Chapter Thirty-One - Obsolete Worries

    Chapter Thirty-One - Obsolete Worries

    Never question a Samurai about what they might think are personal things.

    This means that you should avoid the following topics:

    -Religion

    -Abortion

    -Politics

    -Economics

    -Sexuality

    These are subjects that tend to spark debates with our clients, and that can worsen their mood and generally make them uncomfortable.

    In the very worst cases, they might decide that they ought to do something about a perceived issue. We at Welcome Inn International do not want to be held responsible for the destruction of any religious organizations or the toppling of local governments.

    Remember your three Cs:

    Courtesy,

    Care,

    Common Sense.

    --Part of a training manual for Welcome Inn International staff, 2046

    ***

    It felt a bit strange just walking out of the Hour Men headquarters. We just went up one floor and left out the main entrance. I even waved to the old lady at the nail salon on the way out. There was a squad of Police-Tech enforcers rushing over to the scene, but when they saw us they averted their eyes and rushed to cordon off the area without so much as trying to stop us.

    Gomorrah stretched her arms up until her back popped audibly. That was interesting, she said.

    It was, I guess, I said. I shifted a bit to get the grapple pack I was carrying to sit better over my shoulder. I wasnt sure wed get anything out of it, but... yeah. A name and all that.

    You were told to find the girl by someone, right? Gomorrah asked.

    I nodded. Deus Ex. It was her job, but she dropped it on my head because shes a little shit.

    In that case you should probably inform her of our progress so far. Make sure were all on the same page.

    Shouldnt I call her after we save the girl? I asked.

    Gomorrah shook her head. No, this way if something goes wrong, you get to share the blame around a bit more. Havent you ever had a job before?

    Someone tried to jack your wheels, I said.

    Gomorrahs fists tightened.

    I recognized some of the punks as we got closer. They were the same lot that wed run into on the way down, plus maybe half a dozen members. Yo! I called out. Did you never watch one of those kids shows that teach you about not touching other peoples shit? I asked.

    We got quite a few glares. One of them, one that hadnt been there earlier, stepped up. He was a mountain of a man, covered in glowing tattoos and equipped with a pair of cybernetic arms that looked like theyd been torn off a cargo-lift bot. You killed one of ours, he grumbled. We cant let that kind of shit fly.

    I reached over my shoulder and unslung Whisper. Without actually raising the weapon I turned off the safety with my augs and pulled the trigger.

    A bolt smacked into the ground, then bounced off the cement floor with a clatter.

    A few of the punks giggled.

    If you knock them out, I wont feel good burning them, Gomorrah said.

    You mean you wouldnt feel bad burning them otherwise?

    She shrugged. If they put up a fight. They tried to steal Righteous Fury.

    The big guy at the front grunted as he crashed to the floor. Some of his buddies went down quietly, but a few of them tried to run. They didnt make it far before whatever amount of knock-out gas was in them took them out.

    Thats a bit much. Its just a car. A very nice car, but still.

    I dont think you understand the relationship a woman can have with a vehicle this gorgeous, Gomorrah said.

    I shook my head and stepped over a few bodies on my way to the passenger side. You make it sound like you want to marry this thing.... Please tell me you dont actually get off to a car. I mean, theres kinky, then theres just weird. And you already have that pyromania fetish.

    I dont have a pyromania fetish. And I dont get off to my car. Thats just weird.

    Do the seats have a massage feature? I asked as I ducked in. I tossed my gear to the back then looked at Gomorrah who was grabbing the wheel.

    I mean, technically.

    Damn Gomorrah, I said with a laugh. Are you that repressed?

    Im not repressed, she said a little too fast.

    Sure, sure. You get your lover moving, Ill call up Deus Ex.

    Fury isnt my lover.

    Fine, your mobile sex toy then.

    Its unchristian-like to hate someone, but I might make an exception for you.

    ***