I gazed down at my new arm. The bones weren't powdered but that just made the damage worse. The muscles and ligaments were absolutely demolished, eviscerated, and in some spots just straight up blended. So my only option was a brand new arm and a nanite solution that would fix and begin to recoat my bones in a Titanium-Tungsten-Aluminum alloy that would be flexible and strong enough to support both the new arm and hits like that in the future. I couldn't deal with the Syth skin eather so I have a new cool looking skeleton arm in a black alloy that was connected to my nerves system.
It was so weird to feel things with the arm cause it didn't come back with any lag or lack of feeling. I thought it be like going threw life with a glove on, but it's not. I could feel touch when Rebecca started fiddling with my new digits. I could feel the pain when she the pistol whipped me and when the Doc Michael scratched the metal with a scalpel. It was amazing how I near instinctively new my arms new strength. I could crush a metal cup with no problem dent the steel table and probably punch threw a concrete wall. But had no problem holding Rebecca's hand or not breaking a tea cup or can of soda. Funnier yet was the fact the arm was flame and water resistant up to 600 degrees and almost a 1/4 mile if water pressure. Best yet Rebecca promised to paint and add my signature Rose decal.
Why is that my signature decal? Because it's on my gun and I named my gun that. That's enough to lay claim apparently. But besides the increase in strength and the weirdness of the fence and control on an Instinctual level, my new arm was packing some serious upgrades. My arm now full Hardware was able to fit a second set of mono wire so I'm now rocking a Thermal and electric coated wires along with a deployable spike that can come out of the center knuckle gap or from my palm if my hand is set for a palm strike. That's because it's on a track in the forarm.
While it's only good for standing it does give me something for stealth if I ever went that way. Well besides my wires. But stealth wasn't really my thing I was much more likely to use it as a sneaky hidden weapon. Especially since I doubt it would have made it through Sasquatches armor. I doubt anything I could buy could. I'll need to get lucky with a roll and start buying Cyberware just to play with and experiment with.
Speaking about experiments I looked back at the choices for my rolls. I Slect the Arc Reactor since it seemed to have an off and on switch so I could definitely take it apart to learn how it works. But when it came to the weapons I took the sword. While I couldn't actually hold and use it at the moment I was hoping to learn how it works and maybe combine it with a custom Mono Wire. I mean it said it could cut between atoms allowing it to cut threw anything and have that be applied to my wire or a blade that I could use ment if I ran into more armor that thick again, that I could still be a threat. I really hoped that I don't have to deal with more and more adversaries with military hardware. With those both stored away I think about how I could use a place of my own. Preferably one with a work bench and plenty of space for fabrication units, work benches, and a proper net running chair. I wouldn't say no to a kitchen eather. I think about it for a minute before shooting Spark a message.
Harper: Do you know who to talk to about getting a new apartment?
Spark: ?
Spark: Bored of me already?
Harper: No Spark but I am kinda just mooching off you while we don't have labels. Don't want to be a burden.
Spark: You definitely aren't but if you get your own place I would have the room to set back up my Sex Swing and bdsm gear.
Harper: I could definitely help break those back in.
Spark: True or maybe me and Sasha will play with out you. Anyway I'll text your information to Capitán. He should have something for you.
Harper: Thanks!
I turn my attention back to Rebecca who was playing with my robot hand. Playing and stroking each finger and joint. Slowly intertwining her fingers and other my own. I gave her hand a small reassuring squeeze which seems to nock her out of the stupor she found her self in. I smile as my metal fingers intertwined with her own.
"I'm fine Rebecca and we will upgrade it. Remember my roses." I leaned in said whispering in a soft tone against her ear.
Her cheeks went red as her smile seemed to grow a fair bit. Her other arm rapped around my neck as she all but jumped in my lap. Before she could even speak Michael coughed into his hand. "Before y'all start any of that here are your immunoblockers not that you seem to need them. Take once a day as needed. And don't fuck in my chair."
With a huff Rebecaa grabs the bag with her free hand as she pulls me out of Doc Michael place. The night was slowly descending as we stepped out of his office and the rain was still coming down just as hard as before. I looked at Rebecca who still held my hand as we stepped out and started heading towards Sasha's bike. Her face was vibrant with a smile that could light up even the darkest parts of this city. With a sigh I rapped my arm around her pulling her into my side.
"You hungry you Demon?" I asked with a smile.
"Oh! Demons a new one like that a lot more then Minx or short stack. But yeah I could go for some grub. But driving anywhere in this rain is going to soak us and we just got dry." She bamused.
"Well Coyote Cojo is here in district and she serves real fish tacos and her homemade fries and chili leave me weak."
