Ghost in the City: Cyberpunk Gamer SI

Each of the showrooms' halls were completely different from others. Like walking through a mall, and walking into completely different shops, and yet, each of them carried many of the same things.

There was one hall all about robotics which was very interesting, as that was practically the reason for the heist in the first place, although nothing on the Flathead drone or anything. This was all stuff that was already out on the market obviously.

Still I took my time looking through it all.

"If you'd like, we can always custom design a drone style. Perhaps an assistant of sorts for you on stage?"

"It's a cute idea, but no." I denied Tyler as I looked over some of the floating drone systems Militech offered. The Zetatech Bombus might be the standard, but Militech had of course designed their own.

I was mostly looking at the flight system wondering if grabbing a few and updating some of the Tachikoma to be flight models.

I mean, sure the real Tachikoma had been basically tanks, but my drones were much smaller, there more for support than anything, so why should I keep them all standard?

It would give them a bit more deviation in their development as well!

Turning away we moved on, this time into the fanciest hall so far.

"I suppose if you need to raid some corpo asset, and hit the party right after, this is what you want huh?" I asked, noticing the armored corpo suits, and even briefcases, and designer handbags that could be used as armor, or carry internal weapons.

"Indeed! We supply all customers, from the street level to the highest corporate offices." Tyler offered, and I nodded looking around. There was a lot of fancy stuff made to look fancy and this time I rather quickly shook my head and left. That wasn't my style at all.

And finally on the second floor we came to the stuff I was interested in.

"Oh nice." I whispered looking over the vehicle displayed prominently as we entered.

"The Hellhound caught your eye? Not the usual vehicle of a Rockerboy, but I can promise that you'll get to and from your concerts unhindered in this baby." Tyler offered, and I just shook my head.

"No just commenting on it." I said to the man, and we moved on. Vehicle equipment was the next hall. Militech CrystalDome packages, which if my Quadra didn't already have I'd pick up. Machine gun inserts, missile pods. They had it all laid out through the hall, and I looked through it all, although while Tyler was still trying to make a sale, Alex wasn't as supportive as usual.

I guess MSM wasn't interested in supporting vehicle stuff for Militech.

Although I could imagine an ad of me getting into a fight in one of those Hellhound APC's and then pulling up to a concert…

Should I say something?

Nah, maybe another time.

Instead we continued on, and I smiled as we hit the more standard military hardware.

Racks of fresh from factory Achilles, stood beside a display showing the lovely Mk.31 HMG. Display dummies showed men in armor rather similar to 6th St. Carrying Ajax with a chest rig.

I went through the weapons, but there was nothing there I really wanted. Nothing good enough to get me excited.

I wasn't going to find unique one off weapons in a showroom like this, this was the place they sold the mass produced stuff.

I did look through the weapon attachments, and found one thing I did like. "The Kanone Mini is a good choice! You have an eye for quality, it comes with a range finder, compass, target assistance finder, and ammo counter if it's integrated into your weapons systems." Tyler offered as I looked at the red dot sight that I'd picked up from their display, turning it on I looked through it and nodded.

I had one or two already attached to weapons, but the issue with scavs, or salvage in general is often you got something that someone else hadn't properly taken care of.

"I'll take one. I'll buy it myself though." I quickly added as Hiromi was about to jump in, she nodded.

"That's fine. Not everything has to be part of an ad campaign." She offered, and Tyler quickly joined in.

"Of course! I'll make a note, and take care of that Motoko, our showroom is happy to have you as a customer." Tyler played it off, and I soon had a small box with an optic I casually started tossing up and down as we went.

The next showroom also caught my eye as we finally hit something I was really interested in.

"Cyberware." I whispered, hurrying forward as I looked over the examples they had set out. Instantly I had to hide a frown though.

Obviously everything was fairly standard. No special ops, or secret builds here.

Sure some of the equipment would be useful, I definitely could use a few pieces I was eyeing, up, but…. Uuugh. I had to resist! No chipping in! I had something big I needed to prepare for.

Honestly, I really needed to get some more stat points soon, actually.

I shook it off despite going through the hall, seeing the sort of stuff Militech sold.

Skin weaves, to protect against different effects. Sometimes a cyborg needed to be able to withstand fire, or incredible cold, or worse things.

