Warm Boot (closed)

[lickquidsecksy]

Name: Atofarati Aboderin
Nickname: "Tofa"
Age: 22
Profession: University Student: Majoring in Subspace Ballistics
Occupation: Data Courier (Licensed for Corporate-Grade Armaments)

https://artignition.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/Matt-Zeilinger-Cyberpunk-Ideas.jpg

Tofa moved through the streets of Nairobi, sliding through the crowds in the Race Course Market, keeping an eye on the lights from the university. Block by block, he drew nearer to his goal.

Behind him, three shadows flitted in and out of his awareness. They were just as fast, and as he got closer to the university, its gates, and its guards, they were growing less concerned about drawing attention.

Turning quickly down a dark road that tourists avoided by nature, Tofa broke into a run. He knew these streets, had grown up on them. He could take three-on-one in his home turf.

Turning down a path used by children playing football in the barren field that served as a pitch. Tofas bravado quickly faded as he reminded himself that the decision was tactical. He didn't know if he could "take" them. He just didn't want any bystanders shot on his run.

Behind him, he heard the sound of feet hitting the ground hard as his pursuers abandoned stealth and broke into a run behind him. He heard a smattering of dutch among the grunts and curses. South African mercenaries. Whatever this was, it was valuable.

Tofa began to pump his legs harder, kicking up big clouds of dust behind him. He'd played countless games of football on this pitch. He could do it with his eyes closed. He then skidded to a stop, and jumped over the ditch filled with rusted bikes that the neighborhood boys used as a urinal.

On the other side, he scrambled under the fence instead of over it, slithering through the space that the local kids made to get away from cops and gangs. As he stood and picked up his run, he heard a crash and a high-pitched scream.

"Fok!"

Smiling, and trying not to let laughter interrupt his breathing, Tofa ran all the way to the university gates before smoothing his jacket, giving the guards a friendly smile...

"Hey Tofa! Bawo!"

"Bawo yourself Johnny! You're improving!"

...and walking casually into the student lounge.

Once inside, he scanned the room and sank slowly into what looked lie the softest chair in it. His shoes felt heavy on his burning feet. His suit could pass in the dark, fifty feet from the guard station, but it was an obvious mess under the fluorescent lights of the student center lobby. The worst was the Poly-steel vest cutting into his ribs. It could stop a .357 at point-blank range but it was an absolute bitch to run in.

After giving up on trying to find a comfortable sitting position, Tofa simply ignored his complaining ribs and looked at the data satchel he was carrying. It was a heavy case made of composite plastics, probably designed to withstand a nuke. He was wearing a kill bracelet slaved to the case. It was probably the only thing that kept the mercenaries someone hired from just shooting him and taking it. He dies, the case erases itself.

If he'd had any sense, he would have dropped the contract the second he saw the kill collar. They didn't use actual 'collars' anymore, and the bracelet does a better job demotivating an attacker than a collar ever did motivating a courier, but the message is the same.

"Fuck up and you die," Tofa said with a wry chuckle.

"What?"

Tofa then turned to face what must have been the only other student that was awake at 4:37 AM on the University of Nairobi's Campus.

 

[Lexylove13]

Name: Chaeyoung "Chae" Wren
Age:21
Profession: University student, majoring in nursing
Occupation:Bartender

Nairobi was Chae's escape from a very dangerous lifestyle. It wasn't the easiest being a mobster's precious daughter. Chae couldn't handle the life and fled, knowing her father was looking for her. He would do anything to keep her safe but she was tired of all the senseless killings.

Chae was heading back to the campus as she had finished her shift and was itching to get to bed. Keeping her head low as she made her way through the streets. Keeping her hood up as she avoided any contact if possible.

Finally reaching the campus and heading for the student lounge. As she had to go through there to her to her dorm. Accidentally bumping a another student as she took her hood off. "What?"she asked.

Turning to face him, finding it odd as she just kept to herself. Backing away slowly as she didn't want any problems.

