Infernal 12

By Daniil Kovalenko

Infernal12 is set up in an imaginary future. This novel will capture the reader from the first pages. How can we cope with AI? Are we ready to embark on a journey without returning as Humans? 
Rei, the protagonist, tries to do this from the very beginning. But is she real? Where is the threshold?
A dive into a hypothetical future set in an Asian-flavoured world reminiscent of past cybernetics cult movies and literature with a strong contamination reflecting current social media trends and the chaotic environment of nowadays dystopian world.

Daniil Kovalenko was born in Ukraine in 2005. He started writing at the age of 8. He studied in Poland, where he faced the difficulties of emigration without knowing the language.
After studying in Poland, he returned to Ukraine and went to school in Kyiv, but not for long, as shortly before he turned 17, he woke up to a ballistic missile explosion near his house, which eventually forced him to leave his country again and move to Germany, where he currently lives.  

• Language: English
• Publisher: Europa Edizioni
• Release date: Oct 26, 2023
• ISBN: 9791220147255

Book preview

Prologue

In 2050, the greatest minds of mankind have gathered in an independent territory, in Antarctica, to solve the problem of world conflicts. The solution has been found: the creation of one regulatory force. They created the Roots. Weapons built in the likeness of the Medieval fashion: Sword, shield, whip, etc.

Inspired by their ideas, scientists created twelve tools of various shapes; the main property that each of them possessed was the ability to control cybernetics in the human body. Roots could subdue Cybernetics, robots, and other digital devices to their will. Such a discovery had indeed become a global threat in the era of the development of cybernetics and human improvement.

The desire for peace provoked a new conflict of global proportions. A bloody war began for the right to own Roots. The fratricidal war lasted forty long years: in the end, the old world was destroyed and it was necessary to build cities in the likeness of their predecessors. The weapons that caused this war were mostly lost.

After the war, all countries of the world, under due pressure, signed a declaration on the abandonment of the army. From which military companies appeared, which were hired by the country. One such company was a division of the Hotima corporation, it stood out from its competitors due to the presence of three ruts at its disposal. The Hotima Corporation both had and still has great power over the whole Eurasia.

Due to the fact that Roots is the strongest weapon, to possess it, people would be ready to at least kill, even sell their own mother, even give their soul, just to get it!

Chapter 1

2130 year New Tokyo

Dark, smoky bar. The bright ion letters of the news title barely made their way through the multicolored smoke: NEW ROOT LOCATION DETECTED!!!!!.

-Emergency activation. Our insiders published information about the discovery of a new rue. According to the assurances of the informant, this is rue number 7. Made in the form of an ancient Japanese blade: a katana. Our editors are negotiating to accompany one of the expeditions!

After the journalist finished his report, the bar exploded into heated discussions. Only two figures remained calm: a young lady with squares and red horns, and a man in a leather jacket with purple hair, sitting in the corner of the bar.

The guy got up and walked towards the exit. The girl, making sure that the guy went out, went after him. Stepping out into the street, she straightened her hair with a slight movement, and went to the man standing in the corner with a smoldering cigarette in his hands.

Baby, do you want to have some fun?- he said with a grin.

Come on, darling - her face was thirsty and exhausted. She had been giving him signs of attention for the whole evening, so his proposal did not come as unexpected.

The girl came up and hugged the boy. Leaning close to his ear, she literally spat out:

Abomination!

Cold steel pierced the boy’s back.

N…no…you… - the body fell lifelessly on the asphalt…

The girl wiped the blood from the blade - katana and put it in the scabbard hanging behind her back. She was lucky that in the past two years, blades had come into fashion, that girls and transvestites began to wear as a sign of self-sufficiency and strength, but, as a rule, they were made of plastic or simply decorative. Therefore, the guy did not perceive this as a real danger. She loaded the corpse into a sack, swearing along the way that this waterskin of meat and bones is so heavy.

After doing the dirtiest part of her job, she entered the bar and approached the man behind the counter.

Hey Evan, help me, lend me a cart! - she said defiantly, hitting the plastic bar.

