It was certain that this thing belonged to the rich. Ordinary folks couldn't even dream of it.
That raised a question: why didn't the wealthy just buy the genuine version from Arasaka instead of resorting to a shady counterfeit? Or did that mean the Relic Evelyn wanted them to steal was somehow different from the other biochips Arasaka planned to sell to the elites?
"Nothing gets past you, Leo." Evelyn brushed her hair behind her ear. "The most special aspect of the chip we're after lies in the data it contains."
"Data? I see," Leo said as realization struck him.
That made sense. The Relic could copy a person's consciousness, storing vast amounts of knowledge and memories. If it contained the consciousness of a high-ranking Arasaka executive or someone else important, the value would be immeasurable. No wonder Evelyn had gone to such lengths to get her hands on it.
Suddenly, a disturbing thought crossed Leo's mind.
"Don't tell me this Relic holds the consciousness of Saburo Arasaka?"
Saburo Arasaka was the CEO of Arasaka Corporation and the founder of the Arasaka empire. Born in the twentieth century, he was already over a hundred years old. His children were in their seventies or eighties, but because of Arasaka's advanced medical and tech capabilities, they looked about thirty. Saburo himself, despite being over a hundred and fifty, appeared only in his seventies or eighties.
If the chip contained the digital personality of Saburo Arasaka, then forget military tech—anyone from world leaders to the New United States president would pay any price to get hold of it.
Evelyn's eyes widened even more than Leo's. "Of course not. How could that be?!"
"Then what data does the Relic actually hold?"
"That's not important," Evelyn replied, avoiding his gaze.
Leo let out a cold chuckle. "Something more valuable than the Relic itself, and you're telling me it's not important? Let me be clear, Evelyn. Even though we know each other, that's all it is. If you don't tell me the truth, then let Dexter find someone else. There are plenty of mercs in this city who'd jump at the chance to risk their lives."
With that, Leo got up to leave. This time, he wasn't bluffing; if Evelyn refused to explain, he really would walk away. This job was life-threatening. If she decided to play the same cagey game as Faraday, then he was done.
"Wait," Evelyn said, trying to stop him.
He didn't slow down until he reached the door of the private room. Only then did he hear Evelyn's resigned voice behind him.
"Fine, Leo. You win. I'll tell you everything. Happy?"
Leo didn't bother returning to the couch. He just stood by the door.
"I'm listening."
Evelyn bit her lip. "All right... The chip contains the digital personality of Johnny Silverhand."
"Johnny Silverhand?" Leo frowned. The name sounded familiar, like something he had heard in passing. Suddenly, the memory came to him in a flash of insight.
Johnny Silverhand. Rockerboy, frontman of Samurai, a charmer with big dreams, an idealistic rebel, sworn enemy of the megacorporations. Decades ago, he'd even set off a nuclear bomb that blew up Arasaka Tower. After that night, he vanished into thin air—no one ever found his body or confirmed his death.
Leo recalled hearing the name because, even in 2077, Samurai still had hardcore fans who refused to accept any modern music, insisting that only Samurai's tracks were worthy of the term. Everything else was trash. There had also been a TV show that interviewed former members of Samurai decades after the band's breakup. Leo had watched a few episodes while eating dinner.
But still... "Didn't Silverhand die decades ago? How could his consciousness possibly be on a Relic?" he asked in disbelief.
Could Arasaka have transferred Johnny's mind into some kind of digital prison before he died? If that were true, it meant that, in the future, ordinary people wouldn't just be worked to the bone by corporate overlords while alive—they'd be enslaved even after death.
That was horrifying.
Even the eighteen layers of hell weren't that terrifying.
"I have no idea," Evelyn said, sounding exasperated. "Don't look at me like that. I really don't know."
Leo stared at her for a long moment and, seeing that she truly wasn't bluffing, nodded. "All right, I believe you, Evelyn."
Evelyn let out a sigh of relief. "Thanks."
"Now, care to tell me where the chip is? Don't tell me we have to sneak into an Arasaka lab."
"That won't be necessary. The chip is in the penthouse suite at Konpeki Plaza, the luxury hotel by the Arasaka Waterfront. Have you been there before?"
"No." Leo shook his head. The average person couldn't afford the place, but he certainly could. He just never bothered visiting, not even once during his six months in Night City. He didn't know why, exactly.
Evelyn's tone turned a bit smug. "That's a shame. Their sashimi is amazing. Once we finish this job, you'll have more money than you know what to do with. You could stay at Konpeki Plaza every night if you wanted."
Leo waved off the idea. "I don't need you spinning fantasies for me. Let's stay on track. Exactly where is this Relic in Konpeki Plaza?"
"It's in the penthouse suite owned by Yorinobu Arasaka."
Yorinobu coming to Night City wasn't surprising to Leo—he'd arrived here a while back, and the streets were full of rumors about him. People gossiped endlessly, but Yorinobu didn't act like a spoiled brat at all. He didn't stir up trouble in the city or harass any women. Odd. That rich kid was nothing like other wealthy heirs.
Ever since he arrived, Yorinobu spent most of his time holed up in Konpeki Plaza. What puzzled Leo was how Evelyn knew for sure the Relic was in Yorinobu's suite.
"You're certain?"
"Absolutely," Evelyn said. "I'm completely sure."
"Listen, Evelyn, there are some things you can joke about and some you can't. I need proof."
Evelyn shot a look at Judy. "Judy."
Judy took out a small braindance chip, walked over, and handed it to Leo. "Here."
Leo accepted it but didn't slot it into his tactical goggles right away. Instead, he glanced at Evelyn. "What's this?"
"A braindance I recorded in Yorinobu Arasaka's suite. It shows where he hid the chip, as well as the alarm and surveillance systems in the room. Judy's already edited it, so just watch it and you'll see for yourself."
Leo couldn't hide his surprise. He wasn't an expert, but he still knew a bit about braindances. You had to be there in person to record one, just like filming a video with a phone. That meant Evelyn had physically entered Yorinobu's suite. How had she done that?
Evelyn continued, "Don't get the wrong idea—I'm not friends with Yorinobu. I'm just a nobody in Night City; how could I possibly be on his level? It was purely a private arrangement, nothing more."
A private arrangement? Leo understood. Hourly work, right?
Honestly, the moment he first laid eyes on Evelyn, he'd guessed that she worked in a certain "special profession." He might not have liked her, but he didn't look down on her, either. If it was her choice, who was he to judge? She wasn't stealing or robbing anyone.
Leo inserted Judy's braindance chip into his tactical goggles. The display flickered, and he dove into the recording.
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