Vash stepped into Interrogation Room Two. The space was small, the only light a tight beam hanging over a long table and two chairs.
The border guard in charge of questioning flicked his eyes up, "Please, have a seat. Documents."
Vash sat and handed over the black papers.
Without even checking them, the guard lit a cigarette and asked bluntly, "What are you transporting in the vehicle?"
"It's all in the documents." Vash replied.
The guard exhaled a smoke ring and gave a short laugh, "I didn't ask any other questions, so don't give me irrelevant answers."
Normally, the routine starts with where you're coming from and where you're going. But some people didn't care about routine — like this guy.
"What are you transporting in the vehicle?" he repeated, his tone heavier.
Vash stayed calm. Meeting the guard's gaze, he said slowly, "Sir, I think if you take a look, you might make an interesting discovery."
That did it. The guard finally glanced down. Inside the document's inner layer, he spotted a special chip.
"Ahem." He straightened immediately, and his attitude shifted in an instant, "Very well. You're clear. Have a pleasant journey, sir."
Money talked — even in 2077.
Vash left the interrogation room and reclaimed his DR-5 Nova at the registration desk. He was turning to go when a voice called after him.
"Sir, please wait a moment." The clerk smiled, "The officer from Interrogation Room Two gave you a good score. Said you're a decent person."
"Please thank him for me." Vash said, though he couldn't help feeling puzzled. In the game, he didn't remember ever being called back like this.
The clerk's eyes slid to Vash's handgun, "Sir, that piece doesn't look particularly powerful."
Vash let out a dry chuckle, "Yeah. But what can I do? I'd like top-tier weapons too, but company gear is too expensive."
"Company gear is expensive." The clerk agreed, "But it's not the only place with stock." He leaned in slightly, lowering his voice, "Drivers who score well in our border inspections get a perk — the chance to buy some high-powered gear for self-defense at a low price. Interested, sir?"
Vash understood immediately. The guy was trying to sell him hardware.
The irony was almost funny. Arasaka Corporation held a near-monopoly on military-grade weapons. Most people either bought overpriced company gear or hunted down smuggled antiques from decades ago. Yet here — at a corporate border checkpoint, a piece of the system itself — someone was running a secondhand arms business on the side.
❖❖❖❖❖❖❖❖❖❖
Vash walked out of the border patrol building and hurried back into the passenger seat.
"How'd it go, V?" Jackie asked, worry tight in his voice.
"Drive." Vash said, "Let's get away from this place."
"No kidding, mano. I wouldn't stick around even if they paid me double." Jackie turned the key and rolled them out of the checkpoint.
Once they were officially across the border, Jackie's tension evaporated.
"Heh — preem, hermano! We're gonna make a lotta eddies on this gig — and you're gettin' a solid cut, too."
Vash only smiled. It was just some lousy lizard that might be useful for corporate biotech research. And if they couldn't find a buyer? If it ended up stuck in their hands, it wouldn't even make a decent soup.
As Jackie drove, he kept chattering — how well-connected he was in Night City, how many big shots he knew, how familiar he was with every shady corner… and plenty of "hot chicks", too.
Vash knew him well enough not to buy any of it.
『 Daily Check-in refreshed. Would you like to Check-in? 』
The system prompt rang out. Vash froze for a beat, realizing the refresh lined up with day one — and that every future check-in would trigger at 3:30 a.m.
Check in!
『 Check-in successful! Host has obtained the 〈Perfect Weapon Mastery Skill〉! 』
A flood of techniques and experience surged into Vash's mind: weapons handling, firearms training, maintenance, modifications — everything. Not just Power weapons, either, but advanced military models too: Smart, Tech, even cyberware weapons.
"Good." Vash murmured. They were about to go up against corporate dogs. This would make things a lot safer.
The car tore down the highway. Beyond the window, Night City shimmered like a mirage.
"V, we're almost there." Jackie said, grinning as he drove, "Night City — city of dreams, choom." Then he caught Vash's expression, "Hey. What's up?"
"Jackie." Vash said quietly, "Just keep driving. Don't stop for anything."
At the intersection ahead, several special vehicles blocked the road.
"Vehicle ahead, stop immediately!"
"Chingada (Fuck)!" Jackie snapped. It clicked — and he yanked the wheel, cutting hard onto another route.
The moment the car refused to comply, Arasaka vehicles surged after them.
"The goods you're transporting are company property. You are suspected of smuggling. Final warning — stop the vehicle!!"
Vash didn't answer. He leaned halfway out the window and pulled out the shotgun he'd bought at the border.
He fed in shells, lifted the barrel, took aim — and fired.
BANG!!!
❖❖❖❖❖
T/N: Comment, give me Power Stones, like and favorite, it all supports me and makes me go foward with this. Appreciate my other stories as well, I guarantee the good work!
That's it and happy reading! (-‿◦)