Dialogue: With a Little Help from My Friends

V

Oughta raise a glass to Scorpion.

V

2BSaul was right about Snake Nation.

2BYou should remain independent. Otherwise, could end up like…

Mitch

2BLike the Bakkers?

V

2BMhm.

Mitch

2BWe'll manage just fine on our own. All we need is a few good jobs.

2BTo get people talking about the Aldecaldos again.

Carol

2BAnd that's why we're here today.

Teddy

2BScorpion would be proud.

V

2CDon't talk about the war much.

Mitch

2CWhat's there to say? They just packed you into a panzer down in Mexico and said full speed ahead, soldier.

Bob

2CThen it was weeks talking either to yourself or the onboard AI, drinking iodide like water because your Geiger wouldn't shut up.

Carol

2CMmhmm. I'm sprouting a rash on my ass just thinking about sitting in that boiling hot coffin.

V

2CUh-huh. But you all can't wait to pack your asses into the Basilisk, huh?

Mitch

2CThat's different.

Carol

2CCompletely different. You'll see once you're on board.

V

1AGonna try and get some sleep.

Panam

1AOK. It'll be quite some time before the convoy comes through.

V

3AGrown kinda cold out here.

Panam

3ANot true. But this is nice.

V

3ACatch some shut-eye with me?

Panam

3AI'll just lie here a while, by your side, gazing at the stars.

V

3AThat another area of your expertise? Got maps of the heavens in your library, too?

Panam

3AOf course. That's the Big Dipper. And do you see the small flickering star to the right?

V

3AYeeaah...?

Panam

3AYou do? Oh dear, that means Ursa Major leak!

3AGoodnight, V.

V

3BCouldn't sleep if you tried, could you?

Panam

3BI'll just lie here a while, by your side, gazing at the stars.

V

3BThat another area of your expertise? Got maps of the heavens in your library, too?

Panam

3BOf course. That's the Big Dipper. And do you see the small flickering star to the right?

V

3BYeeaah...?

Panam

3BYou do? Oh dear, that means Ursa Major leak!

3BGoodnight, V.

V

3CMad at me for somethin'?

Panam

3CWhat? No, come on.

V

3CNot gonna nap?

3DAnything happens, wake me up. Unless you wanna nap, too.

Panam

And to Jackie.

Mitch

To Scorpion.

V

4AHurry up and wait, then.

4BYou worried about Saul?

Carol

You're acting spooked, as if you're the first person ever to stand up to Saul.

Panam

Oh, save your breath, I don't need to be consoled.

Grr, was it someone I know?

Cassidy

Knew. Scorpion.

Bob

He came home from the war, head full of new ideas and a host of new contacts…

Mitch

He tried to get Saul to lead us in joining Snake Nation. It would make us stronger, he said.

Panam

I don't think he peeped a word of it to me. What did Saul do?

Teddy

Saul dressed the guy down head to toe for messing with the family. Hell, he didn't send him on any jobs for a year.

Panam

Gee, really consoling, thanks.

Carol

You said yourself you didn't need any.

Panam

We've quite some time left till dusk.

Hm, the car could use another once-over.

The stars have emerged. We've but a few hours till dawn.

V? Did you just doze off?

Carol

They're going faster than we thought! I don't know if we can catch them!

Panam

Uncouple one of the cars, it'll speed you up!

V! No hemming and hawing! Take out that coupler!

Teddy

We're approaching the crossing!

Carol

We're gonna make it!

We're getting close, still too slow!

Panam

V, shoot out the damn coupler!

Carol

All right. She's moving!

Panam

Get her up to speed.

Mitch, Bob! Go!

Mitch

All as planned, boss.

Carol

All right, the train's leaving. You had better move!

Mitch

OK. Here they come.

Panam

Is everyone ready?

Let's ride, V.

Carol

OK. The trucks are all yours, boys.

Cassidy

Move that ass, Teddy boy.

Mitch

OK, let's go!

