Chapter 20: Uninvited Guests

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[Call: V]
"Boss, I've reached Dogtown... and managed to wind up Mr. Hands in the process."
V: "Not bad. Hands' wife has a killer body; sitting in the same car as such a hot woman counts as an easy gig, I suppose."
Lin Yue: "..."
"What's the situation?"
Lin Yue shook his head. "It's been a day, and there's been no word from Hands. But I understand... when I'm angry, I force myself to stay calm. Perhaps this very busy man is just cooling off while figuring out how to brush me off."
"I'll keep you posted on things in Dogtown. If I need anything, I'll call you directly."
"But you need to make sure you can stay in Dogtown. Don't end up getting plucked like a nail by Hansen. I'm hanging up now. Get in touch if anything comes up."
The call ended. Lin Yue squatted at the Dogtown basketball court, watching the residents play street ball.
This world is truly peculiar. This spot is where V will later wait for Reed, and Lin Yue, an uninvited "outsider," sat here just like V, pondering how to survive.
Lin Yue had spent the previous night in an unfinished building; he certainly couldn't return to the Longshore Stacks. Although his current disguise wouldn't be immediately compromised, there was always the risk that one of Dogtown’s Barghest soldiers might have linked into the NCPD database.
That tech is powerful—it can identify you regardless of what skin you're wearing.
Except for—
Behavioral pattern masking.
But he still had no leads on that. For this reason, he had specifically visited the stadium black market, but every ripperdoc just shook their head.
It didn't exist, and even if it did, it wasn't something you could just buy.
[Message]
A prompt flashed in Lin Yue’s ocular implant. He had finally received a message from the "very busy man."
Mr. Hands: Nice work, friend. A mercenary like you, willing to do anything, is well-suited to be a corporate lapdog.
Lin Yue: ?
What is this guy talking about? Lin Yue was a bit confused. Could Hands be so formidable that he can casually check Arasaka’s database?
Mr. Hands: Let’s get straight to the point. I’ve checked out your handler quite clearly. Lin, L-I-N. Sounds familiar, doesn’t it?
Lin Yue stared at the message, his expression turning strange...
Isn't that just me?!
Seriously, what exactly did Hands dig up?
Or was V’s dossier so well-crafted that Mr. Hands actually believes there’s someone named Lin working at Arasaka?
This world, it seems, is also just a giant, poorly run stage play...
And so, Lin Yue replied: LOL.
Hands was getting impatient: Friend, do you think staying silent will gloss over the fact that you’re Arasaka’s dog? I was wondering what kind of deity showed up knowing so much. Tell your handler to stay away from me.
Lin Yue: No.
It took a long time for a reply to come back.
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Hands: Bring your handler here. Let’s talk face-to-face. All they want is money, fame, and status—that can be shared, but we need to compete.
Lin Yue: Sorry, you aren't worthy of meeting my handler. Here’s a smart suggestion: release the jobs, and we split the business 50/50.
Hands: Where are you? Let’s talk in person.
Talk in person?
Lin Yue knew that in this game, once an online argument escalates to exchanging phone calls, the next step is an "offline reality check."
Hands’ expression must be ugly right now; only a fool would go.
Lin Yue: Do you think I’m an idiot? I’m not the one running the business. My boss takes the jobs, and I’m just along for the ride to make a living. What good does it do you to go after me?
Hands: Fine. Since your handler doesn’t want to see me, they must be in Pacifica right now, right? After all, business requires close supervision.
Lin Yue scoffed to himself.
Boss isn't just in Pacifica; he’s squatting in the backyard of your own building (the Heavy Hearts club), watching people play basketball.
Hands: Business requires mercenaries to do the dirty work. Clean or not, you need someone you can trust. Does your boss have that?
Lin Yue: Yes, it’s me. Stop the chatter. Be smart. If there’s work, push it to my boss, Lin. Remember, I can find your wife at any time.
Hands: ...Just you? One person can’t handle any big jobs.
Lin Yue: That’s for my boss to worry about. You don’t need to concern yourself with it.
