Chapter 7
Later That Night
The music was playing and it looked like people were having a good time. Pilar was doing tricks with his hands while Dorio watched. Falco was chatting up Kiwi, Lucy was sitting on a car hood by herself and Maine was talking to David.
"You did good Rookie, really saved our asses."
"No biggie really, wouldn't be a good start to my career if I fucked up my first job."
"Oh yeah, you stepping into the life of an edgerunner? Are you sure you're ready for that?"
"Nope, Got no choice though. I saw what happened to my mom, worked herself to death just to support us. Then some gangbangers killed her just because she was in the wrong place at the wrong time. If I'm going out it'll be with a gun in hand and I'm taking at least someone else with me."
"Respect kid, I know how you feel. Once I got out of the Army I felt the same. Why die for someone else when you can die doing right by yourself and your chooms and making a shit ton more eddies along the way."
"Well here's to hoping we live long lives and knowing that it ain't likely." David raised his bottle in salute.
"That should be Night City's motto."
The party was nice, getting to relax after so long was an unexpected surprise.
A quiet overtook the party as a nice limo rolled up. The driver, who looked like a musclehead, got out and went to the back to open the door. The man who got out was on the taller side, he wore an expensive looking red suit and had a head of white hair slicked back. His most distinctive feature was the stack of 3 eyes he had on the right side of his face. Odd choice really in David's opinion.
Maine approached the man.
"Whatcha doing here Faraday? Got another job lined up for us already?"
"No Maine, I'm here to enquire about how you managed to fuck up what should have been an easy one."
"The hell are you talking about? You got your nav data and we were in and out without causing a fuss. Everything was by the book."
"I needed you to find the location of where Tanaka was conducting research on one of his projects. Not where he eats his lunch or where his joy-toys live."
"Well that might have been useful to know beforehand then. You asked for his nav data and that's what we provided. It's not my problem that you keep your cards close and don't give us useful intel."
"You seem to forget something Maine, my problems are your problems. If I say you messed up I don't expect back talk. You accept your screw up and fix it."
Maine looked pissed, rightly so. Reputation was huge as a cyberpunk. If word got around you couldn't deliver you'd struggle to find any decent work that didn't end with you getting a bullet in your head. Same went for fixers though as well. You didn't make it long as a fixer by screwing over the mercs who worked for ya. It's the fastest way to catch a bullet in this city.
"Fine Faraday, I'll make it right. You have my word."
"Good, that's better. I'll be docking your pay for this job. You can earn it back when you get me the information I need. Call me when you figure it out."
With his parting words Faraday got back in his car and made his exit. Some of the life came back to the party, but the members of Maine's crew seemed subdued. Maine sulked off after that, Dorio following him. David really wasn't sure what to do now. Lucy was by herself, maybe he'd go talk to her and see if he can't figure out what her deal was. He barely took the first step before Pilar dropped down next to her. Arm over her shoulder talking her ear off with a big sleazy grin on his face. Well he wasn't gonna be a cock-block so that plan was over.
What to do now?
"Yo"
Looking down there was a girl holding a drink out to David.
"Sorry, you're?" She looked kinda familiar.
"What, you don't remember me? After all we've been through."
Racking his brain David tried to remember. It clicked after a second.
"Oh yeah you were at the bar."
"You like my performance?"
"Sure, you made a decent bartender."
"I'm Rebecca, I heard you'd be working with Maine's crew."
"Yeah, just a couple more jobs. I'm David by the way."
"Cheers than David, I guess I'll be seeing a lot more of ya." She sauntered off after that.
"Cheers" Taking a drink David gagged. He hated Carbonation.
A screen popped up on David's optic he had a call coming through from Padre.
"Hey Padre"
"Good evening David, I'm calling to let you know I've got some work for you."
"Hit me Padre, whatcha got?"
"I need some data unencrypted before the end of the night, it's a rush job so I'll pay you 1000 eddies. Also got some work coming up next week that requires a solo. It involves Animals so bullets will likely fly. I can send you more details closer to the day. You interested?"
"Absolutely Padre, I'm not far from home so I'll rush back to get started and yes to the solo work as well, gotta start sometime."
