"Sis, don't say that about yourself. Compared to you, Johnny Silverhand is nothing."
Jackie's voice softened as he looked at V curled up on the bed. He understood exactly what she was going through. With death hanging over her head, anyone would be on the verge of losing themselves.
V pulled the blanket tighter around herself and turned away.
"Sorry… can I be alone for a bit?"
Her voice was muffled, drained of all strength.
Jackie stood there for a moment, then let out a quiet sigh.
"It's fine. Cry if you need to. It's just a chip, nothing too crazy. I've got people."
After comforting her as best he could, he quietly left the room.
He was so distracted that he barely even noticed Misty standing outside. Without saying a word, he strode past her, mounted his recently repaired Arch, and sped off toward the City Center.
The roar of the engine tore through the night.
Not long after, he arrived at Huanyu's central district estate.
Lucy had just returned from shopping with Kiwi when she spotted Jackie crouched near the gate, helmet still in hand.
"Oh, Jackie, are you here to see Xiao?"
Jackie looked up blankly.
"Huh?"
Lucy blinked, realizing how that sounded.
"I mean… if you're looking for Xiao, why are you squatting out here? You could've just rung the bell and had the butler let you in."
Jackie stared at her in silence.
Kiwi immediately smacked Lucy lightly on the head.
"Idiot. Don't use the Chinese voice pack at a time like this. The translation always comes out weird."
Lucy rubbed her head with a pout.
Kiwi turned back to Jackie.
"Xiao's not home right now. He's at the shipyard in the suburbs, handling the company's IPO preparations."
With a flick of her fingers, a location map appeared in Jackie's optics.
"Thanks, Kiwi. Drinks are on me later."
The moment the map loaded, Jackie was already back on his bike, vanishing into the neon-lit streets.
Lucy watched him disappear into the distance.
"What's up with him?"
Kiwi smiled faintly.
"Men. Pride gets tangled up in everything. There are always things they can't let go of."
By the time Jackie reached the shipyard, the night sky above the outskirts glowed with floodlights and welding sparks.
This place was the holy ground of the Mechanicus.
Mechanical Sages in red robes directed groups of Gear Boys who had yet to awaken their Primal Power, overseeing the final stages of assembly for cyberpunk's first true spaceship.
Jackie slowed to a stop.
Even he couldn't help but stare.
The ship was colossal.
Its entire exterior was plated in reflective metal polished to a mirror sheen, gleaming beneath the industrial lights like a second sun.
Rounded contours blended seamlessly with sharp, elegant angles, creating a design that was both futuristic and majestic.
Silver and gold inlays traced along its body, making it look less like a machine and more like a divine artifact.
Xiao stood on an elevated platform, hands in his pockets, quietly admiring the nearly completed vessel.
In his eyes, this was no mere spacecraft.
It was art.
Compared to the clunky, riveted look of old industrial vessels, this ship perfectly embodied the aesthetic he wanted.
The traditional sail-like structure had been completely abandoned.
Instead, massive barrier plates lined its sides, designed specifically to collect and regulate stellar energy.
Ever since dissecting the body of Legendary Kaiser Ghidorah, Xiao had discovered a new use for gold.
Its internal structure, when arranged in specific sequences, could guide and stabilize gravitational waves.
If it could control gravity, then stabilizing stellar energy was naturally even easier.
That discovery had become the core technology behind the ship's engine system.
Golden conduits now ran throughout the spacecraft's key sections, silently performing their function.
Watching the final assembly, Xiao's lips curved upward.
This ship would be the first step toward humanity's expansion into the stars.
A Mechanical Priest approached and bowed.
"Your Eminence, Jackie is here."
Xiao didn't even turn around.
"Bring him up."
A moment later, Jackie stepped onto the platform.
The moment Xiao saw him, he grinned and pointed proudly at the ship.
"Well? Huanyu Group's newest masterpiece. My personal ride—the Golden Emperor."
Jackie glanced at the spaceship, but his eyes lacked focus.
"…It's beautiful."
The forced tone in his voice immediately gave him away.
Xiao turned and frowned.
Then he smacked Jackie hard across the back.
"Why the hell are you acting polite with me? If something's wrong, spit it out. We're brothers, not strangers."
Jackie rubbed the back of his neck, struggling to find the words.
Finally, he exhaled.
Then he told him everything.
Dexter.
The shot.
The relic.
Johnny Silverhand.
V dying.
By the time he finished, his fists were clenched tight.
"Xiao…"
His voice trembled.
"You're the only one I can think of who can save her."
For a moment, Xiao said nothing.
Then he let out a helpless sigh.
"Alright. Who told me I'm your all-powerful brother?"
He slapped Jackie's shoulder again.
"Bring her here. I'm not doing house calls this time. The equipment here is the only thing advanced enough to run a full diagnostic."
Jackie's eyes lit up instantly.
"I knew it!"
His voice nearly cracked with relief.
"I knew you could do it, brother!"
He stepped forward and grabbed Xiao by the shoulders.
"Once V is cured, we'll work for you. Whatever you need, we'll do it. No excuses."
Xiao just waved him off.
"Save the loyalty speech for later. Go bring her over first."
Jackie nodded fiercely and bolted back toward the platform lift, almost running.
As he disappeared into the night once more, Xiao turned back toward the Golden Emperor.
Its polished hull reflected the city lights like a blazing star.
A faint smile appeared on his face.
Now things were finally getting interesting.
⭐ Enjoying the story?
You can read ahead and support the translations by joining my Patreon! Your support helps me update faster and take on more projects. Thank you for reading!
Read up to 50 chapters ahead!
patreon.com/AminaSim