The landscape around him was nothing but desert. Tubio drove Boréale through the rocks, the dusty or poorly-maintained road with cracked asphalt his only guide through the desert. Even if the lights of Night City could be seen on the horizon, even in broad daylight.
Tubio had to admit, despite his bad faith, that the desert was fuller than he had imagined. Around him were rocks, cacti and windmills. Boréale was equipped with a crystal dome replacing the windows of his car. The dome had been installed for this purpose, offering a clear view thanks to the implanted sensor, without the risk of being seen or having the windows damaged. Thanks to the dome, he could see carcasses of long-abandoned cars, rusting advertising hoardings, concrete blocks and safety rails in the bends for poorly maintained roads, and the remnants of temporary or permanent installations such as the mobile homes of I-9 EST.
Although most of the landscape was "empty", Tubio couldn't help thinking that the Nomads were enjoying it all in relative tranquility. So much space gave him a sense of freedom that he slowed down. Taking his time, Tubio found his way to his destination. It was a long shot, but knowing Solena he was sure to find her in 4 or 5 places in Night City. And this out-of-the-way spot was one of the few places their group had come before. But mostly her.
Motorcycle fan and mechanic. Solena was a real tomboy, holding her attitude well enough just to pass for a classy girl. But if you knew her at all, you'd find her swearing like a sailor in Night City traffic. She combined the outspokenness of her brother Ivan with the class of her sister Talia.
Tubio arrived at his destination, Jeff's Dirt Track, and had only to walk up the road to a bus stop and three mobile homes with a garage and cistern. Unlike I-9 EST, the place was clearly well-maintained. Tubio didn't even stop and kept going up. Arriving at the circuit.
The oval-shaped circuit is inconsistently marked out by concrete blocks to secure its contours. Two vertical advertising panels in triangles surrounded at the base by rocks installed on purpose. This created two islands that were bypassed, leaving a hole in the middle for people wishing to make eight on the runway. On the other side of the track, Tubio could see three other smaller signs with a gigantic abandoned industrial crane as a backdrop.
Parking at the entrance to the track, Tubio could see someone lying in the shade of one of the billboards, Tubio stepped out of Boréale to see a motorcycle parked in the shadow of the rocks as the person straightened up to look at Tubio.
Tubio obviously recognized Solena. Tubio smiled as he saw her put on her jacket, calling mockingly.
-What's this? Getting a tan instead of working?
******
Level 13 H2
Inside the Crimson Spear gun store, Ruby was having a blast with Rosie et Irène.
-At which point he lifted her off his lap, laid her on her side and vomited into the garbage can.
A fit of giggles erupted as Irène finished recounting Ruby and Tubio's end of the evening to a newcomer Caliopea, sister of Milour the checkout guy, like him she had an armature around her jaw for support. She explained that it was an operation to install a normal, visible jaw. The brothers had had their jaws removed for some unknown reason and preferred to have something more, well, normal. The conversation continued, but noon had arrived and with a cheerful voice Irène stood up, inviting Ruby to go and eat with them. But then Ulrik entered the room.
Ulrik was broad but tall. His eyes and his bulk seemed to analyze everything in the room, the five lenses of his eyes moving in slightly opposite directions was enough to unsettle his interlocutors. They landed on Irène, who had risen to her feet.
-And where do you think you're going?
-To eat?
-You've been on a break since Ruby arrived, so I think Milour deserves a meal.
Irène was about to add something, but Ulrik didn't budge. And Irene nodded, turning to Rosie.
-As usual, okay?
-Okay, let's ditch dear Irene and get to dinner. Ulrik, do you want anything?
-No, I'm fine, Ruby, Tubio called me and the contract went well.
Ruby smiled at the news; she hadn't even noticed the time had passed. So she followed Rosie, Caliopea and Milour who had joined them, leaving behind Irene who was pouting behind the bulletproof window.
