Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

Darkness is my eyes. The first thing I think of when looking at myself. Yes the beautiful black optics with Chitin armor and cyber jaw bringing a scorpion vibe. All that was left was to tie my cables into a ponytail and get to the kill zone. I think as I raise my hand the bio sculpted muscles and Chitin shell covering the Subdermal Armor and RealSkinn covering the shine of my cyberware. Activating my arm launcher I smile as the skin colored plates move away revealing the cannon.

I pull my gray hair into a ponytail and grab my Lexington's. Holstering them I sling a Copperhead over my shoulder and grab a Tactician. Walking over to the door of my bus turned mobile home I waited for instructions via proxy. A sack of meat knocks on the driver's side window. Pulling it open the MEAT hands me a shard and runs. Laughing to myself I slotted it and read the location first before setting my bus to auto drive. The target was in a Tyger Claw run market and the fixer asked for a bloodbath.

After thirty minutes the bus stops and I get out wearing a hooded robe to cover my BEAUTIFUL BODY. As I approached I spotted the target along with two Tyger Claw thugs armed with a katana and a shingen. I pull out one of my Lexington's and fire twice, killing Katana and Shingen instantly. Then I shot the target point blank with my launcher turning him into his true form. MEAT AND BONE Suddenly there's bullets coming from everywhere. HOW LOVELY, BUTCHER THEM ALL The robe drops as I feel a pulse in my back before the world slows.

Doing a full spin I identify seven enemies, three are armed with Copperheads, two Ajaxes, and two Sataras. I shoot both Sataras in the head, killing them instantly. I shoot a gas canister with my launcher blowing up two copperheads and an Ajax. The world speeds up again as I'm blindsided by pistol fire along with the remaining assault rifles looking over. I see that NCPD finally decided to join us. LAW ABIDING ROACHES Only stepping in once the mess gets out of hand. Another round loaded in the launcher.

BOOM One cruiser down. Three pistol shots. Two Tygers fall, three more shots and two officers fall. There ammo bounces uselessly off my armor. A copROACH tries to attack me from the right. I grin as my arm opens and a Mantis blade slices through his bat and arm.

He screams as I kick him away hitting a wall hard. BONEBREAKER The flesh bags have learned and have lined up along the outer area. AS IF YOU WOULD EVER BE SAFE The world slows down as I run to them. Hopping the patrol car I sliced one in half and threw another in the opposite direction. He made a crunch sound the same noise the guy in my hands is making as I squeeze his head between them. Blood spurts coating me in it.

BLOODBATH The world speeds up again as I launch another dart into an incoming patrol car, incinerating the roaches inside. Multiple guns firing, eight flesh bags left. The word slows down again as I feel my nose drip. Moving behind them I put a bullet in each of their skulls until all of them have a bloody hole. Reloading he hears another car pull up to his left. LAUNCHER GOES BOOM The car is now a pile of smoldering wreckage and the flesh bags inside burnt meat.
More cars pull up. I feel the dart slide into the launcher before firing. Two cars down two to go. Moving forward I hop over one of the cars to reach the final two vehicles. Two cars, both four seaters. Eight insects with an assortment of submachine guns, katanas, and pistols.

Boom goes the projectile launcher. SEVEN I sliced through another's chest with my blade. SIX and blood covers my beautiful chrome. The fleas scream in Japanese as I butcher them. I grab one by the head and start squeezing until his skull crunches beneath my hand and it bursts painting me and the surroundings red. FIVE Something hits me on the head before I'm blinded. Suddenly I'm hit by something large going at high speeds and slam through one of the stalls. My vision returns revealing a Tyger Claw in a green button up with slacks wearing a green menpo and long black hair with red tips.

With a sword on his back and a Kenshin and Satara combo. “Someones a tech fan and they drive a van” he says as he stands up. Taking a moment to check myself over I realize that I'm missing a chunk of SKIN and MEAT from my torso, the metal underneath glinting in the sun. THAT SON OF A BITCH RUINED MY PERFECTION “DIE” I scream as the Sandevistan activates the world slowing as I run forward aiming to slice this flea into a dozen pieces. Suddenly his body jolted, releasing afterimages as he looked at me and charged his shotgun, lifting it up and firing it in time to knock me back.

MORE MEAT LOST “Stop ruining my body!” I yell as I charge him again, slicing at him as the world speeds up. Only for the blade to swing short and a triple shot from the kenshin hits me in the head. I scream in agony as I launch myself backwards, cannon arm opening up and firing at him directly. “EAT THIS FLESHBAG!” I scream as the dart shot forward only to be reflected back with the Katana. The world speeds up as the round comes screaming back at me. BOOM I'm flying backwards again.

This time I can feel something missing but my optics are black. I hear more yelling in Japanese this time between two people. My optics reactivate revealing a second man next to the flea. He wore gray sweatpants and a gray shirt with a Nekomata on his back and a Liberty in his hand. As I started to get up he merely looked at me and suddenly everything went black AGAIN. I feel multiple shots hit me lower calibers since they bounce off.

