New Arrivals
“You drive a hard bargain Wakako. There’s a reason why no one knows much about them yet - they don’t take kindly to people who poke around.”
“Which is why I have called in the best. Perhaps these newcomers need a lesson on how we conduct business in Night City.”
Words: 3K
Genre: Cyberpunk 2077 AU
5:27 PM, Japantown
“Well well, if it isn’t my favourite merc.”
“Wako, a pleasure, as always.”
The beaded curtain clinked together as you passed through, it's soft chimes melding with the sound of the pachinko parlor behind you. A curious choice of privacy, but then again no one would be stupid enough to eavesdrop on Wakako Okada. If you did, well, you probably got what was coming to you. Which was usually a body full of lead and a six-foot hole, if you're lucky.
“I have a job for you, it is time sensitive.”
Isn't it always.
“Ok, let's hear it.”
The older woman folds her hands infront of her leisurely. “I’m sure you have heard of the new gang that has taken root in Night City.”
Your eyebrow raised incredulously. Seriously? “New gangs pop up every other week. Groups of gonks or try-hards who think they can do better than where they came from. You’re going to have to be more specific.”
“This particular gang settled in not too long ago, new arrivals from Korea. Ring any bells?"
Ah.
You would be hard pressed to find someone in this line of work who hadn't heard rumours. At first no one cared about the nameless street gang who was picking off low-rung gigs from other mercs. Skulking around gang turfs across Night City, swiping loot here and there, petty theft. That was until they somehow managed to pull off major jobs only few of the fixers at the Afterlife knew about..
You gave a hum of affirmation. “I might have heard a thing or two, nothing major though. Know they pulled that gig out in Watson a few weeks back, Maelstrom was pissed.”
“I need you to find out who they are, and what they are up to.”
While being said with an air of indifference, the words gave you pause.
As far as you knew, noone in your circle could pin down a face let alone a name, and anyone who came close ended up with a memory wipe so corrupted no ripperdoc could fix it. NC was already ever-changing and hard to keep up with, the last thing you needed was to forget the last 6 months of your life on top of it.
Something wasn’t adding up. While it made sense for you not to know anything, you don't make that much noise in Night City without its best fixer knowing about it. Yet here she was, asking you to get info on some nobody gang. Either Wakako was holding something back or…
This whole gig smelt like a steaming pile of shit, and she wanted you to dive head first into it.
This job was risky, even for Wakako. She was not one to request recon jobs, or at least she never asked you for them. You assumed it was beneath her, that information was presented to her without her having to lift a manicured finger. This was going to be costly, for both you and her. If you were going to potentially get your ass thrown back to 2076 at least your padded wallet will soften the impact.
“And what exactly do I get out of this?”
The fixer leant back into her chair, a small, conspiratory smile grew on her face that did not quell your unease. “I heard that you are in the market for the newest Netdriver. I can see that it is provided to you, free of charge. On top of your usual rate, of course.”
Fucking hell.
“Anything specific you’re looking for?”
From the dim light of the room, you saw the Matriarch's assessing look from across the desk. Like a tiger that lay in wait for an ambush. All at once you felt the weight in her stare as she observed you, looking for what, you weren’t sure. What you were sure of was that you should have pushed her call to voicemail.
“No one knows for sure where they have made their nest. But there is whispers of a gathering happening somewhere in Little China, two days from now. It is… unclear what is taking place, just that it is of great interest to the gang’s key members."
Only gate crashing a random gang’s secret meeting. Should be easy enough.
“You drive a hard bargain Wakako.” You shook your head. “There is a reason why no one knows much about them yet - they don’t take kindly to people who poke around.”
“Which is why I have called in the best. Perhaps these newcomers need a lesson on how we conduct business in Night City.”
Time stretched on as you stared at each other from across the room in a silent stare down. After what seemed like ages you broke off the staring contest.
“I guess I have a party to get ready for.”
—--
10:07 AM, The Glen
“I’m tellin' you ese, one second he was there, next he was gone. Dissapeared outta thin air."
