Chapter 25: Stout

"Are these the files we lost?" David Copperfield asked calmly as he reviewed the recovered data marked on the monitor.

"Yes, Director," replied a bald, bespectacled programmer in a checkered suit.

"Good work. You're dismissed," David said, waving him away with a flick of his fingers. After a moment of thought, he pressed the comms button on his desk.

"Send in Stout."

"Right away, sir."

Moments later, a firm-footed woman in a dark, tailored suit entered the office. Her sharp gaze and commanding aura filled the room before she even spoke.

Meredith Stout.

Director of Military Technology's Operations Department.

Known in the corporation for being harder than iron and colder than steel.

"The Flathead incident has leaked," David said, cigar smoke curling around him as he faced the window with his back to her.

Stout's brow creased slightly. Her red lips parted, voice calm and clipped, "I'll handle it."

"If you fail—"

"I said I'll handle it," she repeated coldly, cutting him off.

David paused. "Only one of you will remain."

Stout didn't respond. She simply turned and walked out. The clock was ticking—and she knew it.

---

Badlands

Lily Cross shook hands with Joe Gerulf, sealing the end of their deal.

The final price? Twelve million.

Joe had offered an extra two million, saying it was "to buy a friend." Lily didn't expect to see him again, but she wasn't naive. She agreed with a bright smile and polite words, fully aware of what this kind of business meant.

Joe left with his crew, and the logistics of moving the goods? No longer her problem.

Twelve million credits.

Of that, 1.2 million went to her team—about 400,000 each.

Five days of work for that payout? Incredible.

"Let's go! Time to go home!" Lily grumbled, stretching. She'd had enough of this dusty wasteland. No proper showers, no clean beds. Guerrilla tactics might be effective, but they were uncomfortable as hell.

Hotels? Please. Too risky. Out here, mobile living was the safer option.

---

"Hello? Mm. Okay, be careful," Lena Fox said as she ended the call, then turned toward Leon Black, who was adjusting Evelyn Parker's nutrient solution.

"The transaction's complete. They're prepping to return."

"Perfect timing," Leon said with a smirk. "Back just in time to be useful again."

Lena chuckled. "It's all about the money. They won't complain. New Year's is just around the corner."

Leon nodded, his eyes softening. "Yeah. Hard to believe it's that time already."

It had taken him ten years to climb to the rank of Security Captain. In the last five, he'd built this team from the ground up. Now, they were more than comrades—they were family.

"Lena," he said suddenly.

"Hmm?"

"Ever think about leaving Night City?"

She blinked. "Leave? Why?"

"To see the rest of the world. What it's really become."

Lena tilted her head. "Not really. This city's chaos is predictable. Outside? Not so much."

"Fair point," Leon smiled. "Come on, let's eat."

"Mm!"

The lab lights dimmed. Evelyn Parker, lying on the bed, twitched a finger.

---

Heywood District

V stood in the drizzle, soaking in the earthy air. The rain was light, but refreshing.

Dexter stood nearby, a driver shielding him with a black umbrella.

"You sure you can do this alone?" Dexter asked.

V nodded, calm. "Yeah. I don't need help… not yet."

Dexter grinned. "Alright. If you get in trouble, call."

He left in the car, tires splashing through shallow puddles.

V turned around, ready for his next move—only for a black sedan to come screeching out of a side alley straight toward him.

He jumped to the side just in time. The car screeched to a halt, and a man in tactical black gear leapt out, gun raised.

"Get in the car," the man ordered.

V tensed, fists clenching.

Survive one trap, fall into another. Great.

His eyes narrowed. "Didn't expect to see you here… Takemura Goro."

"Hello, V," Takemura said calmly, lowering the weapon. "Took me a while to find you."

V sneered. "And I didn't expect you to show your face. Isn't Arasaka still hunting you?"

"That's my problem. Let's talk somewhere safer."

Takemura tucked the weapon away. "We need to discuss Arasaka Yorinobu—and how he killed Saburo."

V's pupils shrank.

---

Little Chinatown – Western Restaurant

V sipped a beer and pressed ice to his cheek.

"How do you know Yorinobu killed Saburo?" he asked.

"I questioned him. His reaction gave it away," Takemura replied. "He tried to silence me."

V nodded slowly. "Guess you're loyal after all. I thought Japan was big on hierarchy. Going against the boss?"

"If I don't uncover the truth, no one will," Takemura said through clenched teeth. "I won't let that man take the throne unchallenged."

"What a loyal hound," V thought privately.

"So why me?"

"Evelyn Parker was the last person seen entering the building. She had contact with you. I couldn't find her, so I found you."

V groaned internally. He'd become the link again. Always the damn link.

Wait.

Why was it so easy for Takemura to find him… but not Arasaka?

His stomach tightened. Maybe he'd been careless. Overconfident.

He hadn't even used the disguise Judy gave him.

Maybe… maybe Arasaka wasn't failing to find him.

Maybe they weren't even trying.

Right now, Arasaka was caught in internal chaos—a corporate war. Saburo's death triggered a power struggle. Dozens were clawing for influence. Hunting V wasn't their top priority.

Mega-corporations don't collapse over one man's death. Their boardrooms keep spinning, no matter who's missing.

Arasaka was different, yes—but not immune. After Saburo's fall, a massive political quake shook the company. Everyone scrambled for power.

Why waste resources on one loose thread?

V swallowed hard. He needed to be more careful.

"Do you believe me, Goro?" he asked suddenly. "That Yorinobu killed Saburo?"

"Yes," Takemura said without hesitation. "But belief isn't enough. I need proof."

"What more proof do you want?! I was there!"

"I believe you. But without evidence, it's useless."

V slammed the table. "Then what will count?!"

Takemura stared. "Influence. Only people on Yorinobu's level can confront him."

V leaned back, exhausted. "By the time I have that kind of clout, he'll already be emperor."

"Then there's another way." Takemura leaned forward. "Tell everything to Hanako. Saburo's daughter."

V raised an eyebrow. "And how the hell do I meet her? Just waltz into Arasaka Tower?"

"She'll attend the parade ceremony in three months," Takemura said. "She'll be vulnerable there."

"I see," V muttered. "And while you distract the guards, I stroll up and tell her her brother's a murderer?"

"That's the plan," Takemura said calmly.

"Sure. Assuming I live that long."

"Which is why you must become stronger," Takemura said.

V snorted. "I'll try to survive until I die."

Takemura stood. "Same time next week. Contact me if needed."

He handed V a burner comm number and disappeared into the rain.

V stared at the number, sighing.

Things were only getting messier.

---

Leon Black's Lab

Leon scratched his chin as he stared at the name Flathead in the report. Why did that sound familiar?

Lena flipped through files. "Half a month ago, a Militech transport carrying a Flathead got hit by the Vortex Gang. Anthony Gilchrist vanished after. Some suspect he was the insider."

"Stout's operation, wasn't it?" Leon said with a smirk.

Lena looked up. "That wasn't in the report. How'd you know?"

"The team watching us back then was under her department," Leon shrugged. "Just a hunch."

Lena nodded. "Makes sense."

Usually, Militech turned a blind eye to small freelance jobs. As long as you weren't caught, they didn't care. It reduced their own risk exposure. But if Stout had a fire to put out, her goons would be more aggressive—and that's probably why Leon and Lena had been exposed so fast.

Everyone else laid low. But their team kept working.

It was bound to draw attention.

"Still want to investigate?" Lena asked.

"Nah, let them come back. What, do I have to feed them too?" Leon chuckled and pulled out two tickets.

"Concert?"

"Yep. 'Flamingo.' Indie folk. Let's go unwind."

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