Gloria woke, feeling oddly refreshed in both body and mind while simultaneously feeling heavy and sluggish. Her eyes opened slowly, blinking as she tried to focus on everything around her. She had a feeling of deja vu: Several monitors and machines were around her, though there was a lot less electrodes and wires connected to her this time than in the past. The few that were attached to her were just on her left arm, forehead, and the center of her chest. Over the gentle beeps and whirs of the machine, she could hear a radio playing, but couldn't quite discern the song.
It was then she saw the figure sitting at her side. A familiar form slightly hunched forward, attention focused on the old paperback book he was holding. The book was being held in one hand, thumb flicking as he turned a page. His other hand resting contently at his side. Gloria's eyes looked at his lips, seeing them moving. At first, she thought he was reading aloud to himself, but soon realized he was softly singing along to the song on the radio.
Their song.
"So what do you wanna do, what's your point of view? There's a party, screw it do you wanna go?"
It was little more than a breathy snort, but the noise held so much fond love and nostalgia that it pulled V from his book. Gloria watched as his eyes widened, hand closing the book and leaving it on his lap. A moment later and that same hand was gripping her own so gently, yet at the same time with a fierceness that told her he wasn't going to let go anytime soon.
"Vinny?" She opted for the familiar, informal nickname from their youth. "What are you doing here?"
"Was waiting for you to wake up. Sorry, I wasn't here when they put you under." His hand gently rubbed hers, and she could see a small amount of regret in his eyes. Gloria didn't mind, just hearing V's voice over the holo had been a massive comfort before starting the procedure. "But I'm here now, just like I promised, firecracker."
"Oh Vincent..." She tried to move her other hand to caress him, but soon realized it was actually restrained by a strap around her wrist. The red-head looked at her other hand, the one V was holding, and saw it had been bound in a similar fashion. She couldn't even turn her hand over to hold V's. "Uh, poser-boy. Little help?"
"Sorry Gloria, doctor's orders say you need to be restrained for now." V let out a light chuckle as she frowned. "Not my rule, theirs. Something about involuntary spasms potentially causing damage to yourself or, more likely, the equipment around you. Oh don't worry, you'll be up and running around soon enough."
"Better be." Gloria tried to kick her legs, but soon discovered they had been secured in a similar fashion. "Ugh, I don't mind being tied up but..."
"I know." The hand that had been holding hers moved to caress her face. "Just give it a little more time. Then you'll be free to run, wiggle, and move as you please."
Just something about the way V said wiggle made Gloria laugh as she snuggled into V's hand. Normally if she did that, he'd bring up his other hand and pull her to his chest. Though it would have been very awkward given her current position, she was surprised his other hand didn't move. The appendage was still resting where she had first seen it. Shifting her focus to it, she realized the only reason it hadn't moved was because of a sling keeping it bound to V's body.
"V, what did you do to your..." Her voice trailed off, eyes now recognizing that V was wearing a set of patient scrubs. Beneath them, she could see the outline of bandages covering other wounds. The thing that stuck out to her the most however was the odd, gel-like pads that covered nearly the whole of his neck. Gloria recognized them instantly as hydrogel pads. The kind meant for treating burns and similar injuries. "Yourself?"
"Would you believe a rematch with Razor Hugh?" V gave her such a crooked, wise-ass smile that Gloria could tell he was thankful her own hands were bound. "In all seriousness though, these are work-related injuries. I'm gonna have to be in Trauma's care for a little bit myself now."
"Again?" Gloria jerked against her restraints, she truly was torn between wanting to smack him upside the head for getting injured. Or pulling him close to comfort him as he had done to her.
"Again." Even observant and understanding, V moved closer and rested his head on her upper arm as much as his own injuries allowed. In reply, Gloria flicked her head to the side, lightly headbutting him in both annoyance and affection. "You've got to be more careful. Doesn't do either of us. Hell, doesn't do David or anyone else any good if we're both constantly in and out of Trauma's care."
"I know." He nuzzled her, accepting her chiding. "Only thing I want to be in and out of is you." The tone of V's voice had turned low, husky. Sending a flash of heat through her body. She rubbed her legs together as much as the bindings allowed, ignoring the feeling of V laughing against her at her response. Again, Gloria jerked against her restraints, grumbling when she couldn't move. "Shh, shh. Calm down firecracker. Let's just relax and enjoy the music."
Gloria whined, but after a moment let out a hum of agreement. Her face broke into a soft smile as V once again shifted, this time his head resting more on her shoulder. Gloria felt V smile against her, and she found herself smiling along with him as she closed her eyes and enjoyed the warmth of the moment.
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Gloria wasn't sure how much time had passed since her waking up and V visiting with her, but it had been a few hours at least. Multiple nurses and doctors had been stopping in to check on her. And a couple times to check on V, who seemed content to ignore their requests for him to return to his Trauma suite to recover. His reasoning? The contact was a good morale boost for both of them. Plus, he didn't need to be hooked up to monitors, or restrained like she was.
Currently, a neurologist and one of his associates were putting her through another mental exercise, wanting to make sure there was no cognitive impairment. They asked her a set of questions she had answered earlier, comparing the answers. Showed her some flash cards asking her to name the items on them. It seemed rather childish but she was enjoying the pseudo-challenge, and also having some fun. It helped that V was watching from the sidelines, smiling as she answered their questions.
Right now though, it was just her and V in the room. An orderly had stopped in with two trays of food for their lunch; a hearty beef and rice bowl. And while Gloria didn't need to eat per say, she wanted the chance to have a sort-of cute meal alone with V. There was also the added benefit that eating meant they would unbind her arms enough so she could reach her mouth.
"Just wish I could move my legs now..." Gloria tried again in vain to kick them, barely getting them an inch off the bed before they met the leather straps. Moving her legs side to side was her only options for mobility. "Ugh, how long did they say this was for again?"
"Rest of today as they make sure your mental faculties are in order." V answered as he adjusted the tray table that hung over Gloria's bed so his and her bowls were arranged to make access easier for both of them. "Once they're certain nothing's out of place, and that you have full control of your motions. The restraints will come off. Weren't you listening earlier?"
"I was." She frowned, "and I was hoping I heard them wrong when they said the day..."
"Well, you didn't." V picked up a forkful of minced beef and rice and gently blew on it, before holding it before Gloria's mouth. "Now eat."
"I can feed myself you know." She pouted, but still ate the offered bite. The texture was there, and so was the flavor, but it all seemed...Stale? No, dull? She didn't know how to describe it beyond 'different'. Reaching out for her own fork, she picked it up but something went wrong. Her arm jerked and the fork was sent flying in an arch across her room.
"Sure about that?" V was struggling to not laugh as he got up to retrieve the fork. Gloria just cursed, reaching for V's fork with all the care of picking up an already cracked egg. This time, she succeeded in picking up the utensil with no issues and grinned in triumph as V returned with the dropped fork.
"I'm sure, see?" Still smiling, Gloria playfully stabbed at the contents of her bowl...and cracked it. "Uhh...You know what, I'm not hungry." Setting the bowl and fork down, Gloria sighed. "Thought they were kidding when they mentioned I might have trouble with basic motor skills to start?"
"Nope." V stuck the wayward fork in the cracked bowl and moved it to the side. Picking up his own bowl, he stirred the contents up a little. "That's why they have the recovery period. To make sure everything's in order and that nothing is out of place. And that you can fuction normally." He took a bite, nodding. "Was reading a few testimonials from other patients. Saw that some of them, for lack of a better term, had to relearn or adjust some of their basic abilities."
"Yeah, I read them as well. Just hoping that if I do need to relearn, its only something minor like how to tie my shoes." The pair shared a laugh as V offered her another bite of food. Gloria took a moment to chew the forkful before swallowing it, trying to place the problem she was having with the food. "Least I still know how to eat...Though does that tast-"
The sound of someone knocking stopped her question, the pair turning to see Jackie opening the door to the room. Gloria noticed that his expression seemed a little sour as he noticed V, but it turned back to his usual smile when looking at her. V himself had barely glanced at Jackie, before he became oddly invested in the bowl.
"Heh, so you're finally awake..." The old video game line made her glare, and he backed up a step with his arms up. "Sorry. Just, always wanted to say that to someone comin' out of a coma."
"Nice to see you too Jackie." Gloria smiled, "what brings you here?"
"Wanted to check on one of my favorite chicas." Jackie lowered his arms and moved over to her side, giving her a gentle hug that she tried, and failed, to return. "So, how's Night City's newest full metal mama feelin'?"
"Full metal mama? I like that." Gloria laughed, flexing and moving in place, showing off as much as she could through the patient scrubs. "Better than ever. I feel like I got a massage, took a scented bath, and then got eight hours of quality, restful sleep."
"Damn, sounds preem." The ex-Valentino placed a hand on her shoulder and gave it a light squeeze. "Say, and don't misunderstand me, But am I going crazy, or did you bulk up a little?"
"I've always had some muscle, but I may have had a little extra added." She flexed her arm, trying to make a muscle but the restraints weren't letting her.
"Don't hurt yourself Gloria." She shrugged, noticing Jackie's eyes on the straps. "Or did you already do that? Or are those to keep you from hurting that gonk further?" Jackie's eyes flicked to V on that last part, the sour expression still there.