 

[lickquidsecksy]

Tofa looked at the student who'd tripped over his case. In his hurry to collapse into the nearest chair, he'd left the case sitting directly the the pathway that ran between them. He quickly pushed it case aside and apologized profusely for his carelessness.

The student was female, Asian, and easy on the eye. Asian students weren't uncommon at the University of Nigeria. The opportunity to study and work next to the space elevator attracted students from all over the world and in the time that had passed sine it first went online, Nairobi had become as cosmopolitan as Paris or Hong Kong.

Tofa smiled and apologized again in English. It wasn't his first language, but it was one of his best.

"I'm sorry. That was very careless of me, are you hurt?"

 

[Lexylove13]

Chae watched as he moved his case before he spoke. Apologizing? "Oh.....I'm okay."she said in English. Back home the poor guy would've been killed right away. "I really should've been looking where I was walking."she said. Checking her phone as she tried from work.

Taking the time as she studied him as she found him interesting. Fixing her hoodie before she turned to head to her dorm. Though another student came in and bumped into Chae, knocking the poor girl over. The other student muttered as he walked away. Chae sighed softly as she slowly got up, using the table as a brace to help her.

 

[lickquidsecksy]

Tofa quickly knelt and helped the girl to her feet with both hands on her arms, steadying her as she stood, and using her thick black hair to take note of the passing "student". The school sweatshirt her wore was a half-assed disguise. His heavy combat boots gave him away.

Keeping an eye on the mercenary as he moved with practiced ease toward the all night campus convenience store before looking down each isle, Tofa helped the girl to her feet, wedged the case between the chair he'd been sitting in and the sofa next to it, and disengaged the magnetic lock on the mag-pistol secured in the small of his back.

Keeping one hand on the girl's shoulder that was closest to the mercenary, who'd only just now noticed that the girl he knocked over a minute ago wasn't alone, Tofa gave his easiest smile to the girl and spoke to her slowly and in a confidential tone.

"My name is Atofarati. May I have yours?"

Over her left shoulder, at two o'clock by the face of a watch, the mercenary began walking toward them, one hand under his University of Nairobi sweatshirt.

 

[Lexylove13]

Chae was taken back once more as he helped her to her feet. "Chaeyoung...."she said softly. She curious as to why this person was helping her. Most of the students just brush ypu off and keep moving. This kindness was new to her as it wasn't something she raised on.

Shifting as she stood rubbing her left elbow as she grew anxious slightly. "Thank...you.. "she said softly. She had to keep a low profile, if word got out as to who she really was. Game over as her father would show up and force her to return home.

 

[lickquidsecksy]

"Chaeyoung, that's a lovely name," Tofa said, gently guiding her to his left, and placing himself between her and the mercenary, now shouting to get their attention. "Have you been studying here long," Tofa said as he slipped a hand over the butt of the pistol at his back, casually cocking an arm to the side as if he meant to place it there.

Her eyes were dark and wide with surprise. She rubbed the elbow she landed on and looked around as if she were eager to be somewhere else.

"It's late, would you like me to escort you wherever you are going?"

The mercenary was almost too close to keep pretending they didn't notice him. Worse yet, Chaeyoung might stop to ask what he wants.

The smile never leaving his face, Tofa curled his fingers around the grip of his pistol.

 

[Lexylove13]

The shouting was starting to make her uncomfortable. "Uh...no I just started here a few months ago."she said. Noticing how Tofa kept ber close and away from the mercenary. "My dorm....I'm coming back from work."she said. Thimgs could go left from here and all hell could break out.

"Can you please take me to my dorm."she said softly. Really hoping that he would say yes as she was paranoid. Just wanting to get back and lock herself in until it was time for class. Yet she didn't want this guy to leave her side either. "Please..."she said.

Poor thing was tired and just really wanted some sleep. Hoping she wouldn't have to change locations amd school omce again. Be a matter of time before her father's mem would find her.

