Chapter 132

*Ringing.*

I jerked awake, at the noise, confused and in quite a bit of pain. Then I realized what was going on.

I blinked away the blood from my optics and looked around. I remembered…

Falling. I had fallen until I managed to grab at a pipe and break my fall. I remember holding onto it with all my grip sliding downward trying to slow down. A painful feeling and then smashing into something…

I was laying bent over a sign I realized. An electronic sign board. Quite thoroughly smashed as I was wrapped around it. Arms hanging loosely down the side, blood dripping down my chrome fingers falling out into the long drop below. My right arm still had the piece of pipe clutched in my hand. My fingers literally bent into the old pipe.

I coughed and more than a little blood came out.

Not a good sign.

I moved my arm and was able to get to the pouch on my other shoulder with a little fumbling.

The MaxDoc pressed into my mouth and suddenly I went from pretty weak to feeling at least kinda alive.

Considering I was stable and was going to need a few minutes, I decided to go ahead and just answer the damn ringing in my head.

*Yeah?*

*Oh thank God! Motoko! I got Asuka out, did you flatline the guy? I’ve been calling you for like ten minutes.*

*He kinda kicked my ass. Don’t come back, don’t know where he is right now. I’m gonna… Well I think I’m gonna drag my ass to Viks.”

*Shit… Are you?*

*I got a little stabbed, and he threw me out a window. I’ll live.* I slowly inched up my head from where it had been resting against the broken advertisement.

Soulhiker energy drinks huh? Sounded absolutely disgusting, but maybe I’ll buy one in thanks.

*What do we do?*

*Call Hiromi. Set up a safe house for our client or something. I’m gonna need a visit to Viks. Ichi, You got this?* I asked him because this was definitely a step up from our normal work situation.

*Well if he kicked your ass, I don’t think I’ll be able to stop him.*

*Don’t need to stop him Ichi, just avoid him. Go to ground, make sure she doesn’t make calls and stuff. I trust you… I need to hang up. Gonna need to figure out a way down.*

The line was silent for a moment as I started grunting and shifting myself so I wasn’t just sprawled over a metal sign.

Was my head bleeding?

Ah it had been. Looks like the MaxDoc fixed that up, but I was still covered in blood.

*Don’t die Motoko, I’ll keep Asuka safe.*

*I’ll be fine, I just need some time. Drive safe.*

I rose up a bit and felt the advertisement shift under me.

Fuck.

I spotted a good enough spot just below. An apartment had a small Balcony. I surged upwards, pushing myself off full strength and just managed to leap for it as the sign finally broke after the Motoko missile had damaged it.

I landed roughly, coughing and sputtering but I didn’t smash my head so it was just pain, and pain would pass. I reached down and found another MaxDoc and huffed that down as well.

I looked over and blinked.

A kid blinked back probably wondering what this bloody teenager was doing landing on his balcony. There was a kid just inside the apartment, one hand had a toy gun in his hand, and a cyber goggles on his head. He must have been playing some game.

I smiled and waved.

He waved back.

Perfect.

—–

I didn’t see Thomas that fucker in the elevator as I took it down. Little Johnthan was nice enough to let me in, so I didn’t have to jump down the entire apartment block.

Which was good, because I was full of ow.

I flopped into the Quadra and started driving out of the area. I would meet up with the others later, but first, I really did need to get to Vik. My right arm had basically stopped working, which was kinda a bad sign.

It hung limply no matter what I did. Something was definitely broken, and I don’t think it was just my bones.

*Ringing.*

I sighed, as I got another call. This time I was coherent enough to check the caller ID.

*Hey Hiromi.*

*Motoko! Are you okay!? I talked to Ichi and he said you got hurt!*

*Yeah I’ve been better. This guy Thomas Anderson? He’s good Hiromi. Like really good. I’m glad Ichi managed to get Asuka away cause he took me apart.*

*You’re okay though?*

*Beaten, but already on my way to Viks. No idea how long it’ll take to put me back on my feet though Hiromi. So if you guys continue this gig? You need to hide. Go to ground completely. Don’t call anyone and tell them where you are, and hell just stop calling people entirely. Go hide somewhere. The man is a netrunner.*

I turned into a spot in front of MIsty’s with a sigh.

*I just pulled up to Viks. Hiromi. Stay safe, and call if you think he is coming.*

*We’ll… I’ll make sure everyone stays safe Motoko. I promise.* Hiromi sounded pretty upset, but for once I just wasn’t in any state to try and comfort her.

I pulled myself with a grunt out of the Quadra and walked around and then over to Misty’s ignoring the looks I was getting as I limped down.

I wasn’t bleeding anymore after all. Everything just hurt.

“Welcome to Misty’s Eso- Motoko!?”

“Hey Misty… Mind letting Vik know, I need some help?” I called not even feeling up to raising a hand to wave at the woman.

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A few moments later I was attacked as she grabbed me and started hauling me out the back to Viks.

Yeah that was good. I could use some help.

—–

“You did some real damage to yourself kid.”

“Don’t I know it.” I reminded Vik as he pulled away from scanning me down.

“Your arms connection port disengaged from the bone. Tore the nerves and muscle right out.”

“It was already broken, and I needed to stop my fall.” I almost shrugged but didn’t because my shoulder was currently…

Vik had taken my entire arm off to check the shoulder port.

“This is gonna take some real work kid. If not for your… Healing.” He muttered making sure to whisper the last part. “I would say you are looking at some real recovery time.”

“Good thing I have it, and I have you then Vik.” I offered with a weak smile. I wasn’t really feeling perky at the moment.

“Yeah kid. You got me. I can fix this all up for you, but you have to be more careful. Those arms of yours might be chrome, but there is only muscle and bone between them.”

“For now.” I muttered darkly. He caught my eye as his eyebrow quirked up and I felt myself going more grim. “But that needs to change. Vik. I need some chrome.”

“Never a good idea to chip something while injured kid. Especially something like this.”

I scowled, because he was right. But also I didn’t mean right this second.

“I know. I’m still on a gig right now! I need to be back on my feet soon. Can you source some stuff for me? Some good stuff.”

“Yeah kid. Let’s put you back together, and you can tell me what you want. I’ll start gathering it up for you.”

“Vik… Thanks.”

—–

I took an eight hour sleep on Viks chair and woke up feeling much better. As I had said none of my chooms had contacted me, which was good. I headed out after giving Vik a big hug for putting me back together, and then went back to Asuka’s apartment.

When I got there, I very carefully let myself in, only after making sure I could hack back into the security network.

Like I expected, the moment I was in, I found a Daemon had been left behind.

Asuka or her parents would have had a nasty surprise when they came home only for their own security system to activate to kill them.

It took me a few minutes to clear it out and reset everything to how it should be and I walked inside.

Instantly I sighed in relief that my stuff was still laying around. Thomas had picked up his own gear, but left my stuff behind. No looting? Kinda disappointed to by honest. But it made my life a lot easier.

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