God knows I tried to sleep, but all I have is boundless energy. To create, to modify, to conjure up new plans. I don't remember the last time I had this kind of drive.
I spent the first few hours making sure the radiator of my car wasn't leaking coolant and operated to some extent. Turns out the smoke was from the coolant that splashed out on impact, which meant the Quadra would be okay for a drive or ten until the parts arrived.
Then, the crumpled hood. The deep impact from the strike left a sizable dent, which I tried to buff out myself with the instruments at hand.
The metal was somewhat malleable, but it left an incredibly unsightly look. Like something out of the nearest junkyard run by a scav. From the right angle you could see all the imperfections and bumps I left. Not bad for a first try, if I dare say so myself.
In addition, the paint job was ruined utterly and completely. I thought of stripping the paint from the hood entirely, but at least now the car was functional. So I settled with just stripping the paint in a nice straight line toward the windshield. Took hours.
I could use other ways to travel, of course, but in the matter of David… I should look presentable. Nobody would take an authority seriously if it looked unprestigious. Gotta keep up appearances.
Speaking of which, even without a Copy from SC, I think I got myself a proper plan to get David's loyalty.
The books I planned to order existed in file form, though considerably more expensive and unreliable. I got scammed for 230 eddies twice before I received the full books.
And the contents are hard to digest. Simply put, I think I get the general idea, but most of the things in the book are highly specific to the field and aren't guides to anything I need.
Maybe I should fish for some internal guide from Arasaka that deals with people? Those are likely highly classified, and likely effective.
And now, I turned off the display text after another page on references to other, previous studies on the related theme of emotional dependency. I don't have time for this.
My working plan remains much the same, mirroring what Maine did in the original story in Cyberpunk: Edgerunners. Although those memories are not exactly perfect, I remember it basically gave David another focus in life, one that he threw himself into completely.
One moment he has nothing, the next moment his friends are his family.
Shaking up David with unexpected answers and actions seemed to do something, but clearly not enough for him to bounce back to being alive in a sense so quickly.
Speed isn't the priority now. The book said something about gradual change being more stable long term on patients. I should read more, but I doubt it will be more useful than whatever I would get from SC, right?
I sat back and checked the time.
"6 am." I spoke out loud. Silence became so loud I began to feel my blood rushing in my ears.
Playing around with new voice controls was unnecessary, all because the presets in there worked just fine and without any discomfort or difficulty.
But it had no functionality for copying voices, which could be bypassed by making an AI just for that. Problem for another day.
It was nearing the time. I should get ready, maybe grab something for Sasha on the way. Hell, I think it's rational to actually have condoms on hand. I never actually know what she's up to.
Guess it's applicable to both of us.
"Heh." I snickered out loud.
But I think I have time for a little nap. Even if I don't feel tired despite working through the night, my body still needs rest.
Assuming a more or less comfortable position on the greasy shop chair with my legs on the toolbox, I closed my eyes.
For a moment it was as if a wave of tiredness washed over me and…
Water.
"Fuck!"
In a slight panic I almost fell out of the chair.
"Why change your repertoire now, SC? I barely got used to 'FOOD' going off in my head!" I asked in frustration.
Water.
Yeah, yeah.
I stood up and approached the water hose, the source of tap water that had sustained me for a while.
Opening it up I leaned down and took a few big gulps as water poured into my mouth.
It tasted terrible, but Real Water was expensive. I've gotten used to drinking this since the first time I came here. Surprisingly I didn't shit myself to death and my body persevered. Perks of having a weird body.
How long has it been? Three months or so?
Looking around, my eyes landed on Sprocket's cyberware, or at least where I stashed them for the time being. Deep inside a shelf full of car parts.
I should hurry up and settle all this. This is no time for naps.
Standing up I stripped from the work clothes that were around and washed myself clean of dirt and grime. Today is going to be a long day.
Changing back into my suit and bulletproof vest, now with the pants rinsed and dried, I checked over everything inside and out, taking pictures along the way. I would take videos of everything I saw 24/7 if I had enough storage in my system.
