JumpMan wakes up slowly, his hair and goggles flickering on with a quiet buzz. 150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFYEHOiNFNr
He pulls himself from his charging station, yawning and stretching his arms and legs, reactivating his servos and joints. 150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSJlWXmtroU
And then performing a backflip. Just for good measure. 150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHZQPBvrEuz
"Alright. Time to start the day..." 150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDu77h1MyOA
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. 150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmt9AZ8Yr5G
He practically kicks opens his door, greeting the morning with another obnoxious yawn. 150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpfAWSooyuE
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. 150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLBzQaGhbXk
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“Alright, what’s on the agenda today?” 150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9p9GKjKNhe
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. 150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHqV9dANujg
“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. 150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfmEpSlS8aG
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. 150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXgCpKXPRqZ
“I heard you guys asked for me?” he announced with a smirk, slowing down right in front of the group. 150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCAghKF8tbC
The kids basically scream when they see him. 150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDRZ8eB2Ilh
“It’s JumpMan!”150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOQiHZE5CYd
“He’s real!” 150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8al0Ra1agD
“Welcome to the Ouro Corp Science Center, future scientists! I’m JumpMan, obviously, and I’ll be your guide for the day.” 150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrfqlqtuAUy
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!” 150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrQyMrEUCHT
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.” 150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyrbBEQL9iB
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… 150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDomc6Pk02C
“Ouroboros Corporation was founded in 1993 as Vyper Technologies, named after founder Anthony Vyper—” 150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNYYByDa0RN
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. 150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8c2LYzCQGA
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. 150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8xEvDFkeSW
“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?” 150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOPlsBPMf6x
The entire class raises their hand almost instantly. 150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8GUfel4K0y
“Yeah, thought so. C’mon! We’re going to the Science Center!”150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQODCQCWhkS
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***150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNzb6jDTE4q
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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. 150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu3geNNFzqj
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. 150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvecjewQScN
…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. 150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN46fTXBU6s
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. 150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpsuxkh5FXJ
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… 150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3m9xzXTj9Z
He zooms through that door, welcoming the warm air. He leaves a transmission. “J.M.’s goin’ out. I’ll be back, naturally.” 150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlS3LzKd1sj
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. 150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡImIycdpn67
“What to do…?” 150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuywy4NZAKS
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. 150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡptSWx4Lj4V
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? 150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXmCLsSkndT
More interestingly, one of them points their thumb in the opposite direction. 150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnPFqIJ2GBv
“Let’s get outta here, man.” 150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1yyqTdIlVH
Then they hop onto their boards and fly off into a dark alleyway, disappearing into the darkness. 150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLagYrNf8Ts
“And where are you guys going?” JumpMan mutters, watching them go. Now he’s curious. 150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiNmMS7az6B
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. 150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJcZ2ISI8Xg
People move in all sorts of ways. Boards, skates, hovering and not. JumpMan snickers. “My kinda people…” 150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0rVAO2Kpvi
He pushes off into the bowl, dodging and doing some small tricks. A deep breath escapes him. 150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGokYR6nJGp
Until someone bumps into him, sending them flying while he’s pushed back just an inch or two. 150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjQtBgy1a4U
“Ugh…!” A feminine voice gasps. 150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOwuJvegonP
JumpMan looks down, seeing a smaller, slimmer body. 150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr3Xryuquu1
“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. 150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0tVpJooHkJ
“Watch where you’re going, asshole!” The girl adjusts her helmet. “Almost gave me a damn concussion…” 150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbLZz3ZeWGc
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…” 150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjbqmXyOiCw
