Chapter 167

Chapter 167

Sasha

She paced. What else could she do? She had taken a total noob, one that had some serious talent, but was still just a kid and nearly got her killed.

Chill whiskers, Motoko is fine.

I know more about netrunning and what a cyberdeck overheating does to someone than you do Becca. Motoko might be okay, but she isnt okay. She responded back, almost snapping as she continued to pace.

All because she had wanted to fight, to feel alive. Her arm twitched and she wanted nothing more than to smash it to pieces.

She hated the way it made her feel. Her mother had always told her how her arm was out to get her, that it was why

Sasha shook it off. She didn't want to think like that. It was Securicine that had caused all of that. Her mother had always been so kinda before the war, and even when she came back. It had been the slow after effect that had left her

Sasha reached up to touch her nose.

It wasnt bleeding. There was no blood. Her mother hadnt had another rage and hit her. But her arm, it terrified her, what if What if she was like her mother, what if it wasnt Securicine that had caused her mothers fits?

What if it made her blank out and beat Rebecca to a pulp? What if it made her drag a perfectly nice kid, that had a so obvious crush on her it was the most adorable thing ever and drag her into a mess that almost got her killed?

Fuck. She hissed wanting to smash something, but that was odd too, Sasha wasnt the physical destruction type. She hadnt wanted to be like how her mother was at the end. Smashing things because she couldnt control herself in her anger.

Hey. A voice, deep and baritone and a strong hand on her shoulder made her stop. Ease up Sasha. Aint nothing wrong that cant be fixed.

I almost got the kid killed Maine.

Sounds like she almost got herself killed to me.

She wouldnt have been there if I hadnt literally tricked her into it! She was even telling me that she wasnt interested! I just didnt care! I was so selfish I just wanted a fight! Something to do!

Sounds like an apology then. Nothing to get this worked up over. He rumbled but he also didnt understand. Maines entire perspective on Netrunning was action movie bullshit. Where the sexy femme fatal sidekick opened doors for the slick solo.

Sasha loved those movies, even if they were complete scop.

I agree with Maine, Whiskers. Becca cut in. Ive only known Motoko for a bit so I cant guarantee nothin but shes pretty chill, and shes not bothered by fuckups.

Sasha shook her head, it wasnt just what she had done.

Noobs were everywhere on the net, and when you took one under your wing, youre supposed to watch out for them. You dont kick them into a Combat Zone without even knowing their actual skill level!

That fucking fox was going to kill her.

I cant apologize when she wont pick up. She admitted, and Whiskers nodded.

It might take a bit choom. You betrayed her trust. Massive gonk move.

I know. She flopped onto the couch and just stared up at the ceiling. What a fucking mess. My arm itches. She whispered aloud, one of the first times she had admitted to the problems with her chrome.

Maine didnt get it. Even now he looked at her like he wanted to just tell her to scratch it then.

But Becca was smart. Surprisingly empathetic when she wanted to. She understood.

Just a little longer choom. Then Bio-Technica will be off your tail, and we can swap you for some meat. Ease back on the chrome. Rebecca offered trying to be the mature young woman she was on the inside.

I know. Just a little longer. Just a little longer.

Just a little longer.

---

Ichi and Malcolm both reached out to check on me after letting my chooms know what happened, but I hadnt needed to have everyone over to look at how not injured I was.

Instead Hiromi and I hung out until she finally relaxed realizing I was okay, and then when she left that night I fell asleep early.

A day passed with me mostly tinkering with Tachikoma, lazing around, and avoiding going out. Giving myself a faux time to heal from any damage.

I slept again mostly just to skip time

The next morning I woke up, stretched and forced myself up. I still could do more work on the Tachikoma, but what I really needed was to start searching for a new Cyberdeck.

As I hit the shower and got dressed I sent a message to Vik. Unfortunately when he got back it wasnt good news.

*Vik: I have some decks, and managed to source a Seacho Mk.1. Not as good as what you had, but its workable. But I have a feeling thats not what you want. Suggest asking around and putting your ear to the ground. Ill keep checking for you.*

Not what I wanted, but Vik was only a miracle worker with one of his skills.

*Motoko: Thanks Vik. Im going to look around.*

With that I sent a text to another source.

*Motoko: Hey Wakako. I had a thing, and I need a new Cyberdeck. Do you have any leads?*

I was just putting on my boots when I got a response.

*Wakako: You are more useful to me with all your tricks so I will help with this. Stop by.*

Well that sounded good.

I hurried out of the apartment, noticing that Jun was home, but sleeping. A few minutes later I pulled up to the entrance of Jig-jig street and headed inside.

The crowds were as dense as always. But my eyes kept being drawn over to the vending machines on the sides of the street.

I couldnt hack them. It was something I had grown so incredibly used to. It felt weird not having access to the net. Cameras around me were still noticed with my Kiroshi, but I couldnt turn them off with a thought anymore. I couldnt blind anyone I faced, or simply shocked them all unconscious.

I wanted to get a Cyberdeck ASAP.

Wakakos parlor was the same as always, and I walked right in. This time she wasnt on a call, or even pretending to ignore me. She pointed at the chair across from her and I sat.

So you burned yourself out? Surprising you arent dead. She said and I sighed as I realized she was going to grill me first.

