Dialogue: Leave in Silence

Reed Holo

I've got eyes on the target.

All right, they're entering the tunnel.

V

It'll be over soon. We're close by, here to help.

Songbird

You and Reed? Help…?

You would break me out of this cage just to shut me in another.

Soon I'll… regain… con-control…

Reed Holo

They're on the move. Get ready.

V

Songbird made contact… Link's still active. She won't forgive us, not for--

Reed Holo

Don't expect her to.

You need to focus now. On my mark…

V

MaxTac's got you. We're your only chance. You've lost control, admit it.

Songbird

No… no, I have not lost control.

You'll know this soon enough.

V

Listen to me…

Songbird

Who will you betray next? Who have you not yet…

You've got nothing to say?

Maybe… maybe you've finally learned something. Goodbye, V.

V…

V

Songbird… How the hell'd you--?

Songbird

I was… not you. Anyone but you.

V

So Mi? You there? Link's alive?

Songbird

I trusted you. But I won't… won't… mistake again…

Stay out of my way. I… I'm warning you.

Reed Holo

Now.

Songbird Prison

You left me no choice.

Songbird

Leave me alone, don't follow me. Before it's too late.

Reed Holo

Argh! I'm hit… Goddamn shrapnel… Fuck!

V

How bad we talkin'? Reed? Shit…

Reed Sniper

I'll be all right, V. Got the luck of the damned, me.

V

Need any help?

Reed Sniper

I'll manage… Shit, was a moment there I thought we were goners.

V

Nah. You an' me – we bid them buh-bye.

Reed Sniper

Go, stay on 'er tail. We can't lose her… I'll catch up soon as I patch myself up…

V

You sure?

Reed Sniper

Go, save her, V.

I'll keep this line open, regroup with you as soon as I can.

V

Copy that.

V

6AFuck…!

Miniboss

6AWho the fuck are you?

Reed Holo

6AWork with me, V – watch who I'm targeting. Their cyberware – I'ma try neutralizin' it. That's when you'll swoop in.

Miniboss

6ASniper on the roof!

V

6AI'm at the truck, Reed.

Reed Holo

6ACareful now.

We're wasting time! Check on Songbird!

Check the truck!

What the hell you doin', V?! Get back here!

Seriously? Fuckin' coward! Traitor!

I'll finish this without you!

Now.

Miniboss

They're after the prisoner!

V

Songbird… what're you--?

Droid Maxtac

Spread out, secure the area!

Unit lost. I repeat, unit lost.

Target in sight – engaging!

Convoy is under attack. Requesting immediate backup.

Harriet, I repeat – backup needed, we are under attack!

All units – connection to dispatch lost.

I repeat – comms down!

Maxtac

Fuck! Man down!

Fuckers got lucky! Regroup, tight formation!

Careful with these shitheads! They know what they're doin'!

Reed Holo

You need to focus on my mark, V.

I'm tryin' to get a lock on one, but he's out of range. Draw 'im out for me?

Trust me, this one's a two-hander, V. Won't take 'em alone.

Focus on my target, V.

Maxtac

They're goin' for the prisoner!

Fuck! Operative hit. I repeat – operative hit!

Sniper! Fuckin' careful! Find cover!

When we're done with you, your family's next!

Pan fry the bitch if she gets close to her!

You'll end up like that fuckin' psycho!

Take out the fuckin' sniper!

Bring it, bitch!

You're fucked now!

V

We'll see about that!

Try me, assholes!

Maxtac

Now you've really done it, dickwipe!

Reed Holo

Got 'im in my crosshairs. Be yours any second.

Targeting another.

Finish it, V!

Maxtac

Fuck, they got me! Proximity mines!

Reed Holo

Nicked one, couple of times. Take 'im down.

Now! Finish off my target!

Maxtac

Sniper on the roof!

V

Shit, Reed! Tables're turnin' on us!

Reed Holo

For now. But they don't know what we're capable of.

Good work.

I got a bogie in my crosshairs.

V, don't forget their implants. Wait till I score a hit. Then give 'em hell.

Wounded that one.

Maxtac

We'll fuckin' end you!

V

Got 'im!

Reed Holo

Get outta there - I can't cover you!

Focus up, V. We can do this as long as we work together.

V

Copy that – let's give 'em hell.

Not so tough after all.

Maxtac

You runnin' away now, cunt?!

I'm hit! Fucking sniper!

