Quick a/note: Only a bit of cyberpunk game spoilers in this story, the rest was made up by me ;). Content advisory for this story: Mature themes. Blood, violence, swears, alcohol references, there might be sexual content, some 18+ references, and some dark themes in this story. As usual please leave a comment or a vote is always appreciated, anyways enjoy!

*CRACK!*

I set my nose back to it's natural place, "Ow!" I hollered, my eyes watered at the obvious actions.

"I told you to take the shot of anaesthesia before you set your nose back in. I guess we learn by our mistakes, Ronin." My icy coloured eyes travelled to the bartender. My jaw tightly clenched.

"It wasn't a mistake, some guy tried to mug me. But I handled it." I shifted onto a bar stool at the Coyote Bar. A local one that I'd usually hang out at. 

The bartender was a decent height, he had a half grown beard, short, dark hair, and a black and gold vest on. He was a darker skinned male, humorous and usually needed help running his bar. But he was a respected man. 

"Who? A local guy?" The Pep'e questioned in a casual voice.

"You really think some local'd tried to rob me, Pep'e?" I questioned. I raised an eyebrow knowing that I barely knew many people around Night City.

He leaned onto the counter and let out a deep sigh, "Listen Ronin. I have a problem. Serious this time." I could hear the worry that he was trying to conceal.

"C'mon spit it - what is it?" I questioned, trying to speed up a backstory and the whole story. I only needed to know a couple things. One, what's the problem and how I should fix it?

"It's, uh, Kirk. I owe 'im. If I don't pay 'im by tomorrow, said he'd bust my legs. An' he don't joke about those kinda things. He's got Cartels in his corner." He said in his usual spanish voice. My stomach twisted when I heard the name of Kirk. Damn, he doesn't know what he's getting into!

"You in it with Kirk?! Every man, woman, and rat in Heywood knows he's a fuck'n shark." I exclaimed, this was getting serious. And he knew I'll be able to bail him out of this. 

"I know. My bro jumped the joint, deserved a hero's welcome. . . I know I fucked up, Ronin." He said with guilt trailing through his voice. I sighed deeply.

"You ever gonna get wise, Pep'e? At least tell me your Brother is doin' alright?" I questioned with some empathy for his situation.

"Ah, doing his thing, you know. So, you going to help?" He questioned, jumping right to business, I could tell he was paranoid. The small layer of sweat on his face and neck was saying otherwise.

"I'll talk to Captain Kirk~. But you owe me one." I joked, agreeing with Pep'e. He chuckled at the joke.

"I didn't think kid's like you would remember Star Trek." Pep'e suggested.

"I've seen half of the shows, too bad future generations probably won't get to see it. I'm twenty-four, and love that kinda stuff." I replied, hopping off of the bar-stool. Trying not to bump into the one lady next to me.

"He's on the second floor, above the counter. And you really save'n my life here, Ronin." Pep'e praised me. He returned to take orders from customers. I walked over to the glass staircase next to the other end of the counter.

I took a right up the next flight of stairs. I passed a Watron and saw a man with a purple and gold jacket. He had dark brown hair, shaved to the sides in the style of an undercut and cool shades on. He kept his gaze towards a magazine. And kept a lit cigar in his right hand. The blue smoke slowly drizzled while he kept his gaze to the magazine.

The Coyote always had a natural style to it, it had vandalised walls with cool designs, red and purple lighting, excellent drinks, but no entertainment.

"Hey, Kirk. Wanna talk?" I questioned.

His cold gaze slowly shifted over to me, he leaned back in the booth.

"Sure, Ronin. Been a while, huh. Whatcha need?" He questioned. I sat down across from him. Awkwardly overweight man sat next to me, while he stuffed his face with a burger. I furrowed my brows at the space he gave me... He was too close for comfort.

"Pep'e asked me to talk you up on something." I said simply.

"What, he to shy too hand over eddies himself? Ah, tell him I don't bite...Not yet." He let out a deep sigh and rolled his eyes.

I huffed at the rudely and disgusting loud chewing that came from the man next to me. He was probably the most disgusting body guard I've seen.

