Chapter Text
Living Legend:
Chapter One:
FUCKING HELL
David is currently sat inside his apartment, back still on fire from his recent surgery and cyberware implant. Thankfully his loss of blood has numbed his entire body. Or is that just aftershock? Either way without the slightly numbed state, David doubted he could have walked home with the splitting headache and burning spinal replacement.
See, while on the operating table, a different David's memories, maybe soul who the fuck knows, slammed into his own. At first David was terrified, thinking it some sort of ghost of the Cyberpsycho who had the Sandevistan before him, or an A.I having escaped pass the Blackwall. Thankfully as the memories began to merge, his fears lessened, only to be replaced by a new kind of fear.
The new David never felt pain like this before. He lived a fairly normal life before this. He had a wife, three kids and a 9-5 job. Utterly unremarkable in every way. Average looks, intelligence and abilities, their was nothing particularly special about his previous life. The scattered fragments that survived that is...
Even the names of his wife and children are lost, he can barely recall their faces.
That shared grief, for both versions of David's just lost their family recently, is what allowed their minds to connect and become one. Sadly this means most of the happier moments of the older David's life were lost. Although David knew little of true importance was lost.
His wedding day and certain milestones in his families life. Vacations don't even count, so exhausted working to pay for it he mostly just relaxed and regained his energy instead of creating better memories.
Getting up with a wince as the freshly stitched flesh on his back stretched and pulled, he slowly turned to look outside the window, and the sprawling cityscape fading into the badlands beyond. Older David could not believe his luck. Firstly, he apparently gets a chance at a second life.
However that second life is in Cyberpunk, as a character who is dead within the next year. The exact details are fuzzy and vague. It has been some time since he watched the anime or played the game in his little free time after all. Although he immediately made a change, to give him the best chance.
David is not going back to Arasaka Academy, most certainly not displaying his aptitude for military grade cyberware in front of a 'Saka camera. Almost everything bad that happened in the anime series came back to that one decision. Or so he thinks, hard to really concentrate with the pain.
He has no illusions that if he plans to make a name for himself in this City, how he yet to work out, he will gain Arasaka's attention. The only benefit to that is he will be on every Corps radar and not just Arasaka's. They will hopefully keep themselves entertained with corporate espionage and counter espionage long enough for David to be strong enough to escape or look after himself. Not much of a plan, but again, thinking hurts. Everything hurts.
David looked at the Urn, containing Gloria's ashes. His mother, the only one either David ever knew. Older David was raised an orphan and never bothered to look up his family. They abandoned him after all so fuck them.
“Hmm despite being the dominant mental aspect due to the factor of my greater age and experience, David Jnr is still inside”. David Snr as he termed himself mused. “Whether or not we will merge into one being and any separation will be impossible to tell is not possible to say at this point”. David sighed, running his hand through his hair with a wince. He should be more careful how he moves and stresses his back.
“Alright, first things first. I need some money for rent and food.” David thought about running to the NCART, knowing he could run into Lucy and start a side gig klepping datashards. While tempting, David Snr wanted to walk his own path. Plus the best way to ensure the Edgerunners future does not come to be is to keep his distance from the Edgerunner characters.
After all he knew one of the crew betrayed them in the end. He just couldn't remember who and his lack of memory is annoying him. So instead he decided to focus on something he could do.
Selling David Jnr's XBD collection. David Snr had no interested in Braindances. He wanted to truly experience and live a life he could only fantasize about before. Stuffing the XBD's into his mother's EMT coat, he threw it on as he headed for the door. Stopping as he remembered he is technically locked out. Or in as the point stands.
“Great... Vent crawling in this shit hole.” David grimaced. David Jnr's memories of what lurked in the ventilation system is disgusting. “Sorting my rent out first.” David sighed as he began to climb through the vents.
X – Time Skip – X
Finally free of Megabuilding H4, David dusted off as much of the grime he accumulated as possible. He could see why David kept wearing this coat for so long, beyond looking rather badass and honouring his mother. The coat is very high quality and comfy, fit for any weather. Most of the dust and grime swiped away with ease.
“Must be to help clean blood and shit off”. David mused as he pulled up his contacts list. Thankfully David Jnr's memories helped in this regard, making an action he never performed before work flawlessly. It's hard to describe how it works, its more than just thinking it and it happens, but at the same time not much more.
Do you think when you bring up controls in the game? Not after awhile. David had no better explanation for bringing up his HUD.
Sending out a generic and copied message to his 'customers' about the full and rare Edgerunners XBD collection of his is being sold, David focused on the message from 'Saka Academy.
“Blah blah, sorry for your loss, blah blah, still debt outstanding, blah blah...” David Snr stopped. A gift he did not expect. Tanaka must really hate him, to offer to cover the debt if he withdrew from the Academy. David Snr chuckled and accepted the offer, formally withdrawing from Arasaka Academy.
David Snr knew David Jnr is very smart, much smarter than him. Keeping up with Corpo kids with the best cyberware is an insult they couldn't stand from mostly organic street trash. David Jnr is no genius or anything, just his ability to remember and recite information is exceptional. Schools require little more than that to excel. Add on top of that the lack of eddies for any fun hobbies, besides the XBD he sells and saves up for, left David a lot of time to study.
David saw a message popup from Katsuo Tanaka, his bully who just paid off his debt. David didn't bother annoying a Corp Child with an high ranking father. Not worth the hassle, so he ignored the message and just blocked the number. He could still feel the raw and hurting emotions of David Jnr and he couldn't risk anything at this stage. Not while he is still incredibly weak.
It is only then he realised it might have been an offer for his XBD's, Katsuo being his best customer. While a bully, Katsuo is smart enough to take advantage of those actions to corner David alone to buy his XBD's. Typical Corporation secrecy.
A message from another customer, named Scully. Outside his former schoolmates and Corpo kids with more money than brains, Scully is his best customer. Deciding to avoid the Corps as much as possible David decides to sell to him, he feet already walking to the NCART as they negotiated via messages.
Focused on his haggling. David missed the pale rainbow coloured hair boarding his NCART. If he did he would have left and walked instead. However despite his few eddies, his recent implant makes such an idea painful to say the least.
Finally settling on $5000 eddies for his entire collection, a loss overall as the Edgerunner series alone is worth that much, David took the deal anyway. That amount of money would sort out all bills for the next 3 months if he is careful. Still he needs to find other ways to make money. Maybe do the David and 2077 route of becoming an edgerunner? David's thoughts stopped as he felt his datashard get ejected, his Sandevistan activating.
A rush of power travelled from David's spine, tingly, electrifying and turning the deep pain into a throbbing nuisance, a strange improvement as time slowed down for David. Reacting on instinct, David appeared behind the thief, catching his datashard mid air before they could before freezing and recognizing the person trying to rob him as his Sandevistan de-activated.
“Holy fuck she is gorgeous!” David admitted. The hormonal and emotional mess of David Jnr surged to the surface, overpowering the pragmatic mind of David Snr who wanted to run away from the trouble brewing. Sadly the love struck idiot did nothing as Lucy grabbed his wrist and dragged him to the back of the NCART, slamming him face first into the metal door.
“Ow.” David moaned, the pain bringing him back to his more controlled state. “I hope this emotional instability is due to puberty and nothing else”. David Snr grumbled. He had to think fast here, something he was never particularly good at.
“Talk, who are you?” Lucy's voice angrily hissing into his ear,quiet enough to not attract attention, and using her body to pin him again the wall made David's blood rush south. The hormones blinded him to the fact his arms are currently tied up in Monowire. A dangerous situation.
“David Martinez.” David hissed out in pain. Lucy is putting pressure on his spine. It hurt and David resolved to find a better Ripperdoc as soon as he had some spare eddies to get it checked out. Something just feels wrong.
“Where did you get this Sandevistan?” Lucy asked, poking his spinal implant through his coat. “BITCH! THAT HURTS!” David screamed mentally.
“No idea. Mother died with it in her possession two days ago. Got it installed 'cause I got fuck all options to gain money. Hoped this would give me some.” David admitted with a grimace, not going to say he got it installed to punch a bully in the face. That was very stupid, but we already covered why.
“How could you afford to get it installed then?” Apparently not good enough for Lucy.
