The rise of the King cobra

Chapter 11: Food makes things better



I was pissed, and I mean really pissed. Why?

Because not only was the cost expensive to fix my car, I had to wait a few days in order for the body shop to finish.

The price I had to pay was close to sixty thousand eddies, leaving me with close to four hundred thousand eddies, I didn't bother keeping count, sue me.

They already have to deal with the cars in front of them, but other cars in waiting. The reasons for this, is because they are an honest business.

One of the rare few in fact, now I was stuck without transportation for who know how long.

I was outside the shop itself, scratching the back of my head in annoyance. I was in the Westbrook district, and things here are expensive.

Clothes, food, implants, heck even the living arrangements are expensive. I had no way to pay for transportation, since it nearly costed a hundred eddies.

The only thing I could do was walk, and if I wanted to head to another distract, I needed to take the subway.

"One problem after a another." I sighed and stood up, walking towards the nearest subway station.

I had dealt with two jobs, or gigs, earning myself some money. Only to spend it on implants and fixing my car, sure it didn't cause a drop on my account.

But I still needed to eat and sleep, so I had to get another gig soon. Not even a few seconds in, I got a call from a random number.

Answering it, it was a woman from sixth street. How I knew she was from sixth street, she had an America tattoo flag on her neck.

And a large number six on the other side of her neck, followed by a large rifle in her hands.

"So, your the Cobra I've been hearing about." She said with a sneer, I only sighed and knew where this was going.

"What can I do for you…?" It didn't take me a few seconds before she dropped the smile.

"Jessy, and I got a job for you." I rolled my eyes in annoyance, but if I was going to get some spare eddies and implants, it would be worth it.

"So, Jessy, what's the job?" Seeing that I had accepted, she smiled and began to give me the information.

"I got some boys who decided to go MIA in Pacifica, wanting to try to prove themselves that their big shots." She said and grabbed an inhaler, pressing the bottle.

"And you want me to find them?" Jessy clicked her tongue and nodded her head.

"Damn right I want you to find them, they ain't ready to fly, if they're alive, drag 'em, if dead, send me their location for a proper burial." She then ended the call before I could ask for more.

Only sending me a mark on where they were last seen. I already knew this was a trap, since I had dealt with some of the members, but I still had my doubts it was an actual mission.

Call me stupid, but if I get paid, more money, if it's a trap, money and resources. All in all, a win-win.

I stood up and began to make my way to the nearest subway entrance, since it was the quickest way to get back to Heywood.

I didn't want to deal with it in person, so I decided to just relax at home today. Only for today that is, since I don't want to be out of shape.

On my way, I accidentally ran into someone, almost knocking her onto the floor. I was able to catch her, placing my hand on her back.

"Sorry about that, I was distracted." I said with a smile, the woman in front of me was in a daze, but soon shook her head.

"N-no, the fault is mine, I didn't have enough sleep." She stuttered, I was able to pull her to her feet and was able to have a good look at her.

She had tan skin with red hair tied into a bun, her eyes had bags under them. She wore a blank tap top underneath, with a large yellow jacket on her.

"You look like your about to pass out, want me to get you an energy drink?" She shook her head and smiled, patting my shoulder.

"It's fine, my home is not too far from here." She said, but before she could move, she nearly stumbled.

"Okay, I think I need help." She said with exhaustion, I placed her arm over my shoulder and began to follow her directions.

We soon arrived at the subway and I paid for the both of us and waited for the subway. While waiting, I took the chance to talk to her.

"You know, it's odd how you are letting me help you, aren't you worried I might be leading you somewhere else?" She only glanced at me for a second, but soon chuckled.

"You're following my instructions, and didn't knock me out." She reasoned, I couldn't deny that.

"But what if I was using you to break into your home?" She only glanced down inside her jacket, shifting slightly.

In her hand was a gun, aimed at my stomach. I then looked up at her, and she had an amused smile.

"Well, can you blame me? I have to be prepared in this city." I smiled and nodded my head.

"Fair enough, what's your name?" The woman was surprised at my question, but didn't lower the gun.

"Gloria, Gloria Martinez." She then poked me with her gun, the barrel pushing the jacket against me.

"Alabast, Alabast Alejandro." I replied with a smile, she raised her brow and looked at me with amusement, before laughing to herself.

"Something tells me it's more than just Alabast." I could only lower my head and smile at her words.

"My mother wanted me to be named Kento, but my father, being a man of god wanted me to have a name from the Bible." Hearing how I was given my name, she stayed silent.

"He decided to give me the name Alabaster, only, without the e and the r, since it would be odd." I chuckled, as we arrived at the subway, Gloria stood up and a holstered her gun.

