"So, why am I here? Blurr didn't want to talk while you weren't there" came from Mary between two deep gulps. Blurr immediately replied, "Because the secret between Operator and Fixer is sacred!" "Yes, yes, it's all right," Mary replied with raised arms. "But seriously. What's the job?"

Blurr opened a small handheld projector and showed a map, image, and profile. "That's Vern 27. We can sell him the goods for 60% of the original price. That sounds like little profit for us, but I guarantee you won't find a better deal without taking the risk of a scam."

The picture showed a broad man with short blond hair and artificial green-blue eyes, each with two pupils per eye. He was well dressed, but had a face that you wanted to punch into. Aurelia couldn't say what exactly bothered her so much about his appearance, but the arrogant grin definitely didn't help.

"Vern 27? What kind of name is that?" Mary asked, but Aurelia just looked at her and said, "You're the last one who can complain about names." "Why is that? What's wrong with my name? Hey cat lady, you think my name is good, don't you?" "Call me Cat Lady again and I'll show you my claws," Blurr simply answered. "Okay, sorry. But let's be honest. My name is great." It became quiet around the table and Mary's gaze jumped from Blurr to Aurelia until she dropped her shoulders shortly afterwards. Aurelia put her hand on Mary's arm and told her, "Don't worry, you're badass enough that such a generic name is enough for you." "Is that supposed to cheer me up?" "Actually, yes." Mary took a deep breath and said, "You're really bad at that."

"Ahem," Blurr coughed, "shall we continue?" Aurelia and Mary immediately closed their mouths and gave each other a competition to see who could look more interested. "I already regret it..." came from Blurr before continuing, "We'll meet the buyer and bring a little sample so they can see that we really have the goods. The rest remains safely hidden.

As soon as he transfers the money to us, you give Bear a signal and a drone from Parker will bring the box with the rest. Once the buyer has the box in his fingers, we retreat and pray that there are no hidden knives just waiting to catch an unprotected back.

Questions so far?" Aurelia raised her hand and Blurr stared at her in disbelief, "Why are you getting in touch...? This is not a school." Blurr moaned softly to himself, "Nuns, pah." "Hey, I heard that! And I just didn't want to interrupt someone else. That's called manners." "Your question?" Blurr interjected. "Oh, eh, yes. So... what will our team look like? I'm going to do the deal, Mary will be my guard, which of the Strays will come along? You, or someone else?"

"I can't, but I'll send you my bes- okay second best... or something, operator with. His name is Stray Badger, but you can also just call him Badger." "Second best?" came from Aurelia, "Or something?" from Mary. "He's really good at what he does, but as our techie and engineer, he's not in those missions too often. But if it comes to an altercation, he would be more than capable of supporting you."

"Urgh, another techie? I'll have to deal with Parker," Aurelia moaned as she heard Raya's familiar voice in her head. "Aurelia. I did some research on this badger. He is something like the number 2 of the Strays, Blurr's right-hand man. There's little information to hint at his past, but he seems to be building guns and drones for the Strays. He would be a good ally in this mission."

While Mary asked question after question, Aurelia raised her fresh beer glass to her mouth and asked Raya, "I'd still prefer Blurr, I've seen how good she is. At least part of it." "Don't worry," Raya answered, "I've put together a few of his inventions for you so you can get an idea. Here." Aurelia's HUD received a notification and she was able to open the folder immediately via Badger.

Most of them were images of drones equipped with technology that in and of itself would probably be called war crimes. A small ball with a hidden flamethrower, a large drone that dropped cells from hundreds of small drones, which then acted like cluster bombs. Her favorite, however, was a small mechanical spider equipped with various poisons. Some of them were so small that they would get into any camp.

"Are you even listening to me?" a rough voice called, tearing Aurelia's attention from the pictures and descriptions. "Mh? What happened?" "Blurr just explained what the plan is if everything goes wrong." BLurr pointed to the map, "Here. This road is currently being prepared by a few of my people. If you manage to retreat there, you have an advantage. Traps for the others, covers for you and a small turret hidden in one of the buildings."

"That sounds all well and good, but it sounds pretty expensive," Aurelia grumbled as she took a closer look at the card, "what's going to be the share for the Strays?" "And mine!" interjected Mary, who had just ordered three new beers on her HUD. "I negotiated this with Bär. If you're so interested, ask him." "Mhm na thanks. Mary, I'll negotiate with you after the gig, I want to make sure that no one gets ripped off here."

