Cyberpunk: From Dogville to Legend

Chapter 89 A Request (Bonus Chapter for the Two Generous Rewarders) [Please Subscribe]

"WNS News reports: It is understood that the notorious Westbrook crime gang Tiger Claw was raided by the Arasaka Security Forces in the early hours of yesterday morning."

"The number of casualties among gang members has now reached over 500. The NCPD declined to comment on the incident."

"This morning, Mr. Chiba, the company representative of Arasaka Corporation, made a statement regarding this incident."

On television, a Japanese man wearing a black suit with an Arasaka brooch adjusted his glasses and spoke in a deep voice in front of the Arasaka logo:

"Night City is the future city we are building together, and we will never allow rampant criminals to threaten the lives and property of our citizens! The Arasaka Security Department is committed to the peace and security of Night City, and this operation is a response to the organization's repeated attacks on citizens, our company's employees, and property..."

Lin Yue smoked a cigarette while watching the news on TV.

Five hundred people… V’s revenge seems to be more ruthless than expected.

However, he understood what the counterintelligence department meant: since the Tiger Claw Gang had attacked the counterintelligence department's people, then they should eliminate everyone who had done or knew about it.

Let the higher-ups know that this matter is now closed.

Why is the word "dog" in the company name? Only wild dogs are good at ganging up, and only wild dogs are a species that will stop at nothing to eat.

V's profile picture appeared on Lin Yue's phone.

“The matter has been resolved. Now get back to work. Yesterday’s incident was our mistake—Jenkins asked me to apologize to you on his behalf.”

Lin Yue sneered inwardly. If he couldn't see through all of this, then he would have been fooled by the company's sycophants and willingly worked for them.

Ultimately, it was the counterintelligence department that leaked the intelligence, but now it's as if the counterintelligence department has solved its own problems.

Lin Yue said, "V...be more honest."

V paused for a moment, then shook his head helplessly. "Knowing it in your heart is enough; being too direct isn't good."

Lin Yue: "Hmm, so how much of my information was leaked?"

V said confidently, "The hacker who leaked your information didn't take much; he's already been dealt with. Right now, only Jenkins and I in the counterintelligence department know your real name. If you're worried, go see the prosthetic doctor for some plastic surgery."

"The data was monitored by hackers from Arasaka's counterintelligence department 24/7, and I was one of them, just not online for very long... Don't you trust me?"

Lin Yue shrugged. "I just want the people of Dogtown to not know about this."

V nodded. "Don't worry."

Just as Lin Yue was about to hang up, V called out to him, "There's something I'd like to ask you."

She continued, "I have a lot of things and people to deal with lately. Could you please help me with something?"

Lin Yue nodded. Getting paid to work is normal.

“I’ve attached the details to deal with a researcher from a business competitor. You’ll need to find a decent hacker.”

Lin Yue: "Wait, which company is it?"

"Military Science and the New America."

V spoke up and patiently waited for Lin Yue's reply.

Lin Yue glanced through the documents. "Are you going to make a move before you've even investigated the matter thoroughly?"

"So you need to find a hacker to follow up on the details... Nix doesn't have time for this. Don't you have a hacker on your team? I checked the NCPD's database. His skills are pretty good, enough to compete with the company's hackers."

Lin Yue didn't know much about hacking skills. "Uh, a cat?"

"Yes, she's a master of stealth, and she can even circumvent the company's ICE operations. She's quite versatile. Ask her if she'd like to do it. If not, I'll send someone to persuade her to agree—"

Lin Yue smiled confidently, "Don't worry, I've offered them such generous terms. These mercenaries are capable of many things, there's no need for them to do this."

V seemed thoughtful. "Hmm, alright then, good luck. I'll give you the funds first, along with the car repair costs from last time—by the way, the kid you sponsored didn't have enough money, so I paid out 50,000 to cover those miscellaneous expenses. You're welcome." In the end, Lin Yue only took the activity funds, returning all the other expenses, even transferring the miscellaneous expenses for David to V as well.

Just kidding, even excluding the surgery fees, I still have nearly a million euros in my pocket. It would be too inhuman to take any more of that.

V, however, didn't see it that way. In her eyes, Lin Yue's series of actions showed a lack of trust.

There was no other way; the counterintelligence department failed to cover up the slippery situation, and Lin Yue almost got killed by the Tiger Claw Gang. Any reaction was reasonable.

She sighed softly and threw herself back into her busy work.

……

Lin Yue stared at the conversation logs and other materials in the attachments, pondering his next move.

[Arasaka Hacker XC]: Before I went offline last time, I obtained an action plan from military technology. I think you should take a look.

【V】：Send it to me.

【Arasaka Hacker XC】: This refers to a sabotage operation related to the Arasaka Business Conference. Participants included military technology and New America. Their hackers have now been burned, and a researcher from a project called 'Face' was not apprehended. The operation team made a mistake.

【V】：So it's my turn to clean up the messes of you freeloaders?

[Arasaka Hacker XC]: I'm so sorry!
Lin Yue then opened the information V had gathered, which was roughly a summary of his analysis:
[Personnel involved in this project are suspected of being affiliated with a technology company (a shell company for military science) in Watson District, and are suspected of conducting some kind of modification on military science and new U.S. intelligence agents. The technological threat they pose is unclear.]

[Probability of conflict: 80%]

[Recommendation: Intervene through unofficial channels]

Some kind of modification?
The researcher codenamed Face was also very puzzled. What kind of technology required such detailed secrecy? Even Arasaka's hackers couldn't catch it. Could he and Cat do it alone?

Since it was a matter for Arasaka's counterintelligence department, Lin Yue naturally couldn't shirk responsibility or pass the buck. He sighed and sent a message to the cat.

He used Rin's identity because that would make the other party take him more seriously.

Lin Yue didn't mince words and directly said that this was a task assigned by the company.

However, the reason Lin Yue dared to ask Cat so openly was because of Cat's excellent attendance rate. This hacker simply loved making money. Ever since Lin Yue incorporated her into Mann's team, she would come to any commission that required the hacker's participation.

[Cat]: Can you be more specific, boss? I thought you wanted us to take a break for a few months. I've been watching Mewtwo every day lately... I'm getting so bored.

[Rin]: Military technology, can you handle it?
The cat had been typing for a while, and just as Lin Yue was wondering if he was making things too difficult for these cyberpunks who were trying to make a living, the cat's text message came through.

[Cat]: To be more specific, do you mean I have to break into the company building and steal confidential information? Absolutely no problem, it depends on what you're asking ;)

This hacker is really something! He doesn't care about the money or how dangerous it is, he just goes for it!
Lin Yue felt a cold sweat break out on his back, wondering if she had even seen the words "Military Science".

Lin Yue sent some documents and materials without information about Arasaka to the cat.

Lin Yue had never done any operations like infiltration or "decapitation" that involved the company, so Cat, who had "played games" with the company, might have a more authoritative voice—so he was prepared to listen to Cat's opinion.

Less than ten minutes later, the cat sent a text message.

[Cat]: Right now, all we know is that our "scientist" is hiding in a shell company, right? Then I'll have to assist in managing and preventing ICE. This job isn't suitable for a large group... Hmm, sending a lone wolf will be enough.

[Rin]: Who do you want to cooperate with?

The cat on the other end took even longer than before to reply with a short message.

[Cat]: Lin Yue.

……

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　　This is a 2200-word chapter. Thank you so much for your support!
　　
　
(End of this chapter)