[X] [Lycoris] Get aggressive and advance to apply direct pressure on the attackers.
[X] [Shinohara Security] Don't call them.
Well, it looks like we ended up with a story beat about Yuuki's cyberware, so we might as well stay on theme by getting some use out of the eyes. (Plus, if the dice feel like it, it's going to be the much cooler success.) Otherwise, the options are probably kind of a wash.
As for ShinSec, there's probably at least one person there that would love to have another shot at helping us against these guys and we could try to play the whole thing as having been on the scene accidentally (maybe we could even squeeze some pay out of them, although I wouldn't count on it), but it be a big risk in terms of Lycoris secrecy. If we want to muscle in as a Fixer, that probably isn't going to be the best first impression.
Man, these goons sure like going after Lycoris in particular though. Then again, I suppose there's a higher than zero chance they were materialized by Yuuki thinking about how she lost her arm. A pity she could actualize a hug instead. Still, if someone knows to go after the seemingly ordinary school girls, that's usually not a good sign.
[X] [Lycoris] Get aggressive and advance to apply direct pressure on the attackers.
[X] [Shinohara Security] Don't call them.
If the Lycoris First is smart, she's going to use our distraction to her advantage and could give us the edge to defeat the rest of EGO's mooks.
This is a Lycoris matter, so better keep this in the down-low, no need to get corpo involved...
I agree with keeping corpo's out of lycoris business. If some people were attacking our café or other civilian sutff sure, call the emergency corpo line. But this kinda stuff? In-house.
As for the violence, Lycoris first have a rep for a reason. She might not be Chisato level BS but she's still one of the best of the best. So we can have faith in her competence. Agressive plays well with our augments, unless they're gonna pop a rocket launcher on a schoolgirl, which, t'know, why woudl they think to do that? So agressive is probably the best play here.
[X] [Lycoris] Get aggressive and advance to apply direct pressure on the attackers.
[X] [Shinohara Security] Don't call them.
[X] [Lycoris] Get aggressive and advance to apply direct pressure on the attackers.
[X] [Shinohara Security] Don't call them.
Your eyes narrowed and glowed, the opticware warming up your special programs. One of them was the Lycoris network system that you immediately pinged, marking yourself as your old identification number. Even if you couldn't see her right now, you were sure that the pinned Lycoris First flinched when her own systems notified her of a new friendly contact in the area. Be ready, you flashed digitally and didn't wait around for her reaction.
You were too busy swinging out of cover and advancing, gun in one hand and handbag in the other. There was a shout and the EGO mercenaries fumbled for their guns, not having expected somebody to interfere. But they had been at least looking in your direction, so it now was a question of who could draw a bead and fire quicker.
Somewhat shamefully, you had been slacking on your skills and it showed with how slow you were! When the submachine guns opened fire, your reflexes were sluggish and you tried stepping aside too late for it to matter. You frantically adjusted your schoolbag to act as a shield but still, some rounds impacted your artificial arm and your vision became filled with damage warnings and error messages. You snarled and dismissed these popups to take aim and fire with your still good arm.
The shots went disgracefully wide and you cursed. You really had a thick layer of rust to knock off, this was far below what was acceptable for a Lycoris, present or past! The dull sensation of pain sensors flaring along your arm didn't help and your focus wavered. Maybe you really weren't cut out for being on the front anymore.
Meanwhile, on the other side of the park, the operative in a red schoolgirl uniform kept her head down and focused, her eyes narrowing. Then the moment she knew they had finished, she finally emerged from cover, darting low and around to approach from an unexpected angle. Her steps slammed hard into the dirt while her pistol blazed away, firing away despite the rapid movement.
Her aim was deadly accurate in spite of the jostling about, a dangerous glint in her eyes like a specter in the shadows. The Towa 14 featured an automatic fire burst mode that she used now, not because she needed it to hit. She instead just needed more bullets per pull of the trigger. Bloody holes dotted the faces of her assailants and they jerked back, eyes wide in shock at the young lady who had so perfectly played the role of a reaper.
