Dialogue: Dog Eat Dog

Johnny

Nargh, fuckin'… argh!

V

Naaugh… ugh!

Johnny

Ugh, what the f-- augh! Ugh, it's like... someone shoved my head in a vise! Augh!

Songbird Hologram

V? You're gonna be OK.

Breathe deep, count to ten, recite a mantra…

Whatever brings calm, helps you stabilize.

Your nervous system took a big hit, broke down. Racing heart, cold sweat... It'll pass.

V

1AUgh, you got... no fuckin' idea, lady...

Songbird Hologram

1AActually, I do.

1AI know about the bomb tickin' in your head.

1AIf I could disarm it now, I would in a heartbeat.

1AYou'll feel better, any second now…

V

1ARiiiiight.

1BThe fff... fuck you doin'? This a trap?

Songbird Hologram

1BExact opposite. It's a helping hand.

1BI know about the bomb tickin' in your head.

1BIf I could disarm it now, I would in a heartbeat.

1BYou'll feel better, any second now…

V

1CAaghh… ugh, fuckin' hope so.

Songbird Hologram

1CI know about the bomb tickin' in your head.

1CIf I could disarm it now, I would in a heartbeat.

1CYou'll feel better, any second now…

Johnny

V, somethin' stinks here... Think she's… she's fuckin' with the Relic.

How in the--

Songbird Hologram

All true, Johnny. But don't you fret, you're both safe.

Johnny

Nah, fuck off!

Songbird Hologram

Both of us on the biochip protocol at once can trigger shocks for V. Like you just saw now.

Gotta cut you off – for your safety, for V's safety.

Johnny

What the fuck... ?

Songbird Hologram

Had to mute him for now. He hears you fine, just can't talk back.

V

2AYou a construct...? Like Johnny?

Songbird Hologram

2ANo, V. I'm a netrunner.

V

2BJust who the hell are you, Songbird?

Songbird Hologram

2BExpect you've already guessed – I'm a netrunner.

V

2CStartin' to put two and two together. You gotta be a netrunner – damn good one at that.

Songbird Hologram

2CGuilty as charged.

Hopped on the Relic's cognitive protocol to dial in. I see and hear what you do.

Just now, I'm on board Space Force One. Sitting right across from Rosalind Myers, president of the New United States of America.

V

The president? Fuck. I, uh... No, y-you're not joking.

Songbird Hologram

Dead serious, yes.

The plane's been hacked, trajectory's set for Night City. They'll bring us down in Dogtown soon.

Our comms are down, most likely jammed. The Relic was my only option.

Right now… You're our one contact on the ground.

V

3AHow do I help? And how much time we got?

Songbird Hologram

3AToo little to avoid landing in Dogtown. Likely enough to minimize losses, save some folks.

3AThat's where you come in, V.

3AThe president's life, her safety – that's your top priority.

3AShe'll survive the landing. Dogtown, not so sure… You'll need to get 'er out of the plane before anyone else does.

V

4ANothin's for free, Songbird. We should talk biz.

Songbird Hologram

4AJust got a taste of my abilities, I believe. There's more.

4AI can cure you. Once and for all.

V

5ACan't know how much I'd really love to believe you, but…

Songbird Hologram

5AI know, V. You've hit a dead end, nowhere to turn. Been there, believe me.

V

5BWhy should I trust you? Gave me a seizure a second ago.

Songbird Hologram

5BA side effect, I'm sorry. If it's any consolation, I will make it up to you.

4AConsider this a... an advance.

4AYour Relic's crowded with clusters of corrupted data. I'm dumpin' that, makin' room for stuff that'll actually be handy.

V

4ASuch as…?

Songbird Hologram

4ASome preem Militech combat soft. It's just lyin' around, gatherin' dust.

V

6AUh... Thanks, I guess?

Songbird Hologram

6AI'm not being charitable – need you at your damned best.

V

6BFeel a… tinglin' in my fingertips. Kinda nice, actually.

Songbird Hologram

6BOh, it goes a lot further than tingling, trust me.

V

6CMilitech firmware... Heh, my, my, solid soft!

Songbird Hologram

6CWell, a cushy government gig like mine just comes with all kinds of perks.

4ANow, listen. What I gave you's the skeleton soft. But the firmware's fancy, it'll learn, grow with you. It'll improve if you feed it data.

4ACombat analyses, logs of legendary ops, shit that'd make the NCPD piss its boots. Look around Dogtown.

V

4AGotta get there first.

Songbird Hologram

4AMain entrance is a no-go. You don't have an entry pass, and I don't have time to produce a fake.

