The first time V had been torn from her body, it had been a slow awakening. The world around her had unfurled itself piece by piece, almost as if it were being considerate of her confusion. A new sense, a new feeling, a new memory. They had revealed themselves to her one-by-one as she fumbled about in the darkness for answers. It had not been an entirely unpleasant experience.
The second time was far less mindful of her comfort. Sensations rushed in at her and she was aware of every part of her all at once. Pain soared through her head, cascaded down her spine, radiated across her limbs. Nausea welled up in her stomach and acid burned her throat. Fear coiled around her as she was overwhelmed, but then she almost let out a laugh. She hadn't missed them before, hadn't realised they were gone, but now that the emotions twisted around inside her, she was relieved.
The memories were more difficult to pick apart. They bombarded her with a force that left her breathless, images flashing in her mind's eye that offered her glimpses of who she was, what had happened, but nothing more. She clenched her fists, the familiarity of her own fingernails pressing into flesh grounding her. She felt something hard, unmoving against her back and when she tried to lift her head, a pressure against her chest pushed her down again.
"How are you feeling?" The voice tickled a memory, but she couldn't quite grasp it.
V let out a laugh that rattled around under her ribcage. "I'm definitely feelin'." The words sounded strange to her ears and her tongue wrapped itself around them clumsily.
She forced her eyelids open, letting out a slow breath when she found the task easier than the last time she had attempted it. The harshness of the strip of light above her blurred out anything identifying in the room for several long moments. When shapes began to take form, she spotted the hand on her chest. She followed the arm up to a haggard looking face, tired green eyes regarding her with mild concern.
Fresh memories flashed behind V's eyes. Surprise, a desperate cry—Judy's voice, a stinging in her neck, regret, acceptance, and then nothing. The realisation and its accompanying recognition pushed a surge of energy along V's arm and it shot out, her hand clutching the front of Adriana's shirt. Green eyes widened as V pulled the other woman towards her.
"You backstabbin' little—"
"Valerie, stop!" Adriana pleaded, pressing her palms against the side of the counter that V was lying on as a make-shift bed.
The flood didn't stop there. When she'd first woken, the only real memory she had been able to cling to was her first moments in that other body, but now she could remember her explorations of the tower's systems, following Judy, and not quite understanding the pain she saw there. V's stomach clenched and she pushed Adriana away roughly.
She strained to lift herself, her elbows knocking painfully against the metal countertop as she tried to lever herself up. Heat seared across her scalp and burrowed deep into her head. When she finally managed to slump forwards in a sitting position, she looked back at Adriana, trying to ignore the roiling of her stomach.
"What did you do to me?" V asked, her voice hoarse.
Adriana took a moment to steady herself and eyed V. "Please do not over-exert yourself. The procedure takes some time to adjust to."
"Just tell me," V forced through clenched teeth. She lifted a hand to the throbbing at the side of her head, her fingertips brushing the freshly shaved scalp before meeting a thick wad of soft gauze. She could still feel the tickle of hair on the left side of her face.
Adriana hesitantly reached out and gently pulled V's hand away. "I did as I always intended. Your fate is no longer entwined with the Relic."
V stared blankly at the other woman for a moment, the pounding of blood in her ears soon joined by a quiet buzzing. How was that even possible? She desperately tried to comb through her jumbled memories. She remembered standing in Adriana's office, and then Arasaka turning up. She recalled the moment when adrenaline had coursed through her. When all hell was going to break loose. But then something had happened. She'd lost consciousness. Adriana had attacked her. At least, she had thought so. And then she'd woken up in that useless body.
"I removed the chip and installed what is basically a computer in your brain, similar to my own. I was then able to transfer you back into your own body," Adriana explained, her tone surprisingly patient.
V's brow furrowed at that, stretching the skin of her scalp uncomfortably. "How—I didn't think—" she muttered, struggling to understand. She had never considered that she'd be able to live without the chip. That she could exist outside it. But, then, there had been that short time with Alt and Johnny, when she had been outside her body. Nothing but a construct.
