Ghost in the City: Cyberpunk Gamer SI

“Hey Jun… Is everything good with rent and stuff? I mean. I’ve been kinda lazy. Do I need to do more?” I asked Jun one morning that we both had time to share breakfast. Jun had been heading out every day for the Casino. We hadn't even hit the range in the last two weeks.

“It’s fine? Why? Do you need something?” He asked, looking up from his breakfast burrito, that I had refused to eat with him, instead heading down to the street and grabbing something else.

“I just… want to make sure you aren’t overworking yourself because of me.” I couldn’t help but admit.

“Ah.” He answered as he nodded slowly looking like he was going to say something but then nothing came out of his mouth as he took a bite of his burrito.

“Ah?”

He snorted finished chewing and swallowing. “I’ve been busy at the Casino. The boss has entrusted me with a bigger position as I haven’t skimmed anything off the top, or caused trouble. I’ve been away more because I am trusted more, not because I am overworking. My work at the Casino is surprisingly boring.” He tells me and I stop chewing on my own breakfast a mystery meat stick as I had taken a liking to them.

I just really didn't want to know what the meat was.

“Oh. You didn’t tell me you got a promotion!” I said suddenly happy.

“It’s not a promotion. We aren’t a corpo. I am simply trusted with more duties, and so it takes more time.”

“Are you getting paid more?”

He shrugs and sort of waves his hand back and forth. “Somewhat.”

“I think that still counts… But good. I just… I just don’t want to be a burden. I’ve been working hard to improve to be able to do stuff. So if you ever need anything don’t hesitate to rely on me. Just like I rely on you.” I tell him pointing the wooden stick at him that still had my last meatball.

“I’m proud of you.” he finally says and I couldn’t help but explode into a blush.

“Wha-!”

“I know you don’t know them, but our parents would be proud of you as well.” He said looking me over. “You have changed much, but they would have liked this you.”

I was a little choked up so I just ate my last meatball and rushed out the room, but just before I ran out, I managed to say a quiet “Thank you.”

—--

*Ringing*

I jerked awake. I had been taking a nap after my morning exercise since I didn’t have anything else planned for the day and I wanted to stop feeling sore.

*Hello?* I asked before I even checked who was calling.

*Motoko. It’s Ichi, we need an extra hand at the club. Some Maelstrom shot up the place. The Boss wants as many guns down here just in case they come back. Probably be nothing, but the pay is good. You in?*

*Wait.* I ordered blinking my eyes as I stood up and stretched a bit my mind trying to get started. I hadn’t woken up suddenly since the hospital, this was actually the first time I woke up actually drowsy.

*Just guard duty?* I asked after a few moments to get my bearings.

*Yeah just extra bodies in case Maelstrom show up starting trouble.*

*Alright… Yeah I’m in. Is Hiromi or the others coming?*

*Not this time. She isn’t picking up, and Omaeda and Malcolm… Not their sort of gig. Need a ride?*

*Yeah. Yeah that would help.*

*Okay I’ll be there in five?*

*I’ll meet you outside.*

The call ended and I sighed standing up and rushing to the bathroom to make sure my hair wasn’t sticking up, before I suited up. My pants and shirt were a little rough as they were kinda old, but that was fine, I wasn’t doing clean work anyways. Plus my new Jacket on top at least gave me a cool look as I loaded up. Unity. Knife. Saratoga. I was kitted out.

I walked downstairs just taking the stairs as it would help wake me up, I ended up passing an older lady that lives in one of the apartments in the complex who instantly made tons of room for me on the stairway.

“Excuse me.” I said softly in an apology for her fear as I continued on past and out onto the street.

I was given plenty of looks and attention carrying my SMG, but that’s just how it was I guess.

Ichi pulled up on his Kusanagi not long after.

I climbed on without a word and we were off.

“Thanks for coming along.” He said as we stopped at a light. “None of the others… Malcolm has a gun but he isn’t the biggest on jumping into a fight, and Omaeda just told me to call if we need Netrunning.”

“And Hiromi would have just brought her Katana.”

