Scarp Dealer: AI, #1

By MAREK TARNOWICZ

An MMA fighter, gambler and brawler gets into financial trouble after losing money borrowed from the mafia. His problems begin when he becomes the victim of an intrigue that extends beyond Earth. While returning to the rented apartment, a surprising attack occurs. An invisible figure stuns him with a blow, fastens a metal bracelet on his hand and sends him to another planet with the help of an ancient and unknown technology on Earth, called Zero Zone on numerous inhabited worlds in the universe. The planet is inhabited by a humanoid race technologically superior to Earth by hundreds of years. MY PUBLISHED E-BOOKS:

- LAB – volume 1 : BLACK RAIN

- CHRONICLES OF THE NECROMANTS – volume 1: FIRST WAR OF THE DEAD

- THE LAST BASTION – volume 1: EARTH

- SYLVANA – volume 1: DIRTY GAME

- PANTHEA - volume 1: PUNITIVE LEGION

• Language: English
• Publisher: MAREK TARNOWICZ
• Release date: Jun 15, 2024
• ISBN: 9788366192232

Book preview

SCRAP

DEALER

Cover by the author's design: Joanna Bianga

POLISH VERSION EDITOR: Anna Wołodko

COPYRIGHT © 2024 BY Marek Tarnowicz

All rights reserved. Reprinting or copying all or parts of the book

possible only with the written consent of the author.

1ST EDITION

ISBN:  978-83-66192-23-2

I thank God for perseverance

I dedicate the book to my homeland

POLAND

Undefeated Eagle's Nest

WHAT IS SCARP ONE PLACE in the universe is a technological leap in another place, in another galaxy and on another planet. The small distance between the stars is just an illusion when you look at the sky. In fact, inhabited planets and even entire Empires are separated from each other by hundreds of thousands or millions of light years. Despite these astronomical distances, there are quite a lot of people interested in buying technical innovations. Everyone will pay even exorbitant prices to gain the upper hand and become the hegemon in their world. The problem is not the distance, but smuggling the goods. Although it's not about traditional smuggling, but about bypassing security... But let's not anticipate events.

THIS DAY WAS PROBABLY the worst of all his life, and it wasn't going to end so soon. It all started when his girlfriend dumped him. She did it for a knitting guy she barely knew. His next bad luck happened during the race in Partynice. The horse he bet on lost, even though he was a sure bet. With this, not only his money was gone, but also the cash he borrowed from the boys in town. Keram was walking down the street, thinking about how to get out of debt, when suddenly he was bumped into by a man who wasn't there in front of him a split second ago. The guy hugged him like he was a good friend and realized he had made a mistake.

I'm terribly sorry, he said with a foreign accent, letting go of the boy. I mistook you for someone else, he explained, then disappeared as suddenly as he had appeared.

Freak, Keram thought. But how did he do it?, he started looking around, but he couldn't see him anywhere.

Damn! Magician, he muttered under his breath and moved on.

Another thought suddenly disturbed him. He had seen and known such events. Pickpocket?, he quickly checked his pockets and discovered his wallet was missing. ‘‘Damn! he cursed inwardly. But he soon stopped worrying, because he remembered that there was no money in it, only a driving license and meaningless pieces of paper. ‘‘Small loss, I'll get new ones.

After a while, he reached the block of flats where he rented an apartment. He walked up the stairs to the second floor and took out his keys. He opened the door, took a step into the hall, and suddenly caught some movement out of the corner of his eye. He could fight quite well, but this someone was much faster. Superhumanly fast. Before Keram could block the blow, the impact of the blow threw him onto the wardrobe in the hall. The slightly stunned man registered a metallic clang and felt a slight cold on his wrist. It is not known why he thought about the police. Immediately afterwards, someone pushed him towards the room, and Keram, in order not to fall, instinctively took a step forward. In doing so, his shoe caught on an object lying in the doorway, and his leg fell to the floor inside the ring.

What?! What is?! he shouted.

You'll be fine, a familiar voice heard.

Suddenly everything he saw disappeared.

