Chapter Two
"One, two, three, four."
Yugo counted the cracks in the pavement as his shoes passed over them. He would only count as high as ten, and then he would start over.
"Seven, eight, nine."
He walked with his head bowed low, refusing to raise his eyes and look at the street or the faces of the people who passed him. It was enough to know they were there, a constant reminder of how pitiful his existance was.
After leaving Vector's office Yugo had went to Silas' home and repaired the windmill. The job had taken longer than usual due to his thoughts being elsewere than on the task at hand.
In fact he had barely acknowledged Silas' young wife when she had paid him upon completion.
Yugo reached into the pocket of his coat and pulled out the strip of yellow paper Vector had written on. It was gummed and sealed on three sides, making it impossible to open and then reseal without this Euphorian knowing.
It doesn't matter, he thought. Probably just a letter of introduction from Vector letting Euphorian know that Yugo was safe to deal with.
Yugo slipped the paper back into his pocket and found it was impossible to shut out the sound of Vector's voice. Every word of their conversation resounded in his ears, as if the man were standing next to him. Yugo knew that Vector was playing him, but he also realized that he had been telling him the truth. If Yugo didn't accept his offer there would be no other, and with Yugo's limited skills he could never hope to raise the money required.
"So what if I get caught," he wondered aloud. "I'd rather die than spend the rest of my life in this place."
As Yugo walked he was occasionally jostled by passersby. It was now evening and the streets were teeming with people searching for that vicarious thrill that can only be found after the sun departed, a temporary relief from a life of misery and tedium.
There was no need for Yugo to note landmarks or street signs. He was travelling a route he had taken often, and knew there were only twenty more steps before he arrived at his destination.
"Six, seven, eight, nine."
Yugo stood perfectly still and looked to the building on his left. A dilapidated structure of blackened brick, plastered with posters advertising musicians and religious events. The street around him was littered with all manner of paper and garbage, an indication that those who came here cared for nothing other than their own gratification.
The doors had been removed, as was usual on warm days, and the interior of the building beckoned patrons with flashing lights and a cacaphony of shouts and ringing bells.
He stepped inside and was immediately engulfed in a world he knew only too well. On either side of him were rows of video games. Some were just consoles which players stood to operate, while others provided seats affording patrons the experience of being a pilot in the heat of interstellar battle or a raging war against desert bandits.
Yugo smiled and acknowledged the greetings offered by several young boys, politely refusing a free cigarette and a drink from a brown bottle that smelled of medicine. The arcade had become something of a second home for him, and though he rarely played games in favour of saving his money, Yugo enjoyed the atmosphere and the people. It afforded a cheap escape from the street and it's inherent dangers.
He continued through the arcade until the crowd thinned and he came to a black curtain. And as he pushed it aside, a huge man with several change purses slung on his belt walked straight into him.
"Hey, what's the word Yugo?" said the man looking down on him.
Yugo grinned and stepped back a pace.
"Ah, nothing much Mercy," he answered. "How's business treating you?"
"Never been better," replied Mercy, glancing past Yugo at a group of boisterous girls huddled over a video terminal. "Ever since I decided to keep the arcade open twenty four hours a day, the money's been rolling in. Unfortunately it's also been a tremendous strain on that old generator downstairs. You wouldn't mind taking a look at it for me would you Yugo?"
Yugo scratched his head and closed his eyes, seeming to make room for Mercy's request on his busy schedule.
"I don't know," he answered plainly. "Things are kind of hectic right now, I'm not sure when I'll be able to fit you in."
"Come on," pleaded Mercy. "I know you have a way with machines and I'd be willing to make it worth your while. Say, six months of free play on any games in the house."
Yugo couldn't help but laugh at this, Mercy was so much like himself when it came to money.
"Nah, couldn't do it," said Yugo. "I'm lousy at games, you know that. But if it's agreeable to you I could check out your generator on a monthly basis and I would only charge you three hundered credits each visit. That's a lot less than you'd pay a pro, and you wouldn't have to worry about a brown-out or a crash."
