Chapter 79: My Heart is Fire
Charter Hill.
In a luxurious duplex penthouse, a curved floor-to-ceiling window framed the sprawling view of Night City. Holographic koi swam through the skyline, weaving between the towering municipal buildings.
A crystal chandelier, shaped like a starburst, hung from the vaulted ceiling, spiraling down through the center of a polished mahogany staircase.
To the north, on a massive, five-meter-long sofa behind a sleek table, sat a girl. She had chestnut hair, bright orange eyes, a small, delicate face... and tiger ears. Dressed in a leather jacket, black combat pants, and chunky boots, she looked like a stylish model or idol.
Rogue and Crispin walked in, their eyes landing on the girl as she stood to greet them.
She was cute, cool, and stylish. But a quick scan would reveal the truth: she was a walking, talking money pit. Every inch of her was packed with top-tier, black-market cyberware. The kind of cutting-edge tech you couldn't just buy off a shelf.
"I can't believe Michiko sent you," Rogue said, squinting slightly, one hand on her hip.
The girl smiled and offered a respectful bow. "It's good to see you again, Rogue-senpai. Actually, I volunteered. It's been a long time."
"Don't call me senpai. Back in the day, your crew did just as much damage as mine," Rogue grinned, her eyes full of appreciation. "If Michiko hadn't snatched you up so fast, your name would have been legendary among Night City mercs. Though your old crew was already the best elite squad in the city."
"I never cared about the fame." The girl shook her head with a smile. She sat down, pulled a laptop from her bag, and placed it on the table. "The boss is in Washington handling some business, so she couldn't make it. I offered to be the messenger."
Her smile vanished, replaced by a serious, professional expression. "So, what business do you have with the boss?"
"Tigress, I'm here to introduce a talent to Michiko," Rogue said, matching her tone. She knew Tigress was in work mode.
Anyone who underestimated the Dangerous Girls because of their appearance paid a heavy price. And this girl? She was the apex predator of the bunch. A monster created by Michiko Arasaka herself during the Time of the Red.
Her name was Tigress. Her exact age was unknown, but back in the Red era, she was a gang leader. The story of her recruitment was famous in the underworld. Rogue knew it, Wakako knew it, even Father knew it.
Years ago, Tigress took a contract to assassinate a Dangerous Girl. She failed because her target was decked out in superior chrome. But using nothing but tactics, agility, and a few scrap-built guns, she cornered a fully armed elite soldier. That feat caught Michiko's eye.
Impressed by her skill (and let's be honest, her looks), Michiko paid a massive compensation fee to the fixer and recruited Tigress directly into the Jaguar Squad.
The Jaguars were the elite of the elite, answering only to Michiko. The top tier of the Dangerous Girls. Every member of the first generation was a prodigy in their field—combat, medical, netrunning, command.
"A talent? Male or female?" Tigress asked curiously. If Rogue was vouching for them, they had to be good.
"Male," Rogue said.
"That's trouble. You know the Dangerous Girls don't recruit men," Tigress said. Then, after a thoughtful pause, "Unless he's willing to transition like Shoko? But the Jaguars aren't recruiting right now anyway. Might be a few years before the next intake."
Rogue's mouth twitched. "I need to speak with Michiko directly."
"Fine, fine. That's what I'm here for," Tigress waved her hand dismissively. She tapped a few keys on her laptop.
A video feed opened. A young Asian woman with black hair and a sweet face appeared on screen. She was sitting in an office chair, wearing a high-end black suit. Her left arm was silver chrome; her right was organic. Interestingly, in the video, she was holding a phone, seemingly on another call.
"Good afternoon, Rogue."
"Good afternoon, Miss Michiko."
Rogue looked at the sweet-faced girl on the screen. She was beautiful, undeniably so. Even in her corporate office, she exuded a fragility that made people instinctively want to protect her.
But Rogue knew better. She had been recruited by Michiko long ago and knew the depth of her boss's cunning. People said Rogue had deals with the corps. They were right. But not with Militech—with Arasaka. Specifically, with this girl. She was the one who had kept Rogue alive. This girl... who had fooled the entire world.
