Hmm… Still haven’t quite decided on the hair. Vik was great at many things, Takemura was right about that. But he wasn’t exactly a hairstylist. Thankfully, the miracle of TechHair makes up for that little fallacy – just add a few chemicals in the correct proportions, and watch the hair spontaneously grow before your very eyes! What a sales pitch for someone with baldness running in her family. Hell, it’s probably the only cosmetic implant I will ever put on my body voluntarily.

  I assume that Takemura isn’t likely to call me back anytime soon. Probably not for a month or longer, judging by the timeframe we’re looking at. It’s been eight days and all he’s managed to do was figure out that the guy who invented the Relic might have a way to undo the damage, and he needs proof to present to the board hearing when he goes up against Yorinobu. No shit, really? I wasn’t about to tell him that, but I suppose it’s at least a start. Of course, he has no way of tracking down either, so I guess that part’s all up to me.

  “So whatcha wanna do first?” Johnny asked, appearing behind me sitting on the room divider and scaring the Hell out of me.

  “Johnny, what a pleasant surprise,” I thought sarcastically, “You’re like a ray of sunshine on a cloudy day.”

  He just smugly grinned behind those dark sunglasses of his. “Hey, I aim to please.”

  I instinctively covered myself as I moved to the living room to have a more direct discussion with him. “Yeah, I wish you would,” I muttered angrily, “Don’t look.”

  “Hey now, nothin’ I haven’t seen up-close and personal a few times before,” he bit his lower lip, “Though I wouldn’t mind a good show.”

  “Johnny!” My face turned beet-red with embarrassment as I turned around and hugged my bra straps.

  “What? Oh come on, it’s a joke.”

  “No, it’s humiliating, is what it is!” I shouted back at him, “Now please, if you wouldn’t mind, turn around. I’d like to get dressed in peace!”

  “Whatever, not like I can’t see you anyway,” he rolled his eyes at me.

  I groaned and pinched my nose in frustration. “Know what, fine, what the Hell do I care,” I relented.

  “Oh, just one more thing,” he leaned forward and gestured to my chest, “I gotta know, are those real?”

  “Okay, you know what? Medication time.”

  “Alright, alright, I’m sorry,” he loudly relented.

  I was shaking with frustration. “Come on, what’re you, a fucking twelve year-old?”

  “What can I say,” he laughed, “They don’t make ‘em like they used to.”

  “Yeah? Good,” I fired back

  “Jokes aside, though, whatcha planning?”

  “Well, my gut says that you’re gonna want to go straight to Rogue.”

  “Yup. Do not pass Go, do not collect 200 dollars.”

  “What?” I furrowed my brow with confusion.

  “Nothing, old joke.”

  “Whatever, sure. Hellman’s not gonna be an easy catch, even with Rogue’s help. I seriously doubt that she’ll know precisely where he is at the drop of a hat.”

  “Yeah? So?”

  “So we double it up. Hit Rogue first, then while she locates Hellman, we locate Evelyn.”

  “Alright, and how do you propose we do that?” Johnny asked as I walked over and opened the window to get some sunlight in my room.

  “Well, I have two options. First option is to see her friend, a woman named Judy álvarez. She’s my most likely candidate, since she seemed extremely protective of Evelyn the last time I was there.”

  “Uh-huh… And how’re you gonna contact this chick?”

  “She gave me her number, actually. Works at Lizzie’s Bar, a nightclub owned by the Mox. She’s their in-house techie.”

  “Hm, alright,” Johnny shrugged, “And your other idea?”

  I stretched my neck out a little as I pondered to myself. “If Judy doesn’t know, then we use logical deduction. Evelyn went to Lizzie’s Bar as a guest, not a Mox, herself, which means that she’s not employed there, she works somewhere else. She’s a prostitute, or I suppose “courtesan” would be a more appropriate term. The list of brothels visited by clients like Yorinobu Arasaka will be short, even in Night City. My best guess is we see an old fixer of mine, Wakako Okada, down in Jig-Jig Street, the hub of all things red-light district. She’s likely to have more information, and be willing to part with whatever we need in exchange for favors or work.”

  “Hmph,” he thought to himself, “Then why not just go straight to this Wakako chick instead?”

  I just shrugged, not really prepared by the frankness of his question. “Honestly…? I kind of like Judy. She was really nice, and it’d be as good an excuse as any to see if I can win someone over to my side for a change. Besides, I told her I’d let her know what happened.”

  “Oh? Sounds like somebody’s got a crush.”

  “Johnny… fucking hell, you really are a twelve-year-old. Look, let me just finish my hair and then we’ll take off.”

  “Yeah, yeah,” he said with a noticeable level of boredom and contempt, “Just hurry up, we ain’t got all day.”

  “Well too bad, I can’t make my hair magically grow any faster.”

  “Pff, women,” he dismissively waved his hand, “Why the fuck’s it take you so long to get ready, anyway?”

  “Because Lizzie’s Bar doesn’t open until 6PM, that’s why,” I shot a stare back at him from the mirror, “And the Afterlife doesn’t open until two hours after that. So I’m gonna take a nap in the meantime. This time, unless there’s a fucking Arasaka super soldier walking through my door, don’t wake me up, okay?”

  “How the fuck would I know, be too busy relivin’ your largely-inaccurate PTSD anyway.”

  “Honestly, it’s better than the real thing… at least the inaccurate stuff never actually happened…” I sighed deeply, “Night, Johnny.”

  “Mm. Night, V.”

  –

  “V?! I heard what happened – thought you were dead,” Judy answered with a shocked tone of voice.

  “Yeah… funny story, you weren’t the only one to think that. Guess I didn’t get the memo, though,” I laughed at myself to try and lighten up the mood and break the ice a little.

  “Guessin’ things went tits up - not as planned, huh?”

  “Yeah, you guessed right,” I sighed deeply, switching ears and wiping my forehead, “Guess you talked to Evelyn about the heist.”

  “Didn’t need to, whole damn city’s heard.” Yeah, I’m sure it has.

  “Listen, I need to talk to Evelyn, that alright?”

  “Matter of fact, no, I really don’t wanna talk about Evelyn,” she hissed back at me.

  “Please, it’s important,” I implored her.

  “What’d I just say?! Drop it. I won’t tell you again.” Shit. Right, I’ll try one more time and then I’ll have to run this shit solo. Maybe another tactic.

  “Judy, please – honestly? I’m in a bad situation and I’m getting desperate, you’re the only lead I’ve got. I have to find her, and I know you can help me.”

  “Who says I’d want to?” she fired back sternly and definitively.

  “Fine, then as a favor. Can we meet? Please,” I perked up my voice a little. Perhaps a forward approach might work better. Either way, I needed her in my corner to find Evelyn as soon as possible. Hunches will only get you so far. And the worst she could say is ‘no.’ Hm… “Judy…?” Fuck, she hung up…

  “Well I guess that answers that question,” Johnny shrugged, “Gotta help ourselves.”

  I idly kicked my feet, running through all the different scenarios in my head, but it all came back to Judy… she knows where Evelyn is. I’m guessing she won’t tell me because of the shit that happened in the Heist – Hell, I’d treat myself like kryptonite as well if I was in her place and I had to protect Jackie. But, since Lizzie’s was about to open anyway, I might as well try and see her. And if she says no, then, well, onto Plan B. The bartender might know something, anyway, since it seemed like Evelyn was a regular at Lizzie’s. If not him, then maybe Susie Q, the proprietor. It’s worth a shot. After that, well, I guess I’ll just have to go to Wakako, then knock on every dollhouse from Japantown to the City Center as a last resort. Hopefully it doesn’t come to that; I don’t have to be fucking around, fumbling in the dark. Even if I have a decent idea of where to start looking, Judy’s my best shot, I had to face the facts.

