Neon Insurgence Part 1

Wires and circuit boards decorated my workspace. The steady hum of my computer provided a calming effect, helping to relax my mind. I wiped the sweat from my brow as my back ached from the constant hunching over the mess that was on my desk.
Working at a small repair shop in the poor district of Denver wasn't the best. The income was steady as long as I didn't look too hard at legalities. Fluorescent lights flicked above me and gave me pause to stare at my poor working conditions.
"Not exactly corporate level, but for the most part its honest work."
My job was a hacker and on occasional, building hardwired interfaces for others who didn't want to get traced. My circumstances were far from ideal, but I had a daughter to raise and I've learned to adapt. It was helpful when I needed to keep a low profile. Blending into the dirt and grime of the darker side of the city kept most from even glancing in my direction.
With it being 2085, corporations did their best to monitor everyone's moves. All in the name of safety since the government was useless as ever. What watching only did was give the corporations a reason to try and see me something. Everywhere I went, ads blasted from hidden speakers and holographic signs lit up half the buildings. Corporate greed at its best.
"Carro, is Emily with you today?" asked the shop owner, Mr. Nguyen, peered through the haze of oily machinery and blinking neon signs.
"Yep, she's in the back room," I replied, not looking up from his work. "Drawing or something."
"Good. You never know who might come lurking around these parts," Mr. Nguyen said, glancing nervously at the door. And he was right. For all the anonymity the district provided, it wasn't immune to the dangers that lurked in the shadows. And by dangers I meant my ex-wife.
My heart tightened at the mention of my daughter's name. She was the core of my existence and the reason I struggled to stay under the radar and out of my ex-wife's way. At some point, my past would catch up with me, but until then, I layed low and hoped for the best.
If I could only shield my daughter, Emily from the reality that was my life and this world. I did what I could but I fell short. Unlike most citizens who shrugged and accepted their fate, I couldn't, but being a single father added additional challenges. Parenting in this unforgiving cityscape was brutal, but Emily made it worth it. Her smile lit a room up more than thousands of light nodes together.
"Daddy, can I show you what I drew?" Emily's voice rang out from the other side of the office, her footsteps echoing as she approached.
"Of course," I said, setting aside the circuit board and wiping his hands on a dirty rag. He couldn't help but smile at the sight of his daughter–her bright eyes and unruly hair were a beacon of hope amidst the squalor.
Emily presented her drawing with pride. "It's you and me at the park. We're having a picnic, and there's a big sun in the sky."
"Wow, that's amazing, sweetheart," I said, taking a moment to appreciate her artwork. "I wish we could go to the park more often."
"Me too," Emily sighed, looking wistful. "But I know you have to work, Daddy. I just want us to be safe and happy."
Guilt wracked my soul. My constant worry for her safety caused a lot of gray hair and wrinkles to appear sooner than later. I pulled her into a tight embrace. I'll protect you from this bad world, no matter the cost. I have to find out how to do so. Living in this city was far from safe, but with the countryside left to the rich or corporate farming, this was the best I could do. A small office in the back of a shop wasn't the best. I needed to do better.
"Listen, Emily," I said, looking her in the eye. "No matter what happens, I will always keep you safe. You are my world, and I'll do everything I can to make sure you grow up strong and happy."
"Promise?" Emily asked, her brilliant blue eyes wide and hopeful.
"Promise," I replied, and sealed the vow with a gentle kiss on her forehead.
Having her next to me was a brief moment of peace in a world that could toss me into a meat grinder any second. Every day was a challenge to live. Rent kept going up, and fresh food was slowly becoming scarce. Corporate farms processed their food to make it easier to transport, but what I'd give for a real orange or an apple. But, I had Emily and that made it worth it. She gave me strength to forge ahead and try to create a better life for us.
