Outside Lizzie's bar, an all-black Mizutani Shion sports car slowly pulled into a parking spot. Before the car had even come to a complete stop, an excited man leaned his head straight out and whistled at the scantily clad girls holding baseball bats at the entrance.
Seeing Pilar's signature hairstyle and ridiculously long arms, the Mox girls standing at the entrance couldn't help but exchange a smile. One of them, a girl with pinkish-purple hair in buns, even took the initiative to greet him.
"Yo! Haven't seen you in a while. I thought you were dead."
Rita Wheeler sized up Pilar, who grinned, opened the car door, and swaggered over to her after getting out. "Got a meeting about a deal. The other party specifically requested Lizzie's."
"Oh~" Rita's gaze shifted to the man behind Pilar, Mercer, who was wearing his signature mask. Just the sight of that pale white hockey mask was enough for this group of Mox girls to recognize him.
By now, Faraday's bounty had become a joke; everyone knew he had skipped town. But the Kindling Squad's fame had skyrocketed over the past few months.
Although Mercer, who always appeared in a mask, hadn't shown his face in months, his unique, somewhat cheap-looking yet intimidating hockey mask had long since become a symbol of his identity.
So, even though it was their first time meeting, Rita respectfully lowered her baseball bat and said in a very friendly tone, "Hey, I bet you must be his boss, the famous A, right?"
"Right." Just as Mercer's voice fell, a recklessly driven Quadra Type-66, modified with a black and red color scheme, finally arrived, drifting into a parking spot.
V got out of the driver's seat with a sour look on her face and pulled a hundred-eurodollar bill from her pants pocket. Mercer, without any ceremony, reached out and took it. "Convinced yet?"
"Fuck! Pilar definitely cut corners on my car!" she grumbled resentfully. From the passenger seat, Rebecca hopped out of the car, yelling, "I told you to let me drive!"
"It wouldn't have mattered who drove. Driving is a skill. You really think fast reflexes are all it takes to be a good driver?" Mercer said smugly, stuffing the cash into his pocket. He turned his head and saw Pilar shamelessly hitting on the Mox girls, telling them jokes.
"You didn't cheat with Polaris, did you?" V was still not convinced, but she only muttered, willing to admit defeat.
Mercer couldn't even be bothered to reply to her. If you suck, practice more.
Rebecca, however, found it embarrassing to watch Pilar drool over the girls. She walked over and kicked him, nearly sending him flying. "We're not here to mess around with you today. Get inside."
"Fuck! It's been so long since I've been out. The boss has been working me to the bone as his assistant all day..."
Pilar grumbled, but faced with Rebecca's iron fist, he could only raise his eyebrows at the laughing Mox girls, make a "call me" gesture, and then lead Mercer and V inside. To be honest, the way he walked into Lizzie's, he looked like he was coming home. From the waitstaff to The Mox bouncers on duty, and even many of the patrons, they all went out of their way to greet him.
Watching him work the room, Mercer couldn't help but smile. "I think if this guy opened his own bar, he'd do a damn good job."
"Forget it. If he really opened a bar, he'd work himself to death from partying within a month," Rebecca said irritably.
The group entered the bar and found a booth to sit in. V had a waiter bring over a bottle of Centzon Totochtin whiskey, and also ordered a can of ice-cold NiCola for Mercer.
They hadn't been in the booth for long when a big shot, a rare sight at The Mox's bar, actually came over to greet them.
Susanna Quinn, or rather, Susie Q.
As the current leader of The Mox and the person in charge of Lizzie's, she didn't usually make public appearances, preferring to stay in her workshop.
She was a Black woman with obvious cyberware and a lot of personality, sporting a thick, curly afro that shot upwards, making her instantly recognizable.
"The Kindling Squad. I've heard so much about you. Pilar told me he was running with you all. To be honest, we all thought he was just messing with us. Anyway, welcome to Lizzie's."
She smiled, her attitude warm as she said, "Whether you're here for BDs or just drinks, it's all on my tab tonight. Consider it a gesture of friendship. But from what I know, besides Pilar, this is the first time for the rest of you, right? Need me to find some handsome guys and pretty girls to have a few drinks with you?"
Pilar chuckled and waved his hand. "No need, they're not into that."