"Bit of each really." Gloria stared at the strap around her wrist. She had tried to remove it, but soon discoverer that it required a special key to open or adjust. "Something about my motor skills not being a hundred percent yet."
"Makes sense. Misty and Vik told me that could be a side effect." Jackie nodded, though Gloria had a feeling he probably didn't understand their explanation. "Anyhow, you mind if I have a word with your lunch date?" The man looked to where V was sitting, and Gloria saw V's own eyes flick to the door. "In private?"
"Sure. Though V, while you're out there..." The red-head closed her eyes a moment, thinking. "Mind seeing if you, or one of the nurses could bring me one of those meal replacement drinks? Preferably the vanilla-flavored stuff?" It was her hope that she could test her taste receptors on something simple...And flavors didn't get much simpler than plain old vanilla.
"Of course." V nodded, setting the half-empty bowl back on the tray in reach of her. He favored her with a smile before his expression went flat as he followed Jackie out of the room. With V gone, Gloria decided to try again to feed herself. She grabbed the fork successfully and was about to try again to pick up a bite of food but the sound of raised voices beyond the wall reached her ears.
"...been so stupid?" By the accent, that was Jackie currently yelling at V.
"...full program..." She recognized V's 'firm business' tone as he replied. "...option."
"Only option? You could..." Leaning as much as she could, Gloria tilted her head, as if that would let her hear better. Sadly, it didn't help and she was left hearing only the occasional word. "... like some gawdamned Cyberpsycho!"
That last part made her jump a little, but not as much as the sudden sound of feet scuffing on tile.
"What the hell are they doing out there?" Gloria wondered, trying futilely again to hear what was happening. The words she could hear sounded more like grunts, and Gloria recognized the distinct sounds of a backroom scuffle. "V? Jackie?"
The only reply she received to her inquiry was a particularly loud smack. A sound that could only be produced properly by somebody slugging someone in the face. Gloria heard a groan, but couldn't tell who might have made it. She was about to call for the two again, but stopped as the door opened and Jackie stepped back into her room. He was breathing heavily, and his jacket and hair were slightly skewed, but otherwise he looked fine.
"Jackie? Everything okay?" Instinct made her try in vain to get up and move to help check her friend.
"Good as things can be in Night City." It was a cheap answer, made worse by the friendly smile that seemed at odds with the color of his face. "Anyhow, wish I could hang out a little more amiga, but I've gotta delta." Jackie's hands moved to adjust his jacket. "Glad to see you feeling better. Hey, once you're out of Trauma's care, we should meet at the Cojo for some cervezas. I know Mama is dying to meet you."
"Oh, uh sure." Gloria raised an eyebrow, trying to see around Jackie as she considered his offer. "I'd like that. Maybe invite the rest of the crew too?"
"Maybe. Though Mama's not too happy with Maine at the moment..." Jackie's voice changed to a stage whisper. "Choom nearly destroyed the men's room last time he was there."
Despite her concern and curiosity at the current situation, she snorted at the image Jackie painted. "Well, it'll still be a couple days before I can even think of going anywhere. Hopefully she forgives him by then."
"Hopefully. Anyhow, I'll catch you later." He raised a hand as he moved towards the door. "Via con Dios."
"Adios." Gloria waved as Jackie disappeared out the door. Not even a minute later, she could hear the sound of footsteps, but instead of V was greeted with one of the orderlies at the door.
"Miss Martinez?" The girl held a metal straw cup and a waxed cardboard drink carton. "Here's your nutrient shake."
"Thank you." Her eyes fell on the pull flaps of the carton, then on her own bound hands. "Do you mind opening that for me?"
"Not at all." The girl popped the top off the cup and poured the contents of the carton into the cup. Capping it, she held out the drink for Gloria to take. "Here, just be careful. Your hand-eye coordination might still be a little off."
"Tell me about it." She looked over at the cracked bowl and ballistic fork as her hand closed around the cup. It felt cold and smooth, but at the same time, easy to hold. Carefully, she raised the cup towards her mouth, leaning forward as she did and took a long sip as her lips connected with the straw. Again, the flavor was there but not really? She blinked as she looked down at the cup. "Have these always tasted so...bland?"
"Sounds like some of your receptors might still be calibrating." A doctor now appeared at the door, eyes looking at her and the orderly. The white coat reached into her pocket and pulled out a small spray bottle. Grabbing a napkin off the tray, she sprayed it once with the contents and held it before Gloria's nose. "Tell me, what does this smell like?"
"Ugh, smells like bad real fruit." She turned up her nose, head pulling away from the offending paper.
"Isabelle, do you mind?" The doctor held the napkin out to the orderly, who sniffed it once before letting out a pleased hum.
"Smells like strawberry, maybe blueberry or both with a hint of coconut to me."
"She's right. Coconut milk and berries." The doctor turned the bottle so Gloria could see the label, eyes falling on the untouched and half eaten bowls of food. "And let me guess, food and drinks don't taste as they should either."
Gloria nodded, feeling relived as the doctor confirmed it was just a temporary case of distorted sensory perception that should clear itself up by tomorrow. There was little the woman could offer to help speed up the process, but advised Gloria that it might help if she kept the corresponding sense in mind as she recovered.
"Easiest example. You know what vanilla should taste like. Take another drink, but this time remember the taste as you do."
Shrugging, Gloria took a moment to recall the last time she had a nutrient shake. Keeping the memory of the flavor in mind, she took another drink and held it in her mouth a moment. This time, though still more mild than she recalled, the flavor was better. She hummed in appreciation, and took another swallow.
"Much better."
"I'm glad. Someone else will be back in a couple hours to do a few more tests." The doctor gave a nod, "would you like us to clear those bowls out of the way?"
"Uh sure. Don't know if my friend is coming back or-" No sooner had she said it did V appear in the door frame. He looked even more beat than before, and Gloria could see that a shiner on his right eye had been added to his list of injuries. Her own eyes went wide as he moved into the room with a more pronounced limp than when he left. "What the heck happened out there?"
"Sir? Do you need medical assistance?" The doctor moved to V's side, motioning for him to sit down even as she decided not to wait for an answer. "Isabelle, can you grab me an ice pack please?"
"First, I deserved this." V pointed to his swollen eye, mouth set in a flat smile as he did. "Again, work issues."
"Work?" Idly, Gloria wondered if it was a side effect that she couldn't seem to, for lack of a better term, shrink her eyes. "What sort of work have you been doing to warrant that? And from Jackie of all people?" She gestured to his eye, making him sigh.
"Don't worry about it." He followed the doctor's orders, not moving as the woman's hands took to inspecting his injury. "You know how tech support jobs can be."
"I really don't. But then again, Pilar loves sending me those 'clients from hell' stories so..." Her own eyes closed, reopening in time to see the doctor hand V an ice pack as she typed something on a data pad. "I'll let it go this time, but if it happens again. I want answers."
Her voice had taken on what she knew the crew had called her 'demanding mom' tone. And by the way V simply nodded in agreement to her terms, she understood why. Letting out a hum of acknowledgment, Gloria took another drink and watched as the doctor patched up V.
Getting out of Trauma's care couldn't happen fast enough for her.
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It was the first day of physical testing for Gloria, and the red-head couldn't have been happier. It meant the beginning of the end to her stay in Trauma's care, and she was itching to get back out in the world. Sure, some might have called it psychical therapy, but in this case it was less about recovery and more about discovery. She had already passed the mental tests. And her senses were mostly back to what she would have called normal (certain foods still didn't taste right to her, but then again, she was still being given 'healthy food' as opposed to the preservative loaded synthetic stuff she was used to).
While she was eager to begin, the doctors had warned her again that it could take a few days for everything to sync properly, and that she might have to refine some basic motor skills. Gloria couldn't argue with them, still unsure if what happened with the fork and bowl was caused by an involuntary spasm or her body misunderstanding a command. When she had asked Nadia about it, who had been missing during V's visit and thus didn't see what happened. The nurse had said it sounded like she wasn't aware of her new limits.
"What do you mean, new limits?" Gloria asked as she followed her nurse into a room marked for Physical Therapy. As Gloria expected, there were various work-out machines, medicine balls and weights. What she didn't expect to see was what appeared to be an assortment of kid's toys and every day household objects.
"Well, that's what we're going to find out." The physical therapist, a dark haired man around her age who introduced himself as Jason, commented. "And as much as I can tell you want to walk around or use some of the equipment. We're going to start with your hand-eye coordination, alright?"
Gloria nodded as Jason picked up a rubber bouncy ball and tossed it back and forth between his hands, demonstrating as well as telling Gloria to do the same as he handed it over. "Start with a short gap, maybe six inches. Good, move your hands back from each other a little more?"
Gloria complied, smiling as she watched the rainbow colored ball fly from hand to hand. Enjoying the faint thump and oddly rough feeling of the ball as it struck her hands. She looked up, seeing Jason setting out some plastic bins of assorted sizes on the floor.
"Alright, now see that red line? Stand just behind it, and underhand toss the ball using whichever arm you want. Try to get it into one of these bins, but don't worry if you miss." He pointed to the bin closest to him. "Just trying to get an idea on your arm strength."