Adriana dropped her hand to the counter and leaned against it slightly. "Think of yourself as data. Everything you are, your personality, your memories, your experiences, your essence – that is nothing more than a complex series of information. It used to be that the brain was the only processor that could handle that data. My father, and later Arasaka, deigned themselves worthy enough to provide an alternative. As long as that data remains intact, unspoiled, it matters not where it goes, you will be you."
V brought a hand up to rub at her face, the skin there feeling oddly itchy. Adriana's explanation made sense to her, but she couldn't help but think it was an oversimplification. Perhaps for V's benefit. Surely technology couldn't replace everything that the brain did organically. What about chemicals and hormones? Yet, the Relic was proof that it could be done. She hadn't felt any less like herself when that had been her cage. Perhaps the doubt and fear that weighed down on her now was evidence enough as well.
Pulling herself up to straighten her back, V tested her muscles. She felt stronger than she would have thought possible after everything she had been through. She flexed the fingers on one hand, then the other. She could feel the thrum of energy under the flesh of her arms, where her mantis blades were nestled. She had never noticed that before.
It was then that she noticed that she was wearing identical clothing to what Adriana wore – light blue pants and a short-sleeved top. She glanced around the room and spotted her old clothing piled on another counter, coated in a translucent goo. She peered sadly at the Aldecaldo jacket, its leather shredded and dirtied by her exploits in Alpha. The boots that sat on the floor below her other clothes looked salvageable at least.
When she felt cool fingers on her chin, V let Adriana turn her head. "How is your eyesight? I was most concerned about that."
V took in the sharp edges of Adriana's face, the sagging of the skin below her eyes, and the way her hair hung limply over her forehead. "Seems fine to me."
A moment of panic struck her when she tried to initialise a scan and nothing happened. It had always seemed so easy before, just a thought and there was an array of information before her. The more she focused, though, the more she became aware of something else beyond herself. A vague, teasing knowledge that there were pathways to take, networks all around her, just ready to explore. If only she could open the door.
"Can't seem to get my optical scanner to work," she mumbled, filing away that thought for now.
Adriana's lips thinned as she frowned. "I feared that would be the case. Unfortunately, the age of my technology presents certain compatibility issues with yours."
V tried to ignore the sinking feeling in her gut. She had never been one to rely too heavily on quick-hacking, but it looked like that was one weapon she'd have to remove from her arsenal. She would certainly miss the scanner, however. That she could still feel her mantis blades and their willingness to respond to her input was reassuring though. And if she was truly free of the shadow of the Relic, was able live her life now, that was a price she'd be happy to pay.
Spotting the slightly glazed gleam of Adriana's eyes, V wondered what price she had been forced to pay over the years. "Why did you help me?"
Adriana blinked at her in surprise. She stepped away then and turned, pacing slowly to the counter opposite. "We made a deal. You could offer me assistance and I was able to help you in exchange."
V tentatively twisted and slipped her legs off the side of the counter. She was satisfied when that only produced a dull ache in her lower back. "That's not the only reason."
Turning to peer at her, Adriana seemed to regard her cautiously for several long seconds. "No, I suppose not."
V rolled her shoulders, easing the knots out of her muscles. Pain twinged at the base of her skull. "So what was this really about?"
Adriana sighed and clasped her hands in front of her. "My primary motivator was getting those materials from Biotechnica. I did not lie about that. But, I suppose, the similarities between us also played their part."
"Similarities?" V cocked her head slightly, regretting the motion instantly as her vision blurred. "You mean… 'cause of your father?"
Adriana nodded. "His decision resulted in me being trapped in this cycle. And his decision to assist Arasaka ultimately led to your situation." She shook her head, deep lines pulling at the corners of her mouth. "I tried everything I could to eradicate the desire to survive. That primal need. I extended the computer system in my brain in a vain attempt to snuff out emotion, instinct—anything that felt remotely human. But every time I thought I succeeded, every time I believed this would be the last time, the overwhelming fear returned and pushed me onwards. I couldn't let myself… stop."
