The Art of Magic

Sic Parvis Magna

The Morning sun was peeking towards the window. It's bright rays illuminated her sleeping face. As if telling her to wake up and get to work.

She tried covering the sun rays with her palms, to no avail. She tossed and turned to avoid the glaring sunlight, still to no avail. Suddenly a constant knocking sound entered her ears.

*Knock knock!*

She frowned, She thought to herself, 'Who the fuck is it? Who has the guts to bang at my door on this ungodly hour...'

She pulled her blanket up and covered her ears with her pillows, to drown out the voice calling for her beyond the door.

Then after a few seconds of knocking and screaming, Nex couldn't take it anymore she sat up and glared at the door and stood up. She clicked her tongue and made her way towards the door, carefully to avoid the clutter in her room.

She opened the door grumpily, but before she could scream towards the early morning disturbance a paper was thrusted towards her face.

She clicked her tongue softly, but it was soon replaced by a pleasing smile towards the person in front of her.

She took the paper but before she read it, she greeted the old lady in front of her, "Why Mrs. Su! What brings you here so early in the morning. I'm pretty sure I paid the rent 3 days ago." She said with a pleasing smile.

The old lady observed her unkempt appearance, from top to bottom she scrutinized the way the young gal carries herself. She heaved a sigh and finally spoke.

"No not rent, Young Nex. It's the new rules in our apartment complex. With H.H.K.D's taking over our house Androids the government wanted to ask if you're willing to donate your Android.

*Sigh* I honestly don't like these new drones, our House Android Qinyue is part of our family as much as my sons and daughters. This Magitech Company is really driving away Androids..." Her face looked solemn as she droned on.

She listened in to her landlord as she read about the new house rules. She nodded along as she tried to drown out the surrounding noise in the balcony. It seems that Traffic was prevalent no matter what planet you're in she thought.

Finally her landlady finally stopped talking, it seemed that after ranting she felt a lot better. She peeked through the door and saw that her room was a mess.

"For God's sake young lady, clean up your room." She sighed. Nex however just replied with a smile and a wry laugh.

"Get your act together! If you keep being like this, you'd miss the marrying age. It would pass by like a breeze, and before you know it you're 40 and extremely desperate for love." Mrs. Su's face turned serious as she lectured the uninterested Nex.

Nex on the other hand was sweating behind her back as she listened to the battle hardened madam. Suddenly as if struck by a good idea, she smirked towards Nex as her eyes gleamed.

"Well My youngest son Fei is almost 22 now. What do you think? He's got a good head on his shoulder. Although he might be a stubborn idiot sometimes, he's still quite a catch."

She showed her a picture of her son, Nex thought to herself, 'Good God, She just like... carry that around with her all day? I feel sorry for Fei...' As she was about to refuse her landlady's offer she showed her another picture.

"If you don't fancy Fei'er What about my youngest daughter Lin-Lin? She's only older than Fei'er by 2 years." Nex's smile twitched as she declined her offer.

'I feel sorry for those two. They have to go through with this bullshit for their entire lives...'

She thanked her landlord and went back inside, "Thanks, Mrs. Su, but I have to go. I gotta meeting today."

"Alright, that's all I have to say. Young Nex, Think about it carefully."

Her landlord smiled and nodded, she walked away looking disappointed but then regained her vigor as she knocked on Nex's neighbors to have an early morning 'Chat'.

She closed her door and made her way through the sink as she kicked the debris, flinging them aside making an even greater mess.

She turned on the radio, She tuned in to it as she freshened up. She listened to it, to give life to her drab grey room. A Silvery and Smoky voice of a man echoed in her room.

< Good Morning Paradise City! Your Buddy Dan, Here, with fair news about the rainy weather here on Scylla-8b, It's finally over!

But enough about that! I know what you kiddies want to know. All you blokes sittin' in paradise, Twirling that whiskey, waiting for something better - you know what I mean.

But before I blast out some tunes, I just want to address the growing Android problem. Am I right?

Don't worry about it! The H.H.K.D from Magitech has got you covered. This Holographic House Keeping Drone can wash your worries away. It doesn't even need that much space. No maintenance required!

