Chapter 229: El Coyote Cojo
As soon as the taillights of the heavy transport vehicle disappeared around the corner of Charter Hill, Jackie turned around impatiently, grinning with his signature bright smile, and slapped the shoulder of the person next to him forcefully. "Let's go! Everyone follow me! To El Coyote Cojo—my treat! The best booze, the most authentic Heywood flavor. I gotta give you guys a proper welcome back today!"
David explained apologetically that he had to send his mother to the hospital arranged by the Administrator first.
Jackie gave his young companion an understanding bear hug and nodded to Gloria. "Don't worry, Auntie, everything's arranged over there. We'll catch up later!"
He watched the vehicle carrying the mother and son drive away before turning back.
Facing Valerie and the entire Maine squad, the smile on Jackie's face grew even brighter, and his voice unconsciously rose a bit. "Alright, you big shots! Now it's time for me to play host."
He spread his arms in an exaggerated gesture of invitation. "Let me show you what real Heywood style is!"
He strode forward first, deliberately widening his stride, walking ahead with that distinct street swagger.
Maine followed silently behind. His massive frame and new Sandevistan cyberware gave every step an unignorable sense of oppression.
Dorio stayed by his side, her sharp gaze sweeping over the orderly streets.
Lucy and Kiwi walked quietly side-by-side. As netrunners, they could clearly perceive the ubiquitous flow of surveillance data in the environment.
Rebecca was her usual energetic self, bouncing around and looking everywhere, full of curiosity about the refreshed streetscape.
Valerie walked at the very back of the group, her mechanical prosthetic emitting a faint whirring sound. Her expression was calm, but her keen gaze caught the hint of ill-concealed awkwardness behind Jackie's excessive enthusiasm.
Jackie's thoughts weren't hard to guess.
Maine's squad was now a veritable legend in Night City. Their feat of destroying Arasaka Tower made them mythical figures in mercenary circles, and the top-tier enhanced cyberware on each of them was a walking symbol of strength.
And Valerie, once a corporate Deputy Director, was now a tester piloting that red power armor coveted by every military contractor under the command of the mysterious "Sage," holding a transcendent status.
In contrast, Jackie himself, although also a follower of Joric, had spent most of his time effectively "idling"—either wandering around the Badlands town or bantering with Barghest recruits. He really didn't have any achievements to show for himself.
This disparity was undoubtedly torture for someone like Jackie Welles, who valued loyalty and face highly.
He desperately needed to regain some sense of control and respect on this familiar turf that belonged to him.
The group passed through the streets of Heywood.
Compared to the almost rigid order of the City Center, control here seemed slightly looser, as if the Administrator system's penetration had left some leeway, or perhaps it was intentionally observing the natural reactions of this traditional district.
Young people on street corners still gathered in twos and threes, but they no longer shouted recklessly or openly traded contraband.
Most of them just stood silently or spoke in low voices, their eyes scanning the surroundings vigilantly.
When Jackie's imposing group passed by—especially with the oppression brought by Maine's mobile-fortress-like body—these young people subconsciously restrained their postures, looked away, or lowered their heads slightly, revealing an instinctive prudence in the face of power.
The street fashion they wore was still flamboyant, but mixed within that flamboyance seemed to be a trace of caution seeking survival space under the new rules.
A squad of Militech patrol soldiers in standard gray uniforms marched toward them with uniform steps.
Their scanners swept silently over everyone, pausing for an instant on Maine and Valerie.
However, they didn't step forward to interrogate or provoke like corporate forces of the past. The leading NCO seemed to have received relevant identification information in advance. From a distance, he simply nodded slightly to Jackie and the others, then continued along the designated route like a machine following a fixed program.
This restrained interaction based on data judgment was itself a manifestation of how the new order operated.
In the air, the unique scent of Heywood streets—a mix of cheap spices, food, tobacco, and sweat—still lingered. But the tension brought by blatant lawlessness and violence had dissipated, replaced by a duller yet more predictable atmosphere.
Pedestrians hurried along the streets, seemingly clear about their destinations and behavioral boundaries. The chaos and spontaneity of the past were being constrained by an invisible framework.
Finally, the familiar sign of "El Coyote Cojo" appeared before them.
The neon tubes were still lit, outlining the wolf's head, but the usual clamor was missing from the entrance. Only a few scattered customers went in and out, a far cry from Jackie's memories.
"Hey! Ma! I'm back!" Jackie pushed open the bar door and shouted loudly, trying to dispel the lingering desolation with volume.
Inside the bar, under the familiar dim lighting, the air still smelled of alcohol, cleaning agents, and old leather. But without the backdrop of a noisy crowd, this familiarity held a trace of loneliness.
Mama Welles was standing behind the counter focused on wiping glasses. She looked up abruptly at the sound.
Seeing her son appear before her unharmed, a heartfelt smile instantly bloomed on her face, smoothing out the wrinkles at the corners of her eyes.
"Jackie! My boy!" She immediately put down the glass in her hand, walked quickly around the counter, and hugged her son tightly. She patted his back with both hands, then pulled back slightly to examine his face carefully. "Lost a little weight, but looking spirited! As long as you're okay, as long as you're okay!"
Her tone was filled with undisguised concern.
"Ma, I'm really fine!" Jackie released the hug, a relaxed smile on his face. He casually pulled Valerie, who was beside him, toward his mother. "Look, V came back with me."
Valerie stepped forward naturally, a gentle smile on her face. "Mrs. Welles, long time no see."
"V!" Mama Welles' eyes lit up. She immediately opened her arms and gave her a solid hug, patting her back gently as well. "It really has been a long time! Good to see you both back safe."
She let go and glanced at Jackie with a hint of rebuke. "This guy didn't cause you any trouble, did he?"
"Ma!" Jackie raised his voice deliberately in protest, then stepped aside to make room, gesturing toward the members of Maine's squad. His tone became a bit more formal. "These are my partners now—Maine, Dorio, Lucy, Kiwi, and Rebecca. All top-notch pros. Thanks to them looking out for me this time."
Mama Welles' gaze swept quickly over the new faces, lingering for a moment on the burly Maine and the energetic Rebecca. She then flashed the hearty smile characteristic of a bar owner. "Welcome, everyone! Don't stand in the doorway, come in and sit. Order whatever you like, the first round tonight is on me!"
As she spoke, she stepped aside to clear the path, habitually wiping the glass she had just placed on the counter, moving briskly to prepare for her guests.
(End of Chapter)