The cargo's rolling into town from the East.
Got a whole truck to clap before it hits city limits.
Haul's two and a half mill. Paid upfront.
To be divied as per usual.
Holy moly.
This job's a bona fide repmaker, that's for sure.
Well, target's a corp, ain't it?
Convoy like that, think I know which one.
Arasaka.
Now, I ain't trying to water down the pot.
Half a mill a head is nice and all,
but really think five of us is enough?
Security footprint on the convoy's peculiarly small.
'Saka probably posting a limited crew
to cast a short shadow. Keep a low profile.
Let's strategize our revamp after today.
I don't know about that, chooms.
No need to overthink this.
Smash, grab, deliver. It's what we do.
Easy peasy.
Biz as usual.
"Biz as usual", my ass.
The cyberskeleton. Do you truly believe he can manage it?
Well, Arasaka does, at least.
After seeing his chemistry mesh so well with the Sandevistan.
It's why Tanaka wanted David back at the Academy so badly.
To use him as a lab rat for test runs.
And the girl shredded David's file.
She hoped Arasaka's plans for him would simply disappear.
That's how I see it. Praying Tanaka tied up a loose end.
Hmm.
So, Maine and Dorio
were mere collateral damage in her scheme.
Sure. In hindsight.
So much carnage for one so petite.
I wonder.
How many has she killed to save this one punk?
I dove a little deeper.
Learned she was once an Arasaka operative.
Corp groomed her as a kid
to mine data in the Old Net.
Explains her cutting through Arasaka ICE as if it were soap.
Simply too perfect.
She will be the cherry we drop on top.
Our guarantee Arasaka welcomes us with open arms.
This girl's a fast-lane ticket up the corporate rungs!
Didn't see you as such a simp corpo climber.
What are fixers
if not glorified pet owners
who keep their mercenary hounds well fed?
There is but one true measure of success in Night City.
One standing in the corporate world.
And to keep climbing, I shall need your continued support.
Don't think you dangled me out there enough already?
You make it sound as if I'm forcing you.
At the moment, only I have corp immunity for the Tanaka incident.
Slimy as ever.
Come on. Let's play nice for old-time's sake.
Besides, aren't you thrilled to take Arasaka money
while fucking Militech with the same hand?
I'm certain Arasaka won't object.
I'll personally negotiate your commission and immunity.
Never trust a soul in Night City.
The fools who make that mistake get burned.
And David, a bargaining chip too?
Naturally. I've the perfect plan in mind.
And I'm confident Arasaka will be onboard too.
It's me. And have I got a juicy job for you.
Emergency meeting? What gives, choomba?
Faraday came through for us.
Scored us our biggest gig yet.
Huge risk, huge reward.
Tack out now if you do not want to face that kind of heat.
Hm-mmm.
-I'm counting on you too, Kiwi. -Sure.
Come on. Granny and Grampsy arethe bench this round.
Think your little chicken legs will reach the pedals?
Yo! Fair
What's the plan?
Security detail. Small but elite.
Faraday's brought in a decoy crew to split 'Saka's attention and manpower.
Come on!
Decoys?
Diversion aimed to give us an opening.
Though, I'm sure Faraday didn't tell them that.
Oh.
Classic Faraday shenanigans.
Of course mother Anna's around the bond too. Decoys for decoys.
You fucker!
Yeah. Yeah.
Alright. Got 'em good and split up.
What do we do?
Target's gone off road. We have a high ground.
Yo. Let's roll, Falco.
-Yeehaw! -Giddyup, partner!
David! Engine's warm, snacks are packed.
David!
Wait. Are these… Are these all immunoblockers?
Help me out, will ya? Grab my mom's jacket.
I'm calling the gig off.
-We're going to Doc-- -Becca.
I got a favor to ask.
-You better knock it off. -Becca.
I can't ask any-anyone but you.
Rebecca?
Puppy dog eyes? You know I'm a sucker for 'em, didn't ya?
Whatever. Just don't use your fucking Sandevistan.
-You hear me? -Okay, okay.
That's one down and gone!
Alright, we're tailgating the son of a bitch!
I'll hack into its braking system.
Hold on. We got more on our ass.
Too much. Can't get a shot off on these guys.
-Just leave it to me! -Huh?
Don't even think about using your Sandevistan.
Escort van out of commish!
Guess he's fucking deaf now.
-Huh? -Come on. Punch the tube.
Becca, cargo truck's exposed. Plant the charge.
This is what listening looks like.