 

[lickquidsecksy]

Tofa quickly knelt to grab the briefcase and, placing a hand in the small of her back to keep himself between the mercenary and her, the two walked off. Behind them, the mercs shouting had caught the attention of campus security. Taking his opportunity, Tofa guided the young woman out of the lobby.

"So, where am I taking you this evening?"

 

[Lexylove13]

Chae grew more anxious before they headed out. Pointing to a doem building that was a short walk, "My dorm is there." Staying close as they ealekd as she was nervous as to what else could happen. Staying quiet as she just wanted to get to her dorm safely without a huge scene.

 

[lickquidsecksy]

Tofa and Chaeyoung turned into the student residency area where the trees and architecture were designed to "inspire creative thought". As a result, they provided excellent cover.

It was only after noticing how fast her chest was rising and falling that Tofa realized he may have rushed her. Between his athletic scholarships and his job as a courier, he often forgot what a "normal" level of exertion felt like.

Taking a few deep breaths before speaking so as to appear as winded as she was, Tofa flashed her his smile again and spoke casually, still scanning over her shoulder for any more pursuers.

"So, which one of these is yours," he said, gesturing toward row upon row of identical student housing.

 

[Lexylove13]

Chae was doing her best yo keep up with Tofa. Soon panting as they reached the building. Looking up as she pointed to the second row, "That one." He could hear just how winded she was. Taking a deep breathe to calm her heart rate down. "Will you walk me to my floor?"she asked.

It was better to be safe than sorry, as Chae really didn't want to transfer schools again. Yet was prepared incase she had to, preventing her father from finding her. Keep quiet as they headed to the building. Chae couldn't wait to just plop on her bed and finally get some rest.

 

[lickquidsecksy]

Tofa followed Chae into her building, a beige stack of boxes that looked exactly like every other building on this part of the campus.

Once inside, he looked over his shoulder to see the blue and white flashing lights of the campus security cars. Among them was one flashing red, white and blue, an actual police car.

Tofa silently cursed the stupid mercenary for not being smart enough not to raise suspicion. He'd learned early on as a courier that the only thing his clients disliked more than their own criminal competition, was law enforcement. That guy just cost himself his paycheck. Only his paycheck, if he was lucky.

Death was not always the punishment for failure in that world. Tofa had seen cybernetic and genetic implants ripped from other operators after failing a mission.

Field-tested cybernetics were lucrative on the black market, and could make up for a single dropped delivery several times over. Placing a hand over the cool metal disk implanted in his temple, Tofa fingered the braid of cabling and wires that ran from it under his skin and along his jaw.

There was another branch of wires that ran down to a digital stent at the base of his spine, but that was woven deeper into muscle and bone. He couldn't actually touch it, but when he thought about having it ripped out, he could definitely feel it.

Having to swallow twice before falling back into his "easygoing" act, Tofa noticed that Chae had seen the flashing police lights outside. Following her gaze, he noticed that the police cars now outnumbered campus security.

Tofa had been expecting this, eventually, but that was unusually fast. What had that merc done? Even if he was found to be armed, the police wouldn't have responded like this for just one intruder. It clicked as Tofa noticed law enforcement and campus security spreading out from their cruisers with weapons drawn.

There was more than one.

Tofa was searching for the words to communicate the situation to Chae when the university alert system did it for him. Both of their phones chimed with the school's official tone.

*** LOCKDOWN ALERT - ARMED INDIVIDUALS ON CAMPUS ***

An instant later, the lobby doors locked behind them with a sharp snap.

 

[Lexylove13]

They soon reached her building and headed inside before she caught sight of the police lights. Panic began to kick in as this could cause for her father's team to show up. Hearing her phone ping before she pulled it out. Her eyes widen as she saw the message and mentally cursed. She had to come up with a plan in case she needed to bolt.

Her head shot up as the door immediately locked behind them. This made things even trickier as Tofa really had nowhere to go. "Uh my dorm is right over here."she said softly. Leading him over before she opened the door. Nothing fancy as it was a room with a bed, small kitchenette and a bathroom. The lights lit up her room as she set her bag down on a small desk. However, above the desk was a bulletin board with numerous articles about mafia's in Japan.

