《Origin of the Shinigami - Cyberpunk 2077》
01 - Life and Death
Sophie slowly knelt before the pair of gravestones, her knees pressing into the slightly damp grass. The cool autumn air nipped at her cheeks, turning them slightly pink. She reached out to brush away a few dry leaves that had settled on the polished stone. Her fingers lingering on the carved names of her parents. "Hey, Mom. Hey, Dad," she murmured.
She sat back on her heels and sighed heavily. There was something oddly comforting about the silence in the graveyard. "So, uh, I went to the dentist this week," she began, a chuckle escaping her lips. "Can you believe it? No cavities. Not bad, right? Not that youd care about my dental hygiene, but hey, small wins."
Her eyes scanned the cemetery; the neat rows of gravestones and the few visitors paying their respects. "I saw Mrs. Pritchard the other day. Those raccoons in her backyard have really ballooned. I swear, one of thems getting so fat itll probably need its own wheelchair soon. I told her she should stop, but you know her. Shes as stubborn as a mule."
She knew she was rambling but she couldnt help it. There wasnt anyone else to talk to anyway. Her words tumbled out, the woman speaking about anything she could think of. Every so often, Sophie paused, as if expecting a response, then filled the silence with more chatter.
Oh, and I finally started cleaning out the attic last week. Its amazing how much random junk can pile up over the years. Found an old photo album with pictures of us. Remember that one trip to the beach where Dad got sunburned so bad he looked like a lobster? Yeah, good times.
Her voice trailed off, and for a moment, Sophie stared at the ground, tears threatening to fall. "I miss you guys," she said softly. She stayed like that for a while, immersed in her memories.
Eventually, Sophie struggled to her feet and brushed the dirt off her jeans. "Ill come by again soon," she promised, her voice slightly choked. "Take care of each other, okay?"
As she left the graveyard, Sophies prosthetic leg clanked. Every step extracted a slightly concerning sound. She gritted her teeth as a dull ache radiated from her thigh, where the artificial limb was attached.
"Stupid leg," she muttered under her breath. "Why did it have to be my right one? Couldn''t have been my left, oh no, that wouldve been too convenient."
Each step was hard, even though shed had the leg for nearly a decade. The prosthetics outdated design lacked the smoothness of the newer versions, but those were far out of her budget. "Maybe I should start a GoFundMe," she joked bitterly to herself. "Help Sophie get a leg that doesnt suck."
The grocery store came into view, the only large store in the small town. Sophie pushed through the automatic doors, grabbing a basket and heading straight for the frozen food aisle. She bypassed the fresh produce without a second glance, instead stocking up on instant noodles, frozen pizzas, and microwaveable meals. The woman certainly didnt forget to grab herself some chocolate either. The thought of cooking felt like too much effort. Besides, the prepackaged stuff was cheap, and it wasnt like anyone was around to judge her for it.This content has been unlawfully taken from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.
At the checkout, Sophie exchanged polite small talk with the cashier, a teenager who seemed more interested in their phone than the conversation. She packed her groceries into a single bag and slung it over her shoulder, using the weight in a poor attempt at countering her wonky gait. The walk home was short at least. Although her leg was once again throbbing by the time she reached her house.
The living space was small and cluttered. Each surface was covered with some combination of manga and DVDs. She dropped the grocery bag onto the kitchen counter and immediately went to the microwave, tearing open a box of instant ramen. As she did so, there was a slight creak above her but she ignored it. The house was old, so it was only natural thered be creaks. While the microwave droned on, she settled onto her old couch, turning on the TV and flipping through her streaming service until she found the anime shed been binging.
Dinner was eaten straight from the container, her focus entirely on the screen. It was a small reprieve from the sad and lonely life she had lived for years. She was able to laugh aloud at the antics of her favorite characters and the adventures they had. By the time the episodes credits rolled, her food was finished and the container perched precariously on the edge of the coffee table.
She spent the rest of the evening playing video games. While her combat skills honed in the military had long faded, her skill with a controller had grown massively in her retirement. Time slipped by, the only noises coming from the game or the occasional creak. Only in the early hours of the morning, when her eyes grew heavy, did she reluctantly put down the controller and crawl into bed.
Sleep claimed her quickly, but it wasnt peaceful. As always, Sophies dreams were a trip through memories she desperately tried to forget.
The roar of gunfire resounded in the distance. Overhead, jets, both allied and enemy, bombed the abandoned city. Sophies squad moved in formation, some distance behind her. Her squad leader occasionally spoke up, relaying the situation in a sharp voice. Sophies speciality was recon, ensuring that her squadmates werent caught in a trap or ambush. Unfortunately, everything had gone to hell in an instant.
Shed felt the explosion before she heard it, the shockwave slamming her to the ground. Pain erupted across her body but concentrated mostly in her leg. It was both a sharp, piercing pain and a continual burning sensation. When she looked down, the sight was enough to make her stomach churn. Blood was splattered across the ground, and the mangled remnants of her limb were barely recognizable.
"Weve got to move!" someone shouted, their voice cutting through the haze of pain. Gunfire erupted close-by. Hands gripped her shoulders, dragging her to nearby cover.
In a daze, she had watched as Micah jerked and stiffened, blood pouring out of a wound in her neck. An explosion sent Jack tumbling and he never rose. Sophie wasnt sure how long had passed, only that she was in an immense amount of pain, physically, mentally and emotionally. One by one, her friends fell, their sacrifices shielding her as they fought to hold the enemy at bay.
By the time the extraction team arrived, Sophie was barely conscious, her vision blurred by tears and blood loss. The lifeless eyes of her squadmates haunted her even as she was airlifted to safety. Theyd given everything to save her, and shed lived. Why? Why would they do that? The nightmare ended when she finally fell unconscious.
Sophie woke with a start, her chest heaving and her body drenched in sweat. She sat up, clutching the sheets tightly as she tried to steady herself. The breathing exercise she had been taught came in handy, as always. The room was silent. No gunfire, no screams, no explosions. The veteran sighed.
She swung her remaining leg over the side of the bed. Her stump slotted into her prosthetic, the pseudo-limb clicking softly against the floor. For a long while, she just sat there, staring at the faint light beginning to creep through the blinds.
Eventually, she pushed herself up and shuffled to the kitchen. The packaging of her dinner still sat on the coffee table, untouched since shed left it there. Sophie sighed, running a hand through her disheveled, sweaty hair. Another night of nightmares. Will it ever get better? As she waited for her microwaveable breakfast to heat, she absently tapped her fingers against her arm. Lost in thought, she missed the ominous creaking sound above her.
Moments later, it happened again. She noticed and looked up. Her eyes grew wide. With a loud crack, the roof above her crumbled. The heavy materials fell towards her. With a final crash, the life inside the small, rural house was snuffed out.
02 - Reincarnation
The void was silent, stretching in all directions like an endless ocean of ink. Sophies soul floated, disembodied, yet conscious enough to realise that she was no longer alive. Her memories were scattered, a haze of images, intense emotions, and an unmistakable sense of peace within her .
Then, out of the pervading gloom, three wheels appeared before her. Each was massive, eerily reminiscent of the challenge wheels those YouTubers used to use. The light that covered the wheels cast a faint shimmer across the dark expanse around her. They turned slowly, drawing her attention like a magnet.
"Oh. This doesnt look like hell." she muttered, finding her voice surprisingly intact. This seems kind of familiar? Her current situation was reminiscent of the various fan fictions and novels she used to read, where the main character is reincarnated into a fantastic new world. She had never imagined it would happen to her. Still, if thats what it was, Sophie was grateful for a second chance. Maybe it would be an opportunity to live a better, more fulfilling life. Whatever that would look like in her new world.
The first wheel began to spin.
The World Wheel
The names and brief glimpses of each world flashed past as it began to spin. She saw hundreds, possibly thousands of worlds; some she recognised from popular media in her past life while many others were entirely unfamiliar. Every possible type of world passed before her eyes. Dark cities, forests, deep space, and ancient sprawling empires. Each world seemed unique, both in locale and in danger.
The wheel began to slow, and her heart, or whatever semblance of feeling she still retained in her current state, fluttered in anticipation. As it clicked to a stop, a familiar skyline appeared on the wheels face: towers of concrete and steel, dazzling neon lights, and streets filled with danger and opportunity.
Cyberpunk 2077? she said, raising an eyebrow. Night City, huh?
Shed played the game in her previous life, though calling it play didnt quite cover it. It was a beautifully horrible world, one that had grabbed her and never fully let her go. Something about it had spoken to her, though she wasnt sure why. It was a world that gobbled up everyone that happened to enter, only to spit them back out, never in the same condition as they left.
It was a place where trust was scarce and survival was all about clawing your way up. Not exactly what she had thought of for a new life; it was certainly not a fresh start with clean skies and open fields, but it was a world she understood. Maybe that would give her an advantage at least.
All right, she murmured. Bring it on, Night City.
The Body Wheel
The second wheel began to spin, slower and heavier than the previous. This one held faces and forms, each passing in a blur. Bodies in all shapes, sizes, and genders flashed before her eyes; some barely more than children, others hardened by lifes difficulties. She felt a twinge of apprehension. Would she be someone new, a stranger to herself, or would she retain some part of who shed been? Did she even want to retain some part of herself?
The wheel came to a gradual halt along with her thoughts, revealing her. Not as she was in her last life, but as she had been in her old gaming avatar, the one shed spent hours crafting and perfecting. There was a flash of connection as she recognised that digital form shed once inhabited.Support the author by searching for the original publication of this novel.
She looked closer, her heart giving an odd, sentimental flutter. It was a comedic avatar she had made using mods. Designed similar to her favourite Cyberpunk character, Rebecca, the avatar was small and pale. Around 165cm with a face that focused entirely on cute, snarky features. Inky black hair fell to the small of the avatars back and red eyes that looked like small rubies shone as distinguishing features. However, there was one part that Sophie now deeply regretted adding. The hefty pair of breasts that dangled off the avatars body.
Well, it could be worse I suppose, she whispered, a hint of resignation in her voice. Shed loved this avatar once, though now she wasnt entirely sure if she appreciated her past selfs choices. Yet the universe, or whatever power was running this whole reincarnation thing, had given her a chance to live in an entirely new body. And she could always get her body modified if she needed to, given what kind of world Cyberpunk is.
It felt like coming full circle, a random choice she had made in life now reflected in her future.
The Power Wheel
Without waiting, the final wheel began to spin, seemingly brighter and faster than the others. This wheel held symbols that glowed with a fierce intensity: powers beyond her imagination, each one promising a different kind of strength. All were things she had never even thought of, things that transcended anything shed ever known.
This wheel spun longer, as if deciding on something particularly challenging. She wondered what power would suit her in a world like Night City. Different powers flashed through her mind. She would love to be able to fly or fling magic at her enemies. Yet, that was the kind of thing that would land her in a corpo lab within a day.
When the wheel finally stopped, the words Legend System glowed softly in silver letters.
She raised an eyebrow. Legend System, huh? That sounds a bit vague.
A screen appeared next to the wheel, showing a brief description: the Legend System would grant her missions, each with different difficulties and rewards. Shed get access to classes, skills and a store, though the specifics eluded her. The system appeared to be a source of power and a taskmaster rolled into one, designed to take a regular girl and turn her into a legend.
She let out a dry laugh. Well, at least I wont have any difficulties finding a career. I wonder what Ill become?
A system might be a blessing, she supposed, especially in a world where personal value and connections could mean the difference between life and death. But it would be dangerous. Night City never gave anyone a break. It would be a fine balance between doing enough to stay alive and not getting roped into something she couldnt escape.
Still, she murmured, better than no power at all.
There was a final flash, and the wheels faded. She found herself suspended in the void once again, but now, something was different. She could feel a weight to her existence. Her new body. She looked at her hands in wonder before pausing. Her hands were small, as was the rest of her body.
A screen appeared before her, illuminating the darkness.
WELCOME TO NIGHT CITY.
Status?
Name: Sophie ??? (Awaiting Host Choice)
Age: 14
Class: Available
Passives
N/A
Skills
N/A
Cyberware
N/A
Store: Available
L-Coins: 0
*Welcome Gift Box Available*
While the screen was interesting, one line in particular stood out.
Age: 14
Motherfucker! She swore as she looked between the screen displaying her age and her small body. Her current figure was around 150cm, a bit shorter than she would eventually end up. She closed her eyes and took a few deep breaths. Its fine. Ill figure it out.
When she reopened her eyes, the pavement was the first thing that greeted her. Then it was the aches all over her body. She winced, feeling the pain. Sophie rolled herself over onto her back, looking up at the towering buildings on either side of her. She was in an alley somewhere. The newly reborn girl crawled over to one of the walls and leaned her back against it.
Im covered in bruises and lumpsWhat happened to me? With her thoughts racing, she touched the back of her head, where the most pain was radiating from. Her fingers touched something sticky and when she looked at them, they were red with blood. Have I taken over a dead girls body or something? This doesnt look good for me. Whoever did this, they might still be nearby. I need to get away from here before they return.
With shaky legs, Sophie stood up. With her hand propped against the wall, she hobbled out of the alley, grimacing the entire way. First, she needed to find somewhere safe. After that, she could figure out her next steps.
03 - Rough Start
It hadnt taken Sophie long to realise she was in Japantown, home of the Tyger Claws. The bright colours and significant Asian presence were clear signs of her location. It also made her suspect that the people who had attacked her were Tygers. So, she was looking for shelter somewhere out of the way in the less occupied areas of the sub-district.
Her body continued to ache, the pain she had woken up with not receding in the slightest. To make matters worse, rain had begun to fall in heavy sheets and the sky was getting dark.
Considering she had no money, connections or really any idea where exactly she was, Sophie wasnt particularly confident she would find somewhere safe. Still, somewhere she could rest for a moment is all she really needed. She didnt plan to squat in poverty her whole life after all.
She moved around the streets with obvious unfamiliarity, her inexperience visible to anyone that bothered to look at her. It was at this time however, that one of the benefits her small frame carried made itself known. She could slip through gaps easily and quietly, something she noted for later in the event she ended up in danger.
As she wandered, she was made aware just how loud Japantown was; advertisements blasted from every corner, AI voices promising everything from high-grade chrome to unmissable street food, while holographic dancers twirled and beckoned people toward their clubs. The whole district was a mix of glamour and grit.
Sophie ducked her head as she passed a row of street vendors, trying as hard as possible to avoid making eye contact. A few sold fried skewers ofsomething or little boxes of noodles. She briefly thought about making herself look hungry, in the hope one of the vendors would take pity and throw her a scrap before realising it was a bad idea. Shed be more likely to get chased off rather than fed.
Around an hour of wandering later, she finally passed one of the districts most noticeable landmarks, the Cherry Blossom Market. More importantly, it was somewhere she recognised from the game. It was the biggest open market in Japantown, stretching through a couple of blocks.
It was one of her favourite spots in Night City when she played the game, though a quick look inside turned her away immediately, in the opposite direction from the massive crowd of Tyger Claws. She decided however, to return sooner rather than later, as she may be able to find an opportunity in the crowded market place.
Nobody batted an eye when she hobbled away from the market as quickly as she could. People were always busy in the city, and most of them wouldnt look twice at a stray kid. It was weird though, that the whole area felt safer than even the idea of venturing into the upper Westbrook areas, where corpos walked around with shiny, pressed suits and cold, assessing stares.
Eventually she found herself under the looming shadows of the larger apartment complexes in Japantown. Some of the apartments she could see had banners written in Kanji or traditional patterns and paper lanterns strung across balconies. It felt slightly out of place, like someone had grabbed styles from the 20th century and transported it to the future.
Sophie eyed one of the apartment buildings across the way, watching the people moving in and out. She was tempted to try her luck with one, yet she knew the inhabitants would be suspicious of any unfamiliar face; even one as small as hers. Still, it might be a better option than the alleys. If she stayed there, who knew if she would end up dead by morning.
She slipped around a corner and barely managed to avoid bumping into two passing men wearing the classic menpo and biker jackets of the Tyger Claws. She tried to avoid them, keeping her head down and moving past as quickly as she could. Unfortunately, luck wasnt on her side. The two Tygers turned to face her.
The narrative has been stolen; if detected on Amazon, report the infringement.
Hey girlie, you look like you could use some help! One of the men spoke, his tone filled with undisguised lust.
Thats right, thats right. Why dont you come with us? Youll get a nice warm bed to sleep in. The second mans words might have been convincing if not for the way he licked his lips, staring at her chest.
Sophie panicked. With her heart thumping, she stammered out a reply, n-no thank you. Im just on my way to a friend''s place.
Eh, you hear that? Sounds like shes tryna refuse our generous offer.
Surely that cant be it. Maybe she just didnt hear us properly. The men stepped closer, one of them reaching out to grab her. She ran.
Behind her, an oily voice called out. Shes running! Looks like weve got a live one! Unfortunately, her damaged body meant that she was moving very, very slowly. The Claws recognised that too, sharing a grin. As Sophie tried to escape, the two men followed behind her, their speed slow.
Fucking bastards! Is this all a game to you!? That was exactly how the two Tygers saw the situation. They were enjoying her pitiful attempts at escaping, knowing that they could catch her no matter what she did. However, she refused to just give up.
"Look at the little rat," one of them sneered, his voice sharp with mockery. His bright tattoos glowed faintly, an array of tigers and flames crawling up his arms. "Thinks she can just limp away from us."
The other chuckled, adjusting the katana strapped to his back. "She''s got spirit, though."
Sophie didnt look back. She didnt dare. She focused on her feet, every step sending sharp jolts of pain through her body. Fuck, my body is basically crippled. She pushed herself harder, her vision blurring from the pain. She knew she couldnt outrun them. They were just playing with her, savoring her futile escape.
Her heart pounded in her chest as she turned down a narrow alley. The neon lights behind her cast a thin shadow along the wall. The smell of garbage filled her nose, making it harder to breathe. The Tyger Claws'' laughter echoed behind her, a reminder of how close they were.
"Where do you think you''re going, kid?" one called out. "Ain''t nowhere to hide."
Her heart thumped in her chest as she scanned her surroundings for an escape, but there was nothing; no doors, no windows, just towering walls and piles of garbage. Tears trickled out of her eyes. A new life and already, she was done for. She hadnt even lasted a day.
"Still fighting, huh?" one of the Tyger Claws called out, his voice reaching her ears.
She pressed herself against the alley wall, desperately trying to make herself smaller. But when their footsteps stopped just outside, she knew it was over. There was nowhere to run, nowhere to hide.
Just as she gave up, a hand shot out from the shadows beside her, clamping firmly over her mouth. Sophie froze, her body too weak to resist as she was yanked sideways into a thin gap between two buildings. The space was tight, hidden by a cleverly arranged pile of debris that blended with the alley''s general filth.
Her saviour held her close, her back pressed against their chest. A sharp whisper reached her ear.
Dont move. Dont breathe. Dont make a sound.
Sophies eyes widened, her chest heaving as she tried to catch her breath. Who is this? Are they friendly? Or will they use me the same way the Tygers wanted to?
Her pursuers stopped at the alleys entrance, peering inside.
Where is she? One asked.
"She didnt just vanish," the taller one growled, his voice laced with irritation.
"Check it out," the other replied, nudging his companion forward.
The taller man hesitated, his eyes narrowing as he scanned the alley. But the piled trash and dense shadows offered no hints, no clues to where their prey had gone.
"Nothing here," he muttered after a moment, stepping back.
"She cant have gone far," the other said, frustration creeping into his voice. "Maybe she ducked into one of these other alleys. Lets sweep the block."
Their footsteps retreated, their voices fading as they moved further away. Sophie didnt dare move, barely dared to breathe, until the silence stretched long enough to be sure they were gone.
The hand over her mouth eased, and she sagged against her rescuer. The voice spoke from behind her.
Youre lucky I was here.
Sophie turned her head slightly, her eyes struggling to see through the shadow.
"Why?" Sophie croaked.
The figure shrugged. Didnt feel like letting those scumbags have their fun. And I know what its like to be helpless.
Sophie blinked up at them, her mind struggling to process everything. "Who are you?"
A friend. We can introduce ourselves later. For now, Ill take you back home. Are you able to walk?
Yeah. I think so.
Nova. Lets go.
04 - Mia
As they slowly made their way through the alley, the dim light allowed Sophie to make out the faint glow of cybernetic implants along her saviours neck.
"Mia," the girl said, breaking the silence. Thats my name. Whats yours?"
"Sophie," she managed, still breathing heavily from the encounter with the Tygers. She stumbled slightly, as she walked, catching herself on the alley wall. Mia paused before grabbing the injured girls arm and looping it around her neck.
"Come on. Youll be safer where were going."
Sophie hesitated slightly. Her wide eyes darted to the empty alley where the Tyger Claws had stood moments ago. The logical part of her brain told her to run, to hide. But her body was too battered and her mind too tired to argue. With a weak nod, she pushed off the wall, letting Mia guide her.
They emerged back into Japantown, the districts neon lights shining even through the drenching rain. Fortunately, there were no Claws wandering the street.
In the brighter light, Sophie got her first clear look at her savior. She was around the same age, maybe slightly older than the newly reborn girl. Mias frame was wiry, and her face was set in a determined frown. Her dark, brown hair was cut unevenly, jagged strands framing her face, clearly cut for practicality, not style. A faint scar ran from the corner of her lip to her jawline, reaching the cybernetic enhancements along her neck.
"Keep your head down," Mia murmured, her voice low. "The Tygers patrol this area often. With what just happened, they might still be looking for you."
Sophie nodded, her heart pounding. They moved carefully, weaving through the nighttime crowd. Mias eyes were constantly scanning their surroundings. Normally, Sophie would have been the same but she was just too tired at that point. At one point, the older girl tugged her charge into the shadow of a vending machine as a pair of Tyger Claw enforcers strolled past, their chromed arms shining under the street lights. The men laughed loudly, oblivious to the two girls crouched mere meters away.
After the enforcers disappeared around a corner, Mia whispered, "Come on," and they resumed their journey.
Where are we going, exactly?
The edge of Japantown. My group and I have a little shack there. Sophie didnt reply. The mention of a group made her slightly nervous, but she was willing to give the older girl the benefit of the doubt.
As the two girls got further away from the centre of Japantown, there was a noticeable shift. Street vendors and pedestrians seemed happier while there was a significant decrease in the number of Tyger Claws. Seems like the Claws arent too popular. Makes sense, I guess.
Mia finally stopped outside a ramshackle structure tucked into the corner of a narrow street. The shack looked like it had been cobbled together from scavenged materials; corrugated metal sheets, warped plastic, and patched tarpaulin. There was a faint orange glow from within, signs of a small fire. Mia glanced over her shoulder, her sharp eyes scanning the street before gesturing for Sophie to get inside. As she did so, a shiver went down her spine.
Her long dormant instincts, cultivated during her time in the army, screamed that there was something wrong, yet when the girl looked around, there was nothing. Am I imagining things? Slightly on edge, she followed Mia into the shack.Support creative writers by reading their stories on Royal Road, not stolen versions.
The interior was cramped and dirty but surprisingly organized. Makeshift furniture, made from salvaged crates and cushions, filled the small space. A few mattresses, filled with holes and covered in stains, blanketed the floor. In the centre, a flickering fire provided the dim illumination visible from outside. Sophies eyes took in the scene: six children, all around the same age as herself, were scattered around the room. They froze at the sight of her, their wary eyes darting between Sophie and Mia.
"Whos this?" a boy with spiky blonde hair demanded. His arms were crossed, and he leaned against the wall, his posture defensive. Bakugo? Is that you?
"Shes hurt," Mia replied. "Found her being hunted by some Tygers."
Another girl, her curly hair pulled back into a messy bun, stepped forward, her expression softening. "She looks like shes been through hell."
"She has," Mia confirmed, guiding Sophie to a crate in the corner. "Sit. Rest."
Sophie sank onto the seat, her body finally giving in to the exhaustion shed been fighting. She felt their eyes on her, a mixture of curiosity and caution. Mia crouched beside her, gesturing to the group.
"This is my family," she said gently. "As you can see, were not much. Just a rag-tag group of street rats trying to survive. But weve got each other. And if you want, you can join us. Be part of our family."
Sophie blinked, unsure if shed heard correctly. "You you want me to stay?" The offer was unexpected. The tired girl had assumed that they would kick her out the next day, unwilling to feed another mouth. Especially one who couldnt help much, injured as she was.
Mia nodded. "Surviving alone out thereIts tough. We look out for each other, share what scraps we find. Its not definitely not perfect, but its better than being alone."
The spiky-haired boy snorted. "If she pulls her weight."
"Hush, Jay," Mia shot back. "Shes just like us. She needs help."
Jay muttered something under his breath but fell silent when Mia shot him a look, arms still crossed. The girl with the messy bun offered Sophie a tentative smile. "Im Lyra," she said, her voice kind. "Youre welcome to stay if youd like."
The introductions continued, each of them offering a name and a brief look at their personalities. Jay, the blonde boy, was brash but clearly protective of the group. Lyra had a gentle demeanor, behaving similarly to a mother, rather than a child. There was Rei, a quiet boy who barely spoke, his large, dark eyes peering out from beneath a mop of brown hair.
Tessa, a tiny girl with a mischievous grin and twitchy hands, perched on a crate in one of the rooms corners. The twins, Sam and Sasha, were identical, their freckled faces filled with curiosity as they stared at her.
Sophies head swam as she tried to remember the various details about each of the kids. However, by far the clearest dynamic was how much each of them cared for the others.
"So," Mia said, pulling Sophies attention back to her. "What do you think? Do you want to stay with us?"
Sophie hesitated. On one hand, staying with the group would offer a modicum of safety and support. On the other hand, she wasnt sure if she wanted to be part of a group or team. Not after what happened to the last team she was a part of. Her voice trembled as she spoke. "I Im not sure."
Mia gave her an understanding look, then shrugged. Well, the offer is open. Stay the night with us, think about it some more. Once youve had some rest, you can give us an answer.
Lyra nodded along, an encouraging expression adorning her face. "Well help you if you want. You can be part of the family."
"Okay," she said finally. "Ill stay the night and think about it some more. Tomorrow, Ill give you an answer."
Mias lips curved into a smile, and she patted Sophies shoulder. "Sounds good. Now get some rest. Tomorrow, well show you how we do things." The older girl guided her over to one of the mattresses. You can sleep here tonight.
Thank you, Mia. I appreciate your help, truly.
Dont worry about it. I like helping people, yknow? Sleep well, Sophie.
-----------------------
In the middle of the night, Sophies heart thumped loudly in her chest. A sense of dread descended on her and she sat up. Well, she tried to. A cold, metal hand clamped down over her mouth, stifling the scream that tried to escape when she opened her eyes.
Above her, a man wearing a hologram mask was connected to the metal hand over her mouth. Her eyes widened. Scavs! She tried to kick and scream, but the mans hand pressed down on her harder. From behind his back, he retrieved a small, metal stick. He pressed a button and the entire thing lit up with crackling electricity. The girl recognised it as a taser.
The weapon was jammed into her ribs without a care and the electrical current flooded her body. Immediately, she started convulsing, her muscles spasming and out of control. Mere seconds later, Sophies body went still, her head lolling to the side. As her eyes closed, she could barely make out the silhouettes of other scavs, all performing similar acts on the other kids. The silent screams she knew they tried to let out felt burned into her mind. Unfortunately, that was the last thing she thought before unconsciousness claimed her.
05 - Captured
Sophie had a vague impression of being carried somewhere, then being thrown atop a pile of soft, hard and warm things. Her eyes tried to open. Through blurry eyes, she could see the faces of Lyra and Jay beneath her. She could faintly hear the groans of the other kids as well.
They were in the back of a van, she realised. On one side, a scav sat on a small bench. Sadly, when she looked at him, he noticed.
Mustn''t have fried her enough, he muttered. His arm came forward, shoving his taser into her body again. Lightning once again flooded her body and she convulsed, face contorted into a silent snarl. She dropped off again, the pain of her original injuries and the electricity too much to bear.
Oddly, only 15 minutes later, she woke up again. She was still in the van, though they were moving now, compared to previously. The same scav remained at the side of the vehicle, the hologram mask lighting up the dark interior to a certain extent. He noticed that she was awake, again.
Again? The confusion was evident in his voice. Whatever The taser came down again and once more her mind shut down.
-----------------------
The next time Sophie woke up, she was being hauled out of the van. Her groggy eyes could barely make out how the other captives were treated similarly, thrown over the shoulders of their kidnappers.
She looked around, desperate to find something, anything, that might help her escape the situation. They were in some kind of industrial plant, that much she could tell. A tall smoke stack seemed to pierce the sky above the building they were entering. In the other direction, a tall, cylindrical building was visible. However, there were no identifying features. That was all she could see before the line of scavs, each carrying a captive, descended into the bowels of the building.
Inside, there was a wide array of rooms. One that seemed dedicated to drug manufacturing, though she was completely unfamiliar with what type. Another that appeared to be an administrative room? Her drowsy mind failed to comprehend what that was for. Do the scavs regularly have visitors? She didnt get much of a chance to think about it as they entered a different room, straight out of hell.
Thick layers of blood caked the walls and floors. Medical equipment was present too; ripperdoc chairs, monitoring devices and large, blocky freezers. It was the chairs however, that drew the most attention.
Adorning them like pieces of macabre artwork, were bodies, all torn apart in various ways. Most terrifying however, was that some seemed to still breathe, even with arms or organs torn out. This has to be a nightmare. Yeah, thats it. Ill wake up and still be in the shack, with Mia and the others.
Her hopes were dashed when the train of kidnappers made their way into a much larger, more open room. They headed straight for one side of the space. Three, massive cages, one of which was occupied, stood menacingly. The scavs opened an unoccupied cage. All of the kids Sophie had been brought in with were thrown inside, one by one. There was no care, simply throwing them inside before walking out again.
Sophie, half awake, found herself flying through the air. No! The back of her head cracked against the ground and she instantly lost consciousness.
-----------------------
An unknown amount of time later, Sophies eyes fluttered open. The first thing she saw was the dirty, grey cement roof. Then she felt the immense pain emanating from her skull, where it had cracked against the ground. She groaned.
Shes awake! A somewhat familiar voice entered her ears and suddenly, Mias face was above her, upside down. Arms slipped under her own and she was dragged up until her head rested comfortably on the older girl''s thighs. Are you alright? You werent waking up. I was worried.
Eh? How long have I been unconscious?
Im not sure, she said. Probably a day or two? Its hard to tell the time down here.
The narrative has been taken without permission. Report any sightings.
Damn, I must have hit my head way harder than I thought. What is this place?
The older girls face twisted into a grimace. A scav den. Although it seems to be different from what Ive heard. Normally they chop you up once they have you. These scumbags seem to have a different agenda.
A noise came from outside the cage and both girls looked over. A line of scavs were carrying more kids, all of similar ages to Mias group. They opened the door to the cage and threw all of the unconscious bodies inside.
I need to check on them. Will you be alright by yourself?
Yeah, do what you need. Not like I can go anywhere. Sophie spoke with resignation. Mia nodded.
Ill check on you soon, kay? The younger girl grunted in reply. With the other girls help, she was able to sit up, back against the cold wall. She watched as Mia went around, calming her friends and checking on the new arrivals. Her eyes moved on, beginning to look at the surroundings.
There were two additional cages on both sides of her own, each empty. The back wall of her own cage had a single toilet, covered in grime. That thing looks absolutely foul, the girl thought in disgust. Aside from that single amenity, the cell was completely bare. The other kids in the cell, specifically those from Mias group, each had various looks of fear plastered across their faces.
The twins were hugging each other tightly, Tessa nervously wrung her hands and Rei had curled up into a ball, seemingly in an attempt to hide from reality. Mia, Lyra and Jay seemed to be the only ones doing better but there were still signs of fear.
Sophie turned her attention to the new arrivals. They didnt appear much different from Mia and the others. She sighed. This really doesnt look good. Her attention turned to herself; more specifically, her body. There hadnt been much time to stop and actually examine her condition. Now that she had nowhere to go, it was the best opportunity to find out what she was working with.
Her discoveries were pretty much exactly as she expected. All across her body, bruises bloomed. The purplish spots were almost like massive polka dots and she wasnt able to find anywhere that didnt have at least one. Her head was still sticky with blood, both from when she had woken up originally and when she was thrown into the cage. Obviously, all of that damage had taken a significant toll. Pain washed over her body in waves and she was physically exhausted. Mentally though, she was mostly fine.
Right. I do have one option to get myself out of this situation. With a mental command, she brought up her system page.
Name: Sophie ??? (Awaiting Host Choice)
Age: 14
Class: Available
Passives
N/A
Skills
N/A
Cyberware
N/A
Store: Available
L-Coins: 0
*Welcome Gift Box Available*
Name and age are simple, though I think Ill hold off picking a surname. Sophie muttered, a system store will hopefully be useful, and I assume that the L-Coins are a system unique currency. I wonder if the system can talk? Hey system, can you explain my status to me?
Class: You may pick one class at a time. Each class comes with a set of skills and one Trait that unlocks at max level. Every class maxes out at level 100. When you reach level 100, you may evolve your class further along the same path or you can choose to start a new path. For example, the Gunner class evolves into the Markswoman class. You can however choose to take the Thief class first before taking the Markswoman class.
All classes that are unlocked and maxed will remain no matter what. Some classes require multiple classes to be completed before becoming available. For example, the Assassin class requires the classes Queen of Thieves and Gunslinger to be completed.
RightI think that makes sense. What about the rest?
Skills: Each class comes with a set of appropriate skills. Skills gain proficiency via actions directly associated with them; The Tracking skill will gain proficiency when you track someone or gain more experience in tracking. Every point of proficiency will provide a small amount of knowledge. Skills typically start off at 0/100 proficiency points. Once a skill reaches maximum proficiency, it might evolve or fuse with other skills. All class associated skills must reach full proficiency before a new class can be chosen.
You mentioned class associated skills, so are there other skills available?
Additional skills can be bought from the system store. Price is dependent on the skill.
RightWhat about passive skills?
Passive Skills: Awarded upon successful completion of a class, Passives are typically connected to whatever class you have completed. For example, the Passive associated with the Soldier class is Steady Hands, a perk that makes it easier to aim under any circumstances. They can also be bought from the system store, though they are significantly more expensive than skills.
And how exactly do I level my classes? Do I have to kill people and farm exp that way?
Classes gain levels via actions associated with the class. Stealing will naturally level the Thief class if possessed.
That shouldnt be too hard. Can you explain the store and L-Coins as well?
The System Store allows you to buy almost anything you could possibly want using L-Coins. L-Coins can be earned through completing system missions.
How do I get missions then? I dont seem to recall being given any.
Missions will overlap with any jobs or gigs you obtain in the world. They may also appear randomly, be spawned to provide a challenge or be given as guidance. Here is your first mission, generated based on your current situation.
New Mission
Find a way to escape the Scavengers.
Difficulty: Very Hard
Reward: 2000 L-Coins, 1000 Eurodollars, Mid-Grade Healing Injection, ???
That doesnt help at all. Can I open the Welcome Gift Box now?
Opening You have received the following:
Would you like to install the Interface System?
Sophie thought about it for a moment. No, it would just give the scavs something else to rip out of me, aside from my organs. Not to mention itd be super suspicious to suddenly possess one.
Acknowledged.
With the basic explanations out of the way and of no real help, the girl turned her attention to the Class section. Maybe you will have what I need.
06 - Inescapable
Alright system, can you show me what classes I have available?
Current Classes Available
The list scrolled on and Sophie was completely overwhelmed by the number of choices.
Alright, stop. Show me classes that fit this world. No magic or anything.
The number of options dropped sharply however there were still hundreds of available classes. Sophie spent some time narrowing down her options, eventually finding four classes that she was interested in starting with. Thief, Huntress, Apprentice Swordswoman and Amateur Netrunner.
Hmm, I can''t do netrunning yet. I need money for a cyberdeck and some soft. Apprentice Swordswoman sounds good but is reliant on weapons. I could get a weapon if I ran around the city but She looked around her cell. Thats not happening any time soon. Can you describe the Thief class for me?
Class: Thief - An individual who specialises in infiltration and obtaining valuables.
RightThat doesnt help me at all. What about Huntress?
Class: Huntress - An individual who specialises in tracking and hunting, whether its a person or item.
Hmm, thats not too helpful either. Seems like taking a class isnt going to do much for me, stuck in a cage as I am. Her eyes lit up as a thought crossed her mind. I have some L-Coins. Maybe I can get something with that? Bring up the system store.
Her system panel suddenly expanded, turning into a massive page reminiscent of a shopping website. Sophie quickly realised that the system hadnt lied to her. There was so much on offer. Skimming her eyes over different options, she spotted dozens of items that intrigued her, each with an absurd price tag.
God Potion? A potion that would just turn me into a god? Wow, thats way too many zeros. Considering her rather small budget, she began to filter things such as magic out. Then she filtered by price.
Right, this isnot much. Extra Special Ramen? Fancy Toast? Sadly, her final hope was crushed. Sure she could buy something that would get the cage open, but what good would that do? There was still an unknown amount of scavs in the area. She definitely wouldnt be able to escape, not with all the other kids.
Sophie let out a resigned sigh. It appeared her current situation was inescapable. The classes would provide her knowledge but considering shes trapped in a cage, it simply wouldnt matter and the system store was a complete bust. Thus, she would just have to wait and see if an opportunity presented itself. Her planning was interrupted when the new arrivals began to stir. If you discover this tale on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen. Please report the violation.
Mia and Lyra immediately made their way over to them, helping to calm them.
Where am I!? One of them shouted. His words seemed to rouse the others, who all began to properly wake. For a brief moment, the cage was filled with clamouring and shouts.
Where are we!?
Let us out!
Heavy footsteps silenced the noise as a large, bulky man entered the room. Shut the fuck up! I swear, I''ll kill you all if youre not quiet! While he spoke, the mans eyes honed in on one of the kids. It was the boy who was yelling the loudest. The cage door opened and he entered. Large hands grabbed the boy and dragged him back out of the cage. It slammed shut with a massive clang, leaving Sophies ears ringing.
No! Let me go! The boy attempted to struggle but it was all in vain. A heavy fist planted itself in the kids gut, silencing the cries.
Nathan! Let him go, you bastard! The boy that had first woken up shouted, running to the door and desperately trying to tug it open. Mias hand landed on his shoulder.
Stop! She hissed, I hate it as much as you do, but if you keep shouting, they might take more of us. Her words seemed to work as the boy deflated, an air of defeat hanging over his shoulders.
WhatWhat do I do? I promised to protect him.
This doesnt seem like a normal scav operation. Keeping us alive like this? Its strange. Maybe theres a chance your friend will survive. The older girls words seemed to make the boy feel better but it did raise the question: what did the scavs want with them?
-----------------------
Sophie wasnt sure how long had passed since the boy, Nathan, was taken. The lack of natural lighting and other signs of time made keeping track nearly impossible. Her best guess was a couple of hours. The constant screams coming from the same direction the kid was taken certainly didnt help. They stopped eventually and at that time, the same heavy footsteps as before appeared.
The bulky man appeared again, Nathan slung over his shoulder. The boys clothes were heavily torn, causing Sophies eyes to narrow. The scav opened the cage and tossed the kid inside, the dull thud bringing a grimace to everyones face.
The other boy, who had introduced himself as Carlo, immediately ran up to his friend''s side. With trembling hands, he examined the body. From where Sophie was sitting, she could see exactly what had happened.
Across Nathans upper body, thin cuts ran crisscrossed. All of them were bleeding slightly and the bruising that covered the uncut flesh was nasty. Most telling however, was the torn clothes, specifically around the lower body. Hes been fucked. While her thoughts churned and a sickening dread draped itself over her, the injured child began to move. He groaned, even as Carlo helped him into a more comfortable position. Sophie didnt miss the wince that flitted across his face when he sat down properly. A quick glance at Mia suggested she hadnt either.
Nathan! What happened to you!? A look of fear and disgust appeared on the injured boys face.
TheyThey did things. To me. Hurt me. He looked up at Carlo, his visage haunted. Theyre making XBDs. Silence descended on the group. XBDs. An illegal type of braindance, typically involving the most violent and reprehensible deeds possible. Those that appear in them are almost always unwilling. Often taken, just like they had been, from the streets.
Fuck, Sophie muttered to herself. This is not good.
Carlo tried to get more information from his friend, tried to look after him. But even a simple touch made the traumatised kid start shaking. Hes broken. Everyone else in the cage had begun to panic. Being part of an XBD meant there was really only one end in sight. Death. Sophie could see Mia desperately trying to calm the kids down but the slight shivering gave away her own fear.
Once more, they were interrupted by the entrance of two scavs. Slung over their shoulders were a pair of older teenagers, maybe around 18 or 19. They were thrown into one of the empty cages, revealing the purpose of keeping multiple cells. It was simply to separate the captives based on age. Doesnt seem like Im gonna get out of this easily. Sophie glanced at Mia and the others, kids that had been willing to support and protect her. And I cant just leave them behind.
07 - Tortured
Day 3
It had been a few days since Nathan had been taken and returned. The captive kids had figured out that they would only be fed once in a time period. With no other information to work with, the time in between meals became a day. Obviously though, the scavs had no interest in providing actual food.
Instead, they used the kidnapped children as trash disposal, feeding them the scraps of their own food. Unfortunately, there was nowhere near enough to feed everyone. It wasnt too bad to start with. The hunger was present but not intense enough to overwhelm everyones morals. However, the signs were beginning to appear. Sophie wasnt entirely sure if it was a purposeful choice on the scavs end, to instigate conflict amongst the children but it also didnt really matter.
This simmering tension didnt escape the eyes of Mia and Carlo, the two leaders of the group. The older girl remained in charge of her family, while the older boy was in a similar position. Sophie could tell it wouldnt be long before a proper conflict erupted between the two groups, regardless of what their leaders did.
The reborn girl looked at the other cages. New captives were brought in everyday, though they all seemed to be from different parts of Night City. Some appeared to be Westbrook locals while others looked to be from Heywood. The scavs werent stupid. If dozens of people went missing in one area, someone was bound to investigate.
The cage with the two teenagers had been filled significantly more, though the original two were no longer there. Both had been taken and used for XBDs over the last few days. They hadnt survived, something the scavs seemed to take great joy in. Night Citys rats had happily showed off the tortured corpses to their captives before taking them in the direction of the harvesting room.
One thing was certain: the situation was getting worse.
-----------------------
Day 5
Sophie stared at another one of Carlos friends, a girl named Rio. She had been taken earlier that day. Her screams still seemed to linger in the ears of the kids. When she was returned, by that same bulky scav, she was in a far worse state than Nathan had been. She was covered with clear wounds and only a few bloody rags desperately clung to her frame.
The same type of injury covered the entirety of her body and her body hadnt stopped shaking. Sophies eyes lingered on her. Evil, filthy bastards. Rio seemed to find safety only with Carlo, who had remained by her side since she returned. With Nathan also injured and traumatised, the older boy was beginning to get desperate.
Sophie turned her gaze and looked at Mia. The older girl was an absolute saint, in her opinion. Not just because of the care she showed to her family, but also the care and love she gave to Sophie. She even tried to help Carlos friends, though the older boy had rejected the offer.
For some reason, Mia had taken Sophie under her wing, treating her as a member of their family. All of them had, in fact. It had initially confused her, considering she hadnt officially given an answer about whether or not she wanted to be part of it. When she asked, the reply was simple: youre already one of us. Were all in this together, and well get out of it together. From then on, Sophie had accepted that she now had people to care for.
Alongside her entry into Mias family, the scavs had seen fit to continue their kidnapping operations. There were more teenagers, but the third cage was also seeing use. In fact, it was the worst of the three, in Sophies opinion.
Filled with elderly people and children. Not children like Sophie and her new family but actual children. Ranging from about four to nine, their scared faces were a continual presence during captivity. The elderly captives tried their best to look after and comfort the younglings but ultimately, there was only so much they could do. The only positive was that nothing seemed to be happening with those in that cage.
To further increase the problems, the issue of food was truly beginning to appear. Carlo was desperate to maintain the strength of his family, while Mia was the same. Obviously, Sophie chose to stand with her friend. The older girl had been nothing but kind. With the time that had passed, some of the damage the reborn girl had sustained was healed. Not properly but it was getting there. You might be reading a pirated copy. Look for the official release to support the author.
-----------------------
Day 7
No! Tessa! Mia cried out, trying to stop the burly scav from walking away with the wiry girl. Sophie and Jay both joined in, trying to block the man from leaving. A heavy boot kicked out. The reborn girl was able to see the attack, but she simply wasnt fast enough. Exhaustion, a lack of food and her remaining injuries prevented her from reacting in time.
The foot lodged itself in her guts, flinging her into the cage walls. Jay followed a moment later and Mia was backhanded to the ground.
Fuck off, you filthy rats! The scav sneered at them, striding away with the crying girl slung over his shoulder.
No! The anguished wail escaped Mias throat as she burst into sobs. Clutching her pained stomach, Sophie made her way over, dropping to her knees and cradling her friend. Lyra joined in, having stayed away early, fearing she would get in the way of the poor rescue attempt.
Why!? Why are they so cruel!? For the first time, the older girl broke down, the weight of the situation proving too much. The two younger girls took turns caring for their friend, while Jay stood guard, watching Carlos group like a hawk.
The other group of kids was down a member. Nathan had been taken again the previous day, only for his young corpse to be paraded past to the harvesting room. Looking at the remaining kids and Carlo himself, Sophie could see a mix of relief and self-directed disgust. Relief that none of them had been taken, disgust for feeling that way.
A few hours later, Tessa was returned to the cage. Her expression was dull and she didnt respond to anything the group said. She was in similar condition to Rio when she was returned, which clearly demonstrated what had been done to her. Sophie could feel her rage boiling. Even if it was recent, these kids were her friends. To see Tessa, previously cheerful and mischievous, now a broken, spiritless doll, was painful. Everyone was slowly breaking. It was only a matter of time.
-----------------------
Day 14
It was Sophies turn. She hadnt been touched at all for two weeks. There was seemingly no reason, maybe just dumb luck. Yet it didnt change the fact that she was the last to be taken. Only Mia, Carlo and Jay had any amount of life remaining in them. Lyra was still able to speak and move, but she now had a vacant look in her eyes most of the time. Gone was the motherly girl.
Rio, Sam and Marcel, two from Carlos group and one from Sophies, had been killed. Sasha, Sams twin, had been absolutely gutted by his death. Paired with her own trauma, the girl was practically catatonic. She didnt respond to anything or anyone. It was only a matter of time before the scavs got rid of her.
Sophie didnt struggle when the burly scav came for her. There was no point, considering their resistance hadnt worked at all for the past two weeks. To make matters worse, she was absolutely exhausted and hungry. Slung over the mans shoulder, the reborn girl looked straight into Mias eyes. The older girl watched her, tears falling to the floor. The days of captivity had brought the pair closer, especially when the younger girl rocked her older friend to sleep after the first day she was tortured.
Sophie was carried through the scav den, noting down everything she saw. If there was a chance to escape, every scrap of knowledge would be useful. It didnt take her long to discover exactly how big the scav group was.
She saw at least 30 grunts, all of whom wore the same hologram mask. There were another two scavs similar to the one carrying her, plus a massive monster of a man. Every visible part of his body, including most of his face, was chrome. A borg? Jesus Christ. None of the rooms seemed too important, mostly acting as storage or relaxation areas. They did walk through one room that was different.
A massive furnace, cranked as hot as it could go, was in the middle. An assortment of corpses lay on the ground in front of it, eerily reminiscent of that one Cyberpunk 2077 quest. Passing through that room however, brought Sophie to her destination.
They entered a large room, already occupied by a few scavs. Scattered around the floor and on the shelves lining the walls was an assortment of tools, each covered in sinister bloodstains. Some were easily recognisable, like whips and knives. Others were entirely unfamiliar. There was however, a blood stained chair and metal table. Four scavs stood in different positions throughout the room. She was thrown onto the table, almost eliciting a groan as she landed but she held it in.
Well girlie, looks like your time as come, one of them spoke, his face twisted into a sinister grin. All of the scavs present had their masks off, though Sophie wasnt entirely sure why. Had to wait for you to heal up, didnt we? Couldnt have you breaking too fast, eh. Those words marked the beginning of Sophies personalised hell.
Whips cracked against her skin, leaving trails of blood. Knives cut through her flesh, some heated to absurd heats to cauterise the wounds, ensuring she didnt bleed out. All the while, Sophie stared directly into her torturer''s eyes.
Her eyes blazed in defiance, even with the pain wracking her body. She refused to break. She wouldnt give them the satisfaction.
Hours later, they finally stopped. Sophie didnt dare sigh in relief though. She didnt know if it would trigger more torture.
Well, this one looks to be pretty tough. Her body cant take much more though. Take her back. With a wave of his hand, the slimy man, seemingly the leader, took his leave. While the burly scav picked her up, she was able to hear the fading words of her abusers.
Got a good virtu. Gonks love watching someone like that get broken The rest of the conversation escaped her hearing. Still, it suggested that the cruelty would continue. And that meant she wouldnt be dead, at the very least.
-----------------------
When she was thrown back into the cage, Sophie and Mia stared at each other. Only once she was sure that the scav had disappeared did the younger girl let her tears start to fall. The older girl immediately rushed to her side, grabbing and holding her close. Together they bawled their eyes out.
Well get out of this Soph. I promise. The whispered words lulled the younger girl to sleep, still cradled in her friends arms.
08 - A Pitiful Attempt
Day 15
The cage stank of sweat, blood, and shit. Sophie sat with her knees tucked to her chest, her small frame wedged into one of the back corners, ensuring she could keep an eye on everything that was going on. Across the cage, Mia crouched beside Tessa, her face set in a grim expression.
Sophies red eyes scanned the room beyond the bars, lingering on the guards. There were three of them, each stationed at intervals near the cage. All carried firearms, mismatched and poorly maintained, but dangerous nonetheless. One leaned against the wall, the dull glow of his optics cutting through the dim lighting. Another sat slouched in a chair, absentmindedly twirling a blade in his hand. The third stood closest, arms crossed and gaze fixed on the cage with cold indifference.
She motioned to Mia, who quickly came over. We cant stay here, Sophie whispered, keeping her voice as low as possible.
Mia leaned forward slightly, her ears catching the words. You have a plan? she whispered back. The two of them were mentally in the best condition, meaning they had to work together to find an escape.
The younger girl glanced at the others, a ragged collection of kids ranging from her own age to seventeen or so. Many were too injured or too weak to move, their bruises dark under the pale light. We need to take one of them down. The big one, when he comes in to check the cage. The door will still be open.
And then what? Mia pressed, her heart pounding.
We grab his weapon if we can, and use him as a shield to get to the exit. Well need to move fast and quiet, Sophie explained. Her voice was almost steady, though both girls could tell the plan wasnt the best. Then again, it was the best option they had.
What about the injured? Sophie glanced at a boy in the corner, his arm wrapped in a makeshift sling, and a girl who hadnt stirred in hours.
Well carry them if we have to, she said. Were not leaving anyone behind.
Mia nodded. Okay. Im in.
The two girls quickly whispered the plan to the others. Those who could still fight agreed, their faces filled with determination. They positioned themselves strategically in the cramped cage, ready to spring into action when the opportunity came.
As they waited, Sophie debated whether or not picking a class or buying something with her coins would help. In the end, she was sure they wouldnt. Even the Escape Artist class wouldnt be of much help, considering everything was stacked against them and she had no way to train that kind of class. If she tried to escape the cage as practice, shed probably be killed on her second attempt.
Her thoughts were interrupted by the opportunity theyd all been waiting for. The guards had all disappeared and they knew what that meant.
The heavy door to the room creaked open, and the bulky scav lumbered in. His steps echoed in the relative silence, and he cast a menacing shadow as he approached the cage. He retrieved a key, similar to the house keys in Sophies previous life. She found it odd, considering how advanced the world was but she also didnt have much time to think about it.This content has been unlawfully taken from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.
Its time for some fun, he sneered, his rough voice grating on the ears. He unlocked the cage door and stepped inside, his massive frame blocking the only exit.
Mia lunged first, her wounded and wiry body striking with surprising force. She aimed for his head, using the element of surprise to land a solid hit. The scav staggered back, cursing, but before he could recover, Sophie darted forward, her small hands reaching for the keys.
The other kids joined the fray, attacking the scav with everything they had. Fists, feet, and whatever scraps of debris they could find became weapons. The cage erupted in chaos as the scav fought back, swinging his massive arms and roaring in rage.
Sophie managed to grab something from the mans belt, but a wild blow to her ribs sent her sprawling. Pain flared, but she gritted her teeth and scrambled to her feet. Mia was on the scavs back, clawing at his face, while another boy landed a hard kick to the back of his knee.
Finally, with a sickening crunch, the scav went down, collapsing in a heap on the grimy floor.
Lets go! Mia shouted, grabbing Sophie by the arm.
The injured kids were already being lifted by the others, their groans of pain muffled by the urgency of the moment.
However, the noise made by the fight brought reinforcements.
The heavy door slammed open again, and over ten scavs stormed in, their weapons drawn. The kids froze for a moment, fear rooting them in place.
Move! Sophie screamed, shoving one of the other kids toward the exit.
They barely made it two steps.
The scavs descended like a pack of wolves. Sophie felt a hand grab her hair and yank her back. She twisted, kicking wildly, but a heavy fist connected with her stomach, driving the air from her lungs.
She hit the floor hard, her vision swimming.
Mias voice cut through the chaos, shouting orders and rallying the others, but the scavs were too many and too strong. One by one, the kids were subdued, their desperate struggle crushed under boots and blows.
Sophie tried to crawl away, her vision blurred by tears and pain. She reached out, her fingers brushing against something solid; a foot. She looked up, just in time to see the very same limb come crashing down on her arm. At the same time, the scav swung a baton at her head. She almost picked a class, hoping it would provide a chance.
The world went dark.
-----------------------
When Sophie opened her eyes, her head throbbed with a dull, relentless ache. She shifted slightly, realizing her head was resting on something soft. She turned, realising she was lying on Mias lap.
Sophie blinked, trying to focus on Mias face. It was battered and bruised, her lower lip split and bleeding. But her eyes still held a burning determination. That and sadness.
Youre awake, Mia said quietly, brushing a strand of hair from Sophies face.
Sophie tried to sit up, wincing when she put weight on her arm before Mia gently pushed her back down. Dont move. You took a bad hit.
Sophie swallowed before responding with a dry rasp. Im sorryI messed up.
Mia shook her head. No, you didnt. We tried. Thats what matters.
The cage was quieter now, the other kids either unconscious or too broken to speak. The scavs had left, their mocking laughter still echoing in Sophies mind.
Are youalright? Sophie whispered, her voice barely audible.
Imnot sure. Yknow, its funny. Obviously you dont know but I was born into the Valentinos. As a legacy member. I hated it. My Mother held an important position but Dad, who I was close to, died when I was young. Mother and I didnt get along after that. She gave a sad chuckle and continued.
It wasnt all bad. I had a little sister, Maria. She was such a sweet little angel. I stayed with the gang, hoping Id be able to tough things out, if only for her. One day though, I realised Id had enough. She paused and Sophie didnt speak, aware that the story was important to her friend.
I went home, thinking Id escape with my little sis. She wasnt there. I never found out what actually happened but the house was empty. So I left. Ended up meeting Jay and Lyra. Our family slowly grew, until now. A tear trickled down her face.
You remind me of Maria, actually. I think thats why Im so attached to you. I couldnt protect her back then but I can protect you now. But god, I wish I could see that little angel again. If-when, we get out of here, Id like to try and find her. You willing to help me with that? The older girl looked down at her.
Of course I am. When we get out, Ill help you look. Sophie reached up with her uninjured arm and wiped Mias tears away. Its a promise.
09 - Two Months
Day 28
Every day that passed, Sophie felt that the chances of escape were dropping sharply. In fact, she believed it was already impossible. She was too weak, too injured to do anything.
Over half of the kids were dead. Sasha, Tessa, Rei, LyraMost of Carlos group too. Sophie, Mia and Jay were all that remained from their original family. Carlo and one other kid remained from his group. There was now enough food for everyone. Yet it didnt seem to matter. Watching your friends, your family, be paraded past by the scavs, faces eternally twisted into a pained scream. It was heartbreaking.
Jay was nearly dead. His eyes were dull and his body skeletal. He hadnt moved much for a few days, since he was last taken to be tortured. Sophie and Mia continued to hold each other. Part of it was for comfort. A sense of safety. The other part was survival.
After multiple sessions, all that remained of their clothes were small, bloodied scraps and they found themselves pressed against the walls of the cold cage. Even the industrial furnace didnt provide enough warmth. Thus, they stuck to each other like glue, for comfort and for warmth.
Sophie watched with detached eyes as corpses were carried past, many of them young adults. Then the burly scav came for Jay. The slight struggle he put up was futile. Nobody tried to help. There was no point. Starved, beaten and exhausted, trying to fight back would simply cause more, unnecessary pain.
The boy was hauled away. Minutes later, the screams started. Sophie covered Mias ears. While the two of them had found comfort in each others presence, the older girl still cared for her family. Family that was nearly gone. Sophie, on the other hand, hadnt grown as close with the other kids. They still got along, but the relationships were nowhere near the level that Mia had. Their screams were torture to the older girl.
While she covered the girls ears, Sophie mentally looked through the system. It was a habit, a vain attempt to find a way to escape. Yet the situation didnt provide any chances. She was too weak, too damaged and the 1000 L-Coins simply wasnt enough to escape the scav den. Not past the dozens of normal scavs or the borg. Her habitual store search was cut short when Jays screams stopped. She covered Mias eyes. The boys body was brought past, the burly scav heading straight to the harvesting room. Another one deadWhen will this hell end?
-----------------------
Day 55
It was just Sophie and Mia left. Everyone else was dead. They had been for a week. The reduction in choices had driven the scavs to make a choice. They were focused on breaking the younger girl. Her continual defiance grated on them. Everyday since the last death, she had been taken. It was horrible, yet the reborn girl was happy. It meant Mia didnt have to suffer at their hands. She would accept the pain if it meant the other girl would survive.
Sophie stared at the scavs as they carried in a pair of teenagers. Her eyes narrowed. The two new victims looked different to the others. Both of them were covered in chrome. Not the normal type that Night City residents would have. It wasnt built for functionality or to fix a defect. It was cosmetic, utterly useless. The kind of thing people in high society would have. Corpos? No, they look too young. Corpo kids then. As she thought of that, a lightbulb went off in her head.
If theyre the kids of a corpo, surely someone will be sent to retrieve them? That might be the only chance Mia and I have of getting out. The racing thoughts were cut off when the same, bastard scav entered the cage. Sophie stood, allowing herself to be taken. Mia tried to hold onto her, to stop her from leaving, but the younger girl gave her a smile. Well, she tried. It was more of a grimace. Ensure your favorite authors get the support they deserve. Read this novel on the original website.
Ill be back soon, kay? Wait for me. She whispered. Then she was gone, hauled away to the torture room.
The scavs had new tools this time. Drills, pliers and hammers were amongst the varied implements.
Heh. Today, well break you missy. I cant wait to see you beg for mercy. Malice seemed to drip from the mans tongue as he spoke. She didnt reply, choosing to stare into his eyes with unbroken defiance.
They began. Holes were drilled through her limbs, nails were hammered into her and pliers removed her already damaged nails. The regular cruelty occurred too. She was cut and whipped, among an assortment of other methods. The pain stabbed into her brain, every sensation magnified by the blindfold they had on her. She wanted to scream, to cry. But the image of Mia, tortured by the screams of her other friends, stopped her. She would not break. Not just for herself, but for her best friend as well.
-----------------------
Day 56
Sophie found herself cradled in Mias arms. The previous days torture had been intense, far more than everything the scavs had done previously. Every part of her body felt like it was on fire. Nails had been shoved into different parts of her body, the rusted metal constantly sending out waves of pain. The younger girl could tell that if the brutality continued, she wouldnt last much longer. Mia could tell as well.
Youll be okay, she whispered. Wellwell get out of this. Somehow. Surely someone will come for us. Her words were a poor attempt at comfort, yet Sophie appreciated it nonetheless. Both of them knew though, that there was no escape. The failed attempt brought consequences and they were fully aware that the promise between them, to go find Mias sister, was never going to be fulfilled.
Yknow, I was so happy when you saved me from those Tygers. I was scared, alone and then you appeared. You were like my knight in shining armour. The younger girl replied, her words earning an ugly sob from Mia. Then the footsteps came. Sophie started to rise, struggling due to the pain. The burly scavs hand reached out to grab her.
Stop! Taketake me instead. Dont hurt her anymore. The hand paused and the younger girls head whipped around, staring at her friend in horror.
NoDont do this, Mia.
Please, Soph. Let me be your knight in shining armour again. Ill protect you from now on. Promise me, if you get out. Find Maria. Look after her. Please Sophie looked at her, begging her to reconsider. There was no chance. The choice was made for them.
Well, I don''t care. Least youre not dead yet. The hand changed direction, grabbing onto Mias body. At that moment, it was like nothing else existed. The two girls stared at each other, even as the elder girl was taken away. Sophie dropped to her knees, uncaring of the pain as she watched her only friend be taken. Even after she was out of sight, the younger girl continued to stare in the direction the scav left.
It was only a few minutes later that the screams started. The begging, the crying. Every sound was like a knife, digging into Sophie''s mind. She wasnt sure how long it lasted. All she could think about were the sounds. About holding her friend close, telling her it would be alright. Eventually, the sounds stopped and the reborn girl breathed a sigh of relief.
The world seemed to fall apart however, when the burly scav entered the room again. Mia was held in his arms, face towards the younger girl. The glassy eyes and blood covering the girls body were all Sophie could see. Her face was frozen in a pained rictus. No. No, no, no! This cant be happening! MiaPlease. You cant be dead.
Yet no matter how much she begged, nothing changed. Her friends corpse was carried past the cage, towards the harvesting room. Everything seemed to shatter around her. The past few months, from when she woke up to that moment played through Sophies mind. All of Mias kindness, the times when she cared for the younger girl. She saw everything. Then her memories rewound even further, to her time in the military.
The memory of triggering the mine, the pain that accompanied it. Then the gradual sacrifices of her squad. All to keep her alive, to bring her back to base so that she could be saved. Until only she remained. The faces of her squadmates seemed to overlap with Mias. Again. It happened again. Why? Why do people keep sacrificing themselves for me?
A gunshot rang out, the noise sounding dull and far away. All of her attention was on the body of her friend. Her knight. The girl that sacrificed herself to save Sophies life. Anger burned through her blood when the burly scav dropped her friend, still in the cage room, and began shouting. As though traveling through water, a variety of sounds entered her ears. Gunshots, shouts and screams and the occasional explosion.
The sounds brought with it the realisation that someone was attacking the scav den. Yet there was no happiness to be found. They were late. If they had come hours earlier, Mia would still be alive. Another gunshot, closer this time, rang out. Sophie watched with grim satisfaction as the burly scav, the man that had ferried all of the captives around the base, fell to the ground, his head erupting in a gory mess. Something flickered in the young girls heart as she watched the man fall. Then she heard footsteps coming towards the cage room.
10 - Determination
As the footsteps got closer, Sophie turned her attention away from Mias corpse. The next moment, a woman appeared in the cage room.
The girls first impression of the woman was how large she was. The merc, for that was what she looked like, had to duck under the top of the doorway slightly as she entered. The sleek black, military-style bodysuit and heavy combat boots certainly added an intimidating edge to her presence. The look was enhanced by a dark grey coat that reached the middle of her thighs.
Her eyes were obscured by a black visor, the single line of light where her optics should be reminding Sophie of classic sci-fi appearances. Admittedly, the visor may have been her optics. The girl hadnt gotten the chance to experience much of Night City after all, so her knowledge was lacking. The other notable facial feature was the perpetual frown. Sophie couldnt tell if the woman was actually upset or if that was just a permanent expression.
Her two most striking features were the pair of silver hands, which the younger girl suspected continued further up the arms, and the mane of dark red hair. Gripped in one hand was an RT-46 Burya; an oversized tech revolver typically used to punch through armor or cyberware.
The woman looked around for a moment, eventually settling on the girl that was staring at her. Before she could say anything however, the wall next to her exploded. The scav borg that Sophie had previously seen charged into the room, quickly locking onto the mercenary. His figure blurred and the caged girl was only able to see a faint afterimage as the man attacked. Fortunately, that was as far as he got.
A massive crack echoed in the room and the borg dropped to the floor, his head missing. The merc lowered her Burya casually, as if flatlining a chromed out monster was an everyday occurrence.
Hey, kid, she said, moving towards her. Whats your name?
Sophie.
Im looking for two people. Think you can tell me where they are?
Who are you looking for? The quick description the merc provided was enough for Sophie to realise she was here for the two teenagers she suspected were corpo kids. Still, the girl wouldnt give up the info for nothing.
Ill tell you if you open my cage. She frowned and took a closer look at the girl. She stared at the multitude of wounds that covered the captive kid.
Kid, youre nearly dead. Even if I let you out, you wont survive.
I dont care. Let me out and Ill tell you what you want to know.
Fine. Dont expect me to help you though. Im not being paid for that. With those words, the merc stayed motionless. Moments later, the nearby gunfire stopped and a man, even larger than the woman, ran in, one hand gripping a Carnage shotgun.
Whatd ya need, Shade? He asked.
Need you to open the kids cage. Made a deal with her. The man shot her an odd look but stepped forwards anyway, holstering the shotgun on his back. He grabbed onto the cells door and pulled. Sophie watched as his arms seemed to crack apart, revealing the insides. Gorilla arms? With a snap, the doors locking mechanism broke, granting the girl freedom. The door creaked open slightly, though Sophie didnt make any attempt to leave. The tale has been taken without authorization; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident.
The boy is dead. He was harvested yesterday, a few hours after they brought him in. The woman swore.
The girl?
Shes alive, the now free girl pointed to the cage next to her. In the back, the corpo girl could barely be seen, hiding behind the only bed in all of the cages.
Well, thats something at least. The man opened the other cage and Shade stepped inside, speaking quietly to the corpo girl. When the merc was finished, she turned to Sophie. Shes asked me to get everyone here out of the den as well, willing to pay extra. You want to come with us?
No. I still have business to attend to. Her eyes drifted to the body of her friend. And I dont trust you. That got a scoff.
Whatever you say. I doubt youll survive with all those injuries but if you do, my names Amber, or Shade if youd prefer. You can find me at the Afterlife. With that, she walked away, the corpo girl and the other previously captive teens following her.
As Amber left, the reborn girl realised that the noise coming from the rest of the scav den had stopped during the brief conversation. She waited for a few minutes, until she couldnt hear anything at all in the area. Only then did she sag a bit, staring at Mias corpse. Have I completed my quest yet?
Mission Completed
Find a way to escape the Scavengers.
Difficulty: Very Hard
Reward: 2000 L-Coins, 1000 Eurodollars, Mid-Grade Healing Injection, Iron Resolve (Passive)
The girl ignored the currency and trait reward, instead focusing on the item. When she claimed the rewards, an object appeared in her hand. It reminded her of an Epipen, only slightly larger. There was a small window in it, allowing Sophie to see the bright green liquid it contained. System, can you show me a description of the item?
Mid-Grade Healing Injection
Heals most normal wounds, including small levels of bone damage. Does not have any effect on status conditions. Will leave scars.
Without a second thought, she jammed the injector into her chest. An intense rush of energy burst into her body and she watched as the green liquid slowly depleted. At the same time, she could feel her internal damage being repaired.
Her bones ached painfully where the scavs had drilled into her and the feeling of having nails forcefully pushed out of her body was extreme. Once most of the major pain had passed, she did her best to remove all of the dried blood and other liquids from her body. Afterwards, Sophie watched with a curious expression as the lacerations and bruises covering her body gradually disappeared.
Huh. I wonder how that works? She checked herself over. The injection had removed almost all traces of her recent abuse. All that remained was a multitude of scars, covering everywhere except her face. Well, she couldnt actually see if there were any on her face, but the scavs had mostly left it alone when torturing her. She figured it was to get a better video. There was also the extremely poor condition of her body. She was malnourished, her ribs easily visible and there was barely a hint of muscle anywhere on her frame.
Well, it could have been worse I suppose, she murmured. With her body healed, Sophie was able to stand up, though her legs were shaky and weak. She gradually made her way over to Mia, whos body remained where it had been dropped.
The girl dropped to her knees and pulled her friends still warm body closer. The injuries were severe, similar but even worse than what they had done to her the previous day. Minutes passed in which the only noise that could be heard were Sophies soft sobs. Only once the corpse no longer had any heat remaining did she stop.
Awkwardly, she bundled the body into her arms and scooted along the floor, heading deeper into the scav den. The rough concrete scratched her rear but she simply didnt have the strength to stand and carry her friend. After what seemed like hours, Sophie made it to her destination. The industrial furnace, still spilling immense amounts of heat, loomed in front of her. Nearby, a mobile table was available.
With great effort, she was able to haul her friends body onto the table, wheeling her over to the mouth of the furnace. There, she stood in silence. Why? Why did you sacrifice yourself? Why am I so weak? The faces of her squadmates in her previous life flashed before her. Then the past months, where she grew to rely on and care for Mia.
With a heavy heart, Sophie closed her friends eyes and pushed her into the fire. The body quickly caught fire. She watched, intent on burning the last memories of the fallen girl into her mind forever. Only when the corpse was completely incinerated did she allow herself to speak.
Ill never be so weak again. I wont allow myself to be protected. I wont allow someone I care about to sacrifice themselves for me. No. Ill become stronger. So strong nobody can touch me. Her eyes hardened. Ill hunt them down. Anyone that behaves like these monsters. This, I vow.
A mental command finally accepted the piece of cyberware she received from the welcome gift box. A sharp pain appeared across her skull and neck, but she paid no attention to it. It was a sign of improvement, the first tiny step on a path to gaining the power she wantedCno. That she needed.
Even if I have to become a monster myself.
11 - Alone
With her newfound determination burning in her eyes, Sophie turned her attention to the scav haunt properly. The bodies of the dead scavs littered the floor around her, their lifeless forms twisted and broken in the light of the seedy room.
The stench of blood and grime hung heavy in the air, but Sophie had long gotten used to it. The smell had been a constant presence during her captivity after all. With her freedom in hand, there was a temptation to simply leave. To get away from the traumatic memories of her time as a captive. However, there were resources, now abandoned, in the scav den. Valuable resources that would otherwise be difficult to acquire, especially in her current condition.
Sophie approached the nearest corpse. The scavs face and mask were broken, seemingly by a fist. The girls thoughts immediately turned to the massive guy that had wrenched open her cage door. It was probably him. She slightly grimaced at the bloody sight but reached down anyway, her fingers searching the mans body. A handful of Eurodollars, a half-empty pack of cigarettes, and a rusted lighter later, she moved on to the next corpse. It yielded more Eurodollars and a combat knife. The blade was chipped and the grip worn, but it was better than nothing.
She continued to loot the bodies, prying weapons and supplies from cold hands. A rusty pipe wrench, a damaged Burya, and a sparking DB-2 Satara shotgun were among her finds. Each new weapon was set aside in a growing pile on the floor. Her malnourished frame didnt approve of the behaviour, protesting with each heavy item she dragged over. By the time she was finished, her arms ached and she was desperate for some rest.
I really need to get myself into better shape. I cant do a fucking thing in this condition. Despite her complaints, the girl continued her looting.
Once she had all of the scavenged weapons laid out before her, Sophie knelt down to examine them. The pipe wrench was crude, more a tool than a weapon, but it would be highly effective if she needed to take someone down non-lethally. The Burya had definitely seen better days; the barrel was cracked and burned, likely from poor maintenance and intense use.
Her gaze lingered on the DB-2 Satara, running her fingers over the battered shotgun. The memory of the borg that had attacked Amber was clear. A shotgun would give her a method to combat such a person. It was tempting, but the weight and obvious signs of damage was a deterrent.
Finally, she settled on a Nue pistol that was in relatively good condition. The Tsunami-made gun was high quality and dealt decent damage. She double-checked the magazine, which was full, and slid it into a ragged holster shed found. A combat knife, dull and pitted but functional, joined the pistol in a similarly scavenged sheath.The author''s narrative has been misappropriated; report any instances of this story on Amazon.
A small bag sat nearby, and the girl grabbed it, dusting it off before stuffing it with food looted from around the den. She took as much as possible but a slice of cold pizza on a stained plate remained. It would be her first proper meal in the Cyberpunk world. She sat cross-legged on the floor, avoiding the stained furniture, eating slowly as her thoughts churned.
Night City was an unforgiving shithole, especially for a fourteen year old. With no connections, friends or resources, some measure of safety was Sophies first goal. As she chewed the last bite of pizza, she began to think through her options for a safe place to hide.
Considering she wasnt entirely sure where exactly she was, only that it was an industrial area, her options were fairly limited for a safe place, at least in the near future. Most of the industrial areas in NC could be found in Watson, Santo Domingo or Charter Hill.
If she was in Watson, escaping the area was her highest priority. The borderline cyberpsycho borgs that made up the Maelstrom gang were some of the most dangerous people she could encounter in the city.
Santo Domingo wouldnt be too bad, though the veterans gang, 6th Street, werent an appealing group to conflict with. Sophie wouldnt mind staying there for a day or two, but she wouldnt stay too long. That left Charter Hill.
Charter Hill was in Westbrook, meaning it was controlled by the Tyger Claws. Sophie recalled a specific gig, provided by Wakako Okada, that took place in an underground casino near the sewers. If there was an easily accessible entrance to the sewer system , it would make a very good place to hide.
Well, I guess Ive got my plan. The sewers it is.
It was by no means glamorous, but it was secluded and gave her plenty of escape routes. How she got there would just depend on where the scav haunt shed been captive in was located. She grabbed her bag, intending to leave immediately. However, a warm breeze washed over her body and she looked down. Right. Im still naked. Having gone without clothing for weeks, Sophie had gotten used to it. Definitely need some clothes.
She looked around. Most of the garments, both worn by the dead scavs or strewn around the den, were oversized and stained. In her current condition though, Sophie didnt have the luxury of being picky. She pulled on a jacket that dwarfed her, the sleeves dragging past her hands. She tied them up with scavenged straps to make them manageable. A pair of pants were tightened with a belt, and boots several sizes too big completed her outfit. Ridiculous as she might look, it would provide some protection from the elements and prying eyes.
Finally, she combed over the scav den again, checking to make sure she hadnt missed anything valuable. A few more Eurodollars, some ammo, and canned food joined the bags significant weight.
With her loot gathered and gear prepared, Sophie made her way back to the industrial furnace. She gazed into the heated hole, the place that had consumed Mias body.
I swear, Ill never be powerless again. Ill hunt until Im the strongest. No matter who it is. Thank you, Mia. For everything.
As she turned to leave, the girl spotted a Nokota D5 Copperhead that she had missed, covered by a scavs corpse. Her fingers twitched and eventually, she gave in. Sophie strapped the rifle to her back with a pair of belts.
With one last look at the furnace, Sophie adjusted the bag on her shoulder and walked away. Her feet carried her through the scav den, allowing her to truly escape the place in which she had witnessed the true horrors of Night City. The air outside was just slightly less filthy than the dens, but the open space felt liberating. She took a deep breath and looked at the night sky.
Im free.
12 - Safety
Considering she hadnt truly gotten time to experience Night City before the events that led to her capture by the scavs, Sophie was taking in the city and more specifically, her surroundings.
Immediately noticeable was the elevated highway that sat in the sky above her. Even at night, there was a noticeable amount of traffic, evidenced by the vehicle sounds. In a different direction, a massive tower rose high into the sky. Megabuilding H6. The massive, glowing white letter and number gave the girl a clear landmark.
I cant quite remember where H6 actually is. I wonder if itll have a map?
With no way of knowing where to go, heading towards an obvious landmark felt like the right thing to do. If she was lucky, the building may even have a map of the city which would help her figure out where she was going.
It was a deceptively far distance to reach the tower, though Sophie made good use of her time. While she walked, the young teen tried to figure out how the Interface System Cyberware she had received from the Welcome Gift worked. Nothing popped up in her vision, nor were there any sounds. Is this thing broken? System?
The Interface System Cyberware is intact and functional.
Then why doesnt it work? There was no reply. Feeling frustrated, she turned her attention away, instead continuing to look at the city around her. It was surprisingly much quieter than she had expected, though part of her was glad. It meant there was less risk of something going wrong.
The industrial district she had found herself in gradually opened up and the girl found herself standing on the edge of a main road. Not too far away was her destination. She quickly found herself standing under the Megabuildings looming shadow. Following the stairs up brought her face to face with anempty area. Weird. Id have thought thered be some people or shops open at least.
Her eyes lit, however, when she spotted the exact thing she was after. Ignoring the oddity of the buildings ground floor, Sophie made her way over to the city map.
So Im on the edge of Arroyo, close to Charter Hill. Mmm, I think I could get to the sewer system before morning rolls around, she murmured to herself. So, Ive got to go right, left, left, right? Hopefully thats correct. She was slightly nervous. Navigating a foreign city is always nerve-wracking. Doing it in a city where even the ordinary people were often armed and slightly crazy? It made things a bit worse.
Still, she had a direction. The teen set off, walking alongside a tall wall, especially considering her fairly small stature. Even with the wall however, Sophie could see the massive, blocky buildings with Petrochem labels. Offices, maybe? Some kind of facility? God, I really have so much to learn about this city. On the other side of the road, there was almost nothing. Occasionally, a small building could be seen but for the most part it was a whole bunch of dirt, sand and hardy grass.
She judged that she was around halfway through her journey when a particular building made her pause. It was a regular looking industrial building, almost no different from any of the others. However, the words Electric Corporation drew a small gasp. Thats from the game! The place where V rescues Evelyn from the scavs with Judy! I recognise this place!
