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Chapter 7: Daemon on the shoulder

  Subject: Requested Information: Bounty Hunter "Pitbull Kate"

  Dear Mr. Blanchard,

  Let me start by saying I’m sorry for what happened to your daughter. Nobody deserves that, and I hope the following file helps you make informed decisions. As always, this is a budget-tier packet. If you’re looking for more actionable intel, especially on someone as connected as Kate, you’ll need to increase your investment.

  Here’s what I’ve compiled.

  Full Name: Katiana Ariel Aiko

  Alias: Pitbull Kate

  Age: 23

  Profession: Licensed bounty hunter since age 19

  Kate has been largely off the grid since age 17. Like most bounty hunters, she uses encrypted financial systems and stays mobile, making her hard to track. Her skills are decent, but she’s not elite by any means—standard close-quarters ambush tactics and good use of cybernetics, but no heavy hitters are losing sleep over her.

  


      
  • Combat Style: Kate is calculated but sometimes messy under pressure. She prefers stalking her targets and striking from close range. Her tactics are effective for small-time bounties but lack the finesse of top-tier operators.


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  •   Kate has two prosthetics—her right arm and right eye. On the surface, they’re nothing special, just your run-of-the-mill military-grade gear that flows through Paradise City like cheap whiskey. Plenty functional, sure, but not exactly the kind of tech that makes top-tier hunters nervous.

      


        
    • The Arm: Equipped with an integrated aimbot system, the arm calculates trajectories for precise shots. It’s solid tech for close-quarters combat, but it has its limitations. Since it relies on her biological body for stabilization, sudden movements—like flinching or getting knocked off balance—can throw the system off and lead to misfires. That’s likely what happened with your daughter.


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    • The Eye: The right eye pairs with the arm to provide overlays like target tracking and weak-point analysis. It’s simple and practical—nothing flashy, just enough to do the job.

        Her gear doesn’t scream premium, but it’s reliable. I wouldn’t call it fancy or bleeding-edge, but in the right hands, gear like this can still get the job done—and Kate’s hands, for all her flaws, know how to use it.


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  • PTSD Symptoms: Kate’s behaviour shows clear signs of unresolved trauma. She’s prone to bursts of aggression and hypervigilance, and she occasionally freezes in stressful situations. This instability has affected her precision and makes her erratic in combat.


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  Cherry is the co-owner of the Asstronaughty and Kate’s adoptive mother. She is one of the most powerful figures in Paradise City, with influence spanning media, culture, and underground politics. Cherry raised Kate alongside roughly 50 other children and treats her "family" as untouchable. If you go after Kate, Cherry will retaliate—hard.

  A well-known gun printer with several kiosks around the city. Ma Hui has taken on a mentor role for Kate. The last confirmed sighting of Kate was at one of Ma Hui’s kiosks in Dome 78’s Old Pork Market before it was shut down for illegal activity.

  A senior member of the Angels and trainer for the Enforcement Wing. Texas is believed to have taken Kate under her wing after the Petrov Smyrnoi incident. She’s secretive and dangerous, and her role in Cherry’s inner circle makes her someone you don’t want to cross.

  Alright, here’s the deal with the Asstronaughty—because you can’t understand Kate without knowing what kind of crucible she came out of. The dome’s history? It’s not clean, not pretty, and not the kind of thing you hear about on the PR feeds. But it’s why the place runs like it does today.

  Two decades ago, the Asstronaughty was a pit. I’m not talking about your run-of-the-mill sleazy brothel; I mean a full-blown nightmare run by MeatGrinder, a crime syndicate that made human misery its business model. The Angels—yes, those Angels—weren’t some fancy militia back then. They were the product. Sex slaves, beaten, drugged, and traded like commodities to line MeatGrinder’s pockets. If you had a body, they’d find a way to sell it, no matter how broken it was.