4AYou'll slip in "the back way," quiet as you can. We really don't need anyone spotting you, scanning you.

V

7AGuess so – after you.

7BUgh, better not regret this…

Songbird Hologram

7BLeave it to me. I'll make damn sure you won't.

4AI'll be right beside you – as much as I can.

4ASo – with me?

V

4BSaid you could help me. That the plain truth?

4C"Anyone else"? Specifically? Meanin', you expectin' company?

Songbird Hologram

4CKurt Hansen, Dogtown's commander-in-chief.

4CMan's got a thousand-and-one reasons to want Myers as a hostage.

4CHe couldn't've netjacked the plane on his own. Meaning Washington's got a mole problem.

4CThat one'll need solvin' later.

V

3BHeavy shit. 'M I really your one contact?

Songbird Hologram

3BYou're my last and only hope.

3BThe president's life, her safety – that's your top priority.

3BShe'll survive the landing. Dogtown, not so sure… You'll need to get 'er out of the plane before anyone else does.

V

3CPlane got hacked, right? You're a 'runner – can't override?

Songbird Hologram

3CI could. All I'd need is twenty-four hours, the right setup and a bottomless pot of coffee.

3CNone of that's available just now.

V

3DTellin' me the NUS president, Rosalind Myers, is there with you?

Songbird Hologram

3DSitting right across from me.

3DShe knows the situation. Waitin' for your "yes."

V

Aaaahh!

Songbird Holo

V? Can you hear me?

V

Uh, loud and clear, whoever you are.

Songbird Holo

Good. It worked.

My name is So Mi. Just... call me Songbird, though.

I know who you are – know your situation, your… problem.

And I can save your life.

V

8AAll right, Songbird… Got my full attention.

Songbird Holo

8AGlad to hear that.

V

8BOh, very funny... This a prank? Not in the mood if so.

Songbird Holo

8BIt's anything but.

You must have questions. And I'll answer them in due course, shortly.

But first I need you to get to that swollen appendix of Night City called Dogtown.

V

9AFine. No clue what I'm steppin' into, but... no risk, no reward.

Songbird Holo

9AThank you. I appreciate this, truly.

9ADogtown's main gate – be there as soon as you can. I'll make contact again then.

V

9AHuh. This's one elaborate haze… or a fuckin' lifeline.

9BPuttin' it plainly – you know me, I don't know you, but I'm supposed to haul ass to Night City's worst district?

9BNot exactly burstin' with excitement 'bout this plan.

Songbird Holo

9BI'll explain everything and prove I can help you. Right now, though – I'm beggin' you, V.

9BDogtown's main gate – be there as soon as you can. I'll make contact again then.

V

9CDogtown? Chunk of Pacifica, exterritorial…

9CLord of the land's one Kurt Hansen, international arms dealer. Corpos give it a wide berth.

9CI skip anything?

Songbird Holo

9CNope, more or less on the button.

V

9DNo-man's zone where you shoot first, ask questions later? That Dogtown?

Songbird Holo

9DWhat, the chance to live to a ripe old age not reason enough to go?

V

9EDogtown... city within Night City. Know of clans who tried to establish footholds on the black market there.

9ENever managed to stake any claims – hell, some plain never made it back.

Songbird Holo

9ETheir mistake – one you won't repeat.

V

What the--?!

Songbird Hologram

I'm sorry.

Better?

Try and get up.

I'm on your side, V.

We'll get along, I'm certain.

Don't wanna mess in your head more than I have to.

Construct's really done a number on you...

Take a moment, don't rush.

Songbird Holo

Are you there?

Answer, please. I know you're on the line.

Songbird Hologram

Understand how serious this is?

You're all we've got, V.

Can we count on you?

Johnny

V... you OK? C'mon, get up.

Guard M Front Warning

You! Got cyberwheels or something? Feet on the sidewalk, now.

'Ey gonk! On the sidewalk! Don't make me say it again!

Guard M Gate Block

You need a dressin' down, too? Piss off.

I said – no passage.

Back off, or it'll be hands, not words.

Songbird Holo

Why take any risks? C'mon, we don't have time.

Just follow the pointers I'm showin' you.

Citizen Argument

Choombatta!

Guard M Side Argument

Back already? Did ya miss us that bad?

Citizen Argument

Like I'd miss you fuckheads at all. Nah, biz fell flat. NC folks are a different fuckin' species. Total waste of time.

Guard M Side Argument

Heh, sure. Well, welcome home.

Ncpd

Outta my fuckin' way. Now!

