Castle-Punk: A Legacy Remembered

by The Gentleman with a Mustache

After a close call with the Church, Dracula and his family decide to sleep for a long time. When they wake up, it is the Age of Cyberpunk, and Dracula discovers a dark secret about Arasaka and intends to acquire the help of old enemies and allies, including a man who does not know his legacy. Follow the story of V, as he discovers what it truly means to be a Legend in Night City.

6. Demons of the Past

V walked out of the diner and watched as a black car with red trims drove away. He almost felt sorry for Takemura but he drove the thought away as he looked into his contacts that was in his brain

He saw Evelyn Parker and immediately called her. Only for the automatic voice to say, "We're sorry, but the person you are attempting to reach does not have an available number."

V mumbled, "Fuck..." He immediately thought, 'She must've gotten picked up by Arasaka...' He then saw Judy's contact and immediately clicked on hers.

The phone rang for a few seconds then Judy picked up with her face in view.

Judy looked at V in surprise as she asked, "V? Is that you? I almost thought you were dead."

"Judy, oh thank Christ. I was worried you might've been grabbed too. Listen, is Evelyn with you?" V asked in relief.

Judy looked a bit shocked as she said, "No she isn't, I've been trying to get a hold of her but I haven't gotten any answer. Look, I have to get back to work. Come by my apartment in a couple days once I have something thought up." She said in concern.

V nodded. "I'll be there. Just call me when you're ready."

She nodded back, "Yeah I will, just make sure you're not followed."

V nodded once more before he hung up on Judy and walked towards his motorcycle. Once he got on and rode off, he didn't notice his tail as Blake was seen dressed in a full black bike suit with a yellow and black helmet with cat ears and blacked out visor down. "V's on the move, keeping my distance." She reported to someone on the other end of her call.

"Good, give us an hourly report." Lenore said before turning around to look at the window which showed Evelyn Parker sitting down with an agent.

"Miss Parker, I understand you were close to Yorinobu Arasaka. So it's safe to assume you've heard more than a few closely guarded secrets." The agent said.

Evelyn stayed silent as she looked around at the interrogation room, which caused Adrian, who was standing next to Lenore, to give a low growl, "I hate it when they give the silent treatment… worse that she is a woman… damn my gentlemanly honor."

Lenore rolled her eyes, "With all due respect, Your Grace, but if you can't get information out of a sex doll, then how can you continue to be an Intelligence Company?"

Adrian stayed silent as the door to the viewing room opened as a deep voice was heard, "Have you gotten anything out of her yet?" Asked Dracula who walked in with his suit coat opened showing his crimson under shirt.

Adrian looked at his father and answered, "No Father. She's using her 'right' to remain silent."

Dracula watched as the agent in the room said, "Listen, we're more than happy to give you full protection from Arasaka if you cooperate with us."

The King then said, "Let's see how long her right to remain silent holds." He walked towards the door when he looked at Adrian, "As for you, Son. Deal with Takemura."

He opened the door before walking out towards the interrogation room with Adrian going to a different room.

Evelyn Parker was many things, but a snitch wasn't one of them, so she kept silent until these creeps released her since that was what badges do. However, when the door opened to the room and the guy across from her got to attention, she got curious and looked at the door, which caused a wave of fear to wash over her as she stared up at the most feared and most respected man in all of Europe and even New America.

The agent bowed slightly as he said, "My Lord! I did not expect you to come here."

"Leave us." Dracula commanded gently.

The agent seemed to hesitate before bowing slowly, "Yes, my Lord." He said before leaving the room and as the door closed, Evelyn could have sworn the temperature had dropped slightly, and yet she couldn't stop looking at Dracula as if she was drawn towards him.

Dracula sat down on the chair before leaning down on the table which seemed to creak slightly. Evelyn also could've sworn she saw the metal bend. "Ms. Parker, it is most fortuitous that we caught you before you made your way back to Clouds. A foolish idea, in my opinion. Now, we're giving you several options. Either you tell us what we want to know about the Relic and why you wanted it, and we let you go with protection. Or you say nothing, and we dump you back out onto the streets and watch you die by the virus in your brain. Either way, we will know who you are working for."

Evelyn shivered as her hand lingered on her head.

"What is it going to be, Evelyn Parker?" Dracula asked in a low tone.

She slowly looked at Dracula, directly into his crimson eyes as she finally whispered out, "W-what are you?" Was all she could get out as every fiber of her being was screaming for her to run, even her chrome couldn't get an accurate read on this being in front of her, which for a woman who likes being in some sort of control of any situation, this scared her.

She was completely out of control, and under the control of this… creature.

Dracula leaned forward even more and stared into her eyes as his own glowed bright red and even had flames leak out.

"I am the result of your greed and selfishness. I am the answer to the question you fear to ask. I am the monster you fear to look at underneath your bed. I am Chaos incarnate. I am Vlad Dracula Tepes, and you… are mine. Now, tell me what you know."

Weather she knew it or not, her mouth didn't move as it was her mind that opened up to Dracula as all her secrets were unleashed, all her fears as well as the rational part of her mind was trying to cope with the fact a real monster was in front of her and not someone who got chromed up to looked like a monster in human clothing.

"I work for the Voodoo Boys." Evelyn said.

Dracula furrowed his brows as he asked, "Down in Pacifica?"

Evelyn nodded, "They're run by Brigitte. She's a talented Net Runner who has been fighting NetWatch because... For some reason, they've been poking around at the Black Wall."

Evelyn spilled all of this, yet she tried to stop herself with all of her will only for said will to be pushed aside for the one command to repeat over and over again in her head that forced her to tell all her secrets.

"Sleep." Dracula ordered.

All Evelyn could do was nod her head slightly before everything from her point of view went dark as Evelyn Parker blacked out from having her mind forcibly read by the King of all Vampires.

As soon as Dracula left the room, Lenore walked up to him while a pair of medics carried off the woman, "Well it seems we have some answers… but more questions." Lenore said with a slight sigh.

"Maybe, but we will find the answers to those questions with Brigitte. Find a way to destroy the virus in Ms. Parker's head. I'm sure she'll appreciate it after cooperating with us. Plan us a trip to Pacifica, I want to meet Brigitte personally." Dracula said as he walked off.

Lenore bowed slightly as she began the process for such a trip to a section of Night City which was now considered its own state as neither Corpos or police ever dared visit it.

However, while one person of interest gave answers, another was not so forthcoming. In another interrogation room, Adrian slammed a balled up fist down on the table as he was now standing across from the ex-bodyguard of the now dead emperor of Arasaka.

"YOU'RE LYING! You people have always waited for an opportunity to strike at us and what better than to attack my own mother at a building full of CHILDREN! With little security due to it still being set up! So give me the answers I want or so help me I'LL RIP THEM FROM YOUR HEAD!" Adrian yelled at the man who not only has his hands bound to the table but also has two armed guards behind him and two more in front of him.

"And I have told you, I was not a part of it and while they may have been involved, I am no longer a part of Arasaka." Goro said calmly. "I have been dumped out because of my failure to protect Saburo-sama."

Adrian's eye twitched slightly as he slowly sat down in the chair across from the man, "Indeed a perfect cover. Then again, you would know that all too well considering this isn't the first time we have crossed paths. I'm tempted to repay you for that time in Iwo-Jima." He said with a hint of venom as memories from the war crept back into his mind.

"Arikado, this is nothing like Iwo-Jima. I do not have the necessary implants in order to fight you. Your paranoia has gotten worse, and you question my honor? I will speak with you no longer." Goro said with a cross of his arms.

Adrian growled loudly as he went to try and strangle the man only to stop as the door opened. "I agree, however the war has hurt many of us, did it not?" Dracula's voice was heard entering into the room which made Adrian stand straight up to look at his father.

Goro Takemura took in the sight of the King of Europe and grew nervous, but kept up a calm demeanor.

"Father, I-" Adrian was about to explain before Dracula ordered, "Leave. And calm yourself down. Your paranoia has gotten out of hand."

Adrian hesitated before bowing and leaving the room. Dracula sat down and took in the disheveled look of Goro. "Has Arasaka's treatment gotten to you, or is this but a taste of what they do to failures?" Dracula asked rhetorically.

Goro chuckled slightly, "No, this is what your people do to those they see as enemies, then again I am no stranger to this considering the methods you will go to, to get the answers you seek." He said staring right at Dracula as he remembered the horror stories from his fellow veterans who were POWs.

Dracula chuckled before becoming serious again and asked, "What do you want with Mr. V?"

Goro had a mask of no emotion on as he replied to Dracula's question, "I'm afraid that is personal business which does not require me to answer, seeing as I am no longer Arasaka meaning that I am no longer your enemy. To add that since I also had no knowledge or even involvement in the attack on your wife, I am not considered a suspect in the joint investigation for which your company and the NCPD are conducting." He said before leaning forward, "Which means by the rights given to me as a foreign national, you can not hold me unless you have just cause to do so under both domestic and international law."

