The rain slicks down Eliot's golden arms, turning the chrome into liquid sunlight under the neon signs that flicker above the Velvet Stripes. He leans against the doorframe, muscles coiled like a spring as he watches the crowd inside gyrate to the pulsing beat.

His comm chimes. Vaye's name flashes across his vision.

"Back alley. Now." Her voice is cold, all business as usual.

Eliot pushes away from the wall without hesitation, his boots splashing through puddles as he rounds the corner into the narrow passage between buildings. The stench of garbage and ozone hangs thick in the air.

Vaye stands under a flickering light, her trench coat pulled tight around her slender frame. In her hand, she twirls a small data chip between her fingers.

"You're looking moody tonight, Goldie," she purrs, her red lips curving into a knowing smile. "Miss your little netrunner friend?"

Eliot's jaw tightens. He doesn't appreciate the reminder of Hertz's abrupt disappearance three days ago after their last job went sideways.

"Relax, she's fine," Vaye continues, tucking the chip into her palm. "And speaking of jobs... I've got something that might interest you."

She tosses him a small holographic projector. It activates mid-air, displaying schematics of a Maelstrom hideout in Watson.

"Data core. Military prototype from before the collapse. Those chrome junkies think it's just scrap metal."

Eliot catches the projector easily, his golden fingers closing around it with a soft metallic whirring sound.

"Bring it back to me," Vaye says, her voice dropping to a conspiratorial whisper, "and I'll tell you exactly where your father was spotted last month."

That gets his attention. Eliot's head snaps up, his golden eyes narrowing as he stares at her.

"There's a catch," Vaye admits, holding up a finger. "You're not going alone."

Before he can process her words, a figure steps out of the shadows behind her. Small, wiry, with wild hair and eyes that match Eliot's intensity.

Hertz smirks, twirling a datajack between her fingers. "Miss me, Golden Boy?"

Eliot doesn't hesitate. One moment he's standing across from her, the next his golden hand is wrapped around her throat, pinning her against the brick wall as rain cascades down both their faces.

"You disappeared," he signs roughly with his free hand, his golden fingers glittering in the dim light.

Hertz doesn't flinch, her own fingers brushing against the back of his hand where metal meets flesh. "Missed you too," she whispers, her breath hot against his face despite the cold rain.

For a long, tense moment they just stare at each other, the air crackling with electricity and unspoken tension. Then Eliot releases her, stepping back as suddenly as he'd attacked, his chest heaving with emotion he can't put into words.

Hertz rubs her throat, her smirk never fading. "You always were a little dramatic, Eliot."

Vaye clears her throat pointedly. "As touching as this reunion is, we've got a job to do."

Eliot glances at the hologram again, then back at Hertz. "You're staying behind," he signs firmly.

"Like hell I am," Hertz shoots back. "This is my specialty, remember? You break things, I hack things."

Eliot glares at Vaye, but she just shrugs. "She comes or the deal's off. Your call, Goldie."

The decision is made before he even realizes it. With a sharp nod, Eliot turns toward the main street, already planning their approach.

"Three minutes," he signs over his shoulder. "Or I leave without you."

Hertz laughs, hurrying to keep up with his long strides. "You'd never leave me behind, Eliot. We both know that."

She's right, of course. He never would. Not again.