Strangely I only feel them get stuck in a few places. My vision comes back as I stare up into the sky at the sun. Raising my silver hand I cover my eyes. WAIT A MINUTE SILVER Looking down I see that almost all the MEAT on my torso is gone revealing burnt metal. My Right arm is completely MEAT less revealing the mantis blade mechanism. Hearing a familiar vehicle engine I turn to see Menpo hop into and start up his van.

Screaming in rage I followed him after activating my Sandevistan. The van drives away and I yell in outrage before looking around. I'm being shot at from multiple sides by pistols. Three bodies, BOOM, Four bodies BOOM BOOM BOOM, All Dead. ‘Need to find them now they have taken my world from me’ I think as I look around. Seeing a biker nearby I run to him and slice his head off, blood spurting from his neck as I kick his corpse off the motorcycle. Tearing the access key from his skull I slot it and start up the bike before racing after the van.
The world speeds up again as I pull one of my Lexingtons from its holster and try to shoot out the tires. Bullets ricochet off the vans back doors before they open and Silvers reveals. He's firing at me with a Pulsar, the bullets bouncing off me and into the surrounding vehicles. THE MEAT DESTROYED OUR BEAUTY “YoU WiLl DiE” I scream as I speed up to the van doors and swipe at Silver with my blade. I miss it though as suddenly his eyes light up and I start burning up. OVERHEAT DAEMON ACTIVE ‘Hes a fucking Net runner’ I think as my veins fill with ice.

‘If he breaks my ICE then he could shut down my systems. Guess I'll just have to murder both of them quickly.’ He thinks as he speeds up again driving directly through traffic. Activating his Berserk he felt incredibly angry but focused. The ice in my blood cools the burning rage ripping through my insides like a chainsaw. Getting extremely close to the back of the van I activate my Sandevistan and jump from the bike as time slows. As my feet touch the bottom of the van I notice Silver aiming the Nekomata at me before a railgun round goes through my chest.

And I hit the van's floor like a fridge. THE WORLD SPEEDS UP TO FAST, MY Chest it hurts EVERYTHING HURTS. I scream as I finally feel everything that's happened to me. “Looks like his Pain Editor is finally dead.” Silver says walking over to me and looking me in the eyes. Hazel and Purple met Black with a cold look, emotionless. “And he can't move since he's in too much pain.” He says with a smile as he raises the Nekomata to my head.

Suddenly my jaw opens up with an emergency inhaler which I puff immediately before punching Silver in the face. I howl with laughter at the surprise on his face as I knock out four of his teeth. He falls to the floor holding his mouth as I get up and raise my launcher at Menpo who's driving. “You and your friend destroyed my body, my beautiful body and now you're gonna both die for it. I say before I feel something hit my chest and look down. Shocked, I find myself looking down the barrel of the Nekomata. Silver grins as the Gun barrel charges revealing he's missing all four canines and multiple front teeth are chipped or broken. “Laliho Motherfucker” He says as the gun fires and everything goes white.

Brought to you by GOLDEN RAT STUDIOS.

Chapter Text

Pain
Anger
Confusion
I open my eyes and look around. HUNGRY ANGRY CONFused. Metal walls and metal cuffs on my hands. Bloody table and medical tools. Mirror… Shock.
“Mirror, Mirror on the wall, why is there a doll's face on my skull?” I wonder aloud looking at the doll's mask crudely drilled into my skull. The four bolts securing it to my face visibly protruding from the mask. Blood slowly leaking from the bolts dripping down the mask.

DRIPPING DOWN MY FACE
A door opens somewhere LOOK AROUND a hallway to the left and back. Voices both masculine familiar accents. “On gotov?” One voice says and the other responds as they turn the corner. “Da, prosto snachala nuzhno protestirovat’ kiberprogrammu.” The voices belong to two men in holographic masks that cover their faces. The first one wears a red long sleeve button up with cargo pants. He pulls a black butcher's apron over his clothes before getting closer examining me. DISGUST ANGER

Before I can properly see the second one he walks to a computer behind me. He plugs something into my shard ports. Tapping on computer keys, something under my skin itches. Red Shirt grabs my face and appears to examine it. His hair is a buzz cut with bits of peach fuzz. He chuckles as a small beep is heard from the computer. “Vy uvereny, chto optika rabotayet?

My eyes explode with light as multiple messages and alerts appear in my vision. PAIN I scream as the lights burn my eyes, my voice dry as if worn out. “Shh it’s alright, you're safe.” He looks behind me at the other masked man. “YA zamenyu ikh na chto-nibud’ poluchshe.” He states before moving to a cabinet next to the bloody table. Opening it he removes a long tube like container. Looking back into the cabinet he selects another one. Before walking back to me and placing the tubes on a small tray.

Next to… the surgical chair I've been handcuffed to this entire time. He moves the mirror away in exchange for a strange machine. He then opens the second long tube before removing an eye. He then placed the eye in said machine before jacking in my personal LINK. DISGUST He pulled the chair lower before attaching a spiky looking glove. He then began to REACH FOR MY EYES.

