JumpMan wakes up slowly, his hair and goggles flickering on with a quiet buzz. 11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0veSmdM3wj
He pulls himself from his charging station, yawning and stretching his arms and legs, reactivating his servos and joints. 11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPfj1b3A08F
And then performing a backflip. Just for good measure. 11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhU6DrdnF3L
"Alright. Time to start the day..." 11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwnwf88RLgU
Friday is the only time where JumpMan can really lay back, a "fun day" full of school field trips and augmentation conferences. It's also the day he can wear his spiffy white outfit, the one he pulls out of his closet. 11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxCJZwhQmVK
He practically kicks opens his door, greeting the morning with another obnoxious yawn. 11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡahTlTTvTKf
Then he smells it. Ouro Corp's blood. The deep, earthy aroma of a freshly brewed pot of coffee. A clear sign that the building is up and already bustling. 11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5UcrKjpH1M
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“Alright, what’s on the agenda today?” 11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcqFIH4iVpf
The HUD in his goggles gives him a list of tasks. A group of kids from a local middle school wants to check out the Ouro Corp Science Center, and they specifically asked him to give them a tour. 11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3F2QXy7CDh
“Aw, I’m flattered,” he mutters to himself. Sometimes he forgets that he’s a local celebrity in the scientific world. Seriously. Ouro Corp puts him on everything. 11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOuzHrNu2cR
He watches as students and chaperones walk through the front door, their mouths open in awe as they observe the sleek atrium. He smirks, already excited. He suddenly moves forward, fast, grinding along the rail of a nearby stairway. 11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnJKfx0vnu5
“I heard you guys asked for me?” he announced with a smirk, slowing down right in front of the group. 11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHCXA2aGLzJ
The kids basically scream when they see him. 11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg7ojQqznRH
“It’s JumpMan!”11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSnIO48QtxH
“He’s real!” 11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf8gFhR1z0b
“Welcome to the Ouro Corp Science Center, future scientists! I’m JumpMan, obviously, and I’ll be your guide for the day.” 11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBUxniejbUr
He points out the various labs and rooms around him. “Right now, you’re in the middle of the best tech lab in the business. We’ve got robots, scientists…” He points to himself cheekily. “Cyborgs! The whole shebang!” 11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVAUE1CH4Dq
He starts taking them to a darkened room with a large screen. “But first, let’s get through the boring stuff. We’ve got a short film to watch about the ‘history of the company’,” he puts in air quotes. “Take notes. I dunno if teachers test you for this kinda stuff.” 11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3hy4jzKz9B
Everyone pours in, sits on the floor, and the video starts, the lights dimming just enough where his hair and goggles were the brightest thing in the room… 11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbFAz0HBXJv
“Ouroboros Corporation was founded in 1993 as Vyper Technologies, named after founder Anthony Vyper—” 11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNRIHDA5r6h
JumpMan immediately tunes it out. He’s heard this hundreds of times before. Corporate buzzwords like “innovation” and “future” are being slung around like baseball. 11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIobdhTXfG0
The video drones on and on, going through the timeline, the discoveries, the achievements of Ouroboros up to present day. Afterwards, the lights hum back to life. 11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe8vjZh9TFT
“Yeah, huge snoozefest,” JumpMan stretches obnoxiously. “Trust me, it just gets better from here. Now, how many of you wanna arm wrestle with a robot?” 11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuIzRaIuOjZ
The entire class raises their hand almost instantly. 11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9Ul6pKGxvG
“Yeah, thought so. C’mon! We’re going to the Science Center!”11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDSTLAytycS
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***11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡorCsz7qEqn
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Afternoon hits, and the class hits the gift shop. It’s been a long day, teaching kids all about the importance of science. As they file out, picking up little plushies and pins, JumpMan slides off in the other direction. 11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUc7rDeVWSh
While today has been fun, a thought has been poking at his mind all morning. His files have been stolen by Aether Corporation. And he doesn’t know what for. 11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMxDM8jf2fQ
…Nah. King’s right. Aether doesn’t have the smarts to reverse engineer his schematics. Best in the business. That’s what he told the kids. 11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTBDUb0MdGS
JumpMan shakes his head. “I need a distraction,” he whispers to himself. He looks towards the entrance, the afternoon sun pooling out from the glass door. 11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡquFaNatHOu
Usually, JumpMan doesn’t leave the comfort of the chrome buildings of Ouroboros Corporation. The last thing he wants to hear is scolding about how scuffed and dented he got from the wilder side of the outdoors. But on a rare occasion… 11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnkVUJOGcA6
He zooms through that door, welcoming the warm air. He leaves a transmission. “J.M.’s goin’ out. I’ll be back, naturally.” 11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGkXOLG38VX
Quantum Row hustles and bustles as JumpMan strides on the sidewalk, carefully dodging the other pedestrians. Some recognize him, some give him a weird look. 11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ07mTPMBasT
“What to do…?” 11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtYxDpuNSyP
He scans the street with his eyes, slowing down in a search for entertainment. Some vendors are selling street food. There’s plenty of holograms that are showing off music videos of top hits. But there’s one thing that catches his eye. 11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn6txujVpK7
A couple of skaters, holding onto their boards and laughing and interacting together. Skateboards? Here? Wouldn’t they get a fine for riding those around on the sidewalk? 11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6qNWmEcldo
More interestingly, one of them points their thumb in the opposite direction. 11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcz928VWcjm
“Let’s get outta here, man.” 11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUSM45D53NR
Then they hop onto their boards and fly off into a dark alleyway, disappearing into the darkness. 11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAi1LIY4FpR
“And where are you guys going?” JumpMan mutters, watching them go. Now he’s curious. 11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUI4ykkM4zo
He follows them through the damp alleyway, the sleek design of the city giving way to grungy apartments and flickering lights. And right in the middle is a skate park. Concrete, graffiti, and loud music blare from all angles. 11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1qVkhVHiQN
People move in all sorts of ways. Boards, skates, hovering and not. JumpMan snickers. “My kinda people…” 11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoGP20TE4OY
He pushes off into the bowl, dodging and doing some small tricks. A deep breath escapes him. 11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPnVTRBlygR
Until someone bumps into him, sending them flying while he’s pushed back just an inch or two. 11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXFEoKcTfR5
“Ugh…!” A feminine voice gasps. 11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4zldVRX4kv
JumpMan looks down, seeing a smaller, slimmer body. 11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT61AUDXYTQ
“Ah—sorry about that!…Didn’t…see you there…” He reaches out to assist, when a taller, more muscular girl stepped in front of him protectively, taking lollipop out of her mouth and sneering. 11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYyYtylXjN8
“Watch where you’re going, asshole!” The girl adjusts her helmet. “Almost gave me a damn concussion…” 11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuQHhQQxNOo
JumpMan tries to defuse the situation with a signature smile. “Hey, I didn’t mean it, honest! I wasn’t paying attention, that’s on me…” 11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfFrrrzlVaU
The girl he bumped into places her hands on her hips and cocks an eyebrow. Her deep brown skin was almost completely covered in vibrant, deep blue and neon colors and wrapped in skating gear. 11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRSkW6kIfAW
The girl with the lollipop sticks it back in her mouth, her eyebrows pinched. A Russian accent slips into her voice as she talks. “Are you okay, Jacks?” 11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4otnA9oPFp
“Yeah, I’m alright, Anya. I guess I didn’t hurt anything…” Jacks’ gaze cut into JumpMan like a knife. She jabs him in the chest. “But this guy, needs to look where he’s going—” 11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6K2Z96D8IL
The hardness of his chest almost doesn’t register at first. Jacks’ eyebrows turn downwards into confusion. She jabs him again, hearing the quiet clink as her painted nails make contact with his metallic plate. 11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡERspyOqi1c
“What?” she mutters in disbelief, before she instantly presses an ear against his chest. JumpMan’s pupils widen as this stranger gets up close and personal, listening for that faint heartbeat, and mechanical hum. 11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtEoSMsQOUP
She stomps back, huffing audibly. “Oh, no wonder you ran into me! You’re a damn clank!” 11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfYbuMmHYWW
JumpMan sputters. “Clank?!” He exclaims. “Okay, step back! The term is cyborg, lady! I still have a fully functional human brain!” 11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOxKCvt6bBH
“Well, you should use it and watch where you’re going!” 11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRGtgesh3FP
The two glare at each other for a few seconds, when a third girl skates up, carrying bandages. “Jacks, are you okay? I saw you wipe out, and—…” 11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1VKVoU80Rv
There’s confusion and surprise on the girl’s face as she takes in JumpMan’s appearance. “Is…this a cosplay or something?” 11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWVF2xVngd8
Anya takes the lollipop out of her mouth to talk. “He’s…cyborg, Toye. Ouro Corp clank…” 11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLcxOoM21mi
