Of all the things Night City had the potential to be, a city of chance opportunities or maybe better, chance encounters probably described it pretty well. Sure the bright lights and mega structures of the city center were awe inspiring, but from Watson to Pacifica and everywhere in-between, all it took was one moment to completely derail one's course. For David and hit crew on their way back from a finished job for Japantown's own main fixer Wakako, this derailment came in the form of a breakdown. Not the mental soneone's gone cyberpsycho kind but the more mundane type belonging to a truck that needed some love and hadn't been getting it kind.

Hearing a pop and a whirring from under the hood, Falco frowned at the warning being displayed across his vision. "Well gang, this is a rare one, but I'm gonna have to detour for tonight."

Grinning and crossing her arms behind her head, Rebecca grinned, "Awww, is the old man already tuckered out for the night. Looking to bow out early?"

Waving to a now steady stream of smoke from under the hood Falco was already frowning at the shortstack, "Unless you know how to fix a v8-" A now louder banging and popping noise was present along with a very bad vibration that was beginning to shake the entire truck, "More like rebuild one, we ain't making it much further."

Groaning and sliding further down her seat Rebecca threw her hands up in frustration, "Aw come on! We just finished a good job, made some edds and now it's time to go party!" Pointing a finger at the only other male in the truck while in the front seat Kiwi got on the phone with someone, Rebecca pleaded her case, "Come on David, me and you, let's ditch these old timers."

Chuckling while shaking his head, David couldn't help but enjoy Rebecca being her usual self. "You know we can't ditch Falco and Kiwi." Turning while ignoring his now ranting crewmat, David turned to Falco, "Know a mechanic nearby?"

"Not close by, and Aldo will be holed up this time of night."

"I've got a guy, close, does good work." Kiwi spoke up for the first time, shining and coalescing eyes directed to Falco now, "Sending you cords and directions."

"Ugggh, the night just got longer." Rebecca resigned to her fate kicked her feet up and glared lightly at David. "You owe me a beer and a party."

Nodding to her, David let a smile grace his face, "Yeah yeah, I'm sure we'll figure something out before the night is over." That was of course, David thought to himself, if they could even make it to this mechanic Kiwi found.

Hobbling along the group finds themselves deeper in the Glen, pulling under one of the raised freeways into a garage lit in bright red named 'Axle's garage'. The garage door was already wide open so Falco pulled straight in with the truck protesting the whole way. The garage doors closing behind them while the crew disembarked from the dead truck, it was David who let out a low whistle. "There's some nice rides in this place, how'd you find this guy Kiwi?" Off to the left of them sat three clean and intact vehicles, a van and two sportier looking cars. While off the the right was an almost warehouse worth of cars in various states of repair. Above them the overhead lights buzzed and occasionally flickered.

Kiwi was already walking across the open garage space to an open and lit office towards the back, "Just a guy who's helped me a couple times in the past, nothing serious." Turning away from David she paused and banged on the wall next to the open door, "Hey old man, you still alive in here!?"

Rebecca hoisted her bag of weapons over her shoulder, "How old is this guy for Kiwi to be calling him an old man."

"Old enough to be your dad probably. And put those away before you hurt yourself." A gruff voice answered her. Squeaking and jumping away from the truck, everyone turned to look at the man now walking up to them while scratching a dull red mohawk. Around 6 foot and tan with a mostly organic body from the looks of it, with the only noticeable chrome being dull yellow keroshi optics, the man looked like a street brawler more than a mechanic. If it wasn't for the dirty coveralls and a tool belt around his waist they'd probably already have weapons drawn. "Been a while Kiwi, what'd you break this time?"

Kiwi was already crossing her arms and looking away, "Not me this time Axle. Our driver broke it."

While Kiwi sulked, Falco motioned to his customized Chevillon, "Pretty sure it just tossed a rod on the way here. Sounded something hellish on the way here."

Axle nodded while he strode forward, "Sounded like a rock crusher on your way in. Might as well assume I'm going to be putting an engine in this thing at least." Opening the driver's door and popping the hood Axle frowned at the plume of smoke that was now filling his garage, "Oh fun, lots of work for little old me."

