A/note: Mi madre means 'my mother.' Hijole means son of a-. Segundo means second.

I took a inhale of the inhaler that was provided to me by Viktor, earlier. My head was fuzzy at first. I met Jackie up at All Foods, an abandoned factory outside of Night City, next to the docks, and ports. I turned off the Quadra and saw Jackie hunched on his motor bike patiently waiting.

"Ah, there you are." Jackie says with a relaxed voice.

"Lemme hear what you squared away?" Jackie added.

"You've been waiting long?" I questioned in concern.

"Mi madre always said 'patience pays off.'" Jackie replied with a sweet smile. I knew he had a soft spot for his mom, besides Misty.

"T-bug show any sign of life? You two talk?" I questioned, knowing the circumstances in Night City, she hasn't called, sent me a text, or anything.

"She's up-to-date, tired of working with Dex. Preparin' already." Jackie replied. There wasn't a doubt T-bug didn't want to work with Dexter anymore. Not to mention she's a very impatient girl.

"Understandable." 

"They're familiar, y'know. Worked together before Dex had his big break." Jackie piped up.

I crossed my arms, "So, Dex already payed the Malestromers for the corpo bot. Thing is, I'm not sure if the gangoons are willin' to hand it over and cooperate." I explained to Jackie.

"Wait! He payed up front?! Hijole..." Jackie exclaimed in shock. 

He sighs and hops off of his motorbike, "Well, whatever, lets go get this tech. You scheme yet? You got a plan?" Jackie questioned in concern. I pushed a piece of hair back out of my face.

"Millitech and me found some common ground. They're footin' the bill for the bot." I answered, with confidence. I knew this wasn't going to be an easy negotiation.

"That's a lot of scratch to toss away." Jackie sung in a tune. 

"Forget it, Jack. It'll be like we never had it in the first place. Anyways, who knows which way this deal is gonna shake." I answered Jackie, with a sigh. 

"So, into the borgbeast's den?" Jackie questioned. By the looks on his face, he wanted to get this over and done with.

I gave him a nod, "Lets go see these bastards."

"Go knock on their door, see if they even open up." Jackie suggested. We both made a quick pace over to the abandoned factory. Approaching a long, dark, and narrow alleyway.

I approached a massive shutter door, with a panel on the side.

Jackie snarled, "I hate these borg fuckers. Just had to be them."

"Just a gang like any other, right?" I comforted Jackie.

"Take the Valentino's. They follow God and the Santa Madre. Honour means something to 'em. They know what they want, how they get it, what pisses them 'em the fuck off. But with Maestrom you never know. Go on, let 'em know we're here." Jackie explains. He had a good point we had no knowledge of their turf nor how they deal.

I pressed the square on the panel.

The channel went crackly, "Don't know you." a raspy voice replied from the other side of the door.

I sighed with frustration, "Just open the fuck'n door." I said with impatient.

"Yeah? You make a fuck'n appointment? 'Cause I don't see anything in my books." the raspy voice replied. 

I rolled my eyes, "You don't even know my name, dip-shit, so you're talkin' with your head up your ass. I wanna talk to Royce, Dex sent us." I replied with an annoyed tone.

The man sighs on the other line, "Main room, we've been waiting." the man answered.

The shutters rolled up and two turret bots pointed a orange laser at us. Jackie's eyes turned gold, he was hacking into the turrets to turn them of in case this doesn't go well. The factory hall was dark, and shadowed. We made a couple of turns to the open factory area.

"Place seems cozy. Could use a few plants, though." Jackie suggests.

"Oh ya, they look very damn...prepared." Jackie says with sarcasm.

"Don't think I've seen security like this in a chow factory." I piped up remembering the fully loaded turrets at the front door.

"Ehh, gear from the jacked convoy, gotta be... They must of been all over that convoy like maggots on dead meat." Jackie recalled. Knowing there probably wasn't just an empty truck with one case being escorted to Arosaka.

"That's Militech alright" I replied to Jackie. With heavy footsetps from Jackie, I followed him up the stairs. 

"Psyco borgs chromed out with tech worth millions... This should be fun." Jackie whispered the last part. For a moment there I remembered what happen back there with Meredrith. Why didn't I call Jackie in the first place? Wait... I remember, she asked to meet under the overpass next to the sunk valley. We arrived at the open factory area, that was abandoned, and dismembered.

"Get in the elevator, fuck'n sheep." A faint voice ordered from the intercoms.

My hand reached to my gun, and I sharply inhaled. I became a bit skits after the man said that, gave me a feeling that we weren't going to get out of here...alive.

Jackie placed an arm around my back, "Hey, it's okay, they're just tryin' to spook us." Jackie reassured me.

My anxiety dissapeared in seconds with the reassurance. It was helpful knowing we both were here to deal with these guys. Jackie walked ahead of me into the elevator. I followed him. The doors slowly shut and the pulleys sparked as it ascended.

"Stay chilled, Ronin. Remember, we're on their turf." Jackie reminded me. My stomach twisted in response. I gave him a simple nod.

