As I crouched on the steel beam, the noise of the gambling den below was a constant hum. Laughter, curses, and the clinking of glasses mixed with the occasional sharp sound of a fist pounding on a table. The atmosphere was charged but not tensec, a bunch of Tiger Claws blowing off steam after a day of doing whatever dirty business they thrived on. The room smelled faintly of smoke and alcohol and oddly enough weed.
"Alright, Yumi," Kitrina's voice purred in my head, smooth but sharp with an edge of challenge. "This is where you don't screw it up. No sudden moves. No distractions. Just eyes on the prize."
My heart thudded in my chest, each beat echoing in my ears. I could see the stack of eddies on the main table. They weren't what I came for, though. The safe, tucked somewhere deeper in the building, was the real goal.
I shifted slightly, the metal beam beneath me groaning softly in protest. time like this Im glad i was underweight. None of the gang members looked up, but Kitrina's amused chuckle filled my ears. "Smooth, kitty. You've got a real future in demolition if this whole thieving thing doesn't work out."
"Shut it," I hissed under my breath, barely audible even to myself.
The camera directly below me panned lazily from side to side, its mechanical hum blending with the noise of the room. My hands twitched as I accessed the deck Vick had sold me. With a flick of my wrist, the interface popped up in my HUD after I connected my wrist wire to it.
"Alright, show me what you've got," Kitrina muttered, her tone half-teasing, half-curious.
The hack wasn't complicated, just tedious, it was a slow and long proccess. Feeding me streams of data as I bypassed the camera's basic firewall. It wasn't even encrypted properly. A few more keystrokes in my mental interface, and the camera's feed looped, showing an empty ceiling where I crouched instead of the live room below. After a while it would shut off though so i had to be fast.
"There. Happy?" I whispered, feeling a faint sense of triumph.
"Not bad," Kitrina admitted, her voice light. "This would have been nice to have in Gotham."
I carefully lowered myself onto the edge of a steel shelf bolted to the wall, my socks making the faintest tap against the cold metal. The room seemed louder now that I was closer, every voice and laugh amplified by proximity. The mix of men and women below were dressed in varying degrees. some in leather jackets emblazoned with neon tiger motifs, others in casual street clothes that barely hid the weapons slung at their sides. Guns of all shapes and sizes rested on the tables—everything from sleek, high-tech pistols to bulky shotguns. A few members had katanas, their blades catching the neon light and gleaming ominously.
One woman, her hair dyed a shocking bright shade of pink, leaned back in her chair, flipping a butterfly knife lazily in her hand. A man next to her had his feet kicked up on the table, a shotgun balanced precariously across his knees. At another table, a group of younger members cheered as a fight played out on the oversized TV mounted to the wall. The combatants on the screen were brutal, fists flying in a bloody. Id never want to fight one of those, they clearly had a bunch of tech in their body.
"See that guy over there?" Kitrina's voice drew my attention to a particularly burly man standing near the door to what I assumed was the back office. He had a buzzcut and arms thicker than my thighs, a tattoo of a snarling tiger wrapping around his neck. "He's the gatekeeper. You're gonna need to distract him if you want a shot at the safe."
"How do you know there's a safe back there?" I muttered, keeping my voice low as I scanned the room again.
"Because I've been in more of these joints than you've had birthdays, They layouts tend to be the same more times then not" she shot back.
I didn't argue. She'd been right so far, and I wasn't about to start doubting her now. My eyes flicked to the sliding door behind the big guy.
"Alright," I whispered, formulating a plan. "What's the move?"
"Distraction," Kitrina said simply. "But subtle. You don't want these guys thinking there's an intruder. Just enough to get big and scary over there to step away from his post."
I scanned the room, my mind racing. There was a stack of bottles on one of the tables near the far end, precariously balanced like a disaster waiting to happen. Perfect. I shifted slightly, angling myself to get a better view.
"You're not seriously thinking of knocking over some bottles, are you?" Kitrina asked, her tone dripping with skepticism.
"Got a better idea?" I shot back.
There was a pause before she sighed. "Fine. Just make sure you don't screw it up. If they see you before you're in that office, it's game over."
I smirked, feeling a flicker of confidence. "Relax, Falcone. I've got this."
