Ghost in the City Cyberpunk Gamer SI

[xachariahxx]

Yes! This is the Cyberpunk2077 experience I've been waiting for ever since Motoko got her BD recorder. You're driving along then come up on some acceptable targets, so you hit the brakes on the car like you saw a 1/2 off taco tuesdays sign, except instead of tacos it's committing murder.

Jun's taking it better than I thought. Nox and Judy though are gonna be terrified.

 

[Seras]

Yes! This is the Cyberpunk2077 experience I've been waiting for ever since Motoko got her BD recorder. You're driving along then come up on some acceptable targets, so you hit the brakes on the car like you saw a 1/2 off taco tuesdays sign, except instead of tacos it's committing murder.

Jun's taking it better than I thought. Nox and Judy though are gonna be terrified.

Just want you to know, you earned a burst of laughter at that. I was giggling like a fiend at the 1/2 of taco tuesdays.

 

[Yinko]

Yes! This is the Cyberpunk2077 experience I've been waiting for ever since Motoko got her BD recorder. You're driving along then come up on some acceptable targets, so you hit the brakes on the car like you saw a 1/2 off taco tuesdays sign, except instead of tacos it's committing murder.

Jun's taking it better than I thought. Nox and Judy though are gonna be terrified.

Just want you to know, you earned a burst of laughter at that. I was giggling like a fiend at the 1/2 of taco tuesdays.

Motoko spotting acceptable targets on her way to gut a serial killer.

 

[Argent]

Jun's taking it better than I thought. Nox and Judy though are gonna be terrified

Well Jun already knows that Motoko can kill everyone in the compound due to her actions in the last couple fights they where in together. Instead he underestimates her ability to kill unnoticed.


I do admit when I read Motoko Sneaking around I think of this

 

[Seras]

“Damn.” Jun whispered behind me as I turned away from the barn to see him already walking amongst the corpses. With a motion he tugged free the knife in the Raffens throat. Bringing it up to his face he looked it over. “I remember. When you were practicing that.” He said sounding a little off.

“I uh… spent some time on it. It’s a useful skill.” I lied. I really hadn’t done much knife throwing since I played with it so long ago, but the instincts, the experience, the muscle memory was all part of Ninjutsu.

I could practically feel the blade still between my fingers. The motion I had made to throw it. I hadn’t even thought about it. Just did what I knew was right.

“Well. You cleared them out alright.”

“Go ahead and look around Jun, might find something you want. I’m gonna call Scorpion.”

“Scorpion?” Jun asked but I ignored his question as I turned away from him, took a few steps away and felt my eyes turn gold again.

I felt my foot tapping away for a while as Scorpion didn’t pick up at the first ring, or the second, or the tenth.

Finally the call connected, and a grumpy voice came over the line.

*Fuckin’ hell. What!? Do you have any idea what time it is!* Scorpion cursed and grumbled on the line but I smiled.

*Hey Scorpion, you still need a car?* I asked ignoring his complaints, I was trying to do him a favor after all.

*What?*

I rolled my eyes at his question, the man must have been asleep he was really being slow to catch on.

*Wait Motoko? Why are you calling so late?*

*C’mon Scorpion keep up. Do you still need a car? Or rather any of the Aldecaldos? I have… Six? Raffen Vehicles that are now ownerless. You or your family want them?*

*What?* I snorted, at least this time it was a what of surprise, and not just pure confusion. I let the call stay silent for a minute.

*Fuck you hit another Raffen Camp?* He asked blearily, obviously struggling to think.

*More like a pit stop. I was searching for someone else, and ran into them. So you want the vehicles? I’ll give you a good deal for them.*

*Fuck. Yeah. Hold on. Give me… Give me a minute. I need to wake up.* He grumbled a bit and the line went silent, as he must be paying attention to something other than the call.

While I waited I turned towards the bodies and started looting them. Each of them men of course had a weapon, rifles or shotguns seemed to be the preference.

I looked through the growing pile of weapons with an interested eye. I certainly didn’t need much else, but it was always nice to see if there was something interesting among the chaff. I didn’t find anything I wanted to add to my growing armory, but I did find a few pieces of interest. Optics, or little mods that I quickly uninstalled on the weapons and chucked into the Quadra’s trunk.

I could have some fun with some of that!

*Motoko. You there?*

*Course Scorpion, feel a bit more awake?*

*Yeah at least I’m alive. You said you had six vehicles?*

I didn’t respond right away, instead looking into the barn and taking a picture of the vehicles all parked. Then sent that.

*Yep.*

*Holy… Preem. Very Preem. Motoko, you know we don’t have the cash reserves for all of them, but I, well I’m still stuck on my bike, I wouldn’t mind an actual roof over my head.*

*That’s fine, listen if you can come pick them up, we can count it as an IOU. I don’t really want to try and hold these until other Raffen decide to come find out where their buddies are, and I don’t have the desire to try and sell them to a bunch of gonks. Pay me what you can, and maybe we can barter out some other stuff, but I know you're reliable so I gave you a call.*

The line went silent at my offer for a long while. Long enough I started to wonder if I had lost connection.

*Scorpion?*

*Yeah. Yeah I’m here. Fuck Choom. I don’t know what to say.*

*Say you’ll come take these off my hands and pay me what you can later.* I told him with a laugh which I got an almost strangled sound in turn.

*Alright. I’ll get the Aldecaldos together. We’ll come take them off your hands, won’t be difficult to get them repainted and keyed to us. Listen. Kid, I still owe you one. A big one, and this… I’ll pay you back somehow. I promise.*

*Don’t stress so much Choom. Getting these out of the hands of Raffen is already a lot. Listen I gotta run. I’ll send you the coordinates, but I’m in the middle of something. Don’t have time to hang around.*

*Yeah of course. I’ll… I’ll keep in touch. Don’t hesitate to come by if you ever need something.*

“Motoko. Are we going to be waiting around all night?” Jun asked, interrupting, and I threw him a one moment gesture at him.

*I gotta run. Stay safe Scorpion.*

*You too kid.*

I nodded, as I finally disconnected.

“Okay. Ready to go? Loot anything good?” I asked him but Jun just shook his head.

“I just klepped some Eddie shards. They didn’t have anything I wanted.”

“Preem! Follow me then I want to find that serial killer fuck before he can target anyone else.”

I jogged over to the car pointedly ignoring Juns eyebrow as he looked around at the dead bodies around him.

—--

We drove to another farm nearby only for another miss.

While I drove I was looking over my stat screen. Since there was no traffic out in the badlands it was easy enough to split my attention.

4500 XP from the Raffen. None of them were big guys, so I only got 500xp a head.

Still that leveled me up again.

*Level up achieved!*

*One Stat Point Gained.*

*One Skill Point Gained.*

Level 9.

Of course as much as I wanted to start spamming stats again. I knew the rule. So the stat point was immediately dropped into adaptation for my arms. I twitched a little as the point went through. A coolness in my chest that I realized had actually been impacting my breathing as I tried to naturally shy away from the cold, eased. I inhaled, and exhaled. Feeling.