Leaning back against the side of your car, you crossed your arms, kicking at the ground in thought. Despite the secluded booth you were in, you felt the need to flicker your eyes around. It was still a little too early for the general population to be around, but nevertheless you scanned the faces hunched over the bar drinking hair of the dog.
After a moment of scanning you returned your focus back to your conversation, rolling the idea around your mind, weighing the new intel for its worth. In the end you are shaking your head. “No way, tech like that doesn’t exist."
Your contact let out a disapproving tsk. “You weren’t there, shit was crazy. Wouldnt believe it either if I hadn't seen it with my own two eyes. Never seen nothin' like it. Como un fantasma."
Like a ghost.
Off to a great start.
—------
1:12 PM, Northside
“An Airbender.”
“Yeah man, an Airbender.”
“What even is-" you took a deep breath as you pinched the bridge of your nose. You could feel a headache taking root behind your left eye. "-ok, run it by me again. Slowly.”
“We was out in the Badlands, just passing through y'know. Then we see these Wraiths getting into it with another group, guns blazing n’ all. We was trying to get the fuck outta there when we saw it. Guy just sticks his arms out like this and goes-” the man waved his arms in an exaggerated sweeping motion, “- all of a sudden, I shit you not, this fucking sand tornado just appears and fucks everything."
"And then what, what did this… Airbender…do?"
"Nothin’. Just hopped back in his ride and went back to the city like he was on a fuckin Sunday drive.”
You felt the muscle in your eye begin to twitch.
"Right. Ok. Thanks, for the intel.”
—-----
4:12 PM, Coastview
“Let me get this straight.” You lifted a finger. “You’re telling me a guy - one guy - walks into an Animals hideout, throws an armoured truck through a wall and just… leaves.”
The group infront of you mumbles in affirmation, heads nodding.
“Honestly I don’t even know if the Animals were mad” One of the guys spoke up “I mean yeah sure, those testosterone-junkies are always mad, but shit-” They let out a whistle. “-the sheer muscle to do that, they probably wanted to run him down just to ask what implants he was usin’.”
“And did this guy say anything while he was flinging cars, anybody get a good look at him?” Your gaze ran across the group as they all shook their head.
“With all the chaos? There was no way.”
Your left eye twitched again. “Alright, I think we’re good here. Thanks for the chat.”
As you walked away you heard them call out to you.
“If you find him, get his autograph for me will ya?! Fuckin’ legend, man.”
You needed a drink.
—------
9:21 PM, Kabuki
“Rough night?"
You gave Mateo a nod of thanks as he placed a drink infront if you. Not missing a beat you picked up the glass and threw it back, then signaled for another. He grinned at you knowingly as he got started on the next round.
You leant against the bar, head propped up in your hand as you watched him mix various colourful drinks.
“It’s been a day, let’s just put it that way.”
“There's a new braindance if you want to relieve some stress.”
You shook your head as you accepted the second drink. “Not tonight. Listen, have you heard anything about that new gang? The one that came in from overseas not long ago?”
The bartender nodded as he wiped down the counter. “Who hasn’t, it's all anyone talks about on the streets these days. Why?”
“Got a job, need to find out what their deal is. Heard anything?”
“Not any more than everyone else, which is shit all.”
You sighed, looking back down into your glass. Running through limited information you were able to gather, you grimaced at the vagueness of it all. It wasn't to say you were surprised - you weren't expecting anything groundbreaking, but you were at least hoping for something remotely helpful.
Instead all you had were reports of tech that not only sounded outrageous, but just straight up impossible. Even if you were to entertain the thought of it being possible, of people like that existing, they would have to be more than two-bit thugs trying to make it big.
You were missing something. Something important.
You tapped your nails on the bar as you glanced around. “Don't suppose any dolls came in recently bragging about hooking up with guys who can create cyclones with their dick or something? Maybe can turn water into wine, that kind of schtick.”
As you scanned the patrons you heard Mateo let out a scoff behind you.
“Nothing like that, but if you want to talk to someone, maybe try Irene."
That got your attention. You turned you head back around and the man gave you a shrug in response.
"Might be nothing, but she has been coming into the bar recently looking more put together than usual, talk is she came into some good Eddies. Could ask her yourself to find out how."
Interesting. You stood up from the bar. "She around tonight?"