Mercy ran the math in his head, he estimated the monthly take and potential loss a power failure would incure. The old generator was running at near maximum output everyday, and to replace it would cost a small fortune, if he were even lucky enough to find another one.
Mercy extended his right hand and Yugo grasped it firmly.
"Agreed," said Mercy solemnly. "But you had better do a good job."
"It's the only way I do things," smiled Yugo. He glanced around the room, looking for a familiar face. Now that business with Mercy was done, Yugo turned his attention to more important matters.
"Oh, by the way Mercy, is Tanji around? I need to talk to him."
"Sure Yugo, he's in the back playing this new game that I just got in. I haven't put it out front yet because it's a new system and there might be some bugs in it. I thought I'd let Tanji give it a try, if there are any problems he'll spot them."
"A new game?" asked Yugo with genuine surprise. "I thought that everything in here was a collection of relics you had salvaged over the years."
"Pretty much," answered Mercy, looking around at the odd assortment of machines he had rescued from the trash. He could recall with vivid accuracy the difficult task of reconstruction each had required. "But every once in a while something special comes along, and I wouldn't trust anyone but your friend to try it out."
Yugo nodded and turned away from the big man. Tanji was an expert gamer who had rolled every terminal in the place. He was always the first to try a new game, and there were none that could beat him in a one on one confrontation.
He pulled the curtain away from his face and his eyes widened at the sight before him. It was Tanji, or more accurately it was his friend interfaced with some machine. Tanji sat in a black plastic chair mounted to a frame of gray metal. His head was completely engulfed in a black helmet and his hands lay on the arms of the chair, at the end of each was a pad of red buttons over which his fingers danced. Several wires ran to straps fastened around his chest and there was barely a sound, save for his friend's steady breathing. Some of the components seemed rather old, some were shiny new. It had obviously been fashioned from various devices and presented an appearance of incompleteness.
Three feet in front of Tanji's face was a large monitor which exploded in vibrant colors that seemed to wash over Yugo, leaving him with a feeling of weightlessness, as if he were acast in deep space. Alone, yet surrounded with the consciousness of a hundred worlds that cried for his dispair.
"That's the secret," he heard a voice. "You have to remain calm and not let fear distract you. If you can do that, you'll make it through the final gate and you should be home."
The monitor went black and in bright red letters flashed the words: 'WELCOME HOME, YOU ARE AUTHORIZED FOR ANOTHER MISSION. DO YOU ACCEPT?'
Yugo shook his head and looked at Tanji, who had removed the helmet and was smiling at him.
"What the hell is that thing?" he asked incredulously.
"You like it?" Tanji replied. "It's called Marswars, I've only being playing it for a couple of hours but already I've cracked it. Still, it's an awesome game. You can really feel the sensation of space travel and there's a lot of obstacles to overcome. It analyzes and identifies the player so that he never experiences the same mission twice."
Yugo let out an appreciative whistle and placed his right hand against the console. He could feel a slight vibration and the circuitry beneath emanated a warmth that seemed to give life to the machine.
"But where did it come from?" inquired Yugo. "Nothing like this can be found in the scrapyard."
Tanji smiled and leaned his head back against the stiff padding.
"Do you know a hacker named Hex?" he asked.
"Sure," answered Yugo immediately. "He's that four-eyes I always see hanging around here. The guy is supposed to be a genius when it comes to games and stuff."
"That's right," said Tanji. "He's a smart guy too, but unlike you he's not obsessed with making money."
Yugo could feel himself becoming angry at his friend's remark, but said nothing for fear that it would adversely affect Tanji's answer to the proposal he was about to make. And he desperately needed Tanji's cooperation.
"Well," continued Tanji. "Hex has been working on this for about a year. He wrote the program himself and cannibalized various games for the parts. He even managed to lay his hands on the simulation hardware that motorball spectators use to ride along with the players."
"But what do you need the screen for?" asked Yugo. "It's obvious all the action is taking place inside the headgear."