Especially the shelf with the cyberarms. I need to know if anybody has access here. Nobody should, in theory.
Using the security keys I remotely opened the garage door and started the engine to warm it up, just in case I needed to speed off.
Gun, keys, cred chips, drugs, everything is in order.
The garage door opened and I was greeted with gloomy weather, rain threatening to spill any second.
I should also get an umbrella on the way.
…
"GOOD MORNING, NIGHT CITY! TODAY'S BODY COUNT IS A LAME 13! PUMP THOSE NUMBERS UP, PEOPLE! EVERYBODY DOWNTOWN HEARD THE NEW RISING STAR UNDER ARASAKA ENTERTAINMENT! SHE GOT EVERYONE HOOKED ON HER NEW SINGLE—"
Turn that shit off. Listening to it might make me go insane. This kind of energy is overwhelming.
Small drops of rain periodically hit my windshield as I looked outside toward the hotel where David was placed. I had this place prepared as a backup living for myself, just in case.
I might have rushed today. I got everything I needed and it was still some time before I was sure David got rest, if he got any at all.
Grabbing another snack I ate a handful. I might be overeating again, but in the car on the street is hardly a place to work on anything that would split my attention.
This car should be a tank in the future. Though I doubt I have quite enough money for that. And its main advantage is speed. Bulletproof windows and plates would only slow it down.
Looking around I again opened the glove compartment and went over the old school cards that Sprocket had. Maybe one of them is up for the task.
Unnamed card with a random number, closed down massage parlor, parts store, parts store and… another massage parlor.
I quickly skimmed through the rest and found a gift card for a tattoo parlor at the bottom.
'HATE YOUR FLESH?'
Looks like this one is still in business.
Timer went off, signaling it was time to take a hit of the drugs Vik gave me.
Leaning back on the seat I grabbed an injector from the center console and stabbed myself in the wrist. I held it in place until the needed dosage was injected. The feeling of coldness spread through my hand until it dissipated.
The implants were setting in nicely, the only thing being my stomach felt weird at times. Maybe my old one was smaller, but the feeling is vague. Not much use feeling how big your organs are.
Getting out the needles of the injector I put it into my inner jacket pocket.
I am doing jack shit. Time was late enough, I should go say hi to David.
Getting out of the car, I quickly made it to the doors and went into the lobby of the hotel, where the receptionist was asleep and jolted awake as the door sensor chimed.
"Has the boy left the room?" I asked, wiping raindrops from my hair.
The man blinked a few times before responding in a now much more noticeable accent.
"Nah, feller. He still in there. Didn't even go out to eat or nothin'."
"Good. 404, right?" I said, looking toward the elevator, out of which a family of three walked.
"Yes sir."
I approached the elevator and got inside before the door closed, pressing the pad for the fourth floor.
The elevator creaked slightly before rushing up, and opened on the floor I needed.
Getting out it wasn't long before I took a few steps and found room 404.
I raised my hand and knocked loudly three times.
A few seconds passed before I heard anything from the other side, and the door slid open.
David stepped outside with an overwhelmingly dead gaze, staring off somewhere near my neck. At least he doesn't look like he cried.
"Get any sleep?"
He looked me in the eyes.
"I tried. I just cannot for some reason."
"Hungry?" I continued, sneaking a peek inside the hotel room. The bed looked barely slept in, if at all.
"Not really." David said, still impassive.
"Let's head out then. Got the paper with you?"
He looked back and walked inside. Slowly approached the bedside table on the far side of the bed.
I took that as an invitation and walked in, looking around discreetly.
David clearly just sat on the single bed all night. The room was almost how it is in the advertisements, somewhat clean but the space was small.
The blinds were tuned down to high opacity, making the whole room lit up from the hallway lights through the doorway.
Looking in the corner I noticed a trash can with an empty bottle inside. Some sugary drink. At least he drank. No idea where he got it, there should be no minibar in here.
"There." David said, taking out a folded document from one of the compartments. So he put it far away.
He turned around and looked at me.
"Sir?"
