Chapter Twenty-Four:
Watson: Afterlife-
I arrived at the Afterlife around twelve in the afternoon, I was groggy but mange to push on with my day. Usually the bar is closed at this time, but the bouncer knew me and I'd like to think Rouge as a personal friend. Fist bumping the bouncer he opens the doors and at the bar tending to her cleaning is Claire.
"Your here early cutie, what's shaking?"
"Hi Claire, looking for Rouge she around?" I ask taking a seat at the bar music playing dimly in the background.
"She in the back, hang a left and it's the last door on your right."
"Thanks Claire." I say with gratitude as I stand back up.
"By the way, how'd that date go?"
"Oh with Haisley, it was good. I guess we're an item. But she out in the Midwest for work. Last we talked." I call out heading into the private area of the club.
Walking into the back of the club was different it was so industrial back here, but I found the room with Rouge lounging on a sofa.
"Knock knock," I say tapping on her door.
"Hey kid, come in, come in." Rouge ushers. I walk in and take a seat, as she pours bourbon into two shot glasses."What do I owe the visit?"
"Rouge your a living legend, queen of the fixers and I know what I'm about to ask. Is something only you can pull off and I know it gonna cost a pretty Eddie." I say nervously chasing my words with the shot of bourbon.
Liquid courage was what I needed to ask something so daunting of her.
"Let's here it?" She says raising a curious eyebrow.
"I need a reservation for Konpeki Plaza and I also need a ride, likely to show up in. Probably some fancy dreads." I announce.
"Is this for a date?" She lets out a laugh.
"No, I'm going to kill a son of bitch Saka scum by the name of Ryobi Nurakami. He's the headhunter who murdered my father." I said sternly.
"Son of a bitch huh? What Saka scum isn't?" She jokes taking a sip of her drink.
"Can you help or not, I can pay whatever you ask and if I don't I'll come up with the rest of the scratch. I say, as she finishes off her shot.
"Hmm... Firstly the reservation is gonna cost you fifteen thousand eurodollars. The transportation will run you about eight thousand and a smart suit, maybe three thousand. With a grand total of twenty six thousand eurodollars." Rouge said looking through her ledger.
"I've only got twenty two thousand, I can get the other four at a later date." I spoke up half way defeated.
"No can do kid, there's no guarantee you'll make it back alive and I'll be short four grand." Rouge replied.
I looked down at my almost empty glass and decided to chug the rest of the bourbon, even if it weren't helping my nerves.
"Please Rouge, this means everything to me. I need this closure, I'm so close I can taste it." I plead with her nearly at the verge of tears.
"Fine, but you'll definitely owe me big time, I want double if I'm sticking my neck out for you. Capiche?" She says chugging her shot.
"Deal!" Quickly I transfer my funds to her and information on my false identity. Rouge get's to work, while shooing me away.
I make my way back to the bar, to sit down and watch Claire restock the liquor cabinet. She's proficient and talented at what she does.
"Get you anything?"
"Can't really buy anything, gave my last Eddie to Rouge for her assistance. Unless you plan on starting a tab, I rather just watch you work." I said slightly embarrassed.
"Here it's on the house." Claire laughs handing me a bottle of Broseph Ale. I mull myself over to a lounge chair and bring up my holo messages and shoot a message to Haisley.
-I miss you a lot :)
- Don't worry my trip is almost over, I'll be back in Night City before you know it.
-You Promise?
-Pinky Promise, gotta go. Talk soon okay.
After texting Haisley I felt relaxed more so. I waited patiently for Rouge to return after stepping out to take on my request. Hopefully she'll be back soon. Time passes as I watch patrons stroll in for a drink or to party. Still no sign of Rouge.
So I lounge and waited for her arrival. Hour's later she'd return. Rouge transfers the reservation and passes me a large shopping bag. It was from a professional designer clothing shop. Called, Appel De Paris. Known as a high marketed clothing brand in Night City. Inside the bag were, a suede black jacket with a matching black tie, a silk black vest and white button down shirt, cufflinks and suspenders. To finish off cream coloured shoes.
"There a shower in the back to make yourself presentable." Rouge laughs dryly. "Your Delemain cab will be here in a bit.
So swiftly I rush to the back to shower , prepare myself and change into my ensemble. I toweled my hair dry and made my way back to the lounge I was now ready. I look over and see Claire bartending as usual, a customer leaving a crisp one thousand eurodollar on the table. I sit myself back in the lounge chair.
"Ready to go?" She ask's. I felt rather dapper in my new outfit, but this wasn't a night of leisure but of business.
"As I'll ever be. Don't think of this a goodbye, but a see you later. I will return." I say boastfully.
So with my held high, I walk towards the entrance of the Afterlife to the mid-day sun. A sleek sliver car pulls into the parking lot, a door opens automatically and I go to step in. "Mr. Kurt's please establish your personal link." Del requests of me. So I do just that and within a second he replies with. "Link establish, you've been granted Linear service."