  Out of pure speculation though, I still sent Evelyn a text, asking her if everything was okay. To my surprise, I immediately received an automated message back saying the message could not be sent… Was her device off? I tried calling and… nothing. Called again to bypass the emergency filter, still nothing. I had a bad feeling, though I couldn’t place it. She doesn’t seem the type to ignore the call from someone whom she poured this much time and effort into procuring. Strange…

  Alright, well, time to get dressed and see about Judy. Maybe she might know something if I explain to her that I can’t reach Evelyn because her device is off. If it raises warning bells in me, surely it will for her, too. Maybe I should see Misty about all this, now that I think about it…

  –

  I gently walked into her shop, genuinely surprised that she was even open. “Misty?” I whispered, seeing her meditating in the corner, “You okay?”

  “Hm? Oh, V, hey,” she slowly opened her eyes, turning around to face me, “Yeah, just… losing myself in my work, as it were. And you?”

  If I couldn’t trust her about any of this stuff, who could I trust in this town? “About as well as I can expect, I guess. Just been… acting strangely.”

  “Strangely? How?”

  “Dreams that aren’t my own, seeing things, hearing things… the usual,” I idly shuffled my feet on the carpet, “I’m scared, honestly. Scared that I might wake up one day and not recognize myself anymore.”

  “Mm, yet I remember you telling me once that you had similar thoughts when you first woke up with implants.”

  “Yet those implants aren’t what’s erasing my very existence.”

  Misty took a pause, glancing down at the floor before her eyes started trailing back up, ultimately failing to meet with mine again. “It still is the same battle though, no?”

  “Not at all,” I answered bluntly.

  “I disagree. You believed your implants made you somehow less than what you were before. Isn’t that true here, too? You and Johnny are so incredibly divided. What you need to do is form a single, harmonious whole, the same way you did with your implants all those years ago.”

  “Shame I’ll be long-dead by then,” I grumbled before stopping myself, realizing whom it was I was speaking to, “I’m sorry, Misty… it’s been a long day. I don’t know what I’m really looking for, coming here… a sign, maybe.”

  “Mm, I know. It’s been long for us both,” she frowned, a thousand-yard stare permeating her face even in the shadows of her shop. I felt awful for disagreeing with her, but I really didn’t want to think about Johnny, much less us becoming one ‘harmonious whole.’ I shuddered at the prospect. “So you believe in signs, then - you’re a shintoist, right? Have you ever experienced any sort of sign?” I thought back to the other night on the beach. The lightning bolt striking as I screamed. If that wasn’t a sign, I don’t know what is.

  “I, uh… I don’t know.”

  Misty clasped her hands together, thinking out-loud as she normally does, “I believe this world is a maze of illusions. It’s not easy for light to shine into the prison of our earthly existence.”

  “So, what, the things I’ve experienced are just illusions of the mind?”

  “I think that it’s our experiences that make those illusions into reality,” she spoke with the clairvoyance of a proper witch now. Far more conviction than I ever remembered. “Gods can’t communicate with us directly, so they send signs instead. But it’s up to us to interpret them. A thunderstorm affects everyone. It carries different meanings to different people, like raindrops. One person may see a great destroyer, someone else the birth of something new. But neither is any less valid than the other.”

  “How did-” I furrowed my brow in surprise after she mentioned the storm, “Um… thanks, Misty.”

  “Sure thing, V. By the way, don’t take all the pills at once or your body’ll build up a tolerance for it.”

  I suddenly swallowed, not really sure how to tell her I must’ve taken like 20 of the fuckers by now.

  “Heh, here, take a few more bottles.”

  –

  Ah, Lizzie’s. And Rita was out front, as per usual.

  I parked in this very same space when I had the meeting with Evelyn. Funny, the mood was very much the same, I think. The feeling of being pulled in so many different directions. Not knowing who to trust - now I don’t even know if I can trust myself. Something about all this particularly ate at me still - what would I be like in a few weeks, a month’s time, should I survive that long? I bet this is what someone suffering from radiation sickness feels like. The calm before the storm. Knowing you’re a dead person walking, yet putting on your tank top and jeans like it’s the most normal thing in the world. And inside all you’re doing is just screaming.

  Not to mention that I cannot wait to see the shit that Johnny’s liable to say about a gang of prostitutes. I imagine he’s getting a kick out of this, though I left my medication to the sidelines, following Misty’s instructions.

  “Hey there, sexy mama,” Rita smiled as I approached, “Haven’t seen you in a long time. Got a good memory for a sword like that. And the owner’s cute face to match.” I could’ve done without the flattery today, but I guess I’ll take a compliment where I could find it.

  “Thanks,” I let out a slight smile, “Sorry, I’m here on business again. Is Evelyn or Judy around?”

  “Mm, Evelyn’s not been around here in a while, actually. Judy’s downstairs in her den, though.” Rita does have a really cute smile, I must admit.

  “Could I go see her?”

  “Sure,” she stood aside, “I’ll let ‘er know you’re comin’. Can leave the sword in the usual place.”

  “Thanks, Rita,” I nodded, removing Shinden from my waist and gently handing it to the concierge in the front for safe-keeping. I suppose there’s no harm in speaking to the bartender, he seemed to know Evelyn. Maybe he can tell me something. Preferably over a few shots of whiskey.

  “Mateo, right?” I asked him to help break the ice a little, “Shot of 21st, please.”

  “Mm, and to what do we owe the pleasure of your company, young lady?” I could sense the sarcasm in his tone from a mile away. Oh, to feel so wanted.

  “Looking for Evelyn or Judy, that’s all,” I gave him a courteous smile to hopefully warm him up a little.

  “Well, Judy’s in her den. Evelyn, not seen her.” Yeah, I figured as much.

  “Can I go see Judy, at least?”

  “Mm, question is, she want to see you?” That’s a question, indeed. I slammed the shot down and headed downstairs, not sure if I’d find help or a shallow grave. I had a feeling that Judy was the sort to take no prisoners. Normally I like a girl with that kind of fire. But I’m not really feeling like any of that right now, just surviving.

  I walked downstairs to see the woman of the hour apparently arguing with Susie Q, proprietor of Lizzie’s Bar. And she was massive and fierce, but no Latina. I learned my lesson from my family - you don’t fuck with Latina women.

  “Stop tellin’ every damn joytoy you meet to come here, the hell am I s’posed to do with ‘em all?!” Susie Q shouted at Judy, who quickly stood up, took off her headphones, and sneered right back at her with the ferocity of someone with far more job security than I ever had. Or perhaps just a far larger set of balls.

  “I don’t! Must be our rep. Girls need help, they come here.”

  “Last time I checked, we weren’t running a shelter.”

  “C’mon, they all deserve a chance. Any one could end up useful.” I’m liking her more and more. Her spunk is admirable. “Give it some time. They’ll pay for themselves.”

  “Pay?! Chicks can barely take care o’ themselves.”

  “Not when they’re face-down in the mud. But who knows - could surprise you.” Judy placed her hands on her hips, looking so viciously sassy.

  “I hate surprises.”

  “Mhmm,” Judy grinned, “Really feelin’ that sense of community now.” Susie Q interrupted her by storming off, brushing past me on her way out. “Suze! We’re not done here - fuck…” Yeah, she noticed me.

  “Judy…” I carefully approached her as she returned to her seat and rested her hands on her desk.

  “You just don’t give up, do you?” Her words struck me hard - I really didn’t want to make more enemies. But it didn’t change how much I needed this. “Got nothin’ more to say to you. Thought I made that clear. Or was I just too subtle for you…”

  “Look, I know, okay? I don’t want to be here doing this either.”

  “Great, there’s the door,” she rolled her eyes at me and flicked on her desk light, returning to her work.

  “But I have to speak to Evelyn. Just tell me where she is, and we’ll never have to speak to one another again.”

  Judy leaned back in her chair and punched holes in my head with her stare. “Why, so you can make her your scapegoat for that trainwreck of a heist?” Her anger was justified - it was a trainwreck. And I’d be saying the exact same thing if it was Jackie instead of Evelyn. Her loyalty is genuinely impressive, but not surprising.

