Dialogue: Gig: Prototype in the Scraper

Goon

Heh, corpo transport… intel didn't lie! This gear – what you think it'll pull back at stadium?

Goon

Ah, just hope we catch eddies, not a bullet... If Zetatech finds out we got drop on their transport...

Goon

So what if they do, huh? They can eat shit back in Night City.

Goon

What the shit?! Rgh, not again, this fucking thing...

Goon

Nah, no witnesses. One shot, done on the spot. What good's a hostage?

Goon

Why you ask me? What, don't like his pretty face?

Goon

Fuckin' suit. Oughta wipe 'im 'fore him an' the rats start breedin'.

Goon

Let him enjoy cage. We make the corporat dance soon…

Goon

Rip your neurals out, get some new ones, nutbrain. Optic shit's delicate, want me to damage it?

Y'didn't grab any intel off the convoy? No schematics, nothin'?

Goon

No docs. Unless, uhmm... We didn't really look.

Goon

Ugh… whatever. Fresh outta ideas. Gonna need to roll him on the table, start cuttin'.

Goon

Finally you say something smart!

Hasan

You! Over here!

Hahahah! Was that you shooting up the place? I almost feel sorry for them. Almost.

Let me guess – Zetatech hire? I think I know why you're here.

V

1ALemme guess right back… Want me to rescue you?

Hasan

1ANo, no – the prototype. And its schematics. Correct?

V

1BClient lost some items. Tech stuff.

Hasan

1BLike, say, a prototype and some schematics, hm?

They might've locked me up, but I kept the signal pinging from my prototype. I knew the corp would send someone eventually.

V

Uh-huh, cute. Now the short version – who're you?

Hasan

Hasan Demir, Zetatech engineer. Only survivor of the scav ambush.

V

2ASole survivor, huh? Mercy's not in the scavs' MO. Gotta have somethin' they want.

Hasan

2AMm, you could say that… What they need is my implant. And that, my friend, is priceless.

V

2AWait, wait, wait… Tellin' me you 'planted that tech in your own damn skull?

Hasan

2AWell, I figured it was the safest way. The border control's scans don't recognize unreleased tech.

2AIn retrospect, it does seem, uh, rather foolish. Then again, it bought me a few hours of life.

2AWe're a package deal, the prototype and I. You won't get it while I'm here, withering away.

Johnny

2AMore luck than sense, this one. How gonk you gotta be to chip yourself with prototype tech? No offense, V.

2A'Course, unless Zetatech forced 'im into it, made a guinea pig outta 'im.

V

3AHere's an idea - I go in there, yank that chrome outta your skull and hit the road.

Hasan

3AI'll tell you what I told those savages – there's no way to extract it short of a ripperdoc. You yank, it's ruined.

V

3APrototype's all I need. Its condition? Whole 'nother gig...

Hasan

3AThat still leaves the schematics… Listen, I can show you where they're holding them.

V

4AFine, fine. Let's getcha outta here.

Hasan

4AWonderful. I knew we'd come to an understanding.

V

4BSo that's your scheme, huh? Fine. Try anything funny, though…

Hasan

4BThere's a time and place to be funny. This isn't it.

V

3AYeah. Now to crack open this door…

Hasan

3ABypass the security? If you can't, the guard room's nearby… Maybe they have a passcode?

V

3AHate "maybes." Already found it.

Hasan

3AHah… Thank goodness. I thought you'd left.

V

3ANot with those schematics still at large. Remember where they're keepin' em?

Hasan

3AOf course I remember.

3ATheir workshop – the scavs took me there, forced me to remove the security protocols on the tech they'd swiped…

V

3AUh-huh. Lead the way, then. And no gonk moves.

Hasan

3AWell, I see Zetatech spared no expense in hiring a real professional.

V

3ANow your time to shine. How do you know where these schemadocs're at?

3ARight, back in a nanosec.

3BNot here to rescue hostages.

Hasan

3BLook – if you want the implant, you need to take me to a ripper. Extracting it is a delicate process.

V

3CWhy all the drama over some measly implant?

