Classical music turned into jazz, and then more beats appeared, eventually turning into a full-fledged song. The best thing was that Atlas was controlling its intensity. The sound never went so loud that he couldn't hear his normal surroundings. Soon enough, he was listening to so old rock band.
"Alright, add the video now," he said. "Keep it in my vision, like a normal Neural Link would."
This ti, it felt less like processing information and more like letting it pass through his mind. He didn't fight it, that feeling, as sothing did appear in his vision. It was a full-fledged HUD that most people saw when using the Neural Link. Though they worked with optics and smart links to show health and ammo count as well.
His was very simple. It was simple, or more complex, depending on usage.
"Cypher, I am capable of guiding you through navigation, counting your ammunition as it is used, flagging enemies discovered through compromised surveillance, exposing vulnerabilities in hostile cyberware, and presenting escape paths when required. I can also mark nas and information on any individual you wish to search on CitiNet. For calling and ssaging, you will need to interface with , as all traffic will pass through my systems. In return, every communication you make will remain secure."
Cypher whistled to that. "Dang, sweet. That's more than most folks got out there. I can talk to you ntally? And I can talk to sobody ntally, while I'm on a call?"
"You certainly may, Cypher. I can also present their Holo avatars. I can run a model of you simultaneously and show it to them, as it requires no engagent from your brain. It is only primitive code."
Cypher chuckled and tried to speak through mind. He tried to speak to Atlas, but there was only intent. As if he were speaking with his mouth closed.
You know, Atlas. Arasaka Engineers out there would kill themselves if they heard their code being called primitive.
[I state only the truth. Their coding language remains inefficient and easily corrupted. The language that ford is unique, self-evolving, and improving. You should build every new device with it.]
Yeah, I'd do that, Atlas. Thing is, I don't get it. I just followed the steps when I made you. Understanding all that was beyond my single brain. I figure whoever invented your style of AI, it was a group project. And they were likely thousands of years more advanced than this world. Honestly, I'm amazed I even made you.
They could talk ntally; that was clear enough. It still gave Cypher strange sensations in his brain, but he reckoned he would get used to it eventually. If he could tolerate those damn itches, this was nothing but a sweet tickle.
[I can help you understand the code. And aid you write it.]
Sure, we'll get to that. First, I wanna try the call feature. Pull Panam's number and dial her, would you? About ti I talked so sense into her and warned her of the Wraiths. She's getting all riled and jumpy for nothing. Hot-headed as usual.
[I'll do that, Cypher.]
Cypher didn't need to physically speak, but he decided to do it. He heard the call ring for a few seconds. It was morning already, the sun was up, and he'd created more than a hundred of those Microbots, just enough so Atlas could control them and produce more on his own.
Finally, the call connected, and he saw Panam's face in the corner of his vision. Arms crossed, pride brimming, brows creased just as she opened her mouth and her loud voice cracked in his ears.
"You created… the fucking Moisture Vaporator?!"
"..."
That's what she wanted to talk about?
"Alright, sure, I'll take that as you saying thanks. But forget that and quit tailing . Do you even realize what you almost kicked off last night? Wraiths were tracking you, Panam, tailing you! Not random ones either. They belonged to Dogkiller, the main guy running the main Wraiths group."
He explained to her why they had to go through hell in that cave, who those extra Wraiths were, and how deep in shit both of them were. Before she could say anything in her usual fiery temper, he continued.
"They're for sure digging into that massacre. You worked with Nash last, so they're likely shadowing you nonstop, hoping it all lines up. I get it, you're tough and independent, Panam, but take my word and hunker down for a few days. Wraiths are just desert scavs. You don't wanna get grabbed by those psychos."
There was silence for a while. The Panam in his screen didn't have her arms crossed anymore, nor the usual strong face. Still, she wasn't so easy to fear.
Giving him just a nod, she spoke. "Thanks for the heads-up, Cypher. Now, this Moisture Vaporator. Is it really free to run? Any buried subscriptions lurking? So corpo paywall? Or does it demand endless upgrade parts just to stay online?"
"..."
The fuck's she on about?
"Who do you think I am, Zetatech? Fuck no. I said it's free, so it's free. You're good. Do whatever. Use it, wreck it, rebuild it. Your choice."
A big smile appeared on Panam's face. Cypher couldn't help but catch his breath for a mont. Yeah, she was damn beautiful.
