Dialogue: For Whom the Bell Tolls

Arasaka Ai

Intruder detected.

Initiating "Hayabusa" protocol.

The facility is in lockdown.

Security personnel must report to designated zones.

V

Always had a thing for birds, didn't ya?

Rogue

Beautiful. Too bad they're not real.

As Spider Murphy loved to say… "Look what the cat dragged in."

Let's grab the access token and make for the elevator.

Move your asses! I need backup!

You piece of shit – Weyland's dead!

Meet me in the atrium NOW, or you'll regret it!

V

Found a way through by the elevator. Come find me.

Found a way through by the elevator. Waitin' on you two.

Rogue

Go. But keep your eyes lookin' three-sixty.

V

I'm downstairs. C'mon.

Rogue

Guards.

Occupied at the term…

Gonna take the cover route. Meet up at the AV.

Slippin' by's an option, and so is takin' 'em out all at once. I'll follow your lead.

OK, to the bird.

Just keep scoutin' around, asshole. Me – I'm getting Weyland back.

In position.

V

OK, Weyland. You ready?

Weyland

Was that a real question?

Rogue

They spotted us!

Well, was good while it lasted…

We've been made!

Weyland

Better late than never, I suppose...

Rogue

You're alive, aren't you? Plus, now we got elevator access.

C'mon.

V

Over here.

Hey, boy scout…

Rogue

Hey… you still breathin'?

Weyland never jumped. Crashed by the waterfall.

I'll try to reestablish contact with him, then find someone who's got access for the elevator going down.

Weyland...? You read me?

How many pieces you in?

Weyland

Still one, I hope. An' I think the local tribe's taken an interest in me.

Rogue

We'll get you outta there. Don't move.

Weyland

As if I could.

Rogue

We're goin' after Weyland.

V

1AGot it.

1BDon't have the time to waste. He'll be fine.

Rogue

1BAlmost forgot what an asshole you are. Fine, do what you want, but I'm helpin' Weyland.

V

2AUgh… Fuck me...

Arasaka Ai

Intruder detected.

Initiating "Hayabusa" protocol.

The facility is in lockdown.

Security personnel must report to designated zones.

Rogue

See if we can't use this term somehow.

Look...

We take 'em out quietly, won't have a chance to set off the alarm.

V

Not even to shit their pants.

Rogue

Let's move.

V

Time for a classic.

Rogue

Is that--?

You and your fucking ego.

Ahh. Ooh, that felt good.

Might wanna turn the ambient jungle sounds back on. Maybe see what else is on there, too.

V

3AGotta find Weyland. Time's tight.

Rogue

3AAgreed.

V

Uh-huh… Always did prefer night ops.

Weyland

Thanks for the help.

Rogue

You were supposed to jump with us.

Weyland

Don't like all enemies in one big puddle – decided to ripple 'em out.

V

4ASeems you jumped the puddle entirely.

Rogue

4ANot now!

V

4BRemind me a lot of your old man.

Weyland

4BWhat? But you're too young to--

Rogue

4BNot now!

Let's find an ace among all these suits, grab the access shard from his cold, dead hands, and get outta this fucking jungle.

V

Way ahead of ya.

Rogue

Yeah? Nice work. Let's go.

Need an access token to get outta here. We'll find one on an officer.

V

Oh goddamn it, knew I forgot somethin'. Well, I know where we can find one, already stiff.

Rogue

Let's go pay our respects.

Let's get outta here.

Move!

Weyland

Yo, slick skin.

V

From a half-reptile, I'll take that as a compliment.

Little cover oughta help...

Rogue

Mh. What's this?

V

El Salvador.

Rogue

Finally, let's get to work. Hey, Weyland, you hear me?

Weyland

Loud an' clear. Door's all mine.

Rogue

We each get one. Johnny, choice is yours.

I've reached Weyland.

Head for the waterfall. Waiting for you there.

Mhm. More of 'em.

One for you, one for me.

V

Got the access token. Now, the elevator.

Weyland

So, you're Johnny Silverhand some which way, huh?

V

That's right.

Weyland

Nova... Nice to meet you.

V

5ALet there be fog.

5BNighty night.

Rogue

See that one? A high-ranker, holding the access we need.

All yours, Johnny.

Shit, great! They jammed the elevators.

V

Prolly everything else in the building, too.

Rogue

There's gotta be a way. Need to look around.

Almost forgot what an asshole you are. Fine, do what you want, but I'm helpin' Weyland.

Good to go. Johnny, do the honors.

Weyland

Who is this chick?

V

Time to liven up this party.

Guard

They're trying to distract us.

We know they'll try to reach the AV, so stay sharp.