Guard F Front Ncpd

No can do. But you both can fuck off.

Ncpd

I'm NCPD – in pursuit of a suspect who just fled into Dogtown!

Guard F Front Ncpd

An' I give zero shits.

Guard M Front Ncpd

Back up to the city line, porkchops. This zone's outside your beat.

Ncpd

C'mon, Sarah... No point, le'ss roll.

Ncpd

Fuck! Ugh, she's gettin' away!

Ncpd

It's Dogtown, let 'er go.

Guard F Front Ncpd

Listen to your partner. Talkin' a lotta sense.

Ncpd

Know what? Fuck your zone, fuck your... your…

Ncpd

Our hands are tied. Don't let it get to you.

C'mon. Broseph's on me.

Jago Gate Cargo

Whatcha got in the back?

Citizen M Driver

The usual. Implant boxes, Zetatech.

Guard F Gate Cargo

Headin' for the Longshore Stacks?

Citizen M Driver

Yeah, where else? They come empty, leave full.

Guard F Gate Cargo

Shit, whole city'll be drownin' in fakes, hm?

Citizen M Driver

Look, I'm just a choom drivin' boxes around.

Guard F Gate Cargo

Hmmm, fair enough...

Corpo Gate

So... can I go? Kind of in a hurry here.

Guard F Gate Corpo

Know what? No. Don't know you, don't like your face.

Corpo Gate

But they're... they'll zero me...

Guard F Gate Corpo

They? Who's they?

Corpo Gate

Petrochem! Please... I need in. For a couple of weeks.

Guard F Gate Corpo

Ah. Fugitive suit, running from a hit?

Got anyone inside? Somebody who'd vouch for ya?

Corpo Gate

I, uh... no.

Please, three weeks. You'll get your eddies then, I swear!

Guard F Gate Corpo

In three weeks? Take your sob shit somewhere else.

Hit the bricks, city boy.

Guard M Side Argument

You! Where the hell you goin'?

Citizen Argument

Home…

Guard M Side Argument

No such thing, shitstain. Border's closed. Don't want you here.

Citizen Argument

Me? Don't want me?

Guard M Side Argument

Fuckin' glitchin' or somethin'? Yeah, you. Dogtown's off limits to ya.

Citizen Argument

Since when?

Guard M Side Argument

Since you fucked my Nick over. Shit-for-brains didn't even notice, but I did. Not about to let that slide.

Citizen Argument

I don't know your input! I didn't haze a fuckin' soul!

Guard M Side Argument

Nah, just dropped some worthless shit on 'im without batting an eye.

Citizen Argument

We scan all our stuff! Coulda come and said so if something was borked. Hell'm I s'posed to do now?

Guard M Side Argument

Turn your ass around, go back to the city, or stand here till you die. Don't care. Only thing you're not doin' is enterin' Dogtown.

Citizen Argument

Can't go back, Tygers are on me, took up a contract.

Guard M Side Argument

Not my Tygers, not my circus. Go haze 'em like you did us.

V

Garage is huuuuge.

Songbird Holo

It needed to be. Dogtown was to be the "Pearl of Pacifica" at some point.

A fully automated parking garage with twenty-four thousand spots. Or so went the plan.

Never happened, clearly. Investors took their eddies and ran.

V

Fuck, depressing.

Songbird Holo

Big dreams don't fade. They sag and crumble.

V

Seem pretty chill, considerin' all hell's about to break loose.

Songbird Holo

Do I? Guess those years of field ops training didn't go to waste.

Songbird Holo

You should be one level lower. Eyes peeled, look for a way down.

Great, now in you go. Look for a Net access point. Jack in that, and I'll be able to help you.

You'll be in Dogtown in a minute. Try to steer clear of Hansen's goons.

V

8ASpeakin' of Kurt Hansen – what else you know about 'im?

8BGoons should be the ones avoidin' me.

Songbird Holo

8BYou're on Hansen's turf now, don't forget. They rule the roost.

Hansen was an officer, Militech. Tail end of the Unification War, his unit was tasked with taking Night City.

They managed to secure a foothold in this southmost pocket and... stuck around.

Refused to demobilize, lay down their weapons. Founded Dogtown instead.

V

Traded one conflict for another, basically.

Songbird Holo

Hot or cold – no better way to make a buck than war.

You need to hang tight for a sec.

By the way... Must've gotten old by now, haulin' a faded rockerboy around. Strikes me as tiring…

V

9ANot a Silverhand fan, are you?

Songbird Holo

9APlease. Samurai was done by their second album.