Better.

One more step.

But what was I gonna do with all these skill points? I had four of them saved at this point, and that was a lot.

But I didn’t really need to spend it on anything. Most of my skills were getting close to the stat cap, or they were something I would grind once I had some better tools.

Looking at you Quickhack. One of these days I was gonna get an upgrade to my Netdeck and get some actual toys.

In the end I just pushed it away. I would think about it when I wasn’t mid hunt for a serial killer.

“Okay we are coming up on the next potential place. Keep your eyes open.” I told Jun, who had been yawning for a while.

Poor Jun was sleepy.

We were coming close to three in the morning after all.

Lights off I turned off my engine as we started coasting down the empty road.

I had been forced to head back into the city and go out a different exit just to get to this point. Edgewood Farm.

The name was sort of foggy-familiar. So I was really hoping this was it. As we approached I noticed the large gate surrounding the area, and while that didn’t ring any bells in my head, as we coasted past the entrance. I saw it.

Mines.

“Jun.”

“I saw it. This the place?”

“Yeah.” I muttered as I let the car keep drifting down the way a bit farther from the farm house and barn so that when I braked it was as quiet as could be.

“Alright we gotta be careful.”

“No kidding. How are you going to get around the mines?”

“Slowly.” I told him with a laugh. We both stepped out of the car and headed towards the gate. I crept up to the edge of the locked gate waving Jun back as I started scanning.

First I needed to turn off those cameras. A security camera was over the entrance to the farm house. I started breaching in through the Quickhack, but noticed the problem pretty quickly. This psycho was a netrunner. Or at least good enough that his defenses weren’t easy to break through.

I pulled back. I wasn’t breaking into the cameras defenses without setting off an alert, and that was something I didn’t want to happen.

“Motoko?” Jun whispered and I shook my head. “Defenses on his stuff is tight. Give me a minute.” I told him as I thought. I could try to get around to the camera to breach it directly, I could try to sneak into the little house, but no telling what he had set up there…

And I would be in direct view of the camera.

So what can I do?

Wait.

I don’t need to do this silent. He was one guy in the middle of nowhere…

I just needed to draw him out.

“Jun I’m going to draw him out and then just headshot this fucker. Once he is down, we can get through his defenses at our own pace.”

“Okay. I’m with you.” He said and I threw him a thumbs up as I hurried back to the car. I had left my Nekomata inside. Quickly pulling her free I rushed back to the entrance.

I might not be able to break into the camera, but I could get a mine to go off.

Once I settled back in I grabbed a rock, and with a smirk hucked it over the wall right towards a Mine I had already spotted.

The explosion was deafening in the silent night.

A moment later two turrets popped out of the ground near the barn. I wanted to whistle but kept silent as they started searching around. Automatic lights also activated lighting up the farm.

But then silence. I could feel Jun getting jittery behind me as I just waited for it. I was backed up just enough that the camera couldn’t spot me, or the barrel of the Nekomata as I kept it pointed at the front door of the little farmhouse.

He had to be here. It was so early in the morning.

Then a few minutes later the door opened.

Well I didn’t remember the guy from the game, but he was in the right place at the right time.

He stepped out onto the porch. Looking around grumpily. He was looking towards the smoking hole where the mine used to be when I took the shot.

The sharp retort of my rail gun broke the night, and the mans body flopped.

“I hope you’re right.” Jun said from behind me.

But I already knew I was.

*750 XP Gained.*

The only time I gained 750 was for people that weren’t borged out, but were still dangerous in some way. Netrunner, bosses of men.

And now Serial Killers.

I stepped out and took aim. The HMG turrets each took two shots as they buzzed around trying to locate what was shooting at them before they came apart.

“Alright stay close Jun. I’m gonna hack these mines as we go.”

I opened the gate by pulling it open… With Juns stupid gorilla strength helping out, and then the minefield. My eyes shifted as I scanned the first mine. Working on it’s ICE to try and break through.

I didn’t in fact break through.

I was glaring a few minutes later when I realized that military ICE designed for land mines probably wasn’t off the shelf ICE.

“Motoko?”

“Just… Just stand back.” I grumbled pulling out the Lexington in my back holster. While I couldn’t break through the ICE, I wasn’t worried about someone coming out to check any more. I started firing, blowing a path through the mines.

Thankfully the entrance of the barn didn’t have any mines right out front even if it was locked down. There just weren't any ways to actually get in. “Wait here.” I told Jun as I turned around and headed for the farmhouse.

He definitely had a way in from inside. I passed the dead body without a glance. I started searching, nothing on the first floor, just old trash and a living room. Upstairs though? A bedroom, with a big computer system. I accessed it without any trouble. The security ignored. The system was already unlocked and opened from being in use.

But there wasn’t an access point. Just lots of emails, both to his victims and a saved folder full of saved pictures from the news and other media about the Meat Man.

Fuckin’ sick. I guess this guy had a nickname to the media.

So I stopped looking through his personal computer. There had to be something more. With a bit of exploration I found a switch behind the computer desk.

As I pressed it, A hidden door opened. Leading to another little secure room. Including the barn access controls. A few moments later I could hear the doors rolling up outside, and I wasn’t going to stick around inside.

I rushed out, Jun nowhere to be seen as I rushed to the barn keeping an eye out for mines.

There was Jun, inside standing next to a…

Well it was a person with that creepy gas mask on. Only this mask wasn’t to keep the gas out. It was meant to pump oxygen and other chemicals to cows. Only now it was worn by some teens and it wasn’t oxygen they were inhaling.

I took a few moments checking the system before I realized I would need to shut down the entire system from the source in order to unhook the two people inside.

“Stay with them, be ready to pull that tube off when I tell you!” I called out to Jun as I rushed towards the back finding the control room, idly putting a fist into the TV that had that fucking cartoon playing.

It only took a moment to find the right switch and the whirr and noise of the air system suddenly quieted. “Do it now!”

Rushing back out onto the main barn Jun was pulling the mask off one of the people. I hit the other. A few seconds and I had the boy inside free.

He didn’t make a sound as I pulled the mask from his face, checking his pulse…

Slowly I felt it. A weak beating.

“That one alive?”

“Yeah.”

“Okay I’m going to call NCPD.” I told him, earning a hesitating nod from Jun.

I dialed the number and a few moments I was put to a recorded message, and not even a person.

That was so NCPD I couldn’t believe it.

I went through the menu needing to select three options and pay a 10 eddie bill, before the line connected.

“NCPD what is your emergency?”

“I have two young men that have been kidnapped and pumped full of some kind of drug by a psycho. This guys definitely a serial killer. These two are alive, but I doubt they are his only victims.”

“Estimated wait time for a patrol vehicle is… Fourty-five minutes to your current location. Thank yo-”

“Hold on! These kids might be dead in fourty-five minutes! Look at this!” I backed up and took a picture before sending it down the line.

