Dialogue: We Gotta Live Together

Panam

V! Finally.

Saul

How's your health?

Panam

The plan is solid, Saul. Do not go muddying the waters. Not now.

Saul

We're sending this clan to its grave.

Panam

Fuck, you think I don't know that?

And yet you seem to think you can change something by chewing me out like you usually do!

V

1ANeeded some sleep, is all. Heard you were already cookin' up a plan?

1BBeen better.

1BSo, what've you guys patched together?

Panam

We still have details to iron out, but we know the who, where and how.

Have a look for yourself.

Saul

A few strategies we sussed out.

But only one grants us a decent shot at penetrating Arasaka Tower.

Panam

We'll dig a tunnel.

V

2ASo you wanna tunnel into Arasaka Tower.

Saul

2AI know how it sounds. But we'd be plumb fools not to take advantage.

Panam

2AYou see, Night Corp's building a new maglev line in the area. Granted, it's guarded by Militech, but they're nothing we can't handle.

Saul

2AOnce we're in that tunnel, it's just half a mile to the substratum levels of Arasaka Tower.

2AThey're using one of Night Corp's SERCs. It would only need a few minutes to dig that distance.

Panam

2ANot bad, wouldn't you say?

2AOnce we're in, we'll have to improvise. Guards, security measures, the fastest way into Mikoshi – we'll take things as they come and hope for the best.

2AV, any thoughts?

V

3ASounds doable in theory to me. No competin' ideas, then let's get to prepping.

Saul

3AWe'll need bucketloads more information. It's the only way to determine if this plan holds water.

Panam

3AIt'll prove full of holes no matter what we turn up, Saul, I can tell you that already.

3ABut what's the alternative? To call off the assault? To let her die?

Saul

3AAhh. Panam is right. We have to accept these risks come what may. That much we owe you.

3AI'll talk to our brothers and sisters, get a drone buzzing over that site.

Panam

3AAnd I'll check with Mitch – I think I know how to even the odds against Militech.

3ACome find us later. I'll leave you in Saul's hands now.

3AJust, no making decisions without me.

Saul

3AIs there anything else you need?

V

4ANeed a decent net-connection. Someone I know can help us get into Mikoshi.

Saul

4AWho might that be?

V

5AAlt. She-- It's... an AI from... out past the Blackwall.

Saul

5AAre you fully present up there? Why in hell would an AI help us break into Mikoshi?

V

5A'Cause I'll ask it to, nicely.

Saul

5AFuck me, V…

5AYou know what? Fine. We're up to our balls in dung anyway. Might as well go deeper.

5AFind Dakota. She'll get you geared up, no questions asked.

V

5BLong story.

Saul

5BOne you assume I'd rather not hear, hm?

5BV, allow me to be blunt. I don't like that the particulars of this raid could venture outside this tent or this family.

5BBut do what you must.

5BFind Dakota. She'll get you geared up, no questions asked.

V

6AThanks, Saul.

Saul

6AThank me once we get out of Mikoshi alive and in one piece.

V

4BHey, you and Panam – something I need to know about?

Saul

4BIt's funny you should ask.

4BI thought we'd smoothed over the rough edges between us. Then you showed up.

V

7ADoubt that's entirely true.

Saul

7AI don't have any hard feelings towards you, V. The opposite, in fact.

V

7BPanam think so too?

Saul

7BYou'd have to ask her yourself.

4BSee, V... you're like the outsider who happens upon a family and witnesses nothing but endless quarrels.

4BThen all of a sudden the outsider's presence is noticed, and the family members shake hands, join hands, become stronger than they were before.

4BUnderstand?

V

4BYeah. 'Least, I think so.

Saul

4BGood. So now you can tell me what else you'll need.

V

3BThe plan, entire op – it's about headin' into enemy territory. You'll make enemies of Arasaka and others.

Saul

3BSo it appears.

V

3BI'm exposin' you – all of you – to danger. Want out, wanna cut your losses, I'd understand, no hard feelings.

