Chapter 21 –
Becca's Brennan Apollo was a thing of beauty. I could feel its exhaust purring against my calves as we cut through alley after alley, making our way through the narrow streets of Watson avoiding all the drones that were patrolling the entire district.
"This is the best idea you've had yet!" Becca shouted over the wind, as she raced down the street one hand on the throttle, as she used the other to pat her bike as if it were her beloved child. "I needed this! Needed to get this baby out again!"
"I didn't think you'd be such a maniac at riding a bike!" I screamed into her ear, holding her tightly at the waist. "You said you used to deliver pizzas! I don't see how this kind of skill applies to pizza delivery!"
It was the morning after the showdown with the scavs and we were making our way to Vik's clinic to get his patients their Cyberware back, before making our way to Lizzies to meet with Susie Q and the fixer, Regina.
I hadn't slept all that well, and had asked Becca to borrow her motorcycle, having found out that she had one that she didn't make much use of any longer. I didn't want to take my car any more than necessary for the time being. Instead, Becca offered to ride with me and get a good understanding of the district with the checkpoints and the entire blockade by the NCPD.
"I did!" I could almost perceive Becca's grin, wind ripping through her flowing hair "This is nothing compared to the deliveries I used to make in Pacifica!"
Of course, she'd neglected to tell me that she was a delivery driver in a bloody combat zone!
…. Though, if I am honest, I kind of like this. I want to get myself a bike. Or build one myself.
Behind me, the old Buck-a-Slice carrier box rattled, the crate of repaired Cyberware was stored inside it.
She turned her head just enough to show me a smug smirk. "When I started out, I delivered shitty pizza on this thing. This is a joyride compared to all that back then!"
We shot past another drone checkpoint and slipped down a narrow offshoot straight toward Bradbury and Buran Street.
"And just like that," she said coming to a skidding halt in the back alley red-light district near the burger joint. "Gramsci's Burger! No little piggies to worry about too. You're welcome!"
I swung my leg off the bike, boots crunching against cracked concrete as I steadied myself. My knees were still vibrating from the ride. Becca's Brennan Apollo purred beneath her thighs as she tried to bow theatrically on the bike.
The carrier box behind us was still rattling faintly. I ignored Becca's theatrics as I popped it open and pulled the crate of implants out.
"And another delivery complete in less than fifteen minutes!" Becca cheered leaning back on the bike, one foot down, as she smirked lazily. "I still got it! NCs hottest, preemest delivery girl, at your service!"
I snorted, adjusting the weight of the crate. "Well, as your only … well, non-paying customer in recent history… You get five stars from me. I'd even pay extra; the service rep was fantastic if you ask me!" I said looking her up and down with as much exaggeration as I could.
She grinned, flipping her hair with a little toss. "And don't you forget it. There ain't one cuter in all of NUSA!"
Just as Becca was about to follow suit and dismount her bike, her optics blinked orange.
She paused and then sighed, "Hang on, I gotta take this." She said in some degree of annoyance.
"Ugh. David, my man! You need something?" she answered, in a chipper tone.
I adjusted the crate against my hip and waited as she listened.
David … is the leader of her crew. That's one name I don't think I am ever going to forget.
How could I?
The man leapt from a racing car while dodging bullets left and right, onto a car full of Valentinos gangoons who were shooting at him and turned them to all fine paste in a matter of seconds the last time I had seen him….
You don't forget something like that.
"Oh, you know me~" she said with mock innocence. "Chilling with my choom… what? Oh, last night? Was still chilling with my choom… promise!"
She shifted slightly on the bike and chewed anxiously on her lip. Whatever he was saying, she wasn't liking it.
"Okay fine," she finally muttered, slumping just a little. "You got me, so what? I'm a big girl, it was just a gig. I've got 'em swapped out anyway"
Ah… so he was calling about the shit show from last night. If he knows her as well as I think he does he must have recognized her gorilla arms from the footage on the news.
She scratched the back of her neck and exhaled, sharp through her nose.
"No need for all that... I'll deal with it, I can take care of myself, ya know. But fine. I'll see you in a few."
She turned away slightly, lowering her voice as the call dragged on as she listened to whatever he was saying. Then finally, she replied "Okay, I'll delta on over, bye."
She blinked off the call and looked at me, annoyed. "I swear, all gonks are somehow in my life."
… I am going to ignore that jab.
