V looked puzzled after hearing Leo's concerns. "But what does that really matter?" she asked. They'd gone up against corporations before—like Redwood Psychiatric Hospital, or the ambush on Biotechnica's lead researcher out in the Badlands. Facing a corp wasn't the problem, so long as they stayed under the radar and didn't get caught.
"What worries me," Leo explained, "is that Dexter's big job this time might be tied to Arasaka…"
He hadn't shared Lucy's secret in full detail with V or Jackie, but he'd hinted that Lucy had ties to Arasaka. Both V and Jackie were perceptive enough to piece things together from that single clue.
"In that case, Lucy," Jackie said, "why not stay in the car while we head down? That'll be safer for you. If the job doesn't involve Arasaka, we'll call you in."
Lucy didn't argue; she understood they were looking out for her. She gave a small nod and stayed behind in the vehicle.
"All right," Leo said. "Let's go see Dexter."
…
The three of them headed downstairs into Afterlife and found Dexter waiting in a private suite. Unlike Rogue, who often rented out a small space in the main lounge, Dex had a large room hidden away toward the back. Outside the door stood his driver-bodyguard—the one Leo had met before. The man recognized Leo and let the three pass without comment.
Inside, Dexter, looking like a mountain of flesh, sprawled on a sofa that sank under his three-hundred-pound bulk. His face brightened the moment he saw Leo, V, and Jackie walk in.
"Mr. Leo, Ms. V, Jackie—good to see you," he greeted them warmly.
Remembering Leo's dislike of secondhand smoke from their earlier car ride, Dex snuffed out his cigar and activated the suite's air purifier at max level. Most of the haze dissipated, leaving only a faint trace of old smoke lingering in the air.
"Grab a seat, anywhere you like." His gaze fell on the metal case by Jackie's feet. "So, is that the Flathead?"
Leo gestured for Jackie to confirm. "That's the one. Jackie, show him."
"On it." Jackie lifted the metal case onto the table and opened it, revealing the Flathead just as Dex had requested. Delighted, Dexter beamed at them like they were his new best friends.
"Everything go smoothly? Any trouble from Militech?" he asked.
Leo answered matter-of-factly. "Plenty of complications. Maelstrom replaced their boss as you knew—Brick's gone, Royce is in charge now. He refused to honor your payment to Brick and tried to make us cough up more."
Dex raised his eyebrows in surprise. He'd expected Royce to be uncooperative. That was why he'd hired Leo's team as a test run. But he hadn't counted on them actually pulling it off without so much as a scratch.
"How'd you manage it?" he asked, eyes flicking between them.
"Use that Militech exec I told you about, or pay again out of your own pocket?"
Jackie snorted. "Dex, you think we'd throw money away when you'd already paid once?"
Leo added with a grin, "I met Meredith. She kinda took a liking to me."
Dexter gave him a baffled stare. "She… likes you?"
Leo shifted on the couch. "Look at me. I could've cruised by on my looks, but I chose to rely on talent," he joked. "Long story short, Royce demanded a second payment, but I don't take kindly to extortion. One call, and Meredith and her squad stormed right in and cleaned them out."
A flash of intrigue crossed Dexter's eyes from behind his shades. No normal merc could get Militech to dance to their tune, yet here was the Flathead, intact and sitting on the table. He forced a laugh, unable to guess what deeper connections Leo and his crew might have.
"Not bad, not bad," he said, though his smile didn't quite reach his eyes.
Jackie noticed Dex kept stalling and cut straight to it. "All right, Dex, you got your drone. Time for business. What's this big job you've been teasing?"
Dexter's gaze lingered on Leo a moment before he spoke slowly, cigar trembling slightly in his hand. "It's… prototype tech. A biological chip. All you have to do is nab it for me. Simple as that."
He tried to sound casual—like an unpaid restaurant bill—but the faint tremor in his hand suggested otherwise. Leo folded one arm under the other and tapped his chin with his knuckles.
"You're talking about that 'bio-chip' called Relic, right?"
Dexter froze. "How'd you know?"
Leo gave a faint smile. "I watch TV. That chip's been all over the news, especially on Business Talk and Night After Night. Ziggy even hosted two guests who debated its merits on the show. Easy to pick up a few details."
He went on to outline the basics of Relic—the experimental program from Arasaka that digitized human consciousness onto a wafer-thin chip, letting you interact with the personalities of the dead. An invention supposedly bridging the gap between life and death, reserved only for the ultra-wealthy and influential. Night City's everyday folks need not apply.
Dexter nodded. "So you're well informed. Good. Saves me from explaining. And yes, it's Arasaka's Relic."
Leo's brow furrowed. "You messing with us, Dex? You just said it—it's Arasaka's. They basically run this town. Nobody crosses them lightly."
He wasn't exaggerating. Of all the megacorps in Night City—Kang Tao, Militech, Biotechnica, Kiroshi, Delamain, Zetatech, Petrochem, among others—Arasaka towered above them with its private territory in Watson, Arasaka Waterfront. City Hall owed them big time, after all. In practical terms, the city belonged to Arasaka. One move against them could be suicidal.
Dexter's laugh sounded forced. "No risk, no reward, right? This is Afterlife's golden rule. And trust me, I wouldn't be pitching this if I hadn't done my homework. If things go south, Arasaka will crush me, too. I'm motivated to make sure we pull this off smoothly."
Even so, his pep talk didn't instantly convince Leo, V, or Jackie. They exchanged glances before Leo said, "We'll need a minute to talk."
Dex nodded in understanding. "Sure. I'm thirsty anyway. I'll grab a drink at the bar."
He heaved himself off the sofa, his bodyguard following. "I hope you'll have an answer for me when I get back."