Dialogue: Firestarter

Songbird

Well… Here we are.

You an' me, face to face.

V

1AThis spot – didn't pick it at random, I guess.

Songbird

1AGuessed right. Wanted to show you somethin'… Means a lot to me, it could help put some things in perspective.

1AAnd it means I trust you.

1ACome over here.

V

2ASo, what's so special about this place?

Songbird

2ALived just two blocks off… while I was here in NC on assignment.

2ALocals come here after sunset. Fire up grills, crack open beers, talk about nothin' in particular.

1AI'd swing by here come evening sometimes.

1AAll of it, every inch is special. Reminds me of Brooklyn – actually from there.

V

3BWouldn't mind hearing about it – Brooklyn.

Songbird

3BMmm… Got this memory... It was the night before I raided a Militech datafort.

3BI'm sittin' out on my fire escape, just lit a J. Down on the street, I see a party starting.

3BThere's playful screams, laughter... Someone's blastin' funk from their stoop. I hear Willie, too – sells the best scopdogs around. He's shit-talkin' one of his chooms. And there's bonfire smoke in the air… Safe, familiar.

V

3BWere they celebratin' somethin'?

Songbird

3BYeah. A Thursday.

V

4BWouldn't mind hearing about it – Brooklyn.

Songbird

4BMmm… Got this memory... It was the night before I raided a Militech datafort.

4BI'm sittin' out on my fire escape, just lit a J. Down on the street, I see a party starting.

4BThere's playful screams, laughter... Someone's blastin' funk from their stoop. I hear Willie, too – sells the best scopdogs around. He's shit-talkin' one of his chooms. And there's bonfire smoke in the air… Safe, familiar.

V

4BWere they celebratin' somethin'?

Songbird

4BYeah. A Thursday.

V

4CYeah, know the feelin'.

Songbird

4CGot a place you hold close to your heart, too?

V

4CNot a place – that was always changin'. But people, sure... memories of "home."

4DKnow how ya feel... Wasn't anything like Brooklyn, my home, but…

Songbird

4DGot a memory you cherish?

V

4DNever gets this peaceful where I'm from. Just know that wherever I am in the world, I feel like I'm walkin' Heywood's streets.

1AYearnin' to go back.

Songbird

1ACan't rewind the clock, V.

1ABy the time you realize you miss somethin', it's usually too late.

V

5AAttack on Myers – you schemed it up with Hansen, I know that.

Songbird

5AYeah, neural matrix waaas pricey. But honestly, I... I never thought he'd try to kill 'er.

V

5BSongbird...? Need ya to be straight with me.

Songbird

5BI… I helped Hansen spring the trap on Myers. My end of the deal… in exchange for the neural matrix.

5BI'd down the plane, deliver Myers, yes. But blast her outta the sky, then hunt 'er down? Wasn't what we agreed.

V

1AYou betrayed 'er.

Songbird

1ANot just her…

1ANothin' went according to plan. What a fuckin' mess.

V

6ASo what was your plan?

Songbird

6AFor you to rescue Myers while I secured the AI matrix. And for us to run. All before Kurt caught on.

6ANow Hansen's changed the terms of our deal. They'll make 'im answer for the attack, he knows that, so he's coverin' his ass.

6AThe one thing he doesn't know is what's on the Cynosure mainframe. He's hopin' it's data he can use as leverage against the NUS.

6ASays that's my ticket to freedom, but… soon as he gets his hands on it, I'm dead, I just know it.

6AI fucked everything up, I know, V… but I had no choice.

V

7AStill don't understand why. Wasn't any other way, honestly?

Songbird

7AWouldn't've resorted to this if there was.

V

7BAlways got a choice, Song. Always.

Songbird

7BDidn't. Not this time.

6AFor Myers, the NUSA... I'm just another weapon in their arsenal. A tool for reachin' beyond the Blackwall.

6AAnd weapons and tools? They don't get to make decisions or choose to retire.

V

8ASounds... sounds painfully familiar. Think I know how ya feel.

Songbird

8AI doubt anyone understands this feeling as well you do, V.

8AYou're the only one I can trust with this.

8AOnly question is, after everything you just heard, you feel the same way about me?

V

8BBurden of past mistakes – we both bear it. It ain't easy. Me for the biochip, you for the Blackwall.

