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

XXVI

"Excuse me, who are you?" Astarion asked.

"Enforcer Lae'zel Creche'Kliir of Ultracorp police. Get me out of here!"

"I-I would love to," he said, giving Shady a concerned look. They didn't need the police to know they were there, let alone detain them for questioning.

"We're not going to leave her," she whispered in his ear. "Are we?"

"No." He didn't want that on his conscience. However, the iron door was locked shut, and there was no keypad either on or near it. He drew out the digital lockpick, but none of its configurations fit into the lock slit. "Enforcer, do you know how to open this door?"

"It's analog. I heard Orin using a physical key."

Which could be anywhere, including on the murderer's body. A murderer that might return at any moment. "Excuse me, Enforcer, but did you have a gun when she brought you here?"

"I did." The woman's voice turned irritated. "Who are you, anyway?"

"I'm... Scavengers! Rocky and Bella—we were looking for loot in the old tunnels, and that woman attacked us!"

"How did you get away?"

"Er, she threw a flashbang and... Does it matter? We're trying to help you."

A moment passed, then a sigh came from within. "Right. Then look around, Rocky, and hurry. If she comes back before you find the key or my belongings—"

"Yeah, we're screwed," he said with a sneer. He and Shady spread out to search the filthy underground lair. The poor lighting didn't help, and neither did the smell. Did Bhaalites enjoy sitting on rotting furniture and stepping in muck, or was it just that one? Vhonthra, supposedly the Chosen of Bhaal, seemed to appreciate the finer things in life. Could she truly have been a serial killer? She didn't deny the accusation... Perhaps the enforcer would have an explanation, although he had to bring up the subject carefully.

"Say, Enforcer, that woman was absolutely terrifying. What is she, exactly?"

"A brutal serial killer that I've been hunting."

"She seemed normal at first," he said, lying.

"That's because she underwent diabolical experiments that changed her. She has an every-growing urge to kill. One moment, she's in control; then a mental switch flips, and she goes homicidal."

Shadowheart gave him an apprehensive gaze. "I see," he said, although it was still tough to imagine Vi hurting someone innocent. Perhaps her dark urge was satisfied when she killed the Ironhanders? And on the second day, she had those scratches on her ankles that bothered Muffin. A shiver ran across his shoulders—she might've spent the first night hunting.

"I've found a cabinet," Shadowheart said, pointing to a metal box on a wall. It seemed large enough to hold two or even three shelves, but its door required a physical key too. They took turns pulling on it, growling, to no avail. Orin had probably taken the important keys with her... A hammer could come in handy, though, or another heavy object... A crowbar sat in a nearby corner, and he rushed to grab it.

"Step aside, Shady. I'll pry it open in no time."

She flexed her biceps and grinned. "Maybe the person with the combat enhancements should do it."

Emasculating, yet oddly arousing... That was the wrong time for lurid thoughts. He handed over the crowbar. Creaks filled the lair as Shadowheart began twisting the cabinet door, and he glanced around, verifying that no attack robots or murderers were lurking in the shadows.