\+/ Tales From Night City \+/ Chapter 49 - The Price We Pay
The mellow rumbling of the Emperor's engine creates a comfortable white noise in the vehicle for the pair. You see... Night City has an aura to it. An unexplainable draw that doesn't just lure you in... it drags you in. This phenomena is quite a unique one that leaves even the most grounded Night City natives unable to explain it. There is no bottom to the depths this city is willing to take you to. A place that can both give you everything you've ever wanted and take away everything you've ever had. Regardless of how deep you may dare or desire to venture down into the neon rabbit hole, Night City has a spot reserved... just for you.
Molly slowly cleans the blood off of her hands after putting on a new top while keeping her blood covered pants on. She silently contemplates the PetroChem executives' actions out in the badlands with all the new information she's received.. feeling confident with her theories. However, her normally clear thinking mind has a distraction she's been unable to shake as she keeps her eyes helplessly fixated on the Night Cityscape. The anticipation on her face was palpable while her heart fluttered to an increased rate. As composed and in control of a person she is... she can't help but wear the hungry fixation on her face. Manny, who's driving, glances over at her and picks up on this. Completely familiar with her demeanor and mannerisms, her current state easily stands out to him while she wears it subtly. He breaks the silence to gauge her reaction.
"All good ma'am?" He says in a soft tone causing Molly to snap out of her trance and quickly look at him.
"Wha-? Yeah.. of course" She dismissively says lowering her eyebrows causing Manny to smile to himself. The pair share a silence with each other before Manny decides to speak up again.
"Haven't seen you like this since Monaco."
"Like what..?"
"You know as well as me that this job can get about as redundant as stamping passports... just nice to see you eager to be somewhere again."
"Eager..? To be in this shithole..? Psh... give me a break."
Manny giggles and raises his eyebrows as he glances over at her. "You sure about that..?"
Molly looks at him without responding. Not wanting to concede the truth, she breaks eye contact and returns to looking out of the window. The act of not driving while still being brought back to the city gives her the sensation of zero control as she stares on at the towering, intimidating Night Cityscape staring back and effortlessly pulling her in... awaiting her return.
"I dunno... this just sounds kinda off to me." Zaunya says to Audrey. "Why would they wanna meet there in particular? Said it should be just a quick trade right..?"
"Cmon, be still.." Netty says while giggling with a big smile on his face trying to slot one of Brian's tracker shards into one of BugBear's neuro ports. She giggles with a big smile on her face with him behind her as she moves and turns, giving him a hard time.
"This deal was set quite sometime ago so the setting and circumstances can of course change... Not really sure why they decided to change location but its not like they swapped a safe one for a dangerous one or anything like that. Not the most uncommon thing to happen. Its a serious sale too so i'd expect em to be on edge. She takes a deep breath. This all seems quite lucky on my end honestly... Never really expected to need this many people coming with me on this but i'm definitely glad to have them... all things considered." Audrey replies.
"Sure but... hmm.. whatever. You know more about this street merc shit than i do." Zaunya concedes as she hands Audrey one of Brian's blinking blue tracking shards. She casually grabs and slots the shard as Zaunya slots her own.
Zaunya's eyes suddenly begin to glow orange causing her to glance at Audrey before turning and walking out onto the hideout balcony alone.
= Hey. Its Brian. =
= Hey. Everyone should be plugged in by now. Can you see? How's latency? =
= Yeah, everything looks pretty good. I see everyone comin' online. I'll consolidate em in a minute =
= What's the sitch at the meet location. Anything stand out? =
= Other than the gym i'm at being an Animals gym with a bunch of chromeheads grunting their faces off, no. Been keepin' an eye on the spot. Completely dead even this early. Tells me there's no real setup. Least not yet.. =
Brian pauses before shifting subject. = How's everyone doin'. =
Zaunya glances back into the hideout to see Netty, Audrey and BugBear talking and laughing together with positive energy... contrasting Zaunya's personal angst.
= They're good. We're almost ready over here. Just waiting for the call from Audrey's contact. Shes thinkin' it won't be till tonight... said hes an ex-Tyger Claw that's been chased out of his gang into DogTown... looking to meet in Pacifica of course... Didn't really sit right with me honestl- =
= Shit.. hold on. I got somethin' =
= What is it...? Brian...? = Zaunya asks as he doesn't respond. He re-racks his weights before walking up to the window of the gym and looking out of it.
= Animals. Scoping the spot. I think I even see Audrey's contact over there. You said ex-Tyger right..? Yeah.. that's gotta be him = Brian says as he focuses in on the Claw. = Definitely dresses like the choom with the eds we're lookin' for =
= What are they doi- =
= Just get everybody ready and wait for the call to come in from this guy... I'm gonna hang back here, keep an eye on things and wait for ya'll. Let me know as soon as Audrey gets the call so I can time something... Buzz ya if anything changes. =
= Roger that = Zaunya says before ending the call and turning to walk back into the hideout.
"What are you lookin' for..." Brian whispers to himself as he posts his forearm up against the window of the Animals gym focusing on the group outside and down the street.
Zaunya walks past Netty and BugBear; She sees BugBear handing Netty a cyberpunk yellow DR5 Nova which he grabs uncomfortably having never handled some iron before. BugBear places her hand on his shoulder and begins to speak to him in a serious tone while looking deep into his eyes which Zaunya doesn't hear. She continues past the pair and slides Audrey's door open before stepping in. The door slides closed behind Zaunya as her eyes and mouth open wide and she gasps. She looks to see Audrey in her bra, putting on a shirt with her back turned toward her. She sees an almost endless number of deep scars cascading all throughout her back... starting from the neck down to her hips. The amount of scars she sees overwhelms her and causes her to gasp as Audrey finishes putting her shirt on before slowly glancing back at her. Zaunya, for the first time bears witness to some of the true consequences of her actions...
"Audrey?!" Zaunya says cracking her voice while letting out an emotional exhale with disbelief on her face. The shock of the moment causes her to start tearing up.
Audrey turns to face Zaunya and looks her in the eyes briefly before stepping past her and speaking in a flat and aggravated tone. "Contact just called. We should get moving."
"Audrey!" Zaunya says in a emotional whimper while attempting to step in front of her causing Audrey to glance up at her. Zaunya tries to gently grab Audrey's face causing Audrey to aggressively look away.
"Lets delta... we have shit to do." Audrey says cracking her voice frustrated and filled with building emotion as she swipes Zaunya's forearms away and forcibly steps past her out of the room. Zaunya puts both of her hands over her mouth as she begins to silently cry alone in the room.