For once in his life as they neared the city, V had hoped that the tales about Chicago were greatly exaggerated. The bright lights and the bustling city streets were one thing, but the violence was another. If anything, from the stories he had heard from the Aldecaldo's, the sound of the violence would make even the most deranged cyberpsycho's blush.
As they entered Chicago's walls, Panam found herself amazed by the bright lights and technology. Though not as advanced as Night City, it was still a great change of pace from what they were used to.
"It's beautiful…." She said as she turned off the radio. V nodded as he rolled his window down, taking in the sight of the Willis Tower, shining brightly in the night sky.
"Definitely gives Night City a run for its money," he replied. As soon as he said that, passing by an alleyway, they noticed a man beating another. And as luck would have it, he looked like a Maelstrom knockoff with his glowing red opticware from hell. V didn't even have to say it as Mitch rang them on the holo when he saw it.
"And to think that we were done dealing with these clowns…" Mitch griped. Panam sighed.
"If this Doctor Manhattan is here, then maybe this offshoot is still looking for him. You know they don't take kindly to defectors," she noted. V groaned.
"Still the same gonks as they were in Night City." He bemoaned.
The group continued to drive further into the city as the sun went down, with the infamous traffic delays Chicago was known for hitting them hard. Mitch could be heard swearing over the holo relentlessly as he was used to the open streets of the Badlands and not a congested cluster that was the Chicago roads. Both V and Panam were doing their best to contain their laughter.
Eventually, they managed to reach the 'office' of Doctor Manhattan, that being the abandoned Wrigley Building. Being as it was a popular landmark of Chicago before the net crashed and then the several wars that took place afterward (some worse than the wars of Night City) left the longstanding skyscraper in ruins. No one dared step inside as stories filled the streets of the numerous bodies that were littered either in the walls, or in the halls. Some even believed that it was a popular spot for gang parties, though no one ever wanted to find out.
Stepping outside their cars in the cold air of the night, V took one look at the building and whistled.
"Creepy. Fitting for a ripperdoc god? I dunno…" He said. Panam shivered in the cold, even though she was wearing both her Aldecaldo's jacket, and V's Samurai jacket.
"I feel sick just looking at this place," Panam said. Mitch scratched his head.
"This is where the file said they operate. No one ever dares go inside due to the stories of the building supposedly being haunted. That, and they say there's another man inside who beats the living daylights out of people, telling them to stay away," he added. V looked at his Malorian Arms gun, and shrugged.
"You guys carryin'?" He asked. Panam removed the Samurai jacket and put it in the car, revealing her own Malorian Arms weapon, respectively painted in the colors of the clan, a gift from V on their anniversary.
"Why wouldn't I be?" She snickered. Mitch shrugged.
"I have a feeling we will be fine. Just be quick on the draw," he said as he made his way inside. V looked at Panam, shrugged, and then followed. She was not far behind either of them.
As they traversed the first floor, they were surprised to see some of the lights still working, though they were a rather distinct shade of blue, oddly not red like the traditional Maelstrom colors.
"This is already trippy," V noted. Panam locked her hand with his, and sighed.
"Maybe this won't be so bad," she noted. Of course, as soon as she said that, a man stepped forward out of the shadows, illuminating the floor in an infamous red light with his eyes.
"You sure about that?" He said in a deep, gravely voice. V placed his hand on his gun, but the man calmly raised his hands and then lowered them to the floor, as if to tell V that he was not a threat.
"Easy there, choom. I know the stories about me…and they are greatly exaggerated." The stranger said calmly.
"Might I ask…who are you?" Mitch said crossing his arms. The stranger, who was wearing a black trench coat, a dirty white t-shirt, jeans, dark grey boots and black leather gloves, placed his hands in his pockets. His optics on his face looked almost exactly like Royce's, except they were constantly moving, like inkblots resembling a rorschach test.
"David Rorsch. Everyone calls me Rorschach, like the Watchmen character from them comics back in the day. I guess it's because of my constantly moving optics," He said, sticking out his hand. V shook his hand, as did Panam and Mitch.
"V. This is my girlfriend Panam, and my friend Mitch," V said introducing his crew. Rorsch politely smiled at the crew.
"Had hunch that was you V. I've heard plenty about you…the 'Devil Of Mikoshi' as they call ya," he smirked a little. V snickered a little.
"Did Manhattan tell you that?" Panam asked. Rorsch shook his head.
"Well, yes and no. He knew it was you the minute Arasaka went down. I found out about it through the scream sheets that some crazy fucker with a clan of nomads raided the building and kicked the shit out of everyone in sight."
"That's one way of putting it," Mitch said with a nervous look. Rorsch crossed his arms.
"Save it for another day, I'm sure. The doctor is expecting you," he said.
"He what?" Panam croaked. The man nodded as he walked down the corridor, the blue light getting slightly brighter as they moved along.
"Doc knows anything and everything. I don't know if his brain is linked to the net or what, but I've never asked. But I don't think he'll tell me anyway. I almost feel like he can see the future as well, but what do I know? Either way, he knew you would come for him," Rorsch explained. V and Panam both traded looks in bewilderment.
"Jeez, you are not joking," Mitch said. Rorschach gave him a look with a snicker.
"Do I look like I'm joking?" He said as his optics continued to move into different shapes, constantly changing shape every time, so no two 'inkblots' looked the same every time. Eventually, they reached his operating room. Rorsch said nothing as he gestured them inside.
Doctor Manhattan stood at his desk, adjusting his tools, not turning around to face the group. His body was decked out in a full chrome job, which was the same unique shade of blue as the lights in the hallway. Even more surprising was that his body also illuminated a light glow around him, to the point that he may as well have been a walking radioactive chrome job.
"Good evening, V" Manhattan said in a calm voice.
"Doctor Manhattan," V replied. "You know why I'm here?"
"Yes. And you are not going to leave disappointed," the doctor replied, turning around to face them. V felt a chill run down his spine at the sight, and even Panam gripped his hand slightly tighter.
Even with his whole body decked out in chrome, he still looked relatively human. He appeared to be wearing a white business suit with the sleeves rolled up, black pants and boots while he had his ripperdoc gear strapped to his left arm. His eyes were a diamond like white. They had life in them, but they also appeared cold.
"You are not going to die, V." He said calmly, clasping his hands together like a businessman. And yet for as unnerved as he felt, V somehow believed in his word that he was not going to die.
Diamond Eyes - Deftones