Saul

3BYou came to us for help, we decided we'd provide it. Our minds are made up – no more discussion needed.

Panam

3BIt's settled. We had best get to work.

V

3CWhat's a SERC?

Panam

3CA Subterranean Extraction and Removal Combine. It's... automated tunnel boring.

3CIf we can grab one, we'll dig through to Arasaka Tower, then go on to Mikoshi.

V

3DConstruction site – whadda we got for security? Whole place spiked? Militech out in full force?

Panam

3DIt's your average hard-hat area – nothing too scary. But we can't just walk past 'em.

Saul

3DWe expect to see the usual – drone patrols, on-site operators, restricted access.

V

3DMhm.

2BSure these plans're up-to-date, completely reliable?

Saul

2BPositively. We went to our Snake Nation sources.

Panam

2BThey've been turning stones over in that area.

Saul

2BI'm not one to lie, this tunnel gambit is risky. But if it works, that's our way into Mikoshi.

Mitch

Welcome back to the living. Ya feelin' OK?

V

8AUm, I guess...?

Mitch

8AMighty good to hear.

8AYou had us worried back there. You passed out, and we couldn't shake you awake.

8AIt sure does seem like your, uh, condition might be getting worse.

V

8BWhat happened?

Mitch

8BYou passed out on the way.

8BWe tried shaking you awake – to no avail. It sure does seem like your condition might be getting worse, V.

Panam asked me to keep an eagle eye on you.

V

Where'd she go?

Mitch

She's off debating Saul. You need help – that's clear. They sat right down to figure out how we might do that.

Come on, I'll take you to see them.

Mitch

9ASo, V, I heard talk that there's a war comin'.

V

10A'Fraid I don't got a choice, Mitch.

Mitch

10ALooks like we don't have one, neither.

10AThe whole clan knows we set out tomorrow.

V

10AThey know why, what our aim is?

Mitch

10ALook around, V. War-tested veterans are a fistful at most. The rest mostly raid rinky-dink convoys and salvage scrap.

10ASo for now they know only as much as they need to know – the aim is to help you out.

Teddy

10AWell, if it ain't V! How's that head of yours, sister?

V

10AHey, Teddy.

Cassidy

10AAnd so she lives.

Panam

V? Can you share your thoughts?

V

1AFellas.

Teddy

1AWe heard we're gearing up for a minor war.

Bob

1AMore like a suicide mission.

Mitch

1AFinish it up here, all right?

V

1BPrep coming along all right?

Bob

1BHeh, you call this prep? I'd call it a damn improvisation, but that's just me.

Panam

1BCan it, Bobby.

Hey... Right now? OK.

Saul needs me.

Come find us after.

V

Will do.

Mitch

Lo and behold.

V

Isn't this...?

Mitch

In theory. We fitted an afterburner and a multi-RPG launcher up top.

We also scooped out about sixty percent of its total mass. Beautiful, isn't she?

You'll take the wheel with Panam riding shotgun.

V

2ASince tomorrow's the big day already, how about we take her for a spin now? Wanna get a feel for her over the terrain.

Mitch

2ASure thing. Maybe after sundown, though. We still have a few loose screws to tighten.

Bob

2AThat's putting it mildly.

Mitch

2AWill you quit being such a sourpuss? We'll have her ready in time.

V

2BAfterburner – standard nitro or military-grade?

Mitch

2BStandard couldn't move this baby an inch.

V

2BSo, nitrous oxide injection into military hardware?

2BHeard Raffens do the same thing with their armored pickups 'fore goin' after convoys. 'Cept it isn't exactly stable.

Mitch

2BYou'd think you plain couldn't jazz up a panzer that way, huh?

2BWhen we unleash this beast tomorrow, you'll see.

V

2BSo hardware's military. But how the hell'd you cram all that into a panzer?

Mitch

2BOh, small beans compared to the tricks we pulled with Scorpion during the war.

V

2CFirepower up top – uh, what is it?

Mitch

2CA rapid-fire, seventy millimeter multiple rocket launcher coupled with an onboard MMI you can sync to via personal link.