Reed Holo

Glad that one's outta the way…

Droid Maxtac

Weapons at the ready. Attack protocol.

Set up a perimeter. Secure the prisoner.

V

1AShe's scorchin' tech as she passes. Got a sinkin' feelin' she's no longer in complete control of her... self.

Reed Holo

1AMight not be Song anymore, true. Which means she needs our help. Hurry, V, find her.

V

2ALookin' at a wall with a huge hole in it. Truck rammed clean through.

2BAh, shit...

Reed Holo

You have eyes on her? Is she OK?

V

No visual yet. Need to scope the place out.

Reed Holo

Stay sharp.

V

4ACircuitry down here's toast. All of it.

Reed Holo

4AFrom the crash?

V

4ASabotage, more like. Dead certain So Mi hacked these systems.

Reed Holo

4AUsing some of that Blackwall mojo.

V

5AGate's jammed. Console's freshly breached. Looks like more So Mi…

3ASeein' more hacked devices. She's lookin' for access. Question is, to what?

Reed Holo

3ANo clue... Whatever it is, I'm liking it less and less.

V

6AHmm, tried to activate the winch, but no dice. That mean... she jumped?

Reed Holo

6ASo Mi, where are you... Keep going, V. Don't let her get too far.

Reed Holo

3AShit... Help her, V. Quick.

3AHurry! We can't afford to lose her!

V

3ASee the truck, Reed. Does not look pretty.

3ASee traces... Blackwall residue. Song's not in the truck. Goin' after her.

3AHold on, I see the truck. Does not look good.

3ASong...

3ASong's not here. Truck's empty.

Reed Holo

3ASee anything?

V

3ASeein' somethin'. A… a digital... residue? Spooky aura, a… a spectral footprint…?

Reed Holo

3AYou're seein' it thanks to you and So Mi's link. The Blackwall bleed should lead us straight to her.

3ABring her out alive, V. If I'm to help her, if I'm to help you, I need her alive.

V

3AUh, Reed?

3AHuh...

3AStandin' in front of a gate So Mi passed through. It's jammed shut.

Reed Holo

3AThere's gotta be another way. Look around.

3AShe's in bad shape, V.

3AShe's actively linked to the Blackwall. She could lose the control she still has at any second.

3AStay safe.

V

9AWill do.

Reed Holo

9AI'll fix myself up, regroup with you as soon as I can. Stay in touch.

V

9BYeah, you too.

Reed Holo

9BI'll be fine. I'll rejoin you soon as I'm back on my feet. You keep moving.

3ARemember, V. As long as So Mi's alive, we stand a chance of regaining control.

V

3AScrew it. Open sesame.

3AOverloaded, short-circ'd just before I got here.

Reed Holo

3AIt's her. She can't've gone far.

V

3AShe lost control completely? Thoughts?

Reed Holo

3ADunno, do not know.

3AFollow 'er, stay on her. I'll make my way towards you.

Johnny

Gaze into the abyss, you'll find the abyss starin' right back atcha.

And I don't like the look it's givin' me – the kind that says there ain't no comin' back.

Sure you wanna do this?

V

Why's it always doom and gloom with you? How 'bout – "What doesn't kill you makes you stronger"?

Johnny

Try this on for size – "Go up against monsters, best make sure you don't turn into one too."

V

S'posed to be about me, that?

Johnny

Bout Songbird, ya ding-dong. I gotta explain every little fuckin' thing?

Chick sold her soul to the Blackwall demons, now she's down there waitin' for you. Question is – is she still herself?

V

Guess we're about to find out.

Don't got a choice, not really.

Johnny

Always got a choice, V. Like the choice to delta the fuck outta here, for one.

V

Come too far, Johnny. Remember what's at stake. We don't get to Song, we don't get the help Reed promised us.

Johnny

Oh, I remember. Question is if whatever's down there is still the Songbird we know and love.

V

Find out soon enough.

Reed Holo

We don't know her condition. She could be hurt. She could be terrified. Ya gotta find her, V.

Comment Ma

Great. Whole day's goin' to shit 'cause of this fuckin' mess.

Comment Ma

Who gives a fuck? Payin' us by the hour, not the mile. 'Sides, you see what MaxTac pulled? Shit's unreal, man.

Comment Ma

Shit, I dunno… Feelin' kinda woozy…

Think I'm gonna hurl…

Comment Wa

Unbelievable. What gives them the right? They're meant to protect people!

