Gig: Solo Ride

The Gorilla Arms were first introduced to the civilian market for heavy laborers like movers.

But anyone with half a brain could see that enhancing arm strength made it a natural military-grade implant.

And the Gorilla Arms that Doc Vic gave to Jackie were far beyond expectations—technically speaking, they weren't just implants, but an entire system, a set of brawler implants Vic had originally prepared for himself.

Not only did they completely replace the forearms, but they also swapped out all the bones and muscle groups in the upper limbs, complemented by synthetic pectoral fibers and reinforced integrated rib cage.

These synthetic ribs completely replaced the shape of human ribs, providing stronger support and withstanding even greater muscle tension.

The synthetic muscle fibers are almost unbreakable, and when combined with a hormone stimulation device, the body can release all the energy stored within it.

Add the mechanical energy storage within the implants, and when unleashed... It's not just about smashing a head; this thing might even crack open a tank's turret.

And unless you're confined to a wheelchair, almost 90% of human movements rely on the lower limbs for support.

To ensure coordinated force distribution throughout the body, Jackie also received full skeletal reinforcement implants and enhanced lower limb muscle groups.

Finally, as the largest and fittest member of the team, Jackie was fitted with heavy-duty subdermal armor. It might not match the military-grade gear James had, but it was the thickest, toughest armor Doc Vic could get his hands on.

Only a big guy like Jackie could support subdermal armor that far exceeded normal skin thickness.

Though this gear wasn't top-tier, it at least ensured that when Jackie exerted force, his lower limbs wouldn't shatter, and he wouldn't have to worry about dodging bullets with such a big target on his back.

Why wasn't it top-tier? Another reason—the Burgerking Big Shots Squad is broke.

The squad's finances stood at: Jackie with 100,000 eddies, Leo with 170,000 including the 150,000 eddies just received from Padre, and V as the wealthiest with 510,000.

A total of 880,000 eddies, all spent in one go. The equipment Leo had Vic buy cost 550,000, Jackie's Gorilla Arms and corresponding enhancements cost 310,000, V's additional Mantis Blade cost 50,000, and then there was the 30,000 for Chessen.

In one shot, they spent 940,000.

Not only are they broke, but they also owe Vic 60,000 eddies—oh, and that doesn't include system maintenance and medical expenses, so the debt is actually 71,000.

"Sorry, I messed up. I shouldn't have used your name to run up a tab."

Leo sincerely kneeled in apology.

Surprisingly, V only furrowed her brow this time and didn't let Leo's face have a close encounter with her fist.

"Forget it—just consider it as a debt you owe me. Put it in your notes, got it?!"

"Absolutely—"

"But now there's no money for the Sandevistan."

"Actually, I got one for you, a Kang Tao prototype, the most advanced."

Leo received a message from Chessen—Kang Tao agreed, and they were shipping the gear directly from their Night City warehouse.

V looked surprised. The two exchanged glances and understood each other's thoughts: Kang Tao is really generous, not only giving them their first big payday but also sending high-end implants.

The problem is... Sandevistan is known for causing cyberpsychosis.

V remembered Doc Vic's advice and raised an eyebrow. "You're not stopping me from getting this implant? You even got me a Kang Tao prototype?"

"Remember what I said? If you doubt your ability to handle it, I'd advise against it, but if you think you're ready, I trust your judgment."

Leo's tone was sincere.

If anyone else had said this, V would have thought they were just trying to con her into getting the implant.

But hearing it from Leo made her feel like he genuinely believed in her capabilities.

"You sneaky little..."

V rubbed her nose and waited for the surgery to begin.

Kang Tao's cyberware division had spun off into a subsidiary called QianT, and the Sandevistan Leo acquired was produced by QianT.

Strictly speaking, Sandevistan has two components. One part is the "hardware," the spinal implant.

The spinal implant provides the hardware foundation for invasive stimulation of nerves, muscles, organs, and everything else that needs to be influenced in the human body.

And the part responsible for regulating the stimulation's mode and intensity is the Sandevistan chip inserted into the spinal implant.

In layman's terms, if the behavior chip is the CPU, the spinal implant is the motherboard; if the behavior chip is the software, the spinal implant is the hardware.

And in terms of spinal implants, QianT has reached the pinnacle, at least not lagging behind top cyberware manufacturers by much, capable of supporting 99.9% of behavior chips on the market.

