A few minutes later, V made her way toward the black corporate vehicle parked near the edge of the operation zone.
The aftermath of the chaos still lingered in the air.
Sirens echoed in the distance while Arasaka personnel continued securing the area.
The brief conflict involving the outcasts and the Tiger Claws had already become another insignificant incident in Night City’s endless cycle of violence.
As soon as V approached the vehicle, Canris stepped out and met her halfway.
“Report.” “There was a small crew of outcasts running a job nearby.
Things got messy.
The Tiger Claws responded and sent people after them.
That’s the whole situation.” Canris nodded calmly.
“Understood.
Return to your unit.” The dismissal was immediate.
V suppressed the urge to roll her eyes.
She had expected at least a few more questions after being called over personally.
Still, orders were orders.
Just as she was about to leave, the rear window of the vehicle slowly rolled down.
The movement immediately drew everyone’s attention.
Canris straightened his posture instantly.
“Boss.” Without another word, he stepped aside.
Inside the vehicle sat Ryan.
The man’s expression remained as calm and unreadable as ever.
“Hmm…
V, right?” The moment her name left his mouth, V instinctively stood straighter.
“Yes, Minister Ryan.” For some reason, she suddenly felt nervous.
It was a strange feeling.
She had spoken with executives before.
She had stood in front of Jenkins countless times without batting an eye.
Yet standing before Ryan felt completely different.
Perhaps it was because of his position within Arasaka’s intelligence structure.
Or perhaps it was because everyone knew that people like Ryan could decide someone’s future with a single sentence.
Ryan studied her silently for a moment.
Then he spoke.
“You’re talented.” V blinked.
Ryan continued.
“In more ways than one.” The compliment caught her completely off guard.
“If things don’t work out in Counterintelligence, come find me.” His voice remained calm.
“You can work for me.” Silence.
The words hung in the air like a thunderbolt.
Before V could even process what had happened, the window slowly rolled back up.
The conversation was over.
Just like that.
The vehicle became silent once more.
V stood frozen in place.
Her mind was completely blank.
An invitation.
A direct invitation from Ryan.
A rising star within Arasaka.
Someone whose future influence was obvious to anyone with eyes.
For a brief moment, V genuinely regretted accepting Jenkins’ offer so quickly.
If she had waited…
If she had met Ryan first…
The opportunities available under his leadership would undoubtedly surpass anything Jenkins could provide.
But the thought only lasted a moment.
Soon, she forced herself to calm down.
Without this mission, she might never have even met Ryan.
Without this mission, he would never have noticed her.
In that sense…
Perhaps things had unfolded exactly as they were supposed to.
A faint smile appeared on her face.
“If I gain something, it’s luck.
If I lose something, it’s fate.” With that quiet thought, V returned to her team.
As she walked away, her mind briefly drifted toward the other man she had glimpsed sitting beside Ryan.
The mysterious figure seemed important enough to personally accompany Ryan on field operations.
That alone spoke volumes.
But V was smart.
Very smart.
And smart corporate employees survived by understanding one simple rule.
Never learn what you aren’t supposed to know.
In Night City, curiosity could be fatal.
Inside the vehicle, Ryan shifted his attention back toward Koch.
“Now then.” He extended a hand.
“Let’s continue.” Koch immediately handed over the data chip he had been carrying.
“This contains everything.” Ryan connected the device to his personal interface.
Lines of information began scrolling across his vision.
Research records.
Experimental logs.
Prototype performance reports.
Large amounts of classified military technology data.
As the files continued loading, Ryan’s expression gradually became more interested.
The information appeared legitimate.
At least on the surface.
After several minutes of review, Ryan finally spoke.
“The data looks authentic.” Relief instantly appeared on Koch’s face.
However, Ryan wasn’t finished.
“Our R&D department will need to conduct independent verification.” Koch nodded quickly.
“Of course.” “Until then, you’ll remain inside Arasaka Tower.” Ryan looked directly at him.
“Any objections?” Koch almost laughed.
“None whatsoever.” Objections?
How could he possibly object?
Arasaka Tower was probably the safest place in Night City.
Militech could send assassins.
They could bribe mercenaries.
They could deploy covert agents.
But launching an attack inside Arasaka Tower itself?
That would be outright corporate warfare.
If Militech was willing to do that just to kill him…
Then his life had been far more valuable than he ever imagined.
“Excellent.” Ryan leaned back.
“Canris, let’s move.” “Understood.” The vehicle smoothly accelerated away.
As the city lights flashed past the windows, Ryan continued examining the data.
The files focused on neural cyberware.
More specifically…
Berserker systems.
Among all neural implants available in the modern world, two categories stood at the very top.
The Berserker series.
And the Sandevistan series.
Both represented the pinnacle of neural enhancement technology.
Yet they followed completely different philosophies.
Berserkers amplified physical performance.
Strength.
Durability.
Aggression.
Raw destructive power.
Sandevistans, meanwhile, bordered on science fiction.
Their ability to manipulate perception and reaction speed was nothing short of miraculous.
To ordinary people, it looked as if time itself had stopped.
Yet Ryan understood something many consumers didn’t.
A Sandevistan wasn’t automatically superior.
The implant demanded talent.
It demanded compatibility.
