Dialogue: The Killing Moon

V

What the hell ya want, Reed?

Reed holo

You're a disappointment, V. To me, to Song. We could've helped her – we, together.

V

Was her choice, Sol.

Reed holo

You're helpin' a traitor... who took a potentially lethal swipe at the NUS president's life.

V

1ASheesh, Song just wants to fly free, man.

1ALeave 'er alone – no more tragedies, I promise.

Reed holo

1AV, this isn't something you and I can settle anymore. Songbird's gone to war, taken on her own country.

V

1BSorry, Reed – made my decision, not gonna backpedal.

Reed holo

1BYou don't get it. It's not about you and me anymore. You two're enemies of the NUSA.

V

1C'M not your enemy. Not the enemy of the NUS all the more.

1CJust fightin' to survive.

Reed holo

1CAwkward strategy you've adopted.

We, the FIA – we're gonna find you two.

You have exactly nowhere to run, V.

V

2AWouldn't've fuckin' called if this was over and done, Reed.

2AThis some negotiation tactic?

Reed holo

2AWe're long past that, V.

2AI'm sayin' we'll see each other soon – you, Song and me, get it?

V

2BYou're soundin' desperate. FIA dig its teeth into your ass big?

Reed holo

2BKnow what? You're right – I am desperate. We both are.

2BSo you need to take a moment to think about what you'll do when I find you.

V

2CForget already? Us fleein', leavin' you in the dirt?

Reed holo

2CTrue, I don't have eyes on you. But we'll see each other soon, oh yes we will.

And I'll expect you to mend your ways then.

V

3AJeez, thanks for the heads up.

Reed holo

3ARemember, you've taken responsibility for her.

3AWhen we find you – when – it's not gonna be about whatever deal you two think you've made.

V

3BAim to fight it out, Reed, to the very end.

Reed holo

3BIs that what you told Welles at Konpeki Plaza, too?

3BYou need to grow up one of these days, start taking responsibility.

3BIf not for yourself, then for others.

V

3CCallin' your bluff, Reed. Seriously doubt FIA'll find us.

Reed holo

3CSays a minor league merc with a sick woman to babysit and drag along as baggage.

3CArrogance can be blindin'. You can't see you're hours away from gettin' caught in a serious bind.

3CWhen that same arrogance will tell you to fight and die…

3CRemember then – it won't just be your life on the line. So Mi's life will also be on your head held high in the face o' death.

V

3DFuck off, don't feel like talkin' to you…

Songbird

Hey, V.

Ready for this?

V

1AWas awaitin' word.

Songbird

1ATh-then… let's finish this.

V

1BDon't sound so hot. Sure you're all right?

Songbird

1BN-not quite... It is what it is.

V

1BOK. Should I be worried?

Songbird

1BHhh. Won't help if you do. Just… do your part.

Grabbed us a ride. I'm parked, sending you the coords.

V

Join you soon.

V

1AFuck, you look pretty, um…

Songbird

1AV…? Ngh.

1ASenses're goin'. Seein'… dark spots. It's ha-ard to breathe.

V

3AWanna help – tell me how.

Songbird

3AWhat the hell took so long?

V

3BWanna flee, condition you're in? Won't get far.

Songbird

3BWhere the hell'd you go? What'd you do?

V

4ASo, yeah, talked to Reed.

Songbird

4AHuh. And?

V

5AAh, bit of lecturin', a few FIA-backed threats thrown in – you know the drill.

Songbird

5AAh, "negotiating by the book" – that's what everybody at the firm called it.

V

6AThink Reed cares about you, truly.

Songbird

6AHas a use for me, maybe... but one use only – to feel good about himself, what he's doin'.

V

6ASo young yet so jaded…

Songbird

6AYou're so tiny, said the picobot to the nanomech…

V

6BWouldn't call what happened negotiating by the book. No, Reed goes for the jugular.

Songbird

6BUnrivaled in that, yeah.

5AHh, let's roll.

V

7ASeems you've got a plan after all, to help us both.

Songbird

7AI do. An' it relies heavily if not wholly on you.

V

7BDon't look so hot. Think you'll manage?