"I have a favor to ask," Rogue said respectfully.
"Mm... let's hear it," Michiko said softly.
"I recently discovered a merc named Rhys. Raised in the Mox. His talent exceeds almost anyone I've ever known. A true prodigy. But he's run into trouble. Arasaka has taken an interest in him, likely for cyberware experimentation. So I'm coming to you, Michiko. I need your help."
Michiko rested her chin on her hand, listening quietly. When Rogue finished, she spoke. "But my situation isn't great either. You know my grandfather never liked me, and my aunt and uncle look down on me. That's why I'm hiding out in Washington. If he's really valuable to Arasaka, my word might not carry much weight. My position is... awkward right now."
Rogue was silent for a moment. Then she said, "What if... he could be the next Morgan Blackhand?"
"!"
On the screen, the languid girl sat up straight. A smile spread across her face. "Are you serious?"
"Rhys has no advanced combat implants, yet his physical stats rival those who do. Speed, reflexes, strength... he surpasses everyone I know. I only know one other person like that. Blackhand. But Blackhand is different. I know that bastard too well. Everyone says he's genetically modified, but we know that's bullshit. Blackhand relied on experience and street smarts. Sure, his physical baseline was high, but... this kid? His potential ceiling is just as high. Maybe higher."
Rogue spoke with conviction.
Michiko's smile widened. "And if you're wrong? You know me, Rogue. Business is business. I don't make exceptions."
"I guarantee it. Invest in him, and you won't regret it," Rogue declared. "I stake my decades as a merc on this: if Rhys reaches his full potential... even Adam Smasher won't be able to stop him."
"Heh..." At the mention of Smasher, Michiko chuckled. Few knew that she and Smasher had a... history. He used to be her bodyguard before he belonged to her uncle.
And Michiko did need a legend to protect her.
Publicly, she was back in the Arasaka fold. Privately... she was playing all sides. Manipulating public opinion, balancing powers. She was the leader of the Dove faction within Arasaka, but she also held US citizenship, had tea with the President, and attended Militech galas.
In short, she was a constant target for assassination. The Jaguar Squad members like Moira and Tigress were excellent soldiers, but they were far from legendary status. They were on the same level as Crispin.
So, if Rogue was right... she was interested.
"Tigress, did you get that?" Michiko asked.
"Yes, Boss," Tigress replied softly.
"I want his full file. Send it to me within the hour."
"On it. I'll contact Shoko."
"Now then, let's chat. Rogue... why do I get the feeling you've been unhappy with me lately?" Michiko asked, her smile sweet again after Tigress left.
Rogue's eyes flickered. She took a breath. "I'm just busy. Too many mercs, too many gigs. But the contracts you sent over... I'm handling them."
"Is that so? Good. I thought maybe you'd forgotten."
"Remember, Rogue. I've helped you a lot. Call it partnership, call it friendship, but it has to be mutual. You can't just come to me when you need something and then make excuses when I need you." Michiko was still smiling, but her voice had changed. Cold steel wrapped in velvet.
"My patience isn't infinite, Rogue."
"I understand," Rogue nodded.
Her relationship with Michiko was... complicated. Michiko was her shield, helping her with many things, including her son. But some of Michiko's requests were truly difficult. Night City was big, but Michiko was the third most powerful person in a global mega-corp. And the Dangerous Girls... running a top-tier global detective agency was beyond Rogue's scope.
Rogue didn't want to involve Michiko with Rhys. Once Michiko got involved... she always got what she wanted.
Fuck. Damn corps.
Rogue waited. On the screen, Michiko turned her chair around, reviewing something. Crispin stood silently by Rogue, scratching his ass but daring not to make a sound.
Finally, Michiko turned back.
"Okay. I've seen enough."
She clasped her hands under her chin, smiling. "I need him to prove it. Prove he has the potential to make me pay for his mistakes. So, I won't intervene directly yet. If he can't even survive a crisis like this, he'll never be the second Morgan Blackhand."
"But if he survives... if he resolves the Tyger Claw situation and deals with the fixer who set this up... the best answer, naturally, would be if he kills Tanaka... then I will step in."
