Ghost in the City: Cyberpunk Gamer SI

[Evanescalon]

It'll be nice to send a message and get Hiromi center stage where she belongs.
Love that the last two chapters were released so close to each other.
Thank you for your effort, Authur.

 

[Killdread]

Motoko's murder senses are tingling, there's an acceptable target right there. They're even high enough in the sociomonetary hierarchy that it might be fun to sneak in and assassinate him!

 

[Vanbers]

I want her to continue her rockergirl career.

I just *also* want her next big song to be another one loaded onto a BD.

Specifically the BD of her infiltrating her 'Not-Manager's' office in the media building and executing him without anyone noticing.

The best part is that the corp wouldn't even try to get back at her, and would just send another disposable suit, because the BD did numbers and the song is massively popular.

 

[Despacitoleo]

Goated chaoter as always

 

[BoML]

Wow, a new chapter so soon. I mean, yeah, it's only been close to a week, but still, this is nice.

"Don't hum at me." I grumbled at Wakako. "I got the gun out of the place while the police were actively raiding it."

"You were supposed to not be seen."

"I wasn't."

"They know someone broke in."

Click to shrink...

Hey, Wakako, you old bag, Motoko did a preem job. You better NOT have stiffed her on the pay.

Laughing as I set up and looked over the range. I needed this. Just some good old fashioned grinding of a stat. No chooms to get distracted by, just me, and repeating an action a thousand times to try and make myself just that little bit better.

Click to shrink...

Yeah, this is a nice way to have stress relief. Also, make sure to image some real annoyances onto the targets.

"I'll send you the Menu, but the house special tonight is a Beef Wellington. Real cloned beef!"

I blinked because… That actually sounded fucking amazing. I'd never really had fancy Beef Wellington before, but just real meat sounded good.

Click to shrink...

...okay, not gonna lie, this is a *golden* line that might actually be worth it signing up with MSM.

Real food! Hey there was a benefit to all this after all!

Click to shrink...

Yeah, real food just works better than mass produced stuff...though, seriously, ONE potato?? Considering how much stuff costs in up-scale restaurants, I expect *this* stuff to be worth a *lot* of eddies. So that potato had *better* be palm sized. Otherwise you were absolutely ripped off, *despite* the fact that it's real food.

Oh! Oh! The Sushi platter! It was dropped off in front of Alex, and he reached out to take one when suddenly my knife was embedded into the table in front of him.

I chewed slowly, staring at him with absolute murder.

My sushi.

Click to shrink...

Yeah, you got off lucky, pal. Don't try that again.

I made a bit of a commotion by just jumping the stage, and flopping back into the booth to finish my meal.

Sigh. It wasn't quite as good as it had cooled a little.

I still ate that shit though.

Click to shrink...

Yeah, I honestly don't think the audience cared over much. Heck, I'm actually surprised they bothered to clap at all.

"Be careful around him." She whispered into my ear, as we were snapping the photo, her entire body melting into mine to make the picture look a little risque, but I guess that was just kinda her theme.

It was just a whisper, quiet, and sharp.

"Oh I know." I whispered back, as I snapped the picture.

"You don't." She whispered, again patting me on the shoulder, and then she was back to drunk actress and the life of the party.

Click to shrink...

...interesting. Also, Motoko showing how she's absolutely jacked and *all* natural in the body department, despite the work done to her bones.

I'd talk to Hiromi about it. Maybe she'd have some idea on how to build our rep some more.

I wasn't sure I honestly trusted MSM to handle it correctly, especially since they were constantly trying to mess with the music.

Click to shrink...

Yeah, you do that, Motoko. Better have that absolutely solid fanbase instead of...whatever *this* is.

Excellent chapter, Seras.

 

[Hangwind]

I keep wanting to do a Wakako Negaverse.

 

[TheHoneyPot]

Hope she offs the guy soon.

 

[Phili]

(Disclaimer: I haven't caught up yet, so this might already be answered in-story)

Are there currently any plans to do anything with Witcher? A while ago Motoko mentioned something about there probably being magic due to Cyberpunk references in Witcher. Are there any plans for her to ever get/use/interact-with magic? I think it would be pretty cool if she started using magic (and it seems possible since there is no plan to "stick to canon" so a massive butterfly-change caused by her figuring-out/getting/using magic wouldn't break everything), so if there is some sort of plan for that, I just want to know so I can look forward to that.