Falco held up his hands in defeat, "Any chance for a rush job, or a loaner? We still have work to get to."

Sighing while looking down at the growing puddle of oil under the truck, Axle scrubbed his head before turning to Kiwi, "I might just ban you this time."

"it's not my fault!" Grumbling she pointed at David, "Besides, he's the boss, talk to him."

Turning with a raised eyebrow at David, Axle hooked a thumb at Kiwi, "Sorry you gotta put up with that." At David's chuckle and Rebecca's uproarous laughter, Axle took a moment to size up David. "Well shit son, you've got a much chrome as my favorite outlaw. Not my business but you might wanna take it easy, everything breaks eventually." Moment of unsolicited advise aside, Axle pointed to the line up of three vehicles off to the side of his shop. "I've got a few loaners for good customers catch my drift? What does your crew usually get up to?" Seeing the chrome on David, Axle figured he wasn't hurting for edds.

Rebecca was already bounding towards something bright red and sporty, "Hey! This is a Quadra Type-66, how'd you get one of these?"

"Rebecca, we need something work worthy, not just for fun." David shrugged at her dejected look and nodded at the large van in the center, "How's that Columbus ride? We have a couple of jobs that might require the complete crew."

Axle shrugged and waved Rebecca away from the Quadra, "Good enough. It ain't winning any drag races but it'll take a pounding. It's normally my parts runner, so if you manage to break it I'll eat my boots." Looking over the crew of four for a minute, Axle came to an internal decision before nodding to himself, "Here's my number, I'll keep you updated on when I'll have this truck of yours fixed. Before you leave, anything crazy or illegal I need to know about before I tear it apart. I don't wanna hear shit once I'm done. Or worse, see the cops on my doorstep."

Waving a hand David shook his head at the same time, "Nah nah, nothing like that. The truck is clean." Looking for confirmation from Falco, who nodded, David turned back to Axle, "All good."

"Alright, then I'll take it from here. I'd say maybe a week, worse case two, and I'll have it up and running again." Motioning to the van Axle was already turning away from the group, "Keys are in it, take care of it or I'm gonna hunt you down." Axle was already bringing his shop online to begin his work while the others where shrugging to each other while walking over to the van.

"Real personable guy." Rebecca wasn't impressed.

"That's Axle, prefers machines to people most days. In his words, people suck, cars don't lie." Kiwi was already in the front passenger seat typing away on her terminal.

As Falco was opening the driver's door, there was another set of banging on the building's garage door. With a frustrated growl more akin to a dog, Axle was already on his way to open the door, "Can't get anything done tonight, when'd I get so popular?"

Leaning against the fender while Rebecca bickered with Falco, David watched at the garage door opened to reveal a heavier set latino male. Older than him by a bit, he looked to be one of Valentino's guys maybe.

"Axle! Choomba, you got my ride up and running yet?" The man walked inside and clasped Axle's forearm tightly.

Giving a frustrated sigh but clasping the man's forearm in return Axle nodded, "Yeah Jackie I got your wheels. Give me a minute to pull it from holding." Walking away from Jackie, Axle was making a path for the far wall on the opposite side of his loaner cars, "And leave the kids be! They don't need any influence from your particular brand of crazy." His grumbles still heard as he disappeared between various vehicles, Axle soon left sight.

Of course, Jackie wasn't always one to listen to his elders. Walking up to the group waiting to leave Jackie held out a hand, "Names Jackie, all around bad ass and party animal. What're ya'll in for?"

Mentally shrugging at how forward Jackie was, David didn't see any harm to the guy, "Our driver broke our ride-"

"That's mean, it wasn't my fault!" Falco cried out but was immediately set upon by Rebecca.

"-so here we are hoping to get our wheels fixed up."

Nodding Jackie turned to where the floor in front of them was opening up, and deep mechanical humming of motors and hydraulics were filling the air. "Well you're in the right place. Need it fixed, modified, or upgraded and Axle is your man." Lowering his voice Jackie grinned, "Though the old man is kinda pricey, and a hard ass too."

