Chapter 8: Getting in motion 1

A few minutes later, Noah chose to sign in and surprisingly got a C grade Con Artist. She had just arrived at their apartment a few minutes ago and her glaring status page was the first thing to almost bedazzle them.

[Margaret Perkins(Pearl)

[Class: Con Artist]

[Boss: Noah Colie]

[Role: ]

[Affiliation: The Crows]

[Level 5]

[Exp 0/200]

[Health: 600/600]

[Energy: -/-]

[Stamina: 350/350]

[Personality: Cautious and Focused, Observant, intelligent and calculating]

[State: Normal]

[Skills: Gunner Lv2(Passive), Driving Lv1(Passive), Disguise Lv3(passive), Thievery Lv3(Passive) Persuasion Lv3(passive), Anti reconnaissance Lv3]

[Perks: Vindictive (+ 0.5% damage during revenge, stacks up to 20% when pent up for a long time due to remembering)]

[Traits: Attractive]

[Body Modification: D-grade symbiotic nano-tech suit(spine), E-grade prosthetic eyes (both), E-grade Cybernetic disguise implants, D-grade Intelligence augmentation chip]

[Balance: 0]

[Loyalty: 100%]

[Salary: 25000 per month]

________

Aiden and Noah both looked at Pearl's status page with speechless expressions they understood that there is a qualitative change when a gangster is regarded as C grade!

Mind you, this Pearl is a noncombatant class!

Pearl looked like an ambitious, intelligent, and yet playful woman, twenty-five years old, a mature age, with long purple hair, fair skin, and slender legs...wearing a dirty black bum short, oily grey tank top and combat boots. Her purple eye scanned the room silently despite looking like someone who just escaped from a mine.

According to her, she had been couped up in an underground tunnel for a few days and ended up here due to a lack of oxygen.

Pearl unfolded her arms and brushed back a strand of hair from her forehead, a pure smile appeared on her face.

"Boss, I think I might need to shower and a change of clothes!"

Her words made the twins frown as she was the first to make such a request...

Noah casually explained a few things and she trotted to their room courteously and opened the door.

After she walked out, Noah looked at his twin and said, "The house won't be able to contain all six of us..."

Aiden remained silent for a while before saying, "Look, we'll have to split up and work on things... Besides our group is kinda big now, so moving together shouldn't be too frequent for now.

First, we pay all of this month's salary and get that out of the way. That way, they can get clothes and accommodation, and then you and your guys can go downtown to work on the safehouse see Dr. Rivers, by the way, it's been three days and he says he's almost out of chips.

Secondly, I'll have T-Bone check out Virone while I explore the black market buildings marked on the map with Cain and try to get all the materials needed, weapons too, and probably work on some form of identification for them if possible.

Thirdly, we might need to get some cheap cars"

Noah frowned slightly but nodded instead as the plan seemed reasonable," Sure, we will work with that. If there is anything, anything at all, you call!"

Amused by his reaction, Aiden tapped his shoulder lightly with a nod before calling in the rest and giving out orders.

___________

9:43 am,

The Automated cab drove into the busy city road heading out of the West Way district. Once again this attracted strange gazes from the residents, people from this area rarely used such services... Luckily, the glass was tinted.

Now, it was almost 10 o'clock, the rush hour in Spark City was still hot, and using the train would only make things harder.

But even still Aiden was blocked on 'mile 16' Road. In front of the cab, the road was densely packed, with ants-like vehicles. Behind him, the same was true... red lights, row after row.

The passage of time every minute and every second...

boring!

Aiden's hand tapping lightly on the side door became faster and faster, and the frown on his face kept increasing...

He looked out at the metropolis in front of him!

He noticed a few flight cars and bikes flying overhead at top speed.

This city, this world...is a paradise for the truly rich, the true power holders...

'Hehe soon, soon' Although he noticed that his usual character was changing quickly he didn't care, it didn't add any value to his life before and it wouldn't add now. Ordinary talent, ordinary ability, and ordinary family... he can only be an ant struggling in this city!

Indignant?

What can you do if you are resentful?

Ordinary people, after all, have limits!...

"Mr. Colie, there's an optimal route in the next intersection would you like..."

He replied impatiently, "Use it"

"Understood Mr. Colie, would you like some music?"

"No" Aiden ultimately spoke out with a tinge of impatience, it's not like he knew any good songs in this world, he has never had the luxury to enjoy them.

...

It was 10:30 am by the time he arrived at his destination with Cain. The man silently followed behind Aiden after opening the door...

[Green Citadel Bank (reminder): 650-star credits have been debited from your electronic account at 10:29 a.m., leaving a balance of 118,790-star credits.