“And she won’t pick up. But yeah. Hopefully it will just be a slow night.”

“Hopefully.” I answered. Although a part of me didn’t want it to be slow.

We eventually pulled up in front of the club, and we weren’t alone. Ichi obviously knew what to do as we didn’t park the bike up front like we would have any other time. Instead we drove down the street around the corner to a set of little garages that opened and we dropped off the wheels.

Safe and sound.

The club was trashed. The front glass had been shattered and there were bullet holes in the exterior.

That wasn’t going to be good for business.

Worse? As we entered I could see blood still being mopped up by what I recognized as the bartender and a waitress.

The rest of the bar was filled with men and women wearing Tyger Claw gear.

The amount of narrowed looks I received for not wearing anything was telling, but I wasn’t really bothered.

Ichi led me to a man I didn’t recognize and they had a brisk talk in Japanese that even with Motoko language memories didn’t let me keep up. But afterwards Ichi nodded. “C’mon Motoko, we are going to be over here.”

“Sure.” I followed him over to a table that gave us a look out the broken window. I frowned though. It also meant we were sort of in range for anyone deciding to shoot through it again.

We settled in anyways, I kept my mouth shut as it was obvious this was where we were meant to be regardless.

Then we waited.

Slowly the bar was cleaned up, most of the Tyger Claws weren’t helping, but I noticed a few that did, and ended up joining them after ten minutes of sitting there doing nothing.

It was better than nothing. I got a few chuckles from the Claws, and a few odd looks from the workers, but whatever.

I do what I want.

An hour passed. Then two. Then three.

The sun was setting, and then set completely. But still nothing. I ate out of the vending machines in the back, and mostly just spent my time reading The Solo’s Manual. Or listening to the Netrunner shard.

I couldn’t do any practice, but it was still information… and better than literally staring at paint dry.

“Why did Maelstrom attack the Club anyways?” I asked Ichi who was as bored as I was.

“No idea. Do they need a reason?”

“Everyone does stuff for a reason. Even Maelstrom.”

“Cyberpsychos?”

“Act out because of their psychosis. Was it retaliation? Or an attempt to warn us off because they wanted to move into the area? Or did someone in the Club piss off someone off and it was a targeted hit?”

“I don’t think anyone would call this much damage targeted kid.” One of the older Tygers spoke up and I shook my head.

“Well obviously their aim sucks.” I snarked back earning a chuckle from the bored crowd.

“Retaliation.” A voice cut through the din.

“Shobo-Sama!” Ichi called out as usual, standing and bowing.

“Ichi, and… Kusanagi. Wasn’t it?”

“Motoko Kusanagi.” I confirm and he nods.

“I only remember because of the last name. Ironic name.”

“Yeah it sometimes causes me some trouble.” I told the well dressed man who was laughing at my last name matching everyone in the room's Motorcycle.

“To answer your question. This was retaliation. A Maelstrom group moved into north Kabuki. Into a warehouse we are still using. We evicted them two days ago. The Tyger Claws have expected retaliation. I am just the unlucky winner of this game.”

“Thank you for telling me.”

“It’s nothing. But now that you know, does that change anything about the situation?” He asks pointedly.

“How many Maelstrom died in the warehouse attack?”

“Twelve. I believe. Why?”

“Because I don’t think shooting up the front of a club is anywhere equal to twelve lives. I don’t think they are done.” I answer simply. It made sense to me, but of course I could always be wrong. Maelstrom were a weird group.

“Correct. Hence why we called in our brothers and sisters for guard duty.” Shobo said with a smile that didn’t reach his eyes. “And because of that, let’s make sure our attention doesn’t waver. I don’t want any further damage done to the club. If they come back we will ambush them this time!” He orders over the crowd turning to the Tyger Claws all of whom nodded in agreement with the man.

And that was that. We settled in Ichi showing a greater focus on staring out the window, but I knew it wouldn’t last long. There wasn’t anything to see.

But another few hours passed. Nothing. I was actually getting ready to put my parkour to good use and go jump around on the rooftops to get a higher look because I was that bored when every Tyger Claw in the room suddenly jerked.

