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Chapter 17 - Chapter 17: Old Friends, New Code

12:05 PM | V's Loft — Post‑Patch Power‑Nap

Five hours of coma‑grade sleep isn't enough to reset my cortical timers, but it'll do. I blink at the ceiling—no alarms, no fires. Miracle.

Retinal HUD floods with unread messages:

07:41 – Kiwi 🦷: "Jaw motors stiff—PT says I need 'psyche‑jaw therapy.' Got any chew‑toys, doc?"

08:22 – Delamain Prime: 2 Excelsior units idle for 32 min. (Unlimited‑VIP status already active.)"

09:07 – Fukui Minamoto 🔒: "V, that 'singing' piece from my late husband's vault is an encrypted neural implant. Need it decoded—quietly. Interested?"

11:55 – Lucy 🎨: "David says thanks again. Spine LEDs now sync to lo‑fi beats. Pls advise."

11:57 – Padre ✝️: 🔔 Shard attached: "Clean gig, no collateral. Call when rested."

My stomach growls louder than the Warlock's engine. Messages first.

12:10 PM | Quick Replies

To Kiwi: "Forget almonds—I've got something bigger and harder: tempered tungsten jaw-dumbbell. Too much for you?"

Kiwi ➜ "Exactly what I was thinking. Send two. Jaw day is every day."

To Lucy: "Tell David he has to change LED colours manually—teasing the doc is a privilege, not a right."

Lucy ➜ "He's already spelling memes across his spine. Your problem now."

To Delamain Prime: "Idle fees waived—patient rehab. Also, you asked for access logs? Schedule a tech interview; we'll talk subroutines and burnout-proof meshes."

Delamain ➜ "Interview request logged. 'Gig' parameters pending approval of parent AI instance."

To Fukui Minamoto: "Always interested. Details?"

Fukui ➜ "Encrypted neural implant from a dead Arasaka auditor. Need decode & data extraction. High pay, extreme discretion."

Me ➜ "Understood. Send the neural drop spot—I'll pick it up."

Fukui ➜ "Info stays on me. Hand‑delivery only. Meet 22:00, Cherry Blossom Market, under the koi lantern."

To Padre: "Oki doki—Maelstrom raid saving chrome‑averse monks? Count us in. Send address and skull‑count."

Padre ➜ "Shard attached. Bless your halo, hijo."

Me ➜ "Time for Maelstrom to meet God."

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