Dialogue: The Hunt

Johnny

Cops seem to like you. Could be this one's sniffin' around for somethin' extra?

V

1AWhaa? No, River's all right.

Johnny

1AMh, yeeeah.

V

1ACan tell ya got somethin' to say, so say it.

Johnny

1AMe? No, no. Just maybe this cop's flyin' straight in your pants.

V

1AQuite an observation on human behavior comin' from a fuckin' stack of data in my head…

1BStay out of it, Johnny.

Johnny

1BOooh... Think someone actually wants to polish Mr. Policeman's badge.

V

1BY'know, moments like these I truly mourn the fact I can't fuckin' sock you one.

Johnny

1BFine, not gonna pry. Truth is you coulda done worse than Detective "Blue Moon" Ward.

V

1BAlready have. Got a brain parasite nibblin' away at my nerve endings as we speak.

River

Hey, V.

V

How ya holdin' up?

River

Been better.

I know, prolly not hard to tell.

V

2ASo, what happened?

River

2ANeeded someone to talk to.

V

2AMhm?

River

2AFirst, take a look.

V

3AWhat's the problem if they caught the guy?

River

3AMy nephew, Randy... Disappeared not long past.

3AAnd what you just saw – the kid was wearin' Randy's shoes.

V

3AOh Jesus…

V

4AAnd what, they figured you'd get emotional and kept you off the case?

River

4AMore like a restraining order – won't let me anywhere near it.

4AGonaghal took the lead on it – a lazy-ass gonk. And so far he ain't accomplished shit.

V

5ANo way I'd let this lie.

River

5AI know. And that's why I'm askin' for your help.

V

5BThey're not all wrong – got a personal stake in this.

River

5BAnd that's why I need an objective eye – you.

V

4ASo whadda we need to do?

River

4ACan't interrogate the guy 'cause he's a veg, but… we can view his dreams.

V

4ASorry… dreams?

River

4AYou heard me. C'mon, I'll explain on the way.

River

6AIt's an experimental procedure, but it's already yielding results.

6AThey record dreams that can be played back as BDs.

V

7AAnd we're now headed to…?

River

7AA lab. To get the BDs of Peter Pan's dreams.

V

7BGot access to these dreams?

River

7BNot yet, but they keep them in the lab we're headed to now.

V

6AOK, got an appointment?

River

6ANot exactly. We'll go in together, but uh…

6ANot through the main entrance.

V

6AOh, we're gonna break the law?!

River

6AWe'll find a different way in and then hustle out quick.

6ANever actually been here, so I'll need your help.

V

4BRandy's disappearance – know anything else?

River

4BMy sister and I don't get along that well… I don't know much.

4BJust wish I coulda been there for her when she needed it most.

V

3BThis "Peter Pan" – he an old case, you were lookin' for 'im?

River

3BNever heard of him. Didn't cross my desk.

V

8AMore dead politicians?

River

8AJust watch it.

V

2BNice ride. Brand new?

River

2BNope.

V

2BNot in a chatty mood, I see.

River

2BNot really. Sorry.

Harris' s dream BD – where is it?

Yawen Packard

He isn't dreaming.

River

What? Why?!

Yawen Packard

A bullet damaged his cerebral cortex. We get only dissonant urges, pieces.

V

9ALooks like a dead end, River. I’m sorry.

River

9AAudio-visual stimulation – that's what we gotta try.

Yawen Packard

9ABut he isn't on the spectrum.

River

9AA favorite song or movie helps you reach the kids – might be worth a try.

Yawen Packard

9AI am aware of the similarity – hypothalamus stimulation and hormone production.

9ABut Harris is not a child. I have never tried the procedure on an adult.

V

10ALet's try it.

Yawen Packard

10AWe don't even know his preferences!

River

10AI'll find somethin'. That mean you're willin' to try?

Yawen Packard

10AJust... go. I'll open the front door for you.

River

10ALet's ride, V.

10AI know exactly where to start.

V

10BAny reason you haven't?

Yawen Packard

10BBecause, unlike River, I went to med school and studied neuroscience.

