Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

Cyberpunk Edgerunners: Bloodlines
Based on comments by Alpha_Maine_117 and Firestar001

(January 14, 2013)
Altiera “Alt” Cunningham screamed as a contraction hit her. “Fucking typical, when I need him, Johnny Silverhand is fucking missing. Preferring to hang out and play his cute little rock shows to poke his disdain towards Arasaka.” “Come on, Alt, you can do this maly.” That voice, the voice of her own mother; who’d dropped everything and rushed to America just to be there for her.

“Ale to cholernie boli, Mamo! (It fucking hurts so much, mom!)” Alt didn’t remember the last time she’d spoken her birth tongue of polish; but like all things, do it enough and it all comes back.

“So where’s this man in your life?”

“In the wind…like usual…never around…when needed. More catlike.”

“Excellent, Alt, she’s crowning.” The agony was intense, it was like squeezing a melon through the smallest opening in the world but eventually, Alt collapsed on the bed. Hair clammy and matted, pale and shaking but she’d given birth to a beautiful baby girl.

“Hello, my darling, my little princess. My little Gabriela Cunningham. Mommy loves you so much.”

Julia looked at her daughter “Are you sure, Alt? That you want me to do this? Take your girl, my granddaughter, back to Poland?”

“Milczący, I need you to, I made many enemies with my skillset and have caught the interest of many, many, powerful people specifically Arasaka.” Julia stared at her daughter, before nodding.

“I’ll send you updates.”

“Thank you.”

Unfortunately for Alt, only, eight months later she would be experimented on with her own Soulkiller device causing Johnny Silverhand to go completely off the deep end with the assistance of Morgan Blackhand; acquired two tactical nuclear warheads and caused the time of the Red.

Johnny would end up passing from the world, completely in the dark that his bloodline would live on. As for Gabriela, she’d grow up as netrunner for her Nomad Clan before settling down with a man from Japan, an ex-Arasaka operative and she to would have a daughter. A daughter who would be known as Lucyna ‘Lucy’ Kushinada.

(Unknown 21, 2020)
Much like seven years ago with the birth of the woman who’d become Gabriela Kushinada, Rogue Amendiares also gave birth. Again this one was also a daughter. However, unlike Gabriela’s birth, Xavier Martinez was present.

Was there any love between Rogue and Xavier, not really, not romantically that is. However, what had been a drunken one-night stand had become a ten-month relationship that grew into a very close friendship. Rogue, knew she wasn’t going to be able to raise her daughter in a safe or stable environment as per her job as a merc. Xavier on the other hand didn’t want anything to do with being a merc and was happy enough to be a Ripperdoc and one of good repute and look after his daughter.

The girl's name, is Gloria Martinez. It would be a long 30 years before Gloria learnt the truth of who her mother was, by then, she was happy to know that her mother had been looking out for her from afar.

As appeared to be the trend of the Amendiares/Martinez Bloodline, the women in the family ended up giving birth with the childs father present. But unfortunately, one parent not wanting to be in the picture and in the year of 2058, Gloria gave birth to her own son. A boy who would be known as David Martinez.

Then in the year 2076, the grandson of Rogue Amendiares the ‘Queen of the Afterlife’ and the granddaughter of Alt Cunningham and Johnny Silverhand would cross paths.

Chapter Text

Bloodlines 2

Gloria slumped, head in her hands, she was exhausted. She looked at the electronic pad that she’d scribbled notes. “Damnit, David…Why do you have to be so…stubborn.”

As she looked at the sheer mountain of debt in front of her, she nearly declined the call. Gloria let out a groan, it was the second Wednesday of the Month, the exact same day eight years ago when she found out about her mother.

“Hey, mother.”

“Gloria, how have you been?” A strong but aged voice replied, there was the faint sound of Samurai being played. Gloria chuckled, despite being dead 50 years, Johnny Silverhand was still relevant.

“Extremely stressed and borderline broke. We’ll manage, mother, we’ve managed so far. I’ve had to take up some old skills to tide us over.”

There was a scoff from the other end of the line “Gloria, I know, I wasn’t there for you growing up. I know I was an unseen mother; but that didn’t mean that your father, may he rest, didn’t keep me updated. I’ve always been keeping an eye on you from afar and I have been meddling.”

Gloria tensed, her jaw tightening “How?”

“Your wonderful group of misfits of course, and how no one’s busted you for effectively scavving chrome.”

Gloria let out a bitter snort “Of course…the Queen of the Afterlife, Rogue Amendiares, Legendary Fixer, Survivor of the Arasaka Storming…can’t keep…”

“Enough, Gloria. I’ve been keeping an eye on your kid as well. Xavier would be proud of him, hell, I am as well.”

“Mother, you, keep away from him. I don’t want…”

“Have you considered what he wants? I have plants in the academy, not many, but I’ve got enough. David Martinez-Amendiares, he’s my blood as well Gloria… and extremely smart, Grade A student…someone that if he wasn’t a Santa Domingo kid would probably be recruited into Counter-Intel straight outta school or whilst still in. Arasaka Academy isn’t the only school…”

“But it’s the best.”

“Academically but not experience-wise. School is more than education, it’s about finding chooms.”

Gloria paused, her mother had a point. She was so obsessed with David’s Future, she had completely neglected his current mental state.

“Gloria?”

“Yeah?”

“Bring the package and David to the Afterlife. My guy will let you in, David needs to learn about his heritage.”

“I don’t want him to be…”

“David needs to make his own choices. I get it, I understand, he should have an education; I agree but I disagree about it being in Arasaka. Christo, saying that name three times in one conversation leaves a very sour pill in my mouth.”

Gloria sighed “I’ll bring him mama.”

“Bring the Sandevistan…I’ll keep eyes in the sky for you.”

“See you later.”

With that, the call disconnected. Gloria sighed, she looked at the clock. She had enough time to make one more call, to her ex and main supplier. Thankfully, Maine picked up first call.

“Hey Gloria.”

“Chrome-dome…I’ve got it, but…”

“But what? G? We’re good right?”

“Yeah-yeah, we’re good. Just…somethings come up at the Academy.”

There was a tense silence “The Acad…oh right, David. How’s he doing?”

“On paper thriving, everything else…not so much. He went to Delusional.”

“Delusional! Did he short-circ or something? That guy is only…”

“No, Dee, didn’t get chromed up. Got Doc to upgrade his rig, only it’s caused tens of thousands of eddies in damages. So I need to get him from the Academy.”

“We can meet you there?”

Gloria paused “That’d be good…I’ve been having a bad feeling all across today, only made worse by my mother calling.”

“Your mom! You’ve not told me who she is.”

Gloria grinned “Well Maine, today is the day you get to meet her.”

On the other end of the line, Maine gave a shit-eating grin. “Alright…don’t take your wheels, take the NCART. Dorio and I will pick you up; don’t want to freak David out with Pilar and Rebecca.”

“What about Lucy? Is she keeping well?”

“You know her. Keeps her head down and is too damn catlike, too much like Sasha.”

Gloria paused, Sasha had been a good kid. Her goal to expose Biotechnica’s false painkillers had been admirable; Gloria had managed to provide the documents to get the crew in, but Gloria didn’t know that Biotechnica were onto the crew the moment they entered. Sasha ended up dying, and it had been Gloria’s fault. No one in Maine’s crew blamed her, Maine had told all of them that with Gloria present if they wanted to back out they could and none of them did.

“Yes, I remember. She needs more meat on her.”

“That’s what Dorio says.”

“I’ll catch the pair of you outside the Academy.”

Gloria smiled weakly, it would be good to see Maine and Dorio again. With that she headed to the NCART with her destination being the Arasaka Academy. Gloria felt strangely at ease walking through the central plaza of Night City; being an EMT she was no stranger to the various districts of the City. But there was something about being the center of the Arasaka foothold that always impressed her; it was this view that had made her enrol David at the Arasaka Academy. She knew that he could make it far, she believed fervently that David could climb high at Arasaka regardless of his origins.

She found herself walking the familiar corridors and found herself in front of the Principle’s office with a definat looking David outside. “Mom.”

“Oh, Mijo, what did you do?”

“You were burning yourself out, you’re exhausted mom. I went to Doc Borg in Arroyo, he said he’d update the wreath.”

“Mijo, I was waiting for payday before updating your wreath. I’m going to…”

“No, mum, you’ll end up killing yourself. I know I’m nearly an adult, but you’re still my mom.”

The secretary then stuck her head “Miss Martinez? David Martinez? The principal will see you now.”

The Principal was a small man with overly large glasses and a slightly rumpled suit; David pegged him as a low-level Arasaka Employee “Miss Martinez, I’m glad you’ve arrived on such short notice.”

"Honoured to be here, Principal." With that, the adults began to discuss David’s schooling. The Principal was reluctant to admit that David was a Grade-A Student and well deserving of his Scholarship; however, he didn't integrate or mix well with the other students and it would be suggested that David transferred to another school. "Sometimes, Mrs. Martinez, this Academy isn't for everyone."

With that the Martinez family left the Principal’s office; as they left the classrooms were letting out. Katsuo smirked “There goes the gutter trash, thankfully, the Principal has some integrity.”

Gloria stiffened “Mom…don’t.”

The duo left the school and as they descended the steps into the Arasaka Plaza, waiting for them was an Emperor with possibly two of the biggest people David had ever laid his eyes on. The male was the better part of 7ft tall and the woman was easily 6 and a half. Unfortunately they couldn’t make themselves anymore inconspicuous if they tried, clad in syn-leather with weapons openly seen but holstered. “Those bloody gonks, I thought they’d at least try to blend in a little more.” Gloria muttered “Stay close, Mijo, and try not to let your temper get the best of you. They’re good people for the most part.”

Maine and Dorio clocked Gloria “No, Maine, don’t go out of your way to hug Gloria…she’ll come to us…that must be her kid.” Dorio murmured. Maine stilled, Gloria and He had been a couple about seventeen to eighteen years ago.

“That’s…”

“Maine, if he is your kid or isn’t…he’s still Gloria’s. He looks like he needs a guiding hand.”

Maine grunted. By now Gloria had made her way over to them “Maine, Dorio.”

“Gloria, it’s been a while,” Dorio exclaimed pulling the petit redhead into an embrace; Gloria grunted as Dorio’s gorilla arms nearly cracked her ribs.

“It’s good to see you, Dorio.”

“Gloria, you wound my beating heart. All the love for Dorio, and none for me?” Maine rumbled, playing along.

Gloria fixed Maine a stink eye “I have multiple reasons why I shouldn’t be glad to see you, but, I’m glad you’re still alive Maine.” Gloria found herself pulled into another hug, this one, not nearly as rib-crushing.

Dorio meanwhile turned to David “You must be David, I’m Dorio, Gloria’s told us about you; I’ve gotta say it’s nice to actually meet you.”

David blushed “She’s never mentioned all of you.”

Dorio chuckled and draped her arm around him “Because she wanted you to do better.”

“I…get that…but it feels like…Mom didn’t understand that being at Arasaka Academy was what I wanted.”

Dorio shook her head “I know. I was very much the same with my parents, gods, I miss them. Look the circuits have fried, you can’t replace them and the only thing that matters now is how you get back up again.”

David nodded, by now the big man and his mom had separated “Mom…”

“David?”

“I’m sorry…I…I…get why you wanted me to go the Academy…”

Gloria pulled her son into a hug “Mijo, I’m your mother. If you’d have told me as a man, straight up told me instead of being such a teenager…I’d have listened. Have you met everyone?”

“Just Dorio…you were having a moment with the big guy.”

The big guy chuckled “The name’s Maine kid. Orion Maine, but, everyone calls me Maine.” David and Maine shook hands, allowing Maine to get a good look at him.

“He’s definitely mine and Gloria’s…before I got recruited, I was roughly his height when I was his age. He’ll probably get another growth spurt before long.” Maine shook his head, what was done, was done. “Right, let’s go.”

David and Gloria climbed into the back to the Emperor and Gloria peeled off her jacket. David caught a look at the inside of the jacket “Mom, is that…”

Gloria nodded “Yes, it is. That’s why I was home so late.”

“Gloria, I know you hate it when we jump straight to business but…”

Gloria rolled her eyes “Just this once, I forgive you, Maine. Yes, I got it. I was going to ring you straight away and then my mother called.”

“I thought grandma was dead…I mean you never talk about her.” David questioned.

“Because I never met her, mijo, I was raised by your Grandfather. Apparently, your grandmother has been keeping an eye on you from a distance and has requested the three of us to sit down. She chose the Afterlife.”

Maine chuckled “So that’s the plan. We get you to the Afterlife, you give me the Sandy and Dorio and I finally get to know who Gloria Martinez’s mother is. ‘Tis a really good day to be a choom of yours, Gloria.”

“Being my former Output, also helps matters.”

Maine blanched “Look…”

“Stop digging, Maine, I get it. You didn’t want kids, I did and that’s fine and yes, Maine, David is.”

David stared hard into the back of Maine’s chair “Then where the…”

“Keeping my distance, kid. Gloria wanted a clean break from all of us, she didn’t want to bring you into my line of work and her former line of work. I can respect that, and, I accept that. If you want to be treated like an adult, David, you need to be able to act like one; it’s the same if you want to be treated seriously and with credibility as a Cyberpunk or Edgerunner.”

David paused as he remembered his and Dorio’s much earlier conversation “I…can accept that. That doesn’t mean in any way that I have to like it…but I accept it.”

All three adults grinned “So, David, what are your plans now? Now that you’ve effectively been expelled from Arasaka Academy?”

David sagged back into his seat “Honestly…not too sure. Find a job, anything really, and finish off my schooling…But, due to my own stupidity and trusting a gonk ripper whom I pushed XBDs for we now owe fuck tonnes to the Academy.” 

“Mijo, you let…”

“Mom, I caused this. I should have waited, I could have waited, but no, in my desperate attempt to stop you from killing yourself from exhaustion and taking extra shifts, all I’ve done is expedite the process. Christ, mom, I have only wanted to help you.”

“I’m sorry. I should have listened and we could have worked something out.”

Dorio coughed “I…have a suggestion, Gloria, you’re going to hate it but it’s only a suggestion.”

Gloria eyed Dorio “Go on. Rip the bandaid off.”

“We, Maine’s Crew, bring David on our jobs. We have a wheelman, Falco; two netrunners, a Techie…with more than a few screws loose and a lot of Solos. We’d train him, teach him skills of the trade and we’d give him a fair cut. Hell, Becca and Lucy’s Ripperdoc in Watson would gladly teach him…It’d be adhoc but he’d at least have some sort of work.”

Gloria grimaced whilst David leant forward “Really? You’d allow me to?”

“IF, I agree to this Dorio, can you promise that he’ll return safe?”

Dorio paused “If the kid listens to my instructions, at all times like a good little Corpo he was training to be, then quite likely. I don’t mean that as an insult but…”

David nodded “I get it. Cyberpunks don’t like the total control that the Corporations have, so yeah. I get what you’re insinuating.”

“I have your word, David, that if I tell you to do something you do it?”

“You have my word, Dorio.” Dorio looked in the rearview mirror and saw the raw honesty in his eyes.

She snorted softly "Your honesty is going to kill you one day. Okay, we'll train you. I'm going to have to do some digging and root up a few old friends…including him."

Gloria sighed, David’s eyes widened "Do you mean Bones?" Dorio turned and Maine nearly broke the steering wheel. Gloria turned to her son "How do you know that name?"

David sighed "I was nine, had a fever, accounts weren't good and you were in the bathroom. You told me to get it. Outside was this dishevelled guy, about 50, told me 'Give that to your mother and tell her Bones said hi.' It was medicine and eddies."

Gloria sighed. "Bones is my biggest regret, Mijo, and my biggest regret."

David kept silent.

They got onto the highway, heading towards the Aftelife, they found themselves in trouble. In front of them was a Limo and on each side of them were two overly packed 4x4's decorated in Animal Colours. "Aww, shit, David, Gloria…GET DOWN!"

Chapter Text

David and Gloria dropped into the footwells of Maine’s Car, Maine slammed on the handbrake to perform a J-turn just to get them out of the way of the Animals attack.

"Fucking morons!" Dorio snarled as she pulled out her pistol. Two of the animals turned their guns on the Emperor. Dorio however was ready and waiting, she grabbed her customised Malorian Overture and began to fire.

The first shot went wild, the second hit the front tire. The third took the arm off the shoulder of one of the shooting Animals and the fourth detonated in the head of another: shots five and six penetrated deep into the open-topped vehicle.

Maine regained control of the car, they were now firmly behind the Animal's careering jeep. Unfortunately, the situation was only going to get worse. Two new cars were coming up on either side of the Emperor; one filled with 6th Street and the other with Maelstrom.

Maine cursed fluently, as he tried to move but he was boxed in. "Fuck…of all days to not get Falco."

"Berate yourself later. Just focus on getting us out alive. Call Falco and wake the crew! Who knows we might still be alive when they arrive." Dorio shouted back "David, Gloria…you both okay?"

"More or less. More or less." They replied in unison. "We able to…" David began to ask.

"Stay down, we're not out of the woods just yet. Two more cars have joined the fray and it's now a good shootout. Dorio called as she swiftly assembled her rifle that was concealed in the glove box. With the rifle assembled she aimed out of the window and began to fire. Maine, 

meanwhile expertly managed to reload her Overture, one handed. Placed it on the dashboard before pulling out his Crusher and firing into the Maelstrom Car.

The Maelstrom detonated in a barely controlled fireball, and Maine deaccelerated causing the Maelstrom to slam into the armoured Limo. however the 6th Street whilst shot too high Night City there were still quite a few of them…and they were still well equipped. The Animals had managed to get close to the target, pulled out an RPG and managed to flip the limo as the 6th Street shattered the window on David’s side and chucked a grenade.

There’s a really dark joke about grenades, you could be point blank and not get harmed…much or you could be on the other side of the combat zone and receive a faceful of it. The grenade landed on the back seat, right above David’s head, David grabbed the grenade as he chucked it out of the window it exploded and they were going airborne. 

Meanwhile five cars back, the shootout hadn’t gone unnoticed “Roger that boss.”

“Ghost…make sure all of them get to the Afterlife.”

The figure known as Ghost watched as the Emperor received two explosions, one from a grenade and the other from a flipped limo. “Jesus flipping Christ Boss. You’re going to want some MedTechs on standby, the targets just been hit by a grenade and a limo that had been hit by an RPG.”

There was a deluge of curses from the other side of the line before the connection ended. Ghost sighed “Soap.”

“Yeah, L.T.” His companion woke up his cybernetic arm tapping on the side of the car.

“We’ve got a quick evac job from a firefight.”

“Well let’s get going.”

Maine and Dorio groaned, they could hear a Trauma Team AV descending “Leave ‘em for the Meat Wagons.” Were the last words they heard with clarity.

“G, David!” Maine yelled.

“Maine! Dorio! I’m okay! Oh God! MIJO!” Dorio was moving, with her Gorilla Arms and fuelled by adrenaline she didn’t open David’s door but rather pulled the door right off and David fell out; he was alive but the right hand to the elbow was gone, his upper right arm was held together by a few tendons, there was shrapnel in his eye and in his left leg.

“Did…you get them.” David asked, blood dripping from his mouth. He couldn’t feel his legs but he was wriggling his toes. 

“Rest, David…listen to me. Just keep talking, stay with us alright.” Dorio pleaded, this was the shittier part of being an Edgerunner, innocents nearly always got hurt. Then they become Edgerunners and end up dead in a ditch, as she began what little First Aid she knew in order to stem the bleeding; she was fixated on keeping David alive she didn’t hear the car come up behind them.

“You lot Dorio and Maine?” A gruff voice stated.

Gloria looked over at the two Solo’s evidently ex-military by the gear they were carrying “What’s it to you?”

“You must be Gloria Martinez…” The Skull-Man said, he looked like he was going to say something else but didn’t.

“I am. Who are you?”

“Call me Ghost, the Unwashed Heathen with me is Soap.” Ghost replied

“Unwashed Heathen! Who kicked ye pasty arses on the Fields of Bannockburn.” Soap growled 

“It’s the finals that matter, not the Playoffs, Soap. Why’d you think we stick you in the Vanguard of the New Great British Army and in the Old Great British Army.” The newly identified Brits expertly placed David on a collapsible spinal board and loaded him into their car. 

"Can take one other with me. The other two…make your own way to the Afterlife."

As Ghost and Soap took off with a distraught Gloria and an unfortunate David; it left the big Edgerunners in an unfortunate predicament. "Fuck the Sandevistan, Dorio." Maine blurted out.

"Pardon babe."

"Fuck the Sandevistan…I shouldn’t have even asked Gloria to klep one for me. Now I've dragged my kid, that I didn't know I had into a life that I know Gloria didn't want for him. Now, not even an hour after meeting him he's basically lost his arm, might lose his leg, and he's lost a fucking eye." Maine growled as he looked at his wrecked car.

Then there holo's rang "Howdy Maine, Dorio…was with Kiwi and she caught the shootout. You guys need a ride? Rhetorical, I'll be there right about now." True to the Nomads word the Armoured transport arrived, the side door opening revealing a concerned Rebecca "Hurry up you Gonks! Where to?"

"Afterlife!" Maine shouted as he scrambled in, slamming the door shut and nearly getting thrown into Lucy as Falco set off wheels burning.

Gloria, despite, her fears for her son, she couldn't help was loving the breakneck pace that Ghost was driving. Soap it turned out was carrying quite a bit of synth-morphine and synth-blood. Her hands and the sleeves of her jacket were stained with blood as she fought to help her sons wounds begin to close. "What does a Medic do in her off time?" Soap asked as he injected morphine into her son and began to apply a tourniquet to the upper arm.

"Sleep on the sofa, gripe at my bastard of a Landlord raising the rent. Spend a restless day trying to decide between eating and bills." Gloria sighed.

Soap's eyes widened "Damn. Single mom who's an EMT. That's rough."

"At least you're a better parent than mine, G. My father was an utter bastard." Ghost replied, even though his tone was bland and disinterested Soap could tell his L.t was impressed by her. And honestly, he'd wager 15 eddies that Miss Martinez would be a well-respected woman.

"Soap, need I remind you, we're on the clock."

"Yes Lt."

Gloria let out a tight grin at the Scotsman "As you were Soap. You were sent to keep an eyeout for me."

"Correct ma'am." Ghost replied.

"Thus I can call the shots within reasonable parameters." 

Ghost grunted "Yes."

Gloria smirked "I know for a fact that this particular car can with coaxing get another 30-40mph above top speed." Ghost didn't need to hear the unofficial order in that request and he began to speed up.

"Soap, you were saying?"

Soap paused "Once your kid is in surgery and you find out he's going to be stabilised do you fancy getting a drink?"

"A drink?"

Soap chuckled "I mean I've got my hands caked in your kids blood. I'd say we deserve one."

Gloria nodded "Or several. I'm probably going to be needing to find another job."

"That can easily be done in this hell of a City. And I thought the New Middle East was fucked." Ghost replied as he went past the entrance to the Afterlife and round to the back.

As the van moved smoothly around the corner, waiting for them was a gurney and four Medical Staff. Ghost practically ripped the van doors open, causing Soap and Gloria to nearly fall out. The Medics were already grabbing David and laying him on the gurney. "The Erebus Lounge has been disinfected and ready for you to operate."

"You heard the Queen, move it." One of the medics roared.

Ghost smirked "Yup that one definitely served in the military."

The woman turned "And how would you know, Simon?"

Simon blanched "Cause his voice sounds very much like a pissed of combat Medic, laying into his captives for being morons ma'am. Medics are by far the worst people to fight, you need to know how to break people to fix them."

Gloria chuckled and slowly pulled the woman into a hug "It's good to see you mom."

"It's wonderful to see you as well Gloria." Rogue replied hugging her daughter back. "Nix…contact Viktor, see what cybernetics he has in store, tell him Rogue will give him top eddies for the best stuff he has."

Rogue turned and gestured to the three of them “Come on, we might as well get situated. Anyone want a drink?”

Gloria nodded “I could kill a broseph right now.”

Soap and Ghosts eyes turned orange as eddies were deposited into their accounts. The duo were very good at what they did, as the four of them sat in a booth a blood splattered MedTech arrived "Well?" Rogue questioned.

"I've got shite news, bad news and a little bit of good." The MedTech panted, as he made no attempt to clean himself down.

"Alright, I'll bite. Shite news?" Ghost growled.

"He's got a cyberware affinity and tolerance to the point where I'm questioning his father is Adam Smasher. So, whilst that’s cool…the impulse and the Night City Cultural Shift to Chrome is Best Look then the kid is going to have a tough time.”

“His name is David, MedTech.” Gloria snapped.

“He’s my Grandson.” Rogue commented.

The MedTech fixed the two women a dead stare “I’m an Ex-Forces MedTech, and honestly Ma’am, I don’t care what his name is. He’ll get his name should he survive, which is the bad news…whilst he’s alive, we’ve got none of his blood type A+. We’ve used three packs of synth-blood…”

Soap gulped “So he’s had four…”

“And you didn’t think to inform us, Soap? Fuck dude…Him dying has now extrapolated to…most likely he’s going die.”

Gloria “You said you had some good news?”

“Oh yeah…there’s now the no good news, I was about to say that I think he was going to make it…should he make it through the next 24hrs then I’ll reassess him. Do we have word on any cybernetics?”

Rogue shook her head “Not yet. What’s the actual damage?”

“Full arm and shoulder loss, a cybernetic leg…a full one…to the point I’d suggest a full lower-body job. An Organic Hip can’t keep up with the sheer pressure from a leg job…oh and…unless we get a spinal support or replacement then he’s going to be paraplegic.”

“Would a Sandevistan work?”

“Er…I don’t see why not. We’re going to need some additional help if we’re going to fit him with the Sandevistan…We’ll get on it…Miss Martinez, Boss…”

Soap looked at Gloria “A Silverhand ain’t going to cut this. What you need is a proper whiskey.”

Gloria “You have proper whiskey?”

“He’s a Scot, love. One thing about the New Great British, we stick the Scots in the vanguard to deny the war crimes.” Ghost commented, prompting a middle-finger and the murmur of “fuck you” from the Scotsman as he pulled out a whiskey bottle.

As the glasses were poured, Rogue’s eye gleamed yellow and the door opened at the far end of the hall. 

Chapter Text

Bloodlines 4

(Outside Afterlife)

“I’m sorry, chooms, if you can’t tell me who you’re here to see then I can’t let you in. Furthermore, if you don’t have the street cred or the attention of the owner of the Afterlife then you’re not allowed in.” The doorman stated.

“We’re here for a sitdown, with Gloria Martinez.” Maine grumbled, he was beginning to lose his patience.

“One moment, Maine can you and your crew take a few steps back please, I’d like to call my boss quickly. This could be a case of miscommunication.” 

Maine turned to Dorio and the duo retreated till they were at a respectable distance as the doorman’s eyes turned yellow. “Boss, I’ve got a Maine and Dorio outside…If I don’t know them, I know the policy. They’re saying they’ve got a sitdown with a Gloria Martinez? Right, right. Apologies. Just doing my job. Thank you, I’ll let them in.” 

“We allowed in choom?”

The Doorman nodded, and the door opened “Good luck.”

(Rogue)

“Something up mom?” Gloria asked as she sipped the whiskey, she shuddered at the taste; it was amazing.

Soap chuckled “You can’t beat a good classic scotch.”

“English, Soap, for those who don’t speak Scottish.” Ghost drawled. Gloria, Rogue and Claire had been grinning or hiding their grins as the two British Solo’s bantered with one another.

“Gloria, I don’t keep the Rockerboy wannabes around for their ability to liven up the room; they’re also experts in their field. To remain alive in Night City, you surround yourself with good people; not necessarily loyal people but good people that you can trust to complete your plans by using their own initiatives. Claire, Nix, Squama and Emmerick are my main four house and Ghost and Soap…they’re my unaffiliated affiliation to…”

“Lazarus and Millitech. After clearing up some Loose Ends on the New Georgian-New Russian Border where my man Roach unfortunately died, may he rest in peace…”

“To Roach!” Soap called.

“Why’d you call him Roach?” Gloria asked.

Soap and Ghost looked at one another “Sergeant…”

“Fine, L.T. Gary “Roach” Sanders, got his nickname for his unfortunate ability to be a bullet magnet for exceptional enemy combatants, his attraction to bullets was only second to being able to seemingly survive his lead injections, like a cockroach…little bastards are seemingly immortal as was Gaz.” Soap explained.

Ghost nodded "A fantastic soldier and an even better friend."

At that moment Rogue looked up as two large people walked in "Gloria, I take it these are them?"

Gloria nodded.

(Normal perspective)

Maine and Dorio were amazed, they had been admitted into the Afterlife! All roads lead to the Afterlife in one way or the other.

It wasn't empty, but it wasn't rammed. Considering the nocturnal nature of Cyberpunks that was to be expected. "Maine, Dorio…over here!"

The large Cyberpunks quickly noticed Gloria's distinctive red hair and frazzled look, however, it was impossible to miss the distinctive forms of Rogue and the Two Solos who'd assisted them.

"Gloria, you arranged for the sitdown and for us to meet your mother. Speaking of where is she? And why is the Queen of the Afterlife mediating!" Maine stated, he really did not like the lack of control of the meeting.

Rogue chuckled "And who said that a woman can't have multiple roles? Orion Maine? Yes, this little fiasco over a Prototype Mil-Spec Sandevistan has already begun to send ripples through the City, furthermore, I am willing to compensate you for the loss of the Sandevistan as it's going to save my Grandson's life."

Dorio's eyes widened as she looked at Gloria and Rogue…"Holy shit. Gloria, your mom's the Queen of the Afterlife!"

Gloria grinned "Yes, yes, she is."

"Well, I can definitely say, now that's been officially cleared up that Gloria…you definitely inherited your mom's looks. Especially that 'don't fuck with me look'. Come on L.T., don't tell me I'm wrong here."

The other solo let out a short chuckle "Soap, please don't make me have to give you the lecture of 'not shitting where you eat' again."

"It's not like I'm making any moves on her now, L.T., I'm calling things as I see it."

"Back home people would call it truth, here, it's considered rude. Considering you're a Scot, I can let it slide."

"At least I know what it means to graft, not like your lily-white hands are used to such work."

"That'd be true if I was born with a silver pistol in my mouth."

Soap snorted "No, you were born to a good-for-nothing father who only taught you how to drink, and thus you can tip them back like a Scot and be able to underthink."

"Whereas you overthink."

"Can't win 'em all. Besides you need me for plausible deniability for the War Crimes."

"And my worst nightmare has come true. A thinking Scot who knows why I keep him around."

"Enough, you two. Soap, I trust you can behave yourself around my daughter. I know she's a grown woman and whilst she's inherited her father's brains and skills, she's, unfortunately, got my taste in men…flaky, chrome- junkie and chrome-addicted morons." Rogue ordered, she didn't need to raise her voice but the tone was one that had evidently been used before. Soap and Ghost closed their mouths and focused their attention on their empty drinks. Ghost got up "Two brosephs please, love."

"It's Claire, L.T., not love."

"Apologies, Claire. Two brosephs please."

Rogue focused on Maine and Dorio "Right, Maine, words on a maternal level cannot describe how annoyed I am with you and your actions leaving my daughter as you did. If things weren't so screwed up and my Grandson is potentially dying I'd have had you flatlined the moment you entered. But that's mixing pleasure and business and that's never a good mix. How much did you pay for that piece of chrome?"

Maine paused, not one word. He hadn't known what he wanted to say, but there was only one thing on his mind right now. "I don't need recompense or reimbursement for that piece of chrome. The fact it's my boy who could very well die, I'll call any loss on any piece of chrome that might allow him to live a happy loss."

Rogue smiled a small genuine smile "That's a surprisingly altruistic point of view.”

Maine lost control of his temper, he went for his Crusher only to find Soap holding a gun to the back of his head “Big man, settle down, you do not want to do this. I broke into a New Russian Gulag for fun.”

“You broke INTO a Gulag? I thought most people wanted to BREAK OUT!”

Ghost chuckled “That was when you were a Captain, how’d you get busted down to a Sergeant again?”

“I took a blow for the Team, carrying You and Roach out. One of you had a gut injection and the other was holding the sac of his testicles.”

Ghost growled at his former Captain, now Sergeant. “That’s a fair point.”

Claire stared at the Scotsman “Which one had the testicle injury?”

“For the preservation of my Bioware frame and three functioning organic limbs I’m not disclosing the particulars of the men who took those injuries.”

Ghost let out a sigh of relief, he was the one with the testicle injury but wasn’t going to admit that. “Now, gentlemen and ladies…is it possible to conduct ourselves something according to civility?”

Rogue nodded “That was unprofessional. But again Maine, this is irrefutable, how much did you pay for the Sandevistan?”

Maine felt the pressure of the pistol from his head lessen “15k upfront. As I said, I’m going to call it a loss.”

Rogue snorted and flicked him the eddies "You seem like an honest Merc. Paid for a quality piece of chrome from a good decent person. I understand that you work for that Fixer Faraday?"

Maine nodded "I do. Why?"

"He's the son of a bitch that gives Fixers a bad name. He's up to his skull with Militech, not a bad thing…but however he's trying to get into bed with Arasaka hopefully as a prospective Corpo. He's known to burn through teams of mercs with his less than helpful data, furthermore, those big promises of big pay should you do it exactly, he very rarely pays them." Gloria murmured.

"Unfortunately, he's superb at covering his tracks. Not well enough that I can't dig something up on him, but, well enough that I can't organise a hit on him without evidence."

"Just give the word, and we'll have him in dead in a ditch." Soap stated.

"You've done something this big before, Soap?" Rogue questioned.

"Yeah, New Los Alamos…we committed war crimes to expose war crimes…oh and that power outage in Chicago…"

Ghost sighed "That was Soap and I."

Rogue turned back to Maine and Dorio "Drop Faraday, I'll send a few jobs, nothing good but something for me to gauge if you're worthy of my future interests."

The door opened as a well built gentleman in black and entirely organic walked in. "Where is he?"

"Straight to business, Vik?"

Viktor Vektor looked at Rogue "It's nice to see you again, Rogue, you always know how to make my day interesting. Now where is he?"

"In the Erebus Lounge, and not good…if that ill-tempered MedTech had anything to say."

Vik sighed "I've got a top of the line Arasaka Arm, a leg with bioware reinforced synthetic ligament and tendon attachments, for his eye I've got Kiroshi Optic Mk. 2 and from a friend or two of mine they've managed to give me three top-of-the-range prototype bioware implants. One's a full body weave, and the other two well they said something about over-the-top bone and muscle lace. I've brought them because a non-organic body cannot hold up to high level or the high usage of neural cybernetics."

Rogue nodded "Just…do what you can."

Viktor nodded, grabbed his bag and headed through doors towards the back of the bar and headed down. 

The Afterlife was a multi-tiered morgue turned night club. The top level was generally where most mercenaries and fixers were willing to be. However the further down you went, the higher the quality of the mercenaries and the fixers. The second layer typically known as the Erebus Club was typically where mercenaries who tended to specialise in a specific area tended to congregate along with the fixers whom specialised in those areas. However, if you worked directly for Rogue and she called you to do multiple jobs for her, a mercenary would find a warmish reception on this layer.

It also doubled as an impromptu trauma room. Off shift MedTechs needed a place to drown their sorrows afterall. After Fixers, the MedTechs were the second group you didn't annoy. Someone was always going to need a Medical specialist to either stitch organic limbs together or attach questionable chrome to frames with no questions asked. Although the problem tended to fall into who was a good Medical and who was a backroom hack.

Viktor fell into the former category, massively. Yes he was expensive but considering he hadn't been flatlined, still organic was a testament to his skill. "Right, what's the situation?"

"Teenager, broken spine is the least of his worries. Currently half of his appendages are gone along with an eye. Also, he's had four packs of synth-blood."

"Do we have his blood type?"

"A+."

Viktor nodded "I'm A+, I have some spare blood bags of that kind. Also, how do we want to do this?"

"Let's fit his arm, leg and eye and then worry about his spine."

Viktor nodded, it made logical sense. No need to drive someone over the edge unnecessarily. "

The MedTechs nodded and with surprising deftness and ability with a tenderness that surprised the Saint Ripper of Night City, they easily attached the arm and the leg as his blood was extracted and pumped into the teen.

The unfortunate thing about synth-blood whilst very useful to top up blood supplies, using two bags is the utmost limit as it has a slow binding quality to the genuine haemoglobin in normal blood. If more than two bags are used, the synth-blood tends to bind to the rest and begins to effectively congeal in the veins and arteries causing tissue death which leads to necrosis, infection and amputation.

The limbs and eye were installed, Vik was taken off the blood drip and between them, they rolled David over and began the laborious chore of installing and syncing the Sandevistan to David's broken spine.

Chapter Text

Bloodlines

David finally woke up, his mouth felt like it was filled with synthetic common wool. His head was cloudy, but perhaps the most disorientating thing was the distinct lack of vision in his left eye. “Whe…where am I?” He rasped.

Off to one side, he heard a chair scrape backwards “Take it easy. You’re honestly lucky to be alive David.” It was a gravelly tone that he didn’t recognise, it was accompanied by a heavy pair of boots leaving the room. There was a draft of wind as a door opened, and the boots headed out. However, as he tried to relax he found his gut tightening…He couldn’t feel an arm or a leg. He began to panic, it felt like an eternity since he was seemingly left alone, but the door opened again and the boots returned, but they returned by more hurried footfalls. The door opened as Maine, Dorio, the Rasping Voice, three more unfamiliar faces and his mother. “Mijo!”

“Mama! What happened? I vaguely remember shooting, lots of shooting and grabbing a grenade.”

“We got shot up. Animals, Maelstrom and 6th Street showed up to take out a Corpo in the limo in front. We were in the crossfire, you took a grenade, it…it took your arm, leg and an eye. Honestly, the grenade would have killed all of us…and, you also broke your spine.” Maine replied as soothingly as he could.

David paled “My spine’s broken! You might as well…”

“They ain’t going to put a bullet in you kid. Sorry, David, I’m Soap; anyway what the big fool should have told you were all of your injuries, but…you’re an extremely lucky Roach.” Soap cut in.

“Roach? Why am I suddenly being called a derivative of a creature that’s associated with vermin?” David snarled, glaring at Soap.

“Easy, easy…yeah, my bad. David, yeah Cockroaches are a bad thing, however…they’re also genetically designed to survive practically anything thrown at them from footwear to insect killer and all the way up to a direct nuclear blast.”

David took a moment to pause and think “I…survived a double amputation, blindness in one eye and a broken spine. Speaking of…just how am I still alive and not well paral…Mom, you didn’t.”

Maine nodded “She did. You needed that implant more than I did and more than I ever could. Besides, you’re alive and that’s more important.”

David nodded “Why do I feel…bulkier.”

“That’s because to cope with the strain of your mass cybernetic surgery, your mom gave me permission to give you some Bioware. In essence, your entire body is now reinforced and tougher. Oh and I’m Viktor Vektor, please call me Vik.” Vik explained calmly, as Gloria pulled David into a hug.

“I’m glad you’re alright, Mijo.” Gloria stated as she held him tightly.

“Erm, Gloria…95% sure that going blue in the face means asphyxiation,” Vik commented, David inhaled deeply as oxygen flooded his lungs.

“With the Bioware implanted, it’s…going to take a month or so for it to fully settle. So you're to do nothing strenuous aside from walking and sitting. Also, you're going to need these." These happened to be a small bundle of red, purple and blue inhalers.

"Take three puffs of the Red first thing in the morning. Around noon one puff on the Purple. Three puffs of the Blue before going to bed. They're going to help with the acclamation of the massive amounts of cyberware you've just had installed…They’ll assist in preventing the body from rejecting the cyberware and preventing you down spiralling into cyberpsychosis.”

David nodded, he now took the chance to actually look at his new body. The cyber arm they’d fitted was black and red with an Arasaka logo removed, his opposing leg was made of a similar metal. He gave the leg a move, and surprisingly it moved with almost as much freedom and flexibility as his organic one. The most disconcerting thing was the eyepatch he was wearing “I wouldn’t remove that, cyberoptics take a while to settle.” Vik explained.

“So who are you, people? I mean recognise Mom, Maine, Dorio and Vik as the latter has just introduced himself. The rest of you?”

“Call me, Ghost kid.” Ghost replied.

“Actually he prefers…” 

“That’ll do! I’m Ghost and that’s Soap. Sorry about the smell.”

