One down

Under the cover of darkness and torrential rain I run towards the warehouse. I am drenched from head to toe and the black racing suit sticks to my body uncomfortable. The bellowing wind suddenly blows harder. Micro gets whisked away but I quickly catch him. I quickly return him to his carrying case.

"Stay there and look out for anyone behind me."

We reach the walls of the warehouse and find shelter near metal crates and rusted barrels. On the side on one of them are the words 'OSS' in faded print. A dark green door is chained shut three feet away. First things first, I should check Milli's status.

Connecting to Device QISP177736...

Pitch black. Either she's unconscious or blindfolded. I can't hear anything in particular either. If that's the case...

Connecting to Device KCJE979612...

Connecting to Device EZBB485617...

Connecting to Device ZXQC392764...

It's the same for every other android in there. I'm not sensing a camera near them either.

Disconnecting from all devices...

Next I'll have to go through each device in there and see which ones will give me usable information.

Connecting to multiple devices...

Most of the phones are pocketed or laying down. I can listen in to their conversations but they're usually just random small talk. One of them is boasting about his modded vehicle. Another is enthusiastically providing tips about gardening. Hm?

Connecting to Device ZCHU385336...

No sound, but I see the interior of the warehouse fully through a wide, open window from an elevated place. Hundreds of metal crates arranged in rows and stacked on top of one another. Some are opened and empty, many have faded paint. The person looks down to a hand of cards and a lamp-lit table. Small, colorful chips are piled up in the center of the table and stacked in front of each person present.

Connecting to Device ZYVG739662...

I connect to one of their phones and the mic picks up their conversation.

"Raise 50."

"Again?"

"I'll call your bluff."

"Fuck that. Fold."

"I go away for ten minutes and you're already dealing cards without me? How much we playing for?"

They all turn to a man with red faux hawk hair. The same one that's come to the bar twice looking for Caliber. He takes a seat and they all start tossing chips to his part of the table.

"Ten per chip."

"How're the synths, Boss?"

"When'd you start caring, Cag?"

"I mean, they're supposed to be hostages right?"

"Most of 'em are still in one piece. Relax would ya? Shit's gonna work out. Now finish up so I can join the next round."

"If you say so..."

A flash of lightning lights up the windows and the thunder that follows reverberates from the ocean's direction. I'll have to make my move soon.

Disconnecting from all devices...

I pull on the chains on the door. I'd need a tool break these and by the looks of it, the knob is locked as well. Looking around I see several small windows around a story high. One of the piles of crates reaching them. I climb up and find the windows locked from the inside. I could break in but the noise...

...The noise can be masked. I ready to smash my elbow against the glass while looking up to the cloud-filled sky. I see the flash of white and time my strike with the thunder that followed. Cracks form on the glass and I'm not sensing any unusual movement from the devices inside. I wait for another lightning strike, then another. Finally I break open enough of the window for me the enter. 

For good measure, I slide in and land in tandem with another lightning strike. I hide behind the shadows of the large metal crates and pull out Micro. With a gentle toss upwards, Micro starts to hover above me.

"Give me a bird's eye view. Try to keep yourself hidden."

Micro gives me a soft whir then flies up high.

Connecting to Device NXJN258693...

The layout of the warehouse is before me. Around 80% is open space littered with old metal crates. The remaining 20% are simple rooms on multiple floors connected by a set of faulty-looking industrial access stairs.

There are a number of gangsters scattered and stationed all over. The front entrance, a second entrance, and by the rooms. Hm? One of them is approaching me. I'm still hidden behind the crates but once he turns the corner, I won't have many places to hide. I look around through Micro. If I take him out on his way here... No one should notice immediately.

"Micro, get a good angle on the one approaching me. Stay hidden."

I whisper Micro my command through his speakers built-in for instant playback. Micro glides down slowly, at an angle behind the man. As he comes close to ten feet, I crouch low to the rough concrete and peek my hand low from cover. With the help of Micro, I adjust the angle of my aim... and fire.

The moment I feel my nails strike flesh, I activate my taser and incapacitate the man. Micro examines the unconscious body. He looks like the standard gangster... aside from the assault rifle slung around his body. I'll have to make sure they don't start firing those weapons, else I'll have little chance of fighting back. But for now...

"One down."