"So, how do I get past him?" V muttered, licking her parched lips. Her eyes were fixed on the towering man standing squarely in the middle of the cinema's ticket hall—the only path that led to the screening room.
Matilda K. Roser. Better known as the Savage King. One of the Animals' most feared leaders.
V didn't stand a chance against him in a straight fight. She could tell just by looking at him.
Before River could respond through the comms, the cinema's PA system crackled to life, interrupting them.
"No need to hide. I've already located you. Come out!" a distorted voice echoed—it was the Netwatch hacker.
"Shit! They activated a jammer!" Josh's panicked voice came through, glitching. "It's up to you now, V! Jo—"
His voice was cut off before he could finish. Silence.
Just then, the Savage King stepped forward, nearly 2.2 meters tall, his massive body blocking the light like a monolith. He loomed over V, sizing her up like prey.
Inside the Screening Room
V stepped cautiously into the dim room under the Savage King's silent watch. A sleek figure in a silver agent suit stood up to greet her, a smug smile on his face.
"Welcome, my friend," the Netwatch hacker said smoothly.
"I'm not your friend." V casually plopped onto a nearby crate, crossing her arms. If she was going to die here, she might as well get comfortable.
The hacker chuckled. "Fair enough. But since you made it here, I assume you've already dealt with the Voodoo Boys?"
"So what if I have?"
"That makes you capable. Which means we can help each other," the agent replied. "You help me find the Voodoo Boys and eliminate them, and in return, I help you—money, safety, a clean system. Friendship."
"Why should I trust you?" V asked, skepticism laced in every word.
"We can pay far more than they ever could. And more importantly, I can save your life."
That last part made her raise an eyebrow. She could believe the money. But saving her?
"They probably installed a monitor and a neural virus in your system," he continued. "Once your job's done, they'll kill you to clean up the mess. But I can remove the virus."
That much… she actually believed.
"What's your real issue with the Voodoo Boys?" she asked, steering the conversation.
The agent sighed. "Do you know how many attacks we fight off near the Blackwall every year?"
"Take a guess," she shrugged.
The agent looked surprised, then laughed bitterly. "Right. Of course you don't. Most people in Night City don't know. Hell, they barely know what the Blackwall even is."
"The so-called impenetrable barrier between us and the digital abyss," V said dryly.
"Yeah. People think it's bulletproof. But really, it's just a sheet of paper over a hurricane. And the Voodoo Boys? They're poking holes in it every damn day."
He stepped closer.
"You're not the first to get tangled in this. Brigitte and Neptune came before you. They were taken down."
"Brigitte is with you?" V asked, her voice dropping slightly.
"Of course. Otherwise, do you think the Voodoo Boys would be this quiet? But their patience won't last forever."
He tapped the side of his temple.
"Originally, we were going to use Brigitte's link to invade their subnet and wipe them out. But she's not easy to break. Smart. Slippery."
"Is this really about Neptune?" V scoffed. "Or is it just Netwatch doing what it always does—killing anything that doesn't fall in line with your system?"
"There's no such thing as 'independent networks' anymore," the hacker snapped. "If the Blackwall falls, everyone dies. Not just your little gang. Everyone."
He checked his wrist. "Alright. No more time for talk. They'll start noticing the signal disruption soon. We make our move now, or never."
He pointed at the terminal. "Your only option now is to lead us into their system. In return, I'll clean out the virus. Fair trade."
V stared at the terminal, weighing her choices.
Did she have any?
She sat down, fingers hesitating over the keys. "One more condition. Release Brigitte and Neptune. If they're not released, the Voodoo Boys will realize something's wrong."
The hacker's grin widened. "Ha! I like that. Smart. Fine."
He began typing rapidly, initiating a command sequence.
Johnny's hologram appeared beside her, arms folded. "You're seriously going through with this? You believe him?"
"Do I look like I have a choice?" V muttered under her breath.
Moments later, the pressure in her skull eased. The virus had been neutralized.
"It's done. The rest is up to you." The hacker extended his hand and added something under his breath to his comms. "It's fine. Let her go."
That last part sent a chill down V's spine.
There are others watching me.
She exited the screening room, passing the Savage King once more. He didn't stop her, but his eyes followed her like a predator.
As she left the mall, her comms buzzed back to life.
"V! What the hell happened? We lost connection!" Placide barked.
"Signal jammer. Long story. Is Brigitte awake?" she asked, trying to sound casual.
"Yes. She just woke up," Placide confirmed. "You did well. Come to the front of the mall. Our people will take you to her."
"Roger that."
No sooner had that line disconnected than another voice chimed in.
"V, you really shouldn't have brought up Brigitte just now," River warned.
"They already planned to kill me. What difference does it make if they know?" she replied. "I'm betting on something bigger. Johnny. And Netwatch's reach."
"Just be careful."
---
Back at the Batty Hotel – Top Floor
As soon as V stepped inside, Placide lunged at her, grabbing her throat.
"I told you to kill that agent, not cut deals with him!" he roared. "You stupid woman!"
V struggled against his grip. "You infected me with a virus! You think I'd stay loyal after that?!"
She reached up and slammed a fist into his face, breaking his hold.
She stumbled backward and drew her pistol, finger on the trigger.
"That's enough!" a strong female voice cut through the room like a blade.
A tall, dark-skinned woman with fierce eyes and a silver vest stepped forward, holding a tablet.
"Brigitte!" V and Placide said simultaneously—one in anger, the other in disbelief.
"It's me," Brigitte said coldly. "And I'm in charge now."
Placide growled. "She's a traitor! Let me finish her!"
"I know what happened," Brigitte replied calmly. "But I also know her value. You do not."
Placide muttered something in Haitian Creole, clearly furious.
"Take the others and prep the secret room," Brigitte ordered without even glancing at him.
He hesitated, clenched his fists, then stormed out.
Brigitte turned to V. "Now. Let's talk about that chip in your head."
"That's why I'm here," V said. "It's fused to my brain. One wrong move and I'm dead."
"We'll need to examine it. Extract its data. Then we can talk removal."
"You're kidding me, right?" V snapped. "I've done more than enough already."
"This is the only path forward," Brigitte said. "No tricks. No betrayal."
With that, she walked toward the next room.
Johnny appeared beside V again, his expression tense. "Let's see what they're really planning."
V exhaled slowly, then followed..
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