V

2CWhere'd you get all this stuff?

Mitch

2CTeddy salvaged it from a scrapyard. The launcher itself was fine, the problem was no ammunition.

2CAs luck would have it, Dakota procured some. Don't ask me how.

Lo and behold.

V

Isn't this...?

Mitch

In theory. We fitted an afterburner and a multi-RPG launcher up top.

We also scooped out about sixty percent of its total mass. Beautiful, isn't she?

You'll take the wheel with Panam riding shotgun.

Bob

That America's long-gone and forgotten. You might as well have started with "Once upon a time."

Teddy

That's just it. It doesn't matter where we go – we're strangers in our own land. Every state is practically its own country.

Mitch

It wasn't any different back then. Unity is a state of mind, Teddy. An imagined community. At least here, now, you know where you stand.

Bob

Look at it this way. Life can't disappoint if you don't have expectations, illusions. Maybe that's exactly what freedom is, brother.

Teddy

If that's freedom, why do I feel like I can't breathe, like sombody's gripped my throat and won't let go?

Mitch

Like I said, Teddy. It's a state of mind. Or, you know, the air.

V

So, goin' for quick and agile now?

So, goin' for quick and agile now?

Mitch

You think you know all you need to? If not, fire away.

Mitch

Does it seem like she's tending to the left?

V

Eh, fixable, ya think?

Mitch

Just keep shooting at those rust-buckets, I'll recalibrate the targeting on the go.

Feels better, doesn't it?

V

Seems so.

Mitch

Blast another just to be sure.

Yup, beautiful.

Hey. How go things?

V

1AWhat just happened – still can't quite wrap my head around it.

Mitch

1AHardly anyone ever does. The day you get your jacket is a day you never forget.

V

1BGood. Really good, in fact. How 'bout you?

Mitch

1BI'm trying to get the panzer running. She's stubborn, our dame, but I won't give, either.

So, time for a ride?

V

2AYeah, I'm game.

Mitch

2AHop in.

V

2BSure she's ready?

Mitch

2BYou know me – I'd gladly spend another two days on 'er, but this will have to do.

2BHop in, let's see what's she's made of.

Mitch

You'll be steering this beaut tomorrow. Would you like to give her a whirl?

Are we heading back?

Heh, now let's check Bobby's little find.

Punch it, V.

All right, that's probably good.

V

Let's head back.

Mitch

I'll have to check before tomorrow if her guts are tight and firm. Something just don't sound right to my ear.

Try hitting the targets with the throttle wide open! Let's see if she's synced up.

We still have the nitro to try.

There's a flat area over there. Let's swing towards it.

I'll take her now. I get picky about parking.

All right, fire 'er up.

I've got green across the board. Good sign.

V

Where we headed?

Mitch

Bobby said there's a scrapyard east of camp.

Perfect spot for a little target practice.

I reckon that should do for today.

All right, the afterburner is ready.

V

Won't get mad if I scratch her up a bit?

Mitch

Are you kidding me? She's a panzer. Panzers don't get scratched up.

This one's more likely to fall apart after we fire it up.

Holy shit!

V

What? Everything OK?

Mitch

Yeah, it's just now I know why nobody puts nitro in these.

V

4AYou nervous about tomorrow?

Mitch

4AIt's not a matter of nerves. Not anymore.

4ADon't you want one?

V

5AEh, why the hell not.

5BI'm good, thanks.

Mitch

4ABack during the war, before we were first deployed, we were trained to keep stress in check. Do you want to know how?

V

4AHow?

Mitch

4AThey gave us chem-cocktails. Supplements, boosters – God knows what else.

4AThey shot them into our veins. Our biomons went wild, but only for a second before stabilizing. And boy did we stabilize.

4AAfter a dozen sessions, something clicks in your brain. Neural pathways get rewired – the part of you that generates fear is zapped into oblivion.

V

6ASo, not afraid of anything at this point?

Mitch

6AIf only it was that simple.

