June 12, 2021. 14:19. Rome.
I plop down onto the bed.
"Hah..." My body sinks into the mattress, and for a few seconds, I just lie there staring at the ceiling.
This is really nice.
Dante absolutely delivered on his promise.
This is easily one of the nicest hotel rooms I've ever stayed in.
It's spacious enough that calling it a "room" almost feels wrong, with two large beds separated by a nightstand, a sitting area near the windows, polished furniture, a massive bathroom, and more than enough closet space for everything I've accumulated over the past couple of weeks. The windows overlook part of Rome from high enough up that I can see rooftops stretching out across the city.
Most importantly, it's private, just as Dante promised.
And he wasn't exaggerating when he said he'd handle security. The floor itself has controlled access, hotel staff have strict instructions regarding who can enter, and the Camorra has enough people quietly watching the place that I'd probably know about anyone suspicious before they even reached the elevator.
I still double-checked everything myself when I first arrived, of course, making sure there weren't any hidden cameras, microphones, or other suspicious devices anywhere, and that nobody could get inside without my permission.
Which is exactly what I asked for.
All of my mercenary gear, disguises and weapons included, is neatly packed away in multiple suitcases in the corner of the room, far away from everything else.
Meanwhile, several newer suitcases that are considerably less tactical have slowly started appearing around the room.
Clothes, souvenirs, random things I've picked up around Rome, and enough extra space for whatever else catches my attention before I leave.
Turns out not having terrorists, mafias, corporations, or railguns occupying every waking moment of my life gives me a lot of free time.
And I've been taking full advantage of it.
I wake up whenever I feel like it, get dressed, grab something to eat, and head out into the city without having to wonder whether somebody's going to start shooting at me.
Of course, my Italian is nowhere near fluent, but I've picked up enough to get by, and anything beyond that can usually be solved with English, my phone, or somebody taking pity on me.
Fortunately, I even managed to find the Italian shoes Mom wanted.
My eyes drift toward one of the tables, where a cute little box is sitting safely away from everything else.
Mission accomplished.
I smile to myself.
Honestly, after everything that happened during the first half of this trip, the last couple of weeks have almost felt like an actual vacation.
I reach into my pocket and pull out my phone.
Speaking of which...
My fingers tap into my gallery, and I flick through all of the pictures I've taken of myself in front of landmarks, inside restaurants, trying on clothes, and wearing outfits I probably spent way too much money on.
Cute, normal, chic, sexy—practically everything available.
I pause on one of those for a second.
Okay, I look pretty damn good.
My thumb moves again through several dozen selfies, outfits, and tourist attractions around Rome.
The temptation to post half of these right now onto my social media accounts definitely claws at me, but I stop myself, my thumb hovering over the screen.
I stare at it for another few seconds.
Ah... there's one tiny problem with posting too much of this.
Shock. She's already made comments before about Artemis and Gina looking similar.
It's nothing serious or damning enough to nail me as both in the past, but if Artemis suddenly returns from Italy after Gina posts a bunch of pictures from Italy around the exact same time, it'd get really awkward.
She might be bubbly as hell, but she's still a Netrunner, and a good one at that. So giving her any sort of coincidences to start comparing would be a really stupid way to test how observant she actually is, especially with my photoshoot coming up.
Although... once I finish my photoshoot here, it's not like my presence in Italy is going to be particularly difficult to trace. There'll be photos, posts, people tagging Gina, fashion accounts, whatever comes out of the shoot itself...
And if Shock happens to notice that Artemis was also conveniently hanging around Italy during the same period?
Damn it.
I cringe slightly, already imagining her reaction.
"Artieeeee, isn't it sooo weird that you and Gina were both in Italy at the same time?!"
"Fuck," I mutter.
That's probably coming sooner or later.
For now, though, I look back down at my phone and start moving a few more pictures into the growing collection I'll worry about posting later.
Future-me can deal with that problem.
Present-me is on vacation.
I glance toward the calendar on my phone before closing my gallery.
