>>4381733
>Time skip to recovery

Good to see you back Op

>>4381736

Thanks! Good to be back, took some time off to just enjoy having no responsibilities but now I'm ready to run again!

>>4381733
>Time skip to recovery
>"Nothing overtly special about this treatment I should be aware of? Just the wonders of modern medicine?"
Let's not get further in debt with them by getting a surperfluous augmentation to speed up our recovery. Last thing I want is new organs or nanomachines or something like that installed without our knowing.

Also welcome back OP. Had me a bit worried when Tuesday and Wednesday rolled around.

>>4381744

Sorry, I slept almost all day Tuesday and then went and spent the day at a lake on Wednesday. Just relaxing you know?

>>4381753
Nah, that is fair. A trip to a lake sounds pretty nice. Just glad to see you return.

>>4381733
Last Thread:
http://suptg.thisisnotatrueending.com/qstarchive/4324657/

>>4381736
>>4381744

Being taken care of by Sutherlund Industries sends a shiver up your spine and not the good kind.

“Nothing too invasive I hope.”

Fishing for more information on what they did to you. Ms. Fathoms ever present smile widens.

“Of course not darling! The bullets went right through you, nothing to do but patch the entrance and exit wounds. Of course, if you wanted we could fix that pesky penetrable skin problem of yours…”

You wonder just how in debt a bulletproof set of skin would put you in.

You spend some more time in their care before they release you. Heading home you notice some damage to your bike, nothing intense, just cosmetic. Still, it upsets you to see your bike damaged. Looking over it you think it would cost 1 FUNDS to fix. You think about things to buy for your bike, if you want to spend the money that is.

-1 FUNDS to fix cosmetic damage
-4 FUNDS +1 SPEED
-3 FUNDS +1 MANEUVERS

-1 FUNDS Bullet Resistant Jacket
-3 FUNDS Bullet Proof Catsuit (Aleksandra's family owns the company selling this)

-3 FUNDS Mounted Machine Guns

-3 FUNDS Neural Implant (The implant will allow you to push your bike past it’s limits once an encounter)
-? FUNDS Bulletproof Skin (How the hell would they do that?)

>Call Don
>Call Aleksandra
>Call Mistletoe
>Skip to next job

>>4381847

You have 6 FUNDS to play with

>>4381847
>-3 FUNDS Bullet Proof Catsuit
>-3 FUNDS Mounted Machine Guns

>Call Aleksandra

>>4381847
>Call Aleksandra
>-3 FUNDS Bullet Proof Catsuit (Aleksandra's family owns the company selling this)
I feel kind of bad pushing her for a discount or help with the catsuit. But to be frank, we've been shot at a lot recently. This trend just isn't good for our health.

If we can drop the price of the catsuit at all, I'd say
>-4 Funds +1 SPEED
IIRC, our bike is currently 3 SPEED, 3 MANEUVERS, and Armored (-1 speed).

I'm kind of getting guns for ourselves, just because I think Radiant in general is a bit anti-gun. Like batman. Except it was getting shot by Aki that really pushed us against guns and in favor of SPEED, or a club if needed.

>>4381936
In my book I have you at 4 SPEED and 4 MANEUVERS with Armored taking you down from 5 to 4 SPEED

>>4381847
>Call Aleksandra
>+1 Speed
>Bullet proof catsuit

>Call Aleksandra
>+1 Speed
>Bullet proof catsuit

>>4381847
>-1 FUNDS to fix cosmetic damage
> -3 FUNDS Bullet Proof Catsuit (Aleksandra's family owns the company selling this)
>Call Aleksandra

>>4381733
what is this quest about?

>>4382478
Cyberpunk setting: mc is a courier with disregard for morals and loves speed.

>>4381847
>-3 FUNDS Bullet Proof Catsuit (Aleksandra's family owns the company selling this)

>Call Aleksandra

Supporting +speed if we reduce the price, if not fix cosmetic damage.

>>4381858
>>4381936
>>4381944
>>4382029
>>4382449
>>4382666
>>4382666

Counting the votes I've come up with Bulletproof Catsuit for sure and SPEED upgrade. Now I'll be blunt, those are the most voted choices and calling Aleksandra will get you a discount. Down from 3 to 1 FUNDS. So you'll have 1 FUNDS left over.

>Fix Cosmetic Damage -1 FUNDS
>Save money

>>4382721
>>Fix Cosmetic Damage -1 FUNDS

>>4382721
>Fix Cosmetic Damage -1 FUNDS

>>4382721
>Save money

>>4382721
>>Fix Cosmetic Damage -1 FUNDS

>>4382721
>Save money
Unless it's another job of hauling some big wig or VIP around, I don't think the cosmetic stuff is super pressing. It hurts us emotionally to see our baby marred like this, but always helps to have a little cash in the pocket.

>>4382576
Wheres the first thread?

>>4382770
See >>4381824

File: Aleksandra.jpg (124 KB, 445x614)

124 KB JPG

>>4382722
>>4382723
>>4382724
>>4382725
>>4382741

You really need to get something that stops bullets. Ideally you wouldn’t get shot at all but recent events have proven that inescapable in your line of work. Remembering that Aleksandra’s family owns the company selling the Bulletproof Catsuit, you decide to give her a call. Hopefully she doesn’t take offense to you asking for a discount.

“Melanie! How are you?”

“Oh you know, just out here doing my job. Which is kind of why I’m calling right now. I just had a nasty run and was hoping you could hook me up with one of those bulletproof suits your family makes.”

“Did you get shot!?”

“Nothing too bad I promise.” You rub your chest.

“Of course! I’ll make a call and make sure you get your suit for a discount! Promise me you won’t need it though, please?”

You can almost see her puppy dog eyes and pouting lips.

“I’ll do my best Aleksandra, thank you.”

