It took him bricking forever. My human leg had fallen asleep, now I couldn’t feel either foot. I guess this was better than surgery, but at least it was one and done there. I was going to be late for supper. Hopefully December was stalling her mom.
He clicked the final panel back on. “Let’s give it a shot.”
I ran internal diagnostics. My ping came back “foot status: back online.” I wondered what the bricks my foot was doing online. What did it need internet for?
“Appears you done it.” I said. “Ever worked on a cyborg before?”
“A few.” He shrugged and cracked his shoulder blades. I winced. Who did that?
I felt around my pocket, pulling out my chip. “How much will it be?”
“The repair’s free.” He said.
“There’s absolutely no way I’m going to accept that.” Personal debt always hung over my head like a persistent personal storm cloud.
“But the mint you took is gonna cost 105 creds.” I didn’t know what prices were like down here on cyborg repairs, but I got the feeling he was giving me a steal.
“Shall I add the rug on?”
“You can leave a tip for that if you wish.”
I paid up. “I hope to never see you again.”
“Don’t call me on a weekend.” He said, and I left.
I think they don't mind each other at all they're just both grumpy. XD
Not especially. That part reminds me of dirt-brained jerks I had to deal with when I was younger, but I think I can appreciate a good character when I read one.
Ah okey, that satisfies my curiosity. Yea people like that are definitely making bad life choices. :/ Makes me wonder what kind of stuff she's going through. 3:
Oh, great, don't start making me feel sorry for her! Ó,O
Ah okey, that satisfies my curiosity. Yea people like that are definitely making bad life choices. :/ Makes me wonder what kind of stuff she's going through. 3:
Oh, great, don't start making me feel sorry for her! Ó,O
“Well, now I want your rug.” I said. “But I’m also looking for repairs.”
*
He grinned, his pearly white teeth showing. “A cyborg. You people are always so sensitive. Makes my day.” He motioned with his jagged wrench at what looked like a dentist’s chair. “Have a seat.”
“Thanks, I will. A rug and a chair in one day. Wow.” I ran my hand over the armrest. * He growled at me, and I quickly sat down. He grabbed some tools off a desk, and approached. I felt vaguely threatened. It took some willpower to stay seated. He dropped them at my feet, and then nodded. “Give us a look.”
I gave him a look. I stared at him long and hard, in fact.
“I really hate you, kid.”
*
“You either take off your socks and shoes, or walk out of here right now.” He said pointedly.
I took off my shoes, and then my sock cause that’s the order it normally goes in. I rolled up my pants leg. * His eyebrows slowly raised as I rolled it farther and farther back, until it was just above my knee. “How far it go?”
I tapped my head. “All the way up to here, if you stick to the right.”
*
He eyed it. “You didn’t attempt to fix this yourself, now did you?”
“I’m half-decent at deconstruction.” I crunched up my mint.
He shook his head and took the bag with a resigned sigh.
I felt around my pocket, pulling out my chip. “How much will it be?”
“The repair’s free.” He said.
“There’s absolutely no way I’m going to accept that.” Personal debt always hung over my head like a persistent personal storm cloud.
“But the mint you took is gonna cost 105 creds.” I didn’t know what prices were like down here on cyborg repairs, but I got the feeling he was giving me a steal.
“Shall I add the rug on?”
“You can leave a tip for that if you wish.”
I paid up. “I hope to never see you again.”
“Don’t call me on a weekend.” He said, and I left.
-last edited on Apr 5, 2019 2:59:02 GMT by TheGreatCon
Post by TheGreatCon on Apr 5, 2019 2:58:31 GMT
Chapter 10: What is Brewing?
Boomer knocked on my shop door like he had any business being here. I stared out at the peek hole, wondering why the bricks he was on my doorstep. Did he want a weapon? I’d made him a perfectly serviceable spear that’s warranty had just expired two weeks ago. “What do you want?”
“A tier 32 knife.”
I glared at him.
“C’mon, man. I was just stopping by.”
“I have stuff to do.”
“Like bricks you do.” He pushed his way inside. “I know you. You’re a week ahead schedule.”
“Only two days. I’m running behind.” I said, still standing at the door.
“No, the whole point is that it’s not actually due…” He gave up mid-explanation. “Close the door, you’re letting in a drift.”
“You’re not in an immersion rig. You can’t feel the temperature.” He hadn’t told me. I had my ways of knowing.
“Just…shut the door.” He said, running out of small talk. He had something to say.
I shut it, locked it, and turned back to him. “What’s up?”
“There’s change brewing.” He said.
“And I’m sure it’ll make a nice (root) beer.” I said. “This in no way involves me.”
“I’m not so sure we’ll be able to keep our necks out of it this time.” Boomer shook his finger.
“I know you won’t.” I said. “But I am a different matter.” He had a reputation of jumping on brand-new bandwagons, which petered out quickly, leaving him stranded yet again in our town with crushed hopes and too much time on his hands.
“You’re human too.”
“I’m actually Karcan.” I said. “Their skin tone was just right.”
Boomer eyed the shop, eyes taking in the weapons. “There’s a new guy.”
“There always is.” I said. “A new user logs on ever three seconds, statistically.”
“I met him.” Boomer said. “He’s out to change the way this game operates.”
“He’s a hacker?” I raised an incredulous, disapproving eyebrow.
“The Commonwealth and the Iron Guild are the only two factions swapping seats.” I said. “They were established within a month of the Game’s release. It’s been five years now. Five years of failure after failure in attempts to unseat them.”
“It’s different this time!” Boomer protested.
“That was the slogan of the last guy.” I picked up my piece, the bow, and compared it to the design I was working off of. Not bad, and 56% of the way done.
“You’ll see.” Boomer’s skull mask glinted in the weird lighting of my shop.
“No, I won’t. Cause I’m gonna stay holed up here.” I adjusted an out-of-position lamp and laid the bow reverently back down.
“Maybe it’ll come to you.”
“It’ll have to get past the door first.” I said, though I had no real confidence in my locks. I escorted Boomer to the door. “Now, if you’ll excuse me, I have a lot of work to do.”
“Is that all this game is to you? Work?”
I tried to shut the door on him, but he slipped back inside. “That’s not all.”
What, is his sister promising free unlimited resources or something?” I snarled.
“I found something.”
“I find things all the time. I can’t find the patience to put up with you, though.” I made another attempt to shove him out.
“Ore.” He said. “Lore ore.”
I paused. I knew what that was. Slowly, I asked, “what tier?”
“I haven’t figured out yet. I’m trying to keep the bigs off my trail. I haven’t actually seen it yet.”
“Well then, come back when you have.” I finally shoved him out, and locked the door. I turned around with a grumble, and headed back for my bow. Ever since I had a leg shot offline with one of these, the project had been a bit more distasteful.
Yea people like that are definitely making bad life choices. :/ Makes me wonder what kind of stuff she's going through. 3:
YES! Oh gosh, yes. I wouldn't have minded. XD 