“Miss, we don't accept pictures. Nor will NCPD alter our deployment speed. Another 10 Eddies will be deducted from your account for the lengthened call. Thank you fo-”

“This is the Meat Man. The Serial killer. Don’t sit there and tell me no one is interested in that!”

The line was quiet for a moment. “Please hold.”

I blinked.

Well that was easy.

A minute or so later the call was answered.

“This is Detective Stints. If this is a game, I’ll bash your skull in.”

That was… Certainly an introduction.

“It’s not. I have two people that were kidnapped and drugged, and a dead psycho serial killer that is probably your Meat man. At the least he had practically every news article mentioning him saved to his personal computer. I just need an ambulance to come get these people before they die.”

“You tried to send a picture. Send it to me now.”

I didn’t just send that. I sent that picture another about the location including the mines and the dead body.

The line was quiet for a few minutes.

“I’ll be on my way. A patrol car will be there soon. Stick around. I’ll have questions.”

“Sure. Just make sure they know about the mines. I’ll clear up as many of them I can. But this guy was crazy.”

“I’ll make sure the patrol car knows.”

The line ended.

“Chatty guy isn’t he?” I muttered but at least I got something.

“NCPD is actually showing up? I didn’t expect that.” Jun muttered as he caught up with me.

“Yeah… You ever heard of the Meat Man?”

Jun blinked and then frowned. “Yeah, a little. Urban myth?”

“I think this guy was him, at least he seemed very interested in what the news said about him.”

“I’m glad you put a bullet in him.” Jun said simply with a nod and to my surprise he reached out and squeezed my shoulder. “You did good. But we should probably get out of here before the cops show up.”

“You can if you want. But I’m staying. To make sure.”

Jun let out a sigh and nodded settling in to wait.

The next twenty minutes were mostly spent doing three things. Checking on the two people that still hadn’t woken up but at least were still breathing. Long silences.

And explosions.

I was trying to disable the damn Mines, by breaching them and wasn’t getting too far. They actually kept exploding on me, but at least as I tried I was getting rid of them, and of course I was getting the wrong XP alerts.

*100 Engineering XP Gained.*

I was doing the Quick Hack Breach, but getting Engineering XP.

Dammit system! I need a manual! Where is my Prima Official Guide!?

I shook it off and kept working, at least I was getting something, and Engineering was awesome. Then we heard it. The roar of a car coming down the road. “Jun I’ll flag them down.”

“No.” Jun said suddenly grabbing me and holding me back. “Just let them work at their own pace. NCPD don’t like people walking up to them.” He told me holding me back as he rested against the Barn wall.

“Fine.” I agreed it made sense…

I guess.

The gate was already open and the flashing lights of the car suddenly turned in, but stopped before coming close. Two officers stepped out both waving flashlights, one with a pistol in his off hand, and the other carrying a Copperhead. The assault rifle had a powerful flashlight on the end and he was waving it around, but kept an eye on Jun and I.

Both men were like startled cats, looking at every step.

I guess the warning about mines had gone through… That and the many craters that now littered the yard.

Finally both officers got close enough and lit Jun and I up, despite both of us being under a light.

“No sudden moves. Put your hands up!” One roared and I felt Jun obey begrudgingly, and I quickly followed after. The two officers approached and actually forcefully put us both on our knees and started handcuffing us both.

I could feel Jun muscles tense beside me, but I just turned and gave him a smile which had him relax.

“Evening Officers.” I mentioned despite grunting around the harsh hands handcuffing my hands behind my back. “The two-”

“Quiet!” The guy handcuffing me snapped, and I was thankful that he didn’t actually strike me like he motioned too.

Not because I was worried about him hurting me. Funnily enough I actually knew ways to break free of Handcuffs. Ninjutsu as always being the MVP.

No, I was worried Jun would have ripped the cuffs off and started beating the cops to death.

A few moments later we were both ‘secured’ by the officers and the one with the handgun went into the barn to look around.

He came out a minute later cursing and the two officers pulled away to speak in rushed whispers to each other.

Although at least in the end the grabbed their radio and started sending messages along.

“Told you we should have left.” Jun whispered side eyeing me.

“It’s fine. Just a… Okay they are idiots, but hopefully this will all go well once the detective gets here.” I said, voice filled with hope.

Things did not in fact get better when Stints did show up.

 

[TyrantTriumphant]

I'm not sure why the NCPD is doing this. I get that they're corrupt but I don't see what the benefit is for them to act this way. I may be missing information, but this seems more stupid than self-interested.

 

[Bear Ribs]

I'm not sure why the NCPD is doing this. I get that they're corrupt but I don't see what the benefit is for them to act this way. I may be missing information, but this seems more stupid than self-interested.

Police are generally always corrupt in Cyberpunk worlds, so that doesn't help much. NPCD in particular is a for-profit operation that charges people for 911 calls and monetizes all their police activities. They will want to arrest Motoko and Jun no matter what because that gives them a chance to add two more slaves to their for-profit labor prison operations.

There's also a fair chance the NPCD are butthurt because somebody else killed the notorious serial murderer and that will make it harder to spin themselves as the heroes who should get all the credit (and profit from advertising it).

 

[Seras]

I'm not sure why the NCPD is doing this. I get that they're corrupt but I don't see what the benefit is for them to act this way. I may be missing information, but this seems more stupid than self-interested.

Currently the reason Jun and Motoko is in cuffs is just because they are securing the scene. I imagine it's pretty standard operations for them to just arrest everyone first and sort it out later. That's why basically.

 

[xachariahxx]

Ah, Seras came in and beat me to it.

If you called the police IRL and told them that you had a dead serial killer and two dying victims, you'd be in lockup for days. In a Cyberpunk world where good Samaritans simply don't exist the police would be twice as skeptical of you.

 

[TyrantTriumphant]

Currently the reason Jun and Motoko is in cuffs is just because they are securing the scene. I imagine it's pretty standard operations for them to just arrest everyone first and sort it out later. That's why basically.

That makes sense. Especially in a place as awful as Night City.

 

[PeaceMaker 03]

It is very similar to similar to doing a raid in Iraq/Afghanistan in the military. Everyone is cuffed and will be until they are sorted. Not that I would trust Jun in regular handcuffs since he is borges out.

 

[The Whispering Monk]

It is very similar to similar to doing a raid in Iraq/Afghanistan in the military. Everyone is cuffed and will be until they are sorted. Not that I would trust Jun in regular handcuffs since he is borges out.

That's why they make 'borg' rated cuffs/manacles.

 

[Seras]

It had been almost an hour and a lot had happened. Three more patrol cars had arrived, an EMT ambulance. The guys inside were wearing that high visibility Jacket like Gloria and David.

It was kinda cool to see, but I was getting annoyed. The cops hadn’t uncuffed us yet, but they had put all of our weapons to the side, but had left them together. No signs at least I was going to lose my iron.

Finally Detective Stints arrived, conversing with the other officers, and doing general police stuff but ignoring us.

Jerk.

I mean my wrists couldn’t get sore anymore, but this was still not the most comfortable position. Plus I was bored. So bored. Omega bored.