Hanging up, you see a message pop up giving you a discount code. Punching it in you make your purchase and feel relief pass through you. It won’t stop people from shooting at you, but hopefully when they hit their mark you won’t die. Putting in an order for an upgraded engine part and some replacement armor, you’ve upgraded your bikes SPEED and fixed the cosmetic damage your last run caused.

>Skip to the next job
>Call Don
>Call Mistletoe
>Write in

>>4382786
>>Skip to the next job

>>4382786
>Skip to the next job

>>4382786
>Skip to the next job

>>4382793
>>4382807
>>4382815

After getting in your packages and tuning up your bike. You get a call from Dave.

“Hey Radiant! How’s life treating you!”

“Not very well.”

“Well hey it can’t all be roses and sunshine now can it? Now I’ve got a job for you! A package needs delivering and you’re the one to do it. It’s fragile, time sensitive, and anonymous. You know how these go, get it there and then get the hell out. It’s going to an apartment block out near the slums so take some care out there yeah? Call me when it’s done.”

Hanging up, Dave sends you the coordinates of the package and the drop off point. Hopefully this one doesn’t end in guns and bloodshed. Putting on your bulletproof catsuit you notice a little heart stitched into the inside above your heart, with the initials A.R. inside it. Huh. Zipping it up you take comfort in the security it brings you and not to mention how it hugs your curves. They did fine work with this, no wonder it cost so much.

The ride to the package is nice and easy. A standard day in the Megacity, you can’t see the sky but you know the sun is shining above you. Getting to the pick up place, you’re met by a single woman in a decent suit. You know they’re corporate but not one of the bigger ones. She hands you the package. It’s a small box, about the size of a 6 pack of beer.

“Be careful with it. Get it there on time.”

With that she leaves, getting into an unmarked car and leaving. Oh good, you do so love the secret jobs.

>Inspect the box
>Get a move on
>Write in

>>4382992
>Get a move on

Let's not waste any time. We have a job to do.

>>4382992
>>Get a move on

>>4382992
>Get a move on

>>4382992
>Get a move on
Typically aren't supposed to check on the delivery goods, anyway. Professionalism as always.

Inb4 OP has been trying to get us take the plot hook but we’re too professional

>>4382993
>>4382995
>>4383004
>>4383038

You strap the box on your bike and get a move on. There’s no reason to inspect the box, you’ve delivered hundreds of these things before and this one isn’t any different. You hope. Once you’re on the road you take a few side roads, knowing which ones have less traffic and less Merc-cops. You’re about halfway there when you notice something strange. Another motorcycle with what looks like the same kind of package as yours. Then you spot another. Looks like there’s the three of you, headed the same direction, with the same package. You get a call from Dave.

“Hey Radiant! New instructions. Looks like they’ve hired two other runners and they’re only paying out to the one that gets there first. So uh, get there first would you?”

Dave hangs up.

Can’t you just have one fucking normal job? Just a pick up and drop off? No dealing with gangs or bullets or sudden races? What should have been a simple job has changed. You exchange looks with the other bikers. All of you seemingly getting the same message. Time for the fun to start.

>Try to break away with SPEED
>Try to wreck the other two with MANEUVERS
>Write in

>>4383043
It's okay, no really it's fine ):

>>4383045
>Speed

>>4383045
>SPEED
Wonder if this is more of a fishing for talent sort of deal. See which courier is the best. Either way, time to show them we are SPEED!

>>4383045
>Try to break away with SPEED

>>4383045
>>Try to break away with SPEED
S P E E D

>>4383048
>>4383065
>>4383077
>>4383078

roll me some d20s guys! best of 3, higher is better with crits at 1 and 20

Rolled 3 (1d20)

>>4383092

Rolled 13 (1d20)

>>4383092

Rolled 9 (1d20)

>>4383092

>>4383100
>>4383108
>>4383110

You just put in new engine parts, time to see what they can do. You clamp down on the accelerator and jet forward. Really working the new parts. But the other bikers aren’t too far behind. You all got the same message at the same time more or less. While one looks built for speed the other has some weaponry. That’s the one that falls back a little and opens fire on the two of you. Bullets ping off your bike armor and you even feel a slight tug on your right shoulder. But the catsuit holds just like advertised.

You add on some more SPEED and take some evasive action as well. The other SPEED bike does the same. You think you’re faster than them but with the other bike spitting lead down the road you can’t break away without giving them a very clear target.

>Try more SPEED, give the machine gun bike an easy target
>Try MANEUVERS, try to ruin the machine gun bikes aim
>Write in

>>4383128
>Try MANEUVERS, try to ruin the machine gun bikes aim

>>4383128
>>Try MANEUVERS, try to ruin the machine gun bikes aim

>>4383128
>Try MANEUVERS, try to ruin the machine gun bikes aim

>>4383154
>>4383159
>>4383160

some d20s please! I'll probably update tomorrow!

Rolled 7 (1d20)

>>4383181

Rolled 13 (1d20)

>>4383181

Rolled 18 (1d20)

>>4383181

>>4383191
>>4383211
>>4383254

You decide to use some fancy MANEUVERS to try and help you ruin the machine gun bikes aim. Even better, you have an idea on how to take care of the other runner as well. Swerving back and forth you try to dodge as many shots as possible. The other runner does the same, sticking as close to you as possible. That’s fine by you, they’re going to be your shield. You lean hard into a right and slide a little into their bike which is far lighter than yours. They wobble and are forced to slow down when you get in front of them and slam on the brakes. You’re all in a straight line and the gun bike is having a field day as they light up the runner behind you. You send a salute behind you and slam down the accelerator, booming away from them as the runner behind you is peppered with bullets. You hear the crash and have a few more close calls as bullets ping on your bike armor, but you are safely away from both of them and there’s no way the gun bike can catch up.

The rest of the way there you keep an eye out for other runners. Just because you ran into the other two doesn’t mean there aren’t more. Being ever cautious you glide into the delivery zone and take out the package. Dropping it down the delivery chute and taking off again.