Songbird

7BThat'll depend heavily... on you.

5ABlack clinic, 'member? It's on Luna. Got a flight all lined up to get me there.

V

8AWow, quite the coup.

Songbird

8ACoup schmoo, it's my last resort.

V

8BUh, wanna go with you.

Songbird

8BNo, V, impossible. One and only one – it's all they're expectin'. And it's just not open to negotiation.

5AIn all likelihood, I'll serve as their lab rat once there.

5AAI's within the neural matrix, they're going to extract it. Create a prototype cure for us.

5AI'll contact you. As soon they're ready for us both, I promise.

V

9AWell, be awaitin' word.

9BUgh, don't love the idea. Smells risky as hell, for us both.

Songbird

9BWell, any risk-free options're way out of reach by now.

5ASo, spaceflight means spaceport – NCX. It's where we're headin'.

5ANow, I can't just stride in. I'd draw attention from who knows who in my condition.

5ASo you'll stride in. Then head to the Tycho Terminal, find a side door to open for me.

V

10AThis just might work.

10BWhat about spaceport security?

Songbird

5ATycho Terminal's being renovated, so not many bodies, lots of cover…

5AAlso minimal security, probably. Can't ignore that factor.

V

11AThink you'll have the strength to netrun?

Songbird

11AFull on netrunning – maybe via your personal.

V

11BThink I can manage. You use the time well, to rest.

Songbird

11BI'll try. But let me know if you need me to link up, hit the net.

V

11CThink you might be too weak to netrun solo.

11CLemme share my personal with you.

Songbird

5AAll this shit's… too much.

5ADamn, V… I've wronged so many, hurt so many…

5ACan't help wondering if it's even avoidable. You know… hurting others?

V

12ADon't often get the chance to right a wrong. But... when you do, you do your damndest not to fuck up again.

12AJohnny'd have a thing or two to say on that topic. Too bad you two'll never talk.

12BSomeone revealed their secrets, revealed themselves to me.

12BIt's a burden, a duty. When a jewel's entrusted to you, you focus, don't lose it, find the strength not to disappoint.

12CDoe'n't take much to screw up. A careless word, misunderstanding, bad morning…

12CYou know, heh, you can lose someone by accident. It happens…

12DSometimes... just gotta do your damndest not to hurt that one soul you care most deeply about.

12DMight cost you. Might cost you plain crazy heaps.

12EFor some, for many, heh, the simplest truths are the weightiest.

12ENeed to take care, care not to lose folks. But that care, that caution is worth it, almost always.

12FSome peeps you get to hurt just the one time.

12FDo that, and you lose all, you're left alone.

12GLesson one – don't automatically run when things heat up.

12GCan be hurtful... to others, to yourself most likely, too.

12HSome people expect more than you're prepared to give.

12HSufferin' comes in many different hues. Best sufferin'? Well, oxymoron, kinda, but it's over in a flash.

12IExpect it's hard as hell, but yeah, possible.

Songbird

12IHm.

V

12JThink not, no way.

Songbird

12JWith you on that.

V

12KDunno.

Songbird

12KI don't know, either.

V

12LMm, my cat'd say it's possible. Then again, he only knows me, so…

Songbird

5AAa-argh...

5ABooster, V!

5AI…

5AReed…

V

13ARelax. All good.

Songbird

13AV.

V

13AYeah?

Songbird

13AI don't wanna die.

13ACan't help but regret…

13AI just…

13AHelp me…

13A…ditch this town.

V

14AMeds're kickin' in. You're all right.

14BSong, need to keep your shit together.

Songbird

13AWe shouldn't linger.

13AGrab the wheel – could you?

V

15ATry 'n' rest up.

Songbird

15AHey!

15ACareful!

15AV!

V

15AShit, shit, shit!

Songbird

15AWhat the hell're you doing?!

V

15AAghrrr!

Songbird

15ASpaceport's behind us, you know.

15AAre you lost? Use the nav set.

V

15AUhp. Mighta made a wrong turn.

Songbird

15ADon't fuck with me.

V

15ASorry, I'll figure it out. Get us there soon.