(I've never seen or played or read anything related to either Cyberpunk or Witcher (including fanfiction if not including this story), so I have no idea what is or isn't possible or plausible for anything regarding either setting, so please take it easy on me if this is a silly question).

 

[Seras]

(Disclaimer: I haven't caught up yet, so this might already be answered in-story)

Are there currently any plans to do anything with Witcher? A while ago Motoko mentioned something about there probably being magic due to Cyberpunk references in Witcher. Are there any plans for her to ever get/use/interact-with magic? I think it would be pretty cool if she started using magic (and it seems possible since there is no plan to "stick to canon" so a massive butterfly-change caused by her figuring-out/getting/using magic wouldn't break everything), so if there is some sort of plan for that, I just want to know so I can look forward to that.

(I've never seen or played or read anything related to either Cyberpunk or Witcher (including fanfiction if not including this story), so I have no idea what is or isn't possible or plausible for anything regarding either setting, so please take it easy on me if this is a silly question).

Click to shrink...

I don't plan on doing any Witcher cross overs with it. I know there is a reference to Ciri showing up in Cyberpunk in the Witcher, but I won't be touching on it.

 

[Faber_The_Builder]

I don't plan on doing any Witcher cross overs with it. I know there is a reference to Ciri showing up in Cyberpunk in the Witcher, but I won't be touching on it.

Click to shrink...

Yea. That would be something best left for Omakes imho. No need to complicate the story with our Planeswalker Daugher.

 

[Jordisk]

I don't plan on doing any Witcher cross overs with it. I know there is a reference to Ciri showing up in Cyberpunk in the Witcher, but I won't be touching on it.

Click to shrink...

Which is a shame, because I could see magecraft as another Intelligence skill, using runes and equations to program spells or magic circles so it interacts with the other intelligence skills. Quickhacks become equal to prepare spells, programming becomes spell design, netdiving becomes astral projection.

 

[Snakespm]

(Disclaimer: I haven't caught up yet, so this might already be answered in-story)

Are there currently any plans to do anything with Witcher? A while ago Motoko mentioned something about there probably being magic due to Cyberpunk references in Witcher. Are there any plans for her to ever get/use/interact-with magic? I think it would be pretty cool if she started using magic (and it seems possible since there is no plan to "stick to canon" so a massive butterfly-change caused by her figuring-out/getting/using magic wouldn't break everything), so if there is some sort of plan for that, I just want to know so I can look forward to that.

(I've never seen or played or read anything related to either Cyberpunk or Witcher (including fanfiction if not including this story), so I have no idea what is or isn't possible or plausible for anything regarding either setting, so please take it easy on me if this is a silly question).

Click to shrink...

Not this story, but I know there is another Cyberpunk story on this forum that has some of the Witcher crew come forward. Don't have the name in front of me

 

[Phili]

I don't plan on doing any Witcher cross overs with it. I know there is a reference to Ciri showing up in Cyberpunk in the Witcher, but I won't be touching on it.

Click to shrink...

Okay, good to know.

Just out of curiosity, is there an in-universe reason that Motoko hasn't gone looking for magic after she concluded that it probably exists? Or is it just purely a matter of you didn't want to take the story in that direction and didn't want her to waste time trying to get magic to work when it wasn't ever going to work because she was incorrect in her conclusion? Or something else (like she just forgot about it or something)?

 

[Jordisk]

Okay, good to know.

Just out of curiosity, is there an in-universe reason that Motoko hasn't gone looking for magic after she concluded that it probably exists? Or is it just purely a matter of you didn't want to take the story in that direction and didn't want her to waste time trying to get magic to work when it wasn't ever going to work because she was incorrect in her conclusion? Or something else (like she just forgot about it or something)?

Click to shrink...

She is very busy, and any magic won't be out and about for her to find. Misty's precognition and Ciri's occasional presence (she is on a magazine cover, and also has the all time high score in the Roach Race arcade game). Maybe the Zen Master or some of the Kensei monks also have hints. She did manage to cut with a brush, so she has tapped into something a little bit.