Jun had literally fallen asleep.

Hours passed. The sun was rising up before Stints finally seemed to wrap up the hurried exploration of the farm house the NCPD were doing.

I was so ready to break out and leave by then. Hours of just sitting there!

But finally Detective Stints walked over to me.

“I don’t suppose you can uncuff me now? It’s been an hour.” I said before he could say anything but the man just chuckled.

“Maybe I shouldn’t? Hauling the Oni of Japantown in would be a good deed. Plus… Motoko Kusanagi. Mostly on record for petty theft, a bit of Breaking and Entering. Grand Theft Auto…”

“Wait, I stole a car? That’s pretty nova!” I muttered the last bit to myself. Old Motoko had definitely been a hellion.

“But I’ll give it to you. Everything we’ve pulled out of here confirms this was the Meat Man. Even found DNA from some of his confirmed victims. So congratulations kid. You killed a confirmed bounty target.”

“I’ve actually killed a couple of those before. This is just the first one I’ve ever actually called the NCPD with… Well, other than the scavs.” I muttered but while that earned an eyebrow Stints didn’t say anything more about it instead moving on.

“Go ahead and uncuff them.”
“Sir?”

“They may be lowlives, but they took out the real scum today.” Stints offered and I was frowning a bit.

I wasn’t a lowlife! Just because I killed and stole for a living…

I guess that's fair. Still a jerk thing to say!

A few moments later after Jun was startled awake we were uncuffed, although all the officers still looked twitchy as Jun and I recovered our weapons.

“Kid.” Stints called out as I finished sliding my Burya back into the holster.

“Yeah?”

“You did okay tonight. Not the best way to go about it, but at least this piece of shit is off the streets. Think about where you want to be in the future. NCPD could use someone with the skill to find the Meat Man.”

I opened my mouth, closed it and then decided to say it anyway.

“Thanks but no thanks. I don’t think I’ll ever be on the side of the law.”

“Figured. But I tried anyway. Go on. You and your brother get lost. Oh and kid?” His eyes turned gold, and to my surprise I got a text from the NCPD confirming a Bounty assignment.

A couple thousand eddies were available to be claimed.

“Good work.”

—--

Jun slept most of the way home. The sun was fully up when we got there and Jun crawled into his bed like a zombie only seconds after entering the apartment.

I, on the other hand, had a date.

Once Jun was tucked in, I headed back out. Stopping only to fill up the tank of my car which as always was a monstrously large amount of eddies. I drove over to pick up HIromi.

I was just on time, as I was pulling into Hiromi’s garage, I got a text from her.

*Hiromi: You didn’t forget right? Motoko? Choom?*

I chuckled as I drove around the garage until I came to where Hiromi parked her bike. Finding her already waiting down there sitting on it and looking nervous.

Her face changing to a happy smile was all I needed as I parked in front of her popping the passenger door. “You called for a ride?”

“Yeeees!” Hiromi cheered as she leapt into my passenger seat with a laugh. She settled in, but I was frowning at her after a moment.

“Seatbelt.” I reminded her, earning a roll of her eyes but she did realize I was being serious and put it on.

“Okay seriously Motoko. That BD was absolutely Preem! The first three were okay, interesting I guess. I mean it was weird doing things, but knowing you were the one that did them you know? But the Maelstrom BD? Eeee I was so excited! You were so in control! Motoko! You're so cool!” She said, winking at me as she said Cool.

I puffed my cheeks at her because I knew she was only saying that to tease me.

“I’m glad you liked it. I did some work last night, but hopefully I can get another Gig soon and get some more.”

“Oooh Yeah, definitely pass them my way.” Then to my surprise Hironi settled back into the Quadras seat and went quiet for a bit. “You really are fearless.” She offered quietly. I noticed she was also doing everything but looking at me.

“You don’t… You don’t need to compare yourself to me, Hiromi. I’m scared a lot too. Didn’t I tell you? After that first gig with Ichi after I killed those Tino thugs, I hid in the apartment. Jun had to force me outside with a ramen bribe. I was scared of going outside again.”

“You got over it. You go out and do amazing gigs and-”

“And you are super smart, You make friends everywhere you go, and you go to Arasaka Academy, so you’ll be some super important Corpo Executive someday. I’ll be doing gigs for you soon, so Hiromi just… Be happy? Okay? If you aren’t I’ll do whatever it takes to make sure you get to be happy. Just…”

“You are such a gonk.” She whispered laughing a bit and I smiled as her smile was back. “Fine. I’ll be happy if that is what you want.” She said, laughing at me, but I was just glad she was back to normal.

Sad Hiromi is a no-no.

“Aww. This sucks.” Hiromi said instantly doing a 360 on her previous mood.

Mood Whiplash her name is Hiromi.

I was pulling into the front of Arasaka tower and Hiromi was glaring at the stand of people gathering up and heading inside.

“What’s wrong?”

“Nothing. I just don’t want to deal with Tomaru.” She sighed as I pulled into a space in front of the building. There were actually a lot of vehicles stopping and going along the bit of circular road. Although rarely did I see parents, usually, it looked like Taxi services, or personal drivers, dropping off the kids. My vehicle actually stood out quite a lot from the array of high end expensive executive cars.

Not that I cared.

“Will you be okay?” I asked as Hiromi was pouting but she looked at me and laughed.

“Tomaru is a gonk, but I can handle him. No worries.” Then as I was parked she turned in her seat and threw a hug around my shoulders. “Thanks for the ride Motoko. See you later this afternoon?”

“Yep. Gotta pick you up after all.” I agreed and she was smiling as she nodded, stepping out of the car and sending me a wave as she walked backwards.

Then as Hiromi started walking amongst the array of students I saw it.

A yellow beat up Thorton.. Galena? I think the name was. The exact kind of car you would never see someone drive to Arasaka Tower.

But there it was. And I knew who was in it. I remained parked for a minute as I watched it pull up as David Martinez stepped out.

He was… About the same as he looked in the anime. Same hair. Same uniform. No Jacket of course.

“-Love you Mijo!” Gloria Martinez called out from the drivers seat waving at her son like it was his first day of school. Which I could see was causing David to start growing red in a blush, and worse causing the other students to glare at him.

But there they were.

A part of me. The one that loved anime and wanted to dress up as my favorite characters…

Okay a large part of me…

Okay like 99% of me.

Wanted to rush out and introduce myself. To become friends with David, and meet Gloria.

But another part of me made me realize that I had my own life to live. My own family, and chooms.

I might just try to help both of them out, because I did feel for Gloria. Working so hard to make a future for her son. But there was no point in getting involved right now. I already had an idea of when I would be needed.

So I pulled out after checking my mirrors and drove out into the city towards home.

I had a chunk of time before Hiromi was out of school after all, and I really needed to have a conversation with someone that I… Well trust was stretching it.

—--

Wakako’s Pachinko parlor was the same as always. I still had no idea why she chose such a chaotic place for her office.

