Chapter 136: The Storm is Brewing
"These people… they all seem to be wanderers from the Red Ochre Tribe. I recognize their clothing style—it must be them."
V frowned deeply, forcing down the wave of nausea surging from his stomach. Just as he was about to step forward to examine the corpses more closely, Panam suddenly grabbed his arm.
"Don't go over there, V!"
Panam gripped V's hand tightly, pulling him back several steps. Her face was stern as she scolded him angrily:
"Are you out of your mind?!"
"Look at them! It's obvious they died in some kind of corporate experiment. What if you get infected with a virus or something?"
Hearing this, V scratched his head awkwardly, realizing how reckless he'd been. He had actually considered touching the corpses with his bare hands.
But then a thought struck him: considering how heavily modified his body was—almost on par with Adam Smasher's—was he really at risk from a mere pathogen?
"Sorry, I'll be more careful," V said, exhaling.
Relieved, Panam glanced at the corpses piled in the car's trunk and voiced her opinion:
"My guess is that Biotechnica forced these people into some biological experiment. But when the experiment failed, they sent the Maelstrom gang to clean up the mess."
"They probably hadn't even finished covering their tracks before we stumbled onto this."
Panam's reasoning was sound, and even Johnny Silverhand, lurking in V's mind, had to admit she was sharp. Jackie also agreed with her assessment.
"Damn it! Those corporate scumbags are absolutely vile," Jackie cursed angrily. "The Red Ochre Tribe—dozens of innocent lives—probably all wiped out by Biotechnica."
V stood in silence, deep in thought. It seemed clear that returning to Night City tonight was no longer an option. The truth behind this massacre needed to be uncovered, and justice had to be served for the Red Ochre Tribe.
"Jackie, call Mama Welles and tell her we won't be joining her for dinner tonight. Let her know we'll reschedule," V said, turning to his friend.
Exchanging a glance, Jackie and V knew they were on the same page. They had to stay in the Badlands and see this through to the end.
To unravel the mystery, two individuals—Saul and Nash, both unconscious—would be the key.
"Alright, V, I'll call her now," Jackie said, pulling out his old-school communicator. He turned away, walking a good distance before making the call, clearly trying to avoid letting V hear Mama Welles scold him.
"Well, V, this is interesting. You're a natural at digging up corporate secrets. Last time it was Arasaka; now it's Biotechnica. When are you planning a trip to Arasaka Tower? Maybe take on Adam Smasher for me?" Johnny Silverhand teased mercilessly.
V rolled his eyes. "What the hell, man? You're cracking jokes at a time like this?" But V was used to Johnny's sharp tongue and didn't bother retorting further.
At that moment, Panam noticed that the winds in the Badlands had grown sharp and fierce. Fine grains of sand began sweeping into her clothes. Looking into the distance, she saw the rising storm—an invisible force carrying yellow sand, dyeing the sky a murky hue.
It was the sign of an imminent extreme sandstorm.
"This isn't good. A Haboob is coming. Looks like we'll have to camp out here for the night," Panam said grimly. "I checked the supplies in the camp earlier—they should be enough to last us a few days."
Her gaze narrowed as she scanned the storm on the horizon. Judging by its intensity, they'd likely have to hunker down in the camp for at least half a day until it passed.
"Let's close the trunk. Don't touch the bodies for now. If Maelstrom was trying to destroy evidence and bury a secret, these corpses might still prove useful."
Though reluctant, Panam admitted that V's cautious approach was correct. Until the truth was uncovered, the corpses had to be preserved as key evidence.
She sighed, though, at the thought of her beloved car being turned into a makeshift morgue.
"Come on, let's pack up and head inside. The wind's picking up!" she urged.
V glanced toward the approaching sandstorm on the horizon. The ominous prelude to chaos—the storm before the storm—left him with an uneasy feeling. It seemed he had once again stumbled into a massive conspiracy.
---
Night City, Little China: LA Corporation
Li Ang stood with his hands in his pockets, alone in the top-floor office of LA Corporation. Through the floor-to-ceiling glass windows, he had a clear view of the neon-lit Watson District below.
Under the transformation brought by LA Corporation, Watson—once a haven for gangs, chaos, and filth—had become a flourishing hub rivaling Westbrook.
With its casinos, braindance clubs, and dollhouses, Watson was now a paradise for hedonistic tourists eager to spend their fortunes. Its towering skyscrapers and well-organized factories provided stable housing and jobs for the district's residents.
Construction was also underway for a new landmark building in the corporate plaza, approved by Mayor Lucius Rhyne. When completed, it would rival the towering Arasaka Tower in grandeur.
This was all Li Ang's achievement.
Watching his corporate empire rise rapidly, Li Ang felt an eerie calm. His ambitions extended far beyond the small confines of Night City—his sights were set on the multiverse and countless other worlds.
"Master, your conversation with Mr. Saburo Arasaka and President Myers has been successfully recorded. Would you like to review it to check for omissions?"
The voice of White Queen, the AI managing LA Corporation's headquarters, interrupted his thoughts.
"No need," Li Ang replied curtly.
"Understood, Master."
The AI ended the conversation without further prompting.
Not long ago, Li Ang had spoken separately with Saburo Arasaka and President Rosalind Myers. Both discussions centered around Biotechnica.
Since taking control of Arasaka,Yorinobu Arasaka had been battling constant challenges from the company's old guard.
His sister Hanako was plotting to wrest back control of the corporation and even planned to steal her brother's body to allow their father, Saburo, to resurrect himself.
However, with LA Corporation's help, Adam Smasher had undergone further intense cybernetic enhancements, becoming even more formidable.
With this monstrous cyborg protecting Yorinobu Arasaka 24/7, Hanako's attempts at assassination or direct confrontation were doomed to fail.
But Arasaka's AI, the elder Saburo, was growing impatient.
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