"But... it's not like I can't explain a little." Meredith stroked her chin thoughtfully before speaking. "It probably starts with the most infamous piece of software ever made—Soulkiller.
It's a program that can rip a living person's consciousness, convert it into data, and upload it to the Net. Nowadays, nearly half the rogue AIs out there were once human.
But the process was unstable. Arasaka saw that flaw and weaponized the program, turning it into a deadly virus.
So, the Relic is essentially the reverse of Soulkiller—bringing digital data back into a living human consciousness."
After sketching out the background, Meredith went on. "During the Corporate War, Arasaka used Soulkiller to wipe out a number of Militech's netrunners.
To turn the tide, Militech brought in the most influential freelance netrunner of the time—Rache Bartmoss—to fight back.
At first, things went well. But, as usual, the twist came. Arasaka operatives tracked him down and killed the genius in person.
Before his death, though, he released a retaliatory virus: DataKrash. Hard to imagine one man creating something that triggered a global security crisis... but that's exactly what it was. A brand-new AI-targeting virus.
It embedded destructive code into any infected AI at the lowest levels. Nobody knew how many netrunners' minds it fried before people realized what was happening."
Noticing Arthur's half-asleep look, Meredith sighed, shook her head, and tossed another piece of clothing at him. "Fine, here's the point... damn it...
See, during the war, both Militech and Arasaka built hidden military sites underground in Night City and the Badlands.
Labs, fortresses—take your pick. After Militech lost and the Treaty of Unification was signed, all those sites—Arasaka's and Militech's alike—were abandoned.
In theory, they should've been demolished. But these are corporations—bloodsuckers. No way they'd burn money clearing out that kind of dead weight."
She pointed straight down. "So instead, they came up with another way to erase them:
Just shift the Blackwall. Push everything out beyond it... and it's gone.
The rogue AIs swarm in, take over, and turn the place into a death trap. All the corps have to do is seal the doors."
"So... these godforsaken places might have something to cure my friend?" Arthur asked skeptically.
"Maybe... The tech level during the war was actually higher than it is now. If a cure for the incurable exists anywhere, that's where you'd find it."
Her tone suddenly hardened, more warning than explanation. "I've got to tell you... rogue AIs are way more dangerous than people think—especially once they seize advanced facilities.
Unless you're truly on death's door, don't ever set foot in those places. Even if it means buying yourself one more day of life—it's not worth it."
She studied Arthur's steady expression and clicked her tongue, already regretting telling him this much.
Still, both of them had come away with plenty.
Especially Meredith. Her plan to "make a mistake" wasn't only about refusing to hand profits to strangers. It was also about carving herself an escape route.
If the plan turned out to be a trap, she could always take the desk job. That was her fallback... at least until now.
Now, Arthur was her fallback.
...
The next morning...
Arthur stepped out into the sunlight outside the apartment. The shipment Meredith mentioned was already at the team's base, delivered as easily as a package.
Yesterday, V and Jackie had gone to the Afterlife and tracked down Rogue.
The intel was clear now: an AV from Kang Tao, no logs, no cargo, carrying only one anonymous VIP passenger besides the security detail. Cross-checking with recent reports, it could only be the chief engineer.
But... the AV wasn't scheduled to pass by for another week. Plenty of time to prepare.
As for the Voodoo Boys, Mr. Hands still hadn't replied—which was actually good news. It meant progress.
For the moment, V's treatment was stuck. But Arthur noticed her spirits were still high. She'd always been optimistic, and now, even staring death in the face, she stayed upbeat—almost carefree.
"Where'd you dig this up...?" V eyed the Militech-issue case on the table, something that looked like a heavy toolbox.
"Arthur made a connection with a Militech exec." Jackie leaned back, guilt finally shed, his easygoing grin back in place.
V circled the case once. No markings, nothing traceable. Probably straight out of a lab.
She tapped it. "So... this thing's ours now?"
Arthur shrugged, nodding.
"Then let's see what's inside this damn box." V flipped the lid open...
Inside was a neat tangle of tightly packed tubing. In the upper corner, a cyan-blue bar glowed faintly—probably a power indicator.
At the center lay a long red strip, wires spreading out like the legs of a centipede.
On the lid was one word: "Far Realm."
Everyone recognized it immediately... A Sandevistan. David had one strapped to his back.
"Holy shit... we hit the jackpot!" V stared at Arthur like he was a hen laying golden eggs. "Maybe you oughta work at Clouds—your life'd be a hell of a lot easier."
"But I doubt the new boss there would be thrilled to see me. No need to risk a few extra holes in my skull." Arthur rose as he spoke. "We should probably let Vik take a look... then get it installed..."
The days ahead wouldn't be calm. Any path to saving V's life meant facing danger head-on.
Everyone knew what a Sandevistan could do. And this was the newest model, sitting right in front of them.
...