Hasan

3C"Some implant?" "Measly?!" Please, this design is a potential Kiroshi-buster!

3CAhem. We at the firm learned some Santo Domingo riff-raff stole it from Arasaka Industrial Park. Naturally, we investigated…

3CI was to conclude the sale at the stadium, hush-hush, not so much as a beep on Arasaka's radar. And, well... here I am.

V

3DPrototech's capricious. Erratic. For a Zetatech engineer, sure took a big gamble 'plantin' that thing.

Hasan

3DIndeed, a gamble, yet the alternative was far more dangerous.

V

3DRiiight… And big daddy Zetatech? All cool with lettin' some Dogtown ripper fuck around with papa's priceless prototech?

Hasan

3D"Papa" was not informed of the decision. Now – can we please take this conversation outside?

V

2BFixer didn't mention a rescue op, only the prototype. Y'got it?

Hasan

2BOh, I have it.

V

2CHow'd they get a drop on you? Zetatech's skimpin' on huscle now?

Hasan

2CIt was an undercover operation – minimal security, maximum secrecy…

V

2CIn Dogtown? Keepin' your fangs to yourself's a sign of weakness here. Might as well've tagged "rob me" on the transport.

Hasan

2CLet Zetatech do the lecturing, please. That is, if you get me out of here. So, what will it be?

V

2DEven for scavs, jumpin' a corpo convoy's next level gonkery. Somethin's off here.

Hasan

2DIt was an undercover operation – minimal security, maximum secrecy…

V

2DSo the scavs randomly ambushed you? No, no way. Someone rat you out? Sell the product, sell out the client?

Hasan

2DLook, I don't fucking know. We'll cross that bridge later. Can you just get me outta here?

V

2EHow'd you get caught with your pants down? Zetatech didn't map the route?

Hasan

2EIt was an undercover operation – minimal security, maximum secrecy…

V

2EOnly language scavs speak is brute force. Think ya forgot Dogtown ain't Night City.

Hasan

2ENoted. Now, I have a proposition - get me out and I help you find the tech, yes?

V

Bad time! Got scavs on my ass!

Hasan

Sure, sure, do your thing! Just come back, I can help you!

V

5AAll right, we're clear.

Hasan

Where the hell are you going?!

H-hey! Don't leave me here!

Couple more steps… Keeping it quiet... out of sight, out of harm… If they don't spot us, we'll be just fine… Come on, Hasan, keep it together…

I suppose this would've been my fiery grave if you hadn't shown up.

Burnt at Zetatech, nearly burnt here… ehhh…

A scav on the balcony. You'd better take him down.

Cunning. Let's keep going.

One less… uh, fewer to worry about.

Jesus! Is that… Harry? The man was a real prick, but this… it's barbaric...

V

Two, seven, five, three...

Hasan

No prisoners, huh? Uhhh, good…

Clean and quiet. Truly commendable.

Two Scavs ahead. Can you work your magic?

It's time we were on our way.

Here we are – the tablet should be in there. Could you, uh, terminate the guard?

Hey, that was you? Thanks, but, uh…

Those scopbags are still around! Take them out, then we'll talk!

Right, right… this is it. It's got to be here… somewhere…

Found it!

V

8APreem, got it. Stick close, we'll get ya outta here.

Hasan

8AWait. I heard you slaughtering them, which means so did half of Longshore. This place is about to be swarming with scavs.

V

8AYou got an idea? Let's hear it.

Hasan

8AThe drawbridge. I've seen the scavs use it. I suppose it's their emergency exit from the Scraper.

8AWe'll vanish before they realize. Little to no risk. See? Not as burdensome as you thought I was.

8AAnd if they see the empty cell and sound the alarm? It could get really hot, really quickly...

Ugh, so much for creeping! Shoot them or something!

V

9ATossed the trash. We good to go?

Hasan

9AY-yeah. Let's move.

They're on to us!

V

Take cover!

All right, we're clear.

Now your time to shine. How do you know where these schemadocs're at?

Bad time! Got scavs on my ass!

Hasan

Sure, sure, do your thing! Just come back, I can help you!

V

All right, we're clear.