Bob

Ready to roll.

Carol

OK. I just lost the Militech channel.

The suits finally realized someone was listening and changed the codes.

Bob

Perfect timing, if you ask me.

Cassidy

How's it going there, V? Did you have fun?

V

Sure did.

Cassidy

Just be happy you won't be around to put the hunk of junk together.

The real fun is just starting for Mitch and Teddy.

Mitch

Fuck! It worked! Haha!

Panam

Pssh, of course it did. Just as I said it would.

Cassidy

I see them!

Panam

Surround them soon as they're cut off!

Cassidy

I see them!

Carol

V! We have to drop that car!

Cassidy

I can talk to him if you want.

Panam

No, thank you. I'll take care of this myself.

MilitechSec

Four... No, five vehicles.

No, it's blocked! We need a new route!

Smash 'em!

Panam

Hurry up!

Cassidy

Don't you worry, we're almost home now!

Mitch

We got them!

V

One car down!

Panam

It's speeding up!

V, hop in my car, come on!

So? Am I to go alone? Move it!

Saul

What's the meaning of this?

Panam

Exactly what you see. The Basilisk.

Saul

All I see is two trucks with giant Militech logos on them.

Fuck! Panam, you can see them from miles away!

You think we don't have problems enough on our hands?

The Raffens could rear their heads at any moment.

And now we have Militech to worry about, too!

Panam

STOP IT! FUCK! Just shut up already!

Do you want to serve corporations forever? Fine, go right ahead.

In that case, we'll leave the Basilisk as a souvenir of what this family used to be.

Or, you know what? Maybe next time we're attacked, we'll be able to fight back!

Saul

As soon as I'm done with Biotechnica, we call a family meeting to discuss this, discuss you.

Until that time, I want these trucks out of my sight.

Panam

And the Basilisk? Can we put it together?

Saul

Do what you want. Just get out of my sight.

Panam

Bob, Mitch – you two take the trucks around back.

We need to unload.

Bob

Sure, but then what do we do with them?

Cassidy

Oh, I've got an idea.

Panam

Thanks. I believe the last time I pulled something like that, I was ten years old.

V

Seem still to be in fine working order.

V

1AYou need me again, all you gotta do is call.

Panam

1AV...

1AI am sure I will. So you'd better expect that call.

V

1ABe waiting. Take care.

1BFamily's with you on this, I think.

Panam

1BSure... Where did you get that impression? All I heard was silence.

V

1BSaw 'em lookin' at that Basilisk, drooling.

1BNomads – panzers. Panzers – nomads. Had 'em from the start.

Panam

1BWe'll see.

V

1CEverything OK?

Panam

1CYes, of course. Though the great train robbery bit of this was much more enjoyable.

1CAnd... V? You shouldn't have spoken.

V

1CI know. It's just… he pissed me off.

Panam

1CYou're telling me.

V

2AGot quite a pair o' lungs, there.

Saul

Fuck! Panam!

Panam

So it begins.

Panam

V, the Basilisk – it's ready.

Would you like drive it?

V

1ASure! Be there soon.

Panam

1AFuck, V. It is awesome!

V

1ASo I hear.

1BCan't now, Panam. Swing around soon as I can.

Panam

1BSure. We'll be waiting.

Panam

Oh, fuck.

They found us. We have to get back to camp.

Saul

They're Raffen!

Whole group of them, ready for a fight!

Panam

They're here too, Saul! In full force!

Saul

Take them out. Then haul ass here and make yourselves useful.

Panam

We'll go straight to camp! We have to help the family.

Mitch

With just a little more time…

Teddy

Yeah, yeah, you'd turn it into a goddamn rocket ship, I know.

V

1AAll ready to go?

Panam

1AHey, V. No, not yet.

Mitch

1ACarol still needs to check if Militech left any ICE in the systems.

V

1ACorpos haven't shown up in person to report the loss?

Mitch

1ANo. I think we managed to keep them off our scent.

