Hey Jun Is everything good with rent and stuff? I an. Ive been kinda lazy. Do I need to do more? I asked Jun one morning that we both had ti to share breakfast. Jun had been heading out every day for the Casino. We hadn't even hit the range in the last two weeks.
Its fine? Why? Do you need sothing? He asked, looking up from his breakfast burrito, that I had refused to eat with him, instead heading down to the street and grabbing sothing else.
I just want to make sure you arent overworking yourself because of . I couldnt help but admit.
Ah. He answered as he nodded slowly looking like he was going to say sothing but then nothing ca out of his mouth as he took a bite of his burrito.
Ah?
He snorted finished chewing and swallowing. Ive been busy at the Casino. The boss has entrusted with a bigger position as I havent skimd anything off the top, or caused trouble. Ive been away more because I am trusted more, not because I am overworking. My work at the Casino is surprisingly boring. He tells and I stop chewing on my own breakfast a mystery at stick as I had taken a liking to them.
I just really didn't want to know what the at was.
Oh. You didnt tell you got a promotion! I said suddenly happy.
Its not a promotion. We arent a corpo. I am simply trusted with more duties, and so it takes more ti.
Are you getting paid more?
He shrugs and sort of waves his hand back and forth. Sowhat.
I think that still counts But good. I just I just dont want to be a burden. Ive been working hard to improve to be able to do stuff. So if you ever need anything dont hesitate to rely on . Just like I rely on you. I tell him pointing the wooden stick at him that still had my last atball.
Im proud of you. he finally says and I couldnt help but explode into a blush.
Wha-!
I know you dont know them, but our parents would be proud of you as well. He said looking over. You have changed much, but they would have liked this you.
I was a little choked up so I just ate my last atball and rushed out the room, but just before I ran out, I managed to say a quiet Thank you.
--
*Ringing*
I jerked awake. I had been taking a nap after my morning exercise since I didnt have anything else planned for the day and I wanted to stop feeling sore.
*Hello?* I asked before I even checked who was calling.
*Motoko. Its Ichi, we need an extra hand at the club. So Maelstrom shot up the place. The Boss wants as many guns down here just in case they co back. Probably be nothing, but the pay is good. You in?*
*Wait.* I ordered blinking my eyes as I stood up and stretched a bit my mind trying to get started. I hadnt woken up suddenly since the hospital, this was actually the first ti I woke up actually drowsy.
*Just guard duty?* I asked after a few monts to get my bearings.
*Yeah just extra bodies in case Maelstrom show up starting trouble.*
*Alright Yeah Im in. Is Hiromi or the others coming?*
*Not this ti. She isnt picking up, and Omaeda and Malcolm Not their sort of gig. Need a ride?*
*Yeah. Yeah that would help.*
*Okay Ill be there in five?*
*Ill et you outside.*
The call ended and I sighed standing up and rushing to the bathroom to make sure my hair wasnt sticking up, before I suited up. My pants and shirt were a little rough as they were kinda old, but that was fine, I wasnt doing clean work anyways. Plus my new Jacket on top at least gave a cool look as I loaded up. Unity. Knife. Saratoga. I was kitted out.
I walked downstairs just taking the stairs as it would help wake up, I ended up passing an older lady that lives in one of the apartnts in the complex who instantly made tons of room for on the stairway.
Excuse . I said softly in an apology for her fear as I continued on past and out onto the street.
I was given plenty of looks and attention carrying my SMG, but thats just how it was I guess.
Ichi pulled up on his Kusanagi not long after.
I climbed on without a word and we were off.
Thanks for coming along. He said as we stopped at a light. None of the others Malcolm has a gun but he isnt the biggest on jumping into a fight, and Omaeda just told to call if we need Netrunning.
And Hiromi would have just brought her Katana.
And she wont pick up. But yeah. Hopefully it will just be a slow night.
Hopefully. I answered. Although a part of didnt want it to be slow.
We eventually pulled up in front of the club, and we werent alone. Ichi obviously knew what to do as we didnt park the bike up front like we would have any other ti. Instead we drove down the street around the corner to a set of little garages that opened and we dropped off the wheels.
Safe and sound.
The club was trashed. The front glass had been shattered and there were bullet holes in the exterior.
That wasnt going to be good for business.
Worse? As we entered I could see blood still being mopped up by what I recognized as the bartender and a waitress.
The rest of the bar was filled with n and won wearing Tyger Claw gear.
The amount of narrowed looks I received for not wearing anything was telling, but I wasnt really bothered.
Ichi led to a man I didnt recognize and they had a brisk talk in Japanese that even with Motoko language mories didnt let keep up. But afterwards Ichi nodded. Cmon Motoko, we are going to be over here.
Sure. I followed him over to a table that gave us a look out the broken window. I frowned though. It also ant we were sort of in range for anyone deciding to shoot through it again.