The other end showed "typing" for a long time, but eventually, the sound died away.
Lin Yue knew this wasn't very "humane," but keeping to the code of "don't mess with me and I won't mess with you," he felt that sharing a bit of business was generous enough for this old guy.
If you won't let me live, I'll cut off your revenue. It's only fair!
Hands’ call came through after all.
Lin Yue thought about it; there were many details to coordinate for business, so he picked up.
"I don't think you guys are going to make it here. Hansen won't let corporations into Dogtown. To make a living here, you need a calling card."
Lin Yue hummed. "Where we come from, we call that a 'pledge of loyalty.' No criminal record, no tearing the corporation apart—the Colonel in Dogtown wouldn't trust you, right?"
"Since you know that, why is your handler sticking his claws into Dogtown?"
Lin Yue replied: "The pay is too low, and we want to take down Hansen... isn't it obvious? Mess with Arasaka, and Arasaka messes with you. It’s normal. So, dear Mr. Hands, you better keep your mouth shut."
A long, sharp exhale came from Hands' end.
"Business isn't easy to coordinate. It’s best to send someone over. I can split my contacts with you, but I can't control who they trust. If you do your own work well, clients will believe in you—"
"Of course, I’ll also recommend my new clients to you. As for how to persuade others, your handler will have to handle that themselves."
"Note, I’ll give you a heads-up: don’t make it too ugly. The worst that happens to me is I retire and wash my hands of this. Your handler won't find it so easy to get out."
Lin Yue felt Hands made a good point. Pushing him to the edge wouldn't benefit anyone.
The old man still wanted to skim off the top; otherwise, he would have retired with his beautiful wife and left California long ago.
"Fine. I’ll come talk in person. My boss agrees."
The phone hung up.
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The time and place were set for tomorrow night at Heavy Hearts. Lin Yue had to go. The first step of using a tiger's skin to wave a banner had been inadvertently completed by Mr. Hands himself; Lin Yue only needed to confirm with V.
This matter was as good as settled.
Phones are fine until they start ringing, then they never stop.
Just as Lin Yue was about to send a message to V, an unknown number called in.
The voice on the other end was lowered, seemingly processed with audio effects, making it hard for Lin Yue to hear clearly.
"Are you... uh, Lin Yue?"
"Yes, who are you?"
"Holy shit, you’re actually still alive!"
"Do you want me to be alive or dead? Who are you? Where are your manners?"
The other end fell silent for a long moment. "The Longshore Stacks. I hope you can come."
"Buddy, do you really think I’m going to go based on some vague message?"
Lin Yue prepared to hang up. Night City is full of trash ads and AI telemarketers; it could easily be a prank.
"Who the hell is your buddy... forget it. Lin Yue, I know this is presumptuous. But we’re in deep trouble. Hansen’s men are still hot on our heels."
"..."
"Fine, it’s Rebecca."
"I know this is... not great, but I want to ask you if there are any other ways out of Dogtown."
Lin Yue’s expression was priceless.
"Huh? You guys are still in Dogtown playing games with Hansen? Impressive!"
It was true. Lin Yue never expected that the cyberpunk crew was still hiding out in Dogtown, dodging pursuers.
"How did you get my contact info? And besides... how did you know I was in Dogtown?"
"Our crew’s netrunner is still in Night City... anyway, the fact that you managed to get back into Dogtown means you have a way. Can you come? We’ll pay you."
Lin Yue hesitated. Helping a cyberpunk crew—the kind being hunted by Hansen—at this juncture was truly unnecessary.
However, a scheme formed in his mind.
"I can, but the only reason I’m surviving in Dogtown is because I have a 'boss.' How about this: I’ll ask my boss if they need some extra hands, so you can get out of Dogtown, come back in, and pick up some work on the side."
"The boss pays, takes no cut, and even gives you a salary. How about that?"
Rebecca on the other end clearly couldn't decide. "Just come over first, okay?"
"Fine. But once I get there, it means you’ve agreed. If you change your mind halfway, call me anytime."
...
(The scenery of the Longshore Stacks is below~)
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