"This David …. this the same guy from your crew? The big, chromed dude, this jumping between two speeding cars in the middle of a highway is a good idea… that guy?"
"Yup. Remember him?" she said, grinning wryly. "He called about last night... saw all the buzz on TV, obviously. Wanted to come get me."
"Is he coming here?" I asked, shifting the box against my side.
She shook her head and sighed. "Nah. Told him not to. He lives nearby, I'll go and square things out."
Made sense. With all the footage spinning through WNS and Arasaka's little dog-and-pony show, the man was probably losing his shit. He'd recognize her in a heartbeat.
…And he'd know about the cryo tech guns, or at least know she knew somebody who had access to them.
"He's probably gonna ask about the shotgun," Becca said, a little worried. "I don't suppose I should be taking about the cryotech with my crew, right?"
I sighed. "I mean... I'd prefer you don't wave it around right now, with all the heat on it and all. But it's your shotgun, Becca. You do you."
She bit her lip, and frowned for a long moment then shook her head. "Nah, I won't. He doesn't need to know that I have the gun. I haven't told the crew yet… except to Kiwi, but all she knows is that I know a choom who's got this preem tech … and wants to see them in action. She doesn't even know it's you I got it from. She holo'd at the motel last night, remember? I was gonna keep it a surprise, maybe pull it out during prep for our next big gig."
She paused, a little hesitant. "I'll… tell them I don't have it anymore. That it was a onetime thing, or the tech's not ready yet… I'll make something up. Don't worry."
I looked at her for a moment. Becca was not somebody who liked being put in a place to choose between friends.
I frowned. "You sure about that?"
She hesitated but nodded. "Yeah," she said, then after a beat, "I mean… yeah. It's just easier for you to not have people hounding you for your shit that way. With half the city looking for it all, the less people know the better."
"You don't have to lie to them, if it helps… I wouldn't mind meeting the rest of them. David, the rest of your crew. Like I told you last night." I said, carefully. "If they need protective gear, better than anything else in the market… the kind I wear, I can make that happen. That way… I can get to know them better, and we can see where we go from there. Maybe after I am done dealing the Mox, Wakako and everything?"
This was probably for the best too.
I am not going to be making the cryo weapons for her crew, but that does not mean I can get some measure of the rest of her crew. In fact, being seasoned mercenaries in the city, I could even hire them out in some capacity to help me get my business with the Mox off the ground.
Becca blinked, surprised.
"Thanks," she said, smiling at me in gratitude. "Yeah. I think… that'd mean a lot. To all of us."
"It's the least I can do after all that you've done for me." I nodded down the street toward the clinic. "I'll head on over to the clinic. I'll see you later at Lizzie's?"
"Yeah, I'll be there," she said, nodding. "Want me to come pick you up after you're done here?"
I waved her off. "Don't worry about it. Go deal with your thing. I'll see you there."
She smiled faintly, then swung her leg back over the Apollo. "Alright, choom. See ya~."
The engine growled alive. She gunned the throttle and kicked off, disappearing around the corner.
The Red-Light district that Vik's clinic was located in was still a hive of activity, despite the increased police presence in the area.
I made my way down toward Misty's Esoterica as quickly as I could. I did not want to be solicited as I had been last time.
"You have seen the frozen slums of Allen Street or should I say…. The Scavsicle Massacre!" Does this man ever leave this place? Oh, wait… I think he lives right here, if the dirty worn-out mattress directly behind him is any indication.
"The medias would have you believe this was the work of Cyberpsychos! But do they speak the truth? Never! They feed you lies, dancing to the tunes of their overlords in corporate towers!"
Even the damn crazy street hobos are talking about the shit we pulled last night.
I should just move on, this is pointless.
"We have all seen The Man in the Wolf Mask by now! Let me tell you right here, right now! That man is no random Cyberpsycho."
Wait, is he talk about me?
"In fact, …. he's not a man at all!"
… Excuse me?!
"Yes! You heard me right! He's an experiment, chooms! A nomad werewolf kidnapped by the corporate overlords from his home! A rogue creation of unholy corporate laboratories trying to recreate the secrets of the vile corpos' reptilian ancestors!"
I'm a what now?
"Yet, their vile experiment turned against its creators, breaking free of their icy chains. Now the entire Watson district is under locked down, being combed by checkpoints and scanners, Arasaka and their NCPD puppets are desperate to reclaim their monstrous creation."
