Chapter 11

  "Oh having a tail its great and all. But it does bring some troubles." - A comment from a samurai fan forum.

  -2051

  Jack's PoV

  It had been four hours since Evan went in to that coffin. A coffin of all things for his upgrades. I sighed as I went back to reading my book as the door to the infirmary opened and someone stepped inside. I just turned the page of the book as someone spoke from my right. "No change yet?" I looked up to see Ginette standing there. I shook my head “No nothing yet. Quite sure we'd know if something was wrong though.” I said putting a book mark in to the book before closing it. “I still wonder why you like those old school kinds of books. You know it would be cheaper and easier to just get the digital versions right?” She said and I just chuckled a bit. “It is about the feel of the book and to have something to do with your hands more than reading” I responded then the sound of a hiss could be heard and there was movement behind the dividers.

  Ginette turned and started walking towards the opening in between two of them. “Oh finally done. We have had a few more groups and those turrets! You missed something let me tell yo-...” She stopped eyes wide. I moved closer only for her to turn and put a hand on my chest “Oh no you are not going around that corner.” She said as we could hear some boxes dropping to the floor. “I was just going to head over and see how he was doing. It can't be that bad can it?” I asked. She just gave me a look before pushing again. “Not bad. But go and sit down will you” She then followed her own advice as she went to sit down. I sighed and went back.

  It didn't take look until there was movement and one of the dividers were pushed aside. Revealing a young woman with somewhat large white lynx ears tufts in a soft cyan, the ears moved a bit as if she heard something. That lead to her long white hair with highlights the same cyan colour as those tufts. But what did catch me a bit off guard were those glowing eyes, a soft almost glow in that same cyan as the highlights of her hair. The effect of it was almost made eerie by the pale skin and the admittedly face. “Who?.. Wait Evan?”

  Rafaela PoV

  Waking up with a strange screen in front of my eyes with the text 'operation complete' caused me to blink a bit. Then I'd slowly looked around and realized that this wasn't my bed. Before remembering what had happened hours earlier. “So.. Not a dream” I said my voice a quiet and a bit higher pitched then I was use too.

  Morning Rafaela. Or rather afternoon. If you are feeling a bit confused that will fade in a moment, it is one of the side effects of using these beds for the kind of change you went through. But! Good news. it seems a few more packs moved against this place as you were out. So!

  Points earned from equipment: 75

  New total: 154 points

  Shaking my head a bit as a smile grew on my face. “That.. Would have made things worse, if I was more confused you know.” Something clicked somewhere and I looked around to see what it was as my ears flicked and swiveled a bit to find the sound. At that I blinked again as I reached up to feel something very fluffy and then something moved to the side of me. “Oh.. These are soft.” I said as I looked over to see the end of a tail and I could swear that it had a soft glow as I lay there in the mostly dark enclosed space. “And.. Fenris? What is it that I'm hearing quite sure this thing was silent before” I asked looking around once again.

  Oh yes! That thing you are hearing is just the equipment used settling in place. Your current hearing quite improved. You might be able to hear things through some doors and around corners from further away. And your new ears can move almost 240 degrees. And you will find that you will be quite a bit more stable on your feet as well because of both the ears and tail.

  I nodded. Then stretched my legs a bit. “Now then I'm I ready to head out. If we have had more antithesis attacks. They might need some help. And honestly.. I might be a bit low on points” The screen in front of me changed showing a view from the street slowly scanning from one side to the other.

  As you can see the street outside is currently clear there is no need to hurry just yet. Because we need to talk about something quite important! New armor. Your old one is a bit to short for you now. So I will recommend a few things. As you already have the light armor catalog and Moonstakers technologies. I can offer you the Special Purpose Enhanced Combat Thermal-treated Reactive Ensemble mark II. It is a collection of items from arm knee-pads, elbow pads finger-less gloves and a combat vest from the Moonstalker's technologies, for 70 points. New boots I recommend the Scouts best friend. It is a pair of combat boots that won't make much sound when you move for 25 points, then some cargo-pants with a belt a t-shirt and some underwear including socks. All for an other 4 points. I will hold delivery until you are out of the bed.

