Chapter Sixty-Eight - Getting Home

Chapter Sixty-Eight - Getting Home

Chapter Sixty-Eight - Getting Home

Samurai are horny bastards, I swear. I think its all the action. It gets their blood pumping like nothing else.

-Madam Acrais, high-class brothel owner, 2045

***

I ended up figuring out my own way home. I wanted to ride along with Gomorrah, but there was no way my armour would fit in the Fury unless I hung off the side again and... no, I wasnt in the mood for that kind of thing.

I did want to be close to Gomorrah. She was twitchy and a little worried, even after I tried to reassure her that everything would be fine.

Some things a girl just had to tackle on her own though, that included confronting a possible romantic interest. I told Gomorrah that we had extra rooms over at my new place, and that she was always welcome to come over and spend the night, or even just call to rant if thats what she needed.

I didnt want to be a poor friend, so I was going to support Gomorrah however I could. I just didnt want to overstep either. Franny seemed like a good match for Gomorrah, so maybe things would work out. At least, I hoped they would. Gomorrah deserved a good time, or maybe her own version of Lucy. Someone to ground her and for her to return home to.

Speaking of which. I sighed as my bike came around and landed with a thump onto the top of the wall. I was a bit bulkier in my armour, so it was tricky to sit atop it, but I still managed to fit. I couldnt get my foot on the pedals without spreading my knees way out though, so I left the flying to the autopilot and Myalis.

So, I asked as we took to the air and headed towards New Montreal proper. A new shadow was cast against the suburbs from the massive new wall. What was all of that worth?

In terms of experienced gained, or in terms of something more quantifiable, like your point total?

I chuckled. In terms of points, I think, I said as we flew around a skyscraper. I noted that there wasnt quite as much traffic as usual. More cop cars hovering around too, but they dutifully ignored me as I flew by.

Current Point Total:

98,845

I stared at the number for a while, then shook my head. Are you serious? Like, twelve hundred away from six-figures?

Had you expended less ammunition firing at the spaces between enemies you would have just enough points to reach one hundred thousand.

My grip on the handles tightened. Yeah, fine. I'll practice my aim. Maybe... maybe get one of those brain implants to learn how to aim. Youll need to work to convince me though.

Noted. If you want more points, you could turn around and fly back out of the city. It shouldnt be too difficult to find a small pocket of antithesis to wipe out.

Nah. Laserjack was right, I need a break. I could feel the weariness in my bones. So much adrenaline, for such a long period. I was burnt out. What I needed was a warm meal and about twelve hours of sleep. What I wanted was a cool room with Lucys warm body and twelve hours in bed, most of which werent spent sleeping.

Hey, I said from the doorway.

She jumped and looked up to me, and in that instant I saw unfamiliar stress lines fading from the corners of her eyes. Cat! she shouted before darting across the room.

I laughed and met her halfway with a tight hug. I missed you, I said.

She hugged me tighter, then pulled back. Her eyes darted across my features, taking me in. Are you okay? she asked.

Tired, I admitted. It wouldnt do to lie to Lucy, shed just find out and be disappointed. I really did miss you. It was a long day.

No injuries? she asked. Then her hands roamed, but not in a pleasant way, she was just checking to see if I was all there. Wait, this isnt the same arm.

Oh, right, this is new, I said with a grin. I raised my new cybernetic hand, then turned on one of its primary features. The room filled with a low buzz. It vibrates.

Lucy shook her head. I could tell she was amused, but she pushed past that anyway. What happened to your other one?

Well... my old armour wasnt up to snuff. I got newer, better armour, but the arm was damaged so... yeah.

The whole story would come out, but I wasnt ready for that.

Lucy, being Lucy--which just meant that she was perfect--caught on. Well have to put the new arm through its paces then. Technically, youre... one sixth virgin now, you know?

I dont think thats how it works, I said with a laugh. What have you been up to? Making stuff?

Lucy nodded, then skipped back away from me. That almost ended when she tripped over nothing and had to swing her arms for balance. She, of course, pretended that didnt happen, then struck a pose. What do you think? she asked.

She was in a t-shirt with a very low hem, almost a nightgown, really. The front said Cats Got My Tongue with a stylized cat head behind it. She was also wearing thick white thigh-highs that stopped a handspan above her knee, right at the thickest part of her thigh. There was a very delicious thigh squish at the top.

I made both of these, she said with a bit of a wiggle added.

Thats really nice, I said, honestly.

She bounced over, then pulled me down a little so that she could whisper in my ear. I was going to make lingerie, but youre here already, so these two things are all I made... and all Im wearing too.

Oh, I said. God, I loved Lucy.

***