Chapter 14: V!

If you want to read 5+ chapters ahead and unpublished fanfics you can check out my patreon or just take a visit.

[P].[A].[T].[R].[E].[O].[N]

http://patreon.com/Kazuma_trash

….

🚨Insert Genos Funny GIFs/PICs here - Most Likes comment will win 🚨

🏆Yesterdays's GIF's winner: shelwyn! 🏆

….

The sudden shift in Ethan's tone made Jackie scratch the back of his head sheepishly. He let out an awkward laugh before responding, "Ah, you know how it is—gangs fighting over turf. This time, it's just the Animals making a play."

Seeing Ethan's expression didn't soften, Jackie sighed and added, "Look, I didn't wanna get involved. But back when I was with the Valentinos, Kellen was one of the few who had my back. The guy looked out for me, ya know? So now that he's in trouble, I can't just leave him hanging."

Ethan studied Jackie's face, catching the flicker of guilt and determination in his eyes. Jackie's loyalty to those he cared about was something Ethan both respected and found frustrating. No matter what Ethan might've said to deter him, Jackie would've found a way to help.

"Figures," Ethan muttered, shaking his head. "You've always been like this. No point in arguing with you."

"Damn right!" Jackie said with a booming laugh, his usual energy returning. "You know me, mano—once my mind's made up, no one's changing it!"

Jackie's good humor didn't last long, though, as curiosity pulled him back to the topic he couldn't seem to drop. "Seriously though, Ethan, where the hell did you get all that chrome? It's not exactly standard-issue."

Sighing internally, Ethan knew he'd have to give Jackie something. "Alright, I'll tell you," Ethan said, his tone conspiratorial as he leaned in slightly. "But you can't go blabbing about it."

Jackie nodded eagerly, leaning closer.

"These parts? I didn't just find them lying around. I scavenged them—from a Militech convoy that crashed. Stripped the best stuff before anyone else got there."

Jackie's eyes widened, and he let out a low whistle. "Damn, you lucky bastard. Why don't I ever stumble on gold like that?" He paused, his expression growing more serious. "But seriously, mano, you're crazy for slapping corpo tech on yourself. You know how they are. One wrong move, and they'll send half their fleet after you."

Ethan waved off the concern with a confident smile. "Relax, Jackie. I've taken precautions. You think I'd just stick this stuff on without covering my tracks? Trust me—I've got it handled."

Jackie stared at him for a moment before shrugging, his grin returning. "Alright, alright. Guess I'll take your word for it. Just don't come crying to me if Militech kicks down your door."

Before Ethan could reply, Jackie's eyes briefly glowed red—a sign that someone was contacting him. After about ten seconds, the glow faded, and Jackie's grin widened.

"Mano, we've got a job. Smuggling gig. The client's some Nomad named V."

"V?!" Ethan's tone rose slightly, betraying a rare flicker of excitement.

Jackie, startled, looked up from the gear he was prepping. "What's up, mano? You know this V?"

Ethan shook his head, quickly masking his reaction with a calm demeanor. "No, but a smuggling job like this sounds like easy eddies. We should definitely take it."

Jackie grinned as he slung his gear over his shoulder and made his way to the garage door. "Hell yeah, this is the kind of gig that pays big. I knew you'd be in. Alright, choom, let's roll."

Fifteen minutes later, the two found themselves riding the city's monorail system. The familiar hum of the rail cars filled the air as the towering skyline of Night City loomed over them.

Seated on Jackie's left, Ethan glanced out the window before casually asking, "Jackie, what do you know about this V? Did the fixer give you anything useful?"

In truth, Ethan's question wasn't as nonchalant as it seemed. He was genuinely curious—who was this version of V? In his experience with Cyberpunk 2077, players could customize V's gender, backstory, and even their motivations.

Ethan already knew this V's backstory: a Nomad who had cut ties with their family. But the question of their gender still lingered. Was this the same V he had played as before, or someone entirely new?

Jackie's call to the fixer was brief, and he hung up with a wide grin. "Turns out, V's a chick. Nomad background, from the Bakker clan. She bailed on her family and wants to carve her own path in Night City."

Hearing this, Ethan chuckled lightly. "A Nomad girl striking out on her own in Night City, huh? Sounds like she's got guts."

Jackie nodded in agreement, admiration in his tone. "For sure. Not many people leave their clan to go solo, especially not women. Takes balls—or ovaries—to do that."

The two continued to chat idly as the monorail sped through the cityscape. Eventually, the sleek neon lights of Night City gave way to the harsh, barren lands of the Badlands.

Upon arriving at their stop, Ethan and Jackie disembarked and began searching for a ride to their rendezvous point. Without their own vehicle, they flagged down a dusty, beat-up off-road taxi heading toward the wastelands.

As they climbed in, Ethan's phone buzzed. Checking the screen, he saw a message from Maine:

"Thanks for saving our asses, Ethan. Here's your cut—3,000 eurodollars. You earned it."

The transfer notification appeared immediately after. Ethan tapped a quick reply: "Got it. Thanks."

He leaned back in his seat, his eyes narrowing slightly as he scrolled through his account balance. 35,000 eurodollars. It was enough to keep him afloat but far from what he'd consider comfortable.

"This isn't gonna get me much," Ethan muttered to himself. Buying a decent car was out of the question, and his plans to enhance his hacking capabilities would cost far more than his current funds allowed.

Still, Ethan wasn't too worried. With his abilities, earning big wasn't an issue. A few more high-stakes jobs, and he'd be back on top in no time.

The taxi rattled along the dusty roads, the city's glow fading in the distance as the landscape transformed into a desolate expanse of cracked earth and scattered debris.

Beyond the jurisdiction of the NCPD, the Badlands felt like an entirely different world—a place where the rules of Night City didn't apply.

….

+5 chapters on patreon.

Venom x multiverse on patreon.

Cyberpunk x genos on patreon.

In deadpool on patreon.

….

If you want to read 5+ chapters ahead and unpublished fanfics you can check out my patreon or just take a visit.

[P].[A].[T].[R].[E].[O].[N]

http://patreon.com/Kazuma_trash