Prologue
If someone told Rebecca yesterday that she was going to be a hero and save some exec’s kid from some random gangbangers, she would have asked them if they were high on Glitter or some other shit cause no way that’ll ever happen to her. The chance for that was absolutely zero, zilch, nada but life had a funny habit of making jokes. She wouldn’t have known that today was the day that the unlikely happened.
She started her day with the sun high up the sky. She overslept and her bro decided to ditch her instead of waking her up. Then again, she would have kicked him in the nads but she was still pissed! It was totally irresponsible on his part plus she probably missed that debriefing Maine said he was going to do so that means she doesn’t get to join the next gig. Son of a bitch wanted her to beg him for cash. Well she said screw him.
So there she was walking around, minding her biz, when she heard a commotion over in the distance. People started walking faster after glancing at an alleyway. “What the hell?” She whispered under her breath as curiosity got the better of her. She headed to the alley to see what the fuss was all about.
There in the alley, she’d find some gonks surrounding a kid with a stuffed toy. She could just walk away but like hell if she was letting some random shit fuck around in Mox territory. She had some iron on her hips and she was going to use it.
So there she went, charging in without hesitation, with her guns ready to save a random kid. At a closer glance, They weren’t even from the bigger gangs like Maelstrom or something. She wasn't even sure who they were affiliated to and even if they were, she wasn't going to let that shit fly here.
"Who the hell do you think you are marching on our turf!?" She shouted as she fired a shot up in the air.
"Oh shit, it's a Mox! Run!" The streetscums shouted as they bolted away. She made sure to shoot some of them in the leg to remind them to never come back here. Seeing them limp as blood came pouring out of their ass was extremely therapeutic for her. She's adding that on the bucket list on how to kill her bro later.
With that dealt with, she could finally check on the kid and see what his problem was. "Hey gonks for brains, what's the deal, huh? Walking in an alley of all things, are you blind or something?" She shouted at the white haired kid who looked at her all wide doe eyed.
Looking up and down at him, she pegged him for some rich kid; probably a tourist or something based on his clothing which looked way too expensive for a Beave or even a Mover. It looked far too neo militaristic but with a gothic flair. All monochrome with no noticeable branding. Whatever he was wearing, it was preem shit. He was also carrying this weird toy. A bit creepy with the half skull and half metal face hidden beneath a cloak of red but who was she to judge. Overall, he looked just like a harmless kid, a cute one but maybe a bit of a gonk.
The boy pouted as he replied “Hey! I brought protection ok. It might be the first time I’ve stepped outside Westbrook but I came prepared.”
She gave the boy a sly grin as she asked in turn, “So bought some condoms?”
She let out a loud laugh as the boy turned a bright red. “I walked myself right into that didn’t I?” He asked as she gave the boy a pat on the back. The fact that he didn’t flinch away from the touch already made her see him in a better light.
“Right you are on that one. Now, there’s the matter of payment for my service!” She had to remind the kid that nothing was free down below. The boy took it in stride as he just nodded along. He truly was a rich kid.
“Will this do?” He asked as he sent her some eddies. She almost did a spit take when the numbers started rolling up and up and up. Did the boy just send her 6 digits? She had to double check but the numbers remained the same. She knew he looked loaded but she didn’t know he was this loaded.
“Oh by the way, here’s a gun as well.” he then said as she handed him a plastic looking ray gun toy. She still took it nonetheless. She wasn’t going to refuse the kids' generosity. A bit bulky but her jacket has more than enough space to fit the gun in.
‘Fuck you Pillar! I hit the jackpot!’ She thought to herself as she slung her arms around the slightly taller boy.
“It’s more than enough, Choom! In fact, why don’t I show you around the city? You obviously need some protection and a guide and it just so happens that I’m free today so what do you say?” She said as the boy got a bit redder. He was adorable and she might just keep him. Still, she kinda feels bad about the kid. He was so clueless and innocent it was almost painful. No wonder some gonks tried robbing him for all he was worth.
“I’d like that very much… choom.” He replied as he smiled. She felt her own cheeks heat up but ignored it as she grinned back and led him onwards.
“Oh wait, before we go, I just need to call my bodyguard.” He said as he stopped on his tracks. She turned towards him and gave him a questioning stare.
“You had a bodyguard all this time! Where the fuck is he?” She shouted. She should really not be blowing up on the kid but she can’t help it when his guard was risking this kid's life by getting him all surrounded.
He had the gall to look sheepish of all things as he scratched the back of his head and replied “He’s in the shadows… whenever he shows up, people always scream so I had him hide most of the time.” This only made her question his choice of bodyguard even more.
