Dialogue: Firestarter

Songbird

While you were waiting, I ran some initial diagnostics.

The mainframe is prepped and linked with our systems. She's ready to go.

You know, he created this lab especially for the occasion.

Tens of millions of eddies invested for your visit alone. That's Kurt for you.

I have a plan in place for once we secure the neural matrix.

I'll hack the localnet, override its defense systems, turn the whole stadium hostile… We'll slip out in the chaos.

I managed to simulate the mainframe's native environment – the bunker.

It'll be ready for the access codes in a moment.

Listen, V – all hell breaks loose in two minutes. When Hansen flatlines, we haul ass.

I'll block access to this room. Alex and Reed're minimizing risk and exfilling early via the route.

Here she is, in all her glory.

Oh, and don't worry about us – got that sorted already. Checked stadium blueprints, know which way to run.

So, shall we?

V

1AI am ready.

1ALinked. Connection quality?

Songbird

1AThousandth of the decimal. It'll have to do.

V

1AThen in we go.

Songbird

1AActuating the mainframe.

V

2ASo I see. It's responding.

Songbird

2AStay sharp, almost open for input.

2AV, thank you… Really. Thank you for being here.

2AJust… a little… more…

2AOK, your turn. It's ready for the access codes.

Player Voice

3AI'm with you, So Mi.

Songbird

3ALook toward Alex. Wait for Kurt to go down.

Player Voice

4ACan do. What then?

Songbird

4AWe run. Nearly have the matrix... Breaching stadium defenses now…

4AIt's... a lot… Had to reach past the Blackwall.

Player Voice

5AWait... Mean to say, like, the whole stadium?

Songbird

5ACuttin' off the lab now... carvin' a path outta here for us.

5ADefense systems are nearly primed to turn on Kurt's forces... Let Alex know.

V

6AOK.

Alex Female

6ATarget down.

Songbird

6AIt's done…

6AStadium defenses… hostile and online…

Reed

6AV, status. Everything all right?

Songbird

6AUgh…

4AThe matrix… I have it.

4A'K, almost there... Give Alex the signal.

Player Voice

4BEverything all right? You look like shit…

Songbird

4BNice to hear...

4BRunnin' three things at once here. You do one – keep your eyes on Kurt.

Player Voice

3BRelax, So Mi. We're almost there…

Songbird

3BHmm...

Player Voice

3BHome stretch.

Songbird

3BMhm...

3BThe neural matrix…

3BKurt, we have a problem.

3BNo, I can handle the one down here.

3BReally expected this to work?

Player Voice

7AHansen suspects somethin'… Just hasn't caught on yet.

Songbird

7ASoon it won't matter.

7ALeft in the dust. Him and the FIA.

Player Voice

8ANo turnin' back now.

Songbird

8ANope. But we're in this together.

Listen, V – all hell breaks loose in two minutes. When Hansen flatlines, we haul ass.

I'll block access to this room. Alex and Reed're minimizing risk and exfilling early via the route.

Here she is, in all her glory.

Oh, and don't worry about us – got that sorted already. Checked stadium blueprints, know which way to run.

So, shall we?

V

9AReady.

9ALinked. Is the connection clear?

Songbird

9AThousandth of the decimal. It'll have to do.

V

9ATime to get wet.

Songbird

9AActuating the mainframe.

V

10AMm, I see. It's responding.

Songbird

10AStay sharp, almost open for input.

10AV, thank you… Really. Thank you for being here.

10AJust… a little… more…

10AOK, your turn. It's ready for the access codes.

Player Voice

11AI'm with you, So Mi.

Songbird

11ALook toward Alex. Wait for Kurt to go down.

Player Voice

12ACan do. What then?

Songbird

12AWe run. Nearly have the matrix... Breaching stadium defenses now…

12AIt's... a lot… Had to reach past the Blackwall.

Player Voice

13AWait... Mean to say, like, the whole stadium?

Songbird

13ACuttin' off the lab now... carvin' a path outta here for us.

13ADefense systems are nearly primed to turn on Kurt's forces... Let Alex know.

V

14AMhm.

Alex Male

14ATarget down.

Songbird

14AIt's done…

14AStadium defenses… hostile and online…

Reed

14AV, status. Everything all right?

