Digital Higanbana (Lycoris Recoil x Cyberpunk Quest)

When you mentioned to Mitsu that you were heading into the Corporate Zone for a bit, she beamed and asked permission to accompany you. As it so happened, she too had business there, one that aligned with your own plans. It would appear you both had the same idea on how to start off your week, to visit Shinohara Securities and share news of your success.

This time, you didn't even need to interact with the receptionist when you entered the Arasaka-owned building. You headed straight for the elevator and it activated immediately to bring you to the top floors. One quick trip later, and you stepped out to the greeting lobby for Shinohara Securities. There was no greeting party like your first trip, but some helpful corporate security personnel pointed the way to their leader's office. Your opticware picked up on the slight traces of impressed expressions in their faces and you guessed that word of your success had likely already reached them.

It was almost immediately confirmed when the electronic doors opened to allow you access into Security Chief Azumi's office. "I was right!" She cawed and clapped her hands triumphantly. "See? They're the real biz. Flatlined a Scav Den all by themselves, with nothing but the bullets we provided. Hell of an investment, don't you think?"

On a screen, some scowling corporate suit grumpily nodded and then cut the connection. Azumi chuckled before inclining her head apologetically your way. "That was one of the big honchos at Arasaka I report to, and they were skeptical of my investment, calling it a blind gamble. Ah, but it paid off, and now I get to rake in my winnings." She blew the imaginary smoke off a finger gun and grinned, eyes lighting up when she checked her email. "Oh, and there it is! Full discretion on daily operations, absolutely preem. Ugh, they still couldn't increase the human resource budget, but the equipment budget increase was approved..."

You and Mitsu shared confused looks and shrugged awkwardly. After a moment, Azumi seemed to remember she had guests and her eyes returned back to normal. "Sorry, you're probably not here to indulge in a little bit of office politics. Not unless you fancy joining up with us?" She asked in a pleading tone.

Shakes of the head was all she got from both Lycoris. "My blade is street justice, never a tool for tyrants!" Mitsu proudly declared and paused. "Though I would accept corporate steel if need be."

Azumi frowned and turned to you with a wordless ask. You smiled and translated your partner's odd manner of speech. "She's here to see if she could buy stuff from you, especially a blade if at all possible."

"Well, we wouldn't be an Arasaka subsidiary if we didn't have a few of those in our armory. Let's have a look to see if I could sell any just gathering dust in a corner." Azumi pushed herself from her office chair and began walking. You followed her through the floor's hallways and listened to her speak while guiding the way. "I wasn't joking about the offer to join us, by the way. But if you're insistent that's not your path, I won't push like what some folks in Arasaka Counter Intel would do. Rather, I'd like to offer something different instead."

"So long as it isn't something permanent," You mentioned and she nodded.

"Of course. What I can do is offer an at-will contractor relationship, a very loose one where if you're up for it, we'll deputize you for a little while to act on the field in the name of law enforcement." Azumi held up a hand to forestall questions. "You don't need to sign or commit to anything, it'll just be something that you just need to let us know before you start a patrol. From there, we'll pay you based on whatever you report or intervene in."

"Would communication not take time?" Mitsu pointed out and Azumi simply tilted her head, eyes flashing. Your vision suddenly lit up with new information and your partner was quick to remark on it. "Oh! Contact details!"

"That shouldn't be an issue anymore then. So if you ever feel like earning some easy scratch by being corporate security for a bit, just ping me to set it up. I've a feeling that we'll definitely welcome your aid whenever you can provide it so."

You nodded appreciatively and filed the information away in your contacts. You supposed that helping to patrol the streets for a bit or getting involved in local law enforcement was far from the worst way to earn some spare change if you wanted to stretch your legs for a bit. It could even be nostalgic, had you been a Lycoris Street Agent. You supposed judging by Mitsu's pleased expression, it definitely did tug on that old duty. But you were a Cleaner and more often dealt with the already dead than soon to be.

That little thought reminded you of an idea and you cleared your throat, catching Azumi's attention. "Suppose that I were to have a bunch of bodies with cyberware still in them," You casually laid out, earning a roll of the eyes from her. "If I were to say, turn them over to your corporation, could you harvest the cyberware from them?"

"Honestly? I think I'd find more use for the bodies themselves than the cyberware, though that is a neat little bonus. Arasaka is ever hungry, after all." Azumi thought on it some more, rubbing her chin. "Now, if you were to say, totally hypothetically, bring a bunch of fresh bodies to us, I'll figure out a way to spin that into some small pocket change and cut you in on it, if you're willing to not ask questions. It'll likely be nothing big per delivery, but still better than just dumping the bodies in a dumpster and letting it go to waste."