Songbird

15AWe don't need this kind of attention!

15ALose the tail!

V

16ASaid Tycho Terminal's closed for refurbishment. Sure you can fly out of there in spite?

Songbird

16AGot a one-way ticket… from someone who follows their own rules.

V

16AYou've had shit luck with partners lately.

Songbird

16ATill you came along… Workin' out kinda OK.

V

16BLemme scan you. Need to know how you're doin', the state you're in.

Songbird

16BWhatever you want.

V

16BHm... shit. This isn't right.

16BDegen's fast. Too fast for any known pathogen. Metastases spreading straight from the brain…

5BDoe'n't matter what he said. Forget it.

5BOur deal's our deal, and it's solid.

Songbird

5BKnew he'd try to intimidate, knew you'd blow 'im off.

V

5CHe seemed expectant – for me to throw in the towel. Hung up on his ass.

5DStubborn old bastard… Reed.

Songbird

5DPoke long enough, you could drill a hole…

5DAnything new? Anything at all?

V

4BWhat's it matter.

4BSo, what now?

Songbird

4BHm.

V

4CJust thought it was a good idea to prep.

4CSo, what now?

4DCame as fast as I could.

Songbird

4DPain made it seem like forever to me. Anything specific keep you?

V

4ESorry to make you wait…

Songbird

4EMy head's a cage full of pain… Agh.

Steel yourself. We'll be pullin' in.

Obviously, you can't be packing when you go in.

Standard spaceport security. Leave your iron with me.

I'll have it when we meet up again.

V

17AMaybe I mask up – I mean, Reed does know my face.

Songbird

17AFIA'd tag you by the tech's sig as you went through security. It's their gear, they'd finger it anywhere.

V

17BSo, what's your super spy secret for bein' invisible, movin' on the sly?

Songbird

17BJust act normal. Like any other passenger.

17BDon't stop and talk, make eye contact, linger or look aimless. You have a terminal and gate to get to.

V

18AI sure as shit hope I don't run flat into some FIA snoop.

Songbird

18AThey're agents of a foreign government operating in the Free City – illegally.

18AHave to behave like puppybots set to easy obedience mode.

V

18BAh, fuck – flashback comin' in hard. Konpeki Plaza heist.

Songbird

18BBanish that shit. You're better than you were. Armed or not, you'll manage.

So again, Tycho Terminal – get there unnoticed by anyone who matters.

Eyes peeled for Orbital Air guards especially. We can't know what they'll be watching for.

V

19AJoin up soon.

Songbird

19AHey, V?

19ANot that way! Main entrance!

V

19AYeah.

Songbird

19AGood luck.

V

20AThanks. Could prolly use it.

20BHey, Song – chin up, I'll manage. We'll manage.

Thinkin' back to that first contact you made? We've come a long way…

Songbird

Haven't quite reached its end yet.

Just go.

Agh!

I know what's wrong with me, V. Exactly why we need to hurry.

Hm.

V…? Ngh.

Gate Guard

Scan's all good. Orbital Air thanks you for your cooperation and your patronage.

Welcome to Night City International and Translunar, your gateway to the world and the stars.

I need to temporarily power down any unauthorized implants. Personal link in the panel, please.

V

1AWait, unauthorized implants? Specifically?

Gate Guard

1AA detailed schedule was in the spaceport terms and conditions you acknowledged when you purchased your ticket.

Songbird audio

1AV!

V

1BSheesh, how backwards can you be? Should fear peeps, not the implants they wear.

Songbird audio

1B'Ey, V!

Gate Guard

1BCode yellow. Got an uppity one at the gate.

1BOn the ground, hands behind your head!

Songbird audio

1BShit!

Gate Guard

1BCode red!

V

2ARight, 'course.

Songbird audio

2ABe chill, draw no attention.

Gate Guard

2AImplant power-down complete.

2AFor biometric ID authentication, please look at the camera.

Songbird audio

2AWait! Don't yet!

2ABuy me some time. Need to link your metrics to a fake profile.

Gate Guard

2ALook at the cam, please.

2AScan's complete. Sorry for the hassle, thanks for your understanding.

