Chapter 4: Everybody Talks, Part 1.

Normally when David Martinez woke up from a Saturday Night moviethon, it was to the sight of his mom either asleep on the couch next to him after a night of zooming around the violence ridden streets of Night City with the vain hope of saving one of the many poor souls too poor to even think about the Meat Wagon, never mind Trauma Team. More often than not, David came home from school to an empty apartment, his mother having been called up to replace one of her fellow coworkers or attempting to fit in yet another extra shift of overtime into her already busy schedule. She was like an old locomotive, pushing her body further and further past its limits in order to keep a roof over their heads and pay off the seemingly never ending debt owed to Arasaka that they demanded from her in order to keep selling the false promise of a top of the company ladder until he was below only The Emperor himself…. It was a good dream in a city built for dreamers, and it gave his mother hope, so he saw no reason to rip that away by telling her how the vast majority of his classmates actually treated him.

So when he woke up to the sight of a strange woman with pale bluish-white skin, green hair, and neon pink tattoos highlighted by the fact that she was wearing nothing but a black kitsch jacket with only a black bra and underwear underneath, he thought he was being pretty reasonable when he loudly fell off the couch. This had the unfortunate consequence of waking the mystery woman up, who shifted into a sitting position and stretched her arms above her head. David looked away out of a sense of decency and embarrassment as her jacket parted to reveal even more skin and a neon pink tattoo of a ram's skull spread out across her stomach.

Once she was finally done stretching, the girl started looking around his apartment, revealing pink and yellow eyes (most likely Kiroshis) grumpily blinking away the last vestiges of sleep as her gaze finally settled on him. There was a moment's pause between the two, before a grin broke on the shorter girl's face, one that David would eventually come to associate with painful embarrassment and great memories, but for now was met with utter confusion. "Morning dimples~" the stranger said as she peered down at David from her spot on the couch, and then asked in a suggestive tone, "Did you have as much fun as I did last night?"

Logically, David's mind knew that he couldn't have done anything with this strange woman, since A) they were both more or less fully clothed, B) his mom was home last night, and he wasn't gonna waste time with his mom on a Saturday C) he didn't trust or like anyone enough to invite them over to his apartment, and perhaps most importantly D) he didn't know this woman at all. Unfortunately, that part of his brain was currently being blocked out by hormones and sleep, so all that David could do was to stutter out a confused "What?"

"Oh come on choom," The girl continued (what was her name?) "Surely you remember the Bushidomovie marathon we finished up last night. You know? After we woke up your mom and she fixed Maine's leg?"

The fog surrounding the events of last night finally lifted in David Martinez's mind, and with that the feeling of embarrassment began to somewhat die down.

"Yeah you were one of the guys who were banging on the door at 1 am last night…" David struggled to remember the woman's name, "...Becca? Am I remembering that right?"

"Got it in one Dimples," the now named Becca winked at him, causing David to blush and Becca to giggle at his reaction" and over on the other side of the couch is my gonk of an older brother Pilar," she gestured over to a pile of elongated limbs and an awesome mohawk that David didn't even notice when he woke up "- and somewhere around here should be our fearless leader Maine, since your mom apparently wanted to run a few more tests on all of his chrome." Becca barely reigned in a fit of laughter before continuing, "I never thought I would see Maine freeze up in terror, but the look your mom gave him…."

"It was probably the "I tell death to piss off for a living, don't test me" face," David answered, having been on the receiving end of that particular look a couple of times in his life. "She only really busts that one out if you do something truly stupid and you try to downplay it."

"Speaking from experience, kid?" a deep voice grumbled from behind both of them, as the now named Maine appeared from seemingly nowhere at the sound of his name. When he turned around and saw just who was staring down at him, David's mind came to a rather sobering conclusion: He basically told off a heavily armed street borg last night.

"... Oh shit."

It seemed that Maine reached the same conclusion, because he had a tired grin on his face as he looked down at David, "Yeah kid, in any other situation, that would be the correct response for how you acted last night." Then he let out a sigh and rubbed his nose with his right hand, "Except that you ain't my kid and your mom would kill me, bring me back to life, and then kill me again if anything remotely bad happened to you cause I didn't respect her decision to separate her work and private life."

David dimly nodded his head in understanding, clearly used to the idea that his mother was a force to be reckoned with when she was angry, before a questioning look flitted across his face. "Actually…. How do you guys know my mom?"

