August 4, 2021. 14:08. Milan.
"Beautiful, Gina! Absolutely beautiful!" the photographer exclaims.
Several cameras click around me as I adjust my posture, resting one hand against my waist while allowing the other to hang naturally at my side.
"Wonderful! Now, turn your shoulders slightly toward me. Yes, just like that!"
I follow his instructions, tilting my chin slightly as another series of photographs is taken. The photographer moves around the set, occasionally directing me to shift my weight or adjust the position of my hands.
"Perfect! Hold that!"
More cameras click.
"Excellent! Alright, everyone, I think we've got it!"
Finally.
I relax my shoulders and let out a quiet sigh as the photographer lowers his camera.
"Wonderful work, Gina! Thank you!"
"Thank you so much!" I reply, flashing him a bright smile. "That was lovely!"
"And that's a wrap for this set, everyone!" he announces, turning toward the surrounding crew. "Let's get the next outfits ready!"
Almost immediately, the studio comes alive with activity as assistants begin repositioning furniture and adjusting the lighting equipment, while several stylists hurry toward the clothing racks to prepare the next collection.
As for me, I finally get a chance to sit down.
Thank God.
I step away from the set, carefully adjusting the coat draped over my shoulders.
For today's shoot, I'm wearing one of the outfits from Jinguji's upcoming fall collection: a cream-coloured corduroy bodycon dress paired with a rather extravagant snow-leopard-print coat.
And honestly? It's absolutely gorgeous.
The dress fits closely around my figure, with the textured corduroy giving it a surprisingly sophisticated appearance despite its relatively simple design. The coat, meanwhile, adds a much bolder contrast, its distinctive pattern and luxurious material making the entire ensemble look considerably more expensive.
Which, knowing Jinguji, it probably is.
Ah, the wonderful world of luxury fashion.
It's certainly an interesting choice for an autumn collection, although I can appreciate what the designers are going for. Something elegant and fashionable, but with enough personality to stand out among the usual seasonal releases.
And I have to admit, the outfit looks pretty damn good on me.
Not that I'm biased or anything.
"Miss Kyung!"
I turn toward the voice.
One of the wardrobe assistants approaches me, a young Italian woman carrying a tablet and several garment tags.
"That was fantastic! The photographs are looking wonderful."
"Awww, thank you!" I reply, flashing her a smile. "I'm glad!"
"The photographer was particularly pleased with how the coat looked under the lighting. We might actually use a few of those shots for the main promotional campaign."
"Oh, really?! That's exciting!"
"Absolutely! We'll have the final selections reviewed later, of course, but I think everyone is quite happy with the results."
She smiles before glancing down at her tablet. "We're preparing the next collection now. It should take another fifteen or twenty minutes, so you're welcome to take a short break."
"Oh, perfect! Thank you!"
"Of course. We'll come find you when everything's ready."
I nod appreciatively as she hurries away.
Fifteen to twenty minutes, huh? Not bad.
I make my way toward the designated lounge area, passing several clothing racks and makeup stations along the way.
The studio itself occupies an enormous converted commercial space in one of Milan's more fashionable districts. High ceilings stretch above polished concrete floors, while large windows allow natural sunlight to spill across portions of the building.
Most of the actual photography takes place beneath carefully controlled artificial lighting, though, with massive softboxes, reflectors, and cameras connected to monitors displaying the photographs in real time.
There are multiple sets scattered throughout the studio, each designed around a different aesthetic.
One resembles an extravagant European drawing room, complete with antique furniture and elaborate floral arrangements, while another is considerably more minimalist, featuring pale walls and geometric structures intended to emphasize the clothing rather than the surroundings.
The set I just finished working on features cream-coloured curtains, decorative pillars, and soft golden lighting, all arranged to complement the warmer tones of Jinguji's upcoming fall collection.
Honestly, I love it.
God, I can't wait to see the finished edits.
Several other models are here today as well, some preparing for their own sessions while others relax between assignments. I exchange a few greetings as I pass, recognizing several faces from earlier in the day.
"Hey, Gina! Great job out there!"
I glance toward a woman sitting near one of the makeup stations. "Oh! Thank you!"
"That coat looked amazing on you."