For all the Johnny's out there, get this to get a Stacy in your life! See what I did there? I just advertised my new movie! Hahahaha! Anyways back to the tunes my dudes.

Here's (Take me to Paradise City By Swords and Camelias)>

As the music played out,  Nex has finally finished freshening up. She dusted her old worn out black jeans and wore them like a champ. She stared at her mirror as she observed her grey shirt, with a golden dragon insignia in front. She picked up her white jacket with purple highlights. She walked towards her front door to put in her black sneakers that stood the test of time. Considering that it was an off brand shoe she bought.

After wearing it she excitedly pressed her hand towards a fingerprint locked room, behind the wall.

It was her favorite room, The Armory. It was the only pristine area, unsullied by the dense clutter. This room was a staple add-on for Hunters like her. She looked around whistling as she perused and checked out her babies.

She wore a Defensive Armor, That could deploy electromagnetic shields to prevent almost any projectile, It's Called E.V.E. Electromagnetic Vector Equipment.

She took her Supersonic Oscillating Chainsaw Combat Knife, which she named Venom, Because of how painful it is.

She also picked up her Two favorite Hand Cannons Mercy and Grace, embedded on the Large Case on the wall as well She twirled them around and checked the mag, then finally hiding it within her jacket. She also picked up extra Mags for extra precaution.

She gleefully excited her apartment and walked outside, she was met by the bustling streets and Hover Car traffic. Although Paradise City was mostly alive during the night, it's still populated in the morning by the people who have dead end jobs working in a 10 hour shift everyday.

Her wrist watch suddenly vibrated as she walked her way towards her destination, The Guild. Where all Outlaws, Outcasts and Criminals go to fend for themselves.

She pressed the answer button and patched the caller through her headset. A man's husky voice rang in her ears, "Hey Nex, Need to talk to you. Got news for a gig!"

She smiled, "I'm on my way there, just gotta visit my friend for a little bit."

"C'mon girl! Make your friend wait a little bit, this is a great gig even for us hunters! Don't forget to bring some iron."

She caressed the sides of her jacket, "Oh yeah, I'm packing alright."

"Alright Meet you at the pub, the client is waiting for you there." Jack said.

Her caller disconnected, and told her where to meet her. She quickly turned left in a dark alley, Within it was a small door. She knocked on it with a certain rhythm.

The door shot open an what greeted her was her friend Nadja, A hacker and weapons specialist.

"Nex! You're finally here!" She grabbed nex's hand and pulled her inside.

"I have what you asked for, trust me. Even with the friends discount, This shit is still fucking expensive! So take care not to break it so soon." She said as she handed her two black metal sticks.

Nex smiled, "Relax, I've got some cash to burn."

Nex flipped it over and back to observe what's so special with those things.

Nadja explained to her what it was, "This is a military grade add-on for your favorite hand cannons. It has smart aim where your bullets track your targets, though velocity is a little low, because normal bullets are Ill equipped for this. Luckily I modified your guns last week before you went on that job.  Now it uses your E.V.E's electromagnetic field to boost them."

She raised her eyebrows and watched Nadja attach those add-ons very skillfully.

"Are these illegal?" She asked her friend.

Nadja raised her head and nodded her head, "Very illegal, it's like prohibited from 5 systems I think."

Nex smirked, "Now you're speaking my language. Thanks Nadja, Here is the payment, Also I gotta run. Gotta test these babies on something." She swiped her card and rushed outside.

Nadja just shrugged and pressed a button to open the door. Nex quickly ran towards her destination and met with her informant.

She arrived in front of a small worn out pub that says Forlorn Souls, She quickly entered inside and saw her informant Mad Jack, He grinned as soon as he spotted her in the crowd. "Over here!" He waved his arms around.

Nex sat in front of him, they were positioned at the edge of the bar, "So? what's the job?"

"You suddenly sound so eager." He said as he raised his eyebrows. Nex smiled, "Well this week has been extremely boring."

Jack just bellowed in laughter, "Alright, see that smiling man in the grey suit in the table near the counter? That's the guy, Said he wants you to find something for him.

