Cyberpunk: Badland Madman Chapter 33 - Dodging Bullets, Bioware, Cult, Drinking Her & New Itch

Doc - https://docs.google.com/document/d/14iVtAKuEkw1of_IjzfTA5JviM4T9v_jr4SBiTQPSqCg/edit?usp=sharing

[...ETA 6 minutes. 5 armed AVs, 20 armored operatives fitted with explosives and advanced armor approaching from…]

"What's the plan?" 

[SecUnits are on standby. The bodyguards will not be summoned. This moment will be recorded for propaganda and news media. You and the SecUnits will handle the enemy alone.]

"You finished making them?"

[Yes, two versions, precisely. Be prepared now, Cyph. The enemies are wearing better armor than MaxTac operatives. But it remains Cyberware. I have complete access to their bodies. I will permit them to strike your non-vital areas and your coat. You will sustain minor bleeding, but I want you to eliminate them as dramatically as possible.]

Cypher whistled as he arrived outside the Afterlife in the parking lot. He looked at the empty sky filled with light pollution. 

"Damn, what're you trying to do? Make me a legend or something?"

[You already are one. What I want is for you to become something greater.]

"Won't the NCPD come?"

[My analysis concludes that the NCPD will not meddle. Orbital Air hired the incoming hostiles. The other corporations of Night City also seek to eliminate you if they cannot claim you. They will remain passive and observe the event.]

"I guess we'll need to make a SecUnit army soon. After this, they'll hit with extra force. You got that nuke you were talking about?"

[I have. It is currently at the bottom of the dam reservoir. The Microbots were highly effective.]

"Awesome! Let's go all out, then. Sucks I didn't bring my DL-18 blaster. Would've had a hell of a time showing it off." 

[You didn't bring it, but I did. All weapons are in the AV's trunk.]

Intrigued, Cypher walked behind the parked AV as the trunk opened on its own. It wasn't just a DL-18 blaster in there; there were also grenades, a regular sniper rifle, and assault rifles. But he only grabbed the grenades and two blasters. They were small and lightweight. 

[ETA 2 minutes. They are approaching from the West side, over the three-storey building.]

Cypher turned around right away and glanced towards the sky. It was the only open area high up that allowed direct access to that parking lot. Otherwise, tall buildings surrounded each direction. Even the building Afterlife was in had more than twenty floors. 

"I can hear it."

The roar of the conventional AV engines slowly covered the sky and the surroundings, the noise echoing from all the walls around him. He cracked his neck, stretching, then started doing simple sideways leg stretches while patting his long lab coat to make sure it covered him well. 

The only weak spot was his head, sadly. And he doubted even having simple skin-based bioware would help him in that department. And helmets were too… covering. The whole point of it was being seen. 

"Don't cancel my appointment with Vik after this. I really wanna get bioware. It's about time I upgraded myself in the strength department. We got premium, top-tier secret muscles and other body parts from the SecUnit. The market's only got the weak version. I'll use the real deal."

[Very well, I will leave him a message to keep his schedule open.]

"Here they come!"

Five AVs appeared flying fast in the sky, spilling across the space above the Afterlife parking lot. They were a different AV model than any Cypher had ever seen. They were big, bulky, built like army trucks that carried men on the battlefield. Two turrets were extending from the sides, one on each side. 

However, only three of them approached the ground, and even that was limited. 

The three hovered thirty feet above the ground as the doors flipped open upwards on each side of the three AVs. No ropes were used; twelve fully armored men jumped out and landed straight. 

"That's some expensive hardware!" Cypher whistled at the sight. The armor they were wearing had white and black colors, very close to Orbital Air's colors. It was a mix of MaxTac and Trauma Team attire, just more armor, from helmet to boots; every inch of their body was covered in metal. 

Most likely, men and women inside those suits had their own chrome running as well. They were all armed with assault rifles while having pistols on their hips. 

"That many for little ol’ me?" He asked, and looked up. All five AVs began to hover near each corner of that parking lot as the turrets started to move. Five AVs combined had enough firepower to make sure he couldn't run or find cover anywhere. 

Of course, he could run inside the Afterlife, but then that wouldn't be badass. 

Bang!

Cypher jumped sideways just a moment before that bullet fired at him. He let Atlas feed information to his senses, including the part of his brain that urged him to move in a certain way. That way, he wouldn't make a mistake in reacting. 

As the bullet brushed past his shoulder by an inch, he shook his head. 

"Really? Won't even talk? Just shoot on sight? Lemme guess, some energy corpo? Transportation? Water? Hm, hard to tell after fucking over so many."

"Kill him!" The merc at the lead shouted orders. 

Instantly, all twelve mercs started shooting at him. But not just them; five turrets from the AVs hovering about also focused fire on Cypher. 

Cypher's body moved without hesitation. He began running in the direction his body twitched for, and followed an invisible path that Atlas fed into his eyes. Head ducked low, he ran at full speed in an arch. 

The bullets from the AV turrets landed on his left, behind him, in front of him. Each time he dashed and dodged, avoiding getting hit, even as the bullets ruined the asphalt parking lot, punching holes in it. 

Slowly, finding his chance, Cypher took a turn and began moving towards the mercs shooting at him as well. He started running straight towards them, dodging bullets that came for his head, although they were all precisely controlled by Atlas. 

He still ate multiple bullets on his body, as his shirt, pants, and lab coat stopped them. But they still pinched like hell, like paintballs pelting his skin. 

"Holy Shit!" 

One of the mercs shouted as he tried to reload. 

Cypher used that split moment, aimed the blaster in his right hand, and shot a deadly red bolt of plasma. It was slower than regular bullets, but fast enough, and struck the man in the face, on his helmet. Their armor was no Durasteel. The blaster bolt melted through and put a hole in his head. 

Thud!

The merc fell.

"Fuck! Kill him!" 

The other mercs began to panic, showing tiny moments of hesitation. He was still standing and putting up a fight, despite them having aerial support from five AVs. It defied common sense. 

Ratatatata!

"Captain! How's he doing this?"

Pew!

Cypher chose not to hit their faces. He needed them alive. So, he shot at their arms and legs, mostly their wrists. One bullet and one gun down, hand neatly ruined, unable to hold a gun again. Then another bullet to the leg, stopping them from running. 

"They said he's ganic!" 

The twelve mercs came down to just seven. They shouted at each other, backed away, jumped around, trying to spray bullets at him randomly. 

