Rebel 2 Page 10

  “Life sucks when it’s the same thing over and over. Sometimes you don’t have a choice though.”

  “…If I didn’t know any better, I’d think you were following me.”

  “Maybe I am. Then again, I work at Neon Claws, so you could’ve avoided me if you wanted to.”

  “Considering they banned me and my friend, I don’t think I’ll be stopping by again.”

  “Can’t blame ‘em. Pablo’s one of the big spenders and you punched him out. I’ll miss seeing you around. But knowing I won’t get any trouble from him makes it worth it… almost.”

  They smirked at one another.

  “So…” he said. “What brings you to Barb Wire? Are you following me or is this just the happening place to be?”

  Her smile had left her face. She looked around as if making sure nobody else was listening. Then she leaned in close, whispering barely loud enough for it to be heard over the rest of the bar.

  “I need to talk to you,” she said.

  Max had some clever retort on the tip of his tongue but the seriousness in her eyes made him hesitate. It was almost as if she was worried, he thought.

  “What is it?”

  “Not here. I… I need to talk to you alone. Somewhere private. I… I have to show you something.”

  Max raised an eyebrow.

  “It’s not what you’re thinking,” she said.

  “You’re breaking my heart.” A sarcastic sigh was followed by a roll of his eyes. “What do you have to show me that you can’t show me here?”

  “I…” She looked around again.

  “What is it? Someone following you?”

  “No. I’m just trying to be careful.”

  “Why do you need to be careful? If something is up, Sabrina… You can tell me.”

  She looked up at him. Her throat bobbed up and down as she hesitated again. “I know you’re battling Lotto at the Sanctum.”

  Max held back his surprise.

  “It’s not the biggest secret in the world,” she continued. “The battles are posted. Especially the big ones. It’s getting a lot of action at Reincarnation. Sharks are taking a lot of money on it.”

  “As expected…”

  “You’re a dog on the betting lines. Lotto is dangerous. He doesn’t fight very often and when he does, he always wins.”

  “I never take a battle lightly. Just because I’m wearing a BioHarness doesn’t mean I’m careless.”

  “I get that. But Lotto is different. He’s… He’s a Disciple.”

  Max narrowed his eyes at her. “You know he’s a Disciple? All of them keep a low profile. How do you—”

  “Listen, Max. I have to show you something. Please. You have to come with me.”

  If he were anybody else, Max wouldn’t have had any reservations about going with her.

  “Shit…” he chuckled to himself. “I’m in a new town. I don’t know anybody. Some brunette with somber gray eyes and a nice body wants to show me something in private. But you’ve gotta give me a better reason than that, Sabrina.”

  “I wanna help you win. To beat Lotto, you need every advantage you can get. I can give you an advantage.”

  The look in Sabrina’s eyes was desperate. But despite her apparent desperation, Max remained skeptical. He looked over at his friends sitting at the table and sighed through his nose.

  “Zigzag. Proxy. They’re coming with me.”

  “That’s fine,” Sabrina said. “I promise you. This is all about beating Lotto.”

  ~ ~ ~

  “This girl is a stripper, huh?” Proxy said. “They’re all about the creds. You sure this is such a good idea?”

  “I’m not,” Max said. “But we’re gonna have to trust someone in this town if we’re gonna figure this thing out.”

  Max walked down the streets of the Cobalt District with Zigzag and Proxy in tow. The area wasn’t as poverty-stricken as he was used to but he wasn’t any less wary about the people walking the streets. There wasn’t much of a police presence. There were still dark alleys between the polished steel buildings where the neon lights couldn’t reach. Despite the unseen threats around him, Max kept his focus on the brunette leading the way.

  “Over here.” Sabrina stepped into one of the dark alleys then next to a garage. She pressed her thumb against the lock on the door next to it and pushed the door open.

  “You live here?” Max asked.

  “It’s not fancy but it’s comfortable. Wait here a second.”

  Sabrina disappeared inside while Max stood in the empty backlot.

