Case 017 - Improper Education
The roar of the engines grew louder and louder until at last our bird took off. There's some serious overload issue in here. I need to talk to Jeremiah about upgrading our bird or buying a new one. But that's for later, now it's all about accomplishing the mission.
"What is it?" - I ask Kowalski.
"A client was attacked during a dinner banquet ball. First there was an attack through the net, but it was only partially successful. Client survived, but lost consciousness. Seeing the failure of the net attack, enemies decided for a physical elimination and about a dozen mercenaries broke into the main hall." - Kowalski began to give a quick briefing.
"Hopefully the guards and security will buy us enough time. What else?"
"Now comes the shitty news. The client didn't come in there alone, but with his wife and son. So we're going to have to evacuate three customers at once. That's it...shit." - he stopped talking abruptly.
"Don't tell us there are more of our clients out there that need evacuating?" - I sighed and prepared to send a request for reinforcements.
"And, yes and no. A client's wife was injured, so we're going to have to not only get her out of there but also patch her up. The other problem is the kid seems to be having a mild panic attack. Heart rate and hormone levels are racing like a horse at a track," - he sent me data that made me frown.
"Okay. Rico, Private, and I will lock the enemy down by fighting, while you, Manfredi, and Johnson will deal with the clients. While the medics treat the casualties you'll have to guard the kid. Just don't let him start running around panicking like an ostrich that got stung in the ass. All right, Rico, you work from the bird, in case of emergency, you'll provide support with a machine gun. Private, you and I go in standard twos until we find a good place to get a foothold. Then if we succeed, we wait for Rico and continue the assault. And if the enemy turns out to be too troublesome, we go on the defense. Is that clear?" - the answer was green confirmation icons.
Our bird took us right into the ongoing firefight. Security had so far held back the assassins' advance, but it was only a semblance of keeping them at bay. They were outflanked and close to being finished off with one good attack when my gang of badass penguins burst into the fight.
Rico activated his chrome and took out a couple of mercenaries with a series of accurate shots, and the rest of them were forced to retreat, which gave us the opportunity to get into a good position.
"'On the count of three! Flash!" - I passed the order to activate the flash-bang defense and get ready to dash, starting the countdown.
The Private and I took out flashbangs and on the count of three threw them towards the enemy. After the detonations, two of us attacked. But the mercenaries were not easy opponents either. Bullets were hitting the Private's shield, forcing us to slow down our advance a bit.
"Skipper! Enemy reinforcements are coming! I counted at least 15 signatures. Also increasing intensity of attacks through the net." - Kowalski alerted us all.
"Shit! Birdie! Take a convenient position for Rico and his machine gun. When we're ready to evacuate immediately fly up to us and we gotta get the hell outta here right away. Medics! Quickly stabilize the clients. Kowalski, keep monitoring the net." - " I give the orders and signal Private to keep moving.
We need to make sure the enemies can't get out of machine gun range and pin them down long enough for the medics to finish with the clients. At the entrance to the hall we split up and stand behind the columns. The bird and Rico had already turned sideways and the machine gun began pouring bullets on the mercenaries. Seeing that a direct breakthrough is not an option, enemies started throwing smoke grenades hoping that they could break out of the positional deadlock under smoke cover.
But everything was spoiled by me and Private shooting those lucky ones, which Rico didn't manage to get. Furious at the losses and the fact that with each passing second the chances of success were getting slimmer, the mercenaries started throwing grenades at us. Flashbangs, EMPs, frag grenades.
One of the EMP grenades exploded too close to me and my helmet went on reset. I had to pull up my face shield and rely on my eyes. But the damn mercenaries threw so many flashbangs and frag grenades that one shard grazed me in the face, leaving an unpleasant scratch, and because of the huge number of bright flashes began to have problems with my eyesight. I had to grit my teeth and endure and continue to hold off the enemy.
"Skipper! We're almost done. Ready to evacuate and beginning to carry the clients out." - the medics finally finished. Just in time. I've only got half my ammo left and only smoke grenades and a couple of frag grenades.
"Copy that. Let's get moving. Kowalski, get two Sky Hook ropes ready. Warn the pilots not to activate the boosters until we get inside the bird." - We'll have to make this unconventional withdrawal because of the increased risk to the bird.
Here comes confirmation from the rest of the team that they've all boarded and it's just me and Private left.
"Rico. Shoot until the machine gun gets overheated, but give us some time. Private, get all the grenades you have left and just throw them at the mercenaries. With the smoke cover we start moving away and get on Sky Hook as fast as we can." - nodding in response, Private tucked his shield behind his back and started pulling out grenades. Here Rico's machine gun starts to stutter due to overheating. Together with the Private we start bombing the mercenaries with grenades.
A wave of explosions and smoke became a perfect cover for our retreat. We had to sprint to the ropes and start strapping them. A quick check and a wave to the pilots to start taking off. When there were a few meters of cable left, Private and I went to the broken windows and prepared to jump back so that we would not hit the ceiling on takeoff.
A jump and a very short flight downward until the cable pulling us stopped our fall. Up above, the engines roared and we began to be pulled upward. A short shriek made me panic. Shit! I wonder if the cable's ripped or if the Private's been hit by a bullet. I look down and see a pissed off Private, cradling his butt with one hand while the other began emptying the magazine of his submachine gun toward the mercenaries who were firing in desperation in our direction.
"Private!" - turning the volume up to maximum I shouted to him.
"It's okay, except for the bullet in my ass! Assholes!" - Private's reply made me laugh.
Finally we were pulled up and inside the bird. One of the brothers helped Private lay on his stomach and began administering first aid. A quick report from the medics showed that we had made it out okay and the clients were in no further danger. Except that the clients' son made my eyes bulge.
The teenager was looking at something online judging by the light in his eyes and sucking his thumb. And with his other hand stroking his groin....
"Kowalski! What the fuck is this?!!!" - I turned to our netrunner who had been assigned to take care of the clients' child.
"Well...he was having a panic attack and the medics were busy with the wounded. I didn't know how to distract him or calm him down so I hacked him and sent him to an adult website."-responded Kowalski.
"What prevented you from just knocking him out or administering an anti-shock?" - I asked, not knowing whether to cry or laugh at THIS way of calming a teenager.
"Enemy attacks online didn't give me a chance to do without risking the kid. So I had to improvise. And it seemed to work." - Kowalski replied with an apologetic smile.
"Okay. But if there's any future complaints from angry parents, you'll have to explain yourself."
"Hee-hee-hee-hee-hee-hee, Boobies, boobies, boobies, boobies." - the adult movie victim smiled and repeatedly mumbled the same words.
"Yep. I feel like we're in for a chat with the customer service department. Whatever, though. You clean up all traces of the hacking. At the very least, we'll say that something went wrong during the fight and their dear boy learned a little more about the adult world than his parents wanted him to." -I took out a cigarette and sat down to have a smoke. I never expected to be involved in the sex education of the younger generation. But this is Night City. Shit like this happens here.
PS hey guys. Let me know if you are still interested in reading this story. Overall not a lot of people seem to be interested in cyberpunk fandom. Just want to know if there is any point to continue with sorry or just end it quickly.