*Ringing.*
*Ringing.*
*Ringing.*
*Ringing.*
I jerked awake, at the noise, confused and in quite a bit of pain. Then I realized what was going on.
I blinked away the blood from my optics and looked around. I rembered
Falling. I had fallen until I managed to grab at a pipe and break my fall. I rember holding onto it with all my grip sliding downward trying to slow down. A painful feeling and then smashing into sothing
I was laying bent over a sign I realized. An electronic sign board. Quite thoroughly smashed as I was wrapped around it. Arms hanging loosely down the side, blood dripping down my chro fingers falling out into the long drop below. My right arm still had the piece of pipe clutched in my hand. My fingers literally bent into the old pipe.
I coughed and more than a little blood ca out.
Not a good sign.
I moved my arm and was able to get to the pouch on my other shoulder with a little fumbling.
The MaxDoc pressed into my mouth and suddenly I went from pretty weak to feeling at least kinda alive.
Considering I was stable and was going to need a few minutes, I decided to go ahead and just answer the damn ringing in my head.
*Yeah?*
*Oh thank God! Motoko! I got Asuka out, did you flatline the guy? Ive been calling you for like ten minutes.*
*He kinda kicked my ass. Dont co back, dont know where he is right now. Im gonna Well I think Im gonna drag my ass to Viks.
*Shit Are you?*
*I got a little stabbed, and he threw out a window. Ill live.* I slowly inched up my head from where it had been resting against the broken advertisent.
Soulhiker energy drinks huh? Sounded absolutely disgusting, but maybe Ill buy one in thanks.
*What do we do?*
*Call Hiromi. Set up a safe house for our client or sothing. Im gonna need a visit to Viks. Ichi, You got this?* I asked him because this was definitely a step up from our normal work situation.
*Well if he kicked your ass, I dont think Ill be able to stop him.*
*Dont need to stop him Ichi, just avoid him. Go to ground, make sure she doesnt make calls and stuff. I trust you I need to hang up. Gonna need to figure out a way down.*
The line was silent for a mont as I started grunting and shifting myself so I wasnt just sprawled over a tal sign.
Was my head bleeding?
Ah it had been. Looks like the MaxDoc fixed that up, but I was still covered in blood.
*Dont die Motoko, Ill keep Asuka safe.*
*Ill be fine, I just need so ti. Drive safe.*
I rose up a bit and felt the advertisent shift under .
Fuck.
I spotted a good enough spot just below. An apartnt had a small Balcony. I surged upwards, pushing myself off full strength and just managed to leap for it as the sign finally broke after the Motoko missile had damaged it.
I landed roughly, coughing and sputtering but I didnt smash my head so it was just pain, and pain would pass. I reached down and found another MaxDoc and huffed that down as well.
I looked over and blinked.
A kid blinked back probably wondering what this bloody teenager was doing landing on his balcony. There was a kid just inside the apartnt, one hand had a toy gun in his hand, and a cyber goggles on his head. He must have been playing so ga.
I smiled and waved.
He waved back.
Perfect.
--
I didnt see Thomas that fucker in the elevator as I took it down. Little Johnthan was nice enough to let in, so I didnt have to jump down the entire apartnt block.
Which was good, because I was full of ow.
I flopped into the Quadra and started driving out of the area. I would et up with the others later, but first, I really did need to get to Vik. My right arm had basically stopped working, which was kinda a bad sign.
It hung limply no matter what I did. Sothing was definitely broken, and I dont think it was just my bones.
*Ringing.*
*Ringing.*
I sighed, as I got another call. This ti I was coherent enough to check the caller ID.
*Hey Hiromi.*
*Motoko! Are you okay!? I talked to Ichi and he said you got hurt!*
*Yeah Ive been better. This guy Thomas Anderson? Hes good Hiromi. Like really good. Im glad Ichi managed to get Asuka away cause he took apart.*
*Youre okay though?*
*Beaten, but already on my way to Viks. No idea how long itll take to put back on my feet though Hiromi. So if you guys continue this gig? You need to hide. Go to ground completely. Dont call anyone and tell them where you are, and hell just stop calling people entirely. Go hide sowhere. The man is a netrunner.*
I turned into a spot in front of MIstys with a sigh.
