Ruby took a breath. She wasn't Cyclops, so smashing the faces of every customer present wasn't the way to go. One thing at a time. The bar was almost empty and the bartender would have to leave sooner or later. No cameras anywhere, no time limit, just patience.
Ruby still tried to access it remotely without success. If the devices had internal modifications to allow precise external access. She had to get her hands inside to be sure. If only she had her legs she'd just need the impulse. No matter how much Ruby looked around, she couldn't find any way to speed up her objectives, and that was infuriating.
Then she saw an opportunity. One of the alcoholics went to relieve himself. Why was this an opportunity? Ruby could follow inside.
After watching him stagger along, the man stood at the urinal. Passing behind him in silence. Ruby would give him a big kick with her foot, throwing him off balance before grabbing the man's head and putting her arm around his throat. She'd then go to the bartender and tell him he had an unconscious guy in his loo...
And then Ruby remembered that the guy might wake up if she didn't go hard enough, that the bartender might come back at any moment while she was working, not to mention the other customers. So she watched the drunk guy disappear into the bathroom.
Ruby realized that Cyclops would have used Court Circuit on all the customers one after the other, shut the front door and worked while the bodies of moaning people would have been at her feet. If she didn't stay a little longer to torture the bartender for info on Fredy.
Ruby was full of imagination, but reality was much more complex than fantasy. She had to get the job done without drawing attention. On herself and her goals.
No stress. No need to do that today either. Leaving without a word, Ruby left the Rosa Pulse behind, for the time being.
*****
Tubio had a slight personal conflict about competing at the Pulse, but Ruby was so enthusiastic about him. He had to prove to her that he could do it, even if he wanted to prove it to himself. He didn't want to disappoint her and had to work out songs and combinations, sequences of music according to themes. He began to have doubts. He'd spent months sleeping in a car in a locked room, writing and imagining songs. The clash would be the real test.
As he prepared, he received a call from Ferak. He opened the holo.
-Tubio, are you available? It's now or never.
Tubio got up from his seat.
-Tell me.
-You'll have to have a strong stomach. It's about our client. She's ordered a new contract... This time, there'll be deaths. Do you have the balls?
-Fire.
-I'll send you the info. Go to the address, you'll find a team. The leader will be a choom named Pat. You'll do everything he says for this assignment. He's been hired personally by the client, but you'll work with my informations.
-How many of us are there?
-A small team. The client wants reliable, discreet people. You're in because she wants you to be. Understand? This isn't the kind of mission I'd send chromeless chooms.
-Okay, how much time do I have?
-Now. Yes or no?
-Yes.
Tubio received the data transfer.
-Don't die Tubio.
Ferak hung up, the address was one of the hangars in Watson's industrial zone. Tubio went through his belongings. Took some weapons from a bag. Mr. Gory's pump-action shotgun, the machine gun of the bully who'd tried to shake him down, his Unity and Overture. He took his mask, drugs and relaxants. Boréale was out of the picture. Fortunately, he hadn't sold his motorcycle yet.
He was about to leave when Ruby appeared between him and the door. She gave him a hug.
-Ferak's job. I'll tell you all about it.
-Take care.
-I will.
-Call me when the job's done. Or if it gets out of hand, okay?
A kiss and she let him go. Her mother saw him leave but did nothing. When the door closed, Ruby went to her. Elizabeth smiled, inviting her to sit down.
-I just want him to be okay.
-Soon...
Elizabeth didn't know what to say. She knew that merc's work was not without risk and that Ruby wanted to protect him or at least be by his side. Not knowing the state of her loved ones could be horrible. She knew that.
*****
Tubio did not even wait to put on his mask. He could already feel the adrenaline rising in him. The elevator had not yet arrived that he was already wondering what the mission was going to be, avenged the husband? He was going to set up a vendetta?
When he reached the ground, he abandoned H2 and made his way between the alleys to pass a road leading up to his garage unit. he heard cries of distress in an adjacent alley. Turning towards the origin, two Valentinos, one with a rifle on his shoulder, the other smoking, stared at him from the alley corner. All three looked at each other for several seconds before the smoking guy pulled out a revolver and Tubio opened his jacket to show him his weapons. To which the Valentino's smiled before wagging their middle fingers at him and passing the corner of the storage warehouses.