It demanded a nervous system capable of surviving immense stress.
Many users never achieved their theoretical performance potential.
Some barely reached eighty percent.
Others performed even worse.
And every activation pushed their bodies closer to destruction.
The Berserker system was far simpler.
Far more stable.
Far more practical for large-scale deployment.
Which made the information in front of him particularly valuable.
Militech had invested heavily into Berserker development.
Much heavier than most people realized.
Ryan’s eyes narrowed.
Interesting.
Very interesting.
Based on the timeline, these files likely originated from an earlier stage of development.
Perhaps during the transition toward fourth-generation systems.
After all…
The current year was 2074.
Three years remained before 2077.
The legendary high-end neural systems of the future were likely already under development.
The market currently revolved around second and third-generation hardware.
Fourth-generation implants remained experimental.
Whoever successfully completed them first would gain a massive advantage.
Ryan leaned back thoughtfully.
Perhaps this information could accelerate Arasaka’s own projects.
A faint smile appeared on his face.
Without hesitation, he forwarded the files directly to Arasaka’s research division.
Whatever advantages could be extracted from Militech’s work would belong to Arasaka now.
That was simply how Night City operated.
No loyalty.
No honor.
Only advantage.
After sending the data, Ryan closed the file.
“That should help the research teams.” He glanced toward Canris.
“Next destination.” Canris looked through the rear-view mirror.
“Dangerous Dals?” Ryan nodded.
“Let’s discuss some business.” “Understood.” The vehicle disappeared into the neon ocean of Night City.
— Meanwhile…
Far across the city.
A heavily modified vehicle raced through the streets.
Inside, laughter and arguments filled the cabin.
“Phew!” Rebecca stretched her arms.
“We finally lost those Tiger Claw idiots.” Falco grinned while steering.
“Easy work.” One hand remained on the wheel while the other lit a cigarette.
Smoke drifted through the cabin.
Then Maine spoke.
His voice immediately silenced the group.
“Rebecca.” The young woman froze.
“I think you owe us an explanation.” Rebecca looked away.
“Tch…” Her confidence evaporated.
“Sorry, okay?” Maine leaned forward.
His massive frame radiated pressure.
“Do you realize how dangerous that stunt was?” Rebecca stayed silent.
“You started shooting in the middle of a crowded area.” Maine’s voice grew heavier.
“If things had gone wrong, people would’ve died.” Still silent.
Then Pila decided to help in the worst possible way.
“Heh.” He smirked.
“Told you she’s still a kid.” Rebecca’s eye twitched.
“Maybe she should go home and drink milk.” BAM!
The buttstock of Rebecca’s rifle slammed directly into Pila’s face.
“FUCK!” Pila nearly fell over.
“You little psycho!” Rebecca grinned.
“Serves you right.” “What if you damaged my handsome face?!” “What handsome face?!” The vehicle immediately descended into chaos.
Maine rubbed his forehead.
Every single time.
Every single mission.
It was always the same.
“Enough.” The single word restored order.
Mostly.
Rebecca crossed her arms.
Maine sighed.
“Just be more careful.” His voice softened slightly.
“Your personality is going to get you killed someday.” The joke disappeared from Rebecca’s face.
“…Yeah.” “I know.” Sasha leaned over from the opposite seat.
“And if I hadn’t been there, you might’ve already had a hole in your head.” She mimicked a gunshot.
Then dramatically collapsed sideways.
Rebecca couldn’t help laughing.
The tension finally began fading.
Seeing the mood improve, Dorio clapped her hands.
“Since the job was successful, how about drinks tonight?” The suggestion was instantly welcomed.
Everyone liked that idea.
Except Pila.
“Can I invite a few girlfriends?” The entire vehicle groaned.
“Go screw a BD instead.” “That’s cruel, Maine.” Laughter erupted once again.
While everyone argued, Sasha quietly moved beside Rebecca and handed her a bottle of cola.
“Next time…” She smiled.
“Think first.” Rebecca accepted the drink.
“I just couldn’t stand listening to that guy talk about her like that.” “I know.” Sasha nodded.
“I was angry too.” Then her smile became slightly dangerous.
“But remember.” Rebecca blinked.
Sasha leaned closer.
“Holding back today doesn’t mean you won’t kill him.” A grin appeared on her face.
“It just means you’ll kill him later.” Rebecca stared.
Sasha continued.
“And when nobody’s around to interfere…” Her smile widened.
“You can take your time.” For several seconds, Rebecca simply stared.
Then realization struck.
Her eyes lit up.
THUNK!
She suddenly jumped up and smashed her forehead directly into Pila’s face.
“OW!” Pila screamed.
Rebecca pointed excitedly at Sasha.
“She’s a genius!” “What the hell did I do this time?!” “Shut up, idiot!” The entire vehicle erupted into laughter.
Meanwhile, Falco tightened his grip on the steering wheel.
“Hey!” His voice echoed over the chaos.
“Could you lunatics stop destroying each other while I’m driving?!” The vehicle continued speeding through the neon-lit streets of Night City.
And somewhere ahead…
New opportunities.
New dangers.
And far bigger deals awaited them all.
——————————– CREATORS’ THOUGHTS ShadowSamuraiTL Have some idea about my story?
Comment it and let me know.