Good to see you back, choom! This is part seven of my Cyberpunk 2078 solo campaign. And things are getting a little precarious around Renee ‘Charm’ Chambers.
She is currently hiding in the No-Tell Motel in Kabuki, Watson after Rooks redecorated her appartment in Megabuilding H04. She is waiting for Nadiya to come and get her out of this mess.
Let’s see how this plays out!
Scene #31 – Mr. Keith Flint, Room 342
No-Tell Motel, Kabuki, Watson – 01-14-2079, 02:15
The hours that followed Charm’s frantic message had been a blur of anxious waiting and fragmented information. Nadiya stood in the reception hall of the No-Tell Motel, deliberately blending in. She wore casual clothing – dark jeans, a worn hoodie pulled low over her face, and scuffed boots. There was no trace of her NCPD status; no badge, no uniform, just an ordinary woman seeking anonymity. But the subtle bulge beneath her hoodie betrayed her true identity – the unmistakable outline of a heavy-duty sidearm.
The receptionist, a bored-looking woman with cybernetic enhancements around her eyes, barely glanced up as Nadiya approached. The smelled of disinfectant. Nadiya scanned the room, taking in the peeling wallpaper, the flickering neon sign outside, and the general atmosphere of decay. Her gaze settled on a small blackboard next to the counter. Scrawled across it in messy handwriting was a note: “Vintage records for sale, 90s Collection. Keith Flint”
A flicker of recognition crossed Nadiya’s face. Charm was resourceful; she wouldn’t use her real name, especially not when playing hide-and-seek with someone like Rooks. Keith Flint… it had to be her. “Excuse me,” Nadiya said, her voice low and neutral. “Could you tell me the room number for Mr. Keith Flint?”
The receptionist shrugged, clearly unimpressed. “Room 342,” she mumbled without looking up. Nadiya thanked her with a curt nod and headed towards the stairs. The motel’s hallways were dimly lit and smelled of mold. Each step echoed eerily in the silence. Reaching the third floor, she located Room 342 – a nondescript door with peeling paint and a flickering light above it.
She paused before knocking, taking a moment to compose herself. This was likely Charm’s last known location, and things could go sideways quickly. She took a deep breath and rapped on the door three times – short, sharp knocks.
Silence.
Nadiya waited, her hand hovering near the butt of her weapon beneath the hoodie. The silence stretched, thick with tension. Was Charm inside? Had something else happened? She listened intently for any sound – a cough, a shuffle, anything that would indicate someone was behind the door. Still nothing.
The door opened just a crack, revealing a glimpse of Charm’s face – pale, tense, and framed by her distinctive pink-streaked black hair. A gun was pointed directly at Nadiya, held with a shaky but determined grip. Nadiya didn’t flinch. She recognized the look in Charm’s eyes – fear mixed with defiance.
With a sigh of relief that barely escaped her lips, Charm opened the door wider and pulled Nadiya inside, slamming it shut behind them with a resounding click. The room was small and sparsely furnished – a stained mattress on a metal frame and a single chair. It smelled faintly of sweat and cheap disinfectant.
“Rooks planted an explosive device in my appartment,” Charm stated flatly, her voice trembling slightly. “A timed one. I barely made it out.” She walked over to the bed and sank onto the edge, her legs crossed tightly. Nadiya positioned herself behind her, a silent presence offering support.
“What exactly happened?” Nadiya asked, keeping her voice low and steady. Charm took a deep breath before explaining. “It’s Project Echelon,” she said, her voice gaining strength as she delved into the details. “I think I finally have a handle on it.” She paused, gathering her thoughts. “It’s not just some random malware. It’s specifically designed to hijack weapons, neural implants and cyberware… but only from certain manufacturers.”
She continued, “Arasaka and Militech. Only Arasaka and Militech gear is affected. I’ve been digging through the code fragments I managed to salvage – it’s elegant, terrifyingly so. It’s a targeted attack.” Charm paused again, her expression grim. “I think Kang Tao wants to render military-grade equipment used by NUSA personnel and law enforcement useless.”
“The implications are obvious,” Charm said, her voice tight with urgency. “If this isn’t against Arasaka and Militech… the only other explanation is a military operation against a de facto defenseless military of the NUSA.” She looked up at Nadiya, her eyes wide with concern. “Either way, we could end up in a fifth corporate war – or worse, a full-blown conflict between corporations and the government… again.”
