Chapter 58

Chapter 58

Funnily enough we were all at the Ho-oh club that night.

Even Hiromi made it!

Of course the place was wildly different right out the gate. There were still a bunch of TC guys but the atmosphere had changed. It was more relaxed, and there were signs up, talking about opening of the upstairs areas.

Apparently the private TC second floor was opening up soon to bring more attention to the bar.

I honestly didnt want to meet up here, but it was kinda the closest club to everyone's home.

And despite my knowledge about Jotaro most of the others had no idea. I guess since he was dead it was fine now.

So here is the gig. I whispered, sending everyone a text message with the details I had put together including the address and pictures of the building.

Both back and front. Ichi and I had driven around, enough that I had confirmed the scav base below as well. I let them read the little snippet I had put together and everyone was nodding along as they read through.

So whats the cut for everyone? Malcolm asked before even finishing the brief.

Fair split between everyone, excluding any Chrome that someone wants to chip. Just like last time, but this time well be looting more thoroughly. There should be Ripper equipment we can klep for example.

Who are we selling to? Hiromi asked, breaking in as Malcolm was practically bursting at the seams at the idea of all the eddies.

I havent got that far yet?

Gonk. Nope. We arent doing that again. Fine. Ill make some calls, and find buyers. Motoko. Send me your Fixers number as well. You know Wakako right? She might have some buyers as well. Hiromi demanded as her eyes went gold and she sat back as she started calling

Someone?

Wow Hiromi was pretty cool. I sent her a text with Wakakos number and refocused on the boys.

How much loot are we looking at Motoko?

Honestly? No idea. But thats the thing. We clear this place, and if I do it fast enough, maybe I can pull some information on another den. I would like to be able to just keep hitting them.

Thatll piss off the scavs. Like seriously piss them off, they come after you. After us.

Not if we do it without anyone knowing. I told him firmly. I go in clear them as quietly as I can, if I do my job right, no one fires a bullet, no one finds out until the place is empty and we are long gone. Ill trash any recordings of what happened. I got an upgrade. I told him tapping the back of my head where my Cyberdeck is installed.

Okay but what if you do get seen, and word gets out?

I opened my mouth to assure him that wouldnt happen before closing it.

Okay. I dont wear my normal gear. Ill suit up in something new. We all will. Masks and everything. Your Villefort Columbus Truck isnt exactly unique either.

Its the most common moving truck in Night City. He said, rolling his eyes. And that was done on purpose It was Jotaro-samas' idea, drive around in a vehicle no one would look twice at. He said, sounding a little sad.

Ugh. Ichi dont feel bad about that bastard!

Well it works for us! So we go buy some gear first, and then well be good to go.

I dont have the eddies for that. Malcolm said outright. Ive been out of work for a few weeks since Well since the war and stuff.

Not exactly doing great either. Ichi agreed, and I nodded.

Not to worry chooms. This is a business expense, and will come out of the company expense account Ill pay for it, you can pay me back later, or not. I dont really care.

Motoko. Im not gonna just take-

Im not gonna steal from a choo- They both started arguing but I waved a hand at both of them to shush them.

Well make ten times whatever I pay for the gear we need on the loot, and I cant make much just by myself. You guys bring the truck, and the looting experience. So Ill pay for this. You pay with your truck, and Hiromi I guess is paying by taking care of the least important stuff. I add right at the end teasingly, as I noticed Hiromis eyes turn back to normal as her call ended.

The fact she kicked me hard in the shin a moment later was totally worth the look of outrage on her face.

Motoko! She snapped at me making me giggle up a storm as even Ichi and Malcolm started chuckling along.

Sorry sorry! You finding buyers is super important. Find anything?

Not yet. I was talking to I was calling my dad for advice. I hope that doesnt bother you Motoko, I did tell him what we are doing?

I winced a little but in the end shrugged. I highly doubt a small ripper doc and some scavs will interest your dad at all. So I think were good. What did he say?

Hes gonna give me a shard on marketing that I apparently need to study now. She grumbled glaring at nothing. But he did give me some advice on who to contact from Arasaka intel that he has access to. So yeah we have some options. He suggested I know what Im selling before I start calling around though.

Great! So we go, clear it out, and then Hiromi can find us buyers! This is gonna be so much fun! I cheered getting looks from everyone at the table.

They just didnt understand why raiding scavs was fun because they were boring and afraid of bullets and stuff. Its fine. More fun for me!

--

Obviously I wasnt going to rush into this. So even as the sun was going down. We were all heading away from Ho-oh club towards a certain little shop I know.

