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"Our lab... everyone has been liquidated."
The man leading the way spoke without much fluctuation in tone, but the restrained emotion seemed to seep out with every breath.
"Most of these children... their fathers, or their mothers, died while fleeing.
Now, there are maybe ten security personnel left here, and only a handful of researchers remain."
His heavy footsteps guided the way, weaving past scattered sleeping bags and tents, until they stepped into a room.
It was a space boxed in by rough concrete, likely part of the building's original design. Like the rest of the structure, it had never been finished.
The crude room was empty. A few metal crates, clearly repurposed as makeshift seats, were scattered across the bare floor.
"You two... just call me Nord..."
He lowered his broad frame onto one of the crates and gave a brief introduction.
"As you can see, things are bad.
Not long ago, we went to Hansen seeking cooperation... but in our weakened state, we clearly didn't get what we wanted."
Nord let out a long breath before continuing.
"The Scavengers are pressing in on us hard, like someone's pulling the strings behind the scenes...
And just yesterday, our chief researcher—the one who built this lab—was kidnapped by those bastards.
We need you to get her back."
Catching on one word, V asked with curiosity.
"A woman?"
Before Nord could answer, she continued as if to herself.
"Doesn't sound promising..."
She didn't elaborate, but the meaning was clear enough.
"Yes... which is why it's urgent."
"About that call earlier... what agreement did you reach with the Fixer who hired us?"
Arthur's gravelly voice cut in without ceremony.
Nord studied the man who had been silent until now and answered in a low tone.
"The target that gentleman mentioned—many of the key parameters are in our Chief Researcher's hands.
In a sense... she's also your mission objective."
Arthur frowned, watching him closely. At that moment, an email blinked into the corner of his vision—sent by Mr. Hands.
Only complete technology was of value. That much, at least, didn't sound like a lie.
"And... only the Chief knows how to install that piece of Cyberware. It's a brand-new technology."
Nord added one last detail.
"Fine. We'll bring her back..."
Arthur's eyes narrowed with skepticism.
"You lost so many people for this technology... and now you just give it up?"
"Some things... aren't so easily discarded. The company doesn't see us as their own, but the knowledge... can't fall into outside hands."
Instead of easing doubts, Nord's words only deepened the sense that something was off.
He made no effort to hide anything and continued explaining.
"ZetaTech... they're our investor.
We were just a small company once—until ZetaTech forced their way in with heavy hands.
The contract we signed gave us the patent rights to our breakthrough technology...
But ZetaTech clearly never thought we'd escape... and certainly not with our security team intact."
It was obvious there were more details he wasn't sharing, and ZetaTech's dirty reputation was well known.
After this rough exchange, the two left the crude room.
Outside, the wind howled through. A few children, too small to blend in, clumsily hid in plain corners, peeking out at the two strangers.
Whether adult or child, every gaze was tinged with suspicion... until the pair vanished into the elevator.
"Quite the crowd..."
Arthur's eyes tracked the shrinking floor level beneath his furrowed brow.
"ZetaTech's recent breakthroughs... most of them came through rotten means."
V, once part of Arasaka's Counterintelligence Division, clearly knew plenty of corporate secrets. Her disgust was unfiltered.
"Who knows how many people have died for them... I lost count long ago."
The creaking elevator carried them down. Soon, they reached the ground floor.
"Alright... time to get moving.
I can't wait to get out of this dump—with my new Cyberware, of course."
The walk outside wasn't long, and soon they were back at their beat-up car.
"You seem a little too obsessed... I thought you'd care more about the money.
Maybe even miss the old days, just a little."
Arthur spoke casually. On the other side, V twisted the ignition key harder at his words, almost angrily.
"Don't start with that crap. That damn company—the only thing worth remembering in that hellhole was the natural beef steaks the big shots left behind.
Now when I think about it... I just feel like an idiot."
As her words dropped, V stomped the gas pedal. Dust blasted against the car's battered frame with sharp cracks.
"Getting whipped around by others is never good...
But if someone once enjoyed it, nothing you can do."
He shrugged, brushing off some debris tossed his way.
"Alright, alright... I'll keep it down for now...
Hey, look ahead—"
The car cut a crooked line across the road. The Scavengers' hideout was already looming in sight.
Mr. Hands' email didn't just include the cooperation details with Nord's group—it also carried full intel on the Scavengers.
"They're holed up in that ruin...
Close to a hundred of them. Best if we go in at night."
Arthur signaled V to park in a concealed spot. Arms folded, he stared coldly at the nondescript building in Dogtown.
When it came to Scavengers, there was only one way to deal with them: kill.
V stayed in the driver's seat, leaning forward to gauge the fading light.
"Not long to wait. It'll be dark soon...
Send me the intel."
Reviewing the data in his mind, Arthur noted that even the infiltration routes had been marked out—three or four different options, all highlighted by Hands.
"As expected... Scavengers are still Scavengers.
Their base is full of holes. Might as well have pitched tents on the main street."