Cyberpunk: 2075.

Chapter 262 24. Floating Vehicle and Pick-up

"You're so slow, Mr. Kenichi Shiro."

Standing on the roof, watching the hovercraft slowly descend, Carl wiped the dried blood off his face, smiled, and greeted Kenichi Shiro.

"Karl."

Kenichi Shiro called Carl's name and walked down from the hovercraft. Looking at Carl now, he frowned and said, "Did you encounter an attack while coming up?"

"I guess so. I don't need to tell you who it is. You can guess it, Mr. Kenichi Shiro."

Carl checked other parts of his body to make sure there was no more blood on them and said, "These guys blew up the elevators. The whole building was in an uproar. Before anyone came to check, I notified Mr. Johnson and the others, and then climbed all the way up from the elevator."

Carl originally wanted to take the stairs, but all the accessible stairs were blocked. It would take some time to move those things away. Carl was too lazy to spend the energy, so he jumped directly from the elevator shaft and climbed up using the strength of his arms.

Because I felt that my legs were not strong enough, I became more and more determined to get leg prostheses.

"Then it seems that these people have been around for a while."

Kenichi Shiro frowned and said, "I will check the identities of these people and the personnel they have been assigned to later. So, Carl, where are the things this time?"

“Remember to give a fair price.”

Carl took out a crumpled piece of paper from his pocket and handed it to Kenichiro: "Among the things I got, this is the only piece of paper, nothing else."

"Paper?"

Kenichi Shiro took the paper and flipped through it. Then he seemed to see something. His face changed and he looked up at Carl: "Besides this piece of paper, do you see any other marks?"

"Is there any connection?"

Carl didn't understand, but he still described the shape of the diamond-shaped wooden block and the appearance of the bird statue inside it, and finally added a description of the claw marks and patterns he saw.

"Connected."

After listening to Carl's description, Kenichi Shiro's expression became more solemn, and then he told Carl the reason: "Do you know what that pattern and bird statue symbolize?"

“Bird statues and designs.”

Carl thought about the three factions in Arasaka, and then thought about the bird whose appearance he couldn't see clearly: "Could this be a covert communication method used by some faction?"

"If it's just a simple bird shape, we can't confirm who it is, but if it's that pattern."

Kenichi Shiro looked serious. "That's a pattern that the street gangs in Tokyo, Japan, like to use. After a man founded a group called Iron Dragon, more than 70% of the members of that group would put that kind of logo on their motorcycles, symbolizing a dragon rebelling against the flames."

"Steel Dragon."

Hearing the name, Karl instantly understood who it belonged to.

"Arasakaze Nobuyuki."

The rebellious son of the Arasaka family, the leader of the Hawk Faction, and now the only male heir of the Arasaka family. So it seems that the people who wanted to rob the Hawk Faction and prevented him from meeting Mr. Kenichi Shiro should be members of that faction.

I've heard that the father and son don't get along. It turns out there are a lot of struggles within the company.

However, Carl also became curious. The papers were originally put together. What exactly was recorded on them that made the members of that faction take such action without caring about being exposed?

Kenichi Shiro saw Carl's confusion, but he didn't know what this thing meant.

"Maybe I'll have to discuss this with the lady when I get back, and I'll also have to check if there's any code written on this note by other means."

Kenichi Shiro put away the note. Since the hovercraft was in Night City, no one dared to attack it directly. He could use the hovercraft to quickly return to Arasaka Tower. Once in Arasaka Tower, no matter what conspiracy or calculations there were, they would have to be laid out in public.

"Then I'll go back first. If you need anything later..."

Before Kenichi Shiro finished speaking, Carl raised his hand like a student who finally got the chance to ask a question in class: "I really have something to do, Mr. Kenichi Shiro."

Is something really wrong?
Kenichi Shiro turned halfway and then turned back again. He looked at Karl and said, "Is it a reward? I won't give you less."

"It's not such a small matter."

Carl stared at Kenichi Shiro's hovercraft, his eyes full of amazement: "Mr. Kenichi Shiro, is this the hovercraft produced by Renfield?"

Kenichi Shiro followed Carl's line of sight and looked at his floating car. Although he was a little curious about why Carl, who usually had never shown any interest in cars, suddenly asked about cars, this was not a question that could not be answered:

"The Durandal, a four-seater hovercraft produced by Rayfield in 2070, is a relatively old model. Recently, they said they would launch a model called Holy Sword. How about that? Are you interested?"

Carl looked at the floating car that was reflecting a crystal-like light in the sun, nodded and said
"I wonder if I could borrow this car from you, Mr. Kenichi Shiro, for a few days tomorrow if possible."

"What do you want to borrow the car for?"

It's not a big deal for a man to borrow a car from another man if they have a good relationship, but Kenichi Shiro felt more suspicious about Carl's borrowing of the car.

What happened to him today? Not only was he interested in cars, he also asked to borrow one. With his wealth, it shouldn't be difficult for him to buy an ordinary floating car, right? Or does he like luxury goods?

If his hobbies have changed, then maybe I can use luxury goods to put some restrictions on his behavior.
While Kenichi Shiro was thinking, Carl answered the reason:
"A friend of mine is coming to the city from outside. According to the speed of his car, it may take him ten days or half a month to get here if he stops for repairs on the road, plus the time to find supplies. The cars produced by Rayfield Company are all top-notch luxury cars and sports cars. I was thinking if I could borrow this car to pick up my friend in the Badlands."

"Go pick up a friend?"

Kenichi Shiro's mind flashed through Carl's network of relationships, and then he found a rather unfamiliar and ordinary name: "Vincent, an ordinary wanderer codenamed V? You really make friends with everyone."

Listening to Kenichi Shiro's words, which clearly showed contempt for V's identity, Carl didn't say anything, but just smiled and asked again: "Is it okay, Mr. Kenichi Shiro?"

"I'll lend it to you for ten days. Remember to park it back then."

"Thank you very much!"

Although it is okay to pick up friends in an ordinary car, true friends will not dislike it at all, but picking up friends in a luxury car can always give them some face in front of other people.

(End of this chapter)