Date: 3rd of June 2062
Location: Outside of Night city, Badlands
POV: Omniscient
Sitting by his car Santiago was disappointed in himself. He had let his emotions overrule the fact that while he was almost like a father to June he was still the Aldecados leader. And that position required him to take full responsibility. Yet he cowered out, he had taken the easy way out and blamed everyone. He had gotten too complacent. Had this been the past not a single person would've slacked off that night. The comfort of relying on June had made him lose grip on what made the Nomads before him stand out. They ere getting all of the benefits on being a corpo slave without paying a single price.
While it was true that the marriage was toxic, most women weren't gifted out as wives but joy toys. There was no shame to admit they had lucked out. But like life they could not have everything. He was getting greedy. He realised that today. His group had also expanded too much and too fast. The Family of old built experience through battle and hardship. While the same applied that edge was now lost due to the safety net that Von Doom industries supplied. Why worry about taking an extra few trips when he could simply return to night city and request help.
Most would laugh at them. Night City was not a safe haven. It was a place where those who entered was swallowed by It's jaw thoroughly. Yet here he was. Leeching off like a parasite off of Von Doom enterprises. Juan was probably rolling in his grave seeing this all unfold. If only he were here to guide them. To Santiago leading the Aldecado was just another mission, yet it grew to be bigger than that. If it hadn't been for the safety net that June provided they would've most likely not been here thriving. From what he knew the 2000 that he led would have never been possible without the extra assistance.
He had lost some good men last night. Today he would have to host a funeral. The timing of such an incident was terrible. Just as he decided to relax they had struck. Had it not been for the boys initial shot they would've lost more. The Wraiths that tried to raid his family ranged from a hundred to another two. While not a lot, compared to his they were still caught with their pants down. Such a mistake can never be replicated. Every member was a life. He couldn't treat em like a statistic, else he himself would turn into Virgil. He'd become the everything he swore to destroy.
"Big guy now, eh?" Bubbles asked as he picked his nose. Seeing his casual demeanour, Victor looked around to see if there was anyone watching before dropping to the floor exhausted.
"Don't know If I should be impressed or disappointed," Bubbles explained, his booger thoroughly wiped on one of the Aldecados vehicles.
"I did what I did because I can," Victor explained.
"Or you did it cause your big head wanted to prove something. That's how you get killed on the field. Never mix pride and heroism with life kiddo. It's the difference between seeing tomorrow or being flatlined." Bubbles muttered before wiping another booger on an Aldecado trailer.
"Regardless of what you did, good job. Your marksmanship was almost good as mine," He complimented, leaving the young Doom to smile.
Until Bubbles continued, "Well, if I was half asleep with my hands behind my back as I aimed the wrong way."
"I could've finished em in a second you know. Could've just smiled and they'd all die," He joked, or so Victor hoped so. He had only snippets of the man's work and every report always seemed to redact the how but never the what. So, seeing his achievements but never how he achieved it infuriated him to no bounds. One couldn't just scale up Arasaka building in seconds, especially while under fire from Arasaka and Militech forces.
'In fact, one of the reports stated he went against Adam smasher… and won? He knew he was strong but to go against the near century old relic was an achievement. Adam Smasher was often fully fitted with Arasaka tech yet even he failed to fully contend with the Polynesian warrior. Just what secrets was the man hiding,' Victor thought.
"A commendable effort yet you exhausted more stamina than you should've. You took longer to aim and ended up only getting twelve kills. Had I limited myself to your standards I would've at least hit fifty, minimum. You know as well as much as I do that I detest having shards do the work for me. You're smart Victor but being smart isn't enough. I've seen many geniuses in my life, it's a pity that many end up more in coffins than offices. There will come a time you alone will have to face the world. When the time comes will you be able to stand on your own two feet? Or will you falter and be fucked as the world watches you suffer? Choose wisely Young Doom." He explained, before staring at his phone.
"Tsk, fucking hate the desert," He muttered.