Not being in front of his garage, Tubio decided to get his ass in gear before his new friends returned. Running to open his garage, he got on his motorcycle before checking one last time that he hadn't forgotten anything. He got out without starting the engine, closing everything up as quickly as possible.
Then he pushed the bike in front of another unit. Then he started off, pulling up in front of another warehouse in the opposite row, just as the two Valentinos and three other people arrived. They could only watch Tubio set sail.
Tubio continued on his way, although his route was interrupted by a drive-by shooting at a red light. He drove along the seafront, climbing onto the expressway after passing through Heywood and City Center.
He took the main roads, not worrying about traffic. His thoughts would have been complicated under normal circumstances. But as he'd practiced. Once the mask was on Antonio was no more. He's Tubio. He didn't know what to expect or who he'd be working with. He didn't want to get flatlined for doing his job. Antonio might have begun to have doubts about his choices, but Tubio carried on anyway.
Even though it was daylight. The sky was obscured by clouds of dust from the desert. A sinister orange color. All this dust would soon be washed away by the rain, but for now Tubio had to navigate in this weather on the back of his motorcycle. It looked like an apocalypse.
Tubio continued in the direction of the address. Passing over Little China, he got off the expressway to enter Northside more easily. Soon on the back of his Apollo, he arrived in Watson's familiar neighborhoods, where dumpster fires and other squalor were commonplace. Where in neighborhoods like Heywood it was possible to come across hostile people, here anyone could be hostile at any moment. Even with a smile on his face. Tubio continued on to Longshore before turning towards one of the many half-abandoned, half-squatted warehouses.
But the coordinates didn't stop there, as he passed between the two buildings to continue along a stretch of road on the other side. Arriving at a building where the structure consisted only of a central building with six open garage doors, or rather no doors at all. A mound of carcasses in one corner, tires in the other and the wind in the rest.
Tubio stopped in the street. Doing a 360°, he looked around to see if anyone was there, but no one was. He continued on. He circled once, twice. Spotting the various entrances and exits. The weather was miserable and visibility horrible, even with the mask he wore to filter the air and improve his vision. Once again, he regretted not having been able to get rid of the Wraiths without doing too much damage to Boréale.
Finding no one, he went into the hangar and set the Apollo down against the scrap heap. Checking the news, he was on time, if not slightly ahead of schedule. He lingered on Pat. His contact was in the news, so Tubio decided to call him just as the time was passing. No one was on the premises. He called by holo and was answered.
-Pat. It's Tubio, I'm at the rendezvous point.
-Okay, 5 minutes, a van, get in it with your gear.
He hung up. Tubio grabbed his gear and laid the bike flat on the ground, covering it with a large piece of metal that had once been the roof of a car. He waited, as the wind blew, for the bushes that had grown into the building to sway in the wind. Light reflected off the walls and through the window panes above the garage doors. Tubio was glad to have his mask over his face. He waited, no one hanging around. Contemplating the distance from which he could see, he finally heard something above the gathering storm.
As promised, a black van arrived, slowing down in front of the garage as a head peered out of the window. The rear door slid open and Tubio recognized Pat's face. Without comment, he climbed aboard.
The door closed and Tubio could see 3 other people on board. Pat, a big guy in a combat uniform ready for battle and another guy with modified hands in a big yellow and black raincoat.
The group was silent in the back of the van, and without a seat Tubio went to sit next to the guy in the raincoat.
As they were tossed about, Tubio watched Pat, the tall man with a salt-and-pepper beard, his hair pulled back, wearing a kind of biker suit with arm protectors.
image [https://media.discordapp.net/attachments/1178789115622326365/1184511693292834856/Pat.jpg?ex=660d707a&is=65fafb7a&hm=796615cdec9dcdf89f8ccb7bc459dfc8b1aa866ad8e63ceeb821dce331ca3e93&=&format=webp&width=597&height=597]
The journey wasn't long. After a few minutes, the sound of a garage door opening let him know that they were heading indoors. The van stopped and the doors opened, and Pat invited the passengers to get out. Tubio, bag on his back, looked around and found himself in a large garage. The first thing he did was to take note of the size of the place and the nearest emergency exits. Other people were already there, and the group joined them around a table, chairs and sofa in what was a simple garage, albeit one capable of accommodating their group.