"That's only for spectators so that they can see what's going on, but it's nothing like actually playing the game. Once you're strapped in you'll never want to quit."
The boy closed his eyes briefly and let out a deep breath.
"But it seems to be missing something, though what I'm not quite sure. It does feel terrible to be alone in deep space," he thought aloud.
Tanji unstrapped the pads from his clothing and leaped from the chair, landing in front of Yugo with the bravado of a conquering hero.
"Well how did your meeting go?" he asked.
Yugo frowned and placed a hand on his friend's shoulder, drawing him close.
"We have to talk Tanji, I have something important to ask you."
Tanji screwed up his face and looked at Yugo with narrow eyes.
"Oh, aren't we mysterious," he said sarcastically. "Well Yugo, go ahead and ask me. But make it quick, I'm just itching to get back in the chair."
Tanji turned and nodded his head toward the flashing screen.
"No, not here," answered Yugo. "This is important and it's going to take a while to explain. We have to go somewhere we won't be disturbed."
Tanji said nothing for a moment, rather staring at the floor with his hands placed on his hips. He knew Yugo well and the way his friend was acting indicated he was dead serious.
"Okay, Yugo, just this once. I know you wouldn't pull me away from a game unless it was something that can't wait."
Yugo breathed a sigh of relief as Tanji pushed aside the curtain and stuck his head out.
"Hey, Susie!" he called down the length of the arcade. "You wanna come here a minute?"
At a console several stations away, a young woman of fifteen who had been watching another game in progress stood and turned toward him.
"Sure."
The girl bounded over and Tanji stepped aside, letting her into his private domain.
"I still have a free play on the new game," he said to her. "Do you want to take over for me?"
Susie laughed and pushed her hands into her pockets. She was dressed in tight jeans and a torn t-shirt with the word 'Extreme' etched in faded red. Beneath the unkempt blond hair was a rather attractive girl that Yugo noticed Tanji had a thing for, but so far had failed to make any progress.
"Yeah, I'll take over for you," she smiled. "And I'll beat your score while I'm at it."
Susie proceeded to climb into the chair and Tanji ran his eyes over her shapely form.
"There's no need to thank me now," he said happily. "But maybe we can go out sometime."
Susie glanced over her shoulder and threw a look of disapproval at him.
"Fat chance," she answered simply, then gave Yugo a warm smile that sent his heart rate up a few beats.
"She likes me," said Tanji confidently. "It's just a matter of time until we hit it off."
"Sure, I can see she's crazy for you buddy," Yugo replied. "But she can wait until later, right now we have more important things to talk about."
Yugo turned away and walked toward the entrance with Tanji in tow. As they neared the street they were spotted by Mercy, who was surrounded by several young boys pleading with him to change their chips into smaller currency.
"So how's the game?" he asked.
Tanji waved and nodded approvingly.
"It kicks butt," he answered. "Not a bug in the system, though you might wanna tell Hex to speed up the action a bit."
Tanji hurried after Yugo who had already left the arcade and was busy pushing his way through the throng that crowded the sidewalk.
Ten minutes later the boys found themselves on a tarred roof overlooking the city. They were atop a deserted building several blocks from the arcade. It was a familiar place to them. Few ever bothered to come here, and on warm nights they would sleep under the stars and the sky city, though more often than not they would talk away the night about trivial things.
Tanji sat atop a wooden crate near the edge and stretched his legs before him. It had been a long day, and he placed his hands in his lap and closed his eyes, letting a gentle breeze lull him near the edge of dreams.
Yugo leaned against an iron vent that had one time spewed black smoke into the air. He was grateful that Tanji seemed tired, it afforded him the opportunity to collect his thoughts and prepare his arguments. Tanji, he knew was the kind to challenge him, but his friend was also inclined to accept cold logic over idealistic whims. He could win him over, but it was going to be tough.
"Well, come on Yugo," said Tanji with a loud yawn. "You dragged me up here for a reason, so let's hear it."
