Michael 'Magos' Sobronov
Second after second passed in silence as B@D considered the words that would define the rest of their life, or the lack thereof as was the case.
Or not as their confusion with the situation finally bubbled over and they finally snapped, pointing at me and taking a shaky step back "What the fuck?!"
Unimpressed, my ICON merely stared.
"You... what..." The raised hand of the silhouette slowly lowered as they blabbered on before ultimately settling on a horrified "How?"
"Through great effort." I answered dryly "And with great care."
It was impressive how well the featureless avatar managed to convey their increasing worry with mere twitches. Worry that slowly turned into indignant anger "And now what? You going to flatline me now just to keep your shitty little toy secret?!"
[...?]
No words were said but the sudden shift of attention did not go unnoticed and B@D was quickly reminded of just how dangerous the situation they were stuck in was.
Or how dangerous it should be as I mentally calmed Logos, redirecting his attention to scanning the Netwatch chip, and answered "In most cases you'd be correct. Removing you from the equation would be the prudent thing to do."
Their metaphorical jaw clamped shut as they glared at me.
"But stabbing an ally in the back like that would leave a shit taste in my mouth." I went on calmly "So instead we are going to meet for a face to face."
"The fuck we are-"
"B@D" I cut them off coldly "Do you really think you have a choice here?"
That most of all seemed to infuriate them, but they hadn't ever shown themselves to be a true gonk so they held back on blowing up and instead sighed "Man, and I thought you were all nova and shit." They clicked their tongue "Fine."
"Good choice." I nodded before quickly adding "Also, not my fault you failed to flatline the bitch before she tried to Blackwall us." I huffed "If you weren't fucking around Logos would have stayed well and truly hidden."
"Fuck you she had interesting stuff to play around with!" They pointed at me indignantly "Also, Logos? Where's the creativity man?"
"It is thematically fitting." I shrugged "Also do keep in mind whose name you are talking smack about."
No AI attention came this time but their avatar still went momentarily silent before stating very formally "I would like to retract my previous statement."
"Quite." I said dryly and prepared to go back to meatspace, but paused on the last 'step' "Don't make me regret this." I said and disconnected before I could get a response.
The first thing I saw as I blinked 'awake' was the body of Maman Brigitte, sprawled in her netrunning setup and face twisted in a silent scream, right hand reaching up for something only she could have seen.
The second was the fact I was alone.
Immediately, I flicked through the local systems and found Rebecca in the chapel upstairs, keeping overwatch and looking pretty worried.
I flicked her a quick message I was fine and saw her visibly deflate.
Just then another message appeared.
[Nix: Finally. What happened down there?]
[B@D: A final fuck you from the VB's head honcho. Nothing we couldn't deal with.]
[Nix: You sure?]
A long pause.
[B@D: Yeah.]
[Magos: How long were you unable to detect us?]
[Nix: Three minutes, twenty two seconds. Was starting to get worried.]
[B@D: You ain't getting rid of us that easily!]
"All well and good that we're fine." I voiced aloud "But Nix, aren't we still on a time crunch?"
[Nix: We are but not critically. Most of the remaining Voodoo boys still don't know something is up, and there are a few groups who are outright ignoring it.]
[B@D: Our 'contact' was deeper in than you said, M.]
"So long as we got what we wanted without getting shot in the back, I frankly do not care." I said "But I should get to scrapping the place now. Grabbing the valuable stuff will still take me hours."
[Nix: Got it. Want me to send some discrete transports ahead? I already had them keep someone on standby but had to confirm calling them over would be worth it.]
"So long as we keep the split sixty twenty twenty as we already agreed." I said with only slight warning.
[Nix: Don't worry. I'm satisfied with what I'm getting. Making sure it gets out is part of the gig.]
"Then send them in."
[B@D: I'm gonna buy so much preem shit with this!]
Ignoring the ensuing listing of just what they wanted to waste their money on, I began scanning the area and marking down the most valuable components and chip parts the VB had managed to scrounge up over the years.
And I was impressed. They had everything between nanite medicaments to high throughput server blocks kept neat and well organized.
They were running a proper operation here, and now the fruits of that labor would be ours.
Without a single care, I shoved Brigitte's body off the netrunning setup and began methodically ripping it apart with my claws and Mechadendrites, while Logos started downloading everything of value from the local servers in tandem.
Ten minutes in, the first truck parked up upstairs, and six silent workers started dismantling the lab above me like they had done so a thousand times before, ripping out every single scrap of marked valuables, and then taking their own payment in more voluminous loot before departing only to return an hour later.
By the time we were done with the place only three hours had gone by everything not covered in guts and worth more tan a hundred eddies had been carried off to a rented warehouse in Watson.
Of course, we weren't so ridiculously lucky as to get completely ignored by the rest of the VB, and two squads made attempts at storming the place only to get taken down before reaching the perimeter.
A bored 'Becca perched up on top of the chapel with a brand new Nekomata and two elite netrunners running overwatch made assaults a foolish proposition at best, so much so that Rebecca could reliably kill them before they even managed to get line of sight on her.
Through literal concrete more often than not.