 

[Cyn]

Not this story, but I know there is another Cyberpunk story on this forum that has some of the Witcher crew come forward. Don't have the name in front of me

Click to shrink...

https://forum.questionablequesting.com/threads/its-about-saving-yourself.27721/

This one has Ciri show up and the SI bargain passage to a different world. Not sure what happened after that I was already losing interest in the plot for several reasons.

 

[Snakespm]

https://forum.questionablequesting.com/threads/its-about-saving-yourself.27721/

This one has Ciri show up and the SI bargain passage to a different world. Not sure what happened after that I was already losing interest in the plot for several reasons.

Click to shrink...

That is the one.

 

[Phili]

"Ah. Christmas Bonuses." I whispered, and Jun sent me another funny look before chuckling.

"I guess you could call it that. Or Christmas beheadings… You know?"

"Does that happen?"

"Not unless people haven't been reporting things. Which is why I'm double checking all the little side work that Fujimura runs."

Click to shrink...

Christmas Beheadings is actually a genuine tradition.
One of the things Christmas is based on/fused with is Saturnalia, and in Ancient Rome on Saturnalia part of the celebration was sacrificing the heads of gladiators to Saturn.

 

[Killdread]

So I had a thought about a song, and this seems like the best spot for it overall. Maybe it'll get dumped in to a performance at some point, maybe it won't, but it's the thought that counts and why not count the thoughts?

Video killed the radio star, they say. But doesn't that mean BDs would kill the video star?

Spoiler: Lyric edit

I saw you on the screens back in '02
Sitting intent, mindlessly tuning in on you
If I was young, it didn't stop you comin' through
Oh-wa, oh-ah
They took the credit for your stage directory
Rewritten for machines on new technology
And now I understand the problems you could see

Oh-wa, oh-ah
I met your children
Oh-wa, oh-ah
What did you tell them?

Braindance killed the video star
Braindance killed the video star
Virtus came and broke your heart
Oh, ah-ah-ah-oh

And now we meet in an abandoned studio (Oh-oh)
We watch the playback and it seems so long ago (Ah)
And you remember the credits used to go

Oh-wa, oh-ah
You were the first one
Oh-wa, oh-ah
You were the last one

Braindance killed the video star
Braindance killed the video star
In my eyes and in my heart
We can't reset, we've scrolled too far
Oh, ah-ah-ah-oh
Oh, ah-ah-ah-oh

Braindance killed the video star
Braindance killed the video star
In my eyes and in my heart
We can't reset, we've scrolled too far
Virtus came and broke our thoughts
Put the blame on BDI

You are a video star
You are a video star
Braindance killed the video star
Braindance killed the video star
Braindance killed the video star
Braindance killed the video star
(You are) Braindance killed the video star
(A video star) Braindance killed the video star
(You are) Braindance killed the video star
(A video star) Braindance killed the video star
(You are...) Braindance killed the video star...

 

[Phili]

I haz a music question(s):
Would this song be popular in Night City, would this song already exist in Cyberpunk, would Motoko sing this song?

Queen -- I Want It All

 

[Seras]

I haz a music question(s):
Would this song be popular in Night City, would this song already exist in Cyberpunk, would Motoko sing this song?

Queen -- I Want It All

Click to shrink...

Queen would already exist in universe, the main changes started in the early 90's except for Japan where it started earlier.

 

[Phili]

Queen would already exist in universe, the main changes started in the early 90's except for Japan where it started earlier.

Click to shrink...

Okay cool, I wasn't sure if that thing I vaguely know about called something like the Data Krash (?) would effect it (I also didn't know when the changes started though).

But, would it be popular in Night City? I'm not familiar enough with Cyberpunk to be able to tell, but it seems to me like it might be well-received there, but I also don't know what group of people in Night City would perk up at hearing Queen (my best guess would be really old people, but I don't know how old people get in Cyberpunk aside from Vik mentioning he was in his 70s).

 

[zecorezecron]

Okay cool, I wasn't sure if that thing I vaguely know about called something like the Data Krash (?) would effect it (I also didn't know when the changes started though).

