Neon Cogs: Interlude 3-2 (Patreon)

Office Gossips 2: Company Cosplay

A day in the life of an Arasaka employee was not as glamorous as one would imagine, especially when they were forced to company events in costumes of all things. While most people would sell an arm and leg, quite literally even at that, to get a chance to see Night City Expo 2076, three Arasaka office workers would find it hell.

“Oh this is bullshit Viktor!” complained a woman as she tugged at her costume’s cloak to hide her bodysuit. Wearing the costume of the Drow Ranger from the popular Arasaka Game Studio Title, Dota, the young woman was quite the eye catching for the event attendees; attention she hated. “Why am I in a horny bait costume when you two are in somewhat decent costumes! I know I’m in PR but my department could have hired someone for this!”

“Suck it up Vanessa,”  Viktor replied, his voice echoing under his dragon themed armor. Gesturing at the other man of their trio who stood silently as he was covered in foliage and made to look like a walking tree, “All of us volunteered for this cause the bossman wanted people from the office representing our departments. Hell, even Gloria and Valerie are here with us. No offense.”

Indeed, it wasn’t just the three of them that were here as they found themselves accompanied by the two mysterious beauties of the office. Valerie glared at them through her gothic lotita/ battle costume’s blindfold as she growled out, “I’m only here to keep you numbskulls from causing any trouble,” she then pulled at her scabbard revealing a very real sword underneath. “Or reveal company secrets”

Viktor raised his hands in surrender, knowing not to mess with the girl else his life would find itself a bit shorter. At Least Gloria was a good sport as she replied, “None taken?” Tugging at her own revealing costume, that of a leafy dress of one of Arasaka-DC’s more popular character Poison Ivy, “Still, I do have to agree with Vanessa over here. Do we really have to wear such revealing cosplay?”

It was then that Vincent would finally pipe up, “Compared to the other booths,” He told them as he gestured at a nearby Biotechnica cosplayer who walked back practically naked with nothing more than pasties and real bunny ears and tails to say that she’s a cosplayer rather than a whore, “I say that we’re actually wearing some really conservative stuff,”

“Look on the bright side, we get triple pay for this!” Viktor then said, as he rubbed his hands together grinning, “Bring on the money!”

All of them nodded at that. Indeed, they were being paid for their troubles and this was practically a free day despite being in costume. Who wouldn’t agree to being paid for what is essentially just standing around and looking good?  Chuckling, Viktor then whispered conspiratorially,  “Since no one is looking, how about we talk about the juiciest news in the company~?” This earned him the glares of his co-workers yet he powered on, “So, you’ve heard that the boss's childhood sweetheart is coming here to night city?”

“Oh come Viktor, really?” Vanessa hissed out before frowning as she leaned closer, “But wait, seriously?”

Viktor nodded as he divulged more details, “Yup! She’s a Korean Princess of all things.” Looking around, he then spotted a screen playing the same exact girl he was talking about. Calling on to the attention of his coworker, he pointed at the screen as he then said, “Actually, there’s a clip of her playing right now!”

Up there in the large screen in the middle of the venue was a video advertisement for Arasaka Gaming’s latest first person shoot and there holding a trophy was a brunette who commanded the attention of not only of the people in the clip but some venue attendee as well.

“Oh wow. Looks like the Firebird’s getting some competition.” Vanessa whistled as the video ended to which Viktor and Vincent nodded. It was no secret that the Firebird and their boss was in a relationship but that might be tested soon.

“Hiro isn’t exactly that kind of person…” Gloria then muttered making all three turn to her. The woman would squeak as she then found herself surrounded by the three gossiping office workers.

“I hear deets, spill!” Vanessa whispered excitedly as she grinned at her.

Gloria waved her hand, trying to weasel her way out of this, “E-eh! This is really not the best place to talk about this…” Her coworkers would remain adamant whoever as they pulled her in and closed the curtains behind them. It was about to be lunch time and it seems that they’d want to get an early one just to hear more about this rumor.

Sighing, she reluctantly replied, “But if you’re really curious, Hiro’s been talking more about missing his wife…”

“He’s married!?” All three whispers loudly, all three in various degrees of excitement and disappointment. Vicktor held out his hands to the three as he asked them, “Pay up, I said pay up.”