Mary looked gloomily at the table and said, "Aren't we already being ripped off? After all, we sell for 60% of the value." Aurelia was about to agree with her when Raya wrote her a little text message in her HUD that this was a good deal. "I think it's fair. That's right, isn't it?" "Yes. If you tried to sell the stuff without us, you would have to sell for much, much less and expect an ambush. But that brings me to another topic.

This is not only about money, but also about reputation. The Strays secure more goodwill from all parties with a smooth transition, and it strengthens our reputation with everyone in the underworld that the Strays make sure a gig runs smoothly.

You can't arrive there as a solo Mercs and expect to be taken seriously. You should create a group, even if only temporarily." Klonk. With a bang, Mary's glass slammed onto the table and she wiped the foam from her mouth: "That's not a thing, I already have one and our favorite nun is always welcome there." Mary sounded very convinced of her statement, but Aurelia just looked at her doubtfully, "We can't drag the Children into it! You and Wheels become targets, all by all the innocents you take in. I'm sorry Mary, but the Children of Nero are left out." Aurelia was already preparing for a discussion, but to her surprise, Mary agreed. "You're right. I didn't think that fame can backfire. But should we then make an improvised group? At least for the order." Aurelia had to think about it. She would like to join Mary in an operator group, but that would put her in danger if the group made a name for itself and then all the precautions Aurelia has taken would be worthless and the Children would be indirectly in danger again.

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Mary waited anxiously and fidgeted around on the seat with her now empty glass in her hand. Seemed like she wasn't good at waiting. Blurr, on the other hand, was as quiet and relaxed as he had been the whole time. She had thrown herself casually on the bench of the séparées and leaned her sword against the side of the table. She looked at Aurelia and tried to see what was going on inside her, but that had never been her strong point, so she approached it in her own way. The nun's eyes darted to blurr, and her cybernetic glowed. Blurr remained unimpressed and only said: "Not that? Hmm. Is it that you don't trust your girlfriend enough here? Afraid that she will make enemies?" Aurelia's eye was still shining, but this time in a darker tone, while her face twisted into a grimace with bared teeth. "Gotcha! And don't look like that. I'm supposed to be the cat here." Aurelia looked like she was about to step over the table and try to strangle Blurr.

Before Blurr had to rise from her comfortable position, Mary placed a reassuring hand on her friend's shoulder. "It's all good. You don't have to fight with Blurr for my glory. Even if I don't think that's the reason."

Aurelia looked up and her features softened, if only a little. "What do you mean?" Mary showed a sad smile and wrapped her arm around Aurelia's shoulder. "I know I can't compete with people like you or Blurr here. But now it's all about me and not the children. In a group, I would distance myself from them a little so that they don't get caught in the crossfire and send Sarvoz all the money I make.

And even though I'm not a powerhouse like you, that doesn't mean I'm easy prey." Mary's smile turned into a broad grin that beamed with foolhardiness. Aurelia wished she would buy it from her. "It's not that I'm worried that you won't be able to keep up. Do you remember our first meeting? You were about to take out a camp single-handedly. I'm just afraid that the Children will be attacked if you're absent for a long time."

"You're so exhausting, it's driving me crazy!" Mary exclaimed, throwing both hands in the air, "you've given us a defensive system that makes our hideout an impregnable fortress for all the gangs in the area. And you have provided us with weapons enough for everyone to be armed. Oh, and your mind helped Sarvoz with a lot. You have already done so much for us and thanks to you we are finally able to live safely. I no longer have to stand guard day and night to protect everyone."

Mary now grabbed Aurelia in a full embrace and spoke into her throat: "Don't leave me behind again." Aurelia became stiff as a stick with one blow and Blurr could see her big eyes and had to hold back a giggle. Aurelia took a moment, but finally returned the hug. "Okay, Mary. But we're not going to take unnecessary risks, do you understand?" "Of course". For a moment, they both stayed like this until Blurr asked the group: "Soooooooo. What about the two of them? Or do you need a room?" A small coaster flew in her direction and since her arms were behind her head, she couldn't avoid being hit directly in the face by Mary. Laughing, Nun and Cyberpunk parted ways and Mary was caught by Blurr with a return. "Ah, damn, I hadn't thrown that hard, cat lady." "I took the emotional pain into account. And don't call me that." Mary snatched Aurelia's coasters and Blurr jumped out of the seat and with a leap over Mary, towards the dance floor. There she disappeared among a group of drunks practicing her moves.

