The Copies

Karagi's sitting on a giant platform. Has the shape of those oil platforms but much larger and covers an entire piece of land. The thing about Karagi is that it is connected to Pacifica. A sister-city that is connected through bullet trains.

Deep down the bowels of Pacifica are storages where some might find important things. Some are valuable. Some are trash that should be cremated. One of the items that can be found in the bottom of the Karagi Platforms is a Marion Doll. A cyborg that has the chance of being a killing machine.

Deviation. Sentient Intelligence running rampart. The Marion Doll is mostly a copy of an engram of a test subject. One of those side quests that doesn't have much relation to the main quest. Been quite a while since I got myself on Karagi. Had to dig her out after getting everything that I needed.

Working alone is fine. But I needed someone who can act as a middle-man. So I dug up a copy of one of the desperadas. The professionalism of a maid and the skills of a hitman.

A copy inside a cyborg body. I tethered my multi-function bracer on the casing covering the sheet of metal then lifted it up. The cyborg was trapped in this pristine casing. I took out my bracer's cord, slotted it in, and then ran a diagnostic.

After a few minutes of interfacing I was able to get the Marion Doll running. Tried to run a few diagnoses when I felt like the one inside the doll, at least the mind inside of it was going to become rampant.

"Wouldn't do that if I were you. You risk rampancy. Which means TechWatch is going to be up your ass if they even detect a single one case of bad code. Your brain and heart is still implanted in the cyborg through cryo. Would be a shame. Your choice. Besides, I have a copy of your base personality here. Wouldn't mind erasing you if you decide to be uppity."

There was no reply. I activated the diagnostics check then verified that there's no problem in their system and then finished up. The cold air from inside the storage let out a loud hiss.

Inside the storage was a feminine figure. Synthetic skin. And Purplish hair. She has the right parts that simulates a feminine body. But her arms were chrome-- metallic and had multi-functions.

"Clothes would be fine."

"Here."

The cyborn inside escaped out of her storage. She wore a formal coat and dress pants and then stared at her limbs.

"You got contract software. Indefinite until released. Well, you did resurrect me. So I'll take it."

She deploys her forearm blades. Then switched her arms and deployed a launcher. She aimed the launcher before retracting them inside.

"I didn't think that I would have a chance in life. And to think that one resurrecting me would be Morgan himself. Did I luck out? You are Morgan, right?"

I took out my N9. She inspected the gun.

"Yup, that's your N9, alright. So, the contract in my head says that I am going to be your assistant. You're not going to just self-destruct me, right?"

"No."

I turned off my digital mask to breathe properly. She stared at me. Then crossed her eyebrows.

"Man, what kind of tech have you been using? You're young."

"Maybe I'm just a copy?"

"Nah, if Morgan dies, he'll take his gun with him. So either you got some otherworldly knowledge or you're a very good copy. Morgan or not. Guess you're my boss now. Quick question, boss. Are you sure that you don't want a meat puppet?"

"Meat puppet?"

She pointed at her 'parts'. I nodded quietly.

"Seriously, was it necessary to have a good figure unless that's one of my functions?"

"Probably intended. Losing your privates might have an adverse effect. Besides, you still need nutrition, having human parts."

"Right, heart and brain stuff."

She went silent. She stared at chrome hands.

"Resurrection. I cheated death. Have you cheated death, Boss?"

"Three times now."

"Huh, as expected of you. Anyway, I appreciate having a second chance. So where to now?"

"Back to the safehouse. You'll be handling some of the affairs. Oh, we're information brokers now, at least to a select few."

I called my hoverbike. It flew to my side. I took the handle. Marion sat on the back of my bike.

"Feels weird. Having this body. Feels like mine, but lighter and stronger. Another question, boss."

"Go for it."

"Why me? Could hire any fool. They'll be loyal if you just say that you are Morgan."

"I want to hire Marion Ethel. The desperada who almost blew the struts of Karagi. Who'd try to mess with us if there are two of us?"