2AWelcome to Night City International and Translunar, your gateway to the world and the stars.

Songbird audio

2AOK, now you need to let me in.

2ATycho Terminal – go… and draw absolutely no eyes.

Gate Guard

2AScan's all good. Orbital Air thanks you for your cooperation and your patronage.

Songbird audio

2AAll set. Go ahead, do it.

Gate Guard

2AHm, ID unknown. Show me your ticket.

Songbird audio

2ATold you to wait! Be done stat.

V

4AFirst, what's with the attitude?

4ASecond, scan again. With greater care this time?

Gate Guard

4APlease look in the camera and remain still.

V

4BOK, stop puttin' up this wall of bullshit, fuckin' sop. Got any idea who I am?

4BWanna talk to your supervisor – hop to it!

4CNah, no ticket here. Meant to find a cozy nook in the luggage hold.

4DSeemed wasteful to buy a ticket, but... I did manage to set somethin' aside for you.

4DUsually enough to keep border officials happy, right?

Gate Guard

2AGot a code yellow.

Songbird audio

2ADammit!

V

5AI'll fuckin' code yellow you!

5BTime to delta out!

V

2AUm, which cam'd that be?

Gate Guard

2ATHAT one.

V

2AUm, not sure what you want me to do…

Gate Guard

2ALook at the camera, please. It'll be over in a few seconds.

V

2AAw, jeez, pret-ty busy today, huh? Peeps movin', goin' places… heh.

Gate Guard

2ALook at the cam, please?

V

2AAhh, it's all that Arasaka confusion. Peeps feelin' just a little unsafe in the city.

Gate Guard

2ALook straight into the camera for me.

V

2ATakin' my pic, Officer? I get a print if it's cute?

Gate Guard

2AHah, that'll do. Just look straight into the camera for me.

Songbird audio

2ADon't push it, V.

V

7BStressful, this job. You could use some relief. Know this girl with a thing for paunches…

Gate Guard

7BAnd I know wound-up smart-asses like you. How about you unwind in a cell.

V

2ASorry, read the vibe wrong. Just, officials and their brows and their frowns – ah, it makes me tense.

2AAnd humor's my go-to, so…

2AI truly apologize…

Gate Guard

2AHm. Will you please just do as instructed?

Songbird audio

Done.

V

Right.

Songbird audio

Ready. Just do what he says.

Need two more secs…

Gate Guard

Waaaiiit... Yeah, OK, clear. Code yellow cancelled.

Now jack out and move forward, please? We apologize for any inconvenience.

Songbird audio

He came close, V. You're welcome.

All good.

Gate Guard

Please just do as instructed.

Songbird audio

What the hell, V? You're only gonna draw attention in that.

Seems you have Orbital Air credentials, all go on the in-house net.

You're staff to the Orbital bots and mechs. There goes one problem, maybe more.

OK, on the port's net.

Aim to steer ya clear of bogeys, 'ganic and cyber.

V

M'kay, on the platform. Trains runnin', though. Tunnel's an option... if I'm fast enough.

Oh fuck! Incoming!

Songbird audio

Hit a recess! Stat!

Uh, V?

V

Ah, still breathin'…

Shit, shit, shit!

Ugh, close. Never again.

Songbird audio

Yeah, trains can be royal pricks.

V

OK, restroom. Got an open ventilation shaft.

Songbird audio

Right. Connects straight to the maglev train tunnel.

Gonna fuckin' shop? Seriously?

Get through that goddamned gate, will you?!

Mosey, V. You're skirting the edge. Risky.

We do not have time for this.

V

One big-ass, lusciously green roof, huh?

Songbird audio

Gimongous, sure. Now get through the gate?

Friend left a gift for us. It's in a case on the luggage conveyor.

Grab it. Sending you the combo.

Minor clusterfuck. Forget back and side doors. We need a new plan.

I had to skedaddle. Orbital security started sniffin' around the van.

Got it. Let's try the roof. Construction site elevator – find it.

Got it. Let's try the roof. Construction site elevator – find it.

V

Roger that.

Tycho Terminal now. Where do I go for that side or back door?

