Act 1: Nightcall

"The lunareenskaya uranium mine collapse that occurred just outside Novosibirsk has concluded with a happy ending as you recall 35 miners became trapped deep underground following a high-magnitude earthquake soos league 2 hibernation implants the miners were able to survive without access to food and fresh water for two weeks fortunately after their rescue and following a brief rest for technical evaluation miners were able to immediately return back to work" "in other news nano bees-"

The TV blinked off as a man in a white suit stood up stretching in the dimly lit back room, cigarette smoke wafted through the air as the thumping noise from the party downstairs was now washed over the room.

"Y'know it sounds like my cue to check out the party you are coming?"

The other man stood up as well although he shook his head slightly.

"You go on ahead Sasha I think I'll just step out."

"Ohhh come on Pavel! You're always working, always so always serious, you need to relax, stress is no good, you like miners, all you do is work."

Pavel's eyebrow arched up scoffing.

"And you never work. You also like miners hibernating all the time or doing lines of coke."

Sasha merely smirked heading towards the door.

"Don't forget me banging these American babes xaxaxa." he exclaimed before leaving.

Pavel rolled his eyes making his way upstairs "That kid I swear…"

Opening the door to the roof Pavel was met with the dark sky; the neon horizon stretched out as Night City earned its name. More surprising was another person there, a friend in fact the few he could call one in his line of work.

"Having a good night Makhail?" Pavel greeted walking beside him as he leaned his arms over the railing.

"Eh I'm enjoying the view…" he said shrugging

"The city is still beautiful even though I know it's filled with filth"

"Da. I understand…" Pavel said, staring up at the sky, the stars obscured by floating billboards and ads.

"Sounds like they're getting rowdy again downstairs."

"Wouldn't be the first time. Most of those idiots are only here for the free vodka anyways."

"Why are you here?" Pavel asked, shifting his head to look back at Makhail.

"My wife and little Anfisa, No jobs in the motherland, even for vets…"

"And no way i'd find legit work here, not for enough at least."

"Hmm my brother's a war vet, took a bullet to the-"

The muffled crack of a gun going off silenced Pavel as the shattering of glass came from behind before pink mist came from in front of his head as Pavel slumped to the ground.

"B'lyat! Pavel!" Makhail swung around eyes wide and manic, confused, hoping to catch a glimpse of the killer; the figure was blurry through the glass and dim lighting.

Another shot broke the glass window smacking Makhail in the throat as he stumbled backward gurgling on his own blood the second shot came soon after hitting Makhail square in the breast as he jerked backwards and over the railing falling towards the pavement landing unceremoniously with a splat, his face split open and his ribs caved in.

August 6th, 2076 3:15 A.M Night City

The car smoothly decelerated coming to a stop outside a large building Cops swarming around barking orders or erecting holographic tape blocking off the crime scene. Stepping out of his car he walked toward the all-too-familiar scene.

"Hey! no civili-oh! Uh evening Detective River My mistake."

River smiled at the officer "How are ya Mike? Sounds like we got ourselves a shootout?"

Mike relaxed his shoulders slouching ever so slightly as he scratched his large mutton chops. "Something like that."

"Now there's about a hundred shootouts every week. What makes this one so special?"

Mike jabbed his thumb towards the building.

"Why don't you see for yourself..."

River's eyes wandered before settling on a body concealed by a white sheet; the outline of where it had landed was marked just beside it, fresh blood spatters made their own outline around the space. fixing his coat he made his way to the building stepping through the entrance.

"...Jesus…" The sight that greeted River was nightmarish. The bodies of Russian mobsters were strung around the safehouse. The pungent iron taste and smell of blood and burnt electronics assaulted him, his jaw setting into a clench. The bodies were brutalized with some dismembered while others lay in grotesque contortions, their guts and wires spilling out.

"This was a massacre…" River said although to no one in particular.

"Do we have any witnesses to hear the commotion?"

Mike behind shook his head.

"Neighbors say it wasn't any louder than it usually is at 3 A.M." "The only reason we even know it happened is that a stray bullet hit a third-story window across the street."

River stood there for a second thinking

"Quiet and professional…ID the bodies yet?"

"It's pretty clear they've got Russian Mafia ties but nothing concrete yet could just as easily be some Scavs."

"Well, get onto it. I'm gonna look around more."