It was a legitimate question, Maine considered, and it was also a damning one. Maine knew Gloria wanted to keep her work with him and his crew separate from both her legitimate work and her private life, and now he knew why: Arasaka was such a pit of vipers it made the company named after snakes seem downright wholesome, and Maine had no doubt that the kids of its employees were as cruel as their parents. If Arasaka Academy was anything like Maine's own High School experience, then he had no doubt that David was getting bullied for the sole fact that he was smart enough to get in the school via merit instead of nepotism…. And if they weren't picking on him for that, then it would be because his shoes weren't new or that he wasn't wearing the right style of clothes or his lack of chrome….. 'Kids are worse than adults when it comes to shit like that.' Maine mused,as various half remembered insults and vicious rumors swirled through his memories.

But if they found out David's mom was paying his tuition by salvaging cyberware and stitching up a bunch of Edgerunners? Shit, forget his classmates, the school administration would probably kick him out to avoid a scandal amongst their alumni.

"... I met your mom back when I left Millitech the first time around, she was my first genuine friend in Night City when I really needed one," Maine started, editing his story with as much care as possible. "I tried to keep in touch when I went back to the East Coast for a bit, but that fell off after a while for reasons you don't need to know-" No need to air his dirty laundry to a kid he barely knew, "I ended up running into your mom again about six or seven years ago… when her car battery died on the side of the road and she needed a jumpstart." He left out the part that the car she was driving at the time was stolen from some scavs she was trying to sell klepted chrome when the whole deal went FUBAR. "We caught up over drinks at this old joint we met for the first time, one thing led to another and she agreed to be an unofficial 'medical consultant' as a side hustle."

In reality it was more like Maine tried to calm the rather scared and angry woman by offering copious amounts of food and coffee (Gloria was always easier to deal with when caffeinated) with Eddies he really didn't have at time, followed by him apologizing for not keeping in touch like he said he would and getting berated for not telling her that he was back in Night City. Once she had calmed down and partially explained why she was dealing with scavs of all people, Maine came up with an idea that benefitted her and solved his gang's need for a medic and could score them somewhat decent chrome from time to time.

"... That explains how she's able to cover the tuition fee and rent…." David muttered under his breath, just loud enough for Maine to pick up, then he asked another question all together. "Though what kind of job do you have that you need a EMT to be your personal Cut-Throat?"

That question earned him a light smack upside the head and a deadpan expression, "Kid, the fact that you got into one of the best schools in all of Night City on skill alone makes you some kind of genius, so you should know that curiosity kills more than just cats." With that said Maine began nodding to Becca to wake up Pilar and get ready to leave. "Look David, I know I ain't your dad, but let me give you some advice my old man gave me: knowing your enemy is only half of the battle, the other half is being able to use your knowledge effectively."

"Like I said earlier, you got into Arasaka Academy because of your academics, but that just placed a big old target on your back. You don't need me to tell you that a lot of your classmates probably hate your guts and look at you like you're a piece of shit…. But unlike them you don't have a pair of rich parents with connections to bail you out if you fuck up. Follow the rules, ignore your bullies, and keep your eyes open for opportunities to build connections with a few of the students you think you can trust to somewhat have your back; You never know when you may need a friendly face in your corner." Maine paused, then added "And tighten up that history grade, a B-Minus is just a C that a teacher decided to take pity on."

David had enough self worth to actually look offended at that comment, and then tried to play it off by scoffing "Like anyone at Arasaka actually cares about a B-minus as long as I pass the class."

"Your mom cares," Maine retorted, wincing as he stood us, his spinal column and the implanted brace grinding against each other with a near audible series of pops. He made a mental note to himself to get to a Ripper- Dorios concerned look and Gloria's annoyed glare flashed through his mind- scratch that, he made a note to get to Dogtown and the only good Doc he knew in this whole damn city. "Give her another reason to brag to her coworkers and to greet this city with a 'fuck you'and a smile in the morning."

With his piece said, Maine gave David his number (Maine justified it by saying a corpo should always have a solo on call, and vice versa) his way towards the door, closely by Pilar, with Becca taking a few seconds to follow them in order to give David her number ("For when he needed a break of studying" she said with a wink that somewhat went over the kid's head). Once they were out the door to the apartment and were on the elevator that he decided to turn his mind towards the main reason they came to the megabuilding in the first place. "Becca?"

The tiny edgerunner looked up to him, "Yeah?"

"Call that 'Bumblebee' fellow up, set up some time at Turbo's today and we'll get to know him over some burgers and fries." Maine responded as he called Dorio and the rest of the gang.

Starting with the two Netrunners.

Wellsprings, Heywood

There was nothing Sebastian "El Padre" Ibarra enjoyed more in his life than watching a game of street basketball on a Sunday morning.

