Chapter 155


    This couldnt stand! I couldnt allow this! I had to distract!


    Okay! So the gig we are doing we already scouted the ce, and we are putting together the attack n, Reba, so let me fill you in! I said hurrying back to the living room table and popping a shard out of my neck and handing it to her.


    She took it after a moment of smiling up at Jun and then slotted it. Then she blinked.


    So, the first thing youll notice is the target information. Not sure if its in there, but we are hunting a group of Scavs that attacked Hiromis XBD pushers. I exined waving at Hiromi who smiled proudly at the acknowledgement.


    Scavs? Doesnt seem Whoa. She muttered as she continued to look through the pics of where this was taking ce.


    Scavs arent really a threat, but we still treat everything seriously. My voice waspletely serious as I said this.


    Well no shit, you guys have a Minotaur!? How!?


    Oh, she had skipped ahead bypassing the pics of the location. Not very Edgerunner of you Or maybe very Edgerunner of her? Hard to say with that group. I wanted to sigh, but instead I stayed focused!


    We captured it during a gig we did. Ichi is currently the pilot as he has some hours in its use. I exined then red at Ichi again for good measure.


    Unfortunately his smugness at me acknowledging him being the pilot ruined the effect of my re.


    Shit. Can I use it? Ive always wanted to pilot a Minotaur. Reba asked and I sighed, shoulders slumped.


    Yes, but after. I agreed then shook myself. Okay, so here is what we are going to do. The outside and ground floor of the nt will probably be staffed by a few Scavs. I pulled up the images myself. Image Four is a good one to see the whole grounds.


    I waited until everyone was nodding along before continuing.


    Jun and I will clean up as quietly as possible and then everyone will move in. The people who built the nt werent expecting it to need to be defensible. The top floor of the elevator is actually the floor below. So Ichi and everyone will move in afterwards and basically secure the ce. No Scav will be able to leave without getting past a heavily armed walker.


    Motoko, I dont like this n. I want to test out the Minotaur inbat. This is basically me just walking in after to secure the exits. Ichi argued, and I turned to my choom, only for another voice to call out.


    What about me? I want to kill some Scavs as well. Malcolm added, and as I turned to him another voice added.


    Im not really interested in just being on guard duty. Reba added and I slumped as everyone went against me!


    Yeah we should have theme with. Jun added and I was outvoted by everyone. Except Hiromi who was just watching.


    Guys, I-


    No. Motoko Youve always been in front of us so far, but Section 9 cant help you if we dont get some experience. Malcolm added. You set us up with armor and weapons. Let us use them.


    I slumped realizing I was defeated.


    Okay Ichi will need someone to watch his back while using the Minotaur. Hiromi?


    Yep! Ill be suited up of course.


    Alright. In that case, well use n B. We attack loud. Well spit into two groups, and hit each side of thepound at the same time. We can set it up so the gates will be open beforehand. Jun Reba and I will take the North side, Hiromi, Ichi and Malcolm will take the other. We hit at the same time. Ill overwatch with Netrunning and should be able to disable all the weapons at once. Then we move in. Ichi on Minotaur and Malcolm will join up with us as we clear the inside of the nt.


    Hmm. Could work. Reba said sounding interested, but not really impressed.


    Itll be the four of us that head down into the basement. I told her calmly. I dont have aplete map of the ce, but we should have little problems mowing through whats down there. Jun will be the frontman. Then Malcolm and I. Then Reba. Unless you have some armor already Ba? I asked, looking at her current outfit which was the opposite of protective.


    Ah Just my Skinweave. She offered and I nodded.


    Then you are backline until we can get you some gear If you want to keeping out with us I mean. I added not wanting to assume.


    She just nodded, not agreeing and I moved on.


    In that case weapons I was nning on going silent, but if we are going loud Well that changes things. I added. And Jun looked pleased. He wasnt much of a stealth guy. Well I guess Go wild, bring whatever you want? Reba if you want to borrow something feel free.I offered as well with a thumbs up. Suit up! I told my chooms who all sighed and nodded.


    Suit up? Reba asked and I nodded.


    I made some custom adjustments to some armor for everyone! So everyone needs to go put it on and then we can go. I said pointing to the bathroom and my room which Hiromi had disappeared into, while Malcolm and Ichi were taking turns.


    Reba nodded before doing the one thing I didnt want.


    She turned her eyes on Jun.


    So Tats, helping out your little sister? Thats pretty nova. She offered and Jun just smiled a little.


    I always worry about her, but Motoko has most things under control. Im really justing for fun. She doesnt need my help. He exined thest part looking at me proudly, making me flush.


    Stupid Jun! Dont say nice things about me while Im right here!


    Or do! But not around other people!


    Thats Heh well Kitten, I look forward to seeing what kind of ws youve got. Reba said, looking to me. I scoffed at the nickname, but then Jun chuckled at it, and I red at both of them.


