Neo frowned slightly as he stepped out of the car, his eyes narrowing on the half-ruined warehouse ahead.
That's strange…
If memory served, Maine's crew was supposed to operate out of Santo Domingo, not the industrial wasteland of North Watson.
So why were they here?
And more importantly—why did they want to see him?
Jackie had claimed that it was Maine himself who reached out, saying he wanted to "talk cooperation" and specifically requested to meet Neo in person.
That didn't make much sense.
Neo had only been in Night City for a few weeks. So far, he'd crossed paths with Lucy — the pickpocket from the metro — and later David and his mother Gloria after the Beast Gang ambush.
But Maine's crew? He hadn't even stepped foot in their territory yet.
Now suddenly, they were in Watson, waiting for him by name?
It felt like the game world had decided to skip a few chapters just to throw everyone together.
Jackie unbuckled his seatbelt and clapped Neo's shoulder with a grin. "V, hermano, you better get used to this kind of thing."
Neo gave him a sideways look. "Used to what?"
"Being the main character, of course!" Jackie smirked. "You can't hide from fame, man. That's just the price of being a legend in the making."
Neo sighed. "You've got a real gift for saying things that sound deep but aren't."
Jackie chuckled. "And yet, I'm not wrong."
…
They got out of the car — Neo, Jackie, and David trailing behind, still visibly tense.
Waiting near the warehouse entrance was a woman — tall, powerfully built, her cyberarms gleaming under the dim light.
Dorio.
Jackie was the first to wave. "Dorio! Good to see ya, chica!"
She nodded, her tone level but friendly. "Welcome, Jackie. Maine said you'd come."
Even among mercs, Dorio was well-known. Every pro in Night City had heard of her and Maine's crew, even if they'd never worked together.
Jackie grinned. "You know, Maine's lucky to have you watching his back. A woman like you—"
Dorio raised an eyebrow. "Careful how you finish that sentence, Welles. The last guy who tried that needed his jaw rewired."
Jackie laughed nervously. "See? That's exactly what I mean. Strong, direct, terrifying—uh, I mean admirable."
Neo, watching from the side, couldn't help but smirk. When he'd seen the Edgerunners animation back in his old world, Dorio's bulky design had thrown him off — he'd thought she was a man at first.
In reality, though, she radiated something far more commanding — strength with grace, danger with control.
Dorio's gaze drifted to Neo.
A flash of green hair under the flickering lights. Calm stance. No visible chrome.
She smiled faintly. "So you're the famous V."
Neo inclined his head. "That's what they call me."
"I'm Dorio." She stepped forward and extended her hand — an open, confident gesture that not even Jackie had been offered.
Neo met it without hesitation. "If I shake your hand," he said dryly, "Maine won't shoot me for flirting with his second, will he?"
Her laugh was low and smooth. "Don't worry. He only shoots people who deserve it."
They shook hands — brief, firm, respectful.
Then Dorio's eyes shifted to the boy standing awkwardly behind them. "And this?"
David straightened, trying to seem taller. "David Martinez. V's… follower. I can handle myself, I swear. I know Watson's streets, and I'm not afraid to get my hands dirty."
Neo blinked. Follower?
Jackie smirked behind him, clearly amused.
Dorio studied David a moment longer before shrugging. "Fine. If you're with them, you come in too."
She turned, motioning them forward. "Maine's waiting inside."
…
They followed her through a maze of corridors, past old steel doors and hidden panels disguised as junk walls.
The deeper they went, the louder the thrum of machinery and muffled music became — the pulse of a crew that lived on the edge.
Finally, Dorio pushed open one last door.
Inside was a large, repurposed lounge area filled with gun racks, holo-screens, and the lingering smell of smoke and oil.
On the central couch sat Maine himself — massive, broad-shouldered, with the presence of a man who'd survived too many missions and lost too many friends.
He crushed the end of his cigar in an ashtray and stood up, spreading his arms with a booming laugh.
"Jackie, my man! Welcome to my corner of hell!"
Jackie grinned, stepping forward to clasp forearms with him. "Maine, you big bastard, this setup of yours ain't half bad. You've got some real talent under your roof."
Maine chuckled. "Takes one to know one."
Classic merc talk. Two professionals buttering each other up before anyone pulled a trigger.
When the greetings were done, Maine's eyes turned toward Neo.
"So you're the man of the hour, V, right?"
Neo gave a simple nod. "That's me."
Maine extended his hand. "Name's Maine. Welcome to my crew's little hideout."
Neo met his grip, firm and steady. "Appreciate the invitation."
All around them, the rest of Maine's crew had paused what they were doing. Pilar peeked up from his half-dismantled gun. Kiwi's eyes flicked between them, quiet and analytical.
And leaning casually against a wall near the back—
A familiar figure with snow-white hair and ice-blue cyber-eyes.
A cigarette dangled from her lips.
Lucy.
She met Neo's gaze and smiled faintly. "Hey. Guess we meet again."
Neo's expression softened, just slightly. "Seems like fate's got a thing for reruns."
…
CLANG! CLANG! CRASH!
The sudden sound of metal clattering shattered the moment. From the next room came a string of curses, loud and furious.
"Can you guys not throw a damn party out here?!" a rough male voice barked. "Some of us are working! I almost shot my own foot off!"
Jackie leaned toward Neo and whispered, grinning. "That'd be Pilar. You'll get used to him."
Neo smirked. "Can't wait."