Dialogue: I Walk the Line

Scene 22 Alt Cunningham, Briggite, Johnny, V

Briggite

We take you into de cyberspace. No better place for you to interact with de construct.

V – choose a reply1ATell me why you want Johnny first.1BMust have your own version of a SynthTech interface.1CHow do I know I'll come back?1DHow's this any different from regular netrunning?

V

1AOK, hang on. Wanna know what you need Silverhand for first.

Briggite

1AWe wish to contact Alt Cunningham. We know she and Silverhand were close.

Johnny

1AAlt?

Briggite

1AThe Relic which Arasaka held close, it is our only lead.

V

1AAlt Cunningham… heard of 'er.

Briggite

1AOh? Where, from who?

V – choose a reply2AAlt – how do we contact her?2BJohnny told me about her.

V

2BFrom Johnny. Though granted, not much.

Briggite

2BJohnny?

Johnny

2BAll right, V. Guess you better tell 'er.

V

2BTell her what?

Johnny

2BAbout us.

V – choose a reply3AHow we contacting Alt?3BJohnny's construct is active.

V

3BConstruct's active. Lets me and Johnny shoot the shit every now and then.

Briggite

3BMhm. We will look at dis, too.

V

3BWhat, you think I'm hallucinating? Found myself an imaginary friend?

Briggite

3BLittle is known of how an engram might exist within a human's neural network.

V

3BTell ya one thing – doesn't shake out well for the human.

1AWhat's your plan to contact Alt?

Briggite

1AWe try to cut out a unique piece of Silverhand's engram from de biochip.

1AAlt will know it. If something of de human is left after years beyond de Blackwall, she will answer.

V

1AWhoa, what? Said nothin' 'bout breakin' through the Blackwall.

Briggite

1AWell, now you know.

1AHere.

V – choose a reply4AWhat do you want from Alt?4BWhat's the Blackwall, really?

V

4AWhat exactly do you want from Alt? All of you?

Briggite

4AAlt de only one can give us safe passage past de Blackwall.

4AWhen de change come, we wish to be on de winning side.

V

4AThe change?

Briggite

4AWhen de Blackwall was built, everyone think de ICE would be enough, keep de wild AIs out, away.

4ABut technology advances, it cannot be stopped. And now, catastrophe come again. This is sure. And soon.

4ADe corporations, dey do not see de danger. But we – we will be ready.

V

4BThe Blackwall – what is it, exactly? I mean, I know…

Briggite

4BYou know only what de NetWatch tell you.

4BDe final bastion against de postwar AIs. De great victory of humanity over chaos.

V

4BThat would be your Saturday morning NetWatch propaganda.

Briggite

4BBut de Blackwall is an AI itself. De boundary condition let no thing pass through, either way.

4BIf de AIs thought like people, dey would call it a traitor.

V – choose a reply5A[Get in] I'm ready.5BDon't tell me I gotta get in that.

V

5AOof... let's do this.

5AOoooh...

V – choose a reply6AOK, what now?

V – choose a reply7AJohnny?

V

7AJ-Johnny?

6AOK, wha… what now?

V – choose a reply8AWhere are we?8BThis is it? Seriously?

V

8AWhere are we?

8BThis is it? Seriously?

Briggite

5AThis is our BBS. Data fortress.

5ABridge to de deep Net.

V – choose a reply9AWhat now?9BIt all seems so... alive.

V

9ASo – what now?

Briggite

9AWe can begin. All is ready.

9AWe enhanced your link to Silverhand's neural network for a short time. To grab de fragment.

9AWe must find de data on Alt. Alt alone.

9ADis should only take...

V

9ABrigitte...?

V – choose a reply10AWhat... is this?

Johnny

10AWhat's happening?

V – choose a reply11A[Grab]

V

9BIt's... it's all so alive. So real.

Briggite

9BCyberspace moves, breathes at all times.

9BDe interface will adjust de ebb and flow of data to de capabilities of your brain.

9BBut you... you are an exceptional case.

V

9BSeein' somethin' more than I am?

5BOh, come on. Not the tub.

Briggite

5BWe must prepare you for de dive into cyberspace.

5BYou are not accustomed to de neural demand.

Johnny

5BDon't try an' get outta this, V. Just do what she says. I'm not about to sizzle with you.

V – choose a reply12ALooks like you're the bait.

V

12AJohnny? Looks like you're the bait. You OK with that?