But, would it be popular in Night City? I'm not familiar enough with Cyberpunk to be able to tell, but it seems to me like it might be well-received there, but I also don't know what group of people in Night City would perk up at hearing Queen (my best guess would be really old people, but I don't know how old people get in Cyberpunk aside from Vik mentioning he was in his 70s).

Click to shrink...

Ok, to give some perspective, Samurai is as old in 2077 as Queen is today. And Queen would be as old in 2077 as Louis Armstrong is today. When was the last time Louis Armstrong was on the radio?

 

[Phili]

Ok, to give some perspective, Samurai is as old in 2077 as Queen is today. And Queen would be as old in 2077 as Louis Armstrong is today. When was the last time Louis Armstrong was on the radio?

Click to shrink...

I think I heard him on the radio like last week? But probably more recently than that.

 

[zecorezecron]

I think I heard him on the radio like last week? But probably more recently than that.

Click to shrink...

The only time I ever hear Louis Armstrong is if they're using "it's a wonderful world" in an advertisement. And even that hasn't happened in a while.

 

[tyaty1]

Ciri doesn't show up in Cyberpunk BTW, the magazine cover she was on was real-life magazine which was put into the game as an easter egg.
She can be inserted into any parallel dimension if the author wants it, but her appearance in CP2077 is very much not canonical.

 

[Laxian]

Goooooood moooorning NIGHT CITY! - SCNR!

Hey @Seras - got here because of my Spacebattles-Thread-Time-Out (temporary thread ban)...you are right, it's a bit "dead" here, compared to there (sadly - I doubt mods are this tetchy and trigger happy here!)

Still, any idea when you'll write more of this (or have you done so and keeping the stash)?

As for the guy saying that Ciri was not in Cyberpunk...maybe, but then again, they gave us her sword, right (yes, fan-service I know, but still )

Queen would already exist in universe, the main changes started in the early 90's except for Japan where it started earlier.

Click to shrink...

Indeed, that also means Star Wars exists in universe, as does George Lucas (who might even be still alive, he's rich after all, just like Harrison Ford and others)!

 

[Lord Derp]

I doubt mods are this tetchy and trigger happy here!

Click to shrink...

The mods in my experience tend to be more fair over here... And less assholeish in general.

Truely the superior site. Glory to Degeneracy! :3

 

[Winged One]

(sadly - I doubt mods are this tetchy and trigger happy here!)

Click to shrink...

The mods in my experience tend to be more fair over here... And less assholeish in general.

Truely the superior site. Glory to Degeneracy! :3

Click to shrink...

Don't make the mistake of thinking they won't drop the banhammer over the rules we do have, though. Though they are a bit too soft on some things. Or just disagree with me about some topics of interpretation on the rules where I am clearly right.

 

[zecorezecron]

Don't make the mistake of thinking they won't drop the banhammer over the rules we do have, though. Though they are a bit too soft on some things. Or just disagree with me about some topics of interpretation on the rules where I am clearly right.

Click to shrink...

Nah, the double standards are still alive and well, just less horrifically so.

 

[Seras]

"So Alex has set up a gig, or rather he set everything up, including putting money down before mentioning it to me."

"Do I kill him now?" I asked, as I slurped up some noodles.

Hiromi hid a little smile, and didn't say anything for a few moments. "No. Frankly, I'm using what he is doing to learn from it. The gig is solid, and he threw it at me to okay it, although it was very much a trap. If I refuse then MSM loses eddies, and companies like that?"

"They aren't in the business of losing eddies?" I added at her pause and she nodded. She leaned down, her hair hiding her face for a second as she slurped up her own noodles. The two of us having our fairly annual lunch dates on her school lunch break.

"So we do it?"

"We do it. If you're up to it?"

"Yeah sure I guess." I grumbled. Hiromi nudged me.

"Hey if you don't want to?"

"Nah, it's fine. They just refuse to stop trying to mess with my chrome."

"Speaking of, you talked to Vik about the upgrades right? The Eagle?"

"He basically called me an idiot if I refused." I admitted, a bit embarrassed and Hiromi laughed at me.

"Did he now? What a surprise."

