Chapter 4: Back To Life

Fragments.

Fragments were everything Judy experienced.

Fragments of sound, voices, pictures.

Faces. Sometimes faces appeared when she had managed to open her eyes. Faces she had never seen before, except for this woman who had saved her.

Pain. She felt pain. Sometimes her entire body, sometimes her chest and sometimes her hand.

Everything was just a blur of pieces that her senses were giving her, forming a mosaic that she couldn't decipher.

"Hey…"

There it was again.

"Hey, are you awake?"

This woman's voice!

Judy tried to hold on to it. Trying to use it like an anchor, but then it was gone again, replaced by a different female voice.

"You need to give her some time, V. Vik mentioned that she has a bumpy road ahead."

"I know, Misty, but… *sigh* I guess you're right. I'm probably just tired of waitin'."

"Just go home. I'm gonna call you as soon as she's better."

Silence again. Only her head was still running.

V? Vik? Misty?

Unknown names.

The guy with the glasses was probably Vik. Maybe a ripperdoc who had operated on her.

According to the voice, V was the woman who had saved her.

V…

What was V standing for anyway?

And then Misty…

Judy found an image of a goth-girl with blond hair. Maybe that was Misty, but…who knows?

Before solving the mystery of who's who, she needed to wake up somehow. Then she could ask questions or just don't give any fucks.

Using the next moment her senses came back to life, Judy focused on any feeling and tried to grasp it.

She heard voices. Music. A radio! Not her taste, but it had to do.

She focused on it. Used it to get back to reality. Yet, all she received was to let out a weak groan and get some short images of her surroundings. But it wasn't enough for her. She wanted to be fully awake and move.

"Whoa, easy!" V's voice chimed again while a soft touch pushed her down on the mattress again. And that was it. Her strength left her right away in one big blow, and she was forced back into dreamland.

With worry, V witnessed how her patient drifted back into sleep. She somehow pitied the young, Hispanic woman. Though there were a lot of people in Night City who deserved to die because of their deeds, V had the feeling that this woman didn't deserve such a fate.

She looked innocent. Though, what was the first sight worth in Night City anyway? Even the nicest person with the most fawning smile could stab you in the back as soon as you'd let your guard down for even a second. But this didn't seem to fit this woman. Unlike most criminals and gangbangers, her implants were scarce and of good quality, not that cheap street-chrome. Yes, she had a bunch of tattoos, but none of them showed any affiliations towards a gang, yet they seemed to tell her life-story. A story of ups and downs, like her own. Whereas this episode right now, would clearly count as a downer and was probably worth another tattoo for her.

V, however, wasn't very fond of retelling her story, let alone wearing it on her skin. She once used to be a Nomad. Her parents died during a failed raid. Her father was shot in the head by a corpo-soldier and her mother tortured to death after she had been captured. The clan became her only family. A family that not so long ago had betrayed their own beliefs by cooperating with the same corporation that had been responsible for her parents' death. A betrayal she could never forgive them.

Feeling lost and left alone, V had decided to find her fortune in the free city of Night City. She wanted to create her own fate. Wanted to be on the top. Wanted to become a legend. The girl from the badlands that would reach the stars.

Yet, so far, she was just a low mercenary. Doing some small Gigs for local Fixers. She earned good money, but it wasn't enough for the Major-League. And honestly, she felt like being stuck in an endless loop that would only end when a bullet would hit her in the head and end her pathetic small life.

At the moment, V's main job was to take care of the woman she had saved by chance. She felt responsible for her. That's why she had insisted on taking her in her apartment for the time she was recovering from her wounds. At first, Viktor Vektor, her Ripperdoc who had operated on the young woman, had refused, the reason being that she still needed medical attention. But eventually, he had given in and was now visiting regularly.

V owned a rental apartment in Megablock 10, a rather big and luxurious one in comparison to the others in this enormous building.

The doorbell buzzed, ripping V out of her deep thoughts. She walked towards the entrance and pushed the virtual button on the panel on the wall beside it to let it slide open. Behind the door was Viktor, a tall, broad, muscular man with short black hair and glasses on his nose.

"Hey Vik, c'mon in!"

