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"James! I'm here to support you!"
Rebecca rushed over at full speed, guns still warm in her hands. But the moment she arrived, she froze.
The battlefield was already silent.
Burning wreckage smoked in the Badlands wind. Bodies lay scattered, weapons dropped where hands had once been. There was no chaos, no resistance—only the aftermath.
"…It's already over?"
James glanced at the time display in his optics. Barely three minutes had passed. They still had plenty of margin before Militech reinforcements could arrive.
"Clean up the battlefield. Erase everything."
His voice was calm, almost casual.
Rebecca blinked, then crossed her arms. "Tch. Always making me do the dirty work."
She complained—but her hands moved fast.
Cleaning up meant two things: collecting valuables and destroying traces. Militech weapons alone were worth a fortune on the black market. As for data, there was no need to worry—none of the dead had intact heads, and every brain implant had been completely destroyed.
There would be no leaks.
Maine's voice came through the team channel at the same time. "Our side's done too."
Almost immediately, the SUV rolled up. Pilar was already leaning out of the driver's seat, eyes glowing like a fanatic.
Lucy recalled her drone, secured it, then stepped out. She walked straight to James, her eyes scanning him carefully. Only after confirming he wasn't injured did she finally let out a quiet sigh of relief.
"Lucy," James said, walking toward the transport truck. "Open it. Let's check the goods."
Lucy nodded, pulled out her portable terminal, and connected it to the sealed interface. Lines of code flashed. Warning lights blinked… then went dark.
James pulled the door open.
At the center of the compartment sat a single reinforced container.
He opened it.
Inside rested the Militech Sandevistan, displayed like a piece of industrial art. Smooth. Precise. Deadly.
James exhaled slowly.
V hadn't lied.
The Sandevistan was an operating-system-level cybernetic implant, meant to work alongside neural enhancers like Kerenzikov. Compact in form, terrifying in function.
Rebecca leaned in, eyes wide. "So this is the Militech… tenderloin?"
James tapped her head lightly. "It's a Sandevistan. Not food. You're hungry again, aren't you?"
"Heh. You noticed." Rebecca grinned shamelessly.
James closed the box and handed it to Lucy. "Seal it separately. Make sure there's no tracking signal left."
Rebecca glanced at the now-empty compartment and sighed. "All that trouble for one box… I was hoping for a jackpot."
"Enough talking. We're leaving."
James pressed her head down and gave it a couple of casual pats.
"Hey! Don't touch my head! If I don't grow to one-sixty, it's your fault!"
"No problem," James replied lazily. "I'll ask Old Vik Head to set you up with a height-boost surgery. You'll be taller than Pilar."
Rebecca stomped in frustration. If she wanted to, she could've done that long ago—but it would've meant sacrificing her legs, and that was non-negotiable.
Once everything was secured, they returned to the SUV.
Jackie dragged Pilar out of the driver's seat and shoved him into the back.
"Let me go! What are you doing to my wife?!" Pilar protested.
Rebecca smacked him on the head. He slumped back, dizzy.
James ignored the chaos and opened a channel to V. The Badlands signal was rough, but V's excitement came through clearly.
"Perfect execution. I sent the address. Get back to Night City immediately."
"On our way."
James forwarded the coordinates. Jackie floored it.
Ten minutes later, Militech's reinforcements arrived—too late. All they could do was clean up the remains.
By then, James and his team had already passed Night City security, flashing Arasaka clearance and entering freely.
The vehicle rolled into the underground parking beneath Corpo Plaza. V was already waiting. He climbed in the moment they arrived.
James took the sealed box from Lucy and handed it over.
V examined it once and nodded. "Militech's cutting-edge work. Beautiful."
"As long as it's real," James replied.
"The payment will be transferred shortly. I need more time for the intelligence you asked for."
"No rush."
After a brief exchange, V left with the implant.
Rebecca crossed her arms, watching him go. "Corporate dogs are always arrogant."
James looked at her. "V is my friend."
Rebecca huffed and turned toward the window.
A moment later, the payment arrived.
One million eurodollars.
James's eyes lit up.
This wasn't V's personal money—it was corporate funding. Normally, that kind of commission would be sliced apart by intermediaries before reaching Edgerunners.
This time?
There were none.
James divided the money evenly.
"WHAT—THAT MUCH?!" Rebecca screamed, jumping up.
Even Maine was surprised.
"Isn't this… against the rules?" he asked.
"Everyone took the same risk," James said calmly. "I led the operation. This distribution stands."
No one argued further.
Then James stretched. "Alright. I'm off. Private time."
"Tsk—!"
Rebecca's joy was instantly halved.
"No way! We're drinking together!"
Jackie grinned. "She's right."
Lucy smiled gently. "Let's go."
"Afterlife Bar!" Pilar shouted.
---
Inside a private room at Afterlife, chaos reigned.
Pilar danced on the table. Jackie arm-wrestled Dorio. Maine watched, itching to join.
James rested his head on Lucy's lap, enjoying the rare calm.
Rebecca squatted in front of him, staring.
"What?" James asked.
"I want to lie there too."
She reached out.
James flipped her over and kicked her onto the couch.
"Trying to steal my girl?"
"JAMES! I'LL KILL YOU!"
Before things escalated further, someone entered.
"BT. Rogue wants to see you."
James sighed.
"Lead the way."
---
Rogue sat alone in the private room.
"Excellent work for Arasaka, BT."
"I don't work for Arasaka."
Rogue smiled. "Careful. Smart."
She leaned forward. "There's a job. Interested?"
"If the money's good."
"It is."
"Send the details."
"Done."
James stood up.
Another job awaited.