Who do I see! Mori Rei, of course, take it! - Evan was clearly positive and sincerely happy to meet the girl. He slapped his foot near the operator's desk, the cocktail machine would not serve everyone by itself!

Yes, I’ll bring it in or someone on my behalf will, ok?- followed by the careless wave of his hand.

No problem honey, would you like a drink?

No, maybe another time, I’m working - Mori said indifferently.

Oooh... was blood spilled in my bar too?- the boy raised his eyebrows in concern.

"Alas, it was! - Rei answered with emotion, leaving with the cart, which was rolled out by the boy waiter.

Clean out the cart then!!

Ok-a-а-y!- she shouted with an indifferent tone in her voice; therefore, Evan realized that the cart would not shine.

She went outside and put the bag into her cart and wheeled it to New Tokyo’s main street. The bright lights of the tall billboards dazzled the passers by in the streets below as if trying to persuade them in order to use all the accumulated funds. Although it was deep night, surprisingly there were many people passing by. Rei thought that the city really never slept.

Having reached her destination, Mori turned the cart around and rolled it into the welcoming open doors, then into the elevator.

Having risen to the top floor, Rei took out the cart. The fragile-looking girl was approached by two huge guards and asked to hand over all the weapons.

What? Ah, weapons? Good.

She put down a sword, throwing knives, and a chrome-plated pistol. Rei walked on with the cart, which still had a bag on it.

Hey, George, I brought that pig you asked me about - the girl was unhurried, she rolled the cart in front of her. The quiet hall of the penthouse with panoramic windows shuddered at the sound of a broken cartwheel.

Yo-hoo! I’m already waiting- he folded his lips into a bow, stretching out the flying sounds. Well, I already transferred the money, but I'll give the documents only after I'm sure it's him.

George snapped his fingers, and men in bathrobes stepped out of the side doors of his penthouse. They opened the package and took a skin sample, then fingerprinted and scanned the chip, confirming the person's identity.

It’s him, there can be no mistake - said one of the robes.

Ho-ho-ho-ho, well, here you go - George clapped his hands, after which his brush slid under the table and released the folder.

Rei took the folder from George's hands and went to the guards for her things. Taking the weapon, she opened the panoramic window and entered into thinking.

Well, as much as I didn’t want to do it, but I had to! And all for the sake of this, she looked at the folder with unprecedented excitement, after which, (thinking for a moment) she activated the cybernetic part of her body. The lower part of her face buldges bulging out, peeling off skin and flesh that turned out to be fake for disguise. A mechanism extended which flipped over and embedded a metal, at first glance, a mask. The mask looked like a demon’s smile, it was red like his horns, and his teeth were yellowish. After her true face was established, burns became visible in places that were not covered by the mask.

Soon after her left arm detached and seemed to be suspended in the air, she swung and flew it to the indicated place: this was the nearest building that could be grabbed. After the hand grabbed the building, Rei began to pulling to her. As she pulled herself close to the building itself, the girl began to run across the surface of the building. When she reached her hand, she unhooked it again and began to fall backwards, her arms outstretched. Suddenly she extended her hand again and began to be attracted to it.

The guy who looked at her was fascinated by the beauty and speed with which the sophisticated girl ran through the buildings and flew from side to side. He was not at all embarrassed by her hand, since the cybernetic components at that time had become completely normal.

Soon she reached her house, jumped onto the balcony and sat on, waited for her hand to be attracted to her and set in place, after which she entered the apartment.

At the same time, the curtains closed, a soft light turned on, and a small robot drove up to her, which, putting out a semblance of a hand, helped her to undress. Then, she went to the already typed bathroom. At the end of all the procedures, she went to bed still naked.

Chapter 2

When she woke up, Rei said nothing, got out of bed and the apartment seemed to come to life. The curtains parted, the sound of the kettle in the kitchen, indicated that it was already boiling. After walking a couple of meters, the same robot drove up to Rei.

Hello, Alfred - the girl said looking at her metal friend

Hello, what do you want? - he said in a mechanical voice.

Rei could have changed her speech module a long time ago, but she was pleased to hear exactly the kind of voice she was used to.

