"Let's get this over with" was the last thing I uttered before dialing Judy.
Judy was one of the few people who was actually glad to hear from me again, if her calls and visits are any indication of that. The woman used to call me every other week, and I even met her face-to-face God knows how many times. And as much as I loathe to say it, her wife, Bianca, was actually a pretty good woman. She was tough and sweet, and she was also very pretty.
'It almost sounds like you had a crush on her.' Johnny chimed in with a teasing grin.
'Can you just shut the fuck up for a second? I mean, seriously, just shut up!'
Obviously, all I got in return was laughter.
"V? That you?" was what broke me out of my thoughts; I didn't even notice that Judy picked up the call. "Sheesh, thought you were...gone." Looking at her was such a mind fuck. I mean, I got used to this MILF Judy, but looking at this Judy was really good too. It reminds me of the few good memories I had.
"Same here, Judy," I replied with an easy laugh. If only she knew. Quickly sobering up, I took a big sigh and said, "But listen, come to Misty's esoterica and ask for Vik; I'm taking Evelyn there, okay?"
"Wait, what?" She did a comical double take as she asked that. It would've been funny if this wasn't such a bad and grave situation. "Why's Evelyn with you?" she asked, concern clear in her voice.
"Long story short, her chip was nuked by voodoo boys, and unfortunately, woodmen... had his way with her." I answered with a grimace.
"What?!" Judy shouted, her face white with what she had just heard.
"Just come fast," I said, ending the call. There's no point talking on Hollo like this, especially on topics like this. She deserves a face-to-face explanation.
'Let me guess. She didn't wait for you.' Johnny asked once I was done with the call. Taking a big sigh, I rested my elbow on the window of the car and began. 'She didn't even know I was alive, Johnny.' No one knew, and that was my biggest regret: not leaving a fucking message; just a single line would've been enough. I shook my head in disappointment and said, 'I was in a coma for two years, remember?'
'No. You were in a coma for two years?'
'Weren't you watching or something?' I asked with an incredulous look on my face.
'Nah, just final days.'
'Well, you didn't miss a lot, to be honest.' After coming back to Night City, I tried to do many kinds of jobs, like being a mechanic, and a pretty good one too. I was a bartender for a while back there; I was also a security consultant, but the lack of a personal link was just too bothersome in that line of work. Shaking my head, I continued, 'I was in a coma for two years, and they had to rip all the chrome off my body.'
Staring at me with surprise, he asked, 'Shit. How did you survive without your chrome?'
'Very painfully.' I still remember the first few days when I contracted my first disease, a common cold… fucking common cold!! After that, it was an open invitation to all others: 'Just in a few months, I was riddled with diseases, and then other major problems too.' Within a year and a half, I was completely useless. Shit, just walking around my apartment was becoming too much for me at one point. I still remember Rogue's reaction when she saw me for the first time after the surgery. She told me to lay low because if people saw me in my current state, then my legend status would go down in the gutter. In the end, I became just like the rest of them—just another face in the crowd. 'I'm sorry, Johnny,' I said as tears sprung up in my eyes, remembering that day.
'For what?'
'I couldn't keep your promise in the end.' I said, quickly wiping the few escaped tears, 'just became another face in the crowd.'
'Bullshit,' he exclaimed, glaring at me. Looking at my confused face, he sighed, took off his glasses, and said, 'Like I said, I watched you to the end. And you, Valerie, were still the fighter. Even in the end.' Laughing in disbelief, I tried to wave him off, but he continued. 'Anyone in your place would have given up a long time ago; anyone would've pulled the iron on themselves the first chance they would've gotten, but you persevered. And now look at you: after a six-year hiatus, here you are, immediately fighting for your friend's life.' tightly grabbing my shoulder, which wasn't a lot, to be honest, due to him being an engram and all, but in that moment it was everything. 'You never changed, V, not even for a second. You kept your promise.'
'Thanks, Johnny,' I whispered under my breath. Hearing those words from him, I felt like a knot opened up in my chest. Words can't define the amount of happiness I felt hearing those words.
'No, thank you, V.' He said, lighting another cigarette and leaning back in the seat.
