Cybergate 2027 - A Baldur's Gate 3 / Cyberpunk 2077 Crossover

VI

The tall, ominous shadow approached the desk with sharp, deliberate steps. Tap, tap, tap the expensive shoes echoed on the floor, nearing his hiding spot. Astarion folded his arms over his body, trying to make himself smaller, and held his breath.

"Hiding, my boy?" a high voice, teeming with disregard, cut through the chilly air and invaded his ears. "Stop embarrassing yourself and return to me."

Astarion huddled under the desk, shaking worse than in his entire life. No matter how tight he held himself, it didn't stop, and he became aware that not a single piece of clothing was covering him. Freezing air seeped through his skin and entered every orifice. Then the stalking shadow fell on him.

"Come out to play, boy!"

A scream escaped his throat. He opened his eyes, and Cazador Szarr disappeared. His heart was pounding frantically. Where was he? Lying on a couch in an unfamiliar living room... Shadowheart's luxury apartment. Her yapping little monster sat nearby, staring at the window like a complete idiot.

Another nightmare... It felt like he hadn't slept well in ages. Did he also scream in real life? Hopefully not. The dog, at least, looked more interested in the outside world, its beady eyes facing the glittering neons of Baldur City's monumental towers against a reddish predawn sky. Or did something else fascinate it? He squinted. A small shape was perched on the window frame... He blinked and rubbed his face, but the figure remained—a blackbird, seemingly staring inside. The windows were auto-tinted to provide privacy and allow people to sleep comfortably. Could that rare bird see through them?

A brief glow in the animal's eye triggered Astarion's mental alarms—a cybernetic implant! He leaped off the couch. The little spy flew off, and Muffin let out two sharp barks.

"Now you remember to be brave?" Astarion said, snarling, as he walked to Shadowheart's bedroom. Knocking on her door yielded no results.

"Shady!"

An irritated murmur came from inside.

"It's important."

"Go away!"

Astarion exchanged a look with Muffin, who panted idiotically at him and then licked its own nose.

"There was a bird on the window."

"You woke me up because of a bird?!" Her groan rumbled through the closed door. "I have to stream-play a stupid new game at noon!"

As if he enjoyed getting only four hours of sleep. "Not just any bird—it had an implant. It was spying on us!"

"Stop being paranoid!"

"Shady, you have to—"

"One more word and I'm calling security! Tim and Bob will kick your ass out."

Security... not a bad idea. Astarion walked away from the door. A quick search revealed a communications panel by the entrance. He found the main security desk, and after two rings, a man answered in a hollow, apathetic voice. "Yes?"

"Hi, did you notice anything suspicious going on?"

"You mean except for this call?"

"I meant maybe someone asked how to get to this apartment."

"In that case, we first verify with the owner."

That was a relief, although Astarion didn't feel safe yet. "Good, because there was a bird—"

"A bird?"

"Er, never mind that. Did anyone, er, use the landing pad recently?"

"This is a residential tower." The voice became irritated. "People come and go all the time."