Chapter 6: Running in the 90s

Gloria and Helen were laughing about the crude and inappropriate jokes you made being a first responder just to get through the day. 

"Alright, that was actually a good one. I have a question though. What time do you need to get to work?" Helen asks

Gloria looks to her right with her eyes and pales

"Need a ride?" Helen asks 

"Unless you got an av hidden around I am probably gonna be late," Gloria says

"I got you," Helen says with a smile motioning for the Paramedic to follow as they got into the private elevator. 

"Where does this thing go?" Gloria asks 

The door suddenly opened to a private garage. The garage is enormous, with towering ceilings and walls that seem to stretch into infinity. Although that could've been a trick of light and angling. It is beautifully lit, casting an ethereal glow on the pristine machines below. A modern, minimalist design characterizes the space, with sleek metal and glass surfaces reflecting the array of colorful vehicles.

"What is this…" Gloria says staring at the cars in wonder. 

"This is my private garage… I guess the mechanics went a little too fun with the budget I gave them." Helen says looking at the lifts the tool's the lighting, some of the cars were even on a platform like it was a damn museum. 

Suddenly a jet-black Caliburn rolls up to the pair and both the driver and passenger doors open. 

"T-this is absolutely Preem!" Gloria says astounded looking at Helen

Helen however wasn't paying attention illuminated by the lights above one could follow her gaze and see a thing of beauty. 

The soft glow of the light accentuated off of the Mustang's metallic black paint, giving it an almost ethereal aura. Its chrome accents gleamed, and the unmistakable Mustang logo adorned the front grille, a symbol of power and freedom. To say the over 100-year-old car was an antique would be an understatement, although from a glance it looked like it could still run, and drive circles around the "modern" cars of today's society. 

"I guess I'll hop in the passenger seat then," Gloria says

Helen stood there, lost in her thoughts and emotions, she made a silent promise to herself. Someday, that car would roar down the streets of Night City.

"Another time" Helen whispers.

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In the prestigious halls of Arasaka Academy, David Martinez's experiences with bullying took on an additional layer of complexity. As the school served as a breeding ground for the heirs and scions of the powerful Arasaka Corporation, social dynamics were further amplified, and status held great importance among the students.

David, being the top-scoring student of his year, only drew ire from those who saw themselves as his betters. He usually always found himself at a disadvantage in this competitive environment yet outperformed everyone else. The bullies who targeted him were not only looking for vulnerabilities but also sought to assert their dominance over someone they perceived as inferior.

However, that didn't mean shit, especially when those same shit for brains were the ones buying the XBDs he pedaled. 

David closes his locker and locks it with his palm print before taking his 3rd generation Arasaka Academy BD wreath and walking towards the classroom. 

Though while looking at the ground a shadow catches his attention causing him to look up. 

"Alex," David says

"David… Got anything new?" Alex asks

"I got some from a cyberpsyco over in Europe, although I got the new Black Moth's head," David says

Alex shivers in anticipation which fills David with a sense of revulsion. 

"I'll see you after class, I need to get some eddies together how much?" Alex asks

"For which choom?" David responds 

"The entire stock," Alex responds

"All the new ones? That's going to end up running you around 5k eddies my man." David says walking back towards class. 

"Of course! After class behind the garden!" Alex shouts

David turns the corner in a hallway and is gone.

"Ha, he bought it guys. Think we'll get him expelled this time?" Alex asks

The hallway is silent as Alex talks with an unknown party. 

"Don't know about that? I mean he has a Black moth's head so if they catch him that should be it." Alex says 

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In the early morning hours, a black Caliburn sliced through the relatively quiet streets of Night City. The neon lights that typically adorned the city's buildings were slightly dimmed, their colors mellowed by the dawn. The bustling crowds were yet to fill the sidewalks.

 It was eerily quiet, in a metaphorical sense. The engine was roaring while the music was pumping.

"Oh JESUS CHRIST SLOW THE FUCK DOWN!" Gloria shouts in panic. 

"Nah, I got this down worry," Helen says subtly activating her kerenzikov 

The Merc Machine, if we were calling it by its original name was weaving through the highway traffic like a spider weaves its web. With professionalism and grace. 

Gloria could no longer bear to look forwards so glanced out of the side window. Although that didn't fare much better as she saw a side mirror pass within inches of the screen. 

The Caliburn drifts through an exit ramp causing Gloria to grip her grab handle tighter. 

"Padre nuestro, que estás en el cielo. Santificado sea tu nombre. Venga tu reino."

"Are you actually starting the Lord's Prayer right now? I mean we just arrived." Helen says looking over at her passenger, the Caliburn parked like a glove at the entrance to Gloria's hospital.