Songbird audio

Minor clusterfuck. Forget back and side doors. We need a new plan.

V

What the hell's up, Song?

Songbird audio

I had to skedaddle. Orbital security started sniffin' around the van.

OK, OK. Go left. You've got tech recesses every few yards. I can warn you to get off the tracks.

V

Hoo, just don't konk out on me while I'm in there, got it?

Reception F Passenger

Apologies?! I couldn't give a shit! Apology to our viewers! Opening ceremony, live coverage – that's what they expect!

Reception M Passenger

Games start in a few hours. That's hours.

Reception F Receptionist

In the event of flight delays of twelve hours or more, passengers are entitled to a refund of their ticket price.

Reception M Passenger

Ticket price? Are you shitting me? Try millions in damages! When we sue!

Reception F Receptionist

You bitch! Left my marriage in shambles, now you're gonna parade your ass in front of my face?!

Get outta my life! And stay the fuck away from Pepe!

V

1AUh, I'm-- I'm sorry…

Reception F Receptionist

1AGo! Outta my sight!

V

1BHold on. That was your doin'.

Songbird

1BV, get the hell outta there.

Reception F Receptionist

1BPiss off!

Scene002 Actor Guard m001

Wanna calm down, please? A little civility, maybe, regard for the other passengers?

Reception F Passenger

I'll calm down when I fucking land in Sydney!

Reception M Passenger

Come on, Rache. Not getting anywhere here.

Mr. Wawuda should expect a call from Mr. Mucker.

Reception F Receptionist

V? 'S that you?

Cynthia. Pepe's wife?

V

2ASorry, got the wrong person.

Reception F Receptionist

2ASeriously, V? Are you fucking real?

V

2BYeah, 'course. How's Pepe? And, right, how's the kid doin'?

Reception F Receptionist

2BThey're fine, everything's fine. Drop by later? When the crowd's gone? We'll talk.

V

2BListen, Tycho Terminal, need to slink in. Any idea how I could?

Reception F Receptionist

2BYou work for Corp-Bud, you oughta know.

V

2BHeh. First day, actually.

Reception F Receptionist

2BRenovation's been a shitshow. Literally. You know they accidentally broke through to the restrooms in the main lobby?

2BSorry, I really need to get back to work.

2BYou can't.

V

2CHey, didn't you have a job in Heywood?

Reception F Receptionist

2CStill do. Grabbed a second shift here, though. Got Pepe's debts to pay.

2CHad no choice but to moonlight, huh?

2CGonna drive us to an early death, work at this rate.

2CIf something don't fall on our head in the jane first.

V

2CHow's that?

Reception F Receptionist

2CMy first day here? Builders accidentally punched a hole from the terminal into the restrooms. Hah. Nobody's patched it, 'cause why bother?

2CA hole straight to the shitter! All in all appropriate for this fuckin' renovation.

V

3AListen, got business to attend to on the Moon. Renovations gonna go on for much longer?

Reception F Receptionist

3AThat is not entirely predictable. If it's urgent, you could travel from another Orbital Air spaceport.

3AI could actually help you with the booking.

V

4AWould you mind checkin' those flights? Meanin', departure ports?

Reception F Receptionist

4AHmm... Seems I have zero available seats today.

V

4AGee, thanks for your help.

4BNo, that's all right, leave it.

Reception F Receptionist

4BOK, whatever you need.

V

3BSo, a day like any other, except at a spaceport?

Reception F Receptionist

3BSome passengers just lose their nerve. That's the job.

V

3BMh. Nothin' else out of the ordinary caught your eye?

Reception F Receptionist

3BWhy do you ask?

V

3BMh, just waitin' for my flight, killin' time with conversation.

3CMind if I take a peek at the construction site?

Reception F Receptionist

3CUh, sorry, no, that area's off limits.

Songbird

Stop fucking around!

You were to talk to no one, dammit!

Public Announcement System

Passengers are kindly asked not to expose themselves on the premises.

Orbital Air welcomes you to NCX – Night City International and Translunar.

You certainly can't fly. Orbital Air certainly can.

