[SHORT STORY] Zeal: Pursuit

[Pursuers detected.]

Well of course there would be pursuers! Zeal thought to his companion. We are breaking several laws as we speak! Can you tell if they’re AGMA?

[Negative.]

They aren’t?

[Cannot discern whether they are or aren’t.]

Great.

Zeal was a white dot against the black buildings on Sky Level. He ran through a rooftop with the speed only a Genetically Modified Human with Artificial legs could achieve. None, not even the agents, could match him. Of course, if being fast saved you from going to the Grid, then half the unlucky population locked up inside, wouldn’t be. Zeal had other tricks up his sleeve however. Tricks that allowed him to stay on the outside and cause constant mischief. And make himself rich of course - rich as rich would permit!

Zeal jumped off the rooftop, Artificial legs giving him an immense boost. And landed with a roll on the adjacent rooftop, modifications softening the impact. He needed to get down on Street Level as soon as possible. Newton knows being on Sky Level during Curfew is asking to get caught.

Zeal’s clothing didn’t help him in that aspect. He wore a white Workcoat and white Workpants. Against his dark surroundings he stood out like a bolt in a Circuit Mechanism. The aurora’s light also didn’t help in his concealment. But Zeal reveled in the challenge. Then again the people after him did not rely on their eyes alone to catch him.

The red aurora shone brightly above him this night. It gave the city a red tint. That tint was one of the reasons Clients like Zeal preferred to work at night. Zeal scanned the high-rise skyscraper next to him, a huge building in the center of other smaller buildings. A large black beacon for any Client wanting to cause some mischief.

Zeal found what he was looking for. A small patch on the side of the building had a different tint than the metal wall around it. Zeal increased his pace, running to the edge of the rooftop before turning. He arched his path as to give him the most momentum possible – as he leapt off the edge.

Zeal hit the side of the giant building, palms and knees sticking him to the metal wall. The port was right above him – perfect landing.

He moved slowly, careful to always have two limbs attached to the building. One magnet Artificial was not enough to hold his weight. If he wasn’t extra attentive he would plummet to the ground resulting in an untimely exit of this world.
He reached the port. Placing his right palm on the slab he issued the command. Access Port.

[Accessing Port.]

His Companion, Zeal never thought it prudent to give it a name, had one of the fastest computing systems on the market. And yet it still took time to crack the ports. Perhaps he needed to spend some currency on buying a new –

[Port Open.]

Spoke to soon I guess.

[Pursuers getting closer. AGMA probability at 65%.]

So the AGMA were after him after all. Zeal wouldn’t have much time to work. He needed to move.

[Warning, unexpectant lifeform detected from inside the building.]

What –

The window above him exploded. A figure in black clothing suddenly emerged. He stood with his feet on the outside wall, facing Zeal. Zeal could only see the silhouette of the man, the red aurora obscuring his vision. The man was standing on the side of the building which only meant one thing – AGMA.

Activate alt mode!

[Alternative Leg Attachment Mode activated.]

Zeal released his hands and started to slide down the side of the building. This apparently confused the AGMA agent as he was slow to chase. Zeal’s leg Artificials could be adjusted to transfer magnet strength into joint strength – resulting in Zeal sliding down the building with his knees and feet stuck to the outside wall, and his hands flailing in the air.

The AGMA agent was running down the black beacon, but he couldn’t reach Zeal. Gravity is faster than it ought to be. Zeal thought in amusement, as he stared at the agent’s form running towards him –getting smaller and smaller.

[Unidentified lifeforms detected at landing location.]

Cached fools set up a trap for me! Disable alt mode!

[Alternative Leg Attachment Mode disabled.]

Zeal suddenly stopped, causing him to hit the back of his feet with his head. His modifications prevented any pain. In the small time that he was in this position he saw the building across from him – and he found his target. The agent above him was gaining, fast. Zeal tossed his body forward slamming his palms on the wall. He breathed in, muscles clenched. Boost!

Zeal flung himself off the building. As he was falling he saw the agent above him jump. He looked at the figure in black against the red sky as he crashed through a window and landed in a heap on the floor.

[Lifeforms detected in building.]

Cache that agent. He already landed. Zeal thought in annoyance as he got up. Status report.

[Artificials at 50% efficiency. Modified cells functioning as intended.]

Need to move while I still have those cells. He turned scanning the room. An office, like all the rest in this area. It was scary dark however, and Zeal didn’t have any eye Artificials or modifications to help him see in the dark. Planned to get some after this job was done.

He saw the door and burst through it. He ran down the dark hallways until he saw the door to the stairway. If these agents had set up this elaborate trap for him, they obviously studied his patterns. If that was the case they would probably be expecting him to hack the elevator, as he had done on several occasions before. Patterns were made to be broken, and Zeal always outsmarted the AGMA scum that –

The stairway door in front of him flung open.

The next thing Zeal knew was that his back was against the hallway wall, with the tall agent standing above him.

“Genetic Modifications that alter your pain receptors.” The AGMA scum said. “A very unusual, and dangerous, modification. I assume your parents were Clients as well?”

“Don’t you talk about my parents, AGMA scum!” Zeal spat at him, he tried to get up but the tall man head butted him so hard that Zeal could feel his head hurt as he slammed back down on the ground. Was this man’s head Artificial? AGMA monsters…

“Settle down.” The agent said. “Grid is not going anywhere Zackery.”

Zeal wanted to rip out the agent’s tongue as soon as he heard his real name. He also knew that the agents tended to provoke Clients to attack them. Zeal would not fall for that trap at least.

“Smarter than the other ones I see. Shame I can’t have any fun pummeling you then. Off to the Grid with you.”

Zeal needed to run, he needed to –

The agent grabbed Zeal and hoisted him up. Zeal could feel a small tingly feeling in his neck, this man could suffocate him on the spot if he wanted. The agent however just reached behind Zeal’s ear.

And the mischievous Client’s senses fell to black.