Cyberpunk Patriarch

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After Lucy finished speaking, the line went dead.

Arthur stared at his phone in disbelief, feeling the weight of the situation. A single small chip inside a large box felt like the most dangerous thing in the world right now. It was like holding the exhaust pipe of a car that had been running all day in Night City—too hot to handle, and likely to burn anyone who touched it.

The military tech people had done a good job of camouflaging it. A tiny chip was tucked away in several oversized boxes, clearly designed to divert attention. To keep the homeless from noticing the vehicle, they had even handed out small items for the wanderers to grab. But that wasn't enough to fool Adecado.

Panan, as always, was quick to notice the stray vehicle, and the resourceful Adecado men had seized the opportunity, snatching back this "hot potato."

Arthur closed the box in his hands, placing the smaller box back inside the larger one before shutting it securely. He glanced at Thor, who was standing beside him, and asked, "Can we pretend I haven't been here today?"

Thor shrugged, his face dark with worry. Though he hadn't heard Lucy's frantic words, he understood this was a big mess. If Arthur fled now, Adecado might not be able to handle it.

"Friends should protect their friends, right?" Thor said, his voice low.

Arthur looked at him skeptically. "If Panan calls you stupid again, come to me. I'll make sure she regrets it!"

Thor flashed a charming middle-aged smile, but Arthur was too deep in thought to respond.

"Let me break it down for you," Arthur began, switching to a more serious tone. "This is a piece of biotechnology information that was stolen from Biotech by Military Technology using espionage methods. Originally, it should have gone straight to Military Tech's headquarters, but somehow it's ended up in your hands."

Thor raised an eyebrow, clearly confused. Arthur continued, "The data is mature and ready for commercialization. It's worth a lot. You're sitting on a goldmine right now."

Thor's face darkened, his eyes narrowing as the implications set in. Sol, who had been quietly listening, scowled at the ground. His patience was already wearing thin with Panan's antics, but now Arthur had made it clear how deep they were in.

Arthur leaned in slightly. "Now you understand why you snatched that car but ended up being hunted by Military Tech. They're after this data, and they won't hesitate to make you pay."

When Sol heard this, his old face turned as black as the bottom of a pot. If Panan had been in the van, she would have certainly shouted at him, but fortunately, she was elsewhere. Sol could barely hold back his irritation, but he tried to remain calm.

Arthur sighed, knowing this was a dangerous game, and continued, "If you return the data to Military Technology, they might drop the charges. They could consider canceling the fatwa and let you off the hook."

Arthur's suggestion was pragmatic. The truth was, many of the technologies within this stolen research required high-precision manufacturing equipment. Even if someone had the data, it would be almost impossible to replicate the technology without access to the specialized facilities used by Military Tech and Biotech. Returning it would be the safest choice.

But after thinking for a moment, Sol shook his head. He had other ideas, and Arthur could see that his mind was already made up. There was something brewing behind those eyes—an idea that Arthur wasn't quite privy to yet.

"Thanks for the help, Arthur," Sol said with a nod, his voice steady despite the tension in the air. "But we'll handle this. We didn't realize what kind of hot potato we were dealing with, but we'll figure it out."

Arthur instantly recognized the shift. Sol wasn't just being polite. He had a plan. It was the kind of thinking that had kept him and his group alive in a city like Night City. People always seemed to think they had a chance at the big time, and they weren't afraid to grab it—no matter how risky it was.

Some would reach for the stars and end up with nothing. Others would grab a grenade, thinking it was just a lucky charm, only to find it ready to blow.

Arthur didn't want to get caught up in that mess. He could see that Sol had already decided to carry the burden, and Arthur had no intention of tying his fate to theirs. He wasn't sure whether Military Tech would come after him specifically, but if they did, things would get complicated quickly. He didn't need that kind of attention.

"If you've already made up your mind, then that's the best option," Arthur said, stepping back. "Just know, if you need anything, call me. For the beer's sake, I'll help as much as I can."

Arthur turned and exited the van, his mind already shifting gears. As he walked away, he saw Mitch approaching, pushing a motorcycle in his direction.

"Arthur!" Mitch called out with a grin. "Not quite the Sword in the Stone, but I've got something I think you'll like. Check out the new ride I've got ready for you."

Arthur blinked. "The Sword in the Stone?" He couldn't help but laugh. The Sword in the Stone might be a great metaphor, but it was a far cry from anything realistic in Night City. A car like that was reserved for the ultra-elite, the corporate dogs who had more money than sense.

"Seriously, Mitch?" Arthur shook his head. "You really think I could afford something like that?"

Mitch shrugged but remained unfazed. "Hey, I didn't know you were a rich guy. But I think this bike is more your speed."

Arthur approached the motorcycle and gave it a once-over. A motorcycle might not be the "Sword in the Stone," but it was practical. And in a city like Night City, practicality often outweighed luxury.

This mission had turned out better than expected. Not only had Arthur earned some money, but now he also had a decent ride to get around. It wasn't the kind of vehicle that would attract attention, which suited him just fine. No more relying on the Sixth Street Gang for a car.

Panan, who had been sipping her drink nearby, glanced over as Arthur prepared to leave. "You leaving already? You should stick around a bit longer," she said, a hint of confusion in her voice.

Arthur paused and gave her a small smile. "I've got some business to handle in Night City. Got to head back, but if I've got time next time, I'll stick around for sure."

The wanderers had become his temporary family in a way. Though their lives were difficult and rough, they recognized what Arthur had done for them. He had saved Adecado before, and even though they'd repaid him in their own way, it didn't erase the fact that he'd helped them.

"If you come to Night City, come find me. I'll treat you to some real chicken," Arthur joked, trying to lighten the mood.

Panan laughed, but Arthur wasn't in the mood for idle chatter. He had bigger things on his plate—things like running a company and avoiding the heat that was sure to come from Military Tech.

He glanced back at the camp. The homeless people had already started setting up, the chef was cooking, kids were playing, and even the sick and injured were trying to keep their spirits up. The camp had its share of struggles, but the atmosphere was better than it had been.

Arthur looked at the makeshift homes, the resilience in their eyes, and sighed. Life had to go on, even in a place like this.

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