"My thinking exactly...hypothetically," You added with a thankful nod. You supposed that so long as you didn't ask questions where the bodies went in the end, you could make a few more eddies from cleaning up corpses. "I'll let you know then if I have something that you could work off."

"Just don't make it a regular occurrence," She warned with a frown. "It shouldn't go without saying, but don't just klep randoms off the street for this. Then we'll have to act if you mess with the wrong suit."

"A fancy that will never come to pass," Mitsu vowed and shot you a cool look. "Right, partner?'

You silently nodded in return. Any further conversation was pushed away by finally arriving at the armory for Shinohara Securities. Once Azumi entered her credentials, the reinforced doors slid open to reveal the familiar collection of weapons, and ammunition you had seen before. But this time, you could perhaps buy more than just bullets. "Let's see. According to inventory, we might have some Arasaka Katanas available that haven't been claimed or used for a while. Sending the detes now."

Mitsu's eyes lit up and she let out an excited moan at whatever she was seeing. "I'll take it."

"Hey, don't you want to hear the price out first? Don't get too excited either, these are just the regular blade variants, and it's not exactly Kendachi-"

"I said I'll take it!" Mitsu whined and clasped her hands as if in prayer, directing the action to Azumi. "Please, please, please! A true samurai's blade, just there! My coin is ready! My body is ready!"

Azumi's head mechanically swiveled to face you with a mix of amusement, confusion, and concern. You shook your head and gestured. "Just give her the sword, and it'll be over quicker."

"Right. Guess everybody's got their own quirks," The corporate security officer mumbled and activated the armory system. The walls shuddered and then cycled, rolling through a selection of other armaments before finally snapping in and presenting a wall of nothing but melee weapons. Azumi grabbed a sheathed blade and tossed it at Mitsu. "There. Thank you for your purchase, we'll be sure to use it for our coffee funds."

The Lycoris ronin caught her very first blade with trembling hands, her face a wide array of emotions that had your analysis software hitch for a moment. One hand gingerly grasped the hilt and inched the blade out, revealing the immaculate black and red steel that reflected Mitsu's own face back to her. A wide giddy smile blossomed over her face and she hugged the sheathed blade tightly, not even caring about the blatant Arasaka lettering. "Oh, this shall be a fine partner for a long time, oh yes. Together, let us bring justice wherever we go!"

"Glad to see I'm being replaced so quickly," You muttered and turned to Azumi with a curious tilt of the head. "If you're opening up your inventory, is there anything that I could purchase myself?"

"Hm. Let's have a look." Azumi began to flick through the catalog for any more write-offs that she could market to you. You had to admit, despite any innate misgivings for Arasaka, their weapons were definitely quite good. They weren't as good as specialty companies like Towa, Kendachi, or Tsunami to name a few, but they were definitely in a higher bracket of weapons for security forces around the world. Having one in your pocket could be reassuring, if Azumi could sell any.

(Arasaka Inventory: 27)

"I do believe I could actually sell you the sister blade of that Arasaka Katana and get away with it." She pointed at a nearly identical blade on the current rack, one that was instead tinted with blue highlights instead of red. "1000 eddies, and she's all yours."

"Not to insult Mitsu, but anything else?" You asked and Azumi's face wrinkled in thought.

"Maybe. I think...ah, here. Something that's a bit older, so it won't flag the system and send angry quartermasters on my ass." Your vision lit up with the image of a familiar iconic weapon, one had been the staple of Arasaka Security Forces across the world during the Fourth Corporate War. "The Arasaka WAA Bullpup. I don't think this one needs much of an explanation for you."

"A service assault rifle known for incredible reliability in all conditions," You noted with a hum. "It hits mainly in short bursts, but you've got more control over your ammo expenditure that way. Could be handy for longer fights."

"Sounds about right. Now then, I'm willing to let this go for 2000 eddies, and before you complain about its age, the fact it still works despite everything thrown its way is saying something, right?" Azumi pushed and crossed her arms. "So then, interested in anything today?"

[ ] [Arasaka Katana] Purchase. (1000eb)

[ ] [Arasaka Katana] Decline.


[ ] [Arasaka WAA Bullpup] Purchase. (2000eb)

[ ] [Arasaka WAA Bullpup] Decline.


[ ] [Bodies] Arrange for pickup.

[ ] [Bodies] Keep in basement.

- You can choose the deliver the bodies later to Shinohara Securities later after considering other options, but it'll consume a weekly action then. This is a chance to do it immediately without spending an action later.
- Not buying a weapon doesn't mean it'll never appear again, but it might be some time.
- EDIT: Reduced Bullpup price.