“Oh…” Toye whispers. 11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCBRTvw023X
“Name’s JumpMan…I’m the kinetic specialist at Ouroboros.” He holds out his hand. 11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4TFcUY9d8p
Jacks looks down at his segmented hand, before flitting back up to his face. “Shuri Breezei. But everyone here calls me Jacks.” With her hand, she points at Anya and Toye. “These two are my besties. We’re a skating team…the name is still in progress.” 11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTrufH1yMOQ
JumpMan moves his hand to shake hers, but suddenly, she pulls back. “Hold it, clank,” she sneers, “before I decide to be all buddy-buddy with you, I need to see how you move. I can’t respect you right off the bat…” 11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPW7qvhAyfS
He blinks twice incredulously. “…Huh?” 11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSYeFkTyIS0
“You and me. One lap around the park. You win, I’ll let you come back. I win…you’re paying for me and my girls’ smoothies today.” 11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFar4w5Yj0K
“…That’s it?” 11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTzkylQAtXW
“We’re not going to convenience store, clank,” Anya adds in, “Neo-Nova. Downtown.” 11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ36Mp0VzHWm
JumpMan's UI pulls up the menu with pricing. And a simple smoothie costs… 11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbeldr88HrB
“30 credits a smoothie?! That’s daylight robbery, it’s gotta be!” 11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡknrmBStQgp
“Duh, they’re 30 credits. They’ve got real fruit and stuff. None of that processed crap they’re making us eat nowadays. Now, are you in, or not?” 11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMapJH99yBn
JumpMan rubs his chin with a finger, calculating the pros and cons. “So...if I win, I get to come back, whenever I want. And you stop calling me a ‘clank’.” 11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYzjWwz3Y8H
Jacks nods, “Uh-huh. Sure. And if you lose, you owe me a trip to Neo-Nova...and you agree that your stupid expensive augmentations don’t make you a real skater.” 11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpJ1QihL2bs
JumpMan hesitates for a minute. He really doesn’t want to spend money on someone he just met. But his pride…his ego would be bruised if he was “chickening out” from a simple race. 11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgH0w4mVYVY
His pupils shift into determined circles. “Alright, I’m in. Where’s the starting line?” 11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnvBMf0QewU
Anya points to a line, spray-painted a glow-in-the-dark neon blue. “All races start here.” 11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoM33LZxdbF
JumpMan takes his place behind the line, Jacks following right behind. Anya yells at the other skaters in Russian, telling them to make some space. “Отойдите! Move!” 11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ1MUTC2vU6
Skaters immediately get the message pushing back and making a loose circle around the perimeter of the park. Cameras are recording, eyes are watching. 11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsApS98i0KE
“Damn,” JumpMan mutters, “Didn’t think they’d move that fast…” 11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrQqynl2l99
Toye nods. “Well, Anya’s our muscle. She can be really scary when she wants to be. That’s why we’re so respected around here...” 11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7ZtX87ZgaQ
“And don’t think she won’t do anything to you either, clank...” Jacks says checking the wheels on her skates to see if they’re in prime condition. 11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9fkUQaIlCm
Anya takes position as referee. “Jacks said one lap. No dirty tactics or shortcuts, da? Only around the bowl.” She gives Jacks a dirty look. “I mean it. No cheating.” 11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY4nUdsNcCd
“Me? I would never…I just bend the rules, a bit.” Jacks grins cheekily, before getting in position next to JumpMan. “Don’t worry, I won’t need to cheat.” 11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMW94ihNa6c
Anya grumbles something, before starting to count down. 11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbWNWtXbkeg
“One!” 11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZsMrYyLgIq
“Two!” 11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCA2pcZr0Ns
JumpMan and Jacks crouch down… 11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcFPzdE7lMB
“Three!” 11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoHvl4OG7bZ
Both racers speed off. Naturally, JumpMan starts off ahead, already calculating his movements for the next turn. 11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWOQSBThzwR
30 degrees right. Curve it, don’t sharpen. Max Speed: 70 MPH. 11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2CXTMvC7fj
JumpMan’s eyes sharpen even further, then leans towards the lip of the bowl as he drifts. The blue trail fades as quickly as it appears. 11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUgaTMbrZNb
“Good start,” he mutters to himself with a smile. “Easiest race of my life…” 11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxvx3OQx0XZ
JumpMan’s smug, until he hears the loud, rhythmic CLACK and roooll of Jack’s skates pushing her neck and neck with him. She’s putting her entire body into it. 11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ614O65M2hW
JumpMan’s eyes widen almost comically, letting out a low whistle as he takes in the sweat blanketing her forehead. “Jeez—…you are determined to beat me…” 11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNJwFpg96Oa