Nadiya remained silent for a long moment, processing the information. This was bigger than anything she had dealt with before. Finally, she spoke, her voice resolute. “We have to do something,” she said firmly. “Something… significant.”
A sharp buzz cut through the silence – a message arriving on Charm’s comm. Nadiya’s eyes narrowed. “What is it?” she asked, leaning closer.
Charm glanced at the screen and answered quickly. “It’s from Kai,” she explained. “I asked a friend to bring Firestarter here. Thought it would be too dangerous for me to go back to Megabuilding H04 and get it myself.”
Nadiya nodded slowly, acknowledging the situation. “That’s good,” she said, her voice carefully neutral. “But this place is a dump. Let’s get out of here.” She paused, then added with a hint of exasperation, “Can we please go to my place? I can’t stand another minute in this shithole of a motel.”
Scene #32 – The gloves are off
No-Tell Motel, Kabuki, Watson – 01-14-2079, 03:37
The engine of Charm’s car roared to life with a groan as she pulled away from the motel. Nadiya settled into the passenger seat, her hand instinctively hovering near her weapon. They were headed towards Megabuilding H05 in Vista del Rey, where Nadiya lived.
As they crossed the bay on Halsey Boulevard, leaving Little China behind and heading toward the glittering expanse of City Center, Charm couldn’t shake the knot of anxiety tightening in her stomach. “How do we even begin to get Arasaka and Militech to listen?” she asked, her voice loaded with frustration. “They’re not exactly known for their altruism. And getting those two at one table? That’s like trying to convince a shark and an eel to share a fish tank.”
Nadiya remained focused on the road ahead, her expression grim. “I have a contact within Militech,” she said finally. “He owes me a few favors. I can try to get a foot in the door there, at least. It’s a long shot, but it’s better than nothing.”
Halsey Boulevard, Downtown, City Center – 01-14-2079, 03:51
The conversation died abruptly as a metallic clang reverberated through the car. A hulking Chevillon Emperor, its black chrome gleaming with aggressive angles and emblazoned with the unmistakable orange insignia of Kang Tao, slammed into their side with brutal force. The Firestarter lurched violently, tires screeching against the pavement as Charm fought to maintain control.
“Fuck!” Charm cursed, her knuckles white on the steering wheel. “They’re not even trying to hide it anymore! They’re actively hunting me.” She wrestled with the controls, desperately trying to keep their car from being pushed off the street entirely. The Kang Tao vehicle was relentless, its driver clearly intent on ending their journey right there and then.
In a split-second decision, Charm yanked the wheel hard to the right, narrowly avoiding a collision with another vehicle. They swerved onto Republic Way, then executed another sharp right turn onto the narrow confines of Bruce Skiv Street. The Kang Tao goons followed without hesitation, their vehicle roaring after them, closing the gap.
The chase was on.
Charm weaved through the congested streets, her driving skills developed by years of navigating Night City’s chaotic traffic. Each turn was a gamble, each intersection a potential disaster. Behind them, the Kang Tao Emperor relentlessly pursued, ramming their car from behind with sickening force. The car groaned under the repeated impacts, metal protesting against the abuse.
“They’re not letting up!” Nadiya yelled over the din of screeching tires and grinding metal. “Keep going! Find somewhere to shake them.”
Charm scanned the surroundings desperately, her eyes darting from the rearview mirror to the road ahead. Suddenly, she spotted it – a partially open garage door on Berkeley Avenue. With a surge of adrenaline, she swerved towards it, narrowly missing a parked vehicle as she squeezed her car into the dimly lit space.
Berkeley Avenue, Downtown, City Center – 01-14-2079, 04:02
Nadiya jumped out and slammed the garage door shut behind them with a resounding thud, concealing their escape. The Kang Tao thugs roared past, oblivious to their sudden disappearance. “Wait a few moments,” Charm instructed, her voice tight with exertion. “Let them think we’ve vanished.”
Silence descended upon the cramped garage, broken only by the labored breathing of both women and the faint hum of the car’s engine. They waited, hearts pounding in their chests, listening for any sign that their pursuers had realized they were gone.
After what felt like an eternity, Charm slowly eased the car back out of the garage, reemerging onto Berkeley Avenue. The street was relatively clear now, and she accelerated, putting as much distance as possible between them and their would-be assassins.
“Alright,” Nadiya said, her voice regaining some composure. “Let’s move. Megabuilding H05.”