Okay, I need to calm down.
The guy is a raving lunatic. I should not react to him whatsoever. That would be stupid and would bring more unwanted attention on me.
"But heed my words! This Snarling Wolf will not be tamed. It stalks the shadows, a victim turned predator, proof that the arrogance of the elite will be their undoing! Beware, Night City, for the cold hand of retribution is upon us all!"
The preacher's voice faded behind me as I pushed open the door to Misty's Esoterica.
Inside, soft incense curled in the warm air, and it somehow made all the noise outside feel a hundred miles away.
I should ask Misty where she sources her incense from.
Misty was crouched in front of Jackie, who was half-sunk into one of the massage chairs near her plants, jacked into her BD feeder. One arm slung over the backrest, the other linked gently with hers. His fingers tapped idly against her wrist.
"As much as I love this, mi amor," he said, smiling immersed into his BD, "I need to delta. If I don't move now, I'll be late. This is one of those once-in-a-lifetime kinda gigs, you know?"
"I know, babe," Misty said softly, giving his hand a squeeze. "I know how much you've been waiting for something like this. Just… give me a moment and I'll be done."
Jackie nodded, and she leaned up to kiss his forehead.
"Hey Jackie. Misty," I said, shifting the crate in my arms to one side as I stepped closer. "What's this about an opportunity of a lifetime?"
Jackie's eyes snapped open, his face lighting up instantly as he spotted me.
"Zain! Hermano!"
He didn't waste a second, as he yanked the BD wreath off his head and before I could brace, he was on his feet, arms wide. I twisted slightly to keep the crate from catching on the edge of the massage chair as he pulled me into a tight hug.
"It's so good to see you!" He grinned, patting my back "I had to help mi mama with some stuff. You know how it is. Family always comes first"
"It's good to see you too, Jack." I chuckled at his enthusiasm "So, what's this about an opportunity of a lifetime?"
"You haven't heard?" he said, astonished. "The whole city's buzzin' 'bout the Scavsicle Massacre over in the slums."
Oh….
I coughed out a half-laugh. "That what we're calling it now?"
Jackie laughed, giving my shoulder a hearty pat before stepping back. "Sharks are swimmin', holmes. People wanna know who iced those scavs. An opportunity like this? It's swimming in eddies. And I might just have the inside scoop."
How did he manage that? What the hell does he mean by that?
Shit, I need to see what he knows, and what he's up to.
I raised an eyebrow. "An inside scoop on the massacre? How did you manage that?"
He smirked, eyes glinting. "Let's just say I got a choom who's looking into it, asking questions. Big ones. I'm talkin' serious interest. Some folks think it's corp tech. Real hush-hush, black budget type stuff"
So, there was enough suspicion on rival established corps for the moment even now. Is he taking up a job for somebody to investigate and search for me?
"So, you're helping with the investigation there?" I forced a congenial smile. "Sounds… promising. You heading there now?"
"Yeah," Jackie nodded, and then grinned over at Misty. "Gotta meet her in an hour. We've worked together before, you'll like her."
… I doubt it. If she's part of the investigation searching for me, I do not think we'll much like each other.
"And you'll be late if you don't make your way there already" Misty gave him a long look, but her smile stayed. "Just be careful, okay?"
"Trust me, Misty," Jackie said, lowering his voice just a bit. "I'll be just fine. You know me, I am always careful."
She rolled her eyes, as her gaze drifted to me and for a few moments, she stared at me strangely.
Then, after a while she noticed the crate I was holding. "Vik's almost done with his client. Take a seat here for a while. I'll be right with you"
I would have liked to ask more questions… but they're only going to add to my stress levels. There's probably no way I would be able to stop Jackie from going to be one of the many mercs that are going to be investigating the 'Scavsicle massacre' crime scene.
"Thanks, Misty." I said as gratefully as I could manage, taking the offered seat. "What about Zeke and Aisha? How are they holding up?"
Misty's expression brightened immediately. "Oh yeah, they're doing great. Zeke made friends with some kids from the alley. Though, some of them tried to sell him a Liberty pistol"
Well, from what I've seen of the city, it would be a good idea for him to actually get one, provided the gun is in good condition. If only for self-defense.
At least, he wasn't letting what had happened to him keep him down.
"Aisha looked ready to drag him by the ear," Misty added, laughing softly. "But she's tough. Still got that spark in her. Vik discharged them last night. They wanted to say goodbye to you first, before they left but they had to catch the first bus out of NC this morning."