Positioning myself carefully, I pulled out a small stone from my system and throwing it. The vibration was just enough to knock the bottles over, sending them crashing to the ground in a cacophony of glass and liquid.
The reaction was immediate. The burly gatekeeper turned, muttering something in Japanese as he stalked toward the source of the commotion.
"Now's your chance, kitty," Kitrina urged, her voice low but urgent.
I didn't hesitate. I slipped down from the shelf, landing silently on the floor. One step at a time, keeping to the shadows, I made my way toward the sliding door. The door slid open with a quiet hiss.
"And you're in," Kitrina said, a note of approval in her voice. "Not bad, kid. Not bad at all."
I slipped inside, the door closing behind me with a soft click. I was in a hallway with many doors on etheir side, but I decided to follow her earlier advice and made my way while crouching towards the room at the end of the hall. Once inside, The room was small and dimly lit, the safe tucked into the corner as the door closed behind me.
"Alright, Yumi," Kitrina said, her tone almost teasing now. "Let's see if you've got what it takes to crack that safe." I took a deep breath, steadying my hands as I approached the safe.
I froze as I heard faint voices approaching from the corridor. I strained my ears to make out the muffled conversation. The words became clearer with every step they took toward the room, and panic surged through me as I realized they were heading in my direction.
"...I'm telling you, that camera went down for a reason," a male voice said, the tone sharp with suspicion.
His companion, a woman, answered in a calm, almost dismissive voice, "Doubt it. Those old things shut off on their own all the time. Besides, if it was a netrunner, we'd know. Our guy would've picked up on it immediately." Guess no one ever goes slow when hacking here.
The sound of their footsteps grew louder, and I knew I needed to move. My eyes darted around the room, searching for a hiding spot. There wasn't much to work with, the office was sparse, dominated by a large, imposing wooden desk in the center. The kind that practically screamed "corporate overlord." Its sturdy build and spacious crawl space in the middle were my best bet. Without wasting another second, I darted toward it, dropping to my hands and knees and sliding under just as the door hissed open.
From my hiding spot, I could see their shoes first. The man wore scuffed leather boots, their soles thick and worn from years of use. His companion's heels, on the other hand, were sleek and polished, the kind that clicked against the floor with every step she took. I kept perfectly still, barely daring to breathe as the two entered the room.
"You're paranoid," the woman said, her voice carrying an edge of amusement as she walked further in. "Netrunner hacks are fast. And if it was one its probably be a beginner and they leave traces all over the system. No high end netrunner would target this place. So relax If something serious was happening, we'd already know."
The man grumbled something under his breath, his boots moving toward the corner of the room. He stopped near a small monitor, the faint sound of keys clicking as he fiddled with it. Meanwhile, the woman approached the desk, her heels clicking steadily until they stopped just inches from where I was hiding.
I pressed myself as far back as I could, my body tense, watching as her feet shifted slightly. She stood there for a moment, her weight shifting from one foot to the other, before she finally pulled the chair out and sat down directly in front of the desk. My pulse quickened as her legs came into view, crossed at first, then uncrossing as she leaned back, settling into the chair. She was inches away from me.
The fabric of her black dress rode up slightly as she adjusted herself, revealing something I wasnt expecting to see. Lacey, transparent black panties. The intricate floral design. My gaze lingered for a moment longer than it should have before I forced myself to look away.
"You worry too much," she said to her companion, her tone as smooth as silk. "The camera thing isn't worth stressing over. It's probably just the hardware acting up again."
The man didn't sound convinced. "Still, maybe we should tighten security. Just in case."
"If you're that concerned, why don't you take 98 percent of the winnings tonight and deliver it to the boss yourself?" she suggested, her voice carrying a note of finality. Her feet shifted slightly, her heels clicking faintly as she stretched her legs out under the desk, coming dangerously close to where I was curled up. I ended up pulling the slaughteromatic gun from my system just in case.
I held my breath, every muscle in my body taut. Her feet were so close I could see the faint sheen of polish on her toenails through the open-toe design of her heels.
"Fine," the man muttered reluctantly. "But if something does happen, don't say I didn't warn you."
She let out a low laugh, the sound rich and slightly mocking. "Noted. Now go handle it. I have better things to do than babysit your paranoia."
