*NOTE FROM SYBERWARE*
Well... Look at that. We Made it to Chapter 50... If you've made it this far and are currently reading this... it means something to me that you may never fully understand. I started writing this story during some of the darkest days in my life... a time of true loss and change for me... As things begin to turn around a little bit, I look back at some of the chapters i've written and can see some of the history of my emotions on the page. The narrative being built here and the characters within it mean everything to me... as they've been by my side every step of the way... throughout all the wins and losses... laughter and sadness... love and loneliness... My commitment to do right by these characters and their journey is beyond serious... Having never found myself THIS deep into an artistic endeavor, I can confidently say now that the experience has been not only worth it, but something I needed.
That leaves only you left... my loyal and committed readers whose brains are currently processing both the same words and sentiment that mine is, as we both sit here connected to this page. Being a reader myself, I know the genuine amount of time and energy it takes to do so... Its not something you flippantly do like scrolling through tiktok or throwing on a random movie or tv show. Its something you do with pointed focus after truly deciding to commit to the material you're reading in the midst of our modern lives of distraction. The time and energy you choose to spend here with me... regardless of how long... is not taken lightly and I thank you all for it. I also wanna give a special thanks and recognition to all of my fans out there that take the time to comment your support and ask questions or just talk to me about the story in general. It really fuels my motivation and keeps me going through the grind at times and I probably wouldn't still be here without ya'll lol! love you guys... you know who you are. For anyone who has made it this far and hasn't said anything yet, I'd love to hear from you the most... We're all walking this path together and your questions, thoughts or criticisms, no matter how general or simple they may be, is life blood for artists like me. So don't be shy.
The Cyberpunk universe is special to us all for different reasons. Hopefully this continued story gives you some insight into why it is for me.
Thanks so much again chooms... I look forward to continuing this journey with you all. Take care. -Sy
\+/ Tales From Night City \+/ Chapter 50 - Forward Unto Darkness
The distant, early morning car horns chirp to the warm, orange sunrise of Night City. The different light stages that appear throughout the day tend to make the city expressive of various emotions. Very human emotions. Its almost like the city itself is a sentient entity. A collective hive mind of lust and temptation culminating into an impulsive explosion of unpredictable actions at any given time, in any given place. Brian, recalling a distant memory, stands looking out into the blooming sunrise over the ocean horizon before closing his eyes and taking a deep breath.
"What is... the definition of trust." Brian asks in a calm monotone while slowly walking up to Marilyn as you see their black silhouettes move amongst the beautiful orange hue of the Night City sunrise.
Marilyn scoffs and giggles "You mean mine or yours?" She responds while staring deep into his eyes causing him to let out a seductive, audible growl.
"Mmmggh... you're so... good... Have I ever told you that?" He says as he looks her up and down admiring her as if she was a complete character of his own creation.
"Yeah Varga... but that never stops me from wanting to hear it." She says in a gentle tone as the two embrace each other.
"Why do you call me Varga hm? I've never asked." Brian asks in a playful, confronting tone.
"Because all those empty headed, street tough gonks out there stand up straight and answer to Brian." Marilyn says as she grabs him by his high collar jacket with both hands.
"I get Varga." She says through her teeth with a smile while pulling him in close and giggling... the pair never break eye contact.
Brian wraps his hands around her lower back and slides his Blood Red, Crimson Nue into the back of her jeans' waistband while yanking her hips up against his causing her to moan in pleasure.
"Go fetch Mare." He says in a deep tone which causes her to shove her tongue into his mouth as the pair begin to make out. She shoves him away as they both step back and turn to walk in opposite directions. Brian hears the sounds of screams in panic and turmoil alongside booming gunshots from his Nue repeatedly firing off in the distance as he continues to walk away unfazed. Ending his memory.
Brian re-racks his weights a final time before glancing out of the gym window once more briefly. He grabs his gear and heads for the exit.
The sound of BugBear's yellow ARCH Nazaré Racer rips through the streets of Night City causing various pedestrians to turn their heads. Netty sat on the back of the bike checks out BugBear's body, awkwardly searching for where he should hold onto her. He hesitantly places his hands on her shoulders which causes her to glance back at him. She lightly shrugs and shakes her body causing his hands to drop down to her waist. As he goes to move them away she grabs one of his wrists and wraps it around her waist just above her thighs; as he feels her soft and toned curves he instinctually takes his other hand and grabs her waist with it securing his grip, and silently turning him on.
= Are you ready for this? = She asks him through their comms
= As uh... as ready as I'll ever get =
= Just... try to stay calm and keep your eyes open. Everything'll be fine. = She says reassuring him as they continue through the neon lit streets.
Netty's vision suddenly begins to distort as it flashes black with pink static sparking throughout it. He instinctually blinks and shakes his head to no avail as the black and pink distortion effortlessly continues against his will. The distortion abruptly stops as a large icon covers his vision. The icon was unmistakable to him; a smiling cartoon shark, dressed as a puppet master, wearing a hooded grim reaper cloak, and dangling a little dead corpo suit on its strings. The sight of the icon causes him to gasp in disbelief. A squeaky, creepy, obnoxious and sort of ominous cartoony notification tone accompanies the intrusive, animated icon blocking his vision:
= CORPOS IN MY TUMMY! YUMMY YUMMY! =
= CORPOS IN MY TUMMY! YUMMY YUMMY! =
Before Netty is able to say anything to BugBear the black and pink distortion along with the notification ping abruptly stops as an encrypted text message from an unknown number comes in.
The text reads: = Sweet wire causes cavities. 47 Seduction. =
Reading the text causes his heart to sink down into his stomach. "No... It can't be" he thinks to himself. His heart begins to race as his adrenaline surges at the sight of the text. The sudden sight of those words tenses his entire body while he shouts out.
= STOP! STOP THE BIKE! BEAR! =
Netty's shouting through comms catches her off guard as she quickly looks back at him.
= BEAR! STOP! PULL OVER! PULL OVER THE BIKE! = Netty shouts again looking directly at her with a desperate expression on his face. She pulls the bike over on an unknown street somewhere deep in bustling Heywood alongside a spattering of pedestrians. Netty hops off the bike and begins quickly walking toward a dark alleyway causing BugBear to quickly yank off her helmet and follow after him.
"NETTY! Wha-? What the hell are you doing? Where are you going!?"
"I... I gotta go s-.. something came up. It can't wait, i'm sorry."
"What the fuck are you talking about? We have somewhere to be! Like RIGHT now!"
"I HAVE TO GO!" Netty shouts back causing his voice to crack in a tone she's never heard before. She hears the stress and panic in his voice causing her to realize the seriousness. She shifts her tone as fear and concern wash over her.
"Then i'm... i'm coming with you."
"No Bear you can't... Get to the others, keep them safe."
"I'M NOT! JUST! LEAVING YOU HERE!" BugBear shouts as she runs up to him in the alleyway. As she reaches for the back of his shoulder, a quick spark flashes out of one of her neuro sockets causing her head to snap back as she gasps deeply with her eyes wide open. She drops to the ground stunned, barely able to move while she lets out a shriek.
Netty glances back over his shoulder at her revealing his red eyes. "I'm sorry..." He says in a deep, soft tone as he takes off up the dark alley... hopping a loud chainlink fence before landing on a dumpster on the other side. The various glass and debris clanks and crashes as he takes off up the wet pavement.
"N- No..." She pleads to herself in a stunned daze while collapsed on the street, straining to get up.
"Netty.." She whispers while she helplessly reaches for him... her vision fades to black.