Yogan and Jack stepped out of the restaurant.
Jack asked, "Yogan, my good buddy. Tell me honestly—do you really have some connection to military tech?"
Yogan sighed at Jack's bluntness. "Come on, man. We just closed a deal, and you're already digging into my business secrets. Isn't that a bit too forward?"
Jack realized his question might've crossed a line and quickly explained, "I'm just surprised, that's all. Damn… military-grade tech, brand-new bullets not even on the market yet. That's some serious backing."
Yogan smiled faintly and patted Jack's shoulder. "Alright, alright. I owe you one. Without your help holding down the room, I probably wouldn't have gotten a single coherent word out. Drinks are on me tonight."
"Heh, I won't say no to that. What about V and the others? We should let them in on the good news."
Yogan frowned slightly. He hadn't heard from V since he tipped her off earlier.
Jack was already calling her. To their relief, the phone rang only a couple times before being answered.
"Hey, Jack? What's up?"
"Girl, Yogan's business opened today. He's buying us drinks tonight."
"Nice! Then I'll go ahead and wish Yogan great success!"
"Wait a sec… V, you sound kinda down today. Everything alright?"
"Do I? Nah, it's just been a long day. A lot happened. I'm just tired."
"Then tonight's the perfect time to chill and celebrate. We're meeting at the Wild Wolf Bar."
"Got it. I'll be there."
Jack hung up and turned to Yogan. "It's only four o'clock. Got any plans before tonight?"
"I was thinking about heading back to that mall we went to last time. You know the saying—know your enemy and you'll win every fight."
"Then I'll leave you to it. I've got work to finish up before tonight."
"See you tonight, Jack."
After parting ways, Yogan headed straight to Wilson's shop, Second Amendment.
Wilson was wiping down the counter when Yogan walked in. "Hey there, Yogan! Back again for more firepower? How's that Lexington treating you?"
"Not bad at all, Mr. Wilson. I actually came to ask if you've got anything a bit… more powerful."
Wilson raised an eyebrow. "Damn, son, you walking through some shady alleys or what? Why the sudden need to upgrade?"
Just then, a news broadcast on the shop's TV showed another large-scale clash between Arasaka and Militech in the Valley District.
"Check it out, boss. Night City's far from peaceful these days."
Wilson glanced at the screen. "What, you planning to take on corpo security head-on?"
"Can you make it happen?"
Wilson rubbed his round chin. "That's a tall order... but yeah, I can hook you up. Hang tight, I'll go grab the good stuff."
Half an hour later—
Yogan finished the transfer, catching Wilson's slightly disappointed look.
Wilson's sourcing channels had caught Yogan off guard. During the sales pitch, Wilson gave a thorough rundown of all the smart and tech-based weapons in the store. But what really shocked Yogan was when Wilson rolled out a Militech MK.31 heavy machine gun, the kind meant for fixed turrets.
Wilson even hinted that, if necessary, he could procure a few rocket launchers on the side.
In the end, Yogan passed on the heavier firepower. Under Wilson's slightly judgmental gaze, he picked the M-76E Omaha and the M221 Saratoga.
Wilson remarked, "Gotta say, I didn't expect you to be such a Militech fan."
"Why do you say that?"
"Usually, the Asian folks around here go for Kang Tao or Arasaka gear. The only people who keep buying Militech stuff are those old rednecks out in Santo Domingo."
"Can't think that way, boss. I'm just a pragmatist.
Look at Kang Tao's catalog—it's all smart weapons. Sure, they're cheap, but only compared to other smart weapons.
As for Arasaka, their cost-performance ratio is terrible. And aside from their early-century classics, I don't get why they're stuck on that triple-burst gimmick.
All things considered, Militech offers the best balance. Reasonable prices, reliable performance."
Wilson nodded. "Solid analysis. So, kid, how about working as a sales rep for me? Stick around a few years, and maybe you'll open a weapons shop of your own someday."
Yogan politely declined. "Thanks, but no thanks, boss. My knowledge is surface-level at best."
Wilson placed the neatly packed weapons on the counter. "That's a shame. Anyway, the paperwork's all done."
"Appreciate it, boss. See you next time."
---
By evening, V and Veena walked into the Wild Wolf Bar.
Jack had already secured a spot on the second floor. He waved at them from across the room. "Hey! Ladies! Over here!"
They took their seats.
V looked at Jack, amused by how hyped he was. "Isn't this Yogan's grand opening? Why are you the one acting like you hit the jackpot?"
"Yogan's my bro. I'm just happy for him, alright? And get this—he's really got something going on. Our boss—you know him, Bakoldo—he wants to make another deal with Yogan."
"I thought weapons weren't exactly consumables. Are you guys planning something big?"
"Come on, girl. Sure, the guns last, but bullets? Those are definitely consumables. Yogan got his hands on a new type of Lexington ammo. With these rounds, the Lexington has way more range, and it's accurate as hell. Bakoldo wants to stock up. Next time we throw down with the Maelstroms, we'll have the upper hand."
Jack paused, noticing something off in V's expression. "But what about you, girl? You look a little down."
V sighed. "Don't even ask, Jack. I just got a new car from my insurance. Today it got shredded into swiss cheese—by Arasaka goons."
"What the hell? Those corpo dogs really don't know how to chill."
"That's not even the weirdest part. After they wrecked my ride, guess who got hired by Arasaka?"
Jack froze. "Wait—what?"
"I'm serious."
V slapped an ID on the table. On the front was a sour-faced photo of her. Beneath the photo, her full name. Below that, a string of employee numbers.
"My new boss says they're gonna give me a replacement car too…"
Jack stared in disbelief. "That's… good news?"
"Forget it, Jack. Corpo perks are poison wrapped in a pretty bow. If you can avoid touching their stuff, just don't."
Right then, Yogan arrived with a tray full of beer.
Jack made room for him at the table. "Alright, the man of the hour is here. Let's get this party started!"
---