“Don't worry you will be able to see soon.” Is all I hear before the spikes grab my eye and my vision goes dark. After a few seconds I suddenly see a large red status bar. It takes a few seconds to go from one to one hundred percent. My vision returns and I can see my body and head from the machine next to the chair. Everything is blurry but this also gave me a better view of my body and clothing. I was shirtless with only a cut open scrub shirt.

My skin is an interesting sight, pale tan with multiple shiny pieces protruding from the skin. My lower half was wearing only briefs and socks with sneakers. I watched him put the eyes into the other tube. Before walking over and picking up the eyes and placing them in my eye sockets' optic ports. “How are the calibrations coming?” Red Shirt asks, grabbing the tube and taking it back to the cupboard.

“Pri yego zagruzke unbedites’, chto optika podklyuchena k registratoru.” He nods at the response from MASK and looks at me. “Nod your head if you can.” FRUSTRATION I nod and he continues. “Alright now nod your head if you can see.” I nod again and he unplugs my personal link from the machine and into a computer. “Glaza i diktofon soyedineny.” Red Shirt says as my vision is invaded with a large camera lens appearing. A small dot appears above it and turns red. As a small stopwatch appears in the corner slowly increasing as time goes by.

CONFUSION Without a word he placed an inhaler to my lips and I inhaled on an unknown instinct. The world became hazy as a strange flavor invaded my mouth. Smooth but sticky I exhale and a cloud appears. THE ROOM SPINS AS MY EYES BLEED DARKNESS. Red Shirt laughs as he presses something on my head and I feel something pop out of my neck. DISGUST
The two begin to talk again but this time my eyes and ears translate. It sounded strange as the words were translated from Russian to English.

“How is G’s black lace today?” Mask asks while Red Shirt uncuffs the surgical chair arms and double cuffs me. He lets my arms hang down in my lap, hands chillin with my dick. The puffer gives good feelings. HUNGER LUST BLOOD Wonder if Red Shirt will give me more. He puts the inhaler DOWN. And puts away the strange machine, before wheeling over a small cart with a monitor and keyboard.

He plugs another cable into my second shard port. And inserting the other end into the monitor. Something TINGLES behind my eyes, a slight throb in my SKULL. “Strong enough to knock a cyberpsycho on its ass.” Red Shirt replies as he taps on the screen. I feel things vibrating and warming up underneath my skin. Multiple windows pop up in my optics, the words woNT STOP MOVing.

He puts his hand on my head rubbing light circles into my skull. “You're alright, what you're experiencing is normal for your situation.” I try to speak but all I can do is drool the saliva pools at the bottom of the mask. Wiggling doesn't help, all it does is make the feelings intensify. All of the windows suddenly go away. At the bottom of my vision are several boxes.

“Everythings ready, boss.” Other man says tapping on something. “Alright then, let's get you out there then.” He says pulling me up and pushing me forward. I couldn't tell where we were going or how long it took. But the smell hit me first, slipping through the mask. A mix of sawdust, blood, alcohol, and cigarettes. I was placed in a small corner of what looked like a cage with three others.
My handcuffs were removed though. A booming voice cried over my head. WELCOME LADIES AND GENTLEMAN TO THE RAT PIT!!!
I feel a pat on my shoulder and Red Shirt is there. I hear him barely over people howling for blood. “Look at what you have, take your time and let the others fight, whatever you do don't pass out.” I fear for a second before checking the strange squares in my sights.

Words pass my eyes. I understand barely anything. I activate the arm squares and a wire shoots out of my arm red hot and coils around the bars. A man used a crowbar to uncoil it, giving me a sad look. WHY ARE YOU SAD I'M THE ONE IN THE CAGE Another button seems to make everything slower although a guy in another cage is easier to see though he keeps leaving afterimages.

PRESS THE BIG BUTTON It seems to call me forward, the button. TEN PSYCHOS ENTER, TWO PSYCHOS LEAVE, ARE YOU READY!!!! The announcer screams and the blood hungry crowd goes wild. FIGHT!!!

I rush out of the cage and two of the buttons turn red as I lash out with the thermal wire at the first thing I see. Cutting someone's arm off in the process. The owner screams and lurches over suddenly, his head is gone as something blurs by. A strange whistle as another blur goes by. I feel a strange impact before I'm flying to the side. ‘Wait a minute Maybe I can see the blurs’ activating the one button again the world slows down as I see a man flying at me with a raised fist.

His eyes are wide and he's mumbling to himself. I raise my arms in time to barely block the hit only to get knocked back again. Suddenly he stops and starts spasming, only to be hit by an electrified fist. The woman who hits him nods at me. SCARY She's nude from the waist up wearing only surgical pants. Her skin is a light tan and her cyberware is more than mine. She has a strange symbol I can't remember on her neck.

Her optics glow as another man moves towards us with an arm mounted cannon. Suddenly electricity is flowing off him as the cannon partially retracts. The implant on her back glows and she blurs forward with an uppercut knocking him on his ass. Her sweat turns into steam as she crouches next to me. USELESS MEAT CANT EVEN HELP THOSE WHO PITY YOU I slam my head into the ground, stop the voice. PRESS THE BUTTON THEN, RELEASE THE BEAST. All I can hear as I press the button is my own screams.

