Chapter 8

Next week

It was late, close to midnight and David found himself skulking on the roof of one of the many 3 story buildings in Rancho. David was tracking an Animal that went by the name "Billy Goat". Apparently, dude got a chrome stomach put in that lets him eat about anything.

Either way this Billy Goat was a roid slinger. Normally something like that wouldn't be an issue here. This asshole however was looking to expand his market and began selling in Heywood. Some of the younger Valentinos wanted to juice up and get big.

The roids animals take are a whole different breed to the generic stuff. The young Valentinos basically had their hearts explode after taking them. They couldn't let that slide. They asked Padre to organize the hit, and David was here to take care of it.

Sadly this dude spent most of his time at a gym surrounded by other Animals, so David had to wait for him to finish and follow him back to his house. Thankfully the dude was finally leaving. He was a big bastard like most animals, unlike most of them though he had a huge gut, like he was 9 months pregnant.

He squeezed himself into his car and started to drive off. David followed from the rooftops. Jumping from roof to roof it wasn't hard to keep up with him and it turned out he wasn't going far. Pulling up a driveway he parked his car in an open garage. David lost sight of his target when the garage door closed. The house the garage was attached to was your standard 2 story suburban home that had gone to absolute shit.

It was time to work. From the building David was on he leaped across the street to land on the roof of his target's house. Trying to land as quietly as possible. He spotted an open window and climbed through. It was dark but his new helmet had great night vision, so everything was clear to David. As quietly as possible he began moving through the house. It didn't take long to find the target, the sound of chewing and burping led him right to him

Billy Goat was stuffing his face, eating more food in a single sitting than David could in a week. Well no better time than when he's distracted. Pulling out his overture which now sported a suppressor David took aim. Just pull the trigger and end this guy. He was scum, he got people killed. Shit he was just like those guys that got his mom killed.

Why was it so goddamn hard to pull the trigger? Come on David, you have to. If you don't pull this fucking trigger you're dead this city will chew you up and spit you out. You'll be nothing more than the street trash those spoiled Corpo cunts thought you were. Pull. The. Fucking. Trigger.

The bullet entered Billy Goat's forehead and blew the back of his head out all over the wall. David didn't remember much after. He left the same way he came and ran a few blocks till he thought he was far enough away. Pressing a button on the side of his helmet his visor opened up and David emptied his stomach.

Taking a second to gather himself he dialed up Padre.

"David, how'd it go?"

"He's taken care of Padre."

"Good, you did a good thing David. Remember that. I'm transferring the eddies. I'll be in touch with more work soon."

"See ya Padre."

Hanging up David put his visor back down. The notification that he was 5000 eddies richer was nice but he still felt like shit. Hopefully he'd be able to sleep it off.

Next Morning

David was in his room soldering wires together for his new jacket. After what happened with Lucy on the train, he didn't want to be an easy target for net runners. The high collar of many of the jackets you see in night city aren't just for decoration. They are an active field meant to scrabble netrunners' ability to quick-hack you. A dedicated runner can bulldoze through the interference but they'd need time. It was a solid short term solution until he could make some personal ICE. Plus the collar of the jacket would glow a dark red neon color that kinda fits his aesthetic.

Finishing what he was working on he installed it into the jacket and watched it come to life. The glowing neon red was a nice touch to the black jacket. He threw it on to see how it fit. It was a little bulky but that was to be expected. He may need to carry a lot of extra ammo and equipment for gigs. Doing a quick once over in the mirror he liked what he saw and called it a success.

A call came through his holo

"What can I do for you boss man?"

"We got a gig kid and could use another gun. Hitting a Scav hideout. Falco will be by your place in 30 minutes to pick you up, be ready."

With that Maine ended the call.

"Well guess it's time for some real action." Slipping out of his jacket and casual clothes David went about getting his gear on. A pair of high ankle mesh sneakers, padded cargo pants, combat belt, katana, thigh holster and overture, white long sleeve under the ballistic vest, jacket, shotgun slung over his shoulder and saka ninja helmet to finish it off. Grabbing as much ammo as he could reasonably carry and double checking his guns were loaded, he was ready to go.

Leaving his apartment he went to catch his ride. Jumping down from his floor to the waiting piles of trash below he strolled out of his building and spotted Falco's ride. Kiwi was riding shotgun, so he hopped in the back. It looked like a full house. Everyone in the crew was piled in. Hopping in and closing the door, Falco sped off to the scav hideout.