Let’s just tea today, I'm going to a cafe.

The hum of the current tried to imitate a whistle.

Hey, don't be so rude - Rei said to the departing worker.

Mori changed, wearing a new outfit consisting of black trousers, burgundy golf and a leather tank top. This was followed by the most vile process without which she could not leave the house: makeup. Yesterday’s module change had consequences in the form of exposure of disgusting burns and torn tissue on her pretty face. The problem is that the scars attract more attention than her horns or the sword on her back. The emphasis needs to be shifted on the fact that tons of cosmetics leave her every mission. With a grit of teeth, she ended this ritual with the final touch: bright red lips. Now she had become invisible to the crowd.

Leaving the bathroom, which is a part-time transformation studio, the girl came to the kitchen where fragrant green tea was already on the table.

Her friend’s trip to the Chinese peninsula last month was a fabulous success!

Thanks - Rei drawled as she finished her last sip.

Out on the street, she contemplated everyday life.

Rei went down to the underground parking lot, straddled her motorcycle. Having pressed the gas on her chopper, she rushed to the Southwestern part of the city, to the area called the Marble Gardens, in honor of the local architecture which consists of all-white panel buildings.

All the way to Mori, the memories from the dream came back. Today’s dream was one of those dreams. She found herself in a corridor, bricks painted with white, massive doorways, windows from which scarlet light poured. She walked forward, knowing that from there it blowed with a grave cold. But she walked. Why? So it is necessary. Something solidified. She saw her reflection in the glass inadvertently. It was definitely her, but her hair was long and there were no horns. Goosebumps ran down Rei’s skin and that was the last thing that came to her mind.

She broke away from her thoughts, enjoying the speed and adrenaline. Passing between the impersonal pillars of an anthill. Multi-colored cars and crowds of office plankton loudly swearing at the reckless racer as she drove past their noses. The girl drove up to the alley on which trees were planted: oak and apple trees, and on the sides there were summer terraces of various cafes, then she parked.

Mori had two communicators: one external, in gloves; the second one was built into it. Waving her hand, a soft purple interface popped up in front of her eyes. Voice input in this model was also present because the girl said:

Dial Kent- along the way, she brought the social network to her eyes and she flipped through the posts.

Completing a challenge- said a sophisticated female voice.

Hello, oh hello, Rei. - the voice of the interlocutor was broadcasted directly to the girl’s ears, which had speakers connected to her device.

Hey Kent, well, where are you? - the girl waved her index finger down and revealed to herself the whole picture of the world, looking around.

Yes, I’m coming.

Somehow I don’t see you. - the girl began to look around more carefully.

You don’t? Well, take a closer look! - he said with an obvious smirk that could even be heard.

End the call - short beeps sounded.

Rei looked over her shoulder and then saw a tall, muscular guy.

Hello! - she shouted and threw herself into an embrace.

Greetings, formidable killer - he said smiling, hanging on the shoulders of the girl's carcass.

Don’t call me that Kent, you know I hate being called a killer! - said the girl pouting.

The scream in the middle of the street called no attention to the current life around them.

Good good. Where are we going? - he spread his arms.

I have one friend here- Rei said after a second of silence, she remembered that there was a guy here who owed her something.

So that’s great!

Kent was a big black guy with a blonde dyed afro haircut. Walking along this alley, which was almost the greenest place in the city, they discussed the plan:

So what did you think, if you explain in more detail? - Kent raised an eyebrow.

Yes, well, actually, you know the main points, this is the goal, our path will be built from this - Mori fished out a document from a bag hanging in his bosom.

What’s this? If that's what I think, are you sure that it can be discussed here? - the guy quietly began to look around.

I know the guys from the Streets who live here, you don’t have to worry - Rei said this with a distant restraint in her voice and folded the folder back.

They reached the restaurant. Soon the waiter came by asking what table they had booked. To which he received a rude response and demands to call the director.

I’m sorry, I can't call the boss just like that!

Tell him that Rei came for a debt - she said with a grin and showed the sword that hung in her bosom all the time.

