Cyberpunk Stars [Part 2]

Much like the day before, Nevaeh set her sights on a populated area; again starting at one of the many transit stations during one of the day’s peak in movement and volume of people. However, it's the weekend and not nearly as busy as it is during the week. Fortunately, Nevaeh already anticipated this by setting up at the stations near the airports.

“First things first, use this.” Nevaeh handed Izel a small device of some kind. “This is like a Walkie-talkie, have you heard of them before? It basically communicates via radio signal, but we’ll only hear each other’s thoughts.” She explained.

“Okay…” Izel nodded, nervously looking at the device.

“Just have it near your cerebral port, and you should hear me.” Nevaeh mentioned. “Next, we’re going to be traveling from train to train for the next hour or so. Since I’ll have an extra hand we should be able to get a little more than what I normally can do by myself.” She then mentioned.

“Let’s just get this over with.” Izel remarked.

“That’s the spirit.” Nevaeh smiled. “Lets get on the one heading north, those trains typically have pretty good candidates.” She then mentioned walking to the train.

The two promptly hopped on the train, swiftly and subtly. Easily blending with the dense crowd of mostly tourists.

“Okay, can you hear me?” Nevaeh asked via radio.

“Clear as day.” Izel promptly responded via radio.

“Perfect, see that guy nearest to the door on your left?”

“Um… Yeah.” Izel slowly scanned the train and found the person Nevaeh indicated.

“Just do what I told you to do with the transmitter.” Nevaeh instructed.

“Wait!” Izel quickly asked in a mild panic.

“What?” Nevaeh remarked in some annoyance.

“What are you going to be doing?” Izel asked.

“I’m going to be hitting this side of the train.” Nevaeh answered.

“Wait?” Izel then yelled over the radio.

“What!”

“Now what?” Izel casually followed.

“Just wait for my signal!”

“Then what?”

“I’ll tell you who to go for next. Now stop talking and focus.” Nevaeh strongly demanded.

“How?!” Izel followed.

“Wow! You ask a lot of questions. I can see everything on the cameras I hacked, now move your ass! The next stop will be soon!” Nevaeh ended the interaction.

With a vague warning, the lights on the train suddenly went dark. Izel’s heart quickly sank to the metallic floor with the realization that this must be Nevaeh’s signal. For his heart to then kickstart with great speed as he began to weave his way throughout the train car to each target Nevaeh designated. Overthinking to himself all of the possibilities of what could happen if they get caught. Slowly reaching each of the targets, he did as instructed and made it to the front of the train.

“Alright, get off the train when I tell you to and meet me here.” Nevaeh instructed Izel once the lights turned back on.

Seconds later, once half of the train’s passengers left, Izel was told to get off by Nevaeh, to then walk. Somewhat normally to the area he was instructed—gazing around as if someone is looking for him already.

“Whhoo man, I’ve never had such a rush before.” Izel remarked, walking to Nevaeh, still glancing every which way. “The adrenaline is insane right now. Do you feel this all the time?” He added, unable to focus his gaze in one spot.

“No, not really… Maybe something like a rush, but more of a panicked feeling of getting caught.” Nevaeh answered with ease. “What are you doing, by the way?” She then asked with a mild sass.

“What?!” Izel hollered softly. “I’m just making sure no one saw us…” He then whispered softly, cautiously looking around the area.

“Oh, good idea. Because the Constables are on the way.” Nevaeh announced, surprisingly calm.

“What—!!!” Izel quietly screamed, with immediate panic, clutching his shirt.

“Kidding…” Nevaeh smirked with mild satisfaction.

Izel releases a large sigh, to then relax his stiff posture. “Anyway, how much did you get?” Izel then asked.

“Just under $100,000 Pesos total. Enough that we won’t have to push our luck any further today.”

“Huh?? That’s more than I can make in weeks!” Izel remarked with surprise.

“Yeah, come on, let's get goin’ to the next train. I’d like to end on a that will be traveling to the market at the edge of town.” Nevaeh then instructed, as she began to walk to the nearest stairway.