“Doc installed for free, had to promise him the implant if I flatlined.” David admitted. “Couldn't even afford meds and this really fucking hurts.” David hissed out in pain at the end. Lucy eased up a little, stopping the pain from growing, but still keeping David secured under her power and Monowire.
“Yeah I call bullshit. What 'Saka student is poor?” Lucy asked, making David flinch as he remembered why David is targeted by Lucy to begin with. His I.D shard still shows him as a Arasaka Academy student. Probably will for another day or two until they update the system.
“Here, can I forward a message?” David asked. “Mother died working hard to pay my way, without her no chance of paying for tuition, given a chance to escape debt free I took it.” David blabbed on, his fear very much real.
After all, Lucy is an Edgerunner with serious trust issues. She has and will kill again. David Snr knows this while David Jnr is focused on the tits pressing into his back. “Ugh Kids”. Lucy spun David around. Her optics flashing as she stared into David's optics.
David had an idea what is happening. Lucy is a skilled Netrunner after all, so he pulled up the message from the Arasaka Academy and put it front and centre of his mind hoping it helps. Lucy studied the message, before digging deeper.
“Fuck.”. David hissed in pain, the breach into his chrome feeling like a building headache, anchored around a digital knife digging into his brain. This is not normal, but Lucy is not holding back.
“Sorry about that.” Lucy admitted after a few minutes of searching David's data memory, thankfully that only covered David's Jnrs life, so it all looked normal. “Selling XBD's?” Lucy asked, having saw the other messages as well. David shrugged, only to wince at the pain that caused.
He really needs his spine checking. David Snr wonders if Vik is working behind Misty's yet? His payment plans and lines of credit might be his best bet to getting this issues resolved ASAP. David decides to focus on that later, after handling the Lucy situation.
“Like I said, need the eddies.” David explained. “Besides err...” David hesitated, Lucy just kept looking at him with that distrustful look. “After seeing my mother in a bad spot, can't really enjoy them anymore.” Most people don't admit they like XBD's for good reason. Even in Cyberpunk's fucked up world they are considered a scandalous kink. Which explained Lucy's brief look of disgust, which she quickly hid behind her mask of indifference.
David could clearly see Lucy pondering something. David wished he could remember what happened, the only thing he knew for certain is that he should not, under any circumstances, go to her apartment.
“How well can you use the Sandevistan?” Lucy asked after concluding her thoughts.
“No idea, first time I ever used it.” David didn't feel the need to specify when. The moment that lead to this conversation should be obvious after all.
“How about you help me klep some datashards from 'Saka suits. 80/20 split. Standard noob rates.” Lucy offered. David couldn't lie, he needs the eddies and is tempted.
“Potential payout at 20%?” David had no clue the value of these datashards. They could be worth ennies, or millions. Depends entirely on what is stored on them.
“A few K on a good day.” Lucy pondered. “Might get 1k at 20%” Lucy did some quick maths, telling David she at best makes 5k eddies. He also knows she works multiple NCARTS to get that number.
“Tempting.” David admitted as he thought on it. “Still, I really need to make this sale.” Again, no need to specify what.
“30% is my highest offer. 1.4k” Lucy offered. David raised an eyebrow. It seems Lucy is rather desperate to get him playing along with whatever plan she is cooking up.
“50/50 or nothing. No idea what the cost is of using the Sandevistan, and compared to my sale you are offering change. My stop is next by the way.” David haggled back, he is curious how desperate Lucy is. Lucy thought on his offer
“Alright, 50% but if you get caught like a noob, you're back down to 20%” Lucy counter offered. David stiffened. This offer could be a trap. After all Lucy could just mess up the hack and David is caught.
“What's to stop you messing up the hack to get me caught?” David fired back. Lucy shook her head to say no.
“Not worth the risk. I do this far to much to try and screw over some random punk.” David could not help himself, he pouted. He is no punk in either life. At least yet.
“Fine. Deal.” David stuck his hand out to shake. Lucy looked at his hand like it is a venomous snake ready to strike before hesitantly shaking in agreement. “Ignore how soft and smooth her hand is. IGNORE HOW SOFT AND SMOOTH HER HAND IS!” David Snr screamed to himself before Lucy pulled her hand back.
“Okay, let's see how you do.” As such, the side gig started. Or would this be the tutorial/prologue mission? At least he gets to figure out how the Sandevistan works.
For the most part it is a very simple job. Just walk down the NCART, activate his Sandevistan briefly for his arm to blur and catch a datashard before moving on normally. Lucy had already taken care of the Camera's before she even boarded so David did not have to worry about any recordings getting back to the Corps or NCPD.
The only real issue is the big mountain of man in the final NCART. David had faint memories of this sumo looking character.
“See that man?” Lucy pointed him out, without looking. “'Saka Security. His datashard will be the prized jewel and hardest to get. Considering his size you need a different approach.” David studied the target. The large Sumo looking man took up the entire walkway. David could not walk past this man without making his presence known and asking to pass.
Which would be a red flag for a security agent, considering nothing is past him. David grimaced. Each use of the Sandevistan resulted in a bigger headache and more pain in his back. Already the fiery burning pain has taken on an almost electric surge as it thunders up his spine into his skull every so often.
“Just pop it.” David commanded harshly. He is not looking forward to what he is about to do. Lucy raised an eyebrow but did as commanded. After all if David fucks up she gets an extra 30% and David in her debt as she helps him escape.
Lucy didn't even seen David move. One moment he is standing tall before her, the next moment he is hunched over, wheezing and sweating fairly heavily but datashard in hand.
“H...How fast did you just move?” Lucy asked stunned. Normally a blur of freeze frames, an after image as most optics, especially 'ganic eyes' cannot exactly keep up is visible. The Brain fills in the gaps based on what it knows and uses other senses to help. David's movement had none of that and Lucy had some top grade optics. Helped her netrunning skills, even if her eyes are a bit dated now, they were state of the art tech when first implanted. Pretty much like all of Lucy's chrome.
“G-Gah. W-Water.” David grunted out. David Snr had his thoughts on what is happening. After all in the show besides some nosebleeds and eventual Cyberpsychosis, David Jnr never had these problems. Turns out living and experiencing the world is different from watching it. The Sandevistan needs power and fuel, that means David needs a much better diet to feed the machine. At least that's the best he can think of with this electrifying pain racing throughout his brain.
“Do you have any meds?” Lucy asked, the slightest bit of concern in her voice.
“N-No... Money.” David eventually huffed out. Lucy sighed.
“You really are a gonk brain.” Lucy muttered to herself, although David heard it none the less. He couldn't argue really. David Jnr is the classic example of a gonk as David Snr knew the meaning...
Maybe David Snr is a being a bit harsh, but he is in pain. Thankfully the NCART soon stopped and he is able to stumble out, heading to a RealWater Vendor.
David Snr tried to ignore the fact that “RealWater” is just recycled piss as he gulped down the cool liquid. The burning heat along his spine fading with each greedy gulp. A second and third bottle is soon drained.
“Better?” Lucy asked. David looked over at her, partially surprised she is still around. Then he remembers how this is a trap for him.
“Yeah.” David admitted. “Seems going so fast is some sort of overclocked feature. Damn near burnt up.” David admitted, going by what he is feeling. All in all the pain is still lesser to that of having his spine ripped out while awake, so bearable.
David had to blink at the fucked up standards Night City is already making him accept. Who in their right minds has a pain scale involving their spine being ripped out while awake?
“Alright, here's your fee.” Lucy's optics flashed golden once more as $1.5k eddies are transferred to his account. At David's surprised and curious look she explained. “I scanned their value, if I get more for them it's because I haggled. My money.” David nodded, understanding. Feeling his belly rumble in hunger, despite downing over 1L of water, he moved to the burrito vendor. He decided to get 4 XL burritos, considering his thoughts about the Sandevistan. If he doesn't eat them they will last pretty much forever.
Synth-Food has next to no expiry date. Part of the reason it tastes like shit compared to real food, something David Snr is unfortunately familiar with as he takes a bite into his first burrito. That being said, he has eaten worse before and the burrito offers a wide variety of nutrition. The only positive of Synth-Food, they are scientifically healthy and balanced for the most part. Originally invented to replace RME's, Syth-Food was supposed to be the super food of the future.