*I just pulled up to Viks. Hiromi. Stay safe, and call if you think he is coming.*
*Well Ill make sure everyone stays safe Motoko. I promise.* Hiromi sounded pretty upset, but for once I just wasnt in any state to try and comfort her.
I pulled myself with a grunt out of the Quadra and walked around and then over to Mistys ignoring the looks I was getting as I limped down.
I wasnt bleeding anymore after all. Everything just hurt.
Welco to Mistys Eso- Motoko!?
Hey Misty Mind letting Vik know, I need so help? I called not even feeling up to raising a hand to wave at the woman.
A few monts later I was attacked as she grabbed and started hauling out the back to Viks.
Yeah that was good. I could use so help.
--
You did so real damage to yourself kid.
Dont I know it. I reminded Vik as he pulled away from scanning down.
Your arms connection port disengaged from the bone. Tore the nerves and muscle right out.
It was already broken, and I needed to stop my fall. I almost shrugged but didnt because my shoulder was currently
Vik had taken my entire arm off to check the shoulder port.
This is gonna take so real work kid. If not for your Healing. He muttered making sure to whisper the last part. I would say you are looking at so real recovery ti.
Good thing I have it, and I have you then Vik. I offered with a weak smile. I wasnt really feeling perky at the mont.
Yeah kid. You got . I can fix this all up for you, but you have to be more careful. Those arms of yours might be chro, but there is only muscle and bone between them.
For now. I muttered darkly. He caught my eye as his eyebrow quirked up and I felt myself going more grim. But that needs to change. Vik. I need so chro.
Never a good idea to chip sothing while injured kid. Especially sothing like this.
I scowled, because he was right. But also I didnt an right this second.
I know. Im still on a gig right now! I need to be back on my feet soon. Can you source so stuff for ? So good stuff.
Yeah kid. Lets put you back together, and you can tell what you want. Ill start gathering it up for you.
Vik Thanks.
--
I took an eight hour sleep on Viks chair and woke up feeling much better. As I had said none of my chooms had contacted , which was good. I headed out after giving Vik a big hug for putting back together, and then went back to Asukas apartnt.
When I got there, I very carefully let myself in, only after making sure I could hack back into the security network.
Like I expected, the mont I was in, I found a Daemon had been left behind.
Asuka or her parents would have had a nasty surprise when they ca ho only for their own security system to activate to kill them.
It took a few minutes to clear it out and reset everything to how it should be and I walked inside.
Instantly I sighed in relief that my stuff was still laying around. Thomas had picked up his own gear, but left my stuff behind. No looting? Kinda disappointed to by honest. But it made my life a lot easier.
Burya and Lexington holstered, I was digging around trying to find my knife. It had been knocked out of my grip along with my Burya, but it had gone flying as it was a lot lighter.
Then I heard it.
An alert from the security system.
I leapt up and found so cover behind the broken couch. Burya drawn and ready. Was Thomas back? If he was, I doubt I was ready, but I would give him another fight!
I instantly lowered my weapon when I saw who it was. A woman in Araska gear stepping in, her Nowaki checking every corner as she entered.
I lowered myself down, so I wouldnt be easy to shoot and called out.
Friendly! Don-
I flinched as a half dozen rounds blurred through the air above .
Dont shoot! Im a friendly! I yelled out then gave it a minute, when no more rounds fired I slowly raised both hands up above the couch so she could see them.
Identify yourself!
Motoko Kusnagi! Im a rc hired by your daughter Asuka.
Where is she! Where is Thomas! What did he do? She demanded and I was rushed as she ca around the couch and instantly attacked, slamming into the ground Rifle in my face.