Speaking of work… I still have a few things coming up before the actual photoshoot.
Most of it isn't anything particularly exciting to be completely honest. It's a combination of meetings, fittings, scheduling, and the usual back-and-forth that comes with making sure Gina Kyung continues looking like the fashion icon she is.
Then a notification catches my attention.
Biotechnica.
Right… that's coming up soon too.
At some point during all the planning for the shoot, I'd gotten invited to a private corporate event being held here in Rome by Biotechnica. They're apparently showcasing some of their newer developments in biofuels, biotechnology, agriculture, and whatever other projects they want investors and the public getting excited about.
It isn't exactly related to fashion, but apparently having models and other recognizable faces around makes corporate PR look considerably better.
Lucky me.
There's also a private tour being offered beforehand.
Normally, wandering around a megacorporation's facilities wouldn't exactly be my idea of a relaxing afternoon.
Unfortunately, I am needed there to hold some cardboard certificates and look pretty to get the company's PR going.
Another message pops up just below the notification from one of the event coordinators.
"Hi Gina! Just confirming that you'll still be joining us for the private tour and reception on June 19. We also wanted to confirm whether you'll be attending independently or with representation."
I start typing back. "Hi! Yes, I'll still be attending. I'll be coming independently this time."
Not to my surprise, their response comes back almost instantly.
"Perfect! We're finalizing the guest schedule now. The private tour begins at 15:00, followed by the product showcase and reception. Some representatives from Biotechnica will also be available for networking afterward."
"Sounds good," I reply. "Do you know whether the showcase materials will be available to guests beforehand? I'd like to look through the participating companies and products before I arrive."
"Absolutely. I can send you the full press package and exhibitor list today."
"Perfect, thank you. Also, regarding photography, are guests permitted to take their own photos during the tour, or only during the reception?"
"Photography will be restricted during parts of the private tour, but the showcase and reception areas are open for personal and promotional photography. We'll identify the restricted areas beforehand."
Figures.
I sigh and fire off my final response.
"Got it. And if any participating companies want promotional content from attending talent, I'd prefer those arrangements be discussed beforehand rather than approached during the event."
"Of course. I'll make a note of that and forward any requests to you first."
"Thank you! Looking forward to it :)"
I send the message and drop my phone onto my stomach.
"Hah..." I close my eyes for a second.
So much for doing absolutely nothing till August.
Still, there are worse things than getting invited to some expensive corporate event, looking pretty, talking to people, and getting shown a bunch of stuff I'll probably never buy unless somebody gives me a discount.
Actually... that doesn't sound too bad.
I make a mental note to deal with that later.
Later being the important part.
For now, I close the conversation.
Almost immediately, I hear another notification go off on my other phone.
"Ugh... what now?" I groan as I sit upright.
Then another notification goes off.
And another.
I reach over toward the nightstand and grab my other phone.
The edgerunner group chat has apparently decided to explode while I wasn't looking.
37 unread messages.
"...What the fuck?"
Another message comes in.
38.
39.
40.
I unlock the phone and open the chat.
Alright. What are these idiots doing now?
I haven't exactly been ignoring everyone since they left Italy, but apparently I've missed a lot over the past few days.
I scroll upward, quickly skimming the details.
Most of it is exactly what I'd expect.
Remi's been going hard on his music again, pushing out more songs and apparently getting considerably more attention than he had before we left for Italy. Between that and whatever work he's been doing with the Dead Kings, he's been sending increasingly obnoxious updates about streams, fans, shows, and most importantly according to him—money.
Mister's apparently been helping him with some of the business side of things, which is probably the only reason Remi hasn't accidentally gone under by now. Outside of that, Mister seems to have gone straight back to doing whatever the hell Mister normally does around Vancouver and making money.
Shock's taking her vacation seriously, and so is Tetra, apparently.
Tetra's still crashing at Shock's apartment whenever he's not dealing with the occasional Thelas errand, and judging by the pictures I've already scrolled past, Shock has spent part of her newfound free time adding even more shit to that ridiculous setup of hers.