"Right?! I absolutely love it!"
She laughs. "I think they're bringing out the darker collection next."
"Oooooh, really? Well, now I'm excited!"
We exchange another laugh before I continue toward the lounge.
Ugh, I could really go for a nap right about now.
I've been here since this morning, and between makeup, hair styling, wardrobe fittings, lighting adjustments, and the actual photography, I've spent hours standing around while people fuss over the tiniest details.
Turn your head. Lift your chin. Relax your shoulders. Move your hand a little to the left. No, not like that. Hold that position for another thirty seconds. And whatever you do, don't wrinkle the dress.
Not to mention that some outfits are considerably less comfortable than they look, especially when you're dealing with high heels, restrictive fabrics, elaborate accessories, and hairstyles that require enough hairspray to survive a small hurricane.
Sometimes, I wonder how much of my job consists of pretending I'm perfectly comfortable when I'm actually counting down the minutes until I can take everything off.
But hey, it's work. And I happen to be pretty damn good at it.
I finally reach the lounge and carefully lower myself onto one of the sofas.
"Ahhhhh..."
I stretch my legs out slightly, only to pause when I remember what I'm wearing.
Right. Expensive dress.
I immediately sit up a little straighter instead.
A nearby assistant notices me and approaches with a friendly smile.
"Would you like something to drink, Miss Kyung?"
"Oh! Water would be wonderful, thank you!" I beam back, putting on my best corporate-friendly voice.
"Still or sparkling?"
"Still, please!"
"Of course."
She disappears toward the refreshments table, leaving me to enjoy a few moments of peace.
I glance around the lounge, taking in the comfortable sofas, refreshments, and large screens displaying the day's photography schedule alongside promotional images from previous Jinguji collections.
A couple of models sit nearby, quietly chatting about their upcoming assignments, while somewhere across the studio, I hear a photographer calling for another lighting adjustment.
Ahhh, yes. The civilian life.
Leaning back against the sofa, I smile to myself.
Admittedly, I'm a little impatient to post my pictures online, although I'll have to wait until Jinguji officially announces the collection. The contracts are rather strict about that sort of thing, especially when unreleased designs are involved.
But once everything goes public?
Ohhhhh, my followers are going to love it.
I can already imagine the comments, the compliments, the questions about the outfits, the inevitable requests for makeup tutorials, and probably a few people asking whether I've secretly moved to Italy.
Hah! If only they knew.
The assistant returns with my water, and I thank her before taking a long drink.
Much better.
For a moment, I glance toward the enormous windows overlooking Milan, my thoughts drifting back to that conversation with Linh at the Biotechnica facility.
Thelas, huh?
I set my water down on the table beside me.
It's been well over a month since that encounter, and I still haven't decided whether I should tell Tetra about what I heard. After all, Linh never actually confirmed that Ras was involved in the incident she mentioned. All she said was that there had been some kind of dispute involving Neo-Tanwir, an individual connected to Thelas, and corporate research that apparently interested both Biotechnica and Arasaka.
Which, admittedly, sounds pretty damn suspicious, especially considering what we already know about Ras.
But that's the problem. I don't have anything concrete to offer Tetra. No names, no documents, and certainly no evidence that the incident Linh described is connected to the footage Wissen found.
Ugh. I don't know.
On one hand, even a small piece of information might help him figure out what happened to Ras. On the other, I don't particularly want to get his hopes up over something that could turn out to be completely unrelated.
And besides, Tetra probably has enough on his plate already, especially with everything that's been happening back home.
Speaking of which...
I reach for my white phone, unlocking it to check the latest updates from Vancouver.
Over the past several weeks, our edgerunner group chat—or should I say, "Azure's a Bitch"—has been considerably more active than usual, with much of our conversation revolving around the increasingly strange situation developing throughout Vancouver.
And from what Mister told us earlier, things haven't exactly been improving.
Apparently, the Melders and Banshees, who have already been cooperating more frequently over the past few months through their distribution of SynthCoke, now appear to have entered into some kind of actual alliance.
More concerningly, the Byte Raiders seem to be getting involved too.
According to Mister's contacts, members of all three gangs have been spotted moving freely through each other's territories, exchanging weapons, drugs, stolen technology, vehicles, and even personnel with considerably less regard for their old boundaries.
