Ash, 2020: A Cyberpunk Story

Part #2: Dear Elle

Rain fell from grey skies, battering city lights and pixelated advertisements. In Night City, there were two types of rain. There was the cold, chill water that drenched shelterless citizens, and then there was the acid rain that corroded and burned everything in its path. Lucky for Ash, he was walking in the latter. He felt a shiver run down his spine as the droplets began to soak through his old, ragged coat.

The streets were narrow and filled with people, while merchants yelled sales pitches at passersby. They sold everything from bootleg cybernetics to decades old video tapes. Ash looked around the area with his cybernetic eyes, blue and illuminated like a neon sign. The Northside District was not much to see, but it had been his home from the time his family came to Night City to recent days. He didn't like it here and would rather not ever return. But, because he knew that place like an old friend, he was often assigned to keep an eye on things.

Ash sat at a table facing the bar of a diner. It was an outdoor food stand with a kitchen behind a bar and a dozen stools underneath an overhang. Above glowed the sign: Zhao-Jong's Diner. It was a local Chinese joint. No one knew where the name came from, especially because the owner was named Jeff Hernandez; a white and hispanic guy. The people of Northside didn't really think much of it, they were mainly focused on if the food would make them puke their guts out or not.

"Chow mein and chicken," Ash said to Hernandez.

"Coming right up, my friend," the man replied from behind the bar.

It didn't take long for the food to be placed in front of him. They served it with a fork and it was eighty percent synthesized; so, not exactly the most authentic eating experience. It tasted fine, if he didn't think too hard about it.

He ate the same meal in Little China once. He liked that way better. Of course, that zone had its own struggles. The thugs that ruled there were the Triads. Their roots ran deep and they were just as deadly as the old stories said. At least in Northside, Ash knew the gangs. But that's where the positives ended. Gang violence was the norm and Northside seemed to be the hub of it all.

The Third Culling had been one of the most deadly gangs in Northside District. Religious zealots and violent marauders, the Third Culling believed in power above all things. With rusty blades, they'd cleave through any innocent life who questioned their authority; and some that didn't. The actions of their leader, Machi the Branded, would always be burned on Ash's brain. In dark memories, he'd recall sights seen with former eyes. Bodies of people once cared for and a monster called Machi laughing into the night. The Third Culling wasn't around much anymore, Ash had seen to that, but Machi was still out there.

As he continued to eat his meal, his mind drifted to lighter thoughts, (for once). He found himself thinking about Elle; his girl. She was the sweet reprieve after an acid rainstorm and the sun after a long night. Without her, Ash would be lost in the haze of dystopia. When he found himself at the pinnacle of darkness, his dreams teetering on the edge of nightmares, she had always brought him back.

Ever since she had left Night City, Ash had kept a tape recorder to bring her messages when he saw her next. He pulled the small, metallic box out of his jacket pocket and pressed down on the record button. "Dear Elle," he began. "It's been a quiet day, but you were on my mind. Figured I'd just tell you that I'm back in Northside for the day… hasn't changed much. Miss you. Hope to see you soon." Fuck, I sound so damn sappy. She's gonna think I've gone soft.

The crowds of Night City were packed, shoulder to shoulder. Various people, from street punks to fallen corpos, all walked in the same hum of monotony. Suddenly, out of the auto-piloted crowd, Ash heard a familiar voice.

"Ash," it said. "Detective Ash!"

He turned to see a face that was as familiar as the voice. The man was his old partner, Dennet. He wore an old police vest with coffee stains and puncture holes; second hand.

"It's good to see you," Ash said with a nod towards his friend.

"The feeling is mutual, kid," He said. "You look like shit. At least that means you haven't changed much since making Detective."

Ash let out a quiet chuckle before slurping down another plastic-tasting noodle. The two of them had shared a shift way back when. Ash had always liked him well enough. He was gruff, but seemed to be a guy at heart.

"How's the arm?" He asked.

"Functional."

"You lost that thing in the Third Corporate war, right?" He asks, tilting his head and scratching his mustache.

"Yeah, I did," Ash replied stoically.

"Fuckin' Corpos. They just keep climbing the latter, while we gotta stay here in the rain." Dennet spoke with conviction. Ash never knew him to be content; always wanting to take down "the man" and make things better. In another life, Ash had thought, he'd have made a damn fine Rockerboy.

"So what brings you around, Dennet," Ash asked. "I would hope you're not around for the food." He gestured to the diner around him. Luckily, the proprietor didn't hear.

"You're right, kid. There's a missing persons case. Rainier is gonna relieve your patrol, the boss wants you at Precinct #2 ASAP."

"Who's missing?"

"Some big shot Corpo. What else is new."

Corpos ruled over everything from their towering skyscrapers. Street kids and stray nomads could wander into a nuclear blast, for all the NCPD could care. But when it came to the corporate leeches? They would be willing to sacrifice anything because the city was on their payroll. Sometimes, for Ash, it was difficult to know who he really worked for.

"Thanks for the head's up," Ash said as he finished his meal, leaving the payment on the unwashed counter.

"Good luck out there, Ash."

Ash had parked his vehicle nearly a mile away from the diner. The rain had stopped, but it left a muggy fog in its wake. The once glowing city seemed to be drowned in a mist of pollution. As Ash walked, he decided to check in for Elle again. "Dear Elle," he said. "Looks like I got a case to keep me busy for a while. I can't wait to tell you all about it. Here's hoping it has a good ending."

Dear Reader,

There's part #2! Hope you enjoyed this one. I wanted to give this one some more Blade Runner vibes. It's a bit less exciting than the last one, but I figured it might be fun to set up some more stuff. I strayed a bit from the Gibson style this time, and I honestly miss it. Maybe I'll go back to it as the story continues. Anyway! I hope you enjoy. If you like it? Feel free to leave a review! If you LOVE it? I would love it if you favorited! Thanks again.
~Kovecs

EDIT: I had originally taken this down because I wanted to leave the story alone for a while, but screw that. So here's part two. Hope you enjoy/want more