The Merc and The Netrunner (a cyberpunk tale)

Chapter 2 The Message

It was Morning in Night city as Diego woke up looking at the clock and it was 9 am also hearing the news "Good Morning Night city let's get to the new-" Diego turned off the the radio so he wouldn't have to listen to sound of the news since he was just a merc who didn't care on what went on in night city. Once he put on some his Merc gear since he washed them last night and he warmed up some tofu stir fry which was he had from Chinatown before going on the gig "Choa doesn't seem to disappoint has to be my favorite spots on Chinatown" Diego said to himself as he ate it quick then head to his quadro 66 then to pay Padre a visit about the bonus. Once Diego started the car and drove off to meet Padre he noticed a couple of NCPD officers arresting a Valentino member while the gang member cursed at them before getting taken away "Pinche cabrón (Fucking bastard) they won't learn anything" Diego said to himself then got a message from an unknown number which he ignored it then it called him. "Hello who's this" Diego said said as he continued to drive to where Padre normally hanged out "Hey Diego right I'm that netrunner you saved from the Valentino's I wanted to say thank you and meet me at the afterlife tonight I need to talk to you" the netrunner said but Diego could get a word out "Wait" she hanged up on him "*sighs* damn it" Diego said as he pulled up to where Padre could be found nowadays at El Coyote cojo.

*Enters El Coyote cojo*

Once he entered El Coyote cojo he heard a of couple of people calling out to Diego waving at him as he smiled and waved back then head to the second floor and found Padre "Ahh Diego you ok why are you here came to talk to me about more gigs because I don't have anymore" Padre said. "That's not why I'm here im talking about the extra money why so little and who gave that netrunner my number I only do business I'm not a people person" Diego said looking at Padre with a serious face "One I didn't have much more money because I'm saving it because I'm old and stupid medicine and crap also I gave the netrunner your number because you always have been alone hijo (son)" Padre said looking back at Diego with a calm face. "Your right Padre I need someone to talk to however your kinda like an abuelo (grandfather) to me I'll see what she wants tonight" Diego said as he sighed then got up from the booth and headed back to his car as he noticed a couple of gangsters trying to take his wheels "Hey cabróns quita tus manos de mis ruedas (Hey asshole get your hands off my wheels)" Diego said as he clinched his fists preparing for a fight.

"Hey whoa this is your car how much do you want" one gang member said with mischievous smile "Not for sell again get your hands off my car" Diego said with anger in his face "50 thousand 60 thousands" another guy said crossing his arms "Again not for sell" Diego said as he quickly pulled out his pistol. "Don't make this a fire fight now choom" the gang member said as they both started laughing as Diego tried to rush at them both gang members circuits were fried causing them to go limp and then collapse on the ground "What the hell" Diego said looking around who could have hacked them as he just got into his car then drove off as he turned on the radio to 98.7 Body heat "it's 98.7 body heat radio station now playing delicate weapon by Lizzy wizzy and Grimes" the radio host said as the song started playing. He continued to drive to the afterlife since he remembered to meet the netrunner he saved them however he wondered on what she wanted to see him for maybe another thanks possibly job offer only he would know when he would arrive at the afterlife at the time he arrived "Ah the afterlife haven't been here in so long wonder if anything has changed or not" Diego said to himself as he entered the afterlife.

*Diego enters the afterlife*

Diego noticed that atmosphere hadn't changed a bit since the last time he was there even the bartender Claire noticed him "Hey Diego long time no see what can I get you the usual" Claire said with a smile clean on a cup. "Sure I don't mind the tequila especiales and take your time Claire" Diego said as he sat down and waited for Claire to make his favorite drink however a message came up on his hub it was the netrunner read "I see you come to the booth behind you and then we'll talk about business". "Hey Claire I'm going to a booth so bring that please" Diego said as he got up and pay for the drink as he went to the booth where the netrunner said she was "So your the merc Diego Flores" the netrunner said as she was sitting there laid back crossing her legs "How do you know my name" Diego said confused as he sat down in front of the netrunner. "You try to get in to a good university or a good college however it backfired on you when you went to Arasaka academy so you became a mercenary however you lost one of your closest friends Anthony" the netrunner said as Diego slammed the table "You don't know me you don't know what I went through hell you don't even get to say his name I've been through hell and back so don't act like you know me" Diego said with anger in his face.

"Whoa easy now I'm not here to talk about that I'm here to thank you again and also a chance to work with you however I've seen the work you've done You go in blind not seeing if there were any cameras well hidden cameras that's why I'm here to be a partner" the netrunner said as she drank her drink. "You want to work with me as a netrunner well even though you are one what makes you think that you want to work with me" Diego said as he sat down and drank his tequila especiales "Padre told me everything he kind of got worried about you and when you asking me I could tell you were hurt I wanted to fix it to be your partner in crime because I know what it's like because I lost the only person that I call family to the Valentino's by gunpoint robbery they saw her plane as day no one didn't care on the side note what do you say" the netrunner said as she finished drinking her drink. "Fine you could be my partner and crime and I'm sorry for your lost we would need a crew can't be just us too and if you're going to ask me if I know anyone no I do not also you got a name netrunner" Diego said as he asked Claire to pour another bottle of the tequila especiales "The name is Quartz well nickname that is once you get to know me I'll tell you my real name well a toast *raises her drink* to Night City and for working together" Quartz said "Salud *raises his drink* to night City and for working together" Diego said as they both drank together. However in his mind Diego didn't know if he should trust Quartz after all he did save her and working together may have been good for him because he didn't have to feel alone anymore that's why he'll always keep his eye on her just in case if she did anything out of the ordinary or suspicious.

(Chapter two is complete I thought I was going to post this yesterday however I ended up being busy now chapter two is released let me know what you chooms think about the story please continue to rate it and share it with your friends well till next time chooms)