Realistic or Modern A Battle of Wits in a Future Imperfect

[Lady Shadow]

~ An Adventure Written by Lady Shadow and Crosswords~

(Original concept for story made by Crosswords)​

The year, 2099, just weeks away from the New Millennium. The world is on edge, mostly due to the fact that all the World Powers had done away with the United Nations, and any country, at any time, could be a target, especially the United States. That didn’t stop the flow of money though, as the Market was booming consistently from International Trading, but things like Travel and Leisure were a distant memory for most people these days.

With World Diplomacy virtually shut down, and every country basically ruling themselves, you would think the Government had all the control, but that was far from the reality. Not only was Technology the forefront in everyday life, but the exploitation of the consumers is where the power came from. Big corporations loomed over the average person every day, and it led to people hiding away in alcoves far away from where they worked their jobs.

This world is a world where everyone kept their heads down. No one protested. People just lived their lives and minded their own business, and the reason isn’t because it was a “Utopia,” it was because of escapism and fear.

The biggest corporations were always fighting for power, killing each other off underhandedly, by mostly inside job assassinations. The Government totally looked the other way, and the Police just fell in line because all of this was totally legal, to them anyway. No in this world, the judicial system was very cut and dry, and if you were accused of a crime you were automatically guilty, which meant that people mostly behaved themselves. However, that doesn’t mean that there wasn’t any crime, just that it was legal if you were important enough, as it was for high ranking executives. This led to no morals, greed and blatant debauchery in the highest places of society, where the “Elite” held all the power, even over the Law.

The two biggest corporations were the World’s largest competitors. One controlled all of Social Media and Video Gaming, (CyberNet), where the other controlled all of Hollywood and Music, (Rockster Studios). The sickness of constant entertainment became an epidemic that had continued since the beginning of the 21st Century, and was going to be carried over to the 22nd. Things like Virtual Reality had taken over actual dating and relationships and people were constantly “plugged in” to their devices, getting direct dopamine hits so the human body no longer needed to do it. Being “Human” was slowly fading away, leaving rich corporations feeding us these entertainment rulers of the world. And no one cared, as long as they were living their fantasies. Cybernet and Rocketeer Studios were at each other’s throats most of the time, fighting over the public’s entertainment addiction.


But in this seemingly lawless, inhuman world, the need for a good assassin was paramount. There were many who entered this field for quick cash to feed their addictions, so the quality of the work was subpar. Targets were being left alive, wrong targets were hit, and crime scenes were infested with lots of evidence because of blatant sloppiness.

But some assassins were exemplary at their work. Two in particular. One man. One Woman.

CyberNet hired Nicolette Hart to do some dirty work for them. one of the other agencies out there had been infuriating lately, with their underhanded tactics in stealing business. One mark was easy. It was basically a bar-room brawl gone bad, or so it was made to look that way. Once everything was dealt with, Nicolette decided to hang out in the bar for a bit, she deserved a drink. At a petite 4’11, Nicolette was a curvy powerhouse. Her height was not to be underestimated, with backstreet kickboxing skills, and excellent sharpshooting ability, she could hold her own. That didn’t mean she didn’t look like a knockout and didn’t ooze sexual and feminine qualities. Decked out in an elegant sleeveless dress and matching bonnet tonight, with the darkest shade of red lipstick on her sensual pillowlips, her brown eyes sparkled as she watched the door. Long black hair fell softly off her shoulders, as the dim light of the bar danced gently on her light caramel complexion. The word “exotic” didn’t do this beauty justice, and with her knowledge of Spanish, Portuguese, Arabic, Italian, German, and French in addition to her perfect English, she always kept people guessing her ancestry. The thought of that put a smile on her face as she sipped her red wine before she was headed out the door for the evening.

As she was leaving, he entered. His eyes alone stopped her in her tracks. She regained control over herself, and left the bar, but the picture of that haunting, exquisite man still loomed in her mind over the next few weeks, up until the next time she saw him.

Now the beauty of Nicolette’s mind is that she was not sucked into the “entertainment coma” that the world had fallen into, that’s what made her so good at her job. There were so few like her, who still loved to read actual books, and enjoyed nature. But that didn’t make her a good person. Down to the root of her was a vindictive manipulator, but that was mostly for show, she probably could be redeemed by the right person……

And there he was again. Sitting in another bar, waiting. She didn’t notice him at first, because he was that good at keeping his presence hidden. What was he doing here? It couldn’t be a coincidence that he was at the site of her last target, is it?


