Chapter 155

This couldn’t stand! I couldn’t allow this! I had to distract!

“Okay! So the gig we are doing we already scouted the place, and we are putting together the attack plan, Rebecca, so let me fill you in!” I said hurrying back to the living room table and popping a shard out of my neck and handing it to her.

 

She took it after a moment of smiling up at Jun and then slotted it. Then she blinked.

 

“So, the first thing you’ll notice is the target information. Not sure if it’s in there, but we are hunting a group of Scavs that attacked Hiromi’s XBD pushers.” I explained waving at Hiromi who smiled proudly at the acknowledgement.

 

“Scavs? Doesn’t seem… Whoa.” She muttered as she continued to look through the pics of where this was taking place.

 

“Scavs aren’t really a threat, but we still treat everything seriously.” My voice was completely serious as I said this.

 

“Well no shit, you guys have a Minotaur!? How!?”

 

Oh, she had skipped ahead bypassing the pics of the location. Not very Edgerunner of you… Or maybe very Edgerunner of her? Hard to say with that group. I wanted to sigh, but instead I stayed focused!

 

“We captured it during a gig we did. Ichi is currently the pilot as he has some hours in its use.” I explained then glared at Ichi again for good measure.

 

Unfortunately his smugness at me acknowledging him being the pilot ruined the effect of my glare.

 

“Shit. Can I use it? I’ve always wanted to pilot a Minotaur.” Rebecca asked and I sighed, shoulders slumped.

 

“Yes, but after.” I agreed then shook myself. “Okay, so here is what we are going to do. The outside and ground floor of the plant will probably be staffed by a few Scavs.” I pulled up the images myself. “Image Four is a good one to see the whole grounds.”

 

I waited until everyone was nodding along before continuing.

 

“Jun and I will clean up as quietly as possible and then everyone will move in. The people who built the plant weren’t expecting it to need to be defensible. The top floor of the elevator is actually the floor below. So Ichi and everyone will move in afterwards and basically secure the place. No Scav will be able to leave without getting past a heavily armed walker.”

“Motoko, I don’t like this plan. I want to test out the Minotaur in combat. This is basically me just walking in after to secure the exits.” Ichi argued, and I turned to my choom, only for another voice to call out.

 

“What about me? I want to kill some Scavs as well.” Malcolm added, and as I turned to him another voice added.

 

“I’m not really interested in just being on guard duty.” Rebecca added and I slumped as everyone went against me!

 

“Yeah we should have them come with.” Jun added and I was outvoted by everyone. Except Hiromi who was just watching.

 

“Guys, I-”

“No. Motoko… You’ve always been in front of us so far, but… Section 9 can’t help you if we don’t get some experience.” Malcolm added. “You set us up with armor and weapons. Let us use them.”

 

I slumped realizing I was defeated.

“Okay Ichi will need someone to watch his back while using the Minotaur. Hiromi?”

“Yep! I’ll be suited up of course.”

“Alright. In that case, we’ll use plan B. We attack loud. We’ll spit into two groups, and hit each side of the compound at the same time. We can set it up so the gates will be open beforehand. Jun Rebecca and I will take the North side, Hiromi, Ichi and Malcolm will take the other. We hit at the same time. I’ll overwatch with Netrunning and should be able to disable all the weapons at once. Then we move in. Ichi on Minotaur and Malcolm will join up with us as we clear the inside of the plant.”

 

“Hmm. Could work.” Rebecca said sounding interested, but not really impressed.

 

“It’ll be the four of us that head down into the basement.” I told her calmly. “I don’t have a complete map of the place, but we should have little problems mowing through what’s down there. Jun will be the frontman. Then Malcolm and I. Then Rebecca. Unless you have some armor already Becca?” I asked, looking at her current outfit which was the opposite of protective.

“Ah… Just my Skinweave.” She offered and I nodded.