Woosh!

Cypher ducked, dodged, and shot. 

From seven, they became five. 

"Haha! I love this!" Cypher laughed, bleeding from the corner of his ear by now, as well as his other side's cheek. He felt his entire body tingle from all the bullets he'd stopped with his clothes. It fucking stung. 

Ratatata!

But at that time, he became annoyed by the five AVs in the air. So he focused on them with Atlas' help. He dodged the mercs, the AV turrets, and aimed both his blasters up. 

The first time he shot at the turret’s muzzle, it missed. The second time, it hit the right spot and melted the protruding muzzle. The AV, however, just turned around and began shooting from the other side. 

Cypher sweated like crazy. He panted, feeling his stamina dwindle. Almost half an hour had passed, and his body was moving on pure adrenaline. But he focused still and kept shooting the turrets. 

One, two, three, one by one he brought down the turrets of each AV. By then, the five leftover mercs were too scared to focus. They threw grenades at him. He kicked them back at them, killing one more. 

Cypher threw smoke grenades to hide his movements so he could focus above. His eyes still saw everything since he didn't rely on his regular vision. 

"Is that all you got?!" Cypher roared, and after stopping the AVs, he stopped moving around. He stood still and aimed both his blasters at the four remaining Mercs. "Who sent you?"

Bang!

The merc shot; it hit his collar. He shot back and disarmed the shooter. 

"Still won't answer?"

"How the fuck did—"

Cypher shot again, knocking the speaking merc down. 

"Down to two," Cypher said, aiming a blaster at each of them. "I'll find out the truth sooner or later anyway. Question is, you really wanna lose an arm and a leg saving your employer?"

"It’s supposed to be an easy job!" 

"It’s overkill!"

Cypher sighed as the two, one man and one woman, started rambling in panic. He just shot them, each hand and one leg near the knee. 

The AVs were still flying above, however. Atlas had them locked in place, not letting them escape. They still had eight mercs inside. 

"Show's over." Cypher holstered both his blasters into his coat's pockets and raised his right arm high. Then, he snapped his fingers. 

Woosh!

Five, eight-foot-tall, bulky, hulking, modified SecUnits, colored dark and white, jumped from the top of nearby highrises and landed on top of the AVs. The SecUnits hung on the side of the AVs, used their raw hands, and tore off the doors. 

Moments later, one by one, the five AVs came down, covered in smoke, and crashed around Cypher. 

Thud!

Thud!

The SecUnits threw the still-alive mercs out like they were trashbags, before emerging themselves. They were fucking massive. 

[These are the Juggernaut J-type SecUnits. They cannot fly, but their thrusters allow them to leap over Night City’s tallest buildings. Their primary strengths are firepower and physical force.]

Cypher whistled. 

Right then, a new AV appeared in the sky with barely any sound. This one was Cypher's one, a Steelbird Carrier, the bus version of his designed Spinner. Gently, it landed near him, and from inside appeared several seven-foot-tall, slender, Iron Man-like SecUnits. They had a black-and-silver steel theme going on. 

[These are Tactical T-Type SecUnits. They can fly, fire, move silently, and camouflage themselves. Ideal for rapid insertion or extraction.]

Once again, Cypher whistled. But then he noticed something. Each SecUnit of both types had a skull on its chest surrounded by golden wings. The shoulder armor also had a skull. He knew where that symbol had come from. 

But at that point, he didn't give a damn. Atlas had made them, so he let Atlas have some fun. 

The T-Type SecUnits began moving around, arresting the downed Mercs and shoving them in the Steelbird Carrier. They were handed simple first aid; that was all. Moments later, two more Steelbird Carriers arrived for the J-Type SecUnits to ride on. These didn't have any seats inside and had increased height, made specifically to transport them. 

Eventually, the parking lot only had countless bullet holes, patched asphalt, and five destroyed AVs left with bloodstains here and there. Cypher's white coat had turned dark due to all the gunpowder he'd taken. 

"That was pretty damn fun. Make sure you cut an awesome video and BD from this. Maybe shoot a clip or two over to Gillean so she can run it on the morning news."

"Boss!"

Just then, multiple large trucks rolled into the parking area. Maine jumped out, armed and alert. Following him, the rest of his crew and dozens more bodyguards spilled all around him. 

"Late for the party, Maine," Cypher said, brushing his coat off. "It's over. Don't sweat it, ain't your fault. I chose not to call you folks. Needed to send them a message." 

"Fleet Admiral Blackwell!" 

All of a sudden, a meek male voice came from nearby. 

Maine and his crew became alert and surrounded him, aiming all their guns at the new voice. The man wore weird attire: a blue shirt, dark pants, and a rocket pin on his chest. There was some sort of exotic body sculpting going on, with those long pointy ears and bowl-cut hair. 

"Let him through, Maine. He's a nerd like me." Cypher waved. 

"Thank you! Thank you, Fleet Admiral."

"..."

Cypher eyed the man awkwardly, holding a big recorder device. He recognised that look right away: a Vulcan from Star Trek. And that made this man a Trekkie, a member of the posergang by the same name. They act as members of the Star Trek universe, taking things to the extreme by including tech, weapons, and look-alike devices. 

"I… I'm Vilvom, it's a pleasure to meet you," the man introduced himself, visibly shaking and sweating. "I… I knew you're the one. You fought them so easily and won. You don't even have chrome."

"Shouldn't you talk without emotions? Ain't you a Vulcan?"

"Ah, yes, of course. I knew you would understand me. I am Lieutenant Vilvom. Starfleet personnel have been searching for you, Fleet Admiral. We created the StarTracker website to track your location. You are the focal point of our collective, and your leadership will guide us to the stars. We find logic in it."

"..."

Not just Cypher, but Maine's crew also eyed the man like he was a whackjob, which he actually was. 

"Atlas, I've known your clanker ass long enough to know you knew about this shit before these bastards wrote the first line of code for this damn site. Why am I just hearing about it now?" 

[Cypher, you do me a disservice with such underestimation. I was the one who placed the idea in their minds. I guided them to the Star, you, as the one who would fulfill their dreams of space travel.] 

"Holy shit, you're worse than SkyNet. At least that motherfucker was detectable."

[I do what I do for the benefit and the prosperous future of mankind.]

"And what prosperity will this bring?"

