Not Quite Back to the Future

Gloria sat at the kitchen table in her apartment, her fingers drumming impatiently. She had reluctantly allowed Maine's crew to enter her home, not entirely thrilled with their presence but understanding that their pursuit of Lucy was a matter of concern.

Maine, Dorio, and Rebecca stood in her living room, glancing around the apartment as they conversed. The room had an air of faded elegance, with antique furniture and tasteful decor that spoke of Gloria's refined taste.

"Any sign of her yet?" Maine asked, his mechanical arm folded across his chest.

"Maine… Did Helen tell you that Lucy would be here or that she lived near me?" Gloria asks slightly exasperated however Maine was an old friend.

Maine stalls and looks back at Dorio.

"It mightve been what you said." Maine admits.

"Let me call David then, he should be over there working on a project for school." Gloria says as her holo lights up.

David answered the call after a couple of rings. His face appeared in the holo projection flushed, and it was clear that he was flustered.

"Hiya, Mom!," David greeted rather enthusiastically, a tinge of distraction in his voice.

"Miho? … Are you with a girl?" Gloria asks gobsmacked.

David glanced nervously at Lucy, a hint of embarrassment coloring his features. "Uh, yeah, Mom. I've got a friend over. We're just working on a project together."

"Oh? Is that your mother?" A female voice says before it suddenly pops into view. "Hello Miss Martinez, is Maine already there?" Lucy asks, a fox-like grin on her face.

Gloria blinked in astonishment at the sight of the unexpected caller. She gathered herself and responded, "Yes, he's here. Lucy, I am glad you are alright. Then again Helen is retired, I doubt she would go around killing like crazy again." Gloria says
==============================================
"Here I go killing again." Helen says aloud to no one in particular.

"What do you mean? How many people have you dropped in the past few days? You never stopped killing did you?" Nyx asks sarcasm clear is his voice.

Helen couldn't help but chuckle at Nyx's sarcasm, the weight of recent events taking a momentary backseat to their banter. Militech had a debt to answer for, and Helen was going to come to collect.

"You know, Nyx, you have a point," Helen admitted, her tone carrying a hint of irony. "I've certainly been busy lately, and it seems like I can't escape the mayhem."

Nyx, with his cyber-enhanced feline features, looked at Helen with a mix of amusement and concern. "Just promise me you won't become the danger you're trying to eliminate, okay?"

Helen's expression softened, and she reached over to gently stroke Nyx's synthetic fur. "I'll do my best, my little cyber-kitten. I'll do my best."

Their time together was abruptly ended with a knock on the door.

"Well that should be the weapons guy." Helen mutters going over to the door.

Opening the door, Helen was met by a grizzled, middle-aged man with a weathered face. He had a rugged appearance and carried a duffel bag that undoubtedly contained an assortment of firearms and cyberware enhancements.

"Ms. Wick, I presume?" the man inquired, his tone gruff yet professional.

Helen nodded. "That's right. You're the supplier?"
The arms dealer who had a remarkable resemblance to a seasoned hunter entered Helen's apartment with a duffel bag full of weapons. His rugged appearance was overshadowed by a sense of confidence that came with years of experience in dealing with the nitty-gritty of the arms trade.

As Helen inspected the weaponry, the dealer's rough, gravelly voice was tinged with a hint of world-weariness, the kind that comes from years of navigating the dangerous world of Night City. His personality was straightforward and business-like, with a hint of a dark sense of humor that occasionally peeked through.

"That's some top-notch gear you got here, ma'am," he remarked, his eyes assessing her with a shrewd glint. "Should do the job just fine for what you need."

"I am not sure if you know what I need. Although the M79 is a good touch." Helen mutters

"Ma'am, if half the rumors about you are true. You already have enough weapons to kill an army, I don't exactly know what you need these for but, if it were to be for something. It would have to be discrete considering that non of these are traceable and all of them old and long forgotten." The dealer says

"What was your name again?" Helen asks looking up holding an M60.

"It's Singer ma'am" Mr Singer says

"Singer Huh? Does the name Winchester ring a bell?" Helen asks

"Like the repeating rifle? I mean it would be a bit difficult to find one however I'm your man." Singer says

Helen bites back a chuckle. "Sound's good. Any chance of finding me some of those old armor piercing rounds? Something better than the composit stuff you can get today?" Helen asks setting the M60 down on the bed.

"It'll cost you." Singer says

"I'll take as many as you can find and 700 LBS of tannerite." Helen states

"It's about sending a message, got it." Singer says

"It's always about sending a message, sadly people don't want to listen." Helen answers.

In coming call, In coming call

Helen pauses before answering the Holo.

"Hey, Helen its… I saw you called out for the next 2 days I just wanted to make sure that everything was A-Ok." Ethan asks

"Hey Ethan, you called at a good time actually. I am going to be busy for about a day and a half… Also if you have any options in Militech might I suggest that you sell them, before the end of the day today." Helen says

"... Message received see you on Thursday." Ethan says hanging up.