 

“Then you are backline until we can get you some gear… If you want to keep coming out with us I mean.” I added not wanting to assume.

 

She just nodded, not agreeing and I moved on.

 

“In that case weapons… I was planning on going silent, but if we are going loud… Well that changes things.” I added. And Jun looked pleased. He wasn’t much of a stealth guy. “Well I guess… Go wild, bring whatever you want? Rebecca if you want to borrow something feel free.”I offered as well with a thumbs up. “Suit up!” I told my chooms who all sighed and nodded.

 

“Suit up?” Rebecca asked and I nodded.

 

“I made some custom adjustments to some armor for everyone! So everyone needs to go put it on and then we can go.” I said pointing to the bathroom and my room which Hiromi had disappeared into, while Malcolm and Ichi were taking turns.

 

Rebecca nodded before doing the one thing I didn’t want.

 

She turned her eyes on Jun.

 

“So Tats, helping out your little sister? That’s pretty nova.” She offered and Jun just smiled a little.

 

“I always worry about her, but Motoko has most things under control. I’m really just coming for fun. She doesn’t need my help.” He explained the last part looking at me proudly, making me flush.

 

Stupid Jun! Don’t say nice things about me while I’m right here!

 

Or do! But not around other people!

 

“That’s… Heh well Kitten, I look forward to seeing what kind of claws you’ve got.” Rebecca said, looking to me. I scoffed at the nickname, but then Jun chuckled at it, and I glared at both of them.

 

“That nickname isn’t a thing!” I denied firmly. I already had a cool nickname!

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“Kitten.” Jun said then laughed and I glared, but he just turned to Rebecca. “You call her Kitten?”

 

“Heh, well I met her through a choom of mine Sasha who I call Whiskers, and Sasha was acting all proud about having a kohai, and there is Motoko. I mean.. Look at her. Total cat energy.”

 

“Heh.” Jun chuckled shoulders shaking as he kept looking at me his eye practically twinkling in amusement.

 

I was gonna kick him.

“Bringing you both along was a mistake.” I grumbled, and then Hiromi came walking out of my room suited up. Helmet under one arm.

 

“Room is clear Motoko.” She said even as she rested against the doorway.

 

“Whoa.” Rebecca called out as she took in Hiromi’s appearance. “That’s… What is that?”

“Formerly a set of Arasaka guard armor, but I made some modifications!” I said happily as I rushed over and grabbed Hiromi who yelped as I manhandled her closer.

“See! I added in an ECM system, and modified the armor to fit my chooms. Although they keep wanting to wear pants instead of a Netrunner suit.”

“I don’t wear skin tight outfits Motoko. Not all of us walk around with a six pack.” Hiromi grumbled and I scoffed.

“It’s just a little workout! Do you want to try to exercise more? I could be your personal trainer!” I offered and Hiromi made a keening noise as she shook her head. “Oh. Never mind then?” I guess Hiromi really was a couch potato. That’s alright, she was the desk jockey anyways!

“Jeeze choom you got it bad fo-Mrble!” Hiromi leaped away from me to press her gloved hand against Rebecca’s mouth.

 

“Shhhh!” She demanded and I just quirked an eyebrow at the weirdness.

“Guys?”

“It’s nothing Motoko! Why don’t you get suited up and you can show Rebecca your armor!” Hiromi added even as Rebecca was glaring at her, but… Okay sure. I wasn’t going to interfere with whatever Hiromi was up to.

 

“Jun! You too!” I demanded and he looked up and blinked.

 

“Motoko I don’t have any-Hey! Don’t throw stuff!” He snapped, but I ignored him.

 

The original set of armor I had pulled off the Kang Tao way back was more than capable of stretching to fit Jun.

 

“Wear that!” I demanded and he looked at it like I just handed him something foul.

 

“Motoko this ruins my style.”

“You don’t have a style! Moron! Idiot! Gonk! Put on the armor or stay home!” I ordered as I turned around to get suited up myself.