The neon haze of Dogtown never slept. Broken billboards flickered with half-dead advertisements, their voices glitching in distorted harmony with the pounding bass of underground clubs. On a rusted street corner near a busted basketball court, William squatted, his eyes following the rough-and-tumble game being played by locals. The air smelled of dust, fried synth-meat, and the faint metallic tang of blood—Dogtown's signature perfume.
He adjusted his jacket, the fabric already scuffed from last night's crash in an unfinished building. Going back to his safe house at the Long Beach stockyard was out of the question. If Hansen's Phantom Hounds had tapped the NCPD database, then any trace of his biometrics, even under disguise, would light him up like a flare.
The only exception was the mythical behavioral signature faceplate, a piece of tech whispered about in black market circles—something that could mimic another's neural patterns so thoroughly that even the Phantom Hounds' surveillance nets couldn't track you. William had asked around at the underground stadium, visiting every back-alley ripperdoc he could find. They all shook their heads. Either they had never seen one, or, if they had, it was too rare to be casually sold.
For now, William had nothing but his wits, and a fragile alliance with V.
---
[Incoming Call: V]
The holo-display lit up in his retinal implant. William tapped the accept gesture.
"Boss, we're in Dogtown," William began, his voice steady despite the restless energy in his chest. "And I'm here to wind up Hanz."
V chuckled on the other end, his tone amused. "Not bad. Hanz's wife looks pretty impressive. Riding in the same car with such a hot woman—yeah, I can see why you're having fun."
William fell silent. A faint smirk crossed his lips, though he wasn't about to admit how awkward the situation had been.
"What's the specific situation?" V asked, voice sharpening.
William exhaled slowly. "It's been a day, and Hanz hasn't made a move. I get it, though. When a man like him's pissed, he forces himself to calm down. Probably sitting in some penthouse right now, plotting how to get rid of me without leaving a trace."
"Keep me posted," V ordered. "If things get hot, call me directly. But don't turn yourself into a thorn in Hansen's side. Survive first, cause trouble later. Got it?"
"Got it." William ended the call, his gaze lingering on the basketball court.
This world is insane, he thought. Here I am, in the same place where V will one day wait for Li De, but I'm the uninvited guest. Just another stray merc dropped into someone else's story, trying to make it out alive.
---
[Message: Mr. Hands]
William's wrist implant buzzed, projecting a floating text window. Finally—the "busy man" had replied.
Mr. Hands: Nice trick, my friend! A mercenary who dares to do anything? Perfect company pawn material.
William frowned. "What the hell is this guy talking about?" he muttered. Could Hands really be that powerful, slipping into Arasaka's database like it was child's play?
Mr. Hands: Let's get to the point. I've got your superiors down here. Rin, LIN—ring a bell?
William blinked. A strange look crossed his face. Rin? That's just… me.
Was Hanz really dumb enough to think William was some Arasaka agent named Rin? Or was the world itself bending, a half-baked simulation where data and lies merged until no one knew the truth?
William typed back with a grin. LOL.
Hanz: Friend, can you stop pretending you're not Arasaka? I've been wondering where you came from, knowing so much. Tell your boss clearly—and don't mess with me.
William: No.
A long pause. Then another message appeared.
Hanz: Come meet your boss, and let's talk face to face. All he wants is money, fame, and status. That can be shared—but we'll need to compete.
William snorted. Sorry. You're not worthy of meeting my boss. Here's a smart suggestion: let the business go. We'll split it fifty-fifty.
Hanz: Where are you? Talk face to face.
William shook his head, muttering to himself. Yeah, right. Only a fool shows up in person.
William: Do you think I'm stupid? I'm just an errand boy. My boss takes the work, I just make a living. What use are you to me?
Hanz: Well, if your boss won't meet, then he must be on Taiping Island right now. Business like this needs close supervision.
William nearly laughed out loud. Dad's not on Taiping Island, he thought. He's sitting in your backyard, watching people shoot hoops.
Hanz: Business requires mercenaries—both clean and dirty. Does he have any?
William: Yes. Me. Stop babbling. Be smart. Push any work to my boss, William. And remember… I can always find your wife.
Silence. Then, grudgingly:
Hanz: …You? You can't handle big jobs alone.
William: That's my boss's concern, not yours.
The typing indicator flickered, then vanished. The line went dead.
William leaned back against the rusted fence, smirking. Cruel? Maybe. But fair. If Hanz wanted to cut him off, then William would return the favor and choke his finances. You don't let me live? I won't let you eat.
---
[Incoming Call: Hanz]
The comms lit up again. William answered.
"I'm not optimistic about you people," Hanz growled. "Hansen won't let the corps into Dogtown. To survive here, you need a business card."
William snorted. "Around here, they call that a letter of surrender. No record, no big fuss, and Hansen lets you work. Otherwise, you're just another deadbeat he doesn't trust."
"You know what your boss is trying to do," Hanz pressed. "Sticking claws into Dogtown."
"Obvious, isn't it?" William replied coolly. "Salary's too low. You mess with Hansen, Arasaka messes with you. Simple math. So, Mr. Hands, you keep that secret, yeah?"
Hands sighed heavily on the line. "Business is tough. I can pass you half my contacts. But whether they trust you? That's on your performance. Clients trust only results. Do well, and I'll recommend more. Convincing others? That's your boss's problem."
He paused, voice grave. "But don't push too far. At worst, I can retire, leave this hellhole with my wife. Your boss won't have that luxury."
William's smirk faded. Hands wasn't bluffing—pushing him into a corner could blow everything up. For now, compromise was the smarter move.
"Fine. I'll meet in person. My boss agrees."
"Tomorrow night. Place and time already sent." The call cut out.
William leaned back, staring at the dark sky. One step deeper into the game. One step closer to disaster.
---
[Incoming Call: Unknown Number]
Before William could message V, another call popped up. The voice on the other end was masked, distorted through filters.
"…Are you… William?"
"Yes. Who's asking?"
"Holy crap, you're still alive!"
William narrowed his eyes. "Do you want me alive or dead? Who are you?"
A long silence. Then, almost shyly: "Long Beach stockyard. Can you come?"
William rolled his eyes. "Really? You think I'll just show up because some stranger says so?" He was ready to hang up. Night City was full of prank calls and scam AIs.
"Wait! This is Rebecca."
William froze. "Rebecca? From Dogtown?"
"Yeah. Hansen's people are on our tails. We're in big trouble. I need to know if there's another way out of Dogtown."
William laughed bitterly. "Hah. You're still running around in Hansen's backyard? Impressive."
But his mind raced. He never expected the old cyberpunk crew to still be alive, let alone hiding in Dogtown.
"How'd you even get my contact info? And how the hell did you know I was here?"
"Our hacker's still in Night City. Anyway, if you can sneak back into Dogtown, you've got a way. Help us out—we'll pay."
William hesitated. Taking their side meant kicking Hansen's hornet's nest even harder. But then, a plan formed.
"Fine. But listen carefully. I can stay alive here because I've got a boss. How about this—you work under him. He'll pay me. I'll give you the money. You get safety and work. Everyone wins."
Rebecca was silent for a beat, then nodded. "Go first. I'll decide after."
"Good. But if I show up, that means you've agreed. If you back out, that's on you."
The line went dead.
William exhaled slowly, staring at the shadows creeping over Dogtown. One meeting with Hands. Another with Rebecca. Two invitations, neither of them safe.
Dogtown was a beast, and William was now stuck between its jaws.
for more Episodes visit
patreon(Noan994)