She then lifted her arms up, stretching her upper body. Some popping noises were heard, followed by a satisfied sigh.

"Well, thanks for bringing me here. I can take it from here." She said and turned towards me, giving me a bright smile.

One that wasn't forced or fake, it was genuine. I gave the same smile back, waving at her as she left.

As her figure disappeared into the sea of people, I suddenly felt empty. It was like a small piece had left me, and nothing could fill it.

I didn't dwell on it much since it was only temporary, but I did had a little hope to meet her again.

Afterword's I had also climbed onto the subway, only my destination was back home. While riding the subway, I began to look around the cabin I was in.

Most of the people that used the subway were either small time corpos, or some bodyguards that were traveling from location to location.

It was odd to see many types of people coming and going, it felt like I was back in New York.

Only this time, there were no street performers trying to earn money. It was quiet and no one tried to cause any problems, which was fine by me.

Once I had arrived back to Heywood, I made my way home and began to order some noodles, since the food venders made the scent waft through the air.

I soon stood in front of a Chinese vendor, she was skillfully tossing the noodles in the air. Bits and pieces of the vegetables and meat flew in the air.

I could feel my stomach rumbling at the sight, I couldn't hold myself back and ordered myself some of it.

"I'll take two boxes with extra soy sauce, double the meat and veggies and have the noodles thin." Hearing my order, the lady grinned and wrapped a bandana around her head.

"You got it." That was the only thing she said before she grabbed a wok, yes that is the name of the item, look it up, and began to add in the ingredients.

As she tossed the food into the air, she turned the knob on the stove up, causing a large flame to appear.

Her eyes were shining red, and she had a large ladle, look it up, and began to push the noodles, meat, and veggies with ease.

The heat and smell was strong, I could feel myself growing light and my hunger was rising.

The sauce was soon poured in the noodles, creating a sweet scent. Some people began to gather around the vendor, seeing her skills in action.

While others were watering at the sight, some began to form a line. Seeing the growth in costumers, some vendors began to display their skills as well.

Some even used their implants to help them gain attention, after a few more minutes,, the woman finished with my order and handed it to me.

"Here you go, enjoy. Also, don't try to spill and eat every last bit." She said while handing me two boxes.

I could only nod in thanks and transferred the money I owed her, leaving the large crowd that tried to order food.

As I had arrived at my home, I saw the guard still standing their looking professional. Seeing how they always stayed in the entrance, I decided to give them a tip.

Was it dumb to do so? Yes, but I'd rather make someone's day better than be an asshole who tries to cause problems.

Seeing the money being transferred to them, they only turned their head towards me. Slightly nodding their head in respect, they opened the door allowing me to enter.

As I made my way to the elevator, I soon called it down. I was tempted to open the box and take a bite, but before I could've it arrived.

I could only scowl at the timing it had but didn't dwell on it too much. Once entering, I had to endure my stomach rumbling once again.

"I swear, if I have to be interru-." The elevator dinged, signaling the arrival to my home, I know it wasn't a sentient being, but I felt like I was being mocked.

I only ignored the sound and walked to my home, once arriving at the table, I placed the two boxes in front of me.

Both of them were still warm, and the smell was slowly leaking out. I couldn't help but open one of the boxes, the smell instantly invading my nose.

My stomach began to growl loudly, causing me to pat it.

"I know bud, I'm starving." I muttered out loud, I made my way to the kitchen and grabbed myself a fork.

But taking a closer look, I set it back down and shook my head. I didn't want to use a fork that was made by a different race.

So I ordered myself some chopsticks to use for the noodles, only to regret it as my stomach protested.

However, I didn't need to wait long, since I received a knock at the door. I looked through the snake and saw the mailman placing a thin package.

"Well shit, guess the mail works fast." I muttered, but just in case, I had the snake open the package.

Inside were a few pairs of chopsticks all ready to be used, I made my way to the door and made sure to wash it, hygiene is important.

I grabbed the noodles with the now cleaned chopsticks and took a bite, humming in delight.

"Now if only I can watch my clone do the work." I sighed, I then glanced at the snake and began to wonder.

If I could see through the snakes could the snake connect to a tv and live stream what was happening?

Hearing my thoughts, the snake began to make its way to the tv and began to devour the projector.

Its back shifted a few times, and its eyes began to glow. Soon, a hologram appeared, displaying where every snake was.

"Okay, this is basically useful and useless at the same time." I had the snake show the ones in Pacifica, and fifteen screens grew in front.

"Well, I guess I can enjoy the show." I said and got myself comfortable.

(A/N) Hey hey, here's todays chapter, had t post early since I want to get ahead. How was it, send power stones for support.

Peace


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