Chapter 46

Chapter 46

The Quadra purred as I pulled up to the Ho-oh Club.

I almost preferred Lizzies

No, I actually dont. I sighed to myself why did my chooms all want to hang out in sleazy clubs and bars?

Well at least they were BD clubs, and not Clouds.

As I stepped out Hiromi happily bounced out a moment after as she had been in full energy since we left her apartment. I noticed the damage to the club had been fully repaired, in fact there were now more concrete barricades blocking part of the tunnel entrance to the club.

I guess Shobo or whatever his name is, had done some work increasing the defenses of the club.

As we entered, the place was actually pretty packed. Plenty of Tyger Claws hanging around drinking and having a good time, alongside some civvies.

I guess the gang war ending was spreading around, and now everyone wanted to blow off some steam.

Is Ichi or Malcolm here yet? I asked Hiromi and she shrugged looking towards our normal table that was occupied by some random people.

Lets check the bar? I asked, and she was already walking that way as I kept up. The bartender nodded to the two of us, ready to take our orders.

No one cared about serving alcohol to minors in Night City. Especially not a gang hangout like this.

Hey, were looking for Ichi. Has he come in yet? I asked the bartender but got a shaken head.

Havent seen him girls. You want something to drink?

Yeees! Hiromi instantly jumped and started ordering something extremely alcoholic. I just ordered something fizzy.

Ill text him. I tell her as she is already happily watching her drink be made.

*At Ho-oh.*

Then since I didnt get an immediate response I settled into the stool at the bar besides Hiromi who was already happily chattering with a few of the Tyger Claws sitting at the bar.

Hiromi is gonna Hiromi I guess.

A few minutes later I got an update from Ichi.

*Ichi: Runnin a little late. Malcolm and I had it out a bit. Be there soon.*

I blinked.

Ichi says hell be here soon. I told Hiromi who turned away from the Tyger Claw guy she was chattering at that was visibly getting irritated at her chatter.

Preem! Bout time weve been here forever already Toko! Hiromi whined at me, and she purposefully made her voice annoying as she leaned into me.

And that I guess was just enough. The Tyger Claw sitting beside Hiromi that she had been annoying for the last few minutes pounded a fist into the table.

Will you shut the fuck up you punk! Youve been blabbering away! Fuckin punk brats thinking they are hard shit ruining my buzz! He snapped, rising up. His buddy on his other side was also standing up.

Which is when I slipped past Hiromi, stepping in front of her.

I didnt say anything, just making sure that I was between Hiromi and this gonk.

Hey fuck off yourself then you gonk! Hiromi instantly replied. I guess her previous scare wasnt affecting her at the moment. Made sense. This was our club too. She had been going here for a while.

While she and the gonk got into it, I stayed between them. My increased vision took it all in. The two gonks, the Tyger Claws in the club all looking quite ready to jump into a fight. I noticed a few of the old timers, the ones that had been coming here before the war look over, and look like they were going to get involved, only to sit down as the emotions of the club turned against us.

This wasnt the same club Hiromi and I were used to. The Tyger Claws were more on edge.

I guess the war hadnt been easy on them.

It wasnt just Hiromi that was getting looked at angrily. Hiromi wasnt as decked out as she usually was, a lot of her TC gear left at home. She was almost Dressing down from her usual. But I wasnt wearing anything that marked me as Tyger Claw.

I didnt even have my Katana on me.

This could get dicey.

Diplomacy, or shock and awe? I considered my options. Even as Hiromi kept barking back at the guy, obviously getting pissed at how he was acting like she was an outsider. She was even making fun of the guys dick at this point. Which definitely wasnt going to calm things down.

This was gonna go bad swiftly. I could see how everyone was reacting. Hiromi was definitely playing with fire.

But fuck them. Hiromi and I werent TC, but she had done plenty of jobs with Ichi, who was. And I? Well I did fight with the Kamikaze Even if I definitely 100% wasnt one of them! At all!

The first guy grabbed a beer bottle. But not to take a drink. He grabbed it around the top, ready to smash it into what must be in his eyes, a pair of punks.

Eh.

I was no good at diplomacy anyways.

I waited. Just staring. Ready.

