Iruka/?/?/2076
Tanaka shone a light, as my optic followed it. He pulled back and turned to his computer, typing up the results, on his computer. My pod was still open as I stepped outside and fell to the floor, my body released, looking back. After months of assisted walking, while the brain got used to its chassis. The others were around, but they were a blur, unable to hear them, as my ears rang out as if someone had shot a canon right next to me. I did see these two gigantic feet step in front of me.
"C'mon Six, you're the latest model ain't cha?"
"Four your check up is done, take up your time on the surface" Tanaka spoke up.
"And Six?"
"Perhaps, more time in therapy." I smashed my fist into the floor, causing Tanaka to roll back. Four smirked and crouched down, still almost as tall as a teenager. He smacked his hands together with a loud clank.
"I can carry him uptop if the new and improved model is faulty."
"I can't let that, Yorinobu would have me on the street." I couldn't open my mouth to talk. I just wanted to get up. I smacked the floor with my other hand.
"First time seeing the surface kid." I wasn't a kid. I managed to pull a knee up, gnashing my teeth. "They're getting pretty angry. A temper tantrum Arasaka's best?" I managed a growl and forced my fist up into Four's stomach. "He's standing." Four had no issue throwing me to the other side of the room. "Can you do it again?" I was in the double digits before Four hurling me, despite my weight of a small car he was throwing me and hurling like a body builder throwing a tricycle, not a motorised trike for nomads. A child's tricycle. He wrapped an arm around my neck, his one hand able to clasp my wrists, restraining me. "Think he's earned a trip." Four pushed me out into the steel corridor.
"You're a Gemini huh?" The corridors were slim, people on the other side looked at is and turned a corner, one even walked backwards, closing the metal barricade, watching through the small crack, only stepping out after we passed.
"Yeah."
"Got a nickname?"
"No."
"Want one?"
"No."
"You're not going to be much fun are you?"
"Maybe." It was as devoid of character as the sub-levels of Arasaka. The posters of cats hanging on a tree had been taken down and the guards were in front of the bulkhead. The stairs were cramped, barely enough room for the two of us. A person saw us moving up and froze, I hadn't seen anyone go up steps faster since. I watched the wheel spin, the bulkhead seal tight. The low tap's of our metal husks reached the top. We stepped onto the Iruka. It paled in comparison to the Kujira, but it wasn't made for war. It was a carrier yes, with jets on the dark runway a few lights on the floor illuminated the strip and unable to see far, the yellow a warning to where the edge was. I could see stars reflected in the waves that lapped against the ship, while the moon beamed down on us. Clothing would help a normal person, we were all naked, there was no shame. I felt the pinch of a chill. My H.U.D's weather app revealed it was in 41Farenheit, single digits Celsius. Four looked at me, as my body hugged itself.
"How's it feel?"
"Cold." Four laughed and slapped me on the back. I stumbled forwards, having to catch myself from the edge. "Dunno what I expected." I turned around and paused for a second to take in Night City. I inhaled, my brain was told that the air was sharp, despite it being a gas. The water was a dancing mirror shaking the neon buildings, with flashing lights and billboards of weapons, woman and vehicles. Atop these monolithic buildings holographic beams coloured the night sky, offering tickets to Lizzy Wizzy's concert next year. "You feel pain too?"
"Yeah."
"How's it feel."
"Don't you know?" Four sat on the edge of the boat.
"I think I forgot. I mean, I think I remember pain, but I don't know if I remember it well. What's it like?"
"It hurts."
"I hope you never become a writer."
"It's. It's hard. What's it feels like to be happy?"
"Good?" Four took a moment to think, looking out over the waters. He never lost his smile, or his version of it. "You got me there."
"Better not to feel cold, or pain."
"I find myself missing it sometimes."
"Why sign the contract then."
"If I knew I'd tell you, but I must have been desperate to agree to memory loss as side effect." I nodded my head, I had to agree. Not even a name. It was meant to make it easier, remembering the old body, lead to a higher chance of cyberpsychosis. Why the boat on the waterfront, less dangerous having seven murder machines on the waterfront than the city. It was a view I was unfamiliar with, but knew I'd been there. Deja'Vu is memories from a past life according to some. In reality it's the brain unable to differentiate the similar from the identical with a faulty memory. I still had nothing but a constant sense of reposition, staring at Night City. I knew it in a dream. I just didn't know how accurate the dream was. N.C flashed and they were celebrating something, some towers were missing, and others were yet to be built. The holographic city vanished, back to chrome and concrete. The half an hour was up and we were needed back inside for more tests. "Get them to take you out here at sunset." It was only when I reached the bottom of the steps did Four throw me across the room. I grinned and dusted myself off.
"Better watch out next time we meet, I'll be strong enough to slug you one." I never did.