Notice: I've added an auxiliary chapter for images. I've already listed a few characters there and I'll add the visuals later. You're of course welcome to share images of how you picture the characters. If you'd like me to add someone to the list, just let me know.
Secondly, I've read your feedback and have already started applying it: I've removed or changed most instances of "sister" or "sis" when they can be replaced by 'choom' or something else. I'm keeping the ones used by V, though, because it's part of her voice and I find it rather endearing.
More broadly, I'll gradually be weaving in slang specific to the cyberpunk universe. I'll make these edits step by step, so please don't expect instant changes.
Thanks to everyone who took the time to read this, and enjoy!
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When Mercer brought Rebecca and the others to the clinic, Viktor couldn't help but joke as soon as they met: "I thought your team only recruited girls."
"Who says women are inferior to men, Vik? You're overthinking it. We only care about skill and personality, not gender," Mercer said with a laugh, pulling Rebecca, who was curiously looking around, to sit down.
Viktor glanced at Rebecca and Lucy's slight frames and couldn't help but add, "Mercer, I've told you before, I generally don't install cyberware on kids. You were already an exception."
"Lucy just needs a cyberdeck upgrade. The Mk.2 version is a bit outdated; get her the same model as Kiwi. As for Rebecca... she's almost an adult, fifteen or sixteen. Her body's pretty much done growing."
Mercer finished, and Vik responded noncommittally, "Let me run a checkup first."
"Sure, you're the boss. If you think she's still got some growing to do, we'll hold off on major modifications."
Mercer went along with it without pushing. He might risk his own life, but he wouldn't stand by and let his team follow suit. The reason he rushed to equip himself with cyberware was precisely to shield them from the storm, so they wouldn't have to hurry to get stronger and could take their time growing up.
Rebecca wanted to say something but was stopped by a look from Mercer. She could only sulkily cross her arms and wait for Vik to examine her.
But she'd made up her mind. Whether Mercer liked it or not, she was going to get those cybernetic modifications. She had to get stronger.
Rebecca felt she had no technical skills and wasn't particularly smart. What could she do on the team besides the rough work? She'd seen V's terrifying strength. Even if she couldn't reach that level, she at least couldn't remain helpless against enemies like her.
If she couldn't even manage that... what was the point of being an Edgerunner? She might as well take her dad's old joking advice and find someone to marry early!
She didn't want to hold Mercer back.
"Standard procedure, let's check your physical potential first," Viktor motioned for Rebecca to lie on the operating chair.
Rebecca suddenly perked up: "I heard V's stats are as high as 20? Vik... I mean, Dr. Viktor, could the machine be wrong? I think her Intelligence being 6 is the only thing that makes sense."
"Only your team would doubt my equipment," Viktor said with a mix of amusement and exasperation as he connected cables to Rebecca's neural link and began scanning with the device.
Watching Rebecca practically itching to see her results, Mercer walked over to Vik and glanced at the readings.
As the data gradually appeared, Mercer's eyebrows raised slightly, and Vik turned to him in surprise: "You've got a sharp eye for talent, don't you?"
"Right?" Mercer grinned proudly before looking at Rebecca. "Not bad numbers. Body 15, Reflexes 14, Cool 13, Intelligence 7. Congratulations, you win, Rebecca."
Mercer made a show of applauding.
Rebecca looked at him with a foolish, somewhat worried expression: "Is 15 a bit low?"
"Not low at all. That's already at the level of an outstanding merc. You could say it's worthy of being the daughter of the legendary merc Papa Sunrise. You were born for this line of work."
Mercer gave her a thumbs-up and said seriously, "Although there might be a gap compared to those true legendary mercs, compared to ordinary mercs or street kids, you're already a genius."
Rebecca showed an excited expression: "Then can I get a Sandevistan? Or maybe a Berserk OS?"
"Vik, what do you think?" Mercer turned to look at Viktor.
After a brief moment of thought, Viktor shook his head and said, "I'm not sure, but cyberware like the Sandevistan puts too much strain on a person. My advice... if possible, try to avoid it."
"Fair enough, better to be cautious. This time, let's just go with her preference. Install Gorilla Arms for her, add a Kerenzikov to boost reaction speed, and inject some Skinweave."
As Mercer spoke, Viktor seemed about to say something but held back, finally only adding, "I need to run further checks to see if it'll affect her development. Let's do a detailed bone scan and growth hormone level test. My advice on cyberware is to take it slow. Not everyone is like you and V."