Guard

Kokiden squad! Report not received! Repeat!

Are you by the AV? Report! You're barely comin' through!

Guard

Fujitsubo, requesting report!

No response.

Guard

Cut faster!

Guard

There's a layer of Militech plastic steel underneath!

Guard

I'm kickin' up the power – gotta get through this!

Guard

We lost contact with Fujitsubo squad. I await further orders.

Kiritsubo squad! Report!

Don't wanna hear any more excuses!

Don't stop cutting!

Incompetence will not be tolerated.

Guard

"Chippin' In"… What is this shit…?

Guard Elev

Yes, Burondo-sama.

Of course, Burondo-sama.

V

1AWell… coulda been worse.

1AAlt's in.

Rogue

1AThink she can break through the ICE?

Alt Cunningham

1AI have bypassed security.

1AI have complete control of the buidling.

1AThe way to Mikoshi is clear.

Rogue

1AElevator. Now.

1ANetrun Operations Control!

V

1AFuck me.

Rogue

1AChrist…

V

Approaching the landing platform. Cavalry's come to the rescue.

Rogue

The atrium. Jesus, was just a month ago I met with Michiko Arasaka here.

V

Empty hallways, offices…

Rogue

Just like back then… Remember?

V

'Course I do.

Rogue

You've changed, y'know. Finally grown up.

V

And you're still the best.

Rogue

You first.

V

Why me?

Rogue

'Cause I don't know if these things even work.

V

Wait... serious?

Rogue

Is rockerboy Silverhand gonna call it quits now?

Fucking elevators're still jammed. Gotta jump.

V

That's a long way down.

Rogue

Precisely why I told you to bring the anti-gravs.

See you down bottom!

V

In the atrium now.

Rogue

Be right there.

V

Which way now?

Rogue

Security room!

Need to find the elevator to the labs! Fastest route to Mikoshi.

Cunningham – port. Jack 'er in.

V

Can't open it from here. Probably a control term nearby.

Open. Patching in Alt.

Rogue

Let your woman out of her box, let her show us what she's got.

V

Hey, you've always been the one – know that, right?

Rogue

I do. Just a shame you never did.

Johnny? Careful now.

V

I'll never get tired of this.

Still can't get used to this body.

But hey, nice to be young.

Rogue

A body's just a body.

Fucking always hated stealth anyway…

Boss

Everyone converge on my position!

Guard

The building's cut off... We're stuck in the city's biggest deathtrap…

Arasaka Elevator Ai

Two thousand sixty-seven – an Arasaka bodyguard shields the Emperor of Japan from an assassin's bullet.

Two thousand seventy-one – Arasaka security forces prevent mass riots in San Francisco, saving the city from certain ruin.

Two thousand seventy-four – an Arasaka investigation eliminates a terror cell in Rio de Janeiro, ending a string of attacks and executing those responsible.

Two thousand seventy-six – Arasaka's counterintelligence division effectively secures a corporate summit in Jakarta, foiling forty-five plots to attack and sabotage it.

How will Arasaka shine in two thousand seventy-seven? That depends on you.

V

Made a run for it, wound up turret fodder.

Weyland

Holy fuckin' Christmas… Who is she?

Rogue

A woman pushed to the very edge.

See, Johnny? You disappear from her life, she spreads her wings. Her and everyone else.

V

Oh shit…

Rogue

Seems Cunningham's made strides these last decades.

V

Shiteaters never even stood a chance…

Rogue

C'mon, the way down's beyond the door.

Looks like our work here is already done.

Alt Cunningham

I'm preparing to repel a netrunner attack originating from outside the facility.

You will be on your own now.

And you must hurry. An Arasaka elite force isn't far behind.

Rogue

Let's move it!

Alt Cunningham

Arasaka netrunners have stormed the tower's systems.

Stopping their advance is my priority. Continue on your way alone.

I've cleared a path, but you must hurry. An elite security unit is following you.

Rogue

Wait... Footsteps.

Has to be a 'runners' nest 'round here somewhere.

We find it, slot in the backdoor shard, let Cunningham run wild.

V

Patrol.

Alt Cunningham

Arasaka netrunners have stormed the tower's systems.

Stopping their advance is my priority. Continue on your way alone.

I've cleared a path, but you must hurry. An elite security unit is following you.

Guard

What's the sitrep?

Guard

Cooling systems are down.

Guard

A diversion – handle it. The rest of you, get ready.

Guard

Understood!

Alt Cunningham

I've cleared a path, but you must hurry. An elite security unit is following you.

Rogue

Oh, fuck stealth!

V

Bullshit.

