Cyberpunk: Becoming a Legend from Dogtown

It took all of Lin Yue's strength to get Emma back into the car.

He bent down to pick up her fallen heels.

She liked to struggle, but whenever Lin Yue applied a little more force, she cooperated.

With his hand over her mouth, Lin Yue watched Hands' men approach from a distance.

"Fix your appearance. Pray they don't notice anything—"

"Otherwise, I can't guarantee your safety."

Tears shimmered in Emma's eyes as she nodded softly.

Lin Yue let go, sliding into the driver's seat. The guards approached, and Lin Yue rolled down the back window slowly.

Don't do anything stupid, lady.

"Ma'am."

The guards greeted her, noting her slightly tousled hair.

"I felt dizzy. Asked the driver to take me to the beach for some air. Are you going to report that to Hands too?" Emma asked lazily, like any bored corporate wife would.

The guards quickly shook their heads. "Just concerned for you, ma'am!"

"Drive."

Emma's performance was flawless.

Lin Yue started the car, following a route from the Arasaka waterfront through Heywood's Vista Del Rey to Pacifica's coastal area.

"Ma'am, give me the autopilot passcode. I'll reroute to Dogtown."

Emma bit her lip. "You're after Hands, aren't you?"

"No, I'm heading to Dogtown… then I'll deal with him," Lin Yue grinned harmlessly.

"Le roi est mort. Vive le roi." Emma sighed softly. "Hands was right—you really are a lion."

Lin Yue shrugged. "No kings here, just Night City folk tired of being played."

After a moment, Emma transmitted the autopilot passcode.

Lin Yue set the new route. Emma's eyes widened as he climbed into the back seat beside her.

"What now?"

Lin Yue's calm gaze met hers—not the look she expected from a man about to do something… regrettable.

He picked up her silver heels from the floor mat. "Back home, we have a saying: 'Never harm an enemy's family.' Today was necessary. Nothing personal."

Emma curled up in the corner.

Lin Yue noticed her bare, dirt-streaked feet. Ignoring her protests, he gently cleaned them with his jacket before helping her slip on her heels.

Emma just watched, surprised.

In Night City, an enemy's family was always the easiest target—gangs, mercs, corpos alike.

But this man, who had every reason to hurt her, instead knelt to put her shoes on.

"Your home… Asia?" she asked softly.

Lin Yue nodded, too tired to elaborate.

"Now, ma'am, I need information."

Emma agreed.

"What's the deal between Hands and Dogtown?"

Emma hesitated before answering.

"Hands has many of Hansen's trusted lieutenants under his thumb—Doje (Carl Robinson), Ross Ulmer... But they're just la machine—tools. My husband's leverage in Dogtown isn't through brute force, but through… quieter, subtler methods."

"You know, I'm locked away in our Pacifica penthouse, guarded by his men. I don't know much more."

Lin Yue nodded. Hansen was a hurdle. Taking a cut of Hands' business meant dealing with the colonel.

"Are they close?" Lin Yue asked.

Emma shook her head. "Not exactly. Hands and Hansen… have financial dealings. But I'm just a wife. Hands never tells me much."

Leaning back, Lin Yue sighed. "At the Dogtown checkpoint, can you get us through?"

Emma nodded. "Hands arranged it. My car is always let through. But I rarely visit Dogtown—I hate that filthy place."

Perfect. Lin Yue thought. His backup plan had been to smash through the checkpoint and head for the Longshore Stacks. This was easier.

"I need you to deliver a message to Hands."

Lin Yue wanted Hands rattled—knowing someone got this close to his family. Not enough to burn bridges, but enough to keep him awake at night.

Emma was silent for a moment.

"Got a knife?"

Lin Yue hesitated, then handed her the small knife he'd taken from her earlier. "Careful, I'm—"

Before he could finish, Emma sliced her own palm, blood dripping instantly.

"Jesus!" Lin Yue gasped as Emma tore one shoulder strap from her dress. Thankfully, her figure kept it from falling off entirely.

Lin Yue quickly averted his eyes.

Emma smirked at his awkwardness. "My body is the best message. Words? Hands never trusts anyone… not even me."

"Now? I'm wounded. And handled by you."

Lin Yue's palms were sweating. If I were Hands, I'd lose my damn mind.

"Take a shower, say you're tired. Better," Lin Yue suggested.

Emma chuckled. "Didn't peg you for the type to know that."

Just a few smudges would've been enough! Lin Yue thought. Now Hands would see him as a sworn enemy.

Emma tossed the knife out the window.

Lin Yue tore his jacket, bandaging her hand in silence.

The tension in the car grew… strange. Almost intimate.

But Lin Yue was focused—he needed to hit Hands' business hard once he got back to Dogtown.

Emma adjusted her hair. "Hands and I have a daughter. Paid top euro for the embryo at a clinic three years ago. His bloodline means everything to him. A warning—don't touch his kid."

"His daughter?"

Emma saw Lin Yue's confusion. "A mother's bond is natural. But genetically engineered embryos? Is that still natural?"

"A mother's instincts can't be fooled. Not even mine."

Lin Yue had no comment.

The car turned from Pacifica's rundown streets toward Dogtown's gates. Emma adjusted her dress, waiting as the guards approached.

Bzzzt The alarm sounded as soldiers surrounded the car.

Emma's eyes glowed—probably calling Hands.

Lin Yue watched her every move, ready to floor it if things went south.

"Open up. I'm coming in," Emma said coolly.

The window never rolled down.

The soldiers got their orders. No scans. No checks. The gate opened.

Blue Moon Bliss Spa, one of Dogtown's landmarks, stretched overhead like a bridge across the road. Once owned by Biotechnica, its labyrinthine structure remained.

Lin Yue exited, deactivating his malware. Emma sat in the driver's seat, staring him down.

"Next time we meet, my husband and I will bury you and your… partners."

Partners? Lin Yue chuckled. She wasn't stupid. She knew he wasn't working alone.

"Well, I'll be waiting for Mr. Hands to kick me out of Dogtown," Lin Yue replied.

"Confident. Strong," Emma smirked, now fully composed, every bit the corporate queen. "Goodbye, Lion. I'll deliver your message."

---

[Note]

Doje (Carl Robinson): Criminal featured in Phantom Liberty, hiding in Dogtown from NCPD and the Tyger Claws. Became one of Hansen's key men.

Ross Ulmer: High-ranking Scavenger and former Militech soldier, involved in arms smuggling. A formidable boss in Phantom Liberty side quests.

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