In a way it is, practically everywhere but the richest Corpo' homes. But that's more to do with how cheap it is and the current version of Synth-Food is a far lessor quality than the original that dominated the food markets. Only SCOP is a competitor now and both are owned by the same Corporation, just subsidiaries battling it out for daddies attention. The original, better tasting product is now a premier item for Corpos not rich enough to afford real food.
“Would you like to come to my place.” David looks up from his food, second burrito devoured in his thoughts on the quality of NC food. Is Lucy trying to look seductive? She looks lightly constipated. Kind of cute in a way.
“Tempting.” David is honest, the fluttering emotion in his chest as David Jnr foolishly thinks he might be losing his virginity to a very attractive woman. “However I really need to make this sale before Scully backs out or demands a discount.” David sighed looking over the NCART tracks. If he gets back on soon to go back a few stops it would look suspicious. Lucy won't be around to disable the camera's this time either. “Rain-check, exchange detes?” David Snr could not stop David Jnr's hormonal hope however, and he asked the question before he could stop himself.
“Sure.” The constipated look is replaced with a pretty smile. Although David Snr is experienced enough to read the dead look in Lucy's eyes to know it's fake emotion. Soon her contact details pop up on his HUD, and to avoid suspicion David accepts and sends his over.
“Message you later.” David waved as he walked away, back in the direction of Scully's apartment block. He missed the smile drop from Lucy's face as she pondered the strange teen walking away from her.
At moments he is clearly lusting over her, and other times he reminds her of Maine, old and experienced and able to see past her physical beauty. Lucy decides to call Maine as she pondered over her recent experience.
X – Time Skip – X
David is now back home, thankfully his rent is sorted now so he didn't have to crawl through the ventilation system once more. After the deal with Scully and the gig with Lucy, David has $4,889 eddies left after paying off his outstanding bills. Not much and he has yet to do any real grocery shopping. Thankfully the Vendors all over the Megabuilding would take care of that need for now.
Plus the fact he needs some weapons. If he plans to become an Edgerunner or Solo and earn the big bucks, he needs to be able to fight. Outside of his Sandevistan he has nothing to help him. David Snr hoped Gloria would have a weapon. Turns out no, the weapon from her job, same as her medical items is EMT property and must be returned at the end of a shift. Although that comes with its next set of problems.
Fixers, the only real way to earn those jobs outside of joining a Corp or Gang. They need a reputation and David Snr has no recollection of the Fixers of Night City beyond Rogue, the Queen of Fixers. Far beyond his reach of possibilities at this stage.
David's OS pinged an alert. Being required for 'Saka students, its a rather preem piece of software, especially for street trash. Built in Virus and Daemon scanner.
“Of course she did.” David sighed as he saw the Tracker Daemon attached with Lucy's details. Allowing the OS the purge the Daemon, David resolved to learn some netrunning skills. He stopped.
He forgot he could not get a cyberdeck installed with a Sandevistan. Either one or the other. Okay change of plans, leaving netrunning skills alone for now. Black Ice just jumped up in priority.
A loud, banging knock on his door gained David's attention. Walking up to the peep hole, David's eyes widened at the mountain of a man outside his door. He recognized this man. Maine. The dark skinned man looked positively monstrous with the distorted view of the peephole.
The expression of Maine's face didn't help. He looked extremely angry.
“FUCK!” David screamed mentally. He is not prepared for this yet. Activating his Sandevistan, David quickly grabbed what he could and disappeared into the disgusting ventilation system to escape. He knew there is no camera's or sensors for Maine's Netrunners to track him, and with the removal of the Tracker Daemon they couldn't easily follow him.
Outside David's Apartment
“You sure he is in?” Maine growled to Lucy, leaning against the wall next to the door and out of sight of the peep hole.
“Tracker just got purged.” Lucy reported. “Reported his position in this apartment right up till you knocked.” Lucy narrowed her eyes in suspicion. Her Daemon should not have been found so quickly, she knows 'Saka software extremely well after all.
“Open the door.” Maine ordered, Lucy's optics glowing as she hacked and opened the door to David's apartment in short order. Maine entered first, followed by his second in command Dorio, then Pilar, tech support in case of any explosives or issues with the Sandevistan, and Lucy for any netrunning troubles. The Urn by the window immediately got Maine's attention as he moved over. “She really is dead.” The pain in his voice is clear. Dorio walked up and placed a hand on his shoulder.
“I told you she would not bail.” Dorio tried to offer comfort, even if a part of her never really like Gloria. Not easy to be friendly to your mainlines ex after all.
“Where's her spawn? Where's David?” Maine turned away from the Urn to look at this crew. Pilar and Lucy having checked out the apartment.
“Empty Bossman.” Pilar reported, flopping onto the couch. “Looks like you scared the brat off.” Pilar chuckled to himself. Stopping at Maine's growl.
“I told you to keep an eye on him.” Maine turned his frustration to Lucy. His first command when she reported she found his Sandevistan.
“How? I offered him to come back to my place.” Lucy blew out an air of smoke, having lit a cigarette while Maine was focused on the Urn. “Tried to make it real clear without being obvious he would get some.” Dorio rolled her eyes, knowing the 'Ice Bitch' Lucy is not great at that, but nobody would call her out. She is scary with her Daemons. “He is just focused on making eddies right now.”
“Why not proposition him like a joytoy then!” Maine roared, clearly frustrated.
“Maine, calm down.” Dorio's hand in once more on his shoulder. “Do you really think a child of Gloria would take such a deal?” Dorio did not know Gloria that well, but she knew enough. Former Valentino, and one of the few people in this city not to give it up for a few eddies or promotion. They see it more as an emotional expression, best freely given. A remnant of their Fratboy origins, they never forced or bought sex, they were better than that.
“No.” Maine sighed out in frustration. “Just worried about the bra... I mean my Sandevistan.” Maine tried to cover up his slip. “What if he tries to fight some gangers and gets flatlined and losses it?” Dorio's look showed she didn't buy it. Pilar didn't care and Lucy is surprised. Maine while an effective leader and looks after his crew, rarely cares for any outside of that small group. Even then they all knew they were one major fuck up from being cut loose.
“He is desperate for Eddies and the son of former Valentino turned EMT. Combined with being a 'Saka student he cannot be an idiot.” Dorio explained. “Keep an eye on the fixers, we know what he looks like now and can track him down the old fashioned way.” Dorio turned to look at Lucy. “Or Lucy can call him and you can explain to him how you own the Sandevistan is got installed. Does he seem reasonable?” The last part is directed at Lucy.
“Partially, even if I don't understand him.” Lucy blew out another puff of smoke. “It's the last thing he ever got from his mother however, even indirectly. That's a wild card right there.” Lucy pointed out and Dorio winced, looking at the sullen look on Maine's face. Not many would notice it considering the amount of Chrome he has, but Dorio knows him better than that.
“Consider this a sign from above. I was worried about you getting such a heavy piece of chrome on top of all you got.” Dorio knew Maine would not kill David. Not in any rationale state of mind anyway. A cold hearted Solo still has a heart after all.
“It's definitely top spec.” Lucy spoke again. “Fastest I saw him move didn't even leave behind a blur to my optics.” That gained Dorio's, Maine's and even Pilar's attention. No Sandevistan on the streets of NC currently could come close to such speeds. “One moment stood before me looking calm, next hunched over, sweating and out of breath.”
“How much did you spend again?” Dorio asked Maine after a few moment of shock.
“Not even close to it's true value, clearly. Not even close to the most I've spent on a piece of chrome.” Maine admitted. Neither he nor Gloria knew much about Cyberware to identify the quality on sight, just make and model for the most part. What's openly advertised on the market.
“So what's the plan Bossman?” Pilar asked. Maine sighed.
“You three go. I'll stay here for the night and see if David returns.” Maine began to formulate a plan. “If he doesn't return by noon tomorrow, I will call him. Lucy, try and track him down in the meantime, make sure he is not doing something dangerous.” Lucy nodded, annoyed but a job is a job.
“Fine, but you owe me one.” Lucy argued back. Maine nodded as Lucy and Pilar soon left. Pilar annoying Lucy by his terrible attempts at flirting.
“You sure you want to be alone babe?” Dorio asked sweetly. Maine sighed as he turned to look at the urn.
“Yes. Just need some time to process.” Maine spoken. Dorio nodded, knowing Maine is an old fashioned man who generally speaking doesn't show weakness, or his emotions. He needed privacy to break down.
