Stray Cat Strut Chapter Forty-Five - Gear On

Chapter Forty-Five - Gear On

Deus Ex: And then they said that I couldnt just talk the talk.

Hyper Cutie Zoom Ranger Sparkle Girl Bubble-chan: Makes sense, yeah.

Deus Ex: They said I had to walk the talk too. How... how do you walk a talk? Whats that even an?!

Hyper Cutie Zoom Ranger Sparkle Girl Bubble-chan: ... Oh, Deus, sweetie, no.

-R/GapMoeSamukawaii, Top post of 2053

***

Myalis had landed above the wreck of the building that toppled over. Which ant that I had appeared atop what was essentially a huge barrier blocking off an entire street. The horde couldnt pass here, not unless they were willing to climb up the wreckage.

I groped for a gun, then slid my arm into my thigh holster and pulled out my Claw. I took a calming breath, then carefully planted a round in the middle of the chest of a model five which was busy scrambling over the ruined building.

The wave had likely split off to run around the wreckage, but I had been busy before redirecting them this way. Now there were a lot of the fuckers waiting below to attempt their own climb over the wreckage.

I spun then started to climb up the wreckage as well.

The aliens didnt fail to notice , of course. I was crawling right past a bunch of them and more had already made it to the other side and were resuming their charge towards New Montreal.

I flicked up my back-mounted rails, but only one of them responded. It was enough for the mont, the railgun fired, poking a hole through the nearest model three.

Myalis, need to get out of here, I said.

We could replace the back section of your jetpack. You could fly out of danger.

I glanced back down. The wave was shifting, more aliens heading my way as if they intended to gobble up on the way over. Sounds good, I said.

Sothing clunked on my back and the broken jetpack module fell. A box appeared on a flattish piece of concrete nearby and I tore it open while my railgun worked hard to keep the area around clear.

I slapped the jetpack on, then picked my Claw up again to fire a few rounds into the biggest aliens trying to catch up.

The jets on my legs spurted, and the one on my back whined. Ready?

Indeed. Where to?

I glanced up. Got to be a spot around here thats safeish, I said.

Checking... so security systems are still online. Here.

The jets fired, nearly silent, and I was flung up and into the air. From above I could see the rubble of the fallen building, and so wreckage from other buildings too. The shelling hadnt been kind, and having one building ram into another created a huge fucking ss.

The jets flew sideways and then across the blockage created by the rubble.

This location is sowhat safe for the mont. Firing your railgun.

The gun over my shoulder swivelled around and fired three tis in quick succession into the side of what looked like an office. A window burst apart at the impact, then I folded my legs up and ducked my head as Myalis tossed through the hole that had left.

I had to jog a bit to keep from falling over. A glance around revealed... a spa? Fancy place, lots of wooden panelling. Big windows overlooking the city and little semi-open rooms to the sides with massage tables.

This is a luxury relaxation location for what seems to be a criminal syndicate. The location is currently abandoned.

Okay, I said. I could deal with that weirdness later. ETA for the next alien hungry for ?

I would estimate at least three hours. Likely more. The antithesis seem to be focused on reaching New Montreal first. They will push forwards before they start to scour the entire area for food and threats. Though the opening in the wall might let so flying models slip in.

I nodded. Turrets, please.

Myalis gladly complied, and I casually tossed a couple of turrets down facing the window.

Right, I need new armour, and an arm. Lets buy everything then Ill start changing, in case so fuckwit shells this place too.

The mortar companies have been warned not to hit the imdiate location.

Fat load of good that did last ti, I muttered. I looked around, then noticed a sign that read sauna hanging from the ceiling. I followed that into a large room with a dod ceiling and a ring of wooden seats. There was a big fire pit in the centre, with jugs filled with water next to it that had ladles hanging from the side.

Big fancy sauna. Perfect for what I needed.

Arm first, I said.

Certainly. Can you assist in removing the armour over your shoulder?

The armour shifted, plates moving up and away, but so of them looked jamd in place. I shoved my hand under those and tugged. Sothing snapped, and the plates over my shoulder and back fell apart.

That left my shoulder exposed. I still had a at shoulder, but it was covered by the chanism for my prosthetic. That hissed, and I felt sothing like... like soone licking my brain. Then the prosthetic just fell off.

Oh, hey, I said. I wiggled my stump around. It was a bit pale, with so indentations where the prosthetic pushed into the skin. It actually felt good to free it, like taking off too-tight boots after a long day of walking. Been a while since Ive seen you.

What are you looking for in a new arm?

I was going to be dismissive and brush the question off, just get sothing temporary. But I knew myself. My temporary was the next persons permanent.

Uh... I want sothing with better tactile than my last one. Tougher would be nice. I didnt use the internal rocket much either, so maybe we skip that this ti.

We could get an arm with a built-in grenade launcher. Sothing that would let you place explosives exactly where you want them. Or an arm with an aiming assistance module.

No. Im going to learn how to aim all on my own. Im not useless. Im figuring it out. My aim is improving. I took a deep breath. Can we do a grenade launcher that you can reload via teleportation?

That is easily done, yes.

Cool, I said. Also, Ive been thinking about this for a while, in terms of arm upgrades.

Yes?

Can we have a vibrating function? I asked.

... Yes. I imagine this is for Lucy?

And for myself, I added.

Duly noted. Whats your budget here? That will help determine the quality of the arm. I dont believe I can get anything that will fit all of your requirents for below one hundred and forty points.

Call it a thousand points? Its going to be semi-permanent, I think. At least until the next ti a building falls on .

In that case... From your Sun Watcher Technologies tree, Id suggest the Lynx Nine. Its a modular design, which ans it can co configured with the additions you want. A grenade launcher with an internal magazine, tactile receptors, and a vibration system with seventeen vibration modes. Its significantly more durable than your previous arm, though it is a little heavier. No more so than your own flesh and blood limb.

Sounds perfect, I said. I glanced out of the room as I heard a distant boom. More artillery? We should speed this up.

New Purchase: Lynx Nine Modular Arm

Points Reduced to... 35,559

A box appeared on one of the wooden benches next to . I didnt open it just yet. Armour next?

Certainly. Did you like your previous suit?

Yeah, it was great, still kind of is, I said. I tightened my fist, then let it open. Sothing similar?

A slightly upgraded model, perhaps? You wont be doing as much stealth-based activities in this active warzone, I dont believe. We can get you sothing a little heavier. More armour, with more hardpoints. Built-in jump jets and more power. Next ti artillery strikes your position, you wont notice it as much.

I laughed. Sounds good. I do like my stealth though.

We can switch out the servos for higher-end, quieter models, the boots can have silent-running treads, and the jump jets can be designed to be whisper-quiet. The armour panels can also have adaptive camouflage, though it wont be as good as a suit entirely designed for stealth.

Get it, I said. Price isnt much of an issue.

New Purchase: The Tigers Mane, Mark XXI

Points Reduced to... 34,159

The armour that appeared before wasnt too different to what I had on. It was bigger though, a least half a head taller than what I had on, and a lot bulkier.

I also purchased so back-mounted guns, as you like them.

Nice, I said.

I pulled the release on my own armour and stepped out of it. It was ti to gear up.

Then, back to killing xenos.

***