Quantum Rogues Read online

  Alric Vine, you have witnessed a crime. Sentry drones have been dispatched to bring you in for questioning. Do not resist! Do not resist! Do not resist!

  Jenna stepped forward, hands still up, but making eye contact. Alric kept the pistol up but his hand was shaking like a leaf.

  “Are you receiving an alert? Are sentries on their way?”

  Alric said nothing, but glanced away and returned his gaze to the woman in black leather.

  The Rogue’s expression hardened as she lowered her hands. “What’s your name?”

  Alric was silent.

  “I know your scared, but if sentries are on their way, they will make both of our lives very difficult. You’re a tower citizen and have an implant that turns on when a crime is witnessed or committed.”

  “I know about the Guardian implant! They are going to arrest you,” Alric growled.

  Jenna shook her head slightly. “They will never catch me, but you, I don’t believe tower citizens are allowed to own a firearm. I hear the prisons are worse than street level.”

  Alric turned the pistol slightly and looked at it, heart hammering in his chest. A hand flashed forward, palm striking the pistol and sent it flying. Alric’s heart dropped in his chest as a forearm smashed into his throat and slammed him against a wall before the pistol clattered on the tiled floor.

  “We don’t have a lot of time,” Jenna said as Alric struggled to breath. “I know someone who can wipe it, but we have to leave now.”

  “…Why?” grunted Alric as he fought for air.

  “Maybe I’m not as dark as everyone says I am,” Jenna said with a mad grin before she pulled her arm from Alric’s throat.

  Alric slid to the floor, clutching at his throat. The throbbing pain began to subside and he began to breathe normally again.

  Jenna stood over him, eyes piercing his soul. “I also don’t need the government to have any more evidence to use against me. Are you coming or do I leave you to be interrogated for having an illegal firearm?”

  Alric coughed as Jenna held out her gloved hand. The young man looked to it before taking hold. Jenna pulled him up easily and Alric was to his feet. Eyeing Jenna, he marveled at her strength. She was much stronger than she appeared.

  Jenna turned and walked toward the entrance door. Alric scooped up his pistol and holstered it in his trench coat before following. Anxiety flushed frayed nerves as Alric followed the woman in black leather. They made their way down the corridor and emerged onto the street.

  Sunlight bathed the street from above but the shadows seemed to grow longer from alleys and dark doorways. Alric glanced to his tower, a few blocks away. A thought stabbed at him. He could make a run for it. He could say it was all just a misunderstanding. The authorities would have to consider it because he had no prior marks. He was an upstanding citizen, they had to listen to him.

  The feeble reasoning died before it could infect him into action. He lifted the pistol and pulled the trigger. Despite any circumstances, he would be held liable and face VR imprisonment. He wouldn’t see Lana for a long time and with an offense on his record, he would be moved to the lower floors as further punishment.

  Jenna glanced back, “Are you finished with contemplating escape or are you coming?”

  Alric lowered his gaze for a moment and followed the cloaked rogue.

  The pair moved along the dark side of the street. Jenna turned her head, scanning the area before they moved along. Alric noted a few Pure heads, but the streets were practically empty. The further away they walked from Alric’s tower, the deeper he felt he was never going to see it again.

  “Alric, Alric Vine,” the young man said with a defeated tone.

  “Good to meet you, Alric Vine,” Jenna whispered over her shoulder.

  “Where are we going?”

  The rogue stopped at a corner and looked around as she spoke, “The Blue Light District. I have a place and a few friends we can talk to about wiping your Guardian implant.”

  Alric raised an eyebrow, “Blue Light District? Is that like a red-light district?”

  Jenna finished her visual sweep and looked to Alric with a smirk. “Red-light districts are for normal citizens. You’ll see what I mean when we get there.”

  The pair made their way deeper into the city-like maze. Streets turned into a blur and Alric soon found himself lost. He thought to turn on his internal GPS, but nixed it since the sentries would have an easier time finding him.

  “What’s your life like in the tower?” Jenna asked as they walked.