[Blind devotion and cult following. To be the Emperor of Mankind, it has to begin somewhere.]

"Alright, but I'm busy. Wanna take a picture with me before I leave?" He looked back at the wannabe Vulcan.

"Please! I would be honored." 

Cypher smiled and let the Trekkie walk beside him. Maine grabbed the camera and snapped a picture. However, the most shocking part was that for unknown reasons, the man was so excited that he peed in his pants. Legs shivering like he'd collapse any moment. 

"You fucked his brain too much."

[That was his biological reaction. I had zero hand in this.]

"No shit. You can't hold his cock and make him piss. Anyway, torture the mercs you grabbed. Give me a reason to fuck up Orbital Air. We'll start by tearing them apart and swallowing them whole, then establish ourselves as a space-faring monopoly. Once we've got space superiority, ‘Saka and Militech will think twice before fucking with Obsidian. 

[Fantastic idea.]

"Alright, I'm off to Little China. Don't need bodyguards, but you're welcome to wander around with me. I'll be at Vik's clinic." He informed Maine's crew.

"I ain't taking me eye off you, Boss." Maine blurted. "You're my cash cow, and I'm addicted to the damn milk."

"Just make sure it's actually milk," Cypher said, heading for his parked AV. 

Somehow, not one stray bullet had hit it. 

####

Viktor's Clinic, Little China, 

It was getting late, but Viktor still had one scheduled, very high-profile patient incoming, so he waited by his usual table, fixing and tuning his exoglove. In front of him, as usual, a boxing match was running on the screen. It was a replay he'd seen countless times. 

Now, it was less about the match and more about the sounds that acted like therapy for him. But right then, a notification appeared at the corner of the screen. The pop-up said, "Cypher Blackwell Attacked in Afterlife!"

He quickly tapped on the screen and played the live broadcast. It was Gillean Jordan's face as usual, though she seemed more excited for some reason. 

"Hm?" 

Viktor leaned forward to look at the video playing. It looked like a battlefield, multiple mercs armed to the teeth, turrets shooting from the air. And then there was Cypher Blackwell dodging those bullets and gunning the enemies down. It was just a tiny footage being played again and again. 

Watching that, he began to doubt if Cypher was actually as ganic as claimed. 

[...just moments ago, our sources confirmed that unknown assailants launched an attack on Cypher Blackwell, the CEO and the brain behind Obsidian. A total of twenty armed mercenaries were arrested by Mr. Blackwell's private security, and a total of five armed, illegal AVs were impounded by the NCPD. Our experts believe that this was a targeted attack after the recent announcements by Obsidian. Today's exp…]

"You don’t say." He muttered. 

Even a baby could guess that some corpo was behind this hit. The gear was top of the line, priceless. But he remembered what Cypher was shooting. "Still couldn't put down one mad scientist." 

Shhhh!

Just then, he heard the gate of his shop slide open. He did a few double takes between his screen and the gate. Then a few more takes. The video of Cypher Blackwell fighting was still playing on the screen. 

But there was the man himself standing in front of him, with just a bandage on his cheek and ear, a dirty lab coat. 

"When did this happen?" Vik asked, turning the screen. 

“Damn, she’s quick. About thirty minutes ago, I’d say. You got my upgrades ready? I want the whole bioware package. Grafted muscles, muscle and bone lace, skin weave, antibodies, nanosurgeons.” 

Vik sighed and put the boxing match back on. "Sure, it's all there. You're the supplier for the muscles in the first place. All I had to do was get the nanites for the rest. But the recovery time will be at least twenty-four hours." 

"Don't worry about that. Just shove the nanites in me and forget about 'em. I've got better tools that'll work 'em." 

Vik wanted to ask questions. But he chose not to. Cypher had already done him a great deal of favor by making him Night City's only supplier of Obsidian's synthetic muscles, human brain tissue cloner, skin, and Real Heart products. He was earning big eddies already, but he used most of it to help homeless veterans and other needy people fix their cyberware. 

"Alright, take your clothes off and get on the bench. I'll begin right away. It'll be a long night if we're doing all of them." 

"Sure, though don't remove the chain around my neck. It's kinda important." 

Once again, Vik chose not to ask a question. After a certain age, you learn to know when to speak and when to look the other way. That was the trick to growing old in the Night City. 

####

Lake Farm,

Cypher didn't know shit about what happened after he passed out on Viktor's ripperdock bench. He didn't even feel anything other than the first jab that put the sedatives in. When he opened his eyes again, the sight was familiar. 

He was back in his bedroom on Lake Farm; the sunlight was filtering through the windows. A new day had begun, and the entire night had passed. He had no clue how he'd reached home. 

"W-What happened?" 

Atlas materialised right beside him, Morgan Freeman dressed in a white suit. "A SecUnit transported you from Viktor's shop to a parked AV. I flew you home and used Microbots to create a gentle bed, which moved you to the bedroom. After the grafted muscles were installed and Vik completed his work, I took control of the nanites and individually optimized their efficiency. 

"You now have Muscle & Bone Lace, unrecognisable Skin Weave, enhanced antibodies for disease resistance, and nanosurgeons that repair damage at the cellular level. Now, you can survive a high-velocity bullet while nude. With your coat, the injury will be imperceptible. 

"I have also developed a method to deploy our own nanites, capable of self-healing most diseases and wounds, provided they're unrelated to DNA."

Cypher whistled and rose to sit up. He felt sore all over, but also a strange sort of strength. "Damn, I got abs now, and holy shit, look at my fucking biceps. Wait, my face!" 

He climbed out of his bed and fast-walked into the bathroom. He stared at his face in the mirror. It looked much better now, clean, but still realistic. Only the marks of abuse were gone, while the moles and other things were as they were. He eyed his arms, and the old needle marks were also gone. 

"The nanites are still within you, Cyph. I will regulate them to keep your body in peak health at all times," Atlas said. 

If Cypher had a little more sanity, and he hadn't created Atlas himself, he would have been creeped out, if not scared shitless of what Atlas just said. The AI had declared it would control his biology on a cellular level and course correct anything wrong with it. 

"Thanks, Atlas," Cypher said and turned on the faucet. "I'm good to move around?"

"Yes, you are fully healed."

"Alright, let's keep digging into the seed research. Tomorrow's all we've got before the next itch rolls around. I'd like to finish this, or at least get this one to the advanced stage before then. Who the hell knows what it'll be." 