Her charge out though had left her exposed and the EGO leader in charge of this took the opportunity to fire off a shot. But their aim was shaky, perhaps their nerves frayed by watching a Lycoris First in action, and so it went wide. But to their credit, they stood their ground and pulled the hammer back on for the next shot while the girl kept focused, arms tucked in with pistol at the ready.
You were slower with the pain in your arm, but luckily the enemy shots went wide, only hitting the buildings behind you. Maybe the realization that they had just lost an entire group to a singular girl had shaken them up, and now there was an older woman advancing with the same sort of fearless bravery that didn't flinch at the gunshots. Perhaps you didn't have the same killing skill that was required by those higher up, but you were a Lycoris Second still. You held steady in the face of danger, especially when you lashed out in close quarters combat against the mercenaries.
It was here, with your heart pounding and your blood pumping, that your combat skills shone. The reliable Lycoris handbag spun about in your wounded arm before you hurled it at the lead mercenary, nailing them straight in the face. They staggered backwards stunned with their colleagues nearby similarly likewise shot, and that was when you gripped your handgun with both hands and fired single shots into each methodically. You heard the roar of an angered opponent before you saw them, so it was a simple manner to raise your leg and then slam it into their knee, a cry of pain cutting off their shout and rush.
Then your artificial arm shot out around his waist and forcibly grabbed him, the mechanical strength coming through even despite the damage. You flipped him around into a body shield that had his few remaining comrades hesitating those precious few seconds, giving you enough time to raise your arm and fire into the recovering mercenary to your side. As they fell, a sharp kick to your shield sent them stumbling forwards while you flicked to the side, casually ejecting the spent magazine.
Your eyes flashed and the handbag on the ground activated, popping up a fresh reload that you slammed into your Towa 14. A quick rack, a few more shots, and then the group was still before your smoking pistol. You grimaced when the exertion finally caught up and you clutched at your arm, wondering if perhaps a pain disabler wasn't such a bad idea. It probably was, feeling your injuries meant you knew when it was time to get treated.
But there still was a final showdown at the center of the park.
The schoolgirl's draw was quicker and she fired away, only for her eyes to widen when the mercenary leader before her simply weathered the shots with a damn smirk. You swore violently, your mind flashing back to a very recent incident that seemingly was repeating again. They're chromed up!
Now they leveled his revolver at the girl and pulled the trigger, a loud gunshot echoing through the park.
But where you projected yourself falling, the Lycoris First's eyes hardened and her arm snapped up with her schoolbag to catch the round. She grunted when it impacted at a bad angle but the reinforced leather held, though it was clear the way her hand was shaking that it certainly had felt it. The officer snarled and began to pull back the hammer back again, only to notice that they were the only ones left.
But even with the telltale click of a Sandevistan activating from the younger Lycoris, you were already moving. The time you've spent sparring with Mitsu made you familiar with how to actually beat one who could move faster on command and see the world sluggish move about: just don't stop. Don't hesitate.
The first few rounds still impacted uselessly against that damn metal body but this time, they staggered back, clearly feeling it now. Then, with an angry shout, one hand drew back and flew forwards towards your face. By coincidence, it was the same side as your left, so you couldn't resist the unintended challenge.
The damaged artificial arm still flashed warnings that you ignored when you pulled away and curled your fingers into a fist that then slammed into the incoming first. Even more error messages screamed in your vision and you could feel dents forming on your fake knuckles, but it still held well in comparison to whatever the mercenary was rocking. In hindsight, being just a leader of grunts probably meant that they couldn't afford much in terms of quality cyberware.
It still was satisfying though when your other hand then pressed the opening of your pistol against the enemy wrist and you unloaded in full automatic, inciting a distracted howl when their skin was finally penetrated from the point-blank shots.