Soap rolled his eyes “As Ghost said, the name is Soap.”

“Actually, he prefers John. John McTavish. Now bustling around here are a few MedTechs on my payroll. Their names are: Bones, he’s a Scot; Freeze, Blackbeard and Morphine, I’ll introduce you to them later. As for who I am, I am Rogue, Rogue Amendiares and your grandmother.” Rogue announced David’s eyes rolled into his head and he passed out on the bar.

Rogue looked at her grandson and chuckled softly “I think, I broke him.”

“Respectfully boss, he’s had the hell kicked out of him and a good bit of heaven too. Although, having hell and heaven kicked out of you is good for the soul. Jokes aside, Boss, he's just gone through immense trauma and just been told that he's half cybernetic and that on its own is going to knock someone out. That was the icing on the cake." Soap replied.

Rogue snorted "I'll get him taken upstairs and put in a spare room."

"Mom! We can't just…"

"You can and you will. Everyone thinks you're both dead and in Night City that's a luxury. Gloria, you’ve got nothing, nowhere to run to or hide or any income. So the least I can do is put you and David up for as long as you need, besides I want to get to know you both.”

Maine cleared his throat "I could…"

"I do not want my daughter within three blocks of your Fixer. You also told her that you were going to keep her far from this life; her and David." Rogue retorted.

"Soap and I could put her up." Ghost suggested.

"We live practically on Rogue's Doorstep, after a misunderstanding with a Fixer."

“You broke into the Fixers apartment building Soap…”

“And you nearly took her head off.”

“Regina was extremely pissed off with you about that. However, due to the pair of you being so efficient, you’re no longer in debt to her. In fact you’ve left such an impression she’s willing to pay extortionist pay to hire the pair of you as her solo’s when she’s meeting new prospective clients.” Rogue retorted, she liked these two and it loathed her to allow them to be hired out by another Fixer. However, Regina was a good Fixer, she operated on the outskirts of Rogue’s territory and lived within it. That meant what Regina did reflected on Rogue. Thus Regina had some extremely big shoes to imitate.

Ghost picked David up off the bar and carried him to Rogue’s residence at the top of the Afterlife. The skull-wearing man gently deposited David on the freshly made bed before heading down stairs.

"Whilst Lt has gone, I think it's about time we address the unexploded ordnance in the room…what are you going to do Gloria? What's the plan with David completing his education? Do we even have a plan for his education?" Soap questioned.

"We, Maine’s Crew, were going to help him get into Edgerunning and we were going to get David some experience working with MedTechs to find out what he wants to do." Dorio explained.

Soap nodded "I'm going to have to put a few rounds into that plan…Kids got a tonne of trauma to shift through and needs to adjust to his new implants. Kid probably doesn't even know the fundamentals of gun mechanics, maintenance or even safety. So what I'm proposing is this: David's going to need at least four to five months of rehabilitation and scrounging to get some decent hardware…I'm referring to body armour and weapons. Lt and I are willing to help with his maths skills in the form of shooting and prepare him for gun combat and close quarters. We'll probably teach him long guns as well."

"Long Guns?" Asked Gloria curiously

"You'd know them as rifles, shotguns etc. Sniper Rifles by the rule of thumb are custom-made long guns." Soap replied.

Dorio nodded "That works…"

Maine stood up "Gloria, keep in touch." With that, the large edgerunners got up and quickly left the bar.

Rogue sighed "Just remember my advice."

Maine paid no attention to the comment, his mind whirling at the fact Faraday only saw his crew as disposable.

"Dorio, call the crew, we need a meet-up." Dorio nodded. 

"What's the plan, Maine?"

"I…don't know, D. I don't know right now I'm open to suggestions. As much as I want to make it big, I don't want to lose anyone else."

Dorio nodded, losing Sasha had quite frankly obliterated the morale of the team. Kiwi and Lucy brought some much-needed edges to the group but there wasn't that much in terms of synergy; Kiwi was reserved to the highest degree and Lucy well she mimicked her mentor as well.

(Rogue and Gloria)

The Queen of the Afterlife looked at Soap "How quickly can you get what you need?"

"Already doing it, Boss. I've managed to find Bones and offered him a chance."

"Why do you have to go to Bones?"

"He's the best at what he does. Why?" Soap asked.

Gloria sighed "I don't deny that he's skilled…it's just…he's skilled and he knows he is."

Rogue nodded "Ah, he possesses a complex. I'm also guessing you tried dating."

"Yeah."

Ghost chuckled "I trust him. He saved Soap's life. Now you’re not wrong, Gloria, but it’d be worth it for David."

Gloria reluctantly nodded “Do it.” She turned to Ghost who was leaning against the bar "Can you take me to my son?"

Ghost nodded and smiles beneath the mask "Certainly." Rogue got up as well.

"Claire, Nix contact me only if there's an emergency."

Claire nodded. It was still early, she wasn't expecting the rush anytime soon "Miss Martinez, if you want, David could help me out here. It's decent enough eddies."

(David)

His mouth felt like cotton, his world was spinning but he was on a rather comfortable bed.

Thankfully he was still dressed. He rolled off the bed and surveyed his surroundings. He was in a very comfortable set of apartments, he was in the Afterlife. Rogue Amendiares was his grandmother, he was now more chromed up than he'd ever thought he would be. He looked at his chromed arm, it felt weird.

"I'd be careful if I were you. Cracking one out with a cybernetic arm can be excruciatingly painful." That was Soap.

David stiffened. He hadn't heard them enter the room "Soap, is this normal for you? All the casual innuendo or is it a Scottish thing?"

"It's a New Great Britain Military thing."

"Bleeding Jesus, Soap, I thought you'd improved."

"I could have been far worse, Lt."

"That's true. Anyway kid, how are you feeling?"

David looked at Ghost "Odd. I've just gone from having organic arm, leg and eye to cybernetic ones and I have a Sandevistan repairing and supporting my spine. Oh and my Grandmother is the Queen Fixer of Night City."

"Perfectly understandable, you've also got bioware working its magic on you."

David sighed "So what's the plan? Am I still going to get the training to be an Edgerunner?"

Ghost and Soap chuckled "You are. You're actually classified as dead, so, you've got a second chance. If you want to be an edgerunner, welcome to bootcamp 141. Soap and I are going to be giving you indepth training both simulated and actual. You'll learn gun safety, maintenance, close quarter combat, survival training, resistance training. If you survive you'll have a reputation and if you die, which is likely well one more crying mother. I'm not saying that to be a dick, but, you're going into a profession with one of the lowest life expectancies in the City."

David nodded "Sign me up. Dorio offered me…"

Soap chuckled darkly "David, you're not going to need their training after we're done with you."

Gloria chuckled "Mijo, I've tried to protect you from this line of work. Evidently it runs in the blood, in all seriousness David, I don't care what you have to do but YOU COME BACK ALIVE."

David nodded, he maintained eye-contact with his mother. "I'll do my best."

Gloria nodded "I am so proud of you. The more I think about it, the more I realise that you were cut out for this. Furthermore, I've found you a job."

Gloria turned to Rogue "Are you okay with David working behind the bar?"

Rogue nodded "It's an honest profession. David, you start today. We'll work out an education plan, based around your working hours."

(Claire)

Who knew. Who knew that Rogue had a daughter and a grandson. That was cool, he was too young for her but he'd been through the ringer.

Ghost on the other hand. Claire thought he had left an impression. Soap, she'd have made a move on the Scot but he only had eyes for Gloria. Claire smirked, she saw that Gloria had eyes for the Scot. She smiled when she saw David shuffle into the Afterlife bar "Over here." David nodded and he was let in.

"We'll do the proper tutorial another time." Claire quickly began to show or rather rush David through the process of mixing a few of the favourite drinks on the menu.  

David, she noted, was a very quick learner. In the three hours she had before the inevitable rush of people entering, she was confident that David could be trusted to mix cocktails and pull pints. "David, tonight, pull pints and get the bottles and canned drinks."

David nodded, he braced himself and readied himself for his first night as a bartender.

Chapter Text

Bloodlines

“What happened?” David turned, sitting at the bar was a pale-skinned girl, with teal green hair, with an oversized hoody.

“That is a long story, and…aren’t you…” He began to reply only to see her red and green eyes narrow.

“First off dimples, I’ve got time. All the time in the world, considering the Afterlife time runs on the eddies in my pocket, which is a lot by the way. Second, I’m not a girl, I’m 23 dimples. Night City wouldn’t survive a full-size version of me choom. So, what happened?”

David sighed “What’s your drink?”

“You’ve not answered…oh, my bad choom. Sex on the Beach and a Broseph.” David nodded and accepted the money transfer, Claire was already making the cocktail. She slid it down the bar as David placed the Broseph down.

“David. Go, and mingle, with the patrons. Get some orders.”

David did as he was ordered. He kept his optical implant covered by an eyepatch, Soap had given it to him as a joking gift. The woman giggled “So, David, what’s the story about how you’re half cybernetic and wearing an eyepatch.”

“You’ve got me at a disadvantage, you know me but I don’t…”

The woman cackled “It’s Rebecca, choom, I’ll answer to Becka, Becca, Becs and nearly every other short variation of the name.”

David nodded “Right where are you…” He paused when Becca pointed out the table. Sitting there were Maine and Dorio along with Rebecca and three others. One was blonde, pale skin with a red ventilator and red face mask, the other was Male and where Rebecca was short he was immensely tall, with elongated limbs. There was a cigarette hanging loosely in his mouth and a visor hid his eyes. But it was the third one, who made him stop and think twice, it was her! The one of the NCART. "Becca? Who's that?"

Becca looked over and her eyes dimmed "That's Lucy, our newest member of the crew."

David nodded ah, now he was slightly confused. He shook his head. Rebecca looked at David and grinned "Now let's go!" With that Rebecca guided David across the Afterlife’s thriving night-life activity, various edgerunners were signalling to him for more orders, which he dutifully recorded and sent over to Claire but the major question they all had was “What the fuck happened choom? You can’t be much more than eighteen and you’re seriously chromed up.”

“Caught in a multiple goon shootout on an Arasaka Corps. 6th Street put a grenade into the car where I had been sitting. I grabbed it to throw it out…”

The Merc who asked turned green “It went off…fuck. So it was chrome or die.”

“Chrome or die, and I was unconscious for most of it. I think, anyway, my mother made the call about it. I woke up in the Afterlife.”

“Now you’re working here for Rogue. Not bad. Not bad. You thinking about edgerunning?”

David paused “I need to work out what I can do, get myself comfortable using weapons and other things before I start edgerunning. I’ve got a crew willing to help me out, but, that’s not to say I won’t branch out on my own.”

“Smart kid. I’m Jenkins, Leroy Jenkins. Good luck with the rehab, and can I get an order of eight brosephs for my crew?”

David nodded “Sure and sent.” Jenkins looked over at the bar to see that the bar was rapidly piling high with drinks, the grey-haired solo stood up and made his way over to the bar. Rebecca yanked on his sleeve and eventually dragged him over to her table.

Maine looked up as Rebecca dragged David over "Sup kid."

"Boss, you know this shrimp?" Asked the lanky man that David had clocked earlier.

"Hey Maine. What do I actually call you, by the way?"

"Whaddya mean, what do I call you? He's Maine, he's our boss. So we either call him by his name or boss. Jeez, are you normally this slow?"

David's heart began to speed up, his vision slowing down as he felt the Sandevistan begin to speed up. "Calm down. This asshole doesn't have all the facts." "First off, put the cigarette out, beanpole. Second, Maine happens to know my mom about eighteen years ago, they do the special dance…and nine months later baby David is born. See, specsavers, probably not as you need to go to specsavers. Then again, you must have got fucked over by your optometrist if they had to give you that visor. Put some additional circuits in that and you could probably fire lasers from your eyes." David snapped.

(Rogue, Gloria et al.)

Thankfully the music was still blaring. Meanwhile sitting in a booth in the center and somehow remaining unobserved sat Rogue, Gloria, Soap and Ghost. Soap was recounting their misadventures in Las Almas in Mexico. “I’m cutting through a coffee shop and this guy asks me to grab him a tea, milk and two sugars to go.”

“I was trying to enlighten this heathen to the second-best drink in the UK.” Ghost retorted “Anyway, cheeky twat says we’re solving each others problems and ask me to take the mask off.”

Gloria chuckled “Are you that ugly?”

“No, he most certainly isn’t.”

Gloria cocked her head “And how do you know that?”

“I got a lovely mugshot of his grill before we all pulled on skeleton masks and started killing PMCs, Private Military Contractors, or Mercenaries by another name for an umbrella term. Although Mercenaries are individuals who can be recruited by a PMC organisation.” Soap explained.

“And how does this apply to you and Ghost?” Rogue asked, “I’m not about to keep two solo’s on the payroll if the company…”

“We’re not. We got honourable discharges, we were Ex-Black Operations. Besides even if we were still officially NGB Spec-Ops, our home nation has enough problems to worry about than two of her own running around an internationally recognised Free City.” Ghost cut in. He did miss his home, but, he’d spilt enough blood for her service and would rather not kill his own countrymen and he knew that Johnny felt the same.

Ghost looked across the Afterlife taking it all in “Have got to say, I like this, might need to take the Kid out for training. I might get too complacent…hang on, the kid is losing his temper.”

Soap sighed as did Gloria “That’s Pilar, a…techie acquaintance of mine. Tolerable in minute doses, any more than that he’s like…”

“Having a catheter inserted sans anaesthetic?” Soap questioned only for Gloria to slap him across the back of the head.

“Johnny…Where did I go wrong with you?”

“What’s got two legs and bleeds?” Soap responded. Rogue groaned she could smell the punchline “Don’t tell me.”

“Half a dog.”

Rogue glared affectionately at the two solos, they were truly something to behold. Soap got up “I’ll defuse this.” He got up and made his way across the bar.

It turned out he didn’t need to.

(Edgerunners)

Maine planted his hand on the table “Pilar, pack it in. Kid’s doing his job. It’s good to see you again son.”

David bristled “Good to see you again old man. What brings you by the Afterlife?”

Maine chuckled “Can’t a guy go with his chooms to celebrate a job well done? Also, would you honestly deny an old man a chance to get to know his son? I know we’ve only just met.”

Pilar’s visor widened “This pipsqueak is your kid…”

“Oi, Tumour…you’re causing an embarrassment.” Rebecca snapped.

“Anyway, Dad, Dorio and crew what can I get you?” David asked, his eyes locked onto the uncomfortable-looking pastel-haired netrunner.

(Lucy)

“What can I get you?” That simple sentence dragged Lucy from her musings, this was Gloria’s kid. He was…cute, she’d heard from Maine that the deal had fallen through which she’d thought suspicious. Maine wasn’t open about his past but the fact he had a kid made sense.

“Er…Purple NiCola please.”

Pilar cackled "Oh has Lucy got an appreciation for young…"

"Oi…Pilar, right…Leave her be.” She managed to control her blushing as the young barman jumped to her defence.

“It’s alright, David, Pilar is being Pilar. But Maine, budge up. I need to go.”

Maine nodded, he knew Lucy well enough that she’d say ‘delta’, if she was heading home. “David, look after her. She’s been through some stuff.”

“As have I, Maine, don’t worry I won’t.” Lucy looked at David again, her eyes widened when she finally noticed the Arasaka cyber arm and the eyepatch.

“What happened?”

“Grabbed a cooked grenade. Tried to throw it back. It exploded taking an arm, leg and eye then my spine broke…snapped if you want the specifics.”

Lucy winced and tenderly took the metallic hand “I’m sorry. Thanks, thanks, for getting me away from Pilar. Maine’s only just got his rep back to allow us in. As good as Turbo is, this, I prefer here.”

David chuckled “I’m glad you enjoy it.” Lucy watched as David seamlessly manoeuvred himself behind the bar. He got the drinks but deliberately got Lucy’s NiCola last. 

Lucy giggled softly, she saw the ploy and any merc in the Afterlife who wasn’t black-out drunk had seen it. It was old, it was cliched as all chrome but it wasn’t done with any ulterior motive other than the Bartender got to spend time with her and she got away from Pilar. “Damn it Cel…why’d you have to be busy dealing with Lilith doing a rum run with Falco; Pilar’s unbearable without you around.”

“Ennie for your thoughts?”

“Pilar, Specsavers, as you called him, his output is the only one that can really keep him in line. He’s got a few loose wires…his behaviour’s normal.”

David nodded “One second, Lucy, didn’t you normally ride the NCAR right near the Saka Academy?”

“I do. Why?”

“I remember seeing you there multiple times, each time I tried to talk to you…you were gone.”

Lucy giggled. As the duo were about to keep chatting, there was a tap on David’s shoulder “David…less wooing your Output-to-be and more serving drinks.”

“Fine Claire. Anyway, Lucy, can I get your details?”

“Awfully forward.” Lucy retorted.

David blushed “This is Night City. I should have been dead a few days ago but here I am. Technically I am dead. And is it wrong to say that I want to meet up with you again?”

“No.”

(Ghost and Soap)

Ghost moved unobserved through the venu. He’d spied a young Tyger eyeing up Lucy “Evening.”

“Evening…Am I in trouble?”

“Not yet. Depends on you.” Ghost replied softly.

“What’s that supposed to mean gaijin.”

“Actions have consequences. You make a move on that cute woman in the leotard you’re not going to like the response.” The Tyger paused as he looked at the imposing figure with the skull balaclava.

“You’re the one known as Ghost?”

“I am.”

“Please forgive this ones mannerisms. She’ll be left alone.”

Ghost chuckled “You’re a sharp one.”

Soap meanwhile had reluctantly left Gloria’s side, she was a brilliant person. He had followed Ghost but headed towards Maine’s table. "Soap."

"Maine, Dorio and crew." Soap replied as he sat down opposite them.

Dorio looked at the Solo who'd handled Maine like a kitten "What's the progress with David?"

Soap sighed "He's taken to his chrome easily enough. He's on downtime due to some of the bio-weaves that have been incorporated into him. Before Ghost or I even contemplate letting him loose into the world as an Edgerunner we're going to get him up to our standards."

Maine's eyes flashed "You reneging on the deal that Gloria, Dorio and I made?"

"Nope. This is gun safety training and combat training. Everything else is yours. You guys do realise that the majority of gun related deaths are due to lack of gun safety and training."

Maine paused, Soap wasn't wrong "What are you planning to teach him to use?"

"Side arms, Long Guns, Rifles although Ghost might be teaching him guerilla warfare tactics."

Maine grinned he knew how good guerilla warfare was as a field equaliser. "Soap, allow me to introduce Pilar and Rebecca. Pilar’s our Techie and Rebecca is our gun specialist. Two of David’s tutors."

"Ye never said anything about teaching a brat!" Pilar shouted.

"You're not teaching any brat, you're teaching my kid. Granted I've not been there for him and that was his mother's request. I've abided by it."

"Fine, fine, bossman."

(David)

It was around 2am when David was let go for the evening. Lucy had left about 15minutes ago. He had headed back to his room and collapsed on his back looking up at the ceiling. His eyes closed and he began to dream, his dreams filled with the smoke of cigarette smoke and the beautiful netrunner who smoked them.

Soap stuck his head in at the sleeping teen and chuckled "Enjoy this while you can. This is going to be the last goodnight sleep for a while."

(Lucy)

Heat FM was playing in the background. Three cigarettes in the ashtray and a fourth in hand. 

She had been sitting staring out the window since she'd got home. That Bartender, David, his eye oh his eye so full of pure honesty. When he asked for her details, she couldn't believe it actually happened. "David…please be careful." She eventually fell asleep thinking of the Bartender and his warm brown eye.

She'd call him tomorrow.

Chapter Text

David found himself waking up to a bucket of cold water at 5am. Soap was grinning and he could hear Ghost laughing in the background. David swore fluently and quickly in Spanish at the laughing man. "In English, Martinez."

"Go fuck yourself Ghost."

"Much better Martinez. If you're gonna swear and curse, have the decency to swear in English." Ghost shot back.

"You're not going to be learning from Ghost just yet. Welcome to Soap's Torture Camp." The Scot replied. David got dressed and made his way downstairs to a bowl of porridge and a bottle of water.

"You're gonna want to eat that. It's actually a brilliant food source." Soap explained. David ate it, he wasn't going to complain. It was rather nice, if slightly salty for his tastes.

"Right then…let's begin. How far can you run?"

"No idea."

"It's, no idea sir. Got that Martinez?"

"No idea, sir." David replied.

"Say it like you've got a pair." Soap snapped.

"NO IDEA, SIR!"

Soap nodded "Now, you don't need to shout it all the time. You have to respond to all the questions we throw at you with conviction. Do you understand?"

"Sir, yes, sir." 

Soap pouted, Ghost who'd been silent throughout the exchange snorted "He catches on quickly, Johnny."

"That he does. Now, Martinez, by the time we're done with you you're going to be able to walk and run however far you need to with upto 31kg of kit. What's going to make you different from all these other idiots is endurance. And the endurance can apply to other activities as well." Soap replied with a grin.

David blushed "Johnny, stop tormenting the Lad. Anyway, Martinez, time is a wasting let's get moving." And that was the beginning of the torture camp for David.

Every morning at 5am, although after a week David was waking up at 4:45 and dressed denying the Brits a chance to soak him in cold water. He'd eat and then he'd start his day running 3km with five sets of two hundred metre sprints with the intention of getting that time to below 20 seconds. 

Then after his run, he was to undertake a gruelling set of exercises ranging from setups, pushup, pull ups, planks and various other exercises to enhance his core strength, flexibility, overall strength and the ability to low crawl and the most fun thing learning how to parkour.

After his morning of constant drills and an interesting lunch, ranging from an MRE to a juicy rare synth-steak.  It was then onto the academic side of things. "One of the first things you need to understand Martinez, the Military doesn't just provide hardened fighters and warriors, it also provides opportunities to learn a trade for after your time in the military. We're not going to be turning you into scholars but rather giving you training to adjust to the world outside of the military. So we're going to teach you the ins and outs of car mechanics. How to repair, strip and remake engines along with five or six different ways to acquire a vehicle along with evasive driving. Soap does a lot of exclusive chauffeur work for various corpos."

Soap shrugged "It's fun. The best ones are when I drive Fixers. You pick up all sorts of information, and, Drivers talk to drivers."

David nodded "Let's begin." With that, he began to learn the mechanics of a car and that included driving lessons. He rounded off his day with shooting and maths. Ghost sighed as David’s shots went wide of the empty beer bottles.

“We’ve got a long road.” Ghost groaned.

“Ghost, remember, our training, we were never told that we were useless.” Soap gently reprimanded.

David pouted at his evident lack of immediate success “David, I’ve got bad news and I’ve got good news.”

David nodded “The bad news is you’re absolutely useless at firearms. But, the good news is we have a decent starting point with your firearms training. That’s it for today, get ready for more of this.” Ghost finished a grin on his face beneath the mask.

At that moment David’s comms began to ring “Ghost, I’ll see you later.” Ghost nodded, and with that David began to head back through the streets of Night City. To hide his face, Ghost had given him a black cap and a turtle neck jumper with an extended neck. 

D: Hey-hey, Lucy

L: Hey-hey, yourself. How are you?

D: Can’t complain. Learning all sorts. You?

L:  Been a little bored. Maine's keeping us away from Afterlife, mainly to stop me from becoming closer to you

D: You're an adult. This is Night City, the only person to decide who's in and out of Afterlife is Rogue.

L: But I'm in Maine's crew, outside of that I have no rep of my own.

D: Is that an admittance that you want to see me?

L: If it is?

D: You let me worry about Rogue. Or do you want to meet now?

L:...I'll I'll see you at the Afterlife.

Lucy hung up and a smile crossed her face as she lay in bed. She let out a small squeal of excitement, she'd made contact to meet an actual person in realspace that wasn't part of Maine's crew! She looked at the clock, David wasn't going to be working for another two to three hours.

David was red as a tomato as he entered the Afterlife through the private entrance. The private entrance was a corridor composed of a fee flights of stairs, one to go up to the living space and three to go down to the lower parts of the bar. He was only familiar with the Afterlife Floor and the Erebus Lounge, the latter of which operated as a Trauma room. "Grandson."

David turned to find Rogue standing in the Erebus Lounge "Grandmother, I…didn't…shit, spacial awareness is going onto the training."

Rogue snorted "It will be. How did it go?"

"I'm better at mechanics than shooting and close quarters combat. Soap says I fall like a sack of wet shit and Ghost says I'm better as a target than a shooter at the moment."

Rogue snorted "Fair but you'll learn. There's something on your mind. What is it?"

David sighed "There's a girl…" as he said those three words Rogue's face turned into a grin. "Now, I believe this requires the attention of both your mother and me."

David groaned, this was going to be painful.

He was wrong. It wasn't painful, it was humiliating. His mother and grandmother had teased him relentlessly when he couldn’t control his blushing. “But there’s a problem.”

Rogue cocked her head “What is it?”

“She doesn’t have streetcred. She runs in Maine’s Crew and that's about it. Plus, I neither do I and I’m pretty sure that you’re a person that if you have any immediate family you’d rather keep them hidden.”

Rogue snorted “That’s true. Besides, your reputation, or streetcred as you young edgerunners say…it’s pretty good. I saw you chatting with Leo “Leroy ‘Le Roy’ Jenkins, he’s a nosey son-of-a-gun if I ever saw one. He mainly works for ‘Padre’. Jenkins works on a ratio basis. The more you help, the more you get. He’s probably already spread the word of the ‘Bulletproof Bartender’, a kid who survived being shot up by a variety of gangs and lived to tell the story. So, your output or soon to be output will be able to enter as she pleases. But in the meantime you’re going to owe me, let’s say…six jobs, which you’ll be able to do on your own.”

“Six jobs and in return Lucy will be able to come and go as she pleases from the Afterlife?”

Rogue nodded “You’ll also be getting eddies, not as many as you’d want but I’m not going to screwover any mercenary that catches my interest that includes my family.”

David smiled “Thanks, Rogue.”

“No calling me grandmother? Are you growing up on me David?”

“No, no, of course not Grandmother. That was business.”

Rogue nodded in approval “Mr. Martinez, I believe I am beginning to like your style. Now, you’ve got a shift to do before your lovely output to be arrives. I’m pretty sure you don’t want to be working when she arrives.”

“No boss.” With that David scuttled off.

Lucy popped her neck as she nervously made her way through Night City. Her comms began to ring and it was Maine.

L: What is it Maine?

M: Where are you? You’re supposed to be at your apartment on the down low remember?

L: I’m an adult, as long as I don’t short-circ, and bring outside heat to a gig, you don’t care what the crew does when we’re not working.

M: It does concern me when my crew don’t find you at your usual haunts.

L: Who are you, my father? No. No you’re not, and for your information Maine, I’m meeting someone. Having a few drinks and then maybe, just maybe, get lucky. My meetup location happens to be in the Afterlife.

M: And just how are you going to get in? You don’t have a rep or any cred to your name as an individual. You only get in when I decide to go to the Afterlife.

L: It’s not going to be a problem.

With that Lucy cut the conversation. She turned to get off the train when she felt a hand on her shoulder “You dropped your lighter love.” She paused, a cold shiver running down her spine. She spun away unfurling her monowires only for a strong arm to effortlessly lift her off her feet "Now, sweetheart, we can either do this the easy way or the hard way?"

Lucy tried to squirm "Don't…call me love or sweetheart…and…what…do you want?" Like that the pressure was lifted and she dropped to her knees. 

The man was tall,, he had a similar demeanour to that of a former soldier. He was garbed very much like a civilian, the only thing of note was his broad-rimmed hat. “I need to find a couple of friends of mine. Apparently, from what I’ve heard from a bunch of scavs was that ‘a demon with a skull mask fucked their shit up’ and something known as ‘Afterlife’.”

Lucy nodded still eying the man up “I don’t know much about the first, but the Afterlife is a club that I happen to be going to.”

“Lead on.” With that, the man, followed Lucy. The pastel-haired netrunner led her companion through the bustling streets of Night City. A few level gang members looked like they wanted to try their luck but her colleague scared them off. “Keep your eyes and ears away from my niece.”

“Or what. There’s eight of us, and two of you.” Lucy only just noticed that they were eight paces from the Afterlife and at that moment, David was carrying a box of bottles from a big truck through the front door. He was wearing an eyepatch and he swapped the crate to his other arm.

“Make that three and potentially fifteen. Are you bringing trouble to the Afterlife?”

The gangers looked, during the conversation their attempted targets had been steadily moving towards the small piece of pavement directly in front of the Afterlife. The same place the newcomer had stepped into before addressing them “And if we are?”

“What gang are you?”

“We’re the 5th Street Marauders, maybe, you heard of us? Now maybe if his niece would…indulge us…then maybe this won’t turn ugly.”

David’s narrowed “Now…why would I subjugate my Output to that.” His hand drifted to his borrowed Overture. Lucy, stared, they weren't even dating! ' Wait, he's sticking up for you!

The gang went for their firearms, and David activated his Sandevistan, and the world slowed. He brought out his Overture, strode over to the first thug and pulled the trigger. He stepped backwards and deactivated his implant. It was when the thug's head exploded upwards and outwards painting

The result was immediate, the closest gunman collapsed in a split second. “Fuck…one of them has neurotech…” Their eyes honed in on David with a still-smoking Overture.

“That was your freebie. Leave my Output and her Uncle alone, oh and for the record, 5th Street and associated Edgerunners that haven’t proved themselves, aren’t allowed onto Afterlife premises.”

“We’ll remember this Bartender.”

David took a deep breath “Maybe. Maybe. Now, Lucy and Lucy’s Uncle, shall we?”

The “Uncle” quickly took the hint and headed in leaving the duo behind him. Lucy looked up at David, whatever upgrades he’d been given definitely worked in more ways than one. In the natural light as opposed to the decor of the Afterlife, Lucy was able to fully inwardly squeal at the cute man next to her. “I’m your Output, so quickly?”

David blushed “My mouth got ahead of me. But…it’s the truth.”

Lucy blushed “We’ll have to see. Maine’s been trying to keep us from heading here. Mainly to stop us meeting…” David paused “I told him I was an adult and I was allowed to make my own decisions.”

David nodded. "Come on. I'm going to be needed if you're gonna get by without Maine.". Not that I mind. Now we have your ‘Uncle’ to get in.”

They found the captain waiting patiently outside with Emmerick Bronson “David.”

“Em. Was doing the inventory when things kicked off with these two and 5th Street.” The large bouncer nodded.

“I saw. You handled that rather well, sloppy mind you, but well handled. I don’t know them…”

“This is my Output, Emmerick and I’ll take responsibility for…”

‘Uncle’ snorted “Call me Captain. Besides, I’m looking for two people and one’s hard to track down, the other is positively ghost-like.”

David stared at the Captain, he knew Soap and Ghost. David nodded “You need to speak with the boss, follow me. Welcome to the Afterlife, three rules…pay the bartender, don’t piss anybody off and don’t be a dick.”

The Captain nodded and he followed David as he made his way up to another Bodyguard, this one even larger than Emmerick; and the Captain hadn’t thought it was possible.

The Captain listened ‘Boss, you may have a situation. A guy called the Captain is here. He’s looking for two people one is and I quote ‘one’s hard to track down, the other is positively ghost-like.’”

“Send him through. John, Simon…you know what to do.”

David returned “The boss will see you now.” With that, the Captain walked past the man-mountain bodyguard and entered the booth only to be staring down a D2 Banshee Knife. “John! Price!” Two voices stated.

“Soap. Ghost…I thought you two were still alive.”

Chapter Text

Bloodlines 8

Captain John Price, pursed his lips after savouring the whiskey, looked at his two former subordinates. "So this is where you two ended up."

"Yeah. It's a City of Endless Lead, Violence and Sin; the asshole end of the world. But it's more or less home, no Ghost Company, no FSB or Russian-Backed Ultranationalists out to put holes in our heads. It's a damn sight better than most of the exciting places and exotic cultures we've travelled through, although I could without the constant Neon and Megacorporation Propaganda but it beats being shot at." Simon rumbled as he poured another brandy for the Captain and Rogue.

"So, John, what brings you to my domain?" Rogue inquired, her eyebrows raised slightly and her eyes akin to slits "I'd advise you answer truthfully."

John looked at the woman and snorted "You remind me of someone, We, used to run with. I got stuck out here, all three of us did. We didn't organise a rendezvous point or exfil back home to Britain. We all picked a length of road and we got to moving."

Rogue nodded "I get that. I can respect that. You said that you and your chooms were Black-Ops."

"Aye, SAS, all three of us. Then we were part of Task Force 141. We were a joint multinational clandestine group trying to deal with the Russians."

Rogue nodded "Then evidently something happened."

"General Sheppard. He burned us, and used his PMC Dogs to try and kill us. However, we found some banged up and lost Los Vaqueros, the Cowboys, and we picked a fight with Shadow Company in New Mexico…not the State but Nation. Then we ended up in Chicago."

Rogue nodded "Soap and Ghost told me. You realise Captain that Soap and Ghost work for me."

"I know that. I'd be honoured if you'd consider taking on another old dog." Price replied "Ever since…they died…I've…been adrift. Then I found out some of my best friends are alive and well."

Rogue nodded "Done. You're going to help train my grandson, I've been told he's improving but needs more…incentive."

(David)

David bustled around the bar, plying Lucy with NiCola. "David, you do know…you can take it slow." 

"If I took it slow, I'd have less time to spend with you." He replied nonchalantly as he stocked the shelves with Brosephs. Lucy flushed bright red, being friends with the Bartender who happened to be very cute, and on the verge of being hot was a bonus for her. The idle compliments completely disarmed her.

At that moment Claire walked in "So, David, what's this I hear about you picking fights with gangs just outside the Afterlife?"

"They insinuated I should do somethings…I disagreed with them profusely." David replied, not looking at the woman.

“They wanted to use me as a joy toy…and my Input disagreed. They named themselves the 5th Marauders and David banned them.” Lucy chimed in, sipping her NiCola as she let her eyes drift over David’s muscular form.

Claire raised an eyebrow, she’d seen Lucy more than a few times to know that the girl had more than a few walls raised. “I didn’t realise you had it bad for him.”

Lucy flushed pink “I…I…Don’t! He’s…he’s…” She faltered in what she was saying as she caught Claire’s grin “Yes…Yes, I do. He’s…so innocent, he shouldn’t have to be an Edgerunner, I’m worried for him. Why he’s chosen a…”

“Person like you? Lucy, I like you…I want to get to know you, and see how things go. The main reason, is you’ve given me the time of day. Granted I’d seen you from a distance, every time I went to talk to you, you were gone.” David replied standing up.

Lucy gawped at him “You saw me?”

“Yeah, Central NCART near the Academy. Believe me, I never wanted to go to the Academy, but, I was going because my mom wanted me not to have to enter this life. Now…I’m working as a bartender and training to be an Edgerunner.”

“And it has been doing wonders for you.”

Claire shook her head “Alright, David, I can take over. Go and spend time with your Output.”

David grinned and nodded to Claire, before he vaulted over the bar onto a seat next to Lucy “So…how does a beautiful thing like you, end up in place like this?”

Lucy giggled “A guy…he had a rough break and on his first shift here managed to get me away from a colleague of mine.” David grinned at that.

“Let me get my jacket and let’s go.”

“Where?” Lucy asked.

“Wherever are feet take us…I said I wanted to buy you a meal.” David replied before escorting her up towards the back of the bar, just as they came into view of Rogue’s table they quickly took a right and David opened up a semi-concealed entrance. It led to a set of stairs which ascended and descended. 

“Where do these lead?”

“To the lower bars and basement and up to the living area.”

Lucy flushed “Awfully forward, not even after a date and you’re bringing me home with you.”

“Better to bring you with me, than to ditch you in the bar.” With that and after what felt like an eternity to Lucy, they eventually peeled off the stairs and into another corridor. This corridor led to a door and behind the door was a very nice living area.

“Mom!” That was the only word Lucy heard before the conversation descended into fast furious spanish. It turned out, David had inadvertently walked in whilst Gloria had been in her underwear. Lucy entered with her eyes closed.

“You can open your eyes now.” Gloria was now dressed, if in an oversized t-shirt that went down to her knees counted as being dressed. There was still a bright red David and a man laughing in the kitchen. 

“Who are you, lass?”

“I’m Lucy…”

“Ah yeah, the cold one in Maine’s crew the other ‘Runner if I’m right. I’m Soap.” Soap stated as he introduced himself.

“I feel sorry for your parents naming you that.”

Soap snorted “Nah. I got it when I was in the Military, the group I was with named me Soap and it stuck. I owe you one, for bring your ‘Uncle’ in.”

“You owe me?” Lucy asked, only to fumble as a small box shot towards her. She blushed causing Gloria and Soap to snigger at her discomfort.

“Lucy, I saw how you were looking at my boy…give him that and tell him that I said…” Gloria began, Lucy could only get redder. Thankfully escape from her embarrassment came in the form of David wearing a pretty accurate skeletal jacket.

“Mom! Soap! Please stop traumatising my…” He began, Lucy turned looking beetroot red holding a box of condoms. 

“Be safe, Mijo, Lucy, have fun.” David looked at Lucy, grabbed the box of condoms put them in a pocket, and placed his lent pistol in its holster before placing that on his back. With that the duo left, David took Lucy down the stairs and into the cellar before opening the door that led out into the street.

“It’s a tad conspicuous for everyone and everything to leave and exit via the front door of the Afterlife. Keep this to yourself please, you’d not believe the amount of debt I’ve had to place myself in with Rogue to give you an all-access pass so to speak.”

Lucy cocked her head “What do you mean? She’s your boss, isn’t she? Also what sort of debt?”

David sighed “Let’s get some food and I’ll explain.” He pulled his hood up and offered his cybernetic arm to her, which, Lucy accepted and they headed towards the NCART. They ended up, departing in Japantown. 

The duo walked in silence, just pleasantly enjoying the company. “Down here, you ever eaten out in Night City?”

“You mean like a restaurant or the sexual act…because the answer is neither.” Lucy swayed slightly as she felt the blood rush to her head again. Her mind betrayed her as she pictured herself on her bed, naked, gripping her companions head as he performed the aforementioned act on her.

“Maybe later. Why David, are you saying, that you want me?” She giggled as David walked into a vending machine.

“Oh most definitely. I’m not really interested in having a nsa relationship, I mean they’re joy toys to use for that. Not…that I would, it’s just…” David found himself in a bind “Damn she’s good. She’s fucking amazing at tying me up in knots verbally…hmm, that sounds fun actually.” He pinched the bridge of his nose pushing the insidious thoughts back into the recesses of his mind.

Lucy tripped over her feet, but David caught her before she could hit the ground. The duo had found a bench and at some point were now talking. “You…mean that?” She squeaked.

“Dorio did say, that me being honest might get me killed. I’m…willing to take that chance.”

Lucy nodded before pulling him into a hug “Now, have you eaten in any of the restaurants or eateries around Night City?”

“Not really. Mainly subsidised on SCOP and Kibble.” Lucy’s jaw dropped, she pulled David to his feet, or rather, yanked his arm as an indication for him to get up.

“I know the perfect place." That perfect place was a cozy and intimate Japanese Restaurant off the main area of Japan Town. "The best eateries are off the beaten track." Lucy explained as they grabbed a table for two.

A young Japanese woman hurried over to them “What can I get you? Lucy? It’s been a while.”

Lucy looked rather sheepish “Himeno, sorry. Things have been hectic, I know it’s not Wednesday but could I get the Wednesday special?” Himeno nodded “For a recurring customer, of course, and your Output?”

David froze “I’ll get the same please…” He was well and truly out of his depth, he’d never been here before.

Lucy smiled softly at him “Relax, breathe, you’re going through a load of stuff right now. You know that bartender I was telling you about?”

David nodded, knowing she was referring to him “Yeah…”

“He’s a lot like you. He lost a few limbs and hasn’t processed it, then met me…asked me for my details right after we met. I was thinking about ghosting him because I think he could do better…”

David’s cybernetic hand rested on Lucy’s “No. No, I can’t. Out of all the people in this godforsaken city, you were the one that caught my eye. Several times, each and everytime I went to talk to you, you were on the NCART and gone before I could get to you. You think he can do better, this bartender you’re referring to probably thinks that the woman he’s seen can do better than him. But, I’m willing for us to give it a go.”

Lucy stared at him “You’re sure…you want to see where things go with me?”