However, the logo seemed to be the only similarity to Sophies memories. The building was in no way rundown; in fact, it was in pretty good condition. That meant the place wasnt abandoned yet, nor had a group of scavs taken up residence to make XBDs. Just the thought made the teens teeth audibly grind together. Ill have to pay very, very close attention to this place. Im gonna kill those scav bastards if they dare show up. As long as I have the skills to do it.
Realising there was currently nothing to do with the building, considering it was still operational, Sophie continued on. After seeing the Electric Corp facility, she was confident that the canal and sewer system she had in mind was nearby.
The faint sound of water caught her attention, and she paused, tilting her head. It wasnt loud, more of a distant whisper, but it was enough to guide her. Sophie turned down a side street, coming face to face with a massive Kiroshi logo. The sight of it immediately made her cover her face in embarrassment. Optics. I need optics to interact with the Interface System. I feel so dumb. With that realisation, the girl decided shed have a look for cyberoptics in the system store once she found her destination.This book''s true home is on another platform. Check it out there for the real experience.
The sound grew louder as she moved, eventually leading her to a small, open area where the canal stretched out before her.
The canal wasnt much to look at. Dirty, sluggish water flowed between cracked concrete walls and she spotted a couple of ladders that would allow someone to get out of the canal. Trash was piled up on the wet ground and graffiti covered the walls on both sides. Sophie wrinkled her nose at the smell. It wasnt as bad as expected, but it was still rancid, a mix of rot and chemicals. Still, the filth wouldnt stop her. In fact, it would likely help her. Nobody wanted to hang out in the dirty water.
She clambered down into the canal carefully, her oversized boots crunching against the loose debris that had collected at the bottom. The water wasnt high, but if she could avoid stepping in it at all, she would. Thus, she stuck to the dry patches along the edges as she made her way forward. The weight of the Copperhead and bag was becoming more of a burden with each step, the strap digging into her shoulder. Sophie adjusted it with a grunt, muttering to herself about needing to find a better way to carry her gear.
As she made her way along the canal, she kept her eyes peeled for anything unusual. A few rats scurried along the edges. Sophie grimaced but ignored them. She passed under a bridge, the supports covered in wet, peeling posters and faded advertisements. One caught her eye; a bright red poster with a stylized skull and the words Smasher Lives scrawled across it in black. She snorted.
Yeah, he sure does, she said. Working for Arasaka too, most likely. The thought made her pause. What year is it? Ill have to find out soon.
Finally, after over an hour of walking, Sophie spotted something promising. The water level in the canal disappeared completely, and at the far end, a large pipe jutted out from the wall. The pipes cover grate was damaged, bent and rusty in places, leaving a small opening.
The teen approached cautiously. The pipe was massive and the opening looked like it was just wide enough for her to squeeze through. However, the smell was worse up close, the stench of sewage filling her nostrils. She examined the grate, noting the jagged edges and the way it seemed to groan when she pushed on it.
Guess being so malnourished has its advantages, she muttered. It took a bit of struggling but eventually, she was able to push her bag into the pipe. She slipped the Copperhead off her shoulder and did the same, then peered into the darkness beyond the opening. It was pitch black and the lack of light at nighttime didnt help, but she could see just enough to tell that the pipe led deeper into the sewer system. Exactly what she was hoping for.
Sophie took a deep breath and hauled herself up to the opening. It was awkward. Her lack of muscle made pulling herself further into the pipe difficult. She had to roll over and grip onto the grate, then wriggle her way through the opening. The jagged edges of the grate snagged on her jacket, and she winced as a sharp piece of metal scraped her arm. I just healed myself too, she complained. She landed awkwardly on the damp surface inside the pipe.
She took a moment to catch her breath, laying against the bottom of the cold pipe. The darkness inside the pipe felt all encompassing, the faint light from the canal barely reaching her. Further in, it got even worse.
I cant see a thing in this darkness. She grit her teeth and navigated over to the system store. Her eyes found a pair of basic cyberoptics from the Cyberpunk world with a dark vision modification for 1500 L-Coins. Expensive. I could buy a flashlight or something insteadBut then I wont be able to use my interface. I dont have the cash to have a ripperdoc install a pair either.
Reluctantly, she made the purchase.
Would you like to install your Basic Cyberoptics now?
Yes.
Immediately, a burning sensation rushed through her mind, culminating in her eyes. She was hit by a sudden, excruciating pain. Then her vision disappeared. Fuck! My eyes! The system burned her eyeballs out, including the nerves. She rolled around in the pipe, screaming herself hoarse as her eyes disappeared.
Then a new pain appeared as a pair of new cyberoptics seemed to grow inside her eye sockets. Sophie wasnt sure how long the pain lasted but eventually, light began to appear in her vision again. She blinked as the world came into sight. Her optic nerves still felt inflamed and there was a thumping headache but that seemed to be it. There were no other signs that her organic eyes had just been burnt out of her skull.
Holy shit. That was scary. Im never doing that again. Definitely going to a ripper when I need more chrome. Fuck
After a few minutes, she finally sat up, examining the pipe in front of her. There were a bunch of blinking icons in her vision, likely from the new link between her optics and interface but she ignored them. The pipe extended ahead of her, sloping downward into the depths of the sewer system.
Safe, she whispered to herself. For the first time since coming to her new world, she felt a small amount of safety. At the very least, she didnt feel like she was in immediate danger. The sewer wasnt a nice place, but it was hidden, and she could make it work. Sophie adjusted the strap of her bag and her fingers brushed against the Nue pistol at her side, feeling the comfort it brought to her.
With all her gear strapped on, the teen walked further into the pipe. The dark vision feature of her optics was a lifesaver as it allowed her to navigate the winding pipes with greater ease. She didnt forget to make small marks on the pipe walls with her knife, so that she didnt end up lost when she tried to leave.
By her estimates, it took around an hour to find exactly what she wanted. A moderately sized, abandoned maintenance room expanded before her. Clearly, nobody had been down there for a long time. Everything was covered in a thick layer of dust and the only visible footprints were her own.
Perfect. This will be my home from now on.
13 - Huntress and Planning
Half a day after finding her new home, Sophie woke up from the first comfortable sleep she had experienced in Night City. It wasnt good; the lack of a bed and the constant nightmares saw to that, but the sense of safety was welcome.
Tucked away in her corner, the young teen yawned and rubbed her eyes.
More nightmares, huh, she whispered to herself. Mias death and her experiences under the care of the scavs had left deep scars, adding to the ones she possessed from her time in the military. However, the girl knew that it wouldnt change anytime soon.
She rummaged around in her bag, laying hands on a large burrito. Her breakfast. This will do, I guess. The taste was nothing special. In fact, it was pretty bad. The filling was just mush and the flavours felt somehow saturated, yet it was food. After surviving on scraps for so long, shed eat pretty much anything, especially because she needed to put some meat on her bones.
Once she polished off the last of her burrito, her attention turned to what would likely be the most important choice shed make, at least for the foreseeable future. Her class.
Due to the situation shed been in with the scavs, picking a class had felt like a terrible idea. Firstly, it would have to be a combat class if she wanted to escape. However, none of her options would allow her to immediately take out over 30 decently equipped adults. The constant guard presence also meant she wouldnt have been able to train her skills until she could do so. Thus, only after escaping the scav den could she properly choose the class that would fit her.
There were a few that interested her. Thief, for example, seemed all about stealth and infiltration. Sophie assumed that it wouldnt provide any kind of combat skill, considering the name of it. Gunner was another that she was intrigued by. It seemed to focus entirely on, as the name suggested, guns. However, there was one class in particular that seemed to call to her, especially after she decided to hunt down Night Citys scum to gain power. Huntress.
Huntress, from what Sophie assumed, was a combat/stealth hybrid class. Admittedly, it was a bit of a gamble, considering the name didnt exactly give any direct clues like the others but something about it just felt right. She wanted to become a hunter. In some ways, even a monster.
System, Id like to choose the Huntress Class.
Confirm Class Selection: Huntress
Y/N
Mentally pressing yes, Sophies mind was instantly flooded with a massive amount of knowledge. At the same time, a number of system messages also appeared. The teen waited a moment for the knowledge to settle in before checking the messages.
Huntress Class Selected
Skills Unlocked: Stealth, Basic ??? Combat, Investigation
Huh? Whats with the question marks?
Please select what type of combat skill you would like.
Following those words, a new menu appeared.
There were a lot of choices. Some were incredibly specialised, such as the Basic Rapier Combat while others were significantly more general, like Basic Ranged Combat. However, there was really only one proper choice. The author''s content has been appropriated; report any instances of this story on Amazon.
Basic Gun Combat selected.
Sophie then pulled up each of the skills, along with the corresponding descriptions.
Stealth [0/100]: Grants knowledge of stealth techniques and manoeuvres.
Basic Gun Combat [0/100]: Grants basic knowledge regarding the effective use of guns in combat.
Investigation [0/100]: Grants knowledge of tracking techniques.
Note: Previous gun combat skills being integratedSignificant degradation of skills detectedSkills integrated.
With that message came a small amount of new knowledge, rushing into her mind and settling down with the previous information that came from her new skills.
Basic Gun Combat [0/100] [5/100]
Whoa whoa whoa. What just happened?
The host possesses previous knowledge and experience wielding guns in combat. These skills were integrated into your proficiency rating for the new skill.
OkaySo is the number next to the skill my proficiency level? And why did my proficiency only go up by 5 points?
Correct. The number next to the relevant skill is your proficiency level. A skill will reach max proficiency at [100/100]. Some changes will occur to this feature at higher levels. The long absence of combat, lack of practice and generally mediocre skill during and after your time in the military has significantly reduced your proficiency with guns. A 5 point boost is already good.
Mediocre!? Sophie squawked in outrage. I was good! I could hit a bullseye every couple hundred shots! There was no reply despite her indignation. She sighed in defeat. Fine. Let me see my status then.
Name: Sophie ??? (Awaiting Host Choice)
Age: 14
Class: Huntress [0/100]
Passives
Iron Resolve [Max]
Skills
Stealth [0/100], Basic Gun Combat [5/100], Investigation [0/100]
Cyberware
Basic Cyberoptics (Common)
Store: Available
L-Coins: 1500
Eurodollars: 2000
Her eyes caught on two things. Firstly, the Passive ability that was awarded after she escaped the scavs.
Passive: Iron Resolve - Boosts willpower and pain tolerance. External negative mental effects are less likely to affect you.
Mias face flashed through her mind, along with the promise she had made. Is that why you gave me this? She whispered quietly.
Yes.
I see. She focused on the other thing that caught her attention. Her name. Previously, she simply had no ideas for a surname. It felt important, considering it would be the way people identified her. With the constant weight of her promise, to grow stronger and bring death to those that deserved it, there was a simple but fitting name. Morrin. Inspired by the Celtic goddess of death, war and vengeance, the Morrigan.
Name selected: Sophie Morrin
Y/N
The teen accepted. At the same time, there was a faint, almost imperceptible sense that she had truly taken up a mantle of death. However, Sophie was aware that in her current situation, she had no strength, no way of accomplishing her goals. Thus, she had to plan and train. To become strong.
-----------------------
Half an hour after picking her class, Sophie had gotten ready to start working on her plan for the next few weeks, if not months.
Yknow, I actually kinda like this place, she said aloud, running her eyes over the maintenance room she had slept in.
It was, in essence, a concrete box. There was only one entrance, which was perfect and it was large. Empty too. Hmm. Apart from the pipes and electronics on the right hand wall, Ive got a lot to work withStill, I wonder if theres anything similar deeper into the pipe system. Alright. Ill go exploring everyday to try and map out these pipes. If I find anything better, I can always move over there.
While that decision was made, there were a few more things that required her attention.
I cant actually make many plans considering I dont know the date. I assume Ive arrived prior to 2077 considering the Electric Corp facility is still operational but that doesnt tell me much. Finding the date will be my first order of business once I go out then. What else do I need? Sophie paused her musings and emptied her bag, full of loot from the scav den.
Ive got my Nue, the knife and my Copperhead. According to the system I have around 2000 eddies as well. A couple days worth of food andnot much spare ammo. Okay, I can work with that. The assault rifle she had taken was, admittedly, not super helpful. It would really only prove useful if she had to deal with someone that had lots of chrome.
The most important resources the teen needed were food, ammo and money. Money hopefully wouldnt be too hard to get. Anyone she hunted, as long as she could loot them, would hopefully have some. Itd be slow, but it would accumulate over time. Alternatively, she could try and get work with a fixer. The girl wasnt super keen on that idea, though, at least not to begin with. Shed only contact one of the citys fixers once she had the ability to protect herself. Although, the Mox might not be a bad idea. Id trust them a little more than someone like Wakako, considering what they stand for. All depends on what year Im in right now.
The bigger issues she had were food and ammo. Sophie was well aware that her body, while not injured anymore thanks to the systems healing item, was weak and malnourished. Food, and lots of it, would go a long way to providing her with the muscle she would need. Even if shed eventually get cyberware for that.
Ammo was similar. If she didnt have it, her only combat skill, Basic Gun Combat, would be useless. She wouldnt be able to train it, nor would she have any combat power. So how do I get my hands on some ammo?
I can steal or loot it from my targets, I guess. That wont help me stockpile it considering Id have to use some to get anything but at least Ill have something. Buying it is another option. Im just not sure how much itd cost. Ugh. So many things I have to do.
The teen girl looked around her little hideout. Definitely gotta make this place more secure as well. And homey. First things first though. Skills. Lets see what kind of knowledge Ive got.
14 - Training
Considering her current ammo situation, Sophie wasnt too keen on practising her shooting. She would need the bullets to defend herself after all. Instead, her attention zoomed in on the other two skills she had received from the Huntress class: Stealth and Investigation.
Sophie wasnt interested in being a bulky, hyper-aggressive merc. Stealth and quick, clean kills felt like a much more appropriate path. Thus, Stealth was the first skill to be examined.
The influx of knowledge that she had received when she picked her class was interesting. It was all basic stuff, like a slightly quieter way to walk or body language that made hiding easier. However the knowledge feltincomplete. There were holes in it.
Some of the information seemed to rely on concepts and ideas that simply werent there. As though there were originally three, connecting blocks and someone had taken out the middle one. It was odd.
Sophie did scrutinise her Investigation skill as well, to see if the situation was similar and her theory was confirmed. So I have to actually figure the skill out and discover how things work myself. I guess the system just makes that process slightly easier?
To test her theory however, obviously she had to actually try and use her stealth knowledge. Thus, she was in one of the pipes near her hideout.
Taking a tentative step, Sophie focused on moving as silently as she possibly could. Almost immediately, her first attempt was a failure. One of the straps on her boot scraped against the pipe floor. She adjusted her oversized boots, tightening the straps to stop the same thing occurring again. Fuuuuuck. These clothes are gonna make things way harder. Theyre gonna keep getting in my way cause they dont fit. Although, maybe itll help? Training on hard mode. She tried again.
It was just as bad as the first attempt. She stepped forward and immediately, her foot landed on a loose piece of glass. The sharp crunch seemed to echo down the tunnel, and Sophie froze, grimacing.
Stupid, she muttered under her breath. Her mistake was clear. She had been so focused on actually moving forward that she hadnt paid attention to the ground in front of her. The sewer floor was littered with hazards; random debris, uneven surfaces and puddles of water. Her Stealth skill told her they were things that could give her away. Unfortunately, there was no indication of how to avoid that outcome. It was also made harder, considering she didnt have any kind of muscle memory. No experience, only knowledge. That seemed to be how the skills functioned.
Unfettered however, Sophie stepped back to her starting point and tried again, this time sweeping her gaze across the ground ahead of her. It definitely wasnt skillful or smooth. The teen was basically tiptoeing her way across the floor. Sadly, after only a couple of steps, she lost balance. The weakness of her body, paired with her inexperience meant her balance was terrible. Her raised foot came down and once more, a crunch echoed in the tunnel. She sighed.
Okay, there has to be a better way to do this. Stealth doesnt say anything about tiptoeing, so is it wrong? Or maybe its too advanced. What exactly does light footsteps mean?
It took a while before she was able to figure anything out. It wasnt much but she noticed that keeping her strides shorter allowed her to keep more weight on her stationary back foot. It was a noticeable difference. So, she decided to try it out, to see if it worked.
With her new theory, Sophie took her first step. She deliberately avoided loose debris and stuck to the driest parts of the tunnel. If she couldnt walk quietly on the easiest surface, she had no business doing it on the harder ones. The small reduction in sound was reassuring, and she enjoyed the feeling of improving. If you come across this story on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen from Royal Road. Please report it.
Then her oversized jacket brushed against a metal ridge, creating a faint scraping sound. She winced. Right, forgot about the clothes.
She took a moment to assess. Her jacket sleeves were still tied up with straps, but the fabric was puffy and prone to catching on things. She tightened the straps further and rolled up the excess material around her wrists. Thats about all I can do with these on.
Sophie started again, this time managing a couple of meters without making any major noises. It wasnt perfect. Her footfalls were still audible and she occasionally brushed against the wall. But it was progress.
She spent the next hour repeating the exercise, moving back and forth along the same stretch of tunnel. Each time, she noted her mistakes and tried to adjust her approach. By the end of the hour, she received a notification.
Stealth Proficiency +1
Stealth [1/100]
With that message came a small influx of knowledge. It wasnt much but anything would help. Her theory about the shorter strides, for example, was true. A couple of other holes in her knowledge were filled, but there were still dozens, if not hundreds more that remained empty. She gave a wry grin at the thought. Thisll take a while, huh.
Still, she was satisfied with her progress in stealth. So, the teen decided to shift her focus to another skill: Investigation. When she looked over the skill information, she quickly grew puzzled.
Hey system. How come I didnt get any extra proficiency points for Investigation? I was a recon specialist in the army.
You failed to discover the mine that claimed your leg and resulted in the deaths of your entire squad. This demonstration suggests your recon and investigation skills are poor. Thus, no proficiency points have been awarded.
The reply caused Sophies face to darken. Even though it had been a decade since it happened, those memories were still fresh. Fuck you.
A spark of determination appeared in her heart, a desire to prove the system wrong.
She picked a spot in the sewer pipes where the floor was particularly muddy, the soft surface ideal for leaving tracks. Sophie started by walking across the area herself, deliberately leaving footprints. Then she stood at the edge of the muddy patch, studying the impressions she had made.
Her face, already grumpy after her systems comment, darkened further. She couldnt figure anything out. Am I actually bad at this? But I did well in recon trainingThe knowledge from her skill was helping her realise there was something wrong with the prints, she just couldnt figure out what it was.
She knelt down, running her gaze over the edges of the marks. They were deep. The realisation made her complain. Her previous Stealth training seemed like it hadnt helped at all. There was also an unevenness between each print. Her left foot dragged behind just a little.
Thats something to fix, she muttered. Her Stealth knowledge agreed with her.
Next, she tried to follow her own trail, stepping carefully into the mud and tracing her steps backward. It was harder than she felt it should have been. The uneven lighting and the general messiness of the area made it difficult to distinguish her prints from the natural marks of the muddy ground. She had to stop several times, retracing her steps to make sure she was on the right path.
Her first attempt ended in frustration. She lost the trail halfway through, unable to tell which prints were hers and which were just natural marks. Sophie scowled, crossing her arms as she stood in the middle of the mud. Im missing something, she muttered. There has to be an easier way.
She stepped back and tried again, this time marking each of her steps with a small objectbits of debris or scraps of metal, to help her keep track. The markers made it easier to follow the trail, and she began to find it slightly easier to keep following a trail. That was all though. She couldnt actually gather any information from the tracks.
As the hours passed, Sophie experimented with different trails. She tried walking in zig-zags, circling back on herself, and even hopping to see how the marks would differ. She studied the prints carefully, noting the changes in depth, shape, and spacing. The girl made sure to include the more stealthy movements she could perform as well, comparing the difference between them and regular tracks.
There was a clear synergy between her Stealth skill and Investigation. Applying her stealth knowledge made tracking her movements more difficult, thus allowing her to further improve her investigative skills. Interestingly enough, it worked the other way too. The observations she made about her movements allowed her to find small issues with her stealth.
I wonder if something similar will happen with other skills? I certainly hope so. It feels like every proficiency point is going to be harder to gain than the last.
Despite her concern that progress would be slow, she continued her efforts.
By the end of her training, Sophie was exhausted but satisfied. Her boots were caked in mud, and her jacket was smeared with grime but the filth didnt stop her from enjoying the fact she had improved. The system agreed with her too.
Investigation Proficiency +1
Investigation [1/100]
She looked around, then spoke. Time for some food, I reckon. Then I think its time to explore NC.
15 - Exploring Night City
Sophie emerged from the sewers just as night began to fall over the city. Her dinner, another burrito, had barely made a dent in her hunger after her training during the day.
The citys cool air hit her like a wave, a sharp contrast to the humid conditions in the sewer pipes. She adjusted the strap of her bag, ensuring that it didnt dig into her shoulder too sharply. When her hand fell, her fingers briefly brushed against the Nue pistol holstered at her waist. She hadnt brought the Copperhead with her. It would be fairly conspicuous for a young girl like her to be carrying something like that. Stealth faintly agreed with her.
She had numerous objectives for the evening. Her primary goal was to explore Westbrook. It would be her main area of operation for the foreseeable future, so she wanted to understand where she was and the people in the area. She also wanted to grab a better dinner, find some clothes and train her Stealth. Being in a crowd would hopefully help with the latter.
Sophie moved along the streets, curiously looking at the different clothes and styles people wore. Eventually she found herself standing at the edge of a large, busy night market. She observed the crowd for a bit then decided to join in. She slipped into the throng of people moving through the district, allowing herself to be hidden amongst the crowd.
As she wandered, she smelled an intense scent cutting through the regular city stench. Her feet carried her towards the source. As she got closer, the smell of sizzling meat and spices drew her in even further and her stomach growled in response. The vendor, a middle-aged asian man with a gruff demeanor, barely glanced at her as she handed over a few eurodollars for a hot skewer of grilled meat and vegetables.
Most of the meat in Night City had a similar taste, considering it was all made of scop but the spices the man used on the skewer were incredible. Sophie moved to the side of the stall, savoring each bite. The food was greasy, slightly overcooked and yet it was so good. Definitely gonna come here again.
As she ate, Sophie kept her eyes open, taking in the sights around her. She watched a pair of corpos in cold suits stride past, their conversation quiet. Some distance to her left, a group of teens, barely older than her, laughed loudly as they passed around a can of spray paint. They all had some variant of Tyger Claw markings, though not much. Entry level grunts, she assumed.
It was also noisy. Very noisy. Street vendors shouted over the top of each other, trying to hawk their wares. The stores that enclosed the market were covered in holo-ads for cyberware or imitation designer clothes. There was a mix of languages, though one aspect stood out. Slang.
If I want to fit in and go unnoticed, I need to make sure I understand the slang everyone uses. Its also a good idea if I use it myself. Being overly formal will make it clear Im not from around here.
With that in mind, Sophie started paying close attention to the different terms the people around her were using. She grabbed another skewer from the grumpy chef, then set off back into the crowd.
She wandered aimlessly for a while, observing with genuine curiosity. Night City was an interesting place, with layers upon layers of complexity. A few streets down from the skewer stall, she noticed a man arguing with a Tyger Claws enforcer, his voice rising in desperation. Her hand fell to the grip of her Nue, tempted to try and take out the lone ganger. In such a crowded place though, it would likely cause undesired trouble.
Sophie quickened her pace past the alley, keeping her head down to appear as inconspicuous as possible. The gangs had immense power in every part of NC. Pissing one of them off before she was ready was a terrible idea.
Eventually, Sophies steps took her to a small clothing store tucked between two larger shops. The neon sign above the door flickered periodically, and the inside looked quiet. She stepped inside, the bell above jingling softly. The store clerk, a tired-looking woman with neon-green hair and cybernetic eyes, gave her a brief glance before returning to whatever she was doing behind the counter.
Sophie browsed the racks carefully. She needed clothes that fit better than the oversized ones she wore now but still had enough room for the growth she would undoubtedly experience when she put on some weight.
After a few minutes of deliberation, she chose a pair of sturdy black pants, a grey hoodie that wasnt too bulky, and a black jacket with reinforced padding. Nothing special but it would provide enough protection until she could get something better.
At the counter, she placed the items down and handed over her eurodollars without a word. The clerk raised an eyebrow at her muddy appearance but didnt say anything, sliding the clothes into a simple bag. The look made her realise something.
She was filthy. Her skin sticky with sweat and dirt, her hair greasy, and her jacket caked in sewer grime. Putting on clean clothes now would be a waste. She needed to clean herself up first.
Somewhat nervously, the teen asked a question.Um, any chance you know where I could go to clean myself? The woman looked at her for a moment before her eyes turned blue. At the same time, a notification appeared in Sophies HUD. A set of directions from the woman, leading to what looked like a public bathhouse. If you stumble upon this narrative on Amazon, it''s taken without the author''s consent. Report it.
Its expensive, so most folk only go once or twice a week. Shouldnt be too busy right now. The clerk said.
Thank you very much. With those words, the girl tucked the bag of new clothes into her own and left the store, her eyes scanning the directions she had received for her destination. Everything feels sotransactional. Everybody just minds their own business, no questions asked. Its odd. With similar experiences from the skewer chef and the clothing clerk, that was Sophies observation. It didnt matter much though. She wasnt interested in making friends with anyone. Theyd only get hurt associating with her.
The teen continued walking, on the hunt for the bathhouse. After a while, she spotted a sign glowing faintly in the corner of her vision. It was old and slightly weathered, its flickering letters spelling out: "Urban Wash & Refresh". She paused, studying the building. The entrance was recessed slightly into the wall, the glow of cold white lighting spilling out onto the sidewalk. From the outside, it looked quiet.
She approached and peered inside through the reinforced glass door. The interior was relatively clean, a sharp contrast to the grime of the streets. Rows of private shower stalls lined one wall, and a few larger communal areas were visible farther back. Each stall was equipped with a simple keypad, and bright holographic signage displayed the pricing.
The clerk was right. It was expensive.
Sophie frowned as she glanced at the rate: 60 eurodollars per session. It was steep, especially for her dwindling stash of cash. She was down around 1000 eddies after the clothes and food. But the place was completely empty, save for a tired-looking cleaning drone trundling along the far corner. The emptiness made her decision easier. Privacy was worth every eddie.
She pushed open the door, the soft chime signaling her entrance. Inside, the air smelled faintly of disinfectant. A single terminal stood at the entrance, its interface glowing slightly. Sophie tapped through the options, selecting a private stall. She fed the necessary eurodollars into the machine, wincing as she did so. It was understandable why most people would only clean themselves once a week.
A soft beep sounded, and one of the stalls unlocked, its frosted glass door sliding open with a quiet hiss. Sophie stepped inside and locked the door behind her.
The stall was small, though she didnt mind too much considering her size. There was a bench, hooks for clothes, a mirror and a basic shower system. A panel offered a few settings: water temperature, pressure, and a choice of basic soaps and shampoos. Sophie placed her bag on the bench to ensure her new clothes didnt get wet.
She stripped off her filthy clothes, feeling a strange sense of satisfaction as her skin was allowed to breathe. The water sputtered to life as she adjusted the temperature, settling on a warmth that wouldnt burn.
The first blast of water was almost blissful, the heat melting away the grime that clung to her body. She leaned into it, closing her eyes as the water cascaded over her. For the first time in months, she felt clean. The soap dispenser activated automatically, releasing a foamy substance into her hands. She scrubbed furiously, working the product into her skin and hair. The smell of sewerage and dirt was replaced by something slightly sweet.
As she washed, Sophie reflected on everything that had happened to her. Her death, when the roof of her house collapsed on her. Her reincarnation, finding herself in a new, beaten body in a new, broken world. Then her first meeting with Mia and the introduction to the other kids. The memories took a darker turn as she relived the memories of her torture. Mias death, still fresh in her mind, caused tears to run down her face. She didnt notice, too emotional to think properly.
Im sorry. Im so, so sorry, Mia. I wish I could have saved you. She closed her eyes, trying to calm herself down. When she opened them again a minute later, she caught sight of herself for the first time.
Her inky black hair fell just past her shoulders and her fringe was dangerously close to covering her slightly dull, red eyes. Her face was gaunt, as expected but it was her body that drew a gasp. Thats me? She breathed out quietly.
Scars, of all different shapes and sizes, covered her body. There was nowhere that wasnt affected. She could recognise all of them. The lacerations, the drill marks and the whippings. Everything. And she was little more than a stick. Her ribs pressed against the inside of her skin as though desperate for air, though the same could be said for most of her skeleton. Even her breasts, which she knew should have been fairly large, were barely visible. There simply wasnt enough meat to fill them out.
The clear, visual impact of just how much she had suffered was dulled somewhat by the silence of the bathhouse. It gave her time to process.
She lingered longer than she probably should have, letting the water soothe the ache in her muscles and mind. Finally, the automated timer chimed softly, signaling the end of her session. Sophie sighed and stepped out, grabbing a towel from the neatly folded stack provided. She dried off quickly and dressed in her new clothes: sturdy black pants, a grey hoodie, and the dark blue jacket. The fit was far more comfortable than her previous clothes, and the fabric was clean and soft against her skin.
Her reflection in the stalls mirrored surface caught her attention. Her dull eyes stared back at her. I couldnt save you, Mia. I couldnt even save myself. If not for that merc, I would have followed you into the grave. But dont worry. Ill get stronger. So strong that nobody can hurt me again. Ill do my best to make sure nobody has to go through what we did. For myself, and for you. Her eyes seemed to gain clarity. Her determination was properly solidified at that moment. She would do whatever it took to gain the power she wanted, even if it meant becoming a monster. She breathed out an oddly relieved sigh and turned away from her reflection.
Before leaving the shower stall, Sophie carefully packed her old clothes into her bag. They were filthy, but she didnt throw them away. They might serve as makeshift rags or padding, and she didnt have the luxury to waste her resources. She slung her bag over her shoulder and stepped out of the stall.
The bathhouse remained as silent as it had been when she entered, the cleaning drone now diligently wiping down another stall. Sophie made her way back to the street, feeling better than she had since her arrival.
As she made her way back to her sewer hideout, she spotted a poster outside of a store. The store sign read 2nd Amendment, a brand she recognised from her playthrough of the game. Theyd probably have a gun range. Once I get the eddies, Ill definitely come by and look to practise Basic Gun Combat.
However, the poster drew more of her attention.
President Myers declares her intent to unify the Free States of North America!
Small conflicts have already broken out between the NUSA and the Free States!
Well, that tells me what year it is. 2069, huh. Ive got a lot of work to do then, if I want to feel even a little bit safe when Hansen arrives. Oh, but I guess the Mox will already be around. Thats good. A system message appeared as she spoke.
New Mission
Complete your first hunt.
Difficulty: Hard
Rewards: 1000 L-Coins, 500 Eurodollars, Common Skill Voucher
Seems like were in agreement then. I better get to it.
16 - To Hunt a Tyger
Westbrook
January 25th
2069
A week after Sophies first day of training and her subsequent outing into Westbrook, she was getting ready for her first hunt. With her Nue holstered at her hip and her combat knife strapped to the outside of her thigh, she checked herself over to ensure she had everything that she needed.
Pistolknifeoh. I need to bring another magazine, just in case. She rummaged around in her bag, retrieving one of the precious few spare magazines she had. Okay. I think Im ready, she said. A quick thought brought up her system page, wanting to appreciate the effort shed put in over the week.
Name: Sophie Morrin
Age: 14
Class: Huntress [0/100]
Passives
Iron Resolve [Max]
Skills
Stealth [2/100], Basic Gun Combat [5/100], Investigation [2/100]
Cyberware
Basic Cyberoptics (Common)
Store: Available
L-Coins: 1500
Eurodollars: 500
Part of her was disappointed in herself. Her proficiency gain was incredibly slow and she wasnt sure if that was simply how it worked or whether she was doing something wrong. However, there was still progress and she hoped that there would be more after she completed her mission.
With her final checks done, Sophie emerged from the damp confines of the sewer. The night sky greeted her with rain and the girl grimaced. Getting wet sucked, considering she had nothing to dry herself off with in her hideout. At least it should make my ambush more effective. Itll be harder to hear me with the rain.
She was targeting a Tyger Claw as her first hunt. Admittedly, she was concerned thered be dangerous repercussions for killing one but there didnt seem to be any better targets. At least, she couldnt find any with her lacking resources. The Tygers, on the other hand, were plentiful. Sophie had seen them swaggering through the streets during her occasional nightly excursions, collecting protection fees and terrorizing the locals.
She wasnt dumb enough to take on a group. Her plan was to find a lone ganger, ambush them and disappear before anyone could retaliate. Finding a target would be fairly easy, considering how often she observed the biker gang members roaming around without a care in the world. Thus, she headed to her usual night market to find her prey.
It didnt take long for her to find someone.
Male, in his mid-twenties, maybe older, with a lean build and angular features. His head was shaved except for a long strip of neon-blue hair tied into a ponytail. His jacket was in the typical biker style; black with a blazing red tiger insignia roaring across his back. There was a cocky, arrogant swagger in his movements. She observed him closely, making sure she picked out all the important information.
His chrome right arm glinted in the streetlights, though from her position, Sophie wasnt sure whether he had any cyberware like a mantis blade. A pistol hung on his right hip, though the teen didnt recognise the brand. Aside from the pistol, she didnt spot any other weapons. The final bit of trouble was the mans companions.
One was a heavily built man with cybernetic legs and the other was a shorter woman with a chrome arm. The man had a look to him that Sophie could only describe as violent while the woman wore a perpetual smirk, like some kind of sadistic queen. The teen wanted nothing to do with the pair.If you encounter this story on Amazon, note that it''s taken without permission from the author. Report it.
Still, Sophie stayed in the shadows, moving as sneakily as possible to avoid drawing their attention. Her week of training in the sewers provided her at least some guidance in following the trio undetected.
Finally, her opportunity came. The Tygers stopped in front of a ramen stand, chatting idly while the vendor prepared their food. After a few minutes, the woman wandered off, muttering something about a meeting, while the larger man gestured toward a nearby bar and disappeared inside. That left the neon-haired Tyger standing alone, leaning casually against the stand as he waited for his order.
It was the perfect opportunity. Her pulse quickened as she desperately hoped her target would give her the chance she needed. Thankfully, her prayers were answered. The Tyger stepped away from the food stall, mumbling something under his breath and adjusting his pants. She followed him as he turned into an alley, making sure to keep some distance away to not be caught.
She heard a sigh of contentment, followed by a watery sound not even a minute later. She peeked around the corner and her jaw dropped. Is he pissing!? Seriously!? Her eyes caught on a discarded object near his feet and her eyes darkened. And he just took something. Fuck, I dont know anything about Night Citys drugs. Regardless of whatever drug the Tyger just pumped into himself, his vulnerability while relieving his bladder was perfect.
Sophie stepped into the alley, raising her Nue and firing before he could react to the sound of her footsteps. She aimed at his torso, knowing that the first shot should stun him long enough for a second, follow-up attack. Her first shot slammed straight into the centre of his back, exactly where she had hoped it would land. Unfortunately, she didnt account for the differences in clothing and general cyberization people had.
He stumbled forward a bit but from Sophies perspective, that was all she achieved. Clearly, the thick jacket or his chrome had stopped the bullet before it could do any major damage. Still, it gave her enough time to fire again even if it wouldn''t be as clean as she''d hoped.
The second attack cracked through the air and the bullet struck his right shoulder. The chrome arm spasmed violently, sparks flying as the connections sputtered and failed. He shouted in pain and surprise, clutching at the wound as blood seeped through his jacket.
But Sophies shot hadnt been enough to put him down. He turned toward her, his face contorted with rage, and lunged. The sight of the man''s junk brought back flickering memories and for a moment, fear appeared in her eyes. She quickly squashed it though, considering the situation, but the hesitation had cost her.
Sophie tried to fire again, but the Tyger was far quicker than she expected. He slammed into her with his shoulder, knocking the pistol from her hands as they both tumbled to the ground. The impact drove the air from her lungs, and she barely had time to react as he swung his uninjured arm at her.
She rolled to the side, narrowly avoiding the punch, and scrambled to her feet. The Tyger was on her in an instant, grabbing her by the arm and yanking her back towards him. His grip was like a vise, his fingers eliciting a gasp of pain from the young girl.
Using the momentum of his pull, Sophie twisted her body and tried to drive her knee into his stomach. He raised a leg in response, grunting but refusing to let go. Desperate, she reached for her knife, managing to draw it just as he pulled her closer. She slashed wildly, the blade grazing his side and slightly tearing through his jacket. Definitely need to get a better knife!
He roared in anger and backhanded her, the force of the blow sending her sprawling to the ground. Her head spun, and she tasted blood in her mouth. The Tyger loomed over her, his expression a mix of pain and fury. He planted his foot on her chest, keeping his attacker pinned.
Youre dead, little girl, he growled, reaching for something in his pocket.
Sophies eyes darted to the ground, spotting her pistol a few feet away. She looked back at her opponent and brought her leg up as hard as possible. Her foot slammed straight into his balls and the pressure on her chest lessened. With every ounce of strength, she lunged for her fallen gun. As her fingers closed around the grip, the Tyger raised a knife of his own, clearly fighting through the pain in his lower area.
She rolled onto her back and fired. The shot was rushed and the angle was awkward but it found its mark. The bullet tore through his stomach, and he staggered backwards, dropping the knife as he clutched at his wound. Sophie fired twice, this time aiming for his head. One hit him in the neck, the other in the cheek.
The Tyger collapsed, his body hitting the ground with a heavy thud.
Sophie lay there for a moment, her chest heaving as she struggled to catch her breath. Her body ached and her face was throbbing in the place hed struck her. Slowly, she sat up, her hand still gripping the pistol tightly. The alley was silent but it probably wouldnt last long. The commotion would certainly cause the mans friends to swarm the alley soon.
She looked at the Tygers lifeless body and a strange sense of happiness erupted, along with some disgust considering his junk was still hanging out. Shed finally taken the first, proper step to accomplishing her goal, even if it did mean she had to kill someone. Then again, he was a Tyger. Im sure someone will be happy hes dead, she muttered.
After a brief rest, Sophie got to her feet, grimacing as pain flared in her ribs. She searched the Tygers pockets, pulling out a nice handful of eddies and some ammo. She also looted the mans gun and knife. Everything was tucked into her bag before she retrieved her own knife and wiped it clean on his jacket. A quick deliberation resulted in her abandoning the boots the man wore; theyd probably be too big, like her current ones.
With her hunt complete, the teen moved to escape the area as quickly as possible. On her way back to the sewers, she noticed a number of Tygers all rushing to the area she had just been in. None of them paid her any attention though.
Half an hour later, she was slipping through the sewer pipes back to her hideout. Once she got there, she let out a breath she didnt know she was holding.
WoooI fucking did it. I fucking did it! She cheered, pumping her fist in the air before crying out after the pain in her ribs reminded her of the injury.
Mission Complete
Complete your first hunt.
Difficulty: Hard
Rewards: 1000 L-Coins, 500 Eurodollars, Common Skill Voucher
Stealth Proficiency +1
Stealth [3/100]
Nice! Good rewards too. Whats this voucher though?
The Basic Skill Voucher allows you to obtain one skill for free. Please be advised that only skills worth 5,000 to 25,000 L-Coins can be chosen.
Even with that limitation, its pretty goodAlrighty, show me what I can get!
17 - The Mox
Westbrook
January 25th
2069
A long list of skills appeared before her, though Sophie wasnt particularly pleased by them.
Cooking? Cleaning? Why the fuck would I want that kind of stuff? Show me anything combat related please.
The list shrunk, though most of the options still werent great choices. Until her eyes landed on a particular skill. Basic Bladed Combat.
Thats the one. She replayed her recent battle against the Tyger and her wild flailing with the knife. Yeah, I definitely need to be able to use a knife better. I might be able to klep a katana too.
Sophie confirmed her choice and a rush of information appeared in her mind.
Skill: Basic Bladed Combat has been unlocked!
Basic Bladed Combat [1/100]
It consisted mostly of basic stances and a handful of simple methods to actually use a bladed weapon. Sadly, the general nature of the skill meant a large portion of the information wasnt relevant to knives. Ill have to be on the lookout for anyone that has a machete or something too. Ill probably need that if I want to level this skill up.
With her new skill obtained, the teen turned to her loot. The knife that she took was a typical Japanese Tanto in near pristine condition, compared to the combat knife she was originally using. The gun was an Arasaka Tamayura. Need to work on my weapon knowledge. I should have known what it was when I was following that Claw. She was especially glad that her first shot had disabled the hand he would have drawn the gun with. It saved her a lot of trouble. Still wish Id flatlined him with one attack though
Aside from the weapons, there were a hundred or so eddies. It wasnt much but considering her limited financial resources, Sophie was grateful for everything. With her loot sorting done, the teen made herself comfortable to avoid aggravating her bruised chest. Her thoughts returned to the fight she had against the Tyger.
I feel like my approach was correct but my execution of it was poor. Im a Huntress, so how do I actually hunt someone? She tried to think about how a hunter would normally be portrayed in video games or throughout history. Most of the time a hunter would use a bowA silent, ranged weapon. They normally attack from hiding and eliminate their target in a single blowThey wear light armour, meant for evasion not absorbing damageOh!
To be a proper Huntress, do I have to hunt people without actually getting hit? An ambush that either immediately kills the target or cripples them so that they cant retaliate. Kinda like an assassin? In response to her theory, Sophie received a message.
New Mission
Hunt 100 targets without taking any damage. [0/100]
Difficulty: Very Hard
Rewards: ???
What the fuck!? 100!? And unknown rewards? Are my rewards based on my performance? There was no answer and she groaned. Why are you like this? You answer some of my questions but dont even give me a reply for others. Fine, Ill just do the quest.
Although she said that, Sophie was concerned. The man shed just killed was clearly inexperienced. She had still struggled and taken damage against him. There was no chance that every target she picked would be the same. In fact, as soon as her opponents started to have more chrome and skill, her chances of success would gradually fall as well.
So, what do I actually need to give myself an advantage? The answer was obvious. Chrome. I need chrome and I need to improve my skills. But cyberware costs money, and lots of it. I get some from the system missions and most people carry a few eddies around but it would be slow going to save up. But if I can get someone to pay me for killing people, thats a different story. She sighed. I guess tomorrow, Ill go see the Mox. Im sure theyd be willing to pay me for killing a Claw.A case of content theft: this narrative is not rightfully on Amazon; if you spot it, report the violation.
-----------------------
Sophie woke up the next morning feeling significantly better. She checked her chest and the bruising was still there, though the edges were already beginning to fade. Her jaw still hurt from where she was backhanded though.
She cleaned herself as best as she could, then strapped her Nue pistol to her side and tucked her new tanto into its sheath. She would be paying a visit to the Mox for the first time, so she figured looking her best would be a good idea. Leaving the sewers during the day was an interesting experience, considering shed only been going out at night. However, Lizzies Bar would be closed until the evening, which would hopefully allow the teen to speak with one of the Mox.
The trek from Charter Hill to Kabuki was exhausting but uneventful. Sophie was immensely thankful for the publicly available city maps though, considering how much of a maze the city was. Kabuki was also very different to what she was accustomed to.
She passed groups of locals chatting loudly without care and spotted a number of kids running around. That was all stuff that happened in Westbrook, but there was a different, happier vibe to it. Might be the lower Tyger Claw presence here. Seems like they havent fully moved into this part of Watson yet.
Regardless, Sophie wasnt there to explore a new part of Night City. She was on her way to the Mox stronghold and nothing would distract her from that goal, even if the streets were a bit confusing.
It didnt take the teen long to find it. The building stood out, specifically because of the giant neon skull with hair; the signature Mox logo. Neon pink and blue lights adorned the fa?ade, and a glowing sign proudly announced the bars name, confirming the buildings identity, though the doors were firmly closed.
As she got closer, Sophies heart skipped a beat. The woman, standing guard outside the door, was someone any true Cyberpunk fan would recognise. Rita Wheeler. However, she kept her expression as cold as possible. It was better to have no connections, no friendships, that could be used against her or come to harm because of her. Even if, deep down, she really wanted to befriend the Mox bouncer.
As Sophie neared the entrance, the older womans eyes locked onto her. The bouncers expression was set in a frown as she looked at the approaching teen, absent-mindedly swinging her signature baseball bat around.
Were closed, Rita said flatly, slapping the end of her bat into her other hand. There was an annoyed feeling in the words, suggesting she probably had people try and get in when they were closed all the time.
Sophie didnt mind the rejection. Im not here for the bar, she replied, trying to keep her voice as emotionless as possible. Im here to make an offer.
Rita raised an eyebrow, clearly intrigued. Oh? What kind of deal could a brat like you offer?
Sophie crossed her arms over her chest and spoke bluntly. I need money. The Mox and the Tygers dont get long, everyone knows it. But I also know youre not too keen on a full blown gang war. Im planning to hunt as many Tygers as I can. But I might as well get paid doing it. So, I want to be paid for every Claw I take out.
Ritas eyes narrowed, scrutinizing Sophie for a moment. The teenagers petite frame didnt exactly scream hardened killer, but there was something in her eyes: cold, hard determination, that gave Rita pause. Finally, she responded.
Wait here, she said, her voice laced with skepticism.
Rita stepped a few paces away, speaking quietly to someone over a holocall. Sophie couldnt hear the full conversation, but she caught snippets; kid seems serious, says shell be hunting them anyway, wants to be paid per kill. After a few minutes, Rita returned, a slight frown on her face.
Susies interested, Rita said, leaning against the wall. But she wants me to handle the details. So, lets hear it. What exactly are you offering?
Sophie met Ritas gaze. Like I said, I already plan to hit the Tygers. Getting a few extra eddies for it is just a good idea. The better equipped I am, the more of them I can kill. She paused. I need resources; eddies, specifically, but ammo or intel would help too. Im offering to take out people you want gone and you pay me for it. We can hash out the specifics now, but Im interested in working alongside the Mox long-term if we get along.
Why not join us then? Rita countered.
Im not interested in making friends. Its better for everyone if Im just a hired gun. Are you interested or not?
Rita studied Sophie for a moment. You sure about this, kid? Why, exactly, are you going after the Tygers? Theyll kill you if they catch you.
The Tygers are just the best target for me at the moment. Plus Ive got a bone to pick with those kinds of people. Though Ill pretty much kill anyone or do anything if it gets me closer to my goals.
Rita flinched a bit at the callous words. The look in the girls eyes was one of pure anger, pain and hatred. The bouncer forced a chuckle, trying to move past the intense and slightly frightening answer.
Well, youve got guts, Ill give you that. She pushed off the wall and gestured for Sophie to follow her to a nearby bench. Alright, lets make this simple. Fifty eddies per kill, but I need proof. No proof, no payment.
One-fifty, Sophie countered, her voice firm. And would a photo work as proof?
Rita smirked at the offer, clearly amused by Sophies audacity. One hundred. Final offer. And sure, a pic would work.
Sophie nodded. Deal.
Rita leaned back, placing her bat across her legs. Anything else you want to bring up?
Sophie hesitated for a moment before speaking. How much does full body subdermal normally cost?
Hmm, it depends on the ripper you go to. Normally around 5k, though it wont be anything top-of-the line. It might have changed recently though. Why, you planning to get some?
Yeah. Until I can improve my skills, placing my bets on not being hit is foolish. Protecting myself against damage is a much better strategy at this point.
Well, fair enough. Oh, by the way. Susie said Ill be your handler, her eyes lit up and Sophie received Ritas contact details. You can send your proof straight to me. I should also mention that youll need to prove yourself capable. If you dont, the deals off.
Thats fine. Sophie stood and held out her hand. Im Sophie by the way. The older woman shook her hand firmly.
Rita. Good luck out there kid. Dont go dying out there before you get your first payout.
Sophie nodded. I wont.
With the conversation over, Sophie walked away from the braindance bar. As she left though, she couldnt help but glance at Rita one last time. Meeting someone shed been interested in when playing the game in her previous life should have been thrilling, but she refused to let herself grow close to the Mox woman. She couldnt afford to let herself care about things like that anymore.
Still, it was nice that shed be able to communicate with the older woman, even if it was just for business.
18 - To Prove Oneself
Westbrook
January 26th
2069
A few hours after her meeting with Rita, Sophie stood in the centre of her hideout, ready to experiment with the new knowledge her Basic Bladed Combat had provided her.
She stood in what seemed to be the most basic stance, her feet shoulder-width apart, her weight balanced evenly between them. Her left foot was slightly forward, her knees bent just enough to allow for a burst of movement. Her right hand gripped the tanto somewhat loosely, allowing it to be spun into a reverse grip if needed, and the blade was angled forward. Her left hand was held a small distance away, to be used as a distraction or deflection.
Sophie breathed in deeply and exhaled slowly, steadying herself. Everything was silent. Her mind was focused on the movements that the skill provided her; a basic thrust and slash. When she felt ready, she stepped forward, beginning her first movement.
She thrust the tanto straight ahead. The blade pierced through the air with a satisfying swish. She frowned. That didnt feel right. She reset her stance, corrected her balance, and tried again. This time, she focused on keeping her balance and not overextending. It was better, but she still reached too far. I feel like Im overcompensating for the small blade. She decided to try something different.
Sophie practiced a slash. She raised the blade slightly higher and swung in a wide arc, towards where her opponent''s throat would be. She was careful not to overextend herself, instead allowing her arm to reach only the furthest extension possible. Hmm, the movement of the attack felt better there. She tried again, this time adding a small step forward. Thats much better. She kept going, keen to improve her attacks. The first few felt awkward, but after a dozen poor attempts, she started to find a rhythm.
The slash felt much better, much the end of the movement still felt off. She tried adding a second slash, back in the direction of the first. Aha! That feels good. Sophie continued her experiments.
Occasionally, she paused to critique herself, mimicking how her moves had looked and felt. "Too much arm. Not enough body," she muttered. She increased the amount of twist she added to each strike, ensuring that the energy produced by her hips was pushed into every attack.
A few hours later, her efforts were rewarded.
Basic Bladed Combat Proficiency +1
Basic Bladed Combat [2/100]
The feeling of new knowledge appearing in her mind, connecting previously unconnected information, was exhilarating. Hmm, am I gonna turn into a training maniac? She paused, thinking for a moment. Oh well, it doesnt matter too much. Ive still got a couple of hours until evening, so let''s keep going!
-----------------------
Sophie checked her system mission as she followed her target through the streets of Japantown.
New Mission
Hunt a Tyger Claw grunt.
Difficulty: Hard
Rewards: 500 L-Coins, 500 Eurodollars
It seemed that every time she went hunting she would be receiving a relevant mission, which was fantastic news. It would allow her to accumulate funds and resources much easier. However, she actually had to complete the mission, thus she returned her focus to her target for the night. Shed picked someone that looked much more dangerous, mostly because she wanted to prove to Rita that she could handle herself.
Her target was a massive, sumo-looking Tyger she had spotted harassing a handful of stores. Shed started following him until he entered a gambling den tucked behind a fancy restaurant. Sophie was hoping that the man would leave the den drunk, making her ambush significantly more effective. Obviously though, she had to make sure he didnt meet up with other members of the Tyger Claws.
With her target in the safety of the gambling den, Sophie settled in across the street. She tried to make herself look as similar to the typical homeless people she had seen around Night City, as it would reduce the chance the Tyger would see her as a threat.
If you discover this tale on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen. Please report the violation.
It was over two hours later that her prey finally left the building. As she had hoped, he completely ignored her. At the same time, she received a notification.
Stealth Proficiency +1
Stealth [4/100]
What the fuck?? The teen murmured. The information she received from the extra level answered her confusion. So Stealth also has elements of disguise in it? Or is it more about blending in with the surroundings? I guess it doesnt matter too much.
She began following the Tyger, making sure to stay some distance away while still keeping an eye on him. At the same time, she put her Investigation skill to work, ensuring none of his gear had changed. Doesnt look like hes got a gun, unless its in his suit. No knivesSo its just the massive club? I think I can work with that. Aside from the large Kanabo, she tried to spot any pieces of combat cyberware or any clues that would suggest how he fought.
He was massive, his broad shoulders stretching the seams of his suit jacket. Tattoos snaked up from his hands, disappearing into his sleeves. Looks like a normal brute. All strength, no speed. Unfortunately, that was all she could see considering his clothes covered almost all of his body. If I dont kill him in a single shot, Ill just have to avoid getting grabbed. Hopefully thatll be easy.
With her inspection done, the huntress needed to find a place to ambush her prey. She sped up, quickly overtaking the Tyger. She ducked into an alley a few dozen meters ahead, then peeked her head out to watch him.
Sophies hand tightened around the grip of her Nue as she waited for him to pass the alleys entrance. He was completely unaware of her presence as he walked past. She raised her weapon and lined up her attack. The Nue barked and the muzzle flashes illuminated the alley for a split second.
The first two bullets were stopped by his suit jacket and she quickly realised it would be futile to continue shooting it. However, his suit pants looked flimsier, so she targeted his legs. If she could cripple his movement, it would likely become far easier to finish him off. She took aim and fired, only a second after coming to that realisation.
The bullet struck true, embedding itself in the mans thigh. Thank god! I really need to get better optics or find a way to figure out what kind of equipment my targets have. She thought, annoyed that in both her recent hunts, her initial attacks had been futile.
The Tyger stumbled with a growl, clutching his leg as blood seeped through his pants. But instead of going down, he turned toward Sophie with surprising speed for his size, drawing the Kanabo from his back with one hand. Shit! Whys he so fast!?
Youve got a death wish, kid! he roared, his voice echoing off the narrow walls. The sounds of confrontation had clearly scared off all the regular pedestrians, as the area had fallen silent after the initial gunshot.
The young teens heart hammered in her chest as she fired again. This time, it grazed his shoulder due to how rushed the attack was. The man lunged forward despite the injury to his leg, swinging the Kanabo with a ferocity that forced Sophie to dive to the side. The weapon smashed into the alley wall, sending chunks of brick and dust raining down.
Rolling to her feet, Sophie reached for her tanto with her free hand. The Tyger Claw charged at her again, his cyber-enhanced strength turning each swing of the Kanabo into a brush with death. She narrowly dodged another blow, this time countering with a reverse grip to slash his side. The blade cut through his jacket but didnt sink deep enough to draw blood or slow him down.
The flaws in her ambush location clearly revealed themselves at that point. The alley was too tight to give her much room to maneuver, a feat only achievable due to her small size. On the other hand, the mans brute strength and reach made every movement of his dangerous. Sophie ducked under another wild swing, closing the distance between them and slamming her shoulder into his stomach. The man staggered slightly, giving her just enough time to thrust her tanto toward his ribs.
The blade struck true this time, passing the mans jacket and sliding between his ribs, eliciting a pained grunt. But the Tyger didnt go down easily. He dropped the Kanabo and grabbed her wrist in a vice grip. Sophie yelped in pain as he twisted her arm, forcing her to let go of the blade.
Youre dead! he snarled, yanking her closer. His other hand shot toward her throat, but Sophie twisted her body just enough to avoid the attack, planting her knee into his injured leg. He howled, and the grip on her wrist faltered just enough for her to break free.
Scrambling back, Sophie snatched up her pistol from the ground and aimed. The Tyger Claw bent over and tried to charge at her but she fired twice in quick succession. One bullet struck his chest, the other his neck. He staggered, his hand clutching the wound as blood poured out, before collapsing to the ground, still twitching. Panting, she stumbled over to him, retrieved her tanto from his ribs and slammed it into his eye socket, ending his last struggle.
Exhausted, Sophie stood over the body, her hands trembling as the adrenaline coursed through her. The fight had been far closer than her last encounter. Once again, the only reason she had won was the initial ambush, though it had once again failed to actually take him out. She had underestimated his speed too, along with the sheer resilience of his body and the hidden chrome he obviously possessed. She checked her arm where he had grabbed her and winced; bruises were already forming and there was a sharp pain in her muscles.
After a moment to catch her breath, Sophie knelt and began searching the body. The Kanabo was too heavy to carry and wasnt her style at all, but she found a large stash of eddies in his jacket, along with a shard. She wasnt sure what was on it but there might be something valuable.
She retrieved her tanto, wiping the blade clean on the mans jacket before sheathing it. She was slightly disturbed by the fact she felt no guilt in killing the man. In fact, there was a twisted enjoyment in it, partly brought about by the fact he was clearly a piece of shit. He was a Tyger Claw after all.
She didnt forget to take a photo of the corpse with her optics. When she was satisfied with the image, she shipped it off to Rita, with a caption: Is this enough proof?
After receiving a system notification, informing her that the mission was completed, Sophie left the alley and hurried back to her hideout. She needed to recover a bit after the back-to-back hunts.
-----------------------
Rita was bored. Her shift had ended a while ago and she was lounging around at the front desk of Lizzies. That was the case until she received a message from Sophie, the girl she had met early in the day. She opened it, instantly being greeted by the photo of a very dead Tyger Claw. What the fuck!?
It wasnt so much the fact shed killed one and more the brutality of it. Multiple bullet wounds and a couple of injuries caused by a blade. If that wasnt enough, it was one of the massive, sumo-inspired Tygers. They were notoriously hard to put down, constantly being pumped full of drugs and often sporting heavy chrome.
She took a moment to calm down before replying to the small killer she had made acquaintance with.
Yeah kid, thats enough. Sending your payment now. Oh, and Im looking forward to seeing more dead Claws. Good luck. With that, Rita shook her head and wandered off to get a drink. She had a feeling Sophie would be causing her a lot of headaches in the future.
19 - Moving
Westbrook
February 9th
2069
Sophie stumbled into her hideout, clutching her stomach. Her fingers were slick with blood from the shallow cut across her belly. She headed straight for her small stash of medical supplies, fumbling around until she was able to get a roll of bandages and a medical stapler out. With a wince, she stapled the wound closed, then wrapped the gauze bandage around the wound until there was a thick layer covering it.
She breathed out a sign of relief once there was no more blood spilling out of her body.
Fuck meI was so lucky todays hunt was close by. Im not sure I would have made it if I had to cross Westbrook to get here. I think I need some time off, at least until Im almost healed. She paused as she looked at the system notifications shed received.
Mission Complete
Hunt a Tyger Claw grunt.
Difficulty: Hard
Rewards: 500 L-Coins, 500 Eurodollars
Basic Gun Combat Proficiency +1
Basic Gun Combat [6/100]
Huntress Level +1
Huntress [2/100]
The L-Coin reward and level increases made her grin, despite the pain. Hunting every night for the past two weeks has been fantastic for my growth though. She pulled up her status page.
Name: Sophie Morrin
Age: 14
Class: Huntress [2/100]
Passives
Iron Resolve [Max]
Skills
Stealth [4/100], Basic Gun Combat [6/100], Investigation [4/100], Basic Bladed Combat [3/100]
Cyberware
Basic Cyberoptics (Common)
Store: Available
L-Coins: 5000
Eurodollars: 5000
Finally, Ive got enough. System, buy me the inventory please. Her voice wavered slightly as all her L-Coins disappeared but her sorrow was quickly replaced by happiness. During her time exploring the system and its store, Sophie had lamented the lack of an inventory. Shed then been stumped by the fact she was required to purchase it for 5000 L-Coins. Even then, it wasnt a massive, infinite storage space. It was only 1m x 1m x 1m in size. The next upgrade, 2m x 2m x 2m cost a whopping 50,000 L-Coins and Sophie could only despair at the tenfold increase.
Regardless of her complaints, having access to an inventory, even a small one, was a big boon for her. Retrieving her Nue, she mentally activated the inventory function and stored the gun. It disappeared from her hands as if it was never there. With a thought, it reappeared, as if it had never left.
Oh yeah, now were talking. It would be an immensely valuable addition to her skills, especially for jobs that needed a disguise. Who would suspect that she could instantly swap clothes after all or retrieve a weapon whenever she needed to?
Though she now had an inventory, the real reward for her efforts was actually the increase in the Basic Gun Combat proficiency. Her theory had come true. Every level was harder to obtain than the last. Shed spent hours over the weeks trying her best to be sneaky or investigate tracks but the proficiency levels simply refused to appear.
Sophie had a suspicion that actually using the knowledge in real scenarios, rather than training, was a far more effective way to increase her proficiency. Unfortunately, she hadnt been able to confirm it because all of her skills were too low level and still prone to benefiting from the training that she did, no matter how ineffective it may be.
Find this and other great novels on the author''s preferred platform. Support original creators!
She rested her head against the wall and started complaining about her recent hunt. Seriously, who on earth decided that mantis blades were a good idea? That fucking bitch! Surprising me at the end with that desperate swipe her words trailed off. I guess it was always gonna happen, huh. Ive been pretty lucky that I havent fought anyone with chrome like that.
Sophie had spotted the woman she had just hunted a few days prior and immediately decided that she had to die. Most of her behaviour was simply vicious. She attacked random people, no matter who they were, and did it as cruelly as possible. It was a stroke of luck that she had separated from her normal group of lackeys briefly, giving Sophie the perfect opportunity. Obviously, the woman had been smarter than normal, hiding the existence of her mantis blades as a trump card.
Sophie took a brief look at the amount of eddies she had. Thank you system, both for providing me with plenty of cash and for tallying up everything I have. The teen was happy because she finally had enough money to chip in a basic set of Subdermal Armour. Hoohhh. I guess that means Ill have to make a trip over to Little China soon. She was excited because shed hopefully be able to meet some of her favourite Cyberpunk characters, but reluctant because she didnt want to get attached to any of them.
Emotions really are difficult, huh. But making friends with them just means theyll get hurt. Gotta keep it transactional. She shifted a bit, then winced when it pulled on her stomach wound. I think its time for a nap. Ill take it easy tomorrow, maybe head down to that place I found and do some renovations now that I have my inventory.
-----------------------
When Sophie woke up the next morning, she immediately got herself ready. Her current hideout had served her well but it was small and it was difficult to access. Shed distinctly felt the lack of mobility over the past couple of weeks, which created a desire for some kind of vehicle. Sadly, her current home was inaccessible for any kind of car or bike.
By a stroke of good fortune however, her adventures to map out the sewer system had allowed her to stumble upon something special: a much better location, but it was uninhabitable. She wanted to collect some materials to make it liveable before moving in.
She left the sewers and began the hunt for materials to do her renovations. With her inventory, she had a much higher capacity to move scraps around, though she still lamented the lack of a car.
Her scavenging started in a narrow alley, a place where garbage was typically thrown haphazardly until it turned into small mountains. Sophie spotted a few discarded items at the base of an overflowing dumpster. She crouched down and pulled out a scrapped metal sheet. The edges were slightly bent, but the material was still sturdy. She ran her fingers over its surface, imagining how it might work as part of a door.
"A couple more pieces like this would allow me to make a decent door," she murmured, letting it disappear into her inventory.
Not far from the metal sheet was a box of rusted hinges, their surfaces corroded but still usable with some cleaning. Sophie grabbed them without hesitation. "Perfect for a door frame," she thought, picturing how they could anchor the salvaged sheets.
Further down the alley, she came across a pile of wooden pallets stacked against the concrete wall of a loading dock. They were worn and splintered, but they were still usable. Has someone torn down a building and dumped the materials here? This alley might just have everything I need.
Sophie considered her options. The pallets were big. She could fit them into her inventory, part around half of it would be full at that point. I kinda wish the inventory had individual spaces, rather than being one big cube. Despite her complaints, she glanced around to ensure no one was watching before sliding a couple of them into her inventory.
"Raised flooring or a bed frame," she decided, imagining how theyd help keep her belongings off the damp sewer floor.
Sophie left the alley and started wandering around the district. Not too long later, she noticed an abandoned construction site up ahead. The site had been fenced off, but someone had clearly ignored the signs, leaving a gaping hole in the wire mesh. Sophie slipped through, her petite frame making it easy, though her clothes did catch slightly on the jagged edges. Inside, she found a treasure trove of discarded materials.
Propped up against a wall was a damaged light. Its metal frame was dented, and the bulb was shattered, but the wiring and connections looked salvageable. Sophie knelt to examine it more closely, running her fingers along the exposed wires. "Having some light would be really nice. Having to rely on my optics to see in the sewers is a bit of a pain," she thought, adding it to her inventory.
Nearby, a toolbox lay forgotten in the dirt. Nice! This is exactly what I needed! It was battered, its red paint chipped, but the contents were worth investigating. Sophie opened it to find an assortment of random tools, including a drill and a wrench. The tools had definitely seen better days but they were functional. She added them to her collection without a second thought, fully aware theyd be invaluable for her future projects.
Continuing her search, Sophie found a coil of electrical wire tangled in the remains of an old generator. She untangled the wire, inspecting it for damage. Most of it was intact, and she could faintly see how it might work with the lamp and some other components shed collected.
"Lightings gonna be tricky," she thought, "but wire should help, right?" She coiled it neatly before adding it to her storage. Hmm, Im gonna have to find some manuals for some of this stuff huh. I dont know anything about being an electrician.
On her way out of the site, Sophie stumbled across a large sheet of corrugated metal leaning against a pile of concrete rubble. It was heavier than shed like, but its potential made the effort worthwhile. With a bit of effort, she could see it becoming part of a makeshift roof or even an interior partition. Watching it disappear into her inventory was a sight she greatly enjoyed for some odd reason.
By the time she left the construction site, her inventory was almost completely filled up with materials. She felt a surge of satisfaction at her haul but knew the day wasnt over. She wandered into the market district next, blending into the crowd and ensuring her activities werent seen. Sophie wasnt here to shop, considering she had better things to spend her eddies on.
Her eyes caught sight of a vendor packing up their stall. Among the leftovers was a box of small electrical components; capacitors, switches, and a couple of LED strips. Sophie approached casually, waiting for the vendor to step away before swiping the box. "These could be handy for repairing the lamp," she thought, slipping back into the crowd before anyone noticed her movements.
She left the markets and eventually found herself near an old warehouse. There, she found another promising site: a pile of discarded industrial supplies. She dug through it and among the mess was a set of aluminum pipes, their surfaces dull but mostly unbent. She added a few to her haul, thinking they might prove useful.
The last find of the day came as Sophie passed an electronics repair shop. The place looked like it had been abandoned mid-job or ransacked, with half-finished projects scattered across the workbench visible through the open door and shelves knocked over. Sophie stepped inside cautiously but the shop was silent.
On the workbench, she spotted a battery pack connected to a broken drone. The pack seemed to be in decent condition, and she quickly detached it, hoping it would be able to power her lighting setup. As she turned to leave, her eyes landed on a cracked mirror lying against the wall. She hesitated, then added it to her inventory as well. A mirror wasnt strictly necessary, but something about having one made the idea of her hideout feel more like a home. That ended up being the last thing she could fit into her inventory. If she didnt know better, shed think the subspace was on the verge of exploding with how much shed packed into it.
By the time Sophie made her way back to the sewers, the sun was dipping low on the horizon, casting long shadows across the district.
Back in her hideout, Sophie gathered up all of her important gear in her bag before setting off through the tunnels. She wanted to get into her new hideout and start fixing it up as quickly as possible, especially with the new materials she had.
20 - New Hideout
Sewers
February 10th
2069
After nearly an hour of weaving through the dank passageways, Sophie reached a section of the sewer that felt distinctly older. The walls were rougher, their concrete edges eroded, and the air grew cooler with each step. The dark vision of her optics allowed her to spot a faint trail of markings etched into the wall.
They were arrows and symbols, likely left behind by the people who built the tunnels originally. Following them, she arrived at a badly rusted, iron gate barely hanging on its hinges. The gate groaned in protest as she pushed it open, the eerie sound echoing through the darkness.
Sophie stepped past the gate and into the chamber. Even though shed already seen it, her breath caught in her throat. The space was immense and circular. A high, arched ceiling loomed at least a dozen metres overhead, its surface dark with grime and streaked with water stains. The walls were a mess of crumbling concrete and exposed rebar. The floor stretched out before her, littered with debris: chunks of broken masonry, rusted metal scraps, and the remains of long-forgotten machinery. She paused when she spotted a pair of decomposed skeletons, covered in rags.
Sophie took a closer look and frowned. One of the skeletons was clutching a small, metal box. She pried the object away and tried to see if the rags had any identifying marks on them. They didnt. She set the box down, deciding to come back to it later, after she had finished checking out the place shed be moving into.
She returned her attention to the room that was eerily silent, save for the occasional drip of water from the pipes that lined the far wall. These pipes, massive and rusted, were remnants of the chambers original purpose. Sophie assumed it was meant to be a stormwater overflow facility, built to manage floods during an era when Night Citys climate was far more rainy. While Night City still rained multiple days a week, the newer infrastructure was more than enough to deal with the weather. Now, the chamber she stood in was little more than a relic.
On the right side of the chamber, she noticed a thinner, heavily corroded pipe that appeared to have been dislodged from its fitting. Upon closer inspection, she realized it concealed a hidden passage. The opening was barely wide enough for her to crawl through, and on the other side, she found an old maintenance shaft. It was a steep climb but as she got closer to the end, she spotted a broken grate at the top. It was, like everything else, rusted, twisted and overgrown with vines. Peering through, she caught a glimpse of the night sky and the faint outlines of the city skyline.
Well, thisll make getting in and out a fair bit easier, she mused to herself.
Satisfied with the exit shed found, Sophie descended back into the chamber and began further exploration. Very quickly, she found a secondary area connected to the main space: a collapsed loading bay partially hidden behind a pile of rubble. Another thing that Ill have to clean up, she thought.If you encounter this narrative on Amazon, note that it''s taken without the author''s consent. Report it.
The bay was spacious enough to accommodate a couple of vehicles and Sophie immediately decided she needed to get her hands on something to traverse the city. Its entrance was shrouded by debris and overgrown vegetation from above, which meant it hopefully wouldnt be easy to find. A narrow, service road extended from the bay, which Sophie suspected led towards the Badlands.Along with the fact it opened up the ability for vehicle usage, she could already see how it might serve as an escape route if things ever got too hot.
Moving back into the chamber itself, she noted the complete absence of any features. There was no lighting, no furniture, no remnants of human occupation. The only signs of activity were the natural encroachments of time: the cracks snaking through the floor or the water stains spreading like veins across the walls. It was an entirely isolated space, barely touched in decades.
How has nobody found this place before? Actually, I wonder if its still on the city blueprints? Its so oldWas it built before the DataKrash? That might explain why theres been nobody down here, except these skeletons.
While she mused, Sophie set down her pack in the center of the chamber and sat cross-legged on the cold floor. She closed her eyes, letting the silence wash over her. This was a perfect place to create a home. Hidden, spacious and, with a bit of work, entirely under her control. No matter how much I have to invest into it, Ill turn this place into a fortress. Nobody will be able to touch me here.
Over the next few hours, Sophie began the process of properly moving in. She unpacked her belongings, which were few. There were a couple of clothes, a small pile of weapons, taken from the Tygers shed been hunting, and a small collection of food. Some other random supplies, like bandages, were also unpacked.
She picked out an area near the hidden passageway to set up her sleeping arrangement. She frowned once she was done. Really? I need to do better. All she had was a couple of dirty clothes. Finding a mattress shouldnt be too hard.
She also scouted the surrounding tunnels and pipes, mapping out the connections to the main sewer system. The chamber was well-positioned, with multiple entry and exit points that would allow her to come and go without being seen.
With her actual belongings unpacked, it was time to dump out the materials shed scavenged.
Sophie began unloading her inventory, laying out the days haul. The corrugated metal, wooden pallets, and steel sheets were placed in one corner, ready to be turned into walls, flooring and doors. The wires, lamp, and electrical components went into another pile, destined for her lighting project, though it would depend on whether she could learn how to be an electrician. Tools, hinges, and pipes were set aside for future repairs and construction.
After that was done, the first order of business was setting up a better bed. She laid out a pair of wooden pallets and covered them in her spare clothes. She crawled on top and tried it out. Not great, but still better than what I had before. Im looking forward to a proper mattress though.
By the time Sophie finished sorting her bedding and her initial preparations for the upcoming renovations, over an hour had passed. Fuck meTheres so much to do, just to create a space I feel safe in. She felt a small hint of despair at the amount of work it would take. A few moments later though, she shrugged. But I think for now, Ive earned myself a bit of rest. I can start my projects tomorrow, there shouldnt be any reason to rush.
Sophie allowed herself a small smile as she looked at her new home. In this vast, crumbling space beneath the city, she could build something of her own.
She lay down on her makeshift bed, staring up at the ceiling. The chamber was silent, save for the faint drip of water and the distant urban noise of the citys above. This was her place now, and she would make it work. No matter what.
21 - Target Practice
Sewers
February 11th
2069
As soon as she woke up, Sophie got to work with her first project. Her hideout needed more than the rusted grate that barely hung on its hinges. Luckily, she had enough scrap to create something far more resilient, even though she hoped it wouldnt be needed. It would, admittedly, also only block off one of the entrances. That was all she could do however, considering the other entry points were far larger and would require more resources.
Her pile of supplies lay spread out across the floor and so she began identifying the scraps she needed for the gate.
Sophie crouched beside the small pile of scrap metal sheets shed gathered and quickly selected the sturdiest one. It was heavy and dented in places, but perfect for what she needed. Beside it were the hinges shed scavenged.
"Right," Sophie muttered, brushing her hair out of her eyes. "Lets get this gate up."
She quickly removed the original gate, something that proved frighteningly easy, considering it basically fell apart with a sharp screech. Fantastic, glad that was keeping me safe last night.
She began by measuring the scrap metal sheet against the entryway, using a piece of scrap metal to mark out the correct dimensions. Grabbing the pliers and metal shears from her toolkit, she set to work. Every bang and clang of the sheet against the ground as she worked echoed through the tunnel, making her cringe every few moments and listen for any signs of movement. She didnt want to take any chances until she was more secure.
After trimming the sheet, Sophie got the battery powered drill and made holes along one edge to attach the hinges. She carefully aligned the hinges with her markings, fastening them with screws. When the new gate was ready, she hoisted it up and positioned it against the entryway. Sweat dripped down her face from the weight, but she was able to secure it in place, bolting the hinges to a frame shed cobbled together with her scavenged metal pipes.
When the final screw was tightened, Sophie stepped back to examine her work. The gate wasnt perfect, evidenced by the slight creak when pushed, but it was solid and heavy. The weight reassured her. She tested it a few times, opening and closing it before realising she didnt actually have a way to lock it. Okay, I need to find a lock when I go out today. In the meantime, she wedged her toolbox against it, praying it would be enough to hold it closed.
With the gate built and somewhat, Sophie turned her attention to the rest of the hideout. She didnt have the resources to make anything else, nor the energy, but she could plan. Picking up the sharp piece of scrap metal shed used to mark the gate, she began outlining spaces on the ground. On one side of the circular chamber, she scratched a rectangular boundary into the concrete.
"Bathroom," she said aloud. "Eventually."
Next, she moved to the side where her bedding and gear was. She marked a larger square. "Living area," she muttered, imagining a place where she could actually relax in a modicum of comfort, rather than sitting around on the floor all the time.
Finally, on one of the far sides, she marked a massive section. "Storage and gear," she declared, mentally picturing a miniature armoury and shelves where she could organize her belongings.
Whew, she said, wiping her forehead with the back of her hand. Alright, shooting practice time. Ill go get my subdermal once my stomach has finished healing.
-----------------------
A bit over an hour later, Sophie stood outside the 2nd Amendment store shed found on her first outing into the city. It was slightly intimidating, considering shed be walking into a place likely filled with a bunch of gun enthusiasts. However, she refused to let that stop her. She squared her shoulders and walked in.
The store was far, far quieter than she had expected it to be. Looking around, she spotted a gun range that was separated from the main lobby, which was the main thing shed been hoping to find. It was completely deserted though, which she found a bit confusing. There were a handful of shelves that held different equipment to one side, while the other was a desk. There was a piece of glass, covered in a wire mesh, between where the customer would be and the clerk. The only way they could interact was through a small hole in the bottom of the glass, barely large enough to fit a rifle through.Unauthorized content usage: if you discover this narrative on Amazon, report the violation.
Behind the desk was a man. He had long, grey hair and a pair of glasses. Hed looked over after he saw her and his eyes started gleaming, though not in a bad way. He gave her a blindingly bright smile.
Hey there missy! How ya doin? His voice was cheery as he spoke to her, which Sophie found a bit odd. Most people in Night City tended to act fairly neutral to strangers, if not downright hostile.
Uh, Im okay? She replied, despite her confusion.
Great! Now, what can I do for you today? Sophie walked over to him, swinging her bag off her back. She set it down on the counter and reached in while replying.
Im looking to sell some stuff and I wanted to ask about the gun range. She started pulling out a variety of handguns, around a dozen in all. She already had one of each and considering she desperately needed more cash, selling her spares was a great way to earn more.
Oh, not often I get someone whos selling. Itll be a fair bit below market price, just so you know. He picked up a Tamayura and inspected it. Market price for a regular version like this is around 1500. I can pay half, if youre okay with that. Same for the others.
Sophie almost let out a small squeak. That much!? She kept a calm look on her face, despite her internal joy. Thats fine with me. Are you open to buying any others that I bring?
Sure am. Nothing broken though. I can do repairs for them but I wont buy broken guns. Now, let me run everything through the systemAlright, you got a few Unitys and some Tamayuras here. I can do 7,500 eddies for the lot, considering theyre all in pretty good condition. Sound good to you? He flashed her another smile, but Sophie was too busy trying not to hyperventilate. 7,500!? Thats more than all of my savings! I need more guns to sell!
Thats fine, she said, giving him a small smile in response. I was also interested in the gun range? Can you tell me a bit about that?
Oh, sure! His eyes lit up. For a couple hundred eddies, you can rent out a lane and use your own guns and ammo to practise. Or you can pay a cool thou and you can use any of the stores guns, and our ammo. Just be careful not to break anything, or youll be paying.
Hmm, in that case, Id like to use the stores gear. Just take the cred from what you were gonna pay me.