"Top floor, best of luck babe."
-------
"What makes you think I know anything about that?"
Settled in a secluded VIP booth, you observed the woman across from you. Irene was a no-nonsense woman who was hard enough to converse with on her best days. From the way her eyes narrowed at you, you had a feeling this was not one of those days.
You schooled your expression into what you hoped was neutral indifference.
"Been coming around Lizzy's lately looking like new money and didn't think anyone would notice?"
Irene scoffed, flicking her hair over her shoulder before crossing her arms over her chest. "I make more Eddies than half of these girls combined on the regular. So what if I want to flaunt it, I don't owe them shit."
Touché.
Then your eyes flitted down to the now exposed collar of her dress.
"Since when were you patriotic, aren't you from New York?"
Stitched to the collar of her dress was a small Korean flag, along with another insignia you weren't familiar with. Her eyes followed your gesture and froze, as if she had forgotten it was there as well. Clearing her throat, Irene turned back to you, adjusting her hair so that it was pulled forward once again, covering both entirely. You could tell from her tense body language that she was losing patience with the conversation, and you had to act fast.
"Listen.” Cutting all pretenses you leant forward, leveling her with a look that instantly got her sitting straighter. “Irene, you better than anyone knows how it works. Gangs don't like new blood by default. But then going off and attacking all of them, blowing up hideouts and stealing their tech? That's painting a huge target on their backs. Either they are the biggest fucking idiots to walk these streets, or they are trying to start a war with every gang in Night City at once."
You watched with rapt attention the slightest widening of her eyes, before her brows furrowed, looking at the table between you. This seemed to be news to her. Good.
"Fuck. I told them to keep a low profile."
You let out a bitter laugh. "Yeah well so much for that. And now the people they are fucking over want answers. So either you help me take off some of the heat, or next time I'm out here it's not for a pleasant chat."
Irene held your stare for a few moments, nothing except the clubs synthwave was heard along with the crowd below. You could practically hear the cyberware in her frontal cortex working as her eyes flitted between your own, probably trying to determine if your words were empty threats.
Whatever she came up with must not have been to her favour as you heard some select muffled curses in Korean before she reached for the cigarette case on the table. Flicking it open, she pulled out a thin cigarette and lit it, allowing a few puffs to pass her lips before she sighed in annoyance.
"Fine. What do you want to know?"
"The gathering in Little China tomorrow night, I need to get on the guest list."
The reaction was immediate. "Nope. No way. If they find out I let you in-"
"I just need to know where, I'll figure out the rest."
Through the cloud of smoke you saw her narrowed her eyes at you.
"You have a death wish or something?"
"Don't we all?"
Irene only lifted a sculpted brow at you and you gave her a sly smile. Shaking her head she muttered something that sounded a lot like fucking mercs before she reached for the cigarette case again a pulled out a small black card.
Offering it over the table, just before you grasped the card she pulled it back, her eyes hard and expression severe.
"We never had this conversation, got it?"
You grinned. "What conversation?"
-------------
11:27 PM, Little China
Even with directions Irene gave you, it still took you some time for you to find the building. Tucked away at the end of a narrow alleyway you made you way to a nondescript door. Using your optical scanner you searched for the gang's insignia.
According to Irene, the gang liked to alternate which marker they used to identify themselves. Provided with the known symbols, you were relieved when your scan identified a four leaf clover etched at the bottom corner.
Taking a steadying breath you pulled open the door and was met with a winding staircase illuminated with red neon.
Well that's foreboding.
You followed the sound of heavy EDM until you reached the bottom, where the ground vibrated with each pulsating bassline. The bottom of the stairs led up to an archway which had an illuminated sign reading ‘Club Exodus’.
You sidestepped the groups of people that hung around the entrance and entered the club. The club itself resembled much of what was expected in the Night City underground - a gutted warehouses repurposed with some chrome, neon, and cheap synth-leather booths. You were pleased to note though that unlike other clubs, this one has yet to smell like stale piss and beer. Either meant that they haven't set up shop for very long, or they made an investment in their housekeeping. Your bet was on the former.
