"It's the 'port' shared by all the corporations in Night City—an unshakable reality. But, friends, you're not part of any corporation. And it seems... you don't want to be tied to them either."
Yorinobu's peculiar cadence lingered, though this time it carried a strange allure. Arthur and V stayed uncharacteristically quiet.
Arthur was a bit lost, but V... she finally saw a path she had been desperately seeking.
Yorinobu continued. "I need results—and I need power in the shadows. Results will win the fence-sitters. Power... will silence my enemies for good.
Dogtown can be ruled by the mutts abandoned by the New United States, or by a notorious band of mercenaries from Night City's underworld. The corporations won't care. In fact, people might even welcome it.
No one in Night City likes the New United States. They don't like Arasaka either. But... that doesn't matter."
We don't have an army. Everyone knows Hansen's Barghest aren't to be trifled with." V spoke after some hesitation.
"Friends... remember? You fought your way out of Konpeki Plaza. That was no small feat, and Konpeki's security is far from weak.
Besides... Arasaka can support you. Maybe money. Maybe weapons. We can't send people, but Dogtown isn't short on manpower."
This time, V was silent for longer. "That doesn't sound like the price. I mean—the price for curing me."
"Listen. You might die doing this. But without lifting a finger, I'll secure contracts in Dogtown worth several times what I have now," Yorinobu said gravely. "I won't let friends walk away empty-handed—not when I've already got my share. Of course, the initial funding will be a loan."
"An opportunity like this... plenty of people would risk their lives for it." V's expression was conflicted. This was the kind of chance that came once in a lifetime—especially in this world.
And risking their lives? That was nothing new to them.
"But we're friends..." Yorinobu added. To prove his sincerity, he pulled a bottle of liquor from beneath the table and poured three glasses.
The wealthy always drank like this—their glasses only half full. Arthur downed his in a single gulp.
Yorinobu actually smiled as he refilled Arthur's glass, then raised his own.
"To a fruitful partnership..."
...
The year was 2077—a brutally honest era. The world had only pockets of order. Everywhere else was chaos. In such times, you had to defend your slice of the pie with force. Hansen's slice was being eyed precisely because his force wasn't strong enough.
Yorinobu had given them only the idea; the details were theirs to work out.
When they returned to base, Jackie and the others were already waiting.
"So... we're going after Hansen?" Jackie rubbed the back of his head. "That guy's no pushover. Word is, plenty of Night City's big shots respect him."
"Big shots respect him because he pays them." V waved her hand dismissively. "And speaking of difficulties—even with Yorinobu Arasaka's backing, we'll still need more people."
This was the first hurdle. Recruiting wasn't hard. But if you wanted skill—or loyalty—that was another matter. Still, money could at least buy the basics.
"And Dogtown doesn't have restrictions on heavy weapons. We won't exactly have the upper hand there," Jackie reminded them.
More firepower usually meant more casualties. In truth... this job could spiral into outright war. And war meant trading lives.
Heywood's streets were a hub for Night City gossip, and even though Dogtown was sealed off, Jackie's words rang true.
"This time... we need a different approach." V thought hard. Among them, she was proving to be the sharpest strategist. "We've been to that hellhole. People live in garbage heaps. I doubt they care for the warlord ruling over them. And—come to think of it—we've got contacts there..."
Hansen, Dogtown's warlord, must have amassed a fortune by now. If they pulled this off, just imagine what they could gain.
"So... we start by taking a few Gigs in Dogtown. Scope out the situation first." V thought of a petite woman she knew there, one who looked delicate but wasn't.
As she pondered, Johnny Silverhand appeared again.
"All this fuss, and you're still looking for help? Why not call on your legendary rockerboy?" He was the same as ever. "Last time we brought in Rogue. How'd that turn out? Pretty damn impressive, huh?"
"Get lost... I can't exactly go to Rogue and tell her one of her crazy old friends isn't quite dead and is screaming in my head, then ask her to bring her crew to work for me. She'd sooner have me beaten bloody." V's voice was sharp with impatience as she waved him away.
"You don't know her as well as you think. Believe me—some people never change, even after a hundred years." Johnny pressed on.
V ignored him and turned back to her crew. "That's the plan. We'll pick up a job, head into Dogtown, and take a look around.
Hell, maybe that place will cough up some excitement for once. Too bad nothing big's happening there now."
Taking on a Gig was no challenge for them anymore. They were on speaking terms with nearly every Fixer in Night City. Dogtown might be locked down tight, but Mr. Hands had influence there too.
"Didn't I just call you not long ago? Oh—and how's V holding up?" The Fixer, ever the gentleman, greeted them warmly as soon as the line connected.
"The situation... is manageable. At least we've got a plan now. It should keep her alive when it counts. There might be some side effects..." Arthur thought for a moment before answering.
Mr. Hands nodded with relief, his streaked beard catching the light through the holo-call. "As I always say—staying alive is what matters. A hundred years ago... even Saburo Arasaka never imagined he'd live past a hundred and fifty, did he?
Anyway—I hope the intel I passed along was useful. I really do admire you lot. Oh, and drop by sometime, won't you?
Now then... let's talk business, shall we?"