"Teasing me is forbidden."

"Me? Tease my best choom?" She said airlily, and I nudged her, earning a giggle before returning to my noodles. I grabbed the nearly empty bowl and tipped it back. Draining it dry.

"I'm going to accept the showroom thing… And I guess I'll hear more about their Eagle deal."

"I'll let MSM know, and send the requirements."

"Requirements?"
"Of course! MSM might have their own expectation of brand deals, but that's not how we work!" She called out slurping up her own noodles again. Which meant I had to just stare at her in confusion, no idea what she was talking about. "We'll put our own requirements for the deal through. Things like only Vik works on the chrome for installation."

"Oh! Yeah that's obvious."

"It is to us, but a lot of those brand deals? They're going to want their own rippers to install their chrome."

"Not happening."

"Hence why we are firm. It might cost you though."

"How?"

"They might push for more brand stuff. Photo shoots, maybe something crazy like a commercial. Maybe they'll put you on Chip In?"

"Ugh."

"I'll haggle for an easier time." She said hand reaching up to grab my arm and squeezing.

"Thanks Hiromi. I can't believe that jerk didn't send you the invite last night."

"It's fine." She said in a tone that told me it very much wasn't fine. "We'll just use it as an obvious example of him causing trouble for Stand Alone Complex."

"The others might not agree." I said quietly and Hiromi nodded.

"I know. I'm already expecting him to seduce the others."

"Well he won't get me." Then I smiled. "I wonder when he'll try something stupid. If Kitty's warning is real."

"Then kill him." Hiromi said with complete finality. "That's what he's there for. We'll let him work hard, and the moment he steps over the line, just like we planned. You'll murder him, as a warning to MSM."
"To Murder, for solving all of life's little problems." I offered, lifting my drink and Hiromi raised hers as we clinked it together.

—---

"Motoko! I was worried you were going to be late." Alice called out as I entered the recording studio.

"Sorry, there was a bit of traffic. I said I was on my way."

"I know but still… Ah, nevermind. I'm just used to more unreliable frontmen I guess. You aren't him though." She said with a sigh, as I was tugged through the studio into the recording booth.

"What are we working on tonight?"

"Well, we were kinda thinking of that love song of yours."

"Everlong? Yeah we can do that. Which version, acoustic, or?"

"Definitely the Rock version." Alice said, and I just shrugged, sounded fine to me.

"Ah there she is! Thought you were going to play hooky tonight."

"Klein, sorry, traffic."

"Ah it's fine with me. Just means more time at the bar!" He called out as he walked past me up to the drum set.

"Try not to drink too much." I reminded, but Jared laughed as he entered, and grabbed his guitar.

"Not all of us have ice in our veins Klein and I need a little drink to cool off."

I just sent him a flat look. Whatever bro.

"And everyone is here!" I rolled my eyes. No, not everyone was here. Hiromi couldn't make it tonight. But Alex liked that.

"Alright, you lot have your song choice for the evening? We got the sound studio working, hopefully Motoko, as absolutely amazing as you are, can you let him do a bit more work tonight?"

"Only if he doesn't fuck it up." I said, and since everyone was already ready, I instantly started strumming. The mic went dead as Alex wasn't about to speak over a recording, and I warmed up as the others prepared.

We got through most of the song before Jared fumbled a note, and we called for a stop.

I grabbed a bottle of water and drank down the brand name "Real Water" with a fancy bottle that was just the same slop everyone drank.

What a life.

"Motoko, got a sec?" I looked up as Alex called, and I felt my eyes narrow.

I put the guitar down, and headed into the booth, and found Alex looking proud of himself as always as the recording tech worked to mess with the song.

I could already tell I was going to have to yell at him to stop fucking with the song.

"Sup?"

"We got a response back from Militech about the endorsement deal. They-"

"Okay but why isn't Hiromi talking to me about this. She's the Manager." I cut him off, delighting in once again popping the guys ego as he had a bit of sharpness around his eyes at my words.

"Of course, last discussion will be with Ms. Mitsunashi, but this is just an update. Militech is very pleased with your acceptance. They aren't quite so pleased with you requesting your own ripper. Militech has offered to have specialists flown in, absolute top of the line Doctors."