Rogue

Know that look. Got somethin' on your mind?

V

Ever think back? About why we did it?

Rogue

Did what…?

V

Why we took on the corps, strapped in leather, chrome and iron?

Rogue

Dunno, Johnny. We were young – hot blood in our veins, shit judgment in our heads, like all pups.

V

We fought for beauty. Not knowin' what was good or true, was only the beautiful that meant a damn thing to us.

Rogue

Don't let your mind wander. We'll kick around old brain cells over vodka once we're done.

Weyland

My treat, eh? Old people with stories of de olden days – just like me grandparents.

Guard

Is the maintenance hatch locked down?

Guard

Yes, sir.

Guard

And the ETA on support?

Guard

Birds are in the air. Flight time as stipulated in procedures.

Arasaka Ai

Welcome to Arasaka Tower.

Weapons and other hazardous materials are not allowed on the premises.

We wish you a pleasant day.

Johnny

Time to party like it's 2023.

Careful, this's their house. Got a gameplan all polished and rehearsed.

'Fore the first tower went up in smoke, labs were underground. Elevator's what we want.

Need to find a guard with some chops, status. He'll have our access token.

So far so good.

Startin' to think this plan wasn't batshit crazy after all.

Shit, needs an access token.

V

Access token. Oughta get the elevator movin'.

Johnny

"Netrun Operations Control" – sounds like a good place to run a megafacility from.

V

We plug in your output there, see how she settles in.

Johnny

I'd expect a very warm welcome down below if I were you.

V

Good. If we're goin' out, it better be with fuckin' fireworks.

Johnny

You feelin' all right?

Guard Voiceover

Why the hell you here, bitch?!

Guard Voiceover

Shouldn'ta come here! Last mistake of your life!

Guard Voiceover

Won't get out alive!

Guard Voiceover

Takin' you down! MaxTac can clean up after!

Johnny

No, no, dammit…

V

Got it!

Johnny

Gonna be an ambush, no doubt. Just focus – you're better than them.

Motherfuckers got no love for foreplay. Brace yourself, V.

Hey! Over here!

Ain't no expert, but sure looks like the tower's mainframe to me.

V

Guess we just see what happens when we jack Alt in.

Johnny

This what we're lookin' for?

OK… and…?

That's the slot. Let's make Alt at home.

V

1ASure hope your ex output performs as advertised…

Johnny

1A"Look on my works, ye Mighty, and despair!"

Alt Cunningham

1ASecurity system overridden. I am in control.

1AThreat from personnel neutralized.

1AThe path to Mikoshi lies open.

Johnny

1AC'mon, let's go!

Guard Voiceover

No fuckin' way! A single merc?! Alone?!

Guard Voiceover

It's one damn street whore!

Guard Voiceover

She's solo! Fuckin' blast her!

Guard Voiceover

Backup! Where is our fucking backup?!

Guard Voiceover

Somebody pop a bullet in her head!

Guard Voiceover

Fuck, this is the end…

Guard Voiceover

Don't wanna die…! Not here! Not like this!

Guard Voiceover

I have to get out!

Guard Voiceover

God! No! Please!

Guard Voiceover

Shit! Not good! NOT GOOD!

Guard Voiceover

I surrender! Do what you want, just let me live!

Guard Voiceover

No, no, no, no, no!

Johnny

Term – think you can use it?

V

We'll find out.

Johnny

Damn, could really use you right now, Spider…

All right… Not exactly seein' any slots…

V

Mainframe's under the floor, most likely. Need to find a way to eject it.

Johnny

Ah. Like a goddamn adventure game…

V

1AJohnny Silverhand sends his regards.

Smasher

1AAre you fucking with me now?

Johnny

1AHe's got a point, V. Shut up and finish him, be done with it.

V

2ATook down Johnny's arch-enemy. Gotten good, I guess – damn, it feels nice.

2BCouple of fossils actin' like snot-nosed brats, you two.

2BI'm here for me. For my life.

1AJohnny Silverhand sends his regards.

Alt Cunningham

Hurry to Mikoshi before they launch another attack.

V

3ADon't know how... but it worked.

Johnny

3ASee ya on the other side.

Alt? You here?!

V

What's with the door?

Don't strain yourself, now.

Johnny

Smasher!

Smasher

Pathetic meat.

Johnny

We got this.

Johnny

C'mon, not much further to go.

We saw this place in a dream.

Alt Cunningham

Find the access point in the center of the room. You must connect to it.

Then submerse yourself in coolant.

I will be waiting.

Johnny

Break free!

Smasher

Are you fucking with me now?

Johnny

He's got a point, V. Shut up and finish him, be done with it.