The door to the main part of the tech repair shop creaked as I nudged it open, a symphony of rust and metal scraping against one another. The dimly lit room smelled like a mixture of burned circuitry and stale coffee, a scent I had grown accustomed to over the years. Emily's face scrunched up in distaste, but she followed me inside without complaint.
"Alright, Emily," I said, ruffling her hair. "You know the drill. Stay by my side and don't touch anything."
"Got it, Daddy," she replied, her voice a whisper in the hushed atmosphere.
As I approached the counter, Sam Nguyen, an older man with greasy fingers and a perpetual squint, greeted me with a nod. He slid a small box across the counter towards me, his eyes darting around nervously.
"Carro, I need your… expertise on this one," he murmured, his gruff voice barely audible. "It's got some heavy security – beyond what I can handle."
I glanced down at the mysterious box, feeling a familiar thrill race through my veins. It was the kind of challenge I lived for, a chance to flex my hacking skills. But I knew better than to let that excitement show. Instead, I forced a sigh, feigning reluctance.
"Fine, Sam," I muttered, picking up the box. "But don't make a habit out of bringing these things to me."
"Of course not," he replied, shifting his gaze from mine. "I wouldn't dream of it."
I led Emily to a secluded corner of the shop, the hum of machines buzzing around us. As I cracked open the box, my heart raced at the sight of the complex security system within. The intricate maze of wires and circuits taunted me, daring me to try and bypass its defenses.
I'd use the shop computers for this job. Using mine would prove to dangerous due to my ex, and the shop computers had a bit more power than mine. Plus, mine weren't built for hardware like this one was. I used mine for navigating data nodes, AI, and the Net. This was a bit different.
"Emily, remember what I told you about these jobs?" I asked, my voice low and steady.
"Only when necessary, Daddy," she recited dutifully, her eyes wide and curious. "And you always hide it from everyone."
"Good girl," I praised her softly, a bittersweet smile tugging at the corners of my lips. She was too young to understand why we had to keep secrets like this, but she trusted me nonetheless.
I focused my attention on the security system, my fingers dancing across the wires and plugging in the shop's computer. With practiced speed and precision, I deftly navigated the encrypted codes. The world around me faded away, replaced by the rhythmic dance of technology and intuition. With each successful bypass, I felt a surge of triumph – not for the recognition or admiration it might earn me, but for the simple fact that my skills could keep Emily safe.
"Wow, Daddy," Emily breathed, watching in awe as I cracked the final layer of encryption. "You're amazing."
"Thanks, kiddo" I replied, my voice barely more than a whisper. "But remember, this stays between us."
"Promise," she whispered back, her small hand gripping mine in a show of support.
With the security system dismantled, I handed the box back to Sam, our eyes meeting briefly before he stowed it away without a word. He slipped me a credit stick with a smile. Looks like Emily and I can eat this week. As Emily and I slipped out of the shop, the door creaking shut behind us, I couldn't help but feel a sense of relief – both for successfully navigating the challenge and for keeping our secret safe.
"Come on, Emily," I said, pulling her close as we disappeared into the shadows of the Denver night with only the neon glow of the signs lighting our way. "Let's go home."
"Okay, Daddy," she replied, her voice filled with trust and love.
And as we walked through the dark, dangerous streets, I knew that my expertise in hacking was just one more tool in my arsenal – a weapon to protect my daughter and ensure our survival in this unforgiving city. It didn't seem like much, but my right arm was cybernetic as well. It allowed me physically hack into the Net or other nodes. It beat carrying a computer around, and was a bit stronger than my left arm. It cost me a lot of money for the upgrade but it was necessary.
The door to my small, cluttered apartment creaked open, revealing Lila Wells on the other side. Her immaculate black suit stood out like a sore thumb against the peeling paint and worn floorboards, a testament to the stark differences between our lives. How the fuck did she get in? I know she's my ex-wife but fuck, was anything sacred to her? Probably not. I quickly shuffled Emily into her room before she saw her mother.