We got her out when he attacked the apartnt. I dont know where Thomas is. He threw out the window about nine hours ago. I said pointing at the still broken window.
This close to the woman, I could make out a slight resemblance to Asuka. Funnily enough they both used the sa Arasaka optics, but was what kind of cute was the fact they had both chosen the sa Pinkish color.
Her face was glaring down at though, so I ignored the eye color to focus on the woman. Her Arasaka armor showed she was here for a fucking war
I could use that.
Where is my daughter!
My team is currently with Asuka, I dont know exactly where, we split up when I was hurt, and I didnt want them telling anyone where she is over unsecured comms while running from a netrunner. Ya?
If this is so fucking sche from Thomas. I promise Ill put a bullet in you.
I dont work for that asshole. He stabbed and kicked out the fucking window. I want him dead. I ground out before sighing. We were waiting for you or your husband to get back. We can et up with Asuka and my team, and co up with a plan to kill that fuck.
I dont need so teenager. Tell where my daughter is, and get lost.
The only reason your daughter is still alive is because of my team. I pointed out, and then reached up and slowly pushed the rifle out of my face so I could sit up. The woman backed up tactically, never fully removing the barrel from .
I stood up and wiped myself down a little. Let send a text to my team. Let them know you are back. Okay?
Get on with it.
I nodded and did just said, sending Hiromi a picture as well.
*Motoko: The mother showed up, shes pissed. Dont tell where you are, but get ready to move for etup.*
*Hiromi: Finally. Been fighting with Asuka for the last few hours to get her not to make any calls. Ill move her to a secure location and call you.*
Alright. My team is moving her from where we stashed her. Shell let us know once she is sowhere we can et up.
Just tell where she is. Asukas mother growled and I shook my head.
I dont know. Ill get a call soon with where she is. The answer did not seem to satisfy the woman but she slowly not quite lowered the weapon, but at least stopped looking like she was going to kill .
Then she started side walking around the apartnt, checking locations while keeping an eye on . Closets, and cabinets and things.
What are you doing?
There was no way soone could be hiding in the cabinet she had just checked, so she wasnt just looking for people.
Thomas sent a ssage about an hour ago. That he had left a surprise at our apartnt.
I blinked, tucking that away. You expected to see Asuka-
Unless this is a trap. She said, looking to and I just raised my hands and shook my head. Then sothing He did sothing. Im sure of it.
Oh. Probably the trap he left in your security system. I told her bluntly, regaining her full attention.
What?
When I got here, I checked the security system before entering, the guy is a netrunner after all. He had the turrets set to kill any of your family that showed up. I fixed that before entering.
She blinked, for the first ti actually showing an emotion besides anger.
--
When I got the call back from Hiromi about where she was, I couldnt help but laugh at where she had fled to.
Driving across town with a very twitchy Arasaka agent in my car wasnt the most comfortable thing, but walking into Arasaka tower was even more so.
It took just a mont for Asukas mother to get access, but they stopped cold as I had weapons on .
Thankfully it didnt matter as my team was right there with Asuka.
Not even our assassin would walk into Arasaka tower to try and finish his kill.
Mom! Asuka called out and ran over ignoring the annoyed looks from the security guards on duty, but mother and daughter didnt care, and I relaxed as well. I had felt like the woman had a gun to my head the whole ti we had waited for Hiromi to reach back out.
I stopped trying to get through security, not that they were going to let in. Hiromi was chatting with Asuka, probably discussing the final paynts and stuff. I went ahead and sent an update ssage to V.
*Motoko: Still alive. Failed to kill Thomas, he was good. Scary good. Nearly got , Im okay though. Asuka is alive and fine, and eting up with her mom in the lobby of the Arasaka building. Sorry I couldnt kill him to hype you up. Chat with you later.*
By the ti I was done composing the ssage, Hiromi and my team ca to instead.
Motoko! Youre okay! Hiromi called out. As my chooms all surrounded and checked out.