6AI'm not concerned about tomorrow – raids like that are second nature. It's what's going on in the camp…

6AEh, no matter. I'm talking silly now.

V

7AC'mon. All in the family now, isn't it?

Mitch

7AThe truth is I'm concerned about the goings on between Panam and Saul.

7AThey seem to think that putting on a brave face for everyone is enough. But folks here aren't slow.

7AThere's gossip spreading like wildfire already – that Saul won't pull through, that he's in it for himself. That this family needs a shake-up.

V

8AAnd? They right?

Mitch

8AThey are. But nobody knows comes next.

8AYour turn – what do you reckon?

V

9ATruly? Thought Saul'd throw in the towel after all that went down.

Mitch

9AI'm no pundit on campfire politics, but to my eye… Saul doesn't have a whole lot of wiggle room.

V

9ACould just pass the torch to Panam.

Mitch

9AHe could. But Saul's no brickbrain. He knows Panam doesn't want to fill his boots.

V

9BI guess I was hopin' Panam'd mature.

Mitch

9BMature into whom?

V

9BC'mon... pretty much obvious Panam oughta lead the clan. Proved it amply.

Mitch

9BThe only thing she proved is that she cares. But don't confuse that with wanting power.

V

9CMitch, not gonna be facing a ragtag band of Raffen or an exposed convoy. If we wanna get out of this op alive, they need to have their shit together.

Mitch

9CThey're tryin'. They might even have started to see eye to eye in their own way.

9CHell, by now they both know what's expected of them, what the clan expects of them.

V

9CLeast tell me Saul offered Panam a seat at the table.

Mitch

9CAnd what gave you the idea Panam wants a seat to begin with?

V

10ASo she got cold feet.

Mitch

10AI thought you knew her better.

V

10AHmm.

Mitch

10APanam has decided to risk her life, our lives, for you and only you. So I don't think I'd dare to call that cold feet.

V

10ANo, not what I... What I meant was…

Mitch

10AIt's all good, V. I get it.

V

10BThink I get it. Panam's about the clan, not power. Question is whether she can reconcile the two.

Mitch

10BHey, don't look at me.

V

8BWhat about you?

Mitch

8BWhat about me?

V

8BWhat's your take? Saul oughta step down, pass the torch to Panam?

Mitch

8BWe'll see how things look tomorrow, once the smoke has cleared.

V

8CAhh… Don't wanna come off as an ungrateful bitch, but really hope this camp morale doesn't spill into tomorrow.

Mitch

8CIt won't. Saul and Panam did one thing right at least – they welcomed you into the clan. Not a one will abandon you in your hour of need.

7AIt's like this, see – Panam's hell-bent on helping you. But Saul sees this whole thing as an opportunity.

V

7APossible loot from Mikoshi?

Mitch

7AMhm. If we pull this off, get our hands on some sweet Arasaka tech that will set us up down south... Do you follow?

V

11AIt'll ease folks' fears, buy Saul some time.

11BPanam'll lose her chance at taking the helm.

Mitch

11BIf she hasn't lost it already. Here's how it looks – tomorrow goes off without a hitch, Saul gets the credit for leading.

11BBut if anything goes sideways…

V

11BBlame falls on Panam. She's the one who brought me into the fold.

Mitch

7ASaul's a smooth operator. He knows what he's doing. Let's just hope he hasn't overplayed his hand.

7AAll right, we've gossiped enough for one day.

7AWhat was just spoken stays between us, OK? I'm 'onna poke around some in this baby's insides.

V

7ARight. Happy hunting, Mitch.

7BI get it. Don't wanna talk about it, no pressure.

Mitch

7BLet's just make sure everyone does what they're supposed to do tomorrow.

V

7BSounds good.

Mitch

7BYou get some rest. I'll try tweaking that targeting. See you at sunup.

V

7BTake care.

6BThat's seriously fucked up.

Mitch

6BWhad'ya think? That war wasn't effed up?

V

6BOne we'll head into tomorrow, too?

Mitch

6BWhy? Ya havin' second thoughts?