This display of vulnerability, of honesty, wrenched at something within V and she was struck by a wave of pity. Did Adriana really want to die so badly? Her motivation was so perversely opposite to V's own. She realised it wasn't the desire to end her life that hounded Adriana, though, it was the urge to be free of this fate that had been thrust upon her. And that was something V could relate to.
"But I could do something for you. Maybe that is enough," Adriana said after the silence had stretched on too long. V had never heard her sound so pained. So human.
Easing herself off the counter, V braced herself for the expected pain. To her surprise, her legs held out easily and the world did not tilt on its axis. The burning under her skull flared just to spite her. She pulled her hands away from the supportive surface for the final test. She stood soundly.
"How do I feel so… fine?" she asked.
"Nanites," Adriana said simply. "They are repairing the damage caused by the Relic and during the surgery. They will offer you the added benefit of speeding your recovery from any future injuries as well."
V quirked an eyebrow at her. "Really?"
Adriana's eyes narrowed. "That does not mean you should seek out danger."
A low chuckle rumbled under V's sternum. Right now, she was ready to hang up her mercenary cap and never do a single exciting thing ever again. All she wanted was to find a nice place to setup, relax and spend her days with—
"Where's Judy?" she asked suddenly. How had she not thought of her sooner? And Panam. She had a vague recollection that the other Aldecaldos were on one of the lower floors.
Adriana stiffened, her expression shifting to that of her usual neutrality. "With your friends on the second floor."
Fragments of conversations fluttered on the edge of her mind, of Panam demanding answers from Adriana, of Judy desperately wanting to know if V was alive, of Adriana explaining her plan. She peered at the clone distrustfully as the fragments stitched themselves together, forming a clearer picture. Adriana had played both her and Arasaka. Anger prickled her skin at how masterfully Adriana had strung her along. V had never truly trusted her, but this woman had constructed such a promise of hope, had painted such a bleak image of the alternative, that V had stepped right into the trap. Willingly. But it hadn't been a trap. Not really. And that was all that was keeping Adriana alive right now. She had kept her side of the bargain.
"Where are Arasaka right now?" V pushed back the anger, placed it in reserve. She had the feeling she would need it.
"I fear they are up to something. They are searching the edge of the city, but I cannot tell what for. Murata and his team are still within Biotechnica's facility. It is possible they will come here."
"You think they're onto you?" V asked, worry beginning to gnaw at the back of her mind.
Adriana turned then and headed for the door. "That I cannot know, but there is one factor that remains unaccounted for."
V grabbed her boots from the floor and slipped into them, relieved when her bare toes did not meet the squelch of liquid. She then followed Adriana into the office, her gaze flicking to the body in the chair. It had slumped even further into the seat now, the head at almost a right angle to its torso. She didn't want to get any closer to check, but she doubted there was any life left in those old bones. How close had she been to dying with it?
"An' that is?" she said, snapping her attention back to the other woman.
"The director," Adriana said icily, her gaze sliding to one side to eye V disapprovingly. "If he did not perish in Arasaka's initial assault and they were able to capture him…"
She did not have to say it, but V could tell from Adriana's tone that she held her and Judy accountable for anything that may happen because they had spared Kulkarni. What could he tell Murata, though? He didn't know of Adriana's plans. He had raved madly about her and her manipulations, but he didn't seem to have any solid proof. Yet, that may be enough to bring Murata back to confront Adriana.
V wished she could see what was going on outside the tower, just like Adriana could. At that thought, she remembered the odd sensation from before. The knowledge that there were networks all around her and she could feel them. Was that what she had experienced when she was in that other body? That awareness was certainly much weaker now. Perhaps it was linked to the differences in technology between what was in her head and what was in Adriana's.
She wandered to the bookcase, one hand outstretched as she skimmed the dusty shelves. There was wiring and electricity on the other side. She could feel their hums. They called to her, beckoning her closer. As she felt herself at a precipice, one moment away from stepping over the threshold and into that void, a hand gripped her upper arm.
"What are you doing, Valerie?" Adriana asked, her gaze suspicious.
V shook her head, the oddness of the experience falling like a fine mist over her mind. "I can feel the networks and… something. Out there. Like before."