Dangit.

I had some plans in place in case I ever overheated. They saved me from any permanent damage. Although my head still hurts. I lied to her and she watched me with her sharp eyes for a moment before nodding.

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*Hiromi, I can use your help once your class is over. I need to buy a new deck and-*

*Dont say another word. Im in. Come pick me up, Ill be out of class in a few minutes.*

*What? Hiromi you should finish your classes, its not that big a rush.*

*Nope! This is definitely important! You without a Cyberdeck is a weakness Im not comfortable with! Come pick me up! Bye!* And the call ended without me being able to argue further.

I just sighed and shrugged. Fine.

--

When I picked up Hiromi she had instantly asked for the message I sent, and had then gone on to make a call to the contact, to set up the meeting. Something I hadnt thought about

I was just going to go there and meet them

Hmm. The details are set, and we got a location. Your netrunner choom seems to have come through. Hiromi added and I just shook my head at her antics.

I mean, you saw what it was. The details had come with what I was going to collect, and I had been very surprised.

Yoko hadnt just found me a cyberdeck, she had found a top of the line deck that fit my speciality.

Dont remind me. I dont even want to know how a Mk.4 Shadow got out of the company. Hiromi muttered.

The Arasaka Shadow. It was one of the specialty Cyberdecks made by Arasaka, and it was basically custom made for corporate espionage. Stealth, and data gathering, a lightning fast response time, and enough RAM to carry a plethora of programs and Daemons.

All usually locked up tight in an Arasaka agent's skull.

Honestly I was half way suspecting we were about to meet someone that had either flatlined an Arasaka corpo, or had shown up at the right time after one got flatlined. Either way it was a benefit to me, and if Yoko gave me the information, it wasnt likely going to end up as a trap.

Not that I wouldnt prepare anyways.

Especially with where we had to go.

Dogtown.

I almost called Hiromi back, telling her I wasnt picking her up when I had read through the details Yoko had sent me.

Instead I forced myself to relax. I had been there, Dogtown was safe enough. My instant reaction had been an overreaction. Just like the overreaction at Sashas death.

So I was going to prepare, I would be safe, but I would follow common sense that everyone told me, that Dogtown was fine.

You have your gun right?

Of course. Its right here. I keep it in the armory during classes. Dont go anywhere without a weapon, Motoko. Hiromi said, showing her bag that had her Yukimura holstered inside.

Good good Make sure you put that on. Just in case. I said trying not to get twitchy with the idea of taking Hiromi to Dogtown with only a pistol and no armor. You think we should call the boys in?

Motoko, its just a trade deal. Ill be fine with you watching my back. She assured me, and that settled it. Even if the idea of calling in Jackie, Jun, the rest of Section 9, and even Rebecca sounded like a good idea to me.

My neck hurt.

I rubbed it lightly feeling that crick in my back again. I did have a stat point leftover still As I drove I considered it. I was planning on putting points into my adaptation anyways. So I might as well do it now.

My own stat point disappeared and was dropped into my ODA Neural Link.

Arasaka ODA Neural Link Mk3 *Adaptation ODA Mk.3 1/2*

Yeah that looked better.

I played with my neck as I drove and frowned. The crick in my neck was still there, but as I worked it, it seemed to untense, and I almost sighed in relief.

At least if it came back I could relax my neck without needing to sleep to make myself feel normal.

Motoko? Hiromi asked, having been looking over at me, as I seemed to be rolling my neck around.

Just a crick in my neck that finally let go. I admitted with a smile.

Then as we drove down the roads we finally reached the Dogtown entrance.

Your pass still works right?

Yeah it should. Hiromi said and then as we pulled up we were scanned, checked, and allowed through without any issue.

And then once more I was on the roads of Dogtown.

Heavy Hearts is over there. Hiromi added, reminding me of something I already knew, but I just nodded and turned left down the road from the entrance.

Hiromi often repeated things like that while nervous. So it seems despite her confidence in Dogtown she got nervous about coming here too.

I pulled up to a parking spot out front, and stepped out, eyes narrowed as I scanned everything around me, wishing once again I had my Cyberdeck already installed.

Hiromi stepped out and adjusted herself. She had slipped out of her Arasaka academy jacket, and was wearing one of her usual ones. Even if the slacks and dress shirt underneath hinted at her corpo origins.

I quickly joined her and we both walked towards the entrance. The concrete stairs were surprisingly empty of trash, as we walked up and into a small entrance area.

With a Barghest man leaning against the side of the door.

There were a few people idling around, some seemed to be waiting, some looked irritated, glancing at the guard over and over.

Beat it kids. He offered as we approached, and I could see the way Hiromis back stiffened at the insult.

We have business in the club. I cut off, before Hiromi could give him a talking to.

You and half of the Night City brats that come by wanting an easy drink. The guard replied back, barely even paying attention to us.

We are not-

Hiromi, chill. I pulled back my choom who was getting heated up at treatment. We have a number for our contact. Ill send them a heads up. Nothing to stress about.

Hiromi, continued to glare, but thought better of saying anything and nodded, straightening up her clothes as I led her off to the side.

I sent off a text. Letting them know there was an issue entering the club.

Then we settled in to wait.