I was a bit startled. Not a thing I'm usually called. Gonna need some getting used to if things go like they're supposed to.
"I go by Raf to friends. Are you a fan of Quadra maybe?" I said, turning back to the door.
"Why?" David asked in confusion.
"You'll see."
As we got down the elevator and I tapped the screen for the lobby floor, David remained silent as we rode down.
Going straight for the exit from the hotel lobby I exited the building.
The rain began to hit my hair and I approached my car with big steps across the slightly congested road, stepping between cars with minimal adjustments.
I remotely started up the TYPE-66 640 TS and its engine began purring.
David's footsteps loudly followed me as he stepped through puddles near the hotel entrance.
The door opened as I got around the car and I slid into the driver's seat.
I saw David approach from the front, stopping for a moment to look at it, then approaching the passenger door, which opened right as he got close.
He carefully sat inside, avoiding the duffel bag at his feet, and began looking around the interior.
"Like it?"
"..Nova." David blurted out.
Nodding in slight satisfaction I grabbed the steering wheel and revved the engine, making the whole car rumble, reverberating through my body.
Pulling my seatbelt I strapped in.
I activated the miscellaneous HUDs and built an active GPS guide toward the hospital. Momentarily a display for turrets popped up, and I intentionally took a few seconds to close it down.
"You see, David. This puppy is still a work in progress. This one was in a bad wreck and had to be restored."
"How bad?"
I took off slowly and entered the road. The interface lit up in my eye showing me every turn I had to take.
"I think it was flipped a few times. Most of the body was replaced. Maybe the engine was the only original thing left in here. Quadra makes some sturdy cars."
David remained silent.
"Get the seatbelt. It's there for a reason."
"I'm good."
"Your call."
I drove a little more until we reached a red light and stopped. The silence was deafening, with only breaks being the drops of rain hitting the windshield.
"What are you good at, David?"
"What?"
I raised my index finger from the wheel.
"You think you'll get a nice job going after school?"
David turned to the passenger side window.
"No."
"Any specific reason?" I said and took off at the green light.
"I don't know. Not for me, I guess."
"Are you slow? Mentally, I mean."
"No?!"
"Sorry, just throwing things out there. Don't you like the corpo life?"
"Not really. Aren't you a suit?"
I raised my eyebrows in slight shock.
"Funny that you say that, I'm very far from being corpo. Not that I want to be one either."
"So?" David asked in confusion.
Nomad from a very far away land.
"I obey the laws when it's convenient. Scratch what I said before, I'm totally a corpo by that standard, heh."
David scratched his nose.
"Raf? How exactly did you know my mother?"
I clenched my jaw and then spoke up. This has to be said the right way.
"How much does an EMT job pay, David? Not a lot. Certainly not enough to pay for the tuition at Arasaka Academy."
"What are you saying!?" David suddenly lashed out.
"Gloria used her job to sell things she wasn't supposed to have. I'm involved with the sales."
There was a brief pause before I continued. Hopefully he won't ask further about it.
"Look, just tell me what your plan for life is."
"Does it matter!?"
"Fuck yeah it matters. I don't know you. All I heard is that you're special. What is it that makes you special?"
Giving a glance David snapped his eyes at mine.
"I just am."
"That doesn't mean shit to me. I need to know this, Dee. Can I call you Dee?"
David nodded lightly as I took a sharp turn.
"I guess I'm resourceful. And I'm a fast learner."
"Gotcha. You got into Arasaka Academy after all. Any technical knowledge you picked up?"
"Is this an interview?" David inquired.
"You can think of it that way. Just don't bullshit me."
I hit a bump on the road and we bounced a little.
"Hey, you're the one spewing straight bullshit. What do you want from me?"
"Tone that down, I—"
I couldn't finish as my right arm was grabbed by David.
"Or what?"
David clenched harder on my forearm.
"You will be a pain in the ass."
I pressed the brakes and David flung forward, hitting his head on the dash. Slightly. The seatbelt held me in place enough to only get jerked forward a little.