More shots rang out with the Lycoris First taking advantage of your close engagement to take some shots. But they just impacted uselessly at the standoff range she held, not wanting to risk getting any closer for the same visceral closer quarters combat you were in. You had to admit that was probably the smart play, with you being one of the rare exceptions thanks to your eyes encouraging an all or nothing focus. But she still was close enough for the officer to shakily aim and fire with their revolver, your swift movements having dissuaded them from trying to hit you.
This time, the revolver punched straight through the schoolbag and the Lycoris First cried, crumpling to the ground with a gaping leg injury. You sharply inhaled, then your teeth clenched together. You needed to focus on ending this fight, now.
Your eyes caught the slight twitch of the muscle that linked to the pull of the hammer, an instinctual action that the mercenary did without even thinking. Then the opticware lit up and you immediately followed its instructions on where to strike, your artificial arm lashing out to latch onto your opponent's arm and pull violently. They screamed when you applied incredible force to the pressure points, forcing their fingers to suddenly spasm and lose strength for a moment. That was all you needed for your own fingers to loop around and snatch the revolver from their hands.
The momentum had you spin for a moment, then when you faced the disarmed officer, you had your Towa 14 pointing at their chest and their revolver at their head. There was a moment of stunned silence when the mercenary soaked in the details, then you pulled the trigger for all your rounds to penetrate this time. The unfamiliarity of your new handgun was irrelevant at this range and the body crashed into the ground, flatlined for good.
You examined your new trophy, then hastily stashed it to hurry over to the moaning Lycoris First. A quick glance showed that the wound definitely wasn't fatal, especially once you stabilized her with the medical equipment in her own bag, and you let out a sigh of relief before frowning. An injury like this, most would grit their teeth and fight through. Was she already exhausted or running on fumes?
If so, then she definitely needed a place to stay and recover in peace, if nothing else. You paused, sighed, then considered if you really wanted to open your home to yet another Lycoris. Maybe it would be better if you could book a hotel room off the books to do so? Your mind also thought about Shinohara Security, a definitely safe place, but one that could perhaps put you in debt to them.
It still was just 'kidnapping' a schoolgirl in need. You could already hear Mitsu's scandalized gasp and Arisu's rambunctious laughter.
- What is going on with Yuuki's rolls. What.
- I'll admit that the revolver was a spur of the moment thing, and I still have to decide what model it is, but it is a mid-range pistol that has a bit more kick in exchange for worst accuracy than your standard pistol. You could choose to make it your default concealed carry for future encounters if you'd like, it's even not unusual as Chisato and Takina have non-standard issue pistols.
The fuck are those rolls? Seriously what the fuck.
Good chapter as always boss, now...
Hotel room would require money unless our First is willing to spot Yuuki some cash. We have money but expenses are expenses. The Shinohara people are nice but involving them in Lycoris nonsense... I'm iffy on that. Kagoshima at least is Yuuki's and there is the secret basement even if it's not setup as a med station.
As for the revolver? Very neat. We can always sell it at a later date so no harm in taking it right now. Unless we won't have the option to sell it later?
I would say move to Kagoshima, I figure we can build a bit of a relationship between Lycoris the organization and Yuuki, having the Kagoshima recognized as a Lycoris friendly place might open up some options in the future (especially if we are tying to act like a fixer or info broker type) or at least give us a new regular customer.
Plus it's probably going to be more appreciated by the First and the agency if fewer people are asking questions about why an underage schoolgirl was shot and is not going to a hospital or to a parent or guardian.
Also keep the revolver, we can sell it later if we don't want to use it, plus more options are more better, I don't see much info about the revolver but it looks like it is got at least some armor piercing which would help against borgs that we will encouinter in the future.
I like the idea of getting a distinctive side-arm to be honest! Regarding where to put the girl we already decided to not involve Shinohara in lycoris business, I doubt ms first would like getting them involved in liquorice business. Hotel is money and questions asked, Kagoshima seems best but less safe? what are the odds on the dude who contracted EGO going after her again? On the other hand if they go for our café we can get very motivated Shinohara support.
