Chapter 1: Unheard
Yellow and blue neon lights above gave the patrons at the bar a soft glow. Dancers moved about dreamily in tubes. The Afterlife was buzzing with activity. Old friends shared stories over drinks. Fixers met with mercs to discuss jobs. At the bar, three hired guns were waiting for their fixer to show up.
One of the three wore a leather jacket and gray pants. His face had metal lines along his cheeks and eyes as a result of cyberware upgrades. His face also wore an emotionless expression. His left arm was robotic and hung closely by a large holster on his hip. The second wore a brown combat vest and a kevlar helmet. He was the least cybernetically augmented of the three. His eyes darted around the bar constantly. The third was a woman in baggy pants and a small, neon green jacket.
"Afraid a shot glass is gonna jump up and put a cap in ya, Alonso?" the woman asked the man in the combat vest.
"You can't be too careful, Tori. This city practically rains bullets," Alonso replied.
"Mid-op or during lockdown, sure, but here? You need to relax, brother," the man in the leather jack added.
"Some of us aren't chromed up, Silas. Mi carne needs protection," Alonso replied, thumping on his chest. The bartender walked up to the trio.
"What can I get you?" she asked.
"Silverhand for me and a Martinez for Tori here. What do you want, Alonso?" Silas asked. Alonso took a moment to look at the menu.
"Agua," he decided.
"You know how to party, choom," Tori teased. The bartender slid a glass of water to Alonso and began mixing the other drinks.
"Trying to keep your head clear?" Silas asked.
"Not just that," Alonso replied, sipping the water. "I guess I was just expecting something new.
"Legends not dying enough for your tastes?" Tori asked.
"Just legends in general. Silverhand flatlined over half a century ago after blowing up Arasaka Tower. Martinez got zeroed not long ago in some big Militech and Arasaka shootout," Alonso tried to explain.
"I'm not following," Tori replied.
"Legends blow things up and die, and then corps like Arasaka and Militech keep on rolling. Rinse and repeat. Nada cambia."
"I'm still not following."
"I've had these drinks the last few times I was here. I'm just looking for something different," Alonso explained.
"Something different you say?" a voice came from behind. The three turned to face it. A woman wearing a green jacket that was too large for her sat at a table behind them. Her dark hair was tied up and showed off cyberware markings on her face. She was smiling at them as she held a drink in her right, robotic hand.
"Do we know you?" Silas asked her.
"No, but maybe we can change that. I'm Ria. I'm a fixer," the woman stated.
"We already have a fixer. We're just waiting for them," Silas replied.
"And I have mercs. I'm just waiting for them. Care to pass the time with me?" Ria responded. The three looked at her, shrugged, grabbed their drinks, and pulled up chairs.
"So, what do you mean something different, señorita?" Alonso started.
"Legends, right? You're not making all that talk because you're bored of tequila, right? You're talking about the people behind the drinks. Their stories," Ria assessed. Alonso sipped his water.
"Yes. Something different," Alonso confirmed.
"Expecting change in Night City? Come on, now," Tori stated, rolling her eyes.
"Not change, necessarily, just something different. A different kind of legend. Have any of you heard of Offline?" Ria asked. Tori shrugged. Alonso shook his head. Silas thought for a moment.
"I feel like I've heard that name before. Sounds like an alias for a netrunner," Silas decided.
"If that's what you think, then you've not heard of Offline. I think a more appropriate name is the Offliner, or the Offline Man," Ria elaborated.
"I did not see his drink here. What was his real name?" Alonso asked.
"No one really knows what his real name is, or those that do know will not say it. He cut a violent path through this city quite recently. I imagine word will spread soon enough," Ria noted.
"Oh, so he blew things up and died," Alonso said disdainfully.
"Not quite. Hey, I didn't say he was going to be a saint feeding the homeless bread and SynthSteak. I just said he was different. There were things about him that were… unique. Would you like to learn more?" Ria offered.
"Guess I don't have much better to do," Silas declared.
"Sure," Alonso decided.
Tori thought for a second, sipping her drink. "Oh, why not."