Gloria nodded and moved to the indicated point, moving the ball to her right hand. Flicking her wrist, she tossed the ball with more upward force than she thought. It hit the ceiling, causing the tile to hop from the impact. The ball fell back to the floor and nearly bounced back up to the ceiling. Fortunately, it seemed the therapist had experience with this sort of thing, and was quickly able to catch the wayward orb.
"Was that your dominant hand?" The dark-haired man asked as he inspected the ceiling.
"Yes." She flexed the hand in question as Jason instructed her to catch and gently tossed the ball to her. She caught it easily, seeing the man nod at that.
"Okay, let's try again with your other hand." Gloria nodded and let the ball go with, what to her, seemed to be a gentle toss. This one didn't go as high as her first, but it went further and overshot all the bins, striking the wall opposite where she stood. This time, it was Nadia who retrieved the ball.
"You play softball or something in your youth?" She asked, bringing the ball back over as Jason typed something in his data pad.
"No. I mean, I played a little basketball with some of the other kids but shooting wasn't my strong point." She held her hands before her, turning them this way and that. Other than being slightly tanner and a little shinier, they seemed no different than her 'ganic ones.
"Well, that rules out the 'star athlete' theory." The therapist chuckled, picking up one of the medicine balls. "Let's try with something a bit heavier – ten pounds. Same as before, underhand toss this for one of the buckets. Use both hands if you need to."
Gloria took the ball, and after a moment experimentally held it with one hand. She could feel the ball's weight against her palm, but there was almost no strain holding it. Taking her position behind the line, Gloria lobbed the ball, the sphere flying over and landing about two feet beyond the last bin.
"Okay, I know I didn't throw that one all that hard. What the heck is going on?"
"As I said, you've got to learn your new limits." Nadia placed a hand on Gloria's shoulder. "Even if you were a prime athlete, your new body is well beyond what that would allow you to do. Jason, would you mind if we briefly switched to mobility testing? I want to show Miss Martinez what I mean by limits."
"Sure. Just give me a few minutes to set up the equipment." The dark-haired man nodded and moved over to one of the treadmills. While he got everything set up, Nadia continued to work with Gloria on her arms, having her pick up and put down the various weights. Gloria had no trouble with the weights, and passed that test with flying colors before Jason called her over to explain the mobility course he had set up.
The test started off simple, with Jason instructing her to walk up a small ramp, then down a set of five stairs. After Gloria did ten laps, he had her reverse and go up the stairs and down the ramp.
"I feel silly." Gloria shook her head as she moved up the stairs, but she wasn't about to argue.
"Well, you look good. Not seeing anything wrong with your steps." Nadia answered, and Jason nodded in agreement.
"Seems your legs have adjusted well for inclines, but lets see how you handle flats." The therapist motioned for Gloria to get on the treadmill, "start at a simple walk. I'll increase the speed over time, so you'll got from a walk to a jog and then to a run. If at any point in time you feel a need to stop, just say stop. Don't try to push through, okay?"
"Alright." Gloria stepped onto the treadmill as it started to move. This was a test that she absolutely crushed, managing to keep her footing each time Jason increased the speed. She was especially proud of herself when the therapist had put the treadmill up to maximum speed. Sure Gloria had to switch to a full run, but she didn't falter once and would have been able to shut it off herself if the control panel wasn't facing the therapist instead of her. It was oddly liberating in a way, and Gloria couldn't help but skip a little as the treadmill slowed back to a walk before coming to a stop.
"Well, you're not having any issues walking, running, or climbing stairs. So least we know you are fully in control of femoral and sciatic nerve functions." Nadia's face held a small smile as Gloria took a moment to stretch at Jason's request.
"How do your legs feel?" The therapist asked, his eyes studying her face closely.
"I don't feel anything to be honest." She stopped, mind recalling how her legs and feet would feel once she stopped moving after running around scraping corpses off the street for twelve hours. "I mean, I can feel that they're there and standing on solid ground but..."
"But there's no pain? No strain or other indicator of a problem?" Gloria shook her head, watching as Nadia punched something in on the tablet she was holding. "Good. Now we're going to go back to testing your hands and arms."
Jason moved over to a table near the treadmill, picking up the gallon jug of water that rested on the table. "Hold this please? By the handle."
"Uh, sure." Gloria took the jug by its handle, hearing a odd crunching sound as her hand closed around it.
"Loosen your grip." The plastic let out a tiny pop as she relaxed her grip. "Judging by that, still seems to be a minor disconnect between the median nerve, possibly the ulnar nerve. Keep the jug like that and flex your arm like you're holding a dumbell? Alright, radial nerve seems fine. Switch hands and repeat." Gloria did as instructed, this time trying to maintain a more delicate hold on the jug. "Left arm same as right arm...Now, hold the jug as if it was a newborn baby."
"Alright." Gloria transferred the jug from her hand to her forearm, bringing it close to her chest. Similar to when she had first grabbed it, the jug crinkled and crunched as it made contact. "Oops. Sorry baby." She cooed at the jug, trying to make light of it. "Mama doesn't know her own strength."
"Well, least we know your maternal instincts are still there." The therapist laughed, "now if you wouldn't mind hugging the bottle like you would hug a close friend?"
"Not at al-" Gloria started, shifting the jug to her chest and wrapping her arms around it. David and a few others always said she gave strong hugs, and Gloria got to see this first hand as she gave the bottle a squeeze. The plastic let out a warning groan before it popped, soaking her and Jason. "Uh..."
"We're gonna need to work on that." The therapist grabbed a nearby towel and wiped his face, looking unsurprised by what transpired. "Double check the servitors..."
Gloria wasn't listening, barely registering the man's explanation as he made some notes on his data pad. All she could do was stare at the broken jug, mind racing. Sure, those plastic gallons weren't as durable as a human, but even Gloria could tell she'd have killed David if she had been hugging him instead. Hell, she probably would have dented Maine with that hug.
"Alright, well I need a new pair of scrubs and I'm certain you might want to dry off too." The therapist made a few final notes on his tablet. "I'll send the results to Dr. Weiss for review, might have to make a few minor tweaks. Don't worry, it won't delay your departure or recovery. Seems to be more an issue with the software as opposed to the hardware. If you'll excuse me for the moment?"
Gloria nodded, while Nadia vocalized her agreement. Setting aside her own tablet, she handed Gloria a towel with one hand and relieved her of the busted jug with the other. Taking the towel, Gloria moved into the bathroom, stripping off her scrubs before drying herself off. She hummed her thanks as Nadia offered her a fresh set from a nearby cabinet, and quickly changed.
"Nadia?" Stepping from the bathroom, the red-head's eye drifted back to the jug, which was now sitting in a nearby trash bin.
"Hmm?"
"What just happened?
"You crushed a water jug." The nurse replied, as if avoiding the real question.
"I know that, but I mean...Why? I've never been able to hug that hard in my life." Gloria cringed at how cheesy it sounded, but it wasn't wrong.
"Again. It's because of your new body.." Nadia scrolled to something on her tablet and showed it to Gloria. "From watching you with the tests we've done so far, I'm guessing you feel stronger. More...resilient than when you were 'ganic, right?"
"Yeah. Feel like one of those comic book movie heroes." She laughed, flexing an arm. Though she had chosen her frame, and several other elements (such as keeping her red hair, brown eyes, and giving her skin just a little extra tan to it) – there seemed to be quite a lot that she didn't recall choosing. Yeah, she had decided to make her arms and legs look just a little more toned and muscular than they had been when she was 'ganic. But did that really mean it made her stronger?
Actually, now that she looked at the 'parts list' Nadia was showing her, she realized in addition to the internals she had chosen, there were a few other options that she had been unsure about. All of them were options that she had sent to V, wanting his opinion on if she should get them or not. After all, it was his money being used to pay for everything. He more than deserved to be involved in the process, and Gloria had no issue letting him help choose a few things about her new body. Heck, even when she had accidentally sent him a list of 'Midnight Lady' options, he hadn't batted an eye and instead sent back his preferred choice.
Seeing it now in black and white made her realize that, while she had made all the choices. V had refined them and added in a few options of his own that she hadn't considered.
"Wait...What does this mean?" Gloria tapped at one of the options, understanding only some of it.
"You said it best. You're like a comic book hero now. All of your internals have been chosen and set up in such a way that you have super human abilities in a sense. Come with me a moment?" She followed her nurse over to a machine that had a padded pressure plate designed to measure impact force. It was meant as a way for people to test new cyberware, but also worked well to test how someone's arm strength was recovering. "Go ahead, throw a couple punches. Don't worry about your form, just punch it. Pretend its an idiot from work or something if you need to."
She knew just who to think about to generate the urge, "Fuckin' Greg!" Gloria threw a solid punch at the plate, feeling it give slightly under her knuckles. She threw a few more, changing her hand. After a moment, Nadia told her to stop and pointed to the display that showed how many PSI Gloria had exerted. "Twelve hundred. Is that good?"
