Today, I woke up in the Undercity. No, I haven’t lost my job just yet! Chasing sources for yesterday’s column, I took a little tumble into the depths of the Water District. Fortunately, my dignity took more damage than my body. I’ll start today by offering my sincere appreciation to Doctor Blake, who graciously let me stay overnight to recuperate, as well as the clientele of the Storm Drain pub, who kept their laughter to an appropriate minimum when I burst in, sopping wet.
This morning, clean and dry, I could now focus on what brought me to the Undercity. You may have heard from my colleagues on Catch of the Day that people wearing blue have been disappearing from the Undercity. (A story that gave me some pause, given the colour of my own jacket!) These disappearances are of members of the ‘Anglers’ gang, a criminal organisation known to recruit unregistered mages.
Eyewitness reports alleged the presence of a Masaru “Fury”; a special force unit employed by Masaru to tackle magical threats. Masaru’s spokesperson denied these claims, saying that they had no records of a Fury being deployed to the Undercity. They suggested the individual in question was simply “dressed as one”, and speculated that it may be the same rogue mage responsible for the tragic death of Bradley Miller.
The Anglers met me in an abandoned metro car. The Undercity is more than a sewer system; what remains of a subway tunnel drills through the caverns, leaving a trail of decaying support beams and rusting train cars in its wake. The Grove’s magical vines, tall as skyscrapers, are always growing. Whatever hold the world of technology had on this place has been reclaimed.
I introduced myself, and they declined to do the same. “In case Masaru comes breathing down our necks.” The man with red eyes said, their apparent spokesperson. He did most of the talking, with Greenhair and Sunglasses interjecting from time to time.
Despite their grumbles, they were here to talk. Redeyes described the incident with the alleged Fury. “A freaky Masaru thing that came out of the darkness and started shooting lightning.”
According to the Anglers, the attacker did not make demands, or provide any identification, attacking out of nowhere. “It zapped one of the crew we were working with. Ironically enough, the Undercity folks decided to try and chase it off.”
That was all they seemed to know. A figure, a “boogeyman”, that descended from the dark, attacked, and then was chased off. The group then retreated to the “Siren’s Pearl”, a brothel in the city proper, a central hub of the Angler’s business.
When it was put to them that Masaru denied any involvement, the Anglers seemed unconvinced. “They had the big fucking Masaru logo right on their facemask.” Redeyes said. “If it is a rogue mage, I’d be really surprised, because he sure has it out for us.” Nonetheless, he admitted that they’d be better off co-operating in that case. “A rogue mage on that level…that’s some unchecked bullshit.”
Despite this admission, there was little trust for Masaru. Redeyes accused them of “creeping through the slums in the night” and “disappearing” mages .“I didn’t ask to be a mage.” Sunglasses joined in, his voice thick with emotion. When asked why they don’t register themselves, they all shake their heads. “And be part of that system?”
“Mages were meant to be free.” Redeyes said. “Magic isn’t part of the guy in the corps’ structure. It wasn’t planned for, and that’s the best part of it.” When it comes to the potential dangers, he is dismissive. “What about cybernetics? Are you worried about a guy being able to unfold his arm and slash you in half? And don’t even get me started on synths, their little fucking cameras everywhere.” I decided not to bring up my own camera eye. When I relayed the reports of synthetics being attacked in the Undercity, the Anglers were unsympathetic. “Serves them right.”
So, I asked, what is it they want? “Absolute freedom for Mages.” Redeyes stated. Grand ambitions, indeed. The trio mention a boss, and allude to his past. A failed coven, and a new beginning. They won’t go into further details, and this interview, it seemed, was over.
My phone lights up as I leave. Two more dead in Union Heights. Two more falls, connected to the spirit activity. One of them, musician Johnny Guitar. A greater spirit was confronted and defeated at the scene, believed to be responsible for all three attacks. One event punched a hole in two narratives. First, the Masaru theory that the responsible party was the alleged False Fury. Second, the Angler insistence that magic holds no real danger. In the chaos, confusion and spin from all sides, one thing is clear – this story is far from over.
A final PSA for the day! Early reports have been coming in of an unknown infection spreading, potentially coming in from the Wastes, though reports are unconfirmed. I urge everyone to take proper precautions when travelling, seek medical attention if you feel unwell, and those who are able to offer medical expertise, to make yourself available to your local leadership to assist. Disease does not care what part of the city you come from, nor how much money you have. The best way to halt the spread is to ensure everyone receives proper treatment as soon as possible.
This column is dedicated to the memory of Johnny Guitar, tragically taken from us. Truly, there never was a man like the one they call…Johnny Guitar.