“Don’t tell anyone!” Gloria whispered, begging them not to do so as she looked down on the ground. “But not exactly as well? More like… official mistress?” This took the three by surprise as well. There was a relationship but it was actually official? Viktor of course was disappointed but he was still curious about this.

Vanessa whistled, barely able to hold herself as she replied, “God damn these are some juicy secrets!”

Viktor grumbled a bit as he hummed, his mind wandering while he replied, “Well, I know someone or rather a group of them that would love to hear that tiny little detail…” His musing would be cut short as he froze after finding the razor's edge of a blade up against his throat.

“Oh? Do tell.” Valeria whispered, smiling dangerously at him as he pressed her sword closer to his neck.

“W-wait, I’m not going to tell anyone about our boss’s secret and shouldn’t you be on Gloria’s ass?!” Viktor choked out while Gloria squeaked out in turn, Valeria meanwhile just snorted as she kept her hold on him.

“She knows when to keep her mouth shut and you three kept pestering her,” The woman replied, making it clear that it was their fault and it was their asses on the line. Lowering her sword for a bit, she then said,  “Still, I’m quite curious on who these people are,”

Gulping, Victor nodded as he pinched the blade up against his neck before replying, “Words on the street is that the Bolter Bitches have the hots for the boss,” Slowly he pushed down as Valeria’s face turned to that of confusion and bewilderment.

“... you’re telling me the Adepta Sororitas is a poser gang of Rebecca rather than a vigilante group?” Vanessa then spoke up as she and Valeria  looked at Vincent for confirmation. It was usually the much more serious man who can confirm the others' rumors. The normally quiet man just nodded with a pained smile to his face. The smaller girl cursed, punching Viktor in his unarmored shouted before hissing out, “God damn it. Way to ruin my image of them Viktor!”

“Well color me surprised as well,” Valeria replied as she sheathed her sword.

“They still are and we’d need them especially when the Bozo’s and fucking Maelstrom are having a meltdown,” Vincent added with a grimace. “Old gangs die, new ones spring up to take their place.” It was a reality in Night City, a terrible one they have to face.

“W-while I do think it's terrible,” Gloria then spoke up, cutting through the gloom that had descended upon the group before saying, “I still have faith in our boss. 6th Street and the Voodoo boys are on the brink,”

All of them nodded at that. Indeed, their boss had done a lot for the city. Cleaning up the city would take time and there would be resistance but two gangs were on their knees. They just need to do what they did to those two to every other hostile one.

Their discussion would be cut short as Viktors stomach grumbled. Holding his stomach and gazing at the clock which had just struck 12, he asked “Damn, where’s our lunch by the way?” shaking his head, he complained "Wasn't someone supposed to bring them here by… now…” only to trail off as he felt every hair in his body stand up. He stood frozen, unable to move as his coworkers looked through him, towards the being that now stood behind him.

Slowly, he found his nerves as he turned around and there behind him was none other than the bogey man of Arasaka, Adam Smasher in the chrome, staring back at him while the Borg held a large bag of fast food. “Do you have a problem with my punctuality meat bag?” The borg growled out, his voice shaking him to his very core.

“N-no…” He choked out, feeling a bit faint before he was brought back to reality as the larger man thrusted the bag of food to his hands.

“Here’s your meal, Five Large burgers with fries and drink,” He then said before turning towards the other for. “Who ordered a flurry?” he asked as he pulled up a large bag.

“M-me!” Gloria stuttered out, legs shaking as she wasn’t sure if she should flee or just lay down and accept her faith

“The ice cream machine was broken. I had to improvise,” the man apologized, as Gloria found herself being given an entire pint of ice cream. Shakily, Gloria checked to see if she’d find anything sticky on the tub but it was clean. “And no, I did not kill someone for something beyond their control.” He growled out, making her flinch.

“N-no problem!” Gloria shouted a bit too hastily as she held up the ice cream between her and the borg.

So terrified were they about the borg that they did not notice that said borg had opened up the curtains to their booth which allowed an attendee to come through. “Oh man! Sick Adam Smasher Costume dude!” the tourist shouted, catching the attention of the cold hearted borg. Viktor tired to mouth out the words “run” but it fell into deaf ears as the expo attendee looked up to Adam Smasher in awe. “Holy shit, did you actually borg out to look like the legend?”

The borg took one look at the petrified group before turning to the person who disturbed them. “You can say that,” The Borg replied coolly.

