He had planned to repay Carl for saving his life using the money in his account. He never expected Carl to tell him that he had no online account, no cyberware installed in his body, and not even the most basic operating system modification that allowed chip access.
"These days even nomads do not live like that. Even monks who reject cyberware still carry external receivers or a phone to store donation money. What are you, a pure human?"
"That is not exactly it. You can just think of it as my old living environment never touching this kind of thing, and explaining it in detail is troublesome. Do you have any way to install an operating system?"
"There are plenty of ways. Just find any ripperdoc and it can be done, and after that you can add some cyberware to yourself if you want. This is a small matter, just a question of starting early or late. I am only surprised you are touching this stuff so late."
"I want to find a ripperdoc right now."
Already full from the Chinese Cold Noodles, Carl drank the overly sweet Mini Cola. To be honest, he did not like this kind of cola that made his teeth feel rough.
"Then wait for me a moment."
As Oliver spoke, his eyes flickered as he searched. He quickly said, "I will check if there is a good ripperdoc nearby with a decent reputation. If this were Santo Domingo, I could name four or five right away, but this is Watson District and I am not too familiar. Oh, there really is one. Viktor Vektor-Viktor Vektor. I feel like I have heard that name before. It is less than a hundred meters from this restaurant. Want to go?"
Viktor Vektor?
Hearing that name, Carl already knew the details. Viktor Vektor was a ripperdoc in Night City who ran a clinic in Little China and had once worked as an illegal doctor.
An old acquaintance.
Carl still remembered him. From what he knew, this was the ripperdoc of the protagonist V in 2077, and if he treated the protagonist, his skills were worth trusting.
"Then let us go now."
"Do not rush. You do not even know the way."
Feeling that this newly met lifesaver was a bit too impulsive, Oliver hurried after him and took the lead to guide the way. As they walked, he talked about cyberware prices and related matters.
"Do not worry. My sister is a ripperdoc, so I know prices and quality well. Your money is more than enough to get a Militech Parallel Lines operating system, and you will still have plenty left for other things. If this ripperdoc gives a ridiculous price, we just turn around and leave. With me here, you will not get ripped off. It is just an operating system anyway, any doctor can do it. If they are all shady, I will take you to my sister. Her prices are fair, guaranteed."
After a moment of silence, Carl asked a question.
"Do you usually talk this much?"
"Well, you saved my life, and I feel like we get along. To be honest, I have only been in 6th Street for a week, and I already feel suffocated. It is all about military style and military rules, annoying as hell. Compared to that, being with you feels comfortable."
"Your sexual orientation is not an issue, right?"
"What kind of question is that. My family is a traditional American family, I am not into weird stuff. I am definitely male and like women, all right. I have already had two ex-girlfriends."
Perhaps he had been suppressed for too long in 6th Street. Now that he was free after all his teammates were dead, Oliver became noticeably talkative.
"Sigh, when I go back this time, I will probably get lectured hard. I already reported everything to the gang. No matter what, being the only survivor means I will get blamed by the families of the dead. The higher-ups might kick me out under pressure. Because of my father, they will not kill me, but they will probably tell me to get out of Santo Domingo. I am sick of staying in 6th Street anyway. This is a good chance to break free from family control and do something on my own."
"Even if this was not your fault, and you killed so many enemies, they would still kick you out?"
"Our deputy captain was a useless gold-plated idiot. He died cleanly with nothing between his legs, but the gang still has to give Wil Howitzer a replacement to explain things."
"Wil Howitzer?"
"He is an old veteran in 6th Street. The dead gold-plated brat was his nephew. No choice there. I only found out his identity during the meal just now. It is insane. First mission and I almost died, then I get dragged down by some dead idiot."
Even as he complained, there was a smile on Oliver's face. He bumped Carl with his elbow and said, "So, brother, how about it. I am about to be broke and begging on the streets. Since I owe you my life, want to team up and do something, like becoming mercenaries?"
"I think one meal is enough to pay for your life."
Carl spoke calmly, but he did have some interest in the idea of working together. "But becoming mercenaries together is fine with me. I am always fine with it. You are a local of Night City, and having someone familiar around makes jobs easier."
"Then it is settled. We will form a sharpshooter duo. You handle the shooting, and I handle reaching out to grab the money?"
"I think your shooting is pretty good too."
"It just cannot compare to yours."
As Oliver spoke, he suddenly remembered something important. "Right, I have been calling you brother this whole time, but I still do not know your name. How should I address you?"
"Carl. Family name Kael, given name Er, just read it straight. You can also call me the action codename I just thought of. For future jobs, to avoid exposing too much, you can use this codename to address me."
"Codename, oh, I get it. Like Johnny Silverhand, Morgan Blackhand, Adam Smasher, using part of the name as a title. Makes sense. If we are becoming mercenaries, we should follow those legends. My name is common anyway, I do not care about a codename. What is yours? I will remember it."
"It is just a simple English letter."
Thinking of the letter V tied to the protagonist in his memory, Carl smiled slightly. "Call me KK."
"KK?"
"It is a codename that can still remind people of my name. My name is Carl, so just start with K."
"Oh, I see."
That was only one reason. For Carl, there was another meaning behind it, one that involved Korean and Chinese homophones that only he understood.
KK, when combined, sounded like Kaka. In Chinese pronunciation, that sound had a homophone in Korean with another meaning.
It meant "your excellency" and "supreme leader."
After following the mapped route through a narrow alley with an iron gate, they arrived at a basement-converted Ripperdoc Clinic. Carl politely greeted the middle-aged, black-haired man who was sitting at a computer watching a boxing match. His tone was calm and respectful, as if this were an ordinary visit rather than a risky errand in Watson District.
"Sorry to bother you. Hello."
"A customer?"
The man turned at the sound, glasses on his face and sharp features set in a steady expression. He looked at Carl and then at Oliver standing beside him.
"In this city, this is the first time I've seen such a polite customer."
Viktor Vektor let his gaze pass over Oliver before stopping on Carl. As an experienced ripperdoc, Viktor Vektor could tell at a glance that Carl had no cyberware at all, and that alone was enough for him to guess why they were here.
"Looking to install a Cyberdeck?"
"More or less, doctor. What models do you have here, and what's the price?"