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"Where did you get that?" My body tensed instantly, and my hands involuntarily clenched. Alex's memories were vivid, and this pendant, once belonging to my now-deceased mother, was etched deeply in them. Even though I only knew her through memories, the feelings I had for Hirako were still intensely real.
"Eight years ago, I received it from someone. That person has long since passed away," Wakako drawled, her words slow and deliberate as she released another puff of sweet-smelling smoke into the room. "Ichimaru Mushi was the one who gave the order to kill your mother when she came to him for help..." Okada carefully watched my reaction to each word, clearly expecting a certain response. But I was reacting differently than she had anticipated.
"So, you've known who I am for a long time, but for some reason, you chose to do nothing, letting events unfold on their own." I took a deep breath, forcing a smirk onto my face. "You wanted to have a debtor in the future, someone who might one day rise to the top of Arasaka, right? Be honest, Okada-san. Saburo ordered you to keep an eye on his granddaughter, but after your spectacular failure, he didn't lynch you. If it's not a secret, tell me why." Wakako's expression changed instantly after my words, becoming less patronizing than before.
"You're a dangerous man, Alex Volkov, and very bold. You'll go far," she said, taking another drag before extinguishing the cigarette in the ashtray. "Alright, I'll tell you the reason..." Okada smoothly pulled out a chip and placed it on the edge of the table. "This contains what I showed Michiko Arasaka when she was investigating the death of her sister and brother-in-law."
Silently, I approached the table and, in one fluid motion, inserted the chip into the port on my bracelet. Activating my visor, I momentarily zoned out, reviewing the information stored on the chip. There wasn't much, but what I found didn't contradict the intel I had gathered a year ago after raiding the lab. The order to eliminate my mother came from the top of the "Claws," with Mushi merely executing someone else's will. The leadership, of course, knew nothing about it. The day after her death, Arasaka's forces began closing in on the gang leaders, forcing them to grant full access to their databases. Naturally, they found nothing, but the clues left behind helped smooth things over. The AI trackers were sent on a wild goose chase after the Scavengers, and that was when I met with Marco. The plan was solid — no one could pin the blame on the real culprit.
One of the AI units that Rach had eliminated feared that my mother might eventually return to the Arasaka fold, which would have ruined all their plans. So, they played dirty, covering their bases. They didn't plan on killing me; instead, they intended to use me as a test subject in the emerging "Kushinada" project. I already knew most of this, but the chip filled in the remaining gaps. It was the proof that the order was fake that saved Wakako from a miserable fate. Even though Saburo had a falling out with his second granddaughter, he still loved her deeply.
"Thanks, this clears up a lot."
"Keep it," Wakako said, raising her hand to stop me from returning the chip. "Consider it my investment in our relationship." She paused, her eyes narrowing slightly. "I won't ask how you know so much, but I'll give you some friendly advice — if you're looking to get revenge, become a top-tier merc. That's how you'll get to someone like Valentin Astra from Biotechnica. That's who you're after, right?"
"He's just a middleman, but thanks for the advice." I nodded, acknowledging her words. "But I doubt you would have invited me here for such an intimate meeting without wanting to offer me something beyond just information. I'm listening."
"You're right," the Japanese woman replied with a satisfied smile, pulling another chip from the sleeve of her yukata. "I need someone skilled with tech. Since Susan left, the level of the other specialists in this field has been lacking." She smirked, handing me the chip.
"Give me a minute." I inserted the new chip into the port and quickly scanned the preliminary order. "This isn't just a straightforward tech job; it requires netrunner skills and at least a fifth-level ripperdoc, not to mention the other complications I might encounter. You must have a high opinion of me to think I can handle this."
"Susan gave you an excellent recommendation, and I know what that fiery girl was capable of," Wakako replied, her smile widening as she arched an eyebrow dramatically. "So, are you in?"
"Installing military-grade corporate implants and calibrating neurodrift systems to increase their response speed. On top of that, I need to create a demon to bypass the factory security of high-class augmentations." I listed the tasks, leaning forward and placing my left hand on the table. "How much?"
"One hundred thousand for each installation and fifty thousand extra after a successful inspection," Okada adopted a serious demeanor, ready to negotiate fiercely.