RAGE I lash out with the wires again catching the fallen man as he tries to get up. Slicing his arm and leg off then looking for the next VICTIM. Another man, this one bigger than all of us charges the two of us fist raised spitting fire. I charge forward pulling back in the wire as I go heating it again. ONE BOX RED The world slows to a crawl. TWO BOXES RED The wires fly forward red hot and ready to bleed.

THREE BOXES RED Catching his throat his eyes bulged and the metal burned. I pull and pull and pull and suddenly there's a squishy sound. And his head is on the ground. LOVELY BLOOD Another whistle I move back and something in my body responds moving faster. FOUR BOXES RED I feel something dripping down my nose. CURIOUS Feeling at it and looking at my hand. Blood stains my fingertips.

The world goes back to normal and the rage is gone. FIVE BOXES RED. Looking around I see there are seven of them left. A familiar beeping starts up as a man with mantis blades charges at us. His eyes turn red as he roars, his RAGE is different from mine. But he still has the abilities as he rushes forward. A familiar fist hit his face as Symbol intervened.

Before she hits him again he starts shaking and releasing sparks. A large chunk of metal suddenly hits Symbol as another man approaches. He has a cannon in his arm too and he's pointing it at ME. I move out of the way as he fires barely missing my legs. ALL BOXES READY A familiar blade swings forward the red eyed owner fueled with Rage. ‘I can do this’
I think before I activate the big button.

A small BAR appears before “IMM BACK LITTLE RATS” I scream in a bloodthirsty rage. Moving to the side and swinging my arm above the mantis blades I lash out with heated wire. ONE BOX RED Catching his neck and slicing through it causing him to choke. Looking to my left I move forward, something in my legs boosts me. At the man his launcher fires but I move to the side again this time returning the favor with a heated mono wire from my left hand. He moves quickly, barely stopping it from slicing his throat at the cost of his fingers.

THREE BOXES RED He tries to punch me and I block before punching him in the throat. Then I punch again and again and again. AGAIN AGAIN AGAIN AGAIN I grab my head and slam it into the floor. My opponent is no longer able to call itself alive. TWO MORE DOWN ONE BOX RED Looking over I see Symbol finishing off another one. FOUR LEFT ONE BOX RED My rage gives away as we face the final four locked in combat.

One of them turns to face us only to suddenly lose his head. TWO BOXES RED The world slows to a crawl as I watch the man attack again only to be shocked by another wire user. The two left afterimages behind as they danced around the final enemy. He was looking at us with cold dead eyes as he raised his projectile launcher. AND A ROCKET SHOT FORWARD I jumped back again something in my leg activated and I shot to the side, the rocket exploded next to my leg. ANOTHER ONE THREE BOXES RED. ‘He can't see them but he can see us, that's why he hasn't targeted the speedsters.’ I dodge but the last one doesn't miss.

It detonated right next to my leg and a chunk of metal pierced through it. “Fuck” I scream as I tried to hobble out of his range. Suddenly the man screamed as electricity poured out of his body. Symbol grabs my shoulder and pulls me further away as I watch the man convulse. He doesn't seem bothered at all. He raises his launcher again only for it to be sliced off.

And Wire crashes into him Blades blurs next to the two. Suddenly Blades starts attacking both of them, rapidly slicing through flesh and armor. I look at Symbol who is about to charge in. ALL GREEN BOXES RELEASE THE BEAST
I nod to Symbol before moving forward. The leg ware still works but it's slower now. ONE BOX RED Grinning behind the mask I charge Blades and whip both wires out which wrap around his chest.

He screams as his chest is burned and from me trying to tear him in half. Retracting the wires I move back as he blurs away. The leg ware activates again this time shooting me backwards. And out of the way of the blades that are after me now. FOUR BOXES RED The world slows down as I look around in time to see him come in for another try. The world speeds up as I dodge and whip him with the wires slicing up his back four times with each wire.

BLEED FOR ME The world speeds up again as I run to Symbol. THREE BOXES RED I hear him as he suddenly appears behind me as blood streaks from his nose and down his already bloody chest. Both arms blades stab into my shoulder and chest as he spins me around. “YOU WILL DIE!!!!!” He roars in my face as he throws me backwards. Suddenly the world slows to a crawl as he is charging forward at me.I lash out with both wires curling around his blades before ripping them back in time. For Symbol to appear and strike Blades across the face with her fists. Blades screams in agony as his blades are ripped out of their sockets in his arms. Symbol stomps on his head and puts him out of his misery, crushing his head like a watermelon.

A fiery pain rushes through my back as I turn to face the cause. I'm faced to face with Wire who's missing his lower jaw. Blood flowing from his nose and jaw his arm swings as the world returns to normal. Both wires dig into my arms before I activate the big button. And grab his head and squeeze it between both my hands. As he screams in agony from the pressure on his already damaged skull. And I could only think of one thing to say in my rage fueled state. “POP GOES THE PSYCHO SKULL!” I scream as I feel a crunch between my palms. And the area around me turns red as the crowd screams.

