Not Quite Back to the Future

As Helen arrived home, a sense of relief washed over her upon finding the place seemingly deserted. The Crew, had vacated the premises at some point, leaving her in a welcome solitude. Well aside from Nyx, the loveable cat was “asleep” on the couch. He was having fun trying to crack the apple IOS on her phone and make said software compatible with her cyberdeck. It was an operating system this world have never seen before so it would obviously catch alot of Netrunners off guard.  Classic Rock which has been long considered lost to time played quietly throughout the apartment when suddenly the music was interrupted by a sudden and abrupt knock on the door. 

Helen opted to forgo the formality of checking the camera, it mighve just taken a thought but she was mentally tired from the purge that Malestrom had suffered earlier in the night. Instead, she swung the door open, revealing her nighbor. Elena Nava in her genetically modified catgirl form. 

 

"Hi," Helen greeted, her tone clipped and businesslike, reflecting her desire to expedite whatever interaction lay ahead. She was too tired to deal with this shit and she was due at work in 7 hours. 

 

"Helen, I hope I'm not disturbing you too much. I wanted to discuss a business matter," Elena said, her ears twitching as she watched the area wearily.  

 

It was kind of cute. 

 

Helen shakes her head to herself before looking back at the cat girl. 

 

“What kind of business?” Helen asks 

 

By this point Elena was getting extremely worried although her cyberdeck was a generation behind Helen’s she could still the Appartment’s security system being activated.

 

Helen is staring her down when she gets a text message from Nyx 

 

‘She’s a minor-major share holder in miliatech… this is probably to do with their most recent share holder meeting’

 

“Miliatech huh? I took it they learned their lesson about fucking with me?” Helen asks 

 

A single one of Elena’s cat ears twitch’s as she looks at Helen in shock.

“Why do you know that?” Elena asks

 

Helen just smirks “wanna come inside?” 

 

“S-sure.” Elena says 

 

“Oh kitty cat, no need to be scared of the big bad reaper… You still have eight lives Elena.” Helen her hand reaching forward instinctively petting the floof before running down her head.

 

“A… I, w-what?” Elena stutters 

 

“I’m inviting you inside.” Helen says watching the cat girl be confused… it was very cute, she honestly loves cats and it’s great no longer being allergic to them.

 

Elena hesitates for a moment, then cautiously steps inside Helen's apartment. Following after the woman. As they walked through the entrance into the main area the interior managed to surprise her – a mix of modern electronics with a hint of nostalgia. The 2020s-inspired decor feels cozy and familiar, a stark contrast to the ominous hard concrete exterior. The window giving a beautiful view of the city. It left her partially speechless. 

 

The living room welcomes her with plush furniture and warm colors. Elena's eyes catch glimpses of bookshelves filled with a diverse collection history books. There was also a smaller shelf ful genres from fantasy to science fiction. Although the books themselves were historical books in their own right.  It is without a doubt a haven for literature lovers.

 

They made it to what was most likely the living room and it had a Prussian blue cat laying on the cat relaxing. Although the kitty itself was running some serious cyberware. 

Elena had already glanced around the room mostly looking for escapes and potential weapons. Although said  glances around, to help hide her shock at the unexpected sight of old arcade machines from the twentieth century nestled in a corner. 

 

Helen notices Elena's fascination and grins. "Surprising, isn't it? A mix of the past and present. Embracing the charm of the 2020s while holding onto some timeless treasures. Although the 20s was my favorite period I mean swing music even made a come back for a short while before the whole mess. 

 

 "It's... unique. I didn't expect this from a bladerunner’s apartment. They aren’t exactly known for being sane."

 

Helen chuckles. "Life has its own surprises. Now, tell me, Elena, what brings you to my humble abode?"  The girl grabs the bottle off of the coffee table and pours two drinks. 

