roger told his men.
"Copy," came the response from both.
He looked at his fiancée. “Get to safety outside, I’ll contact you when I can.”
‘You make sure you stay alive Roger Morton! You and I still have a wedding coming up.”
“Nothing’s going to happen to me love,” Roger assured before he ran for the entrance.
Roger slipped into the auditorium and looked on stage. A man in a technician suit had the struggling Alexa Bronson in a head lock with one arm. Another had his weapon at the ready.
The man looked to be in his late fifties with greying blonde hair. The angry expression on his face spoke volumes to the F.B.I. agent. Shutting off his mind comm he thought, careful Morton!
He noted Eden's Exile had shot several security guards. While injured the guards looked like the wounds weren't deep.
So, he's injured people but he hasn't killed anyone yet. That means there's still a conscience in there. Time to apply some psychology here, the Cyber Crimes unit head thought.
He flipped back on his mind communicator. Watkins, Hakumo, be ready to move on my mark, he sent to his men.
"We hear ya' boss! Tatsuo and I are nice and frosty!" Watkins responded.
Roger looked to the screen on stage, the apple symbol there for all to see. The bald-headed blue-eyed man took a breath and called out, "Reggie Montgomery!"
The granite jawed man turned his way as Roger raised his hands. "Don't ever call me that." he growled. "I no longer go by that name, I am Eden's Exile, vengeance incarnate!"
“I know that you’re Reggie Montgomery. A brilliant engineer and inventor of the Montgomery technique. A means by which cybernetics can get produced cheaper while maintaining the quality.” Roger explained.
"You have some nerve doing this woman beater!" Alexa spat.
Reggie shoved the woman away as he pointed his weapon at her. She turned and snarled, "And I see you've become the filth I always knew you were."
"Shut up," he snapped in anger.
"You dare take the moral high ground after what you did? You ruined my life, almost destroyed my sister's, and you stole my idea from me! You're nothing but a conniving schemer!"
The head of Bronson Corp rolled her eyes. "Why would I take anything from you?" She snapped in a dismissive fashion.
"Boss, she's lying," Hakumo noted.
"Because you're a greedy woman who wants to manipulate market prices. All so you can maximize your profits! That's all you can think about, isn't it?" Reggie snarled.
"You idiot, I'm the biggest humanitarian there is. I donate to lots of charities, I would never do such a thing?" She retorted.
"Liar-liar pants on fire," Watkins added on his mind communicator.
"And the way you did this was insidious! You led me on, even took wedding vows with me. But you only wanted my ideas," Reggie stated.
"You wanted them because they threatened your enclave, didn't they?'" Reggie observed.
Alexa made a pained expression.
“Oh God Reggie, why can’t you see that you need help. There never was any idea, you need to face the fact you’re a woman beater and delusional.”
Roger decided that enough was enough. “Miss Bronson you can stop with the fake victim act now!”
The woman turned with a start. “Chief Morton, how can you be so insensitive to the pain I’ve suffered at…”
"Can it Bronson!" The F.B.I. agent spat.
"My own cybernetic brain recorded your conversation with Heinrich Kroitz. It was broadcast to my men and my fiancee D.A. Amanda Quimby."
The middle-aged female CEO's face went deathly pale. The crowd also let out a gasp of shock.
"Price gouging is bad enough! Add in engaging in anti-competitive practices, conspiracy, defamation of character, and IP theft. Those are serious white collar crimes ma'am!" Roger stated in open anger.
He then turned to Reggie. "As for you Mr. Montgomery, you're in big trouble sir, assault and sabotage are felony crimes. But if you cooperate, I can promise you a reduced sentence based on your circumstance."
"Do not listen, shoot him!" Called the voice of Heinrich Kroitz.
The man in question stood up and pointed at Eden's Exile. "Kill him Chief Morton, do your duty!"
"I'd keep my mouth shut if I were you Kroitz!" The F.B.I. agent snapped. "You've got Criminal conspiracy charges over your head!"
He turned back to Reggie. "Put down that weapon, surrender, and I can help you. Testify on what Miz Bronson and these CEOs did and help us take them down.”
"Do it and my fiancée can see your domestic abuse conviction gets overturned and expunged." Roger coaxed.
Can you hear me love? Roger sent to Amanda
“Loud and clear dear, and yes if he testifies, I can get his record cleared." She stated in a tone of certainty.
“What are you waiting for? Kill him, kill him!” Alexa shrieked.
“Kill that lunatic!” Heinrich added.
Reggie Montgomery turned his weapon on them. Roger used his cybernetic strength to leap on to the stage in front of Alexa. “
"Don’t do it man, think about it. If you do this, you’ll not get a chance to nail these creeps to the wall. Don’t let these corrupt CEOs goad you to do something you'll regret.” Roger said to Eden's Exile.
And then Roger got the shock of his life. Alexa put a hand to the back of his head. He felt the cold metal of a gun nose fold out from the palm against his head.
Oops, didn't expect this! Larson has a gun arm built into her. The F.B.I. Agent thought, angry at himself.
"I may lose my company! But at least I'll have the pleasure of killing you Morton, and my ex-husband!" she snapped as he heard her take a couple steps back.
The sound of a rifle firing filled the room. Roger's keen hearing picked up Alexa screaming in pain. He turned to see she had grabbed her damaged cybernetic arm.
"Try that again missy and you'll be short one cybernetic arm!" Watkins snapped in warning.
Roger heard someone pull a gun from their coat. Then another gun clicked into readiness. "Don't try it Mr. Kroitz," came the voice of an angry Tatsuo Hakumo.
"Funny how it goes my little conspirators, I never go into any situation without my team!" Roger quipped.
The agent then turned to a surprised Reggie.
"I would add what about your sister, brother-in-law, and your niece and nephew? What about them and Wundercorp's future? Don't you want to be part of that?"
That took Reggie by surprise. "What, what do you mean?"
"He means Wundercorp is now one of the biggest cybernetics companies in the world." The Japanese man added.
Reggie fell to his knees as he dropped his gun. He began to sob in joy. "My sister and brother-in-law did it!"
"So, will you take revenge as Eden's Exile, or will you testify as Reggie Montgomery?" Roger asked.
The man looked up face streaked with tears. He put his hands behind his head as he lowered it.
Roger activated his mind communicator. "This is F.B.I. agent Roger Morton to all law enforcement units! The situation is under control. Take Eden's Exile, Alexa Bronson, and Heinrich Kroitz into custody! And bring in some paramedics for the injured guards!"
Moments later the doors burst open and police officers stormed in. The CEOs and Reggie were soon cuffed while the paramedics tended the injured.
Alexa snapped, "I hope you're pleased with yourself Morton! You're about to cause a major scandal that will rock the cybernetics world!"
Roger smirked at her and chimed, "That's right it will, and the paying customers will be better off for it."
Well, that was a bit of an effort. I hope this Cyberpunk crime noir story was enjoyable. Not bad for my first real delving into cyberpunk.
Now comes the question of what’s next? The Roll of the Dice challenge continues.
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Until next time, I'm Animeman73. Stay true to yourselves, stay classy, and God bless you all.
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