Seras
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Ghost in the City: Early Chapter 217
🕑 Added 2025-03-14 15:10:14 +0000 UTCI’d hung out with Malcolm for a while, but we eventually split up as it was getting late.
Giving me time to look over my updates.
Quick Hacks skill level up!
1 Perk Point Gained.
This was big all on its own. I’d finally managed to get Quick Hacks to 10. That last level up from 9 to 10 was really a slog, but I’d managed it.
The feeling of surety in how to twist and alter Data on the fly felt surreal. What was a Quick Hack, but a long hack already programmed and ready, why not alter some variables when needed on the fly?
It was a big jump, but as always the perk was even bigger.
Level up achieved!
One Stat Point Gained.
One Skill Point Gained.
I had leveled up once after killing so many Daemons.
Dozens of the things had been spawned in that Server, it wasn’t quite as crazy as that first Server that Yoko had tossed me into, but it was still an excellent spot for some practice.
I’d have to see if I could go through it solo at some point. Sure, balancing defending against Daemons, and clearing server fortifications like that Moat room would be a bit more than normal, but it was still just a server.
Most importantly though, I needed to choose with my Stat point. Aaaah! It was always so hard to choose! I wanted more Adaptation for my Sandy, and I wanted more numbers for everything else!
I sighed and just looked at Intelligence.
It was probably the best choice. Start getting some real specialty with Netrunning, especially since Sasha had asked me to join in her little challenge.
Honestly, I did want to impress Lucy. Although she was probably my superior in netrunning. Ugh. She probably wouldn’t be using her deep dive port, but the girl was trained to dive beyond the Blackwall. She would be scary to deal with.
I sighed and just decided. Pushing the point into Intelligence.
I startled as I heard a negative tone and then looked at my Intelligence still at 14…. Wait.
Intelligence 14 (14) Due to Cyberization, Maximum value has increased by 4.
“Ah.”
I was already maxed out without more cyberware…
I forgot.
Looking around I relaxed, driving through Night City meant no one had just seen me do something so stupid.
Ugh. Okay, so should I go get something new to pump my Intelligence Cyberization, or just start leveling another Stat? Or I could put another point into my Sandy…
I sighed, I really should focus on getting my netrunning up. I closed the stat page as I was at a red light and made a call.
Kid everything alright?
Hey Vik, everythings fine. I’m on the lookout for something. You know of any good Ram Upgrades, or something? I’m getting ready for a netrunner challenge in a week, and I want to boost myself as much as I can.
The light changed and I started driving.
I don’t have anything in stock, nothing that would be compatible with your netdeck. Let me put out some calls, for my favorite customer I’ll see what I can do.
Thanks Vik. I’ll try to look around as well, if you find something let me know?
Sure kid. Talk to you soon.
See ya!
I changed my calls as I drove through the city.
Motoko?
Hey Hiromi, I need some new cyberware, I already asked Vik about it, and he’s looking around, but I’m looking for a Ram Upgrade.
Oh! Okay, let me see. I have a list of Rippers that we worked with last time, I’ll ask around.
Okay just don’t promise anything right away unless it’s really good. I have Vik looking too.
Don’t worry Motoko! I won’t let you chip in some scop chrome! Just give me a minute! Bye!
The call closed and I couldn’t help but chuckle, as always Hiromi was so energetic.
Alright that gave me time to look at the last reward.
The perk.
Quick Hacks 10, it honestly felt amazing to reach. An offensive skill finally reaching 10.
The list of perks as always was long, and I browsed through them as I drove, as I parked, as I rode the elevator up, as I flopped on the couch.
There were a lot of amazing options, but I had to pick just one.
Ninja Hacking: Learn how to slip hacks below notice.
The perk’s knowledge flooded me, and I had to stop for a moment and just close my eyes to process.
Mostly because it was just full of mathematics, and ways of thinking. Netrunning wasn’t a science really. There was an art to it. An understanding of how to insert a program to get the longest amount of time before it was noticed, ways to bypass human perception, and more.
It was all one more step to being able to Laughing Man anyone I came across. I was getting closer to being able to truly alter someone's sight in real time, closer and closer to simply being a Ghost.