We entered in through the front. The guard was still around. The LMG in his hands deadly but after we entered he went on to ignore us as I walked up to the little old asian lady that I had bought my Leotards from.

Oh? Back again, and with friends?

I need some work done. Or at least supplies. Im wondering if you can help me out?

She looked over the little oval glasses she was wearing at the four of us before beckoned us into the back of her shop.

Lets talk what you need.

Listen! I just never really learned how to sing! Its more complicated than just singing along while driving down the road or something you know?

So I picked the perk I had almost picked last time.

Siren Song: You control your voice. You can sing. Croon like Sinatra, or Rock like Silverhand. You know how to get the most out of your voice.

I shivered. Rockerboy had given me some singing lessons, even if it felt like they fell behind the actual musical knowledge It was like knowing how to sing a note, and knowing how to sing a song. They werent exactly the same.

I reached up to my throat, swallowing down almost like I had something caught in my throat, but it was just

How I was holding the muscles in my throat. I knew how to actually modulate my voice now. How to sing, how to breath and exhale while singing

Hell, I knew how to mimic voices now.

That made me blink.

Could I? I looked around the room there wasnt a mirror anywhere so I hurried to the bathroom looking at myself in the mirror. A mirror of a mirror.

I had mirrored myself in a way. Motoko Kusanagi. A story book character that I had practically become. Similar eyes, same hair, hell same build, even if mine was meat and not chrome for the most part.

Honestly there were times I forgot that I was basically playing pretend.

But was I? It wasnt any different than someone deciding to wear the same clothes as some celebrity, or the same haircut.

I just also shared a name, well and a burgeoning skill set, but that was going to happen anyways. But this?

Might be a liiittle too far. If anyone found out it would be so embarrassing

The net is vast and infinite. I spoke, but it wasnt my voice. Oh no. It was husky and mature, and I could feel my face flush in delight and embarrassment.

I cleared my voice and decided I could do it, saying a line I remember from the show. Batou not more weight training equipment! Blowing your pay is one thing Oh god I cant do it. Sexy Motoko voice is too much! I still remember that scene where Motoko makes Batou punch himself, it was one of my favorites! But to be able to literally copy her voice! Mary Elizabeth McGlynn. Sorry I took your voice for a minute!

Im such a weeb! OMFRGL! I buried my head in my knees for a moment, trying to keep making any more noises of embarrassment.

I relaxed my throat letting my voice go back to normal. Okay. Im gonna have to put a ban on sexy Motoko voice. Thats a secret dangerous skill.

What is? Jun asked having come out of his room at some point as he pulled open the fridge.

Nothing! You didnt hear anything! You cant tell! I screamed at him even pulling up my guitar which I still had strapped to my hip and pointed it at him.

Would I knock Jun unconscious if he knew

Yes. Yes I would.

He blinked at me as he reached in and grabbed a drink pulling the can out and popping the tab in one motion before taking a looooong sip.

Motoko. Imouto. Youre really weird. He finally said, crushing me in a totally unexpected way.

I gaped at him as he walked away.

You destroy your little sister's self esteem and just walk away!?

Yep.

That bastard! Tease me will he! Fine, I will just have to release my new secret skill. For revenge!

I stepped out of the bathroom after him. Waiting for him to be almost into his bedroom when I spoke, but not in my voice. No, the Major's husky words poured forth.

Jun, you should be nicer to your little sister. You never know when shes going to grow up. I pointed out and I enjoyed the way my words affected my brother.

First he had stilled at the unfamiliar voice searching around until he saw me and then he was left gaping this time!

What the fuck?

Ah-ah Jun-boy. Those are naughty words. I told him still in my Sexy voice.

Motoko!? What the fuck?

Whats wrong Jun-nii? Is there something bothering you? I asked my smirking growing wide.

Tease me will he! Make fun of me will he!

I have skills! All of the skills!

Motoko, that's super creepy.

Hmm? Is that so? I asked him before reaching up and messing with my throat a little. Thats gonna take some getting used to. I told him in my normal voice.

Dont do that again. Thats creepy! Where did you even learn to do that?!

Whats wrong Jun? Is your little sister growing up scaring you?

Funnily Jun didnt answer, just sort of throwing up his arms and then pointing at me and shaking his hand in my direction as if saying enough was enough.

Sleep tight~! I said, returning to my sexy voice which had Jun swiftly run away.

Victory is mine!

Now who's weird!? Huh!? Huh Actually. Messing with my brother with a sexy mature voice

Fuck I AM weird. I muttered.