Dialogue: We Gotta Live Together

Panam

Fuck! We can't hold out much longer!

Saul

Teddy, get the hell out of there!

Panam

Teddy!

Carol

Oh my lord!

What now?

Mitch

What do you mean? We keep going! Finish this!

Panam

Fuck. How much longer up there?!

Mitch

Almost there! Nearly at sixty percent!

Panam

AV! Goddamn AV inbound!

Saul

They're going to land!

Panam

Hey, no firing at civilians!

Careful! They're just workers, for chrissake!

Saul

Just as I thought – a whole squad comin' at us!

Mitch

Things are about to get real ugly.

Saul

It's like they've sent a small army against us.

Panam

You won't blow it open that way!

Let's help the others first. That gate's not going anywhere.

Teddy

Uh, listen, this party is spinning out of control! Militech is sending tanks our way!

Saul

Their position?

Teddy

Coming down the road. I've got the drone watching them! It's a damned combat unit!

Saul

We won't stand a chance without the panzer. Panam?

Panam

I'm doing my best! Mitch, do you read? The navigation module is jamming the other systems. Can I cut it?

Mitch

Yes! Cut it! She'll be fine without it!

Panam

I can't believe it, but I think it worked! The lump of scrap's still got some life in her! Systems are lighting up. We're back!

Inside, V, quick!

Saul

If those Militch tanks reach us, they'll roll us flat like so many roaches.

V

Stop thinkin' about the tanks, consider 'em gone. You blast open that gate.

Panam

I have eyes on the fuckers. Mitch?

Those aren't standard issue armor... What the hell are they?

Mitch

The latest models, just off Militech's assembly line.

V

Shit's about to get biblical…

Mitch

Be careful, all right? We don't want any more casulaties.

V

So, Panam? Gonna show 'em what this lump of scrap can do?

Panam

Mitch would never forgive me if I let them bust her up. Let's give 'em hell.

I have eyes on the fuckers. Mitch?

Mitch

The latest models, just off Militech's assembly line.

Be careful, all right? We don't want any more casulaties.

V

So, Panam? Gonna show 'em what this lump of scrap can do?

Panam

Mitch would never forgive me if I let them bust her up. Let's give 'em hell.

Are you two all right?

Mitch

Right as rain. OK, it's our turn now.

Panam

V – watch them, all right?

V

Copy that.

Mitch

There's likely a control room upstairs. We can link remotely to the SERC from there.

I got a terminal. We're jacking in.

V

What about security protocols?

Carol

V, it's not a space station, it's a dumb, big-ass drill.

Mitch

Don't worry. Carol will slice through it like butter.

All right. We're firing up the SERC, aiming to bore through to Arasaka Tower. This will take some time.

V, we'll need you to cover us!

Carol

Damn, it’s lookin' like the drill vector's on auto.

Mitch

How can we possibly turn it?

Carol

We gonna sweet-talk this bitch into it. Mitch, kill that autopilot and hit manual override.

Mitch

Got it. It's working!

Carol

Prepare for takeoff.

Saul

We've got company!

Cassidy

A lot of it, too.

Panam

V, help us out, here! Fucking Militech is not letting up!

Saul

Watch out! Coming from the right!

Panam

How are we doing, Mitch?

Mitch

Eleven percent!

Panam

Shit. Can't you speed it up?

Carol

Our hands are tied.

Teddy

Dammit, left side too!

Saul

Carol? Mitch? How much longer?

Mitch

Twenty-seven percent.

Cassidy

Guess that's all of 'em.

Panam

I can't believe it, but I think it worked! The lump of scrap's still got some life in her! Systems are lighting up. We're back!

Inside, V, quick!

Mitch

OK, let's move on quick. Militech's bit down, they won't let go. Support's likely on the way.

Panam

Oh my, that's what I call a true whoomp. Mitch, is everything all right?

Mitch

Impressive rumble, yeah, but all seems good.

Panam

The Militech armor – we have to intercept. Before it reaches the others.

Mitch

Listen, we just hit Night Corp ICE. Carol's cutting through. It's slow work, but it'll get done. Where are you all at?

Saul

The gate is planted firm in the land and secured tight. We're trying to figure out where to place the charges, but we need more time!

Panam

There's no thumb-twiddling going on here! We'll buy you as much time as we can! Hang in there!

I got him! Direct hit!

He's out of our hair! Shit, V, we might actually pull this off!

How do you like that, Milishits?!