Cassidy

1AWe left the trucks with the big corpo logos down by the Raffen camp.

1AWhich was almost as much fun as leaving a bag of flaming dog shit on their doorstep.

Johnny

1AFuck. Made it look like it just came back from a corpo war tour.

1ANice touch.

Carol

1AEverything's fine. Clean as a whistle.

V

2AAlways wanted to take one these suckers for a spin.

Johnny

2AWhich is exactly how all those naive gonks landed at the front. Didn't even need to be recruited.

2AThey just showed you the tech.

Panam

2AGo on, hop in. Everything is set.

Panam

3ADammit.

V

4AAnybody get this thing up and running earlier? Maybe you oughta…

4BGot a bad feeling about this...

Panam

3AEverything is dandy. Give me a moment.

3AAll right, let's fire her up! Hold on to your head!

3AOK. This will do fine.

3AOh ye-ee-eees!

3AIt's not the latest model, but Mitch and Bob did what they could.

3AWhat do you think?

V

5AWell, least now I know why people call 'em coffins.

5BNot exactly how I imagined a corpo panzer.

5BI mean, least since I stopped watching all those anime BDs.

5CNice and cozy in here.

Panam

3AYou steer directly from your seat. All you have to do is jack in.

V

3AWhat, no knobs, buttons, blinky doo-dads?

Panam

3ANo, none. The impulse runs directly to your cerebral cortex. In a sense, the Basilisk becomes an extension of your body.

3AIt's like a mystical oneness.

V

6AIf it's so mystical and shit, why the co-pilot? Extra support?

Panam

6AI'll tell you once we're a bit further from camp. We'll practice.

6AOK. If you want full functionality in an engagement, you need a second person to handle sensory overload.

6AOne pilot steers, the other handles the gun.

6AIt's oddly pleasant, you'll see.

V

6BEver piloted anything like this?

Panam

6BNo, why? Don't you trust me?

V

6BCan I still get out?

Panam

6BNo.

V

6BThen I trust you.

2BAnd Saul – what about him?

Panam

2BNothing, for now. We're staying out of each other's hair.

V

2BSo he's not planning a family council?

Panam

2BOf course he is. He just wants to keep me in the dark a while longer.

A dry run first – I'll disconnect for now.

V

Doesn't need two pilots?

Panam

You won't be steering and firing.

Are you ready?

V

7AOK. Startin' to understand what you meant.

Panam

7AWarm up. Don't worry, I'm not going to watch.

V

7APanam...? Is this, uh… as designed?

Panam

7ANeural synchronization doesn't happen at the snap of one's fingers. It'll be over soon. There – see?

V, do you remember what I said about impulses?

V

Mhm.

Panam

Well, watch out, now.

Panam

8ACan you feel that?

V

8AOK. I could go for that.

Panam

8ACan you feel that?

V

8AMhm. Honestly, no idea how people can focus in combat.

Panam

8AIt's probably not always this intense. How about this?

V

8BUm, it's cool, uh, but I'm good.

Panam

8BOf course. I understand. I didn't want you to feel…

V

9AAnyone ever try gettin' it on in a Basilisk?

Panam

9AMost likely. You should ask Carol or Cassidy.

V

9AHm. OK.

Panam

9ALet's get back to camp. I still want--

V

9BLet's get back to camp.

Panam

9BAll right. I just want to check--

V

What's happening?

Panam

I jacked in. Our nervous systems are now linked.

V

Right, Basilisk pilots working in harmony.

That why I'm feelin' everything doubled?

Panam

It's sensory feedback. Our systems are intertwined. Would you like to... try it out?

V

OK, pretty intense. Really... personal.

Panam

In combat it's probably easier, less about thinking and more about acting on instinct, in harmony.

OK. Here we go.

Are you ready?

Good. Now, I'm going to connect. It could feel strange.

V

Meanin'?

Panam

Basilisk pilots have to be fully synchronized. That means our nervous systems will be linked.