“Fucking sick man, props to the dedication,” The attendee compliment as they held their hands out for a high five which the borg returned. “Can I take a picture with you?” They then asked as they pulled out an old polaroid camera.

The borg snorted before nodding, “Sure.”

Leaning down, he posed behind the expo attendee and held out two peace signs for the camera. With a quick flash, the scene was immortalized; five petrified Arasaka cosplayers, one night city legend and one clueless lucky son of a bitch. “Thanks dude, I owe you a solid,” the person thanked them before skipping off, leaving the group confused.

Turning to them, Adam then said, “No one will believe you,” before they left.

“I think i need a change of pants,” Viktor whispered before he started crying with Vanessa and Vitkor comforting him at a safe distance.

Nomad Settlements

The life of a nomad is a harsh one. Out here in the badlands, only the hardiest of folks survive. It was a harsh mistress, one that Panam was all too familiar with. From the raging sandstorms whipping through its scorched landscape to fellow nomadic settlers that were all too keen on stealing and looting what they could just to survive, it was a life of constant survival.

With how bad things are in, well the Badlands, she couldn’t exactly fault Saul for thinking that working with Biotechnica was a good idea. As the leader of her clan, he had to make hard choices but was it really worth it if they would lose their freedom? There was a reason they chose to live here, to be as far away from corporate greed and interest as possible… Yet the allure of an easy life is simply too hard to resist.

She understood it, with the facts practically screaming at her face, but that doesn’t mean she’d be on board with it. This was not the way of their people. They had survived this long without their help so why should that change? Why give up what they have just for a little more comfort? It was a tough choice, a choice that would strangely be taken away from them by a strange set of circumstances and by an old enemy of all things.

With a grunt, Panam threw her net over the underground lake her people had carved up beneath the desert hills. She heaved and pulled, hauling in this season's harvest of hardy shrimp and other crustaceans along with her fellow clan mates. Laughter echoed in the underground aquifer her clan made as they enjoyed the bounty the desert. It was utterly absurd but here she was, a fisher woman in the middle of the middle of the desert.

“Come on Panam, put you back into it! Throw it like this!” Saul shouted with a cock grin as he threw his net which flew further and spread wider than the one she tossed. “An old nomad who claimed to be from across the ocean told me this was how they tossed their nets back when the waters weren’t so polluted!”

“Show off!” Panam shouted, unable to resist smiling as she shook her head and turned her boat around to unload her harvest.

If somebody told her just a few years ago that she’d be farming instead of doing mercenary work, she’d laugh at them before asking them what they were taking but this was no brain dance program nor a dream but the reality that she now lived in. All this wouldn’t have been a possibility without Arasaka’s overly generous donation.

“Here, take these to the freezers. We should have plenty to eat for ourselves,” She replied as she unloaded the cart full of fresh prawns onto shore. Wiping the sweat dripping down her face, she looked around and admired the work that they had done. To think all of this, the farm and the settlement they had made underground, started from a simple donation of a water extractor, a power plant of some sort, and algae farms kit.

“At this rate, we’ll probably have a whole underground city!” One of her clanmates replied as he loaded them up to his cart.

“Ok, let's not get ahead of ourselves here,” She replied as her hands traced the smooth walls of the cave, tracing where stones literally melted under great heat. “Just because we were making enough profit that we can expand to this, doesn’t mean we should just do the next big thing. Small baby steps alright?” she cautioned out earning her good natured jeers.

“Oh fuck of, if I didn’t make enough noise, we would have gotten a better deal!” Panam shouted back as she walked off to wash herself. Walking down the tight corridor of their underground town, she shielded her eyes as she found herself in one of the pathways overlooking the small greenhouses propped up near the entrance's desert.

Deciding to stay for a bit, she leaned on the railing as she watched the sun set, reminiscing on times before this. Everything about their underground community started from humble beginnings. The algae farm helped feed their people while the water extractor cleaned up even the most polluted water source which freed up their people’s resources to do more projects. Of course, Arasaka was always just lurking in the background, surprisingly willing to lend a hand to them.

Yes, in the end, they were trading one corporate overlord for another but this time around, they were working to make themselves independent and Arasaka was seemingly all too happy to let them.From providing low interest loans to even funding projects, Arasaka was there so long as what the community did with the stuff was put to commercial use. They still had to buy equipment to defend themselves at a premium but that was understandable given the history between them. It was still strange Arasaka had become in a sense their biggest benefactor. They were after all enemies before but that had changed. This does bring up the question of why?