We settled in anyways, I kept my mouth shut as it was obvious this was where we were ant to be regardless.
Then we waited.
Slowly the bar was cleaned up, most of the Tyger Claws werent helping, but I noticed a few that did, and ended up joining them after ten minutes of sitting there doing nothing.
It was better than nothing. I got a few chuckles from the Claws, and a few odd looks from the workers, but whatever.
I do what I want.
An hour passed. Then two. Then three.
The sun was setting, and then set completely. But still nothing. I ate out of the vending machines in the back, and mostly just spent my ti reading The Solos Manual. Or listening to the Netrunner shard.
I couldnt do any practice, but it was still information and better than literally staring at paint dry.
Why did Maelstrom attack the Club anyways? I asked Ichi who was as bored as I was.
No idea. Do they need a reason?
Everyone does stuff for a reason. Even Maelstrom.
Cyberpsychos?
Act out because of their psychosis. Was it retaliation? Or an attempt to warn us off because they wanted to move into the area? Or did soone in the Club piss off soone off and it was a targeted hit?
I dont think anyone would call this much damage targeted kid. One of the older Tygers spoke up and I shook my head.
Well obviously their aim sucks. I snarked back earning a chuckle from the bored crowd.
Retaliation. A voice cut through the din.
Shobo-Sama! Ichi called out as usual, standing and bowing.
Ichi, and Kusanagi. Wasnt it?
Motoko Kusanagi. I confirm and he nods.
I only rember because of the last na. Ironic na.
Yeah it sotis causes so trouble. I told the well dressed man who was laughing at my last na matching everyone in the room's Motorcycle.
To answer your question. This was retaliation. A Maelstrom group moved into north Kabuki. Into a warehouse we are still using. We evicted them two days ago. The Tyger Claws have expected retaliation. I am just the unlucky winner of this ga.
Thank you for telling .
Its nothing. But now that you know, does that change anything about the situation? He asks pointedly.
How many Maelstrom died in the warehouse attack?
Twelve. I believe. Why?
Because I dont think shooting up the front of a club is anywhere equal to twelve lives. I dont think they are done. I answer simply. It made sense to , but of course I could always be wrong. Maelstrom were a weird group.
Correct. Hence why we called in our brothers and sisters for guard duty. Shobo said with a smile that didnt reach his eyes. And because of that, lets make sure our attention doesnt waver. I dont want any further damage done to the club. If they co back we will ambush them this ti! He orders over the crowd turning to the Tyger Claws all of whom nodded in agreent with the man.
And that was that. We settled in Ichi showing a greater focus on staring out the window, but I knew it wouldnt last long. There wasnt anything to see.
But another few hours passed. Nothing. I was actually getting ready to put my parkour to good use and go jump around on the rooftops to get a higher look because I was that bored when every Tyger Claw in the room suddenly jerked.
Their eyes all glowed with an incoming call and instantly I could see surprise and then anger on their faces.
Very quickly the room emptied itself as they all rushed out of the Club, curses and yells in Japanese that I couldnt make out filling the air.
Any idea? I asked Ichi who shook his head. He hadnt gotten a call.
It seems your assistance will no longer be necessary. Shobo said as he ca out from the back room. Unlike the other Tyger Claws, he didnt seem angry. He was in fact looking pleased with himself.
Sir?
The Maelstrom attacked one of our Casinos. The threat of them coming back here is over. We were a distraction. He looked to . It seems your instincts were correct.
But I wasnt paying attention to that.
What Casino?
Hmm? Shobo asked not sounding thrilled with my tone, but I didnt care.
What Casino was hit!? My Brother works at a Tyger Claw Casino!
Longshore. He said a little coldly.
Fuck. No no no no no. The last ti I chatted with Jun he congratulated on my maturity! That had better not be a fucking death flag!
I have to go. I said simply standing but stalling out.
I didnt have a ride.
Ill drive. Ichi offered instantly, and I nodded incredibly grateful in that mont.
I shook my head. Wait. Dont rush it. Rushing into a problem, even an important one will just lead to screw ups. Sothing I read from The Solos Manual.
Wait. Let Let call. I tried calling Jun, only for nothing to happen.
No pick up.
Fuck it. Lets go! I urged and Ichi and I both raced out of the Club, ignoring Shobo as we did.
-
As Ichi and I raced through the streets we werent the only ones. We would et other Bikers racing towards Longshore. So would gather with us forming our own little armada.
Others would race off on their own, but all of them were going in the sa direction.
Longwood near Chater Hill. The secret Tyger Claw Casino hidden in an old drainage tunnel maintenance area.
Unfortunately. Or maybe fortunately. I still was having trouble telling, by the ti we got there, whatever attack was over. A few Maelstrom vehicles were left on the road, so full of bullet holes, so burning. And a horde of Tyger Claws were idling around. A sea of bike gangers all looking for a fight.