Hopefully Vik or Hiromi would get back to me soon.
—--
Despite having spent all day active on the net, my body didn’t get the message and I felt antsy as I paced the apartment. Hiromi had only sent a single update text that she was working on a lead, so I didn’t want to just go to sleep.
The information from the new perk still flowed through me, I was processing it, but I couldn’t relax.
My pacing stopped as I headed into my room and pulled out Musashi’s Katana and headed back to the living room. Drawing the blade I slipped into the forms relying on instinct to swing the blade.
I’d need to make some adjustments to my quick hacks. While the perk was mostly knowledge of what I could do, there were things I now understood about netrunning that meant with a few tweaks I could make all of my hacks more stealthy.
I wonder if I could entice Yoko with an even more stealthy Ping? I’d already called my older Ping a stealth Ping, but that had been arrogant. I could make it even less impactful on a network, I could upload it right to the face of a netrunner protecting a network and they probably wouldn’t even notice.
Well unless it was someone like Yoko.
The fact was she was still better than I was, I still had heights to reach.
I stalled, my blade held for a cutting strike above my head as I held it. There was a moment, a stirring along the back of my neck, I shifted, adjusting to face the door and then it opened a moment later as Jun walked in stopping as he noticed me with my Katana out.
“Motoko?”
“Hey Jun.” I greeted back and lowered my Katana, shifting into a completely casual position “I’m feeling antsy.” I told him and he just nodded.
“Well, be careful in the apartment. I don’t want to explain to Fujimura-Sama why he needs to send someone to fix a cut in the wall.”
“I’d never! What do you take me for some sort of gonk, drawing a blade for the first time?”
“Yes.”
I narrowed my eyes and lowered my sword before pointing the sheath at him threateningly.
“Those are fighting words.” I said eyes narrowed, and he smirked, drawing his sheathed sword from his hip, pulling the blade out and laying it gently on a table near the door. I walked over and put my blade on the kitchen counter and then we both shifted. “Prepare to die.” I told him, and he snorted.
“Prepare to be humiliated.”
We charged and the sheaths smacked as we instantly fell into a rhythm.
“Foolish Nii-chan, you will be a good test for my progress!”
“Motoko… You’re embarrassing.” He told me to my face and I responded hotly, our ‘blades’ crossing and searching each other for weaknesses.
Jun was stronger. Annoying. But he was also more limited, his muscles, and strength were limited. Like a bodybuilder going for absolute gains, without realizing that he couldn’t even scratch his own back anymore.
I abused that, coming up from angles, where he couldn’t bring his strength to bear, and most importantly, I was just better than him.
I could taste his instincts, Jun had definitely been taught by Sensei, but I’d fought the entire Dojo.
I knew all the common motions and movements that sensei taught, and it was child's play to put Jun right into a position where suddenly I flicked up and his sheath was flying out of his hands.
“Hah! I’m invin-Hey!” I growled as he grabbed my wrist while I raised my hands in victory. “That’s a real bit-Eeeee!” I went flying as he spun, lifting me entirely off my feet and flung me like a ragdoll towards the couch.
I spun, shifting my angle and landed feet first spread out and staring right at him.
“No, that’s bullshit.” he grumbled pointing at my successful save. “How did you do that? I just threw you!”
“Motoko is a ninja, Nin nin.” I informed him, giving a big smirk and that only made him glare harder.
“Ninja my ass. Alright I’m done.” He went to grab his sheath and I stood up and wiped myself down to do the same, we both put our swords away and honestly I did feel a lot better!
—--
Thanks Vik. I confirmed, as my favorite ripper had found something. A Ram Upgrade that would be a solid upgrade. It wasn’t top of the line, and it wasn’t bottom of the barrel, but anything was better than nothing to be fair.
I pulled away from the couch where I’d been lazing around and sent a text to Hiromi.
Motoko: Vik pulled through, He found a Zetatech 6.5 RAM. It’s usable.
Hiromi: Hold on.
