Cyberpunk: Asuka Vektor

Asuka stepped out of the apartment, greeted by the cool, polluted air that seemed to hang thick in the streets of Night City. She could almost taste the industrial grime in each breath, a subtle reminder of the city’s unrelenting decay. Neon signs buzzed overhead, casting a kaleidoscope of colors against the concrete jungle, each flicker reflecting off the endless windows and metallic surfaces.

The city hummed with life—laughter from nearby bars, the shouts of street vendors pushing synth-food, and the occasional sharp crack of gunfire that echoed in the distance like an unwelcome reminder of the danger lurking around every corner. It was chaotic, familiar, and yet… different.

As Asuka walked, her gaze wandered across the towering megabuildings that loomed like giants, blocking out the skyline. The streets were packed, bustling with all sorts—corpos in their sleek suits, gangers with their limbs gleaming chrome under the neon glow, and mercs, just like her, blending into the mass of cybered-up humanity.

“The city looks almost the same,” she muttered, her brow furrowing. It was just like the Night City she had known from the game, a city she thought she had memorized—every street corner, every iconic landmark. But here? It felt like everything had exploded in scale. The buildings were taller, scraping at the sky, and the streets seemed to wind on forever, stretching farther than her memories could grasp.

“This isn’t just a map you can load up,” she mused aloud, sidestepping a pair of gangers locked in an argument by a rusting vending machine. “This is real. And it’s massive.”

The edge was sharper now. The smell of burning oil and trash was stronger, the sound of metal clinking as heavily chromed-up mercs passed her by seemed harsher. In the game, it was easy to be detached—to treat the city like a playground or a battlefield. But here, with every step, the weight of its reality pressed down on her.

The game had captured the spirit of Night City, its grime and its neon beauty, but now, as she wandered the streets, it was alive in ways the screen never showed. The way the light bounced off broken glass, the suspicious glances of passersby, the quiet tension in the air. Every corner felt like it held a secret—some opportunity, or perhaps a trap waiting to spring.

But that was part of the thrill, wasn’t it? The sense of something unpredictable always around the bend. Asuka couldn’t help but grin, her excitement mixing with a tinge of adrenaline as she approached Joe’s diner.

Asuka turned the corner, the neon-lit sign of Joe’s Diner flickering in the distance. The place had an old-school charm, despite the grime that clung to every surface. It was one of the few spots in Night City that hadn’t fully succumbed to the corporate sterilization creeping across the city. She could already smell the sizzling synth-burgers and hear the muffled sounds of clattering plates and conversations from inside.

Pushing through the heavy door, the smell hit her full force—grease, processed food, and something vaguely metallic. The diner’s interior was dim, lit mostly by the glow of neon signs and flickering holoscreens advertising everything from Cyberware upgrades to back-alley ripperdocs. A few regulars sat in booths, hunched over their meals, their faces illuminated by glowing displays on their wrists or from the neon outside. The city never slept, and neither did its people.

In the corner, Jackie sat at a booth, grinning as soon as he spotted her. His broad shoulders were relaxed, his signature swagger unmistakable even in a quiet setting like this. He waved her over, a big, warm smile stretching across his face.

“Hey, chica! Lookin’ good as ever,” Jackie called, his deep voice cutting through the diner’s white noise.

Asuka smiled back, feeling a sense of comfort seeing her old friend. Despite the madness and chrome that defined Night City, Jackie was always a steady presence. “Thanks, choom,” she replied, sliding into the booth across from him. “Thought I’d rock the pink today.”

“Stylin’, as always,” Jackie chuckled, signaling the waitress with a wave. “I already ordered us some drinks and a couple of burgers. Figured you’d be hungry after… well, everything.”

Asuka leaned back in the booth, glancing around the diner. “You’re not wrong. After all that chrome and those damn scavengers, I feel like I could eat a whole cow. A real one.”

Jackie laughed, a deep, booming sound that drew the attention of a few patrons nearby. “Good luck finding real meat in this city! Synth-beef’s the best we got.” He leaned forward, his expression softening. “Seriously though, chica. You sure you’re good? Vik said you’re doing better, but… scav hits like that ain’t easy to bounce back from.”