Sure! A few moments later, Sophie received a transfer for 6,500 eddies. Do you need any help with your practice? He waved his hands around, Im not busy and I love teaching people.
She thought about it, then decided it would probably be helpful. Shed still be careful though, just in case the man had different ideas. Yeah, thatd be great. ImSarah, by the way. No way am I gonna give some random guy my real name. Not when Im doing my best to keep myself hidden. At the same time, something was off about him, she just couldnt tell what.
Oh, I forgot to introduce myself earlier. I was too excited. Im Ricky. Come on over, Ill help you get set up. The man, Ricky, made his way out from behind the desk and over to the gun range entrance. He unlocked it and ushered her in, pausing to grab a large metal case before following her.
She picked out a lane and waited for him. He placed the case down and opened it up, revealing an assortment of weapons. So, what do you want to practise with? Sophie looked at all her options. There were a number of pistols, including a Nue, that interested her. There was also a Copperhead, a Militech Crusher and a DB-4 Igla shotgun.
She was interested in using all of them, considering her Basic Gun Combat skill gave her the basic knowledge to use everything. However, in her current situation, pistols were her best friend. I think Ill stick with the Nue. Ive got some experience with it but I need to practise with it.
Sounds good! Why dont you show me your normal stance, fire off a couple rounds. Ill help you make some adjustments and give you some tips. So, she settled into her normal stance. Left foot slightly forward, knees bent and holding the pistol straight forwards. I assume youre a beginner? Your positioning is pretty good, although youre a bit stiff. Thatll just take practice to fix though. Fire off some shots for me? He pressed a button on one of the walls and a target flipped down from the ceiling.
For a brief few moments, the range was filled with the sound of gunfire. Once the magazine was empty, Ricky pressed a different button and the target moved closer. He examined it, then stepped away with a strange look, somewhere between impressed and baffled. Sophie glanced at it and, as expected, over half of her shots had hit the general centre of the target. However, a couple had outright missed, evidenced by the lack of a bullet hole. Thats probably why he gave me a confused look.
RightAt least youre hitting the target most of the time? She gave him a dry look and he coughed.
How do I improve my aim? I feel like Im not accurate at all right now.
Well, youre not controlling your recoil very well, which is affecting each following shot. Youre trying to, but I believe you dont have the proper muscle strength to do it? She nodded. Well, thats one of your problems. Youre shooting as if youre an adult. Thats fine, but youre still a kid. I think youre also overthinking things. Let me show you. Huh, that makes sense actually. Im used to shooting in my original, older body not my current body.
He moved to the next lane and dropped a target down. He grabbed one of the pistols from the case and smoothly emptied the magazine at the target.
He reeled it in and Sophie examined it. The entire bullseye was shredded, with not a single bullet out of place. What the fuck? She breathed. How did you do that? He gave her a smile and told her to get back into her shooting position.
So, lets start with
-----------------------
Ricky watched the strange, quiet girl named Sarah walk out of his store. He slipped back behind the desk and retrieved one of the pistols shed sold him. His optics zoomed in on the faint specks of blood that had splattered on it. He checked the rest, finding similar patterns on most of them. He smiled. Well now, aint this an interesting little mystery. Mediocre aim, yet able to flatline people with barely any issues. He recalled the slight scent of blood oozing from the girls stomach.
I wonder if youll be swallowed up by the city or if youll be a good choice for them. Im excited to see where you go, Sarah.
22 - Chippin In
Little China
February 18th
2069
A week had quickly passed since Sophies visit to 2nd Amendment and the three proficiency points shed earned under Rickys guidance, a significant upgrade to her skills.
Basic Gun Combat [9/100]
She hadnt returned, considering she wanted to save her money until she returned to her hunts but also the odd feeling she got from the grey haired man. While she waited for the wound on her stomach to heal, she had gone scavenging every day, working on improving her home as much as possible.
However, her injury had almost finished healing, meaning it was time to go meet one of her favourite characters in the entire Cyberpunk universe. And yet, she refused to become friends with the man. Just gotta keep it transactional. I can do this.
Sophie had spent the last day observing Mistys Esoterica from various angles. The shop was tucked into a cluster of mismatched buildings, on a small street near the corner of Bradbury and Buran. While Sophie was interested in the spirituality-themed store, or at least the girl that owned it, it wasnt what she was there for. Instead, she was after the small clinic that was in the basement behind it. The place that Viktor Vektor, Night Citys best and most honorable ripperdoc, worked out of.
He was one of the few in Night City who wouldnt sell her out for eddies or screw her over with shoddy work. Still, her time in the city had made her wary of trusting others, even if she was 99% sure they were a good person. Thus, shed remain on guard, at least until she could confirm he was the same as she remembered.
Sophie waited until she saw him enter the clinic through the side gate, not Mistys Esoterica. Pulling her jacket tighter around her small frame, which finally had some meat on it, Sophie crossed the street and slipped through the gate, heading straight for the stairs. Her fingers brushed the grip of her Nue pistol, more for comfort than a sense she would need it. She was nervous, after all.
-----------------------
Vik
Vik leaned against his workbench, rewatching one of his favourite fights. The clinic was quiet for once, and he welcomed the break. After the locals started visiting more often, peace became somewhat rare, not that he minded. Thus, he planned to savor the small break, at least until a new patient came knocking.
Vik heard the door to the clinic creak open, and he looked up, expecting to see a familiar face. Instead, it was an unfamiliar young girl poking her head around the corner, looking through the gate. He immediately noted the wariness in her eyes.
"Is... Doctor Vektor in?" she asked, her voice quiet and slightlycold? He wasnt entirely sure what he could hear in her tone.
Vik turned to face his new customer properly, eyeing her warily. She had inky black hair and a pair of beautiful red eyes. Her skin was pale, reminding him slightly of the people that liked to turn themselves into vampires. In fact, that was exactly what she looked like to him.
The girl looked no older than fourteen or fifteen and she was small yet the way she looked around reminded him of the veterans he often worked on. His face softened at the realisation. The tale has been taken without authorization; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident.
"Yeah, thats me," he replied, gesturing for her to come in. "I assume you need something from me?
She stepped inside, her movements slow, as though she was afraid of an ambush. "Yeah," she said, nodding. "Im Sophie."
"Alright, Sophie," Vik said, leaning forward and resting his elbows on his legs, folding his hands together. "What brings you here?"
She hesitated for a moment, her eyes flicking around the room, taking in the equipment and cyberware crates. Then she met his eyes.
"Subdermal Armor. I want it," she said flatly.
Vik blinked, caught a little off guard by the directness of her request. "Thats... not exactly a small ask," he said. "You know what that costs, right?"
"Five thousand eddies," she replied without missing a beat. "Ive got the money."
He shook his head. Whoever told you that mustnt be up to date on prices. With the war kicking off, any combat related implants have become harder to get, which means the prices have gone up too. He paused, watching as she grit her teeth.
How much is it now then?
Lowest I can do is 7500, but itll be the most basic type. Before he could continue, Sophie interrupted him.
Thats fine. Ive still got enough.
Vik frowned. "Youre young," he said carefully. "Something like that... Its not just expensive. Its invasive, unless you only want it in some places? She held up her hand to stop him.
Full body, please. The doctor sighed.
You sure you know what youre asking for?"
Sophies gaze hardened. "Im not here for advice, Doctor," she said, her voice cold. "Just the installation. If you wont do it, someone else will. Even if they probably wont do it as well as you."
Vik sighed, rubbing the back of his neck. "Kid, this isnt about skill. Its about whether this is the right call for you. Why do you need something like that, anyway?"
Sophie hesitated, her hands clenched into fists. "Because I need to survive," she said quietly.
Something in her tone told Vik everything he needed to know. He studied her for a long moment, noting the way she held herself. It was defensive and scared. Beneath her clearly false, cold exterior, it was obvious she was frightened. The cold attitude was just an attempt at keeping herself safe.
"Alright," he said finally. "Ill do it. Even if I don''t, you''ll just go to someone else for it. Id rather do it myself in that case. But youre gonna need to prep first."
Sophie nodded, and Vik gestured toward the operating chair. As she approached, she began stripping off her clothes. The doctor turned away to gather his tools, giving her a moment to get ready. When he glanced back however, he froze. He barely stopped himself from sucking in a breath.
The girls torso was a patchwork of scars, some older and more faded, others newer and still angry red. There was one on her stomach that he was pretty sure had only just healed, in fact. The marks criss crossed her pale skin like a map of violence and pain. Vik felt a surge of anger rush through him, not at her, but at whoever or whatever had created those marks on her.
"You dont need to stare," Sophie said, her tone cold.
Vik cleared his throat and looked away. "Sorry," he said. Before we get started, do you want anything else? He handed her a tablet as he spoke. She scrolled through the options he had available. She selected a few things before handing the device back to him.
"Lets get started, she said.
The procedure was extensive and took hours. Vik did his best, but every time he cut into her skin, there was a deeply unsettling feeling. It was the scars. The surgery made him feel as though he was the one that had hurt her.
When the procedures were complete, Vik stepped back, wiping his hands on a cloth. Sophie lay unconscious on the operating chair, her small, damaged frame looking even more fragile under the bright surgical lights.
Vik watched her for a moment. She was tough, no doubt about it, but nobody could endure the kind of torture she had obviously been put through without breaking, even just a little.
When Sophie finally stirred, Vik was sitting nearby, scrolling through a holopad. He glanced up as she opened her eyes, her expression groggy.
"All done," he said. "Take it easy for a while, yeah? Let your body adjust."
Sophie sat up slowly, wincing as she swung her legs over the side of the chair. "Thanks," she said, poking at the minor stiffness in her skin and rolling her wrists. At the same time, she transferred the payment, a total of 10,000 eddies for all the work she wanted done.
"Youre welcome," Vik replied. "And Sophie? Be careful out there."
She gave him a look, then nodded. I will.
As she left, Vik leaned back in his chair, watching her go. The girl was clearly teetering on the edge of a very dangerous path. He could only hope that shed make it through unharmed or at least be willing to come to him for help.
And despite her cold exterior, he sensed that part of her desperately wanted connection. He decided that if she kept coming to him for her chrome, hed do his best to give her what she needed, even if she herself tried to avoid it. Hmm, maybe I should introduce her to Misty. The old doctor let out a sad sigh.
"Good luck, kid," he muttered to himself, knowing full well that luck was often in short supply in Night City.
23 - The Hunt Begins Anew
Sewers
February 20th
2069
After a few days of continual renovations in her hideout, Sophie finally felt as though her new subdermal armour had settled in fairly well. The slight stiffness in her skin was annoying, especially when sleeping, but her new mattress, scavenged from an abandoned homeless persons shelter, reduced the difficulties.
The reinforcement in her wrists she had gotten Vik to implant had also properly settled. Shed gotten them after Ricky had pointed out her difficulties with recoil control, considering her lack of muscle.
Obviously, she was keen to get back into her hunting. Her current goal was simply to hunt someone without getting hit at all, considering she still hadnt made any progress with her mission.
Mission
Hunt 100 targets without taking any damage. [0/100]
Difficulty: Very Hard
Rewards: ???
However, her hunting would be left for later. During her recent casual browsing of the system store, shed just come across a section dedicated to passive skills. As she read through them though, the girl realised that many of them seemed like things she should be able to obtain with practice.
Hey system, if I practise something like my flexibility, would I be able to unlock the passive skill Flexibility?
Thats correct. Purchasing a passive skill provides the basis of the skill freely, whereas practicing it takes time to even unlock it. Its like taking 10 steps to go somewhere 5 steps away. Thus, the system recommends purchasing passive skills.
Why didnt you mention that when you explained how passive skills worked!? Ive lost so much time!
The system recommends purchasing passive skills, thus the explanation was withheld.
Sophie grumbled at that answer. Some of these look pretty trainable though Considering she had no L-Coins after purchasing her inventory and shed been recovering from her stomach injury, training some of the passive skills that she could see felt like a fantastic idea.
Ambidextrous is absolutely necessary. Being able to use both my hands to the same degree will give me a massive advantage. Flexibility looks pretty good as well but how would it work with cyberware? System?
Some passive skills, such as Flexibility, have small elements of magic included. You would be able to contort a cyberarm the same way you would a biological arm without causing damage to the artificial limb.
Huh, thats pretty neat. Ill probably need to train that one quickly, cause itd probably be harder once I have more chrome. Hmm, what elseParkour? Whats that?
Parkour
The ability to navigate cleanly through a city, whether its via the rooftops or through crowded streets. Some aspects of this skill are applicable to non-urban landscapes.
So its a parkour skill? Yeah, I need that. Three passive skills to try and unlock, plus working on all of my other skills. Ill have to come up with some kind of workout plan to make sure Im constantly training everything. Itll give me something to do during the day at least.
Sophie thought back to her old world and the training methods she could remember. Flexibility would be easy to train. Yoga poses and the hundreds of different stretches that existed in her original life would be the perfect way to improve her flexibility. Being a girl also helped, considering most girls were more flexible than their male counterparts. Support the creativity of authors by visiting Royal Road for this novel and more.
I might as well start doing some of those stretches now, actually.
She got into a split position, and returned to her thoughts. Ambidextrous should just require me to practice using my left hand. Theres plenty of stuff I can do for that. Parkour is the hard one. I think most of my training for that will have to be at night, during my hunts. AlthoughHer thoughts trailed off as a lightbulb went off.
What if I make myself an obstacle course or something down here? Somewhere that I can practice the parkour stuff, at least until the skill unlocks. And itd be a pretty good physical workout too, which will build my muscles. Yeah, that sounds good. While she was envisioning the parkour course shed build, a notification appeared.
Passive Skill: Flexibility has been unlocked!
Note: Previous flexibility skills being integratedSkills integrated.
Flexibility [1/100] [5/100]
Sophie grunted as her body went taut and she toppled from her split position. All across her frame, small, wriggling sensations appeared. Once they were finished, the girl marveled at the changes in her body.
The stiffness that had been present from the Subdermal Armour installation had almost completely disappeared. At the same time, she could feel that her previous limits regarding the flexibility of her body had increased. She entered back into a split position, noting that she was able to get much deeper than previously.
Wow. That was fast. Is it because I was already pretty flexible? It must be. Im gonna end up as a proper contortionist if I max this skill out. Oh! System, will I ever lose my flexibility, like if I dont stretch regularly enough?
No. Changes from a passive skill are permanent, with very few exceptions.
Hah! Fantastic! Lets keep going then. Oohh, I can try and use my knife with my left hand while I stretch. That might help with the Ambidextrous skill. This is fun!
-----------------------
Rain spilled down from the clouds, as Sophie wandered through the back streets of Japantown. She stuck to the edges, keeping her hood up so that her face would go unseen.
It was past midnight when Sophie found her prey. The deep roar of an engine pierced the sound of rain and her gaze snapped to the source. A Yaiba Kusanagi CT-3X sped down the street, its rider leaning as low as possible. With a screech, the bike came to a stop near the curb, and the rider dismounted.
It was a tall woman with long, straight hair dyed electric blue, and her outfit screamed Tyger Claw. Her jacket bore the gangs emblem, and a sheathed katana hung at her hip. Sophie narrowed her eyes, watching as the woman secured her bike and began to walk down the sidewalk.
The street was quiet, the perfect setting for an ambush. Sophie followed behind the woman, doing her best to walk quietly, though the rain made it hard. She waited until the Tyger was near an alleyway, then raised her pistol.
The Nue barked once, the sound cutting through the silence of the street. The shot hit the Tyger square in the back, staggering her but failing to drop her. The woman snarled, spinning around and clutching at the wound before drawing her katana in one smooth motion.
You little rat! she spat, her voice laced with fury.
Sophie darted into the alley as the Tyger lunged, the katana slicing through the air. The blade barely missed Sophies chest, grazing it instead. The attack left a small, red line on her skin, with most of the blow being softened by her new subdermal armor.
Adrenaline surged through Sophies veins as she pivoted, firing another shot. At the same time, there was a flash of disappointment, for still being wounded. The bullet clipped the Tygers shoulder, forcing her to halt her attack. But it didnt last long, for the woman was relentless, pressing forward with wild slashes. Sophie ducked around every attack, her smaller frame and new Flexibility skill giving her an edge in maneuverability.
The katana proved to be a nuisance. The length of the blade was keeping Sophie at bay, while ruining any chances at utilising her Nue.
However, when Sophie spotted an opportunity, she drew her tanto, the blade gleaming faintly. The katana flashed past the girls face and she stepped forward, into the Tygers guard. She slashed at the womans arm and blood sprayed. The katana clattered to the ground.
The Tyger roared in pain, throwing a punch that Sophie awkwardly dodged. She recovered quickly however and countered with a quick thrust to the womans side, sinking the tanto in deep. Her opponent staggered. However, she was still fighting desperately.
Sophie didnt let up though. She stepped back a bit and aimed her pistol, squeezing off two more shots. One hit the Tygers leg, dropping her to her knees, while the other struck her torso again, driving the air from her lungs.
The Tyger clawed at the air, attempting to defy fate even at the end. Sophie stepped forward, slashing her tanto across the womans throat in a swift, decisive motion. Blood poured from the wound, and the Tyger fell still, lifeless.
Basic Bladed Combat Proficiency +1
Basic Bladed Combat [4/100]
Sophie stood over the body, her chest heaving as she caught her breath. Her chest throbbed where the katana had grazed her, but the pain was manageable. She wiped her tanto on the womans jacket before sheathing it, then quickly searched the body.
The Tyger carried little of value; just a few eddies. She grabbed them and snapped a pic, sending it to Rita. That wasnt important to Sophie though. She scooped up the womans katana and sheath, depositing them in her inventory, then turned her attention to the Yaiba Kusanagi parked nearby.
It was the bike Sophie wanted the most and a cursory examination suggested that it was factory new. She could tell because none of the classic Tyger Claw modifications, like the swoop seat, had been made, nor had any trashy stickers been applied. She turned back to the corpse and rustled around the back of the womans head. She found the bikes control chip and quickly slotted it in.
A quick mental command had the bike roaring to life, and she hopped on. It was Sophies first time riding a motorcycle in both lives, so she was a bit wobbly. In the end, her driving skills, at least with a bike, could be equated to a granny who was uncoordinated and nearly blind. The rain didnt make things any easier.
As she made her way back to her hideout, Sophie replayed the encounter in her mind, analyzing her mistakes. Her ambush had been effective, as always but she desperately needed to work on her close-quarters combat. The katanas reach had nearly overwhelmed her, and if not for her subdermal armor, the fight could have ended with another long recovery period. She was just glad that the Tyger hadnt been particularly skilled with the blade.
Huuhh. When will I get my first flawless hunt? I guess I need to improve my skills some more.
24 - Training and the Mysterious Box
Sewers
February 22th
2069
Sophie stood in the center of her living space, preparing for her daily training. Unlocking and improving the passive skills shed identified, Flexibility, Ambidextrous and Parkour, felt like important milestones for her growth. Each of them would open up new possibilities, specifically in combat, which was important considering how slowly her class skills were leveling. In fact, shed only gotten a level in Basic Gun Combat the previous night after she fired two shots that hit the same spot, even though they didnt kill her target.
The first part of her training focused on flexibility. Considering it was the only passive skill shed unlocked, not counting Iron Resolve, it was the most important thing to work on. It helped that it was easy. Shed snagged a level everyday since she unlocked it, which she attributed to her female physique and possibly her own talent.
She began with basic stretches. Sophie reached down, touched her toes and held the position until her hamstrings burned. She moved into a side stretch, bending as much as she could and extending her arm overhead, feeling the pull in her side.
She transitioned into a seated position on the floor, she worked on her splits. Her legs spread apart, inch by inch, as she focused on relaxing her muscles rather than tensing them.
While holding the stretch, her mind wandered. Where do I get a sledgehammer from? I really need one. Maybe Rita? I could try and ask Ricky, but Im not sure I trust him. Yeah, I think Ill have to ask Rita about it.
After finishing her stretches, Sophie stood and grabbed her tanto. A message appeared as she did so.
Flexibility Proficiency +1
Flexibility [7/100]
Sophie did find it quite baffling that her current limits only equated to 7/100. She was expecting something to change after she reached a milestone, though she wasnt entirely sure what it would be. Regardless, she didnt want to worry about it for a while. Instead, she needed to work on her ambidexterity.
She sat down in a comfortable position with her tanto in her right hand. She twirled it once, testing her grip before attempting the maneuver again, this time with her left hand. The blade spun awkwardly, slipping from her fingers and clattering to the ground. She hissed, inspecting the shallow cut on her thumb where the blade had nicked her.
Thank god for subdermal, she muttered, shaking her hand in a vain attempt at getting rid of the sting.
Despite the setback, Sophie picked up the blade again, gripping it tighter this time. She wasnt about to let a few cuts stop her. Carefully, she tried again. Her first rotation was sluggish but the blade completed the arc before she caught it awkwardly.
Okay, that felt better, she said.
For the next hour, Sophie practiced the motion repeatedly. She started with her dominant hand, spinning the blade in clean, fluid rotations. Then she switched to her left hand, where the motion was far more rough and slow. More often than not, the tanto slipped from her grip or bit into her skin, leaving a series of shallow cuts along her fingers.
Im getting there, I can tell, she whispered.
By the end of the session, her hands were covered in small red lines and trembling. Her left-hand spins were still clumsy, not at all helped by the thin coating of blood from the cuts. Sophie had taken the extra difficulty as a challenge though. She wrapped her fingers in small bandaids to insure she didnt leak everywhere.
Satisfied with her progress, Sophie slid the tanto back into its sheath and grabbed her gun. It was time to head out and practise her parkour skills. The Parkour passive was a skill she desperately wanted, because it would open up a massive amount of options when she went hunting.
She left her hideout, her boots splashing through shallow puddles as she emerged from the underground. The evening air was cool and heavy with the scent of rain. Westbrook was, as always, alive. If you find this story on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen. Please report the infringement.
Sophie moved through the district, her sharp eyes scanning for an abandoned building or an area she could use to practice climbing and parkour. After wandering for nearly an hour, she found what she was looking for: a derelict multi-story building tucked into a quieter part of the district. The structure was skeletal, seemingly burnt, with crumbling walls and shattered windows. A rusted and damaged fire escape clung to its side, reaching up toward the roof like an open invitation.
Thisll do, Sophie muttered.
She started with the fire escape, testing the rusted metal rungs carefully to confirm she wouldnt fall before committing her weight to them. The first few climbs were slow and deliberate, on account of the ominous creaks in the ladder. At the top of the building, she swung her legs over the railing and jumped down to the roof.
Seems safe enough. Ill do it again a couple of times before I do it faster. Half an hour later, she was feeling confident enough to increase her speed and the complexity of her movements.
Sophie began experimenting with more daring moves. She leapt from one platform to the next, still maintaining a semblance of care. She climbed higher, scaling the fire escape until she reached the roof. From there, she scoped out the nearby structures, her mind working through potential routes.
She spotted a narrow alley below with a series of ledges and pipes running along its walls. It was perfect for testing herself. Sophie climbed down carefully, dropping into the alley with a soft thud. She traced a route in her mind: a quick leap to the first ledge, a grab for the pipe above, and then a swing to the opposite wall.
Her first attempt was a total fail. Her overconfidence, stemming from her ability to climb a rusty ladder, was her downfall. She mistimed the jump, missing the ledge entirely and landing hard on the ground below. The impact jarred her knees, and she grimaced, shaking off the pain.
Really? Why did I think I could do that so easily? She brushed herself off and got ready to try again.
Her fingers caught the edge of the ledge, and she hauled herself up. She balanced precariously before reaching for the pipe above. The swing was unsteady, her grip slipping slightly as she transitioned to the opposite wall. She didnt make it. Her arms flailed around, desperately trying to catch something before she hit the ground with a thud, drawing a groan from the girl. She lay on the ground for a few moments before sitting up and trying again.
By the time the moon was high overhead, Sophie had run the course dozens of times. Her jumps were cleaner and her transitions were smoother, though her arms and legs burned. However, she had managed one full, successful run. It wasnt the cleanest movement but it was tangible progress.
After that, she sat on the edge of the original buildings roof, gazing out over Westbrook as she caught her breath. That was fun. Painful, but fun. She mentally replayed her actions, which almost caused her to miss a notification.
Passive Skill: Parkour has been unlocked!
Parkour [1/100]
Immediately, Sophie could feel more changes in her body, like when she unlocked the Flexibility skill. Except, they didnt stop there. Her brain felt like it suddenly caught fire as new neural pathways were carved into it. Once the process finished, she immediately noticed the difference. It was a sense of what was possible. For her current self, at least.
Sliding down the fire escape one last time, Sophie could vaguely tell where to put her hands and feet for a more efficient descent. Oh yeah. This skill is fantastic.
-----------------------
Upon her return to the sewers, Sophie got ready for bed. As she did so however, her eyes caught on the mysterious box shed taken from the hands of the skeleton, when she moved in. Shed completely forgotten about it, considering all of the stuff she had to work on.
Better late than never. Lets have a look at what''s inside.
She retrieved the case and set it on her lap. There was a small, finger sized indent and nothing else. No seams, no handles, no identifiers. Nothing. With the indent as her only clue, she pressed it. There was a hiss and a rush of cold air escaped the box. Along the top, small lines revealed themselves before detaching, opening the lid. Inside was a soft blue light and a stack of papers.
Carefully, Sophie removed the topmost layer and ran her eyes over it.
Possible Cybernetic Arm (Right) Design V.66
Dr. T Morrow
22nd of April, 2004
There were a bunch of seemingly important scientific terms below those sentences but Sophie didnt understand, nor care too much. She was holding a box with an ancient, pre-DataKrash paper. One that held, from the title, a design for a cyberarm. The name was unfamiliar though. Was there a Dr Morrow in the game? I dont think so
She put the paper she was holding into her inventory, not wanting to get it dirty with her hideouts floor before reaching into the box and pulling out more pages.
She was immediately disappointed because she couldnt understand any of the scientific jargon and terms that were being thrown around. What she could understand was that the doctor had to have been a genius. In fact, the man himself practically confirmed it. Insufficient technology available. More robust materials and further research into cyberware required. Construction of these designs will likely remain impossible for decades.
Holy shitIf this guy thought it would be impossible to create this stuff back then, its probably even harder nowadays. So much knowledge was lost in the DataKrash after all. Just from looking at the illustrations, Sophie could see it was supposed to be an arm with a large number of modular components. Things could be swapped in and out of it by the user themselves. If the megacorps had the tech to do this already, they would. The fact its not a thing must mean they either havent thought of it, which is hard to believe, or they simply dont have the ability to do it.
Sophies thoughts suddenly turned to her system. There were skills in it that would possibly bring her up to Dr. Morrows level, along with hundreds of fictional materials, all far superior to the ones in Cyberpunk.
Even if its going to take me years to get there, figuring out and building this design could provide me with a piece of cyberware far beyond what the corps have. She realised something. Wait, it says that this design is just for the right armSo are there more designs like this? Hmm, I dont really have the capacity to go searching for them, do I? And I have a suspicion those blueprints will be with the megacorps. I guess Ill have to wait and just keep my eyes peeled for any opportunity to find or grab these designs.
Sophie quickly packed all of the papers back into the box and sealed it shut. Then she put it in her inventory. It was the safest place she had. There was no way shed leave it out, for anyone that stumbled upon her hideout to take.
She lay down on her mattress, thoughts racing. The implications that Dr. Morrows designs raised were both frightening and exciting. Then she sighed. Still, I cant do anything without power. Her desire to grow stronger was stoked and soon afterwards, she quickly drifted off to sleep, dreaming of the day shed have the ability to live however she wanted.
25 - Double Teamed
Japantown
April 1st
2069
Sophie looked over her status page while she waited for her prey to enter a more secluded area.
Name: Sophie Morrin
Age: 14
Class: Huntress [5/100]
Passives
Iron Resolve [Max], Flexibility [27/100], Parkour [15/100]
Skills
Stealth [8/100], Basic Gun Combat [13/100], Investigation [9/100], Basic Bladed Combat [9/100]
Cyberware
Basic Cyberoptics (Common)
Basic Subdermal Armour (Common)
Basic Wrist Reinforcement (Common)
Store: Available
L-Coins: 3,750
Eurodollars: 15,000
Shed made some pretty significant progress over the past month, though she wasnt entirely satisfied. Almost all of her skills, aside from Flexibility which still gained a level every couple of days, felt like theyd hit a wall. To make matters worse, the general grunt hunt mission had seen a significant drop in rewards. They no longer rewarded eddies and the L-Coin reward was only 250, down from the original 500. The only positive was that the mission difficulty rating had gone down, from Hard to Moderate.
Regardless of her complaints and questions however, the system remained silent, unwilling to explain how she could increase her skill proficiency faster. With no better ideas to improve her skills, Sophie continued doing what she had been. Hunting.
Sophie crouched in the darkness of a narrow alley in Westbrook. Across the street, a lone Tyger Claw lingered outside a dingy noodle shop, shouting in Japanese. She didnt have translation software, so she wasnt entirely sure what he was after. She just assumed it was protection fees. That was the most common reason a Tyger would trouble random shops.
Shed been stalking him for nearly an hour, waiting for the right moment to strike. Shed spent many hours over the past month similarly, gradually improving her patience. She was determined that this hunt would be the one where shed finally flatline a Tyger without being damaged.
The Tyger stepped away from the shop, strolling toward a quieter section of the street. Sophie stalked him, her steps still annoyingly loud to her ears but seemingly enough to avoid detection. She darted across the street when he turned a corner, slipping behind him as he wandered into a narrow, dimly lit alley.
Her moment had come.
Sophie leveled her Nue at his back and pulled the trigger. The crack of the gunshot echoed down the alley, and the Tyger staggered forward, clutching his side as blood seeped between his fingers. He spun, drawing his pistol, but Sophie was already moving. One of the issues shed been working to rectify was her follow up.
She would shoot her target, then stupidly wait around to see if they would die. With her aim still somewhat shoddy, Sophie had to find another way to reliably take a target out. Thus, her current actions.
Another shot struck the mans chest, sending him to the ground with a grunt. His pistol clattered from his grip, spinning uselessly across the pavement. Sophie approached cautiously, keeping her weapon trained on him until she was certain he was dead. He wasnt. Another shot ended his struggle. The splatter of blood didnt faze the teen.
For the first time since shed begun her hunt, she hadnt taken a single hit. No glancing blade, no bullet grazing her skin. The sight of her mission now sitting at [1/100] filled her with joy.
She knelt beside the body, quickly rifling through his belongings. A wad of eddies, and some ammo. Typical Tyger Claw loot. She slipped the items into her bag and reloaded her gun. She didnt forget to pick up her preys weapon. They sold well, after all.
The sound of footsteps shattered the quiet moment. Sophies head snapped up as two more Tyger Claws rounded the corner at the far end of the alley, their weapons drawn.
"Shit," she hissed under her breath.
The first Tyger shouted something in Japanese, his voice angry and sharp, as the second raised his pistol and fired. The shot cracked past Sophies shoulder, close enough to make her heart pound.
Every single fight shed had since escaping the scavs had been one in which she ambushed her opponent while they were by themselves. That kind of tactic worked fantastically, but it didnt give her any experience against multiple foes, especially those that had more chrome than she did.
Sophie bolted, sprinting down the alley in the opposite direction. Her feet pounded against the pavement as she scanned for an exit. The instincts from Parkour came to the forefront of her mind and she found a possible path.
If you discover this tale on Amazon, be aware that it has been unlawfully taken from Royal Road. Please report it.
Another shot rang out, ricocheting off a dumpster as she veered left. She leapt onto a stack of discarded crates, using her momentum to propel herself onto a low-hanging fire escape. The metal groaned, even though she was small. Stupid ladder! Im not fat! Despite the noises, it held as she scrambled upward.
The Tygers shouted behind her, their voices growing closer. Sophie climbed faster, her hands gripping the rusted rungs as she pulled herself onto the second-story platform. Without pausing, she jumped to a nearby ledge, her fingers catching the edge just as her feet slipped.
Come on, she muttered, hauling herself up with a grunt.
The Tygers reached the base of the fire escape behind her, their boots clanging against the metal as they began their pursuit.
Sophie ran along the ledge, her eyes darting ahead for her next move. A narrow alley lay below, with a clothesline strung between two buildings. Sophie gauged the distance and decided she could make it. Her heart hammered in her chest as she leapt.
The clothesline snapped under her weight, sending her into a wild fall. She twisted multiple times in midair, rolling into a crumpled heap on the opposite fire escape. The impact drew a groan, but she got up and kept moving, adrenaline overriding the pain.
The Tygers fired again, their bullets pinging off the metal around her. One of them cursed loudly, and Sophie risked a glance down. They were slower than shed expected. Her small frame and skill with parkour had proven difficult to match. Shed take any edge she could get in her situation.
She climbed higher, reaching the roof of a nearby building. The city skyline stretched out before her, its neon colours reflecting off the rain-slicked streets below. Sophie ran across the rooftop, her boots splashing through shallow puddles as she searched for a way down.
Ahead, a rusted drainage pipe ran along the side of the building, leading to another alley. Sophie skidded to a stop, grabbed hold of the pipe and swung herself downward. Her hands burned as she slid, the rough metal tearing the skin on her palms.
She landed in the alley with a thud, stumbling slightly before she caught herself. The Tygers were still shouting, but their voices were growing fainter. She kept moving, sticking to the shadows while weaving through a maze of alleys until she was certain shed lost them.
Finally, Sophie stopped, leaning against a wall as she caught her breath. Her chest heaved, and her hands trembled from the adrenaline still coursing through her veins.
Close, she muttered, wiping rain and sweat from her eyes.
It had been a successful hunt, even if the end had almost gone very, very wrong. The adrenaline rush of escaping unscathed filled her with a strange sense of accomplishment. It was proof that she was growing, even if it felt slow. She stepped away from the wall, ready to find her bike and return home.
The quiet alley suddenly erupted into chaos with noise. The unmistakable sound of boots echoed around her. They hadnt given up. The two Tygers had somehow managed to track her, and now they were closing in fast. She looked around and almost immediately spotted a small device, planted on the side of a building. The little red dot on it revealed its purpose. A camera.
Sophie cursed loudly. Do they have a fucking netrunner with them!? She was in no condition for a fight. Her muscles were already burning from the chase, and her lungs were heaving. However, just because she didnt want the fight, didnt mean the fight didnt want her. Looking around, her eyes landed on an external ladder leading up to a rooftop.
Without a second thought, she sprinted for it, gripping the cold metal and hauling herself up. The ladder rattled around as she climbed and Sophie could only hope it didnt break. Luckily, it didnt and she reached the rooftop just as the first Tyger burst into the alley below.
There she is! one of them shouted, his voice carrying up to her.
Sophie sprinted across the rooftop, the wind biting against her face. She skidded around an old ventilation unit, trying to put as much distance as possible between herself and her pursuers.
But the Tygers were relentless. A gunshot rang out, the bullet narrowly missing her and sparking against the metal beside her. Sophie ducked instinctively, her adrenaline spiking as she reached the far side of the roof. There was nowhere else to go; just a sheer drop to the street below.
Her breath caught as she turned to face her attackers. The first Tyger climbed onto the roof, the barrel of his gun still smoking. He was bulky, with chrome arms. The second unsheathed a katana. He was tall and wiry, his face marked with tattoos that twisted his face into a permanent sneer.
Suko-sama will pay us well for your head, rat, The taller one snarled.
Sophies grip tightened on both her tanto and her pistol as she drew them. Her mind raced, calculating her chances. Her chances werent good. Why did I have to leave my Copperhead at home!? What good is all my inventory space being saved for scrap if I cant even survive!?
Her foes didnt give her a chance to think however. The wiry Tyger lunged first, his katana cutting through the air. Sophie dodged, the blade missing her by inches. His form was poor, in her opinion. She countered with a quick slash of her own, her tanto grazing his arm. He hissed in pain but swung again, forcing her to backpedal toward the edge of the roof. She retaliated, firing a shot but missed after being startled by the sudden actions of the second Tyger.
The bulkier Tyger fired his pistol, the shot carving a chunk out of her left shoulder. Sophie cried out, feeling the damage that her subdermal failed to block. Clearly, the bullet was too much for such basic chrome. She didnt have a chance to worry about the gunman however, as the katana wielder didnt let up on the pressure.
Suddenly, her foot caught on a loose piece of concrete and she stumbled. The wiry Tyger saw his opening, raising his katana for a killing blow. Sophie leaned to the side at the last second, inwardly thanking her recently acquired flexibility when she saw the blade striking sparks against the rooftop where shed been only moments prior.
She came up swinging, her tanto cutting him deep in the side. He staggered, blood soaking his shirt, but didnt go down. His snarl turned feral as he slashed wildly, forcing Sophie to retreat once more.
Behind her, the bulkier Tyger closed the distance, his pistol replaced with a combat knife. His companion''s wild attacks clearly left no room for ranged attacks. He swung at her, and she ducked, feeling the blade whoosh past her ear. She targeted his knee, retaliating with an awkward kick. She must have hit a painful spot as he grunted and stumbled.
The edge of the roof loomed dangerously close. Sophies heel slipped on the wet surface, and for a terrifying moment, she teetered on the brink. She threw herself forward, narrowly avoiding a fall that wouldve ended everything.
The bulkier Tyger had recovered and grabbed her arm, yanking her back with a chrome-enhanced grip. Pain shot through her as his fingers crushed against her flesh, but she twisted free, driving her tanto into his side. The blade slid between his ribs and he howled in pain again, staggering back.
The wiry Tyger took advantage of the distraction, his katana arcing toward her. Sophie ducked low, retrieved the knife stuck in her larger foe while the blade whistled past her head, and lunged forward. Her tanto struck true, plunging into the lankier mans chest. He gasped, his eyes wide with shock, before collapsing to the ground.
She didnt have time to celebrate. The bulkier Tyger roared, blood dripping from his side as he charged at her like a bull. Sophie sidestepped, but he was fast despite his size, slamming into her with enough force to send her sprawling.
Her head hit the rooftop hard, stars exploding in her vision. The Tyger loomed over her, his knife poised to strike. Sophie rolled desperately, the blade stabbing into the ground where shed been. She kicked out, her boot connecting with his shin, and scrambled to her feet.
Her pistol lay a few feet away, knocked from her grip during the scuffle. Sophie dove for it, her fingers closing around the grip just as the Tyger lunged again. She rolled onto her back, raising the gun and firing.
The first shot hit him in the shoulder, staggering him. The second struck his chest, and the third his neck. Blood sprayed as he gurgled, collapsing in a heap beside her.
Silence fell, broken only by Sophies ragged breathing. She lay on the rooftop, her entire body trembling as the adrenaline drained from her system. Pain flared in her shoulder, her side, her knees; pretty much everywhere. Shed hit a lot of walls and floors over a very short time period.
Slowly, she pushed herself up, wincing as she surveyed the carnage. The large Tyger lay still but the other was still twitching, blood spilling from his mouth. A bullet ended his misery and the blood from both corpses pooled on the wet rooftop. Sophie retrieved her tanto, wiping the blade on one of their jackets before sheathing it.
Sophie took a deep breath, trying to steady herself. Shed survived, but it had been close. Fighting two opponents, especially when she wasnt prepared, had done a number on her.
I need to be faster, she muttered while still breathing heavily. And stronger. More chrome, more weapons. More skills.
She proceeded to loot the Tygers and took photos, sending them to Rita. With a final glance at the corpses, she turned and began making her way back to her bike. There was no time to dwell on the pain or the close calls. She could worry about her injuries, and her system notifications, once she was safe.
26 - The Tyger Claws
Westbrook
April 2nd
2069
In the early hours of the morning, Sophie finally rode her Kusanagi down the hidden service road to her hideout. Shed spent as much time as she could riding in circles, avoiding cameras to ensure the netrunner working with the Tygers couldnt find her. She ultimately returned home once she started to feel woozy from blood loss.
She pulled out her medkit and sat in front of the mirror, methodically patching herself up. She could have gone to Vik; hed likely be more than willing to patch her up. However, Sophie suspected if she did, the older man would try and care for her. That was just his nature. She didnt want to outright reject his kindness, but she didnt want to risk developing a relationship with him either.
Thus, while she bandaged herself up, Sophie found herself looking through a deluge of system notifications. There were far more than she had expected, considering the generally slow speed at which her skills tended to grow.
Parkour Proficiency +2
Parkour [17/100]
Stealth Proficiency +1
Stealth [9/100]
Basic Gun Combat Proficiency +2
Basic Gun Combat [15/100]
Basic Bladed Combat Proficiency +1
Basic Bladed Combat [10/100]
Along with the completion of the basic grunt hunting mission and the first bit of progress towards her 100 undamaged hunts, a second mission had been completed, one that she had completely missed.
Mission Complete
Survive the Tyger Claw ambush.
Bonus Objective: Eliminate your assailants.
Difficulty: Hard
Rewards: 750 L-Coins
Bonus Rewards: 1x Free Proficiency Point
As she tightened the bandage on her shoulder, she asked the system about the bonus reward.
Whats with the free proficiency point? Ive never seen one of them before.
A Free Proficiency Point allows you to improve a basic skills proficiency by 1 point.
Huh. What should I put it into? Actually, before I do that, I need to figure out why my skills have improved so much. Sophie ran her eyes over every skill description, trying to figure out what had changed. Then she examined the knowledge provided by each skill.
She figured that Stealth had probably been on the verge of a level and she utilised Parkour quite a bit during her attempted escape, so it was reasonable they both increased. However, the development of her two combat skills were baffling. Every last bit of brain power went into analysing why there had been such a large improvement.
Ultimately, as she read the names of the skills, the reason clicked. Combat! Both of the skills are about using guns and blades in combat. I was already doing that, but it mustve been the increased intensity from fighting two people at once!
Sophie knew shed have to test whether or not more intense, riskier hunts would provide greater benefits for her skills. But to do that, she needed to make some investments. After thinking for a while, she turned her attention to the final notification. The one she had been waiting to receive for weeks.
Passive Skill: Ambidextrous has been unlocked!
Ambidextrous [1/100]
Immediately after reading it, a burning sensation, similar to the one that occurred with Parkour, appeared in her skull. Her brain was on fire as dozens of neural pathways were burnt into it. Once it ended, Sophie lifted her left hand, marvelling at how it felt the same as her right hand. Reading on Amazon or a pirate site? This novel is from Royal Road. Support the author by reading it there.
Unlocking the passive skill had provided her the ability to truly utilise her left hand, however it was akin to a toddler. It was only the natural ability to use it effectively, not the skilled usage of it like fine motor skills.
With her head still aching from the new skill, Sophie decided to take a nap and begin her preparations to test her theory once she woke up.
-----------------------
Sophies Kusanagi roared as she sped towards Watson. The air rushed past her, a nice breeze in stark contrast to the general humidity of the city. The Tygers that ambushed her had mentioned a Suko-sama. The name was unfamiliar and she hadnt given it much thought to begin with. But replaying the previous nights events, it appeared they wanted her dead. Hence, she was on her way to see Rita and gather information. She needed to know everything she could about the person targeting her.
Lizzies Bar came into view, its neon lights dimmed in the daylight but still iconic. Sophie parked her bike and dismounted, pulling her jacket tighter against the morning chill. The bar might have been closed to the public at this hour, but Rita was stationed outside as always, leaning casually against the wall with her arms crossed.
Rita raised an eyebrow as Sophie approached, her gaze sweeping over the younger womans slightly battered appearance. "Kid, you look like you went five rounds with a chrome gorilla. You alright?"
Sophie brushed past the comment with a blunt reply. "Mhm. Im fine. Want to talk to you. Privately."
Rita studied her for a moment, then shrugged. "Alright. I havent seen you in person since we last met. Must be something interesting. Come on in."
The two entered the bar. Sophie distinctly noted the eeriness of the place, caused by the lack of a crowd and music. She followed Rita through the main floor and into a private room in the back. The room was modest, with a semi-circular lounge and a low table. Rita gestured for Sophie to take a seat as she did so herself.
As the younger girl sat, Ritas sharp eyes didnt miss the way she favored her right side. "Seriously, you look like shit. What the hell happened to you?"
Sophie dropped onto the lounge, her expression as serious as she could look with her features. "Doesnt matter. Im fine."
Rita sighed, leaning against the wall. "Youve got a funny definition of ''fine,'' but whatever. You know the Mox, and me? Were here to help, if you need it. She received a nod, which felt like a small victory. Shes still guarded. I wonder what happened to herRitas thoughts trailed off as she spoke again. So, whats this about?"
"Do you know the name Suko-sama," Sophie said. "I need information."
Ritas casual demeanor shifted slightly as she sat up, her gaze narrowing. "Suko-sama? Whered you hear that name?"
"From the pair of Tygers I killed last night. They ambushed me, mentioned the name to try and intimidate me." Sophie replied. Her tone was cold.
Rita let out a small huff, resting her head on her hand. "Ah, that explains things. Normally you only kill one person when you go out. Three in a single was definitely odd. So, what exactly did the Claws say?"
"Said theyd be paid well for my head. Is there a bounty on my head or something?"
Hmm, not that I know of. If there is, it might be Tyger Claw exclusive. I reckon someones finally decided to put an end to your attacks. Rita replied after a moment.
And? What does that have to do with this Suko person?
Well, it depends on which Suko were talking about. However, I think its Suko Rei thats after you. He himself is, realistically, a nobody. However, his father, Suko Takeshi, is a different story.
That doesnt tell me anything, Rita. Sophie gave the Mox bouncer a small glare.
Sorry, sorry, the older woman put her hands up as she spoke. So, Suko Rei is a low-level Tyger Claw Enforcer. How much do you know about the Tyger Claw hierarchy?
Not much.
Mhm, thought so. All the guys youve been taking out?They sit at the bottom. Theyre grunts, expendable foot soldiers. Above them are the low-level enforcers, like Rei. They normally manage small groups of grunts or are part of a hit-squad. Above those guys are the middle and higher ranked enforcers, which follow the same general pattern, with some exceptions. Following so far?
Yeah. Although, how many Tygers are there? Youre making it sound like theres thousands.
Cause there are. A rough estimate suggests there are over 5,000 Tygers in Night City. Most of them are grunts but there are still plenty of enforcers, of all different levels. Above the high-level enforcers though, are the really dangerous members. Theres only a handful of Captains, most of which either control a subdistrict or different industries the Tygers are involved with. Above them is the second in command and the actual leaders, but you dont need to worry about them for now.
Right, I understand all that. But what does it have to do with my question?
Well, Suko Rei is a low-level enforcer. Nobody important. However, his father, Suko Takeshi, is the Captain in charge of Japantown. See why Im explaining now?
Sophie didnt reply for a while, too busy having her mind blown. The game didnt go into much depth with the gangs, so it was totally new information. However, she was still confused.
So why am I being hunted?
Well, Rei isa failure. To put it simply. His father had very high hopes, providing Rei with good chrome and equipment. However, hes failed to accomplish anything. In fact, its well known he struggles to effectively use his cyberware, because he didnt build up to what he has. He also desperately wants to make his father proud of him. Hes probably hunting you because your death might make his father happy. Killing dozens of Tygers in a couple of months was bound to draw attention.
Sophie let out a deep breath and took some time to gather her thoughts. Eventually, she spoke.
Alright, what can you tell me about this guy, Rei. I need to know who to look out for.
Hes tried to follow in his fathers steps, becoming a street samurai. Hes got a smartlink and uses a Yukimura pistol. I can see youve gotten yourself some subdermal. Itll hurt a bit but with some decent wearable armour, you shouldnt need to worry about the gun. What you do need to look out for is the katana. She paused before sending over a photo.
In it, a man wielded a blade that looked almost identical to Errata, an iconic thermal katana found by V in 2077. So its got a thermal edge? Sophie asked.
Thats right. Given to him by his dad. He pairs it with a lower-end sandy; because he cant handle anything better, and some other chrome. Hes got decent subdermal too, better than yours at least. If you see him, I highly advise you to run. Or at least get yourself some better chrome first. And killing him would be a very, very dangerous choice. He may be a failure but Takeshi still loves him.
Mmm. I wasnt planning to go looking for him. But it sounds like hes pretty keen to find me, so I reckon well cross paths sooner rather than later.
Rita stood up as she replied. Just be careful. Youre a good kid and your work, even if its small, has been helping us.
Thanks for the info, Rita. See you around. As Sophie walked out of the room, Rita called out behind her.
See ya Sophie. Stop by some time, we can have a chat. The younger girl didnt verbally reply but waved goodbye over her shoulder.
Was that her? The girl you keep talking about? Down the hall, a voice drifted over. Rita turned and saw Susie Q, leader of the Mox and one of her best friends.
Thats right.
She doesnt seem too friendly, Susie commented.
I think shes scared. Some kind of trauma, doesnt want to connect with anyone. But her skills are developing fast and shes doing good work. I can only hope shell eventually open up. Id love to be her friend, help her get past whatever shes experienced.
Youve always been like that, Rita. For what its worth, good luck. With that, Susie clapped a hand on the bouncers shoulder before walking off, leaving Rita to think about the young girl shed just spoken with.
27 - Making Preparations
Westbrook
April 2nd
2069
Having gathered the information about Suko Rei from Rita, Sophie rode her bike back to Westbrook. She had preparations to make for her next hunts, considering she was intending to take significantly more risks, at least until she figured out whether or not it would grow her skills quicker.
Even if her actions would draw more attention, she felt it was unavoidable. As long as Suko Rei didnt show up, shed probably be fine.
Not long after entering Westbrook, Sophie stepped into Ricky''s 2nd Amendment store. The air inside was heavy with the familiar scent of gun oil and smoke. She let the door close behind her without a glance, as she walked up to the proprietor. Ricky had looked over when he saw her and almost began the same cheery greeting as hed used when they first met. However, something in her eyes must have deterred him and he settled for something more relaxed.
Morning, he said, eyeing her curiously.
Sophie didnt bother with pleasantries. I need weapons, she said bluntly, stepping toward the counter. Submachine guns, rifles, shotguns. Attachments and ammo for all of them. Suppressors, too.
Ricky studied her for a moment, his eyebrows twitching slightly at her directness. Youre not messing around, huh?
Sophies eyes remained locked on his. Can you give me what I want or not?
He let out a low exhale and gestured for her to follow him to the back of the store.
Ricky pulled down a selection of firearms, placing them carefully on the counter one by one.
This heres a Saratoga, he began, holding up a compact submachine gun. The weapon was bulky and painted in a dull matte black. Good for close quarters, high rate of fire. Nothing quiet about it but it gets the job done well. If you want to be a bit sneakier, you can slap on a suppressor.
Sophie picked up the weapon, testing the weight and feel. It didnt feel as comfortable as a pistol, but she was fully aware she needed to improve her overall gun skills. She gave a small nod, placing it back down without a word.
Next, Ricky grabbed an Ajax assault rifle. Versatile piece. Can handle mid-range and up-close just fine. Its a bit slower than other assault rifles but its reliable.
Sophies gaze flicked to the weapon, her fingers brushing over the stock as she considered it. She did have a Copperhead back at her hideout, but having a different option probably wouldnt hurt. As long as it wasnt too expensive. Next, she said, her tone short.
Unfazed by his customers cold demeanor, Ricky turned to the shotguns. This is the Carnage. He hefted the massive weapon with a grunt, setting it on the counter. Its design was chunky and intimidating. When subtletys out the window, this thingll knock your target, and their friends, right on their asses.
Absolutely not. Look at me. Do you think I can shoot this thing? Itll knock me on my ass before anyone else. He stopped and blinked for a moment.
Ah. Thats my bad, he said, scratching his head sheepishly. Sophie narrowed her eyes at him. It seemed sooff. Fake. There was a good reason she wasnt keen on trusting him too much. Stolen content alert: this content belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences.
You have anything else? A Satara or something? She hoped that there would be no need to carry a shotgun, but after the recent ambush, she wanted to be prepared. Her Nue would barely tickle a hostile borg after all.
Ricky disappeared for a moment, then returned cradling a Satara. Here you go. Think youll be able to use it? Sophie picked it up, mimicking how she would wield it. She knew it would still come with a large recoil, but it wouldnt be anywhere near as bad as the Carnage.
Should be fine. Whats next?
The man reached for a final weapon. Lastly, the Yinglong SMG. Smart gun, high-tech, lightweight, and spits bullets faster than anything else Ive got. Great for when you need to move quickly and hit hard. Its expensive though.
Sophie stared at him blankly. He stared back. She slowly turned her palms upwards, showing off her distinct lack of a smart-link. He looked at them.
Oh. He took the weapon and put it away. Sorry.
Sophie spoke again, a layer of skepticism clear in her voice. Suppressors and scopes for all of them. Ammo, too. You able to get that right, at least?
Ricky began laying out the requested attachments and ammunition boxes as he grumbled. I can do that much. Once he had everything ready, he continued. Can you handle all this? he asked, gesturing to the large pile.
Hmm, what would you say is better, an Ajax or a Copperhead? He thought about it for a moment.
Personally, I prefer the Ajax. Copperheads arent bad, but I dont find them particularly comfortable. Still usable though.
Get rid of the Ajax then. Ive already got a Copperhead and I need to save my eddies where I can.
You got it. Ill give you a duffle, too. Doesnt seem like you can carry all this.
Sophie nodded. Total.
He tapped a few keys on the terminal and gave her the number. She transferred the eddies without hesitation. It was nearly half her funds, but it was necessary. The Tygers typically only carried a pistol and the relevant ammo. Not once had she found someone wandering around with a rifle or shotgun.
Once the transaction was complete, she began packing the weapons and accessories into the duffle bag. However, a thought came to her. Body armor, she said suddenly.
Ricky raised an eyebrow. You, ah, going to war against someone? She didnt reply and he huffed. Fine, fine. The store doesnt normally sell armour but I do. Follow me.
Sophie nodded curtly. Thanks.
She followed him into the back and down a flight of stairs. As they descended, Sophie placed her hand on the grip of her Nue, just in case it was an ambush. They reached the bottom and were faced with a thick metal door. Ricky punched in a code and it swung open, revealing a large, clearly out of place armoury.
Weapons were placed in designated slots along the walls and there were a number of computers in one corner, on a desk. At the far end of the room was a trio of mannequins, bearing different sets of clothes. He guided her over to the mannequins and gestured to them.
What kind of gear would you like?
Sophie stepped closer and examined her options. One of them was clearly a typical soldiers outfit. Olive green fatigues and a similarly coloured plate carrier, complete with ammo pouches. She ruled that one out immediately.
The next one looked exactly like a netrunner suit. She shot the man a questioning look.
What? Its a near-bulletproof netrunner suit.
Sophie liked the look of it. The last one appeared to be a set of typical streetwear, though she assumed it was all bulletproof as well. Do you have a black version of the plate carrier? She asked.
Yeah, I can get you one. By the way, I will uh, need to measure you. Yknow, to make sure I get the right sizes.
She gave him a wary look. Fine. But no complaints about this, okay? She drew her gun and held it loosely. She refused to trust him around her body. She barely trusted Vik, and he was one of the most trustworthy people in Night City, if he was the same as the game portrayed him. He put his hands up, the very picture of innocence.
Nope, thats fine! He grabbed a measuring device and began scanning her body. Every time he got a bit close, her body tensed up and the grip on her pistol tightened. Still, she accepted it because she needed the extra gear. Alright! All done! Could you, uh, put the gun away now?
Sophie slowly eased the weapon back into its holster as he continued talking. So, what bits do you want?
The netrunner suit and the plate carrier.
Sure, sure. Ill be right back. He disappeared quickly. A few minutes later, he returned with a box. He set it down and opened it up, allowing Sophie to reach in and retrieve the netrunner suit and carrier. She liked it.
How much?
5k each. Sophie frowned and quickly checked how much she had. She had just enough but shed be completely broke afterwards.
She grit her teeth and replied, Fine. She stuffed her new clothes into the duffel bag, which had become quite heavy and transferred the eddies. Her heart ached at the line of zeros in her account. The pair returned to the main shop and Sophie began making her way out.
As she left, Ricky called after her. You sure you dont want to keep things quieter? This much heat will put a target on your back.
Sophie paused at the door, her hand on the frame. Ive already got one.
With that, she disappeared into the city, mind racing as she considered how to go about challenging herself when she went hunting.
28 - Rage
Sewers
April 6th
2069
Sophie went over the last checks on her gear as she looked over her status. It had been a couple of days since shed acquired her gear and she had mostly recovered after her encounter with the pair of Tygers.
Name: Sophie Morrin
Age: 14
Class: Huntress [5/100]
Passives
Iron Resolve [Max], Flexibility [27/100], Parkour [17/100], Ambidextrous [1/100]
Skills
Stealth [9/100], Basic Gun Combat [15/100], Investigation [9/100], Basic Bladed Combat [10/100]
Cyberware
Basic Cyberoptics (Common)
Basic Subdermal Armour (Common)
Basic Wrist Reinforcements (Common)
Store: Available
L-Coins: 4,750
Eurodollars: 10
Inventory: 1m x 1m x 1m
She still had her free proficiency point and after thinking it over, she dropped it into Stealth. It was an integral part of her skillset and Sophie was slightly concerned it might fall behind if she got too invested in the combat side of her skills.
Stealth Proficiency +1
Stealth [10/100]
The familiar rush of knowledge appeared, making her smile. Some of the holes that were plugged included a couple of methods to avoid multiple enemies at once, which was massively important considering her plans for the night. Sophie was hoping that her aggressive, risky behaviour would pay off with multiple levels across the board.
With all of her system related tasks out of the way, she looked at herself in the cracked mirror.
Her new netrunner suit hugged her figure tightly and it was surprisingly comfortable. Over the top was the new, military style plate carrier. Shed filled it with as much ammo as possible. Of course, she also had a large amount stashed in her inventory, along with a number of spare weapons. However, the plate carrier would allow her to practice with actual methods of reloading. It may also trick her targets into thinking she was out of ammo, when she still had hundreds of bullets in her inventory.
Strapped to both thighs were a pair of knives. She unfortunately only had a singular tanto, so shed settled with a pair of identical combat knives to avoid creating as many differences as possible in her gear.
For that reason, she also had a pair of Nues holstered on her hips, both bearing silencers. Strapped to her back was the Copperhead shed taken from the scav den, finally ready to make its Night City debut.
It was for a similar reason as the ammo pouches. If a Tyger saw her with a Copperhead and nothing else, hed be in for a shock when facing down the barrel of a Satara.
Sophie looked at herself in the mirror for a moment. Guns and ammo for offense, the plate carrier to protect her vitals and the netrunner suit to protect her limbs. But something was missing. Her eyes lit up and she moved over to one of her shirts. Some quick slashes and she had a strip of black cloth, which she tied around the bottom of her face. It wouldnt stand up to intense scrutiny but it was better than nothing. On the positive side, Sophie thought she looked cool.
Alright, she clapped her hands to her cheeks. All ready. Lets see what I can do to the Claws tonight.This narrative has been purloined without the author''s approval. Report any appearances on Amazon.
-----------------------
The roar of Sophies Kusanagi filled the quiet streets of Japantown as she rode, searching for her prey. Midnight was close and the city was draped in an oppressive atmosphere. It made sense. Already, there were signs that the Unification War would spread into NC and the locals were scared. She was slightly annoyed, as shed spotted multiple lone Tygers, the type she would normally hunt, yet no groups.
She frowned behind her cloth mask, irritation bubbling beneath the surface. There was a small, niggling sensation in the back of her mind. Something about the Tyger claw presence felt off. Like they were waiting for something.
Her thoughts were interrupted by a flicker of light to her left. It felt familiar, and Sophie felt compelled to investigate whatever it was that had caught her attention. She slowed her bike, pulling over a few dozen meters past the alley entrance.
Sophie killed the engine and swung off the bike, her boots making almost no sound as she focused on being stealthy. With her Nue pistols holstered at her sides and her combat knives strapped to her thighs, she moved toward the alley. She leaned around the corner, peering into the dark space.
Her breath stopped.
A group of five scavs stood around a lifeless body in the middle of the alley. The corpse was mangled beyond recognition, but Sophie felt as if she could sense the immense pain theyd gone through before their life was snuffed out.
The scavs laughed, their voices grating, though their faces were hidden behind the typical hologram mask. One of them stood, holding a bloodied limb, showing it off like a trophy. Another poked at the corpse with a long blade, chuckling with his comrades as if he was proud.
Sophie''s chest tightened and her breathing sped up. Memories crashed into her like a freight train; being strapped to a chair, knives carving through her flesh or holes being drilled through her limbs while they laughed cruelly. And the memories of Mia. Her screams, her pleas. The days of holding each other, the only support the other had in that empty, grey cell. Her lifeless form as that one bastard scav carried her past the cage.
The bottom dropped from her stomach and her mouth dried up. The world seemed to blur as her head spun. She staggered from her hiding place and vaguely heard a surprised sound, followed by words spoken as if underwater. She looked up and saw them swaggering towards her. Cocky, completely confident in their behaviour.
Suddenly, a sharp, hot pain erupted in her mind. She screamed. It was deep, agonising and angry.
She wasnt sure how or when it happened but her Nue pistols were in her hands. The first shot cracked through the alley, hitting the scav still holding the limb squarely in the forehead and shattering his mask. The silencer muffled the sound, but the sudden burst of movement and impact sent the others into chaos.
The second scav barely had time to draw his weapon before Sophies next shots blew through his chest. He collapsed in a heap, blood pooling beneath him.
The others scrambled away, suddenly frightened. Sophie refused to let them get away, to give them any pity. They didnt deserve it. She dashed forward, holstering one of her pistols mid-step and unsheathing a combat knife. The scav nearest to her was fumbling for a shotgun when Sophie slammed into him.
They tumbled to the ground, the teen girl straddling his chest as she drove her blade into his chest and throat over and over and over again. Blood splattered all over her, spurting out of the mans corpse. She kneeled, chest heaving. There was no time to think, however.
Another scav fired wildly at her, the bullets pinging off one of the alley walls and grazing her arm. Sophie didnt flinch, though her blood boiled hotter. She dove into cover, switching her pistol out for the Copperhead still slung across her back.
She leaned out, only aiming in the mans general direction due to the burning rage running through her veins. A burst of bullets ripped into the shooter, his augmented arm flying off as he screamed. Sophie advanced, her rifle barking as she drained the magazine. When it clicked empty, his body looked like a sieve. The scav fell silent, his body jerking before slumping against the wall.
The last scav tried to run. Sophie saw him bolt toward the far end of the alley, his panic evident in his uncoordinated movements.
Bastard! she screamed. Come back here, coward!
Reloading her rifle would be too slow, and she wanted to end him up close anyway. To treat him how she and the other kids had been treated. She dropped the gun with a clatter, pulling both combat knives free this time. She sprinted after him, her boots pounding against the pavement.
He reached the end of the alley, scrambling to climb a chain-link fence. Sophie caught him before he could make it over.
Her first knife plunged into his lower back, making him howl in pain. He twisted, trying to throw a punch, but Sophie was faster. Her second blade found his gut, twisting cruelly before she yanked it out.
The scav collapsed, clutching at his stomach, but Sophie wasnt finished. She straddled him, her blades flashing under the dim light as they sank into his chest again and again. His screams of anguish mixed with her own screams of rage until one side fell silent. Still, her blades continued to move.
By the time she stopped, her hands and forearms were slick with blood. The corpse below her was unrecognisable and the alley was silent.
Sophie staggered to her feet, chest heaving and her vision still tinged with red. She stared at the bodies around her, knives still clutched tightly in her hands.
One of them twitched in a final, pathetic spasm. She stepped forward and stomped on his neck. The sharp crack silenced him for good.
Her breath came in ragged gasps as she looked down at the corpse they had been desecrating. What was left of it, anyway. It brought back the memories of being in that cage again, helplessly watching as the corpses of the other kids were paraded past.
Fucking monsters! She half screamed, half sobbed as she kicked one of the Scav bodies.
Her hands shook slightly as she sheathed her knives and reloaded her weapons. The slick blood dripped off her body and at the same time, the rage ebbed, giving way to an empty, hollow feeling. Yet beneath the surface, it boiled.
She wiped her face and arms as best as she could, attempting to school her expression again.
She walked out of the alley, her boots leaving bloody prints on the pavement. The citys neon glow seemed dimmer somehow, the sounds of distant traffic muted.
Sophie climbed back onto her bike, her heart still pumping. She wanted to do more. Scavs or Tygers, she didnt care. She wanted to kill more, until the bloodlust faded.
She revved the engine and sped off into the night, her only companion the fury that refused to leave her. At the same time, she called Rita. The Mox would have the information she wanted.
29 - Night Market (Part 1)
Japantown
April 6th
2069
Rita had come through with the information Sophie asked for, thus she was on her way to the location provided. The Mox woman had seemeddisturbed and slightly unwilling to give her the information on a group of Tygers when she called, though Sophie wasnt entirely sure why. Eventually, shed caved, providing a location, though not without telling her it was far more than she could handle. Her specific words had been something along the lines of youll die if you go there. At least wait a while, Ill get some people together and we can hit them as a group.
She didnt give the words much thought though. Her simmering rage had once more been ignited once she read through exactly what the Tygers were up to and she had no intention of waiting for help.
She raced through the streets of Japantown, hoping that she would make it in time before her prey finished their business.
Around ten minutes later, she reached a street near the location, close to the bridge that would lead over into Watson. She jumped off her bike and raced towards her target location. As she ran, she checked over her gear. Everything was reloaded and although her hands were still covered in a thin layer of blood, shed done her best to wipe it off. She didnt have to worry about her weapons slipping out of her hands at least.
She ducked through an alleyway and instinctively picked out a path to reach the rooftops. She lunged up a set of crates, jumping onto the top of a grimy dumpster. From there, she leapt up, catching her hands on some kind of box, jutting out of the building. She scrambled up until she was standing, then turned to face away from the wall. Across from her was a rooftop that would provide a good vantage point to survey the night market.
She pushed off the box, launching herself across the gap. Her right hand caught the edge but her left slipped off. For a moment, she dangled precariously. The fall wouldnt kill her, but it would hurt. She swung herself until her left hand shot up, catching onto the ledge. From there, it was easy to pull herself up onto the roof.
Sophie crouched on the edge of the rooftop overlooking the night market. The beautiful, glowing lanterns felt like a stark contrast to the chaos occurring amongst the stalls. A group of Tyger Claws, just over ten strong, wandered around the various stores. They were easily identifiable, considering the classic biker jackets but also because of the violence they all seemed to revel in causing.
They were a mixed group. That was Sophies first impression. Some of them were tall and broad, including one of those annoying sumo inspired punks. Others appeared lithe and quick considering more than one of them had a katana strapped to their waist. Oddly, there appeared to be a few women mixed in, a somewhat uncommon sight. Most of the gangers Sophie had encountered tended to be men.
One of the men, a hulking figure with a dangerous looking chrome arm, barked orders at a terrified vendor. A woman with a shaved head and a glowing tiger tattoo on her neck grabbed another shopkeeper by the collar, dragging them over the stalls bench.
Nearby, two women stood defiant, desperately trying to fight against the gangs demands. Unfortunately, the nearby Tygers didnt care. They punched both women, instantly knocking them out before picking them up. They moved the unconscious girls over to a set of vans at the market entrance. From her position, Sophie could see more bodies in the vans.
The sight churned her stomach, reigniting the rage that had been simmering after her slaughter of the scavs earlier in the night. It brought back memories of the first night she spent in Night City, with Mia and her family. To be precise, the way they had all been kidnapped and thrown into the back of a van.
She shook her head, forcing herself to focus. As much as she wanted to, charging in blind wouldnt work here. There were too many Tygers. She needed to thin their numbers before anyone noticed her.
Before she could do anything, Sophie had to find a way down from the roof and locate a target. If she could silently take out a few of them, the subsequent fight would be far easier. She held no illusions of being able to eliminate them all silently.
If you discover this tale on Amazon, be aware that it has been unlawfully taken from Royal Road. Please report it.
To her right, there was a crosswalk that led in the direction of the market entrance. All her experience in the military told Sophie that taking out the enemies on the outside of a hostile area and moving inwards was a better idea thus, she would start at the perimeter.
Two Tygers were stationed at the entrance, separated by a low wall from the market itself. One of them leaned casually against a streetlight, smoking, while the other idly fiddled with her gun.
Sophie crept along the crosswalk until she was crouched above the smoker. Her plan was risky but she had high hopes that it would work. If it didnt, shed be in massive trouble. She drew one of her knives, holding it in her left hand. With her right, she pulled one of her Nues.
As the woman playing with her gun turned away slightly, she made her move. She stepped off the crosswalk, allowing gravity to catch her. With a thud, Sophies feet landed directly on the smokers shoulders. His body folded under the weight and he let out a sharp gasp. It turned into a crunch when a knife was driven through his skull, splashing blood all over his killers hand. However, there was no time for her to pause.
The gun-toting woman had heard the noise and turned to look at the scene of her comrade dying. Sophies Nue came up and fired without stopping. She missed a couple of shots, but the rest landed. Ultimately, it was the last bullet that ended the womans life as it tore through the side of her head. Clearly, she possessed subdermal or bulletproof gear, considering nearly a full magazine failed to take her down.
The female Tyger hit the ground with a wet thump, blood pooling all around her on the ground. Even though it wasnt a loud sound, someone heard it. They turned and one of the female Tygers with cybernetic legs spotted her instantly.
Fucking bitch! She screamed, drawing a katana. That seemed to be the signal as the area immediately descended into chaos. Plans fucked!
Bullets tore through the air as the Tygers opened fire. Sophie ducked behind the low wall separating the market and the street. Concrete shattered as her opponents unloaded their magazines at her hiding space. She tried to return fire during the onslaught but was immediately discouraged when a bullet slammed straight into her shoulder.
It didnt do any actual damage, though the force of the impact hurt. Fuck, Im so glad I bought this gear. As that thought raced through her mind, she realised there was a brief lull in the gunfire.
Sophie went on the offense, switching from her Nue to the Copperhead and leaning out briefly to aim. Her first burst hit a smaller Tyger in his extremities, dropping but not finishing him. A second burst clipped the shoulder of another, but he kept walking forward, snarling as he unloaded his SMG.
Sophie grit her teeth as a round impacted her left arm and she dipped back down behind cover. The netrunner suit held up, drawing a quiet sigh of relief. She switched to her Nue pistol and shuffled along the low wall. The wounded Tyger stormed around the corner, expecting her to be in her previous position. Instead, he received a burst of bullets. He toppled to the ground, clutching his side as blood spilled from his guts.
The downside of killing that Claw was the exposure of her new location. The sudden barrage of bullets forced Sophie to move again. A brief pause gave her just enough time to identify the positioning of each opponent.
The remaining six Tygers had spread out, attempting to perform a pincer attack on her. Sophie cursed under her breath and looked around, rapidly coming up with a plan. But she wasnt given a chance to implement it.
One of the women; tall, muscular and wielding a shotgun, charged her position. A blast of pellets assaulted her. Sophie leaned to the side at the last moment but it wasnt quite enough. She felt the impact all across her torso and at the same time, air was forced from her lungs. The plate carrier shed bought from Ricky proved itself as nothing penetrated it, though the pain in her chest was intense.
Regardless, Sophie absolutely couldnt stop to recover. The shotgun wielder was almost on her, charging like a bull while wildly firing her weapon. Those attacks were fairly easy to avoid but the sudden abandonment of the shotgun and subsequent tackle were entirely unexpected.
Sophie was not a heavy girl. The Tyger who had tackled discovered that quickly and used it to pick the teen up, clearly intending to slam her into a wall or the ground after she built up momentum. As she charged however, the sudden feeling of a barrel pressed against her chest quickly brought a horrified expression across her face.
With a quiet hum, the Satara that Sophie had retrieved from her inventory made its debut in brutal and bloody fashion. A giant, gaping hole appeared in the woman''s chest, drenching the teen in blood and cybernetic fluids. The wild charge halted and the smaller girl stumbled to the ground, trying to recover her footing.
Before she could though, a heavy impact slammed into Sophies back, throwing her forward. She hit the ground hard, the taste of blood filling her mouth.
One of the Tygers, a man with clearly augmented arms, had somehow gotten behind her and slammed into her small frame. He raised a massive fist, but Sophie rolled to the side, narrowly avoiding the blow. The ground cracked where his cybernetic limb struck.
Sophie scrambled away and up to her feet, firing the second shot in her Satara at point-blank range. The electromagnetically propelled, razor sharp spikes didnt do much as his armor absorbed most of the damage. He lunged again, catching her by the wrist and twisting it painfully. The shotgun clattered to the ground but she didnt have time to worry about that.
In a desperate manoeuvre, she spun with all her strength, dragging the Tyger holding her along for the ride. It placed him directly in the line of fire from his friends. The friendly fire caused him to instinctively let go of her wrist. With that opportunity, she bolted into the market itself, hoping to use the stalls and small structures as cover. She didnt forget to scoop her fallen shotgun into her inventory.
Sophie ducked behind an overturned stall, swinging her Copperhead into her hand. She checked the magazine and quickly reloaded after finding it empty. At that moment, she heard the clink of something metallic. She peeked over her cover and took in her situation.
Five-no, seven Tygers remained, all armed. Even the one that had his back shredded by gunfire was still up. However, the numbers were off. Where did those two bastards come from!? Her mental screams were cut short when she saw a grenade arcing through the air toward her. Fuck!
30 - Night Market (Part 2)
Japantown
April 6th
2069
The world seemed to slow as Sophie tracked the grenade through the air. It was still a fair distance away, which was a positive. Her Copperhead came up and she squeezed off a few shots.
As she fired, Sophie realised how stupid that kind of decision was. Why did I do that!? My aim sucks! All of her shots missed and she had to make a split-second decision about what to do, before she was blown up by the grenade.
She threw herself to the side, rolling and tumbling away. However, she had clearly underestimated the power of a Cyberpunk grenade. The blast erupted in a small ball of flames, releasing shrapnel and a significant shockwave. She was blown even further away before smashing into a concrete bench, landing in a crumpled heap.
Her head was ringing and memories of the time she was blown up by a mine flashed before her. Im still fucking weak! Why!? Her eyes looked around, catching sight of the corpses scattered across the ground. The people who had been peacefully living their lives until the Tygers showed up. This shitty fucking world!
The anger that shed been keeping inside erupted and she mentally reached into her inventory for a Maxdoc. She hoped it would help her push through and flatline all of the Tygers. The injector appeared in her hand and she quickly stabbed it into her neck, above the near-bulletproof materials of her clothes.
Her groan as the injection entered her bloodstream was cut short when a stray bullet ricocheted off a nearby metal table and punctured through her netrunner suit, burying itself in her left thigh. She screamed, a mixture of anger, frustration and pain. She frantically looked around and spotted her Copperhead a few metres away.
Pushing through the sharp pain in her leg and the general aches across her body, Sophie crawled over to the rifle. Once she had it in hand, she staggered up into a crouch, behind one of the damaged stalls in the marketplace.
She peered over her cover, quickly locating each of the Tygers that were still advancing on her position. Her eyes locked onto the man shed used as a human shield, who was the furthest enemy on her left. He was still alive, though clearly wounded.
She shuffled over to the left side of the broken stall and took aim. The lull caused by the grenade was shattered as she fired half her magazine at the wounded Tyger. There was no chance for him to do anything as the bullets ripped into him, shredding apart his body armour and the soft internals it protected. He crumpled and at the same time, the katana wielding lady that had first spotted her screamed.
Kaito! You fucking bitch! With all subtlety gone, the woman disappeared in a flash. At the same time, Sophie felt a distinct sense of danger appear. She folded herself in half, immensely thankful for the abilities provided by Flexibility. A katana flashed through the space she had occupied mere moments before. Sandy!
Sophie was in luck though, as the woman didnt reactivate the military grade cyberware. Whatever model the woman was using, it clearly wasnt the best. Or she didnt have good compatibility with it.
While the lack of sandevistan was good, the woman was incredibly close and wielding a katana.
Still in an awkward position from her dodge, Sophie decisively threw her rifle at the womans face. It didnt do much damage, as expected, but it did force the Tyger to abandon the slash she had just begun.
Sophie decisively dropped her rifle, drawing one of her knives instead. Still in an awkward position from her dodge, she lashed out with the knife. It missed, as expected, but also forced the Tyger to abandon the slash she had begun.
With that opening, Sophie took a few quick steps away, putting distance between them and drawing one of her knives. For a moment, they stared at each other. Both women had rage burning in their eyes, one for the innocents killed that night and the other for a friend or partner that had fallen.
The stillness was broken when a burst of gunfire erupted from one of the other Tygers. Sophie felt a bullet slam into her side and another graze her cheek. At the same time, the katana wielding woman stepped forward with a sweeping slash. The teen tried to step back but found the path blocked by more gunfire.
She abandoned her retreat and instead moved in the same direction as the slash. It landed on her stomach but it was already at the end of its arc, meaning it lacked sufficient force to cut all the way through her armour. If you come across this story on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen from Royal Road. Please report it.
Sophie took advantage of the situation, spinning her knife into a reverse grip before plunging it into the womans forearm. She screeched in pain and staggered back but her small attacker didnt relent.
With as much force as she could muster, Sophie slammed straight into the woman, toppling her to the ground. She immediately straddled her and brought her blade down into the Tygers jugular. Blood sprayed out, once more drenching the teen as the katana lady died.
She wasnt given a break though as the big sumo fucker appeared out of nowhere. His fist grew larger in Sophies vision and only at the last second did she move to dodge. In the same movement, she raised her arms to protect herself.
The punch didnt land properly but it glanced off her arms. The instant sharp pain in her right arm made her suspect it was fractured but she had a bigger problem to worry about. Namely, the fact shed been sent flying by the attack.
She crashed into something and her knife slipped from her hand. However, she quickly retrieved the Satara from her inventory. Panicking, she fumbled a shell into the shotgun just in time for the sumo guy to appear in front of her once more.
She held the trigger briefly, then let go. The mans torso was instantly riddled with holes, but he seemed intent on killing her before going down. A Nue appeared in her hand and she fired until the magazine was empty, as was the sumos head.
