There was no time to waste, Darkgeek quickly gathered the essentials around the apartment that they would need, ready to embrace a more nomadic life. His biomechanical hair wasn't fully operational yet, but a built in storage compartment near his trapezius muscle was, and which just so happened to also doubled as a cat canopy for Beanie Toe. Snatching up some basic cybernetic tools, cat kibble, and his superuser Fiber Phone, Darkgeek headed out of the apartments just as the morning sun was beginning to rise.

  Diceil took the elevator for the last time down to Fivvy Centennial Apartments’ ground floor. This would also be the last time Diceil Garret Rockmore would see his old man neighbor Jeff. The steel doors slid open, and this newly formed roided-out cyber creature of vengeance stepped in with a weighted thud. Jeff was quiet, staring at Darkgeek, as if trying to determine if he was a threat. A silent descent down. No words were spoken, only the sounds of belts and chains humming as the metal box descended. The air felt heavy. When the doors opened, Darkgeek walked out for the final time:

  "Later Jeff..."

  As the elevator doors closed, Jeff continued his own conversations unfazed, forever Jeff, forever shattering expectations.

  Darkgeek grabbed a Texas Hawk bus and headed towards his first objective: AquaFrack Headquarters out in Sour Lake, Texas.

  ~~

  Arriving at night on the outskirts of Houston, Darkgeek needed to take one more transfer bus for the last leg to his destination. With a few hours to burn, he took this time to get a few things from a nearby Drillgeon, a 24-hour convenience store chain with a focus on various hardwares and electric vehicle charging.

  "Ight Beanie Toe, you can chill on my shoulder, I am sure that canopy got a bit stuffy on the bus."

  Stretching forward and backward as to wake up his muscles, Beanie Toe emerged from behind Darkgeek's black and denim colored hair:

  "YAWWWWN… I AM GOING TO JUDGE WHAT HUMAN DOES. BATH TIME!"

  Beanie Toe, perched on Darkgeek's shoulder, began to groom his face and different parts of his body. After a few moments, Rawker lit up:

  "Hey, Beanie Toe, You're Sitting On My Camera, All I Can See Is Cat Butthole, Can You Please Go To The Other Shoulder? I Want To Look At What's On The Shelves As We Move Forward. K, Thx Bye!"

  "NOOPE!" retorted Beanie Toe, unbothered by the AI's request and continuing to bathe.

  "Hey! You Little Bombay Shi..."

  Darkgeek jumped in: "Calm down Darg… I mean Rawker, I got this. Hey Beanie Toe, I'm gonna move ya." Using his electro magnetic powers, he hovered Beanie Toe gently to his other, camera-less shoulder, and all was good in the hood.

  As Dark approached the end of his supply run, all that was left was to get some cyber coolant: a multi-purposed, temperature regulating chemical used commonly in both technology and cybernetics. With plans to do more modifications to his body in the future, Dark was set to drop off all these supplies at a cheap motel in the area before they took on AquaFrack that night. From a corner of the aisle, as Darkgeek was determining which of the many brands to purchase, a plump blonde haired lady with a bob cut walked up right next to him with a clack of her boot’s heels:

  "Howdy stranger! You lookin' like you need help decidin' on which cyber coolant ya need? Lemme help ya, I use this one right here."

  As she grabbed a purple and yellow bottle on the bottom of the shelf, Darkgeek got a better look of the stranger. Along with the bob cut, she also sported a clipped up part in the back, keeping one long lock of hair secured by some kind of scorpion-like scrunchy. It also didn't appear she had any modifications to her frame, Metal or genetic, quite a rarity in this day and age. Not even makeup restricted her naturally cute looks. But, the lady’s eyes told a story. This caught his attention: her right iris dawned a distinct hazel green of Scot-Irish descent. The other though, appeared to be grayed out, likely blinded by some kind of accident or birth defect. The lady's attire stood out like something akin to a classic fantasy-themed merchant you would see in medieval RPGs, but with a Texan twist. A blue and white blouse with bloomed out shoulders and a sturdy leather corset decorated her upper fantasy. Finely detailed Art Nouveau-like silver bracers caught your peripheral as a pair of white and black metal rings on her middle and index finger of each duke danced the song of sell for the wanna-be potion seller. That Texan tea touch came into play on the low: frayed and overworked denim shorts, a portable burnt leather worker's apron for tools, a Moldgenier’s textile creature made blended black leggings, and the classic cowboy boots. Country Fantasy.

