Hisashiburi, ne?

[hiroaki_protagonist]

[OOM: Hiro tries to condense fact from the vapor of nuance.]

When Hiro wanders into the bar, he is greeted by a cake with 1#5 written on it. It's a circular cake with a slice cut out of it, a slice that covers nearly a 30° arc; on that slice is written You're late. He also gets his copy of the wedding invitation and RSVPs:

Dot:
Sorry I'm late getting back to you. I'll be there with bells and whistles on.
— Hiro

That done, he orders a cup of Java to postpone his collapse a little longer, takes the cup and the cake to a booth, and sits back to watch the life of the place. Botherable. Maybe the slice of cake is yours for the asking. This cake is no lie, believe me.

Comments

[mendanddefend_archive]

Sometime later, a Guardian walks into Milliways and spots the hacker sitting in the corner. "Hiro!" He waves cheerfully. "Long time no see!"

[katana-hacker.livejournal.com]

"Hey, Bob!" Hiro waves back. "I've been busy. So what's processing, besides the big event?"

[mendanddefend_archive]

"Oh, this and that," says Bob with a grin. "Fighting Games, keeping out of Dot's way, trying to prep for the baby..."

[katana-hacker.livejournal.com]

"...baby? Okay, I've officially been out of the loop too long. Congratulations to you both!"

[mendanddefend_archive]

Bob's grin gets even bigger. "Thanks. Don't go spreading it around too much, though, we're trying to keep it under wraps back home until after the wedding."

[katana-hacker.livejournal.com]

Hiro nods. "Probably a good idea."

[mendanddefend_archive]

Bob settles into the seat across from Hiro. "So, what's been going on in your node of the network?"

[katana-hacker.livejournal.com]

"Someone's collecting ex-hackers, and I'm trying to find out who before they get Da5id."

[mendanddefend_archive]

And Bob's good mood comes to a screeching halt.

"Collecting? How?"

[katana-hacker.livejournal.com]

"Either recruiting them or kidnapping them. Some of their friends saw them talking to someone 'important-looking' before they disappeared. All the people who disappeared have been Snow Crash survivors. So were the witnesses, which is why 'important-looking' is all the description I've got for their mystery contact."

[mendanddefend_archive]

Bob frowns. "Is anyone watching the survivors who are still accounted for? Making sure they stay safe?"

[katana-hacker.livejournal.com]

"I've got them watching out for each other as best they can, and I was just about to get in touch with the kind of people who can do better — Nova Sicilia, police franchises, other physical security companies. They don't seem to be interested in the ones who weren't hackers before their exposure to Snow Crash; at least, I haven't heard of it if they are."

[mendanddefend_archive]

"Hm." Bob looks grim. "I can think of half a dozen reasons they might be doing this, and none of them are particularly pleasant. Let me know if there's anything I can do to help, okay?"

[katana-hacker.livejournal.com]

"As soon as I have some real leads, you're welcome to help me follow them. And thanks in advance."