    That nickname isnt a thing! I denied firmly. I already had a cool nickname!


    The narrative has been stolen; if detected on Amazon, report the infringement.


    Kitten. Jun said thenughed and I red, but he just turned to Reba. You call her Kitten?


    Heh, well I met her through a choom of mine Sasha who I call Whiskers, and Sasha was acting all proud about having a kohai, and there is Motoko. I mean.. Look at her. Total cat energy.


    Heh. Jun chuckled shoulders shaking as he kept looking at me his eye practically twinkling in amusement.


    I was gonna kick him.


    Bringing you both along was a mistake. I grumbled, and then Hiromi came walking out of my room suited up. Helmet under one arm.


    Room is clear Motoko. She said even as she rested against the doorway.


    Whoa. Reba called out as she took in Hiromis appearance. Thats What is that?


    Formerly a set of Arasaka guard armor, but I made some modifications! I said happily as I rushed over and grabbed Hiromi who yelped as I manhandled her closer.


    See! I added in an ECM system, and modified the armor to fit my chooms. Although they keep wanting to wear pants instead of a Netrunner suit.


    I dont wear skin tight outfits Motoko. Not all of us walk around with a six pack. Hiromi grumbled and I scoffed.


    Its just a little workout! Do you want to try to exercise more? I could be your personal trainer! I offered and Hiromi made a keening noise as she shook her head. Oh. Never mind then? I guess Hiromi really was a couch potato. Thats alright, she was the desk jockey anyways!


    Jeeze choom you got it bad fo-Mrble! Hiromi leaped away from me to press her gloved hand against Rebas mouth.


    Shhhh! She demanded and I just quirked an eyebrow at the weirdness.


    Guys?


    Its nothing Motoko! Why dont you get suited up and you can show Reba your armor! Hiromi added even as Reba was ring at her, but Okay sure. I wasnt going to interfere with whatever Hiromi was up to.


    Jun! You too! I demanded and he looked up and blinked.


    Motoko I dont have any-Hey! Dont throw stuff! He snapped, but I ignored him.


    The original set of armor I had pulled off the Kang Tao way back was more than capable of stretching to fit Jun.


    Wear that! I demanded and he looked at it like I just handed him something foul.


    Motoko this ruins my style.


    You dont have a style! Moron! Idiot! Gonk! Put on the armor or stay home! I ordered as I turned around to get suited up myself.


    --


    <em>Reba</em>


    So dont tell her that! Hiromi? Pretty sure that was her name. Ba was tempted just to call her Crush and see how that worked out. The girl was a little high strung, but the way Kitten had her own little follower was cute.


    Really though Ba wished the girl would chill so she could get back to eyeing up the candy machine that was sitting next to her.


    He had a real cute smile despite being a Tyger gonk. But the fact he was good with his little sister, something she could attest told a lot about an older brother, meant he was probably safe enough to flirt with


    And she didnt mind the way his fiery hair swept down over his eyes Yummy. The fact he was easily twice her size wasnt a bad little addition eith- Are you even listening? Hiromi interrupted Rebas fuck me eyes at the ganger.


    Not really, but rx choom. Im not gonna blow your crush into the open. She offered. The girl reacted in an interesting way, because where before she was dealing with a frantic teenager, the next moment she was dealing with someone that had a rather cold look in her eye.


    Motoko vouched for you toe in. Thats good. I trust Motokos instincts Most of the time. But if you cause us any trouble, it wont be up to her. Ill just have you disappeared. Dont forget that. Hiromi said with all the sinister casualness as any of the corpos Ba had met.


    Scary. She mocked, but acknowledged the risk as well. Seems this entire group was at least semi more interesting than expected.


    Alright all done. One of the boys called out, and Ba turned and Hmm. If he was a little older she might consider it.


    The whole armor set was sleek. Sleeker than anything she had seen the Corps use. But it turned the casual, almost rumpled teenager, into someone that looks dangerous.


    Damn her attraction to dangerous cuties.


    Nice armor choom. She offered, and he smiled bashfully.


    Thanks! He offered and then walked over and opened a case that had been pushed into the corner and started loading up on a small armory.


    Ba blinked as the boy grabbed a smart SMG that she knew were pricey for any merc to casually pull out, and then grenades as well. Loading up his armor with only a bit of hesitation.


    Idly Ba noticed that Hiromi also had an expensive Smart pistol on her hip.


    Okay back! Kitten herself re-apperaed, and Ba was a little taken aback.


    That was a lot of guns.


    Got enough weapons there Motoko? Jun called out and Motoko stuck her tongue out at him as she took a second to pose, helmet under her arm and showing off. We arent going quiet this time! So I can finally go all out! She said and HIromi wondered what she was going all out against, an entire Corp hit squad?


