Watson
October 21st
2069
The sun rose slowly in the morning sky, casting an amber glow over the cracked streets of Watson as Sophie guided her bike through the near-empty roads. Her ears caught the rattle of gunfire in the distance; brief bursts of violence punctuated by the occasional scream or roar of a vehicle. The gang war’s ferocity had seemingly escalated within only a day and the effects could be seen throughout the northern district of Night City.
She tightened her grip on the handlebars, weaving around debris strewn across the road: burnt-out cars, shattered glass, and a few bodies sprawled lifelessly on the pavement. Most wore gang colours, telltale signs of gang affiliation. The Tyger corpses were most numerous, punctuated by the occasional Maelstrom body and countless civilians. Innocents caught up in a conflict that had nothing to do with them.
She spotted a Tyger Claw patrol further up the street, their bikes growling like predators marking territory. Sophie veered down a side alley before they could spot her, keeping her presence to a minimum.
The air in Watson was a victim too. Smoke hung heavy, mingling with the acrid stench of burning rubber and flesh. A street she passed was littered with broken glass and spent bullet casings, the aftermath of a skirmish that had painted the walls with blood. Sophie’s stomach churned at the sight of a child’s toy lying amid the wreckage; a bright blue stuffed animal, untouched but filthy. She quickly refocused, her gaze hardening as she accelerated down the road.
By the time she reached Lizzie’s Bar in Kabuki, Sophie had seen just how bad the conflict was and her nerves were taut. She parked her bike a few blocks away, taking the time to check her surroundings before making her way to the bar’s entrance.
Outside, Rita was deep in conversation with a group of Mox. The women were clustered close, their postures tense but their voices steady. Sophie caught enough of the conversation to know Rita was directing them somewhere, likely in an effort to alleviate the suffering caused by the war.
Sophie stepped into Rita’s line of sight, catching her attention with a subtle wave. Rita looked up and nodded, her expression briefly softening before she turned back to her conversation. Sophie took the cue and pushed through the door into the bar, where the softly thumping bass and flashing neon lights created a stark contrast to the chaos outside.
Inside, Sophie claimed a seat in a dimly lit corner, her back to the wall. She sipped on a glass of water, more out of habit than thirst, while her thoughts wandered. The tension in the air outside seemed to follow her in, an invisible weight pressing down. Ten minutes crawled by before the door swung open and Rita entered. She didn’t hesitate, striding straight to Sophie’s table.
“Morning, kid,” Rita said, sliding into the seat across from her. A good look at her was enough to reveal how tired she was.
Sophie nodded. “Morning.”
Rita leaned forward, allowing her voice to carry even over the music’s volume. “Things are getting real ugly out there. That hit on Cain you did? It stirred up a hornet’s nest. The Tygers are losing their shit because someone impersonated their assassin and Maelstrom’s biting back harder than anyone expected. Doesn’t seem like they believe it was a third-party at least.”
Sophie frowned. “Wasn’t that the whole point though?”
“Sure, but no one thought it’d escalate this fast. We thought it would just keep them fighting. But this? This is a full on gang war. We weren’t prepared for how bad it’s gotten. Right now, we’re refocusing all our efforts on helping people get out of the area. And the Mox can’t afford to be caught in the middle, so we’re laying low for a while. No more gigs from us for now.”
“Seriously? It’s that bad?” Sophie asked, her voice sharper than intended. She was frustrated, considering the Mox had been her primary source of work, and losing that connection felt like a step backward.
Rita sighed. “Because we don’t have the manpower to deal with this, Sophie. We’re a small group. And this...this is bigger than us.”
Sophie nodded slowly, though the frustration didn’t entirely fade. “So, what now?”
Rita’s expression brightened slightly. “It’s not all bad news. Turns out, your skills have been noticed. Susie got a call from Padre. Yeah, that Padre. He’s interested in you. Says he’s got work if you’re willing to meet.”
Sophie’s brows furrowed. “Padre?” He was one of the city’s biggest fixers, working out of Heywood. She remembered him being very religious but also that he had been one of her favourite fixers in the game.