Good for them.
Honestly, everyone seems to be doing pretty well.
I keep scrolling until I finally reach whatever the hell has caused forty messages to appear in the span of a few minutes.
Then I see a picture from Remi.
Then another.
The first is obviously older. Remi standing shirtless in front of a mirror, lean and already in pretty good shape.
The second is from today.
"...What?" I bring the phone closer.
He's still recognizably Remi, except considerably bigger. Not absurdly huge or anything, but his shoulders are broader, his chest and arms are noticeably more muscular, and somehow the asshole has managed to land directly in that annoyingly perfect range between lean and muscular.
He basically looks like an older version of himself who spent the last few years consistently going to the gym.
Except it's been a few weeks.
Oh, fuck off.
I scroll slightly upward to see what started this.
Shock had sent, "Rightttt, well, I get this would be the pot calling the kettle black since adding more chrome was literally the first thing I did when I got back home, but... girl, isn't it a bit much?"
Remi had immediately responded, "Yeah, but have you considered that I'm a slut?"
I stare at that message.
Then at the pictures.
Then back at the message.
My fingers continue to scroll before I can stop myself.
I... I can understand making yourself look hotter, but I've never called myself a slut before...
Remi sends another text. "See, that's where you're fucking up."
Shock fires back. "I don't think cyberpsychopathy cares about how much of a slut you are, babes."
"Then I'll go cyberpsycho as a slut," Remi replies. "We stay committed to the brand."
I stare at my screen.
Then back at his newest picture.
This little motherfucker.
"Omg. Fucking unbelievable," I finally say into the chat.
"AYOOOO welcome back choom," Remi sends almost immediately. "And I think that's the first time u said that bro."
I blink. Wait. I read my own message again.
"...Shut up, don't talk to me."
"wtf vro..."
Shock's response comes so fast that I'm pretty sure she was already typing. "OMG HIIIII ARTIEEE HRU IN ITALY?!?!?!"
I can't help smiling a little. "Just chilling right now doing jobs. What's up?"
A few seconds later, Tetra comes in. "Oh wow, I didn't know I could hear Shock's fangirling from the other side of the apartment behind several closed doors hahaha..."
"SHUT UPPPP," Shock fires back.
Then a message from Mister appears. "Welcome back, Artemis. I hope Italy has still been friendly to you?"
"Yeah, I'm on break right now, but I'll need to leave again. Figured I'd just say hi or something."
Remi immediately replies, "choom is casually living in italy now."
"I'm not living here," I respond.
"ur literally still there."
"Temporarily."
"for like a month"
"It's been three weeks."
"ITALIAN CITIZEN"
"Remi, I swear..." I roll my eyes.
Tetra sends, "For what it's worth, I'm glad you're actually getting some time off."
"Sameeeee!" Shock adds. "U BETTER BE HAVING FUNNNNN"
"I am." I pause for a second before adding another message. "Honestly, it's been pretty nice."
"Anyway, how's everyone else doing?" I type, pivoting into a new conversation topic. "Besides Remi."
"ay fuck u too"
"Sorry, what was that?" I immediately shoot back. "Wanna keep slapping more chrome on your ass?"
"first of all..."
Before Remi can continue being annoying, Mister sends a message.
"Actually, on a serious note, there are a few things you should probably know about Vancouver."
Well, that sounds ominous.
"What's happening?" I text.
"Nothing publicly significant yet," Mister replies. "But the gangs have become increasingly restless over the past few weeks. I've been hearing it through my contacts, general rumors, and everyday conversation."
Remi adds, "Yeah... Dead Kings have been hearing the same shit too."
My smile fades slightly as I sit back against the wall.
Mister continues, "The VPD also appears to be preparing for a major crackdown. Gestalt has been ramping up his political campaign and increasingly emphasizing the restoration of order in Vancouver."
"So the gangs know the police are coming down harder on them," I type.
