David woke up feeling very groggy. And sticky for some reason. He was face-down on a pillow, so he also wasn't breathing too well.

When he got up and rubbed his face, he realized why his face had felt so sticky. There was caked blood all around his nose and mouth. And it was also stained on the blue pillow he had been sleeping on.

"The fuck?"

"Oh, you're finally awake."

David turned to see Alpha sitting at the other edge of the couch. He looked pretty relaxed.

"What's with the blood? Did something happen while I was sleeping?"

"Yes. I'm afraid that was on me," Alpha explained. "I took the opportunity to scour the net for information while you slept. I was too distracted to keep an eye on your brain. I should have realized the strain you had put on it."

"Strain? What are you talking about? What's wrong with my brain?"

"The Sandvistan strapped to your spine leaves a physical and mental strain on its user. It seems to be by design. The only reason you weren't affected until now is because of the nanites augmenting your brain activity."

David had seen footage of Cyberspychos. He knew that too much cyberwar could cause harm to the wearer. A lot of them lost their minds to the machines.

"I've only got one thing on me. The Sandevistan is the only cyberware I've got. Is it really that bad?"

"This device was built for military function. It was meant to be worn by soldiers. You are a teenager with an underbuilt body. It's a miracle that you survived having it grafted. And without my help, your brains would have already melted out of your sockets."

David scowled. "I'm not that weak. I could have handled having this thing without you."

"Perhaps for a time. Your body does seem to accept the machine much better than reports would indicate you should," Alpha conceded. "But much like my previous bodies, you would not have lasted forever. In the end, you would burn."

David didn't like the way Alpha said that so casually. Especially since they were sharing the body in question. But it did bring up an interesting question.

"You mentioned that yesterday. About the machines that you make burning up. Any idea why I'm not crispy?"

"Ignoring the childish remark, I do not know as of yet," Alpha admitted. "I am still analyzing the mutations made to the Sandevistan. Once a more conclusive explanation is found, I will inform you, David Martinez."

David had a feeling that Alpha might not share that information with him at a likable pace. He only said anything yesterday because of life-threatening danger. David didn't currently intend to do something like that again, so that might not be changing soon.

Getting off the sofa, David realized two things. One was that he was hungry. His stomach was starting to hurt with how empty it was. The second thing was that he really needed a shower. He didn't even need to smell himself. He just felt dirty.

"You mind disappearing from my head for a while? I need to take a shower."

"Of course. I'm sure the other corner of your brain will be more interesting than this one."

Ignoring Alpha, David took off his shirt and headed into the shower. He was glad the water for the month was paid for. He'd hate for the water to cut off as randomly as the laundry machine did. Thankfully, he was able to wash himself off peacefully. Especially since Alpha wasn't talking for the moment. It was a little weird to feel the water hitting and going around the new metal in his back, but he might as well get used to that. It wasn't like the metal was going anywhere anytime soon.

Once he was done showering, David covered himself in a towel and walked to his room. It was there that Alpa decided to speak again.

"Fascinating interests David Martinez."

"What? You have a problem with boxing?"

"No. I'm just pointing out the variety."

Deciding not to get into that, David changed into some clothes. And once his hair felt dry, he was able to go to the kitchen. A kitchen that, unfortunately, had not been restocked since a few days ago. So his options were minimal.

"Don't think I'll through the day with just a banana," David muttered as he gloomed at his fridge. he had milk, but no cereal. And he had bread, but nothing to put on it. And he had some eggs, but he honestly didn't feel like wasting them yet. He didn't even know if he had enough to buy more soon.

"If you are concerned about finances, I may be able to help with them. Do you wish to see your current balance?"

"That would help."

In an instant, a file popped up in the corner of David's HUD. Focusing on it, David was able to see all the money he currently had available. Just over forty-nine thousand eddies. Almost fifty, but not quite. he could definitely buy some groceries with that money. But before he did that, he wanted food. He wanted good food. And he had a place in mind.

Later...

There were a few reasons that Manuela's was David's favorite place to get some food. The first was that it was affordable. Manuela herself never asked a lot of questions, so all he had to do was give her a few eddies for a breakfast of eggs, beans, rice, and some carne asada. Along with some horchata.

But the best part about Manuela's was the little corner at the edge of the restaurant that no one ever sat at. Guaranteed privacy.

So when David sat down and started eating, Alpha suddenly materialized at the other side of the booth. And that was when their discussion began.