HE FOUND HIMSELF SOMEWHERE else. He had no idea where and how he got there. There was complete darkness all around. After a short while, as his eyes adjusted, he saw something else. The black was punctuated with bright spots. Smaller and bigger. Scattered or clustered in larger clusters. Some glowed steadily, others appeared unexpectedly and disappeared just as suddenly. Those appearing and disappearing were less numerous.

Choose your destination, he heard a voice in his head.

What? What's the target? he asked, looking around.

He saw magnified points of light in front of him, matching the stars in space, and some inscriptions beneath them.

What is this place? Where am I? he asked, confused.

‘‘Choose your destination" he heard the same question in his head again.

‘‘Damn! Don't you understand that I don't know what you mean?" He asked.

This SOMETHING chose for him.

I want to go to my place! he shouted irritably when a voice in his head informed him about the place he was supposed to go to.

A few minutes later he saw a spot in front of him that had grown to a large size. He realized he was looking at a planet and knew it wasn't Earth. The next moment the image disappeared and he saw an apartment. He looked to the sides. Not that he didn't like where he was. He found himself in a spacious living room with a large window, and right next to it there was a ring. It appeared to be made of metal. He remembered that he had hit something with his foot in his apartment. Is that it? he asked himself. He reached for it. It was heavy. Even very heavy. He took his eyes off the ring and quickly looked out the window because something didn't feel right. There were no such views in Wrocław. Soaring skyscrapers and patches of sky between them. Where am I? he asked himself. New York? Manhattan? He recreated the image of the planet growing in his eyes. Oh yeah, this isn't Earth. He looked at the ring again. He's never seen anything like this. Even in the movies he watched. Suddenly he remembered the beginning of the incident and touched his jaw - it didn't even hurt. He was examining the ring again when he heard a woman's voice. He didn't know the language, so he ignored it. Immediately afterwards, he heard the same voice again, but using a completely different language. He said that this person was probably trying to start a conversation with him. He realized that perhaps he was in this place illegally and that the police would soon arrive.

Come out and we'll talk, he started. I didn't mean to barge in here, he explained.

About?! You are from Cologne, said a voice in Polish.

Which colony... I'm Polish and I live in Wrocław he explained the misunderstanding.

It's a city in Cologne, the voice said. ‘‘How should I address you?"

My name is Keram. What about this Colony? Wrocław is located in Poland, not...

And Poland is located in Cologne. Okay... I know now. I checked... The land is listed in the transfer data as Colony. After all, it was once a penal colony.

Something's wrong with you... Anyway, it's not important right now, he said. ‘‘Could you come here to me? I don't feel comfortable talking to... the voice," he finished.

I'm here all the time, the voice replied. ‘‘You just need to restart the relay."

What? What...

The one on your hand, the voice instructed him.

HE LOOKED AT IS HANDS. The only thing he didn't have before was the massive bracelet. That must have been what that mysterious guy had fastened to him.

You mean this metal bracelet? He raised his hand in front of him.

Yes.

Bright. No problem he smiled. ‘‘But maybe you know how to do it? I lost the owner's manual," he joked.

"See this sign?

You must have great eyesight, because I can barely see those strange markings. And what about them?

Swipe it with your finger and say your name.

Okay... We'll see in a moment...

He ran his index finger over the barely perceptible letters of the foreign script. Suddenly, multicolored sparks began to pulsate on the surface of the ring.

Keram Zciwonrat, he said clearly. ‘‘And what now? Won't the police or anti-terrorists come here?" He asked.

Instead of answering, he saw a figure standing in front of the window. He got up and walked over to the place.

Now you have access to everything again... Well, maybe not completely, said the young woman.

Access again... What does that mean?

You must have emigrated when you were a child, she said. ‘‘You should use some of the funds to get an implant."

Emigrate? Implant? What are you talking about? Why do I need it?

I haven't checked your records yet, but the lack of an implant means you left Cato about... at least twenty years ago.

Hmm... And the implant?

Today it is needed to control and communicate with everything you register on yourself, and, of course, to contact others. And you're not poor, she said.

What do you mean I'm not poor? he asked, surprised.

You have two hundred thousand ounces in your account.

How do you know how much...?

I had to check your account balance. Although I don't have access to all your data, she informed. ‘‘Unless you authorize me access."

Account access? he was surprised.

