Cyberpunk: Angel of Chrome

POV: Maiko – 2:00 AM

Maiko knocked once before stepping into the penthouse. "Hiromi-sama, we retrieved some—"

Her voice faltered. Three corpses lay sprawled across the blood-slick floor. Hiromi stood in the center, calm, unbothered, brushing specks of blood from his suit.

"I see," he said dryly. "From all the cannon fodder I sent, we managed to retrieve…?"

"A BD recorder, sir," Maiko answered, forcing her eyes away from the carnage.

"Oh? At least I can see how the fools died. Convincing people for that job cost me a fortune."

Maiko shifted uncomfortably as he slotted the BD shard.

"Did you preview it?"

"I wouldn't dare."

"Clean this up," Hiromi said, waving a dismissive hand. "Let's see if they died entertainingly."

The footage shifted—inside the truck, laughter and tension mixed as mercs got ready. Tiger Claws, Scavs, and Wraiths, all crammed in. The leader, Takayuki, looked pale.

"You alright?" someone asked.

"Just a cold," he replied with a forced grin.

Then—boom. The truck flipped. Chrome and meat slammed around. Most scrambled out to support the escort—only to walk into hell.

A brute with a machine gun turned the world red. A sniper clipped riders before they screamed. Takayuki was frozen mid-step—hacked.

His head popped like a melon.

Hiromi watched in silence. "Mmm. That one's good. Maybe I'll send his family a bonus. Good expressions always sell."

He paused the footage. "Wait… hacked before death? Interesting. Maybe that merc crew—Chrome Angels?—aren't just flash. Maybe it's time to send them a peace offering. No need to make enemies of a squad that wipes platoons with three people."

"Maiko," he called.

"Yes, sir?"

"Leave the bodies. Call a fixer. Get me V's number. Hasagawa's debt is paid in full."

Maiko bowed and left.

POV: Hasagawa – 2:00 AM

Everything was wrecked. Furniture shattered, screens broken. Hasagawa lay on the floor, bloodied and coughing.

Fukui stood over him. "I warned you."

Two bodyguards and two Arasaka ninjas flanked her. She held no weapon—until the mantis blades sprang from her arms.

"You thought I was weak because of Hanako-sama's protection. But she wasn't shielding you from me." Her voice turned cold. "She was shielding me from you."

"I didn't know," Hasagawa gasped.

"You misused your influence. And you paid the price."

With one swift slash, his head rolled. Fukui crushed it beneath her heel.

"Burn the building. No evidence," she commanded.

The ninjas nodded, already planting thermite charges.

Fukui pulled up her HUD and opened a call. "Michiko."

"Yes?"

"Please give my regards to Hanako-sama."

"I will. You should call her sometime. She still asks about you."

"I'd prefer not to, Michiko-sama."

"You've held off long enough. Maybe now that the cleanup has begun, you should come back. The board needs stronger voices again—and you know Hanako would support it."

Fukui exhaled softly. "I'll… consider it."

"You're still hesitant."

"Justice was never served. The one responsible for my husband's death walks free—protected, powerful, untouchable. I can't sit at that table like nothing happened."

"I understand," Michiko said after a pause. "But don't let ghosts rob you of the influence you still carry."

"I'll think on it."

"We'll talk soon."

After ending the call, Fukui messaged V:

Hasagawa had a terrible accident. Suicided by shooting himself in the head. Three times. So tragic.

V's reply came fast:

Damn. Must've been descended from a headless horseman. That takes skill.

As Fukui left the estate, the house behind her erupted in fire.

POV: David – 2:30 AM

David walked through the doors of Afterlife, staring at the bar's gleam.

He'd received Lucy's invite—but something felt off. Mercs whispered, all eyes on one booth.

"V took out a fixer?"

"He dropped a head on Rogue's bar."

David clenched his jaw. Another Maine. Another legend rising.

I need to build my own crew.

He stepped toward the bar first, where Claire was wiping down a stack of clean glasses.

"Claire," David said casually, leaning in. "Got anything on this V guy?"

Claire raised an eyebrow. "Only that he made Rogue laugh—and dropped a fixer's head on her counter. Not many get away with that stunt and leave with their head still attached."

David blinked. "Seriously?"

She nodded. "And he's got Delamain contracts, Sebastian Ibarra blessing, Muamar calling him brother. That kind of heat in under a week?" She whistled low. "Guy's fire."

David offered a tight smile, masking the slow-burning jealousy gnawing at his gut. He wasn't mad at V—he admired the guy—but watching someone rocket to legend status while you were still climbing? That stung.

I need to build my own crew.

He stepped toward VIP Booth 23.

POV: V – Afterlife Booth

After sending his sarcastic reply to Fukui, V leaned back, smirking.

Rebecca eyed him. "What's with the grin?"

"The guy behind the attack? Toast. Only Hiromi left."

Kiwi leaned in like a cat. "Gonna kill him?"

"Nah. I'll bleed his wallet dry first. No one hits mercs without feedback."

"Mmm. Good for morale," Kiwi replied.

The moment David neared, Lucy spotted him and bolted up from her seat. She wrapped him in a sudden, tight hug, surprising him.

"You're late," she teased, pulling back with a grin.

David chuckled. "Didn't know this was a race."