JOB COMPLETE

+3 FUNDS

You now have 3 FUNDS

You’re half a block away when the apartment building you delivered to explodes. The force of the blast almost unseats you from your bike but you manage to hold on. Looking behind you is chaos as people run away from the growing blaze. The lower half of the building is a scorched shell that’s beginning to collapse. You’d be surprised if any people make it out of that. You wonder how many were home.

You need to get out of here.

>Go Home
>Go to Don’s
>Just Go
>Call Dave
>Write in

>>4384162
>Go to Don’s

>>4384162
>Go to Don’s
Ah fuck. Dawn Inc better cover our asses.

>>4384162
>>Go to Don’s
Woo, terrorism!

>>4384162
>Go to Don’s

>>4384162

Hey Radiant, Aleksandra is a redhead right?

This is very important as we deserve a redhead gf

>>4384209
haha! Yes, Aleksandra Red has red hair and hazel-gey eyes

>>4384162
>Go to Don’s

>>4384178
>>4384193
>>4384196
>>4384203
>>4384243

You need to get out of here. Delivering a bomb is generally frowned upon and you doubt even Dawn Inc. will be able to cover your ass fully if you’re found out. Running through the short list of places for you to go you decide to head to Don’s. He always has some kind of good advice for you. Maybe he can help with accidental terrorism?

You get the hell out of there, laying down SPEED and zipping around corners and cars alike. You take the long way around just in case anyone follows you, you don’t want to lead them directly to Don’s place. Finally arriving you take a few deep breaths. Today’s delivery was not what you expected or wanted from your job. Death seems to be following in your wake everywhere you go lately. You wonder how long before it catches up to you.

You’re about to get off your bike and head in when you get a message from a blocked out number. It’s a bunch of pictures and videos of you dropping off the package and driving away from the explosion.

“We’ll be in touch. Good job.”

You’re left feeling nauseous. You hop off your bike and stumble a little, you’re shaking. From what you’re not sure, either delivering a bomb or the blackmail. You have good reasons to feel ill right now. Walking into Don’s you see him bartending as usual. His big smile setting everyone at ease and his booming laugh relaxing shoulders. He spots you and immediately knows somethings wrong. He sets out your favorite beer and you just shake your head. He brings out the tequila and you nod. The tv’s in the corners are playing different things, mostly sports. But you notice one on a local news channel playing footage of the explosion. None of the footage shows you, at least there’s that. Don notices your focus on the news channel and sighs.

“Bad day kid?”

“You could say that.”

Your hands shake as you down a shot and Don pours another.

“You know, this path you’re going down seems a little dangerous.”

“I just deliver packages Don! I take things from point A to point B and that’s it! I don’t need to know what’s in them!”

Don looks at the news footage.

“You can stay here for a while, let things cool down. I have news about the next race coming down the tracks so we can focus on that. But Melanie, maybe you do need to know.”

Don pats your shoulder and leaves out the bottle of tequila for you. You’re not sure that was a good idea of his but you’re thankful nonetheless.

>Stay at Don’s
>Go home
>Call Dave
>Write in

>>4384268
>Call Dave

>>4384268
>>Call Dave

>>4384268
>>Call Dave

>>4384268
>Call Dave

>>4384268
>>Call Dave

>>4384276
>>4384284
>>4384290
>>4384291
>>4384300

You’re left alone with a bottle of Tequila. Time to call Dave you think.

“Dave.”

“Radiant! How’s it going?”

“Not we-”

“We here at Dawn Inc. have come to a decision regarding your current employment. We are very sad to have to separate but we think this is in the best interests of both parties.”

“You’re fucking joking!”

“Now now, there’s no need for that kind of language Radiant. You’ll find you have a separation bonus, that’s usually pretty hard to come by! Enjoy your extra FUNDS and have a drink on us!”


“No you can’t just do this after this jo-”

Dave hangs up on you.

You’re left alone with a bottle of tequila. Now unemployed. Abandoned by a job you’ve been working for six years now. Those fucking bastards!

+5 FUNDS

You now have 8 FUNDS

>Call Ms. Fathoms
>Call Aleksandra
>Focus on the upcoming race (time skip)
>Write in

>>4384322
>Call Ms. Fathoms

Guess we have to be slightly less professional from here on.

>>4384322
>Focus on the upcoming race (time skip)
That sucks. Gotta find a new job

>>4384322
As much as I'd love to partake in the next race right now to shift to a lighter note, we need to get our ass checks covered and covered now.
I hate having to sign onto a megacorp, but a megacorp with keen interest in us is probably one of the only things that'll likely be able to both protect us from any fallout and to be able to root out the blackmailers. Let's see how the like fucking with us when assassin cyborgs come knocking. Unless of course we want to just jump full anarchist and sign on with the blackmailers instead. And assuming of course it wasn't Sutherlund that set us up just so we come crawling into their open arms. But that's just paranoia talking.

>Call Ms. Fathoms
Set up a meeting with her, and see if they'd be willing to bump us up to a full time employee.

>>4384322
>>Call Ms. Fathoms

Question, OP, what all does the Red company that Aleksandra's dad run do?

>>4384363
Mainly owns several personal defense companies. They're considered New Lights go to for personal armor.

>>4384369
Hmm. So a useful and large company, but niche. Not quite as prominent, wide reaching, or bleeding edge as Sutherland I'm guessing.

>>4384373
Correct! Sutherlund is global while Red is growing up in New Light. After all, Sutherlund offered you bulletproof skin, rather than a catsuit.

>>4384335
>>4384338
>>4384354
>>4384357

You really want to disappear into the bottle right now. Taking another shot, you decide the actual best thing to do is get your ass covered as soon as possible. You punch in Ms. Fathoms number.

“Radiant! How nice to hear from you! How can I help you?”

“I’d like to meet, discuss the terms of my employment.”

“Oh! Well that’s interesting, we still have you on for one more job before we were going to discuss that. Are you sure Dawn Inc. is okay with this?”

