Seeing Jackie hesitate without answering, Leo grew impatient and said again, "Come on, hand it over. We don't have time to waste."
Jackie still felt Leo's plan was unreliable. If it were really that simple, why would the relic need to be kept in a specialized cold storage container? Recklessly doing this could very well lead to the chip's data being completely wiped out, and they'd be left with nothing.
But thinking about how Leo was offering because he was worried for Jackie's safety, in the end, Jackie gritted his teeth and handed the box over. "Here."
Leo took the cold storage box, opened it, and carefully removed the relic chip inside. The chip glowed with a soft red light. Visually, there were no signs that its integrity had dropped—but Leo didn't dare waste any time.
He immediately slotted the chip into the Flathead's interface port.
The three of them held their breath, their eyes fixed on the Flathead.
There was no reaction.
Jackie asked nervously, "Did it work, or..."
Compared to him, Leo looked much calmer. "Doesn't matter. Either way, we're handing the chip off to Dexter. Let him argue with Evelyn about it. Our job's done."
"If the data really is gone, well, nothing we can do about it. At least the relic chip itself still has value—we could probably sell it for a few million."
Seeing Jackie's mood plummet, Leo patted him on the shoulder. "You can't earn every eddie there is, Jackie. As long as you're alive, good things will happen."
Jackie nodded quietly, agreeing with Leo's words.
At that moment, the broadcast from the car radio drew their attention.
"We interrupt this program to bring you breaking news: Arasaka Corporation's founder and CEO, Saburo Arasaka, has been confirmed dead in Night City. His body was discovered in the top-floor penthouse of the Konpeki Plaza Hotel."
"At present, it is unclear whether his death was due to natural causes or if there is foul play involved."
"Several witnesses report hearing heavy gunfire and explosions outside the hotel. Arasaka Waterfront has been sealed off by Arasaka's special assault forces, blocking NCPD from conducting an official investigation."
"We are awaiting an official statement from Arasaka Corporation. Please refrain from spreading rumors."
Hearing this, the three froze.
"Saburo Arasaka... that old emperor... is actually dead?"
"He died in Night City? Wait—when did he even come here?"
None of them could understand it. Everyone knew Yorinobu Arasaka was in Night City, but when had Saburo arrived? Why hadn't there been a single rumor?
Leo suddenly remembered something—back when they were still in Konpeki Plaza's penthouse, they had seen a few AVs land on the rooftop. At the time, Leo had tried scanning them with his tactical visor, but couldn't get any information.
Could it be... Saburo Arasaka was inside those AVs?
Following that train of thought, it wasn't hard to guess why Saburo would come to Night City. He must have realized Yorinobu had stolen the personalized relic from Arasaka's lab—and came personally to retrieve it. And now, he had ended up dead at Konpeki Plaza.
"Saburo Arasaka dead? We're screwed, fuck!" Jackie finally realized the gravity of the situation.
With Saburo dead, Arasaka would definitely make major moves. Watson District was already locked down; once Yorinobu realized the relic was missing, he would go ballistic.
All of their previous plans had been based on the assumption that Yorinobu wouldn't immediately notice the theft—sneak the relic out, and sell it before anyone caught on. But now? With Saburo's death causing a citywide uproar, could they still offload the relic so easily?
—
Ten minutes later, their coupe pulled up smoothly outside the No-Tell Motel.
"V, your leg's injured. You stay in the car," Leo said.
"I'm fine," V tried to argue.
But Leo pressed her firmly back into the seat. "Don't push yourself. Sitting here quietly is already helping me."
Then he turned to Jackie. "Jackie, stay here and protect V."
Jackie nodded. Back at Konpeki Plaza, it was Leo who had carved them a path to escape, even defeating Adam Smasher—a living legend. Jackie had no doubts now.
Besides, Leo was just going to deliver the relic to Dexter. No need to worry.
—
The rain drizzled down over the pink-glowing entrance of the No-Tell Motel, giving it more the vibe of a Japanese love hotel than a seedy roadside inn.
Leo stepped through the garbage-strewn alleyway, climbed the dimly lit stairs, and made his way down a grim hallway to Room 204—the meeting place they had agreed on beforehand.
He knocked.
No answer.
He knocked again.
Finally, the door opened. Dexter's bodyguard—the same guy who doubled as his chauffeur—stood there. As Leo moved to enter, the bodyguard blocked him briefly, cautiously peering down the hallway. Once he confirmed no one had followed, he stepped aside to let Leo in.
The room was a mess, lit only by a few flickering bulbs.
"Not bad, Mr. Leo. You actually pulled it off. The news is blowing up," Dexter said, nodding toward the TV, then glanced at his bodyguard.
The bodyguard gave a subtle nod back, relaying via private comms: "Only him."
Leo pretended not to notice their little exchange and shrugged. "You don't seem too surprised to see I'm alone."
"Not true. I'm shocked. Where's Miss V and brother Jackie? Still in the car?"
"Yeah, they're still in the car."
"And the package?"
Leo paused briefly. The relic was slotted into the Flathead, who was hanging just outside, attached under the motel's roof. But seeing how tense Dexter looked, Leo decided to play it cautious.
"Also in the car."
For just a moment, a flicker of panic crossed Dexter's face—though he quickly masked it.
Leo caught it anyway.
To probe further, Leo asked casually, "City's crawling with Arasaka right now. What's our next move?"
"Relax, Mr. Leo. I'll handle everything. That's what a fixer's for," Dexter said, pointing at the bathroom. "But first, why don't you go wash up? You look like shit."
Leo nodded and started walking toward the bathroom.
Dexter took a long drag on his cigar and signaled his bodyguard to shadow Leo. Meanwhile, he slumped onto the sofa and made a call.
"It's me. I can't wait till morning. I'll pay extra," he said into the phone.
The other end must have given him an address.
"Spaceport, Platform 4. Got it," Dexter repeated.
Leo, who had almost entered the bathroom, suddenly turned back.
His sudden movement caught the bodyguard off guard, but he didn't attack—only hesitated and made room.
Leo walked straight over to Dexter.
"Who were you calling? Evelyn Parker?"
"No, just an old friend at the docks. Logistics work. That's all you need to know, Mr. Leo. Seriously, you should wash your face, freshen up a bit."
"No need," Leo said calmly, sinking into a chair. "I'll sit right here."
Dexter and his bodyguard exchanged a glance. "Fine, whatever you like."
Leo watched their little exchange without comment, then asked casually, "I overheard you saying 'spaceport.' We leaving Night City by shuttle?"
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