Dialogue: Dog Eat Dog

V

Songbird?! Goddammit!

Ho-oly shit, shit, shit!!

Fuck me!

Aaagh…!

OK, OK… Got this…

Save the President… sure, no fuckin' problem…

Ugh…

Songbird Holo

Ugh… OK! I'm back!

V

Songbird!

Songbird Holo

And out – landed safely!

V

Shit, Songbird! Thought you might've... Fuuuck…

Songbird Holo

Yeah, I know, I know. Songbird the cat, life number nine commenced, alas.

I made sure to get Myers to the saferoom before I ejected. Run to the wreckage, V – save her!

V

1AMissiles, Songbird?! They just shot you clean outta the sky! No, no fuckin' way!

Songbird Holo

1AI had no idea Hansen was that fucked in the head...

V

1AOr that fucking determined!

1BRight, on my way!

Songbird Holo

1BJust be careful. Hansen's sent his goons!

V

1CThink you can help, gimme some support?

Songbird Holo

1CI'll do my best.

You need to hurry!

V

What then? Got a plan?

Songbird Holo

Find Myers, get her to Liz Kress Street.

It'll be the safest spot in Dogtown right now.

V

Right!

Songbird Holo

I'll be in touch. Godspeed, V!

Songbird

You made it. Good.

V

2AHow's the sitch on board?

Songbird

2AStable, but tension's rising. Unsurprisingly...

V

2BWhat now?

Songbird

2BThe calm before the storm.

See that...? It's us – Space Force One.

We're descending, in for a rough--

Oh fuck...!

V

What? What's goin' on?!

What the hell?!

Songbird!

Songbird

V, the President…! You have to--!

Songbird Holo

Sorry it took so long.

We'll arrive shortly, too.

On your feet, let's go.

Come on, V, get up.

Debris

Faster, c'mon!

Debris

Start haulin' off the top! Try to keep it stable, can't have it falling on 'em.

Debris

What's it matter? Can't get much deader!

Only us three, don't stand a chance.

Debris

Need to grab some folks, get a line goin', clear some shit and pull 'em out in minutes.

Debris

A line? Choom, the hell for? Tellin' ya, they're dead.

Debris

If you're not gonna help, at least stop running your fucking gonk mouth! Won't know nothin' till we find 'em.

Debris

Wanna do this with our bare hands? Be better if we had some gear, shovel, anything.

Debris

Folks ain't gonna help.

Debris

Choom, they're neighbors, ours, theirs, 'course they'll help.

Scavenger

Not a chance. Hansen's peeps got the jump.

Scavenger

Then no need to rush.

Scavenger

We'll lay low for now, wait till dark.

Go in then, grab what we can. Any bodies, we load up.

Scavenger

Eh, no cutting on site?

Scavenger

Come on, you gonked? No time. Gotta secure the goods first.

Scavenger

OK. And from the wreck, we take what?

Scavenger

Anythin' and everythin'. Electronics first, don't matter if it works.

Scavenger

Hm. Cables? Sheet metal? Personal items?

Scavenger

Yes, yes and yes.

Scavenger

Ugh, finally, some cash. A gift from God, this plane.

Citizen Crashsite Soldier

Nuh-uh, not that way. Back and around, friend.

Citizen Crashsite

Around? There's no way around! I'm late, I got a client on the line!

Citizen Crashsite Soldier

Not my call, choom.

Citizen Crashsite

OK, but what's one guy? Not like anybody's lookin'…

Citizen Crashsite Soldier

I'ma pretend I didn't hear that.

Citizen Crashsite

Ugh... Can you at least tell me what happened?

Citizen Crashsite Soldier

Nope.

Citizen Crashsite

Sure, sure... Know-nothin'…

Songbird

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.

Citizen Cars

Oh fuck, oh fuck, oh fuck…!

Citizen Cars

'Ey, you hit?

Citizen Cars

No, no... Don't think so... But fuck that was close...

Thought I was a dead man.

Citizen Cars

Best delta outta here. Thinkin' this shit ain't over yet.

Citizen Cars

What…? How?

Citizen Cars

We had one fuckin' blast from hell, could have another.

Citizen Cars

Shit, true... Hang on.

Scan my hands, choom. Phoo... gotta breathe, gotta breathe.