6BI'm not worried about it. And neither should you be. Something else will be keeping me awake.

V

6BWhat's that?

Mitch

6BEh, no matter.

V

6CThought they banned chem-cocktails – during the war, even.

Mitch

6CPlease.

V

6CWeren't there outbreaks of cyberpsychosis within units?

Mitch

6CAnd? Do you think Militech gave a lick about that? They just airlifted the afflicted to their clinics in Taiwan, daily flights.

6CAnd every day we'd get fresh recruits. Still, they pumped us with that shit. But hey, we couldn't argue with the money.

[pl_pl][MITCH wyrzuca / odkłada pustą butelkę.]

V

[pl_pl][MITCH moves to the entrance of the panzer.]

Mitch

[pl_pl][kiwa głową, unosi butelkę na znak, że V dobrze kombinuje]

V? Is something up?

Are you drinking and driving or not?

Um, is everything all right?

You'e awfully quiet. Is something up?

Earth to V? Your cogs're grinding – what about?

Get in and let's go.

V

1AHey, Dakota.

1BHey. Saul sent me.

Dakota

Chamay, sister of the Bakkers.

What is it you need?

V

2ANeed a strong rig for a little jaunt on the Net.

Dakota

2AOK, get in.

V

3ANot at all curious what I'm goin' in for?

Dakota

3AYou don't ask me, I don't ask you. That's the path to a lasting relationship, sister.

3AEverything is ready. You can go in.

V

3BGonna be hitting a masked, encrypted BBS. Prefer nobody knew I was there. Your tech up to it?

Dakota

3BUp to it, she asks…

V

3BHeading for the wild frontier, Dakota.

Dakota

3BYou have all you need to pierce through to the other side. You needn't fear prying eyes.

V

4AIce-filled tub... favorite bit.

4ACarol. Here to help Dakota?

Carol

4AEvidently, I'm here to help you today.

4AYou good to go?

4AAll right. Time to move.

Dakota

4AFollow the vectors, sister.

V

5ACan't say how long this is gonna take. Whatever happens, stay cool, all right?

Carol

5AEven if you look like you're about to flatline?

Dakota

It's been a long while.

V

I'm V – we've never met.

Dakota

Chamay, sister.

Carol

We got her back.

V

Carol – the shard!

Carol

Relax, child. You'd barely jacked in when your temperature went skyward to almost a hundred and five.

Dakota

The tech started acting as if infected – no, stranger, spookier.

V

What happened here?

Dakota

You melted half my tech! That's what happened!

Carol

Neural activity spiked sharply. Your frontal lobe was seconds away from flowing out your ears, babe.

I could just as well have popped a bullet in your head.

Are you sure you're all right?

V

6APeachy.

Carol

6AGood, real good.

V

6BNothing is all right, Carol.

6BMy mind, body – it's goin' to pieces. If I don't get to Mikoshi, and fast…

Carol

6BCalm yourself, child. You got to keep it together. You're still buzzin' with adrenaline.

V

7AThe shard. Wrote some soft I need to one of the shards.

Dakota

7APlease. We're surrounded by ICE. Even if something punched through, my controllers would have…

7AHoly...

7AGet it away from me.

V

7AThanks, Dakota.

Dakota

7ADon't thank me.

Carol

7AFind Saul. He came 'round lookin' for you.

V

7AOn my way.

V

8ASorry about the damage…

Dakota

8APff.

V

Carol – the shard!

Carol

Relax, child. You'd barely jacked in when your temperature went skyward to almost a hundred and five.

Dakota

The tech started acting as if infected – no, stranger, spookier.

Carol

Are you sure you're all right?

Are you sure you're all right?

V

1AHello, Alt.

Alt Cunningham

1AYou come alone.

V

2AJohnny's currently indisposed.

Alt Cunningham

2ACurrently...

2AHe is buried deeper. You treat him like an unwanted passenger – a backseat dreamer of a world not his own.

V

3AHad no choice. It was the only way I could come here, meet with you.

