It was at that moment the glass shattered and a brick came sailing into the room.

Without looking Devoy snapped his hand out catching the brick before it hit the ground.

“You have got to be kidding me!” Shouts Devoy out the now broken window.

I recalled my hat, it broke down into a nanite swarm of swirling purple and black, reforming onto my head.

Devoy looked down at the brick, there was writing on it done in a black grease pen.

“Coming for you!” was all it said. There is only one group, or I suppose I should call them what they are, a gang that had it out for Juhnes and or myself. The Royal Tigers.

I rush over to the window and look around outside, to see if I can see who threw the brick. Focusing on my sensors instead of my eyes I try to pick out any odd behaving people in range.

Sure, enough there are two people running down the street pushing people out of their way. Shouts and cries of alarm echo down the street in their wake.

Devoy steps up with me peering around the street, I notice his suit has been replaced with his sleek black armor, his helm retracted so his face was exposed still.

“What do you see, Mori?” He asked.

“Two of them, running up the street that way.” I pointed in the direction they were running.

“Want to give chase?” He asked, I could tell he was itching for some violence, and to be honest I was in a grumpy mood as well, we were just getting to the good part.

I could feel my face flushed from the kiss, and the rising irritation of it being interrupted.

Was it petty or overly drastic that I wanted a measure of revenge? Maybe, but I also promised the Tigers if they messed with Juhnes, or myself there would be retribution.

“I think we should, but I don’t want to just deal with these two. I told them once if they messed with this place or me again, I would come after them.” I said with some venom.

“In that case, we should follow discreetly and see where they end up. I doubt street rat gang members like these are smart enough to try and mislead us. I bet they are heading right back to their base or whatever shit hole they call home.” Devoy said.

Sighing, because he’s right, but at the same time I don’t particularly want to kill humans, regardless. So how do I stop a gang of miscreants, all they respond to is violence and strength. Short of killing off the entire gang, or most, if not all the leaders. how do I keep this from happening again and again?

“I don’t want to kill them though, but I don’t want this cycle to keep happening.” I said pleadingly to Devoy.

He looked at me apprehensively, a small frown etched across his face.

“Then what do you want to do, because without stomping their little faces in they will just keep coming like rats.” He explained, miming punching someone in the face.

“I… I don’t know, lets just follow them for now. Once we see where they head, we can figure it out.” I spoke.

Mr. Ji-Ho came out from the back room a look of outrage and shock on his face. I winced as I noticed him. “We are going to figure out how to stop this.” I said to him. “I can also replace the window when I get back, for now please stay here.”

“Please, be safe, and thank you, I know that this is not your fault, you are only trying to help.”

“Be safe, I’m going to have my guard drone come and keep you safe, should more of them come while we are gone.” He nods apprehensively.

Gary has been dispatched; he will be here shortly. I have also sent Cosima to your location to set out a grid to help track your assailants.

Of course. Someone here must try and use all the available tools at your disposal.

Devoy and I walked into the street after the two gang members, I set our pace at a brisk walk making sure to keep the runners in range of my sensors but far enough that they would hopefully not notice us.

I went ahead and switched my dress over to the combat outfit I had saved, while on the move.

We tracked them through the busy under streets of China Town, they were moving at a quick pace. I think the locals knew who they were and gave them space, allowing them unobstructed travel. Meanwhile Devoy and I had to do more pushing and shoving to clear through the streets. Us being in armor did not seem to immediately clear the way. Only after we passed did people catch on that Samurai where moving past and scramble to get out of our way.

After about fifteen minutes of following them, Cosima arrived in the area. She dissolved into a swarm of nanites and started coating the whole area in a massive surveillance net. My link with her provided a far more comprehensive look at the area.

I slowed down to a stop, pulling Devoy over to the side.

“What is it, did they stop?” He asked, alarmed, looking around for trouble.

The narrative has been taken without permission. Report any sightings.

“No, they are still moving, I have my recon drone overhead now and she’s able to track them more reliably than I can with just my hat. I figure we can see where they go without risk of spooking them, this way.” I had to practically shout with all the clamor from the street.

“That’s a good idea.” He shouted back at me.

Devoy pointed over at an alleyway, just ahead of us, and walked into it. I followed him into the alley, removing us from a bit of the hustle and bustle of the street noise and constant jostling from the crowd.

“Good idea, a bit more peace in here.” I could finally say without yelling.

Looking around, he dragged us into a dark side alley with metal prefab buildings around us. Some dumpsters overflowing with trash lined the place, and some randomly stacked crates.

“Such a romantic local, do you take all your dates here?” I asked seductively, winking at him.

He laughed, bringing me close with a hug before whispering in my ear.

“Only the lucky ones.”

A shiver ran down my spine.

No, no no! Not in an alley full of garbage!

Thankfully that’s as far as he went, releasing me with a grin, he said.

“To be fair, you took me to an alien nest, and we fought off murderous plant monsters for science.”

“Point.” I said ,giving him my most innocent smile.

A mental ping alerted me to a change in the gang members we were tacking.

An aerial view of the area appeared in my minds eye, with two red dots entering a dilapidated warehouse several blocks east of us, they were several streets off the main strip in the super ghetto.