But Rebecca interjected, "Let's do it! If I can't even handle these three pieces of cyberware, then even if I shamelessly tag along with V on missions, I'll just be holding her back!"
Seeing Rebecca's determined expression, Mercer and Viktor exchanged a glance. In the end, Vik said nothing and simply proceeded to give her a thorough examination.
Just as Mercer had guessed, Rebecca's development had basically peaked.
At fifteen, or rather, in '72, already sixteen, Rebecca's bone development was largely mature, and her physique wouldn't change much more. She might grow another centimeter or two, but that would be the limit of her growth. In this condition, she could already install cyberware without worrying about structural changes due to development.
"Then let's pick out the cyberware list."
Seeing this, Viktor took out a tablet and let Rebecca browse the models of cyberware she wanted to install.
But Rebecca just turned to look at Mercer: "You pick for me."
"Alright." Mercer didn't refuse. Otherwise, given Rebecca's taste, she might end up with some strange, oversized piece.
"MoorE Technologies Hausstock-W? This thing isn't even on the market yet, is it?" Mercer eyed a Gorilla Arms model with a metallic finish.
"I run a black clinic. If I only sold corporate retail versions, what would be the point of keeping this shop open?" Viktor said with a laugh. "Their stuff is good. The hardness of these Gorilla Arms is exceptional. They can effortlessly smash concrete pillars with bare fists without deforming. And since it's a military model, it's sturdy, durable, cost-effective, and can be fitted with combustion or electroshock modules. However, if you're planning to install a matching set, I'd recommend this instead."
Viktor tapped on the tablet a few more times and showed it to Mercer: "Militech's 'Destroyer' series Gorilla Arms, designed to pair with Militech's Berserk OS.
They're more expensive. The base model for these arms alone costs 130,000 eurodollars. But as a high-end military-grade cyberware, the number of compatible plugins is extensive.
Shock modules, incendiary modules, those go without saying. Most importantly, they support the highest number of cyberware integrations.
The built-in advanced nano shock-absorption technology allows the user to fire heavy machine guns with minimal recoil drift, which is crucial for someone of Rebecca's smaller build.
Moreover, they utilize the same nanite technology as Militech's Berserk OS, further amplifying arm strength and control when the system is active, enabling you to virtually ignore the recoil even when firing heavy machine guns.
On the other hand, MoorE Technologies' arms are more geared toward compatibility with their proprietary Sandevistan, emphasizing agility. Their Berserk OS has decent specs when considered alone.
But in terms of overall cyberware synergy, they fall far short of Militech, especially after the Unification War, where a significant portion of Militech's cyberware underwent real combat validation, proving higher reliability."
Viktor pointed at Militech's Berserk OS and explained: "This Berserk OS from Militech uses nanite-driven technology, offering perfect compatibility with Skinweave, Destroyer arms, and the Destroyer Muscle Enhancement series.
When activated alongside a Kerenzikov, it can even let you hold your own in close quarters against enemies equipped with Sandevistan.
Of course, speed isn't the Berserk OS's forte. What matters is that it drastically enhances your muscle strength and cyberware response time when active.
The system's built-in defensive computation uses nanites to better mitigate damage when your body is under attack, reducing the lethality of enemy ranged strikes.
If paired with matching Skinweave, it can further optimize the mobilization of your subcutaneous nanites, enhancing defensive performance upon impact or blunt force trauma.
And if you also have the matching Muscle Enhancement series, the system can push your muscles to overclock, delivering an additional 20%-30% of their base strength during Berserk mode.
On top of already enhanced muscles, that's a terrifying boost."
As soon as Viktor finished, Rebecca eagerly followed up: "Then how come V runs so fast and hits so hard with just a Sandevistan? Doesn't Sandevistan need other cyberware to synergize?"
"Of course it does. V is just... how should I put it? A statistical outlier."
Viktor could only sigh in amazement: "Many people with Muscle Enhancement don't even match her output from simple muscle overclocking stimulation..."
Rebecca pouted: "Well, I still want the Berserk OS first! I'm sure my physique can handle it!"
"Handle it? You probably could, but you should ask V what it feels like after using Sandevistan. You wouldn't be so eager to push yourself then."