"Carro," she said, her voice dripping with condescension. "Your place hasn't changed much."
"Neither have you," I replied, swallowing the bitterness that threatened to rise in my throat. "What brings you here? How did you get in? I literally change the code every thirty seconds."
"Emily has a recital at school tomorrow," she informed me, her eyes flitting around the room as if searching for something to criticize. "I thought I'd drop by and see if you're planning to attend."
"Of course, I am," I snapped, my protective instincts kicking in. "She's my daughter too, Lila."
"Sometimes I wonder if she'd be better off with me," she muttered under her breath, turning her cold gaze back to me. "You know, Carro, it wouldn't kill you to put in a little effort. Maybe then you could afford a better life for Emily."
"Better?" I scoffed. "You mean working all hours of the day and night, never seeing your family? That's not better, Lila."
"Maybe not," she admitted, her tone softening ever so slightly. "But it would be nice to know she's safe when I'm not around. Can you honestly say that's true here?"
Lila may have been a Grade A cunt at times, but she was right. This neighborhood was far from safe and it's not like Lila gave a shot about child support. I doubt she even like her daughter and came to events for the publicity. The woman made me sick and I often wondered what I saw in her.
"Emily's always safe with me," I insisted, clenching my fists at my sides. "And I've got things under control, no thanks to you."
"Fine," Lila sighed, conceding the point. "Just make sure she's ready for the recital tomorrow. I'll pick her up in the morning."
"Sure," I muttered through gritted teeth, watching as she retreated down the hallway, her heels clicking against the floor like the ticking of a clock.
As the door slammed shut behind her, I leaned against it, my heart pounding in my chest. It was a constant battle with Lila, a reminder that our worlds were miles apart. While she climbed the corporate ladder, I stayed in the shadows, using my skills only when necessary to ensure Emily's safety.
But despite the sacrifices I made, Lila never seemed to understand the depth of my love for our daughter. She couldn't see past the disarray of our home or the dangerous district we lived in, blinded by her own ambitions and arrogance.
I took a deep breath, steeling myself for the conversation to come. "Hey, Emily," I called out, my voice cracking slightly. "Your mom stopped by. She says there's a recital tomorrow."
"Really?" Emily's eyes lit up with excitement as she bounded into the room. "That means she'll finally get to see me dance!"
"Yeah," I agreed, swallowing the lump in my throat. "She will."
"Are you coming too, Daddy?" she asked, her hopeful gaze searching my face for reassurance.
"Of course, kiddo," I promised, pulling her close. "Wouldn't miss it for the world."
"Good," she murmured, snuggling into my arms. "I want us all to be together for once."
"Me too," I whispered, hugging her tight and vowing to do whatever it took to keep her safe, even if it meant facing down Lila Wells and the rest of the world.
The sun had barely risen as I shuffled through the cramped apartment, trying to find my keys amidst the clutter. With one hand holding a steaming mug of coffee and the other clutching Emily's backpack, I couldn't help but feel the weight of my responsibilities bearing down on me.
"Em, we gotta go," I called out, my voice muffled by the worn scarf wrapped around my neck.
"Coming, Daddy!" she yelled back, her footsteps thundering down the hallway. She emerged from her room, her hair hastily combed into a lopsided ponytail, her eyes still heavy with sleep.
"Alright, let's get moving," I said, ushering her toward the door. As we stepped outside, the cold air bit at our faces, but we trudged on, our breaths hanging in the air like ghosts. Fuck, winters in Denver are brutal.
"Are you sure it's okay for me to come to work with you?" Emily asked hesitantly, her eyes downcast. "Mom says it's not safe."
"Your mom worries too much," I replied, ruffling her hair affectionately. "Besides, I'll be right there with you, keeping an eye on things."
"Okay," she sighed, her small hand gripping mine tightly as we navigated the maze of alleys leading to the tech repair shop where I worked.