“You wouldn’t have come in early whilst I was working, just to look at my ass. As nice as it is, I’m pretty sure you prefer looking at my face. Besides my mom and grandmother have already teased me something awful about you already.”

“Your grandmother…who is she?” Lucy closely examined David and her eyes widened “No…no way. That explains so bloody much. Rogue's known to surround herself with exceptional people and to think she'd just hire you. It doesn't fit her modus operandi, thus that means you've got to be related to her."

David nodded "I am. Furthermore, how do you think you got past Emmerick?"

Lucy narrowed her eyes "What did you do?"

"I've got six priority jobs for Rogue to do, reduced pay. But I get some bonuses, pay and well…you're my permanent plus one into Afterlife."

"Six jobs and I get a free pass to see my Input whenever I want?"

"Yup. Wait…did you just say that I'm your Input?"

Lucy smirked seductively at him "I mean…you did call me that earlier on today. Why? Don't you want me to not be it?"

David flushed red, his reply was cut off by their food arriving. It was delicious, although, using chopsticks was a hassle but he learnt quickly enough.

They finished their meal, David, paid much to Lucy’s chagrin but they headed back out into the bustling sprawl of Japan Town. The pair had linked hands again and were just entering a shop for Netrunners when a familiar rumbling engine pulled up next to them "Lucy, David, we need to have a chat." Maine growled.

“About what, Father? The fact Lucy came to hang out with me? Or the fact you’re trying to keep, her, an adult from doing what she wants?” David replied, he was enjoying himself and he’d be damned if he let anyone interrupt it.

“She works with me. You’re my kid, son, and the last thing I need is for one of my crew to be distracted on a job.”

“What if I’m the reason, god forbid, said member of your crew wants to survive the job? She might be the door that opens into this life and I’m the door she has to get out or develop a life outside of subsidising job to job?”

“David, enough, please, I can handle this. Maine, have I ever been anything less than professional on a job?”

“No.”

“We both know, David will be joining us. What’s the problem with me meeting him? Or is it latent paternal instincts?”

Maine stilled. He’d stayed away from David and Gloria because Gloria wanted him too, but that didn’t mean he didn’t try his best to help them. He went only to Gloria and paid more than enough for any Chrome she provided him. “Lucy…you’re stepping into a situation that you don’t want to enter. Just because I wasn’t there, didn’t mean I didn’t help. There’s a million middlemen in this City, I could source Chrome…but I only went to Gloria.”

David stilled even from a distance, Maine cared. “Maine, Father, Dad, still not sure what you are to me yet, thanks, please…I’m enjoying hanging around Lucy…”

Maine’s stern facial expression, softened, before a megawatt grin crossed his face “My son, man, David, you’re growing up. I wasn’t around but please listen to the three things you’re going to need to survive Night City as a Cyberpunk…Iron, Wallet and…”

“Cocksleeves. I know. I’ve got all three, with one I’m comfortable with. One I’m improving and the other…well, let’s drop this conversation.”

Maine snorted “Nah dawg, wasn’t going to mention condoms…your mother would kill me. I was going to say, you need a mask. I got one for you.” Dorio passed him a box, which Maine handed over.

“Bullet proof, comes in black, one eye lens. It might be useful.” David nodded. Maine chuckled “Have fun lovebirds.” With that, he took off.

“So…what now?”

Lucy grinned “Want to come back to my place?” Was this impulsive, yes. But for once, Lucy felt light and alive during the day with David. “For now, this…this is nice. It’ll inevitably end but for once…I don’t mind.”

Chapter Text

Bloodlines 9

The duo had ended up falling asleep on Lucy’s Sofa, watching a remake of Pride and Prejudice and Zombies. Thankfully, this one was from Pre-Datakrash, unknown to David, excavated from beyond the Blackwall by Lucy herself.

It was the faint ringing of comms that roused David from his sleep. “Go.” He replied blearily.

“Bit of advice, move the sofa in the future so snipers can’t have a field day with you and your hot lass.” It was Ghost.

“You’re looking at me through a scope, probably from the building directly across from us and a floor or three above.” With that David extracted one hand from around Lucy’s waist, causing her to grumble, and flipped off his teacher.

A snort was heard in response "Alright smartass, get you and yours ready. You've got a job, LeRoy found out about your six outlined jobs for Rogue and has requisitioned you. Don't worry, you're going to have some advisors and ghosts helping, but, it's time for you to put what you've learnt into practice." With that Ghost hung up.

David groaned, rolled out off the sofa. But not before lightly kissing Lucy on the neck, causing her to stretch like a cat. "Oh shit! I'm so…"

"Don't be. Look, I'd love to remain with you but I've got a job to do."

Lucy's eyes widened "But you're not ready! You said so!"

David nodded "That's what I thought…however, I don't know how good I am until I get into the field." With that, he pulled on his clothing, with his mask being the last thing to go on.

Lucy looked at her new input, yes, he was on the shorter side but he had gone through a growth spurt somehow. “Questions for later…potentially cuddling questions.” “Stay safe.”

David grinned beneath his mask “You think I’m going without a photo with you?” Lucy giggled and rolled off her sofa before manoeuvering herself behind him, whilst she was confident in figure and wanted to send David no-end of photos, she wanted the first of those to be special.

The camera went off and the duo now had a new picture for each of them. Lucy felt herself, slickening as she watched as the eyeless part of the mask suddenly start glowing an unearthly blue “I’ll see you later.” With that :David left placing his eyepatch back on his mask.

As he left the mega building, he found Ghost waiting for him in a van “Have fun?”

&8_

Picturing David’s face beneath the mask, Ghost chuckled “I’m not telling you what to do or not to do…Just hhhhuave fun.”

“Fuck you, Ghost, fuck you.”

“You kis__s your mother with that mouth of yours?”

David snorted “No, that’s more like Soap.” There was a choking on spit and dry chuckle from the back of the van, David looked back to see the Captain and Soap sitting there. Soap was definitely red in the face and the Captain was chuckling.

“Go fuck yourself, David, and, none of your business if I am. Would mind if I was?”

David was grateful for the mask, it was definitely hiding the redness in his face “Just…treat her right.”

“Alright, Martinez; we’re dropping you off at the rendezvous point with Leroy and his crew where you’ll be briefed on what you’re going to be doing. We’re going to be on overwatch, keeping you alive. This is a supposed ‘milk run’ job, so you coming out of this alive shouldn’t be that hard providing you keep to your training. It’s also a test, to see what we need to improve on.” Captain explained.

“All goes well you’ll be buying a romantic dinner for you and that lovely Lucy.” Soap chipped in “Rogue and your mother like her.”

“Soap, please, fuck off out of my non-existent love life and even lesser self-esteem when it comes to women."

Ghost chuckled "You're going to regret putting on a mask, lad."

"Do you?"

"Nope." 

"You do get asked if you're ugly, should you wear one." Captain chipped in causing Soap to pout.

"It's quite the opposite." David and Ghost replied as one.

Meanwhile back in the Afterlife, Gloria, Rogue and Maine's Crew were too busy trying not to crack up from laughter. The comedy was just gold, only the Veterans knew that Rogue and Gloria would be listening in.

"It's mercenary banter, Gloria, you can't blame or punish David for whatever falls out of his mouth. Besides, Ghost, The Captain and I are going to be mercilessly teasing him." Gloria remembered John saying, being perfectly candid with her.

The Scotsman had been a breath of fresh air for her. He'd walked into her life and without a moment's hesitation helped save her son's life; then had asked her out. They hadn't known each other that long, they were getting to know one another so at the moment they were bump buddies.

Gloria snorted, David it appeared had picked up the quick wit and was dealing some decent but clumsy burns. She had blushed when David had shut down Ghost and Soap with an offhand remark about Soap and Her.

Back in the van, the banter had died down as Ghost arrived at the drop-off point. It was outside of a bar known as the ‘Busted Boots’, a bar that was known to frequent low-level Fixers, and beginner Mercenaries. Outside, smoking a synth cig stood LeRoy.

LeRoy was clad in black clothes, with a slight bulge on the right side of his hip. He nodded and grinned as David approached "Looking good, Bartender, the mask necessary?”

“Yes. What’s the job? Where is the crew?”

LeRoy grinned “The crew’s inside, they’ve already had the briefing. In essence, all we’re doing is Scav Control. According to out Netrunner, there are roughly fifteen Scavs in the building. We’re going to enter, through the front door and clean it up.”

David nodded “What’s the layout of the building? Are there any other entrances or anything that can be used as an alternative entrance?”

LeRoy narrowed his eyes “Why? Are you expecting…Right, you’re new, I’m sorry I forgot that you were brand new to the whole Edgerunning business. Believe me, when I say, Scavs ain’t that smart.”

David nodded “I hear that. It doesn’t matter how smart they are, it just takes one dumb accident to turn our potential entrance and exit strategy into a kill zone_.”

LeRoy nodded “If…this goes tits up as badly as you think it will, then should we survive you'll be more than compensated." With that LeRoy introduced him to the team.

The Team consisted of: Mark, Laney and LeRoy as the Solo, Eric One Hand, the Technician and Maya who was the Netrunner. They piled into another vehicle, this one was more of an armoured troop carrier.

Once inside, David was given a spare flack vest; one that would have been issued for the Unification War that had occurred six years ago. David was then given a scope for his Malorian Overture and an Overture to go with his Unit, which he'd been told he could keep along with a DRS-Copperhead rifle.

"We good on the plan?" Mark questioned, checking the breaching chalk on his shotgun.

"Line up behind you, you breach, we sweep and clear. Then you pair up, I guard Maya and the pairs sweep and clear the building."

"You're going to do fine, David, LeRoys' a good leader."

David nodded, he couldn't shake that something was going to go wrong.

(Lucy)

Lucy had entered the Afterlife with Maine and the Crew. Falco was sipping a coffee, you never knew when people would need to leave in hurry.

As she entered, Gloria had pulled her into a hug "He's okay."

Lucy froze in the embrace, before tentatively wrapping her own arms around Gloria. "David's arms are safe, Gloria is David's mom, she's safe." "I might have put a tracker on David, I mean it was so that…"

Gloria gave Lucy a look, she looked at the pastel-haired girl that said 'stop digging'. "You're concerned that my son, your input is as curiosity troubled and as street-wise as a dumb cat. Not because he's Maine's flesh and blood."

The blush told her everything. Rogue smirked "Nix, get the table and triangulate David’s position. This way we have…"

"A physical 3-D layout of where he is. I got it." Nix stated before sliding out of the booth.

Maine broke the ice "Is this the Queen of the Afterlife asking or Blood enquiring after Blood?"

Lucy looked at Maine, Rogue and Gloria dumbstruck "I…I…" She stammered.

Maine chuckled as he patted Lucy on the shoulder, lighter than she thought possible. "Did you think you were the only one to know? David's my son, I only found out when he was dying."

Rogue looked at Lucy, there was something about her…something familiar but also not. "This isn't important, I'll investigate further."

Together they watched as the electronic forms of LeRoy and his Team with David, enter the building and everything dissolved into chaos.

They watched as a Scav had been waiting with a heavy machine gun and the moment, the door was blown down, he'd begun to fire. The shotgun wielding Mercenary was reduced to paste, bullets smashing through the subdermal armour.

A wild flurry of rifle bullets managed to wing the scav. Lucy and Gloria turned pale as David appeared, evidently using his sandevistan, clotheslining the Scav snapping his neck. 

"Not bad." Maine commented as David spun the machine gun around and began to pay and spray. The communications were filled with static and interference but the onlookers could clearly see that David, wasn't just surviving his mission but thriving.

They watched as LeRoys' team slowly but surely carved a path into the Scav lair. They clearly saw David swear fluently in Spanish "I never taught him that phrase. He's getting the chanla for that phrase. Lucy, don't be afraid to dress him down for that language in front of you."

Maine snorted "Er, Gloria, its well deserved. Its not just a Scav Clearout but its more of a Scav Hovel. Who was the Fixer for this mission?"

Rogue's eyes were already orange, she hadn't been idle as she observed the mission going downhill. "A Fixer by the name Jerome Green, normally, a reliable but small-time Fixer; he works lower levels of Night City Government, he, liaises with the Police Department and takes the missions that aren't being seen to and pawn them off as Fixer assignments."

Maine's chrome shrieked as it grated menacingly as his fists clenched. "Do we…need to intervene?"

Rogue shook her head "Ghost, Soap and the Captain are on Overwatch. They've got eyes on David and they're saying he's doing alright."

"Alright?" Dorio stated, surprised at nothing higher.

"Babe, these guys, make me look, like a pair of boots in a war effort, insignificant. Heck, if Soap claimed he broke into a USSR GULAG, for fun…and that turned out 'better than expected', then 'alright' is an epic understatement." Maine replied.

Claire giggled "The Brits are known for three things: tea, stiff upper lip and understatements."

Gloria sighed "Ghost and Soap have said this was going to be a milk run, sometimes, milk runs turn bumpy. They're mainly annoyed that David didn't use his combat rifle, something he's got some training in, in favour of the heavy machine gun."

They winced as the Technician, primed and cooked a grenade only for the grenade to be caught by an erratic shot from a pistol causing it to explode violently. 

Maine and the Edgerunners began to move towards the car, before watching as the boarded-up windows blew in as Task Force 141 stormed in. Maine let out a sigh of relief as Soap pulled a Scav off David, allowing David to roll to his feet and perform open heart surgery with his cybernetic arm on the other Scav and crushed the heart. The Scoped Overture was reloaded and they watched as David put two shots into one of the remaining Scavs armed with a machine pistol, and a cybernetic arm blade; a cheap one at that, without so much as looking.

"David? Are you okay?" Asked the Captain, who had lowered his rifle.

"Are we clear? Targets eliminated?"

"Last one…done." Soap called before pulling a blood-splattered David into a hug.

"You did really good kid. Real good. Ghost is going to sort out your pay, for now head back to the Afterlife. Hug your mom, shag your Output and get absolutely drunk off your ass. The critique will happen tomorrow once you've processed it."

(David)

Numbness and exhaustion was all David felt as he fell asleep in Ghosts van. His first job as an Edgerunner was a success, but at a cost.

Chapter Text

Bloodlines 10

David, coated in blood, brain matter and bits of stray chrome and bioware, stared blankly out of the van that Ghost was driving. Opposite him was Soap, who had a soft grin on his face. Jenkins was knocked out and lying on the floor of the van.

The mission played vividly in David's mind. He remembered the shotgun blasts, designed to breach; then came with the heavy barking of the installed Heavy Machine Gun. He remembered the euphoria of bringing his rifle to bear and returning fire.

There was something, electric, about being in a firefight. However, David knew deep down that fight could have and should have gone entirely differently; if it hadn't been for Soap and the rest, he'd be dead. “You okay, David, you’re completely out of it? Did a Netrunner get you?”

David shook himself awake “No, no. Er, John, just…just…reliving the mission and how fucked it turned out and the fact that if you, three, hadn’t been there I’d be dead.”

Soap’s eyes widened, this was serious, David always called him Soap. “Yeah, it was a shitshow. We overheard what consisted of the briefing, kudos to you. You brought up some good points, they were valid by the way. There were a lot more Scavs in there than what the Fixer had disclosed. It says more about Jenkins and his Team, believing the Front Door Strategy is the only one for this job. It was the safest one, there were five to six Scavs in every room on the ground floor bar the one you initially cleared. Even if you had gone through the back, it would have been six Scavs to a green-as-grass Edgerunner. You going for the HMG, Heavy Machine Gun, a good move. A dumbass move, because you’ve not been trained on it. I did something similar…”

“Soap, you had years of training in the Forces AND the training from Selection.” Price chipped in.

“Captain, the principle is the same. First mission, Soap grabbed the Machine Gun, however, he’d been trained. David, you did good…spacial awareness needs drastic work but you handled yourself in close quarters with that scav well enough for Johnny to intervene.” Soap drawled. “That’s the briefing, now, we need Jenkins to contact the Fixer and we’ll have words. But first, you’ve got two options.”

David sighed “They are?”

“Get cleaned up and surprise your mother, grandmother and Output…Or…walk in covered in blood and grime.”

David snorted beneath his mask “I’ll go as I am.”

The three adults snorted “Young punks wanting to make a rep by coming in looking cool…" Price snorted.

The van pulled up as Soap and David jumped out. Price and Ghost with the prone form of Jenkins vanished. Emmerick took a look at the blood splattered David "Good to see you're alive kid."

"Thanks Emmerick. Wait…did you care about the outcome of this mission?"

The big doorman snorted "Nah kid, more concerned about your mother and the boss."

Soap stiffened as he calmly looked at Emmerick "For both David's mother and your boss, I'm going to let the insinuations slide, Gloria and I are together…"

Emmerick turned an interesting shade of pale "Good on you. My bad."

Soap snorted "No bad taken or given. Just job banter, I get it…just…have a little respect."

Emmerick opened the door and the duo entered the Afterlife. Claire was waiting at the bar "Baby's first job, and you survived! I get my minion for a whole longer!" She pulled out two Brospehs "On the house."

David nodded and headed further into the bar. He made his way up the stairs to where Rogue was waiting when he was blind-sided by familiar smiling face. He turned, scooping her up and allowing her to lock her legs and arms around him. "You survived!"

"Of course I did, Lucy, I needed to. Had two people to come back to." David replied holding her closely, for once shutting out the barely stifled guffaws of his Father's Crew and his Teachers.

"David! Mijo! Oh my god you're covered in blood and is that a brain?"

Lucy reluctantly parted from him as Gloria pulled the pair of them to her "None of its mine. The job went wrong right from the start."

Rogue snorted "That's an understatement. I'll be having a word with Jenkins, considering this was my mistake you only need to do four more missions for me. You did good, Martinez, should you improve you'll gain my interest. Now if you're going to interface with your Output, either do it privately or sell tickets."

“Mother!” Gloria exclaimed getting giggles from the group and caused David and Lucy to blush adorably. 

Lucy, however, grabbed David's arm and tugged him towards the stairs. "You still stink of blood and death, its not a smell that comes out easily." Price grabbed the beer out of David’s hand “Have fun. Enjoy this.”

David couldn’t keep the dopey grin and blush off his face. Lucy, despite having been only once to David’s apartment, deftly led the swaying David up the stairs and to his room. David made it to his bed,fell backwards only for Lucy to grab the hem of his shirt and pulled it off him “You need a shower.” Soon enough Lucy had more or less removed the clothing off her crush’s back.

Lucy helped David strip and get him into the shower, following herself. She didn’t get to tease him, earlier, as he’d been called on a job. Lucy smiled thinly but after she pulled his mask off along with the eyepatch revealing the sole kiroshi optic staring back at her. “Uh uh, I don’t think so. I don’t care what walls you put up whilst on a mission or around others, but here…with me. No walls.” David nodded; the temptation, the desire and urge to hide his cybernetic eye in front of the woman in front of him.

“Hey, David…I’m sorry.” She whispered the gargantuan puppy teen had so enamoured her, that she’d forgotten that he was brand new to all things being an Edgerunner. That included skinship and near-constant nudity. Lucy had considered herself extremely fortunate that Kiwi had found her so early on her arrival in Nightcity; she’d heard about Rebecca having to suck dick in alleyways when she was barely thirteen to survive after Pilar had taken her from their temporary housing. “May I join you?”

David nodded, Lucy grinned; she giggled as David turned bright red. She wrapped her arms around him, the bioware was doing its job; along with the military training. If she’d done this before, she’d have been taller than him and it would have taken him considerable amounts of chrome to beat her height. Now, he was the right height for his chin to rest on the dome of her head. “This is new, for you, right?”

“Everything’s rather new. My father is my boss, I’m missing half of my organic appendages, missing an eye…The Queen of the Afterlife is my Grandmother…I work for my Grandmother and now I’m standing naked as the day as I was born in a shower with a beautiful girl. One that…” His babbling faltered as Lucy placed a finger to his lips.

Lucy entered the shower, allowing the water to cascade onto her. She moaned in ecstasy as David pulled her into his arms. 'I think…I could get used to this.' Lucy thought. As soon as she got comfortable, she stiffened pressing into David and getting a groan of satisfaction. 

"The waters cold." David nodded and with Lucy hanging onto him like a cat, he slipped out of the shower. He snagged a towel big enough for the pair of them and they shuffled back to his room. 

The adrenaline had long since worn off, all that was left was sheer tiredness. Completely naked the pair fell asleep, Lucy pulling David closer to her. Would she have liked a more organic parter? Yes, but he was warm enough to be her heat-pad.

(Afterlife)

Rogue turned to a newly awakened LeRoy Jenkins "Please…explain."

Jenkins looked at Rogue "I picked up the new hand, briefed him. Introduced him to the team and then executed the mission."

Rogue nodded "You did. However, did you stop to consider anything that your new member had to offer?" 

Jenkins paused "Oh. You, you, you all heard that?"

Gloria nodded "We did, I definitely did. My question to you is…why?"

Jenkins stopped "Didn't think it would even be a possible scenario. I hadn't considered that the Scavs would even be intelligent enough to build up something like they had until we took the door down. Same reasons for not investigating and looking for another point of entry."

"Bollocks." A gravelly voice came from behind him stated.

Rogue raised an eyebrow "What?"

"The Captain and I owe Soap ¥60. We made a bet amongst one another about how thick this guy was going to be. The answer was extremely and secondly, I thought that he would have required convincing to tell you the truth."

Rogue snorted "That seems to be a common thing with you three."

Soap shrugged "You pay us too damn well, so it becomes a question of 'why not'."

That got snorts before they turned back to the Jenkins "So what do we do with you?"

"Take all my pay and give it to the kid. I'll leave right now, and never darken the Afterlife again."

Rogue nodded "A rather well-meaning sacrifice. Done, now get out of my bar."

Jenkins all but fled the bar, she turned to Ghost "Simon…"

"Yes boss. Already done boss, just tell me when."

Rogue nodded "Three days. Keep it clean."

Ghost nodded "Anybody want to enter a wager with me?"

Price looked up from his bourbon "What's the price? And what's the wager?"

Ghost smirked beneath his mask "Losers owe Victor a Favour and whatever you want to pay in with."

Soap snorted "I shouldn't, but, I can't lose face." Gloria locked eyes with him "Don't be too stupid, we still have dinner to sort out."

Soap couldn't hide the blush. "Right, Ghost, what's the bet?"

Ghost smirked "What's happening with David right now."

Gloria raised an eyebrow "With Lucy." She was an EMT, and she was well aware that if she said anymore it would lead to banter with her becoming a 'grandma'. "I've got ¥20 that they're together."

Ghost bit his tongue, the jokes could come later. The assembled edgerunners dropped their bets with Maine grunting a line 'Being a gonk with Lucy.'

Rebecca had gone with the outlandish theory that David was having world-ending sex with Lucy. 

Gloria had been blushing red at the statement. However Soap entered his own wager "Betting David and Lucy are conked out in his bed."

Rogue and Maine raised eyebrows at the Scotman with intrigue "Awfully specific."

"None of ye saw how shattered he was physically and emotionally. Anyone who thinks otherwise can go away n'bile yer heads!"

"John…" Gloria growled.

"It means go fuck yourself or selves, depending on how many people it's directed at."

Gloria paused “That makes sense. Now, I'm off to check on my son."

With that Gloria left the bar and headed up to the apartment. She made her way over to her son’s room and cautiously stuck her head in. On the mannequin on the far wall was her sons mask, eyepatch and his vest with his holstered pistol. The walls were barren still but slowly, ever so slowly, the room was beginning less of a room David was staying in and more he was living in. True to her thoughts, sprawled on the bed snuggled together. 

She could see her son's well-muscled back with Sandevistan in front of her. Lucy’s arm was around near his neck and one leg over his own leg. The rest of them was a tangled mass of limbs. Gloria ended up taking an image before shutting the door to the room and she re-joined the group.

“Well?” Rogue asked

“He’s passed out asleep with Lucy. The door was open ajar…so unless they’re interested in people viewing them then it’s unlikely.” Gloria replied.

She passed the snap around to the members of the betting pool “Glo, some would say that this is a little bit paranoid checking on your nearly at age son sleeping with a woman.” Maine drawled.

“I don’t know, Maine, some would call this a parents prerogative for embarrassing said son.” Gloria countered.

“But, I know that this is prime teasing material for a seventeen-year-old momma’s boy.” Becca called out.

Meanwhile Claire was prepping for the night to come “Boss, am I getting my colleague tonight or is he unavailable?” She asked curiously. She liked having David around.

Rogue paused “I’ll get him to cover the latter half of your shift. His first gig went to hell in a handbasket so he needs sometime to unwind.”

Claire winced “On a scale of 1-10…”

“A 9. Should have been a quick and easy Scav clearout but it was a Scav Home…poor planning and an unwillingness to adapt caused the entire team bar two, David is one of them to get out alive.”

Claire scowled “And that’s why we’re down a perfectly good chair.”

Chapter Text

Bloodlines 11

David stirred, slowly. He wanted to roll over, only to find he wasn’t alone. He stopped and listened “I can hear you’re awake, David…your heartbeat is picking up.”

He turned and went a bright red, as he saw wearing his duvet was Lucy. "Hey…you. Sleep well?" Lucy asked as she embraced him, her arms around his waist. 

"One of the better ones. You?" David replied as he enjoyed the mutual skinship. Lucy blushed as she cuddled up next to him again.

"You smell much less like death, blood and gunpowder, than before,” Lucy commented, dropping the duvet and deciding to snuggle up to him again. “Blood and death is tough to get out without vigorous cleaning.”

“And how’d you know that?”

Lucy chuckled "I've been an Edgerunner, for over a year. I've seen plenty of jobs go sideways and been covered in blood before." Her slender arm snaked out and grabbed David’s organic limb “And…I’ve not seen anyone take to it like you.” Using her grip as leverage, Lucy straddled David “I don’t even know why I’m saying this…but…I want you to be careful, I like how…” 

Their conversation paused as the door to David’s room opened and Soap stuck his head in, eyes closed “Don’t worry, I’ve not seen anything…unless tickets were sold. Anyway, David…you’re needed on the floor.” Lucy pouted and slid back onto the bed as David crawled out of bed and fumbled around for a change of clothes. Soap, message delivered, left…he’d seen Ghost and Price stumble and scrabble around for a change of clothes far too often, he didn’t need to see David doing it as well.

David and Lucy quickly got dressed and they entered the living room to find Rogue, sitting in an armchair with a cup of coffee. “David, Lucy.”

“Rogue, Grandmother.” The duo replied in unison, Lucy looked at David and then at Rogue…David had Rogues physique somewhat; the duo despite the decades separating them were both lithe and slender. Rogue snorted “Lucy, David takes more after his grandfather and father although I do recognise some of his traits.”

Lucy’s eyes widened “When he looked like he wanted to slam his head against a wall when surrounded by idiots!”

Rogue nodded “We’re nobodies fool. Although David’s more book smart than I was, however, his street smarts need to be developed.” The Queen Fixer explained.

“What is it, grandmother? Also whose tall dark and monochromatic?” David asked as he noticed his grandmother's attendant.

“The name’s Nix, Rogue’s Grandson, I’m one of the…netrunners who work for Rogue. I also dabble in genetics.” The Netrunner explained, before turning to David “The reason I’m here is because it was my data that was faulty; Rogue has a vested interest in her mercenaries and family.” David nodded at the unsaid apology, when Rogue spoke “Lucy, I’m going to need a bit of blood from you…there’s something about you that feels too familiar for my liking."

Lucy gulped, her instincts were yelling at her that she should run! Break things off with David and evade the floodlight gaze. "Why? What makes me so familiar with the Queen Fixer? What do you want with my blood anyway?" Her monowires were beginning to drop out of wrists. However, David placed his hand on her wrist "Lucy…whatever my Grandmother has noticed…it could lead to further ramifications later on down the line. I can't understand your history, only that you've told me that it was horrible. Any problems my Grandmother might have, she's professional enough to not mix the sins of the past with now. I'm not going anywhere."

David's last sentence stilled her. David was safe, The Captain, Ghost and Soap…they were safe; so thereby extension…Rogue was safe. She nodded to Rogue and Nix "Do it."

Rogue smirked "I'll explain momentarily." The device that Nix used quickly and soundlessly punctured the tip of her finger and left no trace, save for the few purplish red orb on the tip of her finger. Nix smirked "It's a match…it corresponds with that cache of data I found from my contact in Poland."

Soap raised an eyebrow "What happened in Poland?" He asked there was a tone of apprehension in his voice. Nix sighed "There was an Arasaka Facility there…its purpose was unspecific, but, at some point a woman by the name of Gabriela Cunningham entered the facility."

Soap cocked his head "I've heard that surname before…Cunningham…she was the broad that Silverhand caused the RED for?"

Rogue nodded "He did…Myself, Shaitan, Spider-Murphy, and Andrew Weyland…he's still about by the way and a few others with Johnny leading us assaulted Night City Arasaka." Shaking off the memories "Shatian survived…he managed to injure Smasher and Andrew nearly killed Smasher, funnily enough Morgan Blackhand stopped Andrew from killing Smasher because he wanted it. Anyway…Alt Cunningham and Johnny were close, Alt went to a hospital and well things are speculation but we think she had a daughter. Gabriela we have the footage was a dead ringer for Alt."

Lucy paled "My mother…was Gabriela Cunningham?"

Rogue nodded "She took the name Kushinada after she got married…"

Lucy began to cry "I'm the…the…granddaughter of…Alt Cunningham and Johnny Silverhand!"

Rogue chuckled "That you are. You've got his look when you're pissed off you know." Lucy looked at Rogue "Really?" The older woman nodded "I dated your grandfather for a bit…not my best moment. Your grandfather was in summary…"

"One who played the field. You should hear what the old timers near my favourite eatery have to say about him."

Rogue snorted "You know of that place then?"

Lucy nodded "Yeah."

Rogue smirked "The pair of you get downstairs, you're both working for Claire tonight."

Lucy took to the bar-work quite well. She kept an eye, scanning the crowd working out the crews and individuals were relatively safe to interact with and sending David into the ones that weren't. She'd just finished serving a large ex-Valentino and his friend when a taller lithe figure caught her attention. "What can I get you?"

"Can you get a bruder a black mamba, good sister?" Lucy paused…the accent, it was rich and thick and "Where are you from, my friend? Forgive me, I'm not quite sure what a Black Mamba is…" Lucy rambled, this got an amused chuckle from the customer "I'm from Jamaica, and de Black Mamba is 1 part Lager, 1 part Cider and a dash of cordial."

Lucy turned and with a deft motion, the bottles of cider and lager began to pour together. As she did so, she finally got a good view of the man, despite him being wearing a hoodie, she could spot a few matted dreadlocks that had clumped together to resemble a snake, then there were the distinctive yellow cyber optics and around his throat a light tattoo in the form of snake-scales. “So de cute one has noticed who she be serving. Don’t worry little one, dis one don’t be killing on neutral grounds and definitely not you.”

Meanwhile across the bar, Crispin Weyland gulped “Boss…an old snake’s slithered out of the bush.” Rogue looked sharply at her bodyguard and followed his left thumb towards the bar. “Simon…”

Ghost was sat inside the booth with her, it wasn’t that he didn’t trust Squama; you’d have to be a fool to not trust the abilities of someone who learnt to kill on their daddy's knee, but Task Force 141 always worked in pairs; so Crispin and the Ex-SAS members fell into an easy routine when protecting Rogue. “I’ll go…out of all of us, I’m the one that the old constrictor hasn’t pissed off.”

Like his alias, he moved silently and more-or-less unseen through the Afterlife and upto the bar. "Boa Boa." Ghost murmured.

The Jamaican Legen turned, his hood dropping as he looked at probably the 5th mercenary capable of taking him in a fight. "Ah de, infamous Ghost! I thought you'd be dead by now."

"I thought the same as you. Now, please, stop terrorising my Bosses newest worker." Boa Boa nodded and paid up with a little interest "Claire, please, ensure dat de extra is for the beautiful one that served me." He smiled a smile that'd appear much better on a big cat that was eying his next snack "See, Ghost, I can be de nice guy."

"Generally before screaming and people start dying as you've poisoned de water supply dad." Squama stated as he walked over and pulled his father into a rib breaking hug.

"Crispin, my boy! By the Elders, you've gotten bigger. Come, come, escort your old man to a table so we have de good talks."

Unfortunately, Lucy's troubles were only just beginning. She was mixing a few cocktails for a group known as the 'ChuckleFucks', a group of Mercenaries who were known to drop laughing gas on any gig they were on. "Hey, darling." Came a slightly drunken catcall.

Lucy ignored the call and carried on entertaining the CFs with a little bit of a dance. Normally she'd only really do this when it was just the crew or David with her. However, she'd just found out that her grandparents were legends, David was the grandson of another and no-one had told her to split from David, she hadn't been blind…she had seen Gloria nodding at her to make a move on her son.

She passed the cocktails to the crew who tipped her again. Only this time a hand grabbed her, it was the heckler. He wasn't much older than her, it looked like he had a detoxifer piece of chrome as he locked eyes with her "What time do you finish darling?"

"Not until last calls."

"That's cool, I can wait."

Lucy brushed his hand off "Not interested, I've got an Input."

The guy smiled "So bring her with you, pretty I've got enough in the tank for the pair of you." He was wearing decent but rudimentary body armour, on his hip was an Overture. Judging by his grip, he had next to no actual chrome. "No thank you…my Output, works here and…"

The guy, now quickly becoming reclassified as Stalker was losing his patience. "Do you think you're being clever, huh? How many low-life bottom feeders would get the…"

Meanwhile, David was milling across the floor. He turned and he could feel pure rage coursing through his veins, reigning it in, David headed towards the confrontation brewing. Claire had seen the situation unfurling and had seen David moving towards the perpetrator. 'Bottom feeders would get the…' that was all he needed to hear "I believe my Lady, said no thanks." He growled.

The Perp turned his hand drifting to his Overture, only to find himself out of his seat and on the floor. There was the unmistakable feeling of a metal knee on his back and a metallic arm nearly pulling his arm out of the socket "Consider this your warning for harassing my Input." This was followed by the arm breaking "That was for starting something in the Afterlife. And this…" The perp screamed as the leg broke "...is your bar notice. Consider yourself banned from the Afterlife. Security!" Soap and Emmerick appeared "Yeah?"

"Chuck this moron into the street and I'll be grabbing that." David grinned as grabbed the Overture off the newly barred idiot. With that he turned to Lucy who was looking at him with a look that could only be described as primal desire, he moved over to her and placed his hands on the bar.

Claire shook her head and decided to let the wannabe lovebirds provide the Afterlife with free entertainment. David slumped into a bar stool, things had been hectic, but now the crowd had settled the music blaring as normal. "So, what can I get you?" Lucy asked, a smile on her lips.

"Spend some time with a beautiful Bartender, anyway, can I get a Vodka and Purple NiCola?" Lucy grinned as she fetched his drink, with a smooth motion she cleared the bar and plopped herself into his lap.

"Better now?" Lucy asked impishly as she stole his drink. David sighed good-naturedly at the offence "You're going to…"

"Be stealing food, yes; drinks, yes. Clothing…yes…bed also yes."

"As much as I'd love to see that happen, David…Madame Wakako has requested you for a job." Rogue stated, ghosting up to them silently. The duo barely reacted but Rogue noticed the twitch in her grandson's hands; the messed up Scav mission had left some serious scars on his psyche, Rogue hoped that Wakako’s mission wouldn’t leave him with more.

"It's not until tomorrow, and, David a word?" David gulped, finished his drink, only to find two Silverhands waiting for him.

He walked drinks in hand, he found himself in a familiar booth. This time with just his Grandmother "Have a seat." David sat and slid one of the drinks to his grandmother whom smirked at him "You've got my dislike for carbonation…"

"What's this about grandma? Really what's this about?" David asked taking a sip opposed to his grandmother's gulp. Rogue chuckled "You've got your grandfather's restraint to savour than my tendency to gulp it down and drink others under the table. David, I, I can see what you're going through, a traumatic circumstance to traumatic circumstances…a trial of fire to impress even Morgan Blackhand, but, you've got no release or even an output, even though that could be changed if you told her."

David bristled "Well I'm sorry! I'm sorry that I'm not the grandson that you wanted but I'm the one you've got. I'm sorry I don't achieve your expectations! All I've had is my mother, and, the only person I've had to guide me has been my mother. If that's all…" David began to stand up.

"Sit…" David stopped but obeyed, his hands lay on the table and Rogue grabbed the pair of them. Rogue then tilted David's face to face her "...You've made me proud and your mother. Do not think that I'm not proud of you or love you; yes…the Great Fixer, Ruler of the Afterlife and Top Fixer of Night City, Rogue Amendiares has emotions. You are quite frankly…brilliant David Martinez-Amendiares, you have nothing to do that can raise or lower my expectations of you outside of the Family Business. But, you've got a brilliant girl out there who is DYING for you to make her yours permanently. You have a room here or to quote that infernal song 'I really want to stay at your house', all you have to ask her or show her that you want her. Have confidence in yourself and everything else will take care of itself."

With that Rogue released her grandson before, pulling him into a hug. "Just…stay safe sexually with her. I don't want to be great-grandmother or my daughter to be a grandmother before you're 21 at the latest. Although your father would love to be a grandfather ASAP."

David smiled and nodded at her "Anything else? Who was the guy with the dreadlocks?"

Rogue pursed her lips "Boa Boa Weyland, of the Living Legends he's arguably the most dangerous. The fact that he's alive after fooling me into thinking he's dead says something of his skills."

David nodded "Doesn't Blackhand do that?"

Rogue snorted "That's his trademark. Now go, you've got a woman to claim and a job to do."

David nodded and left.

Lucy looked up to see David coming back, the look in his eye. She licked her lips, her eyes widened as he, cleared the bar, wrapped his arms around her kissed her on the lips "I want you and no-one else." He whispered in her ear, as he nestled his leg between her causing her to tremble in excitement. "Where do you wanna go?" Came a sultry soft reply.

"I really want to stay at your house." David replied. Lucy turned so he could get a good look at her breasts encased in the seemingly paper-thin leotard. "Done, David, however…you're mine and I am not going to be done with you until I am the only woman you can think of bedding and the only woman you'll bring to either bed."

David smirked as he stroked her neck with his metallic arm "That sounds like you've got another woman in your mind." Lucy's blush and tightened grip caused him to smirk. "Who?"

"No-one." The thought of Becca and her and David were hastily repressed.

Chapter Text

Bloodlines 12

The smell of breakfast being cooked, and the coldness of it being her on her own in bed, woke her up. She looked at her arms and legs, there was still evidence of pressure urticaria, pressure placed on them.

Lucy turned bright red as she remembered what happened. She'd brought David back to her place and the moment they'd slid the door shut. She shuddered, she looked down to see that her belly was still slightly inflated from how much David came.

She smiled serenely as she remembered that, with a little provoking and sexual teasing; David had become a monster! It would be so much fun, investigating his kinks and desires! She'd loved it when he'd grabbed her by the head, forced her onto her knees on her batteries and rammed his dick down her throat; followed by him pushing her onto her back, wrapping her legs around his waist as he fucked her across the floor. Who knew that rug burn could be so delicious.

She got up and headed towards the kitchen table. David's back was to her, her stomach rumbled as she heard the sound of eggs crack into the pan. "How do you like your eggs?"

"Unfertilised normally…but yours…fertilised…maybe." Lucy replied absentmindedly. David nearly dropped the pan as a strangled cough rocked his body. "Oh…scrambled please."

David grunted as he found a second pan and scrambled some eggs. He cracked the eggs into the pan, whisking them and slowly adding milk and cheese. At that moment a small ding reverberated around the small kitchen. David looked at his nude lover "Please be seated."

Lucy scrambled for her seat as David plated up. "How…when?"

David raised an eyebrow "You really want to know? Or do you just want to accept that your boyfriend has some skills?"

"No…maybe…when did you learn to cook?" Lucy's eyes rolled into her head as she bit on the synth-sausage. "I taught myself. If you think I'm good with actual groceries you should see what I can do with Scop and Kibble."

"Normally I'd be accusing you of trying to seduce me."

David snorted "I think that was more the other way around. When you stuck your tongue down my throat when I was covered in scav-blood." He chewed on his bacon as he looked at the Goddess in front of him.

Lucy couldn't help but smile as every move she did, David was following in anticipation. "Well someone's horny." She commented, as she enjoyed David's eyes on her.

"So you're saying that you don't want me to give you another round or three?" Lucy blushed, David grinned as he took her by the hand. "What's wrong Lucy? Do you want more?"