"Glad to hear it David I'm transferring the encrypted data now. We'll talk soon, Salu David."
"See ya Padre."
Time to delta home and get to work. Even as fast as David was after finishing his run home he seriously started contemplating getting a vehicle. Something fast with a lot of mobility. He didn't have the scratch for it now, but hopefully soon.
The encrypted data wasn't anything difficult. Looked like some ledgers from a drug operation out in Watson. Didn't take David more than an hour. With it sent off to Padre, David decided it was time for bed. He had a lot to do in the next few days to get ready for the next job.
Next Morning
David needed to start sharpening the skills that were gonna keep him alive. So, he was back at the Second Amendment to use their gun range. He hadn't even shot his newly made overture; it was time to correct that.
Sliding the final bullet into the cylinder, David cocked the overture to its side sharply to set the cylinder back in. He would need to make some speed loaders to do this faster. Getting into position like the guys he'd seen in some tutorial videos he watched, he took aim, flipped the safety off and pulled the trigger. Overtures were supposed to kick like a mule but with David's Cyberware arms the gun barely moved. Granted he was sure some of the higher caliber ammo they sold for the overture kicked harder.
After firing off the 6 rounds he put his gun down and brought his target in. The grouping was shit and he barely hit the torso. Not surprising he's never really used guns outside of Arcade games. Well practice makes perfect.
Again and again, David practiced his marksmanship. Getting used to his weapon and finding out what felt right to him. It did feel a little like cheating though with how fast he was improving. Cyberware really cuts down on the learning curve, especially when you have nanobots running from your brain to your body. Constantly feeding you ways to improve.
After running through a few boxes of ammo David decided to call it. No need to blow all his money on ammo. Holstering his weapon and leaving the range he started walking to the front counter, needing to fill his stock of ammo. What surprised him was the absolute brow beating the cashier was getting from an awfully familiar teal woman.
"Listen hear you limped-dick fugly looking shit-stain, I want my goddamn money back. This Omaha sucks balls. It takes too long to charge and couldn't even penetrate through cotton candy let alone concrete."
"Like I said we have a no money back policy, you knew that before you bought it."
"Yeah well I didn't know you guys were selling dogshit weapons now did I. Just give me fucking money back before things get ugly."
As funny as it would be to see her go apeshit on this guy, I figured it was at least time to announce myself.
"Rebecca?" She was quick to swing around and face me with another pistol drawn.
"Oh David my man, what's up choom fancy seeing you here."
"Likewise, you mind if I buy some ammo?"
"Haha go for it, I can just kill this guy after." The guy behind the counter didn't seem to take that too personally.
"Thanks, can I get 3 boxes of the .44 tungsten tipped?"
"Sure thing, that'll be 217.34 eddies." My eyes lit up blue transferring him the money. Grabbing my ammo I made my exit.
"I'll see ya Rebecca."
"Bye-Bye Dimples"
Walking out of the store, David headed for the metro station. He needed to get home and see where his printer was at on his katana. David hadn't made it far before hearing someone yell my name.
"Hey David, wait up!" Guess Rebecca was finished threatening the store clerk. David paused to wait for her. Her little legs looked like they were carrying her as fast as they could. Rebecca skidded to a stop next to David, she didn't even look out of breath.
"Where you headed Choomba?"
"Just headed back to my place. I got some things I need to finish before a job next week."
"Owww sounds interesting, cool if I tag along?" David barely knew her, and she just met him yesterday. Yet for some reason she's comfortable coming back to David's place. Either she's one scary chick or David must not look dangerous at all.
"Yeah, sure why not."
"Nova"
They walked to the metro and caught one of the NCARTs back to Arroyo chatting along the way. Rebecca came off as rude and crass. She swore a lot, spoke her mind, and threatened half a dozen people on the way back to David's. By the time they made it back to his place though she was without a doubt someone he could call a friend. Everything about her just seemed so genuine. She had such an infectious energy you couldn't help but want to be in her presence.
"This is me." Scanning his key, the door to the apartment started to slide open. It didn't make it more than a few inches before the gears started to grind and it came to a halt.
"Kekeke nice place you got."
