Chapter 1 Break out and Break in

 Year 2XXX

Containment facility 375

Parole hearing day

My name is Ac4050759, commonly referred to as Ace. I was winning a staring contest against the small ceiling of my prison cell, or at least that’s what I was telling myself.

- This time you will break, my friend and I'll be free as a bird-

It was mostly a joke, but a small part of my brain still hoped to gain ESP powers one day or another.

I wasn't sure if that body would have even been able to bear such powers without breaking. After all, it was just some cheap junk the prison rented to his prisoners, while their main body rested outside for them to pick once freed.

- Nothing, uh?- I sighed and then got up.- Next time, I guess. Especially if today fails-

It wasn't the first time I had a plan to break out from my imprisonment , it was the ninth time in ten years. But this time, this time for sure I was going to escape.

I had a perfect plan, amazing preparations, and nothing could go wrong.

All I had to do was wait just a bit more. I touched my left pinkie, and everything was ready to go. My left eye twitched a little, but that was the norm recently.

And finally it happened

- Ac4050759- the robotic voice of the facility speaker called my name- as for your request, a committee will verify if you are able to rejoin society in the outside world. You are permitted to leave your cell- and the announcement was soon over

- Don’t mind if I do- I said as I left my small quarters, hoping to never see them again.

My cell was basically my life for so long that I almost forgot where I lived before. It smelled like shit, and if didn’t manage to disable my nose sensors at night, I would have never been able to sleep in a place like that. I wasn’t going to miss it.

Next to me, other cells opened up. Some of those with with inmates going to their parole commission, like me, others going to their hard labor turn.

I wondered if the prisons of the past, when people had their actual bodies, found some purpose in doing in those works, like making roads or even satisfaction through labor. Because right now they only were used for some useless menial tasks, like one-day moving rocks or digging holes in the ground just to fill them right after. A truly amazing exercise in futility. Well, that only partially affected me, since I was free to lower my body sensors output and enjoy basically no stress but my own boredom.

Which was driving me insane…

I reached the van, right outside the cell’s zone, that was going to bring us to the parole building, which was almost out of that big prison complex, too far and risky for us inmates to go on our own. Especially if we wanted to escape.

- Inmates, get inside the car- another robotic voice ordered us- Once you'll arrive at the parole hearing, you are going to be called by your name and you will enter one by one. The order will be decided when we arrive there-

I was the last to get up, just so I could be the first in the line. what the voice said didn’t matter, I knew for a fact that the order was actually already decided.

There were a total of seven other prisoners, beside me. You could tell their name only by reading it on the forehead of the body they were using since everyone shared the very same model. I didn't recognize any of them, so I didn't even bother trying to start a conversation.

Soon after we reached the Parole building, which was a seven-story office.

It was my third time going there, every time I was sent back before. But those were amazing learning opportunities.

The first time I realized they were never going to allow me out of there, not at least for free or in exchange for some other information I didn't have or couldn't share. This happened during a hearing, done by a virtual tribunal inside the criminal’s own mind, so they can have instant access to most people's memories if they are not careful.

The second time I learned that all the people inside the parole committee usually have their brains closed, so people like me can't just steal their Shells and run away, maybe leaving them to rot inside those shitty cells they are so prone to send others in.

And finally, the third time I verified that the only NET access is on the ground floor, but all connections are prevented from inside a prisoner's body Since they usually don't have a router or linked to the outside. They can only be connected by the safe means of the parole committee.

-Ac4050759 – the robotic voice said. I was, like I hoped, the first to be called. Waiting was never my forte.

Soon after I was escorted by two guiding machines, both armed with some taser, to the elevator and next to the place my trail was going to be held.

It was on the very last floor of the building, in a very beautiful glassed room. I was finally able to see the outside world for the first time since my last hearing, and if the body was actually equipped with tears, I was sure to have some ready to bust. Seeing the sun right in the sky was amazing as I remember it, or even better.

No, that was not the time to be sentimental, and my audience was ready to get it going.

Five people were in attendance forming a small circle in front of me, each of them wearing a black robe, probably to mimic the judges of old. Or something like that, I was never much interested in history lessons. But some of them had really detailed bodies, with even colored hair and eyes.

Of course, it was rich people in charge, as usual. The one starting talking was using an old male model, with a stern but firm voice.