  “Okay, let me be frank,” I frowned, “I’m not looking for her specifically. I’m looking for the people who hired her. That’s all. All I want to do is ask her who the buyer was, and I’ll leave you alone, I promise.”

  “...That’s it?” Judy sat up, apparently confused. I wonder what Evelyn told her about me. Huh.

  “Yeah, that’s it. To be honest, the quicker I can put this whole thing behind me, the better. Wouldn’t make sense to pass the buck to someone else,” I paused and twiddled my thumbs together, “Sorry to have alarmed you. I really wouldn’t be down here if it wasn’t important.”

  “Fine…” Judy pondered, shuffling around a bit, “Apology accepted. And Evelyn - well, she’s a doll. Used to work at Clouds.”

  “A dollhouse?” I asked her.

  “Yeah, take that cig case on the table,” she nodded to a beautiful stainless-steel case with a golden logo on the front, looked like a rabbit inside of a heart shape. I actually really like it, even if I don’t smoke. “Address is inside.”

  “Mm? Megabuilding H8, Japantown. Alright,” I took the brochure inside and tucked it into my back pocket, gently placing the case back on the table. “Think she went back there?”

  “Said it’d be safer than here. God knows why…” Judy wasn’t wrong to question her. H8 was in Tyger Claws territory, the cunts.

  “Alright, got it,” I nodded, giving Judy a smile as I walked off, “Thanks, Judy.”

  “Wait…!” she stopped me in my tracks, rotating her chair to face me, “Just… let me know how she’s doing, okay?” I knew that face anywhere. It’s the same face I would make if Jackie was in trouble… A face that gave me a lump in my throat. I don’t quite know why, but I knew I had to hurry. Something felt very wrong here.

  “Of course. I have your number, call you as soon as I find her,” I smiled reassuringly.

  “Thanks - …Thank you, V.” Judy looked to be on the verge of tears.

  “You, uh, want to come with?”

  “No, no… I got work to do. Just… just let me know, okay?”

  “Sure.” I breathed out, not really knowing how to handle this… I couldn’t help but see myself in her. Someone worried for a person they loved. I hope Evelyn’s alright- Oh, Johnny, fantastic, what now…

  “A doll. Why’m I not surprised,” I hate that fucking smug-ass grin of his.

  “What, you got something against working girls all of a sudden?” I rolled my eyes at him, “You’re an engram in a fading mind. Nothing should surprise you anymore.”

  Johnny paused and lit up a cigarette. Seemed that was all-too-common for him instead of formulating a comeback. “So we gonna hit this place, Clouds?” What, not even gonna answer my questions? Right, okay…

  “No, we’re gonna go for a dip in the ocean, whaddyou think?”

  I walked upstairs through his stupid fucking cigarette smoke - could’ve sworn I even smelled it. Couple of dolls were getting changed in the dressing room.

  “See this? This is hard work. I’m a woman - know how much effort this shit takes?” one of them scowled at her friend.

  “See, I’ve always been a woman,” her friend kicked herself up onto the dressing room shelf and blew out the side of her mouth all dismissively.

  “Oh, I see. So this, this is what fucking sororal solidarity looks like?” the woman reeled back, standing up and putting her makeup down, “Fucking locker room digs?”

  “Welcome to real life, sister. Your words, not mine.”

  God, this whole fucking conversation… What is with these people. Maybe Johnny’s attitude is rubbing off on me. Usually this kind of talk doesn’t bother me in the slightest. No, no… can’t keep thinking like that. It’d just drive me crazier faster. I need to relax. Well, no better way to relax than to go and hire a doll, I guess…

  “Forget about Evelyn,” Rita Wheeler, the bouncer, interrupted me as I collected my sword from the front desk, “This is about Judy, isn’t it, her BD’s? Good shit, if I say so myself.”

  “From what I’ve seen, yeah,” I nodded as I clipped Shinden back into place, “I bet she can cut virtus like diamonds.”

  “Damn straight, nobody gets ‘em like she does,” Rita grinned, “Helluva runner, too.” Wish I had Judy with me instead of T-Bug, then. Easily would’ve had the whole crew get out alive…

  Well, time to go get changed into something a bit more revealing. Easiest way into Clouds is likely as a customer, not a merc. And the last thing I want to do is arouse any suspicion.

  –

  Japantown… A pale imitation of the glamor of Tokyo’s true heights. There is one thing this place did get right, though - how dense everything was. The smell of everything. The way direct sunlight never penetrates to street-level. The tiered system where the haves sit above the have-nots. It sat in the uncanny valley - a perfectly twisted copy, like looking in a fun house mirror.

  And, of course, the first person I saw as I pulled up to Megabuilding H8 was a Tyger Claw. Where else would they be, I suppose. And to think they started out as an Arasaka-backed motorcycle club. We used them like pawns on a chessboard, with as much care given to them when they were sacrificed in the name of protecting the actual important pieces.

  There’s a clever art in spinning someone’s mind so dramatically that you make them believe they’re something they’re not. In the Claws’ case, they have this delusion that they’re on equal-footing with Yakuza families of Japan. Of course, if any of these posers ever met an actual high-ranking Yakuza member, they’d be shitting their pants within less than a minute. We used to laugh at them. Make jokes about them. But I’d be remiss not to acknowledge power when I saw it. They still ruled Japantown’s streets, though if they think they were going to show up someone like me, they have another thing coming.

  They either ignored me or parted like water before a rock face, giving me a wide berth as I entered the building. Yet they seemed perfectly comfortable roughing up several of the merchants just around the corner. What a bunch of hypocrites. That was one aspect they had in common with Yakuza - both of them held honor above all else, yet treated commoners like garbage. I harbored little reason apart from traumatizing some poor bystanders to start beheading, though I was here for business, not pleasure. Had to keep a cool head and a calm cover. Besides, it’s not like they’re going anywhere - can always just massacre the gang tomorrow. I guess I’ll see what sort of mood I’m in.

  “Way I see it is you’re either getting off, or getting offed. Place your bets,” Johnny offered his valuable input as I entered the elevator and hit the button.

  “Hm, someone’s in a great mood this evening.”

  “Hey, not every day a half brain-dead chick drags me around a cathouse for a wild whore chase. So havin’ a grand old time. Just waitin’ to see what’ll happen, that’s all.”

  “And what would you prefer? I’d think you’d be excited to get your dick wet after 50-something years on ice.”

  “Yeah, well it’s a helluva lot more satisfying to rub one out than to walk into a gang den.”

  “Oh please, don’t tell me you’re intimidated by these assholes.”

  “Nah, but color me curious to see how well you handle that weapon of yours when five of ‘em start rushin’ at you at the same time, let’s say.” Johnny leaned up against the TVs broadcasting more news about Arasaka’s stocks plummeting - I can’t imagine why.

  “One thing that is on my mind - if Evelyn wanted to hide from Arasaka, then why would she run to the Tyger Claws, of all people? They’re in bed with one another and have been for decades.”

  “Doesn’t help that this whole situation’s bent over, cheeks spread wide,” Johnny critiqued.

  “Yeah, no shit, still doesn’t help me.”

  “Whaddo I look like, a fuckin’ counterintel officer? You figure it out. But my money’s that this Judy chick’s lyin’ her ass off,” he fired back, tucking his hands in his pocket, “Y’know, for someone who’s been around a lot, you sure don’t have much intuition, do you? How’d you even get through the war, anyway, was it just luck?”

  “Oh fuck off, Johnny.”

  “Yeah, fuck you too,” he shouted before walking off and disappearing once he stepped off the elevator. Very helpful, Johnny…

  Hmph… So this is Clouds. Not exactly a high-class establishment, tucked away inside a megabuilding. But I imagine it’s nicer on the inside. The pink neon lighting and sticky linoleum surface of the floors was unmistakably dollhouse - they were all like that. As if the customers dragged their wet asses along the ground as they left, leaving behind this thick residue of sweat and secretions.

