Digital Higanbana (Lycoris Recoil x Cyberpunk Quest)

Eventually, you and Arisu settled for two targets in mind, the corporate office and the scene of the fight itself. Of the two, the former was of higher immediate priority, given how quickly it would likely be mended for the rather affluent neighborhood. You admitted, you may have dragged you feet a little in returning owing to very recent events, but you had to grit your teeth and focus away from that. You needed to figure out at least the rough direction in which the honorless cur had fled.

(Scene Status: 1)

Unfortunately, when you reached there, you felt your stomach drop at just how pristine it all was. "Already finished?!" You muttered in disbelief and glanced at a frowning Arisu. "I'm sure it had taken place here, all the flames, all the bodies, all the bullets! But yet, it was as if completely unmarred now!"

"Calm down, calm down," She gently reassured and surveyed the scene. "It does look pretty clean though, a bit too much so. It reminds me of our old post-ops at Lycoris, so whoever fixed this up did a good job."

You grimaced and hissed. "Such misfortune," You grumbled and gave a look around. You were sure that perhaps if Yuuki were here, she could perhaps seek and find the smallest detail out of place like a burned leaf or missed casing, something that she as a former Lycoris Cleaner herself could handle. Maybe even Momiji, given that they had shared the same department beforehand. But as it was, you were of the Street Patrol that caused the mess in the first place, and Arisu was from the digital warfare division that hardly dealt with such scenes openly.

All you were good for was waving around that blade, and it showed now. Your head bowed forward and your hands balled into fists, a mix of rage, frustration, and self-loathing building up. Am I really just a helpless fool that can't even raise my blade to defend what I care about? What sort of blade for justice am I that I can't protect what matters most?! This time, we were lucky with only an arm the price for my failure. But what about next time? And further beyond?

Must I grow stronger to accomplish my dream? How much stronger?

(Street Sense: 12 +10 (Mitsu) +10 (Lycoris Patrol) = 32)
(Recording: 21)
(Counter Hack: 59 +15 (Arisu) +15 (Lycoris Netrunner) = 89)

A sudden curse at your side finally snapped you out of your dark thoughts and your head snapped up to see Arisu glare at a conspicuous street camera nearby. Her eyes glowed brilliantly and the recording machine drooped in place, turning off. "There's somebody watching us!" She warned and looked about, one eye dimming to keep an eye on both the real and virtual world. "They might know we're on them!"

Once again, you're useless! A part of you roared and you gritted your teeth, slamming that part of you shut for now. The more immediate concern was that somebody, perhaps your target themselves, was actually keeping a lookout for investigators of that damned fight.

That was an opportunity. "Where?" You demanded, shifting into a runner's stance, warming up your cyberware.

(Watcher Triangulation: 89+20 (Counter Hack) = 119)

Arisu paused for a moment, quickly running some sort of trace function. Her face lit up with a pleased grin a moment later. "They pulled out too late, I got a ping off on them!" She cawed and flashed you a position on the map. With a casual flick, she withdrew her own Towa 14 service pistol from her schoolbag and checked it. "Let's take them tog- hey, wait!"

You weren't listening. The moment she mentioned that they were pulling off, your eyes narrowed and you pulled the mental trigger. Just as the details of the location passed into your vision, the Sandevistan implanted on your spine activated and the world slowed around you. Any other time, you had to take a moment to recenter yourself, remembering that your body was now moving faster than the eye could catch.

This time, with anger and fury fueling you, there was no period of hesitation. You took off with a roar on your lips, hand reaching down and drawing out the red katana that you could hear cry for blood. In particular, that of a presumed Netrunner hastily pulling out from a junction box behind a convenience store nearby. The question now was if you could reach them fast enough.

(Target Interception: 93 +10 (Mitsu) +10 (Lycoris Surge) +20 (Location Exposed) = 133)

Even though the world around you moved like molasses, your own was unaffected thanks to the accelerated bodily functions and you forced that into effect now. There was the beginnings of a nasty headache when you felt your body warm with your cyberware overclocking for a moment, but your built-in GPS finally spat out a direct route that you took now. Arisu had to be left behind for now, as you needed both hands for this.

