Clem Above Olympus.

When Clem woke up, Didi was still snuggled up next to her. She must not have slept all night, poor thing. Stroking her head, she thought the pigtails looked awful. She'd take them off when she woke up, yesterday she'd been too tired to care. She thought back to yesterday and wow was it the adrenaline? Or the reaction time she needed to realize the previous day's folly? Placing herself on her back, she looked up at the ceiling, realizing that she'd done everything she'd said she'd done to Romana without flinching, without a second thought, be it for her safety or the consequences. Was this how Janissa lived in the Maelstrom? Fuck, just thinking about it is terrifying. And the other one injecting drugs constantly. Maybe she shouldn't be so hard on Janissa if that was the kind of life she'd had, and if Tubio was one of the normal ones from what she'd said, she didn't want to know the nasty ones. She looked at Didi. Murmuring to herself.

-I guess we all have a shitty life in this town.

Getting up without waking Didi. She entered the common room, meeting Pearl who was changing.

-Hi. So that night?

-Shit, terrifying, tiring and stressful. Yeah, that about sums it up.

-Okay... You wanna talk about it?

-Not yet, I need a drink for that. But now, I want breakfast even though it's noon.

-Get yourself something.

Moving past the room's bunk beds into the kitchen, she reached the fridge to rummage through it, finding something that wasn't labelled. A wardrobe containing tons of clothes ranging from chic to practical to sexy presented itself to her as she closed the fridge door. She looked at the wardrobe for a long second before turning to Pearl and pointing at the clothes.

-Last time I checked we'd said no more clothes in the fucking kitchen, where did that come from anyway?

-These are the latest additions Lori found for us.

-Where did we get the money?

- "Borrowed from the back of a truck" I think were the words Lori used.

-Did she borrow them with her ass? Or with a gun?

-I think the former, but you know the chick, would never admit it. That's why don't get mad.

-I'm not even mad. I'm sick of her crap.

-Look, we've been over this. Just a few more weeks and we'll have enough money for our project. No more of this job you're on, and we might be able to buy the last apartment on the floor above, 5 floors totally owned by the Gorgons. Not counting the other apartments we already own, that'll finally be enough to have rooms for 3 to 5 people instead of being stuck here with 10.

-The longer this goes on, the more doubtful I get. Just like everyone else. The only reason we have to believe in this project is that if it doesn't work out, we'll all be screwed.

-I know. But you've got to believe, like the Mox's.

-The Mox's have a lot of sympathizers, we don't have any, they've got the Tiger Claws at arm's length, we don't even have 10 people who know how to use a gun. The moment one of us hits the street she'll be killed or kidnapped.

-What a killjoy. Eat, I don't know what your job calls for but you've got to keep up your strength. I've got to change and go to Olympus.

Starting to change she undressed to get her hands into the wardrobe. Clem ate her snack while watching Pearl. A beautiful blonde with blue eyes, who could be a femme fatale if she knew how to defend herself other than horizontally and serve customers as the "bad girl".

-Who's it for?

-Mm? Oh, a dashing gentleman from North Oak, saw me in a catalog Romana was distributing in clubs for posh gentlemens, he'd love a beautiful blonde in an outfit.

-At this time? He is married?

-Who cares about that, we care about money, money. And Tada...

In a Greek toga, covering her body but not very much, the white fabric blended her body perfectly, revealing one shoulder while her hair fell loosely between her shoulders. A belt held everything in place at her waist. As she spun around, she asked Clem for her opinion.

-Not a fan of the short skirt.

-It's our first date, so I'll have to see if he wants the beauty or the booty first.

Putting on her leather sandals, she pulled out a gold-colored plastic laurel wreath more real than life before posing in front of Clem. Who rolled her eyes.

-By the way, you should drop by and see Rhea, she'd like to apologize for letting Didi get away.

-Oh, that's all right. She's safe here. But If she'd gone down to Olympus, I'd have lost my mind.