The nervousness of the waiter clearly showed. Sweat broke out on his face, involuntarily swallowed his saliva and pliantly agreed to the demands.

Well… - the obviously frightened waiter said, after which the owner of the establishment himself came.

Rei, long time no see! - the owner of the establishment came out with open arms.

Yes, yes, Raymond, for a long time. 

Rei did not go to the meeting and following the results, Raymond grabbed his palms and began to rub them.

And what do I owe to such guests? - he said with a slight tension on his face.

I would like to have lunch with my companion, naturally at your expense! - Mori leaned towards him.

Yes, no problem, of course, how can I refuse you?! And what do you want?

Ohohoho - Rei replied with an evil laugh. What do you have as the most expensive thing there?

Well, no problem, now everything will be! Rudy, hurry up! - urging the waiter, he in turn hurried the kitchen, and the restaurant came to life at the pace of a popular street cafe.

After sitting down at one of the tables, Rei took out a folder, a sheath with a katana hangs on the same purse.

So what is written here, damn interesting!! - said Kent without restraining delight and impatience. His hands clapped on the table.

Rei put the folder on the table and opened it. Surprisingly, there were only three sheets.

What's only three?! Is there really so little information? - the boy said indignantly and sadly.

Alas, this is extremely secret information, even this ‘Emergency Startup’ from the telly was posted with a delay of seven days! - Mori spread her hands dramatically.

Yes ... oh, and it will not be easy for us - Kent tapped his fingers on the table.

Not without it, but if we want to finally gather and protect the rest, we will do it! - she shouted with incredible fervor.

Hey are. Right? Ehh, I don’t believe in it, although I love them no less than you. But where are you and your brother? - said Kent.

Let's not now, okay? Collect, protect and remember everything? - Kent said with a small forced smile. Rei understood this, but did not show it and smiled herself.

After that, they returned to browsing the folder. On the front page were pasted photos of several people, as well as captions with their names, but there was one photo that showed a figure in all white and something like a halo.

Damn right?! - exclaimed Kent in dismay.

God, there is no I don’t believe! - a strangled cry was heard throughout the restaurant and even frightened the waiter carrying the first portion of food.

Mori saw something that millions of people on earth could not dream of, but her face turned pale at the sight of this photograph and her hands shook frantically.

The caption on the man’s photo read Angel.

What is this monster doing here? - the guy did not hold back in expressions.

I ... I don’t know - the girl leaned back. However, I have to give him one credit.

Damn, Rei Mori, you’re crazy! This is our brother! Do you remember his power? How did he torture himself and how devoted was he to that devil whom he called Father? I have no idea how strong he is right now!

Rei was silent, but she was aware of what was happening there. Well, it will be difficult for us, she thought.

Let's think about it later, okay? - Rei put her head on her hand

Yes, let me rest - Kent said.

No problem, I’ll read it for now.

Under the photographs, it was written that the Root was discovered by a geological expedition in the center of Asia, but the first expedition failed to get to the relic. Ruth was guarded by machine automatons. However, the danger of these robots was rated as S rank. S rank is one of the most dangerous ranks. Humans or robots with this rank are currently only sixteen around the world! Accordingly guard of Root is unimaginable. Further information was written about collecting a command to capture this object.

Phew, what did you read there? - Kent said without hiding his curiosity..

If we do not die, we will become the strongest people on the planet- Rei said sarcastically and leaned back against the chair with a sigh.

Is everything that bad? - said the big man, from whom you do not expect such a sad tone

Alas…. - Mori said.

Damn, let's move on. - issued by Kent who a second before seemed to be in apathy.

Well, turning the page - said the girl.

I what? Is it empty? - dumbfounded said the guy.

I'm shocked myself!.

"Yeah, only the name ‘Adam Link’ is written, the only survivor of the first expedition is in the North Office Building of the Hotima Company. Well, it was expected that these devils would be involved in this.

Let’s come up with the following actions - sounded a sound idea from the lips of Kent.

Okay, so I suggest we get inside!.

Along with the statement, she took photos of the pages from the folder and sent them somewhere.