A growl escaped my throat as my gaze locked eyes with Fat Joe next to me.

He placed his gun down on the table, making it seem like he was threatening me if I said anything stupid.

"Hell's your problem?" I questioned him. He just gave me a cold stare and went back to eating.

I turned my gaze back to Kirk, "Alright what does Pep'e owe you?" I questioned getting back to the topic instead of getting side tracked on the dude next to me.

Kirk kept his gaze to the magazine, he didn't care to give eye contact, "Afraid that's client confidentiality. Call it a lot and leave it at that." Kirk suggested, taking a drag of his cigar.

"A credshark with business ethics. Sounds too good to be true." I said sarcastically, his gaze lifted from the magazine and over to me. Gotch' ya, now you'll pay attention.

"Well Merry fuck'n Christmas." He snapped.

"Cut him some slack will ya? He'll pay- just give him some more time." I suggested, hoping he would agree. Though it doesn't look like he's the negotiating type.

He rudely took a drag of his cigar and blew the smoke into my face, "Do I look like a fuck'n priest to you who donates to charities?" He questioned with a vile tone.

I coughed in the process at the blue and grey smoke.

"Look, you borrow eddies, you must pay 'em back- with interest. It's common fuck'n knowledge. You suggest'n me to let a rat like him, who cannot keep a deal off the hook?" He suggested, quieting his tone down a bit to not cause attention. Clearly people were starting to listen in on this.

"No, you'll let 'em off because I'm the one ask'n." He chuckled at my reply. My blood started to boil, my stomach started to twist. The one hand that was set on my lap started to curl into a tight fist. My nails dug into the skin.

"Hah, you know me - I'm a man of biz. So, I'll need to know what I'm getting out of this, Ronin." He replied. Things never came cheap, I wasn't going to take the deal if he was thinking dirty.

"You know what, Kirk? I sometimes get the impression you forget that you're not from these parts. Pop into Heywood for the occasional visit, sure, you live far away, in Pacifica-"

"What are you gett'n at?" He interrupted me. I guess now he was open for listening, instead of keeping his attention to the moving graphic on the magazine.

"Gett'n at? You should probably think before start'n something you cannot finish, especially with a local son." I whispered to Kirk. 

He was quiet for a moment before speaking, "Hm... I'm open for other options." He smiled, then placed down his magazine and pushed it over to me.

The magazine showed a sports car. 

"One Rayfeild regional director. Two- Mayor Ryne. Three- a rental service."

"Uh huh, and four?" I questioned.

"Number four, belongs to one of my clients. Just as soon as you klep it for me." He replied. My gaze travelled from the magazine to him, then back to the magazine.

"I do this and his debt is squared?" I questioned him, I was on to him. I wanted to make sure this wasn't a she said, he said situation in the end!

"Of course, darling. I'm a man of my word, you know that." He said in an encouraging and enthusiastic voice.

"Whole thing's simple. You swipe the Rayfeild for me? *Tosses the cigar the opposite way* I clear Pep'e's account. I'll even give you something a bit extra since I'm such a nice guy." He complimented himself. 

"My man Rick works at a parking structure by Embers, club where our Reyfeild driver likes to kick it. There every Friday night like clockwork. Soon as you appear, security cams will shut down- gates up. Just got to grab the Rayfeild, roll out, simple." He explained.

I sighed, this was extremely risky. But I'd rather have Pep'e's legs still intact than him or his Brother getting shot.

"Who's the owner?" I questioned, I wanted to be sure that I'm not getting into something that I cannot get out of. This could be someone powerful I'm stealing from.

"Just an Arosaka suit from across the water. Spews cash out of his own body." He explained, believing it was the end of the conversation.

"And his name?" I questioned knowing he half answered my question.

"How would I know? Why would I care? It's a hot item, and I know where to find it." I admitted, crossing inter-winding his hands together onto the table.

"Your plan sounds shaky as fuck." I admitted. 

His jaw clenched, "How so?" He questioned, testing me like I was the bad guy.

"Sounds like you're look'n for a sucker-"

"This ain't no set up, Ronin. Heard you got a good head, maybe we can work something out, just the two of us and earn some eddies." He snapped once again. 