V

9BHeard about a choom, had a blade stuck in his faceplate come the end of a gig.

9BKept it. Said it gave him "character."

9BMoral of the story? Peeps get used to all sorts of shit.

Songbird Holo

9BNot everything, though, and not all of 'em…

Eh, grant you that, let's not lose focus.

Mapped your position... Wow. Not bad at all.

V

Got a last wish – I trip, fall and end up a wet, dead spot down below, call Vik Vektor. Least someone'll pick up my body.

Songbird Holo

Sure thing, assumin' I get off this plane alive, then survive Dogtown. Really counting on you, V...

V

10ASo, seems like a life-long gig you've got. How'd you get recruited? Midnight meet on the East Bay Bridge? Encrypted posts on a local BBS?

Songbird Holo

10AHah, neither, nor anything like 'em. Guess you could say I hit the edge, nearly fell over it. First time in my life, I think – definitely not last.

10AStakes were high, options few.

V

10ABit like right now, huh?

Songbird Holo

10ANo, V... Never been anything like right now.

V

10BWhat about your "Konpeki"? A turnin' point that transformed your life. Ever hit one like that?

Songbird Holo

10BSure, yeah. Militech datafort. Me at seventeen... Hm, or was it nineteen? Breached it via Militech's Ankara base.

10BSmooth as silk up to a point... Then NetWatch grabbed me. There I was, teetering on the edge. One wrong move and... well, you know.

V

10BKinda like right now, huh?

10CSeem to have a little time. Care to spare a few detes? 'Bout yourself?

Songbird Holo

10CWell, phoo... I'm a Capricorn.

V

10CSo, what... that make you stubborn? Or you intimating you buy into that hippie dippie star scop?

Songbird Holo

10CWell, I am stubborn. Do I buy it? Dunno... had a good friend who did.

10CNo idea why it popped into my head now. Guess it meant somethin' to me once…

V

10CCare to tell me about it?

Songbird Holo

10CSure, sometime. Promise.

Hah, interesting approach. Had somethin' else in mind, but... you do you.

All right… It's clear you know your way around a deck. Leave you to it.

Now, look for a maintenance room.

Bet anything you'll find a power source inside.

V

Turned somethin' on.

Songbird Holo

Nice, V. Exactly what we need.

On your toes, now, guards're riled. Likely after your little show at the gate…

V

11AOK, we're up.

Songbird Hologram

11APerfect. Breaching systems now.

11AHmm, ancient, no proto-ancient protocols, largely corrupted data... Gimme a sec, need to ping one of our sats.

11ALet's see which active Dogtown network links to this infrastructure. Aaaand, puttin' in a back door…

11AReady to roll.

V

11AHeh, hang on. OK, Relic hack first, then you slapped a muzzle on Johnny, now you bring some pile of scrap metal back to life?

11ASerious trickery, all. Who taught you?

Songbird Hologram

11AV, I'm an NUS intelligence analyst. Trained under the best peeps in the biz.

11AAnd they took me on 'cause around age thirteen I got the local ripper to sell me a beat-up old deck. Barely left the Net since. I got noticed, the rest is history.

V

11AI got a feelin' story's incomplete. Likely longer, more twisted.

Songbird Hologram

11AMm? Might be.

Songbird Holo

11AApologize up front for the query, but I gotta ask... Konpeki Plaza heist – why?

V

12AKonpeki was pure ambition. Sometimes you hit a rut in life, wanna blaze your way out.

12ADo somethin' you'll be remembered for.

12ASet my sights too high, I guess.

Songbird Holo

12AYeah, I know the feeling. But ambition, confidence – they're not bad in themselves.

V

12ANo. Their human toll can be.

Songbird Holo

12AMaybe.

V

12BHad a friend. We worked together.

12BGig was important to him, and he, uh...

Songbird Holo

12BHe was important to you.

12BHe... didn't make it?

V

12BHe did not.

12CLotsa different reasons…

Songbird Holo

12CUh-huh, like?

V

12CLook, uh... no offense, but...

Songbird Holo

12CYou don't feel like talkin' about it.

12CRegret it?

V

12CRead the room, Songbird.

Songbird Holo

11AOOOK... too soon, I guess.

11AHop on the platform. I'll guide you to the garage from there.

V, about the construct, is it... I mean, ya feel you're making your own choices?

V

13AY'know, tough to say... But even if somethin' has changed, I wouldn't know it, right?

Songbird Holo

13AHuh. And that's either strangely comforting or fucking terrifying.