“Just remember, this is not your fault. She would have sold it to someone else if not you.” Dorio made sure to remind Maine as she left the apartment.
Maine just sighed, picking up the Urn and dropping onto the couch, the furniture groaning under his weight.
“But abandoning my son? Even if I never knew...” Maine whispered to himself. He added the dates up. Unless Gloria was cheating on him, something he didn't want to think about or consider, Gloria is not that type of girl. That means David is his son. “I'm so sorry Gloria.” Tears fell from Maine's eyes onto the Urn, as he allowed his emotions free range.
He spoke to Gloria his regrets. There were many. Ultimately, he resolved he would do his best to look after David.
“I know the life I can give him is not one you would want.” Maine whispered, the old argument that broke the two up in the first place. “But I promise I will do everything I can to make sure he is happy and safe. I cannot become his father so late to command his life..” Maine sniffed, trailing off... Drained of energy, he voice grew ever more silent.
Till the only conversation happened inside of his mind, haunted with old memories of lost love.
X – Time Skip – X
David, unaware of what is happening back at his apartment is delighted to find out Misty's shop is open and Vik is currently free to see him, despite the late hour of the day.
“Vik?” David called out his walked the few final steps down and into Vik's shop. As always, Vik is in front of his T.V watching a boxing match. The nostalgia of the area hit David Snr hard. His first playthrough he refused to use any Ripperdoc other than Vik. He tried to play true to himself and David Snr is a loyal person.
“That's me.” The Ripperdoc paused his video, and turned to look at David. “How can I help you?” David Snr could practically hear the “young man” not said at the end of that question.
“Did a rather silly thing, got a Sandevistan my mother left behind for me installed by a sketchy doc...” David began to explain. “Doesn't feel right and wanting a check up.”
“You got the eddies?” Vik asked.
“Got a few K saved up. Also heard you do credit if needed.” Vik shook his head.
“Only to customers I know or who are recommend by someone I know.” Vik explained. “None the less I can do a quick check up for $500 and tell you what needs to be done and the costs.” Vik offered.
“Sure, should I take a seat.” Vik nodded and waved to the surgical chair, having pressed a few buttons on his computer for it to go flat for spinal surgeries. “Where's the bite bar?” David asked, having just taken his coat off and shirt off. He hopes to trigger Vik.
“The WHAT THE HELL IS THAT!” Vik exclaimed turning around and seeing David's back, startling David who was about to lay down.
“What? What is what?” David panicked. Vik quickly moved over to David to take control.
“Lay down quickly. Honestly I got no idea how you are standing let alone walking.” Vik commanded, muttering to himself at a volume David could not hear. “Which Ripperdoc did this?”
“Doc Borg.” David explained. Thankfully the Jnr knew the name well as the Snr just remembered him as sleezeball doc. Borg might have been somewhat nicer to the end, but David Snr has recent negative experiences and connotations that impact his opinion considering his current state.
“You went to that XBD maniac?” Vik shook his head. “Explains the bite bar comment.” Vik paused. “Did you have your spine ripped out while you were awake?”
“Yeah...” David trailed off, embarrassed at the foolish actions of Jnr.
“Well, you won't be awake for this.” Vik administered the anaesthesia before David could question it. Darkness taking him.
X – Time Skip – X
David awoke groggily. The pain and weight along his spine no longer ever present.
“Easy. Let it settle. Don't move too quickly.” A strange but familiar voice broke through David's delirious state.
“Vik?” David groaned out, throat parched and scratchy, irritated.
“Here, drink.” A straw is placed in his mouth. David greedily sucked down the water. He could tell this is pure water. A rarity, crisp and clean. “And yeah, it's Vik. Had to do more than just a check up kid.” Vik pulled the straw away.
“What... What do I owe you?” David groaned out, his thirst quenched but still drowsy.
“We'll sort that out soon enough.” Vik explained. “First, explain to me why you got a prototype Sandevistan installed by Doc Borg of all people.” The hatred in Vik's voice as he said Doc is clear as day.
“P-Prototype?” David asked, as his limited knowledge kicked in. Prototype cyberware is always special. Overloaded with goodies the pilots survival is of minimal concern. R&D fixes such issues with the data from the first pilot. Human lives are cheap after all.
“Yeah, I've never seen anything like it.” Vik explained. “Normal Sandevistan's go over a spine. Not fully replace it. You've got a monstrous piece of chrome there.” Vik is trying to keep a calm front for David's sake.
“I didn't know.” David admitted. “My mother just died...” The emotions break down the remnants of delirium. “No hopes, I just really wanted to smack a Bully who insulted my mother... called her a whore...” David trailed off.
“Did you do it?” Vik asked very concerned. “I saw your Bio, you are a Arasaka Academy student. Did you assault a fellow student with prototype tech?” Vik is on the verge of tossing David to the curb. He doesn't need that sort of heat from Arasaka.
“No... I had a rethink of my life after the painful surgery. Just went home. Got an offer for my debt to Arasaka to be paid off by my bully if I quit. I took it.” Vik look intrigued but relieved. He decided to leave that for now.
“Good. 'Cause no offence Kid. If you had 'Saka attention I will kick your ass to the curb faster than you can run with that Sandy.” Vik joked lightly with a hint of seriousness. David winced.
“Yeah I get it.” David Snr did, Jnr not so much. “So how much do I owe you?” David asked again, starting to feel normal.
“No clue.” Vik admitted. “Normally the cost is the chrome, you owe me nothing for that.” Vik is a nice Ripperdoc, as nice as one could be in NC and he does not overcharge. “Never worked a surgery so long, took me all night to optimize, identify and properly hook the Sandy to you.” Vik began to think. “Call it $5k with the meds you need to take.” Vik wheeled over. “Red one, once in the morning, Blue one, once before bed. Should be enough for a week.” Vik gave David two modified Airhypo's. A custom medicine of his own creation and modified slightly for each customer.
“I just got under that.” David winced. “Can I pay $4k now and the rest later. Or do you have a job that needs doing.” Vik sighed. He couldn't undo his work now.
“Sure kid. You can make a few deliveries for me to pay off the $1k.” Vik offered as David transferred the eddies over. “Rest up for the week though, no using the Sandevistan unless it's an emergency before then.” Vik instructed.
David nodded, knowing to listen to the Doc who knows what he is doing and cares for his patients. It would be a bit tight, leaving him only 3 weeks to find enough money for next months rent, but at least his biggest concern is fixed. This months rent and getting the Sandevistan checked.
“Sure. Anything else I should avoid, like bad sushi.” David joked back. The synth-sushi of NC is infamously bad. Thank you Jnr for experiencing that so Snr didn't have to.
“No, just be careful. No strenuous physical activities. Let your back heal properly.” David mentally cursed to himself. No time to work out then.
“Sure thing Doc.” David confirmed as he got to his feet. He expected to be unsteady, but he felt better than ever before honestly. “Do I take one of these now...” David held up his medicine. Vik shook his head. David pocketed the medicine as he got redressed. He expected his back to be tight and in pain from the motion, but nothing.
“Just before bed. You have a special cocktail of drugs inside of you from the surgery that work better right now.” Vik explained. “The medicine is to help the chrome settle. Normally a day is enough, but most people don't get spinal replacements while awake.” Vik glared at David, clearly annoyed at him for that.
“Geesh, I already lived the nightmare once. I know it was a bad idea now.” David fired back. David Snr really hates being spoken down to. He had enough of that with his old job. Vik raised his hands in surrender.
“Sorry.” Vik pinched the bridge of his nose. “Just tired from an all nighter. More angry at Borg than you.” Vik waved David away. “Go home, come back in a week for a checkup and your first delivery.” David nodded.
“Thanks Doc. Can see why you are called the best now.” David parted with a compliment as he began to climb the stairs.
Vik moved to his computer, putting a hit out on on Doc Borg. While nice and forgiving, that man is a monster to do such a surgery to a nice kid like David. Plus he is not going to be the one cleaning up Borg's mess all the time. Sure it is just David for now, but word spreads. Time to nip this problem in the bud... Anonymously of course.
X – Time Skip – X
David froze as he walked into his apartment. Still frozen as the door closes behind him.
“Fuck. Fuck. Fuck.” David began to panic. He couldn't use his Sandevistan right now, Doc's orders, and the mountain of man that spooked him earlier is still in his apartment. Maine is still waiting for David.