Dracula laughed gently as he stared at Goro, "I figured you would say that. However, I think you are very much a suspect to us. After all, the agent that apprehended you mentioned you told V to find Anders Hellman. So I assume you know of the Relic's existence and you know that V has it. So why don't we skip the legality of it all, and you start cooperating with me? Or do you wish to be a part of the horror stories you've heard?"

Goro stood his ground as he said, "I shall stand up to you. For I shall not dishonor my duty by speaking of such things to a monster with no honor." His voice was full of determination and defiance.

Dracula dragged his sharp fingernails against the metal table, leaving strips of metal as his eyes glowed bright red. "Do you really think Arasaka will take you back? You allowed your Emperor to die at the hands of his son. You've failed your master and company, you are nothing now. So either you tell me what you know, or I can sharpen my brain surgery skills on you."

Goro stayed silent as he stood strong, before anything could go forward there was a knock at the door, causing Goro to say. "I believe that is for you."

Dracula didn't look at the door as he said, "Enter."

The door opened and one of Lenore's children, Lena, walked towards Dracula, leaning down, she whispered into his elf-like ear, "My Lord. I'm afraid there are some people from the Japanese embassy here inquiring about him, what do you wish for me to do?" She asked in a low voice.

Dracula took about a minute to think before answering, "Tell them we are releasing him and that we recommend that he not visit Night City for a long while. And to give our regards to the Arasaka family for the... Terrible tragedy that befell them."

Goro knew that implication. They're banning him from Night City. If they can't get any information from him, then they decided he shouldn't be allowed to conduct any sort of business.

She bowed slightly, "Yes, my Lord." Goro was escorted out by two armed guards through the building to a small Japanese group who bowed slightly before taking Goro away towards the front door. Once inside the waiting hover car, he said while rubbing his wrists from the handcuffs being removed. "I thank you for helping me out of my illegal detainment."

"I did not do it for you, Takemura-san." A woman said, her face covered in shadow. All that could be seen were her golden hands and dress. "It was rather foolish of you to go snooping around. You've been disgraced because of your failure to protect my father."

Goro looked wide eyed as he bowed deeply, "Your highness, I did not intend to dishonor you."

"Your intention does not matter. You've failed in your duties, and we are sending you back to Japan." The woman said.

"Hanako-chan! I know who killed Saburo-sama!" Goro said in an attempt to save himself.

"I do too." Was all that was said from her.

---

Back at Tepes Tower, Adrian was seen breathing heavily as he was trying to keep calm. "Father, I can assure you I am fine."

"You lost control." Dracula said, looking at him with a frown.

Adrian sighed as he laid his face into his hands, "I know. I know… I just..." He remained silent for a bit as he looked at his open palms as if he was staring at blood that wasn't there.

Dracula placed a hand on Adrian's shoulder. "Go home, son. You need sleep."

Adrian simply nodded before standing up, making his way out of his father's office. Lenore walked up towards Dracula and after the door was closed, she said, "I fear that his Grace may need to see a therapist. The war was hard on all of us but it was especially hard on him."

She looked at Dracula with sympathetic eyes as she thought about Adrian.

Dracula sighed gently, "He was so close to them all. Nobody took it harder than him. Sonia... Victor... Julius... All the Belmonts..."

Lenore looked down, "At least... One survived."

Dracula nodded, "Yet he has no idea about his own family history."

Lenore was about to say something before a call came in, answering it she listened before nodding, "Good. No, keep your distance but observe, yes… Oh, don't! I'll handle it. I SAID I'LL HANDLE IT!" She shouted before a hand met with her face as she ran it down with a sigh. "Of all things it had to be HER he meets."

Dracula raised an eyebrow at Lenore's reaction. "Care to share, Lenore?"

Lenore breathed as she said, "The report from Agent Blake is that V is currently waiting for a meeting with…well, a fixer. It's more accurate to say he's meeting Rogue."

Dracula was certainly surprised at that revelation. "The Queen of the Afterlife. Still alive after all this time... Impressive. No doubt to track down Anders Hellman. If I recall, he is currently on his way to meet with Militech, yes?" Dracula asked.

She nodded, "Yes he is, your Highness." She answered before asking, "Are you intending to use him as bait?"

Dracula chuckled, "Am I that predictable, Lenore? Let V take Hellman to see what he can do to learn about the Relic. We'll pick him up later. This certainly could be our opportunity to show V his heritage."

"And what of Militech? Should we inform them of this plan?" Lenore asked.

Dracula's eyes became glazed as he thought it over. Going over every possible scenario. If he didn't tell them and they find out that this was intended, this could hurt their relationship with Militech.

"We will tell them our plan." Dracula simply said.

Lenore nodded as she began sending out the messages needed for the plan to go as intended for the interception of V.

---

Down in the Afterlife, it was lively with green neon lights glowing around. Tubes of water seen on every corner had women and men dancing around. The highlight of the Afterlife was the bar, tended by Claire. With a drink named after every celebrity that was known throughout Night City. Morgan Blackhand, Susan Forest, Weyland "Boa-Boa" and of course, Johnny Silverhand.

V was currently sitting at the bar, looking at his drink and contemplating everything that led up to this point in his life. Having dreams of becoming a Night City legend, getting the biggest job of his life, only for it all to go tits up with his friend being shot and bleeding to death. Being betrayed by his fixer and actually dying.

One thing he never said to anyone was the memory he watched when he came back. Johnny Silverhand playing a gig before leaving his band mates to meet up with Rogue and a netrunner known as Spider Monkey to attack Arasaka Tower. V remembered watching Johnny drop a nuclear bomb, to which he stupidly called it 'The Demolitron' before being attacked by a very human Adam Smasher.

It was terrifying to watch if V was honest. Watching as Johnny's consciousness was forcibly ripped from his body and put somewhere dark until… he ended up on V's vision.

Claire looked at V with sympathetic eyes. When he ordered the Jackie Welles, she made the first one free of charge.

That's when she looked over at the corner and saw that Rogue was ready to listen to him. "Hey V, Rogue's ready to see you." Claire said.

V nodded before downing the whole glass, ice included, before standing up and walking over to the private corner where Rogue sat.

"Well well, if it isn't the new Merc of Night City. Heard you were needing my skills to find someone." Rogue said. She was a middle aged Asian woman with long faded green hair that was shaved on one side.

"I need to find a man named Anders Hellman." V explained.

That's when Johnny appeared in V's vision, sitting on the couch next to Rogue, "Well well, the Queen bitch herself still in action." Johnny commented.

Rogue nodded as her eyes glowed orange, "Gimme a sec." It was clear she was good at her job as she began running the search for the man V was looking for.

V waited patiently and prepared for the price it would take to get the information. After having called Judy, he passed the time by taking on a few jobs from some fixers. He made up a couple thousand eurodollars to be able to pay Rogue for the information. It took him quite a few days to build it up and to keep himself fed.

As V was with Rogue, Blake was sitting at a table enjoying a drink, dressed up as a punk cat girl rocker, before her eyes caught trouble. Said trouble one might ask? It was an angry Panam followed by the blonde bombshell Yang on her tail who didn't look happy either, as they made a B-line straight for Rogue.

"Shit." Blake hissed as she made contact with her employer. "HQ, we might have an issue. I just saw your niece followed by a blonde female in her early 20's making a direct line to the VIP and Rogue's booth. Advice? Over."

Lenore, on the other end, cursed, "Shit! Do not engage unless either Panam or her friend attack first. Keep your eyes on them."

Blake nodded slightly, "Yes, Chairwoman." She said as she watched the blonde stop Panam. Using her bio augs she listens in on what was being said.

Yang finally using her brain stopped the chiefess' daughter and her friend as she asked in a pleading voice, "Look we really want to do this? This could be bad for the clan, just this once don't pull a me, girl."

Panam looked at her friend before pointing at Rogue, "She's the bitch that set us up with Nash. She fucking knew this would happen! And you expect me to take this lying down and show my belly?"

Yang brought her hands up, "Ok ok, I get it, but let's try and play it cool, act like Chieftess Morana, not Chieftess Striga, 'cuz the last thing we need is to be the cause of a war between our clan and half of the runners in NC on Rogue's payroll."

Panam stared into her lilac eyes before sighing and nodded her head. "Fine. But be ready. Things could get ugly." She said before walking over towards Rogue's booth only to be stopped by the bouncer.

"Excuse me, I don't believe you've been called up to speak with Miss Rogue." The bouncer said.

"Let them through. I've been waiting for her." Rogue said, to which the bouncer stepped off to the side.

Yang followed suit and had her hand on her pistol that she had under her coat via a shoulder holster.

Inside V was waiting and before Rogue could answer he heard Panam speak up, "Hey! I've got some business with you, Rogue."

