Chapter 25: Stout
"Are these the files we lost?" David Copperfield asked calmly, eyes fixed on the marked documents flashing across the monitor.
"Yes, Director," replied the bald, bespectacled programmer in a checkered suit, bowing slightly in respect.
"Good. You've done well. You may go." David dismissed him with a wave, then paused thoughtfully before pressing the comm button on his desk.
"Send in Stout."
"Understood."
Moments later, a sharp-dressed woman with an icy expression strode into the room.
Meredith Stout, Director of Operations for Militech.
A woman feared by many—harder than steel, colder than the void.
"The Flathead incident has leaked," David muttered, cigar smoke curling in the air as he turned his chair away from her.
Stout's brow creased slightly. Her tone was calm but firm. "I'll take care of it."
"If you fail—"
"I said, I'll handle it."
Silence fell.
"Only one of you can stay," David finally said.
Stout didn't reply. She turned and left. The clock was ticking, and she knew it.
---
Badlands
Nova Li shook hands with Joe Gerulf again—this time, sealing the deal.
Final price: twelve million eddies.
According to Joe, the extra two million was for "buying a friend."
Nova hadn't expected to see him again, but she wasn't naïve. She nodded and smiled, promising future cooperation.
Gerulf left with his crew. How the goods would be transported was no longer her concern.
Twelve million, divided by weight—about 300 kilos. That left 1.2 million for their crew. Around 400K per head. All done in under five days.
Fantastic.
"Let's go. I'm done with this place." Nova stretched her back, glaring at the harsh desert around her.
She was sick of this wasteland. Even a proper shower was a luxury here.
A hotel? No thanks—too risky. Guerrilla-style living had served her better.
---
Night City - Downtown Sector
"Yeah? Mm-hmm. Got it. Stay safe," said Sandayu Oda, ending the call. He glanced at Ash, who was adjusting Evelyn Parker's nutrient mix.
"The deal's done. They're on their way back."
"Perfect timing," Ash said with a smirk. "Just in time to get back to the grind."
"It's for money. They'll be happy enough. Especially with New Year's around the corner," Sandayu chuckled.
"Yeah. Time flies."
Ash sighed. Ten years to earn the rank of security captain. The last five had been spent assembling this team. It all passed in a blink.
"Oda."
"Yeah?"
"You ever think about leaving Night City?"
"Why would I?"
"To see what the world's really like."
"Not yet."
"I see... Alright, let's eat."
"Mm."
As the lab lights dimmed, Evelyn—still unconscious—moved a finger.
---
Heywood District
V basked in the fading sunlight, inhaling the scent of wet concrete and gasoline.
It was drizzling. Typical Night City.
Dexter's driver held up an umbrella for his boss.
"You sure you can handle this solo?" Dex asked.
"For now, yeah. Don't need your help," V replied coolly.
Dex nodded. "Alright. Call me if things go sideways."
With that, he disappeared into the car, leaving V alone.
V exhaled, ready for the next move—until a black sedan screeched out from an alley and barreled toward him.
Reflexes sharp, V sidestepped just in time. The car skidded to a halt, and a man in tactical black jumped out, pistol drawn.
"Get in," the man ordered.
V clenched his fists. Great. Escaped one threat, only to land in another.
But then—he recognized the voice.
"Didn't expect to see you here, Goro Takemura."
"V," Takemura replied, lowering the gun. "You've been hard to find."
"And you've got the balls to show up? Isn't Arasaka still hunting you?"
"Don't worry about me. Let's talk somewhere safe."
He holstered his weapon.
"Let's discuss how Yorinobu Arasaka murdered Saburo Arasaka."
V's eyes narrowed.
---
Little Chinatown – Western Eatery
V sipped a beer, applying ice to his bruised jaw.
"How do you know Yorinobu killed Saburo?" he asked.
"I questioned him myself," Takemura said grimly. "His response said everything. If he were innocent, why try to silence me?"
"Loyal bastard," V muttered. "Aren't you supposed to be all about hierarchy? Isn't disobedience a death sentence in Japan?"
"There's something off about the old man's death. If I don't act, who will?" Takemura's voice was sharp with conviction.
V thought: Loyal dog, through and through.
"So, why come to me?"
"Evelyn Parker entered that site. She spoke to you. I couldn't find her. You were next."
V groaned internally. Again, he was the weak link.
Wait—if Takemura could find him so easily... why couldn't Arasaka?
Then it hit him.
He'd underestimated them—thought he was hidden, safe. Even Judy had made him a disguise mask, but he'd stopped using it. Arasaka hadn't failed—they were just busy.
With Saburo dead, the corporation was undergoing a power shift. Internally chaotic. No elite strike teams to chase him down. Priorities elsewhere.
The machine kept turning.
Mega-corps like Arasaka don't shatter just because one figurehead falls. Their board-driven systems ensure continuity.
Still, Saburo had ruled with an iron grip. His death? An earthquake. Everyone scrambling for power, survival.
No one had the bandwidth to chase one rogue runner.
V shivered. He'd gotten lucky—and luck doesn't last.
"If I told you Yorinobu killed Saburo, would you believe me?" V asked.
"Yes," Takemura nodded. "But I need proof."
"I was there. Isn't that enough?"
"It helps. But it's not enough."
"Then what do you suggest?" V snapped. A common man's curse: knowing the truth but being powerless to prove it.
Takemura leaned forward. "Truth needs power. Influence."
"By the time I have that, Yorinobu will have the throne locked down."
"Then we find another way: tell Hanako Arasaka everything. Let her confront him."
V scoffed. "Easier said than done. How do we get close?"
"She'll appear at the parade ceremony in three months. It's public, crowded. That's our chance."
"I create a distraction," Takemura explained. "You reach Hanako. Tell her the truth. She'll listen."
V raised an eyebrow. "Assuming I survive that long."
"Then get stronger," Takemura said flatly. "Survival is your mission."
"Right. Stay alive until I die. Got it."
Takemura stood. "We'll meet here next week. Emergency only—call me."
He handed V a burner number, then vanished into the rain.
V looked at the number in his hand and sighed. Trouble was only getting started.
---
Back at the Lab
"Flathead…" Ash muttered, fingers tracing his jaw. That term—it sounded familiar.
"Half a month ago, a Militech convoy carrying a Flathead unit was hit by the Maelstrom Gang," said Sandayu Oda, reading from a terminal. "Some think Anthony was the mole. He vanished after the attack."
Ash narrowed his eyes. "That unit was under Stout's command, right?"
Oda blinked. "How'd you know? That detail wasn't in the intel."
"Security team that tracked us back then? They were hers." Ash shrugged. "Just a hunch."
"Could be," Oda nodded. Normally, side gigs like theirs weren't worth a corporate security detail. But something urgent must've been happening internally.
Everyone else paused their operations—except them. Of course they got caught.
"Still want to investigate?" Oda asked.
"Let them come back. I'm not a nanny," Ash grunted, pulling two concert tickets from his coat. "Let's go. 'Flamingo.' Rare folk band."