Ghost in the City

Chapter 67

The next night it was time. Preparations for everything were ready. The sun had gone down just a bit before, the kids would be actively partying, so I walked right into the apartment complex.

I had spent the morning getting everyone set for their roles, and coming up with a strategy. Hopefully it would be enough.

So I entered the apartment complex, noticing the many cameras hanging around the lobby. The lack of people hanging around like there tended to be in apartment buildings like this.

I also noticed the stairs were closed off. A heavy duty security gate. More interesting was the fact the ground floor stairs didnt have a stairway down into the apartments basement.

I smirked. This might actually be easier than I expected.

I went to the elevator, which didnt have the security shards you would find in higher level apartments, so it opened without issue. It did, I noticed, have a newer control pad.

The Netrunner had obviously wanted to be able to shut down the elevator as he wanted. But it took me up to the roof, why wouldnt it? I was just a teenager here to see the party after all!

As I stepped out, I looked over the gathered crowd. Old couches, and some beach chairs scattered around, an actual fire pit made out of a barrel

I didnt even want to guess at what they were burning in there.

The crowd was my focus though. I needed to know who the leaders were. Not the leader of the gang, who I knew to be some old guy, just a thief using kids as muscle.

No, I needed to know who led the kids. Who was it they all looked up to and respected? But since I wasnt a street kid in the same way all of these teens were I had delegated.

My new assistant would be here to back me up.

Of course I noticed him right away. The gonk was actually selling BDs like usual.

I rolled my eyes as I walked up behind Nox and peeked over his shoulder as he was holding open his backpack full of BD wrappers.

Hey BDs Nice. Got anything good? I asked in a joking tone pretending not to know what he was selling, as Nox suddenly smiled at my appearance and nodded.

A few things you might like. He said with a funny smirk.

Thanks for letting me know about the party. I replied simply, confirming our little lie. Whos your customer? I asked, looking up at the boy that Nox had been speaking with. He was about what I expected from a street kid teenager.

Total poser. He was wearing a jacket that was modeled after some action movie star from the last couple years. Which I only recognized because I had seen one of the movies on the TV and it was meh.

Richard. Richard Steel. He said and I nodded along despite the fact I knew his last name wasnt steel. He was in the NCPD database. Richard Gonzales. Minor theft, and a record for grand theft auto.

Heh kid went out on a joyride with some gonks car.

But if that was what he wanted for his street name, it didnt bother me.

Nox, my man, you didnt tell me you were bringing a pretty girl. Ever hung out with a gang before? Richard asked, turning to me with a smile. I literally had to keep from bursting out laughing, he was flirting with me! Badly!

Aww. It was like a puppy growling trying to act tough.

Once or twice. Family connections to the Claws. Have I heard of your gang before? I asked as I settled into the seat next to Nox.

Not yet! But Straight Lane Shooters will be all over Night City eventually! He demanded with the overconfidence of a teenager with a gun.

Nox had done his job perfectly.

I had asked him to head up an hour or so before I arrived, and find the leader of the kids, and point him out to me.

He had done just that.

Richard Steel was a bit of a blowhard I could tell, but he had a certain overconfidence, and more importantly there were eyes on him. Plenty of the kids were seated around him like he was the one in charge looking to him, and letting him talk.

He was the most popular kid here. With a clique of friends all wanting to hang out with him.

What was funnier is that I guess he wasnt bad looking for a teenager, but there were a few narrowed eyes from some of the girls sitting around us.

Glaring at me.

Dont worry girls, not my type. Probably spent too much time in front of a mirror every morning.

Ill look forward to it. Ive always wondered, how did it all work? I mean. How does a bunch of Street Kids end up with so much iron? I asked, nodding my head to one of the gangers that had an Ajax assault rifle across his lap as he chatted up a cute girl.

That sort of hardware obviously wasnt standard street kid fare.

I mean not everyone was a gamer like me.

Hah! Our Boss is an amazing planner. He set us up, we ended up klepping a weapon shipment, most of it was sold off, but we got to keep plenty of iron. He said as he reached into his jacket and to my surprise pulled out a TKI-20 Shingen. A smart SMG. A very expensive smart SMG.