"More or less."
"and everybody's getting jumpy cuz of it," Remi adds.
Another message from Mister appears. "The Melders and Wraiths have become increasingly aggressive. Both have repeatedly tested Dead Kings territory, although neither has committed to a larger confrontation yet."
Remi immediately sends, "cuz they know we'll beat their asses"
Mister ignores him.
"There are also indications that they're developing closer relations with the Byte Raiders."
Great. I haven't even been gone a month.
"An alliance?" I ask.
"Possibly," Mister replies. "There isn't enough information to call it one yet."
Of course there isn't.
"What about everyone else?"
"The Blak Dragoons, GTown Boys, and Velvs have largely remained neutral. They're watching the situation rather than committing themselves to either side."
Tetra finally joins back in. "Basically, everyone's waiting to see who does something stupid first."
"Pretty much," Remi replies.
Shock sends, "which is sooo reassuring :))))"
I stare at the messages for a few seconds.
So much for Vancouver being boring while I'm gone.
"How bad are we talking?" I ask.
Mister takes a little longer to respond this time.
"At the moment? Manageable." Another message follows. "But Vancouver is becoming a powder keg. The gangs know the VPD is preparing something, the VPD knows the gangs are becoming restless, and everyone is watching everyone else."
Remi adds, "just waiting for somebody to light the fucking fuse"
I stare at the chat.
Wonderful.
Apparently, while I've been spending my days sightseeing, shopping, and deciding which restaurants I want to waste Dante's money at, Vancouver has been slowly preparing to beat the shit out of itself.
"And what's Gestalt doing through all of this?" I ask.
Mister replies, "Exactly what you'd expect from the mayor. Public appearances, meetings with the VPD, promises to restore order, and more campaigning."
Shock adds, "Him and Chief Woods have been BUSYYYYYY!!!"
"The administration is putting considerable pressure on the VPD," Mister continues. "If Gestalt intends to make public safety central to his campaign, I doubt that pressure is going away."
Makes sense.
"So everyone's preparing," I say.
"Essentially," Mister replies.
"Don't worry tho," Remi sends. "we thriving"
I narrow my eyes at the screen. "You mean the Dead Kings?"
"AND ME, CHOOM!"
"Mostly him," Mister adds.
"AY FUCK U!!!"
I snort.
Remi sends, "THEY KNOW TALENT WHEN THEY SEE IT"
"They know an investment when they see one," Mister replies.
"same thing."
"No."
Shock sends a laughing emoji.
Then Remi adds, "OH YEAH"
I raise a brow. "What?"
"Toronto later this year"
"What about Toronto...? Can you be more specific?"
"big ass music festival"
Another message appears before I can respond. "Like BIG big."
Mister clarifies, "@Artemis, there is a large music festival and celebration being organized in Toronto later this year. The Dead Kings are interested in expanding their entertainment investments, so naturally it's caught their attention."
Remi sends, "AND WHEN UR BOY GETS ON THAT STAGE..."
Tetra replies, "Oh wait... are you actually booked?"
"Listen, man. I'm getting on that stage one way or another."
I laugh. "So no."
"fuck all of u"
Jokes aside, though, that'd actually be pretty fucking cool.
I grin at my phone.
"For real though, I hope you get in."
There's a noticeably longer pause from Remi this time.
"aw shit. thanks choom"
I smile. "Don't make it weird."
"nah fr tho. appreciate it"
Tetra then jumps in. "If you actually do get in, can we get tickets?"
"FUCK YEAH YALL WILL!!"
Shock immediately follows. "WAIT YESSSSS!!!!"
"If the Dead Kings successfully get Remi into the festival, tickets will not be an issue," Mister adds.
"SEE??" Remi sends another message. "I GOT CONNECTIONS NOW"
"You technically had connections before," I type.
"BETTER CONNECTIONS"
Before I can respond, Mister sends another message. "@Artemis, speaking of the Dead Kings, Blake will likely need your help once you return."
