V floated in pure darkness—no up, no down, no front, no back.
A faint glimmer appeared. V reached out and caught a glowing jellyfish woven from 0s and 1s.
What is this?
Where am I?
Who… am I?
Her thoughts were blurry. She knew she was V—Valerie—but everything felt unreal, distant, hollow.
Another glow blossomed behind her. V turned—
—and froze.
A colossal jellyfish, impossibly large, hovered silently behind her. Its massive body radiated soft, warm light.
"Wake…"
What?
V stepped forward to hear more—
The giant jellyfish lashed out with a tentacle.
BOOM.
A jolt hit V's stomach. She snapped awake.
Beside her, Sasha was sleeping in a twisted heap, one arm pressing right on V's belly.
V was speechless.
She lifted Sasha's arm and gave her a smack on the butt. The pink catgirl mumbled incoherently and rolled over like a big white worm.
V crawled out of bed, pulled the sheet up over Sasha, and walked naked across the floor littered with discarded clothing into the bathroom.
She turned on the shower, braced both hands on the wall, and let the warm water wash over her, rinsing away the exhaustion of last night.
Stepping out, she stood before the mirror.
V twisted her expression—stern, relaxed, testing her facial muscles—then turned sideways to check her back.
A few light scratch marks trailed down her smooth spine. Not deep. No need for a pneumatic injector.
V nodded in satisfaction. Still sharp as ever.
She started the coffee machine and dressed: underwear, shirt, suit pants, coat. Fine fabric rustled against synthetic skin. By the time she tied her tie, the coffee was ready.
Standing before the floor-to-ceiling window, gazing down at Night City, she finished her drink, set the cup aside, and stepped out the door.
"Deputy Director V!"
168 fully armed Arasaka security operatives saluted in unison.
"Mm."
V walked forward to the rooftop pad. The AV convoy was already prepared.
With a burst of air, nine AVs rose into the sky.
Three in front, three behind, one on each side—forming a tight escort grid around the central vehicle.
Her vehicle.
The massive formation flew across Night City. Office workers looked up with envy; children chased the shadows, laughing; gang members cursed and fired shots into the air; MaxTac AVs hovered at major intersections, their officers wearing complicated expressions as they escorted her.
V had defeated Abernathy—
and had now become the new Abernathy.
Had the dragon slayer become the dragon?
"Turn on the news," V ordered the onboard AI.
"Now we turn to Arasaka Tower. It has been several weeks since the Arasaka leadership reshuffle. Arasaka Corporation has officially begun compensation and reconstruction for the municipal damage caused. Spokesperson Mr. Jenkins expressed deep regret for the incident and stated that the corporation reflects seriously on its excessive actions. To that end, Arasaka commits €50 million to renovate and modernize Night City's deteriorating districts."
"In recent weeks, corporate armed standoffs caused widespread public concern. Analysts warned the situation could escalate into open conflict. But with Arasaka leading the formation of the Corporate Alliance, and with all major corporations signing the Non-Proliferation of Arms Treaty, citizens can finally sleep peacefully."
"World leaders sent congratulatory messages praising the treaty's innovation. Japan remains silent."
"To prevent another Memorial Park massacre and reduce the threat of cyberpsychosis, the Corporate Alliance launched the Veterans Care Program. All retired soldiers will receive free biannual medical exams, and if needed, the Alliance will cover all costs for cyberware downgrades."
"Thanks to the efforts of Biotechnica's Chief of Biomedical Pharmacology, Dr. Joanne Koch, a new generation immunosuppressant drug has launched. Reports show it significantly reduces cyberware-induced neural damage and greatly suppresses cyberpsychosis onset. To avoid pricing citizens out, the Alliance ensures the drug is sold at extremely low cost. Public response is overwhelmingly positive—Biotechnica stock has surged."
"Arasaka Academy introduced new scholarship programs to help underprivileged students complete their education. Insiders say the Corporate Alliance is discussing implementing the program citywide. If approved, lack of affordability may become a thing of the past."
"Militech released a medical exoskeleton—low price, easy maintenance—becoming a boon for people with disabilities."
"Zetatech has gifted the NCPD 2,000 Vargas-class police drones to protect officers and improve public security. Originally developed in the early 21st century, the Vargas line is famed for reliability. The newest model comes with HD sensors and intelligent analytics, ideal for detecting micro-crimes such as petty theft."
"For years citizens have asked: When will we truly be safe? When can we walk through a mall without carrying concealed weapons? When can our children play in the park? The Corporate Alliance seems to have provided an answer. Believe in the Alliance—believe in the future."