It's good that they got out of the city. After all the trauma they suffered, I don't think they would want to stay any longer than necessary. I hope they live a better, less traumatic life wherever they find themselves in the future.
Jackie gave me a firm clap on the back. "You did good, hermano. You and Vik saved their lives. I knew I sensed something right about you when we met."
I gave him and appreciative nod and he turned to Misty, gave her one last peck on the cheek.
"Wish I was not in such a hurry Misty, next time I promise I'll stick around for the rest of the therapy" he told her and then gave me one last pat on the shoulder and headed for the door. "Good luck with the rest of the chooms down with Vik!"
"See you around, Jack" I said after him as he left the shop.
Does wishing that this job doesn't go far for him make me a bad friend? God, I feel like a bad friend now.
Misty watched him go in silence, arms crossed over her chest.
She finally let out a breath she'd been holding, then gently sat down in the chair Jackie had just vacated just beside me.
For a moment she simply looked at me, eyes thoughtful.
"That massacre on TV," she began, softly. "That was you, wasn't it?"
…. What? How in the...?
No. Deny. Deny. Deny.
I gave her the best plausible laugh I could. "What? No. What are you talking about, Misty?"
She shook her head slowly, eyes locked on mine. "Zain, please. I remember seeing that wolf mask in the back of your car. I know it was you."
Ah… Right. She did see that thing in the trunk of my car.
Misty leaned forward slightly, voice quiet and reassuring.
"Relax," she continued gently. "I don't think you're a Cyberpsycho like they're making you guys out to be, sweetie. You went up against the Scavs, after all. Most people in Night City would call that public service. I'm just asking because I need to know… are you alright? Is everything okay?"
That … was sweet that she was worried about me. But it didn't ease my worry entirely.
Did Jackie know?
I glanced nervously toward the front door, then back at her. "Jackie… does he know? Did you tell him? Does Vik?"
She shook her head slowly. "No, of course not. I wanted to talk to you first. It's not my secret to share."
I sighed heavily, relief washing over me.
I don't think Misty would lie to me. She just doesn't seem to me like the type of person who would lie to me.
If it were somebody else, I would think I was being led into a false sense of security. But Misty doesn't seem like she would do that.
"Thanks, Misty. I appreciate it." I steadied myself and gave her a reassuring nod. "But yeah, I'm okay. Things are… a little complicated, but they're being taken care of. Everything's gonna be fine."
She visibly relaxed, leaning back into the chair, though a faint frown soon replaced the relief on her face.
"Good," she said quietly, eyes narrowing just a bit. "But remember the last time we spoke? I told you to slow down, take care of yourself. From what I've seen, you definitely didn't listen."
I chuckled weakly, shifting the crate on my lap again. "Believe me, I tried. Things just got a little… hectic."
She arched an eyebrow. "A little?"
"Okay, a lot," I admitted. "But seriously, I appreciate the concern. I'm working on it. Things'll settle soon. Hopefully."
"Hopefully," she echoed softly, still looking skeptical. "Just promise you'll actually try this time. Listen to your intuition. You can't taken on more and more trouble indefinitely. Eventually, something will have to give."
"I know," I sighed, nodding again. "Speaking of trouble… what did Jackie mean when he said he had an 'inside scoop' on all of this?"
Misty tilted her head slightly, lips pressing into a thin line. "Jackie has a choom he sometimes works with. Someone at Arasaka. He says her name's V. He mentioned her before, but I've never actually met her. From what Jackie tells me, and from what I've sensed about her, she seems like a decent person, deep down. Corpo, but not like most."
"Arasaka?" I echoed, suddenly uneasy again. "Wait, Jackie's helping some corpo investigate what happened?"
Misty noticed my increasing unease, and quickly raised a hand to calm me. "Easy, Zain. Jackie wouldn't help anyone who wanted to harm you. He doesn't know you're involved, remember? Besides, this V woman, Jackie really believes she's different. He's got the same intuition he had about you. And I know you're a good man. You wouldn't be here if you weren't. He says she's stuck, in a bad place, like a lot of folks in Night City. But he trusts her heart."
I let out another long sigh, rubbing my forehead.
I don't know how far I am willing to trust Jackie's 'intuition' or gut feeling or whatever. The last thing I needed was Jackie accidentally leading some corpo right to my doorstep.