That was actually a pretty dangerous weapon for anyone not wearing good armor, an ECM, or good enough Subdermal.

Nice Iron. I couldnt help but compliment him and mean it. Although I noticed his hands as he put it away.

He didnt actually have the Smart Link Chrome to use the Smart system.

It would be a dangerous SMG but not the homing bullet monster that it could be. Interesting.

Heh, its just one of the benefits of being SLS! He called out and it took me a minute to realize that SLS meant Straight Lane Shooters.

Thankfully I was using Cold Blood to keep calm, otherwise I would have been giggling up a storm.

Nox thankfully knew what I was here for, and distracted the conversation saving me from awkward flirting as he cut in and started talking up his wares again.

I fell back out of the conversation not disappearing as I listened to Richard talk to Nox, and the general conversations around.

Although Richard really was focusing too much on me. Something Nox had obviously noticed, and was trying to distract him. Thanks Nox. Youre saving me from awkward flirting right now I wont forget it.

It was almost time.

Eventually Nox actually made a sale of my BD. The Maelstrom Assault was apparently interesting I guess. Afterwards I made a motion with my head and Nox rather than trying to sell anymore headed to the elevator. I watched to make sure it actually opened for him, and once he was gone I gave him another minute or two to hit the ground floor.

His job was done. Thankfully I was still interesting enough that Richard didnt wander away instead flirting and offering me a beer, which I took but wasnt going to actually drink.

Instead, after waiting long enough for Nox to get out of the building I asked a question.

So who's your boss? I dont see him around. I say as I lean back and watch the kids' reaction.

He frowned a bit. The boss is busy, and doesnt deal with the gang directly except through me. I get the gigs and I hand them out. He said suddenly shifting from a happy teenager flirting around, to a Street Kid sensing something is off.

Cool, then Ill chat with you. Why do you work for this older gonk, and his netrunner buddy. You gotta know they plan on just using you as muscle? That eventually you are going to piss off someone that doesnt care youre all kids.

My question was loud enough the whole rooftop seemed to hear it, as a lot of the conversation went quiet. The kids sitting around Richard all focusing on me noticing something was up.

I wasnt following the script Richard was expecting. Suddenly I wasnt just a cute girl to flirt with and he was the big gang banger.

I was dangerous.

Especially since I went cold, shifting myself just so, in the way that my Perk knowledge from Fearless Chill prompted me. The movement would suddenly turn me into a predator, a fearless creature despite being in their home.

The fuck are you on about? Morgan and V3L0CITY are the only reason we have the eddies and iron to protect ourselves! He nearly shouted back, not just at me, but at the crowd.

Seems the kids werent all happy with their older overlord, and Richard was trying to hype them up.

Protect yourselves? From what? Another poser gang? Or just a street gang down the street? They arent threats anyways. You are playing in the big leagues, any Merc would chew through all of you like a meatgrinder. I tell them honestly as I lean in. Youve been taking expensive gigs. The sort of gigs that people notice. The sort of gigs that the people you stole from dont just pretend never happened. Like they do for the minor shit I explained bluntly.

If anyone is gonk enough to come after us, we have security and plenty of iron. He said glaring and his hand only inches from reaching for his gun.

Cute. The gonk thought he could quickdraw me?

I snorted, I really did, unable to resist. You mean all the security systems that are set up to tell the netrunner he has someone on his ass so he can escape? I asked the elevator alone had told me what the plan was.

There was a basement in the apartment complex. One that was on Wakakos old blueprints, obviously the best place to hide the netrunner. Secure it down and create an exit, and boom you have the best defended place for him.

With a bit of remodeling the fact the stairs no longer actually led into the basement, stopping anyone from being able to access the basement and boom. Underground Bunker.

The kids might not realize it, but I did. Ping had shown me the truth of the Netrunners plans. I was lucky that I had trained so much on sneaking my Quickhack into systems. The Netrunner had never noticed. And because of it, and Malcolms eyes we already won.

