Joytoy was a profession unique to the world of Cyberpunk 2077, yet it was also one of the oldest professions in human history.
They fitted their bodies with cyberware designed for other people's pleasure, then installed drivers serving the same purpose in their operating systems. When customers arrived, they became exquisite tools that sent them straight to heaven.
Lier and V listened from the sidelines, their expressions unchanged, though they were already discussing it privately.
V: So this was all about a joytoy developing a mind of her own. Honestly, I don't get it. She used that job to land a position at Kang Tao. What else did she have to complain about?
Lier: As they say, power can also be transmitted through... you know. Once Cai Pin reached a position like this, how could she still be satisfied being a toy?
V: Maybe, but this has turned pretty ugly.
Lier: True-want to make a bet? I bet Zhu Shen will ask who Cai Pin was working with. Let's bet on who it was.
V: What do you mean? Someone else was backing Cai Pin?
Lier: Did you forget the crime license we bought for a million eddies? Of course Cai Pin would get one too.
V: Then my money's on Militech. Probably some corporate warfare thing. If they could sell one to us, they could sell one to Cai Pin.
Lier: I think it's corporate warfare too, but obviously the European Business Alliance was behind this. Is your brain fried? If Militech were backing her, they could've taken our million eddies and then arrested us.
V: Screw you.
Zhu Shen raised his pistol. "Last question. Who were you planning to sell the goods to?"
Cai Pin gave a miserable smile. "Does it matter? After seeing this, they definitely won't show themselves again."
"Tell me, and for old times' sake, I'll make it quick."
Cai Pin suddenly went on the offensive. After a pause, she stared straight at Zhu Shen and laughed. "The Europeans-but you're all in deep trouble. Doesn't he always say that to fool your enemies, you have to fool your own people first...
"I bet you don't know what's inside, do you?"
Zhu Shen's expression changed drastically at that, and he blew Cai Pin's head apart with a single shot!
Lier frowned. "I don't mean to pry into my client's private affairs, but what did she mean? That didn't sound right."
Zhu Shen kept his face impassive. "Nothing. Load the goods into the vehicle."
Something was off about Zhu Shen. Lier frowned, then suddenly noticed a blue glow in the man's eyes!
That meant his system was reconnecting to the network!
But according to their agreement, they weren't supposed to reboot until the vehicle reached the Night City border!
"Fuck-you rebooted your cyberware? This isn't the time we agreed on! V!"
At his command, V immediately raised the enormous Nekomata rifle and aimed it at Zhu Shen.
The man remained calm at gunpoint. "I'll pay more. As long as you complete the job, I can add another million eddies."
"Money's no good if you're not alive to spend it. What the hell is in there?"
The instant Lier asked, a long string of messages popped up in his cyber-eyes!
"Your network access has been blocked." "You have violated Chapter Three, Article XXX of the New America Public Security Regulations..." "You have violated Chapter Two, Article XXX of the New America Corporate Regulations..." "You have..."
"Fuck, we're wanted! This bastard played us!" V's expression changed too. Atlanta only imposed a total lockdown and manhunt on one type of criminal: targets who had to be shot dead!
In other words, they were getting the same treatment as people suffering from cyberpsychosis!
Zhu Shen didn't panic in the slightest. "Two million eddies-and I can tell you why. This shipment really does contain prototype weapons from the Kang Tao Corporation.
"Five Yinglong smart submachine guns, five Eight-Star Shotgun smart shotguns, and some ammunition and body armor.
"Those weapons are important, but there's one thing more important than all those prototype weapons combined.
"A prototype Sandevistan from Militech. Supposedly, it's a next-generation Sandevistan more advanced than the Apogee model.
"I don't know where it came from, but the company needs it.
"Kang Tao has the world's best smart systems and the most advanced shard manufacturing technology, but we've yet to make a breakthrough in cyberware systems.
"Militech is different. After the North American War, they had plenty of wounded people to experiment on. We don't do that sort of thing. We only need this prototype unit.