Viktor spoke from experience: "Ask her if her muscles feel torn apart when she wakes up the next day, or if she has chest tightness and joint pain."
Rebecca looked at Mercer, saw him nod, then stopped being stubborn and said, "I'll listen to Mercer. If you think the Berserk OS is better for me, then I'll go with the Berserk OS."
"Alright then. Don't you prefer using heavy firepower weapons anyway? The Berserk OS will also make you feel faster. After all, both are operating systems, just with different focuses. You won't feel so defeated when you can't even catch a glimpse of V's shadow."
After speaking, Mercer smiled and said, "Vik, let's go with the Militech package. Replace her cybereye and neural link too. Kiroshi and Zetatech brands will do. If the load is too heavy, we'll schedule multiple sessions. The Berserk OS can wait until after she's recovered from surgery."
"At least a month," Viktor proposed a rough surgical plan. "Today, we'll install the Gorilla Arms and Skinweave, and replace the neural link and cybereye. After some time, we can consider adding the Berserk OS, Kerenzikov, and other components. The Berserk OS can better sync with the Kerenzikov and reduce neural load, so the order needs adjustment."
Viktor checked the price and finally said, "The total cost for the basic surgery is 420,000, which includes necessary Muscle Enhancement and Reinforced Tendons. Adding extra components or higher-tier gear will cost more."
Rebecca grimaced, a bit pained by the expense, but said, "That's about all I've got on hand... Let's take it step by step."
"Don't worry, use team funds for what you can't cover for now," Mercer nodded.
"Nah, that money's meant for renovating our base, and don't you want to buy equipment too?" Rebecca looked at him with a grin. "I'll just take on more jobs! It'll give me time to adjust to the new implants gradually."
She glanced at her arm and said, "With Gorilla Arms and Skinweave, I should at least have some combat capability, right?"
Before Mercer could respond, Rebecca quickly changed the subject to avoid any talk of loans or debt.
"Hey, you jerk of a brother, come take a look too. See what you want installed!" Rebecca turned to Pilar.
Pilar rubbed his hands together, looking excited. "Alright, let's see what my stats are like! Doc Viktor, your place is really different from others. First time I've heard of testing someone's attribute potential."
"Most ripperdocs can't be bothered. They'll install whatever you ask for, so why test? Sometimes, knowing more just causes more trouble, and takes extra effort to bypass corporate backdoors..."
Viktor smiled as he watched Rebecca hop off the chair and walk over to Mercer. For someone who seemed rough around the edges, she was actually quite thoughtful, a good girl. Say what you will about the kid, he's got a good eye for women. But these days, Viktor was starting to piece things together.
Glancing at Lucy, then back at Rebecca, Viktor decided then and there that he wouldn't say a word or spare another thought about Mercer's love life. This kid was headed for big trouble. He could feel it.
After Pilar hooked himself up to the program, Vik looked at his long arms and asked, "Put those together yourself?"
"Yeah, going to get some proper gear installed. Didn't have much money before, had to scavenge for second-hand parts and patch things together. This arm here was ripped off a corpse."
Pilar spoke without any hesitation: "That guy loved showing off these arms all pretentious-like, until someone blew his brains out in an alley behind the bar. Figured if the Scavengers were gonna get 'em for cheap, might as well take 'em for myself."
"Hmm, so you're into tinkering with cyberware and machinery?" Viktor asked.
"Yeah, back on the streets, I made a little cash fixing people's arms and legs now and then, tweaking weapons, modding weapon plugins and such."
Pilar said proudly: "Don't let my looks fool you. I've got skills. Never had any formal training, but I don't mess up ordinary weapon mods or cybernetic modifications."
"Can tell. That arm of yours has quite a few integrated features," Viktor nodded.
"Intelligence 13, Cool 10, Reflexes 9, Body 11. Not as good as your sister's, but it gets the job done. Tech work isn't about stats. Real smarts can't be measured by tests."
After Viktor finished, Pilar beamed: "Right? That's what I think too!"
Mercer almost couldn't hold back a laugh. Wished he'd brought V along to see what her Intelligence 6 really looked like.
"How about you? What mods are you planning?"
Mercer didn't have many demands for Pilar.
Pilar thought for a moment and said: "Gonna swap out my cybereye. Need something with higher precision. Lots of stuff requires fine details these days, and my current one gets blurry when I zoom in. Then I wanna fix up my arms too. Gotten used to these long ones, just need to replace the hands. Zetatech's 'Sigma' series looks good. And plate 'em in gold! I want two big golden hands!"