"I don't know where to begin," fumbled Yugo. "It's kind of complicated."
Tanji opened his eyes and peered at Yugo through thin slits.
"Whatever it is, it's got something to do with that meeting you had today, so why don't you start there?"
"Yeah, your right Tanji. I did meet with someone, an important guy who's connected to the factory."
Tanji opened his eyes wide and put his arms down at his sides.
"The factory?" he asked rhetorically. "Who was this guy you met, and what does it have to do with us?"
"I can't tell you his name," answered Yugo. "But he offered me the chance to make a lot of money, more money than you ever dreamed of."
Tanji frowned and shook his head.
"This is bad Yugo, real bad. Whatever this guy wants you to do it must be illegal. We've both broken some laws, hell, we had to in order to survive. But the last thing I want is to see my face on a bulletin monitor as a wanted fugitive."
Tanji rubbed his throat and made a grim face.
"I like my head just where it is buddy," he said with resignation. "How long do you think we would last on the street with every hunter-warrior in the scrapyard looking for us?"
Yugo's heart sank at Tanji's words. His friend was making perfect sense, and it was difficult to argue with. But Yugo had to try, he would need Tanji's help and it was the only way he would ever realize his dream.
"Just hear me out," said Yugo with renewed vigor. "Sure we'll be breaking the law, but this guy has promised to help us if there's any trouble. And with the two of us working together we should be able to do it."
"Do what?" shot back Tanji. "You haven't even told me what it is, and from that I can guess it must be dangerous."
"Spine theft," said Yugo plainly. "We steal the spines of cyborgs and deliver them to the blackmarket."
Tanji stared blankly at Yugo for a full minute then rose to his feet. The air was becoming cold and he tugged the collar of his coat tighter around his throat.
"I'm leaving," he said to his friend. "As far as I'm concerned we never had this talk, and I'd appreciate it if you never mentioned it again."
Tanji turned his back on Yugo and had barely started to walk away when he felt his friend's hand on his shoulder, spinning him around to face him.
"Just hear me out," pleaded Yugo. "I'm offering you a chance to make more money than you've ever dreamed. We could earn more in one day than a year of odd jobs and petty theft."
Tanji shrugged off Yugo's hand and stepped back.
"And what good will money do us if we're not around to spend it?" he said angrily. "I know what you want Yugo, but you'll never get to Tiphares this way."
The young man walked to the edge of the roof and looked out over a sea of lights.
"It's not much of a life, but at least I never have to worry about seeing my name on a wanted bulletin someday."
"Listen Tanji, this isn't something I thought up on the spot. I have connections to the factory and the blackmarket. It's not as if we'll be on our own, and if we get into trouble I know someone who can help."
Yugo waited for an answer but there was none. Obviously Tanji had made up his mind and anything further that Yugo had to say was pointless.
"I need you," pleaded Yugo. "If I could do this on my own I would. But I need help and you're the only one that I trust."
Yugo had run out of words and resorted to begging. In truth he had been doing this since the conversation started.
Tanji sat on a low precipice and scooped up a handful of stones. He absently began tossing them at a tin can several meters away. Three of the seven were direct hits.
"Well it's nice to hear you admit it," mumbled Tanji.
He let out a huge yawn and plunged his hands in his pockets to keep them warm.
"Listen Yugo, you're asking a lot of me. I can't give you a decision right now, but I'll at least check it out with you. And if everything seems okay then you have a deal."
At these words a huge grin spread across Yugo's tired face.
"Really Tanji, will you really help me out?"
"Sure," replied Tanji. "But I just want to know what we're getting in to first. I don't trust anyone except you."
"Thanks," said Yugo. "You won't regret this buddy, you have my word on it."
Tanji shrugged and nodded his head in affirmation.
"No problem. Now, can we get down from here Yugo, I'm freezing my ass off."
The two boys walked toward the open stairwell that ran to the ground floor.
***
It was the sort of place that decent people avoided after nightfall. A dark street of rundown buildings seperated by narrow alleys. For young minds it was easy to imagine a host of terrors lurking behind every door.