V

13BWell... really hanker for a smoke sometimes…

Songbird Holo

13BHuh. That seems... mild in the extreme, at least to me.

No pressure, we can come back to it.

Nl Patrole

Augh, man, I was gonna fuck off early today, too…

Watch… ugh, we'll be here tomorrow still.

Nl Patrole

Or till we find her. Quit moanin', get the cams up and online.

Songbird Holo

V! What're you doing?!

S'posed to hack! Quietly!

Ugh, they'll zero you!

Garage! Run!

Garage – there, past the fence, see it? Smugglers used to use it – now it's your turn.

Try to sneak in. Maybe distract the guards. I dunno, something.

V

What the... !?

Songbird Holo

You alive?

V

Think so.

All this really safe?

Songbird Holo

It is, it is. Fear not, V.

V

Oh shit!

Kurt Krauser

This is Kurt Hansen. You are now in Dogtown.

Rule one – no NCPD! Badges'll get a bullet to the brain!

Rule two – no corps! You're just not welcome!

Rule three – my people keep the peace in the district and ensure its security. They are the law.

Follow the rules or face the consequences.

V

Got an access point, but no power.

Songbird Holo

Hm, see if you can restore it. It's the only way I can be of any use to you.

Guard M Gate Block

Nuh-uh, no passage. Get lost.

Songbird Holo

Not that way, V.

Back to the side entrance, go.

Told you they wouldn't let you in.

Parking garage, go. And try not to turn any heads, right?

Elevator – hop in. I'll do the rest.

V? President Myers wishes you the best of luck.

V

15AHeh, nice. Uh, tell Madam President I said, uh, hey.

Songbird Holo

15AYou got it.

V

15BHow's she doin'?

Songbird Holo

15BAwful nice of you to ask.

I laid out the details of our plan. Typical Rosalind. "Keep me apprised," she says calmly.

Just sittin' there, sippin' her gin, flickin' through her agenda, postponin' meets.

Woman's unshakeable.

Doin' the opposite of what I say on purpose, V, really?

V

Hey, hey, pipe down. Already got one holowhiner in my head, don't need another.

Songbird Holo

V! There's no time!

Songbird Catwalk

Bright as the cityside metro, huh?

Reminds me of when I was starting out. I'd look for places like this... set up a power bypass, jack in, essentially steal my way onto the Net.

Grabbed the riskiest gigs I could find, learnin' as I went – the hard way, usually. But sometimes, a few times... I really pulled off coups.

V

Anything I'd find on BBS gossip feeds?

Songbird Catwalk

Hmm – Biotechnica in sixty-three or four. Fermentation facility in Oregon, off the grid hack. Sound familiar?

V

16ANo shit, that was you?! Only the best reach that high. Talkin' Spider Murphy, Bartmoss…

16ASongbird? Nah, nick's not settin' off buzzers.

Songbird Catwalk

16AIf I'd wanted fame, I'da gone rockerchick.

V

16BHm, yeah, sensin' a buzzer…

Songbird Catwalk

16BBut you're nowhere near impressed.

V

16BNo, no, this is my impressed face.

Songbird Catwalk

16BUh-huh…

V

16CNo shit – Biotechnica? Enough to make even Bartmoss blush.

Songbird Catwalk

16CThat paranoid clown? Please. Sure hope I don't wind up packed in a fridge standing, psh, who-knows-where.

V

16CI happen to know where – garbage dump in the Badlands.

Songbird Holo

Hang on...

Careful. They know you're here, might be looking.

V! The President needs your help!

Fucking motherfucking fuck!

V

What?

Songbird Holo

Congrats, V. You just killed Rosalind Myers and fucked the NUSA.

Pray we don't meet again, and I mean ever.

V

Daaaghhh…!

Ugh… huh?

Johnny

Still with us?

V

Augh, what the... what happened?

Johnny

Your presidential rescue op – miserable failure. Honestly, though? Good fuckin' riddance.

V

Huh, ugh, OK... So now what?

Johnny

Huh. We go on livin', start by findin' us a drink.

Songbird Holo

Garage – there, past the fence, see it? Smugglers used to use it – now it's your turn.

Just don't let the bogeymen nab you.

Head down, stay outta sight.

Bet anything you'll find a power source inside.

Songbird Catwalk

For now, follow them.

Songbird Holo

Tread carefully. Can't estimate if that'll hold your weight, especially remotely.

V

Preem work, thanks.

Songbird Holo

Go back to the access point, jack in with your personal.

V

What' the hell're you spewin', Songbird?

Songbird Holo

You had one job – get to the plane, save her.