"Doesn't matter to me. Vik is the only guy that gets to put his hands inside me. So if they want to see things, then talk to him, maybe he'll accept having it done in some fancy hospital, otherwise no."
"I understand some attachment, but-"

"Alex. You seem like a smart guy. So understand. Vik is the only man that messes with my Chrome. Period."

"I'll do my best to handle the discussions with Militech." He offered, sounding like he was pulling teeth.

"You mean Hiromi will handle the discussions. She should be the main point of contact, as she's my Manager and already understands my limits."

"Of course. Ms. Mitsunashi is cc'ed on all the communications."

"She'd better be." I said with finality and turned away.

God this guy was such a creep.

—---

I stomped out of the MSM recording studio amped up, but not in a good way.

Arguing with Alex, arguing with the studio tech that kept trying to electronic up Everlong. Arguing with the band that wanted that.

It was an infuriating experience.

"Just remember the eddies Motoko. They're paying you so much money to deal with them… And murder is on the table." I reminded myself breathing out, my breath steaming a little in the cold december air.

It was cold tonight. Even for California. Enough that I should probably put on some more clothes.

Instead I walked through the parking garage, my Kusanagi waiting for me, and without hesitation I started her up, and then hit the gas, peeling out of the garage, uncaring about the tire marks left behind.

There were already a ton anyways. Not like I was the first Rockerboy to peel out in happiness, or anger.

At the exit I had two choices. Left, to head back home, or right.

I jerked the bars, nearly popped a wheelie with how much gas I gave it, and turned right.

I didn't know where I was going, but I was going there fast. I hit the gas, for once being a bad driver and just moving.

I was in the middle of downtown, and honestly I wanted to be anywhere but. I swerved in and out of traffic, and definitely broke more than just a few speed laws.

But I didn't care.

Fuck it! If I got a ticket, then it would be up to MSM to bail me out. That was actually part of the contract. A Stupid little detail.

But eventually the frustration boiled off, and I slowed down and I stopped at a red light. Idling under the light, keeping an eye on everything around me, and just trying to figure out what I was even doing.

Then I heard it. Shouts and cries, but not of fear or anything.

Shifting a bit I looked up. On one of the buildings across the road at the top I could see the lights, and sounds, and the unmistakable sound of someone fighting…

I turned, popping up onto the curb from the light and slowly drifted down the sidewalk until I think I found the right building.

Mostly because of the goons that were standing outside it, and waving people in.

"Yo. Fight up top?"

"Fifty eddies for a ticket." The man grunted. Valentino, not Animal or something, so this was probably safer.

I parked and nodded, flashing the guy fifty eddies, even though I was fairly certain he was lying about the cost, and walking up.

"Yo chica, don't recognize you."

"Sup choom." I greeted back. The Tino was in the elevator with a girl and they were heading up, but he had actually held the door. "First time here. Saw the commotion, decided to take a look."

"Hoo, A cherry popper tonight ey? Alright, come on I'll show you around. I'm Juanito."

"Motoko." I offered and the girl nodded at me.

"Maria."

"So you like fights? Enjoy a little action ey?"

"I'm frustrated, annoyed, and I could use something fun to do. That's all." I explained, and he chuckled at that.

"Well Chica, this'll be something fun alright!" He laughed as the elevator door opened, and a wash of noise hit me.

Screaming people calling out to kill him, and waving arms. Music was playing a radio somewhere as well, but it was drowned out by the sound of the screaming calls.

Ah, so that's what was going on.

An old rooftop pool, empty now, but everyone was gathered around. Tino's and others, everyone here obviously looking for a good time.

I walked into the crowd, seemingly losing Juanito instantly as I slipped among the crowd, relaxing because here I wasn't being doted on every second, or smugly wormed up to.

People jostled and knocked me around until I got to the front.

There I watched a fight go on.

A tino, and a sixth street banger. Metal skull and little red horns all up his skull, quite the bit of chrome were circling each other.

Across the pool was a 6th Street contingent as well. On the opposite side of the Tino's I noticed.