Yugo and Tanji found themselves staring at one of these, a red door set against brown stone that one entered by descending a set of stairs. The two glanced nervously about and then lowered themselves down, ready to flee at any moment if danger threatened.
"Damn, I'm scared," admitted Tanji. "This has got to be the craziest thing I've ever done."
Yugo nodded in agreement and forced one leg in front of the other. He was aware that he was going to meet someone in the blackmarket, a man used to dealing in the sale of human parts. It didn't take a genius to realize that he and Tanji would make prime merchandise.
Yugo knocked on the door and held his breath, half hoping that no one would answer. After a moment came a gruff voice that startled the two of them.
"Who is it?"
Yugo cleared his throat and made his best effort at a show of bravado and confidence.
"I'm here to see Euphorian," he answered. "I have a letter from Mister Vector."
At those words the door flung open and a huge shadow enveloped the boys, pulling them inside where they were thrown on the floor and the door slammed loudly behind them.
"Never say his name again," said a menacing voice. "If you do I'll kill you."
Yugo shook his head and tried to focus his eyes in the dim light. The room smelled of chemicals and the floor was covered in a thin layer of grit that clung to his palms. Yugo sat up and wiped his hands against his coat. He could see now, a large man sat on a metal chest. He had long black hair that hung in his eyes and bushy eyebrows that turned up at the corners. His arms were bare and showed off huge biceps built up from years of violence and hard labour.
The boys stared at him, unable to speak. Though the man appeared calm he presented an air of danger, as if he could turn at any moment and kill without hesitation.
"Are you Euphorian?" whispered Yugo.
Euphorian wrinkled his nose and turned up the corners of his mouth.
"I am," he answered. "But just who the hell might you be, and how do know this gentleman that sent you here?"
Yugo glanced sidelong at Tanji. His friend was as scared as he was and sat motionless on the floor. He had obviously decided to let Yugo do the talking, which was just as well. Tanji usually wound up saying the wrong thing anyway.
From his pocket Yugo produced the strip of paper that Vector had given him. He couldn't stop his hand from shaking as Euphorian leaned forward and snatched the note from him.
Euphorian tore the edges and opened the note, he read it then looked angrily at the two boys.
"He has to be crazy," thought Euphorian aloud. "He sends me two brats to do the work of ten men."
Euphorian folded the paper then produced a wallet. He slipped the note inside and returned the billfold to his back pocket.
"Stand up, let me take a good look at the two of you."
Yugo and Tanji stood and looked around. Four walls of bare concrete against which were piled various boxes and crates. Tanji shuddered at the thought of what they might contain.
"Both of you appear to be strong and healthy," said Euphorian with a smile. "And I know several individuals who would pay dearly for a fresh spine."
Yugo glanced at Tanji who appeared to be on the edge of terror. In truth there was nothing to stop Euphorian from killing them, except for one thing.
Yugo stepped forward until he was just a meter away from Euphorian. He stared him directly in the eye and spoke with slow deliberation.
"But you won't," said Yugo confidently. "That note you have is as good as this gentleman's word that you're to accept us. And if any harm were to come to us he would be very angry."
Euphorian stood and looked down on the young boy. He was not used to be addressed in this manner by anyone, especially a child. But in Euphorian's eyes Yugo had recognized a glint of fear. The big man was afraid of Vector, Yugo had noticed it when Euphorian had read the note.
"Damn if I'll let some punk talk that way to me!" shouted Euphorian.
"You don't have a choice," retorted Yugo. "From now on we're business partners, whether you like it or not."
Euphorian turned away and slammed his right hand against a pile of crates. The blow sent them crashing to the floor around his feet.
"Go ahead, make a big scene," said Yugo smugly. "But if you're as smart as you think then you'll just accept the situation and tell us what's to be done."
Euphorian spat on the floor and looked at Tanji, who was also smiling. He realized that Yugo had the upper hand and was playing Euphorian for all he was worth.
