The neon haze of Kabuki filtered through the restaurant's transparent wall panels, painting the interior in shifting shades of pink and electric blue. The place was neither classy nor filthy—just another mid-tier joint in Night City where corpos, mercs, and unlucky civilians crossed paths without asking questions.
At a corner table, V had already ordered lunch. Steam rose from the dishes in front of him, untouched. His eyes flicked toward the entrance every few seconds.
Right on time, James walked in.
No delays. No excuses.
As expected.
The food had just been served when James slid into the seat opposite him.
V glanced up—and immediately frowned.
---
A Dangerous Joke
"What's that on your face?" V said flatly, flicking a tissue across the table. "Wipe it off."
James blinked, confused. He raised a hand, touched his cheek, then looked at the faint lipstick mark on his fingers. A crooked smile appeared on his face.
"What would you, a single dog, know?" James chuckled. "That's Lucy's love."
V snorted. "Indulging like that in broad daylight? Keep it up and you'll be replacing your kidneys sooner or later."
James leaned back, unfazed. "Nonsense. My kidneys are top-tier. But you—still single? What, too much overtime fried your body so badly you don't even have the energy to chase women anymore?"
His tone was light.
His words were not.
For a brief moment, the air between them sharpened.
Lies don't hurt. The truth does.
V didn't answer immediately. His grip on the fork tightened just a bit.
Years of corporate overtime had worn his body down. He was considering implants. But that wasn't why he was alone.
"I didn't come here to talk about kidneys," V said coldly.
"You started it."
"…Enough."
James raised both hands in surrender. "Alright, alright. Business first."
---
The Shard of Truth
V reached into his pocket and placed a data shard on the table.
James didn't hesitate.
He picked it up, slotted it into the interface at the base of his neck, and leaned back as streams of data poured into his vision. The noise of the restaurant faded into static.
Minutes passed.
When James finally exhaled, the smile was gone.
His father's death had never been an accident.
The so-called "traffic incident" was corporate fiction—manufactured, approved, executed.
It had been orchestrated by a manager within Arasaka's Special Operations Department, nothing more than an internal power struggle. The Tyger Claws had been hired as disposable tools, used to erase Jenkins' faction cleanly and quietly.
James removed the shard.
Without ceremony, he crushed it in his palm. The plastic casing shattered, circuitry reduced to powder.
The data was already saved.
"There it is," he said quietly. "The truth."
---
Shared Fate
"Thank me later," V replied, finally picking up his knife and fork.
James shook his head. "Thank you. That's enough."
V began eating as if nothing monumental had just happened.
From the moment he'd been transferred back into counter-intelligence, he had known where this road led. If he didn't strike first, he'd end up just like James' father—another erased employee, another clean report.
They were already standing on the same battlefield.
"I've located the Tyger Claws who carried it out," V continued. "You can deal with them whenever you want. But the manager? Not yet."
James listened without interruption.
"The Special Ops team is too strong," V said grimly. "If you move now, Abernathy gets leverage. Jenkins will cut me loose, and Arasaka will burn us both."
"I understand," James said calmly. "I can wait."
That answer earned him a long look.
---
The 'King Kong' Project
"There's more," V added. "Abernathy is overseeing a major cyberware project. Heavy stuff."
James raised an eyebrow.
"It's called 'King Kong.' Built to counter Militech. Tanaka's running it."
James smiled faintly. "Arasaka Academy board member, right? Guess that makes you my senior."
V's expression softened for just a second, memories surfacing—competition, exhaustion, ambition.
Then the weight returned.
"We can't let that project succeed," V said firmly. "If it does, Abernathy's power becomes untouchable."
"Any concrete intel?"
"Prototype's nearly complete. No test subjects yet."
James repeated the name under his breath. "King Kong…"
He already knew what it meant.
The timeline was moving faster than expected.
"Start with Tanaka," V advised. "He's got a title—but not real power."
James nodded. "Leave it to me."
A pause.
Then V smirked. "Good thing you dropped out. If we worked together, I'd be worried you'd sell me out someday."
James shrugged. "I'll take that as praise."
---
A Meal for Love
James finished his steak in a few quick bites.
"Waiter," he called. "Another order. Most expensive set."
V didn't even look up. "Expense it."
James grinned. He was taking it home for Lucy.
---
The Mox and the Claws
By afternoon, James arrived at Lizzie's Bar.
"It's not business hours," Rita Wheeler said coldly, metal bat blocking his path.
"I came to see you."
"No appointment."
James smiled and stepped closer. "We're friends."
She softened—just slightly.
"What do you want?"
"Information. Tyger Claws."
Her eyes narrowed.
"I can help," Rita said. "But why should I?"
"Money?"
She scoffed.
"Then what?"
"I want you."
James stepped back instantly. "Hard pass. I have a girlfriend."
Rita kicked him—hurt herself—then growled, "A commission. From the Mox."
James paused.
"…What's the job?"
"One of ours was killed. Tyger Claws. He's on our blacklist."
Revenge was non-negotiable.
"Deal," James said. "You help me, I help you."
---
Blood, Chrome, and Warnings
James later stopped by Viktor Vektor's clinic.
Inside, Jackie Welles was fresh off the operating table.
"Upgraded circulatory system," Jackie said proudly. "Subdermal armor."
"Careful," James warned. "Chrome addiction leads to cyberpsychosis."
Viktor laughed. "Your supplies are ready."
As James paid, Viktor added, "The Animals are looking for you."
"To fight me?" James blinked.
Viktor nodded. "One-on-one."
James shrugged. "Let them find me."
Jackie protested. "Hey! I took down three!"
Viktor blinked. "You were there too?"
Silence.
Jackie died a little inside.
---
End of Chapter
Truth uncovered.
Enemies marked.
Patience chosen over blood.
Night City continues to grind forward—unforgiving, unstoppable.
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