  "Here ya go, Chicore Haze's Cybernetic Coolant without FPCs. Great stuff, I use it all da' time n’ my wares! Names Tessa Jendger, I run a lil' mobile shop called Valkyrie's Empire. "

  Dark reached for the jug, giving it a quick look over: "Oh cool, thank you, this should work. Tessa was it? You're a weapons seller I assume based on that shop's name? What kind of tech are you pitching me? Haha."

  Diceil was always nervous around women, tending to over talk and ask alot of questions to his detriment. She was attractive, yes, but with any kind of attractiveness, it also doubled as intimidating and distracting to any poor soul's ability to communicate. As luck would have it, he caught himself this time, making sure not to be as timid or overly weird (or at the very least, his perspective of what he considered as “weird” (It’s a bad habit, but something he’s aware of that needs improvement.)). Mayhaps his new identity gave him some renewed confidence in talking with people? Either way, he rose his thumb up and pointed at his chest near his AUX port in a cheesy manner: "You can call me Darkgeek by the way."

  Tessa, nodding her head with a nice smile: "Nada problem, you're very welcome Mr. Darkgeek! N’ yeppers, I make a livin' sellin' gear outta my XXL van. Though, I'd like to call dem' more defensive tech than weapons. Sellin' Valhallin' Shields as I like to call em'. Blocks dang near anything, n' HIGHLY customizable to boot! Morphable, portable, a boomerang functionality, and soo much more!"

  While Tessa was pitching her merchandise (as if she had planned out this whole interaction before approaching him), past events creeped into his mind: "Man, it sounds like those could have been super useful at that capital protest three months back..." lamented Darkgeek, as a tinge of pain crossed his face.

  Like the morphing shields she builds, Tessa too shifted: from her orchestrated salesman stance to one of bitter empathy: "That whole thing was all kinds of messed up… them poor mothers with their lil ones… it sent me into a damn tissy the day I heard it! They’d been through alot already up in those sorry excuses of the things we call hospitals?! Forced epidurals, unpaid interns in place of a professionals without your consent, and C- section city if ya can't pump dat’ child out quick enough! Hell, they'd even steal your baby if ya give them da' excuse to declare you an unfit mama because they didn't like ya attitude! Oh, and don't even get me started on the muck they pump into a newborn!" ranted Tessa.

  Sparks of an idea began to crackle in Dark's mind: perhaps, he wasn't the only one who wanted things to change? Perhaps, she was also at her wit's end? Perhaps… this merchant mama bear before him… wanted to take action just the same?

  "Damn straight Tessa! Those mothers and children survived all that trauma, just to be shot dead in the streets! Heck, not to mention the little ones who stayed home just to see their mom be labeled a terrorist! But hey... say, I wasn't gonna tell you at first but... I'm looking to start some mischief. I'm tired of just talking about all the corruption you know? I want to take action. You know, that mega corporation AquaFrack right outside of town? I am going there tonight with intent, do ya want to join in? It's time to rebuild what that company has become. It's time to get our water back into the hands of those that drink it."

  If you discover this tale on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen. Please report the violation.

  DarkGeek, thinking he could use the same tactics previously used on customers from his past, was met with someone far superior in the art of persuasion: "You sure that's a good idea hun? I'm upset too, don't be gettin' me wrong, but if ya hittin' a wasp nest, you'd best damn expect to be stung to all hell. What's the point of gettin' into trouble over drippin' faucets? There are far worse issues goin’ on in this world."

  Tessa's hawk-like eyes pierced DarkGeek's tough looking exterior as he felt that renewed confidence leave his body and his lips paralyzed. All that experience with customers over the years at Shook Fire Brothers didn't amount to anything when it came to convincing a self startup business owner. His amateur attempt at recruiting a like-minded ally had seemingly failed...