####

Militech Offices, Corpo Plaza, 

The building was mostly used for work, but the likes of Director Goldstein had the privilege of having their apartment right inside that same building. 

That morning, Director Goldstein woke up early. It had become a habit ever since he'd met Cypher Blackwell that day. 

After waking up, he sat up first and took deep breaths. He was very old now, and he wasn't interested in getting any cyberware enhancements. However, that had changed now. New skin, new eyes, strengthened bones and organs. He had reinvented himself so he could live a few more years. 

Finally, he got off his bed and walked into the living area. He drank a full glass of water first, and then headed towards the room labeled office in his apartment. However, as soon as he opened the door, golden and red light shone from within. 

Thud!

Director Goldstein fell to his knees and crawled inside the room. 

"Oh, mighty Omnissiah, I pray to you for giving me yet another morning to stand."

Goldstein crawled all the way to the middle of the room, where a strange, pentagram-like design was painted inside a circle. Every wall was covered with red, silk-like curtains; engraved on them were words and prayers. Then finally, before him was a giant screen on which Omnissiah appeared. Hooded, tubes going from his mouth, red eyes. 

Director Goldstein kowtowed completely. 

"What duty am I to serve today, Omnissiah?" 

He begged at that shrine every single day and night. 

Goldstein was a changed man. He had become a believer. 

####

As the middle of the day arrived, Cypher made some progress on the seeds. But then, he had to leave home again as the deal to purchase Mahir Motors had closed. He had to meet the executives of the company, sign the deal, fire them all, and turn the company private. 

He didn't give a damn about the company's name. What he wanted was their already established production line, supply chains, and sales channels.   

There was no big party. No champagne popping. He just signed the damn papers and got the hell out of there. It was Atlas' job to fuck around with the stocks and management. By the end, the plan was to only have Cypher be the sole owner and decision maker. 

Cypher had other things to deal with. As evening approached, he arrived at Lizzie's. That night, a massive party was being thrown there with discounted booze. The reason was that the club would be closed for the coming week due to pending renovations. Business had been booming ever since Cypher's investment and Atlas' hidden micromanagement, so the club needed another floor now and more private booths. 

And as a shareholder, Cypher wasn’t just invited, but was actually the center of attention. He was the biggest celebrity in Night City currently, due to how much noise he was making and how often his name and face appeared on the news. 

Once he entered the club, Rita and a few other girls escorted him through the bar. He got himself a drink, took a few pictures with excited mercs, BD actresses, corpos, and regular folks on the dance floor, and then slipped to the backroom where the club's owner and the leader of Moxes were. 

"Mr. Blackwel—"

"Cypher, Susie. At least when we're off the clock." Cypher slouched onto the couch beside the tall, dark-skinned woman. "Floor's packed. Business is doing pretty damn good." 

“Yeah, never seen better days. BDs are workin’ magic. Folks are crossing oceans just to see their favorite BD actress in the flesh. Some are even throwin’ big eddies at the girls for one magical night.” 

Cypher chuckled. "And do they?"

"Well, some do. Hundred grand for a night? Can't say that's bad biz. We keep ’em safe, though, and research every client our talents meet. What about you? Saw the attack video. Hell of a nasty scene." 

"Eh, I'm alive." He drank a big gulp of the beer. "Pretty soon, I'll be offering exclusive organic food at the Continental and Atlantis. Grab some for your VIP clients too. And the Quantum Condom's getting an upgrade. With nanites, it'll stop all sexual diseases. Sell it at a premium with the 'no-condom' offer. Guys'll eat that shit up. And partner with the Loveline dating app I own, Lizzie's can hold a blind date night monthly." 

Susanna Quinn looked at him and chuckled. "Here I thought we were off the clock, Mr. Blackwell."

"Can't help it. I kinda like seeing clubs do well. Atlantis has a whole different vibe from Lizzie’s, and they don't really clash. Anyway, I'm gonna go find my favorite BD editor." 

"She's downstairs."

Cypher got up and walked straight to Judy's BD dungeon in the club. But right as he entered, he froze as she wasn't alone. Judy was in her usual seat, but right beside her, standing, was Evelyn, in a black, backless, wide-necked mini-dress. She wore no leggings, showing her full skin, and her hair was white that evening. 

"Haven't seen that face in a while," he commented. 

"M-Mr. Blackwell." 

Evelyn's reaction was all about shock and visible fear. The woman straightened her back like a soldier in an important briefing. She then rushed to the side, grabbed her coat, put it on, and headed out. 

"Good night, Mr. Blackwell."

The door opened and closed behind her. Cypher looked at Judy as she eyed him back. 

"What? I ain't done anything. She's scared for no damn reason." 

Judy smiled, shaking her head. "I didn't say anything. She was in a hurry anyway, had a few questions about BDs. But forget her. You look different, Cyph. And, damn, I'm not sure I hate it." 

Cypher proudly rubbed his chin. "Yeah, after last night's attack, I went and got myself some bioware. Didn't know it'd fix my fucked-up skin, but here I am." 

Judy stared at his face for a moment, then smirked. "How about I give it a closer inspection? Make sure you didn't screw it up." 

"Sure." Cypher began taking off his coat as he moved towards the flat bench. 

“I meant at my place, you gonk!” 

"Yeah, sure. Let's do that. Hell, let's throw Titanic on while we're at it. Classic '90s hit." 

"Fuck yeah! Gimme an hour to wrap this shit up. Go upstairs and ogle some pretty chick till I'm done." 

"Why?" Cypher asked, dragging a chair right beside Judy's, though he kept it turned toward her. "When I can just ogle the prettiest one right here?" 

"Heh, tryin' to get into my pants?" 

"Jude, I don't remember the last time we slept with our pants on." 

“Mm-hm. Stop bugging me, or tonight’s gonna be that fuckin’ night.” 

Cypher made a zipping gesture on his mouth and silently began chatting with Atlas while staring at Judy's screen, watching what she was doing. She really was editing porn BDs.

"Hope she gets paid well for this. Can't imagine watching porn all day every day."

[You used to do just that.]

"This body, not me. Anyway, get me the finest quality copy of Titanic from the Old Net."

[It's already in my archives. I'm currently assessing Dogtown while expanding my access there. I believe assuming control of Dogtown would be exceptionally useful to us. It could operate as our private industrial district, similar to Arasaka Waterfront.]

