Interlude - A Roaming Raccoon's Reasonable Relationships [Part Four]

Interlude - A Roaming Raccoon's Reasonable Relationships [Part Four]

Interlude - A Roaming Raccoon's Reasonable Relationships [Part Four]

Rac woke up with a start to a buzz in her head. No, not her head. Her augs alarm was ringing, which could only mean one thing. She sat up, one leg dropping off the side of her bed to swing there while she stifled a yawn and fumbled through the menu on her augs.

The alarm wasnt one shed set, but it was one shed given permission for. Specifically to Jerusalem who had better, in Racs humble and currently violent opinion, have a good explanation for why hed set it off.

The moment she shut the alarm off, she saw the team chat blinking. A twitch of her eyes and it opened up.

Spider: Wakey wakey~

Spider: Got a lead.

Spider: Need you all at the coffee place.

PrettyBoy: Ill be there in thirty.

TheGorilla: I hate you.

TheGorilla: See you in 45? Anyone need a ride?

Rac groaned. She had to reply, and then get ready and going. She didnt believe in pyjamas, but she'd rather not have her friends smell her, so she at least needed to change out of her crusty old shirt.

GutterBaby: Id like a ride. Can you pick me up on the rooftop?

Coco would know where that was. Rac just needed to be there. She jumped out of bed, flung off her shirt, then grabbed a new one from the pile next to the door. It was one of those shirts that Lucy made, this one had Cats logo on it, but there were long, electrified wires sticking out of it and the words Wired to Whisker above it and then a line of bottom text that read Ten Million Wands Recharged: Time for Hysteria.

Rac had no idea what that meant, but assumed it was some obscure sexual thing that Lucy was into. That woman was, in Racs opinion, a deviant.

She found some pants shed only worn twice, then shrugged into her favourite jacket. It didnt have many holes in it yet. She was, of course, wearing armour.

Specifically the under-armoured suits that Cat had gotten a catalogue for. They were pretty expensive, material-wise, but Rac had been quick to get one, and slow to take it off. It wicked sweat away as if she was standing in front of an industrial fan and yet was warm and cozy. She hadnt tested being shot yet, and wasnt planning on it, but it was supposed to be resistant to small-arms fire.

The last thing she did was pick up her gun before tossing it onto her back, then she was out of the door and trying to make her way out of the house.

She didnt make it.

Rac! Lucy said. The woman was all smiles as she took Rac in. Going to work?

A car pulled up next to the landing pad, and Cat looked up. A taxi? You heading out? Be careful out there, alright? And if you need a hand, gimme a call. Ive still got the one!

Sure, Rac said noncommittally. Things would have to go really bad for her to call on an actual samurai to help. See you, and uh, good luck with your repairs?

Im almost done! Cat said.

Rac nodded, then ran over to the auto-taxi. About halfway there she heard something drop and clink a few times, then Cat started swearing a lot.

She slipped into the taxi, which already knew where to go and which was already running up the clock, and buckled up as quickly as she could so that it would get moving.

As it drove off, she emptied the bag Lucy had given her, then dumped it onto the seat next to her. There were two bright pink cakes in little plastic-wrap covers, like those from vending machines, and an energy drink.

Shrugging, Rac got to eating. It was a better breakfast than some of those shed had before. She ate while the auto-taxi shot through the city, lights blurring past until, inevitably, they got caught in traffic.

Rac groaned, but there was nothing to do about it. Complaining would only have the taxi mark her as a troublesome rider and then shed lose whatever fidelity points shed earned and the micro-discounts that came with them. She took another bite of her cake and let the colourful crumbs go everywhere in revenge.

Eventually the auto-taxi landed on a rooftop that was surprisingly barren. It was the top of one of those massive agricultural towers in the middle of the city, and the roof had large panels of glass that were stained by decades of rain.

Cocos van was parked on the far end, with the woman herself bobbing her head to something within.

Rac ducked out of the cab, made sure she had her gun on her, then darted across to Cocos van. The sidedoor opened as she came close and she jumped in. Hey, sorry Im late, she said.

All good, Coco said. But strap in, Im taking off now.

Rac nodded. So, whats the news?

Didnt get much yet. I think Jerusalems playing this one close to the chest.

Rac frowned, but she secured herself at the front after climbing over to sit next to Coco. She rarely got to call shotgun. The vans engine grumbled to life, and they took off, joining the traffic above. It, of course, started to rain again.

Jerusalems not usually secretive with us, Rac said.

Eh, no offence, but you havent been there for some of our biggest gigs. This is the normal MO for big deals. And I think this is one. At least when it comes to clout, you know?

Right, Rac said. It was important, at least to Garter and the others. This would secure their little group as real mercs in the eyes of some, or at least make them stand out, which would mean better gigs in the future. I dunno, it just feels like a lot for nothing, Rac said.

Sometimes, thats just how it is, Coco said. Sometimes thats just how it is.

***