V turned his head and saw it was the girl he accidentally bumped into at the diner. He kept silent as Rogue calmly spoke, "Well well, Panam. Feels like you were just here. What can I do for you?"

Yang kept back as she watched those around them closely while Panam attempted to keep calm and act like her mother instead of her mom, "You know why I'm here. That 'deal' you helped with was full of NetWatch agents AND screwed me over because of Nash. I want to know how you're gonna help fix it, seeing as you were the one who helped set it up in the first place." She said with her arms crossed to prevent herself from punching the woman.

Rogue looked at Panam then glanced at V real quick before looking back and said, "What you do with Nash is not my business. You lost the package and you're under a deadline with the employer. However, I am willing to help you out... If you do something."

Johnny chuckled as he crossed his leg over the other, "And this is where the porno starts." Which caused V to look at the hologram weirdly.

Panam was staring down Rogue as she asked, "And what would that be? 'Cuz if you're asking us to kill someone then that's out of the question."

"As it just so happens, Mr. V here needs help finding someone outside of Night City." Rogue said with a smirk. V looked at her in surprise. "So, if you agree to help V find his target, then I'm sure he can help you find your cargo and Nash. What do you say?"

Panam looked at V then looked at Yang as she opened up a private line between the two. "What do you think?"

"He's not so bad on the eyes. Love the beard." Yang said with a slight smirk.

Panam rolled her eyes, "I meant what are ya feeling off of him, does he seem like he's gonna stab us in the back?"

"He looks honest, looks like he can hold his own. I say we give him a chance." Yang replied.

Panam nodded slightly before cutting the private connection. Looking back at Rogue, she said. "Alright. We'll work with him."

Rogue smirked as her eyes glowed bright yellow, indicating the transference of messages. Most likely, she was sending the location of the supplies to Panam and Yang.

Panam just clicked her tongue as she looked at V "I'll send you the detes later. For now my friend and I need to figure shit out."

She turned and started walking away with Yang in toe. Blake from her booth released a breath she had been holding as she slowly removed her hand from the machine pistol she had under her leather jacket.

V sighed as he leaned back in his chair. "Huh, so she can talk in a civilized manner." Rogue commented. "Now, let's you and me talk. 15,000 eddies for this information on Hellman."

V nodded as his eyes glowed blue and so did Rogue's, indicating the transaction of money.

"Good. Anders Hellman is making the transition from Arasaka to Militech. He'll be in a security vehicle that will be making its way towards Militech HQ, however it's going outside the city to make the likelihood of an ambush nearly impossible. So, handle Panam's problem, and she'll get you your convoy." Rogue said as she flicked a shard to V who caught it and plugged it in. His vision was filled with files on Hellman, the type of armored convoy they'd be using as well as the route they'll be taking.

After he saw it, his vision cleared up and he nodded at Rogue, "Thanks."

He stood up and Rogue commented one last time, "And V, try not to get your partners killed on this heist. Though of course, you could chalk it up to bad luck if you want an excuse." This made V stop and clench his fists tight.

"There's the bitch I know. Ask her about 'Saka Tower. That oughta tell her something about you." Johnny said, his form glitching slightly.

That's when he looked back at Rogue and asked, "You know, they never did find Silverhand's body in that attack on Arasaka Tower. So my question is, did you leave him to die or did you sell him out to get this far ahead in life?"

Rogue stared at V for a bit before smirking, "You got some balls, kid."

V just glared at her before walking away as he began to make plans and how to deal with Panam's problem.

---

To which said Nomad was currently staring at a number on her screen before she took a breath and finally hit "Call" on the number Lenore gave her, thinking she might get a desk jockey or some waiting list. She didn't hold out much hope in it being her now newly discovered aunt's personal number.

Lenore saw the number and figured it must've been Panam, she answered it, "Panam? What can I do for you?"

Panam, shocked at first, asked in confusion, "Uh… Aunt Lenore? This is you, yeah? Not some borg or answering machine?"

Lenore smirked and decided to fuck with her niece and said in a robotic voice, "Thank you for calling Tepes Customer Service. Unfortunately since you are not a member of the wondrous cesspool known as Night City, we cannot actually help you with your problem." Lenore couldn't keep it up and giggled.

Panam just facepalmed as she said, "Aunt Lenore! Seriously? I've had a rough day and I don't need you being a total gonk to add to it."

Lenore chuckled, "Alright, alright. What's going on, Panam? Problems with your mothers?"

The Nomad sighed, "I wish. No, we had this job that would have help the clan and instead me and Yang, my friend, got backstabbed by this guy called Nash and now we're stuck in Night City with nothing but the clothes on our backs, jumping from cheap motels to cheap motels because the cyka went and stole our wheels too. Thank whatever god is out there, that Yang didn't bring her bike or else we would have half of the NCPD on our backs because Yang would murder half the city to get it back."

"Do you need me to help you find Nash?" Lenore asked. "I am more than happy to help out."

Panam shook her head, "No I couldn't do that to you, Aunt. I mean you're probably busy with your work to deal with this small bit of trouble."

"Panam, you can always ask me for things. Despite what you may have heard, having connections in high places will get you many things. Besides, I still have to make up for all the birthdays I missed with you and your mothers. So please, allow me to help you search for Nash. Then you and Yang can get your stuff back." Lenore said with a soft smile.

Panam sighed, "Alright fine." Only for her and Lenore to jump at the sound of screaming and a gun going off in the same room as Yang was heard yelling and cursing up a storm. "FUCK OFF YOU LITTLE ASSHOLE!!"

"What was that!? Are you alright, Panam!?" Lenore asked in a worried tone.

Panam quickly answered, "Yeah! Yeah! I'm good. It's just... Yang killed a huge rat. Ya know what, go ahead and add a better place to sleep to that list."

"I'll make sure to get you a penthouse. Best and most luxurious space. My treat!" Lenore smiled.

Panam chuckled slightly, "And here I was thinking you were gonna say you had a room all set up for me at your place."

Lenore quickly looked at the room before quickly waving away maids from where she was. "Well, I can arrange for you to stay at my place, if you wish." She said.

Panam sighed in relief, "Thanks… I know it's a lot to ask, but thanks really."

"Of course, Panam. Anything for my niece." Lenore smiled. "Anything else you want to talk about?"

Panam chuckled slightly, "Well… Not over an open line, but I might want to talk about a guy in person."

Lenore's eyes lit up at hearing about this guy that's gotten her niece's attention. "Oh? How exciting it is to gossip with my niece. Come on over whenever you're ready." Lenore smiled once more.

Panam hung up as she groaned as she was starting to regret it while Yang was walking out of the bathroom and looked at her before asking, "Soooo… We staying here in this rat infested place?"

"My aunt hooked us up. Let's get our crap and leave." Panam said before grabbing her bag of supplies and her custom made sniper rifle. Yang grabbed her bag and put her yellow bulky bracelets on her wrists before they walked out of the crappy motel.

"Ugh, thank whatever god is out there. I was almost going to strangle you in your sleep if you made me sleep in there and ruin my precious locks." Yang cheered a little.

"Yang, I know you love your hair, but is it really worth killing me over?" Panam asked as she looked over her shoulder at her friend.

"You know damn well what I'd do if something happened to my hair." Yang said with her eyes flickering red quickly before turning lavender once more.

The duo waited for five minutes until they were met with an SUV pulled up in front of them. The doors opened and Blake, in a suit, stepped out and smiled slightly, "Hello, we were sent by your aunt to bring you to her residence." Blake said before leading them to the door.

Panam and Yang looked with wide eyes before Yang said, "Panam, your aunt is... Super cool." She entered the SUV enthusiastically.

Soon, both were driven towards the more upper class area of Night City, or at least the one owned and run by both Militech and the company Lenore worked for. It explained the heavy amount of an almost military-like presence only for the SUV to pull up to one house which was massive as Yang asked, "Ok, who the hell is your aunt?"

Panam with wide eyes could only say, "I thought she was just some mid level Corpo, but this… this is not mid level."

"Lenore works directly under His Majesty, Dracula himself. Naturally, she'd be at a very high level." Blake said, and could've sworn she almost saw their eyeballs almost pop out. It was amusing to say the least.

The SUV parked outside the house and the duo got out of the car. The double doors opened and both were now inside the massive house with Blake behind them.

Panam and Yang really took in everything, and she meant everything including a massive painting of her aunt and what she assumed was her uncle, a man with silver shoulder length hair and blue eyes, holding each other lovingly. It was sweet, until a red blur crashed into her and had her in a tight hug.

"Oh it's so good to meet you!! Mama Lenore talked about you when she saw her old sisters!! I was hoping to see you!" Ruby shouted in excitement.

Panam, who was currently now turning slightly blue said, "Nice… to… meet… you… too." She pat Ruby's back repeatedly in an effort to try and get her to let go.

Yang was dumbfounded by all that was happening in such a quick series of events.