Songbird

8BYou mean to say... it's my fault?

V

8BNo. Just that, when you try to save yourself, it's usually someone else who pays the price.

Songbird

8BHm, yeah... Ain't that the brutal fuckin' truth.

8BYou're the only one I can trust with this.

8BOnly question is, after everything you just heard, you feel the same way about me?

V

9AGet the feeling this's the first time you've been honest with me.

Songbird

9AYeah... With you and myself.

9AI need to get away. From Kurt, the NUSA, Reed... From everything.

V

10ANight City's just a pit stop along your escape route. That was always the plan, wasn't it?

Songbird

10AYeah. It's just… things got complicated, messy.

10ACertainly didn't expect my old Agency chooms to get involved. Or to find myself caged by Kurt.

10AI'm fleeing, V. Gotta get out. And to do that, I need you. 'Cause you… you know how it is.

V

11A'K... say I believe you... What's the next step?

Songbird

11AWe go through with the mission, grab the neural matrix. While Reed and Alex grapple with Hansen, we make our getaway.

V

11AAnd then...?

Songbird

11AYou help me skip town. I already cut a deal with a black clinic far, far from Night City.

11AThere, the rippers can access the matrix and use an algorithm to create a prototype of our cure.

11AThey'll need me present to run their tests. The moment they're finished, I'll send word.

11AAnd... that's it. Everything. Like a weight off my shoulders, honestly. Now, I have to ask…

11AYou're in this because you understand me... or because I promised to save your life?

V

12AI understand you, believe you, know what it's like to fight for your life, every minute of it.

Songbird

12AGives you a new perspective, doesn't it?

V

12BShould be pretty clear I mean to survive, too.

Songbird

12BI appreciate your honesty.

V

12CCan't be both?

Songbird

12CYou'd fit right in in D.C. Just enough truth, but not too much.

12CI'll take what I can get.

V

12DCan't say I trust you. But, potential reward outweighs the risks, so I've thrown my hat in.

Songbird

12DI get it, totally. And despite what you might think of me, I appreciate your sincerity.

11AAhh… I guess that's all… I suppose you should call Reed, let 'im know all's set for the meet with Hansen.

11AThanks, V... for trusting me.

V

11BHow am I to know this isn't an elaborate con? Be nice to have some kinda guarantee.

Songbird

11BI can't give you one, sorry. But I've shown you my trust. I mean, you're free to sell me out to Reed, right? Or trust me enough to save us both. No guarantee for either of us – fair deal, I say.

V

10BSpeakin' of… out of everybody out there, you saw Hansen as a trusty ally? Seriously?

Songbird

10BI needed someone who could tear me from Myers' grip. I knew him from my time in Night City, when I was posted here.

V

10BTook a steep risk all right. An' a plain gonk one at that.

Songbird

10BThat's why I enlisted you, too.

V

13BSpeakin' of… out of everybody out there, you saw Hansen as a trusty ally? Seriously?

Songbird

13BI needed someone who could tear me from Myers' grip. I knew him from my time in Night City, when I was posted here.

V

13BTook a steep risk all right. An' a plain gonk one at that.

Songbird

13BThat's why I enlisted you, too.

V

9AGet the feeling this's the first time you've been honest with me.

Songbird

9AYeah... With you and myself.

9AI need to get away. From Kurt, the NUSA, Reed... From everything.

V

9BWhy not just go home?

Songbird

9BMy home burned down when I was forced to trade warm Brooklyn brick for sterile Washington walls.

9BI have nowhere to go back to.

V

9CBeen wantin' to ask, actually… What happens 'zactly, y'know, when you reach past the Blackwall?

Songbird

9CKnow the feeling when you try to remember the address of a place you lived half your life but it just turns up... blank?

V

9CMean, losin' your memory?

Songbird

9CA snowflake lands on my glove, I can calculate its unique fractal structure... but what did my mom's voice sound like?

9CSometimes, I– I lose control. Or get the sense I'm surrendering to someone else. But it feels horrible.

V

9CFelt it too, with the Chimera... Like a livin' nightmare.

Songbird

9CYeah. And more 'n' more, I get the sense someone's standing behind me... but there's never anyone there.