“Yeah. I’m sure.”

“Wonderful! I’ll find a good time for us to meet and we’ll discuss terms. Is there anything else we can help you with?”

“No, I think that’s all.”

“Perfect! Have a wonderful day darling!”

Good. With that taken care of you pour another shot. Time to drown yourself in self pity.

>Focus on the upcoming race (time skip)
>Skip to the meeting
>Write in

>>4384404
>Ask Don what the fuck's been happening the last week. When did shit go so sideways?
>Skip to the meeting
Unless of course the race is really time sensitive. Do we have a rough date of when that's coming up?

>>4384441
+1

>>4384441
Honestly the race happens whenever you guys want it to happen. Time sensitive stuff exists but not for major points like that

File: Cyberjazz.png (114 KB, 768x768)

114 KB PNG

>>4381733
Shit, guys, we gotta make sure those pictures ever see the light of day!

>>4384404
>Skip to the meeting
Who thinks that those pictures are going to surface around the time of the race, when someone has a lot of money riding on us losing?

>>4384404
>Skip to the meeting

>>4384590
Based as hell.

>>4384404
>Focus on the upcoming race (time skip)

File: 1494637006466.jpg (307 KB, 1920x1080)

307 KB JPG

>>4384590
That is fantastic! Thank you so much for that!

CYBER-JAZZ

Also I've envisioned Melanie as looking like pic related but you can headcanon her however you want. I was leaving it vague for that but since you asked.

>>4385148
Thanks, glad you like it!

I'm just happy that I got the hair color right. I don't think it was mentioned, other than it being fairly long. So wasn't sure if I should go for dark or light.

>>4384441
>>4384444
>>4384804
>>4384818
>>4384896

You are slumped over the bar, resting your head on your arm. Next to a half empty bottle of tequila. Don has cleared out the bar and is busy cleaning up.

“Where did it go wrong Don? I was living a simple life, just normal fucking deliveries and then boom! Guns and bombs and blood!”

“Probably when you won the race. Got you involved in all that corp shit. Corps are just nasty business, have a tendency to ruin lives unless you tie yourself to them. Of course, in my opinion, things went wrong even further back with Aki. You really lost a part of yourself there.”

You hum a little thinking over what he said. It makes sense, the race got you into the spotlight and that led the Bloodskulls right to you. That’s when things became blood and terror. Still, you wonder if Dawn Inc. would have given you the latest job even without all of that. Then you think about Aki, you were practically raised alongside her by Don. Just two kids with deadbeat parents that ignored their kids. Sometimes Don was the only one who fed you two. You wonder if what happened can ever be fixed. Or if you even want to fix it. Maybe Don was right, maybe you lost a part of yourself somewhere. Draining one more shot you excuse yourself. Laying down in the spare bedroom Don has above the bar. You fall asleep and are greeted by explosive nightmares.

Waking up you get ready to meet with Ms. Fathoms. Today is going to change your life majorly in one way or another. Signing on with a major corporation is a big deal. It’s often for life and sometimes can get quite nasty. Still, you’ve been working with Sutherlund Industries for a while now and besides the scary thought of cyborg assassins being mind controlled by them. They seem pretty okay.

The ride to see Ms. Fathoms is gloomy and humid. It’s going to rain soon, you can feel it. You are escorted up to see Ms. Fathoms as usual and find her in her office flanked by her bodyguards. They pay more attention to you than usual. You start sweating under their gaze, just thinking about what they can do to you. Maybe they’re scoping out the newest addition to the team? Maybe they’re sizing you up in case they have to get rid of you later. You hope this meeting turns out okay.

“Radiant! How are you darling? I trust everything finds you well, you are my most talented agent after all! Soon to be a full time employee!”

“Thank you Ms. Fathoms, I appreciate it. Of course, we need to find the right terms for my full time employment.”

“Oh of course! Let’s hammer out the details, we’ll have you in a slick Sutherlund Industries fitted suit by the end of this meeting. I swear it!”

>>4385817

She devolves into legal jargon and lays out a contract very similar to what you had with Dawn Inc. surprisingly similar even. You have mostly free reign over side jobs so long as they don’t interfere with company time and interests. You will be given monthly FUNDS to cover expenses and living costs, with bonuses from jobs worked. Your own penthouse suite and garage to house your bikes. Really most things look above board. But you do see something along the lines of Sutherlund Industries having twenty four hour access to your life. You’d have to report side jobs to them. Then they reserve the right to liquidate the contract at any time for any reason. As well as having to represent Sutherlund Industries at all times alongside a non disclosure agreement for any work you do for them. It honestly doesn’t look too bad. It would be for life or until they decided they don’t want you. Which you understand, runners who run afoul of their corporations don’t tend to live very long.

>Contract demands? (write in)
>Accept
>Decline
>Write in

>>4385818
The side-job access is nice, wasn't really expecting that. The on-call 24/7 I was expecting, but little we can really do about that. I would say we'd hopefully have at least a little warning so it wouldn't interfere with other stuff, but considering we are one of the city's best(?) couriers, its likely we'll be called up for last minute quick deliveries. NDA is fine enough, though the represent thing kinda blows if we have to slap Sutherlund stickers everywhere over our bike during the race or when out and about.

I guess I should ask everyone else what they think of bringing up the blackmailers. Bringing it up now hurts our leverage and negotiating position a bit here, but I think it'd be important to make sure its known rather than pop it up later once we are employed. Both for trust and also for a more hasty resolution to that threat.

>Ask Ms. Fathoms about Races and if we can just fly our own colors during that.
>Ask about the potential for resolving completely hypothetical terrorist blackmailers for aspiring employees.

Hesitant >Accept, unless the latter Ask really changes up the conditions of the long-term employment.
If she just makes sure we do an extra job or two for it, something immediate in return for their own immediate response, then that's fine. I'm more concerned with losing long term benefits for them clearing up our shit right now.

