Cyberpunk: Shiny And Chrome

Important announcement at the end of the chapter.

-----

Michael 'Magos' Sobronov

Stepping onto a boat was definitely not something I'd thought to experience anytime soon, or ever, really.

Every step felt oddly wobbly and sent twitches of discomfort up my spine despite my confidence in my balance, and the knowledge I could simply walk up to the coast if I were ever to fall in.

At least it wasn't some ramshackle dinghy I was boarding but a proper massive Arasaka luxury yacht, a thoroughly wasteful thing to spend who knows how many millions on but whether a thousand years ago or one, royalty will do what royalty always does, and waste money.

There wasn't even much to see from the deck aside from the Night City coastline, and as anyone could tell you, that was not a particularly inviting sight to begin with.

Sailing beyond the sea wall was an even less appealing idea, as doing so without military grade armor and point defense was just asking to get yourself and everyone else exploded by an AI mine posthaste, so it wasn't as if it could be taken for a cruise either.

As I've said, one massive pile of waste.

The Arasaka security guard moved a scanner over the large metal box I was carrying and before he could question me about the obvious result I spoke up "A delivery for Mr. Smasher."

His eyes narrowed into pinpricks at the mere mention of the name and he quickly cleared his throat "Please, follow me Sobronov-dono. Arasaka-sama is expecting you."

"Lead the way." I smile in my fleshy guise and do as he asks.

Before long I am led to the prow of the ship and the bar it housed, already occupied by the familiar trio of conspirators.

Valerie looked unusually relaxed for the situation, Yorinobu was currently on the phone and raised a finger to indicate as such, and Smasher was staring at me just as intensely as during our first meeting, scanning and evaluating my every move.

And repeatedly failing to penetrate my info scrambling protections.

Oddly enough I did not feel nearly as intimidated by his attention as I expected to be.

Naturally he caught on that immediately and snorted "Cocky little shit."

"And a lovely day to you as well." I greet him flatly before inclining my head at my friend "V."

The big mountain of death and destruction grunts, vaguely amused.

"No walking armory today, M?" She smirks as she sips a glass of whiskey.

"Afraid not."

"And your gesture of good faith has been noted. Magos-san." Yorinobu Arasaka cuts in calmly, lowering his phone on his arm rest.

"I realize my second impression was not the greatest." I admit in a tone just put upon enough to be polite about it "You have my apologies."

"All water under the bridge, I assure you." He waves it off with ease "It was a rather extraordinary circumstance, after all. And it wouldn't do to hold it against someone who came to my rescue."

Absently, he pats his fleshy looking but very much so cybernetic legs, an awkward microtwtich or two following the gesture.

A beat passes before he speaks again "But that is not the purpose of our meeting. Director Price informs me your cooperation has gotten off to a promising start."

"No trouble so far, even if two targets in as many weeks seems a touch slow." I admit "But that might just be Night City skewing standards a bit."

"Only thing good about this shithole."

"Hey, give it enough time and it grows on you." V interjects, apparently comfortable enough to butt into her boss' conversation now "Like so much cancer."

"Apt." I deadpan.

"A very… colorful way to describe one's home." Arasaka's expression doesn't shift but I do note he exhales just a touch more lightly "Your willingness to postpone compensation arrangements has made things slightly easier for me. Tell me, how soon will your company begin production?"

"Only five days left." I inform him. It was Sunday, and Friday would be opening day and serve as orientation for the workers, just enough time to finalize all initial contracts and the few licensing deals some of the more forward thinking corps reached for after my public announcement about constructing an FBC on my own.

Those accountants I'd borrowed from Jugo were getting a massive bonus for working themselves half to death, that was for damn sure.

I was honestly surprised no one tried to 'acquisition' me yet, but I suppose the rats were still in wait and see mode.

"Good." Yorinobu hums briefly, drawing me from my thoughts "I have considered the best way to conceal the depths of our cooperation for the moment, and your suggestion seems to be the most straightforward and secure solution. An order of goods at somewhat inflated prices from your new business for as long as our alliance holds."

My Optics narrow slightly "And this won't be obvious for anyone curious enough to look into it?"

My suggestion had been for him to repay me by paying the normal price, not to make the entire deal based on the trade, but I could work with this as well.

Found it preferable, in fact.

There was no understating just how much legitimacy an official long term Arasaka deal would bring me.

Didn't mean I should throw caution to the wind.

He doesn't answer and instead subtly indicates V, who clears her throat "It's done often enough for so many reasons they'd have to already know something to even make the guess, and even then we can just deny it to their faces."

"I see." I mutter, rubbing my chin for a moment before addressing the corporate prince again "That arrangement works for me." And seeing his satisfied look I add "Anything I should know about before we move on to the next point of business?"