  I nod slowly. “That sounds reasonable.” I said then moved my hand to my face “Hey Fen.. My face shape is quite different will my mask still fit?” I asked just before the lid hissed and slowly slid open above me, and I had to shield my eyes from the light.

  Oh your face mask will quite easily still fit. It can adjust it self a bit. And! New purchases:

  1 x Special Purpose Enhanced Combat Thermal-treated Reactive Ensemble mark II – 70 points

  1 x the Scouts best friend – 25 points

  1 x Set of assorted earth clothing Unmatched quality -4 points

  New total: 55 points

  My ears move a bit as I hear two people speaking not too far away and someone walking in what sounds like a hallway. Slowly lowering my arm from my eyes I start to pull myself out of the boxy bed. Half way out I can see Ginette step in towards the opening as she spoke “Oh finally done. We have had a few more groups and those turrets! You missed something let me tell yo-...” She froze in place eyes going wide as she took me in. I blinked slowly and opened my mouth to respond only for her to turn around and reach her arm out taking a step away from the opening. “Oh no you are not going around that corner.” She said to someone and I shrugged as I jumped out and boxes appeared around me.

  Grinning I ignored what sounded like Jack responding something as I leaned down to open up the first box. To find the promised under things. Pulling them on then reaches for the next box. I opened a messaging app in my augs. 'Fen why do these come in separate boxes?' I type out. Within the next box were a pair of black cargo-pants with gray pockets and a belt in a soft cyan colour with a white belt-buckle. Pulling them on they fit perfectly. Then moving on to pull out the promised t-shirt, and to my surprise it was white and had a familiar logo to it. It was a head wearing a dark hood only things seen within the hood were a pair of eyes glowing in an eerie soft cyan along with that white skeletal grin, the area above the hood that used to be blurred out I could now see a pair of white lynx ears with cyan coloured tufts. Pulling it on then looking towards the last two boxes. 'You planned for those ears all along didn't you' wrote in the message on my augs

  Well I could have sent it all in one box that is true. But you really should have seen your ears when you saw the boxes. Actually! Let me show you! And I don't know what you are talking about.

  As Fen spoke a window opened up in my augs showing myself from the angle of the open boxy bed, and my ears would go stiff when the boxes appeared only to give what could only be a happy little wiggle. As I saw this I could feel my cheeks getting heated. 'I could have lived without knowing that' I sent as I reached for the box that could only contain my boots. Opening it I found a simple pair of combat boots.

  Pulling them on they did lace themselves I then took the last box opening it to pull out a chest plate that in a soft gray with black lines in between interlocking metal plates. And on the sides of it were some white simple pouches and bags. Just as I was about to say something about it not having any glowing bits. The black space between the plates pulsed softly not bright enough to be easily seen. Shaking my head I pulled it on and it fit perfectly as I closed up its side. Reaching down I took my grenadier's bag and tossed it over my head letting it rest on my left side as I moved the rifle to hang within reach from the bag. Lastly I took the mask and moved it over my head, making sure that my hair didn't get caught up to let it rest against my neck, taking the gloves and pulling them on.

  Stepping around the divider I saw Ginette and Jack waiting. Jack stood there mouth hanging open as my ears twitched softly as someone dropped something outside the room. After shaking himself a bit. “Who?.. Wait Evan?” he asked and I tilted my head to the left my right ear standing up and flicking softly. “Well yes? I will not going by that name anymore.” I said left eyebrow raising a bit. “I take it Louis didn't tell you I might look a bit different?” I asked

  Jack blinked slowly before speaking. “A bit? You are not only almost two heads shorter then before but..” He motioned to myself in an up and down manner. “That's more then a bit you look completely different.” He then sighed. “But good to see that you got out of that thing. Its been a few hours. Some of us started to get worried.” I nodded at his words. “Well I am a bit shorter. That shouldn't be a problem. And I do go by Rafaela now.” I said before shrugging “And I said I wasn't sure about myself didn't I?” I asked and he nodded. “And you look great! Must say that I love the tail” Ginette said as she elbowed Jack in the side. He then nodded quickly. “Oh yes that and you said something like that.”

