Prologue: Deadly Intentions
Snow had covered the ground, and everywhere was silent. Like a blanket, the white cover silenced the city like a blackout. Most people stayed inside in their apartments, especially in days when the weather controller malfunctioned, but the streets of Rome was not completely empty this unusually cold day..
An old man in a black coat and holding an umbrella stood by the Grid Terminal, waiting impatiently and smoking. Occasionally, he looked over his shoulder, but most of the time he just stood there under his umbrella. Then, all of a sudden, he saw someone coming from the snowfilled distance.
"Finally.." the old man said to himself, and threw his cigarette on the ground.
The person became clearer as he drew closer to the old man, it was an Opifex Male.
"You`re late" Said the old man and coughed.
"Smoking is bad for you" grinned the Opifex and looked at the old man. "Unless someone else does, it will kill you for sure."
The old man sighed and took out a envelope from his coat.
"Cut the crap."
He handed the envelope to the Opifex, and without hesitation he added.
"Everything you need to know is in the letter."
The Opifex quickly looked over the letter, raising an eyebrow.
"I see...and Ross..?"
The old man looked the Opifex in the eyes.
"Kill her."
He coughed again, and the Opifex laid a hand on the old man`s shoulder.
"Don`t worry. I`ll deal with it."
The old man coughed harder, and breathed for a bit.
"That`s why I hired you."
The Opifex turned and started walking away, but turned his head to the old man still standing under his umbrella.
"You should really see a doctor about that coughing.."
The Opifex disappeared into the snowfilled distance, and the old man lighted a new cigarette. The snow was stilling falling silent, like it was trying to cover up the traces of something that should have remained hidden. For a moment, the old man stood still smoking, but then he activated the grid terminal, and he was gone.
Chapter 1: From bad to worse
I had woken up in my chair with a really bad headache, and even though the snow fell silently outside, it felt like something was hammering my head. I needed a painkiller, and quick. Something to drink wouldn`t been too wrong either, so I had decided to seek out both. Anyone with some common sense would tell me to cut out the drink and just take the painkiller, but I needed something to get me back on track.
It was not that my life was bad or anything. I had friends. A Great Guild. A Solid Reputation within the Omni-Tek Corperation. A Warm appartment, that while could use some cleaning right now, still was my home. It was just that, I needed to get away from the daily threadmill, so I had found myself a new occupation.
I became a nightwalker. I spent my nights walking the streets of Omni-Tek`s cities, looking out for people to help, cases to solve, things to do. This night was not an exception, apart from my terrible headache, so I figured that some fresh cold air would be the best cure.
So, here I was, walking the streets of Trade, with the snow falling gently upon my shoulders and hair, looking for something to do, and something to drink. Either would be fine, both would be great. Knowing my luck, I`d find something else.
Boy was I right.
As I crossed the North East corner of Trade, I noticed a few Omni-Pol Soldiers gathered, talking and doing something I couldn`t quite see. It sure was unusual though, Omni-Tek wasn`t exactly known for being concerned about petty details happening in the night. Curious as I was, I decided to sneak up to peak on them.
One of the Soldiers was speaking in a communicator.
"..female, early twenties. Over."
Murder? My curiosity could have killed a dozen cats. If I didn`t catch a glimpse of it before the scene was cleared, it would be another wasted opportunity.
"..single gunshot, looks like a Rifle Bullet. Could be a Sniper. No signs of struggling or fighting. Over"
I couldn`t take it anymore. I peaked from behind the wall I was hiding.
In a pool of frozen blood, a girl laid on the stenched snow. A Bullethole went through her skull. Her face showed neither surprise nor pain, it must have happened too quickly. I sure didn`t like it, Her face was familiar.
"..Identity unknown, we are bringing her in to Omni-Med. Over"
I knew I had seen her before, somewhere. Somewhere high up maybe? Someone famous? And why was the body still there? Why didn`t she resurrect? I had to think, but my head still hurt.
One of the Soldiers raised his voice to the others.
"Okay Boys, we`re packing up. Clean up this place before the public and press finds out, and head back to Omni-Pol. Watts and Connor, you two stay here and look for some more clues. Report back to the office if you find anything."
"Got it boss."
It was time for me to leave. I had seen all I needed for now. Now I needed a drink, and I knew just where I would find one.
As I turned around, something blinded my sight. A Giant Gorilla in Omni-Pol Armor blocked my way.
Like someone who crosses the road on a wrong moment, and looks into the headlight of a ten ton truck, I froze.
"Where do you think you are going!"
The Gorilla grabbed my arm, and forced me up at the wall. My bones were aching, and I expected them to snap any moment.
Then, the world turned from white, to black.
Chapter 2 coming after the weekend!
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