Arasaka considers the question for a moment and speaks "Militech has increased funding for the 6th Street gang by a considerable margin. They are taking my presence in Night City as a direct challenge."

That could become a problem… Or an advantage.

Militech can't bother me if they are busy bothering Arasaka.

As long as they don't learn about our connection that is.

"Are they stupid enough to become a problem?" I quirk an eyebrow.

"The purpose of a proxy gang is mere harassment." Arasaka shakes his head "They would become a distraction at best."

"Wouldn't discount them so quickly." V shakes her head "The NUSA posers can be quite annoying to deal with if you let them."

"Then cooperate with Special Operations and ensure that it doesn't happen, Director Price." Yorinobu waves it off "A mere gang should not present a considerable problem for Arasaka, especially with your connection to the Tyger Claws."

She inclines her head and shoots me a look.

"Or don't." Smasher's grin is evident despite his lack of mouth "Been a while since I turned Arroyo to rubble."

"Only if they start acting too overtly." Yorinobu cuts him off immediately "Any shock and awe response before that would be wasted."

Smasher grunts, annoyed but obedient.

"Speaking of turning things to scarp." I take the chance and place the big ass suitcase on the coffee table in front of me "I've got your gimmick here, Smasher." And click it open.

Arasaka indicates for him to move along, and the ancient cyborg reaches down, drawing the massive beast of a weapon I'd engineered exactly for his dimensions and grip.

He doesn't comment on it of course, nor should he. Such a thing was the bare fucking minimum.

"Tolerances?" He asks while looking it over.

I'd left the design purposefully blank so he could personalize it, and to emphasize the quality of the design even further, but even then the great-chainsword was far more brutal looking than my own by the sheer virtue of its teeth being comparatively massive due to simple proportions.

"I made sure to make it as resilient as possible so you could probably parry artillery with it." I shrug "Not sure about that odd vibrating implant you've got, it could theoretically strain the components."

He snorts at my blatant attempt to gather information and makes a few practice swings with the blade, activating it without any prompting from me and notably not commenting about the quality which I took as him not having anything to complain about.

At which point he proceeded to blur towards the bar covered top to bottom in vintage drinks and eviscerate it in two massive swings, the first passing without resistance while the second seemed to almost flow through the debris, launching fine dust in its wake.

He looked the blade over and let out the slightest grunt of appreciation.

My two other hosts were less impressed however, as Valerie had jumped onto the backrest of her armchair, glaring at the borg in alarm, while their boss was simply rubbing the sides of his head and probably contemplating drink.

Smasher did answer my unasked question though, amused mockery in his voice "It's a martial art, kid. Panzer Faust. Prove you are worth a damn and you might even learn it one day."

The answer understandably leaves me staring at him like he had three heads or something.

This man really just did not give a singular minute fuck, did he?

He then promptly shoots me a flat million without even bothering to ask for the price.

Arasaka looks at my 'I'm so fucking done with this guy' expression and offers a commiserating nod.

Knowing that addressing what just happened would just give him an even greater headache, he proceeded to act like absolutely nothing happened and went to speak.

At the same time my Agent beeps with a simple [In position.]

Seeing my eyes flash for a moment the corporate heir hesitates and I look up towards the city, and to the source of the message.

Immediately my Optics found V's, and I was unsurprised by the slightly smug expression on her face.

It wasn't hard to connect why she'd insisted we did this on the yacht, especially once an apartment on top of one of the most secure residential towers in the city suddenly detonated, killing everyone inside, and in perfect view of the yacht's bar space.

Arasaka blinks and inclines his head at me slightly "Impressive."

Pardon?

V remained a smug little shit for days after that, quite pleased with having arranged a proper 'show of force' for me despite me thinking the entire thing completely unnecessary.

Even if sealing the deal with an Arasaka in the backdrop of a successful assassination of multiple higher ups of their company was incredibly fucking nova in retrospect.

Even the Lord of Murder Mountain paused his no doubt immensely creative imaginings on how he'd eviscerate me with my own creation to offer a mildly appreciative scoff before returning to playing with his new toy.

I guess I owed her one now, both for the arrangement, and the lesson.

---

With each hour that passed since that meeting, my useless anxiety about the big day only grew, despite knowing I'd done everything I could to ensure success.

Which is why I didn't hesitate for even a second in accepting the unexpected call for an informal meal from the odd Councilor I'd met after my interview.

The uptown eatery we were to meet at was a small but respectable place, a local mom and pop business in a sense, as much as Night City allowed such things to exist in the first place.

The Councilor wasn't alone when I found him, joined instead by a woman a quick scan quickly revealed to be his wife.

"Councilor Peralez." I called as I approached "I must admit, your invitation came as a bit of a surprise."

