Upgrading Boss

In his mind, the map was already uploaded, and the route was traced seamlessly.

Little Maw was a mere 480 kilometers away, a distance he could have covered in just under two days 'if' he possessed a modern vehicle of this era, rather than one from a bygone age.

Even though he has equipped the car with the latest fuel technology, allowing it to travel a hundred kilometers on just a single stem of gasoline, that technology itself lags a hundred years behind the latest advancements.

But, hey, if anything, Axel's beast is unhackable, unchangeable and untraceable.

Axel cruised through the alleyway, his immediate destination not Little Maw, but Vektor, the twin brother of Victor, the Ripperdoc.

Vektor, the Cybermechanic, was the one who originally modified his 'Boss.' While Axel might have been content with the upgrades, the reality of the New World he's living in demands more adaptation.

Cyber psychos, Authorities, and gangs are no longer the sole threats; a new wave of players has emerged—the Necro-bots.

The new wave players bring with them deadly technology.

Axel reached Vektor's shop, the garage door pulling up automatically as he drove inside, the door closing behind him. Despite the fully lit space, the sparkling color of the latest car was enough to illuminate the long room even further.

Loads and loads of cars—big and small, ranging from the latest models to the old, not ancient but certainly aged. The sounds of old technology echoed through the room.

Axel exited the car, and Byte found her favorite spot on his shoulder. Walking towards the large SUV, he tapped on the wheels with his leg.

"Axie, how's it going?" 

Came the voice from under the vehicle.

"Been better. Vektor, I'm here for the upgrade," Axel answered.

"Ain't I always the one?" 

He smoothly slid himself from under the SUV and stood up, looking at his customer with a confident smile.

Vektor was a large man sporting dashing rectangular yellow glasses. Both of his hands were Cyberware, essential tools for his profession.

They both raised their arms simultaneously and performed a quick, synchronized dab.

"Bytie, same old place, same old Bytie."

Vektor said affectionately as he gently caressed Byte's face with just one finger. The gentle giant's finger was large enough to cover her entire face.

Byte purred in response, clearly enjoying the attention, while Axel chuckled at the scene.

"Is it ready, Vektor?" Axel asked.

"No, no, no, Axie. The question should be, 'Is my boss ready for the upgrade?' And is your boss ready for the upgrade, Axie?"

"You damn well know my boss is ready. The question is, are 'you' ready for the upgrade, Vektor?"

"Hell yeah! C'mon, follow me."

Vektor guided him to the rear of the garage. Axel stole another look at his car, noting how his boss stood out majestically among the shiny cars.

"Here she is," Vektor announced, swinging open a door that revealed another garage.

Axel's jaw dropped.

"Vektor, you really pulled it off, didn't you?"

"You wouldn't be comin' here if I ain't done it, would ya?"

Axel approached the table where the upgrade he had commissioned lay.

It was covered with a sheet of cloth, but he could discern the pointed peaks and valleys underneath, resembling thorns.

With a firm pull, Axel removed the sheet and gazed at the upgrade.

"Magnificent!" 

"Right? Took me almost 3 days, man," Vektor replied proudly, a glint of satisfaction in his eyes.

"Been tinkering with the design you gave me. Had to pull the ancient structure map from the Arcanum since yours is the only piece to exist right now. Axie, let me introduce to you, your gateway to hell."

Vektor gestured towards the upgrade.

Axel ran his fingers along the surface of the metal behemoth, feeling its icy chill seeping into his skin. Yet, beneath the cold exterior, he sensed an unyielding hardness, as unbreakable as diamond.

"What will you name it, Axie?" Vektor asked, stepping closer to Axel and marveling at his own creation.

"You don't have a name for it?"

"I only build. Customers name it." 

"Hasn't anyone named it yet?" 

"No one rocks a massive, spiky rolling cylinder on their rides anymore, Axie," Vektor remarked, shaking his head. "It's a step down from the sleek automated turrets on modern vehicles. But yours would be downright majestic."

There was a moment of silence, the only sound the faint hum of machinery.

"Circuit Breaker..." Axel absentmindedly uttered.

"Circuit Breaker? Mmmm... tight choice, but why?"

"It's a disruptor. A game-changer. And it's gonna break through their circuits."

"Hell yeah, baby!"

"Vektor, hook it up. Let's put it to the test."

Vektor's shop was a labyrinth of cybermechanic equipment, wires snaking along the walls and shelves lined with gadgets of all shapes and sizes.

Axel pitched in, assisting Vektor as they connected the upgrade to his Boss.

Meanwhile, Byte observed from a distance, her expression betraying her disdain for the meticulous fitting and removing of parts.

Circuit Breaker was entirely mechanical, devoid of any electronics. Axel was adamant about keeping it off the grid, mirroring the autonomy of his car.

"Even with the availability of automated robotic arms, bots, and synthetics for hire, Vektor remained steadfast in his refusal to enlist their assistance, opting to handle everything himself.

His motto being, 'Only human touch is the best touch.'

Axel understood and respected Vektor's decision.

After a few minutes of work, Circuit Breaker was successfully connected to Boss.

Vektor's cybernetic hands whirled and whirred as he made final adjustments, ensuring everything was precisely calibrated.

Though Axel's cyber-upgraded hands weren't as strong as Vektor's, they were perfect for him. He valued flexibility in his work, unwilling to be tied down to a specific job. He knew that adaptability was key to survival in this New World.

"Ready."

Vektor declared with a satisfied grin, giving Boss a gentle pat as if sealing the deal.

Axel approached Circuit Breaker, now firmly attached to the front bumper, its steel connectors gleaming under the workshop lights. It hovered just above the ground.

He couldn't resist admiring the craftsmanship, his fingers gliding over the sleek surface with appreciation.

Tapping Circuit Breaker, he felt the cold, unyielding metal beneath his touch. With a gentle pull, the cylinder with its menacing spikes rolled smoothly.

Axel grinned, feeling a surge of pride, while Vektor stood beside him, sharing in the moment with an equally wide grin.

"This is a beauty. You are a beauty," Vektor exclaimed, giving Circuit Breaker an affectionate smack.

"Indeed it is."

They stood in awe of their creation for a moment before Vektor broke the silence.

"So, what's the gig, Axie?" 

"What... gig, Vektor? I just wanted my car to be able to protect me. After all, it's an old one."

"You were supposed to come in two days, not now. That too at night with your laziness. So you either got a gig or you've eaten something strong."

Axel sighed, knowing that Vektor had known him for more than a few years. There was no reason for him to hide anything from his friend.

Vektor wasn't going to betray him.

"So there's this fixer guy who wants to collect a Data card from a Data Broker in Little Maw--" Axel began.

"Wait, wait!" Vektor interrupted, raising a finger. "Does this involve the Authority?"

"Mm... yeah, why?"

"Then I do not wanna know at all, Axie. Nuh uh. Do not want t' get involved with Authority. That's your gig, not mine. My job is upgradin' cars and nothin' else."

Axel chuckled, appreciating Vektor's stance.

"Well played. Perhaps I'll bring you back a souvenir from my ride."

Axel teased, winking at the gentle giant beside him.