Around the pool plenty of people were sitting half way into the arena, and I winced as the Tino was knocked back smashing into the leg of one of the guys hanging out, a nasty crack echoing out, as the Tino got back up to fight ignoring the scream of pain from the guy whose leg he just broke.

There was a moment I couldn't help but think back to my own previous experience in something like this.

The toxic stink of Maelstrom breath, and the feeling of being pushed into an arena to fight to the death.

It would have scared me back then, to be reminded of it. Now I just smirked. "Yeah fuck him up!" I cried out, getting into the atmosphere.

Fuck it, when in Rome.

The fight ended fairly quickly, the Tino guy had a bit of a glass jaw, an the 6th Street banger had chrome fists.

Literally.

I was laughing along with most of the crowd when the poor Tino guy was hauled out having pissed himself.

"Someone clean this shit up! I can't fight in this!" The Chrome head called out, earning more laughs at the trail of yellow in the arena.

Apparently this was something accounted for as bunch of water was dumped over the edge, and then a shop vac was used to dry it back up.

"Place your bets folks, place your bets! Can anyone defeat the American Devil!" A loud voice called out, and most of the crowd booed.

Ah so this guy was the heel huh.

I just laughed along even shifting to sit over the edge.

Splash zones were just fine if you weren't squeamish about blood after all!

This was kinda fun. I even started running my Braindance cause this was turning into a pretty fun memory.

Another fight started, another Tino, and this poor guy really gave it his all, but the "American Devil" was actually more than just a thug. He was a tactical fighter, slipping and juking. He had boxing training, and the poor Tino was just a kid trying to earn some rep.

He went down, and the crowd roared, even I roared along with them!

I should come to fights more often!

The 6th Street ganger walked to the edge of the pool taking a short break. He got passed a red cup of beer. He turned and roared to the crowd as everyone raised their own drinks to him. The reigning champion so to speak.

Then he poured half of it over his face as he tipped it back roared again and then chucked the cup.

He'd probably meant to aim straight up over the crowd, but instead either he had missed the throw or just wasn't very good at it, or maybe his hand was cramped up from punching gonks in the face.

I should not come to fights more often.

I spit beer for a moment, shocked at what just happened. He'd almost literally smashed the rest of the cup into my face, then he laughed.

"Hey fuck you asshole!" I roared out pointed and he just laughed louder throwing a motion that could only mean for me to suck his dick.

Oh it was fucking on now.

"Fuck that! You and me! I'm fucking kicking your ass!" I roared out and slipped from the edge right into the pool.

Now normally a teenager getting into a pit fight would be met with some hesitation, but this was fucking Night City.

The crowd roared, and no one at all cared that I was a girl.

I grinned feral as I clenched my fists.

This…

This was exactly what I needed.

I should come to fights more often!

"Oh a new challenger! Introducing Beer to the face girl!" The speaker at the side of the pool called out and then he along with the entire crowd started laughing.

Okay he was next.

Instead I shook it off.

Fists raised up.

The American Devil didn't hesitate, moving in with swift movement, entirely intending on killing me.

My grin was definitely feral as I juked in, surprising the guy with a quick switch of my Sandy, letting me slide right into his guard, fist raised up, and smashing into his face.

He rocked backwards, jolting as his arms came up to guard and he actually danced a bit avoiding my follow up punches.

I cancelled the Sandy and jerked back as he swung, his fists cracked as he swiped at me.

He was a better fighter than me.

Perfect.

"You bitch." He said, flatly, almost tonelessly, as the space let him lean up and feel at his nose.

He was bleeding a bit.

"Come on time to get your ass kicked." I told him, and then he snarled, he activated his own Sandy and burst in, jolting side to side, and I just laughed, as I tried to match him.

His fist plowed into my guard rocking me back, as I juked his follow up body shot, and then he reared back and kicked me.

The donkey kick would have absolutely destroyed me, if I hadn't seen it coming, and reached up, both hands catching the kick and instead of completely flattening me, he only sent me flying into a roll, which I then came back up with a laugh.

He was a good boxer, but not much else. His fighting outside of that wasn't nearly as good.

Could I beat him?

