"First stop, ripperdoc. And, chica? Easy on the gas, I just ate." Jackie begged.

"I'll try my best, my smooth driving might make you get sick anyways." I chuckled.

"Oh, was supposed to stop by Vik's anyhow. I've got a date- me and Misty." Jackie purred.

"You don't say..."

"She's sooo sweet! She really gets me." Jackie started to rant about his girl. It was so sweet that he always talked so nice about her. He deserved someone who would understand him, just like Wyatt and Ellie or Thomas and Ross.

I accelerated down the highway and took a left, while Jackie instructed me directions on where Vik was. I made another turn into a alleyway were a ton of busy Nightmontonions were increasing some busy shopping.

I saw a massive illuminate sign over a small building it read 'Misty's Esoterica' I walked passed the open door. The beads over the doorway glided along my back as I passed by. The lighting was a dim shade of purple, calming, and an excellent way to prevent headaches.

"Hey, Ronin. I heard you weren't feelin' too well." A familiar smooth voice said. She had short blond hair down to her shoulders, with dark roots. She wore a purple sweater and a casual pare of black leggings.

I gave her a nod. I rounded her reception desk. Jackie smiled sweetly, his cheeks dusted a light pink when he seen Misty. Jackie leaned an elbow against the desk.

"I'll sit tight here, Misty and I have some catchin' up to do." Jackie excused himself. I raised my eyebrows and grinned like a Madman. This was truely adorable in my opinion. I passed by through the doorway behind her desk.

I walked over to the backroom. Vik sat at a his desk, feet up comfortably on his desk. His eyes travelled over to me and smiled.

"Hey Vik, spry as ever, you old ripper, good to see you." I greeted him.

"Good to see you too, Ronin! To what do I owe this pleasure of your presence?" Vik said in a casual deep voice. He raked his hands through his slicked, black hair. And aimed his focus back to his hand. He used a screwdriver on his hand, modifying new parts probably.

"Less of a gig. I think I might of got spiked when I hacked into a passed out person's biomon." I replied. Vik flung his feet off the desk and took a translucent clipboard.

"Experiencing migrains, nausea, hypersensitivity to bright lights?" Vik questioned causally. He followed through the steps, trying to figure out what I have and if it was fixable.

"Whole kit and kaboodle." I replied.

"Alright, kid. We'll sort you out in a flash. 'Sides things, how have you been doing?" Vik questioned in concern.

"After the check up, I need some tools- not toys, Vik. Something that can bump up my sights and grip." I requested.

Vik laughed, "Really? Now? Finally?"

"Vik, shit's gettin' real. Got a job from Dexter DeShawn. Hittin' the major leagues. I need tech that can preform." I explained confidently. Vik motioned me over to the operating chair that had a massive operating light over it.

"The Dexter DeShawn? Let me guess, he hasn't payed you yet?" Vik guessed.

"Quit cry'n Vik. I'll bring you the eddies later, with interest. You know I will." I suggested. My card was stolen the time I was knocked out at Riot. I'll have to cancel and get a new one later. Truly it was a bummer.

"Hmm..." Vik made a sound of deciding.

"Alright, last time." Vik agreed.

Vik put on a ripperdoc glove that was metal then added, "Chair please. Siddown, relax." Vik ordered.

I slid into the blue operating chair. Vik rolled up to my side on his char. He took a case out from the floor, shaped as a cylinder. cold nitrogen fogged off of it as he removed a chip from the inside.

"Cyberware of its finest. For environment scanning, is first." Vik suggested.

"Kiroshi? Whoaa! Nothing tops that on the market." I stated in an excited voice.

"Blue or brown lenses?" He questioned, allowing me to choose what colour of lense.

"Blue, as usual." I replied, shifting more into the seat making sure I am comfortable.

"Hm, sounds like you and it could come in handy." Vik replied, then shined a light in my eyes, checking things before the procedure.

"Gave you my word I'd pay you back. But this may be way too expensive and rich for my street blood." I joked. I knew this shit- stuff was extremely expensive and I was curious how a Ripperdoc like Vik got his hands on such a sweet snag?