He just didnt know it yet.

These kids werent being crafted into a future big gang. They were just a meatwall and muscle, a smokescreen and a useful crew to pick up loot.

At least thats my assumption. I didnt have much faith some older guys would actually care about the street kids.

Either way I was sure the Netrunner had an escape plan. Which is why I was up here. On the roof, dragging all the attention to me.

What the hell are you playing at? Richard demanded standing up and trying to loom over me. Looking aggressive, but of course failing as only a teenage boy could. Thinking they were so much more intimidating than they are.

My eyes flashed gold for a half second as I blinked. Sending a text.

Simple. Im one of those mercs that are here to kill your netrunner, and boss. I explain calmly letting that fact ripple through the crowd. Then I moved. The poor kid had already shown me exactly where his Shingen was holstered. I had him locked down within a second, my strength for once actually surpassing an enemy, chrome arms, and my high Body gave me the advantage, and skill took care of the rest.

He was locked down, his Shingen in my hand as I held it up to his temple.

Unlike Richard I had a Smartlink, and it was pretty cool, the first time I had connected with a Smart weapon.

But I had bigger problems. The entire crew on the roof were glaring at me, guns gathering together.

You wont get out of here. Richard grunted and I shook his head.

Who said Im going anywhere? I asked, and it wasnt long after that an explosion was heard downstairs. It was in the lobby, but only I knew that.

My team was on it!

I grinned as I felt the tension ratchet up.

Let Richard go! A girl said holding a Satara at her hip glaring at me. The elevator is already shut down, you're trapped!

I had planned on keeping them occupied a bit longer, but why bother?

Not when I am given such a perfect line.

Silly girl. You think Im trapped up here with you. But its the opposite. Ive trapped you up here with me Well at least somewhat. I tell her with a wink as I back up hauling Richard along with me as a shield causing all the kids to follow after me.

What are you doing?! Richard nearly squealed as I brought him right up to the ledge around the roof.

Hey Richard? Your people are actually pretty protective of you. Well talk after all this is over okay? No reason to have any of your chooms die tonight. So just stay up here until the bullets stop. I told him simply and then I pushed him forward and stepped backwards up onto the ledge, and then took another step backwards staring into the faces of all the teens looking at me in shock.

And leapt.

--

Richard Steel

This night wasnt going how it was supposed to! It was supposed to be another party, another show of how much better things are now that they joined the SLS!

Now that Richard worked with V3L0CITY, and Morgan. Morgan the old man was the face, since V3L0CITY was a hermit never leaving the net.

But it had been going so well! Eddies, guns, respect!

He had it all. Sure he knew Morgan and V3L0CITY werent planning on sticking around forever. But that was fine Richard would drain them for their intel until his gang were strong.

The cold kiss of his own weapon against his temple told him just how little he was prepared.

Who was this girl!?

Hey Richard? She prompted, taking his full attention. Not that he wasnt already very aware of his position with the way she had grappled his arm behind his back and gun against his face. Your people are actually pretty protective of you. Well talk after all this is over okay? No reason to have any of your chooms die tonight. So just stay up here until the bullets stop.

What?

Wha-! He gasped as his wrist was pushed forward forcing him to practically fall forward and then he was free.

He turned just in time to see that crazy purple haired girl step backwards arms spread and the brightest smile across her face.

She fell off the roof.

No way. He gasped as he rose up and peeked over joining a few of his crew that were doing the same, only to watch as she was not only still alive, but actually leaping from broken pieces of the apartment, to air conditioners, to finally an old sign pole that she caught and spun herself around before dropping landing on the ground in a crouch.

She glanced up and from this distance all he could see was her eyes glowing red in the neon lights of the street level.

And then she was gone. Rushing down the street.

Richard?

Martin, check the elevator.

Its locked down. You know V3Ls rules. The moment he noticed trouble he would lock down. To Protect himself.

Yeah Ill call Morgan, try to let him know. Just Just give me a second.

He pulled out his agent from his pocket and started hammering at the number.

