Chapter 97: You Got a Death Wish?
3:10 PM. Santo Domingo. 6th Street HQ.
The old man in the cowboy hat took off his hat and walked over to the counter. He meticulously prepared a cup of coffee, placing it in front of the red-haired woman seated at the table. Then, he uncorked a bottle of tequila and set it down in front of the boy, David.
"Here, Ms. Martinez. Try this. Pure beans, hard to find on the market," Gunner said, smiling at Gloria.
For a gang to grow properly, it needed talent. That was the most crucial element.
But 6th Street wasn't what it used to be. From the top brass down to the street soldiers, most of them had become Militech lapdogs. They'd lost the ability to think, becoming mindless tools that just barked on command.
Gunner considered himself different. Since the Time of the Red, since the day he mustered out, he knew exactly what he wanted. 6th Street shouldn't be a pawn in corporate wars; it should be a shield for the community.
To achieve that, Gunner needed like-minded partners. It was a bit embarrassing to admit, given his age and declining physical prowess, but... he refused to give up on that dream.
"Gloria, you're a hard woman to invite," Gunner said, pouring himself a cup and sitting opposite her.
"You call this an invitation?" Gloria retorted. She cradled the delicate porcelain cup in both hands. "They might not know, but I recall telling you explicitly: I already have a crew." She lowered her voice. "Maine's crew."
Gunner chuckled. "Your crew has left Night City. This city has no room for them anymore. It's a free city for dreamers, sure, but there's one condition: don't mess with the corps."
"Arasaka has buried what they did. Looks like they've been captured. The corps don't let people who tarnish their reputation walk away."
"I admit, your crew was strong. Crippled the Tyger Claws, wrecked Japantown. I don't know the details, but word on the street is the Claws lost hundreds of members that night, including a lot of key personnel."
Gunner paused, his wrinkled face breaking into a grin. "Speaking of which, you should be thanking me."
"Thanking you?"
"Yes. For not reporting that you're a member of Maine's crew," Gunner said.
Gloria remained expressionless.
David had never seen his mother like this. In his memory, Gloria was just an ordinary hospital worker. But now, facing down a high-ranking gang leader... she was unrecognizable.
How much had she kept from him? She forbade him from contacting edgerunners, from getting involved in street business, even from owning a gun. But she... she dealt with these people every day?
Gloria ignored Gunner's comment and countered, "Honestly, what is this really about? I'm just an ordinary single mother. In Night City, women like me are everywhere. Why are you fixated on me?"
"Ordinary? You?" Gunner laughed heartily. "Let's set aside how an 'ordinary woman' joins a crew like Maine's. I've been investigating you since the incident at the hospital. Ordinary? You have no power, no influence, yet on a meager cleaner's salary, you raised a son and sent him to Arasaka Academy? How is that ordinary?"
"Relying on your wits and grit, you've made quite a name for yourself on the local net. The mysterious Santo Domingo arms dealer, selling implants and weapons, sourcing anything a client needs."
Gunner's smile widened. "6th Street... no, I need someone like you. My men... they can't hold onto eddies, let alone make them. But you're different, Gloria. You've survived in the gutter for decades. You know the street rules, you have your own playbook. I need your..." He tapped his temple. "...mind."
Gloria's eyes flickered with conflict. Beside her, David's leg started bouncing nervously again. This time, she didn't stop him. She was thinking.
Just then, a commotion erupted downstairs.
"Hey! Who let you in?! Car wash and repairs are over there, this area is—"
"Get the fuck out of my way!"
"Help! Someone's looking for trouble!"
Gunner shot Reiner an annoyed look. Reiner immediately headed for the door to check it out.
But before he could reach it, the office door was kicked open violently.
A massive man in a black leather jacket stormed in, glaring furiously at Gunner. "Old man! You just don't know when to quit, do you?!"
"Jackie!" David jumped up.
Jackie nodded at David and stepped aside, revealing a woman behind him. Pink jacket over a crop top, hot pants, combat boots.
She adjusted her special glasses, glanced at Gloria sitting by the wall, then turned her gaze to Gunner.
"Mox?" Gunner recognized her instantly.
"That's right. Mox," Anna said coldly. She flicked her arms, extending her Mantis Blades. "I'm Anna Nox. And I'm asking you: what the hell are you doing with our kid's friend?"
Gunner narrowed his eyes. His men swarmed up the stairs. 6th Street's military discipline showed; despite the sudden intrusion, they reacted fast. Dozens of them crowded the hallway and spilled into the room, surrounding Jackie and Anna.
"I don't recall Gloria having any connection to the Mox," Gunner said, eyeing his reinforcements.
"Don't act tough. At this range, I could kill you three times before your men even raise their guns," Anna retorted. "Does the Mox even have the capacity to meddle in other people's business right now?"
Gunner believed her. Those Mantis Blades, the exposed high-end chrome mixed with cheaper parts... she was a weapon. A scan confirming her criminal record only solidified the threat. This woman was dangerous.
But this was his turf. And the Mox were currently weak.