  The corpos didn’t care. Why would they? The dome was too messy to bother with, and as long as it stayed contained, no one gave a damn. But then Crispy Cereals Co.—yes, the breakfast people—decided they wanted a piece of the action. They backed a mercenary outfit called Killswitch to "clean up" the dome, which, in corporate terms, meant wiping out MeatGrinder and taking over. Not for altruism, of course—just to "legitimize" the business and keep the profits flowing.

  What followed was a bloody three-way war. MeatGrinder dug in, Killswitch brought in the firepower, and everyone else? Collateral damage. The workers, the people stuck in the dome—they were just bodies in the crossfire. Most of them didn’t make it.

  But then there was Cherry.

  Cherry was just another slave in the Asstronaughty at the time—or so everyone thought. Turns out, she had a brain sharper than the knives MeatGrinder used to keep people in line. When the war broke out, Cherry saw an opening. She armed the workers—not for some grand rebellion, but because she figured, "If we’re all gonna die anyway, we might as well take some of them with us." The workers, who’d been treated like livestock for years, suddenly became a third faction. There and then started the Sakura Revolution. They wore the cherry blossom not just as a symbol of beauty, but to remind themselves that while ephemeral, their lives could still have meaning—and they were ready to die for a better future.

  But desperation only gets you so far. MeatGrinder had the numbers, Killswitch had the guns, and the Angels? They had nothing but stolen knives and a lot of anger. That’s when Cherry pulled her wildcard.

  This story has been unlawfully obtained without the author's consent. Report any appearances on Amazon.

  She made a VR.

  And no, it wasn’t porn—at least not just porn. Cherry’s VR was a first-hand look at the hell inside the dome: the beatings, the trafficking, the abuse, the war. It was raw, bloody, and just polished enough to make people watch. And watch is what they did. It wasn’t just a video; it was a gut punch. It spread like wildfire—people cried, raged, protested, and demanded action. Cherry didn’t just make people see the Asstronaughty’s horrors; she made them feel it. Suddenly, the whole damn Solar System cared about a dome no one had even heard of a week before. Within days, it was everywhere. Protesters hit the streets. Crowdfunding dollars poured in. Activists, freelancers, and bored rich kids looking for a cause swarmed the dome, bringing weapons, supplies, and just enough chaos to tip the scales.

  Two weeks later, the fighting was over. MeatGrinder was gone, Killswitch quietly pulled out, and the Angels—now led by Cherry—claimed the dome as their own. Crispy Cereals probably decided the PR risk wasn’t worth it, and MeatGrinder? Well, you know the story. Their boss got his skull smashed in by his own mom. Public, brutal, an instant classic of the Web.

  But Cherry didn’t stop at winning.

  With MeatGrinder gone and the Angels in control, Cherry wasted no time. Her first move? The Shield of Stars initiative. She rounded up every fucking starving artist and broken-down prostitute she could find, pulling them out of hell and into her protection. They became a human shield of sorts and strengthened her forces. Who the fuck would shoot their favourite artist for a Corner of Paradise? Am I right?

  Then she set the rules: No more exploitation. No more abuse. No more screwing over the people who actually make the dome run. The workers weren’t just survivors anymore—they were owners. Cherry turned the Asstronaughty into a cooperative, where every credit earned goes back to the people who work there. And the Angels? They weren’t just a name anymore. They became an army.

  "The Angels’ vengeance is of fire and steel." That’s the line you hear in Paradise City. And trust me, it’s not just a saying. The Angels don’t mess around when it comes to enforcing their rules. What happens in the Asstronaughty stays in the Asstronaughty. No violence. No drama. No messing with the workers. Anyone dumb enough to break the rules gets made an example of. When the Angels make an example out of you, people remember. They are scary good and have tech even corpos envy. Nobody knows where the Angels get their gear, but it’s nothing you’ll find in any corpo catalog, that’s for damn sure. Some say Cherry’s sitting on a stash of pre-Corporate War blueprints; others think she’s got connections in places no one wants to admit exist. Whatever the truth is, no one’s stupid enough to poke around and find out.