To many of his fellow fixers, clients, and his myriad enemies his chosen place of business was considered foolish if they were being polite, idiotic if they being truthful, or outright suicidal if they truly wanted the old preacher dead; Afterall, what kind of criminal would dare operate out in the open, and at a public park no less? Both Campo and Gustavo Orta had been trying to convince him to move his operations to the Valentinos' Garage or La Catrina funeral parlor before the former had been sent to prison, but he had politely turned them both down.

What most of them didn't understand is that operating by the old alley court served a dual purpose: It bolstered his reputation as the near all knowing and all seeing presence in Heywood ("El Padre Sabe" wasn't spray painted on the walls of the district for nothing after all) by showing that he didn't fear anyone even considering to launch a hit on him, but it also reminded him of why he left the church in the first place.

He smiled as he watched one of the younger boys score a three pointer, winning the round of 21 for his team and causing the game to start all over again. On the basketball court the troubles of Night City were banished for a few minutes, the children dreamed of becoming the next David Gonzales, and the older generations recaptured the innocence of their youth for a brief moment in their day. This simple peace was only possible through the spilling of blood and the damning of countless sons and daughters of Heywood to a life of crime and sin, but the children did not need to know that just yet.

Yes, Padre Ibarra loved to watch street games on a Sunday morning, so when he saw two of the more troublesome members of his bloodstained flock respectfully walk towards him, he sighed, for he knew that his peaceful day was no more.

"Ah… if it isn't Jackie Welles and Vincent Du Marais, what brings you two to Heywood this fine morning?"

Jackie answered first, a disarming smile planted on his face, meaning that it was young Vincent who had a problem, but that he had been convinced by ' son to bring it to the former preacher. "Buenos Días Padre! how are you feeling this wonderful Sunday?"

"Jackie, I've known three generations of Welles men, and all three of you have given me the exact same look when you want to request a favor." he chuckled as the large solo's grin went from confident to mortified at being compared to his father in any manner, "As for you, young Vincent, I will admit to not knowing you as long as señor Welles over here, but I like to believe I know you well enough to know that you don't ask for help unless you are truly desperate. So tell me, what is wrong my child?" he slipped back into the old priestly mannerisms with ease, for in truth he never really stopped being one.

"Nothing's wrong Padre, just figured that Jackie would have better luck with you than me." V commented, the young counter-intel agent was dressed in his street clothes, a kitsch pair of black pants and matched with a black t-shirt with a grinning skull wearing a jester's hat in the green, yellow, and purple of The Drowning City's favorite festival proudly displayed on the front. His arms were bare, exposing the tell-tale splits in the synth-skin that anyone familiar with cyberware knew came from Mantis Blades, while the palms of his hands were wire up with a Ballistic Coprocessor, with a Smart Link Dermal Implant hidden behind a tattoo of a rotting alligator covered in chains. To Padre Ibarra and anyone spying on this conversation, young Vincent looked more like a Solo from the city of his birth then a member of Arasaka's Counter Intelligence Department, which was probably the point. 'These two boys will be the death of me,' Padre thought in his head as he gestured for the two of them to join him in watching the next game.

"Now V, my dear boy, what gave you the impression that I would ever turn you away if you came to me for help?" He was genuinely hurt by the accusation, after all what good is a priest (even one as wretched as himself) if their congregation did not confide in them?

"Our conversation regarding La Santa Muerte, Baron Samedi, and whether or not half of Night City was technically committing the Sin of Idolatry." V replied as he sat down, referring to a conversation they had nearly five years ago, back when Jackie had invited the young man to a party in celebration of the Saint. "Or the fact that what Jackie actually wants me to talk to you about is suicidally dangerous and if mishandled could lead to the start of another Corpo-War."

"Surely V, you're exaggerating." Padre may have sounded confident to anyone listening in, but it was taking all of his willpower to keep the shock out of his voice. In response V handed him two different data shards, and suggested he input the first one, which revealed an image of a young woman with neon blue eyes and dark red hair done in short pigtails.

"This is Sari Sumdac, age 19, the only daughter of Isaac Sumdac, founder, CEO, and lead inventor of Sumdac Systems based out in Detroit." V narrated as images and data flashed through Padre's optics, "Isaac Sumdac is known as "The Ford of Automatons," and young Sari here seems to have fallen not too far from the tree, as she's apparently a savant with tech…. As she's officially here in Night City, overseeing the opening of Sumdac Systems newest robotics factory and research facility as part of a joint-venture between her family's company and Arasaka."

"And Unofficially?"