Just in case I called Jun again.
Nothing.
Fuck!
Over there! I pointed to a location where it looked like was the stairs down into the storm drain, and Ichi nodded, but was soon forced to a crawl as other bikers were parked or moving everywhere.
I leapt off.
Jun could be hurt! I slipped through the sea of bikes, using a bit of parkour to leap over the bikes that were in the way much to the irritation of their owners as I was cursed all through my run.
I didnt care.
No way kid. A Tyger Claw rumbled as he grabbed my shoulder as I made for the stairs, You ar- He shut up because half a second after he grabbed he found my pistol pressing up against the bottom of his chin.
Fast Draw.
Move your hand or lose it. My Brother works in the Casino, and I dont know if he is alive or not. I tell the much larger man bluntly nudging him up with my gun.
Unfortunately a mont later a blade was hovering over my neck from behind.
Dont even think about it. A woman's voice said sternly. Put it away girl. You wont be the first Gonk I flatlined while acting tough.
I turned a bit ignoring the small cut that it earned to glare at the Tyger Claw woman who was glaring down at with sharp eyes.
I held her gaze for a bit. Before pulling the gun away from the mans chin, earning a small sigh of relief. My brother. I tell her never having taken my eyes from her.
Fine. We will find out. Na? She demanded finally withdrawing her blade as I holstered my pistol.
Jun Kusanagi.
Ill check. She said her eyes going gold after a mont as she made a call.
The whole situation made my already frayed nerves worse. I was super tempted to use my Parkour and just leap down. I could hit that pip and the grate wouldnt be hard to slip down without getting banged up.
Jeeze girl, easy with the shooter. The burly man said a mont later rubbing his neck. Never gets easier having a gun against the jugular.
I hesitated, I didn't care, but at the sa ti Sorry. Im a little on edge.
Hah. So are we. Just got done fighting so Borgs.
Yeah.. Sorry. I offered a bit more sincerely.
Your Brother is inside. Your call isnt going through because the borgs set up a jamr. We are still looking for it.
Oh. I muttered and felt my legs buckle a bit as I fell to the concrete.
Jun was okay.
Wow, easy there. The big guy said a mont later as he helped stand back up and walked over to a bench that while full of bullet holes was still usable and helped sit.
Sorry.
Hah. Fierce as a Tiger at first, and now as gentle as a kitten. I like this one Mari. The big guy called back to the woman.
I dont. Shes crazy. Crazy ones are the worst to deal with.
Thats true. You aint crazy though, are you kitten? He asked with a chuckle.
Dont know. I might be. I admitted frankly. My rather constant thoughts about going out to murder people for personal benefit might just count.
Motoko! Ichi yelled out as he ran up, he must have found a place to park.
My Brother is okay. I tell him and he sighs in relief at that as well.
Thats good. Phew. Mutters trying to catch his breath.
You should run more Ichi. I told him, the dash here from his bike hadnt even gotten my heart rate up, but it looked like it had worn Ichi down.
Ugh. Dont tell that. He grumbled as he walked over giving a bow to the big man before joining on the bench. So whats the plan now?
Dont know. I guess check on Jun The Maelstrom guys There arent any more around, are there? I asked the big man who was standing not far from us.
Nah they all either flatlined or took off once reinforcents showed up. Nothing to worry about.
I wasnt worried. I was just wondering if I should start hunting so. I admit before leaning back to stare up into the sky.
No stars. It was the first ti I realized it. Night City had so much light pollution the sky was just dark.
Well thats good then. We beat the Maelstrom guys back. And we won. Right? Ichi asked, but the older guy didnt respond.
No Kid. This wasnt a victory. We got stung, bad. Custors in the casino died. Protecting custors is our responsibility, this looks bad. This is going to hurt us for a long ti.
Damn. I muttered. That was bad. If people thought they would get in the middle of a gang war they wouldnt co to the Casino. Or the bars. Or the clubs.
It would hit the Tyger Claws badly which could make them lash out.
Jamr down. The woman. Mari said suddenly and I jerked up and sent a call to Jun at the sa mont. A few seconds later the call actually went through.
Motoko, are you hurt?
Not at all you? I demanded instead.
Just winged. He said but there was sothing in his voice. Jun didnt sound good.
Jun?
I- a friend was flatlined in the attack. He said after a long pause. Im taking care of their body now. Can you can you get ho on your own?
Of course. Dont worry about . I If there is anything you need Jun-nii tell .
Just Ti to take care of this. Goodbye Imouto.
The line died. I had a bad feeling. As I had learned. Jun was a hothead. I had a feeling that sadness in him would very soon be turned to anger.