Songbird

14AUgh…

12AThe matrix… I have it.

12A'K, almost there... Give Alex the signal.

Player Voice

12BEverything all right? You look like shit…

Songbird

12BNice to hear...

12BRunnin' three things at once here. You do one – keep your eyes on Kurt.

Player Voice

11BRelax, So Mi. We're almost there…

Songbird

11BHmm...

Player Voice

11BHome stretch.

Songbird

11BMhm...

11BThe neural matrix…

11BKurt, we have a problem.

11BNo, I can handle the one down here.

11BReally expected this to work?

Player Voice

15AHansen suspects somethin'… Just hasn't caught on yet.

Songbird

15ASoon it won't matter.

15ALeft in the dust. Him and the FIA.

Player Voice

16ANo turnin' back now.

Songbird

16ANope. But we're in this together.

I managed to simulate the mainframe's native environment – the bunker.

It'll be ready for the access codes in a moment.

Stand clear, please. You're blocking the arm.

Stand clear, please. You're blocking the arm.

Player Voice

17ABut… how many would die?

Songbird

17AThey'll die so we can survive, live.

While you were waiting, I ran some initial diagnostics.

The mainframe is prepped and linked with our systems. She's ready to go.

You know, he created this lab especially for the occasion.

Tens of millions of eddies invested for your visit alone. That's Kurt for you.

I have a plan in place for when we secure the neural matrix.

I'll hack the localnet, override its defense systems, turn the whole stadium hostile… We'll slip out in the chaos.

Player Voice

18ABut… how many would die?

Songbird

18AThey'll die so we can survive, live.

Hmm...

V

Agh... what… nnghhh…!

Songbird

The neural matrix…

Alex Female

Wait! NO!

V

So Mi... You-- You don't know what you're doing.

Songbird

Oh, but I do know, V.

Doing what I have to to survive.

What...? Wha--ngh…

Reed

It's workin', V! ICEbreaker's gettin' through.

Songbird

Why... Why are you doing this…?

Nothing... You understand nothing…

Two-faced snakes – all of you!

V

Agh... what… nnghhh…!

V

19ATryin' to save So Mi, who she is...

19ABlackwall's eatin' your mind.

19BI trust Reed when he says he can help you.

19BAnd honestly... you should too.

Guard

The hell's goin' on?!

V

20AYou... You killed Alex...

Songbird

20ANo, V. You did.

20AHer death, all this, is on you.

Big mistake, V.

All of this… it's on you.

Alex Male

Wait! NO!

Songbird

Kurt, we have a problem.

No, I can handle the one down here.

Really expected this to work?

You double-cro-- Agh!

Reed

It's workin', V! ICEbreaker's gettin' through.

Songbird

What...? Wha--ngh…

Why... Why are you doing this…?

We have a problem.

No, I can handle the one here.

Really expected this to work?

V

21ASo Mi... You-- You don't know what you're doing.

Songbird

21AOh, but I do know, V.

21ADoing what I have to to survive.

V, thank you… Really. Thanks for bein' here.

Runnin' three things at once here. You do one – keep your eyes on Kurt.

We run. Nearly have the matrix... Breaching stadium defenses now…

It's... a lot… Had to reach past the Blackwall.

Runnin' three things at once here. You do one – keep your eyes on Kurt.

Cuttin' off the lab now... carvin' a path outta here for us.

Link in now.

Kurt

Whole stadium on lockdown now!

Whole stadium on lockdown now!

Songbird

V, what're you waitin' for?

Link in now.

V, what're you waiting for?

Everything OK?

Something wrong?

This one of your meditations?

For what we're paying, I expect your complete attention.

You keepin' up?

Everything OK?

Something wrong?

Off in la-la land?

For what we're paying, I expect your complete attention.

You keepin' up?

We can do this, V.

We can do this, V.

Guard

Hey! There a problem?

Johnny

Ugh... holy shit...

Feels like… like I fell down an elevator shaft.

V

1AThe hell... What was that?

Johnny

1ACyberpsychosis. Just got a second-long taste of what it's like.

1AUgh… Somebody cranked the dials, max amps, ripped a hole in space-time. Lucky you made it back.

