Kidnapping Director Blackwell was the most critical step in Faraday's plan to steal intelligence related to the "Adamant" cybernetic implants.
All key data was stored directly inside Blackwell's brain–computer interface.
Compared to breaking into Arasaka's heavily fortified servers, opening a single executive's head was far more efficient.
That said, silently kidnapping an Arasaka executive was no easy task—even for veteran Edgerunners.
No one wanted to trigger Arasaka's security response.
The corporation's private armed forces weren't something even the NCPD dared to confront directly.
---
The Setup
The first step was clear.
Maine needed Director Blackwell's travel itinerary, and the easiest source was his luxury vehicle. High-level corpo cars always stored navigation data, routes, schedules—everything.
Despite his massive frame, Maine was surprisingly meticulous when he focused. He didn't rush. He planned.
His target was Blackwell's driver and bodyguard, a man named Maxim.
Maxim had a predictable weakness.
He loved gambling.
Specifically, the Animals' underground boxing arena.
Whenever he lost big—and he often did—he'd stumble into a nearby rundown bar to drown his misery in cheap alcohol.
That bar would be their window.
But before they could exploit Maxim, they had another problem.
The arena's champion contender, Butcher, had to lose.
---
An Unwelcome Volunteer
"Why are you all staring at me like that?"
James lounged on a sofa, one arm around Lucy, when he finally noticed the crew's expressions—calculating, expectant, and slightly malicious.
Maine cleared his throat.
"Well… you know Butcher challenged you recently, right?"
James raised an eyebrow.
"The Animals challenge me every week. You expect me to remember every name?"
He already understood what Maine was planning.
They wanted him in the ring.
Butcher was a star fighter—brutal, efficient, and massively enhanced. Ordinary challengers didn't last ten seconds against her.
And the Animals' arena wasn't open to just anyone.
Maine leaned closer, grinning.
"Don't you want easy money? Betting pools in the Animals' arena are massive."
James stretched lazily.
"Alright."
It wasn't just about money.
For James, keeping the timeline smooth mattered more than credits.
"That's the spirit!" Maine laughed. "I'll have Dorio handle the registration."
Recently, Viktor had completely reworked Maine's cyberware—clean integration, proper calibration, and brand-new Arasaka Gorilla Arms.
The result was obvious.
Maine felt years younger.
His inhibitor dosage dropped significantly—but the cost had been brutal.
Which was why he was already planning to bet heavily on James.
---
The Arena
The weekend arrived in a blink.
The Animals' underground arena was hidden inside an abandoned factory.
Not a cage.
Not a ring.
A deep circular pit, several meters down.
A real deathmatch arena.
Only one fighter climbed out.
Bone fragments littered the edges. Dark bloodstains soaked into the concrete.
The stands above were packed.
The crowd roared Butcher's name.
Twenty consecutive victories had made her feel untouchable.
Her opponent?
A lean, unfamiliar man.
The size difference alone made the match seem laughable.
Most of the crowd had never heard the name BT.
"You're BT?"
Butcher squinted at James in disbelief.
She'd heard the rumors—ten Animals fighters defeated alone—but seeing him in person felt wrong.
No visible combat implants.
No massive frame.
"Why ask when you already checked?" James replied flatly. He hated being stared at like a zoo exhibit.
Butcher grinned, pounding her reinforced fists together.
"I like that attitude. I'll take my time breaking you."
---
The Fight
The bell rang.
Butcher charged first.
Over two meters tall.
Muscles swollen with bio-hormones.
Knuckles reinforced with thick metal plates.
One punch could crush a skull.
The Animals didn't treat themselves as human—they embraced primal brutality.
James lifted his gaze slightly.
Then—
He kicked.
A single front kick.
Butcher's massive body was launched backward like a thrown object.
The impact shook the pit.
Even Adam Smasher would've staggered from that blow.
The arena fell silent.
James walked forward calmly.
Butcher coughed violently, blood foaming at her lips. Her chest was visibly deformed, internal organs damaged—but combat drugs kept her conscious.
The difference in strength was undeniable.
"This match is over," James said. "Surrender."
Butcher laughed weakly.
"Surrender…? I'm still breathing—"
James punched.
Her head slammed into the floor with a thunderous crash.
Dust erupted.
Half her skull sank into the concrete.
She stopped breathing.
James turned to the referee.
"It's done."
The final bell rang.
The crowd exploded—some cheering, some furious.
James collected his winnings—hundreds of thousands of credits—from an organizer who looked ready to cry.
Easy money, he thought.
Maybe he'd come back someday.
---
The Real Target
While James fought, Maine's crew followed Maxim to the bar.
Drunk.
Broken.
Perfect.
Maine and Kiwi directed operations from the car.
Rebecca and Sasha moved in to steal Maxim's key datashard.
Rebecca's harmless appearance worked flawlessly.
Soon, Kiwi began extracting data from Maxim's vehicle.
Then—
"He's coming out!" Dorio warned.
"I need one minute," Kiwi replied calmly.
Before anyone could stall—
Maxim stumbled forward and collided with someone, falling flat.
"Which blind—"
He looked up.
And froze.
James.
The man who destroyed Butcher with one kick and one punch.
Fear sobered him instantly.
"Who's blind?" James asked, lifting Maxim by the collar effortlessly.
"I—I am," Maxim gasped.
"You sure?"
"I'll compensate you—please—"
"These clothes are expensive."
Maxim dumped 1,543 eddies into James's hand.
James nodded, patted his head, and let him go.
Maxim fled.
Data stolen. Operation complete.
---
Aftermath
Rebecca jumped onto James's back happily.
Sasha watched quietly, eyes soft—until Lucy stepped between them, claiming her place.
Kiwi walked in, smirking.
"Did I interrupt something?"
Maine sent the data to Faraday.
The middleman sounded pleased.
"Snake," Maine muttered afterward.
James waved goodbye.
He had work to do.
---
The Ride
Lucy frowned.
"Why is Sasha coming too?"
James spread his hands innocently.
"She's helping upgrade Big White's intelligence shard."
Lucy hesitated.
"…Did I agree to that?"
James smiled calmly.
Some problems required the right method.
Not force.
A winding path.
"Alright," he said, pushing both women into the car. "Let's go."
From behind, Kiwi nodded thoughtfully.
Maybe becoming a full member wasn't such a bad idea after all.
"Wait—take me too!" Rebecca shouted, sprinting after them.
Maine watched, stunned.
"…She really grew up, didn't she?"
Kiwi lit her cigarette.
"Seems so."
And the night rolled on.
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