Pilar's eyes gleamed: "Not interested in operating systems or whatever, just add a smart hand link. Throw in some Subdermal Armor too, so I don't get taken out by some random shot. What I really love is mechanics, Doc Viktor. Just hook me up with finger welding modules, hardware diagnostic plugins for the cybereye, all that stuff."
"Simple. Zetatech 'Sigma' kit."
Viktor proposed a straightforward procedure: "Buying the whole set gets you a discount. Includes the Sigma K.54 multi-function hand, requires replacing half your forearm and palm, supports nano-scale precision for manual modifications. With that, you won't need many tools; can handle most tech work with just your hands. Pair it with a Zetatech engineering computer, and as long as your know-how is up to par, you'll basically be a qualified tech expert."
Mercer felt an itch of envy: "Hey Vik, what if I..."
"Get an external one. I'm begging you. Look, I haven't replaced anything, does it affect my surgery work?"
Viktor shot Mercer a rare glare.
Mercer could only sigh: "Fine, external for now. Just annoying having to inject my own arm all the time."
"I've been doing surgeries for years and never complained... Alright, don't stir up trouble. Not modding you anytime soon. Just looking at all that mechanical rigging on you irritates me."
After speaking, Viktor turned back to Pilar: "Any other requests?"
"Gone." Pilar shook his head. "I don't think cyberware mods will do much for me. Just don't get one-shot killed and I'm good."
"Better to spend that money on some heavy hardware, mod some high-powered toys. That's more my style."
"Sound thinking," Viktor glanced at Mercer.
Mercer shrugged. "I believe in having both, and making both count!"
"You're trying to do the work of ten people, Mercer. You need to learn to trust the people around you. You're not alone anymore, right?" Viktor said.
Mercer nodded, smiling as he looked at those beside him. "Alright, alright, no need to lecture me."
"Lucy, your turn. I've been curious about your stats for a while now," Mercer said, turning to Lucy.
Lucy simply nodded and wordlessly took a seat on the operating chair.
Vik went through his familiar routine, checking the readings.
"Body 13, not bad. Reflexes 14, pretty high. Cool 14. Seems the girl's got strong nerves too. Intelligence 16?" Viktor blinked. "That's seriously impressive. Where'd you find this gem?"
This was higher than Mercer had expected. He thought Lucy would max out at 15, just a bit better than Kiwi.
"Haha~ I didn't expect it either... 16 points, not bad, Lucy!" Mercer said with delight, giving her a thumbs-up.
Lucy just smiled faintly. "Mhm."
Has she been talking less lately? Mercer wondered, but he didn't bring it up, deciding to observe for a while longer.
"Alright then, let's prep for surgery. Based on the schedule, we'll replace Lucy's neural link and cyberdeck first, then Pilar's arm, and finally Rebecca's procedure. The Gorilla Arms are on you, Vik. I'll handle the rest after that," Mercer said.
By now, Vik wasn't even surprised anymore.
Rebecca grinned at Mercer, giving him a flirtatious look, but with so many people around, she didn't say anything bold.
The surgeries were scheduled, and everyone had money to spare. After the Biotechnica job, plus the extortion money, Mercer had pulled in over 1.6 million eddies.
After deducting 40% for team funds, about 640,000 eurodollars, there was still a solid 960,000 eddies left for dividends.
Even Rebecca, Pilar, and Lucy, who only got 10% each, still walked away with around 100,000 eddies per person.
As for Mercer and V, they each took home 290,000.
For the 640,000 eddies in team funds, Mercer decided that aside from renovating and reinforcing their Dogtown base, they'd also buy some equipment, like a small 200,000-eddie server to start with, setting up a secure intranet for the base.
They'd also need to stock up on auto-turrets, cameras, and other defensive gear to handle Dogtown's rough environment.
But more important than any of that was Trauma Team membership.
Mercer was determined to get Trauma Team coverage for all his people before their next job, no matter what.
So, even though the money seemed like a lot, Mercer figured he might still have to dip into his own share to cover everything.
"Hey, Vik, did you manage to sell those Mantis Blades I gave you?" Mercer suddenly asked.
Viktor turned to look at him. "Not yet. Planning to equip V with them?"