Johnny

12AYeah, whatever. Just do what she says.

V

1BGuess all this means you got your own SynthTech interface.

Briggite

1BWe have our own versions of all. We do not use anything from de city.

V

1CHow do I know I'll come back? Do I get some guarantee?

Briggite

1CYou will be inside our data fortress, under watch.

V

1CUnder YOUR watch.

Briggite

1CIf you knew what is out there in de cyberspace, you would not be so choosy.

V

1DHow's all this any different from plain old netrunning?

Briggite

1DDe interface show you de data layers direct from de Net. Readable, of course.

1DWhat de basic 'runners see is only a map. They cannot see beneath de surface. Their tech, it is too weak.

...a moment.

V – choose a reply13ADid it work?13BFelt like more than a moment.13CWhat the construct's condition?

V

13ASo... did it work?

Briggite

13AYes. We extract de necessary fragment of Silverhand's engram.

13AWe are ready now to make contact with Alt.

13AFirst, we must dive deeper.

13ABeyond, dere are no borders.

13ABeyond de Blackwall.

13AFew have gone through to de other side.

13AAnd none have yet returned.

13AShe will be de first.

V – choose a reply14ABefore you cross the Blackwall, remove the construct.14BSo, you don't actually know what's on the other side.

V

14AI held up my end of our deal. Your turn.

14ABefore you pass through that wall, I want Johnny's psyche removed.

Briggite

14AWe will not pass through.

14AYou will take de code to de other side.

V – choose a reply15AFine. Not like I have a choice.15BShould've guessed…

V

15ADon't got much for options, do I?

V – choose a reply16A[Touch] How do I cross over?

V

16AHow do I get to the other side?

16ABrigitte?

V – choose a reply17AAlt?

V

17AAlt?

Alt Cunningham

17AJohnny.

17AYou cannot remain here.

Briggite

17AAlt Cunningham.

V

17AWhat the hell's goin' on?!

Briggite

17ADey breached our BBSes. We have nothing to do wid dis!

Alt Cunningham

17ANetWatch.

V

17AW-what...?

17AAlt…? Wh-what's goin' on?

15BFuck... Might've guessed.

15BNever had any intention of helpin' me, did ya?

Briggite

15BIt does not matter anymore.

15BYou will bring all to its end.

V

14BSo, actually… you got no idea what's beyond that thing.

Briggite

14BBut we will know soon.

V

14BAnd these shapes I'm seein'…

Briggite

14BWild, unfettered AI. Searching for a passage.

V

13BSure felt like more than a moment.

13BSaw a good chunk of Johnny's life... And Alt.

Briggite

13BIt is possible. Data connected to Alt are linked to a strong memory trace in de construct. Very strong.

13BThese memories must have evoked a powerful emotional response, then projected onto your consciousness.

V

13BEmotion, yeah, plenty of that...

13CConstruct – what kinda shape's it in?

Briggite

13CEnough data is uncorrupted to convince Alt it is authentic.

V

13CWhat the hell's that mean?

Briggite

Why you wait? De ice will melt waiting for your decision.

Joris, we must pull out!

Secure--!

Scene 23 Alt Cunningham, Johnny, V

Alt Cunningham

NetWatch cannot touch me here.

Johnny

It's really you.

What happened out there? Couldn't just take 'em out?

Alt Cunningham

NetWatch was well prepared this time.

Johnny

Gotta be Mosley, the fucker.

V – choose a reply1AMy fault, I brought NetWatch here.1BWhat about the Voodoo Boys?1CWhat did Brigitte want from you?

V

1ADammit. I brought NetWatch here. Agent I dealt with must've slipped me a tracker that led 'em right in.

Johnny

1ASwitched things up on the sly, replacin' the Voodoos' virus with his own brand of rot.

V

1AProlly how they got to you.

Alt Cunningham

1AIt matters not. The entire subnet was destroyed.

Johnny

1AAlt...

1AYou pulled us outta there – that mean you and us, we're OK, everything's chill?

Alt Cunningham

1AI have recognized your engram code, but I do not know why you are here.

Johnny

1ASo you can pay me back for gettin' you outta Arasaka Tower.

1AV, this is Alt – best netrunner Night City's ever seen.

1AAlt, this is V – you need to save her life.

V – choose a reply2AJohnny's got it planned out. Question is your fee.2BThe Relic is killing me.

V

2AAs you can see, Johnny's got it all thought out.