You fucking asshole!
All appendixes in tact?
Turn around, 'stache. Eyes on the damn road.
-Hey, guys. -Huh?
Not a scratch on that thing.
ICE is just as thick. Can't crack it.
Then I'll fuckin' hit 'em head-on if I got to.
Seriously. Quite showin'--
You dick. Gettin' fucking tired of being ignored.
-Hey, no driver! -What's that?
This thing's on autopilot!
Perfect ambush. Perfect. It's going perfectly.
Exactly. Exactly as anticipated. How I saw it.
Very, very good work, Faraday.
All projections green. On track.
Tap's open. Leaks out. Militech knows.
Knows about the convoy. You're getting your field test.
Of course, assuming he
the boy, can wield the cyberskeleton.
He'd better. If he can't stomach it,
gets cold feet,
our recovery crew will face a Militech battalion.
A stalemate. Bloody, bloody. That's our aim.
No need to worry.
My pawns are in place, yes, my opening all set.
So, please, please, sit back, relax, enjoy the show.
Not good. Better stop it quick. Got a canyon up ahead.
-What? -David!
Yeah, I hear you.
Drop back. Gig's fucking chalked.
So. What now, Martinez?
You're right on the edge.
-Falco! Pull up closer now! -Easier said than done.
Hey! Launch the harpoon my way!
The hell?
And slam on the brakes on my sig!
-What are you schemin' now? -Come on! Come on!
What the fuck? He ain't right.
I'll shoot it if you won't.
Choom, you got this. It's time to cut lose. No holding back.
It's just you and the road. No doubters to slow you down now.
So, show 'em who you are.
What you're made of. You're special, remember?
-Brake! -Hit it!
So nova!
Well, that was fun.
Bit my tongue off.
VIP treatment.
They send an executive-class AV
to collect one lone street girl.
You really must be their precious lost toy.
No word? Lucy still quiet as a cricket?
So what? How's another runner supposed to help us out of this mess anyway.
Gonna pay her from your cut, I hope!
Kiwi, progress?
Gonna need another couple of minutes to breach the lock.
Didn't know about this.
Don't sit right with me the way the truck was unmanned
We damn sure it's Arasaka?
If you're so worried,
just grab the cargo and ghost. Hit it out.
That's assuming you can pop it open quick.
Your yapping is killing me literally.
Can we please go get our wheels?
You know, didn't really occur to me when we first took the gig,
but wide-open as it is out here,
why, we'd be fishing the barrel if someone got the jump.
Jesus, old man,
nervous fart like you doesn't deserve that cowboy 'stache.
Acting like a little bitch.
Bet you'd go weak in the knees if I shaved it off.
Ew! Gonna kick it off.
Stop wrigging. I'm tryna get ya.
Shit.
Decoys didn't hold out long. We got company, folks.
A Basilisk?
And a missile carrier!
You're shitting me.
Militech!
What the fuck was that?
Why are we getting steamrolled by Militech?
Faraday. That son-bitch works for Militech, doesn't he?
Now, if this don't smell fishy, I don't know what does.
All set. Open.
What? Already?
Want cover? Get inside, quick.
What in seven hells?
So, this is the thing that Faraday had Maine looking all over for?
Guess so, but anyone know what the hell it is?
A cyberskeleton. Military grade implant.
Military. Wait. So, like David's Sandevistan?
Several degrees more advanced. But yeah, sure.
Hey, now.
That Sandevistan of his is nothing to sneeze out either.
Never ever heard of tech like this.
Believe me or don't.
Far as I know,
Arasaka thinks they can overtake Militech's market share in the arms trade.
But this in mass production.
They kept its development hush-hush. Like, very.
Most of the info they isolated and concentrated under Tanaka.
I'd say that's how Faraday got his Militech contract to begin with.
Promised to snatch the prototype, setting Arasaka back years.
It's not every day you see the splendor of Night City at your feet.
A welcome change of scenery compared to ice baths
and austere rooms. Shame not to share it.
What do you say? Will you lend a hand? Help me make your boy fly?
-David. -Lucy. She's calling.
What! No, seriously, not the time.
David!
Lucy! Where the hell have you--
-The cyberskeleton. Step into it. -Huh?
No time. Militech's incoming.
How could you know? Where are you?
-They're after me, too. -Say what?
Do it now or everyone dies.
Use the cyberskeleton if you want to survive.
Please, David. Before it's too late.
Lucy… I…
David, I believe in you.