"Yeah, I checked yesterday, and the Mantis Blades on the market might not even be as good as the one I took out. Didn't expect Arasaka's Mantis Blades to still be top-tier stuff."
Mercer said.
"Sure, you can buy it back at the original price. I'll just charge a bit for the surgery," Viktor replied.
After exchanging a few words, Mercer fell silent once Viktor officially began the procedure.
Lucy's surgery was the quickest, wrapped up in under half an hour, a testament to Viktor's typically meticulous, unhurried pace.
Once she was done, it was Pilar's turn. He didn't need full anesthesia, just a neural link cutoff to disconnect sensory feedback from his arms. He was swapping out his long limbs for a pair of Zetatech Sigma Series cyberware. Throughout the procedure, Pilar kept chatting casually with Vik, who even handed him a can of beer.
Watching Pilar sip beer while mid-surgery made Mercer struggle to keep a straight face. Now that's cyberpunk. Hope he doesn't spill beer into his own circuitry and short himself out.
When it was Rebecca's turn, she insisted on staying semi-conscious during the operation too. But the moment Vik finished installing her Gorilla Arms, he turned to Mercer and asked, "You taking over?"
Mercer nodded without a word, promptly putting Rebecca under full anesthesia. Vik then dragged Pilar out to Misty's place to continue drinking, leaving only Lucy behind, quietly watching as Mercer took his place by the operating table.
Rebecca initially tried to fight the anesthesia with sheer willpower, but it wasn't long before she drifted obediently into unconsciousness. Only then did Mercer undress her and begin injecting the Skinweave.
No way I'm doing this while she's awake. Who knows what kind of wild nonsense she'd come out with? One slip and I'd end up injecting nanites straight into her flesh.
By the time the procedure ended, Rebecca was gradually waking up. She followed Mercer's instructions, testing the cyberware and completing the calibration before lying on her side with a grin.
"Like what you see?"
"A bit small," Mercer said honestly.
Rebecca rolled her eyes. "Then I'll get a bigger one installed in a few days. How big do you want it?"
"Cut it out. I prefer the original. Don't go overboard." Still, he offered a few words of praise: "The proportions are fine. Don't stress about it."
"I'm not stressed. I'm just asking if you like it."
She chuckled and glanced toward Lucy, only to find her expression cool and detached, eyes fixed on the TV, showing no interest in her or Mercer.
After her surgery, Rebecca complained about dizziness and weak legs, stubbornly clinging to Mercer for a full ten minutes before finally snapping back to normal under his warning glare. She swung her arms around excitedly, the movement whistling through the air.
The Gorilla Arms she'd been fitted with weren't as exaggerated as those in anime, just a notch thicker than her original arms, blending in fairly naturally. But the sonic crack from her casual punch made it clear her strength was no joke.
"I feel like I could take out ten Pilars with one punch!" she declared.
"Hey, why use me as a unit of measurement?" Pilar shot back with an eye-roll, though he was soon happily flexing his fingers, marveling at the various repair and modification tools extending and retracting from his fingertips.
"These are way more flexible than my old ones! Gonna test them out properly tonight!"
Rebecca shot him a dismissive look. "You better take that research to the bathroom. Don't let me catch you tinkering on the couch, unless you're looking to upgrade to a Mr. Studd."
Amid the laughter and teasing, the group grabbed a quick meal nearby before heading their separate ways for home.
—--
When Mercer was finally alone with Lucy, he suddenly felt a bit uneasy.
The car was filled only with the quiet hum of the engine and the sound of wind outside the window. Beyond that, when he turned his head, all he could see was Lucy staring blankly out the window, lost in thought.
"What's on your mind, Lucy? You've been unusually quiet since a few days ago."
Mercer couldn't hold back and decided to ask her directly: "Feeling down?"
"Not really." Lucy turned to look at him, her expression still mostly blank. After a moment, she turned away again. "It's just that the others are so loud. I've always been pretty quiet, actually."
"Tell me the truth." Mercer rolled his eyes. "Is it because of Rebecca? Or V? Do you think I'm too close with them? Or because you didn't get to contribute much on this job?"
"It's neither." After a pause, she added softly, "Or maybe it's a little bit of all those things, but that's unavoidable. We've talked about this many times. I don't need you to constantly comfort me."
"Then what is it?"
Mercer pressed further.