Don't worry about means of payment... It's normal. Nobody will touch them without your knowledge. Each transfer must be personally confirmed with your DNA. And this can only be done if you have your own relay.

And two hundred thousand ounces...is that a lot?

You can live here for two years, but I advise you to spend some of these funds on the implant. This is important to you.

All right. Once I decide, how do I do it? he looked out the window. ‘‘Damn! What a view, he said with admiration."

You choose what suits you and...

And how to place an order? Yeah. I have a phone, after all he reached into his pocket and froze, looking surprised.

What is? the woman became interested.

Telephone. I had a phone. He reached into another pocket.

HE STARTED SLAPPING HIS pants.

I guess it's not going to happen, he said thoughtfully. Someone stole it from me, he said as he searched all his pockets.

Is a telephone some kind of device? she asked.

Yes. It is used for communication, online shopping, that is, what you were talking about, he explained.

You cannot carry anything through the Zero-Zone that is not directly related to your body. No devices unless they are installed inside you, such as an implant, she informed him.

Nothing?! he didn't believe it. ‘‘Nothing at all?"

Unfortunately. And on Cato you have a relay for this. See those lines glowing in different colors on it?

On this?’’ he showed. ‘‘I see.

Touch any of them.

He did it. A circle of light was generated around the bracelet.

And? There is nothing here.

Magnify what you see with your fingers, she instructed him.

With your fingers? he repeated.

He was about to ask how to do it when he thought of it himself. He touched the circle with two fingers, as you do on a phone screen, and spread it apart, enlarging it.

If you had an implant, it would be much easier and faster, she explained.

He saw more than a line as thin as a laser beam. He enlarged the generated image even more. Now it was clear and the text was displayed in Polish. The whole thing was divided into frames that stretched in both directions in a circle. He turned his hand to see what was elsewhere.

You don't have to do it this way. Just tap it and move it sideways, the woman explained.

He did it much too quickly, and now the images were spinning around his hand like chairs on a carousel. He touched the generated ring. The images froze motionless in the marked place.

It's impressive, he said.

Suddenly he took a step forward and touched the woman. He thought she was some kind of hologram, but she turned out to be real. Her hand was soft and warm. Just like the human body.

Damn! I'm sorry I fell on your face, he said, surprised.

What? I do not really understand. For the first time she seemed surprised.

Well... I showed up at your apartment without an invitation. But it's not my fault, he said immediately. ‘‘They are..."

No, she laughed. ‘‘The system directed you here because you did not choose transfer. He placed you in a humanoid world."

And you? Is that how you ended up here too?

I manage this... square, she quickly picked up his vocabulary, and I am also its protection.

Security? Then why not you...

Because the transmitter activated me.

You are a robot? he asked thoughtfully. ‘‘Just don't be offended, because I don't mean anything bad."

Yes. I am controlled by an algorithm.

Oh shit?! Artificial intelligence, he said with admiration.

KERAM LOOKED AT HER thoughtfully for a moment.

Let's skip it, he said. ‘‘Actually, I'd like to eat something." He temporarily forgot about returning to Earth, and due to the problems he left there, it was even convenient for him.

For now, it will be better for me, he concluded in his thoughts.

I'll get it ready, she offered, interrupting his thoughts. ‘‘What would you like to eat?"

You said something about money... Two hundred thousand... ounces. Yes?

That's how much you have on your account.

And I could exchange them on Earth... Let's say in Polish zlotys?

I don't know that, she said. ‘‘If you are conducting diplomatic exchanges with other worlds... You are not conducting diplomatic exchanges. I checked. So what do you want to eat?" she repeated the question.

So no, he sighed. ‘‘Maybe breaded chicken and fries. Do you have something like that?"

Chicken and fries? There may be a problem. What does it look like? she asked.

So they are not up to date with earthly topics. I'm stuck here, he thought.

It's starting, he muttered under his breath anyway. ‘‘Where is the kitchen? Lead the way, he asked. ‘‘Besides... I think it's time to see the apartment.

Because I think I'll just sit here for a while, he added, thinking about the whole situation again.

A square is a square, he heard. ‘‘There are no luxuries here. Not this standard."

It looks better than the one I rent... I rented. First the kitchen. I'll see what you have in the fridge.

This could be...