V

9DDon't trust Reed? Guy wants to save your life.

Songbird

9DMhm. He "saved" me once already. Word of a botched hit on Militech crossed his desk, so he knocked on a nineteen-year-old girl's door with an offer she couldn't refuse.

V

9DJoin and serve, or become a NetWatch trophy…

Songbird

9DThat girl died that day. The person in front of you is what was born from that death.

9D'Course, Reed… he died too. Just more recently – seven years ago.

9DThe NUS issued his death sentence, yet he serves the country to this day, clinging to somethin' that's lost all meaning to me.

V

14ASounds... sounds painfully familiar. Think I know how ya feel.

Songbird

14AI doubt anyone understands this feeling as well you do, V.

V

14BBurden of past mistakes – we both bear it. It ain't easy. Me for the biochip, you for the Blackwall.

Songbird

14BYou mean to say... it's my fault?

V

14BNo. Just that, when you try to save yourself, it's usually someone else who pays the price.

Songbird

14BHm, yeah... Ain't that the brutal fuckin' truth.

V

6BSent Myers' entire flight crew to an early grave. Myers herself, too, almost.

Songbird

6BGround the plane – that was the plan. Didn't expect he'd… blow it to shit.

6BNot much of an excuse, I know.

V

15AAttack on Myers – you schemed it up with Hansen, I know that.

Songbird

15AYeah, neural matrix waaas pricey. But honestly, I... I never thought he'd try to kill 'er.

V

15BSongbird...? Need ya to be straight with me.

Songbird

15BI… I helped Hansen spring the trap on Myers. My end of the deal… in exchange for the neural matrix.

15BI'd down the plane, deliver Myers, yes. But blast her outta the sky, then hunt 'er down? Wasn't what we agreed.

V

1AYearnin' to go back.

Songbird

1ACan't rewind the clock, V.

1ABy the time you realize you miss somethin', it's usually too late.

V

1AYearnin' to go back.

Songbird

1ACan't rewind the clock, V.

1ABy the time you realize you miss somethin', it's usually too late.

1ACome over here.

V

1AThis spot – didn't pick it at random, I guess.

Songbird

1AGuessed right. Wanted to show you somethin'… Means a lot to me, it could help put some things in perspective.

1AAnd it means I trust you.

V

1BSure we're alone? Wouldn't want any unpleasant surprises…

Songbird

1BNo surprises. 'Cept maybe… you're already one of us – don't trust a soul.

Well… Here we are.

You an' me, face to face.

V

Sure we're alone? Wouldn't want any unpleasant surprises…

Songbird

No surprises. 'Cept maybe… you're already one of us – don't trust a soul.

Well, V, we're gonna need you at your best... and that is why...

I've managed to lift some locks on your Relic's firmware. The trinket should now show you what it can really do.

Reed Holo

Hey, I got the encryption key for Charon Exotics. Nice work.

V, one other thing... You need new chrome, an implant that accommodates behavioral imprints.

I'm sending you detes for a clinic. The doc'll be expectin' you.

Just tell the ripper you know she collects Unification War trinkets. She'll know you came with my blessin'.

V

17AAlex and I wormed our way into the rental company's system. We're good to track the car.

Reed Holo

17APerfect. Send me the encryption key.

V

18AAny second now...

Reed Holo

18AGot it. Excellent.

18ASo we're still waitin' for Songbird to notify us that the customer's ready to be served.

V

19AYup, still waitin'…

Reed Holo

19ACall me soon as you hear from 'er.

V

19BTalked to 'er already, actually.

Reed Holo

19BMh. Then bring me up to speed.

V

19BWell, first off, we been green lit. Our VIP's ready to be served.

Reed Holo

19BMusic to my ears... What else?

V

19BSongbird opened up a bit… 'bout her sitch.

19BIt's lookin' bad, real bad. This tech's her only shot.

Reed Holo

19BI hear you, I do… All the more reason to focus on the mission in front of us. Get our hands on that cure.

V

20ABut Reed… What So Mi spilled… We really need to talk.

Reed Holo

20AI know. But later, not a topic for the holo.

20AWe need that car tracking, so get to work. We'll go from there.

20AOnce you get the encryption key from their system, let me know immediately.

V

19CBuzz ya soon as I know anything.

