Sandra Dorsett?
Vash couldn't figure out why she was calling. Logically, once a job was done, it was done. There was no such thing as "after-sales service" for a merc — right?
Still uneasy, he accepted. It was a video call. On-screen was a young woman with a striking figure, framed by the glass-and-steel luxury of a high-rise behind her.
As a platinum-tier Trauma Team member, that kind of extravagance came with the package.
Sandra: "Mr. V, do you have time right now? I'd like to thank you in person."
Vash: "Sorry, Miss Sandra. I don't do after-sales service."
Sandra: "You're misunderstanding. I just… want to thank you. If you hadn't pulled me out of the Scavengers' hands, I wouldn't have made it."
Vash: "I was paid to do a job. You don't owe me anything. But how did you find me?"
Hadn't T-Bug said Sandra wouldn't remember any of it? Was that a lie?
Sandra: "If I don't tell you, will you block me?"
Vash: "I will."
Sandra: "Then I'll tell you. Truth is, I don't remember you saving me at all. After I woke up in the hospital, I had people ask around. That's how I got your contact."
Vash: "I see."
With Sandra's status, it wasn't hard. After the Scavengers snatched her, Wakako had brokered the whole mess. If Sandra wanted answers afterward, she'd get them.
"Mr. V… I've been honest with you. Can we meet?" She stared at the calm man on her screen, cheeks faintly pink.
At first, she'd only wanted to thank her savior. But seeing his face — handsome, composed — she found herself wanting to meet him for real.
Vash was about to refuse. Then he remembered Dexter DeShawn's gig involved Militech's senior ops manager, Meredith Stout — and Sandra was Militech too.
Maybe there was room to trade favors.
"Know Lizzie's Bar? Meet me there."
"Okay!"
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After setting the evening meet, Vash swung his Kusanagi CT-3X toward his apartment.
Back home, he dropped straight into bed.
Vash was a strange kind of merc. Other edgerunners lived for booze, bodies, and adrenaline. He lived for sleep — any time he had nothing pressing, he'd take it.
After a quick afternoon nap, he headed into his weapons room and started tinkering with his gear.
「Incoming call: Evelyn Parker」
A call came through.
Evelyn: "V, are you going to be late?"
Vash: "Evelyn, we never set a time. How could I be late?"
Evelyn: "What is going on? Didn't Dexter DeShawn explain everything?"
Vash: "He mentioned it. But something came up, so I handled other business first."
Evelyn: "You…"
From her tone alone, she was furious.
No surprise. Evelyn was premium merchandise — high-class, pampered, used to being treated like royalty. In most rooms, she was the queen. Getting stood up wasn't part of her world.
Vash replied, unbothered, "Evelyn, let me remind you of something. Yeah, we had hotpot last night. Yeah, you're the client on this job. But here's the line: you state what you want and you pay the fee. The details in between aren't yours to micromanage. And I'm not a Mox, and I'm not your subordinate — so watch your tone. Understand?"
Evelyn went quiet — properly put in her place. But she needed this gig, and for this kind of job there weren't many people better than Vash.
So she had to swallow her anger.
"I'm sorry, V. I didn't understand the rules."
Vash nearly laughed, "Good. We'll talk later. I've got things to do."
He cut the call and didn't spare it another thought. Maybe only he would talk to a client like that — and hang up so coldly.
For Vash, walking away was easy: refund Dex's deposit and forget the whole thing. For Evelyn, finding someone else was a problem.
Night City was crawling with mercs and hitters, but only a few had the nerve to pull the Tyger Claws' whiskers and still plan on poking Arasaka in the eye.
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After grabbing a few simple dishes downstairs and eating a modest late lunch, Vash finally headed back out — this time for Lizzie's Bar.
When he arrived, he went straight to Judy's basement.
Downstairs, Judy was processing braindances. She glanced up as he came in, "V, make yourself at home."
"Judy, you eat yet?" Vash asked.
"Not yet. I was gonna have one of the Mox girls grab something later."
"No need. I brought you something decent. Here — take a look."
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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! (-‿◦)