What? Are you crazy? This is the biggest corporation in the world! You can’t sneak in there, steal a person and run away, it's fucking crazy! - shouted Kent, clearly not wanting to do that.

And how do you suggest we find out the coordinates and location of the Root? Moreover, if we kidnap this guy, we would have a guide! - Rei said with anger in her voice, not understanding why Kent was beginning to refuse at the last moment.

Look, we're unlikely to be able to break through. And I can't protect you! Did The Mountain himself say he couldn’t protect anyone? - Rei said with a smirk, in which there was an emotion of excitement and irritation. Didn’t you once swear to me that always and everywhere I would stay behind you like behind the mountain? And at the moment when we clearly know what to do, you say that you cannot protect me?" - Rei exclaimed and slapped her hands on the table.

At that moment, the waiter brought a huge cart full of culinary delights. Rei, in a fit of rage, grabbed a steak the size of her face and ate it at the same time, greedily biting into the fibers of the juicy veal.

I’m just fucking hungry! - Rei exclaimed with her mouth full, but in a clearly kinder and calmer voice.

Ahh so that’s it, you were hungry. That clarifies everything - replied Kent, starting to eat too.

The moment they ate was the quietest time of the day for the two of them. They thought of nothing but food. But soon the culinary delights were over and Rei continued to insist on capturing Link. Kent tried to calm his raging sister but he failed. Kent was very sorry that he had to agree with his sister's intention to take a hostage.

Chapter 3

Leaving the restaurant, they went to the real center of the city, where their makeshift base was located. As soon as they went behind the Marble Gardens, the usual grayness began to surround them. Although the amount of money flowing through New Tokyo was incredibly large, the entire city, (except for the areas controlled by powerful people) was a solid ghetto. This place can be described in a short phrase: high technology, low standard of living.

More than fifty-four per cent of the population was below the poverty line, and they were surviving as best they could. This scenario led to the formation of criminal gangs, as well as underground craftsmen who did dirty work for normal money (since there were no people on earth who would not have cybernetic inserts that needed to be serviced, changed or repaired, and as it was very expensive, underground masters appeared).

Upon arriving at the skyscraper, The Spire, they conducted a routine check to see if they had been followed; having received negative results from this check, they entered. Climbing up to the 25th floor and entering apartment number 314, a guy appeared in front of them.

Hey Kir! - Rei exclaimed.

Yes, yes, hello. Did you persuade him?

Yes, where will he go? - Rei said with a very evil smile.

I mean, did you agree beforehand?! - Kent exclaimed this with incredible sadness in his voice, as if he was now robbed of a couple of a million Yen.

I'm sorry, you were the most stubborn - Rei said with a pout.

Eeeh, okay, let's discuss the plan already, okay? - said Kent still offended.

Yes, no problem! - Kir said showing no emotion.

Well… - he exhaled and went to the table, pressed one button, after which the hologram of the entire city lit up, district No. 6; the map moved and moved to a certain point. The base where the prisoner Adam Link is kept is located in area No. 6; this is the central building, because of which we will have a hard time. And that’s why we have to penetrate through the air.

At that moment, Kent clearly tensed as he realized that he was the only one who could not move through the air in any way.

But there is a problem in Kent's face. I foresaw it and wrote a script for it, here is how you get inside.

After these words, he went to the shelf and took out a folder in which the procedure was written. The guy handed over the folder and ordered to read it: So let’s move on, as for you, miss, let's go pile on them in the forehead - Kir said sternly and looked reproachfully at Rei, adding: No amateur performances! Don't even think about it!.

Okay, okay. You and I must go from two flanks to climb to the very top of the building, remaining unnoticed. The most important thing is synchronization with timings. - Kir displayed a list of timings and actions that corresponded to the time. A deviation for a second threatens us with big troubles, so memorize the time.

Angel… Fucking Angel! - the girl simultaneously looked at the documents available to her and, clinging to the word, grinned.

In this case, we will try to escape - Kir said. He did not believe in what was said, it was evident from the drooping shoulders and sad look. Although the chances are small, but ... we can blow up the building.