-Hey, it's always cool to be in debt to a tech nerd. You never know if what she's cooking is going to save your ass one time or another. Know what I mean?

-Okay, I'll go see her. Any news from my partners?

-No, I know what they're doing, and in a fucking room for once.

-I've seen them flirting all day. I think they even tried to pull one of the guys on the team I work with.

-Wow, is he cute?

-Wearing a mask because Janissa knew him before and try to stuff with him or something... knew him before Aria met her.

-Ah... so he's a Maelstrom grunt.

Pearl seemed more concerned by this news. Clem could only agree, but...

-He doesn't seem to be very involved in chrome, like Janis he left when his Maelstrom team died out. As far as Janis knows, he and she are the last survivors of that group in contact. Oh, and he's the least chromed in Maelström history, since she discovered yesterday that he was wearing a mask and by her expérience he got no other implant.

-So he was in Maelstrom and didn't get any chrome?

-Exactly my point... Oh? Hello...

Didi opened the door and walked inside. Clem looked at her walking towards her

-Did you sleep well? Say hello to Pearl.

-Hello...

-Oh... she's so sweet.

Bending down, she placed a kiss on her little head.

-Well, I'll leave you to it, I've got to get ready. Bye Didi...

Waving goodbye, Clem smiled at Didi mimicking her.

******

With Didi into her arms Clem went around the place, saying hi to all the people who were around.

The Gorgons as they called themselves were a group of people wanting to survive in Night City. They were mostly sex workers and other orphans and rejects not yet crazy enough, or corrupted by this life.

The people invited were all chosen after a rigorous background check and lengthy discussions with them and the person(s) recommending them. This was followed by a further discussion with people who didn't know them, bringing in other, more biased points of view, as well as questions about their contributions to the group, their former affiliation, whether they'd corrupt the group etc.... This system made it possible to filter out a number of parasites, opportunists and acts of favoritism towards friends who would like to join the group like joining a club. Romana and her sisters acted as chaperones and had no right to select or accept new members, their role being to enforce the rules and ensure they were respected, even if it meant having to pass judgment and deal with those who had fallen through the cracks, thus guaranteeing their protection and impartiality within the group.

What do you get from being part of the group? Protection, access to healthcare, a job and pay while you get back on your feet, an education, an implant... All in exchange for a job or a sum of money, which may or may not be discussed with the group. The chances of being thrown out are rare. But the benefits offered must be earned, even if it means imposing tasks if necessary.

Romana's idea was to create a chance for these people, while making eddies for everyone in the process, getting them off the streets to discover new skills and thus developing and diversifying the community, enabling it to grow and bring in more money as it went along. The biggest problem next to money? People, and the lack of it.

When Clem arrived at Rhea's workshop, the young woman was under a desk fiddling with things.

In the room, a child too young to be a teenager and another little girl with long blond hair, younger than Didi, turned as they arrived.

-Clam!

A purple-haired woman poked her head out from under the table and then back under again. The little girl smiled when she saw her, while the boy ignored her with a vague wave of his hand. Clem smiled as she saw the little girl doing her best to pronounce her nickname. Before she could say the word.

-Chlamydia!

To which the blond-haired kid burst out laughing. Clearly he'd played a part in this joke but Clem kept her cool so as not to explode in front of the kids, from behind the desk Clem could hear Rhea stifle a laugh as she stood up pointing at the door she kept her seriousness as she spoke.

-Danny, get out of here before Clem decides to put you into orbit.

The kid walked past Clem, all pleased with himself. Clem watched him pass, red with embarrassment and pointing at him, and she couldn't contain a little threat.

-I'll keep that in mind. Don't teach others things like that, especially your little sister.

To which Danny stuck his tongue out at her before leaving the room, fearless and triumphant. Rhéa went and sat down on the floor with the little girl, so pleased with herself and completely unaware of what had just happened. Joined by Didi, Clem sat down with them.

Unperturbed, Clem patiently looked at the little girl and said hello.

Stolen novel; please report.

-Hi Mimi, how are you? I'm Clem...

-Clam!