Reed Holo

19CGood.

V

17BSo Mi contacted me. Got news.

Reed Holo

17BLet me hear it.

V

17CReed, hey. I'm nova, thanks. How're you?

Reed Holo

17CPut a cold beer in front of me once this is all over, then we'll have time to chat.

17CFor now, fill me in on what you managed to get done.

V

17DCall ya back later.

Reed Holo

17DI'll be waitin'.

V, status report.

Songbird

Was there a question in there?

V

Is there a grain of truth anywhere in this web of lies?

Songbird

Truth…?

All of it, every inch is special. Reminds me of Brooklyn – actually from there.

Ask your questions, V.

I'm here, ready to talk.

ReedHolo

Are you in position?

V

Here we are. Damn… preem ride.

ReedHolo

Hey, you're not there to window shop.

V

2ACar's cam feeds're mine.

ReedAudio

2AGood. Last check, now. Make sure you're ready to roll.

V

3ACams are on, transceiver is green... She's free for the takin'.

3BShould be good, just gimme one sec...

ReedAudio

3BWhy? What're you doin'?

V

3BTweakin' the ICE. Kinda half-baked, way it's set up now.

ReedAudio

3BFine... Just no unnecessary risks.

V

3BAnd... done.

ReedAudio

3BHm. Not bad.

V

3BUgh... 'K, maybe I overpromised.

ReedAudio

3BJust forget it…

2ANow we wait…

2AOur VIPs are back. They're about to get in.

2ATime to focus up.

Guard

2AStop the car. Need to run a scan.

2AIntruder! In the trunk!

ReedAudio

2AV, you've been made!

2AYou're almost at the stadium.

2AV, now! Take control!

V

4AHold on, eavesdroppin' a bit, could get interesting…

4AChill. Just wait.

4AIn a sec!

4DOK, hackin' the car now!

ReedAudio

4DV!

4DV, report! What's going on?

V

4DThey're playin' defense... And they're good.

ReedHolo

4DNothin' we didn't anticipate. Stick to the plan.

ReedAudio

4DV, you copy?

4DV, you're runnin' out of time...

4DTake the car now!

ReedAudio

4DI don't know what you're waitin' for. Time's up. Do it now!

4DV... clock's tickin'.

ReedHolo

2AV, you've been made!

ReedAudio

2AOK, V, take control.

V

1AWhoa… déjà vu.

1ASmooth sailin' so far.

Here we are. Damn… preem ride.

ReedHolo

Hey, you're not there to window shop.

You'll be comin' up on the stadium soon.

I don't know what you're waitin' for. Time's up. Do it now!

Are you in position?

Just keep your head on straight, make sure to get in the right car.

V

Smooth sailin' so far.

V

You Farida?

Farida

Yes, and we're closed.

V

1AGot somethin'... might interest you.

Farida

1AI doubt it.

V

1AHear you collect trinkets – Unification War era.

Farida

1AMhm... Come in.

1ADo you know why we have rules? Procedures? To goddamn follow them.

Reed

1AV, good to see you.

V

2AHuh. Here to see me…?

Reed

2AThings're in flux, the situation's changin' fast. I thought we should talk.

V

2BNot givin' me any breathin' room, huh? Trust an issue?

Reed

2BJust lookin' out.

V

2CGood you're here, Reed. Need to talk, we do.

Reed

2CMy sentiments exactly.

1AI'm here about So Mi.

1AI spent hours... wrappin' my head around this, puttin' myself in her shoes.

1AI needed to understand what she musta been goin' through to… to resort to treason.

V

3AYou're in no position to understand, Reed. Your life ain't on a timer.

Reed

3ABut I know Death. Stared him in the eyes, up close.

V

3BBasin' your expectations on the woman you used to know – not on who she is today.

Reed

3BCommon denominators remain in place.

V

3CTryin' to understand 'er, really? Or just lookin' for the key to bringin' her in?

Reed

3CNo, my aim is to save her.

1AShe's trapped. Not just here 'n' now, but goin' months back. Hell, actually years.

1AI blame Myers – a sore loser, does her damndest to avoid it. Songbird, the Blackwall… dirty tricks meant to give 'er a competitive edge.