"You little bastards," said Euphorian. "You want to play the game do you? Well here's your chance. I'll tell you how to tear out the spine and preserve it, but the hard part is up to you. I can't wait until some hunter-warrior takes your heads."
Euphorian pulled back a door and stepped through, leaving it open for Yugo and Tanji to follow.
Once inside they found themselves in a steel room with a row of transparent canisters laid out on a table. In each was a human spine, awash in a clear fluid that seemed of a consistency more like glue than water. The boys had no experience in such things and stood some distance from the gruesome sight.
Euphorian smiled and picked one of the canisters up, rolling it back and forth in his hands.
"Beautiful, aren't they?" he grinned. "This is what you're after, mere bones that grant a man life. Other than the human brain, it's the only thing that can't be replicated."
He set the canister aside and picked up one that was half full of fluid, tossing it unexpectedly at Yugo.
Yugo caught it and was surprised at it's weight. The clear solution sloshed to and fro as he tried to get a firm grip on it.
"That's what you put the spine in," said Euphorian pointing at the canister in Yugo's hands. "How you get it is up to you, and don't expect any help from me."
"I didn't ask," replied Yugo.
"You're to bring all deliveries to me, understand?" said Euphorian. "And the price is non-negotiable. Fifty thousand credits for each spine in excellent condition, but if it's damaged it's worth nothing."
Yugo nodded and glanced at Tanji. Now that his friend knew what was involved they would need to discuss a course of action. How were they to go about this? Could they bring themselves to maim, or if necessary to kill a man and then rip his spine out?
***
Tanji sat on the ground with his back against a wall. His knees were tucked against his chest and he rested his chin on them. He was dressed in a long raincoat with the hood pulled back, and around his neck were slung an air respirator and a pair of tinted goggles that when worn, would completely conceal his identitiy.
He stared across the alley to the opposite wall. Concealed behind several trash cans were a crowbar and one of the canisters Euphorian had given them. This was to be their first night as spine thieves, and he was scared. To further add to his anxiety he hadn't eaten all day for fear that he would vomit, but now the hunger gnawed at him, making him weak and susceptible to a host of negative thoughts that ran through his mind.
Yugo stood next to Tanji and said nothing, his mind consumed with similiar self-doubt and loathing. He too was dressed in a long coat with a respirator and goggles, not unusual items for a citizen of the scrapyard to wear as protection against air borne contaminants that stung the eyes and caused respiratory difficulty. And this night the air was stagnant, a foulness unfit for humans to breathe, but an atmosphere appropiate for the task at hand.
"Come on," said Yugo harshly. "We have to do this Tanji, we've been here for over an hour and the longer we wait the more difficult it's going to be."
Yugo picked up his sign and tapped his friend on the shoulder.
"This is crazy," mumbled Tanji. "I don't give a shit about the people we steal from, but it's dangerous. Can't we wait and do it in a few days? Maybe there's something we haven't thought of."
"No Tanji, we've been through it and this is the best idea we could come up with. We lure the target in here and knock him out like Euphorian showed us, then we rip out his spine with the crowbar, if we're careful we won't even kill him."
Tanji shrugged off Yugo's hand and shifted his body so that he was facing away from him.
"Are you sure we can do this?" he asked. "How do we know if that stunner you got from Euphorian really works? If you make a mistake we might have to kill someone."
Yugo was becoming impatient, he reached down and grabbed Tanji by the collar, pulling him to his feet.
"It'll work Tanji, all you have to do is distract him while I hit him here."
Yugo reached over Tanji's shoulder and indicated the base of his neck.
"He'll be paralyzed for a moment and then we tear out his backbone."
Tanji nodded and picked up his sign. He realized that the only way this would work was if he cooperated fully and played his part. And besides, Yugo was the one who was going to do most of the dirty work.
The two boys pulled their masks up and slid their goggles over their eyes, assuring each other that their identities were completely hidden. They had also agreed to avoid using personal names.