I huffed before speaking. There was something sketchy about this operations. Why would this guy that Kirk was talking about, just turn off the camera's for me to steal someone's vehicle?

"How am I supposed to do this? Expect me to slide under the chassis on a skateboard for a quick hotwire? Fast an' easy? Kirk, Wheels like this have security systems. Good ones." I tried reasoning with him.

He placed down a device that was shaped as a remote. 

"This bitty bop works like the key to the Reyfeild techs for repairs. Opens locks, bypass identity authorisation" He explained in great detail, he slid the key across the table.

"A skeleton key for all Reyfeilds in the city. Agh, c'mon Kirk, you don't even buy those." I chuckled at the thought.

"Kabuki's tech wizards sell more magical shit than this under the counter. Have a little faith." He suggested to me.

"So, we all agreed then?" He questioned getting down to the deal as fast as he could.

"Best keep your word." I taunted him, I took the key. The heavier guy moved so I could finally get down to business.

"Eeeaasy Ronin. Job's gonna pod your wallet too, y'know. Head to Embers, Rick's in the garage. He'll be wait'n for yo. You two will hit it off." He explained, I turned a heel and walked down the staircase. Keeping less focus on the stares I was receiving from the men playing pool.

I adjusted a piece of hair out of my face and back to my blue undercut.

Constant rap music played on a countless soundtrack throughout the room. I took the exit into the back alley. Garbage was piled on each of the sides. while I walked past the moist concrete. The sky was already dark, I arrived at the Coyote at close to sunset. I buried my hands into my pockets feeling the cold nip at my fingertips. I exhaled deeply seeing a cloud of my own breath. 

I took a turn and saw a parked vehicle. Two men stopped their conversation and looked at me.

"Well who do we have here? Ronin, good to see you again." The old man greeted me with a simple deep voice.

"Good to see you as well Podre." I replied.

"Didn't know you were still around..." He admitted. The other man that was built closed the trunk of his vehicle.

"Got back from Alanta a few weeks ago." I answered with a smile.

"I see you got a good down-home welcome. How was it in east-block?" Podre questioned. I kept quiet knowing he was referring to the dark bruise on my cheek and the small bruise on my nose. I couldn't believe that he could see that well, even how dark it was.

"Tell ya later, got somethin' on my plate to do." I avoided answering a client of mine.

"How about you fill me in on the details on the ride there. Come on, I'll give you a ride there." He offered generously. Thankfully I didn't have to take the skateboard home or the buss...

"Marcus lets go." Podre added. Podre rounded the back of the vehicle and to the left side passengers and got in. The driver that went by 'Marcus' opened the door for me. I gave him a nod as a thank you and got into the fancy vehicle.

The seats in front of us, at the bottom glowed blue and the lining on the doors glowed a vibrant blue.

"Where to?" Podre questioned.

"The Glen. Drop me off at Embers." I answered.

"Front doors?" He questioned with his thick Russian accent.

"Take the ramp, back of the bar. I'll show you where to stop at." I replied, simply trying my best not to strike suspicion.

The door closed immediately and Marcus got in on the drivers side.

"You heard her, Marcus." Podre told the driver.

The vehicle started to rattle when the driver jumped the curb and onto the road. The scenery passed by as I awkwardly gazed out the window at the passing scenery. The city's vibrant lights were flashing among different business, people passed by on the sidewalks. Thankfully the place wasn't too busy.

"Your return to Night city has been good? Busy already?" Podre questioned, breaking teh silence with small talk.

"I pick up something here and there. Nothin' major. But I get by, I appreciate the concern." I admitted.

"So, Alanta didn't turn out like you expected, huh?"

"Went there without expectations, actually. Except it would be better than here. Though it wasn't." I sighed, knowing my visit there wasn't pleasant.

The driver came to a red light and gently hit the breaks.

"Maybe it'll work out for the best..." Podre replied, giving me some piece of mind. Though Night city was more of a shit show then Alanta.

The driver made a couple of turns. But there was this loud screeching noise coming from outside the vehicle.

It sounded like hot rubber making turns.

That wasn't us...