Chapter 122

Chapter 122

*I found him!* Hiromi called out sounding delighted as I quickly accessed her data ping and the screens that surrounded me all shifted into one.

*Damn no wonder we didnt see him. He hadnt gone home the day before.* Malcolm muttered, and I nodded. Time stamp was from a whole day before the heist.

That made things complicated.

*Did we find out when he got back from the heist?*The origin of this chapter's debut can be traced to N0v3l--B1n.

*I dont think he did.* Ichi offered *Ive checked from when we lost track of him to practically now, and I never see him there. Is the address something outdated?* Ichi asks something that had been shot around to the group a few times at this point.

*Maybe. Alright. Ill back trace him. Malcolm, you're with me on that path. Ichi keep searching for me. Hiromi, back up Ichi. Lets find this bastard.*

I heard affirmatives and we all got back to it.

Okay he left a full day before all of this had happened. Lets find where he went. It ended up being something obvious.. It was something we probably should have considered. He went to work.

He showed up on the cameras to Akaris little shop about five minutes after leaving and then Malcolm and I both followed the timestamp up until he got back in his car and left.

He went the other way down the street from where he had come.

The same direction he had showed up during the heist.

Malcolm and I followed, and this time it was easy. We already had the camera records since he was going down the same path he had taken coming to the heist.

And where he had gone after.

This time when he reached the points he had disappeared before we got him this time he wasnt being careful.

We had actually had the camera records we needed the whole time. Just not the right time.

See before he had disappeared on a rather long length of street that led into an industrial area. A long area with no cameras to track.

We hadnt known if it was just a drop off, or something else, but now we knew it wasnt just the dropoff.

*He parked on the side of the street.*

*I guess he was hungry.* Malcolm offered and I couldnt help but scoff. The man had parked on the side of the street instead of In the parking garage for that building? Because he wanted to stop and get some food.

He was on camera and we were able to watch him enter the building.

*Information on that building?*

*Im looking right now. City records has it- Hiromi started, but was cut off.

*Its a Sixth St. Base.* Ichi cut in. *The gang tags are kind of a giveaway.* He offered and I looked at the camera still and had to nod. Yeah that was 6th St. Gang tags.

I hadnt noticed them, because I didnt think of the graffiti in the city as anything but an eye sore for the most part.

*Okay. I think we have what we need. Hiromi. Are you ready?*

*You bet! Fujimura wont know what hit him!*

*Then Ill make the call to Jun. Lets get out of here.*

--

We were back at the apartment. I had called Jun ahead to make sure he was still home, and he was. Akari wasnt though. She had gone home, but at my request would meet us all at the apartment.

But it wasnt just Akari that I had asked Jun to call in.

As the four of us all formed up on the apartment door I looked to Hiromi who was practically bouncing at what she was plotting. She threw me a nod, and I returned it. Opening the door to see the three Tyger Claws all waiting around the couch.

Fujimura looked annoyed, but we would see if he kept that attitude when we got started.

Luckily I wasnt the one responsible for talking this time. Hiromi sauntered in every ounce of Corpo training on full display as she walked right up to the three and took a seat directly opposite of Fujimura.

Just to be a little shit. I took a seat on her right, exactly where Jun was sitting for Fujimura. Ichi and Malcolm both took seats to her left.

Thank you for coming. I hope I didnt keep you waiting? Hiromi offered and Fujimuras eyebrow flickered up before stilling.

This wasnt what he expected at all.

Not long.

Excellent. We dont like causing any difficulty for our customers after all. Hiromi said, and then she reached out to her jacket pocket and pulled out something that she hadnt told me about.

She stood and with two hands offered a small business card that she had pulled out.

Fujimura gave it a look before taking it.

Section 9. Asset Retrieval. Intelligence gathering. Wetworks. Fujimura read off the card and I had a moment where everything spun a bit.

Because that was fucking cool!

Hiromi!? You made business cards!? Thats so fucking preem!

We heard about your missing shipment, and decided as a symbol of a potentially profitable relationship we would begin an investigation. We have discovered not only who stole from you, but where they took your shipment. Although we cant confirm that the shipment wasnt moved from that location. That would of course require another investigation if that is the case.

I could see Akari perk up as the knowledge hit that her fuck up had been basically taken care of. Jun was looking at the business card and shooting me looks but I just kept my face calm and collected.

Even if I really wanted to cheer and hug Hiromi! She was so cool! Like a little corpo!

Just you know on my side.

Interesting. I assume you have the evidence?