That rifle was ridiculously powerful when charged up, even if each bullet was an expense.
As I followed the final wave of repo workers upstairs, I started flicking through the data Logos managed to scrounge up only to frown as I noticed a few particular phrases that kept popping up in the higher ups' discussions.
Who the fuck was Alt Cunningham? Why did they have to reach her? And what was with their obsession with blue eyes?
They were crazy AI cultists and were to be treated that way of course, but the sheer frequency of those specific talking points made it clear they were important, and strictly outside the VB's immediate influence.
Definitely something to look into whenever I found the time.
But that wasn't what caused my mood to sour.
No, that particular honor belonged to the sudden yet inevitable betrayal of our dear corporate rat.
Because of course the little chip didn't only contain a way to repair any Blackwall breaches in the area, but it also held a hidden command to attack anything in the localnet and destroy any and all evidence of a potential breach.
I could understand why he'd try to do it.
Hell I could even respect it as any Blackwall shenanigans were more often than not better treated like cognitohazards, simply because the less people who were involved with the thing the less of a risk others would follow in their path.
But it still managed to piss me off non the less.
My fellow 'runners reacted just as sourly.
[Nix: I had hoped Netwatch wouldn't try to burn a connection with Rogue.]
His words were practical, but I knew Nix was seething back in his home base.
[Magos: Could be Mosley acting on his own.]
[B@D: Think the cuck didn't want to share the all the glory?]
[Nix: As plausible as anything else.]
[Magos: The real question is what do we do with this information?]
[Nix: We can't kill him.]
B@D's response came literally half an instant later.
[B@D: We flatline the gonk, obviously!]
Tapping my chin thoughtfully as I finally ascended into the chapel, I decided Nix was probably right, even if feeding the shithead his own arms felt like a grand idea right about now.
[Magos: Killing him is definitely more trouble than it is worth. But we can't let him get away with this bullshit with no consequence.]
[Nix: Agreed.]
[B@D: Sounds like you got an idea already?]
[Magos: I do indeed.]
The Netwatch Agent
Bryce Mosley paced around his temporary office, growing increasingly nervous with each passing minute.
His borrowed security were more than happy to waste their day away in their own demented heads, while he was repeatedly trying and failing to breach the shroud that had overtaken a good eighth of Pacifica's netspace.
He was a god damn Netwatch agent, with the best training and equipment in the world, and he barely made a dent in the fucking thing!
At least it wasn't spreading, so whatever was attempted was not a full breach.
The fact there was still life in the district almost assured it.
Honestly he was starting to regret relying on local mercs to do the job. If nothing changed soon he would have to declare the situation critical and call in more support to deal with the potential breach.
But he stopped himself, taking a long sip of his premium coffee and only then sitting down on his desk and going to reconnect to the localnet and make another attempt.
Only to tense as he saw one of his guards suddenly stand up from the wall she was leaning against and approach her colleague, and with no prior warning nor shift in posture sink one of her mantis blades into his guts.
His connection to the net snapped into action but all he could see were strings of sourceless data feeding into every implant of the mostly cybernetic MaxTac operatives, making the two do their utmost to rip each other to shreds with 0 control of their own bodies.
Bryce felt a creeping terror set into his bones.
Causing that kind of effect required ridiculous processing power, and line of sight more often than not.
Almost completely certain a breach was in effect, he activated the deactivation codes the NCPD had provided him with just in case, and prepared to call his superiors the moment his RAM recovered.
The two cybernetic monstrosities fell over each other in a heap of rent armor and chrome, and that should have been that.
Which is exactly when something smashing through the walls nearly burst Bryce's eardrums, and thoroughly burst the two MaxTac Operatives' heads, leaving behind only a small round hole in the wall they were sprawled next to.
Bryce Mosley went very, very still, as he realized this wasn't the work of a breach, and whoever did it currently had him zeroed in.
He raised his hands in a display of surrender as he began scouring the net for whoever it was only to have it metaphorically slammed into his head a moment later.
[Three favors are now owed. Non negotiable.]
He felt the shroud over Pacifica pop and disappear like it was never there in mere seconds, and also noticed his hidden marker briefly flashing in the area of interest a moment later.
And the notable lack of deletion protocol he had spent programming weeks in advance.
"Shit." He cursed as he finally realized what had happened.
He had just delivered himself straight to the shitlist of the Queen of Fixers, and had three free netrunners with a grudge that knew about him.
And then there was the little fact he'd also need to explain to the Night City authorities just how he managed to lose his tail in such a spectacularly idiotic fashion.
But the fact that stood out the most was also the simplest. They hadn't killed him.
He exhaled, allowing himself a slow chuckle as he leaned back against his seat and rose his cup in a mock salute "Well played."
Oh how he hated being in debt.
Michael 'Magos' Sobronov
"Satisfied with that?" I asked.
"Should have at least shot the fuckhead in the dick." Rebecca scowled "V spoiled us for the rest of the rats."
'Too true.' I chuckled "You look like you are enjoying that thing?"
She immediately hugged the Nekomata "I had no idea I needed this in my life but if anyone took her from me I'd kill them and then myself."