1A'S no wonder So Mi doesn't trust anyone. Except maybe you, a little.

V

4AThere's a prison cell prepped and waitin' for 'er already. So Mi knows that full well.

Reed

4AShe lives to see tomorrow and every day after – that's what matters.

V

4AMyers needs 'er alive, sure, but forgive and forget the attempt on her life? Never.

Reed

4AMyers might not forgive 'er, but… doesn't mean I can't.

V

5AComin' from a federal agent, sayin' you want to get 'er home doesn't sound so warm 'n' fuzzy.

Reed

5AI will get her home. Exactly how remains to be seen.

V

5BYou forgettin'? Woman tried to zero you, too.

Reed

5BHer hand's been forced too many times in her life. She's due compensation.

V

5CWhatcha tryin' to sell me, Reed?

Reed

5CNothin'. I'm merely tryin' to convince you.

V

4AOK, we break the chain Hansen wrapped around her neck – then what?

Reed

4AWe stow away somewhere safe, ask some questions, establish some common ground.

4AOnce I get the answers I'm lookin' for, I'll personally help 'er disappear. From everyone everywhere. Including Myers.

V

6AY'know, some'd call that treason.

Reed

6ATell me somethin' I don't know.

6AI got contacts in Europe. We'll find the best clinic – put you two back together, fix what's broken. Once we have your cure in hand.

6ABut I need to help So Mi first. She's lost, and I'm concerned she doesn't know what she's doin'.

V

6AYou don't trust 'er.

Reed

6AWhat I don't trust is the shit from beyond the Blackwall and the attendant paranoia. Both in play here, I'm afraid.

6AShe has another plan in mind. I'm damn sure of it.

V

7ARead you loud 'n' clear… So what's it all mean next?

Reed

7AI have something for you. Our best minds in D.C. cooked it up.

7AICEbreaker. Silver bullet against any fortified netrunner. Farida'll feed it it into your system durin' surgery.

7AUse that, and So Mi will drop unconscious within a minute.

7AWe can't take any chances. And when she wakes up, she'll wake up at home.

V

7BSo Mi… she reached out. Wasn't tellin' the whole truth before. Wants out – off the grid.

7BHas it planned for right after we take down Hansen. Gonna make a run for it, slip outta Night City.

Reed

7BI-- Thank you, V. For your candor.

7BThis means a lot to me.

7BI have something for you. Our best minds in D.C. cooked it up.

7BICEbreaker. Silver bullet against any fortified netrunner. Farida'll feed it it into your system durin' surgery.

7BUse that, and So Mi will drop unconscious within a minute.

7BWe can't take any chances. And when she wakes up, she'll wake up at home.

V

8AOK, how do I use it?

Reed

8AFire it up when you're both jacked into the mainframe. At that moment So Mi's door'll be wide open.

V

9ASure hope you haven't botched this.

Reed

9AWell, that's a hope we share, then.

V

9BTwo of you could just, y'know, sit down, talk it out.

Reed

9BThat's my aim, precisely.

V

9BAfter you… kidnap her? Not quite the same.

Reed

9BWe've come to a point where some options are simply off the table.

V

9CUgh, this'll turn to shit.

Reed

9CWho says it has to?

V

9CDunno, man. But say you do corner her… expect the unexpected if you know what I mean.

Reed

9CThere comes a time when all expectations are null and void.

8ARight now we're focusin' on savin' your lives. Talkin' time'll come later.

8AIt's time I was on my way. I leave you in Farida's able hands.

8ACall me once you're done here.

Farida

8AThe sooner we begin, the sooner we finish.

V

10AOK, no time to lose.

Farida

10ATush, meet chair.

V

10BI need to do anything or…?

Farida

10BTwenty questions first? Should I hold your hand?

10BNo. Do nothing.

10BTush, meet chair.

8AOK, anesthesia incoming. Don't worry, it's the good stuff. Relax and submit.

8AAn ID modding implant is complicated tech, true, but the procedure is surprisingly simple.

V

11ATo be honest... never heard of tech like this. Seems kinda… sci-fi.

11AThis an FIA prototype?

Farida

11AMhm. It was picked off the corpse of a Militech R&D project.

V

11AMilitech abandon it?

Farida

11AThat or they sought to keep it off the books. Top secret, mum's the word.