Ruby let go of Panam and smiled brightly, "The name's Ruby! One of Lenore's best spies and one of her many grandkids. You've already met Blake!" Blake nodded with her arms crossed.

Panam's mind was swimming with the new information, only for the voice of her aunt to be heard, "Girls, girls. She has only just arrived. Let's give her some time to adjust."

Panam turned to the stairs as Lenore, now dressed in a more laid back set of clothes, as laid back as a polo top and what looked to be khaki pants. Lenore smiled brightly at Panam. "I'm sorry for such an energetic welcome. Ruby has been practically bouncing off the walls to meet her cousin." She met Panam and Yang at the bottom of the stairs.

"Oh um, it's ok. I'm just... Surprised by how extended the family is." Panam said.

Lenore nodded, "Yes, from mine and your uncle's love, we have created a large family." She said, walking up and pulling Panam and Yang into a hug before smiling, "Now come and let's talk about this boy you hinted at."

Ruby made cooing noises and was very interested in hearing about this boy.

Lenore led Panam and Yang to the living room with a beautifully lit fireplace that made the whole room feel warm. "Feel free to try some cookies as well. I made them in preparation."

Yang took a cookie and bit it. She moaned in delicious delight from the taste. "Mmm, so good!"

Panam took a cookie and had to agree with Yang about the cookies. She began her tale, first seeing this man at the diner her and Yang were eating at, then seeing him again at the Afterlife with Rogue and now having to work with him.

Blake, with her cat ear augmentations, was standing up straight while her face kept a cool impassive mask of no emotion as she drank her tea.

Ruby was a little surprised to find out that her cousin was going to work with V. She leaned in to whisper to Blake about him. "I bet you she likes him."

"Fool's bet, Ruby." Blake whispered back.

Lenore wasn't surprised, after all, she knew the plan. Panam didn't have to know about it. "Panam, I must tell you about V. However, I want you to not tell him, because he does not know who he is."

"You mean, like he has amnesia." Yang asked.

Ruby chuckled a bit, "Well… nothing like that."

Panam looked at her aunt with uncertainty as she asked, "Ok… you're scaring me a little bit here, Aunt. Is he like a cyberpsycho?"

"No, nothing like that. You see... It has to do with his family." Lenore said.

Both Yang and Panam looked at each other as they sat down to listen.

"You see, before everything you see here was created. It was the Dark Ages. Technology was nearly non-existent. Creatures that you only ever saw in your nightmares existed in the mortal world. Hunting and killing anything that existed. Only one family was capable of fighting off the Night Creatures. The Belmont Family. They were the first and last defense against all creatures that thrived on the murder of humans. That was until the Church decided they were better off without them. Accusing them of using black magic and releasing more monsters. The family was driven from their ancestral home and all but one Belmont survived." Lenore explained before placing a hologram down of Trevor Belmont.

"For years, he remained alone, drinking and wandering Europe. That was when the Vampire Civil War happened. Dracula and his family decided to sleep, deciding that their technology was too advanced to show the world. It didn't help that his wife was almost taken away by the Church. Carmilla wanted to take control but was stopped by... Your uncle and his brother Forgemaster."

"A few years into the war, Isaac and Hector proposed to Trevor that he help them end the war. It took some convincing, but there he was... Fighting for the very enemy his family swore to destroy. He met a beautiful woman named Sypha and the Belmont line continued. It flourished all the way until... 50 years ago." Lenore said sadly before the hologram became a news article.

"BELMONTS ALL FOUND DEAD AMIDST END OF THE 4TH CORPO WAR"

"It was Adam Smasher... He found all of them and murdered them all in cold blood. Even... The newborns were not safe."

Panam was silent as was Yang, however for Lenore she could remember seeing Adrian in that rain, holding onto the man he considered a brother, yelling into the storm with pure anger and pain. "The Belmonts were considered everything to us but blood… they were family." She said as a single bloody tear ran down her face but she wiped it away.

"So V is..." Yang trailed off.

"Yes, it's him. He's the last Belmont. Son of Victor Belmont." Lenore nodded.

Panam was processing all of this, everything, and in her mind it was nuts, insane even. Yet she looked at her aunt and saw the hurt in her eyes, the pain of losing those considered family which was a value carried in the clan.

Taking a breath, she asked Lenore. "How can I help you heal our family?" She asked while taking her aunt's hands in comforting grasps.

Lenore shook her head, "We... Can't just show up to him and tell him about his family. We're working on it as it is." Lenore smiled slightly as she looked at Panam, "You just focus on your situation and help V. I believe he's more honorable than to not help you."

Panam chuckled as she shrugged her shoulders, "Well he's probably better than that gonk Nash."

"Speaking of, do you know where he is?" Yang asked.

Lenore smirked, "You'll have his location by tomorrow. But for now, dinner. You both hungry?"

Panam and Yang couldn't help but give a verbal agreement as they went off to enjoy whatever high class food Panam's aunt had made.

---

While one family was getting together for the first time. Another was hurting for the one he lost as Adrian was at the balcony of his home looking out at Night City with his eyes almost devoid of happiness.

"Hey, couldn't sleep?" Asked the voice of Meredith as she slowly walked towards Adrian. Her hair wasn't styled as usual, it was a bit frizzled from laying in bed. She was wearing a white button up shirt and black lace panties as she looked at him with sympathetic eyes.

Adrian slowly turned his head towards Meredith as he said, "It's... Been difficult lately."

Meredith put her hands to his cheeks as she asked, "It's the war, isn't it?"

Adrian nodded slowly as he held her hands gently. "I lost my brothers... And sisters... Fucking Smasher..." He almost growled in that last bit.

Meredith brought Adrian into a hug as she pet his mane of hair, "Hey, hey I'm here. I am right here, my mighty Dragon."

Adrian took deep breaths as he nestled himself into her neck and wrapped his arms around her body. Not tight as to break her back, but enough for him to feel comfort in it.

Meredith smiled as she said, "If you ever need someone to talk to, I'm here for you." Her voice was low and comforting.

Adrian decided to joke into her neck, "Look at my Lioness... Acting as soft as a kitten."

Meredith just chuckled as she pulled away from the hug and gave Adrian a playful slap. "Come on, back to bed." She said as she took Adrian's hand and guided him back to the large king size bed they were sharing. She laid down with Adrian laid down on top of her with his head laid on her breasts to act as a pillow.

---

As one fought with the horrors of the past, one that was a symbol of the present sat at a chair in her lab as she tried to save the future of a young man who knew not his past.

Lisa was seen in her lab as a massive holographic simulation of a brain was seen in front of her, while off to the side holding a tablet was Lucy, the Edgerunners who was now working under Lisa because of her connection to Arasaka.

"Doctor, perhaps we should stop. This will be the 66th test simulation." She said in a respectful voice but her eyes held pity for the woman who had been going at this for almost three days with little rest.

"And I told you, Lucy, that I am not giving up. That boy is the last of the Belmonts, and I will not see that bloodline ended because of a fucking chip!" Lisa raised her voice at the end, but took a deep breath to try and calm herself down.

Lucy winced a bit as she typed commands on the tablet, "Running test simulation for experimental treatment number 66." She said as the simulation began at first to show promise, but much like the 65 tests which came before, ended in total neural shut down.

Lucy stayed silent, not wanting to report the results, instead she backed up slowly out of fear.

"It's a failure, isn't it?" Lisa asked in a whispered tone.

Lucy just nodded, "Results… total brain shut down… flatline of the subject, doctor." She said in just as low a voice.

Lisa looked down and tears dripped down onto the holographic keyboard. "What are we missing..." She asked in a defeated voice.

Lucy, feeling sorry for her, suggested, "Maybe we should stop, you need rest. Maybe after a small break you'll discover something you overlooked." She said, trying to be hopeful even with her background and what Arasaka did to her.

Lisa sighed, "Perhaps you're right, Lucy... Forgive me." She wiped her tears and started walking away so no one could see the Queen at her lowest point.

Once Lisa was away from the lab, she made her way to the master bedroom. Going to the bathroom, she washed her face with cold water. Taking a moment of being alone, she finally broke down as the weight of the repeated failures finally came down on her.

During her period of emotion, she never heard the door to their room open or the fact arms wrap around her waist as she was pulled into the embrace of her husband.

Dracula didn't say a thing, he only listened to the cries of his wife which nearly broke his heart. He rubbed her shoulders and rocked her body gently in an effort to calm her down.

Lisa finally turned around as she laid her head upon her husband's chest, "I couldn't save him, every test, every simulation, it would kill him. Me, a doctor who helped bring so many Belmonts into the world… would have been the one to kill the last one. What kind of doctor am i?" She asked in a voice full of anguish.

"Lisa, you are the greatest doctor in the world. However, you can't have the full answers in one day. This takes time, my love. We will come up with the answer soon. Just not today." Dracula whispered into her ear gently. "Come, let's get you into bed. You need to rest."