Fingers pressed more firmly into her flesh. "It is too soon for that. You must heal and acclimatise to the changes first."
Turning towards Adriana, V looked down at her hand. "What is this? Why can I feel this?"
Adriana dropped her hand back to her side. "It would take too long to explain in full, but as part of my own modifications, I adjusted the technology to allow me to control this tower by myself. As I advanced it, I was able to extend its range. Particularly within interconnected systems, like those within Alpha." She motioned to her old body then. "With the correct interface, that can be extended indefinitely."
V's gaze drifted to the mess of cables still connected to the body. "Like a netrunner?"
"That's a rather simple way of looking at it, but yes."
Would V be able to become as proficient in plumbing the depths of the Net as Adriana was? She couldn't picture it. She had always had a netrunner to help her on gigs when it was necessary. V didn't do those kinds of tasks herself. But there was something exciting about having the freedom to try.
Adriana's head turned towards the elevator and V quirked an eyebrow at her. "You will have a visitor shortly. I will excuse myself for now," Adriana announced and headed towards the door.
V hurried after her. "Wait, where are you goin'?"
"I am giving you privacy," she said simply and the door closed.
V blinked at the elevator. As its machinery whirred, she paced away from the elevator, thoughts tumbling through her mind. So much had changed. How could she even begin to process what had happened? She felt different somehow, yet still inexorably like herself. But even that thought confused her. How could she possibly know? Her memories were still somewhat scrambled and her emotions were all over the place. Scattered and fleeting at times.
There was one thing she knew hadn't changed. Her desire to live. It had been a guiding light in her life, a dominating feeling that had ghosted her every move in recent months, and sometimes a shadow that had darkened her thoughts when hope had seemed lost. Now she could feel it rooted within her, filling her with a determination to escape this wretched city.
She stared down at her hands, her fingers outstretched, her palms up. Would she be able to fight? Would she still be the same force that could take down those who stood in her way? She curled her fingers into tight fists. She felt uncertain, but she also felt a power within her. When the time came, she would know what to do.
The sound of the elevator clanking to a halt behind her made her turn and its door opened. V's breath caught in her throat as Judy breezed out, her hair flitting around her face and her dark eyes darting around the room.
"Adriana, we need—" Judy began as she moved into the room, her words dying in her throat when she didn't find Adriana. V had never been so happy to hear that delightful rasp.
"Jude…" she breathed, wayward emotions crashing over her in a thunderous torrent and she had to press a palm to her chest to hold them all in.
Judy's head snapped to the right, her eyes widening as her step faltered. She dropped the rifle she had been carrying and a hand shot up to cover her mouth. Judy's gaze fluttered over V's form as tears glistened in her eyes. V saw the tremor in the other woman's legs before she sank to the ground and she rushed to her, catching Judy in her arms as they both fell to their knees.
Trembling fingers clutched at V's arms, her shoulders, her face as tears spilled over long lashes. V wrapped her arms around Judy's waist and pulled her in. She felt so good. So warm. Like returning home after a long trek through the winter rain. Words formed in V's mind, collecting and becoming tangled. There was so much she wanted to say. She moistened her lips and tried to force one coherent thought out.
Judy gripped the sides of V's face and pulled her closer. Soft lips brushed her own, hesitant, searching. V let out a slow breath through her nose and melted into the kiss. Tears prickled behind her eyes. She smoothed her palms up across Judy's back and lost herself to the moment. She was certain then that everything they'd been through, every trial she had faced, had been worth it.
Far too soon, Judy pulled back and V wished they could just lose themselves in that kiss forever. Judy's jaw worked furiously as she tried to contain the emotions that battled in her eyes. Fingertips traced V's cheeks, her jaw, her lips, before tentatively brushing across the bared scalp on the right side of her head.
"I can't believe—" Judy said finally, her voice a mere whimper.
V reached up and placed her hand over Judy's, pulling it down gently to cover her chest. "I'm here," she said softly, her throat aching. "I'm okay."