Comment Ma

Ugh, got this, like, sharp pain in my side…

Comment Hole

Rammed through the wall like it was cardboard. Bam! And inside.

Comment Hole

Armored truck? Someone hack it…?

Argue Ma

Bitch, you blind or what?

Argue Wa

Ya didn't see what happened, ya jackass? Truck cut me off! The hell was I supposed to do?!

Argue Ma

Fuckin' MaxTac. Called Psychosquad 'cause they's a bunch o' psychos themselves.

Argue Ma

Who taught you how to fuckin' drive? There were two cars in the road. Two! And you ram straight into my ass!

Argue Ma

Choom, you fuckin' serious? MaxTac pushed me into you – I wasn't moving, I was stationary!

Argue Ma

I look like I give a shit?! You take your ass down to that fucking hole, get me insurance information. Fuck!

Reed Holo

You're dead now, friend.

What the fuck're you doing? You're seriously gonna abandon me now, V?!

V, what’s going on!?

Where’re you off to?

And So Mi's status?

V

Crash like this, be a miracle if she wasn't mangled…

Song's not here. Truck's empty.

Got eyes on a MaxTac officer. Or his remains, well-done.

Reed Holo

Song's doing, it's gotta be.

V

Blackwall-related, gotta be. She's opened… something.

All clear.

Reed Holo

We don't know her condition. She could be hurt. She could be terrified. Ya gotta find her, V.

Comment Wa

But nooo! It's Dogtown, so they run over us like trash and think nothing of it!

V

Lookin' at a wall with a huge hole in it. Truck rammed clean through.

Reed Holo

You have eyes on her? Is she OK?

V

No visual yet. Need to scope the place out.

Reed Holo

Stay sharp.

I'll keep this line open, regroup with you as soon as I can.

V

Copy that.

Reed Holo

You're seein' it thanks to you and So Mi's link. The Blackwall bleed should lead us straight to her.

Argue Ma

Bitch, you blind or what?

Argue Wa

Ya didn't see what happened, ya jackass? Truck cut me off! The hell was I supposed to do?!

Argue Ma

Fuckin' MaxTac. Called Psychosquad 'cause they's a bunch o' psychos themselves.

Comment Ma

Great. Whole day's goin' to shit 'cause of this fuckin' mess.

Comment Ma

Who gives a fuck? Payin' us by the hour, not the mile. 'Sides, you see what MaxTac pulled? Shit's unreal, man.

Comment Ma

Shit, I dunno… Feelin' kinda woozy…

Think I'm gonna hurl…

Comment Wa

Unbelievable. What gives them the right? They're meant to protect people!

Comment Ma

Ugh, got this, like, sharp pain in my side…

Comment Wa

But nooo! It's Dogtown, so they run over us like trash and think nothing of it!

Argue Ma

Who taught you how to fuckin' drive? There were two cars in the road. Two! And you ram straight into my ass!

Argue Ma

Choom, you fuckin' serious? MaxTac pushed me into you – I wasn't moving, I was stationary!

Argue Ma

I look like I give a shit?! You take your ass down to that fucking hole, get me insurance information. Fuck!

Comment Hole

Rammed through the wall like it was cardboard. Bam! And inside.

Comment Hole

Armored truck? Someone hack it…?

V

1APatchin' you in.

Reed holo

1AYou're in a top-secret military facility dating back from the pre-DataKrash days. Cynosure.

1AThe data's decrypting, hold on…

Johnny

1ARemember that chick, Bree? Video logs she stumbled on must've come from here. Some secret project…

1A"Cynosure." Cyberspace equivalent of a nuke, Militech's answer to Arasaka's Soulkiller.

1AJust the next edition of your average megacorp megadick contest.

Reed holo

1ASo Mi mentioned this facility once... Militech netrunners takin' a plunge into the so-called deep Net.

V

2AYeah, she said somethin' at the Black Sapphire, mentioned… big-game huntin' for rogue AIs?

Reed holo

2AThey tried to bait them back through the Blackwall. Trap and tame 'em.

V

2ASo then Song…

2BThe hell is this all for, though?

Reed holo

2BIt's no coincidence she wound up here.

1AShe's not running from us, V.

1AShe wants a permalink to the Blackwall.

1ABut the sheer volume of data--

Songbird holo

1AYou still don't understand a thing, do you?

