Watson District.
The YAIBA TV building, a modest 13-story office block.
It looked like a media studio, but was actually the base of the fixer Regina Jones. The roof was also equipped with all kinds of high-frequency transmitters. With the Net under control these days, they were regulated devices, but she had managed to get legal permits for them.
It was all thanks to her Mysterious Patron.
"Burger King Buy and Sell Fucking Big Man wants to smuggle something? How are they going to get past Militech?"
"His agent didn't say exactly. He only said that Militech's people would be drawn away when the time came-I'm guessing Militech already suspects he was the one who chased that cyberpsycho the other day.
"And he also plans to use that suspicion to pull off something big, but I can't figure out what he's planning."
"Hmm, he's got guts. I like it-Burger King Buy and Sell Fucking Big Man, you certainly live up to your name."
Though the Mysterious Patron's voice had been altered, his admiration still came through.
If his voice hadn't been altered, Regina would have heard that he wasn't merely impressed; he was even a little excited.
"What does he need?"
"A special NCPD transport permit. When the time comes and the Militech personnel on duty leave the junction, they'll be able to pass through without anyone noticing."
"That's easy. NCPD issues piles of permits like that every day to deal with confiscated contraband. You know how to handle it, right?"
"I do-but I don't understand. You seem awfully invested in this. It doesn't seem to have anything to do with cyberpsychos."
"Cyberpsychosis is the manifestation of this society's chronic illness in individuals. And if someone can defeat cyberpsychos again and again, maybe he really does mean something."
Regina was