Chapter 37: Dancing With The Devil
V's morning was not what he had expected. Last night he'd partied with Samurai in the Monarch Tower, right now, he stood in a daze in a lush verdant forest filled with pine trees and soft underbrush. The air was hazy and morning dew hung from the foliage. The sounds of crickets, other insects and birds filled his ears. Despite this bizarrely nice land he found himself in, he was horribly hung-over and retched into a nearby bush. His cybernetic body definitely felt human right now as the absurd amounts of alcohol he'd consumed caused his stomach to roil. As he began to feel a bit better, he began to slog his way through the forest, he was definitely not in Night City anymore and had no idea how he'd even gotten here to begin with. He just looked towards the treeline and tried to gauge his distance.
V just walked on, stumbling over fallen logs and through small streams. He buzzed Panam on his Holo, but there was no signal. Preem, he was lost. He continued on for a bit more before finding a small clearing with a tree stump sat in the middle of it, an old revolver laid against the side of the stump. 'Well, there's one way out...', V thought, not that he was actually going to do that right now. For the time being, he just sat down on the stump and tried to pull up his map on his HUD, for some reason it was showing him smack in the middle of Night City, but that couldn't be right. He slapped his face a few times to make sure he wasn't dreaming, he wasn't but he still couldn't be sure. It was 7am in the morning. Someone should've noticed his sudden disappearance.
"Stick that iron in your mouth, V. Pull the trigger."
"Huh? Who? Oh... Hildegarde? What are you doing here?", V asked as the plum-purple clothed woman sudden appeared on the other side of the clearing. She just stared at him in confusion.
"Looking for you, again. Looks like you found the 'Suicide Stump', life's not that bad is it V?"
"Huh? No. I... Where are we?"
"Have you lost your bloody mind?"
"No... I- I just..."
"You're inside Monarch Tower's Forest Preservation level. A stunning recreation of the Hundred-Acre Wood, a staple of British culture."
"What? Oh, right... How the hell did I get here?"
"The elevator?"
"Oh... Right... What's up with this stump?"
"It's for sad gonks who want to go out on their own terms surrounded by nature in a pleasant little forest."
"Riiiight... Why are you looking for me?"
"We've got a mission. A Hyper-Rail was attacked last night while you were up to your bollocks in booze. It's the Crown-Line, a luxury train that runs the entire west coast. Your nomad buddies were on it. You're coming along to identify their bodies."
"Wait! They're dead!? Mitch... Cass... Carol... Oh no..."
"Well, nothing's been confirmed yet, but that's why you're coming along."
"You're a horrible person, you know that? Fuckin' scaring me like that."
"Come along, V. The longer we faff about here the less likely your friends have at surviving their injuries."
V just followed Hildegarde as she walked knowingly towards he exit of the forest level. A short walk later, they'd found a dirt path that led through the main walking-trail of the forest and a few moments later were riding down the elevator into the garage. The Crown-Line had been attacked, for what reason and by whom, V didn't know. He double-checked his guns and brushed some errant moss from his clothes. He really hoped everyone was okay, Panam wouldn't be particularly happy if they weren't, but then again this was expected during jobs like the ones they'd taken on.
A short elevator ride later, V and Hildegarde climbed on board an armored AV, a familiar old one that V had some experience with, the Horus. As the entry door lowered, Hildegarde just jumped in and took the pilot's seat, V waiting for the door to fully open before climbing inside and seeing someone else he wasn't expecting to see. Johnny Silverhand. Johnny was decked out in his combat gear which mainly consisted for a bullet-proof vest and a set of worn combat pants.
"Took you long enough, V. Your Aldecaldo buddies might be dead or worse, captured."
"What? How the hell do you know? What are you doing here?"
"Hildegarde came up to the penthouse looking for you, said it was urgent. I said I'd go instead, but she insisted on finding you."
"What happened?"
"Gang attack on the Hyper-Rail. Looks like they picked the wrong train and got civvies instead of chrome."
"Who!?"
"Some leftovers of Sixth Street and some Militech flunkies. Deranged combat-vets and die-hard Militech groupies. Maybe a couple of old MaxTac cyber-psychos too."
"Shit... Looks like we've got our hands full, huh."
"Yeah. We're in for one hell of a fight. Hope you can still do what you did back then."
