Arasaka Tower. Jenkins' office.
V and Jenkins reviewed the follow-up plan for the serum when Jackie's call came through.
"Hold on. Incoming call," V said, pausing the discussion.
Jenkins nodded.
"Hey, Jackie. I'm in the middle of something. What is it?"
"V, I need a favor. Arasaka took L in Japantown. They pushed him into a transport. I want to know where they took him. If it is too hard, forget it."
V listened, frowning. "L was grabbed. I will keep an eye on it, but no promises."
"Okay. I will wait for your news."
The call was short. Jackie knew V was busy and kept it simple. V hung up and thought. Hearing that Arasaka took Rocky, V's first guess was Abernathy. He did not consider himself the cause. If Abernathy's side had found Rocky, things would have been tricky. Helping openly would risk exposure. That was why V said it might not work.
"What is wrong?" Jenkins asked, clocking V's look.
"Word is Arasaka snatched a merc from the Konpeki Plaza incident."
"Abernathy's play"
"Not sure," V said.
"If that woman is behind it, do not jump in. Keep yourself clear and make sure she cannot point at you," Jenkins said. V understood. What puzzled him was how Abernathy still found Rocky after the traces were cleaned.
"Go handle it first. We are done with the serum," Jenkins said, waving him off. V left to start checking on Rocky.
Another call hit before he could begin. It was the agent V had assigned to dig up intel on Ascension Technology.
"Well. Did you find anything?"
"No. I caught a cyberpunk who knows Ascension, but refuses to talk and says he wants to see you."
"I want intel, not a merc who knows intel. Can you not handle a merc? I do not have time for this right now. It is your task."
"He says he will not speak until he meets a superior, and he claims he knows everything about Ascension Technology," the agent said, careful now.
"Fine. Please send me the merc's file. I will decide."
"Understood."
V stepped into a cubicle and pulled the dossier.
"This is… L. Damn."
He smacked his forehead.
…
A short time earlier, Arasaka's team brought Rocky into Arasaka Tower. The matter was important; only the tower was secure from outside interference. After a search cleared him of weapons, security "escorted" him into an interrogation room.
"Start talking. Tell me everything you know about Ascension Technology."
The agent leaned on the table across from Rocky.
Rocky did not answer. He studied the room. First time in Arasaka Tower since he came to Night City. He weighed the odds of escape, even if he did not plan to try.
The agent slapped the table. "Kid, answer my questions. Eyes front."
Rocky finally looked at him. "Which department are you from?"
"What does that have to do with you, Tell? Tell me what you know. I do not have time to waste."
He had met arrogant cyberpunks before, but this was the first one he could not push. He only wanted the information out of the man's mouth.
Rocky smiled at the man's impatience. "Do not rush. Answer mine and I will answer yours."
The agent took a breath and gave in. "Counterintelligence Department."
Rocky rubbed his chin and smiled. So I ran right into it. Is V in charge? If so, grabbing me is rich.
"I want to see your superior," Rocky said.
That landed hard. Do you think Arasaka Tower is your house? The agent thought. You are in our hands.
"Impossible. Speak now," the agent said, refusing flatly.
Rocky spread his hands. "So there is nothing to talk about. I will put it this way. I know everything about Ascension Technology, but your level is too low. Telling you is pointless. Send someone higher."
The agent's face tightened as he weighed the claim. They had pegged L as a seller at most, someone who might cough up a single upstream contact. If he truly knew the whole picture, they had misjudged.
"You had better be telling the truth," the agent said at last. "If you embarrass me before my boss, you will learn my methods."
"Relax. I am certain. Call your boss," Rocky said, tapping the tabletop.
Ignoring the sarcasm, the agent hesitated, then placed the call. "Wait here."
A moment later, the interrogation room door opened. As expected, V walked in.