Cyberpunk: The Magnet fruit

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"Sasha, are you okay?"

Rebecca noticed Sasha's unusually pale expression and called out, "We've only got one minute of signal interference left—finish it quickly!"

"I know," Sasha replied, her voice flat and emotionless.

Still, her fingers moved deftly, copying the mission's data as planned. At the same time, she secretly started copying files from a folder labeled Securicine Model Pain Relief Confidential Document.

"The mission data has been copied," Sasha announced as the progress bar completed.

The external drive with the mission information was quickly handed to Rebecca. "Here, this is the mission data," Sasha said. "Take it to Mann downstairs."

Rebecca took the flash drive but hesitated. "What about you?" she asked, frowning.

Sasha, calm but resolute, answered, "I've got personal matters to handle. I'll join you later."

"Are you kidding me?" Rebecca huffed. "Mann told me to protect you. I'm not leaving you behind!"

Sasha looked at her teammate, her heart warmed by Rebecca's unwavering loyalty. "Alright," she said, nodding. "Thank you."

She turned back to the computer, and her fingers resumed their work. The confidential file detailing the side effects of securicine—a biotech painkiller—was being uploaded to the internal news channel of News 54.

"This is for you, Mom," Sasha whispered.

Security Breach Detected

Just as the upload reached 70%, an alarm blared through the building.

The red emergency lights flashed across every corridor as heavy footsteps echoed outside. The security robots had been activated.

"Sasha, how much longer?" Rebecca called out, pulling out her twin Omaha pistols.

"Almost there—90%," Sasha answered without looking up.

Her phone buzzed. It was Mann.

"What's going on up there?" Mann's voice was sharp and tense. "The biotech building's alarms are going crazy! Get out of there now!"

Rebecca snapped back, "We're coming soon—don't rush me!" and hung up.

The door to the office exploded inward with a deafening crash, sending dust and debris flying.

In the smoky haze, three security robots emerged, armed with Arasaka Timely Rain submachine guns.

"If you spot intruders, raise your hands and surrender," the robots repeated in their monotone AI voices.

Rebecca wasn't one to follow orders.

"Oh, shut up!" she snarled, opening fire.

Her pistols' pink flashes lit up the room, and her shots were perfect. Each bullet hit the robots' prosthetic eyes, disabling their targeting systems.

But robots weren't like humans.

Even blind, they opened fire indiscriminately, their submachine guns shredding everything in sight.

Rebecca ducked behind a sofa, shouting, "Sasha, how much longer?"

"100%! Upload complete!" Sasha replied.

She closed the data interface and connected her implants to the building's system, hacking into the robots' control units.

A crackle of electricity jolted through the robots. Their firing paused briefly as Sasha's cyberattack disrupted their systems.

Seizing the opportunity, Rebecca sprang into action.

Kicking one robot to the ground, she grabbed its weapon and turned it on the others.

The Arasaka Timely Rain unleashed a flurry of bullets, dismantling the half-paralyzed robots in seconds.

"Go to hell!" Rebecca shouted, adrenaline pumping.

The security team was down, but the sound of reinforcements echoed from the hallways.

"Time to go!" Rebecca yelled, grabbing Sasha's arm.

Escape

Mann was pacing outside the building, anxiety evident on his face. The sound of gunfire from above made his heart pound.

"Damn it, what the hell are they doing up there?"

His question was answered when Sasha and Rebecca burst through the front doors, sprinting toward him.

"Mann, start the car!" Rebecca hollered.

Before Mann could respond, a squad of security robots emerged from the building, their mechanical legs pounding against the pavement.

"f**k!" Mann cursed, running to the car.

With a sharp turn of the key, the engine roared to life. He slammed the gas pedal, and the car sped into the neon-lit streets of Night City.

Once the danger was behind them, Mann slowed the car, his frustration spilling over.

"What the hell happened up there? The data was already copied—why didn't you come down earlier?"

Sasha's face was full of guilt. "Boss Mann, it's my fault…" she admitted. "While I was copying the mission data, I found something personal—something I had to deal with."

She explained everything: the confidential documents, her mother's death, and her decision to expose biotech's corrupt practices.

When she finished, the car was silent.

Sasha lowered her head, prepared for Mann's anger. "If you want to punish me, I'll—"

"Punish you?" Mann interrupted. "Sasha, you did the right thing."

He sighed, his voice softening. "I'm sorry about your mom."

Rebecca nodded in agreement. "Yeah, you did good, Sasha."

Tears welled up in Sasha's eyes. For the first time in years, she felt a weight lifting off her chest. "Thank you… both of you," she whispered.

"Haha, thank us?" Mann chuckled, shaking his head. "If you're going to thank someone, it should be David."

Sasha and Rebecca froze at the mention of his name.

"That guy at the Afterlife Bar," Mann continued. "He warned us this would happen. If we'd sent you in alone, Sasha, you might not have made it out alive."

Rebecca's face lit up. "I told you David wasn't an ordinary guy!" she exclaimed. "He's got that mysterious Eastern power or something!"

"Rebecca, calm down," Mann said, though his tone was more amused than serious.

Sasha's thoughts drifted to David. His calm demeanor and cryptic words played in her mind.

"Could he really have… known?" she murmured.

"Well," Mann said, turning the wheel. "There's one way to find out. We'll ask him ourselves."

With that, the car headed toward the Afterlife Bar.

Meanwhile, Elsewhere in Night City

In the Kabuki District, David walked beside Lucy under the glow of neon lights. The signs of the Phoenix Club towered above them, bold and unmistakable.

"Is this the place?" David asked, looking up at the massive red sign.

Lucy took a final drag from her cigarette before flicking it away. "Yeah, this is Jotaro's bar. Be careful."

David smirked. "Let's see what the 'Phoenix Club' has to offer."

Together, they stepped inside.

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