"WHAT THE FUCK WAS THAT!?" David screamed as he rubbed his right temple.
I started moving and pulled over to the side of the road momentarily. Completely illegal, I think. We passed some cops not too far back, I should be done here quickly.
This is not going to the original plan. I fully turned to David. I filled my voice with irritation, but not to the point of hostility.
"Listen up close. I won't repeat myself ever again. There was a half-joke deal made over drinks. I had my fun, my only living relative dies, Gloria dies. I feel awful, but I'm not a piece of shit, so I go through on what I promised. I'm not over-fucking-excited about having to wrestle with an unruly teenager and having him agree to eat fucking food."
I took a breath. I might be saying too much.
"Now, we better figure this shit out. Because I am damn sure not leaving your sorry ass wandering around and becoming a brain potato. Sure, I bought illegal chrome from your mother and resold it for a hefty profit. What about it? That's better than being a fucking hobo. So choose. How. The. Fuck. Are. You. Going. To. Live? Tell me."
David remained confrontational, but his voice had gone down.
"I will figure something out."
"Like what?"
"I resell the BDs. With some time I could scale up the biz."
He sounded unsure.
"Can you pull your own weight until then?"
David bit his lip and shut his mouth.
"I tell you what. I can get you gigs going at first. Pay for your own food and rent. Only then try whatever the fuck your mind can conjure up. Sounds good?" I changed my tone to be slightly softer.
I'll sabotage his attempts if needed. This is just false assurance. If you sell XBDs you will star in one eventually, and it will have you as the subject.
"Gigs?"
I started driving again and merged back into traffic.
"Get the seatbelt."
This time I heard a distinctive click.
I then continued talking.
"We'll talk about it later."
The seed is planted. Now he would think about it, making the process easier. I should buy a top-tier sandevistan when I have the money for it.
I took a turn and was only a quarter mile away from the hospital.
In the corner of my eye, I saw that David noticed it and his jaw clenched suddenly.
Driving near the parking lot I stopped the car. It wanted payment for parking.
Zipping the eddies I drove in and parked near the entrance.
Both doors opened on my command and David instantly unlocked his seatbelt and stood up.
David quickly began walking toward the hospital without waiting for me.
He's taking initiative. Good sign.
…
The pungent smell of this room made me nauseous and I found comfort by continuing to read the psychology books. I injected myself with pages worth of information every ten seconds. Not the most efficient reading style, but it would get the job done, especially with help from SC.
"You can use the machine in the hallway. Premium stainless steel, hehe. Transfer the eddies within a week." The doctor said while wiping his hands on his pants.
I immediately picked up the tab and paid the full amount to the specified account.
David now stood holding a bag of ashes with a small name mark. He stared at it, still in disbelief.
"Thank you. We are good." I responded instead.
"A pity." The doctor mumbled as we walked out.
I tapped David on the shoulder as we walked out the same route we came in. It took all but ten minutes as they incinerated the remains overnight. This was just a lot of paperwork.
"We can get it into North Oak Columbarium by today, if you want."
The truth is I could, but I doubt he will agree to it. This is the act of distancing yourself from the perished.
David stopped in his step.
"Thank you, but no. I want her with me."
My eyes briefly landed on a machine that dispensed the urns the doctor spoke about. It was a fucking vending machine with modified slots. It took inputs and packaged them into crude prefabs.
"Sure. I marked down a good urn shop. You could get something nicer… than this."
"Will I have to pay you back on that?"
He assumed I would be asking for money for this? It would be much more suspicious if it was. Nothing is ever free and I should make it known to him.
"Yeah, but don't go overboard."
David had a weird look on his face while he thought about what I said.
Looking at my balance I saw a transaction occurred a few minutes before. Another copy of Blue Ice sold. 9200 eddies richer. I think I should start working on a new version soon.
"How overboard is overboard then?"
"You know you have to pay it back later? I'm not running a charity."
Does he want the urn gold plated? He might, shit.
"You're right."
David turned right to that vending machine, preparing to insert the bag into the slot. Goddammit.
I felt a sting in the back of my head. Getting a headache from this.
