“So?”
Panam looked at me with curiosity.
Judy was right there with her, chewing on a slice of leftover pizza from last night, waiting for me to answer Panam’s question.
And the question was simple: what did Regina say about buying a nuclear reactor from a new AV?
The answer was crucial.
It could solve one of the biggest problems we’d face if we decided to settle in the desert.
Not just for the Aldecaldos, some of whom might end up under Biotechnica’s thumb under Sol’s watch.
I meant for us as a solo group who’d no longer have to pay rent to some corporate landlord.
“Easier to buy the whole AV than just the reactor.”
“Hmm…
and how much would that cost?”
“Well, according to Regina, the cheapest beat-up AV starts at a million eddies.”
Panam and Judy whistled and shook their heads.
“So we scrap that idea?”
I scratched my chin thoughtfully.
“No.
Just put it on hold.
During the Behemoth’s rebuild, we can design for a reactor swap later.
For now, we study the tech and do what we can.”
“What about water?”
I looked at Panam and sighed.
“Well, I mulled it over last night.
We might not need the reactor after all, but it’ll burn a lot of gas.”
I shook my head.
“…and we’ll need other supplies.
So for now, we focus on the Behemoth.
That means ordering some parts.”
“Got it.
I talked to Mitch yesterday while you were at Vik’s.
He likes the idea of converting these trucks into mobile homes.
The tents we use are smaller than our one-bedroom apartments, but if the living space expands threefold when parked, that’s a solid living area for six to twelve clan members.
Gear can stay in the truck, but sleeping in a warm, draft-free box?
That’s worth a lot.”
“You were against mobile homes before.”
I gave Panam a sharp look.
“Well, that was then.
This is a Behemoth.
Its off-road capability is insane.”
She smacked her lips.
“…and this solution would really help.
We could add cargo containers for supplies, freeing up other clan vehicles.
That way, we could take more jobs on the road.”
“Seems like you’ve got it all figured out.”
I raised an eyebrow.
“About life in the clan.”
I shook my head.
“Sorry, but I’m not sure that’s for me.
Not full-time in a tent.”
I shook my head again.
“No, there’s some charm to it.
But permanently?
I couldn’t do it.
I’m too used to city comforts and conveniences.”
“But the Behemoth…”
“What about it?”
“Panam, don’t forget, your clan could just vanish.”
Judy jumped in.
Her words clearly bothered Panam, but she couldn’t argue.
She just pouted and turned away.
“Don’t be upset.
Judy’s telling the truth.
If Sol’s plan works out, what’s left of your clan?
The outcasts who didn’t follow him?
How many would that be?
Ten out of a hundred?”
“You’re right.
But you can count on those ten.”
“Sure.
But say we join.
You become head of this mini-clan.
Then the Wraiths attack.
What can thirteen people do against a full-scale assault?
They’d send fifty fighters and drown us in blood.”
“Are you saying I should forget about the clan?”
“Panam, don’t twist David’s words.”
Judy met her friend’s eyes.
“He’s saying if YOU want to save the clan, then YOU need to find ways to strengthen it.
Make Sol see that serving Biotechnica isn’t as good as staying free.”
Anger and frustration colored Panam’s voice.
“Well, for starters, we can design a Behemoth upgrade project together.
Maybe even other vehicles.
I saw a ‘Caucasus’ model converted into a ripperdoc’s office at your camp.
A little rework and it’d be perfect.”
“Why didn’t we…”
“Why did we pick the Behemoth?”
“Yeah.”
I shrugged.
“Because it’s incredibly rare to find one for sale.
They’re usually only available to government agencies and corporations.
Even they can’t just buy them outright; they need special permits.”
“Then how did you…”
“Simple.
Only the engine and cab are original.
The armored body’s been replaced with a steel box.
A few other systems are missing too.”
“But that’s pointless.”
“Not entirely.
Sure, specific systems are gone, but we can buy equivalents.
Not Militech standard, but decent enough.
With some work, the Behemoth will regain about eighty percent of its original specs.
We’ll end up with a small, well-armored monster.”
“Got it.
And the Caucasus?”
“It’s not meant for this.