"Hi V, how's our patient?"

"Driftin' between dream and reality from time to time. She mumbled some names. But apart from that, zip."

Viktor sat down at the side of the bed and checked the injured woman's condition.

"Her wounds are healing well," he said, more to himself. "And even her hand has a good chance to work properly again." He then got up again and turned directly towards V. "I'm gonna give her a med-cocktail that'll help her get back on her feet. But V, even if she fully recovers, there will still be people who want to flatline her. What're you gonna do about 'em? Or will you just drop her off at her apartment and hope for the best?"

For a minute, V looked deeply at the strange woman on her bed with crossed arms, pondering about her options, until she said "As long as she's here, I'll keep an eye on her. What comes later, is up to her."

"Just sayin'" was the broad man's calm reply as he brought forth a syringe and injected the content into his patient's arm. "She should wake up within the next two hours. As soon as she does, call me for a final check up on her, okay."

"Will do, Vik!" answered V and waved the Ripperdoc a goodbye with her hand, before he left. Now alone again with the unknown woman and the certainty in the back of her head that she would wake up within the next two hours, she sighed deeply and decided to take a hot shower in order to bridge some time.

It had been like someone had given her a hard slap in the face. Out of nowhere her mind got flooded with sounds and feelings, like someone had grabbed her at the pitch-black bottom of the ocean and was now rushing with her towards the surface at high speed.

First, her hearing improved. Then she could feel and move her limbs. And eventually, she was able to open her eyes.

Wherever she was, it wasn't her apartment. Her sight fell upon a seating area, with a BD terminal and a TV. Clearly the entertainment corner. There was also the closed door to another room and a built-in closet, but the rest stayed out of her sight.

She heard the sound of running water, like someone was showering. And just a few seconds later, it stopped and made way for some soft humming of a song.

Judy didn't know that melody, but it sounded catchy. But even more catchy for her eyesight was the naked woman that came strolling into the room. She was of average height, had a slim, yet toned figure, healthy-white colored, with some floral tattoos decorated skin and violet hair. It was that woman, who had saved her life!

At first, Judy kept on ogling the woman's butt, but as she turned around, also her medium sized breasts and the small, trimmed patch of dirty blonde hair on her pubic mound, plus her intimacy were on display.

The young woman gulped hard as she kept on watching her savior. How she dressed herself in some shorts and a tight tank top. It's been some time since she had been interested in another woman - apart from her long-time friend Evelyn - after the bad break-up with her ex-girlfriend.

"Hey, you're awake!" the unknown woman suddenly said as Judy wasn't paying attention, startling her like crazy. Actually, she would've loved to jump up and run away in an instant, but got stopped and pushed back on the bed immediately. "Whoa, easy there! I won't hurt you, okay."

It didn't take much persuasion for Judy to lay down again, since her head started to spin, while her chest hurt like a truck had run over it.

"Fuuuck!" the punky woman sighed as she was staring at the ceiling for a moment, waiting till the dizziness and pain was gone. During this time, she pondered about what had happened, remembering the attack and the inflicted wounds. Though, it somehow seemed like it had been nothing more than a bad dream.

She looked at her right hand, and to her surprise, it was still there and working. Right under her wrist, where it had been cut, was a bandage. Then she shoved away the blanket that was covering her and revealed that her chest, right under her with a bra covered breasts, was also wrapped in bandages. So, no dream, and the confirmation came a second later by her savior.

"That cunt, who attacked you, banged you up pretty bad. Viktor, a local Ripperdoc and my friend, fixed you up as good as he could. It was a close call, but…"

"Thanks," Judy interrupted her, looking back at the woman with violet hair. "V was it, right?"

Being a bit taken aback, V answered "Uh, yeah. How do you…?"

"I was awake…sometimes," replied Judy, shifting her gaze back to the ceiling. "It was like a freaky nightmare. I heard sounds, saw images. Like pieces of a puzzle that was incomplete. But you… You were always there. Kept watch over me. Saved my life."

Feeling a bit embarrassed, V blushed and looked away, her hands trying to find something to do.

"Listen, uh…"

"Judy."