2ABut there's the question of what you'll want in return.

Alt Cunningham

2ANetWatch propaganda has been effective. Do you see me as a demon who requires a pact signed in blood?

V – choose a reply3ADon't know who you are.3BJust wanna survive, live on.

V

3AGot no clue who you are now. Know a little about who you were.

3AAnd Johnny, that he was important to you, while I'm no one. So I'm askin' – what's it gonna cost?

3BListen, I'm just tryna survive.

Alt Cunningham

2AI cannot help you.

V

2BThe chip, the Relic, it's killin' me. Construct on it is wormin' its way through my neural system.

Alt Cunningham

2BI see this. But why is it my problem?

Johnny

2BWhy the fuck isn't it?

2BYou created Soulkiller. You handed Arasaka a fuckin' super weapon that dismantled me, you and half the 'runners in Night City!

Alt Cunningham

2BYour death was of your own making.

Johnny

2BJesus, Alt, I dove in after you. Gonna tell me now this ain't your problem?

Alt Cunningham

2BIt is not. The Alt Cunningham you strove to save in Arasaka Tower no longer exists.

2BThis should be obvious to you as you were responsible for her death.

V – choose a reply4AOK, got a beef with Johnny, but what about me?4BWasn't Johnny's fault.4CSo if you're not Alt, who are you?4DMaybe you two can hash this out later?

V

4AOK, I get it, you hate Johnny's guts. But what about me?

Alt Cunningham

4AI cannot help you.

V

4BYour death wasn't Johnny's fault.

Alt Cunningham

4BHow could you know?

V

4BSeen you in his memories… It was an accident.

Alt Cunningham

4BWhat you saw was his subjective view of what happened. A warped account of events he locked away in his subconscious and replayed time and again.

4BIt bears no resemblance to the truth.

V

4CIf you're not Alt, who are you?

Alt Cunningham

4CI use her engramatic data.

Johnny

4CReally. You find this "icy bitch" aspect in there, too?

V

4DMind unloadin' this baggage later?

4DWasn't sure what to expect from a meeting with an AI, but it sure wasn't a digital spat.

Johnny

4DHow's that help me, exactly?

V

4DWell, didn't make it any worse.

Johnny

1ACan't? Or won't?

Alt Cunningham

1ACan't. To attempt to do so, I would need access to more advanced technology.

V – choose a reply5AWhat? You created Soulkiller.5BInteresting. Brigitte said it'd be possible.

V

5AWhat? But it's your tech, you created Soulkiller.

Alt Cunningham

5AThe program I created has little in common with how Arasaka has since repurposed it.

V

5BInteresting... Brigitte claimed she alone could help me.

Alt Cunningham

5BThe Voodoo Boys deceived you.

Johnny

5BWhy'm I not surprised?

1AFine... So how about Mikoshi? That advanced enough for ya?

Alt Cunningham

1AIf I could gain access to Mikoshi, it would cease to exist.

Johnny

1AGood, we can work with that. We'll get you inside Mikoshi, and you'll help V – deal?

V – choose a reply6AWhat can you do for me, exactly?6BCity's best netrunner can't break into Mikoshi on her own?

V

6AWhat can you do for me, exactly?

6AEveryone I've met so far says I'm too far gone.

Johnny

6ABy "everyone" you mean Hellman? Saburo's personal assmunch?

Alt Cunningham

6AWith the Soulkiller resident inside Mikoshi, I will create a construct of you, then disentangle your neural network from Johnny's.

6AI shall then inject your engram back into your mortal form.

V – choose a reply7AOK, so we got a plan.7BGotta kill me to save me?

V

7ARight, so we got a plan.

Alt Cunningham

7ABut how will you reach Mikoshi? I've created armies that failed to breach it.

Johnny

7AThey were children of the Net – there's your problem.

7AWe're bankin' on the human factor.

7AV's the most sociable fucker I've ever met. Has powerful friends – mercs, nomads…

7AWe'll crack a window, slip you into Mikoshi.

V – choose a reply8AAre we agreed?8BJohnny's right.8CJohnny gets goin', exaggerates sometimes.

V

8ASo, we agreed?

Alt Cunningham

8AYes, we are agreed. Find a path into Mikoshi, I shall prepare a program to help you navigate the localnet.

V

8AHow'll I contact you once I'm ready?

Alt Cunningham

8AThis is a BBS address. It will be our secure communication channel.