V

1BThen you... had it easy…

1BFelt like-- like I shattered into a million pieces… and in the same instant… got put back together…?

1BShit could make ya go psycho...

Johnny

1BWell it did her in.

V

My head...

Reed

V! V, talk to me!

V

So Mi... She fought back… Reached past the Blackwall.

Reed

What the fuck! What happened?!

V

Lost control… Alex is gone.

Reed

Alex…

You gotta move! You're outta time!

Kurt

All units, all stations! Feds in the compound!

Everyone to the lab! Bust down that door!

Fuck!

You're a fucking corpse!

Call the Sapphire for support!

C'mon, get that fuckin' thing open!

Faster, faster!

Whole stadium on lockdown now!

No time! Move it, move it!

Faster, faster!

C'mon, get that fuckin' thing open!

Fuck!

You're a fucking corpse!

Call the Sapphire for support!

C'mon, get that fuckin' thing open!

Faster, faster!

Whole stadium on lockdown now!

No time! Move it, move it!

V

So Mi, you OK? What's wrong?

Songbird

The matrix, the-- the stadium… the Blackwall… Just lost control for a sec.

But… yeah, I'm OK now.

Alex Female

What the…?

Songbird

V, we need to bolt…

Alex Female

FUUUCK...!

Reed! They're givin' us the slip!

V

So Mi, you OK? What's wrong?

Songbird

The matrix, the-- the stadium… the Blackwall… Just lost control for a sec.

But… yeah, I'm OK now.

Alex Male

What the…?

Songbird

V, we need to bolt…

Alex Male

FUUUCK...!

Reed! They're givin' us the slip!

Reed Audio

You need to move, and quick.

Radio Voice

Target secured.

MaxTac in position. Eyes on target.

Reed

Mhh…

Radio Voice

Hold your fire. Target exhibiting strange behavior.

She's on the ground. Appears to be unconscious.

Reed

There's one thing left for us to do.

Madam President... I have news.

Myers

Tell me.

Reed

We're burned. For now, at least. And Songbird is in NC police custody.

Myers

I have no sway with the city government. This is your problem to fix, Reed.

Reed

Understood. I'll get 'er to Langley.

Myers

And remember – I want her alive.

V

1ASo… whadda we do now?

Reed

1AWe get to work. Get on the holo, I'll do the same. We make calls. To whoever comes to mind.

1AFind us a netrunner you trust. One who's capable of gettin' inside NCPD systems.

V

2ATalk later, then.

Reed

2AMhh.

V

2BReed… we'll get 'er back.

Reed

2BI know.

V

2CYou're in luck. Runnin' the Net's what I do.

Reed

2CYour field experience is rich and it'll be valuable here. We need a dedicated 'runner jacked into a full rig, dataforts in their sight, the works.

V

1BLangley…? Thought the plan was to ask a few questions, help 'er get home.

Reed

1BYeah, well, pretty tough to talk the way she is now.

1BWeren't you payin' attention?

1BThere is no second option. Right now, she belongs in federal custody. They can still help her – and you.

V

4AThat's her.

Reed

4AShe's completely lost control. Gone.

4AThis ain't good…

Reed Audio

Grab your gear. Don't forget.

Elevator's fubar. Go through the market. I'll see you on the other side.

Kurt Audio

Attention, all personnel! We have uninvited guests!

Be on the lookout for at least two federal agents and two netrunners.

Stop anyone who seems suspicious. My people will check 'em out.

Reed Audio

Down the hall to the left. But careful, opens up at the end, not much cover.

Elevator on your right. You're almost there.

Move it, V! Situation's heatin' up!

Reed

Get in!

What the hell you waiting for?!

We need to get outta here!

Move it!

V, in the car, now!

V

5ADrive!

Reed

5ALet's roll!

5AHold tight!

5AOK, OK... I need a sitrep...

5AAlex is dead. Songbird has flown. It could be... It could still be her in there, or... or what? Some kinda rabid AI…?

5AFuck!

5ALook – AVs. MaxTac.

V

6ANC police? In Dogtown?

Reed

6AEverbody's willin' to make an exception for MaxTac when you got a cyberpsycho on your doorstep.