Attention all passengers. Tycho Terminal renovations continue as we improve things for you.

All translunar flights are suspended until further notice.

We apologize for any inconvenience.

Attention all passengers. Final call for sub-orbital flight OA1987 to New Mumbai, boarding now closing.

Attention all passengers. Anyone travelling to destination Crystal Palace must at present have a round-trip ticket. Passengers holding one-way or open-return tickets will be turned away at the gate.

Attention all passengers. Any unattended luggage is subject to immediate disposal. Compensation will not be provided.

Attention all passengers. NCX rules and regulations stipulate that all implants must be deactivated before entering the main terminal building.

Thank you for your cooperation.

Attention all passengers.

Due to technical reasons, suborbital flight OA1701 to Sydney will have a delayed departure. Estimated delay is at three hundred eighty minutes.

Estimated delay is subject to change.

Attention all passengers.

Smoking, consumption of alcoholic beverages and use of mind-altering substances is prohibited on these premises.

V

5AHm.

Int Bag Passenger

5AHey! What the hell?

5AHelp, thief!

V

6AUh, sorry. Was sure that was mine.

Int Bag Passenger

6AYeah, right.

6AI'll call security!

Songbird

6AWhat're you doing, V?

Int Bag Passenger

6AStop! Thief!

V

6BRelax, I'm with security.

6BNow, please don't leave your luggage unattended. It'll be confiscated if you do.

Int Bag Passenger

6BOh, sorry, sorry.

Non Bye

Come on, don't be like that. Ten years'll fly by.

Non Bye

You couldn't find a job on Earth?

Non Bye

For eds nowhere near what I'll get up there. We need the money, you know.

Non Bye

Just, nyah, just… don't get sucked out into space.

Non Casa

You're gettin' on that shuttle.

Non Casa

But what about us?

Non Casa

We'll always have Jig-Jig Street.

Now, now… Here's lookin' at you, street kid.

Non Schedule

Arrivals were cancelled too! All of them! Unbelievable!

Renovations, yes! I am going to lose my shit!

I spent the last week – more! – putting this surprise bash together!

The lobsters made it from Lofoten. Are you telling me he just found it too hard to get back from the Moon?

Non Toilet

Terminal under construction, bathroom under construction.

Non Toilet

What is this? A fucking NC metro station?

Non Elevator

Sorry, no way through.

Freight elevators, try 'em. You Corp-Bud personnel.

Non Elevator

Move on, please.

Non Elevator

Sorry, off limits.

Staff only elevator.

Non Corpo

Another war's in the air, I'm telling you.

Peralez'll take a stab at annexing Dogtown, NUS won't stand for it.

Non Corpo

Pff, all the better. War is good biz. Profits will rain down.

Non Party

O-M-G. Best birthday e-veeeer!

Non Party

Totes. I mean, Lizzy Wizzy at the Crystal Palace? Your 'rents musta been savin' up since you were born!

Non Party

After this concert, I might as well die. I mean, nothing will measure up!

Non Stew

Ugh, you look spent!

Non Stew

Mh, this? My fourteenth flight in five days.

Non Stew

Ugh, I know. Artificial gravity, the rotation, makes me wanna puke, too.

Non Smuggle

You can do it. Just don't look nervous.

Non Smuggle

Easy for you to say.

Non Smuggle

Orbital Air is on watch. Stay calm, and we'll be fine.

Non Smuggle

Quiet down already!

Non Smuggle

Think of the eddies, hon.

It's an egg, of a bird. No one will care. They don't even know what an iwii is.

Non Gillean

3, 2, 1... And live!

Gillean Jordan of N54 News coming to you live from Night City International and Translunar Air and Spaceport.

Few things are longer than that name, but the ongoing renovations here just might be. So I asked management a question – "When will we fly to Tycho again?"

Non Oa Manager

Our contract with Corp-Bud, who are completing the renovations, makes provision for some delays.

The Kenyans have already fulfilled their end of the contract, now we're in talks--

Non Gillean

OK, before this interview gets overlong, too, let me give you the compact version – we're not headed for Luna any time soon.

Non Oa Manager

Bloody brazen bird. I'm going back to the office.