In all, there were 11 of them, including Tubio. 8 men and 3 women.
Pat called everyone together and made introductions. But especially to the new arrivals.
-Good afternoon. If you're here, it's because you've accepted the mission I'm about to propose. If you want to leave, now is the time.
Silence.
-Perfect. Let me introduce myself, Pat. I've been asked to make sure the mission runs smoothly. To my left is Wang.
Tubio could see the guy. He was a cross between a Tiger Claw gangster and an Animals brute. He simply looked at the people around him.
-Next to him, Samir will be our technician on the field.
He was the guy with the hand modifications. This guy looked like a regular guy, with a blue pendant device and headphones connected by an iron branch from ear to ear, passing through his nose.
-The guy in the hood is S4nd0t, he'll be our netrunner.
image [https://media.discordapp.net/attachments/1178789115622326365/1184511689861910628/S4nd0t.jpg?ex=660d707a&is=65fafb7a&hm=42a001097301237763990d3cd2cd50d208763d4416f4acab438bd0b0984c8f7a&=&format=webp&width=365&height=597]
This guy's lower face was covered by a mask, and his eyes were rimmed and tired. He seemed to have abused a few too many drugs. Pointing to the next person, Pat continued.
-The big one ready to go to war is Clash.
Tubio could only agree with the description, Clash was as huge as Pat and Wang with combat clothes, a protective vest with ammunition, a heavy rifle on his back and a full face mask covering his head. The latter just raised his arm in greeting.
-The well-dressed one is Donovan.
Pat pointed to a guy totally out of his element. He looked like Tubio when he arrived in the Maelstrom. Glasses and a long ponytail with purple hair. All in clothes too good for the situation. Tubio felt as if he were dealing with someone's rich son. Rather than someone from the streets.
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image [https://media.discordapp.net/attachments/1178789115622326365/1184511692298784809/Donovan.jpg?ex=660d707a&is=65fafb7a&hm=863b13bbdc9a8872f9a76a89aa5320c3cbe32dc86c2f2cdb0c244276ef837ec6&=&format=webp&width=365&height=597]
-He'll be our medic. As for the scruffy guy, that's Malik.
The guy looked like a homeless man, by far the oldest. A big brown and gray beard with long hair coming out of a turban around his head. He was smoking a cigar, sitting on the table. He was the most relaxed of the people present.
-And lastly, on the men's side, here's Tubio, the one who made this contract possible.
Tubio simply nodded, no need to make a fuss.
-As for the three women present, in order we have Aria, Clem and Janissa.
Wow, Hold up. Tubio turned to Janissa. Squinting his eyes, she was looking at him too. She was nothing like the Janissa he knew. For a start, she no longer had her chrome third eye, plus her augments had been replaced, or rather removed. Her clothes, though similar to what she was used to wearing, showed just a hint of her skin. With her jacket closed it was complicated to see but. It looked as if she'd never had chrome, some scars were visible but... Nah, it couldn't be her. Lowering her glasses, she smiled at him before winking. Shit... it's her.
Pat, totally unaware of Tubio's reaction, got straight to the point.
-As I said, you've been contacted because this job requires discretion. Once the assignment is completed, you are not to discuss this matter with anyone. My client is aware of the possibility of a scandal, so I'm going to transfer a non-disclosure contract to you. Accept or withdraw.
Pat transfers the data as some members of the group sigh in exasperation. Notably D0t and Malik, who shook their heads at Pat's insistence on this contract.
Tubio read the pamphlet. It was clearly a contract stipulating that no one was to know what he had undertaken with the band.
Long story short. If Tubio or any other member of the group shouted from the rooftops what they had done. Pat had the legal right to come after them to recover all their organs, chromed or not, to pay back the money his boss would possibly lose in a possible scandal.