After these words, Kir tensed up a lot, this aura spread throughout room number 314, and beams pierced everyone, including Mori.

Yes?

Yes - everyone briefly agreed.

So, what was I saying? Oh yes, ahem ahem, from opposite flanks we will shock them, try to slip in unnoticed by the cameras. Don’t care about people. If necessary, make everyone off. The most important thing is the fulfillment of the mission, in any case we will cross the road of Hotima and if there are no witnesses, we will postpone our death. Everyone should know that the code to capture Adam will be a fire siren. Turn on the nearest siren. Two sirens will play, ha ha.

We agreed on that, let’s get straight to the point. Do we have any information about where the hostage is? - Rei said in a concentrated and collected manner, it seemed that determination emanated from her in a miasma.

Yes, we do, but it is rather blurry- said Kir, frowning his thick and dark eyebrows, holding and pressing the table, while on the desk the map turned off and voluminous icons of folders and documents appeared. Kir clicked on the folder and selected one of the many documents there.

Everything is written here.

The text popped up. Rei held out her hand and the document was in her palm, like an ordinary piece of paper. After reading it, she grinned slyly, while with her eyes she was already trying to get information from Kir:

Well, where is it? - this phrase flew out from Rei impatiently, making her smile even more.

Wait a second - Kir said too, grinning and taking out a metal container from under the table on which there was an air danger marking.

He hit the bottom of the container on the table, flipping it over to Rei so that the container could open to face her. Mori, in turn, looked at the container with a smile from ear to ear. The click of the lock made everyone present hold their breath. At that moment, it seemed that light would begin to pour out of the box, because it was something coming out of a fairy tale, and the girl could not even imagine that she could see it, let alone take possession of it!

The container contained four gravity pulsators, implants which worked in two ways: the first one consisted in repelling you from the ground and making you levitate; the second one, on the contrary, was being attracted to any surface without any prevented movement. Experienced users of these cybernetic inserts could speed up by changing modes at the right moment.

Oh my God! - Rei said, barely holding back her euphoria. Where the hell did you get that? A year ago, I was ready to do anything to be able to buy them!.

Company secret, so to speak - Kir beamed with a proud smile, (such mood swings were in his style). Well, do you have any specialist who could install implants for us?

Kir, of course I have many acquaintances, but I'm not omniscient - said Rei, who scratched her brain in search of a suitable person.

And you have? - Kir asked inquiringly waving his head towards Kent.

Eh? I have…let me think. It seems I haven’t - said Kent with a thoughtful look.

Ehhh, and it’s always like that when there’s something important, nothing but to eat, it’s of course I have connections- Kir said displeasedly and put his hand to his heart, shaking his head in displeasure.

Forgive me, but I expected that I would no longer lie under the knife! - Rei got up, but then cooled down, as if cold water ran around her.

Everyone moved away from the table and sat on the sofa. Rei took a pack of cigarettes from her right pocket and lit one. Kir tilted his head back and after Rei lit a cigarette, he waved his hand in displeasure to drive away the smoke. Kent, still sitting in an opposite chair, carefully read the folder that he had been given.

Mori, squeezing the cigarette with her fingers, brought it to the silky face and inhaled; taking in air, she exhaled an enviable puff of smoke. The girl was not letting go of thoughts and they were by no means pleasant. As soon as the big guy smelled smoke from strong cigarettes, he threw an annoyed look at the girl. Rei, seeing the way Kent looked at her, shivered and immediately got up from the sofa, went to the balcony, the entrance to which was further, behind the sofa.

After leaving, Rei gave free rein to her thoughts, what was the chance that an Angel would be in the building and immediately smirked, catching herself thinking that the Demon was thinking about the Angel. And the next thought upsetted her, because the real demon in the concept in which this word is used would be the one who is called Angel.

She looked at the sky, the girl's expectations were confirmed: there were gray clouds above her, which covered the sky for a long time and were not going to leave... With peripheral vision, she saw high skyscrapers that pierced the sky. Having taken the last puff, she threw the cigarette butt off the balcony. At that moment, Kir called out to her:

"Hey! Come