Charm nodded, her eyes fixed on the road ahead. The chase had taken its toll – the car was battered and bruised, and she felt a dull ache in her shoulder from gripping the wheel so tightly. But they were still alive, and that was all that mattered.
Scene #33 – Old friends
Megabuilding H05, Vista del Rey, City Center – 01-15-2079, 09:22
The morning light filtered weakly through the windows of Nadiya’s apartment, casting a pale glow across the minimalist furnishings. Charm sat perched on the edge of Nadiya’s bed, her pink-streaked black hair a stark contrast against the pristine white sheets. She hadn’t slept well, replaying the events of the previous night in her mind.
She took a slow sip from a lukewarm cup of coffee, the bitter taste doing little to soothe her nerves. “My father,” she began, her voice low and hesitant, “He worked for Arasaka.” Nadiya, who had been quietly preparing breakfast in the kitchenette, paused and turned to look at her.
“He wasn’t just any lawyer,” Charm continued, avoiding eye contact. “He was a corporate liaison, specializing in… sensitive matters. He knew people. High-level people.” She paused again, gathering her thoughts. “I might have someone I can reach out to – an old colleague of his. A friend, really. Colby McDonald.”
Charm activated her comm and navigated to her contacts list. As she dialed the number, she had a familiar anxiety tightening in her chest. The call connected with a crisp tone.
“Mr. McDonalds? It’s Renee… Renee Chambers,” she began, her voice deliberately casual. “How are you doing? Long time no see. I hope your wife’s doing well?” She continued with the small talk for a few moments, trying to sound nonchalant, but it felt forced even to her own ears. Then, without warning, her tone shifted dramatically. It hardened, became sharper, laced with an urgency that cut through the pleasantries like a laser beam.
“Look, Mr. McDonald,” she said, her voice now low and serious. “I have information. Vital information. Information that could shake things up – for Arasaka, for Militech… possibly even for everybody.” A beat of silence hung in the air before she continued, her voice barely a whisper. “This information… it might also be connected to the death of my parents. I know, I know… but seriously… it is connected to a case my mom was working on before they died.”
The line crackled with static as Colby McDonald likely processed that statement. Charm pressed on, knowing she had to lay everything out quickly and clearly. “It’s about a convergence point, Colby. Something both Arasaka and Militech are interested in. It’s bigger than either of them realizes. And it needs to be addressed… together. A malware operating against both.” She paused again, taking a deep breath. “I need both corporations to meet with me. Simultaneously. No intermediaries. I want them at the same table so that neither one suspects foul play or thinks they have an advantage.”
Another long silence followed, punctuated only by the hum of the datapad. Finally, Colby’s voice, strained and cautious, responded. “Renee… this is a lot to take in. A lot. I need time to process this. Let me see what I can do. No promises, understand? This kind of thing… it’s not easy.”
“I understand,” Charm replied curtly. “Just… please be… we don’t have much time. I don’t have much time.” She ended the call, her hand trembling slightly as she placed the datapad on the bed.
She turned to Nadiya, who had been watching her with a mixture of concern and curiosity. “That went… okay, I think,” Charm said, trying to sound more confident than she felt. “He’ll see what he can do.”
Charm turned her attention to Nadiya, who had retreated into another room, presumably attempting to contact her Militech connection. A few minutes later, Nadiya emerged from the other room, her face a mask of frustration. “Nothing,” she said grimly. “I tried reaching Volkov, but he says there’s nothing he can do. Protocol, red tape… the usual bureaucratic garbage.” She kicked at the floor in annoyance.
Charm sighed, a wave of disappointment washing over her. “We have to find another way,” she said, her voice laced with determination. “Colby might be able to pull some strings on the Arasaka side, but Militech… they’re notoriously difficult to penetrate.”
She paced across the room, her mind already racing through possibilities. “Maybe we need a different angle,” she mused aloud. “Something that bypasses the official channels entirely. Something… unconventional.” She stopped pacing and looked at Nadiya, an idea forming in her mind. Nadiya raised an eyebrow. “Oh no, Renee… you are not going to…”
Scene #34 – The reckoning
Megabuilding H05, Vista del Rey, City Center – 01-15-2079, 12:47
The rumble of the Mizutani Shion’s engine was a familiar comfort as Charm pulled it out of the parking garage of Megabuilding H05. As she navigated the congested streets of Night City, Charm received a notification on her comm. It was an encrypted message from an unknown source. Her brow furrowed as she opened it. “Additional information regarding Project Echelon. Laguna Bend. Anonymity required.”