  Alric’s head tilted forward, shadows covering his eyes. “Simple. I have a girlfriend, steady job as a sniper in the Grid War battlegrounds. The credits are good.”

  Jenna nodded. “What floor do you live on?”

  Alric hesitated before he remembered the security systems could keep Jenna or an army out. “Forty-two.”

  “That is a decent floor to live on,” Jenna said as she led the way.

  The air grew still as they walked before Alric spoke up.

  “What’s life like…on the streets?”

  “Tough. It may not seem like it now, but when night falls, all the mythics and monsters come out,” Jenna said without hesitation.

  Alric’s eyes widened as Jenna looked back and gave him a sly smile.

  “But you don’t have to worry about it. We should have your implant wiped and be back at your home before sunset.”

  “Thank you,” Alric said in a low voice.

  “Don’t thank me yet. We’re not safe until we reach the Blue Light District. Tell me about your girlfriend.”

  Alric walked along, thoughts fumbling. “I…I never expected Jenna Whisper to be this…cordial?”

  “What did you expect? I would slice your throat and let you bleed out for looking at me?”

  “Um, yes?” Alric shrugged.

  Jenna let out a soft giggle. “My reputation is just that, a reputation. If you’re not a mark or trying to kill me, you’ll be okay.”

  “You’re an assassin too?”

  “I’m many things. Tell me about your girlfriend.”

  Alric raised an eyebrow. He wasn’t sure why Jenna was asking about his girlfriend. It was odd coming from a woman who could slit his throat and leave him in the gutter. He expected her to be dark and mysterious, but she had a pleasant demeanor and genuinely seemed like she wanted to help.

  “Lana is amazing. She’s my best friend and we play many games together. She fawns over me and I like to spoil her. It’s perfect.”

  Jenna looked back again to Alric’s dreamy eyes, “Is she digital or real?”

  Alric stopped in his tracks. “Why would that matter…” the young man trailed off as muffled words floated into the air.

  Jenna stopped and turned around. Her expression was smooth as stone. Alric on the other hand could hear someone talking over the screen system. Every block had a number of digital screens to inform the populace of toxin levels in the air or fierce storms that battered the city. Most of the time, information filled every screen, but the muffled words sounded like it was localized a block away.

  Alric squinted as he tried to hear. It sounded like it was a street away. He couldn’t make out the words, but it sounded like someone was addressing a crowd. It had the familiar tinge of directives. The inflection was calm and orderly. The moment Alric felt he was understanding what was being said, it stopped abruptly.

  “Get ready to run,” Jenna hissed as she turned and began walking at a brisk pace.

  “What was that about?”

  “Someone stirring the plot,” Jenna growled as she strode across a street.

  Alric was about to ask what she was talking about when he crossed the street and turned his attention to marching footsteps. The young man froze as twenty sentries marched in formation in his direction. They were a street away, but the smooth helmet-like heads shined in the midday sunlight. Plasma rifles were magnetized to their armored chests as pistols lay against metal hips.

  Jenn
a whirled around and launched through the air, cloak billowing. Alric stared like an ancient deer caught in the headlights. Questions filled his mind if they were just a patrol or they were looking for him specifically.

  Jenna landed in front of Alric, cloaking floating down behind her and a short sword in her hand.

  “Run for cover when I give the signal,” Jenna ordered.

  “They could be just a normal patrol…” Alric said before a voice boomed from the sentries.

  “Alric Vine, stay where you are! You are to be escorted to the Blue Sky Tower for questioning,” the lead Sentry said loudly even though it did not have a face.

  “Run!” Jenna shouted and charged.

  Alric was rooted to the spot as the cloaked rogue moved like a black shard in the sunlight. Sentries lifted mechanical hands and took hold of plasma rifles. Mag-locks disengaged and rifles were free. With cold precision, they brought their rifles around and aimed at the incoming woman.

  Jenna was silent as a tomb as she darted toward the Sentry force. Legs bending, she launched into the air, sword gleaming in the light. Alric was speechless as the sentries raised their rifles and pulled triggers. Blue plasma blasted out, lighting up the area.