I blinked at the quick response, but Hiromi was going to Hiromi so I headed into my room to check some stuff. My Tachikoma project was doing well, I noticed. The little drone was wheeling around doing much better than it had when I first put it down. It still spent most of the day exploring my room, but that was fine.
Wandering around, I snatched up some equipment, grabbed my guns and such. Before stopping and grabbing a Katana.
I was so close! Just a little more and I could finally level it up!
Then I headed out, Jun was in his room napping so I left quietly and headed towards the elevator. I could go see Vik while I waited for Hiromi, probably go check out the RAM he found. I’d hate to find some scop shit from another ripper.
Just as I was unlocking my Quadra I got a call back from Hiromi.
Motoko! Okay listen! I just got a contact, someone is selling some really nice netrunning cyberware! A whole batch!
I blinked at how breathless she sounded coming through the agent, and then felt excited.
Really? Do you know what?
Somewhat, I got confirmation on some RAM, a Raven Micro RAM, T3716. She offered, and honestly?
I had no idea if that was good or not.
Whoa! That’s great Hiromi! Okay give me a second to check in with Vik, but I still want to check on this sale. Meet up?
Yes! Sending my cords!
I nodded, and ended the call as I jumped in. Sending Vik a message asking about the T3716
—--
I pulled up to find Hiromi waiting on the side of a road, obviously having just come out of a market area in City Central, and sliding into the passenger seat. She was practically bouncing showing how excited she was.
“I talked to Vik, he said the T3716 is top of the line. Way better than the RAM he managed to find. Great job. Thanks Hiromi.”
She sent me a big toothy smile, but then shook herself. “Don’t thank me yet, we still need to actually buy it…. Uh, the dealer is in Dogtown.”
“Fuck.” I grumbled, but I nodded and turned towards Pacifica.
“Yeah I know. But it’s a stand in the old stadium. I got confirmation they sell amazing stuff there, and they’ll be there today.”
“Alright. Well… We probably don’t need to call everyone.”
“We don’t. It’ll be fine. Barghest are focused on trying to make themselves official, they want things peaceful especially when it comes to trade.”
“Yeah yeah.” I grumbled, as I turned towards Pacifica. I still didn’t like it, but Hiromi just shot me a triumphant look and I had to shift my grumpy face to something accepting.
“Thanks Hiromi, I know I bug you all the time.”
“Pfft. My number one most trusted agent deserves the best of the best. How will I earn eddies, if my money maker doesn’t have what she needs?” She said completely straight faced and I had to shift to look at her before she started giggling.
“Funny.”
“I know! It’s fine Motoko. We make so many eddies, and this is a great experience. My classes at Arasaka are good but… They leave a lot of things out. Like making contacts on the black market.” She said and I heard her irritation. “Stupid formulaic classes. They tell you that having Black Market contacts can be useful, but don’t actually teach you how.”
“But you figured it out.”
“But I figured it out! It’s something I can put on my worker log. I’ve had some of the teachers pay a lot more attention to me after everything.”
“And that’s good?”
“It’s great! I’m actually treated as an important student. You remember Tomaru?”
“Uhhh.”
“You pulled your gun on him when he tried to touch you once. It was a while ago.”
“Yeah I don’t. Sorry.” I made the turn onto the freeway.
“Heh! No it’s better that you don’t. He used to cause me a lot of problems, thought he was hot shit, but the teachers actually stopped him from fucking with me after class.” She smirked. I could see it out of the corner of my eye as she told the story.
“Want me to kill him?”
“Nah.” She denied and there was a sinister edge to it all. “He isn’t worth it, and he’s below me now in the hierarchy, everyone knows it. His father is a bit higher than my parents, but now I’m above him from my own work. It’s made things interesting.”
“Well I’m glad classes are going well.”
“Yeah.” She trailed off, but I didn’t press. Hiromi had never really enjoyed her schooling. I think the only reason she even went is because of my urging her to go.
But if some shit lord corpo was fucking with my choom, I’d visit him and make sure that problem was nipped in the bud.