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. 150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4b67LjUIEg
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?” 150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwBocf7NMFp
“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—” 150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNIqRShdEdG
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. 150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡldmeaBzMQD
“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. 150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6AogViNvv7
She stomps back, huffing audibly. “Oh, no wonder you ran into me! You’re a damn clank!” 150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7NtMP3wpjI
JumpMan sputters. “Clank?!” He exclaims. “Okay, step back! The term is cyborg, lady! I still have a fully functional human brain!” 150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNCwuiTPmlq
“Well, you should use it and watch where you’re going!” 150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmoTrZOVT1O
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—…” 150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK7C6pruc7p
There’s confusion and surprise on the girl’s face as she takes in JumpMan’s appearance. “Is…this a cosplay or something?” 150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgEisSeqSJq
Anya takes the lollipop out of her mouth to talk. “He’s…cyborg, Toye. Ouro Corp clank…” 150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3ZrUW6PZlX
“Oh…” Toye whispers. 150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRWDQ3gbTXh
“Name’s JumpMan…I’m the kinetic specialist at Ouroboros.” He holds out his hand. 150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpSkiNnfht0
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.” 150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTxXoV91Xzz
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…” 150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ7CJMoP7dx
He blinks twice incredulously. “…Huh?” 150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0TdGatGOnZ
“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.” 150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu7swMXm6cO
“…That’s it?” 150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7ndwiEW1f3
“We’re not going to convenience store, clank,” Anya adds in, “Neo-Nova. Downtown.” 150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBC9nRb2oVe
JumpMan's UI pulls up the menu with pricing. And a simple smoothie costs… 150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3c9JnEnBjp
“30 credits a smoothie?! That’s daylight robbery, it’s gotta be!” 150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQldCOTm3S7
“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?” 150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4vljovGvwr
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’.” 150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLGsacjhf28
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.” 150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6PupemiTU9
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. 150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp7ZBM0S0Mq
His pupils shift into determined circles. “Alright, I’m in. Where’s the starting line?” 150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9028Azf72m
Anya points to a line, spray-painted a glow-in-the-dark neon blue. “All races start here.” 150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ53wFE5hGak
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!” 150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnakBNkkDiX
Skaters immediately get the message pushing back and making a loose circle around the perimeter of the park. Cameras are recording, eyes are watching. 150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHQwxhviedr
“Damn,” JumpMan mutters, “Didn’t think they’d move that fast…” 150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4BSkWUNgPL
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...” 150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh87bcBiSy2
“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. 150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX9FKG9MZSi
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.” 150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcPLg7jHSGy
“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.” 150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUlLwcjSATi
Anya grumbles something, before starting to count down. 150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJhDTeVPeri
“One!” 150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwoJ0eJVEE4
“Two!” 150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi9pAn1vxOC
JumpMan and Jacks crouch down… 150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0wDdBXL1vy
“Three!” 150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkoJ913JwX3
Both racers speed off. Naturally, JumpMan starts off ahead, already calculating his movements for the next turn. 150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3xdjH37KJv
30 degrees right. Curve it, don’t sharpen. Max Speed: 70 MPH. 150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1Zy85HrO6x
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. 150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaiQhjCmRXx
“Good start,” he mutters to himself with a smile. “Easiest race of my life…” 150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIUbllsa2QZ
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. 150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡebIP6B1F69
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…” 150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfxYiYaMgHI
“Shut up,” Jacks breathed out, “and keep skating…!” 150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzLowaUenZ2
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. 150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7QBS1nyu8I
His HUD flashes again. Next Max Speed: 82 MPH. Ready to engage. 150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5I8jDcILWa
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. 150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnvIxAtUTlj
THUMP! A rough shove shocks him out of his thoughts, almost knocking him over. 150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoDmmSjq7jS
“Hey—!” JumpMan eyes change into exclamation marks. “You can’t just shove!” 150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlydlNLr96X