She eyed the group of thugs having their drinks and laughing. They were her targets for the night. The last mark were taken out really quickly, where she first saw this mystery man. Why was he here again? Something seemed to be off about the whole situation that didn't sit right with her, and she always knew to trust her instincts.

 

[Crosswords]

"So, it seems they are in place."

A blue dot and a red dot. Among a congregation of green ones. That was what a large display showed to the obscure room in which only one man sat. Behind a desk, comfortable in his cushioned leather chair, the figure leaned back, a glass of whiskey in his hand as he watched the screen intently. Next to that screen, another displayed the interior of another room, in which was another man. The two seemed to be fairly acquainted with each other, and were watching intently as the colored dots moved about, with the red and blue dot remaining stationary.

"You think this time they'll do it?" One of them asked. He was, by all accounts, the older of the two. Anyone could have easily recognized him as the very owner of CyberNet, Antony LaVerriere. In the world of business, he was a rather prominent figure, and while most regarded him as a rather honest man, no one could quite possibly tell what exactly the business he held up as a shield hid behind. It made for the best cover, in fact, and nobody would have even suspected that the largest video game developer in the industry could have been involved in so many other things.

His partner in the game for the night was a tad younger than him, yet he was just as much of a well-known figure, only in a completely different domain. Rockster Studios were, much like CyberNet, the leader of their sector, and this uprising was owed to one man. James Conway. A man who understood that the only way to the top needed to be built through not only fair means. That rival companies were not so easily bested just through legal action, but through establishing networks that would trap down any who tried to surpass him. Sure, using intimidation tactics was the last thing he would have, but if it was so necessary...

"Absolutely. My agent was only being cautious the last time. And he doesn't take kindly to his job being ruined." James said, confidently, taking a sip of his drink while watching the screen. If things went according to plan, then Nicolette would be dead in a short time, along with the CyberNet targets. She represented the red dot on the screen, and Mr. Conway's agent was the blue, the dot that his eyes lingered on with far more interest. The blue dot was stationary in a rather secluded corner of the screen, which meant that the man was most likely sitting at a more obscure table within the bar.

The Prowling Cat read the sign at the entrance, a neon sign that flashed every two seconds or three. Among the clubs and all the hi-tech of the town, this small bar, situated in a rather secluded alleyway, was the perfect hangout for people who loved reminiscing about the past. People who were not so fond of the exaggerated existence of technology that seemed to invade everything those days. Beyond its doors, The Prowling Cat held a very intimate feeling, almost like an enclave, a world within the world. A dim, purple light filled the air, being disrupted only by the beams of light provided by hanging lamps above each table. The air itself was rather intoxicated with cigarette smoke, and with the quiet background music, a selection of mostly soft jazz.

The bartender, a man dressed in a white buttoned shirt and a black tuxedo vest, took care of his glasses, casually making small talk with the waitress who watched out for whoever might need her to deliver a drink. The bar was a rather quiet place.

And in a distant corner, there was a man. Whereas everyone else seemed to have been going with a group that night, he was by himself. He didn't look necessarily ominous, or particularly uninterested or lonely, and he didn't need to. His job was to observe, for now. At one table, there were three employees of ARKA Industries, a rival company of both Rockster and CyberNet. One of the targets was essential, a man ARKA would have a difficult time replacing, while the other two were optional, and their deaths would be just good to send a message to ARKA. They had to stay out of the way.

Though, the man's attention was divided between the group, who was happily engaged in playing poker, and a certain figure sitting at a bar. He'd noticed her from the moment she got there, and his mind had been stuck on her since. He'd seen her before, during his previous assignment. And now, she was here, no doubt, seeking to eliminate another one of his targets. He wondered, for quite a good time, why. And now his mind also worked on creating a plan, a way for him to finish his contract before she could interfere.

Vincent was a smart man, one who knew well enough that without the right amount of knowledge, things could go awfully wrong. Sure, he could attempt to kill her, too, as he was more than confident in his skills. It was why he was James' favorite, his ability to complete any given task with a very small chance of failure. The previous assignment, though, had been a massive failure, and even though James hadn't really been upset about it, as his targets were eliminated nonetheless, it still made Vincent feel a little frustrated. No, he would not be fooled twice. Tonight, the three men at the table would die by his hand, and the mysterious lady would either have to step out of the way or die, too. Though admittedly, having to kill her would've been a shame for all the reasons in the world. But for a man of duty, it was a necessary evil.