However, in terms of software, there's a significant gap, reflected in the fact that their most advanced QianT Model 5 "Reality Warper" Sandevistan can only make the user perceive time slowing down by 20%.

But that's okay, V has lightning-fast reflexes—the same cyberware has different effects when used by Leo versus V.

What she needed was the active activation effect, as the passive activation of the Kerenzikov was too reactive in tactical situations.

Beside the operating table, Jackie was adjusting to his new body while Leo quietly sat by, tinkering with a pile of parts.

Ding-dong—

Chessen: "Leo, you were right, James Norris is a ticking time bomb. They sent him back to Arroyo for surgery, and the big guy suddenly went berserk!

No one could calm him down—he just started slicing! He hacked his way straight out of Arroyo! But for some reason, he still recognizes tactical hand signals—mental stuff I don't really get.

The 6th Street Gang is keeping the news under wraps, pushing him towards Valentino territory! I got my hands on NCPD surveillance; I'll report to you—his route is a bit zigzaggy, mainly because 6th Street members keep getting sliced up. They can't figure out what James is trying to do.

Kang Tao also got you an NCPD subcontract, so you can now legally deal with the cyberpsycho before SWAT arrives!"

Leo: "Copy that."

Chessen: "Good luck, brother. If we pull this off, we'll be holding onto Kang Tao's big coattails! We'll make a killing!"

———

Padre: "Leo, the 6th Street Gang is heading towards Vista del Rey with their people. If James is leading them, my guys might not be able to stop him. I'm sending you the location."

Padre: "Kid, the safety of Vista del Rey rests on you guys. My people are waiting at the gates for you, take care of them."

Leo: "Roger that."

Padre: "May God be with you."

Click.

The parts in Leo's hand clicked into place as V stepped off the operating table, getting used to her new implant.

Kerenzikov and the Neural Co-Processor already work on the spine, so switching to the QianT implant didn't feel too different for V.

On the contrary, she felt more energized.

"It's time to hit them hard—are we all set?"

"Of course." Leo placed the assembled weapons to the side.

To the left was the Nekomata that V used to take down Knott, to the right was the fully unlocked modified Satara, and then there was the nearly one-and-a-half-meter-long MK31 heavy machine gun.

Unlike at the Bridge to Santo Domingo, each of these weapons now had the power to threaten James.

Leo spread his hands: "Ladies and gentlemen, grab your gear—

Mission objective: James Norris and Arroyo."

Each grabbed their chosen weapon and inspected it carefully.

Jackie smiled as he strapped the Defender and Satara to his back, looking a bit nervous.

"Funny thing... I'm feeling a bit jittery."

V laughed and patted Jackie on the back. "Jackie, is this little scene freaking you out? Where's that cocky bravado of yours?"

"Heh, I think you're the one with the problem."

As they were about to leave the clinic, Leo suddenly paused and said to Jackie, "Jackie? Did you hear that sound outside?"

Jackie froze for a moment.

Then Leo said, "Remember, videos can't be edited—keep your spirits up."

Leo kicked open the wire gate.

Boom—

The street outside the clinic was filled with the low rumble of car engines—

Then, the main act arrived.

Seeing the trio step onto the street, Gustavo crushed his cigarette and straightened up.

The entire street was filled with the Valentinos' best, and seeing Gustavo's movement, they all turned their attention to the street and extinguished their cigarettes.

Jackie even spotted a few old buddies—brothers he hadn't seen in a long time.

He never thought he'd see a day like this.

The headlights, like stage lights, illuminated the street, lighting up the path ahead.

A black Mackinaw truck pulled up at the entrance, driven by none other than Archie, who waved his newly replaced budget cyberarm, now adorned with a Valentino tattoo: "Mr. Leo, I'm with the Valentinos now, but Padre didn't give me a car. You don't mind if I keep driving for you, do you? I chose this arm specifically for driving, and my foot too—oh, you can't see it from outside."

Leo smiled. "Just don't be as jittery as last time—keep it cool."

V and Jackie hoisted their weapons and jumped into the truck bed, setting up their gear. The black Mackinaw roared to life and shot off like a bullet.

Passing through the Valentino convoy, the truck led the way—

Gustavo's car followed suit, trailing behind: "Valentino boys, follow that black Mackinaw. If they don't stop, we don't stop."

"They seem to be heading for Santo Domingo—what if they head all the way to Arroyo?"

"Who asked that dumb question? If they head to Arroyo—"

"We follow them to Arroyo!"