Jacks sticks out her tongue at him. “Anya didn’t say I couldn’t shove. She said I couldn’t cheat.” 150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSAeh2dXNKw
“Shoving is cheating!” 150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWXtg9X27O3
“Anya didn’t say anything. Not cheating!” She nudges him again, pushing him aside as she takes the lead. 150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7BPRi74bYS
“Ugh,” JumpMan grumbles. “Let’s get this over with.” 150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT5dEN9MmyY
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!” 150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6RXcN7Lq0D
“And why don’t you?!” Jacks yells back, panting. “Just go faster!” 150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ16EQbsNqzH
“And run into the crowd? You’ll never let me back for that!” 150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNrh3gNidcA
Both racers glide around the final curve. The last straight path. People are screaming and cheering, their phones held high over their heads. 150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCYt5KoyBb6
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. 150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLopyXYHKtd
Twenty meters left. Fifteen. 150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjyYaux2nuI
Suddenly, HUD pops up again with an alert. 150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcORY9DVoA1
PROXIMITY ALERT. Engaging anti-crash system. 150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMYwql66eJo
“Wait. Wait, no—!” JumpMan exclaims, his eyes a mix of question and exclamation marks. 150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyusIYk7QA3
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. 150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaQVKrbSRf2
Jacks shrieks as she’s pulled sideways. “What are you doing?!” 150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4vCb3xWKKu
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—” 150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRhf8Yt6x20
“Hurry up, before we both eat concrete!” 150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF1xzawT1AZ
JumpMan eyes change into a frustrated expression. “I’m trying! This stuff takes time, alright?!” 150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXoy55XzKIq
At the last minute, stabilizers disengage, sending Jacks almost tumbling into the concrete. Almost. 150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEXdG3KBOUd
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. 150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡclKq04dMSU
Silence…then chaos from the crowd, people looking at each other’s footage, bets ready to be paid… 150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡClHV6qHHNk
“It was too close, man! I can’t tell!”150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKoeKBmAMfE
“Replay the video!”150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmTgzp5ok8v
“They gotta have another one!” 150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0PFjSLmUPK
“…You alright?” JumpMan asks, cocking his head to the side. 150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1VdpnTzZys
“Shut up!” Jacks snaps, “I swear, if your stupid shoes…skates—whatever they are made me lose, I swear to God!” 150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbTpZLT5zXK
Anya looks between them, biting down on the lollipop and crushing it between her teeth. In between chews, she mutters. “Tie.” 150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdWhW5KdreP
Both of their heads snap to her, eyes wide. but Jacks speaks up first, “Anya!” 150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9SWdOLGJIk
“I saw video from Morales,” Anya states, pointing to one of the skaters in the crowd. “Crossed line at the same time. Tie.” 150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKKbGRmLBEW
Toye nods solemnly. “Sorry Jacks, you guys tied…” 150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmcO43YhRT1
“So…” JumpMan blinks twice. “Does this mean I can come back?” 150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡceSbEeboUG
Jacks huffs, turning her head away. She’s refusing to answer. Anya speaks for her. “I might convince her. But pay referee tax first.” 150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdFMEphzqrJ
“Referee tax?” 150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPki68ThHMu
“I do not work for free. Neo-Nova for me.” 150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0G6uBLShyB
Toye immediately raises her hand. “Oh, I helped, too!” 150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAycHpy1aBJ
JumpMan face drops. “…We can’t be seriously extorting smoothies out of me right now.” 150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXDZw5EzVUx
Anya and Toye speed off towards downtown in excitement. JumpMan didn’t even have time to say no. 150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjKxww3YS9V
Jacks tugs off her helmet and knee guards, muttering complaints and curses under her breath. 150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlJ4CDNc0dX
JumpMan drifts towards her. “You good?” 150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH7sJN2XuQR
Jacks doesn’t look up. “…Why do you skate like that?” 150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVxUxmJBjGE
JumpMan quirks an eyebrow. “Like what?" 150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcQClvWKEdL
“Not once did I see you not looking at that stupid HUD thing you’ve got with you. Where’s your...passion?” 150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0pX6j1xXPZ
“I literally do this for a living...skating. Moving. I have a passion for—” 150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqHfwkbKBuL
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.” 150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHBWNTocGVa
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. 150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyk9ZUBSaLF
“Hey, uh…what flavor smoothie do you want?” 150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXKuDIbgPB9
Jacks stops, faltering for a minute. “...You’re paying?” 150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj6lvIKz2yy
JumpMan shrugs. “Might as well, it wouldn’t be fair to treat your friends and not you.” 150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsmhZWtNB6k