What the hell was I going to do? I could fight a little. But I wasnt covered in chro like Maelstrom. I wasn't a high enough level. I barely had skills equivalent to a starting rc. I just knew that Jun would do sothing stupid.
He had said he got winged. He was shot Fuck. Was it wrong I was kinda glad? It would slow him down. Keep him from doing sothing stupid right away.
I shook myself. The spiral of thoughts forced out.
Deep breath. Exhale.
Okay. Jun was hurt, but he would be okay. The fight was over.
Jun had lost soone. He would be in pain. What can I do?
I dont know.
I just dont know.
--
It was a long ti before I finally saw Jun.
I decided to wait until he ca out. Ichi eventually heading ho when I told him I would take the train to get ho if I needed to.
So I waited. As the army of Tyger Claws all left. Even the two guards at the top of the stairs eventually headed off. Leaving just .
Jun ca out hours later. In a small procession of Tyger Claw people all of them looking a little roughed up but alive. His shoulder was in a sling, to my relief there was soone that looked like a Ripperdoc in Tyger Claw colors.
He had already been checked out.
Thank god.
Jun!
I must have shocked him with my appearance as I hurried over, causing a stir in so of the people, but at my appearance they relaxed when Jun headed over and pulled into a hug. I was careful not to put any pressure on his arm.
What are you doing out here? You should be at ho.
And leave my idiot brother alone? Never. I tell him simply as we finally part a bit. How are you getting ho? I can drive if you need .
Im not heading ho tonight Motoko. Im getting a ride to a place to take care of so things. He said evasive but I didnt like that response.
Yet I didnt confront him, simply waiting for sothing.
Here. he offered pulling a shard out of his neck port after a mont's jostling of having to switch to the other arm.
What is it?
My bike's access key. Take it and drive ho. I dont want you taking the train this late Just dont crash.
I wont. But Jun. Dont Dont cut out. Let know whats going on. If I dont hear from you tomorrow Im going to assu you are doing sothing stupid and hunt you down. I tell him firmly. I looked behind him and winced as the procession of wounded wasnt alone. A second procession was coming out, and it was people carrying the dead.
Quite a few dead.
I will talk to you tomorrow Imouto. Im tired.
Right. Get so rest. I order as I urge Jun to follow his friends. I was led to a parking garage across the street and while Jun slipped into a nice car that was soon racing off, I jumped onto Juns stupid swoop back Kusanagi.
It started with a rumble and I was soon pulling out onto the streets.
As I drove ho I was getting little alerts for driving XP. I guess I hadnt bothered to try and level it since I drove Hiromi ho.
What the hell was I going to do about Jun?
*Driving skill level up!*
I sighed. Ignoring the alert. My mind too full of worry to pay any attention to it. Even if my driving smoothed out. I wasnt exactly a motorcycle driver in my last life, so suddenly I understood when to shift, and how to do it without causing any jerking.
I simply. Drove for a while.
--
Jun texted the next afternoon. I had literally spent the morning cleaning because I couldnt stop my anxiety. All those dust bunnies and old burrito wrappers were gone.
Jun was going to be gone for a while as he recovered and took care of his chooms death.
That was all he said.
Fucking stupid idiot Jun!
I couldnt stay in the apartnt anymore, and I certainly couldnt do nothing. So I headed out, hopped on Juns bike and drove to the Gym.
It felt nice to be able to drive, but it still wasnt what I wanted. I ended up in the Punching machine section, and decided to just hamr the stupid thing until I felt better.
I started getting alerts slowly as I set the machine pretty high level. More often than not my hits were blocked but I kept at it. I just wanted to move.
*Street Brawler skill level up!*
*1 Perk Point Gained.*
I ignored it though. I didnt want to stop and look at the system, instead I just took in the increased knowledge and hit the machine. Over and over I kept at it, hamring the pads with all my frustration and irritation.
Eventually I had to stop, out of breath and feeling a bit empty.
Stupid Jun. Stupid Maelstrom.
Stupid Motoko. I wasnt strong enough! Even with all my work so far, I was still so weak. I was really grateful that no one talked to , as I reset the machine and headed for the showers. After that I walked out to Juns bike still feeling tired and empty.
What was I supposed to do?
My hand twitched for my gun.
No. Bad Motoko. Murder is a bad option.
But the siren call of the idea was pretty strong. I couldnt help Jun now. But if I gained a few levels? A few points to be able to put into stats a few skill points? I would be able to help. To act
No. I shook that away. I wasnt ready, and I wasnt going to rely on murder to get to where I needed. I wouldnt.
Right?
I slipped onto Juns bike and decided I would drive for a while. I had enough eddies to fill it up if I needed.
So I just drove. Going through the city slowly to just stop feeling.
*Driving skill level up!*
*1 Perk Point Gained.*
Dammit. Can I shut this thing off? I am trying to be depressed!
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