Lucy nodded "I want more." She murmured looking at him. "I want so much more."

David smirked at her "You ask and you shall get…what's the worst that can happen?"

"You say no." She replied "You and I have been talking. It's fine to say no?" She questioned curiously, David could almost feel the edge of nerves permeating from her. 

"Precisely." Lucy found David taking her by the hands and gently pulling her away from the table. David pulled her to him, so she had a view of his neck and throat. She tentatively rested her head against him. "Hey… what is it now?"

"Scared…I'm scared you're going to leave me."

David ran a hand through her hair, causing her to squirm into the feeling much like a cat. His hand rested on the back of her head, he grabbed her hair so he could look into her eyes "I'd…have to be chromed to the gills to even consider that. Besides, if…what you told me just now was true…that's something that excites me."

Lucy's eyes widened as she stared into David’s brown one. "You…you…mean…" She tried to look down at her gradually decreasing belly.

"At some point. You once asked me…if I had a dream. The answer is I still don't, but, I'm beginning to realise what I want in my life. Wherever, you want to go…if you want this Idiot from Santo Domingo to go with you…"

Lucy smiled "You're My Idiot, yes…you're not streetsmart but…I like you, I want you. I'm going to keep you."

(Afterlife)

Gloria turned to Soap "Johnny…" 

"Yeah?" Soap was out dealing with business, for Rogue and Price was doing some cleaning-up work for Regina Mills. Leaving John behind with Squama, Claire, Emmerick and Nix.

"Is this about David and Lucy?" He asked as he joined her at the bar. Gloria had slowly been developing her own reputation, not as a solo, but one of a no-bullshit MedTech. Yeah she charged through the nose but when you realise that you're getting patched up in the Afterlife by a woman who according to Viktor…was the best MedTech he'd ever seen…people were more than willing to pay her prices.

Besides the regulars of the Afterlife weren't skint so they paid up. “It is…I was wondering if…”

“You’re worried that David will make the same mistakes you did. Listen, Gloria…I’m not going to lie…but it’s incredibly likely that he will. However, he has you…he has the Boss…he’s got the squad. You’d be surprised at how many people, after learning they’re going to be a dad change. It might feel like David’s going to get some girl knocked up but…let’s be honest here, you like her already?”

Gloria snorted “I do. Lucy has got this way with her, that, you can’t help but give her a hug and say it’s going to be alright.”

(Lucy and David)

They were lying on her bed, again, Lucy was resting her head on David’s chest “How are you so good at this?” She murmured as kept David’s flaccid member inside her.

“I…pushed…XBD’s. Don’t we have job to do for Wakako?” Lucy questioned.

David nodded “We do.” He sighed, “I’d rather spend the day with you in bed but I’ve got work to do.”

Lucy pouted at that but her eyes turned orange “Babe, I’ve got to deal with Maine.”

David smirked as he got dressed and pulled out his mask, sliding it down over his face “Tell him I said hi.”

Lucy nodded, before standing by the window giving David a wonderful view of her ass. David closed his eye and headed out, the sooner this was done…the sooner he could return to Lucy. Thankfully, Lucy lived on the Edge of Tyger Claw territory so David managed to find his way to the pachinko parlour.

“Can I help you?” A tattooed Claw asked, as David entered. David’s kiroshi optic went green as he scanned the pachinko parlour. “Eight Claws, all armed with Smart-weapons and tantos.” “I’m here for a job…something between the Lady of Westbrook and the Queen of the Afterlife.”

The Claw gulped and he retreated behind a beaded curtain. David heard the conversation ‘Okada-Sama, the Edgerunner from the Afterlife is here.’

David found himself being led into the back of the parlour “Ah. You must be the Edgerunner that Rogue said she would send to me.”

“I am.” David replied beneath his mask.

Wakako looked at him “It is a simple gig, one…to gauge your potential to me. One of my children’s couriers has gone missing. You’re to go to his last known location, find the package and finish his delivery.” 

David nodded “Your instructions should I find a third party with it?”

“If the NCPD have gotten it, then, inform me. If it’s another gang, then, I leave it to your best judgment.”

David nodded, bowed and set off. He picked up the chip from a Claw from Outside. He slotted it and a reconstructed humanoid variation of the previous courier began to move through the streets of Night City.

He mimicked the courier move for move, and combined with his training, he belatedly found himself getting a few stares of admiration and a few whistles as he ran up, across and vaulted a few walls as he followed his mark.

He quickly found his mark, but no cargo. That was immediately obvious, the lack of overt presence of the Tyger Claws was obvious. David sighed, as he watched the phantasmal version of the idiot he was tracking drop dead and the case scatter into…Maelstrom Territory. He took a breath and stepped into the territory, the chip he’d inserted directed him towards a rundown building.

Walking around it, he found a ground-floor window that over-looked the hallway was littered with turrets.

From his position, he looked to see rickety ladder, that might support his weight and get him onto the roof. He took three steps up the wall and onto the ladder. He grinned as he used his non-noodle arms…he'd owe Soap a drink for those punishing exercises but they had paid off.

He'd made it onto the roof. He pulled out his sidearm and with his kiroshi optic working overtime, he found nothing on the roof; bar an empty door. His optic began throwing up notifications of blood, locations of deactivated camera’s and the remains of the Maelstrom. David, took a moment to calm his breathing and he descended into the cairn below. 

The smell almost made him want to vomit. It was like the intruder, had torn into the Maelstromers with little more than his own fists and teeth, there was no evidence of gunshots. “David…this is Soap. How copy?”

“Soap…thank god you’re there. Little unnerved.”

“How so? Aren’t you meant to be doing a milkrun for Wakako on behalf of Rogue?”

“No shit, Dad, …nothing too taxing but… when I’m traipsing through a fucking cairn of mangled Maelstrom; someone either fucking strong or psycho.”

“Where are you?”

“In a Maelstrom hideout, just outside of Westbrook.”

“That’s a new one. I thought they were normally around Kabuki.”

“Yeah…that’s what I thought. Anyway, I’m here because they’ve got a package that needs to be delivered.”

“Good luck. Remain on communications, I’m going talk to Nix, see what’s happening. Also, you do realise that you just called be dad.”

“Would it matter greatly, to you, if I did?”

David smirked as heard Soap trip over his feet and his mom giggle “Erm…possibly, I mean…I’m…”

“You’re doing the vertical and horizontal tango with my mom. She’s probably listening right now." David had scoured the house, he'd found a relatively intact bag and was stuffing firearms and ammo into it.

Along the way, he'd found several mouse traps and rolls of tape. As he informed his stepdad, he could imagine the man rubbing his hands together. “All you need is some black powder, then the fun begins.”

“How would you know this?”

“Remind me to talk to you about Las Almas, The City of Souls, in Mexico…not the state…the nation.”

David nodded as he crept around the second floor, he paused…he wasn’t alone. “David…This is Nix, I’ve tapped into your Sandevistan…had a…minor dispute with an additional set of eyes on you…now I’m hacking into the cameras around the building.” Nix’s no-nonsense attitude voice reverberated into his ear.

“I wasn’t…”

“Anticipating any backup? Someone’s screwing with you, by screwing with you, they’re screwing Rogue. Before you even ask about the Netrunning thing, it’s simply the basics…with a few other bells and whistles…I count two people. Three of you in total.”

David nodded as he crept down the stairs. He heard a Japanese-accented voice coming along the floor below, his path of patrol or investigation was coming up by the stairs as David was reaching the bottom. David activated the Sandevistan, time slowed, and he began to move. The Agent turned out to be an Arasaka Counter-Intelligence Operative, stupid gonk didn’t think to illuminate the stairwell before moving his back to it.

Under the influence of the Sandevistan, David rushed up behind him, wrapped his bionic arm across the Counter-Intelligence throat and with his organic arm supporting it, he darted back quickly. Then deactivated the Sandevistan, the sudden increase in pressure forcibly exhaled the oxygen from the Agent, and they went limp. “Nice takedown. Using the Sandevistan to do such a thing…might have broken their jaw. You should have scanned for TT…I’ve got you covered this time. You owe me a Bushido 2.” Nix drawled.

David sighed "Will see what I can do." He fleeced the Agent of the firearm and eddies. The firearm turned out to be an extremely well-modified Constitutional Arms Unity. With his new weapon in hand, David scoured the building; it wasn’t until he got into the main room of the building did things take a spin.

The room looked at an auction for Militech Weaponry and the case he was looking for was on the table. However, between the stairs where David was located, the case and all of the firepower he could ever want was a kid. “What do you want kid?”

“I’m here for the case.”

The stranger looked at him, and lit a cigar “You’ve got my attention and curiosity.”

“I’m not sure if that’s a good thing or a bad thing, sir.”

“Respectful too…Call me…M.”

“Okay, M…what would I have to do, for me to be able to walk out of here with that case and deliver the contents…”

M chuckled “You said the case…not…the case and its contents. As an Edgerunner you’ve got to know your parameters and how to work ‘em. Take the case and go…I’ll find you when I need you.”

David took the case, holstered his new Unity and slid out of the front door and back onto the streets of Night City. With the package secured, David followed the directions to the address; revealing it to be a rundown maisonette, he made his way up the stairs and to the door and with that he banged on the door. 

Chapter Text

Bloodlines 13

David found himself staring down the barrel of a neon-pink and green Lexington, wielded by Rebecca of all people; clad in panties and a bra, revealing a tapestry of bright pink tattoos on porcelain white skin. “What do you want? Who the fuck are you?”

David remained quiet “Got a package for…Pillar? Maisonette 2?” He eventually rasped before tentatively bringing the briefcase up. The girl's eyes widened before she let out a guffaw at her brother's name mispronunciation “It’s Pilar. Not Pillar, although, choom, I’m calling him that at some point. But yeah PILAR! COME AND GET YOUR SHIT!”

There was the sound of jolting and somebody hitting the floor; then Specsavers opened the door. Pilar’s visor turned yellow in astonishment “Whose the gimp?” David rasped behind his mask audibly.

“A gimp? I’ll have you know Specsavers…I’ve got a package for a guy called Pillar. Not sure if that’s you, I mean…I’ve had an interesting time getting these to you.”

Pilar’s visor flashed blue “Oh it’s you! Maines’ brat.”

“DIMPLES! What’s with the mask?” Rebecca chirped as Pilat’s elongated arms reached out for the briefcase. “One moment, Rebecca. Payment Pillar.”

“It’s Pilar…Becca…” Pilar began.

“Go screw yourself. It’s your shit, you pay him… and you better fucking tip him; he needs compensation for dealing with your tumour of a face. I bet he’s got better things to do.” She ranted.

“Erm…Lucy would probably agree with the latter half of that. Mom, Grandma and Soap would say be a normal teen. Although, that’s contradictory as I’m MEANT to be dead. Hence the mask; might disguise my identity or at least make people think I’m fucking ugly. Anyway, Pilar…” David drawled, or attempted to; his mask muffling some of the intentions but enough carried over.

His eyes flickered orange as 3500 Eddies were transferred into his account. David nodded, and then without taking his mask off he contacted Wakako.

W: Ah…Martinez, I see you managed to deliver the package with no…difficulties, I see?

D: Okada-Sama, I tracked the package to a house full of Maelstrom. I entered through the roof to discover the place was a Cairn. Arasaka Counter-Intelligence, a Man known as ‘M’ were in the building with me. 

W: Hhhhmmm…very good. Your fee shall be passed to you momentarily, along with, a bonus has been included. 

David grinned as he accepted the transfer request “It feels so good to get paid.”

Rebecca grinned, she cheered and launched herself around David’s waist as Pilar grabbed the case, cackled and shut himself back in his room; like a demented spider. David kept his mask on, and eyed the room containing Pilar, the squeals and the cackling had very much subsided; now it appeared that he was…crooning over something. “Dimples…that’s how he gets. Thankfully, we’ve managed to get some air in here.”

“Ah…that’d explain the musk levels.” Rebecca looked at him with wide eyes, she snorted as he got up from the sofa. “Yeah…I’m not sure if that sofa’s ever going to be cleaned properly again.” Rebecca’s face contorted into a snarl.

"Those two…they're a rabid pair of randy stoats on glitter. They've ruined my sofa." Rebecca growled, causing David to back away slowly. David hadn’t really met Becca outside of that initial meeting back in the Afterlife. He removed the mask “Why are you…oh, Ghost right?”

“No. Although Ghost did have an influence on it, I’m meant to be dead. I’d much rather keep it like that.”

Rebecca nodded “That makes sense…and…please…how did you know about the levels of musk?”

David snorted and tapped his cybernetic eye “This. Vik installed it and ensured that it was working at maximum efficiency; what he didn’t know was that as it was the latest model, at the moment of installation it applied all previous patches to Kiroshi Optics automatically…hence…musk and stale sweat readings; it does some other stuff for BDs.”

Becca scrunched her nose up at that “Choom…that’s far too much. What’re you planning to do now? I mean you’ve got no more work to do.”

“Planning on heading to Afterlife, and getting some more driving lessons in. Apparently, the only thing I’m worse at shooting is my driving.” Becca raised an eyebrow “Try me.”

“First time behind a wheel, I think I’ve got in first gear I’m going in reverse right into a Scav-vehicle. I activate the Sandevistan…and suddenly we’re airborne, upside down going down the road. I have never seen Ghost look so damn terrified before.” Rebecca could only stare in utter disbelief at him.

“Well, choom…welcome to Rebecca Driving School 101. If you can’t drive by the end of this well…you’ve got no hope. Come on Dimples! Don’t make me put a bullet in your knee.”

David snapped to follow Becca and absentmindedly plucked the keys out of thin air. D: Claire!

C: How’s my favourite minion? Are you showing up for work today or are you too busy interfacing.

D: He choked on his saliva at the comment No-no…Will be in. Just letting you know, I’ll be attempting to drive…again.”

C: You know…Dean and I are planning to be doing some street racing soon. If you want…you could be…the driver? She finished. David’s lack of driving skills was legendary in the Afterlife. It didn’t harm his chances of getting mercenary work at all; she’d overheard Task 141 and Rogue’s own in-house crew making and comparing notes to make David, a well-rounded Operative. Not a solo, any idiot with training and some luck could be a Solo; but, an Operative…if one could learn skills even the most rudimentary of things from other fields such as basic first aid or hotwiring a car, or being able to fieldstrip a firearm in combat…they were additional tools you could use to increase your chances of surviving a Firefight in Night City and on jobs gone wrong.

D: I’ll…think on that. See you shortly.

Becca led him down to a MaiMai that "Becca…is this yours?" David asked gesturing to the Neon pink and green MaiMai. "She's my baby! If you fuck her up, I'll fuck you…"

"I'd have to see if Lucy would be interested in a three-way…sorry. I break the MaiMai you break me?" David quipped, Rebecca squeaked and turned red as she tracked what she'd just heard. "Yeah. Now come on David, let's see what you can do."

With that, Rebecca swayed her hips and waited for David to get into the MaiMai. Rebecca couldn’t help but laugh as the large David folded himself more or less in half, to fit into Rebecca’s modified MaiMai. Rebecca pulled out her phone as she got in and snapped a picture. “Hey Lucy, figured this might make you laugh choom!”

(Lucy)

Her destination, her usual haunts on the shallow net. No-one was on 77Chat which was a relief. She briefly scanned it, her heart stilled, more posts about her having a joytoy. The one picture she’d sent, the one of the pair of them had been ridiculed. She logged out, to find a swirling mass of pixelated distortions waiting for her.

She kept her guard up, and readied a quick hack but the pixelation stopped. Her eyes widened, “I thought…”

“That you were the only one, to run? To live? To survive those bastards?” The figure retorted. Lucy nodded “You…you…you were in the Camera’s. You kept saying sorry.”

“For all my skill, despite killing six Arasaka Clean Up Teams without even a thought, with compromised sockets and a smoking Deep Dive Port; I still managed to kill the my closest Clean Up Team, hack the cameras and save you…but I killed the other four members of your creche. I’m sorry for that. Lucyna…I’m glad you’re alive. I’m glad you made it. Also…congratulations, does he make you happy?”

Lucy nodded “More than anything. How can I contact you if I have problems with…boys? I don’t remember your name.”

“Just your dear old Wrath. Lucy, Wrath with his crooked heart…he’s looking out for you.” With that the figure was gone. Lucy looked and in the corner of her Avatar’s eye saw that she had a message; it was from Becca. It wasn’t completely out of Rebecca’s nature to randomly send her messages.

With curiosity she opened it and her eyes widened, tears welled but that was before she took a moment to analyse it. She began to giggle, Rebecca and David were in her MaiMai and David’s face set her off. David’s face was twisted into one of confusion and a little bit of discomfort, both of his hands were on the steering wheel.

Lucy saved it before finding Gloria’s number “Hey Gloria…got this from Rebecca.”

(Gloria)

Gloria popped her neck and turned in her bed, there was the familiar sensation of Soap; he was facing her, his organic arm on her hip. It had been a quiet day so Soap had taken her out for food before they’d had to get a room at a hotel where they were pretty sure they’d caused a few noise complaints.

She slowly got her phone, to see she’d got numerous messages. The most interesting one was from her daughter-in-law. She’d never seen David get flustered over anyone before. She did it find it funny that Rebecca was helping to teach David to drive.

G: Lucy…this is gold. Also, R…sorry about the car.

R: What are you talking about? He’s driving like a champ.”

G: David’s what…I remember talking to Ghost about how David managed to flip a car from a standing start.

R: Nah choom, you’ve gotta get him to relax. 

L: What did you do? Hey…hey…Gloria. Rebecca…you’ve got to get my boyfriend to relax about what?

R: Woah…woah…Luce…Ain’t nothing happening, just simple saying that David…needs to have nothing happening before he starts driving. Something, something, a doctor might actually know something about, something something. Anyway we’re headed to the Afterlife.

L: See you there.

“What’s got you so smiley?” Soap mumbled as rolled his head and neck to get a better look at her.

“David’s got a new driving instructor, so far, no accidents. However, Lucy has sent me, us, this pic.” 

Soap rested his jaw on her shoulder “Oh really? Just what am I looking at?”

Gloria gazed at him “You know how MaiMai’s are made from plastic forks and lawnmower motors?”

Soap nodded “Aye…Oh no. David…no offence Gloria, with all of his surgeries he’s the better part of six feet. Not actually got his height records. God that’s going to be painful…but wonderful blackmail material.” Soap groaned and he rolled out of bed, Gloria remained in it watching her new boyfriend get dressed.

“You enjoying the show?”

“The After-Show, yes, I much preferred the main event.” Eventually, after a bit of fooling around, the pair of them left the hotel room. Soap left the key on the desk, then, they entered the elevator and headed for the underground parking. They piled into Soap’s vehicle, which was mostly clean…if not for the five different firearms that littered the inside of the car. 

“When I’m driving, I use my own car. Most chauffeuring jobs prefer that I bring my own vehicle. It also helps that a few guests have firearms training or are learning firearms. So…sorry about the mess.”

Gloria could only shake her head “At least I know…I'm in well-protected company, in more ways than one."

Soap let out a soft snort "You've been hanging out with us for too long. What happened to the exasperated redhead, who was nonchalantly plugging her son's wounds, where's she gone?"

“She’s still here, John, just after spending seventeen years of looking out for herself and her son, found the company and companionship of an exceptionally talented Solo. Who…despite knowing who her mother is and the long shadow she casts, wormed his way into her heart with food and drinks, then made her feel like she was someone again. Plus, you and David get along really well."

John chuckled "He's a kid that is hard to dislike. Anyway…let's go. I want to see his attempt at parking."

(Lucy)

Forgoing her Unitard, and shoving it into a bag, along with a pair of her boots. Lucy looked around her meager wardrobe before grinning softly.

There they were…a pair of denim jeans and David's shirt…or rather her shirt. She'd acquired it shortly after David's first mission with Scavs. She looked around her apartment, ensuring she had everything. Her mind was made up, she was going to have a stash of clothes at the Afterlife and David was going to have some at hers.

She left the apartment and headed for the elevator. She walked out when she noticed him; with his trademark hat and cigar in mouth, The Captain ghosted his way over to her. "Lucy."

"Uncle." Lucy replied, tentatively hugging him which he reciprocated. 

The Captain snorted "Looking good…neat disguise, however its lacking slightly."

Lucy cocked her head "How so?"

"Your hair, kiddo." Rumbled Ghost, Lucy felt her heart.

"You weren't meant to see me. I'm a specialist in clandestine warfare; yes, I know wearing a skull mask is what I'm known for which is what you were scanning for. You did see me…actually, before clocking your Uncle."

Lucy looked at the duo "Why? What do I…"

Ghost snorted "You fail with the first question. Second is better, quite simple: The Boss is invested in David's happiness and you're part of it. Whenever you're not with him, or he's out on gigs…you're going to get some tailored lessons from the pair of us, which include sneaking, evasive driving, sabotage, assassination and a little bit of martial arts. But first of all, you're going to need a hat and a bit of a new wardrobe."

"But my Unitard…"

"All but Labels you as a Netrunner. You're probably marked for death the moment you do something too stupid on the net. What we're doing is giving you additional skills for meatspace…as you Runners would do it."

Lucy nodded "Let's go then."

Chapter Text

Bloodlines 14

Emmerick saw them first. He activated his optic recording, as a neon Pink and Green MaiMai roared past the Afterlife; before turning rather smoothly and parked perfectly parallel to the curb. The passenger side door opened and out jumped Rebecca shortly followed by David Martinez; the six-foot-something teen didn’t as much climb out, it was more like he crawled out of the cramped MaiMai, Emmerick smirked. 

David was a good kid, a brilliant worker…but at times he was astonishingly naive. Emmerick smiled softly to himself, Gloria Amendiares she'd done a fine job raising such a decent human being in David. Emmerick was certain that Maine, it really wasn't too hard to work out David’s paternal heritage. Whether David noticed it, he walked like his father with purpose and precision and the nervous twitch in Maine it was in the hands the rhythmic tapping, in David the bounce of his foot.

The fact Maine had chromed up so much and hadn't yet fallen too Cyberpsychosis, yet, was a surprise for everyone who’d met him. “Not bad, Dimples, not bad at all. No crashes, fifteen stalls and three near flips but you’ll be able to drive.”

Emmerick looked at the duo "Miss…would you be willing to show us? There's a gambling pot just shy 30k that David shouldn't be able to drive." 

"You cut me in say…10% then sure." Emmerick nodded and let the duo in.

"David…you're not double-dipping are you?" David froze and turned to face Emmerick; as the duo made eye-contact Emmerick felt like he was staring down Rogue after he'd fucked up. "I do not appreciate that sentiment. Becca and I are friends."

There was no hostility, but, the level-headed answer unnerved the gargantuan doorman. David entered the Afterlife with Rebecca, it was a little after 14:15pm, as long as David put in his 8-10 hours in the Afterlife, He was free to do what he wanted.

"Hey, Claire." 

Claire grinned "Sup. David, Hey Rebecca. David…"

"I know. Sex on the Beach, long on the Grenadine and short on the Orange and two Brosephs." Rebecca stared at him in amazement “How…”

“I’m a bartender. It’s my business to know, a good bar has decent members of staff who should know the regulars. I even know that the four-eyed guy in crimson…favours a single-malt-synth-scotch ten years old on the rocks, poured at exactly 45degrees.”

“Why 45degrees?” Rebecca asked curiously.

“Something to do with the texture and flavour released at that angle. It’s either that or…”

“He’s being a prick.” Rebecca cut in taking a swig from one of her brosephs.

“Nah…a single drop of water which unlocks the flavour.”

Rebecca raised an eyebrow “And how would you know that?”

“Soap and my Mom are together, he’s a Scot…he knows this sort of thing. However, the 45-degree angle is malarky. Anyway…your Sex on the Beach…long on the virginity and short on the orange.” Rebecca choked on the drink and nearly exhaled it through her nose over the bartender.

“Choom…you’re not…”

“Not what?” David replied as he re-stocked the liquor wrack behind him. His drink of choice currently was that of a NiCola Blue; he wasn’t supposed to be drinking whilst behind the bar. He finished stacking the wrack as the man in red arrived at the bar.

“Can I help you, sir?” David asked politely as he started to pull a draft broseph for a MedTech, said MedTech looked like he’d been through hell. “Just that pint of Broseph for now, and, any food? If you’ve got it.”

David nodded "Claire…we got a food menu?"

Claire looked over "Not really. Not many people really ask for food but we've got nuts and chips for certain. However, depending on what he wants we can throw something together."

David flicked his right fourth and third cybernetic fingers. "We've got nuts and chips…unless you're looking for something substantial."

The MedTech rolled his neck decompressing it "If I can get a sandwich…anything between two slices of bread." David nodded and he headed out of the bar, through a door in the back of the bar. The door opened into the familiar labyrinth of staircases before descending to a lower-level kitchen.

Squama was in the kitchen making a sandwich. "Kid."

"Squama. What’s the sandwich?”

“Ham and Cheese with some Tomatoes why?”

“Got a MedTech up at the bar, asking for something substantial but simple.”

Squama nodded and handed him the sandwich “Green hair? Green eyes with a look that says ‘I can’t be fucked to people’?”

David snorted “I took it as ‘Give 1me a reason to be Traumatic.’” Squama snorted “I know him. He’s a good guy, the only reason Rogue doesn’t approach him is because he’s closer to cyberpsychosis without going over the edge.”

David whistled slowly, he took the sandwich, sent Squama a transfer request only for it to be rejected “I’ll bring it up with Rogue. Drinks only get you so far.” David nodded and ascended back to the bar, the MedTech was happily munching…more…devouring a packet of nuts as he arrived. David tentatively placed the sandwich down only for it to leave the plate before he could place it down. “Thanks.”

David accepted the payment request, he poured the man another drink as a sharp cough caught his attention. "I'll be with you in a moment."

He'd just finished pulling the pint when the cough happened again. David looked the cougher "Do you need a cough sweet?"

"I am wonderful. Although I dare say the quality of the Afterlife's bar staff has decreased greatly." The man in red with four eyes stated. David held his tongue for now "May I help you?"

“That depends…if you have anything worthwhile to consume.” David scanned the bar and saw another patron further down. 

“I didn’t say that I was finished.”

“Since you’re so indecisive, excuse me, I have a job to do.” David countered tensely. Something about the man gave him the creeps; David would consider himself fairly unflappable when it came to scumbags of Night City…however, there was something off with him. David floated down the bar. “I didn’t…” The man tried to respond to but David wasn’t listening.

The woman at the bar, looked at David like he’d been marked for death “Kid…do you realise whom you’ve just fobbed off?” She asked, her voice whilst neutral there was a faint undertone of worry.

“No…he was wasting my time, you hadn’t been seen to. So once he’s made his mind up I’ll go back to him. Why?”

“His name is Faraday…he’s a Fixer.”

David nodded “Okay…so that’s a big thing; I’m still not seeing how or why that’s my problem. I’m a bartender, he’s wasting my time. If he’s wasting my time then I’m not doing my job.” The woman snorted “Can I get a Johnny Silverhand and some nuts.”

“Alright.” Without looking, David began to make the drink. He slid the drink to her and grabbed a bag of nuts from under the bar.

“Faraday’s a fixer…”

“He’s one of the Top 10…you need to…” David nodded.

“I get it. Tread lightly around him. I’ll ignore him and not do any work for him.”

The woman chuckled “You’re demonstrating some major testicular fortitude doing that…You’ve got to have a major backer to simply brush him off. Especially…Sorry, I’m Twitch.”

David nodded “D…I’m not about to give you my meat name. Anyway, can I help you Soap?” He asked causing Twitch to yelp, Soap had become a fixture recently of the Afterlife, normally found on the floor circulating the bar.

“D. Rogue wants you to run a bottle of Tequila up to her.”

This wasn’t good if Rogue hadn’t personally seen the exchange between Faraday and him, then it was a very good chance that one of the many Netrunners who worked for Nix, and, subsequently Rogue. He snagged the bottle, and turned “Becca…come on. I’m cutting you off.”

“But Dimples…”

“Becca…you’re here only because you’re with me. So if you fuck around and find out…it looks bad on me.” David stated, his brown visible eye hardening as he stared down the short-tempered short stack of a Solo. Becca held his gaze before smirking “Only if you run me a tab…dimples.”

“No rep, no tab. That’s not me saying I wouldn’t, I literally can’t. Claire would beat my ass like a kick-drum before Rogue gets involved. It’s the hard rule of the Afterlife, along with Fuck Around and Find Out. Come on…we don’t keep…my…boss waiting.”

Becca nearly missed the first pause but she definitely caught the second one. “Come on Dimples, don’t leave me hanging. What were you really going to say? Is this on the level of Maine being your dad?”

David faltered, he’d forgotten Becca had been present for that exchange “That’s…a difficult story. Come on.” Soap was waiting for them with Nix, Squama was in the booth chowing down on an impressive sandwich. 

“Please tell me the Afterlife covers Squama’s food expenses because that looks like a full loaf of bread.” Squama scowled at David, “Only half a loaf.”

“In total or per sandwich?”

The tension could be cut with a knife but Squama eventually murmured “Per sandwich…when I get hungry, I get cranky…”

“No need to start quoting pre-krash comics, I get the reference. Anyway, boss…here’s the Tequila.” 

Rogue snorted as she watched the exchange and took the bottle “David…sit down, take a load off. I overheard your exchange with Faraday.”

David nodded “I thought it was that.” He took the moment to scan the room, he picked up The Captain and Ghost and someone he hadn’t noticed…hang on. The only thing that gave her away was her boots, clad in skinny jeans, crop top and a long-sleeved jacket with a beanie covering her hair.

“Took you long enough,” Lucy smirked as she left her small mountain of shopping and slid into the booth next to David and rested her head on his shoulder.

“What’s this about boss? Is this a kin-thing or a boss-thing?”

Rogue raised an eyebrow “Why do you need to ask?”

“I can’t read you…then again I can’t read anyone. I’d like to learn if I’ve fucked up and if so how badly.”

Lucy unwilling to move her head rolled her eyes up at him “What did you do?”

“My grandson effortlessly blew Faraday off.”

Becca looked like she’d been slapped with a fish and she looked at David, then at Rogue and back again. “The fuck, Rogue, David’s your grandson…holy shit.”

David winced “Thank you for shouting that for the entirety of the Afterlife and giving more enemies than before. So yes, Rogue is my grandmother, and, no I didn’t brush Faraday off. He was wasting my time, and being indecisive; so I told him I was serving someone else and I’d come back once he made up his mind on his drink.”

Price snorted “Good move. Unfortunately, Faraday is a prickly piece of shit and you not pandering to him, to him, is seen as you intentionally brushed him off.” David poured out a round of tequila and he knocked his straight back. “Rogue…how easy it would it be for me to avoid working anything organised by Faraday?”

Rebecca chimed in “Luce and I work for your old man, who works for Faraday, the last thing you want to do is intentionally perform a job with your dad…right now. Faraday considers Maine and by extension his crew as his…” David’s eye hardened and he reached into his pocket.

“David…I get it. You want to put a bullet in his head, remember where you are.” Gloria stated as she placed her hand on his shoulder. “You execute him here in the Afterlife, no one here can protect you. No one in Night City would or could protect you. This is a sanctuary and mother told me that she had to bury mountains of corpses to get the Afterlife recognised as a Sanctuary.”

Ghost smirked "There it is, Rogue, the inner fire…David…honestly we, Soap, the Captain and I…we thought you didn't have what it had to survive as an Operative." David narrowed his eyes "Then why…bother."

Ghost snorted "Johnny…He said you have something to make it big in this Town. Never thought you did…well…not for the Major Leagues. It turns out you just need a target to focus on."

David stared his teacher down "What's happened with Jenkins? I've done a job for him and Wakako…"

Rogue chuckled "I saw you talking with Twitch…she's decent. You're next three jobs they're all for Padre."

"Ibarra!" David gaped, he might not be a devoted Catholic but he remembered the Holy Fixer.

Lucy grinned "Think I'll be able to join you on some jobs, David?"

"50/50…equal split." 

Lucy nodded "Im going to be looking forward to it." She squeezed David's hand, everyone noticed that it was the cybernetic arm.

"Thanks Lucy…" 

"Alright you two get out of here before we get a show." Rogue called out, David spied the mountain of bags and he grabbed them.

Lucy’s eyes widened "You didn't and don't…"

"They're yours and I want to…besides it's not often I've seen you laden down and looking…well not you." Lucy giggled "I'll get the door then."

"Becca you coming?" 

Lucy raised an eyebrow, Rebecca shook her head "I've got things to do, idiots to shoot you know."

Chapter Text

Edgerunners: Bloodlines 15

Lucy watched through the cameras as David, Rebecca with Soap as team leader, led the team of three over the compound's wall. “Overwatch to Bravo-1, two guards…conventional assault rifles, forty metres. Over.”

“Bravo-1 to Overwatch, copy that. I see them. Bravo-2, with me.” The rough tone of Soap dominated the airwaves, it was followed with a softer “Copy that Bravo-1.”

David and Soap snuck into the closest building, it was unlocked. Rebecca had decided to stay put and hide against the wall. She tensed as the guards appeared, and looked fleetingly over in her direction. She and Lucy were on call, but the sound of metal being drawn accompanied a grunt and groan with a muffled ‘Bravo-1…fucker bit me.’ ‘You had your fingers in his mouth when you gave him a Sweeney Todd. Also…good work.”

“Thanks. That’s something I want to be able to say to my kids. ‘When I worked with your grandpa, on our second job it got a little messy and he referred to me as a serial killer’.” 

Lucy choked “Bravo-2 to Overwatch…you okay?”

“Choked on a drink, Bravo-2. I’m good, check. The rest of you?”

“Bravo-1 to Overwatch, affirmative okay a little wet. Bravo-2 similar. Bravo-3 is pushing up now.” Soap replied.

“Bravo-3 with the squad. Also, Overwatch, what the fuck is up with these jank-ass codenames.” 

“Operational Procedure, Bravo-3. You’re on my operation, you’re operating with my rules.” Soap replied shutting Rebecca down. “Bravo-3, I got Overwatch and Bravo-2 out of bed at 4 am to get this job done. We need to get into the main building and into the camera office, shut down the cameras so the Queen’s other team can do their job unobstructed.” 

Lucy watched as David took off running for the building, he’d found the fire exit. He arrived as it swung open, her eyes widened as she watched David not even move from his spot but there was a knife in his hand, held in a reverse grip that was not there before and the guard was gone. “Bravo-2 to Bravo-1…we have our entry point.”

"Damn, Bravo-2 

, you’re quick and good. Does Overwatch had any cause to complain?”

“Bravo-3…let’s keep it professional. Keep that door open.” Soap called as he and Rebecca slipped into the main building allowing David to be the last man in. “Bravo-3 to Overwatch.”

“Overwatch to Bravo-3, send traffic.”

“We’re in, in the blind, copy?”

“Solid copy. You’re going to need to insert a chip of mine to ping and locate so I can examine the quickest route to the objective." Lucy replied.

"Bravo-2 to Overwatch…please repeat that negative understanding."

"Bravo-3 to Bravo-2, you need to insert a chip into a camera. How did you even land Overwatch…"

"Bravo-3…you take all the fun out of flustering Bravo-2. Bravo-2, I don't care that you're not a Tech-Head or that smart in regards tech; anyway slot a chip into a camera and I can do the rest."

In the front of the van, an unmasked Simon Riley grinned. Due to losing a bet with Rogue, he had to do this mission without any of his patented skull memorabilia. "Wheelman Actual to Bravo-1 how copy?"

"Solid check, Lt…what is it?"

"Johnny, how's your boy doing?"

Simon grinned as heard Johnny's rumbling laughter "He's improving, he's taken to your knife lessons rather well. I'm beginning to understand just how messed up a Sandevistan is."

Simon smirked "I need an update, Johnny…I need to get the van on site but I can't operate until Overwatch has an in with the cameras."

Soap grunted and from his position at the bottom of the stairs. Rebecca and David were on the side of the stairs. Twenty stairs up with a 45-degree angle, was a camera. Bravo-2 to Bravo-1…you see that Camera?"

"Aye, I see it Bravo-2…have you got a plan?"

"Yeah. You're going to need to throw me the chip, I’ll grab it with the Sandevistan and rush to the camera.” Soap nodded and chucked the chip. David popped his neck and the world slowed, this was so very new to him. This was the second time he’d fired up his Sandevistan on the same mission, he was getting accustomed to the time dilation of it. It didn’t stop Soap, Ghost and the Captain from hitting him with copious amounts of paintballs. “You might move fast that is true, but, speed isn’t going to save you unless you’re able to shoot back accurately.” Price had explained after nailing David in the testicles with three paintball rounds.

David picked the chip up smoothly in mid-flight and jumped up the stairs right underneath the camera. He slotted the chip and dived behind the wall as he spotted another camera, just beginning its rotation to face him. “Bravo-2 to Overwatch. You should now have a camera, be warned, might have been tagged by another camera.”

“Wheelman Actual to Bravo-2…It happens.”

“Overwatch to Wheelman Actual and Bravo-2, I’m in. Currently choking out the code in the camera, and now breaching the second camera…you’re clean Bravo-2. It caught a distortion of movement…but nothing out of the ordinary…Although two guards are heading your way, heavily armed.”

“Bravo-1 to Overwatch…what are they armed with?”

Lucy froze…She recognized the rifles, those were the exact same rifles used to kill her and her fellow Netrunners, the place where her mother had dumped her. “Overwatch to All Bravo…they are armed with Aka-Aishi Precision Rifles and Nowaki Assault Rifles with I count…four deployable heavy machine gun turrets and another six personnel armed with Satara’s, Testera’s and Palica’s…what is the connection?”

David turned to see Soap cursing “Bravo-1 to Overwatch…Satara, Testera and Palica are all shotguns made in Serbia by Rostovic. Rostovich have got the nickname of ‘Poor Man’s Alternative’, however, each of their guns is disgustingly modifiable. Satara is a Tech shotgun, Testera is a Power shotgun and the other one is that bullshit that Arasaka Elite’s have.”

“Bravo-3 to Bravo-1…you mean Arasaka has SMART Guns…that’s just bullshit.” Rebecca declared causing David to wince. “Bravo-2 to Overwatch.”

“Overwatch responding Bravo-2…”

“Update on the camera subjugation?”

“I’m in.”

“Hallelujah. See you on the otherside. Bravo-2 to Bravo-1 and Bravo-3.”

“Send traffic.” 

“We’re in. Overwatch has the field. We’re no longer in the blind. Let’s get what we came for and get out whilst we can.” Lucy smiled, despite being in a van with Nix, running background interference and with Price and Ghost as their bodyguards…also Price had stepped quite ably into the role of parental father figure. Lucy was slightly adrift. “Sapper to Overwatch…you’re drifting Overwatch. What’s bugging you?”

“Erm…”

“The answer is a lot. Overwatch.”

“Sapper a lot is going on…” 

“We’ve got time.”

“I’ve always lived my life on the run and behind barriers. I…I’ve not told anyone bar Kiwi, even then I’ve not Kiwi a lot. Can I trust you, Sapper?”

Nix froze “Are you asking for yourself or are you asking at the moment?”

“I’m asking as the granddaughter of Johnny Silverhand, the woman who's dating the grandson of your boss. I’m asking you, Nix, as Lucyna Kushinada, someone who was used as an Arasaka Personal Netrunner to retrieve every single byte of data from the Old Net and return to Arasaka.” Lucy replied. The net swirled around the duo gently brushing against their avatar states.

“You can…as long as you don’t break faith with Rogue or cause any more hardship than they've certainly endured. It'd be a crying shame as Gloria truly cares about you."

Lucy nodded "I've always had my head on a swivel, always keeping myself separated from others for fear of waking up and it all being a dream. Then David…how can anyone in this wretched hellhole of a City where you're either a microscopic insignificant cog in a vast megacorporation machine or you're trying to survive…produce someone as good, as gentle as David. Then he got injured…and is now an Edgerunner."

Nix nodded "I couldn't answer that. The only thing that I can tell you is happiness is created by yourself. And what you're telling me makes it feel like you're happy then…Er Lucy…they're getting a little bogged down with suppressing fire.

David hissed in pain, things had gone slightly off-kilter as the three of them rushed up the stairs. Soap had gone right and David left and into the path of a Mercenary carrying a Nowaki. It took three seconds for the agent to realise there was an intruder, and in the time it took for his hand to apply pressure to the trigger, David pulled the trigger on his Overture.

