Stray Cat Strut Chapter Five - Professionalism

Chapter Five - Professionalism

The importance of Samurai in our modern society cannot be overstated. In the 1900s there was a surge of popularity centered around celebrities, especially in the West. Movie stars, musicians, sports stars. They beca the idols of their generations, faces and nas known to all.

After the initial incursions, so attention turned to the Samurai who had, seemingly, saved us all.

That attention turned to idolization as the full scope of what they could do beca known.

That is why it is imperative Nimbletainnt continues to be the predominant holder of the image rights of Samurai across North Arica.

--Nimbletainnt CEO during a company-wide brief. 2037

***

So, I said. How?

What? Deus Ex asked.

I gestured to the television where Katallinas face was still displayed. You want to find that girl, right? How?

Deus shrugged. I dont know. You figure it out. Itll be like a test or sothing.

Or sothing, I repeated, deadpan. I gave her my flattest look. Youre real professional, arent you?

The girl bristled at that, sitting straighter in her seat and glaring right back at before her face twisted to neutrality. Fine, she said. If you need soone to baby you, I can take so of my precious ti to help you.

I snorted. Maybe that would have tweaked the pride of soone who hadnt had my stellar upbringing, but it did nothing for . The kittens regularly ca up with better insults. So how do you expect to find her? Better yet, how would you do it?

She rolled her eyes. Ill give you a packet with her info. The mont she said that, I got a ping in my vision, an email.

I blinked a few tis to open it, then noticed that I had five digits worth of unread emails. Damn, how co my email hasnt blown up yet? It was a good thing I was using one of the free email services. So charged a fee for every email. Those usually had all sorts of encryptions and stuff, and they claid not to sell your ssages to advertisers, but I never got anything important enough to warrant that.

I might have had sothing to do with that. You receive a lot of spam. And viruses. Also, images of genitals. The news that youve beco a Vanguard isnt widely circulated yet, but so people have connected the dots.

I winced. Just delete all the nasty ones... well, keep the nudes if theyre tasteful.

No.

The afternoon was turning really sour, especially compared to the morning. I opened Deus Exs email, then stared at an image of Deus Ex giving the finger before a plain background. Uh.

Oh. The information is all in the image. Its stored in the images pixelation, with different colour values representing different bits in hex. The sequence to read these is randomized with the code to decipher the randomization written as a multiplication of the images resolution. Once the actual code is parsed, you need only de-encrypt it. Its a bit simple, and Ive no doubt that even so humans could figure it out given a few hours, but for non-sensitive information it will do.

Uh, I said.

You know, talking to your AI out loud is generally a sign that youre really new, Deus Ex said.

That might be because I am new, I said. Besides, its impossible to snark through text.

Deus Ex placed her hands on her knees and got to her feet. Right. Well, that package has everything we could trawl on Katallina in a few minutes. Its got her last known location too. Id start there. Ask your AI for help, its definitely smarter than you are.

I wasnt going to argue with that one.

Cat?

Both of us turned towards the kitchen to see Lucy walking over. She was a bit bow-legged, and had a hand trailing against the wall to keep her balance. She was wearing a nice set of silken pyjamas, no doubt stolen from a drawer sowhere.

Hey Lucy, I said. Wanna co over and sit?

Ah, yeah, sure, she said. My legs are still wobbly.

Disgusting, Deus Ex muttered.

I wanted to give her shit for being rude, but with Lucys MS being cured and all, there were only so many possible reasons for her to feel wobbly and Deus was probably thinking the right thing.

Whos this cute little girl? Lucy asked as she ca closer.

Deus Exs face registered her disdain for the comnt clear as day. Im Deus Ex, she said.

Thats a very cute na, Lucy said. Did you pick it out yourself?

If I hadnt known Lucy for as long as I did, I would probably assu that she was being genuine, but I knew that slight shift in her voice too well. She was ssing with Deus Ex.

Right, Im done here, Deus Ex said. Stray Cat, try to find the girl. She might be dead, or she might be in trouble with so corp or the governnt. If shes fine, then... just dont be yourself around her. Maybe give her my number? And if shes in trouble...

Get her out? I asked. Or call for help?

Nah, just kill anyone causing issues. If its to protect a new Samurai, then its justified.

I had to wonder what kind of headspace soone like Deus Ex was in if she thought killing people to get things done was just business as usual. Right, I said. And when do you want to start this... wait, I didnt agree to start this at all.

Im paying for the rent for this floor, Deus said. Unless you want to pay for it yourself, and that probably includes so decontamination for wherever you... urgh, then you can start right away. Have your AI text if you need anything.

Bye bye! Lucy said with a little wave as Deus Ex walked past.

The girl just marched her way on out of the room without so much as a second glance. Call when you find her! she said before leaving.

Shes a weird one, I said.

Lucy humd as she made her way around the couch. She took a mont to look at all the available seats, then she picked the one she liked most.

I exhaled hard as she plopped herself down onto my lap. Are you comfy? I asked.

She wiggled a bit, then leaned back and tucked her head against mine. Yup.

Grinning, I pulled her in with a hug and just took a mont to luxuriate in the warmth and the softness of her stolen pyjamas. I need to ask Myalis a couple of things, I said.

Ohh, Ill only get to hear half the conversation then, Lucy said.

I guess so.

That is easily redied. One mont.

I wondered what she was up to, then Dumbass the First skittered its way into the livingroom and hopped onto one of the sofas. It wiggled around to face us, then lowered itself down. Greetings, the drone said in Myalis voice. It was a little strange hearing her out loud.

Hi Myalis! Lucy said with a wave.

Im still physically within Catherines skull, Im rely using the drone as a mouthpiece, Myalis explained. Nonetheless, its a pleasure to speak with you through a more reliable thod than Catherines abysmal communication skills.

Hey!

She is really bad sotis, Lucy agreed. Its all threats, and cute little grunts.

H-hey! this ti my ire was directed at the girl on my lap.

Myalis bobbed up and down.

Youre both awful, I said. Then Lucy gave a conciliatory peck on the cheek and I settled in to just pouting until they stopped teasing .

This mission, if we can call it that, is rather simple in its objective, but I suspect that carrying it out will be a great deal more complicated, Myalis said. Evidence of Katalina's disappearance will be ti sensitive. Tracking her down might also be difficult.

So youre saying we should head out sooner rather than later? I asked.

Essentially, yes.

I really didnt want to leave. I was comfortable, with Lucys bony behind digging into my thighs and my arms wrapped around her waist. Leaving was the last thing I wanted to do.

Whos Katallina? Lucy asked.

Shes a girl that went missing. She might be a Samurai, maybe. Deus Ex wants to track her down, make sure shes alright, I explained.

Oh. That does sound kind of important, Lucy said.

Mmm, I guess. I sank into Lucy a bit. I should probably take off. The faster I find this girl the sooner I can return.

Lucy pressed a kiss on my cheek. Ill be waiting here, she said.

I smiled. I know. Ill leave the Dumbasses here, to keep an eye on the kittens.

That would be nice. I bet Myalis is a great babysitter.

I regret informing you of my ability to communicate, Myalis said.

***