Don't tell me you didn't do any shopping, he joked.

It is not it. There is no such thing as a refrigerator here. Food is synthesized.

Is this your joke? He asked. ‘‘Tell me this is a joke?"

Oh no.

Shit! But do you have a kitchen? I'll just go out and do some shopping, he said.

Organic meal ingredients are very expensive, but I assure you that synthetic food is identical to natural food. It has all the minerals and vitamins. You'll see, she assured.

Then come up with something yourself. He shrugged and moved towards the gap between the walls. ‘‘I will be sightseeing during this time" he added.

He had only been here for a few dozen minutes and it was already getting long.

Can you eat out? He asked.

You're bored, she sensed his mood.

You're good, he admitted. I'm a little and... I'm thinking about what to do here, he said.

If you want to go out, I advise you to get an implant first she said the same thing again.

Okay, he decided. ‘‘I'll eat first, and then we'll find something."

Then please, he heard her voice behind him.

You surprised me... mmm... it smells extremely delicious. He turned to her.

And that's how it is. Help yourself. She raised the tray towards him.

Maybe we should sit down, he suggested.

Sure... Where do you want? she asked with an unchanging smile.

By the window, he decided. ‘‘I'll take a look at the views."

No problem.

Before she could get past him, he took one of the pieces of what looked like roasted meat from the platter. He bit. It was crispy. He chewed for a while.

Mmm... Great, he put the rest in his mouth and followed her.

The girl was already sitting at a table placed in front of the window.

"I'm starting to wonder if this isn't some kind of experiment. Isn't what I see a simulation and

I haven't been connected to some equipment" he said and sat down next to me.

Why do you think so? she asked.

It's all unreal to me, he began. ‘‘I was on Earth and suddenly I came to such a place. Hmm... straight from some movie."

What is a movie?

Exactly... We seem to talk to each other without any problems, but sometimes you have gaps in your memory. Breaded chicken... Movie... Square he calculated and looked at her.

I have an outdated database, she replied without hesitation.

But you say it correctly. Such a discrepancy is... mysterious.

I modify my vocabulary on an ongoing basis. Even now, during our conversation.’’ She shrugged. ‘‘I have good software.

He ate and looked at her intently.

HAVE YOU FIGURED OUT WHAT I could do here yet? he asked when she returned from the kitchen.

She moved her hand in the air and he saw a hologram in front of him, with a long list of activities requiring physical presence.

We'll reduce it if you tell me what you can do best. We will polish the rest with hypnotic training and simulations, she said.

But first the implant. He looked at her with a smile.

She nodded affirmatively.

Okay... Where should I look? he asked, looking at the bracelet.

On the opposite side to...

Do not speak. I know. He touched the appropriate place and then enlarged the image. Search for implants, he said, following his intuition.

The device responded immediately. It connected him to the planetary network and there he found what interested him and even more.

Oh shit! he said, surprised to see the entire range of devices. ‘‘What are their names?" he looked at the woman.

Communication, she suggested.

Find communications he ordered. Oh no, he muttered when he saw the prices. ‘‘You said I had..."

Skip the most expensive ones, she advised him. ‘‘The software decides, and this can be changed. You should pay no more than a hundred thousand ounces," she added.

But that's half...

I know, but it'll be worth it, she replied.

Let it be... Show me what you think I should buy, he asked.

She stood up and walked over to him.

None of these. Swipe right, she said.

It took a while to choose the right set.

Now select 'Exchange,' she instructed him.

Why? He asked.

What do you think?

Aaah... I will arouse interest... So no one knows yet that I...

It's not quite like that... Your data is in the system, but why draw attention to yourself she explained.

Why are you telling me this? He asked.

It's my job to protect you in this place.

Alright. Thanks.

Confirm the payment by placing your finger on the transmitter.

He did as she advised and his account balance was halved.

Let's go, she moved deeper into the apartment.

He got up and followed her. He sat down where she had shown him and placed his forearm on what she called the medical panel. Something that looked like an octopus tentacle rose from its surface. The tentacle stuck to the side of his neck - where he had an artery. He didn't even feel what happened next.

Here you can look at how it is formed in the space between your brain and the skull bone.