“Shut up,” Jacks breathed out, “and keep skating…!” 11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVUlV8SPFB8
JumpMan shrugs his shoulders, focusing his attention back on the track. If she’s struggling to keep up with him now, all he needs to do is speed up a little and keep the lead for the rest of the race. 11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4J30QP4xiG
His HUD flashes again. Next Max Speed: 82 MPH. Ready to engage. 11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡua1DYkO7Xb
JumpMan calculates. If he’s too fast, he won’t be able to turn into the last leg of the race. And he’ll probably fly straight into the crowd. Too dangerous. 11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrkphIfaAUP
THUMP! A rough shove shocks him out of his thoughts, almost knocking him over. 11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeWwzeilmsn
“Hey—!” JumpMan eyes change into exclamation marks. “You can’t just shove!” 11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmY6QpTu6oJ
Jacks sticks out her tongue at him. “Anya didn’t say I couldn’t shove. She said I couldn’t cheat.” 11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL8LBfh4fW0
“Shoving is cheating!” 11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSrAAgDypZS
“Anya didn’t say anything. Not cheating!” She nudges him again, pushing him aside as she takes the lead. 11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5qMog4dXwS
“Ugh,” JumpMan grumbles. “Let’s get this over with.” 11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3afNOoACix
He sets his max velocity to 75, just enough to close the gap. “I really could go faster if I wanted to, you know! You’re lucky I’m being fair!” 11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZxSn3JOh5M
“And why don’t you?!” Jacks yells back, panting. “Just go faster!” 11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFtFx5ks0AY
“And run into the crowd? You’ll never let me back for that!” 11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ62QpNHSRou
Both racers glide around the final curve. The last straight path. People are screaming and cheering, their phones held high over their heads. 11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhscvLoDx1Y
He looks beside him. Jacks is drenched in sweat, her wheels swiveling left to right as her body becomes fatigued. Slowly, she starts getting closer. 11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7xmlhSTrCx
Twenty meters left. Fifteen. 11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN8IJgorGt6
Suddenly, HUD pops up again with an alert. 11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKr7VQ1fL61
PROXIMITY ALERT. Engaging anti-crash system. 11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ10xDyfLugw
“Wait. Wait, no—!” JumpMan exclaims, his eyes a mix of question and exclamation marks. 11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9SHKTKMmxQ
CLACK! The electromagnetic stabilizers, located in his feet, were meant to keep JumpMan from leaning and crashing into walls and obstacles. But now, it’s working against him, connecting his feet with the metal axles of Jacks’ skates. Jacks yelps as she almost loses balance. 11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoZHUSG5ItI
Jacks shrieks as she’s pulled sideways. “What are you doing?!” 11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHO4A9gckZs
JumpMan tries to override the system. “It’s not me, not really! Anti-crash systems thought you were an obstacle! Gimme a sec, I’ll try and—” 11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdymF1ErwuX
“Hurry up, before we both eat concrete!” 11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe0l37URvej
JumpMan eyes change into a frustrated expression. “I’m trying! This stuff takes time, alright?!” 11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2H6b6AwuFu
At the last minute, stabilizers disengage, sending Jacks almost tumbling into the concrete. Almost. 11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfl0q96QF0R
Instead of wiping out like JumpMan expects, she recovers, arcing around with her face close to the ground in an quick, graceful motion. JumpMan looks on in awe as she takes a knee. 11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF1ZY292l6Z
Silence…then chaos from the crowd, people looking at each other’s footage, bets ready to be paid… 11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgpUIgxiFAR
“It was too close, man! I can’t tell!”11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ70B3UdADi1
“Replay the video!”11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2DqGhWHK49
“They gotta have another one!” 11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyxeuBjxZa7
“…You alright?” JumpMan asks, cocking his head to the side. 11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPcnSxDDU5O
“Shut up!” Jacks snaps, “I swear, if your stupid shoes…skates—whatever they are made me lose, I swear to God!” 11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfy3q7RAOlz
Anya looks between them, biting down on the lollipop and crushing it between her teeth. In between chews, she mutters. “Tie.” 11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM6a1CZTxsS
Both of their heads snap to her, eyes wide. but Jacks speaks up first, “Anya!” 11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3mRfVRis9Z
“I saw video from Morales,” Anya states, pointing to one of the skaters in the crowd. “Crossed line at the same time. Tie.” 11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE12mUXrG4e
Toye nods solemnly. “Sorry Jacks, you guys tied…” 11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIKbz3wtXYp