1AYou never will, not fully, not me.

1AHow it feels to lose yourself…

1ALayer after layer…

1AThat-that's why you betray... betrayed me.

1AWhy you took me out of the equation.

1AThat-that's why you betray... betrayed me.

1AWhy you took me out of the equation.

1AYou never will, not fully, not me.

1AHow it feels to lose yourself…

1ALayer after layer…

1AReed stole my life once already.

1AI won't let him…

1ASteal it again…

1AYou... you still trust Reed…

1AIt's more... convenient, yes?

1AYou're sinking, grasping at straws as the deluge consumes you…

1ASol, Myers... their promises... didn't help me.

1AWon't help you.

1AYou don't believe me – fine.

1ABut it's all the more reason not to trust a word…

1AOut of his mouth…

1ADo you hear yourself?

1AYou… you sound just like him.

1AThe Blackwall is… it's help.

1AIt helps me understand… everything.

1AHow it feels to lose yourself…

1ALayer after layer…

V

3AStop running and let us help.

Songbird holo

3AYou... you still trust Reed…

3AIt's more... convenient, yes?

3AThey lied to you.

3AYou're sinking, grasping at straws as the deluge consumes you…

3ASol, Myers... their promises... didn't help me.

3AWon't help you.

V

4AYou promised to help me, too.

Songbird holo

4AIt… it doesn't matter now.

V

4AWe still want the same thing. And if anyone can help us, it's Reed.

4BNo, Song. Everyone can't always be lyin'. Cryin' "conspiracy" to justify the lies you tell yourself, though – convenient, isn't it?

Songbird holo

4BYou don't believe me – fine.

4BBut it's all the more reason not to trust a word…

4BOut of his mouth…

V

4CWho'm I even talkin' to right now? That still you, So Mi? Or the Blackwall?

Songbird holo

4CThe Blackwall is… it's help.

4CIt helps me understand… everything.

V

4CReed's figured it out, what you're tryin' to do. Knows this'll end badly if you hand over control to the Blackwall.

4DMight be right. But it's a risk I gotta take, 'cause I got no other choice. You know that.

Songbird holo

4DDo you hear yourself?

4DYou… you sound just like him.

3AReed lives in a world of half-truths of his own making...

V

3AAaugh, fuck... C'mon Songbird... Songbird?

Songbird holo

3AI warned you.

V

5AWeird residue again… Must've passed through here.

Security

3AAuthorization complete. Welcome, Song So Mi.

3AInitializing permissions migration.

Johnny

3AV…

V

3AWhat's up? What is it?

Johnny

3AShe's… she's here. Chick's establishing a link with the Relic, but…

3AShe's not alone, I don't think.

V

3AIs it the Blackwall? Johnny?

3AJohnny?!

Security

3AMigration complete. Permissions status – universal.

V

3AGotta get to So Mi 'fore the Blackwall does. Save her.

Johnny

3AReal noble of you, long as the Blackwall hasn't stripped her to the bone. 'Cause then we'd be walkin' straight into a trap.

V

6BPlan hasn't changed. Gotta help Reed. Means stoppin' Songbird before she passes the point of no return…

Johnny

6BOK, and then what? You and Reed ride off into the sunset? That is, stroll into the nearest FIA clinic? Yeah, right.

V

6CPlan's to save our lives, Johnny. Been that all along.

Johnny

6COur lives, huh? Mean yours, don'tcha?

3AChick cut our comms. Or she woke something up down there that did that for her.

3AAnd here we are, going down, down, down the rabbit-hole into the heart of darkness. Tell me you've got a plan.

3AChick cut our comms. Or she woke something up down there that did that for her.

3AChick cut our comms. Or she woke something up down there that did that for her.

3AAnd here we are, going down, down, down the rabbit-hole into the heart of darkness.

3ATell me you've got a plan.

V

3BLookin' for someone to blame when you're the source, the cause of all the trouble.

Songbird holo

3BConvenient… Reed would say so, too…

V

3CLost my connection with Reed. That your doing?

Songbird holo

3CReed stole my life once already.

3CI won't let him…

3CSteal it again…

3CAll's better… without him.

V

1AAgh, shit....

1AReed? Reed – come in. You there?!

Huh, got a Militech logo. Can't be right, can it…?

Reed holo

Find a terminal, jack in. I think I might know what this place is.

Johnny

Hold up a sec...