"I've got this, Johnny. Just cover me."
"You know I will..."
"You two done back there? We're landing. Train's a sodding pile of rubbish. Gangers everywhere and we're taking fire.", Hildegarde noted as the AV rocked slightly from the small-arms fire they were taking. "Janus? Auto-cannons, now!"
As the Horus landed, its GAU-8 cannons extended from the roof and provided auto-targeting suppressive fire, a few of the volleys shredding gangers that didn't take cover immediately. The cannon fire avoided the train at all costs, only protecting the three mercs that exited the AV. The scene was absolute carnage, a bomb had been blown near the Hyper-Rail's engine, knocking the mag-lev off its tracks and onto its side, the rest of the floating train cars accordioned into each-other, some off the tracks and tilted at odd angles. A lock-down had engaged and all of the windows on the cars had been shut tightly with blast-shielding.
"Anyone in the engine!?", V shouted.
"No! It's AI driven! Get to the passenger compartments!", Hildegarde replied as she rounded the side of one of the cars and pried the door open.
V just ducked and weaved, aiming a few gunshots towards the attackers that took cover within the wreckage, his shots penetrating the thin metal and zeroing the gangers instantly. Johnny dove over him and provided covering fire, his Malorian much more accurate and powerful, blowing limbs off some of the Sixth Street gangers that encroached their entry. V sighed, when he'd tried using Johnny's gun it had always felt underwhelming but Johnny wielded the weapon as he had in the memories that V had seen through the Relic so many years earlier.
"Get inside! Search for survivors!", Johnny called as he shoved V into the train car.
"Hello!? Anyone here? The Knights of Monarch have arrived!", V called into the car. A few voices replied from within a few closed rooms, often sounding thankful or scared. "It's going to be fine, just stay where you're at and do not move! We're clearing an escape route!"
V just hurried through this car, it was a sleeping compartment with small rooms on the left side of the train. The off-kilter floor made it harder to move, but he continued into a small section towards the rear that had a few airline-like seats in it. Sixth Street Gangers popped out of cover and shot towards him, his Chipset-enhanced reflexes allowing him to dodge easily as he returned fire. Hildegarde was nowhere to be seen. He focused, aimed and fired through the seats into the gangers, a spray of synth-blood signaling his killing shots. Johnny did the same, but vaulted over the seats and twisted in mid-air firing into the backs of the gangers like the Legendary Merc he was supposed to be. V felt inadequate for some reason. Still seeing a few gangers lurking, V just Quick-hacked them, frying them with a bolt that overloaded their chrome and sent them spasming onto the ground as they fell into unconsciousness. Johnny delivered the coup'de'grace as they fell motionless.
"Never let your enemies have a second chance to bite you in the ass, V!"
"We could've taken them prisoner!"
"Wait until we find the leaders, make that decision then!"
V just shrugged and continued into the next train car, he pried the doors open with his Strength core and forced his way into what would've been the Dining Car. To his surprise, the opposition had mostly been wiped out with a former Militech soldier on his back and pleading to a familiar face.
"Nononono wait!", the soldier pleaded before his head was crushed beneath a satyr-like leg. The oddly satyr-like woman stared up at V with both of her hidden sub-machine guns aimed at his head before dropping their aim.
"V! There's been an attack! You're just in time! Mitch and Cass are pinned down in the baggage hold!", Carol yelled, she idly scraped her foot against a chair, wiping off bits of ganger from her hoof.
"You got this!?"
"I've got this, V! Get to them!"
V just nodded to both Carol and Johnny as he proceeded into the next car, this one a First-Class seating section. More Sixth Street and former Militech occupied this area and fired upon him as he entered. He counted more than a dozen gangers in this section and took cover behind the bulkhead that encompassed the inter-car corridor. He peered around cover and took blind shots at the gangers, Johnny doing the same on the other side of the entrance.
"Pinned down, V. Not lookin' good."
"Got any grenades?"
"Nope."
One of the side windows suddenly exploded in a violet blast of energy, Hildegarde catapulting into the car just behind the first row of gangers, her rail-gun shredding them before they could react. In close-quarters combat, the plum-purple outlaw just kicked backwards and crushed the skulls of two Militech soldiers before pivoting around and delivering a volley of shots that penetrated and exploded the bodies of the remainder of their adversaries. A few wounded gangers crawled towards cover, but were stopped immediately as the infamous outlaw just shot them execution-style in the head.