Rita smirked. “You’ll like him. Old-school, sharp as hell, and doesn’t waste time with bullshit. I’m sending you his location. Trust me, this is a good opportunity. Especially since...” She hesitated, her expression darkening. “Since Suko Takeshi will come for you when this war settles down.”
The name sent a chill down Sophie’s spine. She’d done her research on the man who’s son she’d killed. He was dangerous, incredibly so. However, he was too high up in the Tygers to personally hunt her. Instead, she’d have to contend with the goons he’d send to find and capture her.
“Mmm. Thanks for the reminder,” Sophie said quietly.
Rita reached across the table, resting a hand on Sophie’s forearm briefly. “Look, I’m not saying this to scare you. Just be smart, yeah? I don’t want to see you dead.”
Sophie managed a faint smile. “I’ll be careful.”
Rita nodded, then glanced toward the bar as someone called her name. “I’ve gotta go, but... thanks, Sophie. For everything you’ve done. I appreciate all your work. This break won’t last forever, and when we’re back, you’ll be the first to know.”
Sophie watched her leave, the warmth of Rita’s gratitude lingering despite the grim conversation. She stayed in her seat for a few more minutes, finishing her water and mulling over her next steps. Padre’s offer was tempting, but she didn’t feel like she was quite ready to meet him. She didn’t want to look like some random streetkid. She wanted to look like a professional, or the closest she could in her situation.
She slipped out of Lizzie’s and onto the street, her thoughts churning as she straddled her bike. Her body moved almost automatically, guiding her toward Watson’s edge. By the time she reached Vik’s clinic, her decision was made.
It was time for some upgrades.
-----------------------
Sophie parked her bike in a narrow back alley, killing the engine and letting the silence settle around her. The streetlights above flickered, their glow barely cutting through the smoky sky. She adjusted her jacket, glancing toward the side entrance to Viktor’s clinic.
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Her chest tightened slightly as her gaze lingered in the direction of Misty’s Esoterica. The thought of Misty brought a tangle of emotions; guilt and a deep-seated discomfort she couldn’t quite shake. It had been six months since she first met Misty and she’d found it difficult to decide whether or not she wanted to be friends with her.
She’d tried to be polite whenever the older girl called but she never initiated contact nor did she visit. Regardless of how distant she tried to present herself, desperately wishing Misty would stop trying, she never did. However, the awkwardness she felt didn’t disappear.
That was why she took the side entrance. Inwardly, she told herself it wasn’t to avoid Misty but deep down, she knew it was. If she didn’t actually interact with her, then no relationship would form. That was her belief.
Without another glance, Sophie made her way down the narrow stairs that led to Vik’s basement clinic. The air was cooler down here, tinged with the faint scent of antiseptic. When she reached the bottom of the steps, she paused by the gateway, peeking in to check the room. It was empty except for Vik, who was hunched over his workbench, a small holo-display glowing faintly as he adjusted something with a fine-tipped tool.
Satisfied, Sophie stepped inside, her boots thumping softly on the floor.
“Ah, if it isn’t my favorite little ghost,” Vik said without turning around. His voice was warm as he spoke to her. He turned in his chair and gave her a small grin. “You know, you don’t have to be a stranger. Last time I saw you was when I installed that personal link in your arm. What’s it been? A few months?”
“Mmm,” Sophie said, keeping herself quiet. Her eyes flicked around the room, avoiding his own for longer than necessary. “Been...busy.”
“Busy, huh?” Vik leaned back in his chair, crossing his arms. “I bet you’re still out there, putting yourself in danger. Are you at least being careful about it?”
Sophie shrugged, offering a vague, “Something like that.”
Her relationship with Vik was in a similar situation as Misty, though nowhere near as bad. Vik seemed content to let things stay as they were unless she was hurt. She was grateful that he never pushed her to say more than she wanted to.
