"Hey, look who it is, Berry, that's the name, right?"
The muscleman leaning on the sofa spread his hands, his cybernetic eye's red light flickering a few times as he spoke.
"Yo, Brick, busy as ever."
Berry put her hands on her hips and looked at the blue-shirted woman beside him. Judging by Jiaoni's expression, this must be Nancy.
"We've pretty much covered everything. This reporter talks too much."
Brick's smoker's voice, combined with electronic sounds, always sounded like a scratched disc, which was a bit strange for a normal person, but quite imposing for a gang boss.
"But you haven't finished answering my questions."
Nancy, beside him, had a calm expression, her hand resting on her crossed leg, and she waved the notebook in her hand.
"Just write whatever you want. Don't you reporters just make things up from birth?"
"Then write that this music, though harsh, can bring people to climax."
"As for you, Berry, did you enjoy chatting with my subordinates?"
"So-so, just playing around with the guys."
Brick shifted his gaze back to Berry.
Berry sat down on the empty small sofa, gesturing for Jiaoni to sit too, but Jiaoni just stood with her arms crossed, unmoving.
"Is this a new friend?"
Brick gestured towards Jiaoni with his chin.
"Don't mind her, she's a bit shy, still going through puberty, you know."
"Hmph, I see."
Brick nodded, no longer paying attention to Jiaoni.
"What about V and Jackie Welles? I heard you two pulled off a big job in Night City. Your reputation on the streets is quite something."
"Hmm, they're busy today. I just came to see an old friend."
"Looks like you succeeded. How does it feel to be the boss again?"
"So-so, just taking back what's rightfully mine."
Brick paused, then continued.
"You saved my life back then, and I said I'd repay you. What do you want, money or something else? Just tell me."
"No, never mind. It was just a small favor. But if we're talking about a reward, how about you give me this woman?"
Berry gestured towards Nancy.
"Oh, you're into that kind of thing?"
"No, it's just a friend's request."
Brick leaned back on the sofa and waved his hand without much thought.
"Then you can go. You're welcome back, of course, not including you, reporter."
"What? Boss, you're just letting them go like that?"
The female Maelstrom Ganger who brought Berry and Jiaoni in clearly hadn't expected Brick to let them go so easily. She looked at Berry and Jiaoni with ill intent, asking aloud.
"Did I ask you?"
If Brick still had eyes, his brows would surely be furrowed. It was clear from his tone that he was very displeased with his subordinate interrupting him.
"No, right? Then don't interrupt."
"Can't you see I'm busy?"
Brick waved his hand, dismissing his subordinate.
"Thank you, Brick, that was... very insightful."
Nancy glanced at the group, then reluctantly closed her notebook. It seemed the interview had to end, whether she wanted it to or not.
"Then we'll take our leave, Brick."
Berry also stood up to leave...
"Why don't you tell me who sent you? A TV station, or some organ trafficking organization?"
As they went down the stairs, Nancy, wearing square sunglasses, couldn't help but look at Berry and Jiaoni, curious to know who would come here to 'fish' her out.
"Unfortunately, neither. It's an old friend of yours, the oldest kind of old."
Berry meaningfully looked at the silent Jiaoni.
"Then I hope I'll get an answer soon."
Nancy, walking ahead, hesitated for a moment before speaking.
Clearly, she couldn't guess who it was.
"I say, isn't the Maelstrom boss indebted to you for saving his life? Why didn't you ask him for help in this fight?"
"No, it won't work."
Berry shook her head, rejecting the idea.
Maelstrom was not a good ally option.
Who knew what those lunatics were thinking?
"Although Brick has regained his position as boss of Maelstrom, not all Maelstrom Gangers recognize this."
"After Royce double-crossed Brick, many people seem to have had other ideas. Brick can still put up a fight in this industrial zone, but I don't think Maelstrom's civil war will end anytime soon."
"And more importantly, Gangers are not to be trusted."
"Brick isn't a good guy either. He seems easy to talk to only because I saved his life, but that doesn't mean he's a good person. The countless blood debts gangs owe to Night City residents can never be fully accounted for."
Berry said, hands in her pockets, making her final judgment.
The Hive's consistent strategy was anti-gang, unwavering for a hundred years.
However, Berry's spirits soon lifted again.
"There's no need to make everyone a friend, and realistically, it's impossible, but there's also no need to make everyone an enemy."
"Maelstrom is in a civil war, the 6th Street Gang and the Valentinos are fighting fiercely, and the Moxes are neutral. This situation is best for us."
"If the Tyger Claws arrogantly invade, they will surely be utterly defeated."
"As long as justice and truth are on our side."
"We can win this fight."
Berry was very confident.
Throughout history, there have been countless cases of the few overcoming the many.
Why couldn't she achieve the same miracle?
"But seriously, stop staring at me. Isn't Nancy an old friend of yours? Why don't you go catch up with her while you have the chance?"
"..."
Berry had said it casually, but Johnny's silence caught her attention.
Hmm?
Berry looked at Johnny suspiciously.
With a stern face, she was very serious, her brows furrowed, wondering what this old guy was thinking.
"Wait..."
Berry's gaze shifted between Nancy and Johnny, and a guess gradually formed in her mind.
"You're not shy from seeing an old acquaintance, are you? No wonder you've been so glum and quiet this whole time."
What was this called, homesickness?
Berry stared at Johnny with wide eyes, not missing a single expression on her face.
"Bullshit."
Johnny rolled her eyes but didn't retort.
Berry felt even more certain she had guessed correctly... "Alright, now why don't you tell us what's going on?"
Outside, Nancy stood leaning against her car with her arms crossed, looking at Berry and Johnny suspiciously.
"Alright, alright, go on and talk inside. I won't get involved in old friends meeting."
Berry, enjoying the drama, pushed Johnny forward.
Johnny's face was blank, her feet like cast iron, unwilling to move forward, but under Berry's determined push, she was forced to inch forward.
"Oh, fine, fine."
Johnny sighed helplessly. Alright, it had finally come to this.
Damn it, she should have known not to say she could help Berry.
Although she didn't know what was going on, the thought of meeting Nancy in this state gave her an unspeakable feeling.
Especially when she thought of Nancy's overbearing, mother-hen personality, treating everyone in the band like they had Down syndrome, Johnny was even more reluctant.
Under Nancy's questioning gaze, Johnny stepped forward, and finally, she spoke.
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