"I heard that you ingrate." Rising out of the floor along with a beat up looking Archer Hella EC-D, Axle looked ready to throw something, "And word of advice, you and that new kid, V was it? Take better care of your wheels. Never know when your life will depend on them after all." Tossing a set of keys at the merc, Axle was waving everyone out, "Now get out, I got work to do."

Catching his keys and still smiling, Jackie shrugged while turning back to David, "He acts like a hard ass, but he takes care of everyone that comes in here. Gives decent advice too." Turning, he held up a hand to his mouth, "Hey old man, want me to bring you back some of Misty's special tea?" Hearing an affirmative from somewhere, Jackie nodded, "You just gotta learn how to handle the old man."

Nodding, David stood up straight and offered a hand to Jackie, "I'll keep it in mind, nice to meet ya Jackie. Maybe we'll see ya around."

Jackie gave a salute as he started walking to V's car, "Maybe, me and my choom are gonna hit the big leagues soon. Maybe we'll run some jobs together soon." With a laugh and a wave, Jackie climbed into his own vehicle before driving off into the evening.

Climbing into the loaner van and closing the door behind him, David nodded to the others, "Guess we can get moving too. To the bar we go."

"Yeah, and don't break the car this time!" Rebecca laughed hard as Falco sighed before pulling away from the garage. The city lights bathed the inside of the van with a mirad of colors, soon wrapping them all in the usual Night City nightlife.

It wasn't much later that the crew found themselves at their usual outdoor haunt. The music was loud and and party crowd were in full swing by this point. And while Rebecca entertained said crowd David was transferring Falco's cut with a smile, "There ya are, as promised."

Falco nodded with a smile, "Still glad to see you're doing as well as you are. We were a little worried at first, but you've taken the reins properly. Maine'd be proud, I think."

David nodded while he relaxed with a drink in hand, "Like Maine would say, everyone get's a fair shake. I don't wanna change that."Over their heads the Arasaka koi fish floating and swam in all their holographic glory. It was a rare moment he could pause and actually enjoy the sights around this city. Not that anything to do with Arasaka was supposed to bring joy anyway. Tossing aside that mood killing thought he decided that that was probably enough for tonight. Groaning as he stood up David finished his drink before waving over his shoulder, "Ya'll have fun, I'm gonna bounce."

Giving her opinion of that only to be reassured by Kiwi on her romantic chances, Rebecca groaned before turning her full attention to the older woman, "Hey, that Axle guy, can we trust him?"

Kiwi nodded, "He's a decent dude who knows what he is. He has his garage and works to get paid. And he's been around a long time, long enough to have dirt on enough people to be safe." Looking at Rebecca directly and hoping she got her subtle message, Kiwi was already figuring if it was time for her to bail on tonight as well.

Rebecca nodded, "Okay okay, I just. He saw David for like, 60 seconds, and brought up his chrome. Wanted to make sure he wasn't workin with skavs or something." Watching Kiwi snort, Rebecca frowned, "What?"

"Axle would skin skavs alive before even thinking of working with them. Hates them. Them and 6th street. Only people he hates more are corpos." Unsaid was that pretty much no merc had any love for corpos.

Sensing that there was a story there, but realizing she wasn't going to get it tonight, Rebecca decided to let it go. "Well here's to the next job, and probably a couple of quick ones so we can make up for Falco breaking the truck."

"It wasn't me!"

David however had more on his mind after he left the crew. Originally he was going to get some of his implants checked out, maybe look into some upgrades. But between the truck breaking down and the old timer mentioning his chrome, his heart just wasn't in it tonight. Plus, they didn't know how much the repairs would be just yet. Look up at the night sky, trying his hardest to pierce the haze of smog and light pollution to see the stars above and failing. Sighing David decided heading home was the better idea. A night with Lucy would be good for his mind and then tomorrow he'd go get his chrome checked out. At least that was the plan for now, so making that mental decision and adding a small spring to his step, David made his way home.