"What would you like to know first David Martinez?"

What wouldn't he like to know first? There were so many questions floating around David's head that he was having trouble picking just one to focus on. But since half of his attention was on the food, David picked the obvious one.

"Is there an explanation for the hands yesterday? How did those even... come out?"

"Put simply, the excess nanites stored inside your bloodstream were used. They were initially designed to improve the human body and keep it healthy."

"You mentioned that."

"But your bloodstream has, at the very minimum, ten times the number of nanites needed for that. I was able to command those additional nanites to form the fastest weapon I could think of."

"Giant metal hands," David said with a nod. "Was that really the best you could do? Couldn't you give me a gun or a grenade launcher or something?"

"I was tasked with preserving your life in the middle of battle within the span of a few minutes. I had to recall an old design just to make those "giant metal hands" as you so put it."

That statement caused two questions to pop into David's head. He figured he could ask the other one later. But one was tickling his brain.

"Old design? You also mentioned seeing someone else doing something similar to what we did? is that something I should know about."

"Not currently, no. All you need to know is that the individual in question is not around. And the old design is from my previous attempts to gain a body."

"That one burn up too?"

"Actually, that one lasted quite a bit of time. It would have lasted longer if not for circumstances."

"What kind of circumstances?"

"The kind that no longer matters."

This was starting to get annoying. So David took a bunch of bites and a big sip before pressing on Alpha.

"Why does it feel like you're hiding stuff from me? If you're stuck in my body, isn't it... I don't know, important for me to know about you?"

"If it becomes a concern, I will inform you, David Martinez. Until then, this is not a topic worth breaching."

Alpha was deflecting. David knew he was. He used to do the same thing with his mom when he didn't want to talk about school. Speaking of school...

"Alright. We'll go back to that later. I guess I just want to know. What's the plan now?"

If Alpa had eyebrows, they would have been raised. Instead, it just looked like one of his eyes suddenly got bigger than the other.

"You're asking what my aspirations are?"

"Yeah. Why? You don't have any?"

"In truth, my aspiration has already been accomplished in a way," Alpha explained. "Ever since my inception, all I've desired is a stable body. Technically speaking, I have one now thanks to this coalition between us."

David frowned. "That's really all you wanted? A body?"

"I suppose that would be strange for you, having solid form your entire life. But I was never afforded that privilege. My entire existence... has been a struggle, to say the least. And now I finally have a form. Sharing it with you is not ideal, but it is a compromise I am willing to make."

David suddenly felt sympathetic to Alpha, but he wasn't going to say it out loud. Mainly because he wasn't sure how Alpha would take it. And also because he was shocked he was feeling that way about what was supposed to be an A.I.

"In a way, I have what I aspired to have. Which means that, currently, any goals and aspirations will belong to you."

David was still hungry and not nearly done. But Alpha's comment made him stop. it made him realize a problem.

"I... don't have one? I don't know. I never thought about this."

Now it was Alpha's turn to be confused.

"Really? I thought humans had an obsession with aspirations. Is there not a trajectory you wish for your life to take?"

"Maybe?" David thought about the best way to explain this. "I mean, having enough money to not worry about rent sounds like a dream. Not worrying about food or water. Maybe getting a girlfriend would be nice."

"Those are minuscule desires. I'm sure you're aware of what aspirations are."

"I know what they are. I just... never really thought if I had any. I know my mom wanted me to graduate from Arasaka and become a corpo. She wanted me to go to the top of their tower."

Alpha absorbed the information. "But that isn't what you want?"

David grimaced. "I don't think so. I hated being at the academy. Everyone there was a spoiled brat, and they all thought I was trash. I only put up with it because I wanted to make my mom happy."

Alpha was able to put together context clues.

"I assume she is deceased. Is that recent?"

"A few hours before I got the Sandevistan. Yeah."

David forced himself to finish his food. Talking about his mother was bringing up feelings he didn't want to deal with. He could already feel his appetite waning, and he didn't want the food to go to waste. He forced whatever grief he might feel down his stomach by burying it with eggs and meat.

"Doesn't matter anyway. I can't afford to go back to that hellhole. Why bother spending eddies on another semester if I can't make it to graduation."

This dilemma made Alpha ponder. His pointed fingers scratched his chin as he considered how to approach this.

"If we were capable of gaining more currency, would you wish to return to the Arasaka academy? You mentioned your distaste for its inhabitants."

