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Walking through the familiar doors of Wakako's pachinko parlor, Lin Mo and Kitagawa Hiro made their way past the beaded curtains, heading towards the private back room. The noise and chaos of the outside world faded away, replaced by the calm and quiet atmosphere inside.
Wakako Okada sat comfortably in her usual spot behind her desk, a delicate cup of steaming tea in hand. The air smelled faintly of incense, and the peaceful setting stood in stark contrast to the bustle just beyond the doors. The old fixer exuded an aura of quiet control, as if nothing in Night City could disrupt her sanctuary.
"Take a seat, children," Wakako gestured to the low table and cushions against the wall, clearly expecting them.
Lin Mo wasted no time, sitting down without hesitation. Hiro, on the other hand, hesitated briefly, glancing at Wakako for approval before finally taking his place beside Lin Mo. Despite his stoic demeanor, Hiro was clearly still getting used to Wakako's presence.
"You probably know why I'm here, Wakako," Lin Mo began, his voice even, but with a hint of anticipation.
Wakako gave a slight nod, her gaze steady and knowing. "Of course. I've prepared everything you asked for. Take a look at the merchandise."
She reached into her desk drawer and pulled out a sealed, transparent bag containing a sleek piece of chrome spinal hardware, submerged in a preservative fluid. Beside it, another smaller metallic part was attached—a critical component to the entire system.
"By the way," Wakako continued, "I forgot to mention earlier—there's a little bonus for you. You must have heard the news about the hijacking, right? That Militech convoy hit by the Tyger Claws? There was more than just the Sandevistan in the cargo."
She tapped the bag, pointing at the spinal implant. "I included something extra—a Kerenzikov system. It complements the Sandevistan perfectly. The two together are a match made in heaven."
Lin Mo's eyes narrowed as he recognized the additional hardware. "Kerenzikov, huh?"
"Exactly. The latest model, no less. You know how these two work together—Sandevistan enhances your reaction time by slowing down the world, while Kerenzikov kicks in with boosted reflexes, letting you dodge, weave, and strike faster than anyone can track. I figured you wouldn't pass this up."
Lin Mo took a moment to consider her words. His mind flickered back to the simulation he had run earlier:
"Your reaction time has been pushed beyond its limits."
The Sandevistan alone could slow down his perception of time, but it was the Kerenzikov that would truly let him operate at superhuman speeds. It all made sense now—the simulation had hinted at this combination.
"I'll take both. How much for everything?" Lin Mo asked, his voice firm, already knowing he needed them.
Wakako smiled warmly. "I like your directness. Since you've been such a reliable customer, I'll give you a deal. Five thousand eddies for the Sandevistan and Kerenzikov together. Fair?"
Lin Mo's optics flared slightly with a blue tint as he transferred the funds to Wakako. It was a generous discount, and he wasn't about to haggle.
"Done," Lin Mo confirmed.
Wakako slid the sealed bag across the table, the faint clink of chrome-on-glass ringing in the silence. "You always know how to make a lady happy, child. I look forward to more business with you."
Lin Mo picked up the bag, the cool surface of the liquid-filled container sending a shiver of anticipation down his spine. The power to push his abilities even further was now literally in his hands.
Just as Lin Mo was admiring the implants, Wakako cleared her throat politely. "As much as I'd love to chat about your new toys, there's a job that needs your attention."
"I read the briefing," Lin Mo replied, his tone all business now. "Some teenage girl went missing after a party, and her worried parents hired you to track her down. They didn't hear back from her after she went out last night, correct?"
Wakako nodded but raised a hand. "That was the original task. Things have changed."
"Changed how?" Lin Mo asked, his eyes sharpening. "Did they find her?"
It seemed too soon for the job to have changed this much. His instincts, guided by the simulation, told him there was more to this.
Wakako reached into her desk again and placed a data shard on the table. "See for yourself. Her parents got this from one of her friends after some digging."
Lin Mo took the shard and slotted it into his neural port. Within moments, the messages from the missing girl's private chat loaded in his mind.
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Susan: Are you sure this party is legit?
Unknown: Of course, hun. Drinks, food—all free. It's a networking event for young professionals. The whole thing is even backed by NCPD. Perfectly safe.
Unknown: [Picture attachment]
Susan: I'll have to check how far it is.
Unknown: No problem. We'll even give you 20 eddies for transportation. How's that for security? You can come with friends if you're worried.
Susan: What's the address?
Unknown: Watson District, North Industrial Zone, Sanhua Motel. We're here every Thursday through Saturday, all night long.
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"Naive. I can't believe she fell for this." Lin Mo muttered, pulling out the shard. "The fake NCPD approval is a nice touch, though. I'll give them that."
He handed the shard to Hiro, who quickly slotted it in to review the details himself. Meanwhile, Wakako leaned back in her chair, eyes glinting with amusement.
"You two working together now?" she asked, clearly entertained by the thought.
Lin Mo gave a small shrug, neither confirming nor denying.
"Good. Teams are smart. Most solos either group up or die young. And besides, this job isn't a solo gig—it'll go smoother with someone watching your back."
Hiro, having finished reading the messages, removed the shard and nodded. "Understood. Ready when you are, Lin-kun."
Wakako leaned forward, her expression more serious now. "One more thing—the parents have upped the stakes. The job's changed from a search to a rescue. They're willing to pay more for her safe return. But, if things get too dangerous, don't take unnecessary risks. Get intel and pull out if needed—you'll still be compensated for that."
Lin Mo rose from his seat. "We'll get her out. You'll have your answer before the night's over."
Wakako smiled, her wrinkled face softening slightly. "I like your confidence. The sooner you finish, the happier we all are. Now go. The clock's ticking."
With that, Lin Mo and Hiro turned and left the pachinko parlor, the tension of the job already settling over them as they stepped back onto Jig-Jig Street.