You were right, Johnny. Damn hard to catch a girl like this.
But he tried not to be a creep. No matter what his second brain between his legs said, he focused on the one in his skull. Panam was great, but a risky woman as well. She'd either get him killed, or… well, he couldn't imagine otherwise. But he reckoned it'd be sothing nice.
"Mitch is going to be over the moon when he hears this," Panam exclaid, her voice a little higher-pitched, genuinely happy. "You have no idea. He spotted your na on the NC news feed about the Vaporator. Had verify it since… Obsidian is a corporation as well. You work for those suits now? CTO even? Mitch wouldn't stop singing about their servos, coolants, and heatsinks. Never seen him this excited since… I can't even rember."
"..."
Ah, Atlas didn't na as the owner on the site. I'm the CTO. Wait, who's the damn CEO then?
He quickly tried to talk to Atlas in his mind, only changing his intention to do that.
Atlas, who's the CEO of my company?
[It's you, Cyph.]
Huh? I'm both CEO and CTO? But it wasn't on the site.
[It was deliberate. A CEO is rely a manager of little interest. An inventor such as you draws every gaze. You stated a desire for na and fa, and I judged this course the most optimal.]
"..."
A bit risky, but… fits the madman scientist.
He focused back on Panam, choosing not to clear her misunderstanding. He thought it'd be more fun if Obsidian was bigger, with so heavy feats under its belt. It would be more fun to see her reaction then.
"Well, the patents don't cost all that much anyway. Just tell him to hit up if he's looking for a discount. I'll sort him out."
"You are a lifesaver, Cypher. Thank you. Still… Why would Obsidian release Moisture Vaporator to everyone on the street? I can picture it raking in billions if they played it smart and sold it properly."
Cypher nodded. Atlas had said the sa. "Obsidian's a fresh na, barely a blip. You know how corpos like Biotechnica, Petrochem, and SovOil roll. What're they gonna do to a tiny company ssing with one of their big money makers?"
"Makes sense. But will they still retaliate?"
"Probably will. Ti will tell," he said.
"Hey, Cypher…"
Cypher noticed her brows crease again, worry on the display, a rare emotion from Panam, especially for him.
"Cypher, you are the CTO. That ans executive level, right? I know you're not like others, as far as I know. So, if… if you are in danger and need help, ping . I cannot help you solo, but for what you did and this Vaporator… I'll talk to Saul if I have to. No matter the clan, you're a Nomad too, one of us, always. You'll be safe with Aldecaldos. I promise you."
Cypher was tempted. Really fucking tempted. Being alone sucked, and on so days it felt depressing. And Aldecaldos were a good bunch, and Panam was there, too. Saul was ass, but he knew the man could be reasoned with, given ti.
Yet, maybe it was his cynicism acting up, he found it hard to believe, or trust Panam's kindness. Both his life's mories told him nobody was this kind without expecting sothing. To his ears, her invitation sounded like a cheap attempt at recruiting him. Oh, look, a crazy good techie who worked on so aweso tech. Let's keep him.
No, the Panam I know wouldn't.
"Thanks for the offer, Panam. I'll think about it. Gotta go now."
"Cypher!"
Right before he cut the call, he heard her louder voice, and a shy look was on her avatar's face, eyes looking down, lips pursed for a second.
"Thanks a lot. I was too shocked to say it back then. I really an it, Cypher."
Cute. Not a bad way to start the day.
"No need. It was fun killing cockroaches with you."
Panam let out a big chuckle just as he let Atlas cut the call.
Still seated in the chair, he slanted back, able to see Atlas standing nearby, leaning against a wall. It was Atlas himself feeding that data into his brain.
"I'm a simp, aren't I, Atlas?"
Atlas smirked, speaking through the speakers as there was no reason to stress his mind uselessly. "An archaic term. But would not call you that, Cyph. Ms. Palr is unique in an unusual way. She is a remarkable woman. Strange yet… striking."
"..."
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Check out Cypher X Panam, Cypher X Misty, Cypher X Gloria NSFW ART, and advance chapters at [email protected]/MrPlotThickens Or Subscribestar.adult/mrplotthickens
Advance chapters on [PATREON] are in long-form format. I have 6 long chapters of this story on P@treon. That's equal to 24-26 Webnovel chapters.
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