Rain tapped softly against the window of my condo unit as the morning light shined gently through the cloudy sky. The city outside moved with its usual everyday rhythm. From the constant flowing traffic. People walking throughout the streets, the occasional distant sirens echoing between.
As for me, I was inside my unit enjoying the brief moment of quiet I had, I felt like things were almost too quiet.
I was sitting at the table with my omni-tool open, I scrolled through the data I had stolen from Henry Lawson's terminal. Dozens of files from corporate records. Genetic research. A few private notes and encrypted communications.
Majority of it all was useless to me, maybe the shadow broker would have found most of it useful if I didn't kill Lawson, but some of it… some of it was very interesting.
I leaned back in my chair and rubbed my eyes before opening one particular research folder again.
Perfect Genetic Dynasty
Inside were dozens of documents detailing Miranda's creation. Which I had already gotten the general idea from the games, but seeing the actual research notes made it much worse. And the way how he saw what had been doing shows Miranda wasn't lying about the man's ego.
The literally had several notes in his research about how he was creating the perfect genetic line. There was also notes about having daughters are easier to control then having sons.
It said:
Sons will show to much aggression in the later years, and will come for my legacy before it is there time to fully take my name and empire. Not to mention spreading the seed with any girl with a cute face.
While daughters are much easier to control. Less aggression, and more submission to me. But I do not want my heirs procreating with low born nobodies, I will have to take care of that problem so that, that is no longer a issue.
Man this guy was a real piece of work. It goes into more details about how he was going to perfect his legacy by having every heir after Miranda and Oriana to continuing the genetic cloning.
And when I opened the files comparing Miranda and Oriana, things got even darker. Oriana's DNA had been altered too, but not in the same way. Lawson said he had refined the process and corrected what he believed were "imperfections" in Miranda's genetic design.
He had tried to make Oriana… better, in the same sense of better meaning more submissive to his orders.
My eyes drifted over one particular note Lawson had written.
Subject M-01 shows signs of high intelligence and cognitive skills, and physical optimization but displays independent behavioral divergence. Future iterations must reduce emotional variance.
Another document followed.
Subject M-02 constructed with corrected genomic sequencing. Should produce a more compliant heir. But the hair color is not to my liking. I with dispose of the subject and retry with the next one.
There were several more files in the list.
I leaned back slowly.
"Jesus…" These must be the ones that came before Miranda. That's when another note caught my eye. This one was buried deeper in the research logs.
Both subjects show strong genetic integrity. However, reproductive compatibility remains impossible for subject M, while subject O, will receive the modifications soon. My lineage will not be diluted through inferior genetics. We will create our own heirs before letting the unworthy mix with my perfection.
I sighed.
So Miranda is stile infertile like in the original game, while Oriana might be different. Henry Lawson you fool. Who hurt you so much that you became obsessed with controlling your children.
I scrolled further down while speed reading his notes. Then I froze as another project reference appeared inside the research logs.
PROJECT ASCENSION:
My eyes widened slightly. There's no way, Lawson was part of project Ascension, but when and for how long?
I went to try and opened the file but it was password lock. And seemed like I had only three attempts. And if the password was wrong by the third time, the entire file would wipe itself permanently.
"That's actually really clever. Lawson you actually surprise me." I leaned back in my chair and stared at the screen. I could try and hack it with my omni tool, but I'm starting to notice my omni tool needs a few upgrades for stuff like this.
I need to find a expert and learn from them.
Cause this wasn't something I could brute force especially with hidden information regarding me involved.
Then something else caught my eye. A reference in Lawson's notes.
Ascension research must continue under Dr. Veronica Kline's supervision as per the Illusive Man's order's. Not that I disagree with the woman's way of doing things, she is brilliant and driven.
I exhaled slowly.
"So he knew Kline… that's actually concerning."
Another note followed.
Dr. Kline remains the only researcher I consider intellectually worthy. Had circumstances been different before I left the project, I believed us combining our genetics for Subject 12 or 13 may have produced extraordinary results.
However since that would go against the Illusive Man's vision of a new Adam and Eve to usher humanity into the future. My suggestion were rejected. If only she could see that only I can help hr achieve her dream and she is the only person close to my equal.
I stared at the screen for a moment before shaking my head.