"This Sandevistan has almost no software drivers installed. We can open up all its biological interfaces for research.
"It can go a long way toward helping us break through Militech's technological blockade in this field-and I believe it can save your life too."
Here we go again-why does this sound so familiar?
Corporate promises. Lier had heard plenty of those in the game, and he was sure he'd hear plenty more in the future.
"Right, you don't experiment on humans. You just steal the results of human experimentation."
After saying that, V glanced at Lier. "You might be tempted, but let me remind you: if they install brand-new cyberware in your body, I'd say that makes you the test subject."
Zhu Shen continued, "We're out of time. Militech's troops can get here in twenty minutes. Kill me, and you won't survive either."
Lier looked at Zhu Shen, then suddenly smiled.
"Mr. Zhu, you really have been running circles around me. Pay up first. V, load the goods."
"Our vehicle might not make it." V looked at the van, half its cargo compartment shot to pieces. "Fuck, that cost me three thousand eddies."
"Then go steal one-we're wanted criminals anyway."
V froze for a moment, then turned toward the road, cursing. Vehicles whose drivers had no idea what was happening were still coming this way. They wouldn't be for much longer.
Several gunshots made the road even more chaotic, but Lier didn't concern himself with that. He trusted V to handle it.
Zhu Shen looked at Lier with growing appreciation. "My offer still stands. Kang Tao's doors will always be open to you-I only have four hundred thousand eddies on hand.
"I didn't expect this mission to go so badly wrong. Our contingency funds are almost exhausted, but you can trust Kang Tao's reputation."
"You'd better be right-"
As Lier spoke, he received a call from Nott. "Kid, you should've gotten the notification that you're wanted by now.
"Since you've done us a big favor this time, shoot that Kang Tao dog and hand the goods back. I can guarantee you'll make it back to Night City safely."
He had only just thought about how many corporate promises he'd hear in the future, and here came another one.
The outcomes of trusting corporate promises in the game flashed through his mind. Looking at the network boundary map, Lier instantly came up with several plans.
He replied, "Fine, but Zhu Shen has some serious combat cyberware. I can give you our route and help you intercept him."
"Smart choice."
After replying, Lier spoke before Zhu Shen could open his mouth. "Someone from the other side contacted me. I tricked him into thinking I'd be his inside man. He'll be following us.
"I set the rendezvous about forty kilometers away. I'm guessing your people will be waiting at the border?"
"That'll be enough." Zhu Shen gave him an approving look and patted his shoulder. "This mission really is dangerous. We might wind up dead. I'll spot you some of my own money-after all, dying without ever being rich would be a hell of a waste.
"Hmm... let me check. The signal's a little weak. The network boundary seems to be shifting. It's moving toward us. That's good news.
"We won't have to travel nearly as far to cross it."
Another four hundred thousand eddies hit Lier's account, instantly pushing his balance past the million mark.
V's anger had subsided, but Lier wasn't feeling nearly as cheerful. This corporate dog really hadn't said a single honest word. Earlier, he'd claimed he'd given Lier all his money.
Now he'd suddenly produced more. Clearly, he was just dangling a carrot.
Screech-
A Columbus V340 van identical to the destroyed transport pulled up in front of them, though this one hadn't been fitted with armor.
V stuck her head out of the driver's seat. "Lucky us. Feel like you're back home, Kang Tao dog?"
Zhu Shen said nothing. Treating V as though she didn't exist, he went over and opened the Kang Tao transport's cargo compartment.
V flipped Zhu Shen off, then said to Lier, "I'll admit I bought into your big promises, but we're up against a Militech armed squad this time. I'm getting seriously screwed here."
Blue light flashed in Lier's cyber-eyes, and he transferred five hundred thousand eddies to her.
"At least we made a killing-you know when you look coolest? When you're taking on corporate dogs head-on. Load the goods."
V instantly broke into a delighted smile.
Lier mocked himself inwardly. Three sentences, and a woman was willing to risk her life for me.
Of course, it might also have been the five hundred thousand.
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