“So…” JumpMan blinks twice. “Does this mean I can come back?” 11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHEaRnxZggA
Jacks huffs, turning her head away. She’s refusing to answer. Anya speaks for her. “I might convince her. But pay referee tax first.” 11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnNiI7VYqGJ
“Referee tax?” 11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9z3TSZXJ39
“I do not work for free. Neo-Nova for me.” 11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs7Ul2wbGt1
Toye immediately raises her hand. “Oh, I helped, too!” 11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwQJb4WnPkf
JumpMan face drops. “…We can’t be seriously extorting smoothies out of me right now.” 11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpK4pT0bvtN
Anya and Toye speed off towards downtown in excitement. JumpMan didn’t even have time to say no. 11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWqXa97ooTe
Jacks tugs off her helmet and knee guards, muttering complaints and curses under her breath. 11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTCHHtpqE52
JumpMan drifts towards her. “You good?” 11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzOPZvG9F6H
Jacks doesn’t look up. “…Why do you skate like that?” 11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqi6nLJgPMR
JumpMan quirks an eyebrow. “Like what?" 11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfEjUrtWbEL
“Not once did I see you not looking at that stupid HUD thing you’ve got with you. Where’s your...passion?” 11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX3N9ffWiC7
“I literally do this for a living...skating. Moving. I have a passion for—” 11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCjzxwGofBT
Jacks jabs a finger into his chest. “Yeah, you can move. You’re the fastest thing I’ve raced. Ever. But you’re always calculating something...you doing math while you do it isn’t skating...” She turns away. “You can be fast. But as long as you skate like a clank, you’ll always be a clank.” 11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpu5BD1mPrB
JumpMan’s optics flicker into something he can’t name. He doesn’t have a comeback. Jacks pulls off her skates, switching them for her normal sneakers. As she walks away, he calls out to her. 11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCMdwPzZNbm
“Hey, uh…what flavor smoothie do you want?” 11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIvH56WbmLi
Jacks stops, faltering for a minute. “...You’re paying?” 11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhFDKQqgZU8
JumpMan shrugs. “Might as well, it wouldn’t be fair to treat your friends and not you.” 11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGeTwbqo9ZU
Jacks tucks her helmet under her arm. “...I’ll think about it on the way there.” Then she continues on her way. 11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6Jexhgh9Qs
He hesitates to catch up, just long enough to hear the crowd laughing about their tie. Or maybe they thought he was trying to charm Jacks. He can’t tell. 11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡveBhpNZTCU
He gives a sheepish shrug towards the skaters, before speeding off. 11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnnGYIcvjq5
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JumpMan watches as the three girls giggle and sip on their smoothies. The TV in the corner is broadcasting the news. 11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSnWDEJlYTZ
“...Hey...you’re not going to get a smoothie?” Jacks quirks an eyebrow. 11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhX15THuJBN
“Nah. Can’t eat.” He points to his chest. “I survive on nutrient paste to keep my human parts alive. Can’t eat solid food or it’ll mess up my cybernetics.” 11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCqmg3UOz4Q
“Oh…eugh,” Jacks winces, “...I don’t know if I should be sympathetic or disgusted...sorry I asked, I guess.” 11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfhO2ufPm7U
“It’s alright, kids ask me that question all the time.” JumpMan forces a grin. “They always get all weirded out that their favorite guy can’t eat like they can. Funniest thing ever.” 11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjN0h9luhHR
Toye swallows the little bit of the “Blueberry Stardust” smoothie she has before putting the cup down. “...Does Ouro at least take care of you?” 11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPNjdq79cB4
JumpMan answers quickly. “Oh yeah. I have my own room, I get repaired on demand…I even get my own skate rink, if you can believe it. It’s just...” He puts his chin in his hand. “It’s a little too sleek sometimes. Too...lonely.” 11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUEciG5CNFu
…Silence. 11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsJdSWoISnf
The jingle for the local broadcast pulls them out of the conversation before it gets too personal. 11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYHrgEvbuBs
JumpMan stares at the hologram, as a story gets his attention. 11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhFZCdjUrfE
“Future-Pop Artist Ziaria will be partnering with Aether Corporation for Augmentation Reconstruction—" 11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbWNEOh5Trn
Anya’s eyes follow his. “It seems everyone wants to be clank these days.” 11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDuG9wnrx4f
JumpMan sneers, his pupils downturned semi-circles. “Using Aether tech though...?” 11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHugJ9knXFU
“In an interview conducted by our station, the pop idol states plans to use this opportunity as a way to improve her talent and connect with her augmented fans…” 11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAl37vUmYYS
