Cyberpunk 2077: V

Chapter 1: A New Friend

When the air conditioning finally let out a rattling pop and died, V knew that it signaled the beginning of the end. How her old warhorse, her little red Galena, had even managed to survive as long as it had was a goddamn miracle. The thought of losing her upset V, however, so when she stopped in the middle of the desert to check on her aging vehicle and couldn't figure out what had fried, she decided to do the unthinkable.

Visit a mechanic.

Some of the other Nomads V met in her travels had no issues going to a "non-family member" for help with their machines. Some would almost get into brawls if someone suggested it. V was sort of in the middle. If there was something that she couldn't figure out, sure. But V knew the Galena almost as well as she knew her own body; there had never been a need. Besides, that would also mean interacting with a stranger, something that V wanted to avoid. As more and more issues piled up, V considered finding a new ride, but the sheer amount of eddies it would require kept her chained to her loyal little beater. So, all those years V spent out in the wild desert she lived as she had before, with what little money she earned going back into gas, food, or water. Spare parts she just salvaged from old hulks.

At least the mechanical gods were kind to her. Her AC kicked out when she was only fifteen minutes away from the small town she would be passing through on her way to her last desert gig. V knew there was a mechanic shop there, a small two-bay garage with one guy running the show. Yucca was small; small for even a "small" town. As she eased onto the single main street, she felt eyes watching her. Predators assessing a new creature ambling into their midst, wondering if she was prey or one of them. V always made sure she carried herself in a way that let them know that she was not prey.

The mechanic was kind of a prick. Making comments on the fact that a Nomad, a LONE Nomad was in his shop asking for his help. V tuned him out as she opened up her hood, then got out of the car. He made jokes, more snappy remarks. It was tiring. V was tired. And antsy. She just wanted to get back on the road and get to her gig. With the eddies she'd earn from this one last job, she would have enough saved up to at least give her a fighting chance in Night City. 

Running a hand through her hair, V slicked back her side part and fiddled with the long-braided piece as she watched the small-town mechanic mess around in her engine bay. The old red car sat there silently, looking as tired as V felt.

Interrupting whatever the mechanic was droning on about (he wasn't even looking at the AC assembly, like she asked), V said, "Hey; you mind if I wash up a little? See your sink over there."

The mechanic arched an eyebrow at her and smirked.

"Nomads...yeah sure whatever just don't start strippin' or something'".

V rolled her eyes, gave one last look at what the mechanic was messing with, then turned and strode over to the sink. It had an old style smart mirror, one that didn't fade in and out automatically. Ignoring her own reflection, V leaned down and turned the knob, watching as the faucet gurgled and spit for a couple of seconds before a steady stream of tepid water started flowing. Cupping her hands, V captured some of the water and submerged her face, wiping at the layer of sweat and grime she'd accumulated from driving with the windows down.

After washing some grit out of her eyes, she reached for a relatively clean looking towel lying next to the sink and wiped at her hands before finally looking up into the mirror.

The cuts had healed up pretty good. They'd turn into some pretty interesting scars in a few months, once they were fully healed. For now, they were still deep, angry red slashes in the meat on her left cheek and jaw, and if she opened her mouth too wide, they still bled a little.