Right.
I suppose there was no way I was going to spend several months fucking around in Italy and come home to absolutely nothing waiting for me.
"Yeah, he knows I'll be back in August. He can cash in all the favours then."
Shock immediately responds, "Ooooooh Artie better get ready for the SHITSTORM when u get home~!"
"Don't say it like that."
"LOLOLOL"
"I'm serious."
"WELCOME HOME ARTIEEE HERE'S 17 GANG WARS YUURRRR!!"
"I haven't even left Italy yet and you're already making me regret coming back."
Tetra sends, "To be fair, seventeen might be a slight exaggeration."
"Thank you." I breathe out a little in relief.
"Probably."
"Omg... Tetra."
A laughing emoji from Shock appears almost immediately.
Mister mercifully drags the conversation back on track. "Depending on how the situation develops, I may have work for Shock and Tetra as well."
Shock responds almost instantly. "OOoooOOooOOoooOOOooh???"
"Nothing concrete yet," Mister replies. "But if tensions continue escalating, additional help may become useful."
"Do I get access to cool tech?"
"Potentially."
"IM IN!!"
Tetra sends, "That was fast."
"U HEARD HIM!!!"
"He said potentially."
"THATS GOOD ENOUGH"
I laugh quietly to myself.
Tetra follows a few seconds later. "I'm down too, honestly. I'm still waiting to hear back from Wissen anyway, and I wouldn't mind making some extra money in the meantime. Anything I can send back to my family helps, really."
That makes me pause. Wissen. Come to think of it...
"Has anyone actually heard from Wissen?" I ask, before tapping the group information and scrolling through the members.
There he is, still in the chat but offline.
I think back through everything I've just scrolled past.
Memes. Pictures. Remi's music. Shock's chrome. Tetra. Mister. Random arguments.
Nothing from Wissen. Not even one of his usual cryptic comments.
I return to the chat.
Remi answers first. "beats me, i dunno. man hasn't responded in a hot minute"
Shock adds, "Nopeeee. Nothing here."
Tetra sends, "Same."
Mister takes a little longer. "Wissen said he had business elsewhere to resolve. Knowing him, he'll contact us when he has something to say."
Knowing Wissen, that could mean tomorrow or three weeks from now.
The man has a habit of disappearing for however long he feels like, only to suddenly show up again with some random update like he hadn't been completely silent the entire time.
"Yeah... that's basically him," I type.
Shock sends a cartoon emoji staring upward in deep thought. "Soooo... we just wait, right?"
"For him?" Mister replies. "Yes. For everything else, we keep doing what we can until he returns."
I stare at that for a moment.
Fair enough. That's all any of us can really do.
Then my other phone suddenly starts ringing, cutting me off before any thoughts or theories can form.
I glance over and see an alarm flashing across the screen.
Oh. Right.
I check the time. 14:41.
"Shit," I groan.
Then I type into the group chat. "Alright, I gotta go. Got another appointment."
Shock immediately sends, "BYEEEE ARTIEEE HAVE FUNNNN <3333"
Tetra follows. "See you, Artemis. Take care."
Mister sends, "Enjoy the rest of your day."
Remi, naturally, sends, "LATER ITALIAN CITIZEN"
"Fuck you." I send a middle finger into the chat.
";^)"
I snort, shaking my head in both annoyance and amusement, and lock the phone.
The room goes quiet again.
For a moment, I just sit there with both phones beside me.
Vancouver's turning into a powder keg, with everyone I care about possibly getting dragged into it. Gestalt and the VPD are preparing to crack down. The gangs are getting restless. Blake apparently already has work waiting for me. Michelangelo is hunting Autumn Blade, and Wissen has effectively disappeared off the face of the planet again.
I wonder what the hell everything's going to look like by the time I get home.
My alarm goes off again.
"Yeah, yeah. I'm going."
I grab my civilian phone, push myself off the bed, and start getting ready.
Whatever happens next can wait.
I've got somewhere to be.