"Alright y'all listen up, the Scav nest is a five-story abandoned apartment building. Likely numbers range from 30 to 40 scavs. We're meant to send a message so we're going in loud and fast. Killing every scav we see on the way. Kiwi and Falco will stay in the car while the rest of us are splitting into 2 teams. Lucy, Pilar, and David you're infilling from the roof. While me, Dorio and Rebecca are going through the front door. While we draw the scavs to us you hit them from behind and clear any stragglers. Everyone clear?"

"Come on boss man why do I gotta babysit the rookie, can't you take him so I can have some alone time with Lucy." David had his helmet on so Pilar couldn't see him scowl. David was new to this, but he didn't need babysitting. David was taking this shit seriously. He wasn't trying to end up on a real-milk cartoon.

"I'd rather drink bleach." Was Lucy's response. Well he figured now was the time to ask a real question.

"We clear to scavenge what we can from this place?" Sometimes when fixers organized these sorts of jobs they didn't want the mercs running off with a bunch of shit, that could be returned to the rightful owners for some high compensation. The mercs of course are given a cut to help enforce the rule.

"Take whatever you earn, fixer isn't paying for any returned goods." Sweet, that's what he liked to hear. David hadn't seen Doc in a bit. He's always looking to buy used cyberware.

"We're here." Falco brought the vehicle to a stop and everyone in the back got out.

"You three get to the roof and wait for the gun fire before you go in. We'll be waiting for you on the bottom floor."

With those parting words both of the groups took off. Scaling the building was a cake walk. David's cybernetic legs allowed him to soar into the air easily reaching 30 feet high. He was on the roof in two jumps. Lucy came next with some neat use of her monowire and it looked like Pilar used his really long arms to climb up.

Lucy preemptively unlocked the sliding glass access window with just a glance and hacked into one of the cameras she could see.

"We got 2 scavs hanging out in the hallway below us."

Unsheathing his katana David got ready for the breach. With the first shots going off the glass panel slid aside and David fell upon the 2 scavs. His swing bisected the scav from shoulder to crotch in a clean cut through. The second scav raised his shotgun to blow David away. Before it even reached his shoulder Pilar was landing on the scav driving him into the ground. Pilar unslung his Achellies and put a point blank shot through the scavs head.

Lucy -You got scavs coming out of the rooms on your left-

4 scavs were coming to investigate the gun fire, Lucy hit them all with a weapon glitch. All their guns shooting out sparks. Pilar charged his Achilles and blew a hole through 2 of them. David got close and separated the other two's heads from their bodies. With them taken care of David and Pilar went about clearing the rooms on this level. Pilar cleared rooms by just shooting through the walls thanks to his gun and optics. David did it the old-fashioned way by kicking in doors with his overture drawn and katana in hand. Most of the scavs they found were hooked up to BD's and didn't offer anymore resistance.

With this floor clear they made their way down. With Lucy as overwatch, they slaughtered there way through the scavs taking them by surprise. The Scavs were so focused on the gun fights happening below they never knew what hit them.

Running his sword through one scav and then shooting him point blank through his weird glitchy mask, it really felt like things were going smoothly. That's when the universe had to remind them, they were in Night City.

Maine -Where you guys at? There is too much heat down here, not sure how much longer we can distract them. These fuckers got a couple straight jackets.-

Lucy -David and Pilar are one floor above you. Just hold out.-

Maine -Hurry!-

Making their way to the stairwell they headed down. Before popping open the door, Pilar scanned through and fired off a couple shots. He then kicked open the door and yelled.

"Go get em kid."

David didn't like what he saw, the lobby of the apartment building was a fortified battlefield. Maine, Dorio, and Rebecca were pinned down near the entrance and thanks to Pilar's shots and yell David had about 10 scavs turning his way to see what happened. No time like the present to finally stress test the Sandy. The world slowed, but he was still moving. The first Scavs he reached hadn't even pulled their triggers yet before he cut them in half at the waste. The next 6 were shot point blank with his overture as he sped by them. Sheathing his katana and holstering the overture, he unslung his shotgun. Running and leaping up and over one of the scavs in power armor.

Once directly above the scav David fired both shells into the scav's head. The shotgun had such a kick it pushed him into the air an extra foot. Reloading while still in the air and flipping forward to land into a slide David let his momentum take him towards the other scav in power armor. Clicking closed the barrels just as he was sliding through the legs of the power armor. Aiming straight up David fired. The pellets tore through the scav in the armor making mincemeat of him.

David finished his slide taking cover behind a concrete column. He then powered down his sandy. Time started to flow normally and it looked like all at once the majority of the Scavs just up and died. The remaining scavs started to scrabble then trying to flee and save themselves. They were easy pickings for the likes of Maine's crew, who shot them down before they got far.

