Night City Aliens: The Wandering Planet

Ch 8: A New Normal, Part 1

"Hellooo there, Night City! Your man, Stan, coming at you live! It's May 30th, 2071, and it's shaping up to be a lovely Saturday. A very special Saturday, if I do say so myself. Today marks the one-year anniversary since I was given my own radio show by our corporate overloads. So let me give a very thankful shout-out to all my loyal fans. Sure, been one hell of a year, and if rumors are to be believed the coming year will be just as crazy."

"Whispers out of Heywood speak of a woman with green synthskin that has earned the nickname 'El Diablo', or 'The Devil' for all the Spanish illiterate folks such as myself. Supposedly, this up-and-coming edgerunner murdered Maelstrom's head honcho by throwing him into a CHOOH2 fire and has gained a reputation as one brutal bitch."

"Heywood residents probably remember that up until a month ago, Maelstrom was trying to push in on Valentino turf, but that all ended when the Valentinos took the fight to Watson and flatlined half of their borg rivals. That begs the question, have the Valentinos turned their back on the Lord? Did they summon this 'Heywood Devil' to help protect their territory? All I know is, if you spot this green lady lookin' at you, better turn and run unless you want to end up roasted."

---

"Where the fuck did she go?!"

"I don't know, man! You think we lost her?"

The two thugs sprinted through the dark alleyways of Japantown. Panic fueled adrenaline pushed then to keep running, even when it felt like their lungs would give out. Despite having ran for two miles, the winding nature of Night City's streets meant they were less than a mile from where their group was attacked. They came to a stop when they found a deserted back road with no lights.

"Let's steal from Davidson, you said," Mark spat at his friend. "We'll be rolling in eddies, you said."

"How was I supposed to know he would hire the fucking Devil?!" Sasha yelled back. "I'm still trying to figure out how that borg bitch found us."

"My guess is Eric blabbed while visiting Jig-Jig Street."

"I knew we should have dumped his gonk ass."

The two thugs fell silent, both trying to catch their breath while also remain hidden.

"Fuck, Sasha," Mark whispered. "Do you realize how dead we are?"

"It's only one merc. We can beat her."

"She chopped Kite's head off! And then she broke Billy's arm before using him as a meat shield!"

"You don't have to give me a recap," Sasha said. "I was there. She's too good to fight head on. We need to outsmart her. Ambush her or something."

"You mean how she ambushed us?"

"It's not an ambush if it's only one person with a machete."

"It is if they kill four people without taking a hit."

"Damn it, Mark! Do you want to survive this or not?" Sasha was quickly losing her patience and was ready to leave her partner in crime behind.

"Yes," Mark sighed. "What's the plan?"

"One of the alleys we passed would make for a good hiding spot. More cover, fairly crowded, but still dark. If we wait there, we can pop out when she walks by."

"And if she doesn't walk by?"

"Then it means we lost her and we're home free."

"Not much of a plan," Mark said. "But I guess it's something. You lead the way- AAUGH!" Mark was forced to the ground as an immense weight landed on top of him. His skull crashed into the pavement, blurring his senses. For a moment, all he could register was Sasha's screaming and the blood flowing from his forehead.