Not Quite Back to the Future

Helen found herself at the NCPD station in downtown Night City. The place had an unmistakable air of sketchiness, with its dimly lit corridors and the constant hum of activity. The sliding glass doors whooshed open as she approached, granting her access to the heart of the law enforcement hub.

Walking up to the front desk, Helen announced her presence to the officer behind it. "Helen Wick here to meet Detective Ward."

The officer glanced up from his terminal, eyeing her for a moment before nodding. "Take the elevator to the fifth floor, room 517. He's expecting you."

Helen gave a curt nod of thanks and made her way to the elevator. As the doors closed behind her, she couldn't help but wonder what Detective Ward wanted to discuss this time. Their encounter had been nothing if not eventful, and the mystery surrounding her no doubt infuriated him. Although deep down which detective didn’t like a mystery?

Helen made it to room 517 and walked in it wasn’t what she was expecting. The air was thick with tension as Ward, a seasoned NCPD detective, eyed Helen with a mix of suspicion and curiosity.

"I know it was you," Ward said abruptly, his voice low and steady, as he leaned forward across the table, casting a scrutinizing gaze upon her. "You're the one who broke into Arasaka Tower, aren't you?"

Helen's eyes narrowed, her guard immediately going up. She had expected questions about the cyberpsycho encounter, not this. "I have no idea what you're talking about," she replied, her tone carefully neutral.

Ward leaned back, seemingly unshaken by her response. "We've got surveillance footage," he continued. "Your face is all over it. You and that sleek cyberdeck of yours." His face told the truth though, he was lying. He had a hunch and was trying to catch her in a lie, she had control of the security systems and nothing had caught her face.

Helen knew he was lying yet ,she had to tread carefully. She couldn't afford to reveal her true identity or involvement in any illegal activities. "I think you're mistaken, Detective," she said, feigning innocence. "I'm just a MAX-TAC operative. I don't break into places like Arasaka Tower."

Ward's expression remained unreadable, but there was a glint of determination in his eyes. "We'll see about that, MISS REAPER" he said cryptically,

“Prove it.I’ve retired detective, and I hope to stay retired. Don’t drag me back in to this mess.” Helen states

“Just you wait and see, I always get my targets.” Ward says leaning back in his chair.

Helen scoffs at the man and storms out of his office.

The Detective was playing stupid games, and he would end up winnig stupid prizes realtvily soon.

“Call Ethan.” Helen states aloud as the call rining starts.
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Helen drove away from the NCPD station, Ethan on the holo as she figured out how to lodge a complaint.

"So, what did Detective Ward want?" Ethan's holographic image asked.

Helen glanced at the hologram of Ethan briefly, her hands steady on the wheel. "Oh you know," she replied, her voice tinged with a hint of annoyance. "He's convinced I broke into Arasaka Tower.”

Ethan's holographic image raised an eyebrow. "Did you?"

Helen chuckled, the sound carrying a hint of mischief. "You know I can't answer that, Ethan. But seriously, it's like he's obsessed with me."

“Just dont get caught… I cant believe the reaper took work again.” Ethan mutters as the call ends.

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Helen awoke in the dimly lit parking garage, her self-driving car having navigated the journey home with surprising efficiency, even executing a flawless reverse park. While the throbbing headache that had plagued her earlier at the MAX-TAC HQ had subsided somewhat, it still lingered as a nagging reminder of her previous night's indulgence.

Recollections of her meeting with Detective Ward flooded back, and she couldn't help but groan in frustration. The last thing she needed was a nosy detective poking around her life and affairs.

"Damn it," she muttered under her breath, her head resting wearily on the steering wheel.

Her plan was simple: head inside, catch up on some much-needed rest, and perhaps consider dinner later. It irked her that she was expected to work tomorrow, even though she had technically completed her duties on her day off today. The bureaucratic quirks of Night City's law enforcement never ceased to annoy her.

Helen trudged wearily to the elevator, leaving her gear behind in the car. Her steps were sluggish, and she couldn't wait to collapse onto her bed.

As she entered the elevator and pressed the button for her floor, she longed for the blissful escape of sleep. However, the elevator's chime cut through her fatigue, and the doors slid open to reveal her penthouse.

"Welcome home!" Nyx, her favorite cat, greeted her enthusiastically from the couch. His vibrant blue fur was an inviting sight for the exhausted Helen, offering the promise of comfort and companionship. Despite her weariness, a faint smile tugged at the corners of her lips as she considered the idea of snuggling up with her feline friend.

“Im home.”