These were things they had to negotiate for Biotechnica to acquire while Arasaka just threw at them with their generous rates. When pressed as to why, the answer was simple. “It’s either you or having the Wraith’s running rampant around these parts and I think both of us would agree that having them around is not good for anyone’s business,” the representative told them, “You sorts are at least honorable and reasonable.”

It’s been several years after that and oh how their fortunes have changed. They were making a killing selling the water alone and that’s not yet accounting for the algae sales. Even now, other nomads have taken notice and their place became even more valuable as a stable stop point for traders and smugglers. They were making enough that they have taken riskier ventures like creating underground prawn farms.

Hearing footsteps behind her, she turned around and found Saul walking up to her, giving her a smile and a nod as he approached. She smiled as the man stood behind her to watch the sunset. She found his good mood infectious and it would became clear why when he spoke up, “Another good harvest like this and we could finally fully repay Arasaka’s loan,”

“Seriously?” She asked back in surprise, “Thought it would take longer.” There were loans they had to take to expand their commune but she didn’t expect it to be paid off this fast. Then again, they have taken to raising some cash crops and high value products.

“Yeah, but hey, it’s Arasaka wasting their money and we’d be poor nomads if we don’t take advantage of that,” the man replied with a casual shrug.

Sometimes, she simply couldn’t believe the fortunes of her people. Even now, she’s still waiting for the other boot to drop yet it has to come down; maybe never at all but that’s simply not something one should discount. Arasaka is still a corporation after all.

Of course, she urged her people to prepare for the worst and get ready to evacuate but such thoughts were getting harder and harder to remember. She was getting attached to the land they were on, to the buildings they erected. She was starting to feel that her people finally found a home that could say is their own.

“I wouldn’t say wasted,” She replied, turning her gaze away from their greenhouse to the city up ahead. The tall spires and gothic structure made for quite the sight. It was as if it was a city of fantasy brought to life. The architecture dominated the city and it was clear that Arasaka was spreading its influence wide. Was it all funded by the corporation as well? “Maybe they just want to put it into a greater cause. I still wouldn’t trust them though.”

Saul chuckled, shaking his head and he then said, “Panam, the girl who kept saying we should remain cautious around Megacorporations, actually believing one of them isn’t evil?”

“Oh shut up,” She replied with a punch to the shoulder, making the man back away but still chuckling at her. Pouting, she leaned down on the railings as she explained,  “I’m just saying that maybe…just maybe they’re actually doing a good deed even if it's still self serving. We are still reliant on them for parts but hey, their equipment is stupid tough and we can actually repair it.”

If that was their goal then god damn them because it’s working. Their products were simply far more reliable than others to the point it’s commanding premium in the smuggling ring. She hated it, she hated how they were simply that reliable.

“Yeah, you just want them to say gotcha and drop the charade,” Saul replied, mirroring her sentiments. Shaking his head, “So Panam, I’ve been meaning to go to Arasaka once more to buy some of their products. They’re starting to sell their take on portable 3D printers and they look mighty impressive when they can actually work with the metals they use for their heavier stuff,”

She nodded, frowning a bit at the sudden change of topic. “Do… you want me to come with you guys when you buy it?” she cautioned out, wondering what this was all about.

He simply grinned back as he looked at her before replying, “I was thinking more of having you lead the negotiation.”

“W-wait, me?” Panam sputtered, taken aback by the sudden request. Waving her hands in front of her, she argued, “No, no, no. It’s you who got them to do all this. I’ll probably fuck it up or something. I can’t do it, not when it's our people's future that’s on the line.” She wanted to lead one day but today wasn’t a great day for her to start leading stuff especially when the good times were still rolling.

Her refusal only seemed to harden the man’s resolve as he nodded and said, “And that’s why I want you to take this chance to prove yourself,” Panam was flustered, her cheeks burning as pride welled up inside her chest but she wasn’t sure. As if reading her thoughts, the man ruffled her hair, earning her ire before he explained, “You have a good head on your shoulder and you stick to your principles, the principles of our people.”

“I’ve already made enough changes for a lifetime,” The man continued as he pulled his hands away and let her think things through. “Now we need someone that would keep us on the path our ancestors have taken, the path of remaining unbowed. Arasaka might have wooed us into becoming their friends but I think having you on their doorstep would remind them that we’re still our own people.”