As he spoke, he nudged and winked at Susanna, gesturing for her to look at Rebecca on Mercer's left and V on his right. Susanna immediately got the hint and said with a smile, "Understood. So you're here to talk business? Should I get you a private room in the back?"
"Not for now, but thanks, Susanna," Mercer said politely.
Susanna smiled faintly. "Alright then. I'm usually in the back, so feel free to contact me if you need anything."
She sent Mercer her contact information. After accepting it, Mercer replied just as courteously, "No problem. And if this guy Pilar ever sneaks over here to mess around, I'd appreciate it if you and your people at The Mox could keep an eye on him."
"Hahaha! We'll definitely keep a close watch on him. He's practically a VIP at our bar," Susanna laughed heartily. She had someone bring over another case of beer and a bottle of high-end whiskey before leaving them undisturbed.
Mercer couldn't help but marvel. "Are we that famous now? A gang leader has to personally come out and greet us?"
"Of course! While you were being a shut-in at home for the past few months, the rest of us weren't sitting around. Tyger Claws, 6th Street, Maelstrom, we've beaten them all up. Now, no matter where I go, I can't even keep track of all the new faces calling me V."
V said proudly, showing off, "Last time I went drinking with Jackie and Maine at El Coyote Cojo, a few Valentino girls even came up to me and said I was their idol."
"Hah, and then you foolishly spent money treating them to a night of free food and drinks?" Mercer glanced at her, then read the answer on her face and let out a snort of laughter. "You're so gullible."
"Screw you! Is it getting scammed if I buy someone a few drinks?" V glared at him, annoyed. But Mercer just shrugged and said, "Who knows? All I know is that normally, it's the fans who spend money on their idols."
The two started bickering again, while Rebecca quietly snuggled up to him. After a few gulps of whiskey, she used her slight buzz as an excuse to start getting handsy with him, letting out a somewhat unnerving giggle from time to time.
Mercer was pretty much used to it. If he ever went out and didn't have a warm, soft little girl to hold, he'd probably feel like something was off.
He had grown quite a bit taller and was now probably around 178 centimeters. Rebecca was tiny, and curled up beside him, she was strangely cute, like a big puppy.
The group chatted and laughed. After waiting for only about ten minutes, an elegantly poised woman with a delicate face and short blue hair walked in.
She was dressed glamorously in a pink fur coat and jewels around her neck; anyone who didn't know better would have thought she was some famous actress.
But V only gave her a single glance before looking away. Fake at a glance, and she wasn't just talking about the clothes.
The woman scanned the room and immediately spotted Mercer, who was wearing a mask and holding Rebecca on the sofa. The NiCola he was drinking gave him an out-of-place air.
She walked over on her own accord, a brilliant smile on her face. "Sorry, sorry, I didn't expect you all to be so early."
"Have a seat." Mercer gestured for her to sit down and took the opportunity to introduce everyone. "Evelyn Parker. Just left Lizzie's not long ago. She's the current top doll at Clouds."
"I wouldn't say top doll, just that I've built up a little bit of a reputation," Evelyn said quite modestly, but the smile on her face clearly became a little more genuine.
Mercer just chuckled. "Kindling Squad. V, Rebecca, Pilar."
Mercer gave a simple introduction, but Pilar's eyes were already glued to her. He quickly made space, gesturing for her to sit right next to him.
Evelyn, however, just smiled sweetly and sat in the empty seat opposite him. Placing her bag to the side, she said in a gentle voice, "It's pretty rare for someone to ask me out so formally for business. To be honest, my heart is still pounding. I know you're all big shots, and I'm just a little doll, so..."
She looked at Mercer tentatively, speaking with caution. "What is it you want me to do? If it's just my usual line of work, then I have no problem. But if it's something else... I'm not very brave, really."
If you're not brave, then there are no brave dolls these days.
Mercer knew full well that this woman was a classic case of greedy and foolish. Despite her cautious appearance now, it was all just for show.
So, Mercer smiled. "I want to connect with a big shot, so I need someone who can help me get close to him and set up a line."
As soon as he said this, Evelyn instantly understood. A smile appeared on her face as she said, "I see. In that case, I can probably handle it. But... who is your target?"