Lucy pursed her lips and, after a long moment, whispered: "It's just... how do I put it? It feels like the family that used to be only mine isn't just mine anymore, and it hurts a little.
It feels like you've been taken away from me.
You're close with V, and you're close with Rebecca too. Pilar might seem unreliable at first glance, but he lightens the mood and is pretty easygoing.
Kyoko is carefree and gets along with everyone.
But me... I just can't seem to get close to anyone, whether it's V or the Rebecca siblings.
Treat them like family? I can't. The only family I feel I have is you, and, well, Kyoko too.
Anyway, just leave me be. I just need some time to adjust. I'm not like the rest of you; I don't warm up to people that quickly."
Mercer finally felt relieved.
This wasn't a big issue. In the end, it was just a matter of not having known each other for long. He believed that once they moved into their new place and spent more time living together, these feelings would gradually fade.
Coming to a strange new place, Lucy had only him to rely on and trust, while he had now made more friends and companions. It was only natural that she felt a little empty inside.
She had always been the type of girl who lacked a sense of security, from her time at Arasaka to now in Night City.
He took off his mask and set it aside casually, speaking in a gentle tone: "Rebecca and V are both warm people, Lucy. There's no need to rush. Take your time.
Haven't you noticed? Rebecca and V roughhouse and say all sorts of nonsense to each other, but they've never said anything like that to you. It's not that they're intentionally keeping their distance. It's because they know you're not a street kid like them, that you're not used to that kind of thing.
Even Pilar tones it down a bit around you. Everyone is trying to be considerate of you.
And you shouldn't feel like there's something wrong with how you're feeling. Think about it. How did we used to take care of Kyoko?
In the Kindling Squad now, aren't you the youngest, just like Kyoko was back then?"
"According to my ID, I'm actually a year older than Rebecca," Lucy retorted stubbornly.
"Haha... Anyway, Lucy, take it slow. No one's going to rush you."
Mercer gently reached out and ruffled her hair. "There aren't that many cases of instant connection. Developing feelings over time is what's normal. It's just that you tend to keep everything bottled up, always wanting to handle things on your own. That's not a good habit."
"Aren't you the same? Taking everything upon yourself, quietly getting yourself modified without thinking it's enough." Lucy's expression finally softened as she spoke to him with a hint of reproach.
"I guess we share the same personality. If faced with the same choice, you'd make the same decision I did."
Mercer smiled.
Lucy fell silent, unable to refute him. If she were the one who could equip that cyberware, she wouldn't hesitate to don it for Mercer's sake.
"But actually, everyone thinks this way, haven't you noticed? Whether it's V or Rebecca, we all feel the same. Modifying with cyberware is more about being able to do more for each other and take on greater responsibility for the team."
Mercer spoke lightly, "Of course, as long as I'm around, the heavy lifting won't fall on you guys. On this point, whether you like it or not, you'll have to listen to me."
"So domineering." Though Lucy said this, a smile unconsciously crept onto her face. "I get it, take it slow... You don't always have to worry about me."
"Heh, women~ Keep your distance and they complain, get too close and they become reserved. Hard to please~"
Mercer drew out his words, prompting Lucy to give him a light pat. "No way."
"When I really stop worrying and caring about you, you won't think that anymore," he said with a laugh.
"Oh really?" Lucy tilted her head, looking at him, then suddenly smiled. "So when are you planning to inject me with the Skinweave?"
"...Let's ask Vik when he's free, and we'll go alone." Mercer chuckled.
"Sure, just let me know ahead of time so I can take a shower." She said it casually, but her face flushed.
After a moment of eye contact, Mercer looked away. "I don't think it's necessary. My buddy operates without emotions, just a cold surgery machine."
"Really? I don't believe you." She smiled, propping her cheek with her hand, her iridescent eyes glinting. "But... never mind."
Mercer didn't ask what she had originally meant to say.
When they reached the camp and got out of the vehicle, she walked slowly beside him with her hands behind her back, speaking softly. "The new base is set up now. Does that mean we'll have to live separately?"
"Yeah, why? Gotten used to being with me?" Mercer grinned at her.
Lucy just looked at him, leaning slightly forward with her hands still behind her back, bringing her face closer. "Yeah, most importantly, if you're not around, I don't want to deep dive."
"There'll be a dedicated netrunner station then, right next to the servers. We'll all deep dive together, looking out for each other."
Mercer didn't respond.