Citizen Landing Gear

Think we'll get City folk coming in for this?

Citizen Landing Gear

Like who? Like NCPD?

Citizen Landing Gear

Them, yeah... or gangs.

Citizen Landing Gear

Or corporats.

Citizen Landing Gear

Wonder why the fuck Hansen downed it.

Citizen Landing Gear

Hansen? You think it was him?

Citizen Landing Gear

Why? You think it just fell outta the sky? Right in our lap?

No way. It crashed, means someone somewhere pulled some trigger.

Citizen Landing Gear

Hansen is no gonk. It wouldn't be like him to stick his neck out.

Citizen Landing Gear

Unless the price was right.

Citizen Landing Gear

Choom! The dust hasn't even settled! Where are you getting this tinfoil?

V

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.

History

Hold... hold still! You're fine, grit your teeth, it helps.

History

Ugh, fuck... augh, it's, like, this burning...

Augh, my head's on fire...

History

Bleedin' from your ears, too. From the blast.

Almost done, just hang in there…

History

You're gonna be fine, fine…

History

Fucking plane...

History

Aughh! Christ, be careful!

History

Wonder what happened…

History

The plane came down on our fuckin' heads. That's what happened.

History

All by itself?

History

'Ey, teeth, clench 'em!

Youngster

Right, that's enough. Let's roll!

Youngster

Nah, c'mon choom... take the BD wreath at least.

Youngster

No! Three-thirty, that's the rule. Three minutes, thirty secs, and we fuckin' delta.

Only reason we're still in the game.

Youngster

Shit, someone's coming! Run!

V

1AWunnerful!

Songbird

Hop down the chute. Fastest way.

Hey, what the hell're you doing?! Get to the crash site, now!

V! The President needs your help!

Fucking motherfucking fuck!

V

What?

Songbird

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

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

V

Daaaghhh…!

V

2AWhat' the hell're you spewin', Songbird?

Songbird

2AYou had one job – get to the plane, save her.

2AYou failed. You killed her, as if you pulled the trigger yourself.

V

2BGet a grip. Tried my best to help.

Songbird

2BTrying doesn't cut it, V.

V

2BYa sure she's dead, I mean, really sure?

Songbird

2BI'm sure.

Doomsday Preacher

For on the third day, fire belched forth from the heavens! Fire!

White flames to cleanse you of your sins, vanities, your-your…

Doomsday

Damn, dude, enough! You ain't got eyes? Fuckin' help out, nutjob.

Doomsday Preacher

You help out! For I bring aid for the soul!

I have begged, yet you have covered your ears!

Doomsday

Ugh... Somebody get him out of here.

Doomsday Preacher

You shut your ears, your hearts away, deaf to the voice that wails among you riff-raff! The Lord is just in punishing you for it!

Prepare to die! Death opens its dribbling, blood-slaked maw!

Doomsday

F-forgive me, Father, for I have sinned...

Doomsday Preacher

Too late, you fool! Too late! Be damned!

Phone

Choom, how was I supposed to catch it? Happened so fast.

Whole thing took, like, five seconds.

Yeah, scrolled some of what's going on down there, chooms stuck under rubble, hurt, dead…

Shit'll definitely sell.

Fuck, choom. I know! Think I didn't grab the crash on purpose?!

I know! But I didn't get it, OK?

Can't get the wreckage, dogs got it all cordoned off.

Blocked Car Soldier

End of the road, end of fucking story.

Blocked Car Driver

Chill. You don't need to keep sayin' it.

Blocked Car Soldier

Then why're you riding my ass right now?

Blocked Car Driver

Just wanna know what happened. I got friends in there.

Blocked Car Soldier

Plane fell outta the sky. That's it.

Blocked Car Driver

Which plane? Why did it fall? What'd Hansen say?

Blocked Car Soldier

Nunya biz. Get lost.

Songbird

Focus now. You won't pass this way without a fight.

Focus now. You won't pass this way without a fight.

You're capable, I know, but I'd rather not take any chances.

So stay low, go around?

Youngster

Shit, someone's coming! Run!

Songbird

Shit... Hansen's people are there. Seems they've been given a job to finish.

V

1AHow many of your people there?

Songbird

1AThere were eleven on board, counting myself and Rosalind. How many still alive? No idea.