Mercer just said calmly, "A corporate executive."
"Uh, do you have a specific identity?" Evelyn had no desire to walk blindly into a trap.
But Mercer just said faintly, "You don't need to worry about who the client is. All you have to do is insert the doll chip, wait for us to maneuver you next to that big client, and when you're alone, just activate the chip."
"...No way. I know you're an expert netrunner. Once that chip is on, I won't have any control over what I say or do. What if you're trying to use me for an assassination? I don't want to die yet!"
Evelyn immediately refused, watching Mercer with vigilance.
But Mercer just said calmly, "A commission of three hundred thousand eurodollars. And we'll make you a real star in Night City, the true top doll of Clouds. You should know, not every doll is qualified to get on the recommendation lists of those famous agents, but I can pay to get you on there."
"What's the use of all that if I'm dead?" Evelyn said, but V just laughed.
She spoke with a hint of mockery, "Come on, girl. If you really didn't want to do it, you would've turned around and left already."
Evelyn, looking a bit embarrassed, glanced at V.
But Mercer just said calmly, "I can guarantee that our only goal is to exchange a few words with that big shot. Of course, the risks to you are real. But without risk, where would you earn three hundred thousand eurodollars? Who would promote you? We can guarantee we're not using you for some assassination, just borrowing your body to say a few words to him face-to-face. Since you decided to come to The Mox, we can find someone you trust to act as a guarantor."
Evelyn's eyes darted about as she asked, "Which big shot is it?"
"You're not qualified to ask that right now," Mercer said bluntly. "You just need to know it's a corporate executive. As for the rest, you'll find out when you're on the mission."
Mercer didn't plan to let her know too much in advance, lest the woman get any ideas she shouldn't. With this kind of woman, you had to use a carrot and a stick, a mix of kindness and coercion, to make her work for you obediently.
Three hundred thousand eurodollars was no small sum for Evelyn, who had just started working at Clouds. And more important than the money was the other thing Mercer had mentioned.
After a moment's hesitation, she confirmed, "Even if you're just using me to talk to a big shot, what if helping you this one time ruins my reputation as a doll? Who will come looking for me in the future? You know that those big shots hate dolls who leak secrets, which is why they require us to wear doll chips to serve them."
"If everything goes smoothly, no one will know what you did. That big shot won't talk, and neither will we. On the contrary, you can use his fame to become a real star overnight."
Mercer guaranteed, "How do you think those famous dolls got to where they are? To put it bluntly, wasn't it by climbing into the beds of those big shots? Besides, after we get you onto those agents' lists, we won't just delta your name after we're done. If you've really got what it takes, seize this opportunity. You might even get to know more big shots later on. How much can you possibly be making working for Clouds now? At least half of it gets taken, right? Haven't you ever thought about building up your own network of connections and big-shot clients, so you can work for yourself in the future?"
These words hit home for Evelyn.
She was a rare doll who actually had a plan for her future. She started saving money back at Lizzie's, investing it in herself. From her skin to her faceplate, every part was top-of-the-line.
Then she moved from Lizzie's to Clouds, which was her current stage. Her goal became even clearer: make money while trying to hook some regular clients at Clouds.
Once she had enough clients, or if she got lucky and a big boss decided to take her under their wing, she would strike out on her own!
Not only would every eurodollar she earned be her own, but being a long-term companion to a big shot was a much more glamorous and carefree life than working at Clouds!
In Evelyn's original plan, she would have had to work hard at Clouds for at least two more years, maybe even longer, before she could even try to go independent. But now, Mercer had placed a springboard right in front of her.
Evelyn's expression was uncertain. Finally, she gritted her teeth and gave a price: "Five hundred thousand eurodollars!"
V found this amusing. She turned to Mercer and waved her hand dismissively. "Let's find someone else. This woman's crazy, five hundred thousand eurodollars, does she think she's made of gold?"
But Evelyn argued her case forcefully. "Come on, I make at least a hundred-something thousand eurodollars a year at Clouds. If something goes wrong working for you, I can kiss my career in this line of work goodbye. I might even have to go back to scrounging for a living at Lizzie's. And you want me to risk my life. If your negotiations with the big shot go south, I could end up dead! On one hand, I have a career that earns me over a hundred thousand eurodollars a year. On the other, I have my own life! Five hundred thousand eurodollars is the price for my life!"