"Judy… I, uh… I was just there at the right time. Actually, me and Jackie were on our way to a Gig, but then I heard a shot and… I dunno, it just felt right to help you."

Judy didn't answer. Normally, she would've expected that nobody in this city was caring about anything else than themselves. But this woman had actually risked her life to save her, and this shook Judy's view of the world at its core. People didn't care about each other, not even Evelyn had done this. And even Judy herself, who was constantly trying to fight injustice that was inflicted upon the lower class people, would've never jumped into a situation like that.

"Nobody helps in Night City. Not without a selfish reason," was everything Judy replied grimly, looking at V sternly.

"Wow, so much faith in humanity, huh?"

This cynicism. It was clear that this other woman was thinking like Judy, and maybe this was the reason why she had helped without a second thought.

"Listen, Judy," V then said after a moment, putting on some more clothes. "I'm starvin'. Mind if I get some food? Is Chinese preem for ya?"

"Uh, yeah. Yeah, it's fine, uh…"

"Nova!" the violet-haired woman replied and opened the apartment door. "Feel free to roam the apartment. But take it easy, okay?"

Then, V was gone and Judy was alone. All alone in an unknown apartment of a stranger she barely knew. What would happen next? Would V take care of her? Would she really bring her food, or would she sell her out?

If Judy had learned anything from the city, then that you shouldn't trust anyone. Not even the nicest person.

Home. She needed to get home, pack some stuff and then bail to Laguna Bend, her refuge from the city. Maybe she'd be safe there. But first, she needed to leave somehow.

After throwing the cover from her body, the young woman slowly stood up, her efforts accompanied by pain and discomfort. Eventually, she managed, and looked around.

Out. She needed to get out. But first, she needed some clothes. The undergarments she wore weren't hers, so it had to be V's. They were fitting well enough, so other garments shouldn't be a problem, too.

With wavering steps she walked towards the built-in closet, checking it for something to cover her body. She found a gray tank top and some old, worn, black pants. Not her style, but it had to do for now. Maybe there was more in this other room?

Probably it once used to be a separate room for a second person, maybe a kid, but as the door slid open, an armory was revealed instead.

"Holy fuck!" Judy gasped while she entered the storage for weapons of different varieties. Knives, pistols, assault rifles, submachine guns, grenades…you name it. V had almost everything. In awe, the punky woman took one of the small SMGs and weighted it in her hands.

Judy had never been a big fan of guns, yet had learned that they were a necessity in Night City. But beside a pistol, she has never possessed another gun, let alone a submachine gun.

"Your gun is in the upper drawer to your right," chimed V's voice suddenly from behind. Getting startled, Judy spun around and immediately aimed at the other woman, who had several food boxes in her hands. "Listen, choom, if I would've wanted to hurt you, I wouldn't have paid 15,000 Eddies to save your sweet ass. Now, c'mon! Our meal gets cold."

A bit puzzled, Judy watched how V simply walked away. She hadn't even flinched when she had gotten threatened with the gun. Maybe she had reacted so relaxed because the gun wasn't loaded and therefore no threat, yet Judy checked it anyway. The clip was fully loaded with bullets and the gun ready for use.

Okay, this was simply too much for the young woman. Her head was buzzing already. So, she put the SMG back and walked slowly towards the couch, where V was already preparing their meal.

"Let's munch as long as it's hot 'n' tasty!"

Still cautious, Judy sat down on the couch and both began to eat. At first in silence, but soon V started a conversation.

"So, whatcha do for a livin'?"

It was a mundane question, nothing fancy or too private. Yet, it was hard for Judy to trust a stranger again, especially since that one job ended so badly.

"I'm, uh…I'm a BD-techie. Y'know, editing 'n' scrollin' virtus. Used to work for Clouds, but now I'm kind of a freelancer."

"Preem," V returned, nodding in recognition. "What kinda BD?"

"Mainly smut, but…I'm open for everythin' as long as it's not snuff 'n' shit. And you? What's up with all those guns?"

"Um…I'm a Merc."

A merc. A dealer of death. Mercs were a common necessity. They were doing the work nobody wanted to do, may it be for the NCPD or the corpos. Mercs could be good or evil or even both. Some only did gigs for the police, some only for criminals, some for both. Some were simply fucked up psychos who simply yearned for killing.