"I'm Gunner, 6th Street Captain. I control this entire street, and I command over three hundred men. That's as many as your entire gang. Killing me would bring a world of trouble down on the Mox," Gunner said calmly.
Anna hesitated, lowering her arms slightly. Susan had been explicit: No killing. The Mox were helping because of Rhys, but they couldn't afford a war with 6th Street. The Tyger Claws had already shut down their factories and Lizzie's was on the brink. Picking a fight with another major gang would be suicide.
Seeing her hesitation, Jackie stepped in front of her. "What about me? If I zero you, who's gonna come after me?"
"You're Jackie, right? Ex-Valentino. Raul Welles was your father? Yes, your mother is a formidable woman. She leveraged your father's reputation to carve out a safe haven in Heywood, opened a bar. She's a good mother. But you... you're clearly not a good son," Gunner said disdainfully. "Kid, this isn't how you play the game. You can fight, sure. But on the street, being able to fight isn't enough."
Things had changed since the hospital incident. Back then, Gunner had less than a hundred men and was marginalized. Maine's crew was a threat, backed by Rogue. But now? Maine's crew was gone. It was just one strong guy with no backing and an unarmed woman.
If Jackie didn't have Mama Welles behind him, Gunner might have been wary of a loose cannon. But Jackie had ties.
Gunner pulled out his cigar case, clipped a cigar, lit it, and took a puff. "Let's leave it at this for today. You can take Ms. Martinez. But I'll be inviting her for coffee again tomorrow. And the day after. You're welcome to join us, but I doubt you'll be free every day. This is Santo Domingo. Not Watson, not Heywood."
"You motherfuc—" Jackie understood the threat perfectly. He raised his gun, aiming at Gunner's head.
"Jackie!" Gloria stopped him.
Jackie looked at her. She shook her head.
She grabbed David's hand and stood up, walking towards Jackie and Anna.
"Captain!" Reiner shouted.
Gunner shook his head at him. This was enough. Pushing these two too far would be a bloodbath. They both had Sandevistans, and Anna was packed with combat chrome. She could probably slaughter everyone in the room. Of course, Gloria and David would die in the crossfire.
As Jackie watched Gloria approach, he wanted to argue. This wasn't over. These guys wouldn't stop.
Just as they regrouped, Gunner smiled and added, "Oh, and Ms. Martinez? Please don't leave Santo Domingo. My men are always around the Megabuilding. Sometimes they even pass by Arasaka Academy. After all, it's dangerous for David to walk home alone, isn't it?"
Gloria spun around, glaring at Gunner.
Gunner shrugged, his face crinkling into a deceptive smile. He couldn't let her go. Even if she didn't join, her network was too valuable.
Jackie was furious, fists clenched. Anna was seething. Gloria was Rhys's people. Rhys had fought the Tyger Claws for the Mox. Susan might be cold and pragmatic, but she cared about Rhys. Everyone knew it. So Gloria wasn't a stranger.
But the most angry person in the room was David.
He wasn't stupid. He realized he was the burden. If not for him, his mom and Jackie could have fought their way out, gone to the Mox or Heywood. But because of him... Gloria was trapped.
He stood behind the three adults, biting his lip until he tasted blood. He wanted to fight back, but... he had no power.
"Excuse me."
Just as David was drowning in his own powerlessness, a voice spoke from behind him.
Louder this time. " excuse me."
Then, screams.
David started to turn, but a hand landed on his shoulder. A clean hand, with long fingers, no visible chrome.
In front of him, Jackie's eyes went wide. Anna's mouth fell open. Gloria blinked, joy flooding her face.
And the smiling Gunner... his smile froze.
David turned his head and saw a handsome face, taller than him by half a head.
"R-Rhys... Aniki..." David stammered.
Rhys didn't answer. He looked straight at Gunner and asked softly:
"You got a death wish?"
As the words fell, a blur of black motion erupted around Rhys. In the blink of an eye, three 6th Street gangers groaned and collapsed, confusion in their eyes as blood pooled from their midsections.
THUD—
Panic rippled through the 6th Street ranks.
"Fuck you—" Reiner, standing further back, raised his SMG.
"No!" Gunner shouted.
Rhys ignored Reiner. He stood by David, winked at Anna, and kept his eyes on Gunner.
In the next second, Reiner froze. His gun slowly turned, pointing under his own chin. Terror filled his eyes. He trembled. Then...
BANG!
Blood and brains sprayed the wall. Reiner's headless body slumped next to Jackie.
Jackie grinned savagely. He punched the guy next to him, activated his Sandevistan, and in the slowed time, shoved his pistol into another ganger's mouth. BANG!
"Rhys! Why are you running so fast?"
A cute voice called out. Sasha popped her head in the door. Behind her, a headless body flew past.
Then, a large hand appeared on top of her head. Maine, wearing sunglasses and a sunny smile, leaned in. "Afternoon, Jackie. Gloria."
"Cleared out the downstairs?" Rhys asked.
"Trash. Rebecca handled it solo. She's basically a human tank without the Sandy," Maine scoffed.
Rhys nodded. He turned back to Gunner, his voice calm.
"I'm asking you. Do you have a death wish?"