"Is that so..." Lucy tilted her head. "What if I don't want to use the netrunner station, but an immersion pod with ice instead? Would that have to be placed there for everyone to see too?"
She smiled slyly, satisfied to see Mercer momentarily speechless and unable to reply, curling the corners of her lips. "But if you're by my side, I suppose I could manage with the netrunner station."
"Tsk." Mercer felt like he was being outmaneuvered and quickened his pace. "Even Kyoko isn't afraid to use the netrunner station again, yet you're this timid."
"Heh~" She laughed softly but didn't respond, merely matching his pace with light, effortless steps.
Laughing and teasing each other, they returned to the tent at the campsite. Mercer went back to his deep dive, engrossed in programming research she couldn't quite grasp, while she sat quietly beside him, assembling program chips with her notebook and borrowed chip tools.
Sometimes, Lucy wished time could just stand still like this.
Even though the tent was cramped, the mattress was hard, and the workspace was just a jumble of stacked crates.
No matter the moment, he was always just a turn away. Even when sleeping, she could drift off listening to the sound of his breathing.
But soon, Lucy changed her mind.
Maybe it'd be better if time moved a little faster.
Until she grew taller, until she could confidently sidle up to him like Rebecca did, watching him blush and fluster.
Tsk.
The thought of Rebecca shamelessly pressing herself against him made Lucy pause her work. She let out a soft sigh and turned to gaze at his calm face, lost in the deep dive.
The competition's fierce.
—--
"You want me to contact the Red Ocher family?" Saul turned to Mercer in surprise.
Early the next morning, Mercer had sought out Saul to discuss the Red Ocher family.
Mercer was a bit surprised too; he'd assumed Panam, true to her nature, would have already spilled everything about Red Ocher to Saul. But it seemed she'd kept it confidential for him.
Or maybe she trusted him enough to know he'd tell the Red Ocher family about the poisoning as soon as possible.
"Yes, we took a job related to Biotechnica recently and uncovered some troubling insider information."
Mercer paused, then spoke with grave seriousness. "Biotechnica bribed Red Ocher's 'Red Hand' to poison their water supply."
"Are you sure?!" Saul's expression instantly turned stern, unable to mask his anger. "Poisoning the water? Those corpos would actually sink that low!"
"Probably a land dispute. Biotechnica wants to reclaim Red Ocher's current farmland, and the family obviously isn't willing... Underhanded tactics like this are practically Biotechnica's specialty."
After Mercer finished, Saul immediately asked, "Do you have evidence?"
"There's a recording, but I don't think it's even necessary. Red Ocher must have had a lot of people falling ill lately. The reason they haven't noticed anything wrong with the land is likely because it's not spring planting season yet.
If they only realize something's wrong during spring planting, they'll be in serious trouble."
Saul nodded grimly after hearing this. "Yeah, by then they'd have spent most of their savings on preparations for spring planting, only to have the seeds fail to sprout... Biotechnica really deserves to die!"
Without another word, he said, "I'll contact the Red Ocher chieftain right now."
Mercer nodded. Saul's cybereye glowed as he made a voice call to explain the situation.
After just a few seconds, the other end hung up, and shortly after, Mercer received a message.
After connecting the unknown call, Mercer's vision was filled with the image of an elderly man with graying hair, appearing somewhat aged yet with sharp eyes, wearing a red ocher necklace.
"Hello, Mercer. I am Derek, the leader of the Red Ocher family."
The man spoke with a decisive and no-nonsense manner, reminiscent of Rogue. After introducing himself, he paused only briefly before continuing:
"I've heard a brief account from Saul and have a general understanding of the situation. I understand you have video evidence. Would it be possible for me to review it?
Red Hand is a very important member of our clan. Without concrete evidence, even if I were to detain him first, the matter would likely face considerable complications."
Hearing this, Mercer wasted no time: "Give me an email address, and I'll send it to you."
After Derek sent the address via comms software, Mercer immediately forwarded the video originally captured by Kiwi's camera to his inbox.
"Sent," Mercer said. Without waiting for a response, Derek replied, "Please hold on. I'll review it and get back to you right away."
Before Mercer could reply, Derek ended the call. It was clear that beneath his calm exterior, he was likely seething with rage.
Mercer sat in Saul's tent, sipping coffee and discussing the matter briefly with him. After a few minutes, Derek called again.