"Your average human punches anywhere between a hundred twenty to a hundred fifty PSI. And some of the old 'ganic heavyweight boxers punched between twelve to seventeen hundred PSI. Something which anyone can do now with Gorilla Arms" The red-head looked back at her hands, her knuckles were slightly scuffed from the impact, but there was no pain. "As you just witnessed, you have Gorilla Arms without actually having them installed. As for limits, you can't surpass them, but they are very high. For another rough but easy to understand example: If your average human can only maintain top speed while running for six seconds, and a trained athlete for maybe fifteen seconds. You can maintain top speed for a whole minute before, if you were still 'ganic, you'd feel any sort of negative side effect."
"Really?" She looked again at the tablet. "Shit. V didn't skimp on this, did he? Wait, are my...parts even legal?"
"No, he didn't skimp. Yes, your parts are legal. Everything here just means you'll be alive for a shitload of time." Nadia's mouth briefly moved into a smile, but soon she was back to being stoic. "Though, Trauma probably raised his premiums for this."
"Fuck." That was the last thing she wanted to hear. Gloria thought she was over her guilt about having V spend so much money on her care. Turns out she had only justified it to herself as opposed to truly forgiving herself for it. Then again, V did say he wanted her around for a long time. Did that mean-
"So wait, I can't be killed?"
"Oh no, you can be. But it would take a group of borg killers to put you down. I'm talking a full MaxTac take down here." Nadia reached out a hand and tapped Gloria's skull. "Your brain is sitting in a nanite-infused bath. Your skull is so armored that you could probably bounce anti-tank shells off it. Don't recommend finding that out however. Your brain chassis has built in life support – you've got a month for them to put you in a new body if for whatever reason your body is taken down. Your network has a closed system, You can lock yourself out of networks to protect yourself from hacks. Everyone else needs to disconnect and pray, you can just go airplane mode."
"Airplane mode?"
"Old before the red saying, means you're offline." Nadia pulled the tablet back then, and Gloria noticed her nurse's finger rapidly sliding and swiping through various tabs and screens. "Shit, so is he..."
The nurse's words were so soft, it was only the fact that she was looking at the woman, coupled with the cyberaudio upgrade V slipped in without her knowing, that she heard her at all.
"Whose offline?" The question made Nadia jump, eyes looking up at Gloria in a moment of surprise.
"Excuse me?" The brunette's face morphed back into a shade of her usual indifferent expression.
"Heard you say someone's offline." Gloria reached for a nearby chair, and keeping her newfound strength in mind, opted to hook just her pinky finger over the back to pull it close. It moved like it was on greased wheels on ice, and Gloria was careful as she sat down. "Not to mention, you don't seem to be your usual sassy yet professional self. Did something happen?"
At that, Nadia visibly tensed. Her eyes flicking from side to side, as if trying to find a way out of the conversation. After a moment however, she let out a defeated sigh and dragged over a chair and sat down herself.
"Sorry, my boyfriend had to check into a hospital for an injury." Her hands fiddled with the data pad, eyes going down to it before looking back up at Gloria. The red-head reached out a comforting hand, but remembering the jug earlier drew it back. Last thing she wanted was to knock Nadia's arm out of its socket or rub the girl's back raw. "And its just, made me a little nervous, you know? Not to mention, the lack of updates on him is, kind of bugging me, you know?"
Gloria nodded. She had had her fair share of lack of information moments in her time, and knew what the other woman was going through.
"Have you, heard any news at all?" She shifted on the chair, hearing it creak dangerously. "Heard from him or his family or friends since he checked in?"
"Yeah. His doctor called me, told me the gig he was on went bad." Nadia frowned, eyes back on the tablet. "Said he lost a leg and a lot of blood. Last I knew he was in critical condition, and more than likely going to need a new leg in addition to some, other work." She looked back up at Gloria. "Ripper's got my number but..."
"What's that old saying? No news is good news?" Nadia nodded, and Gloria gave her her best caring mom-friend smile as the door opened and the physical therapist from earlier returned. "Look, Jason's back to continue working with me. Why don't you cut out early, see if you can't visit your guy in person."
Briefly, Nadia's eyes went wide and Gloria tried to figure out what was going through her nurse-friend's head. Was that surprise that Gloria offered to let her go early? Worry that she wouldn't be allowed to see him? Fear of what she'd find?
"Uh thanks, but I'll stay with you for now." The nurse answered after a moment, setting the tablet aside. "That's what I get paid for, and I'm going to need the money to help him out."
"Want me to see if I can get V to give you a pay raise?" Gloria said it with a teasing smile, having a feeling V was already paying her better than half the Med Center's staff. In reply, Nadia's eyes closed, as if considering the offer.
"Honestly? Would you?" She asked after a moment, eyes opening as Gloria nodded. "Thanks, but I think we'll be fine." Nadia looked at Jason, who was waiting patiently near the mobility course for them to finish talking. Her face took on a plastic smile, even as her eyes told a different story. "Now, come on. The sooner we finish these tests, the sooner we can both get out of here."
The sudden shift in the other woman's personality was jarring, but knowing what she did now. Gloria understood Nadia's nervousness. Couple that with a matching desire to get out of Trauma's care, and her friend's shifting made perfect sense. Keeping that thought in mind, Gloria got to her feet and looked over at Jason, asking him what was next for her tests.
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It took one more day of testing and several minor adjustments to her new chassis, but Gloria had finally been given the green light to leave the Med Center. She stood in the lobby with Nadia, waiting for David and Jackie to pick her up to escort her to 'her new place', as V called it when she talked with him that morning. Gloria was a little upset that V wasn't coming with her, but knew he now had his own treatments to attend to. But those feelings were quickly buried when she saw Jackie and her son pull up in an old and rusty, but apparently, still reliable car.
"Mom!" David pulled his mother into a hug before taking a step back to study her. She had heard from Nadia that David visited her shortly after her surgery, but was glad she could now see his reaction.
"I missed you too mijo." She wrapped her arms around him, barely making contact out of fear of crushing him (she hadn't broken anymore jugs, but wasn't quite ready to take the chance).
"Lookin' good chica." Jackie came to her side, giving her a hug as well. Releasing her, Jackie threw a thumb at the car door and started moving back towards it. "Anyhow, bet you're itching to get out of here, yeah?"
"Oh yeah. I mean, I have to come back here in a week for a follow up. But until then I don't even want to think about this place." Gloria stepped outside and immediately took a deep breath. Never mind that the air was heavy with the scent of exhaust, trash, and other things. "Never thought I'd say this, but I've missed that smell. And the feeling of being outside."
Gloria twirled as she came even with the car, Jackie motioning for her to take shotgun while David and Nadia hopped in the back. "So, where's my new place? What's it like?"
"Right here in Watson actually. Not too far from here." Jackie answered, starting to drive. "Don't know much about the place beyond having the address. David, you said V gave you the key yesterday, right?"
"Uh yeah." Gloria turned, seeing David pull a key card from his pocket. "He also told me that only the person with the key can go in first? Hang on, let me check my messages...Need the key, it's a surprise, don't tell your moth-er, forget I said anything?" David looked away from his mother, leg tapping nervously.
"Just for you mijo, I will." She hit David with the forgiving mom smile, before turning to Jackie. "So did V really not tell you anything besides the address, or are you just better at keeping secrets?"
"Both." Jackie tapped his chest, seeming proud of that. "David, just make sure whatever V told you to do you do it."
"What exactly did he tell you?" Gloria heard the professional intrigue in Nadia's voice as she addressed David.
"Hang on, I'll just forward the message to you. Does that mean anything to you?"
"That's...interesting."
The red-head turned to look in the backseat, pouting as she looked at her nurse. "Nadia, you're not helping me be any less impatient about seeing my new home now." She looked back at Jackie. "So, how much further?"
"With this traffic? Another couple minutes tops."
Gloria nodded, head turning to look out the window as she tried to figure out where her new place might be. After a short distance, Jackie's car came to a stop in a parking lot that rested between Megabuilding H10 and another skyscraper.
"Okay, we're here." Jackie announced, stretching as he got out of the car. Despite her earlier excitement, Gloria was somehow the last one to exit the vehicle. As she did, she turned to look at the Megabuilding beside them, studying the various units. Idly, she wondered if V had gotten her a regular apartment within, or if he might have splurged and gotten her one of the penthouses to rest on the higher floors. Secretly, Gloria hoped for the latter, but would be more than happy with the former. Unable to suppress her excitement anymore, she addressed the group behind her. "Alright, so which unit is mine?"
"Uh mom? Wrong building." David gently grabbed his mother's head and turned her to look at the other skyscraper. "Your apartment's that one..." David pointed upwards, in particularly to the top of the building. Gloria's eyes followed her son's finger, growing as wide as her new body allowed.
"Eh!? I...Have a top floor apartment?" Even in a Megabuilding, top floor apartments weren't cheap. And Gloria had a feeling this one was even more expensive than that. "Shit. Know he gave David his Glen apartment partially to make up for not being in the kid's life for eighteen years but this? For me!? On top of my treatments!?"
"Yeah." David ushered his mom into the lobby of the building and over to the elevator. "Oh, wait. Stay here a second mom." David scanned the card, and the door to the elevator opened. She watched her son hop in and tap the card again, eyes counting how many floors up her child was going up. After a few minutes, she saw the numbers starting to descend and the door once again opened with a gentle ding! "Alright, here's the key for you mom. Jackie, Nadia...V said to make sure you carry this on you at all times in the apartment."