  “I guess this isn’t so bad,” Proxy said. “It’s away from the main street. A nice little corner nobody can find. The perfect place to get jumped…”

  Max raised an eyebrow at her. Before she could say anything more, the garage slowly opened up. Max peered inside after a light switched on. There he saw a couple of workbenches with electronic components strewn across it where Sabrina stood. A set of mechanical tools were scattered just the same. But what drew his attention more than anything else was the device resting on the corner of one of the tables.

  “Is that…” he narrowed his eyes as he took a step closer to it. A set of three tubes sat on a steel holder like a chemistry experiment. One red. One blue. One green. The liquids inside bubbled like a thick slime. Resting next to the device was a set of polished syringes.

  “Stimulants.” Max turned toward Sabrina. “This is what you wanted to show me?”

  “That’s right,” she said. “Boosters can give you the edge you need in a battle.”

  “This is crazy,” Proxy said. “Max, you don’t need boosters to beat Lotto or anybody else. I’ve seen you on the battlefield. I’ve seen how good you are—”

  “You don’t understand. Lotto isn’t just some guy with an ACE. Lotto has a lot of credits riding on him. He’ll do whatever it takes to win. If you wanna be the only person in the Sanctum not boosting, you’re at a disadvantage. Everybody is using.”

  “It’s too much of a risk,” Max said.

  “That is correct,” Zigzag said. “In New Austin, stimulant abuse is nearly as rampant as loot abuse. Excessive use can lead to irreversible organ failure. If you intend on using a stimulant for a boost, you will be spending more time in a regenerator after as a result, regardless of whether or not you are victorious. The cost of flushing your system would be significant.”

  “Not with this.” Sabrina picked up one of the electronic components on the desk. A small circular piece of steel with four metal prongs stuck out of it. At the center of it, was a barely visible hole. “It’s a Regulator. If you take a stimulant through this, the Regulator reads your body’s limits and prevents the syringe from injecting more. You only take as much as you’re capable of handling. Your body absorbs the stimulant and when you’re ready for another boost, you can take another one. Not only that, when you use a Regulator, the boosts are permanent.”

  “Permanent?” Max raised his eyebrows in surprise. He looked at Proxy and Zigzag for their opinions.

  Proxy crossed her arms and sighed. “I’ve heard of those,” she said. “They’re not common. I guess when you hear about stimulants, most people aren’t exactly taking them in moderation.”

  “Regulator technology is not patented,” Zigzag said. “Though I suspect the boost from a regulated stimulant will be minor as a result.”

  “It’s minor from one boost,” Sabrina said. “But over time, it adds up. Listen, Max… I’ve been studying this for a long time. I… I know how it works. I’m not putting you at risk. I promise you. If this gives you the edge in beating Lotto, wouldn’t you take it?”

  Max stared hard at Sabrina. But it wasn’t the desperation in her eyes that made him consider what she was offering.

  “Shit…” He put his hands on his hips and looked at the ground for a moment to collect his thoughts. “This isn’t about me. I’m doing this for Hudson.”

  “I want justice for what happened to his friend, too,” Proxy said. “If you
think this is the right decision, I’m with you.”

  “Zigzag?”

  “If the Regulator performs its functions, the risk will be negligible and you will only benefit from it,” the android said.

  “All right.” Max made his decision quickly. “Let’s do it.”

  Sabrina sighed a deep breath of relief and moved next to him with the Regulator. “I’m gonna put this on your neck near your artery where it’s most potent. It might sting a little bit.”

  She placed the device on him and the prongs sank into his skin. He clenched his jaw and grimaced from the sharp sting. “Shit… It’s like a fucking spider biting the shit out of me…”

  “The Regulator is setting its place. Now… you won’t get a big boost but you can choose what you want. Speed. Strength. Stamina. It’s up to you.”

  Max looked at the three tubes. “I guess that’s what those fluids are for…” Max moved closer to the tubes and inspected them. “I don’t know what to expect with Lotto. It might be a long fight. Stamina.”