But I walked right in, and as usual Wakako was waiting for me.

“Girl. Sit.” She demanded which I did, almost rolling my eyes as the older woman took control of the situation instantly.

“I’m not here for a gig… Well I mean I might accept one if you have it, but Wakako. I need some advice, from someone that I can… Trust.” I admitted which only earned a quirked eyebrow from the Dragon Lady.

I rolled my eyes at her dramatics. “I know trust is probably a stupid word. But you have a use for me. So at least I know you won’t just burn me without a good reason.”

“Accurate, enough. I do not offer such things for free.”

“Well maybe you will when you hear what is happening. I’m planning on killing Jotaro Shobo.” I said and that caused a reaction as Wakako’s eyes widened just a bit before smoothing out.

“That… Is a dangerous statement.”
“Yeah hence why I’m chatting with you and not just ganking him without anyone knowing… I’m not a Tyger Claw, but Jun is, my family was. Killing one of their golden boys won’t go over well. What can I do to make sure this doesn’t blow up in my face?”

The woman took a moment to grab a cigarette and light it, taking a long drag before speaking again.

“You need this man dead. Why?”

“A couple reasons.” I admitted. “He threatened me. Before I even realized who he was, or what lows he would stoop too. He might have backed up because of my Kamikaze connections… Although I’m still not a member, people need to stop saying that.”

“Of course.” Wakako offered waving her hand to keep me going, but her voice was full sarcasm.

“But honestly I don’t like the fact he kidnaps people. Tortures them for BDs and his own sick pleasure. So I’m going to kill him.”

“There are many people doing such dirty jobs. He is not alone, most don’t have the connections that scum has. So why choose him?”

“Because I’ve had conversations with him in the past, and never even realized what he was. It… Pisses me off.” I admit truthfully hands clenching. “He’s a monster Wakako, and at one point he said he was interested in me, wanted me to work for him. The very idea disgusts me.”

“Troublesome. Certainly troublesome. I would suggest as someone who has a small desire to keep you alive for my benefit, that you ignore this. Let it go.”

“I knew you would say that. But…”

“But you will not listen, yes. In that case I would suggest you never speak of this conversation with me again, forget it ever happened, for I will. And perhaps find another Fixer who already has a gig to assassinate a certain Tyger Claw.” Wakako tells me taking a drag and giving me a strong look.

“Can I even do that… I wouldn’t want to offend you Wakako. You’re my Fixer… I’m supposed to keep some loyalty to you… Right?”

She looks at me and just scoffs. “Says the girl that has joined her brother on gigs left right and center.”

“Jun needed me to watch his back…”

“Girl your brother has quite the rep all on his own. But still… We have no contract saying you only work for me, even if I would prefer to keep it that way. If you must do this, have a fixer ready to protect you from the backlash. Let them take the blame while you disappear like smoke.”

I nodded slowly. “Do you happen to know?”

“Now you ask me to tell you what Fixer you should go to while betraying me? Truly child you offend me at every turn.” She said but the fact she was actually chuckled meant she was just messing with me.

Right? Please be right.

“There is a Fixer in Watson. Jones. Find a way to get in contact with her, and perhaps you can find an ally in this foolishness. We never spoke of this.”

“Thank you Wakako. I owe you one.”

“Far more than one.” She whispered in her grandma-catty way.

Okay so all I had to do was somehow get in contact with Regina Jones.

Great.

—---

It turns out getting in touch with a Fixer wasn’t as easy as I expected. I mean, it’s not like I knew where Regina’s HQ was. Or even if I did, how I would get in touch with her.

I couldn’t just walk into the Afterlife and get in contact either. I wasn’t famous enough for that, the bouncer would never let me in. Plus the Afterlife was Rogues HQ. Doubt she would even let Regina in.

So for now. For just a bit while I figured this out. The hunt for Jotaro Shobo’s life was on the backburner.

But his day would come. Instead what I needed was…

Well contacts. People. Friends!

And I had just the group that owed me a favor.

*Hey Scorpion, how’s things? You have any issue picking up the vehicles?* I sent out a text as I walked back to the car. The sounds of Jig-Jig street all around me. The joytoys were working, and the johns were active around the area, despite it being early afternoon.

Night City was certainly special.

Suddenly I got a call. Scorpion was reaching out.

*Hey Scorpion!* I chirped into the line, which made the dichotomy even funnier as the guy sounded utterly dead.

*Hey Kid, no issues, we got to the site and klepped everything in the middle of the night. Saul thought it might be a trap at first, so it took even longer than it should have, but we got everything moved to the camp. Already have most of the cars repainted. We uh… Owe you. Big time.*

*Nah, you did me a favor. I had no idea what to do with all that crap. I’m at least glad to get it out of the Raffens hands.* I told him as I walked down the street, I thought about going home, but since I was out and about, I stepped across the street and down the steps into Cherry Blossom Market.

Ramen sounded good.

*Yeah well that’s not how Saul is seeing it. Listen Motoko… You saved my ass before, and we didn’t do what we should have. I mean, I haven’t even kept in touch. Why don’t you come out to the camp. We are having a barbeque, and Saul wants to meet you. Gotta discuss your pay.* Scorpion said although he ended by breaking out into a jaw popping yawn.

Poor guy. He must be exhausted what with being woken up in the middle of the night, forced into a long distance drive to the Raffen camp, looting it up and then driving home.

I was just lucky that I didn’t really get sleepy like that anymore.

*Barbeque?* I ended up asking, because that sounded fucking amazing. Even if I was settling into the noodle bar and ordering lunch.

*Well it’s not real meat, but trust me, we know how to make the taste authentic. Kid… Motoko… You should come. We owe you big, let us at least give back a little, you are making Saul freak out about owing so much to some merc he’s never met. Come on by, let us throw you a party. Hell, you might get some job offers, we don’t usually hire kids for gigs, but you have a bit of a reputation among the Aldecaldos now.*

*Well I am always looking for more work… I can’t make it tonight. I have to help out a choom in a few hours and then I don’t think I’ll even have time to reach your camp before nightfall.*

*Yeah we are pretty out here.*

*So let me know another day? You kinda had me at barbeque.* I admitted with a smile as I waved down the waiter for a bowl of Ramen. Food in Night City was kinda lacking.

*Tomorrow then. I’ll let Saul know. Motoko. For last night. Thanks, I’ll make sure we pay you back for all of it. You’ve made a lot of friends with the Aldecaldos over this.*

*It was nothing… Really. But I guess I’ll see you tomorrow.*

*I’ll send the camp's coordinates. Cya then kid.*

*I’m not a-*

“He hung up.” I grumbled, but I was smiling a bit too. “I guess I’ll have to tell Jun not to wait up for me tomorrow.”

 

[xachariahxx]

I loved the cute scenes with Stints, Hiromi, Wakako, and Scorpion. It's the connective tissue that makes the story feel real, and gives flavor to the action-y stuff.