"Did you have fun in here? I took care of the slags outside, no need to thank me...", Hildegarde mocked as she continued into the next train car.
V and Johnny just stared at each-other for a moment before following behind their outlaw friend. The next car was the baggage car, a few gangers already lay dead at their end of the car having been killed by Hildegarde as she entered. Mitch and Cassidy were in the middle of the gunfight and shot towards their attackers, briefly turning towards Hildegarde as she blew one side of their gang attackers to paste before concentrating on the rest of them. Johnny ducked behind a row of packed luggage before firing a few shots from his Malorian, the penetrating shots hitting a few suitcases and surprising the Militech flunkies and Sixth Street gang members as they exploded. The shrapnel tore the gangers to shreds while the slightly more armored Militech winced and shot back in the Rockerboy's direction. V saw this and aimed before shooting. He quick-hacked a few of them, blinding them by resetting their optics and gaining an easy kill as they flailed around in confusion. Hildegarde just stepped over the bodies as she pried the final car's door open, her reflexes allowing her to dodge the hail of gunfire that shot towards her, a few of the shots hitting her in the chest.
"Goddammit! V, Johnny, get ready!", she cursed.
"Hey, we're here too!", Mitch and Cass called.
"Get the civilians out of here!"
"Got it, ma'am."
V and Johnny just jumped over the disarrayed luggage and shot blindly into the final compartment, this one a security station for the whole train. Their gunfire causing the occupant to dodge out of the way with enhanced reflexes. V and Johnny just peered around the corner before launching into a flanking position with the borged-out man in the center. The man looked around in shock as he was instantly surrounded.
"Time to die!", Hildegarde noted as she aimed her rail-gun at the man.
"No! No wait! I'm... I'm Lucas Harford, the CEO of Militech! I- I can help you!"
"Can you? I think your brains will make for a nice new paintjob in this compartment, what do you think, V?"
"Wait... Lucas Harford is the CEO of Militech, or at least he was until recently...", V noted.
"So... He gets to live?"
"He could be useful. That's all I'm saying!"
Hildegarde just shrugged before cold-cocking the man and knocking him out, his body falling to the ground in a heap. "Fine. Your funeral. Johnny, collect this idiot and get him prepped for transport. Feel free to break a few limbs here and there. He just needs to be alive and there a quite a lot of things a human can survive before they die."
Johnny just nodded and unceremoniously threw Harford over his shoulder. He aimed his Malorian out and used the CEO's unconscious body as a shield. He doubted anyone would shoot at him, but it was better him than the Rockerboy taking the brunt. He just followed out behind Hildegarde as she left the compartment through its back door.
"Hrrmm... These guys were smarter than they looked. They severed the connection between the Monarch Corporate cars and the Luxury compartments. The rest of the train is miles back...", Hildegarde noted. She holo-called her allies for a moment before turning back to V, Johnny, and the Aldecaldos. "Everyone else is secure. Good job. We even got a prize."
"We... Are we done?", V gasped. He felt tired.
"We are. Back to the Horus and then back to Monarch. Your friends are welcome to fly with us. If these gonks had used their knowledge against our cargo hyper-rail, then they would've been successful in stealing what they'd wanted... Too bad they just got a bunch of hoity-toity plonkers instead..."
"What about the others? The civilians?", Johnny asked.
"They'll be flown out of here by out fleet of Rayfield Excaliburs. More luxury, less time spent traveling. The next Crown-Line train will take them from NC to wherever they plan on going. Janus will make adjustments as needed.", Hildegarde sighed.
"Okay... Just looking out..."
Hildegarde just eyed Johnny for a moment before heading back off towards their AV. V, Johnny, Mitch, Cassidy, and Carol all climbed aboard the AV. Johnny restrained Lucas Harford into one of the jump-seats and braced himself for takeoff as the AV took to the skies and began to make its way back to Monarch Tower. Mission success.
Hildegarde landed the Horus at Monarch Tower as a squadron of Monarch Corpo Guards stood at the ready. Commander Wejj took Lucas Harford into custody as soon as the exit hatch opened, slapping energy-restraints on his limbs and hauling off to whatever constituted as Monarch's 'dungeon'. The plum-purple outlaw just motioned to the Aldecaldos who had ridden along with them towards the elevator to the lobby. The nomads would be paid a little extra for their 'extra-curricular' activities on the Crown-Line.