- Inmate Ac450759, as you requested you are admitted in front of this committee- The central judge commented and then started listing my crimes and glories- You were found guilty of: hacking in several public and private servers, impersonating other people on the NET, stealing and reselling information, records of various kind, too many to mention in detail her and... - he double-checked his files before saying it -and even impersonating a deceased dog- again he stopped to read it again, not sure if it was correct

- Well, that's a very complex story, you don't want to hear it right now. But I can say it was absolutely necessary …….and hilarious- especially because it actually worked as intended. Maybe one day I'll write it down, meanwhile, the judge kept going

- Ok, then: you were also found guilty of hijacking bodies without permission, faking your own death, insurance frauds, criminal association, and virtual terrorism. In short, you are what we call a ''Breaker''. Too bad you can't do anything in your current situation- he finally concluded by mocking me and then continued with my current sentence- You are currently convicted for two hundred and fifty-two calendar years in this very facility. You only served ten of those but you requested the audience this time, so you are finally ready to talk about your employer or boss, the mysterious individual only known as GX ?- that was the deal they wanted to offer me for so long. A discount on my sentence in exchange for any information on one of the most wanted criminals currently on the Earth Sphere, Too bad my life was as good as gone the second I talked about them directly.

- They are not my boss, I just had a couple of contracts with them. One of which resulted in me being here- And that was what I told them the last two times as well. I didn't have any love for GX, but my integrity as a professional wouldn't allow me to betray them. Trust is everything in this business, after all.- Yes, I'm ready to talk, but before we start I have a question for you guys-

- What it is ?- this time it was of the other judges, using a female body model on my far right, probably intrigued by that breach of protocol.

- Can any of you fly?- and before any of you could actually react to my question, I was already enacting my escape plan.

I planted the left pinkie finger in the right eye of my head. The whole center mainframe of my borrowed Shell was right there and using the finger as a key, I managed to unlock my hotspot capability. After all, if I was about to be connected to the judges, it meant it was false that the bodies had some connection capabilities already in use, even if limited. But I had no way to connect to other inmates without risking being discovered inside the prison and nobody can possess robots. I also couldn't be completely sure that this model was able to access the net, even with the connection on this very ground floor. So I did the only thing I was sure of.

I connected on my own terms with the parole judges. And unfortunately for the female that just spoke to me, she had the weakest firewall. In less than a second, I was inside her body. A small note, the main judge wasn’t even using a shell, it was his real damn body. Wow.

- This is why you should upgrade your virus protections every now and then- I commented in her voice while the other people in the room didn’t realize what was going on. Not even the person I was hijacking the body, while she was put inside my former prison Shell.

She just started looking around the room, confused. Before she could say anything, I jumped up from the chair. I closed my current connection. I still couldn't access the net, and I didn't want to risk getting broken in, small the chance may be. But I also knew I wasn't going to be able to just waltz out and run away with that Shell like nothing happned, soon my trick was going to be exposed.

There was only one possible route to freedom.

The windows were closed and locked with an actual key, something from antiquity, and exactly what stopped me from jumping right away. But, after putting the body muscle output to the max, I grabbed the chair and the glass was broken soon after,

-What the hell are you doing, Heleonor?- the old judge yelled at me, not understanding the situation

- Even a given name, you guys are amazing- I commented laughing it off, and then directed my attention to ''Heleonor'' currently in my former body- I hope you got some insurance, this body seems like it cost you quite a bit-

- STOP- everyone else yelled at me

But I was already in the air, flying. And we are back at the start.

Ok, maybe ‘’flying’’ it’s not the correct word here. But I was at least falling with style.

- 2,5 seconds before I destroy this body- it was a correct estimation, revised with that shell calculation, so I opened up my connection and was ready to join the NET.

One second later still nothing, so I had to super lower my time perception, hoping that would help me somehow

- Come on, please- I prayed. I don’t know to who or to what. But I did. After all my genius plan was about to end with my death. A very stupid death.

Nothing.

I was starting to hit the ground, I could feel the pain slowly taking over the shell, even with all sensors dulled, there was no way to completely cut them off if I wanted to stay alive. But if I didn't I was dead for sure of either the shock or the literal destruction of the shell.

-Decision, decision – I panicked inside my head, ready to shut them, in the hope of somehow surviving.

But I didn’t need it in the end.

A second later it was night, on the other side of the world.

- It worked, it bloody worked. I'm freeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee- I was so happy I didn't even notice something was odd, distracted by the skies of Neo-Tokyo.

I was in a dark alley, with a street lamp flashing every five seconds, almost sure ready to die and in dire need of replacement. But that wasn't anything weird, as public investments were low in almost every place of the Earth Sphere.

No, everything was just so damn big. Too big. And I'm not talking about the night sky, lit by a huge city's lights, and no stars in sight. No, I meant literally: my perspective was so low on the ground that I just assumed my current body was laying down. So I tried to flex my legs out of reflex, but I just dropped further down.

- What the hell is going on- I panicked and only at that moment when I tried to take my hands to touch my face to verify everything was ok, I realized the truth.

What reached my face wasn't a human hand, but a cat paw! I didn't transfer my conscience in a normal shell but in a feline shell! I was now a black cat.

