Chapter 158


    Jun? Youre home already?


    I told you it was just scratches. He grumbled at me. I had dropped off Reba at home after we stored the Behemoth for the night. All of us too tired to want to unpack everything just to pack it all back up again.


    Hiromi had apparently made a deal with the SCSMpany for a garage to store it. Which we could use as a space for our loot. So it was secure enough.


    Now I was home ready for a shower but Jun was already on the couch.


    I walked over and inspected him and narrowed my eyes at the very obvious bandages on his chest.


    Yes Im sure scratches bleed even after being checked over by a ripper. I said snidely, noticing red on the white bandages.


    Its fine. He grumbled looking me over. You?


    Nothing went through. Armor worked like it was supposed to. I assured him. Although I had gotten a few scratches, a Maxdoc had cleared that up.


    Satisfied my brother had actually gotten his medical attention I wandered into the bathroom to take a shower.


    This whole situation had gone really well. Even if the fact Sasha had survived was setting in. What was going to change from that one act?


    Maines crew had made an enemy of Biotechnica. I had no idea how much, or if they would be able to let everything cool off, but Kiwi and Lucy might never be hired by Maine now.


    This was Going to be an interesting situation.


    Also, the most important thing. We were only a few months away from a very important point. The start of Edgerunners.


    I would need to figure out what to do about what''s his face. The original owner of David''s Sandevistan. The fact was, I wanted it. That wasnt some run of the mill street sandy that I could pick up. That thing was absolutely top of the line.


    And I wasnt David, I wasnt going to lose my mind to chrome and overuse and turn the biggest advantage into a weakness.


    But until then


    I looked down at my body as the water flowed over me. Muscles and chrome, but I was wless. No scars, or markings. Vik and my sleep healing had taken care of me.


    I looked at my alerts. Plenty of killing had been done. Plenty of XP.


    *500 XP Gained.*


    *500 XP Gained.*


    *500 XP Gained.*


    *500 XP Gained.*


    On it went.


    Fourteen kills directly to me. That wasnt a lot, and yet it was all at the same time.


    7000 XP.


    I hadnt gotten any direct level ups, Assault was unfortunately already maxed, but I did get a Quick Hack alert. So that was one more step closer to a level.


    But as I looked away from the alerts and back to my body


    I think its time to get some more chrome. Ive been doing a lot of prep chrome. My Titanium bones were great, but I wanted something with a bit more.


    sh.


    The idea stuck with me, as I finished the shower. Undecided. I could probably get some Gori arms mods for my Condor. They were already a bit full though. The EMP and Armor took up a lot of room.


    I walked out of the bathroom clothed and drying my hair, and then decided since I couldnt figure it out on my own I was gonna ask the chrome head.


    Hey Jun?


    Motoko?


    Im trying to figure out what chrome I should get next. Any suggestions?


    Extra heart?


    I do want one, but Im thinking more sh. All of my chrome feels like just


    Ah I see. Get a Sandy. Itll make you killer. He said without missing a beat.


    I kinda have one lined up, but itll be a few months before I can get it. I answered honestly. Admitting it aloud made it more real.


    I was going to take Davids Sandy from him. He would never chip it in. In exchange I would make sure Gloria survived. Im sure he would trade the chrome for his mother alive and well.


    If you have to wait so long, just chip in a sandy now, get used to it, and upgradeter. You have the eddies. He said it like it was that simple.


    I just I dont want to chip in some scop Sandy Jun. The one I have my eye on is like Super top of the line. I just have to wait a bit.


    Dummy. He said and to my surprise reached out and tapped me on top of my head. Speedware is useful shit. The only reason I dont have one is because I stopped chipping in new chrome for a while to get used to everything. But you Youre fine. Go chip in a Sandy, get used to it, for when you chip in something real nova.


    But thatll I stopped. How do I exin the idea of how I understood adaptation, and Humanity loss by Cyberware without exining its all a game.


    Motoko? You handle chrome better than anyone Ive ever seen. He said, his eyes locked on me. Youve been a little skittish about it. I get that. But youve got nothing to be afraid of. Besides, Hiromi already sent me a quote on what we made today. You can get plenty of good chrome with just your cut of today''s profits. Hell, its more than I make normally by a long shot. He said almostughing. Whod have thought little Hiromi would some day be bossing me around on a gig?


    I blinked at the almost wistful tone before Jun looked to me and smiled.


    Spend the eddies. Get an upgrade. At least itll increase your chances of surviving until you get your hands on the Sandy you really want. Upgrades are normal, they wont hurt.


    I blinked and realized that I really should be upgrading my chrome. I had a lot of eddies just sitting in my ount. And a lot of chrome that could use an upgrade. My Cyberdeck was a midline at best for instance.


    An upgrade to my Cyberdeck would do a lot in making me even scarier.


    But I also wanted to spend more money on tech stuff No, I realized. I had eddies. I had a ton of eddies. That was just an excuse. I was letting my fear control me. I was afraid of chrome in a way. Sure I was feeling much much better about it now, but the kidnapping still haunted me.