>>4385873
+1 to this

Maybe an option to buy out our contract later down the line?

>>4385818
>>Decline

>>4385818
>Write in
Go into detail about what the 24 hour access means. Is it just being on call, or are they going to start selling footage of our life and shit?

>>4385818
>Decline

Getting in bed with corporations is what got us in a lot of these messes.

>>4385873
Supporting questions.

Still about, OP?

>>4388553
I live, just busy. I apologize, next good day should be friday. I might get an update or two in before then though.

File: IMG_20200805_150109.jpg (1.95 MB, 4160x2464)

1.95 MB JPG

Did a quick sketch and thought of a good name for one of our bikes.

>Write in
Go into detail about what the 24 hour access means. Is it just being on call, or are they going to start selling footage of our life and shit?

>>4385873
>>4386157
>>4386279
>>4386283
>>4386529
>>4386539

“So the representation, I’d have to put Sutherlund Industries stickers on my bike in the upcoming races?”

“You wouldn’t have to, but you would be sponsored by us and that would be reflected if you win.”

“What about this twenty four hour access to my life? What does that completely entail?”

“Really it just means you’ll be on call all the time. There’s also an optional tracker implant we can do. It of course tracks your location but also when it senses major blood loss or heart stoppage it places out a call to a Trauma Team. Of course, that’s a very expensive option.”

“And what about an option to buy out my own contract?”

“That can be arranged, of course an elite corporate couriers contract doesn’t come cheap.”

“Alright, I think that clears those up. I do however have one more thing I’d like to talk about.”

“Of course darling! Anything you want.”

“If I was being blackmailed by someone, would Sutherlund Industries have my back?”

Her smile widens, something you thought impossible. Her bodyguards also give you curious looks. Showing more emotion than you thought they had.

“Hypothetically speaking?”

“Of course.”

You’d swear that her teeth had been filed into points by the way they gleam in the light.

“Sutherlund Industries has an invested interest in keeping it’s employees safe and sound.”

Ms. Fathoms gets up from her seat and walks over to you. She places her hand on your shoulder.

“We take care of our own.”

>More questions?
>Accept
>Decline
>Write in

>>4392731
>Accept

Bastards framed us I can tell.

Welcome back OP

>>4392731
>>Accept
Well, the devil you know right?

>>4392731
To be honest, as far as megacorp contracts go, this seems pretty upstanding and fair for us.
A buy out option and the freedom to take side jobs or races is a very good amount of flexibility both short term and long term. While still keeping all the pros of being backed by a Corp.

I think the only "negative" side is the fact that we are going to be shipping contriband goods, like bodies and organs and the like. And the likely getting shot at on some of those jobs. Which frankly, we were doing anyway.

>Accept

The only thing that scares me more than Ms. Fathoms smile or the blackmailers, is Kim and her sister actually emoting.

>>4392731
>Decline

>>4392751
Quite likely. The only other potential people that might have tried are either Rose's gang or some new faction that would've tried to use our skills for our own agenda. At least this way we get 5 Funds out of dawn Inc dropping us, and on the off chance it wasn't a setup, they clear us of a really nasty threat.

>>4392751
>>4392752
>>4392755
>>4392758


You think it over, this is a major decision after all.

“I accept.”

Ms. Fathoms reacts with glee. Clapping her hands once she reaches out and shakes your hand.

“Welcome aboard Melanie Dread! Sutherlund Industries own Radiant! We’ll have to get you fitted for a suit and get you the code for your new penthouse. Come, come! We have lots to finalize.”

She reaches for the paperwork and places it in front of you. You spend hours signing away your life to a mega corporation.

“And I have one more thing for you. A gift from me to you! Pick one of these cybernetics, on us.”

>Cybernetic eyes. Greatly enhancing your vision this will stop any blurriness that happens on account of speed as well as generally enhancing your vision. (+1 MANEUVERS)

>Hidden blade. A blade the length of your forearm is placed inside of your forearm. Allowing quick access to a melee weapon. You know that jobs for major corporations almost always involve violence at some point, might as well be prepared for it.

>Neural Implants. These help you maintain a level of awareness about your bike that you’ve never had before. (Adds a +3 to any roll once a job, cannot crit)

>Dermal Healing. This causes drastic decrease to damage from wounds. Wounds heal faster and you are just generally healthier.

>Decline gift
>Write in

>>4392919
>>Decline gift

>>4392919
>Dermal Healing. This causes drastic decrease to damage from wounds. Wounds heal faster and you are just generally healthier.

>>4392919
>Write in
>"Are you sure? We haven't even fully paid off the first augmentation yet."
Dermal healing sounds nice though.

Mechanical question, QM. I sure as hell do not want to pick Neural Implants, but does the "cannot crit" part mean that we could use the +3 to prevent a crit fail once per job? Or does it just prevent us from getting a super crit of 23? Or does it negate crits across the board, all the time?

>>4392945
Good question! I worded it poorly. It means if you reach a 20 or above with the plus 3 it is not a crit. I'm on the fence about negating a crit fail. I think if I was going to give you something like that I'd let you reroll in general instead of making it a +3 to a roll.

>>4392945

I can dig it

>>4392919
>>Dermal Healing. This causes drastic decrease to damage from wounds. Wounds heal faster and you are just generally healthier.
More stamina for bedroom activities too

>>4392919
>>Dermal Healing. This causes drastic decrease to damage from wounds. Wounds heal faster and you are just generally healthier.
A gift huh?

>>4392923
>>4392930
>>4392945
>>4393979
>>4394549
>>4394577

“Are you sure? I still haven’t paid off my Skeletal Reinforcement yet.”

“Of course! Just think of it as a sign on bonus. Besides, we have that last job coming up fairly soon. Then we’ll be all squared up and you’ll be one of us.”

“Well, I suppose the Dermal Healing sounds like the best for me. I keep getting shot at out on runs.”