"How long are we supposed to camp here? I already found the natives… Lacking." Victor asked, his eyes shifting to the now awake Panam. Seeing his gaze, she quickly shifted her eyes to the floor before walking away.
"As to be expected, it seems she finally knew her place." He muttered sneering.
Scanning the area, he decided to check the nomads' vehicles and or other technology to further give him ideas. It was all that he could as of right now that would interest him. He had neither the facilities to which he could efficiently train his other skills nor care to do so in front of the proles.
"How fascinating," Victor muttered as he scanned one of the tuned vehicles. Seeing that the hood was open he decided to watch as one of the Aldecados went on with maintenance. Seeing such tuning made him think back to when his father wasn't so stoic. It seemed that he grew further and further away with time.
"Is that?" Victor muttered before seeing a modified Quadra type 66. A vehicle which he begged his father to get him at one point, only to be turned down. His own words being "Why waste time on an outdated vessel?"
While the vehicle was not outdated when it was released, Victor did agree with his father's point. The technology it used compared to Von Doom industries was simply poor. He always wanted Von Doom industries to branch into the vehicle industries but alas his father had prohibited it due to its inefficiency. Instead, it was more profitable to focus on the other branches of the manufacturing sectors. With the increased need of Augments a single piece could possibly sell for 10'000 eddies. A far cry to the possible eddies a vehicle would ever amount to. While creating a car needed a week to be manufactured, cybernetics only took an hour with their technology being starlight year ahead of any other distributor. It had to be known that even Militech and Arasaka used their technology.
While it seemed odd when discovered such a fact, it was instead humorous when he realised the difference. This was due to the fact that the technology that was sold… Differ heavily to the ones that Von Doom industries used… and by a large margin. So large in fact that it was comical. The technology and cyber enhancement that existed today in the market was already used by the Von Doom family in the early 2000's for personal use. While some might wonder why they hadn't taken over or destroyed all other companies due to the secret war between 1980-1990. All reports of it had been wiped from his database and redacted until further approval. Not wanting to overstep his fathers rule he decided it was best that he remained quiet until it was time.
Though that did not mean they were weak, the number of companies which were under Von Doom Industries was astronomical. Ties to media, agriculture, manufacturing, computing, augmentation, service, banking, and Armed forces were all but the tip.
"You like my ride, eh?"
Hearing the man's voice, Victor turned to see an old, bellied man with tattoos all around his body. Similar to Santiago he had chocolate skin with his features damn near close to my mother. He had a beard, and a mohawk, his left eye and arms highly augmented. He looked to be around his fifties.
"I've seen better."
"Hmph but they aren't as sweet as this I bet," He smiled before cranking the hood to reveal the specs. Victor, still absent minded, viewed the interior.
'Impressive… A v10 Twin turbo tuned to perfection with off road suspensions to ensure that the thing doesn't kill its passenger within. It even had a light armour finish with CrystalDome technology which ensured incognito for its user.'
"Not bad, though personally I would rather acquire a hybrid. Better speeds a v10 could ever compare too," Victor flamed.
"Yeah, but those hybrids are usually more expensive to maintain, not as reliable as the v10 twin turbo I've got in. Besides Don't ever think I'll need to use the 900HP on this devil," The oldie explained, grinning.
"Money ain't an issue where I'm from."
"So, I hear…" He muttered before leaning against his ride, a cigarette flashing towards his hand.
"You ever raced before?" He continued.
"Never had the chance," Victor explained. Empty thoughts of the city view and family compound coming to mind.
"Ed be a shame then, could've ran a mark if you were keen."
"I could probably create something better than what you're running."
"Perhaps, perhaps not, all I know is you've yet to see the dashboard without a booster seat."
"Hmph, time is all I need. You're most likely running on your last legs at this point."
Smacking his thigh, he coughed a few laughs.
"Kakakaka! You've got me there, kid… Say how's your old lady doing?"
Staring at him deeply Victor raised a brow at his question before answering.
"My mother? How do you know her?"
"More than just knowing kiddo, she's my sister. She practically raised me," He replied.