  The narrative has been stolen; if detected on Amazon, report the infringement.

  The halls were lined with posters of the various dolls on display - of course, none of which were Evelyn. I could only assume that she didn’t take on any clients in the past few weeks, she’s not an idiot, I would hope. At this point, I’m getting less concerned for my well-being and more for hers. Something still doesn’t sit well with me… if she went here, then that means Arasaka wasn’t her primary concern. Someone else was. A person whom I could only assume was her buyer. An entity with more sway than Arasaka? Who might that be… Militech? The NUSA? The Chinese, perhaps? They’ve been losing the arms race for decades, and they have the means to purchase the device… Well, either way, hopefully I find her and finally get some answers directly from the source.

  “Welcome to Clouds, where we know exactly what you’re looking for,” the receptionist greeted me as I rounded the corner, “Are you new or a returning client?”

  “I’m new.” I placed my hand on my hip and scanned the room. Didn’t seem to be much security. Or janitorial staff by the look of it. “I’m looking for an Evelyn Parker, is she in?”

  “Hmm… give me a moment,” she nodded before flipping through pages on her computer, “Evelyn’s not available at this time. But not to worry - the algorithm knows best. Trust me, we’ll find you your perfect match for the ultimate thrill. Our dolls can even change their hair and eye color in real-time to look just as you wish.” Thrill, huh… I wouldn’t use that word to describe how I’m feeling.

  Johnny appeared over the woman’s right shoulder, letting out a deep, exaggerated yawn. “Hhhuhh… I’m sorry, she finally say anything useful?” Why the fuck was this man so shit about dolls… did one kill his puppy or something? “Know what I say, if you’re any good with that sword then fuck the menu, let’s just take our order to straight to the chef, point-blank.”

  “Meaning?”

  “Meaning let’s see how this plays out. Go in as a customer first. Then we play our own game.” I’m afraid to ask what ‘game’ he thinks he’s referring to.

  “Alright, you’re all set,” the woman said to me, “Just jack into the port and we’ll get your profile going.”

  “Okay…” I muttered and plugged my Personal Link into the device.

  “This will be a live session, so events may take an unexpected turn. But don’t quit if you feel uncomfortable - could miss out on something truly remarkable.” Spoken like a true rapist, this woman. “If you feel unready on what comes next, you can end the session immediately… Now for your safeword.”

  Hm… “Raiden,” I said impulsively.

  “And… saved,” she replied cheerfully, “Alright, that’s all there is to it! Now to find your perfect partner… Huh.”

  “What?”

  “Says here you have two matches… interesting.”

  “Is that a bad thing, or… normal…?”

  “Who can say what is ‘normal’? You’re clearly a unique person with… unique tastes.”

  “Thanks… I think,” my face scrunched up at her half-hearted attempt at a compliment.

  “So who will it be? Angel, or Skye?”

  “Um, I guess Skye,” I shrugged, not really sure what to make of this whole affair.

  “I couldn’t have chosen better myself,” she smiled in return, Now for the payment, and you’ll venture into the Clouds.”

  I wired over the money and she ushered me in, telling me that the entire floor was open to me. “Skye awaits you in booth nine,” she courteously waved me in, “Though one other thing – I’m sorry, but we don’t allow weapons inside. Please deposit all hazardous items with me.” That’s a load of bullshit, considering I know of a few people who could probably force her to commit suicide by using their cyberdecks.

  “Play nice, V,” Johnny implored me. I suppose it didn’t take someone with his advantages to read my mind as I thumbed Shinden.

  “Fine…” I finally relented, unlatching my sword and wrapping it in my jacket before carefully placing it inside the locker she designated.

  “Only two willin’ to spread their legs for ya?” Johnny teased me, appearing in a love seat, “Sad.”

  “Bite me.”

  Blaring EDM music greeted me as I entered the main floor, dominated by a series of about a dozen booths arranged in large cubicles. Everything was damp and sticky, with the familiar lingering scent of sex in the air wherever I went. The whole building seemed drenched in pink neon and advertisements – a classic case of all show, no tell. Though I suppose I should’ve expected a seedy shithole beneath the blanket of glossy pink lipstick. Fingers crossed that this isn’t just some huge waste of my time.

  I walked around some more, though no sign of Evelyn. A couple of guys about to blow all over some cheap hologram, and a guy getting kicked out of the VIP area. Interesting. I’m willing to bet that there are staff quarters upstairs as well. Could just skip the show entirely, but since I’m here, might as well see if any of the dolls have anything useful to say. What could it hurt?

  I headed to my booth to meet up with this Skye person, hopefully to get some answers. The door opened with a sharp hiss, revealing a woman clad in a short dress made of some sort of plastic, though she was undeniably attractive.

  “Hi, I’m Skye,” she introduced herself, cross-legged in the chair before me, “And you must be Valerie?”

  “I am,” I nodded, “Though most people call me V.”

  “Oh? And which name do you prefer?” Her voice softly echoed in the chamber, like listening to surround-sound audio. It was… oddly soothing.

  “I hadn’t heard the name Valerie in a long time… I suppose you may call me that, if you wish.”

  “Very well, Valerie…” a cool smile came over her face, “Have a seat, if you’d like.”

  I nodded and sat down on the bed – a waterbed, at that, though that’s only appropriate for a place like this.

  “So, Valerie… you’re dying.”

  “What?” I raised an eyebrow at this incredibly blunt means of starting a conversation, “...How do you know I’m dying?”

  “Deep inside, you fear this, cower before it… A feeling you have faced multiple times in your life, though not with such a definitive end as this.”

  I felt compelled to answer honestly. Desperately. “So what if it is? What does it matter anymore?” My voice was tinged with sorrow.

  “Of all the voices in your head, one calls out to you the loudest. You can hear its screams as it cries out for help. Look around. This is all your doing.” Wonderful… Therapy with a prostitute. Now I really have seen everything.

  “I’m looking for someone. Another worker, like you. Evelyn Parker - do you know where I can find her?”

  Skye nodded and placed her hands on her knees. “You need answers - that much is clear, just not the ones you think you need.”

  I took a long sigh out of frustration. “It’s a simple question, no?”

  “Evelyn Parker…” she got up and sat next to me, “Not the most important thing you’re looking for, is she? I can smell your fear. You’re afraid of something else.” Her eyes resembled a pair of galaxies… it was beautiful.

  “I’m afraid of dying before getting any real answers, for one,” I shrugged and let out a deep breath from the side of my mouth.

  “Yet here you are,” she let out a genuine smile at me, speaking slowly and carefully, “A woman out of place, and out of time. A samurai without her sword. Plagued by screams, yet refuses to listen and heed their calls.”

  “Sorry, I don’t understand. Why won’t you just tell me where she is? Why’d she come back to Clouds?”

  “Evelyn had her own story before it collided with yours,” she responded, making me all the more frustrated, “But I know you’ll find her. You always get your way.”

  “Except now, apparently,” I grumbled, “What’s next, meditation?”

  “Something like that… try me,” she leaned back a little, placing her hand on the bed behind her.

  “Alright… since you know me so well. Tell me, what is it that I’m afraid of?”

  Skye furrowed her brow and shuffled her jaw a little. “It’s something you don’t talk about.”

  “Everyone’s entitled to their secrets.”

  “Say it,” she demanded, “Say it out loud. Not for me. But for yourself.”

  I took a long pause, running my thumb over my pant leg as I thought deeply about the answer… Part of me just wanted to get this overwith. But she was right. I had to say it for myself.

  “I, uh…” my lips trembled, “I seem to have a habit of losing people. I’ve lost my family. Lost my best friend. I’ve buried partners, lovers, friends. Yet here I sit, awaiting the next funeral. Secretly praying that it might be mine. But it will be a funeral no one will attend. Because people who care about me have a habit of getting there first… I… I guess I’m afraid of being alone. Of dying alone. Of leaving this Earth a worse place than I found it.”