V

6AThey're lookin' for So Mi...

Reed

6AWe're followin' 'em.

V

6AMaxTac?! Don't tell you mean to fight 'em?!

Reed

6ANo. But we need to know what's goin' on.

Radio Voice

6ATarget is Omega class. I repeat, Omega-class target at large. MaxTac is en route.

V

7AReed, we'll find 'er. A cyberpsycho on that scale won't go unnoticed in the city.

Reed

7AYou're right.

V

7BThe ICEbreaker... Shit, almost had 'er.

Reed

7BAlmost.

V

7BWe were linked – when it hit. I felt it too. She... she almost lost her mind.

Reed

5AFinding her is priority one.

5AWhere-where-where, could be anywhere… Best check NCPD scanner for chatter.

5AIf So Mi's been spotted, they'll know, we'll know.

Radio Voice

5A--an Omega-class target. I repeat – Omega-class target. MaxTac is inbound.

Barghest Dispatch

5AAll units, all units, MaxTac is on the scene. Stand down. I repeat, stand down.

Reed

Motherfuckers are fa-ast.

We need to find 'er. Every second counts…

In the car!

V, it's time we split up.

You gettin' out?

What the hell you waiting for?!

Move it!

Songbird

We need to make for the sewers.

V, not that way.

Reed

It's over, V!

Songbird

V, where are you going?!

Ngh… Let's keep movin'.

Toward the gate... Car'll be there.

Ugh… Rrrrgh…

Fuck! Fuckin' ankle…

V... Gonna need a hand.

Little help, please?

V

1AC'mon, So Mi. Final stretch.

Songbird

1AToward the gate... Car'll be there.

1AThank you, V.

HoboScared

1AH-h-hey… ain't lookin' for no trouble!

Songbird

1AThere they are – our rides.

V

2AHope you got a plan for what comes next.

Songbird

2AWe need to split up – try to throw off the Agency's pursuit strategy.

2AMeanwhile, I'll confirm my path outta Night City is clear. Once I do, I'll be in touch.

V

2AWhere we gonna meet? And when?

Songbird

2AI'll send you the coordinates – just wait for my sig. And don't get caught.

V

2AHey, likewise.

Songbird

2AAnd V…? Thanks.

V

2BSure you're gonna make it outta this?

Songbird

2BIf I don't, you'll hear about it on the news.

V

2CSo Mi, we… we did it. Got away. From Hansen and the FIA.

Songbird

2CNot quite, V. This was the first step.

2CI won't rest easy until I'm out of NC airspace.

V

2CSeriously? Gonna hop on another plane after how you wound up here?

Songbird

2CYou'll see.

V

Door's locked.

Songbird

I'll open it. Gimme a sec.

Done.

Disabled the door... We have a moment to catch our breath...

Which… Yeah, gimme a sec.

V

3AHackin' the mainframe took a lot outta you…

Songbird

3AThe mainframe, the stadium… Bit off more than I could chew.

Homeless Chat Speaker

Gonna mean trouble for us…

Homeless Chat Speaker

No, it ain't.

Homeless Chat Speaker

How you so sure?

Homeless Chat Speaker

'Cause we ain't seen nothin'.

Homeless Chat Speaker

Think I see who that alarm's for…

Homeless Chat Speaker

That huge blast…? Gotta be them.

Homeless Chat Speaker

Hansen's dogs could swoop in any sec…

Homeless Chat Speaker

That car? Bet ya my lucky enny it's here for them.

Homeless Chat Speaker

That's a dumbass bet.

Homeless Chat Speaker

That mean you'll take it?

SongbirdHolocall

The hell, V?! Just left me back there!

You do realize you almost ruined everything for both of us?

Ugh… Well, good news is I have a way outta the city. But I still need your help, which means you still have mine.

I'll let ya know soon about where to meet up.

Songbird

OK, opening the gate…

Leave the door to me. Don't forget your gear.

V

4AKeepin' it together, So Mi? Can you make it?

Songbird

4AAll's goin' according to plan. Do not worry about me.

V

6AFinally!

V

7AWant my help?

Songbird

7AHow? Gonna throw me down?

7AGo on... Can handle myself.

7AKeep goin', V.