Don't fuck this up now, it's your way to the big leagues and It's my ticket to retirement." He said as he caressed his thick grey beard.

Nex just scoffed and shook her head, she stood up and walked towards the man in the suit.

She approached the man in the grey suit and sat in front of him, "Heard you were looking for me?"

The man stared at her and nodded. He spoke In a very formal tone, "You have a certain reputation in this circle, but we could never deny the skills you possess. A Bounty Hunter of your Caliber is needed for this job."

"What's in it for me?" She immediately asked. The man rummaged her suit as he handed her a cheque.

"Consider this as your down payment, The rest will follow after you finish the job." He said.

Nex nodded, "Pretty Big number you got here..."

The man smiled, "Well this is quite the risky job. Our company would love to do anything to even put a setback to Magitech's success."

Nex nodded her head, "I see... Well, before I accept let me see the details." The man looked around the pub and shook his head.

"This is highly sensitive information, if you would please follow me, I could give you the details."

The man stood up and quickly made his way towards the door. Nex followed shortly as she nodded her head towards Jack's direction.

She followed him until they reached the parking lot and the man approached the latest Black Lenten Knight Car model. The man opened the backseat door, and when Next entered she saw a Beautiful Silver haired  lady, wearing an obsidian dress smoking inside. She reached out her hands, "Hello, Miss Nex, a pleasure."

Nex shook her hand and sat down inside, she observed the lady and instantly recognized the woman, she was the CEO of Android Universal, Alessandra Belizna.

"I didn't know that I was this popular." Nex remarked. Alessandra just smiled, "Well, Miss Nex we both share a common hatred for something. Magitech.

We dug around and know you hate them as much as we do. But it seems that certain information about your background is missing... No matter, I have an opportunity to for you to bite back at Magitech.

Interested?"

Nex leaned back on the car seat, "Could be, sing your song."

Alessandra pulled down a screen and showed her images of A certain planet 3 systems away from them.

"Magitech has made a big movement in this planet, We are not sure what it is exactly... But if we are to damage Magitech significantly, we would have to destroy this big operation."

Nex listened to her explanation,  "You're expecting me to fight Magitech's army alone? that's fucking suicide."

Alessandra shook her head, "Of course not Miss Nex, you are after all a rare commodity. I just want you to find out what they're doing exactly. Then we'll send reinforcements to you and aid you on taking them down.

After this we'll reward you generously of course. With the newest Military Combat Android.

Well? Are you interested?"

Nex pondered for awhile, "Interesting...What's the catch?"

Alessandra smiled towards her, "You have to work with a certain somebody. He's quite the character, he's...well a journalist. We need him to go with you so we could execute Magitech publicly with their illegal operation. We need his notorious scathing criticism."

Nex frowned, "You want me to baby sit?"

Alessandra gave a hearty beautiful laugh, "No, that man knows his way on the battlefield."

Nex crossed her arms, "Alright but what's in it for you? You can't be this generous without getting something?"

"The entire assets of Magitech. With their technology, I could probably make Androids that could replace enhanced soldiers and sell them for a big sum." She inhaled and blew the smoke on the open car window.

"In the end it's going to be money huh?" Nex said. Alessandra shrugged, "It does make a perfect circle does it not? It's the easiest to understand. Rather trying to figure out meaning why not just buy it?

Well Miss Nex? Can I count on you services?"

Nex grinned, "I like the tune, so I think we have a deal."

She reached her hand to shake Alessandra's hands.

"I'll send you the details on your Wrist Drive, meet us in two days in the U-port. We'll have someone to fetch you. Till then, I shall bid you farewell."

Nex nodded and got out of the car and silently walked away. Inside the car however the man in the suit asked her boss, "Why her? It could be literally anyone else?"

"Well Brother, that girl is somewhat special, Ever heard of the term Sic Parvis Magna? I feel like she embodies that term." She said as she observed the back of Nex as she slowly blended within the crowd.

"What does that mean?" He asked her sister.

"Well Clause, it means greatness from small Beginnings. We both know I have never been wrong. Let's go, this place is really disgusting." She blew smoke towards the window and motioned her brother to get a move on. The Car slowly drove away into the distance.