“Wonderful! We’ll schedule your surgery as soon as possible.”

You exchange a few more pleasantries with Ms. Fathoms and then leave. You’ve just signed a major contract with a mega corporation. You hope this was the right move. You also try to push down the feeling that they’re the ones blackmailing you to get you to sign but what’s the point now? If they did then they just won. So now it doesn’t matter. You wonder what you should do with the rest of your day. Don is letting you stay at the bar until the news of the bombing goes away and honestly it shouldn’t be too long. A bombing is unusual but not unheard of unfortunately.

>Go back to Don’s
>Call Aleksandra
>Skip to the next job (includes getting surgery)
>Write in

>>4394801
Well, we have some time now. How about we see what Mistletoe is up to?

>>4394801
>Call Aleksandra

>>4394801
>Go back to Don’s

>>4394810
>>4394869
+1
Maybe do a practise race with mistletoe and maybe hang out a bit with Alek. Or invite Alek to watch maybe. Thank her for the suit either way.

>>4394810
+1

>>4394810
>>4394869
>>4394910
>>4395132
>>4396020

It’s been awhile since you and Mistletoe have talked. He did invite you out to the track to have some fun some time ago. Maybe it’s time to hit him up? Thinking along those same lines you think about Aleksandra. You could invite her out to the track too. It actually sounds like a good time! It’s been a while since you’ve had more than one friend. Punching in Mistletoe’s number first you greet each other. With a little luck it looks like his schedule is clear this afternoon and he’s willing to meet you out on the track. Saying your goodbyes you ring up Aleksandra, inviting her out as well. She enthusiastically agrees and quickly hangs up after you hear her fussing about something to wear. This might just be an okay day after all!

Getting to the track before anyone else, you have a little time to spare. You spend it tinkering and fine tuning your bike. It’s been a while since you’ve had a quiet space of time to dedicate to it. Lately it’s all been done under pressure. You miss the days where you had an entire afternoon to dedicate to getting covered in oil and grease and making every part gleam like the sun. You’re startled out of your trance like state by the sound of another motorcycle pulling in. Must be Mistletoe. Looking up and over at the noise it is indeed Mistletoe. He pulls up next to you and turns off his bike.

“Looks like I’m interrupting, sorry about that.”

“No, I was just about done anyway.”

“Well, I hope you’ll give me the time to tinker with my bike as well.”

“Fairs fair.”

You both spend the next half an hour in silence working on your machines. It’s nice to spend time with someone who knows bikes as well as you do and doesn’t feel the need to blather on about it. You have your own geek out moments like when you went to Charlemagne Motorcycles, but that’s pretty rare for you.

“I hope you don’t mind, but I invited a friend of mine out today too. Aleksandra Red should be here soon.”

“Red huh? Any relation to Red Inc.?”

“Yeah, the CEO’s daughter.”

Mistletoe lets out a low whistle.

“Making friends in high places huh? Well just be careful, high places, longer ways to fall.”

“A little too late for that, just signed away my life to Sutherlund Industries.”

Mistletoe lets out another whistle.

“Sutherlund huh? Heard good things, heard real bad things.”

“Yeah.”

>>4398280

Your conversation is interrupted by Aleksandra’s motorcade pulling up. Five black, unmarked cars. Aleksandra steps out of the middle one. She looks around and sees you. She’s surrounded by her security guards as she excitedly waves and moves towards you. Her guards keep pace and stop her a little ways from you. She looks a little upset but stops. The guards walk over and ask to search you two. Mistletoe consents but looks a little frustrated. You agree and tell them you have a pistol on you. Pulling it out you let them hold onto it until your time here is done. After that they let Aleksandra through to see you two.

“Melanie! How are you!” She rushes over and gives you a tight embrace. She’s surprisingly strong for being so young. You return the hug, making sure not to squeeze too tight with your reinforcements and all.

“I’ve been good Aleksandra. Just getting through some major changes in my life.”

“Oh? You’ll have to tell me all about it!”

“Don’t worry, I’ll fill you in.”

“So what are we here to do?”

“Well, I’m here to give Mistletoe another run for his money. Then maybe we can take a ride together around the track.”

“I’d really enjoy that!”

You smile at her enthusiasm. Remembering when you were her age.

“Good.”

Looking over at Mistletoe finishing his tuning, you get his attention.

“Ready to race?”

“Always am.”

You both hop on your bikes and head out onto the track. Aleksandra taking a seat in the stands. You’re both on the starting line and revving your engines. This is going to be fun.

>Use SPEED at first
>Use MANEUVERS at first
>Write in

>>4398282
>>Use SPEED at first

>>4398282
>>Use SPEED at first
obviously

>>4398282
>>Use SPEED at first

>>4398282
>We are SPEED
Let's see what your sponsorship has afforded you, Viking bro.

>>4398282
>> >Use SPEED at first

>>4398282
>Use SPEED at first

>>4398282
>Use SPEED at first

>>4398282
Will you return to us, GM?

>>4401654
He’ll return. He always did.

>>4401654
>>4401701
sorry guys, the store I work at has moved to being a 24 hour store and it's thrown my schedule for a loop. I promise I'm still here! Also while I'm here roll me some d20s! I can't promise an update tonight but I'll try my best!

Rolled 4 (1d20)

>>4402132

Rolled 13 (1d20)

>>4402132

Rolled 14 (1d20)

>>4402132

Rolled 13 (1d20)

>>4402132

Rolled 12 (1d20)

>>4402132

Rolled 19 (1d20)

>>4402132

Rolled 17 (1d20)

>>4402132

>>4402147
>>4402161
>>4402162


You rev your engine, letting the beast roar. You feel it rumble between your thighs, fighting to contain it even just sitting at a stand still. It knows there’s a worthy challenge here and it’s demanding to be set free. Mistletoe lets his voice be heard too. The two of you unleashing a cacophony of noise. The beasts demanding to anyone who will listen to be unchained. All of sudden it’s time, you have no flag or person to tell you when to go. You just know. You and Mistletoe explode off the line. Both of you roaring alongside your bikes. You clamp down on the accelerator and scream down the straightaway. Mistletoe does the same, only faster. He isn’t that much faster than you but he is faster than you. He’s slowly gaining inches and building a lead. You wonder how much SPEED he’s pumped into his custom ride. How much help Charlemagne Motorcycles gave him to build his machine.