"Don't settle for that shit."
"But you said—"
"Don't even plan to be poor. Let's get her something she deserves."
I felt another pulse of pain from the back of my head as soon as I finished talking.
Hungry.
That's it.
David turned away from the machine and we walked together toward the parking lot.
When we got there I only felt myself getting hungrier.
The awful sensation of rain pouring down on my suit made me rush toward the car.
I opened both car doors and we both got in, igniting the engine and quickly doing other miscellaneous stuff.
David carefully got in and wore his seatbelt. He's learning.
The rest of the ride was silent, with David holding the bag between his legs.
Every time I looked over he remained impassive. There will be another time for talking.
…
Heavy rain poured now across the whole city, with all sensible people covering their skin under anything.
There was a huge chance the rain contained so many toxic metals and mind-altering chemicals you would get sick after trying to pretend it never bothered you.
Finally, I stopped near Megabuilding H4. I wouldn't get into the underground parking without renting or buying a spot.
"Can I go now?" David asked.
"I will be going with you. But don't worry, I'll stop at your door."
There's nothing else there anyway.
"Why?"
"You'll see."
First, there is a possibility of an ambush by Maine, Dorio and others in his apartment. That would not be ideal. For now I have to limit their possible interaction. They are not a good group to be part of if there's no Lucy there.
Second, his hands are full and he needs a few more items from me. I need to fully instill in him debt to me. Otherwise all of this has been for naught.
As soon as David prepared to leave the car I tapped the middle dash with my finger.
"Wait, take an umbrella from the bag."
David's eyes shifted toward the bag near his feet in the passenger seat.
"This one?"
"Yeah, under the food."
"I stomped on that thing. Sorry."
He did, but I doubt he can ruin it much further. The crumbs of SCOP are edible.
David turned to me with extended arms offering to hold the urn.
A single silver rose with thorns on a simple metallic body. That is what David chose.
"Raf?"
"Oh, sorry." I said and took it into my hands from David's.
I held it firmly in front of me and looked over how David was faring.
"Anything else?" David asked as he took out one big collapsible umbrella and shuffled through the bag full of water, food and vitamin pills.
He didn't seem interested in any of it. A pity. It would be nice to make him more indebted.
"That's it. Zip it back up and let's go."
We quickly exchanged items and got out of the car. A few drops of rain hit me and I felt disgust.
I opened the umbrella and it had enough area to cover four people.
David walked over and reluctantly got under it.
"Will you go to school on Monday?" I asked.
"I should, right?"
I remember he was getting beaten up in the first episode, after the accident. It's so hazy now. At this time he maybe considers it, but he sounds so unsure I'm sure a nudge could make him forget all about it, right?
"How much do you pay for tuition?"
"No idea. A lot, probably."
It has to be in the hundreds of thousands.
"You really don't know shit, kid."
"You don't know me." David protested.
"I know you better than you know yourself."
We were nearing one of the entrances to the megabuilding.
David sneered. He really is flip-floppy in the way he acts. Still unstable.
We got inside and I collapsed the umbrella and lowered my face until we got into the elevator.
I pretended to know nothing and no one.
David pressed the button for the second floor and went first.
We approached his apartment and it had a bright red holographic sign that the rent was overdue, blocking the front door to the apartment 215.
"FUCK!" David yelled, causing nearby bums hiding from the rain to angrily grumble.
He quickly began pacing and went in a direction down the hall.
With a sigh I approached the door and initialized the remote control protocol. There was even no need for much hacking, I just used master unlock for the door.
The door slid to the side, but the holographic sign remained, flashing warnings.
Slowly looking inside I found zero signs of anybody else being there.
"Dee? Stop fucking around!" I called out.
David quickly ran back, staring at the open door and then at me.
"What? How!?"
I calmly tapped the small access panel nearby and went inside. The space was illuminated by the window and the grey light spreading all around.
Looking around judgmentally, David went inside past me. I placed the umbrella against the wall and closed the front door.
I waited patiently while David found a place to put the urn. My eyes landed on the computer nearby.