"Hm, dealing with Kurt Hansen ain't a big deal, I guess. Running the damn place is gonna be. It's pretty much a ruin, far as I know." 

[Repairable.]

"Alright, put together an action plan then. We're gonna need to crank up production anyway to cater to the whole world. And having a massive district'll come in handy when we eventually get some big itch like a starship or something." 

He stared at the video clip left for Judy to edit. 

"Atlas, can't you make her finish this faster?"

[You are asking a cosmically powerful AI that can simulate universes to edit pornographic video?]

"Braindance, not a video. There's a difference."

He smiled when no response came, but Judy reacted by freezing back into her seat. The video editing software began moving on its own, and she just stared at editing happening on its own. Within thirty seconds, the entire BD was done. 

“W-What the hell was that, Cyph? Was that you?” 

“Magic,” Cypher replied dramatically, getting up. “Time to head home, take a shower, and watch a movie. Oh, I'm getting organic pizza from the Continental. Hell, I'm spoiled.” 

Judy stared dumbly at her screen. She gave the edited BD a quick review, and honestly, she felt the editing was exactly the same as her own style. But then she looked at Cypher being smug, and it made sense. The man was a walking encyclopedia of BDs. 

"Yeah, let's go. But how'd you do it?"

Cypher tapped on his temples. "With some brain magic. No questions now, move, or I'm gonna pick you up and carry you like a princess through the dance floor."

"..."

Judy cringed hard at that idea. And knowing how crazy Cypher was, she didn't take the risk and got up right away. She grabbed her van's keys and walked with him through the side entry. 

Cypher didn't take his AV, as it would get too much attention in Judy's parking space. Instead, he rode in her van, tinkering with her music system to play his favorite songs. None of that Pon Pon Shit. That was not music, but an abomination. 

After reaching her place, he took a shower first, and then while she took a bath, he set up the TV in front of the living room couch. Around that time, pizzas came from the Continental, and with that, the night's plan was set. 

But when Judy came out of the bath, it was hard not to stare. She was wearing one of his white shirts he'd left at her home. It was buttoned up to the second top button, leaving much of her neck naked. Below, it barely reached her thighs. And he was damn sure she wore nothing underneath. 

Well, Cypher himself was just in his boxers, so he had nothing to comment on. He sat back on the couch, let her slide right beside him, and pulled a thin quilt on their legs, getting all warm and cozy. Then, with the pizza box on his lap, he started the movie. 

Now, he'd seen the movie a few times in his first life. Still, he remembered most of it. However, he was more excited to see how Judy would react to some of the scenes, and knowing her personality, he couldn't wait for her to see the ending. 

Yet, he loved all the romantic, dirty scenes because Judy reacted to them. Her hand rubbed over his chest as she leaned into him. Heck, he even received a kiss on the lips, and he wasn't one to complain. 

She got a bit touchy during the more revealing scenes. But once the ship started to break, she gave full attention to the movie. 

"What the… bitch move!" 

As expected, Judy cursed when Jack died, and Rose floated on the board. But that wasn't the end of it, as the final scene began, where old hag Rose threw the necklace into the scene.  

"That shit was worth three hundred million dollars," Cypher added. 

“No choom! Fuck no, she can't be that goddamn gonk. Is this shit real? That's generational wealth! Like, enough eddies to never work again. What the fuck is wrong with her? Holy shit, Jack died for nothing. Then she marries the guy she hates and has kids with him, but never forgot her... Ugh, this movie's pissing me off.” 

"Hah!" Cypher laughed hard. "Yeah, I feel you. Well, that was the fuckin' Titanic, and now I'm kinda in the mood to get some sleep." 

"After that? Choom, I need it to forget the dumb bitch." Judy was ahead of him, throwing the quilt off. As she walked away, she lifted the loose shirt and tossed it away, entering her bedroom all naked. 

Cypher stretched his back, threw the pizza box, tossed away his boxers as well, and entered the room right behind her. With her sleeping closer to the wall, he slid down beside her and pulled her in, his arm under her head as she hugged his chest. 

Honestly, feeling her warm skin against his chest, he couldn't help but grow hard. Heck, she had her folded knee pressed right on top of his erection. Yet, he didn't feel that insane, sex-starved rush with her. 

He didn't feel the uncontrollable urge to fuck. Instead, he just felt warm and happy. The fact that Judy didn't ask him much about the attack on him from last night told him how much she trusted his decisions already. 

And…

She did say she wanna try things out. 

"Hey, Jude?"

"Hm?" She responded, her face near his neck. 

"You mind if I try something on you?"

There was a brief pause. Her fingers softly rubbed over his chest. "It ain't goin' in me."

"I know that much already. No, it ain't that. Pizza just wasn't enough, I guess. Kinda feel like tasting something else," he replied, moving as he gently pushed Judy flat. He propped himself up on his side, eyes fixed on her face. The light was dim, but good enough. "You mind if I give myself a little treat?"

"Um… Alright. I kinda… wanna… see if it'll make me moan or wanna smack your gonk head away."

"Fingers crossed." Cypher moved and leaned his face down at her neck first. 

He didn’t want to dive in too directly. He wanted her to feel the warmth first. When his lips finally fell on the soft flesh of her neck, he felt her whole body go stiff under him. A short, sharp inhale. Then he trailed lower, slowly, until his mouth closed around one cherry-tipped nipple and sucked.

"Ummmh…"

Her hand landed on his scalp. For a second his heart thumped, half-expecting her to shove him off. Instead, her fingers combed through his hair, almost curiously, not pushing, nor pulling.

He wanted her comfortable, wanted her to want this. His cock had already brushed against the bare heat of her lower lips when they first settled in, but he’d never touched her there with his fingers. Never groped her breasts. 

Now his lips were on them, and the difference felt huge.

He kept his mouth moving over the stiff little bud, eyes looking up to her face. Her lips were pursed tight, brows drawn together. Hard to tell if she was fighting the feeling or enjoying it.

Cypher didn’t linger long. He kissed his way down the soft, flat belly, lower and lower, until his mouth brushed over the black ink of the kitty skull tattoo right above her mound. She was smooth, completely bare. Not a single trace of hair.

Finally, he shifted between her legs and his hands pried her knees apart. This was the first clear look he’d ever gotten at her pussy, and fuck, he went speechless. Dark-pink lips clamped tight, shiny with arousal already beading at the seam. Her clit sat right there, swollen and waiting. 

