“I need a better job,” Cyd Chang says as he looks at the schedule frustrated. Business was nowhere near what it was ten years ago. That was no excuse to schedule only one dependable person for the shift. Who does that?
Cyd had been educated at the finest schools; learned the finer points of the most powerful Talent Sets. For what, to have a lame job in a freezer reviving fail adventures? There had to be something better. Seven years asking for reassignments or promotions: nothing, only skeleton shifts, training people that don’t care enough about work to show up. How would they like it when they took him for granted and he wasn’t there?
“Bing,” the high chime was unmistakable. He’d heard it many times before, thankfully, not often today. Then again the day just started. He set the work schedule back into place promising to find another job soon. He had no idea how to find this job but it never hurt to hope.
As always, the high chime meant that someone was coming into the center to revive someone. He had to abandon the back office to tend to them. That meant there was no one to work the machines reconstructing the more damaged adventurers.
How would they expect to keep this place running if there was no one here? He walked to the front desk. An empty doorway separated the back from the front. He tried to keep his frustration in check as he walked out. It took a lot of strength stop at the counter and not to keep walking out the door.
“Bosstown Rejuvenation Center. How can I help you?” The customer’s fist balled tightly in anger. Thankfully, she calmed down quickly. Her companions each held a hand under their cloaks. He had to admit that the words came out a little more harsh than he wanted them to. Hopefully, they won’t kill him. On a day like today, there would be no one there to rejuvenate him.
“We would like to see if you have a very special builder. Her name is Aa Dee Seven.” There were four of them. They looked fairly organized and very strong, much stronger than the local hooligans. He only saw one face. A beautiful lady with long hair. The others wore matching black hooded cloaks. They were obviously in a clan but not one from around here. The leader stood just beyond the desk, flanked by two male companions. The unmasked lady companion stood further back and to the left of them.
AD7? Why would someone look for anyone so notorious here? Her technical monstrosities were defeated ten years ago. When they found her, she was pretty much all machine too. Her remains were shipped to a kingdom southwest of her Mech Fortress. Why would they look here? It’s in the wrong direction.
“Aa Dee Seven? Why would you look for her here? Bounty hunters hunted all of her monstrosities long ago. Only people here these days are bleeding hearts and wishful.. .. thinkers..” He almost stuttered over his words as the leader’s female companion sprung into action. She was so fast that before he could react, she had thrown a large bag onto the counter. It landed with a heavy sound promising to dent the counter. As it landed, gold coins spilled his direction. He stared at the bag as a world full of possibilities opened for him, if he helped them.
“We have a hunch,” the leader shrugged calmly as she began again, “but we’re not sure how to start looking. We know that it’s a breach of protocol but,” she paused gaining his attention. He managed to look away from the bag after awhile. She was leaning slightly over the counter her glowing electric blue eyes made her face just barely visible. She was looking through his eyes as though she could see into his soul. Her face, colder than the room, told him everything he needed to know about his situation. “Could you help us search?”
Though her lady companion’s arms were now relaxed, her two male companions were still ready. Hands beneath their cloaks, he knew that no matter how she phrased her words, it was not a question. “Sure. I would love to help you search for her.”
“Good!” she said gaining a sudden friendly tone. Her changing mood was slightly disturbing. It was very comforting that her male companions had relaxed their arms though. The bag of gold appeared in her hand as she stepped away from the counter. He didn’t see when she picked it up but it didn’t really matter now. “We’ll hold onto this until we’re done. Is that ok?”
Of course, not! “Sure. It will make it easier for me to work the controls,” he said as he placed the few spilled coins into his pockets.