10BAnd not by reading about it over someone's shoulder on the metro.

V

12AI'd like to--

River

12ATry audio-visual stimulation.

A few of these rooms we probably don't have to bother with.

Hmph. Locked, can't get in.

Nothin' here. No sign of any BDs.

They definitely don't store any BDs in this area.

Got some kinda shard, but it's blank. Keep lookin'.

Empty braindance case.

It's a braindance editing terminal. You familiar?

V

A little.

River

Empty braindance case.

Got some kinda shard, but it's blank. Keep lookin'.

They definitely don't store any BDs in this area.

Nothin' here. No sign of any BDs.

Hmph. Locked, can't get in.

A few of these rooms we probably don't have to bother with.

OK. Shouldn't be anyone inside. The lab's in the middle of an audit. So make all the noise you want.

V

How we gonna find this braindance?

River

Look for a room where they edit the dreams of autistic kids.

Oh, and remember – Peter Pan's real name is Anthony Harris.

V

Hey, River! Think I got it!

River

Comin'!

V

13AHey, River! Think I got it!

River

13AFound something?

V

13ANot yet.

River

13AAnthony Harris.

13ALet's try these drawers.

V

14ASay, River? Why not just have a janitor crack a door for ya?

River

14ACan't risk gettin' scolded for sniffin' around somebody else's case.

Yawen Packard

14ARiver?!

River

14AYawen!

Yawen Packard

14AWhat are you doing here?! You got kicked off the force!

River

14AJust suspended, actually.

V

15AAnd who might you be?

Yawen Packard

15AI'm calling the actual police!

River

15AW-wait, wait, wait, hear… hear me out, please.

Yawen Packard

15ASeriously, River? You weren't in enough trouble already?

River

15AHarris kidnapped my nephew.

Yawen Packard

15AI'm sorry, really I am, but we store evidence here, and we have strict protocols.

V

16A"Protocols"? Talkin' about his nephew's life, here!

16AA child's life!

Yawen Packard

16AThis is an ongoing police investigation.

16AGo, please.

16AGet out now!

V

17ACan't leave without Peter Pan's dreams.

Yawen Packard

17AI'll say it one last time – OUT.

River

17ADammit, Yawen! Who the fuck do you think you are?

V

17BListen, you work with badges, right? You know what they're like.

17BFeed 'em analysis, they'll shit out failure.

Yawen Packard

17BThis type of thinking is the very reason we live in a lawless city.

River

17B"Lawless"?

16ARemember your first med school exam?

16AYou know the one. Passed it with flying colors.

16AGotta remember it. Ladies' room erupted in flame, they evacuated everybody for two hours…

Yawen Packard

16AI cannot believe you would throw that in my face!

16AI never wish to see you here again!

16AEspecially you!

16AThis man – he only takes! He never gives anything back!

V

18ABarely know River. We just work together.

Yawen Packard

18ADo not believe any promise he makes!

V

18AGood tip, thanks, but we're wastin' time.

18BRiver and I get along, we're friends. Hasn't let me down yet.

Yawen Packard

18BHah! I thought us friends, too!

V

18BThat why you're refusin' to help 'im out?

V

19AWhat'd she mean by that?

Yawen Packard

19AHe hasn't told you?

River

19AYawen, please listen to me…

Yawen Packard

19AAren't you in enough trouble already?!

19AI'm calling the actual police!

River

19AW-wait, wait, wait, hear… hear me out, please.

Yawen Packard

19ASeriously, River? You weren't in enough trouble already?

V

20AJust some trash...

V

25ASomeone wants to be a cop when they grow up.

V

26AKids with autism, you said?

River

26AYeah, they got a research grant.

V

26ASure know a lot…

V

27ATech's half-decent.

River

27AHm, they got budget-savvy management.

V

28ABill Graham?

River

28AUh, no, Anthony Harris.

V

29AAll set to record…

River

They definitely don't store any BDs in this area.

Hmph. Locked, can't get in.

Hmph. Locked, can't get in.

They definitely don't store any BDs in this area.