Nobody seems to know exactly what they're preparing for.
Of course, the other gangs haven't exactly been sitting around doing nothing either.
The Dead Kings remain one of the strongest gangs in the city, although Blake seems determined to take them in almost the opposite direction. From what Remi and Mister have told us, more of their money has been flowing into legitimate businesses and entertainment ventures, with a particular emphasis on expanding Remi's music career.
And honestly? Good for him!
Although I have to admit, it's still a little funny imagining one of Vancouver's most powerful gangs investing in a rocker's career, potentially helping him transition from a relatively underground musician into something resembling a mainstream celebrity.
That doesn't mean the Dead Kings are suddenly abandoning their weapons and becoming respectable businessmen overnight, though. Blake has apparently noticed the same developments as everyone else, and according to Mister, the gang has been quietly preparing for the possibility that its transition away from street life might not go particularly smoothly.
Meanwhile, relations between the Blak Dragoons and the VPD have deteriorated considerably, particularly over the police department's expansion and its growing relationship with Arasaka and Militech.
The Dragoons have been accusing Gestalt's administration of gradually allowing corporations to privatize Vancouver's police force under the guise of improving public safety.
Now, I can understand why some people might be uncomfortable with the VPD becoming increasingly dependent on corporate resources, especially given the reputation of companies like Arasaka and Militech.
That being said, Gestalt has spent years earning the public's trust, and as far as I'm concerned, he hasn't given us much reason to believe he's abusing that relationship.
So, I'll admit, I find the Dragoons' accusations a little paranoid.
It reminds me of Elias, actually.
Ugh. I still hate him.
Bitch.
For all I know, the Dragoons might simply be concerned that the VPD is finally preparing to crack down on their activities, and criticizing corporate influence gives them a convenient way to rally public support.
Or perhaps they genuinely believe what they're saying.
Either way, I suppose we'll see.
Then there's the GTown Boys, who have apparently been moving away from traditional gang activities themselves, with more of their operations resembling those of a private security organization as members increasingly take legitimate protection contracts and security assignments.
The Velvs, meanwhile, seem perfectly content staying out of the mess, focusing on protecting their own communities rather than getting involved in the other gangs' affairs.
Unfortunately, the VPD doesn't seem particularly interested in waiting to see how everything plays out.
Police presence has been steadily increasing throughout Vancouver, especially around known gang territories, with more patrols, surveillance, checkpoints, and raids targeting suspected criminal operations.
Gestalt has also been appearing more frequently in the news, reassuring Vancouverites that his administration is monitoring the situation closely and that the VPD has the resources necessary to maintain public safety.
And judging by the public's reactions, his confidence seems to be reassuring plenty of ordinary citizens.
The gangs, however, aren't nearly as optimistic.
Between my own sources and Mister's contacts, we've been hearing increasingly frequent reports of weapons changing hands, mercenaries finding more work, and fixers receiving unusually lucrative offers from clients who refuse to explain exactly what they're preparing for.
Even weapons manufacturers and cyberware suppliers have reportedly seen an increase in business, with mercenaries and ordinary citizens alike purchasing additional equipment, implants, and anything else they think might help protect themselves.
And it's not just the people involved in Vancouver's criminal underworld who are noticing these changes.
Businesses in certain neighbourhoods have started closing earlier, people familiar with the streets are avoiding particular areas, and gang tags have begun appearing in places where they weren't previously seen.
Nothing especially dramatic has happened yet, but there's enough going on that ordinary people are beginning to pay attention.
And then, of course, there's that mysterious vigilante who's apparently still running around the Surrey Combat Zone.
V, or whatever their name was.
Every now and then, another strange story comes out of Surrey involving an armed confrontation, a disrupted criminal operation, or somebody claiming to have spotted the mysterious figure in action.
The details are usually pretty inconsistent, though.
Some describe V as a lone mercenary, others insist they're some kind of heavily augmented vigilante, and a few of the more ridiculous rumours make them sound like something straight out of an action movie.
Still, whoever V actually is, they've certainly developed quite the reputation.
Whether any of their activities are connected to the growing tensions throughout Vancouver, I have absolutely no idea.