Project Echelon. Just the name sent a shiver down her spine.The fact that someone was willing to reach out with information about it – and specifically, offering it to her – was… unsettling. Charm’s initial reaction was skepticism. This could be a trap, a setup designed to lure her into the Badlands. But she couldn’t ignore the possibility that this message held something genuinely valuable.
Leaving the perimeter of Night City always brought with it a sense of unease. The neon glow faded behind her as she crossed into the Badlands, replaced by a vast expanse of scrubland and rocky terrain. A knot formed in her stomach. It was more than just nerves; it felt like a premonition, a warning sign whispering in the back of her mind.
She steered the Shion onto Brookland Street, heading towards Laguna Bend. The road was rough and uneven, kicking up dust devils as she drove. Charm instinctively reached for the weapon strapped to her thigh, checking the weight of her modified HJKE-11 Yukimura smart pistol. It felt reassuring in her hand – she wasn’t entirely defenseless.
The landscape grew increasingly desolate as she approached Laguna Bend. The air was filled with the stench of brackish water. She pulled off the main road onto a narrow, dirt track leading towards the shore of the reservoir dam. Parking the Shion near the water’s edge, she cut the engine and stepped out of the car, leaning against the door for support.
Reservoir dam, Laguna Bend, Badlands – 01-15-2079, 13:20
The wind whipped at her hair, carrying with it the mournful cry of some unseen seabird. The sky was a dull gray, mirroring the mood that had settled over her. She scanned the area, searching for any sign of her unknown contact. Nothing. Just the endless expanse of sand and scrub.
Suddenly, she heard the sound of an engine approaching. Charm’s hand tightened around the grip of her pistol as a sleek, black sedan materialized from behind a cluster of rocks. The car slowed to a stop about twenty meters away, its tinted windows reflecting the overcast sky like dark mirrors.
She couldn’t make out who was inside. The vehicle lacked any identifying markings – no corporate logos, no gang tags, nothing. It simply sat there, an ominous presence in the desolate landscape. Charm’s senses were on high alert. This wasn’t what she expected. She activated a protocol in her Kiroshi optical implants.
A man emerged from the black sedan, pointing a gun at her. He was tall and lean, with sharp features and eyes that seemed to absorb all light. His tailored suit looked incongruous against the backdrop of the desolate Badlands. It was Mr. Rooks. “Raise your hands,” he commanded, his voice smooth and devoid of emotion. It wasn’t a question.
Charm obeyed slowly, deliberately, each movement a calculated response to the threat before her. Her hands rose, palms open, displaying her lack of immediate aggression. She knew any attempt at resistance would be futile against this level of power.
Rooks approached with a slow, deliberate stride, his face contorting into a devilish smile. It was the kind of smile that promised pain and regret. “There you are,” he said, his voice dripping with disdain. “The little ex-whore who thought she could piss on my leg and interfere in my business.”
Charm’s cybernetic jaw tightened. The insult stung, but she refused to let it show. She focused on maintaining a neutral expression, masking the turmoil raging within her.
“Your name rang a bell,” Rooks continued, circling her slowly like a predator assessing its prey. “Never thought this little mouse was the daughter of the bitch from N54 who poked into Project Echelon and thought she was on a hot lead.”
A wave of nausea washed over Charm as the words hit her. Her mother. Network 54. Project Echelon. The pieces began to fall into place. She felt a sudden pressure behind her eyes, and a burning sensation traced its way down her cheeks. She blinked, trying to fight back the tears that threatened to spill over.
Rooks noticed the involuntary reaction. His smile widened, revealing a flash of predatory satisfaction. “Tears? Don’t cry now, little girl. It’s just business.” He paused, letting the words hang in the air before continuing with chilling precision. “I remember your parents well. NC Ringroad East, a few years back. A tragic accident, they said. Such a shame.”
The world seemed to shrink around Charm as the truth slammed into her with brutal force. The memory of that night – the call from NCPD – flooded her mind. It hadn’t been an accident. It had been murder. Tears streamed down her face now, blurring her vision. She fought against them, but they were unstoppable.
“I took care of it,” Rooks said, his voice devoid of remorse. “A necessary precaution. Your mother was getting too close to something she shouldn’t have been. Project Echelon doesn’t take kindly to prying eyes.” He leaned closer, his breath warm on her face. “Consider this a family matter.”