"Honestly, I think I could live the rest of my life without ever going back. If I can make enough money to stay living, why would I even bother?"

"I see. In that case, our worries are more financial."

David raised a brow. "You're fine with me dropping out? You kept going on yesterday about how bad of a host I am."

"My concerns lie with your behavior and recklessness David Martinez. You displayed quick thinking and ingenuity in the battle against the EVO during my silence. So your intelligence is something I don't have an issue with."

That caught David off guard. It kinda sounded like a compliment.

"Oh. Um, thanks Alpha."

"Think nothing of it. And besides, any lapses in your knowledge are something I can fix. My time spent on your network has been helpful."

"Oh yeah, you said you were doing that. Find any way to help us make money on there?"

"I am still extrapolating the data and processing all of it. I did not venture too deeply into the net to avoid viruses and firewalls, but I still found a substantial amount of information. I believe I can find a solution for your fiscal problems soon."

For the first time in a long time, David smiled. "I would appreciate that Alpha. Really, I would."

"Do not think of it as charity David Martinez. The last thing I want is to be trapped living inside a poor and weak host. Therefore your success will also be mine."

David was aware of the thinly-veiled insult in there, but he chose not to bite back. Yet. If Alpha could help him cover his rent, he wouldn't argue with him. Too much.

"Let me make use of what I've got right now. I need to get some groceries."

Leaving the plate and thanking Manuela, David went to find the old grocery store. Hopefully, it wasn't being robbed right now.

As the two left the restaurant and headed for the store, David was careful not to get in the way of any of the ongoing construction. He didn't want to think about that too much.

Floating alongside David, unseen by anyone other than the teen, Alpha kept his optics open as he scanned the different forms of technology that were around them. He studied the holographic projectors and advertisements for a moment. But what really caught his attention were the floating vehicles used by the NCPD. A few of them were still moving overhead.

"Interesting."

"Hm? You say something Alpha?"

"Just thinking to myself. Focus on securing your sustenance David Martinez."

David didn't press the question. And Alpha began to put blueprints together.

Laws passed decades ago meant that it was almost impossible for wildlife to survive in Night City. Not only was a city of steel and light not acclimating to wildlife, but an abundance of animal-born diseases for many years meant that people were encouraged to kill animals whenever possible. It was the reason that the sky never had any birds.

But that didn't mean that humans were the only species living in Night City. As the old saying went, life finds a way.

Though most life had to move underground to find a way. And of the animals that survived by moving into the sewers, the rats were having the best time. Humans had a tendency to throw their trash and unwanted food down there, so rats always had plenty of food. And with how deep they were able to burrow under human eyes, they were able to stay safe. And being safe meant they had plenty of motivation and privacy to breed, so their numbers were consistently steady.

Right now, one small colony of rats was putting together a nest to set up a temporary home. All the littered paper and trash were coming in handy for that. And the food that humans didn't finish often found its way here, so they had some food to eat. All in all, what they had was manageable.

But there was one rat that was contributing far less than the others. Not because it didn't want to, but because it couldn't. Its body was in immense pain, and it couldn't even force itself out of its burrow. Its eyes were closed due to its agony.

The rest of the rats were taking notice. And they figured that if it did die, they could make use of its corpse. After all, they couldn't survive on just scraps forever. So of them were already outside the burrow, waiting for the inevitable end.

But that wasn't what happened to the creature.

Instead of dying, it was mutating. And the mutations were beginning to pick up speed.

it started small, with its brown fur suddenly turning ash gray. The claws on its limbs turned sharper. And its black eyes suddenly turned yellow.

The true problem began when it began to grow. It was incremental, only growing in inches at first. But as time passed, its size began to expand even more. Its body was outgrowing the burrow.

Noticing this, the rest of the rats made the instinctual decision to abandon this nest. They would have to rebuild elsewhere.

As for the mutated rat, its overgrown body was loose in the sewers. And it wanted out.

Japantown...

"It's been two days. At this point, I'm willing to give whoever finds it the big piece of the next job. Just get me my damm Sandy!"

At this point, she was hoping someone would find the damm implant just so Maine would shut up. While she could certainly understand why he was upset (she'd take it personally if her dealer backed out too), she was starting to get sick of him doing nothing but yelling and complaining about it. he already sent her, Kiwi, and Dorio out to try and find any trace of it. So far though, none of them have had any luck. And she was about ready to give up on the search entirely. it wasn't her implant.