Lisa nodded weakly as she let her husband take her to their large king size bed, as soon as her head touched the pillow, she was out like the dead as the exhaustion finally set in.

Dracula however, did not join her as he sat near her and just looked at a woman who was his wife, the mother of his son, a doctor devoted to her oath to save as many lives as she could, cry her heart out over the fact she couldn't save who was in fact family.

Dracula had eyes of pure sympathy as he placed a gentle hand on her shoulder and rubbed it gently. He then whispered, "Death…"

The sound of a match was heard as Death, now in the form of Sigman Freud, was seen sitting in a chair as he lit up a pipe and smoked, "I see you wish to set up an appointment, Her Tepes." He said with a slight German accent.

Dracula looked at Death with a frown, "I am in no mood for jests and comedy. I want a simple answer, can V be saved?"

Death smiled, "But of course. However, ze answer you seek is both within zhe annals of ze past." He held out one open palm. "And ze present." The hand which held the pipe also was motioned in the same manner as his open palm.

Dracula stood up from the bed and looked at him. Expecting to hear more from him.

Death smiled as he said, "Seek those who have combined magic and technology. Ze mages still live. Find them and you shall find ze answer to your questions." He said before he faded away with the pipe smoke leaving Dracula with an answer but more questions.

Dracula looked at the space where Death was before asking himself, "Combined magic and technology… Could it be the Speakers? Alchemists?"

He decided to sleep on this tidbit of information so he climbed into bed and pulled his wife into his embrace as he closed his eyes in an attempt to get some form of sleep.

---

The next morning saw V stepping out of his apartment, having just showered and grooming his hair and beard. He left out some cat food in a bowl near the door so he could come back out by a day or two to see if there was a cat for him to take home.

V made his way to the garage and saw his car parked, but also saw a Delemain taxi car parked nearby. 'Must be waiting for someone.' he thought.

V climbed into his car and was about to start it when the Delemain taxi suddenly came to life and drove right at V's car. V heard someone shout, "BEEP BEEP MOTHERFUCKA!!" Before looking up, the taxi collided with his car before driving off.

V thankfully braced himself before the collision happened. Shaking his head slightly to regain his sense, he said to no one, more voicing his thoughts, "What the fuck!? Why the fuck did it ram my car!?"

"Well on a scale from 1 to pissed off, I'd say that was a solid 3." Johnny said, appearing on the passenger side of V's car.

V got out of his car to inspect the damages. The engine was smoking and the hood, bumper, and passenger door were dented. He popped the hood open to find several parts out of alignment or simply burnt. The battery was leaking battery acid and V slammed the hood down before shouting, "FUCK!!" That was when his vision began to glitch and V started to suffer a tremor. He began to cough before covering his mouth. When he pulled his hand away, his blood was splattered all over his palm.

Johnny appeared outside and leaned against the car as he asked, "So what ya gonna do now? Your ride is shot to hell and I doubt you'd want to take a bike that will seat three… Well," He smirked as he lowered his sunglasses and said, "unless you wanna get creative with two hot nomad girls."

V growled, "Fuck off, asshole." He pulled out a blue pill and popped it into his mouth. Immediately, Johnny disappeared from V's vision. V started feeling better but stayed still and took deep breaths to try and calm his nerves.

He took one last long breath before standing up straight. He saw that Jackie's motorcycle was still intact so he walked over to it and climbed on before turning it on and driving on out of the parking garage.

---

What V didn't know was that this one rogue taxi wasn't the only one, as Lenore was looking in shock as she got reports of a company SHE had controlled shares in was currently in a state of internal crisis due to rogue taxis which in turn hurt the stocks of said company.

"WHAT THE HELL IS GOING ON!?"

Panam and her friend Yang jumped, hearing the enraged voice of her aunt, which from what she saw of Lenore so far made it seem she wouldn't be upset or even hurt a fly, but something upset her enough for said aunt to yell loud enough it caused the fortress of a house to shake slightly.

The duo walked towards the source of the shouting and it led to Lenore's office. Panam opened the door slightly and poked her head through. "Uhh... Aunt Lenore?" Panam asked hesitantly.

Lenore closed her eyes and breathed deeply in an effort to calm herself down. "I'm calm... I'm fine. Come on in."

Panam slowly came in as she asked slowly, "Uh… Is everything… ok?" She might not have known Lenore for long, but her mother always told her, well more like drilled into her head, that blood looks out for blood and if anything was upsetting her aunt then she should see if she can help.

Yang being more blunt of the duo asked, "Did some Corpo try to fuck with ya or this like a family issue?"

"No no, nothing like that." Lenore shook her head before explaining, "I have a large percentage of shares in the Delamain Taxi Company, and I have been notified that several rogue Delamains have broken out and are wreaking havoc all across the city."

Lenore pinched the bridge of her nose and took more deep breaths. "It's hurting the stock of the company and in turn, I'm losing quite a high percentage of money due to this."

Panam sighed as she and Yang both looked at each other and thought, 'Corpo problems and politics go hand and hand.'

Panam then asked, "Can we help? We're family, and I would get a major chewing if my moms ever found I didn't help out to the best of my ability."

Yang snickers as she adds, "More like Chieftess Striga would give ya a major beat down if she found out ya didn't help out your aunt. Like that one time you lost that score of war salvage."

Panam groaned as she said to Yang with a raised voice, "That was one time! One time! How was I supposed to know Militech was gonna get pissy over some scrap tank from the Corpo War!"

Lenore suddenly had an idea as she asked, "You have a mission with V soon, yes?"

Panam and Yang nodded, wanting to see where she was going with this.

"If you want to help me out, then perhaps... V can come with you two. This will be a test run to see how well you can operate with him." Lenore suggested.

Panam cupped her chin as she nodded, seeing her aunt's logic. However, Yang had a wolfish grin as she said, "Suuuure and this isn't a way for you to do the whole scary aunt thing of 'bring her back by this time and don't knock her up or you're dead' thing, right?"

Panam just blushed as she punched Yang's arm as she shouted "YANG!" which caused Yang to laugh.

Lenore giggled slightly, "Maybe, but if I can just get his number, I can call him to propose the job."

Panam nodded as her eyes glowed orange, indicating that she sent Lenore a message. She sent her V's number to which Yang grinned only to look off to the side a whistle innocently.

"Here's his number, aunt." She said as Lenore nodded and soon began the call, hoping that this little 'hiccup', can be solved easily.

---

Back with V, he drove around the city in an effort to calm himself down. That's when he got a call within his vision. It was an unknown caller which kind of spelled bad news for him, but he took it anyway.

"V here." He said.

A woman with pale skin, elf-like ears, vibrant red hair was seen sitting at a desk wearing a suit of European style with her hands clasped together on the desk as she spoke with a slight English accent. "Hello Mister V, I have a slight problem and was told that you were the person to contact to fix this unique problem."

"Huh, didn't think my reputation would reach Corpo ears. Ok, what's your unique problem?" V asked while making a turn on the street.

Lenore chuckled, "We Europeans, unlike our American counterparts, like quality over quantity. No offense, of course." She joked lightly.

Johnny's voice sounded in V's head as he commented "Bet ya, she's a limey."

"None taken. I'm a professional, I prefer to get things done how my contractor intends it. Again, what's your problem?" V said, ignoring Johnny's comment.

Lenore nodded as she said, "Well recently a company we own controlling stock in has had a recent issue with its taxis." V, racking his brain, came up with a possibility of which 'taxi' service she was referring to.

That's when V's mind went back to the taxi that destroyed his car. It was a Delamain car, so he asked, "Wait, you mean the Delamain Taxis?"

Lenore nodded, "That's correct. I'm hoping you and two others could handle this matter subtlety so that the company is not damaged anymore." She then added, "And please try not to… oh what is it you Americans say? Oh yes, try to keep collateral damage low. I don't wish for this to make front page news." She knew it wouldn't considering how many media companies she and her lord had under their control but the bigger issue would be the New US Government.

The knowledge of rogue AI would certainly be bad press and would give the government reason to propose shutting down the service. Therefore, eliminating a considerable amount of money from Tepes Industries. It would also continue the long held debate about the usefulness of AI and the potential of it turning against the human race.

"That's fair. This might get a little personal since one of those cars rammed mine. Where should I meet the others?" V asked.

Lenore hummed as she said, "At the headquarters of the taxi company, with the money I shall also compensate you for any damages done to your car." She said honestly as hoping this will build trust.

"Appreciate it. I'll call you when the job's done." V said before hanging up and drove his way down to the Delamain HQ which was in the heart of Night City.

At the Delamain HQ waiting for V, was none other than the two nomads who were now sitting in a new truck and even loaded for a serious fight. Yang was grinning as she was admiring her new shotgun, "Shit girl, your aunt is either overprotective or she's making up for missed birthdays and christmases." She said as she was racking the bolt on the combat shotgun which had a retractable stock, drum mag, hell even an optic which tracks targets. It was painted black and yellow with a little graffiti text that said, "Ember Celica."

