Much Deserved Rewards

- 7th August 2138, Late Afternoon, Order of Judicators, GC Branch -

Returning to the lofty lobby of the Sewage Corps was rather embarrassing. Still dripping with the gore of the countless Rottalons I'd slaughtered. Despite the awful smell and uncomfortable feeling, the paint-like layer did the job of proving I'd indeed killed a rather large amount of them. It would take a single inspector to check If I'd completed the job thoroughly and completely. Which I very well had. But it was still quite weird to march into the lobby dripping with sewage and gore.

"Oh, hello there. You're back. And you seem to have brought your results back with you," the receptionist joked, waving her hand in front of her nose.

"I completed the job." I sarcastically answered, parading around the lobby with all the grace I could muster. "Your precious sewer is now clean of Rottalons. Or at least as clean as it can get." I grinned smugly.

"That's excellent. That's absolutely splendid." she said, handing me a small key. "Here. You will need this to enter the elevator. It will take you to a private room where you can wash up. Once you're done, I'll need you to sign the completion certificate. Then you can collect your reward and go."

"Oh, thank you. Thank you so much." I said, taking the key and pressing the button to call the elevator.

Upon entering, a spacious room with a washing machine, a sink, and a bathtub lay before me. There was a small box of detergent on the floor beside the washing machine. With various other cleaning equipment at the ready. It seemed they were prepared for this. A door at the end of the washing room led to a small open area. To the left of that was another room. I assumed it was the shower room.

After I cleaned off the sewage and debris, I made my way back to the lobby. Making sure to sign the completion certificate.

"Very good. You're all finished. Here's your reward." The receptionist cheered, handing me a small envelope.

"Where's the commander?" I asked, interested in where he'd run off to.

The receptionist giggled before whispering to me "He's at his daughter's birthday party"

How amusing! Though It made sense, what worthy father wouldn't want to go to his daughter's party?

Laughing myself out of the room, I noticed the effectiveness of the Sewage Corps' cleaning supplies, though I suppose it made sense considering their purpose.

I opened the envelope and found a token that I could redeem with my InfoComm. The token was worth a large amount of GEI-Coin, and there was also a card with it. The card had the words "sewer access" written on it in bold letters.

Perhaps this was a subtle hint that they would need my services in the future? Nonetheless, I decided to call it a day and head home to my student accommodation. I wasn't needed for a request for a few days, anyway.

-------:-

Arriving at my student accommodation, I noticed a letter waiting for me on the ground. It had been slipped under the door.

I opened it to find it was from the Sewage Corps, They'd sent a letter ahead of my formally congratulating me on my job clearing the infestation. It seemed I'd done quite well... Perhaps I deserve to reward myself.

Pulling out my InfoComm, I opened the communications function... Now... Who do I invite to my place..?

Fastening my eyes shut, I called a random contact.

Before the InfoComm even managed to ring once the call was picked up. How odd, whoever answered must use their InfoComm a lot.

"HEYYYYY ERIK~" shouted a loud voice from the other end of the communication.

This was clearly Siska, my clown of a friend. She always insisted on acting crazy at all times, with her dishevelled blue hair and unusual manner of dress. She made for a rather odd companion.

"Please be quieter, Siska." I complained, her shouting had a history of giving me headaches. Inviting her over may be more of a punishment, upon second thought.

Thought, dwelling on it a tad more. Perhaps she could help me find an EX-Foci on one of those online stores.

"I need some help. Wanna come over to mine?" I asked, bluntly.

"Uh~ Wh.. SURE~" she answered, stuttering a little before closing the communication. Out of character for her...

I could hear what sounded like loud thumping from the topmost floors . Was somebody having a party? It was growing closer and closer by the second. As the noise got roared louder and louder, it became clear that it wasn't coming from an upstairs party, but from something much more... Individual. Bouncy even. Until it ultimately stopped, right outside my door.

With a knock at my door, Siska had arrived at my room, and I let her in. The source of the thumping must have been here. Judging by the fact that it'd stopped the moment she'd arrived.

Her sense of fashion was rather strange, as expected. She was donned a frilly, colorful dress that clung to her trim figure, with a big, red bowtie around her neck. Her lips painted with some glossy blue lipstick, matching her azure hair. She had on some rather goofy looking boots that seemed to make rather comical thumping noises as she walked.

Clinging to her petite legs was a pair of colourful tights with a pattern that looked akin to paint smeared over a canvas. Her hair was in two big, blue puffy pigtails. Naturally, her machete was holstered at her waist, as always. She looked like something straight out of a circus.

Despite her strange appearance, she was still an objectively charming woman. Her odd eyes sparkled with mischief, and her smile was infectious. She was always up for a good time, no matter what the cost. She was also fiercely loyal to her friends and would do anything to support them them. Despite her strange demeanor.

"Hey, what's up?" I asked casually. Ignoring her rather strange clothing choice.

"THE SKY!. Nahhhh, Just excited to see my BUDDY~" she said, brightly.

"I see... Well, I require your help with something." I said, getting to the point.

"Anything for you! What do you need~?" She asked. Jumping through the air, landing herself next to me on my couch with a comical thud.

"I need to buy an EX-Foci. Do you know where I could get one?" I asked.

"Oh, that's easy! I know a REALLY COOL SUPPLIER!" She said, before showing me a page on her InfoComm.

She pulled up a website called 'The Black Market' and started browsing through the listings. As if she'd been prepared to show me this for a long time.

"HERE IT IS! This one seems perfect for you~" she said, before pulling up a listing for a blade-type EX-Foci.

"Woah, that's expensive..." I said, looking at the price. I could afford it, though It'd be a rather large dent into my reward money from the sewage Corps.

"What made you choose that one in particular?" I inquired, trying to ignore the price of the item.

Caressing me on the shoulder rather affectionately, she pulled up the image for the listing and pointed at it.

"It SCREAMS you. Erik look looksie~" She giggled, squirming in place on the couch.

This was a sword like no other. Its surface was covered in intricate carvings, and its blade was made of a strange, shimmering mauve metal. It looked sharp to a razor's edge, with a length around the span of one of my arms. Siska really did have an eye for weapons. This thing was badass. The description stated it could manifest projectiles of shock energy when charged, enhancing one's close quarters and long range battle power.

"I see." I gasped, taken aback. This was perfect. How on Neo-Terra did she know?

"Well, I gotta go nowwwwww! I'll see you later, Erik!" Siska said, as she bounced her way to the door. Giving me a strange wink. Leaning on the doorframe to say one last thing.

"Invite me anytime."

"Yeah, see you later. Thanks for the help." I replied, politely overlooking her unusual behavior, as I saw her out. Peeking at her with my amber flame-licked sight.

================

[Name: Siska Gacy]

[Age: 16]

[Mood]: Flustered

[Attribution]: Phenom

-[Rank]: A

-[Affinity]: Momentum

[E-Signature]: 171M

================

Again with the weird moods? What's up with this girl? I suppose a lot of bizarre things occur when somebody is brought up by actual clowns.

After Siska had left, I decided to purchase the EX-Foci she'd found for me. It cost a pretty penny, but it seemed worth it. I placed the order and waited for it to arrive. Overall, it seemed like the best choice. I trusted Siska after all. She only seemed to have good intentions for me.

-------:-

"Perhaps I should return her kindness someday..." I said, to nobody in particular. "Bah, maybe when I get stronger."

Having a strong friend was a good thing. Right? Somebody to depend on for everything. A pillar holding up everything around them.