Panam bit her lips, wondering if she really was the right woman for the job. She stayed quiet for a minute weighing her options for once. This was a big deal but it was Saul asking her personally to do this. He wanted her to do this and did she really want to disappoint him by refusing? Looking back at him, she then said. “I won’t let you down.”

“I know you won’t” Saul replied before walking off and gesturing her to follow, “But before we continue talking about this, how about we join the rest in the tables? We’re having prawns for dinner tonight and would you really want to be stuck eating algae soup?”

Panam grinned as she followed closely. She had a big task ahead of her but for now, maybe she should relax a bit. Today was a day of celebration after all, a celebration of the freedom that they earned and continued to enjoy.

A Simple Man

Deep in the Alpine mountains of Switzerland and as far away from the chaos of the world was a man living in his cabin. Located in the countryside and in one of many sleepy towns inside the neutral country, this unassuming house was like any other around it. The building was of simple wood and stone construction with all the necessities of a modern life in this highly automated country. The only thing that really stood out from this house was just how vibrant the flowers were in the garden.

“Good morning Carl,” His elderly neighbor greeted him as they passed by, his aura feeling its faintest to his eyes since he first came here. “Nice weather we’re having,” he added as he tottered along to his loving wife waiting at the end of the street. He didn’t have much long to live yet that something that he could change.

“Good morning to you as well,” He replied as he reached out to him, reached out to him with his very soul and just tweaked him just enough that he’d have just enough time to spend with his wife long enough that both would share their bed one last time tonight. ”It’s a bit chilly today. Might be best to head inside. Maybe have your lovely wife whip up something warm for tonight,” he suggested. It is meaningless in the grand scheme of things but he wasn’t living for the future.

“You too as well,” The old man smiled as some of his vigor returned to him. “A single father like you ought to take care of yourself better. You don’t want your son suddenly being left without someone to take care of them,” he scolded him lightly as he walked away, leaving him alone in his home.

“You keep telling me to not meddle in the affairs of people around us but you keep pulling stunts like that,” His young apprentice and fellow perpetual called out. The boy looked no older than a teen fresh out of highschool but he was far more ancient than that but not older than himself. Still, the boy was just as broody as any teen as they scowled. “it’s quite… vexing.”

“There is this…” He replied as he set his trowel down and got up, stretching before he gathered his things. “And there are your ideas. Weren’t you the one who wanted to conquer the world and construct a palace over Mount Everest regardless of how costly that would be?” he added with a teasing grin, watching as the boy froze before they stormed off.

He chuckled, shaking his head as he gazed at his work. All of it was only possible due to his guiding hands, shaping it to the very best shape it can be. From applying mulch and watering the plants, to pruning branches and pulling out weeds that sprouted from the soil. Everything was perfect yet it was dull to his eyes. There was something missing from it, something that he took away when he placed his attention to it.

Tearing his gaze away, he turned his gaze to the mountains and the forest that clung to it. Even untamed by man, it was still as beautiful as any painting. There in the wild he saw what his creation lacked, it lacked a soul to set it apart. Yes he could make it perfect but those very same flaws that he took away were what gave it character. All that was left here was a garden and nothing more.

He closed his eyes as he soaked in the scent and sensations around him, enjoying the peace and tranquility he found himself in. His smile would be marred however as he heard a radio crackling nearby as news of the outside rang in the background. “And on other news Arasaka’s expansion continues as it sets its eyes on Central America. Tension rises as NUSA condemns the Mega Corporations peaceful actions as nothing more than a…”

He quickly cut it off, leaving it for later for him to think about. Opening his attention to the west, he peered and watched as a boy with four shadows worked tirelessly to bring the dreams of technological wonders into reality. A little too soon… but maybe it was a good thing. Even now, he could feel parts of the earth healing as he turned to the west. The boy would not do any harm to the future.

Rolling his shoulders, he turned around as he focused on the now. He had a movie to watch that he thought the Corporate Wars would bury in the annals of alternate history. Tolkien might not like it but his books do make for good movies.

As he sat down on his coach, waving his hands as he pulled snacks for two, he reminisced on the decade so far. Despite all the changes that had happened and despite the meddling of a certain shard, the world was heading in a good direction he saw no reason to interrupt. He was no god nor great king after all, he was simply himself. He could wait for several thousand more years, but for now he’d enjoy his movie as he saw what mankind could do if left to its own devices.