Chapter 167

Sasha

 

She paced. What else could she do? She had taken a total noob, one that had some serious talent, but was still just a kid and nearly got her killed.

 

“Chill whiskers, Motoko is fine.”

“I know more about netrunning and what a cyberdeck overheating does to someone than you do Becca. Motoko might be okay, but she isn’t okay.” She responded back, almost snapping as she continued to pace.

All because she had wanted to fight, to feel alive. Her arm twitched and she wanted nothing more than to smash it to pieces.

 

She hated the way it made her feel. Her mother had always told her how her arm was out to get her, that it was why…

 

Sasha shook it off. She didn’t want to think like that. It was Securicine that had caused all of that. Her mother had always been so kinda before the war, and even when she came back. It had been the slow after effect that had left her…

 

Sasha reached up to touch her nose.

 

It wasn’t bleeding. There was no blood. Her mother hadn’t had another rage and hit her. But her arm, it terrified her, what if… What if she was like her mother, what if it wasn’t Securicine that had caused her mothers fits?

 

What if it made her blank out and beat Rebecca to a pulp? What if it made her drag a perfectly nice kid, that had a so obvious crush on her it was the most adorable thing ever and drag her into a mess that almost got her killed?

“Fuck.” She hissed wanting to smash something, but that was odd too, Sasha wasn’t the physical destruction type. She hadn’t wanted to be like how her mother was at the end. Smashing things because she couldn’t control herself in her anger.

 

“Hey.” A voice, deep and baritone and a strong hand on her shoulder made her stop. “Ease up Sasha. Ain’t nothing wrong that can’t be fixed.”

“I almost got the kid killed Maine.”

“Sounds like she almost got herself killed to me.”

“She wouldn’t have been there if I hadn’t literally tricked her into it! She was even telling me that she wasn’t interested! I just didn’t care! I was so selfish I just wanted a fight! Something to do!”

 

“Sounds like an apology then. Nothing to get this worked up over.” He rumbled but he also didn’t understand. Maines entire perspective on Netrunning was action movie bullshit. Where the sexy femme fatal sidekick opened doors for the slick solo.

 

Sasha loved those movies, even if they were complete scop.

 

“I agree with Maine, Whiskers.” Becca cut in. “I’ve only known Motoko for a bit so I can’t guarantee nothin’ but she’s pretty chill, and she’s not bothered by fuckups.”

Sasha shook her head, it wasn’t just what she had done.

 

Noobs were everywhere on the net, and when you took one under your wing, you’re supposed to watch out for them. You don’t kick them into a Combat Zone without even knowing their actual skill level!

 

That fucking fox was going to kill her.

 

“I can’t apologize when she won’t pick up.” She admitted, and Whiskers nodded.

 

“It might take a bit choom. You betrayed her trust. Massive gonk move.”

 

“I know.” She flopped onto the couch and just stared up at the ceiling. What a fucking mess. “My arm itches.” She whispered aloud, one of the first times she had admitted to the problems with her chrome.

 

Maine didn’t get it. Even now he looked at her like he wanted to just tell her to scratch it then.

 

But Becca was smart. Surprisingly empathetic when she wanted to. She understood.

 

“Just a little longer choom. Then Bio-Technica will be off your tail, and we can swap you for some meat. Ease back on the chrome.” Rebecca offered trying to be the mature young woman she was on the inside.

“I know.” Just a little longer. Just a little longer.

 

Just a little longer.

 

——

 

Ichi and Malcolm both reached out to check on me after letting my chooms know what happened, but I hadn’t needed to have everyone over to look at how not injured I was.

 

Instead Hiromi and I hung out until she finally relaxed realizing I was okay, and then when she left that night I fell asleep early.

 

A day passed with me mostly tinkering with Tachikoma, lazing around, and avoiding going out. Giving myself a faux time to ‘heal’ from any damage.

 

I slept again mostly just to skip time

 

The next morning I woke up, stretched and forced myself up. I still could do more work on the Tachikoma, but what I really needed was to start searching for a new Cyberdeck.

 

As I hit the shower and got dressed I sent a message to Vik. Unfortunately when he got back it wasn’t good news.