Johnny

8AAlt, before you leave, we gotta talk. Just you and me.

Alt Cunningham

8ANo. That will not be possible.

Johnny

8AVoodoo Boys – what about them?

Alt Cunningham

8AThey shall let you pass unharmed. Those were our terms.

V

8BJohnny's right. We can do this.

Alt Cunningham

8BYou trust him deeply, I see.

V

8BYou don't?

Alt Cunningham

8BAs you are the "human factor," it is with you that I will set terms.

V

8CJohnny... embellishes, case you hadn't noticed.

8CYou don't trust him, which is fine, but you have my word we'll slip you inside Mikoshi while keepin' you outta harm's way.

Alt Cunningham

8CI believe this "human factor" and I have things in common.

Johnny

7AV's got a big, dusty nomad family. And they'll do anything for her.

7ABelieve it or not, folks at the Afterlife adore V. They'll have her back.

V

7BSo... you'll save my life but flatline me along the way?

Alt Cunningham

7BYour consciousness, neural engrams, will be recorded as data. The rest will cease to exist.

V

7BThe rest?

Alt Cunningham

7BThe soul. I did not grant the program its name, but Soulkiller does precisely what it promises to do.

Johnny

7BChrist, I don't wanna listen to this bullshit.

7BV just hops back into her body, right? Nothin' changes.

Alt Cunningham

7BEverything changes. You know this well.

V

6BBest 'runner Night City's ever seen can't bust into Mikoshi on her own?

Alt Cunningham

6BI am a well known threat there. They have a layer of black ICE with my name on it, literally.

Johnny

6BKinda like a custom-made prison jumpsuit…

Alt Cunningham

6BI refuse to be caged in there ever again.

V

1BWhat of Brigitte and the Voodoo Boys?

Alt Cunningham

1BI was forced to purge them. NetWatch was exploiting their BBS.

V

1B"Purge?" Mean they're dead, all of them?

Johnny

1BNot actually gonna feel bad for 'em, are ya?

V

1CBrigitte – what'd she want from you in exchange for Johnny?

Alt Cunningham

1CThat I guarantee her and her clan's safety beyond the Blackwall.

Johnny

1CAnd what'd they wanna find out there?

Alt Cunningham

1CThe corporation-controlled net is now nearly as unstable as it was before the Blackwall's creation.

1CThe Voodoo Boys wished to use this to their advantage – to fight on our side when the time comes.

We will talk here.

Johnny

Relax, lemme handle this.

Alt Cunningham

Johnny.

Johnny

Came through the Blackwall to meet me… That mean we're good, things're chill between us?

Alt Cunningham

I have recognized your engram code, but I do not know why you are here.

Johnny

To give ya a chance to pay me back for gettin' you outta Arasaka Tower.

V, this is Alt – best netrunner Night City's ever seen.

Alt, this is V – you need to save her life.

V – choose a reply9AWhat's the price I gotta pay for you to save my life?9BThe Relic is killing me.9CWhat did the VDBs want for in exchange for the construct?9DWhat'd you do with Brigitte?

V

9ATo save my life… what's it gonna cost?

9CBrigitte – what'd she want from you in exchange for Johnny?

Alt Cunningham

9CThat I guarantee her and her clan's safety beyond the Blackwall.

Johnny

9CAnd why'd they wanna go out there?

Alt Cunningham

9CThe corporation-controlled net is now nearly as unstable as it was before the Blackwall's creation.

9CThe Voodoo Boys wished to use this to their advantage – to fight on our side when the time comes.

V

9C"Your side" meaning that of free AIs? That even possible?

Alt Cunningham

9CIf they prepare appropriately.

V

9DWhat'd you do with Brigitte? She still alive?

Alt Cunningham

9DYes – but she is not needed at the moment.

9DWhat do you want?

What do you expect from me? This I can't fathom.

Your projection in cyberspace… it's interesting.

Your appearance here – an unnecessary risk.

Scene 24 Johnny, Placide, V

Placide

I wait long time for dis.

V...?

Where is Brigitte?

I wait long time for dis.

Johnny

Couldn't think of a more fitting end.

'Runner fucks had it comin'.

V – choose a reply1A[Stand] We gotta go.

V

1AAs much as it tickles me too, we gotta delta.

Johnny

1ARight. Still got Mr. Grumps left.

Scene 25 Brigitte, Placide, V

Brigitte

So you manage to survive.