They settled into conversation—voices low, warm, a moment of familiarity in the storm of rising legends and blood-soaked news. Panam and Jackie swapped gig stories. Falco sulked about flying cars. Sasha lifted her white prosthetic hand and clinked her glass.

Rebecca raised hers. "To my brother. May his recovery be fast."

Then a message popped:

Wakako Okada: Mr. Vincent. Open invitation. My shop. Anytime.

V: Of course, Okada-san. (She's not older than Fukui, but she feels ancient. It's all about the vibe.)

Sebastian Ibarra: You cleaned up the streets, hermano. Faraday was a problem. Consider yourself a friend of Heywood.

Muamar Reyes: You've been in Night City for what, a week? Already making waves. I'll keep you posted if something spicy comes my way.

Regina Jones: How'd you slip past my radar, V? Welcome to Night City. Better late than never. Come see me—I've got work.

V replied to all with a grin.

David came closer. Rebecca scooted over to make space but shot him a sharp look—clearly not thrilled about giving up her seat near V. Lucy stayed close to David, arms crossed, looking equally tense.

V nodded. "Please, sit. You're part of the team."

David exhaled. "Yeah... about that. I'll be honest. Thanks for saving my ass—and Lucy's—but I want to build my own team. Become someone like Morgan Blackhand."

Jackie overheard and barked a laugh. "Then you're already in the best crew, cabrón."

David smiled faintly. "Maybe. But I want to make something from scratch. My way. Be the next Blackhand. Or... even Adam Smasher."

V's expression softened. "David, anyone in my crew is free to leave. I'm not a tyrant. Being happy matters more. If you want to carve your own path, I'll respect that."

"Don't worry. I'll get my arms fixed myself. Got a ripperdoc in mind."

"Don't be stupid," V said. "At least let Vic handle it."

"I want someone I trust, alright? But... I'll consider Vic. Okay?"

V turned to Lucy. "You going with him?"

Lucy frowned. "I think he's being an idiot—and letting ego cloud his logic."

"Hey," David said.

"But," Lucy added, "he's my idiot. My boyfriend. That said... we picked the name Angel of Chrome together. I want to stay listed as an outer member. When David gets his group sorted, I'll come back."

V nodded. "Fair deal."

He pinged Spiketooth. "Package number 2224. Send to Delamain."

Rebecca looked a bit down, clearly disappointed Lucy wouldn't be around as much. Kiwi stayed indifferent.

"Alright, I'm heading out," David said, rising.

"Wait ten minutes. Delamain's inbound," V offered.

"No need. I already arranged a cube with arms inside."

Lucy looked sad but didn't argue. Most of the others hadn't heard the exchange—only Jackie, Kiwi, and Rebecca were close enough.

Jackie tried to talk him down again, but David's mind was set. Even though he knew V's ripper work was next-level, his pride wasn't ready to admit it.

"C'mon," V said. "Don't be down. Free will's important, yeah? If it doesn't work out, and you don't lose your way—I'll always welcome you back."

David managed a smile. "Thanks. I'll hold you to that."

"Now drink something."

Lucy took the offer seriously—more to forget than to enjoy. The mood, despite the bittersweet departure, stayed warm.

V leaned back, watching David leave. Kids these days...

Whatever tomorrow brought… it could wait. For now, this was enough.

Yeah… this was enough. For now.

Not long after, Judy and Emilia arrived.

"Sorry for being late," Judy said. "Work at Afterglow ran long."

"Hello!" Emilia chimed, already waving for drinks.

Judy slid next to V. "Hey, V—did you ever call Irina?"

"Who?"

Kiwi and Rebecca both stared at him.

"Irina," Judy repeated. "The Mox ripper. I gave you her details last time."

"Oh—yeah, sorry. I wrote 'Mox ripper,' but forgot to jot down her name. I'll call her tomorrow."

"Great," Judy said with a relieved smile. "We really need chrome."

"Don't worry about money, Judy. I'll put it on the tab—profits will catch up eventually."

"You're an angel!" she beamed.

Emilia cut in. "Told you. You didn't believe me. Said all men think with—"

Judy clamped a hand over her mouth. "Shhh."

V chuckled. Damn, how much has she had in ten minutes?

"More booze!" Emilia shouted, already starting to dance.

Hours passed. Jackie gave V a bear hug and wandered out. Falco looked hammered.

"You good to drive?" V asked.

"Don't worry. Booze sharpens my reflexes," Falco slurred.

Judy effortlessly hoisted Emilia like a sack of rice—clearly getting used to her new chrome.

As the night wound down, Kiwi kissed V on the cheek and slipped out.

Rebecca gave him a longer hug. "I'm going to my place tonight," she said, heading out.

Sasha lingered.

"Don't worry," V told her. "I know you're still without a place. You and Panam can crash at mine."

They piled into the Warlock—Panam upfront, Sasha in back.

"Damn, your crew's wild," Sasha said. "Shame David left. Lucy seemed nice."

"She's not leaving. Just backing David for now," V said.

"Men and their egos," Panam muttered.

Back home:

"Alright, girls—use the shower. I'll hit the one in the clinic," V smiled.

Sometime before dawn, V finally slipped into his clinic's shower. By 7:00 AM, clean and finally settling down, he watched Panam doze off with a headset, TV glowing. Sasha sat nearby, flipping through chrome specs.

V grinned. Then finally, let sleep take him.