You failed. You killed her, as if you pulled the trigger yourself.

V

Get a grip. Tried my best to help.

Songbird Holo

Trying doesn't cut it, V.

V

Ya sure she's dead, I mean, really sure?

Songbird Holo

I'm sure.

V

Chooms in charge of Dogtown did their best to zero the competition.

Songbird Holo

Sure. You control the biz, the commerce, you control it all.

V

1AUgh... been here a while, long enough to stop smelling, kinda.

Songbird Holo

1ANo pattin' the pockets, V – keep moving.

V

Smugglers' paradise. Nice, bustling den – till the guards showed up to "secure" the place.

Songbird Holo

Guess they're bustling somewhere else now.

V

2AMarkings here... No sign of looting.

Songbird Holo

2ACheck it out if you have to. Just hope it's not dud ordnance, doesn't explode.

V

3ALooks like it was a campsite. Someone tried living here?

Songbird Holo

3ASolid structure, walls, roof over your head…

3ASometimes that's all you need.

Junk Citizen

If they ask, just say we were diving at Seapoint. Who's going to check? Chill, man.

Junk Citizen

Fuck, you're so chill, waltz over to the hotel and convince them yourself it's legit.

Junk Citizen

My choom, you used to con Biotechnica execs. Hansen's dogs will be a walk in the park.

Junk Citizen

I don't remember Biotechnica stringing people up by the balls.

Junk Citizen

Oh, they did. But out of sight, so out of mind. Don't tell me you miss that life.

Shit, you know what I miss? Organic, hand-ground coffee. I can smell it now.

Junk Citizen

I remember the time you spent half a month's pay on that fancy grinder… Hah, then twisting and twisting away like your life depended on it.

Junk Citizen

It's what I miss the most. Not the car, not even the house… It's that fucking coffee grinder.

Junk Citizen

A small price to pay for your life, your peace of mind. Let those corpo fucks stab each other in the backs without us.

Now stop your bitching and get this tech up to the Black Sapphire.

Junk Citizen

Get lost.

Get lost.

Get lost.

Get lost.

Constr Citizen Crash

For the last time – I ain't the one who fucked this up!

You shoulda supplied those filters no problem. But nah, woulda been too damn easy!

Constr Citizen Stadium

And you could've brought the eddies – you'd have your filters 'stead of a fuckin' leak.

Constr Citizen Crash

Ey! You fuckin' spyin' on us or somethin'?

V

Don't mind me – just passin' through.

Constr Citizen Crash

Yeah, well, pass faster.

Listen, mamacita – it's seeped into the tank, already, 'kay? If one of Hansen's dogs finds out, I guarantee they'll string us both up!

Constr Citizen Stadium

Err... fine. My place, in an hour or so. Lend you the gear, see who's free.

Kurt

This is Kurt Hansen.

If you're hearing this, you've come to the right place.

NCPD? Gang wars? Not in Dogtown.

Taxes? Who the fuck needs 'em?

In Dogtown, I keep your business safe – as long as you abide by my rules.

Sound fair to you? I thought so. Good.

Armsdeal Dealer

Get yer ammo, assault rifles, tactical gear! Mm, too tame? Scan what we got in the back!

We got small caliber, large caliber, illegal-as-fuck caliber!

Dream of havin' your very own Arasaka turret? Got you covered, folks!

MaxTac helmets – like new! What happened to their previous wearers? Well, who the hell cares?!

Last Minotaur in stock! Fuckin' manual, maintenance accessories and supplies – all included! Get it while it's hot!

Armsdeal Client

Uh-huh, and you want how much? Psh, handfuls to grab cityside after any firefight.

Armsdeal Dealer

Doubt that! This here's the Midnight Arms SOR-22. Nonexistent outside Dogtown, virtually.

Armsdeal Client

So it's old, great.

Armsdeal Dealer

Vintage, built to last. Semi-automatic, military grade – customized, too.

SORs got a mean kick, need to play nice. But they do the job.

Armsdeal Client

Customized, hah… to my eye, it's another sawed-off shotgun with a swapped-out sight.

Armsdeal Dealer

Your eye's clearly got shit for brains. Your either buyin' or… take a fuckin' walk.

Armsdeal Client

Hey, hey, hey no place for sass. Toss something else in, we'll both leave happy.

Armsdeal Dealer

Fiiine – order fifty plus, you'll get two boxes of ammo. Deal?

Armsdeal Client

Take a hundred. And give me five boxes. Payment at pickup.

Armsdeal Dealer

Got it.

Drugdeal Client

Heard you have a decent selection…?