    This story has been stolen from Royal Road. If you read it on Amazon, please report it


    I hated that idea.


    I breathed in and out. Being wise about chrome wasnt bad though. Bnce. I just needed bnce.


    Im going to bed. Ill probably be working with Hiromi all day tomorrow to sell the loot. I said instead, rising up.


    Nice! Im looking forward to my cut! Going to buy an upgrade for my ride. But you should set it up Motoko. Call your ripper, Vik. Give him time to find some chrome. Go on. Go to bed.


    I just rolled my eyes at Juns stupid Mizuchi.


    Ill send a message to Vik. I decided, even sending him a message about what I was looking for and a request for a checkup and new install.


    Good night Motoko And hey. This gig you pulled off today? I was impressed. Super impressed. You didnt even need me, you could have done it without me It was a relief.


    I scoffed even as I felt my cheeks heat up. Section 9 is amazing! Of course we dont need a gonk like you! Even if you were a big help and it was cool how you worked with us, when you werent charging ahead and getting shot at! Maybe Section 9 will offer more gigs to you in the future If you get some armor! I yelled and then stomped away into my room. Jun wasughing.


    I checked on Tachikoma before I went to bed. Its walking process was starting to reallye together. It was moving at a much faster rate now. Much more confidently.


    Good job. I told it despite not being able to hear me, and did some quick pruning of the process before slipping into bed.


    ---


    The next day was a barrage of running around. Thankfully since Ichi could drive the Behemoth. I was mostly the bodyguard. Keeping Hiromi safe as she sold equipment all over the city. The eddies flowed in as we dropped off piece after piece.


    While we drove around, I spent some time going over the gig with everyone. With the BD recorder I could even review things I had seen.


    Talking to Malcolm about when he tripped. Telling him to remind me sometime for some practice with walking through a dark space with a rifle in hands.


    Ichi mostly got a p on the back.


    Hiromi too.


    Jun I just sent a picture of him getting shot with a quick caption. Dont be the idiot that runs ahead.


    He didnt respond with anything useful. Just a re emoji.


    Reba didnt have time to talk so we would have to go over everything another time, unfortunately it also meant Reba wasnt able to join us.


    When we finally called it a night, we took some time to celebrate. Hitting a diner and ordering all the food we could eat.


    Seriously! That guy was such scop. Im pretty sure he was a Scav himself! I grumbled out but Hiromi justughed.


    You just didnt like how he was flirting with me! Hiromi said with a bit too much eagerness, and I shuddered.


    Of course I was upset! The guy was like thirty. He was gross Hiromi. You shouldnt have led him on.


    It let me fleece him for another two grand. So


    Its gross. Ill have to give that guy ate night visit sometime soon. I said feeling rather murderous. Fucking sicko.


    Dont you dare! He was buying a lot of the equipment! Well keep feeding him more of our loot! For the eddies!


    Dont worry about it Motoko. Hell do something stupid some day either get himself killed, or we will tline him. Ichi cut in. I would put money on him trying to steal from us someday.


    He wouldnt! The equipment we are selling is super cheap! He wo-


    He totally will. I agreed. The guy was skeevy.


    Yep. Ichi agreed, I raised my drink to him and he did the same.


    Ugh. Hiromi just huffed and Ichi and I startedughing.


    So what are you spending your eddies on Ichi? Any chrome? I asked mostly as a segway, but I was interested in his answer as well.


    Ah, well I got the smart link, and that wasnt too bad. Even if using the Minotaur meant I didnt get to use it much. But I do like the Yukimura. Since Ive been wearing it, just seeing it on my hip has settled a lot of friction. He saidughing, pping the holster on his side that carried his smart gun.


    Heh. At least some gonks are smart enough not to mess with the guy that has homing bullets. I giggled and he nodded in turn.


    But for what Im going to do with these eddies I dont know. Maybe some Subdermal, or Skinweave?


    You should reach out to Vik then, see what he has on offer. Hell take care of you.


    Sure, maybe Ill reach out. How about you? He asked and that was the topic I wanted to bring up, mostly because I was kinda nervous.


    Id nned on holding off for a while longer. I have a chance at a really high end Sandy that will open up in a few months, but I think Im going to chip in a lower quality Sandy with Vik tomorrow.


    Whoa! Really? Hiromi asked, looked excited. That would be preem Motoko! Sandy are expensive chrome, but theyre great!


    Yeah. I was gonna hold off until I got something really top of the line, but Powergaming vs. realistic upgrades.


    The powergamer in me said not to upgrade until I could get the best. But I wanted to be safe, and strong enough to protect myself and my chooms.


    So yeah. Ill go in tomorrow morning. Vik got back to me that he found something that Ill like.


    Nice! I want to see! As soon as you are done! Hiromi demanded, and I waved her off.


    Maybe. Ill probably head home after and sleep it off or something. But Ill show you once I feel better.


    Deal! She agreed, smiling while Ichi nodded in tandem.


    How about you Hiromi? Anything in mind for your eddies?