V! I think it's this room!

C'mere, help me search it!

V

On my way!

River

Great. What now?

V

We find our entrance.

River

They have an audit today – should be a ghost town. No need to be quiet.

V

Know where they're keepin' the BD?

River

Likely the room where they edit the autistic kids' dreams.

Should be labeled as Anthony Harris.

V

How'd you know about the audit?

River

I did my homework.

We can breach the fence, then look for a way inside.

Knowing their funding, I wouldn't expect much pushback from security.

Great. What now?

V

We find our entrance.

River

They have an audit today – should be a ghost town. No need to be quiet.

Hm, looks heavy…

Right, nothin'.

Right, nothin'.

Let's try these drawers.

Anthony Harris.

Police Officer

...10-38, I repeat a 10-38. Registration 2AA6244. We're exiting our vehicle now.

Police Operator Female

Copy that.

Police Officer

Out of the car! Hands up!

Anthony Harris

Easy, officer. Relax...

Police Officer

Shut your mouth!

Police Officer

Oh shit...

Police Officer

Uh... We have a 10-53 and a 10-54, I repeat a 10-53 and a 10-54...

River

V! I think it's this room!

C'mere, help me search it!

V

On my way!

River

V! Not that way!

Headed back to the lab. I'll wait for ya there.

V

30AOK, where were we?

River

30ALet's move.

V

30BBe back later.

River

30BHurry back, please. Randy's out there somewhere, needs our help.

V

31AWell, this is the place... Tick tick tick…

River

Randy and the other boys… they're out there somewhere. Waitin' for help.

I need to do whatever I can to find them.

Yawen Packard

River, the police are investigating.

I'll say it one last time – OUT.

River

Dammit, Yawen! Who the fuck do you think you are?

So we're headed to a lab to find Peter Pan's dreams. How's that for a fairytale?

V

Just some trash...

Just some trash...

Just some trash...

Just some trash...

River

OK, lemme hear it…

V

1ASo, got booted off the force…

River

1AUgh, suspended. Mayor's death stank to high heaven. Inquest into – kicked under the rug. So I made a fuss.

V

1ANot worth askin' how you feel about that.

River

1ANope.

V

1BLost your badge, didn't tell me about it – why?

River

1BI… don't know.

V

1BMakes you a bit of a leadhead, doe'n't it?

River

1BThat it do.

It's just, uh... It's not easy for me to talk about what's bitin' at my ass.

V

Fair enough. Could tell me where we're headed, though.

River

To Joss's.

Randy's mom.

She thinks he just ran away from home. For now, keep the kidnapping between us.

V

2AGonna tell me why we aren't we tryna find Harris's apartment?

River

2AIt's a house. And I doubt he's keepin' his victims in his basement.

2AAn' besides, we are trying. Wanna see if we can find some connection to Harris at Randy's.

V

2APretty weak lead.

River

2ABest we can hope for just now.

V

2BWhere's Randy's dad?

River

2BBeen a few years since he got popped. Gang war.

V

2BHuh, great role model.

River

2BJoss was left alone with three. Hm... But she's as tough as weathered leather.

V

2CTell me about Randy. What kinda kid he is.

River

2CPetty theft, drugs, runnin' away from home – that kind.

V

2CCop uncles really see the best in ya…

River

2CThere're people who always find their way into trouble. Randy's one of 'em.

V

3AThink Yawen'll actually help us, all things considered?

River

3AYeah. These tiffs of ours always end up the same way.

3AI'll tell ya about it over a beer sometime.

V

4AReally oughta focus on finding Randy now.

River

4A'Course.

V

4BSign me up. We find Randy, then we find the bottoms of a few bottles.

River

4BIt'll be my pleasure.

3AAll right, this is it.

3AAll right, this is it.

V

3BNot worried Yawen's gonna toe the line, rat you out to her superiors?

River

3BUsed to be friends. Doubt she'd do that.

3BPlus, not that I'd use it... but I do know one skeleton she'd prefer remain tucked in her closet.

Towfiq Iqbal

Hello, my name is Arif Iqbal, and this is WNS News.