  “Everything you need you already carry inside you. You are afraid of fire, yet you shine brighter than a thousand radiant suns. You are afraid that no one will hear, yet your screams echo through the cosmos. There is a deeper fear inside, not of loneliness, but isolation. Of the fire burning your voice, leaving you unable to scream as it consumes you…” she leaned back and rested herself on her elbow, with me naturally following suit, “...You wonder to yourself if the voices will be heard, yet you are the one who must listen to what they are saying… You see destruction from the spark of life, igniting a fire that burns mercilessly… yet all you need to do is reach out your hand… and allow it to warm you, to bathe you in its purifying light.”

  “But I can’t…” I frowned, a tear forming on my eye, “It has burned me so many times before… I’ve seen too much death… death is death. The silence of the dead screams louder than anything else…”

  “Yet you cannot listen, not unless you’ve been there and back…”

  “I have, though… Closer than anybody… Yet I still hear them…”

  “You grieve for them…” Skye rested her free arm in between us, letting her finger idly touch my hand, “Grieve for what’s to come… But you have not yet crossed over. You will, in time…”

  “What I’ve seen… what I’ve been through… grief doesn’t even begin to describe it… How do you grieve for yourself? Death is something that happened to other people… something I’ve dealt to other people… And here I am, next in line. I’ve already died once… Now I have to do it again…”

  “Death’s absurdity… the screams suddenly being silenced, the fire consuming you once and for all… These terrify you.”

  “And drive me… I would be long-dead without fear…” I couldn’t help but think back to the fire… “I’ve seen the effects first-hand… I can’t…”

  “To the individual, a great typhoon appears as a destructive event… It brings lightning, fire, death, and blackness… A funeral for the earth it rests upon. But like any funeral, flowers spring up around the grave… it blooms into a beautiful kaleidoscope of color…”

  “So, what… you’re saying that, when I’m gone… I leave a trail of flowers in my wake?”

  “You already are… the lightning and thunder inside of you echo throughout the Earth, within yourself… all you need to do… is truly listen.”

  Skye’s hand carried mine to the bed, and we gently rested next to one another… I couldn’t find the words… “I don’t know how…”

  “You do…” she whispered, her fingers interlinked with mine, “Your fear blinds you, consumes you… But you have never backed down from anything, even when you maybe should have… Your life has been a series of wars… But you are a samurai. War is part of who you are… Who you always will be… though it will never define you, nor your story. You are four thousand miles from home… You can catch a stray bullet while driving on the highway… But that has never stopped you from getting to where you need to go. And it will not stop you now…” The black background behind her made me feel like I was floating in an endless black void. It was beautiful… she was beautiful…

  “What if I can’t make it… What if I can’t listen…”

  “Your voices, the truth is… our paths are braiding… intertwining. Neverending, and transforming… A silent word has yet to be heard. It is out there… And what’s happening inside you… the storm will renew the world…” Skye’s eyes peered deep inside my very soul, as if to rip it out by the jugular, yet I found myself more serene than I had been in years… “Listen, Valerie… Never forget your name… If you’ve gotta kill, kill… If you’ve gotta burn it all to the ground, then let it burn… And if its heart stops, then shock it back to life.”

  I laid beside her in contemplative silence for what felt like ages… I’d never laid my heart bare to anyone like that before… Nor have I ever had anyone read me as easily as a book. The personal data from my Personal Link in the lobby… of course… that’s how she knows so much about me… Doesn’t change that she’s right. All I ever hear are screams. Yet I cannot listen, no matter how hard I try. The screams of my friends, my family, the very fabric of my being. But I cannot truly hear them.

  I knew a storm was coming… I could feel it in my bones. But I felt powerless to stop it. The lightning ignited a great forest fire, one that threatens to consume me whole, but I am paralyzed. How can I fight a force of nature…? How can I win a battle I’m scripted by design to lose? What will happen to me when I’m gone? I- I can’t think… I have to stop this…

  “Raiden.”

  The blank, white lights came on all at once and Skye’s demeanor instantly changed. “W-what’s going on?” she asked me, sitting up and thoroughly confused. “Goddamn thing threw me out.”

  “Sorry, I just want to ask you something,” I leaned up on my elbow, “Can we talk?”

  “Talk?” she scoffed, “You pulled the emergency brake, ripped me out, just to talk? What happened? Did I do something wrong?” She seemed genuinely worried, but more in a way like I was about to leave a bad tip or something.

  “No, you didn’t do anything wrong… Actually I kind of liked it,” I admitted to her, “I came in here expecting thrills, sex, I dunno. Instead I got more soul-searching than I could’ve possibly imagined…”

  “Hm, look, baby, your subconscious runs the show here, not me,” she turned around and explained, “I’m just the car and you decide where the destination is… Um… just don’t tell anyone about this, okay?”

  “My lips are sealed, Skye,” I reassured her as I shuffled up next to her, “I’m looking for Evelyn Parker, do you know her?”

  “Not really, everyone’s got their own booths. Their own problems. Their own little bubbles,” she stood up and waved her hands in frustration, “People like you come in, try and rearrange everything in a fragile ecosystem… no.”

  “Look, I need your help, okay?” I got up and crossed my arms over my chest, “All I want to do is make sure she’s alright. That’s all. I’ve not heard a word from her in weeks and I’m concerned.”

  “Yeah, well, in case you haven’t noticed, doll work’s not the most secure in the world. One day you’re in, next you’re gone, just like that.”

  “I know. I’m sorry… Look, I’ll pay for any information, if that helps.”

  “No, no, it’s okay,” Skye sighed at me, “Heard a customer did a number on her. But that’s all I know.” Suddenly she scrunched up in the corner, looking like a cornered mouse in front of a cat. “Shit like that happens a lot around here… More than anyone’d care to admit… You oughta ask Tom what happened. Two of ‘em were inseparable. Gossiping for hours on end.”

  “Hang on, a customer attacked her?”

  “I guess, I dunno,” she shrugged, “Security got called in, pretty usual around here. You don’t go around asking questions. You just keep your head down and do your own thing.”

  “Right…” I sighed in sympathy, “Alright, well what’s her booth number?”

  “Eleven,” Skye finally told me, “Tom’s up in two, on the VIP floor.”

  “Thanks,” I smiled before heading out, leaving her a generous tip to go with her services. Right, let’s check out Booth Evely-Eleven. Fuck…

  Yeah, obviously she’s not there… instead, just a bunch of crime scene cameras all set up to reconstruct what had happened… Right, let’s see what we got…

  The most immediately obvious sign that stood out to me was the blood pasted on the wall, in the vague shape of a person’s face. Too little for it to be a kill, not to mention there’s no blood on the ground. Someone slammed their head here with force, enough to burst capillaries. Or they were already bleeding from the head. Either way, it doesn’t bode well…

  A missing neuroport next to the bed. Dolls need to use this to jack into for the Personal Link feed, I’d assume. Why would someone want to rip it out…? And who did it? Maybe it could tell us where Evelyn went…? The bed itself looked fine, not messy, no fluids, so they didn’t get together, I’d assume. Whatever happened probably happened early on in the session. Wonder who this mysterious customer was… Maybe nobody. Maybe a puppet. Someone must’ve been keeping tabs on Evelyn regardless to know she was in the office with no talking witnesses…

  Ah… a hidden camera embedded in the wall. Didn’t look like anything Clouds would put there, and it was hidden well. Too well. Presumably by our mysterious benefactors…

  Right, let’s reconstruct this.

  Interesting… It seemed that everything was alright, then she clutched at the chip in her head… Clutched at the chip… Wait… was she hacked? She violently seized, kicking the customer off… he ran out the door, leaving her to her fate. “Well client wasn’t the one doin’ this, somethin’ bit her in the ass…” Johnny pondered as we watched a recreation of the poor woman writhing on the ground, “Whaddyou think… Cyberpsychosis?”

  “No, this was too sudden. Wasn’t a gradual breakdown. This looks more like a daemon attack. Someone got into the system and infected her with malware to incapacitate her.”

