*Squish* *Click* "Alright, just about finished up here. Now keep in mind he's going to be sore for a few days, it was a good thing you got him here when you did."
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"Oh thank fuck, you are a godsend Doctor Vector! I don't usually watch over him when he tinkers because it's basically what gets him out of bed, but holy shit I didn't expect him to get blown up. Heh, at least now he finally got a pair of Gorilla Arms like he wanted." Came from a young man a little older than the man laying in the chair, their similar looks giving away their blood relation.
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Turning away from the patient Victor Vector began gathering his tools for cleaning and disinfection. With himself included of course.
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"Well it could have been worst, luckily it was only a couple of fingers. We could of ended up replacing his entire arm."
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Finishing gathering his equipment surrounding the patient Doctor Victor turned and focused fully on the patient's brother. Meanwhile I finished preparing the prescriptions for the unlucky soul, idly listening by all the same.
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"Your brother was incredibly lucky today. If the blast was even slightly stronger it would have been no doubt lethal. The fact he was even conscious enough to give consent for surgery was a miracle. He has gone through an immense trauma today, and the cyberware alone is going to require an adjustment period. Let alone getting back into tinkering as you said he did."
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"Wait, him not tinkering? That's a bit hard to believe doc? He would have definitely joined Maelstrom if they weren't so... you know them."
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"Hah. Trauma will happen no matter how you plan to avoid it. It is apart of life and can affect the smallest things no matter what. Now Misty over there is going to prescribe him some medicine so his recovery goes smoothly. Make sure he takes them and comes in once a week so I can make sure everything is going fine with him. This isn't some doctor's bull that he can can just blow off, if he can not adjust to his changes he is going to go down hill in a blink of an eye."
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"A-alright, I will doc. Getting him out of the house is always on my to do list anyway."
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With that the medicine was all packaged and ready for pick up. After handing it over, as well as going over the warnings and such they were ready to be on their way. As soon as the patient woke up and was told what had changed, besides that I left up the stairs to organize my shop. It was much too early to open yet, not quite daybreak yet, so I had time to spare. "Mhm, maybe some tea first so I stay awake for a bit."
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Hearing the gate to the clinic close and locks working I could tell Doctor Vector was heading out for something. Either it was for food or he was going window shopping again. It was early for him as well I'll admit with Doctor Vector getting a call in the middle of the night, but he was one of the best ripperdocs in the city for a reason. And I was always willing to help as his certified nurse, even if I was actually his land lord.
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Hearing the footsteps come closer to the back door I refocus on rearranging my shop even if this building and the one next door and were well on their way for being paid for, there was no reason to be too cluttered. The buildings are basically mine already besides being in my name because of inheritance. Just two more years of payments and it would be official. But Vick would just keep paying me his "rent" anyway.
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Adjusting my curios, I wondered on what I could do. 'I could just get a centerpiece to really bring this meditation/therapy space together. But, where would I put my other things, some comfortable chairs might need some looking into as well. Mhm, maybe Adrian could help once he arrives, of course I'll pay him so he has some spending money. It is still going to be an adjustment period for him, so having something to do might help him. His aura is going to be on the fritz for some time, however I'll be here for him now. His healing has already started, but others and I will make sure he heals better than before.'
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Hearing the stomping of the Doctor I shake my fuzzy haired head out of my thoughts and turn towards the door. For an older man Victor still has an imposing figure, of course he was not in his prime but many didn't want to get in a fist fight against him still for good reasons.
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Once just inside of the door he ran a hand through his black hair before wiping it on his pants with a sigh. "Well, that was a mess and a half to wake up to."
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Giving him a knowing smile and a small shrug I say what he's probably heard a million times by now. "Still you did good work Doctor Victor, just like always."
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He slouched at that groaning,"Gonks are becoming more and more commonplace everyday Misty. If I didn't do my best to fix them up, and try to keep them in one piece it wouldn't sit right with me. I'm a Doctor, I'm supposed to keep people amongst the living as much as they seem hellbent on doing the opposite."
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At that I let out a small giggle, he may try to act tough but he still cares about others a lot.
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Hearing my giggle he let out another sigh before straightening up while crossing his arms. "So, today's the day huh."
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With those words the mood turned a bit more somber,"Yes I will picking him up when he arrives later. It should be around noon."
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"Hah, well I know he'll get healed up nicely with you around him. Probably even better than before with your "mysterious ways"."
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Hearing the teasing in his voice I scoff a little before chuckling. Many don't bother or care little for the spiritual arts, but I don't dislike people for that. They have their own beliefs and I have mine, I run this shop because I believe I can at least help those that visit a little with their spiritual needs. That it also helps pay the bills is more of an welcome afterthought.