  Sabrina nodded then picked up one of the syringes. Everybody watched as she drew some of the blue liquid. The ooze glowed like neon lights as she held it up.

  “This might sting a bit…” She pushed the needle into the Regulator and through his skin.

  Proxy watched with one eye open as Sabrina pressed the plunger down. The brunette kept pushing until the syringe stopped. “Regulator’s working… How do you feel?”

  Max sighed as he ran his hand over his neck. “No change.”

  “The effect should kick in before your battle tomorrow. And it should stay there once your body’s metabolism adjusts to it.”

  The sudden smile on Sabrina’s face was enough for Max to know he’d made the right choice.

  He looked to Proxy and Zigzag. “I guess I’ve got no excuses to lose now.”

  Chapter 14

  Mammoth Blast III

  Short-range concussive energy blast with tremendous force

  Energy drain: High

  Energy Shield III

  A heavy barrier that protects from energy projectiles and melee attacks. Drains energy upon absorption.

  Energy drain: High

  Recovery I

  Heal minor wounds and injuries

  Energy drain: Medium

  Fiery Arrow III

  Long-range piercing explosive energy arrow. Causes burning damage to opponent’s HP.

  Energy drain: High

  PASSIVE ABILITIES

  High Jump II

  Increase jumping height and distance by 50%

  Speed Boost III

  Movement speed is increased by 75%

  Max’s abilities hadn’t changed but he double-checked to make sure he read the rest of his stats correctly.

  HP: 100%

  Energy: 115%

  “Hmm… Looks like the stimulant made a difference. It almost feels like cheating…”

  “There are few rules when it comes to competing in the Vicious Sanctum,” Zigzag said. “I would recommend you have no reservations about the stimulant you acquired from Sabrina.”

  “I got no regrets. I just feel bad for Lotto.”

  Zigzag smiled at Max’s outward confidence.

  Hudson, however, wasn’t as amused. He leaned against the wall with his arms crossed. “Proxy told me about the Regulator. You know you don’t have to take any risks like that.”

  “The Regulator reduces the risk,” Max said. “Zigzag said there isn’t much of a chance I’ll suffer any ill effects.”

  “You trust Sabrina? She was just a stripper you met at the club and now she’s sticking needles in you.”

  “Last I remember, it was your idea to go to Neon Claws.”

  Hudson managed to give a half-hearted smile at the comment. “…It looks like Sammy’s gonna be all right. It might be a few days to get back to where he was but he should make a full recovery.”

  “That’s great news.”

  “That doesn’t mean the Disciples are off the hook.” Hudson raised an index finger up. “We find these assholes. We make ‘em pay.”

  Max wanted to tell him what was at stake in tonight’s match. He wanted to let him know he was right where he wanted to be. But he knew he couldn’t let the stress of it weigh on his friend.

  “This is just another battle…”

  Max put a hand on Hudson’s shoulder. “You’ve seen me fight. I’ll beat this guy tonight and then after, we’ll celebrate Sammy making a recovery.”

  “We’ll be waiting for you outside. Let’s go, Zigzag.”

  “Your victory is inevitable.” The android bowed her head before leaving with Hudson.

  Max stared at the entrance leading into the Vicious Sanctum. He took one last deep breath before stepping into the dark hallway. The glow of the neon red lights lit a path toward the steel grid in front of him.

  He stepped out on the battlefield and the lights flickered all around him with spotlights shining down from the ceiling. He ignored the chatter from the hundreds who’d gathered and pushed his earpiece in.

  “How are you feeling?” Proxy asked.

  He looked up at the Operator in the booth above him and nodded. “You getting the same reading?”

  “I think so. Says your energy is operating above your body’s standard capacity. The extra stamina from the stimulator means your ACE will have a little more to draw on. Doesn’t mean you can go crazy with your abilities though.”

  “It’s not just my abilities. Towers?”

  “There’ll be two active tonight. West and east like last time.”

  “Recommendations?”