  “Weird…” he took a drag of his cigarette, though not to irritate me this time, but to give himself some fuel for thought. Weird, indeed… Maybe Tom would know more. Back to the VIP wing…

  “...Going back up?” I overheard a conversation in Japanese as I approached. Tyger Claws…

  “Nah, gotta take a piss first.”

  Hm. Well I know where I’m getting my VIP pass from.

  “Hey, you’re in the wrong bathroom, bitc-HGGH!-” Alright, that’s one problem solved. Amazing – all that chrome and the bastard didn’t even bother getting any reinforcement for his windpipe, subdermal armor or not. Fucking posers. Yakuza would’ve burned his tattoos off with a blowtorch for that shit. Shame he didn't have a sword, just a rinky-dink little pistol. No good except to draw attention. Fuck… I gotta start working out. Can't defer the heavy-lifting to Jackie anymore… just gotta leave him in the middle of the floor. I should hurry.

  Man, what I wouldn’t give for a decent fucking VIP room around here. None of this seems particularly noteworthy, just better-lit. All the furniture is still made from the same tacky polyester, all the drinks are still just as watered-down as anywhere else, and there’s only two booths. It’s… just a normal bar. What a piss hole. I can see this place being worth it for the doll’s services, but the aftercare was lacking.

  “Glass of warm Sakura sake, please,” I ordered and took a seat at the bar.

  “Mm, windin’ down after a hard day, baby?” the bartender smirked, “I gotcha.”

  “Thanks… Mind me asking, but why’s it so dead in here? Thought I saw a tumbleweed as I came in.”

  “Dead for you, lively for others, for me it’s just right.”

  “Yeah, bet it is… thanks for the drink,” I nodded, finishing the sake and handing the man his dues before heading to Booth Two. Hopefully this Tom character has some answers for me… If not, then it’s to the manager next.

  “He better keep this short and sweet,” Johnny appeared next to the booth, “Two brainwashed sex zombies in a single day’s too much. Even for me.”

  “Appreciate the valuable contributions, as always… And can you stop insulting them like that.”

  “Aww, why, strikin’ a nerve or somethin’? Please. You seem like the last chick to do any sex work.”

  I can’t deal with this right now… Just scoffed at him and walked in, ignoring his horrible statements.

  “Hi! Um…” Tom greeted me from the bed as I approached, “Something might’ve gone wrong here, not really sure… Um… Sorry, I don’t have your details, not really sure what I’m supposed to do… Maybe just see the front desk, they’ll get you sorted.”

  “Relax, Tom, I’m not a customer,” I said as I bent over a little to show I wasn’t sizing him up or anything, “Just want to know where Evelyn is.”

  “You and me both,” he sighed, “Tried calling her a bunch of times, no luck.”

  “Same here…” I frowned. This was looking worse and worse by the minute…

  “She had an accident. Needed to go to a special clinic in Osaka… or is it Oslo… I think it was Oslo… for a new faceplate.”

  “Norway? No way in Hell anyone would go out of their way to ship a working girl to Norway without her selling her soul to Satan himself. No, she was here. In Night City. Somewhere…”

  “Hm, might be right… now that I think about it, it is weird they sent her away so far.”

  “And I take it she didn’t tell you anything?”

  “Nah, just didn’t show up to work one day. Wasn’t picking up, either. So I asked Woodman what was up and that’s what he said.”

  “Woodman… he the manager here?”

  “Mhm. Mr. Forrest, but everyone calls him Woodman… not sure why, though.”

  “Alright, Mr. Forrest, then, so what’s his deal?”

  “He’s kind of like our caretaker. Finds new talent, deals with ugly situations… We see a lot of those here. Get recovery leave, sometimes a healthy payout.”

  “Could it be that Woodman finally sheds light on this conspiracy so we can blow this joint already?” Johnny suddenly appeared next to Tom, “A man can dream… The skull sponges in these dolls, uggh, that’s what they should be replacin’.”

  “Where is he?” I snarled.

  “Huh… payin’ him a visit? Probably got his feet up in his office… but customers aren’t allowed in there.”

  “I told you. I’m not a customer… You might want to stay in the booth for the next five or ten minutes, by the way.”

  I casually waited for the guard to leave the front of the staff section unguarded and quietly unplugged the camera feed, slipping in to a large lounge room dominated by a two-way mirror. Interesting. So they’re spying not just with cameras, but directly, too…

  Hey now, I spy with my little eye a katana. Let me relieve this man of it…

  Hmph. It’s not as sharp as mine. But it’ll have to do. Tyger Claws, never taking care of their shit properly. Funnily enough, I don’t even mind the ergonomics of these military-pattern katana. The grip feels more like a non-Newtonian foam than anything, making it both extremely comfortable and excellent at absorbing vibrations, self-hardening when I need rigidity. I have the same polymers embedded in Shinden’s core, albeit to a far lesser extent. These swords can get even tougher than mine - provided the person takes care of them. Of course, that’s always a gamble when referring to the Tyger Claws. All image with these people.

  I found my way into the security office, hoping to catch a glimpse of anything with Evelyn’s name… After quietly dispatching the security officer with a rather messy after-effect, I removed his credentials to check the computer, finding little of value… No, no, there’s something here. Something…

  “Gonna do some of that counterintel shit or what?”

  “Can it, Johnny,” I fired back, scrolling through pages of files… Man, this guy was still bleeding, getting all over my shoes, the asshole… Ah. Found it. An accident report… Says the incident caused a psychotic episode in the doll. The witness also went into shock, presenting similar symptoms because he was jacked in at the time… So he was an innocent bystander after all. I clicked on his name, revealing a whole host of data that was collected. Trucker with nomad roots, into large breasts, twice divorced, painfully shy… I wonder who all this data’s for, who’s buying. Probably Arasaka - we’ve certainly used our share.

  Right, let’s see what else we can find around here… Staff locker room, maybe?

  P… P for Parker… Here we go. She left her handbag here, too… That cute little blue one she carried with her when we first met.

  “Coulda had more’n one,” Johnny remarked as I picked it up, checking the inside for clues.

  “Yeah, with an exact duplicate of her wallet, driver’s license? I don’t think so,” I shook my head, “Women don’t leave behind bags like this, not with what’s inside. Maybe once in a blue moon, but it’s too coincidental. She was taken without her consent.” Let’s go speak to Woodman. I’m sure he’ll have a few choice words…

  I found his cushy, plush office right next to the security room. The way he looks, sat there without a care in the world… He reminds me of my father. Grrr…

  “Hey, no clients allowed in here,” he snarled at me with a mouth full of hamburger, “As you can see, I’m very busy. Be a dear and close the door on your way out, would ya?” He spoke with a thick Australian accent, just sitting there and engorging himself while looking at pictures of dolls. Something about the way he spoke just repulsed me…

  “Yeah, that’s what the men in the lounge said… And your security officer…” I calmly spoke as I shook a loose chunk of head off the katana. “Tyger Claws, easily replaceable. I’m looking for Evelyn Parker. Not a confrontation.”

  “Well then you’re shit outta luck, lady. Got no one here by that name. What, you a Claw representative or somethin’?”

  “But she was here. What happened to her?”

  He set down his burger and shook his head dismissively, even as the blood dripped from my outfit. What kind of person… “Probably did what all dolls did. Tried to find a unicorn to set her up for life.” Woodman stirred pensively in his seat with a smug grin on his face, “Look, you can do way better. Try Roxanne over in Booth Two. Even throw in a year VIP pass for you. Same heart-shaped ass. Behavioral chip, won’t even be able to tell the difference.”

  I laid the katana over my shoulder. My insides were boiling. I wanted nothing more than to watch this man try and gather his intestines back up when I disemboweled him. To cry out for help that’ll never come, just like I’m sure he’s done to other dolls before. But I had to stay focused, at least for now. Time for the counterintel shit Johnny mentioned. If there’s one thing men like Woodman enjoy more than anything, it’s having their egos vigorously masturbated.