Sophie breathed a quick sigh of relief before hardening her gaze. Everything hurt and she had taken significant damage. In fact, the only reason she wasnt dead was the investment shed made by buying the armoured clothing.
However, she still had four opponents left. Luckily, the adrenaline and rage in her system, along with an ironclad refusal to go down, meant she could wring out the last bit of energy in her body.
A loud roar interrupted her thoughts. Why wont you die!? You little whore! Sophie looked in the voices direction, identifying the leader of the Tyger group. He had his chrome arm raised and a small barrel on top of it. Her eyes widened as she recognised what it was.
She scrambled to her feet and dashed away, disregarding the gunfire that followed her. The sound of a rocket filled the air and she dove behind a large piece of concrete just before the explosion erupted. It was smaller than the grenade, so it had mostly missed aside from a few new pieces of shrapnel getting stuck in her chestplate.
Sophie glanced at the man, watching him trying to load another rocket into his Projectile Launch System. Absolutely not! She hissed quietly before retrieving her Saratoga. The other Tygers were all in a poor position to target her, so she bolted straight for the leader. As she got closer, a dense spray of bullets flew towards him.
They crashed into his chest, making him drop the explosive he had been trying to load. However, it wasnt enough to put him down. As she stepped in close, he swung a hook, trying to take her head clean off.
An easy duck under the attack found Sophie directly against his chest, SMG barrel pressed into his guts. She pulled the trigger and he immediately spasmed as most of his innards were replaced with lead.
Out of the corner of her eye, she spotted one of the remaining Tygers to her right, gaping at her. She had no idea why but she wouldnt refuse a stationary target. Sophie charged at him, pulling a spare knife from her inventory.
Only once she got close did the man try to do anything. Please! Let me gOoo! He was shown no mercy as Sophie leapt at him, driving her blade straight into the side of his skull before violently wrenching it out as his words died in his mouth.
A bullet slammed into her back and she turned, instantly spotting her next target. She dropped to the ground, sheathing her knife and scooping up the pistol belonging to her previous kill. She dove into a roll until she was behind a barrier then leaned over it, aiming at the shooter.
He popped up from behind his cover and Sophie immediately fired. By some miracle, her first shot punched straight through the mans optics. One left. Then I can rest. But where are they? She slowly stood and began searching the trashed marketplace.
Only once she had her back turned to the entrance did she hear footsteps. Sophie spun and her expression turned weird. Running? Really? He got about half way before she caught up to him, driving her knife through his spine to cripple him, then stabbing through the back of his neck.
With her final enemy down, she staggered to her feet. As she stood, the newly killed Tyger partially rolled over. Her eyes widened at the man-no, the boys youth. Fuck me He couldnt have been more than 18. She hurriedly moved between all of the corpses, checking their faces. Around half of them were young, not even in their twenties.
No wonder I was able to beat them all. Half of them were rookiesFresh off the streets. This fucking city. For a minute, she faltered. Subconsciously, she had been baffled at the fact she actually survived the battle.
With half of her opponents still carrying baby fat and her gear advantages, it was no wonder shed beaten them. The only people that gave her a challenge were the older Claws and shed taken them out mostly through trickery and sheer force of will. Hiding a bunch of weapons in her inventory had provided the advantage she needed to take them down.
She looked around the market, her eyes catching on the corpse of the Tyger that had tried to beg for mercy. Right next to him however, was a young girl, not even ten years old. Beaten black and blue, her neck was bent at a strange angle. Sophies heart hardened. Just because they were young, doesnt excuse what theyve done. They were monsters, even if they just stood by while it happened.
Assuring herself that her actions werent those of an indiscriminate killer, Sophie set about cleaning up the battlefield, despite her exhaustion. She collected and reloaded all of her personal weapons, along with as many of the guns and blades she could loot from the dead Tygers. The groups leader even had an extra frag grenade, which she sent straight into her inventory.
Once she was done, she sat for a moment on the ground. The system store appeared in front of her and she quickly made a purchase. A small syringe holding a bright yellow liquid appeared in her hand, which she immediately jabbed into her neck.
Instantly, a rush of energy flushed through her body. It didnt heal any of her wounds but it replenished half of her emptied energy reserves. All for 2,000 L-Coins. The only downside was that she couldnt use another one for a week at least.
Groaning, she hauled herself up. More Tygers would absolutely arrive as reinforcements and Sophie had no desire to remain when they did. As she walked out the entrance though, the world threw a final fuck you at her.
A car, covered in Tyger Claw decal, arrived. The girl had no desire to have another firefight so she resolutely summoned her recently looted grenade. She pulled the pin and chucked it under the car. Just as the doors opened, it exploded. The two Tygers in the front died instantly while one of the backseat passengers was blown away, clearly disoriented.
The last of the four, who had exited the car just before it blew up, received a spray of bullets from Sophies Nue. He spasmed and dropped to the ground. The disoriented Claw received a bullet to the skull as well. Finally, lets go home. As she took a step, a familiar sound appeared.
Fuck you world. Fuck you. She spoke, turning and jogging back into the market as a group of Yaiba Kusanagi''s, all carrying a Tyger, appeared.
31 - Rei (Part 1)
Japantown
April 7th
2069
Sophie crouched in the shadows on the edge of the market, eyes trained on the entrance. Her current condition wasnt promising in the slightest. Not to mention the various cuts and the bullet still stuck in her leg, just the blunt trauma shed been subjected to during the battle had left marks on her. Everything, from her ribs to her head, ached.
She knew that fighting again, after having relaxed slightly, was a poor option. Thus, Sophie quickly made the decision to try and escape. If she could leave the area without a fight, that would be the best outcome. Unfortunately, the only exit she could use was the entrance. Climbing wasnt an option as the walls around the market were tall and mostly flat.
She heard the bikes switch off and held her breath, waiting for the Tygers to enter the marketplace. As she did so, she caught a glimpse of herself in a broken piece of glass. The person staring back at her was completely unrecognisable from the person she had been when she left her hideout.
All she could see of her face was a thick layer of blood and a pair of exhausted red eyes. The violent killings, both of the scavs and of the Tygers, had turned her into something that looked like it had crawled out of hell. At some point, the piece of cloth shed tied around her face had vanished, though she had no idea when. She tried to wipe the blood away but all it did was make things worse, courtesy of her hands that were also covered in it. Sophie took a moment to look at the rest of her body.
Very little of her actual clothes could be seen though she could tell her plate carrier and netrunner suit had sustained significant damage. What surprised her the most though, was how red she was. Her body was in the same, bloody condition as her face though some was her own.
Sophie found it odd howcalm she felt about it. Before her thoughts could spiral however, the Tygers finally arrived. She peeked around her cover, observing them as they entered.
There were four of them and at first, she felt confident shed be able to take them out if she had to. That impression changed after further observation.
The first, most identifiable member of the group was also the smallest. He was slightly taller than Sophie herself, though she suspected much of it came from the clearly advanced pair of cybernetic legs he sported. His arms too, were cybernetic. His left hand sat lazily on the hilt of a katana as he examined the carnage the hidden girl had caused.
He looks familiar. Have I seen him before? His eyes were covered by some kind of visor, though they also could have been his actual optics. She was still unfamiliar with Cyberpunks chrome after all. On the lower half of his face, covering his nose and mouth, sat a plain white menpo. Flowing down his back was a long, red ponytail. The sight of it caused Sophies face to pale.
Oh fuck. Thats Suko Rei, isnt it? Shit, I didnt think hed be able to find me so quickly! His appearance matched the photo Rita had shown her when they last spoke. With that information clicking into place, she realised that the other three Tygers, all burly and heavily chromed, were his bodyguards.
The only positive was that Reis father, Takeshi, was forbidden from assigning highly skilled guards to his son. At least, thats what Rita had told her. She took a closer look and realised it was true.
One of them, who Sophie nicknamed Nose, had a completely flat nose and an arm that clearly contained some kind of hidden weapon. He didnt seem to be carrying any form of actual weapon, so she assumed he relied on his arm to fight. Muscles was the man who seemed to have no chrome at all, relying entirely on his biological form instead. Stolen from its rightful place, this narrative is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.
Lastly, Guns. As the name suggested, he was bristling with guns. Automatically, Sophie tagged him as the most dangerous, tied with Rei himself. The other pair seemed to be muscle heads and she assumed they were supposed to be a meatshield in case Rei had to escape.
Even if they dont look too tough, I really dont want to fight. Just gotta focus on escaping. Her thoughts were interrupted when Rei spoke.
She might still be here, his voice sounded like a distorted growl, likely because of the menpo. Find the little whore.
Guns and Muscles broke away from the group, moving in her general direction. At the same time, Rei and Nose moved further away. Nice! I should be able to sneak past just two of them, right?
Carefully, she began to move slowly, keeping as low as possible and sticking to the shadows. The slow, cautious movement caused the pain in her left leg to intensify and she inwardly winced. She was close to her limits but if she wanted to escape, she had to push past the pain.
She made it halfway to the exit when her left foot caught the edge of a broken crate after she didnt quite lift it enough. The sound of wood scraping against concrete was like a gunshot in the quiet market.
"I heard something!" one of the Tygers, Muscles, shouted.
Sophie froze, her breath catching in her throat. She could hear their footsteps drawing closer and the clink of weapons being readied. Shit!
There was no time to think. Sophie darted into a nearby stall, hoping that the damaged benches would offer cover. She positioned herself in a corner, as far into the shadows as she could. She quietly unsheathed one of her knives and drew her Nue into her other hand. She was fully aware that shed be found, so she resorted to an ambush.
The first Tyger approached cautiously. She heard him ready a shotgun, telling her that it was Guns. Sophie held her breath, waiting until he was just within range.
Then she struck.
Bursting from her hiding spot, Sophie leaned over the benchtop and drove her knife into the mans arm, twisting it before yanking it free. He let out a pained cry, his finger twitching and causing the weapon to fire a wild shot into the air before the gun dropped.
However, he quickly recovered. With his left hand, he drew a pistol and spun to face her. He fired and the bullet buried itself in her side after slipping past her plate carrier. She let out a small groan but didnt let the injury deter her from attacking again.
Her Nue came up and she pumped two shots into his shoulder and chest, successfully disabling his second arm. As he staggered, Sophie utilised her flexibility to slither over the counter before pouncing on the man. She wrapped around him like an octopus and the extra weight caused him to topple.
Without a second of hesitation, she jammed her knife into the mans optics, sending out a burst of blood and sparks. He immediately went limp and she quickly unfurled herself before rolling away, just as a fist came crashing down.
The attack punched a hole straight through the dead man and Sophie stared at Muscles, the one responsible, in horror. No chrome my ass! Hes definitely got bio-mods! She decisively ran away. If hes that strong, theres got to be a trade-off. Hes a normal Tyger, theres no way hes got the eddies to get mods for both strength and speed.
Her assumption proved itself correct. Muscles wasnt necessarily slow, but he was no match for Sophies smaller body and sheer determination. Even the pain in her leg was ignored in favour of pushing herself to the limit.
She looked back, catching sight of the huge man lumbering after her. As she ran, Sophie holstered her Nue and let her knife slip back into her inventory. She dove behind another stall, then pressed her back to the wall, facing the direction Muscles was chasing her from.
Moments later, he appeared. The Satara in Sophies hands buzzed quietly as it charged. The moment he appeared in her vision, she released the trigger, showering the large man in metal spikes. Some pierced his face but many of them only hit his chest.
Unfazed, she charged the electromagnetic shotgun again. When it was ready, she aimed straight at the bulky mans head. An expression of pure despair was all she saw before the mans skull exploded in a shower of blood and bone.
The battle was not yet over though, something Sophie was fully aware of. She turned her attention to the remaining two Tygers, Rei and Nose. The former appeared to be shaking as he stared at the girl that was drenched in the blood of his subordinates. Nose however, had better control of himself even if he was clearly nervous. However, he raised his arm with a resolute expression.
A minigun rose from inside the limb, whirring to life. Sophies eyes widened as she bolted. Her eyes locked onto a barricade and she slipped behind it, just as the roar of gunfire erupted. Theres no way itll last long. That thing will chew through ammo. Theres a reason only a full-body conversion would have that kind of chrome.
Once again, her prediction was proven right. After just half a minute, the onslaught faded. She immediately poked her frame over, spotting Nose gesturing wildly at Rei. Her Copperhead appeared and she took aim.
The first few shots missed and Nose clearly realised his charge was in danger. He covered Rei with his own body, sealing his fate. Sophie emptied the entire magazine at them, unwilling to spare any chances.
Nose slowly fell to his knees, revealing the young street samurai whos eyes burned with a mixture of rage and fear. With a shout, he suddenly disappeared and an incredible sense of danger erupted in Sophies mind.
32 - Rei (Part 2)
Japantown
April 7th
2069
Without hesitation, Sophie threw herself to the side. The quick reaction saved her life as a red-hot blade cut through the space she previously occupied. She didnt stop though and continued moving, trying to put as much distance between herself and the thermal katana.
She looked behind her and found Rei closing in quickly. She pushed herself harder and she slipped behind a damaged building. Immediately, she lashed out with her knife in the direction she had just come from.
Sophie felt the blade hit something and a startled cry reached her ears. However, instead of pushing the advantage, she escaped again. She wanted to put distance between herself and her opponent until she could come up with a plan.
She forced all of the knowledge from Stealth to the forefront of her mind. The best ways to hide or slip away into the shadows appeared and she acted. She quietly disappeared into the shadows of a still-standing food stall, peeking her head out to watch Reis movements. She could tell he was angry.
Come out you little bitch! You think you can get away with attacking the Claws! Ill fucking gut you! He continued his tirade as he walked around the area, attacking possible hiding spaces. Every time his back was turned, Sophie moved, inching closer to the entrance.
She tightened her grip on the Nue pistol in her right hand, fingers slick with blood. She couldn''t fight him head-on; she wasnt fast or strong enough, especially with his cybernetics giving him a clear edge. Escape was clearly the best option, though she also needed a plan in case she was discovered.
She needed to think, to find an opening in his technique. Her mind replayed the brief clash. Her Basic Bladed Combat informed her that he relied on Iai-do and the short bursts of his sandevistan that sent him hurtling in straight lines.
Most importantly though, was the glimpse of the unarmored flesh on his neck. His face was hidden behind the menpo and visor and she wasnt sure about his torso. Obviously, his limbs werent a great target either.
The hint of a plan began to form in the event she wasnt able to escape. If she could bait him into committing to one of his lunges and dodging the attack, she might stand a chance. Still, that was a last resort.
While Rei continued trashing the already ruined marketplace, Sophie had nearly gotten out of the area. She felt a small degree of deja-vu, considering shed already attempted that when the Tyger reinforcements appeared. The thought caused her head to snap around, staring at the katana-wielding street samurai. The samurai who was looking directly at her.
Even from a distance, she could tell what he must have been thinking. His words confirmed it. Found you! The next second, he vanished.
Sophie dove backwards, just as Reis katana sliced through the air where shed been. The heat from the blade grazed her shoulder, barely slicing through the protective suit she wore and leaving a painful burn that made her grit her teeth. Rei skidded to a halt, his momentum forcing him to pause and reorient before turning back toward her.
She fired two quick shots from her Nue, aiming for his face. He raised his cybernetic arm with lightning speed, deflecting the bullets with the reinforced limb. Sparks flew, but he remained unharmed, a smirk tugging at the corner of his lips.
Love what you''re reading? Discover and support the author on the platform they originally published on.
That''s all youve got? I thought youd be tougher. Youve killed so many of us after all. He taunted her while taking a step closer. His movements were unhurried, as if he knew he had all the time in the world to finish her.
Sophie scrambled further backward, her injured leg nearly buckling beneath her. She fired again, this time aiming for his exposed neck, but Rei darted to the side with uncanny speed, his sandevistan propelling him into a curved sprint that made her shots miss wide. He closed the distance in an instant, forcing her to roll out of the way as his katana slashed downward, carving a molten groove into the concrete.
She came up in a crouch, her knife now in her left hand, and lunged forward in a desperate attempt to strike while he was still recovering from his swing. The blade connected, slicing across the exposed joint of his cybernetic leg. Sparks erupted, and Rei snarled in pain, his balance momentarily faltering.
Fuck off, he hissed, pivoting on his uninjured leg and delivering a vicious kick to her chest with his other. The impact sent Sophie flying backward, her ribs protesting violently as she crashed into a stack of crates. Her knife fell from her hands and her vision blurred. She tasted blood in her mouth, but she forced herself to focus as Rei approached again.
She rolled onto her stomach, her fingers brushing against a jagged piece of debris. Without hesitation, she grabbed it and flung it at him. Rei instinctively raised his arm to block, the makeshift projectile clanging harmlessly off his cybernetic plating, but the distraction gave Sophie a precious second to scramble to her feet and limp toward better cover.
Rei chuckled darkly, shaking his head. Stop delaying the inevitable. Once I kill you, Father will finally be proud of me!
Then do it, Sophie spat back at him, refusing to give up. She ducked behind another stall, her breathing ragged as she reloaded her Nue. Her hands trembled as she did so. The constant beatings had taken their toll on her and her head was still ringing from the previous blow.
Rei activated his sandevistan again, his figure blurring as he surged towards her. Sophie anticipated the move but wasnt fast enough to fully dodge the blow.
She screamed as the thermal blade sliced straight through her arm, just above the elbow and she crumpled to the ground. She attempted to stand but failed, dropping to one knee instead.
Reis failure to end her enraged him and he roared, closing the distance in a single leap and backhanding her with his cybernetic arm. Sophies vision exploded with stars as she nearly hit the ground though her Nue fell from her hand and skittered out of reach. She struggled to draw breath as Rei loomed over her.
He raised his katana for the killing blow and her life seemed to flash before her eyes. Her first death, the excitement of being reincarnated, even if it was in Cyberpunk. Then Mia; the way the older girl saved her from the Tygers and helped keep her sane through their shared torture. Her small, sad smile mere hours before her death.
And her vow. To become strong enough shed never feel helpless. To become a monster. Everything flashed before her yet the killing blow didnt come. Confused, Sophie looked up at Rei and noticed that his eyes had changed colour.
Father! What do you want? Ive already caught the little rat that had been hunting our people. Ive done well, havent I? He paused. You want them alive? Why? Hearing that, Sophie began to breathe heavily. She refused to be captured again.
Her eyes caught on the mans throat. It was completely unprotected and he was both too busy and arrogant to think shed do anything. She just needed something to attack with. Guns arent quick enough for a first attack. No knives left eitherDo I really have nothing?
She licked her bloodied lips and realised she did, in fact, have one weapon remaining. While the man was occupied with deciding her fate, she lunged. All of her energy, her will, was focused into a single attack as she roared.
Rei flinched in shock, giving Sophie enough chance to slam into him and slap his arm, holding the katana, away. She clamped down on his neck with her mouth and her teeth sank deep into his flesh. Pinned beneath her, he thrashed around in panic, desperately trying to manoeuvre his blade for an attack.
With her remaining hand, she retrieved a spare pistol from her inventory and placed it against his head, withdrawing her mouth from his neck at the same time. Fuck you, asshole! She pulled the trigger multiple times and Reis head exploded, showering her with gore.
Sophie staggered back, slumping to the ground. She was alive, but in desperate need of medical attention. Her arm, severed by the thermal katana, had been partially cauterised but blood continued to dribble out of it. She ripped off a piece of Reis shirt, using both her blood-filled mouth and remaining hand.
It was a struggle but she eventually got a poor version of a tourniquet around the wound. She got up to leave and walked a few steps before reaching down, placing the katana and her severed arm in her inventory. After a second look, she also grabbed the bloodstained menpo from the Tygers face and dumped it with the katana.
Sophie didnt bother with the rest of her weapons that had been discarded; they could be replaced later. Woozy from her injuries, she sent a mental command to her bike as she left the marketplace. Her movements were slow but she refused to give up. If she could make it to her bike, her chances of survival would increase dramatically.
The vehicle arrived and she hopped on, setting it to autopilot. With a single arm and significant damage across her entire body, she was in no condition to drive herself. Come on little guy. Take me to Little China. Mistys Esoterica, thanks.
The bike started moving and she slumped over in her seat. All she could do was force herself to stay awake until she could get medical attention. As the city lights flashed past her, Sophie realised that if she survived, shed have to make some serious changes to her behaviour. Shed start with getting Viks contact details.
33 - Emergency Operations
Little China
April 7th
2069
Misty Olszewski
Misty sighed as she rode the elevator down to the ground floor. For some reason, she hadnt been able to sleep, so shed been stargazing up on the roof into the early hours of the morning. The soft ding of the elevator heralded her arrival and she stepped out into the small alleyway behind her store.
As she moved towards her shops back entrance, she heard a soft sound. If not for the quietness of the area, she wouldnt have heard it at all. That sounded like it came from Viks? Hes pretty early today. I wonder if he couldnt sleep either? Ill go say hello before I set up for today. She turned, making her way over to the stairs leading to the clinic.
As she looked down the steps, she froze, her breath catching in her throat. Slumped against the door to Viks clinic, was a figure who looked like some grotesque art installation. Misty flew down the steps towards them, quickly noting they appeared to be female.
Misty gasped, her hand flying to her mouth. As she stepped closer, her stomach churned at the sight of the severed arm lying nearby.
Oh, god, Misty whispered. Her first instinct was to call for help, but the streets were deserted and the stillness remained unbroken except for the occasional sound of passing traffic. She quickly pulled up Viks contact and rang him.
The line buzzed twice before a groggy voice answered.
Misty? Its-its late. Whats going on?
Theres a, uh, girl outside your clinic, Misty stammered, her voice shaky. Shes unconscious, barely alive. And shes absolutely covered in blood. Her arms gone, Vik! Its just lying there.
What? The sleepiness in Viks voice disappeared instantly. Alright Misty, calm down. I need you to do a few things before I get there. Can you carry her inside?
Misty glanced at the girl. She wasnt large, but the dead weight of unconsciousness would be a challenge. Still, Misty nodded. Ill try.
Good, Vik said. There were faint sounds coming from his side, presumably the rippers rush to get ready. Once youve got her inside, find the first-aid supplies. Theyre on my desk. Use gauze to wrap anything still bleeding. If shes not breathing right, let me know immediately. I need to hang up so I can focus on driving but Ill be there soon.
He ended the call, leaving Misty kneeling beside the girl. Even up close, she couldnt see past the thick layer of blood. The odour of it was one of the most pungent things the older girl had ever had the displeasure of smelling. However, all that mattered to her at that moment was the small, barely breathing figure.
Alright, sweetheart, Misty murmured, slipping her arms under the girl. Lets get you inside, out of the cold.
She grunted with effort, staggering slightly as she lifted the girl. Her weight wasnt overwhelming, but the awkward angles of her limbs and the constant awareness of her injuries made the task difficult. Somehow, Misty managed to get her inside, nudging the door shut with her foot.
Inside the dark clinic, Misty laid the girl carefully on Viks surgical chair. She flipped a switch, allowing the bright overhead lights to illuminate the girls body. With the better lighting, she could better see the extent of the damage; the severed arm that had been removed cleanly, along with the hastily applied tourniquet. Her clothes were scuffed and damaged in places and her chest rose and fell in shallow, uneven breaths.
Mistys hands shook as she grabbed the first-aid kit from the desk. She found gauze and antiseptic, as Vik had instructed, but realised she couldnt see where all of the wounds actually were. She found an old towel and a bottle of water. Wiping the girl down with the wet towel allowed her to remove some of the blood, revealing pale skin and a number of gashes and bullet wounds. This story has been stolen from Royal Road. If you read it on Amazon, please report it
Youre gonna be okay, Misty murmured, though she wasnt sure if it was true. The blood loss alone seemed catastrophic. Now able to see the damage, she cleaned the wounds with antiseptic and wrapped them in gauze. She did the same for the stump where the girls arm had been severed, tying it off with trembling fingers.
Her interface lit up, displaying an incoming call from Vik. Misty answered on the second ring as she did her best to turn her patient into a mummy in order to stop the bleeding.
Ive got her inside, she told Vik. Shes breathing, but just barely. Ive wrapped the worst of it, but theres so much blood
Good. Next, check her pupils. Are they responsive?
Misty leaned over, gently prying one of the girls eyes open. The pupil constricted slightly under the bright overhead light, though the motion was sluggish. Theyre slow, but theyre moving.
Thats a good sign, Vik said. Shes still in there. Now, there should be a vial with a special medicine for stabilising blood loss in the first-aid kit. Itll help keep her from going into shock. Inject it into her neck.
Mistys stomach twisted. I-I dont know if I can
You can, Vik said firmly. Its just like any other injection. Do it, Misty. Im almost there.
With a shaky nod, Misty found the vial and a fresh syringe. Her hands felt clumsy as she filled the needle and positioned it against the girls neck. She hesitated, her breath catching.
I can do this, I can do this. Its to help her, Misty whispered to herself, and then she pushed the needle in. The girl didnt react, and Misty released the stabilizer before pulling the syringe away.
The sound of heavy footsteps outside signaled Viks arrival. Misty nearly sagged with relief as he burst through the door, his medical bag already open.
How is she? he barked, though his eyes immediately landed on the girl.
Misty stepped back to give him room. I cleaned her up a little and gave her the stabilizer.
Vik moved to the table, his eyes scanning the girls injuries. His expression darkened as he recognized her. He sighed deeply.
Dammit kid, he muttered. I thought I told you to be careful.
Misty blinked. You know her?
Met her once, Vik said grimly. Back then Id hoped something like this wouldnt happen but I guess that was wishful thinking.
He set to work immediately as he began assessing the damage. Misty watched silently, her heart pounding in her chest. She didnt know who this girl was or what had happened to her, but the sight of her small, broken body filled her with an aching sadness.
I need your help to get her out of these clothes. I cant work on her properly with them in the way. He paused, remembering something, and dont be too surprised by what you see.
Misty looked at him questioningly but he ignored it as he gently sat Sophies body up, removing the armoured plate carrier from her body. Afterwards, he tugged the zipper on the netrunner suit down. He pulled the top of it off and Misty let out a horrified gasp.
Misty! Get yourself together! I need you to pull the suit off. She shook her head, realising that it wasnt the right moment to get emotional. With a struggle, the pair managed to remove the suit, including all of Sophies weapons.
Doing so revealed the mess of scarring that covered the small girls body. While Misty was lost in thought, Vik grabbed an IV pole and pushed a needle into the girls remaining arm.
With the doctor busying himself, the older girl found herself looking between the scarred girl and the significant number of weapons she had been carrying on her body. I wonder what kind of life shes lived? I should ask Vik later.
Shes tough, Vik said after a moment, as if reading Mistys thoughts. She wouldnt have made it here otherwise.
Will she be okay? Misty asked softly.
Vik didnt answer immediately. Instead, he focused on stabilizing Sophies wounds. When he finally spoke, his voice was quiet.
If she pulls through tonight, maybe. But its gonna be a hell of a fight.
Is it that bad?
The severed arm is definitely the worst injury but whatever happened to her, shes been put through a lot. Most of her ribs are broken, shes got a pretty severe concussion and thats not mentioning the bullet wounds, scraps or internal bruising.
Ho-How is she even alive with all that? It doesnt look like shes got any chrome. Misty asked curiously while the doctor worked quickly.
Well, shes got basic subdermal. I installed that myself, she felt a flush of anger and she almost started berating him, which the man obviously realised. Wait! I didnt have much choice. If I didnt do it, shed have gone somewhere else. But I think the main reason shes still alive is that armour she was wearing. Well, that and an immense amount of willpower.
Willpower?
Yeah. Truthfully, she should be dead. Even with the basic subdermal and armour, this isnt the kind of damage someone can walk away from when they have no chrome. She got here from wherever this happened fueled by sheer will. He paused, then spoke quietly. Though after experiencing whatever gave her those scars, maybe thats to be expected.
Misty didnt reply, lost in thought as she stared at the unconscious girl. If she survives, I want to be her friend. I think she needs someone to care for her. Vik looked over his shoulder at her.
I agree. I think Id like to be a friend of hers as well. At the very least, Id like to be able to prevent this kind of situation again.
Its decided then. Now you better get to work saving her. Can I do anything to help?
Yknow, there actually is. I need you to grab a box from the back. It should be labeled arms. Her biological arm is too damaged to be reattached.
34 - Those That Care
Little China
April 14th
2069
Sophies senses returned slowly as she began to stir. The first thing she noticed was the stiffness in her body, suggesting a prolonged time laying down. Even with her eyes closed, she could tell that there was a bright overhead light above her, humming softly. Covering her as she lay on some kind of comfortable mattress was a soft blanket.
The realisation made her pause, even as she was waking. Her breathing quickened. This wasnt her hideout. Where was she? Her most recent memories seemed scattered, though they were gradually clicking into place. Still, her body reacted on instinct.
Sophie shot upright, though the sudden movement sent a wave of pain crashing through her torso. Her left side burned with an ache that felt too deep to be superficial, and her head throbbed like shed been struck with a mallet. She grimaced, clutching her right arm to her side.
She froze as metal made contact with her bandaged skin, rather than the expected flesh. She looked down immediately, noticing the absence of her arm. Well, her biological arm. Where flesh and bone should have been was a basic, clean cybernetic limb.
It ran from her fingertips all the way to her shoulder, with an obvious elbow joint. It was mostly black with small hints of silver and it held a dull gleam under the bright lighting. She reached for it with her other hand, only to stop as a familiar voice called out.
Easy, kid, someone said, stepping into view. The voice was calm and quiet, as though talking to a skittish animal. Youre safe.
As Sophies wide eyes darted toward him, she fumbled around, searching for a weapon. Her breathing was shallow, and for a moment, the person must have thought she might bolt or lash out. They raised their hands, palms out, a gesture of peace. Its okay. Youre at my clinic. Youve been out for a week.
She didnt reply immediately, her gaze scanning the room for exits or threats. Finally, her eyes landed on the speaker again. Her vision was still blurry from waking up and she stared at the speaker intensely. Her voice was hoarse, barely more than a whisper. Vik? Is that you? What... happened?
You were in bad shape when Misty found you, he explained, pulling a stool closer and sitting down. You made it to the clinic somehow, but you were unconscious, bleeding out. Had your severed arm next to you, gave Misty a real fright. He paused. It was too far gone to save. The nerves were burned and it had already gotten infected. I had to remove the rest of the arm and replace it.
Sophies gaze dropped back to the limb. She flexed her fingers experimentally, watching as they responded with mechanical precision. Even you couldnt reattach it? she asked. She vaguely remembered pulling her arm out of her inventory in the hopes it could be saved.
Vik shook his head. No. I might be good but the damage was too severe, and the time it wouldve taken to preserve and reattach it... you wouldnt have made it.
Sophie nodded, though her expression betrayed nothing. She stared at the arm for a moment longer, then looked away, eyes unfocused.
You scared the hell out of Misty and me, you know, Vik said, leaning forward with his elbows on his knees. Showing up half-dead like that.
Sophies jaw tightened, but she didnt respond.
Im sure youve already figured it out from the pain but it wasnt just the arm. I had to replace multiple ribs and even the ones I could save needed time to heal properly. Vik continued, his tone softening. Whatever youre doing out there? Its not sustainable. Bleeding out on the streets, losing an arm for whatever reason? Youre walking a fine line, kid.Unlawfully taken from Royal Road, this story should be reported if seen on Amazon.
She met his gaze finally, a defensive expression on her face. What do you want me to do then?
Start thinking and caring about yourself, Vik said firmly. This is the kind of behaviour Id expect from someone who wants to die. I dont think thats who you are. Stop treating your life like its expendable.
What would you know! You dont know me! She shouted, trembling. Even she didnt know why she responded that way. Vik looked at her with a sad smile.
When we first met, you said you wanted, no-needed, to survive. That was one of the reasons why I gave you that subdermal. But this? He gestured at her bandaged body. This doesnt look like survival. The blood that covered you when you showed up? Most of it wasnt yours. Youre on some kind of crusade. I wont pretend to know why, but what youre doing? Its gonna get you killed.
His words hit too close to home and Vik could tell as her whole body drooped. He continued, I may not understand whats going on for you but that doesnt mean I cant. If you need someone to talk to, as a friend or confidant, Im here. Id hate to see you dead on the streets for behaving like this, alone and without anyone to help you.
The words hung heavy in the air. Sophie didnt reply, her expression unreadable as she lost herself in thoughts. Vik opened his mouth to say more but before he could press further, the sound of light footsteps interrupted them.
Misty stepped into the room, her eyes widening slightly when she saw Sophie awake. Oh, thank god, she said, exhaling a breath of relief. You had us worried.
Sophie tensed slightly, her gaze shifting to Misty. She wasnt sure what the older girl was talking about, considering theyd never met.
Misty crossed the room quickly, standing at the edge of the bed. Youve got no idea how close it was. If you hadnt gotten here when you did She trailed off, shaking her head. What were you thinking, going out there like that?
Sophie opened her mouth to speak, but Misty held up a hand. No, dont give me an excuse. Im sure you have plenty. But whatever it is, its not worth killing yourself over.
The younger girl sat there, mouth open like a fish. Vik took that moment to jump in. Shes got a point, kid.
Sophie looked between the two of them, her face unreadable. She could feel the warmth in their concern. It was something she had decided she never wanted again, not after what happened with Mia. Even still, it made her chest feel tight. She wasnt sure if it was guilt, anger, or something else entirely.
You dont have to do this alone, you know, Misty added, her voice softening. Whatever youre going through, whatever youre fighting for... it doesnt have to be this way. Youve got people willing to help. To support you.
Sophies gaze dropped to her lap. The weight of their words pressed down on her, though she couldnt bring herself to respond. What could she say? That she didnt deserve their concern? That their kindness was wasted on someone like her? That she didnt want to be friends? That theyd die if they got too close to her, like everyone else?
She clenched her jaw, unwilling to let her thoughts show. The silence stretched, but neither Misty nor Vik pushed her for an answer.
Eventually, Misty placed a gentle hand on her shoulder, and Sophie flinched slightly, though she didnt look up, either. Take your time, Misty said softly. Were here when youre ready.
With that, Misty and Vik exchanged a glance before stepping away to give her some space. Sophie sat alone, staring at the surface of her new arm. Their words echoed in her mind, but she didnt know how to process them.
-----------------------
Around half an hour later, while Sophie was still lost in thought, she heard footsteps. She looked over as Vik sat down next to her.
You wanna talk about it? She looked at him for a moment, then shook her head. Before he could say anything else though, she spoke up.
Can you, uh, tell me a bit about how cyberware works? Like this arm, for example? He smiled at her.
Course I can. Generally, most chrome is split into five different tiers. Theyre constantly shifting though, due to newly developed tech. Your arm would be considered the lowest tier of cyberarm available.
Whys that? She interrupted.
Well, that arms only purpose is to replace your biological arm. Its just an advanced prosthetic, no fancy features. The subdermal I gave you previously, and repaired when you showed up, also fits this tier. Its good against small cuts, abrasions, maybe a little bit of blunt force and really small caliber bullets. Anything more than that? Practically useless.
I seeSo what about the other tiers?
Well, the higher up you go, the more advanced and fancy the chrome gets. A second tier arm would have artificial muscles and be significantly more powerful. It might even have some hidden features. Likewise, subdermal would be able to mitigate significantly more damage. He paused, thinking for a moment. I should warn you, the more advanced the chrome gets, the more expensive it becomes. Unless youve got a heap of eddies available, I wouldnt be thinking of getting any upgrades.
Sophies eyes flickered to the system notifications she had yet to open. She knew they may provide her the resources she needed for an upgrade. She was tempted to have a look but decided they could wait.
Ill keep that in mind, and thanks for explaining. But, um, how long do I have to stay until I can leave?
Id like to keep you here for a day or so, then Ill let you go. He stood up, stretching a bit as he spoke. And Sophie? Think about what Misty and I have said. If you need help or just someone to talk to, were here. Ill send you our contacts too. She quickly received two sets of contact details.
Thanks Vik, she murmured. A hand landed on her head, ruffling her hair a bit. A beep sounded on the other side of the room and he looked over. He turned back and spoke to her.
No worries kiddo. Ill come check on you soon, alright? With that, the doctor walked away and Sophie returned to her thoughts.
35 - Heading Home
Little China
April 15th
2069
Sophie woke slowly, staring up into the dark room. Everything was silent except an occasional beeping machine and the faith sounds of traffic in the city. Her body still ached and everything felt stiff.
Her attention turned to the feeling of her new arm. It feltalien, like something wasnt quite right. Thats the truth of it though, I guess. Still, the prosthetics of this world are leagues better than what I had in my first life. The differences between her new arm and the prosthetic leg she had used for a decade were immense.
It was that experience that told her the alien feel of the new limb would pass. Eventually, it would just become another part of her life. She flexed her new fingers, watching the metal joints respond just as her flesh digits once had. While part of her felt disturbed at how calmly shed accepted the loss of her limb, another part couldnt deny the practicality. Once she had the eddies, shed be able to upgrade it, adding another tool to her arsenal.
Her thoughts turned away from the sensations in her body, to Misty and Vik. She shouldnt have been surprised by their kindness; it was displayed many times in the game. But feeling it in person? She couldnt quite figure out how to process it. Especially when shed tried to put as much distance between herself and others. I mean, I hadnt even met Misty until yesterday. Whys she being so kind to me?
Deep down she desperately wanted to connect with people, specifically those like Vik and Misty. On the other hand, her past experiences told her that if she got too close to them, theyd get hurt. Just like her squad did in her first life and just as Mia did only a short few months ago. That thought was sobering.
No. Im not ready yet. Not for what theyre offering. But maybemaybe I dont have to be too distant. Talking with someone every so oftensurely I can allow myself that, at least.
Her thoughts were interrupted when Vik appeared, carrying a tablet and a coffee mug. He glanced over, noticed she was awake and gave her a nod. Morning, kid. Glad to see youre up.
Sophie slowly pushed herself up into a sitting position. Morning, she replied, her voice slightly raspy after not having drunk anything overnight.
Vik set his mug down on the counter and walked over. Howre you feeling today? And dont give me that fine routine. Ive patched up enough people to know when theyre lying.
She absentmindedly flexed the fingers of her new arm as she replied. Ive been worse.
Thats not saying much, Vik said, his voice carrying a hint of exasperation. Youve made it through the worst of it, but youre not out of the woods yet. You need to take it easy for at least a week. No fights, no heavy lifting, no running around the city like youre invincible.
Sophie frowned slightly. And if I dont?If you encounter this narrative on Amazon, note that it''s taken without the author''s consent. Report it.
Youll be back on that chair, or worse, Vik said bluntly. Im serious, Sophie. Your bodys been through the wringer, and that new arm of yours? Its not something you immediately get accustomed to. You need to get used to it, learn its limits, he paused. And your own.
She nodded stiffly, her face betraying nothing. Anytime shed taken her foot off the accelerator, it had been forced on her, mostly through injury. With Viks directive, this time would be no different. Still, she understood that pushing herself too soon could end badly. Ill keep that in mind.
Good. Vik crossed his arms and studied her for a moment. Im discharging you today, but I mean it, kid. Take it easy.
Before Sophie could respond, the door to the clinic opened, and Misty walked in, carrying a bag. Morning, Vik, she said brightly before her gaze shifted to Sophie. And morning to you, too. Youre looking...Well, better than you did last week. And last night.
Sophie looked at her blankly as the older girl approached. Misty placed the bag on the counter and smiled. I brought you something. Just some basic supplies; water, snacks, and a little first-aid kit. I have a feeling youll need it.
Thanks, Sophie said quietly. She wasnt too surprised at how kind Misty was but she was definitely stunned that she was being so kind to someone she barely knew.
Misty waved a hand dismissively. No need to thank me. Just trying to help.
She pulled up a stool and sat down across from Sophie, her expression softening. Look, I know we dont know each other well, but I meant what I said last night. If you ever need anything, whether its help, a place to lay low or just someone to talk to: Im here. So is Vik, but Im not sure youd want to chat with an old timer like him. The comment garnered an indignant cough from the man in question but he didnt interrupt.
Sophies eyes flicked to the floor. Ill... keep that in mind, she said.
Misty tilted her head, studying Sophie for a moment before continuing. Im serious, Sophie. And just so you know, Ive decided Ill give you a call every week or so. Just to check in, make sure youre doing alright. So dont go doing anything stupid, okay?
A faint twitch of Sophies lips appeared briefly, though it vanished as quickly as it came. Ill try. I feel like I havent made the best impression on Misty. Does she think I need constant supervision or something? Like a toddler?
Misty sighed, shaking her head in exasperation. Well, its a start.
Vik walked over with a duffel bag, setting it down beside Sophie. Heres your gear. Everything you came in with, cleaned up as best as I could manage. And Misty grabbed you a fresh set of clothes. We figured you wouldnt want to go back out there in just those bandages or your bloodstained rags. And dont even think about paying for everything. Pay me by taking care of yourself.
I...Thank you. Really. Sophie said. She reached for the bag and hesitated for a moment before picking it up. She unzipped it, causing a disgusting scent of blood and detergent to erupt. Both girls looked at the man. He turned his gaze away and scratched his cheek before perking up again.
One more thing, he said. I noticed a bike parked outside Mistys place the night you showed up. Covered in blood, just like you were. I wheeled it into the back of the clinic. Figured it was yours.
Sophie nodded. It is.
I made sure the control chip is still in your head, so its waiting for you when youre ready to head out, Vik said. But remember what I said. No pushing yourself. Its a miracle you survived this time. Dont waste this second chance youve been given. Third, you mean. She didnt state the unwanted thought, aware it may cause them to worry about her more.
Misty stood, giving Sophie a warm smile. And if you need anything, you know where to find me. Dont be a stranger, okay?
Sophie looked between the two of them. The looks on their faces clearly showed how serious they were and she found it hard to outright refuse. She gave a small nod and spoke, her voice barely above a whisper. Ill think about it.
Neither Vik nor Misty pressed her for more, sensing that was as much as theyd get from her for now. As Sophie stood and slung the duffel bag over her shoulder, she could feel their gazes on her. Their hope that she''d listen to the advice theyd offered was obvious and she knew that if she stayed, shed find herself making promises that couldnt be kept.
As she crossed the gate to leave, she turned back around. Um, sorry for yesterday Vik. For yelling at you. With that, she left the clinic without another word, not waiting for a reply. Her bike waited for her in the alley, still covered in a significant amount of blood. Sophie paused for a moment, looking back at the clinic before shaking her head and mounting the bike.
She found herself lost in thought as she slowly made her way back to her sewer home. The larger scale Tyger hunt had been a clear mistake, and she needed to reflect on where, exactly, it had gone wrong. It had cost her an arm and nearly her life. Yet at the same time, she had a feeling it had possibly put her back on a brighter path.
36 - Notifications and Reflections
Sewers
April 15th
2069
Sophie slowly drove down the hidden maintenance road into the small underground loading bay-turned garage. She parked and gathered up everything she was carrying before bringing it into the main chamber of her sewer home.
Inside, the air was warm and slightly damp, a smell that she had become accustomed to over time. Inside, the space looked almost exactly as she had left it; scattered materials and random weapons covering the area. However, a thin layer of dust had settled over everything in her absence.
She dropped the duffel bag she was carrying and with a tired sigh, lowered herself onto her dingy mattress. She ran her fingers over the cybernetic arm that now replaced her lost limb. She was able to avoid falling back into thought though, as she remembered the significant amount of system notifications shed gotten during her near-death experience.
Mentally preparing herself, she opened them up and was immediately inundated with messages. She took a moment to filter them so that all the level ups came first.
Huntress Level +5
Basic Gun Combat Proficiency +5
Basic Gun Combat [20/100]
Basic Bladed Combat Proficiency +3
Basic Bladed Combat [13/100]
Flexibility Proficiency +3
Flexibility [30/100]
Ambidextrous Proficiency +4
Ambidextrous [5/100]
Stealth Proficiency +2
Stealth [12/100]
Investigation Proficiency +2
Investigation [11/100]
Jesus Sophie let out a breath in complete disbelief. Her theory that more risk would equal more reward had significantly paid off, proven by the rush of information that entered her mind and the small changes that occurred across her body as she became slightly more flexible. Interestingly enough, she noted that moving her new arm felt easier, as though it had become a more natural part of her body.
Making a mental note to investigate that at a later time, she examined the next set of messages.
Significant demonstration of willpower detectedPassive Skill Iron Resolve has already reached maximum levelInitiating Skill EvolutionSkill Iron Resolve is evolvingSkill Iron Resolve has evolved into Skill Iron Will.
Following that notification was a flood of messages stating that her new passive skill had evolved. Sophie condensed all of them into a final statement.
Iron Will Proficiency +35
Iron Will [35/100]
System, can you explain this willpower stuff? And give me a description of the new skill.
Passive: Iron Will - Massively boosts willpower and pain tolerance. Your mind can sustain significantly more trauma, even if your body cannot. External negative mental effects are significantly less likely to affect you. If they do, the effects are reduced.
As Sophie tried to understand what the description was telling her, the willpower explanation arrived.
A basic explanation and example of willpower is as follows: With low to average willpower, being shot hurts. The pain is significant and it activates certain functions in the brain, like a fight or flight response. With higher levels of willpower, the ability to push through the pain and ignore the biological functions increases. At your current stage for example, being shot with a lower caliber bullet would hurt but you would still find it fairly easy to function normally for a time.
So does that mean I would feel less pain? The skill description says it boosts pain tolerance.
No, willpower has no effect on how much pain you experience, only your response. Iron Will increases both how much pain you can tolerate before it becomes too much, and the ease with which you can deal with that feeling (willpower).If you encounter this tale on Amazon, note that it''s taken without the author''s consent. Report it.
RightI assume then, that increasing my willpower would require me to experience things that challenge it, like losing my arm.
Thats correct.
Well, Im not sure Im keen on leveling that kind of skill deliberately. Then again, Im sure itll happen regardless of what I do. She certainly wouldnt be going out of her way to increase her willpower but considering her line of work, it was almost guaranteed shed be injured again at some point.
I guess Ill move on from that then. Im quite excited to see what these other notifications are about.
The first one that popped up was a notice that shed hunted six people without taking damage, increasing her progress of that particular mission to [7/100].
The next messages however, were all mission related. Throughout that night, shed completely forgotten to check whether or not any missions had appeared. The first completed mission referred to the small group of scavs shed massacred in her rage.
Mission Complete
Youve discovered a group of scavs, the group of scum you hate with your entire being. Eliminate them.
Difficulty: Hard
Rewards: 1,500 L-Coins, 2,500 Eurodollars
She gave a cold laugh, I dont need a fucking reward to kill scavs. I just need them dead. Despite her words, the reward was good and exactly what she needed. She moved on to the next notification.
Mission Complete
Youve received information from the Mox about a group of Tyger Claws harassing a night market. Eliminate them or drive them off.
Difficulty: Very Hard
Rewards: 2,500 L-Coins, 10,000 Eurodollars, Common Skill Voucher
It was a good reward in general, though Sophie was clearly aware it wasnt worth the price shed paid. The currencies would hopefully go a long way however, to ensure the experience didnt repeat itself again. Finally, she reached the last and most recent of the messages.
Mission Complete
Suko Rei and his subordinates have arrived, hunting for you. Survive.
Bonus Objective: Eliminate Suko Rei and his subordinates.
Difficulty: Very Hard
Rewards: 5000 L-Coins, 5,000 Eurodollars
Bonus Reward: Weapon Tailoring Voucher
I feel like Ive gotten a decent amount of eddies from this, but at the same time Im fully aware that I havent really. Its the same thing with the L-Coins. What Im really interested in however, is that weapon voucher. Can I get an explanation for that?
The Weapon Tailoring Voucher allows you to slightly modify a weapon in your possession to better suit yourself.
It was a basic explanation, but Sophie immediately knew what shed use it on. She was short. Not tiny but trying to wield the katanas that existed in Night City? They were unfeasible for combat. However, she suspected that the voucher would allow her to modify a katana to better suit her smaller size.
Her face lit up when she remembered one of the things shed done before leaving the night market. A quick mental command and a katana appeared in her hand. Specifically, the thermal katana shed looted from Suko Rei. It was long and unwieldy, unsuitable for her current situation.
With no hesitation, she used the voucher on the blade and watched in wonder as it shrunk in her grip. The whole weapon became smaller, the hilt fit her hand better and after a quick test, it didnt scrap along the ground if she held it by her side.
This is perfect! Ill have to figure out a good way to keep it on my body though. I dont want to be pulling it in and out of my inventory when Im using it. Thatd be a fantastic way of ending up in a research facility.
After a few minutes though, the excitement brought about by all of her progress faded and she began to think about what, exactly, had happened that night.
She lay on her mattress, staring at the ceiling as she thought about the series of events and bad decisions that nearly got her killed.
Her initial goal that night had simply been to test whether or not increased danger would help improve her skills faster, thus she wanted to find a small group of Tygers to hunt. In the end she found a group of scavs instead.
What she didnt expect was the severity of her reaction to their presence. Just seeing their masks had brought about an immense rage and by the time it began to dissipate, her opponents were dead. As she thought about it, Sophie realised she really should have ended the night at that moment. Her initial desire to test herself against multiple foes had been accomplished.
Unfortunately, her anger had still been simmering and she wanted to spill more blood. Her main mistake was the way she dealt with Rita, along with her subsequent handling of the situation. The Mox woman had given her the information on the group she attacked.
However, Rita had advised her not to do it, at least by herself. In the end, shed ignored the offer to bring help, charging headfirst into a situation that almost ended her life. It was a mistake she couldnt afford to repeat. Rita deserved better than to be ignored, and Sophie made a mental note to visit her, to apologise, and to let her know she was still alive.
Regardless of the situation, Sophie realised she should have taken a moment to actually think about what she was doing. At least ten Tygers. That was the number suggested by Ritas intel. As she thought back to it, the teen couldnt figure out what her past self had been thinking.
Her hand clenched into a fist. The truth was clear as day: she had been reckless and arrogant. While her anger, stoked by the encounter with the scavs, the poor decision making fell on her shoulders.
Every moment of the fight played back in her mind. The initial success when she took down the first two Tygers then to the battle for survival and the relentless desperation that had driven her forward. She had won, sure, but at what cost? Shed lost an arm and almost died. What made things worse was that she believed it could have all gone differently if she had just thought things through and taken the time to make a proper plan. For example, if she hadnt stuck around to loot the place, she wouldnt have fought Rei.
Sophie realised however, that it was an important learning experience. She needed to shift her approach if she wanted to be better. She needed to spend a bit of time fully dissecting the experience to figure out what lessons could be learned, and she would.
Her thoughts shifted to the Tygers she had fought. One of them in particular, the boy in his late teens, came to mind. His face had been filled with terror as he begged for mercy before she ended him. Sophies stomach churned. Many of the Tygers shed killed that night were young, new recruits trying to prove themselves.
Did they even participate in the gang''s darker deeds? Or had they simply been swept up in something they didnt fully understand? The realisation stung, especially as she thought about her actions prior to that night. She had been hunting the Tygers indiscriminately, assuming that every Claw was guilty. But was that true? Could she justify killing them all when some might not have committed a crime?
Her fingers brushed against the faint scars on her side, and she sighed deeply. She had to do better. If she kept going like this, it wouldnt just be her body that paid the price. It would be her soul. She was more than willing to become a monster but that didnt mean she couldnt have her own morals. The faces of those young Tygers haunted her, and she knew she couldnt keep pretending that her actions didnt have consequences.
Hunting Tygers blindly wasnt something she was keen on continuing. She suspected doing so would push her closer to becoming like those that she hated. If she was going to continue hunting, she needed to be smarter, more deliberate. She needed to target those who were truly guilty, the ones at the heart of the gangs atrocities rather than the rookies who were little more than kids.
And if they did grow to become the kind of scum she hated? Shed be there to remove them. If they attacked her though, that was a different matter. She wouldnt turn the other cheek, even if their deaths would make her feel a bit bad.
Sophie shifted, wincing as her side protested the movement. Her injuries remained a stark reminder of her mistakes. Vik and Mistys words echoed in her mind. They were right; she couldnt keep charging into fights unprepared. Shed been lucky once, but she had no desire to count on it again.
She knew exactly where she could make an improvement too, and it just so happened to be somewhere she already planned on going. She sighed. First though, I want to relax a bit.
37 - Working with the Mox
Kabuki
April 16th
2069
Around midday the following day, Sophie rode into Watson, heading straight for Lizzies. Riding through Kabuki and Little China, she noticed a distinct drop in the number of Tyger Claws, though she had no idea why. There was also a tenseness throughout the sub-districts. The war, maybe? Or is something else going on?
However, she realised shed probably be able to get information about the odd vibes from the Mox, considering she was on her way there already. She pulled up across the street from the braindance bar and hopped off her bike.
Sophie approached slowly, somewhat nervous to meet with Rita considering the way she behaved the last time they spoke. She couldnt tell if luck was on her side or not as she caught sight of the woman almost immediately. In response to her nerves, she found her new arm flexing slightly as she clenched her hand.
Rita was out front, leaning against the wall with her arms crossed, a cigarette hanging lazily between her fingers. When she spotted Sophie, her eyes lit up, and she straightened immediately, flicking the cigarette away. An expression of clear disbelief appeared on her face as she took a few steps forward.
Sophie!? Is that you? Rita exclaimed, seemingly unsure if her optics were working properly. Before Sophie could react, Rita had closed the distance and swept her into a tight hug.
Sophie froze, her muscles locking up as Ritas arms wrapped around her. The embrace was sudden and unexpected, given the younger girl had done her best to keep her relationship with the Mox woman strictly business related.
She stood stiffly, unsure of what to do with her hands. The idea of returning the gesture felt strange, but the alternative of pulling away seemed just as bad, if not worse. After a moment, she settled for awkwardly patting Ritas back with her organic hand.
When Rita finally let go, she stepped back, looking the younger girl over with a mix of concern and curiosity. Her eyes landed on Sophies new arm and they widened. WhatWhat happened? She paused. Actually, never mind. You can tell me later. Her face briefly grew serious.
I was worried about you! She said softly, confusing the teen. When I got to the night market and saw that bloodbathWhere were you?
Sophies gaze dropped to the ground, trying to hide the shame she felt. Even if she wasnt sure why, the woman was clearly worried about her and she had wanted to apologise anyway. Im sorry, she said quietly. I, uh, made a lot of mistakes that night. I was reckless and angry but I shouldve listened to you when you said youd bring help. Thats part of why Im here, actually.
Rita studied her for a moment, then sighed, her shoulders relaxing. Well, youre alive. Thats what matters. But damn, kid, you scared the hell out of me. You better tell me everything that happened that night, Kay? Oh! Before I forget, we also found some people in a van. Did you uhforget about them?
She flushed but nodded in response and there was a brief silence before Sophie spoke again, her voice slightly hesitant. Im glad you rescued them. I would have myself but I was pretty injured. Anyway, thats not what Im here for. I want to work with the Mox. As a merc, yknow?
Rita blinked, clearly surprised. Seriously? You turned down my offer to join us when we first met. Said you didnt want to make friends or something like that.
Sophie winced at the reminder. I did. But things are different now. Im willing to try working with others, for now at least. And I want to hunt the scum of this city. The scavs and such. Figured the Mox could help me with that.
A smile appeared on Ritas face and she opened the door to the club. Well, lets not waste any time, then. Come on. She gestured for Sophie to follow her inside.
From the main lobby, she could see into the main area of the bar due to an issue with the door. The interior was dimly lit and the neon signs added a burst of colour to the walls. Even during the day, there were a few Mox members scattered around, nursing drinks and chatting in low voices. Her observation was interrupted as Rita led Sophie to the side and through a door. Love this story? Find the genuine version on the author''s preferred platform and support their work!
Susie Q, the Mox leader, was seated behind a cluttered desk as she read something on the computer in front of her. She flicked her eyes up as the door opened, taking note of who had entered. She leaned back in her chair, her expression curious. Rita, she greeted, her gaze shifting to Sophie. And the girl Ritas interested in befriending. I was under the impression you were dead.
Suz! Dont tell her that! Rita said, blushing slightly as she stepped aside to let Sophie enter the room fully. This is Sophie. She wants to work with us. As a merc.
Susie raised an eyebrow, gesturing for Sophie to take a seat in a nearby chair. Sophie hesitated for a moment before sitting down, though her posture made it clear she wasnt particularly comfortable with the situation.
So, what kind of work are you looking to do? Susie asked directly, staring into the younger girls eyes.
Sophie met her gaze as she replied. I want to hunt the filth this city is rife with. Specifically, I hate scavs and anyone like them. And before you ask, I wont tell you why. I have my reasons to hate them. Contrary to the reaction she thought shed get, Susie gave her an understanding look.
I wont ask for more details. Just know that youre not the only person whos suffered at their hands. Many of our members have experienced similar situations.
Susie paused and looked at her for a moment, then leaned forward, resting her elbows on the desk. Ritas told me all about you, from the first time you showed up wanting to be paid for every Tyger head you provided. After what you pulled at the night market last week, I dare say Im impressed. Im not concerned about your skills.
Sophie nodded and the Mox leader continued, Im not sure if youre aware, but the Tygers are looking for you. More specifically, Suko Takeshi. Id steer clear of the gang as a whole for a while if I were you. Rita can explain the details later.
Sophies expression hardened, but she nodded. Understood.
Rita chimed in, speaking to Susie. Dont go scaring her Suz! She turned back to Sophie. If its scavs you want to hunt, we can make that happen. Plenty of those bastards need to be put down.
Susie nodded in agreement. Well start you off with that. But theres another option too. You could join the Mox officially. Be one of us. Youd still be going after the scavs, but youd have some other duties too.
Sophie shook her head almost immediately. No, thank you. I appreciate the offer, but I work better on my own. Id be willing to act as an external member or something similar. Someone that you can give the gigs you dont want traced back to the Mox.
Susie leaned back again, studying her. Fair enough. Well see how you do. I assume youre fine with Rita as your handler? I dont have the time to be acting like a fulltime fixer.
Sophie gave a small nod of acknowledgment, and the meeting came to a close. As they left the office, Rita walked beside her, smiling happily and patting her on the shoulder.
You did good there, Rita said as they descended the stairs. But hey, there are some things I need to tell you. Lets grab a drink and talk.
Sophie glanced at her, noting the subtle shift in Ritas tone. She was curious but didnt press. Instead, she followed Rita back down into the main area of the bar, interested to see what was so important.
They sat down and the bartender quickly arrived with a drink for Rita. He gave her a questioning look and she waved a hand, declining the silent offer of a drink. She had no interest in drinking, not when it could get her killed. The thought made her stop for a moment. Am I paranoid? No way, right?
So, you and I will be working a bit closer from now on. Ill be responsible for giving you appropriate gigs, and providing you some support. She scratched her head, to be honest though, I dont have any fancy connections. Hope thats okay.
Mmm, its fine. Im sure Ill be able to figure things out. Is that all you wanted to talk about?
Oh! No, sorry. She took a moment, then posed a question. So, you remember that conversation we had about how the Tygers work. Specifically, about Suko Rei and his father, Takeshi?
Yeah. What does Rei have to do with this? Hes already dead. I should know, considering it was me that did it.
Rita sighed in response. Thats exactly the problem. Takeshi found out immediately that his son was dead. How did that happen?
Well, Rei had me pretty much down for the count. My arm was gone and I was exhausted. Then he got a call from Takeshi, I think. Im not sure if he was just an idiot or if he was arrogant but he didnt try to restrain me or anything. While he was distracted, I jumped on him and tore his throat out with my teeth. The description of the events got a wince in reply.
Fuck, thatswell, Im glad were on the same side. Anyway, Takeshi knows his son is dead and that he was going after the person responsible for killing a large number of Claws. Youre lucky that you killed his subordinates, considering they seem to have been the only other people involved in his hunt for you.
So Takeshi doesnt know it was me that killed Rei?
Thats right. Thats a good thing. To make things better for you, theres trouble on the horizon. Im sure you noticed that Watson felt odd, right? Sophie nodded. Well, the Tygers and Maelstrom are both moving pretty aggressively. Far more than usual.
A gang war? Now? With the Unification War going on? The teen couldnt wrap her head around the reason a gang war would erupt during such a dangerous time.
Thats what it looks like. Now, a war between the Tygers and Maelstrom is good, for you and for the Mox. Right now, Takeshi cant dedicate resources to finding his sons killer. That doesnt mean he wont be keeping an eye out for you, just that it wont be a large-scale search. Id highly recommend gearing yourself up as much as possible. As soon as this fight ends, that bastard will be hunting for you.
Alright, I can see why thats a good thing. And thank you for the advice. What does it mean though for, yknow, this whole situation between us?
Not much to be honest. The Mox will definitely take any opportunities we can get to hit the Tygers when theyre distracted, but most of our attention will be focused elsewhere. On groups of scavs and such. That all sound good?
Definitely. Anything else I should know?
Hmm, not that I can think of. Ill let you know if something comes up though. Suddenly, she slapped her hands on the benchtop. Alright, enough of that! I want to know what happened that night! Tell me everything!
Eh? Uh, well, originally I was just
38 - Batman, is that you?
Sewers
April 17th
2069
The morning light broke softly across Night City, dispelling the crawling night. Sophie sat on the edge of her mattress in the sewer hideout, staring at her cybernetic arm. Her thoughts lingered on Viks advice to take things easy, but she felt the need to do something productive. She couldnt just laze around, wasting time. There was too much to do.
She put together a basic set of gear, including a couple of weapons before heading for her bike. She avoided Westbrook, fully aware that an encounter with the Tygers was something to avoid. However, there were plenty of other districts she could head to. Her first stop was an old, cluttered scrapyard on the edge of Watson. The place was filled with rusted car frames, discarded machinery, and forgotten tech. The perfect place to find materials.
She began picking through the scrap heaps, hunting for anything she could use. A small, half-intact generator? Into the inventory. Loose wiring and connectors? Also in. Sophie found broken panels and scraps of metal that she thought could be cobbled together into something useful later. A few old circuit boards that looked salvageable joined her growing collection.
The hours blurred as she moved from location to location, ducking into abandoned shops, alleys, and once even clambering into the remains of a derelict apartment building.
Along the way, she stumbled into what appeared to be an abandoned hardware store. It was mostly empty but she did manage to find a few damaged manuals, all basic guides for skills like plumbing, welding, and electrical work. Sophie leafed through one of them briefly, noting that although they appeared old, the diagrams were clear even for a novice. She added the whole lot to her inventory, though she did wonder why nobody had taken them. Maybe they arent actually helpful? She thought to herself.
On her way back, Sophie stopped at a dilapidated corner store that sold cheap supplies. Among the dusty shelves, she found cans of industrial paint in muted tones; gray, black, and white. With a slight smile, she grabbed them all. The place only had a single clerk and no cameras, so she slipped some extra brushes and sandpaper into her inventory, along with the paint.
The sun had begun to dip below the horizon by the time she made it back to her hideout. She stepped inside, the familiar scent of damp concrete greeting her. She set her new supplies aside, intending to work on some of her projects at a later time.
Rather than working on her home itself, she laid out all of her gear to take stock of what she had left. Sophie frowned at the damage.
Her netrunner suit was functional but bore scorch marks and tears that were currently unrepairable with her lack of resources. The tactical plate carrier had deep scratches and a couple of dents where it had been struck hard.
Her trusted Nue pistols were still in good condition, though the suppressors had seen better days. The combat knives were intact, their edges still sharp but the grips worn.
Shed found herself quite satisfied by the setup shed used during her big battle with the Tygers, despite the difficulties of the actual fight. However, now that shed fully stepped into the world of merc work with the Mox, she wanted a proper, professional looking combat outfit.
First, she patched up the netrunner suit, stitching together the worst of the tears and reinforcing sections with salvaged fabric. It wasnt pretty, nor did it have the same amount of protection but it would hold. The plate carrier received similar treatment; she hammered out the dents and repainted it with a coat of matte black paint to cover the scars. It would do, at least until she had the opportunity to buy new gear. She wanted to save her eddies for other things.
Then there was the katana. Sophie ran her chrome hand along the blades hilt before drawing the blade carefully, the heat radiating faintly as it hummed to life. Its beautiful She resheathed it and looked at the weaponry arrayed before her.If you stumble upon this narrative on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen from Royal Road. Please report it.
She strapped the same pair of combat knives onto her thighs, the sheathes snug and easy to access. The Nues went into holsters on her hips, the leather straps tightening securely against her. Finally, she took the katana and sheathed it horizontally along the small of her back. The angle allowed her to draw it quickly, should the need arise. The modified size had turned it into a blade that was smaller than a typical katana but larger than a wakizashi, allowing such an unconventional style.
Sophie was satisfied but she felt like something was missing. Sophie ran her eyes over the pile of items she had scavenged and the inside of her inventory. Her eyes landed on the plain white menpo shed retrieved from Suko Rei.
Its only external feature was a chilling smile. It would cover the lower half of her face. She picked it up, running her thumb along its smooth surface. On the inside was some kind of padding. Is this in case I get hit in the face? I wouldnt get hurt by the attack or the menpo digging into my face. She gave it a quick clean, considering it had belonged to Rei before placing it on her face. It fit snugly, and came with the added feature of extra anonymity.
She looked at herself in the mirror. The damaged yet reinforced gear gave her a rugged, battle-worn appearance. The white menpo, felt off though, as it stood out too much against the dark tones of her suit.
Ill give the mask a new paint job soon. But I still feel like Im missing somethingBoots. I think I need heavier duty boots. Ill have to keep an eye out for something that fits. What else am I missing? She thought about it for a moment. A cape? A cape would look good and I could use it to obscure my body and movements.
As she daydreamed about what kind of cape would be a good choice, a sudden thought left her frozen. Am I becoming Batman!? She quickly took stock of her outfit, realising there were clear parallels.
Thats not necessarily a bad thing, right? Batmans cool and now that I think about it, hes quite similar to the kind of person I want to be. Minus the fact I want to kill people. Actually, Im also becoming pretty similar to Bucky Barnes, huh. With the arm and everything.
Hmm, now that I think about it, Im not quite there, huh. Batman especially uses a lot of unarmed combat. Ive got that ticket tooAlright, lets do that. Even if I dont use it much, having combat skills that dont rely on weapons is a good idea.
Sophie quickly navigated to the system store and used the skill voucher she had. She didnt feel like it was too much of a loss, considering there were only a few other skills she was interested in and shed get enough L-Coins to buy one of them soon enough.
Skill: Basic Unarmed Combat has been unlocked!
Basic Unarmed Combat [1/100]
She felt the rush of new knowledge flow into her mind and decided to test it out. She immediately dropped into one of the basic stances dictated by the skill. Her left foot was slightly forward, knees bent and arms up.
From there, she whipped out a left jab, followed by a right cross. A left hook and right uppercut followed. She threw out a couple more punch combos before firing her leg out in a high kick towards an invisible opponent.
The movement immediately highlighted how important Flexibility was for the skill. There was a slight twinge in her groin from how sudden the stretch was. Need to improve how stretchy I am.
She pushed that thought to the back of her mind as she focused entirely on throwing a number of strikes. She took note of every error she made, like when her hands dropped too low or when she didnt rotate her hips enough.
Every mistake she caught was quickly remedied as she found ways to improve. Not even 15 minutes later, she got a notification.
Basic Unarmed Combat Proficiency +1
Basic Unarmed Combat [2/100]
The message brought a smile to her face, though she was slightly confused. That was fast. Im not gonna complain though. She continued her striking practice but soon realised that was a mistake. Unarmed Combat doesnt just refer to striking. I also need to work on my grappling. In fact, thats probably more important, considering how many people have cybernetics.
She dropped into a different stance, this one lower to the ground and more stable. Her feet were spread shoulder-width apart, knees slightly bent, and weight evenly distributed. She exhaled slowly.
She reached forward, fingers curling into an invisible collar grip, pulling back sharply to mimic breaking their balance. Her left leg shot forward in a smooth motion, simulating a sweep while her arms twisted to maintain control of her opponent.
Sweat beaded on her forehead as she continued, transitioning into counters, slipping to one side and pivoting, imagining the weight of an arm she was trying to deflect.
Quickly, she found the lack of resistance frustrating her. Grappling was about feel, leverage, the subtle push-and-pull of two bodies contesting dominance. But Sophie continued anyway, knowing the muscle memory could make the difference in a fight. As she finished practicing a hip toss, she stepped back and straightened, breathing heavily.
When I get the time, I need to find a gym where I can practice my grappling. Striking should be fine for now considering I can shadowbox. While she took a moment to rest, she received a call from someone.
Hey Rita. Whats up?
Sophie! Got a gig for you, scav related. Interested?
A feral smile appeared on Sophies face as she replied. Tell me everything.
39 - Gig: Scav Hunt (Part 1)
Watson
April 18th
2069
Sophie raced down the streets of Watson towards Northside. The early evening lights of Night City bathed the industrial buildings in hues of orange and violet while the wind whipped through her hair. However, Sophies attention was on her surroundings. Her contact with Rita had been brief; just enough to relay the possible presence of scav activity in the area and a need to investigate.
As she slowed her bike near an abandoned lot, she scanned the area with sharp eyes. At the same time, she wished she had a better set of optics to work with. Northside was a maze of crumbling warehouses, dingy alleys, and silent streets, making any form of investigation difficult and offering a perfect hideout for the kind of vermin she despised the most.
She killed her bikes engine and dismounted, walking it into a shaded corner before engaging its anti-theft system. The distinct beep echoed softly before silence returned.
Her netrunner suit clung to her like a second skin, covered by her plate carrier. The plain white menpo on her lower face hid a wild, excited grin. When Rita had called about scavs, her first reaction had been anger. However, she realised it provided an opportunity to exact retribution on the citys scum. That thought had changed her anger into excitement. Shed enjoy bringing about their deaths and she saw nothing wrong with it.
A quick check of her inventory and body confirmed everything was in place: Nues, knives, and her katana, all easily accessible. Her inventory held a large stash of ammo and an assortment of other weapons. The type that she would hopefully only need if she encountered Maelstrom. She was in their territory after all. She took a deep breath and slipped into the shadows.
Sophies investigation started with a methodical sweep of the area. She crept through alleys and vacant lots, careful not to draw attention to herself. The first block turned up little of interest. Abandoned machinery, broken glass, and graffiti covering nearly every surface. The tags were mostly local gang symbols, though Sophie caught glimpses of Maelstroms distinctive techno-nightmare designs.
While she was confident in handling scavs or Tyger grunts, Maelstrom was a different story. Even though they only numbered slightly more than 1000 members, almost all of them were borderline cyberpsychos. Dealing with a group of crazy, chromed out gangers wasnt something she was keen on doing.
Rounding a corner, she spotted a pile of discarded clothing near a chain-link fence. Something about it seemed off. They were too clean for the location and they appeared to have been removed in a hurry. Sophie crouched beside it, running her eyes over it. There was nothing. She moved on, but she filed the observation away in case it mattered later.
Further down the street, Sophies instincts flared when she spotted a black van parked in an alley with tinted windows and no license plates. She approached cautiously, keeping close to the wall and drawing one of her silenced pistols. A quick check of the vans interior revealed it was empty, though the faint smell of ozone lingered. It suggested recent use of high-powered tech.
Something was here, she muttered under her breath, slipping back into the shadows.
Moving away and continuing on, she stumbled upon a shattered tablet. Judging by the water damage, it had clearly been there for some time. Nearby, a jacket lay discarded in the dirt, riddled with holes and stained dark red. Signs of violence were everywhere, but nothing confirmed scav presence until she stumbled upon a more deliberate clue: a blood-streaked handprint on the corner of a building.The author''s content has been appropriated; report any instances of this story on Amazon.
She searched around the area until she finally found a clue. A faint trail of blood leading away from a dumpster behind a run-down factory. Sophie followed the trail to an adjacent building, where a broken door hung loosely on its hinges. Peering inside, she noted the scuffed floor and signs of recent activity; a few empty cans, a half-burned cigarette, and fresh boot prints in the dust.
The trail led her to a small, two-story building further down the street. Its windows were shattered, and the exterior was riddled with bullet holes and scorch marks. Sophie settled into a hidden vantage point and watched. Minutes turned into nearly an hour, and then her patience was rewarded.
A trio of figures approached the building. They walked like they owned the place and she had to admit, it wasnt far from the truth. The NCPD rarely made any moves in Northside, aside from the occasional patrol car to keep up appearances.
However, their identities were clear considering the holographic masks they wore. For a moment, Sophies anger flared but she pushed it down, channelling it into a cold desire to inflict as much violence on them all as she possibly could.
She continued observing them, noting the seemingly random selection of cyberware they each bore and the weapons they each carried.
Sophie waited until they entered before pulling up Ritas number. She dialed and the woman picked up almost immediately.
Ive found them, Sophie said quietly. Or at the very least, Ive found some of them. Theyre in a small building, two stories. Ive sent you a pic of the place. At least three just went inside, but I think there might be more.
There was a pause before Rita responded. Do you think you can get in by yourself? I wont tell you not to but youve only recently recovered after the Tyger incident. You can also wait for me. I can be there soon with backup.
I can get in myself, Sophie replied.
Rita sighed audibly. Just be careful, Soph. If something happens, get out of there. Ill be there in a bit.
Sophie didnt waste time. Mmm. Im going in. She hung up, then stared at the building, searching for a way up. Stealth told her that starting from the top of a building was often a good way to infiltrate.
The corner of the building had a dirty drain pipe extending from the ground to the roof. Sophie tested it with a firm tug, and when it held, she began her ascent.
Her chrome arm proved its worth immediately. The lack of strain in her right arm compared to her organic limb made the climb significantly easier and for the first time, she understood just how big the difference was between flesh and metal. However, she still had to rely on her legs to find purchase against the uneven wall.
The pipe creaked ominously, so Sophie moved slowly, minimizing the force she put on the old metal by pressing her feet into small, uneven gaps in the wall. She kept her movements slow considering that was the best way to remain quiet as she scaled the building.
As she neared the second floor, she spotted a narrow ledge running along the side of the building. She shifted her weight, one hand gripping the pipe while the other reached for the ledge. With a burst of effort, she hoisted herself onto it, crouching low to avoid being seen through the boarded-up windows.
From her new vantage point, she could see into the building through a gap in the boards. The room below was messy, cluttered with scavenged chrome and broken furniture. Two scavs stood near a table, arguing over something though Sophie was too far to hear what. Another sat in a corner, fiddling with a weapon.
She scanned the rest of the building, picking out movement in the far corner of a different room. A fourth scav paced near a staircase, occasionally glancing up as if expecting someone to descend.
Her instincts told her there were more. Sophie shifted her position, inching along the ledge until she found a spot where the roof sagged inward slightly. With practiced precision, she leaped upward, catching the edge of the roof with her hands.
The corrugated metal was still slick from recent rain, but Sophies grip held firm. She swung a leg up, rolling onto the roof and lying flat against the surface. After catching her breath, she crawled toward a skylight, peering into the buildings from above.
There, she saw the fifth scav: a woman standing guard near the entrance, a shotgun slung over her shoulder. Five confirmed targets, two of which were isolated from the others. Theyd be her first targets.
Sophies gaze shifted to a crossbeam running the length of the building. It was sturdy enough to hold her weight and offered a vantage point directly above the scav near the staircase.
Carefully, she cracked open the edge of the skylight until she could fit through before slipping inside and landing softly on the beam. The air inside was thick with the stench of oil and blood. She perched silently, her dark clothing blending into the shadows. Part of her felt like the white menpo stood out too much and she resolved to paint it as soon as she finished with the scavs.
Below, her targets continued their activities, oblivious to the small shadow lurking above. Sophies heart pounded in her chest. Her hands clenched as she planned her next move.
40 - Gig: Scav Hunt (Part 2)
Northside
April 18th
2069
Sophie slowed her breathing as she steadied herself on the crossbeam, perched above her completely oblivious prey. Below her, the scav near the staircase paced back and forth, muttering to himself. He was alone, separated from the others by the distance of the room. Faint sounds of conversation drifted from the far side of the building, where the other scavs were gathered behind a dividing wall.
Her eyes narrowed, as she unsheathed her katana, feeling the intense heat even as she held it in her chrome hand. She shifted her grip slightly, holding the blade in a reverse grip. She redistributed her weight a bit, her boots pressing against the beam as she prepared to descend.
With a silent leap, she dropped down towards the scav. As she fell, the tip of her blade aimed directly at the mans shoulder. She barely felt any resistance as the thermal edge pierced straight into his body, puncturing the scavs heart. The momentum of her jump crashed into the man, flattening him to the ground.
A strangled, bloody cough escaped his lips as the blade burned through flesh and bone, searing the wound shut as quickly as it opened. With cold anger, born from a true disgust of the people she was fighting, Sophie didnt retrieve her blade in the normal, sensible way. Instead, she ripped the blade out of the mans body, cutting through more flesh and tearing his torso apart.
The sound produced by the assassination wasnt loud, but it was enough to draw attention.
Oi! You hear that? The female scav near the entrance called out. Sophie cursed under her breath as the woman began to turn toward her direction.
With no time to think, her left hand dropped to her hip and she drew one of her silenced pistols in a fluid motion. She fired and the bullet found its mark, punching into the womans upper arm and causing her to yelp in pain. My left hands aim needs some work, huh. However, there was no time for further reflection. The womans shotgun slipped slightly from her grip, but she fought through the injury, raising it toward Sophie.
The merc didnt hesitate. She charged across the room, her boots pounding against the concrete floor while holstering both the thermal blade she still held and the Nue in her hand. The scav managed to level the shotgun, but Sophie slammed into her with enough force to knock the weapon from her hands.
They tumbled to the ground in a heap, and Sophie wasted no time. Pinning the scav down, she drew one of her knives and plunged it into her side. The blade sank deep, and the scav howled in pain, but it wasnt enough to finish her.