Holy shit. We did it! They're smoldering wrecks! We did that!

V

Saul, Mitch, headin' back your way.

Mitch

Good work. But we've got a minor hitch here.

V

What is it?

Carol

Raggedy-ass system spat us out. And no hard-reset didn't help. We pretty much outta options, here.

Mitch

Hot-wiring the SERC on location – that seems our one option, now.

Panam

It could have been worse. What about the gate?

Saul

The blasts shook the foundations, but it won't yield without the panzer's help. We need you for the finishing touch.

Panam

We're on our way.

Panam

1AWe're moving on. We'll try to buy you as much time as we can.

Saul

1AMuch obliged. We'll keep watch over Mitch and Carol and see to that gate.

Panam

We're hit!

They're tearing us to shreds!

V, we've taken hard hits, too hard! Everything here's hanging by a thread and sheer will!

I'm wondering if I really believed… believed we'd make it through.

And… I don't know. It's as if my brain was on autopilot the whole time.

We're past the worst of this storm, there's that.

V

2AKnew the whole time we'd make it. Felt it in my bones.

Panam

2ASomeday you will have to tell me how you came to be so damned cocksure about everything.

2AIt's just not fair.

V

2BHonestly? Thought we'd be maggot-meat by now.

2BYou saw those tanks. You an' me still breathin's a minor miracle.

Panam

2BIf anyone ought to believe in miracles, V, it's you.

V

2CDon't jinx it! Not now.

Panam

2COh, stop. The odds had us face down in the mud long past. But we beat them. We have the right to be pleased.

Mitch

After that display, you can be sure there's a place for you in the panzerboy ranks!

Saul

Impressive, V. Thanks.

Now, if you don't mind – there's a monster gate that needs to be blown open.

Panam

V, get back to the panzer! We don't have time!

Saul

Panam, how much longer?!

Panam

I'm doing what I can, Saul! It's not like Mitch is here, Bobby's dead...! I'm by my fucking self here!

Saul

I know, Panam. I know. We'll keep you covered.

Teddy

Coming down the road. I've got the drone watching them! It's a damned combat unit!

Saul

We won't stand a chance without the panzer. Panam?

Panam

I'm doing my best! Mitch, do you read? The navigation module is jamming the other systems. Can I cut it?

Mitch

Yes! Cut it! She'll be fine without it!

Panam

God damned corpos! More company incoming!

V

We'll handle them.

Panam

V! Militech's throwing more armor at us! By the ton!

We're in!

Saul

Move, move!

Panam

V, she's dying, like I said she would. Propulsion, weapons systems, launchers – all falling like dominoes!

V

There anything you can do about it?

Panam

I'll try. Either I do this, or this rattle trap will really be scrap!

You get out. Help our folks!

V

3AWe'll provide cover. Just hurry, all right?!

Panam

Whoever's closest, deal with them!

Mitch

Things are about to get real ugly.

Saul

It's like they've sent a small army against us.

Everybody ready!

Panam

Teddy!

Carol

Oh my lord!

Panam

Thank you.

Get your ass moving our way, fast!

V

Mhm. They're done and gone.

Panam

AV! Goddamn AV inbound!

Saul

Teddy, get the hell out of there!

Panam

V, get back to the panzer! We don't have time!

Saul

We'll need to split up.

Panam

Saul's right. Carol, you and Cassidy keep us secure here.

Carol

You got it.

Panam

Mitch, you're coming with us.

Mitch

Ma'am, yes, ma'am.

Panam

No time to lose, then. Let's go.

OK, I'm putting it on autopilot and disconnecting.

V

'Kay...

Panam

Is everything all right? You seem quiet.

V

1AThis plan, all of this... it was never a good idea.

Panam

1AIt wasn't your idea.

V

1AWhose, then?

Panam

1AMine. It was my damned idea. I'm responsible for it.

V

1BThis is not how it was supposed to go. Worried it's just gonna get worse.

Panam

1BWorrying won't get us anywhere.

V

1BPanam, if we... If you and I...

Panam

1BDo you think this thing between us affects my decisions, is that it?

V

1BA bit, yeah.

Panam

1BDo you have any idea how much that pisses me off?

1BWhat's between us stays between us.

1BBut this raid, these people – that's completely separate. I take full responsibility for this. Me – not you.

V

1CBob and Teddy are dead.

1CAnd it's my fault.

Panam

1CTeddy and Bob... they knew the risks, V. Everyone knows.