  “Alright, Woodman, you win,” I smiled, letting the sword loose in my grip, “You seem like a reasonable person, let’s make a deal.”

  “Yeah, and you seem like a crazy psycho bitch who’s never been ghosted by her beau before, one who just killed my best staff. But I’m listening.” That was his best?!

  “I walked into this office not really knowing what to expect, but knowing a man in charge when I see one,” I smiled, “Yet here I find you. Sitting in the posh, dank hole of a Tyger den. Eating a hamburger.”

  “Congrats, you have eyes. Someone get this fucking doll a job.”

  “Ever stop to think who’s behind the Tyger Claw puppets who’re your supposed ‘bosses?’ Tyger Claws have connections. Their history with Arasaka is legendary, as I’m sure you’re aware.”

  “So what, you some kind of collectin’ woman with Arasaka? Fuck should I care, she still ain’t here. Some fuckin’ big shot, aren’t ya?”

  “Let’s just say that some members of Arasaka wouldn’t take too kindly if their star pupil was to suddenly vanish off the face of the Earth. And considering I’m in your office right now trying to piece it together, I doubt my bosses will be as courteous.” I tightened my hold on the katana, shooting him a deadened stare.

  “Alright, fine… I’ll lay it on ya straight,” he grumbled as he got up and walked over to his supply of whiskey on the table, “Want a drink? Seem like a hard liquor type’a gal.”

  “No, thank you. I don’t drink heavy when on the job.”

  “Mm, admirable,” he poured himself a glass, “Y’know, I like you. You’re a cutie… Busty, great ass, sure you got some nice runners under there, and that exotic-soundin’ accent… be interested in offerin’ you somethin’ with a bit more freedom involved…” He grinned at me with this sick, sadistic look. Like he just couldn’t help himself. If he was this bad with someone holding a sword to his face, I couldn’t imagine what he’d be like with a helpless working girl… And this was the man running Clouds? A place where, as Tom and Skye put it, terrible shit happens regularly?! No… No, he’s not leaving here in one piece.

  “Just Parker. Please.” I could feel myself holding back so much. I paced around the room, eyeballing his computer… He rated the girls based on how well they performed with him… Made notes. Behavioral changes. Making them more compliant, like they were cattle or something…

  “Yeah, well she ain’t here,” he maintained his gaze, the cataract in his right eye giving him a cold, dead stare.

  “Tell me something I don’t know.”

  “Look, you think you know how things work ‘round here, but you don’t know shit.” He paused and took a sip of his liquor. “Dolls aren’t here to give you satisfaction and pleasure outta the kindness of their hearts. They’re workers. Their job’s to make a profit.”

  “And Evelyn stopped making a profit?”

  “No denyin’ that, sadly for her.” I don’t buy it. Not a woman who could pull somebody like Yorinobu Arasaka.

  “So what, did you fry her system?”

  “Nah, wasn’t me,” he shook his head, bottoming his first glass, “Whoever or whatever did that came from outside our subnet. Played her deck like a fucking virtuoso. Her chip was fuckin’ rot. We tried fixin’ it, believe me. But we couldn’t. Not even close.” Interesting… so it’s not Arasaka, otherwise they’d have done it themselves on the subnet from the get-go with the help of the Tyger Claws. This was a third party. “Don’t matter to me, though. Chip fryin’ like that, liable to go crazy. And for every one that does, there’d be a dozen others waitin’ in line.”

  “See, I can’t help but notice how you failed to answer my original question, though – Evelyn. Where is she.” I twirled the katana around a little, my right arm itching for his stomach cavity.

  “Got an order from a high-up to recycle her.” Recycle her?! “Found a ripperdoc who was willin’ to take a look. Eh, said he knew something or other.”

  “Aww, that’s sweet,” I hissed, “You found poor, unprofitable Evelyn a ripperdoc with your own valuable time? Please.”

  “Hehe, you got me,” he laughed at me, “Ripper paid me, as a matter of fact.”

  “For someone who might well be insane?”

  “Hey, people got all kinds o’ kinks. I should know better’n anyone. I’m not in the business of judgin’, I’m in the business of caterin’. Name’s Fingers, real specimen, that one. Got all the fetishes, even ones you never heard of… Said Evelyn was a real specimen, sure he found her a nice niche… hehe…” Okay, this man was far worse than my father… No, he reminded me of my first output… The things he did to me…

  “So what, you gave her off to this Fingers character? You have some kind of running deal or something?”

  “What, you think we’re runnin’ a slaughterhouse here? Nah, only recycle as a last resort, and the family always gets a call. If there is any…” he shrugged dismissively, “Generally they just pass the buck, though. Who’d wanna take care of a used-up slut who shits their pants every two seconds. Can’t cast ‘em out on the street, either, could tank our cred.” Yeah, because that’s the issue here…

  “Give me the address and a full name,” I demanded sharply, “Unless you really want to be a woman. I’m happy to perform a little surgery, free of charge.”

  “Don’t know a last name.”

  “Don’t fuck with me!” my hand shot up, holding the sword to his belly.

  “I’m not, I’m not!” he stuttered in a panic, “Goes by Fingers, like I said. Runs a clinic out of some God-forsaken alley down in Jig-Jig Street.”

  “Just tell me one last thing…” I bared my teeth, my hand shaking with adrenaline, “You had a smile on your face when you sold her, didn’t you… Didn’t you?!”

  I think Woodman sensed his demise was near. He tried knocking the sword out of my hand and sprinted for the door, screaming for the guards before I plunged the blade deep into his back, instantly paralyzing him. “I took care of them. Remember?” I taunted him as I slowly stalked, pacing around his body as he bled out.

  “Grrngh… Son of a bitch… It’s just a fucking doll…” A terrible human being to the end… Let’s start with the leg first. If he can still feel it. “GGAAHHHGH!!” Hmph… I guess he can…

  “Oh for fuck’s sake, just let the man die already,” Johnny groaned.

  “Not now,” my hand violently shook as I reset my fingers on the sword. “I would keep you in this state, trembling in fear and agony for the rest of your days. I would cut off every one of your limbs so you could never comfort yourself. So you would sit there, in silent, terrible pain, never being able to move, to scream, ever again.”

  “Hhgghhh…” he gurgled and choked on his own blood, “Fuck… you… fuckin’ whore…”

  “Luckily for you, I’m in a bit of a hurry. So let’s get this overwith.”

  “Someone… will come… there’s always… a replacement…”

  “Fortunately that’s not your concern.” My teeth clattered as I buried the sword deep into his neck, twisting and jerking the blade until I severed his spine and ligaments and popping his head clean off like a champagne bottle. It was far cleaner than what he deserved… The animal… I typically don’t like to cause pain. But I will always make an exception for rapist swine like him…

  “Finally,” Johnny breathed a sigh of relief, “Now we gonna hit this Fingers clown or what? Do the same thing to him?”

  “If he did something to Evelyn, then yeah.”

  I wiped myself off in the bathroom before heading downstairs, getting all this sick bastard’s blood off me. It smelled like shit. I wordlessly retrieved my weapons and let the Claws discover their own failures, being sure to make myself visible on the security footage so they knew exactly who did this and why. Otherwise they’d be liable to attack the dolls – can’t have that.

  “Nice work back there,” Johnny criticized as I headed out, “Ever thought of applying to the Diplomatic Corps?”

  “I don’t have time for people like him,” I sneered at him, “Massaging egos of rapists makes me sick.”

  “I respect that.”

  “Mm, only thing left are the Tyger Claws.”

  “One thing’s for sure, they won’t forget this.”

  “That’s why I made myself as visible as possible. Don’t want the heat coming down on Clouds itself.”

  “Can you take the heat, though?” he raised an eyebrow.

  “I used to get paid to take far worse. But to pop Woodman’s head like a cork? I’d happily do that pro-bono.”

  “Alright, if you say so,” he gave me an uncertain stare.