His palms slid over the soft skin of her thighs, tracing the line of the thigh-garter tattoo. Then he crouched lower, leaning in like a priest at a temple.

Instead of going straight for the prize, he swept his flat tongue along her inner thigh and licked slowly toward her pussy lips.

"Mm…” Judy’s legs trembled.

He did the same to the other side. Another small tremble ran through her.

Finally he licked right above her clit, where the soft skin met the start of her bare mound, then traced lazy circles all around the prize itself before he dove in for real.

Judy stared at the ceiling of her room while she felt Cypher, the most unexpected addition to her life in years, work his way down her body. She bit her lip hard, trying not to react when his mouth closed over her breast. But the second that warm tongue dragged along the sensitive skin of her inner thighs, a gulp was stuck in her throat. She waited, tense, every muscle coiled.

"Ah!"

She couldn’t hold it in when he licked flat and slow right over her entrance. She felt his entire mouth latched onto her pussy. She gulped again, caught somewhere between confusion and a heat that climbed up her spine. 

It felt odd. Not bad, just… different. 

She’d been eaten out before, plenty of times, in ways she didn’t even want to count. But none of them had ever given her this kind of thrill. She thought she could fool herself if she closed her eyes, but this was a man, a real man. Her body utterly felt the difference. 

She should have been disgusted, but she fucking wasn’t. Not with Cypher.

"Ooooh, fuck that feels good!"

The moan slipped out louder. She was accepting it now, whether she wanted to admit it or not. His lips sealed around her soaked folds, tongue pushing gently between them, then flicking up to catch her clit. He was good; she had to give him that.

Her hands fisted the sheets on either side as his tongue started dancing around that tiny, oversensitive bundle of nerves. Sliding, swirling, wet and merciless. Soft squelching sounds filled the quiet room every time he dragged through the moist petals.

She finally squeezed her eyes shut, no longer frowning. Her lips parted on shaky breaths. 

"Dammit… Cyph! Where'd…. You learn this?"

No answer came. Only the wet, steady slosh of his tongue and the soft clench of her own walls around nothing. She could feel how much she was dripping, and fuck, it shamed her. She was already so close it almost scared her.

Then she felt his arms slide under her thighs and curl around them, urging her legs up and over his shoulders. She locked her ankles behind his head without thinking.

"Shit! Shit! Shit… you're… crazy!"

At that point she realised he wasn’t going to let her relax her legs. He had her locked, ankles crossed behind his head, and the pressure in her belly was past the point of no return. She was coming.

Slosh! Slosh!

Slurp!

The wet, filthy sounds alone made her feel dirty. She struggled to lift her head, needing to see. 

And as if he knew exactly what she wanted, he helped.

Woosh!

Keeping her legs clamped around his skull, Cypher rolled hard onto his back. 

The sudden shift dropped her pussy straight down onto his face. Her cunt landed on his open mouth, his thick cock standing hard and ignored behind her. She folded her knees, bracing herself, and looked down. All she could see were his eyes and the top of his forehead, already glistening.

Then that tight, coiling feeling in her belly snapped tighter. His tongue dragged a long, wide, deeper swipe straight through her drooling depths. The tip dipped into her throbbing hole, spreading her open, while the flat of it fluttered along her swollen lips.

"I'm… coming!"

Judy warned him. She knew this was going to be messy. 

Cypher didn’t give her an inch. The wild bastard who had somehow fucked with her head wrapped both arms tighter around her thighs and hips, locking her in place.

She shattered. 

Her whole body seized. A moaning cry tore out of her as the first hard pulse hit. Her pussy spasmed against his mouth, gushing in hot waves. She felt the juices flood over him, his beard, his cheeks, squelching between her thighs. But he never pulled away; he kept eating her through every filthy spurt, tongue flat and greedy, sucking and lapping like he was trying to drink every drop. 

Her thighs shook hard around his head. More of it sprayed out, soaking his face. She rode the waves helplessly, hips jerking, cunt clenching and releasing in messy floods while his mouth stayed sealed to her, wet and relentless.

"Fuck! Fuck! You… gonk! I…"

She grabbed two fistfuls of his hair and started grinding her pussy down onto his face like a madwoman. He wanted it, so she gave it to him.

"Heh… The great… Cypher Blackwell… the world's chasing… eating Judy nobody's pussy-eeeeeeh!"

To her shock, he suddenly stopped. His mouth pulled away just enough to speak, voice muffled against her dripping petals. “It’s one tasty fucking pussy!”

Slurp!

And he was right back at it, tongue diving in again.

As the high finally started to fade, she tried to lean back, reaching behind herself. Her hand found his throbbing cock and closed around it in a tight fist. The thick, hot flesh wasn’t completely foreign; she’d seen plenty in BDs, but feeling one in her actual grip was different. She tried to stroke it, but—

Woosh!

Cypher rolled them again, throwing her flat onto her back once more.

"No touching me tonight, Jude. Only I get to touch you."

She frowned. "That's… unfair."

He didn’t argue. He grabbed her under the knees, shoved her legs up and to the side, folding her nearly in half until her spine arched and her ass lifted off the mattress. Her pussy was presented to him like an open feast. He rammed his face straight down into it. 

He licked her open, flicked her clit, but he wanted to give her even more pleasure.

"Hold one leg."

He let her take over holding the position while he kept dragging wide, wet strokes up and down her juicy cunt. 

He waited, patient, until he felt it. The way her pussy started struggling to grab at his slippery tongue, pulsing with those needy little clenches. Then he slowly pushed one finger into that scorching heat, sinking it deep and spoiling the begging little hole as it was teetering right at the edge.

He didn't know if she'd like it.

"Oooooooh… this… is… insane! I can't hold it!"

Judy’s warning came too late. The second climax ripped through her harder than the first. Her pussy clamped down on his finger and exploded. A thick, powerful squirt blasted straight out of her, soaking his chest in a continuous stream. It kept coming, forceful jets that lathered his face and ran down his abs. 

Cypher stayed right there through every messy pulse, finger still buried, tongue still working her clit while she soaked him completely.

Finally Judy finished, body going slack. Panting, no… gasping, chest still rising and falling hard.

Cypher’s jaw ached. He eased his finger free, let her straighten her legs, and collapsed onto his back beside her, chest heaving, face glistening with her juices.