Milour was quieter than his sister;
image [https://media.discordapp.net/attachments/1178789115622326365/1210603237665931284/Caliopea.jpg?ex=6610131f&is=65fd9e1f&hm=ccfc023856fd193015890cf6a9b94862e2da1598c18de289226011ae42080b6d&=&format=webp&width=365&height=597]image [https://media.discordapp.net/attachments/1178789115622326365/1210603239221755966/Milour.jpg?ex=66101320&is=65fd9e20&hm=2281db51d4367ddcd5c4799933c48a3ff7c29272b748548c58eb92b19cc164ba&=&format=webp&width=365&height=597]
She had a sharp tongue, it's looks like the girls in the Crimson Spear group had their tongues firmly out off their pockets. Commenting and discussing everything, Ruby quickly ran out of conversation. Luckily for Ruby, Rosie and Caliopea had tons of stories to tell. And Caliopea, being an amateur tinkerer, opened the conversation with engineering, which Ruby was delighted to be able to expand on. Talking about cameras, robot joints and drones, it wasn't long before the conversation moved on to more advanced topics and experiments.
Taking the elevator down to the streets of Heywood, the quartet went into a takeaway store, further of H2 it had like many others store tags on its front, the Asian characters denouncing its origins. A young girl named Mei greeted them and guided them inside, while an elderly Asian man greeted the group's regulars.
The group sat down at a table and a waitress came over to take their orders. All was well, smiles and good mood reigned as a shot rang out...
BANG!
Shouts of surprise, fear, people ducking their heads as more shots rang out into the store. of the four three ducked under the table, Ruby took cover looking through the glass at the origin of the shots. She was about to stand up when Rosie grabbed her arm. Ruby turned her head towards Rosie.
Rosie then saw Ruby. Emotions bared behind her face and blood-red optics, a look filled with rage and cold concentration. Rosie was petrified, still holding Ruby's hand, but Ruby seemed to snap out of it after a second. Her eyes returning to crystal blue, she seemed to realize what she had almost done, then stopped what she was about to do, deciding to stay at their side, taking Rosie's hand in her own.
Rosie said nothing and remained silent, the two siblings discreetly looking out of the window worriedly to avoid a stray bullet. After a moment's silence, Milour got up with another customer to look outside.
He returned a minute later.
-Two Valentino chooms settling scores. It's going to get ugly, but not today.
Caliopea exclaimed angrily.
-In the middle of the street? They've got to calm down and sort it out at home instead of going off like that in public.
-They shouldn't do it at all.
Caliopea turned to Ruby in all seriousness.
-I'm not saying otherwise, but in this fucking city, it's the least I expect. The NCPD is so corrupt that the few badges that are still clean are being driven to death, suicide or departure.
-I'm sure "Padre" has more power over the consequences of what just happened than any police officer.
-Who's "Padre"?
-He's one of, if not, THE unofficial fixer for the Valentinos, so if you have a problem with one of them, or trouble is caused or requests repayment, he's the voice of reason. Even if that doesn't make him all-powerful.
Milour clapped his hands, drawing attention to himself.
-Enough about that, life's depressing enough without worrying about other people's business. Ruby tells me, you seem to know a lot about electronics, do you have any talents as a netrunner?
The meal was delicious, Mia was an attentive and smiling waitress, and during the meal Caliopea and Rosie discussed the possibility of Ruby doing a job for them. It was mainly about looking at and improving the store's systems. A new opinion would always be welcome.
*******
Leaving the restaurant, they were about to return to H2 when an incongruous scene presented itself. Blocking the way and a good part of the square was a group of people wearing clown make-up, or rather, clowns. Many were misshapen in grotesque get-ups, doing tricks and juggling, smiling viciously, too wide to be natural.
In the middle of the square, people were making detours, glancing between the members of this unusual troupe on the streets of Night City. Caliopea was about to say something rude when Ruby grabbed her and Rosie by the arm. With a word, she made them tremble with fear. Bozos.
The group looked at each other and hesitated to make the big turn, but as they turned another group of clowns was also present in the other direction.
It will be the shortest route then.