As the AV landed, V shut off the news and stepped out.
"V! What a trip, huh? It's already October and the sun's still blazing. Come inside—I've chilled your favorite: God of Hundred-Proof Tequila."
Jenkins greeted her. He'd never expected that while he went to Europe, V would rise to become second only to the top of Arasaka. Envy? Yes. Jealousy? A little. But after hearing what she'd done—
Charging Arasaka Tower.
Going in whole.
Coming out whole.
That wasn't something humans did.
Jenkins knew he'd never manage it.
So jealousy evaporated.
V was a rising star; Jenkins had a bit of history with her; naturally, the correct choice was to cling tightly to this golden thigh.
V wanted to promote Carter to head of Counterintel? No problem—Jenkins volunteered to transfer out. Good attitude. Then V created the new External Comms Division and immediately made Jenkins the director.
Exhausting work, sure. But in the last few days he'd been dealing constantly with other corporate reps, shaking hands with government officials, even the mayor, Lucius Rhyne, had to ask through connections to get dinner with him.
Much better than being a wage donkey in Counterintel.
His respect for V only grew.
V herself felt neither fondness nor dislike toward her old boss. She had risen—she had to show some old-ties courtesy. That's corporate survival 101. V was no naive brat. She knew the rules.
"Old Jenkins, we've known each other for years. No need to be so formal."
"Formal? This is nothing. My skills aren't much, so if you still remember our past, I should at least do my job well."
"You handle things well. Anything you need, say it. External Comms is yours."
After some small talk, V entered the meeting room.
Meredith Stout (Militech rep) and Dr. Joanne Koch (Biotechnica rep) were already there. Both doing quite well lately—new rising stars in their respective corps. Koch especially—her new drug had skyrocketed her status. She was basically second only to Biotechnica's top brass.
Meredith was slightly worse off. Her loyalty to Militech prevented her from sharing deeper core tech, limiting what she could gain in return. She managed to push out a medical exoskeleton—but that was it.
That was the power of networking.
Koch's new drug owed much to Arasaka's medical research data.
Meredith's exoskeleton relied on Biotechnica's biomedical support.
No corp was a saint—yet all hoarded their own toys like dragons.
V fixed that.
Yes, she schemed for personal gain—but she also genuinely made life better for ordinary people.
"You're late, V," Koch teased. "You and that little pink cat of yours having another wild night?"
"No." V pulled out a chair calmly. "We were studying economics."
"…Economics?"
"She was teaching me how to stimulate Night City's economic growth. First, identify sensitive points to expand demand, then apply market-opening strategies, leverage the friction principle to boost quarterly flows, use a dual inbound-outbound approach to maximize consumer peak, release long-repressed spending impulses, and ensure capital flows efficiently into each market."
Koch blinked.
"What the hell—you really were studying economics?"
"Don't listen to her bullshit," Meredith cut in. "She was trading crypto."
Koch: …
I'll never be crazy enough to fit in with you people.
After chatting, the other corporate reps arrived. The three of them returned to proper posturing.
The Kang Tao representative was last—a grumpy old auntie who glared hatefully at V before sitting.
V ignored her.
Koch smirked.
Everyone knew this Kang Tao auntie was Abernathy's lover—always looking at V like she wanted to tear her apart. Koch couldn't understand it. Abernathy's husband didn't even hold a grudge. He was chatting with V happily. But this side-piece acted like they were star-crossed lovers.
Meanwhile, Zetatech had strong momentum. Abernathy's husband even got promoted.
But Kang Tao headquarters was increasingly dissatisfied with their auntie's performance—and she still refused to change.
It was 2076.
Who the hell still valued "love" over career?
Koch really wanted to dissect these romance-brained people alive.
The Corporate Alliance held a full-membership meeting once a month. This was the second since its formation.
The first meeting created the Non-Proliferation of Arms Treaty.
This second meeting focused on Night City's gang violence.
Not that the Alliance cared about the people—
but because the big bosses above wanted it addressed.
Night City was an independent city-state. The local corporate branch heads were around sixty—"young" by corporate standards—and had no scars from past Corpo Wars. No old grudges.
The Corporate Alliance was Michiko Arasaka's doing. Those who joined generally aligned with her ideology.
To them, fighting was a waste.
Collaborating made money.
V performed well; stock prices rose.
Why stop? Worst case—blame the subordinates.
Thus the top brass delivered their new order:
Reduce gang violence.
"That's the situation. Arasaka will restrain the Tyger Claws and cut member count by 30%. No need to hide—share your thoughts."
Meredith went first.
"Militech will take the 6th Street Gang. We'll cut them by 30%."