Ziara’s face pops onto the screen as she participates in the interview, virtue signaling about “connection” and “unification”. 11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0hIHwvbF1T
Jacks rolls her eyes. “Yeah, right. We all know she’s doing it for the brand deal...” She leans over the back of her chair, taking a large slurp out of her smoothie. “She’s gonna regret this in a couple years, I’m betting on it.” 11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaSwvV6GOcs
JumpMan snorts. “Yeah...people that willingly become cyborgs ‘because it looks cool’ usually change their minds in a few years or so...” 11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn6irwmHkzp
Anya puts down her cup, raising a blonde eyebrow. “Have you changed your mind yet?” 11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtKORQEpIM3
JumpMan blinks before looking at her. “Who, me? Nah. I didn’t have a choice, really. The Ouro Corp reactor exploded five years ago and...you know, I was in the wrong place at the wrong time...” He nervously chuckles. He simulates an explosion with his fingers. 11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfkAAyiCIdT
“Holy crap, you were in that?” Jacks perks up. “That explosion took people out! They shut Ouro Corp down for months because of it! And you still work with them? I would’ve sued their ass!” 11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG5ojjR6Nv3
JumpMan nods. “Well, I guess their idea of an apology was saving my life...I’d probably be a dead man without them. And they spent millions on me, so I guess I got them back, yeah?” 11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVQNgtDGjCN
“JumpMan,” Toye calls, “you don’t need to stand up for them, you know? You don’t have to be loyal to them beyond their employment...” 11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNp4d1Ewz8J
“I—...” JumpMan’s mouth opens, then closes. “Yeah, that’s true, but…where would I go? All this stuff is Ouro Corp tech, and only they can fix it.” He laughs, a soft, wistful sound. “...I’m just happy with the freedom they did give me. Don’t need much now.” 11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPAKgHu3jLf
Jacks picks up her skates and helmet. “…Thanks for the smoothies, J.M., but we’ve got a routine to finish up.” 11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYYne2WF3du
“You’re welcome to come back though.” Toye offers with a gentle smile. 11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD05fas25BQ
“Toye!” Jacks grinds out. “Stop being so—” 11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgZbvvt4i89
“Sorry! I really thought—” 11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdU9UqQHe1j
Jacks lightly pushes Toye out of the store, the two young women leaving together. Anya, however, stays behind. 11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG1OpNgz4t9
“...I don’t mind you coming back. Just one thing.” Her voice gets lower. “Jacks. Toye. They are family. Park is home. I find your corporation in home, hurting my family…?” She slams her palm flat onto the table. “They will find you in dumpster.” 11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu8xEOtJhW0
Anya picks up her half-empty cup, ready to join her friends. “Later, clank.” 11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzZgtC51J35
The tap of her boots fade away. JumpMan lets out a breath he didn’t even feel himself holding. “What a scary lady…” He mutters to himself.11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9HIldt7fJo
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***11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOarypido3D
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The walk (or drift) back to Ouro Corp is quiet. Peaceful. Despite the rocky start, he’s actually had fun with the girls today. The race especially. 11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg5FwMhNaPo
And Jacks allowed him to come back, granted he has time and/or money to spend. 11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKx4EClYmvh
…The technicians in the Repair Center are going to be pissed seeing him all scuffed up like this. He can almost hear the whining now. 11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKGRom6JR2y
“JumpMan! This hover tech is super expensive!” 11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiOazIQyHjI
“This is why we tell you not to skate on concrete, you’re all scratched up!” 11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlckXi8Ej2o
JumpMan chuckles, shaking his head. He’s about to push off, when… 11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQlgixh0Gzm
“JumpMan. It’s so good to see you.” It’s a feminine voice, with a slight, song-lilt, almost robotic. 11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9OV9kZ4vNC
JumpMan rotates, his hovering technology activating with a soft purr. The first thing JumpMan catches was two large androids, suited in black and stepping forward. 11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhtoAjDoFor
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Suddenly, in-between them, another figure steps out. 11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡViQ1REanCA
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***11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD66zxKgtgf
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Author's Note: Sorry for the long chapter! There's just a lot of character build up in this chapter, with Jacks and the crew. I'll try and make the next chapter a little bit shorter so it's easier to consume...11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM89dnxm0eR
and then Add to home screen.