"We'll work something out, Ronin. I just want to make sure you'll get back onto your feet. Since I'm a Ripperdoc, I've installed a firewall. I need your cord from your wrist, so I can see what's going on inside your head." Vik said kindly, adjusting his sunglasses.

"Much appreciated, Vik. This shit I caught has been slowin' me down." I noted to him what was happening.

"That sounds strange, alright lean back. I am giving you access to my lenses to see what is going on." Vik instructed me. I leaned my head against the cold leather.

Vik logged into his computer and plugged my wrist cord into his computer. A blinding flash sparked my vision. On Vik's computer screen it showed ebony, and sparks of blue. But when he began to load further into my biomon his expression changed.

He furrowed his brows. The screen showed red sludgy mist. It attacked my blood stream and was trying to combined with specific proteins in the white blood cells. The mist suddenly ignited almost like a flame and it made the screen of the computer crack.

Thanks to Vik's firewall, he managed to log out as soon as he could.

"That's not good." He whispered.

He unplugged my cord from his computer.

I fluttered my eyes open to see Vik's fearful expression. My stomach twisted and my heart started to beat relentlessly. Vik's shoulders were tense.

"I don't know how to say this to you, Ronin."

"Please tell me you can get rid of the red sludgy shit." I pleaded, I was afraid what he was going to say. Vik stayed decently silent for a long time.

He inhaled deeply, "I am afraid to say this, Ronin. But..."

"Then say it." I snapped.

"I am afraid I cannot remove this. I don't have the equipment, and all of the equipment is sold by Arosaka-"

"W-what?! I-I can get you the equipment, just tell me what I have!" I panicked. Vik placed his hand over mine and bit his lip.

"I'm so sorry kid." Vik replied, I could here the pain in his voice. That made me even more afraid.

"Vik."

"Three years ago, Arosaka managed to manufactor a virus so powerful it kills you instantly. He had a list of men and women in Night city he wanted to remove. This year an Arosaka lab rat managed to escape, with the virus-"

"Breanne..." I mumbled.

"What?" Vik questioned in confusion.

"Jackie and I went to investigate what the Scavs were up to. We managed to find two dead, one alive. I hacked into Breanne's biomon and I collapsed after two minutes. I saw red. Nothing but red for two fuck'n minutes." I mumbled the last part quietly.

"So you managed to contract it... I don't know how to tell you this, Ronin. But I cannot help you, the Lotus Virus has already attacked many of your-"

"Don't say that, Vik. Please don't give up. I'll get you the equipment!" I felt tears welled up in my eyes. I felt my chest tighten, my breathing became shallow. It felt like I was in a pit, the pit was dark and the walls I cannot scale. No one tossed down a rope, the floor began to sink further to the pit of my stomach. I felt a tear escape my eye, I bit my lip trying to remove the pain.

"I'm sorry Ronin. I really am. You don't have long, so make the best of it." Vik whispered, he gently gave my hand a squeeze.

"Fuck'n hell." I mumbled. My heart started to race even more. I inhaled deeply and wiped up the tears that soaked my cheeks.

"How long? How long will it take?"

"Eight months, Ronin. All I can do for now is install the Kiroshi, if you still want that?" He questioned trying to comfort me from a further panic attack.

"Vik, if you cannot help me, that's alright I understand. I'm going to make Arosaka choke if he doesn't remove this fuck'n parasite!" I yelled, my nails dug into the worn out leather. I could feel a fire rise up from my veins.

"Do what you have to, Ronin. I never expect you to give up." Vik replied with a guilty expression.

"Alright let's do this. I need to be in a proper condition if I'm going to pay Arosaka a visit."

This was going to be the end of the Arosaka legacy if he thinks he can rob this city blind and give anyone the virus. I'll find my way to the end. My name will carry ruin under the trembling Corpo's.

My name will carry vengeance for the ones he has hurt. Even though my name is Ronin, I'm no one. No one is callin'. The sorrows and darkness will carry on through the blood that leaks on the streets and stains the endless cracks of the world. Until I find a way, that's all I can rely on.