It only took a moment, but as the contract was short, Tubio saw everyone's eyes light up, accepting or refusing the contract. Tubio accepted.
-Glad to see you've all accepted. Let's get down to business.
Pat walked over to the table, pressed a button and holographic images appeared. Tubio recognized the man he'd found at the Barely Illegal spot.
-Tubio over here on information provided by a source to find this man, our client's husband. Mr.Tubiki Gong. The latter was found in a place known for prostitution. Child prostitution...
Tubio didn't know. At all. The girl they'd picked up was old enough to pass for an adult. At no time could he have known. Glad to have his mask over his face, he remained silent as some looked at him.
-... In addition to Mr.Gong. Tubio found the bodies of several Maelstroms personnel, plus one survivor. The latter had locked herself in and was half-dead. Fortunately, we recovered and treated her.
A new photo appeared and Tubio was categorical: it wasn't the girl.
-Thanks to her, we had an idea of why Mr.Gong was there. Meet his daughter, the daughter of our client Yumi Gong. Having run away almost several months ago now. Our client had no idea where she could be. I'll let you make the connection with our situation. Yumi was present the night Mr. Gong died. And is undoubtedly the primary reason for the conflict that led to his death.
The group around the table was silent. As everyone took in the informations displayed and distributed. Then S4nd0t spoke up. Through his mask, he sounded like Ruby. A metallic, but masculine voice, but more tired than ever.
-Thanks to the girl, we found the building where they keep the girls. Malik here was our scout. But for the rest, we needed more hands.
One of the girls, Aria, asked Pat for details.
-How many potential enemies are we talking about? Is it an extraction mission or...?
-Extraction, the girl is the ultimate priority. For the rest, if other girls are present... aim carefully.
Dot took the liberty of intervening, clearing her throat.
-We have... just one little problem. We don't know if she's really inside. We don't know the exact number. The girl just told us which building she was sequestered in. There are several exits, many comings and goings, and garages with roller shutters that block the view. No cameras or unnecessary angles. But I've had it all, guys in suits as well as dappers. Who's important and who's not. That's for Malik to explain.
Malik, who had finished his cigar, turned to the group.
-From what I've seen, I'd say Scavenger, Maelstrom and Tiger Claws. In that order for their involvement, I think I even saw some nomads. Or I'll reverse the order.
-What Malik is trying to say is that we have an amalgam of groups.
-Yes and no. I asked around while you and Dot were looking at the cameras and other accesses. I investigated our chooms.
New information was distributed. In it, several profiles of people. Each more detestable than the last.
-The bottom of the barrel, at every level. Traitors, murderers, human traffickers, it wasn't pedophile prostitution that was going to scare them. They've got much bigger problems on their hands. Almost every one of their heads is worth a few eddies.
Wang, who had been silent until then, asked a question.
-Concerning them. Are we taking prisoners, or does the customer want to clean up?
-Preferably, she'd like them all to die, which wouldn't be a great loss to the world, but we'll probably need an informant on the inside. If Yumi's been moved, we don't want to be at a dead end. Any further questions?
The other girl, Clem, still asked an important question.
-We know what we have to do for our enemies. What do we do if we find other hostages... other girls.
-As I said, I'll leave that up to you. We only want Yumi, so if the others are safe, great, if they die... It won't affect your bonus. Yumi will.
Wang turned to Pat.
-When do we start?
******
Teams were quickly formed with roles assigned. From assault group to support group.
The assault group included Pat, Clash, Wang, Samir, with Malik acting as driver in the first vehicle.
S4nd0t was everyone's connection.
The second vehicle was the support vehicle. Tubio, Aria, Janissa, Clem and Donovan
Tubio found himself with the womens and the doctor, Pat had the last word on groups and Tubio knew that when faced with a mountain of muscle like Clash and Wang. The choice was quickly made when it came to kicking down a door.
Tubio would act as driver and backup after the fight or if it got out of hand. The girls and Donovan at the rear for the wounded and to deal with any runaways. How can I say that the atmosphere in the back of the van was, oddly, flirty?
-Sooo, do you often work with mercs or do you do this for the thrill?