AND WE HAVE OUR WINNERS I hear the announcer scream before my body falls to the ground and the world begins to spin. I see Symbol appear and lift me up in her arms. “You're beautiful,” I whisper to her as we walk towards Red Shirt. She blushes as we move closer. Red Shirt extends his arms in a welcoming gesture only for another man in a black suit to side step him. “You both will be coming with me- ack.”

He doesnt get to finish his sentence as a gold wire wraps around his throat. And Red Shirt chokes the life out of him from behind as two more men in suits charge him. Only for me to slice one of their heads off with my monowire as I move forward. Symbol grabs the other and slams him into the wall before being tazed by a Masked Scavenger. She screams in agony as I switch targets and the world slows to a crawl as I grab the taser and stab the masked man with it. He screams as I set it to maximum and watch him thrash on the ground.

MORE BLOOD Suddenly Red Shirt is at my side and a bloody mess remains of the other suit. Symbol gets up and tries to charge him only for him to pull out a small pistol and shoot a dart into her neck. “NOOOO” I scream as I charge him only for a dart to hit me in the neck. Pain feels weird now, not bad but GOOD. I hear a moan to my right and turn to see Symbol caressing herself, feeling the same way. “Why don't we get you two a room?, Yes” Red Shirt says as he carefully approaches Symbol. “Yes” Symbol moans and latches onto my arm while trying to reach for my dick. Red Shirt grabs her hand and mine and leads us down a small hallway. All while Symbol is roaming my body with her other hand and I'm trying not to do the same to her. We are led to a room with a mattress covered in pillows before Symbol jumps on me and straddles me as the room goes dark.

Brought to you by Golden Rat Studios

Chapter Text

I wake up to an unfamiliar room, and am sitting on what looks like a surgical chair. I try to raise my arms but only my right one responds. CURIOUS
Looking down I see that my left arm is missing and my right hand has been reduced to a bloody stump. PANIC
“Ey he's awake.” A sketchy voice murmurs before I look in the direction and my heart drops. Sitting on a surgical stool with a dick sucking machine attached to his crotch. Was a man with dark skin and wild white hair and red eyes with metal tipped hands. He was wearing pants and was shirtless with a medical visor on his forehead.

SCAVS As I take in a breath to scream a golden hand slaps across my mouth. “Don't worry about him, he's already on thin ice.” A voice like crackling ice says in a Russian accent. “Where am I?What happened to my arm?Why is he jerking off at a surgical table?”
All of these questions left my mouth at once as the owner of the voice stepped forward. Revealing a man in a red button up with black slacks and a holographic mask stepped into the light. “Pacifica, Sixth Street recruits attacked you, And because he has no shame.” He says as the chair gets closer to the PERVERT. “Sixth Street recruits attacked me? Why, I run a church in Santo Domingo?” I ask, still looking at my missing hand noting that it appeared to be cut with something serrated.

“My guess they thought you were Sebastian Ibarra aka Padre the fixer of Heywood.” He explains before squatting and grabbing my stump gently. “Their leader was contacted and they were reprimanded according to him but I wouldn't be so sure, you on the other hand have a choice to make.” He says while using a wipe he pulled from a package out of his pocket to wipe away the dried up blood. “What choice is that?” I ask suspiciously knowing that you should never trust a Scav. “Whether or not you will continue forward and live with the damages to your body.” He says standing up and tossing the wipe in the trash. “Probably return to your church and repair the damages.” He looks over to the other man who's currently thrashing in ecstasy. “Or you can get your limbs back and get vengeance at the same time as getting paid and go back with a fresh start.” He looks back to me and grabs a tablet off a table nearby.

“What's the catch?” I ask looking between the two. He points at the man who suddenly stops thrashing and moans. “He will be installing everything due to the contract he made with me in exchange for him not dying.” He says before placing his hands behind his back. “What did he do to deserve to die?” I ask confused. The man seemed to be a pervert but even that's not worth a death sentence in this city. “Medical malpractice and purposefully installing faulty cyberware.” He says as he scrolls through the tablet.

“Not ma fault some people can't handle not having anesthetic.” The PERVERT says as he walks over the machine removed from his crotch. “No one can handle having cyberware implanted without anesthesia, unless you plan on joining Maelstrom or MaxTac of course.” Golden Hands says as he shows it to PERVERT. Who scratches his head before nodding and leaving. “So what's your choice?” Golden Hands says as he looks at me. I knew the best choice was to go with him but I felt that wasn't the best choice to make spiritually. THEY SINNED WHY DON'T YOU MAKE THEM CONFESS
What
THEY HURT YOU WHY DON'T YOU WANT TO HURT THEM.
They are misguided, lone sheep without a flock.
MORE LIKE A PACK OF WOLVES LOOKING TO TEAR YOU APART.
I cannot hurt them, I took an oath.
TOUGH SHIT I'M TIRED OF WATCHING US SUFFER.
I'm in control, not you.
FOR NOW
“What all happened at the church?” I ask hoping to find something to make the decision easier.
Golden Hands seemed to hesitate before answering. “The recruits began shooting and targeting specifically Heywood residents. After that they blew up the vehicles and stole the money from the donation box. Before grabbing a couple of people and taking off before NCPD could get there.” He says before getting closer and getting down to eye level.