Mercer, however, just said coolly, "I can pay you half upfront, but would you dare ask me for the other half?"
His words made her subconsciously glance at the bodyguards from The Mox around them, but Mercer simply leaned forward slightly, looked at her, and said:
"Don't be too greedy, Evelyn. Three hundred thousand eurodollars. Even if things go wrong, you can take that money and start a new life in any new city with ease. If I were really buying your life, would you dare to sell it?"
Mercer's words made Evelyn's mouth fall open. Then, in a tone that brooked no refusal, Mercer said, "I'll repeat myself. This job isn't as dangerous as you think. If you can do it, do it. If not, we'll find another girl who wants to make some money. By hiring you, we're putting our squad's name on the line. If we were really tricking you into getting killed, our squad's reputation would be ruined. You can go ahead and ask around about our reputation. Even with a guy like Faraday, who tried to send us to our deaths, we still finished the job before we turned on him. If we really wanted to trick you, we would've passed the job to a middleman and let them find a scapegoat. The fact that we're willing to talk to you face-to-face is a sign of our sincerity."
Mercer's words left Evelyn half-convinced and half-doubtful, but she had already done some digging about the Kindling Squad before coming here. It had to be said, this edgerunner crew, already seen by many as the "next legends," was now considered by most to be the mercs closest to legendary status in Night City.
Well, if they suddenly kicked the bucket or pulled off another city-shaking gig, they'd probably be considered legendary mercs. Maybe a step below the level of Morgan Blackhand and Silverhand.
But compared to a legendary merc like Papa Sunrise from the last few decades, they were in no way inferior.
Evelyn nervously wrung her hands, unable to give an answer right away. She glanced at the whiskey on the table. "Can I have a drink?"
V nodded nonchalantly. Evelyn picked up an empty glass, added some ice, and poured herself a whiskey.
After downing the whiskey in a few gulps, Evelyn took a deep breath, mustered her courage, and said, "Alright, I'll give it a try. But you have to give me half the money upfront. Once I meet with your target, you have to pay me the rest. And we need to get Boss Susie Q to act as a witness. If you trick me, or deliberately send me to my death..."
Evelyn's tone hardened. "I'm on good terms with a lot of the girls in The Mox."
At this, even Rebecca couldn't help but laugh. Did anyone really think they'd be afraid of The Mox?
But Evelyn believed that no matter how skilled a group of mercs was, they were still just a group of mercs. With The Mox acting as a guarantor, even if they had some tricks up their sleeves, they would surely have to hold back a little.
Mercer agreed without hesitation. "No problem. We'll get Susie Q to act as guarantor."
Only then did Evelyn finally relax a little. She licked her lips and said, "Then it's settled!"
Rebecca, however, suddenly sat up straight, her eyes fixed on her. "We can pay upfront, but that money has to be held by the guarantor, to keep you from taking the money and running before the job's done."
Evelyn hesitated for a moment, then nodded. "Okay."
Mercer immediately sent a message to Susie Q, with whom he had just exchanged contact info.
Before long, Susie Q arrived at their booth. She didn't waste any words, simply asking about the situation before looking at Evelyn and saying:
"Are you sure you've thought this through? You know, sometimes even just passing on a message for someone can get you killed."
Evelyn glanced at Mercer, but he just sat back with his legs crossed, leaning against the back of the seat.
"I can only say that, most likely, there won't be a problem. But it's not one hundred percent," Mercer said. After he finished, Evelyn gritted her teeth and nodded.
Without any more nonsense, Mercer directly transferred the 150,000 eurodollars advance to Susie Q. "The money's been received, so I'll officially start moving things forward on my end. Some professional agents will be in touch soon to verify your details. As far as anyone else is concerned, you're just a lucky girl who got a break and found a rich patron to sponsor you. So you should know what to say and what not to say, right?"
Evelyn took out a ladies' cigarette and nodded firmly. "I know. From now on, I don't know anything about any gig or mission. All I have to do is wait until I meet that big shot and slot the doll chip you prepared for me, right?"