  "Take Courage Lady Tessa! For All Things Have Been Sorted, Analyzed, And Planned To Perfection! Wasps Bugging You? We Exterminate! Want Clean Water Without The Hassle? Join Us In The Revolution! Miss Jendger, My Name Is Rawker, DarkGeek's Super Ultra Mega God AI Assistant, And I Am Here To Quell All Your Worries!"

  "Uh....Why’s your shoulder screen talkin' to me? That's… Hella odd?"

  The tension within the air had finally been cut like a weed wacker to an overgrown lawn, clearing the way to progress. With Rawker taking on Dark's attempt at indoctrination, Tessa had begun to lower her walls and listen (allbeit, mainly out of confusion and curiosity).

  "YES HUMAN PLUM! MAGIC SKULL DEMON IS ODDHEAD!" chimed in Beanie Toe, still holding a little contempt towards Rawker for not letting him bathe on the slightly warmer shoulder from earlier.

  "And... you have a talkin' cat livin' in your hair?"

  An awkward silence sat for a few seconds before Dark quickly mustered up an informative, yet awkward, response:

  "Yes, yes I do, and his name is Beanie Toe..."

  Tessa, needing a moment to herself, threw her hands behind her head, cleared any previous emotion from her face, and gave a blank stare at the ceiling as she thought about what she was dealing with in front of her. After a few moments, a sly smile crossed her face briefly before turning into a faint smirk.

  "Ok, I'ma in on your "mischief" as ya call it. Gimme the deets and I'll show up n' join y'all's odd rebel party you got goin’ on. I gotta take care’s some errands beforehand though, but I'll be there m'kay? Hehe."

  Tessa was brewing something up. Still, Dark saw that the pitch was successful enough, and that's all that mattered at the time. Worst case scenario, she might attempt to out him and call authorities, but 80% of the time, it would just go on to be ignored anyway.

  "Ahh, Ok cool cool. Uh… Here, let me write down some details for ya and give you my phone number. We're gonna meet up at the burnt down Gregory's Garage on Hopkins Street at 3am. Be there or be a biscuit."

  "Cool beans DarkGeek." replied Tessa in a slightly flirtatious manner with a wink of the eye and a thumbs up.

  With information exchanged, they finished their shopping inconspicuously and parted ways. The plan was set. Tonight, in the dead of night, AquaFrack would be taken back.

  ~~

  After dropping off his equipment and supplies in the temporary High Tops Motel room, Dark and cat walked towards their destination under a different kind of night sky. The streets were in upheaved and horrendous conditions, more so than Austin. Used needles and bottles littered the walkways like spiked mines of lost humanity and guilt. Occasionally, they would walk under a dilapidated bridge, seeing several homeless people sleeping on the frigid concrete, surrounded by whatever they scavenged that day. These people needed help far more than what DarkGeek could provide at the time, both financially and mentally. It still saddened him even after what he had gone through, but with focus and determination, he hoped to prevent more Texans from suffering the same fate, less he might end up in the same position should he fail.

  They arrived at Greg's Garage. The previous owner, Greg, had burnt down the place himself a long time ago. When gas vehicles were still on the road, Greg would dump all the old oil and chemicals from his work directly into the sewer system, causing a lot of problems as one could imagine. As the story goes, a perceptive angry customer noticed his illegal dumping and loudly announced he was going to report him and get the place in severe trouble. Greg wasn't the smartest fellow, but the guy definitely knew how to get out trouble, even if it was usually crude in manner. This guy, after dumping all that sludge into the drains for years, threw one of his lit cigarettes down the manhole located on the mechanic floor, throwing the whole place into flames. He collected the insurance money, skipped town, and supposedly started a mobile car mechanic shop under a new identity somewhere far away. Greg always had dumb luck on his side, and likely lived a happy life enjoying various short-term hobbies and media.

  "Cool, this is the spot right Rawker?"

  "Yes Sir! The Current Time Is 2:50am, And I Don't Detect Anyone In The Area!"

  "K, guess we wait till Tessa shows up hopefully? Ha, not gonna lie, I'm a bit nervous… Say, Beanie Toe, let's play for a little bit! HAZZABAKITTY!"