Asuka took a moment, her eyes drifting to the rain-slicked streets outside. The memories of the scavenger attack were still fresh—too fresh. But she wasn’t the type to dwell on it. “I’m fine, Jackie,” she said, her voice firm. “It was rough, but I came out stronger. I’ve got this.” She flexed her arm slightly, the subtle hum of her cyberware almost imperceptible. “These new blades aren’t just for show, you know.”

Jackie grinned, impressed. “Damn right. I knew you’d come out swinging. Just don’t go carving up any poor sods for fun, alright?”

Their drinks arrived—two tall glasses of neon-colored, slightly fizzy liquid. Asuka stared at hers, swirling it a bit before taking a sip. It tasted like synthetic fruit, overly sweet but strangely addictive. She didn’t care. It was good enough.

“So,” she asked, leaning forward. “What’s the latest on your end? You mentioned earlier you’ve been picking up some gigs from Wakako?”

Jackie nodded, his face lighting up with excitement. “Yeah! I’ve been making some solid progress, chica. Few jobs here and there—nothing too big yet, but Wakako seems to like my style. I’ve been trying to carve out a rep, y’know? Gotta be a Night City legend if I’m gonna make it.” He winked at her. “But you? You and me? We’re gonna tear this city up, just wait. I’ve already got a couple of gigs lined up. Could use a choom like you on my side.”

Asuka smirked, feeling that familiar rush of adrenaline. The promise of action, of living on the edge, it was impossible to resist. “Sounds like you’ve got something preem in mind.”

Jackie leaned in closer, his voice dropping to a conspiratorial tone. “You bet. Nothing too crazy just yet. Gotta ease back in after what you’ve been through. But there’s a job I’m scoping out—small-time gang wants to make a move on a Militech convoy. It’s risky, but the payout? Could be huge. Plus, it’s a chance to show ‘em we’re serious players.”

Asuka raised an eyebrow, intrigued. “Militech? That’s no small fry. You sure it’s worth the heat?”

Jackie shrugged, flashing her a grin. “When is it ever not worth it, chica?”

The waitress brought over their food—two massive synth-burgers with a side of fries. Asuka bit into hers, letting the flavors hit her tongue. It wasn’t real, but it was satisfying enough. She chewed thoughtfully, her mind already racing through the possibilities. Gigs like these were dangerous, but in Night City, danger was part of the package.

“Alright,” she said after swallowing. “Count me in. But if we’re hitting Militech, we’re gonna need more firepower.”

Asuka took another bite of her burger, savoring the familiar synthetic taste before looking back at Jackie. The excitement of the upcoming gig lingered in the air, but she couldn’t help but think about the more personal side of things.

“Hey, Jackie,” she said, her tone shifting to something more serious, “I’ve been meaning to ask... You’ve been out of the Valentinos for a while now. You had any trouble since you left them?”

Jackie leaned back in the booth, the playful grin fading as he considered her question. He scratched the back of his neck, letting out a low sigh. “You know how it is, chica. Leavin’ a gang like the Valentinos ain’t exactly a clean break. There’s always baggage.”
Asuka frowned, concerned. “Any heat from them?”

“Nah, nothing I can’t handle,” Jackie replied, but there was a tension behind his words that told Asuka otherwise. He shrugged, trying to keep things light. “Some of the guys didn’t take it too well, sure. Hard to walk away from family, especially when you were in deep like I was. But I ain’t about that life anymore. I needed something bigger, something better. You get me?”

Asuka nodded, understanding. The Valentinos were all about loyalty and family, but once you’re out, especially if you rise up like Jackie had, the lines could blur between respect and grudges.

“Still,” she pressed, her eyes narrowing slightly. “You know they don’t forget, right? The Valentinos are family, sure, but it’s a family that keeps tabs on its own. You think they’ll ever come after you for leaving?”

Jackie’s smile returned, but it didn’t quite reach his eyes. “Maybe. But honestly? I’m not too worried. I left on decent terms—at least with most of them. Padre knows where I stand, and the others? They’ve got bigger problems than me. Besides, if they ever wanna pick a fight, they know where to find me.” He gave her a wink. “And I’ve got a few tricks up my sleeve.”

Asuka leaned back, crossing her arms. “Just don’t underestimate them, Jackie. I’ve seen how those stories end. And if the Valentinos decide you’re a problem...”