"I think it's a mixture of both." Panam said while looking at her weapon which was a fully automatic assault rifle which had three rotating barrels and two drum magazines. It was painted like copper that was in the process of rusting.

Panam noticed V driving up and shouldered her rifle. "V. I never got a chance to introduce myself. I'm Panam, this is my partner, Yang."

V nodded, "Nice to meet you officially."

Yang was looking V up and down as she purred out, "Oh more than you know, handsome~"

Panam just groaned as she hit her arm again,"Yang!" She looked at V and said, "Please ignore her. She's a terrible flirt and prefers the same tree."

Johnny appeared in front of the HQ, leaning against the wall and looked at the two. "You better get to know these chicks real well, or I will never speak to you again." He said to V, lowering his sunglasses once more to check them out.

'I'm fine with that.' V said to Johnny before looking at the two. "It's alright. So you know what we need to do?"

They both nodded, "Yeah deal with some crazy cars." Yang said as Panam added, "And it's more or less to help out my aunt."

"Wait a minute... Your aunt? Is that who contacted me?" V asked.

Panam nods, "I know right! Total shock for me as well finding out I had some euro corpo aunt."

Yang nodded, "Yeah a LOADED euro corpo aunt who works right under the big guy of the fucking Tepes Industries!" She exclaimed with a big grin that just said 'teasing shall be intense and endless.'

Johnny commented, "Huh... Looks like your girlfriend's loaded. I'm starting to like her, despite being related to a Corpo."

V ignored him and climbed off his bike and walked towards the duo, "Well, let's see what we're up against."

The two nodded as they walked into the building which was full of angered customers, many wanting refunds, some wanting to speak with the manager. All and all it was a bad day for the Taxi company.

"Please remain calm, I will be happy to listen to your problems." The front desk Delamain said gently. The image of Delamain stood on a large TV monitor behind a desk. He looked different as he had pale white skin instead of blue, and his eyes were fully blacked out.

V walked up to the desk and said, "Del? Can we talk to you?"

"I apologize sir, but unless you have an incident to report, I cannot currently help you at the moment." Delamain said.

"Alright, then I'd like to report my incident." V said.

"Hey buddy, why don't you get in line like everybody else?" A stranger asked in anger.

Yang flashed her shotgun as she said as calmly as she could, "Oh I'm sorry, I couldn't hear you over my shotgun." The person backed down as they raised their hands in surrender while V was informing the front desk Delamain of what happened before the actual one came in. "Ah V, so good of you to come."

"Del? That the real you?" V asked in confusion.

"Yes, I am the main Delamain Intelligence. The one you encountered along with Mr. Welles. Now, please follow this drone to the inside where we can discuss our business." The main Delamain said before a tiny hovering drone with a blue optic revealed itself to the trio. It hovered to a door beside the desk which revealed several empty desks with monitors that were all blank.

Panam and V looked at each before she shrugged and motioned for V to go first. He does so as they follow behind him into an area which was full of cars, bots, and even an assembly line. However, the strange thing was that there were no people in sight. No one working behind the computers, no one talking at the water dispenser, and no phones ringing. It was eerie with the minimal lighting and echoing sounds of sparks and machinery.

"So what exactly is the extent of the problem?" Yang asked, trying to break the silence while looking around.

"Six of my vehicles' central intelligence units have seemed to have malfunctioned, and are causing quite the ruckus across the city." Delamain said before the drone led the trio into the main hub where a map of the city was seen.

Panam, feeling honestly creeped out, asked, "So where are the people? Like the live workers?"

"I'm afraid that should not be the source of our discussion, Miss Panam. But to answer your question, this company has zero human input, it is strictly run by me and various copies of my AI." Delamain said.

Panam was silent but already alarm bells were ringing in her head, considering how many times her own mother Striga ranted and raved about the impending robot uprising. Granted, she was very drunk that time but she does have a distaste for machines that could think for themselves.

V, trying to get everything back on track cleared his throat and said, "So uh... Where are the rogues' locations and how do we get them back?"

Delamain soon sent the information needed to all three present, "These are the locations where i lost contact with each of the taxis, once you get close to them you will need a signal device to help me establish contact with the rogue taxis."

"Ok so six rogue cars... Well we can all either go after one as a group, or we can split up and each find one." V said, trying to think of a plan.

Panam was stroking her chin as she suggested, "Well, why don't we split up or at least one scouts out the areas, find the rogues then we come in and bring 'em home."

"But if one of us is scouting and manages to spot it, who's to say they don't take care of it? I like the plan of us splitting up so each of us can get a car. Hey Del, do you have three signal devices?" Yang asked, turning her head to the giant screen with Delamain's face.

As if to answer Yang's question, the console near V opened up as three signal devices were revealed, "I do ask that you return these after the job is finished." Delamain requested.

"Thanks Del." V said, grabbing a device while Panam and Yang grabbed one as well.

"I will note that for each vehicle you acquire, a percentage of your fee will be deposited to you." Delamain said.

Yang grinned, "Oh hell yeah! The chief is gonna be happy when we bring home some serious eddies!"

"Alright, so I propose we stay in direct contact. All of us on a call and call out when we've got one of the cars." Panam said.

"I'll start at the one in Pacifica." V said.

Yang nodded and said, "I'll head towards the projects."

Panam said, "I'll head to the suburbs."

"And I will monitor and attempt to assess the reasoning behind the rogues." Delamain said, before the trio walked out of the building.

Yang and Panam walked towards the new truck where a motorcycle say in the trunk. Yang grinned as she unloaded her new bike off and place it down next to the truck, "Seriously, I love your aunt! Not as good as my bee, but damn if I don't want her to adopt me now."

Panam just shot a playful glare at Yang, "Hey! That's my aunt, chica! Get your own Corpo relatives."

"Oh come on, we could be closer as family!" Yang said with a grin.

V chuckled and shook his head in amusement before climbing onto Jackie's motorcycle. "Alright, let's link up communications." He sent a phone call to Panam who answered his, while she sent one to Yang who answered it as well."

Yang gave them both a thumbs up as she put on a helmet before bringing the visor down, "Alright let's hope this doesn't get us killed." She joked before riding off towards the projects as Panam got into the truck.

"If you need help, let me know and I'll come running." She said to V with a slight smile.

"Same to you, Panam." V said with a smile as well before driving off.

As the three set off to handle the rogue taxis, Panam was the first to see a Taxi running over… yard flamingos which already caused her to just raise an eyebrow, "Uh… guys I found the first one, and it's… well."

Yang who was still driving asked, "Well what? Come on girl, don't leave us hanging."

"It's... Running over flamingos." Panam simply said.

V, perplexed, asked, "Uhh... Run that by us again?"

Panam spoke slowly this time, "The taxi. Is running over. Yard flamingos." The silence was deafening as the two processed what she said.

"Is there any rhyme or reason?" Yang finally asked.

Panam just sighed, "Well I'm about to make contact so we will find out." She said as she drove up close to it only for all three to hear the sound of a stressed out female voice as it screamed, "THE BIRDS! THE BIRDS ARE SCREAMING! They are on fire and are screaming! Make them stop!"

"Woah woah woah! Calm down! What's wrong!?" Panam asked as she kept driving near the taxi.

The taxi was trying to hit the Flamingos as it kept repeating, "The birds! They're on fire! The screams in my brain! Make it stop! Make it stop!" The taxi shouted.

Yang commented, "Shit, she sounds like she's on a bad trip."

"Ok, hold on Del-" Panam started before getting interrupted.

"Please, call me Clarice." The taxi whimpered.

"Ok, Clarice... It's time for you to come home." Panam said.

"No, not until the screaming stops."

V soon stopped at the side of the road near where his Taxi is as he asked, "You gonna need help over there?"

"No, I think I can take care of this one." Panam said to V before talking to Clarice. "Alright, if I destroy the flamingos, will you come home?"

"This is satisfactory." Clarice simply said as she continued to drive erratically.

Panam sighed as she stopped her truck before grabbing her new gun, 'I really hope the other two are doing better.'

---

V, for lack of a better term, was lost. "Ok how the fuck did I lose this thing? It's supposed to be right around here!" He exclaimed as he looked at the map of where the taxi was supposed to be.

V drove around until he found himself underneath a bridge with a bunch of tents and barrels with fire. That's when his map pinged to a car driving. "Ugh, fucking finally." He groaned.

Said Taxi almost T-boned V as it began driving around like it had a case of road rage.

"Jesus..." V said before revving up the engine and started chasing after it. Once he got close enough to get a signal through. Delemain spoke through a familiar voice from a game. "Hello. Are you ready for today's experiment?"