Milour stood in front of the girls, but it was clear that the clowns were only interested in their show, trying to amaze passers-by with tricks. As for the passers-by, they didn't hesitate to keep a safe distance from the show, putting as much distance as possible between themselves just like Ruby and her group. They tried to step aside, but a giant clown holding bizarre balloons got in the way.
image [https://media.discordapp.net/attachments/1178789115622326365/1210602838162411520/final_14.jpg?ex=661012c0&is=65fd9dc0&hm=c9a999a847db00fe05f033973d1b47704a7a9525a1edc7ba9c22d4108f62451f&=&format=webp&width=365&height=597]
Smiling as he stooped to their level, the clown was more intimidating and terrifying than anything else. He tried to give Rosie a balloon, but Ruby tugged on her arm to put her behind her, and as they passed the giant clown, he laughed at their attitude.
The clown letting them pass, turning to the next pedestrian. The group thought they'd got away, but one last clown appeared in front of them. Head down, black top hat on. He stood with his legs apart, his gloved hands resting on the handle of a cane. He looked like he'd just stepped out of a 2000s party, in a black and gold tuxedo covered with patches and other symbols forming a sort of checkerboard of colors and shapes, while wearing a red evening shirt and a purple butterfly necklace asortited to a flower he wore on his jacket.
image [https://media.discordapp.net/attachments/1178789115622326365/1210602840037523526/Witty.jpg?ex=661012c0&is=65fd9dc0&hm=42d187dd2ed564b7a628cbbed77d53f0b36df38a301cc8470705bd59e66da97d&=&format=webp&width=365&height=597]
Someone who had also dodged the clowns passed by without being stopped, inviting the group to do the same. The posing clown didn't move as they moved to the side. But no sooner had Ruby been in front of him, he raised an arm, snapping his fingers. Immediately, the group found themselves the center of attention of all the clowns present. Smiling.
Raising his head, the tuxedo-clad clown faced the group and Ruby in particular, choreographically twirling his cane in his hands, before planting it on the concrete beside him. Dropping it completely, she now stood comically unsupported. Dignified the noble clown stepped forward with measured steps, bowing with a frozen smile, one hand over his heart and the other behind his back. Facing Ruby, he clearly invited her to dance.
Looking around, Ruby could see the other clowns enjoying the panic of their situation. Clearly they were expecting something, a joke? Rejection? An excuse to be violent? Each of these clowns was bizarre, creepy was a good word, but she guessed that if they went around in this get-up, it wasn't to make children smile, and they could be hiding augmentations both biological and chrome made.
No, Ruby knew. They wanted entertainment, and if they didn't get it... Ruby gritted her teeth and waved Milour aside. Pushing her sister and Rosie out of the circle, they headed for H2 as Ruby, imitating the noble clown, bowed as if in dress, spreading her hands as if holding the fabric.
The clowns laughed hysterically and Ruby wondered if she'd done something foolish. Then one of the clowns pulled out a radio, playing music made for dancing. As the noble clown rose to his feet, he extended a hand to Ruby.
Remaining in character, she took his hand. The noble clown's face, framed by beautiful red hair, was smiling, perfectly white face, with two red triangles under the eyes, leading down to a mouth that was also with bright red lips. She could have sworn it was make-up, but no, bioengineering could do wonders, and horrors.
The author's content has been appropriated; report any instances of this story on Amazon.
The only image of clowns that came to mind when she thought of Night City was the Bozos. The old gang of killer clowns. No need to describe them further.
Grabbing her hand, the clown put his other hand on her hip, ready to waltz with her. His fixed smile and mocking red eyes were unnerving. But Ruby had seen worse. Indifferent, she stared fearlessly into the clown's eyes. The clown's eyes seemed to smile at this astonishing reaction.
They were about to start dancing when the clown tried to pull Ruby closer to him. Ruby resisted, and as if he'd predicted it. His bow tie began to turn on itself with a comical whistle, drawing jeers from the other clowns.
