Chương 85: Empire Business

"Really Ori, how'd you get yourself in these situations..." Bats mutters as he checks Ori's blood pressure for the second time, not believing the first test due to how sporadic it was.

Ori just shrugs from the couch watching TV with Rebecca next to him while Bats did his work. The nanites had already healed all the external wounds, so all that was left was to check his internals. Sasha had stuck around for some reason and was standing in the corner, presumably going over the data she'd mined from Biotechnica. "A job's a job, none of us died so you should be celebrating..."

Bats just sighs, "That doesn't make me feel any better about this..."

*Beep*

He receives the results and sits on the arm of the sofa in relief, "Vitals all normal, you're lucky. Not many people can shrug off a bullet to the head and heart, even with Cyberware."

"Yeah, we're all surprised about it..." Rebecca remarks, resting her weight on Ori's arm, "Somethin' you're not telling us, Lampost?"

"I told you, I've got Cyberware that helps my healing." he shakes his head and turns to Sasha in an attempt to change the subject, "Things go down like you expected?"

She smiles slightly, looking rather vindicated for some reason, "I'd say." she looks at the TV and forces it to change the channel to 54News.

*Bzzt!*

"I am Gillean Jordan and this is 54News, earlier tonight the city was shocked by a series of terrorist attacks around the City Center. Bombs were planted around various businesses and detonated. Upon the NCPD arriving at the scene firefights broke out between them and an infamous gang, but further investigation will need to be held before the instigators can be properly identified." she says, notably not mentioning the Tyger Claw's names.

"The Biotechnica building has also sustained damage from this chain of attacks, not serious damage was done to the building itself, but their reputation has taken a large hit. Not long after the attacks started, 54News and other outlets received damning information about their misconduct, specifically around their painkillers known as Securicine.

While everything still needs to be verified, we have discovered that not only was Biotechnica responsible for the deaths of tens of thousands over the years by ignoring side effects of the drug such as prolonged usage causing neurodegeneration. They have also knowingly committed fraud, perjury, and a litany of other crimes, including the Regional Food Safety Act. Thirteen people from Biotechnica have already been arrested in relation to this, including Selene Nells the Head of the company's Advertisement Department.

Among the arrests, a partner of Mayor Lucius Rhyne has also been named. Jacob Stawkes will be investigated for his hand in aiding and abetting this catastrophic breach of the public's trust. A class action lawsuit has also been opened, though, the sheer volume will likely cause it to take months to process.

The Mayor himself has commented on the situation, speaking against his former partner and decrying his negligence. He says he will be seeking maximum compensation from Biotechnica for the public. He also condemns the terroristic methods that were used to reveal these disturbing truths, I quote 'Utilising violence and harming innocent people is not justice, but vigilantism. Twelve civilians have been reported dead or injured so far, and while corruption has been outed, it will never be worth the lives it cost.', end of quote.

Biotechnica's stocks have also dropped upon this information going public, from seven hundred Eurodollars to a mere five hundred. There is no sign of this stopping either, so far the loss has equalled to four hundred million Eurodollars."

"Shit..." Rebecca utters, shocked, surprised, and somewhat prideful. After all, she and her friends had helped reveal a sickening truth about a corrupt corporation, costing them hundreds of millions while giving those affected a chance for compensation.

"You planned for this...?" Ori questions the smug, cat-like girl.

She nods, "I've been working towards this for years, all my learning, injuries, debt, stress... Everything had been for this." she smiles at them brilliantly, "Thank you for helping me... I wouldn't have been able to make it out alive without you all..."

Ori blushes slightly, glancing away embarrassedly, "Uh, don't mention it... It's not like we did it for free either..."

"It's pretty crazy to think about though, I've used and sold Securicine in the past..." Bats mutters.

"Don't you start feeling guilty about it now, no one but those Corpo dick heads even knew about it..." Ori retorts.

Rebecca glances at Sasha, "What're you gonna do now? Gonna kick Biotechnica while they're down?"

...

The woman folds her arms, "I'm... Not too sure... To be honest, I always thought I'd die before I got this far."

"I say sit back, relax and watch the Corpo dogs tear Biotechnica apart. That shitshow's only just gotten started, you've lit the fuse to a firework display of nuclear proportions." Bats adds.

Sasha rubs the back of her neck awkwardly, "Here's the thing... I'm kinda broke right now. Spent all my Eds hiring you guys and buying info from data brokers. I'm even behind on my rent payments, since, you know, I thought I'd be dead by now..." she admits.

"Well, that's depressing." Rebecca snickers at her plight. "Don't you have a sugar daddy you could turn to? You're pretty hot, I'm sure it wouldn't be hard to find one."

Sasha grimaces, "I think I'd rather bathe in acid..."

"If you need cash, why not join up with us? At least until you figure out what you wanna do." Ori asks, getting a jab in the side courtesy of Rebecca.

"Hey! Ain't that somethin' you should discuss with the crew first? Not springing it on us outta nowhere!?" she complains.

"We've been needing a dedicated Netrunner, and Sasha's the only one I've seen who's actually willing to get her hands dirty... You know anyone who can do what she can while slicing bots to pieces?" he questions.

"That ain't the point!"

"No, she's right. I've been a solo so long I doubt I'd make a good teammate." Sasha admits, only making Rebecca scowl harder.

"No, no, no! Don't you start that pity act! I won't buy it!"

...

"'Becca..." Ori mutters, locking her in a staring contest.

...

"Uuugh! Fine! We try her out but one screw-up and she's out!" she angrily exclaims, wrapping her arms around her knees and pouting like a petulant child.