Work Text:
Judy opened the door to let V in.
"What the hell is going on out there, V?"
"Tyger Claws are fighting a total war against Maelstrom."
"But why?"
"I think it's my fault."
Judy looked confused, "How could this be your fault?"
"Remember that time you recommended me as a brain dance editor?"
"Yeah."
"That case... ugh... I guess client confidentiality is a moot point now... but... how do I explain this..."
"While you're thinking, let me make coffee. Did you eat yet?"
"No. My stomach is in knots. Not sure I could keep anything down."
V sipped the coffee, "So, that client was actually Jefferson Peralez."
Judy whistled, "The guy who dropped out of the mayor's race?"
"Yeah. And that's my fault."
"Okay, whatever. What's that got to do with the shitstrom outside?"
"The guy who wound up running instead... he's a piece of work."
"We've had bad mayors before. What's got the Claws aggravated?"
"He wants to deport them."
"Deport them? To where?"
"To Japan."
"But they aren't from Japan."
"Doesn't matter. Their families are from Japan."
"What? That doesn't make sense. They were born here. Their families came over here, got settled, had kids, and they grew up to be strapping young gangsters. Just like the Night City founders intended."
"I know it doesn't make sense, Jude. But it's all part of this new mayor's fucked up plan."
"What's this guy's name?"
"You don't even know the mayor's name?"
"Hell no. I edit virtus. Got no time for politics. I mean... after Laguna Bend, I... I kinda lost faith in the political process. That's what the whole thing at Clouds was about, you know. I figure... direct action is the only real action. But anyway, what's this guy's name?"
"You won't believe me."
"Why?"
"He's got a total clown name. Ronald Rump."
Judy's face looked like she had just bit into a lemon, "What... you can't be serious."
"Wait 'til you see his picture."
V got up and went to Judy's terminal.
"Here. He's all over the news."
"What. The. Fuck. He looks like an actual clown. Why is his hair orange? Is that face paint? All he's missing is a red nose and he could be a star in the circus."
"Check out some of the fanart his followers made."
Judy burst out laughing.
"They made him into Murkman? Look at those muscles. That's hilarious. Or would be. Under different circumstances."
"It's actually horrible. This is the kind of propaganda art you see in the past when dictators were rising to power."
Judy stopped laughing and her faced turned serious, "Jesus, V. You think that's what this guy wants?"
"I don't think. I know. Here. This is Project 2085. It's the plan they are following."
"They?"
"Yeah. He's got all these advisors. They basically tell him what to do."
"What are the corps doing about this? This can't be good for business."
"The corps are kinda stumbling. They financed his campaign, like they finance every other body's campaign. Usually, that translates into policies that favor them. But Rump seems to just want to burn everything down. He wants to outlaw gay marriage."
"What! But that's in the Night City constitution! Some of the biggest corps have gay CEOs!"
"He doesn't care. He's already ignored the constitution a bunch of other times. Like deporting citizens. He's been working for years to install loyal judges that give him favorable rulings. He's actually supposed to be in jail, but the High Court of Night City said he's immune to prosecution."
"When's the next election? We'll just vote him out."
"There's not going to be another election."
"Of course there is!"
"Not for you and me."
Judy looked confused, "Us? Why can't we vote?"
"Because we're women."
"So?"
"Women won't be able to vote in the next election. Or at least women like us."
"Why not?"
V turned back to the terminal and typed.
"This. It's called the Save Night City Voting Eligibility Act."
Judy read the page.
"Oh, now I'm mad. They can't do this."
"They can. And they did."
"What are we going to do?"
"You're going to Oregon."
"The fuck I am! What are you talking about?"
"It's not safe here anymore. And I can't leave. I still got this thing in my head that's gonna kill me. This town is only going to get worse. Much worse."
"Hell no! I'll stay. And fight."
"C'mon, Judy. You're not a fighter. You're an artist."
"Hey! I held my own against those scavs when we got Evelyn."
"We're not fighting scavs. This is going to be the full might of corps like Militech and Arasaka against whatever gangs try to oppose them. And some gangs, like Maelstrom, are gonna support the corps. Independent people like us are just going to wind up as statistics."
"But we can help organize some kind of resistance. Set up field hospitals. There's a lot of gay people in Arasaka and Militech. They can feed us intel. Burn them from the inside. You gotta have a lot of contacts. And your Aldecaldo pals can smuggle beans and guns."
V looked dubious, "You really want to stay?"
Judy took her face in her hands, "Yes. This is bigger than me. Than us. This might be... it might be the biggest thing ever."
Tears welled up in V's eyes, "Damn... I'm glad... I'm so happy to hear that. I was so worried..."
Judy pulled V close and embraced her, "Hey, hey... what were you worried about?"
"I just... I feel so guilty for saying this... but... I really didn't want to die alone in Night City. I just thought... I thought it would be better if you left. That's why my stomach was in knots."
"Look, V. I know you love me, but... you can't protect me. This is Night City. I take my life in my hands every time I go to work."
"Yeah. I know. I know. But I can't help myself when it comes to you."
Judy peered into V's eyes, studying her.
"You know... this one time, I can handle you being corny," she said as she mashed her lips against V's for a big kiss.
After the kiss, V laughed, "Now that's settled... I suddenly realize I'm very hungry."
Judy raised an eyebrow, "For food... or..."
V laughed and pulled her close, "You are such a gonk."