"You're cutting me to the bone, Okada-san. Two hundred fifty per installation and seventy-five extra, no haggling," I replied, meeting her gaze without flinching. She was trying to pull a fast one, and I wasn't about to let her get away with it.
"If you'd agreed right away, I would have been disappointed in you," Wakako chuckled, her eyes suddenly flickering with an orange glow. She was clearly communicating with someone, and a few minutes later, a stately man entered the room carrying a briefcase. After a nod from Wakako, he placed it on the table and opened it, revealing stacks of untraceable chips, each worth 50,000 eddies. "Here's 3.5 million eurodollars. You'll need to install ten full implant sets for my people over the next two weeks. If you do it flawlessly, you can expect a bonus."
"In that case, I have one more request. As you know, I'm a decent tech, but I need some materials that aren't exactly easy to find on the open market. I'm sure someone of your stature can locate them." I sent Wakako a list, and after reading it, she gave me a strange look.
"Ruthenium, iridium, platinum, palladium, vanadium, tungsten, beryllium, uranium, tantalum, zirconium, sodium..." With each word she read aloud, the old Japanese woman's expression grew more serious. By the end, she was silently mouthing the components, moving only her lips. "I won't ask why you need these or what for, but I can get them."
"And one more thing," I added, pulling a chip from the inner pocket of my jacket. "Susan asked me to pass this along." I placed the chip on the table and patiently waited as Okada reviewed the information.
"A fourth-generation assembly line..." Wakako fell into deep thought for a moment, her mind clearly elsewhere, before finally responding. "Two million, and only because it's Susan."
"Half now, the rest she'll give you in person." I made a large transfer to one of Okada's accounts. "Does that work for you?"
"I have no issue with extra caution," she smirked, confirming the transaction.
"I think we can wrap things up now," I said, preparing to leave, but Wakako's voice stopped me.
"Alex, Michiko Arasaka is in the city," she said, surprising me with her words.
"Thanks, I'll keep that in mind," I replied, nodding gratefully before heading for the door.
"Just like your mother..." Wakako's words reached me just as I crossed the threshold of the parlor.
***
Stepping back into the daylight, the familiar hum of the city's sounds surrounded me once again, echoing from all directions. I had to admit, Wakako had some excellent soundproofing installed. Still, I didn't expect that my conversation with her would help me solve so many problems at once. Wakako paid well, and more importantly, she paid immediately. That was definitely something to be happy about, though there were risks involved. Installing corporate-grade fifth-class implants is no easy task, and if the wrong people found out about it, I could attract some unwanted attention. Then again, the old woman understood the risks well and valued those who could bring her the proverbial golden eggs. I imagine after the situation with Susan a few years ago, she became even more cautious — she would have to be...
"Ow, damn!" My thoughts were interrupted as a kid collided with me, scrambling to get up.
"Hey! Catch him!" A voice shouted from a few meters away.
"Cliche..." I shook my head, positioning myself between the boy and his pursuers. "Guys, two grown men chasing a kid? Not exactly a good look." I held the boy back just as he was about to bolt again.
"Choom, that little punk stole our lunch." The conversation I overheard earlier between two Tiger Claws flashed through my mind, and I couldn't help but snicker. "Step aside, or you'll get it too."
"How much does he owe you?" I raised an eyebrow, knowing they wouldn't push things too far on Wakako's turf, so I wasn't worried.
"Fifty eddies," the triad member replied, a bit calmer now.
"Here, for the food and the trouble." I handed him a hundred-eddy bill. "That settle it?"
"If you steal from us again, you won't get off so easily," the leader of the pair turned on his heel, walking away with his companion.
"You're quick, kid." I winked at the stunned boy, releasing him from my grip.
"Why'd you help?" Jin — if the overheard conversation was correct, that was his name — scowled at me, eyeing me warily. A good trait, better not to trust every stranger you meet on the streets.
"I used to be like you," I said with a shrug, forming a hand signal that made the boy's eyes widen in surprise. Seems the old signals were still being used by the local orphans. "Anyway, try not to get caught, and be careful out there." I slipped another hundred eddies into his hand before turning to leave.
"Thanks." The boy bowed his head gratefully, then darted off into a nearby alleyway.
"The city hasn't changed one bit." Watching the boy disappear, I sighed in frustration and began walking back the way I came. "Kids still scavenge the streets for food, while the adults fight for any scrap of power they can grab. A sad sight indeed..."