11APolitics.

V

11BSo… you a Night City native?

Farida

11BYet more questions... Did they tell you nothing about not delving?

11BBut... yes. I'm from Watson.

V

11BOh, ya gotta know Viktor, then. He's a choom.

Farida

11BYou would truly be better off keeping things like that to yourself.

V

11CWhy run a clinic in Dogtown of all places?

Farida

11CThe rents are low. And I siphon as much electricity as I need.

V

11CHeh, can't tell if you're bein' serious.

Farida

11CStart your own biz in Night City proper, then come see me in a month. We'll compare accounts.

V

11DThis tech – actually heard about it. Back at Arasaka Counterintel. We thought it got the chop at the prototype stage…

Farida

11DAs you can see, it yet lives. Chatterbox…

8AOK, anesthesia's taking hold.

Johnny

8AHow many fingers 'm I holdin' up?

V

12ANice to see you in good form.

Johnny

12AMhm... You want somethin' from me.

V

12ATo chat. Got no other options, you'll have to do.

12BNot now, Johnny. Fuck off, please.

Johnny

12BYa missed me. Warms the cockles, truly.

8ASo tell me, what's it feel like to be a traitor?

V

13AInteresting way of saying "undercover FIA agent."

Johnny

13AShit, actually bought into this? They send ya to a fancy party, stroke your ego, and now you're some kinda super spy?

13AWhat's next? Fuckin' gold medal, ticker tape parade? A statue? A national holiday? Kids home from school? What the fuck?!

13ABut seriously, found yourself in a shitastic situation.

V

13BDoin' what I gotta do to survive. Figured you'd understand.

Johnny

13BOh fuck, even talkin' like they do. Just usin' different words.

13B"That's the job. No other way. For the greater good."

13BChrist, it's exactly why I ditched the ranks.

13BBut seriously, found yourself in a shitastic situation.

V

13CC'mon, you know this is a lose-lose clusterfuck of a sitch. I ain't here by choice.

Johnny

13CLeast you see that. Means they haven't turned you yet, not completely.

8AC'mon, got iron in your hand. Gotta put it to someone's head, pull the trigger.

8AThe master spy and the agent unloosed. Tragedy, comedy or both?

V

14AThink one of 'em's tryin' to dupe me?

Johnny

14ANo, they're both tellin' the truth. I mean, might be muddy on the nitty gritty, but their motivations are plain 'n' clear.

V

14BReed I understand, but I don't get what you have against her.

Johnny

14BLet's just say I know where they're both comin' from.

8ASurvival – it's her be-all an' end-all. That and she's a walkin', talkin' nuke. The kind that keeps makin' mistakes, never knowin' which one's gonna set 'er off.

8AAnd Reed… bastard and me are one and the same. If I hadn't ghosted the army, I'd've become a Reed myself. Live and die by our principles.

8AThat's the tragedy, V. Someone's gonna play victim to the other's good intentions.

8ATry not to forget that when you're standin' over that fuckin' overgrown neurodrive.

V

15AReed or Songbird… What would you do in my shoes, Johnny?

Johnny

15AI am in your shoes, dumbass. For every gonk choice you make. But I can't do dick.

15ABut honest to God, V, not fuckin' around… I dunno. Got no goddamn clue.

V

15BSome help you've been…

Johnny

15BJust don't do anything either of us'll regret later. Not you, not me.

15BAnd don't kid yourself. Both of 'em need you, but neither trusts you.

Farida

8AAll done. The facial morph implant is online. Now all you need is a behavioral imprint.

8AAnd do me a favor – don't tell me what you need this for.

V

16AThanks for everything.

Farida

16AUh-huh, right.

V

16BMight pop by if I need anything else.

Farida

16BI can't wait.

8AStop fidgeting! You want it to be crooked?

8AI should have put you completely under…

V

17A'S that... me?

Farida

17AI made it especially for you. I'm glad you like it.

V

17ABut... what--?

Farida

17AIt's facial morph technology. It needs a baseline. That baseline is you.

17AAhem. I don't have all day.

17ASit, please.

17AWhat are you waiting for?

Reed

8AV, all clear?

V

8BShe could sense the breaker. Not talkin' about some run-of-the-mill 'runner here.

