Corporate Plaza.33rd floor, Arasaka Tower.Arasaka Counterintelligence Department.
In a cubicle, a staffer scrolls through the day's queue and opens a new file.
[Arasaka Counterintelligence Investigation Report — NC8754699]["Ascension Technology" Investigation Report][Investigator: Steven][Report: A preliminary investigation has been completed on the "Ascension Technology Power Stimulant Type II" currently circulating in underground clinics.The stimulant increases a user's action speed for approximately one minute; no additional effects have been verified.Regarding "Ascension Technology," the company transacts with underground clinics by email and uses mercenaries for delivery. No corporate registry, office records, or staff identities were found.Whether to continue tracking the company is pending instructions.]
He skims it. Nothing here moves the needle. He drafts handling notes and files them back to the queue.
[Based on the contents, the company's intelligence value cannot be determined. Unless it escalates, downgrade the investigation priority by one level and suspend active pursuit.Prepare a preliminary analysis and value assessment of the stimulant and forward to Logistics Support.]
With a few keystrokes, the routing pings the report owner.
"What is this, the same junk every day?" he mutters, stretching. In Night City, oddities pop up hourly. Most are worthless. This looks like another minor drug note. It wouldn't have waited days on a low-priority shelf if it mattered.
"I really envy you, V. Jenkins noticed you, and your promotion speed is like riding a rocket."
Across the divider, V hears his name and glances up. "It's not that exaggerated."
"Come on," the colleague says, chair rolling closer. "Director Jenkins wants to transfer you to the company's spy group. That news is everywhere. Keep performing, and the rest of us will take your orders."
V can only shake his head. "Alright. You're right."
Since landing in Counterintel, V's sharp work put him on Jenkins's short list moree and more jobs land on his desk, hand-picked by the boss. Everyone knows the kid is going places. V knows it too, and he leans into every task Jenkins assigns. No one at Arasaka aims low. Not even V.
"But is it actually happening?" the colleague needles. "We've heard it for days. I don't see a promotion."
"It's real," V says. "Jenkins told me himself. Cross-level transfers need higher approval. It may take time."
On paper, even if approved, it shouldn't take this long. He can't ask Jenkins directly, so he waits.
V's holo buzzes.
"V. My office. Now," Jenkins says.
"On my way."
The colleague grins. "There goes our golden boy, getting another assignment."
"Enough," V says, standing.
"Okay, okay. Just don't bury yourself in pressure. Sometimes standing too high is not a blessing," the colleague says, dropping his voice. "The head of Tracking, you know her, Jenkins's other favorite. One of the best we have. I'll tell you a secret. Someone said she was puking in the bathroom today. It could be pressure. Don't follow that path."
"Heh. Gossiping about a superior? Not afraid she'll hear?" V smiles.
"Friendly reminder only. And I know you won't repeat it."
"I'll be careful. Thanks."
V ends the chatter and heads out.
Jenkins's office sits only a short walk away. The man in the tailored suit looks every inch the executive, authority radiating without effort.
"You're here. Sit," Jenkins says.
V takes the chair. Before he can ask, Jenkins continues.
"I have a task for you. This one is different. It's not from the company. It's from me."
The tone leaves no room to stall.
"I understand. What's the task?"
"Look at this first."
Jenkins slides a small box across the desk. Inside lies a datachip.
"Datachip?"
"Yes. The mission details are on it."
V's frown is slight but genuine. Internal operations travel the intranet. Even personal assignments usually do. A hand-to-hand chip means the contents cannot live on a company system.
He notes it, says nothing, and slots the chip.
The file opens. The target appears.
"What is this…?"