It's a pleasure to know you are still with us Mr. Aiden Colie, stay safe out there.】

Aiden clicked his tongue before mumbling incoherently, "Tsk... They don't waste time do they? And why does the last statement feel like a curse all of a sudden? Must be my imagination".

He looked at the building in front of him that obviously looked like a restaurant with the simple name "Q". Again, this was somewhat unexpected...

In an attempt to calm down a bit, he looked around and noticed a few strange people lingering in the area, even a few 'Can head' or rather policemen patrolled the surroundings trying to look natural.

'Must be the protection arranged for the building, the cops in the area might be on their payroll after all the vicinity is obviously littered with criminals but nothing is happening...'

Striding inside, a female waitress in a white uniform strode toward Aiden, accessing his black top, face cap, and blackish-red neon cyberpunk pants. Behind the black face mask was a somewhat young face, The man following behind wore a hoodie and  face mask with blue shaded pants...

"Must be his bodyguard or something from the way they are walking..." Immediately a smile spread across her face as she spoke," Good morning sir, how may I help you?"

Aiden noticed her actions earlier and was thankful he had them wear clothes they bought recently, "I have questions but all I see is Q"

This was the phrase arranged for anyone who was interested in buying banned or unaccessible medicinal materials and weapons. There was a different one for other items, for anything you can't get here, you will need to go to the related place with the map.

Upon hearing Aiden's words, Her smile froze for a second as she hadn't been expecting it, she composed herself a little bit later before speaking up," This way sir".

She veered around and led them past the restaurant while nodding at someone who looked like the manager, soon they came to a strange hallway with three doors, she knocked on the last door and said "We have an alien".

A gruff voice came from behind the door "Open", the waitress looked at Aiden without a word.

The latter looked at Cain and nodded, indicating he waited outside as they planned before opening the door, the waitress sauntered away without care after that.

Click-

Upon going through the door, he noticed the interior was painted white all through with all kinds of weapons and equipment. Behind the counter sat a man who looked like he was in his sixties, watching TV while smoking a cigar...

"Just got a recommendation?"

"Yeah" a curt reply came from Aiden.

"Ah shii, should I feel sorry for you or say congratulations ... You young ones just keep jumping in don'tcha? Can't say I blame you guys... What do you need?"

Aiden silently chose to ignore the beginning of the sentence and responded to the last question,"Switchblades, pistols, Assault rifles and can I get some medicals?"

The man rolls his eyes as he answered back, "I hear ya, Aite?"

____________

Downtown Vale,

Crows hideout(abandoned warehouse)

Right now the place was undergoing some survey by an interior designer for their stand-in under the supervision of Noah and his little crew. Thanks to Aiden's choosing, the location was on the far end of this street, next to a failing barbecue spot and just a bit far from the market area, so it wouldn't attract too much attention for now...

It has been decided that they would be turning the place to something reminiscent of a fancy dorm with training facilities and whatnot.

A few minutes later, the interior designer spoke to Frank our stand-in with a smile and said, "I must say Mr. Frank, it's not a bad place as you said but the pricing would be on the high side as per your request, approximately 85-100k should do it... Any other expenses along the way, I would pass on to you".

Mr. Frank began sweating bullets as he looked in Noah's direction, he was unable to read his expression behind the nose mask and glasses but the beautiful lady calmly walked up to them.

The designer glanced  at the situation with slight suspicion, the woman whispered into Frank's ear before the latter finally spoke, "Mr. Lewis, Money isn't an issue but we'll need this done within the week"

Frank adjusted his tie before pulling out a handkerchief from his pocket and wiping his face, the prosthetic left eye flickered lightly while observing Lewis, Lewis on the other hand quickly made a few calculations and stated, "Sure no problem, we'll start as soon as you sign the papers and make payment back at the office or would you prefer I bring it here tomorrow morning with my people?"

Frank didn't react but chose to put a neon gum into his mouth and began to chew lightly, Pearl uttered while blowing away her cigarette smoke, "We would appreciate it if you could do that, thank you".

"Alright, haha I'll get started immediately" Lewis the Interior decorator spoke as he left with an awkward laugh.

The others silently watched him leave.

Frank Edgar, a cowardly businessman who happens to be in a tight spot was approached by the twin siblings a few days ago and offered to help him with redeeming himself on the condition that he works for them, "N...Noah, No, Mr. Colie you know..."

"Everything will be sorted out as promised by the weekend, just keep doing what you need to do " Noah removed his black shade in a casual manner and spoke slowly.

Frank nodded solemnly and left the warehouse.

"We don't need to stay here anymore, Pearl, I want you to find out everything you can about the small gangs or groups in downtown Vale, if there's anything of importance about the big three, find out as generously. Tony, you are with me... We have a doctor's appointment."