[center][img]https://i.imgur.com/6t1prxy.png[/img]
[color=#6cb9c7]Level 4-[/color]
[color=fff79a]|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||[/color]|||||||[color=fff79a] (33/40)[/color]
Word Count: [color=fff79a]1163[/color]
[color=fff79a]+3 EXP[/color]
[color=#6cb9c7]SOU Hideout >>>>> Detroit[/color][/center]

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The meeting was coming to a close, and Raiden knew this as many of the discussion participants had finished asking their questions. There were not a lot of discussions left that interested nor pertained to Raiden, yet he kept a careful and mindful ear to any additional information coming his way. As he thought, Susie's idea of creating her own company fell short due to many government regulations and along with the dangers infiltrating a private army HQ could pose, they were left with few options. 

Raiden was however surprised that Goldlewis seemed on board with sending the group with Giovanna down to the lower sector of the city. [color=6ecff6]"And here I was thinking you guys wouldn't be on board with me. I have a good advantage over machines with my High-Frequency Blade and a few explosives to top off."[/color] He added, boasting his skills as humbly as one could.

Each member of the group was expected to take photos for their new IDs titled GridLinks and Gridprints, forged for simplicity and safety reasons. Raiden didn't think much about disguising himself at first, but upon the suggestion, he couldn't agree more. Raiden was plated with armor and was the clear image of a mercenary, which definitely would not work in a city setting with strict government regulations. For both his ID and his disguised, he went to change. He decided it is best despite it not being fully functional to remove the patch covering his left eye to help him blend in, and afterward threw on his [url=https://imgur.com/a/pje0SMw]disguise[/url]: A black dress shirt, a golden tie, and a pair of shades. He was sure to look like an upstanding citizen in what he assumed was the slums of the city, but at least he fits in better. [color=6ecff6]"Not too flashy, but it's a style that's familiar. That'll work."[/color] For safe measure, he put his swords and grenades into 2 separate cases for the time being.

Before his small friend could get too far into his repairs and maintenance with Poppi, Raiden popped into the small room they stationed themselves in and politely spoke to Tora. [color=6ecff6]"Did you ever get a chance to look at those blades I bought back in the desert? I think now would be a good time to get those installed, especially seeing how having an ace up our sleeve couldn't hurt."[/color] After getting confirmation that he was ready, Raiden laid his arm on a wooden table, and let Tora do his business.

For his cover story, his Gridprint claimed he was a traveling businessman dealing in firearms. It wasn't entirely creative, but he fits the role well enough and knew a good deal about guns to play the part accurately. The Gridlink then was fashioned on his wrist after a bit of waiting in the rec room and he was as ready as he could be for the short time the group was given to prepare. [color=6ecff6]"Let's get going then, eh?"[/color]

[hider=For Raiden]
[url=https://cyberpunk.fandom.com/wiki/Mantis_Blades?file=Mantisblades_left_arm_xray.png]Mantis Blades[/url]- A hidden blade placed into each individual arm. Good for stealth and quick, light attacks. Raiden's arms now have a small hatch on each wrist to allow easy access to the blades.
[/hider]

[hr]
[center][h3]Detroit[/h3][/center]
[hr]

The city was closing in. Kust like America from his world, Detroit couldn't live up to its role as a "slum city" anymore if it does here. Smog as far as the eye can see, poverty around nearly every corner, and pickpockets and thieves roaming just as often as the rats and mice do. However, this Detroit was much more futuristic than where he came from, which was surprising considering a majority of the fancy technology was always given to the private militaries and government. There were a lot more bright signs and skylights than he remembered. As each of their Gridprints was checked, Raiden simply sat quietly, presented what he needed to, and let Giovanna do what she needed to. 

Raiden couldn't be any more relieved to have been freed from the ridiculous-looking car he was paraded around in. He kept his yap shut about the car though. He had no idea who it belonged to, but he was not about to get into any more trouble with Giovanna, especially considering his snippiness earlier. Raiden kept an eye out for any danger as they left, heading Giovanna's words on thieves in Detroit. Not like anyone would be able to easily pickpocket suitcases from him, but the Gridlink did provide some incentive to keep watch. They then entered a train and eventually found themselves in the belly of the beast. 

The cyborg noticed Tora looking out, seemingly longing for something, but found it rude that he was staring at the poor friend and looked back to the travel path. [color=6ecff6]"Any more smoke or gas here and my robots might not be able to support my breathing."[/color] The cyborg joked to Tora, attempting to lighten his mood once he had caught up with the rest of the group.

Staring down into the pit, Raiden couldn't help but feel as though it was staring back at him as if all the dangers lurking within were collectively peering with their cold gazes. The idea was enough to make Raiden's spine quake... if he still had his biological spine. [color=6ecff6]"There's always something worse."[/color] Raiden added to Giovanna who explained the quarantine zone as a sector of death and disease. He was more than happy to step away. As much as he wanted to help people, he's no help if he's endangering himself in the process. Hopefully, there was a way later down the line to help them. Would probably be easier if he learned more about Midgar before stepping foot into one of its most dangerous areas.

Raiden looked up to the abandoned railways that Giovanna pointed out, which she stated they'd need hooks to traverse most effectively. For a moment he just stared, not exactly knowing where could get such an item, until she mentioned "convincing" the local gangs. [color=6ecff6]"I have a way with words. Lead me to them and hopefully, I can get what we need for a low cost."[/color] There was very little threatening tone in his voice, though it was kind of blatantly obvious what the mercenary meant and he hoped his tactics were in line with what Giovanna was thinking.

The streets and scenery were not foreign to Raiden, but he knew they were less than satisfactory. Trash, trash, and more trash as far as his functioning eye could see behind his pair of shades. If this was the lowest for Midgar, he couldn't imagine what the rest of the city looked like. Raiden almost wished he could return to the metro, just to feel a bit of excitement in the atmosphere, but everything was just gloomy, outside of the nearby clinic. He voiced his personal suggestion to Giovanna: [color=6ecff6]"Personally, I'm fine with going wherever, but I wouldn't mind carving up a few robots. I say we could each take a dozen ourselves."[/color] 

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