It didn't even occur to you the ridiculousness from some of these directions as you slid over a ledge to drop over a bridge the convenience store was located right under. But you tucked and rolled to your feet with little pause, just in time for the familiar sensation of your cyberware beginning to run out. But that was fine, as you were now face-to-face with the hacker, some rather scruffy looking local who was still turning around from fiddling with the camera box.

They hadn't even noticed your sudden approach and were helpless before your justice.

(Local Runner: 1 -20 (Total Surprise) = -19)

You closed your eyes and swung just as your Sandevistan finally stopped. Time returned to normal and the local shrieked when your weapon struck. They dropped to the ground like a sack of potatoes and you stared, clutching the red blade over their body. Then, with a flick, you sheathed your weapon and grabbed them, intent on getting out of here before somebody came investigating.

Arisu had only managed to reach the bridge before needing to bend over, completely winded. Physical education, it would seem, was not a core class for Arasaka Academy. She nearly leapt a foot in the air and almost shot you on accident when you appeared in a flash. "Fuck's sake!" She spat and eyed the body. "Oh, Mitsu, did you really have to? For Yuuki?"

"I did what I have to," You flatly told and tossed the body at her feet. "Go on. Do your work."

"Are you-" She pinched the bridge of her nose and groaned before gingerly kneeling and wincing. "Kami. I hate working with dead bodies. It's always so gross to plug into them."

You blinked, then tilted your head. "But they're alive."

"...I'm sorry?" Arisu quickly pressed a finger to the neck and her eyes widened when she found the pulse. "You spared them?"

"I turned my blade at the last moment." You made a wrist-turning motion and raised an eyebrow. "Did you really assume I would strike down our lead?" You asked, sounding half-offended.

Your fellow Lycoris stared at you for a moment before shaking her head. "You're more complicated than you seem," She flatly commented before withdrawing a cable from her wrist. It was plugged into your captive's neck and Arisu went still for a moment, likely probing their ICE and seeing if she could break it easily. You watched, tense and ready to rip the cord out if it backfired on her.

(ICE Hack: 68 +15 (Arisu) +15 (Lycoris Netrunner) = 98)
(ICE Defense: 25 -10 (Unconscious) = 15)

She finally spoke with a pleased smile when the body quivered for a moment before becoming still again. "Too easy, gonk. I'm in. Copying their recent records...oh, I'll take those keys, thank you very much." After a moment, her eyes stopped glowing and Arisu pulled the cable out of the body herself, looking quite smug. "Looks like our little Netrunner here was hired by EGO Security to wipe the scene, but they got cocky and tried to capture our faces for a hit bonus."

"You stopped them in their tracks," You noted with a note of relief. "You beat them at their own game. How inspiring."

"Well, they're only a small-time hacker from what I can tell. That's why they were hired, they were cheap. But still, they did have to be granted some clearances for their work." Arisu grinned and ejected a datashard from the neck of the unconscious fellow. "Viola, one set of security codes for EGO Security offices. We could stroll right through the front door if you wanted now, these won't go bad for another month or so."

In spite of everything, you felt a smile forming on your face. It helped banish those earlier feelings of inadequacy. Perhaps I'm just the muscle. But if I do my job, I can make those with the brains shine. "Good. That hardly addresses the guards however."

"Indeed so, it won't just be easy to fake an identification," Arisu muttered and shook her head. "If only Momiji were here as well. But she's not, so I suppose we make do."

You paused, then had a suggestion. "Do you have the deleted camera records? If so, we might be able to still track our target without needing to assault their offices."

(Camera Evidence: 29)

Arisu focused, then flinched. "A quick glance shows nothing but the chaos of the fight, no specific details. Yeesh, that was a big explosion as well. I'd honestly call it nova if it didn't almost zero Yuuki."

You sighed and resolved yourself. "Then we must still assault the corporate offices. At least the security codes will make things smoother for us."

"Absolutely. I won't even need to try to brute force into the database. In fact," She held out the datashard for you. "If you could get inside somehow and plug this into a computer, then I could pull the database remotely."