Yugo led the way out of the alley with Tanji close on his heels. They exited the alley and found themselves on a busy street in the eastern sector. It was a perfect location. The ambient noise would cover any cries for help and in case there was need to flee, they had mapped out an escape route over several fences which took them to a series of underground tunnels. There was nothing to do now but lure their prey off the street, away from curious eyes.
Yugo stood at the edge of the curb and raised the sign high in his right hand.
"Oil and lube!" he shouted. "The best high grade teflon in the scrapyard. Just the thing to work out those annoying squeaks after a hard day!"
Several passersby looked at him with curiousity then walked on. Admittedly Yugo felt foolish. He waved an arm at Tanji, who stood against the far wall with his sign at his side. Yugo walked angrily toward him and pushed his friend hard against his chest.
"Get your ass out there and help me." said Yugo. "If you don't then I'll keep all the money for myself, understand?"
Tanji nodded and raised his arm slowly, looking into blank faces that regarded him with contempt. Just one more obstacle to overcome on their way home.
"Need oil, this is place!" he shouted. "Best lube in the city at the best prices!"
Yugo raised his voice as well and before long they had developed a repoire. Thinking up catch phrases and rhyming lines, often finishing each other's sentences. The more they shouted the more they forgot about the task at hand, almost believing what they were saying.
Still their protestations went largely ignored except for the occasional curse or insult. At one point a large cyborg bumped into Yugo and nearly sent him to the pavement.
"Little bastard," he threw over his shoulder at the boy.
Yugo recovered and found his mouthpiece had become dislodged and was now covering his left cheek. He moved his hand up to his face to adjust it when he felt someone lay a hand on his shoulder.
Yugo spun around and saw a man looking at him. He was almost a complete cybernetic of the non-descript variety that made up a large percentage of the population. His clothes were pedestrian and his exposed shell showed signs of metal fatigue and dirt.
"I saw what that man did," he spoke earnestly. "The inconsiderate behaviour of some people is unforgivable. I hope he didn't leave you with a negative impression of cyborgs?"
"No, not at all," stammered Yugo. "My friend and I are just trying to make a few chips to buy some food."
Yugo searched the man's eyes and motioned for Tanji to come over.
"You wouldn't be interested in an oil and lube, would you?" asked Yugo. "Real cheap, only fifty credits, and I guarantee you'll feel great afterwards."
The man reared back and placed his hands on his hips.
"Now that you mention it I am feeling kind of stiff. Usually my wife takes care of me when I get home but I'll give you a try. It couldn't hurt, could it?"
Yugo motioned toward the alleyway and the three started down the narrow passage. Tanji was first, followed by their intended victim with Yugo just behind him. The boys darted their eyes in all directions to make sure the three of them were alone.
"Here we are," said Yugo pointing to a wooden crate set on the ground. "Have a seat sir and my companion and I will have you feeling as good as new in no time at all."
The cyborg set himself down and let out a heavy sigh.
"Ah, it feels good to take a load off your feet," he said happily. "I hope you're as good as you say, if you are then you can count on having me as a return customer."
"Oh we are," said Tanji who knelt on one knee and produced a rag.
He started to wipe the man's shoes, keeping one eye on Yugo who had moved behind their intended victim and produced a squirt can full of cheap oil.
Yugo positioned the can over a shoulder joint and squeezed the trigger. He then moved the can to several other areas, applying more lubricant.
"How does that feel?" he asked after a moment.
"Ah, much better," said the man as he closed his eyes. "I feel so relaxed that I'm tempted to doze off, but that wouldn't be a good idea."
Yugo reached under his coat and produced the tool Euphorian had given him. A simple device consisting of a metal rod mounted to a plastic handle. Inside the handle were two cells that produced enough electricity to cause a nasty burn when applied to human skin. But when touched against an exposed area at the base of a cyborg's neck the resultant shock caused the nervous system to flatline, inducing temporary paralysis. All cyborgs were aware of the hazard and some wisely kept the area covered.
