Chapter 168

Chapter 168

Hiromi didnt say anything, but her constant pacing was evidence of her irritation.

Its not that big a deal. I whispered to her quietly, avoiding the glare of the door guard.

I know. Its just frustrating to be treated like a child! We have more rep than half of the people in that club Id bet.

Its the problem with still being a teenager. Well grow. Besides, it also means people underestimate us. I added, with a smile. I really wish I had my Cyberdeck right now. Id have been able to blind the guard, or distract him or something. Giving us a path inside.

I suppose I could go check around for a rear entrance as well, but I wasnt here to kill someone, so I didnt want to treat it like that.

The door to the club opened and a man stepped out, suit and dark glasses, he looked like every guard I had ever seen. He was even carrying a pistol in the small of his back. I watched him carefully as the music flowed out behind him as he looked around. A few moments later he frowned which I caught out of the corner of my eye, before I suddenly got a text.

*Elis: Im at the entrance where are you?*

I blinked looking at the man, before shrugging and pulling Hiromi out of her pacing.

Right here. I called out looking at the man.nove(l)bi(n.)com

The obvious guard looked at us, and I could see the confusion in his eyes.

Im assuming its your boss that has the item? Shall we? I asked, and he stared for a while longer before nodding slowly.

Hiromi shot me a smile and a nod, obviously proud at how I had handled it.

This time the Barghest guard didnt say anything as we were led inside. And I tugged Hiromi fast before she could do more than glare at him.

The club was large, a dance floor, a bar, and lots of seating. This was definitely the largest of all the clubs I had gone into, not even touching on the higher floors.

This place was massive.

We followed the guard as he led us to a door on the left side of the building, and then up a set of stairs.

We were led into a private room just off the stairs. It opened and he stepped inside, holding the door open behind him.

Well I think we found our contact. I told Hiromi as I stepped inside.

The man inside wasnt someone I recognized. He certainly wasnt Hands, who I had thought I might be meeting, but no. It was just a rich kid.

Well, he was in his twenties, but he wore enough high end chrome, and clothes that it felt like he was trying to shove his wealth into my face.

The fuck? He asked, and I instantly felt myself die inside. This wasnt going to be fun. Who are the kids?

The ones that responded to the message boss. The Guard offered simply and he kept staring at us.

I was pretty sure I could take him if I had to.

Yoko put us in contact. You have something we are interested in purchasing, and we have the eddies you want. Hiromi cut in, smoothly stepping forward towards the little club couches the kid was sitting on. I decided to put myself into position as well. Across the door from the guard I took position, casually standing there, with everyone in the room in my sights.

Hiromi settled down casually throwing her jacket over the back of the couch she settled on as she crossed her legs and settled herself comfortably. She looked every inch the corporate woman she was.

While Hiromi settled in, I did the same, and caught the way the guard in glasses was side eyeing me. The man was suddenly much more tense with the awareness of what I was doing.

I wasnt just some kid, but Hiromis guard. I didnt bother to hide that my hands were close to my weapons.

The guard shifted similarly, and we both continued to side eye each other.

Fucking hell. Yoko said she had a buyer for this shit You got any eddies kid?

Yoko wouldnt have put us in touch if there was an issue with that. Now, do you have the item? Hiromi said instead. I could practically see the way her mind was working, following a script in her head about how to handle business deals. She was acting overly casual, despite the tenseness of her shoulder I could see. As she struggled to make her movements sleek and confident.

Pfft. Course I do. One Arasaka Mk.4 Cyberdeck. The Arasaka Shadow! Heh, cant even tell you how I got the thing, you understand. He offered smugly, as he reached into his jacket, and pulled out a Cyberdeck canister.

At least he was carrying it safely.

Ill need to check it.

Ill need to make sure you have eddies. The man cut off. Seemingly going stubborn.

Lets talk potential price then. Hiromi agreed, and I watched as the two started haggling out a price, depending on quality, and if the Cyberdeck had any damage.

It was fascinating to watch.

I tensed, as I heard it, the door opening to my side. My hand was instantly on my Burya, and the other guard had shifted as well, whether because he noticed it, or because he had noticed me.

The door opened.

The bottle that was requested. A chipper voice called out as a woman in a uniform stepped in and then stopped as she noticed me and the guard.

