Meeting at Arasaka Tower
Beneath the towering Arasaka HQ, neon lights flickered against the rain-slicked pavement.
David pulled up on his Yaiba Kusanagi, the engine growling before he cut the power.
He tapped his holo-link.
"V. I'm here."
A few seconds later, the doors slid open—
And V stepped out.
She was still in her Arasaka work uniform, her jacket slightly unzipped, revealing the exhaustion on her face.
But when she saw David—
Her expression lit up with a grin.
"Heh. David. What's the occasion?"
Then, with a smirk—
"Wait… don't tell me. You were the ones who hit that Militech AV the other night, weren't you?"
David raised an eyebrow.
"Oh?"
A small grin tugged at the corner of his lips.
"And how'd you figure that out?"
V crossed her arms, looking amused.
"Come on. We both work for megacorps. When something like that happens, people start talking."
She tilted her head.
"Plus… you and Jackie came by to pick up weapons right before the job. So yeah, wasn't hard to connect the dots."
David chuckled.
"Sharp as ever, V."
But V's expression shifted.
Her voice dropped slightly.
"Jokes aside… you should be careful. Militech's already running an investigation."
Her golden eyes narrowed.
"If they find a lead… you're in deep shit."
David exhaled through his nose, unfazed.
"Appreciate the warning."
Then, with a casual flick of his wrist—
He pulled out a sleek, black combat chip.
He tossed it to V.
"Here. This is what I promised you."
---
V's Shock—The Combat Chip
V caught the chip instinctively, glancing down at it.
Her brows furrowed.
Then—
Her eyes widened.
"...No way."
She turned the chip over in her fingers, examining it closely.
"Wait. This is the same tech Jackie was talking about? The one your crew's been using?"
David nodded.
V's fingers tightened around the chip.
She looked back up at him, her expression unreadable.
"David… you're telling me this tiny thing holds an entire combat suit?"
David's smirk deepened.
"That's right."
V let out a low whistle.
"Jesus… I knew your gear was high-grade, but this? Arasaka and Militech are still stuck on full-body conversions—this is something else."
She flipped the chip between her fingers, her mind racing.
Even Arasaka's best mercenaries, like Adam Smasher, had to rely on full-body chrome to reach that kind of power.
Yet David's crew had access to tech that let you equip an entire exosuit in seconds.
She shook her head, in disbelief.
"This kind of tech shouldn't even exist yet."
David shrugged.
"I don't care about 'shouldn't.' What matters is—it works."
V studied him for a moment.
Then, with a smirk—
"You know… this could be a trap. Maybe this chip has a virus, and the moment I slot it in, you'll hack my data."
David laughed.
"V, what the hell am I gonna steal? Your playlists?"
V chuckled.
She flipped the chip one last time before pocketing it.
"Alright. I'll test it later. Somewhere private."
---
An Invitation to the Crew
David leaned against his bike.
"By the way—swing by our base when you get time. We've added some new people."
V raised an eyebrow.
"Oh? Who?"
"Maine's crew. Plus Lao."
V blinked.
Then let out a low laugh.
"Damn. You really ARE building something big, huh?"
David just smirked.
"Come by for a drink. It'll be worth your time."
V mock-saluted.
"Sure. Just need to get through this damn shift first."
---
Surveillance—Someone Is Watching
As they said their goodbyes—
David swung a leg over his Yaiba, revved the engine, and sped off into the neon-lit streets.
V turned and headed back into Arasaka Tower, hands in her pockets.
But neither of them noticed—
A small surveillance camera just outside the entrance whirred to life.
Its lens tilted, tracking David's departure.
Somewhere—
A hidden observer was watching.
And taking notes.
---
TO BE CONTINUED…
---
Next Chapter Teasers:
Who's watching David? Is it Arasaka… or Militech?
V tests the armor—will it work flawlessly?
Maine's next move—his jealousy is growing.
Stay tuned for Chapter 131!