"Hum? Is it true the real way to a man's heart is his stomach?" Rebecca actually sounded worried about that for some reason.
"I don't know about that. Miss Welles and Gustov are two of my favorite places to eat here and Spark can't cook a lick. So personally no I much rather have someone I trust to have my back as a partner."
She looked really happy and broke away running towards the bike. "Come on I'm hungry!"
I smile as I jog to catch up. As I hop on behind her a call comes threw.
Capitan: This is Reyes. I had a friend reach out said you where looking to move out of her place?
My mind and heart ached as I looked at my account the entire payment from this last job went to my arm. Now I needed a place and wheels. I bite back in the pain to answer.
Harper: Yeah I'm looking for a place out here in Haywood. Also if you know anyone I can buy wheels from that would be appreciated.
Capitan: Kid I'm Reyes from Reyes Autofixer. When Spark said you were new I didn't realize that new. Any way I have a guy who's got a place in the Glen 80k a month. And just open up a computer or even your personal link and check out my auto shop page. We can get you anything on there and mod it how you want. Here the Details for the apartment.
A text message appeared in the corner of my vision and I read threw the details on the location. It was perfect for what I needed since it had plenty of room. I sent the money to Reyes link and I got the Ice and lock codes for the apartment.
It's about this time that Rebecca pulled off the road parking in the alleys over hang. I wasn't expecting to see Sasha leaning against the wall waiting for us with a Spark who looked done with the day.
"I hope you don't mind I invited Sasha who was with Spark." Rebecca smiled leading me toward the front door.
"Not at all. Hey guys guess who finally has a place if their own!"
"Holy shit really guess we know where we are crashing!" Spark spoke joyfully.
"Finally moving up in the world." Sasha said as we stepped in.
"Wait when? I was with you the entire time." Rebecca questioned.
I smile plopping down in one of the booths on the bottom floor, "On the ride over. Also totalled my ride again. So I'll probably start doing extra gigs to pay for a new one."
"The rent in your place set you back that much?" Sasha asked Concerned.
"Not really, I don't think so." Since the deal came threw a fixer I wasn't two worried about the rent being spiked too high. The curse mostly only affected those not in the lifestyle.
—-Time Skip—-
I woke up in the morning on a my new couch in my new apartment. Sasha was curled into my side like a massive cat while Spark was passed out sitting against the couch using my robot arm as a teddy. I turned my head to find Rebecca only to realize that I was using her lap as a pillow. Bottles of Arcos Rum and Brosive beer were thrown across my new floor.
I slowly untangled my self, deciding I could use some food and a piss. I walk into the bathroom to find a fairly nice bathroom with a washing machine and dryer combo a full shower and bath and a toilet with a Dubey. After doing my business and a quick shower I throw throw back on my damaged dress shirt and my vest.
I head out in search of food for me and the girls. Stepping out I can tell why this place was so expensive with the view it had or the fact the window was bulletproof and could change its tent. It also had plenty of space for my work. But the price was going to be a problem if I didn't keep up with Gigs.
As I walk towards a market I hear a commotion to my right. I see a couple of dead Valintinos on the ground surrounded by some Tiger Claws who were seemingly trying to kidnap a goth girl. A pretty Hispanic goth girl that I've seen at Coyote Cojo enough to know is one of the Valintinos heads little sister Luna. A blonde girl with only some Subdermal armor and the basic wetware. She was still 80% ganic including a pair of big brown eyes that like usual where surrounded by purple eyeliner and eyeshadow. She was probably around my age but her body guards usually kept her from talking to me. Sadly they looked kinda dead.
"Well a gang war could lower property taxes." I said as I start walking towards the Claws. "But if that was true," I realized i forgot my pistol as I go to reach for it, I don't break stride as two sets of mono wire unfurl from my CyberSkelton arm, "rent would be dirt cheap all ready."
"What?" One turned toward me raising his katana. The dam thing wasn't even made of metal just polymer. "You have a problem? What did you say?"
I tilt my head as I wave my hand, "The dead don't speak." His head tombled from his shoulder as the two wires cut through him.
