After stepping out of Dexter's limo, Vash didn't head to Lizzie's Bar to meet Evelyn.
Sure, she was the client and she was in a rush — but what was the harm in letting her cool her heels for a bit?
She'd be responsible for plenty of the trouble that came later — Jackie's "scripted" death in the game's story included. The woman was too greedy, playing both sides and never once being straight with anyone.
Let her wait.
He reached the roadside and called up his Kusanagi CT-3X.
Lizzie's wasn't far. A red bike swept around the corner a moment later, roaring up to him. Vash swung a leg over and gunned it straight for Viktor's clinic.
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When he got to the clinic, Misty was in her little esoterica store, clearly distracted.
"V." Misty called, worry slipping through her calm, "Is this job really dangerous? Tell me the truth — Jack never does."
Vash weighed his words, then said, "It won't be easy… but we can handle it."
If he told her outright they were tangling with Maelstrom, Jackie would almost definitely end up in a fight with her. So Vash kept it vague.
"I've always been against him doing merc work." Misty said, "Living on the edge, risking his life — it's not right. But no matter how much I try to talk him out of it, he won't listen. He's always saying there are kids in Heywood who still can't afford to eat. That he wants to get me a bigger shop. That he wants to give me a real wedding. And all of that takes eddies. Maybe that's just how you guys are — always pouring everything you've got into other people."
"Misty." Vash said, "I'll look out for Jack. He'll be fine."
Misty managed a small smile, "Go on in. Vik should be just about done with him."
Vash left the shop and headed for Viktor's door.
Facial-recognition pinged him and the roller shutter lifted.
Inside, they were mid-op.
"V, you're here?" Jackie called from the operating table.
His right arm was taken apart under the surgical rigs, bare metal skeleton exposed.
He'd had work done before, but it was years back — back when chrome only gave you a modest boost. Gorilla Arms weren't some little hand mod. To fit them, you had to swap the whole arm.
"V, make yourself comfortable." Viktor said, hands steady as he worked along the neural pathways, "Delicate work. Can't entertain you."
"No worries, Vik. Do your thing — I'm just checking in." Vash said, "Jack, how's it feel? Hurting?"
"A little." Jackie admitted, "Vik hit me with anesthetic… and I had a drink, too."
Chrome swaps were common, but anything that tied into the nerves still hurt like hell — especially Gorilla Arms, where the entire limb got replaced.
"So — how'd it go with Dex?" Jackie asked.
Vash said, "Went fine. Learned a few things."
"Good. So what's the plan?" Jackie pressed.
Vash shook his head, "Turned him down. We're doing it our way."
"Chingón." Jackie grinned, "Didn't think he'd go for that, though." Then he called out, "Hey, Vik — if V's bringing his A-game, I can't fall behind. Hook me up with new optics too, yeah, choom?"
"Don't rush." Viktor said without looking up, "Anything chrome-related, leave it to me. Been a while since I've seen you this ambitious, Jack."
"'Course, Vik. You know what me and V are made of." Jackie said, "And this time, we're running through Dex. We're getting closer and closer to becoming legends."
"Not bad." Viktor's voice warmed a little, "Alright — I'll throw in the latest Kiroshis. Keep your eyes peeled. Show 'em what you've got."
"Now that's what I call service!" Jackie said, laughing through the anesthetic haze.
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Half an hour later, Jackie had the Gorilla Arms installed — and new optics to match.
Different from the Cyberpunk 2077 game version, Jackie's Gorilla Arms weren't huge — just a bit bulkier than his old arm.
The whole limb was jet-black alloy. Jackie clenched, released, clenched again — feeling that packed-in power like he could drop a bull with one punch.
"Jack, you won't be used to it at first." Viktor said, "But once you adapt, it'll be a hell of an asset."
"I'll get used to it fast." Jackie struck a few poses, "V — tell me I look preem."
"You look like 'ask Misty,'." Vash said without looking at him. But his smile gave him away, showing he was teasing the big guy.
Once they stepped outside, Misty immediately pulled Jackie aside for a talk.
Vash left them to it and headed off alone.
That was when an unfamiliar comm request popped up.
「Incoming call: Sandra Dorsett」
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T/N: Comment, give me Power Stones, like and favorite, it all supports me and makes me go foward with this. Appreciate my other stories as well, I guarantee the good work!
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That's it and happy reading! (-‿◦)