The clash over, Rocky stepped into the armored transport. He could not avoid going with them, but the fight he had just given Arasaka's squad made one point clear. He was not easy to handle. In the vehicle, no one tried to follow him again. The curb in front of his clinic, usually a merc hangout, buzzed with nighttime noise. Gunfire and the red Arasaka crest had already drawn eyes. Conversations stalled as people watched and kept their distance.
Rebecca hit the block just in time to see the crowd facing one way. A bad feeling ran cold down her back. She shouldered through for a clear line.
Several fully armed operatives were loading someone into the transport. The Arasaka logo gleamed under the streetlight.
From her angle, she only saw backs and armor. The operatives' bodies blocked the captive. Then the man in the doorway turned and sat facing out. In that single moment, Rebecca caught his face.
"L"
It was enough. One glimpse told her everything. Arasaka was taking Rocky.
She did not think. She ran. The pistol came out as she sprinted, and she snapped shots at the transport.
"Bastards. Let him. go"
Sparks scattered off the composite skin. The escort armor did not even scuff. In the passenger seat, the agent glanced at the mirror, saw a small woman firing, and swore at the nuisance.
The primary market is secured. Ignore her. Go"
The driver punched the accelerator. Rebecca kept firing and chased as the transport pulled away. It took seconds to vanish around the corner.
"Damn it. If I had been earlier"
She dropped the empty pistol to the pavement and yelled at the empty street. Everyone in Night City knew what it meant to be taken by Arasaka. She knew her odds even if she had arrived sooner. Anger did not care.
Her hand shook as she dialed. "Pick up. Please pick up"
No signal reached him. A jammer rode with the transport. Only Arasaka bands could cut through.
Hearing nothing, Rebecca froze, stomach sinking. Why now. Why like this? She did not know why they had grabbed him, only that Arasaka meant danger. Fear pressed in. Fear that the look she had stolen would be the last.
Rocky was not just a friend anymore. She admitted it to herself, plain and simple. She liked him. Pilar had already teased her into acting. She had planned to catch Rocky after this big job and tell him straight. Arasaka shredded that plan in a breath.
Rebecca steadied her breathing and set her jaw. Waiting was not her way. She would move.
"L, I am going to get you out. Hold on," she said, voice flat with resolve.
Sober thought landed next. Arasaka was a giant. Alone, rushing in was suicide, and she did not even know where they had taken him. One person could not do this.
Ignoring the looks from nearby mercs, she picked up her pistol, holstered it, and placed a call.
"Maine. It is Rebecca."
A beat, then his voice came, distracted, like she had pulled him off something important. "Yeah. What's up?"
"I am going to rescue someone."
"Who"
"L. The ripperdoc in Japantown. Arasaka grabbed him."
She kept it straight. She needed help.
On the other end, Maine went still. He peeled Dorio off his shoulder, made a small gesture for patience, and focused on the call. "What. You are going after someone Arasaka took. Where did you even find a commission like that"?
"It is not a commission," Rebecca said. "It is me. I am doing it. But I need people to back me."