And the idiot set me up perfectly.

With one hand still holding the bottle, he reached out and grabbed at the collar of my jacket. Probably trying to throw me to the side so he could smash Hiromi with the bottle.

I looked at his hand holding me up, practically hauling me off my feet. Then back at him.

Then my hands moved.

Street Brawler wasnt something I used much but I had spent a good chunk of time grinding it. Hadnt had much need for it, as getting close was only my goal from stealth.

But it was very satisfying when I pulled an Alita.

I had always wanted to do that.

One of my arms gripped his forearm twisting just so as my fingers dug in, weakening his grip and letting me pull in closer.

Putting his neck into reach.

My grip was instant and unrelenting, and then since I now had him by two points it was child's play to shift him. I might not be very heavy, but my Chrome arms gave me plenty of torque.

The bar rocked as I went ahead and doinked his head off the bar. Which unfortunately didnt break, the noise echoed through the bar.

And then Well I guess it was time for a bar fight.

I wasnt a member of Kamikaze I wasnt! But Ichi knew that. I had told him that last time. And the way he said it, it was like

Kamikaze? Jotaro asked, and he finally let go of my chin. While I was trying to figure out what was going on, Ichi managed to snatch the initiative.

Indeed Shobo-Sama. Motoko works with the Kamikaze. I saw her assisting them in an assault just a few nights ago. Her brother Jun is also a member. You may have heard of him. They have started calling him the Oni? Ichi offered loudly, something about the way he was talking

Stupid name. I muttered, my mouth as always free to do as it liked as I thought.

But Jotaro must have heard the name, because suddenly he was standing up straight, and acting affable.

I see, I see! Then this isnt just someone causing trouble, but an honored member of the Kamikaze. I see. I will ensure my men learn not to pick fights with our honored warriors. He said chuckling fakely.

He wasnt happy though. His eyes never stopped glaring at me, even as he started calling out to everyone to clean everything up, in his own words. The show is over! Lets return to celebrating!

Ichi hovered beside me as I kept my eyes on the man, who was walking around a bit settling things back to normal. Malcolm settled into a stool that he picked up beside the bar, looking to Hiromi who only gave him a shrug.

Motoko! Ichi whispered into my ear. What are you thinking! Do you want to end up flatlined!?

Ah. I see. Ichi was actually afraid of his boss. He didnt just not want to piss him off for his job or something.

No, that was real fear. That was why he threw the Kamikaze name around.

I wasnt in any danger. If it came down to a gunfight, I would be alright. I assured him, but I couldnt help but wonder why he was so afraid. Jotaro was probably one of the least dangerous guys in the club, he didnt have the movement of a fighter. What was the deal there? Your boss seemed pretty Unstable there, and youre scared of him. I asked, whispering quietly.

Shobo-sama is extremely talented in managing businesses, but he has a dangerous reputation for a reason. Ichi whispered to me.

I turned to look at Hiromi who was still hanging out on the other side of the bar looking a little spooked at the sudden bar brawl turning almost gun fight. I flashed her a smile and a thumbs up, which earned me a whispered Gonk in return.

But she did crawl back over the bar and settle into a chair next to Ichi Malcolm and I. Malcolm was doing a great job actually. Despite everything settling down his head was looking around the room, and I could see the way his hand kept close to the pistol hidden in his jacket.

Doesnt strike me as the dangerous type Not exactly a fighter. I mentioned, Jotaro was soft. He didnt have any of the muscles, or movement of a fight. I could tell. Every inch of him was the rich man used to sending others to die.

Shobo-sama can be plenty dangerous. He is very useful to the Tyger Claws. Every business he takes over starts making massive profits He gets away with a lot because of it. Ichi answered before he sighed and took a seat at the bar flicking a finger at the bartender who obviously recognized him.

The bartender had returned now that everything had calmed down. The moment the fight started, he had rushed for the back.

Smart guy.

He dropped off a bottle of beer for Ichi, and then started passing a few more to Hiromi and Malcolm. I refused one that he offered me, and instead just ordered another fizzy drink.

My first one was laying on the floor.

Hiromi kind of fussed over me, trying to put a wet cloth up to my nose that had been bleeding a bit, but I was waving her away.

