Night City, a metropolis teeming with dreams and schemes, stood as a realm where myriad lives converged in pursuit of their unique ambitions. In this bustling cityscape, The Afterlife, a former morgue transformed into a pulsating nightclub, emerged as an unexpected nexus of fate beneath the neon-lit sky.
Into this urban tapestry stepped River Ward, an NCPD officer, guided by a lead that seemed almost whimsical. Gripping the wheel of his Thorton, he cast an inquisitive gaze at his companion, Goro Takemura, who bore a stoic countenance amidst the vibrant chaos.
"Remind me again how you know about V," River queried, his eyes on the entrance to the morgue-turned-nightclub, bathed in the contrasting hues of blue and purple neon lights. The enigmatic information streams of Night City's denizens flowed around them, adding an air of mystery to the unfolding scene. "And how sure are you about this?"
Takemura, his Kiroshi optics analyzing the data streams, reflected on the twists of his past. "There is a saying I heard during my time at Arasaka: 'If you want to learn, go to the library.' The meaning was lost on the younger me." The pulsating beats from The Afterlife's interior underscored his words, creating a surreal backdrop.
River, intrigued yet cautious, pressed for more details about the lead. His response was also no an answer, if one a person would entertain cryptic metaphors as answers. "And this Rouge?"
"From my understanding, one of the best local fixers in Night City," Takemura explained, his eyes narrowing at the mention of Rouge. "She may be the one we need to advance your lead about V."
As the rain began to patter down, Takemura and River readied themselves for the impending meeting. River, considering the complexities of dealing with fixers, acknowledged the potential challenges. "Well, let's get to it, no doubt she's expecting us. Anything else you know that I might not?"
Exiting the Thorton, Takemura, ever vigilant, scanned the surroundings. "Nothing that comes to mind, though I am sure that Rouge will be able to inform us more." The duo, enveloped in the soft rain, ventured towards the staircase, their journey into the enigmatic depths of The Afterlife about to unfold.
River focused on blending into the nightlife, grunted in response. The quicker Rouge could fill them in, the better, in this intricate dance between law and the shadows of Night City. "So you say."
With an air of quickness in their steps, Takemura laid his eyes on the door that would lead the two of them into The Afterlife proper; what he did expect was to be stopped before ever touching the door. Nearly all his willpower had to be exercised to not break the fingers of the idiot who would dare to touch him. ''Are we not allowed to pass?''
Manning the door with an aloof expression that told any greenhorn worth their potential salt the matter was personal, but those with skin in the game knew it to be a simple pratice of checks and balances, which none could question at one of the most influential clubs in the city.
And doubly so for those that Rouge herself, and by extension, her bouncer Emmerick did not know.
''Depends, never seen either of your faces around here, so that tells me either you're a couple of navie gonks looking to cause trouble, or you actually got a legit reason to be here.'' Emmerick kept his hand extended outwards towards the pair, watching their eyes lay upon the open door. With a whoosh of displaced air, the scent of cigarettes, booze and poorly designed cologne and perfume (according to Takemura) flooded their scents. ''And guess who's job it is to find out which you are.''
The urge to drop this bouncer came all too easy. But then again, in doing that; more than likely throws a wrench into the plans of meeting with Rouge to find out her side of this. . .issue. River could sense the energy between Takemura and Emmerick grow, and while loathe to admit it openly, River never was much fan of confrontation. ''I'm sure if you just call Rouge and let her know we're here to see her, this whole thing can smoothed over.''
That statement alone made Emmerick lower his hand, only for it to cup the top of his fist as he squared his already immoveable stance. Going about with subtle jabs here and there would probably work on any other second rate gonk off the street, but he was not that. Emmerick did have standards to uphold to, afterall. ''Uh-huh, you don't say.''
''Does this appear to be the time for jokes? We have business most urgent to discuss with Rouge.'' Takemura glared, studying Emmerick's body language for the smallest hint of change. He would be faster. ''And while I would not be against laying a giant on his behind, one should look inside himself first to see his enemy.''
''The fuck kinda Sun Tzu shit is your friend on?'' Emmerick flicked his eyes to Takemura before leaning a bit to the side to address River, genuinely wanting to see what drug he was taking so he could have a bit of it for himself. If he had to deal with more crazies throughout the night, anything to take the edge off would be all the better. ''I think it best if the two of you leave.'' River managed to hear the underlying threat of violence. ''The two of you don't fit in.''
Almost as if on cue, past the comings and goings of regulars, out came a saving grace in the form of Crispin Weylin, coming into Emmerick's peripheral ''Ey, what be goin' on 'ere? Rouge wants to see these two.'' Weylin pointed to Takemura and River with a lazy hand.
Caught off guard by his tone of voice and hearing that Rouge wanted to see them made Emmerick stop his train of thought. Glossing over the pair with a more crtitcial stare made the bouncer soon realize something that he quite hadn't before.
The setup for a good joke, for one.
''Well, one of you shoulda told me that before I came in tonight, was getting close to 'escorting' these fellas outta here; lucky you came here when you did,'' Emmerick chuckled, his tone seeming to ease with the arrival of Weylin. Eyeing Takemura and River pass by them, the thought on Emmerick's mind suddenly came to mind. ''Huh, a cop, merc and Arasaka walk into a bar. . .''