Also the rolls were ??? Im not complaining though! Led to a very interesting update.
My take is that Yuuki isn't much of a killer, but her protective instincts kick into overdrive if there's an injured NPC. The crits really know where to place themself.
Erika just got another story to gush about as well.
Talking about loved things, without a proper name I shall use the sandevista to name the first Mini-Mitsu. I doubt she'll manage to live up to such a grand title, but we might at least hope.
Either way, I'm all for bringing her to the cafe. After pinging her on the Lycoris system, there's even less of a point in maintaining secrecy than before. Might as well coast off Yuuki's crits for a good impression and solidly make her a contact.
Finally, neat revolver. Yuuki is one step closer to becoming an occelot... wait, wrong franchise. Although, I can kind of see Kaori without borders as a heaven for Lycoris and the like.
Man, those schizophrenic roles XD
I like @Edgedancer explanation of Yukki protective instinct kicking in when somebody is in danger
Well, as the choice, as we "outed" ourselves as a fellow Lycoris l, I see no reasons as to why not bring them to Flower-HQ.
For the gun, let's keep it, maybe we could become a dual-handed badass !
Her aim was deadly accurate in spite of the jostling about, a dangerous glint in her eyes like a specter in the shadows. The Towa 14 featured an automatic fire burst mode that she used now, not because she needed it to hit. She instead just needed more bullets per pull of the trigger. Bloody holes dotted the faces of her assailants and they jerked back, eyes wide in shock at the young lady who had so perfectly played the role of a reaper.
It was here, with your heart pounding and your blood pumping, that your combat skills shone. The reliable Lycoris handbag spun about in your wounded arm before you hurled it at the lead mercenary, nailing them straight in the face.
You grimaced when the exertion finally caught up and you clutched at your arm, wondering if perhaps a pain disabler wasn't such a bad idea. It probably was, feeling your injuries meant you knew when it was time to get treated.
The schoolgirl's draw was quicker and she fired away, only for her eyes to widen when the mercenary leader before her simply weathered the shots with a damn smirk. You swore violently, your mind flashing back to a very recent incident that seemingly was repeating again. They're chromed up!
The first few rounds still impacted uselessly against that damn metal body but this time, they staggered back, clearly feeling it now. Then, with an angry shout, one hand drew back and flew forwards towards your face. By coincidence, it was the same side as your left, so you couldn't resist the unintended challenge.
The damaged artificial arm still flashed warnings that you ignored when you pulled away and curled your fingers into a fist that then slammed into the incoming first. Even more error messages screamed in your vision and you could feel dents forming on your fake knuckles, but it still held well in comparison to whatever the mercenary was rocking. In hindsight, being just a leader of grunts probably meant that they couldn't afford much in terms of quality cyberware.
It still was satisfying though when your other hand then pressed the opening of your pistol against the enemy wrist and you unloaded in full automatic, inciting a distracted howl when their skin was finally penetrated from the point-blank shots.
Your eyes caught the slight twitch of the muscle that linked to the pull of the hammer, an instinctual action that the mercenary did without even thinking. Then the opticware lit up and you immediately followed its instructions on where to strike, your artificial arm lashing out to latch onto your opponent's arm and pull violently. They screamed when you applied incredible force to the pressure points, forcing their fingers to suddenly spasm and lose strength for a moment. That was all you needed for your own fingers to loop around and snatch the revolver from their hands.
The momentum had you spin for a moment, then when you faced the disarmed officer, you had your Towa 14 pointing at their chest and their revolver at their head. There was a moment of stunned silence when the mercenary soaked in the details, then you pulled the trigger for all your rounds to penetrate this time. The unfamiliarity of your new handgun was irrelevant at this range and the body crashed into the ground, flatlined for good.
It'll fall under gun mods but given that this is Japan, you're not going to find it on the open streets. You'll have to visit night/black markets or have contacts that could offer to sell you some.
