A Slow Night

After installing Sai on Karagi's network. It made the opposition meek. Marion, who herself is a legend among her peers, was like an old ghost that they fear. They now obey the Specters and everyone was trying to figure out who took care of the information network of Karagi.

My role in it was quite minimal. Marion herself wouldn't even dare to betray me, knowing what I have given her. She's a merc and even in that synthetic body she didn't abandon who she is. I know it well that the only way to make sure that I would get along with her is to give her something that would make her reject any thoughts of betrayal.

Marion is a woman of ambitions. Trixie, despite not being blood-related, showed what Marion's teaching did. Nix isn't going to just accept my rule easily and I rather make her act as an administrator instead of myself. I have no intention of plugging myself into the interface. SAI is sentient, but whether Sai would be obedient or not depends on how she sees it. She will make use of Marion and Marion will make use of Sai.

That's why seeing Marion get along with Sai made it clear that I was right. Think of my role in all of this as the investor. The one who makes sures that I get something as they do all the work. Even if Marion tells me that she's 'loyal'. I don't intend to believe her so easily.

It's late at night in Karagi. I got a new apartment that didn't have anyone other than me living in it. It has a kitchen. A bedroom. An armory that contained mostly tools and ammunition to maintain my equipment. Dealing with Karagi was easy because I knew of a cheat named Sai.

The problem now is that I have no cards left. I have the information network available, but the problem is that there are people on the top that even Sai's network can't touch. It would be laughable if Sai could touch the very top. But unfortunately the top of the food chain has access to tech that could counter Sai's infiltration methods. Sai would probably have to devour more information from various networks before she could upgrade herself.

Of course, I have ways to make Sai and Marion do my bidding. Like I said, I am their investor, and they are my subordinates. They will treat me right if I treat them well. That's how things are and in a way this allows me to take it easy. I do not plan to work with other factions than my own. They are ambitious. They know how to make use of people. Still, even with what I know, it was still lacking.

I am very lacking. I don't remember everything. Sai was my last card to play and other than a vague memory of what will happen. I have nothing. And even if I do know what will happen. It wasn't going to be exactly what will happen since I've tampered with some events.

I've changed the flow of the river. But the river still flows to the same basin. The same path with little alterations. Just like how a rock would split the water, but in the end would flow to the proper path leading to the base of the water.

I sit on the balcony of my apartment. I watch the pillars holding Karagi together. The airways where the flying vehicles are passing by. There are many roads in Karagi and most of them are tangled around these pillars. It was an overwhelming sight that made Pacifica look normal in comparison.

The platform above this platform that I am in acts as the artificial sky of Karagi that projects the skies. The artificial rain usually happens by the end of every week to cleanse Karagi of dust and dirt.

Karagi has this way of making you feel like you are trapped in this hellhole you can't leave. Pacifica was kinder than Karagi, but Karagi in the first place is where most of the huge mercenary companies gather in the first place. They are here because they think that there is huge potential for Karagi. A potential that would lead them to prosperity when in truth they are just stuck in this loop of taking jobs and completing those jobs. Everyone is gunning for some unknown goal while everyone is playing them like pawns.

They are deluded by the scale of Karagi. Deluded by the idea that one day they will make it. Those who do make it becomes like Marion, Nix, and Madam Trixie who lead the top, but are still under the command of the very top.

I did all this to have a better backing. But at the same time I know that there are still many 'enemies' in Karagi that make me want to puke. Imaging one of them to point their wrath at us for taking the information network makes me shiver.

Hence why I insisted on letting Marion take control. So she can be the figurehead while I'm the puppeteer. She probably knows what I'm doing. But considering that she'll have more control than ever did in life made her do it.

She has already died. I think nothing scares Marion anymore other than losing her consciousness again. To never fade away. She fears that more than being used by others.

As for me, I was taking a break after our 'win' here in Karagi. Although from the looks of it, there are problems that are going to start soon. And in some way I was worried that without any cards left to play. We would lose. I would lose to them.

Nonetheless, I refuse to stay in the shadows unless there is a need for it. Until the day that all of this passes on. When those two are able to take down the greater enemy. I'll have to remain in the shadows. I only hope that I last long enough to win.