Entry posted by Stanoth in CP 2077 - Eleanor's life
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Tonight was the night. I had taken a motel room just beyond Night City's limits. I got ready by investing what money I had left in better gear and cyberimplants. Failure was not an option.
Before my shower, I contacted Panam to come and meet me, I knew her help in crossing the border would be essential to flee the area quietly. On the way out, I thought of Judy, of our embrace once this last job was over. Another good reason not to screw up.
"Here already, Panam? You don't waste any time."
"I was in the neighborhood and I couldn't miss you in a towel! What do you need?"
"Your expertise on how to pass through the border fence. Without being noticed, of course."
"Mmh, it can be done. Why do you need this favor anyway?"
"I have a score to settle with Arasaka. That's why I have this military crate, to sneak into one of their warehouses."
"And judging by the gear inside, you didn't skimp on the armored plating!"
"This is my last job here, and then I'm off. And since I'm likely to be hunted by every corpos and mercenary in Night City, I need your help to get out."
"Okay, I may have an idea. When do you plan to leave town?"
"Once I've finished with Arasaka, if I'm still alive. When do you think you'll be ready?"
"I'll need to double-check the route and get you a scrambler and a car. Let's meet at dawn, 6am. There's an abandoned lot behind the motel. I'll wait for you there, okay?"
"Thanks Panam! We'll be square after this, and who knows, maybe we'll have a beer somewhere else!"
"Yeah, that'd be nice! Be careful tonight, it would be a shame to ruin such a pretty body..."
"Ah! Look who's checking me out now!"
"Hey, you started it, Eleanor! Alright I was topless back then but you still stared at my huge boobs!"
"Guilty as charged."
What do you think? Nice gear, isn't it? Sometimes, Arasaka shipments end up on the black market, and when you know where to look... Well, you can find yourself in some serious corporate plates. It had started to rain for my last night in Night City.
It was around midnight and I rode to the Arasaka Industrial Park, determined to accomplish my mission. I had the plan in mind, I had my path in mind, and I had Goro in my ears. Everything was going to work out for the best.
Once ready and out of sight, I put on my balaclava and climbed over the barrier into Arasaka's factory area. Even though I was carrying a katana, I couldn't risk taking out anyone here, to avoid compromising the next stage of the plan.
There was a hatch near the control tower. My direct entrance to the warehouse core.
The maintenance tunnels reeked, explaining the absence of human guards within the system. Wearing my balaclava made it... bearable.
I reached the warehouse, a huge area where Arasaka stocked its imported goods from other countries with a dozen guards patrolling the site. I was looking for an access terminal to find the AV routes, likely located deep inside.
With my cyberimplant in my right eye, I pinpointed the location of the terminal I was after. I just had to keep playing hide-and-seek with Arasaka's security to get there.
Judging by the increased number of armed patrols in the vicinity, I had reached the correct spot. Maybe the right side didn't require such care.
I was right. After circling around, I jumped onto the scaffolding leading to the upper floor of the structure.
Bingo, I had found the terminal. However, the guard was far too close, likely enough to hear me typing on it. Time for a quick diversion to get rid of him.
I managed to lure the guard away by pirating an electronic machine to send him off. It took me just a few seconds to retrieve the data for the AVs, the exclusive destinations of high-ranking Arasaka members. Now I knew where Susan Abernathy was staying and I planned to pay her a visit.
Goro set off a fake emergency in the warehouse courtyard. At the same time, it opened the emergency roof, the fastest way to get away without leaving a trace.
I joined the drainage canal behind the Arasaka Industrial Park. My crime achieved, I didn't need my balaclava anymore and tossed it into a lit barrel. Now I just had to find Goro, parked nearby.
"You've done a great job Victoria, what have you found?"
"Susan Abernathy was dropped off at Arasaka Estate this evening. I'm heading there now. She dies tonight."
"Agreed. I'll help. Wait for me before going in, I know the place."
I rode to the Arasaka Estate in the North Oak hills. As far as I knew, close members of the Arasaka family lodged at this property when they stayed in Night City. I guess Susan Abernathy wanted to break those rules. Such a pity for her legacy.
I had some time to kill before Takemura arrived, so I made a phone call to you-know-who, dear to my heart.
"Hey Judy, my last gig's almost done, just a few loose ends to tie up. You mentioned a place near the lake where you used to hang out. Can we meet there early in the morning? I've got a couple of things to tell you, and I'd really like to spend some good, relaxing time together..."
Goro showed up right after, ready to battle. He handed me an Oni mask and took a sniper rifle out of the van.
"This is it Victoria, here's the plan: I'm going to take the hilltop and mark the guards outside. You'll climb the western wall and enter the compound. Eliminate the netrunner who controls security and deal with the forces inside. When you give me the signal, I'll make my move."
No one from Arasaka was going to survive tonight. My determination pushed me on and I always kept my promises. Besides, training with bladed weapons had finally served a purpose in my former career.
My first kill of the night was the netrunner. He was master of his own virtual world, but a mere human sitting in his seat in the real world. With him out of the way, I didn't have to worry about cameras and potential backup.
I entered through a service door that led into the kitchen storeroom. If Arasaka's security protocol remained unaltered, Susan Abernathy had to be escorted by four armed guards. This meant getting rid of them before going after her.
I hid behind a pillar, my target and her team in view. I was listening closely to the orders she gave them.
"Good work for tonight. You know your posts, two downstairs, one upstairs, one in my room. You'll be relieved of your duties at dawn, once I've left."
Susan Abernathy didn't have to worry, they'd be gone sooner than expected.
That's one.
Followed by two.
Then three. Now I could enter Susan Abernathy's room and take care of her last guard before killing her.
I entered the bedroom. The last guard stood in front of me, Susan Abernathy was sitting in the back, she should have said her prayers.
"An assassin! You're dead, punk!"
After a dash and a katana vertical strike, that made four. With no guards left, I could deal with my former boss.
As I slowly approached, Susan Abernathy had dropped to her knees and was begging for her life.
"Look, I don't know who hired you, but I'll double your fee! Please don't kill me!"
Seeing her terrified made me smile. I thought of Arthur Jenkins, he would have been grateful from the afterlife. Time to finish the job.
Just as I was about to end her, I received a massive taser shot from behind. I was so blinded by my revenge that I forgot the basics. I failed so badly, I could only blame myself.
"Well, it looks like the assassin has been defeated. Good work, soldier."
"What do you want me to do with her, ma'am?"
"First, strip her down. I want to know who I'm dealing with. Then take her downstairs and handcuff her. I'll have a word with her before she's taken care of."
"No one escapes Arasaka and, above all, me!"
Edited by Stanoth
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