"That's right." Mercer nodded and said, "After this, you can go back to doing whatever you want. Once the final payment is received, your name will still be listed with those agents. I believe it won't be long before you get to know many important people and start becoming famous."
Evelyn licked her lips and lit a cigarette. "No problem." She exhaled. "Is there anything else you need me to do?"
"Nothing else. For the time being, you can go about your business. Just wait for me to contact you."
Mercer wasn't going to give Evelyn any tasks. For him, it was enough that she would obediently take the chip and meet with Yorinobu.
Actually, Mercer had also considered whether to find someone else. After all, the side this woman showed in the game was unbelievably stupid. But then he thought, perhaps only such a fool would be silly enough to go meet Yorinobu for him.
If he switched to someone a little smarter, they would probably take off running the moment they heard Yorinobu's name, and backing out at the last minute would be a huge problem.
As for things like becoming famous, Mercer was just saying it for fun. If she was lucky, maybe she could use the fame of being "handpicked by Yorinobu" to earn a bit more. If she was unlucky, she'd just keep working at Clouds.
As for her safety? That would actually depend on what Yorinobu thought. Perhaps Yorinobu would feel that killing her would make their conversation more secure, in which case she would be dead for sure. If Yorinobu felt it was unnecessary, then she would live.
People die for wealth as birds die for food. A sum of three hundred thousand eddies wasn't something you could get just by meeting someone. Back when he first met V, if he had offered her 300,000 eddies, Mercer could have tricked her into assassinating the president of the NUSA.
As for Evelyn's bullshit about making over a hundred thousand eddies a year at Clouds, Mercer just listened for his own amusement.
She might earn that much, but how could she possibly save it? The maintenance costs for a doll weren't cheap, and then there were the loans for her previous cosmetic surgery, rent, food, water, and so on. All told, could she even save a few tens of thousands of eddies a year?
Having settled the business with Evelyn, Mercer decided to call it a day. He would leave the task of communicating with Night City's professional agents to Morning Star's online team.
To put it bluntly, it was about throwing money around, paying those agents to add Evelyn's name to the list. Afterward, all the miscellaneous things like her personal resume would be custom-tailored according to Morning Star's analysis of Yorinobu Arasaka's preferences.
After that, all he had to do was wait for Yorinobu Arasaka to arrive in Night City.
He just wondered, would Yorinobu like this kind of meeting?
—--
Japan, Tokyo suburbs, Arasaka Estate.
Yorinobu Arasaka sat cross-legged in his room, dressed in a kimono, quietly gazing at the cherry blossom tree in the courtyard, which was now beginning to wither.
The sound of sharp footsteps approaching from behind did not cause his gaze to waver for even a moment. Yorinobu Arasaka simply picked up the sake cup beside him, drained it in one gulp, and continued to watch the cherry blossom tree in the courtyard until the footsteps stopped at his side.
Hanako Arasaka, wearing a snow-white kimono, knelt gracefully beside him. On the tray in her hands were some small dishes to go with drinks, as well as a pot of hot tea.
"It's getting cold. You should drink tea instead."
Her voice was gentle, not at all like that of an old woman in her seventies, still sounding like a young girl's.
"Sake warms a person too." Yorinobu Arasaka, however, just looked at the cherry blossom tree, unmoved. He placed the cup by his hand and watched for a while longer before finally turning his head to look at the serene-faced Hanako Arasaka.
"What? Does Father have something else he wants me to do?"
As Yorinobu Arasaka's words fell, Hanako Arasaka merely said softly, "No. It's just that you haven't been home to sit for a long time. I don't know when the next time I'll be able to sit here with you will be."
Yorinobu Arasaka's expression softened slightly, but then he just gave a somewhat mocking smile. "I thought you'd heard some news again and came to warn me."
"Hmm... less of a warning, and more that I am genuinely a little worried."
Hanako Arasaka turned to look at him, her expression calm. "Father may not have said anything, but we both know very well that at a time like this, anyone who takes the initiative to approach you could drag you down to hell. Brother, don't go too far. Father will not give you a second chance. You and I both know this."
Yorinobu Arasaka just chuckled. "I don't know what you're all so worried about. I am now the confirmed successor to the Arasaka Corporation. Are you worried that I'll destroy my own company? Destroy my own future?"
