So I know this is Matrix thing, but another idea popped into my head...
Upon seeing all the "She's dead! Oh no! Anyway" style posts, I also added a mini-omake at the bottom.
Fake-out!
Alright, she had to admit that her Neo-lookalike adversary was tough. Way tougher than she expected. She rolled her shoulder and winced at a twinge of pain.
But. But! She had a plan. It would totally work out, no one on her side would die, and Thomas Anderson would either perish or fuck off. Preferably the former. She'd learned her lesson when it came to leaving loose ends.
Granted, it had taken so much prep-work to get everything set up, and she now owed V a favor... well, a few favors, but it was worth it because this would work and everything would be fine!
A few of her 'tripwire' hacks had been... well, tripped. Anderson was almost here. She alerted the others and let them know to get in their spots if they hadn't already. They all sent confirmation. Ichi still had Asuka and was close to a getaway vehicle in case this didn't work (but it would, so it was fine.)
His footsteps echoed out as he approached. It was one of many alleyways in Night City. Well. It wasn't exactly like all the others, thanks to her, but, well. Semantics. Maybe? Was that the right word in this case? Questions for later.
"So you survived." Ah, he wasn't quite in place yet. She'd need to draw him towards the trap. Which probably would involve standing in the right place and fighting hand to hand, hoping she didn't set it off early and get herself killed in the process. Well- everything would be fine.
"I did, in spite of your efforts, Mr. Anderson." She approached, readying herself for the fight. Also to try and catch him should he attempt to rush past.
"It won't matter. The girl dies. If you want to stand in my way, kid, then so will you."
"So you say, Mr. Anderson. So you say."
She blinked and he was in her face. She barely blocked his first strike, and had already given ground. Not good- if she couldn't hold the line long enough, they might pass over the trap before she was ready. She attempted to retaliate, but she wasn't able to do much with what few hits she managed to land.
Step by step, she was slowly forced back. The pace was acceptable, but she'd have to be real precise with her timing. She tried to slow him down, but it wasn't really working. She was getting closer to the trap.
Ever closer, looking for an opportunity to stun him and back off.
Closer.
Closer.
She stepped over the spot, and threw another reset optics his way- she didn't need it to distract him, not really. Splitting his attention even slightly would grant her the opportunity she needed.
She struck at an opening, and he halted a stumble nigh-instantly. And yet, that narrow moment was all she needed.
She activated the trap.
Bullets, rockets, grenades, all flying at once- she'd learned another lesson recently, don't throw grenades without ensuring they'll detonate before the opponent can toss them aside.
There heat and sound and shrapnel laying into her. That was gonna smart for a while, but this would work, and she'd get her eight hours.
Everything was still, her ears were ringing as she picked herself up from where she had been knocked back. Okay, so, she'd nearly died, actually. Which, considering how close she was...
She stood up, ignoring the pain in her body. She needed to ensure he was dead. She stared at the cloud of smoke, noting the glow of fire lighting it all up.
5 seconds. 10. Nothing. She drew her guns. The smoke was clearing and-
Something in the cloud shifted.
Bullshit! She grit her teeth and prepared to continue the fight. FuckfuckfuckfuckfuckfuckFUCK! She messaged Ichi, and told him to flee, letting Hiromi and Malcolm know to do the same.
Her hearing slowly returned, and she heard footsteps as something burst out of the cloud. Heavy metal stomps and...
No. No, that is bullshit!
Half of Anderson's face was gone. Well, a lot of his body appeared gone, but she was more concerned about his face.
A skull. A Metal skull. And a glowing red eye.
A fucking Terminator?! This whole time I was fighting Neo the motherfucking Terminator?!
Her grip on her weapon tightened.
I'm so fucked.
Live Reaction
Motoko: *falling to her death*
Thread: This year, we lost our dear MC Motoko
Motoko/Seras: *attempting to clutch and survive* Quit telling everyone I'm dead!
Thread: I can still hear her voice!
kek.