Non Interview Guard

Transport's on the way.

Non Oa Manager

The work needs to be completed. And quickly. We're becoming the brunt of jokes, the city's laughingstock, for Christ's sake.

No! Nairobi should know, they must understand what's going on here!

No! Leslie Wawuda will hear about this!

Songbird

V! Fuck! Just walked into that media feed! Get away from there!

Non Gillean

Guh, Orbital Air's dullest suit ever, that guy…

Aaand, of course, some idiot had to walk into the shot.

Hey, hey!

Where do I know you from?

Songbird

Get gone, V! Before she recognizes you!

Non Gillean

Another damn stalker?

Ugh, what a disaster. They gave me the world's biggest bore.

And the lighting, ugh! A travesty. Maxime'll need to work his magic.

Non Stud Guard

You need to stay calm, sir!

Non Stud

I firmly protest!

You've no right to power down my impants-- implants!

The Mr. Stud does not qualify as a weapon!

I'll pay you.

Non Stud Guard

I'm gonna pretend I didn't hear that, sir.

Non Crystal Stew

So, so, so sorry, but we've encountered a bit of a delay. Boarding will begin soon.

Non Crystal Passenger

Ugh, this flight – it's always like this… Why don't you change the schedule?

I pay for first class and then have to mix with this riff-raff?

Scene004 Actor Civ m001

What's with these mechs, huh?

Scene004 Actor Civ f001

The mechs are fine. It's the auto-docklock that's borked.

Scene004 Actor Civ m001

Shutdown triggering when the alarm goes off, right?

Scene004 Actor Civ f001

It should be. Hand me the Torx?

V

8AOA fuckin' needs better tech. That and better techies.

Songbird

8ABeastbots like this in a crowd? Peeps'd panic, carnage virtually guaranteed.

Int Rock Guard

'Ey! What the hell ya doing?

Get down here, now!

Int Tarp Guard

Done with your break? Work won't do itself, man.

V

10ASo how'm I supposed to get to the Moon, huh? How?

Songbird

10AV!

Int Tarp Guard

10AStep away or I'll have to arrest you.

Songbird

10AYou were to talk to no one, dammit!

Int Tarp Guard

Terminal's closed for renovations.

'Ey, stop! You're not allowed back here!

Songbird

V, dammit!

Int Tarp Guard

Got a code red in Zone 00!

V

Aaahgr...!

Songbird

V!

V

11AUh, Corp-Bud uniform?

Songbird

11AYou got it. And just like that OA security peeps should look right past you.

11AJust remember – cams and bots aren't as easily duped.

11AOK, need you to find a quiet corner, hop in those rags unnoticed.

11AV, dammit!

Johnny

Sheesh, look at these sheep. Baaa-baaa.

V

12APf, what about 'em?

Johnny

12AFirefight could break out any sec, and they're none the wiser.

12AThink – you're standing there, imagining the preem boobs they're gonna glue on you out in orbit. Next thing you know, the panicked herd's trampling you.

V

12AWe're doin' fine. Don't fuckin' jinx it.

Johnny

12AFine's fine long as things're fine. Just tread carefully.

V

12AGot some work to finish. C'mon.

12ASame thought you had at Arasaka Tower as you pulled the pin on the bomb?

Johnny

12ACareful, I can sting, too.

V

12AEvery time you say somethin' like that, I'm reminded that once a terrorist, always a terrorist.

Johnny

12A"Terrorist and raging asshole," as you said over my grave.

V

12ASpaceport security'll douse any flame-up, no way they'll let a shootout go down.

Johnny

12ASpaceport security'll protect corp property, V. Peeps? A secondary concern at best.

Int Lawn

Please don't tread on the grass!

Int Lawn

Get off the lawn!

Non Welcome

Orbital Air welcomes you to NCX – Night City International and Translunar.

Non Welcome

You certainly can't fly. Orbital Air certainly can.

Non Welcome

Thank you for choosing Orbital Air.

Non Welcome

We'd like to remind you to please observe all Orbital Air spaceport and passenger guidelines.

Scene003 spotted m001

Hey! Hey, hold on!