Koch followed instantly.
"Biotechnica will handle the Scavs. 50% reduction."
With two taking the lead, others quickly matched—20%, 30%, gang by gang—selling out every crew in Night City.
"Soft measures aren't enough. We need a hard example. I'll pick a gang to kill one, warn a hundred. Maelstrom is fine—they have no real backer, or too many small ones, which is the same thing."
She looked around.
No one objected.
Maelstrom was unlucky—but expendable.
"Cutting gang numbers only treats symptoms. To fix the root, we need higher employment. If people have money, only idiots join gangs."
V looked at the romance-brained auntie.
"Kang Tao has the most factories. Why not post job openings? The Alliance will subsidize wages. Kang Tao gets a good reputation."
A good idea. Easy to implement. Small corps even envied it, though they lacked the scale.
But the auntie refused.
"Kang Tao runs fully automated production. All manual tasks handled by smart bots. No positions to fill, Deputy Director V. Try another solution."
The others frowned.
Everyone had grudges—but they were all eating from the same pot now.
You didn't get to take benefits while skipping the work.
Kang Tao benefited from the Alliance.
But refused to contribute.
V didn't bother with politeness.
"You're sure Kang Tao can't handle it?"
The auntie rolled her eyes. "Of course I'm sure."
"Alright. Then I'll confirm with Kang Tao Headquarters in Shenyang directly."
"You—!" She shot up from her seat.
"You what? If you can't do the job, then get out. The Alliance will run fine without Kang Tao. Announce your withdrawal—I guarantee I'll flatten Kang Tao Tower before sundown. Remember: you begged to join the Alliance. The Alliance didn't beg you. If your memory's failing, take your meds. And stop throwing your seniority in my face."
"You—you—!"
The auntie trembled with rage, turning pale then green, jaw clenched—
But she didn't dare say "withdraw."
V wasn't bluffing.
The Alliance held Arasaka, Militech, Biotechnica, Zetatech, and more.
If united, they could wipe Kang Tao's Night City branch off the map before nightfall.
Even if Kang Tao's nation backed her—
by the time help arrived, she'd already be dust.
So she stormed out, slamming the door.
"What an idiot. What's she acting high and mighty for?" someone muttered.
V shrugged. "Maybe it's true love."
The entire room burst out laughing.
Abernathy's drama was now common gossip. Rumor said even 4th Wall Studio wanted to make a braindance adaptation.
"Alright, jokes aside—back to work." V continued. "I'll handle employment. If Arasaka can spare slots, great. If not, I'll build factories with my own money. Losing a little cash isn't a big deal."
No one felt deep gratitude—but all agreed V was righteous.
Following etiquette of shared burdens, Koch suggested building the factories under the Alliance's name, costs shared by all.
V refused, but they insisted.
After three rounds of polite back-and-forth, V "reluctantly" accepted.
"So—what do we produce?"
That stumped everyone.
The market was saturated.
The poor were… poor.
Even good products wouldn't sell.
"We produce whatever the market lacks. If there's no demand, we halt production and pay half wages. Consider it reputation building."
Everyone agreed—nobody expected profit.
"But this means production lines and materials will vary wildly," Meredith said stiffly. "Militech can supply some, but not all."
"No problem. We're the top dogs of Night City," Koch said. "Everyone can spare a little from between their fingers."
V raised an eyebrow. "And don't worry. Since it's official business, the Alliance pays. Everyone earns something."
Everyone understood what "earn something" meant.
If they didn't—
they wouldn't be sitting here.
"Isn't that… inappropriate?" someone asked timidly.
"You're all working your asses off. Consider it a service fee. Don't worry—it won't be much. If anything goes wrong, I shoulder it."
Now they thought V was even more righteous.
After business wrapped, they chatted briefly, then dispersed.
V turned to Meredith.
"By the way, Stout—the leg exoskeleton I asked about…"
"Already prepared. Bring your little cat—we'll test it together."
"Alright. Thanks." V sounded almost embarrassed.
Everyone smiled knowingly.
Deputy Director V—loyal, devoted. Even with a paralyzed lover, she stayed by her side.
"How about Dr. Koch comes too? With a doctor, things will be safer."
V waved quickly.
"No need. Joanne specializes in pharmacology, not clinical medicine. Don't trouble her."
Koch sighed.
"Let's go. If I don't come, I'll look heartless."
"Really?"
"Get in the AV before I change my mind."
The crowd cleared a path, letting V pass first.
She thanked them politely.
As soon as the AV door closed, all three women exhaled in unison.
V smiled softly.
"And that's how our factory is secured."