“Well, you’re still breathing, so I guess you’re doing something right,” Vik said, his grin widening. “So, what brings you here? Need something fixed, or are you planning to finally get some upgrades?”
Sophie reached into her jacket and summoned the bag she looted from Cain’s room into her hand, ensuring he didn’t see the inventory usage. She handed it over to Vik. “Can you tell me what this is?”
Vik raised an eyebrow but took the bundle without hesitation. He unwrapped it carefully. When the cloth fell away, a smooth, dark material was revealed, its faintly reflective surface catching the clinic’s bright lighting.
“Well, well,” Vik muttered, turning the piece over in his hands. “This is subdermal armor. Good stuff, too. Around the second tier of subdermal if I’m right. Much better than the entry-level plating you’ve got now at least. Where’d you get this?”
“Picked it up somewhere,” Sophie said, avoiding his gaze. “Can you install it?”
Vik let out a soft chuckle, setting the armor down on his workbench. “Sure, I can install it. Always happy to give you a little more protection, especially if you’re heading into dangerous situations.”
Sophie climbed into the surgical chair, leaning back and letting out a slow breath. The worn leather creaked softly under her weight. “Mind telling me what I can expect from this stuff?”
“Well, this is a Carbon Fibre Weave. Upgrades to all the functions your current stuff has. You’ll be able to withstand slightly larger caliber bullets better now and slashing attacks won’t cut as deep. Blunt force is still dangerous though. The energy transfer will cause internal injuries. My advice? Don’t go tanking attacks with it. You’ll still get hurt. Subdermal is all about emergency protection. Wear some good armour instead, kid. Or better yet, don’t get in a fight in the first place.”
“Right…thanks for the info.” Sophie was glad to hear that it was an upgrade to what she had and she already had no intention of fighting head-on. Stealth was her preference, even if she still had lots to learn in that regard.
As Vik prepped the equipment, he glanced over at her. “Anything else you’re looking for while you’re here? Might as well make the trip worth it.”
“Actually, yeah,” Sophie said quickly, sitting up slightly. “I’d like some tech hair. Entry-level cyberdeck if you have one in stock. And a better set of optics.”
Vik nodded, stroking his chin thoughtfully. “The tech hair I’ve got and it’s easy to install. The cyberdeck, though...I’m fresh out. Couple more days, and I’ll have a new shipment. Can you wait that long?”
“Yeah,” Sophie replied. She wasn’t thrilled about the delay, but she didn’t have much choice. She’d just have to meet Padre without it.
“As for the optics...” Vik walked over to a nearby cabinet and opened it, revealing several options neatly arranged in rows. “Let’s see. I’ve got a few different models here. Entry-level, mid-range...and these.” He held up a pair of eyes. “Kiroshi MK.1s. Top of the line. They’re expensive though. Ten grand for both. But they’re worth every eddie if you can swing it.”
Sophie’s gaze lingered on the Kiroshis. The price made her hesitate, but she knew the value of good optics. Especially a set from one of the world’s best optic designers. After a moment, she nodded. “I’ll take them.”
“Good choice,” Vik said, setting them aside. “These’ll do you right. Let’s get everything sorted out.”
They spent the next few minutes going over the details; payment, the installation process, and the expected recovery time. Once everything was settled, Vik began prepping the surgical tools and calibration software.
“All right,” he said, giving her a reassuring smile. “You know the drill. Sit back, relax, and count some sheep. You’ll wake up good as new.”
Sophie nodded, her heart rate steady despite the faint apprehension she always felt before going under. It dredged up her memories from being captive. Still, she’d learnt to trust the old ripper. She leaned back fully in the chair, the cool faux-leather pressing against her back as Vik injected an anesthetic.
The room’s fluorescent lights blurred, their edges softening as her vision dimmed. The last thing she saw was Vik’s steady, reassuring presence as he adjusted the chair and began the procedure.
Then, everything went dark.
A few hours later, Sophie stirred groggily, blinking against the soft light above her. The edges of her vision were blurry, her senses dulled by the lingering effects of the anesthetic. As her focus returned, so did her awareness of the faint buzz of the clinic's equipment and the distinct scent of antiseptic.