That bitch had at least dropped his gun.

--

That was so much fun!

I was practically giggling as I raced to meet up with my chooms.

The plan overall was pretty simple.

Gather up almost all of the gang's forces in one spot, and thanks to their own policy lock them down. I hadnt been sure if the Netrunner would lock down the elevator or not at first, but after confirming there was no other way down to the basement I had been sure.

Although I hadnt actually blocked off the stairs. A grenade that was mostly smoke and flash at the base of the stairs had done a good job of keeping them clear for now. Besides, what teenager was going to think about the staircase? The building was six stories tall. I doubt any of them had ever even used the damn stairs.

I was glad the elevator had been shut down though. I hadnt wanted to risk trying to hack it. If the Netrunner was any good I might end up in serious trouble if I tried.

But I hadnt needed to blow up the whole thing. The grenades Malcolm had tossed into the lobby, only after making sure it was empty had done what I expected.

The security the Netrunner had set up went on lockdown. Elevator was locked down, and without security shards or anything, obviously the kids wouldnt be able to activate it.

Probably that had been done on purpose, one of the biggest risks the Netrunner had was the kids deciding to kill him after all.

Then I would just parkour down the side of the building. I had already found multiple paths down the other night when I was scoping out the place.

Then came the best part.

See, Ichi, Malcolm, and Hiromi were hanging out the back of Ichis truck with my favorite girl HMG! They would keep the front of the apartment complex locked down, and make it seem like we were preparing to assault the Netrunner.

What would a coward do when confronted like this?

He would run!

I giggled as I raced across the street to an office building just across the way. My Ping the other night had revealed all the security systems that were connected together by the Netrunner.

Normally this wouldnt be that important, since I wasnt sneaking in, but Malcolm had noticed something weird.

One of the lines of the security system had stretched across the street.

With a short visit to the other building I had found the basement, and the odd little hatch hidden away in a corner of the basement. The hatch that was a recent construction, and had obviously been broken through the old concrete wall, and had a very familiar brand of security keypad attached to it.

An escape hatch.

So I jogged down, my chooms were causing a commotion at the entrance, and looking at it from a camera it would look like an assault squad preparing to storm the place.

The hatch hadnt been opened yet, and I settled into a dark corner of the basement to wait.

It didnt take long, a few quiet minutes of waiting, though I was in a call with Hiromi confirming that everything was quiet at their end, when finally I heard it. Muffled footsteps echoing through the brickwork and hushed voices.

I smirked as I waited, and then the hatch beeped open. A man stepped out.

This wasnt the Netrunner. Morgan Fields was a tall man, he had chrome, but was no borg. No he hadnt ever been good enough for that. He had originally been a member of 6th St. So ex-army, but he had only been a private, even at the end of the last war.

He hadnt ever amounted to anything at least according to Wakakos information, and had fled from 6th St. After fucking up.

He had gotten drunk and punched a higher up in the gang. They hadnt liked that.

So he had joined up with a choom of his V3L0CITY. A netrunner of some talent. Although really he was just the face of the Netrunner who apparently hated disconnecting from the net.

And as Morgan looked around, his eyes sliding right over where I was hiding, unable to pierce the darkness V3L stepped out of the hatch. Stumbling a bit and actually shivering.

The man was emaciated. Practically a skeleton in his suit. Unlike Morgan he was a borg. Almost everything chest up was chrome.

Yeah the guy was definitely a Cyberpsycho. Probably obsessed with being on the web.

I gave you one job. V3L muttered out, his voice completely robotic. Keep everything quiet so I could netrun.

Its not the time, we need to move before whoever is after us catches up. Complain to me later. Morgan said as he grabbed the netrunners arm and started hauling him away.

Which is when I stepped out and aimed my Burya. The first round was deafening in the enclosed space, but it certainly did its work, a massive hole blown into the Netrunner, putting him out of the fight, as I aimed and fired at Morgan.

He was better than I thought. By the time the first round hit he was already jumping to the side causing my shot to miss as it blew a crater in the concrete wall.