I wonder if Motoko remembers who's got connections to get in touch with Regina. Gloria Martinez is connected to Maine's group and Kiwi lives right underneath Regina's apartment. That might be tough to explain how she knows though. The Mox also have a way to get in touch with Regina, since they put out the hit on Shobo through her in the first place.

Also, I bet Hiromi's got the coolest ride, because nobody else has an edgerunner merc. And she can even prove and show off how cool her driver is with BDs.

I already had an idea of when I would be needed.

Hmmm. It sounds like Motoko is planning to interfere on the day of Gloria's (would be) death. If so... that puts her right in a position when she's got a grateful Gloria with a military grade Sandevistan hidden under her jacket. That's one way to get more cyberwear into her hands.

 

[Seras]

Hmmm. It sounds like Motoko is planning to interfere on the day of Gloria's (would be) death. If so... that puts her right in a position when she's got a grateful Gloria with a military grade Sandevistan hidden under her jacket. That's one way to get more cyberwear into her hands.

I might that piece of tech has been proven to be quite possibly the strongest Sandy in the setting up to that point. And it will be up for grabs... No way Motoko would plot to Klep it... Naaaah.

 

[Blasterbot]

I might that piece of tech has been proven to be quite possibly the strongest Sandy in the setting up to that point. And it will be up for grabs... No way Motoko would plot to Klep it... Naaaah.

what a free super tech cyberware to chip in? nah our good Christian motorolla would never loot something like that when it was up for grabs. well unless it was just lying around. or the guy who had it was already dead. or the guy who had it was a cyberpsycho and she could just kill him and loot it off the body guilt free. but other than that she would surely be able to resist the siren call of loot. prolly.

 

[Seras]

I wasted some time at the Ramen bar eating and watching the news on the TV there, but eventually I paid and slipped out, heading home, actually walking back to the apartment just to enjoy being able to go outside again.

Jeez it made me remember just how long it had been since I was able to just go on the street for a walk.

Since the kidnapping.

As I walked through the horde of people walking through the market I felt paranoia slowly amping up. It wasn’t like I was far from where it had happened. The crowd was thick. I would have trouble escaping if someone attacked me. I had my Burya, but what if I didn’t bring enough ammo? What if I didn’t have enough Max-Doc’s?

What if?

But no.

I wasn’t going to live like that. Morgan Blackhand had mentioned paranoia was a good thing for a solo. There was literally a segment in his guide about constantly moving, sleeping in different locations, and never falling into habits that someone could use against you.

Good advice, but also a good way to spend your entire life living in utter fear. Or sleeping in cardboard boxes in alleys just to throw people off your trail.

No thanks.

I let a drop of cold blood wash away the paranoia. I was in control of myself, and I wasn’t about to let my fear control my life like that. I would just have to get so amazing in everything that I could build a doom fortress or something.

Seriously Morgan, your advice is good, but also kind spastic.

So instead I pushed my shoulders back, my head up and started stalking. I wasn’t tall enough to cause the crowd to break around me, and while I was armed, so was everyone else, but it made me feel better. Made me confident as I walked home.

No Maelstrom jumped out of the shadows to attack me, no one even noticed me.

It made me scoff at my own paranoia.

I made it home without anything happening. A reminder that in the grand scheme of things I wasn’t some super important character.

I was just Motoko, and I wasn’t that important. Yet.

I raced up the stairs of the apartment enjoying how easy it was to run up the four flights of stairs. As I slipped into the apartment I could hear the quiet snoring of Jun still coming from his room.

Silly Jun. But I guess I had literally kept him up all night on my hunt for that killer.

I made sure to keep quiet as I settled in. I had a few hours until Hiromi was free from school, so I set an alarm in my hud and grabbed my ICE laptop.

Let’s do some casual grinding while I wait.

—--

I was waiting in front of the Arasaka building when Hiromi came out. Sure I had gotten some weird looks, and Arasaka security looked like they were keeping a close eye on my all black ride, but I didn’t care.

I wasn’t doing anything nefarious.

Finally the crowd of teenagers headed out, almost all of them heading to private vehicles, a few of the truly rich didn’t even leave the front of the building instead getting into AV’s and disappearing into the sky of Night City. A place only the ultra rich and powerful were welcome to.

Hiromi though stalked out of the building practically stomping on her way out. Her direct path towards my car was interesting as some people had to literally get out of the way as she stomped up to the car and flopped in.

“I hate morons.” She said practically growling as I nodded along with her. Hiromi was super mad, I wasn’t about to start poking her until she was ready. I pulled out into traffic and started heading for her home. A minute later she finally spoke.

“That fuckin gonk Tomaru. He pulled some shit, tried his stupid power play shit again. Fucker.” Hiromi ranted glaring out the window as I just nodded along.

“Want me to kill him?”

The silence in the car stretched on for a moment before Hiromi chuckled. “No. It would certainly make my life easier.” She admitted actually breaking through her anger and chuckling a bit. “Sorry, I should have said thanks for picking me up Choom.”

“It’s fine. School is the worst!” I offered earning a snort from Hiromi.

“Motoko you literally never went to school. I bet everything you know about school comes from some cartoon or something.” Hiromi teased, and the fact I couldn’t just argue against that, my ‘amnesia’ and past life made anything I could say come out wrong.

So I just flushed and tried to ignore the way Hiromi’s smile was turning shark like.

“When we stop at your place, how about I work on your bike? I can probably fix it up tonight.” I interrupted whatever teasing Hiromi was about to do, trying to avoid my chooms assault.

“Fiiiine. I’ll let you change the subject. That would be great, do you like, need anything?”

“Nah. I have my toolbox in the trunk, should be everything I need. Hang out with me while I do it?”

“Definitely!”

—--

Hiromi’s Kusanagi was in rough shape. She hadn’t damaged the frame or anything, Kusanagi, even the stupid Mizuchi with all the modifications going into it, that she owned. Most of it was just panel damage, although one of the magnetic brake calipers on the front wheel was bent a bit. I ended up needing to disassemble the front brake array, and with a bit of work with my auto fab and a bit of time I had a new brake caliper re-attached and the front wheel spinning as it should instead of grinding and stuck.

“You’re way better at this than I thought.” Hiromi muttered beside me. We had been out here for a few hours and Hiromi had gone from standing around, to sitting to lazily laying against her bike after I had put it on its side to fix the brakes.

“I’ve been practicing with tinkering and stuff! Did I show you my gadget?” I asked perking up a bit when Hiromi shook her head. Despite my hands full with one of her side panels actively undenting the piece of metal, I reached into my hip pouch and pulled out my distance mic.

“What is it?” Hiromi asked curiously as I passed it over, she figured out the earpiece quickly enough but I had to reach over and tug on the actual microphone before she realized the wires were set into a little assembly.

I tugged it out and let it go watching as it was pulled back inside. A moment of fiddling and she had it extended out. The microphone I had to instruct her to tie around her finger with the little strap on the end.

“Point it at me.” I said as my hands continued on their task of fixing the dented plate. Only once she did so did I start humming quietly, purposefully keeping the tone low.