I drove my hoverbike on the highway leading up to the first platform. On the side was the view of the sun resting above the sea of Karagi. Water transports on the top of water. Aerial vehicles following air routes.

Once we got to the upper platform of argi. I drove my hoverbike immediately to the location of the hideout. The digital cloak made it easy for me to pass through checkpoints. Not to mention that I followed a route that made it easy for me to navigate this city.

"Karagi added another platform?"

"They did recently. Attached prefabs togethers to form the platform. They built the rest of the platform years ago. Hundreds of thousands live there now."

"Boss, do you mind if I check on my kiddos?"

"I checked on some of them. One of your kids is still kicking."

"Got six of them. Who's she?"

"Trixie. The rest have passed."

"Oh, that's annoying to think about. You think she'd be afraid?"

"I don't think she will. Madam Trixie, she's known now as the mother of mercs of Karagi."

"Ah, no wonder you went looking for me. Planning to use me?"

"Somehow. Being an information broker doesn't mean shit if we don't have mercs who'd try to work with us."

"I see. You must have one hell of a spying network, Boss."

"You can say that."

"I want to visit my daughter."

"Alright, she's in the hideout anyways."

I drove my hoverbike to the hub. The first thing that greeted me was the sight of a kindly old woman standing next to a mercenary holding on to a rifle.

Trixie and her son named Nix.

"Boss, you're back?"

Hired Nix after meeting him. Got into contact with the Madam. Had a few runs here that made me legitimate. Also helps that I have the help of Nix and my information was spot on. Couldn't solely rely on my memories so I did my own investigation while keeping in mind what I remembered.

Parked my hoverbike. Then made sure that no one followed me. Lately, I've been addicted to keeping myself in check.

"I'd be. You are older than the last time I saw you, girl."

"Mother?"

Marion dismounted. She walked in front of Trixie with both hands on her waist.

"How's life?"

"Mama, is it truly you?"

She looked at me. I leaned on my hoverbike.

"She's Marion Ethel. At least some of her is. Specifically her heart and brain is inside that husk."

Marion nodded. She stared at her daughter.

"So, we cool daughter?"

"We are, mama."

"Please don't say that. You make me feel ancient. Are you sure that you don't want implants, Trixie?"

"I'm fine. It's a hassle and I want to keep my fleshy body."

"You got some artificial organs. I guess you don't want to have chrome as body parts."

Trixie nodded. She stared at Nix.

"What are you doing, foolish boy? This woman is your grandma! Our eternal benefactor! Pay your respects!"

"Yes, ma."

Nix nodded. He turned towards Marion.

"Matriarch, it is an honor to meet you. I have heard of your legends."

Marion examined Nix.

"So you married that asshole."

"I did. You were dead, mama."

"Tsk, well, I guess it's fine. What do I know? You probably have more experience than me now."

The three of them discussed. Marion, despite her young look, has the personality of a madam looking at her daughter and her disappointing grandson. Of course, her standards make everyone who can't keep up with her disappointing.

Still, they are merely the 'quest givers' that I am taking in as my accomplices. This act should dispel Trixie and Nix's doubts a little. I left them alone and watched from the second floor. My new hideout has a scenic view of the ocean of Karagi. It was only after two hours that Marion caught up with her daughter.

She clambered up and stood next to me.

"Didn't think my daughter would become a wise woman. Gosh, makes me feel like adopting those shitty kids wasn't so bad after all."

"So, are you joining?"

"I am. Not that I have a choice when I'm already in contract with you, boss. Besides, if we stay allied to Trixie. I don't mind being your assistant."

"I'll send you the deets later. For now I think you should take time to get yourself acquainted with your body."

"Thanks boss. For reviving me and all of that."

She left. I remained. I've been making moves here on Karagi for the past six months. Finding the right pieces takes time. Nothing mostly happened that needed my participation so I had to make sure that I got everything before the clock turns again.