Oh I am so glad to be back. I cant wait to be ho. I moaned as we finally hit the road leading into the city. I could practically sense my bed waiting for . And maybe so choom ti. I wanted to hang out with Hiromi, and my crew. Bother Jun, maybe get into a wrestling match with him or sothing.
Just anything besides travel through dirty desert.
Not ho just yet. We need to hand off everything If you are up to sticking around. The way she said it! I knew it!
You do want around!
Can I change my mind? She asked and I just laughed at her, and shook my head.
No. Once you beco my choom, its forever. No take backsies.
So Rogue huh? Thatll be interesting.
First ti in the Afterlife? She asked and I almost jerked a bit in surprise at the question.
Well, yeah actually. Thats where were going?
Thats where Rogue is, so thats where were going. She said and I just nodded slowly, I guess I was finally getting my Afterlife debut.
I was quiet for the rest of the drive, the sand and dirt slowly shifted into urban streets.
Its good to be ho.
The drive to the Afterlife didnt take too long. The sun was starting to droop as we pulled into the small parking lot. Panams truck stuck out pretty badly from the vehicles parked around, but she found a spot and then the roar of the engine quieted down.
Alright lets go. She stepped out taking a mont to stretch from the long drive. I joined her, but mostly I was wiping at my hair watching as dust fell out of it. If only keeping Rogue waiting wasnt that bad an idea Id go get a shower. That and holding onto the shard Rogue wanted was just asking for trouble.
We walked down the familiar stairs, and I did look behind at the wall to see if I could see the Tarot that appeared for V.
Nothing.
The bouncer was the sa big guy I rembered and he scanned Panam almost casually, then glancing at , and doing the sa.
I could see the mont he scanned and found not on whatever list that Afterlife kept. Panam noticed it too. Relax Em, shes with .
He lifted an eyebrow but shrugged and stepped aside. Welco to the Afterlife kid. The man offered almost sarcastically as he side eyed Panam.
Thanks. I offered back as I followed in after Panam. I dont really care if he thinks being here is weird or sothing. Im not one of the Night City Crazies that wanted to die in a blaze of glory anyways.
I was just here for the gig. Then I would go ho, take a shower and a nap. This week had kinda sucked.
I shook it off and looked around. I had been here before of course, in a ga at least. It hadnt changed much. The neon lights, the music playing, the different teams of edgerunners in side rooms, at the bar, or just hanging around. So of them planning, so of them partying, and so of them dying.
I looked away from the side room that had a choom laid out on a couch as his team huddled around him.
I dont think that one made it.
Claire! My usual! Panam called out as she stopped at the bar and the bartender threw Panam a smile before throwing together a drink.
I wasnt paying attention to that though.
Because soone much more interesting was at the bar.
It was the pink jacket that caught my eye first, and then I stilled because I recognized that look.
Of course it wasnt the exact sa, translations from ga visuals, or ani visuals to real life made things look different but I had seen that woman's last monts. It was impossible not to recognize her.
It was kinda hard to forget Sasha.
Feel the rythm, of the streets. I mumbled to myself. The first lines of the song that blasted through my brain.
I guess I knew my next song. Also, I guess I knew my next mission. Sasha was still alive For now. I couldnt help but stare as Sasha threw up three fingers at Claire who nodded, already preparing her drinks.
Of course that was when I got caught staring. Blue and pink eyes locked onto . Unique custom colors. It was pretty.
I honestly was surprised as well,, they werent Kiroshi, but so other brand, still high quality. But she had caught looking. Eyebrow quirking up, as she gave a look.
Okay Motoko. This is it. Just et the catgirl. Chat her up! Yeah. Use your skills in cool and brain to just chat with a woman. Easy! Sure
Hi. I said blurting it out without being able to stop. Im Motoko. I like your optics!
Hello Motoko, who likes my optics. Im Sasha. She said in a teasing tone that made still for a mont. Wait That was! She thought I was trying to flirt! Abort! Abort! No wait. Cant abort! I need to save her life!