-... I'm gonna kill him.

-Easy, you know he's at that age, soon he'll be as red as a tomato in front of a girl and he'll wish he had his big sisters to teach him how to seduce.

-Not even in a dream will anyone fall in love with this brat. Look what he's done Milie, God knows how long I'll have to put up with that nickname now.

Letting her calm down, Rhea waited patiently while Didi and Millie played together. The place was a cross between a playroom, a relaxation room and a nursery.

Rhéa, the emo girl with her tattoos, purple hair and matching lipstick and her mole under her eye. You wouldn't think it, but a tomboy like her had weathered many a child's and adult's crisis. Planted at the back of the room, she stood in front of her computer, or fiddling with various objects and small computer trinkets as chaos unfolded in the usual order before her.

All around her was an array of activities, from arcade games to toys for the little ones, puzzles, children's books and nursery rhymes. Once they'd absorbed it all and tried it out, it was hard to keep the youngsters interested and confined. Danny was in that bracket, too young to be left unsupervised and too mature for children's games.

-I swear to God...

-Still on that let it go, come look at this.

Turning the computer up to her, camera images appeared one after the other. Showing both the corridor in front of this room and the Olympus on the levels below them. Rhea found one with Danny and waited for him to arrive at a door before closing it in front of him. Unable to open it, he turned around only for Rhea to open it behind his back, then to close it again as he started walking towards her. Repeating the process until he lost his temper and turned around for good. Rhéa and Clem laughed at the scene.

-It's impressive, but isn't it a bit dangerous to do it from here? I mean...

-Nah it's because it's me, not because of the computer. Passe code, plus with the agoraphobe constantly in the system's mirror watching from where and who connects when there aren't several connected looking everywhere. But right now it's just me, Romana and her sisters, even though Lori is on the verge of having her rights revoked and the security teams admitted and blocked in turn at rotation.

-Wow, you've got it all calculated.

-You know, Aria almost had access but was rejected. You know why?

-Was she flirting with Janissa?

-If that's all it was, she was on guard at the Olympus, so that's normal. But as you might have guessed, Janissa showed up.

-Wait a minute, that's the story with the client?

-Yes! He saw them together and asked Romana if both were available.

-She refused and was denied camera rights for that?

-No, because you don't know the rest. The client saw them together and asked Romana privately if a trio was possible. According to my sources Janissa would have been ok when the client said he just wanted to watch... But Aria allegedly not only refused but almost went looking for the guy in the club to rearrange his face.

-Aria and subtlety.

-And men especially, I never knew why... She says she's bi but with her attitude it's hard to believe.

-Oh...

A newcomer in a long white blouse and blue T-shirt, an old lady with large glasses, entered the workshop, smiling as she greeted the children's and less so when she saw the two girls busy behind the computer. Her wrinkled face refrained from comment as she said hello to the children. Moving closer, she asked.

-Where's Danny?

-The brat who taught his sister an insult? He tried to get out of the level to go with the others.

Frowning, the lady looked at Clem to ask, but Clem preferred to show her. Sitting down with Milie, it only took a minute for the young girl to proudly declare the new word she had learned, bringing horror to old Margot's face as she lost all semblance of seriousness.

-I'm so sorry...

Margot was working as a doctor to support her grandchildren's. Her dated diplomas and advancing age didn't help her find a job or a willing employer, despite her experience, it was strange but she was accepted. The Gorgons offered her housing and childcare. More than she could have hoped for, and which she amply reaps from her application of medicine to the group's services.

-It's nothing Margot. But soon he'll simply refuse to come here instead of spending his time brooding or imagining the next stupid thing.

-I don't know what to do with him... But yes, I think it's mainly the fact that he's the only one of his generation left here that doesn't help keep him around.

-We've got to get him to work with the grown-ups, be it their responsibility.

-Entrusting a child to children's?

-Well...

As they chatted, Margot's eyes lit up at the sound of a call. Interrupting the conversation, she ran towards the exit. Clem and Rhéa looked at each other for a second, then immediately took up position behind the computer. Scanning the cameras, they finally arrived at a problem zone.