Chae slipped her hoodie off to reveal her red crop top that really hugged her chest nicely. Draping it over the back of a chair before walking over to her small kitchen. Turning a light on as it would help him see her better. Chae had quite the body, toned but curves in all the right places. Her jeans hugged her round ass nicely, she was the type most guys drooled over.

 

[lickquidsecksy]

Tofa followed Chae inside, ducking his head to avoid hitting it on the door frame.

On the inside was a typical college dorm room. Bland furniture had been dressed up with colorful blankets, pillows and rugs. Her desk was simple, with a lamp and a wide open space for a laptop or book. Above it however, was a corkboard pinned with newspaper clippings.

Flexing a surgically implanted muscle behind his eye, Tofas field of vision narrowed on one of the clippings pinned to the board. The text was in hiragana and katakana and in one of the pictures, a man was lying facedown in a pool of blood on what appeared to be a subway train.

Police tape hung from the handrails as if dropped in the middle of being hung up. A blurry police officer with his hands up is trying to shoo the photographer away and failing. The last thing Tofa noticed before the muscle relaxed and his vision returned to normal was the gloss on the picture of the dead man. It wasn't dull like the pictures from the newspaper clippings, it was shiny .

That was the actual photo.

"This is a lovely apartment you have Chae," Tofa said, sitting in the chair next to the one she laid her coat on. "You would not by any chance have tea would you?"

 

[Lexylove13]

Chae soon looked Tofa's way before nodding her head. "I do.....actually quite the variety. Any preference?"she said. opening a cabinet and pulling out two mugs then closing it. Opening another cabinet a pulled out a container that held various tea bags.

"Thanks but this place really is nothing special. I miss my place back in Japan. Had one breath-taking view of the city at night."she said. Memories began to flood her mind as she shook her head. She fled her life with only a backpack. Disappearing in the night and at sun rise her father was in full panic.

 

[lickquidsecksy]

Tofa smiled at her and smiled back. It was sad, but honest. Her face was open, without any of the deception he'd learned to see through. Poor girl just missed home.

The tension in her body caused her muscles to stand out, straining against the tank top and jeans. Chae may have missed home, but she'd apparently taken to the local diet without any problems. Red beans and rice hadn't missed her.

"Since you miss home. Perhaps green tea?"

 

[Lexylove13]

Chae snapped out of her thoughts, "Yeah I do." Pulling out the some green tea before heating up the water. "Been some time since I was last home."she said. After a bit she walked over with the mugs and set one down in front of Tofa. "Careful it is hot."she said.

Blowing on her tea before she took a sip. "Thank you for walking me home."she said. Not use to kindness around these parts. Looking to the window as the cops were still present and sighed softly. This could ruin things entirely and Chae wasn't ready to jsut disappear again.

 

[lickquidsecksy]

Tofa relaxed into the chair, taking the time to lean back and get a good look at the police search. They were ignoring the student buildings and all moving in one direction.

"Thank you for the tea," Tofa said, taking the cup from her. "I should apologize for the intrusion. I had no idea my offer would result in you being stuck with me."

Tofa studied her as she looked out the window. She had a lithe, dancers frame but held herself like a fighter. Tofa dismissed it at first as the fight-or-flight response of a scared girl, but it was now becoming clear it was her posture. She'd been taught to stand like that.

She'd been trained.

"My mother taught me to be polite," Tofa continued as he sipped his tea, allowing his lingering gaze to be taken for what it was. The adrenaline from his earlier run had worn off and the tension from the encounter with their pursuer was gone now that he was the one being chased.

It is a difficult thing to be constantly alert for danger and Tofa knew he should have asked more questions, probed for whatever Chae was obviously hiding. But, as she stood in the golden glow of early morning, looking out her window at police searching for an armed trespasser, Tofa could only focus on the curve of her hips and the swell of her breasts as her chest rose and fell with each nervous breath.

"At least I know they aren't looking for you," Tofa said with a chuckle.