Practically dead panning the old man, Victor waved it off as mere delusions, "I don't believe that is possible."
"Yah do know your mothers practically 60 this year, the only reason she looks that young is cause you rich folk got money. Had she stayed here she'd be as raggedy as me."
Unable to comment on such accusations Victor remained silent. If his words rang true, then he was conceived when she was forty-seven.
[SCANNING TARGET]
[SEARCHING DATABASE…]
[DATA MISSING…]
[ERROR…]
[UPDATING SYSTEMS…]
[DATA PACKET RECEIVED…]
[BOOTING SYSTEM…]
[COMPLETE…]
[SCAN RESULTS: JULIUS "KAISAR" ALDECADO]
[AFFILIATION: THE ALDECADOS]
INFO:
- WANTED BY NCPD (BOUNTY $20'000) *****
- WEAKNESS: FIRE (30%) ELECTRICITY (10%)
ABILITIES: NULL (UPGRADE NEEDED)
NOTE: NULL (UPGRADE NEEDED)
Interesting…
"Yo, gramps! Heard some wraiths made their way over. Also, what's this talk about some suit walking about?" A voice called out.
Turning to face the figure Victor was met with an individual around his age. Wearing a leather Aldecado jacket he possessed a somewhat model look. Short hair and a somewhat charismatic charm. To put into perspective the pre-teen matched the looks of a certain celebrity of the early 2000's... Michael B Jordan? Whatever I looked better, like that one warrior Jason Mamoa.
"I'm guessing you're the suit that Panam and Saul was chattin bout? You don't seem like much to me," He scanned, a tint of disgust at the end of his words.
"Since when could trash cans talk?" Victor puffed, his hands crossing at the others remark.
"I guess we're off to a great start then." The old man beckoned, a slight grin on his face as he viewed the two of us.
"Well, I guess I didn't have to rope him in. Victor, meet your cousin Vincent. Vincent, meet Victor. I have a feeling this'll be the start of a wonderful friendship." He revealed once before walking away. Leaving the two of us to ponder his words. Vincent hearing such words couldn't help but frown.
"Oh, fuck off."
Date: 3rd of June 2062
Location: Outside of Night city, Badlands
POV: Vincent "V" Aldecado
"Hey you okay? Did something happen?" I asked Panam who seemed to be absent minded. Her eyes flickering to Night city before turning back to her hands.
"Don't mind her, she's been like that all morning," Saul revealed walking by.
Seeing that Saul was my best bet I called on him, "Hey what's the big fuss then she okay?"
"Ah she'll get over it. Just thinking about some stuff," He voiced before turning to face me once, "Ah also Aunt June came to visit. Makes sense you don't know her since we only ever pop around here every five years."
"Auntie?" I questioned again.
"Aye look all I know is she married into being a corpo. She's here with her son and her bodyguard. To be honest, I kinda like the little squirt, reminds me of someone." He smiled, rolling my eyes I bolstered my hand by my hip as the other aimed forward, "Whatever, ain't no one got a trigger finger like me."
"Heard he got 12 confirmed kills last night from 200 metres."
"Whatever Saul." Sticking the finger, I walked over to my boys. The crew consisted of Hazza, Fredo, Durk and others. Guys that were a tad older than me.
"Hey, V, you think you can get us a few puffs from Julius?" Hazza asked.
"Aye, look I don't think I'll be able to. You already know what he said about it. He's limited on supplies right now and I don't think he'll be keen on handing it over to us to waste."
"Yeah, yeah, but you should be able to convince him, right? You are his favourite?"
"Look I just don't he'll accept it-"
"Ah come on man. Do it for the boys."
"Fine…" I reluctantly accepted before pacing my way over to Julius' car. The man being the best Ripper-Doc I knew.
"Yo, gramps! Heard some wraiths made their way over. Also, what's this talk about some suit walking about?" I called out.
"I'm guessing you're the suit that Panam and Saul was chattin bout? You don't seem like much to me," I spat disgusted.
"Since when could trash cans talk?" He puffed his hands crossing as if to intimidate me. Whatever Gonk.