"Laugh it up, this is your boss's fault." David reached his hand into the opening and gripped the door. David had to pull it the rest of the way open. Once they were both through, he then had to slide it shut.
"Welcome to Casa de la David. Make yourself comfortable."
"Don't mind if I do." Rebecca threw herself onto the couch taking up more space than her little body should allow.
Walking into his room David put his ammo away and checked on the printer. Inside the printer there was about a foot and a half of white-hot alloy that was slowly growing longer. Everything seemed good and it should be done sometime tonight. Next, he'd start on that Saka ninja helmet, it would need some hands-on wiring done so it could link to his optics and audio. Wouldn't want to be blind and deaf on the job. Heading back into the living room David sees that Rebecca is scrolling through the channels on the little TV.
"Need anything to drink?"
"Whatcha got?"
"Alcoholic or non-alcoholic"
"What, do I look like a child?" David knew a trap when he heard one.
"Tequila sunrise sound good?"
"Preem"
David mixed her up the cocktail and grabbed himself a glass of realmilk that he scooped a bunch of powdered supplements into. The nanobots needed a consistent source of fuel and material. David had to resort to drinking a lot of his nourishment just to keep up. Walking back to the couch David handed Rebecca her drink and took a seat.
Taking a swig of his very viscous milk, David pondered what to do now. Never really had someone over before.
"Sooo… what now?"
"Hahaha! God David you're a riot. We fuck that's what. Jeez it's like you've never done this before." Huh didn't really see that one coming. David pointed at himself.
"Virgin, I have never done this before." What can't a guy save himself till marriage?
"Holy shit choom you must be like a unicorn or something. Or have a really small dick."
David shrugged
"Who knows? Never did any comparisons."
"Well don't worry about that I've seen plenty to compare it to."
"Hey hey, slow down rimbo. Who said you're getting inside my pants?"
Rebecca stood up, "You really gonna turn this down Davey" and proceeded to pull her jacket over her head. She was left in nothing but her black panties and strapless bra.
Fuck his mouth just got dry. David put his face in his hands.
"Shit Rebecca I'm only 17 isn't that a little young?"
"I'm only 19 David and I lost my v-card when I was 14. Trust me you're definitely old enough to have sex."
"I know I'm old enough to have sex Rebecca, I just don't know if I'm ready to get a mainline. Especially to someone I met yesterday, even though I'm really tempted right now."
"Wow wow wow" Rebecca put her hands in an X shape. "Who said anything about mainline, I'm just looking for a fuck no strings attached."
"I'm Catholic Rebecca, I'm not going to humiliate you by having sex with you and not making you my mainline."
"You're not humiliating me by fucking me, I hate being humiliated but I love getting fucked so no worries."
"That's not how it works. I don't agree with everything in the Bible, Rebecca but one thing I can get behind is that God puts a man on the Earth to love only one woman… or man, or they, them? Whatever, the point is I think everyone has a soulmate and they should only make love to that person."
"Are you telling me you're gonna stay a virgin till eventually you stumble on this soulmate of yours? Waiting for some love at first sight bullshit?"
"There's no such thing as love at first sight, Rebecca. Being soulmates isn't about falling head over heels in love with your destined person. It's about finding someone you want to dedicate your life to. It's about choosing that person everyday you're alive. Not just when it's easy, but also on the really shitty days as well. It's a choice not some destiny. If we have sex Becca that means I'm choosing you. You think you're ready for that?"
Rebecca had a thoughtful expression on her face for a second. Then her mouth morphed into a half smile and she waved her hand back and forth
"Okay okay, you called my bluff. Don't get your panties in a twist. I was just messing with you anyways." She put her big baggy jacket back on.
"Really you were just messing with me?"
"Yeah, I didn't think you'd take it so seriously. You really are naive dimples."
"Huh I guess I am, I really thought you wanted to sleep with me. Guess I didn't need to make all that up just cause I got scared. I figured someone like you liked it really rough and I wasn't sure I could handle that."
"WHAT! You made all that shit up cause you got scared. I'll show you rough, asshole." Rebecca then proceeded to try and beat the shit out of David.
He wasn't sure which was louder, David's laughing or her yelling. Either way David thinks he could safely assume Becca and him are friends.