Fueled by adrenaline and pain, the woman twisted and shoved Sophie off with a surprising burst of strength. She staggered to her feet, clutching the knife still embedded in her side. Before Sophie could regain her footing, the scav slammed her into the wall, eliciting a groan.
Sophie gritted her teeth, her chrome hand reaching for her remaining pistol. The scav reached for the knife, but before she could act, Sophie managed to raise the weapon and fire. Three bullets punched into the womans chest, the force of the shots forcing her to stumble back a step. A final shot hit her square in the head, and she dropped to the floor, lifeless.
The noise of the conflict had shattered any hope of stealth. The door to the back room burst open, and the first scav emerged, his rifle raised. Sophie reacted on instinct, firing her Nue in a tight cluster. Three rounds struck his chest, staggering him, before a final shot ended him with a clean hit to the head.
As the man fell, the teen noted that one of her new ideas had worked perfectly. Her realisation that she was following a similar combat style to Batman, aside from the killing aspect, had dredged up another figure from her memory. To be precise, the Mozambique Drill that the deadly assassin, John Wick, utilised to devastating effect.
The only issue, as Sophie was currently experiencing, was how bullet-hungry the style was. With the additional protection most clothes offered, not to mention the defensive capabilities cyberware provided, she needed even more bullets than the typical three used in the Mozambique Drill.
Her pistols magazine clicked empty. Sophie let the weapon fall, her hand already reaching for her second Nue.
The next scav emerged, shouting something unintelligible, likely in Russian, as he raised his weapon. Sophie fired, but her shots missed as the man ducked back behind the door frame.
A sudden burst of gunfire erupted, shredding through the thin wall and forcing Sophie to dive for cover behind an overturned table. The bullets peppered the room, and she felt the sting of two impacts. One glanced off her cyberarm harmlessly, but the other punched through one of the recently repaired holes in her netrunner suit, puncturing into the flesh of her stomach and lodging itself there.The narrative has been taken without authorization; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident.
She hissed in pain but didnt stop moving, leaning out from cover to return fire. Her shots forced the scav to retreat deeper into the room, giving her a moment to breathe.
That moment didnt last.
The third scav charged into the room, wielding a vicious machete-like cleaver. His eyes were wild, and his augmented arms bulged with unnatural strength. He closed the distance faster than Sophie anticipated, forcing her to abandon her pistol in favor of her katana.
The thermal blade ignited as she brought it up to meet his attack. The cleaver came down in a brutal arc, meeting her weapon. The severe heat of the katana cut through the cleaver, sending half of it flying in her direction. Fortunately, Sophie was already moving. She sidestepped and her katana slashed through the air. The heated blade bit into his arm, severing it at the elbow.
The scav howled in pain but didnt stop, swinging wildly with his remaining hand. Sophie ducked under the swing and drove her katana upward, the blade piercing through the bottom of his skull.
She withdrew the blade quickly, letting him begin to collapse. But even in death, he had one last use.
The final scav emerged once more, his rifle raised and ready. Sophie grabbed the dead man in front of her, using his body as a shield. The rifle barked, and the bullets tore into the scavs back, sparing Sophie from harm.
With her free hand, she summoned her Copperhead. As it appeared in her hands, she raised it, stepping out from behind her human shield.
The final scav barely had time to react. Sophies finger squeezed the trigger, and the rifle bucked against her shoulder. A burst of bullets struck the man, each one hitting its mark.
He collapsed in a heap, his weapon falling from lifeless fingers.
The room fell silent except for the faint hum of her katana still lodged in the man beside her and the echo of fading gunfire. Sophie stood amidst the carnage, her chest rising and falling as she caught her breath.
She retrieved and deactivated her katana, sheathing it carefully before picking her pistols up from the floor. Her side ached, and blood seeped through the tear in her suit, but the pain was manageable. Ill need to pull this bullet out soon.
Her gaze swept over the room, ensuring no one else was left standing. The scavs were dead, but Sophies work wasnt finished. Rita and her backup would arrive soon, and she needed to ensure there were no more surprises waiting for them.
She moved toward the back room, keeping her rifle at the ready. She entered and, as she had assumed, found no more enemies. She did, however, find a laptop. Cracking it open revealed a login screen. A further search of the room found nothing that looked like a password, so she left it alone.
HahMotherfucker! I thought Id be able to flatline them all with ease after all those skill upgrades. She stood there, thinking about the fight. She was fully aware that Stealth was her greatest asset, yet there was a feeling that she wasnt utilising it properly. Is it just that Im taking on more targets than I can handle? Or is there something else that Im missing? No answer arrived quickly, so she settled in to wait after double checking there were no survivors.
The next 15 minutes or so passed quickly as she waited for Rita to arrive. She managed to finish looting the place just as she heard a car pull up outside. Quickly, she bunkered down behind one of the inner rooms walls for cover, keeping her eyes on the door.
The Mox bouncer walked in, pistol ready. She paused at the sight of the violently dispatched scav corpses before settling on Sophie herself, who had come out after identifying Rita.
Well, she started, lowering her pistol. I see I wasnt needed after all.
Im not a baby, Rita. I can handle myself. The snarky comment received a pointed stare at the chrome arm she now carried and Sophie found herself thankful for the menpo that covered her embarrassment.
RightWell, did you find anything here? Any clues as to what they were up to?
I found a laptop but thats it. Couldnt find a password for it, but I figured youd know someone that can get in.
Thats a start, Rita said, gesturing outside. Sophie followed as the older woman continued. Youve done a good job here, Soph. And Im glad youre nothurt. She trailed off after finally noticing the still bleeding bullet wound. Sophie! Youve been shot!
Yeah? Its not that bad.
You! Ugh! Go get that sorted out! You have a ripper, right? Or do you need to see ours? Sophie could hear a mixture of exasperation and anger in Ritas voice. She decided not to push her buttons any further.
Its alright, Rita. Ill get it sorted. But let me know if anything happens with the laptop. If more scavs need to die, give me a buzz.
Yeah yeah, I will. Go on, get yourself sorted. Ill wait here for the others that are coming.
With a wave, Sophie wandered off to her bike. She got on while figuring out where to go. Should I go see Vik? She murmured to herself. NoI dont want to bother him with something so small. And hed probably be upset with me for getting hurt so quickly after telling me to take it easy. Ill just deal with it at home.
With that, Sophie sped off, heading deeper into the city, towards her home. Today was a good day, I think. That thought appeared as she looked at her stats and the levels shed gained.
Huntress Level +1
Stealth Proficiency +1
Stealth [13/100]
Investigation Proficiency +2
Investigation [13/100]
Basic Gun Combat Proficiency +1
Basic Gun Combat [21/100]
Basic Bladed Combat Proficiency +1
Basic Bladed Combat [14/100]
Parkour Proficiency +1
Parkour [18/100]
Ambidextrous Proficiency +1
Ambidextrous [6/100]
A mission that she didnt recall receiving had also been completed.
Mission Complete
Locate and eliminate the scavs.
Difficulty: Medium
Rewards: 1000 L-Coins, 1500 Eurodollars
All of those changes left her status looking fairly good, in her opinion.
Name: Sophie Morrin
Age: 14
Class: Huntress [11/100]
Passives
Iron Will [35/100], Flexibility [30/100], Parkour [18/100], Ambidextrous [6/100]
Skills
Stealth [13/100], Basic Gun Combat [21/100], Investigation [13/100], Basic Bladed Combat [14/100], Basic Unarmed Combat [2/100]
Cyberware
Basic Cyberoptics (Common)
Basic Subdermal Armour (Common)
Basic Wrist Reinforcement (Common)
MoorE Basic Cyberarm (Common)
Store: Available
L-Coins: 12,750
Eurodollars: 19,010
Inventory: 1m x 1m x 1m
Heh. Looking good. I better keep it up.
41 - Framing a Tyger
Northside
October 20th
2069
The cool night air carried the scent of oil, a constant reminder of Watsons industrial nature. Sophie perched on the edge of a rooftop, her shadow blending seamlessly into the jagged silhouette of the building behind her. Across the street, was her target: a squat, fortified structure with Maelstroms signature aesthetic. Wires snaked along its walls, and red neon lights bathed the exterior in an eerie glow.
Her optics zoomed in on the trio of guards stationed outside. Two stood on either side of the entrance, heavily chromed and armed with tech rifles, their glowing red optics sweeping the street. The third leaned against the wall, smoking a cigarette. He bore Maelstroms typical cyberware enhancements; half his face was a mess of wires and metal, his remaining eye glowing faintly in the dim light.
These werent regular Maelstrom goons. According to her information, they were all experienced and well equipped. Sophie was fully aware that infiltrating the building would be the hardest job shed ever done.
That was why shed spent the better part of two hours observing the building, noting the patterns of the guards. Every 30 minutes, the trio rotated positions, momentarily creating a gap in their coverage of the area. It wasnt much of an opening, but it was enough.
Her gaze shifted away from the guards, tracing the exterior of the building. The roof was her destination. From there, she could infiltrate the building and eliminate Cain Burch.
A netrunner buried deep in the Net, Cain was orchestrating attacks on Tyger Claw facilities, and Rita had made it clear: he had to go. Specifically, he had to die by Tyger hands. Or at least look that way. Sophie smirked at the thought beneath her menpo. Killing Cain would likely result in an escalation of the current Tyger-Maelstrom war, exactly what the Mox wanted.
To reach the buildings roof, Sophie mapped out her path. A series of abandoned cargo containers leaned against the adjacent building, creating something almost like a staircase. From there, a broken fire escape led partway up, and a series of ventilation ducts bridged the gap to the target building.
She waited patiently for the guards to switch positions, her hands resting lightly on the edges of her rooftop perch. When the trio began their slow rotations, she moved. Her body seemed to flow down the building like liquid until she was almost at the street level.
Her boots hit the ground silently and she weaved through the shadows cast by flickering streetlights. Reaching the cargo containers, she leapt onto the lowest one, her cybernetic arm absorbing the impact and helping to haul herself up. She moved quickly, even along the uneven and dented containers. The process repeated itself until she reached the topmost step of her improvised staircase.
The fire escape ladder proved itself slightly challenging, though she had plenty of experience climbing such things. Rust coated its edges, and several rungs of the ladder were missing entirely. She grabbed onto the railing and the metal groaned under her. But she moved swiftly, her body hugging the wall to minimize noise and present a smaller profile.
At the top of the fire escape, she paused, crouching low to scan the buildings perimeter. There were no signs of movement. Satisfied, she crossed onto the ventilation ducts, her feet landing lightly on the narrow metal surface. They creaked faintly, but she adjusted her balance and the ominous sounds stopped.
Finally, she reached the top of the building. The ledge of the roof was just above her, and Sophie crouched low, waiting for the perfect moment. When the guards below resumed their usual positions, she leapt upward, her chrome hand gripping the edge of the roof effortlessly. She hauled herself up in one smooth motion, rolling onto the rooftop without a sound.
As she stood, her senses screamed a warning. Her optics caught the faintest glint of metal; a sniper rifle barrel, partially obscured by the edge of an industrial vent.
She froze, her body blending into the shadows of the rooftop. The sniper was positioned near the far corner on the opposite side of the roof, his attention focused on the street below. His glowing red optics watched the area, on guard for any potential threats.
Sophie exhaled slowly, her mind racing. The sniper was a problem. If he spotted her, her mission would end before it began. She needed to take him down, and quietly.
She moved low to the ground, her footsteps silent against the rooftop. She paused behind the industrial vent and waited for him to move. The sniper remained oblivious to her presence, his focus entirely on the street below. A few tense minutes later he began to move, migrating to the other side of the roof.
Once he stopped moving and settled into his new position, Sophie approached from behind. She drew her knives from their sheathes as she approached.
Once she was close enough, her arms snaked around him and her first blade plunged into the side of the snipers neck, severing critical neural connections and preventing him from making a sound. He stiffened, augmented reflexes firing too late. However, Sophie was fully aware that such a wound wouldnt kill the man, not with the heavy-duty chrome he possessed.
With a brutal twist, Sophie drove her second blade into his side, piercing an organ. Sparks erupted from his torso as his body convulsed. She withdrew her bloodstained blade before plunging it back into his chest over and over again.
She pressed him forward, pinning him against the vent to muffle the sound of his death throes. His body slumped, lifeless, and Sophie withdrew her blades, wiping them clean on the snipers jacket. The brutal bladed kill was performed in a style close enough to the Tyger assassin that Sophie believed it would stand up to scrutiny.
Her attention turned to the fallen sniper rifle. She picked it up, recognising it as a Nekomata. Mentally, she celebrated. It was a rare find, at least in her experience and it was something shed been wanting to get her hands on for a long time. She quickly stashed it in her inventory before moving on.
Sophie crouched near a broken skylight, peering into the building below. The glass had been shattered long ago, leaving jagged edges framing the opening.
The main floor was wide-open, filled with makeshift barriers and industrial equipment. Red lights pulsed occasionally, casting deep shadows across the room. It was chaotic everywhere; random wires snaked across the floor, flickering monitors displaying streams of incomprehensible code, and graffiti covering every available surface.
She counted five guards immediately. Two were near the center of the room, discussing a heavily modified van. Another leaned against a support beam, fiddling with something too small to identify. The remaining two were patrolling the far end, their movements lazy. It was a far cry to the vigilance the sniper had displayed prior to his death.
Sophie scanned for more. A flicker of movement caught her eye. A sixth guard emerged from a side room, speaking briefly with one of the others before disappearing back inside.
Six guards. Possibly more in the rooms she couldnt see. Sophies lips pressed into a thin line. This is going to be hard, she thought to herself. Just gotta take things nice and slow.
She studied the layout, memorizing the positions of each guard and possible cover. The rooms design offered plenty of hiding spots, but it also created countless blind angles where she could be spotted or ambushed.
Satisfied with her assessment, Sophie slipped through the broken skylight, landing lightly on a thin beam just below the roof. She crouched low, her body cloaked by the shadows as she balanced easily on the narrow surface.
The beam creaked faintly under her weight, but none of the guards seemed to notice. From her vantage point, she could see nearly the entire room, her optics enhancing the dim lighting to reveal every detail.You could be reading stolen content. Head to the original site for the genuine story.
Sophie remained crouched on the beam, muscles tense. Maelstrom was not a group she had wanted to deal with so soon, considering how psychotic and dangerous they were. However, her target, Cain, was deep in the buildings basement. The only fortunate aspect of the mission was that it had to be done quietly. She didnt need to actually fight Maelstrom head-on.
From the beam, Sophie shifted her weight slightly, her boots balancing on the narrow steel. To the side, a catwalk ran along one side of the main room. She adjusted her position, gripping an overhead pipe. With a soft exhale, she swung her body forward, her momentum carrying her across the gap. Her boots landed softly on the catwalk, the structure swaying slightly beneath her.
She crouched low, moving quickly along the metal grating. The sound of her footsteps was barely audible, but she stayed hyper-aware of the noise. Below her, the guards moved in erratic patterns. Shed memorized their previous routes, but it seemed they were keen on making things as difficult as possible for her.
The catwalk led to a separate room overlooking the main area. Its metal door was slightly ajar, and a red glow spilled onto the catwalk. Sophie approached cautiously, her hand brushing against the hilt of her knife as she peeked inside.
The room was a small observation post, filled with monitors showing security footage of the building. A camera whirred quietly in the corner, its lens sweeping back and forth. Sophie froze, heart pounding as she noticed it too late. The cameras movement was erratic, its mechanisms clearly malfunctioning. She ducked just as the lens swept past her position, pressing her body against the doorframe.
Her mind raced as she figured out her next move. She needed to get past the camera without being seen. The cameras weird movements gave her an opportunityits coverage wasnt consistent. She studied its pattern for a moment, then moved swiftly, sticking close to the ground. The lens swept back just as she slipped beneath it, hugging the wall.
Once past the camera, she exhaled softly and continued into the room. A console hummed softly, displaying a live feed of the guards in the main area. She ignored it and focused on the far door.
It led to a balcony overlooking the main room. Sophie crouched behind the railing, her gaze sweeping the area below. The guards were still performing their patrols, oblivious to her presence. The distance to the floor wasnt great, but it wasnt something she could jump without being seen. She spotted a series of pipes running along the wall, offering a potential route down.
Sophie moved silently along the balcony, lowering herself onto the pipes. Her hand gripped the metal tightly as she descended, her body hugging the wall. One of the guards paused below her, his red spider optics scanning the room. Sophie froze, her body still as stone, until he moved on.
Once her boots touched the ground, she moved through the shadows, keeping her profile low. She fully utilised a number of equipment and barriers as cover, ensuring she wasnt seen by any of the Maelstrom guards. Eventually, her path took her to a staircase leading to the basement.
The basement was dimly lit and the air was heavy with heat. Sophie paused at the base of the stairs, her eyes peering through the darkness. Two Maelstrom goons stood near a reinforced door, their weapons gleaming under the faint red light. Attacking them would draw too much attention, not to mention they were so heavily armed shed likely die in the attempt. She needed another way in.
Her eyes scanned the room, and she spotted a small ventilation shaft on one side. It was narrow, barely large enough for her to squeeze through, but it would take her past the guards and hopefully into the room where Cain was.
Sophie approached the vent, her movements slow and deliberate. She opened the cover, careful to avoid making any noise, and slipped inside. The shaft was cramped, the metal walls radiating heat from somewhere in the basement. She had to contort her body, her Flexibility the only thing allowing her to navigate the tight space.
The heat was stifling and beads of sweat formed on her brow as she crawled forward. The faint sound of the guards muffled conversation echoed through the vents, a constant reminder that she was deep into hostile territory.
After what felt like an eternity, Sophie reached the end of the shaft. She immediately noticed a machine just past the grate that was pumping hot air out of the room and into the vents. Hmm, so thats why its so hot.
Peering through the slats of the vent cover, she saw Cain. He was plugged into his netrunning chair, his body slack, eyes closed. Wires and cables snaked from his chair to the walls, feeding his consciousness into the Net. It explained why there was so much heat being pumped out. He was avoiding a burnout.
Sophie pushed the vent cover aside and dropped silently into the room, immediately noting how cold it was. She approached Cain, who remained completely defenseless. She summoned a regular katana, used by the Tygers, into her hands. With one smooth, practiced motion, she slashed across his neck, severing it cleanly. His head fell to the floor with a dull thud.
She wasnt done. Sophie drove her katana through his chest, the blade punching through his body with ease. She left the blade sticking straight up, a signature touch meant to implicate the Tyger Claw assassin she was framing. For some reason that she simply couldnt understand, that was the mans signature and the reason she was so confident in completing the mission.
Her eyes swept the room, hunting for anything of value. A laptop sat on a nearby table, its screen still glowing faintly. She grabbed it, placing it into her inventory. In the corner of the room, a crate marked with Militechs logo caught her attention.
She pried it open, immediately identifying a large bag of something. She wasnt entirely sure what it was but it vaguely looked like cyberware, so she stored it in her inventory as well.
Her final task was to disconnect the buildings camera systems, making her escape easier. A console on the far wall displayed the live feeds. Sophie navigated the interface quickly, her fingers moving quickly. The surveillance system went down, though its reboot system ensured it would return within five minutes. That meant she had five minutes to get out.
Satisfied with her work, she returned to the vent. The heat was just as oppressive as before, but she pressed on, her body contorting as she crawled back the way she had come.
The crawl through the vent felt even tighter on her way back, the heat pressing against Sophie like an invisible hand trying to push her back into the room she had just left. Every bump of her knees and elbows against the metal echoed in her ears, magnified by the silence.
Reaching the end of the shaft, Sophie peered cautiously through the slats of the vent cover. The basement guards were still in position, chatting casually. A relieved breath caught in her throat, though, as she spotted a third figure. A Maelstrom enforcer armed with a shotgun stood at the foot of the staircase. He wasnt there before.
Sophies jaw clenched. Her planned exit was blocked. Going through them wasnt an option, not if she wanted the frame job to hold. She weighed her options quickly. Her gaze flicked upward, and she noticed an overhead maintenance ladder bolted to the wall, leading to a higher floor.
Carefully, Sophie eased herself out of the vent and she dropped silently to the floor. She hugged the wall, her steps muffled against the concrete. The ladder was only a few meters away, but each step felt like a mile. One of the guards turned his head slightly, forcing her to press further into the shadows and freeze.
The faint red glow of their optics scanned the room lazily before the guard turned back to his conversation. Sophie used the opportunity to move forward, her movements as cautious as possible. Reaching the ladder, she grasped the rungs and began her ascent.
The climb felt agonizingly slow, her arms tensing with every pull. The metal creaked faintly beneath her weight, but the sound was swallowed by the ambient noise of the building. When she reached the top, Sophie pulled herself onto a small ledge, finding herself on the first floor of the building.
Her eyes scanned the area quickly. The floor was mostly empty, save for a few stacks of crates and a narrow corridor leading to the main room she had avoided earlier. She moved silently, her steps deliberate, until she reached a window overlooking the exterior. Relief flooded her chest as she spotted the night sky beyond. She was almost out.
But her relief was short-lived. As Sophie approached the window, she heard the muffled sound of voices from the corridor. The shift change. Maelstrom guards continued their patrols and their heavy footfalls were drawing closer. She froze, her mind racing as she scanned for yet another escape route.
Her eyes locked onto a skylight above her, offering a way up and out. It would take her closer to the roof, but it was her only option. Sophie adjusted her position, climbing onto a stack of crates and reaching for a pipe overhead. With a careful pull, she hoisted herself up.
The skylight was just within reach. Sophie pushed it open slowly, the rusted hinges groaning faintly. She winced at the sound, pausing to listen for any reaction from the guards below. When none came, she slipped through the opening, pulling herself onto the roof.
The cool night air hit her like a balm, but she didnt have time to savor it. The trio of guards outside were still patrolling the buildings perimeter. Sophie crouched low, moving quickly across the roofs surface. She reached the edge and peered down, spotting one of the guards near the entrance. He scanned the street, clearly bored but still in the way.
She moved to another side of the building, looking for a way down. Her eyes settled on a series of pipes running along the wall, offering a makeshift ladder to the street below. But the route wasnt clear. One of the guards was circling toward her side of the building.
Sophie pressed herself flat against the rooftop, keeping her breathing slow and deep as she waited for the guard to pass. The tension was almost unbearable as his footsteps grew louder, his shadow stretching across the wall. Just as he moved past her position, Sophie swung herself over the edge, gripping the pipes tightly as she began her descent.
The climb down was slow, every movement placed as perfectly as possible to minimize noise. Halfway down, the guard paused, his optics flickering toward her direction. Sophie froze, her body crushed up against the cold metal, every muscle in her body screaming for her to move.
The guard seemed to linger for an eternity before turning away. Sophie resumed her descent and her boots finally touched the ground. She ducked into the shadows, her gaze locked on the final obstacle; the trio of guards at the front.
Timing her movements with their patrol patterns, Sophie crept along the side of the building, staying low and out of sight. One of the guards turned abruptly, forcing her to push against the wall and hold her breath. His optics scanned the alley, passing mere inches from her position.
Once the guard turned away, Sophie seized the opportunity, darting toward the street. Her feet moved soundlessly against the pavement as she slipped into the shadows, her heart pounding in her chest.
Her bike was parked at the far end of the street, hidden behind a dumpster. Sophies eyes flicked between the guards and her escape route. She waited for the right moment, then sprinted.
Finally, she reached her bike, her fingers gripping the handlebars as she swung her leg over the seat. The engine roared to life, and Sophie shot down the street, leaving the Maelstrom building far behind.
At the same time, she rang Rita.
Hey Soph. Howd it go?
Good, I think. The kill should look convincing enough to intensify the conflict though it may not stand up to intense scrutiny.
Thats fine, dont worry. We just need to muddy the waters, make the conflict last longer. The longer Maelstrom and the Tygers are focused on each other, the more room we have to manoeuvre. A small pause followed before she continued.
We really appreciate what youre doing, Soph. Nobody in the gang has the skills you do. But I am sorry that you have to put yourself in danger like that. You shouldnt have to.
Rita, stop. Its fine. I want to help the Mox. Or you, at least. Youre a good person She received an exasperated sigh.
I know you wont listen to me so Ill drop it. Swing by soon though, got something to chat to you about. Oh, and Ill send you the eddies.
The call cut out and she received a transfer for 5000 eddies, followed by a system message.
Mission Complete
Assassinate Cain Burch and frame a famed Tyger Claw assassin.
Difficulty: Hard
Rewards: 2000 L-Coins, 2500 Eurodollars
The rewards brought a smile to her face. She finally had enough for all the stuff shed been saving for.
42 - Changes
Sewers
October 20th
2069
The rumble of Sophies bike filled the air as she guided it down the maintenance road that led into the sewers beneath Westbrook. The air grew damp and cooler the deeper she went, the faint, distant trickle of water and city noise disappearing.
At the end of the road, she reached the partially destroyed loading bay that served as her garage. Sophie dismounted her bike, parking it in the alcove she had designated for the purpose. As she stepped into the main area, the darkness of the sewer tunnels was replaced by the warm glow of her homes recently installed lighting.
Over the past six months, she had worked hard to transform her space into something truly livable. The walls, once cracked concrete and corroded metal, were now reinforced with scavenged paneling. Though mismatched in color and texture, the panels fit snugly together and they looked far better in her opinion.
Attached to some of the higher panels was her jury-rigged lighting system. It had been a massive pain to set up, considering her small size. She had salvaged old tube lights and connected them to the generator shed previously found. Thick, black wires ran along the walls, secured in place with makeshift brackets. The setup wasnt pretty, but it worked and it meant she no longer had to rely on her optics to see in the dark.
The hideout itself was now divided into multiple sections, a far cry from the open, cavernous space it had been when she first found it. To her left was a small, kitchen. A salvaged bench served as a counter, its surface covered with a sheet of stainless steel she had scavenged. A camping stove sat neatly on one side, alongside a collection of mismatched pots and utensils.
Above it, shelves lined with basic supplies were secured to the wall with brackets she had fashioned herself. She really only used the kitchen to heat food up or prepare something that was already packaged. Considering the food in Night City was generally pretty bad, Sophie figured her current setup was enough. All she really needed was the ability to eat after all.
On her right was the living area, where a small plastic chair sat against the wall. Its colour was faded and worn, but Sophie had repaired it with scraps of material and duct tape. A low coffee table stood in front of it, cluttered with tools, papers, and an old radio she had managed to repair.
Beside the table was a small collection of manuals, from electrical engineering guides to mechanics. They were the main reason shed been able to make such large changes to her hideout, though they also werent overly detailed which made it hard to go much further.
Further back, the main room extended into a hallway. To the left was her sleeping area. The mattress, though worn, now rested on a set of wooden pallets in much better condition than they previously were. A thin blanket and a sad, single pillow added a touch of comfort.
At the end of the hallway was her training room. Well, what would eventually become one. A jagged tunnel extended into the wall, its end blocked by rubble she hadnt yet cleared. She had been hammering away at it slowly after getting her hands on the right tools but it was slow going.
Dropping her gear bag next to her table, Sophie sighed. Her first actual encounter with Maelstrom had been stressful but she was proud of the fact she succeeded. She removed her weapons and placed them gently on the coffee table, then unbuckled her chest plate and let it fall to the ground.
Her hands moved with practiced ease, stripping off her netrunner suit until she stood in a bra and underwear. Shed been as careful as possible during her missions over the months but her armour was beginning to show significant signs of damage. I think its time to replace everything, huh. This story originates from a different website. Ensure the author gets the support they deserve by reading it there.
She grabbed a metal bucket from the corner and filled it with water from a large plastic drum she kept near the entrance. The water was lukewarm, sending a wave of disappointment through her as she splashed it onto her face and arms. Using a rag, she scrubbed herself clean. The lack of running water in her hideout was a constant annoyance. One day, Ill get proper plumbing down here, she muttered to herself.
Once she felt clean, Sophie stripped changed into something more comfortable; a loose, gray tank top and a pair of soft black joggers. The clothes hung loosely on her frame, a welcome change from the tightness of her gear.
She pulled her dark, greasy hair into a messy bun, wincing at how dirty it was. Unfortunately, good shampoo was quite rare, especially when youre on a budget. Her monthly venture to the public shower was the only time she properly cleaned herself, though shed been considering switching to tech hair which would clean itself.
She moved her gear over to a mannequin she had found during one of her scavenging trips. The figure was missing its right arm, giving it a lopsided appearance, but it served its purpose well. She arranged the plate carrier, netrunner suit and holsters on it carefully. Her katana was mounted on a custom rack she had put together from scrap metal and above it was a small holder for her menpo, painted black months ago.
The rest of her weapons went into a box beneath her chair, except for a knife and pistol. These she kept close, always within arms reach. The knife slipped into the waistband of her joggers, while the pistol rested on the coffee table.
Sinking into the chair, Sophie let her head fall back against the old plastic, her body finally relaxing. The silence of the space surrounded her, a feeling she had come to greatly appreciate. She stared up at the domed ceiling, where the lights flickered faintly. The small imperfection didnt bother her.
After relaxing herself for a while she headed to the kitchen area, putting together a half eaten box of noodles and an extra skewer she had as leftovers from earlier in the day. She settled onto her mattress, stretching herself into a deep split.
Finding ways to incorporate her training into daily life was important, even if it did make things awkward and difficult at times. For the most part however, it was ignorable. Thus, she stretched, ate and looked over her stats.
Name: Sophie Morrin
Age: 14
Class: Huntress [35/100]
Passives
Iron Will [40/100], Flexibility [49/100], Parkour [40/100], Ambidextrous [25/100]
Skills
Stealth [35/100], Basic Gun Combat [49/100], Investigation [35/100], Basic Bladed Combat [42/100], Basic Unarmed Combat [15/100], Engineering [15/100]
Cyberware
Basic Cyberoptics (Common)
Basic Subdermal Armour (Common)
Basic Wrist Reinforcements (Common)
MoorE Basic Cyberarm (Common)
Store: Available
L-Coins: 26,000
Eurodollars: 100,000
Inventory: 1m x 1m x 1m
The semi-recent addition of the Engineering skill continued to make her happy. It was the reason shed been able to renovate her hideout so much and it was also the first step towards understanding the blueprint left behind by Dr Morrow. Though she still occasionally felt a phantom pain from the moment she purchased the skill and the massive knowledge influx.
Looking further, she was a bit disappointed that her recent infiltration into Maelstrom territory hadnt given her a point in Stealth but she wasnt particularly surprised. As every skill approached the halfway mark they became harder and harder to level.
Sophie had a gut feeling that something would change once a skill reaches 50/100. Shed taken the time to examine each of her skills; more specifically, the knowledge they provided. Every time she gained a proficiency point for a skill, some of the holes in her knowledge were plugged, forming a more cohesive whole.
Of course, all of her skills were fairly basic so the knowledge wasnt particularly advanced but it did cover the entirety of the skillset. For example, Basic Gun Combat provided her with the knowledge to effectively utilise anything that classified as a gun, even if shed never actually wielded it before.
Her examination of the skill knowledge however, suggested that by the time she reached halfway to maximum proficiency, there would be no more gaps to fill. In her mind, that could suggest a couple of things.
First, the skill may just provide new knowledge and continue to follow the same path as it previously did. On the other hand, it could mean that a fundamental change occurs to the way she increases skill proficiency.
Then again, I could be completely wrong. Despite the doubts that tried to creep in, Sophie figured that as soon as she got her Basic Gun Combat or Flexibility to the halfway mark, shed find out whether her theories were correct.
Fully aware that there wasnt much she could do except continue her regular routine, she settled into bed. As she lay under the thin blanket, she inwardly wondered what Rita wanted to talk to her about.
Maybe somethings changed with the Tygers? She quickly drifted off to sleep when she realised thinking about it wouldnt do much. Shed head over in the morning to find out what was going on.
43 - Small Upgrades
Watson
October 21st
2069
The sun rose slowly in the morning sky, casting an amber glow over the cracked streets of Watson as Sophie guided her bike through the near-empty roads. Her ears caught the rattle of gunfire in the distance; brief bursts of violence punctuated by the occasional scream or roar of a vehicle. The gang wars ferocity had seemingly escalated within only a day and the effects could be seen throughout the northern district of Night City.
She tightened her grip on the handlebars, weaving around debris strewn across the road: burnt-out cars, shattered glass, and a few bodies sprawled lifelessly on the pavement. Most wore gang colours, telltale signs of gang affiliation. The Tyger corpses were most numerous, punctuated by the occasional Maelstrom body and countless civilians. Innocents caught up in a conflict that had nothing to do with them.
She spotted a Tyger Claw patrol further up the street, their bikes growling like predators marking territory. Sophie veered down a side alley before they could spot her, keeping her presence to a minimum.
The air in Watson was a victim too. Smoke hung heavy, mingling with the acrid stench of burning rubber and flesh. A street she passed was littered with broken glass and spent bullet casings, the aftermath of a skirmish that had painted the walls with blood. Sophies stomach churned at the sight of a childs toy lying amid the wreckage; a bright blue stuffed animal, untouched but filthy. She quickly refocused, her gaze hardening as she accelerated down the road.
By the time she reached Lizzies Bar in Kabuki, Sophie had seen just how bad the conflict was and her nerves were taut. She parked her bike a few blocks away, taking the time to check her surroundings before making her way to the bars entrance.
Outside, Rita was deep in conversation with a group of Mox. The women were clustered close, their postures tense but their voices steady. Sophie caught enough of the conversation to know Rita was directing them somewhere, likely in an effort to alleviate the suffering caused by the war.
Sophie stepped into Ritas line of sight, catching her attention with a subtle wave. Rita looked up and nodded, her expression briefly softening before she turned back to her conversation. Sophie took the cue and pushed through the door into the bar, where the softly thumping bass and flashing neon lights created a stark contrast to the chaos outside.
Inside, Sophie claimed a seat in a dimly lit corner, her back to the wall. She sipped on a glass of water, more out of habit than thirst, while her thoughts wandered. The tension in the air outside seemed to follow her in, an invisible weight pressing down. Ten minutes crawled by before the door swung open and Rita entered. She didnt hesitate, striding straight to Sophies table.
Morning, kid, Rita said, sliding into the seat across from her. A good look at her was enough to reveal how tired she was.
Sophie nodded. Morning.
Rita leaned forward, allowing her voice to carry even over the musics volume. Things are getting real ugly out there. That hit on Cain you did? It stirred up a hornets nest. The Tygers are losing their shit because someone impersonated their assassin and Maelstroms biting back harder than anyone expected. Doesnt seem like they believe it was a third-party at least.
Sophie frowned. Wasnt that the whole point though?
Sure, but no one thought itd escalate this fast. We thought it would just keep them fighting. But this? This is a full on gang war. We werent prepared for how bad its gotten. Right now, were refocusing all our efforts on helping people get out of the area. And the Mox cant afford to be caught in the middle, so were laying low for a while. No more gigs from us for now.
Seriously? Its that bad? Sophie asked, her voice sharper than intended. She was frustrated, considering the Mox had been her primary source of work, and losing that connection felt like a step backward.
Rita sighed. Because we dont have the manpower to deal with this, Sophie. Were a small group. And this...this is bigger than us.
Sophie nodded slowly, though the frustration didnt entirely fade. So, what now?
Ritas expression brightened slightly. Its not all bad news. Turns out, your skills have been noticed. Susie got a call from Padre. Yeah, that Padre. Hes interested in you. Says hes got work if youre willing to meet.
Sophies brows furrowed. Padre? He was one of the citys biggest fixers, working out of Heywood. She remembered him being very religious but also that he had been one of her favourite fixers in the game.
Rita smirked. Youll like him. Old-school, sharp as hell, and doesnt waste time with bullshit. Im sending you his location. Trust me, this is a good opportunity. Especially since... She hesitated, her expression darkening. Since Suko Takeshi will come for you when this war settles down.
The name sent a chill down Sophies spine. Shed done her research on the man whos son shed killed. He was dangerous, incredibly so. However, he was too high up in the Tygers to personally hunt her. Instead, shed have to contend with the goons hed send to find and capture her.
Mmm. Thanks for the reminder, Sophie said quietly.
Rita reached across the table, resting a hand on Sophies forearm briefly. Look, Im not saying this to scare you. Just be smart, yeah? I dont want to see you dead.
Sophie managed a faint smile. Ill be careful.
Rita nodded, then glanced toward the bar as someone called her name. Ive gotta go, but... thanks, Sophie. For everything youve done. I appreciate all your work. This break wont last forever, and when were back, youll be the first to know.
Sophie watched her leave, the warmth of Ritas gratitude lingering despite the grim conversation. She stayed in her seat for a few more minutes, finishing her water and mulling over her next steps. Padres offer was tempting, but she didnt feel like she was quite ready to meet him. She didnt want to look like some random streetkid. She wanted to look like a professional, or the closest she could in her situation.
She slipped out of Lizzies and onto the street, her thoughts churning as she straddled her bike. Her body moved almost automatically, guiding her toward Watsons edge. By the time she reached Viks clinic, her decision was made.
It was time for some upgrades.
-----------------------
Sophie parked her bike in a narrow back alley, killing the engine and letting the silence settle around her. The streetlights above flickered, their glow barely cutting through the smoky sky. She adjusted her jacket, glancing toward the side entrance to Viktors clinic. This story has been stolen from Royal Road. If you read it on Amazon, please report it
Her chest tightened slightly as her gaze lingered in the direction of Mistys Esoterica. The thought of Misty brought a tangle of emotions; guilt and a deep-seated discomfort she couldnt quite shake. It had been six months since she first met Misty and shed found it difficult to decide whether or not she wanted to be friends with her.
Shed tried to be polite whenever the older girl called but she never initiated contact nor did she visit. Regardless of how distant she tried to present herself, desperately wishing Misty would stop trying, she never did. However, the awkwardness she felt didnt disappear.
That was why she took the side entrance. Inwardly, she told herself it wasnt to avoid Misty but deep down, she knew it was. If she didnt actually interact with her, then no relationship would form. That was her belief.
Without another glance, Sophie made her way down the narrow stairs that led to Viks basement clinic. The air was cooler down here, tinged with the faint scent of antiseptic. When she reached the bottom of the steps, she paused by the gateway, peeking in to check the room. It was empty except for Vik, who was hunched over his workbench, a small holo-display glowing faintly as he adjusted something with a fine-tipped tool.
Satisfied, Sophie stepped inside, her boots thumping softly on the floor.
Ah, if it isnt my favorite little ghost, Vik said without turning around. His voice was warm as he spoke to her. He turned in his chair and gave her a small grin. You know, you dont have to be a stranger. Last time I saw you was when I installed that personal link in your arm. Whats it been? A few months?
Mmm, Sophie said, keeping herself quiet. Her eyes flicked around the room, avoiding his own for longer than necessary. Been...busy.
Busy, huh? Vik leaned back in his chair, crossing his arms. I bet youre still out there, putting yourself in danger. Are you at least being careful about it?
Sophie shrugged, offering a vague, Something like that.
Her relationship with Vik was in a similar situation as Misty, though nowhere near as bad. Vik seemed content to let things stay as they were unless she was hurt. She was grateful that he never pushed her to say more than she wanted to.
Well, youre still breathing, so I guess youre doing something right, Vik said, his grin widening. So, what brings you here? Need something fixed, or are you planning to finally get some upgrades?
Sophie reached into her jacket and summoned the bag she looted from Cains room into her hand, ensuring he didnt see the inventory usage. She handed it over to Vik. Can you tell me what this is?
Vik raised an eyebrow but took the bundle without hesitation. He unwrapped it carefully. When the cloth fell away, a smooth, dark material was revealed, its faintly reflective surface catching the clinics bright lighting.
Well, well, Vik muttered, turning the piece over in his hands. This is subdermal armor. Good stuff, too. Around the second tier of subdermal if Im right. Much better than the entry-level plating youve got now at least. Whered you get this?
Picked it up somewhere, Sophie said, avoiding his gaze. Can you install it?
Vik let out a soft chuckle, setting the armor down on his workbench. Sure, I can install it. Always happy to give you a little more protection, especially if youre heading into dangerous situations.
Sophie climbed into the surgical chair, leaning back and letting out a slow breath. The worn leather creaked softly under her weight. Mind telling me what I can expect from this stuff?
Well, this is a Carbon Fibre Weave. Upgrades to all the functions your current stuff has. Youll be able to withstand slightly larger caliber bullets better now and slashing attacks wont cut as deep. Blunt force is still dangerous though. The energy transfer will cause internal injuries. My advice? Dont go tanking attacks with it. Youll still get hurt. Subdermal is all about emergency protection. Wear some good armour instead, kid. Or better yet, dont get in a fight in the first place.
Rightthanks for the info. Sophie was glad to hear that it was an upgrade to what she had and she already had no intention of fighting head-on. Stealth was her preference, even if she still had lots to learn in that regard.
As Vik prepped the equipment, he glanced over at her. Anything else youre looking for while youre here? Might as well make the trip worth it.
Actually, yeah, Sophie said quickly, sitting up slightly. Id like some tech hair. Entry-level cyberdeck if you have one in stock. And a better set of optics.
Vik nodded, stroking his chin thoughtfully. The tech hair Ive got and its easy to install. The cyberdeck, though...Im fresh out. Couple more days, and Ill have a new shipment. Can you wait that long?
Yeah, Sophie replied. She wasnt thrilled about the delay, but she didnt have much choice. Shed just have to meet Padre without it.
As for the optics... Vik walked over to a nearby cabinet and opened it, revealing several options neatly arranged in rows. Lets see. Ive got a few different models here. Entry-level, mid-range...and these. He held up a pair of eyes. Kiroshi MK.1s. Top of the line. Theyre expensive though. Ten grand for both. But theyre worth every eddie if you can swing it.
Sophies gaze lingered on the Kiroshis. The price made her hesitate, but she knew the value of good optics. Especially a set from one of the worlds best optic designers. After a moment, she nodded. Ill take them.
Good choice, Vik said, setting them aside. Thesell do you right. Lets get everything sorted out.
They spent the next few minutes going over the details; payment, the installation process, and the expected recovery time. Once everything was settled, Vik began prepping the surgical tools and calibration software.
All right, he said, giving her a reassuring smile. You know the drill. Sit back, relax, and count some sheep. Youll wake up good as new.
Sophie nodded, her heart rate steady despite the faint apprehension she always felt before going under. It dredged up her memories from being captive. Still, shed learnt to trust the old ripper. She leaned back fully in the chair, the cool faux-leather pressing against her back as Vik injected an anesthetic.
The rooms fluorescent lights blurred, their edges softening as her vision dimmed. The last thing she saw was Viks steady, reassuring presence as he adjusted the chair and began the procedure.
Then, everything went dark.
A few hours later, Sophie stirred groggily, blinking against the soft light above her. The edges of her vision were blurry, her senses dulled by the lingering effects of the anesthetic. As her focus returned, so did her awareness of the faint buzz of the clinic''s equipment and the distinct scent of antiseptic.
Finally awake!
The voice startled her, high-pitched and distinctly irritated. Sophies eyes snapped open fully, only to find Misty standing over her, arms crossed and her lips pressed into a thin, disapproving line.
Misty... Sophie rasped, her throat dry. She tried to sit up, but Mistys intense stare made her sink back down into the chair.
Youve got some nerve, Misty began, her voice brimming with annoyance. Six months, Sophie. Six! And not a single visit. Barely even a proper hello when I call. You just grunt like some kind of... I dont know... sewer gremlin!
From the corner of the room, Vik let out a slight chuckle, clearly enjoying the spectacle. Sophie glanced toward him, her expression pleading for rescue, but he simply adjusted a tool on his workbench, shaking his head as if to say, Youre on your own, kid.
I thought I was polite and Ive been... busy, Sophie offered weakly, her voice barely audible.
Busy? Misty echoed, her eyes widening in disbelief. Too busy to visit me? Too busy to pop by for some tea? Too busy to let me know youre still alive? I thought I made it clear that were friends, Sophie!
Sophie winced, her brain still sluggish and unable to process the torrent of words. She opened her mouth to respond, but Misty cut her off.
And dont think I didnt notice you sneaking in through the side entrance! Like I wouldnt know! Youre avoiding me! I can tell!
Misty, I didnt Sophie tried, but Misty was on a roll.
No, no, dont even try to explain, Misty said, throwing her hands up. Youre avoiding me. I know it. Vik knows it. She pointed an accusatory finger toward him, and he raised his hands in mock surrender, still grinning. You know it.
Im really not Sophie stammered, but Misty wasnt done.
And dont get me started on all the times Ive invited you over! Not even a holo-message in reply! You know how many times I made extra cookies just in case you showed up? Do you know how many cookies Vik had to eat because of you?
Best six months of my life, Vik interjected, unable to resist. He got a withering glare in response.
Sophie couldnt help but let out a faint laugh at that, though it quickly faded when Mistys intense gaze turned back to her.
Okay, okay, Sophie said, holding up her hands in surrender. Ill... Ill talk more.
Youd better, Misty said, her tone softening slightly. She placed a hand on Sophies arm, her eyes earnest. I just worry about you, you know? Youre out there doing who-knows-what, and I dont hear a word. At least let me feed you or something!
Before Sophie could answer, Misty grabbed a chair and started pulling it closer. Sit down. Ive got some soup upstairs, and youre not leaving until youve had a bowl.
I really should get going, Sophie said quickly, sitting up. Her head spun for a moment, but she pushed through it, sliding off the chair. She grabbed her nearby clothes and slipped into them in record time. Thanks, but Ill take a rain check, okay?
Misty frowned, her hands on her hips. Rain check? Whats that supposed to mean? Youre just going to
But Sophie was already heading for the stairs, her movements awkward and a little too quick. Thanks, Vik, she called over her shoulder, avoiding Mistys gaze entirely.
Take care, kid, Vik replied, his voice thick with amusement.
As Sophie reached the top of the stairs, she heard Misty yell after her, You owe me a visit, Sophie! A proper visit!
Ill try! Sophie called back, her voice fading as she pushed through the door and into the alley.
Once outside, she let out a long breath, her heart still racing. She hadnt expected that kind of reaction from Misty, considering she always seemed so quiet. She quickly realised how badly shed treated the poor girl and made up her mind to rectify the situation.
Her resolve crumbled however, when thoughts of Suko Takeshi flashed through her mind. No. No friendship. Misty will be safer if shes not connected to me like that. Her bike rumbled as she drove away, feeling slightly defeated. It seemed she was destined not to make any connections for a while.
44 - Sebastian “Padre” Ibarra
Sewers
October 22nd
2069
The city was covered by a blanket of smog as Sophie guided her bike out of the sewers and into the streets of Westbrook. The air was warmer than she expected, though there was a breeze on her face that kept her cool. She adjusted her jacket as she started the engine and mentally made sure all of her weapons were secure. They were and she set off, speeding towards Heywood.
As she rolled through the streets of Westbrook and onto the main road toward Heywood, Sophie noticed how quiet everything seemed in comparison to the chaos shed seen just the day before in Watson. The war between the Tyger Claws and Maelstrom had turned Watson into a battlefield and the entire district was on the verge of being locked down. But in Heywood, the air was untainted by conflict, aside from the occasional road rage.
She rode slowly, taking in her surroundings. The buildings were a mix of old and new, with some towering in concrete and steel while others showed cracks and faded paint from decades of neglect. The streets were relatively clean, at least for Night City standards though the occasional Valentino-themed graffiti marked the walls, benches, and even some of the parked vehicles.
Golden skulls, roses, and religious iconography were everywhere and Sophie found that she quite liked the Valentino markings. They were more unique compared to the classic tiger image the Tygers used all over the place at least.
Then there was the Valentino presence, which was impossible to miss. Tino members loitered on street corners or leaned against their lowriders, the shine of gold chrome and the morning light reflecting off their tattoos. Sophie slowed her pace, observing them. They didnt pay her much attention, though she caught the occasional glance, more curious than hostile. She figured it was the menpo making her stand out.
Turning onto another street, Sophie took in the charm of Heywood. It wasnt spotless or pristine, but it felt alive. Children played on sidewalks, their laughter carrying through the air. Vendors called out to passersby from their stalls, offering fresh fruit, tamales, and trinkets. An older man sat on a porch, strumming a guitar, his voice carrying the bittersweet notes of a ballad. It was... peaceful. Like Jackie Welles would say, the people of Heywood seemed to be one big family.
But the tranquility didnt last.
A loud commotion snapped Sophie out of her observations. The unmistakable roar of an engine, followed by the sound of gunfire, echoed down the street. Her head turned just in time to see a car screeching around the corner, barreling straight toward her.
Her instincts kicked in. Twisting the throttle, Sophie veered her bike to the side, skidding into the safety of a side alley as the car thundered past. It was covered in 6th Street decal and a hail of bullets followed, ripping through the air where she had been seconds ago.
She barely caught her breath before another car roared past, this one adorned with Valentino colors and chasing the first. The occupants leaned out of the windows, firing at the people from 6th Street.
Sophie watched the chaos unfold, her heart still racing. Huh. Dont see that everyday, she muttered under her breath, shaking her head.
She checked her surroundings and once sure the street was clear, she returned to the road, her pace slower than before. The incident left a sour taste in her mouth, even though it shouldnt have. She was fully aware that there was nowhere in Night City that was truly peaceful.
Eventually, Sophie reached her destination: a narrow alleyway at the edge of a residential block. The entrance was marked with a mural, a golden skeleton clutching a bouquet of roses. She parked her bike nearby and stepped off, taking a moment to study the artwork. She found it quite pretty and she was curious how the artist managed to capture the level of detail.
Shaking her head and adjusting her jacket, Sophie walked into the alley. The walls were covered in more graffiti, layers of messages and tags competing for space. Some were simple, just names scrawled in hasty script while others were elaborate works of art. The deeper she went, the quieter it became, the sounds of the street fading behind her.
The alley took a sharp turn to the left, and Sophie hesitated for a moment before continuing. As she rounded the corner, the space opened up into a small courtyard.
Padre sat at a table in the corner, surrounded by a group of Valentinos. Some of the gang members leaned against the walls, smoking or chatting quietly, while others inspected their weapons or adjusted their gold-rimmed glasses. Despite their relaxed demeanor, she felt a distinct sense of danger.This book is hosted on another platform. Read the official version and support the author''s work.
A cursory examination proved her instincts right. Everyone she looked at had at least one visible weapon, whether a pistol or a rifle. Some had multiple and almost all of them had chrome that looked designed for combat. She turned her attention to Padre himself.
The man was dressed casually, a red shirt covered by a burgundy sweater. Around his neck was a gold cross, likely as a homage to his time as a priest. He leaned back in his chair, a cigar resting between his fingers as its smoke curled lazily into the air. His eyes, still clear but filled with a sense of peace and calm, locked onto her as soon as she appeared.
He waved her over, his lips curling into a faint smile.
Sophie hesitated briefly, then began to make her way toward the table. As she moved, her eyes continued to sweep over the gathered gang members, watching for any sign of an ambush. The Valentinos turned their heads as she approached, clearly curious.
Padres smile didnt waver, though his eyes seemed to be studying her every move.
As Sophie reached the table, the faint smell of cigar smoke mixed with some kind of floral scent from nearby. She stopped a few feet away, trying to look relaxed even as her hands scrambled to find a resting place.
Padre, she greeted, her voice quiet. She inclined her head slightly, offering a nod of respect she felt was appropriate.
Padres smile widened just a fraction as he gestured to the chair opposite him. Sophie, I presume. Please, have a seat, he said, his voice was warm but she could tell he was still assessing her.
Sophie moved cautiously to the chair, feeling the Valentinos eyes tracking her every step. As she lowered herself into the seat, Padre raised a hand, signaling to the gang members.
Give us some space, gentlemen, he said, his tone polite but leaving no room for argument.
The Valentinos exchanged glances before retreating a few steps, scattering to the edges of the alley. Soon, the two of them were left with a semblance of privacy.
Padre turned his attention back to Sophie and she saw kindness in his eyes this time. They made you uncomfortable, he said simply.
Sophie hesitated, surprised at the observation. A little, she admitted. Thanks.
Padre waved a hand as if to dismiss the formality of gratitude. No need. I like my conversations free from distraction and I suspect intimidation is not the best way to speak with you, he replied, leaning back in his chair.
He studied her for a moment, the silence stretching just long enough to feel heavy. Then he broke it as he posed a question. Tell me about yourself, Sophie.
She shifted slightly in her seat, unsure of how much to reveal. Not much to tell, she began. I dont have much going on aside from my work. I spend all of my time on the streets completing gigs or training for the next.
For one so young, I must wonder why you live that way. But I suspect I already know the answer. He gave her a knowing look and she put her head down, clenching her fists.
I hateI hate the gangs, the scavs. Almost everyone. The way they...treat people. I hated the feelings of powerlessness. She stopped herself, unsure why she was sharing so much with someone shed only just met.
Padre nodded slowly. Understandable. Youve experienced that feeling yourself, havent you? When you mentioned scavs specifically, there was hatred in your voice.
Should I not feel that way about them? She snapped at him.
No, your feelings are understandable. Few things are more revolting than treating human lives as nothing more than raw material, he said. I believe its this hatred that gave rise to the slight decline of scavenger presence in Watson and Westbrook?
Sophie glanced at him, unsure if he was humoring her or genuinely agreeing. Mmm, theyre my preferred target. But it seems no matter how many I kill, they continue to rear their ugly heads.
Youre being modest, Padre said, his smile returning. Rumors of your work have even reached my ears. Your actions may not have purged them from the city but youve demonstrated incredible skills. Discretion, ruthlessness and a willingness to eliminate those that deserve it. These are qualities I admire and appreciate.
Sophie shifted again, her fingers brushing against the seam of her jacket. IThank you, she said carefully.
Padre leaned forward slightly, resting his forearms on the table. With that said, Padre continued, I dont make decisions lightly. Ive learned that trust is built on more than reputation. He reached into his jacket pocket, producing a datashard, and placed it on the table between them.
Sophies eyes flicked to the shard, then back to him. Whats this? she asked.
A test of sorts, Padre replied. Theres a group operating here in Heywood. Youngsters, really; teenagers trying to prove themselves. Ive given them a number of warnings but they seem content to ignore me. Recently however, their actions have crossed a line. I have reason to suspect they are working with scavs now.
Her lips pressed into a thin line. The mention of scavs reignited a familiar anger within her.
Theyre not scavs themselves. Or at least, they werent a few days ago Padre clarified, as if anticipating her thoughts. But just yesterday, the groups leader was seen speaking with one.
Sophie nodded, her jaw tightening. So, you want me to take care of it?
Padre nodded, his expression calm. Not necessarily in the way youre thinking. These are kids, Sophie. I dont want their lives ended if it can be avoided. But I need you to find out exactly what theyre up to. If they are, as I suspect, beginning to work with the vultures, you will remove them, permanently. But if you can avoid unnecessary bloodshed, Id prefer it.
Sophie picked up the datashard, turning it over in her fingers. Got it, she said simply.
Padre leaned back again, his smile returning. Good. Bring me results, Sophie. And if you impress me, there may be more work for you in the future.
She stood, slipping the shard into her jacket pocket. Ill take care of it, she said resolutely.
As she turned to leave, Padres voice stopped her. Sophie, he said, his tone softer this time.
She glanced back at him.
Be careful, he said, his gaze steady. Heywood may look peaceful on the outside but it has its dangers, and Id rather not see someone with your potential snuffed out prematurely.
She nodded, her expression unreadable. Ill be fine.
Padre said nothing more, simply watching as she walked back toward the alley entrance.
45 - Gig: Cleansing the Streets (Part 1)
Heywood
October 22nd
2069
Sophie slipped into a tight alleyway, away from the sharp midday sun, and slotted Padres shard into one of her neck ports. Shed been cautious, unsure whether there would be some kind of malware or virus but her concerns proved unnecessary. The shard booted cleanly, displaying a series of files that scrolled across her optics. Probably best to go see Vik anyway, just to make sure there wasnt anything.
Names, locations, and a rough outline of the groups movements over the past week appeared before her. It was a surprisingly large group, over 15 of them to be precise. Padres information suggested they were providing storage and transportation, though it didnt seem like they were actually acquiring and harvesting anyone themselves.
Regardless, Sophie had no kindness to spare for such people. She would take any opportunity she could to kill them, even if her new fixer wouldnt be happy with her.
Pushing aside her growing anger, Sophie disabled the shard and slipped it into her jacket pocket. With a deep breath, she mounted her bike and rode toward the address listed in the files, her mind already turning over the best way to approach the situation. She settled on simple observation to begin with before formulating a more detailed plan.
The target was a crumbling apartment complex, its fa?ade marred by graffiti, shattered windows, and scorch marks. A collection of beat-up cars cluttered the front lot, their hoods scratched and dented. Sophie parked her bike a safe distance away, hidden in the shadow of a broken-down bus stop.
Sliding into the shadows of an abandoned alley nearby, she shed her clothes into her inventory. She retrieved her combat gear after ensuring there were no cameras around. The netrunner suit slipped on and her plate carrier went over it, filled with ammo and a selection of grenades. Her pistols found their places in holsters on either hip and her knives were sheathed on her thighs. Lastly, her thermal katana fit securely across the small of back.
The roof of a nearby building offered a vantage point, and Sophie scaled its side quickly. Once she reached the top, she crouched low, peering over the lip of the building at her target.
Through cracks in the apartments broken blinds, she caught glimpses of movement; figures pacing, talking, and laughing. She followed the advice Vik had sent her after her rushed escape from Mistys anger, adjusting her new Kiroshis. Immediately, she felt the purchase was worthwhile as the scene was magnified before her eyes.
Four teens moved through the building casually, seemingly enjoying what they were doing. However, she was fully aware that there were more people in the group. As she went to change positions, her eyes caught on something.
There was a damaged ventilation shaft at the top of the building. The metal was rusted and warped, the bolts barely holding it in place. It was the perfect entry point, considering nobody ever seemed to expect someone was in their walls. Or am I weird? Is it not normal to use the vents? Realising her thoughts were branching off, she refocused.
For hours, Sophie watched the building, methodically changing her position every so often to gather as much information as she could. She confirmed the presence of at least 13 people in the building, though she was sure there were more. One of her notable observations was howundisciplined the group was. They believed they were completely safe, a feeling likely brought about by their numbers.
The monotony of her observation was broken when a dark van pulled into the lot. Its engine sputtered as it came to a halt and two teenagers jumped out, dragging a bound and struggling girl between them. Sophies breath caught, her pulse quickening as she watched the grim scene unfold. The scene hit far too close to home and she almost missed a vital piece of information as her memories threatened to spill out.
The captors were met by another teen standing near the entrance, who gestured for them to hurry inside. Beside him however, was a scav. The hologram mask and mismatched chrome gave it away. With scav presence confirmed, she focused on the captive. Her optics zoomed in on the girl, who looked no older than sixteen. Her face was pale, streaked with dirt and tears, and her terrified eyes darted wildly as she was forced through the apartments broken door.
Sophies jaw tightened, her hands trembling as her fury boiled to the surface. She wanted to act immediately, but a thread of discipline held her back.
She fired off a quick message to Padre, along with photo evidence of the activities: The group is working directly with scavs. They just brought in a girl.
The reply came moments later, though it felt like an eternity: I see. Cleanse them, Sophie. Let no sin remain unpunished. Protect the innocent, for their cries have reached heavens ears.
Sophie felt her mouth shift into a grim smile. She had permission to purge an emerging group of scum and she would find great satisfaction in seeing their blood splash across the walls.
Pulling her pistols from their holsters, she double-checked the suppressors before securing them again. Her blades too, were given a once-over before returning to their proper place. She flexed her fingers, rolled her shoulders, and prepared to move.
The gap between the buildings wasnt small, but Parkours instincts were telling her she could make it. She leapt and for a moment, feared she wouldnt make it. Just as her stomach started to drop, she landed softly, her boots finding purchase on the cracked concrete of the apartment buildings roof.Support the author by searching for the original publication of this novel.
The damaged ventilation shaft appeared before her, the metal creaking faintly in the wind. Sophie knelt beside it, her hands working quickly to pry the warped bolts free. The shaft gave way with a groan, and she carefully set the loose panel aside.
The darkness inside felt like a gaping abyss, filled with the worst of humanities horrors and she mentally prepared herself.
With a final glance toward the empty lot below, Sophie slid into the vent, disappearing into the darkness.
-----------------------
Crawling through a horizontal vent shaft, Sophie made her way towards the light she could see emanating from in front of her. She kept her movements slow and careful, ensuring she didnt bump into the vent walls or make the entire thing shake. The last thing she needed was to be filled with bullets because the vent system was shaking as she crawled.
She eventually reached the light source, an open grate that allowed her to peer into a room. If her assumptions were correct, she was on the top floor of the building, which perfectly fit with the way she preferred undertaking stealth missions.
Looking into the brightly lit room, she was immediately greeted by a single teen seated at a desk, watching live camera feeds with a bored expression. She double checked and realised he wasnt actually looking at all. Instead, she saw a braindance wreath wrapped around his head. At the same time, a system mission appeared.
New Mission
Eliminate all hostiles in the building and free the prisoners.
Difficulty: Medium
Rewards: 2000 L-Coins, 2000 Eurodollars
Dismissing the notification, she tried to look further into the room but no matter where her eyes travelled, there didnt seem to be anyone else in the room. Did I really just get lucky? The first room I find and its the surveillance room with a mentally absent guard.
Feeling confident, she peeled open the grate in front of her slowly before dropping it onto a ragged couch below her. She poked her head out and immediately retracted it. A camera, hidden in a blindspot, swept past the vent she was in. She waited until it swiveled back in the opposite direction before slipping out of the vent.
Immediately, she dashed straight over to the base of the camera and with a quick flick of a knife, slashed the wires behind it. They sparked, then the camera lost power, drooping like a chastised child. She quickly turned around and crept up behind the teen still lost in a braindance.
The room was suddenly filled with the heat of her thermal katana as it sliced through her targets neck, removing his head. It fell to the ground with a dull thud while Sophie caught his corpse, preventing it from falling and making noise. She gathered the body and put it in the corner of the room, out of immediate sight.
When she grabbed the severed head, she felt a flicker of guilt for snuffing out such a young life. However, that guilt was swiftly squashed when she looked through all of the cameras in the building. Specifically, the cages filled with people and the harvesting room drenched in blood.
Her teeth clenched as she disabled the buildings camera system, ensuring it couldnt be used to track her. The security on the system was significantly lower quality than what Cain had, considering there was no timer initiated after turning the systems off.
With her initial attack completed, she moved to the door. Her chrome hand fastened around one of her pistols, drawing it in preparation. The door slowly swung outwards and Sophie immediately peeked into the part of the corridor she could see. Her eyes scanned the empty hallway, finding no threats.
Slowly, she looked around the corner, using the door as cover to check the opposite side of the corridor and the parts shed previously been unable to examine. It was all clear, so she carefully moved out of the security room, continuing to stay behind cover.
Finally, a quick check confirmed there were no hostiles in the corridor. She moved down one end to a door and carefully opened it. Her eyes swept across the room, clearing the far corners and finding one of her targets. He was unarmed and as he looked up, his eyes widened in shock.
She didnt give him a chance and three bullets punched through his body. Blood splashed through the air as he slumped backwards and she heard a gasp. Sophie stepped inside and swiftly turned to her right, where another unarmed teen was sitting.
They looked at her, eyes begging for mercy but she refused. They too, collapsed in a bloody heap. She confirmed the room was empty before exiting, closing the door behind her. Turning, she began making her way back along the corridor.
Suddenly, Sophie heard a stomping sound from further ahead. A cursory examination revealed what she suspected was a staircase. She returned to the still open security room door and crouched behind it, staring in the direction of the footsteps.
A giant of a man came into view, face covered by a hologram mask. Thats not the scav I saw earlier, she thought to herself. She realised that there were multiple scavs in the building, meaning she now had an unknown number of hostiles. Still, there wasnt much she could do about it except continuing what she was already doing.
Her eyes sharpened when she spotted the light machine gun strapped to the mans back. No matter what, she couldnt let him use it. She stepped back into the security room as he approached the open door, muttering something inaudible, though she thought it was something about investigating.
Just looking at him, she realised he likely possessed significant defences, either from chrome or his actual clothes. Her pistol wouldnt be effective against such an armoured target but her katana would be. It would also ensure she maintained her stealth.
She holstered her pistol quietly and drew her katana. Her target was the mans throat. If the attack landed properly, he would die instantly. If not, it would hopefully silence his voice. She mentally counted down as his footsteps approached. 321Now!
With a burst of speed, she lunged forward. The burning hot blade of her katana pierced forwards, directly towards his throat. To the mans credit, he pulled himself up just enough to avoid being skewered. However, the blade still cut through the edge of his vocal cords.
He roared in pain, yet it came out as a near-silent wheeze. Sophie took advantage of his confusion to slash downwards, removing his left arm from the shoulder down. A retaliatory punch came flying towards her and she ducked. The fist hit the edge of the doorway and shattered it, sending small pieces of debris flying.
With the mans body completely open, Sophie took the opportunity to spin and swipe her blade across the mans stomach. Cloth and flesh parted under the heated edge, though it wasnt as deep as she wanted. Still, he stumbled.
In a burst of agility, she jumped onto his bent knee before launching herself upwards, twisting herself to avoid the roof. He threw another wild punch in her direction and she was forced to abandon her offensive, blocking the blow with her blade. It cut through his organic knuckles, removing a finger but the force contained in the attack pushed her backwards.
Sophie landed in a crouch, blade clenched tightly. Her opponent was wobbling but his face carried an angry snarl as he reached around with his remaining hand to his gun. At the same time, her left hand reached down, drawing one of her pistols. She was faster, considering she wasnt injured.
A flurry of bullets flew through the air towards the mans face and he abandoned his attempts to reach his weapon. His arm came up, blocking her assault but also his vision. It was a clear error, one that Sophie took full advantage of. She dashed towards him and her blade flashed, cutting through one of his legs.
He toppled to the ground with a pained wheeze, still lashing out in a futile attempt to hit her. She timed her approach perfectly, darting in and plunging her blade through the mans eye, burning his brain.
He fell still and she took a moment to catch her breath. She quickly sheathed her katana before reloading her pistols. At the same time, she looked around and frowned. Fuck. She hadnt paid it much attention during the relatively short confrontation but the mans wild behaviour had made a lot of noise.
The corridor walls were damaged and even as she took a moment to gather herself, she could hear rushed movement on the floors below her. Stealth was out the window she realised. Her eyes landed on the scavs Defender LMG and her mind lit up with a plan.
46 - Gig: Cleansing the Streets (Part 2)
Heywood
October 22nd
2069
Sophie kneeled on the corridor floor, the M2067 Defender pressed to her shoulder and resting on the attached bipod. Below it was one of the dead teens piled on top of the big scav whos weapon she now wielded. In front of her was the open security room door, somehow still intact. However, her attention was focused past the door, down the hallway to the staircase filled with the sound of movement.
She tensed up, finger resting lightly on the machine guns trigger. Someone swore, then shouted. Gary!? A pause. Guys, I think Garys dead! Clearly, they could see part of the corpses past the open door.
You useless motherfucker! Get out of the way, let me see! There was more shuffling and uneasy murmuring from the gathered teens. Oi! Gary! Obviously, the dead man didnt reply. Then she heard what shed been waiting for.
A mass of footsteps, likely from three or four people, entered her ears, heading straight towards her. She angled the Defender upwards and pulled the trigger.
The hallway was instantly filled with the roar of gunfire and screams. The door in front of her exploded into extra shrapnel as she fired and through the chaos, she saw a small group writhing around on the floor in pain.
Ignoring the constant buck of the Defender against her shoulder, Sophie continued the onslaught. With all the immediate targets down, she shifted her aim towards the staircase itself. The attack drew additional screams as bullets bored a hole through the concrete wall.
Before she could get any further however, the Defender clicked, signalling the beginning of her plans for the next phase.
Abandoning the gun without a second thought, Sophie sprinted towards the staircase. Both hands reached to her chest rig, coming away with a pair of grenades. She flicked the pin away from the one in her left hand and threw it into the stairwell. However, she didnt stop, moving to the other side of the staircase.
She heard the explosion of the grenade, the signal to pull the pin on the second one. She quickly peeked around the corner, into the now smoke-filled stairwell, confirming the situation before pulling her head back to cover and throwing the red canister in her hand. She covered her ears and only a couple of seconds later heard a second, much larger explosion.
The boom was followed by even more screams and shouts. With all her preparation complete, Sophie drew both of her pistols and swept into the stairwell. Her optics immediately locked onto a smoke-shrouded teen, somehow still alive but whose body was shredded and had a missing leg. A pair of bullets punched through his immobile form, ending his suffering.
She heard more shouts, a mix of pain and confusion. She made her way down the stairs, pistols ready. As she stepped onto the platform and turned to face the next set of descending stairs, she spotted one of her targets aiming a Copperhead at her.
She stepped to the side while covering her face with one hand just in case.The netrunner suit shed been using for months carried damage from previous conflicts despite her best efforts to repair it. Relying on it to protect her was a foolish idea, though the situation didnt go entirely the way she wanted.
The rifle rounds ripped through the slightly exposed side of the suit, impacting her body and she was immediately glad for the recent subdermal upgrade she got. The new chrome wasnt able to stop the bullets entirely; they still punched into her body. But it was mostly surface wounds, with only a few hitting slightly deeper. In fact, Sophie could tell it was the force behind the bullets that did the most damage.
Still, she wouldnt let the teen attack her without consequence. She retaliated, sending a series of suppressed shots at him. Three hit the boy in the chest, staggering him and interrupting his attack. The final bullet punched straight through his throat and he collapsed, blood pouring from the wound.
She ducked into cover quickly, taking a moment to reload both pistols. Once done, she swept back down the staircase. Unfortunately, she stepped on a bullet casing shed missed, slipping slightly before she could regain her balance. However, the small mistake put her in a bad position on the next floor.
All that remained were a trio of heavily injured teenage boys, looking at her with hatred in their eyes. Each of them held a Carnage shotgun and Sophie immediately realised how bad her current position was. However, it was too late for regrets.
She tried to dive away but the boys were faster. A massive force impacted her body and she went stumbling backwards into a nearby wall. The pellets fired by the shotguns created a net of small holes in both her armour and her skin but that was all. Her back ached though, from where she hit the wall.
While her condition wasnt the best, the trio were in an even worse state. Their already injured bodies had been damaged further by the immense recoil of the Carnages and in her eyes, they were barely holding on. A few rounds ended the threat they still posed and she breathed a sigh of relief. This tale has been unlawfully lifted without the author''s consent. Report any appearances on Amazon.
She found a small nook and took a knee there, taking a moment to breathe. A Maxdoc appeared in her hand and she jabbed it into her thigh, using one of the newly made holes in her armour. She immediately felt the difference as a surge of adrenaline and energy rushed through her.
Sophie stood and began clearing out all of the rooms on her current floor. However, there was nobody. Unsure where her targets had disappeared to, she dashed down the next set of stairs to the second floor, which is when she finally heard noise.
From the bottom floor of the building, the air carried up a series of unintelligible shouts. She ignored the second floor, suspecting everyone that she had to kill was further down. She was right.
She stealthily made her way down the stairs to the bottom floor, immediately being greeted by the sight of nearly a dozen teens hauling captives out of cages and into any kind of vehicle they could. Their leader, a slightly older boy with a massive chrome arm, barked orders at the group. Although he did his best to show a calm and controlled facade, Sophie could tell he was panicking internally.
Despite her desire to rush in immediately and start killing, she was fully aware that there were innocent civilians spread throughout the area. If she wasnt careful, they might be caught in the crossfire and that was unacceptable in her opinion.
However, she had one option. It would make things difficult but Sophie had a feeling it would be harder for her targets than it would be for her.
With a resolute look on her face, she gathered as many smoke grenades as she could, both from her chest rig and from her inventory. She began pulling the pins rapidly, throwing each primed grenade into the hostile area. The noise coming from the desperate teens masked the clinking of the smoke grenades. Seconds later, the entire area erupted in a thick cloud of smoke.
As expected, shouts erupted both from her targets but also the captives. Sophie ignored it however, charging into the smoke with her knives drawn. She couldnt use her pistols as shed risk hitting a hostage nor could she use her katana. The blades eye-catching appearance would make any of her attacks obvious through the smoke.
Despite being unable to use her regular arsenal, Sophies knife skills proved themselves effective. The blade in her left hand punched straight through one of the teens neck. Her second blade lashed out, slashing through another enemys throat who just happened to be too close.
She yanked the knives out with a wet gurgle, blood coating her hands before moving on. The smoke had disoriented her targets and their already lacking skill and experience turned them into a group of headless chickens.
The cries of pain as she swept through the scummy teens continued and soon enough, the entire bottom floor was painted red as the smoke finally dissipated. There were nearly a dozen corpses all up and only a single individual remained standing. The leader.
His face was pale as he stared at her bloodied appearance. He looked around, eyes landing on one of the captives. Sophie recognised her as the girl that was hauled inside during her observation period. Suddenly, the young man moved, lunging at the girl.
Sophie could tell exactly what he wanted and was determined to stop him. With a guttural cry, she leapt towards him, brandishing her blades. One of them sunk partially into his torso just before the pair went down in a tangle of limbs from her leap. She lost her grip on the knife and his superior size and strength quickly gave him the upper hand in the ensuing grapple. He pinned the knife wielding hand down and cocked back his large chrome arm for a punch.
He released it and the arm came down like a hammer. Ultimately though, he was a rookie with little actual combat experience. Sophies head moved to the side, avoiding the bone-crushing blow and slamming a knee into his groin. The blow loosened his grip on her arm, which she took full advantage of by ramming her knife into her opponents side.
At the same time, her empty hand found the handle of her previously lost knife. She twisted before violently wrenching both blades out, then plunged them into his chest. The repeated attacks caused him to involuntarily let go and Sophie took the opportunity to flip positions so that she was on top.
Plea..se. Mer..cy.. He tried to beg, blood bubbling out of his mouth as he stared into her angry eyes.
Maybe be a better person in your next life! Go to hell! She spat at him before driving her blades into his chest multiple times. Only when he stopped flailing did she pause before letting out a deep sigh. I still get too angry, huh. Fucking scavs
A nearby sound entered her ears and she turned, coming face to face with the girl shed just saved. She flinched slightly, likely at how much blood had splashed across Sophies face and menpo before taking a breath.
UmThank you. She said softly. Sophie stared at the girl, right in her big blue eyes.
Youre welcome, she replied stiffly. It was the first time shed ever been thanked personally and she wasnt sure how to feel about it. She stood up, sheathing her bloodied knives while looking around. Her eyes locked onto one of her fallen targets, a boy that shouldve been dead.
She stalked over to him, bent down and snapped his neck. The sound felt deafening in the silence, all of the previously noisy captives staring at her with a mixture of horror and appreciation. She ignored all of it, including the complicated look the blue-eyed girl was giving her and rang Padre. He picked up quickly.
Is it done? He asked softly.
It is. There were some complications, so it was messier than I would have liked but theyre all dead, as you asked. She paused, then added, they were keeping people here. They need help. Can you send someone?
Youve done Gods work today Sophie, even if it was messy. I will send some of my people to assist. I hope youll protect those youve rescued until help arrives.
Of course. Anything else you need from this place?
That will be all. Ill be in touch soon. There are always jobs that require someone with your talents. The call cut out and the world once more fell silent. She found the group of former-captives staring at her and she mentally groaned.
Alright everyone! Theres some help on the way, so just sit tight. Ill make sure nothing happens while we wait. For now, Id like everyone to head upstairs and find somewhere to hide. Ill wait down here until I confirm there are no issues. Dont come out until I call for you.
There was some grumbling but they did as she asked. Meanwhile, Sophie took up position at one of the windows, weapons ready. She didnt have to wait long before a clearly stolen bus arrived and a small group of mercs poured out. They looked legit, so she cautiously exited the building, standing between the door and the new arrivals.
One of her hands rested on the grip of a pistol as the leader came over, ready just in case there was an attack. He looked inside, then back at her bloodstained appearance.
Youre Sophie? He asked.
She gave a slight nod.
Youve done a good thing today. The less scavs in the city, the better. Padre sent us, so well take it from here. He didnt give her an opportunity to reply, not even to tell the former captives everything was safe, before walking inside, followed closely by his crew. Sophie stood there, frozen and unsure what to make of the strange interaction. It was only when she saw the blue-eyed girl looking at her as she entered the bus that she came back to her senses. She shook her head.
Today was weird.
47 - Acquiring a Cyberdeck
Sewers
October 23rd
2069
The following morning, Sophie woke up to a message from Vik telling her hed gotten his hands on some cyberdecks and that she could come in whenever she had time. She quickly got herself ready, wearing a casual outfit rather than her combat gear, although it did go into her inventory for later in the day.
She had multiple things she needed to do aside from the installation of the cyberdeck which meant she needed to get going early.
Sophie rode her bike through the eerily silent streets of Watson only half an hour later, the sound of its engine unnervingly loud in the absence of civilian chatter or the usual clamor of vendors. Burnt-out cars lined the curbs or blocked off entire streets, their twisted frames still smoldering in places. Bullet holes riddled walls and storefronts, and more than one shattered window revealed ransacked interiors.
She tightened her grip on the bikes handles, forcing herself to stop thinking about the conflict too deeply. At one intersection, she slowed down as her optics caught movement in the distance; a group of Tyger Claws racing toward a cluster of Maelstrom gangers, weapons drawn. Sophie didnt stick around to see how it ended. She revved her engine and turned down a side street, avoiding the firefight entirely.
The closer she got to Viks clinic, the more surreal the environment became, considering the conflict hadnt actually been going for long. Bodies lay abandoned in the middle of the road, their gang affiliations evident from their clothing. The streets felt like a graveyard, oppressive and deathly silent. Fortunately, there were far fewer civilian corpses around compared to when she showed up previously.
When she finally reached Mistys Esoterica, she parked her bike in the narrow alley beside the shop and stared at the entrance for a moment. The blue neon sign above the door cast an uneven glow on the desolate street. Sophie hesitated, her hand lingering on the doorframe. She hated this part; the way Misty always looked at her like she was some long-lost friend, eager and full of warmth that Sophie didnt quite know how to reciprocate.