"I guess we're off to a great start then." Julius beckoned, a slight grin on his face as he viewed the two of us.
"Well, I guess I didn't have to rope him in. Victor, meet your cousin Vincent. Vincent, meet Victor. I have a feeling this'll be the start of a wonderful friendship." He revealed once before walking away. Leaving the two of us to ponder his words. Hearing such words I couldn't help but shout.
"Oh, fuck off."
The damn suit was pissing me off already. In almost ten seconds of meeting him I'd already detested his very being. He thought he was top shit. It didn't help that the Gonk wore those corpo shades which emulated 'stick-up-ass' energy. He fashioned the simple corpo look but what shocked me was his lack of any visible cybernetics.
Either he was chipped in to the extreme or he had none, I believe it was the latter. Lord knows how much money it'd take to have subtle implants but that didn't matter when you were loaded. While doing it to younglings like us did pose a threat, there was no possible way these demons wouldn't know how to go around fixing it.
"There's no way I'm related... To this Gonk."
"The feeling is mutual, peasant. I feel as if I am looking at a lesser lifeform. Perhaps you're the missing link?"
"Shut it suit. I ain't got time to hear your trap shit out lard!"
Before turning to Julius. The words to utter a plausible sentence still running through my mind.
"Hey uh… Oldman, I need some help…. One of the boys got hit with a stray. Wraiths left him in a mess. Need your help getting him up," I asked, only to receive a tap on the head. His sandevistan booming forward. Fuck was he quick with it.
"You sure it was the wraiths? Or did one of your boys bug out again? I told you I ain't fixin a junkie! Already warned em twice and now I'm warning you thrice." Julius snapped, leaving me to drop to my knees pleading.
"Come on J! We're family! Family looks after family! We gotta stick together!"
"Nice try kid but your honey words aren't stickin. Better go back and tell those Dorph-heads I ain't budging," He spat, leaving me psyched. Come on J! Turning my head, I could see the suit smirking.
"What's with the grin rat?"
"I'm amused by your incompetence, monkey. A nomad and worse… A druggie… How pathetic."
"You shut your trap!"
Spitting what ever profanity I could shout I walked away disappointed. The boys were gonna be so pissed! Come on V. Think! Think of something…
"Hey V my main man! Did you get the stuff?" One of the older boys asked.
"Soz Hazza… Couldn't convince the oldman to give us some…" I muttered.
"Not cool man… We were really keen on you nabbin us some…" Hazza replied disappointed.
"You know this means you can't hang with us right? Only cool kids like us can hang around here. Go hang with Saul or Panam." He continued shooing me away.
"Please! I can do something!" I begged.
"Look bud. It's nothing personal you just can't hang with us anymore, now scram. I don't wanna get physical." He flicked. Unable to answer him, I walked away defeated. Turning to face ahead I was met with the suit who had packets of dorphs by his side.
'this fucker!'
"I heard you fine gentlemen were looking to acquire enhancers. Please, be my guest. It's on the house." He expressed taking a step back. What was he doing? Those were my friends.
"Fuck man, the suit might not actually bad," One of the boys laughed checking the crate. Looking in he was astonished by the amount inside.
"Aye! He's a corp. How do we know your shit's safe? You tryna trick us kid?" Another mustered before being swiped to the side.
"Fuck it man, I've been meaning to get a fix for awhile now. You only get these shits while in the city," Hazza slimed before taking one shoving the canister up his nostril. The sight always unnerving to me.
"AHHHH" Fuck that hits the spot… Not bad kid. You wanna hang out with us?" Hazza offered the suit. Clenching my teeth, I slowly walked away. Fuck these guys and fuck that corpo especially.
"I'd rather rot behind a joy toy then be in any proximity near you pests. Enjoy the Dorphs while they still last."
"And you Vincent… How disappointing…" Victor continued. Cracking my neck, I rushed him, my fist being caught in a second. Fucking chips.