The Overture barked loudly, yes, it had been silenced but instead of a reverberating bang that would undoubtedly attract the attention of everyone in the facility, it was more of a sharp cough. David caught the man’s remains; his head was gone, reduced to nothing more than a fine mist. David holstered the silenced Overture and grabbed the downed Guards Nowaki Rifle. “Freeze!” A guard shouted, David ducked for cover as Rebecca let out a battle cry; pulled two Lexingtons from out of nowhere and started blasting.

“Bravo-1 to Bravo-2…what in the actual fuck?” Soap growled as he began to lay down suppressing fire. “Bravo-2 to Bravo-1…It looks like Bravo-3 decided to take the ‘Anyway, I started blasting…route’. Fucks sake Bravo-3…you’re turning me into…” Communications were cut off as a barrage of shotgun blasts slammed into the hiding place where David had been. 

Soap nodded as David rolled onto his feet and began running towards the office. There was the unmistakable sound of gears grating as the turrets began to deploy; out of the corner of his eye Soap observed that a hackbar was filling up only for it to cut out as a turret opened fire.

Rebecca cackled as she dive bombed her attackers. All of whom were equipped with the Serbian shotguns and were amongst them like a cat amongst pigeons. "FUCKING USELESS LIMP-DICKED PANSY ASS LUMPS OF FLESH! CANT EVEN USE A PROPER SHOTGUN OR SCORE A WOMAN!" She cackled as she shot the henchmen in the knees and then the heads. "Bravo-3 to Bravo-1! You allowing us to take souvenirs?"

"Use yer own initiative, lass. I'm not helping you get…David!" Rebecca turned to see David collapse his leg and arm sparking. There was a guy, in a netrunning suit right beneath a turret. The red lights turned silver before emerging from the speakers in the building was a distorted voice but it was still Lucy "Hey…waste of oxygen…no-one fucks my man save me." The turret spat a short violent burst reducing the netrunner into red paste.

Soap rushed up to the control panel and inserted another chip. "Bravo-1 to Wheelman."

"Send traffic, Johnny."

"We're done. Chip inserted…however…"

"A tonne of dead idiots. Get the door, we'll help tidy up and get your boy some tlc from his Misses."

Soap opened up the van door to the factory to find Ghost sitting outside the front. The moment the van pulled in, Lucy was scrambling out and into the slaughterhouse of guards. She scrambled up the stairs, one eye perpetually red and the cyberdeck on her wrist bleeping as she fired ping after ping. 

This was her and David's first mission together. Not together as a pair, but their first mission that they were working together on with David as the Solo and Her as the Overwatch. She found David on the ground, his arm and leg sparking; his face covered by the mask but the unearthly blue blue was sparking.

Lucy was immediately at his side, removing the mask. "David…David?" She grinned softly as she heard a faint groan. 

"L…Lu…Lucy? That you?" David rasped, he tried to move his cybernetic arm but it wasn't shifting. 

"David! You shouldn't be moving! I need to run some diagnostics." Lucy stated as she inserted her personal jack into his arm.

"Heh…Should get you into nurses outfit. Skirt and Blouse, pure white…even a stethoscope."

Lucy blushed red and slapped his shoulder "Then…"

"He's probably your most difficult patient, Lucy." Ghost drawled.

Lucy rolled her eyes at him "Yes. Yes he is. But. He's mine. Although I question where he learnt to be so difficult."

"Touché. Now are you selling tickets or jumping him in private?"

"Private…been too busy to do nothing more than sleep." Lucy replied “Ghost, make yourself useful and, put David on his feet.” She finished “He’s too heavy for me.” Ghost nodded and nearly flawlessly hauled David to his feet.

Ghost slung David’s cybernetic arm over his shoulder “You did good. You’re improving…nice idea using the Sandevistan. Where are the pair of you wanting to be dropped off?”

“My Megabuilding, Ghost. I’ll see you tomorrow for my lessons.”

“Sure thing duck. Nix, Johnny, Becca…we’ve gotta make a detour. Johnny, you’re dealing with Rogue as this was your job and David did well enough to consider it her fourth one cleared. The detour is dropping our Lucy and David outside Lucy’s place.”

“They selling tickets?”

“Nope. Private showing does give me time to pick up a gift for him.”

(45mins later 9:05 am)

The van rolled to a stop and Lucy scrambled out, whereas David nearly faceplanted onto the sidewalk. His leg and arm had regained some functionality, although that had been because Lucy had taken to running some maintenance on his leg and arm. “Lucy…have you thought about being a MedTech? With an emphasis on the Tech side?” David asked curiously as they made their way into the lift.

“No. Honestly, David…you’re the only person I would want to willingly work on.”

“Why?”

Lucy blushed “Is it wrong to say jealousy and the fact that you’re my Output?” David smiled at that “I’d say that makes you human.” The elevator opened and they made their way to Lucy’s apartment. Lucy couldn’t wait for the door to open and literally pulled David inside.

The door had barely shut before Lucy had pulled the mask off her man's face. His reinforced jacket and mask found themselves by the door alongside her jacket. Lucy locked her hands around the back of David's neck with her forearms on his shoulders, then applying pressure to his shoulders Lucy levered herself off the floor to wrap her legs around David's waist and captured his lips in a hungry kiss.

(Ghost and Soap)

"Lt, I heard you say something about a gift for David." Johnny questioned, they were back at the Afterlife in their own booth. Price and Squama were on Rogue Overwatch; Nix was getting some closed-net or whatever Netrunners did when they weren't working.

Gloria was downstairs and from how Rogue described it as 'Learning Anatomy blindfolded juggling a Grenade'. Soap snorted as he could picture the swearing his Lover would be spitting. He hadn't told her that he was fluent in Spanish; neither had Ghost. "Something funny, Johnny?"

"Gloria's face when she realises that I can speak fluent Spanish Lt."

"Johnny…you of all people should be able to call me Simon."

"Ach, I could, but I'm not going to yet Simon. Perhaps when or if I get out of this life."

Ghost snorted "Have you ever wondered what you were going to do when you got out?"

"I'd find something, maybe, work or own a bar or I don't know. We've been in far too many high pressure situations to even contemplate getting out. I should be dead, Ghost…that still keeps me up at night." Ghost cocked his head slightly.

"London?"

Soap nodded jerkily "London, the Tunnel, Kyle…he was quicker…"

"Is quick…Johnny. He is quick, the cheeky bastard is alive. I digress."

"Makarov had me at gunpoint…" Soap gestured to his side indicating his spleen "Kyle put around grazing me shattering Makarov's kneecap. His fucking handcannon takes a chunk out of my face and I'm needing BioTechnica Facial Reconstruction."

Ghost snorted "I shouldn't laugh but…"

Soap shook his head. 'I didn't look like I hit the good looks tree after that." The duo stopped as Gloria wrapped her arms around Soap "What's this about the good look tree?"

"Thinking, Gloria…" Soap took a swig of beer, got out of his seat allowing Gloria to slide in. Ghost slid her a beer "Gloria…I was talking with John and I was thinking about getting David a guitar."

Gloria raised an eyebrow "Aren't they…"

Ghost snorted "Anything worth doing is expensive to get into. Don't think about the price rather think of it as an investment."

Gloria chuckled "David did always like Black Sabbath when they were played on the radio."

Soap and Ghost clicked their bottles together "2nd Best Thing out of Birmingham the Best being Gaz."

"Kyle 'Gaz' Garrick? Johnathan is looking for him." Soap and Ghost looked at her like she had delivered them gold.

"Gloria…did you just say that Captain John Price's full given name is Johnathan?" Ghost asked his accent thickening.

Gloria felt as if ice was trickling down her back. "Yes. What are you two Combat Engineers thinking?"

Ghost lifted his mask revealing the good-looking man beneath. "He's never been comfortable in a suit…"

Soap grinned "Lt…you're bloody evil sir. You realise we're going to hell for this."

"John do you want to dance with the Devil or overthrow him?"

"Fuck it overthrow him. You get the guitar, Gloria…help me get the fabric for the suit."

(David and Lucy)

LEMON WARNING

David was on the sofa, his pants were down and his hands were on the sides of Lucy’s head as she effortlessly inhaled David's member down into her stomach.

She moaned as David groaned, pulled her head further down his member and gulped feverishly as David spilled his seed down her throat.

Lucy kept eye-contact with him, and released the weeping serpent from her throat; she smiled as droplets splashed onto her face. She unfurled a monowire and began to stroke her lover back to full mast. 

She laid back on the table, spreading her legs. "Give me everything." She saw the hunger building in David's eye. "Remind me why you're the only one for me."

(Wrath)

Wrath sat bolt upright in the bathtub, spraying the lavish extravagant room with not only cold water, but icecubes as well. "FUCK!" He screamed as he pulled himself out of the bathtub, he missed the mat and found himself in a crumpled mess on the floor.

The door to the bathroom was practically ripped off it's rails. Striding into the room was none other than Michiko Arasaka nee Sanderson, director and owner of Danger-Gal Industries. She paid well and looked after the direct members of staff, Wrath remembered breaking into her property and passing out only to find her Husband waiting to interrogate him.

Wrath had told his story, his time as part of a Blackwall Operation ran by Arasaka Hanako herself. “Are you okay? What happened? Did you find anything?”

Wrath groaned, he twisted his neck and the blissful release of cripitus as the bubbles in the cartilage of his neck popped and cracked. He grinned as the rest of his body slowly followed suit. He got up and pulled on a pair of boxers, workout trousers and a form-fitting shirt “As well as I can be, Michiko…as well as I can be, considering that other members of your Family, notably, your aunt would be very interested in bringing me back into her little…torture programme. As for what happened…” Michiko watched as Wrath’s gaunt face mutated even more as a toothy grin appeared “I am not Rache, I am nowhere near Rache’s level but I can take the extraordinary satisfaction that one of my siblings…my choice and desperation I might add, has survived. As for what did I find, Michiko, you’re going to have to be a bit more specific. I found lots of things…not all of it would captivate you or really interest you and some of it I am 95% sure would repulse you.”

“Anthony…I am nearly 70 Years Old, and my Grandfather is a 157-Year-Old Tyrant obsessed with controlling the world, for what happened when he was 26, 131 Years Ago…there is very little that you could throw at me that would ‘disturb me’ as you put it but I applaud you for looking out for me.”

Wrath snorted “It’s more self-preservation than anything else. However, I did find something interesting…more in the direct parameters of Danger Gal targets.”

Michiko smiled at him “Where is it?”

Wrath turned “Give it five minutes for all of the contents of my dive to be downloaded onto my external deck.”

Wrath hadn’t wanted to increase his debt to Danger Gal by having Michiko repair his fried cybernetic implants. It hurt when he initiated and exited his diving pod, read, personnel bathtub, but, the pain it was a good pain. It remained as a memento of his trials and tribulations surviving Hanako’s Black Wall Expeditionary Programme.

He looked down at his wrist the now dull red, as opposed to bright red, tattoo reflected across the mist-covered mirrors BW/B1/001 clearly visible on the inside of his left forearm. Wrath looked at the brand and scowled, Anthony Brown had more than a few aliases when in the Black Wall programme, a few of them had been Vecna, another Malcador and the last but most humorous was Astronomicon North Star. Those handles like the child, teen and young adult he had been were dead, buried and calcified with time now with all of his creche siblings dead bar BW/B12/002, pure unadulterated wrath was all that remained. The only thing he knew, he with the assistance of Danger Gal would take their toll on Arasaka in blood, chrome and finances; Michiko knew he didn’t care how the Megacorp suffered only that the Megacorp suffered.

He got up and headed to the small kitchenette and pulled out a bottle of vodka and a chilled Chateau Smith Haut Lafitte Blanc and he found a wine glass and he returned with a glass for his host and protector “Now all we have to do is wait.”

“Thank you.” Tony’s eyes lit up as his fee was deposited into his account. It was the silence, the silence and the company after a Deep Dive for Michiko that he appreciated; the small moments of tranquility to quieten the perpetual scream in his ears, the gunfire and slaughter along with his deranged chants of ‘Maim, Burn, Kill’ and ‘I walk the Eight Fold Path of Slaughter’ as he unleashed his customised daemons onto his wanna be killers that perpetually invaded his nightmares. His dreams, well, his dreams amounted to him alone in the ruins of a city sitting atop a throne. A throne of corpses amongst them men, women and children with a few notable faces mainly Hanako Arasaka’s body flayed of skin which made the upholstery of the chair. “I am the essence of my daemons, so as I pray, unlimited slaughter works.” He shivered that phrase…that infernal phrase. He could only hope Michiko would be out of the city when he finally decided to use it.

Michiko looked at her surrogate grandson, he pushed himself so hard…he’d pushed himself so hard and had come so far. Yes, he was more stable than he had been when they’d first met. She just wished that he didn’t have to consider his own life as expendable. She finished her wine and draped a Danger Gal blanket around him, she was familiar with the routine. He’d finish his dive, drink the bottle of vodka, have a nap, wake up from the nightmare, show her and Marc his findings, eat an entire pan of whatever had been cooked, drink another two bottles of vodka with his medication and fall asleep again, then wake up from nightmares and play video games until he passed out again, then dive. Rinse and repeat.

“How is he?”

Michiko pulled her husband to her and rested her face against his chest “Better, marginally. Not screaming as he decouples from his deep dive but the crepitus and readjustment to realspace have gotten worse. He still won’t allow us to repair his cyberware even though it’d be no strings attached.”

Marc chuckled “It wouldn’t hurt to talk to him about it. He constitutes us with Megacorps. When we say repair, he immediately thinks it's replacing. I’ve finished my case, next shift, I’ll talk to him.”

“Please. He’s the best that we have for diving. It doesn’t hurt that he’s around the age of our Ajax and Bethany.”

Chapter Text

Cyberpunk Edgerunners: Bloodlines 16

(Wrath)

It was just after 9am, when he received a message. He'd just slid inside a Data Fortress. He sighed vehemently, he was tempted to disable the message notifications but reading who the sender was thought better of it. Marc and Michigo were on his short list of ‘good people’ and an even shorter list of ‘trustworthy good people’ and composed his list of ‘safe good people’. He laid a few traps affiliated with some of his more rampant malevolent daemons; these were designed after a fictional creation known as ‘Bloodletters’, they were rather useful when it came to killing RABIDS and Daemon vs Daemon combat, they came with a side-effect of should they get into someone's cyberware they could forcibly induce Cyberware Rejection Syndrome and Cyberpsychosis caused by CRS.

He exited the fortress and slid back to his previous ‘spawn’ point. A spawn point was a point of manifestation into cyberspace. He eased himself back into meatspace to see Marc sitting next to his bathtub reading a worn and taped up copy of The Silmarillion.

“I scrolled through the miscellaneous data that you've dug up and found this…I hope you don't mind that I grabbed your copy?” Marc asked slightly sheepishly.

Wrath groaned, no he didn't mind not in the slightest “Wouldn't have downloaded them if I didn't. Remember what I told Anderson-Sama…”

“Whatever you download is to share as long as you get paid my fair shake for what you find.” Marc replied. The Netrunner Terror, that's what he was, was exceptional at what he did. Danger Gal had high prices for jobs and Wrath and his fellow employees executed it. They worked more or less in tandem with one another, especially amongst the ‘Techno-Panthers’ who were the Danger Gal netrunners. “Anthony… can we have a chat? It's nothing about your work ethic because it's second to none, it's more of a health concern from me and my wife.”

“Go on…” Anthony really didn't like where this was going.

“We're extremely concerned that when you dive with your gear in the state it is, We're concerned that you're wanting to die. You've shunned all Danger Gal missives to get your setup updated, repaired and even replaced.”

“They're reminders…Marc, reminders of those that I failed to save. I should be dead, I desire to die and I survive…those who cling to life die. I…don't want to be a burden.”

“Dammit Anthony! You're the same age as our Grandchildren. When we found you in the kitchen that night, eating everything you could get your hands on…we never thought about handing you over to any authorities. You were ten years old and looked like you were six and had eyes of a hardened killer. We adopted you! Not officially but we brought you into the family and that's how we're treating you. Do you remember Ajax and Beth?”

Anthony nodded, how could he not…they were the first kids in his age bracket to willingly socialise with him. “Yeah…and?”

“They're asking us to help you. Please for them.”

Anthony paused “Please…unplug me.” Marc's hands had never been so dextrous as he skillfully unplugged the Netrunner from his cocoon of wires and cables.

Marc had brought in a modem with a screen and he pulled out the heavily modified jack cable. Normally the jack cable slotted into the Biomon only, but this cable, had endings of all shapes and sizes designed to debug and improve firewalls and ICE also getting rid of malware in Anthony's extensive netrunner slots.

“You really need me to do this?”

“Yup. You've missed seventeen of these, so we're using your own device…which was approved by Danger Gal. The Head Panther is offering €255k for one for every member of the Panthers.”

“That's…a hefty sum I mean per unit. That took me…”

“Eight months, two freezers, a fridge, microwave and a Pre-Krash computer…I know. Just think what you could do and bring to the company if you…shared a bit more. I dare say I could justify a promotion for you and a sizable pay increase.” Marc replied “No more need to backdoor your way into all those channels you like.”

Anthony paused “That sounds tempting…but the cost of my upgrades and what I want…it's…”

“Price is not an issue. Anthony, Wrath, Vecna…you've always sworn by your word for it's the only thing that you have. Your words…We want you to be the best version of you…hang on…I've seen something…does a Spider-Iconography mean anything?”

Anthony paused and his breathing “She's a legend.”

“I thought you were a legend by how you die?”

“True…Rogue's a Living Legend and Spider Murphy is another.”

“Hello, Marcus ‘Marc’ Gareth Anderson…hello Wrath…or rather hello grandson mine. My webs must be weakening if I let my Grandson slip through through my webs.” With that the bugged malware resolved itself.

Marc looked at Anthony with undisguised admiration “You got your skills from your Grandmother…if she's your Grandmother then who's your Grandfather?”

Anthony paled “I have suspicions…I'm going to have to chase a Moonbeam to get some answers from a Queen.”

Marc gulped he was a former cop “I don't know the former but I can guess that you need a word with Rogue…be complicated.”

(David and Lucy)

Lucy and David groaned the smell of sex and the afterglow was practically visible. “David…how did I get so lucky? Talented on the streets and a freak in the sheets?” She asked rolling over so she was straddling his waist, and not so subtly ground herself against his shaft.

“Luce…if you keep this up…you're going to need to see Vik.”

Lucy smiled “If I said I was going to see Vik to remove it?”

David stared at her “It's a…very big leap. I want to…oh I really want to but can we wait?”

Lucy cocked her head, she lay down on him “Why is that?” Each word was separated by a kiss to his chest, throat and then lips.

“I'd like to wait until I'm 18. Hopefully we'll have our own place…”

Lucy blushed “Our own place? Here in Night City?”

“Not really. Anywhere. Just the two of us…or the family.” Lucy burrowed further into him.

“So considerate, so adorable. All mine. So what's the plan?””

David grinned as a call came through to him.

David: Who is this?

???: You must be de grandson. Meet me at de Afterlife wid your lover. I owe de Ghost a favour or two. You can call me Weyland.

With that the call was ended, David looked up at Lucy, trailing his hands up her hips “Do you know anyone by the name Weyland?” Lucy stiffened and paled, causing David to sit up. Lucy regained control by pushing David into the bed and slid his hardening dick inside her.

“I served a drink to a guy called Andrew Weyland. Thick Jamaican accent?”

“Yeah…” David shuddered at the welcoming heat. “You mean Boa Boa?” Lucy moaned as she began to rut against her man.

“Lucy…I'm going to get trained by Andrew ‘Boa Boa’ Weyland!”

Lucy moaned “I know…but…be careful. Boa is known to poison people.”

“I will.” David replied nipping her neck. 

It didn’t take them that long to finish off and they headed to the Afterlife. Normally they either got a lift or caught the NCART, this time they ran a circuitous route with a bit of parkour or freerunning in the middle. Lucy was surprised that David was able to keep up with her, despite her having synth-lungs. “Training beats chrome.”

Lucy nodded “I see…I was hoping to beat you at something physical.” David smirked as squeezed her ass causing her rub against him “You can always use your wires.”

Lucy groaned at the thought “For someone who wants to wait before you knock me up…you sure aren't acting like it.”” David could only smirk “I do like a challenge…plus…your constant choice of attire.”

Lucy was currently clad in a crop-top, running leggings and a pair of sneakers. “Pervert, David, that’s what you are.”

They made it to the Afterlife, David let them in through the backdoor and up into the living area. David changed, and holstered his Overture on his hip, before noticing a bundle on the bed. David, just a little something from me to you…L. P.S. Soap and Ghost helped. With curiosity, David opened it and inside was a bundle of t-shirts, vests and a few s. hoodies David elected for a vest, on the front were the words Black Sabbath with an album cover that could only be Paranoid and the phrase on the back ‘Can he see or is blind’. As David left, he caught sight of Soap telling an anecdote causing Lucy to snort.

“That’s when he asked me to him up a tea. Fuckin’ Brits.”

“I thought you were British? Soap.” David commented.

“Nominally, I’ll accept that. Just don’t call a Scotsman, Welshie or an Irishman, they’re English…nay, we donnae like i’ a’ all. ‘Course if yer a Yankee and our dear large country cousin, we let it slide…grudgingly.” Soap replied getting snorts out of the duo. “Righ’, David…Ghost an I, with your mam's permission got you something outside of those shirts.”

David nodded as Ghost handed over a case, hands shaking, David popped the latches and insider was an acoustic guitar. Accompanying it was a and he needed to pinch himself, a set of genuine paper book for learning not only how to play a guitar but also to maintain it and a book of beginner punk, rock and metal songs for an acoustic guitar, alongside them was a small pile chips each one clearly labelled. David closed the lid “This…must have cost a fortune!”

“Not as much as you’d expect but more than anticipated. Ghost and I did what Brits are third best at…getting a bargain. We did him a favour and we only paid for the guitar and the books, he chucked the chips instead of paying us in eddies.” Soap replied only to find David pulled him into a hug.

“Thanks…this…on top of the training, helping to get me a job, covering my ass on my jobs…”

“This was a gift, a genuine gift. Your mam did say that you were interested in music and if she wasn’t so adamant in getting you through the Academy she’d have got you a guitar a while ago.” David’s eye began to tear up.

“David Martinez, Grandson of Rogue, Solo, my Input, Bartender and Rockerboy…You sure you’re not related to me in anyway?” Lucy replied. David managed to control his blush “Definitely not. Nix ran my DNA. Anyway…you’re the scarier one.”

Lucy blushed “If I said…I wanted to skip NC right now…?”

“Bags would be packed, and I’d be with you. I don’t rightly know what I want but with you…I’ll…find something. You’ve got some training with Soap right? I’m off to get turned into sashimi by Boa Boa.”

(Wrath, Marc and Emmerick)

Anthony climbed out of the armoured People carrier, he was loaded up with a molotov cocktail of quickhacks, his daemons were taken from the Slaaneshi-styled models. Designed to overwhelm with pleasure…yeah, he was pretty sure that he'd been down the bottom of three bottles of Vodka when he'd created them.

He looked up at the neon green sign that said Afterlife. “You ready for this?” Marc asked curiously. Anthony turned his neck cracking like burst rounds.

“Not in the slightest. Thanks for coming with me.” Any other comment was drowned out by body convulsing coughs. By his feet was a mask and a tank, Anthony grabbed it and inhaled deeply. Anthony had wrecked lungs, from his escape…the only way for him to reduce it was to either have an extremely complex BioTechnica operation done or get synth-lungs both options He rejected. He'd just gone to see Ripper Rainwater, a peer of Viktor Vektor who was arguably the best Ripper in Night City, however he wasn't connected to the Netrunner requirements that Rainwater was. 

Anthony climbed out of the van, he groaned as he found his reinforced knee high boots collide with the solid concrete of the sidewalk. His baggy jeans secured by an old black belt with a strong buckle, his shirt…rumpled but casual and finally his knee-length black coat with a deep hood and the Pierce de resistance his half-mask with oxygen filters and gap for a straw. His iron, a pair of heavily modified Unities known as ‘Deliverance’ and ‘Nevermore’, were at his back and with Marc behind him, they descended the stairs.

It bottomed out into a corridor with a pair of sliding doors and as they opened, Anthony paused. There was the biggest doorman he’d ever seen. No-one would ever describe Anthony as a small man, but not a large man. In the localised biased average populace of Night City, he was just above average at 6’1, however the way he walked and curled in on himself made him appear smaller. But the bouncer himself made him even at his full height seem small. “You’re not coming in chooms.”

“Why is that? We’re expected.” Marc replied calmly, he spoke because he spied Anthony had gone from curious, to bristle.

The Doorman looked at him “You a badge?” Marc shook his head “A, PI, A badge without a badge. I work for Danger Gal.

Anthony's good will was extinguished “Why aren't you letting us in? This Afterlife is a club is it not?”

“You can either accept it and leave or this can become a lot more polite.” The Doorman stated calmly

The sound of the rasping breathing was constant, rhythmic. Emmerick had to admit the masked one wanting entry betrayed no evident emotion. “I need to talk with Lucyna Kushinada.” Emmerick froze…

“Pastel haired, pale? Skittish…I think she's fucking the bartender.” The bouncer placed his hand on his side arm as several more bouncers moved out.

Anthony grinned beneath his mask “Bouncer…unless you want blood to be spilled outside, let's calm down.”

Emmerick raised an eyebrow, then his other eyebrow raised and his jaw dropped open, as the doors behind the two stubborn gonks slid open. Clad in an extremely distinctive Netrunner suit “Marcus! Anthony! My cute little flies, you don't walk into the Spideweb of the Afterlife without a Guide.” The woman stated with a soft as silk smile on her lips. 

She headed over to the Security “Do you know who I am, young man?” Emmerick stared at her in shock. “You're…you're…Spider Murphy! I mean the boss…” Spider giggled at the flustering “These two fine gentlemen are with me.”

Emmerick nodded, scrambled to one side and allowed the trio in.

(Rogue)

Rogue was sitting at the bar, stone-faced, she knew something was happening outside. Then the door to the Afterlife opened and walking through the door was someone who made her mind Flashback to that night. “Spider.”

“Hey Rogue…you got a booth? I want to get to know my Grandson and his Guardian.”

“So he's yours…?” Rogue deadpanned.

Spider smirked at the Queen Fixer “Of course he's mine…it's not hard to work out who his grandfather was.”

Rogue turned to look at the youngest member “Nice getup…for a try hard.”

“Considering my good getup was in the wash. Any other outfit makes me a glowing billboard for a company I work for. No, I'm not a corpo…I'd rather have a beer as I watch a Corp go up in flames. I need to find a woman…”

“Go to Jig Jig Street…”

“I'm looking for Lucy.”

At that moment, the music stopped and guns were pulled. Two very big individual, evidently chromed to the gills pulled a Crusher and an Overture, Marc pulled his own. 

“What is it with me looking for my sister and guns getting pulled on me?”

Rogue snorted “You've got ten seconds why I should help you find her…”

Anthony sighed “I guess that's a private conversation and not for the Chaff.” Rogue snorted “Okay squirt, Badge, Murphy with me…the rest of you get back to your business.”

(Boa Boa, David, Soap and Lucy)

Lucy landed on her back with a thump and groan. Simon had taught her how to fall, how to roll and how to throw a punch and kick.

That was all he'd taught her. Soap, however, was teaching her how to put it all together…by turning her into a living bruise. Thankfully, she was a quick learner…not to all things but in a practical sense such as hacking and being a Netrunner, she took to it like a duck to water. She didn’t understand the theory of self-defence as to why one need to know how to backflip into a neckbreak but she could do it.

David meanwhile was unharmed, save for a multitude of lacerations across the palm of his hand and fingers “There we go me man. When wielding de knife, you don’t wield it like a pig sticker. You lose movement and de momentum, but you hold it wit de pinky, ring and middle finger that way when you get into de fights you can surprise dem with a punch and then get dem to bleed.” Boa explained as he demonstrated several strikes with the blade in a reverse grip. 

“I’ll be about for a month or so, so, I’m willing to teach you more…I do love a capable student.”

“If you know how to wield a sword…that’d be great.” David replied as he copied his new teacher.”

Andrew chuckled “I’m not de greatest swordsman, but, I know enough to teach you de basics.”

They were distracted as Price stuck his head out “Soap, Boa Boa, Lucy, David…nice shirt by the way. You’re needed on the floor. Some idiots come in and we’ve got our selves a club sized version of ‘Good, Bad, The Ugly’ kicking off. Where the fuck is Simon?”

“Captain, I think the Lt. isn’t scheduled to be working today, so might be getting into something.”

“Great. My second best man is off the reservation. Right oh that’s the breaks, I wish Gaz were here.”

“Don’t we all.”

Chapter Text

Cyberpunk Edgerunners: Bloodlines 17

David and Lucy entered the Afterlife, they found Maine at the bar. David stepped behind the bar and he absentmindedly began to pour Maine his drink “Hey Maine.”

“David.” His father replied before looking at him to see the healing cuts. “Who did that?”

“Boa Boa. Turns out, he owes Rogue a favour. Which is being used to teach me how to use a dagger effectively.” Maines eyebrows lifted on his head.

“I'm surprised that Boa Boa is still about, I heard he died back in the 40's.”

“Dats what I wanted de world to tink, big man.” Boa replied, appearing at Maines shoulder.

“Boa. Snakebite?”

“Please my student. Da boss has told me that you're a quick study. Maine, correct?” Maine nodded.

“David's your boy? I can see where he gets his tolerance for chrome. His teachers are of a calibre that even I would even think twice about fightin’. He's a credit to you. Enjoy you're evening.” With that Boa linked away seamlessly blending into the background.

Maine let out a breath “David…you know some terrifying people. Anyway, I wanted to tell you that I need you and Lucy on our job.”

David nodded “What's the operation? How much are we getting paid? Whose the target?”

Maine sighed “The actual target, some Arasaka Executive. Our Fixer, My Fixer, does things in two stages. The first job is to obtain this Arasaka’s Navigational Data; we're going to do this by stealing the Data from the man's Chauffeur.”

David nodded “Go on.”

“The man likes to bet on underground fighting rings. He favours an Animal Fighter by the name of Butcher. However, Butcher is going to do lose the fight due to a Ringer that Dorio knows.”

David nodded “Butcher and the Plant fight. Plant offs the Butcher causing the Driver to lose…the man's lost money so what?”

“Our man goes to get drunk in a hole in the wall known as the Jack n Coke.” Maine carried on to explain.

David nodded “That's where we'll nab the Nav-data.”

Maine nodded “That's the gist of it.”

David groaned “Sounds relatively sound but there's a few things that I disagree with.”

Maine raised an eyebrow “Do I need to remind you that you're the newbie on my crew.”

“Do I need to remind you of what happened on my first gig. I lost my entire fucking team because the Team Leader refused to listen to any suggestions or deviations to his perfect plan.”

Maines temper flared “You little…”

David stared his father down “Have You forgotten where you are?”

Maine paused thankfully noone was paying that much attention. David took a breath and exhaled “Look…I really want to do a gig with you…but, if you're going to start shooting at the hip everytime someone offers advice then I don't want anything to do with you. I get why you weren't around growing up, I accept that, but I'm not going to accept the fact that you're going to shut me down because I'm the new guy.”

Maine stopped, he remembered full well the shitstorm that had been the Scav Haunt mission. “Alright kid, we’re meeting in two days. Falco’ll pick the pair of you up and take you to ‘The Shed’ where you can contribute to the plan.

Lucy couldn’t help but grin, her David was impressive. Even she could see some of the holes in the plan. Who knows they may even get the elusive bonus that Faraday often promised. “David, Rogue, and her guests look like they need a refill.”

David nodded, his hand lightly passed hers. She stiffened as his hand brushed against her thigh and ass “Not at work…gonk.” David grinned at the lack of heat in her voice, she loved the subtle public views of affection. “Tease. Staying tonight?”

“Always.”

David grabbed a bottle of Tequila, three brosephs and some glasses and headed towards Rogue’s Booth.

(Rogue, Michael, Anthony and Spider)
Rogue smiled as David appeared “Apologies for the delay Boss. I’ve got a bottle of Tequila, your usual, and three brosephs for your companions…as I didn’t get there orders.”

Michael grinned “Broseph is appreciated, but, I prefer to remain sober during these conversations. Michael Anderson.”

David grinned “People call me the Bartender.” He turned to the others “Any problems with Broseph?”

The one with the face mask chuckled “Broseph’s good Bartender…I prefer Vodka.”

David nodded “On the rocks? Naked? With a companion?” There was a rasping laugh in return “NiCola…I’m not picky about the flavour, only, more Vodka than NiCola. Sense of taste in Vodka escapes me.”

“Because you have no taste.” Michael replied.

“It does the job! Why is it that you seem to rag on me for my food and drinks of choice?”

“I only rag because if you’re going to kill yourself with food and booze you might as well do it with quality. It’s cheaper.” Michael sniped back.

“And you Ma’am?” David asked.

“Do you really not know who I am, Bartender?” The older woman asked. It took a moment for David to realised.

“Holy shit…you’re Spider Murphy.”

Spider grinned “I do love it when the light turns on. A Broseph is fine for me. Rogue will let me have access to her Tequila.”

“Anything else?” David asked.

“I need to speak to Lucyna. Sorry, you can call me Vecna.” The newly introduced Vecna rasped.

David stiffened “I don't mean her harm. She's my…sister…for the lack of a better term.”

“Your sister?”

“She's not told you?” Vecna replied, cocking his head causing the cartilage to echo like gunshots.

David paused “Not told me what?”

Vecna rasped a throaty rasping cough “Have I got your word that if you let me talk to her, I'll get her to open up to you?”

David nodded. Rogue snorted “You want to execute him…do you honestly think I'd let anyone endanger your happiness?”

Spiders eyes widened at the comment “The Bartender is your Grandson!”

Rogue nodded “I won't reveal his name as he prefers his anonymity especially when working as a Mercenary.”

(Lucy)y)

Lucy was smiling, a small genuine smile, she’d found that working with David, in fact, just being with David it was amazing. She turned to see someone at the bar, he was hooded with a filter. “Can I help you?”

“I hope you can Lucyna.” She froze, not many knew that name. She turned to look at him, the figure had removed his coat; revealing a greyish tint to the skin and bandages around his left forearm, just above an identical monowire ejection port.

“Not many people know me by that name. Whom are you? An Arasaka Operative?”

“None of that, Lucyna.” He lifted the bandages and her eyes widened, she looked down at her own mark, covered by makeup. The red glowing brand reminded her of the one underneath the foundation. BW/B1/001… “Wrath?”

Wrath smiled at her, the hood falling back and the mask removed revealing a gaunt face, with hint of fat and muscle forming. “Hey, Lucyna…it’s been a while.”

“Indeed it has, Wrath. What can I get you?”

Wrath chuckled “Vodka and NiCola. Long on the Vodka, short on the NiCola. Type of Vodka and NiCola are absolutely wasted on me.”

Lucy cocked her head “Okay, we don’t have bad Vodka…She reached down and brought out a frosted bottle of vodka…”

“On Ice.”

Lucy nodded and she deftly pulled together the drink, Wrath smiled and he groaned as the concoction hit the back of his throat. “Beautiful…almost as beautiful as the woman making it.”

Lucy blushed “I have an Input…and he’s…exceptionally protective.”

Wrath nodded “Sorry. I…er…have the unfortunate tendency to call things as I seem them.”

Lucy nodded “I remember. I remember the creative insults you used in our escape out. How did you get out?”

Wrath smirked “Invoked one of my greater daemons into the very fortress of the Blacksite, I didn’t so necessarily turn off all of the security measures as much as eroded them; like fruit going rotten. I hijacked a car and drove off the cliff. I got picked up by some unsavoury types, whom I dealt with before getting picked up by some Nomads. They dropped me off, read I snuck away, in Night City and I broke into a house belonging to the owners of Danger Gal Detective Agency where I work…almost exclusively in cyberspace.”

“Danger Gal! They’re run by Arasaka Saburo’s Granddaughter!” Lucy hissed.

“She has no love for her paternal family, she wants justice for what’s been done to us.” Wrath hissed.

Lucy scowled at him, if it was anyone else, they may have been scared of the rapid transformation. However, Wrath was not like most. “That’s a terrifying glare, Lucy, unfortunately…it doesn’t quite work on me. In fact it reminds of that look you gave when I was on food distribution duty.”

Lucy snorted “I remember how you walked in so nonchalantly. I remember that Saka Soldier try to force you to do, how you got him to claw the very skin off his face was amazing.”

“That…minor Tzeentch daemon…wasn’t even anticipating that he had scratcher implants. I’ve gone for a great trouble of trying to find you.”

Lucy cocked her head at him “What about?”

“I found records…your…records. Your family. I have some terrible and bad news.”

Lucy nodded “Give me the terrible.”

“On your mother's side you're the granddaughter of Alt Cunningham and Johnny Silverhand. On your father's side you're the great grandchild of Arasaka Saburo, by the way of a one night stand of Arasaka Yorinobu. The bad news is…your Grandfather and Great-Grandfather are still alive.”

Lucy turned ghostly pale at the concept of being related to her tormentors. Claire had seen her become extremely shaken “Lucy…you can go.”

(David)

David had returned to bar to catch Lucy rush past, into the stairwell and up the stairs. He turned to Rogue who nodded.

David nodded to Soap as he charged by and rushed up the stairs. He took them two to three at a time, miscalculating the last jump causing him to combat roll through the door, in time to see their room door slide shut.

He walked up to the door and knocked. His cautious knocks becoming harder before the door opened and Lucy was standing there, her makeup a mess with her lilac eyes bloodshot. “David! I want to…”

“Bullshit love.” David stated as he used his words to close the distance, and pulled her to him. One hand on her waist, another under her ass. “The last thing you want is to be left alone. Wrath gave you some news or upset you, I rushed up to check on you.”

“Well you have. I'm…” She looked David in the eye. The way he looked at her with a soldier eye, there was such warmth there. “I'm?” David prompted. Good David, solid and unshakeable David.

“I'm…not okay. David…you are not to harm Wrath. He was fulfilling a promise to me.” She pressed her head against his chest to get a read of his heartbeat. David held her to him and pressed his forehead to hers, applying enough force she couldn’t break eye contact from him.

“Now, Wrath…said you and I need to talk. Lucy, I’ve never said this to any girl or anyone save my mama. I love you, Lucy. Hell before I even knew who you were related I loved. Now, the only thing I do know is…I would do what your maternal Grandfather attempted to do to get you back.”

“Attempted to do?”

“I mean…he failed to get your grandmother back and died. So…I’d settle for getting us both out of Saka tower before deciding the viability of bringing it to the ground.”

Lucy giggled “I was raised in an Arasaka Blacksite, we were tasked with going beyond the BlackWall.”

“THE BlackWall…as in…what used to be the Net?”

Lucy nodded “Yeah. There were a lot of us. We were raised in batches or creches for another word. Each one of us was given this.” She rubbed off the makeup to reveal the red ink mark. “It says BlackWall, Batch, Batch Number. I’m BW/B12/002. BlackWall, Batch 12, 2nd Member we weren’t graded on our aptitude, just the number we were recruited into. Wrath is BW/B1/001, he was also…everything to us. Our mentor, brother figure, teacher, carer, guardian…everything. He was never the definition of sanity, probably, from all of his time diving beyond the BlackWall. David, I’m good. Cybersecurity just dies to me, I can punch through the thickest ICE without a problem, I was considered a prodigy David and Wrath…is somehow BETTER than I am. I wouldn’t say I saw him kill three guys in a bar with a fucking pencil; but I saw him turn Arasaka Turrets on Arasaka turn them into mincemeat whilst jacking into another Arasaka Operative uploading a daemon that would cause his cyberware to literally force its way out of the body and anyone who tried to jack in to help him it would spread to them. He controlled those turrets without even a second thought.” Lucy babbled “I didn’t even think Wrath survived. Then here he is, same swagger and laziness I’m surprised I didn’t pick him out earlier. He said to me that ‘we’d get out and we’d go and find my parents’, he found my parents…they’re both dead. Then in that annoying way he does things went and found out my heritage. You know my mothers side, on my dads side I’m the granddaughter of Arasaka Yorinobu and my Great Grandfather is Arasaka Saburo…my Great Aunt is the woman who sent me to my death!” Lucy finished with a wail as she grabbed onto David like a survivor grabbing a lifeline.