7AI'll be fine. Really.

7AI'm right behind you.

6A'K... Jumpin'.

6ANeed to… Need to run…

6AV…

6AI'm-- I'm gonna puke...

5AI'm feelin' dizzy…

5AV, help me with the grate.

5AWe need to hurry, V…

5AIt's not budging…

V

5AOh, it will.

Songbird

F-feelin'… lightheaded…

Christ, this hurts…

My ride'll be here soon... Can't stop now.

Grab your iron.

Gear you left is in the locker.

C'mon... Almost there, V.

You with me?

What're you waiting for?

Gotta go... No time.

Leave the door to me. Don't forget your gear.

Murphy

All exits covered?

Miniboss Area Guard

Yes, sir. Search is underway.

Murphy

Watch yourselves. She's dangerous.

Songbird

This way.

Door. Left of the main entrance, quick.

Miniboss Area Guard

All exits are covered. Where's Murphy?

Miniboss Area Guard

Ducked out before this all started, I guess.

Miniboss Area Guard

That explains how he's stuck around so long… Keep lookin'.

Songbird

V, careful. It's Murphy.

We need to reach that door, left of the entrance.

V

1AHelo! Fire it up!

1AAny chance you spin the chopper's rotor?

1BHack those bots! There!

Warehouse Chat Guard

1BThat was close...

Warehouse Chat Guard

1BEveryone all right?

Warehouse Chat Guard

1BLooks like it.

Warehouse Chat Guard

1BYo, what the fuck?!

V

1BCan you get those bots on our side? Sure'd be useful.

Songbird

Up the stairs and left. Find your gear there.

Elevator's offline.

Right... Reed must be down below.

V

2AThe mech! Try to hack it!

2ACan we sic that Minotaur on 'em?

2BSo Mi – turrets! Fire 'em up!

2BY'know, those turrets'd be a big help.

KrugerVoice

Intruders in the stadium! Stop them, don't let them escape!

Our primary target is a netrunner! Asian woman, heavily chipped, running like a coward!

Songbird

C'mon! Door on the left!

OK... Now, the door on the left.

There's an elevator but we're not usin' it. Keep goin', to the corridor.

Follow the maintenance shaft. Take the stairs down.

Careful. People up ahead.

V

Where now?

Songbird

Ladder... down to the sewer.

V

Right.

Songbird

Wait. Hear that?

Drones.

Almost there…

Plan's as follows... We'll be exiting from the back of the stadium.

I've arranged two cars – en route already. One's for you, the other's for me. Should make us harder to track.

V

3ADrop those cars on 'em!

3ACan you start those cars? Get 'em rollin' down?

3BPanzer turret – use that!

3BCan you comandeer the panzer turret? Good distraction.

Songbird

We need to get to a higher level. I can do something to distract 'em.

Murphy

All exits covered?

Watch yourselves. She's dangerous.

Songbird

V, careful. It's Murphy.

Tunnel Utility Worker

Ugh, half the equipment's fried – other half's lit up like a fuckin' Christmas tree.

Tunnel Utility Worker

We're gonna be down, what, at least a couple o' days?

Tunnel Utility Worker

Ugh, fuck, dude. Try a week.

Tunnel Utility Worker

Shit... Need to close down the stadium. Too risky without working systems.

Tunnel Utility Worker

It's them!

P-p-please… Don't hurt us!

Tunnel Utility Worker

We won't say a word, promise!

Tunnel Utility Worker

Fuckin' useless! Broken, fuckin' FUCK!!!

Songbird

If things get dicey, I can help, hack stuff around you.

Just can't push myself ... The mainframe breach... Blackwall hit me hard.

Vehicle Area Chat Guard

Breaker, breaker! Does anybody read me?! Over!

What's going on? Where's Murphy?! Over!

Are we under attack? I need confrimation.

Songbird

Hold on… Need a sec.

Phew... OK.

Turn right. To the end of the tunnel.

Vip Area Rotor Chat Soldier

Poor bastards…

What a way to go.

Kurt

And fucking stay down!

Havin' fun yet?

Vehicle Area Chat Soldier

Two full squads were after her, but… I don't know. All hell broke loose.

Our own turret was taking shots at us. Cars fell out of the sky... It was a massacre...