I honestly didn't know, he was tough, his skull was definitely an armored brain case of some sort, maybe even shock absorption to keep his brain from getting rocked around. His fists were pure chrome and hard, ready to tear and puncture.

His arms raised up, and mine did the same, the two of us calculating as we moved in.

The real secret to fighting was to hit the other guy without getting hit yourself. Unfortunately he was kinda better than me, so I only had one choice.

Beat his ass until he stopped.

Our fists smashed out, and now that his sandy was cycling he wasn't any faster than I was, our fists rocked out, smashing into each other's arms, trying to find a weakness, trying to smash through into each other's face.

I felt blood on my face. Tasted it.

And yet, this guy was definitely not reacting well to me just hammering into his face just as hard as he was into mine.

Every one of his blows was monstrous, but he wasn't ready for me just not caring, and hitting him back just as hard.

We broke apart for a moment, and I could feel his hesitation which was exactly what I wanted when the radio changed.

"Eyes boring a way through me~"

I laughed, despite the pain because that was me!

"Hey, it's my song!" I called out chipperly, and rushed him. He flinched, rolling backwards and nearly tripping to make some space.

I activated my Sandy.

He was off balance. I couldn't hit him from the front, he still had enough guard for that, but his sides were completely open.

I ran, right up the side of the pool, he was backed into one of the corners which made it perfect.

My boots gripped, until I reached all the way to the top, my boot planting right in between the crotch of some poor gonk as I launched myself.

Hopefully I'd only squished his nuts a little, but it sent me flying at American Devil sideways from above. He only just got his fists back up properly expecting me in front of him, when my aerial punch slammed into his jaw with all my weight, my ankles full force, and every ounce of extra power I could get out of my body in the air.

He flopped over, as I hit the ground and rolled coming up onto my feet to keep fighting, but he wasn't getting up.

"Huh. Guess that was just a little too much for you." I said, and then because the guy had done it to me earlier, I walked over and kicked him in the nuts.

"Suck on that bitch."

"Fuck!" The roar went over the crowd as I looked up. The 6th Street gangers were up on their feet and pissed, the Tino's were up on their feet laughing, at their opponents, and the crowd was going wild.

Then I saw the guns.

Shit. Quick hack, even if one of my eyes was having a bit of trouble seeing through the blood dripping into it. Stupid forehead cut.

[Mass Weapon Glitch]

I activated it, sending it rolling through the 6th Street Bangers, as they were losing their cool. The Tino's were looking like they were reaching too, but it was another cry that caught my attention.

"STAND ALONE COMPLEX! WHOOOO!" A voice screamed out and I jerked my head.

Huh.. I guess he was a fan? I waved a bit awkwardly and the guy lit up like a christmas tree.

"~There is a fire in me! A fire that buuuuuurns!" My own voice screamed out, and you know what?

There was a fire in me.

I felt my face split into a grin.

Fuck it.

Fuck all this!

"Hey fuck heads!? You pissed your ringer lost? Then get your weak asses down here, and beat my ass yourself you fuck head!" I roared out, hands throwing devil horns into the air, and that was enough.

Guns were drawn and I moved as they clicked empty.

The first 6th Street thug had a moment to look shocked as I flipped up out of the pool, spun on my hands and double donkey kicked him in his chest.

He had another moment to scream as he realized I'd just punted his dumb ass over the edge of the building.

The others leapt up, and I just grinned ferally as I pulled my knife. They had no guns, and were in close range.

I laughed, to the sound of my own song for the first time actually kinda liking hearing my own voice scream out the lyrics, as I moved in.

—---

"The fuck Motoko, you know its late… The fuck happened to you?" Jun questioned and then nearly jumped up as he saw me walk in.

"You should see the other gonk." I said laughing. I was a bit bloody, but I'd taken a MaxDoc on the way back so I was entirely chipper.

"Motoko-"

"It's cool Jun, I'm going to shower and clean off. I'm great. Gonna have to talk to Hiromi in the morning. I got a new XBD for her. Did you know that 6th Street Gonks cry like little girls when you surf them off the top of a building?"

"I have no idea what that means, but preem… You sure you good?"

"I'm… Nova." I admitted, laughing.

Who knew that I just needed a little extreme hyperviolence to feel better?