Jacks tucks her helmet under her arm. “...I’ll think about it on the way there.” Then she continues on her way. 150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCVRhYN5xYQ
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. 150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcKO7aaHjCG
He gives a sheepish shrug towards the skaters, before speeding off. 150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxaPvafbnMf
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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. 150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzS00EDkDKi
“...Hey...you’re not going to get a smoothie?” Jacks quirks an eyebrow. 150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoOwFZ3KQKh
“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.” 150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKyDgpieZRp
“Oh…eugh,” Jacks winces, “...I don’t know if I should be sympathetic or disgusted...sorry I asked, I guess.” 150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJiWLzaYME0
“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.” 150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2ocZCvNHpf
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?” 150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxFjtLmAPNE
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.” 150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOWzHB9vjJD
…Silence. 150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhStYxsAJbw
The jingle for the local broadcast pulls them out of the conversation before it gets too personal. 150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvzmLxaTOuz
JumpMan stares at the hologram, as a story gets his attention. 150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmCxYuhauZb
“Future-Pop Artist Ziaria will be partnering with Aether Corporation for Augmentation Reconstruction—" 150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7vlYpi6Cnk
Anya’s eyes follow his. “It seems everyone wants to be clank these days.” 150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJSpuQfn3T5
JumpMan sneers, his pupils downturned semi-circles. “Using Aether tech though...?” 150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9jSTM4sMBP
“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…” 150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5im0ZVwE4e
Ziara’s face pops onto the screen as she participates in the interview, virtue signaling about “connection” and “unification”. 150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU6bJvCwjZW
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.” 150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWVGLFDTJKi
JumpMan snorts. “Yeah...people that willingly become cyborgs ‘because it looks cool’ usually change their minds in a few years or so...” 150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGFFrqozIZP
Anya puts down her cup, raising a blonde eyebrow. “Have you changed your mind yet?” 150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzJZzXFVyr5
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. 150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcSLLcnCEMt
“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!” 150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyqWDjDOtyS
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?” 150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4iAqun3T36
“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...” 150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ42aMIbWYpa
“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.” 150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl3BrTeTCkH
Jacks picks up her skates and helmet. “…Thanks for the smoothies, J.M., but we’ve got a routine to finish up.” 150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJsXwva3iO4
“You’re welcome to come back though.” Toye offers with a gentle smile. 150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmrucu3k4rW
“Toye!” Jacks grinds out. “Stop being so—” 150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡimRWRuIRbB
“Sorry! I really thought—” 150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWVHW5lHk9h
Jacks lightly pushes Toye out of the store, the two young women leaving together. Anya, however, stays behind. 150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVDE1AfYxGz
“...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.” 150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE69eilKryQ
Anya picks up her half-empty cup, ready to join her friends. “Later, clank.” 150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm8l0efBoDd
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.150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHbv5nAeLMF
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***150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgEE5yEXsrs
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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. 150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyMSZQmOpQh
And Jacks allowed him to come back, granted he has time and/or money to spend. 150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiqR1eZw9jt
…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. 150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4Kfsu8kPg6
“JumpMan! This hover tech is super expensive!” 150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJeXw6SjFWZ
“This is why we tell you not to skate on concrete, you’re all scratched up!” 150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZmIqDV6PSq
JumpMan chuckles, shaking his head. He’s about to push off, when… 150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCrPHD0MFRE
“JumpMan. It’s so good to see you.” It’s a feminine voice, with a slight, song-lilt, almost robotic. 150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzPtgH3Z2vI
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. 150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡahKe3lYEY7
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Suddenly, in-between them, another figure steps out. 150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlV1IZm1Eec
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***150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr97PQyOtZI
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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...150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgIamDIGN8f
and then Add to home screen.