Yugo held his breath and raised the stunner over his head, ready to plunge it down. Tanji saw him raise his hand and reactively stopped wiping the cyborg's shoes and inched away. The man noticed this and opened his eyes, looking down on him.
"What's going on?" he asked. "Why did you stop?"
At that instant Yugo drove the stunner down and stabbed their victim in the neck. His gloved hand pressed a button on the device and the cyborg lurched forward, his body stiffened and unresponsive.
Yugo pulled the device away as the cyborg attempted to rise. The man took one step then fell to the ground, his arms and legs shaking uncontrollably.
Both boys stared wordlessly at each other. Their hearts pounding as they tried to remember what they were supposed to do next.
"Christ, you did it." said Tanji. "It really works, just like he said it would."
Yugo looked down at the fallen man. He could hear harsh breathing and let out a sigh of relief, the man was still alive.
"Quick," said Yugo. "Give me the crowbar."
Tanji nearly tripped as he ran for the trashcans and reached behind them, grabbing the metal bar and tossing it into Yugo's outstretched hand.
Yugo caught the bar and shifted it into both hands. He placed his right foot on the man's back and in one stroke plunged the curved claw toward the top of the spine.
Suddenly a hand shot up and grabbed the bar, holding it firm. Yugo's eyes widened with fear, the cyborg was not completely incapicatated. He had twisted his body and caught the bar in an iron grip.
"You little bastards," he sneered. "I trusted you and you turn out to be a couple of spine stealing scum."
Yugo struggled with the cyborg, attempting to wrest the bar from the man's grasp. Even in his partial incapacity the man was much stronger than him.
"Quick!" shouted Yugo in desperation. "Hit him, do something for Christ's sake."
"What do you want me to do!?" screamed Tanji.
Yugo grit his teeth and pulled harder. He had to regain possession of the bar in the next few seconds. It was obvious the man's strength was returning and he would soon recover.
Suddenly Yugo let go of the crowbar and instinctively jumped back. A streak of silver flashed before his eyes and he fell to the ground, breathing heavily and shaking his head to regain his senses. He stood and brushed himself off, staring at the lifeless corpse he had been struggling with a moment ago.
The man's head was completely severed from his body and was lying a meter away. Blood flowed freely from the gaping wound, as well a clear fluid that Yugo was sure was not water.
He looked at Tanji who stood silently by, holding a rusted axe in both hands.
"There was no other way," stammered Tanji. "I had to do it Yugo, it was him or us."
Yugo nodded in agreement. They had screwed up, not only were they now spine thieves but murderers as well. He scooped up the crowbar and inserted the claw at the base of the spine, pushing it deeper under the bone until he hear a sickening tear as the cartilage was torn away from the wires which held it firm.
Tanji looked in both directions of the alley, keeping an eye out as Yugo continued to pry the bone away. At one point Yugo had thought the spine was going to snap but it relented and eventually the tailbone lifted cleanly away.
Yugo shifted the crowbar to his left hand and knelt down. He picked up the fragile item in his right hand and held it for a moment. The bones glistened with a slick fluid that gave off a wretched smell. Yugo was sure he was going to be sick.
"Hurry up, open the bottle," he said to Tanji.
Tanji laid the axe aside and retrieved the preservative canister. He almost dropped it in his haste and his hands shook as he twisted the lid off.
Yugo carefully lowered the spine inside. It displaced the fluid within which rose to the lip of the canister. Once this was done, Tanji screwed the top back and handed the vessel to Yugo.
"Let's get the hell out of here." he whispered.
The boys collected their items and then ran in the opposite direction of the street. Their fatigue and fear of a moment ago replaced by a rush of adrenalin that made them giddy, almost drunk with excitement.
"We did it!" shouted Tanji with unbridled elation. "You were right Yugo, this is going to be easier than I thought."
Yugo returned the smile but inwardly he felt a mix of regret and fear.
Was it worth it? he wondered. He tried to reason out the man's death as being a matter of necessity, but it was useless. And like any smart criminal he knew he could play the game for only so long before he lost.
Chapter Three