1AMust be some way I could… Wait, I got it!

V

1BBe damned if I'll let 'em. Gotta hurry, though.

Songbird

1BMust be some way I could… Wait, I got it!

The crane arm – hop on. I think I can boot it up.

Not a second to spare now.

Constr Citizen Crash

'Ey, yo! Choomba!

Sheeit, I reco'nize you! The stadium, remember?

Listen, this shit here's off-limits. They nab your ass, you's fucked.

You lookin' for somethin'?

V

2AScan that roof? Gotta get up there.

Constr Citizen Crash

2ANow, today? Hah, this here's a construction site, not no playground.

V

2ANot here to play. Just need to get there.

Constr Citizen Crash

2ADaaamn, OK. Well, you clearly not kiddin'. So… c'mon, I'll take ya.

V

3ALead the way.

Constr Citizen Crash

3AAfter me. Just hush-hush, yeah? And no playin' in wet cement.

3AGot some folks over there need a roof over their heads.

3AThey had a pretty good nook 'round here till it went up in smoke. Out on the street now.

3AAnywho, found a decent place for 'em. Drop in a few walls, patch the roof and home sweet home.

V

3AWhat's in it for you?

Constr Citizen Crash

3ACity digs they gonna get me. A man look this good, gotta have style to match, am I right?

3AChoom, you catch that fireball from the sky shit?

3APlane's just up there, cruisin', mindin' its biz, and wham! Nosedive.

V

3AYeah, heard somethin'.

Constr Citizen Crash

3ACan't believe I missed it! 'Course, buddy o' mine said it got hit, like, a targeted attack.

3AOof... crazy days.

V

3AYou're tellin' me.

Constr Citizen Crash

3AFuck! Did that dawg scan me?

V

3AWhat? Who?

Constr Citizen Crash

3AListen, choom... This here's as far as I go.

3ACan't miss it. Keep goin', straight ahead of ya, down the hall.

3AAnd watch your step!

V

3BThanks. Think I'll go it alone.

Constr Citizen Crash

3BLook, you talk a big game, but that ain't enough here.

3BGotta know where to step. 'Less you wanna fall through that roof.

V

3BI'll manage, 's all right.

Constr Citizen Crash

3BMhm, sure.

V

3CWhat, not scared they'll nab your ass?

Constr Citizen Crash

3CNah.

V

3CWhy not?

Constr Citizen Crash

3C'Cause they won't. Know these walls like the back of my hand. C'mon.

V

2BWhat I'm up to's my biz.

2BSure, helped you once – but that don't make us chooms.

Constr Citizen Crash

2BFuck me, now. Shit, OK... Lemme jus' step outta your way.

2BAntisocial freak.

V

2CHow did it go? Manage to plug that leak?

Constr Citizen Crash

2CSure did! Stubborn that chick, but she sure knowed her stuff. Anywho... you lost?

Songbird Holo

Got an idea. Hack the AV, try to.

V

You can't?

Songbird Holo

Not right now, V. I'm... just a little tied up.

Bottom Enemy

Ehh… y'ever miss it?

Bottom Enemy

Miss what?

Bottom Enemy

Bein' in a real army. Normal rank 'n' file, chain of command…

Bottom Enemy

Chain of command can eat my ass. But the eddies did add up…

Bottom Enemy

So, if you could go back...?

Bottom Enemy

No way, wouldn't.

Bottom Enemy

Why not?

Bottom Enemy

Uh, because you can't. Hate talkin' in hypotheticals anyway.

Bottom Enemy

Fuck, finally!

Bottom Enemy

What, what?

Bottom Enemy

Here we go!

Bottom Enemy

What, where?

Bottom Enemy

Combat! Firefight! Fightin' fire! Boom, adrenaline!

Bottom Enemy

Don't get enough already?

Bottom Enemy

Of what? Sittin' on my ass? Wavin' chooms through at the border?

Y'ain't bored outta your skull out there?

Bottom Enemy

Choom. I got a wife, three kids.

Songbird Holo

Scaffolding, scale it, go.

Bottom Enemy

'S that all we get? No more bodies, no more support?

Bottom Enemy

Looks it.

Bottom Enemy

Hm, not enough. You sure?