Gloria took the key from her son, seeing him hand over two small badges to the other adults. She noticed David also had one of the badges on his jacket, but didn't have time to ask questions as he pushed her to the elevator.
"Come on mom!" Somehow, her son seemed more excited than she did. "Think you're gonna like your new place."
"We'll see." Gloria said though laughter, scanning the card that started the elevator moving. While she had watched the numbers climb from the outside, it seemed a bit more nerve wracking watching on the inside. After what seemed the longest elevator ride of her life, the door pinged open to reveal her new apartment. Scratch that, her new penthouse apartment. "Holy shit..."
The apartment to meet her eyes was pure luxury, far beyond anything she could have imagined. Large windows let in natural light, illuminating everything. She could see the sheen of the lacquered hardwood floors. Could make out the plushness of the carpet in the sitting area. Her eyes looked to the furniture, all of it brand new and from brands that she could only dream of sitting on. Never mind owning: the coffee table alone looked like it would have cost her her year's salary. She turned her head, now seeing the kitchen. A five burner glass top stove. Full size refrigerator and separate wine slash liqour cooler. Dishwasher. Large, high powered microwave. Toaster oven. Oh, and the all-in-one coffee maker. It was like a restaurant kitchen miniaturized, but still with plenty of room for her to move around.
The biggest thing to catch her eye however were the robots scattered around the place. Gloria had no idea what model they were, but recognized them as being similar to the defense bots often seen accompanying the NCPD or the richer folks of Night City.
"Guards or housekeepers?" Gloria pointed to the closest robot, looking to her companions for an answer.
"They're guards. Hang on..." David searched through his pocket, pulling out a data shard that he handed over to her. "That's the manual. The short version that dad gave me is they're programmed to respond to your commands. Apparently one of the key words they answer to is 'help'. Also, they'll be hostile to anyone who doesn't possess an IFF tag like this, or the key." He showed her the tag on his jacket. "So if you have anyone come over, make sure they get a tag from you at some point before leaving the elevator. V said he left extras in the drawer beside your bed, but wants you to put anymore extras somewhere safe."
"Is this really necessary?" At that, the three guests to her new apartment exchanged looks. "Never mind, I can read your thoughts from here. It's Night City."
The four of them said that last part together, each one laughing at it for various reasons. "I'll read the manual later, but for now...I want to see the rest of my place." Ignoring the robot, Gloria wandered into the kitchen, opening the fridge to reveal it was already stocked with both synthetic and organic foods.
"Heh, told you mom would check the kitchen first. Pay up." She heard David say as Jackie grumbled, but paid them no attention as she opened one of the cabinets. Stacks of plates and bowls greeted her, and when she picked up a couple, discovered they all matched. Gloria set the plates down and closed the cabinet, moving deeper into the apartment until she stood in the sitting area, looking out the windows.
"W-wait, A lawn?" She scanned the glass wall, finding the door after a moment. Stepping outside, she let out a cry of surprise. "And a pool!? Hot tub? Is-is that a landing pad? A sand garden!?" Gloria bounced from one area of the rooftop yard to the next, ignoring the amused noises to come from her entourage. "I have one of those sand garden thingies?"
Smiling, Gloria knelt down and ran a finger through the soft sand, idly drawing a squiggly line as far as she could reach. Who cared if it wasn't 'traditional' – Gloria was having fun. "So soft."
"Just wait until you try out some of the furniture." David came to her side, patting her on the shoulder with one hand while motioning for her to head back inside with the other. Gloria nodded enthusiastically, getting to her feet and following her son back inside. She continued exploring her apartment, finding her bed on the upper floor along with a dresser already loaded with several shits, pants, and other articles of clothing. Pulling out a couple, she checked the tags.
"These are all my size? Wait...This one's a custom job!?"
"Kind of helped V with that one." Nadia looked down, "may or may not have given V your measurements so he could buy you this stuff."
"Is that why you were talking fashion with me?" The brunette nodded, and Gloria let out a squeal of delight. The shirt she was holding forgotten in favor of hugging her nurse. "How did you keep it secret?"
"Doctor-client confidentiality." Nadia didn't return the hug, using her arms as a brace to keep Gloria from fully crushing her in her excitement. Fortunately for the nurse, Gloria released her after a moment in favor of flopping onto the bed. The frame creaked under her weight, but held steady as her body sank into the mattress.
"Guys? If I die...Please bury me in this mattress."
"Would you settle for being cremated in it?" Jackie quipped, catching the pillow Gloria threw at him. Jackie threw it back at her right as she sat up, making her laugh again. Rising from the bed, Gloria wandered back to the main area of the apartment, spinning as she took it all in.
"Well mom. What do you think?"
"I think I died on the operating table. Or I'm still in a coma and dreaming." The red-head heard a laugh come from her nurse, and she frowned. "Stop laughing Nadia, I don't know why I'd dream of physical therapy." She looked back at her son. "And I love it..."
"But?" David pressed, gently elbowing her. "Come on mom, I recognize that tone. Out with it."
"But I don't know if I deserve all this." Gloria gestured to the apartment, the joy she felt at first now replaced by the ever lingering guilt she felt over the whole situation with her and V.
"Mom. Mom, don't say that." She felt David's arms around her. "You deserve this and more. Think of everything you've done the last eighteen years. Working as an EMT to help people. Helping grandma and grandpa. Supplying Maine and the crew...Shit, looking after my gonk ass alone is enough of a qualifier."
"No, you just take after me a little too much in certain departments." Gloria shook her head, "...that's on me I suppose."
"Exactly...wait, that came out wrong." David let out a grunt. "What I'm trying to say mom is, you've earned this. For once in your life, sit back and just enjoy a chance to relax."
"Mijo, I relaxed enough in the hospital." The red-head carefully pushed her son off her and stood up, starting to walk around the apartment again. "I want to get back up and out there. I want to look into getting a job again. Or maybe find another way to assist you and the crew beyond...selling them scavved supplies and parts." Gloria's steps had taken her back to the kitchen, where she found another door she hadn't seen before. It reminded her of the door that lead to the small pantry at her parent's house. "Oh! Maybe I can become a cook for the team. Why I-"
She opened the door, expecting to find various cans or boxed foodstuffs. Instead, she was greeted with a whole other room. The walls of this one were covered in what might have been soundproof tiles, and she could see storage boxes for weapons, ammo, and other armaments. There was also a desk, chair, and other assorted tools in the room.
"Uh, David? Jackie? Nadia even?" Gloria stepped out of the armory and closed the door. "The robots I can understand. But why does my new apartment have an armory? And because its Night City is not a valid answer this time."
"Because it's V's?" Jackie offered after a moment of thought. "Guy's got a stash like this at his other places for work so..."
"Wait. You mean this place is V's?" Gloria blinked, the rest of Jackie's words sinking in. "Wait, V has multiple apartments?"
The Latino man nodded, looking slightly annoyed. "He calls them safe houses, but yes."
"Huh, wait. My place was also fully stocked. Was my place one of his safe houses too?" David took off his coat, holding it a moment before tossing it to the couch. All of a sudden, the robot nearest to them moved in, scanners locked on David. Gloria noticed the other robots had come to life as well, and they were moving towards David. "What the..."
The closest robot threw a punch that caught David in the chest, sending him backwards. Though David managed to stay on his feet, he was quickly knocked down by another robot hitting him in the back of the head. A little dazed, he threw a punch of his own. With a dull thump, his fist connected with the chest plate of the closest bot. In reply, the punched bot beeped and proceeded to strike back with an uppercut.
"Gaahh!" David cursed as he was sent skyward, the others bots closing in around him. This one moved in with a jab, while another had what seemed to be a strong right hook if the sound of metal striking David's jaw was any indication. Another seemed content to karate chop him, knocking him to the floor as the other bots continued to beat on him. Honestly, it looked more like schoolyard bullies beating on a nerd than an actual fight. "Ow! Fuck! Ribs! Mom!"
"Stop that!" Gloria screamed at the robots, her son's words snapping her out of her shock. The robots stopped their beating, giving David a moment to try and crawl away. To Gloria's eyes, her son's actions offended the original robot, and she watched as it reached out an arm and grabbed him before smacking him again. "Stop it! David's a friend!"
"Not to their eyes." Jackie shook his head, "where's his tag?"
"Fuck. On his jacket!" Nadia put her Trauma speed on full display and grabbed David's jacket and tossed it to him in one fluid motion. "Catch kid!"
"Whuh?" The jacket hit David in the face, and he held onto it, confused.
"Put your jacket on!" The Latino man mimed the action, "the IFF tag's on it."
"Uh...sure." With all the grace of a toddler trying to dress themselves, David wiggled his arms into the jacket. Now sensing the IFF tag that marked him as 'friendly', all of the robots let out various beeps and moved back to their stations. "Ugh, fuck. Dad wasn't kidding or cut any corners on security, did he?"
"Are you okay David?" Gloria moved to her son's side, once more handling him like he was heirloom fine china. "Nadia? First aid kit?"