David did nothing, for he could do nothing but hold her. He made his way to the bed, fell backwards onto the bed and lay their holding her close to him. “We’ll get out of this mess, Lucy, you and me…we’ll get out.”

Chapter Text

Cyberpunk Edgerunners: Bloodlines 18

David entered the hideout, planning building, whatever it had been called. Lucy had decided to stay at hers and get a lift over with Kiwi. “David…I really wanted to. I’ve got…some things to deal with and a surprise.” David couldn't wait.

“Kid! You should have said that you were here! Might have shot you dawg.” Maine said as he emerged from a sideroom bolstering his Crusher. David let the insult roll off his back, he nodded to Maine and Dorio.

“You could lighten up Dimples!” Becca trilled as she launched herself at David for a hug. David plucked her out of the air and hugged her, before placing her on her feet.

“Mr. Maine…I have a name, I'd much rather be referred to that than kid.” David replied as his crew assembled.

Maine blanched “It's how I call all the new blood in the crew. No offence, you're here on a probationary gig to see how you'll adjust to the gig.”

David sighed “You're hazing me…again. As if I didn't have enough of that coming from Padre.” Maine's eyebrows lifted.

“You work for Padre?” He asked bluntly.

“Yup, and for Wakako. I was doing a set of jobs for Rogue, that has me meeting with various fixers. As far as I can tell, I have not screwed a mission up yet. It’s gotten to the point that Fixers who are close to those head Fixers in Night City are straight up offering me contracts. There was even a bidding war between Padre and Wakako for a resolution of a gig that could have ended up with my rep taking a hit by association.”

Maine nodded “Fair enough, David, I did hear about that. I’m surprised that you’ve not been named.”

David smiled as he saw Lucy “There’s still the fact that I’m ‘dead’. I’m trying to keep it like that.” With that he walked over to Lucy, his mask on his hip.

“Hey.” Lucy whispered as she wrapped her arms around her.

“Missed you.” David whispered getting mockery from the other Mercenaries. Lucy, purred like a cat as she held him tight.

“Right then. Let's discuss this mission.” Maine instructed “Plonk your asses, shut your mouths unless you've got something to suggest. Our Fixer works in two parts, the first part is grabbing some Navigational Data. Our target is some Suit by the name of Tanaka Jinta, naturally, he's too big a target for us Mercenaries to hit. So we're…”

“Going to hit a member of is day-to-day team. Someone who spends a lot of time in his presence as knows the man's routine. Get him, crack the Nav-Data get paid.” David chimed in.

Dorio nodded “You catch on quick…what problems do you forsee?”

David shrugged “I'm guessing we've only got part of the plan. The only thing I see is it's a little too obvious.”

Maine grunted “If you'll listen then you'll see. Now the Driver, he likes to party and bet hard, there's an underground rink he frequents and bets heavily on the favourite animal Champion. Well he's going to lose hard and heavily, he'll then visit the Jack and Coke where we'll nab the date. Questions?”

David raised his hand “I'm seeing several things that could be spun to our opportunities. First of all the plan…it's simple, too much is based on factors and variables we don't know enough about.”

Maine growled in David's direction “This is a team or group venture…one person…”

“What and you're some kind of specialist…” Mocked Pilar.

“Heard of Leroy/ Les Rois Jenkins ‘The King’ Jenkins? Night City denizen of French Heritage, and a Mercenary? Didn't think so, but, he drank in the Afterlife…not exactly an achievement. Lucy, Maine, the Entire crew was there Pilar…all of them bar me are now dead, all because their Leader couldn't get his head out of his arse and do proper reconnaissance and take advice. Maine, if you want to charge forwards with this…be my guest.” David snarled, glaring at Pilar.

“David…calm down. Pilar, Maine…lay off him.” Lucy snapped, eyeing the pair of them with venom. 

Pilar smirked “Oh this is just…” He stopped when David pulled out a Malorian Overture, activated the Sandevistan and was standing above him, revolver pointing to the front of his head.

“Give me one good reason, Pillar.” Pilar paled. 

David stared at the cowering man “Next time you open your mouth…think, before I assist you in deepthroating yourself.”

David turned back to the group “Now then…anyone else have something monumentally stupid to ask? Now may I throw some ideas out?”

Maine nodded “Go ahead, David.”

David nodded “We can expect the Nav Data to either be in the car or with the Driver himself. Now, I'm not a dedicated Netrunner, but, I'm good at reading and analysing patterns. Point 1 you've got two netrunners. One is inside taking on the Driver, second is spiking the car and we triangulate the system for our own duplication. Point 2, he likes to bet big…you've implied you've got an insider, probably the fighter…bet big and rig those fights. Then when he gets to the Jacked and Coke we consolidate the speedup of the nav data acquiring. However, we're going to need a way to get the data if his boss calls and I suggest uploading a seeder and leecher which will slowly tap the data we need.” David finished. “Also…what do we do if his Boss calls?”

“You mentioned knowing his son…can't we use him?” The woman in red asked.

“Katsuo's a parasite. The younger one. So using him for dirt on his father is going to be less than useful.” David countered.

Maine assessed the information, David had some good ideas. “We'll run it with David's suggestions…you going to be able to get an external deck, a decent one…” Dorio began.

“What's my name…Dorio?”

Dorio nodded “David Amendiares.”

David smiled and for a moment looked very much like a male version of his grandmother “I'll get one.”

Lucy giggled “How do you think people would react to me?” She whispered to him as he lounged on the sofa.

“Several heart attacks and I'd have to execute Pilar.”

“My Hero.”

“No. Just a man whose found a desire for living instead of existing. I've found you and you've got me for better or worse.” Lucy preened under the praise.

Eventually the rest of the planned was hammered out. “Right…see you all tomorrow. David…”

David paused “Yeah?”

“Need a word.”

David's eye narrowed “Lucy stays.”

Maine's fists clenched “She's part of my crew!”

“She's/He's my Input/Output.” They replied as one. David's eye focused on Maine “Is this because you think that I can do better or she don't deserve me? Or even some sort of private power grab because I accidentally fractured your ego because I dared deviate from your ‘spectacular’ plan. Let me inform you of something for father, this is the only time I'm working for Faraday; and he'd better pay as big as you've bragged.”

Maine bristled “No…I appreciate the advice. That’s all and I’m looking forward to working with you.”

David nodded “As am I. Dad…I’m willing to do further gigs with you providing you can ditch Faraday.”

Maine held his sons stare “Can you give me a good reason?”

“Grandmother…she’s got him in her sights.” Maine paused.

“Oh.”

David nodded “Unfortunately, if you can’t get away from him well…” The rest went unsaid, Maine nodded.

“You and Lucy need a ride back?”

David shook his head “Got my own ride.” Lucy cocked her head at that.

“You’ve got a car?” Lucy repeated.

David nodded “Yup. Thorton Mackinaw.”

“In Black, I’m guessing, armoured to the teeth and with more firearms than you know what to do with?”

“Two of those statements are correct, anyway, Luce wanna lift?”

“Why not.”

David unlocked the car, before opening the passenger door and jumping into the drivers side. Inside the Mackinaw…it looked like a team of people had completely reworked the inside of it. There were seats for three others in the cab. Behind the cab on the walls were a small stash of weaponry, but in the center of the back in an armoured trough was a bright orange canister “David…is that raw CHOO2?”

“No…Nitrous. Goes right into the engine to give this beauty a rapid acceleration. Coupled with a modified engine…this thing can race like the best of them. It’s quicker than you’d expect, it’s no Caliburn but only an uber rich corpo will be street racing in a Caliburn. Anyway, I need to see Vik. Wanna come?”

Lucy eyed David curiously “You’re not thinking about upgrading more are you?”

“No. If I were to I need to get permission from The Captain, then justify it to the Committee.”

“The committee?”

“Yeah. You, Mom, Grandma, Soap and Ghost. You might not have noticed that my dad has a…chrome addiction, thus they’ve decided that they’re going to be regulating my chrome both biological and cybernetical so I don’t spiral like him.”

Lucy smiled “It’s hot that you want me to help you.”

“95% certain that mom suggested it. 5% it was one of the others. 100% that I want you to.” Lucy blushed before kissing him on the cheek, her hand trailed between his legs and she gently squeezed the front of his trousers.

David nearly stalled the truck, but, managed to regain his composure before following the interstate back into Night City, heading for Watson and Little China.

(Vik)

Vik looked at the tired and exhausted form of his current patient in front of him. “You’ll see to it that he gets home, Jackie?”

“Yes, Vik. I’ll get her home…I’ll sit on her if…” Jackie replied.

“‘I’ll sit on her if…’ what? Jack?” A softly spoken voice asked, Jackquito “Jackie” Welles paused as he looked at his partner. 

“Was going to have to sit on you hermana. Those pendejos that call themselves your boss, V…they’re going to see you in the ground before you hit 25.”

V snorted “Why’d you think I came here, Jackie…the moment I got dismissed for downtime.”

Jackie nodded “You’ve swapped out your chrome…for non-company.”

V nodded “Pass me my clothes.” Jackie did so, the ex-valentino was in a happy a relationship and was used to walking in on V, when she was in the nude. V called it ‘hazing’, she was confident in herself and she generally enjoyed the looks on peoples faces when she answered the door nude or next to it.

The duo left Viks clinic and headed through Misty’s Esoterica, as a Mackinaw pulled up outside the fence.

Vik finished his clean of his clinic when the door opened revealing David Amendiares and his Ouput. “Hey Lucy, you told him yet?” He chuckled at the redness in her cheeks, despite her chemskin implant the fact her blush nearly lit up his clinic meant she hadn’t.

“Doctor Vektor.” David replied holding his hand out. Vik nodded and gripped the offered hand with a hefty grip. “Mr. Amendiares, please, call me Vik.”

“If that’s what you wish Vik, please, call me David. This is long overdue but thanks…thanks for saving my life.”

Vik snorted “No problem. I can guess why you’re here…get in the chair, I need you to fill out a few things.”

“I’m not here for chrome. I’m here for maintenance, I mean I can do that on my arm and leg with assistance…”

“That’s physical maintenance for the physical appearances, cyberlimbs are meant to mimic organic limbs to the closest degree; there’s some shit you just can’t do without medical or mechanical training…of which I have both as a PhD. Yes, kid, I have licence to rip. You’re still doing the paperwork.”

David chuckled “And that’s why Ghost and Soap indoctrinated me into seeing the Saint Ripper.”

“Shut up. You’re killing my rep.”

David complied and hooked himself into the chair “The first one is a cyberpsychosis awareness form and questionnaire. The rest are patient health files etc.”

David nodded, he filled in the forms and asked about terminology and then he turned to the ominous 65 Inventoried Questions for the Cyberpsychosis form. Funnily enough the first question was “Are you daunted by the amount of questions you have to go through?”

It took him an hour to go through the questions, Lucy was watching one of Vik’s screens, which displayed the form as it was being answered. “David, how’d you feel about the poop question? And the first?”

“The poop one was funny as it was so utterly random it was funny and extremely, why?”

Lucy smiled warmingly at him “May I Doc?”

“Sure. Might as well spoil my fun.”

“David, those two questions are…two of many I suppose ‘tripwire’ questions, critical alerts of cyberpsychosis. Probably the biggest ones, you didn’t get catch all of the tripwire questions but you’ve got enough to say you’re not going to immediately become a cyberpsycho.”

David let out a breath of relief. He twitched his foot “Shit! That was sharp!”

“Sorry, foot test…one of many. For your cybernetics they need a little bit of rewiring. Your cyber eye is in good condition. Sandevistan…it’s a little on the warm side. As for your biochrome, it’s all in good working order. In fact…it’s doing odd stuff.”

“Odd stuff? What did you give me?” David growled.

Vik snorted “I implanted in you a full body weave, and a prototype bone and muscle lace. In essence to make your body tougher and more resilient to your cybernetic leg and Sandevistan. Honestly they’ve…the best way to describe as formed a carapace.”

“A carapace…as in a shell?” David asked.

“Yeah. The skin has five layers, then you hit the capillaries, hair cells and the muscle tissue of your body. Instead you’ve now got a sixth to eight layers of skin…the latter three are going to make you ‘bullet proof’ for lack of a better word against ganger firearms…still going to be painful but you’re not going to die from them. I wouldn’t advocate testing it on a whim…your skin is probably tougher to cut.”

David nodded “Boa Boa was impressed and pissed off about that.”

Vik nodded “You’ve got a clean bill of health. Lucy, I’ve still got that package…”

Lucy nodded, she thanked Vik for it and Vik shooed them out. They drove in content silence back to the Afterlife. 

(Afterlife)

They had a gig tomorrow. Gloria was behind the bar as they entered “Hey mija, mijo…good day?”

“We’ve got the plan, now we need to execute.” David replied before heading behind the bar to grab a pair of NiCola.

“David…NiCola and Vodka please.” Lucy asked.

“Normal or long? If long, how long?”

Lucy paused “More NiCola than Vodka please.”

“Long on the fizz.” David replied, his sensory training was paying off. He ended up having to pay for his and Lucy’s drinks and with Claire and Lucy assisting him and his mom, the four of them braced themselves for the beginner rush of drinks for the Afterlife.

Eventually they made it to David's room. “I've got this for you.” Lucy opened the bag and revealed the wrapped contents.

David blushed “Is…is that…”

Lucy nodded “Yup.”

David looked at her “You’re absolutely certain.”

Lucy giggled “David Martinez-Amendiares, you are so sweet and adorable but all mine. I’m willing to wait.” David picked her up effortlessly.

“Just a few weeks.”

Chapter Text

 Cyberpunk Edgerunners: Bloodlines 19

It was gig day! David and Lucy rolled out of bed, both avoiding the cold water bucket by Soap. Soap, Ghost, Lucy and David all went on their morning run, this time heading in the reverse of their normal route before swinging up towards Japantown/Little Europe.

“You two prepared for this?” Ghost asked, the run and rapid changes in paces barely phasing him. 

David nodded “Yeah…Really don't like Maine's plan.”

“Smart. Too simple, your suggestions are sound. Besides, Gloria is introducing Ghost to a friend of hers. They're going to the fight.

“How come? Mom's not a fan of them.”

Soap snorted “Aye. But Gloria’s friend has a brother in one of the fights.”

David nodded, seeing his mom have a second life again was incredible. “So, the quartet of you, are not, tracking ‘mijo’s first day with Maine’ under the pretence of a double date.”

Soap rolled his eyes “Fuck you, David, eat your porridge. Seconds Lucy?”

Lucy accepted “What is this?”

“Oats, milk, water and salt. Heat it and then eat. Keeps you going all day, Ghost, Gaz, Captain and I lived for three weeks on nothing but porridge.”

“Don’t go any further Johnny.” Ghost warned. The younger mercenaries got themselves ready, David pulled on a medium armour jack vest, and loaded up the pouches, he pulled on his jacket and on his thigh, he placed his Overture. He also placed two knives on his person and finally slid his mask on and removed the eyepatch.

Lucy meanwhile had slipped on her Unitard and checked she had her unity. This should be a milk run but she wasn’t about to take chances. She placed David’s kevlar jacket over her shoulders and slid on a softjack skirt. The duo looked each other over before they headed out of the Afterlife.

They scrambled into David’s truck and as they did so, another vehicle set in pursuit.

David snorted, as he checked the rearview mirror “We’ve got a tail.”

Lucy squeaked “Who!”

David snorted “Mom. She’s trying to be indiscreet, which is… embarrassing.” Lucy giggled “The matches start very early, they may have a whole another agenda.”

David shrugged “Maybe. But, she's with Soap and Ghost…don't look back.”

Lucy nodded instead she fiddled with the radio and finally noticed the object on David's arm. “Is that a Cyberdeck?”

David grinned “Yup. I need to widen my repertoire, I'd feel bad dragging you out to a gig where all I need for you to do is crack a few doors and cameras.”

Lucy smiled with a faint blush on her cheeks “You’re so sweet and so kind.” 

David snorted beneath his mask “I’d rather not wake my output, who, I’m pretty sure is double-dipping with my bed, for anything more than something worth her skills.”

The radio was on Body Heat and within a few seconds of the familiar synth electro beat began, the duo were singing along to a very familiar song. “David? You know how you've said ‘If I said I wanted to leave, you’re coming’.”

“Yup.” Training with Ghost and Soap, especially on his emotions, allowed him to not show any physical reactions to Lucy’s statement.

“What did you expect us to be doing?”

David nearly ploughed into a car “Erm…honestly no idea. I mean tinkering with cars is kinda cool, as is improvising some gadgets and things. Remind me to show you a few of those things…maybe as Nomads for a while and then…our own place. New City, New State, and maybe we’re operating as a Fixer team.”

Lucy blushed deeper “That sounds fun. What about the Moon?”

David shrugged “That sounds cool. Honestly, couldn’t the moon just mean a new start?”

Lucy raised an eyebrow, but, they’d arrived at the hideout. The crew had assembled, Lucy looked over her shoulder to see that their tail had long since peeled off. Maine chuckled as he saw Lucy’s face “Keep it professional…”

Lucy’s tone was positively glacial “Oh don’t worry. It will be.” David stiffened. This was not going to be good, he focused.

“So what’s the plan?”

Maine smirked “We’re going hybridise the plan. David, Lucy, Dorio and I are going to the fights. Kiwi will be at the Jacked and Coked with Becca and Pilar. David and Lucy will be starting the wiretap whilst in the fights. Then when he arrives at the Jacked and Coke the three of you will finish.”

“Or so he thought.” David had sourced Niks for a wrist deck and a favour. That favour had been for helping David, sync his wrist mounted cyberdeck to Niks own off person Cyberdeck systems. Niks had wanted Rogue to have a copy of the Nav-Data to unobtrusively sabotage Faraday personally. “I’m not getting my Grandson killed because of a petty man with an ego.”

David smirked beneath his mask “So how are we getting there? I brought my wheels…”

Maine nodded “Dorio and I are heading their now. We’ve gotta place our bets as well.”

David nodded “Luce, you can come with or you get…” Lucy’s eyes lit up red in a semi-serious manner of using a quickhack on him.

Pilar cackled at him “Trouble in paradise?”

“That all depends.” Lucy replied coldly.

Maine chuckled and everyone headed to their cars or motorbike. Lucy waited for David to shut his door “What the fuck do you mean? The moon being a new start?”

David looked at her “You told me, you, wanted to go to the moon to get out of Night City and thus have a new beginning.” Lucy paused. David pushed on “Lucy, is it the moon you desire or the desire to be someone else and begin again?”

“I…I…I don't know. I don't know what I want, I've got you. I'm not sure what I want as long as you're there with me. David, without you…I'm weak.”

David smiled beneath his mask at her “Lucy…you're a survivor. ivor. We’ll get through this. We’ll get out of this mess and we’re going to just go.” Lucy nodded at David's statement. 

They made their way to the venue parking three hundred yards away. David and Lucy made their way inside, it was rather packed and in the upper levels was the target.

M: Alright. Sound off.

D: In position, have eyes on the target and the ring.

L: Copy that…Dav…

D: It's Mask for now Lucy.

L: Solid copy Mask.

Do: In place. Laying the bets.

David smirked, his cybernetic eye roaming the stadium, when he observed a door. Guarded by four 6th Street, he got up from his seat. “Mask to all.”

“Send traffic, Mask.” Maine replied.

“Commencing chip installation.”  

Maine paused and struggled to keep his temper “Are you deviating from the plan? What chip installation?”

David groaned, “If we're gathering the data from the Driver. I need to spike him.”

“And you didn't think to run this by me first?”

Dorio could smell a fight brewing “Mask, this ‘spike’ is it pertinent to your suggestion of leeching the data from the get go?”

“Affirmative.”

David moved through the crowd, he bypassed a drink vendor. Wincing at the blatant gouging of pricing before shuffling around a few Tyger Claws. It was a fighting ring with everyone attending to watch was permitted…providing everyone abided by the rules set by the 6th Street.

David made his way over “You got business up there?” A Sixth Streeter growled.

“Big guy, suit, I need access to speak with him. I’m doing a job for him.” David pointed to the big iron his hip. 

The security nodded and the door opened. David slid them a small tip for their discretion in the matter and he scampered up the stairs. He manoeuvred his way to behind the giant solo of the target, he activated his Sandevistan and smirked as he felt the world around him slow, he pulled out the chip and effortlessly slipped it into one the Suit’s chip ports.

He activated his deck and headed back downstairs. He grinned, opened the door, and with his remaining Sandevistan time, he stopped by Dorio and inserted the decoder. David smirked, Faraday was going to either pay up or be made a laughing stock of the Town.

He rejoined Lucy and wrapped his arm around her shoulder. “Get it done?” She asked as she rested her head on his shoulder.

“Done.” He replied simply. Inwardly David breathed a sigh of relief, all was good, he wasn’t confined to the sofa. Now all they needed was to complete this gig and deal with Faraday.

(Gloria, Jackie, Soap and Ghost)

“That is dope chooms. Seriously! You've run with Los Vaqueros! Oh my.” Jaquito ‘Jackie’ Welles exclaimed softly.

“Aye. Why?”

Jackie chuckled “The Cowboys are our main suppliers of weapons for us Latinos in the Valentinos. They support us in defending our mijos and mijas against the pendejos of the Sixth Street and the Tygers.”

Soap grinned “I have a feeling I'm going to need to run down to Las Almas sooner or later.”

Gloria paled at the name “Who or What could be down there?” she questioned nervously

“Some old friends. Now, Jackie… who is this lovely friend of yours that you're setting up with Ghost?” Soap replied with an expression that expressed his lack of desire to leave, the final part was more optimistic.

“Here. Soap, move over.” There was a ripple as a young woman appeared. She was younger than Ghost, around 5’8 her hair was a dark red, highlighted with pink streaks. Clad in knee high boots, tactical pants and a plain black top and vest with a dark blue and green jacket, and marred with cybernetic marks.

“Miss Martinez, Soap and Ghost…pleasure to meet you. I'm Victoria, please call me V.”

Ghost chuckled “Pleasure to meet you, V. So how does a woman such as you…know such a large rent-a-thug like Jackie?”

V giggled “When he found me bleeding out behind his ma's bar. The Welles family let me live with them rent-free and that's that.”

Ghost snorted “I like it. Nice and succinct, no bells and whistles.”

V snorted “So how does a big guy like you get the name Ghost?”

“By being exactly that. No pictures of me at all anywhere. Enlisted in the Military, became very good at what I do. Met my best mate, Soap, and well…we're the best at what we do.”

Soap snorted “Doesn't help that Gaz started a betting pool on us being together.”

“To be fair Johnny, you made a fantastic beard for that infiltration mission.”

Gloria, V and Jackie stared at the Ex-SAS operatives “You two…acted as a gay couple?”

Soap nodded, a blush slightly apparent on his cheeks “The Captain has pictures.”

Gloria's face was glowing, Ghost sighed “Yes…after this meet up.”

Soap tensed “David…cannot hear about this from anyone but me.”

Gloria snorted “I don't think he'd care.”

(The Gig)

The data was at just over 50% before the final fight began. Dorio smirked and discreetly showed it to Maine who smirked.

“Kid wasn't lying. Why didn't I listen to him?”

Dorio sighed “Then you'll have to make it up to him. Anyway we've got a very good payday off the fight itself. Plus, we have Ghost and Soap on site along with a few others.”

Dorio snorted and the device began to stutter and stall at 60%. “Dorio to Mask.”

“Send traffic, Dorio.”

“Stalled at 60%.”

“Copy. He's looking right at us, not risking anything.” David cut the connection. He squeezed Lucy's hand.

Lucy had been watching with half an eye. “What are we at?”

“Pay…no idea. But the nav-data…around 60%.”

Lucy looked at her lover “60%...”

“Yup. Now if you're feeling up for it we can keep the hack going as we trail him or we can risk it on…”

Lucy shook her head vehemently “No. You’ve done so much for us, me, Kiwi As well. I'll hack him, keep it going.” She then smirked at him “If you can keep it up.”

David shook his head. He loved that woman, they took the chance to finally watch the last fight. The fight that they’d rigged in their favour. Dorio’s friend…well, they were a class above the Butcher. Although, the Butcher was putting on a mighty decent showing the smaller, leaner and subsequently quicker fighter was proving to be much more economical. 

Lucy had been keeping an eye on their bets and the ebbs and flows of eddy transfers. She was giggling, hers and David's share of the eddies was reaching the 50k mark. Lucy knew that David was playing Maine’s Team, and Faraday.

The roars of triumph and the equally loud groans of the crowd showed the Butcher falling, defeated. David snorted softly “Butcher’s dead…and expertly done.”

Lucy looked at him curiously “How’d you know that?”

“My eye. Apparently Viktors choice of eye, it has some novel and nova tricks. Including infra-red, x-ray, extreme magnification and the electromagnetic spectrum.”

Lucy raised an eyebrow “Are you saying…”

“No. Vik’s good. It’s not that kind of x-ray, it’s more concrete hospital or trauma team x-ray, besides…I see you enough to know that using xray on you is wasted.” David grinned as he watched his Lucy turn scarlet.

“Gonk. Such a sappy cliche gonk. Stop embarrassing me!” She hissed into chest.

Maine kept an eye on the comms, David and Lucy had done a phenomenal job, and everyone remained silent as they eavesdropped the conversation between the lovebirds. Maine, as he listened to how…efficient his son sounded when he was discussing the future and casually he reduced the crews second netrunner to a blushing mess was always adorable. “Dorio…?”

“It’s reached 65% and he’s finally leaving.” Dorio replied.

(Nix)

The Netrunner smirked as he lit a cigarette, a genuine one, not a synthcig. David was good “That boy is gonna rock this town.” He told himself, the chips he’d given David for the gig, whilst they were going to allow David to get the Nav-Data from the driver, Nix however was going to be able to stream it faster.

“Boss.” He spoke not turning around, more interested in his cigarette rolling. “Cig?” He plucked the lit one from his mouth with his ring finger and thumb and offered the filter to over his shoulder.

“I’ll take the one you’re rolling.”

“Someone’s got standards.”

Rogue snorted “Why do I put up with your nascent witticisms at times?”

“Same reason you keep Sasquatch around, and Emmerick, and Claire… because we’re the best at what we do, even if what we do is too complex for most to understand. I might have been a corpo-brat, I might have worked for a corp but you allow me to be me…and…we all have our quirks.”

“And yours are pre-red pop-culture references and giving the glorious gift of lung cancer.” Rogue finished as she took the cigarette.

“It’s nearly done…the gathering of the nav-data.”

Rogue raised an eyebrow “Nearly? I thought…”

“There are some…difficulties. Mainly the distance between the chips and piggybacking. It’s a matter of time.”

Rogue nodded “I’ll leave you to it. I want it…”

“You’ll have it the moment I’m certain its intact.”

(David and Lucy)

They'd found themselves behind the driver, Dorio was off to the left and the data spike began to activate and speed up. 

They paused as the Driver looked at them, Lucy buried her face into David's chest. “What happened?”

“Grenade.” The deadpan delivery caused the driver to wince. 

“Your input doesn't mind?”

“Considering my face resembles the results of two hate fucking avocados AND she's still with me…she's more concerned about the amount of chrome I've had to compensate with.”

The Driver nodded “It sounds like you need a drink. I’m going to the Jack and Coke, perhaps we can talk more there?”

David nodded behind his mask “Of course, I’ve got to grab my ride and we’ll meet there.”

Chapter Text

berpunk Edgerunners: Bloodlines 20

David and Lucy couldn’t help but grin. David’s chicanery and tricks had been worth it! They’d nearly retrieved all of the nav data that they’d required, they were still following the plan. David had followed the chip he’d inserted and ensured that they were two cars away, he’d spied Maine and Dorio in the adjacent row of traffic, one car up. Now the percentage reader was slowly trickling higher and higher. If all went to plan they’d be able to skip the part of getting the data whilst counting on David to get the man drunk as a skunk. “David, I’m sorry.” Lucy said finally breaking the background noise of Samurai blaring out of the truck speaker.

“What about?” Her lover replied as he inched them closer through the traffic lights. “You mean you forgot about our fight?”

“That wasn’t a fight, Lucy, that was a disagreement. People disagree, I’m the one who should be apologising. I scoffed at your idea of going to the moon.” Lucy nodded “I’m still unsure of what you meant about ‘getting away’ or a ‘new beginning’.” She replied, his words had stung and he’d annoyed her that she was still deciding whether to go to her bed or stay in his. “I’m staying where it’s warmest.” She told herself it would be too much effort to warm her apartment, whereas the Afterlife had an excellent, natural heat source! “Even if the last-minute calls to work are annoying.” She thought to herself.

“What’s on your mind?” David asked, Lucy flushed.

“Er, er, er, nothing.” She replied quickly, before, blushing an even deeper red. David chuckled “Am I allowed a guess?”

Lucy nodded “One guess.”

David nodded, he kept his eyes on the road “Whether you want to stay at mine or go back to yours.”

“Are you sure you’re not hacking me?”

David snorted “If you observe me as much I’m keeping an eye on you, with our disagreement, it’s the logical choice. Look, I’ll introduce you to Misty…she’s dating…a friend. The actual terminology is eluding me.”

“Meaning you don’t have a clue. So what’s so special about this ‘Misty’ person?”

“Runs a weird-ass store, has an eclectic taste in music and knows the Tarot Cards inside and out. So when I asked her about the Moon, she explained that the moon meant a new beginning, a refresh, so to speak.”

Lucy’s eyes widened “So that’s why you asked about whether it was the moon itself or what it meant. David, I’m sorry.”

“Don’t be. You were defending yourself against a poorly phrased question. Besides it was kinda hot.”

David blushed behind the mask. 

“Mask to Dorio.”

“Send, message, Mask.” Dorio replied who whilst with Maine couldn’t keep a grin off her face. David had definitely benefitted from his mercenary training with the audio protocol.

“How we looking? I don’t particularly want to get this sack of flesh in a blazer company more than I have to? Over.”

“At 90% and climbing. Slowly. Chances are you’re only going to have to buy him two or three.”

“I can live with that. Out.”

“Over and out.”

David removed his mask and allowed himself to smile and be himself. “Lucy, let's go get dinner once we're done.”

“Where?”

“You pick.” 

“You're no fun. I want to know the sort of food that you like.” Lucy moaned.

David snorted “Luce, I'm not and I've never been a fussy eater. You put something in front of me and I'll eat it even if its badly cooked. So I guess my favourite food is a medium rare steak.”

“I'll ping Bex. She's a secret foodie so…it'll give me something else to talk to her about.”

(Gloria et al.)

Gloria had been impressed, she'd never been interested in blood sports, however, meeting Victoria and introducing her to Simon it made the blood sport worth it.

The fact she was able to keep an eye on her son whilst he was at work had been very fun. Ever since the former 141 Members had entered her life, she had found her view of Night City slowly changing. She'd always been aware of the brutality of the city from clearing up the messes in the aftermath of cyberpsycho attacks and gang warfare. The fact she and David, with the latter being grievously injured, survived their brush with the underworld; being with Soap had improved her spacial awareness and willingness to use firearms. She was competent with her Lexington, however, Soap had encouraged her to pick up a Unity instead. “Listen love, I know you prefer your Lexington and it's a decent sidearm, but it lacks stopping power. The Unity, slightly bigger than the Lexington, is much the same however it’s got a better round and far handier for a firefight.”

(Above them)

“Are you sure it’s them?” One man asked his colleague. The speaker was clad in black boots, faded denim jeans with a vest of a snarling dog with an open maw emblazoned on it.

The other looked through a targeting scope “Aye it's them. Soap has his patented look of a radiology escapee and Ghost still has his mask on.”

“Gaz…thanks, by the way.”

“Don’t worry about it, Roach.”

The duo fell silent as they heard footsteps coming up the stairs, both men pulled up their Copperhead Rifles in preparation, just in time to see a hat float out of the door behind them. “There’s one of me and two of you. Possible to have a chat?” Came a very familiar voice.

“Captain!” Roach exclaimed as Price carefully moved into view.

“Gary, Gaz. It’s good to see you both, although Gaz, I’m happier to see Gary first.”

Gaz chuckled “Of course. Sir.”

Gary Sanderson looked like shit, in Price’s personal opinion. The burn marks seemed to glow a pale and ghostlike against his normal caucasian appearance. “You working for those asshats in Pacifica?”

“Complicated. When there boss gives you medical treatment and brings you back to fighting form, you kind of have your debts to be paid. So…not really, but at the same time I am.”

Price nodded “I understand that. If you can set up a meeting with him, I’ll handle the rest.” Gary nodded before he offered his hand, Price took it and Gary used that moment to pull Price into a hug. Gaz joined it moments later.

“Captain, you think, whoever you’re helping out would take…” 

“Gaz, the Queen of the Afterlife will take all the competent help she can get. Also…you’re crushing my ribs.” The trio of reunited soldiers left their meeting place. Only Roach was aware of the hidden team of Barghest tailing them. As much as Kurt Hanson trusted Roach, there was the fact that he was Brit and an Outsider, it never hurt to be too paranoid.

P: Captain to Soap

S: Send traffic Captain.

P: I found ‘em.

S: …Please repeat.

P: I found Gaz and Roach.

Soap paused, he reached out and snagged Gloria by the waist and tapped Ghost on the shoulder “Love, Ghost…Price has found a Gaz and a Roach.”

Gloria paused “Gary and Kyle…that’s amazing!”

“Steaming Jesus…I thought Roach was dead, I went AWOL reminiscing about him.” Ghost murmured through his mask.

Johnny’s eyes widened, as did Jackie’s and V’s “How bad are we talking Lt?”

“Missing three days from base, woke up under a mulberry bush, on base.” V choked on her bottle of water.

“How do you go missing on base, whilst being on base?”

Ghost chuckled as he tenderly interlocked his fingers with hers “When you’re an infiltrator and sniper specialist like I am it’s all part of the game. Although waking up in the mulberry bush not so much, you should have heard Price when he stepped where no man wants to be stepped on.” Gloria and V grinned as the men grimaced.

“So that’s what that scream was.” Soap replied, dodging his friends clip to the back of his head. Soap and his Cousin had been playing video games in his room when the scream had been heard.

Gloria gave Ghost a glare that would have killed a lesser man, but, Ghost had been shot in the face at point-blank range with only a cracked jaw and 1st-degree burns to show for it; then there had been that injury he’d sustained breaking into a Russian Gulag where his balls and dick had to be repaired with gorilla glue. Finally, there had been that official and unofficial deployment in Africa, where he’d put down a former squad mate. 

“Where were you, Soap? During Ghosts humiliation?” V asked, eager to try and get the Scotsman on the backfoot.

“Playin’ video games with my cousin. My cousin tended to visit every so often, he was trying to get himself ready to enlist in the services. My Aun’ and Uncle are right morons, enough about me. Where we off to next Lt?”

Ghost chuckled “Figured we could go an get some grub. Something edible , Johnny, and Buck-A-Slice is dicey enough to even be considered food.”

“And our MRE's weren't food?”

“At least with our MRE's, we knew that what we were eating could kill us as well as whoever we were shooting at. Don't make me bring up the time we were in Uzbekistan and we were getting shot at and you were too busy eating my chocolate pudding!”

“Mine got destroyed, Price nicked my second, you don't even like chocolate pudding! I don't like museli! It was a fair trade! How was I too know that the moment I started eating we were being shot at! I also remember you tending to the Porcelain Lord and Nature Lords whilst someone was trying to knife us!”

“Hermano’s, hermanos! Paz, paz, vamos el coyote cujo.” Jackie exclaimed, getting in between the big ex-special forces. Yes, Soap and Ghost were big men clocking in at 6’2; but Jackie seemed to tower over them at 6’5. 

“Limping Coyote? What's on the menu?” Soap asked curiously.

“Only some of the best Spanish and Mexican cuisine this side of Night City.” Jackie exclaimed.

“His mother runs and owns the joint. So, he gets to eat for free.”

Soap, Ghost and Gloria collectively snorted as Jackie deflated. “Are the pair of you going to be okay? Mama Welles likes to haze newcomers by making the food hotter than normal.” V questioned.

“V, The Military murdered our taste buds when we enlisted. Our squad mates used to claim our decent rations and get their unwanted ones. We survived, Las Almas, I took a point-blank shot to the head and Ghost…”

“I've been through enough to warrant a face transplant.

(Jacked and Coke)

David and Maxim slammed their glasses down. It was the Sixth round, and twelve shots had been consumed between the pair of them. 

The copying of the nav-data en route hadn't been as successful as they'd anticipated. So by the time they made it to the Jacked and Coke, the gauge of copied data was reading 88%. David had deactivated his internal agent and had taken it upon himself to occupy Maxim's time and attention.

Currently, the duo were talking about sports of all things, in particular Blood Bowl of all things. “Yeah, ‘Bonebreaker’ Brady is a decent frontliner, but he’s got no chrome or reflex tuner like ‘Quicksilver’ Maximoff.” Maxim declared.

“Maximoff’s quick but that’s all he’s got! He’s lucky to have even survived as long as he has. Especially with the fact of his alduterous nature.” David retorted.

Maxim chuckled as he placed another stack of eddies on the counter “He’s got some style though! To be married and fucking three other women on the side. What about you?”

David took a deep breath and knocked back another shot of alcohol, his eye catching Lucy’s eyes. She smiled thinly to him, before turning to fiddling of her agent. “There’s someone…she doesn’t…see me as something to scrape off the bottom of her shoe and actually likes me. Do I want more? Who doesn’t.”

Maxim smiled at him “Relationships change, some last and some don’t. So…”

“Mask.”

Maxim snorted “Mask, make memories with the lass, you never know when the City will rake you over the coals.”

At that moment, David’s agent buzzed D: Got it. David placed the agent in his pocket as Maxim’s eyes glowed yellow. Maxim grunted and ended the call “I have to go. Duty calls.”

David nodded “Safe travels and trip.” The hulking solo in a monkey suit sidled off and out of the bar, Lucy’s own eyes quickly turned orange. L: He’s gone.

M: Everyone go. Maine instructed. Lucy stood up and headed towards the bar where David was turning on his internal agent “Barkeep, NiCola Purple and a Firebomb please.” The Bartender nodded.

David turned to Lucy, the black skull shaped mask stared at her “So, what’s dump like this got a woman like you here?”

Lucy blushed “Oh you know, a guy and his job.” She took a sip of her drink and rested her head against him. “I’m driving.”

“I’m certainly not.” David murmured as he draped his organic arm around her waist. They finished their drinks and David finally removed his mask once they were in the car. It took Lucy, three stalls and a miscalculation with the gear change but she deftly guided them back to the Afterlife Car Park.

David all but fell out of the cab, landing on all fours, eliciting a giggle from Lucy. They entered the Afterlife back entrance and made their way into the open premises of the club and bar. Rogue was present, and was, holding court and surprisingly it was Maine, Dorio, Pilar, Rebecca and Kiwi standing before her. Lucy looked at them and sighed “Is it wrong to say ‘fuck this’ and we go upstairs and you fuck me senseless?”

“Nope. I’d love to fuck you senseless, but, Rogue wants this done and dusted; so we’re going to have to deal with this right now.”

Rogue looked at the crew in front of her, her Grandsons crew “What do you mean? You have managed to lose my grandson? How do you lose a person?” Maine looked sheepish.

“Ma’am, I gave the orders for us to move and he wasn’t with us.”

“Because, Maine, Lucy and I were being smart. The target left, followed by…quite frankly, some of the most obvious mercenaries in the world. If it wasn’t for the fact that I disregarded your plan we’d probably be in a shootout. Also, hello.” 

Rogue chuckled, she didn’t even need her optics to know that her grandson was drunk “I take it you managed to stall your victim?”

“At the…at…the…expense of my liver. I take it…everything is sorted? An all that needs to be done is the data handover and getting paid?” David croaked, his throat was dry and he knew his brain wasn’t properly functioning.

“Where’s the nav-data?” Maine asked, rounding on him.

“Dorio should have it.” 

Dorio checked her decrypter and true enough the data was present “We’re going to need a shard to download it onto…” The Amazonian Solo stated. 

David shrugged “Could see Nix about that. Anyway, was there anything else?”

Maine grinned at him “Kid, David, you’ve more than earned your place on the crew if you want to join us. We’ll get the nav-data to Faraday and we’ll see what happens.”

David nodded “I really don’t like this, arrangement, you’ve made so I’m going to remain out of the group for the most part. However, I will not be averse to working with you with you again.”

Lucy rested her head on his shoulder “David, can we go get some dinner?”

“Sure…That Chinese place?”