Fuck! He cursed as he shoved a weapon over the edge of the ancient steel machines littering the basement.

Fuck.

I dodged, and then rolled around just saving myself as the Smart ammunition could track me all the way around the machine I was now hiding behind.

The fucker had a Shingen too.

You cocksucker! Im gonna kill you for fuckin V3L like that! He roared and I just went cold.

I was probably going to get shot a few times here, but I just had to take out the fucker first.

Unfortunately my kiroshi had already lost track of him, between each of our hurried movements the software that let me tell where someone is through walls had lost track. So it was a gunfight with both of us hiding in the dark.

Unfortunately for Morgan. I was made for the dark.

I rose up and started stalking, sticking to darkness and tight holes that I managed to slip through without too much effort as I crept closer and closer to where he should still be.

And as I got closer I tried to listen for something only for the ringing in my ears to block that sense.

Note to self, ear plugs, or a hearing protection in general. Couldnt deafen myself every time I used the Burya in an enclosed space like this.

So I relied on my sight, and Ninjutsu in general to stay hidden as I hugged the wall circling around him.

Until I saw him. He was looking around wildly, trying to find where I was, his buddy had been pulled into cover as well, and the borg was seemingly laying there dead as white blood poured out around him.

Poor guy, never even noticed me as I raised my Burya up.

But then suddenly I felt it.

An attack, and assault I had never experienced before. Instantly my mind went to defend it, I was being quick hacked!

My defenses rose up, the knowledge I had gained from a perk so long ago the only thing stopping the program from instantly smashing my defenses!

Cyber Security. I hadnt even thought of the perk I had taken for level 2 Quickhacks, since I got it. But I was glad I did. It was the only reason I knew enough about defending myself that I didnt get immediately battered down.

I couldnt even fire before Morgan was alerted, forcing me to leap backwards grunting as a smart round slammed into my side, that was probably a rib breaking.

Dammit.

I slipped back, trying to go for another angle, but the hack assault was so powerful.

I was losing.

Something slipped past me into my Cyberdeck and spread around. I gasped as my arms spasmed, jerked and literally sparked as a program was forced into my system, the assault so overwhelming I couldnt stop it before the effect already hit.

Oh thats where he was. Fuck sneaky bast-bitch. Fucking hell, thats just a girl. Morgan said as he walked over, turning the corner to see me on the floor gritting my teeth as my arms literally kept shocking me even as they turned and tweaked in weird angles.

Burya was still in my hand though. I just needed-!

Heh. He chuckled before raising the Shingen and firing.

I grunted and gasped as he dumped whatever rounds he had left in his magazine into my chest. My leotard blocked a few rounds here and there, but he was pumping plenty of holes into me.

I couldnt breath.

He turned and walked away even as I felt myself starting to die.

The Quickhack suddenly ended.

They thought I was dead.

I reached down with jerking hands and managed to grab a max doc.

A few moments later despite not having any air to breath in my lungs I depressed it into my mouth and suddenly I was alive.

I rolled over gasping quietly, as I spat out blood clearing my lungs.

I grabbed another Maxdoc and huffed that one down too.

Fuck.

Fuck!

I hadnt been thinking about the netrunner. The borged netrunner, which meant until he was dead, he was still alive!

People only die when they are killed Motoko!

I rose up angry. More at myself than anything, but maybe partially at the fucker that just shot me up.

I turned the corner to see the bastard trying to carry his netrunner choom out of the basement.

Burya barked twice, the surprise completely catching Morgan off guard. There was no attempts to jump away, or gunfight this time. He was carrying his buddy and couldnt escape.

Then I brought up my Lexington and dumped an entire mag into both of them. Then I reloaded my Burya and shot all four rounds into both bodies.

Just to be sure.

I checked them both after just to be sure and sighed when they were both very dead.

*1000 XP Gained.*

*750 XP Gained.*

Fuck. I winced leaning against the machinery for a minute as I caught my breath, my chest aching with every breath. I probably had multiple broken ribs.

What a massive fuckup. I hadnt expected the netrunner to survive after taking a Burya round to his back.