-Pearl...

*****

Romana walked quickly towards the room Pearl and her new client had taken. Steeling her resolve she was with 4 more people. Her sister Lori, 2 bouncers Armin et Gérard and another of the girls arm with her rifle Candice. Trying to be professional the group knew what they had to do.

Arriving at the door. Romana forced it open. Her nose assaulted by the odor of sweating and perfume the dimmed lights lit up as the door opened. Immediately a slightly overweight man in the prime of life rose from the bed, red-faced with anger at having been disturbed, and got up from the bed naked, demanding an explanation.

-What the hell are you doing here! We haven't finished!

-Alas, dear customer, I'm afraid you are.

Directing the people behind her. Candice immediately went to check on Pearl's condition, while Armin began to undo the ties binding Pearl's four limbs to the bed. Gerard subtly stepped between the man and Pearl, while Lori remained behind her sister.

-I paid not to be disturbed, it's not that complicated isn't it? I should never have come to this establishment...

-Sir, you paid under conditions. Conditions that you accepted and signed, including the clause that if one of you stopped breathing, causing a prolonged loss of consciousness, we were obliged to intervene to guarantee the well-being of both parties.

-She's doing just fine!

Beside them, Candice pulled out a stimulant and stuck it into Pearl's chest, injecting the substance and causing the young woman to convulse, arching her shoulders and raising her waist as she was restrained by Armin. Making her inhale a great gulp of air for a second before she fell back onto the bed. Romana was icy.

-I doubt it.

-Romana, the trauma team...

As if preparing for this sentence, Lori slipped her words in front of the client, loud enough for him to understand what was happening. Romana clapped her hands, drawing attention to herself before giving orders.

-Armin, Gérard get Pearl and take her to the trauma team evacuation point. You have... no more time, they're probably already on top, we're moving, remember if you see the trauma team don't resist, don't justify yourself, let them take Pearl and don't block their way, I don't want a second incident. Execution.

Lifting Pearl's naked, unconscious body, Armin ignored the customer's remarks and words as he carefully passed through the door.

-What's going on? Don't tell me this girl has access to trauma team service, I won't believe you.

-Normally, I'd tell you no. But Pearl is a girl much appreciated by her clients, who pay us a lot for the quality of her services and the level of care in our establishment. Pearl has more than a dozen regular clients, all of whom appreciate her charms as you may have... Well, glimpsed. One of them loves her so much that we struck a deal to provide Pearl with a Trauma team pass as payment. Pearl has a biochip in her body, a deadman transmitter. You'd have known that if you'd read her contract.

The Trauma Team is made up of paramedics with specialized combat training, who will do whatever it takes to protect their clients. Those wealthy enough to afford a Trauma Team medical plan receive a card and a biochip implant. When the chip recognizes a medical problem in a customer's system, it immediately informs the Trauma team, who rush to the scene to stabilize and extract the patient, be it by rain, shine or snow. If Romana had left the man with Pearl, the chances of Trauma executing him in cold blood were more than likely.

Romana could see the cogs in the man's head. One man had become so infatuated with Pearl that he'd signed up for one of Night City's most expensive care services, arriving less than ten minutes after a loss of consciousness. This meant minimum corporate coverage, or even platinum... but Romana wasn't finished with him yet.

-Now it's time to talk compensation.

-Compensation? For whom? Me, I hope...

-I remind you that it was you who broke the contract. There's a calculated sum that will cover the cost of injuries, plus sick leave. Pearl is one of our greatest assets. Having many contacts with people who, you would have understood are very influential. This insurance allows us to put a barrier between them and the people responsible for the injuries on the girls and their missed good time with Pearl or any other girl.

-Is that a threat? Do you know who you're dealing with?