    Most of it is going into payroll unfortunately. But Ill be making a nice profit that will go into private ounts. Hiromi said but Ichi and I just looked at each other.


    Coooorppppoooo. We both teased and Hiromi instantly went red and pped at both of us.


    --


    The next morning I got ready and headed to Viks.


    There was a bit of anxiety there. Because I wouldnt be chipping in the best of something. Just what I could get my hands on, with a bit of work, and that wasnt something I really appreciated, but


    Upgrades. A few upgrades now could make future gigs easier, make me more eddies, and more XP.


    It was for the best. That old gamer mentality of not upgrading to anything until I either had to, or until I had all the stat points to make use of the best stuff was holding me back.


    But this wasnt a game.


    Hey Misty! I called out as I entered her Esoterica and she looked up and smiled brightly at me, making my day instantly better as she waved me down.


    Motoko, I saw you actually scheduled an appointment looking for more chrome today. Thats unusual. Something happen? She asked kindly, waving me over as she was sitting behind her little reception.


    Not exactly. I just had the idea the other night and wanted to warn Vik.


    Well he appreciates it, and as his sometimes secretary I appreciate it too. She said teasing.


    Heh. Hes got you taking calls for him now too? I asked, teasing back and she shrugged. Sort of. Just as an emergency thing. Sometimes he isnt around, so if someone is calling for emergency help well If he isnt around to answer, Ill be able to warn them from showing up.


    Right. That makes sense. Did Vik mention what he got for me?


    He did. Vik has contacts all over, and you have the eddies to actually pay. She winked at me then. He always goes above and beyond for the best customers.


    Viks the best ripper. Of course I have to treat him right. I answered back and we both smiled.


    Go on. I know you want to see what he was able to wrangle up for you. She said waving a hand at the back and I did just that waving goodbye as I hurried into the alley then down the stairs.


    Vik!


    Hey Kid, bout time, I was wondering if you would keep me waiting,e in, let me show you what I picked up for you this morning. Called in a favor with some old rippers I knew to get the deets and had to do a bit of trading, but I got it.


    Then he pulled out a stic bag, and there it was.


    A tiny little chip that was actually the Sandevistan.


    They always look so small.


    Heh. Well big thingse in small packages kid. This is a Dynr Sandevistan. Its not the best of the best. QianT usually hold that mantle, Militech can be top of the line if you can snatch their good stuff, at least they put up a fight. The Falcon is a preem piece of chrome. He chattered as he started prepping everything, but I was struggling to tear my eyes off it.


    A Sandevistan. Speedware. The piece of chrome that every likely was the most important piece of chrome I would get.


    It was a midline Sandy. Like Vik said this wasnt a Falcon. Or Whatever the fuck Davids Sandy was.


    Well whatever it was, I would find out eventually. For now? This would do. This would do nicely.


    Alright Vik. Im Ready.


    Heh. Nice that you are mentally, but you arent ready just yet,e take a look at this as well. I need to ask if this is the right fit for you. He said pulling out a second stic package. The stic was obviously not original the sort of thing I had seen in Scav shops for how they store cyberware to keep it clean.


    And he dropped it on the table it took me a second A neural link? I asked confused at the sight of it.


    Your neural link is a civilian version. Vik answers and then points at the second piece of cyberware in a stic bag. It wasnt massive. At least not that massive, but I instantly realized it wasnt just nothing either.


    That looks a bit high end.


    Heh, caught that huh? Yeah. Your Sandevistan isnt anything special, not that it was easy to get my hands on, they donte cheap. But you already got a Cyberdeck, and I bet you wanted to keep it right?


    I instantly reached up to the back of my neck. There in the neural link that I had woken up with in this world in a small port that near my chipslots was my current Cyberdeck.


    A cyberdeck that I knew was taking up a lot of the hardware of my neural link to run.


    The neural link may be the most integral cyberware that existed. It was the piece of tech that connected the brain and nervous system to cyberware.


    The basic civilian one wasnt really capable of much. It wouldnt limit a cyberdeck at my level, but Sandevistan, Cyberdecks, and many other powerful pieces of chrome all needed space in a neural link.


    Hell, the Sandevistan David had chipped in, had needed the massive spinal neural link, or at least hade with it just to help handle the power that little chip could push out.


    This one wasnt nearly as big, but looking it over. The chrome gleaming in the muddy light of Viks shop. I came to a realization.


    I licked my lips.


    I want it.


    You sure? This might be the one I had ess to, but I can find something different. This is a big step for you-


    I want it. Its perfect. Hell there is only one other neural link I can think of that I want more, and thatsing along with that Sandy Ive been hunting. Vik. Chip it. I confirmed, absolutely sure.


    This was going to be huge, but with adaptation, and my own desire for the chrome. I was confident this was perfect for me.


    Alright kid. In that case, Im all set up. Take a seat.


    I nodded and did just that, settling into the chair.


    Ill call Misty down as well once we are done. Not too good at haircuts. He joked and I justughed, as I rolled over showing the back of my neck.


    A few momentster I was asleep.