"Bathroom chica." Jackie answered and Nadia nodded. "V usually keeps at least one in each."
"I'm fine...Just winded." Her son smiled, though it was pained. "And I thought, uncle Jackie's punches were hard."
"Training him to fight." His uncle explained, moving aside as Nadia came back with a first aid kit. "And this showed me that you've still got a lot to learn. Why didn't you block?"
"I did, but those guys pack a punch." David gestured to the nearest robot as Nadia confirmed he was okay and patched up the few minor scratches he had. "Think we can get in a couple rounds of boxing practice later?"
Gloria fixed Jackie with a look that the man knew meant 'don't'.
"Eh, not today." Gloria gave a nod as Jackie helped David to his feet. "Don't think you could stand another round with...What model are these guys?"
"Hang on, let me check the manual." Gloria slotted the data shard that David had given her, motioning for the boys to go sit down. "R-M-K point two?"
"Looks to be the generic version that civvies can buy. Offshoot of the original Arasaka model." Nadia took a moment to study one of the robots, typing something on her data pad as she did.
"Says here these one have non-lethal and lethal modes? Changeable by command but must be done manually as they can not be accessed remotely?"
"Sounds like they're on a closed system." Nadia answered, seeing Gloria's confusion. "Similar to yourself. Means these bots are not connected to a network. As such, they can't be remotely hacked, but there can be other issues." The brunette pointed to the bot that had punched David in the first place. "Case in point, needing an additional authenticating factor to tell friend from foe."
"Yeah, definitely going to need to do some reading on these bots...See if they're capable of other things." Gloria took a seat next to her son, letting out a pleased hum at how warm and inviting the leather couch and plush carpet felt. "Might not need your services as a guard anymore Nadia. But you're still welcome to come and visit."
"I've been instructed to continue to be your nurse as you adjust to your new body." Nadia sent a file over to Gloria. "However, you are right that I will now be more of a day nurse than a live-in nurse as I was at the Med Center. I'll stop by in the morning to check in on you and how you're doing, then go about my day. You are free to call me at anytime though if you require assistance."
"And if I just want to call you to hang out?" Gloria smiled, making Nadia raise an eyebrow. "What? Know V hired you to look after me, but I'd like to think that we've at least formed some sort of non-work relationship."
"Well, you know what I've got going on right now." Nadia looked out the window, and Gloria could see the concern in the other woman's eyes. "But...You're right. Might be nice to hang out without obligations. Say, maybe you can make a batch of those cookies you talked about but refused to give me the recipe."
"I am not revealing the secret of my cocoa shortbreads." The red-head raised her head, looking away from Nadia with a playfully smug expression. "That's only for members of the Martinez family. But sure, I'll make a batch...Actually, wonder if I have all the ingredients on hand already. Make a batch now and let you take some home with you." She stood up, making her way back over to the kitchen. "Plus, this'll give me a chance to really take everything for a test drive. Now, where did V hide the baking sheets?"
Smiling, Gloria took to poking around her kitchen, enjoying the fun of discovering where V had put everything. Sure, she'd have to make some adjustments (the cooking utensils like tongs and stirring spoons should have been in the drawer closest to the stove, not beside the sink) but for now, she was content to start making her new house feel like a home.
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After giving herself a couple days to learn where everything was in her apartment and make adjustments (such as moving the coffee mugs to the cabinet next to the coffee maker). And learn the ins and outs of her new robotic guards: There was thirteen robots scattered around the place, though Gloria had only found eleven; four RMK.2 on the outside, and six on the inside. Supposedly, the last two bots were a pair of wyvern drones, but Gloria had yet to find them. The final robot was the only one not combat capable. That one, a little robot vacuum that Gloria affectionately named 'Cangrejo' after its red coloration and the way it scuttled around the floor was arguably her favorite.
She just wished it was a little less efficient at its job.
"Cangrejo, haven't you ever heard of the 'five second rule'?" She chided the cleaning bot gently as it rolled over the chip she dropped. Not that she was going to serve or eat it, but the bot often showed up so quick that Gloria was liable to trip over it if she wasn't careful. A simple beep was her answer as the robot turned around and went back to patrolling for dirt. "Eh, least you'll come in handy for the party this afternoon."
In addition to rearranging a few things, Gloria wanted to make her place seem a little more 'lived in' and figured the best way to do that was to throw a housewarming party. There was little Gloria actually had to get, as V really did stock the place well. She had assorted snacks, appetizers and drinks set out, and after finding the menu in a drawer, had some pizzas from a local place delivered. With everything set up, it was now just a waiting game for the crew to arrive. Despite her best efforts, she couldn't seem to change the response time of the robots – but she did learn the various single word commands to help control them.
'Help' would summon the robots to her, no matter what they were doing.
'Hold' caused the robots to stop moving and await further instructions.
'Stop' would make them stop their current action, but if no additional command was given within a five-second window, they would resume their previous task.
'Stand down' put them back into idle mode.
There were a few other commands, but for the here and now she figured those four were probably the most important. Especially since she had just received a message from David, so she'd be taking the bots for a test drive.
["Hey Mom. Just got here with Lucy and Kiwi. You got the IFF tags at the ready?"]
["Yeah, though I think I've figured out how to control the robots."] She looked to the robot closest to the elevator. ["So come on up."]
Instead of receiving an answer, Gloria saw the control panel light up that someone was on their way up. Though she held the IFF tags in her hand, she also had a word on her tongue. With a soft ding, the door opened revealing David with Lucy and Kiwi just behind him.
"Hey mom." David stepped out first and gave her a hug. Lucy and Kiwi moved out shortly after, their presence alerting the closest robot. With a whir, it came to life and moved out of its dock in favor of checking out the intruders. "Uh, mom!"
"Hold." Gloria held up a hand, the action didn't mean anything, but she felt weird just saying the word. "Stand down. Lucy. Kiwi. Put these on, preferably on your shirt or pants." The red-head held out the clip-on ID tags, which the other two women were quick to grab. "Sorry, V went a little overboard with security. Those tags mark you as 'friendlies', meaning the robots won't attack you."
"From what David told me, these guys pack a punch." Lucy gestured to the closest robot, moving into the apartment. "Oh Gloria, where's your bathroom?"
"That door over there." Gloria pointed as Lucy moved to the indicated door. Kiwi meanwhile had moved to inspect the robot a little closer.
"Nice security bot. This model can dent steel depending on how its programmed." Kiwi answered before moving deeper into the apartment. "Thanks for inviting me over Gloria."
"It's no trouble." Gloria smiled, though it faded slightly as she noticed the slight hobble in Kiwi's steps. "Uh Kiwi, are you okay?"
"Huh?"
"You're limping." The red-head's eyes narrowed. "A sprain if I had to guess?"
"Yeah." The blond netrunner didn't argue as she wandered into the living room and took a seat on the couch. "Tripped while I was running. Just got to avoid moving too much, and ice it if it starts to hurt."
"Go ahead and prop it up on the coffee table if you need to. Oh wait, let me get you a pillow to put under it..." Before Kiwi could protest, Gloria had grabbed one of the floor pillows from under the coffee table and set it on the surface of the table. Though she tried act indifferent, her eyes gave away her true feelings as she set her leg on the pillow. "Don't think you're missing much. You can pretty much see everything from here. All that's upstairs is my bedroom and another bathroom. Would you like something to eat or drink? I've got all sorts of options for drinks. And I've an assortment of those nutrient jelly packs that you like."
"Actually, a beer would be nice." The blond gave a nod as Gloria moved back to the kitchen where David was loading up a plate with some snacks. "Nice place."
"Thank you." Gloria smiled as she picked up Kiwi's beer and a slice of pizza and soda for herself. "Though personally, I think its a little much." She moved back to the couch, seeing Lucy emerge from the bathroom and move to David's side. "Help yourself Lucy. Here you go Kiwi."
"Thanks." The blond reached out and grabbed the bottle, looking to David as he joined them on the couch. "So, who's place would you say is nicer, yours or your mom's?"
"Mom's. Hands down." David ate a couple chips off his plate. "My place is nice, but a bit smaller. Would probably take up maybe a-third of this place at most."
"It's not that small David." Lucy moved over to the three of them, setting her plate down and planting herself between David and Kiwi. "But I agree with Kiwi. This place is nice. Though I have to ask, do you have the retractable curtains like David's place or that 'smart glass' that adjusts to light automatically?"
The white-haired girl pointed to the windows, arm shining briefly in the light streaming in through the windows. To anyone else, the young netrunner's arm appeared normal, but to Gloria – who had been trained to identify cybernetic limbs versus 'ganic ones.
"I haven't figure that out yet." Gloria's expression turned soft and motherly. "Though Lucy, honey. What happened to your arm?" Lucy let out a tiny gasp and pulled her arm back, cradling it with the other. There was the faintest pink tint to her cheeks, and Gloria quickly apologized. "It's okay if you don't want to talk about it but-"
"Lost it in an explosion." Lucy sighed as Gloria let out a worried gasp. "Gig I was on went bad. Fortunately, the damage wasn't too bad and they were able to fix me up with this number." She showed Gloria her new arm. "Tried to match my skin as close as they could but."