  You know why the sex trade in Paradise City is "clean" now? Because there’s no competition. The Asstronaughty isn’t just the gold standard—it’s the only standard. No one dares step into the game because no one wants to end up on the wrong side of the Angels. They’re not just enforcers; they’re legends. Cybernetically enhanced, armed to the teeth, and utterly ruthless when it comes to protecting their own.

  And the corpos? They don’t touch the Asstronaughty. They won’t admit it, but they know better. The dome’s VR productions, live performances, and sex work services rake in more credits than most corporate divisions, and the PR nightmare of challenging Cherry’s operation isn’t worth it. So they look the other way, pretend the Angels are just another cog in the machine, and keep their distance.

  That’s the Asstronaughty. It’s not just a dome—it’s a statement. You don’t mess with the Angels, and you don’t mess with the people they protect.

  Kate grew up in this. She might not have been part of the first generation of Angels, but she was raised on their rules and trained by their best. That means no hesitation, no weakness, and no mercy. If there’s ever been a buyer beware moment, Mr. Blanchard, this is it.

  Kate isn’t worth the risk. While she’s a mid-tier bounty hunter at best, her connections to Cherry make her virtually untouchable. If you still insist on pursuing revenge, you’ll need someone disposable—someone desperate or already holding a grudge against her. You might want to look into Steeve over at Corridor 33 near Elevator 12. He’s had past run-ins with Kate and might be dumb enough to act if given the right push. Just make sure he can't point in your direction after and that no camera see you together at any point or track you twice in the same vicinity as him.

  Attached:

  


      
  • Official Asstronaughty PR Document ("An Overview of the Asstronaughty Dome")


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  • Bonus video: Cherry’s infamous pipe incident —don’t say I never gave you anything.


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  Regards,

  Jax Tennet

  Data Sifter, Data Ink Co.

  (Official Document Provided by Asstronaughty PR)

  "The Asstronaughty Dome: The Beating Heart of Paradise City’s Culture"

  The Asstronaughty Dome is unlike any other in Paradise City—a shining example of what happens when creativity and community take precedence over profit and control. Operated as a worker-run cooperative, the dome offers a truly unique experience—combining cutting-edge art, immersive entertainment, and premier personal services in a space where respect and independence are paramount.

  What We Are:

  


      
  • A Cultural Powerhouse: From award-winning VR productions to provocative live performances, the Asstronaughty sets the standard for entertainment and artistry in Paradise City. Every production is created by the Angels, a collective of performers, engineers, and visionaries whose work shapes the tastes of the Solar System.


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  • A Sanctuary for Connection: The dome’s world-class sex work services are central to its identity. Here, intimacy is celebrated as both a business and a craft. Workers offer everything from personal encounters to immersive cyber-enhanced experiences, all with the highest level of professionalism and discretion.


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  The Asstronaughty is more than just a dome—it’s a community. Every resident, whether a performer, artist, or enforcer, contributes equally to its success. There are no hierarchies here, only shared goals and mutual respect.

  Order and Enforcement:

  The Asstronaughty prides itself on being a neutral, welcoming space. However, neutrality does not mean lawlessness.

  The Angels enforce one simple rule:

  


      
  • What happens in the Asstronaughty stays in the Asstronaughty.


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  Personal disputes, vendettas, and disrespect for the workers or other clients are not tolerated. Those who violate the dome’s code of conduct are dealt with swiftly and decisively. The Angels are not just artists—they are protectors, trained and equipped to ensure the safety and stability of their home.

  Visitors and clients have long understood that the Asstronaughty’s rules exist to create an environment where everyone can thrive. Respect the rules, and the experience is unparalleled.

  Impact and Legacy:

  The Asstronaughty is one of the most influential domes in Paradise City, offering immeasurable value to the city’s cultural and economic ecosystem. Its contributions extend far beyond its walls, touching the lives of millions across the Solar System through its art, entertainment, and services.

  For residents, it’s a safe haven and a thriving cooperative. For visitors, it’s a place of unparalleled creativity, connection, and pleasure. For Paradise City, it’s a vital piece of what makes the Moon the beating heart of humanity.

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