Today's story – a routine roadside inspection led the NCPD to the trail of a dangerous abductor and murderer.

The incident occurred at the intersection of 7th and 15th Avenue. The following police footage was captured at the scene.

Police Officer

...10-38, I repeat a 10-38. Registration 2AA6244. We're exiting our vehicle now.

Police Operator Female

Copy that.

Police Officer

Out of the car! Hands up!

Antony Harris

Easy, officer. Relax...

Police Officer

Shut your mouth!

Police Officer

Oh shit...

Police Officer

Uh... We have a 10-53 and a 10-54. I repeat, a 10-53 and a 10-54.

Towfiq Iqbal

The boy from the footage is LeVar Martinez, age 17. His parents reported his disappearance over a month ago.

Unfortunately, LeVar's life could not be saved. His body could not withstand the severe septic shock he suffered.

Autopsy reports revealed the teenager was given dangerously high levels of hormones, anabolic steroids and stimulants.

The possessions and genetic material of seven other missing teens were also found in the car belonging to one Anthony Harris.

Unfortunately, their fates remain unknown. Although the criminal widely known as Peter Pan survived the gunshot, he has not regained consciousness, making interrogation impossible.

Please stay tuned to WNS News for developments in the story.

V

1AAnd changed at all since?

River

1APlaces like this never change.

Johnny

1ALovely neighborhood. Mwah.

Joss

1ARiver...

1AYou either got business with me or news 'bout my Randy. Wouldn't drag your butt out here if ya didn't.

River

1AJoss – meet V.

Joss

1ASo, V – is this about my Randy?

V

2ARandy's been taken.

Joss

2AWh-why didn't you call?!

River

2AJoss, I-I...

Joss

2AThrew a blanket over the truth! Like always!

V

3APolice caught the guy. But he caught a bullet, and he's in a coma, bein' watched.

Joss

3ABut where's Randy?

River

3AWe're lookin', Joss...

Joss

3AHeeere?!

V

3BWe hope Randy's OK, but... you oughta prepare for the worst.

River

3BV, please...

Joss

3BWhere's my Randy?!

V

3BWe don't know that. But we're tryin' to find out.

Joss

3BThen why're you here instead of searchin' for him?!

V

4AListen, we need to look through Randy's things.

Joss

4AWhy?

River

4ATo find any lead we can. Trust me, Joss.

Joss

4AJust don't destroy anything.

4ARandy doesn't like it when anyone pokes through his stuff…

River

4ALet's go, V.

Joss

4AThe kids're playing outside. Tell 'em it's time to eat.

River

4AMonique, Dorian. Hey, guys.

Girl

4AIs this your girlfriend?

River

4AJust a friend.

Boy

4AYou gonna stay over?

River

4AWe'll see.

4AYour mom's waiting for you with dinner.

Girl

4AUncle River!

River

4AThat's the trailer. Eyes peeled for details, eh?

4AWhat's on your mind?

V

4AThink all the women in your life have... character.

4BArguing's not gonna help anyone.

Joss

4BHe's my child! You got no place tellin' me how to behave!

River

4BJoss...

1ASure been a while. Used to come over every weekend... long time ago.

Joss, I... I-I don't know how to say this, but... Randy…

Was abducted.

Joss

Abducted? But he's alive, right?

River! Tell me, dammit!

Girl

Uncle River!

River

We're lookin', Joss...

Joss

Heeere?!

River

That's the trailer. Eyes peeled for details, eh?

Joss

River...

River

Monique, Dorian. Hey, guys.

Girl

Is this your girlfriend?

River

Just a friend.

Gillean Jordan

We have a breaking development in an ongoing story – a tragic end in the search for young teens abducted by Anthony Harris, also known as Peter Pan.

The NCPD did not manage to locate the abducted boys in time to save their lives.

They were found on an abandoned farm, dead from dehydration and exhaustion.

The case of Peter Pan has proved yet another example of Night City's moral collapse.

Crime in Night City is now double the rate than in the New United States. At this point, it seems a near guarantee that closer ties with the Union would help get this city's security back on the right track.