You heard the chick. You go under the knife, and the FIA'll scrape me outta your head like fuckin' mold.

V

8AWe're not at that bridge yet, Johnny.

Johnny

8AWonder if you'd say the same if it was your fuckin' head on the chopping block.

V

8AGuess what, Johnny, it fucking is. Damn well know that.

8AListen, let's just finish this, OK? Soon as the FIA offer is on the table, we'll decide. Together.

Johnny

8ACan't wait...

V

8BWhich is why I still don't know I'll do it. Gotta consider the options.

Johnny

8BDodge away, V, but the moment'll come – can't avoid it.

V

8BStop twisting my words around. Want you outta my head, not dead – big difference.

8BYou ask me, better to stand some chance than to have no prayer at all.

8CHonestly, sometimes wish you were just gone, Johnny. Sometimes you're worse than mold – you're cancer.

Johnny

8CThat what you truly think? After all we've been through? Got nothin' to say to that 'cept "Fuck you."

V

8CFor once, can you try to see things from my perspective, Johnny. Can you?

Johnny

8CI just figured that… Ah, fuck it. Never mind.

8COh, 'cause you're such a fuckin' treat to be around. Fuck you.

V

8DWhat if Songbird's lyin', tryin' to pit us against each other?

Johnny

8DShe's tryin' to buy time, that's obvious. 'Cept this time, the crazy bitch is tellin' the truth.

V

Whaddaya mean?

Songbird...

Just stop.

Johnny

Chick cut our comms. Or she woke something up down there that did that for her.

And here we are, going down, down, down the rabbit-hole into the heart of darkness. Tell me you've got a plan.

Reed holo

Find a terminal, V.

You see any kind of terminal? Need to hurry up.

Johnny

Chick cut our comms. Or she woke something up down there that did that for her.

And here we are, going down, down, down the rabbit-hole into the heart of darkness. Tell me you've got a plan.

Chick cut our comms. Or she woke something up down there that did that for her.

And here we are, going down, down, down the rabbit-hole into the heart of darkness. Tell me you've got a plan.

And here we are, going down, down, down the rabbit-hole into the heart of darkness. Tell me you've got a plan.

Chick cut our comms. Or she woke something up down there that did that for her.

And here we are, going down, down, down the rabbit-hole into the heart of darkness. Tell me you've got a plan.

And here we are, going down, down, down the rabbit-hole into the heart of darkness. Tell me you've got a plan.

Songbird holo

You still don't understand a thing, do you?

You... you still trust Reed... It's more... convenient, yes?

You never will, not fully, not me.

You never will, not fully, not me. How it feels to lose yourself. Layer after layer…

That-that's why you betray... betrayed me. Why you took me out of the equation.

That-that's why you betray... betrayed me.

You're sinking, grasping at straws as the deluge consumes you... Sol, Myers... their promises... didn't help me. Won't help you.

You don't believe me – fine. But it's all the more reason not to trust a word... out of his mouth…

Do you hear yourself? You… you sound just like him.

The Blackwall is… it's help. It helps me understand… everything.

Reed stole my life once already. I won't let him… steal it again.

Why you took me out of the equation.

Somi past birthday

Whaat? Guys! This… How'd you know?

Friend2

Ahahahaha. OK, Capricorn – make a wish aaaand blow.

Somi past birthday

Better come truer than that fuckin' horoscope…

You bitch! I believed every word!

Friend1

We read your horoscope, that time Willie had a party. You think that was hazing?

V

1ASo Mi? That you?

1BWhat is this? Where are we?

Songbird present

Some days, I'd open the window, sit on the sill…

And just… listen to the street sounds – y'know, life happening. Was somehow… soothing, that.

Now… I can't hear, I can't feel… anything. Can you?

V

2AShould I? Saw other visions, illusions before this…

Songbird present

2AIllusions…?

V

2BSo Mi, this is all a kind of… projection. Like the others.

Songbird present

2BOthers…?

V

Saw you with Reed, Myers, saw your past… Don't remember?

Songbird present

No… the Blackwall… consumes me, all…

The emptiness grows, I feel it... fill it with memories, they keep taking them away…

V

3ASo Mi… in the lab a second ago, that machine almost, I thought… Did you save me?

Songbird present

3AThere's a me saving your life, another me talking to you. Time and space are relative here.

V

3AHere meanin' where?

3ASo Mi… in the lab a second ago, that machine almost, I thought… Did you save me?