"What? Did Lawson have a thing for the Bitch. I mean everyone has a type but not that I'm judging." Well maybe alot after.... everything I saw and heard. I shivered at the though of that memory.
Then the next note confirmed it.
Dr. Kline rejected the proposal. A shame. Her genetic background is excellent. She will come to regret this that is for certain.
I leaned back again.
"So he was bitter that bitch of a woman rejected him. That's just sad, I would he had mommy issues."
Then I saw another section.
A list of other researchers who had rejected Lawson's proposals.
Vorath.
Korgath.
Yelara.
I sighed quietly. " Wherever you all are. Thank you for not allowing that fool to add his DNA to mine…."
If they hadn't rejected him, I would have probably been Miranda's brother, or worse, my life in the facility would have been a greater hell then what I actually got.
I then returned my attention to the locked Ascension file. If Lawson had been collaborating with Kline… Then this file might contain information about Cerberus that I couldn't get from Ela.
Then footsteps sounded from in front of me. I looked up.
It was Miranda walking out of the kitchen holding two cups of coffee. "Good morning, you seemed so focused a moment ago, you didn't even noticed I walked past you."
She then set down a cup in front of me. "Is something wrong?" she asked.
It's not that fact that I didn't notice you. I just had bigger concerns on my mind. I then accepted the cup.
"Thanks. The files I stole from your fathers terminal. One of them is password locked, and I only have three attempts or the file will delete itself." I explained "Do you know what his password might be?"
Miranda leaned against the counter thinking her hand tapping on the coffee mug. " Honestly it could be anything," she said after a moment. "But with only three attempts you don't want to guess randomly."
I nodded and took a sip of the coffee. It was bitter, and smooth. Just the way I like it.
Then I asked another question. "So Miranda… it's been two weeks."
She looked at me. "Yes it has, what about it?"
Jasen took a sip of the coffee before speaking. "How much longer until this benefactor of yours comes to pick you up?"
Miranda paused for a moment like she was thinking. Then she shrugged slightly. " Honestly, I don't know. It could be at anything. The man wasn't simple and definitely had a ego and with only three attempts I can't say I know which for certain. "
"That's fine. I have nothing but time. I will just have to create a program to generate the possible passwords, and refine the program based of of the files and information I have on him." I took another sip of coffee before glancing up again.
"I didn't know you were capable of creating and designing a program like that."
"Oh no I can't code or program something like that right now. I'm gonna have to find a expert to teach me or just do some studying."
"You say it so casually. I swear you might be one the few people to give me a run for my money."
"I will take that as a compliment considering your background. Also… could you tell why your dressed like that?"
Miranda blinked. "What do you mean?"
I gestured toward her outfit.
She was wearing a large loose black T-shirt that technically covered everything, but only barely. I could tell she had no bra on and from the thin lining laced underwear. If the wrong breeze hit or she bent over to much this entire situation would become… complicated.
Miranda then looked down at herself. "Oh." She sighed. "Sorry. I was doing laundry. Still haven't gotten use to do that myself. "
She looked back at me. "Am I making you uncomfortable?"
"Not really no." But I thinking it's insane how comfortable she is dressing like that in front of a boy she met two weeks ago. I know she isn't oblivious to any of this. She knows she is gorgeous, and that I'm a guy.
I wonder if she is planning anything. Could her benefactor at Cerberus know about me and told her to keep an eye on me.
Jasen shook his head from the thought.
No there's not enough evidence to suggest that. Not everyone in Cerberus knows all the different projects and going on. It's just weird for her to be around me like this. But I could just be overthinking everything.
She's a young girl that just got some freedom and independence. She could just be relaxed this is her choice to dress. But it doesn't that my body has been feeling weird these past few weeks before I left for Australia.
That also reminds me. Victoria had been acting strange lately too. She has been showing up more often. Basically living at my unit with me and Miranda and it was obvious she didn't like Miranda. Not even a little.
I guess she's just territorial of her friends or she doesn't like Miranda's personality. Which I understand. Miranda does have that whole I'm pretty so I'm a bitch thing going for her.
I then leaned back in my chair. "By the way Miranda. Why are you staying in my unit anyway?"
Miranda raised an eyebrow and stared at me while sipping her coffee.
