Neo let Rebecca cling to him as she pleased, her small hands tugging playfully at his sleeve. The girl had her moods—fire and sugar in one—and he'd long since learned to let her burn off both.
Anyway, night was coming. And night was his home turf.
Rebecca squeezed his arm tighter, flashing Panam a quick grin before turning those mischievous eyes back up at him.
"So," she said sweetly, "what's this little 'cooperation' you've got going with her? Just curious, you know. Totally casual. You don't have to tell me if it's secret~"
Neo chuckled, brushing his palm over her hair, the way you'd soothe a restless cat.
"Nothing secret," he said. "I'm looking for someone. He's not in Night City anymore—he's out here, somewhere in the Badlands. And out here, without someone who knows the land, finding one man's like trying to catch a signal in a sandstorm. Panam's a hell of a Nomad. Knows every inch of dirt from the border to the Ridge. Working with her makes sense."
Rebecca hummed, nodding like she accepted that—then tilted her head, eyes gleaming.
"So… we're fighting the Wraiths and the Nightwalkers because that's part of this little 'deal,' huh?"
"Something like that," Neo admitted. "She got double-crossed by those bastards. They stole her rig and her cargo. Helping her hit them back is… well, let's just say it's mutually beneficial."
Rebecca's lips curved into a sly little smile. "Mutually beneficial, huh? Uh-huh. Sure."
She motioned with her hand. "Bend down for a sec."
Neo frowned, bemused but obedient, leaning down toward her.
She went on tiptoe and whispered right into his ear, her breath warm and teasing.
"Don't play dumb with me, you bad boy. You think I don't see what's going on in that sneaky chrome head of yours? You've got me and Lucy, and now you're eyeing her too, huh?"
Neo froze, blinking.
Rebecca continued, tone dripping with amusement. "And this excuse—'oh, I'm helping her find someone, that's why we're going to war with a psycho gang'?—please. You've never done a charity gig in your life."
Her voice softened, a hint of affection slipping through the teasing. "You wanna add her to your harem? Fine. I don't care. Lucy won't either. But at least admit it. Don't pretend it's all about business."
Neo was speechless. Sweat prickled the back of his neck.
The infamous sixth sense of women—it was real. Terrifyingly real.
"Keep it down," he muttered quickly. "You make it sound like I'm some kind of playboy."
Rebecca raised a brow, smirking. "Oh? And you're not?"
He sighed, resigned. "I'm misunderstood."
"Yeah, yeah. 'Misunderstood.' Sure."
...
Panam had been standing nearby, watching the whole back-and-forth with quiet amusement. Finally, she shook her head, half-smiling.
"You two have a good thing going," she said softly. "It's rare to see that kind of warmth in this city—or out here, for that matter. You're lucky, Rebecca. He really cares about you."
Rebecca's grin returned, wide and proud. "Damn right he does. He's a good man. That's why I like him. And I don't mind sharing."
Then she added, a little too smugly, "I mean, after all, I was first."
"Who told you that?"
The new voice cut in smooth as glass, and colder than the desert night.
All three turned. Lucy stood a few steps away, arms folded, silver hair glinting in the fading light.
Rebecca froze. "Lucy—what—when—?"
Lucy arched an eyebrow. "If we're going by timeline, technically, I met him first. Remember that little video chip you were watching when you first heard his name? Who do you think brought that in?"
Rebecca's mouth opened—then closed again.
Lucy smirked. "And if it wasn't for me, Maine wouldn't have called Jackie, and Jackie wouldn't have brought him to the crew. Meaning…"
She took a slow step forward, voice smooth and teasing. "If we're talking seniority, you're the junior."
Rebecca's eye twitched. Once. Twice.
"…Junior?" she growled. "Oh really? Is that what we're doing now?"
Lucy just lifted a brow, calm as a cold shower.
Rebecca jabbed a finger at her. "Fine. You win the timeline thing. Whatever. But let's be honest here—mine are bigger!"
Neo froze. Lucy froze. Even the wind froze.
Lucy's expression didn't change, but her voice dropped a whole ten degrees.
"Rebecca," she said. "You realize I shower with mirrors, right? I know exactly what I have. And I know exactly what you don't."
Rebecca sputtered. "Y-YOU—! I am proportionate! Perfectly engineered! Compact firepower!"
Lucy sighed. "Rebecca, you're… travel-size."
"TRAVEL-SIZE?!" Rebecca shrieked. "NEO! Say something before I hack the grid and delete her existence!"
Neo felt his soul leave his body for a second. This was the kind of chaos that made cyberpsychosis sound relaxing.
He forced a smile and reached out, taking both their hands—Rebecca's in his right, Lucy's in his left.
"You're both my favorites," he said warmly. "Equally. No rankings, no 'firsts' or 'seconds.' Got it?"
Rebecca gave him a squint that said nice try, but she didn't pull away.
Lucy exhaled, almost smiling. "Diplomatic," she murmured. "Very you."
Neo chuckled. "Alright, enough soap opera. Back to work."
...
"Lucy," he said, shifting tone, "how's the town grid coming along?"
"All conduits linked," she replied, switching instantly back into business mode. "I've cracked most of the local relays. Full control before sundown. Once I flip the switch, the whole town will light up like a beacon."
Panam tilted her head, intrigued. "That's the plan? Light up the town, lure the Wraiths and Nightwalkers down here thinking someone's moved in?"
Lucy nodded. "Exactly. They think Rocky Ridge is their private hunting ground. Anyone tries to settle here, they show up fast and loud. We'll give them a reason to come charging in—and when they do, they'll walk right into our kill zone."
Panam gave a low whistle. "Clever. The Aldecaldos could learn a thing or two from you. They'd never dare pull a move like that—too afraid to get their hands dirty."
She turned to Neo. "Alright, partner. What do you need from me? I can't just stand around while your team does all the work."
Neo thought for a moment, glancing over the half-repaired structures around them, the scavenged barriers and flickering lights. "Honestly? We're almost ready. There's not much left to prep."
Then he raised his voice, calling across the street.
"Jackie! You got the thing I asked for?"
Jackie Welles, busy checking over his bike, looked up and grinned. "You kiddin'? Of course I do."
He tossed something through the air.
A sleek, dark blade glinted in the sunset as Neo caught it mid-flight—the prototype X-series katana, fresh from Arasaka's secret foundries.
Neo turned the blade in his hand, admiring the gleam that ran along its edge.
"Perfect," he said softly.
Rebecca leaned close, whispering, "You planning on slicing or scaring them?"
Neo smiled, eyes glinting. "Both."
And as the sun bled out behind the ridge, the lights of Rocky Ridge began to flicker awake—one by one, street by street—like the ghost town itself was drawing breath again.
Somewhere out in the mountains, engines began to stir in answer.