Chapter 24 (Part 3)

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"We're home," I said, gently nudging the sleeping girls awake.

"Mmhmm," came the groggy, synchronized reply from both of them as they tried to stifle their sleepy yawns.

Our walk had been pretty long, and I hadn't even noticed how evening had crept up on us. People were already back from their daily tasks, making the area quite noisy. Lucy and Roxy had spent a few weeks in the clan now and had gotten used to our somewhat unusual lifestyle. To be honest, they adapted way faster than I did. At first, I couldn't settle in at all, constantly seeing potential threats everywhere. But eventually, I just got used to it and, like any normal person, stopped worrying about it.

"You're finally back," greeted Rick, for some reason looking unusually pleased. Normally, he's always got that grumpy face, but today he was practically glowing. Sure, others might still see him as the same old grouch, but I know him too well for that.

"What's got you so happy?" I asked, giving him a suspicious side-eye. "Come on, spill it. I'm gonna find out anyway."

"Later," the nomad chuckled, walking away while humming some tune.

"Huh..." I scratched my cheek thoughtfully, exchanging confused glances with Kiwi, who looked just as lost as I was.

"Alex," Roxy tugged at my pant leg, "can I borrow your visor?"

"You want to watch some movies?" I asked, curious.

"Yeah," the little girl replied shyly, her gaze dropping to the floor.

"Sure, just dial down the neuro-drift on the optics. It's a bit too powerful for a kid," I said, ruffling the silver-haired girl's hair as she happily hugged me. I then glanced at Lucy, who was standing quietly off to the side. "You can take my tablet and headphones if you want. I don't mind," I added, rolling my eyes as the blonde blushed. "Go on, take them."

"Thanks," the white-haired girl said before running off toward my work tent.

"You're like a model father figure," came Vincent's voice from nearby.

"Fishing for compliments, are we?" I turned my head toward the guy walking over, holding a can of Ni-Cola.

"I'll pass," the brunette snorted. "We've got everything set up; let's head to the fire."

"What's the occasion?"

"You'll see," Vi said mysteriously, giving me a beckoning wave.

"Conspirators, the lot of them," I muttered, rolling my eyes as I trudged slowly after the guy who had just walked off.

It was pretty noisy around the campfire. A lot of people were already well into their drinks, belting out songs from their own makeshift folklore. A particularly loud pair, singing some crude rhymes, were quickly taken down a notch by Susan, who didn't hesitate to give them a good beating. At first glance, everything seemed as usual, but that was only at first glance...

"Alex, Kiwi, over here!" John waved us over with a smile, standing on the tailgate of his pickup, drawing everyone's attention.

"Ahem, what's all the fuss about?" I asked.

"And we have a very good reason for it. Guys, make some noise!" The area erupted in cheerful whoops and whistles. "Come on over, don't be shy."

"Alright..." I shrugged and walked over to the nomad leader, climbing up onto the makeshift platform with Kiwi by my side.

"Today, two young people you all know well are finally going to become adults," O'Brien announced proudly to the crowd.

"Get on with it already!" someone shouted from the crowd.

"Kirk's right, let's get to the point!" another voice chimed in.

"Bunch of killjoys... What was I saying? Oh, right, Alex, Kiwi, you've both been part of our big community for a while now, but we'd like to remind everyone here of something important," he paused, waiting for the crowd to settle down. "The clan is one big family, united by a common idea."

"Damn right!" shouted a vaguely familiar voice from the crowd.

"It's what drives us forward and makes us appreciate each new day in this world choked with the acrid smoke of technological waste. The clan is where you can always count on support, no matter where you are or how tough things get. We're all one big family, and right now, the two of you are becoming full-fledged members of our community. Congratulations!"

"I..." With mixed feelings, I accepted the jacket with the clan's symbol from the man, hesitating before putting it on. "Thanks." I finally shrugged on the jacket, hearing the joyful cheers from the gathered clan members.

"And now, folks, let's drink!" O'Brien shouted, and the crowd roared even louder, though I didn't think that was possible.

"What's up with you? You look a bit lost," Chad clapped me on the back in a friendly manner, snapping me out of my thoughts.

"I just... I don't even know how to put it... Never mind, forget it," I said, waving my hand dismissively and pulling Kiwi, who looked just as surprised as I was, closer to me. "How are you holding up?" I asked the blonde with a hint of concern in my voice.

"It's hard to say," Kiwi shrugged.

"I guess we're alike in that way," I replied with a smile, waving to Han, who was lugging over a crate of soda.

Catching the cans tossed my way, I handed one to Kiwi and immediately took a sip of the cold lemonade. The carbonation hit my brain in that familiar way, refreshing my thoughts and bringing me a semblance of inner peace. Kiwi also took a few small sips, squinting her eyes in contentment.

"Maybe we should head to our little hideaway?" I suggested, glancing down at the beauty nestled quietly in my arms.

"(* ^ ω ^)," she nodded in agreement.

Not far from the camp was a small hill that offered a decent view of the area. We often went there when we wanted some time alone, away from prying eyes.

"What do you think? Will a couple of months be enough, or should we stay here a bit longer?"

"Do whatever you think is best. Wherever you go, I'll go," Kiwi replied, comfortably resting her head on my shoulder.

"I'm serious..." I added with a mock-hurt tone, but couldn't keep it up and burst into laughter.