"I understand. It looks good." The red-head took a drink. "Whomever your ripper is, they did a good job. I could only tell because they train you in the EMT courses to notice things like that. Time matters in an emergency, and you don't want to waste a few seconds trying to shove a needle into a steel beam of an arm."
"Like what happened with Maine?" The corner of Kiwi's eye twitched in a smile, making David raise an eyebrow while Lucy hummed and Gloria laughed. She hadn't been there, but she had heard the story. "Okay, so we had a job out in the Badlands..."
As Kiwi started telling her story, Gloria got a message from Jackie that he was in the lobby with Misty. Knowing that the man had access to David's place, Gloria had wondered if V had given him a key to this place as well. He hadn't, and Gloria was relieved at that fact.
["Oi, can you bring down two more tags? Dorio said she and Becca weren't too far out."]
["On my way."] Gloria looked at her current house guests. "Excuse me, more of the crew just arrived."
Standing up, Gloria took a moment to brush herself off before grabbing up three additional IFF tags. Moving into the elevator, she hummed along to the mindless tune, smiling as it came to a stop.
"Hey!" She greeted warmly as the elevator opened, revealing Jackie and a young woman with dyed blond hair. "Not sure if Jackie already explained about my bots, but...Need you to put this on."
"He did, and thank you." The newcomer took the tag and attached it to her shirt, before holding out her hand. "Misty Olszewski."
"Gloria Martinez." Still weary of her own strength, Gloria took Misty's hand carefully. "Given how much Jackie talked about you, it's nice to finally meet face to face."
"Funny, I could say the same thing given how much Jackie, David, and V talked about you." The two women shared a laugh, before Misty held out the bag she was holding for Gloria. "Oh, and this is for you. A little housewarming gift. Hope you like it."
"Aww, you didn't have to get me anything." Gloria took the bag and opened it, revealing a small backflow incense burner that had been made to look like a waterfall. There was also a box containing assorted incense cones for her to burn. "Thank you."
"Backflow burners like that minimize the smoke that gets into the air, while still providing all the benefits open burners provide." She gestured to the box of cones. "Wasn't sure what kind of scents you might like, but given what the boys told me about you...Figured you might appreciate the ones that relieve stress and anxiety. I know there's lavender, sandalwood, and peppermint in there to name a few."
Gloria opened up the box and took a sniff, the multitude of scents reminding her of stepping into a candle shop. "Hmm...Any recommendation on which to burn first?"
"Hang on..." Misty moved to her side and looked at the cones, picking up a soft green one after a moment. "Sage. It's great for refreshing the energy of a space, and gets rid of negative energy. Sage is also used in a lot of house blessings because of that."
Gloria let out a hum and sniffed the cone; an earthy and slightly sweet scent met her nose and she nodded. "Sage it is. Though, think I'll wait until after the party to burn it. Might also need to use its air freshening properties."
Jackie and Misty chuckled as she put the cone back and closed the box, returning everything to the bag. Gloria was about to say more, but she was interrupted by something slamming against her side.
"Damn, you look good!" Becca started poking Gloria in various places, hand lingering a little longer on her butt. "Full metal MILF, am I right?"
"Sorry Gloria, I tried to stop her." Dorio shrugged, smiling apologetically. "But I have to agree, you look good."
"Thank you, and it's nice to see you Becca. You too Dorio." Gloria returned the hug while simultaneously pushing Becca back while Jackie muttered about her stealing his material. "Well, now that we're all here, let's head upstairs alright?"
Smiling, Gloria ushered the four into the elevator with her, giving Becca and Dorio their tags as they rode upwards. Though Jackie had seen the place before, the other girls were impressed by the penthouse's luxury.
"Man, whose dick do I have to suck or pussy do I have to lick to get a place like this? And don't say V's – that's clearly not working!" Becca whined, though there was a smile on her face.
"Please, I'm eating..." David grumbled, making Kiwi and Lucy laugh as the short girl bounced over to her friends.
"Help yourselves guys, mi casa es tu casa." The red-head smiled, setting the gift bag on the counter so it wouldn't get lost or damaged.
"Don't mind if I do." Jackie grinned, wiggling his fingers as he moved into the kitchen and started putting together a plate for himself. Misty meanwhile joined the crew on the couch, and Gloria was a little surprised that it seemed everyone already knew her.
"Met most of them at Vik's clinic. I help the man out from time to time." Misty answered, before asking Jackie to bring her a soda and a slice of pizza. Though Gloria heard him grumble, she could tell there was no real weight behind it. After greetings were made, and plates of food put together, conversations flowed smoothly between everyone. Most of the conversation was on everyone's day to day lives, while Gloria got to tell the crew some of the stories she had from the hospital.
"Speaking of Nadia, where is she?" Becca questioned, looking around for the wayward nurse. "Figured she'd be critiquing your current choice of foodstuffs."
"Visiting her boyfriend in the hospital." Gloria answered, holding up a fried wonton. "Bad as this might sound, him getting injured at this time kind of worked out for her. Now that I'm out of Trauma's care and ninety-seven percent synthetic, I don't need to be fussed over almost twenty-four seven." Gloria popped the wonton into her mouth and chewed happily. "Plus, my diet isn't as much of a concern now either. Sure, they advised me that when I do eat, that I should at least try to pick foods with some nutritional value. Something about how my 'digestive system' can break it down and use the nutrients to help further sustain my brain. Oh, and to drink a good amount of fluids too." She took a drink of her soda. "Mostly just to help 'flush the pipes' as the doctors put it."
"So, you're capable of taking a shit with that body?"
"Jackie!" Misty swatted the man's arm, even as the crew laughed. "You can't just ask a woman that."
"In a sense, yes." Gloria chuckled along with everyone else. "Though I would have expected a question like that to come from Pilar. Is he coming later or?"
"He's not coming at all." The smile on Becca's face faded slightly, and Gloria noticed that everyone, including Misty, looked a little down at the mention of the techie. "Pilar got seriously wrecked after our last gig and is on bed rest."
"Sorry to hear that." Gloria opened her arms to offer Becca a comforting hug, which the green-haired girl was quick to snuggle into. A muffled thanks was her reply as Becca shifted so she was leaning up against Gloria. "And while I'm sure you've probably heard this a few times, I'm here to help if you guys need anything."
"Could use a strong drink." The short-stack joked, finishing up the bottle of beer she had grabbed. "Not complaining about the free beer but..."
"I get it. V left me a well stocked liquor cabinent." Becca moved from leaning on Gloria, letting the older woman get to her feet. "Got a preference Becca?"
"Surprise me." Becca covered her eyes, but soon opened them in favor of munching on her plate of snacks.
"Tequila, por favor." Jackie grinned, "and another cerveza."
"Make it two." Misty added, making Jackie laugh.
"Sounds good." Kiwi held up three fingers. "Better make that three."
"Lucy?"
"No, but I'll take some vodka, please." The white-haired girl smiled. "David, you want to try drinking vodka again?"
"Ugh no." Gloria couldn't help but laugh at the face her son made. "Mom? Would you mind making me a cup of coffee? Extra cream, extra sugar?"
At that, Gloria raised an eyebrow. David had never been one for soda, usually drinking juice or water if avaible. Sure, he mentioned drinking tea a few times, or an occasional beer with the crew. But coffee? "Since when do you drink coffee?"
"I'm a little tired, figured its a good pick me up. And when the sugar rush wears off, maybe I'll just fall asleep."
"Alright." Gloria nodded, eyes going to Dorio. "What about you Dory, you want anything?"
"I'll just take another beer." The musclebound woman stood up. "Though I'll get it myself. Seems you might have your hands full with the kids here." Dorio pointed at the group, causing the Edgerunners to roll their eyes and mutter comments. Misty and Jackie meanwhile looked like they were trying not to laugh as the woman followed Gloria into the kitchen.
"They still calling you the 'team mom'?" The red-head asked as she opened up the liquor cabinent and looked for the relevant bottles. "Oh, in the lower cabinent beside the stove, there's a serving tray. Would you mind grabbing it for me?"
"Sure. And unfortunately yes." Dorio sighed as she bent over and grabbed the tray, placing it on the counter as Gloria placed the requested bottles on it. "Don't get me wrong, I care for these guys but...Team mom, really? I feel more like an aunt than a mom to them."
"Suppose that makes Maine the 'Cool Uncle' then?" That brought a snort from the blond as Gloria added some shot glasses to the tray, pointing at the fridge. "Beer's in there, though speaking of Maine, where is he?"
"Being a broody recluse again." Dorio sighed, complying with the unspoken requests to grab the beers. "I told him he's overreacting. That just because our recent gig went pear shaped doesn't mean that everything else will." She pulled out a six pack, snagging one for herself before adding the remaining ones to the tray.
"Seems everyone's had a bad time recently with a gig." Gloria's head tilted to the side as she moved to make David's cup of coffee. "Were you all on the same one or?"
At the question, Dorio seemed to hestitate, but after a moment. "Yeah, some of us came out better than others. Falco's cyberarm got fucked. He's off having it looked at and repaired. And you heard what happened to Lucy and Pilar." She opened her beer up and took a drink. "Though none of us really want to talk about it...At the end of the day, I just try to focus on the positives, and told Maine to do the same. Everyone's still alive. He's still got his apartment, I have mine. He's got his health, and we've plenty of ways to make eddies."
