Electronics District

The encounter with Diego lingered, Eric's words reverberating in Leo's mind like a haunting refrain. The intensity Diego had shown unsettled him, leaving a gnawing sense of curiosity—and unease.

As he waited for Rubi at their agreed meeting point, Leo let his gaze wander over the bustling streets of the Electronics District. The towering buildings around him vied for attention, their facades covered in bright holographic panels that displayed endless advertisements. Storefronts competed with 3D signs, holographic mascots, and automated promotions to capture pedestrians' attention.

Looking toward the edges of the district, the scenery shifted. The shops were smaller, squeezed between weathered buildings that relied more on ingenuity than sophistication. The modern sheen gave way to a rawer, more utilitarian atmosphere.

The streets swarmed with hurried technicians carrying gadget-laden toolkits, cybernetic users browsing implant displays, and traders flashing newly acquired chips from brisk negotiations.

The district was a sensory overload: voices blended with the hum of drones, and the oppressive brightness of holographic lights made it seem as though the district itself wanted to overwhelm anyone passing through.

When Rubi finally arrived, her presence brought immediate relief. Unlike Diego, she exuded a pragmatic, almost optimistic energy that contrasted sharply with the chaos around them.

"So, still in one piece?" Rubi asked, her mischievous grin softening the tension.

Leo hesitated before answering, his eyes lingering on the chaotic streets. "Well... almost." He paused, lowering his voice. "Diego seemed different. I can't quite explain it. He was more... distant."

Rubi paused, her expression softening. "Diego carries the weight of choices he never wanted to face—and he always has."

Leo tilted his head, intrigued. "You know a lot about his past, don’t you? I could see that he had to make a tough choice."

"A choice that shaped him but also left scars." Her voice was calm, but there was an underlying firmness that hinted she knew more than she was letting on.

Leo didn’t press further, but he felt the need to open up. "I haven’t known him for long, but... in a way, I understand. Carrying something you wish you could forget but can’t let go of."

Rubi raised an eyebrow, studying him for a moment. "Maybe that’s why he trusts you. Even if he doesn’t say it." She resumed walking, though the tension between them lingered.

"He already reported what you found," Rubi said, breaking the silence. "The electronics components and that lead from the shop."

Leo nodded. "Yeah. The shop seems like the next step. I thought it’d be more... straightforward, but nothing here is ever simple." He glanced at Rubi, noticing the worry beneath her composed expression. "You’re worried about him, aren’t you?"

Rubi gave a faint smile, but her eyes stayed serious. "I always am. Diego’s strong, but he doesn’t let anyone see the cracks. When something shakes him, he pulls away. That’s how he copes." She turned to Leo and shrugged. "That’s why we’re here. Not to fill in what he leaves behind, but to keep things moving."

The weight of her words hung between them, though both knew the mission came first. While Leo began to understand Diego a little better, Rubi seemed to be analyzing him just as carefully.

Leo’s thoughts drifted back to Diego, the quiet weight of his presence lingering even in his absence. Despite their brief time together, Diego’s instincts in a fight had always stood out—sharp and sure, like someone who had spent years confronting the Vanguard’s tactics. But after the clash with Eric, something about him seemed... different. The intensity was still there, but it felt less like a practiced response and more like the unraveling of something deeply personal.

He’s carrying something heavy, Leo thought. Rubi’s earlier words echoed in his mind: choices he never wanted to face. It made Leo wonder how much of Diego’s strength came from necessity rather than certainty. Perhaps the fight with Eric hadn’t just stirred old wounds—it had left new ones Diego wasn’t ready to show.

As they walked, Rubi stopped in front of a shop with a flickering holographic sign. An array of biomechanical prosthetics was shown in the display window, and their intricate designs were almost beautiful.

"Take a look at these," Rubi said, crossing her arms and fixing her gaze on the window. "These prosthetics were designed to help people regain mobility, allowing for precise movements. Now, they’re modified to enhance physical strength and used in underground fights."