So instead of saying anything I just kinda fumbled around for a mont before taking the seat next to her. So edgerunner huh? Thats preem! Whats your specialty? I asked after a mont of awkward fidgeting. I an I already knew she was a netrunner. I was just hoping I could pull her into a netrunner conversation and then force her to beco my friend.
Is this your first ti in here? Get brought in as part of a gig or sothing? She asked instead of answering, I blinked before pouting a little.
I was working protection on a gig. Panam works with Rogue so here I am. I said, making sure to enunciate that I wasnt the protection target. It was quiet mostly except for the Raffen, but they arent that bad. I demurred.
Oh? Maybe you can tell about it so ti. She replied with smile as Claire was suddenly there with three drinks that she picked up and it was obvious Sasha was about to disappear.
Quick think fast!
Netrunner right? I said, I had been hoping to fall into a conversation but it would be a bit too strong to follow her back to her group.
She did stop as she held the drinks. I am.
So am I. Programr too, but its one of my specialties. Uh. If you ever need so programming work done. I said and then sent her my number.
She looked more amused than interested, which was not what I was going for, so I had to do sothing.
I do programming work for Yoko. She can vouch that Im good. Feel free to reach out. I do consultations for free. I offered and there it was.
The look of interest on her face. Sure I had to na drop Yoko, as proof Should have used the Sexy Motoko Voice! Dumbass! Of course she thinks I was being cute sounding like a teenager.
Dummy! Idiot!
Maybe Ill give you a call soti for that Consult. Then she walked away.
But the whole ti I was a little distracted because I had never heard soone say consult and make it sound
Motoko! Panam called out, pulling away from my staring at the woman.
Yeah Im coming. I tore my eyes away from Sasha and followed Panam towards an indented couch space.
One that had a certain fixer.
Panam was stopped at the entrance, a big guy I cant rember his na. He had a weird haircut and he was Rogues Bodyguard.
He was holding out a hand to Panam, stopping her from entering as I walked up, his optics, a set that I didnt recognize but were completely inhuman, were watching both of us for any trouble.
I just kept my hands away from my guns, and kept it casual. He wasnt going to start anything without trouble coming his way first.
Cmon Squama, I dont have ti for this.
Da boss is busy.
We were just waiting at the bar, I know she knows we are here! Tell her to stop playing this corpo shit. Panam snapped at him, but cald herself a mont after with a deep breath, and a sip of her whiskey.
Wait. He replied simply and Panam tsked at him but did just that, but never stopped glaring at the booth that we could see a bit of Rogue sticking out. Looks like she was going to wait. I just ignored her impatience and waited calmly.
Either Rogue really was busy and so we had to wait, or she was doing so powerplay on Panam, and We would have to wait.
No point in getting irritated about it.
Finally a few minutes later, Rogue called out. Let them in.
Squama I guess? Stepped aside and let the two of us enter the little booth area Rogue kept for herself, although the big guy moved behind her watching over us for any threat.
Panam. Rogue greeted casually the older woman uncaring about Panams glare.
Rogue.
Alright kid stop glaring, I was on an important call. Shard. She demanded and Panam glared, but pulled the shard out of her neck and handed it over. Rogue pushed it into a data reader and nodded and then her eyes went blue.
A mont later Panam perked up and nodded. The other part?
Like I said, you do this gig, Ill put you to work and take care of the rest. Rogue answered instantly. Then she looked at . Interesting choice, bringing a kid along. Motoko Kusanagi.
Rogue. I greeted back. Her resting bitch face might have had more effect on , if I didnt already know all about her. And wasn't that worried.
I dont usually recomnd kids on gigs I send out Panam.
Panam gave Rogue a look, and so did I. I did appreciate that the look Panam was sending the older woman scread stop fucking around.
Mine was just an eyebrow lift. Waiting for her to get on with it.
