[SHORT STORY] Cybershot

[He then looked at her, eyes filled with hate and remorse. His love for her could no longer sway him. It must not sway him! He had to end this…]

No Hans! Don’t do it! Anna thought, as she was hit by yet another artificial elbow in her side. She bustled through a crowded street on Street Level, feeling frustrated. One because the crowds were hampering her Job efficiency and another because she couldn’t pay attention to her story. I need to reach the station. I’ve had enough of these cogwheels interrupting my story. Nini, pause book.

[Could he do it? Could he murder his fiancé? She - ]

[Audio reading paused.]

If there was one thing Anna hated, it was being late. If there was a second it would be interruptions to her multitasking. Everything had to be efficiently done, there was no time for wasting. We have only one life in this world and we have to use it fully. Especially when listening to romantic thrillers.

After a couple more Artificial hand bumps, Anna was able to enter the transit station. She was running late, and she was not listening to her story – the day had been a nightmare thus far. But, once she got off at the next transit station she could make that time back. For now, she had one responsibility – protect the Cargo.

The transit station was enormous. Capable of hosting thousands of travelers. She stepped on one of the less populated escalators heading for her stop. She had to catch this train or be undoubtedly late. Or even worse something might happen to the Cargo.

The Cargo was placed in a sealed container – it couldn’t be damaged. However, it had a higher probability of getting stolen, or worse, opened and indirectly damaged. She was not going to let that happen. And her dark blue uniform that she borrowed from her friend sure made that task easier. As people stepped out of the way to let her enter her train – she was not going to be late.

Nini, resume book! Anna thought to her Companion.

[Resuming audio reading.]

[ - was all he ever wanted in his life. And now he was contemplating severing that tie for good.]

Don’t do it you fool! Anna thought as a young boy got up from his seat and offered it to her. She accepted it with a smile. Her short golden hair and heart shaped face were another one of her many perks when doing a Job. Specially in this city. She was thankful to her parents for giving her such useful modifications.

[“Darling, I love you. But this is for the both of us.” Genna dropped her Display in shock. But she could not react to the gunshot that pierced her heart.]

Anna yelped. No heads turned however as almost every person could be seen waving their fingers in the air, signalizing that they were using their Display. Anna was also using it, but it merely now showed the text she was listening to.

This better have a good payoff Nini. Your recommendations have been lacking lately.

[But you seem to be enjoying this one.] Nini said.

It will be all for nothing if the ending doesn’t pay off. How long until we arrive?

[Estimated Arrival: 10 minutes. Proceed to final chapter?]

Proceed.

‘We have just entered West District. Your tariffs might change appropriately.’ A voice announced from the train’s speakers. Anna however was so immersed in her story that she didn’t even hear the announcement. She was sitting, grasping her Cargo in both hand and gawking, as the final revelations of the story’s plot transpired. No one reacted to her outbursts, as everyone was in their own world – doing their own thing.

[Next stop is ours.] Nini interrupted the reading.

Got it. Don’t stop now. Proceed with the book.

[“She is still alive, I know it.”]

Anna bit her lip as she exited the train and got on an express elevator to Street Level. The Cargo was the only baggage she carried. And since she wasn’t stopped by the station’s automatic checkup upon exiting the train – she was in the clear. Anna allowed herself a sigh of relief. True, everything went according to plan as it should have, but it was always nice when you got a conformation that you did a job well done.

Anna promptly exited the transit station.

[“I love you Genna. Now that you have come back to me, I finally understand how much our love truly meant to me. I will not let you go – ever.”]

That’s it? Anna thought as she entered her requested transport car. A card that knew who she actually was, and where she was actually going. Now that she had gotten this far she wouldn’t be late. She had an Artificial Heart? How stupid is that Nini?

[I thought the book would match your tastes.]

I mean, it did, but that was such an obvious twist. I guess you couldn’t have foreseen that I would dislike it Nini. I’ll give you a pass on this one.

[Noted.]

What exactly was noted Anna couldn’t tell. But she was on the last track of her journey and few things concerned her at the moment but delivering the Cargo.

The transport car dropped her off at her desired location – an orphanage. She entered through the front doors, citizens bowing their heads as she passed. The people in West District were always so much nicer for some reason.

“Hey Anna, you got something for me?” A tall black youth shouted from the corner of the entrance hall. Bachir was again working hard on his introduction paper it seemed. She approached him.

“I think I do Bachir.” Anna said standing above him. He was sitting on one of those very comfortable chairs they had in the rooms upstairs, obviously writing on his Display. “I just finished listening to Cybershot. You might want to give it a try. But I found the twist at the ending a bit – I don’t know, it just kind of bugged me. You’ll see.”

“You always know the best fiction Ann.” Bachir said, smiling. His Artificial silver teeth glistening. “You heading up?”

“That I am.” She said as she passed him. “And that’s all the time I got for today, Bachir. Talk to you once you’ve read Cybershot.”

Anna entered the elevator, and pressed the top floor of the orphanage – floor fifty-five – and the Cargo hadn’t even been touched by another’s hand. Her Job was successfully accomplished – again.

[Why did you recommend that book to Mr. Bachir?] Nini prodded.

He likes those types of books. I think the twist will actually make it better for him. Whereas it was the one downside for me.

[Should I exclude twist endings from my future book search algorithm?]

No. And we are no longer talking about that book Nini.

[Understood.]

The elevator doors opened and Anna entered the hallway. The people she passed gave her nods, not because of her uniform this time. These people knew what she actually was, and respected her for it. Admired her for it. Everything she did she did for them and this Job was no different. She answered every nod with a nod of her own. She soon traversed the offices until she reached a coded door.

After she deposited the code through her Display the door opened. Inside sat four people – all four people stopped talking as soon as they saw her. They were sitting in an empty room, apart from the chairs and table the four were using. There was one more empty chair for Anna.

“Precise as ever I see. Well get inside girl, and close the door.” The old man, her boss, Tiks said. “Let us see the currency of your mining, as they say.” He smiled. “Let us see the Cargo.”

Anna moved to her seat and placed the bag on the table. As she was unstrapping its various straps she said. “The Cargo was not touched during the Job.” She started to unseal the container. “What you are about to see and examine is a specimen delivered to you at full capacity.” She unlocked the final mechanism.

And a human head, perfectly preserved, appeared.

“Excellent work, Anna.” Tiks said. “Since you have that proud look on your face I trust there were no complications?”

“The specimen is in perfect condition.” Anna said to the four in the room. “How I acquired it is not important at this time. It did not fringe on our goals.”

“We’ll see. For now, the specimen is our prime concern.” Tiks said. “Well. My fellow colleagues let’s get to work.”