So, here I am, sitting in a luxury fashion studio in Milan, waiting to try on another expensive outfit while wondering what exactly is happening back home.
Between the gangs, the VPD, the corporations, and everything else that's been happening, it's becoming increasingly difficult to believe that all of these developments are simply coincidences.
Something is clearly changing in Vancouver, although I couldn't begin to tell you where it's all heading.
Just as I'm about to lose myself in another train of thought, my phone suddenly vibrates against the table.
Then again.
And again.
Hm?
I glance down at the screen as several notifications appear in rapid succession, most of them coming from my group chat with Mia, Nari, and Christine.
Apparently, Mom has decided to message me at almost exactly the same time.
Uhhhh... okay? Interesting timing.
Curious, I pick up my phone and open the girls' group chat first.
Almost immediately, I'm greeted by absolute chaos.
"@GINAKYUNG"
"GINA ARE YOU SEEING THIS???"
"HOLY SHIT GIRL WHERE ARE YOU???"
"WHAT THE FUCK IS HAPPENING."
I blink.
… What?
"?????? HELLO???? WHAT IS GOING ON?" I type.
"GIRL THERE'S A FUCKING GANG WAR!" Mia responds almost immediately.
"WAIT WHAT???" I reply.
"NO FR LIKE AN ACTUAL GANG WAR!" Christine adds.
"IT'S ALL OVER THE NEWS RIGHT NOW!!" Nari chimes in. "THE MAYOR IS CALLING FOR A CITYWIDE LOCKDOWN!"
...Excuse me?
I sit up straighter.
"WAIT WAIT WAIT WHAT DO YOU MEAN A GANG WAR??? AND WHAT DO YOU MEAN LOCKDOWN????"
"GINA TURN ON THE NEWS!" Christine replies, followed by a facepalm emoji. "THEY'RE SAYING THERE'S A SHOOTING DOWNTOWN!"
"AND EXPLOSIONS!!!" Mia adds. "ACTUAL EXPLOSIONS!"
"What the FUCK?!" I exclaim, considerably louder than intended.
A nearby model glances toward me, understandably startled.
"Oh! Sorry!" I quickly apologize, offering her an embarrassed smile. "Just, uh... something back home."
She nods before returning to her conversation.
Okay. What the hell is going on?
Before I can ask the girls anything else, another notification appears.
This time, it's from Mom.
"Gina, are you still in Italy?" she asks.
"Yeah!! I'm at work right now!" I reply.
"Okay, good. Please be careful when you come back to Vancouver, especially when you're leaving the airport. Don't go anywhere by yourself if you can avoid it."
"Huh??? Why??? Mom what's happening?"
A few seconds later, she sends me several news articles.
I open the first one.
BREAKING: MULTIPLE GANG FACTIONS FORM WARTIME ALLIANCE AS VIOLENCE ERUPTS ACROSS VANCOUVER.
… Oh.
According to the article, four of Vancouver's major gangs—the Melders, Banshees, Byte Raiders, and Blak Dragoons—have apparently formed a coalition against the VPD and the Dead Kings.
And what's particularly surprising is that this isn't just some temporary arrangement involving shared shipments or exchanged personnel.
It's an actual wartime alliance.
Holy shit.
I continue reading.
Apparently, the Melders and Banshees have grown increasingly concerned about the VPD's crackdown on their operations, particularly as police raids have begun interfering with their distribution networks. The Dead Kings also remain a major obstacle to their territorial ambitions, especially given Blake's resources and influence.
The Byte Raiders, meanwhile, have reportedly joined due to their growing opposition to the VPD's surveillance infrastructure and its increasing reliance on corporate technology.
And then there are the Blak Dragoons.
Wait... them too?
According to the article, the Dragoons have become convinced that Gestalt's administration and its corporate partners pose a greater long-term threat than their traditional rivals. Apparently, they've decided that cooperating with the other gangs is preferable to allowing the VPD to dismantle them one by one.
Well... that's certainly one way to look at things.
Still, the idea of all four organizations working together is ridiculous enough that I almost have trouble believing it.
I scroll further down, only to discover that the alliance itself is just the beginning.
