Cyberpunk: The Magnet fruit

Even Rogge, with her years of experience in Night City, was momentarily taken aback by the sheer firepower and technological edge displayed by David's crew.

She leaned back in her chair, exhaling slowly. "David, tell me honestly—how many of those armors do you have?"

David smirked, his arms crossed confidently. "Hard to say. I haven't done a full inventory yet, but... at least a dozen more, maybe more in the works."

Rogge narrowed her eyes with amusement. "Heh, what's this? Are you trying to tempt me?"

David chuckled and leaned forward. "Haha, Miss Rogge—are you interested?"

"Oh, listen to this guy!" Rogge rolled her eyes at him, a playful smile tugging at her lips. "Didn't I already tell you? You're the co-owner of the Afterlife now. Drop the 'Miss' already. What, you trying to act all proper now that you've seen some action?"

David grinned. "Alright, alright, Sis Rogge it is. I was just being polite—didn't want anyone thinking you were turning coat to help me out or something. You know, optics and all that."

Rogge laughed and reached over, tapping her cigarette ash into the tray. "You're a sly one, kid. Thinking three steps ahead. I like that."

She took a drag and exhaled, then added more seriously, "To be honest, the suits from Militech did come knocking. Tried to squeeze some intel out of me about you. But I sent them packing."

David raised an eyebrow. "Oh?"

She nodded firmly. "I don't throw away people I've approved of. Especially not when they bring surprises like this."

Rogge motioned to the rest of the room, where David's crew—Lucy, Jack, Sasha, and the newly joined Mann team—relaxed in the Afterlife's private booth. Each one carried a quiet confidence, their customized tech and armor gleaming under the dim lights.

"I've seen a lot in this city," she continued, her eyes locking with David's. "But what you've done? Pulling a whole team together, armed to the teeth with high-grade tech, armor that looks like it came out of a Corpo lab… you've got ambition, David. And I respect that."

David took a sip of his drink, his gaze steady. "Thanks. But I'm not doing this for praise."

Rogge leaned forward, curiosity glinting in her eyes. "Then what are you doing this for? What's the real plan?"

David placed his drink down and leaned back, voice calm but deliberate. "Simple. Under the control of the corpos, mercs like us are suffocating. Choked out, used up, and tossed aside. I want to give people room to breathe. A fighting chance."

Rogge's expression shifted. She tilted her head, studying him closely. "You're talking about changing Night City."

David nodded.

Silence lingered for a moment, heavy with implication.

"You know," she finally said, "that's not an easy thing to do. Night City is a beast—and right now it's in a headlock held by Arasaka, Militech, and the NCPD. You think you can take all that on?"

"I'm not an idiot," David said, coolly. "I'm not trying to start a war with all three of them—at least, not yet. As long as they don't mess with me, I won't mess with them."

"But if they do?" Rogge asked, raising an eyebrow.

David smiled coldly. "Then I'll handle it. Like cleaning out the garbage."

Rogge snorted. "You really think you can gather enough muscle to pull that off?"

"That's why I'm here," he replied. "First step is pulling together the mercenary forces at the bottom. The little guys. The ones getting stepped on. If I want to change the city, I need people. And not just any people—people with purpose."

Rogge leaned back, folding her arms. "You've got guts, I'll give you that. Alright. I can help you bring in a few reliable mid-tier teams. But the gangs—the ones with turf and blood ties—they'll take more than smooth talk."

David nodded. "I expected that. I'll handle the gangs personally. I've already got my eyes on a few."

Rogge smirked. "You'd better be careful. Some of those guys won't hesitate to make you disappear."

"Let them try," David said simply. "I didn't come this far just to get scared off by street thugs."

Rogge took another drag from her cigarette, flicked the ash, and gave him a long look. "You're really something else, David. Half the city's too scared to even talk about going against the corps. But here you are, building an army."

David didn't respond right away. He looked around at his crew—Rebecca laughing with Lucy, Sasha leaning back against the wall with a quiet smile, Jack boasting to the Mann team about his recent hacking exploits. Each one had been through hell and back, but they were still standing.

"It's not about the corps," he finally said. "It's about the people beside me. I won't let them be pawns in someone else's game."

Rogge nodded slowly. "Well said."

A moment of mutual respect passed between them, unspoken but deeply understood.

"So," she asked after a pause, "what's next?"

David leaned forward again, his voice low and focused. "I'll start laying the groundwork. Bring the teams together. Set up support channels—armory, medics, transport. After that, we secure territory. Piece by piece, we carve out space the corpos can't touch."

Rogge gave a low whistle. "You're playing the long game. Smart."

"You have to in this city," David replied. "Rush things, and you either burn out or get stomped."

Rogge nodded approvingly. "Alright, David. You've got my support. But be careful. The corps don't like competition."

David smirked. "Good. Neither do I."

Just then, Pila stepped into the booth with a tray of drinks. "Refill, anyone?"

David raised his glass. "Perfect timing."

As the group toasted, laughter and chatter filled the room once again.

The fire in David's eyes burned steady. He had a vision, and the first pieces were falling into place. With allies like Rogge and his own rapidly growing crew, the city might just be ready for change.

Not because it wanted to—but because someone finally had the guts to demand it.

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