    On each thigh was a Unity pistol, slotted into holsters tied into the armor. Along with a few reloads for each stuck in the webbing. On her left hip was a Katana, not something you usually see with groups wearing armor like that unless you were in Arasaka.


    Then there was the right hip where a Burya was holstered.


    Against her chest was a Copperhead despite the fact this was supposed to be a loud and proud gig it had a silencer on it.


    Then on her back was a Carnage


    You can never have enough guns! She chirped happily practically bouncing on her toes, a habit Reba had noticed the girl tended to do a lot.


    Motoko. Put the shotgun away. Jun tried to argue, but Motoko just ignored him with a roll of her eyes.


    Having a backup shotgun is very useful Jun! Then her hands blurred, and she wasnt holding the Copperhead which had just fallen to her chest, its straps keeping it close.


    But in her hands was the carnage which had a moment before been over her shoulder. That had been fast.


    See? She offered a chilling smile.


    That Was fast. What chipset you got for that? Reba asked and Motoko just sort of blinked guilelessly at her.


    I dont use skill chips. She answered in response, and Reba barely kept herself from scoffing. That sort of move wasnt something a teenager just pulled off.


    Bullshit. Reba decided to say instead seriously, she kinda wanted whatever Skill Chip had given her hands that fast. Motoko just continued to look at her without really saying anything. Prove it! Let me see! She demanded.


    At Motokos shrug, Reba climbed over the back of the couch, and then made grabby hands at the girl.


    Motoko relented surprisingly easily. She kneeled down letting Reba see her neck. Reba looked over the Neural Link, and the Chip Slots.


    There were a few shards in there, and car keys but Nothing. Definitely not a skill Chip. You couldnt really confuse the two.


    How did you do that then!? She asked half outraged and more just shocked.


    Practice! You have to train really hard to be a solo you know? I practiced quick drawing weapons a whole bunch until I got the hang of it. Motoko said with a bright smile even making a little motion with her hands as if quick drawing a pistol.


    Even that was kinda stupidly fast.


    Fuck. Reba cursed and stomped a few steps away. She had agreed to this because she thought it would be just a bunch of kids fucking around, even if Motoko had been surprisingly skilled she hadnt


    Reba hadnt expected to be this outssed. Her shoulders slumped. No wonder Maine always hesitated to bring her into an actual gun fight. If Motoko was what she should be She felt her spine straighten.


    No, if that was her real skill, then Motoko was scary good. Not the norm at all. Her chooms didnt have her chops, even if they had better equipment than any teenage gangoon squad should have. No wonder you got Rogues attention. You arent just some gangoon. She called out to the girl who smiled happily at thepliment.


    Thanks! She chirped out as happy seeming as always, although Reba noticed her chooms perked up at the mention of Rogue.


    Show me what you got then. I want to see this. Reba offered staring at the taller girl seriously, the girl whose eyes widened at her words before smiling brightly and nodding.


    Well Ill be right in front of you, so look all you like! She replied, only for her choom to instantly react. Hiromi jumped off the couch where she had settled in looking outraged at her chooms words.


    Heh, Crush was certainly crushing hard.


    But not too close! You have to shoot and stuff first! Yeah! Keep an eye on the gig and not on Motoko! Far away from Motoko!


    Hiromi? I mean, shes going to be watching my six though? Motoko said guilessly, the kid was Fuck the kid was a natural heartbreaker wasnt she? That look on her face, of open honesty would be pretty attractive to any gonk that made friends with her.


    Not too many people in Night City that were justpletely open books.


    But there was no way Reba would leave such an opening.


    Yeah Hiromi. Dont worry. Ill be watching her six alright. Reba threw Hiromi a wink that made her choke and sputter.


    Motoko just looked confused as her head went from one to the other.


    Anyway! Malcolm called out seemingly heading off a disaster as Hiromi had been growing redder and redder. Looks like Ichi is done. So lets head out. He interrupted and Reba turned to see Ichi alsoing out of the bathroom wearing his suit and looking all fearsome.


    Damn. These kids cleaned up nice.


    We cant leave yet! Everyone huddle in! Motoko called out earnestly and Reba just wondered what was going on, but her chooms seemed to know.


    Oh cmon Motoko. Ichi whinged, but she ignored him instead, waving for Jun to join too. Reba watched on, confused as Motoko helped arrange everyone into a circle, even grabbing her hand and pulling her in too so she was part of it.


    The others besides Jun seemed to know what to do. Even if they all sighed and looked embarrassed about it, they did it anyway. Motoko stretched her hand into the middle, and then her chooms did the same.


    Then the girl made eager little motions with her head, and Reba decided to hell with it, and threw her hand on top. Juns warm handnding on top of her own caused Reba a moment''s distraction.


    Section Nine! Motoko cried out and threw her hand into the air. Her chooms joined in, and Reba was just left wondering what the hell she had gotten into.