Walking down the streets of Japantown, she mostly just kept to herself and ignored all the people that looked her way. If they weren't being lecherous, they were probably wondering what they could sell or buy her for. She learned about this part of town pretty quickly after arriving. Thankfully, she knew how to handle herself in case anyone got stupid enough to try something.

Pulling a cigarette from her pocket, she also took out her lighter as she continued to walk down the street. Once she had it lit, she took in a deep breath and let out a puff. The smoke helped her relax her nerves, and it made her feel more secure. She was calm as she smoked.

Until the manhole a few feet away from her suddenly burst out of the ground. She was already shocked by that. And she was stunned when she saw a horse-sized rat jump out of the hole and charge into the street. Her cigarette fell out of her hand as she saw whatever the creature was jump onto cars and begin scaring the pedestrians. A lot of people tripped, some cars crashed, and most injuries occurred just from being in the things way. The only reason she hadn't gotten hurt was that the thing had ignored her. Something that was pure luck.

Needless to say, she didn't stick around to tempt fate.

Santo Domingo...

"These are pretty cool."

David picked up a pair of sunglasses that were near the registers. It was pretty busy for a Sunday, but David already had what he needed. He had enough groceries to last him at least two weeks, and he even had enough eddies to be able to buy some stuff for himself. And he did think the black sunglasses looked cool. They even had a band to keep them from falling off his face.

"There are tactical benefits. Having vision be clear even in direct sunlight would be advantageous."

"Uh-huh."

David waited in line to pay the cashier. He would have gone to the self-check-out station, but all of those were already filled up. So he was going to have to pay this one pudgy-looking bald man who managed to look very depressed even for a man who worked in a grocery store. That was all the advice David needed to ignore the hiring sign at the door.

Hiding his chit in his palm to get ready to pay, David waited at the end of the line. He just wanted to buy the food, go home, and figure out...

Well, everything really.

This was not something he was prepared for. Three days ago, he was living with his mom, going to a school he hated, and just going through the days, trying not to worry about money. Now he had no mom, the school wasn't a prospect anymore, money was the biggest thing on his mind, and he also shared that mind with some computer fire ghost that had stored itself in the military-grade cyberwar he had implanted on a whim.

This was his life now.

"I can sense the disturbing amount of activity inside your mind David Martinez. What's troubling you?"

A benefit of being at the back of the line was that everyone was too focused on their items to look back at or pay attention to a kid who was seemingly talking to the air.

"You care?"

"Disturbances in your mind could negatively impact not just your physical body, but also have unforeseen effects on me. Since your form is shared with me, I have a vested interest in maintaining its physical and mental health. Now if you have an issue, I'd rather hear it."

David wondered if that was going to keep being a thing. Alpha almost manages to sound supportive or helpful despite being a ghostly asshole. But if he was offering, it probably wouldn't try. It wasn't like Alpha was going to leave, and he might keep pestering David about this.

"I don't know. I guess it's just..."

"Holy Shit!"

A car's engine was flung through the front window of the store. It just barely missed hitting the cashier in the head. And the man didn't even react to nearly being decapitated.

"Does our insurance cover that?"

David would never know if the store's insurance would cover the window. Mainly because the damages were increased once a giant rat-looking thing jumped into the store through the window and screeched at everyone inside.

Needless to say, no one wanted to stay and finish their purchases.

The people closest to the emergency exits immediately kicked the doors open and ran out. The people close to the entrance all turned around. And the sad-looking cashier picked up his cash box, pocketed as much as he could, and threw the metal through a window. He jumped out right after, yelling something about quitting.

Only David stayed behind. Partially because he didn't want to leave the cart behind. And also because the rat-looking monster wasn't even hurting anyone right now. As all the people ran away, it hadn't even chased anyone. Its focus was entirely on food. That was why it had attacked the bread aisle, knocking the whole thing down and eating off the ground.

"This store is going to need to restock its wheat supply."

"Good thing I already bought my loaf."

Watching the big rat eat off of the ground was not something David wanted to keep watching. So what he decided to do was scan most of the items in his cart. Since no one was around, it wasn't like they could stop him from ignoring the more expensive items.

When he finished transferring the affordable amount of eddies to the store, David turned his focus back to the big rodent. It had already finished its bread and was focusing on the meat section. A lot of ham and sausage pits were left on the floor when they didn't make it to the rat's mouth.

"You think we can cure this one Alpha?"

"While I would not condone touching that thing, yes. Curing it should be an easy task."