Id be fine with a shower and a nap.

But then the four of us all sort of become aware of each other.

Its been a while since we have all been together. I mentioned, with a chuckle and my declaration had the whole group sort of relax.

Yeah no shit! To the four of us! Hiromi offered, instantly raising up her bottle which the boys hesitated but it was with a resigned air that they brought their bottles up. My can clinked among them.

Its been a hell of a time for all of us. I started realizing what we all needed. Did you know I got my arms chopped off? It sucked. How about you Hiromi? I immediately pinned the next target for sharing.

It took her a moment as she was mid swig making her choke a bit as I threw the attention at her.

Wha-? Motoko!

Cmon choom. Share! Youll feel better after. Weve all been through some real shit.

What? Motoko I Nothing happened to me!

Cmon Hiromi. You told me. How long have we all been friends? I mean. I only remember so much, but we are all chooms.

You have to be kidding. She hissed at me, her eyes shooting from me to Malcolm and Ichi, who were looking on confused. Im not telling them!

Why not? Chooms are chooms even through the hard times Hiromi. If they dont respect you No if they make fun of you, or treat you badly, because of something bad that happened, then at least you know they arent your chooms. Better to know, then to find out at a worse time. Cmon everyone This whole thing, the war? Its been rough on all of us.

I looked to Malcolm, then Ichi.

When I got chipped with these arms, I went totally crazy. All I wanted to do was kill Maelstrom. I was so angry, and hurt, and all I could think about was taking out that pain on the ones that hurt me but I dont live for them. I live for me. To have good days. To have bad days. But they are mine.

I opened my mouth, but I didnt have anything else to share. I just I just wanted to share with my friends?

Fine! Fuckin gonk with your stupid smile! Hiromi almost roared, drawing some attention but we were far enough away from everyone that no one could overhear as she slammed back the last of the beer chugging it down. I ran out one night. My rents been keeping me locked up, but I went out anyways to prove how hard I was I ended up crashing my bike practically pissing my pants, and hiding in the trash I wasnt even the one being shot at. But I realized Im just a poser. Motoko She already told me to just be me. So there. Im not brave enough to run out there when shit gets real.

She immediately looked like she wanted to take another swig of beer but she was empty. I let everyone process what she said. Then before anyone could say anything, I elbowed Ichi.

He looked to me.

Then over my shoulder. To Malcolm.

I ran trucks. It sucked. People died. I, I caused people to die, because I wasnt fast enough, or smart enough It made me cold. Because if I cared? Then I wouldnt be able to keep doing it. I ended up causing a fight with my best choom because I was Because I was scared and angry, and lashing out, and I couldnt be there for him when he needed me. I Im sorry Malcolm. What I said. Really I wish I had been there for you choom.

Malcolm had an utterly hilarious expression on his face as it looked like he was holding back tears.

I went out with my best choom. We were gonna make eddies, prove our rep. But shit got real. Getting shot at? That ain't something anyone is ready for. A guy that was guiding us got flatlined. Died in my arms. I I tried to get my choom to go to the hospital, to a ripper But he was already dead, and Ichi you were right. He was already dead. I knew that. I just couldnt accept it. I freaked on you when you refused.

The two chooms were both teary eyed and then suddenly I was pushed aside a bit as two guys hugged it out, back slapping each other and hiding tears.

Adorable.

Once they were settled I had moved over to let them sit together as they knocked back the beers. I decided to break the tension.

I killed a guy with a knife in my teeth. It was after they cut off my hands. They threw me into this pit and forced me to fight to the death But I did it with a knife in my teeth. It was preem. I told them out of nowhere, earning shocked looks from the group.

Yeah? Well I ran over this Maelstrom borg with the truck, Malcolm was there.

Oh yeah! When you did that I was hanging off the back and as we drove by I was flipping the Borg off, and telling him to suck my-

Thats so not fair All I did was trick that gonk Tomaru into loading up an XBD in the middle of class. She grumbled, but instantly both of the boys were on her.

Deets!

Cmon Hiromi! I want to hear about you burning this corpo gonk!

Im interested as well. I told her with a smile.