If she knew my na, no way she didnt know at least a little about what I had been getting up to.
Rogue just scoffed and threw a hand at the two of us. Yeah yeah, dont get so upset. Ive heard your na before. She offered, but then she simply turned to Panam with a more serious look. Good work. You were a little late, but I heard about the problems with the route. Ill be in touch in a few days with more work. Get settled in. Rogue offered and then she basically just waved her hand at us.
Telling us to get lost.
Ill be seeing you Rogue. Panam offered as she stood, and I followed shortly after. It was a little sad that Rogue wasnt really interested in working with , at least not yet, but also not a terrible thing. It wasnt like I wanted to deal with her attitude either.
As I walked out, I looked in the corner. Spotting Sasha sitting in a booth. Maine and Dorio were there, and it was obvious the three of them were plotting.
They were in the wrong spots for it to be that day though. So I felt myself relax. Ill have to hope that my offer caught her interest. I would love a good reason to make more programs, and working with soone at Sashas level?
Hell maybe even pulling her into gigs, or vice versa?
Sure I wasnt a huge fan of Maine, but the man was a tank. We could probably do so fun gigs.
But that was for another ti. I followed Panam as she stalked outside back to her truck before she stopped.
Motoko Thanks. For backing up on the gig and everything. I-I really appreciate it. She said with a relief showing on her shoulders that I was just starting to put together.
Rogue offered you money and a place to live in Night City for help with the gig didnt she?
Yeah. Yeah she did Here. Her eyes flashed blue for a few monts and I got an update. A good chunk of eddies into my account.
You sure? I think youre struggling for eddies right now more than I am.
Its fine. Rogue pays well, and if Im right Ill have consistent work under her. I nodded at that and we both stood kind of quiet for a mont, neither sure what to say.
Then if you ever need backup. Dont hesitate to call up okay? I demanded from her being firm on this. We are chooms now after all.
Hah. I guess we are Thanks-No Ill stop. Ill stay in touch. She says instead and I smile at that.
I walked away as Panam jumped into her truck. It wasnt long before my Quadra pulled up just a bit down the street and I jumped in ready to go ho.
I was totally ready for a shower.
---
I trudged up into the apartnt a ss of old dust coating as I opened the door to the apartnt and flopped my backpack full of stuff I had packed for what should have been just a few days of travel.
It had been a bit longer than that, so I was sweaty and wearing dirty clothes.
Im ho! I called out, seeing Juns boots at the entrance as I pulled my own dusty boots off with a bit of effort.
Motoko! Jun called out from his room and he ca stomping out, wearing sleepwear and looking like he had been in bed for a while, his hair was sticking up in a ss, but he didnt hesitate to charge at like a bull when he saw .
Stupid grin on his face the whole ti.
Ughhhh. I groaned at him as he picked up and pulled into a big hug. Jun Im ssy.
You were only supposed to be gone a few days. You didnt even call!
I groaned as Juns hug quickly morphed into a grapple as he wasnt letting go.
We had to avoid so Raffen Shiv. They apparently took over an entire section of the main path to Seattle so we had to go around both ways. It added so much wasted ti to the trip.
You didnt call. He said his arms tightening around , which was actually a big in warning.
I called Hiromi! My words did the opposite and Jun only squeezed tighter.
Hiromi told she called you. He grumbled looking down at with a disappointed older brother face. I was a little too focused on breathing though as he was slowly tightening the grip.
Until eventually I had to break.
Sorry! I managed to gasp out and then I was released sucking in a deep breath for air as I could finally breathe again.
Next ti you had better call or at least text. He demanded fully in his big brother role. Also you stink, take a shower. My kick for his shins was deftly dodged away from, as if he knew it was coming and then he was walking away laughing as I glared at his stupid back.
Revenge will be mine.
--
Washed, cleaned and feeling normal again I stepped out of the bathroom as I continued to rub my hair dry with a towel.