1CSo do I.

V

And if you'd known how this'd turn out?

Panam

I'd do it all over again. For anyone in the clan.

Saul told me you brought in some help for Mikoshi. Someone from the outside.

V

Mhm, Alt.

Panam

And who is that?

V

2AAlt's an AI, roguish.

Panam

2AYou're getting help from an AI? Well, nothing can surprise me now.

V

2AOnly one capable of breaking into Arasaka's systems.

Panam

2AAnd we wouldn't get into Mikoshi without her?

V

2AWell, we sure as hell wouldn't get out.

Panam

2AYou trust her – this Alt?

V

2BIf there's a netrunning queen of Night City, it's her.

2BOr rather, was.

Panam

2BWhy, does she do something else now?

V

2BSo to speak. Lives elsewhere, too.

2BBut she'll help us.

Panam

2BMhm... and you trust her?

V

2CWell, kinda funny story, actually. Alt is Johnny's ex.

Panam

2CYou're joking...

V

2CGod's honest truth. But nobody moves through the net quite like she does.

2CShe's our only way into Mikoshi proper.

Panam

2CJohnny, Alt... We're keeping it all in the family, I see.

2CDo you trust her?

V

3AYeah. She'll help us.

3AWhy? Something got you worried?

3BNo. But it's not like I've got any other option. Just gotta hope Alt isn't hidin' anything, doesn't got other plans.

3BWhy, you worried?

Panam

I trust you – that's all I'll say.

By extension, I trust this Alt won't pull any rugs out from under us.

V

Things'll work out. They gotta. Come too far for 'em not to.

Panam

Please don't leave questions like that hanging.

Panam

This would be it.

V

1AHow much farther to Arasaka Tower?

Panam

1ANot far – it should be easy sledding from here.

1AFellas, what's the issue?

Saul

1ACarol and the rest. Militech's all rattled up, cut them off. They won't last long on that site.

Panam

1AJesus Christ…

Mitch

1AI'm taking the panzer. They need all the help they can get.

Panam

1AAre you out of your mind?! The answer is no!

1AYou can't operate the panzer alone without frying that gonk brain of yours!

Mitch

1ADo you have a better idea?

1AThey're family, Pan! I'm not leaving them behind!

Panam

1ASaul? Are you on board with this?! V! Someone make him see reason!

V

2AMitch is right. The three of us've still got a decent shot. But without him, they've got none.

Saul

2AYou're sure about this?

Panam

2ASaul! We're talking goddamn suicide!

Mitch

2ALook out for yourselves.

Panam

2AThey'll kill you!

Mitch

2AI'll catch ya later.

V

2BThat's it – things've spiraled out of control. Need to call this off.

Saul

2BWe can't back out now.

Mitch

2BNobody's backing out of anything. You do your thing, I'll keep Militech at bay.

Panam

2BDamn it, Mitch! They're gonna kill you… they're gonna …

Mitch

2BNot today, Pan. I'm feeling lucky.

Panam

1ASaul... he's... they're gonna…

Saul

1AWe can't let all this be for nothing.

1AYou two go on up and see what's gotten into 'er. Once you're mobile, I'll follow, secure the rear.

Panam

1AV, let's go.

1AJack in and start her up.

1AIt looks like the engine overheated and choked when drill-bit met reinforced concrete.

1ABypassing should override the emergency system shutdown, lift it. I'll use my personal link if needed.

1AFire up the drill, V.

1AWe don't have time, V! Come on!

V

3AOh, moment of truth – here goes.

Panam

3AWe got 'er in manual mode. Good.

3ADon't worry, give her more power.

V

3AIt's drillin'!

Panam

3AFuck!

3AI think it--

V

3APanam? Panam, everything all right?

3APanam?! Talk to me!

3ANo, no, no... Panam?!

Panam

3AI'm here.

3AI'm a bit bruised, is all. I've endured worse.

V

4APanam... For a sec I thought you'd…

Panam

4AIt's OK, V. Everything's OK.

4ASaul?

Saul

4AThe tunnel's clear for now.

Panam

4AAny word from Mitch?

Saul

4AStill nothing...

Panam

4AI knew it...

Saul

4AIt could be a problem with the comms.

Panam

4AMhm.

Saul

4ACome on. Let's finish this.

Mitch

1ACarol, I'm headin' your way. Hang in there!

1AYou'll owe me a beer after this!

Panam

1AMitch?