  Darkgeek rubbed his palms together to make a sandpaper-like sound, creating sparks of electricity, bringing Beanie Toe to a feisty state. Beanie's eyes dilated. He hunched down, butt in air, ready to play.

  "WHAT?! MASTER, SHOW THING THAT MUST DIE!" Beanie Toe meowed, ready to attack the next thing that moves, cat eyes darting the area.

  Dark shifted a usb cord back and forth like a cobra in the air and on the ground. Beanie Toe, knowing little self control when it comes to speed, immediately went for it, slapping quickly and repeatedly. As time passed, Dark would use more usb cords in his play session with Beanie Toe to further drive him crazy, making odd and playful sounds. A little over 20 minutes had passed, and still no sign of Tessa was to be seen.

  "Oof, I guess it's just us guys then. Let's go ahead..." sighed Darkgeek.

  Removing the burnt out manhole lid, Dark powered an old dim LED light from his collar as they descended into the sewer tunnel and headed towards the connection to AquaFrack's sewage processing wing. Again, Dark entered the underbelly of Texas. Again, the same toxic booty-juice smell. But at the very least, this time he wasn't bleeding to death. After about 5 minutes of walking in the dank sewers, Beanie Toe stopped in place and looked behind them, tail flickering back and forth.

  "What is it Beanie?"

  Beanie Toe didn't respond, just focusing into the darkness they had just walked through.

  A sound in the distance was suddenly heard:

  Shhhaaannnnk... KUHA CLUNK!

  someone else had also just entered the sewers.

  "Shit, that's some Goddamn horror game fuckery right there. Welp, I ain't no bitch!" DarkGeek said, pumping himself up for a potential scuffle.

  "Have At Thee!" Rawker chimed in, animating like an English knight ready for a duel.

  Holding their ground and ready to fight, a single bright blue flaming eye lights up in the darkness and slowly approaches the team. Other colors began to appear as the figure got closer, mixes of orange, pulsating in various lines, swaying back and forth on the sides of the specter.

  Closer it approached.

  A faint machine-like hum along with the sound of steam could be heard.

  The figure was maybe 25 feet away at this point, about to enter into the light cast by Darkgeek's torch.

  Beanie Toe slowly walked towards the monster, tail up.

  "HUMAN PLUM. GIVES THE HEAD PATS!"

  As the creature entered into the light, it was clear from most of the outfit that it was Tessa from earlier. Though, she had definitely armored herself up and pulled out that defensive tech mentioned. Two round shaped decorated bucklers, pulsating with orange coolant, were mounted to her bracers. Her arms and entire chest-neck area sported silver scale-like armor, covering previously exposed skin from earlier. Creepiest of it all, she dawned what can only be described as a chitin-like helmet, with claws and pincers similar to that of an arachnid hugging almost the entirety of her head, minus a little plume of lemon blonde hair near the back top. A high-tech cedar visor housed where that flamed eye on the left rests, piercing your soul.

  Tessa, noticing the tension DarkGeek held, pressed a button on the back of her neck to detach the helmet, reverting it into a scorpion-like scrunchy.

  "Howdy! Did I give ya a scare big guy?" chuckled Tessa as she began rubbing Beanie Toe's ears.

  "Oh, you're funny! Why'd you show up this late miss business? I assumed that you would be here on time since running a shop usually requires some kind of attention to scheduling!" retorted Dark.

  "Oh, I was here at 2:40am, just off in the distance watchin' y'all. Hadda make sure I wasn't gonna get scammed ya know? Just some cybered guy playin’ with his kitty goin’ huntin’ in the poopways, totally normal. "

  Dark, realizing he was getting flustered, calmed down.

  "Er… Fair... Well, welcome to the party Tessa."

  Throwing her helmet back on, Tessa corrected DarkGeek:

  "Don't be call me by my real name hun, this’ some illegal stuff ya know? And I'd like to keep business runnin’ smooth."

  "Also fair... Not like I gave you my real name either, Ha. So... miss business, what do I call you?"

  With a scissor-like hand gesture, Tessa clanked 2 of her rings together, triggering her hair accessory. With her helmet fully attached and voice manipulator turned on, a hissing demonic-like voice bellowed:

  "Call me... Lady Hildrantine!"