The fizzy magic of carbonated drinks worked wonders, loosening everyone up. The conversation flowed naturally, and sensing the moment was right, Leo extended an invitation to Jack, hoping to bring him into his fledgling crew.
"Jack, I said this when we first met—" Leo paused, his eyes scanning the bar for any unwelcome eavesdroppers. Once satisfied, he leaned in. "I'm a fixer. And I wasn't kidding."
"I might be new here, no family backing me up, but I have money. And I have people willing to support me. Resources. I think we can build something real. Start small, work our way up. Recruit people. Form a crew. Hell, maybe even start our own company one day."
"A company? Damn." Jack lifted his drink, his grin widening. "Most people around here? Best they dream of is getting a spot at the Afterlife and hoping someone calls 'em a legend. But starting a company? That takes balls."
He downed the last of his cola. "But it's not gonna be easy. Fixers with any street cred? They're damn good at what they do." Jack tapped his finger on the table thoughtfully. "You gotta know who you're up against."
He began listing them off like battle-scarred legends from some urban myth:
"Wakako Okada. Runs Westbrook. Fixer and local queenpin. They say she's buried five husbands—all Tyger Claws bosses. And she's got nine sons. Every one of 'em? High up in the gang."
"Then there's Regina Jones. Watson's fixer. Got her hands in everything. Used to be a war reporter. Honest type—for a fixer."
V nodded. "Worked for her. She's not bad."
Jack gave her a quick glance, then continued, "And in Heywood? That's where Father Sebastian Ibarra calls the shots. You'll see him around the basketball courts near the Coyote Cojo. If you ever meet him, show some respect. Guy's got real pull."
"And then, there's Rogue. Queen of the Afterlife. Night City's best fixer. I've never met her. Not many have. But the stories? Legendary."
"You've also got names like Captain Reyes and Dino Dinovic from City Center. But those guys? Just names to me."
Jack cracked his knuckles. "Bottom line? You wanna be a fixer here, you're stepping into the big leagues."
Leo smirked. "I get it. Starting's hard. So is the middle. And the end? Probably the hardest."
He wasn't just being cheeky. Without his interdimensional advantage, he wouldn't dare challenge the power players of Night City. But with the ability to bring in resources from Gotham? The playing field was about to change.
And then, there was the prize—the Relic. Technology granting immortality. The thought alone set his blood racing.
Immortality, wealth, power… Night City has it all.
For now, though, he had a more immediate goal.
"Let's talk pay." Leo laid it out: 1,000 eddies per day for V's services. 30,000 a month.
Jack's eyes widened. "Chingada madre! Even half of that's more than most mercs see."
There was envy in his voice, but no malice. V caught the look, but her hand stayed steady on her glass. She'd worked hard to land a gig like this, and she wasn't about to let it slip.
And that was exactly what Leo wanted—to create desire. Desire for what he could offer.
He leaned forward. "I'm not like those fixers who nickel-and-dime their people. The ones who treat mercs like disposable trash."
"If I want someone on my side, I pay them. Simple as that."
V gave him a side glance, as if trying to gauge how much of that was just talk. But Jack? Jack grinned.
"Hijo de puta, you really know how to sell it." He slammed his hand on the table, rattling empty cans. "If you mean even half of what you're saying? You'll have your own booth at the Afterlife in no time."
"Just don't go around announcing how rich you are. That's how people end up in dumpsters."
V, ever the practical one, gave him a subtle nod of approval. The words were harsh, but the sentiment was clear—don't die before you make good on your promise.
"So, we're in?" Leo extended his hand across the table.
V exhaled sharply, then reached out. "In."
Jack hesitated only for a moment, then clapped his massive hand on top. "Que carajo, let's do it."
February 18th, 2076. 1:25 PM.
The three-person crew was officially formed.
Leo committed the moment to memory. This was the start of something far greater.
"Alright. First order of business: plans."
"I'm enrolling at Arasaka Academy. Learn their tech, get a respectable cover identity. While I'm busy with that, Jack, you recover and keep an ear to the ground. Check in with your contacts at the bar."
Jack nodded. "Ten days, maybe two weeks. I'll be back on my feet."
V kept her answer short. "I'm the boss's bodyguard. My job's to keep him breathing."
Leo smiled. The roles were falling into place.
But there was one more piece missing.
"A real crew needs a netrunner. Someone who can dig, hack, cover our tracks. I'm not there yet—but I know just the people for the job."
Lucy, Kiwi… maybe even some wild cards.
But that could wait.
"For now, we're done here." Leo stood, brushing crumbs from his jacket. "Jack, get some rest. V, with me. We've still got things to do today."
---
Read Up To 30+ Advanced Chapters in pat/reon.com/KyokaSuigetsu