By the time David had reloaded his shotgun and overture the last of the Scavs were dead. Keeping his overture in his hand just in case he walked out of his cover.

"Are we clear, boss?"

"Yeah, kid we're clear, holy shit that was something you pulled off there."

"Eh no biggie, the Sandy did the heavy lifting." It really had. David crossed the entire room in the blink of an eye while tearing apart the Scavs along the way. He could see why Sandies were such game changers. Best part is from how his diagnostics looked; he could fire this thing a few more times and still be good. Nothing better than a last resort you could rely on multiple times. "I also don't suppose Falco is in the power armor transporting business?"

Falco -For 25% I am-

David -Deal-

"Alright y'all grab everything you can and load it in Falco's ride." Maine went about organizing everything and the crew scrambled to loot everything they could out of the scav hideout. Maine was even kind enough to rip the scavs out of the power armor and toss the suits in Falco's ride.

David helped by cutting out the better cyberware they found on the scavs and grabbing the better weapons lying around. A few of the items some of the members of the crew called dibs on but the majority was put into a community pool to be distributed between everyone. It was agreed that David would get his own personal set of loot to do with what he pleased with. Some of his profits would be going to Falco for transporting it for him.

Once they were loaded up there wasn't much room left on the inside. Only about 2 people could fit in the back.

"My quadra is on the way so Dorio and I are good. We'll meet you all back at the hideout."

"I'll take the roof." David was wearing a helmet so the wind wouldn't bother him. He hopped up and took a seat.

"Great idea dimples" Rebecca also clambered up to sit down next to David.

"Well well Lucy baby guess we'll have to snuggle up in the back toget-huh." Just as Pilar put his arm around her shoulders Lucy hit right in the nads.

"I'll ride on the roof as well." Guess it was a party on the roof.

"Alright y'all load up we're about to delta." With Falco's call the doors were slammed shut and his ride roared to life.

Soon they were flying through the streets of Night City. Riding on the roof was more exhilarating than he thought it would be. Rebecca thought so too, laughing and hollering for Falco to go faster and faster. Even Lucy was having a good time, it was the largest genuine smile he'd seen on her face. It was kinda captivating really. The good mood was kinda ruined by the roar of some engines and shots being fired at them.

It looked like those scavs had some mobile units who weren't home when they hit them. Standing up and unholstering his Overture David fired back. Unloading his rounds into the driver side window of one of the vehicles, David watched the car lose control and crash into the side barrier.

Not to be out done, Rebecca started firing her guillotine into one of the other cars blowing out the tires and turning the scavs into swiss cheese. Damn these scavs weren't much better than the ones back at their nest. Surfing the rest of the way on top of the car they rolled into the hideout.

"Nice shooting back there Davie."

"Back at you Becca."

"Oh pet names already you two are adorable." Lucy's smugness couldn't go unchallenged.

"Oh Lucyfer don't worry I thought of one for you too." David's joke seemed to hit the mark with Lucy's scowl and Rebecca cackling up a storm. David always comes to play.

Falco hopped out of his vehicle and came over.

"You two seem to make scav killing seem easier than riding a pony. Thanks for the cover."

"No problem"

"Yeah no biggie Falco, Scavs are only good for target practice and mama is always up for some practice." The gun gremlin really was a talented solo. With a deep love for slaughter.

Maine's Quadra rolled in and everyone went about unloading the crew's loot. David's loot remained in Falco's vehicle; he was giving him a ride to Docs so he could sell it and drop it off there.

With everything taken care of, the crew dispersed and David took the passenger's seat next to Falco.

"Alright Youngin plug in where we're goin on the GPS and I'll get us there."

"Will do" David connected to the Falco's dashboard and input Docs address. With a drive ahead David struck up some conversation with Falco. Asking him about his life and all that. Falco was a nomad growing up riding through the American plains. It's why he had that Cowboy personna he had spent a lot of his youth wrangling cattle. Instead of horses they drove cattle with vehicles across the American north west.

"What made you settle down in Night City Falco? Compared to that, this place sounds like hell."

"Couldn't agree more David, but like every man who does something they don't want to I did it for a woman."

"Oh you got a mainline?"

"Nope, this woman won't even give me the time of day. Don't mean I don't keep on trying though."

"Shit Falco, who is she? Gotta be someone special to make you give up your life before."

"Oh she is, but that's my own secret to keep can't have it getting out this cowboy has a soft side. Might ruin my reputation ya see."