River continued walking around his boots crunching under broken glass and slick patches of blood as he explored more of the building, noticing the surprising amount of blunt-force trauma that seemed to be inflicted. Walking up a final flight of stairs he swung open a door to a smaller club room, two large doors ahead opened to the balcony outside beside the doors lay a wall of clear windows with two being smashed. Walking over to the window, just in front lay a body haphazardly covered.

Letting out a sigh, River rubbed his forehead looking down before catching a glimpse of something in the broken glass. Reaching down he plucked it up, a lone silver bullet casing using his implant he zoomed in on the back of the casing.

"Hyper Velocity .45 A.C.P…who still uses .45?"

Pocketing the ammo he made his way downstairs, noticing a previously unexplored room, Mike started inside, arms crossed and frowning. Waking over he too looked in the room realizing why Mike was frowning.

"That fella is definitely Japanese…tiger claw maybe."

"You think we have a gang war on our hands?"

"Could be… Though last I heard those fuckers were at a ceasefire. Hell, they've been the most chummy with each other out of all the gangs.

"This could be the start of a turf war." "And a grizzly and savage one by the looks of it."

"So what now?" Mike asked running a hand through his scalp as he absorbed the information.

"I.D the bodies, gather anyone willing to talk for questioning, and see if any of our undercover officers heard anything about this."

"Yes sir…you have a good rest of the night."

River forced out a smile making his way to his car, his fingers fiddling with the bullet casing in his pocket."

August 6th, 2076 4:52 A.M Night City

The door to his apartment slammed shut as he wrenched the bloody Rooster mask off his face letting it fall to the dirty floor. His breaths came in short violent wheezes as if the wind had been knocked out of his body. His hands were bloodied and violently shaking the blood a mix between his own and others, he was starting to sorely regret not getting any implants back in the army. Most of the gangsters did have chrome and while it didn't really matter in the end, his fleshly hands had taken a beating themselves. Spikes of icy hot pain shot through his nerves his teeth clenched hard as cold sweat enveloped his whole body. He began to get clammy his stomach began to churn,haistly he reached over quickly grabbing a small trashcan by the door spitting up his earlier meal.

"Gyaaa! Disgusting puking like a fucking dog!"

That voice he felt like he knew it…

Looking to his right he saw them: The Rooster, Owl, and horse two of them sat on his couch while the Rooster sat on his coffee table glaring down at him his eyes a void.

"I see that you've already have gotten acquainted with the city. Although one wonders why to linger so close to recent scars. "

"Nice place you got here. I wish I could say the same about you but you look terrible."

"Weak piece of shit can't even handle some thugs with chrome! Pathetic!

"Oh come on don't give me that look a part of you knew you'd see me again. You feel like a fish outta water yet?... you've gotten hooked and like a fish always too late to realize."

"The war is over why are you here? Why do you still fight?"

"Get this asshole outta my sight why are you here! Leave!"

"You're drowning and dont even care I have a feeling we'll see each other soon."

And then they were gone he blinked a few more times his head starting to swirl drifting to something else standing he made his way to a box underneath his bed sliding it out he popped the latches of the large box. A part of him couldn't believe he'd still held onto them after all this time. He still remembered it being a gift from Daniels although he never got around to actually installing it.

August 6th, 2076 5:09 A.M Night City

Viktor yawned scratching the back of his head the low hum of fluorescent lights filling the room. Outside it was still bustling although things had mostly winded down with most people asleep although Night City never truly rested. The door adjacent to his shop opened as a small smile formed on Viktor's face.

"Hey vik made some tea, how are you holding up?"

Misty held two steaming cups extending an arm, Viktor took one blowing it slightly before taking a small sip.

"Hmm not bad what is it?"

"Some ginseng mint tea I got at the market nothing special. Anyways Ima get going soon Jackie is taking me out later but I'll stick around for a few more minutes, need any help cleaning up?"

"Nah, nah I'm fine a bit of a slow day, gotta order more spare parts for them mantis blades running pretty low. But no I'm fine you're young and spry go have fun with prince charming he seems like a good guy."

Misty smiled making her way towards the door

"Thanks, vik I'll stick around for a few more minutes before I go." Misty said before leaving back through the door.

Viktor sat down on his chair the cup of tea in one hand in another he pulled out a tablet checking up on his supplies.

There was a sudden change with the neon lights flickering slightly…something felt off. Looking up Viktor's eyes landed on a figure standing in his shop still as stone in his arms he cradled two prosthetic arms. Both of his hands were wrapped in blood-stained gauze he stood silently staring at Viktor his face was young but disheveled with a blank expression.

