Reload 2
[X] Stella Reed
[X]Headphones
[X]Wear outfits. Try not to look like you mugged someone for them. Even if the money came from shooting people. But that's not mugging, right?
[X]Look for more contracts. These things don't come to you, thank everything. That one time was a mess.
You make your way through the twisted canyons of the undercity, past harsh neon and oily black. This part of the city sleeps in the day and dances in the dark. Lucas has always loved that, loved the city's nightside. You don't think he's left it since the day you two first set foot in the city.
Your relationship with it is conflicted. It's full of twists and turns, blind corners and ambush points, but it's also near impossible to get a good line on anything farther away than a hundred meters. Hardly worth the rifle, you could throw a bullet further if that didn't go against your professional sensibilities.
You turn up the music on your headphones before you step into the rushing masses seeking their myriad vices. You've visited a few times, searching for pieces for your collection or the rare fish filet that makes it past the South African embargo. You've only had Kainji Lake bass once since you left the continent.
But today, you're here on business. So you push forward, past flashing lights and darkened entrances, past the the shops where you can buy a life or a death, through crowds of the desperately lonely and the lonely desperates, and past promises that that you could be a little less lonely and a little less desperate for the right price. Touche is expensive, in the undercity.
You're isolated from it all, by the music blaring from your headphones, and your hood pulled up. Aid freely given, kindness unrequested. There's a reason you live above, even though the undercity fits you better.
You arrive at the restaurant Lucas has chosen for today. It's quite, because that's the most expensive thing in the undercity, and it's that kind of place. Lucas is seated between and under two blond girls. It's even odds that they're Bright Young Things, out to experience all the fashionable new sins, or seasoned agents waiting for a nice back to stab.
"Stella! You look good! This must be the first time I've seen you in something that fits and doesn't have stripes."
There's giggling, and comments about how 'out' stripes are, but you let that pass. Lucas was never interested in the finer details of camouflage, no matter how often you tried. You just offer a quiet greeting.
"I'm sorry to say, but the last shipment was shot down, so I can only offer you a Chimer steak. It will arrive shortly." The 'or else' is left unsaid, but that just makes it louder.
"Now, Cindy, hand me my brief case."
More giggling, and he's spreads out a number of folders before you. Cindy giggles about using paper, and you know you won't see her again. You put them in you bag and the food arrives, the timing perfect as always. Lucas has a talent for working his people. The two girls slide off him, and you enjoy the food and part of the company.
The silence couldn't last, and Not-Cindy is rather rude as your second helping arrives. You won't be seeing her again either. But for now, Lucas keeps silent. Talking and eating is better left separate as far as you're concerned, and he respects your opinion on that. When your done, he stands with you, and walks a few steps to the exit. It's as close as he will get to an apology for the company. It's a loud enough rebuke. Touch is expensive in the undercity.
In the shadowed arch of the exit you both stop for a moment, and there, in the middle of the jamming curtain, he gives you a small smile.
"It was good to see you, Stella."
He brushes some imaginary stain from your shoulder.
"If you're getting into fashion, we could meet at 'Le Pain, Parant' next time."
His face is blank, but there's a smile in his eyes, which is how you know it's genuine. Then he turns and walks away, and you leave as well.
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Back at home, you go through the possible options, and Lucas' notes on them. Blan helps, if only by keeping you warm.
You have 4 Evilness points, and 5 Sniperness points.
Choose two actions for the next week.
Private actions:
[]Kick puppies some more
Fiona invited you, and it's a great idea. Except it doesn't feel all that Evil if the authorities tell you to. Maybe you should keep her waiting some more. That would be evil, right?
Rewards: +1 Evilness. Play with kick puppies again.
[]Spend time with your best (only) friend
Blan isn't very demanding, so long as he gets to steal your food, but that doesn't mean you should abuse it.
Rewards: Marathon Shell of a Ghost.
[]Go to school
Maybe you should do that at some point. There's just so many people, and you can't shoot any of them when they say mean things.
Rewards: Education. Social anxiety.
[]Spent vast amounts of money for... professional reasons
Buying another rifle is something you totally need. For your work.
Rewards: Inner emptiness filled. For a moment.
[]Visit Marmuk's
Better equipment is always good. Even if, technically speaking, you don't actually need it. You've heard about buying happiness, and you really want to try it out.
Rewards: Better equipment. Living the capitalist dream.
Contract actions:
A bullet to kill an idea
In the Arctic, there's a facility doing research. Someone would like it if they stopped. Since science is Good, stopping it would be Evil, so you're covered on that front. But the whole thing is really beneath your level. You're surprised Lucas even included it, until you get to the last part, which is a stat sheet on the new AUP three-stage thermobaric siege rifle. And a suggestion that since you're working for them on this, you should be able to requisition one.
Time limit: 3 weeks
[]Preparation: Transport
You've hiked across the Arctic once, and while Blan has forgiven that, he's never forgotten. Not surprising, since he's your dedicated bed warmer, and the Arctic lacks both beds and warmth.
Rewards: Blan doesn't get annoyed.
[]Preparation: Collection
Getting prototype weaponry released to an independent contractor with no expectation of getting it back (you have a bit of a reputation) is a hard sell. It'll take Lucas a week, but why else would take the contract?
Rewards: Collection piece, Contract rewards +1 Sniperness
[]Execution: A bullet to kill an idea
Eh, might as well. You've never killed science, so that should make it worth it. Even if Blan will be annoyed, and you don't get sweet toys.
Rewards: 4 Evilness, 1 Sniperness
Holding on to a Hero
The Crusaders of Light are trying to free their leader Alexander Reichenbach from Australia's legendary cyber prison Tartarus. They're willing to pay a lot for help in freeing him. Others are willing to pay even more to see him dead. Since crusaders should be good guys, killing them should be Evil. And double crossing them even more so.
Time limit: 4 weeks
[]Preparation: Trust issues
Betraying someone properly means they have to trust you first. Time to earn their trust by working a few missions for them, and hitting all the talking points.
Rewards: Contract rewards +3 Evilness
[]Preparation: How to kill a Hero
Alexander isn't easy to kill. It's been tried before. Didn't stick. The Australians haven't figure it out yet. But then, you are better at this than Australia.
Rewards: He stays dead. Contract rewards +3 Sniperness
[]Preparation: Planned Betrayl
Pulling the whole thing off propperly will be complex, and the timing tight, but that's what seperates the amateur and the professional.
Rewards: The whole thing is just neater. Contract rewards +1 Sniperness
[]Execution: Holding on to a Hero
Well, you could just shoot him. Bit pedestrian though.
Rewards: 3 Evilness, 1 Sniperness
AN: As I wrote this, I realized that this quest is cyberpunk. Dunno how I missed that while thinking it up.
I couldn't think of a good way to fit in the outfit vote as it's own segment. Since this is my casual/relaxation quest, I left it as it is. It might work out like that in the future again. I already spend entirely to much time trying to get the French right. Well, at least I know it's wrong, and that I don't know enough to make it not wrong. How the hell did it even end up at 1.5k?