“I…” Judy turned toward him. 

He did the same. Face to face, she pressed herself flat against his chest, spreading her legs so his cock slid right between her thoroughly soaked thighs. Then she landed her lips on his.

It was a dirty kiss. His arm snaked under her neck and wrapped behind her scalp, fingers in her hair. Their tongues rolled together for a long while, tasting everything.

"That's what… I taste like?" She murmured.

"Yup. How was it?"

"That was… the best fucking orgasm I've ever had. I guess it hits different with someone stronger, warm, rough… Feels even more solid," she giggled.

But then Cypher felt her hand reach down, fingers trying to close around his cock.

"You don't gotta do this, Jude."

"Well… I did say I wanna see where this goes. I ain't goin in me but…"

She squeezed her thighs tight, ankles crossing, trapping his fat girth flat against the drooling heat of her pussy. Then she started moving, rocking back and forth, sliding his throbbing flesh through the wet mess between her thighs.

"I want this to be just as fun for you as it's for me, Cyph. That's what I feel about this. I bet if it was any other gonk he'd be full of lead by now, but you…"

Cypher wrapped a hand behind her, palm landing on the soft, round curve of her ass. He squeezed hard while staring straight into her face. "You're cute."

Judy frowned, but she felt her heart beat warmer. "That's it… That's the fucking thing. Makes me feel weird and warm in the chest when you do that."

"Do what?" he asked, rocking his hips as well, cock gliding through the tight, slippery gap. 

"Say stupid shit. Like I'm cute."

"Well, you are. And hot as fuck, honestly. Have you seen this perfect ass?" Cypher clawed her harder, fingers sinking deep into her flesh, and at the same time rammed his cock forward through her tight thigh gap with a thrust. 

He rubbed his lips over hers again, spilling his tongue back inside, tasting her warmth right as his cock twitched hard. 

Thick, hot ropes of white batter pulsed out between her clamped thighs, lathering her entrance, coating her legs, and soaking into the sheet beneath them.

Maybe they were both tired by then. 

He never realised the exact moment he fell asleep. The last thing he remembered was kissing her for what felt like hours. Her taste, her scent, the soft press of her body… It all kept him warm.

And of course, the filthy mess they made. 

It really was absurdly filthy.

####

Cypher woke up and found the bed empty beside him. Noticing sunlight outside, he got up and dragged his feet to the bathroom. 

"Good morning."

He opened his sleepy eyes and saw Judy soaking in the tub. He gave a nod, brushed his teeth quickly, washed himself in the shower, and jumped into the tub right in front of her. It was warm and soothing. 

He relaxed back and let his head tip backwards, eyes closed. 

"Busy day ahead?" Judy asked. 

"Yeah, working on some seeds. If it works out, badlands will be called farmlands, I guess."

“Preem. Can’t fucking wait to see that happen. I’ve got some rigs to install at a couple spots, then it’s back to Lizzie’s for work.” She shifted closer, settling her back against his chest. 

Cypher let her slide between his legs and wrapped his arms around her thin waist, squeezing her soft belly. The hot water only got warmer with her that close. And naturally, his thing grew hard, but without the blind urges. 

It felt calm. 

"It's nice, snuggling up with you, feeling warm in your arms. Last night was the most fun I've had in... fuck, I don't even know how long. I feel safe with you, even when you were calling the shots, but..." 

Cypher pulled her tighter against his chest. "Hey, it's alright. I get it. Baby steps. You said you wanna explore, so let's not go zero to a hundred in one damn snap. We got time." 

Judy just nodded, grabbed his hand from her belly, raised it out of the water, and kissed it. 

"We're weird, aren't we, Cyph?"

"Very."

"Panam's into you."

"I know."

“Hey, I don't mind, okay? No need to overthink.” 

"I figured as much. It's what she wants that I'm not sure about. But I'm working on it, so don't worry." 

Silence fell between them. It was calm and warm. Cypher didn't say things to overcomplicate the matter. He already knew Judy's personality. He was almost sure that Panam was fine as well, but he wanted to be sure so he didn't break anyone's heart. 

"Does it always stay hard?" She asked, moving away from him to get out. 

"Only when teased." 

"But I didn't tease."

Cypher gave her a lustful look from head to toe. "Girl, you even breathing nearby is teasing to me." 

"Gonk." 

He stayed in the tub even after Judy was gone, just relaxing and enjoying the moment. He'd been living an extremely fast-paced life ever since he’d woken up alive. Itches, planning, enemies, plotting, executing, and now romance. Well, he didn't complain about the last one. 

"Is the AV here yet?" 

[One minute away.]

Cypher finally got out of the bathtub and went to the bedroom, where Judy was getting ready. He, too, put on his clothes and lazily threw some random moisturizer she had on his face. 

"Come by my place whenever you feel like it, Jude." He gave her a quick hug and headed out. He went to the terrace instead of the parking lot, and quickly climbed into the Steelbird Turbo, the two-seater fast AV. 

He flew it himself, flying at speed and pushing the engine to its limit. It took him just ten minutes to leave Night City, and then another five minutes to reach the Lake Farm. AVs had opened the door for Night City's expansion, and he planned to have his hands in it. 

"Who the fuck is that?"

But right as he began to land the AV near his home, he noticed a rundown off-roading truck parked nearby. A single, rugged-looking man leaned against its door, as if waiting. The man was in the usual nomad attire: a well-worn shirt, jeans, and a cap. 

Right as he landed the AV and got a clear look at the man's face, old suppressed memories began to surface. Cypher recognised the man, the history of the dead Cypher, and the wrongs he'd committed.

"Fuck! That's the head of my old nomad family! He got past your sensors, Atlas?" 

[No, I allowed him to approach. Your previous nomad family is on the verge of dying.]

With a sigh, Cypher got out of the AV and just gave a simple nod to the waiting man. He turned around and went into his home, letting the family head follow him into the living room. From side glances, he noticed the face. 

Late thirties, rugged, full beard, patchy skin. But it didn't seem healthy at all. The clothes were dirty and stitched up here and there. 

"Take a seat," Cypher said, filled a glass of water, and offered it. "How're you doing, Chief?"

The man was called Robert Iglesias, but in the family, everyone called him Chief. Cypher didn't have the complete set of memories of the dead Cypher. He had detailed snippets, and from those, he knew that Chief wasn't the bad guy. The dead Cypher was. 

