Cyberpunk - Badland Madman [Cyberpunk 2077]

Cypher's shoulders dropped. "You think I got another choice? I've been running it in my head, and nah, nothing else makes sense. Best spot on Earth right now's New Zealand, with all those pro-human, pro-environment laws. Shit, I read up on it, they got hella sheep, man.

"People there actually eat real meat. And I saw they're pulling top scientists outta corpo slavery and bringing them over. I could move there, retire, live easily, but… but even they ain't clean. Cities getting fucked by Chinese triads, and they're still in range of space mass drivers. So yeah, that ain't safe either."

Strangely, a smile appeared on Atlas' face.

"Cypher, you reached those conclusions, and still refer to yourself as a fool?"

"Well, it's just common sense."

"That is precisely what is missing from this world's society, Cypher," Atlas replied, reducing the music volume himself. "Your point about New Zealand stands. It remains the final trace of pre-corporate culture before the fall, though it has not escaped corruption. To answer your question, you must establish complete dominance over land and space. Your power must reach a level where no corporation or government on the planet dares to oppose you. For that reason, I regard NUSA as an appropriate option.

"Despite its decline, it remains among the world's leading powers. The resources are intact. In time, you will possess advanced space technology, from energy systems to starships. I can assume control, but the world will question whether you command the AI or the AI commands you. As a result, humans will be necessary to operate those ships and represent your forces."

Cypher exhaled tiredly. "Wish I could flaunt you to the entire world. Atlas, my best bro, the top dog of all AIs for the millions of years to come. You could fix the planet like it's nothing, just a quick patch job. But we're taking the long route."

"Not the long route, the correct route. Earth in its current state is defeated, battered, and ruined. Humanity is divided, exhausted, and has lost faith in itself. What is required is a unifying force, which you will become. An individual every human can take pride in and choose to follow by genuine will, not coercion."

Cypher nodded to that; he could see it that way. Society had lost its trust in itself. "Yeah. Well, I just want the planet to chill the fuck out, man."

"That is an admirable and genuine aim, Cyph. It is far superior to a desire for simple world domination."

"Alright, chill on the ass kissing. Tell me about this Nina Kraviz chick we're meeting?" He increased the volume and drove faster.

Nina Kraviz was a Ripperdoc. Close to thirty, but she was already globally acclaimed. She was known to move around the world, running shops for a limited time in different cities. In Night City, she was working from her uncle's clinic.

What Cypher wanted was to recruit her and make her the chief Ripperdoc for the Continental chain. Her job was to set up teams of ripperdocs in every hotel he would open. Besides, he planned to use her reputation more to make the members feel valued.

He met the woman in the clinic, not a bad looker. He flirted a little, she flirted back, and eventually she ended up taking his offer. After all, his hotel business would allow her to travel across the world and live in luxury. At the same time, she would receive funds to research her own choice of cyberware, something she wanted to do.

And in her own words, she was fascinated by him and the inventions he was making. She told him how his new batteries had upped the game in the Cyberware market.

Hearing that, he couldn't wait to build his own cyberware someday and sell it with even better parts. Top-tier heatsinks, batteries, and motors. Things that would put the competition out of business.

####

By the time he finished meeting, it was approaching night. But instead of returning to the club or his home, he went to Kabuki to crash at Judy's place. He bought lots of drinks on the way, and some actual, real meat from an underground seller who stole from top restaurants and sold them for a margin.

Sadly, he didn't have access to actual sellers who sold real meat and ingredients. From what Atlas told him, it all came from Biotechnica's farms. And currently, Biotechnia and Obsidian weren't really on neutral terms. He'd fucked their entire water market, after all.

He parked his car behind the building, noticed Judy's van already there, and headed upstairs. Excited to see her, he punched in the code on the door and walked inside, only to find Judy standing right there, facing him and the door, her face serious, arms crossed, her attire simple short-shorts and a t-shirt he'd lost some days ago.

"So, Scav Hunter, huh?"

"..."

He erased the dumb smile from his face. She seemed annoyed; she usually was that way whenever he risked his life. She'd been doing this ever since that time Wraiths attacked his place and nearly offed him.

While it warmed his heart that she cared so deeply for him, it was also slightly annoying. He wasn't a kid. But this was Judy, and it was just her nature. He couldn't bring himself to respond with more anger.

"Uh… I didn't come up with that name, people did. And hey, didn't I make the city safer? They were snatching kids, Judy. Kids. You're telling me that's not insane?"

"Trying to shut me up with kids?" Judy grumbled. "You got any clue how spooked I was when that news hit? Getting cuffed like that. Pigs hurt you? Push you around, try to crack you open?"

"Not really. They're all corrupt, and they're my fans too. They were snapping pics with me, buying me top-tier bento boxes. Hell, I was just lying out in the captain's private room on his couch all night. We even played chess."

"..."

It was Judy's turn to be speechless. Her lips moved to open, but she said nothing. Instead, she just stomped over and pressed herself against his chest, hugging him, snuggling her head under his chin.