I inhaled deeply, and remembered to breathe. The doors shifted open from behind me.

"So, whaddaya want?" A man asked, the same one with the raspy voice. He held a tight grip on his gun, wore a military vest, and cargo pants. He was coated with tattoo's and had a creepy red cyber-part on his forehead.

Metal parts were sticking out of his skin, while a small piece held his hair back, briefly.

"Didn't expect a pretty face to show, and the brute-"

Jackie growled, and I answered "Lets cut to the chase. I'm here to see Royce, we have biz to transact." I crossed my arms, and cut him off.

"Mr. Royce is busy right now, so you're dealing with me." The man snapped.

"You've got a bot - model MT0D12, called the: Flathead." I replied to the man.

"And? What do you care?" He snarled, disappointed that I didn't go on with his flirt game, the guy was ugly as fuck.

"The Guy I'm representing has paid Brick for it. I'm just here for the pick up. I can talk directly to Royce, if necessary. I'll cut the conversation short if I must." I shot back, calmly.

"Nah, you talk to me, sweetheart. The names Dum-Dum." I completly lost it when he said his gang name. A bubbly feeling rose from my stomach and my chest tightened.

"You think this is funny?" He questioned with a cold, raspy voice.

"With all do respect. I can't imagine going out on a date with a guy name 'Dum-Dum'. How would I explain that to Jackie over here?" I laughed.

"None taken. Now, couch. Plant it." Dum-Dum  barked, pointing over to the gratified, red leather sofas. Something you'd see in a classy bar, but of course these were stolen.

I sat down on the leather couch as instructed. Jackie stood next to the arm, I leaned against.

"Ah, now sit. That goes for you too." Dum- Dum said darkly.

Jackie crossed his arms, "I'll stand." Jackie refused.

"This so fuck'n hard?! Fuck'n ass on the fuck'n couch!" Dum-Dum yelled in furry. Jackie stepped in Dum-Dum's space, he was a lot taller then Dum-Dum, even though Dum-Dum was my height.

Dum-Dum stood up straight trying to look taller, buffing out his chest in the process.

"Make me." Jackie shot back.

"Thought you never asked. Sit your ass down, before I plant a bullet in your skull." Dum-Dum threatened Jackie.

"I don't like this guy's tone, treating my best gal like shit, so soon?" Jackie says protectively, remembering the flirting at the elevator, must of pissed him off.

"Jackie-"

"Segundo, sitting on your ass make's you an easy target." Jackie snapped.

"Last chance." Dum-Dum threatened. My heart started to pick up the pace. I quickly stood up and patted Jackie on the shoulder, "Jack, please, sit down." I whispered.

Jackie sighed, deeply frustrated at Dum-Dum.

"Good girl, call off the beast-"

"Disrespect Jackie or I again? And I'll paint the walls a new colour with your blood." I growled, annoyed at the fact he pissed off Jackie and I.

Dum-Dum laughed, "That makes me like you even more, princess." Dum-Dum chuckled.

I felt my blood boil, my jaw tightly, locked.

"Well shit, this ain't going to go well..." Jackie grumbled under his breath.

"Well, alright then." Dum-Dum commented, he approached the two of us and sat down on the corner of the stacked, wooden, pallets, used as a table. He held an inhaler that was purple and it smoked.

"Come on, lighten up." He reached for my jaw and I immediately caught his hand.

"I don't know you, so don't fuck'n touch me." I tossed his hand back.

"Take a hit of this then." He replied, holding out the inhaler.

"Whatcha smokin'?" I questioned, knowing it was some type of drug.

Dum-Dum took a deep inhale of the inhaler, then replied, "S-keef, pure as baby powder." Dum-Dum answered.

"Black Lace? Tough to get your hands on. Gotta have a good source." I said, pretending to relate to Dum-Dum so he can cooperate. At first when Jackie and Dum-Dum started something, I was worried this wouldn't go well as planned. So, I had to change this around.

Jackie noticed where I was going with this and followed along, "What does it do?" he questioned in curiosity.

"Ups 'dorphs and adrenaline to the point where you feel no pain. Trip's so intense it verges onto psychosis. Corps fed it to their fighting legions during the Corp wars." I finished. Dum-Dum nodded his head relentlessly. He knew that I knew what I was talking about. I grew up on the streets after I dropped out of school, with parents forcing me without a choice.

"Cyberpsychos pop the tabs like candy. Vaporizing it mellows it to burn without killing any of the effects. Come on! Give it a whirl!" Dum-Dum pressures me to taking the drug.

"Thank you, but I'll pass." I declined his offer. I didn't trust Maestrom nor Militech. Militech has already set up Anthony to get him out of the business. But Maestrom might rip me off if I follow Militech's orders. I didn't need enemies. They could easily kill me in Jackie in seconds.
I needed them on my side, I needed them to be on my side in the future. I could care less for Militech and what they did to both me and Anthony.

"All right then. Now we can talk." Dum-Dum recalled. A man with similar features as Dum-Dum walked in holding a large, black, case. He rounded the table and placed it next to Dum-Dum.

