"You guys did good. The package was picked up, verified, no issues. We're satisfied. Final payment sent. Looking forward to next time, Mr. K
"You guys did good. The package was picked up, verified, no issues. We're satisfied. Final payment sent. Looking forward to next time, Mr. KK."
Karl stared at the client's message on his phone.
Just as he was about to type a reply, he noticed—the contact had already been deleted.
Efficient bastards. Payment sent, account wiped.
"Well? Money come through?"
Sitting beside him, V glanced around Afterlife, making sure no one was eavesdropping, then asked, "What did the client say?"
"Said we did great. Then deleted their account."
Karl put the phone down.
"Payment's already wired to your accounts. As for next time... they'll probably find some new shady way to reach us."
"Think they were really Militech?"
Oliver nursed a beer nearby.
"Could've been someone else. But hell, they paid, so who cares."
"Exactly. We do the job, we don't ask questions."
Jack raised his glass in agreement.
"No point worrying about who signs the checks."
He looked around Afterlife and frowned.
"Feels kinda dead in here though. Hardly any regulars around. Something happen while we were gone?"
"No clue. Let's ask Claire."
Oliver waved over Claire, who was chatting with some guy at the bar.
"Claire! Got a minute?"
"Oliver?"
Claire looked up, smiled when she recognized him, said a few words to her companion, and walked over.
"What's up? Need another round?"
"Nah, still working on this one."
Oliver lifted his beer with a grin.
"We were just wondering—place looks emptier than usual. Something happen in Night City?"
Claire thought for a moment.
"Nothing official I can confirm. But there's been a lot of chatter."
"Something juicy?"
"A few things," Claire said.
"Out in the Badlands, the Aldecaldos and Wraiths are tearing each other apart. Might need mercs out there soon."
"And word is, the Tyger Claws got a new boss.
Rumor has it he's ex-corp."
"Aldecaldos and Wraiths fighting, huh?"
V leaned in, interested.
Meanwhile, Jack and Oliver zeroed in on the Tyger Claws.
"How many leaders is that now?" Jack muttered.
"They swap 'em out like sneakers."
"Anything else?"
Karl could tell Claire wasn't done.
"Yeah. One more thing. Pretty major. Though maybe not merc business directly."
"A big deal?" Karl asked.
"Don't tell me it's just some politician kicking the bucket. If that was it, the whole city would be losing its mind."
"Bigger than that."
Claire lowered her voice.
"I heard... Arasaka Sesen's come to Night City."
"Who?"
Jack blinked.
"Arasaka Sesen," Claire repeated.
"The last male heir to Arasaka. The one who's been butting heads with his old man since forever."
Jack's eyes widened.
"What the hell's he doing here?
Coming to visit his dead brother's grave?"
"Who knows. Corporate politics are way above our pay grade."
Claire shrugged.
"I just overheard some suits talking. No way to know if it's even true."
She smiled.
"Anyway, that's all I've got. Call me if you need anything else—I'm heading back to talk racing with my husband."
"Thanks, Claire."
Oliver nodded, watching her head back.
He turned to the others.
"So... what do you guys think?"
"Arasaka Sesen, here in Night City?"
V frowned.
"Big deal, yeah. But what can we do?
Just keep both eyes open and watch."
"What kinda attitude is that, Captain of the Second Combat Squad?" Oliver teased.
"Shouldn't you care about Arasaka?"
"Get bent, Squad Member Oliver."
V shot back without missing a beat.
Then he looked at Karl.
Everyone on the team knew Karl had... history... with a certain Arasaka heiress.
"What about you, Karl?"
"Same."
Karl sipped his sweet tea and shrugged.
"Watch from a distance. Sesen's not my buddy.
Even if he was, it's not like I could just stroll up and say hi."
He leaned back.
"And Claire said it herself—it's just a rumor."
"Makes sense."
Oliver scratched his damp golden hair.
"I was just thinking...
If Afterlife's this empty, maybe there's a big job out there.
Might be worth picking up something."
"Dude, we just wrapped a mission today.
When'd you get so eager?" Karl said, laughing.
Just then—
Karl's phone buzzed.
Special ringtone.
Everyone at the table turned to look.
"Well, that didn't take long."
Oliver grinned at Jack.
"Wanna bet?
Either it's the Arasaka princess...
Or Kenichiro Ken."
"No need to bet," Jack snorted.
"Pretty sure you're right."
Karl unlocked his phone.
Whatever was happening...
It seemed like he was already neck-deep in it.
Because staring back at him on the screen—
Sender: Kenichiro Ken.
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