Bottom Enemy

Choom, got the same eyes as you.

Bottom Enemy

OK... Gotta work with what we got.

Bottom Enemy

Mh, real pearl of wisdom…

Songbird Holo

Nice! Preem work, V.

Not how I would've done it… but it's down, and that matters.

Bottom Enemy

And how's it?

Bottom Enemy

It's not.

Bottom Enemy

Whatta you been doin' the past ten?

Bottom Enemy

What's it fuckin' look like?

Bottom Enemy

Hm, check the terminals?

Bottom Enemy

Yeah, yeah. Battery's fine. Somethin' else borked.

Bottom Enemy

What?

Bottom Enemy

If I knew we wouldn't be here.

Bottom Enemy

Welp, that's that, we're fucked.

Bottom Enemy

'Ey, one sec, lemme twiddle the cables again…

Songbird

Across the roof. Wreck's straight ahead.

Kurtz man

She's behind us! Regroup!

Songbird

V, hit the ground! It's gonna explode!

Make for the wreck! And watch who you shoot! We got NUS agents there, not bogeys.

See the hatch? Run!

Ready steady. Enemy backup's on the way.

Wrong way, V! Gettin' too far away!

That was all of 'em. Keep going.

V, what're you waitin' for?!

Path to the wreckage is clear.

Got somethin' for ya. See that generator? Power it up, it'll uncork gas. Bastards won't see it comin'.

Kurt man

Fuck's goin' on here?

Myers

Apologies. I had to be sure it was really you.

V

Right, let's delta, before--

Myers

Naaah...!

V

Fuckin' hell...

Myers

Ugh, dammit, they just won't let up!

Songbird Holo

See anything?

V

Whole lotta wrecked aircraft.

Songbird Holo

Anyone alive?

V

Nobody jumpin' out to greet me.

Songbird Holo

Shit. Are we too late?

V

1APretty quiet in here. Like, tomb quiet.

Songbird Holo

1AIf that's true, then... I need to be sure, need confirmation she's dead.

V

1BDeep breaths. Nothin's for sure.

1BLemme scan around.

Songbird Holo

Keep moving back, you'll see a safe room. I'll pop the release on the door.

Myers

2ANargh...

2AUgh… ergh, let go...! Ugh…!

V

2AUgh, if I do, you'll calm down?

Myers

2AIt depends... who you are!

V

3ARelax. Songbird sent me.

Myers

3AUgh, and you are...? Mmph…

V

3AName's V.

3BName's V. Here to help you.

Myers

3BRosalind Myers, but you knew that.

V

3CRosalind Myers? You're lookin' at the solution to your current problems. Name's V.

Myers

3CUgh… corny as it sounds, my favorite letter of the alphabet just now.

2ANaaah...!

V

2AGah!

Myers

2ANargh...

2ANot one move!

2AWho are you? You have five seconds.

V

2AUgh, fuck's sake!

Myers

2ANargh...

Songbird Holo

Get inside, quick.

Fuel tank's insulated, it won't explode.

V

Name's V. Here to help you.

Myers

Rosalind Myers, but you knew that.

Time's up.

Songbird

Is she there?

Can you see Myers?

Myers

So Songbird's plan worked... Not what I expected, if I'm honest.

V

Relax. Songbird sent me.

Myers

Ugh, and you are...? Mmph…

V

Rosalind Myers? You're lookin' at the solution to your current problems. Name's V.

Myers

Ugh… corny as it sounds, my favorite letter of the alphabet just now.

V

Name's V. Here to help you.

Myers

Rosalind Myers, but you knew that.

Myers

We need them gone! Every last one!

There's more!

We won't hold this position!

Cover me!

Rapid fire! Keep 'em busy!

V

Songbird? You there?

Songbird

V. How's the sitch?

V

We're alive. Both of us.

Songbird

Now listen, head for the vacant building on--

V

Elizabeth Kress – got it. Ekh, ekh. Gimme some credit.

Songbird

It's the best place to lay low. No heat signatures, so it's empty, not a soul inside.

Now get moving!

V

Got Songbird on comms. She's fine.

Found us a safehouse nearby, too.

Myers

Songbird... I'd started to worry. I suppose I forgot she always lands on her feet.

V

Had crazy luck – both of you.