We know each other, remember? Agony – I'm a regular.

V

OK, 'm not a regular…

Scene003 spotted m001

Huh, must know you from some club, I'm sure of it.

V

Doubt it.

Scene003 spotted m001

Hmm... Got it! Yea-ah!

Raaazor! Hoho, you slapped 'im silly! Eeexcellent fuckin' show of force!

Hey! Would you sign my chest? Or, I dunno, lemme get a pic with you!

V

15AUh, sorry. Pics're a no-go. I'd need my agent's approval.

Scene003 spotted m001

15AFor real? Agh, swollen head slowin' ya down much lately?

V

15BSure, preem!

Scene003 spotted m001

15BNova! Damn! My peeps gonna shit themselves out of envy.

Songbird

15BWhat're you doing, V?

V

Don't think so.

Scene003 spotted m001

Uh, uh, uh... Oh, yeah, that's where!

Samurai concert. On guitar! Damn, that was a sweet-ass solo!

Fuck me, guys'll never believe this! Shit, could I get a pic with ya – for the band?

V

Nah, don't seem right.

Scene003 spotted m001

Oh yeah... Think I know!

Konpeki Plaza! Lobby bar!

V

16ADon't know you, man.

Scene003 spotted m001

16AHey, easy, OK! Just askin'.

Johnny

16AAn' here's security, hahahaa…

Songbird

16AStop fucking around!

V

16BA little advice? Forget you know me.

16BIf you care what's good for ya.

Scene003 spotted m001

16BEr... Sorry, ma'am. Thought you were someone else.

V

16CRiiight. Ran into you sauced up like an enchilada, prattlin' on about heads rollin'…

Scene003 spotted m001

16CWell, I got that right! A few floors up, one big head did – Saburo Arasaka's!

V

16CMhm. Maybe you killed 'im.

Scene003 spotted m001

16CThe fuck! Not so loud!

V

Pff, El Coyote, maybe?

Scene003 spotted m001

Uhh, no. Don't even know where that is.

Whatev, ah. Mistook you for someone else.

Songbird

Shitty grandstanding, V! Cut it!

Shitty grandstanding, V! Cut it!

Public Announcement System

Orbital Air welcomes you to NCX – Night City International and Translunar.

Don't wait! Leave your earthly worries, ulcers and tumors behind and take off for the stars.

Taste true freedom, be who you want to be, pursue your heart's desire at the destination of your dreams.

Because the stars are just your springboard.

Orbital Air wishes you flights of fancy.

V

Later.

Public Announcement System

Orbital Air welcomes you to NCX – Night City International and Translunar.

Don't wait! Leave your earthly worries, ulcers and tumors behind and take off for the stars.

Taste true freedom, be who you want to be, pursue your heart's desire at the destination of your dreams.

Because the stars are just your springboard.

Orbital Air wishes you flights of fancy.

Rec Terminal C

Orbital Air welcomes you to NCX – Night City International and Translunar.

Arasaka, Night City branch office's annual corporate retreat will begin in moments, literally. All participants please prepare for your biometric scans and processing.

Apart from standard combat implant deactivation, procedures today will also power down implants featuring any sort of sensory recording capability.

Thank you for choosing Orbital Air.

Corpo Coach

The experience that awaits will be individually tailored to each participant. Consider it a supreme vacation, except with your work chums and completely gratis.

The very aim of the retreat IS to arrive at a complete understanding of the retreat's very aim.

Corpo

Lousy corp retreat, and they shove complete physicals and psych evals on us? Makes me fear and wonder. Do you know anything, heard any rumors?

Corpo

A colleague in Europe mentioned a BD – he ran a marathon across a glacier, in the nude no less. To "cast off the shackles of his context," to convince himself that "stress is just a social construct."

Corpo

Hm. You know we're due to be isolated, right? No Net, no comms, no nothing. Stinks of illegal. Either that or prototype testing.

Actually, could mean both – illegal protos.

Katie

Na, na-na, na, na, na-na, na – naaaa, naaaa, naaaa! Na-na, na, na, na-na, na – na-naaaa, naaaa, naaaa!