  The air rippled as Jenna was airborne. Before a bolt could strike her flying body, reality wrinkled and she vanished.

  Plasma bolts struck the buildings above Alric and he quickly unrooted himself, ducking low and running for a corner. Metal fingers released triggers and heads swiveled, scanning the area. A breath later, Jenna appeared in the midst of the patrol group, sword out.

  Metal heads turned before sparks blasted out, one head spinning through the air. Jenna moved like a dancer, bending and turning as her short sword sliced through a thin metal neck and sent another head flying. Leg kicking out, she struck a Sentry’s mid-section and caused it to bend in half before her sword flashed and split its robotic skull open.

  Alric watched in stunned astonishment. Jenna moved like a machine, knocking away one Sentry with a kick and slicing another Sentry’s rifle in half. It boggled his mind how she could do that since ancient swords were not sharp enough to break titanium armor. A memory flashed on how she effortlessly picked him up and knew she had to have some kind of augmented strength.

  Jenna spun, sword flashing. Another head was separated from a metal neck and sparks showered the air. Pistols were drawn and intimate weapon fire lit up the area. Jenna spun and dodged, not a single bolt touching her. One Sentry shot another in the head while several rushed the elusive rogue. A metal hand reached out and it was cut away at the wrist.

  The sentries dwindled to twelve as Jenna moved with the skill of a trained fighter and acrobat. Alric relaxed a little, thinking Jenna was going to simply mop up when a loud, booming shout echoed off the walls.

  From another side street, a gang of large orcs, numbering about thirty, rushed out into the intersection. They carried spiked clubs, makeshift swords and axes. The leader eyed Jenna and the sentries before lifting his club.

  “For the Master, kill the constructs!” the orc shouted and charged.

  The large group of orcs rushed headlong into the battling sentries. Jenna moved and jumped, her body flipping over sentries. When she landed, a metal hand clamped on her shoulder. Sword slicing up, wrist separated from hand and the Sentry reached again with its other hand. Jenna spun away, the hand on her shoulder falling off. Bending low, she darted back the way she came when the group of orcs smashed into the remaining sentries.

  Plasma fired and weapons came crashing down. Jenna leapt away as a lone orc swung a club at her. She hit the ground and rolled back onto her feet when the shadow of the orc was over her. Not blinking, she turned on her heel and her sword flashed. The orc grunted before his head went spinning from his neck, a trail of blood swirling through the air.

  Alric pulled his pistol from his coat and aimed. The orcs were fighting with the sentries, but several seemed to eye Jenna and gave chase. The rogue moved, legs a blur and body low. The orcs tried to close the distance, but could not match her speed. One lifted his club and threw it. It spun through the air and as Jenna was about turn away, the handle struck the back of her head.

  “No!” Alric shouted as he aimed and squeezed the trigger.

  The furious orc kept his eyes on Jenna as she stumbled before light filled his gaze and caved in his face. The large orc made a gibbering sound as he lurched forward and fell like a sack of stones. The other two orcs looked up to see Alric as he aimed at them. Jenna regained her balance and broke into a full run while an orc was over her. Thick arms reached out to her flapping cloak when the air rippled and reality wrinkled. A blink later, the rogue was gone.

  Alric aimed as the orcs chasing Jenna were now running toward him. Even with a pistol in his hand, they showed no fear as they charged.

  Alric was about to pull the trigger again when Jenna appeared next to him. She grabbed a fistful of his collar and pulled him from the corner edge and into a small street.

  The orcs rushed along as the group behind them smashed the last Sentry to metal parts, their cries of triumph echoing off the walls.

  The three orcs rushed past the corner and glared down the street. Small eyes drank in the empty street, scanning and snarling. All they saw was garbage in the gutters and dim neon lights in the daylight.

  “Victory!” an orc cried out from behind.

  The three orcs glanced to each other before one of them shrugged. They turned and marched back, weapons held high as their leader held up a smashed Sentry’s metal skull.

