Dark Blue Monstropolis

Simon brought the cab to a stop in front of a light brownish building. Argo heard something clank onto the back of the vehicle and looked around. The popbot streaked out from beneath just in time to avoid being crushed against the pavement. It went inert on top of the trunk, although in Argo’s imagination the poor little bastard was panting.

“Stephenson Building,” Simon called out, pulling himself to sit on the driver’s side window as before. “All ashore that’s going ashore, we–oh hell.”

A man was coming out of the building towards them. He was wearing a black coverall outfit that looked to be laced with multiple impact fiber weaves. He also had a sidearm strapped to his belt. His eyes were hidden behind thin black sunglasses.

“Simon,” the man said.

“Well, hello there, Hedrock,” Simon replied, all smiles. “So nice to see you ag–”

“You’re not wearing your suit.”

“Well, yeah, I meant to tell you about that…the damn thing is sort of hot…”

“It’s nothing of the sort. It’s got plenty of ventilation.”

“And constrictive.”

“It’s a size too large as it is.”

“And it’s a horrible color.”

“The only reason it’s orange,” Hedrock said, “is you haven’t taken it out to wear it and adjust the color. I’m right, aren’t I?”

Simon sighed, “I’ll wear the suit. Happy?” He began to slide down into the cab.

Hedrock didn’t smile. “Ecstatic.” He turned to Mayster, who was standing closest, “Ingrate. It was a birthday present.”

Simon stuck his head back out. “I heard that!”

Welsh pulled the rest of his bags from the cab, “Would you two get a room already?”

“Will you be needing anything else?” Simon asked Welsh.

“No, we’re good for now, thanks,” Welsh responded. “Just keep your eyes open and let me know if you hear or see anything out of the ordinary.”

“I remember what ordinary was like,” Simon said dourly, and pulled the cab up and away from the pavement.

Welsh turned to Argo and Mayster. “Gentlemen, this is Hedrock. Hedrock, this is Argo and Mayster. Hedrock’s our resident tech. Anything you
need he’ll make you. Whether you want it or not. But trust me, he knows what he’s doing.” Welsh made his way up the stairs to the front door, calling back to Hedrock all the way, “Check their gear, if you would. And make sure they get full access to the building. They’re on staff with all privileges.”

Threnody was nowhere to be seen. Presumably she had already made her way inside while Hedrock and Simon were arguing.

Hedrock was ushering Argo and Mayster in. In the foyer, he stopped them. “All right, show me your gear. I can’t have bad gear in my house.”

Argo and Mayster exchanged a look, and opened their bags.

“Your packs need upgrading to the latest firmware. Your firewalls are severely down level. I’m amazed they’re still functioning. Actually let me replace your packs altogether…I’ve doubled the capacity of mine, it’s an easy hack. Trust me, you’ll thank me later. These earbuds you’re using are shit, I can replace those. Best to just toss them. I can replicate these smart vinyl platters and get you brand new ones, again, I can cut your access time by a third and I could probably move more controls to the center. These bags are shit, by the way. I can fix that easy. I just got some new impact fiber. We’ll get you some light anvil cases for the gear, too, no more of this backpacking it. That’s neanderthal to the extreme. What is this, a slingshot? I respect that. It needs to be rebalanced, though, look at this. I’ve got just the thing for it, don’t worry about a thing. And your ammunition…wow, that’s pretty ingenious, I have to admit, but trust me, we can do better than…what are these–these are ball bearings, right? Ingenious, but crude. I can fix that, no worries. Okay, let me see…what’s left? Ah, yeah, let me see that sword of yours, Mayster.”

Mayster shrugged, unsheathed his katana and handed it over.

Hedrock examined it, turning it this way and that. Then finally, he pulled his sunglasses off and looked at Mayster in awe. “This…this is kami no tekkou, isn’t it?”

Mayster nodded. “Sure is. God metal.”

“Je-sus…Christ,” Hedrock said. “I never thought I would ever…ever…see one of these. There’s only six in existence, and…hell, five are considered lost. Four now.” He handed the blade back to Mayster with an air of reverence. “That’s…perfection. I can’t do anything with that. That sword is welcome in my house any day of the week.”

He pulled out what looked to be a metal basket of some kind. He began dumping all of their gear, clothes and paraphernalia into it. “I’ll start with your packs and get those back to you. I know it’s uncomfortable to be without one.”

Argo had noticed there was no bulge in the back of Hedrocks’ clothing, nothing there at the small of the back where packs normally went. “I see you’re not wearing one. What, are you like Welsh?”

Hedrock laughed. “No one’s like Welsh. No, I’m wearing my pack.” He indicated his black coverall. “Anyway, let me get started on this. You’ll find some available rooms on the second floor. Pleasure meeting you both,” he said, and then left, his eyes on the now-resheathed katana blade.

“You have a fan,” Argo said.

“The sword does. Only serious weapon freaks know it for what it is,” Mayster replied, smiling. “I like him already.”