“Oh! It’s a directional mic!” Hiromi chirped, figuring it out. After all, for her this wasn’t some weird tech that is rarely used, it’s tuesday, it’s normal. I’ve seen plenty of TV shows, and even cartoons mention gadgets like this all the time. Hiromi had grown up in a world where technology was easily accessible, and practically skewed towards corporate espionage.

“Yeah. I ran into a problem at one of my gigs, the Maelstrom were having a conversation and I couldn’t hear what they were saying. That right there is step one on fixing the problem. I uh… Still need to go into some programming for it. I want it to be able to focus on a conversation and ignore music or something.”

“Hmm. Arasaka has a Cyberware that does that.” Hiromi said tapping at her lips.

“I suppose I could find a piece and see what the programming is like, but I kinda want to do this all on my own. To see just what I can do… You know?”

Hiromi just gave me a smile as I admitted this was more of a challenge to myself than something I needed right then. “I’m sure it’ll be great Motoko. It’s way more than I could make already. You’re making me look bad over here.” She told me poking me with her shoe as she teased me.

“Eh. It’s just time and work. You have school, and ‘rents, and stuff to deal with.”

“Yeah cause you don’t have Gigs, Jun, and all sorts of crazy stuff you are doing. I’m waaaay lazy compared to you.”

I just huffed. “Maybe, but you’re still my best choom. I wouldn’t want anyone else at my side.” I told her flashing a smile before going back to my work.

I never noticed her flush at my compliment.

“Done!” I called out suddenly as I pulled the newly repaired side panel off the floor looking it over. The paint was still ruined, but that was a much easier fix than the massive dents in the thing.

“Really? Already?”

“Sure. Easy peasy. Help me re-install it?” I prompted Hiromi who jumped to help, and with her helping to hold it in place, I was able to use a small power tool to put it back together and pull her bike back onto its wheels.

“Ugh. Done!” I grunted as the bike was righted. “Want to give it a drive around the block?”

“Yeees! C’mon Motoko!” Hiromi said, jumping onto the bike and patting behind her.

“Nooo way Choom.” I denied holding my arms up in an X. “I have to clean up my tools, and I don’t want to be anywhere near you driving if I can help it.”

“Moootooookooooo!” Hiromi whined at me eyes wet and lip puffy. Hiromi used Puppy Dog Face. It’s super effective.

“Fiiine.” I grumbled, taking a minute to grab my tool box and load it into the Quadra to make sure it was secure, before climbing in behind Hiromi.

The screech of wheels going way too fast had me gripping my choom a bit tight but thankfully Hiromi didn’t complain.

Despite just needing a ride around the block to make sure everything was working, Hiromi headed out into the city seemingly just happy to have her freedom again.

While stopped at a red light, which I will admit I’m shocked Hiromi actually stopped at. The first two times Hiromi had just blown through them without a care.

Maybe it was my screaming in her ear the entire time? If someone had been standing at the crosswalk as we passed by they would have been treated to my doppler effect scream as she raced through.

Seriously my heart was pounding more right now than it did when I was in a fight for my life!

Hiromi: More dangerous than a gun fight!

While paused at the light I finally pulled away from the death grip I had on my choom. “Where are we going?” I finally asked, for the first time since we started racing through the streets I could actually hear a response.

“Nowhere! I just wanted to get out… You know? Stuck at home for so long I just needed to go!” She called back and I nodded. Before stilling.

“Hey Hiromi? What are you doing tomorrow night? I know you have school and stuff, but I had an offer from some Nomads I’m friends with to go to a barbeque. Want to come?” I offered. If Hiromi needed to get out, away from her apartment that she had been trapped in for weeks…

Then the badlands were super far away!

“Wha? Nomads!? Motoko? What are you talking about?”

“Oh last night I was hunting down-Green Light!” I called out startling Hiromi, when I realized we had both been distracted and hadn’t noticed the light change, grumbling she started off, but instead of rushing down the street she found a parking spot and settled in even hitting the kick stand so we were properly parked.

“Now say that again?” She demanded and I nodded.

“Last night I was hunting down this serial killer guy. Total creep factor. Anyway, one of the farms Jun and I hit had a bunch of Raffen… I mean they were right there? So I took them out.” I shrugged Miming a stabbing motion to get my point across. it really had been an easy spot of murder. The Raffen had literally been asleep on the job.

“Shit! You went out on a gig last night? Why didn’t you tell me?”

“I told you just now.” I offered rolling my eyes.

“Ugh! You’re still a gonk. But c’mon deets!”

“Nuh-uh. I recorded it, you can see it for yourself… Eventually. I’ll need to see Judy and drop them off… Anyway, all the Raffen had a bunch of wheels. So I called up some Aldecaldos buddies, remember Scorpion? I told you about him when I went and did that gig? I called him and they picked them up, but the Aldecaldos boss feels he owes me one, and I got an invite to a barbeque and a meeting… So want to come?”

“Shit Motoko, your life is so crazy. You bet I’m in! One hundred percent!”

“Cool… Umm will your ‘rents be okay with that? We’ll likely be gone all night… Maybe all day even?”

“I’ll convince them… I can just tell them it’s an in for me with the nomads as a work connection or something.” She mumbled the last bit, starting to nibble on her bottom lip as she thought about it.

“Cool.” I said smiling. Honestly it was a long drive out to the Aldecaldos camp. It would be nice to have a travel buddy!

Hiromi was practically buzzing after, swiftly shaking off her thoughts of convincing her parents, and instead taking us back into the streets.

Hiromi! Red means stop!

—--

After Hiromi finally got the need to drive around out of her system we headed home. She needed to try and convince her parents to let her leave the city, and I wanted to go see Judy and Nox.

I did have the Raffen assault to offer up now, although I wasn’t going to share the one where I killed the Meat Man. I wasn’t sure how many people would end up knowing about his death, and while I wasn’t exactly worried about people knowing it was me that did it, there really wasn’t much on that gig worth keeping, especially since I had failed to hack the mines…

It wasn’t like I was going to destroy that recording just because it showed me try and fail to hack the mines over and over!

It was because it was boring! Definitely!

Sliding into a parking spot at Lizzies I was really surprised when as I walked up to the door Rita actually walked out and matched my pace, to my surprise she threw an arm over my shoulder and was giving me a smile.

“Hey kid.”

“Oh, Uh hey Rita!”

“Wanna talk with you. Come with?” She asked, and it was definitely a question she wasn’t pushing me along, or anything just giving me a minute to decide.

“Sure? I just needed to drop off something with Judy, but I’m not in a rush.”

“Preem. C’mon Kid.” She said smiling as she guided me inside. Nobody really paid us any attention other than the door bouncer that was replacing Rita, who just gave Rita a quirked eyebrow before sliding into her position. Then Rita walked me into Lizzies, towards the back, and into one of the private booths.

I might have been a bit uncomfortable about the whole thing if Rita was chattering away about something Judy had done a month or so ago when she had tried to spend three days working while staying awake drinking her crazy caffeine soda.