  Alric held his breath as Jenna pressed her body hard against his. Large hood over their heads and cloak held up, Jenna said nothing, her face half an inch away from Alric’s. The young man could not help but feel her breasts pushed against him and hips touching his. Jenna’s scent filled his nostrils and he found himself savoring it. She smelled like deep vanilla and jasmine. It was overwhelming as he soon found his body reacting.

  Jenna was silent, meeting Alric’s gaze and something hard pressed against her.

  Alric mouthed the word “Sorry.” Jenna gave him a sly smirk before she barely moved her hips against him. The sudden push back from the rogue caused all the blood to drain from his head. When his body betrayed him and he pushed his hips to hers, Jenna licked his chin and pulled back.

  Light blinded Alric. When he looked down, blinking away the stark sunlight, he caught a glimpse of Jenna’s cloak barely visible before it became black once again.

  “You have stealth equipment?”

  Jenna nodded before looking down the street. “A self-respecting rogue wouldn’t have anything less. Let’s get going before the orcs start looking for us again.”

  The pair turned and made their way down the street, the triumphant grunts of orcs echoing off buildings and glass.

  Three

  A dim neon sign stood at a street entrance. Sunlight touched one side of the smaller buildings. The day began to slide into mid-afternoon but Alric was stuck, staring at the faint blue neon words.

  “This is home, for now,” Jenna smiled.

  The neon sign glowed with the words “Blue Light District,” a naked horned woman on one side and a naked man with angel wings on the other side. Both of them smiled and soon turned into holographic images, beckoning them in.

  Alric lowered his gaze to the street beyond. Ancient steps to ancient buildings stood. The area looked like something he learned in class about old New York. Before modern towers took up every piece of land, there were areas called Neighborhoods. Usually a cluster of buildings or streets where families often stayed to raise their children. The street before him looked just like those old vids, but the longer he stared, the more different it seemed.

  Neon signs stood over each building entrance. Half-naked and fully naked images danced with seductive flair. It might have seemed normal except some women appeared to have scales while others had fins. Feathers appeared along arms or wings flexed while humanoid dragons roared or danced.

>   Alric’s gaze drifted down to street level with actual people mulling about. The longer he stared, the more he noticed, they too looked like creatures he would see on the Grid. Mythics carried on conversations while others glanced at the entrance and licked their lips. Horns graced some heads while tails flicked or flopped. A female tiger-woman purred nearby and stared at Alric like she was hunting.

  “We…are going in there?”

  Jenna nodded and stepped forward, “The sooner we wipe your Guardian implant, the sooner you can return to your tower.”

  Alric reached out and grabbed Jenna’s arm. The rogue stopped and looked down at his hand, brow forming a sharp point.

  Alric let go, “I’m sorry. I just never been in a place like this before. I know about mythics, but I didn’t know places like this existed.”

  Jenna turned and faced the young man, “If tower citizens knew, there’d probably be more visitors. What’s so strange about this place?”

  “It’s not the place, it’s the people. I never understood why anyone would genetically alter their body to become a mythic. It effectively ruins anyone’s chance for a seat on the ships to Mars.”

  Jenna let out a small sigh. “You have been sheltered for a long time. I remember when I was like that. It was a shock to the system to see what the government doesn’t want you to know too much about.”

  The rogue kept her hood up as she continued, “The air down here is not very good, even with a filtration implant. The toxins will affect your body over a period of time unless you’re in a controlled environment. Many citizens on street level cannot afford a place beyond the first ten floors of any tower. Bad filtration systems and poverty have sealed their fates and they will not be going to the colonies on Mars.”

  “But they can earn their way up. The systems in place allow anyone to make their fortune through hard work and dedication,” Alric reasoned.

  Jenna shook her head. “Those without strong genetics will never go beyond the seventieth floors.”

  “Is that why the Master gave mythics a reason to change their lives?”

  Jenna’s eyes took on an annoyed edge before looking away. “The Master is a manipulator and insane. He led the Mythic rebellion from the comfort of his secret places. He directs them to his will, making it into one giant game.