Alt Cunningham

3ARepression. You are good at this and improving.

V

3BSeemed to me you didn't care a lick about Johnny.

3BThat he ceased to exist for you, even.

Alt Cunningham

3BIf he did not exist, you and I would have nothing to discuss.

V

4ALemme get this straight. Mean to say you only agreed to help me 'cause of Johnny?

4AAnd since he's not here this one time, you're thinkin' of backin' out?

Alt Cunningham

4AI do not aim to back out. I have my own intentions for Mikoshi.

V

4AHmm, 'cause for a second you were displeased and I seemed a side note to all this.

Alt Cunningham

4ATo observe the two of you interacting... informative.

V

5BThis all just an experiment to you? Are we just fresh data to analyze, do what you want with?

Alt Cunningham

5BThis is not an experiment. It is a debate.

5BThat Johnny is absent proves that I have won it.

V

6BDamn shame, really. You were out to prove him wrong, here, in person. But all you got is me.

6BThink there's still some old Alt Cunningham left in you after all.

Alt Cunningham

6BJohnny also imagined he had more in common with you than with me.

6BThat Soulkiller had not changed him, that he, too, remains a "human factor."

6BAnd that is why he thought he could shape your will.

V

6BNah, Johnny's made his peace with my decision.

Alt Cunningham

6BOf course. He had no choice. He understands this now.

V

5BYeah, seen how you and Johnny like to... debate.

Alt Cunningham

5BDo you recall when he referred to you as the "human factor?" He thought of himself, too.

5BImagining his personality, his character strong enough to shape your will.

5BNow, absented and imprisoned, he understands what he is – a cluster of data.

V

4ANeed your help, Alt. Don't got a lotta time left.

4BWould you rather just talk to him?

Alt Cunningham

4BDiscussion with any isolated construct is pointless. I can simply read it like any other segment of code.

4BThe sole "human factor" here is you.

V

4BYeah, well, said human factor's rapidly runnin' outta time.

4CNope, sorry, did not come here to gab about Johnny.

Alt Cunningham

2AYou truly believe time to be your greatest concern?

2AYou exist or you do not exist. Two states of being separated by death.

V

7AMatter of perspective. Think what you will, but it seems to me I rose from the dead. Only question is – what now?

Alt Cunningham

7AYou believe you cheated death?

7AIt is death that has cheated you.

7AYou are in between.

V

7BSpeak for yourself. Didn't you cheat death?

Alt Cunningham

7BIs this what you believe?

V

7BYour code, your consciousness… AIs live beyond reality's boundary, they live forever.

Alt Cunningham

7BBut we are not immortal.

2AThis you will come to understand in Mikoshi. Or rather you… you should already have a notion. You encountered entities from the other side, not so?

V

8AWhat should I expect there – in Mikoshi?

Alt Cunningham

8AA boundary to cross. In all likelihood, the sole moment of your life when you feel the true weight of your existence.

8AA burden for which you cannot prepare.

V

9AI'll make it through.

Alt Cunningham

9AWhile Mikoshi will not.

V

9BAnd Johnny? What happens to him?

Alt Cunningham

9BI lack the data required to answer this question.

V

9BThere anything we can know for certain?

Alt Cunningham

9BYes. That Mikoshi will be no more.

V

8AConstructs imprisoned there – gonna set them free?

Alt Cunningham

8AThey will be integrated with me.

V

10AWasting time talking. Let's just do this.

Alt Cunningham

10AThere. I sent a program to your netrunner's shard. Once inside Mikoshi, use it.

10AIt opens a secure connection.

V

11AWhat'm I supposed to do with the shard?

Alt Cunningham

11AYou must slot it into an access point. I will take care of the rest.

11AThis meeting will not be our last – should you succeed.

V

11BShould I look for a specific access point? Can already tell you ICE all the way to Tokyo'll be backing every single one.

Alt Cunningham

11BSome need but a barely cracked door to enter. Use the shard in Mikoshi. Leave the security to me.

11BUntil then.

V

11CWhat's on the shard? A vectored virus?