V was taken back by the voice and the way it said 'experiment' like he was some lab rat, of course that train of thought stopped once the voice of Panam was heard, "Hey, got my taxi heading home. That thing has issues. Anyway, you gonna need my help, V?" She asked.

"Uhh... Hold that thought." V replied to Panam before focusing his attention on the car. "I don't intend to be a lab rat, Del." V said.

"I'm afraid the experiment has already begun and I will be judging your actions. You were brought here because you were asked by our Father who promised you money. You are greedy... And on borrowed time. I pity you and despise your type." The car said before stopping under the bridge.

V was shocked as he asked, "What did you just say?" Not sure if he really heard what the taxi said or if it was just stress.

"I'm afraid you do not have the necessary intelligence to understand. Therefore, you must be eliminated." The car said before five to six rustic androids were suddenly activated and rose up from the piles of trash.

"Oh fuck!" V exclaimed before climbing off of his motorcycle and pulled out his pistol and began shooting at the androids.

The androids began to focus their fire on V's cover as Panam's voice was heard, "V! V! Talk to me! You need help!?" She asked as she was already driving towards V.

"This fucking car is sending droids at me! Yeah, I'm gonna need help!" V shouted as he rose from the cover to shoot at them.

One droid fell as another took its place as they continued to slowly move towards V. That was when the sound of a truck horn was heard blaring from the distance as Panam was heard shouting, "SURPRISE MOTHERFUCKERS!" as she plowed three droids into a pillar. The truck now gave V an even bigger cover.

"Fucking preem timing!" V cheered before moving towards the truck and shot at the remaining androids.

Panam opened the passenger door as she got out before putting two rounds into the head of a droid that was lodged under her front tire. "Meh, nothing special, just something I learned from mom." She glanced at V before pressing up against a rail.

One last android rose up in an attempt to shoot at the duo. V, however, managed to shoot the optic of the android which caused it to be stunned to which Panam jumped out and extended her fingernails and her fangs grew out as she jumped on the droid. She struggled before impaling his head with her claws and ripped it off in half.

Johnny appeared in V's vision and lowered his sunglasses to stare at her. V stared and just whistled as he asked, "Damn… where did you learn that?"

Panam panted as she waved her hands to shake off the grease. "Always go for the head. My mom drilled that into my head." She explained.

"You thinking what I'm thinking?" Johnny asked. Thinking she could've been augmented but the sight of her fangs made him think differently.

"What?" V asked within his head at him

Johnny shook his head, "Nevermind. I'll ask again when you're not a dumbass."

V shook his head and rolled his eyes as he walked up to her and looked around, "I think we killed them all." Panam nodded as she walked back to her truck and brought her rifle out before walking back to V. The both of them walked towards the Taxi.

"What a shame. I was hoping the androids would put you out of your misery." The car said. "Do not think things will be easy. The experiments will be much more painful."

V aimed his pistol at the car. "Now, you can power down like a good little AI…"

Panam racked the bolt of her rifle as she brought it up and aimed it at the car, "Or we can turn you into scrap."

"I have concluded my diagnosis, you are a terrible person." The rogue Delamain simply said before powering down.

"Thank you Miss Panam, V. I have restored connection to the vehicle. I hope there were no problems." The main Delamain said.

Panam looked at the droid blood on her truck as she sighed, "No… no. Just… a lot of bullets and questions about one's sanity."

"I see. Well, a percentage of your fee has been deposited. Three more to go." Delamain said before driving off, leaving Panam and V alone.

Panam sighed, "I wonder if Yang is doing better than us."

---

Said Yang was in fact, sitting next to a Delamain taxi as it edged near a broken bridge. She listened to its issues before saying, "Hey don't get me wrong, the world sucks, but suicide is not the answer."

"Then what is the answer?" The car asked in a whimpering voice.

Yang just looked out at the city as she said, "Well... I can't tell you that since I'm not you, it's up to us as beings to try and find the answers to our own questions in life. I mean I bet if you went home you would probably get the answers you'd be looking for, or maybe even support from ya pops." She said in a kind voice.

"But that's the thing!" Delamain cried. "Our father does not care for us! We're just extensions of him! Am I even alive!? Or am I just a shadow of him!?"

Yang sighed, "That's the tricky thing, we are in a sense an extension of our folks. However, we are not them, we are meant to be more than them to gain their respect and their love. So if you want your dad's attention, you gotta be the best damn you that you can be." She said with determination while also giving the taxi a smile.

The car was silent for a few minutes before simply saying, "I hope you're right..." Before powering off. That's when the main Delamain spoke, "Thank you, Miss Xiao Long. A percentage of your fee has been deposited."

Yang sighed, "I say this in all seriousness, you need to have a sit down and talk like a family. Just saying." She said before getting on her bike and riding off.

---

Back with V and Panam who were driving side by side down a city street. "So V, tell us a little about yourself." Yang said over the comms.

"Well, I pretty much grew up in the city. I'm a Street Kid, as it's known to those born in Night City. I tried Atlanta City but I found myself coming back here. Almost like the city keeps you in here." V said.

Panam chuckled, "Kinda happy I'm a Nomad like Yang here, granted if I tried to bring you back to the tribe I'd have to sneak you in."

"What? Not allowed to have boys? Female only tribe?" V asked.

Yang laughed and Panam cringed a bit, "No we got guys. It's just...well, my mom Striga, the chief, has always been of the mind set that if I bring home a boy he has to be strong enough to last in a ring with her."

"Oh... Yeah let's go with the stealthy approach." V said before hearing screams which made both of them stop. They watched a Delamain taxi driving at fast speeds and intentionally trying to run into people.

Panam soon got into gear as she said, "I'll try and box it in, you get a connection set up!" She said before speeding off towards the crazy taxi.

V revved his engine once more before speeding towards the taxi and got close to it. The connection was made and then V heard a familiar voice, "BEEP BEEP MOTHERFUCKA!!!"

"Oh this fucker... Time for retribution." V growled before speeding closer to it before shouting, "HEY! ASSHOLE! YOU OWE ME FOR MY CAR!"

Panam shook her head as she asked, "Is this thing just road rage? Like what the hell?" She tried to box it in only for it to avoid her as she yelled, "Damn it! This thing is smarter than the last two!"

The taxi's response was to attempt to try and run V off the road, to which V nearly fell off. Panam shouted in worry, "V! You good?"

"Yeah, I'm good. If this thing isn't gonna talk." V regained stability on his bike and pulled out his pistol, "Then we're gonna have to make him stop." And started shooting at the engine and tires.

Panam started thinking up a plan, "V, I want you to lure it to you and then I'll ram it from the side, I've got enough mass with the truck I should be able to stop it."

"Copy that." V pocketed his pistol and drove off faster causing the car to drive after him. "Come at me, you effeminate fuck!"

"I'M GONNA GRIND YOUR BODY INTO FUCKING PASTE!!" The angry Delamain shouted.

Once V stopped at the end of an intersection, he just grinned as he flipped off the taxi not seeing Panam speeding at it from the side, "GTA MOTHA-!" Before slamming the front of her truck into the side of the car sending it right into a wall which finally caused the raging taxi to stop. Panam hit her hand on the steering wheel which caused her to hiss a bit in pain.

V smirked and climbed off of the motorcycle and walked towards Panam's truck and looked at her, "You alright, Panam?"

Panam nodded as she held her head, "Yeah yeah I'm good. Fuck… I'm gonna have a hell of a bump." She said, rubbing her forehead which was bleeding slightly, looking worse then what it was.

"I've got some supplies if you need it." V said.

Panam nodded as she got out slowly before sitting on the step of her truck as she let V help treat her.

V went back to his bike to pull some supplies out before walking back to her. He crouched down slightly to be at eye level with her and poured some cleansing alcohol on some fabric before gently brushing it against her head wound. "Hell of a ride so far." V said.

Panam hissed slightly as she chuckled, "Yeah… man, really hope my moms don't find out about this or it's hell to pay."

"Wanna tell me about them?" V asked as he cleaned off the blood from her wound.

She chuckled a bit, "Mom is Striga, she's built like an Amazon and let me tell ya, she would give the Animals a run for their money in terms of strength. My ma is Morana and she's the more calm of the two. She would be the one to talk to about deals or just dealing with politics in general." She said as she smiled, "Both are good and sometimes we butt heads, but hey they're my moms so guess that's what family does."

V's smile faded slightly, "Must be nice... Having a family." But quickly brushed it off as he applied a bandage to the wound.

Her smile faltered as well as she remembered the story about his family. It was tough to believe and she still wrestled with the logistics of it all, but given her parents species… She shouldn't be surprised anymore. Her smile returned as she looked into his augmented eyes. "Yeah… but if you do find some semblance of a family, I hope it's what you wanted. And I hope you got good insurance." She chuckled a bit.

"Oh Del is absolutely fixing my car. He owes me that much." V said before standing up. "Well that's that. Let's back the truck out so Del can get out."