I watched as his boots moved toward the door, pausing briefly as he muttered something unintelligible under his breath before stepping out. The door slid shut behind him, leaving just the two of us in the room. My heart pounded in my chest.
Her hand appeared briefly as she adjusted the hem of her dress, pulling it down slightly. She leaned back further in the chair, sighing softly as she reached for something on the desk, a tablet or datapad, judging by the faint glow.
"Idiots," she muttered to herself, her tone dripping with disdain. "Always jumping at shadows."
I forced myself to stay still, as I waited for an opportunity to move. The woman didn't seem in any rush to leave, and the longer she stayed, the more precarious my position became. All it would take was one curious glance under the desk, and I'd be caught.
Kitrina's voice broke through the tension in my head, low and amused. "Enjoying the view, kitty? Or are you planning to move at some point?" She said as she appeared infront of me but laying on the ground looking up.
I shot her a glare and I held the gun and waited.
"Relax," she teased. "You're doing fine. Just… don't get too comfortable under there. This isn't the time for sightseeing."
I grit my teeth, focusing on my breathing as I tried to formulate a plan. The safe was still in the corner, but they already took 98 percent of the winnings which might not leave me with much, but with her right there, any movement could give me away. I needed to be patient, to wait for the perfect moment.
I stayed still, crammed under the desk, every breath slow and deliberate to keep from making a sound. My eyes were locked on her lower half as she worked,its not like I had much else to see though she was packing a large thing...
"Perverted kitty," she whispered mockingly, her tone low and teasing again. "Here I thought you were trying to be a thief, not some voyeur."
I shot her the smallest glare again. Talking back wasn't an option, not now. I could only hope she'd get bored and stop with the commentary, but knowing her, that wasn't likely.
She leaned closer, her smirk growing. "Oh, don't stop now. You're clearly enjoying yourself. Maybe I should get you some catnip while you're at it."
I clenched my jaw, trying to block her out. I didn't ask to be in this position, literally or figuratively. This was all part of her test, and she knew it. The fact that she found it so entertaining just made it worse. I focused on the sounds of the room instead, the faint hum of the air conditioner, the soft tapping of her heels as she adjusted her legs, and then… the faint sound of her typing on a keyboard.
The woman above me was busy now, her fingers flying across the keys. I couldn't see what she was working on, but the faint glow from the monitor reflected off the floor. Whatever it was, it had her full attention. Her body was still, her legs shifting only occasionally as she leaned into her work.
Then I heard it, a faint buzzing sound, followed by a soft click. She'd received a call. The typing stopped abruptly as she answered, her tone sharp and businesslike.
"What is it?" she snapped.
The reply came through the speakers loud enough for me to catch it. A man's voice, panicked and breathless, spoke rapidly in Japanese. "Mailstrom's hitting the stash on Marina Drive. We've got three down already—"
A burst of gunfire cut him off, the sharp pops of gunshots and shouting coming through the line loud enough to make me flinch. The woman didn't react, though. She leaned back in her chair, her legs uncrossing again as she listened intently.
"How many?" she demanded, her tone icy.
"Two vans, full crew. At least a dozen of them," the man replied, his words rushing together. "They came out of nowhere. We're pinned down!"
Her foot tapped against the floor, the heel clicking rhythmically as she thought. "And what about the netrunner assined to you? Where the hell is he?"
"Trying to lock down their systems, but they're running some heavy countermeasures. We're blind out here!"
There was another burst of gunfire, followed by a muffled scream. The woman cursed under her breath, her frustration evident even without seeing her face. Her foot tapped faster now, the sharp clicks echoing in the otherwise quiet room.
"Hold your position," she barked. "Reinforcements are en route. I'll handle this myself."
She ended the call with a sharp click, the tension in the room palpable as she pushed back her chair and stood. Her legs straightened, the hem of her dress brushing against her thighs as she turned away from the desk. I watched her heels click against the floor as she moved toward the door, her steps brisk and purposeful.
Kitrina's voice cut through the silence again, dripping with amusement. "Well, there goes your view. Guess you'll have to settle for the vault now, huh?"
I rolled my eyes but didn't respond. As much as I hated to admit it, she was right. The woman was gone, the room was empty, and this was my chance. The faint sound of the door sliding shut echoed behind her, leaving me alone with the hum of the monitor.
