Chapter 124

We broke apart not long after that. Ichi had something that he was being evasive about that he wanted to do, and Hiromi had to go back to school.

 

Apparently her parents were fine with her missing some classes to complete a business deal, but not the whole day.

 

I decided to head to the range.

 

I had looked over the silencer on the Copperhead and it seemed fine, so I was going to fire more rounds through it and see what happened!

 

And of course try to level my reflex stat some more.

 

I walked in with my Copperhead, and a box of ammo.

 

Settled into a lane, happy that it was quiet this early in the afternoon, and started shooting.

 

It was fun!

 

I was getting Assault XP pretty consistently, and a Reflex notification between every few alerts as well. The whole process was punctuated by the silent retorts of my rifle. I was even doing things like practicing quick reloads by flinging the magazine out of the gun and slamming a new one home as I fired.

 

It was little things like that, that even with Quick Reload, having a bit of practice for it helped me nail the maneuver.

 

I was glad we had just gotten the big payday, because when I ran out of ammo, I just went and bought more.

 

And then again.

 

I had to stop and switch to the Lexington to let my Copperhead cool off after a while, but then I just did the same thing with my handgun.

 

I wanted some level ups, and I was going to get them.

 

My accuracy was good as well. The targets in this range gave a little point for how accurate you shot, and I was shooting quick and accurate, ramming rounds through the digital targets.

 

The points were meaningless really. But it still only made the whole thing more fun.

 

I had switched back to the Copperhead after letting it cool, and it didn’t take long before I got what I wanted.

 

*100 Assault XP Gained.*

 

*Assault skill level up!*

 

I hummed. As I let the knowledge flow in.

 

Assault 7. I let the level flow into me, and realized I knew a slightly better way to hold and grip the rifle to keep it stabilized while moving and firing.

 

Useful!

 

I took a break not long after. I had pushed my Copperhead a bit too much. Gun Nut was telling me, I should really stop firing before I start causing heat damage.

 

I gathered everything up and headed home. The apartment was empty when I got there. So I took some time to clean my guns and prep them for the next gig.

 

Then I flopped on my bed.

 

It felt good to level up. To improve myself. That crushing weight of the Scav threat and just general Night City fuckery, felt farther away since I had improved. I just had to keep improving. Moving the numbers slowly and steadily upward.

And eventually threats would go away.

 

Either because I simply surpassed their ability to harm.

 

Or because I destroyed them.

 

*Ringing.*

 

I blinked at the call that popped up.

 

“Panam?” I sat up as I realized who was calling, what was Panam calling me for? I quickly answered to find out.

 

*Hello?*

 

*Hey… Motoko. It’s Panam, from the Aldecaldos. Do you have a minute?* Panam asked, sounding almost professional in her courtesy.

 

*Yeah Panam, of course I do. How’s it going? I haven’t seen you since I talked to Saul about the heist.*

 

*Yeah… It’s a long story, but I’m not with the Aldecaldos anymore. I’m working as a merc in the city. I know this is a bit sudden, but I’m on a gig that I need some hands to help with. I wouldn’t normally reach out, but Scorpion wouldn’t shut up about your ability, and well… I could use some of that sort of help. This gig is important, and I can’t have it going to scop.*

 

*Well, Panam, you definitely called up the right girl. I’d love to help out. What’s the deets?* I sat up practically buzzing. New gig!

 

*I’ll send you what I can, but it’s that sort of gig. I don’t know everything, the fixer is being real… secure about it all.*

 

*Send what you can, but if you need help I’m in. We’re chooms after all.* The line was quiet for a minute and Panam let out a chuckle.

 

*Thanks Motoko. I appreciate that. Night City hasn’t exactly been what I expected on my own.*

 

*Hey. If you need something… Anything, call me in okay? I have lots of chooms all over the city. Even if it’s just to hang out at a club so you can vent to someone, I’ll be there.* Panam barked out a laugh.

 

*I’ll keep that in mind. Deets are sent out.*

 

*Alright give me a second.*

 

I looked over the text. Instantly my eyes narrowed. This was definitely a fixers work. I recognized the style that Wakako used in her information packets, but it wasn’t quite the same.

 

Mostly because the entire thing was very blank on what the actual gig was.

 

Although what was really interesting was what the gig actually did say.

 

*Holy shit! That’s a hell of a drive.*

 

*I’m a nomad. It’s what we do best… You were solid with Scorpion. So I-*

 

*I’m not saying no Panam, just surprised. There isn’t much here, and I don’t like that much, but I’m in.* I confirmed as I stood up. I was already starting to run around my room. I needed a bag of stuff… Clothes and junk. I realized I was going to have to raid Jun’s burrito stash as well just to be safe.

 

And let Jun and my chooms know.

 

I was actually getting kind of excited!

 

I had never been to Seattle before!

 

—–

 

Half an hour later I was pulling into a storage unit that was on the east side of the city. Just a block or so from the bare desert. Sixth St. tags covered the buildings in the area, but no one seemed to be around. Instead as I pulled in, I saw Panam… Panam’s ass anyways.

 

Look, I could recognize the booty anywhere. The game made sure of that.

 

She was half way into the engine bay of a Thorton Mackinaw. The same truck which I think was her personal ride a few years from now was a modded out monster. Many of the same upgrades as my Quadra covered it.

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I pulled over not far from her and stepped out.

 

I was wearing my armor and gear.

 

If Panam made fun of me for being a dough girl I would be a little annoyed, but I wasn’t going to go light when the gig involved traveling to another city. One where I wouldn’t have any backup to call up in case something went bad.

 

“Panam!”

 

“One second!” She called out as she continued to rummage around with the insides of her truck. That was fine, it gave me time to grab my gear. I had a bag for clothes and toiletries, and a bag for food and snacks, cause I didn’t want to presume on Panams supply.

 

But I also had ammo and weapons.

 

I went around to the trunk that opened and stared at my supply.

 

My hand twitched towards the Uragan, but that was a bit much, and Panam probably had one of her own. Instead I grabbed my Nekomata and loaded a few of the spare magazines I had picked up for her into my armor’s webbing.

 

Hefting all my gear I headed over.

 

This wasn’t going to be a two vehicle trip. I was riding with Panam. Honestly it was for the best. I had never done a long distance trip like this before. Better to just rely on Panam’s skill as a nomad.

 

“And done!” She called out as she pulled herself free grabbing a rag and wiping her hands as she turned to look me over.

 

I saw the raised eyebrow which I promptly ignored.

 

“Let me pack my stuff then.” I offered as I headed to the passenger door and she nodded slowly looking amused.

 

“Should be room in the back seat, try not to squish my stuff.”

 

“I’ll be careful!” I called out as I climbed into the seat and checked the single back seat that still remained. Half of her back seat was cut off from all the extra equipment in her truck. Including I’m assuming the Machine gun that I remember could activate on top.

 

The seat had a few bags of her own already there and I carefully placed all my stuff, keeping only my Nekomata in the seat with me.

 

“You sure you need all that?”

“You hired me as a shooter, not dead weight.” I called back and pulled out from the back seat to see her looking me over from the driver door. Leaning against it casually, with an amused look on her face. “I’m treating this gig just as seriously as I am the one Scorpion brought me on, and remember, that time I brought an HMG.”