“Relax. I won't harm you.” David didn't relax, but his panic stopped. This... doesn't add up to what he knows.
“Who are you?” David asked. “How did you get in here?” Despite trying to appear calm, the fear in his voice is evident.
“I knew your mother.” The emotion in the voice and on Maine's face as he looked at the Urn cannot be faked. “We used to be a thing, oh about 18 years ago.” Maine admitted. David froze for a different reason. He is connecting the dots.
“You claiming to be my father?” David could not hide the disbelief and anger from his voice. David Jnr is not happy to learn his father was alive all this time and left his mother to raise him on her own.
“No.” Maine responded simply. “Sperm donor, maybe. Your Mother never told me about you. Not even when she started to sell me klepped chrome almost a decade later.” Maine turned to look at David. “That Sandevistan is something I paid in advance for.”
“You want it back?” David asked, knowing he is fucked in that case. His cyberware is special, outside of medical grade chrome nothing offers a full spinal replacement.
“No. Probably cannot handle it if its Mil Spec.” Maine admitted, Dorio's word having pierced his thick skull in his moment of weakness.
“Prototype tech.” David admitted before he could shut his mouth. Maine winced.
“Yeah, I definitely would go pyscho with that.” Maine turned to look at David. “How you feeling.” Maine raised his hand. “Not the passing of your mother, the chrome.” Maine expanded his question.
“Crappy originally. Just spent the night with a new Ripper who looked it over. Apparently the first Doc fucked up the installation, he fixed it.” David admitted, ad-libbing what Vik said. He could read between the lines. “Bedrest and medicine for the next week though before I can pay off the debt I owe him.”
“How much?” Maine asked.
“Not much, already worked out at a way for me to pay it off with some deliveries.” David explained, not wanting to exchange one debt for another. Maine grunted, leaving it at that. The jobs would help build a small bit of rep for David as well.
“Don't worry about repaying me for the Sandevistan.” Maine added after a moment of silence.
“Thanks.” David responded, an awkward silence filling the room. David looked around, nothing looked out of place, besides a few dozen empty cans of beer on his coffee table.
“You looking to become a Solo?” Maine asked randomly startling David from his observations.
“Potentially.” David didn't want to reveal his plans. “Not like I got many better prospects.” Maine remained silent, acknowledging that. Army, Corp, Gang, Fixer or Solo, the only real way any fucker can make something of themselves in this day and age unless they got a special talent. Corp and Army both have their downsides, serving others wishes, while being a Solo is practically a death sentence. But you get to live your life. Gangs and Fixers vary between the two. “Here.” Maine handed over a book, strange in the fact it was made of paper and not digital. He had Dorio drop it off this morning.
“A book?” David asked in confusion, before reading the title, eyes going wide. “Holy shit is this the book written by THE Blackhand on how to be a Solo?” David could not help his excitement. While dated the book is still a great starting reference for any up and coming Solo. Unbelievably rare these days however, especially the paper versions. The Corps long controlled and edited the digital versions, only giving the unedited versions out to trusted mercs. Militech being the prime Corp who does that, having Blackhand on retainer helped with that.
“Yes it is.” Maine let out a deep chuckle at David's excitement. “Helped me out through many a tough spots.” Maine admitted, showing why he had it. A relic of his NUSA army days.
“Preem. Thanks.” David resisted the urge to read the book now. At least his week of bed rest just got a lot more bearable. Gives him time to really digest the information in the book.
“If...” Maine sighed. “If you ever want to talk about your mother, or need help with a job, send us a message yeah?” Maine offered, not knowing how to handle this situation.
“Err sure.” David is not convinced. Besides any real desire to talk about his Mother died with the personality mashing. That being said having a veteran Solo around offering his help is priceless in NC.
Maine's optic's glowed as he sent his details over. David hesitated, scanning first remembering Lucy's trick, before accepting and sending his details back. Maine chuckled.
“Smart one.” Maine picked up on David's initial hesitation and correctly guessed why. “Keep in touch. Don't be a stranger.” Are Maine's parting words as he walked out of the apartment.
David barely remembered to lock his door before moving to his bed and beginning to read.
X – Time Skip – X
It's been a week. David is feeling great, making him wonder what Vik put in his medicine. Or is just the advanced medicine of the future?
During the past week David devoured the book on how to be a Solo, making sure to memorise every word. David Snr wished he had that knowledge when he played the game, might have helped him complete it on the hardest difficulty that one time he tried. Although he also knows there is a difference between knowing and knowing the information. Experience of using the right information at the right time basically.
Beyond that he kept track of his eating habits. Even idle the Sandevistan has upped his calories needed by a factor of 4. David dreads to think how much he would need to eat once he starts using it. It took great restraint to not start testing the Sandy out early.
“Hey Doc.” David greeted Vik as he walked into his clinic.
“Hey David, how are you feeling?” Vik asked, looking up from the packaging he finished preparing for David's first delivery.
“Preem. Like a million eddies, never felt better.” David boasted. Vik chuckled, glad his efforts works. Can never tell with prototype tech.
“Great, let me check out your systems and you can get started working. Hook yourself up.” David nodded, sitting in the chair and jacking in, allowing his OS and Bio's to be scanned and checked. “Any strange feelings?” Vik asked as the scan began.
“Just a strange tingle.” Vik nodded, that is normal.
“Any strange changes to habits?” Vik asked.
“Meaning?” David had no clue.
“Sleeping well. Eating well. Going to the bathroom regular. Any changes to your usual routine.” Vik explained, considering how important the spine is and the fact this Sandevistan connects directly to the brain makes it so he needs to pull out every check in the Ripperdoc's book.
“Eating about four times my usual. Kept track after I used it before seeing you and getting really thirsty.” David explained, as he mind goes back to a different kind of thirst. David Jnr is still pouting that he didn't go to Lucy's place.
“Really?” That gained Vik's attention. Cyberware generally speaking does not affect ones appetite. If they need power they usually have batteries or something else for that. This is sounding like it's draining David's bio-electricity to empower itself, a dangerous thing. “Flip over, I need to check your spine.” Vik ordered as the scan finished, showing nothing out of the ordinary. In fact David looks healthy.
David sat up, as the chair moved beneath him. Taking off his EMT jacket, the only clothing he had on his upper body. He also feels warmer than usual, as he turns over to lay down as Vik's moves over. The wheels on his stool squeaking as they rolled.
Vik began to examine David's back. Little scar tissue, perfectly healed. Good, the medicine did it's job. Vik pressed along his spine.
“Does this hurt?” Vik asked as David suppressed a shudder.
“No, tingles a bit. Kind of nice.” David admitted. David Snr learned the hard way it's a bad idea to lie to a doctor. Tell the truth so they can properly fix you up. Vik nodded and prodded several spots along David's spine, asking the same question and getting the same response.
“Well outside of cutting you up, I cannot figure out why the Sandevistan has increased your metabolism.” Vik admitted, defeated and not wanting to cut open the kid's back again. “Let's test it out. Follow me and keep your top off.” Vik instructed. David followed Vik, as he walked further into the large room his clinic is based in. The vast majority of it being storage. Vik lead David to the book, where a largish open space is located.
“Okay, activate the Sandy and as slowly as possible, walk from one side to the other.” Vik instructed, David nodded. Closing his eyes he focused on his Sandy. Feeling it activate, he opened them.
“Nice and slow.” David walked from one side to the other. Vik moved slowly, however the rest of the room being stationary made it hard to judge how fast David moved.
“How slow, you should have a counter on your HUD.” Viktor asked and explained, bringing David's attention to a new counter.
“0.7?” David asked curiously. Viktor nodded. “What's that mean Doc?” David is confused.
“People think Sandevistan are speedware, not necessarily true but more so for you.. Yours is a prototype after all.” Vik began to explain. “It's more like time dilation. You are not moving any faster, others are not moving any slower. You just perceive and interact with reality at a different level. The exact science behind it is a closely guarded secret.” David nodded, that made sense. “The main difference you need to know is how it affects Force. It doesn't matter how fast you perceive yourself, you are not able to generate any additional force using the Sandevistan other than what you can normally generate. If the Sandevistan worked like that you could cut through damn near anything and picking up and moving someone is almost guaranteed death by whiplash. Some users refer to this state as 'Slo Mo', Understand?”