"No need to go that far." I snorted "You can keep it, I'm already building my own version."
"You won't tempt me." She pretend hissed with narrowed eyes.
"I'm sure I won't." I said and focused back on the call [That enough for you two?]
[Nix: I'm more than happy with the turnout. Rogue will be satisfied as well, as soon as I go through all the data you scrambled.]
Such a shame their main server had a self destruct sequence, right?
Not that I would be all that surprised if Nix damn well knew I nicked some info for myself, but the sheer breadth of schematics, programs, and general bits of info he got out of it was going to keep him busy for the next few months at least, so he wasn't likely to complain at me.
Worst case I justify it by taking it as my cut and toss him an older Skitarii daemon model, he's been eyeing them for a while.
[Nix: 8ug8ear also sent Wakako's congratulations. Looks like the old witch is content to see the problem has been dealt with without anything too dramatic.]
[Magos: How generous of her.]
The worst part is this was easily a minor favor she was doing all of us. Annoying hag.
[B@D: Who cares about Wakako's wakakos. Your mainline is right! We should have tossed that gonk to a bunch of horny Tygers for a few weeks. But I'll accept my half a mil with grace.]
[Magos: Kindly do not place yourself and grace in the same sentence. Also what are the wakakos in this context?]
[B@D: Don't worry about it!]
[Magos: ...Alright. Situation has been dealt with and I'm already sick of this place, I'm going home to tinker in peace for a few days. Working with you two has been... surprisingly good.]
[B@D: Awwww so you do love us!]
[Magos: Thank you for reminding me @B@D. Next Saturday.]
They did not respond.
[Nix: Well whatever that is I'm definitely not getting involved. Bee seeing you M, B@D.]
The call ended soon after.
And I noticed Rebecca staring off in the direction of the Haitian diaspora's territory.
"What's got you so glum?" I asked.
"Just thinking." She said, still staring off "Think the place is going to turn to a warzone again?"
"A bit late for regrets, isn't it?"
"I'm not regretting zeroing those gonks." She huffed "Just thinking about what comes after."
"Well something tells me it will sort itself out sooner rather than later." I shrugged. Which reminded me, I should get on arranging those weapons yesterday "Come on, let's go home. I have sand coarsing in my everything."
Her eyes narrowed in suspicion but she could prove nothing.
-----
"So after all this time, you finally come crawling back to me?"
I deadpanned at the grinning overdramatic asshole "In front of your kid man, really?"
Jugo shrugged "He needs to learn from the best!"
"May God help him." I said dryly before giving the kid in question a wave "Hey Jin."
"Do I know you?" The boy tilted his head.
"Had a skin condition that made me look like a robot." I teased, ruffling his hair and ignoring the tense Tyger Claw guards as I did "I got better though."
His eyes widened in childlike wonder "Whoa!"
Jugo was by this point biting his fist to stop himself from laughing.
I gave him an expectant look.
The Tyger Claw Captain nodded and cleared his throat a moment later "Why don't you go back to your mom, Jin? Mr. Robot is here for boring business stuff."
"You never let me stay." The boy crossed his arms and pouted.
"Because the last time I did you took a nap." Jugo patted his shoulder and leaned in all emotional like "You made uncle Gato really sad."
"Well he was stinky and boring." The boy wrinkled his nose.
'Maybe.' Jugo mouthed with a conspiratorial wink "It was very rude."
They boy hemmed and hawed for a while longer before losing interest and ultimately leaving us to ourselves on the terrace.
"So." Jugo focused fully on me now "How can I help my street samurai?"
He still refused to address me as anything else.
"I've finally managed to scrounge up enough capital to start something a bit more noticeable." I said, leaning back in my seat as I did "But first, how are things with the Maelstrom? Still at 'peace'?"
"Mostly cold now. We try to keep out of each others way but some gonks still write checks they can't pay." Jugo shrugged "But you should already know that."
"Best to hear it from the Tyger's mouth as it were." I drawled, and immediately stopped as I realized what I did.
Naturally, Jugo took that as the invitation to start quietly chanting "One of us! One of us!" While lightly pumping his fist.
One of the nearby guards, one of the two I recognized from all the way back at Totentanz failed to hide an amused exhale.
"Anyway." I interrupted the man's celebration with a pointed stare, making Jugo raise his hands in mock surrender "I'm looking to set up somewhere in Watson, preferably in Little China. Doesn't need to be the rich parts but I want peace and quiet."
"And you are wondering if I can help you skip all the bullshit and bribery involved in getting a place like that?" Jugo asked after a moment.
"Correct." I nodded "Think you have a place in mind?"
"Come on Michael, who do you think I am?" Jugo grinned, spreading his arms dramatically "I've got a whole list."
And people still wonder why I still deal with gangoons on the regular.
-------
The gangoon death squads will be coming over to retrieve the day's taxes. Do not resist.
Or do. Funnier that way.
14 glorious chapters await for those wise enough to seek them upon the forbidden Patreon (at patreon .com/ Rastislav156)
If you want to discuss the story or just meme about join my discord server: https://discord .gg/fE4nB3CzDP (link should work for a week. refreshed as of 24.12.25)