Leo studied the prosthetics intently. They were impressive, almost hypnotic in their engineering, but Rubi’s discomfort was evident. "So, something meant to improve lives is used to hurt others?"

Rubi’s gaze lingered on the display, though her words seemed aimed at something far beyond it. "Technology is a blank slate, Leo. It’s what people project onto it that turns it into a tool or a weapon. The harm isn’t in the creation. It’s in the intent behind it."

There was a moment of silence. Leo felt her words resonate within his own thoughts. He glanced around at the district’s chaos, where every tool seemed to carry a hidden destructive potential.

"Doesn’t anyone try to control this? The reckless use of something so powerful?" he asked, shaking his head.

Rubi let out a bitter laugh, her eyes never leaving the display. "Who would? The Vanguard? They only control what serves their interests. They don’t care what happens here as long as it doesn’t interfere with their plans."

Leo stayed quiet, but the bitterness in Rubi’s voice made it clear there was much more history behind her words.

After walking a few more streets, Rubi stopped in front of an unassuming shop, tucked between two larger buildings. There were no flashy signs, and the area around it was eerily quiet.

"This is the shop," Rubi said, activating her holographic visor to scan the location. "It’s strange how empty it is. Places like this are usually packed."

Leo observed the plain storefront and the unsettling silence that contrasted with the rest of the district. "Looks more like a warehouse than a shop."

Rubi nodded but kept her focus on the shop. "If we can access their system, we might uncover what they’re hiding. But..."

"But?" Leo raised an eyebrow, curious.

Rubi glanced at him, choosing her words carefully. "The question is how we do it without drawing attention. We need a plan."

Leo thought for a moment, his eyes fixed on the shop. "Maybe we can pretend to be customers. Regular people looking for... something for our house or something like that."

Rubi raised an eyebrow, surprised. "Our house?"

Leo gave a half-smile. "Got a better idea?"

Rubi sighed but allowed a small smile to creep across her lips. "And how do you plan to pull that off?"

"Just trust me," Leo replied, exuding confidence he didn’t entirely feel.

Rubi paused, adjusting her holographic visor glasses. Then, she pulled something from her bag and handed it to Leo.

"You’ll need this," she said, holding out a small silver device.

Leo frowned, taking it hesitantly. "What’s this for?"

"We need to stay discreet inside. This keeps us in contact without drawing attention," Rubi explained, fitting hers into her ear.

He turned the communicator over in his hand, its weight a tangible reminder of the risks ahead, before fitting it in with a nervous flick. "What if someone overhears?"

"They won’t," Rubi said confidently. "The signal is short-range and secure. Just don’t whisper too much."

Leo laughed nervously. "Got it. No secret plotting for now."

Rubi tilted her head, her gaze sharp yet faintly amused. "Ready to sell our story?"

Leo drew in a steadying breath, forcing a grin "Always ready to improvise. Let’s make it work."

As Leo pushed open the shop door, a soft electronic chime broke the stillness. Inside, the cooler air carried a metallic tang of burnt circuits, underscored by faint chemical notes. The shelves were unnervingly pristine, displaying devices ranging from the utilitarian to the ominously modified. Flickering holograms cast erratic shadows across the products, their glowing specifications adding an artificial life to the stillness.

Rubi cast a quick glance around, her eyes analyzing every detail with precision. Leo tried to appear relaxed, but the silence of the place felt uncomfortable as if the stillness was hiding something.

From behind the counter at the back, a man stood up with a sharp, assessing gaze that seemed to slice through Leo and Rubi. His short gray hair and rigid, almost military posture matched the sterile precision of the shop, as he wiped his hands on a worn cloth with measured deliberation.

"Good afternoon," the man said, with a brief, professional smile. "How can I help you?"

Rubi exchanged a quick glance with Leo. He felt the weight of the moment but forced a confident smile as he stepped forward.

"Good afternoon," he began, trying to sound casual. "We were hoping you could help us out."