Judy's nostrils flared as she swallowed awkwardly. She opened her mouth to speak, but snapped it shut again almost instantly, squeezing her eyes shut. V's stomach clenched at the sight. She'd put Judy through so much. She only hoped she could make up for it someday.
Still grasping Judy's hand in her own, she touched her fingertips to Judy's cheek with the other, wiping away her tears. "I'm so sorry, Jude."
Judy shook her head, her brow furrowing as she peered back at V. The intensity of her gaze almost forced V to look away. "Don't be," she said, her tone firmer now. Stronger. "You came back."
V leaned forwards and pressed a light, lingering kiss to Judy's lips. When she pulled back, she whispered, "Nothin' could keep me away from you."
V felt fingertips press more firmly against her chest. "Fuck, V…" Judy said, her voice strained. "Is this real? Are you really… you?"
Pulling her hand away from Judy's face, she stared down at it. "I think so." She let out an uncertain laugh. "I feel a little different. But still like myself. If that makes any sense."
When she looked back at Judy, the creases between her brows had deepened. V realised that wasn't what she wanted to hear. What she needed to hear. But V hadn't exactly managed to wrap her head around it yet either. What if she had changed? And did it really matter? She still wanted what she had wanted before. She still felt the same about Judy. Perhaps that's what the other woman needed to hear.
V sucked in a deep breath and tried to arrange her feelings into words. The anxious fluttering in her chest told her that she hadn't changed all that much. She still couldn't communicate the things that really mattered. This was important though. She had to do this. Pulling Judy's hand away from her chest, she gripped it in both of her hands now and met the dark gaze in front of her.
"There's a lot I'm real fuckin' unsure about, Jude. An' that scares me." Judy's gaze wavered. "But, whatever Adriana did to me, she says it worked. If that's true, I got my future back. Our future."
She let those words settle for a moment and she could see the fear and hope fighting one another behind Judy's eyes.
"There's one thing that I know for certain. Somethin' that I've known for a while now. Somethin' that ain't ever gonna change." V took in another breath in a vain attempt to steady her voice. Her nerves. "How I feel about you."
She could feel the heat tingle beneath her skin as Judy stared at her, her eyebrows shifting up ever so slightly. V thought she could see the flush mirrored in Judy's cheeks. When she felt fingers squeeze her hand, discomfort writhed in her stomach.
"Fuck. You're gonna make me say it, aren't you?" V said with a grimace.
Judy's eyes brightened then and she pushed herself up on her knees, straightening so she could wrap her arms around V's neck. She pressed her cheek to the top of V's head, carefully avoiding the scarred side. "You don't have to, V. I think I know."
V felt relief flood her chest, but guilt bit at its heels. Even now, after everything she'd gone through, she couldn't say the words. If Judy could be completely honest with her, it was the least she could do. She leaned back and tilted her head back, ignoring the sudden spasm of pain running down the back of her skull. Judy peered down at her, her fingers idly tracing circles across the skin of V's neck.
"You know I'm no good at this kinda thing. I'm a woman of action. I can—an' I will—show you how I feel, every damn day, but I don't want you to have to guess at it. There's a lot that we might not know about what's goin' on with me, about the future, but…" V eased Judy back a little so she didn't have to crane her neck. "This is something that I do know. It guided me through the darkness when I was trapped in that body. It's kept me fightin' this whole time." Fuck. She was rambling. This was not how she wanted this to go.
A flicker of a smile pulled at one corner of Judy's mouth and she cupped V's face gently. "V, really. It's okay."
"No, I…" V pressed her lips together in frustration. Just say it, you gonk.
Judy leaned down and pressed a kiss to V's forehead. It was intended to soothe her, but it only frustrated V further. When Judy ducked down to repeat the action with the other woman's lips, V reached up and wrapped her fingers around Judy's forearms, halting her just a whisper from her mouth.
"Judy…" V breathed, and she could feel her lips just brush Judy's. "I love you."
A shaky breath caressed V's mouth and Judy's eyes shimmered. "Oh, V…" she whispered and closed the gap between them.