You walked further in and noticed that there was a floor above you, also full of people mingling and dancing. Your eyes narrowed, scanning discretely as you made your way further in. A cursory glance to the bodies around you revealed that no one was carrying any weapons. An observation which led to another puzzle. From the moment you walked in, there was no security manning any of the entrances, and from what you could tell, none in the club itself.
You weren't sure if they were severely underestimating the good-will of their patrons, or it meant that whoever ran this club didn't need any additional backup.
You were hoping it wasn't the latter.
After some time wandering around the club, you settled on a spot on the second floor, leaning over the balcony to observe the dancefloor below.
Swirling your glass, you took a long drag, letting the liquid burn a path through you. While normally a packed club would be the perfect set up for a good time, you were here on a job. A job that was proving to be a waste of time and making you bored as hell. At least the drinks weren’t watered down.
Wakako sent you here to get dirt on this supposedly shadow gang but in the near two hours you have been here, you haven't seen or heard anything out of the ordinary. After the stories you were fed the other day, you felt slightly foolish, half expecting to see people flying around, or shooting lightning out of their fingertips.
Knew it was a load of shit.
As you were debating getting another drink, you saw commotion below you. The lights moved towards the back wall where a stage was set up. Situated along the length of it was a long table with chairs, all facing the room. The DJs booth lit up and the DJ took up the mic, the music cutting out.
"Alrightalrightalright settle down people!"
You watched as the crowd took notice of the new development and the dancing ceased, all eyes trained on the stage.
The DJ continued on. "Now for what you've all been waiting for. The reason why we have all gathered here tonight."
Despite the hush that had suddenly fallen upon the crowd, there was a growing energy within the club. It washed over the room and almost felt tangible, like the static energy building before a lightning strike.
Movement in your peripherals made your eyes snap towards the stage. Slowly, figures stepped onto the stage. You tried to use your cyber optics to focus on the stage but the harsh backlighting from the screens behind the table made their features almost indistinguishable. One, two, three, you counted them as they appeared until six bodies were seated along the table. There were nine seats in total, the ones at the ends as well as the centermost remained empty.
The booming voice echoed through the space. "The last 6 months we have wandered the streets of Night City without a purpose. But no longer! For our fearless leader has finally returned!"
The hairs on the back of your neck began to rise.
"So let's give it up for our Leader Suho!"
You watched as a figure appeared on the stage and took the spot at the center of the table. From what you could see, this Suho was dressed in a cropped red suit jacket and matching red slacks. This, in combination with red eyes and hair to match it made him look like the devil incarnate.
So much for a simple gathering.
"Thank you, friends, it's been too long."
"In my absence, the members worked hard to establish a base for us here, and have seemingly succeeded. And from what I hear, began establishing quite the reputation along the way as well.”
Hoots and hollers rang out, the crowd members riling each other on the dance floor below. You paid them no mind, instead keeping focus on this ‘leader’, watching as he turned to look at each of what you were assuming the main members of this gang along the table. His lips quirked up until a slight smile, but it did not reach his eyes.
He returned his gaze back into the rambunctious crowd, outstretching his hands.
"That being said, we are still outsiders here. And we will continue to be seen as outsiders until we find our place in all of this."
His voice pierced through the cheers. "So no longer will we be nameless nighcrawlers, operating in the shadows. It's time we show these gutterats we are here to stay.” The volume of the crowds rose as they rallied for their leader. “And if we have to raze this hellscape to the ground to do so, so be it."
The man raised his glass up.
"Night City will welcome Exo, either with open arms or on its knees."
The roar of the crowd was almost deafening, the mass of bodies around you all cheering together. You were almost certain the crown was one firm push away from starting a mosh pit; they were so riled up.
Toasting to the room, you watched as the leader brought the glass to his mouth. Just as he took a sip his eyes snapped up to the balcony, zeroing in on your area.
Your blood ran cold.
You did your best to keep your face neutral. You were on the other side of the room, he could be looking at anyone. There were so many bodies around you, there was no way. Subconsciously your left foot took a step back.
Your breath caught as his eyes took on a familiar glow.
WARNING: UNAUTHORIZED SCANNING
WARNING.
Fuck.