You could find a 12×12 model and build a wheeled tank on it, but the cost…”
I shook my head.
“Even an 8×8 would be expensive.
Though the living modules would be amazing.”
“Understood.
So what’s the plan?”
“The plan?”
I smirked.
“Buy some parts.
Then head to the Aldecaldos.
It makes more sense to do the major work there than on the street.
Also, we need to get an antenna so Judy doesn’t go crazy without info or contact with her crew.”
“Well, I already told them I’m leaving.”
I blinked in surprise.
“No, no…”
She waved her hands.
“I didn’t quit making BDs for them.
But working for them is way less profitable than working for you.
The choice was obvious.”
I sighed and shrugged.
“Your choice.
I’m not turning down a netrunner’s services.
And as a woman, you know I like you.”
Judy blushed slightly and nodded.
It seemed I was finally breaking through her walls.
Good.
“…so I can only say one thing.
Group hug!”
I pulled Judy into an embrace.
Panam joined in, and soon we had her trapped in a sandwich of bodies.
After a moment, she hugged back, wrapping her arms around me since I was in front.
“So.”
I pulled back and met Judy’s eyes.
“You remember your task?”
“The data for breaking into archives and servers for my case?”
“Yeah.”
“Got it.
I’ll get started.
And I’ll pick out an antenna and amplifier so I can work from the badlands.”
Judy nodded.
“Me and Panam will hit the auto salvage yards.
We need parts.”
“Good.
You’ve got a list?”
“Made it yesterday when I scanned the Behemoth.
I wasn’t going to buy something that was truly junk.”
Panam nodded approvingly.
A little while later.
“Where’d you find this?”
Our arrival had caused a stir among the Aldecaldos.
Even Sol came to see the sight of a Behemoth as a personal vehicle on clan turf.
“Bought it from a government corp.
They figured scrapping it was too expensive.
So they removed some armor and gear, then sold it as a civilian truck.”
Mitch whistled.
“What are you planning to do with it?”
“You’ll laugh.”
He raised an eyebrow.
“A mobile home that expands when parked.
At least double its size, maybe triple.”
Mitch whistled again.
“Bold.
What’s the purpose?”
“Quitting city life.
I’m a city boy, used to comfort.”
I shrugged.
“Anyway, I like the idea.
Let’s see what we can do.
I’ll help when I’m free.
Clan comes first.”
I nodded.
I wasn’t expecting anything else.
A little over a week later.
Vik’s Clinic.
“Well, kid.
Congratulations.”
Vik slapped my shoulder.
I barely felt it.
With synthetic muscles fully installed and healed, along with reinforced bones, joints, and ligaments, the hit was nothing.
“You’re fully healed.
Ready to work.”
“The Sandevistan?”
“Use it.
But take it easy at first.
Limit speed and duration.”
I nodded and shook his hand.
“Thanks, Vik.
You’ve got golden hands.”
“Kid, you paid me.
Don’t get sappy.”
He was clearly embarrassed.
“Fine.
When should I come back for a check-up?”
“In a week and a half.
Two at most.
I want to check the muscles and their interaction with the Sandevistan.”
“Right.”
I nodded and left his clinic.
I crossed the small courtyard and stepped into Misty’s shop, where the girls were chatting happily about the skydiving trip we’d taken.
“David!
How’d it go?”
Misty gave me a warm smile.
She was on a break with Jackie, so she let herself flirt lightly with me.
But she still loved him, so she never crossed the line.
“Perfect, Misty.”
I kissed her on the cheek.
“Vik says I’m fully healed.
Ready to work.
Night City’s going to start whispering about Tikhon again.”
“You’re already impossible to ignore.”
“It’s not about more jobs.
It’s about better jobs.”
I looked at Panam.
“Judy, are you ready?”
“Yeah.
We’ve got a week’s buffer.
We can hit the sites I’ve scouted.
I’ve gathered all the intel.
Some of it I bought through Regina.
We’re ready for a quiet entry.”
“Good.”
I hugged my girls.
Judy was practically mine now, and everyone knew it.
We said goodbye to Misty and left.
Time to get back to work.