 

*Vik: I have some decks, and managed to source a Seacho Mk.1. Not as good as what you had, but it’s workable. But I have a feeling that’s not what you want. Suggest asking around and putting your ear to the ground. I’ll keep checking for you.*

 

Not what I wanted, but Vik was only a miracle worker with one of his skills.

 

*Motoko: Thanks Vik. I’m going to look around.*

 

With that I sent a text to another source.

 

*Motoko: Hey Wakako. I had a thing, and I need a new Cyberdeck. Do you have any leads?*

 

I was just putting on my boots when I got a response.

 

*Wakako: You are more useful to me with all your tricks so I will help with this. Stop by.*

 

Well that sounded good.

 

I hurried out of the apartment, noticing that Jun was home, but sleeping. A few minutes later I pulled up to the entrance of Jig-jig street and headed inside.

 

The crowds were as dense as always. But my eyes kept being drawn over to the vending machines on the sides of the street.

 

I couldn’t hack them. It was something I had grown so incredibly used to. It felt weird not having access to the net. Cameras around me were still noticed with my Kiroshi, but I couldn’t turn them off with a thought anymore. I couldn’t blind anyone I faced, or simply shocked them all unconscious.

 

I wanted to get a Cyberdeck ASAP.

 

Wakako’s parlor was the same as always, and I walked right in. This time she wasn’t on a call, or even pretending to ignore me. She pointed at the chair across from her and I sat.

 

“So you burned yourself out? Surprising you aren’t dead.” She said and I sighed as I realized she was going to grill me first.

 

Dangit.

“I had some plans in place in case I ever overheated. They saved me from any permanent damage. Although my head still hurts.” I lied to her and she watched me with her sharp eyes for a moment before nodding.

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“At least you were wise enough not to get your fool self killed. Truly, what a waste that would have been.” She said and it took me a second to realize that was actually a compliment.

 

“Thanks.”

“Hardly a compliment. Keeping yourself alive is the first step, fool girl. But you need a new Cyberdeck.”

“Yep. I’m offline at the moment.”

“Hmm.” She responded, but didn’t actually say anything more as she took a drag on her cigarette. “I don’t have anything I can offer. Dr. Vector’s request for information on a new high end deck has already been passed on. There are those that are happy to work with the Doctor, to find what he requests, but it’s quiet currently.”

“Oh.”

“You will likely need to source one directly.” She said puffing away and I frowned.

 

“I don’t really like to take people’s chrome.” I said honestly and Wakako just scoffed.

 

“You are the oddest killer I have ever met.” She nearly snapped, but still she seemed to calm herself. “Be careful fool girl. Without your usual equipment, death is around any corner. I’ve seen many netrunners die due to being in between equipment.”

 

I looked at her.

 

She looked at me, and basically waved me off with her cigarette.

 

“Wait.”

“You should leave girl.” Wakako said noticeably as I came to a realization.

 

“You called me down here after I told you about me needing a deck, but you don’t even have one! You just wanted to check on me!” I said finger pointing. Wakako took a breath and glared.

 

“I simply wished to make sure my agent didn’t melt her fool brain out of her ears. When I was informed about what happened, I had started writing you off, believing you would need help going to the bathroom for the rest of your life.” She said and I blinked.

 

“It’s not that bad.” I demurred.

 

“I was a doctor in my youth girl. I know exactly ‘how bad’ an overheated Cyberdeck is. Especially in some fools tiny head. Perhaps your lack of brains kept you alive?”

“Okay okay! I get it. You are grumpy. I’ll leave.” I said standing up with my hands raised, Wakako was getting nasty, but I stopped at the door. “Thanks for worrying.” I told her and smirked as I walked out, because her answering scoff was great.

 

Okay in that case…

 

I needed to go see Yoko.

 

—–

 

“The resurrection of the dead was true.” Yoko said to me bluntly as I walked into her shop.

 

“I didn’t die.”

 

“No you didn’t. Good. I was cross when I saw what happened. Your battle strategy needs more work.” She told me, but despite her monotone tone, there was a hint of teasing from the older woman.