The kiss was unrestrained, almost messy, filled with fire and relief, hope and desperation. Their mouths clashed as teeth grazed lips and V could feel the need in her begin to bubble. When the tip of Judy's tongue flicked against her lips, V let out a quiet whimper and pulled back. She took in several quick breaths to clear her head.
Judy smirked sheepishly at her and it was clear she had also been lost to the moment. Her eyes continued to dart between V's gaze and her lips. It was easy to believe that they existed in their own little world, that everything around them had ceased to exist. But, V mused glumly, that was not true. And they had matters to attend to.
Judy pushed herself up and stood peering down at V. She rubbed at the back of her neck, seemingly trying to find the right words. Finally, she let out a soft chuckle and said, "We're gonna, uh, process all this later, but let's get outta here first."
When Judy offered her a hand, V smiled and took it, allowing Judy to help her to her feet. She felt a little foolish now, sharing those words in this tower, but she'd felt so vulnerable and such a need to reassure Judy, that the place and the timing didn't matter. Perhaps there never would be a perfect time.
As she reached down and picked up the rifle, Judy let out a soft sigh. "Dunno if you know about Arasaka or anythin'."
"Adriana filled me in a little. Some things I remember from…" She jerked a thumb in the direction of the desk.
Judy's lips twisted as she glanced over at the body and then back at V. "Gotta say, this is a vast improvement."
A brief laugh rattled up the back of V's throat. "She not your type?"
"I told ya," Judy said with a quirked eyebrow. "I'm picky about my girls."
When Judy held out the rifle to her, V took it and shifted it in her hands, growing accustomed to the weight. She wasn't sure if she was up to playing the marksman right now, but it felt good to feel a little less defenceless.
"Where's Adriana?" Judy asked.
V nodded in the direction of the elevator. "She left just before you arrived. No clue where she went."
Judy looked less than pleased at that news. "Great. We came up with a plan, but it would be better if we had Adriana on our side for it."
"What is it that you require of me, Judy?" Adriana's voice cut in over the speakers and caused V to flinch.
Judy looked up at the speaker sceptically. "You mean you weren't listenin' in on us downstairs?"
"I was rather preoccupied at the time."
"Right," Judy said, her tone flat. "Pan thinks that we should avoid direct confrontation at all costs. So, the plan is to use the tower to our advantage. Cut off Arasaka's people from each other by locking them in sections."
V didn't miss the shortened version of Panam's name. When had those two gotten so close?
"It is imperative that Arasaka do not discover that Valerie is alive," Adriana stated, her voice louder than normal.
"This will help with that. We want to avoid confrontation and get out safely. Do we have eyes on them?" Judy asked, and V admired how she was taking charge of the situation.
"Yes," Adriana responded. "Currently, several vehicles are continuing their route around the city. One moment…"
V didn't like the pause. Usually, Adriana seemed so well-connected to everything in Alpha. "We also need a way out of the city. I assume you can help with that, Adriana," V said.
"Murata is on his way to the tower." Adriana's voice was tight, alarmed.
"Damn. Was hoping all this plannin' would be pointless," Judy said, concern clear in her eyes.
V moved around Judy and stepped into the elevator. "Let's link up with the others," she suggested as Judy joined her. "Adriana – the exit?"
"You can leave the city via the same route Arasaka entered. It is on the north side of Alpha."
V was relieved that they wouldn't have to fight their way through Biotechnica's facility, if indeed anyone was left alive there. She felt a flash of pity and regret at the thought of the scientists lying dead inside those sterile walls. If Adriana hadn't let Arasaka in, hadn't conspired behind V's back, everyone in that facility would be safe.
As the elevator door closed and it jolted downwards, V turned to Judy. "Maybe we can avoid Arasaka altogether. Adriana, how long do we have until they arrive?"
"Approximately ten minutes."
...
When V marched into the medical bay, rifle in hand, the Aldecaldos seemed stunned. Judy remained by the doorway, suppressing the smile at Panam's unrestrained outburst. She flung her arms around V's neck and let out a sharp laugh. Judy chuckled to herself as the Aldecaldo leader realised what she was doing, and quickly untangled herself from a surprised V. Panam's eyes darted to Judy then, who gave her a reassuring nod.