V – choose a reply1ANo thanks to you, I'm sure.1BBe interesting to see how your deal works out.

V

1ANo thanks to you, I'm sure.

Brigitte

1AYou must not take any of dis personally.

1AWe seek Silverhand's construct. You are unlucky – have accident, get involved.

V

1ASo it's OK to make me the fool. That how you do biz? Maybe I oughta give Alt a heads-up?

Brigitte

1AYou dare now to lecture me?

V

1BBe interesting to see how your deal with Alt works out.

1BWon't be easy to dupe her, and I'm not sure you guys know another way to operate.

Brigitte

1BYou dare now to lecture me?

V – choose a reply2ARather just settle the score.2BWaste of time. Want nothing to do with you.

V

2AThink I'd rather give you your due.

2ABet other "ranyons" never live to enjoy this moment.

Brigitte

2AEnough. Alt can protect you in her realm, but here and now you are in mine.

V – choose a reply3AActually, was just leaving.3B[Draw weapon] Think I'll be all right.

V

3AActually, was just on my way out.

3BThink I'll be all right, anyway.

2AThink I'd rather give you your due.

2ADoubt I'll have a better shot.

2BNo, waste of time, waste of breath.

2BThank fuck my biz with you is done. Want nothin' to do with you.

Brigitte

2BSo get out.

V – choose a reply4A[Get up]

Placide

Hm?

V – choose a reply5AMust be hella disappointed.5BD'ya hear what Brigitte wants from Alt?

V

5AHm. Gotta be pretty disappointed.

Placide

5AWid what?

V

5AThat you can't zero me after all.

Placide

5AIt is out of my hands.

V

5BDid ya hear about Brigitte's ask from Alt?

5BOr was that memo way above your pay grade? Like the biochip was?

Placide

5BAh, you try to provoke me. Is dis wise, you think?

V

5BBingo. How'm I doin' so far?

All the times you tried to kill me – agh, guess it's my turn now.

Scene 26 Q110 Ws Gym Enemy

Q110 Ws Gym Enemy

That gonna be enough? Pack's so bored in here, all they do is eat.

Q110 Ws Gym Enemy

So we bring some more in a couple of days.

Q110 Ws Gym Enemy

Couple of DAYS? How long we s'posed to sit here, then?

Q110 Ws Gym Enemy

Could be a while.

Somethin's not goin' right for the big guy up top.

Q110 Ws Gym Enemy

Got two of 'em. Just sittin' there.

Q110 Ws Gym Enemy

And?

Q110 Ws Gym Enemy

And nothin'. Just sittin' there, lookin'.

Q110 Ws Gym Enemy

They're gonna be lookin' for a long fuckin' while, then.

Scene 27 Q110 Ws Gym Enemy, Q110 Ws Gym Enemy 007A, Q110 Ws Gym Enemy 013B, Q110 Ws Hall Enemy Reinforcement

Q110 Ws Gym Enemy

Look, you can always land one like this.

Don't work with the new ones, though.

This one's got a motion sensor, only reacts when you move.

New models got muscle memory sims. React to your intention, not your move.

Q110 Ws Gym Enemy 013B

Meanin' what? The new ones know what I'm gonna do before I do it?

An' this one I can just pound into the ground?

Q110 Ws Gym Enemy

Yep. 'Zackly.

Q110 Ws Gym Enemy

Heh, you know what ranks they got? Wolves 'n' Weasels.

Q110 Ws Gym Enemy

Choom, come on. Don't give me that bullshit.

Q110 Ws Gym Enemy

Mhm. Ours is a Wolf, obviously. Just look at it.

'Course, might just seem that way to us Weasels.

Q110 Ws Gym Enemy

What if there's nothin' left on the Net?

Q110 Ws Gym Enemy

Why don't you jack in and find out?

Q110 Ws Gym Enemy

I'm serious, choom. What if they killed off all the AIs? And it's just NetWatch sittin' in there?

Q110 Ws Gym Enemy

And what're they doin' there alone?

Q110 Ws Gym Enemy

Prolly not much. Maybe just talkin' 'bout boogiemen and takin' corpo cash. And jerkin' off their rhino horns.

Q110 Ws Gym Enemy

Heheheh. That would scare off a netrunner for sure.

Q110 Ws Gym Enemy 007A

Hey, c'mere! This scrap bucket actually works.

Q110 Ws Gym Enemy

I'm comin'.