  Oh this is starting to get a bit awkward. Remember the plan. Getting more points and all. Might need to tell them about that.

  Blinking twice I then nodded. “Oh well this is me now. So! I might need to head out again. You know doing the actual samurai thing and taking care of the weeds running around out there.” I said and Jack and Ginette nodded. “That sounds like you already have a plan or are you just going to head out?” Jack asked as we started to walk to the door. Ginette opened it and took the lead followed by Jack, When I went through the door I could feel my tail brushing up against it. Quickly moving it out of the way before it got caught in the door. I turned and looked at the long thing with its slightly fluffier tip. “That.. Was close and Fen.. Why is this tail so long? Didn't you say they were similar to lynxes and bobcats?” I asked as I did Jack looked at me again as I smiled. “Just talking to the voice in my head” I said as two gang members walked past us staring at me. Ginette waved them off.

  Ah you mean the fact that the mostly gone animals have very short tails? Well the Moonstalkers found that they got more out of a long tail balance and cybernetics wise. But notice how the tip of the tail is slightly fluffier. That is a reminder of the old tail, Even if its just slightly thicker fur.

  I nod as we get to the doors leading outside. Not much had changed out here since I went in to get the upgrades. A few members were walking around or sitting down for a quick rest as some were still up on the walls. I walked up besides Jack. “So things have been that calm? That this many could be pulled off the walls for rest?” I asked and he nodded. “With those turrets we can afford to have people resting close by. They give us a fair bit of time to react and get up there” He responded as we were heading towards the wall. I pulled the mask up over my lower face, once it was in place it started to glow with its usual pattern. “So my plan is simple. I don't have one.. I need more information on where the enemy is and how many so.. That's my plan.. I will head out and sneak about starting with checking that walk way that someone mentioned that leads over the river.” I said as we got to the gate.

  Jack frowned. “I will get the group ready. And we will join you” He said but I shook my head. “I think that I will head out on my own for this one. It might not be the safest option for myself but” I said motioning around us. “It is the safest option for the people here. Any suggestions on where I should aim to head to after the bridge?” I asked and Jack nodded. “I won't argue with you that we need all the people we can here. As for where to go after the bridge. There are two gates in the inner walls one leading north the other west. We have safe houses near both places. And something did cut our contact with the north one. The west one managed to lock themselves down behind heavy steel doors with a group of people from the area. So head to the northern one its in an old library building quite hard to miss as the building itself looks misplaced and our mark is painted on its side.” He said then motioned for the gates to open for us. “And Ev-.. Rafaela. Stay safe” He said as I started walking out the gate. “I will do my best. Oh and tell the others how I look now so I don't get shot when I return.” I said with a wave, grabbing my rifle I hold it in front of me as I walked.

  You could be reading stolen content. Head to Royal Road for the genuine story.

  After having walked up the road leading the other way. One side of the road meeting a wall the other having rows of buildings that was in surprisingly good condition for the undercity. My ears moving on top of my head picking up the different sounds of the empty streets. The hum of neon-signs the dripping of water somewhere off in the distance. “Now I will have to find that bridge.. It's a sky bridge if I remember correctly so.. Likely connected to a building.” I said mostly to myself.

  Correct. If I had to guess it will be one of the old shopping centers that was built just before they started the construction of the outer walls. It should be easy to spot if you get down to the river and just follow it.

