{Cyberpunk 2077 spoilers ahead!}

Please find attached, transcribed the last known voice message from ‘V’, a well-known Night City mercenary, a possible member of the Aldecaldos nomad tribe, and confirmed murder for hire. After her sudden and mysterious disappearance ten months ago, all that was found was a device with a recorded message on it, detectives are unsure of who exactly the message was intended for, yet it must be noted that it seems to be addressed to a child. Some have linked the message to River Ward’s niece Monique, but the retired NCPD detective has refused questioning on the matter. Regina Jones, a former independent reporter for FTF Radio has continuously pushed the matter and although NCPD usually doesn’t trouble themselves with merc disappearances, this order came directly from a higher up. ‘V’ was last seen at the cemetery, leaving two unknown mementos in an unidentified niche while muttering quietly to herself. She then proceeded to board a bus leaving Night City, never to be heard of again. See what you can make of it if anything, the intensifying pressure in the department is becoming unbearable.

[Attached: ‘V’s Message Transciption]

“I’ve seen some shit… damn I probably shouldn’t swear in front of you huh? My bad, but really kid, I’ve seen and done some things that I hope you never have to experience. I’m not sure where to start this, or what this actually is. Heck, I don’t know if you’re even gonna hear this. Everything’s happenin so fast now, that feeling of impending doom that you can’t escape. I’ve known the answer to the big question for a real long time now, yet I continued tryna fight it, draggin everyone I actually gave a crap, sorry, everyone I cared about down with me. It started with Jackie.. oh Jackie. My choom didn’t deserve that shi.. he didn’t deserve that kid. You woulda liked him, he hit you from all sides and you had no choice but to like him. I know what I did to him, yeah I guess you could look at it different, technically it was Arasaka’s agents, but it was me you know? I sent him to Vik’s, thinking he could save him, I dunno, I thought I could get him back. I didn’t think of the implications, I couldn’t have known they’d take him, that they’d use soulkiller on him.. all for that stupid heist. Funnily enough, I think it was Jackie that changed me, not Johnny… right… you don’t know about him just yet but don’t worry I’ll get to that. Back to what I was saying, it was Jackie that messed me up, yeah maybe the timing was the same but I lost my choom you know? He was good kid, don’t think I could ever say that about myself. A lot of people blamed Johnny for the things that went down, I switched to killing people more often than not, and yeah Johnny is a d… dog but I think that was all me.”

[V seems to pause the device here after a few shaky breaths and continues once again after calming down]

“I should probably explain Johnny before I go any further, I’m thinking of the best way to explain it to you kid. Johnny Silverhand, you’ll hear the name one day, he was a legend among legends, heck they named a drink at Afterlife after him. Growing up in Night City you heard his name a lot, you heard about the arrogant Rockerboy, lead singer of the band Samurai, and legendary fight against the Megacorporations. He’s also the reason that I’m saying goodbye I guess, not him in person but his engram. I know that’s probably a little confusing, but Johnny and I are the same now. No, I didn’t weirdly idolize him and dream to become like him, he just got chipped into my head and is slowly taking over my body. Okay, too complicated right? So, I stole a relic, but it was a weird prototype version of it and had Johnny’s engram on it and then when the heist went wrong I plugged that chip straight into me. Then I got killed by Dexter who got killed by Takemura, may his soul not rest in peace and I woke up. I know it’s a lot to take in and sounds crazy, I’m experiencing it and it sounds crazy. Basically, this chip started uploading onto my brain and replacing me, sometimes taking over and other times allowing me to see Johnny and even be forced to listen to his weird advice. He’s not a bad guy, look he’s definitely not a good guy but he’s been good to me, sort of. If anyone ever asks you what you think he was like tell em he was charming, sorta charismatic, and a whole lotta stupidly impulsive. He fought for what he believed in and I’m not saying to go bomb a place, but I think that’s something we should all do, you know, the fight for what you believe bit. So that’s Johnny for you, he’s himself but also me, or at least he will be me. See kid, I’ve got a decision to make, and everyone’s been tryna avoid the subject and tell me it’s okay but I know it’s not. They know I’m dyin, it’s inevitable at this point, his engram wants what’s mine, and that’s okay. I’m not afraid of dying kid, I think there could be another way, weirdly enough Johnny’s ex-girlfriend could be the key, but it wouldn’t be the same. I don’t know if I’d want it the same, not after Jackie, not after what I’ve become. I’ve kidnapped people, killed more than I can count and I just don’t think I can do it anymore. In some weird twist of events, I want Johnny to have another go at life you know, yeah yeah I know it’s confusing but it’s what I want, he’s grown on me I guess.”

“I guess this is the end kid, I sorry if I scared you but all I really wanted to say is. Don’t mess it up, your life I mean. You’re young and have a good chance at having a good one, don’t fall in with the bad ones. Oh… and if you ever get the chance, if you come across Judy Alvarez, please tell her I’m sorry…”