V

Hm, sounds familiar.

Panam

You'll experience feedback, sensory echoes as our systems overlap.

Good. Now, I'm going to connect. It could feel strange. female V only

V

Meanin'? female V only

Panam

Basilisk pilots have to be fully synchronized. That means our nervous systems will be linked. female V only

V

OK...

Panam

It's as if you booked a room with two beds but got a double bed with a blanket wide enough for half. female V only

V

10AOK, let's try this. Guess I'll get to know you better than I'd planned.

Panam

10AAll right. Let me just say, it can be difficult at first.

10AYou'll experience feedback, sensory echoes as our systems overlap.

V

10AProbably comes naturally in combat.

Panam

10AMhm. Right, starting now...

V

10BKnow exactly what you mean. female V only

Panam

10BHmm? female V only

V

10BTell ya later.

Panam

All right. I can see you've grown bored.

Now take her along the line of turbines.

When I say so, swerve right or left.

V

All right.

Panam

Left!

Very good!

Keep her going!

Right!

Right!

There's room for improvement.

Now, let's do some shooting. Stop and I'll activate the system.

V

What's on the menu?

Panam

Don't get excited. The Basilisk is a cargo ship by design.

But it should still be a good time.

All right. Blast those wrecks.

Bullseye.

OK, practice is over.

Good!

They're deader than dirt now.

Excellent.

Yes! That's the way to do it!

Hm, poor at best. Buuut, that is why we're practicing…

Oh well.

One more time.

Mhm. She'll fly right over any bumps, all types of terrain.

Head towards that wreck.

Just put it through a few turns.

V

Soft ride, seems a boat.

Panam

Well, V? Will you link up?

Wonderful, isn't she? Let me show you the ropes.

Well? Hop inside!

So? What do you think? Impressive, huh?

Panam

What the fuck are you doing?

Yes!

Bastards!

Die! Die already!

We're almost there.

Saul

OK, I see Panam. Those bastards are in for a surprise.

Panam

OK, V. Let's get to work.

What the fuck are you doing?

Either go back now, or I take the wheel.

V, we have to smash them!

Oh fuck!

Not even a scratch!

Get in!

V

1AWhose decision was this – yours or the family's?

Saul

1ADon't ruin this for her.

1ALet her believe that she has my full support, at least at this moment.

V

1BPanam saved your asses today. All of you.

Saul

1BBravo for that. Now it's time she did some real work.

Panam

Beer? Lemonade?

Panam

2ATo happy endings.

V

2ABeer me.

2BAll right with lemonade.

Panam

2BSuit yourself.

2BTo happy endings.

V

3AGonna miss our little escapades.

Panam

3AMe too.

3AOn the other hand, though – who said this one was our last?

V

3BSpeaking of happy endings...

3BBack there, in the... Basilisk – hope you don't regret what happened.

Panam

3BI regret one thing only – that we had so little time.

V

3BGuess we'll have to do something about that.

Panam

3BMhmmm.

3BYou know... You know this... this could be us, every day?

V

3CWhat now, boss?

Panam

3CI have no idea, I'm serious, not the faintest.

V

3CTurns out Saul's all right. So it's all wrong?

Panam

3CI'll play it by ear.

V, look around. Look at them.

They could be your family.

V

Panam, what're you--

Panam

Stay in camp. Join us.

V

4AI'd love to, Panam. I really would.

Panam

4AMhm. Here comes that damned "but."

V

4ABut I can't, not right now. Have to finish some things first.

4BThis life – it's not for me, Panam.

4BI tried it once. Didn't work.

Panam

4BBullshit. You don't know what it would be like this time.

V

4BI do. I'm telling you now.

4BThis life, I'm not cut out for it.

Panam

4BBullshit. You don't know that.

V

4CIt's really not that simple.

Panam

4CYou either want to or not. What's so complicated?

V

4CThat's the problem. What I want right now – doesn't mean a thing.