-Since when did you start practicing?
-Uh... No, I...
Sandwiched between the two girls, Donovan was surrounded by the two femme fatales, the conversation in the back more an assessment for a possible date than a strategic discussion. Even if the two women just seemed to take a malicious pleasure in teasing the poor guy.
Janissa was next to Tubio as they set off for their first destination. Several locations had been scouted by Malik and D0t, and Pat wanted to hit a small spot to start with, work the team to see what his group's capabilities were, as well as gather more information if possible.
The ride was regulated by laughter and discussion in the back. Janissa was fixated on Tubio. She said nothing, but the mere fact of being observed by her made him uneasy. Sitting in the passenger seat, she had opened her jacket to give him a small peak at her cleavage. He knew it was to get a reaction from him. She wouldn't get it. Tubio drove unbothered trought the orange clouds to their destination.
Continuing on Watson Tubio and the group arrived at the Arasaka waterfront. A clean-cut building was the target. Not the kind of place Tubio expected to find a group of slavers. Signal to D0t that they were in place. The latter confirmed the target before hanging up.
Finally relaxing a little, he eased back into the seat. Janissa decided to take this moment to speak to him.
-Tubioooo, I missed you, you know? Don't tell me you don't recognize me?
-Of course, Janissa. But maybe you didn't want me to say it.
-Roooh, always thinking of others I see, but you mustn't worry about me, you know... You've let your hair grow? It suits you.
She reached out and took a lock of Tubio's hair. He'd let it grow since their last meeting. Tubio didn't try to dodge. Janissa had always been like that. But Tubio also knew he didn't want her to imagine things and knew how to cut short the conversation.
-You've removed your chrome...
Janissa stopped playing with his hair and withdrew her hand, letting out an exasperated sigh as she turned forward.
-You know what? I prefer you silent.
-Mm...
-I was out of money.
-...?
-I was gonna end up homeless, drugged out and crazy. So I made a choice. A small loss so I wouldn't end up like every other broken-down addict on Northside. It was only chrome...
Only chrome!? Tubio shocked, turned to her and her face said otherwise.
Janissa, the drugged, the unpredictable, the violent and obsessive. She ran her hand over her forehead where her third eye had been, clearly having to sell her chrome had taken its toll. In the past, she would have laughed out loud, spouting some tall tale. But now, gone were the hyperactivity, the mood swings, Tubio saw her... calmer, gone were the sudden, rapid movements, the useless external implants, the lack of attention, the red eyes, the marks on her body.
If Janissa had been beautiful from the Maelstrom's point of view, now she was stunning, her purple hair in a ponytail while a large strand was up. Glasses off, she had a beautiful face to match her body. The scar from where had been her 3rd eye was practically invisible.
-Are you going to reinstall the chrome in question?
-And become a cyberpsycho? Are you nuts? No, today I think I've found my balance between chrome and substance, if you know what I mean. That's why I don't hang out with Maelstrom anymore... But tell me. It's been ages since you've been to Totentanz or another Maelstrom spot. Long before me...
-I'm back home. Business to attend to, debts I was owed. Responsibilities I'd run away from before entering the Maelstrom.
-... How did it go?
-It's complicated.
-Don't you want to talk about it?
-Frankly, no... too fresh... So, the Maelstrom. You're the first contact I've had with the latter since our last conversation.
-Oh... I'm not part of the Maelstrom any more either, you know... After Gaton died and... well, the purge. I was a wreck, an alcoholic, a drug addict, on the verge of collapse. I could feel myself slipping away, and no one was there to help me. Aria... found me and I got back on my feet. So you can tell me anything, our conversation won't leave my ears.
-...Sorry.
-Mm? For what?
-For not helping you.
To which Janissa burst out laughing. Catching her breath, she exclaimed.
-God, you're so cute, if you still had your cheeks I'd have pulled them for you. I'm no princess Tubio, I don't have to be on your conscience. I've been able to take care of myself since I was 9. Phew...
Aria heard the commotion and put her arms around Janissa's shoulders, looking at Tubio with a smile.
-What's going on, babe? A funny story?
