Chapter 115: Lucy & Rebecca: You Got Another Woman Again?!

By the time the Kang Tao convoy lay in ruins across the plains, the scavenging was already done with surgical precision.

The Aldecaldos moved quickly—professional, efficient, and eerily calm. They stripped every last crate of weapons, data, and chrome tech from the shattered AVs. Then, one by one, they pulled off the Maelstrom disguises they'd worn during the attack and dressed the dead Kang Tao agents in them instead.

A little smoke, some staged blood, and a few falsified biometrics later—and the scene was perfect.

To anyone investigating, it would look like Maelstrom had ambushed the convoy, annihilated the escort, and stolen both Anders Hellman and the cargo.

No trail. No witnesses. No one alive to question it.

Once the illusion was complete, Neo, Panam, Saul, and the Aldecaldos loaded up their spoils and rolled away under the blazing orange of the desert sun.

…

At Sunset Motel, the crew split in two.

Scorpion took half the convoy to escort the stolen cargo safely back to the Aldecaldo camp. Saul led the rest—his soldiers armed, armored, and burning with adrenaline—to mop up the last remnants of NightWalkers at Rocky Ridge.

That cleanup would be easy work. The real battle was already done.

Neo didn't even bother to join the sweep.

He'd set the pieces. All he had to do now was let them move.

Besides, as he'd often said with a wry grin—there's no art in bullying amateurs.

"Panam, Saul," Neo said, his tone light but final. "Those leftovers at Rocky Ridge won't make a ripple. Handle them cleanly. I'll leave the rest to you."

He glanced toward the horizon, where the distant glow of Night City pulsed like a heartbeat. "It's time I went home. If I don't, Rebecca might actually kill me."

Panam arched an eyebrow. "Yeah, that one looks like she could."

Neo laughed. "You have no idea."

The truth was, life out here in the Badlands was all grit and rust—cold showers, sand-choked air, the taste of dust with every breath.

Back at the base in Night City?

Clean sheets. Hot food. Chrome polish.

And women who could break your heart or your ribs—depending on their mood.

Saul clapped him on the shoulder. "Well, Mr. Neo, you've done more for us than I can put into words. Go home. You've earned it."

Panam hesitated, then smirked. "You'll call when you get back?"

Neo tilted his head with a grin. "You have my word. And when this all settles, come to Night City. I'll introduce you to the rest of the crew."

Panam stepped forward, cupped his jaw, and kissed him—deep and sudden.

He didn't resist. He kissed her back, slow and certain.

When they parted, she whispered, "Then it's a date."

…

Night City. Watson District. Northern Industrial Sector.

Night's Ember Squad Base.

The moment Neo stepped through the steel doors, he could smell gunpowder, sweat, and home.

Inside, the team was in full motion.

David was now shouting corrections at his rookie, Lexington, teaching him how to line up his shot.

"Too low! You're aiming like a rookie netrunner! Ballistics drop, smartguns don't! Raise your hand, adjust your stance!"

"Yes Sir!"

In the center, the boxing ring was shaking from the impact of fists. Jackie Welles and Maine were trading blows shirtless, muscles and chrome colliding with raw force.

Every punch sounded like a thunderclap.

Nearby, Dorio watched the sparring from the railing, arms folded, amused.

Viktor was acting as both coach and commentator, puffing on his cigar between lines of technical advice.

Pilar was, of course, missing in action. Which meant one thing: probably celebrating his own existence somewhere very privately.

And then—

"Neo!"

Rebecca's voice cut through the noise before her body did.

She sprinted across the hangar, practically leaping into his chest, wrapping her arms tight around his neck.

Neo caught her effortlessly, his smile softening. She rubbed her head against his shoulder like an affectionate, slightly feral cat.

"Took you long enough," she muttered, still clinging to him. "You have any idea how boring it is here without you?"

He chuckled, running his hand through her messy hair. "Relax. I'll make it up to you. Promise."

"You better," she said, her grin full of mischief. "Because I'm starving."

"Then I'll feed you till you can't move."

Satisfied with that, Rebecca finally released him.

Across the base, heads began turning.

Lucy looked up first, smirking faintly. "Well, look who finally decided to come home."

Jackie dropped his gloves, grinning. "¡Choom! Took your sweet time, hermano!"

Viktor nodded, adjusting his specs. "You're smiling. Must've gone well, then."

Maine, Dorio, David, Lexington—all turned to greet him in their own way, their voices overlapping.

Neo raised a hand. "Yeah. It went well. Aldecaldos are in. We've got ourselves new partners in the Badlands."

Lucy whistled softly. "The Aldecaldos, huh? Not bad. They're the biggest nomad clan out there—and one of the few who still remember what loyalty means."

She tilted her head slyly. "So… I take it you got along very well with their representative?"

The air grew thick.

Rebecca froze.

Lucy's eyes narrowed, playful but sharp.

Neo gave a weak laugh, rubbing the back of his neck. "Well… you could say we… connected."

Jackie burst out laughing. "¡Hombre! My man's leveling up fast! You were single when we met—and now look at you. Lucy, Rebecca, and the nomad queen? Madre de Dios."

Lexington nodded solemnly. "Lucy and Rebecca are both Mr Neo's women. Then this Panam must be… extraordinary."

Maine laughed, raising a beer. "Kid's not wrong. In this city, love's already rare enough. If you've got it—hold on tight. Doesn't matter how many, as long as it's real."

Dorio nodded. "Amen to that."

At that moment, Pilar finally emerged from his room, stretching. "What the hell are you all talking abou—wait, what? Neo's got three women now?"

Lucy smiled without denying it. Rebecca just snorted.

Pilar gawked. "Two edgerunners and a nomad? How's that even fair? I can't even get a bot to call me back!"

Rebecca turned, eyes full of amusement. "You? Compared to Neo? Please. You're a glitch away from dating your hand."

The room exploded in laughter.

Pilar just stared blankly, muttering under his breath, "No love left in this world. None at all."