I need to be careful around Jackie now, God dammit.
"Listen," Misty said gently, reading my unease. "Jackie trusts her, and I trust Jackie. If it ever comes down to it, Jackie'll make the right call. I'm sure of it."
I nodded slowly, still not entirely convinced, but willing to trust her judgment. I had no other choice in the matter either way.
Misty smiled softly, placing a reassuring hand on my knee. "Don't worry. Jackie's never been wrong about his intuition."
Just then, her optics flashed blue for a brief second.
She glanced aside, then back at me as she nodded toward the backdoor of her Esoterica. "That's Vik. He's finished up with his client. You can head back now."
"Thanks, Misty," I said, grateful for the break in tension. I rose, carefully balancing the crate in my arms again. "I'll keep everything you said in mind."
"Good," she said warmly, standing with me. "I'll let Vik know you're coming."
I made my way out through the shop's back door, stepping down into the familiar dimness of the alley.
Vik's basement clinic entrance sat half-open at the far end, amber light seeping through the shutter doors. The steady hum of machinery echoed softly as I ducked inside, crate tucked securely against my chest.
Vik sat on his stool near the far desk, quietly reviewing something on his datapad, a slight furrow on his brow.
He glanced up as I entered, a warm smile spreading across his face.
"Hey, kid," he greeted, placing the datapad aside. "You're right on schedule."
"Hey, Vik," I replied, stepping forward to carefully set the crate down on his desk. "Got the repaired cyberware, as promised."
His eyes brightened as he leaned in, flipping the crate open. "You get everything sorted?"
"For the most part," I said, glancing down at the implants. "The optics were pretty straightforward; we had to remove a hidden transmitter chip causing some signal feedback."
Vik examined the four cybernetic eyeballs individually, as he connected them individually to the diagnostic tool he had on his sleeve.
It was interesting observing him do that, as the diagnostic tool connected his own senses to the repaired implants giving him a direct visual feed from the using the wireless link provided by the tool.
He nodded one after the other, as he checked out my work.
"This is some good work kid." He said, as he finished with the last one of them. "I wasn't even able to detect the transmission chip during the sys check. And to think you managed to have it done in one night. I have to say, I am impressed."
I nodded, accepting the complement and moved on to the next "The feline legs were trickier. Mechanically, they're functional as far as their intended purpose goes now, but the lynx musculature are really poor quality. With more time, I could've cultured far better muscle grafts, but I didn't want to delay getting these back to you."
That was underselling things frankly.
A decent geneticist would've calibrated the grafts to the user's mass, gait data, and stride curvature.
These were just slapped on, once they responded adequately to electrical impulses corresponding to nerve signals that one would expect from the femoral nerve.
I could've done far better.
But well… what did I expect from what are likely mass-produced implants a few generations old, that have been reworked and patched by the damned scavs?
"Don't worry about it. Compared to what she had before, this is a huge improvement" Vik waved it off gently.
He connected his diagnostic tool to the pair of legs and checked my work thoroughly, and nodded.
"Besides, I've already flushed the nanites that her biomon pumps into her blood stream, and replaced the set to a cleaner, fresher variety. Some adjustments to her hydrocortisone levels will smoothen out the rest. Honestly, you probably just saved 'em from needing replacements in another six months."
I gave him a faint smile. "Glad I could help. I just wish I could have done more."
Vik leaned back slightly, picking up the datapad again, his expression shifting to mild curiosity.
"You know, speaking of improvements," he began cautiously, scrolling through some notes, "I've been monitoring Aisha and Zeke closely ever since we administered your regenerative compound."
I raised an eyebrow slightly, curious and indicated him to go on.
"That thing is nothing short of remarkable," Vik admitted, a hint of genuine admiration in his voice. "I was worried that after seeing the frankly insane rate of tissue regeneration they displayed. Thought that they'd undergo cellular decomposition, rapid degeneration of muscle fibers, or at least some hormonal imbalance that such thorough nanite stims would generally show."
I folded my arms, nodding slowly as he spoke. "And….?"
He continued. "Their internals are frankly at a condition that they've never displayed before, and believe me I pinged their biomons for a complete history. Hell, even the slight malnourishment that I would have expected from being incapacitated for over a week is absent. They're in far more than just excellent shape."
Of course they are. That shit is pure magic. Literally.
I allowed myself a small smile. "Good. That matches all previous tests we performed using the compound."