There’s a series of turns coming up ahead, you wonder how well he can MANEUVER with that SPEED. Probably very well, you only beat him by an inch the last time you raced him and since then you’ve both only had more time to build monsters.

>Try to SPEED through the turns to catch up
>Use MANEUVERS through the turns to catch up

>>4404710
>>Use MANEUVERS through the turns to catch up

>>4404710
>>Use MANEUVERS through the turns to catch up

>>4404710
>Use MANEUVERS through the turns to catch up
Maybe could use those next three rolls to speed up the posting if you have the time, OP.

>>4404710
>>Use MANEUVERS through the turns to catch up

>>4404736
lol really want that 19 huh?

>>4404712
>>4404728
>>4404736
>>4404755

Roll me some new d20s please! best of 3

Rolled 10 (1d20)

>>4404773

Rolled 19 (1d20)

>>4404773

>>4404780
Ah, there's our 19.

Rolled 4 (1d20)

>>4404773

>>4404778
>>4404780
>>4404784

Got a fresh new 19!

Writing now!

>>4404778
>>4404780
>>4404784

He’s definitely got SPEED on his side, that’s for sure. But you can make up for it in the corners. Leaning into every turn and following the line perfectly, you catch up and pass him before the next straightaway. You hope the lead you’ve built so far is enough to keep him behind you while you gun it for the next set of turns. You think back to the race. The pure adrenaline returning. You live for this, the SPEED. The feeling of flight on the ground. The pure feeling of timelessness on the bike. Everything slowing down as you get faster. This is where you belong. Not delivering bombs. Not being choked out by a mountain of a man or being shot at by some rose tattooed cowgirl. On top of your bike, you are queen of the world.

Your lead holds up into the next set of corners. Twisting and turning you manage to maintain the distance between you. He’s close on your tail though, you can feel his breath down the back of your neck. It spurs you on faster. Trying to escape the presence of another predator. Another behemoth out to get you. But you’ll show him. You’ll show everyone that your win wasn’t just a fluke or luck. You are one with your bike and your bike is all powerful.

You come into the last straight away. He has SPEED but you have a bit of distance. You hope it’s enough to win the race with.

I'm really sorry about how long this took guys. I got a call from a friend for lunch and we stayed out for quite a bit longer than I thought we would.

Please roll me some D20s! Best of 3!

Rolled 10 (1d20)

>>4405172

Rolled 20 (1d20)

>>4405172

Rolled 6 (1d20)

>>4405172

File: lovesnap.gif (428 KB, 500x274)

428 KB GIF

>>4405180

>>4405174
>>4405180
>>4405182

You feel it. The SPEED. It surrounds you, pulling you into a warm embrace that you wish would never end. Everything slows down, you see everything perfectly. The line that you need to follow to win lights up like a landing strip. It’s so easy, you lean into your bike. Guiding your steed with minor adjustments in your legs, you free the beast. It roars its freedom into the world. Greedily eating up the road it hungers for more. Always more. You boom down the track. You know Mistletoe has more SPEED than you do but you’re pulling away from him. The wind swoops down and instead of trying to pull you from your bike, pushes you further down into your seat. It’s behind you and guiding you to victory.

You cross the finish line well ahead of Mistletoe. The adrenaline is still pumping through your veins. It burns through you and makes you never want to stop. But you are the master. Slowing down you stop in the pit area where you both started to wait for Mistletoe. You see Aleksandra in the stands cheering and making her way down towards you. Mistletoe pulls in beside you. He’s wearing a big grin.

“Glad to see you’re still in great shape Radiant. Wouldn’t want my loss to be to someone who rests on their laurels.”

“Thanks. I put a lot of work into this.”

Aleksandra makes her way down to you both, cheering all the way down.

“That was amazing! You were both going so fast it was hard to keep track! You didn’t do that when we were riding for my party!”

You smile at her enthusiasm. It’s just a little contagious and who doesn’t like having their ego fluffed just a little? Mistletoe laughs.

“It was fun Radiant. I think I’ll head out now, gotta put more work into my bike if I hope to beat you at Hells Run.”

“It was a blast Mistletoe, we need to do this again.”

“Of course! I’ll keep in touch.”

Mistletoe pulls away and leaves with a parting salute.

“Do we get to ride together now?”

“Hop on Aleksandra, and hold on tight.”

You spend the next hour or two with Aleksandra, taking her for a few laps on the track and then sitting and talking about this and that and pleasant nothings while you work on your bike. It’s a very nice night and you spend it with a lovely person.

>Talk to Aleksandra (What?)
>Go to Don’s
>Skip to the next job
>Skip to the Hells Run

>>4405221
>>Skip to the Hells Run

>>4405221
>Skip to the Hells Run

>>4405221
He had more pure SPEED though! I kind of want to get one more upgrade before we bump it up to Hell's Run.
On the plus side, both our bike and ourselves are armored, so there is less concern about dying during the race, but the other contestants will be using weapons most likely. So a countermeasure or two wouldn't be a bad thing to have.

We have 8 FUNDS, so a SPEED upgrade shouldn't be too hard to get, just pricey. Though seeing what other options there are could be fun too. I don't think we installed a NOS into the Heavy Bike like we did on the Original Bike.

>>4405221
>Go to Don’s

>>4405221
>Go to Don’s

>>4405268
I'll write up a list and throw it up sometime tomorrow!