"Unofficially, she's here playing fixer for Millitech/NUSA and Arasaka on behalf of her old man." Jackie barged in, eager to add his two bits in, "V filled me in last night, turns out that Sumdac and The Emperor's Granddaughter were friendly back during The Time of The Red, with the old man designing security automatons to back up Michiko Arasaka's Danger Gal agents."

V nodded as he took over the conversation once again, "Sad as it is to say, it looks like things are heating up between NUSA and Arasaka once again. The Unification War ended in a pyrrhic victory at best, and while Night City is "independent," we still have a growing pack of wild dogs in our backyard, to say nothing of whatever spooks Arasaka didn't properly exorcized." V sighed as he began to tap out a rapid tune on the metal bleachers, "Add to the fact that COBRA Industries is starting to slither out from the Mississippi River and into Central and South America, the rumors that the Tin Man from M.A.R.S. is developing some kind of next gen fighter drone, the entirety of the Middle East showing signs of recovering from the Meltdown, and Kang Tao finally completing the Belt and Road Initiative…. All signs are pointing towards the next war being a big one, and for the sake of the almighty bottom line it should be stalled for as long as possible."

The fact that V was using the term 'stalled' implied that the war he was suggesting was inevitable, and not the far off predictions of enslaved A.I. or the mere ramblings of a paranoid soul, sent a dagger of ice through the old priest's still organic heart. "And how does Heywood and the Valentinos fit into these dire prophecies?"

"V's been put in charge of making sure that the little señorita here stays safe during her visit to our fair city." Jackie muttered, "A fact not made any easier due to the fact that she's not living in a fancy apartment or a hotel like you'd expect of a corpo-heiress, but instead a fuckin' Drive-In Theatre of all places. He paused, then added a "Lo siento Padre," and continued his rant. "To be fair to her, it looks like she's set up a hell of a security system around the place." An array of cameras and turrets surrounded a detailed map of the Silver Pixel Cloud Theater, as well as a picture of what appeared to be a stylized face and a collection of cars.

"That symbol and the wheels belong to a group known to Arasaka as Akai Shikamettsura or "The Red Frown," if you don't want to sound pretentious, though recent intelligence suggests that their actual name is a reference to automobiles and robots." V commented, "All you really need to know is that they're Sumdac's answer to MaxTac: heavily armed and chromed to near cyberpsychosis and that they drive as if their cars are another part of their body. Miss Sumdac is always in the presence of at least two of these vehicles and their drivers at any given time, though it seems that she favors the Black and Yellow Quadra and its driver." the car and an image of a young man with a complete face-mask in place of his mouth flashed across the fixer's eyes. "Kid's name is Dylan Watson, A.K.A. Bumblebee, age 25, according to public records he's been Saris's personal bodyguard/babysitter since she was nine years old."

Padre nodded his head, "If she has all of this security, then what does Arasaka need from the Valentinos?"

"Honestly? Absolutely nothing," V admitted with a shrug, "barring a breakfast meeting at Embers and a brief shopping spree on her first proper day in town, the kid mostly spends her time at either the factory site, Arasaka Tower, or the Silver Pixel…. All places where she has eyes on her twenty four seven." V then gestured towards the general direction of Corpo Plaza, "Off the books though, the American head of Counter Intel was asked by Michiko Sanderson herself to keep an eye on the kid."

"And somehow you got the job?" Padre asked despite knowing the answer, felt a shot of genuine pity for the young man before him, and gave the only answer that came to his mind besides a prayer. "Congratulations."

"All that means is that his bosses are willing to throw him under the bus if anyone even tries to bump into the lady, much less actually take a shot at her." Jackie started ranting. "That's on top of the fact they want him to find some mystery net-runner targeting corpo-scum, and risk his neck by drawing the Barghest onto his scent snooping around Dogtown." Jackie paused his rant, "Choom, am I forgetting something?"

"Nope." V answered "But that's only because I stopped letting you use my personal computer to "buy parts for your arch" when I realized you were really just trying to read my work emails." V stood up from the bleachers, and cracked his neck with a satisfying pop, "The second shard contains a series of routes that Jackie and a couple of random gangoons could hypothetically drive around the city that just so happen to cross paths with the vehicles listed on the first shard. I've also been given access to an off the books account to pay for any expenses this mission might require, including a generous fee to the fixer who arranges this job from here on out."

"It would have to be, if even half of what you said regarding this young woman is true." Padre retorted as he too stood up, "Give me the rest of the day, and I'll call you when I have a team put together." With that said the three men made a few more minutes of small talk before going their separate ways, the basketball game being played out in front of them forgotten in face of the bigger games of corporations and nations.