Im alright. Vik took good care of . I reminded them, thankfully no one had seen how bad I was beaten up.
Of course that didnt stop Hiromi from poking and prodding to check.
Hows our client? I asked mostly to distract her, seeing the teenager hugging her mother tightly was nice, not sothing you see in Night City much.
Nervous, but probably feeling a lot safer now. Ichi said and I watched his shoulders slump. You had us worried there boss. Try not to pull sothing like that again, yeah? Not knowing if you had died, and I just ran off?
The gig was to protect the client But yeah I muttered. I couldnt help but try to keep everyone else out of trouble while I fought, but maybe having Ichi bring his gun to bear. Have Asuka help Maybe we would have won instead of rely keeping the gig going.
I could have died. I took a deep breath and let it out. I had a lot of ways to keep myself alive. A lot of tricks and things with the System, but I really needed to stop taking on risks.
Thomas Anderson was out of my league. Going solo against a borg, like him? I should have known that was dumb.
Sure, if my stealth had worked I could have taken him out, but it hadnt because of course a solo like that would have so ways to keep an eye on the area around him. That was the point. The difference between street thugs and professionals. Talent, skills, equipnt.
Im glad you got her out of there Ichi, but yeah. I probably could have used your help. I admitted and he looked both unhappy with the admittance, and pleased.
Next ti then. He decided, and I did more than just agree.
Next ti Next ti we will be more ready. If we are going to take gigs like this we need more tools than what we have brought with us so far. Its ti to start upgrading. I told my team and everyone looked interested in my words.
Hey! Hiromi. Ichinose Umm, Motoko, Right? Asuka called out as she stood on the other side of the security area as she called out.
Asuka. Hiromi responded, turning fully to the girl and giving her a look.
Hiromi Thanks. That cyberpunk would have definitely flatlined . So like, thanks. I owe you my life, and stuff. She said awkwardly.
The and stuff, is what we are more interested in Asuka. The contract was until your parents got back. Hiromi said instantly, strictly professional. Aww Hiromi, Asuka was being all heartfelt. At least smile and give her a hug.
Right. Yeah, here. She offered and I could see both girls' eyes going blue as Hiromi was transferred credits.
Asuka. Im glad youre okay. Hiromi offered, sounding honest. Now you are nice? Hiromi! Dont forget Section 9 for any future bodyguard, or information gathering requirents. Hiromi literally snuck in a slogan as well.
I snorted, and face pald, unable to resist. Thats our corpo alright.
With that the gig was over. Asuka hurried back to her mother that brought her deeper into the tower, and Section 9 walked out of the front of Araska tower.
Glad we are out of there. I muttered.
Yeah, tell about it. Gives the creeps. Ichi and Malcolm both comnt, earning a huff from Hiromi.
There is nothing wrong with Arasaka tower.
Stepping into the front makes feel like Im about to charge into the tower to try and blow it up or sothing. I muttered being honest with my chooms.
What?
Thats kinda cool.
YOU CANT! Hiromi squawked and leapt at trying to throttle .
Okay okay. Its just how it makes feel. Not sothing I plan on doing!
You better not!
With Hiromis little overreaction I stilled and looked to my chooms. So After gig party?
Yeah! Malcolm called out instantly, nearly jumping into the air. This gig sucked, lets party!
Thats because all you did was follow Hiromi around. Motoko and I are the ones that actually faced the borg.
No way, Im glad I didnt face this super borg! He took out Motoko! Malcolm said pointing to and I just huffed.
I was still irritated that I had been beaten so easily.
Sure I wasnt like Maine, all seven and a half feet of chro and death, but I had thought I could at least hold my own, but Thomas Anderson had taken apart.
I would need to grind so more. I needed better equipnt, better stats, and better chro.
What was it again? I muttered as I threw my arms behind my head following my chooms as we all sauntered down the sidewalk to our cars. High ti I chro the fuck up?
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