章 8: Chapter 8
"We have arrived at your destination. Thank you for choosing our service. We hope you had a pleasant journey," the AI spoke in a serene, automated tone. "Please remember to gather all your belongings and check for any personal items before exiting the vehicle. If you require further assistance, feel free to contact Delamain Customer Service. Have a safe and productive day."
The doors of the Delamain Cab slid open, and Lucas stepped out first, followed by David and Lucy. They found themselves in the car park of Santo Domingo, Rancho Coronado's Health Centre.
David looked around nervously, his eyes darting around left to right— the dude looked like he had just taken a pound of synthcoke.
"Relax, choom, you're gonna get us caught before we even get inside," Lucas muttered, giving David a slap on the back.
"I don't know what you're talking about. I'm just a little excited. Ahem... so, what's the plan? What do I do?" David asked, trying to sound nonchalant.
Lucas rolled his eyes as Lucy turned to David. "Nothing. I'll infiltrate the place alone and hack the system to get your mom the VIP treatment. After that, you can visit her as much as you want."
David's brow furrowed. "You don't need any help?"
"You and Lucas will only get in the way." Lucy replied with a shake of her head.
David glanced at Lucas, then back at Lucy. "I'm sure there's something we can do."
Lucy sighed, rubbing her temples. She thought for a moment before saying. "Fine. You guys can create a distraction in the reception area. It might help a little."
David nodded, while Lucas didn't really have much to say. He was just hoping that this wouldn't turn into another shit show like yesterday. If things had escalated with that gorilla-armed mercenary, he'd have had to put in more effort.
That would've definitely raised suspicion, blown his cover as just a really good fighter.
Of course, unlike the merc, Katsuo and his lackeys probably already had their suspicions that something was off about Lucas.
It wasn't a secret he was mostly organic—a simple scan from high-end optic cyberware could reveal that. Who wouldn't find it strange that he'd beaten them up so many times? Especially when they were decently chromed up. Those guys were bound to have their doubts. How the fuck does he keep beating us? Is he really ganic?
Still, Lucas wasn't too worried about those gonks. No one would believe a human could be faster than a bullet without solid evidence.
Besides, Lucas hadn't shown anything that could truly give away his abilities—at least, not with the merc, Katsuo and his lackeys.
In the first place, the fight with the merc didn't count. That matter could still be chalked up to brute strength and skills that was still within human limits.
While Katsuo and his lackeys were even less of a problem, they had never been able to push him to reveal anything more.
On the other hand, taking down the cyberpsycho with just a bullet shell was more worrying. Someone might have recorded him that day, despite how careful he'd been— the possibility of that happening wasn't zero. Nothing ever was.
People had all kinds of implants that could record everything they saw. Add in cameras in vehicles and on every street corner, and there was a high chance that someone could have recorded him using his abilities.
But you know what? It is what it is.
Lucas used to stress over it, but now he didn't let it bother him as much. His abilities were part of who he was, and he knew he couldn't hide them forever. If anyone saw something, they'd need concrete proof to back it up. He'd deal with it if and when it became an issue.
Snapping out of his thoughts, Lucas walked over and patted David's shoulder. "Just be yourself, but dial it up a notch. That should work for a distraction. Alright, let's inside." He turned and started walking toward the building.
"Got it... wait, what? What does that even mean?!" David asked, looking slightly offended, as he quickly chased after him.
"What have I gotten myself into?" Lucy muttered to herself, letting out a frustrated sigh and rolling her eyes as she trailed behind them.
The trio approached the sliding doors and stepped inside, entering a dimly lit room where a flickering neon sign above a desk read "Night City Reception." Four metallic pillars held up the ceiling, and a checkered floor stretched out beneath them. The space was sparsely furnished with a worn-out couch and a few tables scattered around.
A few people were milling about—anxious patients waiting their turn, a receptionist behind the desk, but more importantly, there were several security guards keeping a watchful eye.
Shit. Fuck. Not again… Lucas's spider sense was tingling. There shouldn't be this many guards. The place was more guarded than a 5-star brothel—not that he had ever been to one. I swear I haven't been into one!
That aside, something was definitely off about this hospital.