His friends face died with a look of horror as he barely realized his friends fate before I sent him to his own death. The next two raise their hand guns and begin shooting. Their aim is terrible what I doesn't smash into my vest miss me entirely. Not that their Unity's would even scratch my Subdermals but the fact that at sub 30 feet they missed as many shots that hit me and that all the shots that hit only hit senter mass was disappointing. My hand lashed out the two wire flying like whips cutting threw the barrels and then their wrist. I rush forward as they scream my electric wire winding in as I catch the other end of the thermal. I use the wire catching the guy on the right rapping it around his other wrist and neck pulling him into the line of fire from the last three guys. One was still fighting with Luna to get her in the Van but the other two raised their DS1 Subs and let rip. The meat shield died and became useless very quickly. His body only really giving enough cover to let the rounds stop again my own Subdermals. The guy who I was holding friend who was also missing his hand died in the hail of bullets. No owner among thieves or gang goons apparently. As soon as they click empty I'm in motion. My wire cuts threw what's left of my meat shield and rockets out cutting threw the gun hand ans digging a deep gash in his chest. I sprint forward as the wire retracts I lunge forward swinging a haymaker into the other guys face. Apparently like most of us he not rocking military grade or high tear armor as his chrome jaw is knocked clean off his head. He stubbles back a cry of pain leaving him as my spike deploys and I slam it threw the roof of his mouth. Now the only two claws alive are the one not moving still holding a panicked crying Luna and the one bleeding out from a cut that nearly reached his hear and lungs. I pull the spike from the Tiger Claws head picking up his DS1 I fire a quick bursts into the dieing ones chest as a mercy kill.
"So hears the deal let the girl go." My instruction clear and simple. And seeing this as maybe his only chance releases her. She runs up hiding behind me a man she's never actually talked to. I give him a nod before raising the submachinegun and emptying the mag into his chest and head. I toss the gun away taking out a handkerchief and cleaning the spike before letting it claps back into my right arm.
As I survey the area and the carnage I can't help but wonder why Luna hadn't called her brother or why none of her bodyguards had. I slowly approached the vehicle to find a laptop and a jammer. I quickly scroll through the laptop to find that they planned to have a scrolling implant put into Luna and then make her a cybersyco after Torturing and gangbang her. The footage of her going cybersyco and killing Valintinos would be used by Jimmy Kurosaki in his Edgerunners series. The rest of the footage of what lead up to that would be sent to her brother. I snapped a few pictures of the Tiger Claws Plans. It seemed the ring leader for this gonk ass plan was Jotaro Shobo. After getting all the information I turn towards the jammer. It could be useful down the line so I just shove it in my pocket space. I turn back and see Luna crying next to one of her bodyguards. "Luna you can call your brother now. Tell him your with a merc named Harper based out of the Glen and if he wants my information to ask Padra."
"They killed Ricky and the others so easily yet you butchered them like they where nothing." She whispered eyes full of tears.
"I had the drop in them just like they probably had in you and your guards. Now I still need to grab some groceries."
Her head snapped towards me and yelled demanding, "How are you so calm?"
"I don't know them. I don't know the people I just killed. I do know that if they kidnapped you and the fighting was in the Glen it be bad for my new apartment and my ideas going forward."
"So what we where just a quick stop on your coffee run?" She was confused you could her it in her words but to me she eas just asking the same question again.
"Yes. Now come on I'm going to see if this markets got and Syth Real Meat or if I'm making a vegan breakfast."
—-Time Skip—-
As I walked in with my groceries and the still raddled Luna it was to the TV blaring some anime call Draging Baller GT that Spark and Rebecca seemed glued to. Sasha on the other hand was sitting at my new terminal looking threw the security of the place. Something I haven't even done after buying it yesterday. No one even noticed as Luna sat down at the bar and I put away the food.
I new after having gone about my business and the fact that I just spent near 2400 eddies that me being covered in blood and my curse wasn't helpful. So i bought a new button up shirt a deep grey one with purple flowers like a mutted Hawaiian shirt. I took a nother quick shower and put on the shirt and decided I hated it. But with my usual shirt in the was with my vest I was stuck in this monstrosity.
Upon my return to the kitchen all of the girls where at the bar talking about what happened. So with Luna explaining I just went a head and started cooking. A fresh probably poisonous fish from pollution plenty of salt and some rice one of the few things that grows that's not made in a lab. As I was winding down cooking I felt someone smack me turning back with a frown I saw Rebecca standing there flanked by the girls.
"What was that for?" I asked with a humph.
"You where told by Michael two days no work no hard movements! And not even 24 hours and you killed 6 Tiger Claws?" Rebecca yelled the question loud enough that if my place wasn't sound proof the neighbors would have heard.
"What was I spose to do I left Rose here and she's one of the Valintinos higher ups sisters I don't want my new place in the middle of a gang war."
"While that's a fair point you should have woken one of us up to go with you." Sasha pointed out.
"I'm a big boy and I'm fine."
"But you could have not been!" Spark shouted.
"But I am! If I thought for even a moment I couldn't handle the situation I wouldn't have gotten involved."
The three stared me down before they growled and grabbed some of the food leaving ack to their previous activities. I turn to grab some for my self only to see that they took all the fish leaving only some of the steamed rice. I nearly cried after that.