"Fair enough"

Falco pulled in front of Doc's shop and David got out.

"I'll wait here for ya here."

"Alright I'll try and make it quick"

Walking into Doc's place David saw him stretched out on his chair, BD visor over his eyes and automatic fleshlight going at it. David clicked Docs ringer, which sent a message to the guys holo letting him know he had a customer. Doc began muttering in creole probably swearing up a storm and cursing whoever interrupted his session.

"Ohhh is that chu Davie haven't seen ya in a while Choom? Thought chu was dead."

"Not quite Doc, but almost. I'm coming back from a job and got some merchandise I thought you'd be interested in. What'd Ya say?"

"Little Davie a business man now, you growing up fast. I'll take a look for old times sake."

Leading doc outside to Falco's truck David opened the back to let him peruse. From the looks of it David had found his buyer, due to the hungry look in Doc's eyes.

"My my this is a good haul Davie. Tell you what, I'll take the suits and cyberware off ya hands for 30,000."

God Doc was a cheap bastard. One of the suits by themselves could net David 50,000 by itself on the black market. As long as you had the contacts at least. David did not have those contacts so he knew he'd have to take a lose, but not by that much.

"I was thinking more along the lines of 100,000. The 2 suits by themselves would pay for your entire haul."

"Oh Davie, I'll be sitting on this stuff for a while, not just anybody wants these kinda suits. It's a niche market. I could do 50,000 thousand."

"I'll split the difference with ya and go 75,000 Doc. You and I both know that's a steal."

Doc didn't jump at it of course, he can't seem too eager to rip me off.

"Aye alright, I'll do 75,000 cause I like you Davie. Unload it in the back." The transfer came through and David had Falco pull around. Doc had some winch systems to move the suits off the truck and David carried the pile of cyberware over to Docs bins full of random cyberware pieces. Sense Doc wasn't taking any of the weapons David snagged a duffle bag and loaded it up. He'd find something to do with them.

With business taken care of David transferred Falco's cut to him.

"Well I'll be, it's been a really good payday for being a wheelman."

"A good vehicle really is kinda necessary for this kind work."

"That it is, not sure what you're using your scratch for but getting a ride should be a priority. You ain't a part of a crew, officially at least. Being able to get to places and out them quickly is half the battle."

"You got any suggestions where I should look?"

"Matter a fact I do. Fixer by the name of El Capitan. Runs a side business selling cars. I'll send you his contact. Let him know I gave you his deets and he'll send you a link to his website. He gives discounts for people who do jobs for him so keep that in mind."

"Thanks Falco, you're a real choom."

"No sweat buckaroo, I'll be seeing ya David."

"See ya Falco"

With Falco taking off David made his way home. It was close enough he just decided to free run through the city.

Prying open his apartment door David made his way to his room. Dropping the duffle bag full of guns David went about stripping out his gear and clothes. After taking a quick shower he got to cleaning his stuff. He threw what he could in the washer but he'd have to do a lot of the cleaning with a rag and elbow grease.

With that out of the way David plugged himself into his computer. He needed to see where his nanobots were at on progress. His subdermal armor was finally completed and the nanobots had redirected towards bone and muscle reinforcement. The Nanobots were integrating his ganic parts with cyber enhancements. His bones were having alloys mixed into them and his muscles were being broken down so they could be regrown stronger with alloy fibers mixed in. The bots were looking to optimize his strength and speed. A ratio that would keep David on the leaner side.

His plans for after his ganic parts were brought up to snuff were to start enhancing his cyberware. As great as his arms, leg were, they could be better. With enough nanobots, he could eventually store a large amount of them in each limb so they could act like mantis blades. Or the nanobots could store up kinetic energy like gorilla arms that could be released in a big fuck you of a punch. Having optical camo would be a smart choice as well. Those Saka ninjas used it to great effect. Being able to clear out an entire building without being seen seems like something any solo would want to be able to do. As far as his Sandy there wasn't much to improve. His bots could work on reducing the neural load it placed on him but that was about it. Maybe David could look into improving the passive enhancement to his reflexes his Kerenzikov gave him.

Gear wise he needed to make a wrist mounted cyberdeck. Lucy demonstrated how useful hacking could be in the field. Being able to quickly open locked doors and windows while also being able to scout out entire buildings before even entering. David knew he wasn't going to be a great net-runnner, but he was more than good enough to do the simple stuff. Besides, any great solo was a jack of all trades master of killing.

David messed around for a bit then decided it was time to crash. Before heading to bed he sent a message to El Capitán introducing himself and asking to get the catalog on the cars he had.