"Great," Lucas muttered, turning to Lucy, who looked just as surprised as he was. The two locked eyes and didn't even need to say to each other what they were thinking. This was about to get more complicated. A while lot more.
A place like this shouldn't have so many guards. One or three would be understandable, but anything more was overkill.
That much was obvious for anyone who had a functioning brain.
Lucy gave a subtle nod towards David. Lucas, catching the signal, elbowed David lightly and gestured for him to follow. They both took their places on one of the four battered, graffiti-splattered couches in the center of the room.
Meanwhile, Lucy headed to the right, making a beeline for the vending machine. She needed to avoid giving the guards any hint that she was with Lucas and David. It was better if people thought she was just another visitor. This way, she could move around more freely when they created the distraction—assuming they were to follow through with the plan.
"Are there usually this many guards?" Lucas asked in a hushed tone.
"No, there wasn't this many guards when I came here yesterday."
"You sure?"
"Positive."
"…fuck."
Just then Lucas received a text message from Lucy. "What's did he say?"
"I think we'll have to tweak the plan," Lucas quickly typed back. "David will stay here and create a distraction by himself. You and I go through the back door together."
"Too dangerous. You stay here with your friend."
"There are probably more guards inside. You'll need some help just in case things go south."
"I'll be fine. I can handle myself."
"Stop being so difficult."
"I'm not being difficult. I'm being practical. It'll be easier if I move alone."
"And I'm being realistic. You'll need some help, I can't just let you run into danger alone."
"Lucas…"
Their replies flew back and forth, each message typed out quicker than the last.
David, peeking over Lucas's shoulder, couldn't help but comment, "You two really need to get a room." At that moment, he felt a light stinging pain in his gut as Lucas elbowed him sharply.
"Not the time, man."
"I'm just trying to lighten up the mood."
Lucas shook his head, his annoyance evident. "Come on, David. We're going through all this trouble to help you. Can you just take it a bit more seriously?"
"My bad, choom." David muttered, looking sheepish.
"Wait here, I need to talk to Lucy," Lucas said, rising from the couch. He then made his way over to Lucy, who was still by the vending machine, snd now browsing its contents. He stood behind her as if waiting for his turn.
"I'm going with you."
Lucy sighed, clearly frustrated. "I do this for a living, you'll just get in the way. I can handle myself, Lucas. It's better if you stay with your friend than put us both at risk.
Lucas was at a loss for words because technically, she was right. To her, he was just a guy with no implants who could throw a decent punch. She didn't know he could kill everyone in this room within seconds—maybe even less. But who's counting?
"Fine," relented Lucas. "Just call if you need help."
"I'll enter from the back. When your phone start vibrating, create the distraction," Lucy said as she pressed a button on the vending machine.
With a soft thud, a Nicola soft drink dropped into the dispenser. As Lucy bent down to grab the can, Lucas was momentarily stun locked by the view. When she straightened up and caught him staring, she rolled her eyes and gave him a quick, discreet kick to the leg before walking past him and heading outside.
Lucas faked a wince, then quickly stepped up to the vending machine. He selected and paid for two soft drinks—one for himself and one for David. Returning to his seat, he handed the drink to David. "Here."
"Thanks," David said, taking the drink. He fumbled with the tab for a moment before snapping it open with a crisp pop.
"We'll be sticking to the original plan. So, when I give you the signal, throw a punch at my face like you mean it," Lucas said, opening his drink as well.
"Alright, but Lucas…" David hesitated for a moment, then asked, "...do you want me to miss, or should I actually hit you?"
"Need it to look real, like we're actually fighting. I think you should pretend I'm Katsuo and his lackeys, and we just ran a train on your girl."
"Huh?" David raised an eyebrow. "A little specific don't you think?"
"Just trying to get you in the right mindset." Lucas leaned back on the couch, his tone casual. "How about this? Pretend I'm your girlfriend and I just cheated on you with a dude chromed up with the latest Mr. Stud. Black version, of course."
"You're just trying to get me back for teasing you earlier, aren't you?
"Maybe… oh, I just thought of another one—"
"Okay, okay, I get it Lucas," David interrupted. "I'll hit you like you want, but if your pretty face gets messed up, that's on you."
Lucas shrugged his shoulders and just let out a chuckle…
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