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"I already have everything set up for him to move in, the safe room was converted into a small bedroom for him. I tried my best, but I did have some help from friends in setting it up."
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"Let me guess Jackie took over doing most of the work to help one of his friends."
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At that I couldn't help but smile again,"You know Jackie, he's just sweet. I just mentioned having to go shopping to set things up for Adrian and he was practically dragging me out the door. Once he heard what happened to him, Jackie was completely on board on welcoming him to Night City."
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"Well I don't blame him, with what Adrian's probably going through a friendly face and possible new friend could do wonders for him."
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"Besides even if you two are talking more with each other recently he still treats you great like an old friend. I mean how long have you known each other?"
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"We grew up around each other. He was always nice to everyone even then."
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"Yeah well, the next time you see him have him think over my advice. It's good he keeps up with practice, but he needs more than just being capable of taking down some poor gonk. And I don't mean by chroming up too much like a gonk himself."
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Letting out a silent sigh I agreed to do so, it was better for him to be better prepared anyway. And with that Vick left, he cared about his patients but he was like a dad who wanted good for you. It was appreciated, then again it got a bit much sometimes.
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'Maybe I should call and ask Jackie to come with me to pick Adrian up? It's not like I really drive a car anyway since I mostly take the metro. Mhm, I'll give him a call later just to check.'
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'Now where was I? Oh yes, if I break these up I can make them into part of a set.'
*Static*
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[Loading... 6%... 27%... 54%... 83%... 100%]
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Now entering Night City airspace. Passengers please remember to retrieve all belongings before disembarking. Thank you!
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"Huh? Aw crap." Shaking off the remnants of sleep I check the seat beside me for my bag. Seeing that it was okay and everything in order I sigh a little before refocusing on the landing.
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Looking outside the window the city brightly shone without its lights even now in the middle of the day. It was a siren's call promising great things, but I knew the truth. It gave slight opportunities, only to take as much as it could from you if given the chance.
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If I had to guess comparing this to a video game would be the intro cutscenes, once I land will start my tutorial. 'Look at me joking about this while having a gamer system. That's some meta insider bull if there's ever been. Now just don't worry about anything existential if this is even real and everything will be fine. I think I would make for a boring story anyway.'
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Feeling the touch of the ground making contact with the "plane" I give a sigh in acceptance of this is really happening and prepare to disembark.
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I mean this is night city we are talking about it is not exactly known for its happy endings.
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My first thoughts now that I'm curbside... I was now in down town, and something strange was going on. There was a strange quiet in this city, oh sure there was still noises and everything but that was besides the point. It was like if there was no involvement on your end everything was set to slow motion or something. A strange peace came about when people weren't acting out in violence.
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But coming off the transit from the launch pads really put it in perspective that things were real and changing now.
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It was starting to weird me out truth be told, then I heard it. Gunshots, and they were moving this way fast. And in an instant I dashed to the side by some debris, I didn't know what they originally were but they were now too dirty and trashed to be called anything but debris. The other people on the street all took cover as well, hiding or moving out of the way.
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Some were actually pretty casual about it too. It was dangerous but just another day for most I guess.
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Shaking my head I crouch while bringing my bag in front of me. My bangs were starting fall back in front of my face but my optics still shown what was in front of me despite not being any great lines like Kuroshi.
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Oh by the way both of my eyes were replaced earlier this year, I was finally old enough and since I tinkered with a few quick hacks my parents thought I should have a cyber deck while at it. They both basically gave me access to a "hud" along with an internal agent for calls and other things in my "gamer system." Heck I even had a desktop of sorts for other crap, but moving on.
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Fumbling with the zipper for a moment I force it open and dig through it. I had snuck mom and dad's old combat knifes with me over, but they were hidden in a special container so no one would detect it. They were made as a pair together, now I would never separate them for long.
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Most scanners only showed details of what they were exactly looking at not what would be beneath the layers. That would be the higher end ones, so Mom and dad got me this special case to store my valuables just in case some gonk was getting any ideas.
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It wasn't large enough to be considered luggage, it did however created a new bottom for my simple duffle bag. Grasping it I undo the simple double latch and grab dad's knife. It was a simple thing with both a guard and handle however it was durable, easily made more like a miniature rapier or dagger for stabbing a gonk. Mom's was the complete opposite.
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I don't intend to really use them more than I have to. They were symbols of their love for each other, so they will be resting with them later. But for now one would help protect me, just like both of them would have when they were alive.
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Shaking my head I have to refocus,'Mom said "Always keep your head on straight when dealing with danger, even if it's just going outside. 'Cause if you aren't careful and don't double-check it's very possible to lose something when you don't expect it."
