"I need equipment for working with metal," I said as I approached Eirik Stone. It was our first time meeting.
"You came to the right place. I've got everything you could want," he replied calmly.
"I need something from International Electric Corporation," I specified.
"The best of the best, huh? I've got a couple of their pieces lying around. Like a solid 3D printer that works with almost any type of metal. Prints parts up to a square meter," he said, pointing to one of the devices.
The machine was compact. Not what I needed.
"I need something for large-scale production," I explained.
"Don't carry that kind of stuff. That company mostly makes compact models. The rest are custom orders unique serials, shipped straight to the buyer. You won't find those on the open market they're gone the moment they're made," Eirik shrugged.
"How much would one cost, if you had it?" I asked, showing him the stolen device.
Time seemed to slow for a second. Etna was already scanning the area. A brief spike in my pulse, a shift in body language. The scan data appeared on the screen:
Scan complete.
Subject has knowledge of missing equipment — 45% probability.
Probability of involvement in theft — 12%.
Risk of armed conflict — 43%.
"We don't deal in that... But if one did show up, it'd go for maybe a hundred grand," Eirik muttered.
"I need a full-range CNC setup. From that company," I repeated.
"We'll figure something out. I've got a lot in stock," he said but there was something off in his tone.
Etna:
Subject Eirik Stone shows an increased likelihood of escalating negotiations through aggression. Proceed with caution.
Etna's voice echoed in my mind. We moved toward a door that led to a warehouse filled with crates. Out of the corner of my eye, I caught movement. Someone else was here. Maybe more than one.
"Alright, asshole, hands up. Don't move. Start talking — who sent you?" Eirik growled, pulling a pistol.
Two more stepped out of the shadows, weapons aimed right at me.
"No need to get worked up," I said calmly. "I'm here for the equipment. Not trouble."
"Bullshit. That exact device was stolen two days ago. And now you show up asking about the same one? You think I'm an idiot? You've got seconds before I pull this trigger," Eirik barked.
"You sure you can handle this?" I asked, not changing my tone.
"Believe me, I can," he snapped, gripping the gun tighter.
By then, my auto-targeting system had already locked on.
"One," I whispered.
In a blur, my hand moved with superhuman speed, drawing my pistol. The first shot sent one of his guards to the afterlife.
The second bullet hit the next one dead center.
No third shot needed. Eirik froze, eyes wide, dropping his weapon.
I walked toward him slowly, gun still raised. He turned pale, legs shaking as he took a step back.
"Sorry… I overreacted… I'll pay… just don't kill me…" he stammered.
Etna:
Recommend applying pressure to extract further information.
Etna, always right on time. I had more than enough experience with situations like this.
"I'm running out of patience. Talk. What do you know — or you're done," I said, visor glowing.
"Alright, alright. Yeah, I heard there was a heist being planned. Someone asked me about pricing, whether it could be sold. I told them straight up — bad idea. Gear like that draws attention. Guess they didn't listen.
But if you find a buyer, you could make three hundred grand easy per unit," Eirik mumbled, swallowing hard.
"Who asked?" I said, twisting his arm behind his back and shoving him into the wall.
"Some gang from the Animals. But they're too dumb to pull off a job on a corp like that. I figure they were just hired muscle," he grunted.
"You know, we could've talked this out without the guns," I said, letting him go.
"Wait — so you're not one of the corporate hit squads?" Eirik asked, finally catching his breath.
"None of your business. Just be glad you're still breathing. If I need more info, I'll find you.
Here's the payment for this," I added, handing over a credchip.
He took the chip like it was a ticket to stay alive.
"Well, thanks, I guess," Eirik snorted. On the black market, threats only go so far — it's the money that does the talking.
"How about you compensate me for the damages… and for my guys?" he added, pushing his luck.
"You've got some nerve. You got any Jewish relatives or something?" I asked, a bit stunned by his audacity.
"My bad. No offense taken," he backpedaled quickly. "You know how it is… I've already said goodbye to life twice today. Stress relief, you get it."
I didn't answer. Just walked out.
As I moved, I activated my network access and started filing a data request. The AI was already crunching the inputs. Images of known Animals gang members flashed before my eyes. I cross-checked everything: body shapes, gait patterns, size, visual signatures.
I had my suspicions, but the AI was way better at this than I was. A second later, it returned results:
Potential Matches Found:
Irania Devon — Alias: Black Shark. Match: 68%
Greg Davis — Alias: Hardhead. Match: 39%
Two figures came into focus.
The woman massive frame, black hair, dark clothing. A textbook Animals member. They loved pushing implants to the limit. Most of them were ex-laborers from heavy industry, their muscles now replaced by metal and polymers.
The man had a metal plate where his forehead used to be. A former soldier, took a head injury, lost part of his brain but somehow survived. His file noted serious psychological instability since.
I had my suspicions. The only way to confirm was to find where they were hiding. Then I'd have the full picture.
A district lit up on the map. Possible location confirmed. I headed out.
As I approached the outskirts, my disguise protocol kicked in. My appearance shifted. The clothes changed to a worn orange-and-white scavenger outfit. My face morphed into a nondescript street cleaner.
The streets were under full Animals control. Musclebound bodies everywhere, armored skin, combat implants. Each had their own set of ID-mods tribal, aggressive, unmistakable.
Nobody paid me any attention. I moved through the zone unnoticed.
Etna amazed me again. Back in the day, figuring out suspects like this took brains, patience, manual digging through databases. Could take days. Now the AI scraped data in real time body metrics, implants, records, violations a full bio scrolls past your eyes in seconds.
A mix of awe and fear. Tech that leaves you nowhere to hide. With Etna, my systems were on a whole different level.
I've found a potential suspect. Second floor of the parking structure.
I looked up and saw the man smoking, deep in conversation. Probably closing a deal.
No way to hear the audio from this distance.