Tightening my grip on the steering, I increased the speed and pulled into the Heywood. It looks like it was only 12 p.m.; it didn't take me as long as I thought it would. Parking my car in the alley, I carried Evelyn to the clinic. There were a few beggars in the alley, but no one paid us any mind; it was a daily occurrence for them to be fair.
Opening the gate, I entered the clinic but found no one in there. "Vik!" I shouted and watched as he popped up from behind the wall. "Oh god," he muttered, seeing Evelyn in my arms. "Put her on the chair there," he said, pointing to the chair before ducking back behind the wall. A few seconds later, he came out, flexing his arm. "What happened to her?" he asked as he examined her for any kind of injury. Hopping on the counter behind him, I said, "Her chip was nuked by VDBs. Then her employer had his way with her." When I finished, I saw his shoulders tense up. Turning around a bit, he asked me in a dangerous voice, "When did this happen?"
"Chip was nuked three days ago. She's been with Woodmen since then."
"Where's this woodman now?" he asked, looking at his face and hearing his tone. I almost thought that he would go on a rampage if the fucker was still alive. Too bad for him. I got to him first. "Dead," I said, swiftly shining the thermal wire at him.
"Good," he nodded in satisfaction before turning back towards Eve. After a few seconds of tinkering, he jacked her up to the machines on the side and asked, "She's a doll?"
"Yes," I answered, and I watched as he nodded in acceptance and pulled out some tools. Taking a sigh, I also relaxed, knowing that she was in capable hands now. Cracking my fingers, I took out the guns I picked up from the claws I flatlined today. To some extent, death was actually right. Before the operation, I had a very, very big collection of weapons, filled with shotguns, katanas, rifles, revolvers, pistols, and many more things. This time I will either sell those things out or dismantle them for parts. I mean, it's not like I actually need them; I only need two good guns, a few good knives, and a good katana.
While watching Vik work, I got comfortable and started dismantling a Unity I picked up from a goon. It wouldn't give me great parts, to be fair, but it'll be something at least. I was almost done with my work when Judy slammed open the gate and came running in.
"What happened to her?" she asked Viktor, who was doing something on the machines hooked up to Eve. "Her chip is a little damaged, but it'll be fixed in an hour." He said, pointing to the machines, before turning to Judy and, in a grave voice, saying, "I'll be more worried about the psychological effect of the whole fiasco."
"What do you mean?" She asked again, examining the code on the console, when I came and gently started dragging her towards the door. "Let's go outside. We should let him work in silence."
Clearly, she wanted to stay, but after a few seconds, she nodded her head in acceptance and started walking towards the door with me. Once I closed the door behind us, I gestured for her to sit down, and I really looked at her for the first time. She looked so young here. I wish we would've met under better circumstances. "I found her in the clouds," I said, leaning against the wall.
"Yeah, you told me that. Why did she go back?!"
Shrugging, I just said, "No idea; ask her when she wakes up, but the thing is that she was in the middle of a section when her chip was nuked. After which she was with Woodmen." Thinking about how best to approach this, I looked at her for a second before deciding to go straight with the truth. Judy can take it; she's strong. "I found him with her."
Her eyes widened as she thought about what I just said, clenching her fist. She asked, "Is he—?"
"He's dead." I said simply with a nod. Smacking the ground in anger, she stood up and started pacing around the small area in front of the door. She muttered something under her breath before turning towards me. "How did you know all of this? Where to find her and all?"
"I knew about VDBs, and I knew what her occupation was; I'm perceptive like that." I said, shrugging my shoulders. Taking a deep sigh, I continued, "Almost everyone who was related to this heist is dead; I was shot in the head, but Victor saved me." Her eyes went wide when I told her, "After waking up, I thought I should check up on Evelyn. I called her but she didn't pick up, so I went to check on her." Nodding her head in understanding, she sat back again before holding her head in her hands. "There was a hollo representation of what happened to her, so I searched and found her in the woodmen's room." I said, flicking her the copy and the emails I got from Woodmen's computer.
After examining all the data I just gave her, she just sat there for a while. By her expression, she was deeply troubled. I mean, anyone in her position would be, to be honest.