I scanned her, checking everything over, but before I could finish the kid called out.

Oh hello! Its.. Hiromi! I remembered. Misty greeted as she saw us step in from her back door.

Nice to meet you again. Hiromi offered back a little stiffly.

Misty! You hungry? Vik is going over my new deck with a fine toothed comb, so I figured we could eat and hang out, if you arent busy?

Nope. Food sounds nice, itll be a nice distraction! Misty said as she flipped closed the magazine she was looking at.

Preem! Ill go grab some stuff. Oh Misty! You should do Hiromis fortune! Your tarot is awesome. Ill be back okay! I said not leaving Hiromi any choice as I hurried away.

Misty was great at relieving tension, and making everyone relax. Hiromi was a little tense, so some spirit time would do her good.

--

When I got back, bags of food in my hands I stopped.

Hiromi and Misty both looked at me, and started giggling.

What? I asked looking around behind me, not seeing anything then looking over my body. I didnt have anything weird on me! My clothes werent ripped. I looked up and both of them just refused to say anything, just shaking their head.

Mean. I grumbled, but wandered over, Mistys tarot cards were out but put away and I almost asked, but decided Hiromi would share if she felt the need.

Im glad you brought Hiromi, Motoko. It was nice to have someone to chat with. Misty offered as her only explanation for the giggling.

Hiromi doesnt look as tense either Although she is a little red? Did you have some weird medical thing Not that what you do is weird Misty!

Misty just giggled and Hiromi groaned.

Not sure what that was all about. Either way we settled in to eat, and I slurped up my tasty noodles, as we all started chatting. Misty sharing tidbits about strang clients coming in. Although she did run out of those quickly enough.

We settled in for a good veg session, and it was pretty nice. Misty had awesome big sister energy, and Hiromi to my surprise was responding to it really well. I guess she was an only child. It would make Mistys gentle teasing pretty new.

Eventually though it was time. Vik sent a text, and I rose up instantly. Gotta go! Ill be back! I called out as I hurried out the back of Mistys shop.

Cyberdeck! New Cyberdeck!

I skipped down the stairs bouncing to a stop.

Its ready?

Its ready. Vik confirmed. I cleaned up some connections, and checked the OS. It was definitely cracked. Someone used it after they took it from its original owner. I cleared up the scum and put in my own program. Mine isnt full of Malware but I suggest you check things over.

You are the best Vik. I said as I took a deep breath and then moved forward. It was time to get a limb back.

I settled in, and Vik got to work. I didnt need to sleep for the install, and my port was already empty. Vik popped open my Cyberdeck port in my head, and then slipped the chip inside. It felt like nothing except strange pressure moving my head around until it locked in place, and connected to the chip.

My agent flashed with the confirmed connection, and a blast of data scrolled across my eyes as it connected and installed, and then the chip activated.

I sighed in relief, because it really did feel like a lost limb restored. I looked around and the radio was mine. Instantly. Far far faster than I could have before.

Looks good. I muttered and Vik just chuckled.

You should really wait for me to do a few checks before starting it up. He said half jokingly, as he continued to press scanners to my head connecting to my neural link and checking everything.

Looks good. Install complete.

I nodded, checking my status.

The old status had been replaced.

Seacho Electronics Mk.2 *Adaptation Seacho Mk.2 0/0* (WARNING DAMAGED)

I wouldnt be seeing that anymore.

Now it looked like this.

Arasaka Corporation Cyberdeck Shadow Mk.4 *Adaptation Shadow Mk.4 0/0*

There it was. Everything was Good.

Its great Vik.

I only installed it kid, youre the one who found it. He waved off. Not realizing how big having Vik there to fix me up meant to me. I threw him a smile and then because fuck it. I jumped off the chair and through my arms around the old ripper.

Thank you. I told him, hugging him tightly not letting him get away.

H-Hey, cmon kid. Vik stuttered, sounding a little strangled, so I let go, and got to see Viks face blushing at my affection.

Youre awesome Vik. I owe you one.

You pay me kid, dont make it that big a deal. He tried to downplay but I just smiled and he looked defeated. Alright get out of here, someone sees you turning me into a big softy, gonna ruin my rep. He said with a wink at the end. I just cackled and ran off, so much more room in my cyberdeck! I would have to install some new hacks first thing, but the whole world was my oyster!