But I moved through it all, all the while bouncing the optic in my hand, using it as a distraction, that I'd look up at from time to time.

Ah, there.

As we moved through the showroom, I made sure to head towards the back where there was obviously a large elevator that led to the storage rooms. As we moved past it, I shifted and accidently bumped into Hiromi, yelping, I reached for the optic, and ended up swatting it right out of the air behind me.

"Ah, Motoko, I'll get-"

"Nah it's fine." I waved off Tyler, already hurrying over, eyes scanning.

The elevators had more than just a locked pad, but actual sensors, any attempt to use the thing would alert someone.

Good to know.

Unless we could bring down the sensor net, the elevators would have to be crossed off.

I picked up my little package and smiled at Tyler who was sort of worrying at me.

"My bad. No worries. Hey are those Sandys?" I asked, refocusing, as we moved away from the elevator.

—--

Of course I had to pay for their time.

We were back down in the center of the showroom. I'd gathered probably everything I could, and now the place was swarming with people from Militech's media arm. My own MSM makeup artist was here as well. Buzzing around me, as Hiromi and Alex talked to a new Militech corpo. They were trying to set up an ad of some sort.

I mostly was just ignoring it, as I wiggled my new boots.

They were kinda nova. Made me want to kick someone or something.

Maybe I should max out street brawling and do a fighting BD? That could be-

"Motoko?"

"Hmm?" I looked up and smiled at Hiromi as she wandered towards me.

"It's going to take a bit, they're trying to figure out what to do here." She waved towards the Militech guys who were still arguing as the camera crew kept running around trying different shots here and there…

I rolled my eyes. Seriously, it had already been like half an hour. I looked around, cause I was already bored, and I'd like to get out of here and start planning a heist…

Everything was already here, cameras, crew, they had a few… Actresses? Models? Hanging around seemingly just in case.

There must be some kind of issue… I looked at the Militech guys…

Fuck it. I'll do it myself.

"It's just the boots right?"

"Well, yes, but they are trying to throw a few other things in." Hiromi told me, and I nodded.

"Okay… Okay fine I have an idea. Go get me one of the knives they're selling would you?" I asked her, as I moved off, knowing Hiromi would jump to do as I asked. I walked up to the camera guys. "Sup chooms. This is taking too long, how many cameras we got?"

"Uh, three?"

"Preem. So here's what we're going to do-No no don't look at your boss, he's busy you're talking to me right now." I ordered, my voice striking out and nearly making the older guy flinch as I hammered at him. "Now, come with me." I ordered, and they followed, hesitating a bit, but they were doing it.

Let's see… Knife, action set piece… Yeah that would work. "Hey you three! Come here." I walked past the actresses that had been all made up a while ago, and with a demand inflecting my voice just so, they all did as I bid.

Now… "Okay we need to get you three set up, hey makeup! This one, she needs to be the bad guy, so get her hooked up-"

—--

Hiromi Mitsunashi

Hiromi wasn't sure what Motoko was up to, at least at first, but after coming back and listening in she understood.

Of course Motoko would just… Do it herself.

She wanted to giggle at the older workers all listening to her commands despite the fact their bosses were still arguing… Damn in fact Alex might be giving up soon.

"Motoko."

"Ah perfect, just what I needed." She said, taking the knife and grinning at Hiromi with that cocky grin she got when she had everything completely under control.

Hiromi wanted to stick close to have more of that attention on her, but..

Well, needs must.

She turned around and walked around Alex so she was facing what was going on, and drew both men's attention away from all the activity starting up.

"Listen gentlemen. We-" She fell into a rhythm, mostly interrupting whenever things slowed down. Alex had picked up that she was up to something but couldn't figure out what she was doing.

It was why she was Motoko's Manager and not him. He would just get in her way.

And then it got started, everyone was in place, and a call went out.

"Quiet on the set!" The voice startled both of the men she was with, and Hiromi just grinned.

Mission successful.

She reached out before the media guy could say anything and grabbed his arm tight, stopping him from marching over.

And she brought a hand to her lips telling him to be silent.

Then it didn't matter because they all heard gunshots!

Hiromi jolted, a spike of adrenaline as she noticed the drone cameras moving.

The gunshots came from upstairs, in one of the showrooms, but the attention was mostly on the bottom floor.

