After finishing his explanation, David casually chatted a bit more with Rebecca and Sasha before waving them off. Once they had left, he stood up and headed straight for the inner room of his apartment.
Inside the room, a mess of tech and weapon parts covered the tables and floors. Fragments of the [Hex Gem], brought back after being sliced apart by Lao, were carefully stored in containers. Scattered around them were various weapons that V had smuggled from Arasaka's arsenal.
By now, David had fully internalized the principles behind [Valoran Continent Technology] and absorbed the blueprints and design logic that V had handed over. On top of that, he had learned an incredible amount from Victor, Night City's go-to ripperdoc and tech expert. After weeks of intense learning and experimentation, David had become more than capable of designing and modifying advanced weapons on his own.
"Hmm... Which weapon should I start with?" he murmured, eyes scanning over the collection laid before him.
There were heavy machine guns, sleek plasma rifles, and even experimental energy-based weaponry—each brimming with potential. After a moment's thought, his gaze settled on two particular models: the Arasaka XHMP heavy machine gun and the CEDMH rapid-fire laser ray gun.
"One's built for brute force... the other's a speed demon," he said with a slight grin. "What if I merge the two?"
The idea wasn't just novel—it was brilliant. Combining the relentless firepower of the XHMP with the speed and precision of the CEDMH ray gun could result in a hybrid firearm capable of shredding anything in its path. His mind whirred with blueprints, cross-sections, and energy flow charts.
Without wasting time, David began dismantling both weapons, separating barrels, energy cores, heat sinks, and modular parts. His hands moved swiftly and surely, guided by both experience and his internalized knowledge of Arasaka tech.
Then he paused and turned toward the blueprints of the Jinx Machine Gun POW from Valoran's arsenal. Inspired by the gun's unique design—both in terms of power output and modular adaptability—David began drafting a new weapon in his mind. Using his knowledge of Valoran schematics and the Arasaka parts before him, he constructed a mental blueprint of a new hybrid gun.
Within an hour, the blueprint had solidified in his head: a machine gun capable of switching between heavy ballistic mode and rapid laser fire. It would be powered by a stabilized Hex Gem core, giving it the energy efficiency and output consistency necessary for intense, prolonged firefights.
"If the guys in Arasaka's weapons division saw this," David chuckled, "they'd be begging me to join them."
The concept was finalized. All he had to do was build it.
Luckily, all the necessary parts were within arm's reach. He started the assembly immediately, piecing together the framework, adjusting connectors, and replacing incompatible modules using his magnetic fruit powers. If a part didn't fit, he reshaped it. If a barrel was too long or a core too wide, he resized them until everything locked together perfectly.
In just under thirty minutes, David had constructed a brand-new firearm—one that resembled the infamous Jinx POW gun but bore the raw, high-tech feel of Arasaka craftsmanship. It was sleek yet brutal, its barrel adorned with faint glowing runes from the Hex Gem infusion, while the core pulsed with contained energy.
"This beast can switch fire modes on the fly, adjust output settings mid-battle, and even sync up with the [Source Project] armor." David nodded to himself with satisfaction. "Now that's a proper toy."
He gave the gun a quick clean-up and ran diagnostics to ensure everything was functioning. The weapon responded flawlessly, switching modes and powering up without a hitch.
Pleased, David left his workshop and headed to Rebecca's room. The girl was lounging on her couch, fiddling with a data chip when he knocked once and stepped inside.
"Hey, I've got something for you."
Rebecca's eyes lit up immediately when she saw the gun in his hands. "Whoa! That's not the junk we got from the mall fight, is it?"
David smiled and handed it to her. "This one's custom-made. Heavy and fast-fire modes, and it's compatible with the armor. Try it out, get a feel for it."
Rebecca practically snatched the weapon out of his hands and began examining it like a child with a new toy. "Damn, it's beautiful..."
David reached out and ruffled her hair. "Once you're used to it, take it and head to the biotech company with Sasha. It's time we started moving against them."
Rebecca's smile faded slightly, her expression turning serious. "Got it. We'll make them pay for what they did in the mall."
David nodded and turned to leave, but not before adding, "Make sure to record the encounter. I want every moment documented—we might need it later."
As David walked back toward his room, he pulled out his portable terminal and began checking the latest headlines coming out of Night City. His brows furrowed as he read one of the newer updates:
Breaking News: Armed Conflict in North Watson
A massive firefight erupted earlier today in the North Industrial Zone of Watson. Early reports suggest it was a clash between mercenaries from Militech and the local Voodoo Boys. The NCPD responded swiftly, but casualties are already mounting.
David narrowed his eyes.
"Militech's getting more aggressive... and if they're clashing with the Voodoo Boys, that means someone's messing with the Blackwall."
He rubbed his chin thoughtfully. "We're not the only ones moving in the shadows."
For now, though, his focus remained on the biotech company—the creators of the experimental serum that had mutated those thugs into raging beasts. If they weren't stopped, things would escalate fast.
But David had a plan.
And the first step was already in Rebecca's hands.
___________________________________
Get membership in to read more Chapters
Extra Chapters available in