Hasan

You! Over here!

Hasan

Now to disable the bridge. Better not to have scavs on our backs, no? Hrgh!

Should be safe here… Phew! I owe you one, truly. It was getting quite ugly back there.

V

Sure thing. Not like I'm leavin' empty-handed, right?

Hasan

Well, uh, I suppose I can take it from here. I'll tell my superiors you did one hell of a job.

V

1AOh, no, no, no. You'll sit tight while I call my fixer, grab some transport. Sure he'll wanna handle the prototype – personally.

Hasan

1ANo, no, wait! I, uh… I can't go back to Zetatech.

V

1AKnow what? Gettin' on my nerves, choom. Ya get one answer – what the fuck's your deal?

Hasan

1AMy deal, uh… Agh, I don't intend to return to Zetatech. I planned to grab the prototype and vanish into Dogtown.

1AI had a buyer, I was waiting on the signal to run... Then the scavs attacked and everything went to shit! Going back, it… it would be a death sentence.

V

2AFuckin' hazed me Hasan. Put my shit on the line for you, and you wanna leave me out to dry?

Hasan

2AI was in a goddam scav cage! You would've left if I'd told you the truth!

V

2AMaybe, maybe not. But you definitely made a big mistake tryin' to con me.

Hasan

2AI fucked up, OK?! If I'd known… please, if you send me back, I'm dead!

V

2ANewsflash, choom – dead already. They'll find ya an' snuff ya before you walk with that tech.

Hasan

2AThen… I give up. Kill me. I'm not being dramatic. I'd rather die by your hand than their tortures.

V

3ADoin' it my way – callin' my fixer. You? Sit tight and shut up.

Hasan

3ARight… OK…

Johnny

3ASly bastard survived an ambush, gave scavs the slip and bamboozled a corp. But at some point, everyone's luck runs out...

V

3AHands? Sitch got tangled. Rescued a Zetatech hostage, sole survivor of a scav ambush.

Fixer

3AI see. This impedes your assignment how, exactly?

V

3AWell, my choom here 'planted the prototype in his eye socket. Gonna need a ride.

Fixer

3AInconvenient, but not disastrous. Coordinates, please. His escort back to Zetatech will arrive shortly.

V

4ASendin' 'em now.

4BDon't send him back to Zetatech. Like you to find him a mean chrome-doc, extract the tech an' let him walk.

Fixer

4BHmm… I assume you have a kind benefactor in mind to sponsor your friend's operation?

V

4BC'mon Hands. Y'gotta have some favor to call in, won't cost ya a damn enny.

Fixer

4BTrue. Consider this a gesture of good will. A solid foundation for our mutual cooperation.

4BI have to say I'm intrigued, V. Is this man worth the effort?

V

4BKnow all too well what those Zeta-pricks got in store for him. So I thought… y'know what? Fuck 'em.

Fixer

4BDone and done.

Hasan

4BI appreciate you having my back there. Truly.

Hands Man

5AYou V? Hands sent me. Here for the schematics.

V

6AYeah. Here ya go.

Hands Man

6APreem, I'll take it from here.

5AYou V? Hands sent me. Here for the schematics.

Hasan

3AI beg you, please don't send me back to the corp…

V

3BSo be it, Hasan… Sorry.

Hasan

3BWait, wait, you don't... We can make a--

Johnny

3BSly bastard survived an ambush, gave scavs the slip and bamboozled a corp. But at some point, everyone's luck runs out...

V

3BBrought it on himself. Let's just grab what we came for an' get outta here.

V

3COK. You an' me – never met. Our story? Scavs got the schematics, prototype went AWOL. We clear?

Hasan

3CYou- really?! Y-yes, understood! I… Thank you!

V

3CNow I delta. You? Find a big-ass rock, crawl under it. I mean it, Hasan. Zetatech gets half a whiff – ya dead.

Hasan

3CRight… OK…

Johnny

3CSly bastard bamboozled the corp and you in the process. Two-nothin' for Hasan. But I got a feelin' his luck ain't gonna last.

V

2BWait... how in the hell d'you think that's gonna go? I tell my fixer sorry, shit outta luck, prototype bounced?