Reed

8BIt's metaheuristic, hyper-aggressive tech. Cobbled together by a literal army of experts.

8BIf she does sense it, it won't matter. No one out there, alone, could withstand somethin' like this.

V

8CSure this soft'll work? Doubt it's been tested on anyone at Songbird's level.

Reed

8CFrom what they tell me, this program can anticipate what she'll do before she even thinks to do it.

8CBy the time you cut one thread, it's already found another. A precision-guided weapon designed to evade countermeasures.

V

6BSay I believe you. Where's your plan go from there?

6CSpinnin' quite the yarn, playin' me. Fits the M.O. of someone who used to recruit spies for a livin'.

Reed

6CFuck... no! Just listen.

V

6DWanna ask 'er a few questions, huh…

Reed

6DTo understand her side. Got an idea already of what I'll hear. The system broke 'er, almost took her life. Like it did mine.

6DAs for me, well… my time's well past. But So Mi's still worth savin'.

6DV, you can help her, and yourself.

V

4BSong should trust you – not me. That it?

Reed

4BI can't say I really blame her, can only blame myself.

V

4BBut, could you've done anything differently?

Reed

4BSomethin'. Anything. 'Stead of... givin' in to bein' exiled in Night City, a couple thousand miles away.

Farida

1AI'm sorry I was unwelcoming.

1AEver since a certain spaceplane crashed nearby, I've had to be more cautious.

V

1CReed and Alex sent me.

Farida

1CWho the fuck are they?

V

1CThey say you're a collector. Unification War-era trinkets.

Farida

1CUgh...

1CCome in. Be quick about it.

V

Name's V.

Farida

That means nothing to me.

I'm not taking any new customers. Sorry to inconvenience you.

Farida

Hello...? Hello?

What do you want? I'm busy.

Are you still there?

Johnny

Heavy stuff, huh?

They're not your friends. Don't say I didn't warn ya.

Well, what now?

Farida

Tush, meet chair.

Alex

Hey… You made it.

Got a headstart. A drink to calm the nerves.

V

1A'Preciate the invite. Glad to see ya, Alex.

Alex

1ASweet of you to say.

V

1BThought I'd be a no-show?

Alex

1BIn the habit of considerin' every possible outcome.

V

1CY'know, surprised me with the invite.

Alex

1CSurprised? Really?

V

1CDidn't know what to make of it. But yeah, 's nice to press pause once in a while.

1DDo this often – drink solo?

Alex

1D"Often"? Not the word I'd use.

I wrote you 'cause… 'cause I needed someone to talk to. Someone outside the "firm". And not some total rando.

To take my mind off the mission, not worry about bein' someone else for a millisec. Hope that makes sense...

V

2AOK, so what'd ya wanna talk about?

Alex

2AI mean, 's not like I have an agenda typed up.

V

2BDidn't wanna be alone with your nerves, huh?

Alex

2BHeh, always used to tell myself – "Cut the jitters, Alex. You don't get nervous."

2BBuuut, for a while now, I've been tryin' to be more honest with myself.

I just want… to be a normal fucking person for little bit. Myself, specifically. Just me, just Alex.

V

3AThis happen often? These moments you pine for your old self?

Alex

3ALately? All the time. But I know the old me is long gone. I'm a different person now. Somewhere under all these masks.

V

3BStartin' to make a lot more sense why retirement was your condition to accept the mission.

Alex

3BGuess you'd call it burnout. Or maybe just the need for anything resembling normal.

3BIf I even know what that is anymore…

V

3CLike the sound of that myself. Just shed this skin and leave the Night City merc behind.

Alex

3CHey, yeah. Like, who are you, anyway?

V

3CHm. Good question. With all the shit goin' on in my life lately…? A damn good question. And definitely too soon to know for sure.

Alex

Say… you ever think about who you'd be now if, y'know, life'd taken a different turn?

V

4AMaybe I'd still be with my family, out on the road.

Alex

4AAs in nomads?

V

4AMhm. The Bakkers. Probably somewhere in the Midwest right now, scrapin' together a few eds from the corn harvest.

4AThen long conversations over beer... "Isn't it time we joined Snake Nation?"... Soakin' in that big sky…

Alex

4AOr the stink of CHOOH in some rathole motel.