"Check what your mother left for you in her accounts. It should cover the rent. You can't do the same trick I did, so do it today."
David nodded.
I then reached inside my suit and pulled out my Unity.
"Raf? What the hell?" David asked, reaching out with both hands and stepping back.
I turned it around and grabbed it by the barrel, extending the handle toward David.
"You know how to use it, right?"
"Huh? Yeah?"
"It's yours. Security is off. And remember, you do not use it for intimidation. If you take it out you better finish the job. Don't even aim for anything besides torso."
David took the handle and looked at it from the sides. Careful not to touch the trigger. Good.
I continued, adding my contact to his system, which had been open for me since we first met. Only at close range though.
"Anything happens, you call me. And I mean anything worth knowing about."
Then, I took out a small cred chip from my breast pocket and placed it on the table nearby.
"Use it only when you are in deep shit and you cannot contact me for some reason. It has exactly a thousand eddies."
"Shit." David muttered.
It had a very stupid location system that injected itself automatically and pinged me through various local subnets, delivering a payload of basic system information and its general location. Practically zero security, but a shitload of work to track it through and through. I'd know.
I'm not taking any chances. If I take a single half-assed measure all of this becomes worthless.
"Got it?"
David looked up at me.
"I think so."
I turned around and picked up my umbrella.
"Take your time and make up your mind. I will contact you in a few days."
"Yeah, thanks." David replied, confused.
There's nothing more to be said or done. I would get him in the chair if I was 100 percent sure he was on board. That can wait for now.
I promptly left and sequenced the door open one more time on recorded user command, practically a one-time doorstopper. Just in case David fucked up.
That's strange. I don't feel confident without the weight of the gun at my side. Got really used to it.
There's no time to waste then. I need more things.
Hungry.
Riveting input, SC. I should fill my new stomach on the drive.
I still have plenty of time until the meet with Sasha. She wouldn't mind if I was a bit late.
As soon as there was sky above me I put up my umbrella.
There's much to be done.
I began running to my car. Walking is not efficient.
As soon as I got in and tossed the umbrella on the passenger side I pondered.
There are so many strange people in Night City, a runner wouldn't be that noticeable. Maybe with a different set of clothes that's for sure.
I grabbed a protein bar from the bag and began chewing.
But then again why chew when I have a stomach that can dissolve food much more efficiently. I just need to take bigger bites and swallow.
I called Sasha, and she answered after a good minute and a half of ringing.
"...what?"
"Were you sleeping?"
"...yeah."
"Continue doing so. I have to go for a very boring shopping spree today. It's a shitty day outside anyway."
"...Fuck youuuu. I sorted through so many shit networks last night. Let me have this." Sasha replied.
I felt a smile come to my face.
"Do you have any ideas?" I asked.
"ICE sold well?" Sasha asked.
Please don't ask for a cut. I feed you anyway.
"Sure did."
There was a long silence as I heard yawns.
"Come over when you're done. It's cold." Sasha finally said.
"No netrunner complained about that before." I noticed.
I heard another yawn.
"I'll get some malware ready."
I felt a wave of stress.
"Please no."
---------------
Hey, a regular person here (Author). Been kinda long, so I will provide with a super reasonable reason.
It's complicated.
Really wanted to get the David how I wanted him, so it took many rewrites. Had me dreaming about this chapter and thinking about it when I go for the groceries and all that. Think I did well enough, otherwise I would not hit publish.
And about my personal opinion on how the story should unfold. I am deeply against sticking to original story when doing fanfics. It's no fun. You come with a certain expectation and I have to break it. Otherwise it would be fast food writing, which is a really low bar and not something I want to stick to. I would be doing an original work, but building on a existing fleshed out universe is marginally easier.
People are upset with the story, and I am glad it was like that. Otherwise it would be boring. A bad chapter is better than a boring one in my opinion.
Next one will take less time. I just had to make sure this one was right. I scrapped like 10k words worth of writing because it was not what I felt was right.
Thank you for the support. I am but a totally ordinary guy.