The tests being entirely on me, of course.
Vik chuckled softly, shaking his head in mild disbelief. "I don't know who your chemists are, kid, but they've got to be some serious geniuses."
"You could say that," I replied, trying not to let my amusement show.
Vik paused, glancing at me with a subtle, hopeful curiosity. "I know you've told me before you're not ready to sell, but considering how effective this stuff is, I gotta ask again. Any chance you're able to provide some for the clinic?"
Well… I really need to sit down and figure out a way to mass produce potions. If they even are mass produceable, that is.
I sighed gently, genuinely regretful. "Sorry, Vik. I wish I could, but even with these results, we're not at a point where we can mass-market the compound. There are still limitations and... complications to sort through."
He nodded understandingly, adjusting his glasses as he leaned back. "Fair enough, kid. Can't blame me for asking though, right?"
I chuckled quietly. "Of course not. Believe me, you'll be the first person I come to when it's ready."
"Good," he said warmly. "I look forward to it."
He shook his head slightly, closing the crate back up. "So, these implants are all set. You sticking around to help chip them in?"
Could I stick around to help him with the implantation?
I glanced at my watch, it was already past noon. I needed to be at Lizzie's before they open for business. That isn't much time to spare if I stick around to help.
And there is one other very important thing that I need Vik's help with before I leave.
"Wish I could, but I'm on a bit of a time crunch today," I said apologetically, "before I head out, I wanted to ask you about something else."
"Hit me," Vik replied easily, leaning back on his stool. "How can I be of service to you?"
"Cyberpsychosis," I said simply, watching his reaction closely. "I am looking to gain some insight into it. What's your take on it?"
I needed to get some base level understanding about the illness, and who better to talk to about it than a reputed and experienced ripperdoc?
After the gift of medical, and scientific knowledge the forge had given me last night, I had some initial hypotheses regarding the thing but getting some perspective on the illness would nevertheless be fruitful in getting a thorough picture of Cyberpsychosis.
Vik's looked at me astonished, eyebrows knitting together curiously as he studied me through his dark lenses.
"Now there's a word I didn't expect to hear from you, kid. What's got you thinking about cyberpsychosis?" He finally said.
I shrugged nonchalantly. "Just something that came up recently. We've had some … new opportunity to look into the problem very closely. I wanted to gather insights from more ... experienced, grounded sources to aid in that kind of research."
Vik chuckled softly, shaking his head as if amused "Trust me, I've seen my fair share of suits interested in 'researching' Cyberpsychosis. What is this really about?"
"Hey, you've seen what we've accomplished with medical drugs already," I pointed out, slightly irritated at his inquisitive line of questioning "Just humor me will you?"
Vik glanced at the crate of Cyberware on his desk, and then at me for a short moment.
"Well, that is … certainly true" He finally began, his tone turning serious again, "Cyberpsychosis is … complicated. No matter what most people say, I don't believe it's as simple as just plugging too much metal into a person and watching 'em go crazy."
Well, that matched my initial understanding of the illness. It absolutely is not purely the result of the implantation of Cyberware into the human body.
"So, what do you think it really is?" I asked, prompting him further.
"I honestly don't know what to tell you" He sighed and leaned back in his seat, adjusting his glasses thoughtfully. "There is truth to chrome playing a role behind it… but, there really isn't one defining trait that can be argued as the common factor behind becoming a Cyberpsycho. Mental strain, trauma, the weight of expectations, isolation, you name it. Everything plays a role of its own. Seen it plenty back in my day."
I mulled that over silently. "You ever seen anyone come back from it?"
"Rarely," he said with a slow sigh. "But it does happen. The mind's a tough thing. Give a person enough reason to hold on. Family, friends, something real and they might just claw their way back. Without that… well, usually it's a one-way trip."
There was a moment of silence between us.
Then he shook his head, exhaling like he was letting out something heavy.
"Well," he said finally, "that's considerin' if the cyberpsycho in question is the kind we see plastered across the screamsheets. Even the expression of Cyberpsychosis isn't as cut and dry as the media portrays it to be."
I tilted my head slightly, inviting him to continue.
"Not all of 'em go out in a blaze of glory, mowing down gonks with mantis blades," Vik said, scratching his jaw. "Some? They fracture inward. Personalities split. Others get compulsive tendencies. Kleptomania, pathological lying, you name it. And some are just… eccentric. Obsessive about the weirdest shit you can imagine."