"Keep an eye on the area, Aurelia, she's sure to jump out of somewhere." Aurelia looked emphatically in the direction of the dancers and laughing, she asked: "Do you actually have an idea for a group name?" "No, not exactly, but ic- DA!" With a leap like a big cat, Blurr came rushing towards Mary. Mary tried to throw the coaster, but before the light piece of plastic could leave her fingers, Blurr landed on top of her and held her own coaster to her head. Breathing heavily and laughing, she rolled down and said, "HA! Won. I still have what it takes." "Fuuuuck. But at least you've proven why you're called a cat lady," Mary moaned from the dirty floor. "No one calls me that!" Blurr shouted indignantly as she crawled back into her seat. "I call you that and I will make sure that everyone will! Aurelia, you're on my side, go call her Cat Lady!" "Oh, I'll stay out of it."

It took at least three-quarters of an hour until peace and quiet reigned again in the small private room. Well, at least a temporary truce. Aurelia could not negotiate more. "So you two. As long as there is a ceasefire..." Aurelia looked at Mary, "We need a name. It has to be something that makes you recognize directly that it's about us. Then we can also have something of our reputation and forge contacts more easily." "Mhmmm," Mary looked at the ceiling of the room and went through some names, "Neon Shadows? Pixel phantoms? Holo Vipers? Codebreaker?" Blurr intervened, and Aurelia struggled to prevent her from breaking the truce. "The names really suck. Have you seen too many murder mystery vids or what? The name of a group is sacred, it has to fit your style, preferably have something to do with your background and not just throw words together." "Hey, I thought my ideas were cool. But; And I hate that I have to admit that; you're right." Mary looked questioningly at Aurelia, who had not yet made any suggestions. "Aurelia. If you want, I can provide you with creative support." "YES PLEASE," she blurted out, ignoring her volume. She got a puzzled look from Blurr and Mary, but Mary's expression quickly changed to realization. "You're asking your little AI buddy right now, aren't you?" Aurelia nodded as Raya went through potential names in her head. "There, that! It's good," she said after a few seconds of silence and her focus turned back to the other two. "Seraphim. Fits my style and is badass enough for Mary, after all it's an angel with six wings and a flaming sword. Oh, and there probably aren't many gangs that would name themselves after an angel."

Mary thought for a long time. She seemed to compare the name Seraphim directly with all the ideas she had so far, but after half an eternity she nodded, "Okay, I think it's good. But then I want armor like you! But more to my style. Where did you buy Tangensis Inc? I've heard they have equipment that is favored by the higher Operators and mercenaries." "I'm sure I can get you something, someday." "Whoo" Mary jumped out of her seat and stumbled towards the bar, while Blurr said to Aurelia, "That's a good name and there are a few gangs and organizations that have similar names, but none of them are active in your field of work." "I just hope it really doesn't have a negative effect on Mary's charges," Aurelia muttered to herself. This drove Blurr to sit up with a sigh. "Now listen to Deus Ex, you're here in a dangerous world, Mary in an even more dangerous one, so it doesn't make sense to make life difficult for yourself with hypothetical problems. If it has a negative effect at some point, then you take care of it. Quite simply." Aurelia moaned and rested her upper body and head on the table in front of her, "But that's so difficult. When I go out alone, I'm always aware of the risks I'm taking." "And you think Mary isn't aware of it? I would never tell her, but I'm pretty sure she's pretty bright, despite her appearance. You put her straight as if she were too stupid to decide for herself." Aurelia faltered and turned her head to Blurr. From her current posture she could only see the twitching ears from time to time, but she answered: "Of course I don't think she's stupid. I'll do me-""Then stop trying to decide for her! She can do that for herself. I know that you Christians want to impose your ways and ways of life on everyone else, but that's completely out of place here!" "HEY!", Aurelia rose jerkily and now saw Blurr's face, "I'm not one of them. I... Let's just call it, my style, ok?" "Ah, yes, of course..." Blurr's voice dripped with sarcasm. But before she could say anything, Mary came up with three neon green shots and placed one in front of everyone at the table. The liquid looked like it came straight from a radioactive chemistry lab, but it smelled wonderfully of apples and pears. Mary raised her little glass and said in an official tone: "To the foundation of Seraphim!" Blurr and Aurelia also rose, albeit reluctantly. At the same time, they replied to the toast, "To Seraphim!"