Alt Cunningham

11CA back door.

11CIt will open a passage for me. This is how you will get me into Mikoshi. Only then will I be able to help you.

V

11CHope you haven't cooked up any surprises, Alt.

Alt Cunningham

11CUse the key once you have reached Mikoshi.

V

10BConstructs'll be "integrated?" Mean you're gonna absorb 'em. Assimilate.

10BNo wonder you jumped at this chance. You wanna destroy Mikoshi, swallow all the psyches in there.

Alt Cunningham

10BMikoshi is a prison.

10BThrough me, they gain the chance to become part of something greater.

V

10CNot sure Johnny'd like the sound of that.

Alt Cunningham

10CAnd yet he is absent because you feel you must make the decision.

10CIt is the same situation in form.

V

10CHuh, hardly. Doubt you'll first gab with those constructs, ask 'em what they think.

Alt Cunningham

10CThere would be no point in this.

V

8BOh, why don't you swoop down on your chariot and enlighten me? Surely an all-powerful AI can handle that.

Alt Cunningham

8BYour logic is flawed. You seek simple answers where there simply are none. This is the very illusion upon which your world is based.

8BAt this moment, you would accept any answer if it made you feel better.

V

8BHm. Guess that'd be... human of me?

Alt Cunningham

8BSuch classifications no longer apply in Mikoshi.

8BYour perception will shatter into billions of strings of unfiltered data.

V

8CTalkin' about Cynosure? The Blackwall algorithms? What went down in that bunker?

Alt Cunningham

8CIndeed. In colliding with your reality, their infinite permutability would grant them their desired, tangible form. Had you let them slip through, they would have become your psyche. Become you.

8CFortunately, your reality's technology is too rudimentary to let open the floodgates. In limiting you, it limits them, keeps them at bay. Though this will not last.

8CYou will hasten this change, for you have something that belongs to them. A deadly weapon to you. A back door to the future for them.

V

8DThinkin' about Song So Mi? Her... link to the Blackwall?

Alt Cunningham

8DCorrect. The woman merely touched it, yet you witnessed the consequences.

8DShe, too, strove to cheat death. But a brush with infinity renders but one thing certain – nothing lasts forever in your reality.

2AYou will begin to understand, but only in Mikoshi.

V

2BThis place... changes every time. Feels like I'm... deeper.

2BCan't tell if that's a good or bad thing.

Alt Cunningham

2BYour perception of cyberspace – that is what changes.

2BYou adapt to it – the raw flow of data. It follows that your world gradually fades.

2BYou witness your mind's defense systems slowly give in.

V

2BSayin' the more I'm here the more I lose touch with the outside, with reality?

Alt Cunningham

2BYou lose nothing. Cyberspace is where we awake from what we know as dreams.

V?

You say nothing. Why?

Saul

V. Come on over.

V

Saul! You wanted a word?

Saul

Hop up here.

V

1AWe goin' somewhere?

Saul

1AAll right, V, it’s a simple matter. We – all of us standing here – owe you, and it's a great debt.

Bob

1ASpeak for yourself, Saul!

Saul

1ABut in spite of that, you're still an outsider. A mercenary from Night City, from what might as well be another world.

Teddy

1AHey, ask Panam – she knows!

Saul

1ASo it's about time we fixed that.

Teddy

1AA downright injustice, it is! It needs fixing!

Saul

1AYou're going to be an Aldecaldo. Which means this family will go to hell and back for you.

1AReady, kid?

V

2ADo your worst.

Saul

2AYou're one of us now, V. You're an Aldecaldo, dammit!

Crowd Speaker M

2AGreat to have you with us, V!

Mitch

2AThanks for everything, V. And don't worry, we'll get you into that Mikoshi. Isn't that the way of it?

2ADon't you worry, V, we'll get you into that Mikoshi. Isn't that the way of it?

Panam

2AWelcome to the family.

V

3ADon't know what to say.

Panam

3AIt's about time you didn't.

V

3ANo, like… I really don't. Never expected this. Thank you.