Now that is interesting.
I read up on Cyberpsychosis on the net using my phone last night, after Becca had fallen asleep. Her couch isn't exactly the most comfortable place to sleep in, so I used the time to get a little bit more work done after having finished with repairing the Cyberware.
Most of the sources online tend to talk about the violent expressions of the mental illness. The extreme of the most extreme cases because … well, there's just so damn many of them.
Almost all the reports on the news articles that I could read had similar stories. All pointing to underlying causes like recent heavy trauma, constant abuse over a long period of time, PTSD etc …
Though, with Vik's input I can only strengthen my initial hypothesis.
The chrome implantation in some form causes added strain to a person's psyche due to additional chemical, and technological imbalance that exacerbates the mental stress that a person may have experienced and reduces the control they may have otherwise shown over their basic impulses which causes them to act rashly, and if pushed far enough violently to most of their problems.
Well, as far as my current working hypothesis is concerned.
"Like I said, there's no hard rule. Just the one constant I've seen, the ones who slip farthest are the ones who start wanting to solve every problem with blood. Once they reach that point, it's damn hard to bring 'em back." Vik said seeing my understanding of the dilemma.
"What about treatment?" I asked. "I've read a bit about baloperidol and therapeutic braindances, but none of my sources could confirm anything concrete. The data I could gather did not paint a clear enough picture"
The data in question being what few N54 and WNS articles I found on the net that were clearly heavily advocating for mass usage of long term braindance therapy to essentially rewrite a person's psyche.
Both, of course purporting that Arasaka or Militech were the most capable of curing the disease with their state of the art BD therapies.
"All I can definitively say is …" Vik sighed, shaking his head slightly. "There's no silver bullet. Baloperidol, being an immunosuppressant …. helps, sometimes. Keeps the worst symptoms at bay, but it's like patching a leaky pipe. It doesn't fix the root issue."
My own research, if I consider browsing the shitty net here to be research, only got me the very basic understanding of what Baloperidol is…. and shady sources online to buy some from, at really exorbitant prices.
Baloperidol is both an immunosuppressant, and a neuroleptic. A stopgap medication that is used to manage the symptoms, and expressions of Cyberpsychosis while letting people adapt to the fresh new implant they may have chipped in.
Essentially, it would prevent somebody from experiencing full blown psychosis as long as they are on medication, and their immune system hasn't adapted to the drugs themselves leading them to have to take higher and higher doses.
"BD therapy is said to have shown promise, but well… you know how the corpo world is." Vik chuckled morbidly. "A few eddies in the right pockets, and the Cyberware lobby can print academia articles for any brand-new cure for the damn thing they want"
That …. is absolutely something megacorps would do.
But that does not mean those studies wouldn't be a good point for me to understand the 'accepted' understanding of Cyberpsychosis.
"Real recovery, if it's even possible, would take extensive therapy." He said after a long pause "You deactivate the implants, start intensive rehabilitation, and hope there's enough left to rebuild. Most times, they're never really the same."
Well… that is one way of treating Cyberpsychosis.
If I disregard magical potions for the moment, that is essentially what I would do as well, if I did not have anything else that I believed would work.
But … I am quite good at medicine as a subset of biology. I can do better. Mix in magic potions, I have the beginnings of a few solutions to the problem already in my head.
Testing will be an issue though.
Eitherway, some statistical analysis, and more data is not going to do me wrong. Even if they're from sources that Vik doesn't trust.
I hesitated briefly before adding, "Actually, Vik… could you send me those studies anyway?"
"Sure thing, kid," he sighed, swiveling slightly toward his terminal and tapping a few quick commands. "Got a couple of comprehensive studies archived from Trauma Team, ZetaTech, even a couple from 'Saka and some independent research done a few years back. I'll send 'em straight to your phone."
My phone buzzed a moment later, confirming the transfer. "Got 'em. Thanks again, Vik. Seriously."
Vik glanced back at me as my phone buzzed with the file transfer. "That's all I know about Cyberpyschosis. Did you have something else you wanted to ask me about?"
I shook my head. "That's it. Thanks, Vik. For everything."
He gave me a warm smile, "Anytime. You know where to find me."
I gave him a nod and made for the exit, and paused "Can you text me once you've finished the work on the remaining patients?"
"Yeah," he nodded. "I'll keep you posted."
