Chapter 80: The End
“David Martinez...
An Arasaka Academy trainee who dropped out and turned merc.
Only two months in the game... doesn’t sound too tough.
Wait—this guy’s packing a Sandevistan? That’s rare tech.”
Kirk muttered as he scrolled through the data in his neural link.
His concern spiked when he saw the implant.
With that Cyberware, if the kid wanted to run, stopping him would be almost impossible.
“Relax. His behavioral model’s still in Arasaka’s database.
You know how it works—once you’ve got that, a netrunner can crawl right into his head without resistance.”
Faraday looked as confident as ever.
“All we need to do... is lure the kid in. Then it’s handled.”
The words erased Kirk’s doubts. His expression hardened.
“Fine. If you can really connect me directly with Arasaka, I’ll take the gig.
When the time comes, I’ll set up the job to draw the kid out.”
Hearing this, Faraday shut his four unsettling cybereye and lifted his hands, nodding like a victor taking a bow before leaving the stage.
“Of course. Now, let’s speak with our future colleague.”
A strange exhilaration welled up inside him. He could already picture himself at the top of Arasaka Tower, looking down on all of Night City.
...
At Konpeki Plaza, as the ball wound down, guests began trickling out.
Hours had passed, yet the hostesses stationed in the spotlight still wore frozen smiles, trays perfectly steady in their hands.
Arthur had been watching them. He’d wondered if they rotated shifts—but the answer was no.
“What’s up? You seem real interested in them.”
Seeing Arthur’s restless boredom, V chuckled and teased.
“They barely move at all...
Doesn’t seem natural.”
Arthur gestured toward the motionless servers, his voice carrying genuine puzzlement.
“Hah... don’t be silly, Arthur. They’re not regular people.
For this job, they’ve had joints and muscles swapped out for Cyberware.
Cheap mods, practically useless, even a pain in their daily lives.
But... it’s survival. That’s Night City.”
V’s explanation made Arthur frown, disgust curling his lip.
“Sounds repulsive.
You corps really love getting your kicks from other people’s misery, huh?”
V shrugged, her voice carrying a trace of something harder to name.
“I’m no corpo big shot... and I can’t control this.
Sure, the mods are meaningless—just props for a high-society ball—but at least it’s a job.
In this city, plenty of people starve with no work at all.
Not everyone can get by on skill like you.”
“Guess my skill saved my life.”
Arthur’s answer was dry.
Night City was colder than any jungle. The longer you lasted, the more it pushed you to find new lows.
Arthur rose from his lounge chair, stretched, and muttered,
“Maybe we should go... Sitting here really is a waste of time.”
“Not for me.”
V pushed herself upright, even though her words said otherwise.
“This has been the most relaxing night I’ve had in days.
Haven’t had a decent night’s sleep in a while.”
And so the ball ended, with the two of them spending the whole time by the lounge chairs.
...
As they neared the elevator, two figures—one ahead, one behind—stepped into their path.
Not blocking them outright, but watching V and Arthur like they’d been waiting.
“Deputy Director...”
The woman in front spoke humbly, though her face carried no respect.
“Looks like you’re leaving with your friend.
Funny... he doesn’t look like Arasaka’s.”
Both had their eyes swapped for cheap cybernetic implants.
Even at their small size, the metal dug into the surrounding skin, leaving their faces twisted and ugly.
“Looks like... just as my friend said. With Abernathy back, you lapdogs are feeling bold again.”
V’s tone was absent, almost distracted. The two before her were fools, whichever way you looked at it.
But her indifference only stoked their fury.
The anger in their throats was ready to boil over.
“Hope your luck holds.”
“What was your name again? Whatever—it doesn’t matter.
Remember, I’m your superior. And right now, your job is—
Step aside. Shut your mouth.”
V’s voice wasn’t loud, but it carried. Nearly everyone nearby heard it.
Amy went pale, then flushed red, but still stepped aside.
As the two walked away, she heard the stranger’s insult ring in her ears.
“Doesn’t anyone notice her hairstyle?
Looks like she smeared cow shit on her forehead—pink cow shit.”
Being mocked by V was one thing. But now even some no-name dared laugh at her?
Her rage nearly boiled over. She moved to chase them—but a comm signal buzzed in her head.
It snapped her back, though whoever was calling was about to regret it.
Arthur, remembering the woman’s appearance, frowned.
“If it hadn’t hit the floor, the shape would’ve been identical.”
“Damn if I know. Hardly anyone’s seen a live cow anymore.”
V’s answer was dead serious.
The elevator doors sealed shut.
“I’ll drop you off. You’re not inviting me in?”
Her voice was teasing, and she winked at Arthur.
“Doesn’t matter. But my place...”
He paused, then shrugged—at least he’d picked up the bottles from the floor.
“Run-down as hell. And there’s a homeless kid there.
Speaking of which, I should bring her something to eat.”
Arthur’s offhand words made V stare, startled, almost disbelieving.
“A kid?
Arthur, you’d better explain, before I punch you.”
Arthur looked puzzled at her reaction but explained anyway.
“Yeah. A little girl.
Looks like Militech’s after her. Her dad died not long ago, helping her escape.
He even worked for them.
You corpo bastards are all the same—no mercy, even for your own.”
Catching the gist, V’s tone sharpened.
“You two close?
Cover your tracks, or this’ll turn into a real mess.”
If anyone outside Militech understood the corp, it was Arasaka.
And V—an Arasaka counterintelligence exec—knew better than most just how dangerous they could be.
“Close?
She’s the one I pulled out from under the slaughterhouse.
That’s it. No other connection.”
Arthur stroked his chin thoughtfully.
“Didn’t expect that from you, Arthur.
You’re actually a good man.”
In Night City, where even family kept their distance, Arthur’s warmth felt almost out of place.
“Thanks... I guess.”
Arthur’s tone was sour.
“But I’m sick of being called a good guy.
Next time you’re in trouble, don’t come knocking.”
The elevator doors parted, and the two walked straight out of the hotel.
Author's Note
Comments (0)
Please login or sign up to post a comment.