He sneered, "Regardless of whether anyone wants to see me, Night City is where Arasaka's future lies. If I were to just stay home and not go out for fear of being suspected..."
Yorinobu Arasaka gave his sister a meaningful look. "Or perhaps, you want to go manage Arasaka's operations in Night City in my place?"
"Of course not. I like staying at home. That place, Night City..." A flicker of sadness crossed Hanako's eyes. "To me, it's just another place of heartbreak."
Yorinobu fell silent for a moment before changing the subject. "In any case, Arasaka's operations in Night City have been a mess lately. Someone has to go and check on the situation. The accidental leak of the Cyberskeleton project, the stolen Relic that still hasn't been recovered, Father's deteriorating health... We must stabilize the situation and be prepared at a time like this."
"I understand, Brother. If there's anything you need help with, you can come to me anytime." The meekness Hanako displayed brought a complex look to Yorinobu's eyes.
His feelings for Hanako were a mix of love and hate. He loved her because she was perhaps the only relative in the world who still held genuine affection for him. He hated her because her obedience to Saburo Arasaka superseded everything else.
She was a good sister, but she was also a pitiful puppet, manipulated by Saburo Arasaka's fear. The moment Yorinobu stood in opposition to Saburo again, she would not hesitate to plunge a dagger into Yorinobu's heart for their father.
Yes, that was the kind of person she was.
Yorinobu watched Hanako for a while, then averted his gaze and said, "I've received a message from the intelligence department. A new crew of skilled mercs has emerged in Night City, and it's highly likely they're connected to the theft at the Canadian base. I must go there myself to verify the situation."
"Oh? They've found those kids?" Hanako clearly had a vivid memory of the Canadian theft as well, losing so many Relics at once was nothing short of a crime.
To recoup its losses, the Arasaka Corporation had practically mobilized all its spies embedded in other companies, yet they had found nothing, as if the Relics had vanished into thin air.
Therefore, the corporation's internal agents analyzed that the chips were likely in the hands of the group of novice netrunners who had disappeared that day. Consequently, tracking down these novice netrunners became the core focus of Arasaka's intelligence department.
And just a short while ago, an agent from Arasaka's counter-intelligence department had unexpectedly sent a message, reporting that they had found deets on individuals who were a high match. After verification by the intelligence department, this was what ultimately prompted Yorinobu's trip to Night City.
Indeed, Mercer himself probably never imagined that he and Yorinobu were now, in a sense, mutually converging.
"Mhm, Arthur Jenkins said a young woman under his command accidentally discovered a potential match. The probability is very high, but because the target is extremely dangerous, I will personally oversee things in Night City this time to ensure the smooth recovery of the Relic."
After speaking, Yorinobu slowly rose to his feet. "I know you've all been doubting me, but it doesn't matter. I will prove with my actions what kind of leader the Arasaka Corporation needs right now. Father has grown old. Our plans in the NUSA have been repeatedly thwarted, and we're even about to lose Night City. If Militech completely drives us out of the NUSA, our corporation's future will be on a path of utter decline. Right now, Father can only think about the Relic... Sigh, we cannot let our only pillar industry for the future become a prize for someone else."
Hanako also stood up but did not leave with him. She simply watched him walk away as he spoke, bowed slightly, and said with her head lowered, "I understand. I wish you the fortunes of war, brother. Please be careful."
"Mhm, Father hasn't been feeling well again recently. I'll have to rely on you to take care of him," Yorinobu said.
Hanako nodded lightly. "Hai."
After they parted, Hanako sat down before the cherry blossom tree again, gazing at the withered trunk. After a long while, she let out a soft sigh.
"Oda," she called out.
From the shadows of the wooden corridor outside, a man in a suit stepped out of the darkness and bowed at a ninety-degree angle. "At your service!"
"You go as well. Be careful, and take a good look for me. See what's really happening in Night City."
After she spoke, Hanako paused, then added, "Father will most likely send Adam Smasher and Takemura to Night City with my brother, but I trust my brother won't let anything slip in front of them. So, you must be careful. Do not expose yourself."
"Hai!" Oda bowed once more, then vanished back into the darkness.
Hanako reached out her hand, feeling the gentle breeze in the courtyard, and sighed softly.
Such troubled times...
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5200words