Panam

All right, V. I shouldn't drop bombs like that on you right now.

I just thought... Eh, forget about it.

V

5AI'll think it over, I pro--

5BTake care of yourself, Panam. Soon--

5CMaybe once you move camp, we'll--

Panam

Nobody's behind the bar. That I like.

Come on, Saul. If I have to leave the clan, please just say so.

Spare me another speech of yours, at the very least.

Saul

I'm afraid you'll have to sit through a few more.

Because from this day forward, you will lead this family. By my side.

Panam

I will what?

Saul

I wished to do this properly, but fine, have it your way.

I was wrong. You were right. That's the truth.

May it never happen again.

Panam

But I... I made a mess of so many things... You said...

Saul

I know. But I changed my mind. You risked everything for this family, not even knowing whether you'd be welcome the next day.

Panam

OK. OK. Well, I... Many things will have to change.

Saul

Yes. And to start with, we need to leave this place. Quickly.

We can't wait for Militech to find us.

Panam

Of course. I will prepare our route.

Mitch

Congratulations.

Cassidy

Terrible choice. I voted nay.

Panam

Thank you, thanks. I need to cool down, I think.

Will you come with me?

V

Was pretty close.

Panam

I don't know if I could have done it without you.

V

Eh, come on.

Panam

No, I'm serious. We all owe you. So you can count on the Aldecaldos. Always.

V

Heh, good to know.

Panam

An... interesting day.

I feel as if I barely evaded a rapidly approaching train.

ALDECALDOS

Shit, did you see the Basilisk in action? It blasted them into bi-- arrgh!

ALDECALDOS

No squirming. Lie still, I need to examine this…

ALDECALDOS

They won't dare show their faces again! How many did we drop?

ALDECALDOS

Our losses – tha'ss what I wanna know.

ALDECALDOS

They could have been lower… if that Basilisk had come around sooner.

Panam missing from camp at such a critical moment? She'll have some explaining to do.

ALDECALDOS

What is she to you – a seer? Hell, leave her alone.

ALDECALDOS

Are you about done? Musa's got a nasty-ass gash, too.

Saul

All of us, each on his or her own, must think first and foremost of what's good for the family…

Return to camp. Now.

Panam

Is everything--?

Saul

Yes. You turned them to dust, congratulations.

It's time to talk.

Panam

V – drink. Choose please?

Panam

I know this area, back from the old routes.

V

You really safe here, though?

Panam

For now, yes. Militech does not venture this far. And our vantage points really are much better.

But you know, everything here... It is temporary, all of it. We will soon have to decide what comes next.

V... Back to what we were saying...

I will not even pretend to understand. I don't think it has even sunk in yet. But I am serious – how can I help?

V

1AHonestly? Not a clue.

Panam

1ABut there has to be something, someone who can...

V

Remember Hellman? He's the one who created the personality construct tech.

Panam

That's why you wanted to get him.

V

But it was a dead end. Now I have to figure out where to go next.

Panam

You'll find a way. And once you do, let me know. I will help.

This whole family will help. Saul was not joking. You understand?

V

2AThanks for everything.

2AFor being here for me.

Panam

2ATake care of yourself. And let me know... Well, just please keep in touch.

V

2BThanks, Panam.

2CI'll be fine, don't worry. Good luck with the new camp.

Panam

2CThanks...

V

2CTake care, Panam!

Couldn't help me. Not sure anyone can.

Panam

I don't believe that.

V?

V

Panam... I...

Panam

V, relax, everything is OK. How do you feel?

V

3AWhere... where are we?

Panam

3AYou passed out. Completely. We took you with us.

V

3AWhere...?

Panam

3AWe moved camp. You are safe, everything is under control.

V

3BWhat happened? I remember, I... We were talking, then suddenly...

Panam

3BYou passed out. Completely. We took you with us.

V

3BWhere?

Panam

3BSomewhere new. We moved camp. Don't worry, we are safe here. For now.

V... You have to tell me what is happening.

