Maine handed Ashley a chip. Ashley took it, inserted it into the slot, and a large red screen appeared before her eyes, with all sorts of mission information pouring in. This included the address, the layout of the venue, a 3D structural diagram, Arasaka security configurations, hacker configurations, and even detailed staff shift schedules.
Dog Brother exclaimed, "How could that four-eyed middleman have such divine power? Even Afterlife's Queen Rogue couldn't achieve this. It seems the four-eyed one's superior is Militech. And someone in Arasaka sold information to Militech."
Ashley showed no surprise. She pulled out the chip and returned it to Maine, still speaking in a self-deprecating tone: "Captain Maine, it seems our mission this time is a bit exaggerated. Do you think we'll be taken out after we complete it?"
Rebecca, the smallest but most temperamental, crossed her legs. "They'd have to have the ability first!"
Dorio, the strong woman, was much more objective. "Maine, Miss J is right. This mission involves a covert struggle between two world-class corporations. We really need to be prepared for contingencies."
Kiwi, wearing an iron mask, spoke in a muffled voice, "Stealing Arasaka data is already difficult, and then we'll have to be on guard when we turn in the mission, as Militech might silence us."
Falco, the bearded uncle, rested his chin on one hand. "So, will Faraday sell us out? These corporations hire middlemen when they can't act directly, and then the middlemen find us mercenaries. All the dirty work is ours."
Maine spoke with an air of indifference, "It's just corporations biting each other. Think about it, getting money from a corporation to mess with another corporation—it sounds awesome, so why not? Don't be so hesitant. We've done so many jobs over the years; which time haven't we been walking on a knife's edge? What's there to be afraid of?"
Ashley quietly watched them converse, wanting to learn more about this team. Lucy's call came through. Ashley looked at Lucy with a strange expression. They were face to face; was there something special to say?
In fact, everyone had added each other as contacts upon entering the private room. Ashley answered, and Lucy's virtual voice came through her mind: "Miss J, I'll be watching you throughout the operation. You'd best not make any strange moves."
Dog Brother: "This girl has suspected you of being a corporate mole from the start."
Ashley and Lucy's conversation continued: "If you're not at ease, then keep a closer eye on me. A straight body casts no crooked shadow." Ashley knew that any further explanation would be useless.
Maine stood up. "Alright, the hacker trio, that is Kiwi, Lucy, and Miss J, plus me. The four of us will handle the infiltration. The best approach is to silently acquire the information from the server. If something goes wrong, Dorio, Falco, and Rebecca will create a diversion directly at the gatehouse outside."
Loli Rebecca expressed doubt, "Maine, you're so big, and you're doing infiltration? Are you kidding me?"
Dorio, the strong woman, also joined in, "Rebecca, why do you have to expose him? After all, there are three sexy female hackers..."
Maine actually looked a little embarrassed, showing a slight contrast in his demeanor: "What, what are you saying? I'm just afraid they'll mess up the operation. If they encounter combat, I can cover their escape! Who has the strongest individual combat power? If not me, then who? Four streets, east, west, north, south, ask around who's the daddy!"
A burst of laughter, and the mission meeting concluded in such a relaxed atmosphere. After agreeing on the time and place, everyone dispersed to prepare.
Ashley went to the nearest weapon shop to Lizzie's Bar. According to Dog Brother, she needed three guns: a Tech Precision Rifle, a full-auto shotgun, and a sniper rifle.
Ashley disagreed, "Big Brother, infiltration, understand? Infiltration! Not for you to go in and slaughter everyone!"
Dog Brother: "Always keep a backup plan. What if the infiltration is exposed? Wouldn't we have to fight head-on?"
Ashley: "Me carrying three big guns is precisely what will expose me, understand? If it really gets exposed, Maine can handle it. His body is all modified into cannons; one heavy gunner like him is enough. I hired others through the middleman for my own safety, you brute."
Dog Brother gnawed on his thumb, wanting to refute but unable to utter a single word, which made Ashley try to suppress her laughter: "Then at least get a precision rifle."
"Alright, alright! I'll buy it!" Dog Brother changed the subject, "You know, this world under corporate rule is really chaotic, huh? These guns bought so openly aren't even registered. It'd be a miracle if Night City's crime rate was low."
Ashley: "It's not just weapons. If you scan any pedestrian on the street now, you'll see everyone is using second-hand, no, multi-hand cyberware. They're all old, defective products. Corporate products can be reused repeatedly, achieving several times their original value, and guns are the same. Where can you even buy new guns anymore?"
Dog Brother: "Why does it sound so strange coming from the mouth of a child of a corporate executive like you? So, you support this corporate behavior of exploiting the poor?"
Ashley examined the SOR-22 Kinetic Precision Rifle in her hand, fiddling with it constantly: "Sorry, Dog Brother, I couldn't get a Tech Precision Rifle. It's too precious. You'll have to make do with a kinetic gun."
Dog Brother: "Tech guns can shoot through walls. In Night City, combat is always street fighting with lots of cover, so wall penetration is very important."
Ashley frowned, "I know Tech Rifles are good, but I can't buy one. I'll check two more shops, and if there aren't any, then there aren't any, okay?"
"Okay."
Indeed, after visiting three shops, there were none. Ashley: "Alright, time is running out. It'll just be the kinetic rifle. My palm has a ballistic coordination cyberware, so being able to calculate angles for ricochets is also good."
Dog Brother: "Give it up. I can manage without ballistic assistance. Luckily, your little pistol is a tech weapon; it can charge up to penetrate walls."
Ashley: "Holy crap, how deep is your obsession with wall penetration?"
Dog Brother grumbled, "What do you know, little girl?"
At 11 PM, the seven people had gathered. Maine had already planned the infiltration route, starting from a dark alley next to the Arasaka facility in the Valley District.
Lucy and Kiwi's hacking skills were naturally top-notch, but Ashley Johnson was also not inferior. After all, her mother, Emma Johnson, was a top-tier Arasaka hacker, so her daughter naturally wouldn't be far behind.
All the cameras near the infiltration point were hacked and directly controlled by the three, even allowing them to perform reconnaissance. Maine tossed the three women in one by one. Yes, for him, it was as easy as tossing kittens.
The wall had an electrified fence that couldn't be touched; the correct way was to jump over it directly. Ashley landed very lightly, almost silently. She looked back at the high wall and electrified fence she had just crossed, wondering:
Maine's self-weight couldn't be less than 200kg. Didn't he say he was going to infiltrate too? How would he do it?
Before she could finish wondering, a giant body flew in, though the landing sound was a bit excessive. However, the area had been thoroughly checked, and the patrol personnel were currently on other routes.
Dog Brother: "This guy's cyberware modifications are too extreme; he'll turn into a cyberpsycho sooner or later. His cybernetic legs must be the charge-jump type.