Cross-Reality Division: Intro

Wish rolled her eyes as Zen’s driving started to slow. Scouting the area the moment they so much as entered. “It’s the largest firewire pit in the world, Zen, Hardly an underground drug den.”

“It’s the ruins of once a great city filled to the brim with idealists and dreamers who would rather break down society than deal with a little hardship.” Zen scoffed.

“It’s the remnants of a shelter that was once taken care of, and housed some of our most creative and flexible minds. An incredibly prosperous city that had it’s very way of life uprooted in a day.” Wish recalled. “No warning, no preparation, nothing on the news, a whole economic system just… gone.”

“Those laws were…. Well anyways, we’re here.” In truth Zen thought better of responding, especially considering the kind of info they were going to need. “You...you alright?”

“I..guess yeah… let me just… get it together...” Wish stated.

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12 hours earlier
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The Dr. Bort Ruribind’s murder scene looked more like a still painting to Zen, but that just made him all the more curious what Wish was seeing. For the time being Zen could only recall the stories his dad told him, and watch Wish replay the virtual horrors. Impatiently waiting to hear the details he counted the cycles. Flinching in surprised he rushed to Wish. Much as he hated her attitude at times, he felt a little relieved when she chose to reply “I skipped the last one, dad, I know.”

“You’re dad is probably the one who taught how to be a smartass.” Zen fired back. “What did do…. Was he actually?”

“He….” Wish paused. “The government locks are tough, but not impossible. Ruribind’s was unbreakable…. So why?” Wish tried to recall, but she was still out of it.

“Wish…” Zen processed what little intel he had gathered. “What you’re saying doesn’t make any sense.”

“What i’m saying .” Wish responded leaning on to Zen a bit as they stood up. “Is that one of, if not, the smartest mind of century disable his own self made brain-lock. And whether his assailant know that or not, they definitely had access to some highly protected files.”

“So he is dead?” Zen questioned and Wish shook her head. “You realized that was one of the things we came here to-”

“Yes!” Wish yelled for the first time in years in all the years she had been Zen partner.” Yes, I do. But I cycled that scene 3 times and…. It was all so… he was ripped apart, Zen, limb from limb. Then they ransacked his body like… like it was just some filing cabinet. But there wasn’t as brain? Somehow? And I don't know where it went and-”

“Easy, easy.” Zen cut Wish off. “It was just Augment, Wish. You’re back with us now.”

“I was born in Augment.” Wish stated. “Raised to know Augment. Inside and out. That wasn’t just Augment. Doctor Ruribind’s MIND. memories, knowledge, his entire personality. Is separate from his body! That’s not” Wish took a deep breath. “Shouldn’t be possible.”

“It does explain the awkward silences and unusual isolation though.” Zen sighed. “So 2 mysteries solved.”

“Only about 12 more to go.” Both, Zen and Wish, finished and chuckled.

“Just another day in the C.R.D.” Wish sarcastically cheered. “Never a dull moment with us, huh?”

“I gotta admit.” Zen stated. “It’s got all the interesting case, alright.”