"Care to explain, Del?" I ask confused.
"Linear service is additional package. Besides the standard transit to and from, I offer non lethal countermeasures as well as weapons storage." Del informs me precisely.
"I don't know Ryan, without our weapons do we stand a chance?" Mottly brings to my attention.
"It's gonna have to work," I reply discarding all my weaponry into a holding container in the backseat.
"Shall we depart for Konpeki Plaza?"
"We shall Del." I answer.
I sit back and watch the streets go by, thinking on how I am going to deal with Ryobi. I have the tech T-Bug prepared and I study the interior of the hotel to every last detail. I felt my hands shake violently at the thought of finally getting closure on the man who robbed me of an father. Although a puppet, this was on step on the right path.
What I was attempting is it practically suicide. Going unarmed against Arasaka. I've been through worse but I've always stayed at the ready. See if you stay ready, you never have to get ready. But now with this chapter soon to be done with, I'll finally have the time to talk or beat some sense into David. I'll drag him to doc's if I must. He gonna cut back on the tech. I won't let him fall into cyberpsychosis, he's not that far along.
No matter what I'm going to save him. Even if it cost me, my life I promise to make sure he returns to Lucy in once piece. I owe it to him, to Maine. I failed Maine and out of that by consequence Dorio. Can't let that slide, no- no way in hell.
Ring! Ring! Ring!
Incoming Call-
David: Hey big contract, gig of a life time. Pays nearly two mill. It's high risk, but I could use the backup.
Ryan: I can't, I have something that needs taking care of. Can't this wait?
David: Gotta, gotta strike while iron's hot. Target is Arasaka, we're meeting up by the hideout. Falco waiting to take us to badlands.
Ryan: David... I really can't, I've set something into motion. As much as I want, it just not possible.
David: Listen it's gonna be heavy, but if you can't I'm sure will manage.
Ryan: Promise me something David.
David: What?
Ryan: You won't abuse the Sandy. I need you to make it out. There something we must discuss in person. So I need you live.
David: I'll, I'll try...
Call Ended-
My fears come flooding over me. I could turn around and help David. Be there for the team. But Misty words echo in the back of my mind.'You'll be offered a large sum of money, but reward isn't worth the risk.' Could that gig be what she foretold?
Yet despite the fear, I could be the one that keeps David sane. Without Lucy missing from the team, who's gonna be able to bring David back down to earth? Maybe Rebecca? Still I should call her and convince her to go with them.
Outgoing Call-
Call Not Established.
Call Ended-
I couldn't reach her, which is odd. Perhaps I can try again.
Outgoing Call-
Call Not Established.
Call Ended-
Her number is unreachable, what could be going on. She's been acting strange lately, and now I'm worried. I could call David, but he needs to keep his head on straight. Worrying about Lucy will only make things worse. Once I'm done with my business, I'll personally start a manhunt for her. I just hope her prying for information on my target didn't get her in trouble.
Calm down Ryan. I tell myself. You need to think straight as well, no time for making errors. So I began with breathing and slowing my heart rate. Dad used to teach me breathing exercises that help quiet the mind. Inhale, hold, exhale. I repeat the process until I can feel in sync with my heart beat.
"We are arriving, please make sure to have your belongings."
"Alright Del."
"Call and I'll shall pick you up from the main entrance, I will await in the parking lot."
Watson: Arasaka Waterfront- Konpeki Plaza.
With trepidation I arrive steeping out into the twilight of the day walking professionally as possible towards the front entrance.
From what I read and heard over the years, Konpeki Plaza is Night City's most exclusive hotel - an architectural marvel created solely for the elite. This is where global financiers stay for business trips, where nobody bats an eyelid at the sight of two rival corpos having a drink or a well-known politician going up to their room with a braindance star. Every square inch caters to luxury tastes and comes packed with the most decadent of entertainments, with just a hint of mystery to keep things exciting. And that's just fron the news and word of mouth.
Stepping inside, I am greeted by a security force which has visitors wait to be scan for weapons. It's a metal detector of sorts to make sure nothing goes awry. I shouldn't be surprised that, Night City's most exclusive hotel who's guests include top-level managers who fly in on business, entertainment icons and the world's elite, who are served on by hundreds of the best-trained hotel service staff money can buy. So why wouldn't security be taken lightly.
"Step forward!" The guard in line calls for me to step in the scanner. "Try not to move." He states, his gun at the ready in it's holster. "Clear. Proceed sir." He usher stepping aside as I walk up towards the receptionist desk.
Arasaka owns a monopoly of exclusive hotels and such as Konpeki Plaza has other locations world Night City location is frequented by corporate executives from out of town, and the lobby bar is a popular place for them to mingle with Night City honchos.
From my recalling of the building has 80 floors, 420 rooms, 20 conference halls, and a top floor penthouse reserved for VIPs. Guests have 24-hour access to the bar, an art gallery, a sauna, a swimming pool, a gym, a massage parlor, a newly-opened braindance parlor, and more in the sublevels. It pays to study on an enemy territory with extreme prejudice.
