Growing up in Vaporwaves with a single mother was a tough start for Karma and her twin brother Fang, as it was for many others in the area. The skies above were constantly shrouded in dense clouds of factory exhaust, making it impossible for any bird to fly. The citizens of Vaporwaves were all struggling to survive in these bleak conditions, with no means of escape. To make matters worse, the streets were constantly patrolled by bullying police units, leaving the impoverished population with no choice but to work in factories and production plants, all while slowly succumbing to the toxic fumes.
Despite the dire circumstances she faced growing up, Karma refused to simply accept her fate. Her stubbornness and determination to overcome the odds led her down a path of darkness and violence, beginning from the moment of her birth. Even as a newborn, her cries seemed to foretell a future filled with misfortune for many.
Rebel at Heart with Lady’s Charms
Despite her mother's deep love for her, Karma's life was no different from any other child born to local whores. In the harsh reality of their shithole existence, love meant nothing. Despite her delicate appearance, Karma had to fight her way through life, regularly getting into brawls with street urchins and fleeing from kiddy-fiddlers and the police. These experiences toughened her up, and she grew accustomed to the violent nature of her surroundings.
Money was always tight, and Karma and her twin brother Fang often had to scavenge for scraps of food in the trash. Ramshackle pubs became their refuge, where they would drink and start fights to find some release from their hardships. In time, they both gained notoriety on the outskirts of Vaporwaves, and their reputation grew as the partying continued.
Karma's notorious reputation preceded her and drove all the street thugs in Vaporwaves wild with envy. While many girls in the area had become tough tomboys, Karma managed to maintain her feminine grace even as she beat up the local jocks.
As she grew into a young woman, Karma became fed up with the constant struggle for scraps and turned her attention to making a living. Her childhood experiences taught her a thing or two about the tricks of the trade, having evaded kiddy hunters numerous times. In just a few years, Karma had learned all the dirty tricks of the game.
As a youngster, she had a strong aversion to the infamous merchants who specialized in trading children from impoverished brothels, either through kidnapping or purchase. However, the profits in that industry were substantial. These vulnerable children were easily sold to provide human components for the construction of combat cyborgs. The rules of supply and demand held great importance, particularly in a society marked by hunger and destitution. Eventually, she became involved in the business herself.
Go Catch ‘Em All!
Karma readied herself and ventured out to scour the streets. She was intimately familiar with every brothel, back alley, and seedy tavern in the area. Young children wandered about aimlessly, vulnerable, and easy to entice. Occasionally, their concerned mothers, who also worked in the sex trade, would cause trouble and alert the authorities. But such issues were easily resolved with a small bribe.
Thanks to Karma's efforts, her family no longer had to suffer from starvation. She was able to provide for them while avoiding any probing questions from the mothers of the children she traded. Though Fang was aware of her actions, he had become too jaded to voice any objections. A full stomach was enough to quell any concerns about the fate of these nameless scums.
Karma's business ventures proved successful, and she joined forces with other cynical individuals who knew the ins and outs of the trade. Together, they formed a formidable platoon under her leadership. In no time, Karma's influence expanded to include Whaleland and some areas of the Outerlands. Her ruthless formula involved catching or buying, exporting, and selling anything and everything, with no child being safe from her vicious schemes. Her activities generated a steady stream of supplies for Hackhunters' labs and kept Midnight ganglords fully stocked with damaged cyborg parts.
During one of her trips to Whaleland, Karma encountered a particularly destitute prostitute. The woman was desperately holding onto her grotesquely malformed toddler, and Karma couldn't help but wonder if the child was the product of an encounter with a severely impaired drunkard.
The prostitute's face twisted in terror as Karma approached her. She was all too aware of Karma's ruthless reputation. However, to the woman's surprise, Karma showed her mercy. Instead of harming the woman or her child, Karma offered to buy the baby from her.
"My client is willing to pay a few bucks," Karma stated in a cold tone. The prostitute's stomach twisted painfully, but at this point, hunger overpowered her feelings of terror and disgust. In no time, she was introduced to one of Karma's trusted clients, the feared ganglord of the Midnight syndicate. Without realizing it, the fate of the baby, now named Vigo, had been sealed.
The Rise and Fall: Karma's Journey Through Adversity
Karma found herself in a precarious situation as her reputation in the illegal business of selling kids and exploiting women made her a target for the authorities. She knew it was time to step away from the business before it was too late. Seeking a new path, Karma joined the army, where she quickly rose through the ranks. Her delicate looks belied her brutal nature, and she quickly earned a reputation as a fierce and effective soldier. However, Karma had little regard for the rules and began stealing large sums of cash from the army. Her success was envied by her fellow soldiers, who were both impressed and intimidated by her abilities.
Karma's actions had consequences that couldn't be ignored. Her betrayal of the army and subsequent escape put a target on her back. It wasn't long before she started noticing strange things happening around her. Her trusted associates began to distance themselves, and her clients were nowhere to be found.
Soon enough, she realized that her downfall was near. The once-powerful Karma was now vulnerable and alone. But she wasn't going to go down without a fight. She took refuge in the dark alleys and hidden corners of the city, biding her time and planning her comeback.
After her narrow escape from the military, Karma found herself in debt to Tunkas, her brother's hired help. With no job or money, settling the debt seemed impossible. However, her ties to the Midnight syndicate proved to be useful. Former clients became her allies, and Karma was back in action, colder and fiercer than ever before. Despite her ruthless and cynical nature, she was fiercely loyal to her family, ready to go to any lengths to protect them. Anyone who dared to harm her mother or brother would face Karma's brutal wrath. She was a force to be reckoned with, and those who crossed her learned that the hard way.