V

4AHm. Or that.

4BHead of Arasaka counterintel in NC. My old boss'd probably be dead by now. Me sittin' at his desk.

4BA nice corner office with a view of Corpo Plaza and the feeling that it all belongs to you. That you're in control.

Alex

4BSounds fuckin' wretched.

V

4BYeah.

4CI'd probably be runnin' the streets. Heywood at least, that I know.

Alex

4CPadre might have somethin' to say about that.

V

4CYou know each other?

Alex

4CWell… I know him. Kinda doubt he's got a file on me.

V

4DDunno. My guess? I'd still be searchin', takin' it one day at a time, makin' mistakes along the way.

Alex

4DGettin' tangled up in trouble, you mean.

V

4DNo doubt.

4DBut maybe the kind not out to kill me.

4EY'know, the road mighta been different, but… Got this feelin' I'd wind up in the same place all the same.

Alex

4EBelieve in destiny?

V

4EBad luck, more like.

Alex

4EYou can't know. Things could've been way worse.

V

4ETrue... Hard to imagine, but... no less true.

4FI'd leave Night City. As soon and as far away as possible.

Alex

4FJeez, what'd this city ever do to you?

V

4FEverything shitty that's ever happened to me.

Alex

4FAnd everything good.

V

4FWell, aren't you a ray of sunshine?

V

5AOK, now you.

5AWho would you be if not a secret agent and master of disguise?

Alex

5AAn actor.

V

5ANo hesitation there.

Alex

5AAlways dreamed of seeing my face on a show bill. I love musicals especially.

V

5ASeriously?

Alex

5ACall me old fashioned. So yeah, guess I'd be a braindance star.

V

6AWhat's so special about musicals?

Alex

6AThe world in song is much more beautiful than in reality. Intensely so.

6APlus, I just like to dance.

V

6BEver acted before? Outside your Agency-assigned roles, I mean.

Alex

6BNah… Not for more than an audience of one. Just dreamin' of bein' under the lights.

6BWhere everyone's watchin' me. But I know and they know it's all make-believe.

V

6CClearly got the skills to do it. You're a pro at bein' someone else.

Alex

6CI think so too. And y'know what? Acting's an honorable craft. You can bring forth emotions in people they didn't know they had. Help 'em escape life's tedium, or worse.

6CIn the service… not much of that honor to speak of.

V

6DGot any dream roles?

Alex

6DNorma Desmond, "Sunset Boulevard". Guessin' that doesn't ring any bells.

V

6DNot a single one.

Alex

6DNo surprise, it's ancient far as films go.

6DI have a soft spot for tragic characters. Not to mention I see somethin' of myself in her. Neither of us know when to let go.

V

7ATo your future career. I know you can pull it off.

Alex

7AThanks, V. Really.

V

7BTo a normal life. May we all enjoy one someday.

Alex

7BAmen.

V

7CTo our dreams. For they alone keep us sane.

Alex

7CAin't that the truth.

V

7DNo matter how this ends, Alex, got my fingers crossed for ya.

Alex

7DAnd I got mine for you. Shit, and my toes.

V

7EIt's nice to dream, but... I know my old life ain't comin' back. And you're no silver screen icon.

7EGotta make the most of reality.

Alex

5AOooh, I love this song.

5ASee ya soon, V.

Alex

9ADon't do this often, I'm guessin'.

V

10ABustin' moves? Can't say I do. What gave it away?

Alex

10AAh, wasn't thinkin' of dancin' But, never mind.

V

10B"This", meanin'...?

Alex

10BDoin' shit... just 'cause. No forethought. Carefree relaxin'.

V

12AAlex… thanks. Had kinda forgotten how much I miss the simple things too.

Alex

12ADon't mention it.

12ASee ya soon, V.

V

13AWe'll see you on BD posters in no time. I know it.

Alex

13AFirst – retirement.

V

13BGet some rest. Big day comin' up.

Alex

13BWill do.

V

13CTomorrow is our day. We got this.

Alex

13CI know.

V

5BTo your health.

Alex

Ain't half-bad, your rhythm. Go figure.

Intel's for lieutenants and up. Gonna need your superior's permission to get it. Over.

Alex

V?

Scav got your tongue?