We made it to the massive wall around Dogtown, and went through their security with Hiromi handling the pass and then we were through. The badly maintained streets rumbled beneath the Quadra as we turned towards the old stadium. We found a parking space, and I locked up the Quadra and even activated the Tachikoma, just in case.
I wanted to know the moment someone stupidly tried to steal my Quadra.
I looked around double checking the wandering people around us, as I stuck close to Hiromi.
Hiromi didn’t seem to mind my presence at her side as I stayed close. At least she understood this place was dangerous even if she constantly argued the opposite.
We headed up the long stairs, past more than a few Barghest troops. Most of them were street kids dressed up like soldiers. New recruits instead of the original unit that had turned traitor and took over Dogtown.
Walking inside, I let Hiromi guide us, keeping a close watch on everyone that even walked near us. My eyes locked open, and hand on the Katana at my hip. I watched, ready and willing to cut down anyone that caused trouble.
No Cyberpsychoes jumped out of the woodwork, and no one tried to pickpocket, or worse.
It was just a normal trip through the stadium as Hiromi guided us to a corner where an old van had been parked. An actual van… I had no idea how it had gotten up here, there must be some sort of vehicle entrance down the way.
The side door was closed and resting against an old beach chair was…
A netrunner? I guess? It felt like someone trying too hard to appear to be a netrunner than anything. Netrunning suit, goggles, that were pulled up, and some older equipment, an actual external cyberdeck, a Zetatech Micromate if my quick scan told the truth.
“I’m Mitsunashi, here to see Koko.”
“Yeah?” The boy asked, his eyes flashing as he scanned over Hiromi, and looked at me. I just waited, letting it happen before he nodded. “Alright then chooms. Let me introduce you to the product.” He waved behind him, and the door opened. And inside, there was a lot of gear.
Cyberware hung from little hooks through the van, plastic bags sealed and hopefully secure. Either way I’d be doing a full clean before installing any of this.
I had a feeling I was dealing with a scav seller now.
“Good. I’d like confirmation on what we discussed.”
“Yeah yeah, Corp, I get you.” He grumbled, seemingly annoyed at Hiromi’s professionalism.
He stood up and stepped into the van, pulling a few packages off hooks more than what I had originally asked for, what was Hiromi up to?
Then he laid them all out and I looked it over.
There was the Raven Microcybernetics RAM. I looked over the package doing a quick scan, and it looked functional. “You wanted the T3716 right? Good shit right there. Real top of the line. Its former owner was a runner, got derezzed going up against corpo security, his chrome is going out to the public now with a bit of his anti-corpo spirit along with it… Or I guess if you’re corps, then you can do something good with his chrome, or whatever you corpo’s believe.”
“I’m not!” Hiromi started, but then just shook it off. “Motoko?”
“Looks good. Nothing on my scan shows damage.”
“Course not. I don’t sell scop, Hansen would flatline any dealer here selling like that. I pay good eddies for a space right here.” He grumbled at me, but I just nodded, uncaring about his opinion. As if that would stop him from selling me something not working if he could.
“And the other pieces?” Hiromi asked hesitantly, and I took a look away from what I had wanted to see what else Hiromi had found. The first that caught my eye was an Ex-Disk. Something I already had, but… Well mine was scop, literal trash I pulled from a Scav den.
This was another top of the line. Same company too. Raven Microcybernetics put out good equipment. It only took a glance over the cyberware to confirm they were functional. It… Yeah I wanted it.
I reached over and shifted the package on top of the other, then looked at what was left. Two packages and both…
Okay that was a good selection. I looked at Hiromi and she smiled as I gave her a nod in thanks.
“Is that Camillo?”
“Course it is.” The seller commented. “Top of the line!”
“Well, top of the line for stuff that isn’t super rare. It’s a RAM Manager, and not a Reallocator.”
“Pfft. If you think I’d be selling a Reallocator off the back of the van and not just calling up some top runners to bid it away you’re crazy.” He responded back and all I could do was chuckle along with him.
Fair enough. I looked it over. Camillo was not what I would call top of the line, but… It was functional, and it did what it said on the tin. More Ram, and a faster restore time. It meant more hacks, less heat.