Gently tapping her on the shoulder, I crouched in front of her. "Don't worry, Viktor will fix her up. I trust him with my life." I assured her before standing up.
"Thank you, V," she said before standing up and giving me a quick hug.
"Don't worry about it." I said, smiling, and looking around, I could tell that it was almost 4 or 5. Viktor will be done by now. "Come on, let's go inside." Nodding, she followed me inside. Inside, it looks like Vik was done; he was fiddling with something on her faceplate. "How's it lookin' Vik?" I asked as we closed the distance.
"I'm almost done. I'll give her some strong anesthesia so that she can rest for now. But it's better if she stays with a friend for a while."
"She can stay with me," Judy said without hesitation. Looking at her for a few seconds, Vik just nodded and said, "Okay," before picking up an injector and giving Eve anesthesia. Once that was done, he turned towards Judy and, with a big sigh, Belgian. "Listen, you need to pay close attention to her for a while. We don't know for sure, but maybe she was up for the whole experience, or maybe she was out of it. Like I said, we don't know for sure, so it's better that you pay attention for a while. And in my professional opinion, please consult a therapist. I'm afraid I'm not the best person to go to for this, but I can give you the numbers of some people I know," he said as he sat back on his stool and looked towards Eve with pity and concern.
"That would be helpful. Thank you," Judy said with gratitude and a small smile.
Walking towards Eve, I said, "Let me drop you home," before picking her up and making my way towards my car. Just like before, no one in the alley paid us any attention, letting Judy open the door. I laid Eve in the back again and jumped back in the driver's seat.
"Thank you for all this," Judy said as she entered the passenger side. Nodding, I just turned on the radio and slammed on the gas. Again, the world moved in a blur, with the sound of a black dog droning in the background. In no time at all, we were parked in front of Judy's home. Taking a sigh, I looked at the building with a fond smile.
"Hey, how do you know where I live?" Judy asked with a curious look. Thinking about it for a second, I realized that Judy never actually told me where she lived this time around!!
Thinking of an excuse, I tried to act all nonchalant and said, "Like I said, I'm very perceptive."
Looking at me with a look that just screamed, really? She just shook her head and got out of the car before carrying Evelyn too. "Again, thank you for all of this. I don't know what I would've done if I had lost Eve."
"You'd have tried to take over the clouds," I murmured under my breath before saying, "Don't mention it, but do holler if you need anything else." She just nodded and started walking towards the building. Starting my engine, I yelled, "Also, keep me updated."
I got a simple "I will" from Judy before I started ripping through the streets again. I was roaming around Santo Domingo when I got a call from Muamar, the el capitan.
With a smile, I picked up the call, and just like before, it was pretty fuckin' hilarious. "Alright, I'll be in touch, you biz-eater," I said before ending the call with a laugh.
Once again, I was left to my own devices when Johnny appeared. 'That was a good thing you did, he said before kicking his feet up on the dashboard and leaning back.
'It was one of the reasons I came back, Johnny. To give these people at least a chance.'
Nodding his head in agreement, he lit a cigarette and said, 'Now there's only one thing.'
'What?'
'That katana in the furnace, remember?' Of course, that glowing hot katana was a fucking pain in the ass to carry around, but it was also one of the best. Lighting people up with fire while cutting down foes with ease. 'It was a great one; you should get it back.' Nodding in agreement, I turned my car towards the abandoned electric corp factory, readying myself to fight some scavengers.
Sneaking into the complex was extremely easy this time around, especially when I knew the layout of the entire place. Plus, come on! These are scavs! Not the sharpest tools in the shed!
Just a silenced pistol and a few throwing knives, and I emptied the entire factory without alerting anyone. Six minutes later, I was admiring my new and extremely hot katana. Giving it a few test swings, I nodded in satisfaction and stowed it away with great care. I've burned myself with this sword too many times.
Jumping back into the car, I started cruising through the city again, this time towards my apartment. I missed that place. But I missed my place in Glen more, to be honest. I really have to buy that again. Last time, I brought it sometime around my escapades with the Aldacaldos. But I don't have to follow those kinds of things to the dot, right? That reminds me! 'Hey, I wanted to ask you something.' I spoke up, glancing at Johnny, who just gave me a hmm and took a drag of his cigarette. 'Do you want to do everything exactly as we did before?'