COORDINATED ASSAULT ON VPD FACILITY LEAVES DOWNTOWN VANCOUVER IN CHAOS.
What…?
According to preliminary reports, heavily armed coalition forces launched a major assault against a VPD facility in downtown Vancouver earlier today, with witnesses reporting sustained gunfire, explosions, and armoured vehicles moving through the surrounding streets.
At almost the same time, the Byte Raiders reportedly launched a coordinated cyberattack targeting police communications, surveillance networks, traffic infrastructure, and other municipal systems.
Several areas have already experienced significant disruptions, while emergency services are struggling to respond to the fighting.
The Blak Dragoons are suspected of coordinating much of the physical assault, with the Melders and Banshees supplying additional manpower and equipment.
Oh, that's just wonderful.
I open another article, this time accompanied by several photographs.
One shows a column of smoke rising between downtown buildings. Another depicts VPD officers taking cover behind barricades, while a third shows the burned-out remains of an armoured police vehicle.
I've seen plenty of violence in Vancouver before, but seeing familiar streets turned into what looks like an actual battlefield is something else entirely.
And judging by the timestamps, all of this has happened within the past few hours.
What the hell happened while I was working?!
My phone vibrates again with a message from Mia.
"GINA DID U SEE IT???"
"GIRL YES I'M READING IT RN," I shoot back. "WHAT THE ACTUAL FUCK IS GOING ON??"
"IT GETS WORSE!" Nari adds.
I send several crying emojis into the group chat. "HOW DOES IT GET WORSE?????"
"GIRLLL KEEP READING THERES SOOO MANY UPDATES RN!!!" Christine replies, sending several more articles into the chat.
Oh, you've got to be fucking kidding me.
I immediately return to the news feed.
Sure enough, another breaking headline has appeared.
DEAD KINGS UNDER SIEGE AS COORDINATED ATTACKS ROCK VANCOUVER.
According to the article, coalition forces have launched simultaneous assaults against the Dead Kings' headquarters and several other locations associated with the gang.
The full extent of the fighting remains unclear, but with much of the VPD already occupied downtown, police intervention has reportedly been limited.
Oh, shit. Well, I know what Blake's gonna ask me for when I get back... that's for sure.
Before I can read any further, however, another message arrives from Mom.
"Gina, please promise me you'll be careful when you come home. They're telling everyone to stay indoors. Let me know when your flight is confirmed, okay?"
Despite my growing concern, I can't help but smile a little at her message.
"Of course ma <3 I'll let you know before I fly back!! You stay safe too okay???" I reply.
"I will. Love you."
"Love you too <3"
I lower my phone slightly.
Fuck...
Just this morning, I'd been worrying about how Jinguji's fall collection would look in the final photographs.
Now I'm reading about a full-scale gang war breaking out back home.
Talk about a change of pace.
Four major gangs have apparently launched coordinated attacks against both the VPD and the Dead Kings, while Gestalt is calling for a citywide lockdown.
God, I hope everyone's okay.
I glance at the girls' group chat again, where messages are still pouring in.
Good Lord, you three.
Under different circumstances, I'd probably find their reactions hilarious. Right now, though, I'm more concerned about whether any of them are anywhere near the fighting.
"OKAY SERIOUSLY THOUGH!! ARE YOU GIRLS SAFE???" I ask.
"YES I'M HOME!!" Mia responds.
"SAME!!!" Christine adds.
"I'M WITH MY FAMILY DW!" Nari sends a kissing emoji.
"GOODDDD PLEASE STAY INSIDE!!!" I reply.
"GIRL U DON'T HAVE TO TELL US TWICE!!" Nari responds.
"U STAY SAFE TOO~" Mia adds.
"I'M LITERALLY IN ITALY LMAOOOO!!" I remind them.
"STILLLLL…" Christine insists.
Despite everything, I can't help but smile.
God, I love these idiots.
I set my phone down for a moment, leaning back against the sofa as I try to process everything.
… Wonderful.
Something tells me Vancouver is going to look very different by the time I get home.
I glance toward the studio, where the wardrobe assistants are still preparing the next collection.
Nearby, a photographer laughs at something one of the models says, while a stylist carries another elaborate dress across the room.
I reach for my water and take another sip.
Everything continues as usual.