“Sounds good.” With that, Lucy attached herself to David and pulled him away from the Afterlife.

The Chinese Place, the Golden Bowl, wasn’t too far from the Afterlife. Not a normal mercenary downtime location, it attracted a regular footfall of Cyberpunks and Lawmen, of the more flexible kind. The Lawmen that ate here whilst not on the take from mercenaries, tended to hire Cyberpunks to ‘bend the rules’ for the cops to nail certain “perceived” villains of society. The Lawmen saw Cyberpunks as a ‘requirement’ to keep the City of Neon Sin from falling further into Sin.

All in all, no trouble was to be had and was considered one of the ‘safer’ places to eat in Night City. As David and Lucy arrived, they drifted past six off-duty officers and a few other edgerunners. No one made eye contact just quick nods of association and recognition. Lucy had only been once and had decided to order for the pair of them, David smiled. “Just how drunk are you?”

“More than I’d like to be but not enough to be useless.” Lucy blushed and squeezed his hand and then knee under the table.

“You could never be useless. You know that right?”

“OI! BARTENDER!” A familiar voice shouted.

Chapter Text

Cyberpunk Edgerunners: Bloodlines 21

David groaned “Hello 5th Street Failures.” He kept his attention on Lucy, he grabbed her hand. He slowly stood up, Lucy on his heels. The duo turned to face the speaker, and David resisted the urge to facepalm. There were ten of them, all wearing identical iconography of the 5th Street Marauders, judging by the colours of the gang patches they were a derivative of the 6th Street Patriots.

“Can I help you, gentlemen?” “Always try to de-escalate before you need to ventilate.” Soap had informed him, during one hand-to-hand session.

“You’re that rat-bastard barkeep that kicked us out of the Afterlife!” Leader stated.

David turned to look the guy up and down “I vaguely recognise you. Didn’t you make the threat of killing my Outputs Uncle and then gangbanging her in front of me? I believe I responded by skullfucking for your choom with my Overture.”

“Now you’re here on your own with your smoking hot Output. We’ve got you now.”

“Idiot, I don’t need to know your name, look around you. You stepping up to us and threatening us whilst we’re trying to have a date…smart. Smarter than I gave you credit for but take a look afuckinground; I count five off Lawmen, yeah they’re not going to want to get involved. The moment we start trying to give each other lead and steel injections and they’re off duty…lots of people are going to be getting a reach around. So do yourselves a favour and fuck off.”

Idiot snarled and his hand went for something inside his jacket “You’d better not be planning anything stupid, punk. The ‘Bartender’ as you called him…he’s right. You and your…” Another member of the gang had pulled out a firearm and with a cry of ‘Fuck off you useless bastards’ shot the Lawman in the chest.

As the first shot was fired, their food was just about to be placed into bowls and carried out to them. Lucy had taken off at a run over to the stall and rapidly got their food to go; David pulled his Overture and began to move backwards. “David…what are we going to do?”

“We’re going to go back to the Afterlife, upstairs and have our dinner. What comes next…is purely up to us.” Lucy smiled at the thought.

“Or go back to my place and the latter.”

David paused, back to the Afterlife would mean they’d be shanghaied into working and worked to the bone. “Yours. I don’t want to chance going to work. I’m down god knows how much tequila and all I want right now is you, food and you.”

“You’ve got me no…” Lucy began before David scooped her off the floor, activated his Sandevistan and they swiftly left the area. “...problem! David what the fuck.” Then the unmistakable sound of a grenade detonating. 

“That, Luce. Forgive me but being near grenades isn’t exactly fun and you near them even less so for me.” Lucy took the time to look into Davids remaining eye and nodded.

“I expect you to carry me back to my megabuilding.”

“Tease.”

“Your tease.”

(Afterlife)

Gloria shook her head. Rogue was smirking and Task 141 with the assembled Edgerunners were bending over from laughing. Just because Nix had set up some ‘eyes in the chrome’ to keep an eye on David did not mean that they occasionally listened in on him.

It was Lucy and David’s first date, David was drunk…so they had the right to listen in. It had been going so well, until the idiots arrived and then started shooting the off-duty police.

Gloria closed the connection “Was he wrong, mom?”

“About me stringing him and Lucy into work if they came back here…yes and no. No I wouldn’t string them right into work but disrupting their afterglow. I’m cold, Gloria…not completely heartless.” Rogue replied a grin on her lips.

“Cold as ice, firm and fair ruling as the Head of the Underworld should be.” Ghost replied as he rested on the extremely comfortable sofa.

“Can’t be worse than that Greenland Downtime Expedition.” Gaz chimed up attracting the attention of everyone.

“Whose the greenhorn?” Squama questioned.

“Whose a bloody greenhorn? I’m certainly not, have you broken into a Gulag? Have you survived having your neck snapped? Have you had to breach a house with allies, only, those allies turn you?”

Squama closed his mouth, Captain Price grunted “I appreciate the fire and brimstone Gaz. Especially your help with the Gulag, I’m getting slow…I should have spotted that fool, I’m only grateful I managed to get him halfway through the execution. Shadow Company…most of them were decent people, they weren’t shooting us. They were tactically missing, shepherding us into a room we could escape from and let them get on with their new mission. Boss, Edgerunners…this is Kyle ‘Gaz’ Garrick, 141 Operative, Counter Terrorism Consultant and my personal Minion.”

“And what am I, Cap? Chopped liver and sauteed potatoes?” Asked the Barghest Operative.

“That’s Roach. The Original Roach. My original minion.”

“Only because you pulled rank and squirreled him away from me, leaving me with the Heathen.” Ghost growled as he grabbed two beers. Which Roach and Gaz took.

“It’s goo’ tah see yah fellahs.” Soap drawled, he held his bottle high “To 141!”

“141!” 

Maine saluted “Are we getting anymore infamous 141 Task Force Members?”

Price looked at the chromed behemoth of a man “Classified.”

Maine chuckled, Price looked at him with an eye brow and a small smile crossed his lips “You sly fucker, you knew the answer, you just wanted me to say that.”

“Correct, Sir.” Maine straightened up “I suppose it’s now onto the serious business.”

Rogue nodded, she didn’t even have to holo-call Nix as her best netrunner was already approaching the group. “I’ve taken great liberty into copying the triangulated data-spike with a leech daemon, onto two shards. One for you to hand over to your boss and one for Rogue. I now offer you a choice. A pill choice to be exact.”

That caught everyones attention Nix blushed as he had all eyes on him. Soap was looking positively demented, Ghost and Roach were trying to look indifferent but the gleams in their eyes had them hooked. Price and Gaz were slowly moving away from their Scottish Colleague. Rogue and Gloria had looks of amusement on their faces and the Edgerunners looked confused. “Two pills? Choom, what, are we talking Red and Blue pills here from that nova pre-krash film with Johnny Silverhands Hot Ass Fuck Doppleganger?” Squeaked Rebecca, the lack of vulgarity demonstrated just how off guard she was. Pilar, Dorio, Kiwi and Maine were eyeing each other. Falco merely grinned.

“One question, Nix…” Dorio began.

“If it’s about David and Lucy finding out, they’ll learn when they resurface in the Afterlife. Now, the Blue Pill is you can take your shard and hand it over to your Fixer and you can wipe your head of this matter in its entirety and enjoy a pleasant evening in the Afterlife for services rendered complete. Or you can take the Red Pill and I can show you how deep the rabbit hole goes with what you’ve discovered and you stand to make fuck tonnes of eddies. As opposed to merely tonnes of eddies.”

“Is this for all of us?” Maine asked his nerves portraying him. “One of us speaks and the rest have that decision forced upon themselves?”

Nix nodded “Save for a few exemptions, David and Lucy and a few others.”

Dorio looked at Maine “Babe…I’ve never trusted Faraday, but I’ve trusted you, he sent on this mission without any of our concerns verified. Now we’ve got this, he’s tried to screw us over, I want to know what was so fucking valuable that he nearly got all of us killed with his lack of information.”

Maine nodded “Rebecca, Pilar?”

“Of course boss man. Fixer treats us like fucking dorphers, well screw him! I’m not allowing anyone to kill my tumour of a brother except me.” 

“Fucking pintsize gunaholic.”

“Not going to say no to more eddies.” Kiwi stated.

Falco smiled “It’ll make for a fun story when I next see Dick Fawtlung.”

“Dick Fawtlung? As in Richard Fawtlung, the lead on Watsons Whore?” Gaz stated looking at Falco with amazement.

“Schoolfriend, and drinking buddy. You’d be amazed at some of the people I know or am acquainted with, but you only need me for my driving skills.” The Nomad replied nonchalantly.

“You happen to know a guy by the name of Nikolai?” Price asked.

“Russian fellow? I’m only asking based on the pronunciation of the name…Name does ring a bell, he’s supposedly a very talented hand with helicopters. Oh, son of a jerk, you’ve used me as payback.”

“Sorry about that. I’m surprised you know of him.”

“Nomads talk, Nomads banter, Names get dropped. We might be beating each other up because we’re not part of the right family, clan, tribe or nation but if an Outsider kicks in a Nomad you’d best guarantee that the rest of the family, clan, tribe or nation will come for you.”

Nix gently cleared his throat “Misfits, Moonies and Marauders?”

Maine nodded “We’ll take the red pill.”

Nix nodded and he slid a unique device over the table “This…is a remake of a remake of a coffee-table sized holographic projector or imager. Well…the more idiot who thought he could scam me, now has a burnt-out brain and, is probably, missing a portion of his skull. Netrunners do their thing, and share bits and pieces. Anyway, I digress…just ready your optics.”

Nix inserted the chip and files erupted into existence but the header for the file said it all ‘ARASAKA EXPERIMENTAL WEAPONS RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT- PROJECTS OVERSEER TANAKA JINTA’. Maine’s eyes widened “Fuck this shit…Nix, is it possible to falsify the second shard?”

“It is…why?”

Ghost chuckled and surprising everyone, he removed his mask. “Allow me to introduce myself, I am Lieutenant Simon Riley, Call Sign Ghost, please Maine…call me Simon. Please tell me that you’re planning to do what I think you are.”

Maine paused “Well Lt. Riley, if you’re thinking I’m going to send my Fixer a corrupted shard with a few of the least ‘war crime’ projects, then yes…while I contact Militech itself and see how much I can ransom off them.”

Simon nodded before pulling on his Mask again, he wasn’t surprised to see Gloria handing Soap and Price a small bundle of eddies “You three made a bet on me didn’t you.”

Price shrugged “Yeah…I was going to send Miss Martinez-Amendiares two of the very few photos I’ve got of you without your mask on to win the bet. Then Maine said about screwing over Faraday, which we still need to do by the way, you love a good scam more than the rest of us. Then…the rest was history, you’d pull your mask off…Gloria gets a look at the man beneath and, hey presto, Soap and I have made easy eddies.”

Roach snorted “Now, Rogue, what do I have to do to get myself out of Barghest and join my squad? Please note, I’ve attempted to fake my death and it’s not worked.”

Rogue nodded “Isn’t Barghest run by Kurt Hansen?”

Roach nodded “Yeah. He’s turned a small part of Pacifica into his own little kingdom completely owned by him. It’s less of a black market hub and more like the hub of black market goods for Night City.”

Rogue nodded “I could do with someone representing me. Roach, pick one member of your buddies to help you, they’ll represent me.”

Roach locked eyes with Soap “I’m taking the Captain. Soap, it’s good to see you again, you fucking muppet.”

“Same to you Cockhead.”

Roach and Ghost bumped fists before the Barghest member and Price left the Afterlife. Rogue looked at the remaining members of her core team “Maine, it’s good to know that you’ve still got some sense left. I’ve got plans to deal with Faraday, but, I have to operate within the rules of being a Fixer in Night City. I can spread the word that you and your crew are looking for new Fixers but it’s up to you to impress them; working with higher-level Fixers akin to Wakako and Padre should shield you from backlash from Faraday.”

“We need to give him the Nav-data, still. He promised us a bonus of 2 Million Eddies.”

Rogue nodded “I’ll compensate you…but your asses will be mine for a while.”

“Being one of your bitches doesn’t seem to bad.” Pilar remarked only to bend over clutching his balls as Rebecca elbowed him sharply.

“We’re probably the bitches bitch. We’ve got no real rep, the moment we say we work for ‘Faraday’ they look at us like we’re fucking dorphers.” Rebecca growled.

(David and Lucy)

David crossed the doorway and placed Lucy on her couch, taking the Chinese from her and placed it on the table. Lucy smiled as David found bowls and plates and proceeded to empty the contents of the gigantic bag of chinese onto the table. Lucy began to blush as David pulled off his hoody, and armoured gear and deposited the mask and eye patch in a neat bundle.

His upper body was bare, the sandevistan gleaming in the setting sunlight she couldn’t help but wonder how she’d gotten so lucky. “I’ll sort this, you sit and enjoy the show.”

David sat back as Lucy, dropped her skirt on the floor, followed by her jumper. He couldn’t take his eyes off her. He vaguely remembered eating and they washed up, his hand squeezed her ass and he grinned as she moaned at the feeling.

“Bed!” Lucy ordered, her eyes dilating as David scooped her up and pushed his tongue into her mouth.

Chapter Text

Cyberpunk Edgerunners: Bloodlines

Lucy’s world went white. Her vision left her and she felt nothing until her head hit the pillow. Her legs were sore and in the glass, she could see that her stomach had swollen as David’s semen ran down the inside of her legs. She rolled over to see David, panting hard the outline of her hands on his throat, she smiled softly at him. She had no idea that underneath all his mannerisms there was a breathtaking monster in the sheets!

She groaned as her lover wrapped her in his arms. “David…please…no more.” She moaned as she tried to suppress a wriggle of her ass against his cock.

“You're telling me no more but your body wants more. So my love which is it?” Kisses on her neck accompanied those last three words.

“My spirit says yes but my body demands rest,” Lucy stated as she rolled over to face her lover. “And as much as I love being turned into a mass of pleasure…we’ve missed a few calls.”

David sighed and sat up, pulling Lucy to him as she pulled the blankets over them. She sat up straighter as David wrapped his arms around her and rested his head on her shoulder. He watched her eyes go yellow as he entered the call.

L: What is it?
M: You both need to get to the Afterlife.

D: Lucy, where’s David? He’s normally right in the call after you.

D: I’m here. Dorio. Afterlife…how bad is it? Scale of 1-10, 1 being not too important.

G: Mijo, Mija, how does…Fifth Corporate War rate on your afterglow snuggling?

L: We’ll be right there.

Lucy and David disconnected “Why… does this seem to always happen to us?”

“We’re Edgerunner's love, this is part the parcel.”

(Roach and Price)

“What’s your boss like?” Roach asked as they moved through the streets of Night City.

“Rogue? Remember Kate?” John replied as he rummaged in his jacket for a box of matches.

“Looking for these, sir?” John looked at his comrade and sighed, he smiled softly and took the box of matches before swinging his rucksack around opened the top to pull out a pre-krash Spanish cedar box, Roach looked in to spy three more.

“The Colonel isn't much of a smoker, John.”

“I know. Preliminary investigations told me that much of him when I first investigated him. He’s a man of taste, so to speak, so when a man says ‘I’m not much of this or that’, you hit ‘em with the finer things to tempt them. I’ve got six boxes of cigars, each…individual one would easily run you at conservative minimum 600 Eddies, depending on what someones looking for. Bare in mind each box contains 25 Cigars.”

“15k for a box…is that all I’m worth, John? A measly 15k? I’m offended. What’s Soap worth?”

“A headshot.” John replied, stopping Roach in his tracks. Roach looked at him dumbfounded.

“Makarov?”

Price nodded “Makarov suffered a malfunction with his firearm, it still went off but Soap lived…that’s all I can say. The only place available to operate on him was in the States, so we all took off over here. Did a few jobs, got burned by Shepherd and Ghost Company so we scattered. Ghost found Soap and they ended up here. I came here after tracking down Kate. As for Gaz…cheeky fucker was probably already here. Yeah, Rogue’s like Kate…far more ruthless and less prone to second chances.”

“Task-141 doesn’t miss.” Roach replied.

“Sometimes it felt like divine intervention that we kept missing when we had ‘em dead to rights.”

“You got that right. John, burns suck.”

“I can imagine. Wouldn’t want it to happen to anyone, I’d prefer not getting injured but if I had to take an injury a stabbing. So I’ve got a chance of taking the fucker with me.”

During Price's reply, they’d gotten into a scuffle with a few scavs with a van. Both Ex-Forces members weren’t in the mood for killing them and had promptly beaten the gang of five into groaning wastes of flesh and after patting them down for a measly $350, they took the van and began to drive to Pacifica and Dogtown. The battered van pulled into the small queue of cars trying to head into Dogtown, four members of Barghest were staring down two members of the NCPD arguing about jurisdiction.

“John, stay quiet and let me do the talking.” Roach stated as they made their way to the front of the queue.

“Windows down.” Came the first order. The duo complied “Roach! You!” The speaker said pointing at Price “Get out of the car.”

“I can vouch for him, Dan, he’s my former SO.” Roach replied “He’s also an emissary.”

“A fucking what now? Roach, I get it…he’s your boss and a comrade but he ain’t Barghest, you are.”

“Permission to speak?” John asked, eager to get this shit show over with.

“Go ahead.”

“I’m Captain John Price, Britain Special Operations, Task Force 141. Gary “Roach” Sanderson was a Sergeant in my Special Operations Squad before enlisting in 141. He’s been my spotter for more times than I could count, I needed to train a newbie so I attached him to my Lieutenant, they burned him literally and we all thought he was dead. I also work for Rogue.”

“You work for the Queen Bitch of this shitty city?” Came a sharp retort. John nodded.

“Let ‘em in. It’s Roach and he’s brought a messenger.”

John shifted the van into gear and they entered Dogtown “Yeah, this place is such a shithole, but this shithole it is mine.” Roach commented.

“You’ve grown to love this place?”

“Yeah…sure there are gunfights, annoying as fuck constant tannoy announcements and idiots trying to overthrow the status quo but it works. We’re going straight to the top, if there are any weapons you can conceal I'd suggest you do it now. Colonel Hanson, whilst a very good commander isn't going to besmirch or completely disarm you. He likes his finer things and aspirations of being a decent man.” Roach explained.

“Despite the tyrannical despotic king of the black market in Night City.” Price replied nonchalantly.

Roach snorted “I know, Captain, I know. A man is only as good as his word right? You taught me that.”

Price nodded “The only thing a man truly has is his word. I’m going to do what I can to get you out of Barghest.”

Roach nodded “Let’s go.”

Members of Barghest parted out of the way for the duo “I’m one of the ‘middlemanagement’ for the lack of a better word, plus I work alongside the people below me; they respect and trust me and I do the same. Sure there are bits I dislike about Barghest and the Colonel knows this but he respects my abilities enough not to try and push me on my principles.”

“Good to know. So you’ve got automatic audience with the man.”

“More or less, I tend to have to deal with the Colonel and one his key subordinates. They’re decent enough. Although Chester and Yuri are the two to be most watchful of, they’re both inclined to murder you if you so much as even sneeze. Chester’s loyal, he won’t do anything unless the Colonel orders it; his past time are those poor saps swinging from the lamposts. Yuri…he’s the closest one to Soap only Soap has the capacity to think and listen. Yuri…out of the five, he’s the one most likely to do something stupid like try and make a deal with you behind the Colonel’s back. The main one to get on our side is Albert, Albert’s the diplomat. Chances are we’ll see him first.”

“Captain Roach.” 

“At ease…is Commander Murphy about?”

“I’m always about Captain and Unknown Entity.” A soft baritone said as Murphy walked forward, Murphy was three inches smaller than Ghost mostly organic if only for the chromed-out arms.

Roach saluted and Price nodded before taking his hat off, Murphys eyes widened slightly behind his glasses “Captain Price, Captain Roach often spoke fondly about you. It’s a pleasure to meet you.”

“Same to you Commander Murphy.”

“Please call me Albert.”

“If you’ll call me John.”

Albert looked at the duo “The SovOil contract was a success, thank you again Captain for setting that up.”

Roach snorted “All I did was introduce you, the rest was up to you.”

“It’s because you have these names who are receptive to you that makes you so invaluable. Please follow me.” Murphy opened a door to reveal an elaborate gaming room, there were poker tables, blackjack, backgammon and more it was right now relatively deserted save for thirty or so people scurrying around polishing and cleaning up the room.

“Beholden my court.” Price murmured, he was no real betting man but even he could see the meticulous attention to detail. The poker chips were being cleaned as were the cloths for the tables.

“Indeed. Are you a betting man, Captain Price?”

“I’ve…not really had the time or the pleasure to. I keep my vices to those that merely impact me such as drinks and smoking. When I do get to bet it’s small games…the ones you have amongst friends and close colleagues.”

“Ah, where nothing much apart from pride and ego are at stake and small amounts of eddies. I daresay I’m much the same, although I cannot say much about the Colonel’s latest acquaintance by the name of Phillip Graves.” Price froze.

“Phillip Graves? You say?” Price asked, Soap was going to be beyond furious. Price had seen Soap at his highest and lowest but the worst was the first time he found out that Graves had evaded him. Price belatedly agreed with Ghost about ‘calling an airstrike’ on Shepherd and Graves during their video call. Shepherd had been dealt with, smoothly and quietly at Price's own hand.

They reached a door above the arena and Murphy knocked. “Enter!” Came a deep but softly spoken voice.

“Mister Graves, I must apologise for curtailing our discussion so promptly…”

“It's of no consequence Colonel. As a man of business like yourself, I understand when situations require immediate attention; although I do hope that this will not become a reoccurring matter especially when with me?” A silky smooth but dangerous tone retorted.

“Mr. Graves…you may be one of my valued customers and dare I say it a good colleague and former comrade in arms, but that does not mean that you're irreplaceable. Barghest and Shadow Company have had multiple beneficial experiences and success rates when working on joint ventures and I as much as You would hate for that working relationship to sour. I'll be in touch personally soon enough.”

Two chairs scraped back and the sound of hands clasping hands was heard as Graves left. Murphy turned to find Price had disappeared, only Roach was still present. Graves looked the same as ever, if only, slightly older, eyes harder and his sandy-brown hair now flecked with silver. The Head of Shadow Company nodded to the duo and left. “That's definitely Graves alright.” Price murmured reappearing, Murphy nearly jumped.

“You're one terrifying man, Captain Price. You've worked with Mr. Graves before?”

Price nodded “Years ago. He tried to kill us, my Man thought he killed him. He survived. Then my man nearly died again…Graves had vanished. Too think he'd be here of all places.”

Hanson then stuck his head out the door “Murphy! What was so important that you needed to interrupt my business?” He barked.

Price stepped forwards “Colonel Kurt Hanson, Head of the Barghest Company?”

Hanson nodded “I am.”

“Captain John Price, Ex-SAS and Task Force 141. I'm here at the bequest of Rogue Amendiares.”

Kurt's eyes widened fractionally “A living legend in my office, Murphy you're dismissed. Roach you as well.”

“Colonel, I want Roach present the same with Lieutenant-Colonel Murphy.”

Kurt raised an eyebrow “Lieutenant-Colonel? What makes you think he's that rank?”

“He answers to you, he appears to be in your confidence. He's the one who approaches Persons Of Interest for you. Ergo Lieutenant-Colonel.” Price replied.

Kurt chuckled “I'd heard the rumours and the stories that you were good, but, not this good. Then your rescue from the Gulag…”

“Messier than you'd expect. Had to escape through blue-on-blue. My boys were particularly ruthless that day. Your man Roach, he's one of my mine originally.”

Kurt nodded “Come in. Sorry about the mess, some clients are…messier than others. I hadn't anticipated an emissary from the Outer City.”

John, Alex and Roach entered the office. The door shut behind them and Murphy took Price's rucksack from him. Murphy placed it on a table off to one-side as Hanson tidied up his desk. “What's in the bag, Captain?”

“A few things, odds and sods, knick-knacks and…some of the finer things in life.” Kurt grinned coldly.

“I must say Captain that you have both my attention and curiosity. Please, proceed.”

Out of the rucksack in Price's hands came a beanie, a spare pair of socks, gloves, a silenced disassembled rifle, three magazines and the boxes of cigars and a few books. “Odds and sods, knick knacks and some of the finer things indeed. I must say that's a lot of firepower in there.”

“Better to have it out of sight and out of mind…or better to have and not need…”

“Than not to have and need.” Hanson finished. Price slowly and deliberately placed his own sidearm and knife with the contents of the bag and slowly picked up the boxes.

Murphy moved to intercept but Hanson waved him off “I'm certain that if the Captain wants me dead, then I'd be dead.” The boxes were placed on the desk.

“I heard from Roach that whilst you're not a gentleman of many vices, but, you're a gentleman of taste.” Price stated.

Kurt opened one of the boxes and his eyes widened “Authentic Pre-Krash Cigars!”

Price nodded “That they are.”

“Are they Cuban?”

“Unfortunately Cubans are like gold dust. Those are Colombian, amongst cigar connoisseur Colombians are easily as good or superior to the Cuban. I prefer a Colombian, easier to get and smoother in taste both the cigar itself and the feelings in the lungs. May I?”

Kurt took a cigar out and nodded, John pulled out a match. Kurt handed him a cigar, John lit his inhaled before lighting the Colonels. The Colonel coughed a little before inhaling again and exhaled a perfect smoke ring “Now…to business.”

John nodded “Rogue is willing to help you with additional arms sales at 40 to 60 split. I know what you're going to say that's an egregious price but all you're going to need to do is get the firearms and a three man crew of Rogues selecting will come, collect and clear out. You get a connection to Rogue and your firearms into Night City and you get a tidy sum of eddies coming in. Win-win. Now you're going to want to put a man you can trust with this operation and I'd like it to be Roach. Furthermore if You're not willing for that I'm asking Soldier to Soldier what would you want or need from our side of the table to allow Roach to come with me as his own man and immune from any…repercussions for supposedly betraying yourself and Barghest?”

Kurt nearly dropped his cigar “You're bringing me a contract with Rogue fucking Amendiares, with these terms and conditions and want Roach?” A vein pulsed in Kurt's head. He calmed himself.

“I want a great many things. I had been ordered by Militech to take Night City, only fucking Arasaka started swinging it's fucking foreign dick around and forced Militech and NUSA to a ceasefire. I had been given orders to withdraw but I refused them. I want Night City to come back where it belongs, I want Arasaka gone and I want more ground and territory. I'm not running a fucking business without trying to at least superficially look like I'm improving the people's lives I'm protecting for nothing.” Kurt's mechanical arm hit the table.

“Tell Rogue that I want a seat at the table of Fixers, I want to expand Dog Town and I want a bigger slice of the pie 50-50. As for Roach, I've heard him talking about his 141 Squad. I want to see evidence of you all in action for a job of my choosing. You'll be paid handsomely. I suppose I also want information on the Prototype Sandevistan that's popping up all over town then Roach is free to leave.”

Price nodded “I’ll see what I can do.”

Kurt nodded “It was good meeting you. I have a feeling we’ll be seeing each other again soon enough. Thank you for the cigars.”

Price nodded, the two men shook hands. “I’ll be on my way. Roach…I’ll…”

Kurt snorted “I’ve changed my mind. Please convey to Rogue that Roach is my…emissary. He has my permission to do whatever it takes for us to reach a business relationship but he can not make any concrete promises or guarantees.”

(David and Lucy)

They entered the Afterlife “Round of Broseph, Maine?” David asked as he walked behind the bar after hi-fiving Claire.

“Yeah…actually…a round of Silverhands, David, actually.” Maine replied. David gulped as he made the drinks and poured a purple NiCola out of habit. He carried it over to Maine who wasn’t looking at him but rather through him.

“Someone wanna explain why he looks like he’s watched the entirety of Two Girls One Cup?” Dorio shot David a dirty look that would have killed a lesser man. Ghost and Squama who were sitting across from Rogue on another bench chortled. Soap tried to do his best disapproving dad face but the twitch of a smile on his face gave him away and Gloria face palmed.

“Do I wanna know why Dimples knows of such a depraved act?” Becca chimed in, grinning at the reference.

“I’m training as a Netrunner, not enough to be dedicated like our Lucy, just enough to be able to crack a door, shut down a camera and Nix is a fantastic asshat teacher, he left that virus as a surprise in the deck.”

“I’m not sure if I should be offended or congratulated on my teaching methods…it’s not often Rogue asks me to train a Script Kid.”

“Call it both, Nix, call it both. Best way to describe it.” Gaz chimed in.

“Hey, Kid, David, I’m Gaz…Kyle Garrick, these muppets call me Gaz.”

“David, some are calling me the ‘New Roach’. I don’t like the name if I’m honest.”

“Considering OG Roach is alive and is second the worst bastard to have a fight with and is…only less lethal than Ghost because OG Roach cannae fin’ the fourth and fifth with a blade.” Soap drawled.

“I only got half of that, the less lethal than Ghost and something about can’t stick a knife in them.” Lucy chimed in, winding her hand into David’s. “What’s the problem?”

Nix sighed “The chip you snagged had not only the majority of future R&D Projects that Arasaka was working on off the books, including a gravitational moving cyberskeleton but it also had compiled lists of everyone loosely affiliated with Arasaka and I mean everyone. You, David, are on the list, you’re ranking as the third most resistant to cyberpsychosis outside of Redacted and Adam Smasher.”

David paled “It’s going to get worse.”

Rogue snorted “Go right to the top of the class…want to guess how bad?”

“I’m guessing Laguna Bend is nice this time of year, despite it being under water. So War starting?”

“Yup…”

David looked at Ghost “Any chance that arranging an airdelivery for Faraday? Preferably of the highly explosive kind?”

Soap and Gaz snorted “Remind us to tell you about Philip Graves sometime and David that is not nice.” Soap commented.

“It’s a good idea but it’s going to be hard to sweep the bodyparts of the civilians caught in it off the streets, walls and rubble. Honestly, Faraday is marked. How much was that asshole paying you?”

“2.2 Million…if he was going to pay us. Which is why I called you.” Dorio explained.

David looked at Lucy “I…have an idea. A fucking bad one.”

All eyes turned to David “What is it?” Rogue asked crossing the floor and gently separating the two. “David Amendiares…cards…table…declare.”

“I did a job for Wakako, her courier went missing he had Pilar's gold mitts. I tracked the package to a building that the Maelstrom had recently taken over, got in. I called for Soap, Nix joined in…I was walking through a literal cairn of broken Maelstrom; there was an Arasaka Spec-Ops who I got the drop on. I found the package, it was being held by a guy who introduced himself a M. We exchanged words, he taught me a few tricks and said ‘He’d be in touch’. I grabbed what I came for and I ran.”

Rogue let out a sigh “I…” What she was about to say was cut off as the door to the Afterlife opened.

“David Amendiares, Orion Maine, Lucyna Kushinada, Gloria Amendiares, Simon “Ghost” Riley, Kyle “Gaz” Garrick and others.” A baritone voice called as a man dressed in black with a black cyberarm revealed himself to the assembled Edgerunners.

“M…a drink?” David asked.

“A Broseph, please, Lucyna…I really would not recommend trying to quickhack me; as talented as I know you are my Black ICE is a cut above your most potent quickhacks. Rogue, it’s been a while…for those of you whom the lights have turned on the hamsters haven’t yet began to turn allow me to introduce myself, I am Morgan Blackhand. I understand that you, Orion Maine, have gotten you and yours into a little predicament from which I might be able to extract you.”

Soap stared “Steaming Jesus, Simon.”

“Less steamed, Johnny, more Glaswegian Deep Fried Jesus.”

Rogue let out a breath “Very well Morgan…what do you have?”

Chapter Text

Bloodlines 23

Morgan Blackhand couldn’t help but keep a grin off his face as he heard ‘ Deep Fried Jesus’. “This is why I love the United Kingdom.” Soap, Ghost and Gaz stared at the Legendary Solo.

“Boys, whose bed have you pissed in this time?” A new voice, to Morgan, called out.

“Captain Price, Lieutenant Sanderson…how's Colonel Hanson?” Morgan asked, smirking as the two men swore and cursed.

“I'm guessing he's delivered you his…quite frankly boring demands. A ‘seat at the table’, expansion of Dog Town and getting rid of Arasaka?”

Price looked at Morgan dumbstruck “Yeah…”

Morgan ground out his cigar “Damn shame…a damn bloody shame is what it is gentlemen and ladies.p. Alright, everyone sit down.” To everyone's surprise, everyone grabbed a seat and gathered around the legendary solo.

“Alright…I am going to put a call out to someone very high up in Millitech and before you ask how high, I can say ‘Militech knows to take my calls’ and ‘the Higher Ups know to either jump when I ask or sit down and take notes’. That’s how long I’ve been working for Militech.” Morgan stated “Yes, technically, I’m a mercenary and I work for the highest bidder, so far in my extraordinarily long life that normally means Militech. It’s gotten to the point where I could be part of the furniture. Now, you lot…” He pointed at the Edgerunners “...have found material that could easily kickstart the 5th Corporate War. Militech don’t want war, not because they don’t wish to give Arasaka a beating…they all do. They don’t have the stomach for the global shitstorm it would entail along with repairing the world. I understand that you work for a Fixer on Militech payroll and you haven’t yet made the drop?”

Maine nodded “Correct.”

“How much was he paying you?” Morgan asked bluntly.

“2.2 Million, split between Seven of us.”

“Cheapskate.” Morgan grumbled “He’s fobbing you off, but, a deal is a deal.” He pulled out an agent and began pressed call.

???: Hand.
MB: CEO.

CEO: I trust there is a reason, for this impromptu call?

MB: I found something interesting. Your Fixer Informants were looking into a certain pain and a group has found it.

CEO: Go on…
MB: This particular Fixer wants what is in essence V-CW Knowledge and is ripping this group off completely.
CEO: How much so?
MB: He’s giving them 2.2 Mill to be split amongst seven.
CEO: Disregard that order. Blackhand…they have a blank check within reason for this material. I’ll even throw in a bonus if they can deal with that treasonous bastard.

The call ended and Morgan looked at the assembled Edgerunners.

Their jaws were open “You have the CEO on speed dial?” Price mused as he pulled out a cigar box. The move attracted Morgans attention like a hawk. He watched the box open and two cigars were removed from it.

“Sir…I thought you gave all of those too Hanson.” Roach exclaimed.

“Roach…I only gave him two boxes. I still have…three more. Un-opened that is. Blackhand?” Price asked offering him a cigar. Morgan took it, before cautiously sniffing it.

“Colombian?”

“Yup.”

“You have 98 left…when I saw the box, I deduced it contained cigars, connoisseurs, military men and traders of cigars tend to carry them in boxes of 25. These are pre-krash…” He turned to assembled mercenaries “...anyone who claims something is pre-krash, always check the seams and edges; pre-krash there are always little innocuous markings from the machinery or handwork that notes them as pre-krash. With cigars, you always study the endings the grain might be 100% accurate but there are always little distortions in the grain indicating the leaves were not cut by a calibrated machine.” Morgan reached into his coat and pulled out a stack of eddies, and another, then another until roughly a stack of eddies; four along and five high were placed on the table.

“20k for a box, Captain Price.”

A box was presented and stowed into another pocket “Sir…” Soap began.

“Don’t worry Soap…I’ve taught you all you know but not all I know. The Cigar trade is still booming, all I need is a weak link.”

“Then we move in, you take it over all legal like and soon enough you’re making a killing.” Gaz stated smirking “I want in. I know nothing of the trade, production, marketing but I trust the man.”

Price smirked “I never knew you were much of a stocksman, Gaz.”

“I’m not. I can’t make heads or tails of it, what I do know…is research, through research I can make calculations and with those calculations I can guess what I want to hedge my bets on. Nothing big and few, but, small and lots…sure it’s going to take a while for returns but…” Gaz shrugged.

Rogue grinned, the details she was getting was priceless. The people working for her were honest, loyal, and dependable. She’d help them out from behind the scenes. David broke the silence “Mr. Blackhand…”

“Call me Morgan, David.” The legend said as exhaled a beautiful smoke heart causing blushes to David and Lucy, the latter sneezed causing laughter and guffaws around the table.

“Right, Morgan…”

Maine raised a hand “What are you thinking David? If you’re thinking about the crew, we all need to have say… ‘fair shake’ extends to more than just ‘fair share in profit’. You’re good, well trained, can handle yourself but to all of us B-S rank Mercs you’re a greenhorn.”

David felt his temper surge, it showed on his face in the tightening of his jaw and his veins pulsed in his neck “I was going to say, since Faraday low-balled us 2.2 between 7, I was going to couch 15.4 between 7 giving us 2.2 each to play with…that’s all I had going, with maybe some new toys and a sponsored off the books fall-back resort along with a kickback or two.”

“Define kickback…” Gloria stated.

David pointed to Morgan “He and I crossed paths, I was after something and he was after everything. He let me leave with what I came for with a verbal ‘IOH’. I have every reason, he’s here not just to offer us a convenient way out of kickstarting Corpowar Round Five without something to snag us by, Mom.”

“David’s right, Gloria…we, the Amendiares, owe Morgan a few favours. It’s only because…”

“I’ve not needed to call those favours because they’ve not been required. I have a small number of allies that answer to me directly…the favour I’m calling David Amendiares is this I need you to get information and evidence that Faraday is a crooked Fixer and terminate him. I know what you’re going to ask and as Simon told you, as he was once told ‘That is not nice’, I am denying you an airstrike to take him out because it is not guaranteed that the airstrike will get him. Ask your step-father about the tank incident…I work for Militech, Soap, it’s my job to know these things not the specifics but I can workout what happened. Simon, McTavish your escape was Los Alamos was a work of wonder.”

“Thanks, Sir.” Simon rasped from beneath his mask.

Morgan looked at the skull-themed mercenary “You’re wearing that because you’re a Lanling or you’re fucking ugly.” Simon sighed and from Gloria’s position she could just make out a dusting of colouration around the gargantuan british solo’s eyes.

“What’s a Lanling?” Rebecca asked.

“A Chinese General of Old known for breathtaking beauty so he hides his face.” Morgan stated, before turning official again “Right, 15.4 for the Edgerunners, a Fallback Resort…anything else?”

Maine looked at the Edgerunners “Some new toys? Rifles and the like?”

“Hardware and Software, you’d be getting some of the new, new, stuff as well…stuff that needs testing before Militech can sell it.”

“You want us to be your guinea pigs we’re going to want compensation, TT Coverage and hazard pay.” Pilar cut in.

“Pilar…we’re not going to take Militech for everything.” Maine snapped.

“We heard the CEO! He said ‘blank check for anything within reason’ so 15.4 Million, A Safehouse, More Firearms with the risk of being guinea pigs? Being paid to be guinea pigs isn’t that far of a stretch, TT would be nice.”

Maine nodded “We’ll take all of that and if its possible to arrange an occasional LOA for Chrome that’d be useful.”

Morgan nodded “15.4, Safehouse, Guns and Chrome…that works. I was thinking you’d go for more extreme things.”

Dorio smiled “We’re thinking about it but we’re just an insignificant speck in the grand scheme of things. If we want more ‘extreme payouts’ as you were thinking of, then we had better start delivering before they can be guaranteed.”

Blackhand grinned “I’ll leave it to you. Just…be careful. It might be an idea to get the ball rolling.”

Maine smirked, his eyes lit up as he made contact with his Fixer.

F: I trust you have a good reason for contacting me?

M: After all this time, you, still don’t trust me.

F: I do not trust. Trust is a weakness. Do you have it?

M: I have it.

F: All of it?
M: You’ll have to verify by ‘all of it’. You gave us a job and it’s been done.

F: Usual meet.

M: Agreed.

Maine hung up, he took the doctored chip “It’s ago. We’re meeting Faraday, Turbo’s. David…Faraday expects all of the crew to meet.”

“I’m not part of the team…as far as Faraday knows it’s only six of you. I am intending to be present though.”

“Watching through the sites of a rifle.” Lucy murmured, “More than likely watching my ass.”

“Kinda hard not to.” David quipped absentmindedly, before blushing as he realised where the conversation was about to lead to, it didn’t help that Claire shouted ‘tickets’.

Soap cut in “David, I’ll be your spotter. Remember, we’re observing only.”

“I know. Killing a Fixer is just not done, not in cold blood. It’s why I keep suggesting an air strike.”

“David, you come up with a way to kill this guy… without …provoking a 5th War or causing massive collateral damage; we’ll walk you through it.” Price stated.

The Captain spoke again “Everyone I want you to meet Roach. 141…you’re exempt.”