"You two still live in different places?" Gloria chuckled, seeing Dorio nod. "Thought you two would have moved in together by now."
"Don't get me wrong, I spend more time at his place than mine. And it seems more like I live with him than I do on my own. But, he's never formally made the offer for me to move in, you know?" Dorio rolled her eyes just slightly, "I mean. Sure, I could ask him if I could or, see if he wants to move in with me. But at the same time, I like having my place. Comes in handy when we have little spats like this."
"Or gives you a safe house as V would probably say." The red-head offered, making Dorio scoff. "If I was you, I'd live in the bigger one and have the other for emergencies."
"Heh, then we've got it backwards." The blond laughed, grabbing a slice of pizza as she opened her beer. "I've a small two-bed, one bath deal just inside the boarder of Pacifica. Maine's just got a one-bedroom place in Japantown."
"Rent that cheap in Pacifica?" Gloria added David's finished cup of coffee to the tray and picked it up, motioning for them to return to the group.
"Sort of? Helps that my parents still own that building, and that a few of the residents I grew up with still live there too."
Gloria nodded, setting the tray down on the table for the group to help themselves as she took her spot next to Becca back.
"One-fifty-one?" Becca picked up the bottle of rum Gloria had plucked from her liquor collection. "Thought I loved you before, but now I know I do." Once again, the green-haired girl snuggled into Gloria. "Hand me a glass?"
"Sure." Gloria handed Becca one of the glasses, eyes widening as she watched the short girl open the bottle and nearly fill her glass to the brim before setting the bottle back. Smiling, Becca took a drink and drained nearly a third of the glass before letting out a satified sigh. Gloria looked to the rest of the crew, trying to see if they were just as surprised but none of them reacted, seeming content with their own drinks as conversation started flowing again.
David and Jackie were talking about some fight or another, with Jackie animatedly reinacting some of the moves. Lucy and Misty were laughing at the man's antics, while also debating who was the bigger child between the two.
Dorio and Kiwi were discussing visiting one of the clubs in Kabuki, asking Lucy and Becca if they wanted to make a girl's night of it, extending the invitation to her and Misty as well.
"Could be fun." Misty offered, taking a drink. "Though its been awhile since I've gone out like that. Might have to go shopping first."
"Doesn't need to be anything fancy." Dorio gestured to her current outfit; leather jacket, a tank top that barely covered her chest, and a pair of short shorts. "I just wear what's comfortable when I go out."
"Yeah, we're not big on fashion." Kiwi pointed at Becca. "Just look at Becca."
Becca, who had been snuggled into Gloria's side sat up straight at that. "What's that supposed to mean?" The green-haired girl was wearing a gray crop top and a pair of black jeans, her jacket currently hooked over the back of the couch. Her hands were clenched in fists, and Gloria could tell she was getting ready to launch herself off the sofa.
"Means exactly what I said." The older netrunner took a drink. "That we're not big on fashion."
"Well personally, I think you look cute Becca." Gloria offered, instantly making Becca squeal and return to snuggling into the red-head's side. "Nice to see you wearing something conservative for once."
"Talking to me about being conservative?" The short-stack looked amusingly scandalized. "What about Dorio's usual choice of wardrobe? Least I wear a bra."
"You try finding a bra with proper support for these things." Dorio pushed up her chest, showing off her assets. Misty laughed, before reccomending a place on Urmland street just a few storefronts down from her place. Meanwhile. Jackie and David both made faces and decided to take their conversation outside. This brought a fresh round of laughter from the girls, and Gloria could see the five other women were looking a lot more relaxed than when they first arrived.
Much as she wanted to find out a bit more about the gig and how the missing members of the crew were doing, she decided to keep Dorio's words in mind and joined in on planning a girl's night out instead. Fun now, work and drama later.
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The party had been a success, and the place felt more like a home than it had the last few days. The earthy smell of sage filled the room, the incense burner serving as a centerpiece on the dining room table. Thanks to some unreqested help from Lucy and Misty, most of the trash had been taken out already. However, that didn't mean there wasn't other things that required cleaning. While everyone else had gone home, David opted to stay behind to help his mother.
Lucy had argued it was because David felt bad about leaving her to clean the coffee stain he caused out of the rug. David argued he was just being a good son and wanted to spend some time with his mom. Gloria had a feeling it was a combination of both, but kept her thought to herself as she watched David continue to scrub at the stain while she took a seat on the couch. Picking up the remote, she turned on the TV, eventually settling on the news to try and get the weather.
"Don't think its coming out anymore than this..." David pointed to the stain, asking her to look. Even through the carpet was still wet, Gloria could tell the stain was maybe just a shade darker than the carpet itself.
"Maybe. We'll let it dry a little then check again." She patted the spot on the couch next to her, and David sat down with a grateful grunt. "Thanks for helping mijo."
"No problem mom." He yawned, sinking down into the couch. "Glad you like your new place."
"I've come around to it...Plan to try out the pool tomorrow if they ever get to the weather." Gloria pointed at the TV, frowning as they began another story about some celebrity or another . "You and Lucy should bring your swimsuits next time you come to visit. Or do you think I should throw a pool party at some point?"
"Pool party would be nova." David smiled, letting out another yawn.
"You're welcome to head home D." She poked his arm, "you've done enough to help me these last couple days."
"In a little bit. Kind of just want to relax at the moment." He scratched at his stomach. "Hey mom, is there any pizza left over?"
"There is, let me check what flavors." Gloria got up off the couch as the sports report started. Walking into the kitchen, Gloria opened the fridge and checked the food storage bag she had slipped the remaining pizza in. "There's two slices left of the locust pepperoni, and one of the artichoke avocado."
"Pepperoni please?" Gloria took out David's slice, taking the artichoke slice for herself.
"I'm going to warm mine up in the toaster oven, want me to heat yours too?" She looked back at her son even as she grabbed the small baking tray. In reply, David gave her a thumbs up and stretched out on the couch, attention focused on the news. Tossing the pizza in to heat, Gloria decided to hang out in the kitchen and wait, listening as the news switched to its newest story.
"Continuing coverage on our top story, chaos at the Grand Imperial Mall." The reporter's perky voice seemed at odds with the story she was reporting on. "The area was thrown into a state of unrest following a gang war that took over much of the surrounding area."
"Another one?" Gloria shook her head, seeing that David was once again sitting up, attention focused on the news. There was an odd look in her son's eyes as the reporter provided some history on both gangs. "David? You okay?"
The dinging of the oven made the boy jump. "Uh, yeah. Sorry, that's wild, huh?"
"Want a drink as well?" David shook his head as Gloria poured herself a glass of iced tea before putting both slices on the same plate and returned to the couch. "And yeah. Been awhile since there's been a gang war that large. But don't worry, they're few and far between." She placed a hand on David's back and rubbed it reassuringly.
"I know but-"
"Adding on to the chaos, reports of someone having succumb to Cyberpsychosis inside the mall. Here at NN fifty-four we have obtained some exclusive footage and images of the scene both inside and out. Warning, some of the following footage may not be suitable for all viewers."
As the news started showing areial stills and video footage obviously shot by amatures with drones, Gloria noticed that David seemed to growing more and more uncomfortable. In particularly, he seemed highly uncomfortable with the sight of a large patch of blood next to one of the concrete barriers around the parking lot.
"Don't look so worried, that's all the way out in Pacifica. Nowhere near us." Gloria picked up her slice of pizza and took a bite, nudging the plate closer to David. She saw the tiniest nod of David's head as he picked up his own slice. The news switched to showing the interior of the mall. Corpses and assorted viscera dotted the area, and while it wasn't anything Gloria really hadn't seen before – she could tell David was having a hard time seeing it. "Damn, whomever was inside is a monster."
All of a sudden, she heard David cough as he choked on his latest bite of pizza. Once more, Gloria took to patting David's back even as he reached out and downed half of her iced tea.
"David? Are you sure you're okay?" She stopped her patting as he let out one more cough before nodding.
"Uh yeah." David cleared his throat, taking another sip of tea. For just a second, his eyes looked scared but was quickly replaced with one Gloria would best describe as 'teen agnst'. "Just, really haven't seen anything like this. But, guess I should get used to it if I'm gonna run with Maine and them, right?"
"Unfortunately." Gloria nodded, now rubbing his back. "Wish I could tell you that persuing the corporate life like your father would prevent you from being exposed to stuff like this, but I'd be lying."
"Whatever." Her son shrugged out from under her hand, giving her a weary smile as he picked up his half-eaten slice. He took a bite, chewing it carefully as the news finally switched to the weather.
To anyone else, Gloria knew that response would have seemed cold and indifferent. But Gloria knew her son well enough to understand that was his way of saying 'thanks mom' anytime he was embarrased by needing her advice. Returning the smile, the moment the weather was over, Gloria picked up the remote and changed the channel to one that was showing reruns of the animated adventures of 'Talsorian Rex'. She heard David scoff at her choice in entertainment and felt him roll his eyes, but knew he wouldn't actually say anything against her choice.
After all, this was her place.