The world exploded in pain. Rooks slammed the grip of his pistol against the side of Charm’s head with sickening force. A white-hot flash consumed her vision as she stumbled backwards, losing her balance on the uneven terrain. She hit the ground hard, a jarring impact that stole the air from her lungs. He was right behind her, relentless and predatory.
She scrambled back, crawling desperately away, always keeping the cold steel of his pistol barrel in her line of sight. Each movement sent jolts of agony through her body, but she pushed on, fueled by adrenaline and a primal instinct for survival. The wind whipped at her pink-streaked hair as she dragged herself across the gritty sand, leaving a trail of blood and dust.
Another kick landed against her head, this one sending a searing pain radiating down her spine. She winced, but didn’t stop crawling. Then came the gut punch – a brutal, twisting blow that stole what little breath she had left. A sickening crack echoed in her ears as his fist slammed into her ribcage, and she felt something snap with a horrifying finality. Pain blossomed across her chest, radiating outwards like a malignant flower.
He pressed down on her throat, the weight of his knee crushing her windpipe. She gasped for air, each inhale a desperate struggle against the suffocating pressure. Her vision swam, threatening to fade into blackness. For one agonizing moment, Rooks seemed too sure of himself, basking in the perceived victory of having her pinned and helpless.
But Charm was anything but defeated. Summoning every ounce of strength she had left, she lashed out with a desperate surge of energy. Her fist connected with Rooks’s head, a dull thud followed by a satisfying crack. Simultaneously, she twisted his wrist, forcing him to relinquish his grip on the pistol. The weapon clattered onto the sand beside her.
With a guttural cry, she kicked out at his stomach, catching him off balance. He stumbled backwards, momentarily freeing her from his crushing weight. She surged to her feet, clutching her ribs, each breath a searing reminder of the damage they had sustained. Her legs trembled beneath her, threatening to buckle, but she forced them to hold.
Turning back towards Rooks, who was now sprawled on the ground, she unleashed a torrent of fury. Kicks rained down on his face – brutal, relentless strikes fueled by rage and desperation. She heard the sickening crunch of bone as one connected with his nose, followed by a spray of crimson that splattered across her boot. Blood gushed from his nostrils and mouth, mingling with the sand.
He lay there, momentarily stunned, but then a grotesque grin stretched across his face. “You must be worth every eddie if you are as temperamental in the bed as you are now… you dirty joytoy,” he rasped, blood bubbling on his lips.
Ignoring him, Charm gathered her remaining strength for one final, devastating blow. She kicked against his head with all she had left, sending him sprawling backwards onto the sand. He lay motionless now, staring up at her with glazed eyes. She reached down, grabbing her HJKE-11 Yukimura. She leveled the weapon at his head, her hands shaking but steadying with each breath.
He smiled again, a final, defiant gesture before oblivion.
Charm didn’t hesitate. She squeezed the trigger. The roar of the smart pistol ripped through the desolate landscape as she emptied the entire magazine into his head. Each shot was accompanied by a sickening thud and a burst of crimson spray as the auto-guiding bullets found their target. His skull exploded in a shower of brain matter and blood, painting the sand and scrubland in a grotesque tableau of violence.
Charm stood there, panting heavily, her body trembling, her clothes soaked in blood – both his and her own. She looked down at the carnage before her, the remnants of Rooks’s face a pulpy mess of flesh and bone. Finally, she spoke, her voice raw with exhaustion and fury. “Fuck you,” she spat out.
The fading crimson glow of the Badlands sunset reflected in Charm’s eyes as she finally ended the recording of the braindance recorder embedded within her Kirochi optical implants. A relic from a darker past she once used to peddle self-made porn braindances, crafting immersive experiences for wealthy clients seeking fleeting escape. Now, repurposed and modified, it served a far more urgent purpose: documenting her encounter with Rooks.
The adrenaline began to bleed away, leaving Charm weak and trembling. She sank to the ground with a shuddering sigh, the gritty sand cushioning her fall but doing little to ease the agony radiating from her ribs. With what felt like her last reserves of energy, she managed to input a short message: “HELP!” She added Nadiya’s contact info, attached her GPS coordinates, and praying it would reach her before the encroaching darkness consumed her entirely. A final, shaky exhale escaped her lips as the world began to fade.
To be continued…
Thank you for your time and interest! I hope to see you next week for part eight.
