Chapter 52: A Star is Born, Climbing the Ladder
Morning. At the Night City border checkpoint.
When a group of blood-splattered figures, with exposed cyberware and dust-caked clothes, climbed out of their cars, the security guard at the booth visibly winced.
"Where are you coming from?" he asked, his voice strained with caution. He was already reaching for the alarm. No kidding... these chooms look like bad news!
"Left Night City yesterday. Here's the clearance," Maine walked up, handing the papers to the guard.
"What the hell did you do out there?"
Maine narrowed his eyes. "Don't ask questions you don't need the answers to." He pulled out another credchip and slipped it into the guard's pocket. "Hazard pay."
The guard paused, looking up at Maine. The merc grinned back. He subtly checked the chip's value. Holy shit... five thousand?!
The guard's eyes flashed with excitement. He cleared his throat. "Since you left yesterday and have the proper documentation, I won't run a full inspection. But listen up: just because you're past here doesn't mean the road ahead is easy. Don't start any trouble in the city. I'll be the one to flatline you if you do. Got it?"
"Got it, got it. We're model citizens," Maine replied instantly.
The guard nodded, deactivated the automated turrets, and waved them through.
The crew piled back into their cars. Rhys rode with Jackie, while Kiwi, Rebecca, and Lucy crammed into the back. Pilar joined Maine and Dorio.
"We made it! Feels like a lifetime ago. I need a week to detox," Jackie said, driving with one hand out the window, enjoying the city air. "Maine, we resting up for a few days, right?"
"Of course. We earned it. But we also need to move the cargo. That stuff we pulled off the Wraiths? Selling it is going to be tricky. We need someone who knows the black market for hot chrome," Maine replied.
"Vick can't handle it?" Rhys asked.
"Vick?" Jackie looked back at Rhys. "Watch the road, choom," Rhys reminded him.
"Right. Nah, Vick's too straight-laced. His clinic doesn't deal in hot items. Even if he did take it, he'd only sell it off with clean papers. Vick doesn't risk bringing trouble to his customers. He's too stand-up for that."
"This stuff has a clean pedigree, though," Pilar's voice crackled over the comms. "The Wraiths can't exactly claim it."
Jackie was patient, happy to explain. "True, but does it have serial numbers? You think the Wraiths buy their weapons from legit channels?"
Pilar fell silent. Yeah, he had a point.
They joked and chatted, quickly making their way into Santo Domingo.
"Rhys, what's next? Should we drop you off at Vick's first for a check-up?" Maine asked.
Rhys was about to answer, but his phone rang. He glanced at the caller ID and narrowed his eyes. "Hold on, Maine. Rogue's calling."
"Take it. See what she wants," Maine instructed.
Rhys accepted the call.
"Yeah?"
"A minor complication in the job, but you handled it beautifully. The news about you wiping out that Wraith family has already hit the internal network. Dakota's fixers are raving about you—calling you a gutsy, smart crew. Rhys, you and your team have officially made a name for yourselves."
"But remember our deal: prioritize my work, my contracts. That was the agreement. You wouldn't back out now, would you?"
"Of course not," Rhys replied. "Any word from Babs?"
Rogue laughed. "Babs? What's he going to say? You hit a major Wraith outpost that even the local Aldecaldos avoided. You shattered them in one night. Babs soiled his trousers when he heard. He called me immediately, the money's already transferred—one million eddies. It's all yours."
"One million?" Rhys's eyebrows shot up.
"Surprised? That's how this business works. When you're a nobody, everyone steps on you. When you have a reputation, those feet turn into hands—hands that want to shake yours."
Rogue continued, "I have other business. For you, Rhys... the phone calls won't stop now." She hung up with a cryptic warning.
Rhys stared at his agent, then it rang again. A different number.
"Good morning, Rhys. I'm Muamar Reyes. You might not know the name, but you'll know me as Captain Muamar. I'd like to get acquainted. We both operate in Santo Domingo. I think we could be a good fit. Interested in running some gigs for me?"
"I'll give it serious thought," Rhys replied, his voice calm and professional.
Though he didn't commit, the fixer with the punk undercut smiled. "Of course. Then I'll make sure to call you first the next time I have a job."
"Thank you."
"Alright, I won't hold you up."
Rebecca leaned over. "Was that Sasha?"
"No, Captain Muamar."
Jackie, in the front seat, stiffened. "Captain Muamar? I know that name. He's a heavy hitter. Runs a lot of the ops here in Santo Domingo."
Rhys nodded. He was about to speak when the phone rang again.
"Hello?"
An elderly woman's gentle voice answered. A woman with glasses and a kind, matriarchal face. It was Wakako Okada.
"Good morning, Rhys. I don't think I need to introduce myself."
"Why are you calling me?" Rhys challenged. Rogue had just humiliated her on the phone for trying to sabotage him and the crew. Wakako had intentionally put Rhys and the others in danger.
Wakako chuckled softly. "Why not? We have no conflict. My identity might confuse you, but let me clarify: as a fixer, I act solely in a fixer's capacity. That incident was simply a job—a job from the Tyger Claws. I had no reason to refuse. Fixers accept all comers, don't they?"
"That's not enough," Rhys said flatly.
Wakako simply smiled. "I have no intention of interfering with your feud with the Tyger Claws. Quite the opposite. I have several ongoing contracts that I believe would interest you greatly."
"Do they involve the Tyger Claws?" Rhys asked grimly.
"They do. Then I'll talk to you later with the details."
"Thank you." The old woman hung up.
Next, Father, the fixer in Heywood, called Jackie. Jackie hung up, telling Rhys Father had nothing but praise for him.
Then, Rhys got an email. He opened it.
[From: Regina Jones]
[Time: 10:31 AM]
[Message: Good morning, Rhys. I'm Regina Jones. I'm a relatively new fixer, and I have several ongoing contracts that require experienced, high-tier talent. I've heard about your successful operation in the Badlands, which is why I'm contacting you. I hope you won't turn down my business.]
Unlike the others, Regina was all business. No small talk, just straight to the point.
"Why are you getting so many calls?" Jackie asked, curious.
Rhys paused. "They're all fixers... Word about what we did in the Badlands has already hit the city."
Jackie blinked. "Doesn't surprise me. The Badlands have their own fixers. Something big happens, they know instantly. But this is good for us, right?"
"Damn right it is," Maine's voice boomed.
Rhys smiled, but then a sound pinged only in his head. The system notification.
[Hidden Goal Completed: Rising Star]
[Unlocking Next Goal: Legend in the Making.]
[Goal: Rising Star]
Threat Level: None
Objective: Achieve a measurable level of fame and success, making your presence known to the world.
Reward: Title (Rising Star), Grants +0.5 to all attributes when equipped. Grants Special Attribute: Charisma +1 (Bonus active permanently).
Description: Whether you're an edgerunner, a ripperdoc, a corpo-slave, or even a beggar, you've got to find a way to make a name for yourself. And you, my friend, you've officially carved out a reputation in Night City. From this moment on, let the world see your unique brand of punk.
"..."
Five years. This was the first time Rhys had ever discovered this function. A title?
What other crazy shit are you hiding from me?!