"You would entrust me to carry the burden alone?"

"Honestly, I'd probably just drag you down," Arisu admitted with a shake of the head. "If you still want me to go with you, then I will, but I think you might have a better chance alone. A Solo if you will."

Solo. That was honestly a title you had been trying to avoid for a while. A label that did accurately describe your ability, but you refused to acknowledge.

Yet it was a title of great strength. One that perhaps you should embrace to firm up your resolve. You felt your gaze slid from Arisu and to the direction of the Corporate District, where Shinohara Securities was, where Yuuki was recovering.

Was this the sort of strength you wanted to grab onto? One that could always stand alone if need be and seemingly carry on the burden of an entire team? Your fingers twitched, and you made your choice.

[ ] [Title] Lycoris Solo. You can't let tragedy happen again. You'll become stronger, faster, better, no matter what it takes. Whatever training you require, whatever chrome you need, anything that can take on the world if need be.

[ ] [Title] Lycoris Samurai. You don't fight for just yourself. You fight with all the others, and trust in them just as much as they trust you. And should they fall, you'll carry on their fight, no matter what.

[ ] [EGO Office] Assault through the front. Forget being quiet and discrete. You just knew how to hit hard, and that was what you were best at. Approach through the front and zero those in your way, fighting your way to the database with the datashard in hand.

[ ] [EGO Office] Sneak through the back. You want to really make sure that your ultimate target isn't alerted or warned at all of your hunt. Infiltrate the offices through the rooftops or windows, whatever is available, and quietly plug in the datashard then.

- Depending on what title you pick, Mitsu's style of approach could be very different. If she goes Solo, it'll just be her but if you pick Samurai, Arisu will tag along for backup. It will affect her moving on as well, so choose what you want her to be like.
- I'll make mention that whatever route you choose, Arisu will do her best to scrub the digital records afterwards to make sure nothing follows you back. So don't worry about pissing off EGO Security (they wouldn't care, it's their job), pick what you feel works.

The corporate offices from EGO Security in Kagoshima were located in a rather generic looking commercial building, featuring a ground-level retail shop with the upper floors being actual cubicles. It was an interesting reflection of your home, if the living space was replaced with a corporate space, and you idly wondered if the shop downstairs was a subsidiary of EGO Security or if they just rented the space to open up a little noodle bar. The thought did make your stomach growl hungrily and you faltered, tempted for a moment to grab a quick bite before trying to sneak in.

(Noodle Connection: 35)

Arisu pointedly elbowed you in the side to keep your focus up. "Unfortunately, I've just taken a peak and their systems aren't connected to the actual building itself," She murmured with a sigh. "We're going to have to get into the offices properly to jack in. So much for trying to just remotely breach while slurping some grub."

"A pity," You sighed, then glumly reached back into your schoolbag to pull out a depressingly familiar plastic bag with imagery far too cheerful for what foul contents were within. You popped it open and shoveled a handful of the dry bland substance into your mouth, chewing as little as needed to make it possible to swallow. "Want some?"

"Ah, yes, kibble," Arisu tensely commented in a tone not unlike that a prisoner being given their last meal. "The most efficient form of replenishing ourselves on the field." Despite her words, she took an offered handful and ate it as well, face puckering up at the taste with an extreme expression. Perhaps she had gotten too used to the rich foods usually given to Arasaka students.

For you, a veteran of the street patrols, it was a bitter taste to help refocus yourself while also filling your stomach. A quick chug of some cheap pop helped chase it down and you wiped your mouth with the back of your hand. "Yuuki's been making some great coffees as of late," You commented and checked your pistol. "I shall ask her to treat you to a cup after this."

Your temporary partner stared and put her face in her hand. "Please. Don't death flag me, we're going to pull through together, okay?"

A small sly grin crept your way onto your face. "You said it so. Not me."

"Wha- oh, dammit all!" The small bit of gallows humor helped Arisu finally relax and you gave her a friendly pat on the shoulder, feeling much more confident now. The Netrunner had been somewhat antsy when you had declared that she would be tagging along, clearly slightly worried about her first actual op in a long while. Your little pursuit of the small-time hacker hadn't really counted, and now she was going with you on infiltrating some corporate offices.