  “That was my plan.” I said my tail moving slightly with every step I looked over my shoulder at it. “And why does that move like when I walk?” I asked as a sound of something being dragged reached my ears from up a head down a side street. Reached down to pull out a shaker as I got closer to the corner and peeked around it. There I could see a pack of four model 3's dragging what looked like bag of fertilizer towards an alley way. With one motion I tossed the shaker it landed with a soft bounce before rolling to a stop half way between me and them. “Fuck.. Too short” I swore under my breath as they turned towards me.

  The first of the model 3's dropped the bag and rushed towards me as I stepped around the corner to aim at it. Its three-hinged jaw opening only for it to run in to the area of the shaker and get slammed in to the ground as the street got lit up over and over again by the pulsing light. The other three had been a bit slower but were now coming at me but seeing the first one get slammed in to the ground over and over again they spread out. Two going right one going left. The one that went left did end up with two legs with the range of the shaker that tripped. The other two came at me at full speed having avoided the grenades effect. Raising my rifle and aiming allowing the aim assist to do its thing before pulling the trigger killing the first of the two coming from the right with one shot. Then moving to aim at the other one as it got closer fast, not having the time to let the assist do its thing I fired five shot first hitting the Model 3's shoulder the next two missing and hitting an old mailbox behind it the next one hitting it in the leg causing it to stumble and get hit in the head.

  Starting to lower my rifle as I look over to the left only to see three-hinged jaw split open as the Model three that had stumbled was jumping at me. I tried to side step it but it was too close. Managing to just evade the bite as it slammed in to me tackling me to the ground. My tail flicking to the side as it tried to keep me from falling and ending up getting pinned between my back and the street shooting pain up my spine. I moved my rifle so that it was pressed in against the model 3 and fired more then a few times only stopping when Fen spoke up.

  Its dead! You can stop shooting. And you really need to get better at shooting I would offer a training program but the cheapest one of those is 800 points. So its not an option now. And would take a few hours to become fully function-able.

  Slowly lowering the rifle and laying my head down on the street panting softly. “FUCK! That hurt!” I shouted as the tip of my tail twitched a bit beside me. I then look to the very dead Model 3 that's half on top of me. I then slowly push it off so that I can get up. Slowly getting to my feet I look to the plant that just tried to eat me and kicked it in the side once.

  It might have hurt but nothing is broken. So all the damage is just bruising and some light cuts.

  But you did get yourself some points so it wasn't a total waste

  Enemies eliminated

  4 x model 3 = 40 points

  new total:95 point

  Taking a few deep breaths to center myself. I can feel my ears half pinned back and tail lashing behind me. “That.. Is good” I said through my teeth as I started walking again taking a wide path around the corpse of the first model 3 as it was being pulled down in to the ground a few more times before the grenade stopped. Walking up to the corner and looking around I could see an other road and a few old cars that looked like they had been there since the late 2020's along with the old streetlights and along the walls of the old apartment buildings holographic ads were playing on repeat for everything from cheep food to stores selling less legal stuff. That's when I paused. “Fenris.. Why are the ads still playing down here? Didn't the city pass a law that they would stop and display maps to the closest shelter during incursions?”

  They did pass that law two years ago and all holo-ad boards that are connected to the new Tucson net do have that function. It does seem however that the ones in the undercity connected to the old Tucson net wasn't updated with that feature. Oh and you have been getting all kinds of pings for the last few minutes for popup ads, I have been blocking them.

  I just sigh and shake my head as I move the rifle up to my shoulder to be ready to use it like I had seen the others do when we went for the bridge. Turning my head as I scanned the area for movement. Nothing happened as I went down the street. Then I got to the road that went along the river heading up to the left wall I took a look around the corner not hearing anything other the sounds of the undercity. A large building two buildings down had an old sky-bridge that went over the river, in to a similar looking building. Going around the corner I started moving faster.