Songbird present

3AThere's a me saving your life, another me talking to you. Time and space are relative here.

V

3AHere meanin' where?

3BGone and hacked the Relic again, haven't you? None of this is real.

Songbird present

3BWhat is real? The me saving your life? The me here, talking to you? The me dying?

3BPick your truth, V. We have time. Here, in this place, there's time…

V

3BAnd here is...?

3CSo you hopped on our neural link, used the Relic's resources and the core's computing power to, uh…

3CTake us to your digital mind palace? This secure, even remotely safe?

Songbird present

3CFor you, yes. For me... well, one version of me is saving your life. Another is here, talking to you. And one more is dying.

3CBut it's no mind palace, this.

V

3CWhat is it then?

Songbird present

My unit in Brooklyn… Told you about it… 'member?

V

4ASo Mi… we're still in the bunker. This place… it's not real.

4BRemember you tellin' me about this place. Your "true home." Felt safe here. But this… So Mi, none of this is real.

4CWe're not safe here. Whatever this place is… gotta get out, stat.

Songbird present

I made so many mistakes… did terrible things, but here, back then… they never mattered…

I gave myself one last chance and you… stripped me of it. Why?

V

5ASo Mi, I… Back then – thought I was makin' the right call…

Songbird present

5AThe right one? Whom for? You? Reed?

V

5AEveryone involved.

Songbird present

5AWin-win decisions don't exist, let alone three-way wins.

V

5ASorry, So Mi, I am. Wanna help. Tell me how.

5BYou lied, So Mi. Stabbed everyone in the back.

Songbird present

5BI had to. I never wanted to join them, V… I--

5BYou saw… what I became because of them… You saw what I lost…

I know what I've done. Know the price I've paid…

What you don't know… is how sorry I am… How much it all hurts…

V

So Mi? So Mi!

Somi Past Angry

6AFuck...

6ANeeded just one more sec…

6AFuuuuuuuuuck!

Neighbour

6AYo, keep it down! Folks tryna fuckin' sleep!

Somi Past Angry

6ALeave me the fuck alone! All of you fuckin' leave me alone!

Boyfriend

6AMaaaaan, your first paid run… Fuck me, more eddies than all of us put together – how's it feel?

6AHow you gonna spend the scratch?

Somi Past Party

6AYou'll see.

Boyfriend

6ABlowin' this shithole?

Somi Past Party

6AC'mon…

Boyfriend

6ACould go anywhere on all them zeroes. Said you were bored here, peeps're lame, unambitious, disappointing.

Somi Past Party

6ANot all, mostly just you. But for now I'll let it slide.

Somi Past Argument

7AIt's open!

Boyfriend

7AThe fuck, So Mi! Been callin' you three straight days!

Somi Past Argument

7ADon't worry, got everything under control.

Boyfriend

7AAre you fucking kidding me? Passed out in your goddamn chair last week!

7AI spent the night makin' sure you didn't overheat an' die!

Somi Past Argument

7AYeah, well no one asked you to!

Boyfriend

7AUgh, you even hear yourself?

Somi Past Argument

7AListen, got this new gig. Like, earth-shaking. If it works out... I'll be the first. Be makin' history.

7ANow, I just need to focus. Need time, space to think.

Boyfriend

7AThere it is – your new mantra. But where's it leave us?

7AKnow what? Fuck this, I'm done.

Songbird present

7AI… I lost, didn't I?

7AEverything I did… the people I hurt… It's meaningless, it matters not at all…

V

8ADoin' my best to survive my life, too, Song. We all make wrong turns, we all lose the way.

Songbird present

8AAnd we kneel to pick up the broken pieces of life, assemble them, seek meaning in the whole…

V

8AThis can still end well. For you, for me.

Songbird present

8AV… I'm-- I'm sorry… There's something that I…

V

8BYeah, you lost, So Mi. Just can't tell how or when it all went so wrong…

Songbird present

8BI… I don't know either…

V

8BYou lied, stabbed everyone close to you in the back.

Songbird present

8BClose to me…?

V

8BAbout time you faced the truth, So Mi.

Songbird present

8BAbout time.

V

8CHonestly? Dunno anymore… Maybe Reed was wrong, is wrong… maybe you took things a step too far.

Songbird present

8CReed's been wrong about so many things. I see it so clearly now.