Of course. Before I hand it over we should of course talk about payment. Section 9, is a premier investigative team. As far as I am aware your own team was unable to complete the investigation despite being given days. Weve only begun our investigation this morning and completed it. Hiromi said with a smile that reminded me of a shark.

Payment Fujimura spoke the word calmly and seemed to consider things.

You will find our fees well worth the reliable and quick service. Hiromi added throwing out probably the most generic corpo line Ive ever heard.

Why are we watching this again?

Because Im too full to want to get up and its on. Ichi added.

Its a good show! Malcolm argued and Hiromi made a little humming noise in agreement, her eyes never leaving the rather

This is awful. I grumbled, but didnt turn it off. I was full of noodles and didnt want to get up either.

Then the door opened.

Jun! I called out, sitting up instantly and seeing him enter. Akari right behind him, but no Fujimura in sight.

He walked over and ruffled my hair. Despite the fact he smelled like he had gotten into a fight.

Well!? I demanded and he huffed a laugh.

No worries little killer! Your info was spot on. Found most of the drugs at that site. They had been selling some of it, but we got most of it back. Cleared out the 6th St. punks that thought they could move in on our turf, and Fujimura pulled Haruka off the streets. Akari added the last bit with a sinister happiness at the thought.

Well it was sort of his fault. Who was stupid enough to try and steal that much money from his own gang?

So Fujimura was happy then? Hiromi asked, sitting up straight as well, and Jun looked a little hesitant to answer but his shoulders slumped.

Oh he wasnt happy. The cost of the info wasnt exactly cheap. Jun said, eyeing up both Hiromi and I. In response we both just smiled innocently. Which earned a roll of his eyes. But we recovered a lot of the shipment. And Fujimura was Accepting of the costs.

He was grumbling about your little corpo friend the whole time! Akari added giggling as she flipped forward to land on the couch. The woman's energy seemed to have returned now that she wasnt on the hook for losing the shipment. Apparently he wasnt happy that youre going off on your own.

I just shrugged. At least Im still willing to work with him and the TC. I could have just left entirely.

Aww. You wouldnt do that little killer! You fit in with us too well! Akari offered, even as her leg arced up, and I was forced to roll off the couch to dodge her poking feet.

Akari. If you poke a hole in my new couch. You are paying for it. Jun called out from the kitchen.

Ah of course Jun was celebrating as well. The burrito disappeared as he started biting into it.

You ruin all my fun!

I literally joined up with this to save your ass. Jun replied instantly and Akari actually stilled and nodded, without her usual manic energy.

Thanks Jun. She said to my surprise.

And Juns.

Yeah yeah sure anytime Akari.

Good Ill hold you to that! She chirped out all craziness back on full display.

I take it all back.

Too late!

--

With Jun back home I was able to better relax. We had done it. Section 9 had done something pretty cool.

We had successfully completed a deal with one of the major gangs in Night City.

Sure we had easy access through Fujimura, but it was still something to be proud of.

Hiromi had even offered our services in the future to Fujimura for work. It was possible Fujimura might take us up on that.

The team eventually left that night. Everyone was tired since we had worked through the whole day tracking down Haruka and the call of their bed was too much to resist.

Yet, I just felt amped up.

I wandered into my room ignoring Jun and Akari still hanging out on the couch watching TV together.

Akari was definitely being flirty, but Jun just looked happy that the stress of finding the thief was off his shoulders.

I walked over to my desk. Looking over all the junk I had.

Okay. Time to do some work. I pulled out my belt, grabbed my Lexington and holster and put it on the desk.

I knew exactly what my next little project was going to be.

I grabbed my 3D printer and fed it a bit of metal.

Just needed a bit of measuring.

I finished that and quickly sketched out the device I needed on the CAD program, and started the printer.

That started, I went over to my toolbox and grabbed some bits and bobs. Screws mostly.

Pulling the Silencer up I checked it again remembering I was going to need some testing to make sure this version of the silencer would hold up.

But I would do that after.

The Printer stopped running pretty soon after, and I pulled out the metal device.

With a few deft movements. I drilled it into my holster. Then I slipped in the silencer. I locked into place, and I practiced pulling it from the little holder that was now attached to the Lexington holster.

I had considered building or buying a new holster so I could keep the silencer attached, but that wasnt really needed. Most of the time if I was going to be worried about stealth, I would have the advantage anyways. So I would just draw my Lexington, attach the silencer and be good to go.

I smiled as I checked my alerts.

*100 Tech XP Gained*

That was my secondary reward for finishing something new.

I grabbed my tools. Okay. I needed another Silencer for my rifle. Maybe put together an optic for it as well? That could be fun to play with.

Regardless it meant I had projects to mess with.