"Now, I've got an interview with Bes Isis. You're welcome to come and watch, maybe you'll learn something.", Hildegarde sighed as she walked into the other elevator. Johnny and V just followed along. The outlaw just pressed a button labeled 'Media Hall' and sent the merry group on their way.
A short elevator ride later, the doors opened and the group was released into the large semi-circular Media Hall that comprised of a large TV set with a two chairs set up next to a small end-table with a tea kettle, cups and snacks on it. The backdrop was animated to look like the skyline of Night City with the foreground of the set styled to look like a tea parlor. A few camera drones hovered around lining up the perfect shots. Nancy Hartley, or Bes Isis, just calmly walked around the set from backstage and greeted them.
"Oh, V and Johnny! Did you come to watch? Have a seat over there behind the cameras! I'm interviewing The Genocider and Jericho today...", Nancy mused before her eyes scanned over to Hildegarde. "Ahh you must be The Genocider! Please, come over and sit with me, we can discuss some topics and details."
"Yes... That's me, The Genocider. You may call me by my actual name, Hildegarde."
"A strong name, the name of a mythical Valkyrie! Fitting, for someone with your reputation!"
"It is... How about we just skip to the interview, I like to do things in the moment."
"Preem. Have a seat!"
Hildegarde just took the seat on the right, picking up the tea kettle and pouring herself a cuppa as Nancy took her seat across from the outlaw. The lights dimmed and swept upwards and the cameras began to roll.
An announcer announced, "Welcome to MBN, the Monarch Broadcasting Network! Tonight, Bes Isis interviews the Legendary Mercenary herself, The Genocider! Followed by an additional interview with the Mysterious Nuclear Nomad! Stay tuned for this exciting broadcast!"
"Hello, Night City! I am Bes Isis and this is Hildegarde, The Genocider! You may have heard of her before, she has quite the reputation!"
"Hello, Night City.", Hildegarde noted stoicly.
"According to public records, you have quite the reputation! From a street-samurai in London to an outlaw that cut her way across Europe all the way to a Legend only spoken about in hushed tones; what can you tell us about your early life?"
"Hmm... I was raised as Royalty... But, that wasn't exactly my style. I didn't want to be fed from an ivory spoon every sodding day of my life, so I left it all behind. I stole an Aerodyne, a ton of dosh, and some iron. I decided to carve my own path through life."
"Very Royal, judging by your posh British accent. And who did you steal from?"
"Oddly enough, I stole from Monarch. Funny, since I'm now their head of security..."
"Ahh, a set of skills that impressed even the corporate world. Were you alone when you pulled off your heist?"
"Yes. Completely alone. The CEO promised me a swift death should I return to London, particularly a nice jaunt to the chopping block before a televised execution. He had a change of heart, however."
"Impressive. You must've made your mark on them. What happened in Europe, how did you become the most wanted woman in several countries?"
"Haa... A deal gone wrong, in the briefest of terms. A particular corporation promised me some experimental chrome, which I gladly accepted. However, I was enslaved by them immediately afterwards. The Nuclear Nomad himself broke my chains, set me free and gave me an even better gift. Unlimited... Power..."
"Unlimited Power?"
"A fusion-core to power my cybernetics and the first of the many Chipsets that have recreated our world. One thing led to another and soon my reputation of being made of iron was well-known. Heist after heist, all successful without failure."
"Interesting! Borg-ware?"
"Partially."
"Now... I have a list of your exploits. Let me know if they're true or just exaggerations. You ran a heist on Arasaka, killing a number of their board members. Then, you blew up a SovOil refinery for fun. After that, you tracked down and captured a Crystal-Jock Netrunner. Later, you returned to the UK and recruited a war veteran by saving him from a fatal bar-fight. And finally, you were blown up in combat and presumed dead."
"First, yes. That was all me, Arasaka had a few things we needed. That is, me and the Nuclear Nomad. Second, no that was collateral damage. I needed some... generators from a local in Irkutsk and things went south. Thirdly, we did find a Crystal-Jock, she works here at Monarch and is absolutely infuriating at times; perhaps you should interview her. Fourthly, I didn't, but Jericho did recruit a war-vet; a drunken buffoon who piloted our AV it's a wonder we didn't crash and burn. Finally, do I look like I'm dead?"