Ruby didn't care, her face remaining closed to all emotion, her eyes fixed on her partner. Seeming to have given up, he began to take steps with Ruby. Guiding her as the clowns laughed and whistled. The dance seemed to take Ruby forever. Her partner spun her around before waltzing again. When they finally came to the end of the song, he had pulled her close to him, without her noticing.
Ruby didn't realize it until it was too late: now clinging to her, trapped in his arms, the clown smiled with all his teeth, the first facial movement she'd seen since the start of their interaction. Sharp teeth appeared in front of her face. But Ruby wasn't afraid. The clown tried to kiss her.
In a twist of events. The clown saw Ruby's eyes turn red and she smiled at him. She smiled at him, and then smacked him on the nose with a headbutt. Letting her go, she took a step back, surrounded by a troop of silent, offended clowns.
The noble clown came to his senses as he stared at Ruby in shock, his smile frozen but no longer so self-confident as blood trickled from his nose. Surprise and wonder seemed to be winning his mind as Ruby, in one motion, made a quick curtsy before taking off running, passing and dodging in between the clowns, continuing down the street and disappearing into the crowd of curious onlookers wondering why a circus was there.
At the same time, several NCPD patrols who had responded to calls about clowns arrived on the scene. Injunctions were issued as the clowns laughed at their arrival. The clown on the radio changed the music to that of the circus. Hidden loudspeakers began blaring the music throughout the street. The remaining strange balloons the clowns had were released into the air as an announcer's voice-over echoed over the music.
"Ladies and gentlemen, it is with great honor and great pleasure that I announce the return to town of the greatest family of laughter in Night City, I name you, the Zapatar circus!!!"
Boom!!!
The balloons exploded in the air, the blast knocking the crowd and the policemen to the ground, while the whistling of firecrackers and other fireworks echoed not only here but throughout Night City. In the midst of multicolored sparks. The clowns pulled out weapons straight from a child's imagination and began firing at the crowd and the police. Laughter mingled with cries of fear and pain as the cops returned fire on the psychotic clowns.
The clowns ended up throwing juggling clubs grenades into the crowd before fleeing in colorful cars and vans. Shouting and chanting at the top of their lungs the bozos' slogan "Let's have some fun!"
It wasn't long before Night City knew the Bozos were back.
******
-Ruby!? Where are you, Ruby? We've got Pitar, Milour and Ulrik coming your way.
-Irène, it's okay, I'm out of here, stay in H2, it's exploding on all sides, I'm going back now.
-Are you sure?
-Irene it's bozos, bozos are back in Night City.
******
A few minutes earlier
Ruby took off running through the crowd as fast as she could, weaving in and out of people and putting as much distance as possible between herself and the clowns. Before entering the first alley at 90°, she hid in the alley as chaos erupted and took over the main street. Explosions and screams, several other people rushed into the alley, fleeing the clowns' madness as she did. One of them even raised his gun at Ruby, who put up her hands to calm him down. Peering around the corner, the newcomers looked at each other, panicked and breathless from their flight. Ruby stayed with them for a while, no one saying anything. Too used to this kind of event. Staying for a long time in the small alley, the gunfire was eventually replaced by police sirens and the sounds of deploying trauma teams.
Leaving the alley after being contacted by Irène, Ruby left a reassuring message for Tubio before making a beeline for H2.
By the time she reached the foot of the tower, a firefight had broken out here too, with remnants of impact and colored dust marking the ground as the NCPD and a trauma team evacuated the last of the wounded.
Ignoring the situation, she headed for the first elevator, exchanging messages to make sure Elizabeth was all right. Arriving on level 13, she headed for the store, arriving in front of Tristan and another guy.
Calling her in, Irene and Rosie came out from behind the store to see her. Rosie took her in his arms, looking her up and down.
-Is she okay?
-Yeah, I'm fine.
-What the hell got into you?
-If I hadn't stayed, they would have attacked us before they made their move.
-Still.
Ulrik emerged from behind the door, pistol in hand. He invited everyone in and asked Tristan to close the store.