He looked at the holographic image generated. He saw the neck and head in three dimensions. He still didn't feel anything. After several minutes, the forming process was completed.

SEE YOU IN THE MORNING, guys he said to those who were still in the transporter taking them to work.

He lowered his head so as not to catch the scanners on his helmet on the beam and approached the hatch. There was much more space here. He waited until the vehicle was motionless, and then as the ramp lowered into a ramp, he jumped down into the street. He only had one street to cross.

One more week, he muttered to himself.

Now he was a gate guard, but the contract was ending and the company was supposed to transfer him to VIP security. He passed through the alleys on the third level, so he wasn't very far into the gorge created by the two- and three-hundred-story skyscrapers. The local star of their cat music, as he called it, was supposed to be at the party he was securing. Before he reached the door, he encountered groups of young people. None of them even reached his shoulder, so they moved out of his way without a murmur. His armor scanners did not detect weapons or other dangerous items on them. Suddenly, a ball half a meter in diameter flew over their heads. Its scanners showed that it was a drone of the Special Services, i.e. the local unit fighting organized crime. Before he took a few steps, another machine appeared and just as quickly disappeared. Could something be happening? he thought. A moment later he was there. There was a large group of young people standing in front of the entrance. He walked between them and reached the armored door. The club's scanner registered his presence and approved the start of work. He looked at the timer inside his armored helmet. There was still some time before the party started, so he started checking those who would be entering first. The kids, as kids do, were in various states of intoxication. Some of them were on drugs and some on local alcohol, but in his opinion none of them exceeded the legal limit. The rest were just very excited about the party. Absolutely standard, he thought. Because his height and posture commanded respect, no one was pushy. The time has come.

Approach one by one! he said loudly through the external speakers.

The crowd moved. Everyone held out their hand with a transmitter placed on the entry card. He just waved his hand with the sensor and pointed behind him with his thumb at the entrance. His custom must have spread among them, because now no one asked what the gesture was about and just went to the door. It was much faster and more efficient, not like at the beginning when he had to explain it. Since he was carefully observing all the guests in the queue, he easily noticed a girl of unknown age. She approached the group. Slowly but methodically, she began to move between them, moving forward. Soon she stood before him. His implant gave a warning signal of software interference and then began to function normally. She immediately moved to the door.

Where?! he asked, grabbing her arm. Stop! Show your ticket! he ordered loudly but calmly.

But...

Entry ticket, he didn't let her finish.

I have to come in... Please, she said.

Aside! he ordered her and easily moved her to the seat on the opposite side of the door, still holding her hand at his side.

A DIODE FLASHED ON THE internal screen of the helmet, signaling a private conversation.

What do you want? He asked.

Let me in, she insisted, almost pleadingly.

You know I can't... Anyway, convince me, he said, letting in more guests.

The services are after me. I still have a short moment to escape them, she said.

Services? Why? He didn't believe her words. He thought she wanted to get in for free, even though she didn't look poor.

I'm a hacker. They have been looking for me for a long time.

And you just tell me about it? Even more so, he didn't believe what she said. Confuse them, he replied.

I've been doing this for a long time, but they're hot on my heels, getting through firewall after firewall. I need a few minutes...

Keram reached into the armor compartment where he had an electronic key with entry tickets.

I'm losing a few hundred because of you, he said. Show relay.

She uncovered her hand and he brought the key to her bracelet and pressed it.

"There is a staff entrance next to the toilet. I'll give you the code, but don't write it down.

Thanks. I'll return the favor, she said and headed for the door.

He only allowed kids in again, but that quickly changed. Taller natives in much better armor than he had began to push through the crowd surrounding the entrance. Since he was a security guard, he took a step towards the door, blocking their passage. The Service symbols flashed on his screen, but he had procedures in place and he was going to take advantage of that by giving the other girl a little more time.

Stop! he said briefly and dispassionately.

What?! Are you having a breakdown?! asked the one walking in front.

I don't have authorization yet, he replied.

The other one wanted to push him away.

I'm on duty, he warned. ‘‘You won't enter without authorization."

Don't sit down...

Instead of talking, tell this to Headquarters and don't scare me, he said to the agent.

I see you're applying for a transfer...

Come in! he interrupted and got out of their way when the headquarters confirmed their authenticity.

