In Sunshine Estate, Vash lay on the bed while Friday played soft music to coax him into sleep.
But he wasn't sleepy at all. In his mind, he kept replaying what would happen at Konpeki Plaza — over and over.
If the butterfly effect didn't change anything, then there were two biggest obstacles to stealing the Relic.
One was the legendary Adam Smasher. The other was the Relic itself: if anything happened to its storage case during the firefight, the biochip's activity would plummet.
If he wanted to preserve Johnny Silverhand, he would have to slot the Relic into someone's brain. But the problem was obvious — doing so meant letting one body carry two consciousnesses.
That option wouldn't work for Vash — nor for Jackie, for that matter.
No matter how much of a tough-as-nails legend Johnny Silverhand was, Vash had no reason to let that guy squat inside anyone's head. Under no circumstances would he accept an outsider laying hands on his body.
That was his principle.
Thinking of this, he called out to Friday, "Friday, do you have a way to store a special kind of data?"
「Searching, Mr. Vash. One fission-mode nanoparticulation can accommodate all data transmissions and keep the data constant and unchanged. This best matches Mr. Vash's idea.」
"Good." Vash's eyes sharpened, "Friday, make a storage device like that."
「My pleasure.」
After resolving a major issue, he casually used his refreshed check-in attempts.
'Give me my rewards, sweetie!'
『 Check-in successful! Host has obtained the 〈Personal Space (10m³)〉! 』
『 Check-in successful! Host has obtained the 〈Perfect Hulkbuster (Mark XLIV)〉! 』
Rewards acquired — Vash grinned.
His luck had exploded for once. A four-dimensional pocket everyone raved about, and a Hulkbuster suit that could spike his combat power — both were exactly what he needed.
With Personal Space, Vash could carry far more than his physical limit allowed — stashing items away and pulling them out at will.
And although the Hulkbuster armor was somewhat nerfed compared to the original, it still boosted his strength in a very real way.
Who's ever been afraid of a blade being too sharp when chopping wood?
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The next day, at Afterlife in Little China.
By the time Vash and Jackie arrived, night had already fallen.
"You know, V, Afterlife's one hell of a place." Jackie said. Just being here made his posture straighten.
Vash knew how to indulge this guy's need to show off, "Oh? Tell me."
"This used to be a morgue they converted. Even now you can still see medical gear all over the bar — hell, even skulls soaking in nutrient fluid. It's got that real 'afterlife' vibe. Best part? Afterlife's owner is Rogue — Night City's most badass fixer."
Vash had cleared the game, so he knew it like the back of his hand. Still, seeing Jackie so hyped up, he didn't interrupt.
"Didn't you say Dexter DeShawn was the best?" Vash teased.
Jackie flushed and waved it off, "DeShawn, Wakako, Padre — they're all tough, but Rogue? Rogue's tougher."
The two chatted as they walked deeper into the building.
Unlike other Night City bars that flaunted their decor right at the entrance, Afterlife was tucked away inside an unmarked structure. No sign. If you weren't a regular, you'd never find it — and only regulars could get in.
When Vash and Jackie reached the door, a big, burly man was waiting there: Dexter's driver and enforcer, Oleg Darkevich.
"V, that guy's stare is seriously annoying." Jackie said, arms crossed, "What's with that look? The star of the gig's here — move aside, will you?"
Oleg swept his gaze over them and went inside, "Wait here for a moment. I'll notify him."
Vash only smiled.
Looks like his independent streak had rubbed DeShawn the wrong way — so he'd sent this little "report-in" test.
"Only an idiot would stand here and wait." Jackie muttered, "V — wanna try Afterlife's specialty?"
"Let's go."
They headed to the bar. The bartender, Claire, greeted them — and her eyes immediately locked onto Vash.
"Two handsome guys — what'll you have?"
Jackie's face fell, "Chica, am I not handsome? Why're you only looking at him?"
He genuinely couldn't figure it out. What was wrong with women these days — weren't tough guys popular anymore?
Claire giggled, "You're both handsome — just different kinds."
Jackie: "..."
Vash couldn't help laughing. Wasn't she basically saying this big guy was way too full of himself?
Jackie scratched his head, "Forget it. Drinks, drinks. Two Old Fashioneds — tequila. Add some beer and chili."
Claire sized him up a few more times, "Two Johnny Silverhands. Good taste."
"Exactly." Jackie said, "For a man, being handsome ain't the key. The key is having depth."
This big oaf still couldn't accept that someone had just called Vash more handsome than him.
Jackie turned to Vash, "V, you know what? Coolest thing about Afterlife — drinks got regulars' names."
Vash nodded, "That's Afterlife's old rule. But if you want a drink named after you, you have to be a legend who dies out on the road."
"Looks like you two did your homework." Claire said, "That's right. If you want your name on a drink, you have to die — and the more spectacular, the better."
"Way too cool. Kinda want one for myself." Jackie said wistfully.
He wasn't longing for death — he was longing to be remembered as a legend.
"Jack." Vash said, patting him, "Once we pull this job off, we'll be legends. Maybe we'll even get our names on a drink."
"True, choom."
Claire mixed their drinks, letting them talk.
In Night City, every merc had the word "legend" on their lips. Everyone swore they'd make a name for themselves after the next big gig. Most of it was just bravado.
Claire had no idea it wouldn't be long before the person drinking in front of her would become famous across all of Night City.
"Two Johnny Silverhands."
Vash and Jackie raised their glasses and clinked them.
"To Night City."
After downing the drink, Jackie wiped his mouth, "Chica, can you write down my recipe?"
Claire nodded, "Go ahead."
"A shot of vodka on ice, lime juice, ginger beer and — most importantly — a splash of love. Oh, and name's Jackie Welles."
"Mmhmm." Claire's gaze slid back to Vash, "Want to record a recipe too?"
"Of course."
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T/N: Comment, give me Power Stones, like and favorite, it all supports me and makes me go foward with this. Appreciate my other stories as well, I guarantee the good work!
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