"Aha... And how did the rumors of your death surface?"
"A job gone wrong, as usual. I'd gotten wounded in combat, had a way out in one way or another. However, I did not take the easy way out and instead blew up some poor gonk that looked a bit like me. The authorities didn't know any better. I went on a nice little vacation afterwards."
"All of that lines up with public data... Is there anything you'd like to share otherwise?"
"Oh yes, I'd like to say that I have a rather intimate relationship with the current CEO of Monarch. We're extremely close, almost like siblings. Just one of the reasons I do what I do right now."
"That is scandalous! Anything else?"
"I'd just like to thank a particular plonker who helped us out during my so-called resurrection in Night City two years ago. He was useful, although his supposed 11th Hour Betrayal went badly for him."
"Oooh! Dramatic!"
"It wasn't. It was really quite pathetic."
"Oh... Well then, what does a Legendary Merc like yourself do in your free time? You're as human as we all are."
"I like to party. Just let go occasionally, go on a little bender. Sometimes I take some low-level jobs just to see the city. Otherwise, I enjoy visiting Neo-London and the restored Pacifica district."
"And how would a Fixer get ahold of you?"
"Oh, they have their ways. Just call and I'll answer. I know where to be when my skills are needed."
"Ah, we're almost out of time here... Is there anything you'd like to say to the mercs of Night City?"
"Do not get in my way. There's a special place at the columbarium just for you... And trust me, there won't be anything left of you to put in that niche."
"Riiight... Well, you heard her first! That was the Genocider herself, a Legendary Mercenary! We'll resume our interviews with the Nuclear Nomad after this break!", Nancy concluded, dropping the fake smile as the cameras went dark. "Holy fuck... You're serious."
"I am, but I know when to play around..."
"How much of that was the truth?"
"Guess."
"None?"
"You wish."
"Well... I sincerely hope we never meet on the wrong side of things. I'll just cower in the corner and wet myself out of fear when you show up."
"Noted. Goodbye, Nancy Hartley..."
Hildegarde just got up from the chair and walked into the elevator as it arrived. Jericho just stood inside it. She quickly gave Jericho a kiss, Nancy looking at the two of them in surprise, before the Nuclear Nomad exited and the Outlaw descended down into the Tower.
"Hello, Bes Isis. I heard that you're curious about the Singularity.", Jericho noted.
"I am. We'll go over a few topics if you're interested; prepare before the cameras roll."
"Not necessary. I already know what you're about to ask."
"O-Oh... Okay... Please have a seat..."
Jericho just went and sat in the same chair that Hildegarde had occupied, he steepled his hands and sat forwards slightly. His glowing blue eyes staring straight ahead. Nancy just took the seat across from him and prepped her notes. Soon the cameras began to roll and the final interview began.
"Aaannd we're back! I'm here with the Nuclear Nomad himself! How are you doing tonight?"
"I am doing well, Bes. You may call me Jericho."
"Well, Jericho, everyone is wondering... It's rumored that you've planned a march towards the Technological Singularity. Can you explain what that means for us?"
"Hahaha... The Singularity is the evolution of humanity beyond its mortal bounds. The technology has always been available, however until recently, only reserved for the wealthy. I have brought this technology to the people. In short, the Singularity is a Human Revolution, transcendence of the world where all needs are taken care of and humanity lives in peace."
"We've heard rumors that Engrams pioneered by Arasaka are being used to resurrect the dead. Is this true?"
"It is a possibility. The Engrams were always designed as a way to extend one's lifespan. Arasaka had proposed using corpses, however. I have created a method of which to transfer the Engrams into artificial bodies that look, feel and live like the real thing. Unfortunately, this project is still in experimental stages. It will not be available until extensive testing is done."
"Are you the architect of our Chipsets? Have you pioneered this all the the greater mankind?"
"That's one way of putting it, Bes. The Chipsets were always my design, created during the aftermath of the Fourth Corporate War. It is only now that I have been able to market them to the people of the world."
"And what is your ultimate plan?"
"Human survival. Peace on Earth. Paradise, or as some would say, Utopia."