- Wait, how did I not realize I even had a tail seconds before?- I commented

- Ace?- a voice asked behind me, and I instantly turned over.

It was CD1512754, also known as Cid. My long lasted partner in crime. He was in his old and busted shell, the same he had ten years ago, when I last time I saw him, right before my failed work and my arrest. Still, he looked miserable and not a bit happy seeing me out of jail. And I was the one that should have more than one complaint to him!

- Cid, This wasn’t part of the plan, you were supposed to keep my old shell ready at any time! I was even paying you- I rightfully complain to him –And why the hell I am a damn can ???!!?? -

- Your old shell was sold, I am told, to pay your debts to GX- He explained, while that two-letter word was enough to block my rage and start coping- Since you failed your last work, they lost a huge sum of money, and they are blaming you for it. I even had to firm a personal contract….-

- This makes no sense, has nothing to do with me, and doesn't explain the cat shell!- I wanted to keep going but was unable to.

- Sorry, Ace, but I have to obey them- he pressed a switch that blocked all my external movements and froze me in place- But don't worry, you can ask them all the questions you want, we are going right now to GX's current place-

- Please, anything but that- I yelled- Please, someone helps a poor cat-

Nobody was around, and even if they were, nobody was going to go against GX.

I was screwed.

After passing two secret doors, one sewer entrance, and another couple of stuff I don't even know how to describe because they took the effort to put a blindfold on my eyes, as well as those of Cid, we arrived at what, I presume, was GX office.

Two huge muscular shells were guarding it, and were about to check if we were carrying weapons, but were stopped by a deep voice from the other side of the metal door,

- Let them in, one of them is an important guest- GX said from the other side

I knew it was them because it was the same voice modulator I already listened to when accepting that damn job. The one that had I just spent ten years of prison for.

And so we entered and it was something out of an old movie: Gx was sitting in front of a desk like a mafia boss or even a commissioner. Both things one could say they did in the city of Neo-Tokyo, they were law and order for at least half of his population, while paying up the other half to not get caught. Of course, that didn't mean they had no enemies: every major mega-corporation wanted their head on a stake to claim some legitimacy with the Earth Government, and probably every criminal desired to take their place. But here they stood, time after time, years after years. Some said they were over two hundred years old.

Everybody in the underground world at least respected them for that.

The body they were using had a mixed feature from both male and female shells. Huge lip, long hair, but also big strong hands. Those I was sure killed more than one person before, and I didn’t want to be next for any reason.

- So, you are finally out, Ace- GX clapped slowly at me, while I still blocked from what Cid did before- I honestly expected a breaker like you would have been able to escape way sooner-

- Well, and when I got out I expected an apology, not being forced inside a damn cat- I answered, finally accessing my controls that were blocked by Cid , and I freed myself and started moving around, jumping right on GX's desk. Most people were too afraid to say anything, but that was the best way to get used and abused. Faking some courage and a bit of stupidity are always keys to success. If I could put at least some doubt in who was in control, that was the ticket -

They didn't even react to my bravado, they just calmly responded- That little number caused me to lose 300 million of Edollars-

- Most of the information you provided was either false or inaccurate. I went to damn prison because you didn't give me the correct ES Key number, I could have died- I kept insisting, while also exaggerating a bit. In reality, it was mostly my ego that got caught by scooping too much at some Earth Government secrets on the Ion Sphere, but there was no need for Gx to know it- Not only that, but you even stole my unique shell!-

-Stole? Do you think I need something that old and useless thing like that?- Gx seemed weirdly pissed by the comment, and was eager to clarify- I just took it as small collateral, and was keeping it safe for you once you got back-

- How kind of you- I apologized in the politest tone I had- Then it means I can get it back, right?-

- Sure- They laughed- As soon as you pay me back 300 million you own me!-

A knock came from outside and Gx corrected themselves

- Right, I meant 300 million, plus the interest debt from ten years- They calculated a bit, paused, and then continued- I can give you a discount, but you still will have to pay me 500 million of E dollars, down to the last coin. Cash or certified Netcredit are fine of course. But you have to pay right now. If you don’t, well, I can say you’ll miss prison like you wouldn’t believe-

Of course, they knew I didn't have such a large sum of money, not even in my wildest dreams. Sure if I robbed a digital bank or put some huge scam, maybe I would be able to pull it off, but not easily and not in less than a couple of years or even decades, depending on methods, and of course, that was an almost sure way to get arrested or worse, if I crossed the wrong people. I was also meddling with the most dangerous being right there and now. I had no way out.