Which type was V?

Once again, the thought that she could sell her out to the people who had tried to kill her popped up in her head. Instantly ruining her appetite.

"Um, thanks for the grub," the young BD-techie eventually said, taking a last swig of soda to flush down the food. "But, uh, I think I wanna head home now, if you don't mind."

V, still entirely relaxed, simply nodded, got up and walked into the armory and came back with Judy's gun, handing it to her.

"Ok, here! But first I wanna see how you can handle yourself."

The taller woman drew a knife and readied herself.

"I'm a baddie, what do you do?"

Being a bit confused, Judy hesitated and V used the chance to take a step forward and held the knife at her throat.

"Too slow, you're dead. Again!"

V went back to her former position. This time, Judy prepared herself for an attack and lifted the gun as soon as her opponent started to move. But again the blade landed at her throat, right after the way more experienced merc had swatted the hand with the gun aside and had closed in for the kill.

Both were staring now deeply at each other, whereas Judy's glare was piercing daggers. Her body and ego hurt upon this defeat. Agitatedly she pushed the other woman away, blurting "Fine, you showed me what a useless gonk I am. Happy, bitch?!"

But V simply scoffed, put the knife away and shook her head, answering "I just wanted to prove what I was already thinking."

"And what the fuck is it?"

"That you're a BD-techie."

"Duh, already told ya that. So what?!"

"You could've lied," V replied, crossing her arms and shrugging with her shoulders. "But the way you tried to defend yourself, how you're holdin' your gun. You're neither a professional nor a fucked up gangbanger, no. So, I've actually no idea why this uber-cunt wanted to flatline you, that's up to you to tell me. But one thing's for sure, you fucked with the wrong people. Military-grade Kang Tao Mantisblades, newest generation, with titanium-durasteel alloy. You don't get 'em on the streets, which tells me that this bitch wasn't a thug, but an upper class assassin. And if she wants to find you, she'll find you eventually."

Sighing in defeat, Judy lowered the gun and sat down on the couch's backrest. The memories about how all this mess started now emerging from deep within.

"A friend of mine met this bitch at Clouds. Goes by the name Miss Crown…if that's her real name anyway. Long story short, she wanted a virtu tuned, I accepted, she fucked me over. That's it."

"What was on the virtu? I bet it wasn't smut…unless someone was willing to kill for an orgasm."

For a minute, Judy struggled if she should tell V about the BD's content. Part of the contract was to be discreet, yet however, said contract had been broken the moment she got attacked. So, she decided to simply not give a shit.

"The murder of Adriana Oliveros."

Her eyes widened out of surprise and her arms unfolding, V replied "Adriana Oliveros? I thought she died in a car accident."

"Car accident?!" Judy scoffed back cynically, shaking her head. "Yeah, that's bullshit. I even know who the killer is. But that's what they wanted to know anyway, so… I don't get it. They wanted to make it public, and now they release such crap and try to flatline me. Why?"

"Gettin' rid of a witness, maybe? Don't know and doesn't matter. But a fact is that you won't survive one fuckin' day out there alone."

Once again scoffing out of cynicism, Judy eventually got up again, holding her chest as a slight pain ran through it.

"Thanks for stickin' up for me, V. Appreciate it. But I neither have the Eddies to hire a bodyguard nor do I wanna be a burden for you. You did enough for me and I try to repay you for that, but I just wanna go home now, pack some stuff and then leave this fuckin' city right after I found my friend."

V stood still, leaning against the wall with crossed arms again while her violet eyes were watching the young techie like a hawk.

"There's nothin' I can do or say to stop you, right?" she eventually said, making it clear that she didn't want to accept the other woman's decision. "But can I at least ask you for a favor? It would be my repayment."

Judy stopped in her doings, gazing at V over her shoulders. She didn't say anything, yet made clear that she was listening.

"You're only standing on meds. Let Vik make one last check-up on you and stay the night at least. And tomorrow, I'll bring you back to your place. After that, you'll be on your own. Deal?"

Sighing deeply again, Judy eventually accepted the offer as she realized that V wouldn't accept a no.