  Passing one alley way and looking down it only seeing trash and old dumpsters lining the walls I stopped and blinked slowly. “Fen.. There is barely any light in that alley.. How am I seeing so far in to it?” I asked as I could almost see to the end of the dark alley way, the colours were a bit muted and having taken on blueish tint but other wise I saw just fine.

  Oh we did get you those eye upgrades remember? Your eyes aren't really human eyes anymore so you got quite good natural night-vision. Not as good as someone with actual night vision tech. But far better then most civilian model augs and so much better then human eyes for sure.

  “I remember getting those.. And something about my current augs not working fully with them?” I asked as I started moving again up to the building finding most of its windows gone I blink and look over to where the bridge used to be. Now there was just some metal bits stuck at one side the buildings on both sides looked like they had been hit my a giant shotgun blast from the second floor up. “I hope no one bills me for the windows..” I mutter as I push the door open and step inside. The door slamming down on to my tail. The pain that shoots through it up my spine out right brings me to my knees with soft whimper. Slowly oh so slowly I stand up and push the door open to pull my tail in. “Something.. For the pain please..”

  New purchase:

  1 x Class I simple pain killers (ten pills) – 5 points

  1 x Juice-box -1 point

  Those will help and you will be happy to note that your tail.. Is fine a bit swollen but nothing more. I'd suggest you move it up behind you when entering doorways. Oh and only take one of those pills.

  I just nod as the bottle and juice box appeared, opening the bottle taking one pill tossing it in my mouth and then taking the juice box an other of those apple ones and downing the thing in one go along with the pill it took a few seconds for it to take effect just enough time for me to put the bottle in to one of the pockets of my combat vest . Slowly starting to move again after tossing the box to the side. “I'm starting to regret getting the tail..” I mutter to myself. Finding some old stairs and quickly moving up them ears swiveling searching for any sound that shouldn't be. I hear nothing turning at the second floor to head up the stairs as something catches my eyes only for pain to flare up across my thigh. As I fell I twisted so I could see what had just hit me only to see a trashcan that I had missed between the stairs that had sprouted teeth and partially turned in to some kind of fur covered creature. Moving my rifle as I fell I started shooting missing a lot and the few hits I got in didn't stop the thing from launching itself at me.

  It was just dumb luck that I didn't die as the thing what ever it was lashed out over the over the end of the barrel as I fired. Killing it laying there once more on my back I frowned before looking to my leg. “Wh-.. Right painkiller.. A nano-regenerative suite would.. Be good I think And what the fuck was that?!” I asked as I looked around moving my rifle to see if anything moved.

  That was a Model 9. A quite stealthy, model used for ambushes among other things. They can be quite dangerous.

  Enemies Eliminated

  1 x model 9 = 25 points

  New purchase:

  1 x Class I Nano-Regenerative suite – 20 points

  New total: 100 points

  As the box appeared I quickly pulled it open and took the inhaler then shook my head at the feeling. Looking around slowly. “How can I detect those things?” I asked lifting my rifle and aiming at random object only to notice that the end of the barrel had been cut open. “Fen.. Is this thing.. Still safe to use?” I then added

  You do not have the current points to find them. But you can get some of those grenades that you used on the river and toss them out in front of you to force them to move. And no.. The end of the barrel is cracked from the strike and your shot. Not only will every shot sound quite a bit louder now.. They might also cause more catastrophic damage. I recommend a new weapon. Perhaps something from your Light based weaponry catalog?

  Cursing a bit I tossed the rifle to the side. “I'm low on points well not as much anymore but fuck I liked that gun.” Looking at my thigh and cursing again at the rip in the pants. “And these were new! So what do you recommend and get me some of those grenades after the new weapon.” I said then frowned a bit. “Actually remember those wisps? Is there anyway to get something like that? Or that looked like that as a weapon?”

  There are a lot of things that could be used like that. Everything from weapons grade nanite swarms. To combat bot or combat drones. You would need to unlock some catalogs that you can't afford just yet. Or well you could get the small combat drone one.. it is 100 points. So I would advise against it. However If you get the Class I hard-light utilities then you could get a holorifle from your light based weaponry catalog. It is the only thing you miss for that weapon if you get it I would recommend the Wisp-Mother's Holographic projector's rifle MK III it will cost you 30 points.