Choosing to ignore his goading, the trio proceeded to the back of the bar, passing by all manner of mercs, solos, and inbetween. While River kept a close eye on those he walked by, Takemura's expression remained the same; wanting to to talk to Rouge face to face and ascertain what kind of information she knew that Arasaka could not. Be it either his pride as a Japanese or his possibly narrow-minded way of thinking, any information that could help someone he considered to be honorable and, dare he say a friend, was welcome. ''According to what you and V have told me, this is essentially where it all began.''
Nodding in confirmation as Weylin tilted his head towards the pair as they rounded on Rouge's booth, River took a moment to consider what fixers, mercs, solos, and the whole lot sought to gain from tryin to attain status and glory in a place like Night City, though he himself, could not envision doing so when the stake were considerably more crooked that a Wraith attempting to go to church.
''About time you got here, was beginning to think what I told you over the phone didn't click with you,'' Rouge lowered her glass, her weathered eyes narrowing at the sight of Takemura. She instantly knew something. ''Would be a damn shame. . .for V, at least.''
Offering a curt nod at her statement, Takemura cleared his throat and spoke, already having mulled over what he wanted to say to her on the car ride over, and mostly anticipating the questions she may ask. ''And I see the stories about Night City's best fixer 'living cozy', as you would say, were not lies. I am-''
''You can already save it, sweetheart; already sourced you out. Both of you, actually.'' Rogue said, gesturing for the pair to sit as Weylin took his place in front of the entrance to the booth. ''River Ward, NCPD, really no surprise there, and Goro Takemura of Arasaka. If you told me this morning when I woke up about the day I would have, then I would call every person in this city insane. Well-'' Rouge stopped to pause and think, only for her face to settle in understanding. ''more than they already are. So, now that we have that out of the way, why not get down to brass tacks?''
River finished taking his jacket off when the question was thrown in the air. Seeing as the entire incident was fresh in his mind, and that Takemura already took the reins in telling Rouge what occured after shutting down a skirmish between 6th Street and The Mox. Given the different assortmnents of gangs within Night City, it was never a hassle to put one's ear to the ground in order to attain information. ''Ok, so I'm just finishing rounds; patrolling, checking in on informants, and overall trying maintain peace. Passing through Santo Domingo when I get a call from an unknown,'' River gesuted, pulling his phone and putting it on the table to show Rouge, who glanced over the device with a neutral expression. ''Caller on the other side is a female; sounded. . .distressed, like she was being followed or something Didn't waste anytime, just got into revealing everything she knew about me, even stuff from when back when.'' a shudder came River when he stopped to reflect on the few things that she was able to reveal.
''And I fail to see how V and Johnny is involved in this. Time; eddies. Ringing a bell?'' Rouge questioned, tapping the table when she begun to get impaitent.
''He is getting there, the preface is important for you to understand.'' Takemura said, finishing taking a sip of the drink Rouge offered, resting his hands back on his knees as he saw River make a face of understanding at Rogue's tone.
''I try to pry furhter, but she shuts me down, only settling for telling about V and his little stunt at Arasaka Tower and Johhny Silverhand. Next piece of info is that she may have a way to help V from dying, but with him up and leaving town, that supposedly threw a wrench in her plans.''
Rogue was interested now. Knowing about Johnny in itself wasn't a crime or even something that would have spiked her interest alone, but with having V come into the picture and. . .patch some of the issue the asshole caused all those years back, to show a glimpse that an egotist like Johnny could possibly change; well that would just make for the story of the century.
''She tells me she can't get in touch with V, so I was the next runner-up. Once, she gets in touch wiith him, the rest is pretty much done and dusted.'' River said. ''Get a follow-up message with some coordinates to travel to after we find V.''
''We? More importantly, was any kind of payment discussed? For all you know, it could some rando punk wanting to take a shot at one of Night City's newly minted Solos and maybe even the best one at that,'' Rouge shrugged. ''Could go tits up at the drop of a hat, and you would be none the wiser.'' Takemura held a neutral expression, but shifted his eyes to her. ''And you; given your affiliation with Arasaka in whatever capacity, you would let him drag you into this when it reeks of shit?'' Takemura continued to hold her gaze for a few seconds more, settling to huff and clear his throat. ''Right, silent type.''
A point about the entire scenario being sketch did cross Takemura's mind more times than he could count. But, in the same breath, the circumstances themselves dictated action. For himself, and for a friend. While nothing ever tethered the man here to Nigt City, he would be lying to himself if he didn't say Night City was beginning to irritate him. Hanako was dead, thanks to Yorinobu, who soon after took his own life due to the whatever demons haunted him, Oda was also among the dead, which he still spited V a tad for, and Smasher?
All over the Arasaka comms.
River, he was not too sure on the specfics, though even he could tell that V helped, and that was enough. . .for now.
''There's more, but we need to know you're on board with helping. In any case, regardless of if she pays or not, I'll make sure you are compensated for your time.'' River, already took the liberty of getting some payment ready. A cop he may be, it wasn't like he was a greenhorn. Eyes lighing up blue, the transfer went through without a hitch. ''Even if you're not saying it, I know you want to help V. He's more for the city than most people will realized and even more so for each of us in our own way.'' River's voice nearly down an octave. ''We own him this.''
Huh, looks like some of V rubbed on this River. He had spunk. ''Fine, what do you need?''
''A way out of Night City. Secure.'' Takemura spoke up. ''Also, equipment, and a vehicle.''
Two for two, it seems. ''And you figured me the first fixer to help?'' Rogue signalled for Weylin to come over. ''Get these boys fitted with Warlock.''
''The best,'' River smiled.
''Damn straight,'' Rogue replied. However, there was one more thing to cover. ''Name?''
''Songbird.''