Blue eyes watched, and observed. Approaching her was inevitable, one way or another, the two of them were bound to meet. And he was certain that she'd seen him, he had noticed her otherwise subtle glance. It could have escaped an untrained eye, but his eye was anything but untrained. She knew who he was and he knew who she was, so pretending it wasn't so was futile. The best approach would be a direct one, in the end. As Vincent concluded, he finally stood from his seat. He was of an average stature, somewhere close to, yet under six feet, and his body tended to be a rather lithe frame, though not scrawny. Underneath his clothes, he was of a lean build, maintained through exercise, mainly. His choice of clothing was appropriate for the occasion, black suit pants and a coat, as well as a red, sleeved buttoned shirt. His hair was dark, too, and long enough to be tied in a very short and stubby tail.

Vincent moved towards the bar, strolling easily and finally taking a seat on the nearest stool to the woman. The bartender took note of his presence, and nodded subtly towards him, before turning his attention back to the glasses he was so carefully arranging. Vincent, in turn, set his eyes upon the figure at his side, taking in her countenance much better now. She was an interesting figure, memorable, to say the least. It made him smile, and he made no efforts to hide it. He had to approach her openly.

"They are making contact." Antony observed, watching the screen intently. On the other side, James smiled, still confident as ever. "You should be prepared to transfer me the money. It's your agent's last night in this world." He said, pouring himself another glass of whiskey as he awaited and watched.

"Enjoying yourself?" Vincent asked the woman, not bothering to hide anything. Heck, for such a renowned killer, he seemed completely harmless right now. Almost nothing more than an ordinary man trying his luck out with a beautiful woman. But his words were full of meanings that only she could decipher, and his smile, though jovial and entertained, held more behind it. "There sure is no coincidence in us meeting again, wouldn't you agree?" He asked, setting his eyes off her while his hand dug out a pack of cigarettes from the pocket of his coat, and a lighter. Catching one of the cancer sticks between his lips, he proceeded to light it with one hand, while extending the pack to the woman with the other, effectively inviting her to partake.

"Can't say I'm complaining. What brings you here?" He asked, being, once more, direct. Though he knew that whatever tale she was going to spin was most likely a lie, he also knew he would enjoy, greatly, digging for the truth.

 

[Lady Shadow]

The scene was set and it was more than precarious. The main target for the night, (the man at ARKA that would be hard to replace), was somewhat aware of his surroundings. Being fully invested in his Poker game and drinks, he was obviously having a good time, but something, he was unsure what, was making him uneasy. It wasn’t the two mysterious figures in the background of The Prowling Cat, no; it was something more sinister lurking in the back of his mind. He was feeling a twinge of paranoia, very much unlike his character, but continued to enjoy his game with his coworkers. He was having a lucky streak, and he sure as hell wasn’t going to let anything ruin his good time.

But the main attraction, especially to Nicolette, was the man of mystery that had walked up to her at the bar, with a definite graceful and casual approach, but with a fully vested intent. She knew that it wasn’t a coincidence that he was here again, at the site of her next assignment for CyberNet, and that his presence might end up being problematic. Her defenses were on high alert, and as the handsome stranger sat next to her and offered her a cigarette, she smiled and accepted. The cigarette sat softly on her delicious red pillowlips, and as she took a drag from her elegant nail-polished fingers, an ease swept over her as the stranger’s face softened when he gazed at her perfect mouth in awe.

“Enjoying myself is an understatement,” she said as she took another drag. “And a coincidence is an even bigger understatement.” She smiled coyly, as she eyed him carefully. There was a bit of deviousness behind those eyes of hers, but there was softness behind his. Her usual instinct would be to kill him, and take out her targets, but something about this man was intriguing, daresay charming. She locked eyes with him for a moment, and slowly took a sip of her red wine. She studied him for a bit, admiring his strong features, and getting a bit flustered at the way he was looking at her. Deep, blue eyes, eyeing her right into the depth of her soul, which hadn’t totally blackened yet.