"Thank you, Mercer. You've been a tremendous help. If not for you, we might never have discovered that Red Hand was the one who betrayed us."
Over the video call, Derek stood up and gave a slight bow toward Mercer before adding, "This intelligence is crucial, and the Red Ocher family will never forget this favor."
"Aside from your family, the people of Yucca town were also poisoned by Biotechnica for drug testing. I plan to expose both stories at a later time, so I must ask for your patience a little longer."
After Mercer finished, Derek could no longer contain the fury in his eyes: "Very well, I agree. For now, we will exercise patience! But we cannot let those Biotechnica bastards get away with this!"
"Don't worry, I'm just waiting for the right moment. The exposure won't keep you waiting too long," Mercer said, understanding his anger.
The elder spoke solemnly: "The Red Ocher family repays every favor and avenges every wrong. Child, if you ever need any assistance from us, do not hesitate to ask. Once we have dealt with Red Hand, you are welcome to visit our family."
Mercer responded with a smile: "Alright, then I won't disturb your efforts to purge the traitor. I will expose Biotechnica's scandal through the media as soon as possible, and we can reassess the situation then."
"Agreed," Derek replied.
After ending the call, Mercer turned to look at Saul.
Saul's expression remained heavy, as if lost in thought. After a moment, he turned to Mercer and asked, "You're planning to move out soon?"
"Yes, I've asked some people in the camp to tidy up the base. After that, we'll be moving to Dogtown."
Mercer then added gratefully, "We also owe thanks to the Aldecaldos for giving us a place to stay when we first arrived. If the Aldecaldos ever need any help in the future, please don't hesitate to ask."
Mercer never considered the Aldecaldos' kindness in taking them in as some "well-deserved treatment" after wandering with Cassidy.
Saul smiled: "I believe your sincerity, Mercer. You strike me as someone capable of great things, and I trust you'll establish yourself quickly in Night City."
"As the leader of the Aldecaldos, the only favor I'd ask of you in the city is to keep an eye out for stable income opportunities for our people."
"I'll be on the lookout. If any suitable opportunities arise, I'll definitely prioritize our own."
At this point, Mercer offered his own perspective and advice: "But I think the Aldecaldos need to start considering how to adapt. I deeply respect your views on freedom and acknowledge your way of life."
"However, Night City, no, this world, has never been gentle to those who simply want to work hard for a better life."
After speaking, Mercer looked at Saul and said earnestly, "Staying out in the badlands makes it difficult to find stable income. Perhaps trying to run some businesses in Night City, using your numbers to claim a piece of territory, could help reverse your current decline."
Saul sighed: "I know, but everyone stays here for a reason, Mercer. If we leave the badlands and enter Night City, we cease to be the Aldecaldos."
Mercer said no more, as he genuinely couldn't see how staying in the badlands and continuing the old ways could sustain the family in its current state.
Perhaps the family's struggles had deeper reasons. As an outsider, even if Mercer wanted to repay their kindness, he would have to wait for them to bring it up first.
After exchanging a few more words with Saul, Mercer left his tent. Gazing up at the relatively clear sky, he felt a sense of relief.
The base was secured, the team was mostly assembled, and he had money in his pocket. It seemed he was truly about to put down roots in Night City.
The urgency that had once consumed him now felt considerably eased.
No need to worry about tomorrow's meal or where he would live next. The score from Biotechnica was enough to keep him fed and sheltered for the foreseeable future.
For once, Mercer didn't immediately return to his tent to tackle the seemingly endless tasks of programming, studying, and pondering, setting all those burdens aside.
He sat alone by the camp's food truck, ordered a NiCola, and enjoyed the breeze, watching the wind sweep dust across the land.
Until the Morning Star, which had been quietly dormant in his cyberdeck, suddenly sent him a message.
[Morning Star: The virus you previously placed in Night City's City Hall has entered an active state.]
[Mercer: On my way.]
Mercer's spirits lifted instantly.
The virus entering an active state meant that the program he'd left in the City Hall servers had detected network transmission activity.
And network transmission in the City Hall's household registration database most likely meant that the NCPD was updating data from the servers!
Which meant...
The NCPD database! Here I come!
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6500 words.
Bonus chapter @300 power stones
Once again, I recommend reading HxH: Dying Makes Me Stronger. We're nearing the end of the first arc, so it's a great time to jump in.