And unlike you and Yuuki, she had been taking it rather lax with keeping up with her Lycoris training. Add in that she had been in the EW division that shunned open conflict, and little wonder why Arisu was very nervous about this all. But you knew that despite everything, she was still a Lycoris, meeting all the strict requirements that came along with it. Perhaps she lagged behind on a few features, but so what?

So did Yuuki, and she was still kicking and alive. You focused on that now and gripped the hilt of your blade tightly. That was right- if it had been any regular civilian, they likely couldn't have lived through the explosion at such close distance or if they did, total shock would have immediately set in from all the injuries. It was only because your partner was a Lycoris that she could grit her teeth and bear the pain, taking the loss of an entire limb with only a few painkillers to keep talking. She still dreamed of opening up Kagoshima Fragrance as well in spite of the loss.

So you were going to keep to your path as well then if she was. A final tap on Arisu's shoulder had her squaring her gaze with eyes behind glasses narrowing in focus. "Right. Let's do this," She muttered. "How are we getting in?"

(A Way Inside: 75 +5 (Mitsu) +15 (Arisu) = 95)

"A clean approach," You intoned and led the way into a little side alley to the side of the building. Once you were sure nobody was looking, you pulled your sword out and slashed upwards, cutting through a rather rusty physical bolt. The fire escape ladder came crashing down a moment later, pulled down by gravity. "This was meant only for those to exist, but it is now our means of entry."

"Good find," Arisu approved and followed you in climbing up to the rooftop. You carefully watched and surveyed the scene for cameras, but it didn't seem that there were any. When the Netrunner pulled herself up, your eyes drifted to a lone door, likely meant only for maintenance workers to come up for roof access. Though judging from the number of crushed cigarettes scattered on the floor all about, it also happened to be where many workers took their smoke breaks.

(Rooftop Access: 8)
(Silence Alarm: 100 +15 (Arisu) +15 (Lycoris Netrunner) = 130)

You almost pulled out your pistol in surprise when you wrenched the rooftop door open and found yourself face to face with a camera staring straight at you from above the stairwell. A curse was on your lips and you hurriedly turned to Arisu. "We might have troubles-!"

"No, we don't," She flatly told, eyes lit up brilliantly and the recording device drooped in its place. You let out a sigh of relief, that Arisu clearly had a program prepared for such occasion. But then she frowned and approached the camera itself, studying it carefully. "Hm. Help me with this Mitsu, pull it out."

(Camera Dissection: 46 +5 (Mitsu) +10 (Arisu) = 61)

You frowned, but nodded. It was a bit awkward trying to pull the delicate equipment out gently, and you were reminded by how seemingly effortlessly Yuuki had done so for the entire shophouse. Eventually, with a little bit of guidance from Arisu, you managed to remove it off the wall without ripping it from the cables it was attached to. "What are you planning?" You asked while your temporary partner popped open a universal access port on the case.

"That thing went down way too quickly. You might not notice it, but in the virtual space, that was a literal blink of the eye compared normal," She explained and withdrew a cable from her hand. "I'm going to have a poke around, because this might be an opportunity."

"So you too do live in a slower world," You remarked and Arisu gave a curious look. You wordlessly craned your neck to show off your cyberware and she let out a quiet noise of understanding before returning to her work, plugging in. Her eyes began to glow while you kept watch, alert for anybody who could be wanting to take a smoke break.

(System Breach: 4 +15 (Arisu) +15 (Lycoris Netrunner) +10 (EGO Credentials) = 44)
(System Security: 83)
(Self-Eject: 78 +10 (Arisu) = 88)

After a few minutes, the Lycoris Netrunner frowned, then hissed. She quickly pulled herself clean from the camera moments and kicked it back. "Damn. Thought I could breach their system ICE from here, but it looks like they aren't fucking around. They almost caught me."

"Are we known?' You asked in a low and alert tone.

