Changes: I changed the last paragraph of chapter two just to fit with this story about the tenth of November before I posted. Nothing too major
Freak on a leash
Six was pulled out of low power mode. Dr Tanaka stood in front of them. A silver-haired Japanese man taking a long drag of a cigarette. They sat down on the only other furniture that wasn't Six's pod, a stool. They looked down to the floor, the surgical lights hid nothing in Six's chamber, there was nothing to hide. It was the size of a small office with a place to recharge at one end, and a door at the other. They blew a cloud of smoke and stared at Six, still restrained in the wall.
"Feeling any better?"
"Here for the usual check-up?" Tanaka pressed a button on their controller, releasing Six.
"Just being polite." Six dropped to their knees, uncoupling from the machine. "I'm here to give the bad news."
"That being?"
"Adam Smasher's indisposed. Ontop of that Arasaka can't spend any more money on us." Tanaka gestured for Six to follow outside, along the identical silver corridors of the facility. Tanaka waved to the scientists and office workers, carrying brown boxes, brimmed with desk items. "So we're taking a risk. Consider yourself hired. Tanaka called the elevator down, watching the scientists scramble to pack their things, shaking his head, stepping into the small tube. Six grinned imitating cracking knuckles without any sound.
"Sounds about time."
"I've requested to stay as your Ripper-doc though. All things considered." The elevator moved up, emerging from the ground, into a small barn. Six stepped out with a smile, punching the air.
"Some real action. Not just B.D's and training shards."
"All that and more." Tanaka had already lit up another nicotine stick, stepping outside into The Badlands, met by unbranded long-haul trucks, The backs were kicked out to reveal soldiers all armed with Arasaka weapons. making a line between the barn doors. Tanaka stared to the floor, finishing his cigarette, and moving onto his third.
"What kinda job, bodyguard?"
"You are to be their Samurai. Do as your told from higher up and they'll keep you on." Tanaka guided Six towards the truck and stepped in the back. "As your ripper doc. I'll be able to help you. Since you won't be living here anymore. I've even managed the higher ups to give you free time."
"Why'd I need that?"
"A release. Zero worked twenty-four seven and look what happened to him." The truck began to move forwards, Tanaka, staring out the window, wincing as the sound of bullets rang out through the Badlands.
Six's optics were blinded by a white light. Six tried to move but they were trapped, their own body un-restrained but immobile. The mind told the torso to sit up yet it did not compute, the message blocked, leading to an un-responsive body. Six's vision locked onto a lab coat wearing scientist tapping away, turning around on her chair, revealing Okada. A scientisct with bags under her eyes and a lab coat over her pyjamas. She folded one leg over the other and crossed her arms.
"What we're you thinking?"
"don't you monitor my thoughts?"
"Don't answer back, just tell me."
"Money, why else?"
You put company property in danger for money?"
"You think Maelstrom coulda killed me?"
"All they have to do is disable you, and next thing you know,Tanaka's tech is on the streets."
"It already is. You think Four had the only prototype? How much did Tanaka steal?"
"Classified."
"More than one thing."
"We have the others looking for it, excluding Four."
"Where's Four?"
"Rehab." Six grit their teeth and was able to lift their neck, unable to even tilt their body. "Did you even try to help him?"
"Diagnosed with Cyberpsychosis. Nothing we can do."
"Let me see him" Okada raised a brow, her finger hovering over the computer, pressing a key, feeling returned to Six's body, allowing them to sit up. Six leaped out of the chair, through Tanaka's brightly lit surgery, into the sub-levels of Arasaka tower. Their head craned, staring along the dark pathways outlined by red neon strips along the floor. Six shoved past the corps cradling papers, just clocking in, sitting in their glass cubicles. Rehab was just up ahead, Six jammed their fingers inti the door, and began to pry it open sparks, managing to see through the gap. A row of Netrunner chairs, only a glimpse as Six's strength faded, their arms flopped by their side limp. Okada behind, control in hand.
"Six. Let's not have one of your episodes.""
You won't. I just want to see Four." Okada placed her hand on the door, access granted and rehab was revealed.
A dark room with rows of chairs, The remnants of Four lay on the furthest from the door. A limbless torso with wires poking out of their head, a B.D wreath stuck to their face, optics staring ahead, not even blinking. Six rushed to look at Four, their mouth hanging open wide. Six turned around, staring at Okada.
"Did you even try?"
"Cyberpsychosis. This is the best solution."
"Did Tanaka not give you his research? What you're doing? Whatever it is, this is Kuso."
"And do you know what he did, how he kept Six full body converts from going psycho?"
"No. Can't you use his notes!"
"The ones he deleted?"
"Can't you find him?"
"Classified."
"So no. Let me find him."
"And how would you do that? If Arasaka can't, why would you?"
"Because no one will touch the Corp. Me though. I got a street kid and a Nomad in my pocket. I'm on the afterlife's board, up-and-coming mercs. I may not have their trust but I can get it. Any news about some military, weapons-grade tech, I'm there. How much did Tanaka steal?"
"Classified."
"Hell, he may even be selling our plans. Millitech will give me better weapons, Kang-tao will have a hundred Chinese knock offs. How long can you afford to let Tanaka go with all the information he has?" Okada returned power to Six's appendage.
"I'll talk about your plan with the director." The door closed, leaving Six, Four and the camera watching them. Six sat down on the chair next to Four staring at the deathly still body, the black optics reflecting the blue static. The nutrient pump connected to their mouth, locked in place. Another Zero? Six shook their head and slid the door open.
Author's note:
A little shorter this chapter, but I already have one in the works, Figured I'd show. My mind buzzes when I get excited so I tend to make little mistakes the impulsive rush gets the best of me.
On a side note. Think I should get a blog where I get sappier discussing ideas but that might just distract me from this.
Keep it, constructive people!