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I gotta get my head in the game, Mom may have been a bit paranoid but she had her reasons and points for being so. I will deal with my problems when I get to my new home, and I will deal with them because I don't leave things unfinished. Now I have to focus on staying alive so I can do so.'
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Tightening my hold I peer over my cover, there wasn't much I could see however. Bullets were definitely coming this way and closer still, yet missing me by a mi-
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*BANG!*
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Looking towards my left a trashcan just got a bay window installed in it's side. Okay so maybe not a mile after all. Guess I'm staying put-
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*Ring* *Ring* *Ring*
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Great. Now I'm getting calls from unknown numbers. "*Sigh.*" 'What the hell. I've got nowhere to go, plus who could possibly be calling me right now? No one should have my contact. Except maybe Rouge, she tries to know almost everything that goes in this city.'
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*Click*
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(A): /Who is this? Because Choom this isn't exactly the best time. And prank calls went outta style before the 20's.\
(?): /Whoa -ah, sorry is this uh Adrian Jensen?!\
(A): /Depends, who are you? I know some random person shouldn't be able to call me. So how did you get my contact?!\
(?): /Whoa, whoa slow down homes, I'm a friend! In fact, I'm on my way to pick you up now!\
(A): /Pick me up?\
(?): /Alright, see I'm a long time Choom of your Aunt? Misty. Names Jackie Welles little amigo. Me and her were supposed to come pick you up, but Malestrom, one of the gangs in town, decided to make a real mess of things near you. That's were I come in.\
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'Jackie Welles? Well I kinda expected to see him sometime with being related to Misty but not like this or this soon. Whatever, once I get settled I guess we can become Chooms.'
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(A): /What do you mean?\
(K): /Malestrom are all chrome fiends. That also means they commonly tend to have dangerous ideas. Today a group decided to hit a NCPD supply convoy.
(A): /Then shouldn't they have been blown to kingdom come by now?\
(J): /You'd think that but they still are "sane." Even if the idiotas higher up can be argued against it.
(J): /Look anyway I'm a Merc, and currently my Job is to get you to Misty unharmed and not one hair outta place.\
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At that I shallowed the small amount of spit that had unknowing built up. Focusing my gaze, the only thing on my mind was getting to my new home.
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(A): /Okay, so how is this going to work.\
(J): /I'm getting close in a Mahir Supron that I borrowed, problem is the NCPD started to block off the area near you a bit ago. Probably to cage in the chrome heads. So, I'm going to park as close as I can then make my way on foot to you.\
(A): /Got it, but I'm gonna try to move your way now.
(J): Whoa, hey hermano. Take it easy, no reason to turn your arrival here sour just like that. I'm almost there, and no offense. But, I don't think you have any Irons on you yet.
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At that I couldn't help but get a little annoyed, I may be young but I wasn't helpless. Even if I only had my parents' love weapons on me.
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But whatever, I actually don't really want to kill some gonks on my first day here either.
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(A): Fine. But hurry up man. This day is already getting long.
(J): Ha, don't worry my new little choom. Tomorrow, we are going to celebrate. See the sites and all that.
(J): Anyway, I'm almost there and the blockade is starting to break up. See you in a bit.
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Sighing I peek back over my cover, finding people starting to carry on with their day I sigh again. There weren't many but it was slowly growing.
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"I thought today was going to be my tutorial, but I'm still in the opening."
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'Whatever, this is still my life. I just have more in my system than other people around here.'
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After that moment of "this is my life," I slowly began to put my things away. Practically done I heard the sound of fast, and heavy footsteps coming towards me. Looking up I see the big man himself, Jackie Wells, coming my way.
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Just as he stops he raises a hand in greeting before leaning forward to catch his breath.
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"S-sorry, a-bout that. Almost got in a little fight with some gonks after getting past the cops. You're Adrian right, got a photo of you but it's a bit old."
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"Uh, yeah. And you're Jackie right?"
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"Ha, yep that's me. The one and only Jackie Wells. Heh, some first day huh?"
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Jackie was a big man, he was easily built strong enough to easily knock out some frail gonk. But, judging from his sweaty form he can still get better. He wore a dark jacket with various designs and a demon face on the back, a long with sturdy pants and boots. His hair was pulled into a small ponytail or bun with a design shaved into his hair near his forehead. The only weapons I could see on him were a pistol at his side and his large hands made strong for fighting. Overall besides the weapons he had on him, his appearance was of a jovial man that could get along with most, and was capable of turning quite fierce when needed.
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Basically, he was not a bad person to know.
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"Got that right choom. So, know somewhere good to get a bite to eat?"
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[Basic Data Download Complete]
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