Page 256 of Light Leech

We turned to Sanna as her skin began to flash, changing from a healthy bronze to the pale of someone who spent their life in a neuroset cave. Her hair faded from black to blonde. Her facial features adjusted to a nutrient deprived neurocrawler. This was not a cosmetic change, but the reveal of an entirely different person.

“Recognize her now?” Ralia asked, two of her eyes on us with the other two in the neuronet.

Boyband leaned over and glared. “No idea. The Sanna lady looked kind of familiar, more of one of those vanilla personalities that blends in with the rest of a school, but I think I would remember seeing a neuronet junkie like this. You got a name for her?”

“The old tricks aren’t working and my mod is still malfunctioning. Nay, you got some lumens to spare? I’ve got a guy who helped me with guk like this before I learned to work for myself.”

“Sure, I’ll send–”

“Oh, don’t worry, babe. I’ve got all the account details, I just needed your permission.”

“I–”

“At least I asked this time, right?”

“This time?”

“You’re hilarious, girl. Give me a sec.”

“Why didn’t you use this guy with that therapist?” Boyband asked.

“I asked him but he sent some obscene mindshows that I couldn’t prevent. We left each other on bad terms, if you plug?’

“You dated him?” I asked.

“Sure, something like that. I figured it was a dead end, but now that he’s had some time to cool off, I figure I should approach with lumens.”

“Why didn’t you just lead with that last time?” I asked.

“Pride?” she said, unsure of herself. “I figured I could fix the problem if I had enough time to think. That and you kinda broke the therapist’s system before I had time to think through another solution. Good move not killing this one yet, Kun. Just don’t let Pet or Nay get too close if she flips out again.”

“I–” Naoma started, but Ralia began another conversation.

“Parkie! How you doin’, du!”

“Is that the guy?” Boyband asked. She waved him off.

She continued with her usual enthusiasm, bringing smiles to our faces. “Look, du, I get that things happened, you know, but I’ve got a different offer.” She nodded. “Uh huh. Uh huh. I know. Look, I’m not asking for anything more than a quick job.” She paused. “Oh, so now you want some? No. Lumens, plain and simple. That’s it, no questions asked. Also, it’ll be virus encrypted on my end so your whole system’ll be zegged up if you even try to take any of this data elsewhere.“ She glared. “Ew, no… well… hit me up later and we can chat.“ She giggled. “Look, I know I should be better, but I’ve got a bug in my system. No, I don’t think you could fix it. That’s nothing on you, just the truth. I can’t find any source signal. Focus, Parkie. I’ve got this whole job ready for you. No searching or digging on your part, just a simple bypass. Like I said, I know what I’m doing, my wall-buster is just having its issues right now. Check this invoice. Think you can do that for a simple pass? Other favors, you know I’m down, babe, but I’m busy right now. You plug? Love you, Parkie.”

She breathed out in exasperation.

“You got it?” I asked.

She nodded. “We should be able to crack ‘Sanna’s’ shell in a minute or so.”

“You really are a freak, aren’t you?” Boyband said.

“What, all of that?” Ralia laughed. “First, you wish. Second, Parkie is a sucker for Luminate League.”

“That stupid neurospace card game?” Boyband scoffed.

“Hey! It’s not stupid. I promised him a few trades and a battle or so when I have the time.”

“Zeggin’ nerd.”

“You’re just jealous, babe. Luminate League is how deals and relationships are made in the neurocore.”

“The dark side of the net?”