Vehicle Area Chat Soldier

She get away?

Vehicle Area Chat Soldier

I guess. She's not here. We're still looking.

Vehicle Area Chat Soldier

And we'll find her.

Kurt

Too fast for you?

Hahaha! Sucks to be slow!

ReedRadio

Thank you, V. That was for Alex.

Door on the left. It leads to the main entrance.

V

1ANot today.

Kurt

1AI won't forget you…

Agh… Can't-- Can't breathe…

Ekh-khe-khe… F-Fuck… is this it…?

There you are…

KurtVoice

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.

Kurt

It's time we ended this.

Market Chat Soldier Chat

Look out! It's still on the hunt!

Man... I guess it's done.

Market Chat Soldier

She had total control of the stadium subnet. We just couldn't see it.

Market Chat Soldier

How? How do you not see that?!

Market Chat Soldier

The fact she overrode the system at all is one thing. But that she did it without trippin' alarms? It's fuckin' magic, man.

Delivery Area Worker Chat

Of course, right, dammit!

It's always fucking jammed!

Kurt

Murphy, status on the north entrance.

Secure all ways in and out of the complex.

And keep our guest of honor in one piece. She has something I need.

Delivery Area Soldier Chat

I'm in the loading area. Over.

You are breaking up. Say again? Over.

Shit…

V

So Mi, what've you done...

A massacre…

This is bad… Real bad.

Oh, Jesus…

Delivery Area Soldier Chat

Fuck. One crazy bitch. Just one…

Delivery Area Soldier Chat

What do you mean "one"?

Delivery Area Soldier Chat

Fuckin' netrunner…

Delivery Area Soldier Chat

She trashed half the stadium? Alone? Nah, no chance.

ReedRadio

Thank you, V. That was for Alex.

Kurt

I won't forget you…

V

Dogtown alpha hound, my ass…

Statue Chat

Wha--? Am I skezzin', or wasn't there a statue here?

Statue Chat

There was.

Statue Chat

Well, what the hell happened?

Statue Chat

Got swiss cheese'd durin' a shootout.

Had to take the rest of it down. Risk of collapse. Kind of a shame…

Kurt

I have you now, shitstain.

Kill this bitch!

Going somewhere?

Kill this bitch!

Come 'ere!

Bleed.

Let's dance.

You can pay me back in blood!

I'm just getting started!

Why drag this out?

Don't worry. It won't hurt long.

Oh, can't run forever.

Surround 'er!

You can't handle this!

Bear down! We have the advantage!

Big fuckin' mistake, cunt!

You can't escape!

Now it's just us.

Everyone stand your ground!

Stronger fighters have tried and failed.

Foes better than you have tried to kill me.

Really believe you had a chance?

V

Anyone come this close before?

Kurt

Hah! "Close" is how the dead measure victory.

So, you want to be Myers' newest pet?

V

Just want you dead.

Kurt

You don't expect me to roll over, I hope.

Though I must say I'm disappointed. If Myers ever wants me to take 'er seriously, she'd do better to send in black ops.

Ready to join your friend?

You knew she was destined for a bodybag as soon as you split up. Hell, maybe you knew all along...?

V

Peeps ain't pawns to me. You'll pay for what you did.

Kurt

2AEkh-khe-khe… F-Fuck… is this it…?

V

2ADogtown alpha hound, my ass…

Kurt

Report.

Miniboss Soldier Chat

The main entrance is secure.

Kurt

Songbird?

Miniboss Soldier Chat

We're not sure. Our people are on it.

Kurt

And the Feds?

Miniboss Soldier Chat

We... lost them too.

Kurt

Do I run a fucking circus?

Show me what you're made of.

'Bout time I ended you!

Die, vermin!

V

Oh. Interesting.

V

1APreem wheels…

Johnny

1ASlick wheels…

1AOh yeah…?

1AReady to roll, or what?

V

1ARelax...

Johnny

2AHeads up! Roadblock!

2ACareful, V. Or we're burnt toast.

V

1AOh yeah.

Q304 Car Retrieval Guard

Weird… Scanner read-out bugged for a sec.

Stop your vehicle!

You're late…

You're free to pass.