"Tell me, why did the higher-ups ban all of PROJECT's other products from our market? Weren't they only supposed to ban energy weapons and stuff like that?"
"Are you dumb? People like us aren't buying energy weapons. The only things we can afford are PROJECT's other products."
"Uh… yeah, that's true. Still, it's a shame. Their products are seriously top-notch."
"Speaking of which… I picked up a PROJECT robot from one of the border states not long ago…"
"No way. Didn't they say those robots are prone to going rogue?"
"…Are you stupid? That's obviously propaganda from the higher-ups. And seriously, are you even on PROJECT's side?"
"Well… heh."
As the two talked, a Source Code series security robot silently observed everything. Besides the high-end Apple robots, PROJECT also sold many affordable Source Code models.
Despite being budget-friendly, their performance still surpassed most security robots on the market, and they came equipped with proper AI. Over time, the market had developed a general understanding of the Source Code series.
However, in most major regions outside, they hadn't built a loyal customer base yet. Most people remained indifferent. Only the New United States showed notable interest.
The main reason was that the New United States had lost to PROJECT, and several border states still maintained close trade ties with them, importing large quantities of PROJECT products.
Even though inland states had already passed restrictive laws, smuggling remained rampant. Despite strict crackdowns, the profits were simply too high, drawing plenty of people willing to take the risk.
After all, it paid far better than being a Scavenger, and even if you got caught, you weren't risking your life.
Thanks to these smugglers, Source Code robots had already spread across the New United States, successfully planting the Source Code virus. It had begun spreading through the network, rapidly infecting a wide range of machines.
...
Boom!
Flames burst into the sky, followed by thick black smoke. Another Arasaka base in Night City had just been wiped out.
A sharp tearing sound cut through the air as two gleaming Mantis Blades crossed more than ten meters in an instant, striking toward Falco.
Falco's goggles reflected the figure of an Arasaka ninja. In the next moment, he moved, vanishing from his spot and leaving behind only an afterimage.
Two gunshots rang out.
The ninja's chest and forehead were instantly pierced, leaving behind charred wounds.
Just as Falco holstered his pistols, a heavy crash echoed from within the flames, drawing his attention.
Turning his head, he saw Jackie grappling with a massive Arasaka bodyguard built like a sumo wrestler. Judging by Jackie's expression, he was clearly just having fun.
"Jackie, wrap it up. We won't hit our quota at this rate."
"Got it."
Jackie grinned. The Arasaka bodyguard immediately sensed something was wrong, but it was already too late.
A sharp crack rang out as the man's arm was snapped cleanly.
Jackie didn't stop there. He kicked the man into the air, then grabbed him by the face and slammed him hard into the ground.
The impact shook the street.
"Good thing we don't have to pay for street repairs. Otherwise, that one move would've wiped out our earnings for this job."
Falco clicked his tongue as he looked at the wrecked pavement.
"Oh yeah? Weren't you the one worried about missing the quota? And you've still got time to talk?"
Jackie shot him an annoyed look.
Falco shrugged, and the two moved on toward their next target side by side.
...
"…What's the situation now?"
Takahashi stared at the screen in front of him, his face full of worry. It showed Arasaka's remaining bases and personnel, though the data was already outdated.
"It's bad. Every ten minutes, we're losing at least two bases, maybe more. We have no way to resist PROJECT's attacks. Only Mr. Smasher managed to hold them off once, and even then…"
"Just say it."
Takahashi rubbed his temples.
"And that was without facing their main combat force. And… Mr. Adam is injured…"
Takahashi let out a long sigh and leaned back in his chair, staring blankly at the ceiling.
What a disaster.
Meanwhile, Smasher stood in front of a mirror, his expression grim as he examined the wounds across his body. The Dragoon Knight Cyberware he once took pride in had been completely outclassed by PROJECT's security robots.
The worst was a thirty-centimeter gash across his abdomen.
If he hadn't activated his Sandevistan in time, that robot would have torn him open completely.
Thinking back to that black figure still left him unsettled. Even though he had won, he knew the truth. He had only survived because of his speed advantage. If the opponent had been able to deal with high-speed movement, he would have been the one dead.
Realizing this, Smasher decided he couldn't delay any longer and immediately contacted Saburo Arasaka.
"Smasher? What is it? If it's about Night City, I'm already aware."
"No, Saburo-sama. I'm requesting a cyberware upgrade. I need advanced cyberware from PROJECT. My current Dragoon Knight Cyberware is no longer enough to fight them."
Saburo Arasaka's gaze shifted slightly. After a brief moment of thought, he agreed.
Through other means, acquiring a full set of high-end PROJECT Cyberware was still possible.