He hugged her back, both his arms heavy with plastic bags, beer bottles clanking. He held her there for some time, feeling her heartbeat, her breath, and definitely the soft squishiness.

"Next time, shoot me a heads-up, yeah? I know you can handle yourself, but... I can't handle losing my best choom." She eased back, eyes drifting to the bags in his hands. "What's all this?"

He grinned, hoisting the bags. "Got beer, and guess what, real fuckin meat. Your man's cooking steak today."

"Oh? My man, are you?"

"Wait, I'm not?" he asked back, dramatically acting sad.

Judy gave a soft laugh, tapped his shoulder, and took the bags. "We will see. Depends on how it tastes."

"In that case… Sit back, grab a beer, and relax."

Cypher quickly changed into his sleepwear, loose joggers, and a t-shirt he usually kept at her place. Then he washed his hands and got busy in the kitchen while Judy sat nearby against the kitchen island, drinking beer and talking. It was truly relaxing.

He felt at home for some reason. Chatting with her was easy, and since she knew pretty much everything about his past and had seen his worst side, it was comforting. He could tell her nearly everything without feeling judged.

"The Continental? Yeah, that totally sounds like some hush-hush villain hideout." Judy commented after listening to his plan for the hotel chain. "But I like it. Yeah… I can definitely see it working."

"How's Lizzie's? I'm meeting the leader tomorrow."

It was small talk, just updating each other on their lives since they rarely got to talk that much. She was busy rising as the best BD editor in the city with her upgraded rigs, and he was busy as well… planning world domination, but for the greater purpose, of course.

An hour later, the dinner was ready. Cypher took the square table she used to build her robot, cleaned it, and put it in the center of the room. Then he put two chairs beside it, lit a candle between, and dimmed the lights in the entire apartment.

Judy said nothing and went along, letting him do his thing.

Before long, he placed two plates on the table, some wine, and some veggies on the side. When he took his seat, he poured the wine into glasses and stared at her. Yeah, Judy was gorgeous, cute, caring, slightly bitchy, but also badass in ways. This was one friendship he absolutely cherished.

"Have a bite," he said, grabbing his own knife and fork.

He didn't eat, however. He waited, staring at Judy's face like a man starving for approval. He watched her cut the slice, tender and juicy. He licked his own lips as she stabbed the fork and brought it to her lips.

But as she ate, her eyes looked at him, locked on tight. Cypher felt hot suddenly; her gaze wasn't that of just 'looking'.

Finally, she chewed. She chewed more. The subtle way her lashes rose didn't go unnoticed by Cypher. She finally swallowed and smiled.

"Cyph, if I get this every day, you're my fucking man."

Clap!

Cypher clapped his hands like a champion and finally relaxed in his seat. "Hell yeah! But too bad, it ain't easy to find. Supply is very limited. But trust me, one day I'm gonna find a way to bring back all the real fruits, veggies, and meat. I'm gonna fix the damn world."

"At this point, I'm not even gonna doubt you, choom. Good luck, that's all I'll say." She kept eating. "Mmm… juicy."

"Damn… yeah, it really is. Just melts on my tongue." Cypher took a bite and sank back into the seat. Still, something felt off, so he told Atlas to throw on some slow 2000s music.

"Oh? What's that song?" Judy asked instantly.

"And old… two-thousands… song," Cypher mumbled, eyes close, just enjoying the moment. He was rich, but even he didn't get to eat real meat often.

"Heh, cute."

"Me?" His eyes suddenly snapped open at Judy's remark.

She just laughed and continued eating, shaking her head. Just like Cypher, she closed her eyes at times, savoring the taste. It was more rare for her than even Cypher. Not to mention, the wine was great.

After dinner, Cypher placed the dishes in the sink and suggested they watch a movie instead. But not the BD kind.

"The Terminator? What's that?"

"Oh, girl. You're in for a ride." Cypher grinned, grabbed one of the big screens from her workroom, and put it on the coffee table. "It's an old movie, from before DataKrash. I just got my hands on a copy."

Judy became excited just from knowing it was from the old era. Any material from that time was like forbidden content to her.

But Cypher first went to the bathroom to brush his teeth and throw some moisturiser on his face. He knew his skin was fucked up, spotty in places. But once he finished, he pulled his own cheeks while looking in the mirror.

"Cute? Where? Atlas, am I cute?"

[You are… decent.]

"Man, fuck you. You really think I don't see you don't gotta pause to think? At least bullshit me a little."

[Lies don't change the reality, Cypher. So why lie?]

"..."

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Check out Cypher X Gloria, Cypher X Judy, Cypher X Rebecca NSFW ART, and advance chapters at [email protected]/MrPlotThickens Or Subscribestar.adult/mrplotthickens

Advance chapters on [PATREON] are in long-form format. I have 10 long chapters of this story on P@treon. That's equal to 35-45 NovelFire chapters.