I scanned it over, and once again everything seemed in order. Even the cords inside the packaging were individually wrapped so they wouldn’t cause any issue for the delicate cyberware.
I put it on top of the pile. This was going to cost me, but…
I looked at the last thing and… I put it on top as well.
Not as needed, but this was definitely a Hiromi thing. Self-ICE. Protection against quick hacks, at least somewhat. I’d have to check what sort of ICE it was using, and probably program in something even better. Something more personal, but it would give me automatic protection without me needing to constantly fend everything off myself.
Plus it also came with an additional bit of RAM.
Literally everything here did. My Arasaka Shadow had eight RAM, I’m used to an extra bit from my EX-Disk, but all of this equipment together? I’d probably be doubling the available RAM to work with…
I couldn’t help but think it was time to start installing some bigger hacks as well. I still had ‘that’ hack that Yoko had given me so long ago. She’d wanted to see what I could do with it, with my programming so far.
I put the other package with the others.
“Alright. Seems I got some interested customers! Let’s talk price!” The runner said with a smile, and Hiromi of course had her smile grow even larger as she stepped forward, nearly into the man's space as she went to work at what she was best at.
Comments
David Hoyt
I was reading along and saw Musashi’s Katana. Wtf? How could that even happen? A sword that never lost a fight? Fifty, sixty? The I remembered the scop missing his head. I had to laugh.
lizard King
Don't forget most full body conversions are for all intents and purposes. Custom jobs everybody's brain is slightly different and so requires different parameters to ensure stability. By the time motoko could actually get a Gemini her knowledge of cyberware should be at the point where any incompatibility she can modify the cyberware or the Gemini's software or frame and intern make it compatible. Motoko should get the schematics for a Gemini and just fun and practice mess with the design and to see any ideas for modifications will work. This will be fun and this is a theory of mine if she modified cyberware and use her own designs it reduces the adaptation cost. Due to the fact that the modification were created by her intern reduces the strain of the implant and a loss of humanity. Decreasing the adaptation cost.
Seras
Gemini can integrate most of Motoko's Cyberware. The big thing about Gemini and other FBC's is the transfer of the brain into the body, you can still modify the body and add cyberware into it. And yes, Motoko still plans on getting a Gemini at some point.
Nobody
Finally getting more cyberware. Is there even still a plan for M to get a Gemini at this point? It's starting to seem redundant with how much cyberware she'd have to lose.
Alex Moffatt
Sure, although reclaiming points is slow. I'm just amused that she's increasing her load when she should probably be worrying at reducing it.
Suls
Thanks for the new chapter!!
Mr Mouse
Jesus, if that's the case she'd probably leave it on, and just scramble the ID every so often; UberScavs, The xp comes right to you
Mr Mouse
I'm guessing Memory Wipe or System Collapse
Mr Mouse
Couple of things, first we've seen that she can reclaim adaptation points, second we know that adaptation rolls over between pieces (Though I don't know if she knows this), and third, numbers go brrr
Neixone
These are... some very good points actually. Mokoto should be able to run circles around some Netrunners already. So Yoko being just THAT much better could really be a sign for that theorie. Man, i love these Fanfics. And we haven't even hit the Story of the Game or Anime yet! This is gonna be very interesting..
Zevi
Another excellent chapter.
Kara Nina
Or something like this (this is football hooligan culture, but it could be done with gangs): https://youtu.be/MOj8h5Ptfu8?si=042zrmSS3HUR0Dsr
Kara Nina
You don't have to be 18 to hold hands, but yes I know what you mean.
Austin Thomas Burney
good job, love when our girl gets some upgrades.
Memory Dump
Post in thread 'Ghost in the City. Cyberpunk Gamer SI' https://forums.spacebattles.com/threads/ghost-in-the-city-cyberpunk-gamer-si.1046809/post-100673449
Bosparan
Oh right, did a re-read just now and this line might deserve some editing: > I put the other package with the others. Doubling up on "other" here. Maybe update it to something likes this: > I put the final package with the others.