Stay tuned for more details after the break.

River

This's their old trailer. Randy moved in when I bought 'em a new one.

Johnny

Real hellhole, like in my good ol' days.

River

You check around, I'll check the trash.

No chance Randy could afford hardware like this... Way too pricey.

We gotta get in, but I doubt anyone knows the password. Can you crack it?

V

1ALemme give it a shot.

1AEureka.

River

1AHelp me scour this, will ya?

V

1ADon't know how, River.

River

1ADamn... need to try to guess it, then. What could he have...?

V

1BDon't know how, River.

River

1BDamn... need to try to guess it, then. What could he have...?

V

2AEx in the pic – what's her name? Natalie?

River

2AGonna have to keep trying.

V

2BMaybe... "Aldecaldos"? His pop's jacket?

River

2BHrng… No, not workin'.

V

2CGive his tag a try... "bRandy."

River

2CThat's not it.

V

2DPunch this track title... "Liberum Arbitrium."

River

2DThat did it!

2DHelp me have a look around?

River

V, c'mere, could you?

Left his favorite hoodie in the closet...

Jeez... can still see the nicks from those first years we measured the kids.

V

4ALocked. Know where the key might be?

River

4ANope.

V

5ATainted Overlord.

River

5AFavorite band.

V

5AY'know him well.

River

5AUsed to send him an album every year for his b-day.

V

6ASome kinda game here… Shipping code on it.

V

7AExpensive tech. Randy had the scratch for this?

River

7AYou're joking.

V

8ADust an' mold, dust an' mold…

Got some kinda key here... Real fossil…

River

Not quite what we're lookin' for, no.

River

10AFind anything?

V

10ANothin' interesting.

11ADrugs?

River

11ALet's not go there.

Johnny

11AHm, society's fault.

V

12AWho's the girl?

River

12AHis ex – Natalie.

V

13A"bRandy" looks like his tag.

River

13AMhm.

V

14AAn Aldecaldos jacket?

River

14AKeepsake, used to be his dad's.

V

Huh, "Liberum Arbitrium." Dark shit...

Johnny

Sound could use work, but you can tell they put blood, sweat and tears into it.

River

Find anything?

V

Nothin' interesting.

River

Hey, uh, can you use any of that netrunner magic to shake anything else outta this?

V

1ACould try to pin Anthony's IP address…

1AGot it! 'Fraid I can't do much more, though.

River

1APerfect!

V

1ANot that kinda magician.

River

1AOh, OK. We'll have to manage without it.

V

1BNot that kinda magician.

River

1BOh, OK. We'll have to manage without it.

V

That cartoon, River… could be what we've been lookin' for.

Said yourself we'd need somethin' that'd get Harris to dream. Send it to Yawen.

River

Right. Sendin' it now.

OK, says she'll get back to me by morning.

And that I am a son of a bitch.

And uh... Eh. C'mon, let's grab a bite.

V

Figured out Randy's identity, sent him the game as a present.

River

The one you found in his drawer?

V

The same. Shipping code suggests the prick sent it from the Badlands.

Figured out Randy's identity… Sent him the game as a present.

Jesus, River, this's fucked. The guy preyed on troubled kids… Made habit to target boys like Randy.

River

This is my fault. If I'd just paid more attention… Just talked with him more…

V

Hey, come on, you're not the one at blame here.

Hey, look… The name of this cartoon matches the missing file on Harris's page.

River

That's what we needed to find for Yawen! V, we've got it!

V

Randy must've downloaded it.

River

Sure, but V, don't you get it? This could be the key to Harris's mind!

V

Here's hopin'…

River

A hidden page set up by Anthony Harris…

V

Christ… I'm gonna be sick.

True angel of empathy, this guy, huh?

River

This guy baited Randy like a pro.

There was a file here…

V

Deleted, looks like, but the name's still there.

River

That name… Wasn't the video file on Randy's comp called somethin' like that?

This file, V… Dammit. Might've been what we were lookin' for, and it's gone…

And? Have you found anything?