'Like what?'
'You know, talking to Rogue, doing that gig with Kerry, going to Blackwall, and meeting Alt? All that.' I said I was trying to remind him of all the things we did. Johnny in turn just looked at me for a second before saying, 'I don't know. What about you?'
'Oh, I'm going to do it exactly like before, plus some extra.' I said it with a laugh. I have so many plans this time around, and I also have time that I didn't have before. Now I can also take more gigs from fixers and actually work towards my legend status. Also, 'I want to meet Saul and Mitch again too.'
Whipping his head around, he just gave a knowing look and said, 'Ah, your nomad girl! Don't tell me you're still hot for that chick. It was really awkward the first time you tried to make a move on her. I don't think I can go through that again.' Shuddering in embarrassment, I just shook my head. 'Not talking about her, Johnny. She was one of the people who left me.' I said with a sigh. Resting my elbow up on the window, I leaned back in my seat and relaxed my grip on the steering and pressure on the accelerator. Shaking my head, I added, 'Her abandonment hurt the most, actually.'
'Really?' he asked with a gobsmacked expression, looking at which I almost laughed.
Sighing and nodding, I began, 'After coming out of a coma, she was the second person I called, but she didn't pick up. After trying a few more times, I looked through the text messages she sent me; there were more than I could even count. I really hurt her when I disappeared, so I tried to make it right. At first, I tried calling, but when that didn't work, I went to Rogue to see if she knew where Aldecaldos were.'
'Did you find them?' Johnny asked, flicking the cigarette out and fully turning towards me.
Nodding, I continued, 'Yeah, I found them. Still in Badlands, at first they didn't even recognize me; I mean, I was sick as a dog at that time too. I was coughing after every two sentences, and it was not pretty—runny and red nose, constant sniffing.' Imagining it, Johnny couldn't control his laughter. I mean, it was pretty comical when I think about it now. ' At first, they thought I was there to ask for help, but after a while, Mitch finally recognized me. His eyes lit up with anger, and the confusion, which was pretty funny too, actually. After that, Saul and Mitch took me to one of the tents, and I told them the entire story. Obviously, they were mad, but after a while, they understood. Panam, however…'
'What happened?'
'The moment she laid her eyes on me, she slapped the living daylights out of me!' I said, laughing, 'I mean, at that time it was like I collided with a freight train, scrawny me, plus in my sick state, I was laid out instantly; I almost passed out from the force right there, and it took me at least a few seconds to get my bearings back again. I still remember the aftermath of the entire debacle. Saul went apocalyptic on Panam, right then and there. I mean, I think Panam also felt bad when she actually got a good look at me.'
'Shit. I'm sorry, V.' Johnny said after a few seconds, to which I just waved a dismissive hand and said, 'Eh, it's fine. Panam was always a little too passionate. Plus, I get it; I hurt her too badly. The thing that hurt the most was that she never came around again, no matter how much I tried, and I tried for four bloody years! But I also understand... on some level I really do.'
Remembering these few things was almost enough for me to light up a cigarette myself. Almost. No way in hell am I going to smoke now. Not after suffering with asthma for three fucking years! I'm never taking breathing for granted again.
I was almost at Mega Block when my holo lit up. It was an unknown number, but I had a pretty good idea who it was. Parking my car to the side, I picked it up.
"Takemura here. We need to meet" was the first thing I heard. Shaking my head at the lack of manners, I just leaned back and said, "And why would I want to do that?"
"Because I am the guy who saved your life."
I could've annoyed him a bit more, but all the talk of the past and today's events has really zapped up all my energy. "Where?" I asked with an exasperated sigh.
"Tom's diner. Now if you can, or we could meet tomorrow morning."
Shaking my head, I just said, "Let's meet now" and ended the call. Tom's diner was only a few minutes away, so I just parked my car near the building and walked my way there. It was almost empty. I mean, no one comes to a diner in the evening, so it's pretty understandable.