8CV… I'm-- I'm sorry… There's something that I…

Somi Past Reed

7AGotta be shittin' me. Not goin' anywhere with you.

7AMakin' me leave my home, my friends? Everything worth a damn to me?

Reed

7AWhat's ahead is important, worth so much more…

Somi Past Reed

7AYeah, no – hard pass!

Reed

7AThink. NetWatch rolls up here – what happens to your people, who trust you, who care about you?

7ANetWatch'll know... who lent you the eddies for your deck, who let you tap into the subnet of the cafe downstairs…

7AUnderstand this – I'm your one chance at keepin' you safe, your friends safe. Or sure – let 'em get hurt.

Somi Past Reed

7ABlackmail, that your play? Don't know me enough.

Reed

7ABut I do know your type. And I know your answer. Just haven't admitted it to yourself yet.

Songbird present

7AI… I thought if I could control the future, I'd feel safe, always…

7ABut I should've looked to the past. To lessons about loss, repeated, repeated…

7AI've made many mistakes, V. Too many to count…

V

9AWe all make mistakes. Shit, know I've made my fair share…

Songbird present

9ASome mistakes are irreparable...

V

9ASo what? Means you gotta quit, stop fighting for yourself?

9ACan't change the past, So Mi. With some memories, you turn your back and walk away.

9BNot lookin' good, So Mi, that's for sure. But… you can't give up.

Songbird present

9BI don't know how, never knew… Look... look where it's gotten me…

V

9BSaid you wanted another chance, So Mi. Here it is. Dwell all you want, but what matters is what you do. Here, now.

Songbird present

7AIt's true we die this way, our memories to comfort us…?

V

10ANot gonna let you die, So Mi. We'll make it outta here – together.

Songbird present

10AThank you.

10AI'll keep this moment as this memory, just one… Back home, a friend at my side…

10ABefore it all goes dark… for one last second, I'll know I wasn't alone.

V

10BLook around, So Mi! See what's happening? Stop it, you've gotta!

Songbird present

10BNo… too late for that.

10BI think… I know… I think I know…

V

10BGet it together, So Mi!

Songbird present

10BSad to see these last scraps of me… Used to have a home… Used to be… someone…

V

7AWhat's happening?!

Songbird present

7AThe Blackwall. We have just seconds…

V

7AWhat?! So Mi, where...?!

Songbird present

7AThe core. Look for me there and… and help me. One last time.

V

So Mi? Where am I…?

No, wait, So Mi. Hold on, there's more to rec--!

Songbird present

V… I'm-- I'm sorry… There's something that I…

We're standing at the edge… you and I.

V

So Mi, please, snap out of it! If you don't, I can't--!

What's happening?!

Songbird present

The Blackwall. We have just seconds…

V

What?! So Mi, where...?!

Songbird present

The core. Look for me there and… and help me. One last time.

V. Answer me. Please.

Why, V?

Somi Past Angry

Fucking ICE... Hm, but what if…?

V

C'mon, c'mon, ain't got all day…

Fucker almost snagged me…

Ugnh, fuck! Locked! Gotta find a way, and fast…

Workshop. Might be spare parts lyin' around…?

V

1AServer room – could disable the lockdown from there.

Security

Access denied. Full lockdown protocol in effect.

V

3ASealed tight. She cut off all ways through here.

V

Won't let me through, huh? Guess I'll just have to jack you outta these systems.

V

10ATech's protected from physical damage. Not even likely to scratch it.

10AGotta be another way... Huh, under there, maybe.

V

11AHm, must also be access points in Engineering and Security.

V

13ASomething disabled it… Terminal's fried.

13AFixable, though. I think… Just gotta reroute the power – might be enough for one shot.

Oh, shit!

Fuckin' place seriously rocks my dome… but guess you knew that, didn't you?

V

14APre-Krash, all this, amazing they built this back then – I mean, advanced sensors, heat-resistant armor, hydraulics…

14AShame it's the Blackwall at the helm…

V

16AFan-fucking-tastic. Militech bot that shoulda never seen the light of day...

16AAnd now it's after me, controlled from behind the Blackwall. Hm, great. Just great.

V

Shard's infected… with that shit.

Wait, how do I know that? I can't, shouldn't, unless... Fuck…

V

18AJammed. Means you're not controllin' it. Something usable. Finally…

You're losin' strength, So Mi. Losin' this fight.

AIs promoted themselves. Not just passengers anymore. They're in the driver's seat…