It took him a moment to recognize me as we'd only met while I was not hiding myself, but as soon as he did he offered a pleasant smile in greeting "Mr. Sobronov, it is a pleasure to see you again." His expression turns animated "And how could I not invite you? Our previous meeting left me with so many questions I simply had to-"

His wife clears her throat.

Jefferson clears his throat "Pardon me, I tend to ramble. Please, take a seat."

As soon as I did, he indicated his wife "My dear wife, Elizabeth."

"Ms. Peralez." I gave her a nod.

She smiled "Pleased to meet you, Mr. Sobronov. Jefferson told me quite a bit about you."

"Oh?" I raised an eyebrow at the man but he didn't seem even one bit embarrassed by the 'reveal' "I wasn't aware we spoke enough for me to leave enough of an impression for something like that."

"Nonsense." Jefferson shakes his head with a genuine smile "Merely listening to you speak about your goals was more than enough to inspire me. It was a memorable meeting."

"If you say so." I chuckle just a touch awkwardly.

"And so I do!" He doesn't skip a beat and waves at the menu "Please, order as you like, its our treat today."

We spent the following hour discussing minor things, the Peralez's talking about their daughter Xochi, while I talked about my own family in as vague terms as I could manage without coming off as insincere.

I do believe I managed at least somewhat.

As I finish my pasta, Jefferson waits for an appropriate few moments before clearing his throat "There was one matter I hoped we could discuss."

'And so we come to the brass tacks.' I muse, not at all surprised or offended by the pretense. It was a surprisingly pleasant hour we spent.

Instead of saying anything I merely indicate for him to go on.

"I wasn't exaggerating when I told you your words inspired me." He tells me "And after giving it some thought I've come up with a great idea to help the people of Night City."

"What did you have in mind?" I lean in with a bit more interest.

"A program to provide cyberware to the forgotten and the discarded." He tells it simply "Funded by the City Council, and produced by a local entrepreneur, it would bring much needed hope to those without any of it left."

Not answering immediately, I first consider the implications behind it. I wasn't aware of any conflict between Holt and Peralez, and as much as I didn't actually owe Holt a thing for setting me up with all my licenses, as that was him paying back Rogue, stepping on his toes for no good reason was simply a waste of energy.

It was also a considerable gamble in political capital considering I was as of yet unproven on a wider scale.

What exactly was his game here?

"That is an… interesting strategy." I voice neutrally.

It would certainly buy him a lot of good will if it ever came out that he was the one to come up with the idea.

"Strategy?" He blinks.

His wife covers her mouth, but her smile is obvious "Told you he would take it that way."

Jefferson huffs a bit awkwardly, but it was clear he wasn't in any way offended "I suppose my proposition could be taken that way, but I assure you-" His eyes harden with determination "-my main goal is to make this city a better place for its people, no matter their wealth or origin. Everything else is secondary."

For a moment I was tempted to scoff, but much like during our first meeting, there was a certain weight to his words and expressions that was difficult to ignore.

"Is that so…" I mutter, not truly convinced, but no longer tempted to laugh in his face either "Then let us hope you have a solid plan on how to convince the rest of the council of your idea."

Most of the work would be happening on his end no matter what. And if he were to succeed there was literally no reason not to reap the rewards and gather even more legitimacy and good PR.

He blinks "You- you are interested?"

"Why not?" I shrug "I'd even go so far as to offer a considerable discount for my products and services, depending on how well you can convince me this isn't going to be a massive waste of time."

His eyes sharpen and I note his wife looking a way with a touch of exasperation.

Needless to say, the man did end up convincing me. Both to support his plan, and for a repeat meal sometime soon.

---

It was a misty Friday morning when I found myself standing within my workshop, the one way window giving the perfect look of the small crowd gathering in front of the perimeter wall of the Ars Mechanica factory.

[We should get going.] Logos informs.

'Is everything-'

[Squads one through five are in position, the cybersecurity suite is working perfectly, and Ms. Mary reports no issues. It is time, Michael.]

I let out a long exhale, and slap my metal cheeks "Alright, no time like the present."

"Come Mr. Grant." I speak as I stand "We have a workforce to welcome."

The silent mountain of metal looming to my side falls into lockstep behind me and we leave for the factory.

------

The big bad announcement:

This chapter shall be considered the final part of "book 1" of Shiny and Chrome and sadly the final chapter I will be publishing for the foreseeable future.

There are many reasons for this (That I have ranted on consistently on the forbidden site that shall not be named so go there if you are really curious and scroll down a bit, its visible to everyone) but in short I've simply stopped having fun writing this, and forcing the matter did not seem to help, at all.

A new story will be starting out next week or the one after.