-Lucy! -What'd she say?
The cyberskeleton. Gotta use it or we're all gonna die.
Huh?
-Lucy wouldn't say that though. -You sure about that?
Someone's after her, too.
Got no choice. I'm gonna have to chip it.
This whole truck's a mobile installation unit. Here.
Deck's got the install sequence primed and ready.
No fucking way you're chipping that fucking thing.
Gotta get us out of this mess.
Are you whacked?
You don't even have the slightest idea how the mystery chrome works
or what it could do to you.
Don't see any other options. Do you?
Besides me knocking you the fuck out?
I'm gonna go grab our ride.
-I'll go with you. -Good luck!
Last time I went and installed something that wasn't mine,
Maine kicked the shit out of me.
Didn't learn my lesson.
Don't do it! Stop it, stop it, stop it, stop it!
You fucking gook! Told you not to!
Militech's too quiet. What are they plotting now?
Hey, Kiwi. Did you--
Sorry.
Made good on my end. I'm outta here.
Excellent work. Militech's expecting you.
You're free to pass.
Meet me at the rendezvous point.
How'd you--
David?
L-Lucy?
David, cyberskeleton's a trap! Don't install the soft.
Lucy? What happened? Are you okay?
That was Faraday. Not me. He set us up.
Faraday?
He turned caller to Arasaka.
They want you in their new toy. Got you in that truck.
Me? But why?
He's using you, pitting you against Militech.
Then, a 'Saka squad's gonna grab you.
And the suit. Get out of there. Do not use it.
Did you truly think
we had no failsafe in place?
Lucy? What happened? Lucy?
Militech, the prototype, all they want, not-not you.
Leave it. Go. Run.
Lucy? Lucy?
Shall I open a second neural port in the back of your skull?
Lucy? Answer me!
-I'm afraid she's currently indisposed. -Faraday?
I trust the job has been going well?
Fuck you. Put Lucy back on. Where is she?
At the moment, your Arasaka runaway is kissing the ground
and should feel grateful for it.
I was worried I might've overscrambled her brain
before delivering her back home.
Take your fucking foot off her right now!
Don't be so serious. I'm just having a ball of a time.
Besides, I won't have to lift a finger
when Arasaka's done with her.
Faraday!
You're degenerating rapidly!
At this rate, you're gonna go psycho any second!
Elite Militech forces are closing in on your position as we speak.
Install the soft. Use the cyberskeleton, David.
Lead your crew to safety.
If you ask me, I think it's beyond you.
Clearly, Arasaka sees something I don't.
If you're truly as special
as they say you are, boy,
show me what you're capable of. Survive.
I'm gonna rip out his spine!
I'll kill him! I'll kill him.
You're dead.
Dead. Dead.
Fucking dead!
I'll fucking kill you!
Back to normal?
Lucy. Gonna go save her.
No, guess not. Sounds like your brain's fried.
Faraday's double-crossed the crew.
He's got Lucy with him now.
Lucy? What do you mean?
That motherfucker. I'm gonna put him in the ground.
Tear his fucking guts out and shove 'em down his throat!
Oh no.
Falco! What happened?
Kiwi happened.
-Huh? -She led us right into this trap.
That old hag's mixed up in this too?
She's a fucking flatline when I see her next.
Dammit! Here we go again!
Shit, shit, shit! Militech needs to fucking chil!
Never seen anything this high-spec in my life.
How do you even move around in that thing?
Comes with two compact AV thrusters built in.
Same kind you get on an AV.
On top of that, Arasaka engineered in a gravity modification prototype.
It can generate unidirectional grav fields, magnetic forces, too.
That there the mag field generator?
Holy hell!
That's a whole squad he just mowed down.
Oh, geez. He's using his Sandy, too.
Huh?
He's flying!
Is that thing the grav field?
Shown to be inconsistent in field tests.
Those who are wielding it,
can't withstand the strain on their nervous system.
It requires someone with an abnormally high tolerance for cyberware integration.
Sure fire way to go cyberpsycho, you mean.
No. They got our boy?
David.
Kid's still going.
Yeah, his body is, but…
The longer one uses it,
the higher the risk of bodily cyberware capacity overload.
But being said,
the power it generates in the short-term…
…is unlike anything on this side of sanity.
David?
Faraday's gonna regret playing us like dogs.
And we're getting Lucy out of there.
But David…
Maine said everyone gets a fair shake.
That's the only way I operate too.
Sign me up, choomba.
Into the fire.