Hasan

2BJust say it got lost, moved, I don't know. I cut the signal. Your fixer can have the schematics – they're just as valuable!

V

2BYou connivin' fuck. Shoulda schemed a little harder 'fore ya squirmed into a 'Saka-Zeta-Scavenger-shitwich.

2CWhy you so hell-bent on kleppin' this tech?

Hasan

2CDo you have even the faintest idea how much it's worth?

V

2CUh… more'n your life, right?

Hasan

2CBah. I have no family, no friends. I gave my life to the corporation… The sacrifices I made… And for what?

2CWhat life? The bastards stole it!... The money from the prototype would have afforded me a fresh start…

V

2DHow'd you imagine playin' a megacorp? Musta had some kinda plan.

Hasan

2DI did, though I couldn't do it all on my own. I arranged a buyer at Dogtown's stadium. We would've met, were it not for these savages.

V

2DBuyer coulda hazed you, though.

Hasan

2DTrue. So I had the prototype implanted – it became my bargaining chip. He knew he couldn't harm me without jeopardizing the tech.

2DI was to vanish during the convoy's inspection at the border. I arranged an unmarked car, bribed the guards… But then the ambush, well…

V

1BFine, don't care. Next time you're in trouble – don't call me.

Hasan

1BHa ha hah...! Worry not my friend, I've learned my lesson. I'll catch my breath now – appreciate your help, smooth sailing, farewell!

V

1BYeah, yeah. Watch yourself out there, Hasan.

V

8AWow, weren't lying 'bout bein' an engineer, huh?

Hasan

8AHey, as long as it stops working.

I fucked up, OK?! If I'd known… please, if you send me back, I'm dead!

V

Newsflash, choom – dead already. They'll find ya an' snuff ya before you walk with that tech.

Hasan

Then… I give up. Kill me. I'm not being dramatic. I'd rather die by your hand than their tortures.

Hands Man

You V? Hands sent me. Here for the schematics.

Fixer

Commendable work, V. My people will take it from here, as per our agreement. Expect your compensation shortly.

V. A little birdie chirped that you retrieved Zetatech's paraphernalia. Any issues?

V

Nope. All in the drop point. Birdie missed that bit?

Fixer

Hmm… I simply wished to hear it from the horse's mouth. Your payment should arrive soon.

V. A little birdie chirped that you retrieved Zetatech's paraphernalia. Any issues?

V

Birdie got it. Schematics're in the drop point. Hasan'll deliver the prototype to Zetatech personally.

Fixer

Hasan? Pray, elaborate.

V

Corporat, slotted the tech in his eye. S'posed to take the thing to Zetatech after I busted him outta the scav haunt. He call you yet?

Fixer

Well, color me shocked – no "Hasan" contacted me. But no matter. At least you still have the schematics.

Hmph. Zetatech will not be thrilled, but I suppose that's my cross to bear. Consider the contract closed.

V. A little birdie chirped that you retrieved Zetatech's paraphernalia. Any issues?

V

Birdie didn't say? Prototype wasn't around. Got the schematics, though. That an issue?

Fixer

It's certainly... a snag. Zetatech will not be thrilled, but I suppose that's my cross to bear. Transferring your compensation now.

Fixer

This was not our arrangement, V. I give you a job, you complete the job. I trust I won't need to remind you again.

I am displeased, V. Each time you slip up, my reputation dwindles. I'm willing to forget this incident, so long as it never repeats itself.

I heard what happened, V. I'm a patient man, yet your failures are beginning to test my composure. I trust it won't happen again.

Fixer

V. A few days ago, scavengers hit a transport. The tech vanished, as did the guards – the latter, we'll presume, for good.

Now, that would be just another day in Dogtown... Until I received word from Zetatech's CEO. The transport, though unmarked, happened to be theirs.

Among the plethora of tech stolen, there was one precious eye implant and its schematics. The poor scavs seem unaware of its built-in GPS tracker.

You'll follow their sig. Go to the scavs' nest in the Scraper, in the Longshore Stacks. I've sent you more details in writing.