“That's insane!” David exclaimed. “So I don't move faster, I somehow slow everything else down.” Vik shook his head negatively.
“No. The power that would require to effect the entire universe is more than any known star will produce in it's entire lifetime.” Vik began to explain further. “Like I said, the exact science is a closely guarded secret. The best guess is Sandevistan operates at such a frequency its best described as you being in another dimension. All but identical to our own, but the rules for you are different. Basically you can speed up time in simple terminology, only for yourself. Again, false from a scientific standpoint, but the best explanation you will get outside of the inventor of the Sandevistan.” A lightbulb went of in Vik's head. “This might explain the metabolic increase.”
“How so Doc?” David asked, curious to find out the answer himself.
“Simply put, the Sandevistan works by vibrating at such a miniscule level and at such speeds it disconnects you from reality. This may be having a knock on effect of burning up any calories in your body not properly processed.” Vik shrugged. “Outside of cutting you up, it's my best guess for right now.”
“Okay, should I try going fast... err slowing down as much as possible?” David asked confused. What would you call it?
“Call it going fast.” Vik chuckled. “Everyone else does. And go ahead. Same as before, just as fast...”
“Done.” David interrupted Vik, surprising him. He didn't see David move!
“T-The counter?” Vik tried to focus. Damn prototype tech.
“0.01.” David informed Vik, making him pale.
“Damn David... No Sandy is even close to that range.” Vik had to sit on the floor, his legs feeling weak from the shock. “The best I've seen offers a 0.2 time dilation. Meaning every second for them is five seconds for everyone else. I've heard of some Mil grade having 0.1 dilation, but 0.01? How do you feel?” Vik is honestly struggling to process the information. He's seen some crazy chrome over the years working as Ripperdoc, but this is something else entirely.
“Good. Bit hungry. Nothing as bad as last time though.” Vik sighed a breath of relief.
“Good. That means your Sandevistan is not draining you of energy to power itself.” Vik began to think of what else could be causing the metabolic increase. “I will have to schedule a deeper scan to have any better guesses without cutting you open. And I won't be doing that. Prototype remember.” Vik added.
“How much is it going to cost?” David as always is worried about the money.
“For now? Call it my own curiosity paying the bill.” Vik offered. What could he say, he is a man of science and medicine. He is deeply curious how David would grow with the tech and how the tech is currently affecting him.
“I'll pay, maybe not now but I'll pay in time.” David insisted.
“How? Going to become a Solo and die?” Vik fired back. He earned his eddies looking after Solo's, doesn't mean he really respects the profession however.
“What else can I do? Hope the Corp's never track down and find the proto I've got for a spine?” David fired back. Vik winced.
Yeah, the Corporation's won't let such a thing go lightly. Especially if Vik is correct and this is the most powerful Sandevistan in the world.
“You even prepared for that life kid?” Vik asked in defeat, walking back to the front of his clinic. David followed.
“Yeah.” David said softly. David Snr knew Vik is just worried about him, and feels a dick for snapping back. “Some old friend of my mothers gave me the Solo book Blackhand wrote.” Vik nodded.
“That's a good start. Any skills or weapons?” Vik knew the 'Saka Academy doesn't teach anything like that. They rely on chipped software unless assigned to a security or intel division.
“Grew up on the streets of NC so I can brawl.” David shrugged. “Outside of that getting a piece of Iron is one of my first priorities.” By this point the reached the front of the room, where Vik's desk is located.
“Here take this.” Vik handed over a Unity pistol. Nothing special, just a holo sight attached and muzzle. The loud bang of it firing hurts Vik's 'ganic hearing so the suppressor is nothing special.
“I... Can't take this.” David is really tempted however.
“Take it. I got a tech shottie still anyway.” Vik insisted, pushing the gun into David's hand. “Ain't got any spare ammo though.” Vik chuckled. “Not here at any rate.” As much as Vik liked David, his private life and his home is separated from his business by common sense. Never know when someone will go psycho on their Doc.
David ejected the mag. Due to his lack of smart link he didn't know how many bullets it contained. The mag is full though at 12 rounds and David's HUD updated. Even without a smart link it could keep track of how many bullets he fires. Enough for him to handle any small fry that comes his way combined with his Sandevistan. Get the loot ball rolling.
“Thanks Doc. You never said how much I owe for a deeper scan.” David glared lightly at Vik, who chuckled again.
“10k, for that and the gun and not an ennie more.” Vik relented. He technically gave the gun away for free at that price but it was a gift from a customer who upgraded anyway. His shottie is his favourite gun.
“Thanks Doc, now sorry to be a pain...” David trailed off, turning to look at the punching bag near the entrance to Vik's place. “Do you know any Gym I can work out and learn some fighting skills?”
“Let me call an old friend.” Vik chuckled. “For now, focus on the delivery. I'll send you a message later.”
X – Time Skip – X
The deliveries it turned out were very simple. Vik has more patients than just Solo's and those with longer lasting problems needed a subscription top up every now and again. He even made $200 eddies off tips for his deliveries! He had t o refuse the tip from that one amputee saving up for cyberlegs.
Not much, but it helps and he feels better about doing a good deed. He only has to do this job once a week for a few more weeks to pay off Vik. Vik refused to take payment in exchange when asked, laughing at David being his free errand boy. David Snr couldn't help but clap in silent approval at the Dad deal.
A Dad deal is when an older person, usually male hence the dad part, tricks a younger person into doing a tiring or bothersome job for them. Usually by making the younger person think they got the good deal out of it. David grumbled but smiled. David Snr really had a soft spot for Vik.
Still, with the deliveries taken care of and night bringing the opportunistic parts of NC alive, David prowled the streets of Santo Domingo near his home looking for an easy score. Watching an ambulance pull into a ruined wreck of an abandoned building is exactly what he is looking for. Scav Den.
The problem with hunting Scavs is you got no idea how powerful the Scavs are. They are considered the ultimate scum in Cyberpunk, but their methods do produce results, it's why they still exist. Point is, you never know if you are entering a mostly 'ganic Scav crew, or one of them being a few chrome pieces short of being a borg. Contained monsters ready to be unleashed to cover their escape.
One thing Scavs rarely have is Netrunners. Right now David's biggest worry is someone hacking his Sandevistan and crippling him, making it easy to finish him off. Thankfully, the building looks to be in such a state that David would be surprised if any of the camera's work. After taking the time to recon the building, based on Blackhand's suggestions, he could see nothing from the outside to indicate such.
In fact, if not for seeing the ambulance go into the building, he would believe the building to be perfectly abandoned. So, making sure his Unity is armed, loaded and ready to fire. David slowly approached the large building after entering through a hole in the outer fence. He stopped to read a notice placed on the sealed front door.
This building is scheduled to be demolished and rebuilt next week. Looking up at the towering concrete behemoth looming above him, David could see why. The building is in poor condition, some sort of firefight happened here in the past. Ignoring that, David focused on his task, walking around the building to find an entrance he can use that is not the garage. He knows their would be Scav activity there at least and his neon yellow EMT coat is not exactly the most stealthy item.
That being said, it does fit the rest of Night City quite well, helping him blend in. Not something you usually say about bright yellow clothing. Plus the high quality item should provide some kind of protection.
After sneaking around the back, David found on old fire escape that had a few ways to enter the building along its many stairs leading to the top. David began to make his way up the creaking structure. It certainly didn't feel very safe and his progress reflected that, slow and steady. Entering the building as soon as he could, David found himself on the third floor. He poked his head down the hallway.
Rubbish, trash and graffiti filled his vision, a heavy layer of dust indicating no activity on this floor. Moving slowly, not sure if the floor is creaky or anything, David moved to the elevator. He is glad to see it is not working. He made his way to the stairs, checking each stairway at the corners of the box shaped building. Again, a heavy layer of dust showing no activity besides his own.
“The Scavs must be only using the lower floors.” David mused to himself, working his way down. The second floor looked identical to the one above, just trash scattered in a different pattern and different graffiti to separate the two. He considered checking for loot, before realising any loot would be with the Scavs, the demolition crew would have done a thorough check before hand. Mainly for the free stuff.
On the first floor David found his first sign of activity. A clear disturbance of the dust making a path through the hallway and into several side rooms. Taking it slow David checked each room one by one, keeping an eye out for any wondering Scavs and camera's.