"I will ensure his safety in Night City."
Rogue exhaled. That was enough. She could protect Rhys from the gangs herself, but if Arasaka came for him, she was powerless. But if Rhys belonged to Michiko... Arasaka would have to think twice.
"Oh, and one more thing," Michiko added. "I don't want to see your hand in this."
Rogue paused.
"I want to see his capability."
"..."
"Understood." Rogue nodded.
She had done... all she could.
Now, Rhys, it's up to you.
Will you surprise me again?
Watson, Vick's Clinic.
Rhys wrapped the long object in a black cloth bag and hefted it. "Thanks, Vick."
"Don't mention it. But you needed it so fast, we couldn't refine it completely. Pilar had some ideas we couldn't implement in time. But functionality-wise... it's definitely better than your old katana," Vick said warmly.
"So, what happened? Why come alone?" Vick asked.
"..." Rhys hesitated. "Family trouble. Since it's personal... didn't seem right to drag Maine and the others into it."
"Gang business?" Vick guessed immediately. He knew Jackie's history. Once a merc, always a merc; once a ganger, always a ganger. Mixing the two was bad business. It violated the code.
Vick looked at Rhys, his expression serious. "I understand your thinking, Rhys. But... I think you should ask them. Jackie would be pissed if he knew you were doing this. Maine is the same."
"You don't want to drag them into trouble. I get it. In my position, I'd probably do the same. But Rhys... getting older has taught me that a lot of the ideas we have when we're young are actually pretty stupid. Like friendship. Isn't a friend... someone who pulls you out of the fire?"
Vick turned and walked back to his chair, turning his boxing match back on.
"Anyway, that's just an old man rambling. Do what you gotta do. Just... take care of yourself, Rhys."
Rhys walked out onto the streets of Watson, merging into the crowd, the black bag heavy on his back. He headed toward Tyger Claw territory.
Vick's words echoed in his mind. Maybe he was being too precious about it?
But Maine's crew had nothing to do with the Mox. Dragging them into this would jeopardize their future. And he had told Maine he'd eventually go back to the Mox. Being a merc wasn't his whole life.
Plus, mercs interfering in a gang war without a contract? That looked bad to fixers. Mercs were supposed to be neutral tools. If they had their own agenda, who would hire them?
Forget it... why am I overthinking this?
Rhys looked up at the blinding sun and squinted.
The Mox was his home. He wouldn't run. He'd fight the Tyger Claws, he'd fight Adam Smasher if he had to. He'd killed plenty of people already. Worst case, he dies.
He feared regret more than death. The Mox were his only anchor in Night City. If they were gone, he'd be truly rootless. In a world full of psychos, he didn't think he'd stay sane without that connection.
So... what was there to be afraid of?
A man had to have something worth fighting and risking everything for.
[DING — Special Mission Available]
[Accept Special Mission: My Heart is Fire?]
[ACCEPT / DECLINE]
Rhys looked at the interface. Finally. Someone agrees with my 'idiotic' idea.
[My Heart is Fire]
Threat Level: High
Objective: The home you cherish is being destroyed because of you. Tyger Claws, Arasaka, fixers, mercs... they're all watching, waiting to strike. Susan's decision, Rogue's warning, Vick's advice...
Context: Everyone is telling you to be calm, to think rationally, not to act rashly. But obviously, you've already made your choice, haven't you?
Reward: +1 Attribute Point, 1x Weapon Enchantment.
Description: Violence, oppression, secrets, betrayal... in Night City, this is just Tuesday. But you can't stand it. Fuck that. 'Just the way it is' isn't the right way, is it?
Everyone tells you to make the rational choice. Calm down, think it through, avoid the edge, retreat. But why should you be calm? Why should you retreat? It's CyberPUNK. The important part isn't the 'Cyber.' It's the 'Punk'!
Hiding in a hole? What kind of punk is that?
It's time to laugh in the faces of those chrome-domed bastards. You're different. Your veins aren't plastic tubes, and you don't bleed engine oil.
So... go burn it all down.