That fucker wasn't killed after banging both the wife and daughter.

“Alive, Mr. Blackwell,” the Chief rasped, downing the entire glass of water. “Thanks for meeting me. Didn’t know how to reach you, couldn’t get an appointment.” 

Cypher could tell just from the voice and face how nervous Chief was. It was probably extremely humiliating to come to him of all people to seek help. And it also meant that the nomad family really was at the end of their tether.

Fuck it, I ain't the dead asshole junkie. 

"It's alright. Nobody gets an appointment, honestly. I don't meet folks all that much. Took me a long time to get my shit together after I came to this city. Was a junkie for a while, then got into some other shit."

Chief nodded, giving a faint, awkward smile. "Still, you were the best mechanic in the family." 

"And also the biggest degenerate. Honestly, good thing you kicked me out. God knows what other fucked-up shit I'd have gotten into. Just because things are better for me now don't mean we gotta ignore the shitty past." 

"You have changed."

"For the better, I hope. What can I do for you, Chief? You came here yourself, so I'm guessing things ain't exactly looking great?" 

Chief looked down, hands resting on his lap. "Family's sick. Don't know what's happening. Looks like some kind of plague. Got these black market seeds from Biotechnica a few months back. Thought they'd grow good, looked like food, but now I don't know. Old Bill's dead, died in his sleep. 

"Lungs collapsed like he'd smoked a thousand cigarettes. Never smoked a day in his life. Our scrap chrome trade's gone dry too. Can't afford food, can't fuel the Moisture Vaporators. We're dying, Mr. Blackwell. Been reaching out to Biotechnica, but they won't let me through. Didn't know who else to turn to. Please, help my people." 

Right as Chief lowered his head and tried to almost beg, Cypher raised his voice. 

"Sure, I'll help. Did you bring the seeds?"

"I… I did." Chief slipped a hand into his shirt pocket and pulled out a small plastic bag. Only a few dozen seeds rested inside. "This is all I could find." 

From his bedroom, a SecUnit under Atlas' command came. It was a simple, original SecUnit design, human-sized, and worked as a butler in the home. It took the samples and left, returning underground. 

"Wait while my folks check the seeds."

Cypher relaxed in the seat and listened to Atlas brief him remotely. 

[I accessed Biotechnica’s Data Fortress. They knowingly diverted experimental seeds into the black market to exploit families like your Iron Saints. Every transaction is tracked, forming a study of your family’s slow decline for scientific data.]

There was a brief pause as Atlas likely ran tests on the seed. 

[As expected, the seeds contained DNA-altering compounds. Their effects match a Data Fortress file. They were engineered to lower the human body’s oxygen needs and alter its biology for survival in oxygen-deprived environments.]

"Holy shit, that sounds evil as fuck already."

[They must stop consuming food they grew, and receive urgent medical aid, specifically oxygen masks, oxygen cylinders, blood thinners, and a protein-rich diet. Otherwise, they will not survive.]

Cypher sighed and looked at the Chief. He quickly explained everything to the man, the whole bit about experiments and how to save the family. 

"I'll send my AV carriers packed with food, medical supplies, fresh tents, appliances, and fuel for the electronics. I'll send a Trauma Team doctor crew too. I'm a major investor there. Get everyone healthy, then come back. I'll have real seeds in a month. Use 'em to start growing your own food." 

Chief jumped to his feet and removed his cap. "Thank you. Thank you so much, Mr. Blackwell."

"Just call me Cypher. I booked you a room at the Continental. Stay there while the AVs load supplies. You can fly with them and get home faster." 

Chief tried to speak, but swallowed the words and simply nodded. "I'll head out now. I won't get in your way. Thank you, Mr. Blackwell. And... you're welcome to retu—" 

"No, I ain't." Cypher interrupted. "It's fine to hate me, Chief. What I did was fucked up, and I deserve it. If the family's struggling, just hit me up. I'll help from a distance." 

Jaw clenched, Chief just turned and left his little shack. There really was nothing else to be done. Old Cypher had dishonored himself to an irredeemable level at the old family. There was no point in returning. 

Once Chief's truck was gone, Cypher turned and went downstairs to get to work. The seed needed to grow, and he had only until midnight to get it done, or else the itch would turn into a tingle in his head. 

It was the third day of them working on the seed. While Cypher wasn’t always there, Atlas was working every second without rest. By now, they had reached a 90% match, but it was still not enough to satisfy the itch. 

Just one seed; that was all they needed to change the entire world. But growing that one seed was a hellish, time-consuming task. Hybridization of the seed required countless steps. They were still fast thanks to the Hydroponics Bay. 

[Cypher, the probability of success with this new batch of seeds is exceptionally high. However, the result will not be confirmed before the next itch.] 

“It’s alright, I can eat a day’s delay. After the SecUnit one… Hold up, what’d we do to that first SecUnit?” 

[It’s sitting powered down.]

“Hm, let’s fire it up tomorrow. Ain’t it sentient? You could use a clanker friend.” 

[Its intelligence will be insignificant to mine.]

“Buddy, making friends ain’t about who’s rich or poor, who’s dumb or smart. It’s about having fun. Either way, let’s not waste it. The thing’s just sitting there. Ain’t gonna go Skynet with you around anyway.” 

After that, it was just about waiting. As night fell, Cypher returned upstairs and invited the ex-Arasaka cult-like scientists to a real dinner with him. He cooked a meal with the help of a SecUnit butler. 

The new small, compact Fusion Reactors were nearly done, the scientists had told him. He had no complaints. 

After that, he watched a BD movie, not porn but an actual movie. Then, as midnight approached, he went to his bed and lay down. 

[Ten seconds to the next itch… Five… Three… Two… One.]

Cypher closed his eyes. The split-second connection formed with something he couldn’t understand. He always tried to, but it was so fast, and it always overwhelmed him with so much information that it was impossible to focus on. 

It’s a lot! 

This time, it felt like his brain was about to explode. So much physics and mathematics were involved this time. Gravity and time were the major components. Slowly, as his mind digested it, he began to imagine the itch in physical form. 

A white space. Extreme gravity. Time dilation. And then it abruptly clicked. His eyes shot open, and he sat up in bed, a big grin on his face. 

"Holy fucking shit, Atlas! We're going Super Saiyan with this one! It's a Hyperbolic Time Chamber!"