Their eyes all glowed with an incoming call and instantly I could see surprise and then anger on their faces.

Very quickly the room emptied itself as they all rushed out of the Club, curses and yells in Japanese that I couldn’t make out filling the air.

“Any idea?” I asked Ichi who shook his head. He hadn’t gotten a call.

“It seems your assistance will no longer be necessary.” Shobo said as he came out from the back room. Unlike the other Tyger Claws, he didn’t seem angry. He was in fact looking pleased with himself.

“Sir?”

“The Maelstrom attacked one of our Casinos. The threat of them coming back here is over. We were a distraction.” He looked to me. “It seems your instincts were correct.”

But I wasn’t paying attention to that.

“What Casino?”

“Hmm?” Shobo asked not sounding thrilled with my tone, but I didn’t care.

“What Casino was hit!? My Brother works at a Tyger Claw Casino!”

“Longshore.” He said a little coldly.

Fuck. No no no no no. The last time I chatted with Jun he congratulated me on my maturity! That had better not be a fucking death flag!

“I have to go.” I said simply standing but stalling out.

I didn’t have a ride.

“I’ll drive.” Ichi offered instantly, and I nodded incredibly grateful in that moment.

I shook my head. Wait. Don’t rush it. Rushing into a problem, even an important one will just lead to screw ups. Something I read from The Solo’s Manual.

“Wait. Let me… Let me call.” I tried calling Jun, only for nothing to happen.

No pick up.

“Fuck it. Let’s go!” I urged and Ichi and I both raced out of the Club, ignoring Shobo as we did.

—-

As Ichi and I raced through the streets we weren’t the only ones. We would meet other Bikers racing towards Longshore. Some would gather with us forming our own little armada.

Others would race off on their own, but all of them were going in the same direction.

Longwood near Chater Hill. The ‘secret’ Tyger Claw Casino hidden in an old drainage tunnel maintenance area.

Unfortunately. Or maybe fortunately. I still was having trouble telling, by the time we got there, whatever attack was over. A few Maelstrom vehicles were left on the road, some full of bullet holes, some burning. And a horde of Tyger Claws were idling around. A sea of bike gangers all looking for a fight.

Just in case I called Jun again.

Nothing.

Fuck!

“Over there!” I pointed to a location where it looked like was the stairs down into the storm drain, and Ichi nodded, but was soon forced to a crawl as other bikers were parked or moving everywhere.

I leapt off.

Jun could be hurt! I slipped through the sea of bikes, using a bit of parkour to leap over the bikes that were in the way much to the irritation of their owners as I was cursed all through my run.

I didn’t care.

“No way kid.” A Tyger Claw rumbled as he grabbed my shoulder as I made for the stairs, You ar-” He shut up because half a second after he grabbed me he found my pistol pressing up against the bottom of his chin.

Fast Draw.

“Move your hand or lose it. My Brother works in the Casino, and I don’t know if he is alive or not.” I tell the much larger man bluntly nudging him up with my gun.

Unfortunately a moment later a blade was hovering over my neck from behind.

“Don’t even think about it.” A woman's voice said sternly. “Put it away girl. You won’t be the first Gonk I flatlined while acting tough.”

I turned a bit ignoring the small cut that it earned me to glare at the Tyger Claw woman who was glaring down at me with sharp eyes.

I held her gaze for a bit. Before pulling the gun away from the mans chin, earning a small sigh of relief. “My brother.” I tell her never having taken my eyes from her.

“Fine. We will find out. Name?” She demanded finally withdrawing her blade as I holstered my pistol.

“Jun Kusanagi.”

“I’ll check.” She said her eyes going gold after a moment as she made a call.

The whole situation made my already frayed nerves worse. I was super tempted to use my Parkour and just leap down. I could hit that pip and the grate wouldn’t be hard to slip down without getting banged up.

“Jeeze girl, easy with the shooter.” The burly man said a moment later rubbing his neck. “Never gets easier having a gun against the jugular.”