He didn't find any, but it's good practice none the less. He did find a few bits and the odd item. Some pistol ammo which is great even though he lacks extra mags for a quick reload, he does have a Sandy to give him extra time. Even a few MaxDox's he is going to ask Vik to check over before using, just in case the drugs have been replaced or tampered with. You never know in NC.
That being said David would take the risk with one of the MaxDoc's due to the fact it came from a first aid kit giving him some hope as to its intended use. Beyond that he found little else beyond evidence of lookouts and people sleeping up here.
Knowing what David knows of Scav dens, both versions of him, the underground garage is likely to be a living nightmare. Especially for the poor fuckers who get dragged into them by the Scav's, never to see the light of day again.
Considering his type of chrome, David could comfort himself with the removal would likely give him a quick death, unlike many others who die slowly, hearing the horrible death metal that is coming to David's ear as he approached.
Looking around the last corner on the stairs, David checked the door, finding it closed, working his way up to it, he noticed a small window, barely at head height for the average person and decided to take a peak.
He struggled to keep the content of his stomach down. He is looking directly at the disposal ground. A pile of bodies, dozens of them, stacked and rotting on top of each other.
Steadying his breath, in and out at a constant, calm rate. Like the book told him, David tried to focus on the important things.
Half a dozen Scavs, a rather small crew at the moment that he could see, although the area is rather open, some could be laying behind any of the old rusted vehicles left behind. 2 of them are in blood covered scrubs, the rippers, no Doc to their name. The other four were dressed as typical EMT ambulance workers.
David Jnr could immediately spot they were fakes. The coats were low quality for one. Likely low level Scavs if they won't even risk attacking a lightly armed EMT crew.
Then again, they might be smart enough to be laying low. And considering the pile of bodies, whatever plan they have is clearly working.
Testing the door, David sighed in annoyance at finding it locked. Rusted maybe considering the handle didn't even budge. Not wanting to make noise he decided to double back, and use the Garage entrance now knowing it's one way in and out. David needed to control that entrance.
Both parts of David sighed in relief at not having to walk past the pile of corpses sitting on top of a pool of their congealed blood.
Thankfully he made quick time back round to the front of the Garage, more accurately peering down the sloping driveway to see if there is any lookouts. Again, nothing he could spot. The faint sound of the death metal just being audible now.
Deciding to move down quickly, he quickly jogged while staying low, trying to stay as quite as possible and avoiding loose trash on his way. Low enough he quickly entered the dimly lit room beyond, death metal greeting his eardrums once more. Startling at the jump in volume, the ambience sounds of NC at night drowning even this noise out. Noise pollution, can be a bitch when working in a city. Ruins all concepts of noise levels.
Ducking behind a car David looked around, seeing if he is spotted or if there is anything he missed with his earlier look.
Nope, once again it looks like half a dozen Scavs and if the conversation he is hearing is correct one poor fool in the back of the ambulance, knocked out. From the little he could understand through the Russian accents the sick fucks are debating whether to wake him up before they start ripping. David resolved to kill the one who argued that first.
Moving as close as possible without being detected, David activated his Sandevistan as he accidentality kicked an old can, focused on the Scavs and not where he is walking like a rookie. The tink of the cheap metal can cut through the death metal like a hot knife through butter, being so utterly out of place.
David is panicking and strangely calm. A side effect of activating the Sandevistan maybe? None the less he knows it has a limited use as the electrifying power races through his nervous system. So he quickly pulls out his gun and fires at the Scavs, who are slowly turning to look at the noise and what caused it.
David realises his mistake, in his slow mo state his gun is not firing. Well it is, just very, very slowly. Flicking his Sandevistan off David reactivated it as soon as he felt his unity chamber the next bullet. He fired and repeated the action.
6 steps, 6 shots, 6 dead Scavs. David is not the best shot in either life, but having all the time to aim at such close range ensured brutal headshots finished each and every one of them. Almost too merciful of a death for scum like Scavs.
David looked around the slaughterhouse of a Scav den, before moving over to turn off the music. He is tempted to loot the place, but part of him does not want to dig through the blood and guts of this place. There is bits of people everywhere. These Scav's seemed more sadistic than what David Snr knew, but maybe that's just the difference between a game hoping to sell to parent controlled kids, and reality?
In the end David's inner packrat was too strong, so he resolved to quickly loot the place and the corpses, leaving anything too bloody behind. Best thing is he found a large duffel bag to fill with loot, such as the guns the Scavs were carrying. Cheap shotguns, pistols and SMG's for the most part. Might make him 500 eddies if he is lucky at a drop box. None of them looked particularly well maintained for him to want to keep and use them.
David made a mental note, learn Techie skills. Just because he cannot get a cyberdeck due to his Sandevistan doesn't mean he couldn't be a good techie and look after his weapons, maybe make them better. He also connected it to one of Blackhand's lessons. He knew it was a good idea to memorise that book.
Beyond the weapons he found around $2,500 eddies in plastic money, a massive win. He didn't trust any of the medical supplies down here so he left those, but took all the spare ammo he could find. Even got a few grenades, a mix of flash, bang and boom. (flash, concussion and frag)
The ambulance was a bust as well. The person apparently died and wasn't knocked out. Looked like your typical maelstrom punk, surprised these Scavs got the drop on one of them.
David smirked, their lucky score turned into his. Checking the Maelstrom member resulted in nothing, the Scav's likely having klepped him already. Rooting around the front found another $400 eddies in plastic money, and some half eaten food he left behind. All in all a good haul all things considering. And nobody to split it with.
With a whistle David zipped close the duffel bag before walking out the building, calling the NCPD as he did so. They had an open, if small, bounty on all Scavs after all. A clean $100 eddie a head. Small time change for a solo and a pittance really, but David would take everything he could get.
X – Time Skip – X
The next day David is looking over his purchases, specifically his three new weapons on his coffee table. Two in a way as one is an identical pair. Another Unity with just a holo sight and two combat knives, army issue.
David's rationale with his weapons is to take advantage of his Sandevistan. The knives would let him stab and slash opponents without having to flicker in and out of Slow Mo, like his pistols. That being said he likes the badass scene in his head of flickering around with his dual pistols. If he can move fast enough it will be like he is doing some sort of short range teleporting. An OP ability for any gunslinger.
The silenced Unity from Vik and a Knife would be his stealthy approach. Overall until he could afford a rifle of some kind for longer range firing, and he got the skills to make use of it, he considered this the best he could do. No point going higher calibre weapons until his body, specifically his wrists, could handle the recoil.
Besides he is bound to loot more in the future. Beyond that he got some armoured plates and strategic lining to sew into the inside of his coat, he decided to keep David's signature look, and some extra mags for his pistols. That's it for his weapons but he got some other things, mainly to modify his mothers EMT jacket.
Firstly he got a customizable gun harness, he had to sew it into the jacket, same with a few armour plates and the strategic lining. Thankfully David Snr had the skills necessary, the orphanage he grew up in promoting arts and crafts. As such he could do the work himself, he even bought the right tools for the job. The EMT jacket is made of a special polymer that makes it easy to modify and repair with the right tools.
Honestly it's a little weird using something best compared to a welder on clothing. Apparently the right electric shock activates the polymers or something. David Jnr has little experience in crafting, just seeing his mother repair her coat in the past. The two of them make a capable amateur starting to learn the craft of a Techie.
Yes David Snr is using the games identification of Techies being crafters, full stop. He might need to correct that in the future if others look at him weird. Not like David Jnr is an expert on Solo slang.
The final result is a slightly form fitting jacket, still baggy but David plans to bulk up, a mix of natural growth and chrome so it's fine. The form should support the future frame David plans to emulate from the show. Additionally not only holsters but extra pockets have been sewn onto the inside of the Jacket. Basically letting him carry a decent load-out for any job just with his beloved jacket. Best part is you couldn't see anything from the outside, no signs of knives, guns or grenades or anything.
His final purchase is a general work outfit. Tough black military boots, dark grey jeans reinforced with black synth-leather at places like the knees, like many a factory or construction worker wears. Black fingerless gloves with tough, but flexible palstic armour around his knuckles and his most expensive purchase a charcoal grey armoured vest. A civilian model so it would not stop anything too powerful, but this is not a game, there is no respawns so David is not taking any chances. He would upgrade his gear as he can. All in all David has a little more than $1,248 eddies remaining, enough for now with his immediate needs taken care off.