Viktor startled, lost his grip on the cup as the tea landed on his leg and floor as he stumbled out of his seat.

"SHIT…Jesus kid don't just sneak up on me like that damn near gave me a heart attack."

Viktor looked down at his leg now soaked in tea breathing through his nose he looked back up at the figure still standing there.

Just then the door cracked open as Misty poked her head out

"Everything alright Vic? Heard you yell." her eyes immediately landed on the figure as he swiveled his head to look at her.

"Everything fine kid just gave me a scare is all."

Misty eyes then shot to the newcomer "You can't give the old timer a scare like that understand."

The man took a few seconds before nodding his head.

"Not much for talk huh, well I'll leave you to it Vik." Misty stated closing the door the room descended into silence with the only noise being the small bustle from outside.

This guy was starting to give Viktor the creeps. Looking closer the man seemed outta place simple jeans and a turquoise shirt adorn him along with an old varsity jacket and filthy white shoes.

"I want these installed." The figure finally said coming out hoarse as if he rarely used his voice. Viktor rubbed his temple walking over and grabbing a rag, attempting to clean his leg.

"Alright go and sit down over there i'll be with you in a minute." Viktor said walking over to the corner of the room.

The Jacket walked over sitting down on the blue chair waiting and glancing around the room.

After a moment Viktor came back pulling behind him a cart lined with medical tools and placing it beside Jacket.

"Alright first things first let me look at your hands here put those on here." he gestured to the cybernetic arms as Jacket handed them over, Viktor placing them on top of the cart. Viktor then began to unwind the bandages grimacing slightly upon seeing the man's hands, they were raw and bloody with exposed muscle and bone visible.

"Geez kid what happened you had a boxing match with a Maelstrom member?"

However, the kid didn't reply staring slightly off not looking at Viktor.

"Alright I get it you don't have to answer, a good thing you came to me though I can fix it up no problem let's see what we have here."

He then picked up one of the arms examining it.

"These are old things, huh?" Viktor muttered to himself turning the arms over in his hands his eyes scanning for any signs of damage or decay.

"Huh gotta be at least 10-15 years old…no number or manufacturer, prototypes maybe? How'd get these?"

"They were…they were a gift," Jacket said softly.

"Some gift alright. These things are definitely built to last, Are you sure you want them? There are plenty of new models that could do you good, more efficient, more reliable-"

"Just these." Jacket curtly replied.

Viktor nodded grabbing a pulling in a tablet and taping away.

"Alright if you say so although it's not gonna be a walk in the park, especially considering you're 100% organic I'm surprised a gonk like yourself is strolling Night City without any cyberwear if you want I can also chip-."

"No." Jacket quickly replied probably more forcefully than intended

"Okay, just the arms got it, You're in luck I'm pretty sure these puppies don't need any other supporting infrastructure."

"I will warn you though this is gonna hurt like a motherfucker even with anesthesia. You ready?"

Once again he nodded

"Alright then. This is gonna sting so remember deep breaths. " Viktor said as he started to apply the anesthesia with Jacket's vision slowly grew dark as he just started to feel the scalpel sinking into his flesh.

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ehy

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"Hey!" "There you are you good kid gotta say you took it better than most." Viktor was saying as he peeled off his gloves tossing them into the biohazard bin.

Jacket's vision slowly came back as he blinked rapidly. peering around he was still the the small ripperdoc clinic although the light rays of early morning could be seen through the entrance.

"Well, you're all patched up. The anesthesia is beginning to wear off so you'll be in a world of pain soon you're gonna need some rest here." He handed over a small pill bottle.

"Take one a day should help with the pain." Jacket accepted taking the pills viewing his new arms looked practically the same with the main caveat being now his knuckles were clearly metal. He pocketed the med before really inspecting his hands making a fist feeling as the new strength.

"Good news is now if you fight any more gonks you won't be giving yourself nerve damage. Let me know if there are any issues dizziness, fatigue, or anything else."

Jacket stood up still staring at his hands after a second he reached into his jacket pulling out a thin wad of eurodollars.

"Hey considering it's your first time consider it on the house."

"...thank you." Jacket said earnestly looking up at Viktor.

"Don't mention it just try and not bash any other body part into chrome k."

Jacket nodded although is was far less convincing as he made his way up the steps and out the ripperdoc.

"Weird kid."

Authors note: hey another chapter done again any feedback is much appreciated I don't know when I'll post another but hopefully it's soon.