Apparently Judy had a bit of a wild side after three days without sleep.

“So that’s why we don’t let her have those things anymore. Replacing the tables cost a pretty penny. Suzie wasn’t happy about it, but Judy is too good at what she does to really punish.” Rita ended the story causing both of us to laugh at Judy’s antics.

“So what’s going on Rita?” I asked breaking up the funny stories.

“Well kid… No, I should do this right. Motoko, I wanted to make sure… Listen. I’m not great at this sort of thing. There’s a reason I’m the bouncer and not one of the touchy feely types… I watched that BD you had Judy do, she showed it to me that night, and I just wanted to say…” Rita to my surprise looked uncomfortable as she sort of toyed with her bangs.

“Rita?”

“If you ever need to talk to someone? If you just want to hang out, with someone that gets it? That understands? I’m here. The Mox are here. We aren’t… Well Judy and some of the older girls try to keep the spirit alive, but we don’t go out and try to help people as much as we used to, but I still… Fuck I’m rambling.” The older woman said, sighing as she looked around and found a bottle of… Something alcoholic laying around the booth. She took a second to check it and then popped the glass stopper and took a swish of it down.

I just kept staring because I had no idea what was going on.

“Okay I can do this. C’mon Rita.” She said pepping herself up before she focused on me again.

“Listen, Motoko… This stuff. Killing, chrome, Night City, it’s not easy, but if you need something. I’m… I get it. I went through similar shit when I was a kid too. Forced chrome, fighting, killing because if I didn’t I would be the one dead. The whole reason we all came together as the Mox was to help people like us. If you need help getting away from the TC, if you just… Want to stop killing or being chipped. I’ll be here, someone to talk to, or back you up if you need it. Fuck I’m not good at being the sponsor.” She muttered, turning away from me, and it was only because of how she had shifted that I saw the bits of her face that wasn’t chrome was actually blushing.

How cute!

“Thanks Rita.” I said I couldn’t help it, I was smiling at her obvious distress because it really showed how much this meant to her. “I mean, I don’t really think I’m in any trouble. I mostly just work with the TC to watch my brother, and other than these arms, which was Maelstrom. I barely have any other chrome. But I get it… Thank you. For reaching out? It’s really sweet.”

“Don’t call me sweet.” Rita groaned, the top of her face flushed as she did her best to look away from me the bottle of alcohol clutched in her hands as if it was a lifeline.

“But you are! I’m not in any trouble, honest. The gigs I take the people I kill, it’s my choice, and I kiiiinda, like it.” I admitted as I settled onto the couch beside her so we could chat easier. “I found I have a talent for it, and it’s… Exciting. Thrilling even!”

“Oh… Fuck. Ugh. I’m such a gonk. Stupid Rita, Real stupid.” She muttered to herself, but I wasn’t about to let Rita who was being an absolute sweetheart trying to help me escape what she must have thought was some Tyger Claw work force. I guess if you saw me killing Maelstrom at the side of TC when I kept saying I wasn’t with them, it could be interpreted that way.

I reached out before she could berate herself anymore and pulled her into a hug. My arms wrapping around her own as I practically pinned her arms to her sides to give her the strongest hug I could.

I nearly giggled as she went still for a moment. “Thanks Rita. Really. It’s nice to know that one more person in this city is looking out for me… Honestly not enough people do that.”

“It’s what the Mox are supposed to do.” She said quietly, sounding a little uncomfortable at the contact. So I pulled away.

“I mean, there is a reason I think the Mox are the best gang in the city.”

“We used to be even better.” She muttered but shook it away as she finally seemed to focus on me. “You’re a real monster kid. That BD, some of the stuff I saw, that wasn’t normal. Wasn’t something you see on a teenager, even the ones with a history like me… You sure you’re okay someone isn’t forcing you?”

“Yeah. I’m okay. I promise. Well I mean. I’m still recovering from the whole Maelstrom kidnapping, but I’m feeling a lot better.”

She frowned, nodding a bit at my response before seeming to come to a decision. “I know what it’s like to be forcefully chipped. I lost my arms the same way. Motoko, do you… Do you do anything creative with your hands?” She asked suddenly and I stilled before nodding.

“Yeah? I started tinkering. I even made a distance microphone the other day! From scratch!” I said pulling it out and showing Rita. Once more showing off my baby!

She smiled, but shook her head a bit. “Not what I meant exactly. Sorry I’m not great at this, I mean like… Spiritually creative? Art? Or something? After I got out, after I realized I was stuck with these arms. I didn’t handle it well. Took me a long time to get over that they were a piece of me and not just some monster attached to my meat. I started… Just don’t tell anyone okay? I started sculpting, it's something I did as a kid, and I came back to it. I make little figurines… Animals, just things that can’t talk back, or push boundaries. Every time I see them now, I’m reminded that they were created with these hands of mine. That my arms aren’t just weapons. That they can do good things too. So just… It helps me… Try finding something, anything. Whatever suits you, and maybe… Maybe it will help?”

She went quiet after that looking extremely uncomfortable, which is saying something when most of her face was chrome.

Wow. Rita was really trying hard to help. I didn’t know what to say, what to do, so I just did what felt natural, I reached out and grabbed her hand. And gave her a squeeze.

It was a quiet minute between us. Two women that had been assaulted and ripped apart. I felt myself eventually falling into a goofy smile as I took in Rita and what she had tried to do.

Eventually with no more words said we split apart, Rita obviously having hit her maximum amount of emotional baggage for the day. I went to drop off the Raffen BD with Judy who took it with some interest.

But I didn’t stick around. I’ll admit I hadn’t thought about it.

Rita was right though. Everything I did since I got the system revolved around getting stronger for combat, for murder. Even my tech interests. It was like I was reacting to the fear of living in Night City. Trying to get strong enough to protect myself.

But did I actually have any hobbies that didn’t involve grinding? Did I do anything for fun that wasn’t just the feedback loop towards combat?

I ended up sitting in the Quadra for a while just staring out at the people walking by as I was forced to consider the fact that I might have, just been a little teensy tiny bit too obsessed with this whole Merc thing.

What exactly did Motoko Kusanagi do for her mental wellbeing, other than rely on Cold Blood? What hobbies did she have that didn’t involve fighting?

This would need further thought.

 

[Argent]

Something tells me any hobby she gets won't be as wholesome as scalping.


Overerall a nice bit of slice of life to see how the worle changed after the gang war.

I do have to wonder what the other students are thining about Hiromi being dropped of by a mercenary. While most student will think thay is becasue her parnets can not afford better. Some of the smarter ones will wounder what kind of connections does Hiromi have outside of the corporation. I could easily see her being groomed for a cojnter intelligence postion because Hiromi's childhood rebellion has started to give her a wide range of contacts for off the books wet work.

 

[Yinko]

Something tells me any hobby she gets won't be as wholesome as scalping.

I mean, depends on what you mean. Scalping or scalping?

 

[PeaceMaker 03]

This is where she starts to play music?