>>4405225
>>4405248
>>4405268
>>4405269
>>4405308
>>4405308


The night ends and you head back to Don’s. He offered you a place to lay low for a while and you’re more than happy to take him up on it. You start to think about the next part of your life. Hells Run. You qualified for it alongside Mistletoe and Aki. Aki you don’t have a clue about, but Mistletoe just showed you that his bike has more pure SPEED than you do. Which even though you won still stings just a little. When you get to your room you pull up the usual websites to look over and order some parts from.

-5 FUNDS +1 SPEED
-3 FUNDS +1 MANEUVERS
-2 FUNDS Nitro Boost

-3 FUNDS Front Mounted Machine Guns
-3 FUNDS Rear Oil Slick Canister
-3 FUNDS Rear Metal Spikes Canister
-3 FUNDS Rear Flamethrower

>Write in Suggestions

>>4389735
I forgot to mention how fucking badass this is! Thank you for not just one piece, but two pieces of killer fanart!

>>4408489
You have 8 FUNDS to spend guys, sorry it's split like this. I'm pretty tired

>>4408489
One question about Hell's Run. Is it a lap race, or a A-to-B race? Will we have to drive over our past spots or no? Somewhat important if we get the oil slick or metal spikes.

Right now, I'm thinking:
>-5 FUNDS +1 SPEED
>-2 FUNDS Nitro Boost
Just because nitro is very fun and hard to justify passing up. Even if countermeasures would be very beneficial. The SPEED is an addiction and damn is it fun.
Otherwise maybe the oil slick canister.

Other ideas I had from before... maybe a Speed Racer style piston jack/maglev unit/aux thrusters to get some airtime or to make a quick hop over an obstacle.

>>4408489
>-5 FUNDS +1 SPEED
-2 FUNDS Nitro Boost

We aren't in the small-time races any more, we are going to need either nitro or guns. I don't think we want to dilute our speed by shooting people.

>>4408489
>5 FUNDS +1 SPEED
>-2 FUNDS Nitro Boost

>>4408489
Supporting speed and nitro.

>>4408556
It's A-to-B! The next upgrade list I throw up will have that airtime boost!

>>4409416
A deployable smoke screen and or inferred camera heads up display could be good too. Less for racing, but a deployable scouting drone or traffic light jammer/hacker could be useful as well.

>>4408556
>>4408572
>>4408659
>>4409165

You decide on another SPEED upgrade, Mistletoe being faster than you really grates on your nerves. Maybe this will put you on equal footing. Then you can’t forget about the boost. The only reason you were able to come back and win the first race you were in. It’s important to maintain your bike and upgrade it whenever you can. After all, you never know what's headed your way. Especially in Hells Run. It’s fairly notorious for having underhanded techniques being thrown around quite liberally. Luckily you have bike armor, a bulletproof catsuit, your cybernetics, and not to mention you’re (almost) the fastest thing on two wheels.

The parts come in and you spend a loving afternoon upgrading your bike. Wiping everything down and lubing it back up. You love working on your bike.

You spend more time at Don’s. Helping him out with behind the bar chores and generally just trying to keep from being seen too often. The news has swiftly moved on from the bombing but you’re playing it a little more safe and keeping your head down just a little longer. Probably a smart choice on your part, seeing as how racing in Hells Run is prestigious enough, not to mention the massive boost in fame you’ll receive if you win.

“So how are you feeling?”

Don tears you out of your thoughts.

“I’m better Don, much better.”

“That’s good to hear Melanie. Hells Run is right around the corner and I wouldn’t let you race if you weren’t feeling one hundred percent.”

“As if you could stop me.”

“Ha! True, but Hells Run isn’t for those not paying attention. It’s the wild child of the races. Anything goes and everything is encouraged. It’s gonna be filled with new racers like you and old experienced vets trying to come back. They’ll all have tricks up the sleeves and will be aiming to kill. Don’t let me regret helping you out on this path.”

“Don’t worry Don, I’ve got my own tricks and I’m pretty damn fast.”

“Still can’t outrun bullets or the past though. So be careful.”

“Yeah yeah, thank you.”

You get back to working on your bike, waiting for the big day. It’s going to be one hell of a race. The last one you watched only three out of sixteen racers finished. Most of them made it out alive but the start of the race had been a bloodbath. That’s where the most danger is you think. When everyone is lined up and in close proximity. That’s when everyone can pull out the tricks and hope to get everybody. You pass the time thinking about the race and working on your bike.

>>4412199

The day finally arrives and you’re more than ready for it. You idly check your messages and notice some good luck messages. One from Don saying he’ll have all his tvs in the bar on the race and that you better win. One from Mistletoe, even though he’s in the race he wishes you luck and tells you to make it out alive. Finally, you have one from Aleksandra. She’s going to be watching from a CEO suite overlooking the entire track and hopes you can visit her after the race.

You take your bike down into the pit and get to work fine tuning it even more. Making sure every piece of equipment is where it needs to be and is in perfect working condition. There isn’t much left for you to do, now it’s just a waiting game.

>Write in (anything you want to do before the race starts?)
>Start the race

So the next time I have for a real solid run is Friday. I'm hoping everything goes well. I'm really sorry about my slow rate of updating. The QM curse struck me! But I'm still here fighting it and hope to keep on running with you guys! Even if my rate slows down like it has I hope you all stick around.

>>4412203
>>Start the race

I was the first vote and I'll be the only vote if needs be.

>>4412203
>Start the race

>>4412203
>>Start the race

>>4412203
>Start the race
I'd be tempted to check out other racers or bikes, but I am too scared to leave our baby unattended. Sounds like sabotage could also be a possibility. Make sure to send Mistletoe a good luck as well, though.

>>4412203
>Start the race

just to keep you all in the know, I've been called in to work on both of my days off now. So I won't be able to do the race today. I'mn hoping to finish the race this thread before it falls off page 10 but if not then the next thread will start with the race. I'm very sorry about this all guys.

>>4417377
This thread will probably be gone soon. Better make a new one.