It had almost cost me everything. I took a breath and let it out. I had to be better than this. I should have fired another round into the Netrunner while I was escaping. Should have made sure he was dead.

I shook it off. I wasnt invincible. I would learn from this.

I wiped myself down so I wasnt covered in blood and then zipped up my jacket.

Looking at least semi presentable I took pictures of the two fuckers and sent it off to Wakako to confirm the gig was complete as I headed back out of the building towards my chooms.

They were still waiting at the entrance. Truck backed up and ready to be loaded up, but all of them were armed and ready in case the teenagers decided to cause problems.

The Netrunner and his choom are dead. I called out as I walked up doing my best not to stumble.

Broken ribs hurt.

Hiromi immediately fist pumped while hissing a yes as she bounced out of the truck. Great job Motoko! I knew you could take care of those losers! She cheered and I winced.

Yeah well Their netrunner was good. Better than I thought. I grumbled which instantly made her start freaking out. I just waved her off. Broken rib I think. Ill get checked out with Vik after. But we need to loot up. Im gonna unlock the elevator, and then you guys are gonna be looting everything to the bedrock, while I unfortunately am stuck on guard duty. I told them as I walked past them into the building and towards the elevator.

I was cautious about interfacing with anything that the netrunning borg had set up, so I hesitated for a moment as I reached to plug in my cord, but eventually I stuck it in. And then sighed. Thankfully without his direct action, his security was good, but not something that could stop me, or kill me.

Five minutes later the elevator opened up and I sighed. I only unlocked this and the basement floor. Give me a minute to make sure there arent any traps. I told them, but Hiromi was at my side before the elevator could close on me.

Youre hurt! Motoko let us handle that.

None of you are netrunners. Itll be okay, I just want to make sure there arent any HMG turrets or mines or something. I told her, but while she winced at that, she didnt back up.

Nuh-uh. Im coming too. She demanded and I sighed, not really in the mood to argue. Instead I just shrugged and activated the elevator.

I would just push her out of the way if something went bad.

The elevator dropped down into a netrunning paradise.

Nice. I couldnt help but mutter because there was so much gear down here. Wakako had come through.

She hadnt just found me a netrunner with some stuff.

She had found me a netrunner with a TON of stuff.

Wakako! I love you!

Wow. Thats a lot of eddies. Hiromi muttered and I shook my head.

Not so much, remember most of this is stuff Im keeping.

Oh right for your netrunning. Still so weird that you like that stuff, you used to hate it Before I mean. Hiromi seemed to backpedal but I just smiled at her.

Its okay. I know Im different now. It doesnt bother me. I told her and she nodded and then she looked around and said something that broke all of my plans.

So where are you going to put all this stuff anyways?

Put? I looked around.

The basement was huge. And pretty full of chords and server racks, and a big Netrunning chair that would be integral to my netrunning

Oh.

Fuck.

This complicated everything.

Where was I supposed to take all of this shit?

I took a seat and started thinking. No way even a tenth of this would fit in the apartment. I mean, the chair alone would take up my entire closet bedroom.

There had been a definite fuck up on my part here.

Dammit Motoko, you needed to stop playing around. This should have been planned out where it would go before jumping head first into this raid!

Okay I couldnt hold it at home, and while Ichis truck could probably haul most of it out, it wouldnt be everything, and I didnt want to keep his truck filled with my shit

A storage unit maybe? They werent exactly safe, but if no one knew it was mine, and we kept quiet

Alright Motoko. Hiromi said, suddenly startling me as I looked up at her from where I had been glaring at the floor. All taken care of. She threw me a thumbs up as if that explained everything.

Whats taken care of? I asked not following Hiromis thought process.

Well it just so happens the last two gonks that were using this basement were just flatlined! Shocker I know. So I just called the owner of the building and explained we were taking the place over. He argued. I informed him that I was standing in the same room with the merc that had flatlined the previous owner. He showed he had a brain and accepted that the basement was ours. Welcome to your new netrunner room! Hiromi cheered, looking proud of herself.

...Ah?