13:18:36 Monday, 22 January 2063 - 508 Lakeshore Drive, Bellevue, Seattle

Grid Guide told them there was an Ultimate Value Hardware Store on the way to Mario's cousin's place. After a minute's discussion they purchased the cheapest dolly they could, in a standard red color. A few extra nuyen bought three plain moving boxes as well.

Mac waited in the car while Mario ran in to his cousin's place, returning a minute later with a jumpsuit bundled in his arms. Then it was back to the apartment so they could change. They brought the SPAS up with them as well, not wanting to run the risk of being caught in Bellevue with an unregistered longarm. Once again Mac sheathed her body in the leather and latex armor of her old life. She stared at the stranger in the mirror as she did her make-up, layering on the foundation and concealer to cover up the still visible bruises. This used to be who she was. Whatever had happened, what ever changes had transpired within and without, it was clear this wasn't her anymore.

Emerging from the bedroom, Mac chuckled. Mario looked as out of place a she felt, fussing with the ride of the DHL Unlimited jumpsuit. Apparently his cousin was a little smaller than he was.

"Yeah, yeah, laugh it up," he groused, pulling on the crotch in an attempt to get a little more room.

"Don't look at me," replied Mac, "this part was your idea."

Frankie finished pasting a shipping label on the last box. "You sure this is going to work?"

Mac shrugged. "It's the best we could do on short notice." She held up a frighteningly realistic cock in neon blue plastic. "Can I borrow this?"

It was Frankie's turn to shrug. "Sure, just make sure to wash it off when you're done."

"With any luck, it won't even see the light of day." Mac arranged it on top of the rest of her make-up and lingerie in her oversized carry-all before passing her pistol to Mario, who stashed it in a plain canvas bag clipped to the rear of the dolly.

"Ready?" he asked. Mac nodded. "As I'll ever be."

The ride over into Bellevue was quiet and tense, not even filled with the kind of fatalistic banter as before. Mac guessed it was mostly because they were operating at the limits of their current skillsets. There wasn't much margin for error on this one, and even less in the way of a fallback plan.

Is it always like this?

More or less. Depends on your team. How much prep you've done. Mission objectives. Opfor. But yeah, it's almost always like this. Success isn't a destination. It's a ladder. You've got to keep climbing. Sometimes you slip a little, then you've got to hold on tight and get your footing, get back to basics. But there's always going to be another level to reach for.

Mac grimaced, saying nothing more because they'd arrived. Mario parked a street behind the target building. Stepping out, he made one more adjustment to the crotch of his jumpsuit before grabbing the dolly and boxes out of the trunk. He went left around the building. Mac went right.

They met out front, Mario whistling some tune. Mac held the door for him. The guard behind the security desk glanced up. The scanner frame just inside chimed.

"Delivery!" called the ork cheerfully, handing a stack of printout to the guard. He'd left the dolly behind him to the right. Mac waited for the guard's attention to focus entirely on Mario before making a play for her gun.

13:19:13 Monday, 22 January 2063 - 508 Lakeshore Drive, Bellevue, Seattle

The heels were tall, the skirt was tight, her lips were glossy, the cleavage was plentiful. What should have felt like armor to her now felt foreign and uncomfortable and had her wishing she could trade it all for the new found comfort of something form fit and plated. She pasted on the bored but approachable smile on her face as she closed the distance to the door of the building.

Mac continued to hold the door till Mario had passed and silently and with as little movement as necessary, flipped open her bag enough to be a forced distraction should she need it. She’d feel more confident about everything once her pistol was back on her person, right now she felt naked and exposed in the worst possible way. She glanced to the guard, a slight incline of her head in acknowledgement, but far from holding eye contact before she squeezed her way through the doorway and allowed the bulk of Mario in his jumpsuit to obscure the direct line of sight from the guard to the cart before her hand snaked out and she attempted to grab the pouch.

13:24:51 Monday, 22 January 2063 - 508 Lakeshore Drive, Bellevue, Seattle

The grab was clean and sweet, as smooth a move as Mac had ever pulled in her life. Her stride didn't break, and the motion of her hand as it swung through, snatching the pistol and depositing it into the pocket of her leather jacket, was nearly imperceptible. Snapping her gum, she punched the up arrow for the elevator.

"Hey!" called the guard.

Mac swung her hips around, letting her jacket gape open so the guard caught the full brunt of her cleavage inside the red lace bustier. Her tote dangled open on her arm, one cup of a bra just visible, along with the bright blue dildo. She watched as three distinct emotions flickered across the guard's face.

"Daaaaayum," whistled Mario. "Wouldn't mind gettin' a piece of that later!"

The elevator dinged and Mac backed inside, blowing the two men a kiss. "Only if you're a good boy!"

The doors closed on their laughter and Mac slumped against the back wall, fighting to control her breathing.

How close was that?

Not very. The human element is always the weak link in the security chain. But you'll want to flirt a little bit on your way out.

Mac ground her teeth together. I'll burn that bridge when I get to it.

With a deep breath, and a look of casual boredom that was the furthest thing from what she felt, Mac stepped out into the third floor hallway and turned right, making her way down to Apartment 8.