Read Part 1…

Jane Brass stared at the map on the screen of her mobile computer. A red dot representing Glummy Jones, certified thug and generally unpleasant person, was entering the alleyway behind Corvick’s tavern. Inside, Jane stood up from her booth and booked it for the back door; she had to act fast. I guess Glummy ain’t no Dummy after all, she thought to herself, debating whether it was worth saying aloud. I’ll work on that one later, she decided.

The mobile in her hand began vibrating, indicating the tracker was approaching. Jane pocketed the device and pressed herself against the wall next to the back door of Corvick’s. She swapped the cyberette in her mouth for a yellow one from her coat and took a long inhale as the door swung in front of her. Glummy strode in, shock-pistol outstretched, failing to notice the woman tucked behind the door he had just kicked open.

“So, whicha you’s the lousy cyber-weasel who’s gone and… and…” Panting through his squashed nose, Glummy realized he was inhaling a stream of yellow vapor. “Hey, what’s the big idea, I…” He clutched at his throat, dropping the pistol to the floor and stumbling to his knees.

Jane stepped out from behind the door and kicked the pistol behind her. “Look here, Glum, I don’t think the fine people of this E-stablishment appreciate having weapons in their faces as they recharge,” several biker-borgs flashed their headlights, “so why don’t the two of us take a little walk.” She reached towards the coughing gangster with her right hand and grabbed the collar of his coat. There was a surge of electricity that threw her into some barstools, nearly wrenching her arm out of its socket. Glummy was thrown to the ground, gasping for air.

Of course, Jane realized, the charge dampened the tracker! That’s why my signal-alert didn’t fire until he was too close. She whacked her arm on the bar, trying to feel if it was fried or just rebooting. The stabilizers seemed to come back online, but the limb was still numb. The shock seemed to have the opposite effect on Glummy. He was catching his breath and scrambling to his feet. Jane cursed herself, I forgot they’re called the “Bolt Gang” for a reason.

Glummy snarled and pulled a toggleblade out of his pocket. “Brass, you stinking flatfoot, I’m going to gut you and fry you from the inside out!”

Jane needed her arm back online. She grabbed a bottle of Ov3rcl0ck off the bar and gulped a swig before Glummy could rush her. She felt her sub-digestion system redirect the juice to her arm, supercharging the reboot. Her reflexes came back just in time to deflect Glummy’s lunge. She dodged left and smacked his arm, diverting the laser-blade away from her body. Unfortunately, this put Glummy between her and the shock-pistol on the floor. Jane did a quick calculation, then pointed her hand at the weapon, engaging her magnetics at maximum power. The gangster dove for his gun as it slid across the floor then jumped into Jane’s hand.

“Look bolt-brain, I don’t wanna have to plug ya’ so why don’t you be a good little doggy and crawl on back to your masters.”

“Come on, Brassy, plug away! Gimme some more juice!” He turned towards her, giggling, and discarded his trenchcoat. His chest was glowing with electrified copper coils. “But I think it’s everyone in here who’s in for a shock!” Sparks crackled and began to erupt from the coils. Glummy’s giggling turned to manic laughter, but it was cut short by an ear-shattering CRACK. The coils on his chest were scattered and replaced with a gaping hole.

Jane turned to see Corvick holding an old-fashioned, powder-based, .50 caliber Desert Eagle pistol. He turned to the customers holding hands over their ears across the bar from him. “You see, to really get a quality sound from a weapon you just have to go pre-22nd century. I know a guy, if you’re interested. Now, Miss,” he looked back at Jane, “please drop that child’s toy beside the dearly departed. The authorities are on their way, I imagine.”

Giving Corvick a flirtatious wink, Jane sauntered over to the fallen gangster. She placed the pistol beside him, surreptitiously pulling her tracker off his leg and reaching a hand into his pocket. Then she headed for the back door, the informant standing to follow her.

“No, you stay here.” Corvick aimed at Fred-E, “I observed your meeting with this would-be attacker. Please, be so kind as to remain seated.” Jane frowned, but kept walking.

Outside, Jane estimated it would be at least 48 hours until Fred-E would be available for her questioning. She needed answers faster than that, especially once the Bolts heard about Glummy. Well, here’s hoping this thing ain’t fried, she pulled Glummy’s mobile out of her sleeve. She broke into a quick jog, still feeling amped from the Ov3rcl0ck in her system. I guess I have to get Rick involved after all.

To be continued…