Drugdeal Dealer

Decent? Depends... Who's askin'? What for?

Heh, if a snot-nosed streetpunk needs an upper for the night 'cause he can't stand his old man sober, I got nothin'.

Just don't do biz with punks.

Drugdeal Client

I need something for my boss, who is not a snot-nosed punk, and neither am I. Something special.

We're opening a club in Kabuki. Need something that'll set us apart, help build the brand.

Drugdeal Dealer

Uh, wholesale? Not my biz either. Uh, got a crew in the back, though. They handle VIPS, do special... viewings.

You'll try a little of this, a little of that, then figure out what you want and the terms.

Drugdeal Client

Perfect. When?

Drugdeal Dealer

One of 'em'll be in touch, later today, tomorrow latest.

Discussion Armsdealer

So, the Middle Eastern chicks? How did it go?

Discussion Armsdealer

The Lebanese? Not bad, big shipment of grenades. Cleaned us out, in fact.

Discussion Armsdealer

The ordnance OK? Not going to be fielding any complaints later, are we?

Discussion Armsdealer

Nope, no way.

Discussion Armsdealer

OK... And the kid from Tanzania? Tank guy?

Discussion Armsdealer

Uh, tank guy was Somali.

Discussion Armsdealer

Yeah, yeah. So, he order anything?

Discussion Armsdealer

Still hedgin'. Claimed he's got a "better offer," but I think he's just tryin' to talk us down.

Discussion Armsdealer

Right. Let 'im sweat. Won't get another offer, he'll find his way back.

Sweatshop Worker

Triggers don't fit for shit.

Sweatshop Worker

Then make 'em so they do. The fuck I pay you for?

Sweatshop Worker

These're from the Malorian forty-two. Just too wide for the Tsunami. Have a look.

Could file 'em down, but they could jam.

Sweatshop Worker

Who cares? You're not gonna be doin' any shootin'. Just gotta look the part.

Paint some fancy fuck-off squiggles on 'em and sold.

Sweatshop Worker

Really think some gonk'll buy 'em?

Sweatshop Worker

Some? Plenty will.

Shoptalk Vendor

What? Home already?

Shoptalk Vendor

Giiiirl, the biz I just closed... goin' be home for a while, hah!

Shoptalk Vendor

Sheesh, don't rub it in.

Shoptalk Vendor

What can I say? Grabbed some worthless scrap, found a gonk buyer, sealed the deal and that's that.

Shoptalk Vendor

Show me the eddies!

Shoptalk Vendor

The cred is on its way as we speak.

Shoptalk Vendor

Mhm. Good luck-- I mean, congrats.

Kurt Bribe Client

Sooo... we good, we set?

Kurt Bribe Soldier

Fuck, dawg. Think Hansen's personal protection takes five minutes and a handshake to lock down?

Kurt Bribe Client

Shake, don't shake, I don't fuckin' care. I'm up to my neck in shit, and I know it goes deeper. So no time to waste. Ya gonna help or not?

Kurt Bribe Soldier

Relax, puttin' a word to the right ears. Then Hansen's gotta give his nod. Or your shit'll go even deeper.

Kurt Bribe Client

I-I can pay. I-I will pay.

Kurt Bribe Soldier

Uh, yeah. An' it cost more than you think, choom. Much more.

Kurt Bribe Client

Whatever you need, man, it's yours. Even toss somethin' in for expeditin' matters, huh? Serious.

Kurt Bribe Soldier

Ahhh, will you now? OK, stay here, peruse the goods, dry your pants. I'ma letcha know in an hour.

Corp Deal Vendor

Listen, she got it all. PD drones, serials intact.

Turrets, straight off the line, so factory fresh they still warm.

All sportin' that Militech logo. Completely legit.

Corp Deal Vendor

Uh-huh. An' the papers?

Corp Deal Vendor

Dotted i's, crossed t's.

Corp Deal Vendor

Shiiit... little too good to be true, holmes. Y'ask how she got it?

Corp Deal Vendor

Whaddaya mean, how? 'S obvious. Gotta leave the corp with a bang, right?

Corp Deal Vendor

Ahhh, cash only, yeah, 'splains that.

Corp Deal Vendor

Yeah. Shesuit's gotta get the fuck outta Dodge by mornin'. Or so she say.

Corp Deal Vendor

Yeah, yeah... So, you scanned the tech, right?

Corp Deal Vendor

Saw it, touched it, licked it, choom.

Corp Deal Vendor

Gross... OK, like, call her, right? I'll round up the eds.