Some of the crew were wearing military style equipment, but any sign of Militech was hidden away, they spread out, guns searching in a military movement, and then there was motion.

Hiromi only kept her gasp quiet from being well used to Motoko.

She leapt off the balcony, facing backwards firing into 'something' that was up there, before flipping around and landing in a crouch, her new boots silent on the tile floor.

There was a moment of silence that was real, because the fake 'guards' weren't sure what to do, but one of them must have remembered a line?

He brought his gun up.

"Shoot her!" He shouted, the voice crack he made only seemed to add to it, making it sound like fear, but Hiromi couldn't tear her eyes off Motoko.

She rose, slowly, every muscle shifting under her tight pants, and there was a sensuous danger as she opened her eyes, her face carefully blank.

Then she moved, Sandevistan!?

A knife flashed, as she suddenly stopped, showing it to the camera hovering nearby before it cut in, and stabbed into the grip of a rifle one of the girls had, then it was pushed away she was swept off her feet a moment later, and was practically held by Motoko as she slowly lowered the woman down, but..

She realized it would look like she stabbed down as well killing her to the camera.

Then she moved again, and like a whirlwind, despite the guards trying to bring up weapons, none of them ever seemed to do it right as Motoko spun, and twirled through them, slicing, a rifle strap right off one person, taking their weapon and flipping it around to smack into another, with an actual sound of pain. Kicking out with her boots knocked guns up and out of the way, and then finally one of the girls tried to run, and Hiromi wasn't entirely sure it wasn't real fear.

Then a boot slammed into the wall right where the girl was heading, and Hiromi winced.

She'd bashed her head into Motoko's leg.

There was a moment, Hiromi realized that wasn't part of the plan, but Motoko didn't even hesitate, shifting, and stomping her foot next to the woman as she lay practically flat on her back.

"If you want to stay on your feet. You should have chosen Militech." Hiromi felt her face brighten into an evil grin.

Oh Motoko. You absolute madwomen!

Then with her boot covering the woman's face, she leaned down completely hiding the woman from view and making a motion like she killed her, revealing the militech knife Hiromi had given her slightly covered in blood. The Militech logo on full display right next to her boots and the Lexington held in her other hand. The camera drone zooming right up to all three to get them into frame.

"Cut!" One of the operators called out and Motoko slumped.

"Hey you okay, sorry about that." She offered, and instantly started helping out the woman on the floor beside her.

Hiromi wanted to run over and dive into Motoko's arms, to squeal and tell her how amazing she was, but instead she took a step forward in front of the Militech Media corpo. Whatever his name was.

It wasn't important.

"I believe that footage should leave everyone satisfied?" She asked, although there was no question, the man's face was a bit slackjawed.

First time dealing with Motoko, tended to do that to someone.

—---

"Okay so you got all you need now right?" I asked, having gone through the whole thing a few times letting them get different 'scenes' of the ads from different angles as they wanted.

We'd basically ignored the Militech Media guy, while the camera workers helped gather up all the scenes we needed. After my first initial rush, the professionals had stepped in, and I stopped having to order everyone around.

I was fairly satisfied and everyone was nice and respectful which was good.

"All done Miss Motoko."

"Yes." I thrust my fist into the sky, finally freedom! We could finally get back to what I-

"Miss Kusanagi. Thank you for your efforts today." The Militech Media guy walked up, grabbed a bottle of water from a table and offered it to me, a smile on his face that just sent warning signs in my brain.

It was fake.

"Ah sure, no problem."

"I was very impressed with your efforts, and Militech is very interested in some future work."

"That'll need to go through my Manager." I said instantly, taking the bottle but not drinking it, and instead I walked off towards Hiromi, quickly, finding her and Alex both talking, although Hiromi was fully smug.

"Motoko."

"Motoko, that was exemplary! We have to get you in front of cameras more often-"

"Maybe." I said, waving off Alex as he was a bit too hyper for my taste. "Hiromi we done? Can we finally get out of here?" I asked her, and she smirked.

"Yes Motoko, we're all finished. If you want to leave, we can leave." She said firmly, and that was that for me. I grabbed my stuff, and Hiromi joined me, escorting me out, as Tyler quickly rushed over.