Besides David Snr likes the Gangster look of just wearing an armoured vest on his torso combined with his jewellery. Makes David Snr think of that old 50 Cent game, Bulletproof. Once he bulks up and gets fitter he thinks he would look particularly badass. Speaking of which, after checking out how he looked in his new outfit, David decided to break in his new gear.
David Jnr is a poor boy in a massive city run by corporations. XBD's were a rather expensive hobby for a child so he needed something to entertain himself growing up that cost no money. So he ran around.
That got boring in time, so he tried to make the run harder. In time, David learned the name of what he is does is called Parkour, something that never really took off in David's Jnr' world compared to Snr's world. Chrome making you jump further and grip anything kind of defeats the purpose.
Still, it's an excellent way to get in shape and explore more of the city, maybe even spot a few more opportunities to develop his other budding skills and loot.
David started off with his initial route out of the Megabuilding he lived in, H4. Leaving him crashing into the pile of trash like David Snr has seen so many times. Seen. Never really smelt. He is not doing that again the stink is something awful.
Motivated to quickly move on David let his feet and instincts carry him. His body, as new as it is, has been doing this activity near it's entire life and it showed. Quick and nimble David darted through the crowds, soon jumping up and along a wall, and then another.
His path lead him high and higher, jumping and climbing the air condition units to roofs and tall walls in the playground that is Night City for an experienced Parkour Runner. David didn't know he had a grin on his face, the first time he truly smiled since his mother died.
Moving high above with the rest of the city looking so small below him, growing smaller with the wind in his hair and tugging at his jacket, David felt free. Looking around the city with new wonder as he took in all the possibilities.
David Snr basically lived the Corp lifestyle, to no great effect. David Jnr couldn't afford the chance to honour his mothers final wish, no matter how much he wants to. Instead the desire to truly live and enjoy life for once and the desire to reach the top twisted, the personalities still not fully merged into one David as of yet.
Crouching at the edge of a roof top, looking towards Corpo Central (Central Plaza) with it's massive skyscrapers and beams of light creating a cage of light, David's smile turned a little sinister.
He is in the world of Cyberpunk, and he is going to fuck it up and flip the script! Fuck dying. Been there, done that it sucks. In every aspect, from yourself to those you care about. David will live.
And not in the gutters. No, he will do his best to honour the only mother he's ever known and reach the very top. Even if he has to become the most powerful and meanest son of a bitch (sorry mother) this planet has ever seen. The world of Cyberpunk and Night City really demands no less, just look at Adam Smasher.
Unknown to David, lost in his thoughts, his Sandevistan is reacting to said thoughts, emotions and desires, being directly connected to his brain, almost feeding off the emotional and hormonal surge. Humming with power in time with David's heart beat, beating rather fast due to his exercise. The lights, hidden from view by David's clothing, glowing in a mesmerising pattern.
If you were to look at the Sandevistan, you would say it's acting a little like a happy puppy. Strange.
David, breath and stamina returning from his little break, turned his back to the view and started to run again. His body is burning from the exercise, but to realise his new goal, his first true dream in either lifetime, he had to push through any pain and boundaries in his way!
X – Time Skip – X
David had immediate regrets with his zeal and dedication last night. Diving so hard into such a tough exercise for the body for so long has consequences.
“C-can't...M-move.” David moaned pitifully as he woke up. Every fibre of his body ached and burned, strained from the exercise previous. David pushed himself too hard, didn't warm down properly or drink enough before bed. Things David resolved to handle better in the future through the fog of pain.
Still, despite his melodramatic state, David could move and soon worked his way into the shower, grabbing a bottle of RealWater on the way and draining it. Quick shower and food. The four words motivating him into action, his stomach feeling ready to devour him.
Stumbling naked and dripping from the shower, it hurts too much to try and towel off, David made his way to the fridge. Grabbing another bottle of RealWater, he would prefer juice but doesn't trust the fake stuff, a few crunchy 'nutrition & energy' bars and a breakfast burrito, he closed the door.
Munching on the energy bars and trying to ignore the fact it's likely made from insects, David heated his burrito up in the microwave. Not exactly the best meal, but he is poor in NC and it would do for now.
Although as he swallowed the last bite of his energy bars with a sip of water, he resolved to learn how to cook or something. David Snr is used to a better standard at home and food is one of life's greatest comforts. Plus if he has to eat so much he'd rather not have to force down every bite.
Microwave pinging to alert him his burrito is ready, David put it on a plate and headed to his couch to eat. Turning the TV on David stared at the News as his burrito cooled down enough, not really watching but thinking.
He needs Fixer connections. Frankly he has little idea how to begin with that. In the game V does months of works in a cutscene to cover his, or hers David is not certain which in this world, rise to initial fame for the Arasaka job that kicks off the main story. David joined Maine's crew. Neither option he could exactly replicate, one for a lack of desire more than anything else.
Even if Maine might be his father. And isn't that a massive bombshell to have dropped on him. Still, David Snr took the reins here, and like his old life, he didn't care for the family that was not there. Why he never bothered to look them up.
People argued they might not know, which seems to be the case for Maine. David stubbornly refused to change his angle on this. Too many nights dreaming, praying and begging for a family made him cold and jaded to the idea of ever doing such things again. Not exactly healthy, but he managed to have a normal life in the end.
“Maybe I have to ask Maine?” David moaned to himself internally as he took his first bite of his burrito. Still a little too hot inside but hardly the first time he has done this. “Buy hot sauce.” David, with his revelation about fixing his burrito's taste aside, decided to just message Maine.
It's Night City after all, take every advantage you can get. Not like anybody else is likely to offer him help.
:David
Hey Maine, do you happen to know of any low level fixers that an up and coming Solo could approach themselves.
David is happy with the message and he sends it. Nothing personal, purely biz.
Maine:
Not how things work, they approach you. Make a name for yourself doing the countless poor paying bounties around the city, and gain their attention.
Maine:
Or you can join a crew.
David sighed, expecting the attempt at the very least.
:David
Currently trying to build up my own Rep. Cheers for the advice though.
David considered asking Maine to pass on his contact info to any fixer he could, but changed his mind. Maine works for a bad fixer, even if he didn't know who exactly. The name alludes him, but the face he will remember. Spider looking freak.
Having finished his burrito, David decided to get dried and dressed. Time to tackle the day ahead and take a nice long walk.
See what opportunities cross his path today, as he tries to keep limber and active to stop his body locking up again.
X – End of Chapter - X
Unique Changes: This story will have unique changes, be it in character, setting or gear. You have seen this by the Sandevistan not being simple speed ware that makes you faster, but more is a reflection of the game where it just looks like everything else is in slow motion. At the end each chapter I will reveal a little bit about each unique changes and explain things in ways I cannot easily do in a story setting. More often than not, this would be a character sheet. Please note the tag of Special Sandevistan. I don't want to spoil what I planned, but basically I'm trying to explain the differences Cyberpunk and 2077 show with the Sandevistan. In that regard I decided on something fun for all Sandevistan's in this story, just have to wait to find out.
This chapter further explains the Sandevistan rather than anything else, as it's central to the story and I want to be clear. Using the Sandevistan to time travel, as in going back in time, will not be possible. The best it will ever do is freeze time, not entirely accurate but it would be moving at such slow speed nobody, not even David can notice it beyond what the counter registers.
There will be weaknesses and downsides to this, rather overpowered ability. One lack of Netrunning options personally and two, as shown in the shows finale, another high grade Sandevistan can keep up. One thing to clarify, there is no A.I. Partial or otherwise in the Sandevistan. Something special is planned for this story that's not impossible to guess, especially as you read more, but I will also be intentionally writing in a way to give you false flags and directions. Just wanted to be clear about such an important topic from the start so you cannot claim I tricked you or lured you in with false pretences or whatever. However Vik isn't good enough to tell David, and therefore you, what the Sandevistan is capable of. He has his best guesses, nothing more.
I do hope you enjoy this story I have planned out. Unique compared to others I usually write as this was planned out and I started writing before I knew too much about Cyberpunk lore, hence I filled a lot of blanks with my imagination to create a hopefully unique world that's similar, but unique enough for a good fanfic.