She adjusted herself on the bar stool, a hint of cleavage being exposed to the now widening eyes of this mysterious stranger. She knew her talents well and absolutely knew how to use them. She looked deep into his sparkling blue eyes and said, “We both know why I am here, so let’s not play games.” To her amazement, her response didn’t seem to shock him at all, in fact it kind of bothered her that she couldn’t even read him, a quality of a very controlled mind. This was all the evidence she needed to know this man wasn’t to be trifled with, and if she had to make a move, it would have to be now.

Unknowing to the fact that she was a pawn in a wicked sick game by her employer, Nicolette had a job to do. In the flash of an eye, her long legs knocked over Vincent’s bar stool sending him to the ground, and then the deadly beauty whipped out her Silencer and made her move. With four shots in total, the first one being aimed at the light right above the bar, and the last three in between the eyes of the targets at the Poker table, Nicolette proved that she was a master at her profession. But Vincent was right on her heels. He was about to unleash hell of his own, but Nicolette was quicker than he probably gave her credit for.

Green dots were all over the screen, darting in every direction as the Blue dot was closing in on the Red Dot and the conspirators held their breath at the unfolding events.

She was out the door in a manner of moments, as frantic screams erupted from the bar. Vincent was right on behind her, in a fog of rage and bewilderment. Sirens wailed in the background, as the authorities were closing in to clean up the mess. A chase ensued, down the alley, and around the abandoned buildings in the area, heels clicking from Nicolette and hastened breath from Vincent.




“Well, I bet you didn’t see that coming.” Antony LaVerriere of CyberNet exclaimed. Smirking in his triumph. “Please kindly pay me what you owe me.” However James Conway of Rockster wasn’t the least bit deterred or disappointed. “You win this round, but my agent will have retribution for this incident, mark my words, your agent’s days are numbered.” They both laughed and took a large gulp of their whiskey. There was more in store for Nicolette and Vincent. What they didn’t know, is that the exotic beauty and the mysterious man, would be their downfall, even though these Elite Overseers were confident in their stealth.

The dead of the night was turning to dawn. Battered heels were aching Nicolette’s feet as she finally made back to her Loft. She had outrun Vincent, even though it seemed to be by some miracle. He had given her a real chase, one unlike any she ever encountered before. He seemed more than an adversary and was definitely very resourceful in his tactics. That meant the he was more than dangerous, even though she found herself very attracted to him. They only exchanged a few words at The Prowling Cat, but the moments in between stopped her heart in her tracks. She was even going to ignore the fact that he fired a few shots at her that got closer than she would like to admit. No one was ever able to get a close shot at her in her whole career, but Vincent’s exemplary marksman skills did more than surprise her. If it wasn’t for that sudden turn of luck when she shot out the windows of a passing car, and it spun out of control to distract Vincent, she would have never got away.

Her heart was still beating rapidly as she sat down on her bed. She peeled her dress off, drenched in sweat from all that running. That man gave her the chase of her life, rightfully so it seems, because she is assuming now that she had been stealing his marks. “He has to be an assassin too, with skills like that,” she thought to herself as she made her way to the shower.

The night’s events played over and over again in her head. From the moment she first saw him, she knew that he would be a threat to her, but she wasn’t prepared for the extent of it. The water poured all over her body, and soaked up her long dark hair as she stood under the hot stream. She let the water find all the crevices of her body, washing away all the aches and sprains that all the adrenaline covered up during the chase. She let herself drift away in a fantasy, where she and Vincent weren’t assassins and that they were just average citizens that met for a first date, with wine, dinner and pleasant conversation. He seemed so genuine, although she knew now how deadly he could be. Right then and there she was jolted back into reality, and then shut off the shower and headed to bed.

She laid her head down, full of conflicted thoughts and lust for a man that just tried to kill her. Just as she was falling to sleep, the phone rang. “Nicolette, splendid performance tonight, but the job isn’t finished. I have another assignment for you.”

She sighed. As much as she loved what she did, for the first time in her life, she was scared. Another confrontation with that mystery man may prove to be the end of her, but she knew she couldn’t back away. She definitely pissed him off by stealing his marks, but she was torn because he made her feel something she hadn’t felt in a very long time. She closed her eyes and remembered his deep blue eyes staring at her at the bar, that quiet moment before all the shooting, the chasing, and the fear.

She grasped the phone tightly, as the head of CyberNet said, “Nicolette, are you there?’ She answered softly but firmly, “Yes, Mr. LaVerriere I am here. Awaiting your instructions.”