"It is not the end...

Next, Keram said to the girl behind them, ignoring the others.

The agents went inside, followed by several more people. Suddenly the door started closing unexpectedly in alarm mode. What is it? ran through his head. He grabbed the arm of the boy who was between the door and the frame. There would be no problem if it weren't for the fact that the doors were the same thickness as those in banks and the same actuators. The boy would have been pressed into pancake dough, but he saved him just in time from certain death.

Stand here! he said to him, seeing an anti-terrorist warning on the screen. Don't come closer! he warned the others. There's a little confusion!

What's going on?! Will the concert be canceled?! someone from the crowd asked.

I have information about an attack! someone else started.

Me too!

Keep calm! They will open soon and you can come in! he assured them.

However, it took some time before they started re-entering.

HE ATE DINNER AND LOOKED at the latest news.

Were they picking on you? he heard the question.

They have to show that they are important, but the boss has a solid back. He threw up his arms. Raspberry, tell me something about the Bounty Hunters, he asked.

Are you bored at the goal? she asked in response.

Boredom is one thing, little money is another he said. I have a plan, but with something like this, my life won't be enough. So how?

There are not many people willing to do this type of profession, because it is easy to lose your life.

I know that. And my qualifications?

Physically, you can do it... You have a security guard license... Register and you're good to go.

Just like that? he asked, surprised.

Yes. We would need some equipment and a vehicle.

I wonder how much it might cost? he muttered under his breath.

Ounces are enough for you, she said. There is only one problem... she paused.

Go ahead, he urged her.

The more dangerous ones are packed with so much electronics that you won't be able to get within a hundred meters without the appropriate software she said.

I can do it, he said.

You won't. Their reaction time is so short that you will be dead before you blink, because there will be no point in operating, she assured.

Wow, seriously. The way I see it... I track down the guy, punch him in the head and that's it.

By the time you go up and 'smack him in the head' as you say... he'll be done for. The only solution before putting on implant lock handcuffs is to stop some functions in the implant. But only the Services have such software. You can't buy it on the market she anticipated his question.

Okay, he agreed. And the stun gun. Or a long shot?

A stun gun in an anti-tank missile? she replied with a joking question.

Damn... I don't want to kill anyone. Well, unless in self-defense, he added.

Get your license and I'll find everything you need on the market, she said.

I understand that, Raspberry he smiled at the girl. Tomorrow I will register for the training and exam.

I found interesting materials from the detentions. You want to see? she asked.

Bright. There's still time for training... Come on.

In a large part of the living room, a holographic projection appeared between the ceiling and the floor."

Raspberry, what are you showing me, Star Wars? he looked at her.

It's a chase and then...

Can't you speed it up?

Suddenly he saw the fleeing vehicle turn sharply to the side, which prevented it from crashing into the skyscraper. At this speed it was almost a miracle.

Is that what you meant by reaction time too? He asked.

Among other things, she confirmed.

TWENTY THOUSAND OUNCES LEFT he said, surprised.

I made a list of wanted people, he replied.

Forty-nine thousand for a speeder?! he groaned.

I got five thousand, she said. But it's worth so much, she assured. The fuel rod alone is worth ten thousand, she said. That's five years of operation and... you can fly in low orbits. He is admitted, she added.

You've already bought it, so that's it, and now... now I have to make money...

Keram?

Yeah?

You have a message, but... Hmm... I can't determine the sender or place of sending, she said.

It's spam, he shrugged.

It's not spam.

Then read it, he asked.

I can't do it myself. You must authorize it.

All right. I'll see what it is, and in return, you run the diagnostics again he smiled.

Agreement.

He selected the correct protocol on the relay and opened the mysterious message. He read it once, then twice, and still knew nothing except that someone wanted to meet him. I'm not dating anyone, he thought.

„Raspberry, did someone pick on me when I was on duty?" He asked.

No.

And the services are not very interested in my purchases?

No one has looked at your resources.

What about the armor? Have you done diagnostics?

He asked about it because he intended to use the gravistrat since he had already purchased it.

You want to take it, she guessed.

If everything works... For example, the gun and shields.

I already checked it before purchasing. Everything is working. Do you put on armor too?

"I think so.