Once inside, Ruby saw Irene tending to Caliopea on the break room table. Her chrome foot and leg were damaged, and her leg and clothes had burn marks. Caliopea gave a thumbs-up anyway, smiling to see Ruby in good health.
-What happened?
-A child had received one of their balloons and let it fly into the hall where we passed. Luckily, my chrome took most of the damage. But how did you get away?
-During the waltz the clown tried to kiss me, gave him a good headbutt and I ran off.
Ulrik interrupted.
-Ruby, are you sure they're Bozos?
-They presented themselves as the Zapatar circus. I couldn't help but draw a parallel.
-Okay, listen up. From now on, if you see a clown shoot on sight, understand?
The room responded with a unanimous yes.
Tristan, who had just returned, let Pitar and Ulrik out. He turned to the girls, uncertain he asked anyway.
-What are the Bozos?
The others looked at each other before Rosie turned to him.
-You've never heard of them?
-You know, me and history...
-Okay, you see a clown?
-Yeah.
-Do you see a cyberpysko?
-Yeah...
-There you go, you get a Bozo, you put them together and you've got the Bozo Gang.
Irène resumed the story.
-The Bozos are a very old Night City gang, dating back to... Phew, at least 2020. They made a name for themselves with their costumes, but also with their deadly jokes. They were all sadistic lunatics looking to create fear and chaos wherever they went. They loved to take victims and turn their lives into living hell, wanting to drive them into madness before killing or recruiting them. It was said that they took homeless people and brainwashed them before integrating them into the gang.
-That bad?
-My parents used to tell me stories about Bozos if I didn't behave. They disappeared for good at least thirty years ago. An internal war split them up into several groups before they gradually disappeared from Night City. Apparently, they left yellow gifts boxes around town for the unlucky ones who found them.
-They introduced themselves as the Sapatar circus...
-No doubt some of them came back. This story smells like shit…
As Irène explained this Milour returned. Smiling as he saw his sister and Ruby.
-I've got some news. The Bozos are officially in town. They came out of nowhere and created incidents everywhere before disappearing in the direction of Pacifica.
-Great, one more thing to prepare in this rotten town.
-The clowns took the opportunity to attack convoys and other corpos.
-So...
-It was a coordinated attack, they stole a lot of money and tec from several secure locations. They're still calculating the total amount, and rumors are circulating about companies who say they weren't hit but have had disturbances. All the mess, the show, the fireworks and the shootings were just a diversion.
-How many dead?
-They're still counting...
Tristan swallowed, finally understanding some of the Bozos' cunning folly.
Ruby, for her part, seemed increasingly worried. Rosie turned to her, stroking her shoulder. She who had kept her cool in front of a psychopath clown looked like a deer in front of car headlights.
-Tubio doesn't answer me.
******
Earlier in the afternoon
Tubio had set off into the desert to find Solena Lianovack, hoping to get an explanation of what had happened. Without interruption this time.
Tubio wasn't sure what to expect, even though he knew the broad outlines and assumed he knew things. He'd found Solena in one of his favorite places. In the Night City desert at Jeff's racetrack.
Solena was sitting on some rocks in the shadow of a circuit billboard. Her brown hair cut like a tomboy, her yellow jacket and her jeans and sneakers combo. She'd always been the most abrupt of the Lianovack children, where her brother Ivan had little or no malice Solena didn't hesitate to be sharp-tongued if the situation called for it. She stood up as Tubio approached.
image [https://media.discordapp.net/attachments/1178789115622326365/1210605556788633631/final_3.jpg?ex=66101548&is=65fda048&hm=b6375b3bace7acd1fa60771069cad227774c3410b9c063ae0648878905522f17&=&format=webp&width=365&height=597]
-I must say I didn't expect to see you, not after what happened.
-Let's just say I needed some time, and I had a job to do nearby. A week gives you time to think.
-How did you find me?