Jun was waiting for on the couch with a pair of steaming bowls of Ran, and giving a dopey smile.
This doesnt an youre forgiven. I told him, but I couldnt help but slide onto the couch and cuddle up for Ran and attention.
How was your trip?
Boring. Super boring. I had to stay focused the whole ti and Panam is being super sensitive because she just left the Aldecaldos so she wasnt really in the mood for chatting. So I mostly just watched the horizon for threats. Then I stuck ambrosia into my mouth.
Seattle Ran had been good, but it was nothing compared to eating food at ho.
Well other than Hiromi calling a bunch to see if I heard from you yet. He said, throwing a look. Its been quiet.
Thats a good thing. Quiet is good. He just shrugged at my words.
The gig you went on the trip for, did it end well?
Oh yeah. It was just boring. They had set up what looked like an ambush on Panam, but I was overwatching the area. They had a sniper too, but I hacked into his Ashura so it would shoot his boss if he fired. The handoff was peaceful. Panam handled it, and then we drove all the way ho We did get chased by Raffen at one point. It was the only fun part of the whole gig. But they ran away when I shot at them.
You okay?
Yeah, like I said Jun, it was super boring.
Huh. Well youve officially traveled farther than I ever had. What was Seattle like? Oh. Jun had never left NC.
Okay so We first saw it on the horizon, lots of big buildings, barely any ads though. It was actually kinda dark. I went through everything I saw in Seattle for him. Describing it as best as I could for my interested brother.
--
I woke up the next morning around the ti the sun was coming up. I had gone to bed early wanting to just relax and reset before getting back into things.
I headed out after getting on so clothes and jogged as much as I could to the gym downstairs.
The sun was just coming up, but I could tell it was going to be a warm one. Not a cloud in the sky today.
Grumbling a bit at this, I headed into the gym area to find it wasnt empty like I had expected, despite it being so early.
A few early birds were already working, but I just shrugged and found sothing open then making sure I was tucked away I went to work.
Squats were the exercise of the day. Since other than my ankles it was all flesh. I fell into the rhythm, up and down. Pushing my body long after it started being too much.
I was sweating as I continued, glad that I was in a corner tucked away from everybody so no one was watching what I was doing. Because anyone with a head on their shoulders would be wondering why I was destroying myself like this.
But I wasnt because the more I pushed the more I was getting alerts in my head for Body. The more I pushed myself, the more I gained.
I took a short break grabbing so food, and drink from the vending machines outside the gym area when I noticed a familiar face.
John.
Hey Kid. Hayatos been bugging about a rematch with you soti.
But I gave her my number if she wants to fight? I answered instantly a little confused.
Heh. Shes shy despite how she acts. Probably isnt comfortable doing it herself. So, you up for it?
I looked down at my knees that were basically shaking together considering how badly I had thrashed myself with squats.
Maybe tomorrow.
He noticed my own look and nodded, although he was looking at as if trying to figure sothing out.
That looks like you overdid it.
Yeah. I agreed instantly. Been stuck in a truck for a while, I pushed a bit too hard today.
Overdoing it doesnt help. He reminds , before sighing. Here hold on.
He walked over to one of the gonks and was handed an inhaler which he carried back and offered to .
Take a puff of that every hour for a few hours..
What is it? I asked instead of taking it. I wasnt one to just take drugs soone randomly gave .
Mostly after-workout. Itll help heal those blown out legs of yours faster. A bit of pain killer as well, light stuff. Its sothing I teach the guys here to make for themselves.
I hesitated, and took the inhaler, but I didnt puff it.
He snorted at that and just shrugged. Ill tell Hayato, set sothing up for her tomorrow. Probably wont be at Gomorrah though. You know the Deravaja?
I blinked, Senseis Dojo? Sure.
Ah, good. Hayato is one of his students. Ill send you a ti, but the spar will be there.
Suuure?
He chuckled as he waved off with that.
I guess I had a spar tomorrow.
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