But Misty deserved better than complete avoidance.
With a quiet sigh, Sophie pushed the door open. The soft chime of the bell overhead was immediately followed by Mistys voice.
Welcome to Mistys Esoterica, where Misty stopped mid-sentence when she saw Sophie, her bored expression transforming into one of delight. Sophie!? You actually came by!?
Before Sophie could react, Misty darted around the counter and wrapped her in a warm hug. Sophie froze for a beat, then awkwardly patted Mistys back.
Uh, hi, Misty, she mumbled, shifting her feet slightly.
Misty pulled back, her hands resting lightly on Sophies shoulders as she studied her. You look tired! Are you okay? Have you been eating properly? Sleeping?
Sophie offered a small, uncomfortable smile. Im fine. Just... busy.
Busy? Always busy. Thats still your excuse? Misty shook her head, an amused smile on her face. Ive got this new herbal blend thats supposed to help with stress. You definitely need it.
Sophie shifted on her feet, feeling cornered. Ill... keep that in mind, she said lamely.
Misty beamed, seemingly satisfied. Good. Dont forget, okay?
Yeah. Sure.
After a few more minutes of stilted small talk, she managed to excuse herself, mumbling something about needing to see Vik. Misty let her go with a cheerful wave, though Sophie didnt miss the way her gaze lingered, seemingly planning their next conversation already.Stolen novel; please report.
Sophie descended the stairs to Viks clinic and peeked into the room, confirming it was just him before stepping inside. Vik glanced up from his workstation and grinned.
Well, look who it is, he said, setting down a tool. Didnt expect you to come running just for a deck. Thats what youre here for, right?
Sophie approached the man, feeling more at ease dealing with Viks straightforward demeanor than Mistys energetic personality. Mmm, thats right. I need more options for my gigs.
In response he reached into a nearby drawer before retrieving a small black case. He placed it on the counter and opened it, revealing an array of compact, entry-level cyberdecks.
Do you have any recommendations? I dont actually know much about running. Sophie asked, unsure what the differences between them were.
Vik raised an eyebrow, before leaning over to inspect the options. After a moment, he plucked one out.
This one, he said, holding it up. Its a Militech Paraline MK.1. Good choice for a beginner. Reliable, no unnecessary bells and whistles. Militechs solid tech. The name was familiar and she realised it was the same cyberdeck V would start the game with in 2077.
Sophie nodded. Ill take it.
Vik smirked. Knew youd go for the practical option.
She hesitated before speaking again. Also... I, uh, need some patching up. Took a few hits yesterday.
Viks expression shifted to concern as he gestured toward the surgical chair. You dont even have to ask. Sit.
Sophie obeyed, easing into the chair as Vik grabbed his tools. Ill work on those injuries first, then install the cyberdeck, he said. A few minutes later he spoke again.Good thing youve got that new subdermal armor. Without it, youd be in way worse shape. Got hit by a couple of shotgun blasts? She nodded.
As Vik worked, they chatted. Sophie found herself surprisingly at ease, despite her usual discomfort with small talk. Viks voice was steady and reassuring, his hands deft as he cleaned and sealed her wounds.
What happened? he asked eventually.
First job with Padre, she said, wincing as a piece of pellet shed missed during the previous nights first-aid was scraped out.
Vik chuckled softly. With Padre? I didnt realise you were looking to work with him.
Its a recent development. The Mox dont have many gigs going at the moment and he was apparently interested. She paused, slightly hesitant. How are things going for you? With the gang war and everything.
He looked at her oddly before giving a small smile. Everythings fine round here. For Misty and I, at least. No gang affiliations, so as long as we keep our heads down, they wont bother us. Another pellet was scraped out and Vik didnt miss the wince.
He continued speaking, yknow, Im surprised Padre threw you into something so intense. Was it a hard gig?
Sophie shook her head. Nope. It went... fine. Mostly. Just a surprise attack.
Well, youre lucky. Like I said, that armor saved you. Next time, try not to get hit so much, yeah?
Working on it, she replied. They fell into a relaxed silence as Vik worked his magic. The cyberdeck was easy to install because in his words its fairly chip-like.
By the time Vik finished, Sophie felt quite happy. Her wounds were patched, the cyberdeck installed, and she even managed to hold a conversation without feeling completely out of place.
Vik leaned back, giving her a once-over. Youre good to go. Just... take care of yourself, alright?
Sophie nodded. Thanks, Vik. Really.
Anytime, kid.
She had a couple more destinations to visit for the day.
-----------------------
Her first stop was a massive store that seemed to sell everything. There was food, guns, clothes, hardware and furniture, among other items. However, Sophie was interested in a very specific device.
After spending nearly 20 minutes lost amongst the towering aisles, she finally found the section she was searching for. The 3D printers.
The Engineering skill was something shed bought specifically to renovate her sewer home but also so that she could make adjustments to her gear. In fact, she was hopeful that the skill would eventually enable her to modify or build her own custom weapons and armour.
Unfortunately, shed hit a wall regarding what she could make considering she only had scavenged scraps. Hence, she needed something that could make things in a far more precise manner.
Hmm, what kind of features do I want for my printer? I want to be able to print metal as well as plastic, so thats probably the biggest requirementIf its easy to use, that would be for the best. And I dont want it to be super small either. So a medium sized printer is what I need?
The medium sized printers all had dimensions around 50cm, compared to the smaller and larger models at 20cm or over a metre respectively. With that done it wasnt too difficult to pick out the specific model she wanted.
MoorE had a basic, dual material printer available. It was expensive, around 50k eddies, but Sophie had the cash and the printer would offer significant utility in the near future. She hoisted it up and slowly wobbled to the register, almost getting lost amongst the shelves again.
However, she made it out of the store in one piece and after finding a hidden space, shoved the entire box into her inventory. She quickly resolved to get herself a car soon, as she was finding some of her activities to be quite awkward with just her beloved bike.
On her ride back to the sewers, she stopped in at Rickys store with a bag of looted guns. The man himself wasnt there, seemingly busy, so she had to deal with a temp worker whos mouth wouldnt close as she piled up guns to sell.
Thankfully, she was able to leave the store quickly with her eddies filled up once again. She was, however, disappointed that Ricky hadnt been there in person. Shed wanted to buy herself a new set of armour considering the state of her current gear.
Hold on. Could I make repairs with my new printer? Ill have to test it out later. For the rest of the day though, I want to get started with my netrunning practice.
48 - Netrunning
Sewers
October 23rd
2069
Sophie sat on her mattress, leaning against the wall. Tentatively, she pressed the purchase button in the system interface before bracing herself for the flood of information she knew would appear. All my coins, gone so quickly, she thought, watching 25,000 L-Coins vanish.
Skill: Basic Netrunning has been purchased!
Basic Netrunning [1/100]
As the message appeared, an enormous amount of knowledge, matched only by what she acquired with Engineering, slammed into her mind. The pain of it was so intense she even got a level in Iron Will.
It took over half an hour for the intense sensation to disappear, finally allowing her to think straight. As she always did, Sophie began mentally examining what information she now had access to.
It was, like all of her skills at the initial level, filled with gaps and unanswered questions. However, she had a basic understanding of how to go about performing a basic hack. The rest of the information told her the best ways to program things or navigate systems once inside.
To begin with though, her focus was on how to actually get inside a device. And with her new cyberdeck, freshly installed, along with the purchase of the netrunning skill, she felt prepared to give it a go.
Remaining on her bed, she sat a previously scavenged laptop in front of her. Its surface was scratched and worn, the keyboard missing a few keys, but it could still turn on which was all she needed.
Taking a deep breath, she activated the scanning mode of her Kiroshi optics for the first time. The world around her shifted slightly as her vision became overlaid with faint grids and glowing markers, highlighting objects and surfaces in her environment. Along with the visual image was the realisation that it would change the way she fought forever.
The scanning mode allowed her to identify weak points in a wall, electrical devices or hidden objects. She could tell because the laptop in front of her was shining faintly, suggesting it was something of note. She rubbed her face a bit, bringing her mind back to the present.
Alright Sophie. Think about that stuff later, she muttered to herself. First step of hacking: scan for an access point.
She leaned in closer to the laptop, her optics working perfectly as they zoomed in. After what felt like an eternity, a faint, pulsing spot appeared in the corner of her vision, hovering over the laptops base. The basic information provided by her new skill told Sophie the access point was there. She allowed herself a small, triumphant smile.
Found you, she murmured.
Continuing to utilise her optics, she sent a connection from her cyberdeck and plugged it into the access point in cyberspace. The moment the connection was established, her optics flared, and a new interface appeared before her eyes; a virtual representation of the laptops internal network.Help support creative writers by finding and reading their stories on the original site.
The datastream stretched out in front of her, a digital landscape rendered in stark black and neon blue. A closer look revealed lines of pulsing code flowing through the small, isolated space. The data streams seemed to twist and turn as though alive, giving birth to strange shapes before they disintegrated once more.
Sophies breath stopped as she took it in. It was beautiful and slightly nostalgic, raising memories of the movie Tron from her first life.
Alright, focus, she told herself. Now I have to find a weakness. Basic Netrunning says it looks like a hole? I wonder if thats literal?
She moved cautiously through the datastream, her mind slowly adapting to the strange sensation of controlling her presence within the network. It was like moving through a river; slow and constantly fighting against a current. Her optics displayed streams of data as glowing lines of blue text, flowing past in all directions. She extended her focus outward, trying to sift through the noise.
It feltharder than it should have. Sophie wasnt sure why that was the feeling she got but it felt as though she was being held back or restricted in some way.
Minutes turned into an hour as she searched, her patience wearing thin. Every time she thought shed found something, it turned out to be a dead end. Just more code that she struggled to understand, more encrypted pathways that led nowhere. The frustration built steadily but she was stubborn, refusing to give up easily.
Finally, after what felt like days, she noticed something different. Among the glowing streams of data, there was a strange patch of darkness; a jagged void where no light or code existed. It was small, barely visible and it was moving along with the other data. Fucker! Seriously? It was running away from me the whole time!?
Despite her annoyance, she approached the void cautiously. However, the moment she got too close, an invisible force seemingly threw her backwards, ejecting her from the datastream entirely. Her optics went dark for a moment, and she found herself staring at the laptops exterior.
Damn it! she hissed, rubbing the back of neck and feeling a slight heat.
Basic Netrunning Proficiency +1
Basic Netrunning [2/100]
Sophie quickly got excited after scanning through the filled gaps from the level.
She took a few deep breaths, reestablished the connection, and dove back in. The datastream reappeared before her, just as vast and disorienting as before. This time, she adjusted her approach. It still took a while, around half the time compared to her first attempt, but she found the weird void again. This time however, she analysed it more carefully from a distance.
Observing it more intently, she was able to make out faint ripples of energy around its edges, like a digital barrier designed to repel intruders. Sophie frowned, searching through her skill knowledge for a way to bypass the barrier before picking an approach at random.
Her first few attempts were clumsy and unsuccessful. She tried brute-forcing her way in, only to be ejected again and again. Each failure left her more frustrated, but she refused to give up. In fact, the part she hated the most was finding the void.
She studied the barrier closely each time, noticing tiny fluctuations in its energy; small windows of vulnerability that appeared for mere milliseconds at a time.
Alright, she muttered. If I time it right
She waited, watching the fluctuations carefully. When the next window appeared, she made her move, slipping through the barrier just before it could close. For a brief, heart-stopping moment, she felt resistance, as if the system was about to push her out again. But then she was through.
Inside the void, the datastream changed. The black and neon blue aesthetic remained, but everything felt quieter, more controlled. In front of her, appearing like a gargantuan tree, was the laptops core systems.
Sophie exhaled in relief, a small grin spreading across her face. I did it! She cheered mentally at her success.
Once inside, navigating was far easier though still slow. She found directories and files, each represented as branches on the tree within the digital space. There was nothing of value but the fact she could access it was, in her opinion, cause for great joy.
She spent the next hour sifting through the data, her confidence growing as she became more familiar with the process. Data retrieval was an important skill for netrunners, so she saw no harm in practicing it. More importantly, it was proof that she could do this.
By the time Sophie disconnected from the laptop, a process far easier than getting in, her body was stiff from sitting for so long, but her mind buzzed with excitement. She leaned back against the wall of her hideout with a satisfied smile on her face.
Not bad for my first time, she said softly. Once I get better at breaching a device, maybe I should try doing it with a vending machine? Giving it a go shouldnt hurt at least. Oh! And I should definitely find somewhere that sells soft. Thatd get me started with quickhacks.
49 - A Mystery Caller
Heywood
October 30th
2069
The air was cool, even with the sun high in the sky, by the time Sophie ventured out into Heywood. She had a hood pulled over her face, trying to blend in as she passed the occasional Valentino loitering on street corners.
She found it much nicer than the current state of Watson and the edges of Westbrook, where Maelstrom had been attacking for the past few days. No firefights, no burning vehicles or shredded bodies on the sidewalks.. Just the muted hum of life moving at its own pace.
Shed been forced to leave her home after reaching the limit of what she could do with her netrunning practice. Fortunately, Night City had no lack of vending machines, so she was able to quickly find one tucked away in a shadowed alley. It looked like it hadnt been serviced in years, the colorful display flickering erratically and the smiling cartoon mascot on the screen struggling to maintain its cheerful expressions.
Sophie sat down opposite the machine and swiftly found an access point, slipping into its systems. The now-familiar grid overlay filled her vision and she mentally prepared herself.
Alright, she muttered, flexing her fingers. Time to see if I can crack you open.
She dove deeper into the system and the small cyberspace quickly changed into a digital battlefield. The vending machine''s network wasnt as simple as she had hoped. Unlike the abandoned laptop she had practiced on, this system had significant layers of encryption, firewalls, and countermeasures. The datastream too, was more aggressive than what she was used to.
The first attempt ended in disaster when she found herself entirely overwhelmed by the jump in difficulty. Shed miscalculated the speed of one of the machines defensive protocols and was booted almost immediately, the system sending an error message that seemed to mock her.
Seriously? she grumbled, letting out a sigh. She could feel a slight headache forming but she still had plenty of mental energy in the tank.
She broke back in and tried again, adjusting her approach. The process was painstakingly slow as she fought against the data that seemed to be viscous, like slime. She had to change pathways, disrupt small portions of the firewall by entering a tiny bit of code and locate the vending machines core operating system. She had to do all that whilst avoiding digital defences and alarms that would reset her progress.
An hour passed. Then two. Sweat trickled down the side of her face despite the cool air as she hunched over. She wasnt sure how much longer she could keep going as the heat of her cyberdeck increased and her mental energy depleted. But finally, after what felt like an eternity, she found her target: the machine''s core system. It shimmered faintly in cyberspace, a pulsing sphere of neon green and yellow light, protected by one final barrier.
Alright, almost there, she whispered, concentrating intently on her objective.
This system was different to the laptop shed been practicing on over the past week. There was no void, no hole to exploit as far as she could tell. Instead, she had to actually break through the barrier. If not for the progress shed made with Basic Netrunning, an additional two points, she would have been completely lost. And even with that progress, she was struggling to make sense of what to do.
However, she recognised that she had to give it a go. She carefully began unraveling the final layer of encryption, slipping in tiny bits of code that would slightly disrupt the defence systems. The sphere grew brighter while the barrier grew dimmer, signaling an imminent success.
Just a few more seconds and Ill have full control over the vending machine, she thought. She could already imagine the victory. Specifically, the free NiCola shed walk away with.
Then, without warning, a jarring sound shattered her focus.
Her optics flickered as a holo-call notification popped up in her vision, the unfamiliar glowing icon buzzing insistently. Startled, Sophies mind twitched, and she lost her grip on the system. The vending machines defenses snapped shut, slamming her out of the datastream with brutal efficiency. She almost cried as the connection broke before it turned to anger at the interruption.This tale has been unlawfully lifted without the author''s consent. Report any appearances on Amazon.
Are you kidding me?! she snapped, swiping at the notification to answer the call. Her annoyance was palpable as she barked, Who is this?
The person on the other end spoke and she was immediately struck by howenergetic they seemed to be. Hi there! Youre Sophie, right? I hope I got the right number! It was a clearly female voice, though it was impossible to tell whether they were actually female.
Sophie blinked before responding slowly, ...Who are you?
The woman laughed, completely ignoring the sharpness in her tone. Dont worry, Ill introduce myself when we meet! Thats the most important thing! Id like to meet you! Face to face. She paused, as if distracted. Hmm? Oh, you think I should mention you? Sophie frowned, noting that they werent speaking to her.
There was a slight crackle before they turned their attention back to her. Sorry about that! I was just so excited to speak to you! We would like to meet you, face to face.
Im sorry but how did you get my contact? I have no interest in speaking to someone that wont tell me who they are, especially if you want me to meet multiple people. Goodbye, and please dont contact me again. Before she could disconnect, the other person quickly became flustered.
Wait wait, dont go! I got your contact from Padre. He told us you were the person were looking for.
Sophie frowned, her confusion growing. Padre? Wait, what-why would he give you my number? Seriously, who are you?
Like I told you, wed prefer to keep our identities hidden until you meet us. Its all part of the surprise! they chirped and Sophie felt herself grow even more confused. But Ive got something really important to discuss, and I promise itll be worth your time. Lets just say Im a...client in need? Or maybe a friend of an acquaintance? Doesnt matter! What does matter is that you come to La Palma Street, you know, over in the nicer part of Heywood? Well be waiting!
Wait-
See you soon! the voice interrupted before Sophie could get another word in. The call disconnected with a soft chime, leaving her staring at the empty space where the interface had been.
For a moment, Sophie just sat there, dumbfounded. Then she groaned, leaning back against the alley wall and letting her head thud against the cool concrete. What the fuck was that?
Still fuming from being interrupted, made worse by the confusing interaction, she sent a quick message to Padre: Who the hell was that? Some hyperactive weirdo just called me and said you gave them my number. Whats going on?
The response came a few moments later, simple and yet maddeningly cryptic: A good opportunity. You should meet them. It will be beneficial.
Sophies eyes narrowed as she stared at the message. She wasnt sure what frustrated her more; the holo-call that interrupted her training, the fact that Padre had apparently sent this person her way, or the vague, unhelpful reply hed given her. She sighed, running a hand through her hair, then started grumbling.
No. Fuck no! Im not doing this! Even if Im curious. The whole thing fucking stinks!
With that, she returned to her netrunning practice, putting the baffling and enraging holo-call out of her mind.
-----------------------
Around an hour later, she got another call, interrupting her practice again.
What do you want? She snapped, annoyed at the constant intrusions.
Sophie. You havent met with the woman that called you? Padre asked gently.
Fuck no. She wouldnt give me a name or tell me what she wanted. Id be a fuckin gonk to meet someone like that, even if youre recommending them to me.
The call was quiet for a moment before the fixer replied. I understand youre concerned and if I was in your position, I would be too. These people arestrange. But make no mistake Sophie. They are dangerous. If you dont go to them, they will come to you. And you may lose your chance to build a positive relationship with them.
Really? Sounds like theyre the kind of people I want to stay as far away from as possible. You can tell I wont meet them, not if I dont know who they are. You sure as hell dont seem keen on telling me anything.
Forgive me, child. But these are not people I can ignore. They wish to introduce themselves in person. To surprise you, though Im unsure why. I believe its just part of their eccentricities.
Well, the way theyre acting is ringing all sorts of bells for me and the fact you seem scared of them certainly doesnt help. If they arent willing to give me names and the reason they want to meet me, Ill continue to refuse. Actually, I also want the meeting place changed. I want it somewhere neutral, preferably a place I can pick.
Sophie heard a deep sigh from the other end. Very well. Give me a moment. Ill see what I can do. The call cut out and she was left standing there. She shrugged. Eh, I doubt theyll agree to those terms. Shouldnt cause any issues.
A few minutes later, as she was reviewing her most recent attempt to break into the vending machine, she got another call.
What now?
The woman that called you. Her name is Ophelia. She, along with her husband, Benjamin, want to meet you for two reasons. First, they want to thank you for something you did recently. They requested I dont explain any further than that. Second, they want to extend an offer to you. Padre sounded exhausted as he spoke to her.
Uh huh. Thats great and all. What about my request to change the location?
They refused. Apparently they cant or wont move from their current location. Before you ask, they didnt explain why.
I dont like this, Padre. It reeks of a trap. Sophie replied sourly.
I know. If it makes it any better, I truly dont think they want to harm you. Theyre weird, yes and dangerous. But youre also not that important to them. They have far more to worry about than you. Go and meet with them. You may get something out of it.
She groaned in response. Fuck. Fine. Making it seem like I dont have a choice.
Truthfully, I dont think you do. If you dont go to them, they will come to you.
Yeah, yeah. Ill go. She paused. Thank you for the advice. But if it goes wrong, Ill be coming for you.
I would expect no less. Good luck, Sophie. With that, the call ended and Sophie leaned her head against the wall behind her.
This fucking sucks.
50 - Scouting
Heywood
October 30th
2069
The journey to La Palma Street felt longer than it really was. Sophie took her time, winding through the streets of Heywood at a slow pace. The series of holo-calls had left her thoroughly annoyed and unsettled. She didnt know these people and the way they were being cagey about their reasons for wanting to meet her just didnt sit right. She turned the conversations shed just had over in her head, trying to piece together some semblance of an explanation, but nothing added up.
The more affluent part of the district feltstrange. Sophie had spent most of her time in Night City sticking to the grimy streets, rarely venturing into the wealthier areas. The affluence of the area was apparent in the clean sidewalks and neatly maintained fa?ades. Trees lined the streets here and there, their leaves rustling gently in the breeze. Her head swiveled around, trying to make sense of how part of the city could look so different compared to a street only a hundred metres away.
Eventually, she got close to the address provided by Ophelia. Before she got any closer though, she wanted to do some scouting. If she had to meet them at a location of their choosing, she wasnt going to do it without doing some surveillance first.
Fortunately, the meeting location was nestled amongst a number of other buildings, which meant she had plenty of vantage points she could use for her observation. She climbed up the outside of a residential complex until she reached the roof. Making her way across to the other side, she looked over the edge.
As she looked over the area, she froze. A few floors below her stood a massive, multi-story villa, almost absurd in its grandeur. Sophie quickly realised she was a little too high up to properly observe anything aside from the roof, not to mention she was looking at what seemed to be the back of the building.
She looked around before spotting a set of buildings on the other side of the villa. Groaning, she clambered down the building she was currently on before looping around to the set of buildings shed spotted.
Once more, she climbed up and her new vantage point allowed her a much better view. Hmm. I feel a bit far away actually. Frowning, she zoomed her eyes in and while it helped, it wasnt quite enough. Digging through her inventory, she came away with the scope on her Nekomata. Yeah, thisll do.
Lying flat on the roof, Sophie began examining the villa.
The building was a sprawling piece of architecture, all sleek lines and cutting-edge design. Floor-to-ceiling glass windows dominated the front of the second floor, offering a tiny glimpse into an interior bathed in warm light.
The walls were made of a polished white stone that gleamed faintly in the sun, accented with strips of black that ran like veins along the structures edges. A wide balcony wrapped around the third floor, adorned with fancy looking furniture. Surrounding the villa was a high, reinforced fence, topped with barbed wire and its surface was smooth, unmarred by the graffiti that covered most buildings in the city.
Sophie frowned. It didnt make sense. Shed been expecting some kind of hotel or shady looking building. Not someones home. Her eyes zeroed in on the villas security.
From her elevated position, she saw a handful of robotic guards patrolling the perimeter, mechanical bodies clanking slightly with each step. It was the kind of security she expected a high-ranking corpo to possess but the location, in Heywood, felt odd.
Ensure your favorite authors get the support they deserve. Read this novel on Royal Road.
Oddly enough, she saw no sign of human guards. It felt like the kind of place that would have a contingent of human guards to accompany the robots but Sophie was confident in her ability to identify anyone that might have been hidden. Unless these people are way more important than I think they are. Surely people like that wouldnt give a fuck about me though.
Over the next couple of hours, she checked every accessible angle, noting the placement of cameras, the routes of the patrolling robots, and the apparent lack of any exterior vulnerabilities. She didnt forget to check out the surrounding buildings and streets, though there didnt seem to be anything aside from cameras. Whoever this was, they werent messing around when it came to security, even if they didnt seem to have human personnel guarding them.
The villas systems were tight, but nothing about them screamed ambush; at least not yet.
Realising she wouldnt get any more information out of her surveillance unless she wanted to spend days scoping the place out, she decided to begin her approach. Before she could leave her position though, she decided to try one final thing to get some additional info.
Sophie: Hey. Im nearby. You gonna meet me at the door?
She fired off the message to the number Padre had passed and didnt have to wait long for the reply.
Ophelia: We know youre already here! No need to be so scared! You can come through the front door!
Sophies face turned ugly at the reply. They know Im here? What the actual fuck.
Sophie: On second thoughts, I think Id prefer not to meet you. I accept your thanks for whatever it is I did and Ill have to decline whatever your offer is.
Ophelia: Oh come on honey. We dont want to hurt you. Since youre so paranoid, heres a gesture of good will. But please, dont make this any harder than it needs to be.
The moment Sophie received the message, she watched all of the robot guards halt, then droop. They turned off? Is that the gesture of good will? Shit, I feel like Im committed now. Dammit, I shouldnt have come here. I knew this was a bad idea.
Despite her frustration with the situation, she climbed down the building shed been observing from. On her walk towards the front gate, she noted the robotic guards didnt react to her presence at all. They were actually off.
A fancy buzzer panel was embedded in the wall beside the entrance. She pressed it and after a brief moment, the same voice from the original call, belonging to the woman named Ophelia, spoke through a hidden speaker.
Hey, Im glad you finally showed up! Really took your sweet time, huh? No matter! Come on in!
With a soft click, the gate unlocked and slid open. Sophie stared at it warily. It felt too easy. She hesitated for a moment, glancing around the street one last time before stepping through the gate. The path leading up to the villa was immaculate, flanked by meticulously trimmed hedges and softly glowing pathway lights. But she couldnt shake the feeling it wasfake. Artificial.
Sophies hand drifted to the grip of her pistol, her fingers curling around it and drawing it as she stepped closer to the main entrance. The large double doors were made of frosted glass, accented with subtle neon strips that pulsed faintly. They slid open automatically as she approached, revealing a short hallway that led into an expansive living space.
The voice chimed again from hidden speakers. Come on in! Dont be shy!
Sophie clenched her jaw but stepped forward, keeping all her senses on high alert. The interior of the villa was even more extravagant than shed expected. The living space was a wide-open layout, its floors made of polished black marble that reflected the warm yellow glow of recessed lighting overhead.
The walls were lined with art pieces, abstract and colorful, each carefully lit to draw the eye. She suspected someone more involved in such interests would appreciate them but she had no art knowledge to call upon.
A massive sectional couch dominated the center of the room, its soft white cushions looking soft enough to sink into. To one side, a sleek, modern kitchen sparkled as though it had never been used, while the other side housed a fully stocked bar with glowing shelves.
It was the kind of place Sophie could only imagine seeing in movies or on the holo. The sheer wealth on display made her skin crawl, a reminder of just how far removed she was from this kind of life. Her grip on her pistol tightened as she scanned the room, her optics picking up a number of deactivated security turrets but no human threats.
Relax, she thought to herself. Play it cool. They really dont seem to want to hurt me. If they did, those turrets would have shredded me already.
She maintained her focus, pistol ready in case of an ambush even as she stepped further into the living space. The doors slid shut behind her with a faint hiss, sealing her way out. Sophie took a deep breath, steadying herself before walking forwards, shoes softly falling against the marble floor.
51 - An Odd Couple
Wellsprings
October 30th
2069
The further into the room she walked, the more Sophies instincts screamed at her. It wasnt to warn her about danger, she knew that much. It felt more like she was being warned that something was going to happen.
As her feet carried her over an invisible boundary, she caught a flicker of movement to her right, originating from a door that had previously been hidden by the kitchen. She turned slightly, clutching the grip of her pistol tighter.
Suddenly, she found herself restrained, arms pressed against her body as a second pair of unfamiliar arms wrapped themselves around her. In the same moment, a woman seemed to materialise in front of her, engulfing her in a crushing embrace.
Strong! Whys she so strong!? Actually, why the fuck is she touching me!? The woman, who Sophie suspected was the one that had called, squeezed her so tightly she was surprised none of her organs burst. Sophie started to panic at the unfamiliar touch.
The feeling of being crushed combined with the close contact made her begin struggling to escape. Despite her arms being pinned, she tried to raise her pistol enough to squeeze a shot off into the womans side. However, a subtle shift in the way she was being hugged put a halt to her movements. Sophie wasnt sure whether it was on purpose or if it was an accident but either way, it made things more difficult.
Feeling her oxygen depleting and the futility of using her gun, she dropped it before drawing her knives. This time there was no weird shift, allowing her to plunge her blades straight into the womans sides. At least, thats what should have happened.
For some reason, the blades just slipped straight off her assailant''s clothes. Beginning to get light-headed, she tried again, but each time she inflicted no damage. Even when the blades didnt slip off, they were blocked by some kind of hard surface that covered the womans body beneath her clothes.
The realisation that she may very well be dealing with a full-body conversion borg intensified her desperate struggle to get out of the hold. Even worse was that the woman didnt seem to notice what was happening. Or she didnt care.
She kicked and writhed but the arms remained firmly around her body. Finally, she gave up her struggle. She started tapping rapidly on the womans back, begging to be released. ...TightCantbreathe
The words appeared to startle the woman, who quickly let go while leaving an afterimage behind. Oh dear! Im so sorry about that! Sometimes I forget my own strength. She used her immense speed again to cup the sides of Sophies gasping face.
She tried to pull away but the woman held firm, nearly ripping her head off as she fought back. Her face was lifted up and inspected, receiving a slight nod. Hmm, you look a bit different from how my little Lily describedNo matter! Come in, come in. Take a seat!
She didnt get a chance to think as, once again, the woman seemed to blur, vanishing from her spot before appearing on the massive white lounge. She sat down, then gestured to the seat across from her while giving her a blinding smile.
Sophie didnt move over immediately though. She didnt buy the forgetting her own strength excuse. No. To her, that whole display was an intimidation tactic. The worst thing was that it worked. The strength and speed the woman had displayed was leagues above her own, not to mention the possibility she was a borg.
So she settled for what she could control, picking up her gun and holding it close in case she was ambushed again. At the same time, her mind was racing to figure out what exactly was going on. Who the fuck is Lily!? Is this Ophelia? Please tell me its not. I dont want to speak with this crazy bitch!
Unfortunately, she was already deep in unknown territory and backing out didnt seem like a viable idea. Fucking cyberpsycho bitch She muttered. She grit her teeth and warily shuffled over, making sure to keep an eye on the woman at all times.
You might be reading a stolen copy. Visit Royal Road for the authentic version.
She received a strange, almost innocent look in return as she made her way to the offered seat and it made her stop dead in her tracks. Shed been on the back foot from the moment the first call came through and she was sick of it. Despite believing she couldnt leave the villa until she spoke with the woman, she could be defiant.
She moved over to the kitchen area while keeping her eyes trained on the woman, where a set of stools were arrayed around an island benchtop. She grabbed one of them and as she did, she glanced around for any routes that would allow her to escape quickly, as well as other security measures she may have missed. There were a few doors, some leading outside and some leading to other rooms, as well as some additional disabled security turrets. Would I be able to make it out before dying? Im not sure.
A mixture of fear, anger and defiance roiled around in her stomach as she stalked over to the back of the seat she was previously offered. She slammed the stool shed acquired down and while she sat, her pistol remained at the ready. The new position would allow her to keep an eye on more of the room, plus the lounge was now in between herself and the psycho bitch.
Her behaviour got a questioning look but it was shrugged off as the woman turned and yelled towards a hidden staircase on the far side of the room.
Dear! Our guest is here! I swear, dont you make me come up there! Once she finished, she turned her attention back to Sophie, speaking in a more normal tone. Hello! Youre Sophie, right! Its lovely to meet you! She said, still beaming at her.
Sophie looked at her cautiously for a moment before replying, thats rightAnd youre the woman that called me, I think. I assume youre Ophelia?
Oh goodness! Where are my manners? Thats right. Im Ophelia Lancaster. And my husband is-
And Im Benjamin! A man appeared out of nowhere, similarly to his wife and Sophie nearly tumbled out of her chair in shock.
Benjamin Lancaster! Control yourself! You know some people arent used to KerensOh. Oh dear. The woman, Ophelia, turned an apologetic gaze towards her. Im very sorry for earlier. It seems I forgot to slow down when I greeted you. Her voice dropped until Sophie could barely hear her words. That must have been why she was so cautious.
What the fuck is wrong with these people!? Theyre crazy! Is it too late to get out? She started to say something but Benjamin interrupted her as he responded to his wifes chastisement. She sat there, mouth open like a fish before slamming it shut.
If they werent giving her an opportunity to speak, shed take the time to properly observe them considering they were no longer moving around at speeds too fast for her to follow.
Sophie first focused on Ophelia. Although shed never met one, Ophelia was clearly part of a corporation. Every part of her appearance, from her hair to her clothes, said as much though there was nothing that pointed towards which corp she worked for.
Yet it was that feeling that brought such great confusion to Sophie. The woman had dull pink hair, already an odd choice, cut in a sharp, asymmetrical bob that framed her face clearly. Contrasting her hair was a pair of sparkly blue eyes.
Sophie could tell that the appearance was due to cyberware. They were unnaturally bright, enhanced further by the faint glow of cosmetic chrome embedded at the corners of her eyes, along her cheekbones and on her temples.
Her lips were painted with a soft mauve colour and even as she chastised Benjamin, Sophie could see howfriendly her face was. What confused her was how sincere the friendliness seemed, especially after nearly being crushed to death. She expected dishonesty or false facades from corpos, not true kindness. She moved past the oddities, continuing to examine the overly friendly ye violent woman.
Following the subtle lines of her jawline were small lines of shiny pink chrome that flowed down her face and over neck before disappearing beneath her clothes.
Her outfit itself was odd too. Sophie wasnt sure whether her idea of a corpo woman was distinctly wrong or whether Ophelia was an oddity. She wore a navy blue blouse that slightly hugged her figure without being overly sexual. Tight-fitting black and grey jeans paired with boots of matching navy and black tones completed the look. It gave off a conflicting feel considering it looked both expensive and cheap at the same time.
The boots werent tall, just enough to provide a boost to her stature. As she moved, There were no visible signs of cyberware beyond her face but Sophie knew that was completely false. The woman had a Kerenzikov, at the very least and likely some kind of strength boost considering how crushing her hug was. Despite how different Ophelia looked though, from Sophies vision of a proper corpo, the woman carried herself with grace.
Sophies attention shifted to Benjamin, a man who seemed just as, if not more odd than his wife. He had wild silver hair that framed a face almost disarming in its childlike softness. She realised then, that it was an almost motherly feel she got from Ophelia, rather than general friendliness.
But once again, it just made the pair seem even weirder because Benjamin''s face, despite the childishness, was clearly that of an adult man. A neatly trimmed silver beard and moustache framed his mouth that was currently set in a sheepish grin as his wifepulled on his cheeks? She ignored the strangeness once again, eyes scanning his other facial features.
His pale blue eyes, bright and curious like a childs, sparkled with an almost infectious cheer, as if they saw the world in a different manner than everyone else. The intricate silver filigree chrome near his eyes shimmered faintly, stretching across his face like tree roots and down his neck, just like his wife.
Compared to Ophelias clothes, Benjamins attire seemed like that of a retiree who preferred to spend their time on a golf course. He wore a casual cotton shirt, its light fabric untucked and slightly wrinkled, the soft grey tones pairing well with the silver of his hair and beard. His jeans, a near match to Ophelias, were similarly tight-fitting but bore the faintest scuffs, as though he didnt really care about looking presentable.
The black combat boots he wore were an unexpected choice, their sturdy, utilitarian design clashing with the rest of his outfit. For some reason though, the boots allowed her to imagine him in full combat gear. Admittedly, she wouldnt have found it particularly surprising if he was ex-military, considering the Kerenzikov. She realised the thought also applied to Ophelia, though the woman hid it better.
Sophie was snapped out of her observations when the couple began making out passionately, apparently forgetting she was there after finishing their argument. Her face darkened.
Oi. Lovebirds. Im starting to get real fuckin pissed off. Will one of you please tell me what the fuck is going on? Sophie practically snarled the words and the couple froze.
52 - Negotiations
Wellsprings
October 30th
2069
Sorry about that deary, said Ophelia.
Right Despite not believing a word coming from the bitch after what just happened, Sophie soldiered on. So, can you tell me why Im here? Otherwise I think Ill be taking my leave. Youve wasted enough of my time already.
Ah! Ophy, you havent told her why we invited her here? Benjamin turned to his wife, questioning her.
Well Benji, if you hadnt made such a fool out of yourself I would have explained everything already. The woman snapped. She turned back to Sophie. We called you here today mostly to thank you.
To thank me? Im sorry but Ive never met you, let alone done something deserving of thanks. In fact, I really wish Id never met you.
Ah! Dont say that! Just a week ago, you rescued our precious daughter! Ophelia replied.
Your daughter? Sophie questioned, casting her mind back. The only gig Ive done recently was the one for PadreHmm, Ophelia mentioned Lily earlier. Is that their daughter? I dont know who that is though
She looked at the pair, who seemed to have sparkles in their eyes as they looked at her. EyesEyes? Oh! The blue eyed girl! Wait, arent their eyes implants!? Do they have real eyes making sparkles!?
Is your daughter that girl with big blue eyes? She voiced her suspicions, though she was already 99% certain. The way the couple seemed to light up confirmed her guess, even before Benjamin started speaking.
Thats right! If it werent for you, our poor baby might have gotten hurt! If only she didnt decide to go for a walk without protection
Yeah, about that. How the fuck did your daughter get kidnapped? Shouldnt she have had guards or something?
Mmm, well weve recently returned to Night City. Lily came ahead of us and said shed stay at home until we arrived, so she didnt need any protection aside from the robots around the villa. Of course, we wouldve given her a hidden protector anyway, but our people, without exception, were required to attend some kind of course run by one of our coworkers.
Huh, that sounds mighty convenient. Their faces darkened at the comment.
Indeed. When Lily called us after her Neurolink connection was reestablished, post-rescue, we realised our coworker had been scheming behind our backs. He wanted to blackmail us. Hmph, that man should be grateful he died so quickly. I still think three days was too short, Benji. Ophelia practically spat the words, clearly still angry about what happened to her daughter.
Sophie felt herself sweat at the comment, though her confusion at the situation quickly returned. So, I understand why you wanted to thank me, I guess. But couldnt you have done all that over the holo? Or better yet, you couldve left a message with Padre.
No no no! We needed to meet you. How could we offer you a reward for your actions otherwise? Benjamin said.
Thats right, Sophie. If theres anything we can do for you, please tell us. Weapons, cyberware, vehicles. Whatever you need.
Sophie gave them a skeptical look. Uh, that sounds great and all but can you really do that? They blinked at her before chuckling.
Oh dear. Allow us to introduce ourselves once more. My name is Ophelia Lancaster, Militechs Director of Special Operations.
Benjamin Lancaster, Lead Researcher for Militech RnD.
The introductions caused Sophie to gape for a moment for sitting up straight, suddenly aware just how dangerous the two psychos in front of her actually were. However, the newly revealed titles certainly lent more credence to their words. These were two people that had an immense amount of influence and power at their fingertips.
So, does that reassure you? Ophelia teased. Sophie didnt trust herself to speak, so she nodded, falling into thought. There was a lot that she wanted, though she wasnt sure how much shed trust anything theyd give her.
Chrome would be nice. Theyd have access to some seriously advanced stuff. Weapons too. Ive been wanting a car though, so should I go that route? Ahhh! So many options but Im pretty sure I can only pick one
The room lapsed into silence for a few minutes, broken only by the soft chatter of the couple in front of her. Eventually, Sophie spoke.
Assistance. They looked at her, confused. I want the opportunity to call for help, no matter when, what or how. Completely unconditional. It wasnt a reward that would help her immediately but she had a big reason for picking it. Namely, the threat of Suko Takeshi.
A piece of chrome or a cool, high tech weapon would be great. But the man that wanted her dead had top tier chrome, powerful weapons plus more experience and more connections. Sophie also wasnt sure whether shed be capable of using a piece of high tech cyberware. She certainly wouldnt be able to use it immediately with her current fleshy body.
Support the author by searching for the original publication of this novel.
However, if she could call in a Militch Spec Ops team to kill the man, that would solve all her problems. It wouldnt give her any personal power but it would certainly remove the target from her back.
Judging by the smiles that graced their faces, the couple appreciated her answer.
What an interesting choice. We can certainly do that, said Ophelia, nodding at her. Now, we have something else to speak about. An offer, so to speak. Sophie gave her a confused look. Our daughter, Lily. As mentioned earlier, weve only just returned to Night City. She doesnt have any friends in the city.
Okay?
She spoke quite enthusiastically about you after the rescue and was very sad that she froze up when she had the chance to speak with you. So, we would like you to be her friend.
Absolutely not. Sophie responded sharply. I think were done here. She moved to stand up.
Hold on. Are you sure you want to refuse? They asked simultaneously and it felt like the temperature of the room plummeted. Sophie sat back down before replying.
No, I cant be your daughters friend.
Why not? Is she not good enough for you? Ophelias tone was sharp as she spoke.
No, thats not it. Im afraid shed probably be in danger if she spends any time with me. Plus, Im not particularly interested in making friends with people.
Why would she be in danger around you? Benjamin asked.
Ophelia jumped in before she could say anything, Ah! Is this about that buffoon you killed a few months ago? The one with the flashy sword? She pulled a small device from her blouse and started muttering. Aha! This one! Suko Rei, right? Hes already dead but hes the only high profile target youve taken out recently. So its his father, isnt it. Youre afraid of him.
Is this the reason you wanted to be able to call for help? Sophie nodded. I see. What if this man died? You wouldnt have to use your reward either. Would you be willing to befriend our baby girl?
My answer is still no. Having a relationship like that with me is too dangerous. Ophelias eyes narrowed.
Let us change the deal then. You will be our daughters personal bodyguard, for when she roams Night City. Of course, one of our people will follow you, to ensure neither you nor anyone else brings harm to our precious daughter. That should also alleviate your concerns regarding Lilys safety. The woman took a moment, then continued.
However, your reluctance to befriend our daughter displeases me. We will no longer kill this man for you, unless you choose to use your reward for it. Instead, we will provide you information on his movements. It appears you wish to face this challenge alone, if possible. Despite it being a foolish endeavour, I commend your spirit. I should add that youll be paid for your work. Now, do you agree?
Sophie took a moment to think. Why didnt I take the first offer? Stupid Sophie. I could have had Takeshi killed and gotten a cool piece of chrome. But I guess this offer isnt bad either. Theyll probably pay well, plus I get info on Takeshis movements. And I can still have him killed if I need to. If I take this offer, itll be regular, well-paying work and I dont have to worry about getting too close to herId be stupid not to take this offer, huh.
Despite her thoughts, she wasnt entirely happy with the proposal.
She took a deep breath, then replied, Im interested, but I want to clarify some things first. The couple nodded and she continued. First of all, what am I allowed to do to keep your daughter safe? If youre going to restrict me until I can barely do anything to help her, I might as well not be her bodyguard.
Benjamin leaned back into the lounge while Ophelias face turned thoughtful. Hmm, you can do whatever you need, as long as you dont hurt her or restrict her freedom too much. At the end of the day, youre responsible for keeping her safe, no matter the circumstances.
RightI guess that brings me to my second question. How much freedom should she have? Night City is a dangerous place and it sounds like Lily is new here, which means she probably wont know much.
She should have as much freedom as possible. We all know that Night City is dangerous and theres only so much one person can do to minimise that risk. Unless shes actively approaching gang members or something, theres no need to restrict her too much. There was a strange tone in the womans voice, as though restricting Lily was a bad idea.
What about where she can go? Places like Watson at the moment, or Pacifica. I dont think she should be going anywhere near those districts.
Well, theres a reason youre a bodyguard. If she wants to go to those places, let her. If theres trouble then itll be on you to make sure shes safe. The statement was utterly unfair and yet it fit with the personality Ophelia seemed to have.
Uh huh. Can I override her decisions if I think theyre unnecessarily dangerous?
No. Give her as much freedom as possible. Unless shes trying to put herself directly in harms way, theres always going to be risk no matter what.
But I could minimise the risk if you let me veto any of her poor decisions.
If you cant deal with a little bit more risk, theres no point in hiring you as her bodyguard. Your skills are sufficient to deal with most of the filth crawling through the streets. In the event that something or someone appears that youre outmatched by, a hidden guard will deal with them. There was a warning in her voice and Sophie realised it would be futile to press further. She fell into thought.
This sounds like a massive pain in the ass. Protecting a client that Im restricted from protecting properly? Really? Maybe shell be reasonable though. If she makes a poor choice I could try and convince her otherwise. On the other hand, the payment is likely to be high and I need the money. I might even get access to higher-end chrome and gear later onFuck. I dont know what to do.
Alright. My final question. Payment. What am I getting? Ophelia gave her a warm smile that sent a cold shiver down her spine.
For a normal day youll get 50,000 Eurodollars. If its a more high profile or important day, youll get more. If you get hurt protecting her, were willing to provide you with better cyberware and well pay for any other injuries. And dont worry, your services wont be required often. A few times a month maybe.
The offer was good. Very good. And it wasnt much different from her normal work, just higher risk for higher reward. The typical mercenary behaviour.
You have a deal. Ill protect your daughter.
Ophelia clapped her hands together, beaming. Fantastic! Now, to save me some time, whos the man youre so afraid of?
His name is Suko Takeshi. He pretty much controls the Tyger Claws in Japantown.
Hmm, sounds scary. Her voice was flat while Benjamin watched the proceedings with a carefree smile on his face. Now, you should arrive here tomorrow morning. Lily mentioned earlier today that she wanted to go shopping. You will accompany her. Go, make any arrangements you must. The dismissal was clear, if a bit sudden, and Sophie stood. She looked at the pair of walking oddities before making her way out of the villa, still trying to process what had just happened.
-----------------------
Ophelia watched the mercenary girl walk out as Benji spoke up beside her.
Well? What do you think, Ophy?
Jax! Report! She ignored her husbands smug smile as she spoke. Abruptly, a man materialised into existence beside her, handing over a tablet.
Maam? May we return to our regular duties?
Yes yes. All of you, go. Make sure Lily is well protected.
A chorus of Yes! sounded as a small group of individuals materialised around the room, saluting briefly before vanishing once more. Ophelia read over the information her agents had gathered about the girl, Sophie.
Hmm, she was telling the truth. About everything. She watched grainy security footage of the young girl theyd just met having her arm amputated before tearing her attackers throat out. She was disappointed the other footage didnt show much. I like her. Jax does too. Says shes quite impressive.
Benji leaned over her shoulder, watching the same video. Mmm. Yknow, she reminded me a bit of Rosa. Both so ruthless yet Sophie doesnt seem to care about climbing the corporate ladder, unlike Rosa did.
Mmm. Shes got skills. Nothing special, but shes young. I dont mind making some investments early on. Id love to see how far she can go.
Oh? Do you want to back her?
No. I think shell grow far better away from corporate lies. And shell be a good influence on Lily, I think. Truly, we coddled her too much. Meeting someone thats clawed their way up from the bottom of the barrel will be a wakeup call. Ophelia paused. Well, hopefully.
53 - First Day
Wellsprings
October 31st
2069
The morning sun hung low in the sky, casting a soft amber glow over the streets of Wellsprings as Sophie made her way to the villa. Shed spent the previous night thinking about the interactions with Ophelia and Benjamin. Her conclusion was that they were weird. Their moods, specifically Ophelia, switched at the drop of a hat and she couldnt get a good read on their personalities.
That conclusion had forced her to think about the brief interaction she had with their daughter, Lily. The girl had seemed kind, or perhaps friendly but otherwise fairly quiet. Sophie certainly hoped her impression was correct. She wasnt sure if she could handle someone with the same energy as Ophelia. At the very least though, she was praying that the girl would be a decent person. If she had to babysit a brat, shed want to tear her hair out.
She cut off her thoughts, realising shed find out what the future would hold soon enough. Sophie suppressed a shiver as she approached the villa, the building towering over her ominously. She approached and, just like the previous day, the robotic guards patrolling the perimeter didnt spare her a glance. The same hidden speaker chirped to life as she approached, Ophelias voice coming through. Her heart sank, realising shed likely have to interact with the bizarre woman again.
Good morning, Sophie! The cheerful voice made her wince slightly. Come on in. Lilys waiting for you!
The doors slid open with a soft hiss, and Sophie stepped inside. She was greeted by the same luxurious living space she had seen before. The polished black marble floors gleamed under the morning light that filtered through the massive windows, and the room carried a faint scent of fresh flowers.
Before she could gather her thoughts, a blur of movement caught her eye. A girl practically bounced into the room, and Sophie instinctively tensed, her hand brushing the grip of her pistol before she recognized the girls eyes. Lily.
Lily came to a stop a few feet away, clasping her hands together as her face lit up. Sophie! Youre here! she said, her voice bubbling with excitement. Sophies stomach sank, realising her fears had come true. Still, she nodded politely before observing the girl she was meant to protect for the day.
She hadnt taken the time to really look at Lily when they first met, her focus back then solely on getting the girl and other captives out of harms way. But now, in the spacious villa, she took in the details.
Lily was modestly tall, looking around 16 or so and with a body most models would envy, alongside a youthful energy that made her seem approachable. Her fluffy blond hair cascaded past her shoulders in soft waves, catching the warm light of the villa and giving her a faint, halo-like glow. The hair alone made her appear almost like an angel.
Her most striking feature, however, was her eyes. They were big, ocean blue, and sparkling with a brightness that was hard to ignore. Around them, thin silver filigree lines of cyberware stretched from the corners of her eyes to her temples and down her cheeks, clearly inspired or perhaps chosen by her parents.
Similarly, she was dressed casually in a simple white tank top and pale blue shorts, her feet encased in a pair of white sneakers. It was, in Sophies opinion, a baffling choice, considering how much trouble it would attract in the city, along with the sheer impracticality of it. Where was she meant to hide a gun or a knife? How was she going to ensure she wasnt hurt with all the skin she was revealing? The merc couldnt understand it.
While her thoughts drifted, she realised with a start that the girl was still chattering away, despite not receiving any responses.
Seriously, its really nice to see you again! Lily said, her words coming in a rapid stream while she practically vibrated in place. Ive been waiting since, like, forever for you to show up. Oh, and I wanted to say, Im so sorry about how quiet I was when we first met! I didnt mean to be rude or anything, I swear. I was just... you know, there was a lot of blood, and it was kind of scary, and I didnt know what to say, and-
Sophie raised a hand, her expression flat. Its fine, she said, her voice firm. You dont need to apologize.
Lily stopped mid-sentence, her cheeks flushing a faint pink. Oh. Okay. But I still feel bad, she admitted, her hands fidgeting nervously.
Sophie exhaled softly, feeling the beginnings of a headache. The girl, though seemingly older than her, now appeared like a child that had done something wrong. Still, she forced herself to remain polite. The girl didnt deserve her irritation. You were in a bad situation, she said. In truth, I was surprised you even said thanks. Most people dont say a thing, not immediately at least.
Lilys eyes widened. Really? Oh, thank goodness. I was so worried you thought I was ungrateful or something. I mean, you totally saved my life, and I couldnt even say anything because I was just a bit intimidated by all the blood and-
Lily, Sophie interrupted. Its fine. Really.
Lilys mouth snapped shut, though the smile on her face never faltered. Got it, she said, giving a mock salute. No more apologies. Promise.
Sophie nodded, glad to have at least that much settled. But before she could relax, Lilys energy returned full force. She began chatting again, her words tumbling out so quickly that Sophie struggled to keep up. She talked about the villa, the weather, the latest fashion trends, even the robotic guards outside. Sophie could only respond with short, polite nods and the occasional mm-hmm, hoping Lily would eventually run out of steam.
It didnt take long for Sophie to realize that was wishful thinking. Lilys enthusiasm was endless, and Sophie found herself wondering if the girl ever took a breath. Her stoic mask stayed firmly in place, though she could feel her sanity slowly slipping away. The girl didnt even seem to care that she was the only one speaking.
Stolen novel; please report.
Finally, Sophie managed to steer the conversation back on track. She raised a hand slightly, cutting through Lilys chatter. Lily, she said, doing her best to keep the annoyance out of her voice. Whats the plan for today? Where are we going, and what are we doing?
Lily paused, her mouth open as if she was about to launch into another tangent. Then she seemed to catch herself, tilting her head with a thoughtful expression. Oh! Right, the plan! She paused dramatically.
I want to go shopping, Lily declared with a wide grin. And exploring! Night Citys supposed to be this incredible place, right? Ive barely seen any of it since I got here and the last time I went out by myself well Her voice trailed off briefly, and her expression faltered for just a moment before brightening again. But nows the perfect time!
Sophie raised an eyebrow, her arms still crossed. Shopping, she repeated flatly.
Lily nodded enthusiastically. Yep! And exploring. But shopping first. Youll come with me, right? I mean, of course, you will; youre my friend after all!
Sophie didnt correct her and instead sighed, glancing toward the window. Fine, Sophie relented. But were staying in the City Center. Corpo Plaza, maybe. Its probably the safest area in Night City, and were not taking any risks.
Lily beamed, clapping her hands together. Perfect! Lets go!
Sophie waved her hand. Stop right there. I just said were not taking any unnecessary risks. Go inside and change your clothes. Put on some pants and an actual shirt, unless you want people to make a pass at you?
Huh!? Whats wrong with my clothes? These are normal!
No, Lily, theyre not. Not for someone of your status at least. Youll draw unwanted attention like that. Were not going anywhere until you change into something different.
Clearly, unhappy, the blonde pouted before turning around and walking back into the villa. A few minutes later she reemerged, this time wearing long track pants and a hoodie.
What about this? Will this draw unwanted attention? She was still unhappy about being forced to change and Sophie couldnt help but wonder if shed overstepped. Regardless, the girl had changed and that was good enough for her.
Hmm, no. I dont think so.
Great! Lets go then!
Sure. Wheres the car? She got a funny look in response.
Why would we take a car? I want to walk. Sophie opened her mouth to protest but saw Lilys face quickly becoming grumpier. She sighed. I feel like I shouldnt have cared about the clothes. If shes only gonna let me get one win, I would have preferred to take a car. If Im gonna continue protecting her, I may need to get one myself so that she cant protest it as easily.
Fine. Well walk. But if I tell you something is too dangerous, youd better listen.
Okay! The blonde had reverted to her previously cheerful demeanor and clearly wasnt taking her seriously, much to Sophies chagrin. This is gonna be a long day.
The walk from Wellsprings to the heart of the City Center was fairly short and uneventful, though Sophie stayed hyper-aware of their surroundings. Her sharp eyes scanned every passerby, every alley, every shadow, her hand never straying far from her weapons. She had to, considering the way her charge was behaving.
Lily moved through the city like a tourist on her first visit, which Sophie suspected was the truth. Her head constantly turned as she gawked at the towering megabuildings, the people and anything else she could lay her eyes on.
When they finally reached Corpo Plaza, Lilys excitement seemed to reach new heights. The shining storefronts, polished sidewalks and general quietness all seemed to attract her attention. And despite looking strange, considering her current outfit, Lily seemed right at home amongst the corpos that wandered the streets.
Sophie, however, felt completely out of place. Her ragged combat gear made her stick out like a sore thumb, not to mention walking around with exposed weaponry. She was sure some of the people they passed also had some iron on them, but it was all hidden and there was nothing to the level of a katana. Corpo types and well-dressed shoppers gave her wary glances, some stepping aside to give her a wide berth.
Lily didnt seem to notice though. She darted from store to store, dragging Sophie along as she picked out everything from stylish dresses to neon-hued jackets. Sophie kept her responses limited to curt nods and the occasional looks fine, doing her best to fade into the background.
After what felt like hours, they finally exited a weird, vintage boutique with Lily clutching several bags. They found a store with available storage lockers nearby and the angelic girl deposited her new belongings. Afterwards, she twirled in place, her grin as blinding as ever. Okay, so Ive got clothes covered. But now I want to go somewhere different.
Sophie narrowed her eyes slightly, not liking the sound of it. There was an ominous feeling, deep and unsettling, that accompanied the statement. Different how?
Lily hesitated for a moment, biting her lip. Lizzies Bar, she said finally.. Its supposed to be the place to visit in Night City. You know, a real hotspot. Thats what all my friends in DC said.
Sophie ignored the reveal of her previous home as her frown deepened. She had more important things to worry about. Specifically, preventing a fool from getting herself killed, or worse. Watsons a war zone right now, she said firmly. The Tygers and Maelstrom are tearing each other apart. Lizzies is smack in the middle of it. Its not safe.
Lilys shoulders drooped, but only for a moment. Then she straightened, her expression determined. Ill be fine. Youre with me, arent you? And I really want to go. Please?
Sophie shook her head. Its not a good idea.
Lilys lips twisted into a pout. If you wont take me, Ill go by myself.
She stared at Lily, searching her expression for any hint of bluffing. But the girls determination was clear, her ocean-blue eyes locked on Sophie with clear, innocent resolve.
You dont know what youre asking, Sophie hissed. If you get caught by Maelstrom theyll tear you apart slowly until youre just a pile of meat to be used in one of their sick rituals. And the Tygers will either turn you into some kind of freakshow or sell you to someone thatll do worse. These are seriously violent people, Lily.
Surely it cant be that bad, she said, crossing her arms. Sophie growled before pulling up a photo of the chaos and sending it to the girl. She made sure to pick a photo that showed some of the fighting and the aftermath.
Here! Look at that! Do you understand!? This isnt a fucking joke! Watson is dangerous!
Lily didnt budge. Ill be fine. I promise.
Fucking fool of a girl! And Im no better! Why did I agree to this job!? If I dont go with her and something happens, her parents will kill me!
Sophie sighed, pinching the bridge of her nose. Fine, she muttered. But were not taking any chances. Call a Delamain.
Whats that?
...A special taxi. Im sure you can afford it.
Lily immediately shook her head, pouting at her. No way! I want to take the bus.
No! Lily-
Bus, Lily repeated firmly, already heading toward the nearest stop. Her behaviour left Sophie with no choice but to follow, unless she wanted the girl to die a horrible death.
The bus ride was tense, for Sophie at least. Lily sat beside her, practically glued to the window as she marveled at the passing scenery. She pointed out buildings, billboards, and people with the enthusiasm of a child on a field trip, completely oblivious to the tension her bodyguard felt.
Sophie, on the other hand, kept her attention focused on the other passengers, her gaze flitting from one face to the next. Most of them looked harmless; an elderly man clutching a worn briefcase, a tired factory worker slumped in his seat and a couple chatting quietly in the corner. But she refused to let her guard down, not when she was protecting the innocent girl beside her.
As the bus moved from the relative safety of Heywood into the chaos of Watson, the atmosphere grew noticeably darker. The streets were marred by recent violence, with burned-out cars and crumbling buildings serving as grim reminders of the ongoing gang war. Even Lily seemed to pick up on the change, her chatter fading into silence as she stared out the window.
When the bus finally stopped, Sophie and Lily stepped off onto the cracked pavement. The air here was heavier, tinged with the acrid scent of smoke and the faint hum of distant gunfire.
Lizzies isnt far, right? Lily asked, her voice a little quieter now.
Sophie glanced around, her hand instinctively resting on the grip of her pistol. Thats right. Stay close, she said. At the same time, she flicked a message to Rita, asking whether the Mox stronghold was safe.
They began walking, the streets empty save for a few shadowy figures lingering in the distance. Sophies senses were on high alert, every sound and movement drawing her attention. Despite the quiet journey, Sophies instincts were screaming at her. Unfortunately, all she could do was hope their luck would hold. After all, she had no desire to be handicapped by Lilys presence if a fight occurred.
54 - Hunting Squad
Watson
October 31st
2069
A few minutes into their walk, Sophie received a reply from Rita.
Rita: Lizzies is safe, Soph. But why are you even here? I thought you were gonna stay away from Watson until the war died down?
Sophie grimaced before replying, explaining it wasnt by choice and that she was currently working protection for someone who refused to listen to her advice.
They exchanged a few more messages while Lily looked around at the burnt cars and bloodstains. She looked a bit queasy at the sight and Sophie could tell she was starting to regret her desire to explore Watson.
Maybe I can convince her to leave? Were not too far into the district and it wouldnt be an issue to get her out quickly. Unfortunately, as she opened her mouth to pose her question, she watched Lilys face settle into a mask of determination. She was still obviously nervous, but she was doing her best to look tough. She sighed, realising it would be an exercise in futility to convince her to leave.
Instead, she settled into a more prepared gait, on guard for any potential encounters.
They were a few streets away from Lizzies when they heard an odd noise. The pair of girls walked past a burnt and ransacked two story building, approaching a corner. The noise became clearer and Sophie realised with growing horror it was a group of voices.
Alarmed, she tried to grab Lilys arm, pulling her backwards but she was slightly too late. The angelic girl, oblivious to the possible danger, turned the corner. Her face was lit up with a cheery smile, clearly expecting an opportunity to speak with a group of locals despite the state of the streets around them.
He- Her greeting was interrupted immediately.
Oh? What have we got here? A little girly, out to play? You dont look like youre from here, huh. How bout you let us show you a good time?
Sophie heard the sleazy voice and accompanying words, tinged with a Japanese accent. She poked her head around the corner, confirming her fears.
A group of five Tygers, crouched around a pile of corpses, entered her vision. Some of the bodies clearly belonged to Maelstrom while the others all appeared to be civilians. Without hesitation, Sophie grabbed the back of Lilys shirt and yanked her backwards.
Run, Lily! The girl was frozen from the sudden chaos and Sophie could clearly hear the group of Claws approaching the corner. She shoved the corpo girl forwards, prompting her to finally begin moving. Thank god shes wearing proper shoes at least, she thought, her head beginning to swivel as she checked their surroundings.
With a grimace, she reached up to her chest rig, coming away with a frag grenade. She armed it, then dumped it at the corner. There were shouts, followed by an explosion but she was already running at that point. Shit! I thought today was gonna be fairly peaceful! Do I need to pull my rifle out? But if Ophelia has a guard around, Id expose my inventoryLast resort then.
Following behind Lily, Sophie felt a chill run down her spine. Trusting her instincts, which had never failed her, she swiped her chrome hand backwards. For a moment, she thought it was a mistake but the sudden screech of metal-on-metal proved it was the right decision. One of the Tygers had appeared behind her without warning, swinging a razor-sharp katana.
Her impromptu block had managed to deflect the incoming blade and knock the man off balance. Clearly, he wasnt happy about it.
Theres another bitch here! He shouted. Get them! The words felt like they came from a bad movie but Sophie had no time to think about it. She pumped her legs as quickly as possible, running after Lily. At the same time, she heard the distinct sound of multiple footsteps following close behind, some of which were gaining on the pair of girls. Fuck, that grenade didnt slow them down at all!
Sophies eyes flitted around, trying to find a path to escape or gain an advantage. Quickly, her gaze locked on the ransacked building theyd passed just moments before.
Lily! She yelled, the building! Into the building! It wasnt her preferred option but she hoped there would be another exit, deeper inside. It was a better choice compared to being on the open street at least. At the same time, she drew her pistols and shifted her body slightly so that she could shoot at her pursuers. There was a cry of pain, though a brief glance suggested none of her shots had been lethal.
Lily reached the building entrance, pausing for some reason. Sophie reached her quickly and shoved her further through the doorway. Go! Run as far and fast as you can! If theres another exit, take it. Get to Lizzies! The Mox will help you! She hissed quickly, turning her head just in time to see a large figure approaching rapidly. Another shove pushed the blonde girl inside and Sophie made to follow. G-
The air was knocked from her lungs as the massive figure, clearly identifiable as a Tyger, slammed into her. The last thing she saw of Lily was her blonde hair disappearing into the building before she turned back to her current situation.
She found herself being carried over her attackers shoulder as he continued his charge, building up momentum. She tried to shift herself around, to find a better position but a sudden, jerky movement put a stop to that. For a moment, she floated in the air before crashing right back down. Distantly, she heard shouting from the other Claws but her current predicament didnt allow her any leeway to pay attention.
Her back hit the ground and the impact, paired with the substantial weight of the Tyger attacking her, seemed to reverberate through her skeleton. The man above her didnt relent however, bringing a fist up and punching across her jaw.
The author''s content has been appropriated; report any instances of this story on Amazon.
She saw stars for a moment, only snapping out of it when the same fist pulled back for another blow. Struggling, Sophie managed to get her left arm up, holding the attack away. The stalemate didnt last long as his arm seemed to twist like a snake, wrapping around her arm and twisting hard. At the same time, his entire body shifted.
Within just a few seconds, he had her in a full armbar, wrenching on her left arm with his legs across her chest. For a moment, they stayed like that, the Tyger putting more and more pressure on her elbow. Sophie didnt miss the opportunity as he grew confused, clearly not expecting the range of her bodys flexibility. Her chrome arm slid down to her thigh, gripping the handle of her knife.
With a growl, she swung it up along her body bringing it into the side of the mans knee. He cried out in pain and the grip he had on her arm faltered. Sophie didnt let the chance go to waste, ripping the blade out before plunging it into the inner thigh of his other leg. Blood spurted out as the blade dug into the femoral artery.
He yowled in pain, loosening his grip on her body entirely. With a surge of strength, Sophie flipped herself over, onto her attacker who was desperately fumbling around his leg. She grabbed his hair, forcibly tilting his head upwards. She looked into his eyes, previously filled with arrogance, now filled with fear. Her bloodied blade punched straight through his throat and up into his head.
The light in his eyes dimmed as he went limp. Sophie clambered to her feet, immediately coming face to face with another Tyger who looked scared out of his mind. She looked around for a moment before realising it was only the two of them left. Fuck! Lily!
Her eyes turned cold as she dropped her knife, instead drawing both pistols. The man, still staring at her with undisguised fear, barely had time to react before he was turned into a sieve. He tumbled to the ground, bleeding out across the pavement. A bullet punched through his skull as she stalked past, towards the building entrance.
As she entered, her hands quickly reloaded both guns. The action proved to be a good choice as she almost immediately stumbled upon a Tyger, alone in a room and obviously searching for someone. Good. She must have found a hiding spot at least.
Her guns came up and she opened fire. The Tyger, clearly unprepared for the sudden attack, almost fell to the initial onslaught. However, he clearly possessed decent quality subdermal armour that prevented him from dying immediately.
Unfortunately, the attack had done enough damage to incapacitate him as he lay there in a puddle of blood. Before Sophie could execute him though, she heard a high-pitched female scream.
Shit! There was no hesitation in her movements as she sprinted towards the noise. Her boots pounded against the stairs as she raced to the second floor of the building. Another scream, this time much closer, sounded out and Sophie quickly burst into the room it originated from.
There, in the back corner, was Lily. She looked frazzled, her originally perfect blonde hair now poking out all over the place and tears in her eyes. In her hands, she held a jagged stick, waving it back and forth to keep her attacker at bay.
Sophies eyes locked onto the man. It was the guy with a sandevistan who had launched the first attack and he was obviously enjoying Lilys distress, toying with his food.
Without a word, Sophie opened fire once more. However, she clearly underestimated the mans skills. As soon as the first bullet hit him, he blurred. It was clearly his sandevistan at work, but even with that knowledge, it was difficult to deal with the sudden appearance of a katana slashing down at her.
Mind flashing back to the encounter she had months ago with Suko Rei, Sophie twisted her body awkwardly, permitted only by the flexibility she had trained into her body. The attacking blade sailed past her harmlessly and she responded by shooting again. Unfortunately, only a single shot fired, impacting the Tyger but doing no significant damage.
Instead, she received a lightning fast counter as the mans katana sliced through the side of her netrunner suit, biting deep. She winced before quickly putting some distance between them. Dropping her guns, Sophie drew her katana instead.
The man, standing across from her, smirked. Oh, look at you, his voice was dripping with mockery. You really think that little toy is going to help? As his words fell, he blurred again, reappearing in front of her with another downwards chop.
Her own katana came up to meet it, forming a cross shape. Just before the blades met, she ignited the thermal edge. She watched with smug satisfaction as the Tygers sword was sheared through by the super-heated weapon.
With a cry, the gobsmacked Tyger was pierced through the sternum. He staggered backwards before reengaging his sandy. Suddenly, his figure appeared on the other side of the room, collapsing to the floor. Sophie didnt let up, crossing the distance quickly before removing his head with a clean cut.
With the immediate threat neutralised, Sophie turned her attention to Lily. The girl was hunkered down in the corner of the room, face pale as she looked at the headless corpse and Sophies bloodstained appearance.
She briefly checked her own wounds and after ensuring there was nothing life threatening sheathed her katana and scooped up her guns. She holstered them before moving to Lilys side.
Lily? Are you okay? Youre not hurt, are you? Even as she asked the questions, she was checking the blonde over. She sighed in relief when she didnt find anything wrong.
MhmImIm fine. Just scared, thats all.
Alright. Thats good. We need to get out of he- Her words were interrupted by nearby gunfire and shouting. However, it died down as quickly as it started before they both heard a voice call out.
Sophie!? You here!? It was Ritas voice. Lily shot her a scared, questioning look.
Standing quietly, Sophie stepped over to the door to confirm whether it was actually the Mox bouncer or if it was some weird piece of tech replicating her voice. She moved to the doorway opposite the direction the sound came from and immediately spotted Rita just outside. The Mox woman saw her too and jumped back slightly before recognising her.
Aha! I knew it! Rita said. Youre a tough girl. Couple of Tygers wouldnt be enough to take you down.
Thanks? Sophie wasnt sure how else to respond to the comment. Rita either didnt notice or didnt care about her confusion.
Come on, lets delta! Grab your friend too! Maelstrom or Tygers will be here soon. Sophie agreed and quickly grabbed Lilys arm, not listening to her small squeaks of protest. They left the building and jumped into the back of a Mox van before speeding off.
Rita leaned across from the other side, hand gripping a bloodied knife. I think this is one of yours?
It is, thanks. The older woman nodded and a comfortable silence fell over the small group. Sophie looked beside her, to Lily. The girl was uncharacteristically quiet, at least from her limited experience. Her brow was furrowed, clearly thinking about something intently. It remained that way, even as the van pulled into the carpark of Lizzies.
The trio of girls all filed into the bar that now acted as a shelter for those affected by the gang war, alongside the small group of Mox combatants Rita had brought along. Sophie was quickly sat down as the bouncer called over a medic after noticing the young mercs injuries.
While having her side bandaged, the pair chatted quietly so that they didnt disturb the refugees. Lily sat beside her bodyguard, still quiet. Only once Rita left, having other work to attend to, did she open her mouth.
SophieUm, I wanted to sayI wanted to say sorry. You got hurt. Because of me. Well, because I didnt listen to you. Sophie blinked at her owlishly before sighing softly. She put a still-bloody hand on the girls shoulder.
Im not sure what things are like in the capital but until you get used to NC, maybe listen to someone who knows the place better. Yknow, me. Just be a bit more sensible, at least. The blonde cracked a smile at the comment before nodding vigorously.
Sophies interface lit up, a message from Rita saying there was a car waiting outside for Lily. A second message quickly arrived, this time from Ophelia and confirming the car was one of theirs. She stood slowly, careful not to stretch herself too much.
Looks like theres a car outside, for you. Lets get you home.
The pair walked out of the bar in silence, quickly reaching the car. Beside it was a man in full military armour. He opened the door and Lily quickly climbed in.
I was instructed to pass on a message, he said. Your performance today was admirable, if a bit sloppy. Still, you protected my daughter. Im glad her other guard didnt need to step in. You may return home now. We will be in contact, for my daughter''s sake and the sake of our deal. With his message finished, the man opened up the driver''s side door and stepped in. Quickly, the car shot off, hurtling away from Watson.
Sophies mind however, was stuck on one part of the message. I know Ophelia said thered be someone following us but there really was? I thought Id be able to spot them if they were there. She suppressed a shiver, realising once again how frightening Ophelia truly was. Then again, it doesnt really matter, does it? If Im too weak to detect someone, I sure as hell wont be able to fight them. God, I really need to get some better gear.
She sent a command to her bike, calling it to her location. Right now though, all I want is my bed. Today was fucking exhausting. I can worry about my training later.
55 - Skill Milestone
Vista del Rey
November 5th
2069
Sophie lay prone on a rooftop, her body pressed against the rough, wet concrete as she peered through the scope of her rifle. The night air in Heywood was thick with humidity from the rain that only ended a few hours prior.
Massive, neon signs flickered in the distance, reflecting off the glass and metal that made up Night Citys towering skyline. From her position, she had a perfect line of sight to her targets location, slightly over one hundred meters away. However, it was still slightly too early for them to appear.
A flick of her eye activated the digital file Padre had sent her. A red interface bloomed in her vision, displaying the profile of her prey:
Name: Victor "Vic" lvarez
Affiliation: Independent, formerly Valentino
Known Residence: Apartment complex on Rivera Avenue, third floor
Reason for Elimination: Repeated human trafficking offenses with no regard for who the victim is. Responsible for multiple disappearances in Heywood. Known for his sadistic tendencies; evidence suggests he personally tests new acquisitions before shipping them to black-market buyers.
Sophie exhaled slowly, trying to prevent the vicious grin that had begun to form beneath her menpo. She didnt need to read the rest of his crimes. That was more than enough justification to tell her he was beyond redemption. That he was the time of person Sophie found great, disturbing joy in killing.
She mentally swiped the file away, turning her attention to the Nekomata pressed against her shoulder. This gig was the first opportunity shed found that warranted the use of the sniper and she was excited.
Well, its probably a bit overkill actually. I dont really need to shoot a metal spike through some tough, chrome gorilla. Still, itll be fun to watch him pop.
She adjusted the bipod, ensuring stability before peering through the scope. She examined the targets apartment building, a squat, aging structure with flickering lights and peeling paint. Padres intel made it clear lvarez followed a predictable routine: he stepped out onto his balcony for a smoke break between 2:30 and 3:00 AM, a habit he hadnt deviated from since coming under scrutiny for his actions.
It was 2:19 AM now. All that was left to do was wait.
Sophies breathing gradually slowed, her body relaxing though her senses remained on high alert. She let her thoughts drift, listening to the citys distant sounds: the occasional siren wailing through the streets, the noise of passing vehicles and a distant gunshot from somewhere deeper in Heywood. Just another night in Night City.
At exactly 2:31 AM, the sliding glass door of apartment 306 opened.
Through the scope, Sophie watched as Victor lvarez stepped onto the narrow balcony, stretching with a lazy roll of his shoulders. He was a thick-set man, his body softened by years of excess, but there was nothing soft about his face. Even from this distance, she could see the cruel smirk playing at the edge of his lips as he pulled a cigarette from his pocket.
He leaned against the rusted railing, flicking his lighter open and bringing the flame to the tip of his cigarette. For a moment, the orange glow illuminated his face and the deep lines carved from years of sneering, cold eyes that had no remorse, no guilt.
Enjoying this book? Seek out the original to ensure the author gets credit.
Sophies finger curled around the trigger.
She exhaled.
The moment stretched, still and quiet. She squeezed the trigger and the railgun charged. A second passed.
The Nekomata fired, discharging with a muffled thrum. The sky seemed to crack as the electromagnetic force propelled the metal spike forward at ridiculous speeds. The shot covered the hundred-meter distance in an instant, a line of blue that ended as the spike punched through the targets torso, instantly tearing his body apart before he could realise what was happening.
lvarez crumpled forward, his body slumping over the railing. The cigarette slipped from his fingers, tumbling down to the alley below, its ember still burning as it spun through the air. Blood splattered against the balconys cracked concrete wall, dark and glistening under the glowing lights of the city.
Sophie didnt move immediately. She tracked the body through the scope, ensuring there was no movement, no sudden twitch that suggested he was still alive. When it was clear he wasnt getting up, she smiled and pulled back from the scope. At the same time, she heard two system notifications. Her heart skipped a beat when she realised what one of them might be but she suppressed her curiosity, aware it could wait until she was back home.
She moved efficiently, dumping the rifle straight into her inventory. A final glance at the balcony with her optics zoomed in confirmed what she already knew; lvarez was gone. Another predator wiped from the citys underbelly.
Without another thought, Sophie slipped away from the rooftop, disappearing into the shadows as if she had never been there at all. Her job was done and dealing with any aftermath was Padres responsibility.
-----------------------
Sophie returned home within an hour of the assassination, buzzing with excitement. She didnt bother changing out of her mission equipment, instead choosing to collapse into her chair.
Come on, please be what I hope it is She murmured.
Mission Complete
Assassinate Victor lvarez
Difficulty: Easy
Rewards: 500 L-Coins
She ignored the completed system mission, moving onto the second notification. Her eyes immediately lit up.
Basic Gun Combat Proficiency +1
Basic Gun Combat [50/100]
She felt the familiar feeling of knowledge flowing into her mind, filling the last few remaining gaps in her basic skills. Once it finished though, she received another message.
Skill - Basic Gun Combat has reached [50/100] proficiency.
Basic Gun Combat will no longer provide knowledge. Proficiency will now be gained by mastering the knowledge provided by the skill during the first 50 levels.
Note: Significant mastery of Basic Gun Combat detectedProviding proficiency points
Basic Gun Combat Proficiency +25
Basic Gun Combat [75/100]
As the last message finished generating, Sophie felt her body begin to change. It started at her feet, traveling up her legs, across her torso and over her arms before ending at her fingertips. It came in waves, each one moving her muscles into specific positions and imbedding instincts into them.
It wasnt painful, though it certainly felt strange. In the end, she had to sit there for nearly half an hour, spasming slightly as her body experienced what could only be described as a download of muscle memory.