Mitch

1AI'm here! Safe 'n' sound!

Panam

1ABe careful. Please.

Mitch

1AI can handle myself, Pan.

1ALikewise for you. Get to Mikoshi in one piece.

1AAll right, here we go! Mitch out.

Panam

1APlease, no more cock-ups, please.

Mitch

1AYou should be used to this by now, Saul.

1AThings rarely go as planned.

Saul

1AWe have no idea what's waiting for us inside. We need you.

Mitch

1AWell, right now they need me more.

1AYou'll be fine. I'll join you once they're safe.

1ABut this decision we make now.

Panam

1AShit. Do you see them? I think something's wrong.

Besides, dying in a damned mechanical mole – how lame would that be?

Saul

We can't back out now.

Mitch

Nobody's backing out of anything. You do your thing, I'll keep Militech at bay.

Panam

Damn it, Mitch! They're gonna kill you… they're gonna …

Mitch

Not today, Pan. I'm feeling lucky.

Panam

V, will you truly say nothing?

Let's move, time is precious.

Panam

What's this?

Saul

Seismic dampers.

They're designed to protect buildings against earthquakes.

V

Means we're still below the basement.

Saul

Right. We have to find a way to a level higher up.

Panam

We have some kind of maintenance shaft.

Saul

It looks like it leads upwards.

Panam

We have to down the drones!

Shoot! Shoot the bastards!

V

Whaddaya think I'm doin'?!

Saul

If you stop to think, it's incredible we happen to be standing right where the AHQ bomb left a huge crater.

Panam

Then... isn't this place positively saturated with radiation?

Saul

Who knows.

Panam

Great.

Panam

Great, now everybody knows we've dropped in for a picnic.

They have a whole unit there!

Saul

The whole building's on high alert. Their systems must've picked up the vibrations from the drill.

Panam

Fuck!

Hurry up, Saul, they'll be here in no time!

Saul

One second!

V

1AWhat now? Alt's shard – need a port to jack it into.

Saul

1AGive me one more second.

V

1BWhere in the hell are we, even?

Saul

1BPlant and services level. Their system's cut us off. We're sitting ducks here.

V

1BWhat about an access point? See one nearby? Need a port I can jack Alt's shard into.

Saul

1BChecking…

I found one. It's not far. You can jack in your personal there.

I'm sending you the shortest route. Ahh... we need to lift this goddamn lockdown first.

Quick and quiet, Q and Q.

Panam

They have a whole squad there. Convoy security, maybe.

Saul

OK, things are a little trickier than we expected.

Their systems must've detected vibrations under the building when we drilled through. All units are on alert.

Which also means instant cut-off of all passages. Like rats in a cage.

V

2AThere any access points? Gotta get to one stat.

Saul

2AI'm looking. Give me a sec.

2AI found one. It's not far. You can jack in your personal there.

V

2AOK, better hope there's a port for Alt's shard, too.

Saul

2AI'm sending you the shortest route. Ahh... we need to lift this goddamn lockdown first.

Panam

2AJust keep your heads down. Nobody needs to know about our little visit in here.

V

2BWhere exactly are we?

Saul

2BPlant and services level. And it's where we'll stay if we don't disable security.

V

2CMikoshi – a ways to go, still?

Saul

2CNo. The lab is in the next sector over, but we need to get there first.

Panam

Shit, we've been made.

V

All clear.

Way's clear. Wide open.

Saul

Great. Now let's just try and stay alive!

Easy does it.

Careful now. It looks like they're clearing out.

V

Aaargh!

Saul

V? V!

Panam

She's having another seizure! V, are you OK? Hey!

V

3AGot it... under control... Can't stop now.

3BTime's short... I can feel it. We gotta hurry...

Anyone know where we are?

Panam

If we look around, we'll find out.

Saul

I see something there.

Panam

The guards need our attention first.

V, take care of the sentries. Silently, if you can.

That was simple.

Saul

There weren't that many left.

V

OK, I'm here.

Too bright. How'm I ever supposed to make it over there on the sly.

Panam

Leave the lights to me.

V

OK, found the shard port.

Saul

Get to it, standing by.

Panam

Now's our chance.

Saul

Quick, before they get their bearings!

Panam

Do your thing, V.

They're dead. All dead.

V

Alt... it was so simple for her…

Saul

Calm and quiet and this might just work.

Panam

V – go, move. Time is short.

I wouldn't touch that door.