  I nod slowly. “That sounds like it could be useful lets go with that! Does not leave much in case there are more of those things around. How many shots before I have to reload and reload cost?” I asked and pushed myself back up onto my feet. Tail moving a bit behind me. “How does that work anyway?” I then added

  Unlocking catalog

  -Class I Hard-light utilities -70 points

  New Purchase:

  1 x Wisp-Mother's Holographic projector's rifle MK III – 30 points

  Each power-pack will allow for 75 shots and the rifle is a mix between a kinetic and a light based weapon that uses a hard-light converter, use the energy from the light based weapon parts to allow the creation of a hard-light bolt. The left over energy from this process is then used to push the projectile forwards at the speed of a subsonic round down a quite normal rifle barrel that will put spin to it and make sure it stabilizes to allow it to actually hit its target.

  New total: 0 points.

  I advise moving slowly and not too close to any thing without putting a round in it first.

  As I stood there a black box appeared it had that very same icon on it as my new shirt. I knelt down and opened it to reveal a rifle. It had a quite standard adjustable stock with a cheek-rest that lead in to a black rectangle that had a screen at the back showing a firing mode selector and an ammo counter. At the sides of it were a few hardened cables that went forwards and in just behind the covered rifle barrel. The sides of the shroud that went around the barrel were some white cooling fins. The barrel shroud it self being a soft gray. There was a short covered sight on top of the receiver just behind a battery pack. On the underside were a standard trigger and white pistol grip that lead in to a hand-guard of the same colour that ended just before the barrel.

  Slowly I lift the rifle and shake my head at how looks. “It.. Looks strange.. As if It can't decide what it wants to be?” I asked standing up and slowly moving up the stairs to the second floor. I saw an other trash can over by the wall aimed and pulled the trigger. The rifle hummed as it fired out a bolt of rolling soft cyan and white with a long tail following behind it. And the trash can exploded in a flash of soft cyan light as it was hit tossing its content all over the room.

  That is because its a mix of a few different technologies one of the early holographic rifles before they had set up a proper production line for them. Yet it is quite effective. Also the projectile can be shaped differently if you change the firing mode. There are two options the round ball that you just saw that shatters on impact creating a shrapnel effect the other is a more pointed version that is able to pierce armor. Normally you would be able to change that using your augs. Sadly yours no longer have that function. That is something we need to work on correcting.

  I slowly moved towards the broken window that's overlooking the river and from where I could see the sky-bridge. Going down on one knee I scan the dark bridge trying to zoom in my view only for nothing to happen. “Damn it. What is currently working on my augs?” I asked Fen,

  Currently the only things working are your messaging and call functions. And limited ability to show images. As a lot them were replaced when your new eyes were made. But do not worry that is something we can fix once you get few more points.. Or well more then a few but still.

  I sigh a bit. “That will be a problem.” I said then I raise the rifle and look through the sight scanning the bridge spotting signs that something had moved across it at some point but now it was empty, I got up and started moving towards the entrance to the bridge only to spot a wooden box right next to the door way. Aiming at it and squeezing the trigger allowing one of those wisps to shoot out and hit it. Causing it to explode in to dead plant matter. I blink a few times. “Well.. No longer at 0 points..” I mutter as I start walking to the bridge and stop. “Fen.. I feel like we have done this before.. Open bridge to cross. Will I need a new wraith's mantle?” I asked.

  Indeed! Enemies eliminated

  1 x model 9 = 25 points.

  New total: 25 points

  And I think that you will be fine but if you do want something new. I think a cloak would work quite great The pale lady's wedding half cloak MK I would work great. Sadly it costs fifty points. So not quite there yet. Just keep low and move fast and you will make it.