I hesitated, I didn't care, but at the same time… “Sorry. I’m a little on edge.”

“Hah. So are we. Just got done fighting some Borgs.”

“Yeah.. Sorry.” I offered a bit more sincerely.

“Your Brother is inside. Your call isn’t going through because the borgs set up a jammer. We are still looking for it.”

“Oh.” I muttered and felt my legs buckle a bit as I fell to the concrete.

Jun was okay.

“Wow, easy there.” The big guy said a moment later as he helped me stand back up and walked me over to a bench that while full of bullet holes was still usable and helped me sit.

“Sorry.”

“Hah. Fierce as a Tiger at first, and now as gentle as a kitten. I like this one Mari.” The big guy called back to the woman.

“I don’t. She’s crazy. Crazy ones are the worst to deal with.”

“That’s true. You ain’t crazy though, are you kitten?” He asked with a chuckle.

“Don’t know. I might be.” I admitted frankly. My rather constant thoughts about going out to murder people for personal benefit might just count.

“Motoko!” Ichi yelled out as he ran up, he must have found a place to park.

“My Brother is okay.” I tell him and he sighs in relief at that as well.

“That’s good. Phew.” Mutters trying to catch his breath.

“You should run more Ichi.” I told him, the dash here from his bike hadn’t even gotten my heart rate up, but it looked like it had worn Ichi down.

“Ugh. Don’t tell me that.” He grumbled as he walked over giving a bow to the big man before joining me on the bench. “So what’s the plan now?”

“Don’t know. I guess… check on Jun… The Maelstrom guys… There aren’t any more around, are there?” I asked the big man who was standing not far from us.

“Nah they all either flatlined or took off once reinforcements showed up. Nothing to worry about.”

“I wasn’t worried. I was just wondering if I should start hunting some.” I admit before leaning back to stare up into the sky.

No stars. It was the first time I realized it. Night City had so much light pollution the sky was just dark.

“Well that’s good then. We beat the Maelstrom guys back. And we won. Right?” Ichi asked, but the older guy didn’t respond.

“No Kid. This wasn’t a victory. We got stung, bad. Customers in the casino died. Protecting customers is our responsibility, this looks bad. This is going to hurt us for a long time.”

“Damn.” I muttered. That was bad. If people thought they would get in the middle of a gang war they wouldn’t come to the Casino. Or the bars. Or the clubs.

It would hit the Tyger Claws badly which could make them lash out.

“Jammer down.” The woman. Mari said suddenly and I jerked up and sent a call to Jun at the same moment. A few seconds later the call actually went through.

“Motoko, are you hurt?”

“Not at all you?” I demanded instead.

“Just winged.” He said but there was something in his voice. Jun didn’t sound good.

“Jun?”

“I- a friend was flatlined in the attack.” He said after a long pause. “I’m taking care of their… body now. Can you… can you get home on your own?”

“Of course. Don’t worry about me. I… If there is anything you need Jun-nii tell me.”

“Just… Time to take care of this. Goodbye Imouto.”

The line died. I had a bad feeling. As I had learned. Jun was a hothead. I had a feeling that sadness in him would very soon be turned to anger.

What the hell was I going to do? I could fight a little. But I wasn’t covered in chrome like Maelstrom. I wasn't a high enough level. I barely had skills equivalent to a starting Merc. I just knew that Jun would do something stupid.

He had said he got winged. He was shot… Fuck. Was it wrong I was kinda glad? It would slow him down. Keep him from doing something stupid right away.

I shook myself. The spiral of thoughts forced out.

Deep breath. Exhale.

Okay. Jun was hurt, but he would be okay. The fight was over.

Jun had lost someone. He would be in pain. What can I do?

I don’t know.

I just don’t know.

—--

It was a long time before I finally saw Jun.

I decided to wait until he came out. Ichi eventually heading home when I told him I would take the train to get home if I needed to.

So I waited. As the army of Tyger Claws all left. Even the two guards at the top of the stairs eventually headed off. Leaving just me.