-A little bird told me you'd left H2 so the choice was limited, you could have been in 5 or 6 places, but as I said, I was passing by by chance, so I might as well make the detour.
-Ha... I'm going to kill him.
-Pavel just told me you'd left the house.
-I don't care, he shouldn't talk about our business... All right, what do you want?
-Explanations. If you don't mind...
-... Frankly no, I was just taking a test ride on a customer's bike before going home... What do you want to know?
-Your story side. Your father's not here, so you can tell me anything.
-The truth is, my father wanted to kill you. There, happy?
Tubio digested the information.
-Okay... Why?
-Pfff... He didn't see you as a good influence on Talia. No, he didn't want you and Talia to be anything, so... Either you split up or he'd have you killed.
-So the arrival of the morons...
-Pure coincidence. But since it helped my father's narrative to prove that you weren't fit to be Talia's husband. He let it go.
-And the fact you were drugged?
-Of course not... Look, I'm sorry but how did you wanted us to tell you, leave town or my dad will kill you?
-That would have simplified things.
-Oh please, it's not like we didn't send you the message with the subtlety of a navi.
-Yeah, how? With those passive-aggressive remarks you've been giving me for years?
-Rahh I can't argue with you. Every time you have to turn the discussion towards you or in your direction. If I'd ever said you shouldn't stay near Talia, you'd have gone anyway. And if I'd told you to stay close to Talia, you'd have said, "Yeah, you stupid bitch, mind your ass?”
Tubio remained silent at this remark, because even he had to admit it was true. That was a time when he would have ignored any argument from Solena.
-You see, even you have to realize it now.
-Okay. Ok... Sol I'm sorry. For not listening to you, it's true, I would have never taken your side. But why didn't Talia and the others tell me?
-You know Lev, anything to be like my father. Even if it went against his morals. Ivan was...hard to convince. Remember how he trained to manage the club's supplies?
-How could I forget?
-The truth is that he was locked up... I don't know what happened during that time. But what happened convinced him not to say anything. Talia was the easiest to convince. One word from her and you'd have suffered the consequences. As for Pavel...
-He was preparing for his first boxing matches...
-You know the rest. If you'd given up on Talia, my father promised to leave you alone and interfere with your harassment. But we never got that far.
Tubio sighed, detaching his gaze from Solena to look at Night City in the distance. He could see the tallest towers from here Just like the abandoned town of Rocky Ridge. A great emotion passed through him. He asked Solena a question he'd been asking himself for a week.
-Sol, was there a scenario where... He would have left me with Talia.
-...Toto... No, not that I know of.
-...Okay…
Tubio took another long breath, nodded to himself and accepted the fact. He had to accept it. He could never have been with her. He'd been too weak, she didn't love him enough to overide her father and trust him. The fault was his own. He turned to Solena with a smile, accepting what could never have been. Solena was sad for him.
-Thank you, Sol.
-Toto, I'm sorry... I should have...
-I don't know what you're talking about. You did what you thought was best for your family. You could have told me straight out or convinced Talia, but you did as you were told. You're not responsible for your father. I know that better than anyone. You just underestimated how stubborn I was.
-...
-I won't blame you, Sol. I won't.
-I guess we can never be friends again.
-Eh, one day, maybe. You never know. It'll take me a while to digest all this. We'll see then...
Solena took him in her arms. Shocking Tubio, who threw up his arms, completely paralyzed by the situation. He didn't even remember the last time they had interacted like this. Releasing him, Solena ran a hand through her hair, clearly embarrassed. She tried to continue the conversation.
-So, now that said, what was your job in the desert? If it's not top secret, of course...
-Oh, uh, a man dropped off. Nothing unusual...
-Ah...
Whether out of nervousness or something else, the two smiled at each other before laughing at the discomfort, showing just how much their relationship had changed in one conversation.
-I think it's time for me to delta. Too much emotion in so little time.
-Me too. I need to cool off.
Solena got on the bike. She was about to start up when the sound of engine vomiting could be heard from the mobile homes below.
-Are you expecting someone?