Somethin' deeply fucked about that cartoon. My skin's crawlin'…

V

River, do you… Are you seein' what I'm seein'?

River

No… There's no way… Why would he do that?

V

Not only did they agree to meet, but it looks like Randy was as excited as any kid on his way to a theme park.

River

The fuck… This creep definitely scrambled Randy's head.

Eh, some kinda link… The one Randy wrote about?

V

Let's find out…

River

They caught Harris in a vehicle like that!

V

Blockaded street? Shit, River, I remember that day.

He lives close to an old school!

Natalie must've been the only person Randy trusted…

River

Can we view this page with the link?

Joss

Dorian, please.

Boy

But it really tastes like boogers!

Girl

Agh! Boogers, ewww!

River

Listen, let's not worry Joss more than we need to, huh?

We're hot on the trail, we'll know more tomorrow. That's it.

Joss, we're finished.

Joss

All done? Off to bed, then.

Girl

We left some for you, Uncle River.

River

Thanks, Monique.

Joss

Tell me you found something.

V

5ALooks like Randy knew his kidnapper. They were in touch.

Joss

5AWhy would he do something like that?

River

5AYou know him, kids... Look for help in the wrong places.

V

5BWe'll know more tomorrow.

River

5BI sent some evidence to the lab. There's a chance we could know where to find Randy by morning.

Joss

When's the last time you ate?

River

Yesterday.

Joss

Have mine. I'm not hungry.

River

Thanks, maybe later.

Joss

Now you, no bullshit, don't look at my brother, just tell me…

Will you find my boy?

V

6ARiver's a helluvan investigator. Randy's good as found.

River

6AWon't give up until I do, Joss.

V

6BCan't promise you anything, Joss... except that we'll do our best.

Joss

6BYou'll do your best...

River

Joss? Ya mind if V takes Randy's trailer for the night?

Joss

No. Sure.

River

Stayin', right? Ya gotta help me see this through, to the end.

V

7A'Course I'll stay.

River

7AFind your way all right?

V

7AYup. Gonna go hit the sack soon.

7BI can't, River, I'm sorry.

River

7BI still need your help. You leave now, I'll be all alone in this.

V

8AAll right, I'm with you.

River

8AThanks. Head over to Randy's. Got a long day ahead of us tomorrow…

V

8AYup. Gonna go hit the sack soon.

8BReally can't. You'll do just fine without me. Don't doubt it.

8BHang tough, Joss. River'll find 'im, safe.

V

9AI'll... I'll see ya 'round.

Joss

River... Tell me, and be honest... Will you find him?

V

13AWhy aren't you sleeping?

River

13ANeed to mull over some things. G'night, V.

V

14AOughta get some sleep, Joss.

Joss

14A...

River

I sent some evidence to the lab. There's a chance we could know where to find Randy by morning.

Won't give up until I do, Joss.

I will. I promise.

Gillean Jordan

Hello, this is N54 News with a breaking development. The story of the teens abducted by Anthony Harris, known also as Peter Pan, has reached a happy ending.

Thanks to an anonymous tip, the NCPD managed to reach them in time. The rescued teens remain in critical, but stable condition.

Harris held the boys, aged between thirteen and eighteen, on his abandoned farm.

This heinous case is just another example of Night City's continued moral collapse.

Crime in Night City is now double the rate than in the New United States. At this point, it seems a near guarantee that closer ties with the Union would help to get this city's security back on the right track.

Stay tuned for more details after the break.

River

Got eyes on you. Car at the intersection.

V

On my way.

River.

River

V, hey. I need your help.

V

1ASounds like it. What happened?

1BNCPD askin' a freelancer for help. Things gone that far to shit?

River

I shouldn't talk about this on the holo. We gotta meet.

V

When and where, tell me.

River

Glen, tonight. I'll flick you the details. Will you make it?

V

Do my best.

River

Thanks, V. Till then.

V

River.

River

V, hey. I need your help.

V

Sounds like it. What happened?

River

I shouldn't talk about this on the holo. We gotta meet.

V

When and where, tell me.