 

[Lexylove13]

"Not problem it is the most I could do "she said. Slowly walking over to the window as she watched the scene unfold. Though his comment struck a nerve.....was her cover blown? The police were still here...made her wonder if her father's men found the campus without her knowing. Trying to remain calm but his comment rattled in her head.

Turning as she looked to him, "Pardon?" She had this confused look on her face....what gave it away? Fully turning to face Tofa before heading back to the kitchen. Setting her mug down on the counter. She had to act fast and remain calm before everything was blown wide open.

 

[lickquidsecksy]

It had been nice just being alone with a pretty girl while it lasted. She was definitely hiding something, or from someone.

Tofa took another sip of tea and inhaled the fragrance deeply. Maybe she really was just that scared of a group of police sweeping the school and Tofa was just reacting to the adrenaline instead of thinking.

Waving away her nervousness as actual nerves, despite his instincts warning him not to, Tofa began pushing his own fight-or-flight instincts down. Despite his casual act, he was at his limit between his run through Nairobi, almost getting caught, and having to play simple college student in front of Chae.

There was more to her than she seemed, he knew that, but he needed her to just be a normal girl right now. He'd spent all night not knowing where a knife or bullet might come from and, in Chae's room with his hot cup of tea (which was actually very good by the way, he'd only asked for green tea to be nice, certain he'd hate it) he wanted to become the simple college student we was pretending to be.

Choosing to ignore the crime scene photos and the way she stood like a coiled snake when looking out the window, Tofa began to settle into the small talk, the illusion that this was normal. He also chose to ignore how easily he deceived himself before writing it off as adrenaline withdrawal again and looking Chae up and down, the way a normal guy would.

"What do you study Chae?"

 

[Lexylove13]

Chae was doing this not just for her but Tofa too. He coukd be killed for just even touching Chae. "Nursing....I'm studying nursing."she said. Washing her mug out before collecting Tofa's empty mug. Making sure to wash it out before setting it in the sink. "What are you studying?"she asked.

Walking over before pulling the chair from her desk. Curious about him, praying he wasn't someone her father enlisted. Propping her right leg up as she slipped her sock off. Her ankle tattoo was on full view. Most would see it as a cute lotus flower but really was her mark from her father.

 

[lickquidsecksy]

Tofa took Chae in as she settled into the chair next to him. She removed her socks and Tofa immediately noticed the pink cap on the end of each toe. She had a cute little tattoo on her ankle

a lotus

a flower that was a deep violet, the same color of the moonlight shining off of her hair. She curled herself into the chair like a kitten and Tofa found the next smile that came to him was natural, not practiced.

"I am studying subspace ballistics. It's a growing career out in the colonies. They use it to send packets of resources from other planets back to earth. Frozen water, minerals, ore. Things that are too expensive to mine here on earth."

 

[Lexylove13]

Chae soon curled up on the chair, normally she was in bed by now. "Oh that sounds very interesting....I didn't know that was even a thing."she said. Though she wqs itching to get out of her jeans. "Not to sounds weird but mind if I change? I rather get out of my work clothes."she said. Slowly getting up as walked over and grab a change of clothes.

"There’s a some sweats and what not in the third drawer you can change into if you want."she said. Heading into the bathroom and shutting the door. However it was slightly cracked, giving Tofa a peek. Chae stripped down just to a pair of panties. He really could see her body now. Slipping on some shorts and a t-shirt on. Putting her clothes in a basket before walking back out.

 

[lickquidsecksy]

Tofa thanked Chae and quickly changed as soon as she turned the corner, folding his pistol and vest into his clothes while she undressed.

The dorm room was small, a single, and simply by standing up, Tofa could see into the next room. She was naked, except her her underwear, simple white cotton. When she stretched to pull her shirt over her head, Tofa could see her fully.

He sat down quickly before she came into the room, placing his folded clothes over the case, concealing both it and his weapon.

"Thank you so much Chae," he said, never taking hsi eyes off of her body. "This is so much better."