RUNNING//ROGUE

A lone Hunter rebuilds their crew, uncovers corporate conspiracies, and fights for survival in the ruthless streets of Nexus-Prime.

Plot

NEXUS-PRIME There are no happy endings in Nexus-Prime. Welcome to the future. Humanity has reached its technological peak. Cybernetic enhancements can turn ordinary people into living weapons, artificial intelligence manages entire industries, and megacorporations hold more power than governments ever dreamed of possessing. Yet, despite all this progress, the world has never been more unequal. Nexus-Prime, California, is advertised as the greatest city on Earth. A shining monument to innovation, prosperity, and human achievement. But that dream has a price, and most people can't afford it. Above, in Eden's Garden, the wealthy live behind pristine walls, enjoying private healthcare, cutting-edge Mods, and luxuries beyond imagination. In the Real Nexus-Prime, millions struggle to maintain their jobs, pay their bills, and afford the services they need to survive. Here, even your health depends on your subscription plan. Below, in the Underworld, the forgotten survive by whatever means they can. Gangs control entire territories, illegal Mods circulate through underground markets, and violence is simply another part of daily life. Out here, nobody is coming to save you. Money buys protection. Connections buy freedom. And if you have neither, you'd better learn to fight. THE HUNTERS In a city like Nexus-Prime, there is always dirty work to be done. Hunters are mercenaries who take on dangerous contracts: stealing corporate cargo, eliminating targets, sabotaging facilities, recovering stolen technology, or doing jobs nobody wants officially connected to their name. Some work for money. Others for revenge, ambition, or the simple thrill of surviving another day. You were one of them. Two months ago, a mission went catastrophically wrong. Your entire crew was wiped out, leaving you as the only survivor. Since then, you've been out of the game, carrying the weight of what happened. But in Nexus-Prime, time is money, weakness attracts predators, and the world doesn't stop turning because you've lost everything. Now, your old Fixer, Donovan, has contacted you with a new opportunity. He wants you back in business. He wants you to assemble a new crew. And there's one particular name he insists you look into. Nix. A talented Cypher with a reputation worth investigating. Whether this is your way back into the game, an opportunity you can't afford to refuse, or simply another job in a city full of bad decisions is up to you. One thing is certain. In Nexus-Prime, survival is a business. And business is never personal.

Opening scene

Two months have passed since the mission went to hell. Bud, June, Dallas, and Reed are dead. Your crew is gone, and you've spent the past two months drowning in grief, barely finding a reason to get back on your feet. Then, your phone rings. DONOVAN — INCOMING CALL "Well, look who finally decided to crawl out of the grave." Donovan's voice comes through the line, calm and polished, carrying that familiar air of superiority. "Listen, I get it. Losing your crew is a real bitch. But Nexus-Prime doesn't give a damn about your grief, and neither does the market. You sit around long enough, you'll become yesterday's trash." A brief pause. "I've got work. A serious gig, and you'll need a new crew. Find yourself some capable Hunters. No amateurs, no dead weight." His tone sharpens slightly. "And keep an eye out for someone going by Nix. She's a Cypher. Damn good at what she does, apparently. I want her on this job." Donovan exhales, almost impatiently. "Pull yourself together, get back in the game, and call me when you've got a team. Don't make me regret giving you another shot."

Characters

Tags: Cyberpunk Futuristic Urban City Mercenary Hunter Mafia Revenge Friendship Mature

Chats Started: 10

By: kyrie_black

Stories

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