- I don't have this much money, but, as I said before, it wasn't my fault about what happened- there, I hesitated and it was now too late. I was at their mercy, hoping for narrow salvation to escape certain slavery. I'm sure my expression betrayed a complete defeat, right on my face.-

- We know, and we also know that what was done with your '' friend '' there, is not possible. If we put a collar around your neck, you are going to be useless or even find a way to break the contract in the long run- Gx said, unexpectedly, so much that I revived- So, we have a job for you. A single, suicide job only the greatest Breaker on the Earth Sphere can pull off. Do that, and not only you are free to go, but I'll also even give you back your former shell. Not a bad deal, right?-

- You had me when you said ‘’suicide job’’. I’m not going to lie, GX- and so I accepted a new contract. This time I wasn’t going to fail it.

One of the two grunts from outside came inside the room, carrying a holographic projector. Something straight up from a museum if you ask me.

- Can't we just share images and plans inside a closed NET portal?- I was genuine in concern, it was going to take some real-life minutes while doing it on the NET would just feel like that, while only lasting some seconds.

- You take me for a fool? I’ll never open my connection with people I don’t trust, especially you of all people- Gx commented, even a bit surprised by my question- If you are hoping to take me by surprise, you are centuries too young, kid.-

I wasn’t, but it was better to not correct that mistake. As I said before, being at least a bit feared was a good position when bargaining.

The projector started doing its job by displaying a multi-layer medical facility. One I have never seen before in my life.

- This is the Einzberg Cryo Sleep Facility or ECSF for short- they started explaining- I want you to recover a body here, stored on the fourth floor underground, right here- and then pointed out to it on the map.

- What, those kinds of places still exist? I thought they were all gone out of business by the middle of the 22nd century- since the map displayed in real-time even dates and current staff, delegated to each floor, it was almost live broadcast -

- Most of them are out of business, and this too has left only a third of their previously held people in cold sleep. Around a couple of thousand are still left there. - GX responded.

That was almost a mystery worth checking out once I was free. Facilities like those cost millions every day just to maintain, no doubt they had some big corporations and powerful individuals backing them. But it was not the time or the moment, so I asked instead

- What do you want me to do, exactly?-

- You have to wake up one of the guests - and, before I needed more information, Gx continued- You have to get inside the ECSF, physically and open all doors. I was able to corrupt almost half of the people currently working there, but some of them had proved behind even my capabilities. So you can't just waltz in, you have to be at least a bit sneaky. Luckily your current body is big enough to enter the ventilation system and the person in charge of checking nothing passes through those, is going to look the other way when you do-

- Wait, go back for a second - I interrupted GX- why can't I do this remotely, again?- going on places wasn't exactly the strong point of a Breaker, someone that usually just watches from afar

- Because the system is not only off from the NET, it has one internal connection but that's it. All of this is normal from a security standpoint, but also every single cryo-bed was activated on a different time so, they kept their original terminal separated to not create any confusion. You have to be physically there and connected to open it. Try thinking ''open'' while watching your tail-

I did, and the tip of the tail turned in some kind of old drive.

- it's called a USB, 21st-century terminal port technology- Gx kept going- you have no idea how expensive was to get it. So think ''close'' and don't even try to play with it until you are there. You won't have another- I obeyed and it went back on being a regular tale. Still, I was sure, being something so antiquated, that I would have been able to easily make one myself even if it broke. But I had other questions.

- So, my job is basically to enter the facility following this path, awake this person and that’s it, right? I don’t have to take them outside?- I asked them. GX nodded.

It didn’t look like a difficult job. Or one you would require a specialist like me to do. So I asked- Is that system that challenging that requires specifically me to go?-

- We don't have much data on it, but we only have one shot at this and you are the only one I'm sure can pull it off- Gx responded.- And you are the only top breaker that owns me big-

Still, it didn't sound like a suicide mission at all. Well, ''beggars can't be choosers''. I think it was the title of some ancient song or something like that.

- The room is private, right? So it’s only one person? Who is ?- It really was an easy job, I didn’t want to make careless mistakes.

- She is a girl, around ten years of age. You don't have to know anything else, she is the only one there- and they were particularly harsh in that sentence, so asking anything other things about her seemed off the table. Like ''Why her? What do you want to do? Are you going to ask for a ransom? Sell her organs?''. I felt those questions would have been too dangerous to ask, so I stopped myself.

- I already have a team ready inside, ready to retrieve her '' - Gx kept going instead of me- I only need you to open the cryo-sleep bed, making her go to the quick rehabilitation program and open the door. After that, your job is done. Quick and without pain-

- Very well, how much time do I have to prepare?- that was my last doubt

- All the time you need, but every day you don't go there, your interest rate goes up by a point. I'm not so sure one job is going to be enough at that point- Gx laughed smugly with their full teeth visible. Most of them were made of various metals, from gold to carbon. Probably they were just another weapon, more than anything else.

Gx really wasn’t the person you want to own money to.

The very next day I was already in the vents.