I offered him a final nod, then turned and made my way out through the back corridor, climbing the familiar narrow stairwell that led out of Vik's basement clinic and into back alley behind the muted light of Misty's shop.
Speaking of texting… I need to let that girl from the Mox, Judy know that all patients are fine. And order a cab to head to Lizzies.
Misty was behind the counter, organizing a tray of incense sticks, in front of the statue of the Kami of Night, Chrome and Electricity. Her eyes found mine as soon as I emerged.
"Done with the rest of the patients?" she asked. "That was quicker than last time."
I shook my head. "Didn't stick around to chip the implants in. Vik said he's got it covered. I need to be heading out."
Misty tilted her head slightly, disappointment flickering through her features before settling into something more familiar. She sighed softly. "You're not going to slow down, are you?"
I really should listen to her.
I offered her a small, wan smile. "Soon, Misty. I promise."
She studied me for a moment, then gave a reluctant nod. "I'll take what I can get. But I'm holding you to that promise."
"I know," I said gently, stepping past the threshold of her shop. "Thanks, Misty."
"Stay safe, Zain."
I stepped out into the buzz of the street, pulled my phone from my pocket, and thumbed through to the ride app.
I ordered a combat cab, to Lizzie's and searched for Judy's contact in my phone.
Zain:
hey
all the patients are stable
implants are in good shape
they're going to be fine
Judy :
seriously?
that's great news
didn't think you'd pull it off that fast
Zain:
wasn't alone
vik helped a lot
just thought you'd wanna know
Judy :
yeah, no, I appreciate u texting me
I was going to ask in a couple days
we should celebrate
lizzie's? drinks r on me
Zain:
im heading there now actually
but it's for a meeting
Judy :
ah
so that's the noise I've been hearing from the girls
makes sense now
Judy :
i'll stay outta your way then dude
another time maybe
i'll let ev know
I think she'll be glad
Zain:
thanks
for everything
Judy :
you did good
don't be a stranger, yeah?
The cab I had ordered was waiting for me at the end of Urmland street.
As I approached, the driver leaned out through the half-lowered window. Balding, older guy. Tinted lenses and a synth-jaw with cheap chrome polish. "Zain Vargas?"
"Yeah."
"Cool. Hop in, choom. Just scan your SID, tab's on the backrest."
I slid in and the reinforced door thunked shut behind me. The ride was cleaner than most but it still reeked of antiseptic and plastfoam.
At least there weren't bloodstains like a few reviews online made out there'd be. I would've gone for a Delamain, but I can't quite make myself pay that much for a cab ride.
I tapped my phone against the scanner tab and watched the green check flicker across the screen.
"All set," he said, pulling the cab into motion with a low electric hum.
We were only a few blocks in when he glanced at me through the rearview. "So… Lizzie's, huh?"
"Yeah." I replied non-committally.
He let out a knowing sort of grunt. "Place used to be better, back in the day. These days it's all BDs. No real touch, y'know?" He smirked at me like he expected a laugh. "Not my thing. Can't replace the real deal, no matter how tight the braindance fidelity."
I gave a noncommittal hum, eyes drifting to the window. I didn't say anything else.
"Guess to each their own, huh?" he said after a beat. "You go there for biz, or you just a fan of the -"
I pulled out my phone and thumbed it open, letting the screen cast a faint blue glow across my face. I did not want to engage him any more than necessary.
The cabbie took the hint.
We rode in silence after that.
Just as we approached the Yaiba building near Lizzie's, a familiar pressure built in the back of my head. A galaxy of stars swirled in my mind's eye.
A cluster of stars revolved around to my soul, and a single star pulsed.
It pulsed once, twice … and faded into silence.
The galaxy receded and I breathed out a disappointed sigh.
I really needed to figure out how the forge works exactly. Is it all just a whim on which the eldritch god decides on how, when and where to give me new gifts? Or is there some other elaborate mechanism behind it?
I guess… once I have a little free time, I can try and figure that mystery out too.
For now, I have a deal to finalize, a meeting to not thoroughly fuck up.
∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞
(A/N)
Sooo many character interactions!
I am slowly peeling the layers of Cyberpsychosis for Zain. There's a lot of ways to treat the thing, especially with magic potions in play. But I believe having a good, thorough understanding of the problem before jumping in with solutions would be ideal for such a problem.
Zain had 0 points at the start of the chapter, earned 350 by time of roll. Tried to roll a 900 point perk, and closed with 350.