-Sir, we're in this position because you didn't read the contract you signed. If you'd followed the limits or offered Pearl enough, I'm sure she'd have been able to follow you into your wildest fantasies. But now I've got people with as much, if not more power than you, who will breathe down my neck for explanations. I've been known to turn down money for information, you know? A lot of money... The only reason I didn't sell them? This insurance was in place... Now the choice is yours...

-I doubt these people would care this much for a doll.

-It's because none of our girls got doll chips that we are so sought after. No false emotions, no pre-generated dialogue, no mechanical attitude. That's why, yes, I think her customers care. The question is, do any of them have the money and means to go after you? As you know, people in power rarely have anything to do, worse, sometimes they have the moral on their side…

*****

One level above the Olympus.

In the room, calm was king as Margot did what she could. On the bed, Pearl's living but broken body had several fractured ribs, a broken finger, numerous bruises on her body ranging from red to black, marks of struggle against straps on her wrists and ankles, her swollen face suggested one or two black eyes, a split lip as well as an eyebrow, and finally hand marks on her neck having caused strangulation... To name but a few of the visible injuries Margot had explained to her.

Clem was at her bedside, silent. She had left Didi with Rhéa, Pearl wouldn't want to appear like that. Clem was pensive, this was the life she no longer wanted, the life she could have. A path she could no longer imagine, for that and other reasons. She didn't even notice Romana coming up behind her.

-She'll be fine.

-Is that an order? Or a wish?

-The one that works.

-Mm...

-The customer paid. He didn't want to take any chances, and as a bonus, I don't think he'll be back.

-I don't give a shit if he does. Pearl was dead without her bio-monitor.

-She knew the risks. So did every girl who took on the smallest client. They can pray for a virgin who'll be the sweetest of lovers, but you can't count out the rotten ones who only take us for toys... I can't... do much. You think I like this? Sending girls to sleep with pigs? Seeing them come out of rooms with empty eyes? Or like Pearl?

-I wish for another way...

-There is none. And you know it. I work my ass off trying to attract the richest clients in Night City to get the biggest checks and make sure they don't suffer indefinitely sleeping with every gonks we can find for the smallest of pennies...

-It's working out really well for us...

-But look at you and the others, thinking you're mercenaries. You're not... The difference between you and Pearl is that at least with her I can intervene. I can protect her...

-No... You can't...

The venom in each one's words was true. Who was right and who was wrong? Clem's hand was on Pearl's arm and Romana knew she could say whatever she wanted. Clem was right, as was she. Pearl was going to spend at least several nights in observation and perhaps more than a month in pain, and even longer with marks and other latent pains. If this was the protection she promised, Romana knew she'd never convince Clem.

-You know the girl, the one I have to rescue... She... She's been put in the business. Like your sisters and me... No girl should have to go through what we went through...

Romana remained silent.

-I know how you feel about mercenary work. That the pay is bad, that the risks are too great, that death is just around the corner. But look at Pearl, how can you think she'll be happy when she's back on her feet? That she'll be the same... Maybe I'm taking the easy way out. But I can't imagine sleeping at Olympus or any club or with anyone, anywhere for that matter. I just want Didi to be happy and never go through what I went through.

-You're more likely to die as a mercenary than as a bouncer, please Clem, Janissa and Aria are exceptions...

-And to see Pearl and the others end up like that without saying anything?

-Think of Didi...

-... I think of her, all the time...

*****

In front of the Olympus elevator

Aria and Janissa were waiting for Clem. Janissa stroking her shoulder and Aria taking her into a hug. Clem's face was closed as all she could hear was the low buzz of the elevator. She was thinking of Didi, Pearl and a lot of things, what she should have done. It was Janissa's nudge on her back that brought her back to reality. Janissa's eyes were clear, and she seemed to see and understand what she was feeling.

-Stop thinking. Live in the present. Tonight, we do the corpo. Tomorrow we finish the contract and tomorrow night we drink champagne.

Slapping her lightly on the cheek, Clem felt her vision clear. It's true, there was nothing more she could do now. They were going to interrogate Mia, rescue Yumi and pocket the money before returning to the club in triumph.

Let's do this.