We entered the dimly lit workshop, the smell of solder and grease mingling with the aroma of stale coffee. I glanced around, ensuring the coast was clear before guiding Emily to my office which was a makeshift workspace tucked away in the back with a small wall separating me from the main shop. It wasn't much, just a small desk piled high with outdated gadgets and discarded parts, but it was the best I could do under the circumstances.
"Stay here while I take care of some things up front," I instructed her, handing her the backpack. "You can do your homework or play games, but don't wander off, okay?"
"Got it, Daddy," she nodded solemnly, settling into the rickety chair.
Throughout the day, I kept one eye on Emily and the other on the endless stream of broken devices that needed my attention. My fingers flew over keyboards and circuit boards, tracing patterns of code like a spider weaving its intricate web. But while my hands were steady, my thoughts were anything but, my mind constantly torn between the job at hand and the delicate balance I was trying to maintain.
"Hey, Carro," my coworker, Jake, called out as he sidled up to my workspace. "Heard you brought your kid in today. She doin' alright back there?"
"Yeah, she's fine and I always bring her to work," I replied tersely, my gaze flicking between him and Emily's huddled form. "Just needed someone to watch her for the day."
"Ah, gotcha," Jake nodded, his eyes sympathetic. "Must be tough, being a single dad and all."
"Tell me about it," I muttered, wiping a bead of sweat from my brow. The truth was, I'd always known the challenges of raising Emily alone would be immense, but I had never anticipated just how much it would consume me.
"Hey, Daddy?" Emily piped up, her voice timid. "Can I come watch you work? It's kind of boring back here."
"Sure, kiddo," I agreed, motioning for her to join me. As she perched on the edge of my workstation, her eyes wide with curiosity, I couldn't help but smile. Despite the risks, despite the strain, moments like these made it all worthwhile.
"Promise me something, Em," I murmured, pausing in my work to meet her gaze. "No matter what happens, promise me you'll always trust that I'm doing my best to keep you safe."
"I promise, Daddy," she whispered, her small hand resting on mine. "I know you'll always protect me."
The sun dipped below the horizon, casting long shadows over the technological nightmare that was Denver. What was once a beautiful city nestled in the Rocky Mountains was now under tight control of a conglomerate of six corporations. Their holographic ads lit up the sky at night along with large telescreen spewing out the latest propaganda by calling it news.
The once-vibrant city had fallen into disrepair, its streets choked with pollution and littered with the detritus of humanity. Neon signs flickered erratically, offering a stark contrast to the oppressive darkness that blanketed the city like a shroud. The government didn't care and neither did the corporations. The rich lived high up in skyscrapers and used hovercars to get around. God forbid their delicate shoes touch the dirty streets of the people that broke their back to get them their money.
"Here we are," I murmured, guiding Emily through the throngs of people that filled the sidewalk. "Your mom's place."
A giant skyscraper loomed before us, its sleek glass exterior gleaming in the pale moonlight. Lila's corporation - or rather, her kingdom - stood tall amidst the chaos, a testament to her iron grip on the city.
"Stay close, Em," I warned as I pressed my thumb against the security scanner. The heavy doors swung open with a muted hiss, revealing the opulent lobby beyond. Marble floors stretched beneath our feet, polished to perfection, while a grand chandelier hung overhead, its crystals scattering light across the room.
"Carro," Lila's voice called from behind me, her tone icy and authoritative. I turned to find her striding towards us, her tailored suit hugging her slender frame. Her eyes, once warm and loving, now held a steely determination that sent a chill down my spine.
"Emily, why don't you go explore the lobby for a bit?" I suggested gently, trying to shield her from the tension simmering between her mother and me. She nodded, her eyes wide and fearful, before disappearing around a corner.
"Still bringing her to that filthy shop of yours?" Lila sneered, crossing her arms over her chest. "You know, I could give her so much more than this… this existence you've trapped her in."