  “I say prioritize a tower. It shortens the battlefield when there’s a spot he can’t step in.”

  “Ladies and gentlemen!” The announcer interrupted their conversation. “Tonight’s main event is a one-on-one battle between two outstanding contenders. Introducing first, standing in the southern end of the arena… The rookie taking the Vicious Sanctum by storm. It’s… Max!”

  Hundreds had gathered though only half of them were cheering.

  “You know, I think Maximilian had a better ring to it,” Proxy said. “I think you’d get more cheers if you went with that. Of course, Rebel was always your best name.”

  “Didn’t come here for the cheers.”

  “And introducing his opponent… Put your hands together for the one… the only… Mr. Unpredictable… It’s… Lotto!”

  Horns trumpeted through the arena speakers, loud enough to vibrate the walls of the steel grid. Max looked at the steel columns spread throughout the battlefield and saw them shaking just the same. The audience stood on their feet as the trumpets continued to blare.

  “Sounds like royalty is on its way out,” Proxy said.

  Max watched as a red carpet was rolled out from the pathway on the other side of the arena. “Good call.”

  The figure slowly emerged in the distance. A man in golden battle armor stepped out and waved to the audience. His helmet. His boots. Even his ACE looked like they had been dipped in gold. The jagged edges on his shoulders, knees and elbows only made his outfit look even more dangerous.

  “Looks like Lotto went all out on outfitting himself,” Proxy said. “I’ve got a feeling it won’t be just his ACE you’ve gotta worry about.”

  “My abilities are near max level. If I get close, I can get through. Worse case, I use the turrets.”

  “You’re right at home in the Sanctum.”

  “I don’t plan on staying here any longer than I have to.”

  Max rolled his sleeve up to make sure his ACE was ready. He stood his ground and stared at the golden man on the other side. He couldn’t see Lotto’s face because of his helmet, but Max knew there was a pair of eyes staring right at him.

  “Ladies and gentlemen… Let the battle… begin!”

  The trumpets ended and electronic synths replaced them. The audience erupted with cheers. Max rushed forward at the same speed as Lotto.

  “Heading for the eastern t
ower,” Max said.

  “Looks like Lotto’s heading west… You can secure your tower or stop him.”

  “Securing mine.”

  Max got to the tower as quickly as he could and placed his hand down on the tablet. The green meter began to fill up, showing him his control of it.

  “Uh-oh…”

  “What do you mean ‘uh-oh’?” Max raised an eyebrow.

  “I’m getting different readings from Lotto. HP is at 130%. Energy is at 150%. Looks like you’re not the only one who’s using a stimulant.”

  “Doesn’t matter. I’ll chop him down like the rest.”

  Max checked his ACE to confirm the numbers Proxy gave him as he finished taking control of the tower. The turret rose, ready to fire on anything that moved into its radius.

  “He’s got the other tower,” Proxy said. “Stay away from the western end.”

  Max turned around and moved to the center of the arena where Lotto was moving to engage him. They met at the middle, stopping ten meters away from each other.

  Lotto held his hands out, his head tilted to the side. “So… You’re the one Venom has been talking about. I have to say… Black leather jacket… Cheap armor… I’m disappointed.”

  “You’re about to be a lot more disappointed when I’m through with you.”

  Max raised his ACE up and shot a Fiery Arrow to stop Lotto from retorting. The man in the golden battle armor put his ACE up and blocked it, green energy surrounding him completely.

  “Energy Barrier,” Proxy said. “Good way to get him to use his energy but it’ll drain you faster.”

  “I’ve got a little energy to spare.” Max shot another arrow and again Lotto nonchalantly blocked it again.

  “Strange,” Lotto said. “To succeed with an ability so easily countered. Why don’t I show you what it really takes to win in the Sanctum?”

  Lotto held his ACE up. Max watched as the compartments on the steel device opened up. A wave of sound barely visible vibrated through the air, forcing Max to roll out of the way. But even though he managed to avoid it, the energy hit him on the back and knocked him onto his stomach.