"Here we go. Flathead model MT0D12." Dum-Dum said with pride, cooperating with our business as things should be.

"Millitech isn't going to come looking for it?" I questioned, making sure that I wouldn't get caught. Even though I made a half deal with them, I needed Maestrom as back up.

"Fuck 'em, They can hop around and try. We removed the serial number and lifted access locks by using our software. Once it's yours, it's yours." Dum-Dum reassured this was the real deal. But I wasn't buying his friendly gesture towards me, I had to be sure I wasn't walking out with an empty case.

"Open it up, lets have a look." I ordered. Dum-Dum sighed and gave me a brief nod. He popped the latches on the black case and grabbed a shard that controled the bot. The bot was shaped as a four legged bug. 

"Fuck'n tricked out, this thing. Dynamic, thermo-optic camo armor. Full cognitive immersion with a Raven controller." Dum-Dum listed. The bot started to crawl around, then turn invisible, then returned to the case. I stared at the bot for a moment, debating.

From the corner of my eye, I noticed the shutter doors, a distance behind Dum-Dum opened up. A man sat in a leather chair, he stared off at the screen of his computer and noticed the door opened up on it's own.

"So, whatcha think?" Dum-Dum questioned me with a sly grin. I ignored the man off in the distance, eavesdropping on the conversation.

"It'll have to do." I agreed with Dum-Dum. 

Dum-Dum laughed in response to my reply. He took the shard out from the back of his biomon and placed it back into the case. 

"Heh, look at that- picky little fucker. Lets see your Cred." He piped up, thinking I was going to pay double. Dex was already payed for it, I didn't need to pay twice.

"Brick got it, it's already payed up-"

Bang! Someone off to the distance punched the top of the rolled up shutters. The man came stomping, thunderously, in fury over to me. Dum-Dum noticed who this man was and jumped up frightened. My heart started to pick up when the shutter doors dropped behind the man that came stomping over to me.

"'Brick got it' heh?!" The man hollered, taking out his pistol. He waved it around at Jackie then I. Jackie put up his hands, I kept mine lowered. Even though a foot away from my face was a bullet that was ready to fly out of it's chamber. I wasn't scared of this man, he seemed intimidating, but that was his way of getting his men to do things his way.

"I don't see any fuck'n Brick the prick around here, do you?!" his voice boomed down on the room. He must be Royce, the one who took the management seat away from Brick. He sure seemed ignorant and arrogant. The man looked just like 

 "Fuck Brick, lets cut a new deal then." I growled. This guy managed to successfully crawl under my skin.

"Hah, now that's good business sense. Alright, you want the Flathead? I better see some eddies." Royce barked.

I smiled, "Seein' as you've already got the eddies for it. If you want a deal, you ought to give me a discount, a big one, for pointing an iron at my head. And if not you may have just lost your best customer." I threatened Royce. 

He furrowed his eyebrows then laughed, "A discount? Fuuuck. You know, you never said who sent you, who you're workin' for..." Royce said, taking note that he wasn't here when Dum-Dum, Jackie, and I, were talking business.

"Dexter DeShawn. That's who." I answered Royce.

"The lard ass who screwed with half of Pacifica, and nearly got killed for it?!" Royce burst into laughter along with his buddies. I exchanged a look with Jackie, he knew that look, it meant get up.

"And he ain't dead." Royce wheezed. He turned to his gang members who laughed at his jokes. I draw'd both of my pistols and pressed one under Royce's chin and the other against Dum-Dum's forehead.

Jackie pointed his other two pistols at the men with bigger guns, "Nope, he's alive, well, and kickin'. He sends his regards." Jackie said smoothly.

I grit my teeth before talking, "So, you gonna consider my offer now?" 

Royce swallowed thickly, "Mhmm...Mhmm." Royce responded with obedience.

I didn't care if his gun was pressed against my temple, I knew he was going to go my way.

"Here's the Cred-chip. Hell I'll even toss in some info as a friendly bonus. Millitech is onto you. They're close. If you don't agree, everyone is going to meet the new me, not the sweet one, like a few minutes ago. Dum-Dum remembers, don't ya?" I questioned Dum-Dum.

"Ya... A real keeper." Dum-Dum replied with sarcasm.

"Ronin, what are you doin'?"

"Wait what?!" Royce questioned in concern, when he heard that the Militech were close by.

I passed him the chip.

"The Cred-chip was spiked with a virus. I managed to wipe it clean." I assured Royce. Royce lowered his gun, motioning his men to do the exact same thing.

Royce strode over to the hacker in the corner of the room.

Without hesitation he passed the Chip over to him, "Check it." Royce demanded.

In a few moments of silence, the man gave a nod. "All is clear." the hacker replied.

"That rusty bitch, now I've got to deal with her." Royce snarled, now acknowledging that Meredrith was on to him.

"Just take the bot and get the fuck out of my factory. If this is your little trick, Ronin. I'm gonna introduce you to the meat grinder." Royce threatened in annoyance.