Cyberpunk: Archangel

Chapter 20: Memento Mori

Michael's vision slowly returned to him, and he placed a hand on his head. In front of him, V and Rogue sat. "Did it work...?" Michael asked in a violent coughing fit. He did not feel great. A lot of his armor had been chipped off, he was sparking, and smoke was coming out of his torso. "Yeah." Rogue answered. "After the big one exploded, the others just.... Deactivated, it seems."

Despite the victory, Rogue did not sound happy. "W-what's wrong?" Michael heaved. "You're lookin' rough." V chimed in. "Don't got the proper gear with us to repair the combat frame. And we probably won't make it back to NC in time."

"Damn...." Michael muttered.

"Even if the Combat Frame is destroyed, we could still take out the Construct-" Rogue began to suggest.

"No...." Michael interrupted bleakly. "Did what I needed to do.... Served my purpose...."

Rogue looked down, and sighed. "Still don't wanna leave you in this mess...." She muttered. "Want us to take you back to NC? Bury what's left of you, maybe?"

Michael thought about it for a moment.... how much he truly hated Night City. The only thing left for him in that city was Rebecca, and the remains of his real body were already beside hers in the Columbarium. And then, Michael remembered that there was still something he never got to do when he was alive....

"I know where you can take me...." He said.

"Okay...." Rogue replied. "Tell me where."

Idaho, Boise National Forest, July 22, 2081

It was late in the evening when they had arrived, and landed the AV. As the hatch to the outside opened, Michael limped out, anticipating seeing the view in person. However, that feeling instantly went away as he saw what it looked like outside. Most of the trees were cut down, and what few trees remained were dead, along with the grass. Atop a nearby mountain was some sort of factory, which looked like it had been abandoned for years. The sky was a dreary, unpleasant gray. Michael stepped out of the AV, and slowly limped towards the river. He noticed that, other than the sound of the river, which was much quieter in person than in the BD, there were no sounds to be heard. No birds chirping, no bugs buzzing, nothing. Michael stood atop the rock above the river, and looked down. The river had mostly dried up, and what little water was left was an off putting brownish-green, as opposed to being crisp and clear. "Well...." V said in a somber tone, as he placed a hand on Michael's shoulder. "Is it everything you imagined it would be?"

"No...." Michael sadly replied, continuing to look down in the river. "Well, what now?" Rogue asked. "Think I'm gonna just stay here, and wait it out." Michael answered, as he limped over to one of the dead trees, and slumped beside it. His vision was covered in a light layer of static. "You guys can leave." Michael said bluntly. "I'd like some peace and quiet, before I go...."

V and Rogue remained silent, for a moment. "If that's what you'd like, then I guess we'll honor that request." V said. Both him and Rogue began to step back into the AV. "In the short time I got to know you, you were a good guy." V said, as he stepped into the AV. "Goodbye, Michael." Rogue muttered, as she followed suit. Michael watched them both as they stepped into the AV. "You guys." He weakly heaved. They both turned to look at him. "Thank you...." He muttered. "For taking me here." They both nodded their heads, as they walked into the AV, and the hatch closed. After a short moment, they flew off, and Michael was alone.

As Michael sat alone, listening to the quiet sound of the river floating by, he thought about all of his good memories. He thought about his family, he thought about his crew.... he thought about Rebecca. And as he thought about them, he felt as though he smiled, though he had no mouth to smile with. His vision slowly began to be enveloped by a bright light, as he stood there. "What...?" He quietly muttered to himself. He no longer felt weak. He looked down at his arms, and his jaw dropped when he saw a pair of pale organic arms, as opposed to the machine's. He looked back up, and saw several silhouettes in the distance. He walked through the white void towards them, and as they got closer, he realized that they were all people he recognized. His father, his mother, his sister, his old crew members, Lucy, Falco, and....

"Rebecca?" Michael asked out loud. She turned around to look at him, and placed her hands over her mouth. "You're finally here!" She exclaimed, as she ran over to him. Michael ran over to her, and she jumped up, wrapping her arms and legs around him as Michael hugged her. "I missed you so much!" Michael said, instantly bursting into tears. "I missed you, too." She replied, as she placed her forehead against his. She loosened her legs, and stood back on the ground, as her and Michael looked longingly into each other's eyes. "I guess this is the afterlife?" Michael asked. "Something like that." Rebecca answered as she laughed. Michael placed his hands on her cheeks, and she did the same. They both leaned forward, closed their eyes, and-

<://ERROR: MILITECH ARCHANGEL COMBAT FRAME HAS LOST CONNECTION WITH CONSTRUCT//:>