Chapter 56: Meeting in the Red Circle (1/2)
Chapter 56: Meeting in the Red Circle
Aldrich could only drive his armored car up within a block of the Red Circle before he hit a security check Or rather, it was aby the two-story tall, armor-plated valet booth that looked suspiciously like a sentry tower, it was pretty obvious that this was a security check
Aldrich stopped his car in front of the booloith a streak of white energy, indicating Etherium power - processed Ether - that meant it was custom made by a techno
It was no ordinary flimsy line of metal meant to stop traffic Most likely, it had sonore it
That was not Aldrich's intention, though He was here for a chat, after all
He watched as two guards standing on either end of the barrier approached They looked to be mercenaries rather than villains Where villains liked to have a distinctive costunized,theear meant for efficiency rather than flashi+ness
"Are we to fight now, er seat She was dressed in her black dress set while Aldrich had just bought a 3000-credit suit to keep up appearances a wealthy fund inheritor
"No fighting Not unless we absolutely must," said Aldrich "Carry that with you and act as politely as you can But try to leave all the talking to ular wooden case containing the 2080 Celeste bottle of wine That had costed 6000 credits, leaving Aldrich with just 1000 left It was ly ordinary things like clothes and drinks
He had thought 10,000 credits a decent aan to realize if he really wanted to keep up his appearances as an ultra-wealthy et more credits quickly
Valera nodded and picked up the case of wine
Mercenaries approached Aldrich's windshi+eld He rolled the n and stared at the mercenary's dot-like cybernetic red eyes and mouth mask that made each of his heavy breaths sound deeply raspy
"Here to see the er 11 appointment," said Aldrich
"Yeah, I know Valet service Mandatory Give me your keys"
Aldrich turned off his car and tossed the keys to the rabbed them and nodded "Walk past the barrier to the club You'll face more security checks there And just so you know, if we find anything here that's even renored hiether, they walked past the now upraised boom barrier towards the club
Valera tucked her arm in the crook of Aldrich's, and like this, they walked forward like gentleh-profile dance
Aldrich appreciated how Valera was right now She kept a calant, each of her steps even ht, she was also a lady hailing froe, and that showed now
At the front of the club, Aldrich noted in the periphery of his sharp vision multiple cameras as well as several crawler drones in dor, ready at aun fire
The club's entrance was surprisingly far ht a seedy club in Southside Haven - the broken down, crilass double doors surrounded by a fraold shaped into floral patterns awaited Aldrich and Valera
A well-maintained, spotlessly clean red carpet led out of the doors, and flanking this carpet were several Red Circle staff noticeable from their white and red suits One of these staff members came up to Aldrich and Valera with a bow
"Welcome to the Red Circle, Mr and Mrs Vane," said the woanic eyes flashed with an odd, fluctuating green tint that made it obvious she was a powered Alter "I will be your server and guide for tonight You may call me Hirondelle"
"A pleasure to meet you, Hirondelle" Aldrich nodded and smiled uncharacteristically He had practiced for hours to put up the fake persona of a wealthy socialite so as not to draw attention
"Follow me" Hirondelle smiled and led Aldrich towards the doors "We have prepared nothing but the finest for you, Mr and Mrs Vane, as we treat each client with the utmost level of respect they deserve However, there are some minor security hurdles we simply must press upon you Red Circle policy, I am afraid"
"I perfectly understand," said Aldrich "Safety is a real issue these days, isn't it?"
"I appreciate the cooperation" Hirondelle nodded to the rest of the staff Several people ca sticks over Aldrich and Valera Others scanned them from a distance not with visors, but their very oers, their eyes glowing or their hands projecting analyzing light
Hirondelle bowed and held out a hand towards Valera "The bottle, Mrs Vane, reatest of cares so that the taste and integrity of the wine is not harle bit"
Valera daintily held out the bottle, and Hirondelle grasped it in one hand before handing it over to a staff member who disappeared into the club
"Tech sweep co," said a staff member
"AC scan complete: count at 0," said another
"Wonderful," said Hirondelle "Once we have returned your bottle, I will lead you to yourI hope you will enjoy your stay, Mr Vane, and that thisends with an investment that you can look back upon with a senuine "I hope so too"
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Once Hirondelle returned with Aldrich's bottle and handed it back to Valera, she guided thelass doors, Aldrich and Valera continued on through more red carpet
The first floor was a hly upraised booths with tables for those that wished to pay for a premium experience At the end of the dance floor stood a white platforhts and sound syste was powered off, however