Sup3r J4k3
Is anyone else starting to suspect that Yoko might be an AI? Matoko has already stated that as good as she is, Yoko is better. That might just be experience talking, but it could also mean AI/transhuman abilities... Iirc, non-net Yoko was described as kind of lifeless or puppet like. It's possible (if this theory is correct) that the OG yoko messed with something she probably shouldn't have and got taken over/assimilated into an AI creating the Yoko we know today. It was also stated that she doesn't mess with the Black Wall, which is another thing that a possible AI-in-hiding would do, because beyond the black wall is a land of 'eat or be eaten' (digital edition). Or I could just be crazy, that's always an option lol
Sup3r J4k3
I think they were feeling under the weather this time...
Fortunis
Interesting. I like that Motoko is upping her cyber game. With some new gear she's gonna be flashing Ninja Net Hacks all day long. I like that her net runner skills are mostly geared towards nasty stealth insertions while her programming is geared towards fuck you levels of dangerous programs 😆 🤣. This contest is gonna be fun to see.
Zeroingdark
Where other gremlin?
Zeroingdark
She could but it would likely come under attack and her especially. Scav’s are a state sponsored terrorist corp, or parts of them are. Especially in dogtown. Soviet AI overlord is suspected. ;)
Zeroingdark
I would agree here. Most of the cyberware she could build (at the moment) would take forever to match the current spec. I wont say she’s not able to make something but the corps have had what, close to a century, to come up with the current models. In that time, there likely would have been a few people i. The high teens working on that ware. Sure, the crash and corpo spycraft would have diluted it some but she’s not quite there yet.
STORRM
every GitC post is a good post
Lord JJ
Motoko what's more important better hacking that help you survive and thrive or looking cool cutting bullets out of the air?... Of course it's looking cool!!! Go grind Blades!!! (Loved the chapter<3)
Gilgamesh Archer
Thanks for the chapter!
W Maxwell Cassity-Guilliom
been obsessed with this cover of There She Is for months (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LC9T7NiwM_Y) it's such a fun rock/ska sound, and the lyrics would totally trip up Sasha after the past few chapters. I could see Hiromi also interpreting them some way after that one time she freaked out and hid. It could fit for Kiwi and Lucy actually, Kiwi might like it a lot and a BD of Motoko doing Jonny May's ragtime Ode to Joy (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0ws14FpDnY4) could go a ways convincing Judy and Rita she's not going cyberpsycho. you just can't play this song without experiencing sheer joy. I especially love the riff from 56s to 1:01
Bosparan
Thanks for another amazing chapter!
Cliff246
Yeah self ice is a bit weak typically, but in a stealth build it has capacity to nullify a net detection. If they start 'finding your location' it works great to prevent that
Esotericbill
Great chapter as per usual. The only complaint one could possibly have would be that we have to wait in between chapters.
Seras
I agree, but Self-ICE actually does com with extra RAM. So it's basically just a bit extra power with some defense.
Happy
Always found self ice to be kinda shit for a runner build tbh, especially stealth. I mean, other runners are the ones that’ll give you the biggest trouble when stealth running and if you pickup the perks that let you quick hack them back through walls and spread that quick hack you can just kill everything in the building with a suicide or something.
Happy
Nice.
Jens Mortensen
You know, I just struck me that she has the money to put out a commission for a server with the amount of deamons she wants
Konner Morris
Idk, I'd argue that he does not, simply because he gets 'easily' muscled out when Zetatech comes knocking. Vick has always been about minimizing risks, even at the cost of integrity(I.E working for Zetatech and their agents). Trying to get contacts, especially Dogtown ones is very risky, especially when NC and Dogtown are in the Cold War.
Apeljohn
Maybe not a Corp, but now I think about it I could imagine her packaging up the info on scav nests that she doesn't have time to see to personally and handing it to the SLS kids for exploitation in exchange for a share of the counter-scavving profit. Only problems are: a) As things stand, they'd all die. She'd need to brush off those plans from ages ago (which might have been in thread on SB not in the story?) to train the kids up to a minimum standard. b) Other people flatlining scavs means fewer numbers going brrrr. Le gasp!