“Captain, very politely, go fuck yourself.” Ghost replied as he engulfed Roach in a bear hug that was very fiercely reciprocated.

“I’m so sorry.” Ghost whispered.

“I’m not…Simon…you and I had very good run, look, I’m sorry for not waking up sooner; I know you. You wanted to carry me somewhere, hoping I’d survive. I understand and I’m sorry you were forced to leave me and my body behind. We’re survivors…we didn’t live in childhood, Si, we survived it; we enlisted together, we survived Selection together…Then your rocket lit, I was fucking thrilled when you selected me as your partner. We’ve been friends since we were kids, what you did, back then, what you did, tore you up. Then in came Johnny…you saw something in him that made you unable to leave him behind. I have been and forever will be your best friend, Simon. Our mams would be fucking thrilled about what we’ve done…hate what we, had and did do, and loathe what we have to do but it's us.”

“Thank you, Gary, I’m fucking thrilled your back; but fucking pissed you’re with some criminal terrorist bullshitters, what were you thinking?” Simon whispered.

“Don’t go soft on me, Si…look, I’m going to need you to do one last fuck off stunt. Yes, they are. As for what I was thinking ‘We’re, Mancsmen, despite our bullshit we’re men of our word.”

The two men broke their bearhug and conversation. Task 141 swiftly took their Barghest member and sequestered themselves out of the way. Maine gathered the crew. “David…nice work. I shouldn’t have doubted you.”

David smiled thinly at his father “Are we done? Briefing and concept of a plan created?”

“Yeah…we’re done. Now…we’ve got a job to do.” 

(Turbo’s)

David and Soap had set up on the roof of Turbo’s “You'd be surprised how many people don't look up.” Soap murmured as he set up a Techtronika SPT32 Grad marksman rifle. Soap scowled a little at the rifle “This is a decent rifle, now that I've managed to make it mine…it's no replacement for my SA-B 50.”

David grunted “I…still have no idea what any of that means. So far I've got the broad strokes of various firearms and their classifications…Power, Tech and Smart. Smart is stupid, Tech is fragile. Power all the way.”

“You're learning. Don't worry if you have a preference for Tech Weapons, you still need some skill to wield them. Ghost and Roach like a Tech sidearm or tertiary weapon. I prefer all power. Gaz and Price they're one mind in two bodies and generally have more weapons than I can think of with them.”

“Still trying to figure out the combat uses of a cigar.”

Soap let out a snicker “I ain't saying. Price ain't telling and Ghost and Gaz are scared shirtless of Price to tell. Roach would…but…that's becoming Icarus my boy. Never be an Icarus.”

David nodded, he settled down and took Soap’s secondary scope; only for the other man to place him behind the rifle, but not before removing the firing pin. “David…you’re too much like your Grandmother, you’d say you’re not going to eliminate him but I think you’d have an accident and he’d end up dead.” 

“Okay…killing Faraday is off the table…but what about those three…at five, a couple of degrees below.”

Soap looked down “No killing. Messing them up is fine. I’m joining in. She will be my stepdaughter-in-law…blood-kin or not, you’re family.” 

Lucy was positioned by the bar. She didn’t need to look up. Her ping, ‘quick hack,’ picked up her lover's cybernetics and her step-father-in-law-to-be’s arm. She looked around. Maine and Dorio were by the car. Kiwi was pretending to be disinterested in observing Pilar’s juggling routine. Rebecca was playing Roach Race, and Falco was nowhere to be seen as he was doing a smuggling gig for Rogue.

“Hey there.” A voice called. Lucy cocked her head as she found herself looking at a group of young men, three of them—late teens to early twenties, in decent shape.

“Yes?” Faraday was going to be arriving soon, she despised the Fixer but she found herself wanting him to turn up “Or maybe you want David to arrive and beat the chrome out of them.” She shook her head “Sorry…short-circ’d.”

“Can I get you a drink? Also, what’s a gorgeous person like you doing in a shithole like this?”

“No thanks for the drink. I have a meeting here…also, I appreciate the approach, I do…I have a mainline.” The leader paused, then smirked.

“Then that’s his loss…”

Lucy grinned impishly “He’d want to be here, however, he’s always present. To say he is fiercely protective of me is an understatement, I can predict what he’s doing. You could say his preferred way of being present is to be from a distance and a vantage point.”

The sound of Kill Kill that was blaring out of the speaker suddenly cut off. It also cut the power to the Roach Race machine causing Rebecca to scream in outrage, she turned around reaching for her two lexingtons.

A beautiful crimson limo arrived and pulled up opposite Maine and Dorio. The Edgerunners assembled, David watched through the scope “David…we’re just verifying that this is Faraday.” David nodded, he really didn’t like this.

Maine looked at Faraday “I have the information.”

“I want to meet your entire team, Maine. From my own sources, I know you didn’t and couldn’t have pulled this job off on your own; its not your style.” Faraday snapped, he kept his poker-face but was inwardly chalking up Maines ingenuity to deduct the pay he had to payout.

Lucy reached into her jacket, causing one of Faraday’s bodyguards to turn his gun on her, Lucy pulled out her cigarettes and proceeded to light one. She smirked, but said nothing “Girl!” She looked at Faraday.

“What?”

Faraday wanted to teach the bitch a lesson “Where is he?”

“Who?”

“Your associate…I know you were with someone NOT part of your Edgerunner Crew on your job. Who is he? Where is he?”

“A contact and somewhere.” Lucy replied a bit too quickly “He was doing another job…not unheard for mercenaries to rub shoulders on jobs…He assisted us.”

“You…brought in OUTSIDE HELP! Without…” Snarled Faraday.

Soap twitched “David…you might need to intervene.” David nodded, he pulled out his mask, engaged his cybereye and slid the mask on. He jumped down off the roof of Turbo’s and activated his Sandevistan. He felt the world slow, instead of running towards Faraday and his new Crew, he took a sedate pace and arrived just as the Sandevistan depowered.

Faraday looked and his eyes widened momentarily, he was about to chastise the stupid bitch of his loyal pet; when the associate arrived. The associate was around 5’11 and still growing, mostly organic which was a novelty. There was a reddish black cyberarm clearly visible, along with a full face mask with a glowing blue eye. On his waist was a Malorian Overture with a few clearly assembled speed-loaders and a knife on his opposite leg “You’re this bitch’s associate?”

The associate didn’t speak, he didn’t give any sort of response. That was insubordination! “Do you know who I am?”

“Yes.”

Faraday paused, he thought he’d have to get some details from the bitch to make contact with the associate.

“Do you realise what you’ve done?”

“Your job?”

The Fixer scowled “You do not…”

“I do not work for you, Fixer, I work for someone else. My Fixer has told me, they ‘tolerate no interference from others’, your crew was on their job. I was on mine, our targets were in close proximity. I got paid and I trust they will as well?”

Faraday scowled before paying Maine and held out his hand “The information.”

Maine paused “You're two million short…we did the job, I have the information and you're still holding onto the two million of the agreed price.”

“What will you do if I don't give you the money? You can't just give that information to anyone.”

“Any Megacorp would match or double your price for Maine's information.” Pilar stated.

Faraday snarled at the Edgerunners before reluctantly paying the outstanding pay. He turned to the Associate “You seem capable, I can make you rich.”

“I’ll consider it.” Faraday twitched, he extended his hand towards Maine and the large Edgerunner placed the corrupted shard into the Fixers hand. He slotted the shard into an empty slot “It’s…not there…however, the information you managed to salvage is worth the expense. Consider yourselves still on my payroll.”

Maine snorted “Nah. Respectfully, our contract was until you got that data, we’re done. Chooms, let's go.” Lucy smirked, she turned as Mask offered her his arm. 

“Thanks…where were you? What were you doing?”

“Here, Overwatch, Faraday. Shall we get a pint?”

Chapter Text

 Bloodlines 24

David watched Faraday drive off, as did Soap. ‘Green to Overwatch’ David called over their secure link.

‘Send traffic Green.’

‘Absolute fucking prick, Overwatch, Target, is a complete prick. Could not get close enough to plant our little toy to give us The Police.’

‘Nice song reference. Now have fun.’ Soap disconnected the call, dissembled the rifle and headed into Turbo’s…he’d finished his job, and observed Faraday; no one was going to grill David harshly for not being able to get the bug on Faraday’s vehicle…that was always going to be a long shot…one that if Gloria, David and Lucy hadn’t been in his life he’d have attempted to plant the bug.

He walked into Turbo’s, he wasn’t trying to conceal himself but was rather proud that David caught him out of the corner of his eye. He ordered a broseph and settled himself in a corner; he’d prefer to be in the middle of the bar but in a corner, well he could justify beating anyone who started something with him to death and get away with the ‘I had no way out’ excuse. The broseph was chilled, he uncapped the bottle and settled in to watch.

Lucy walked up to David, buried her face into his chest and let out a ‘ping’. “He’s gone.” The mask came off, the eyepatch went on and Lucy felt her head tilted back as David kissed her. The raw emotion on her lover’s face told her everything.

“Let’s get a drink.”

“Yeah…and you explain to me why you’re fucking here.”

David snorted the soldierly or rather the language of solos was infecting his Netrunner “Simple…needed three-eyes on the four-eyes then if we had a chance…plant a little harmless something on his car so that we could get a layout of his movements; for a man that comes off as ‘unpredictable’ he should be rather ‘predictable’, then all we’d need to do is call in Lorenzo the Cable Guy…dresses in a tan tasselled jacket, blue and green shirt with an ankh and wears the holy fuck out of leather pants and has a lisp…to get us some extra ears.”

Lucy looked at him “Are you turned on by leather pants or guys in leather pants?”

David winked at her “You…” Lucy flushed red and he cackled. He wrapped an arm around her hip and they entered Turbo’s.

They quickly cut their way to the bar. David nodded to someone at the back in the corner. Lucy recognised Soap due to the Mohawk. “What can I get you?” the barman asked. His face was flushed red, his eyes dilated, and the veins were visible.

“NiCola Purple, Broseph for me, two for my friend in the corner. You see the two big giants, the juggler, the shortstack, suited cowboy and the woman in red?”

“Yeah…Edgerunner Crew, tabs under Maine’s name. Why?”

David slowly pulled out a wad of eddies and laid them on the counter “Next rounds on me.”

“That’s enough for three rounds…” The Bartender stated.

Lucy grinned “Well then…three rounds it is.”

“Isn’t it his money?”

“I’m the Output, official daughter-in-law…approved by his mother.”

The Bartender chuckled “Output until he gets enough to put a ring on it. Fair enough, kid, she’s a keeper.”

“I picked a fight with Fifth Street Douchecanoes for her.” David replied. Lucy smirked, she recognised David’s body language he’d been placing himself between her and anyone wanting a stab at her back. There were four men, three of them had approached her earlier on.

“Oi!” 

David sighed, he grabbed his broseph and Lucy’s NiCola whilst sending a group message to the Edgerunners to grab their drinks from the bar. He turned to look at the young man, caucasian, black and red eyes…something out of an old anime, fair bit of muscle, no chrome but it looked like he was starting to go to seed. His hair was neon-yellow and somehow looked like a ducks ass. “Hello to you to Oier. What do I need to do to get you to fuck off?”

“Heard what ye said about Fifth Street…” Another wannabe growled, this one looked more like beanpole with spindly limbs, nothing too egregious to comment or observe unless one counted the rusted-to-hell Budget Arms Cut-o-Matic, with a flaked golden-yellow hilt with chipped leather wrapping.

Lucy moved to one side, she could smell where this was going. She looked over to the corner of the room, Soap hadn’t moved much at all. In fact, he looked like he hadn’t moved an inch. She scanned the room, Kiwi was looking disinterested…Becca had sidled up to the bar to get her drink; Pilar was slowing down his juggling act. Maine and Dorio were resting heads against each other on the hood of the Edgerunner and Falco…Falco was lighting a cigar. “Ask Falco about his supplier. Pass on to the Captain.” 

She focused on the third and fourth members of the group; they were evidently the chromed specialists. One appeared to be drinking NiCola and the other well he wasn’t drinking at all, the teetotaller groaned and scrambled to his feet, she stepped back ready to engage or observe. Four on One, One with a Sandevistan and Elite Special Forces training and Four Thugs? She’d give even odds.

David was distinctively unimpressed at the threats being made “I have spoken only the truth.”

“We’re calling you out on behalf of the Marauders.” 

David drank from his beer, emptying it, before grabbing his second “This has happened twice now, and twice you fuckwit brick-shaggers have failed to impress me in a fight or brawl. The first time I skullfucked your leader, the second time off-duty Lawmen gunned you down like fucking dogs in the street and you want to square off again? I’m just clarifying for the goodwill of my soul, if you want another ass beating then I’m all for it.”

“We’ll…” The Leader of the Trio began and his hand drifted to a holstered pistol on his hip. Said Leader didn’t stand a chance, David grabbed his empty beer bottle and slammed it into the idiots head, the bottle broke shattering into thousands of pieces but it did its job, it turned out the Leader of the Marauders had a chromed up skull. David followed up with a knee to the gut, he used his cybernetic leg for extra impact. Blood and saliva decorated David’s trouser leg; he grabbed the chromed skull with his organic hand before putting his fist into the temple of the thug and sent him sprawling onto the table, breaking it as it went.

The sword wielder dived for his Cut-O-Matic only to find a small woman, drop kicking into his knees. Sword groaned as he hit the floor, his groans turned into short sharp shriek of agony as a boot connected with his balls. He crumpled, curling into foetal position.

The third and fourth member found themselves staring down the barrels of multiple guns “Dawgs…now…you have two choices.”

“We pick the one that allows us to walk out of here alive…and live afterwards.” One blurted out.

“Why’d you not bother killing our chooms?”

David looked at him “It’s easier in this town to pull the trigger, you two seem to have more bytes of memory than these two…”

They got the message “We’ll keep out of your way then…who are you?”

“No one of importance.” David replied dryly. The two goons, grabbed their chooms and began to drag them out of the bar.

(Wrath)

He hated going under, it was a vile feeling. Knowing he was tied down, forced into the deepest recesses of his mind or out of his body whilst others lay their grubby, grimy, greasy and paid hands on him whilst they repaired his cybernetics. 

The lights hurt as he opened his eyes “Easy, easy.” There was a voice off to one side.

“Oo, iz it?” He rasped.

“Marc Sanderson, Wrath, I’m here. I told you I would be.” Marc said coming just into view, Wrath grinned teeth bared.

“Iz eet dun?”

“Sir…I am going to need you to lay down on the operating table.” A voice said before a hand was placed on his shoulder; Wrath reacted. His right hand grabbed the offending arm and ripped it free, pulling the Offender towards him. He ducked his body, put his left shoulder down, and rolled the Offender over his shoulders, slamming them down onto their backs as Marc shouted, ‘No!’.

The Offender was a woman, her eyes wide and she was breathing heavily and erratically, Wrath looked down at her “Iz eet dun.” He rasped.

“No! Not yet. Not yet! Please, we’ve replaced your Neuroport, and tightened up your Cyberdeck Ports and Chip-Ports. We were in the process of replacing your links and subdermal neuroprocessor when you woke up! By the Emperor, sir, you should still be under anaesthetic and quite frankly the closest thing to a vegetable; you gave me a fright when you started speaking. I’m sorry for laying a hand on you, it’s just…normally if my patients come around early, skinship helps them relax.”

Wrath sat there, shaking and swaying. Everything that had been said was…logical. “My…apologeez.” He lay back down on the bed and fell asleep. 

Marc looked at her “He was raised as a weapon…” The Panther Medical Person gulped as she looked at her boss.

“My god…”

Marc nodded “Finish off what you’re doing.”

Wrath had found some troubling things from his diving. Unfortunately, he'd managed to take several Black ICE Daemons to his Cyberspace Form which translated into a myocardial infarction and then into a heart attack and a near stroke. Marc and Michiko had found him twitching on the floor nearly strangling himself with his cable mismanagement.

(Lucy and David)

SMUT

David found himself pushed against the wall of Lucy’s apartment. His jacket and shirt had been divested and were strewn across the floor. Lucy found herself being lifted up by her lover as she pushed him against the wall, forcing her tongue into his mouth.

Her hands drifted lower, undoing his belt and forcing his pants and underwear to the floor. David placed one hand across her lower back and squeezed eliciting moans from the pastel-haired runner. His other hand reached up and found the velcro and zip for her leotard and in a relatively smooth motion undid the leotard, Lucy stopped her devouring of Davids mouth, pulled away causing David to place both hands across her lower back…she rocked backwards throwing her back out allowing the leotard to fall away from her.

Lucy grinned as she pulled her leotard off her arms, allowing it to hang around her hips. She yelped as David pressed his hands against her sacrum and sacral and lumbar spine; before grabbing his head as he planted featherlight kisses up her hips, to her navel and up to her throat; with two kisses and licks to each breast, David grinned as Lucy shuddered. “You’re being mean!” She protested.

“Mean? Stripping me and leaving yourself fully dressed is mean!” David whispered, the desire and intent evident. Lucy’s eyes dilated, her pupils so small the purple in her eyes should have dominated however she was nearly consumed by lust; the sound and feel of David kissing her body and trailing the tips of his fingers over her! She felt herself go stiff as David’s tongue slid inside her and his hand shifted her leotard to the side. Pleasure began to mount both in her brain and across her body as Davids tongue was joined by one…two, then three fingers.

His tongue hit the exposed bundle of pleasure known as the ‘G-spot’ and her vision went white. Lucy vaguely remembered her name and how to be a netrunner as her whole world felt like it had been rocked by the largest ‘Bolt’ Hack, only…targeted at her vagina. Instead of blowing her brains out fatally, it had in fact nearly melted her turning her into a legless, formless goo made out of pleasure. It had been delicious! She wanted more. She tried to move, her limbs felt like weights but she found herself being picked up, she was parted from her leotard yet David picked it up. He was up to something and she didn’t know what. “You want more, love?”

“Not your love, your slut, I’m yours…David. Have me, want me, take me…I just wanna be yours.” Lucy croaked as she looked into David’s beautiful eyes “I want all of you… fuck the consequence.” She moaned as she felt his dick seemingly get even stiffer, she couldn’t help but grin. There previous fuck session, had been exquisite after she managed to make David reveal the inner freak within. Now…this was going to be something else.

“You’re sure about this?” David whispered, his tongue licking against her ear. Lucy whimpered at the touch.

“Breed me. Make me yours…only yours.” Lucy’s eyes were all but devoid of colour, her eyes were more molten than anything else. Her hips were riding the three fingers that were making the ‘come hither’ motion inside of her. Lucy nearly fell to the floor, only to find herself lying on her bed, her legs spread. Her eyes widened and another moan tore itself from her lips as David sheathed himself inside her. Lucy’s vision went momentarily dark as she felt her vaginal muscles shift to accommodate her lover. Yes, she’d thought she’d managed before but now she felt as if it was strangling her intestines!

Then the thrusts occurred, slow and steady, but soon enough, David thoroughly dominated Lucy. She let out another scream of pleasure before she blacked out. She vaguely felt another body land next to her, and she involuntarily wiggled. He was still hard! And he was still in her! She felt his arms wrap around her, trapping her to him and with that gentle snoring was heard throughout the apartment at least to those who would want to eavesdrop.

End Smut

Chapter Text

Bloodlines 25

A banging on the door rudely awoke David. He was warm and comfy but also pleasantly tired, in a good way. He stared down at his lover, whose head rested on his chest. The banging persisted. David sighed, “Lucy…”

“Go. Go deal with the nuisance, " she mumbled. She turned to watch as her lover pulled on a pair of boxers. Pouting at her loss of view, she saw him amble to the door. She saw him grab his Overture as he headed to the door.

Outside, Jim Beam waited; he normally had nothing bad to say about his neighbour. However, she and her lover had kept him up to the point that he was at risk of losing his job. He was a very entry-level corporal with next to no leverage or resources to his name. He banged on the door again and it slowly opened, a bleary brown eye honed in on him “Yes?”

“I'm the Neighbour, mind keeping the noise down?”

Jim heard a snort “If I want my lover to scream, she’s gonna scream. As for you, either move or get better ear plugs.” The door was promptly shut in his face. His hand drifted to his company-issued Unity, if he drew it then there was every chance the conversation would go his way or it’d end up with him dead. Jim was many things but his self-preservation was going into overdrive, he sighed and he headed out for his shift.

David shook his head, shut the door, and fetched himself a drink of water before returning to bed. 

(Afterlife)

Soap groaned as the early morning light passed into the room. He opened his eye, a head of red hair was resting on his chest. His internal agent was pinging.

S: Up an at ‘em Johnny.

J: Fuck you, Simon, too early.

S: Don’t you have Gloria to help with that?
J: And you have Valarie. Oh, wait. How are you coping with being with an ex-Arasaka corpo?

S: Get your ass up, we’ve got a job to do…or rather we’re doing your job.

Soap paused momentarily, his eyes widening and a grin crossed his face. J: Down in a sec.

“You’ve gotta go and do something?” Gloria stated, John looked at the Latina Goddess and Gloria grinned as she saw the love and lust in her boyfriend's eyes.

“Aye, it’s a gun run job; simple enough. It’s also good that I happen to know and have connections on both sides of the embargo and both sides have a trusted guy in between.”

Gloria cocked her head “Las Alamas, Los Vaqueros and to Valentinos. Jaquito Welles on this side and…”

Soap smiled at her and kissed her neck “Colonel Alejandro Vargas.” He recoiled as Gloria pushed him away. “Glo?”

“Alejandro Vargas? I know that name, my mother was a Vargas. My father was part of the Martinez Family.”

Soap paused “The Martinez Family? They’re a Mexican Cartel.”

“Not really, not anymore, can you really be called a Cartel if you’re intent on using the money you made to look after your neighbours whether you like them or not? Family is family, John. Blood is blood. If you can trust Alejandro, please, get in touch with my papa’s family.”

John looked at her, he let out an agonising breath “I…didn’t know.”

“I never anticipated you’d be going personally to Las Almas, the City of Souls.”

“Sometimes, Amar, a man must do by himself and do them personally. This…is one of those things.” 

“Solo ten cuidado.” Just be careful

“lo haré.” I will.

Gloria snorted “Your accent is terrible.”

“Imma Scot, accents are one of the few things I cannae do. Now, I really do have to go or Simon’s going to kick my arse.”

With that he left, pulling on his bullet proof vest and grabbing his go bag. Soap was waiting for him in the kitchen, a bowl of cooling porridge and another bowl finished, Soap smirked as his Skull-Masked Friend looked up at him “You took your time.”

“When you no longer need your hand for a relationship, it’s kinda hard to get up and go.”

“Fucking filthy Johnny, fucking filthy. Eat and lets get going. We’ve got a long 28hrs ahead of us.”

“Closer to 40, Lt. Car changes, forgeries and blagging our way south and back. Besides, I’ve found something that could be extremely beneficial.” Soap stated as he inhaled his porridge without chewing it.

Simon pulled his balaclava off his head, revealing the handsome face beneath “Don’t remind me, Johnny. Although…I’m going to enjoy seeing how Alejandro reacts when he sees that you’re not dead.”

John paused, he let out a soft exhalation through his nostrils “It’s going to be fun all around.”

Simon pulled his mask back down “Let’s get going.”

(Edgerunners minus Lucy and David)

They were free! They had eddies, unfortunately, in the way they’d completed their mission…Faraday had cut them off and was no longer returning their missives. Whilst a severing of contact between Fixer and Mercenary Cell was normally seen as ‘Simply Not Done’, considering it was Faraday and the Crimson Fixer was disliked by many for the way he handled Edgerunners and many people were very aware of how quickly Faraday burned through Edgerunners the fact an Edgerunner team had survived being cut off from him was something to be proud of.

However, it did mean they’d need to rebuild their reputation. Something Maine and Dorio on their own, in fact, the entire crew had decided to go there own ways. Rebecca had been building a reputation as very effective, if loudmouthed Solo with impeccable overwatch skills; granted instead of a marksman rifle, she was favouring a heavy machine gun.

Pilar, whilst being Pilar, had been tapped by a few new Edgerunners; and they’d asked him to improve their gear. Pilar had naturally charged them an arm and a leg but performed solid work. His name was getting whispered about as a ‘Crude Rude but Solid’ Techie, a few of the few surviving older Edgerunners who knew Pilar from their acquaintance with Papa Sunshine had tentatively reached out to them.

Pilar had scowled at them, some memories were too raw to let go of, but in a display of humility repaired the given gear. They didn’t even complain about the price gouging Pilar had given them.

Falco, the Nomad had always been a smoothe operator; whilst he primarily did jobs for Maine’s crew, it was common sense not to collar nomads to the city and to one person. The ex-Bakker, he’d left after a falling out between the Leaders of the Bakker clan had divided the clan. He remembered watching as Vincent, one of the younger members and one he’d been the main guardian of had chosen to remain with clan instead of with him. Falco didn’t blame him, but did say that it had hurt that they were going their separate ways. He’d driven to Night City and had blagged his way through the customs and had promptly begun a job as courier and freewheeler.

He had quickly come to the attention of Rogue, who tended to offer him irregular but well paid work. Falco had a reputation of being a consummate professional; not yet on the level of being Rogue’s go-to driver, but he was certainly one that Rogue called.

He was smuggling firearms and supplies to the Aldecaldo Pack in the Badlands when he received a call. 

R: It’s Rogue, go for Falco.

F: Receiving Rogue, what’s with the change in protocol?

R: Since I’ve expanded my retinue I’ve been learning new SOPs.

F: Fair enough. What do ya need?

R: I have two operatives heading to Las Almas, Mexico; I need a wheelman to deliver the produce once they get back to Night City. My connections in Texas are…flippant at the best of times.

F: Will do. Let me know when they’re back.

Falco grinned it was good to be a Nomad at times.

(Wrath)

Wrath was sitting at his desk in Danger Gal's corner cubicle, filing copious paperwork, and quite frankly, he hated it. Unfortunately, Michiko had gently informed him that ‘He needed the shop floor,’ and his time breaking into data fortresses had to be reduced at least until his paperwork was done.

“You good?” Wrath looked up to find himself staring at an utter stranger.

The stranger snorted as she looked at the utter confusion on his face “I’m Tomcat, although, you can call me Alice…you’re Wrath…not exactly sure how that relates to the cat theme.”

“Wrath, feral…and well…I’m a new hire but I’m not if that makes sense.”

Alice giggled “No. No it does not. How’d you end up working here?”

Wrath was stumped “Michiko and Mark scraped me off the pavement…literally. Gave me a chance and I’ve repaid them by deep diving for all sorts of things.”

Alice’s eyes widened “You’re behind the new diving gear! How’d you build the first one?”

“Fast and loose. Less of an operational piece of equipment and more of a glorified death trap. A few disused fridges, freezers, a few microwaves and old school pc parts. Mark coaxed me into patenting it and then giving it to Danger Gal; I… have no idea what I’m doing with the paperwork.”

Alice giggled “Let me guess, you find the net easier and better than people?”

“Yes.” Alice sighed, she liked the guy she was talking too. Socially oblivious and maybe awkward as well; twitchy as anything but who was she to judge. 

“As long as you cover me, I shouldn’t get into too much trouble.”

“What’s your case?” Wrath asked raising an eyebrow, as Tomcat, Alice, manuevered herself around to his side of the desk, right into his personal space.

“Investigating Militech, they’re sniffing around the BlackWall.”

Wrath went stock still, his body locking down as he processed Alice’s words. He remembered the voices, the screams. The voices of the Instructors, of Hyuga Hinata, the Arasaka Facility with lavender hair so straight and fair and firm demeanour; a person whom treated him fairly, reduced to something so awful, screaming hers screaming with pain as he left her to die. He remembered the screams of his siblings as they tried to escape.

He remembered fleeing, turning his daemons loose. How easy it was! The result of his training, investigating the Old Net. The agony, the pain. The scent of oil, dust, the beating sun. The violence, the noise of the city; hiding amongst alleyways. Making it to North Oaks…how he’d made it there, he didn’t remember. He remembered the window breaking as he climbed into the kitchen.  

“No.” He told himself, furiously. Tomcat turned.

“Are you alright?” Abigail asked, Wrath paused, his body was on fire telling him to run! He looked at her and smiled ruefully.

“I’ll be fine. Militech in the Blackwall? Well that’s not good but also not unexpected? Hasn’t Danger Gal investigated this before? There’s no evidence.” Wrath snapped, this had been a bad idea. Why had he consented to trying to work with his colleagues!

“Wow…rude much!”

“I’ll be fine…let’s deal with this.” Wrath stated gesturing at the…now…cleaned up office. 

Alison turned to face him “Okay, Wrath…what the fuck is going on. We never see you at work, yet you make a fat paycheck.”

“You want to investigate Militech and Blackwall? It brought back memories. They’re sorted. This is why I don’t work with people.”

Alison hardened her eyes “Fine. You owe me answers, just because we’re not fully subscribed to the internal backstabbing that the other Corporations tend to favour doesn’t mean that we’re not going to hinder investigations.”

Wrath snorted “If you can hinder me…I’d be exceptionally surprised.”

“What's that supposed to mean?” Alison snapped.

“You’ll see. We do this you'll understand why I'm kept around.” He growled as they headed for the Diveroom.

“What's your style?” Alison blurted out, Wrath looked at her confusion evident.

“Chair and Suit or Nothing?”

“Naked as the day I were born, bathtub with a side of pneumonia, limb loss and electrification.”

The door opened into a large room with an almost barren appeal. The floor was gridded, and there was no evidence of cabling until one looked up. Wrath grinned as he found his tub and cables all coiled, and surprisingly, Mark was waiting. “So?”

Wrath shrugged “Seems good…all that needs doing is a stress test.” With that he began to undress and wire himself up.

Chapter Text

Cyberpunk Bloodlines 26

(Shallownet)

Alison materialised in the realmless perpetual fluidity of the Shallownet; gone were the towering effidices of the meatspace; here pale twisted mockeries of said effidices all blacked out; illuminated by the internal net circuits that gave the buildings an eerie sort of cardiovascular system. It felt serene, a rarity when being a Netrunner, she thought to herself. However, as with most things in Night City, the peace and tranquillity are often short-lived as the world convulsed.

Next to her, a blood-red rift materialised before a skeletal arm ripped out of the ground; as the arm appeared, Alison blanched as muscle, ligaments, tendons, and skin garbed it. This emergence took a few minutes, but eventually Wrath stood next to her; even in the shallow net, she could hear his meat body crack and pop. “The fuck was that?”

“My loading process is custom. Pixels are lame-ass.”

Alison scowled at him, but it seemed to wash over her colleague “I need…”

“You don’t need to know anything about the daemons I’ve got prepared; all you need to know is I’ve got your 270.”

“Isn’t watching my back?”

“Normally. When you’re a savant like I am, the usual rules don’t apply. We need information on Militech Fixers and their hit-boners for Arasaka.” They glided across the web, weaving an intricate dance. Every so often, Alison watched as Wrath created… created a pair of clones of them and sent them running in random directions.

“That’s…that’s not possible. No one should be able to do what you’re doing.”

Wrath smirked. “Most Netrunners these days chip a deck and go, without understanding the fundamentals…Creation, creation is the creating of something, not just meaning Quickhacks and the like…it's elementary Netrunning.”

Alison stared at him in shock. “Okay…that does explain a lot. Why haven’t I seen you around?”

Wrath looked at her. “I don’t like working with others.”

“So I can see…” Their conversation trailed off as a data fortress came into view. It was crawling with Netrunners.

“Wrath…Are we still going to enter this Fortress? I…I don’t think I’ll be able to take on all of these Runners?” Alison whimpered.

“I will if I must. I can if I have to. Listen, the more we stand here, the more likely someone will fire off a ‘ping’, and we’re going to be detected. I very much dislike being ‘pinged’ because, depending on how skilled someone is with a ping, they can gather a lot of information about me that I’d rather not get released. Netrunners are dangerous because of the secrets they can acquire; the secrets I have, and any knowledge, even a rudimentary understanding of what I can do, will make Danger Gal a very tempting target; people will be after me should they work out who I am, or even my Bloodline.”

“Your bloodline…what, you’re not actually saying that you’re related to Spider Murphy?” Alison replied flippantly. She paused as she watched her colleague’s avatar’s eyebrow rise. “No…no way, you’re not.” Then she blanched in fear.

“Spider was intimate with one other person.”

“You’re the grandson of Rache and Spider!”

“As I said, I’m a savant.”

Alison snorted dismissively, her fear gone, with shock still evident “You have the genetics…”

“I was the most dangerous child runner thrown into a long forgotten or at least well hidden Arasaka Black Site whose sole objective was for Arasaka Dominance over the Black Wall and beyond.”

With that, Wrath began to move forward; he hadn’t found this fortress before, so this would be new. Netrunners tended to work together as a loose sort of family; however, Corporate Netrunners were a different breed. They did everything they could to drive off Outsider Netrunners, those who worked as mercenaries. Alison waited before following; this was insane! They made to the fortress, before Wrath crouched down and placed a hand on the floor in front of the Fortress wall.

“Commence Quickhack: European Rabbit!” He intoned and the realm fluctuated as a pack of extinct creatures manifested and promptly began to burrow down into the Shallownet and under the fortress! Wrath grinned at her “We can’t walk in, we can’t go around, so we’re going under and in… no one ever expects or anticipates centuries-old and forgotten siege tactics.”

“The downsides?”

“Pop up in the worst place scenario, activate Black ICE, or the fortress collapses.” Wrath explained as he descended into the tunnel. 

(Fortress)

Malakai Black has been a Militech-sponsored Netrunner for the past five years. He was a capable Netrunner, wielding one of the most effective ‘Ping’ quick hacks among the Netrunners on Militech's payroll. 

Unfortunately, he had become careless… carelessness stemming from predictability in patrols and ping locations; he completely missed the European Rabbit daemons as they appeared. The daemons vanished, their purpose completed, leaving no trace of their arrival. He circled back around his patrol, launching his ping, which came up blank. 

He did not notice two individuals creeping inside the ‘claimed’ Militech Datafortress. He did clock movement as he moved to intercept; he activated a ping. It got a hit, then like clockwork, at least five other Netrunners converged on his position as he triangulated where the trespassers were moving to. “Orders, sir?”

“Find, triangulate, circulate and escort the trespassers away from the data fortress; whilst discreetly finding them in the meat. Militech does not need more Corporations ready to take shots at us…However, Militech is always in the market for freelance talent.” Malakai instructed, the two fools had started moving towards the ‘dungeons’, clearly these two were ignorant runners; they had stumbled onto a datafort and thought they’d snag some information for some quick ennies.

He felt generous, so he’d leave them some scraps and perhaps the most basic Militech Standard Array of offensive hacks—certainly something that would fetch a good price. His musings were cut short when an arm pistoned out, catching him in the stomach. He found himself being slammed into a wall. “I wouldn’t move if I were you,” a drawling voice stated.

Malakai found himself staring at an unyielding data wall. "What do you want?” Gone was any thought of a playful nature; these two Netrunners meant serious business. The Drawler smirked, “Bobcat, he’s yours…You’ve got five minutes before I've got to do what I've got to do.”

Wrath kept half an eye on Bobcat, Alison; he wanted to die. For the first time that he could remember, he considered that he wanted to die. He knew he could do this job for Mark and Michiko; it was so bloody simple. But no, he had to be dragged into the office to complete bloody paperwork, and one good-natured colleague had badgered him into trying out his professionally developed prototype; he had his chrome updated despite his insistence, and as a result, he was not a happy person. Now, he was watching as Bobcat failed to gain any sort of actionable intelligence from the perp she’d insisted they capture. Yet, she had failed to get any intelligence from the man.

“Bobcat, move over, we have incoming.” Wrath stated before grabbing the Militech Netrunner by the lapels and loaded a ‘bolt’ hex; the Netrunner had no chance to scream or even try and defend against the attack as it obliterated the skin, muscle and bone of the Militechs Hireree.

“Did you…”

“Yes. Now…we have more pressing problems…you're probably not even remotely prepared for a Netrunning firefight…I can do both but the downloading is gonna make me like a sitting duck.”

Alison gawked at him in complete confusion “You either are offensive or defensive…you can't be both.”

“Just watch me.” Alison watched as a spike appeared in her colleague’s hand and the cyberspace around them fluttered slightly before the spike was embedded into the fortress and began to beep and glow. The duo broke their cover and they were set upon by more Militech Netrunners.

(Mexico)

Two big men in a People Carrier easily entered the nation. Normally, for people as big and well built as Soap and Ghost, they'd have encountered stiff resistance from the Texan National Guard or the Texas Army. Back during the Gang of Fours' initial coup d’ètat, Texas had seceded from the USA and, by the time of the Reunification Wars, had become too much of an individualised powerhouse for the bent, bowed, and broken NUSA to attempt to reclaim the ‘Lone Star State’.

The people were decent enough, a little bit standoffish, and more than a little paranoid, especially towards the pair of well-built and armoured soldiers. However, despite the world of guns, chrome and corruption in Texas, little things like common decency were still apparent; eddies and ennies were exchanged for rushed and surface vehicle inspections, with that and some falsified documents implying Soap and Ghost were ‘Eurosolos’...Edgerunners with style, grace and a distinctive lack of overt cyberware.

The roads of Texas were fast flowing, and the further south they went, the hotter it got. They were not stopped until they arrived at the Checkpoint. It resembled something out of the 1960s Cold War: barbed wire and solid blocks of cement, and armed soldiers or militants, in this case positioned at irregular intervals. They were shepherded through the checkpoint. “Johnny, I hope you’ve got a plan to get us out?”

“Ghost, we’ll get out as we did the last time. We just needed to get into Mexico. Once we’re here, we can use the Cowboys to get us home.” Soap replied as they began to drive toward Los Alamos; it took them ten hours. They took the back roads. Mexico’s Cartels had become the de facto and de jure leader of Mexico; they feuded with one another and raised their own private armies to protect their lands. Eventually, they found themselves approaching a reinforced gated community.

“Who the hell do you think you are, cabrons?” A familiar voice called, hardened by age but still easily recognisable.

“Qué tal dos viejos amigos, el coronel Vargas?”

How about two old friends, Colonel Vargas? Soap called out in Spanish, Ghost used his reinforced balaclava with concealed kiroshi lenses in the eyesockets to translate. 

“Jesus Christo! Ghost! Soap! Abajo las armas, abajo las armas, vaqueros! Amistosos!”

Weapons down, weapons down, cowboys. Friendlies. The gates opened, Ghost grinned.

“We’re in, Johnny.”

“Now we just need to get out and make some hefty purchases.”

(David and Lucy)

David had climbed back into bed, leaving the Overture on the cabinet by his side of the bed. The safety was on and four speed-loaders were prepared lying next to it. There were no rounds in the pistol at all; it would take David all but two seconds to load the Overture without the need of his Sandevistan. “Who was at the door?”

David ran his hand gently through Lucy’s hair; he grinned as his lover burrowed into his side “Just the neighbour, corpo, probably still in the competency equals promotion phases of his climb. Turns out your orgasms woke or wake him up on the regular.” He felt Lucy immediately heat up, he wrapped his arms around her waist and rolled the pair of them upright with Lucy positioned on his biological leg.

Lucy leaned backwards, her head tilting so she could look up at her lover, as she slowly pulled his head down to kiss him. “You want to do a job? Just the pair of us?” She asked.

“I thought you’d never ask, I was planning on going out and doing some ‘busking’ as Soap calls it.”

“You going all Rockerboy on me are you, Redhand?”

David blushed, “I don’t make any promises in not laying siege to Arasaka Tower to get you back.”

Lucy smirked at him “You’d set yourself on fire just to save me…I’m not…”

“You’re worth it, Lucy, you are more than worth it. I’ve told you this before, but, I’ll repeat it again, and again, and again when I saw you on the NCART, I wanted to find you because even in this Neon City of Sin, you caught my interest.”

Lucy giggled “That’s so sweet but also slightly stalkerish. However from you, I can believe it’s completely genuine.” Her eyes shining and she noticed his guitar resting with its neck across the back of her sofa.

“Okay, Rockerboy, play me something.”

David grinned before he kissed her throat and went for his guitar. He picked it up and thought for a moment, he'd been learning through decent quality tutorial shards, this was the first time he actually playing without any assistance.

Slowly but surely gaining confidence he began to play.

“Crazy, but that's how it goes.” With that the sounds of Ozzy Ozbourne and Black Sabbath began filtering out into MegaBuilding.