"What's your deal corpse? You come here waving your dick around acting like you're better than the rest of us? For what? Cause it makes your dick hard? You didn't have to steal my friends away from me like that." I snapped by my hands continuing to pressure him, the former not budging.
"For someone of my blood, It physically pains me to see you so… Disappointing. I had grand expectations for those of my kin. Yet all I see is a wimpy child seeking attention."
"Oh, yeah? All I see is a judgemental prick who doesn't know a rat ass about family. Stick to your skyscrapers Victor. Your kind will never understand what it means exactly to live… they never do…" I whispered before walking away, the other seemingly paused in thought.
Date: 3rd of June 2062
Location: Outside of Night city, Badlands
POV: Omniscient
"Are you done with your little pet project Virgil? Getting bored sitting out here doing jack shit," Bubbles called.
"Not quite, soon it shall. Ensure the boy is safe, we cannot allow ourselves to be distracted." Victor revealed.
"Can't believe you made me come all the way out here cause of "damage control" can't you just build another tower?" Bubbles fumed disappointed.
"The Tower symbolises our strength and foothold in Night city. This cannot be afforded, enjoy the sky view Junior," He voiced before disconnecting the call.
"Damn shithead… Could've at least taken us back to the family compound." Bubbles muttered, his eyes viewing Von Doom industries tower. The sleek skyscraper being 500 metres tall, the logo being a large V.
"You're not gonna hang out with us Bubbles?" June asked the hulking figure.
"Not my kinda crowd." Was all he stated before returning to stare beyond the abyss as his mind faded elsewhere.
"Look… Thanks again for looking out for me." She thanked.
"Your gratitude is accepted but you must understand I'm merely doing my job," He replied.
"That's not what I'm thanking you for, you know," She sighed, staring beyond to see her child arguing with his cousin.
"That's but the past." He stated.
"Wouldn't be here if it weren't for you," She expressed.
"I only wished for history to not repeat itself. A child always deserves a parent and sometimes a parent doesn't deserve a child." He replied.
"Look… I'm sorry." She apologised sheepishly.
"I don't believe you owe me an apology." Bubbles muttered now eyeing Victor. Victor, oblivious to their gazes, sat alone away from every group.
'Fuck I hate it here,' He thought as everyone avoided him like a plague. Sitting alone for what seemed like hours his mother approached him.
"Greetings mother," He greeted.
"You don't have to be so formal, you know. We're out of the city now. Your fathers not here. Your home," She expressed leaving the young Von Doom to physically cringe at her words.
"I must apologise in advance, but this can never be a home mother. These are your people, not mine." Victor replied.
"Look it'll take time but these people are good people you just gotta open up."
"All I see is inefficiency and incompetence mother. It pains me to see such disorganised forces within a faction. You call this family I call this trash."
"Look Victor life's not all about pushing one's own agenda to the next… Sometimes you gotta live life. Live in the moment and see where it takes you."
"And how would you do that? Allow yourself to be back stabbed and schemed upon? Father always told me it's better to wield a dagger to one's own heart then be stabbed by another."
"Your fathers from a different time in a different place. You may be his son but you're just as mine as he is yours. Look around you child, what do you see?" She asked.
"I see people wasting their time. People who seem to grasp that tomorrow may not come that today is all that'll last. I don't see people mother, I see walking corpses," Victor dropped, leaving June to frown.
"Look Victor… Sometimes it's that drive that pushes people to move beyond their limits. It's times like this that make you appreciate life more. If life is hard then death is easy. You say you see corpses, I say I see life. People living their life to the fullest without worrying about corporate bosses or if some gonk's gon end em. It's beauty in its rawest form, it's life. Sometimes… It's better to live than survive, son. One day we might now walk alongside you. Eventually, you'll have to find your own family," She explained, her arms now covering the young Victor her motherly embrace keeping him warm. Feeling the warmth he remained quiet not feeling like refuting her claim. Far from them Panam and V stared.
"Momma's boy. Called it," Vincent snickered, seeing Victor with his mother.
"Yeah… Real momma's boy," Panam muttered.