  “I just hope we’re not too late, that she’s still there. What do you think?”

  “V, if I could see that far in the future, I wouldn’t be a fuckin’ ghost on a chip in a dyin’ chick’s head right now, would I?” Whatever, fine. Let’s just get on this fucking elevator…

  …Fuck… My head… Feels like it’s burning… What– what is this?! Why… Wh–

  “Scream…”

  M-my head… I… I can’t feel my lips… My eyes, my face… Can’t breathe… Why can’t I breathe…

  The elevator ride felt like a descent into madness. My head pounded like someone stood on it running a jackhammer… My lungs… I coughed and hacked, yet couldn’t find any air… Blood… I’m coughing up blood…?

  “You had a plan, you tried, it fell flat…” Johnny…? The Heist popped into my brain… No… that wasn’t… my plan… “Now you’re flat… don’t look in any condition to find Hellman.”

  I collapsed on the floor, coughing and hacking up blood like I had lung cancer…

  Johnny… Johnny, what is this… Why can’t I breathe…

  Mom…? Dad? Jackie? Can you hear me…?

  My left eye glitched, painting the world a pale blue, glitching out, just like Vik said… My-my brain… no… It’s… happening…

  “Ugh! The hell’s that?!” Johnny shouted, apparently experiencing the same damn thing, “No, no, no…”

  I stumbled over to an overturned vending machine, sitting down and trying desperately to nurse my head… Johnny appeared before me, slamming down an overturned stool and planting his ass down.

  “What… the fuck… is this you?! What the fuck do you want from me…” I groaned as the whole world seemed to spin around and around…

  “It’s all goin’ too slow!” Johnny shouted as he placed his head in his palm, “Gonna decomish before we know how to rip the chip out.”

  “What… do you care… you wanted me dead… since the beginning…”

  “Made it pretty clear since then that I’ve changed my mind. Said so in the diner. Want you to live now,” he corrected me. The blue glitches shifted with my heartbeat… A pulse of the Earth around me…

  “And how many times… do I have to ask… what the Hell do you want from me… if not me dead…”

  “Simple. I got a get outta jail free card. I’d be a fuckin’ idiot not to take advantage. Realized I can’t do that if you flatline ‘fore your time’s up. So here we are.” He took off his sunglasses, staring at me dead in the eyes. My sword clanked on the hard metal surface below me… if only I could cut my way through this… The one thing I needed my sword to do… Yet I cannot cut the universe itself… He lit up a cigarette and blew it right in my face… Fucking hell… “See, me and Arasaka – we got a half-century score needs settling. And I plan to do it. That’s what I need you for.”

  “So I was right… You’re gonna try and use me… use my credentials… to get into Arasaka Tower and nuke it again… But why? To settle a personal grudge? Some dated ideal?!”

  “You’re one to talk about dated ideals, little Miss Samurai…” he fired back at me, blowing smoke out his nose, “Look, you don’t need to know. Here to get me from Point A to Point B. Beyond that’s not your concern–” He took a sudden, long pause, shaking his head and deliberating to himself. “Listen. I know things. Where we can save your life. Who can help us do that. You’ll get rid of the chip, I’ll smash ‘Saka, win-win, kid.”

  “Smash ‘Saka… You know you’re just an irritating hallucination… Should just ignore you, like I’ve been trying to do all this time…”

  “And you’re a walkin’ corpse. Should just wait ‘til your mind shrivels up to nothing. Leave space for me.”

  “You fucking asshole… Do you even know what you want to do…? It’s been… over 50 years…”

  “Mm. Soulkiller’s what we need, and Mikoshi’s how we’re gonna grab it.”

  “Soulkiller? The program that got me stuck here in the first place?... Why, what for? And why do you need Mikoshi?”

  Johnny’s leg tapped in place as he took a drag, “Okay, basics. You know what Soulkiller is, right? What it originally was.”

  “I do. It’s a weapon. A trap… meant to extract a person’s psyche. You connect to an Arasaka subnet, we– they, spike it like a daemon, and that’s all she wrote.”

  “Mhmm, fries and packs away your mind and your soul. Following so far?”

  “Yeah… saw what it did to you… memories told the tale quite clearly…”

  “Okay, seems we got more to broach than I thought, but we’ll get to that later,” he shuffled on the stool, “Anyway, when Soulkiller fries, roasts, and boils, you die. But the contents of your mind get copied to an engram first.”

  “What?... No, who told you that?” I stopped him, “Arasaka have been experimenting with engrams that keep the person alive for years… since the 2060s, at least. We wanted to deploy it in the War before it ended…”

  “Hmph, doesn’t surprise me that they’d still be workin’ on this shit…” he muttered, “Anyway, copy becomes a construct. Now, you know what Mikoshi is?”

  “Johnny, I worked at Arasaka Tower… Hell, I was one of its first employees… Mikoshi’s our in-house server and storage bank.”

  “Exactly. Piecin’ it together? Mikoshi’s where they store their victims’ engrams.”

  “I understand that… just don’t get why this is relevant to my situation…”

  “Not the brightest bulb on the stage, are ya?” he sat forward and twiddled his sunglasses in his off-hand, “Fifty years back, ops on the human mind. Mikoshi was the sole place on Earth anything like that was done.”

  “Bullshit. Fifty years back was the Fourth Corporate War,” I fired back, my vision now clear as a bell, “Militech invested heavily into mind control, AI interfaces, and advanced weapons to keep up with Arasaka.”

  “Sure, but who won that race? Sure as shit wasn’t Militech, otherwise would’ve been bombing a different tower.” He took a final drag before throwing his smoke on the ground and stomping it out. “Bet ‘Saka still is today. I’m tellin’ ya, all roads lead to Mikoshi. It’s where we’ll settle our biz – yours and mine.”

  “You still haven’t told me how this would settle my biz, Johnny. What, you gonna nuke the building again? Just wipe it all out, hope it goes away for a second time?”

  “Yeah, this bomb’s name is Alt Cunningham. Maybe you’ve heard of her,” he tilted his head, “You’ll know her way better once we find what we need.”

  “I’m not helping you chase some fucking vendetta, Johnny…” I muttered as I stood up.

  “You don’t have a choice,” he stopped me with his hand on my shoulder, “For now, we got no time to lose. Need to get inside Mikoshi, one way or another.”

  “Fuck you. We do it my way,” I insisted as I walked straight through him. I had other ways of going about doing this. Ways that don’t involve suicidal plans from rockerboys… First thing’s first, though. Judy needs to know what’s up… And I’m starving.

  I took a seat at the diner chock-full of Tyger Claws without a second’s hesitation, eyeballing some of them having a look at my sword. I fucking dare them to try. I am not in the mood. “Just give me a burger, please,” I asked the cook as I got comfortable and rang up Judy.

  “V… you called, heh.”

  “I gave you my promise, didn’t I?”

  “Promisin’s one thing, keepin’ it’s a whole ‘nother bag… Thanks. So how is she?”

  I rested my elbow on the counter and let out a long, heavy sigh. “I don’t know… She wasn’t here. Her chip had a meltdown, she ended up in what I’d assume is some sort of invalid state… Umm… Talked to the manager, Woodman, he said Evelyn was sold to some ripper named Fingers… I’m sorry.”

  “What?... Oh shit…” I could hear Judy’s breath racing on the other end, “Fuck, V… guy’s all kinds of bad news.”

  “Why, what’s the matter?”

  “Clinic he runs, more like a chop-shop. Bastard takes shitty used implants and fixes desperate girls who got nowhere else to go.” Fuck… Not good. Especially for someone with no agency like Evelyn. Sounds no better than a scav haunt. Likely is for someone like her.

  “Alright, I’m getting my equipment and heading straight there. Need me to come get you?”

  “Nah, I got a van,” she replied with a terrible lump in her throat, “I’ll do the same. Be there soon as I can.”

  I ran back to my car, collecting the food in a doggy-bag. Stomach can wait – Evelyn cannot.