Neural Wraith 1 by K.D. Robertson

Author:K.D. Robertson [Robertson, K.D.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2022-06-11T07:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER 17

T he NLF factory looked like a large beige box, nestled between numerous other beige boxes of extremely similar shape. This little area was like a miniature industrial zone within Alcatraz.

Babylon didn’t have restrictive zoning laws, so this was the work of the market. While commercial and industrial projects were kept out of specific districts, anything went within the district. That’s how the red light doll district had snuck into the city itself, while Alcatraz was firmly in the outer metro. Money shaped the city.

Dozens of police vehicles surrounded the factory. SUVs, interceptors, and bulky armored vans formed a physical blockade, which was only reinforced by the gun-toting Archangels in front of the vehicles. There wasn’t a Liberator or Custodian in sight.

A lot of railguns and heavy shotguns were, however.

Police drones maintained an aerial cordon, but the air was surprisingly free of press drones or amateur photographers.

Nick’s convoy drove up to the blockade. A crowd of gawkers watched on in eerie silence, no doubt chatting up a storm on the Altnet.

After a moment, the Archangels cleared the way and the convoy slipped through. The gap closed just as fast as it opened.

“Judging from the lack of wreckage, I’m guessing they didn’t put up much of a fight,” Nick said, peering out the window.

“The G2s appeared to be restricted to the building interior,” Chloe replied.

That would limit damaging footage of RTM dolls blown apart on the streets of Alcatraz. The convoy pulled up outside a series of open roller doors, which opened up to reveal empty concrete loading docks.

“Were they unloading everything by hand?” he asked.

“Perhaps. This building was used as an office and has significantly less inside it than the other one. They had simple cargo bots there.”

That made a lot more sense than what he’d been thinking.

Up until now, the Archangels had been patrolling and lurking around the exterior of the building in pairs. None of them clustered up. But the moment the convoy stopped, more than a dozen of them rushed over.

The door opened, but Nick didn’t even have a chance to put his foot on the ground before several Mark 1s formed a protective bubble in front of him. He stepped out, followed by the others.

The Mark 1s swiveled their heads rapidly, watching every angle.

All of his new escorts carried anti-doll weaponry, and he spotted a ballistic shield strapped to the backs of a couple. The other convoy members left their vehicles with similar armaments.

When he looked back, he saw that Rie was still in the vehicle.

The seats slipped back into a reclining position as she clicked the safety off an SMG and hopped outside.

“Things are finally serious enough that you’ll carry a firearm,” he noted.

“This is an active situation still. I would prefer not to be the reason that you get shot,” she said primly.

Nick nodded, then drew his Lawman. As before, it felt damn heavy. He sincerely hoped he wasn’t going to be shooting anyone with this. And especially not Travis.

Even if he had

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