"Please let me escort you out, is there anything else Militech can do for you?" I mostly just smiled awkwardly through the conversation but shrugged.

"I did use up some of my ammo for the shoot."

"Of course! We're very thankful you shot the back pieces you had set up beforehand, there was a bit of an issue at first with you shooting."

"Oh yeah, I figured shooting an armored rig would be better than a wall. I guess I could probably sign the rigging as well before I leave. Could be a good lit-"

"Yes." Hiromi said instantly, sweeping up my arm and then tugging me towards the second floor…

Aww man. Should have kept my mouth shut.

—--

"I'm so glad we finally ditched him." I grumbled, my Quadra purring as I pulled out onto the street. Alex had stuck to me like glue since the showcase, chatting about all sorts of ideas to boost my appearance.

Not literally, mostly, but like how well I was known to the common people.

All the while I was desperate to get away so I could do what I actually wanted.

"It's over now. You did amazing Motoko. I've already received a few potential offers from Militech. If that ad does well, then they'll be even more insistent."

"Funny how Militech is so interested, instead of Arasaka."

"Oh I'm sure we'll get some interest on that side too. I've already had to submit some forms to ensure you won't be targeted as a potential asset denial operation."

"Oh… That's too bad." I said a bit forlornly, and Hiromi perked up.

"Don't worry! I won't let Arasaka target you! We'll get you famous through MSM and Militech and Arasaka will be happy to scoop you up to show off how much better their stuff is! So there won't be any threat."

"I mean, I kinda wish Arasaka did send some kill squads after me." I denied what she said.

Man. Having some Arasaka ninja's to fight sounded awesome.

"Ah… Of course. I forgot who I was talking to." Hiromi said, sending me a slightly annoyed look.

"What?"

"Nothing, as always you're just impossible. Did you get what you needed?"

"Partially. With the BD I recorded, Yoko's data, and access points, my netrunning team should be able to get in a lot easier. I'll want to do another solo op around the building, checking out the storage entrance Militech will use But yeah. I think I got most of it."

"Netrunner Team?"

"Well, I could probably do it myself, but if I pull in some help it'll come a lot easier."

"Who were you thinking?"

"Ah well… I was thinking about talking to Lucy, and Kiwi, or… Sasha I guess…" I grumbled feeling myself frown at the idea of asking her for help. Would she even be able to stealth?

No, I knew she could. I shouldn't besmirch her talent, she was good. Really good, even if she played around a lot.

Ignoring that for a moment, I focused on the now. I could put away that problem. "Anyway, once we have the set up all done, Section 9 will be enough to gather what we need… Although. I want to do it even more by the book than usual."

"Oh?"

"We need to steal some gang vehicles. Maybe Raffen? Heck we might want to dress up as well. If there is any mistake and Militech finds out, they won't just let it go. They'll track us down through any way they can."

"Are you sure we need to go to that extent?"

"Sure? No. But I want to anyway. We should call Dakota, might pick up a side job for the equipment."

"Pretend to be Raffen Shiv? It would give us a good exit choice."

"Right. If we head anywhere in the city we could be tracked, but if we head out to the badlands, and then disappear? Come back in our normal cars in short bursts? Militech won't think a bunch of kids can steal from them."

"Alright. I'll reach out to Dakota… I'll keep it vague just mention we're looking for work? Maybe mention some deniable vehicles at best?"

"You think she won't figure it out?" I asked cause while the desert was big, Dakota was the main fixer out there.

"No. She will… I'll have to cut her in." Hiromi sighed, slumping in the seat. We weren't exactly making a lot of eddies on this op.

"Better to cut her in on a small bit than have her just sell us out. Remind her how many favors the Aldecaldos owe me or something."

"That's not a bad angle." Hiromi muttered, and her eyes flashed into a call.

Then…

I slumped, I was going to have to call her wasn't I?

I hesitated, but then felt my back straighten. Fine. I wasn't afraid of her or anything!

The call started and very quickly got picked up.

"Meowshi Meowshi! Niymiao! Kitten is calling me!? I'm -"

I hung up.

----
A/N Hi! Been a bit huh? I got Carpal Tunnel pretty bad so that's the hold up on all postings. But with answers and plans for surgery and stuff, I at least can start writing again. If slowly.