“Ah okay!” Izel then recognized that it was time to move and swiftly caught up to Nevaeh.

The two then soon made their return to the train station, onward into the evening of cybercrimes. With Izel hoping that this day will end with the completion of some simple errands, and zero run-ins with law enforcement.

⧮ ⧯ ⧮

In the bustling metropolis outskirts of Nuevo Eztli, a congested cityscape characterized by rust crusted skyscrapers and vibrant glitched holographic billboards, Nevaeh and Izel soon find themselves in the eager tech market of cutting-edge gadgets and devices. The market is a sprawling complex filled with holographic displays, a plethora of crude AI assistants, and a vibrant atmosphere of degeneracy. They were quickly encountered by eccentric tech vendors, more holographic demonstrations, and the constant hum of futuristic innovations. Now fully immersed in this outlandish marketplace is renowned for its underground yet astonishing technologies, ranging from mind-bending gadgets to life-altering enhancements.

“So, um… What’s first on the list?” Izel asked, faithfully following Nevaeh through the dense alley.

“Backfeed EMPs, Neural Fixtures, some Self Modular Transistors, and Cash will want to know about any new tech that is in town, so we’ll probably make a quick stop at a few stores.” Nevaeh listed, as Izel stared blankly at the complicated terms.

A swift hush soon came between the two. As they walked through the crowded space, seemingly unaware of what to say to one another next. As if they have the unspoken notion that small talk must be done at this very moment. Navigating with the dry air and fine dust, kicked around by the many enthusiastic customers of the market.

“So, I uh, heard what you were talking about earlier, with the Team.” Nevaeh openly stated, breaking the silents, somewhat hesitantly.

“Yeah? What about it?” Izel remarked somewhat excitedly to engage with the topic, as he got closer to Nevaeh.

“Well, I was thinking about ‘as long as the film is making people happy’ right?” Nevaeh began, as Izel listened. “I feel like you are discrediting the people that make traditional films without AI.” She explained.

“What do you mean?” Izel asked.

“I mean, what about the people that have an idea and when someone tries that idea for a film, but they're not satisfied with the finished work?” Nevaeh explained, as Izel grew with interest. “So then they just give up because they know AI can do a much better job. I feel like AI may make people happy, but it's not going to make everyone happy.” She finished.

“Oh, okay, I see what you're saying… You're coming from a position of inadequacy?” Izel mentioned. “That’s a fair point, it is definitely a challenge for some to create traditional film or artwork in general because there are hundreds of thousands of powerful AI tools that can bring an idea to life with minimal effort.” He reasoned.

“Yeah, more or less… I don’t mind AI movies, but we should still acknowledge that the process is vastly different from what films were.” Nevaeh elaborated.

“Yeah, it's hard to be unique and creative in this day and age.” Izel agreed. “Not to mention, most AI movies feel way too marketed for the masses, they never offer a unique perspective, ya know?” He added.

“Exactly, why should I watch something that won’t offer any interesting perspectives?” Nevaeh reasoned. “Also, if I wanted to see something like that, I can just tell an AI app to make a custom made movie for me.” She then announced.

“Oh, I totally agree, ever since that type of AI was released to the public, I feel like the quality in movies went down fast.” Izel agreed. “Why pay to see a movie that I might not like when I can just download an app that will make a 3 hour movie that has everything that I like in it.” He then proposed.

“Crazy times we live in.” Nevaeh stated softly with a small smile, seemingly impressed.

Just as they finished their small conversation, Nevaeh paused to focus her attention on a call. However, it was performed via Thought Phone, so Izel was confused for a quick moment, then soon understood what Nevaeh was doing.

“God, I love that woman.” Nevaeh openly announced under her breath.

“What is it?” Izel asked.

“Just Carman, she was just wondering where we’re at, she added something else to her list.” Nevaeh explained.

“Okay, we better get started then?” Izel proposed.

“Yeah, the first stop is just around the next block.” Nevaeh provided a quick smile, as Izel nodded in agreement. Now two hopeful friends on their way into the technological unknown.