Jun came out hours later. In a small procession of Tyger Claw people all of them looking a little roughed up but alive. His shoulder was in a sling, to my relief there was someone that looked like a Ripperdoc in Tyger Claw colors.

He had already been checked out.

Thank god.

“Jun!”

I must have shocked him with my appearance as I hurried over, causing a stir in some of the people, but at my appearance they relaxed when Jun headed over and pulled me into a hug. I was careful not to put any pressure on his arm.

“What are you doing out here? You should be at home.”

“And leave my idiot brother alone? Never.” I tell him simply as we finally part a bit. “How are you getting home? I can drive if you need me.”

“I’m not heading home tonight Motoko. I’m getting a ride to a place to take care of some things.” He said evasive but I didn’t like that response.

Yet I didn’t confront him, simply waiting for something.

“Here.” he offered pulling a shard out of his neck port after a moment's jostling of having to switch to the other arm.

“What is it?”

“My bike's access key. Take it and drive home. I don’t want you taking the train this late… Just don’t crash.”

“I won’t. But Jun. Don’t… Don’t cut me out. Let me know what’s going on. If I don’t hear from you tomorrow I’m going to assume you are doing something stupid and hunt you down.” I tell him firmly. I looked behind him and winced as the procession of wounded wasn’t alone. A second procession was coming out, and it was people carrying the dead.

Quite a few dead.

“I will talk to you tomorrow Imouto. I’m tired.”

“Right. Get some rest.” I order as I urge Jun to follow his friends. I was led to a parking garage across the street and while Jun slipped into a nice car that was soon racing off, I jumped onto Juns stupid swoop back Kusanagi.

It started with a rumble and I was soon pulling out onto the streets.

As I drove home I was getting little alerts for driving XP. I guess I hadn’t bothered to try and level it since I drove Hiromi home.

What the hell was I going to do about Jun?

*Driving skill level up!*

I sighed. Ignoring the alert. My mind too full of worry to pay any attention to it. Even if my driving smoothed out. I wasn’t exactly a motorcycle driver in my last life, so suddenly I understood when to shift, and how to do it without causing any jerking.

I simply. Drove for a while.

—--

Jun texted the next afternoon. I had literally spent the morning cleaning because I couldn’t stop my anxiety. All those dust bunnies and old burrito wrappers were gone.

Jun was going to be gone for a while as he recovered and took care of his chooms death.

That was all he said.

Fucking stupid idiot Jun!

I couldn’t stay in the apartment anymore, and I certainly couldn’t do nothing. So I headed out, hopped on Jun’s bike and drove to the Gym.

It felt nice to be able to drive, but it still wasn’t what I wanted. I ended up in the Punching machine section, and decided to just hammer the stupid thing until I felt better.

I started getting alerts slowly as I set the machine pretty high level. More often than not my hits were blocked but I kept at it. I just wanted to move.

*Street Brawler skill level up!*

*1 Perk Point Gained.*

I ignored it though. I didn’t want to stop and look at the system, instead I just took in the increased knowledge and hit the machine. Over and over I kept at it, hammering the pads with all my frustration and irritation.

Eventually I had to stop, out of breath and feeling a bit empty.

Stupid Jun. Stupid Maelstrom.

Stupid Motoko. I wasn’t strong enough! Even with all my work so far, I was still so… weak. I was really grateful that no one talked to me, as I reset the machine and headed for the showers. After that I walked out to Juns bike still feeling tired and empty.

What was I supposed to do?

My hand twitched for my gun.

No. Bad Motoko. Murder is a bad option.

But the siren call of the idea was pretty strong. I couldn’t help Jun now. But if I gained a few levels? A few points to be able to put into stats a few skill points? I would be able to help. To act…

No. I shook that away. I wasn’t ready, and I wasn’t going to rely on murder to get to where I needed. I wouldn’t.

Right?

I slipped onto Juns bike and decided I would drive for a while. I had enough eddies to fill it up if I needed.

So I just drove. Going through the city slowly to just stop feeling.

*Driving skill level up!*

*1 Perk Point Gained.*

Dammit. Can I shut this thing off? I am trying to be depressed!