Thief

No-no-no, wait! This ain't what it looks like!

Kurt Guard

A li'l klep 'n' run, huh? D'you forget yourself, boy? Ah, it don't matter.

Thief

You-- you'll lemme go?

Kurt Guard

Oh, I would. Problem is, you don't listen.

Believe I told you to stop.

Songbird holo

Dogtown in a nutshell for ya.

Worker Door

Preem. So again – sig comes about the drop, I ping you, we ride.

Worker Door

Nah, that'll be too late. They'll get the sig, too. Be there before us.

Grab all the fuckin' merch, leavin' us holdin' our dicks. We need the sig earlier.

Worker Door

Nah, choom, listen! Lazy-ass pups always show up late.

We swipe it up fast. Merch an' us'll be long gone by the time they get there.

Worker Door

And what if they catch us in the act?

Worker Door

They won't.

Worker Door

An' then what? We take it to the stadium?

Worker Door

Sure, stadium, or... we'll sell it back to them. Fuckheads'll be payin' their own scratch for their own shit!

Worker Door

Heheheh, fuckin' preem deal.

Kurt Guard

Stop right there!

Kurt Guard

I said stop, asshole!

Songbird holo

Illusion of freedom draws in the desperate. Just… moths to a flame.

V

Sounds swell.

Songbird holo

Best part? It's no coincidence we're landin' here.

Kurt Hansen's got a beef with the NUSA. He'd raise a toast to Myers' death.

Begs the question – who's payin' him and how deep does this shit really go?

Songbird Holo

Ey, 'ey, wrong way!

Up the stairs, through storage. You should pop into the market.

Songbird

V, um, been meaning to ask... How bad is it for you?

V

1AHeh, clock's tickin', and fast. Relic'll finish me, sooner rather than later.

Songbird

1ABut you're here. Lookin' for a means to survive. Still fightin'.

1AThink you'd do anything for another chance?

V

1ACan't deny it.

1BWhat's it look like? Here I am, doin' some mystery 'runner's bidding, chasin' down the NUS prez in NC's meanest corner.

1BAll 'cause I caught a whiff of hope. And I know – means I'm either crazy or desperate, right?

Songbird

1BWrong, V. It means you have the guts to keep goin'... It's hard, I sense that, but you're fightin'. In spite of it all.

V

1BNice to hear. Hope you're right.

1CWhy do you ask?

Songbird

1CJust been on my mind since I patched in... Maybe 'cause I've had your biomon feed floatin' in front of my eyes all the time. Sorry.

V

1CDon't fret. Relic'll do me in, sure, but not before I save you and Myers.

Songbird

1CUgh, not, uh, what I... I just want things to work out for you.

1CYou're fightin' for yourself, your life. Deserve another shot.

Chin up. We're in this together.

V

There is that.

Songbird Holo

Past the market, there's a construction site. Go there.

All right. Time you got up on the roof.

V

The hell for?

Songbird Holo

For the view. And I'm not being coy, here. I mean you'll see where we land, literally.

V

2AHeard wild stories about this place. Among vendors in Kabuki, it's downright legend.

2ASeems the legend's true.

Songbird Holo

2AStalls here? Just the tip of a mammoth iceberg. Dive deeper and you'll find a truth that's much darker, even downright disgusting.

2AThe heavy stuff, biggest deals, take place behind closed doors. Dogtown stadium's where the right buyers meet the right sellers.

Take the elevator.

Shit! We blew a circuit. I've lost access.

V

What now?

Songbird Holo

Try and restart the generator.

V

3AUghhh. Problem after problem. You keep breakin' shit.

Songbird Holo

3ATech here's tottering on its last feeble legs.

V

3AOr you hack rough and the hardware don't like it.

3BYou upset or somethin'?

Songbird Holo

3BI detest wrinkles like this, when things don't go as planned!

V

3BAh, forget about it. Junk upon junk here.

Songbird Holo

Finally. Hop in, elevator's roofbound.

FYI, we're about to cross into Night City airspace.

V

4AMight be a bit of a shock – braced for it? And, uh... whatever comes next?

Songbird Holo

4ANot sure one can ever be ready for a forced landing. In Dogtown, of all places…

4ABut havin' you means my chances are lookin' up.

V

4BPresident's holdin' up?

Songbird Holo

4BWell, she's calmly, coolly securing her documents. Third or fourth time, though, so I'm clearly not the only one who's stressed.

Go check it out. I mean, you like rummaging so damn much.

Got a ripper right there. Maybe he'll take your treasure.

Left, now. Past all the stands.