Unless you want a horde of Arasaka elites coming down on our heads.

V? You all right?

V!

Topfloor Guard

Don't like this, not one bit.

Topfloor Guard

Ya thinkin' it's serious?

Topfloor Guard

Sure sounds it. We'll be here till sundown at least.

Topfloor Guard

It always like this around here?

Topfloor Guard

Nah, almost never. That's why I don't like it one bit.

Pa System

Code red initiated.

All employees are to remain where they are until the lockdown has been lifted.

Cargocrew Guard

Didn't you hear? Everyone is to stay in position.

Cargocrew Guard

What happened? Shouldn't we go back up to the surface?

Cargocrew Guard

No need for concern.

Cargocrew Guard

Code red is no need for concern?

And? How about now?

Cargocrew Guard

Yes, you can pass through to the other side of the building.

Cargocrew Guard

Does anyone know what happened?

Cargocrew Guard

I am to escort you there.

Cargocrew Guard

You did not answer my question.

Groundfloor Back Guard

One-Fourteen to command, is this a test?

Seriously? I thought this was some kinda test.

Affirmative. I'll keep my eyes wide open.

One-Fourteen – over and out.

Groundfloor Side Guard

Fuck a muffin – gonna have to stay late again.

Paul is going to kill me.

This is the third time we'll be rescheduling this anniversary.

Lockdown Guard

Screw this. I'm done with it.

Kang Tao's offer – I'm going to take it.

You might at least get a window in your office over there.

Pa System

Lockdown deactivated.

All employees are kindly requested to please resume their duties.

Panam

They tried to make a break for it. She turned the car into a death trap.

Saul

It seems your Alt takes no prisoners.

V

This is it.

Panam

She flatlined them all. They probably didn't even realize she had cut through their ICE.

Saul

No mercy, it seems.

V

Gotta remember what mercy is to show any.

Panam

The guard tried to evacuate them.

Saul

Non-combatants. They didn't have to die.

No mercy, it seems.

V

Gotta remember what mercy is to show any.

Think this is it. I made it.

Panam

A few steps is all that separates you from Mikoshi.

Saul

It seems you'll finally get your chance.

We're with you, V. To the very end. The Aldecaldos always keep their word.

Panam

She flatlined them all. They probably didn't even realize she had cut through their ICE.

V, Saul...

Saul

Mhm, I feel it too. Something's amiss.

V

It's the hush.

Panam

Does anyone else have the chills? Something happened here…

Saul

We'll soon find out what. Mikoshi is near.

V

One of theirs. Dead.

Saul

Their own drone turned on him.

Panam

What the hell is going on?!

V

It's Alt. Clearin' the way for us.

Panam

I just hope we don't wind up being in her way somehow…

Let's keep moving. I don't like the look of that exosuit.

Scene Tech

Hey! Don't move!

Scene Grunt

Last time this happened, they said it was a test, too.

Scene Grunt

And they were right. You're paranoid.

Scene Grunt

And Kate from manufacturing? She vanished overnight after the last alarm.

Scene Grunt

It's crazy-talk. Heard she got transferred to the Swedish office.

Scene Grunt

That's what I heard, too. Then I checked. Swedish office's been closed two years now.

Scene Grunt

Double-Oh-Four to command, it's clear down here.

A-seventeen? We were just there. Command, confirm the sweep of sector A-seventeen.

Fine, we'll handle it. Over and out.

Scene Grunt

So? Do we head back there? This is crazy.

Scene Grunt

It's the nature of the job.

Scene Shooting Guard

This is a Code Black! Code Black!

Everyone! Run!

I'll cover you!

Scene Tech

Can't guarantee data integrity on these stone age systems.

Get me new mainframes, we'll have 'em up in no time.

But this shit here? Museum or scrapyard.

That's what I'll tell 'em.

V

1AAlt, the shard's in.

Alt Cunningham

1AYes.

V

1AHow much time do you need to--

Alt Cunningham

1AIt is done.

Saul

1AWell I'll be damned.

Panam

1AHell, yes! It worked!

V

1ASo we can keep going? To Mikoshi?

Alt Cunningham

1AYour path lies open.

V

2AThank you, Alt.

Alt Cunningham

2AAre you certain?

Saul

2AWe good?

Panam

2AI'm ready.

V

2ALikewise. Let's move.

V

3AStill alive, you two?

Panam

3AFor now.

V

3ACome on, Panam.

Panam

3ALet's end this.