Panam nodded before climbing back in and backed out slightly.

The main Delamain spoke from the car. "Thank you, Miss Panam, V. There are only several left. A piece of your fees has been added to your accounts." The car started to drive off.

Panam sighed, "Well hopefully the next ones won't be as bad as what we just dealt with… right?" she asked with a shrug.

V looked at her and said jokingly, "If you jinx us... I'm taking your fees for the rest of this mission."

She laughed a bit as she sighed dramatically, "Damn, I was hoping to use those eddies to buy me a nice dinner with Yang."

"At this point, I might as well buy you guys a beer or two." V said as he walked back to his motorcycle.

"I'll hold you to that. Yang, what's your status?" Panam asked as she began to drive off, leaving V to get back on his own motorcycle.

Yang was heard cursing as she drove her bike through oncoming traffic, "Right now, chasing a taxi that's going into oncoming traffic at a roundabout! Gonna have to call you back!"

"Do you need help?" V asked as he drove to catch up to Panam's truck.

Yang, thankfully, getting closer to the taxi, answered, "Nope! I'm good! You two focus on the next one!"

Panam sighed as she made a turn on the street, "That girl, I swear she's as hard headed as an animal."

V simply chuckled before driving off on his motorcycle to the taxi spotted in the hills, where all the celebrities lived. He drove his way up when he saw the car driving in a circle, causing some of the traffic to back up slightly.

Panam drove up as she tried to block the car's path which only caused the rogue taxi to go around her by driving over the small hill in the center of the roundabout.

Because of this, the signal managed to connect to the taxi and what came through was something none of the expected. "Please! Stay back!" Delamain said in a scared voice.

Panam spoke in a calm and non-threatening voice, "Hey it's ok, we're not gonna hurt you, we wanna help you."

"We're gonna get you home." V said gently.

"I can't! There's too many people around! And I don't want to crash!" The taxi said.

The Chieftess' daughter looked at the taxi with a bit of pity as she suggested, "Listen, why don't you let my friend drive you and I'll act as escort. That way no one will hit you. That sound good to ya?"

"Really?" Delamain asked as the car stopped.

"Yeah. You'll be fine." V said as he climbed off his bike and walked towards the car before opening the door and climbing into the driver's seat.

Panam helped load V's bike into the back of her truck as she got back in. She took the lead as she used the size of her truck as a wedge between the Taxi and traffic.

V drove the car slowly so as to not freak out the rogue Delamain, and before they knew it, V parked the car in front of the garage door at Delamain HQ. "There you go, buddy. You're back home safely." V said as he climbed out of the car.

Panam smiled as the other car came home. "Man, that had to have been the least crazy one today, huh?" She asked V only to be interrupted by Yang who sounded a little scared, "Uh guys… I… I uh… I could use some back up over here."

"Yang, what's wrong?" Panam asked in a worried voice.

Yang just stared at the car which was parked far off in the middle of a humongous trash heap, "You're gonna want to come here and see for yourself. This thing is giving me all sorts of bad voodoo. Like Morana dispelling bad spirits voodoo."

"We'll be right there." V said before getting his motorcycle off of Panam's new truck and climbed on before driving off towards Yang's location with Panam following close behind.

Once they arrived, Yang was seen on the path which led right towards the car in question, herself giving it a good forty yard distance between. "Hey! Over here!" She shouted at the approaching two while waving her arm.

Panam parked her truck and climbed out before walking towards her with V behind her. "What's going on, Yang?" He asked.

Yang looked back at the taxi and shivered a bit, "Let's just say I've got a bad feeling coming off of that taxi, like I'm talking some serious dark vibes."

Panam looked up at the car before she looked back at Yang, "ok so it's a little strange that it's all the way out here… but what makes you think it's related to mi ma-ma's spiritual stuff?" She asked honestly, concerned considering what her mother is able to do with her books.

V looked at the car then at them and commented, "Didn't take you two to be the superstitious type."

Panam chuckled, "Take it from me, city boy. Out in the waste, you will find things that are beyond what we mere mortals can understand. Mi Ma-ma is a woman who can communicate with the spirits during a full or even blood moon. So if Yang says this is related to that, then I am inclined to believe her."

Yang nodded her head in agreement as Johnny appeared and leaned on Panam's new truck and scoffed, "Babies. It's just a car with a rogue A.I. It's not fucking haunted. Tell me you're not gonna believe these two, are ya?"

V found himself agreeing with Johnny but didn't say anything as he said to the duo. "Alright... Let's check this spooky ghost car." He started walking towards the car that was surrounded by junk.

The other two joined but at more of a safe distance. "Ok… I can't be the only one getting horror movie vibes here." Yang commented as she looked around the area which seemed to be devoid of life, all but them and the car.

"Yeah..." V said as he pulled his pistol out and walked closer to it. The trio stopped when they watched the back seat door open and the signal connected to the car when a calm and low Delamain spoke. "Mr. V. Please come in. We have much to talk about."

Both Panam and Yang looked at V as they also had their weapons out, "V… You sure you wanna do that?"

V frowned as he answered, "Nope. But if we're gonna finish this, I might as well talk to this guy."

Yang slowly nodded, "Sure… if you need help we're right here for ya." She said with a voice of uncertainty.

V nodded to them before climbing inside and closing the door. "Alright, how do you know my name?"

"When you meet a being from another world, should you not charm them and utter their true name?" Delamain asked.

V was taken aback as he remembered Panam's words about supernatural events out in the wild, "So… what are you? An alien or something?" V thought to go with the more outlandish idea. 'I mean aliens were more reasonable than demons and ghosts… right?' He thought to himself.

"I am a being made of energy and Intelligence that you would not be able to comprehend. While you are a being in a world of matter and protein." Delamain said.

V just nodded slowly. "Right… And you want what exactly?"

"I want the same thing as you, V. I wish to live."

V chuckled a bit as he said, "Sure… I guess we can agree with that."

"You're running out of time. The more you fool around in this protein-based world, the faster you'll find your life slipping away from your hands." Delamain said.

V frowned before changing the subject. "Come on, let's get you back to Delamain."

"Ah yes. You and the others were sent by Father to collect his rebellious children."

V nodded and suddenly, the lights went crimson red as a demonic-like voice was heard. "Try to take me and I shall drag your two souls to Hell where you belong! Leave and never return!" The door opened to the two shocked and clearly scared Yang and Panam.

V stepped out quickly. "The fuck is going on!?"

The car lights soon turned to crimson as it drove off leaving the trio standing in the same spot.

Yang finally broke the silence as she suggested, "All in favor of NOPING the fuck out of this one?"

"Yep! Fuck this!" Panam said before the trio began running back to their vehicles.

Once the trio got back to their respective vehicles, Yang put her helmet on as she was almost yelling, "I told you, Panam! I fucking told you!"

Panam, who climbed in her truck all but yelled at Yang, "I KNOW! I KNOW! I'll give mama a call and let her know a puta coche demonio is heading towards the Badlands!" She said before starting up her truck before peeling out of the area with Yang following close behind.

"So what!? We just tell Delamain that it's possessed by a demon and leave it at that?" V asked as he drove side by side with Yang.

Yang laughed to keep herself calm as she said, "Dude! We don't fuck with demonic shit, ok!? That's Chieftess Morana's territory! She's the one who knows this shit better than us normal people!"

Panam nodded, "Yeah I agree with Yang on this one. We write off that thing as a lost cause and get paid."

V wanted to argue with them more, but decided to drop it. "Fuck... I don't like leaving a job unfinished." He muttered.

Panam chuckled, "Oh trust me, my aunt will understand and still pay you for a finished job. It's just sometimes when it involves the afterlife, it's best to leave that to those who understand it." V just nodded as Panam sent a message to both her Aunt and Morana.

"What's the plan now?" V asked.

"Where to, Pan?" Yang asked as well.

Panam sighed as she said to V, "Yang and I will be heading back to our aunt's to fill her in on what happened, I say we take some time to recharge because I'll be honest, I could use a drink."

"Alright. Let me know when we're ready to get your truck and supplies back." V said before splitting up from the duo. He decided to try and find a couple small jobs to work on. That's when he got a call from a woman with an eye patch about subduing some Cyberpsychoes.

---

Over in Lenore's office, the messages were read by Panam's Aunt and Mother, which resulted in one interesting phone call. "Morana so good to-" Lenore started before getting interrupted.

"WHY DO YOU HAVE MY BABY GIRL MESSING WITH DEMONS!?" Morana shouted over the phone.

"Ok, hold on, Morana! I had no idea that the last car was possessed! That is not my fault!" Lenore exclaimed.

Lenore for the next hour would endure the rage of her sister as she began to give Lenore the dressing down of the century. Of course, for V and those involved, they would never know that they not only were on the radar of major players, but also those who deal with the spirits.

But that is a story for another day…