"Not yet, but they suspect there's some sort of unauthorized access from somewhere. Could be in the building, could be some bored keyboard warrior from Night City. Their Netrunners are flushing the ICE with more demons, more than what I'm comfortable dealing with." Then she lit up with a grin. "But I still managed to fry their camera records, swapping them to read-only without write. They can see as much as they like, but they won't be able to actually go back and review footage. That'll have to do."

You grunted in acknowledgment and gestured. "Follow my lead then," You plainly told and took point, leading the way with your pistol at the ready.

(Mitsu Stealth: 92 +10 (Mitsu) = 102)
(Arisu Stealth: 25 +5 (Arisu) = 30)

The corporate office followed a standardized layout that you could navigate with ease, able to keep low behind the small wall separators to avoid drawing attention. There were a few workers here and there, but they seemed too engrossed in whatever emails or contracts they were sending out to notice your passage. Plus, they had no visible weapons on them, though you reminded yourself that their arms could also just as easily contain a built-in cannon.

But for the moment, it was the security guards you were more concerned about. They seemed to take their job half-seriously, keeping an eye out for anybody trying to sneak about. It was no issue for you and you easily slipped between their patrols with a few pulses of your cyberware. However, you noticed too late when Arisu struggled to follow in your wake. She thankfully froze and kept still in a good hiding spot, but the patrol of a security guard could take them right next to her, and you didn't know if she could keep calm then.

You had to act, quickly.

(Security Distraction: 10 +15 (Mitsu) +10 (Lycoris Surge) = 35)
(Security Alert: 86)
(Arisu Ambush: 48 +5 (Arisu) +10 (Lycoris Graduate) +10 (Surprise) = 73)

Your choice of distraction was grabbing a flower pot and muttering a quick apology to Yuuki before tossing it through what was supposed to be a closed door. But at that very moment, it slid open to reveal a bedraggled office worker who took the flower pot straight to the face with a startling loud cry, one that immediately had heads turning. The security guard that you had been trying to distract let out a bark of surprise before reaching for their pistol-

Then a pistol barked and their head was no more. Arisu grunted and kicked the corpse down, hands slightly shaking but eyes resolved. She did have a silencer on her pistol, but it was pointless already with shouts and cries of intruders echoing across the office. "Sorry," She mumbled and you shook your head.

"It can't be helped. Let's get this over with then!" Luckily, the server banks weren't too far away, meaning that you encountered no resistance on your way to rushing over there. But already, the office security systems had kicked in to lockdown the room, meaning that the door was sealed tight. You hissed and experimented with a kick, only to find that it didn't budget at all. Your hand drifted to your katana and wondered if it was worth trying to cut through, at the risk of possibly damaging the equipment inside.

Arisu took a more civilized approach and just ripped open the door panel, revealing a complicated circuit board that she swore at. "I'm good with software, not with hardware!" She hissed and poked around. Finally, she found an access port and jacked in, trying to see if her earlier system attempt could come into play now.

(Door Breach: 7 +15 (Arisu) +15 (Lycoris Netrunner) +10 (EGO Credentials) = 47)
(Door Security: 45 +10 (Lockdown) = 55)

She was silent for a moment before growling. "There's ICE, but it's the regular kind I could try to breach. It might take some time though, could you cover me until then?"

You eyed her and wondered if perhaps it would be faster to just find an EGO Security Netrunner and force them to open up. It did offend your sense of justice slightly, but at the same time, it was for the sake of achieving revenge for Yuuki. At that thought, an idea sprung to mind: Yuuki is pretty good with tech. Maybe I should bring her in?

It was certainly an interesting decision, one that you now considered for breaching the server room.

[ ] [Access] Break the ICE. Let Arisu work her Netrunner fight while you cover her in the real world.

[ ] [Access] Cut through the door. Use your Arasaka katana and try to physically cut your way through.

[ ] [Access] Grab IT. Find an EGO Security Netrunner whatever IT specialist the office had and force them to unlock the door for you.

[ ] [Access] Tech Call. Dial up Yuuki and try to have her coach Arisu through the call on what to do to force the door open.

[ ] [Access] Make a run for it. It's already fragged, just focus on getting out of there!

- I have nothing to say about these disgusting rolls. Fukou da wa...