"That's... That's a big dream."
"Not a dream at all. I am nearly ninety years old. I shall live forevermore. And humanity will do the same if they choose to. This world has always been ours and it always shall be. I have the perfect plan in place. All you need to do is take my hand as I lead us all to salvation. For I hold the key to the heavens."
"A... Metaphor! You're truly brilliant, Jericho! I'm sure the world will rejoice as Net access is available again due to your Chipsets!"
"Oh they will... We only need to reach beyond the stars and open the gateways to heaven itself. I am glad to have had this talk with everyone. I hope that Night City understands what we are aiming for."
"World Peace! Forevermore!", Nancy shouted. "Well then, that's all the time we have for tonight! The Nuclear Nomad himself has told you, we're on the precipice of immortality! Goodnight Night City!", Nancy concluded. She sighed as the cameras turned off. Jericho was still as cryptic as usual. The cyborg just stared at her as she got up and began to pace around the studio. "What the hell was that!?"
"I'm sorry? You wanted to know, did you not?"
"The dead are rising in artificial bodies! Humanity can become immortal! What the fuck are you talking about!?"
"You've seen it yourself. Johnny Silverhand lives. Evelyn Parker lives. Jackie Welles lives. This is still experimental. When it is complete, humanity shall overcome death itself."
"I-I know! It... It's just not... Not what I thought was possible! And you've done it!? No... You've done it! What will happen when nobody dies!?"
"I never said that nobody would die. You have a choice. Live forever if you wish, or die as a human. What will the future bring us? Don't you want to see? Aren't you curious? When you get tired of your eternal existence, all you need to do is choose your own way out."
"O-Oh... Well... I guess...That's fine..."
"It is fine. Those that wish to see the future for what it holds shall walk through the gates of Heaven with me. Those that wish to stay upon the rotting earth shall do so and rejoin the circle of life to rebuild what we have lost."
"Goddamn... V wasn't kidding when he said you're cryptic."
"Perhaps you'd understand if you were to see my vision yourself."
"No... Not yet. I-I need to think about this. I'll be in touch...", Nancy sighed as she stopped pacing and walked back around the backstage to presumably get horrendously wasted and pass out in an alcohol-induced coma. Jericho had that effect on people. V and Johnny just got up from their seats and walked over towards the cyborg.
"Are you serious? This is experimental?", V asked.
"It is. Your combat prowess has been noted."
"What?"
"You did well defending the Hyper-Rail, however some of your combat skills that had been shared with Johnny are missing. I am seeing the real V and the real Johnny as you two have been separated."
"Better go and practice your shooting, V. You're just a street-kid compared to me.", Johnny mocked.
"Fuck off, Johnny!", V cursed.
"No. He's serious. Go and practice your combat skills. Perhaps enter the Gladiatorial Arena and take on some petty fights. You and Johnny no longer share skillsets. There is a notable difference in your fighting styles.", Jericho noted. "I shall be in my lab if you need me."
Jericho just proceeded to the elevator and left Johnny and V standing in the empty studio. The two mercs just stared at each-other. Jericho had seen something between the two of them. V's skills and Johnny's were now totally separate. Johnny's gunslinging and V's quick-hacking once both of their expertise now each-other's specialty.
"Wanna fight?", Johnny asked.
"No. I'm gonna go home. Sleep this off. Maybe fight Hildegarde in the ring..."
"Ha! You're gonna get your ass kicked!"
"No, I've still got it! I don't need you!"
"Ha... Fine. I'll watch and be 'devil's advocate' from the stands."
"Preem. Have fun with that."
V and Johnny just rode the elevator back down to the garage, entering their own cars once the elevator had reached its destination. V departed back to his house in his Aerondight and Johnny just peeled out of the garage in his Porsche, presumably heading towards the Afterlife to bother Rogue. V just sighed as his car sped along the highway. He could deal with this later, but he had a sneaking suspicion that Jericho was keeping tabs on him and his exploits around Night City. He just shrugged and let his ignorance take over. Ignorance was bliss.
Chapter End. V's skills just got reset.
A/N: Patch Notes: Johnny is still a badass as he was in his flashbacks. He is what he thinks he is, but if he is what he thinks he is, what is he? V still thinks he's V and if V is V then what is V?