I waited a few seconds, listening carefully to make sure no one else was coming. The corridor outside was silent, and I couldn't hear any movement nearby. I slid out from under the desk, my body stiffened from staying in such a cramped position for so long. Kitrina was leaning casually against the desk, her arms crossed, her smug grin firmly in place. Her expression alone made me want to roll my eyes, but I knew better than to give her the satisfaction.
"Well, well," she said, her voice dripping with sarcasm. "Look who's finally came out of hiding. You looked real cozy under there. Too bad your little show ended early."
"Yeah, yeah, laugh it up," I muttered under my breath, rubbing my sore arms and knees. "Some of us are trying to not get caught here."
She smirked, tapping her chin thoughtfully. "Please. You're here to impress me, remember? So far, you're doing… okay." She dragged out the last word, clearly enjoying the subtle jab.
Ignoring her, I turned my attention to the vault. It sat in the corner of the room, its door slightly ajar. Relief flooded through me for a moment, at least I wouldn't have to crack it. But as I crept closer, my optimism quickly faded. The inside was mostly empty, save for a small stack of eddies bundled neatly in the center and… something glinting faintly in the corner.
I crouched down, reaching into the vault to grab the bundle of eddies. It was depressingly light. I counted quickly, 600 eddies. This was there Two percent? My chest sank as I realized how little it was. How much was there before? But match was never my best subject...
Kitrina, of course, was right there to rub it in. "Wow. Big score, kitty. What's that, a couple cups of noodles and maybe a cab ride?"
"Shut up," I snapped quietly, shoving the eddies into my pocket. "It's something."
But as my hand brushed against the far corner of the vault, my fingers grazed cold steel. I pulled it out, and my mood lifted slightly. It was a throwing knife, a sleek, matte black blade with a well-balanced grip. Lightweight but solid. The edge glinted faintly under the light, sharp. This was a decent find, at least.
"Not bad," Kitrina said, her voice slightly more approving now. "I mean, you're still walking out with chump change, but at least you got yourself a little bonus prize. Though I still prefer whips or my claws but thats just me."
I held it up, turning it over in my hand. "Yeah, it's something," I muttered, more to myself than to her. Maybe this wasn't a complete waste of time after all.
Still, 600 eddies… it didnt even cover the cost of what I payed to buy Kitrina Falcones data chip. The vault should've been brimming with cash. That guy earlier had taken nearly everything out. Kitrina didn't say it outright, but I could feel her judgment in the air. She'd probably known all along I wouldn't hit the jackpot here. This whole mission was just another test to see how I handled myself.
"Alright," I said quietly, slipping the knife into my pocket. "Time to get out of here."
I moved toward the door, my steps light and deliberate. The office was eerily quiet now, save for the faint hum of the monitor and the occasional muffled voices from the gambling den. I cracked the door open just enough to peek out, scanning the hallway. It was empty. Perfect.
With one last deep breath, I stepped into the hall and made my way back toward the skylight.
"Don't trip over your own paws, kitty," Kitrina teased, her voice echoing in my head. "You've made it this far. Would be a shame to blow it now."
Thankfully almost everyone was gone but two people busy watch the fight on the tv. The climb back up to the skylight was smooth. My grabbed the skylight window edges as I hoisted myself up.
As I pulled myself onto the rooftop, I let out a breath I hadn't realized I'd been holding. The cool night air hit my face, and for the first time since this mission started, I felt a flicker of relief. I was out. Safe. For now. But I quickly lowered the skylight window back down.
Kitrina appeared beside me, her arms crossed and her expression unreadable. "Well, look at you," she said, her tone almost amused. "Made it out in one piece. Not bad for a rookie."
I shot her a look, my lips twitching into a faint smirk. "You doubted me?"
She shrugged. "Maybe a little."
The system HUD flashed in my vision, signaling the completion of the quest:
Quest Complete: "Cutting the Tiger's Purse"
Reward: Respect from Kitrina Falcone (Mentorship Unlocked)
I couldn't help but smile as the notification faded. Despite the rocky start and the disappointing payout, I'd done it. I'd passed her test. Now, the real work could begin. Now to get back home and get some fucking sleep.