I shared the data with Devoy, and gave instructions to Cosima to infiltrate the building, map it and the surrounding area. I want to be able to know where everyone is and how many we were dealing with.

We started our trek over to the warehouse, keeping an eye on the progress Cosima was making scouting out the building for us. I set a marker on the map for us to head towards, another building just a few streets down from the target building. I did not want to spook any lookouts they may have in the area.

“Other than the few buildings we went through in Beaty, have you ever had to clear a building full of people?” Devoy asked.

Come to think of it, no. Even then the school that we cleared was full of Model Seven zombies. While that experience shook me up, it was not the same as what we were about to do. Yes, they were gang members who probably would not have any issues killing us if they were given the chance. I found it difficult to even think about killing off people.

I shook my head in the negative. “No, and I guess I am hesitant to say that I could kill any of them. Specially since I’m confident that with our Vanguard equipment and physical enhancements, they would need to get lucky to even hurt one of us.”

“Well, I’m going to load up on non-lethal rounds and a stun-sword for this then.” Devoy said, as a box of ammo and a sheathed weapon materialized in his hands. He hitched the sword to his hip and reloaded his rifle with the new magazine.

You have several choices in your catalogs that could fit that requirement. Did you want something close range, like Devoy’s sword or more ranged like his rifle>

Indeed, the Electro-Static stun ring-set in your Warcaster Class I catalog can be adapted to perform as you are requesting. They will emit a low-voltage charge that will transfer via touch or short-range discharge up to thirty feet. It will disrupt their bodies nervous system for a short time, causing their muscles to seize for about five minutes.

The shock is controlled just prior to impact to gauge the persons health, it will fail to activate if there is a risk of cardiac arrest or asphyxiation, and if while being shocked either condition begins, the shock will terminate.

Loot inbound!

<-much is it, never mind.>

New Purchase: Class One Electro-Static Stun Rings:

Points reduced to: 66720

I small jewelry box materialized on the ground in front of me, in a flash of light and runic summoning circles.

Devoy looked over at me with a raised eyebrow. “It’s what Merlin does when he’s feeling flashy, I did not ask for it.” I said defensively.

He grinned with understanding.

“Thankfully Pyllonia does not pull shit like that on me, I’m thank full for her level headedness and practicality.” He said, with a stupid smug face.

“I will have you know, Mr. Devoy, that I am the definition of refined Protectorate excellence! My additional effects bring a certain style and flare to my works, and I take great pride in uplifting Morigana’s style and mystique by proxy.” Piped up my hat.

“You are such a tryhard, Merlin, stop showing off and just spawn in the required gear like a respectable AI.” Came the very neutral voice of Pyllonia from a part of Devoy’s armor.

“Humph” Was the response from Merlin.

I reached out to grab the box, but before I could, the box vanished.

In front of us in the open street a massive, twenty-foot summoning circle with six of the most intricate black and purple swirling runic rings shimmered into existence. After a few moments a marble statue of an Angel with its wings spread open, with a hand extended outwards slowly materialized up out of the rings, emitting a blinding flash of light. On its hand sat an extravagantly fancy box, with glowing runic symbols encircling the lid.

We all just stared on in awe, as my five-hundred-point rings came out in the most extravagant trollish way possible.

“Jupiter’s moons, Merlin, why?” I said bewildered.

The Angel statue reached its other hand over and opened the box to display two very fancy golden rings, they moved in on themselves like a snake made of lightning.

“Merlin! Really!” I exclaimed.

I looked at Devoy for support, instead he was using the building next to us to support himself while laughing hard enough to start coughing. I could see tears streaming down his face.

He waved his hand at me, because he clearly couldn’t speak.

Pyllonia spoke from his armor. “How mature, make it even more of a spectacle then.”

Sighing, I reached out and grabbed the rings, placing one on each index finger. The user manuals instantly loaded into my augs, I quickly scanned through their functions.

After a moment of quick reading, I was happy with them.

“Thanks Merlin, maybe let’s not give away our position to everyone in a hundred miles next time.” I scolded him.

“Of course, Morigana. No one will have seen that I used a trick to ensure only you and Devoy saw the display. In reality, when you reached for the rings, I spawned them into your hand the moment you had them in your possession.” Bragged my hat.

“Fine, but maybe let’s cut down the showiness anyway.”

“You’re no fun sometimes.” I rolled my eyes at his comment.

Devoy was able to collect himself, and stop laughing.

“Right, let’s go over the data your scout has accumulated.” He finally managed to say.

Using my augs I create a full VR map of the Royal Tigers warehouse and share it with Devoy.

The warehouse is pretty darn big, about the size of a football field but square. It has four levels, and the bottom level is twenty feet tall. The entire structure is full of holes, fallen walls, beams, and largely looks structurally unsound. It’s a good thing we are packing quieter, less destructive, non-lethal gear or else this building would not survive our assault.

Each floor above the first was a hive of hallways, walls, and artificially created dead-ends and rooms, the place was chaos incarnate.

Lastly the people, there were somewhere around three hundred of them packed around the place in groups, or in rooms. This was going to be a challenge to clear, but I owed it to Ji-Ho, and if it helped the rest of China Town too, all’s the better.

“So, here is the plan.” Devoy said.