-Aria, I'd like you to meet a friend of mine. Tubio. We were part of the same group in the Maelstrom before he took off. He's just too cute for this world.
Aria was another beautiful woman, black hair pulled into a chinion on top of her head, sharp features, a little black jacket with blue neon highlights, she was very attractive. That and the fact that underneath she had only a kind of top holding her chest with a more than revealing cleavage. And nothing to cover her belly.
image [https://media.discordapp.net/attachments/1178789115622326365/1184511691027910656/Aria.jpg?ex=660d707a&is=65fafb7a&hm=1637ec813b45a1ef85efbd83e2ff7416b35bc89317c90fd2c42cbd7fdf09b125&=&format=webp&width=365&height=597]image [https://media.discordapp.net/attachments/1178789115622326365/1184511692579815464/Janissa.jpg?ex=660d707a&is=65fafb7a&hm=05cf8b04e2fc144a98a3ea1bfb2c22188100faf28380367d51cfc7ea9ed72b7d&=&format=webp&width=365&height=597]
Tubio wondered how all those girls could walk around like that without feeling cold, then thought again that all it took was some chrome to forget about this problem forever. Aria smiled as she looked at Janissa, Tubio knew that look, Janissa had had the same one for Ruby when she was Cyclops.
-Nice to meet you, it's rare for Janis to get along with people.
-Tubio is a sweetheart. A true gentleman.
-Always more compliments, I'm curious to know what's under that mask now...
-It's not a mask...
Janissa began to speak, then squinted at Tubio, who was smiling with all his teeth behind his mask. As the realization dawned on Janissa, Tubio raised his hand to his mask, unclipping it slightly from his face before hanging it back on his face without showing his face. Janissa found herself speechless, realizing that Tubio had never had an implant made. She took her face in her hands.
-Ooooh, I'm sooo dumb... Oh.
-You didn't know?
-Yeah! I was so crazy back then, I would have done all kinds of things to you if you didn't do that. Oh my god! Everything makes sense now! I'm so sorry.
-Well Tubio you clearly fooled her well.
-It was not my idea to be fair and not for you specially. I just said nothing about it and people assumed things. Only, what, 5-10 people knew?
-I'm so dumb.Tell me that at least Spike didn't know...
-No he didn't.
Aria was smiling and Tubio too, clearly Janissa was in good hands now. She seemed much saner than before.
Aria looked at him then, as she looked at Janissa. Putting a kiss on Janissa’s head to draw her attention, she lowered her hands along her body, opening Janissa’s jacket even more to reveal her body as little clothed as Aria to Tubio. Placing her head next to her companion to speak in her ear, they both looked at Tubio.
-Sooo… Janis… tell me, what under the mask…
Janissa bit her lip, raising a hand to caress Aria’s face as they both looked at Tubio’s smile.
-Two words, Our type.
Tubio was once again targeted by Janissa's desire. But now there were two of them. Tubio was frozen, three seconds passed before Aria started laughing.
-Damn babe, I think we shocked him.
-Nah, Tubio's just like that.
Tubio tried to keep his voice serious in front of the teasing of the two women in front of him.
-I just don't think it's the right time to flirt with two such beautiful women. Even if the offer is hard to refuse in front of you. I don’t look like it, but I’m blushing up to my ears.
Aria found herself speechless, shocked by Tubio's lack of reaction. Then Janissa started laughing.
-Wow, I think it’s the first time we’ve both been sent into the roses in such an elegant way.
-I told you, he‘s still the same, a true gentleman.
Tubio was reluctant to say so, but keeping his cool about such a proposition had nothing to do with being a gentleman. He had nothing against Janissa or even Aria. They were two beautiful women and at one point he would have said yes with his eyes closed. But… One, Janissa scared him… she still does. Two, he doesn't know Aria. Three, a threesome on the first date? A missed opportunity? Nah, too good to be true, there's got to be something. Four, it’s probably a joke. Five, Ruby.
So many reasons to keep your head on your shoulders and not to think with your dick. Fortunately for him, the other team had finally arrived on the scene. S4nd0t contacted the team synchronizing their communications.
-Can you all hear me? Rock'n roll.