“I managed to get the people back but a few of them have been through hell.” I nod in response to his answer, thankful that they were at least alive. “You on the other hand have been through more than hell which is why I grabbed you specifically. And yes I am talking about more than just what happened at the church.” I freeze at Golden Hands words, Ice fills my veins as I look into the mask's eyes. HEHEHEHEHE “You don't know anything about me.” I respond by moving my remaining arm up to look at the stump now that it's clean. “I know that your name is Billy Courser, you were a Company Commander for Militech with thirty eight successful missions. When you failed your final mission before retirement you were forced to volunteer for a sister project to project Lilith known as project Hyde.” Golden Hands says as PERVERT comes back with a tray covered in surgical tools and cyberware containers. “I know that you were written off as a failed test subject and that the after effects of the project caused you to develop split personality disorder. And that the other you only comes out during combat.” He finishes before adjusting the chair to a lower position. “What are you doing? I haven't said yes or no yet?” I ask as the PERVERT rolls the tray over.

“Just because you don't work for me doesn't mean I'm going to let you leave with no hands.” he says as he opens one of the containers and shows it to me. Revealing a black cyber arm with a yellow mono wire and personal link port. Opening another reveals a black hand with a wait a minute. “Is that a rosary?” I ask curiously as he brings them closer so I can see better. “Yep, this particular hand came off of a corrupt priest who had a habit of getting handsy with the choir boys.” Golden Hands says as I lean closer. The beads were jet black with silver crosses carved into the center.

They curled around the wrist and the ends were held tightly in the palm of the hand. ALMOST AS IF THE PREVIOUS OWNER DIED CLUTCHING THEM IN PRAYER “Beautiful aren't they, I polished them myself.” He says as PERVERT reaches up to what looks like a shower curtain rack and detaches his arms. Before attaching a pair with ripperdoc tools and grabbing an injector. “Dis will sting a bit.” He says before jabbing me with the injector, After a few seconds I feel my arms tingle. Only to realize that shouldn't be possible.

“You alright, you've got the panic look again?” Golden Hands says as the PERVERT straps down my hand and pulls out a measuring tool. “I can feel my left arm even though it's not there.” I say as he finishes measuring and pulls out a small scalpel. PHANTOM LIMB SYNDROME HOW FUN “Don worry, once I get the new one attached ya body will learn to accept it.” PERVERT says as he uses the scalpel to trim away some of the dead nerves before pulling out a cuff and attaching it to my hand. Then he connected wires from the cuff to the hand before attaching them in the correct positions with the nerves. Then he attached the hand sideways before turning it the proper way. Golden Hands attaches a cable to the hand and my shard port.

A red bar fills my vision before I see a green box and I CAN MOVE MY FINGERS. “Look at dat, he can move even with anesthesia.” PERVERT says before moving to my left shoulder. He cuts away any remaining tissue before placing another cuff on what's left of my shoulder. I spaced out for a few minutes watching him connect the cuff to the arm before moving back to my shoulder. And attaching more cables and pieces to the cuff before attaching the arm. Another line and I can move the fingers on the hand and the arm simultaneously. “Ambidextrous, interesting.”

WE HAVE TO REPAY THEM
Why?
I HAVE A FEELING ABOUT THIS ONE
PLUS THE CHURCH NEVER PAID US
Fine
“What do you need me to do to repay you?”
It takes me a minute to realize the sound I was hearing was Golden Hands laughing. “If you think you're ready, you're not and the job will be done after we are finished here.” He says while walking out of view. “Doc, make sure to replace anything you can't recover. When you're done, bring him to my office.” PERVERT Doc simply waves in his direction before I get an alert that says I'm being scanned. Before he pulls out a tablet and starts swiping and poking at it.”I'm gonna have to knock you out so good night” He says before jabbing me with another needle before the world starts spinning before I fall back staring directly into the light above. Everything slows down as I stare into the white light contemplating everything.

Doc's hands and head move around my torso while I wonder if he realizes I'm still awake. OF COURSE NOT ILL BE SUPRISED IF THIS FUCKER INSTALLS THE SHIT RIGHT More boxes appear in my vision as he continues his work before he leans in his visor over his eyes, and looks at me the visors blue lights blinding me. “Oh shit your still awake thats fucking impressive.” PERVERT says before grabbing the seat and pulling it down before placing my head in a brace allowing access to my neuralware. I cant feel anything or move my arms or legs due to the drugs but

Im still FUCKING CONCIOUS YOU ASSHOLE. I white out but hear the clinking of metal on metal and slight tugs in my skull. PERVERT hums to himself as he works. After a while there is nothing but me AnD him. WELL THIS IS DEPRESSING WOULD OF THOUGHT THE DRUGS WOULD MAKE THIS A LITTLE MORE EXCITING Time flies by fast before Suddenly PERVERT slams a Bounceback into my chest and I feel the adrenaline physically rush through my system.