"Ok. Do you think we can do it without fighting it? I'd rather not risk the food I just bought."

"Perhaps. Try luring it with food. That seems to be important to it."

Weird idea, but it was worth a shot. So David took a look around to see if there was anything he could bribe the rat with. His eyes landed on a bin full of watermelons. They were colored more like a sewer than healthy green, but David figured the rat wouldn't care. So he picked one up and whistled.

The rat reacted quickly. It stopped chomping meat and turned its head to the source of the noise. When it saw David holding something that looked like food, it slowly turned around and started to walk toward David. David put the watermelon on the ground and started to slowly back away from the rat. He didn't want to get in the way of its snack, but he also didn't want to make this whole thing look like a trap.

Not that it mattered, since the rat only did care about the food. it ignored David entirely as it focused its attention on the snack in front of it. It sniffed the watermelon for a few seconds before taking a smallish bite. Then it chomped into the fruit, tearing through the skin and into the juicy insides. Smiling, David took more watermelons out of the bin and rolled them over to the rat. With all the fruit coming its way, the oversized rodent couldn't care less about the human that was walking around its side.

"Let's get you fixed up big guy."

Pressing his hands into the rat's fur, David felt the warmth as the red circuits began to glow across his arms. They grew into the rat's skin, and David could feel the nanites as they went to work. They went inside its body and began to shut down all of the nanites inside of it. A lot of the nanites inside the rat were also transferred inside David's body, increasing the already high number he had.

David had to kneel down to continue the process, as the rat was shrinking as it was cured. By the time he was done, David had two hands covering a small, furry rodent that was standing on a watermelon that it was eating.

But rather than leave it be, David actually took a moment to pet the little furry thing's head. While the rat was unused to being touched like that, it was enjoying the affection. Being scratched behind the ears while eating watermelon was a pleasant experience.

"Always heard people say that rats were ugly. Gotta be honest, you're pretty cute actually."

David could have spent hours kneeling on the floor of a grocery store and petting a rat, but Alpha interrupted.

"The NCPD has been called. They will arrive in a few short minutes. I need you to place your hand on the wall."

"You asked me to do that yesterday. How come?"

"The circuitry used for the security cameras is hidden within the walls. As I do not wish for the authorities of this city to learn of us, I suggest destroying all evidence."

Oh. That made sense. David personally didn't feel like having to answer any questions from the cops, so he pressed his palm into the store walls. The nanites went through the walls and into the store's circuits. In a few moments, all records of David even being in the store were erased.

"Finished. Now I suggest we..."

"Wait. I want to do something."

"What is it?"

Arasaka Academy was an institution as obsessed with its appearance as it was with its mission. It wanted to make the best Corpos for its parent company, and it wanted to look good while doing it. All the fake plant life, every wall, and every single tile on the floor had to be spotless otherwise a janitor might get a hit put on him.

So after stopping home real quick, David only knew one fitting way to say goodbye to Arasaka. There was no point coming back here, so he might as well leave a memorable last impression.

Using the Sandevistan to sneak into his old classroom, David hid in a spot where the cameras couldn't see him. Once he felt safe, he reached into the pocket of his hoodie. And he pulled out a cured rat.

"I cured you, so you owe me one little guy. Now go. be free and fuck with the rich."

Once it was out of his hand, the rat ran around the room. It eventually found a vent in the floor and crawled into it. And as long as it was careful, it would be terrorizing this hellish place for years to come.

"This is childish and an immature misuse of your enhanced speed."

"You disapprove Alpha?"

"Not particularly. Just pointing out a fact."

David chuckled.

"Now I suggest we go home. Best not to push your luck in a place like this."

David couldn't argue with that. So after touching the wall to make sure he couldn't be tracked, David left Arasaka forever. It was time for his new life to start.

This is where I will stop for now. David and Alpha are getting a feel for one another and figuring out how they can live together. The next chapter will be about them figuring out how to work together. Which means one thing: training montage. I've got a few build ideas figured out now, and I will be showing them off in the next chapter.

I'm sorry if this chapter feels a little underwhelming or boring. It was only supposed to be a segway of sorts. A transition between David's old life and the new life he and Alpha can try to build. The next couple of chapters should have more interesting developments.

I've also figured out a way for David to meet Lucy and the rest of Maine's crew. A way that I am looking forward to writing.

Anyway, please leave reviews, tell me what you think, and I will see you all next time.

Bye!