“Finally awake!”
The voice startled her, high-pitched and distinctly irritated. Sophie’s eyes snapped open fully, only to find Misty standing over her, arms crossed and her lips pressed into a thin, disapproving line.
“Misty...” Sophie rasped, her throat dry. She tried to sit up, but Misty’s intense stare made her sink back down into the chair.
“You’ve got some nerve,” Misty began, her voice brimming with annoyance. “Six months, Sophie. Six! And not a single visit. Barely even a proper hello when I call. You just grunt like some kind of... I don’t know... sewer gremlin!”
From the corner of the room, Vik let out a slight chuckle, clearly enjoying the spectacle. Sophie glanced toward him, her expression pleading for rescue, but he simply adjusted a tool on his workbench, shaking his head as if to say, ‘You’re on your own, kid’.
“I thought I was polite… and I’ve been... busy,” Sophie offered weakly, her voice barely audible.
“Busy?” Misty echoed, her eyes widening in disbelief. “Too busy to visit me? Too busy to pop by for some tea? Too busy to let me know you’re still alive? I thought I made it clear that we’re friends, Sophie!”
Sophie winced, her brain still sluggish and unable to process the torrent of words. She opened her mouth to respond, but Misty cut her off.
“And don’t think I didn’t notice you sneaking in through the side entrance! Like I wouldn’t know! You’re avoiding me! I can tell!”
“Misty, I didn’t—” Sophie tried, but Misty was on a roll.
“No, no, don’t even try to explain,” Misty said, throwing her hands up. “You’re avoiding me. I know it. Vik knows it.” She pointed an accusatory finger toward him, and he raised his hands in mock surrender, still grinning. “You know it.”
“I’m really not—” Sophie stammered, but Misty wasn’t done.
“And don’t get me started on all the times I’ve invited you over! Not even a holo-message in reply! You know how many times I made extra cookies just in case you showed up? Do you know how many cookies Vik had to eat because of you?”
“Best six months of my life,” Vik interjected, unable to resist. He got a withering glare in response.
Sophie couldn’t help but let out a faint laugh at that, though it quickly faded when Misty’s intense gaze turned back to her.
“Okay, okay,” Sophie said, holding up her hands in surrender. “I’ll... I’ll talk more.”
“You’d better,” Misty said, her tone softening slightly. She placed a hand on Sophie’s arm, her eyes earnest. “I just worry about you, you know? You’re out there doing who-knows-what, and I don’t hear a word. At least let me feed you or something!”
Before Sophie could answer, Misty grabbed a chair and started pulling it closer. “Sit down. I’ve got some soup upstairs, and you’re not leaving until you’ve had a bowl.”
“I really should get going,” Sophie said quickly, sitting up. Her head spun for a moment, but she pushed through it, sliding off the chair. She grabbed her nearby clothes and slipped into them in record time. “Thanks, but I’ll take a rain check, okay?”
Misty frowned, her hands on her hips. “Rain check? What’s that supposed to mean? You’re just going to—”
But Sophie was already heading for the stairs, her movements awkward and a little too quick. “Thanks, Vik,” she called over her shoulder, avoiding Misty’s gaze entirely.
“Take care, kid,” Vik replied, his voice thick with amusement.
As Sophie reached the top of the stairs, she heard Misty yell after her, “You owe me a visit, Sophie! A proper visit!”
“I’ll try!” Sophie called back, her voice fading as she pushed through the door and into the alley.
Once outside, she let out a long breath, her heart still racing. She hadn’t expected that kind of reaction from Misty, considering she always seemed so quiet. She quickly realised how badly she’d treated the poor girl and made up her mind to rectify the situation.
Her resolve crumbled however, when thoughts of Suko Takeshi flashed through her mind. No. No friendship. Misty will be safer if she’s not connected to me like that. Her bike rumbled as she drove away, feeling slightly defeated. It seemed she was destined not to make any connections for a while.