"V. You scared us for a while there," Panam said and clapped her on the shoulder with one hand.
V offered her an apologetic look. "I'll grovel for forgiveness later, but Arasaka are on their way. They'll be here any moment."
Panam frowned and glanced at the Aldecaldos around her. "I've sent some teams to the main entrances on the ground floor and one up to find that landing pad."
Judy watched as V's gaze drifted in thought. "Pull 'em back," V said suddenly.
"What?" Panam asked, her brow knotting.
"I think you were on the right track with your plan. Usin' the tower. But let's lure Arasaka inside without any firefights. It's too risky. Let 'em think it's empty." V walked over to the door and pressed her palm to the wall. Judy peered at her curiously. What was she doing?
"And what are we supposed to do?" Panam said.
V's brow fell in concentration and her words were distracted. "Get your people ready to leave."
"Are we coordinating with Adriana on this?" Panam probed, sounding uncertain.
When the door slid shut with a sudden whoosh, Judy lurched away from the wall she had been leaning against. She shot an alarmed look at V, who bore a victorious grin. "Don't have to," V chimed.
Judy stepped towards her. "What was that?"
V turned to Judy, glancing at the Aldecaldos who were eyeing her with both surprise and a little trepidation. "'Member those messages on the screen?" When Judy nodded, V continued. "Seems I'm still linked to the tower somehow, perhaps even further."
"Like Adriana?" Judy said. When V gave her a nod of confirmation, Judy shook her head. "Is that safe?"
V shrugged one shoulder. "Probably shouldn't overdo it, but it should help us against Arasaka."
Judy let out a sigh and tried to rationalise that it was no different from netrunning or quick-hacking. At least, she hoped so. V motioned to the others that they were leaving and the door slid open again. Judy didn't miss the slight sheen of perspiration on the other woman's forehead. Panam hurried to a console and tapped at it, before talking to the teams she'd stationed elsewhere.
Despite the apparent exertion, V marched down the hall towards the front entrance but then paused abruptly. "Adriana, what side are they approaching from?"
"Murata is heading for the landing pad, but more are on their way from the east and south."
When Panam appeared in the corridor, V waved her over. "Your people are on their way down?"
Panam placed a hand on one hip and nodded. "Just in time by the sounds of it. What's the plan, V?"
"If we're quick, we can get the vehicles, assuming they weren't completely shot up earlier, and position 'em to the rear of the tower. When we have Arasaka trapped inside, we'll delta to the exit on the north side of the city."
Panam seemed to like the sound of that plan, but Judy wasn't so sure. There were still more Arasaka vehicles out there. She hoped that whatever jammer was in place that had prevented Judy and V from communicating would do the same for Arasaka.
"Place small teams near the rear of the tower, but make sure they're well-hidden. If we have to engage, we'll use ambush tactics," V continued.
"Okay, leave it to me," Panam said and headed off down the hall, motioning for the Aldecaldos to follow her.
Judy hoped they'd have enough time to move the vehicles and get everything set up. V looked up at one of the speakers, her mouth curving into a frown. "Where are you, Adriana?"
"The floor below my office. In my personal quarters."
"Join us down here," V said and Judy could see the worry in her eyes.
"No, Valerie. This is my home."
V shook her head. "This place has been nothin' but shitty to you. Time to find a new home."
"You know I cannot," Adriana replied and Judy swore she heard a sorrowful edge to her words.
V turned to Judy then, the perspiration thickening on her brow. Was she in the tower's system again? "Fuck. Murata's already inside."
Judy glanced towards the elevator. After everything she'd done, Judy wasn't sure if she should feel concern for Adriana, but something inside her pitied the clone. And she had helped V. Had given them another chance.
"Dammit," Judy muttered and headed for the elevator. "Better go drag her ass outta there."
...
Author's Note: In response to A.V.T.O.S's question regarding a continuation of this story. Unfortunately, I have no plans to continue the story once this one is done, but there will be an epilogue. I hope that will be satisfying enough. ;)