He nodded, his expression softening as he met her gaze. “I hear you, chica. But I’m not the same guy I was back then. I’ve got bigger dreams now—Night City legend, remember? And with you at my side, nothing’s gonna stop us.”

She couldn’t help but smile at his determination. Jackie always had this way of making her believe that, no matter how dark or dangerous the city got, there was a way to win.

“Alright,” she said, relaxing a bit. “Just don’t get cocky. This city has a habit of chewing people up, no matter how tough you are.”

Jackie let out a chuckle. “Cocky? Me? Never.” He paused, taking a sip from his neon drink. “But seriously, thanks for lookin’ out. I know you’ve got my back, and I’ve got yours.”

Asuka nodded. “Damn right. And if the Valentinos ever come sniffing around, you know where to find me.”

Jackie smiled, this time with a bit more warmth. “Wouldn’t have it any other way, chica.”

Jackie leaned forward, finishing off the last bite of his burger before wiping his hands on a napkin. “About the gig,” he started, his tone shifting to something more casual, “it’s not happening until next week.”

Asuka raised an eyebrow, surprised. “Next week? I thought it was gonna be soon.”

Jackie shook his head. “Nah, we’ve got time. Militech’s convoy won’t be rolling through for another seven days. Figured we’d use this time to gear up, do a little recon, and—” he shot her a pointed look, “—for you to get some rest. You’ve been through a lot, chica. No need to rush back into the fire.”

Asuka narrowed her eyes playfully. “You think I need rest? I’m perfectly fine.” She flexed her fingers, feeling the smooth movements of her cyberware. “If anything, I’m more ready than ever.”

Jackie chuckled. “Yeah, sure. You’re preem, no doubt about it. But you can’t run full throttle all the time. Even chrome needs time to settle. Vik told me you’re doing great, but let’s not push it, eh?”

Asuka sighed, leaning back in the booth. “Alright, alright, I get it. A week, huh? Guess that’s enough time to tweak the gear and sharpen up the skills.”

“Exactly,” Jackie nodded. “We’ve got time to plan this out right. This ain’t no smash-and-grab. Militech’s no joke, and if we screw this up, they’ll come down on us hard. So we’ll prep, gather intel, maybe do a little side biz to stack some eddies. And you?” He pointed at her with a grin. “You focus on recovery. No unnecessary heroics.”

“Sounds like you’re just afraid I’ll steal all the glory,” Asuka quipped, smirking.

Jackie threw his hands up, laughing. “Hey, if you’re gonna hog the spotlight, at least give me a little bit of the shine. We’re supposed to be a team here!”

She chuckled, feeling the tension ease. “Fine. I’ll take it easy. For now.”

“Good,” Jackie said, relaxing as well. “I know you’re tough, chica, but you’re still fresh off the table. No need to rush it.”

Asuka nodded, realizing that, despite her confidence, Jackie was right. The city wasn’t going anywhere, and a week to recover—and plan—was probably for the best.

“So,” she said, switching the subject, “what should we do until then? Any gigs lined up to keep us busy?”

Jackie leaned back, rubbing his chin thoughtfully. “I’ve got a couple of side hustles in the works—nothing big. We could look into ‘em if you’re bored, or we could just chill. Go have some drinks, kick back for a bit. You’ve earned a breather.”

Asuka grinned. “You’re really trying to get me to relax, huh?”

“Someone’s gotta keep you in line,” Jackie replied, winking. “And besides, a little R&R might do us both some good before we dive into the deep end with Militech.”

“Alright, fine,” Asuka said, mock-surrendering. “I’ll take it easy. But don’t think I’m gonna stay idle for a whole week. If something comes up, you know I’m down.”

Jackie chuckled, pushing his empty plate aside. “I wouldn’t expect anything less. But seriously, chica, let’s keep things low-key for a few days. We’ve got time, and I wanna make sure we’re both at the top of our game when the big day comes.”

Asuka nodded, her mind already racing with possibilities. “Deal. But don’t get too comfortable, choom. Once this job’s over, I’m gonna need something bigger.”

Jackie grinned, leaning forward. “Bigger? Oh, I’ve got plans, chica. Trust me. This Militech gig? It’s just the beginning.”