"It would be better if we stayed here for at least three or four months," Kiwi suddenly said, her tone serious. "The heat around the lab might not have died down yet, and we could run into trouble in the city that we don't need."

"Good point," I considered her words for a few moments. "You're probably right. Even though Arasaka wasn't fully aware of all the plans, after our raid, they must've kicked into high gear, looking for the culprits. A year should be enough time for the girls to adjust to their new life, and for me to teach them everything they need to know."

"You want to leave them here?"

"Of course not. It's just that the city is a dangerous place, and it would be better if they could at least defend themselves. I can't and don't want to keep them locked up all the time, but I also can't in good conscience leave the little ones as a burden on the clan," I shook my head, glancing briefly at the serious expression on the blonde's face.

"A year, then?" she asked with a strange tone in her voice.

"Give or take a month," I added a bit more detail. "By then, Lucy and Roxy's bodies will have adapted to the mutations. You remember how rough it was for me at first, right?" I asked Engel with a smile. "I doubt they'll want to walk around the city in respirators like I had to."

"Strangely, thinking back to those times makes me feel warm inside," Kiwi shared her feelings.

"Nostalgia's a powerful thing," I agreed with a nod, and we both laughed together. "A year will fly by before you know it…"

***

July 1, 2066

Alex Mitchell (Volkov)

"So, have you decided where you want to stay?" I asked with a smile as the girls entered the workshop.

"We're going with you," Roxy and Lucy replied stubbornly, their looks saying, "Don't even think about trying to shake us off."

"Then go pack your things."

"We'll be quick," Lucy said, grabbing her friend's hand and leading her out.

"I see you're almost ready," John said as he slipped into the tent, quietly observing my preparations. He walked further in, stopping in the corner of what was now my former workshop.

"Yeah," I replied, tossing the data drives from my computer into my bag. "We've put this off long enough."

"It's your call," O'Brien sighed heavily, settling onto an empty crate behind me, "but you know you can always come back."

"Thanks." I turned to the man and pulled him into a tight hug.

"You're gonna crush me..." The nomad patted my back. "You've grown into one strong bastard, haven't you?"

"Yeah, yeah, I love you too," I said, rolling my eyes as I slung the bag over my shoulder and headed outside. "Here," I handed him a chip containing all my blueprints and designs that I had developed while living with the clan. "These are my projects, along with detailed instructions. Rick and Susan will figure it out. I left them some hints and the key to the cipher."

"This is..." O'Brien was at a loss for words, hesitating to take the chip from me. "This is a pretty valuable gift. Are you sure?"

"Take it, don't worry. I'm planning to create something even more exciting soon. Consider it my investment in the future of the Buckers clan."

"Thanks, Alex." This time, it was John who pulled me into a bear hug, though to me it just felt like a normal embrace.

"No problem," I said, waving casually as I headed toward my car.

"Hey, Alex, wait up..." Kirk called out, stopping a few meters away, catching his breath. "I've been thinking, and here, take this." He handed me a case, and from the look of it, it was his guitar inside.

"Are you sure?" I asked, surprised as I looked at the grinning nomad.

"Of course. You won't find one like this in the city, and I know your little ones are into music. I don't want my legacy to go to waste, you know?"

"I'll take good care of it," I replied seriously, accepting the case with reverence.

"Big brother!" Before I could say more, a small missile — Rachel — crashed into me, immediately latching onto my leg.

"Hey now, Rachel, we'll still get to see each other," I said, placing a hand on her head and gently smoothing down her hair.

"Promise?" the little girl asked seriously, lifting her tearful eyes to meet mine.

"Of course."

"Looks like you've already made your plans," Susan said, swiftly scooping her daughter up and perching her on her shoulders.

"Sue, I left a couple of vials in Roosevelt's safe. If you ever need them, you know what to do."

"I know, and thank you... for trusting me, and for everything." She gave me a familial hug before stepping back, winking at Kiwi as she joined our little group. "When you get to the city, try to see Wakako if you can. She wanted to talk to you about something."

"Alright, if I have the time, I'll meet with her."

"I won't keep you any longer."

"Yeah, it's time to go."

I had packed quite a few bags, but John and Kirk quickly grabbed the ones I couldn't carry, hauling my things to the car parked near the workshop. Lucy and Roxy had already tossed their bags into the open trunk and were now patiently waiting for me inside the car. Once everything was loaded, I took a deep breath and with a heavy heart, shut the overstuffed trunk.

"Got everything?" I asked the two girls sitting quietly in the back seat.

"Yeah," they nodded, looking out the window with a bored expression.

"And you, Kiwi?" I turned to the blonde sitting silently in the passenger seat beside me.

"Everything's taken care of, and if I did forget something, the Buckers will find a good use for it," she replied, glancing at the gathered people and waving one last time to Roosevelt, who was standing a bit apart from the others.

"It's time..." I started the car and rolled down the window, leaning my head out for a moment. "If you ever pass through the city, you know where to find me." The nomads responded with a chorus of laughter.

Everyone in the camp had come to see us off, waving and wishing us luck on our journey. There was a strange heaviness in my heart, but I knew staying any longer wasn't an option. If I gave up now, everything I'd done so far would be meaningless. I had a goal, one that was crucial to accomplish, and its outcome would affect a lot of things. I wasn't sure if Rachel and I would succeed in our plan, but we had laid the groundwork, and all that was left was to continue the work we'd started.

"Get ready to welcome us back, Night City..."