Apeljohn
Pretty sure the Corpo cyberware has her beat in this space, if only because she lacks industrial precision machining tools. Even if she could squeeze out a fractional increase over the status quo, she'd arguably be better focusing on her netrunning and gadgeteering. Comparative advantage and all that.
Memory Dump
It was real
Apeljohn
The vibe I got was that the dealer probably had all his wares modded to broadcast your location to the scavs he works with. Which is the kind of thing that would kill most n00bs, and cause most netrunners to spit bile before moving on with their life. ...Unfortunately, trying it on Motoko just gives her a line on some extra XP. And putting Hiromi in the line of fire means they're gonna be given time to _regret_ their error. Possible first live-fire use of the Onryo quickhack?
Karma Anor
Section 9 needs some custom ICE packages. Something for everyone as standard with each member getting unique mods on top for their chrome. It’s a gift that protects their brains and could improve life expectancy if they keep their mouths shut. TFTC.
Findell
Huh no eyes? Should be checking dogtown for kiroshis.
matt
They're "not" dating because rules. You just have to know the truth in your headcanon until they're 18 lmao.
Cliff246
Although that is current patch and not when this took place. Still interesting
Cliff246
I know this is not the game but honestly this build is meta. It really pushes the advantage of the shadow. The shadow is quite 'weak' when it comes to everything but covert hacks. In that sense, since covert hacks are more spam a bunch at the same time on different targets. Ie sonic, ping and bait. In this sense actually having a ram manager/upgrade rather than the Camilo is better. Self ice allows you to switch to loud mode as it prevents you from being hacked once(also protects against net detection). Ex disk just helps more with ram and upload speed. This is a very good 'stealth' build
Kara Nina
I'd assume the same. You need fixer, gang leadership or corpo connections and as good as Vic is as a Ripper he doesn't run in those circles and has no desire to do so either. There just aren't many people Vic knows that get good and rich enough to be able to buy them since he isn't connected to any bars/clubs, gangs, fixers or corps.
matt
Been thinking this for a bit, but I'm surprised she hasn't already started designing her new arms and legs. Like, early, first iterations at least. Always love a trip to dogtown.
matt
Bluntly speaking, Vik doesn't need top of the line because he doesn't move it. He installs on poor folk. Still got the contacts of course, for weirdos like motoko.
Kara Nina
True
Hangwind
I wonder if Motoko should set up a Corp to fight the scav problem...
Alex Moffatt
Motoko: wants to install a prototype Sandy known to cause cyberpsychosis. Also Motoko: rather than spending her free stat point to improve her adaption, she buys a bunch more cyberware so that she can spend it somewhere else.
Kara Nina
Goodies! But also: Motoko absolutely not being in love with Hiromi without noticing herself is adorable. She's even acting like a concerned girlfriend.
Bruno Harvey
Gotta love a girl's day out to go shopping
Straven
God I loved this chapter! People thought she's bad enough as is wait till she doubles her ram and worse starts playing with the mystery hack we still don't know what it is....but remember the statement - yeah that's not something you want every script rat to have- or something! Thanks for the delightful read seras!!!
Cliff246
She's a bit on the high end of cyberware. If people know she has a shadow that's like literally one of the best netdecks. She's Someone you need a tank to beat and probably more. Unlikely unless someone has ridiculous balls.
Garrett Cannon
Guys let admit the sibling fight is a goated add-on to any chapter. so down for it
Duke of Coffee
It gives readers ideas what is going down with Hiromi that sidestory would be good. 😜
Seras
Well find out next time on "Someone pisses off Motoko real bad, and she shows them why that's a bad idea."
Seras
Vik does have a lot of connections, but for the best of the best top of the line gear, he doesn't usually work with that sort of stuff. Also most of the best stuff is in Dogtown, and Vik doesn't have many connections there. IMO.
Garrett Cannon
we can only hope that motoko can leave an impression in dogtown and get another rumor going. Also isnt her cyberware mostly normal with some high end goodies. she would make a crazy target for scavs maybe even malestrum would be tempted.