Getting into a booth near the exit, I sat and waited for Goro. While waiting, I ordered a cup of coffee and something organic. I mean, if I have the money, then let's spend it on the most luxurious items everyone wants but most can't afford, organic and real food and drinks.
I was almost done with my coffee when Goro finally entered the bar. Nodding to the seat in front of me, I leaned back and waited for him to sit.
"You do not look so bad. In the car, I thought that you would not make it," he said, sitting down and ordering a coffee for himself.
Shrugging, I just said, "Yeah, well, if Lizzy-Wizzy can do it, then so can I."
"Who?" was the reply I got. Shaking my head in disappointment, I just asked, "Is this about the biochip?"
"I heard that it is damaged beyond repair; any attempt to remove it can prove fatal for you."
Sighing in irritation, I just said, "Pointing out the obvious, is that like a schtick of yours or something?" Taking a sip of my coffee, I just mumbled, "Vik likes to talk."
"Not many can do what he did. Four days ago, you were shot in the head, and now you're sitting in front of me, and judging by the blood on your wrist, you're already back to work. You should be thankful." Looking down my wrist, I could see that a bit of blood was caked in due to the monowire. Sighing, I just nodded and said, "You're right, Victor is one of the best, but enough about that; what is it you actually want from me?"
"To begin, you must tell me where to find Evelyn Parker," he said, putting his drink down. Hearing the demand, I immediately shook my head. "No, leave Evelyn out of this."
"You have to understand, Yorinobu Arasaka and Evelyn Parker had... an intimate relationship; she knows how to get to him," he said, emphasizing his point. He also looked pretty fucking proud of himself for figuring out his little connection. Shaking my head in amusement, I just laughed and said, "Evelyn is a doll from the clouds; it's her fucking job to be intimate with that saka scum."
Clearly, calling him a saka scum didn't sit right with the guy, if his expression was any indication, but controlling himself, he plowed through. "Then I have to go to these clouds. Yorinobu Arasaka must answer for this crime of patricide."
"You wouldn't find anything there either, and seriously? Looking for justice in Night City?"
"No, not justice, but revenge. Much more is achievable here. And I have allies who can bring Yorinobu to his knees. The only thing I need is proof."
"And you believe they'll listen to me? A merc?" I asked with an incredulous look. As good as Goro is in a fight, the dude is pretty fucking naive.
"I have nothing better right now; also, I am a fugitive; I'm being hunted."
"So let me get this straight: you want me to stroll into Arasaka and accuse Yorinobu in front of a bunch of exacs that he's a kin killer? And you see this brilliant plan of yours working?"
"We'll get the meeting in front of reasonable people in a neutral location. Certain procedures will be followed."
With a humorless chuckle, I began, "If by procedure you mean a lie detector, then please."
"Alright, then let's look at this from another angle. You're dying; you don't know how to save yourself. I, however, do." It's pretty fuckin' funny watching him give me solutions to problems that don't really exist anymore. "I know some powerful people. People who will be able to help you."
Trying not to laugh at his attempt at trying to get me on board, I just asked, "People like Anders Hellman, you mean?"
"You know this name, how?"
"You're talking to one of the best merc, bro. I always prepare and study for the job I'm taking."
"Hmm, that's why you're sitting in front of me with a busted chip and a timer on your life, right?"
Bristling a bit at the comment, I just simply said, "Outside factors." Maybe I should remind him of the fate of his employer.
With a noncommittal hmm, he began, "At any rate, Hellman is but a pawn; I was thinking of someone much more powerful."
Closing my eyes for a second, I just thought about what exactly I wanted to do here. I can either use Goro to get close to Hanako, like last time. Maybe I can even get to Makoshi this way. Or I could just refuse this deal Goro is offering me and try to go after Arasaka myself. Shaking my head, I just stood up while saying, "Well, thanks for the offer. I need to think about this, yeah. So I'll see you around." There really isn't a choice here. One option is a fucking suicide run, but the other is my targets inviting me into their home. The only problem would be getting out of there.
"I also need time to prepare; all I ask is that you do not leave this city." I heard behind me, to which I just gave a nod and walked out.
I will have to visit this situation later. But first, I have an Ofrenda to attend.