“Wait, calling him now. Hey, she's cool. Yes I know. You can go back home, you know. You sure you want to keep watching?” He then said as he started talking to his bodyguard. She tapped her foot impatiently as he kept talking to the guard on the other end of the line before he finally finished.
“What’s the name of this mysterious bodyguard of yours anyways?” She then asked as he walked towards her.
“Adam.” He replied nonchalantly as they continued their walk.
“Like Adam Smasher?” She asked jokingly. The Arasaka boogeyman was as real as they can get and she dreads having to meet him out in the street. Thankfully, he doesn’t do bodyguard missions.
“Oh hey you know his name. I thought people didn’t talk about him in this part of town.” He replied like he was just talking about the weather. She couldn’t help but laugh at his joke. Man, she thought to herself, this kid was funny.
“Hah! You know kid, I like you.” She then said as they left the alley and back to civilized space. “Yeah, your bodyguards Adam fucking Smasher.” She snorted. The more she thinks about it, the funnier it gets and she can’t help it.
“Hey, I’m not a kid. I’m 20, you know.” He replied with a pout.
“Heh. That makes us kindred spirits! I would toast to that but bouncers usually shoo me away if I’m not with my brother.” She answered back.
“Well, darn. I actually wanted to see if I could visit the Afterlife.” He then said dreamily.
“Hold on to your pedal there mister. No one can just enter Afterlife. You have to have a certain amount of street cred before they allow you in. Even I can’t quite go in there just yet.” She admitted. Yes Maine was an up and comer but they still need a bit more cred before they can enter. The crestfallen look on his face was almost too much to bear. Damn puppies eyes were past her defenses.
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“Kid, it’s not the end of the world we can’t go there. Besides there’s tons of other places we can go with all the eddies you gave me.” She replied truthfully. With the eddies she had now, she could splurge a bit on some of the preem stuff. “Btw, what’s your name? Can’t keep calling you kid, mine’s Rebecca by the way but my chooms call me Becca.”
“Hiro and well… you can call me Hiro.” He replied as she nodded in approval. He does have some brains up there.
“Well Hiro, I think this is the start of a wonderful friendship.” She then said as they headed out to town.
-x-x-x-
She had the time of her life. She almost wanted to kiss Pillar right now for not waking her up, almost cause Pillar was still a disgusting piece of shit who needs to get shot preferably by her own two hands. With a cup of fancy coffee in one hand, made with real 100% coffee beans she might add as she saw the whole process, and the other around Hiro, they walked down the empty street. They traveled around as much as they could and it was already late by the time she was heading back home. Even Pillar sent some messages her way but a simple shout got him to shut up.
“That was fucking Nova Choom! Fucking Nova. Your parent’s must be high up the Saka ladder if you made that Corpo shiver and grovel like that. Nice touch on the Japanese by the way.” She said.
“I’m not really from around her. Just came here a year ago.” He admitted.
“So wait, you're from overseas?” She asked.
“Yup. All the way from the land of the rising sun. Had to convince my grandfather that I could handle Night City before he gave me his blessing. I had to make him a nice sword just to get him to agree.” He answered, making her whistle.
“So you're some Techie kid or some shit?” She asked once more as she got more and more curious about him. Who was this kid exactly, she asked herself.
“I’d what you call a ripperdoc and a techie package. I also dabble in netrunning but my Aunt’s way better than I’ll ever be.” The kid replied.
“Oh man, you’re not lying are you?” She then said.
“Yup. I have my license and everything. Here.” He said as he sent her a pic of his license. The name was a bit blurred but there it was, a true ripperdoc in the flesh. “If you ever need medical assistance, you can hit me up.”
“Well damn Hiro, I wouldn’t mind that at all” She said. There was awkward silence between them as they walked down the road before Hiro suddenly asked her something.
“Hey Becca, want to do this again sometime? Maybe I could take you Westbrook. I know a lot of places in Japantown.” he offered. She had to grin at that.
“Oh? Asking me out on a date already~?” She asked in a teasing tone.
”And what if I am?” He asked with a terrible blush in his face. Kitty has some bite in him. She had to admit but he was merely a novice against a master.
“Well, I wouldn’t say no to a cutie like you.” She answered, making him turn into a tomato. He was way too adorable for his own good. “Here, let me give you my number.” She then added as she sent him her info.
After exchanging info and walking a bit more, they finally got to her apartment. She wasn’t going to leave him outside without protection because of his shitty bodyguard. If he was going to be calling a ride back home, best he does it while in a safer place.
“So here we are, my apartment. Make yourself at home while you wait for your ride home.” She said as she opened the door.
“Hey bro, we have company! Make yourself decent or I will!” She shouted, making his brother flail around his side of the room. Even with his side hidden by a divider, she still knew that he was up to some creepy shit.