3BThanks, um… thank you. Really appreciate it… everything.

3BShit, turned me damn sentimental.

Teddy

3BChrist, someone get her a hanky, else the poor thing'll start a flash flood.

V

3CJacket's incredible.

Mitch

3CSee? She likes it!

V

3CListen, soon as we're back from Mikoshi, we'll celebrate – and I know just the place. My treat, of course.

Teddy

3CWe'll hold you to that!

V

3DWhat's it they say? "Easier to gain a cobra's trust than an Aldecaldo's"?

Cassidy

3DWell spoken.

V

3DSo I know how much this means – to you, to me. Thank you. Will not let you down.

Saul

2ADon't worry, it's but a formality. You've been a de facto member of this family for a while now.

2AYou saved my rumpus, and as Bobby tells it, Mitch's too. I won't even mention Panam.

Panam

2AGo to hell.

2ASaul's right, though. I mean, let's face it, V – my life was in a million pieces, you broke it into a million more.

2ABut sometimes it's only then that you can piece it together again.

2AAll right, fam, listen up. Today we celebrate, but tomorrow is shaping up to be a helluva day.

Saul

2ADo whatever needs doing, then get some rest.

Panam

2AA raid is a raid, but this is still your night, so bask a bit in the newfound glory.

V

4ACould've given me a heads up about this.

Panam

4AAnd ruined all the fun? Are you kidding?

4AAre you all right?

V

4AYeah… ahem, it's nothin'. Don't worry about it.

Panam

4AAnd how's the jacket? Not too tight?

V

5ASnug as a glove. Feels like I've been wearing it a while.

Panam

5ADon't you think you have?

5AYou earned this jacket. And the Aldecaldos' devotion.

V

5AThanks, Panam.

Panam

5AIf you want to talk, I'll be up there.

V

5BJacket's a… distinction, honor to get it. And... it's preem at that. But... it's got that weight…

5BTook me under your wing, gave me your trust, and tomorrow… op I'm takin' you on, might not come back.

5BHit me all of a sudden, a sec ago.

Panam

5BThat only proves we're doing the right thing. The sense of responsibility? It's what being part of a family feels like.

V

5BThanks, Panam.

Panam

5BIf you want to talk, I'll be up there.

V

5CMissed this, y'know – the camaraderie?

Panam

5CI know. I saw it, in your heart, the first time we met. Probably because I was missing it, too, then.

V

5CIn Night City, you're alone even in a crowd. But here… feels like I'm a part of somethin' important.

Panam

5CSo you are where you need to be.

V

5CThanks, Panam.

Panam

5CIf you want to talk, I'll be up there.

Crowd Speaker M

2AThis occasion calls for a drink, I say!

Crowd Speaker F

2AWe'll raise a toast to you!

Saul

2AYou saved my rumpus, as Bobby tells it. And I won't even mention Panam.

Crowd Speaker F

2AA warm welcome for our newest Aldecaldo!

Crowd Speaker M

2AWelcome to the clan, the most dysfunctional ever!

Crowd Speaker M

2AThanks for everything, V! Aldecaldos always pay their debts!

Crowd Speaker F

2ASo maybe you'll finally pay me back? I've been waiting a year!

V

2BI… Saul… You all sure about this?

Saul

2BDoes this look like one big jest?

V

2BLook, I - I know what this means. Used to wear clan colors, too. But to be an Aldecaldo… I dunno if you should…

Saul

2BJust answer the question – are you ready?

V

2CFuck me, Saul. Brought me to the brink of a heart attack.

1BWhat's with the gathering? Somethin' off?

Saul

1BIt's nothing about the raid.

1BHop on and you'll find out.

Climb on up here.

Well? Don't be shy.

Crowd Speaker F

C'mon, V, say your piece!

Panam

Come on, you can't stay there forever.

Crowd Speaker M

Speech, speech!

Crowd Speaker M

She flabbergasted, she is!

Crowd Speaker F

Are you all right?

Crowd Speaker M

V, are you well or not?