Garrett Cannon
amazing chapter very slice of life but im amazed Vik doesnt have some serious sellers for cyberware. Seras have u done some drafting for the lucy vs motoko netrunner challenge? Wonder if it will be who can get into a server first kind of thing
That Warden
"You know about the Blackwall? Well that's my ICEwall.....what's with that look? It's not funny!"
Aclys
she was at home and training with her sword to work through the perk upload, well that and hitting 10 in quickhack. Got that done before she left the home I think.
Aclys
Well recall in edgerunners, Lucy and Kiki already joined up with Maine's crew, this challenge-off between netrunners, Sasha vs Kiki by way of their respective apprentices, Motoko and Lucy, Should line up more or less with the time frame in which those two joined Maine's crew originally. Maybe delayed by a little since finding a new netrunner with Sasha still alive isnt as urgent. Still, it shouldnt be more than half a year at most till the EdgeRunner events kick off.
JTP
Awesome, can't wait to see what she can do with the upgrade.
White Neko Knight
I'm excited to see what Motoko calls her ICE. I can see her being nerdy when naming it.
Carl Jarrett
Thanks for the chapter, sibling fights are fun
PlasmaticPi
Good chapter but I hope they run into some kind of trouble on the way out. I mean a couple teenage girls with expensive purchases and a nice car in Dogtown? Way too tempting a target for someone.
Andrew Bazhaw
Nice.
Seras
Correct! I'll fix it here soon.
Seras
A month or two.
Kasper Lynderup Jensen
It looked like some editing that didn't remove the old version.
Tristan Howard
No no she pulled her couch out into traffic you see.
Mr Mouse
If she dumps a point in Programming, has Vik do the install, dumps another point and then sleeps for a full heal, she could dump a point into her Quick Hacks for 5 days, and then grab Breach Protocol 15 on the day of the challenge without overstraining her 1 point per day limit; Bonus it'd give her 5-6 days to redo her programs, speed up her passive programming (The stuff she does while out and about, away from her laptop), and if we're very lucky might just score her level 15 Perks, although if that's the case I'd grab Breach 15 before starting the dump on Quick Hacks Either way, numbers go brrr, Motoko goes HAM, brain goes yay, TFTC
Duke of Coffee
Motoko gets moar Cyberpunk Netrunner upgrades which is 👍. Heh Sibling fight.
THE SAVAGE KITTY
New chapter, Thank you, our lord and Saviour edging Queen Seras Sama
Rake1810
Loved the chapter, thanks!
Apeljohn
I have a fuzzy recollection of reading a Hiromi Quest negaverse omake. Was that real or did I dream it?
Dwayne Parker
Motoko is me at the grocery store; I only came for one thing, I swear!
Dangit889
Yes! Some much needed upgrade for our Ghost in the Shell.
ThorneHawk
Thanks for the chapter! One fix, you have her getting home twice: ...I browsed through them as I drove, as I parked, as I rode the elevator up, as I flopped on the couch. Followed later by ...I pulled back out into traffic and headed home
Thawsta
That jun interlude is going to be funny
Jason Hu
Some upgrades incoming
Jørgen
Finally more, I love it, but I would also like more because I love the whole story. So Thanks for creating something that my mind finds just too interesting to wait for more, which makes me hunger for more all the time. :D
intata
Love how Hiromi's political moves are just background information 😂
Antony Wilson
Love the update
Green0Photon
So when is she gonna realize that natural unmodified human bodies are just nature grown cyberware on a different operating system? Should be possible to just become invisible by hacking biology.
Andrew Bazhaw
Thanks for the chapter. I don't know what you got planned for the story but do you know how close we are to the beginning of EdgeRunners and saving David's mother?
Danny R.
Thanks for the chapter!
Adam
TFTC
Dale
That's right Hiromi! Skin him and have him thank you for it.
MrMarauder
I think she was already home before she chose the perk? Because she rode the elevator and flopped on the couch. Means she didn't need to pull over to take in her new perk knowledge or pull back out into traffic. I think?
Meaning Yellow
Numbers go brrrr!
heh
Very fun one! Love me some prep and slow progression
Robert Apgar
1st to comment uselessly but 3rd to like
Aaron Greene
Yay!
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