 

“So, apparently… The uh, reaper came out of retirement recently?” Elea says 

 

“Maybe so… now why don’t you tell me what you need too… Unless cat got your tongue?” Helen asks with a smirk 

 

Helen's smirk widens as she observes Elena's pout. The Prussian blue cat on the cat relaxing glances between the two, its cyberware flickering in subtle curiosity.

 

"Ah, the reaper rumors. You know, they love to weave tales about me. Retirement? I mean sure I guess but, thats only cause you get tired of the endless slaugher and want some peace every now and then." Helen replies cryptically, taking a sip from a glass of amber liquid she had poured earlier.

 

Elena coughs looking back up at the humanoid deathmachine infront of her. Who had just downed a tall glass of whatever was in the bottle… How did her throat not burn from that…

 

“I, miliatech wishes to express their apology and they have sent me.” Elena says 

 

Elena, still slightly flustered, tries to maintain her composure. "Look, Helen, they want to discuss a truce. They've recognized the... inconvenience of our past transgressions… and uh we are sorry about our leashed fixer.”

 

Helen arches an eyebrow, her smirk never leaving her face. "A truce, huh? Militech trying to play nice. That's amusing. But why should I believe them? Believe you?” 

 

“Please just let me get out the whole story…” Elena says

 

Helen nods pouring herself another drink.

=======================================

 

Two hours had gone by as Elena had told the story of how Faraday had grabbed power and influence undermining miliatech underneath everyones nose.

 

Her nerves were on fire and the violent and worreid movement from her ears were mesmerizing.

 

Elena, still a bit nervous, searches for the right words. In her attempt to emphasize her commitment to the truce, she had just spent 2 hours explaining the story and laying out… Yet Helen to not be paying attention her gaze fixed on to something behind her. Did she fail?

 

“Miss Helen, I am prepared to offer anything you could want, to get you to leave Miliatech alone for the next decade assuming that we do not incite your wrath again… An if we do we just have the request of your retaliation being a reasonable and proportional response.” Elena states looking at Helen worried.

 

“Rilly anyzing I could vant? Dey sent a cat girl to entice me from attacking zem again? Nyx, did zey hack my computer?” Helen slurs aloud in a german accent

 

Elena looks up to see a flushed Helen and a few empty bottles on the table.

 

“No, they have not and until you just gave up the game this retired netwatch agent wasn’t even on to me.” Nyx states sitting up causing the cat girl to jump in surprise having been so high strung from the stress. 

 

“Ja, Faraday vas a pain in ze ass; however, I zink zey sent me a really gut gift.” Helen slurs.

 

“A gift?” Elena replies blushing. 

 

A quick look would show that Helen was drinking Polmos Spirytus Rektyfikowany Vodka… The strongest drink in the world from Poland and she had downed several bottles when most would drink it by the half shot glass. 

 

Elena's momentary fear is palpable as she gazes up at Helen. The aura of the Reaper leaves her on edge. The realization that she's managed to walk into the lair of a known killer, has left her in a dangerous game with a figure known for ruthlessness. Cyberpsychos often scream about needing the flesh of the “normals” and Helen really couldnt even be considered human at this point. 

 

Helen noticing the shift in Elena's demeanor, tilts her head slightly, studying the catgirl's expression. With a smirk she stands up and Elena feels like she is staring death in the face. With the wall to her back behind the couch she knows there is no where to escape to. 

 

Helen, with a sudden change in demeanor, steps closer to Elena closing the distance in an instant, which is followed by a swift and assertive movement, as a robotic hand is placede hand on the wall beside Elena as Helen leans over top looking down at the shorter girl. 

 

“Ja kitten, Geschenk. Miliatech haz zeen fit to sacrifice du to mich. Yet, you are too süß to be used to send a Nachricht.. Vhat do you say, kitten? Vant to experience ze best night of your life?” Helen slurs 

 

Elena looks up at the wanting and lust full eyes of a drunken reaper, and feels the heat in her core rising. “Y-yes please.” Elena mewls