The blood... You were out for hours. What's wrong?

V

4AIt's... nothing. I'm fine now.

Panam

4AFuck, so I can see.

4AWill you tell me what is going on? Or will we keep playing this stupid charade?

V

4BPanam, I... It's getting worse, every single day...

Panam

4BOK, V, relax. Take it bit by bit. What is happening, exactly?

V

5AYou know Johnny Silverhand?

Panam

5AYes, they sometimes play those oldies on the radio. Why?

V

5AThat's just it. Johnny's alive. He's sitting in my head.

Panam

5AHe's what? A-am I not... is this some sort of strange metaphor?

V

6ALong story. Got a job, fucked it up, now Silverhand's personality construct's sitting in my head.

Panam

6ABullshit.

V

6AYeah, well, he's not too happy about it either. Turns out we don't really mix. And it's getting worse.

Panam

6AYou are not joking.

V

6BPanam, Silverhand's construct is busy wreaking havoc in my head.

Panam

6BImpossible. It's not – i-it's simply impossible. Johnny Silverhand?

6BListen, did you try, you know... talking to someone about this?

V

6BCould tell my therapist a lotta things, but this isn't one of 'em. Construct's more like a cancer, growing every day.

Panam

6BYou are not joking.

V

5AJust trying to live with it. Survive, actually.

Panam

5AIt's certainly not doing wonders for your health.

V

7AI gotta go. I'm feeling better, really.

Panam

7AWait, I will go with you.

Saul

7ARemember – our offer still stands.

7AIf you need help, the Aldecaldos are here for you.

Panam

7AAnd that, at least, we can agree on.

Saul

7AIf you need anything, you know where to find us.

Panam

7AWant me to walk with you?

Cassidy

7AV! Welcome back to the land of the living!

Teddy

7AAbout time sleeping beauty decided to join us! Hey there.

Mitch

7AI thought I heard that voice!

V

7AHey, Mitch.

Saul

7AFinally. We were worried.

Mitch

7ATook good care of your ride. She's over there.

7ABut you're not leaving us already, are you?

Saul

7AIs everything OK?

V

8AThanks, I'll stick around for a bit.

Mitch

8AMake yourself at home.

V

8BThanks, Mitch. But I'd better be going.

Mitch

8BYou're barely standing, V. You take care of yourself, OK?

V

9AMuch better now. Thanks for your help.

Saul

9AI'm glad to hear it.

V

9BSee you made yourselves at home already.

Saul

9BWe do have some experience in this.

9BThis is a good place. We have greater control over the area. The rest will settle in quickly.

9BBut tell us, how are you? You scared us.

V

5BOK. So... You ever hear of the Relic?

Panam

5BThe Arasaka tech? Does something with personalities? I saw the ads. Sounds like some rich people scam, to be honest.

V

5BIt's not bullshit. I've got a biochip in my head with one of those constructs. And the chip's damaged.

Panam

5BSo take it out!

V

10ADefinitely not that simple. Relic's also keeping me alive. But...

Panam

10ASo this is cyberpsychosis? Because if it is, I know people who--

V

10ANo, no. The chip's data is infecting my neural connections. Got nothing to do with cyberpsychosis.

10AI remove the Relic, I die. If I don't deal with the construct, I die.

Panam

10AFuck.

V

10BChip held a personality construct. Construct attacked my brain.

Panam

10BYou can't reverse it somehow? Stop it? Fuck, you can't get it out of your head?

V

10BThat's what I'm trying to do. But the clock's ticking. Getting worse by the day.

Panam

10BFuck.

V

5CTo tell you the whole truth... I'm afraid things won't be the same between us if I do.

Panam

5CV, listen to me.

5CThere is not a thing you could say to me that would change how...

5CI mean, just cut the bullshit and tell me what's going on!

5CV, cut the crap and tell me what's going on! I'm worried!

I don't know...

V? Talk to me?

Mitch

Is anything wrong, V?