Jolting up I run my hands against my chest and admire the new fucking stitches along my torso. HOW LOVELY “Get da fuck up dumb dumb.” PERVERT says before I release my monowire and wrap it around his throat. “Don't Test Me.” I say before releasing him as he grabs his throat in fear before stumbling away. “Fuck you then, go find him on your own.” PERVERT says as I get up from the chair. Walking around the room for a bit I move my arms and open and close my hands. Getting used to the feeling is easier than I expected.

Moving towards the door I walk out into what looks like the hallway of a hotel. Some doors are open revealing sleeping or busy Scavs. As I approach the elevator a hand grabs me, locking me in place. Turning around I activate my cyberdeck, bringing up the quickhacks. And release a mild short circuit into the offender's system. The man fell to the ground as his cyberware seized and he was scanned over for anything important.

Moments later I robbed him of his Tamayura and removed his pants before putting them on. Before heading up the stairs while putting the pistol in my waistband. Moving through the third floor was like wading through Scav central. Most of them left me alone but a few eyed me up for my newly installed chrome. ID EAT EM ALIVE EVEN WITHOUT CHROME Noticing a larger one in a black suit this one was like me.

Except he wore a Broken Dolls mask instead.
Upon getting closer I realized it had been bolted to his face. DAMN THAT IS OVERKILL
As soon as I got in front of him he grabbed me but instead of falling to my quick hacks. He instead met my face with his fist sending me sprawling. Pulling the pistol from my waistband I aim to kill, I'm stopped by a blur. And then a hand lands on my shoulder while the muzzle of a gun rests against my head. “I would not suggest pulling that trigger, friend.” Golden Hands says this time without the mask allowing me to see his face.

Curly black hair framed ice blue optics. He had a small and previously broken nose. When he grinned I noticed that his teeth were golden. His skin was pale with strange white patches around his nose and forehead. I lowered the pistol and placed it back in my waistband. Just as a Scav came running in from the staircase way.

“Boss, some nut job knocked out Bob and stole his pants and gun.” The new arrival said before noticing me. “I believe I've found the culprit now, Mr Courser please follow me.” Golden Hands said as I scanned him only to come up blank. He pulled the gun from my head. It was revealed to be a Saratoga that he calmly shouldered while gesturing to follow him into the room. Which was revealed to be a suite modified to his needs with a bd editing set up and a server at a desk with a comfortable chair behind it. And a swivel chair in front of it.

“Welcome to Golden Rat Studios, my friend. A paradise for those who love pain.” He said as he moved behind the desk and sat in the chair. Before motioning to the seat in front of him. I sat down but kept my guard up, scanning the room for an exit. But all the windows are strangely covered with pizza boxes.

OH WELL TIME TO GET DOWN TO BUSINESS “What do you want?” I ask confused about this entire encounter. First the unknown rescue then the cyberware installation. Now being treated as an associate and not a pet. I SMELL A RAT
He simply continued to smile before speaking. “I have a list of names to kill, you have a penchant for blood. It's quite simple what I want. I want ten people murdered, you have a vendetta against said people. In exchange for their deaths I'll split half the bounty with you and call you with work when your expertise is needed.” Finishing his sentence he simply opened the desk drawer and slid a shard over.

AH OF COURSE HE'S IN IT FOR THE MONEY I take the shard and slot it, as the information slides across my optics I take note of the guns and cyberware they are equipped with. Looks like several copperheads and one ajax. Multiple sidearms usually ranging from Libertys to Lexingtons. THIS WILL BE CHILDS PLAY “Any weapons you find are yours to deal with. Any information you find I'll gladly buy from you for the right price. As soon as you're done I'll send someone to retrieve you.” Golden Hands says as I hand him the shard back. He slips a black puffer across the table towards me. “A little anaesthesia for the job, it's got twelve hits. Enough to get you out alive when used sparingly.” I take it, eyeing it suspiciously, I have an idea of what this is. AND IF IM RIGHT WELL ONLY NEED IT ONCE

I put it in the pocket of my stolen pants before getting up. “A car is waiting outside for you, it will take you to your destination.” Golden Hands says as I walk out the door. And back into Scav central the bodyguard. From before staring at me through hollow eyes. As I move through the crowd of Scavs I can feel a familiar itch. Moving faster I make it inside the elevator before anyone else. And quickly press the button for the first floor. Inside the elevator the happy jingles of a random food corp turn into demonic growling. As I fall to the elevator floor. LET ME OUT
No
Not yet
Soon though I will let you feast and then you will shut up and leave me be.
YES

The elevator dings as I get up shakily from the floor and stumble into the lobby. As I walk out the door the light is blinding but I recognize the area. I'm in Pacifica, a car honks nearby and I see a blue Archer Hella with a Scav at the wheel. “Cmon I ain't got all day.” She says as I walk up to the driver's side of the vehicle calmly. Before staring her down while motioning to roll the window down. She has long dark blue hair and pale skin. “You with Golden Hands?” I ask before reaching for the gun in my waistband. “Are you the hitman he hired to wipe out some idiot?” She asks before I nod. “Then get the fuck in.” She yells as she rolls up the window. I move to the passenger's side door. And get in before she floors it and we take off towards the highway nearby.

