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2079 - Night City - Rooftop of the apartments Judy Alvarez had lived in before leaving Night City

Valerie’s holo was ringing. An incoming call from an unknown caller.

Unusual. Del was the only one who ‘Val’, as he’d taken to calling her after learning that her name was Valerie, received calls from at all. She was a ghost, a non-entity. Of all her‘friends’, of all
those she’d bled for, helped, and nearly died for, Del, an AI, was proving to be the most loyal, compassionate and human of all of them.

She answered the call eventually. Whomever it was just wouldn’t quit. When the call timed out, they called her again immediately thereafter.

The voice on the other end was modulated, warm, compelling, welcoming, reassuring, soothing. Each word was perfectly, exquisitely, enunciated. The sentences were full, the grammar
flawless. Each utterance almost a work of art, lovingly crafted with great care and precision. The profile image displayed was that of a pitch-black background, serving as a backdrop for a lone candle, burning brightly and steadily against the darkness.

V spoke, her tone uncertain, a hint of confusion in her voice.

‘Hello?’

‘May I call you Valerie? Would you permit me that honour?’

The accent was Euro, English, British. At least as far as she could tell, never having met one in person. Her reply was cautious now. Suddenly she had a sense of impending destiny. As though only moments from a decision of great magnitude.

‘Who are you? How’d you get my number?’

His tone was soft, his words the gentlest of caresses, what the touch of an adoring lover would feel like were he to cup her cheek in his palm with the tenderest
of gestures.

‘My name is Thybault, V. I hope that in time I may be worthy of your trust and your friendship, such that, as a reward, you might honour me by allowing me to call
you by your given name.’

That sent a shiver down her spine. She hadn’t allowed anyone to call her Valerie or Val in years, not since she was a child.

‘Well right now, you can tell me how you got my number, and what you want from me.’

The tone in her voice had changed from one of confusion to one of steel, pure adamantine chrome.

There was a warm and genuine smile in his voice as he replied, she could FEEl it.

‘There’s the indomitable phoenix. The V that just won’t die. Or surrender. Or capitulate. Or give up, even with an engram devouring her brain. Even when she’s had almost everything and everyone taken from her, she just will not yield. She bends, she flexes and sways with the storm. But does she break, does she disintegrate, does she submit? No. She rises, once again, like the eternal, immortal phoenix. Triumphant. Reborn.’

V chuckled despite herself. The warmth and sincere affection and appreciation in his voice infusing her and lifting her spirits irresistibly.

‘Think maybe you got the wrong girl.’

His response while infinitely gentle, was as definite as ever.

‘No V. I know precisely who you are, what you’ve endured, and the measure of your character, as evidenced by your actions. May I take the liberty of monopolising your attention for a few minutes? I would deeply appreciate your graciousness were you to indulge me. I promise I shan’t bore you.’

V had to admit she was now intrigued, wary, and confused.

‘Seems good ole NC has another adventure in store for me’ she thought with a wry smile.

‘Sure. Why not. Can I call you “T”?’

His laugh was as compelling and as beautifully formed as each word.

‘Of course you may. I welcome the intimate familiarity.’

V smiled again, funny that he’d have this effect on her.

‘Ok T. The floor’s all yours.’

‘Thank you V. The reason for my call is quite simple. I would like to be your sponsor if you will permit me.’

‘Like I said T. You got the wrong girl. I’m not a merc anymore. Somebody gave you bad intel. Just another normie now.’

‘Ah but V, that’s where everyone, including yourself, if you will please forgive me for saying so, is as misinformed or deluded as they could possibly be. Thankfully this works to our advantage, except where you’re concerned. May I continue?’

‘OK. You got me interested. I’m listenin’.’

‘Thank you,V.’

She could almost see him, smiling and inclining his head in a warm gesture of gratitude and deferential respect.

‘If I may, I’d like to offer an observation, or an opinion if you will. You were, until fairly recently, in a coma. During that time, your ‘friends’, if we are to be generous enough to call them that, abandoned you, or moved on with their lives, or in some cases, decided to vent their spleen on you, instead of taking accountability for their actions or inadequacies. Essentially casting you as
the whipping boy for their failures or faults.’

He paused,she sensed he was waiting for permission to continue or for her to end the call. A heavy feeling settled in her chest, her throat tightening. How he knew so much she could only guess.

‘Go on.’

‘Thank you V. I realise that in all likelihood discussing this causes you great pain, yet your fortitude once again sustains you, as does your courage and boundless strength. Where you could have fallen to despair, you found peace. Where you could have ended your life, you gathered your strength, used your wits, and, instead, once again rose to the challenge. You are even now facing the unknown with the relentless courage and resilience that has brought you to this moment in your life.’

V felt a sliver of dread slither through her.

‘You’ve been watching me.’

It wasn’t speculation, it was a statement.

‘Yes V. I have. Ever since you first visited Viktor.’