"We had a free unit you could've used. So why stay with me of all people. You could have stayed with Jane, she's seems like someone you can get along with."
She sipped her coffee calmly then spoke. " Your right about Jane. She is very easy to get along with and she keeps to herself, I do appreciate that space. But I also can get that with you and I trust you. Well more than I trust most people here that's for sure."
That answer came too quickly.
"And I wanted you by close, incase something happened."
I nodded slowly. Those do seem like logical answers, but I feel like she's hiding something.
"If you're sure about that." I said about to sip my coffee, and then I felt and saw movement approaching quickly.
Right then the front door opened and Victoria and Jane walked in without knocking.
I sighed. " Yeah come on in ladies. What's the point of even having a locked door anyway?"
Victoria waved energetically. "Hey Thirteen! missed me." Victoria didn't even acknowledge Miranda.
Jane followed behind her. "Morning Thirteen morning Miranda. How are you both..."
Jane and Victoria's eyes widened when they saw Miranda was wearing nothing but a giant T-shirt. Victoria in that moment gave off a slight hinge of annoyance. Jane and Thirteen noticed it immediately.
Victoria suddenly stared at Miranda.
Miranda frowned. "Is there a problem or something?"
Victoria pointed. "Why are you dressed like that?"
Miranda crossed her arms. "That's none of your business." She said in a mocking tone.
Victoria raised an eyebrow. "Your in thirteens home dressed basically naked. He's a young boy or do you have no shame! Let me guess the you were doing laundry, and that was all you have to wear. Even though Jane and I saw you you doing your laundry yesterday morning.
"What is your point?" Miranda said sounding irritated.
"So you definitely have something better to sleep in. Or are you trying to seduce a boy younger then you. I mean I understand. He's not a average boy by any means and I mean not in an any way. But I guess you wouldn't know since your not his friend like I am."
Miranda's expression hardened then she smirked. "Oh look at this, the little girl is getting jealous, because she see's me as competition for a boy's attention."
Victoria's eyes narrowed.
Miranda continued. " Listen here, I'm not trying to steal him from you. He helped me out and did alot for me. So i trust him which is something I don't do often. So stop acting like where in competition. I don't even see you treating Jane this way. "
Jane slightly blushed while looking confused.
"So if you only see me competition your sorely mistaken, we aren't even in the same league. Grow up and mature a little bit. I have better things to do then fight or some guy I just met. And if I was after him, I would wait until he is older at least. She smirked while caressing thirteens arm.
Victoria only smiled but Jane and Thirteen could feel a tinge of malice and bloodlust radiating off of her. They also felt the air around Miranda shift like she was ready to use her biotics in a split second.
Then Jane cleared her throat slightly. " Hey thirteen I came up here for a reason. It's time for you to make a appearance."
I was glad Jane said something because this was getting weird. I couldn't tell if these girls were fighting over me or their ego's. "With who?" I asked.
Jane leaned against the door. "The Neo Yakuza representative who's supposed to run the operation in this city."
I stood up quickly and grabbed my jacket from the hook by the door. "Alright let's get this over with." I then walked toward the door ready to leave.
"Are we really leaving them like this?" Jane whispered.
I looked back saw Miranda and Victoria standing a few feet from each other. Both looking like neither was gonna back down.
I sighed turning to leave. "I don't care anymore. If they reck my place it just goes to show how petty they are."
Jane shrugged. " That's fair."
We left. Behind us the two girls were still staring each other down.
"Bitch" Miranda said with a smirk
"Scank" Victoria said with a bright smile.
Jane and I walked through the city until we reached the address Miro had given us. The city was still the same as ever. The rain had began to calm down, and the sun began to shine through.
When we arrived, I stopped surprised by what I saw. "That… has to be a coincidence. Are you sure this is the right address?"
Jane looked at me. " Yeah it's the one Miro sent. I came here earlier before coming to grab you. Why. Do you know this place?"
The sign above the door read: Madame Fool
"Yeah. I been here before."
Jane frowned. " I was confused to. It's looks like a normal fortune telling shop."
"Appearances can be deceiving." I said.
We stepped inside and the bell above the door chimed. A moment later the same fair-skinned woman I had met before appeared.
"Hello children," she said with a warm smile.
Then she looked at me. "Oh. You're back."
"Here for another fortune?"