“What the fuck Becca! I told you no guests!” Pillar shouted as he peered out from his “room” and glared at them.
“Shut the fuck up Pillar. This kid is Hiro and he’s just staying here for a while till his ride comes by to pick him up”. She replied as she glared at him in turn. Pillar was about to say something when Hiro intervened.
“I could order some food?” Hiro offered, making Pillar look at him considerately as he stroked his chin like he was deep in thought.
“What kind of food are we talking about here?” Pillar asked, making her groan out as she slapped her palm against her face.
“Some Ramen from Bleu?” Hiro replied with a casual shrug.
“You shitting me?” Pillar replied as he gave them a disbelieving look.
“Nope! Also, shut your filthy trap. Kids way too pure for the likes of you” She answered. She had no time with his shit but Pillar had to do his thing however as he came bolting out of his room.
“Chooom! My man, sorry about earlier. Make yourself at home!” Pillar shouted happily as he did a total 180 on Hiro. From annoyance to honored guest. Even Hiro was repulsed by Pillar as he talked the kids' ears out.
‘Feel my pain’ She mouthed at him with a smirk before she sauntered off to get a bath. “Hey Hiro, keep Pillar busy for a while will ya? Just need to take a bath.” She said as she dropped her jacket on the floor and walked off.
“Umm can I invite my bodyguard in? He’s been following us all this time and he could use seat.” Hiro asked from behind her.
“No worries! A friend of my sister is a friend of mine so invite him in!” Pillar replied cheerfully, making her snort. No guests, huh? She asked herself as she inserted some coins in the vending machine to get some shampoo and hot water ready.
She took her merry time in the bath as she just topped up the water. She had money and she was damn well going to enjoy it. She finished relaxed and refreshed, smelling like roses. She might have splurged a bit on the shampoo but a girl had to take care of her hair.
She took a sniff at the air and noticed the smell of food coming from outside. The smell of real food was truly something else. She honestly believed that she might have some trouble eating even SCOP after this, much less kibble. Still, Hiro did offer a date so she might just have a second taste.
Drying her body and putting some clothes on, she got out of the bath as she dried her hair with her towel. “Hey Hiro, Pillar didn’t cause… you…” She said before trailing off as she finally caught a glimpse of Hiro’s body guard. Ice filled her veins as the inhumane gaze of the full borg straight right into her and bored into her very soul.
The being in front of her could barely even be called a human any more with all the chrome he had on him. The only visible flesh in his body was his face and even then she wasn't even sure if it was actual flesh or synth skin. He wasn't just chromed up the gills but armed to the teeth with a missile launcher pod right afop his shoulder and that's not even talking about what he could have hidden in his body. There was no denying it, it was Arasaka's very own Boogeyman. There, Sitting in her sofa with her brother and Hiro was Adam Smasher, in the flesh.
“Ah yes the meatbag. I'd like to thank you for entertaining my charge. He is extremely… happy." He growled out with barely restrained impatience making her take a step back.
"Now, now Adam, be nice. You know how close it is till we start field testing the Arasaka Heavy Bolter and you don't want us finding any other tester do you?" Hiro replied, casually scolding the beast wrapped in chrome.
Adam growled as he nodded. "Forgive me Hiro… and Rebecca."
Rebecca was now extremely confused. She wasn't even sure anymore if she accidently used up one of Pillars pick me up or if this was just a fever dream. Even Pillar looked scared and confused right now as he didn't even dare touch the piping hot food in front of him.
Seeing her all confused, Hiro smiled as he started explaining. "You're probably confused about all this. Well, let me introduce myself properly this time around."
Standing up, he bowed as he made his introduction. "My name is Hiro Arasaka, son of Yorunobu Arasaka. Thank you for showing me around Night City."
The sound of an AV landing nearby along with the sounds of boots touching down on the ground quickly drowned out all conversation. "Well Becca, seems like my ride finally arrived. I'll be in touch with you but for now, I'll have to leave."
With that, Adam stood up as he followed his master away leaving her stupefied what the hell had just happened. It took a minute before the silence was broken with Pillar asking her a question. "Hey sis… did we really have Adam Smasher and some Exec's kid at our house?"
"Yeah… it seems like we did." Rebecca answered as she walked over to their table and plopped down on one of the seats. She didn't even mind the dent made by Adam's weight on one of the chairs as she started eating while taking some of the good meat cuts from Pillars untouched Ramen.
"H-hey! That's mine!" He shouted as he made a grab for his bowl.
"Fuck you! I need this!" She shouted as she started eating in earnest. Yes she was stress eating but today was just way too much excitement once she realized who she was with. Oddly enough though, despite all of it… she kinda hoped that Hiro would call her. He owed her a date now for scaring her god damn it!