"Welcome to Konpeki Plaza, can I have the name on the reservation." The gold plated receptionist says warmly.
"Lorenzo Kurtz." I say.
"Mr. Kurtz please establish your personal link so I can find the reservation." She gest's. So I uncouple the personal link in my arm and attach it to the terminal.
"Here you go."
"Ah yes, here it is. You've booked the Quartz Suite on the 55th floor. Please make your way and enjoy Konpeki Plaza.
"Thanks." I say bowing in return to her.
No expense had been spared making this hotel the pinnacle of exclusive and private. If only I had time to really relax here. Making my way towards the lounge area some many different dialects and languages filter across my ears. Perhaps without drawing attention I ear shuffle gossip inside the restaurant and bar.
The hostess welcomes me as I step inside and head for the bar. There is a crowd of men and women eating or drinking. I sit at bar stool.
"Get you anything?" The fancy looking bartender ask's.
"Some water would be nice, no pleasure before business." I laugh.
"Understandable I'll be right back with the water."
"He thinks he runs the show, all he is but a overly paid lapdog living up in luxury." A drunken , slurs and indulges with his booze, although having the withhold to complain. "He's just Hiroshi Arasaka; sycophant. Calling shoots from the penthouse. Thinks he runs us members of Congress."
"Hiroshi lapdog, he must be talking about Ryobi." Mottly brings up inside my mind.
"Has to be. I mean who else, but just to be certain. I'll ask." I reply. I schmooze myself over to the fellow complaining.
"President Myers going to love what I have to tell her. She'll definitely enact stricter sanctions on Night City as whole as well as Arasaka. Militech is gonna be in for a large budget increase. Will see who's laughing then." He stammers and hollers.
"Sorry to interrupt buddy, but you've piqued my interest. Who's got you all up in a twist?" I persuasively come off asking him directly.
"That damn puppet, Ryobi Nurakami. He can't treat us like common filth! Coward retreated to his suite." He shouts slamming his glass on the bar.
"That's rough buddy, someone should do something about him." I defer to my intentions.
"Yeah, someone should cut him down to size. But he has corporate immunity, pretty much savings his ass. But sometimes words aren't worth the effort. I'd pay good Eddie's to watch the cocksucker bleed." He laughs with grim seriousness.
"Take it easy buddy, try not to start anything." I laugh waving him off.
"Wait, you're pretty young. Probably a trust fund child or young entrepreneur? Perhaps you'd like a career in Congress. I could get your foot in the door." He calls back.
"It's not that easy, school and years of studying. Who's has time to waste when time is money?" I reply.
"I like your guts, you know what's what. I assure you with me as your point of reference, you'd be set. What's your name?"
"Lorenzo Kurtz."
"Well Lorenzo, if you're ever in DC, give me a heads up. I'm Congressman Jonas Jackson." He mumbles and rambles, trying to unscramble his words." I depart giving him a thumbs up trying to focus on my task ahead.
Entering the Quartz Suite, I plop down on the plush and comfy bed, sinking deeper and deeper. I could just pass out, but I'll settle for a small lie down to make my next move.
"With the RFID Chip reader we have access to restricted areas, although I'd like if we didn't divert or deviate from reaching the penthouse." Mottly starts, still speaking inside my head. Who knows what surveillance is like in the rooms.
"The only issues I see are three. Confronting Ryobi, mostly gonna be with our bare hands more or less. But more so the security cameras. The place is loaded with them in absolute abundance. Not to mention the penthouse. Lastly, exiting. Once we dispatch of Ryobi, it's gonna be a challenge to reach the outside." I explain in lengthy detail.
"Alright one thing at a time. I can disable the camera's and cause an infection of the system with daemons. I've map out a route for escaping which you'll see with your new optical implants. Dealing with Ryobi well, I'm not sure what we're going to do." Mottly say's.
"I'm ready." I exclaim with a huge exhale.
"Walk over to the control panel inside the room and let me work my magic. I'll reconnect with you in a moment." Doing as I was told I bring up the scanner and target the console of the room, transmitting Mottly via quick hacks. This way I wouldn't have use my personal link and have this tied back to me. "We're good to go, I sent a nasty bug upon the system. Not sure how long it'll last but let's get a move on it.
Stepping out of the room I march over to the main lift that's separate the main elevators. The middle was direct up and down. But had access to adjoining floors. I press the call button and wait as the elevator raise to our floor. I quickly step in and is presented with a panel to either go up to a higher level or lower level, but I produce the reader and the scanner reads the code unlocking the access to the penthouse. I press the button and the doors slide shut. Raising faster and faster towards the top.
"No turning back now!"
A/N: So I made a small error last chapter towards the end but it's corrected. But yes, where reaching the end. The penultimate chapters are here. I will say the end isn't what you'll be expecting it will bring a sense of melancholy, but I'm sure most will be happy.