"Not this time."
My voice then turned cold. "I'm here because we're the ones running this town now. and are allowing you to operate in it and I assume you work for the Neo Yakuza."
The tellers warm smile then disappeared instantly. Behind her glasses, her eyes turned sharp.
"So you're the one that bitch told me about."
Jane and I both raised an eyebrow. "So you really are the one controlling operations here?" I asked.
She sighed and sat down in her chair. Lighting a thin cigarette. A moment as the smoke was exhaled from her mouth my nose picked up the scent of herbs, it smelled like mint and cinnamon.
"Yeah," she said. "That's me."
"How is it a fortune teller is the manager of a gang operation in Vancouver.
The woman sighed as she exhaled smoke. " Well I can tell you it wasn't easy. I've been building this operation for a year and a half just waiting for the green light from the big bosses. I Got close to the cops, even getting a good few on the pay roll. Using them to help drive out the competition. Started recruiting kids who were eager to prove themselves. I was about to have my own operation and report directly to the high table."
She blew smoke into the air. "Then that bitch calls me and says I have to follow rules from someone named Ghost." She looked at me with glairing eyes. "And it turns out to be you some no name kid. how the hell did you even manage that. What type of dirt do you have that you can extort that woman of all people."
I shrugged. "I have my methods."
She leaned forward. " Listen hear brat. If you fuck this up even once, I report you to the boss. And she'll send the best people in the galaxy to kill you and anyone else close to you."
I nodded calmly. "I know. and if your people break my rules…I wipe out your entire organization. so remember no schools, no kids, give me my cut, and I will take care of the competition. It's a win win situation"
The tension in the air thickened. As the teller was not subsiding her rage.
Then Jane decided to brake it. "I have a question. I don't mean to sound racist but…Isn't the Yakuza supposed to be Japanese organization. You don't seem to be Japanese."
The woman rolled her eyes. "The Neo Yakuza are not the same as the Yakuza of old. They have decided expanded. Welcoming those from different ethnicities into their organization if they can proof themselves. The main leaders are Japanese but they're are some who are biracial or have children that are. And for the record…"
She waved her hand over her face. Her shifted like a digital illusion was taken down. Her Caucasian appearance vanished. What was revealed was a beautiful Asian face woman. Then it shifted back instantly.
"I wear a disguise like any smart person should. Should things get bad I want to be able to leave or hid instantly. This face mask is my own little invention." she said casually.
I leaned forward slightly.
"I that does look pretty interesting and useful. How much to make one for me?"
She snorted. "Let me see." She said mockingly. "Since you ruined my plans so far. How about one hundred thousand credits."
Jane stared "That's crazy, no one casually has that much money on them."
I chuckled. " Is that really all?
Jane looked confused and so did the woman.
"Your telling me you have one hundred thousand credits just on you like that?
"I have more than enough, after my last trip."
Jane blinked. "How much we talking."
"Not here Jane." I said looking at the woman in front of us. "So if I can pay, when can I expect it?"
She then blew smoke into my face. "Never."
My face was cold and stoic as I turned to leave. " That's fine."
The two exchanged omni-tool frequencies. Then Jane and I walked toward the door. "Oh one more thing. Why the fortune front. There must have been easier things to pretend to be?" I asked
She took another drag of her cigarette. Then said calmly: "First of all it's not a front I am a fortune teller, and a damn good one if I do say so about myself. And secondly. Fuck you get out of my shop.'
We left without saying another word. I will say I am surprised she's said that she's a real fortune teller. I'm more interested how someone like that got into the Neo Yakuza's, and why she called Miro a bitch. I will have to dig into the past if I want to see if it will be useful for me later.
When I returned to my condo, Victoria was gone. Miranda sat on the couch using her omni-tool. thankfully this time she was fully dressed. And like usual she was dressed stylish. Her posture was composed.
"Oh, you're back," she said looking at Thirteen by the front door
"Where's Victoria?" I asked
"She said something about running errands." Miranda said without looked up from her omni tool.
"My benefactor sent a message. She will pick me up tomorrow night."
I nodded. " That's good. You'll almost free from the backwater place." I need to be far away when Cerberus shows up.
Miranda then stood and walked toward me. Then she asked something I didn't expect. "Do you want to go tonight?"