"Her life is with me," I retorted, struggling to keep my anger in check. "You chose your precious corporation over us, remember?"
"Power brings order, Carro," Lila said, her voice cold and unyielding. "I'm building a better world for Emily, and everyone else in this city. It's a shame you can't see that."
"Your twisted idea of 'order' only benefits people like you," I shot back, my heart pounding in my chest. "You'd sacrifice anything - even your own daughter - to maintain control."
"Enough," Lila hissed, her eyes narrowing into slits. "I won't be lectured by someone who squanders their talent on petty tech repairs. You know nothing of the sacrifices I've made."
"Maybe not," I conceded, swallowing hard. "But I do know what it means to put Emily first. And as long as she's with me, she'll never be a pawn in your twisted game."
As I turned to collect my daughter, I couldn't help but think about the life Lila had chosen. The opulence, the power – it all came at a cost, one I wasn't willing to pay. No matter how dark or dangerous the city became, I would fight tooth and nail to keep Emily safe - even if it meant facing off against the very woman I had once loved.
The neon-lit streets of Denver cast a sickly glow on the cracked pavement as I led Emily by the hand, my mind racing with thoughts of Lila's threats and the city's ever-present dangers. Around us, holo-ads flickered like apparitions, while the shadows teemed with the unspoken horrors that lurked in every alleyway.
"Daddy," Emily said, her voice filled with a mixture of awe and trepidation. "Do you think Mommy is right? That she's making the world better?"
I looked down at my daughter, her bright eyes searching mine for answers. I knew I had to be honest with her - but also careful not to tarnish what little relationship she still had with her mother.
"Mommy wants to make things better, Em," I replied, choosing my words carefully. "But sometimes people get lost along the way - they forget what's really important."
"Like staying together as a family?" she asked, her gaze never leaving mine.
"Exactly," I said, squeezing her hand. "No matter what happens, I'll always be here for you, okay?"
"Okay," she whispered, a small smile playing on her lips.
As we walked, my hacker instincts kicked in, scanning the environment for potential threats. I noticed a group of men in dark clothing approaching us, their gazes predatory. My heart raced involuntarily, but I didn't want Emily to sense my fear or worry.
"Hey, sweetie," I said casually, feigning calm. "How about we play that game we love, huh? The one where we blend into the crowd?"
"Like spies!" she exclaimed, her eyes lighting up.
"Exactly," I said, guiding her towards a bustling marketplace. "Now, stay close to me."
As we weaved through the throng of shoppers, I used my hacking skills to subtly manipulate the surrounding tech - flickering lights, malfunctioning displays, anything to throw off our pursuers. I couldn't help but feel a sense of pride in my abilities, knowing that they could protect my daughter from the dangers of this city. The numerous data nodes were easy to manipulate and most corporations didn't care too much about low level ads or tech.
"Did we lose them?" Emily asked, her voice barely audible above the noise of the crowd.
"I think so," I said, forcing a smile. "We're safe now."
But as we emerged from the marketplace and continued down the neon-lit streets, I couldn't shake the feeling that we were being watched. It was a sensation I knew all too well - the itch between my shoulder blades, the prickling at the back of my neck. And deep down, I couldn't help but wonder if this was just the beginning.
For despite the darkness that enveloped our lives, I knew that my hacking skills would be the key to keeping Emily safe. But how long could I hold back the tide? How many threats would I have to neutralize before that world came crashing down around us?
As the city's cold, mechanical heartbeat echoed through the night, I tightened my grip on Emily's hand, vowing to do whatever it took to protect her. And yet, with each passing day, it seemed increasingly likely that the greatest threat of all might come not from the shadows, nor from the corporations that ruled with an iron fist - but from the very woman who had brought Emily into the world.
"Come on, Em," I said, pulling her close. "Let's go home."

***
Thanks for reading the first part of my new cyberpunk thriller. Stayed tuned for the next chapter in this story. Give it a like and comment!