Heavy AV boosters rumbled loudly as it hovered outside the same floor where Sasha was located, clearly visible even from the vantage point of Maine and the others. With its hatch open, a swarm of security drones poured into the Biotechnica building.
Maine's heart sank.
"Damn it, Sasha…where are you?"
At last, a single line of text popped up from Sasha:
"Sorry."
Then she disconnected from the team channel.
"Sasha?! Damn it! What are you doing? Sasha!" Maine kept shouting, but it was pointless. Sasha wouldn't hear—she was gone from the channel.
Without a second thought, Rebecca threw the car door open, ready to charge in. Maine jumped in alarm.
"Dorio, stop her!"
Dorio was already moving before Maine even spoke. She grabbed Rebecca around the waist, lifting her right off the ground.
"Let me go, Dorio! Put me down now!"
Rebecca struggled frantically in Dorio's arms, but their size difference was enormous, and Dorio's forearms were equipped with the powered bracers she'd purchased from Leo. No matter how hard Rebecca fought, she couldn't budge.
"Don't go, Rebecca. You'll be killed."
"Sasha? Sasha!"
Rebecca kept struggling, tears rolling down her cheeks. But eventually, she slackened, overcome by the harsh reality. Only then did Dorio risk lowering her to the ground.
Pilar left the car and hesitated before gently placing his large palm on his sister's head. Rebecca smacked it aside at first, then paused, and finally buried herself in Pilar's arms, sobbing against his chest.
No matter how much they bickered daily, they were still siblings who'd survived countless hardships since childhood, losing their parents early and having no means to attend school. The only way they knew how to "get along" sometimes was that rowdy, roughhousing style.
Suddenly, a thought flashed through Rebecca's mind—a single person's image. She froze, then realized there might be one individual who could help Sasha now, her last desperate hope. Like a drowning person seizing a life preserver, she dialed that number.
…
"Rebecca? You're…crying?"
Leo stood inside an elevator in the Glen's megabuilding, staring at the holo-display of Rebecca's tear-streaked face.
"What happened? Who bullied you?"
Though Rebecca wasn't an official member of Leo's team, he'd always been fond of the feisty little spitfire—an affection akin to a big brother watching over a baby sister.
"No…no one's picking on me, it's Sasha…"
"Sasha's picking on you?"
Leo was puzzled. He hadn't spent much time with Sasha, but she reminded him of a quiet cat, hardly the type to bully anyone. Possibly just a misunderstanding?
"No, that's not it, Leo. Sasha's in trouble—please, help her…"
Between stifled sobs, Rebecca quickly recounted what had happened. In truth, even she didn't fully grasp why she'd called Leo. Sure, he was strong for a merc, but like the legendary Andrew Weyland or Johnny Silverhand, even legends who stormed megacorp towers ended up memorialized at The Afterlife with a cocktail in their name.
Was she really expecting a miracle? Maybe it was just an instinct, like a child believing their father or brother could do anything, only to realize later in life that they, too, were ordinary people, scrounging to survive in Night City.
Yet Leo calmly listened to her story and replied in a steady voice, "Got it. I'm on my way."
It might have been a simple reassurance. Still, Rebecca felt an inexplicable wave of relief as she heard his answer.
"Rebecca," Maine asked, noticing the faint blue glow in her eyes, "who were you just talking to?"
She turned, blinking away the last of her tears. "Leo. He said he'll be here soon."
Maine and Dorio traded a look of uncertainty.
"Leo's coming alone? What can he possibly do?"
Normally, anyone else would assume he was just dropping by to commiserate, maybe toss out a few useless opinions and regrets. But they knew Leo better than that—he wouldn't bother unless he had a plan.
"You think he's…planning to save Sasha?"
"How? That's impossible, right?"
Maine couldn't imagine how Leo, or anyone, could barge into Biotechnica's building and manage a rescue.
…
"Who was that on the call?" V asked as she and Lucy both glanced over at Leo in the elevator.
"It was Rebecca. She and her crew have a problem."
Both V and Lucy perked up, obviously ready for action.
"Need us?"
"I'll handle it alone."
Leo noticed V about to protest and cut in, "She specifically asked me. I can't drag you two into it."
"But—" V started.
Lucy touched V's arm, shaking her head. "We trust you, Leo."
Ding—
They reached the ground floor. Leo stepped out, turning back to them with a quick smile.
"Enjoy the rest of your night."
Lucy didn't move from inside the elevator. Instead, she pressed a button on the control panel, and as the doors began to close, she spoke quietly,
"We'll be waiting at home. Come back safe."
A gentle warmth filled Leo's chest, as if stepping from a cold wind into the glow of morning sun. The feeling of knowing someone was waiting for him, worrying about him, caring for him—it was wonderful.
Quickly collecting himself, he pulled up a contact number on his phone and called Roger.
The call connected almost instantly, and a gruff but good-natured voice spoke, "Kid, what is it this time?"
"I need an AV."
"And what for?"
"To get into Corpo Plaza and rescue someone."
Leo knew the request was more than a little out there.