[Chapter 2] Libertopolis: Chrome and Atoms

Chapter 2: Whispers & Dead Ends

This is a noir which takes place in the retro futuristic city of Libertopolis. In this world, there are robots and grit and mysteries to be solved by our main character, the private eye Rex Malone. The full story is available to our paid subscribers. If you want to become a subscriber, you can sign up right now for a 14-day free trial.

Without further ado, here is Chapter 2: Whispers & Dead Ends

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The whiskey left a familiar taste of ash and regret. Ten dollars. That's what Diana Striker had to her name, and she offered it to go on a ghost hunt. A quiet sister and a missing junk-bot. That's what Libertopolis called a whole lotta nothing, or something so messy you wished it was nothing. Still, the lady was scared. Genuinely scared. Time to earn those dollars, or at least burn them trying to find something other than another dead end.

Rex decided to start the day retracting what should've been Sophie’s last known steps. Before heading to Conduit Commons, he stopped for a cup of notoriously bad coffee at a greasy kiosk near the monorail station. He had known Sal for years, a portly man who seemed to be the only morning person for miles around. Today, he was quiet, moving efficiently and of little words.

As he processed Malone's order, his eyes seemed to be slightly unfocused and distant. Even his usual stubble seemed unnaturally neat, as if it was painted on. Malone chalked it up to a rough night, maybe lady troubles? Well, Sal wasn't the only one today.

On the crowded monorail platform, amidst the usual commuters headed to their soulless jobs, he saw another strange person. A woman in a crisp GDFS technician's uniform stood right up against the edge while standing perfectly still, like she was a mannequin. When the monorail arrived at the stop, she didn't even flinch even though the car must've been inches from her face. She stepped onto the train with a fluid grace, almost too perfect, even as the crowd jostled around her.