Myers

Huh. Maybe you brought it with you.

V, over here?

That must be the only way out...

Let me help.

V

Now I'm gettin' you outta here. This way.

Same can't be said for the other passengers, unfortunately.

Songbird

We focus our efforts on the living. Get Myers out of there.

Myers

This is some fucking nightmare.

My people, dead – all of them. Because of me.

V

1AWhoa, whoa – Kurt Hansen killed them, not you.

Myers

1AEhh, is that what you think?

V

1BNightmare, sure. So wake up, look alive.

Myers

1BUgh, as if it were that easy...

You have no idea how deep this goes.

We were hacked. It means Hansen had help. From Washington.

The NUS government is aware of the crash, no doubt. They'll have sat-mapped it, seen us hit the ground in Dogtown. Unless...

Unless the plot goes deeper... Hansen's spreading his agitprop lies as we speak, I'm sure of it. Our people will have an even harder time crossing the border.

I can't trust a soul. I just... Fuck. I don't know what to do.

V

2AUnderstand your concerns. Don't forget you got me here, though.

Myers

2AYou...?

V

2AAnd Songbird. We'll get you outta this mess.

Myers

2AThank you, V.

V

2BTrue, got no idea how deep this shit goes myself.

2BDo know, though, that fallin' apart won't help. Keep it together – only way you'll survive.

Myers

2BI'm afraid yanking my emotional bootstraps won't cut it.

V

2BLet's give it a shot anyway.

We stick to the plan. After that – ah, guess we'll see.

Myers

Wait a second… Dammit!

If Hansen's got someone inside in Washington, that means I'm traceable, wherever, whenever.

I have a subdermal tracker. It needs to go, ASAP.

It's near an artery that's best not nicked. I'll need your help.

V

3AAssume you know what you're doin'. Be completely on your own without the tracker.

Myers

3AWell, you're here.

V

4AOK so far?

Myers

4AAugh, don't have a choice… ergh...

V

4AOK, OK, breathe.

4BOffline in a millisec. Next stop – Greenland, and your new, buckwheat-tillin' life.

Myers

4BUgh...

4BWish it were that simple… mmph..

V

4BYup, same.

4CAlmost a rite of passage. Feel like I'm welcomin' you into the clan.

Myers

4CUgh...

4CAugh, a clan? Quite the career change you've made… ugh…

V

4DClose your eyes, think of some asshole you hate. Always helps.

Myers

4DUgh...

4DUgh… that's a long list, ehh…

V

4DEven better.

3BGonna hurt like a motherfucker, this.

Myers

3BThey say pain's a deal between body and brain. You can break it, throw the pain away, bury it.

3BWhole lotta horseshit, but we're out of options. Carve away.

V

3CChippin' the prez with a tracker? Weird.

Myers

3CSafety precaution. In case I ever wanted to ditch the White House, go on an all-night bender.

3CCan you help?

V

Got Songbird on comms. Says we gotta climb higher.

Myers

Huh. Maybe you brought it with you.

Lead the way. It's your city, after all.

Cover, now!

Shit, they can see us!

That'll slow 'em down. But not for long.

That was close.

Ungh... Could've been worse…

Gimme a hand here?

V

Whoa, whoa – Kurt Hansen killed them, not you.

Myers

You have no idea how deep this goes.

We were hacked. It means Hansen had help. From Washington.

OK, all right. Let's go.

V

Whoa, whoa – Kurt Hansen killed them, not you.

Songbird

V...? I'm here.

V

Right on time. You in one piece?

Songbird

For now. Can't say I'll stay that way.

You need to get to the top of the building. Talk later.

Myers

Wait, is that... ?

Drone! Finish up, quick!

V

Nightmare, sure. So wake up, look alive.

Johnny

Well, well, well... A used-up blastpod in the middle of fuckin' Dogtown.

Looks like our Songbird had a roughish landing.

V

1ASure did. And a helluva lotta luck to survive.

Johnny

1AI'd pin that on skill.

V

1BYeah, but I'm sure she walked it off.

Johnny

1BHmm. Curiouser and curiouser…

V

1CMust've tweaked her trajectory. If she'd hit with any more speed, we'd be starin' at a pile of scrap and minced meat.

Johnny

1CHmm. Curiouser and curiouser…