Prologue
V staggered through the grimy, congested, neon-lit city street, shrouded by smog. The foul air filled his lungs; a by-product of the gases from the sewers and ventilation exhausts of the surrounding buildings. It made him feel sick and nauseous, but the crowd around him seemed completely indifferent to it. Around him, the busy chatter of night city residents filled the crowded marketplace; most were locked in conversation with street vendors. The market itself was enclosed by large buildings and skyscrapers, monstrous structures of concrete and glass, that towered over him. As he looked up, they almost seemed to converge over his head, threatening to swallow him whole. Power transmission lines hung overhead, like vines. He felt like an ant in a jungle. He had to be aware of his surroundings at all times, watching for predators. Not just the vultures that hid amongst the crowd in anticipation of weak or injured prey, but the kind that was actively hunting him.
He pushed his way through the crowd, clutching the side of his abdomen. He tried to stem the bleeding of a gunshot wound he had suffered earlier. His efforts, however, could only buy him a little more time, as blood continued to seep between his fingers. It stained his white dress shirt and grey suit coat. Every waking moment was a battle to retain consciousness. He caught a glance or two in his direction, but besides that, the people around him barely noticed or acknowledged him. Of course, this was no surprise, night city stopped for no one. You either kept moving with it or were left behind.
Despite the agony he experienced every second, he continued to move forward. He could not allow himself a moment of reprieve, lest he let the city claim him. No, he would not allow himself to become one of the city's victims. He had a score to settle.
He squinted his eyes as his destination came into view: a poorly kept clinic, marked by a neon sign that said "Ripper Doc", red and blue for each word respectively. He felt a surge of hope as he saw the clinic and he began walking with renewed vigor. A few moments later, he reached the entrance. His form was now clearly visible, illuminated by the red and blue neon lights. He took one final glance behind his back, checking for any pursuers. He failed to see any amongst the crowd, but he knew they were out there, looking for him.
V stepped into the dimly lit clinic, hoping to find a friendly face, or at least a professional one. He was greeted by a bored-looking man at the counter, who barely looked up from his monitor screen to see his face. Upon studying Vs features with his cybernetic eyes, he winced. He was about to say something, when V collapsed in front of the counter, losing the will to remain conscious. He fell to the floor, blood pooling around him. His eyes closed, and his breathing slowed. V was still alive, but barely.