Once it ended however, Sophie marveled at the changes shed gone through. She stood up, immediately noticing how her body moved. Her resting stance was far more reactive when reaching for a gun, whether it was the pistols at her hip or a rifle over her back. It was like years of experience and training of fundamental gun skills had been drilled into every part of her existence.
She drew one of her pistols, noting that the movement was slightly smoother than it had been previously. Intent on fully testing the changes in her body, Sophie performed a series of basic tests.
Her aim was steadier and more accurate and she could handle her weapons better. However, she noticed a significant difference in the mastery she had over some of her guns compared to others.
Pistols and rifles seemed to have received the most related muscle memory. All the other guns she tried, whether it was shotguns or SMGs, had only received a small amount of relevant muscle memory. At the very least, her skills with those weapons werent as good as those she had with the guns she typically used.
Well, that makes sense I guess. I use my rifle and pistols for the most part. And my service weapon back in the military was a rifle. Comparatively, I dont have as much experience with other types of guns, especially the variants found in Night City.
With her tests concluded, Sophie turned her attention to the system.
So, to continue leveling my gun combat skill, I have to master all the knowledge it provided?
Almost. You dont need to master all of it. Just most of it. Specifically, using a broader range of weaponry will assist in this endeavor.
I seeSo its really just a time thing now. Im not gonna be able to fully master all that knowledge any time soon. I just have to keep chipping away at it, huh.
It was annoying, but Sophie thought it was in line with how the system functioned in general. Everything it gave her had to be earned and it just assisted with the process, streamlining things to make them more perfect.
Considering Ill be able to improve Basic Gun Combat as long as I keep using guns, I probably need to find a different direction for my training. Her thoughts drifted back to her recent encounter with the Tyger claws, where that guy put her in an armbar and she found it impossible to fight back against his grappling skills.
Unarmed combat would be a good path to followAnd my blade skills are getting close to half proficiency. Same with FlexibilityI wonder if I can find a dojo or something? Would I seem weird if I asked Vik about his gym? I think soOh! Wasnt there a gym over in Santo Domingo? I think there was. I wonder if that place is around now?
56 - Hunting for a Gym
Rancho Coronado
November 6th
2069
Sophie hadnt spent much time in Santo Domingo. It wasnt a district that held much of her interest, nor did it have anything shed ever needed before. Now, though, she found herself walking through its streets, searching for a gym she vaguely remembered. It hadnt been a prominent location in the game, only being used for a mission or two, which meant her memories of its location werent particularly clear.
Paired with her unfamiliarity with the district itself and she found herself wandering the streets aimlessly. On the positive side, she got to see a side of Night City she hadnt really seen before.
She swept through Arroyo quickly, considering it was filled with corporate industrial complexes. Sophie didnt think thered be a gym in that area, nor did she feel the need to explore it too deeply. She had no intention of tangling with the corps, considering the weird situation she was already in with Ophelia.
Rancho Coronado on the other hand, was starkly different. It was a weird part of the city, where individual homes still stood, despite being rundown. The people, too, felt different. There were no corpos, nobody with fancy chrome. Everybody she saw had a rough, weary air about them, moving with the kind of purpose that came from simply trying to survive another day. It didnt help that smog clung to the air, stifling and oppressive.
As she wandered the streets of Rancho, she noticed the overwhelming presence of 6th Street. They were everywhere; groups of them loitered on street corners, leaned up against rusted-out cars, or strolled through the streets as if they owned the place. Most wore some mixture of military fatigues, from green jackets to camo pants and almost all of them sported visible cyberware. They laughed loudly, smoked, and occasionally exchanged quick words with passing civilians, their interactions ranging from friendly to outright aggressive.
Admittedly, Sophie found herself a bit disappointed in the military-themed gang. Theyd originally formed from disillusioned veterans hoping to protect their communities but looking at them now, she just saw another gang, no different from the rest.
Guess their glory days are long gone, she muttered under her breath, watching as a pair of them harassed a street vendor. The old man behind the stall was clearly annoyed but didnt argue as they took a few items without paying. Sophie didnt stop to watch further, though she wired the old man a handful of eddies. He looked around wildly but his benefactor had already left.
She passed through a quieter street, where the buildings were older, their walls stained with years of grime. A few bugs crawled the alleys, darting behind dumpsters and beneath broken-down cars. Somewhere in the distance, gunfire cracked the air, but no one reacted; it was just background noise in a place like this.
A short while later, she passed by a run-down residential block, the windows covered with rusted metal shutters and secured by mangled locks. As she walked by, she caught the sound of something happening inside one of the houses. But muffled yelling, chairs scraping against the floor and something heavy hitting a wall were common enough in Night City, let alone in Rancho Coronado.
Still, Sophies steps faltered. She turned her head slightly, listening.
Then she kept walking.
By midday, frustration had settled in. She had covered a lot of ground, but there was no sign of the gym she was searching for. Sophie wasnt sure whether the place simply wasnt around yet, considering she was almost a decade early. Or maybe she was remembering wrong. Either way, her patience was running thin.
She had taken a break near an old convenience store, drinking from a bottle of water she had grabbed earlier. She was just about to call it quits and leave when she heard the sound of shouting in the distance.
Find this and other great novels on the author''s preferred platform. Support original creators!
Curious, she followed the noise, slipping through side streets and cutting through an empty lot filled with debris. Eventually, she found herself in a relatively isolated section of the district, where a medium-sized building stood tucked between two taller, crumbling structures.
The building itself was visibly old, its concrete walls cracked with age and graffiti scrawled across one side. A row of broken windows near the roof let in what little light the overcast sky provided, casting long shadows over the entrance. The sound of grunts and heavy breathing echoed from within, along with other, heavy thuds.
It was only as she got closer that she noticed the rusted, partially broken sign above the doorway.
Mendozas Gym . At least, thats what she assumed it once said. Half the letters had long since fallen off, leaving only a few barely legible characters. The metal was bent, and what remained of the sign swayed slightly in the breeze. The entrance itself was a heavy steel door, dented in places, with a security camera bolted above it.
Even from outside, Sophie could smell a mixture of blood and sweat wafting out of the slightly ajar door. Sophie stood at the entrance for a moment, debating whether she should go in. Inside, the shouting continued; coaches barking instructions, the slap of gloves against heavy bags and the occasional grunt of someone taking a hit.
She glanced around once more. The gym was located in an area where foot traffic was low, probably the only reason it hadnt been overrun or turned into another gang-controlled hangout. A few bikes were parked nearby, their frames all looking pristine and suggesting that at least some of the fighters inside took their training seriously. For some reason, the sight of the bikes triggered a memory, though she couldnt quite put her finger on it.
Sophie shifted her weight slightly, exhaling before stepping forward, hoping theyd be willing to accept a stranger into their midst.
She hauled open the hefty steel door and moved aheadExcept she didnt. Instead, she ran straight into something that was both soft and hard. She rubbed her head, stepping back to look at whatever shed run into.
The first thing she saw, at eye level, was a pair of what appeared to be abs, continuing up what appeared to be a body. Her head craned back as far as it could and she saw a large pair of chest muscles. Jutting out above the chest muscles was a face, looking down at her in amusement.
Holy shit! Hes fucking huge!
With her own height of around 150 cm, due to somehow not going through a final growth spurt yet, she could tell the man in front of her was almost double her height. How do you even get that big!? She took a few steps further back, making it easier to take in the massive wall of muscle and chrome in front of her.
His shirtless white torso looked like it had been polished in the afternoon light, with small metal braces running along his arms. Arms almost as big as her torso flexed slightly, briefly demonstrating the ridiculous amount of power contained in the limbs.
Most of the mans body was covered by various scars, all clearly from vicious attacks, though he also had a number of tattoos, all seeming to be inspired by bears. The choice confused her, though she didnt let it show.
Her eyes scanned further upwards, ignoring the mans basic set of track pants. His face was rough, with evidence of previous cuts and damage especially around the nose and brows. Unfortunately, she couldnt see much else considering he had a heavy, white beard covering the bottom half of his face.
Hmm, are you gonna keep standing there like that? The mans voice broke her out of her thoughts. It was incredibly deep, as though hed inhaled the gas that forcibly makes it deeper.
Ah! Sorry about that she said. Its just, wellYoure uh, pretty big, yknow? She struggled to find the words to describe him without coming across as insulting.
Hmm, no problem. Why were you just standing around outside though? You dont want to come in? He asked.
Oh, I wasnt sure if I could. This place is pretty out of the way, didnt seem like you and your friends? Were keen on having random people join in.
Hmm, its not a problem. Are you interested in learning how to fight?
I guess? I already know how to fight but I want to improve my martial arts.
Hmm. Thats what we do here. Well see whether you really know what youre doing, but youre welcome to join us. We wont say no.
Really? Thatd be great, Sophie replied. Can we start now?
Hmm. Were nearly finished for the day. Why dont you come back tomorrow? Then we can discuss things?
Oh. Uh, yeah. Alright. Sounds good. Oh! Im Sophie by the way. She held out a hand. She thought about giving him a different name, like she did with Ricky but he didnt give her the same weird vibe the gun store owner did. The man looked at it, then reached out one of his own. Her entire hand and most of her forearm were engulfed by his palm as he shook it. Sophie seemed to feel her bones rattle for a moment.
Hmm. Im Ursa, leader of this pack. He gestured behind him, through the gyms door. Sophie peered past his massive frame, face twitching slightly as she realised the gym shed found was run by a pack of Animals.
Well, Ursa. It was nice meeting you. Ill be here tomorrow morning, if thats alright?
Hmm. Thats fine. Nice to meet you, Sophie. See you tomorrow. The man lumbered away before stopping next to one of the parked bikes. She watched in fascination as he squeezed himself onto the vehicle, which seemed ready to collapse at any moment, before slowly riding away. She shook her head, walking away and summoning her own bike. She had to decide whether she wanted to return the next day. Dealing with the Animals wasan interesting idea, and she wanted some time to think before she made the commitment.
57 - Koda (Part 1)
Rancho Coronado
November 7th
2069
Sophie returned to the gym early the next morning, just as she had agreed with Ursa. The air in Santo Domingo was thick with smog and the scent of food from street vendors setting up their stalls closeby. Despite the early hour, Mendozas Gym was already alive with activity.
She looked at the steel door and took a deep breath before stepping inside. The rhythmic sounds of fists and feet striking bags echoed throughout the space, accompanied by the occasional shout or loud instruction. The group of Animals, wild, muscle-bound gang members known for their brute strength, were hard at work.
Some were engaged in weight training, their bodies straining under impossible loads, while others focused on striking drills, their massive fists slamming into heavy bags with enough force to send them swinging wildly.
Ursa stood to the side of it all, arms crossed, observing his pack with a keen eye. From afar, Sophie truly noticed how out of place he looked. The thick, white facial hair made him seem like he belonged on a mountain rather than in a dingy gym. But despite his intimidating appearance, his expression was friendly. The small metal braces along his arms gleamed under the dim lighting as he turned his head slightly, catching sight of Sophie the moment she walked in.
Hmm. I wasnt sure youd show up today, he rumbled, his voice carrying easily over the noise of the gym.
Sophie shrugged as she approached. Told you Id be here, didnt I?
Ursa let out a short chuckle. Hmm, yes. A lot of people say that, then never come back after seeing how we train. He nodded toward her, eyes briefly scanning her frame. Hmm. You said you were here to fight. Are you interested in lifting too? Well make you strong, he spoke and his voice carried a certainty.
Images of herself as a walking ball of muscle appeared unbidden in her mind and she shuddered. Just fighting, Sophie answered without hesitation. I want to improve.
Ursa raised an eyebrow, clearly interested. Hmm. Very well. But why?
Sophie shifted slightly, crossing her arms. Im a merc. He hummed slightly, seeming skeptical. Got into a fight a little while back and got forced to grapple. Wasnt much I could do about it and I only walked away because I had a knife. Its a weakness and I dont like being at a disadvantage.
Ursa grunted, stroking his thick beard thoughtfully. Then, as if suddenly remembering something important, he jabbed a thick finger at her. Hmm, you should lift too. Get stronger. Proper womans got muscle.
Sophie gave him a dry look. Ill think about it.
Hmm. Good. He nodded approvingly, then turned away without another word, lumbering across the gym with an ease that seemed ridiculous for someone of his immense size. Sophie watched as he approached one of the other Animals, a younger woman who had just finished a round on the heavy bag. She looked up as Ursas shadow fell over her, her expression immediately shifting to one of irritation as she wiped sweat from her forehead.
Sophie took in the womans appearance as she followed Ursa back toward her. She was tall, though not quite as massive as most of the other Animals, standing a little over six feet and at least a few years older than Sophie herself. Her muscles were large, toned and well-defined, built more for speed and power. Her skin was a warm brown, and her face bore a strong resemblance to Ursas, though her features were sharper, more refined. Her black hair hung just past her shoulders and she had a pair of small implants along her jaw, glinting faintly in the dim light.
She also didnt look happy about being pulled away from whatever she had been doing.
This is my daughter, Koda, Ursa said, clapping the woman on the shoulder with enough force to make Sophie wonder how she wasnt immediately flattened. Shes still growing but shes already one of the best fighters we''ve got here.
Koda sighed, rolling her shoulders. Dad, I was in the middle of training.
Hmm, and now youre gonna help train someone else. Ursa grinned, completely unfazed by his daughters frustration. Dont be rude.
Stolen from Royal Road, this story should be reported if encountered on Amazon.
Kodas sharp, dark eyes settled on Sophie, scanning her with an appraising look. Sophie could tell she wasnt particularly impressed. Im fighting a twig? The twig in question felt her brow twitch at the comment.
Mhm. She wants to learn how to fight properly. But first, shell fight you so I can see what she already knows.
Sophie took a slow breath. She had expected some kind of assessment, maybe one where she threw a few punches or demonstrated some grappling. She certainly hadnt anticipated being thrown straight into a fight. Regardless, she wasnt about to back down from the challenge.
Fine, Koda said with a shrug, stepping onto the worn-out mat in the center of the gym. She rolled her neck, the motion followed by a series of audible cracks. Lets get this over with.
Sophie followed suit, stepping onto the mat and shaking out her arms. The gym noise seemed to fade into the background as the two of them faced each other, feet shifting into ready stances.
Ursa clapped his massive hands together. Hmm. Show me what you can do, Sophie.
She nodded in reply, before rolling her shoulders as she faced Koda. The taller girl looked at her with a smirk, arms relaxed at her sides and entirely unconcerned.
"Alright, Twig, let''s see what youve got," Koda taunted, her voice carrying hints of both annoyance and amusement.
Sophie ignored the provocation and launched forward, driving a punch toward Kodas solar plexus with her chrome hand. The older girl shifted just a fraction, causing the strike to land with significantly less force. The impact was solid, but the muscly girl barely flinched, taking the damage as if it were a mere inconvenience rather than an attack. Instead, she just looked at her with a cocky smile. Sophie pulled back, adjusting her footing, and kept up the assault.
Her next strike was aimed at Kodas ribs, a quick jab followed by a feinted kick toward the leg. Koda shifted slightly but didnt react much beyond that, allowing Sophies attacks to land with minimal effect. It was clear she wasnt taking the spar seriously. Gritting her teeth, Sophie drove a right hook toward Kodas face, only for her target to lean away effortlessly.
"Not bad," Koda teased, still grinning. "But youre gonna have to do better than that, Twig."
Sophie didnt stop. She pressed forward, attacking Kodas torso and limbs, testing her defenses. Koda remained mostly on the defensive, either brushing off Sophies body blows or dodging the ones aimed at her head with ridiculous ease. Then, without warning, she shifted.
The moment Sophies fist extended for another strike, Koda twisted around it, grabbing her wrist in a vice grip and yanking her forward. Sophie barely had time to react before a knee slammed into her stomach, forcing the air from her lungs.
"My turn," Koda said cheerfully. Be a good punching bag, kay? With those words, the onslaught began.
A sharp kick to Sophies thigh made her leg buckle slightly. Before she could regain her footing, Koda followed up with a heavy punch to her ribs, the force sending a sharp pain through her side. Sophie attempted to backpedal, but Koda was relentless. A hook caught her in the shoulder, an elbow drove into her upper arm, a knee slammed into her abdomen again. Every strike was heavier than Sophie was used to handling in a fight, and she could feel herself getting backed into a corner.
The only reason she could continue standing, aside from her impressive willpower, was the subdermal she had. Yet even that didnt soften the force of the blows threatening to crush her bones or destroy her organs. Even trying to block the hits barely helped; Kodas sheer strength overpowered her pitiful defenses. She managed to deflect a few strikes, but the ones that landed rattled her.
She needed a way out if she wanted to keep fighting. If she stayed defensive, shed just get battered into submission. She needed to change the pace. So, she lunged forward.
Koda clearly wasnt expecting her to launch an attack during her offense. Sophie ducked under a wide hook, closing the distance between them and grabbing onto Kodas waist. She dug her feet into the mat and yanked with all the strength she had, trying to force the other girl off balance. It was tough but Koda let out a surprised grunt as she was pulled down, and Sophie twisted, using their momentum to bring them both to the ground.
For a moment, Sophie thought shed hold an advantage.
Then, she realized just how strong Koda really was.
On the ground, Koda was just as dangerous, if not more so. Sophie tried to pin her, but Koda moved like a snake. She shifted her weight, her muscles flexing as she rolled them over, reversing their positions with startling ease. Sophie barely had time to react before Koda trapped her arm, attempting to lock in a submission hold.
Sophie twisted out of it, her flexibility allowing her to slip free before Koda could apply pressure. But the moment she got loose, Koda grabbed her again, maneuvering her into another submission. Sophie wrenched herself out of that too, contorting her body in ways that clearly annoyed Koda.
"What the hell are you made of, rubber?" Koda grumbled as Sophie escaped another hold.
"Something like that," Sophie muttered in response.
As they began grappling again, Koda exhaled sharply, then shifted strategies. Instead of another standard hold, she slipped around behind Sophie, wrapping an arm around her neck. Sophies eyes widened as she felt the pressure of a rear-naked choke locking in.
Sophie immediately grabbed at Kodas arm, trying to pry it away, but the larger girls grip was solid. The pressure built quickly. Sophie struggled, twisting, shifting her body to create space, but Kodas strength was too much. Her lungs began to burn, her vision spotted at the edges.
She gritted her teeth, refusing to go down easily; but she had no choice. If she didnt tap out, shed pass out.
With an irritated growl, Sophie slapped her hand against Kodas arm in submission.
The moment she tapped, Koda released her without hesitation, getting to her feet with an ease that made it seem like the whole fight had been nothing more than a warm-up.
Sophie remained on the floor, gasping for air as her body ached from the beating shed just endured.
Koda stretched her arms, glancing over at Ursa. "How was that, Dad?"
Ursa walked over, looking down at Sophie with a thoughtful expression. "Hmm. Your skills are very basic," he said plainly. "But there ain''t any serious problems with ''em. You just need to get stronger and spend more time fighting."
Sophie sat up slowly, still catching her breath.
Ursa stroked his thick beard before nodding toward Koda. "Hmm. Go with her. She could use a break from her regular training. Ill be keepin an eye on you, too."
Koda looked at her father, aghast. She opened her mouth to say something before snapping it shut. She looked at her defeated opponent, crossing her arms. "Fine. Guess were stuck together, Twig. Hope youre ready., cause I wont go easy on you."
Sophie groaned, getting to her feet. "I hate that nickname."
"Better get used to it," Koda shot back with a grin before turning and walking toward a quieter part of the gym. Sophie sighed and followed, still sore from the fight. She had a feeling it would be a long training session.
58 - Koda (Part 2)
Rancho Coronado
November 7th
2069
Koda stretched out her arms, rolling her shoulders as she turned to face Sophie. "Alright, Twig. Were starting with striking. Basic shit first. Punches, kicks, elbows and knees.
Sophie gave a small nod, already beginning to settle into a fighting stance. Koda made a small, amused noise before stepping forward. "Lemme see your stance."
Sophie adjusted slightly, keeping her feet shoulder-width apart, weight balanced, hands up. Koda walked around her, observing. Alright, not bad, she muttered. You aint standing like a gonk at least. Now, lets start with punches.
Koda took a step back and lifted her fists. "Start with the jab. Straight punch, snap it out, snap it back. No lazy punches. If you dont bring it back fast, someones gonna smash your face in.
Sophie threw a simple jab. Koda watched, shaking her head. "Again. Make it faster. Dont telegraph it like some gonk street kid. She did it again and almost shrunk back when the older girl yelled, What did I just say!? Dont telegraph your punches! You better not waste my fucking time!"
Sophie didnt reply, instead repeating the motion, each time refining it under Kodas watchful eyes. After a few more, the grumpy girl seemed satisfied. Finally, something decent. Cross next. Step into it, twist your hips, let that power come from your body, not just your arm. Unless you wanna punch like a noodle, which I wouldnt recommend.
Sophie shifted her weight and threw a cross, driving the strike forward with her whole body. Her chrome knuckles flashed under the dim lighting as Koda smirked. Huh. Not bad. You dont hit like a noodle-armed corpo brat, at least. I guess we can move onto hooks then.
Koda demonstrated, twisting her whole body as she swung her fist in a tight arc. Its not a haymaker. A hook should be tight, controlled and powerful. You ain''t throwin a wild, bar fight swing; youre trying to rattle skulls.
Sophie mimicked the movement, feeling the torque through her core. Koda corrected minor details, ensuring she kept her other hand guarding as she struck. They worked through uppercuts next, Koda emphasizing the importance of keeping her form tight.
After running Sophie through the punches a few more times, Koda cracked her neck. Your punches arent too bad so well move onto the good stuff; kicks.
She snapped a quick front kick into the air. Simple forward snap kick. Straight out, ball of the foot. Hits hard and keeps em back. Try it.
Sophie followed suit. Koda watched, then gestured for her to try again. More snap, dont just push.
After a few adjustments, her kicks started landing with the crispness the Animal girl was looking for. From there, Koda moved on to roundhouse kicks, low kicks, and push kicks. She also demonstrated how to pivot on the standing leg, how to keep balance, and how to generate power even with her smaller frame.
Most of the skills she taught were things Sophie already had experience in, courtesy of the Basic Unarmed Combat skill, but Koda turned out to be a treasure trove of insights. The older girl was especially good at helping adjust the skill knowledge to better suit her smaller frame.
After kicks, they cycled through elbows next. Kodas eyes glimmered with satisfaction as she demonstrated a downward elbow strike, bringing her arm down in a brutal arc. This? This cracks skulls.
She made Sophie practice horizontal and upward elbows, making sure she kept her other hand up at all times. Knees followed after, with Koda grabbing Sophies shoulders to demonstrate proper leverage. Clinch and knee. Thats how you break ribs.
When Koda mentioned headbutts, she smirked. Good last resort, but unless you got a chrome skull, youll just knock yourself stupid. Sophie scoffed slightly, but took the advice seriously.
Occasionally, Koda would correct her positioning with a quick slap to the arm or a shove to remind her to stay balanced.
After another round of practicing each strike, Koda grabbed a set of focus mitts and slid them on. "Alright. Youre not hopeless. Time to put it together. Were doing combos."
Sophie exhaled, shifting her stance. "What kind?"
You might be reading a stolen copy. Visit Royal Road for the authentic version.
Koda gave her a feral grin. "The kind that hurt. First, jab, cross, hook. Simple. Try it."
Sophie fired off the sequence and Koda nodded. "Again. Faster." She repeated it, changing her movements slightly until they were more efficient.
"Good. Now jab, cross, step in, knee." Sophie did as instructed, stepping forward with the knee strike.
"Better. Next, cross, hook, low kick. Aim for the thigh if your opponent is fleshy. If theyre chromed up, Id suggest not trying to strike with them, unless you have the chrome to do so. If you decide, for whatever stupid reason, that you want to trade strikes with a chrome gorilla, aim for the side of the knee. Youre small, so youll need to chop em down." Koda continued calling out more.
"Jab, slip, uppercut, hook."
"Front kick, jab, cross, elbow." Every strike was punctuated by her limbs hitting the mitts, adding to the violent music being played throughout the gym.
"Cross, step to the side, liver shot, hook."
Sophie leaned into her training fully, paying close attention to everything her new coach was telling her and making the necessary adjustments. At the same time, Koda seemed to be getting into the training, especially when she used Sophie as a target to demonstrate how a proper strike should land.
At one point, Koda paused, rubbing her chin. "You should lift more, Twig. You hit well, but youd hit better with some real muscle. And your size isnt doing you any favours with striking."
Sophie just stared at her for a moment before huffing. "Not everyone can be built like you."
Koda snorted. "Shame. Guess youll never be a real fighter." The provocation was a poor attempt at some weird kind of encouragement, so Sophie ignored it, focusing even more on the training.
They continued working until spotting Ursa, who gave them an approving glance. Koda stretched, then rolled her shoulders. "Alright, thats enough striking for now. Youve got a good foundation. She yawned, then frowned. Oh.
Sophie exhaled, wiping sweat from her brow. Despite the soreness settling into her limbs, she was ready to continue. Whats up?
Nothing. Let''s start with grappling.
Koda gestured for Sophie to step forward.
"Before we go to the ground, well start here. Clinching. You shouldnt need to use it, but its important to know regardless."
Koda raised her hands, palms open, and stepped in. "The clinch is often misunderstood as just grabbing your opponent. Thats wrong. A clinch is a tool to exert control. If you dont control your opponent, theyll control you."
With that, she reached forward, her right hand latching onto the back of Sophies head while her left arm wrapped around the inside of Sophie''s right bicep. The merc had to fight her instincts in order to not immediately begin struggling. Kodas fingers gripped just enough to secure control but not so tight that it was impossible to escape.
"This is the main position youll find for a clinch. From here, I can move you, break your posture, or set up strikes if this were a fight." She pulled down lightly on Sophies head, forcing her to bend slightly at the waist. "As soon as I snap your posture like this, I take away your strength. Stand back up."
Sophie straightened up and allowed Koda to adjust her grip. Both hands were now behind the head, elbows pressing into the smaller girls collarbone.
"This is the position youre fighting for. Once you have this, escape is nearly impossible. Fighters often use this to throw knees. Wrestlers might use it to break balance. Now, break my grip."
Calling upon the knowledge in her mind, Sophie reached up and wedged her arms inside Kodas limbs. She pressed outward, flaring her elbows while simultaneously stepping back. The older girl allowed it, nodding in approval.
"Good. Youre small. Anything that can give you control of your opponent is what you need to learn. Technique is far more important than brute strength. Now, lets move to the body lock."
Koda stepped in, wrapping both arms around Sophies waist. Her large hands locked behind the younger girls back, just above the hips. "If I grip you too high, you can still move your hips. Too low, and I dont have control of your upper body. Here, I have both."
With a sharp twist of her torso, she forced Sophie off balance, stepping through and spinning her to the ground. The landing was rough, though the subdermal she had mitigated it somewhat. Koda immediately followed, maintaining chest-to-chest contact before securing side control.
"If you can take someone down, follow them to the ground. Its a general rule, so only do it if the situation allows. However, if I let go after throwing you, I lose the advantage Ive just gained. Now, lets talk about hooks and control on the ground."
Koda slid into mount, straddling Sophies torso with her knees wedged against the smaller girls sides.
"From here, I control the fight. I can strike, I can submit, or I can hold position until you make a mistake. But if I dont control my base, you can escape."
Sophie tried bridging; thrusting her hips upward to throw Koda off balance. The bigger girl reacted smoothly, widening her base and pressing her hips down.
"Thats good, but I anticipated it. However, if I dont post my arms or widen my base, youll throw me off."
She then shifted, sliding one leg around and moving to the back. In one fluid motion, she secured her legs around Sophies waist, locking her feet together around her students thighs.
"These are my hooks. They keep me attached to you. If I lose them, I lose control of the situation. Now, lets go for a choke."
One arm snaked under Sophie''s chin, the other hand gripping her own bicep. She placed her free hand behind Sophie''s head and squeezed gently.
"This is the rear naked choke. If my arm is too low, Im just squeezing your neck like a bad hug. If its deep, I cut off the blood flow on both sides. You dont have to crush the windpipe. Blood chokes work faster. Unless its a borg. Then do things as violently as possible."
She released the choke before Sophie could tap.
"Now, lets go over a basic limb lock."
Koda shifted again, one leg sliding over Sophies torso while she controlled her right arm. She trapped it between her own arms and extended her hips upward, forcing the elbow joint straight. It didnt do much considering how flexible the smaller girl was, but the point was made.
"The armbar. Your arm is caught between my legs and your elbow is hyperextended. If you dont get out, it breaks."
Releasing the hold, she sat back. "Grappling isnt about brute force. Its about control. You make your opponent react, then capitalize."
She looked at Sophie, her expression thoughtful. "Youre smaller than me, so you need to use leverage more. Speed and angles will be your best tools. You wont win by forcing things. Youll win by setting traps. Now, get up. Your turn."
The two girls continued practising for nearly an hour before Koda finally called it quits. Despite being tired, Sophie was overjoyed. While a lot of the striking was stuff shed already practised, having a partner to grapple with made things much easier than trying to train by herself.
Its getting late. Come back tomorrow and well continue with the grappling. Koda grinned. "Thats where the real fun is at, plus its probably gonna be the area you need to work on the most." There was a slight pause. Also, sorry for being a bitch earlier. I thought this would be a waste of time, but it was actually fun.
Sophie gave her a tired smile in return.
59 - Untouched Killer
Vista del Rey
November 14th
2069
Sophies boots crunched on shattered glass as she stalked through a rundown section of Vista del Rey. Padres info had led her there, a place where streetlights flickered weakly, casting long, jagged shadows across the wet pavement. The scent of stale piss and burned rubber clung to the air, mixing with the underlying smell of old blood.
She crouched low, eyes scanning the area ahead. The faintest hints of scav activity were there; fresh tire tracks, commonly caused by scavs looking to make a quick getaway with their most recent catch. Following the trail, she moved through a narrow alley wedged between two derelict buildings. Then she found what she was hunting for.
An abandoned parking lot nestled under a crumbling building, its entrance partially obscured by stacked pallets and rusting shipping crates. The air further in was thick and humid, carrying something far worse than the usual city stench. Sophies stomach tightened. She knew that smell. Death. And not just fresh, but old. As though caked into the ground and the walls; the very air itself.
There was light inside, dim and faulty. Sticking to the shadows, she crept downwards, further into the crumbling lot. Inside, a handful of scavs milled about. A rough count put their numbers somewhere between seven and ten.
Their mismatched and scuffed cyberware marked them as true bottom-tier predators. The kind of scum who gathered together in the bowels of the city, preying on the weak to compensate for a lack of skill. Theyd transformed the parking lot into a butchers den.
Blood pooled around a rusted metal table where a lifeless body lay naked and splayed open, chest cavity cracked apart like a grotesque exhibit. Beside it, a scav in a stained tank top rummaged through the exposed organs with bare hands, muttering to himself as he examined the goods.
Nearby, crates were filled with harvested cyberware, some still coated with blood. Refrigerated containers sat against a wall, humming quietly. Sophie didnt need to look inside to know what was stored there. Worse though, was the pile of corpses, half-covered by a filthy tarp that loomed in the corner.
She frowned. Padres info had suggested the scav activity in the area was new. However, the scene before her suggested this particular operation had been going on for quite a while. That meant shed either stumbled upon an entirely different group of scavs, separate from the ones shed been sent to hunt. Or the group had finally revealed a trace, allowing Padres network to finally discover their presence.
Either way, shed slaughter them the same. They werent people. They were roaches, vermin that thrived in the filth of Night Citys underbelly. And she was the exterminator.
Still, she planned her approach carefully. There was no need to take unnecessary risks, not when she had the skills to do otherwise. Her first target was a guard lingering near the outer edge of the lot. He was large, easily over six feet and thick with muscle. He reminded her of the Animals she now trained with.
For that reason, she also knew taking him down the usual way wouldnt work. Sophie slid from cover, footsteps silent. She approached from behind, moving quickly before slamming her foot into the back of his knee. He collapsed backwards and she wrapped her arms around his thick neck. He grunted in surprise, hands clawing at her, but she tightened her hold, cutting off his air.
His struggles turned frantic, but Sophie adjusted, shifting her grip so that his mouth was covered as Koda had taught her, preventing him from making noise. The moment his strength waned, she slid a knife into his throat, twisting deep. A wet gurgle escaped before his body went limp. She dragged him into the shadows, wiping her blade clean against his jacket.
Moving gracefully, she stalked her next target; a wiry scav with jittery movements, likely high on something. He stood near a stack of crates, mumbling to himself, his focus nowhere near his surroundings. Sophie waited until none of the other scavs had a line of sight then struck.
She casually stepped out from the shadows, one arm clamping over his mouth as her blade punched into his kidney. The drugged-out scav convulsed violently, but she held firm, twisting the knife before dragging it across his throat in a deep, decisive cut. Blood spurted in quick, wet bursts as she eased him to the ground.
The next few fell just as easily. A woman hunched over a datapad, logging inventory; Sophie slid behind her and with a sharp twist of the neck and she crumpled to the ground with a quiet crack. Another was half-asleep against a crate, legs spread lazily. A quick stab through the eye ended him before he even registered the threat.
This story is posted elsewhere by the author. Help them out by reading the authentic version.
By the time she took out the sixth one, the remaining scavs started to sense something was off. They became more alert, beginning to pay proper attention to their surroundings. Oi, where the fucks Lenny? one yelled, glancing around. It didnt matter though. Sophie had culled enough of them already.
The last four were clustered together, their attention split between looking for their missing crew and bickering over a cyberarm in a crate. Clearly, they had no sense of danger despite being in a situation that should have been ringing all sorts of bells. Still, Sophie wouldnt look a gift horse in the mouth. She pulled a smoke grenade from her chest rig, pulling the pin loose before lobbing it into their midst.
The canister hit the pavement with a hollow clank before spewing thick, choking fog.
What the fuck-
Sophie moved.
She slipped into the smoke, her katana flashing as she severed the first scavs spine in a single attack. He dropped, screaming. The second one barely had time to react before her pistol fired twice, the rounds punching clean through his skull. The last two panicked, firing wildly into the fog. Neither of them picked the right direction.
Sophie closed the distance easily. A quick sidestep and twist found her blade slicing across ones throat in a wide arc. She didnt even feel the flesh part under the superheated blade. The smoke began to part and the last one turned, face contorted in horror.
A bullet found its mark between his eyes and he collapsed. Silence settled over the parking lot, save for the steady drip of blood pooling across the pavement.
She exhaled, scanning the carnage. She walked through the area, plunging her katana through the head of each corpse, ensuring they were dead. Sophie holstered her pistol and wiped her blade before sheathing it.
She took a look around, finding a laptop in the main area of the scav den. It was poorly secured, allowing her to breach it easily and access the required data. Quickly, she found an email.
Unknown: When will the next batch of organs be ready? We require more test material.
Petr Anshalov: Chill, choom. You know we wouldnt cross a big corp like you. Youll get your organs soon. We just gotta be careful, dont wanna draw any unnecessary attention.
Unknown: Dont make us wait. Three days from now, at the pier. Well be waiting.
The messages weredisturbing, to say the least. The idea of a megacorp working with scavs wasnt an appealing one, though Sophie was fully aware it was likely a common occurrence. She packed the laptop up and swept the area again. Once she was sure everything of value was safely tucked in her inventory, she left the abandoned parking lot.
-----------------------
Dropping the laptop off with Padre hadnt taken long, and the former priest hadnt appeared interested in speaking further after reading the contents of the emails. Hence, shed quickly returned home.
She gave herself a brief clean, washing off the blood that clung to both her skin and her gear. Afterwards, she settled down to eat and review the notifications she received after completing the gig.
There was the normal gig completion mission, rewarding her with some L-Coins and a couple thousand eddies but there were also skill levels and a notification for something shed completely forgotten about.
Huntress Level +1
Basic Unarmed Combat Proficiency +1
Stealth Proficiency +1
Investigation Proficiency +1
Ambidextrous Proficiency +1
Sophie grinned, seeing the progress. Most of the skills that gained a level, aside from Basic Unarmed Combat, had been close to leveling up so she wasnt too surprised by the increase. However, she still liked to see it.
What really caught her eye though, was the final notification.
Mission Complete
Hunt 100 targets without taking any damage. [100/100]
Difficulty: Very Hard
Rewards: 50,000 L-Coins, +5 Stealth Proficiency, Assassins Cowl, Assassins Boots
Her mouth fell open, staring at the massive number of L-Coins shed just received. It was the perfect amount to purchase the first inventory upgrade she wanted. In fact, she immediately bought it. Doubling the amount of space she had access to would hopefully open up a number of options for her in the future. At the very least, shed be able to take home more loot from her gigs.
Moving on, she skipped past the bonus Stealth proficiency. It was incredibly helpful, but nothing unique. Instead, her attention fell on the two item rewards.
She mentally accepted the rewards and a pair of mottled black and grey boots, along with a similarly coloured hood, materialised in front of her. She looked them over, quickly coming to the conclusion that they werent particularly special.
System? Can you explain?
The item Assassins Cowl will assist in hiding your identity during missions, including some basic blurring if youre caught on camera. It also possesses small resistance to damage. The item Assassins Boots are a pair of combat boots built for durability and stealth. Your footsteps will be slightly obscured and muffled when wearing them.
Sophie looked at the items and sighed. She slipped the boots on before walking in circles. They were comfortable and they did indeed muffle her footsteps slightly. But it was barely noticeable. She also couldnt tell if her footsteps had been obscured. She couldnt help but feel a bit disappointed by the two pieces of gear.
These really dont seem that great. Although I guess the hood might be helpful. Ill probably go out and buy a different pair of boots later though. Although maybe I could take them apart and combine them with some better shoes.
She sighed again, pulling up her status. Well, at least my skills have seen some good improvement lately. Oh. And apparently Im a year older now. Have I really been here for a year already? Sheesh. I wonder when Ill get my growth spurt? Im tired of being this fucking short.
Name: Sophie Morrin
Age: 15
Class: Huntress [36/100]
Passives
Iron Will [41/100], Flexibility [49/100], Parkour [40/100], Ambidextrous [30/100]
Skills
Stealth [41/100], Basic Gun Combat [76/100], Investigation [34/100], Basic Bladed Combat [45/100], Basic Unarmed Combat [20/100], Engineering [15/100], Basic Netrunning [13/100]
Cyberware
Kiroshi MK.1 Cyberoptics (Rare)
Basic Subdermal Armour (Common)
Basic Wrist Reinforcement (Common)
MoorE Basic Cyberarm (Common)
Store: Available
L-Coins: 10,000
Eurodollars: 70,800
Inventory: 2m x 2m x 2m
60 - Car and Scavenging
Charter Hill
November 20th
2069
Sophie walked down the streets of Charter Hill, on her way back to the sewers after finishing a simple data acquisition job for Padre. However, a glint of shiny metal, barely visible in the dark lighting, caught her eye. Down a small side street, tucked between a pair of buildings, sat a Thorton Mackinaw.
Sophie stopped in her tracks, heart skipping a beat as she took in the sight of it. Finding an unattended car that either wasnt stored in a secure garage or didnt possess security systems too advanced for her to get around was a rarity. The Mackinaw didnt have any of the fancy security systems, at least to her knowledge and it certainly hadnt been stored in a garage. It was also the perfect first car for someone like herself.
She glanced up and down the street. No one in sight. The truck looked completely unattended. She moved closer, her recently upgraded boots making little noise against the cracked asphalt. The Mackinaws dark, scratched exterior was caked in grime, its tires coated in dried mud. Sophie found that slightly odd, considering mud wasnt particularly common in the city, aside from the outskirts. The winds were tinted too, but there were no noises that suggested the presence of any occupants.
Just as she reached the drivers side door, she heard a clanking sound, followed by voices.
Instinctively, she darted behind a dumpster, pressing herself against the cold metal just as a trio of figures emerged from behind a small garage door. Proudly displaying their hologram masks, the small group of scavs strutted forwards.
She felt her lip curl.
The scavs were laughing among themselves, speaking in a mix of Russian and broken English. Their clothes were a patchwork of syn-leather, metal, and blood. One of them, a lanky man with a hunched posture, shook something in his hand; a control chip, still wrapped in the original factory plastic. Sophie didnt need to hear the rest of their conversation to know they were about to take the Mackinaw.
Not happening.
She moved quickly, slipping out from cover as they neared the vehicle. Before any of them could react, she was on them. Her knife found the first scavs throat, stabbing through flesh and cyberware with ease. A wet gurgle filled the alley as the man crumpled to the ground.
The other two had just enough time to turn before Sophie was on the second. She drove her knee into his gut, then followed up with a swift upward slash across his chest. He stumbled back, trying to draw a gun, but Sophie was faster. A quick, brutal thrust to his heart ended it and she abandoned the blade.
The third scav managed to fire a shot, but it missed completely in his initial panic. A second shot impacted her in the chest but her armour allowed her to ignore it, closing the distance in a blink before grabbing his wrist and twisting. The crack of breaking bone was lost under his scream before a flurry of bullets sent him to the ground, groaning. She silenced him with a blade through the skull, yanking it free as his body froze.
The entire sequence didnt even take a minute, the ambush and her superior skills allowing Sophie to flatline them easily. Breathing steadily, she wiped her knife on one of the corpses before crouching to loot them, including the control chip in the dead mans hand. Sophie pried it free, before opening the packaging and slipping it into one of the sockets on her neck.
She cleaned up the scene before sliding into the Mackinaws drivers seat. A quick mental command later and the dashboard flickered to life, the engine rumbling as she gripped the wheel. Without looking back, she reached her foot as far down as it would go, touching the accelerator. The pickup truck seemed to rumble as she pulled out onto the main road, heading towards the maintenance road connected to her home.
Royal Road is the home of this novel. Visit there to read the original and support the author.
-----------------------
The following morning, Sophie rolled down the streets of Night City in her newly acquired Thorton Mackinaw, the large vehicle rumbling beneath her hands as she adjusted to its handling. It wasnt the fastest thing around, nor the sleekest, but it was sturdy and it possessed a decent amount of storage, which is exactly what she needed.
The city''s dense skyline soon began to thin out as she passed through the last few stretches of Santo Domingo, the towers giving way to industrial plants and eventually to the barren outskirts of the city. The transition was stark. The towering, neon megabuildings faded away behind her, only to be replaced by dry, cracked roads and an endless expanse of dust.
The Badlands stretched out before her, a vast and unforgiving wasteland destroyed by corpo greed and persistent drought. However, there were still signs of civilization on the highway out of Night City. Occasional buildings popped up and there were still plenty of cars around, even as she made her way towards the citys landfill.
It was the first time she had left Night Citys limits, and it was a strange sensation; liberating in a way but also unsettling. Out in the desert, there were no packed streets, no flashing billboards and no constant noise of a city that never slept. Yet despite that, the sense of danger that filled the city itself never disappeared. It was a distinct reminder that there wasnt really anywhere truly safe in a cyberpunk world.
As she drove further, she spotted something on the horizon; an old wreck, half-buried in the dirt off the side of the road. As she got closer, she saw the twisted remains of a car, its body riddled with bullet holes, doors torn off and long shattered glass. Similar skeletal vehicles littered the Badlands, leftovers from smuggler runs gone wrong or unlucky travelers who crossed the wrong people.
A few minutes later, the radio briefly crackled with static as she picked up a distant transmission. She glanced in the rearview mirror just in time to see a plume of dust rising behind her, off the road. A pair of vehicles, one looking like a modified nomad pickup and the other an armored corpo car, weaved through the dunes, gunfire flashing between them. Sophie grimaced before stepping harder on the accelerator, wanting to avoid getting caught up in something that had nothing to do with her.
The landfill loomed ahead, a sea of discarded metal, shattered tech, and mountains of waste. The closer she got, the worse the stench became, even through the cars filter. It was a vile mix of burnt rubber, rusting steel, and the unmistakable rot of organic matter long since abandoned to the sun. She suspected there were a number of old, rotting corpses buried under the more recent debris.
She pulled the Mackinaw to a stop near the edge of a particularly large heap, throwing it into park before stepping out. Her menpo came out of her inventory, the only thing she had available to block some of the smell.
Sophie started her scavenging efforts by sifting through the piles of broken appliances and tangled wires, keeping an eye out for anything useful. She found a handful of intact electronic components; capacitors, old circuit boards, and a few loose processors. All of it went into random boxes she found and placed in the Mackinaws tray.
Next, she moved onto the piles of scrap metal, searching for pieces she could grind down into powder for her recently acquired 3D printer. She picked up a few steel rods, some copper wiring, and a handful of aluminum sheets that were still in decent condition. Belatedly, she realised the need to cobble together a device that would break the metal down to a powder fine enough to use in printing.
As she moved deeper, she stumbled upon a cache of old, discarded weapon parts. A shattered rifle stock, a bent but salvageable suppressor, and even a few trigger assemblies. All tossed aside like junk. While they werent particularly useful in their current condition, shed be able to experiment with them for Engineering.
Near one of the larger heaps, Sophie found something much more interesting; a reinforced vehicle panel, somewhat dented but still solid. She knocked her knuckles against it, testing its integrity. Could be useful for reinforcing the Mackinaws body, she mused. She dragged it back to the truck with some effort, setting it down in the tray with a satisfied huff.
The longer she searched, the more she uncovered. Some old but serviceable hydraulic pistons, potentially useful for reinforcing the Mackinaws suspension. A cracked but repairable display screen that could be used for some kind of interface. Even an ancient cyberarm casing, the internals completely shot but the exterior still salvageable for spare plating.
By the time she was satisfied, the Mackinaws tray was nearly full, packed with metal sheets, electronics, and everything else she had managed to scrounge up. Her newly expanded inventory too.
Unfortunately, her hands were also covered in grime and her boots caked in filth. Not to mention the smell that clung to her. She took one last look around before climbing back into the truck, slamming the door shut and taking a deep breath of the comparatively fresher air inside.
Starting the engine, she pulled away from the landfill, her mind already racing with ideas on how to use what she had found. The Mackinaw needed more protection, that was for sure. Some extra armor plating, maybe reinforced windows. A little more power under the hood wouldnt hurt either. The other materials would either go towards upgrading her home or enhancing her gear. She had a lot of ideas that needed testing, plus a skill to level up.
61 - Tinkering
Westbrook
November 22nd
2069
Before she could get started with her Engineering work, Sophie needed to purchase a few things from Ricky, the super sketchy gun store owner. Specifically, she needed a new set of her regular merc gear. Her original equipment had gotten far too damaged over the past months and repairing it with her current skill level seemed difficult, if not impossible. On the positive side, she had plenty of eddies to buy a new set.
Of course, she drove to the store in her new Mackinaw, now having a vehicle capable of transporting more sellable weapons. She pulled up just down the street from the store and jumped out before dragging a pair of duffle bags from the tray.
She made her way over to the 2nd Amendment store, pushed the door open and walked inside. Her eyes immediately locked onto Ricky, who was lazing around behind the counter fiddling with a pistol.
He looked up, clearly bored, until he spotted her. His face brightened as he stood up, giving her a wave. Hey Sophie! How are you?
For a moment, the room froze. Sophie stared at the man. Then she turned, walking back the way she came.
Ah! Wait! Sorry, uhSarah! Sorry Sarah! Sophie twisted her head, looking back at him with a glare as she tried to wriggle her bags out the door.
What do you want, creep? He hurriedly made his way out from behind the counter. She dropped one of her bags, pulling her gun. Come any closer and Ill blow a hole through your skull, she snarled. How the fuck do you know my name?
Ah, wellI cant really say?
Then fuck off. With that, she turned to leave again. For a moment, Sophie thought the man wouldnt try to stop her. She heard a step and half turned, ready to put a bullet through the man. Instead, hed taken a step backwards, holding his hands up.
Look, Im sorry but I really cant tell you. However, I swear I dont want to hurt you. In fact, Id say I want to help you. His face was apologetic but Sophie wasnt buying it.
Oh yeah? You want to help me? Bullshit! No fucking way you want to help me for no reason. Youve always been creepy but youre taking it to a whole new level here.
Ah? Was I really? He shook his head. Nevermind. I can tell you dont trust me and thats totally my fault. Sophie gave him a pointed look at the comment and he coughed lightly. RightAnyway. You can shoot me or walk out if you want. But I dont want to harm you. In fact, the stuff I can provide will probably help you survive better.
Hah? What, you think youre the only one that sells good gear?
No no. Im the only one that sells good, reliable and fairly cheap gear. Well, at the very least Im the only one that you have access to.
Sophie didnt like what he was saying but part of her had to acknowledge it was true. There were plenty of other vendors in Night City that would sell her similar equipment but there was always a risk of poor quality. She looked at him again.
Her instincts werent telling her there was danger in associating with him but she still didnt like the situation. She felt blind.
You have a backer. Megacorp maybe? Or one of the gangs. Actually no, you dont have the right feel for a gang memberSo a corp. Suddenly, a lightbulb went off in her head. Oh. Youre a talent scout or recruiter, arent you? He looked at her, mouth open.
Um, yeah. Close enough, I guess. Fuck. I thought I was doing a good job hiding it. He scratched his cheek sheepishly.
She still felt like he was incredibly suspicious and Sophie didnt think shed gotten his full background, but Investigation wasnt highlighting any oddities in his behaviour aside from the general suspicion. She figured that would be good enough for the moment.
Fine. Ill keep buying from you. She kicked over the duffel bag that shed previously dropped. Eddies for everything inside. Then well talk about actual gear. Ricky, if that was even his real name, knelt down and pulled the bag open.
Sheesh. This is a lot of weapons, he said. Sophie kept a keen eye on him as he wandered to the back, tallying up how much he owed her for the guns. It was a good chunk of eddies, though some of it would inevitably disappear after purchasing the armour she needed from him.
This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.
Sooo, can I get something else for you? He asked, still keeping his distance.
Sophie tossed him the second bag shed been carrying. Yeah. I need a new set of the armour I bought last time. The netrunner suit and plate carrier. All of it. And if youve got any fancy corpo weapons, I want one. For free. Treat it as an apology for being a creep.
He sighed. Fine. You coming down with me?
Heh. No. I barely trusted you back when we first met and I definitely dont trust you now. Im not interested in visiting your basement. Ill stay here. He sighed again, then took the bag shed passed him and headed to the back.
A few, long minutes passed before he returned, the duffle bag bulging. She grabbed it from him and sent over the payment, then turned to walk out without another word. Just as she passed the threshold of the store, she looked back.
For the record, you were doing a terrible job at hiding your second identity. Either work on it or just stop. Youre the most suspicious person Ive ever met. With that said, Sophie left without looking back. She had work to do.
-----------------------
Sophie leaned over a small workbench shed set up, tightening the last bolt on her makeshift metal powder grinder. The device was a rough, cobbled-together thing, assembled from scavenged parts; a salvaged motor from an old industrial fan, a high-speed rotary blade she had sharpened herself, and a repurposed containment chamber pulled from a broken air filter.
The design was simple enough: the motor would spin the blade at high speeds, reducing scrap metal into fine shavings, which would then be collected and sieved down into powder small enough for her 3D printer. It wasnt perfect, but unless she wanted to buy an expensive, properly made grinder, it was the best she could do.
Flipping the switch, the machine sputtered to life. The motor whined, and the blade began to spin with a high-pitched whir. Sophie grabbed a small chunk of scrap steel, feeding it carefully into the chamber.
Sparks flickered, and a harsh grinding noise filled the air as metal was shaved away, slowly breaking down into tiny flecks. She monitored the output, running a handful of powder through her fingers. It wasnt as fine as commercial-grade material, but it was usable and for her current needs, thats all she needed.
Once she had a large amount of metal being ground down, she turned her attention to her gear. First was her netrunner suit. She laid it out flat, gently tearing apart the seams and peeling back layers before carefully cutting out small samples of the fabric.
The outer layer was a woven synthetic blend, made to be lightweight, durable, and somewhat resistant to small-caliber rounds. Beneath that, a network of conductive threading ran through the material, linking various embedded electronics, likely designed for cooling a netrunner when they were jacked in. She took photos, noting the way the wiring was integrated. It was far beyond her current expertise, meaning shed have to come back to it later.
Next, her plate carrier. Unlike the suit, the carrier was simpler; just composite plates reinforced with a dense polymer weave. She sliced off a small section of the polymer, testing its flexibility. While she couldnt replicate it exactly because she didnt have the original designs, she could experiment with layering different materials to approximate its protective qualities.
A hybrid setup; some 3D-printed metal reinforcement beneath a polymer shell might work. That would be a future project once she had practice with the printer and more levels in Engineering.
With both pieces of armour being too advanced for her current skills, she pivoted to something hopefully a bit simpler.
She laid out an old Unity pistol, a poorly maintained Copperhead rifle, and the only Militech M-76-e Omaha shed managed to loot during her work. She started with the basics, stripping the normal pistol and rifle down to their individual components. Springs, firing pins, slides.
All of them were mechanical systems she could understand, both with her military experience and the knowledge from her skill. That made it easier to sketch out diagrams, noting wear points and potential modifications.
Then came the Omaha. Unlike a conventional firearm, it used electromagnetic rails to accelerate projectiles at incredible speeds. She removed the casing, exposing the internal systems. Twin rails ran along the barrel, powered by a capacitor bank small enough to fit inside the back of the weapon.
She tested the charge cycle, noting the delay between shots. With a better capacitor or a more efficient charging system, she could reduce the downtime between shots. Unfortunately, it would be another future project. Although, she had a much larger railgun, courtesy of Ricky. The man had handed her an Achilles tech rifle after her audacious request, which Sophie certainly hadnt been expecting.
Still, making any progress with railgun tech would take time, so she moved on to another new project: grenades.
She pulled up a CAD program on her laptop, sketching out a design for a small, compact capsule. The idea was simple: a smoke grenade, but downsized. Instead of the bulky canisters common on the market, her design was a small, sleek pellet that could be easily carried and deployed. The reduced size would impact how much smoke could be produced but Sophie was confident shed be able to solve that problem with time.
A small chamber would hold the smoke compound, with a simple impact mechanism to activate it. Shed probably stick to the regular smoke grenades for filling a room, but the smaller variant would work well for covering her escape.
As she refined the blueprint further, she also realized she could modify the casing to house flash powder as well, giving her an option for either smoke or flash grenades using the same basic body.
As she finalized the grenade design, her mind wandered to future projects. She would need a better way to carry her gadgets. A utility belt came to mind. Something modular, lightweight, designed to hold her smoke pellets, extra mags, and any other small tools she might develop. She could integrate a magnetic system to keep things in place, reducing bulk while keeping everything easily accessible.
Then, there was the grappling hook. The issue was power. A compressed air system might work for short distances, but if she wanted something more reliable, shed need an electric motor-driven spool. The challenge would be weight. If she made it too heavy, it would be impractical for quick movement. She made a note to study compact winch designs and materials that would provide the strength she needed.
Looking back at her workbench, she let out a breath. She had a lot ahead of her, but for now, she had made progress. Tinkering with her gear was an important step to improving her combat ability after all, even if she was stealing a lot of ideas from Batman. She could only say the man was a genius.
Before calling it a night, Sophie turned back to her laptop, opening up a new design file. She had an idea and it was something she could print immediately to test her machines capabilities. A pair of bracers, attached to reinforced gloves.
She modeled the bracers first, using a mix of materials to balance weight and durability. The exterior would be reinforced polymer, offering some protection against impacts without adding too much bulk. Underneath, a lightweight metal mesh would provide additional wrist support while ensuring her hands had full range of motion.
For the gloves, she repurposed some of the materials she had cut from her netrunner suit. The high-durability synthetic fabric would cover the hand while the knuckles and fingertips would be reinforced with small, flexible plates.
Once the design was finalized, she loaded it into the printer and started the process, pouring some of her recently ground powder in. The machine hummed, the print head moving back and forth, slowly bringing her design to life. She watched as layer upon layer of material was deposited, solidifying into shape.
As the printer continued its work, Sophie leaned back in her chair, satisfied. A quiet system chime made her grin just a little wider.
Engineering Proficiency +1
62 - Gear Testing
Charter Hill
November 27th
2069
It had been a few days since Sophie began putting together her latest set of gear, and now shed reached the point of needing to properly test it. Not through simulations, not just through theoretical applications or the occasional stress test. She needed real combat.
The industrial zones of Charter Hill happened to be nearby and were usually crawling with scum. Gangs, organ thieves, small-time rippers running chop shops or drug labs. There was always someone to find, if you looked hard enough. Unfortunately, the streets were empty.
Sophie moved cautiously, her boots light on the cracked pavement. She was wearing her usual armor, menpo and cowl but she also had a prototype utility belt around her waist. The belt held the smoke and flash pellets shed designed earlier in the week, along with extra magazines to augment what she already carried on her chest rig.
Her new bracers and gloves covered her forearms and hands, offering additional protection and impact for unarmed combat. The reinforced knuckles did add some weight to her punches, but shed adjusted to that quickly. She could only hope the slight stiffness she could feel in them would disappear after she broke them in.
She exhaled through her nose, scanning the abandoned warehouses and rusting storage containers. Nothing. No distant voices, no glow of illicit operations tucked away in dark corners.
A pile of spent inhalers and a few shattered bottles near a barricaded alley told her someone had used the spot as a hideout, likely a gang squatter, but there were no fresh signs of life. Sophie sighed, feeling irritation creeping up her spine. She had been hoping for a clean field test, but it seemed like luck wasnt on her side.
After another fruitless sweep of the area, she clicked her tongue against her teeth in frustration and turned back toward her bike. If no one was here, there was no point in wasting time. Maybe shed have better luck later in the night, or in a different part of the city.
Just as she decided to call it a night, she heard the deep rumble of an approaching engine. Sophie turned her head, optics locking onto the headlights cutting through the dark street. A Chevillion Thrax, heavily modified, was barreling down the road at a reckless speed. She frowned, stepping back toward the shadows.
The vehicle swerved wildly, its wheels screaming against the asphalt as it veered directly toward her position. Sophies instincts took over, and she dove to the side, rolling across the pavement as the car tore past her. It clipped a rusted dumpster and went spinning before slamming full-force into the side of a rundown warehouse.
The impact was marked by a loud crunch. Metal crumpled, glass shattered, and within seconds, fire erupted from the front end. Thick black smoke curled into the night sky as the ruined Chevillion hissed and popped from the heat.
Sophie crouched low, her hand already reaching over her shoulder for her new Achilles rifle. The railgun hummed as she brought it into position, eyes locked on the wreckage which was making strange sounds. A second later, the drivers side door was slammed open, and something spilled onto the pavement; a figure, twisted and chrome-heavy, dragging itself forward with sheer mechanical force.
The Maelstrom ganger had lost both of his legs in the crash, his torso twisted unnaturally where the cybernetics had been wrenched apart. Sparks flickered from exposed wiring and white artificial blood poured from the injuries as he clawed forward, dragging his ruined body over the concrete. His face was a mess of synthetic plating and optical implants, his remaining organic skin stretched taut over reinforced skull plating.
"I ain''t going down!" he snarled, his voice a glitching, synthetic growl. He looked at her."You hear me?! I ain''t done yet! You fuckin Tyger!"
Sophie held her ground, rifle aimed at his head. The Maelstromers sinister red optics flickered erratically, his body twitching as if his internal systems were still catching up to the trauma. Then, without warning, his arms snapped outward, and with a metallic shing, a pair of mantis blades deployed from his forearms.
Sophies breath hitched. He might be missing his legs, but that didnt make him any less of a threat. The borg lunged forward, dragging himself with terrifying speed. At the same time, he would occasionally pause, his mantis blades slicing through the air towards her even though she always kept a safe distance from him.
Sophie fired, her first shot punching into his shoulder. The impact barely phased him. Another shot struck his torso, but still, he kept coming even though his movements were jerky.
"Fucking die already," Sophie muttered, stepping back as she lined up another shot. The borg kept crawling, even as his blood, what little remained in his augmented body at least, left a shiny white smear behind him.
Unauthorized content usage: if you discover this narrative on Amazon, report the violation.
It wasnt until she landed a shot directly through his throat that he finally collapsed, his body twitching for several seconds before going still. Even then, Sophie didnt lower her weapon until the glow in his optics faded completely.
She exhaled slowly, shifting her grip on the rifle. That was... strange. And worrying. Very worrying. He seemed to think, in his muddled state, that she was a Tyger. A closer look at the burning car wreckage and she spotted what looked like bullet holes, though the flames made it difficult to confirm it. Actually, what was Maelstrom doing here? Did they just attack the Tygers?
Her thoughts came to a halt when she heard another engine.
This time, it wasnt out of control. Sophie turned her head just in time to see another vehicle approaching from down the street. The headlights caught the gleam of the wrecked Chevillion, and as the new car came into view, she immediately spotted obvious Tyger Claw decals along its side. Fuck!
She didnt know if they were connected to the Maelstromer or just happened to be in the area, but she wasnt about to stand around and find out. Moving quickly, she darted toward the warehouse, slipping inside just as the Tyger Claw vehicle rolled to a stop near the wreck.
From her position just inside the darkened structure, she crouched low, watching as the cars doors opened and several figures stepped out. Their voices were a mixture of anger and excitement, annoyed that their original target was already dead but thrilled at the prospect of another hunt.
"Someone hit the borg first. They have to be close. No way he bled out that fast."
"Spread out. If they saw anything, the boss will have our heads." Those words seemed to sober the others up while annoying Sophie. Motherfuckers. They wanna flatline me just cause I saw this shit? Fuckers are really gonna look for me cause they think I saw something.
Leaning just slightly from her hiding spot, she examined the four men. The leader, a muscular man with tiger-stripe tattoos running up his arms and towards his exposed metal jaw, had an unfamiliar, possibly modified, rifle slung across his back.
The second was a classic Tyger Claw samurai with a katana strapped to his waist though he was moving slowly. A closer look showed her a wound on his leg, not entirely crippling but enough to slow him down.
The third, a heavyset man with reinforced cyberarms, carried a massive shotgun. The fourth, shorter and smaller than the others, carried a smart gun, the TKI-20 Shingen.
Sophies current situation offered two choices. She could run away and not risk the fight. Or, she could use the Tygers in front of her as test subjects for her new gear. I think I can take themYeah. Definitely.
With quick movements, she darted inside the warehouse properly before climbing onto one of the horizontal support beams overlooking the main open space. From there, she could see the Tygers moving in a loose formation as they entered. The leader went first, walking confidently.
"Scent is still fresh," the second Tyger muttered. "Whoever it was didnt go far." What are you, a fucking dog!? Or do I just stink?
They reached the center of the room, scanning their surroundings. Sophie took a slow breath, rolling a handful of flash pellets between her fingers. Timing was everything. The moment all four were in the perfect spot, just below her, she let the pellets drop.
The grenades exploded with a burst of light, searing white filling the room. Even with her eyes tightly shut, she felt the intensity of the flashes. The Tygers weren''t as lucky.
"Shit!"
"What the fuck was that?!"
Sophie wasted no time. Before their sight could recover, she tossed several smoke pellets into the mix. Thick, choking fog began to fill the room, swallowing the Tygers in a gray haze. She frowned, then threw out another handful. There wasnt enough smoke in the first round. Then, she moved.
Leaping from the beam, she crashed down onto the nearest Tyger, the shotgun wielder, with her katana. The impact knocked the air from his lungs as the blade pierced cleanly through the back of his neck, severing his spine. He dropped, dead before he hit the ground.
The others heard the noise. Two of them were still blinded and disoriented by the lingering flash effects, while stumbling through the smoke. But the third was different. His eyes seemed to glow a baleful red as he stared directly at her through the smoke. Thermal optics.
Before Sophie could react, the man fired. The bullets tore into her, slamming into her armor with bruising force. The impact sent her staggering, pain flaring across her side and shoulder. Her vision blurred as she dived behind cover, gritting her teeth.
Blood dripped down her biological arm. She forced herself to push past the pain, stealing a glance from cover. The man with thermal optics was helping his teammates get out of the smoke. That meant he was distracted. Good.
Without giving him time to breath, Sophie pulled a frag grenade from her belt, primed it, and threw.
"Grenade!"
Too late. The katana guy didnt react in time. The explosion ripped through the space, shrapnel shredding into the unfortunate Tyger, dropping him instantly. The other two managed to dive away, escaping the worst of the blast.
She still didnt relent. Lifting her Achilles, the rifle humming as she charged a shot. The energy built up, and when she fired, the round slammed into the thermal-eyed Tygers right arm. His cyberware sparked as his limb nearly detached, leaving him stumbling in shock.
Despite his wounds and nearly-severed arm, the Tyger with thermal optics was still trying to fight. Sophie pushed forward, pressing the advantage. She took careful aim, lining up the shot to finish him.
Then, her vision glitched.
Her optics scrambled, her HUD vanishing into a mess of static. Worse, her right arm locked up, completely unresponsive. A deep chill ran down her spine.
She moved on instinct, diving for cover behind a stack of metal drums just as the smartgun user opened fire. The rounds homed in, even as she scrambled behind debris, each impact sending sparks flying around her. Pain shot through her side as one bullet grazed her ribs, another tearing through the fabric of her netrunner suit.
Her optics flickered, then restored though they were still glitching slightly. Still no movement in her right arm, but she didnt need it.
With her left hand, she threw another flash grenade towards the netrunner before pulling one of her pistols free.
"Shit-!"
The flash detonated, buying her the second she needed. She squeezed the trigger, the pistol kicking as she fired. The first shots missed, her vision still compromised and despite being stunned, the netrunner was quick. But then, she got a lucky hit. A round punched through his eye socket, and he collapsed like a puppet with its strings cut.
Sophie didnt relax though, rushing over to the last place she saw the heavily injured Tyger. She found him, panting heavily as he tried to wrap a bandage around his arm. He looked up, into her eyes. His head exploded.
Silence filled the building.
Sophie remained still for a moment, her breath ragged. Blood dripped from her wounds, her body aching from the damage she had taken. Her fingers tightened around the pistol before finally lowering it. She exhaled sharply, glancing around at the bodies.
She let herself sink against the cover for a moment, catching her breath. Then, ignoring the pain, she pushed herself to her feet. Time to loot what was left and get out before someone else showed up.
63 - Gig: Acquiring Blackmail
Rancho Coronado
December 1st
2069
Sophie barely had time to register the feint before Kodas fist slammed into her ribs. She grunted, her feet stumbling slightly before she forced herself to steady her stance. Her arms ached, her muscles burned, and her breath came in ragged bursts, but she wasnt going to back down just yet.
Koda, on the other hand, looked completely unfazed. She wasnt even breathing hard. It was a demonstration of just how far Sophie had to go before becoming truly skilled in hand-to-hand combat. But it also served as motivation.
I can reach that level-no. I can go further. And then Ill give Koda a good beating as revenge. Despite her thoughts, she did appreciate all the time the older girl had given her over the last weeks. Hence, she would give the spar her all.
Sophie lunged forward, trying to get inside the larger girls reach, but the moment she did, Koda shifted her weight and countered with a sharp kick to the side of her knee. Pain flared up her leg, and before she could recover, her opponent''s arms were around her. In one fluid motion, she twisted, sweeping Sophies feet out from under her and sending her crashing onto the mat.
She hit the ground hard, the impact jarring her bones. Her vision blurred slightly, and for a second, all she could do was lay there, gasping. Koda hovered above her, waiting.
You done? She asked, tilting her head slightly.
Sophie groaned, rolling onto her side and pushing herself up with her arms. Her body protested every movement, but she ignored it.
Not a chance, she muttered. Not until I give you a good punch
Koda chuckled, stepping back to let her regain her footing. Youre stubborn, Twig. Ill give you that.
She managed to get back into her stance, though her limbs felt like lead. Koda didnt attack this time. Sophie knew she was testing her, seeing if she had anything left in the tank.
She didnt, but that wasnt going to stop her from trying.
Wringing out all the remaining energy in her muscles, she lunged again, throwing a series of quick punches. Koda dodged them effortlessly, weaving just out of reach. The moment she overextended, she moved in, locking up her arm and spinning her into a tight hold.
Her back hit the other girls chest, and before she could even think about escaping, her legs were swept out from under her again. The world spun, and then she was on the ground once more, this time flat on her back with Kodas knee pressing lightly against her sternum.
She let out a breathless laugh, finally letting her arms drop. Okay. Im done.
Koda grinned, releasing her and standing up. Finally. Thought I was gonna have to knock you out just to get you to stop.
Sophie groaned as she rolled onto her side, then slowly pushed herself into a sitting position, resting against the wall. Every part of her ached, her lungs felt like they were on fire, and sweat dripped from her brow. Koda plopped down next to her, giving her a relaxed grin.
Youre getting better, she mused, stretching out his arms. Its getting harder to take you down, at least.
Yeah? Maybe youre just getting weaker, Sophie shot back, though her voice was too tired to carry much bite.
Koda snorted. Right. Keep telling yourself that, Twig.
Sophie huffed, closing her eyes for a moment. You ever gonna drop that nickname?
If you stumble upon this narrative on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen from Royal Road. Please report it.
Not a chance.
They sat in silence for a few moments, letting the exhaustion settle. Sophie was just starting to catch her breath when her interface began to ring. Padre.
She sat up a little straighter before answering. Yeah?
Hello, Sophie, Padres smooth voice came through the line. I have a job for you.
Sophie rubbed at her sore shoulder. Whatve you got for me?
There is a certain document I need retrieved. It has important information my client needs. Nothing too difficult. A simple matter, but one that requires discretion.
She could already tell he wasnt going to tell her exactly what was on the document, and she wasnt about to ask. That was part of being a merc. Where?
I am sending you the address now. The targets security is not impenetrable, but you would do well to be careful. I trust you will handle this with your usual efficiency.
There was a small notification in her optics as the address came through. Got it.
Good. Send me the data when it is done.
The call ended, and Sophie let out a small sigh, already mentally shifting into work mode.
Koda eyed her, one brow raised. Gig?
Yeah. She pushed herself to her feet, wincing slightly as her body protested. Got something to pick up for Padre.
Koda smirked. Yknow, I still find it difficult to believe youre a merc.
Sophie rolled her eyes. Oh fuck off. I might be small but Im damn good at killing people.
Koda stretched, cracking her neck. Heh. Try not to get yourself killed with that confidence, Twig. Sophie gave her the finger before heading towards the door, leaving behind a laughing Animal.
Walking to her Mackinaw, she thought about the girl. Her relationship with Koda had quickly grown beyond mere acquaintances, despite Sophie''s initial reluctance. The older girl just felt invincible in a way, as though anything that could be thrown at her would be shrugged off.
Well, shes certainly not gonna get hurt just cause shes around me. Hell, it might even be the other way round. And I guess having a friend like that wouldnt hurt. She paused. Are we friends? Hmm. Maybe itd be better to say we arent, just in case. She nodded to herself. Yeah. Were definitely not friends. Just training partners.
--------------------------
Sophie pulled her hood back and removed her menpo as she approached the target building, though she kept her head down to ensure some form of anonymity. The apartment complex was easily one of the most luxurious places shed ever been, which was saying something after her visit to Lilys home. A pristine marble entrance led to glass doors that slid open automatically, revealing a lobby bathed in the suns warmth.
There were plenty of people around, some lounging on high-end furniture while others passed through, their designer suits and expensive fashionware gleaming under recessed ceiling lights.
She casually strode inside, scanning the room while doing her best to avoid drawing attention, specifically from the two uniformed guards standing near the main hallway. A concierge desk sat to the right, with a well-dressed receptionist talking to what she assumed was a resident.
Past them, a hallway led deeper into the building, marked Authorized Personnel Only. More importantly, there was a secondary desk at the back of the lobby where an employee was checking in guests. That was where her first objective was.
She moved toward a sitting area connected to the reception desk, taking a seat on one of the bar-like stools. At the same time, she commanded her eyes to change colour, making it appear as though she was scrolling through something on her interface.
As she sat, her eyes flicked across the desks surface. There was an elevator keycard, placed casually beside a black tablet. The employee was focused on the guest in front of them, flipping through a file on the computer in front of them.
She shifted slightly, adjusting her weight as she let out a quiet breath. The guest leaned forward to sign something, and the employee turned slightly to check a different screen. In that instant, Sophie moved. She swiped the keycard and palmed it before slipping it into the sleeve of her jacket as she stood.
Maintaining her calm, she walked away at a normal pace, heading toward the restricted hallway. The two guards were still standing near the main hallway, their attention on the people entering and exiting the building. Sophie kept her steps light, hugging the far side of the room as she reached the personnel door. With one last glance over her shoulder, she slipped inside.
The hallway was dimly lit and silent, with a faint hum from ventilation systems overhead. Cleaning carts lined the walls, and access panels for maintenance were spaced at regular intervals. She moved quickly, following the signs toward the service elevators. If she went through the main elevator lobby, shed be spotted immediately given her attire. Even being in the lobby in her street clothes had been a risky idea.
She pressed the stolen keycard against a scanner beside the service lift. The red light blinked to green, and the doors slid open with a small clink.
Stepping inside, she hit the highest floor number available. The doors closed, and the lift ascended, the motion smooth and nearly silent. Sophie used the time to pull up the details Padre had sent her. Her target was on one of the upper floors, and she had to retrieve a specific file from their computer. The whole thing stunk of corporate sabotage in her opinion.
The elevator stopped, and the doors parted, revealing a quiet, warmly lit hallway leading to luxury penthouses. Instead of stepping out, Sophie turned and accessed the emergency hatch above her. With a careful push, she hoisted herself up onto the roof of the elevator, pulling the hatch shut behind her. The shaft extended several more floors upward toward the buildings rooftop access.
She climbed the maintenance ladder along the wall, ascending the last few stories until she reached another door marked Roof Access C Authorized Personnel Only. Fiddling with the lock only took a few seconds, and she slipped through, emerging into the open night air.
Sophie found it oddly peaceful. No traffic sounds, no shouting or gunfights. It was beautiful. But she had work to do.
Pulling up the information on her HUD, she located the correct balcony. It was three floors below her, belonging to a unit tucked into the corner of the buildings outer structure. She crouched near the ledge of the roof, observing the security setup.
From her position, she could see a few cameras positioned around the exterior, sweeping their designated areas in slow, predictable arcs. Below, she could see a single robotic guard patrolling the balcony. The presence of one likely meant thered be others. Paired with the cameras, it would be tricky to slip in and out undetected. However, Sophie was confident she could do it.
64 - Gig: Acquiring Blackmail (Part 2)
Wellsprings
December 1st
2069
Sophie took a deep breath, steadying herself before making her move. She slipped over the ledge onto a small electrical box, then dropped silently onto the balcony below, rolling with her shoulder first to absorb the fall. As she came up, she immediately pressed herself against a low wall, eyes tracking the security camera mounted at the far end.
The camera swept across the balcony slowly. Sophie watched its pattern, counting the seconds between each pass. Five seconds to reset, three seconds to sweepso eight seconds total. As soon as it swiveled away, she moved.
She stayed low, slipping under the camera and pressing her back against the same wall it was mounted on. There was a sliding glass door to her left, her most obvious entry point, but a quick scan with her optics revealed that it was locked tight. A deeper probe into its security system showed she had no chance of opening it. Her burgeoning netrunning skills werent enough to break through the encryption.
Sophie exhaled sharply before refocusing. That route was out. She glanced toward the far end of the balcony, waiting for the camera to turn again before dashing across the open space. As she reached the far side, her eyes caught on a narrow staircase leading upward. It had been hidden from view in her previous position, blending into its surroundings.
Keeping close to the railing, she began creeping up the stairs. The wind stirred strands of her hair, but she ignored it, ears straining for any movement beyond the next landing. As she neared the top, she froze. She could hear faint beeping, followed by the faint shifting of weight. She peeked over the top stair and spotted a robot guard.
She pressed herself against the wall, making sure as much of her body was hidden as possible. The robot stood near an entrance into the apartment, its glowing optical sensor casting a faint red glow onto the polished wooden floor.
Sophie took stock of her options. The entrance it was guarding was likely her best way inside. But she needed the bot to move so that she could access it.
Fuck. Doesnt look like it has a patrol routeCan I get its attention somehow? Id need to throw something at a wall thoughShe looked around but didnt notice anything that could serve as a distraction while also not leaving any traces. Then her eyes lit up. She fished out one of her flash pellets. I just have to throw it carefully.
With her plan ready, she strained to move herself into the correct position without alerting the sentry. Once she was situated correctly, she tossed the pellet through the bots line of sight. It flew exactly where she wanted it to, falling over the edge of the balcony towards the street below. Why was I trying to find something to throw at a wall when I could do that? Stupid Sophie.
While she was chastising herself, the bot clanked over to the spot shed thrown the flash pellet through, beeping furiously. Sophie took the brief opportunity before it began tracing the pellets flight path, dashing over to the entrance. Just as she went to pass through the boundary, she skidded to a halt.
There was a red, holographic warning across the entryway. Fuck! Panicking slightly, Sophie spun round, searching for another method to enter. The system in front of her would register an unapproved biometric reading in seconds, alerting the apartments automated defenses. She couldnt afford that risk.
Then she spotted safety; an air vent, set into the wall just a few feet to her left. It was small, but easily big enough for her to squeeze through. She quickly unscrewed the vent cover as quietly as possible. The second it was loose, she slid inside, pulling the grate back into place behind her. It was a bit wobbly but the sides sat snugly in their small recesses.
Behind her, the robot guard had stomped over to her previous location, scanning the area.
Damn. That was way too close for comfort.
Dust and stale air filled her lungs as she crawled further inside but she pressed forward, careful not to make a sound. It was hard work trying not to cough due to the dust. However, the vents carried sound easily and she couldnt afford to make any sharp sounds. One misplaced movement or sound and anyone inside the apartment might hear her crawling.
Enjoying this book? Seek out the original to ensure the author gets credit.
She moved slowly, occasionally pausing to listen for any signs of movement beyond the vent walls.