As she drives I take a closer look at my newest possible enemy. She's wearing a white Us Cracks T-shirt with neon yellow gym shorts that barely cover her pale legs. And the shirt barely covers her stomach or her d cup breasts. I looked away several times much to her amusement whenever she turned the wheel too hard in road rage. Her holographic mask was different instead of the usual crossed out eyes. It was an orange eye over a pyramid of sorts. Her laugh was nice to hear though.

For a while it was silent until we finally entered Santo Domingo. “Alright, here is the deal. I'm gonna drop you off and park nearby. When you're done I'll pick you up and take you back. “She finished her instructions while honking the horn at an adjacent vehicle. “How will you know I'm done?” I questioned before suddenly I had a new contact number on my hud. Blue

OK THEN “Call me when you're done.” She says before pulling a DR5 Nova out of nowhere and aiming it at me. “Get out.” Was all I heard before I was gone. As soon as I stepped out of the vehicle. I activated my optical camo and felt the familiar buzz beneath my skin. Running forward I jumped over the nearby guard rail and into the back of a warehouse area. Looking in through the open back door I saw the men were in the middle of what looks like a group drinking game. All of my targets were in the middle of the warehouse playing beer pong instead of doing their jobs.

They didn't hear anything due to my lynx paws being reactivated. Apparently whoever Golden Hands is he knows his way around cyberware programming. As my legs haven't been able to properly silence in ages. FUCK YEAH Moving to a dark corner of the inside of the warehouse I find an Ajax abandoned on a table. Picking it up I feel the familiar itch again but instead of pushing it away like usual. I embrace the feeling and calmly pull the slide back and check the ammo. Before I calmly let go and felt SOMETHING ELSE TAKE HOLD AND LOCK ME IN PLACE.
.
.
.
LADIES AND GENTLEMAN
I shoulder the rifle with unfamiliar precision aiming and pulling the trigger twice. Firing into one man's head and another's heart. I feel a pulse and then the world slows down. Pulling up my quickhacks I launch them at the cameras spreading Contagion and Overheat viruses. Through the camera and to everyone linked in the system.

WELCOME TO THE SHOW
Twenty people were highlighted in red. Ten were currently bent over puking. The other Ten were overheated and stumbling around. Two caught fire. We watched as they burned alive slowly as the world sped up. Moving forward we fired the Ajax until the clip was empty and five of the burning men were dead. The other twelve regrouped and tried to retreat outside. We grabbed one as the rest fled and held him down. Noticing a familiar serrated blade on his belt we grinned sadistically. Before unsheathing it and running it along the man's face. Causing a tear to run down his face and to sizzle against the cyberware running down his face. Before we grabbed his tongue and slashed it out of his mouth. He screamed and we jammed the knife in his throat. Ripping it out we stabbed him in the chest multiple times. Before grabbing his weapon a Copperhead assault rifle. And moving outside to slaughter the last two. But before we went out we paused when we noticed a familiar grenade on the dead man's belt. Picking it up it was an incendiary grenade we knew just what to do with this.

BUT FIRST
We hacked the cameras in the outside parking lot and noticed along with the remaining eleven sixers. This time we uploaded reboot optics and short circuits and one overheat. They all scrambled around as we walked out before running for the final burning man. Raising the copperhead We unloaded into his chest leaving a mags worth of holes in his chest. Before unleashing the final onslaught a quickhack that targets the engine causing the block to overheat. That one went to all of the vehicles. Then we popped the incendiary grenade in one of the loading vehicles. Before walking away from the warehouse and turning around at exactly thirty feet when the incendiary grenade detonated. This caused a chain reaction as debris from the warehouse landed on the vehicles. Causing them to either shoot forward or explode on contact.
AND SCENE

Then I activated my optical camo and walked away towards a nearby parking garage. With each foot step I could feel my heartbeat thundering as I felt my combatware deactivate. Just in time for a familiar blue car to pull up in front of me. And a familiar Scav to pop her head and torso out. “Are you fuckin crazy, get your ass in this car before NCPD gets here.” Blue screamed as she slammed her fist into the car's roof.

All I could think of was that I had a massive lust towards this woman. Then I started laughing deliriously when I realized. The only thing keeping me sane was my dick. This revelation caused me to grab my knees before I fell over from laughing too hard. Standing fully up I speed away towards the car and once inside and around the corner. Deactivate my optical camo and sigh in relief. Only to receive a hit to the head as Blue smacked me. “What the fuck was that?” “REVENGE” I answered as she asked. “Not that, I meant the laughing at me when I threaten you to get in the car.” She asks as she makes a sudden turn.

Causing me to slam my head against the window. “I made a beautiful realization when I saw you.” I say before she silences me with. “It better not be I love you.” NOT EVEN CLOSE “Nope I'd have to have known you longer.” I respond as I extend the seat back. “Can you turn up the AC I'm overheating?” I ask, attempting to derail the conversation. She elbows me in the chest and nearly drives off the road. “Tell me what made you so happy about me yelling at you?” She demands. “If you must know, I had a revelation. It was that all this time my lust has kept me sane. Every piece they took away just made the hunger grow deeper.” With that she shuts up and I close my eyes as my nose bleeds.

Brought to you by Golden Rat Studios