Finally, she reached an exit point. Through the slats, she could see the second floor of the apartment. It was a hallway that led into an unoccupied room with beautiful wooden furniture and soft lighting.
From the inside, Sophie carefully damaged the securing screws, allowing her to unlatch the vent cover and push it outward just enough to slip through. She eased herself out of the confined space and landed in a crouch, scanning her surroundings further. A minimalist aesthetic dominated the apartment. There was fancy furniture and expensive materials but also an eerie lack of personal touches. Whoever lived here had plenty of money, but there were no signs of warmth, no indication of a life beyond business.
She took a step forward, then froze as a subtle whirring noise reached her ears. A moving camera somewhere nearby. She slipped into the shadows, blending into the darker recesses of the room as she ran her eyes across the room, searching for the security device.
Edging forward, she peered around a corner and spotted the camera. It was monitoring a hallway that led deeper into the apartment.
Pressing her back against the wall, she studied the cameras movement, noting its blind spots. She had only a couple of seconds to move once it turned away. Taking a steadying breath, she waited for the exact moment it panned away from her position, then darted forward, keeping low to the ground.
In a single smooth motion, she rolled into cover behind a small decorative pillar just before the lens swung back. The moment it looked away again, she finished crossing the hallway, slipping into the next room without a sound.
The apartment was spacious, and very bright due to the massive windows. Still, there was an occasional shadow she could use to her advantage. Her target destination was the main study, where the data she needed was supposedly stored.
As she rounded a corner, the sound of a security drone, similar to a fan, reached her ears. Freezing in place, she glanced up and caught sight of a compact, hovering drone drifting slowly along the ceiling, its blue optics scanning the room below.
Immediately crouching low, she tracked its movement, noting that it followed a simple patrol path. The moment it veered away, she crept forward, using furniture as cover.
A sudden beep from the hallway almost made her heart jump out of her throat. Another drone? NoIs there someone here? Fuck! Sophie barely had time to slide behind a large sofa before the sound of heavy footsteps echoed through the room.
A careful look revealed a robotic guard, humanoid in design but with a reinforced frame. It walked further into the room, its heavy steps making the floor tremble slightly. It stopped just feet away from her position, its optics glowing a faint red as it surveyed the area.
She breathed slowly while keeping her body as still as possible. The machine stood there for a few agonizing seconds before continuing its patrol, thumping toward another section of the apartment. Only when she was sure it was gone did she allow herself to move again, creeping forward with even greater caution.
After several tense minutes of navigating past cameras, drones, and robotic sentries, Sophie finally spotted her destination; a large set of double doors, slightly ajar. Slipping inside, she quickly scanned the study. It was a well-furnished room, lined with bookshelves and expensive art pieces. Her target though, was a normal looking computer that sat atop a massive wooden desk.
Sophie wasted no time. She pulled her personal link out and plugged it into the terminals port. The moment she connected, the ICEbreaker Padre had sent her activated, bypassing the security protocols. Lines of code scrolled across the screen as the breach process initiated. Glad he sent me this. But I really need to improve my running. I cant keep relying on this kind of thing.
There was a soft beep as the device opened, followed by rapid tapping as her fingers hovered over the keyboard, navigating through the system. It didnt take long to find what she was looking for. The titles suggested it was a collection of reports and despite not actually looking at the content, she knew they would detail something bad. Still, it wasnt her business. Sophie transferred the data, watching as the progress bar filled.
Just as she prepared to disconnect, something caught her eye. It shouldnt have, but it felt important for some reason. Yet it was just a normal folder labeled with a simple, unassuming name. She opened it. What she found inside made her blood run cold.
The folder contained a series of files; images, videos, and documents that detailed some of the horrific crimes committed by the apartments owner. The level of depravity was staggering. Her jaw clenched as she quickly downloaded everything, sending a copy to Padre along with the original data. She could only hope that the extra info would ruin him. If not, she was always willing to do things herself.
Almost instantly, she received a brief acknowledgement message from him. With her mission complete, it was time to leave.
She disconnected her link and moved swiftly back toward her entry point. The study remained undisturbed, but she could still hear the hum of drones patrolling nearby. She retraced her steps, avoiding every camera and sentry just as she had before.
At one point, she had to freeze in place for nearly a full minute as a robotic guard lingered dangerously close to her position. When it finally moved on, she seized her opportunity and slipped past unnoticed.
Climbing back through the vent, she crawled her way back to the hidden balcony staircase, pausing briefly to ensure the robotic guard below still had its back turned. She crept down the stairs and back onto the exposed balcony, timing her movements with the camera sweeps once more. As soon as the camera panned away, she vaulted up to a handhold before clambering up towards the roofs ledge.
The rooftop was still quiet, but Sophie didnt let her guard down. She made her way back to the elevator access point, then rode the lift down, keeping to the shadows when the doors opened. The lobby was her final obstacle. She needed to get through it without alerting anyone.
As she stepped out of the restricted hallway, she heard voices nearby. She looked over, noting that it was the security guards talking casually as they patrolled. She stuck herself against the wall, staying out of sight. The moment they moved past her, she swiftly crossed the floor, blending in with the scattered guests in the lobby.
Just as she neared the exit, a sharp voice called out, Hold up.
Her heart pounded as she turned slightly, ready to react. A security guard was speaking to another guest, not her. Fighting the urge to move too quickly, she maintained a natural pace as she walked toward the entrance.
A moment later, the front doors slid open, and she stepped outside, breathing in the crisp afternoon air. Only once she was a few blocks away did she finally allow herself to relax.
Ugh. That sucked. I prefer killing people.
65 - A Day Out
Wellsprings
December 2nd
2069
Sophie stared at the blonde in front of her, face painted in irritation.
And then I
Shes still going. I havent seen her breathe in over a minute. Its just like last time. What is this creature? Shes scary. After another minute of babbling, Sophie finally held up a hand.
Lily. You called me over. Why? The girl froze for a moment, then nodded. Sophie could have sworn she started vibrating in place.
Yeah! I wanna go shopping! With my best choom!
Ignoring her sudden and odd designation as Lilys best friend, Sophie frowned. Didnt we do that a month ago?
Yeah, but that was a month ago! Theres new stuff out. Come on, lets go! Lily hooked their arms together and started pulling her towards Sophies Mackinaw before she could voice any further objections. After the bus fiasco the last time she was with Lily, due in part to her not owning the car at the time, shed thought it wise to bring it as their mode of transport.
Sophie let out a quiet sigh but didnt resist, aside from untangling their limbs. She got a pout and some grumbling in response. Hmph. Meanie.
As they climbed into the pickup, Lily looked around like a curious child, running her fingers over the dashboard. Wow! Ive never been in something like this! Its so blocky! Wheres the driver? She paused, noting Sophies position. Huh? You can drive? Her face seemed to light up at the prospect.
Yes? Why wouldnt I know how to drive?
Wow! But why? Cant you get someone else to drive for you? Sophie scrutinised Lily for a moment. All she saw was genuine confusion and innocence. She sighed.
No, Lily. Personal chauffeurs arent normal. Most people in Night City know how to drive. I imagine its the same everywhere else.
She tilted her head slightly and let out a small huh. Can you teach me to drive then? The question came just as Sophie was about to pull out onto the street. She slammed her foot on the brake and looked at her passenger. Images flashed through her mind of Lily driving some kind of supercar through the city like a maniac.
Night City is crazy enough. No need for her to get behind the wheel. Hmm, maybe.
Lily grinned, leaning back in her seat as Sophie finally pulled onto the road, heading toward Corpo Plaza. They lapsed into silence as the blonde pressed her face against the window, staring at the city with undisguised awe. Its just like last time. Does she not go out much? Sophie didnt voice her questions.
The towering buildings of the City Center loomed overhead as they arrived, neon signs flashing advertisements in a never-ending cycle. The streets were bustling, filled mostly with corpos in pristine suits.
Lily wasted no time, immediately darting into the first clothing store that caught her eye. Sophie followed at a much slower pace, hands held close to her weapons in case they were needed. She took in the sight of Lily enthusiastically sorting through racks of designer outfits.
What do you think of this one? Lily held up a pretty, fashionable dress. The shimmering black fabric caught the artificial light, making it look like part of the night sky had been turned into clothing.
Sophie gave it a quick glance. Looks expensive.
Lily rolled her eyes. Thats not what I asked.
Sophie shrugged. Its nice, I guess. It was a beautiful dress. She couldnt deny that, despite having little personal interest in it. But it wasnt a practical piece of clothing and thats all she cared about. There was nowhere to hide weapons, not to mention how tight and long it was.
This story originates from a different website. Ensure the author gets the support they deserve by reading it there.
Satisfied, Lily draped it over her arm and continued her hunt. Sophie followed her through multiple stores, watching as Lily picked up everything from jackets to accessories, seemingly never tiring. After what felt like an eternity, Sophie finally spoke up as the mental exhaustion of dealing with Lilys enthusiasm started to creep in.
Are you done yet?
Lily turned to her with a blinding grin. Nope! But Im getting hungry. Lets get food.
Sophie mentally groaned but didnt argue. The two of them found a shop tucked into the bottom of a shopping complex, its menu filled with some weird fusion of Mexican and Asian cuisine. Lily ordered quickly and they took seats at one of the metal tables nearby.
Lily happily dug into her meal, humming slightly. Hmm, its not bad. Although theres a funny taste
Sophie nodded slightly. Thats scop. Everyone eats it. She wasnt one for casual conversation, but Lily seemed perfectly content filling the silence herself.
After they finished eating, Lily wiped her hands off and turned to Sophie with a mischievous glint in her eyes. The merc immediately felt a shiver run down her spine. Alright, now its your turn.
Sophie raised an eyebrow. For what?
Shopping, duh. Lily grabbed her wrist, dragging her toward another clothing store before she could protest.
Sophie let out a sigh. Lily, I dont need any clothes.
Yes, you do. Come on, just try some stuff on.
Sophie gave her a flat look. Do I have a choice?
Lily smiled at her. Nope.
Sophie reluctantly allowed herself to be pulled inside. The store was fancy and very modern, filled with rows of stylish, high-quality clothing. Lily wasted no time picking out outfits and shoving them into Sophies arms before pushing her toward the dressing rooms.
Go. Try them on. Now.
Sophie sighed but did as she was told, stepping into one of the booths. She changed into the first outfit, stepping out with clear reluctance. Lily clapped her hands together.
You look great!
Sophie frowned, glancing down at herself. Feels weird.
Lily rolled her eyes. That just means you need to wear it more often!
Lily. Im not wearing this. I dont need it, nor is it my style. She got a frown in response.
But I wanted to get you some clothes Suddenly, the blonde got all sad and Sophie rubbed her temples.
Alright, look. I dont want clothes but Ive been planning to get myself a better pair of boots. The sad expression disappeared, immediately replaced by intense happiness. Shes a puppy. A human puppy.
To the shoe store! She cheered, dragging Sophie with her.
A few minutes later, they entered into the aptly named Everything Shoes. The store was stocked with everything from high-end designer heels to combat-ready boots. Sophie, of course, only had eyes for the latter.
She made a beeline for the sturdier footwear, running her fingers along the thick soles and reinforced plating on a few pairs. Lily hovered nearby, watching with both amusement and horror.
"Its so not pretty! You could go for something a bit prettier at least! Why not try something like this, huh?" She asked, nudging a pair of corporate-style boots with large stilettos toward Sophie with her foot.
Sophie shot her a dry look. "Yeah, no. I kill people for a living, Lily. I need clothes that help me do that better." The blonde flinched at the bluntness and the merc didnt miss it. Oh? Is that why I didnt need to accompany you for a month? Were you scared of me again?
Geh, she let out a funny noise and looked away. A moment later she spoke in a quiet voice. MaybeMaybe just a little.
Sophie shrugged. Its fine. Im just your bodyguard. No need for you to be so friendly with me. She glanced up from the pair of boots she was looking at and noticed Lily staring at her.
Youre my choom. My best choom. I dont want to be scared of you.
No. Im your bodyguard. Were not friends. Hell, weve only met each other twice.
I don''t care, she said petulantly. I want to be friends with you. Ill make you accept me. Sophie gave her another look, seeing the determination on her face.
Eh. Suit yourself. Silence followed the statement as Sophie continued to search for a pair of boots.
She tried on a few different styles; some reinforced tactical boots with shock absorption, a pair of steel-toe work boots that felt way too stiff and even some military-grade stompers that were just a bit too bulky. None of them felt quite right.
Then, her eyes landed on them. A pair of heavy-duty biker exo-jacks, black with subtle grey accents that covered her legs all the way up to her knees. She slipped them on, fastening the straps and flexing her foot. The fit was perfect and they werent the type with heel extensions either. She took a few steps, testing the weight and balance.
These, she said, standing up fully and rolling her ankle slightly to test the range of movement. Ill take these.
Lily gave her a small, subdued smile. Really? Are you sure thats what you want?
Yeah. These are perfect.
At the register, Sophie went to transfer the eddies but was stopped by the cashier, who thanked Lily for her purchase.
Lily, Sophie said warningly.
Too late! Already paid, Lily sing-songed, sticking her tongue out playfully. And her childish mood is back. I think Ive had enough interaction with this social butterfly for a while. My head hurts.
With their shopping done, the two of them stepped out onto the street, Sophie carrying a box with her new boots and Lily carrying a handful of bags.
Lily looked over at Sophie with a satisfied smile. That wasnt so bad, was it?
Sophie exhaled, adjusting the box in her hands. Mmm. Could''ve been worse.
Lily laughed. Ill take that as a win.
The two of them made their way back to Sophies Mackinaw. As Sophie started the engine, Lily stretched her arms behind her head, clearly pleased with the day despite the small disagreement towards the end.
We should do this again sometime, Lily said.
Sophie gave her a sideways glance before focusing back on the road. Well see.
She grinned. Ill take that as a yes. The only reply was a groan.
66 - A Partner?
Little China
December 4th
2069
Sophie waved goodbye to Misty as she walked down the stairs to Viks clinic. The older girl had been overjoyed to see her and though she felt awkward, Sophie had accepted their interactions as something she needed to do. It didnt hurt that she didnt mind being around Misty. She was incredibly kind after all. A bit too keen on the hugs though.
As her mind wandered, she found herself stepping through the flimsy gate that protected the main area of the clinic. Vik was in his chair as usual, watching something on his TV. He looked up when she walked in before giving her a smile.
Sophie! He got up before giving her a hug. She frowned slightly before accepting her fate, returning the gesture with a pat on the mans back. The ripper pulled back a bit, his hands on her shoulders. You here for those upgrades we talked about?
She nodded. Mmm. They ready yet?
They sure are. Arrived yesterday in fact. Go, sit down. Ill bring everything over so I can explain.
He strode away while Sophie made her way over to the surgical chair. A few minutes later, Vik returned with a case. He cracked it open and turned it around so that she could see into it.
Alright. First things first, Ill be installing this little thermal module into your eyes. A simple command will allow you to switch to thermal optics. Super easy. He put it back, then pointed to the rest of the cyberware in the case.
Now, these are the pieces you requested. To be honest, Im glad you did. Too many people go straight for the muscle or bone upgrades. Its nice to see someone upgrade the parts that hold you together first. This is a full set of joints, tendons and ligaments. Significantly more durable than your biological ones.
Any other features? She asked, sensing he wasnt finished.
Well, youll be able to move slightly faster, jump a bit higher and absorb more of an impact. I will say its not going to be particularly noticeable. You dont have the bones nor the muscle to complement the increased strength in your connective tissue. She furrowed her brow in disagreement and he saw it, elaborating.
Look, youre a fit girl. All your merc work has been fantastic for building your strength and stamina. But theres a certain limit that youll reach without actually dedicating time to working out. Youve either reached it already, or are pretty close to it, which is impressive in its own right.
Sophie nodded slowly. Hmm, maybe I should take Ursa up on that offer to start working out? At least until I get some artificial muscle and bone lacing. Alright. I wont expect too much from it.
He breathed a sigh of relief that he didnt have to argue with her. Good. What you will notice however, is that you wont be feeling much exhaustion in those areas. Youll still get soreness in your muscles but the artificial nature of these replacements mean you wont have to worry about joint pain or anything like that.
I dont tend to feel much of that anyway. Her skills were good enough that she knew the proper ways to walk and run, not to mention her Parkour skill that helped her avoid many of the dangers associated with extreme movements.
This text was taken from Royal Road. Help the author by reading the original version there.
Well, you wont feel any of it anymore. Anyway. He then pointed to the final item in the case. Now these. These will make a big difference. In fact, Id bet youll notice it right away. Artificial lungs make many parts of life in Night City easier. General breathing for one, because of the pollution filters. I think youll also experience the benefits when your lungs arent getting tired during a long fight.
Sophie nodded. He saw that she was ready to begin, quickly getting himself set up. When he was ready, he stepped closer with an anaesthetic gun.
Alright. It wont take too long but Ill need you to be asleep for some of these. Sleep well, kid.
With those words she felt a brief sting on her neck as the anaesthetic pumped into her bloodstream. Within a minute she was out cold and Vik could begin his work.
-----------------------
Stepping out of the clinic a few hours later, Sophie took her first deep breath with her new lungs. The difference was immense. Basic pollution filters meant that she was no longer breathing in the worst of the environmental hazards, not to mention the fact she could take in significantly more oxygen.
She also tested out her thermal vision, confirming that it worked. Fantastic. Thisll allow me to use my smoke pellets more effectively. She also paid close attention to how her new connective tissue upgrades felt.
Like Vik had warned her, they didnt seem to do much for her movement speed. However, she could feel that her knees would fare better when performing fast movements even though she was only walking.
Sophie climbed into her Mackinaw before starting her journey home. She didnt have any work to be doing, so she wanted to take the opportunity to get used to her new chrome. Viks earlier words lingered in her mind too. I guess I could try a basic workout when I get home.
However, just as she was leaving Watson a call came through. She answered promptly.
Padre. You have a gig?
Something of the sort. Come see me as soon as you can. And bring your car. He hung up and Sophie mentally switched into work mode.
He wants me to bring my carPlease tell me its not more bodyguard work. I guess it could also be a transport gig. Although theres no way Im helping him move drugs, if thats what this is.
She was a bit miffed that her best chance to test her new chrome had been thrown out the window but at the same time the work was a good opportunity to recover some of the money she just gave to Vik.
-----------------------
Sophie parked outside of Padres normal spot and jumped out, hurrying forward. As she approached her eyes spotted the typical Valentino presence, but there was an unknown girl seated at Padres table.
The client maybe? Hmm, she looks a little older than me. I dont think shed be able to pay for it herself.
As shed observed, the unknown girl was maybe a year or two older than herself, with blackish-purple hair that fell just past her shoulders. Her eyes were mostly blue, with a tiny ring of pink around the iris.
Aside from that though, she seemed to be a pretty average teenager aside from the fact she didnt seem to be carrying any weapons. Most people in Night City carried around some form of weapon, whether it was a gun or a knife.
Sophie stepped up to the table and Padre gestured for her to sit. She did, staring at the odd pair before opening her mouth to speak.
So? Whats the job? Am I guarding her? Taking her somewhere?
Padre raised his eyebrow at her. No. I would like you to bring her with you for a gig.
Sophie stood abruptly, slamming her hands on the table. The girl flinched slightly but Padre continued to stare at her placidly.
Are you fucking kidding me!? I dont want to babysit another fucking civilian!
Sophie. Please, be calm. Im not asking you to babysit her. Shes just starting out as a merc. I believe youre the best person to accompany her in this initial period, considering youre both girls of a similar age. She also possesses skills I believe will open up many doors for you and I trust that you wont sell her out or betray her.
Sophie stared at the man. ...Which of my skills are you questioning? Ive never failed a gig youve given me, Padre. Im good at what I do. While she argued her case, the unknown girl looked incredibly uncomfortable, seemingly wanting to say something but unsure how.
Thats not what I meant. We both know you have the skills, but they lean more towards elimination and stealth. And I know youve been working on your netrunning but I believe having a dedicated netrunner to work with would allow you to take some trickier jobs.
Oh please, Sophie spat. Padre, shes wearing regular clothes, not even something appropriate for combat. If she was a good runner shed at least have a suit. The girl flushed slightly and her head drooped. Sophie felt a bit bad for the harsh words but being insulted was better than being dead.
Theres no need to be rude, Sophie. She doesnt have the eddies to buy a suit at the moment. She came to me because she needs money, and her skills are well-suited to this line of work.
Youre not gonna let this go, are you?
I will not. If you dont fit well together then Ill have you work separately, but for now Id like you to be her guide as she starts her mercenary career.
Sophie stared at the man and he stared back. Eventually, she looked at the girl. Her face was easy to read, a mixture of hope and nerves. She sighed. Fucking fine, she muttered. Introduce us. And tell me what the job is.
67 - Gig: Vault Raiding
Heywood
December 4th
2069
Padre seemed to relax a bit after she gave in. This is Sasha Yakovleva. Shes a year or two older than you, but shes only now starting her merc career because of some family troubles. Sophie stared at him, then turned her head to look at the girl.
Sasha Yakovleva? Isnt that the name of the netrunner from Maines crew? Is it just a coincidence? No no, it cant be. This girl is a runner too. The odds of there being two netrunners with exactly the same name in the same city are miniscule.
She scrutinised the now-named Sasha but just couldnt connect her current look with her future appearance.
Hmm. Nice to meet you, I guess. Im Sophie.
She suddenly had a lot to think about but Padre didnt give her a chance.
This job shouldnt be too hard, especially for you Sophie. Its more to ease Sasha into the kind of work shell be doing.
Yeah, yeah. Give me the deets already. She interrupted him, receiving an annoyed look in return.
The client for this job has recently gotten into some trouble with a group of Valentinos who run a small gambling den in Vista del Rey. Recently, the client gambled away his prized pistol, along with a very large amount of money.
So he wants the money back?
Thats right. Hes managed to contact a group of nomads that will smuggle him out of the city before the Valentinos can get to him. Unfortunately, he needs the money youll retrieve to pay them. Youll have to deliver the money. Theres no need to worry about your pay though. I made sure he handed it over. Hes also said that if you find his gun, you can keep it. As a form of extra payment.
Huh. Well, serves the idiot right for gambling like that. Anyway, is that all the info?
Thats all. And Sophie? I hope youll keep an open mind about working with Sasha. I believe youll both work well together.
Sophie stood up. Well see. She looked at Sasha, who looked lost in thought. I assume youre coming with me?
Her voice seemed to startle the girl before she quickly turned, looking at her with wide eyes.
Ughum. If thats alright?
Sophie sighed. Yeah, its fine. She started walking away, receiving an address from Padre as she left the alleyway. From behind, she could hear Sasha saying something to the old fixer before hurrying after her. She sighed again. Im really not sure about this.
-----------------------
Sophie sat in the drivers seat of her Mackinaw, fingers resting lazily against the wheel as she stared at the building ahead. Its exterior was painted in deep red and gold, intricate metalwork lining the entrance while a neon white sign flickered above the doorway.
A large golden skull with a rose clenched in its teeth was emblazoned above the main doors, marking it as unmistakably Valentino territory. It was also one of the ugliest buildings shed ever had the displeasure of laying eyes on, though plenty of people were moving in and out, the bass-heavy rhythm of club music leaking onto the streets through the open doors.
Beside her, Sasha sat stiffly, hands clasped together in her lap. The netrunner had a pair of bulky VR goggles resting on her forehead as she fidgeted nervously.
I uhYou know this is my first gig, Sasha said after a long silence. Sophie gave her a glance before going back to her observations. I know you dont want a partner, but isnt it a good thing youve got someone to watch your back?
Sophie let out a quiet sigh, keeping her eyes on the building. Yeah. I dont want a partner. Especially someone as green as you.
Sasha winced at the blunt response but nodded. I understand. But let me at least prove I can help.
Sophie didnt answer. She had no patience for babysitting, especially not an untested netrunner. And if she could push Sasha to abandon merc work, maybe the girl would be able to avoid her tragic fate. The scene where she jumped from the Biotechnica building was etched in her mind.
After deciding how to deal with the netrunner, Sophie went over all the information shed been able to gather from her surveillance.
The first floor seemed to be a gambling hall, filled with rows of slot machines glowing in a rainbow of lights, round card tables packed with gamblers and dealers, and an elevated bar in the back where a group of Valentinos laughed over drinks.
Love what you''re reading? Discover and support the author on the platform they originally published on.
Security was light on the floor, at least visibly. There were a few bouncers standing near the entrance, wearing gold chains and carrying heavy pistols or shotguns.
The second floor appeared to be more restricted and from her position in the car, she couldnt see anything aside from a staircase leading upwards.
Realising that remaining in the car wouldnt help, she moved to slip out and scout the perimeter. Just before she could get out, Sasha put a hand on her shoulder.
Wait, please.
Sophie shot her a look. What?
Let me check their systems first, Sasha said, reaching up to pull her goggles over her eyes. I can find the vault and maybe even open a door for you. At the very least, I can blind any cameras around.
Sophie raised an eyebrow but leaned back against the seat, folding her arms. Fine. Youve got five minutes. You better not give anything away.
Sasha gave a small nod, fingers twitching as she submerged herself into the casinos network.
Minutes passed in tense silence. Sophie tapped her foot, glancing between the casino and the netrunner beside her. Just as she was about to prod the girl for an update, Sasha exhaled sharply and pushed her goggles up.
Got it, she said, looking a little breathless. The vaults on the second floor. Its got a biometric lock, so youll need to find another way in, but I can keep cameras off your back.
Sophie frowned, though she was mildly impressed. Her netrunning skills wouldnt allow her to do that. Not bad.
Sasha smiled, clearly relieved at the begrudging compliment. I can also open a back entrance for you. That might make it easier for you.
Sophie considered her for a moment, then nodded. Fine. You stay here, keep an eye on their system, and warn me if anything changes. I dont need you getting in my way.
Sasha looked like she wanted to protest but ultimately nodded. Alright, Ill stay. Should we keep in contact through holo-call? Sophie gave her a nod, starting a call.
Satisfied, Sophie ran through some last adjustments for her gear before stepping out of the truck. The cool evening air greeted her as she moved toward the back of the casino, where Sasha had marked the unlocked entrance. The alley behind the building was dimly lit by the setting sun, with trash bags piled near a rusted-out dumpster. A solid metal door leading into the casino sat slightly ajar.
She slipped inside, closing it carefully behind her before pressing herself against the wall. The corridor was quiet, aside from muffled music filtering through the walls. Sashas voice appeared in her head.
Youre in? The hallway leads to a storage room, then a stairwell up to the second floor. A guard passes through every couple of minutes.
Sophie exhaled slowly. Got it. As much as she didnt want to admit it, having someone tell her the guard positions was helpful.
She crept forward, keeping her steps quiet against the tiled floor. The storage room was cluttered with crates of alcohol and spare equipment. As she reached the doorway leading to the stairwell, she pressed herself into the shadows just as a Valentino guard ambled past, clearly distracted by something. He didnt even glance in her direction before continuing down the hall.
Once he moved past her, she slipped up the stairs cautiously. The second floor was quieter and filled with cigar smoke. A security camera swiveled at the end of the hall, but before she could worry, Sashas voice came through again.
Cameras looped. Youre clear.
Sophie blinked. Huh. Thats pretty useful.
She made her way toward the vault, stopping at a corner as another security guard passed by. This one was more alert, scanning the hallway as he adjusted the shotgun he was holding. Sophie waited until he disappeared into one of the offices before moving again.
The vault door stood at the end of the hall, an imposing piece of reinforced metal with a biometric scanner attached. There was no way shed get through it without drawing attention.
Reluctantly, she turned to her partner. Sasha, any other ways in? she murmured.
A pause. Then, Ventilation system. Theres an access panel in the maintenance closet across from you. Should lead behind the vault.
Sophie crossed the hallway quickly, slipping into the small closet. As promised, an air vent sat high on the wall. She reached up, unfastened the cover, and hauled herself inside, crawling through the narrow shaft.
After a few slow minutes, she reached a second panel. Peering through the grate, she spotted the vaults interior. It was a small space, with only a few shelves filled with locked cases. She cracked open the vent, dropping to the floor inside.
Sophie exhaled. Alright, Im in.
It didnt take long before she found the clients prized pistol. It was a gaudy, gold-plated Nue. Ugh. This thing looks gross. Regardless, she slipped it into her jacket. Another quick search and she had a cred chip with the clients money.
Alright, Sasha. Ive got everything we came for. Hows my exit route looking?
All good. Therell be a guard crossing your path soon, but thats all.
Preem. See you soon.
Not even 15 minutes later, Sophie slipped into the drivers seat of her Mackinaw, handing the pistol and chip to Sasha.
Just gotta deliver the eddies now. Ready to go? The runner gave her a small nod.
The short trip to the outskirts of Vista del Rey was silent. The client was supposedly hiding out in an old garage, waiting for the delivery.
The closer the two girls got to the location though, the more Sophie felt like something was wrong. They pulled up near their destination but before they could get out, a group of Valentinos waltzed past in bloodstained clothing.
They were coming from the same direction as the clients hideout and Sophies stomach sank.
Stay here, Sasha. Ill make the delivery.
No way! If I wanna be a merc, I need to do the job properly. Sophie looked at her for a moment. The netrunner clearly didnt think anything was wrong.
Fine, she muttered. Dont say I didnt try and stop you.
Sophie decided to wait a moment before stepping out of the car, in the off chance the Valentinos returned. They didnt, so the pair of girls approached the garage. As they got closer, a distinct smell of blood entered their noses.
Ugh! What is that?
With a grim face, Sophie unlocked the door to the hideout. As it slid open, the smell instantly became stronger.
Walking inside, the smaller merc was greeted by a smashed up car and a corpse hanging from the ceiling via a cable. The mans chest had been carved open, his guts spilling onto the floor. The top of his head looked like it had been shot to pieces too, and Sophie had to suppress the urge to gag at the stench.
Unable to complete the gig with their client dead, Sophie turned and pushed the netrunner who was trying to enter the garage.
Hes dead. Lets go, Sasha.
Huh? Dead? What do you mean? The older girl looked at her, confused.
The Tinos from before. They got to him before he could escape. You dont need to see what they did to him.
Her face went pale. OOh. Yyeah, lets go then.
They jumped back into Sophies car, the atmosphere solemn. Sophie looked at her new partner. The girls face was still pale, despite not even seeing the body.
Yknow, your skills are good. But I dont think you should be a merc. Sasha looked at her questioningly. Seeing that, she elaborated. You ever seen death? Ever killed someone? The runner shook her head. Thought so. Unless youre willing to get used to that kind of thing, I dont think you should be a merc. Youll be able to find work somewhere else with your skills.
I cantNot at the moment at least.
Why not?
I dont have any money. Until I have some savings, working as a merc is my best option. And I kinda enjoyed the stuff I was doing today. Sophie glanced at her.
Well, if you want to keep working with me, you better make yourself useful. Like you did today. Otherwise you can fuck off.
Her words got a small, relieved smile in response.
68 - Gig: The Bull
Vista del Rey
December 11th
2069
Sophie had studied the file on her first assassination target since being partnered with Sasha. The womans name was Estrella Mendez, a low-level enforcer for the Valentinos who had been climbing the ranks through sheer brutality and was close to being promoted to a mid-level enforcer. Fortunately, she was less of a combatant and more of a manager, though that didnt stop her from committing incredibly violent acts alongside her goons.
Padres sources had detailed kidnappings, extortion, and a disturbing tendency to make an example of anyone who disrespected her. She had a fondness for knives; plenty of her victims had been found in dumpsters with deep, intricate carvings left in their flesh, messages for anyone who thought to cross her. This was the kind of person Padre wanted gone before she got too powerful.
The construction site in front of Sophie was the womans current base of operations, a half-built, multi-story structure with exposed steel beams and unfinished concrete walls. Floodlights illuminated patches of the site, creating pockets of shadow where Sophie could move unseen.
Despite the favourable location, there were plenty of obstacles. The place was heavily patrolled by Valentinos and there were a handful of automated sentries rigged to detect movement. On the bright side, the sentries were mostly on the outer edge of the site. Of course, there were plenty of cameras that Sasha would have to disable at just the right moments.
Sophie crouched behind a stack of steel pipes near the perimeter. Sashas voice echoed in her head. "Im inside their system. I can see about half the cameras. Gimme a sec and Ill get you a better view.
Sophie exhaled slowly, scanning the site. There were at least a dozen guards visible from her position, scattered in small groups while smoking or chatting near stacks of construction materials.
She moved when the nearest guard turned his back, slipping through the gaps in the fencing and ducking into the shadows of a parked truck. The Valentinos werent lax, but they werent exactly military-trained either.
Sashas voice returned. "Alright, got their full camera feed. Youre clear to move to your left. There are two guards near the concrete mixers, but theyre facing the other way."
Sophie crept forward, pressing against a stack of rebar. She carefully avoided a patch of broken glass and closed the distance on the first guard. He barely had time to react before she wrapped an arm around his neck, silencing him with a quick chokehold. A few seconds later, she eased his body behind a pile of cement bags and moved on to the next target.
As she reached for her knife, Sasha spoke up. "Hold up, someones coming."
Sophie instantly dropped to the ground behind the mixer. Boots crunched against gravel as another guard approached. He stopped near the body shed hidden, his brow furrowing. Sophie held her breath.
Then, another voice called out, "Yo, we gotta check the south side. C''mon."
The guard hesitated, but then turned away, walking toward the other end of the site. Sophie took her chance and moved, making her way toward the central scaffolding.
As she climbed, her eyes landed on an unusual figure, especially amongst the Valentinos; a mountain of a man leaning against a stack of wooden pallets. He looked like hed be more at home with the Animals and unlike the others, he wasn''t slacking off. He stood rigid, arms crossed over a bare chest covered in tattoos. A cybernetic implant ran along the side of his jaw and his left eye glowed a deep red.
Even from a distance, Sophie could tell he was dangerous. He carried a modified shotgun strapped to his back, but she guessed he didnt need it to be lethal. He looked like the kind of guy who could crush someone''s skull with his bare hands.
Sasha must have noticed him too. "Uh, heads up, theres a guy near the middle that looks like he eats chrome for breakfast. You know who this is?"
"No idea," Sophie murmured. "He wasnt in the info, so Im staying clear of him."
"Good plan."
Sophie maneuvered through a framework of steel beams, carefully weaving past gaps in the floor. Below, more Valentinos patrolled, their conversations drifting up to her. Most of it was idle talk. Just bets on fights or complaints about food. But then she caught something useful.
"Mendez wants us on alert tonight. Some corpos sniffing around her deals. She thinks someone might try to hit her." Sophie frowned at the news.
So Estrellas already wary. Thats not great. She might have tighter security than expected.
She relayed the new information to Sasha before continuing forward, nearing the middle of the site. A drone hummed in the distance, scanning the area with a soft blue light. She waited for it to pass before slipping between two wooden barriers.
Sasha guided her past a few more guards, shutting down cameras at just the right moments. Sophie was nearly in position to move toward Estrellas location when Sasha suddenly cursed. "Uhhhh. Ive got company. Another netrunner just found my tracks. Theyre trying to trace me." There was panic in her voice.
Sophies stomach clenched. "Can you stay hidden?"
You could be reading stolen content. Head to the original site for the genuine story.
"Im trying, but theyre good. I need to lock them in a loop before they pinpoint me. Youll be on your own for now."
Sophie scanned the area ahead. She was still undetected and despite losing Sashas assistance, she was used to working alone. "Do what you need to do. Just stay safe."
"Mmm. You too."
Then, alarms started blaring.
"Shit! They got me! Sorry Sophie, I need to focus!" Sasha shouted. The holo-call cut out, leaving Sophie to grit her teeth. Fuck.
Below her, Valentinos shouted orders and grabbed weapons. Floodlights were turned up, cutting through some of the darkness. Her eyes caught a large group moving in the distance. She zoomed in, quickly identifying one of the people in the center of the group as Mendez. The woman was moving straight towards a building on the edge of the site that looked secure.
At that moment, Sophie began to move. Her current location, nearly halfway up a tower of scaffolding, would normally have been a good position. However, she needed to be on the ground in order to reach the Valentino leader.
She pushed off the steel platform she was currently on, heading straight towards a gap in the scaffolding as fast as she could. At the last second, she dove out, catching her hands on a hook attached to some kind of pulley system.
She plummeted instantly. Just before she hit the ground, she swung herself away from the scaffolding.
Sophie hit the ground, rolling once before breaking into a sprint. She palmed her pistols before taking aim at a pair of Valentinos in front of her. A flurry of bullets slammed into them and they dropped to the ground. The noise she made was obscured by the loud alarms and shouts that continued to erupt around the construction site.
Another guard in front of her barely had time to react before a round punched through his throat. He crumpled, his SMG clattering to the dirt.
She reloaded on the run, sliding behind a stack of cement blocks as bullets slammed into them, kicking up dust. Returning one of her pistols to its holster, she drew a knife. One of the Valentinos, a burly woman with a gold-plated shotgun, shouted something before rounding the corner, coming face-to-face with Sophie. She rammed the knife up under the womans chin, twisting viciously before yanking it free. The corpse dropped with a thud.
Unfortunately, some of the nearby Valentinos had located her after the loud gunfire. Two more guards were charging in from the right. Sophie ducked behind a half-built wall, her breath coming fast. She leaned out and fired a quick double tap, dropping one. The other dove for cover, but Sophie was faster. She closed the distance, yanking him forward before driving a blade through his eye.
A voice barked orders ahead. Sophie glanced up.
There she was.
Estrella was standing on the steps of the main office, barking orders to her subordinates. Dressed in a deep red Valentino jacket with golden implants glinting along her arms, she looked every bit the battlefield commander. She was rallying her people, directing them to different areas of the building site.
Holstering one of her pistols again, Sophie reached into her pouch and pulled out a handful of smoke pellets. Without hesitation, she flung them toward the gathered crowd.
The pellets hit the ground, hissing as thick smoke exploded outward, swallowing the group in an opaque gray fog. Sophie activated her thermal optics, her vision shifting into a monochrome world of heat signatures.
She dove into the cloud like a ghost.
The first man barely had time to react before Sophies knife tore across his throat. The second turned toward the sound, only to take two rapid shots to the chest and another to his forehead.
Sophie moved silently, her footfalls drowned out by panicked shouting and occasional gunfire from nearby. Another tino swung wildly with a machete, slashing at nothing. She ducked under the blade, sliding her knife into his gut before twisting sharply. She followed it up with a pair of suppressed shots, emptying her magazine before holstering the weapon.
Gunfire erupted blindly from one of the blinded Valentinos, rounds spraying into the smoke with no real direction. There were a few cries of pain as Sophie rolled to the ground. Her hand lashed out, yanking one of the tinos to the ground. She clambered on top of him before slamming her knife through his skull.
She got up and only a few corpses later, she reached Estrella.
The woman saw her too late.
Sophie didnt hesitate. Drawing her katana, she drove the blade up under Estrellas ribcage, feeling it slice through organs with ease. The enforcer choked, chrome-plated fingers twitching as she struggled to grasp at Sophies arm. Sophie yanked the blade free, then slashed again. The womans head fell to the ground with a wet thud, followed by her body.
Sophie! The netrunners down, Sashas voice crackled in her ear, relief evident in her tone.
Sophie exhaled sharply. Good, she muttered, already moving. Targets dead. Im getting out.
She dropped a few more smoke pellets before slipping away, toward the exit path shed planned; only to stop dead in her tracks.
A massive figure emerged from behind a cement mixer. The giant, mountainous man shed spotted earlier. Belatedly, she threw out a scan with her optics, quickly getting something back via the NCPD database Vik had installed just a few days ago. Need to get better at using that. I had a much better opportunity earlier.
Diego El Toro Manera. The Bull. A regular, if somewhat more violent Valentino. Wanted mostly for assault.
Well, hes certainly got the look for it.
?Dnde crees que vas, chica?
She didnt get a chance to reply as he drew his shotgun before aiming at her.
The shot roared like a cannon. The round grazed her side, sending pain lancing up her ribs. She hissed, twisting behind cover as the second shot demolished a nearby support beam. What kind of gun is that!?
She sprinted, vaulting over a stack of crates as another shot thundered behind her. Every footstep felt like a countdown to death. She ducked behind an unfinished wall, panting.
Sasha, she snapped. Get the car running. Now. I might need to delta.
Got it! Sasha yelped.
Sophie peeked out just as Diego stomped closer.
Another shot cracked like thunder, shattering her cover. Thats five shots now? Hes gotta be close to running out of ammo.
She took off, weaving between structures, dodging gunfire as Diego gave chase. Six. He was fast for his size, his footfalls shaking the ground. A slug struck a metal beam inches from her head. Too close.
Then silence. She looked back and saw the man struggling to reload the shotgun. His massive fingers were making things challenging for him. A handful of flash pellets erupted around him and he roared.
Sophie surged forward, katana flashing. His left arm fell to the ground and he howled in pain. Blinded and enraged, Diego lashed out wildly with his right arm. The blow caught Sophie in the shoulder and she went flying.
More pellets, this time of the smoke variety, fell to the ground. Sophie hit the ground as they erupted, engulfing the area in thick, choking clouds. She rolled to a stop and, ignoring the pain, took a knee. She pulled her Achilles off her back, aiming into the smoke. Her world turned monochrome as she locked onto her target.
She squeezed down, charging the rifle. With a crackle, she released the trigger. Through the smoke, she saw Diego immediately stiffen up. Another two charged shots followed and the massive man tumbled to the ground. At the same time, the smoke was slowly fading.
Cautiously, Sophie stepped closer to the body. When she was within a couple of meters, it twitched. She emptied her Achilless magazine, destroying the mans head. Fucker better be dead. She winced.
Her ears twitched and she spun around. Her rifle dropped as she drew her second pistol, the one that still had bullets.
Just before she could eliminate the person behind her, she recognised them. They had their hands up and their face was pale.
Sasha? What are you doing here?
Uh, well, yknow her voice got quieter. I thought you might need help. At that moment, the netrunner seemed to catch sight of Diegos corpse. She instantly turned a shade paler, and a bit green.
Ug, uh She put a hand over her mouth before spinning away, stumbling behind a nearby barrel. Sophie looked away as the girl emptied her guts. She scanned the area, making sure there werent any more hostiles trying to sneak up on them.
She glanced back at Sasha. Shes really not suited for this kind of work. Cant even handle a bit of blood and brain.
69 - New Blades
Sewers
December 16th
2069
Sophie was close. She could tell. She pulled up her status page, taking a good look at all the progress shed made recently.
Name: Sophie Morrin
Age: 15
Class: Huntress [44/100]
Passives
Iron Will [41/100], Flexibility [49/100], Parkour [42/100], Ambidextrous [30/100]
Skills
Stealth [42/100], Basic Gun Combat [79/100], Investigation [37/100], Basic Bladed Combat [49/100], Basic Unarmed Combat [32/100], Engineering [25/100], Basic Netrunning [13/100]
Cyberware
Kiroshi MK.1 Cyberoptics (Rare)
Basic Subdermal Armour (Common)
Basic Wrist Reinforcement (Common)
MoorE Basic Cyberarm (Common)
Militech Basic Syn-Lungs (Common)
Basic Connective Tissue Reinforcement (Common)
Store: Available
L-Coins: 27,000
Eurodollars: 95,000
Inventory: 2m x 2m x 2m
While shed made plenty of progress in all of her skills, it was Basic Bladed Combat she was most interested in.
It stood on the brink of the halfway milestone, where she would once again experience the absolute joy of muscle memory being corrected and downloaded into her body.
Alright. Time to put gigs and stuff on hold for a while. Im not gonna stop grinding until I get that upgrade, even if it takes a week or something ridiculous. Her eyes caught on another skill. And maybe Ill finally get that fucking Flexibility skill to 50 as well. Its been stuck at 49 for ages.
Despite wanting to get stuck into bladework immediately, Sophie still had some other training she needed to do.
She started with flexibility training.
Sitting on the floor, she spread her legs wide into a full straddle, slowly lowering her chest toward the ground. Her muscles and tendons burned slightly as she exhaled, pressing a little further. She held the position for a full minute before shifting, bringing her feet together in a butterfly stretch. She leaned forward, elbows pressing against her knees to push them closer to the ground.
Once her hips felt loose, she transitioned to backbends. She pushed up into a bridge, her spine arching as she balanced on her hands and feet. Holding it steady, she lifted one leg, straightening it toward the ceiling before switching to the other. This exercise not only kept her flexible but also helped with balance; something she relied on heavily when navigating rooftops or making sudden movements in combat.
She shifted into splits next, first with her right leg forward, then the left, sinking as low as possible. To finish, she stood up and executed a series of slow, controlled high kicks, stretching her hamstrings and testing her range of motion.
Nearly half an hour of the most extreme stretches she could think of, there was still no system message for Flexibility. Unfortunately, if she pushed too much at once it was possible she may over-stretch. Hence, she moved on to calisthenics.
After her conversation with Vik when she got her new lungs, calisthenics had become part of her daily training. She had no interest in going to the gym for strength training, especially not doing it with the Animals.
She started with push-ups, though not the standard variety. Instead, she performed archer push-ups, shifting her weight from one arm to the other with each rep, training unilateral strength. After twenty reps, she moved to a more explosive variant, launching herself off the ground and clapping mid-air before landing.
After a few sets of different push-up variations, she moved onto core work. Sets of crunches were followed by a few different plank variations; standard, side planks, and dynamic planks where she shifted from her elbows to her hands repeatedly.
Taken from Royal Road, this narrative should be reported if found on Amazon.
Pull-ups and muscle-ups came next. Shed set up a frame and bar in one of the emptier spots of her hideout, fully aware that pull-ups were one of the closest movements to many of the things she did for her parkour.
She started with regular pull-ups, pulling her chin above the bar with slow, steady control. Then, she switched to muscle-ups, hauling herself up the bar until her arms locked out. She finished with dead hangs, simply holding herself in place to build endurance.
By the time she was done, sweat had begun to bead on her skin. That was a sign she was ready to move on.
Sophie grabbed a spare katana shed taken from a Tyger and an assortment of knives. She hesitated for a moment before grabbing a machete shed recently acquired. Maybe itll help, she thought to herself.
She started slowly, practicing all the basic strikes in front of a mirror to check her form. Horizontal slashes, diagonal cuts and thrusts. She moved through everything. But she quickly realised it wasnt what she needed. She needed to find new ways to use her weapons.
Thinking back to how she typically used her katana when on a gig, she tried to do some movement drills. Holding the blade in one hand, she maneuvered through her apartment as if it were an active battlefield. She ducked behind furniture, rolled across the floor and practiced quickdraw techniques from different angles. But it still wasnt enough.
She put the katana down, swapping over to the knives.
She practiced drawing them swiftly from her belt and throwing them at makeshift targets she had set up around the room. Sadly, her throws were clumsy. Basic Bladed Combat didnt detail how to throw bladed weapons. Shed previously searched the system store and found the relevant skill. Aptly named, Basic Throwing Weapons was the skill she wanted if she desired the ability to properly throw her knives.
Moving away from her poor attempts at throwing the smaller blades, she moved through a number of different close-quarter sequences, mostly testing ways to use her knives in unexpected ways. Slashes were paired with kicks and stabs with sudden feints. She practiced using them in tandem, switching between hands mid-movement to chain them together in unpredictable attack patterns.
As frustration began to gnaw at her, her gaze landed on the machete. Before she could pick it up though, a sharp beep filled the room.
She immediately turned toward her 3D printer, a rush of excitement shooting through her chest.
She walked over, carefully removing the newly printed components from the machine. These were the last few pieces she needed for her latest project. It was an idea shed been obsessing over for weeks and she was eager to see it finally come to fruition.
She grabbed the pair of bracers she had crafted weeks ago before settling down at her workbench, carefully laying out the components. The concept was relatively simple though actually executing it had proved difficult. There were a number of parts too; spring-loaded rails, a locking system, and a manual trigger that would allow her to use the weapon properly.
She took the first bracer and attached the primary rail system along its underside. The small steel track would allow the weapon to deploy smoothly and without resistance. She secured it with micro-screws, testing the movement with her fingers.
Next, she installed the locking mechanism. It was a small, almost invisible clasp that had to be strong enough to prevent accidental deployment but light enough that a deliberate wrist movement could trigger it.
Finally, she fitted the weapon itself. It was designed purely for assassination, stealth and unexpected counterattacks.
She double-checked the assembly, running a finger along the smooth edges of the mechanism before strapping the bracer onto her left forearm. It felt snug, almost like a natural extension of her body.
Then, the moment of truth.
She flicked her wrist.
Shhkt.
A blade snapped forward from under her wrist, extending past her hand and locking into place with a small click.
A grin spread across her face.
She retracted it, then activated it again. It was fast and almost silent. For a prototype, it was perfect.
Sophie stood up, still grinning. My own pair of hidden blades. Fuck, thats so cool.
She quickly assembled the second one before slipping it on. She ran a few tests with both of them, ensuring they worked the way she wanted. Once satisfied, she moved to the center of her home.
She flicked her left wrist. Shhkt. The blade snapped forward, locking into place. She repeated the motion with her right wrist, watching as the second blade extended just as smoothly. Retracting them, she tested the activation again. They were quick and very responsive which was good.
But that wasn''t the real challenge. She needed to figure out how to actually use them.
She stepped into her fighting stance, weight balanced, hands loose but ready. She lunged at one of the targets shed set up earlier, throwing out a punch with her right fist before triggering the blade mid-strike. The blade slid out just as she connected, but the force of impact sent a jarring shock through her wrist.
Sophie hissed in frustration. Glad that was my chrome arm. I dont think thatll work.
She tried again, slower this time. A controlled strike, letting the blade extend just before impact rather than during. It helped, but something still felt off.
Her more traditional knife-fighting techniques didnt fully translate to the hidden blades. At least at her current level. Regular knives required a firm grip, allowing for slashes, quick thrusts, and precise control. The hidden blades, however, were extensions of her arms. They changed how she needed to move.
She tested a series of slashes, stepping in and out, cutting at angles. The blades responded well and having her hands open made things a little better but the movements felt unnatural. They were too rigid. She was still thinking about them as weapons rather than as part of her.
Sophie paused, breathing deep, shifting her mindset.
The hidden blades werent knives she held. They were knives she wore. In some way, they were part of her body.
That meant she needed to integrate them into her unarmed combat.
She took a step back, rolling her shoulders before flowing into a series of open-hand strikes. What if she used the blades the same way?
She struck the target with the palm of her hand, triggering the blade as her blow landed. It sank into the target smoothly. Instead of pulling back, she surged forwards with her other hand, slamming the second blade into the place where her pretend opponents kidney would be.
It worked. Not perfectly, but it worked.
She felt a spark of excitement in her chest.
She kept going, refining the technique. Open-hand strikes were combined with rapid, retractable blade work. She didnt just stick to traditional stabbing motions though. She started to mix in slashes along her natural movement lines, adjusting the angles to keep the blades moving as fluidly as possible.
Within an hour, the hidden blades no longer felt foreign.
Another hour later, she was feeling more comfortable with them. But they hadnt quite passed the final test.
She looked at the pair of weapons. Yeah. I need some real practice with these. Its been a while since Ive gone hunting for a Tyger. As long as Im careful, there shouldnt be any issues using them to test my new blades.
With that, she grabbed some extra gear in case there was an issue with the hidden blades before setting off on her bike.
70 - A Datashard
Japantown
December 16th
2069
The engine of Sophies Kusanagi rumbled as she rode along the border between Japantown and Charter Hill. She kept her speed low, weaving between cars and scanning the sidewalks. She had to be very careful about who she targeted, considering her current issues with the Tygers.
However, she figured attacking someone isolated in a quieter part of the district would be fine.
She spent the next hour searching, taking quiet turns through side streets, pulling into alleys and stopping at the occasional street corner to watch. She found it odd how alive the streets felt, considering the gang war between the Tygers and Maelstrom continued to rage. There were people running between clubs, corpos rushing home and even early in the evening, drunkards were stumbling home from bars.
The Tygers, though, were actively on high alert. They moved in small groups, never fewer than four members. It made her job much harder than she would have liked.
Time passed. The sky deepened into shades of violet and crimson as the sun dipped behind the skyline, letting the artificial glow of the citys nightlife take over. Sophie was just about to shift her search for a target to a different part of the district when she caught sight of a lone Tyger.
He was a tall man, lean and wiry, with cybernetic arms that glinted under the neon lights. His jacket bore the familiar tiger-stripe patterns of his gang, the sleeves torn off to better display his chrome. He was speaking with a local shopkeeper. No, not speaking. Shouting.
Sophie cut her engine and rolled her bike into a nearby alley, out of sight.
From her position, she watched as the conversation escalated. The shopkeeper, an older man in an apron, raised his hands, pleading. The Tyger responded by grabbing the mans collar and shoving him against the glass door of his shop.
Sophie found herself wondering if she should intervene.
The shopkeeper fumbled for something; a roll of slightly crumpled eddies. The Tyger laughed and snatched it from him before delivering a vicious punch to the mans stomach. The older man dropped to the ground, coughing harshly. His assaulter spat, then turned and strutted off, slipping the stolen cash into his pocket.
Sophie gave a sigh of relief that it hadnt escalated further. The old man was still alive, and shed found herself a target. Dont worry, old man. Ill get revenge for you.
She stayed on the cocky man, trailing from a distance as he moved down the street.
A few blocks later, he stopped outside a convenience store and leaned against the wall, pulling a cigarette from his pocket. His fingers twitched slightly as he brought it to his lips. He smoked in silence for a few minutes before his eyes changed colour.
He took a call, his voice gradually becoming more aggressive. Sophie couldnt make out the words, but his frustration was clear. A few times, he gestured sharply, his cybernetic fingers flexing like claws before finally cutting the call. He punched the wall next to him, face twisted into a snarl before storming off.
The next stop was a small street dealer, some kid barely in his twenties. Sophie mentally made a note to investigate the boy and his connections later. There was a brief, angry exchange. Money passed. An injector, filled with something dark, traded hands. The Tyger wasted no time, rolling up his sleeve and jamming the needle into his arm.
His pace slowed after that. His movements became sluggish and his head tilted slightly as he walked. The drugs were hitting.
He made one final stop at a liquor stand, buying a handful of cheap cans before cracking one open on the spot. Sophie followed as he drank his way through two of them, then three, his steps growing heavier with each swig.
If you encounter this tale on Amazon, note that it''s taken without the author''s consent. Report it.
Eventually, he wandered down a narrow alley, weaving slightly, his boots dragging against the pavement. The moment he unzipped his pants, Sophie knew she had her chance.
She slipped into a side street and quietly scrambled up a nearby wall. Moving across the rooftop, she looked down into the alley.
It was dimly lit, the buzz of a dying neon sign casting flickering shadows against the walls. The Tyger was oblivious, one hand braced against the brick as he relieved himself.
Sophie crouched, taking a slow breath. She visualised what she was about to do.
Then she dropped.
Gravity did half the work for her. She landed hard on his back, driving him to the ground where the wall met pavement. Before he could react, she flicked her wrist-shhkt-and her right hidden blade shot out.
The steel plunged deep into his neck.
A wet gurgle escaped his throat, his body stiffening as blood sprayed against the wall in thick, dark streaks. His hands twitched, grasping at nothing.
Sophie held the blade in for a moment longer, twisting slightly as she felt his body shudder beneath her before finally going limp. She exhaled, retracting the blade as she stepped back.
She stared at his lifeless eyes, gazing at the mouth of the alley. A dark pool silently spread beneath him.
Sophie flexed her fingers, rolling her wrist.
The hidden blade had worked beautifully.
She smiled, a deep satisfaction settling in her chest.
Sophie crouched beside the dead Tyger, her eyes scanning over his body as she reached into his pockets. She was quick with it. Looting had long become second nature. The first pocket held nothing but a crumpled pack of cigarettes and a few loose eddies. The second was more promising. Her fingers brushed against something solid. She pulled it out, revealing a datashard.
She turned it between her fingers. No markings, no labels. It could be something valuable. Or it could be junk. Either way, she wasnt going to waste time checking it here. She slipped it into her inventory.
Just as she was about to stand, a loud, angry shout echoed down the alley.
"You gonk-ass little rat!"
Sophies head snapped up.
Standing at the mouth of the alley was a Tyger, face twisted in fury. He was taller than the first, bulkier too, with short, dark hair shaved into sharp patterns along the sides. His right arm was chrome from the shoulder down, sleek and reinforced.
His eyes flicked between Sophie and the corpse at her feet.
"You whore! Did you kill him? You think you can just do my boy like that and walk away?" he snarled, stepping forward. "Nah. Youre dead."
Sophie rose slowly, rolling her shoulders. Where the fuck did this idiot come from? I swear there was nobody nearby. Did this fucker just spawn in?
Despite not intending to trial them in real combat, it was a good opportunity to test her hidden blades in a face-to-face confrontation. Especially because the man held a katana.
The Tyger didnt hesitate. He lunged forward, blade slicing through the air in a fast arc. Sophie sidestepped, letting the blade whistle past her shoulder. As she moved, she flicked her right wrist out at him and her hidden blade shot out.
The sudden appearance of the weapon threw him off. His eyes widened for half a second and he stumbled back. However, he recovered fast, quickly pivoting into another slash.
Sophie darted in low, using her smaller frame to slip past the attack. She struck out with her right blade, aiming for his side, but he twisted, her attack grazing off his reinforced jacket.
He grinned. "Hah! That all you got? Fucking rat bitch!"
Sophie responded by flicking her left wrist. Her second hidden blade snapped out just as she stepped forward again but this time she aimed high.
He barely managed to block, steel crashing against steel as he intercepted her strike with his katana. Sparks flew.
Sophie frowned at the clash. The weight difference was obvious. The katana had more reach and more power. The hidden blades were fast, but they werent built for direct clashes. Speed is the better option. If I can overwhelm him and land a solid blow, Ill win.
Sophie shifted tactics. She weaved around his strikes, slipping in close whenever she saw an opening and using her hidden blades to attack at angles he wasnt expecting. She tested the moves shed practiced just hours earlier.
A few landed. Small cuts opened along his arms, one near his ribs. He growled in frustration, adjusting his grip on the katana.
"You fight like a coward," he spat, attacking with an overhead slash.
Sophie ducked, twisting her left blade to parry.
A loud crack rang out.
Her eyes widened as the force of the katanas strike shattered her left blade. The metal structure broke apart, pieces scattering to the ground.
Sophies irritation spiked.
The Tyger saw his advantage and pressed forward, slashing wildly. Sophie dodged twice before deciding shed had enough. Her prototypes had done enough but she needed to spend some time refining them.
With a swift motion, she dropped back a step and yanked her pistol from its holster.
There was a soft sound as the bullet fired before punched into his thigh, sending him stumbling to one knee with a strangled yell.
"Cheater!" he gasped, clutching his leg. Thats not fair!
Sophie ignored the idiot. She rushed in, retracting her broken blade while keeping her right one extended. She grabbed his jacket for leverage and drove the remaining hidden blade straight into his throat.
A wet gurgle escaped his lips as his body spasmed. She yanked the blade free, and he collapsed, blood pooling beneath him.
She breathed slowly, looking at the corpse before scanning her surroundings. There was no movement yet, but more Tygers could show up any second.
She turned, running as quickly as possible until she reached a busy main street. From there, it was easy to blend into the crowd before slipping away to find her bike and ride into the sewers.
71 - Bladed Combat
Sewers
December 17th
2069
Sophie pushed her bike into its usual hiding spot deep within the sewers as the rumbling engine slowly faded into silence. She huffed slightly, annoyed the Tyger had broken one of her newly built blades. Though its better it happened now, rather than in serious combat.
She exhaled through her nose, cracking her neck as she stepped into her hideout. She dropped into her chair, yanked off her bracers, and set them down with a heavy clunk. A closer look made her frown.
Well. Fuck. Didnt think about that.
Blood had seeped into the mechanisms of her hidden blades, pooling in the small crevices and gears. A thick, dark residue clung to the metal, already drying into a crust. She picked up the broken one first, turning it in her hands. The blade itself was shattered near the base, and the mechanism was slightly warped.
The other one, at least, had survived. But the blood and gunk? That was a problem.
Sophie flexed her fingers before pulling open her laptop. The screen lit up with a soft light, and she got to work, sketching out a redesign for her hidden blades. Her first prototypes had worked well, especially when she assassinated the first Tyger but there were clear flaws.
They werent built for longevity. Blood and grime would clog the mechanism, slowing the blades deployment. Blood would also cause rust, weakening the metal and making it brittle. And they struggled in direct clashes.
She stared at her rough sketches, tapping a finger against the desk.
There were a few possible solutions. She could incorporate a self-cleaning mechanism, something that scraped away residue each time the blade retracted. That would be tricky to engineer, though, and she wasnt sure she had the right materials. A disposable blade system could work too. Something that would allow her to swap out the blade after each use. But that would require carrying even more extras than she already planned to, which she wasnt keen on. Her mind drifted as she thought about the similarities between her blades and another type of weapon. Mantis blades.
How do they stay clean? Especially when they stay inside someones arm. Surely you dont have to clean them after every useI must be missing something. Maybe Vik would know?
Sophie decided to swing by the rippers clinic later. For now, shed have to settle for a simpler fix.
She grabbed a small screwdriver and began disassembling the working blade, carefully prying apart the casing. Inside, the blood had already begun congealing into a sticky mess. Using an old rag, she wiped it away, grimacing at the dark streaks it left behind.
There were still some nasty little spots that refused to be cleaned though, so she grabbed her full cleaning kit and got to work. Drenching it in a small bowl of cold water mixed with detergent helped before she attacked the stubborn deposits with a medical q-tip.
It took time, but by the end of it, the blade was clean again. She tested the deployment, flicking her wrist. Shhkt! The blade snapped out smoothly.
If you stumble upon this narrative on Amazon, it''s taken without the author''s consent. Report it.
"Good enough," she muttered.
She''d need to clean them after every use from now on. Maybe her chat with Vik would reveal a better way to keep them functional long-term.
Sitting back in her chair, Sophie ran a final check on her new design. Shed adjusted the internal structure, reinforcing the blade with additional layers. The mechanism would be sturdier too. If she had the resources, a tougher alloy would also help but unfortunately, she didnt.
With the blueprints finalized, she stretched her arms above her head, letting out a yawn. Then she frowned. Shed forgotten about the datashard.
Reaching into her inventory, she pulled out the chip shed taken from the Tyger earlier. She had no idea what was on it but she was curious. Most gangers didnt carry random datashards around. Was that guy actually important? Maybe he was a courier?
She ran a few scans with her optics while performing a few basic security checks. Nothing seemed out of the ordinary to her netrunning skills. There didnt seem to be any encryption or hidden triggers.
Her interface flickered for a moment as the files loaded. She kept running scans on it to be safe. When it finished loading though, there were no viruses and no warnings. Just a simple folder labeled with crude Tyger slang.
She mentally clicked it open.
Rows of documents appeared; reports, schedules, inventory lists. At first glance, it looked like standard gang logistics. She scrolled through, skimming past mentions of weapons, drug shipments, and territory disputes. All information shed gladly hand to the Mox or use herself, but nothing unusual.
Then she found an odd document. It was right at the very bottom of the list, with a very simple name.
Scav deal.
She felt her eyes narrow before opening it.
There wasnothing. Of real value, at least. Nothing that explained what the deal was, just vague references to a joint operation between the Tygers and the scavs. Transport routes. Numbers. A location.
Nothing spelled out what they were actually doing, but Sophie didnt need to be a genius to figure out it wasnt anything good. Nothing but misery would come from the two groups cooperating.
Her fingers drummed against the table. She needed to check this place out.
As she became lost in thought, a sudden system notification appeared before her. She opened it, finding a new mission.
New Mission
Uncover what kind of deal the Tygers have with the scavs.
Difficulty: Medium
Rewards: 2000 L-Coins, 5000 Eurodollars, +2 Investigation Proficiency, ???
Sophies brow furrowed at the reward section.
Unknown? Why would it be unknown? It sounds like a pretty simple missionNo, there has to be more to it than that. Whatever it was, she could feel a shiver running down her spine. Ugh. Why cant things ever be simple? She murmured to herself before sighing.
Before she could close her system page down, her eyes caught on another notification. Huh? When did I get this? She opened it up and her face immediately split into a wide grin. Shit! I completely forgot about this!
Basic Bladed Combat Proficiency +1
Basic Bladed Combat [50/100]
There was a small rush of knowledge as the final holes in her skills filled themselves in. Then she got the next message.
Skill - Basic Bladed Combat has reached [50/100] proficiency.
Basic Bladed Combat will no longer provide knowledge. Proficiency will now be gained by mastering the knowledge provided by the skill during the first 50 levels.
Note: Significant mastery of Basic Bladed Combat detectedProviding proficiency points
Basic Bladed Combat Proficiency +19
Basic Bladed Combat [69/100]
Immediately, Sophie began to feel tingles spreading across her body. The sensation spread in waves, slowly making changes to her muscles. Her mind too, changed, having the instincts that matched her new muscle memory imprinted.
Just like the last time, with her gun skill, the process lasted nearly half an hour. By the time it finished, she was feeling incredible.
God, this feels so good. There was a wonderful feeling that shed just made a very large amount of progress on her personal path to power and she loved it. She wanted more of it.
Flexibility first, then Ill focus on Basic Unarmed Combat. Working with the Animals should be the perfect way to quickly hit the halfway milestone. Her eyes landed on her other two class skills, Stealth and Investigation.
Hmm. Theyre getting close. And Ill get some extra points from that new mission. Huh. Its starting to feel like Im not too far off upgrading my class. A few months maybe? I wonder whatll happen when I reach that point.
Feeling incredibly satisfied with her day, she turned her attention to the nearby laptop. Tomorrow, once the next version of her hidden blades was ready, shed go investigate. Whatever the Tygers and scavs were doing together, they needed to be stopped.
72 - Tracking
Charter Hill
December 18th
2069
Sophies Mackinaw growled against the uneven roads of Charter Hill as she drove towards her destination. The streets were quiet early in the morning, though there was still the occasional idiot screeching down the road followed either by gunfire or sirens. Shed always found it odd the police were so invested in such small issues, rather than the gangs. Then again, most of the cops are probably being paid off.
She forced herself to focus on her objective, though her fingers continued tapping absently. The warehouse mentioned in the datashard didnt make sense. Or at the very least, it was strange. It was too open, too easily found. And if the Tygers and scavs were working together, there had to be something there.
Drugs, weapons, blackmarket chromeeven people. Maybe some kind of mix? I just cant figure out why the two groups are working together.
She huffed, frustrated at the lack of clarity. Only one way to find out, I guess.
Her truck eventually rolled to a stop just down the street from the coordinates. She cut the engine, letting the silence settle. She stared at the building.
No movement and no guards. No cameras perched on the buildings edges. Just an empty, nondescript shipping warehouse. It looked like it had been abandoned for years, rust creeping along the edges of metal containers stacked in blocky towers outside.
Too quiet. Suspiciously quiet.
Sophie stepped out, making sure her weapons were secure. Her blades, pistols, and most importantly, her new hidden blades. Everything else, like her Achilles, was in her inventory. The thought of testing her new weapons again made her fingers twitch with anticipation, but she focused.
Approaching the warehouse, she kept low, moving along the side of the building. She scanned the walls. There was fresh graffiti but no signs of recent maintenance. The place really did look abandoned. But something gnawed at her. A gut feeling, that something was seriously wrong with the place.
She slipped through a half-broken side door, her footfalls pressing lightly on the dusty floor. The scent of old metal and stale air filled her nose. Long-dead fluorescent lights lined the ceiling, their casings covered in cobwebs. The vast space inside was filled with rusting shelves, some collapsed under their own weight. Large shipping containers were scattered throughout, some sealed, others pried open by looters and left empty.
Sophie moved cautiously between them, eyes scanning for anything out of place.
She saw nothing.
No security systems. No motion detectors. Not even a power source running to the building.
Why put an important location in a place with no security? Is this place actually a dead end? But why was this place marked on that datashard?
It made no sense.
Her boots scuffed against the ground, kicking up a small puff of dust. She paused.
She crouched, lowering her gaze to the floor. The dust was wrong. Most of the warehouse had a thick layer of it, seemingly undisturbed. But near some of the containers, there were faint marks. As if someone had recently walked through.
She followed the oddities carefully. The trail wasnt obvious, but it was there. A few steps led her towards the right side of the warehouse, near a cluster of containers stacked against the wall.
Her eyes immediately honed in on something distinctly out of place. A small rag, half-hidden stuck to a bolt on one of the containers.
It was dark, allowing it to blend in with the grime but when she picked it up, the texture was unmistakable.
Flaky.
Dried blood.
Her jaw tightened. Sophie activated her optics, running a scan on the fabric.
The blood was old. At least a few days, judging by the flakiness. She could feel the dread in her stomach, coiling tighter. It was proof the warehouse wasnt a dead end, at least. But what that really meant, she wasnt sure.
Her eyes flicked across the ground again. If there was one sign of blood, there had to be more. She expanded her scan, sweeping the floor in a wider arc. At first, nothing. Then-
A faint smear. Nearly invisible, but there.
Sophie followed the faint trace, stepping carefully. The trail was barely noticeable, only a few droplets here and there, leading towards the very back of the warehouse. There was no way she would have found it in the dark without first finding the rag. The further she went, the quieter the space seemed to become.
Then she stopped.
The trail abruptly ended at one of the shipping containers.
Unlike many of the others, this one was locked. A thick metal latch secured the doors shut. Strange.
She curled her chrome fingers into a fist.
Lets see how tough this thing is.
With a sharp exhale, she drove her fist into the lock. The impact sent a sharp clang echoing through the warehouse. The metal groaned, but it held. She hit it again.
And again.
The fourth punch sent the broken lock clattering to the ground.
Find this and other great novels on the author''s preferred platform. Support original creators!
Sophie flexed her hand. For once, Im glad I cant get detailed sensations through this thing. That wouldve hurt like a bitch.
She pried the container doors open.
The first thing she saw was blood, streaked across the metal floor in uneven smears. The patterns suggested it didnt just belong to one person. No, it was layers of blood. In her unprofessional opinion, the oldest was at least a few months old, if not a year.
Her gaze shifted to the back.
A mound of boxes. Strange, just like the warehouse had been. Wrong.
She approached cautiously, in case there was a trap. Reaching out, she grabbed the topmost box and yanked it away. Then another. After nearly a dozen boxes, she saw what theyd been hiding.
A trapdoor?
Sophie felt her pulse quicken.
Her fingers brushed against the metal, feeling the cool surface. No handle. Just a simple panel with a locking mechanism. She reached into her inventory, retrieving a spare knife. Sliding the blade into the seam, she wrenched it up, forcing the lock to give way. Despite the knife bending slightly, the lock broke.
With a low creak, she lifted the trapdoor. She was greeted by darkness.
A set of stairs descending into a tunnel stretched out before her. Even with her Kiroshis, her vision struggled to penetrate the darkness to see the bottom. Cold, stale air seeped out from below.
Sophie exhaled slowly.
This isnt just an abandoned warehouse. Someones gone through a lot of effort to keep this place hidden.
She took a step down the stairs then took one last glance at the warehouse before closing the trapdoor behind her. The heavy metal panel settled into place with a dull thud, sealing her within the underground passage. Normally she would have left it open, as an escape route, but if someone arrived while she was down there, she didnt want the open door to give away her presence.
Inside the tunnel, the air shifted. It was cold, stagnant and heavy with something far worse than simple decay. A scent clung to the walls, seeping into her lungs. The smell of death. The kind that no amount of cleaning would ever remove.
The tunnel stretched forward in ominous silence, its walls slick with something she didnt want to think about. The floor squelched beneath her boots, and she knew without looking that she was stepping through more blood. Probably other gunk too.
She clenched her jaw. She had seen crime in all its forms, but this felt wrong in a way she couldnt yet define.
Deeper she went, the darkness seeming to stretch endlessly ahead. If not for the dark vision module in her optics, shed have been entirely blind. Faintly, a dim glow appeared in the distance, barely piercing the suffocating black. The closer she got, the stronger the chill in the air became, sending goosebumps along her biological arm.
Finally, the tunnel opened into a cavernous room. Sophie halted at the threshold, eyes narrowing as she scanned the space.
It was massive. Far larger than she expected for something hidden beneath a warehouse. The ceiling was reinforced with thick steel beams, the floor stained in dark patches that needed no confirmation. The most disturbing sight, however, was the cages.
Towering, reinforced with thick bars, and large enough to hold multiple people at once.
They were empty.
Yet the stench of human waste, sweat, and blood lingered. The suffering had seeped into the walls, never to fade.
Sophie swallowed down the wave of disgust rising in her throat. Anger too, began to flicker to life. Memories flashed past her eyes and she grit her teeth, forcing them away.
She moved carefully, boots making almost no sound against the floor as she approached one of the cages. Dried, bloody handprints marked the bars; desperate, clawing shapes as if someone had tried to wrench themselves free. She spotted fingernail scratches on the walls too, some deep enough to crack the brick.
Her fingers curled into fists.
Cattle. They were treated like cattle.
She stepped away, scanning the room further with cold eyes. There were two adjacent areas. One looked like some kind of break room, with discarded food containers, a few filthy chairs, and an old couch that had been slashed open. The other was an office of some sort, a small desk and a computer still sitting atop it.
What stood out most, though, was the lack of dust.
Sophie crouched near the floor, running a gloved finger over the surface. Barely anything stuck to her finger.
They must have cleared out recentlyBut why did that shard have this place marked? Unless they havent actually abandoned the place. Maybe they just dont have any captives to keep here.
Her gut twisted at the thought.
Standing, she moved to the office, her attention locking onto the computer. If she could get in, maybe she could figure out exactly what had been happening here.
She tapped at the keyboard. It was locked.
Not particularly surprising, but annoying nonetheless. Her netrunning skills were still rudimentary. Hacking a tv or radio was one thing, but if this had any sort of actual encryption, it would take time. She pulled out her personal link, preparing to connect her cyberdeck when she heard a noise.
Voices.
Her instincts triggered instantly. She dropped low, slipping into the shadows beside the desk.
Boots clomped against the concrete, accompanied by the sound of careless, easy conversation.
Two men entered.
One was unmistakably a Tyger Claw; tattoos lining his arms, a bright yellow jacket draped over his shoulders. The other wore a holographic mask, its shifting digital display marking him as a scav.
Sophie remained completely still.
Told you, the scav was saying, voice thick with amusement. Whole place is clean, no ones gonna touch it. Youd never even know its here.
The Tyger let out an appreciative grunt, glancing around. Big, too.
Bigs good, the scav chuckled. Can hold a hundred easy. No cameras either. No prying eyes.
The Tyger nodded slowly, his gaze sweeping the room. And the deals still on?
Yeah, the scav confirmed. My crews bringing the first twenty by the end of the week. No need to worry, choom. Youll get your merchandise.
Sophies grip tightened on her pistol.
They talked more, discussing security, transport routes and payment. Nothing specific. Nothing exceptionally useful. Just vague logistics, making it increasingly clear that the real information wasnt something they needed to discuss here.
Shed heard enough though.
Slipping a hand to her belt, she palmed a handful of flash pellets. A sharp flick of her wrist sent them clattering onto the floor between the two men.
The sudden burst of blinding light and deafening noise immediately threw them into disarray. The Tyger swore, stumbling back, while the scav let out a strangled curse.
Sophie was already moving.
She surged forward, slamming a punch into the Tygers gut before twisting and delivering a sharp kick to the scavs temple. He was out instantly, mask cracked. A knee to the face knocked the Tyger out cold.
Within minutes, she had them bound with a length of scavenged cable, securing their hands behind their backs.
Then, she punched the Tyger awake.
His head snapped up, eyes dazed but filled with rage. What the- He looked at her, slowly coming out of his daze. You little-
She grabbed his collar, dragging his face closer. What are you doing here? Tell me! She snarled at the man.
The Tyger spat blood, sneering. Go fuck yourself, bitch.
Sophies expression didnt change. She let him go, then drove her fist into his ribs.
He choked on a gasp.
Lets try again, she said, venom in her voice. Whos running this operation?
The Tygers defiance wavered, but he still bared his teeth. Im not telling you shit!
She broke his nose.
He howled, thrashing against his restraints, blood streaming down his face.
Sophie grabbed his chin, forcing him to look at her. Youre going to talk.
He glared at her, eyes wild with pain and fury. But fear was creeping in now. She punched him again.
He gave her a name. Akita Hazama. The leader of the Tygers involved.
She turned to the scav, who was only just waking up. She unscrewed the silencer on her pistol, then shot the Tyger in the leg. The deafening crack, followed by loud screaming, woke the man up.
You, she said.
He flinched, staring at her through his cracked mask.
Why are you here?
He hesitated.
Sophie sneered beneath her menpo. Fine. Have it your way.
A knife spun into her hand as she began carving thin lines into the scavs arm.
He screamed, terror and pain in his voice. Ill tell you! Ill tell you! Please, stop! She did, and for a moment, the man relaxed. Then the blade punched into his shoulder. He howled. A twist of the knife and it turned to sobs. He didnt resist after that.
She forced as many details as she could from him. Routes. Shipment sizes. Dates. Everything confirmed by the Tyger.
By the time she was satisfied, both men were sobbing, shaking with pain.
Sophie stood.
Bastards. This is what you deserve. This is justice.
Two loud shots silenced them, their faces forever twisted into pained grimaces.
She left the underground nightmare behind, stepping into the night with blood still cooling on her gloves. People needed to die. A lot of people. A new mission only confirmed that fact.
Mission Complete
Uncover what kind of deal the Tygers have with the scavs.
Difficulty: Medium
Rewards: 2000 L-Coins, 5000 Eurodollars, +2 Investigation Proficiency, New Mission
New Mission
Eliminate those involved with the joint human trafficking ring run by the Tygers and scavs.
Difficulty: Medium
Rewards: 5000 L-Coins, 10,000 Eurodollars, Various Proficiency Increases