September 9, 2066
Alex Mitchell (Volkov) POV
"And who was that?" Kiwi asked softly as she stepped into the room.
"A very persistent woman who also happens to be my aunt," I replied, my tone heavy with mixed emotions.
"What did she want?" Engel pressed, leaning casually against the wall by the door, her arms crossed.
"Michiko somehow managed to track me down — or at least, she suspects she did. To be more precise, she doesn't know for sure yet. Her attempt to get me to admit the truth was nothing more than a desperate gamble. We were close when I was a kid, and she's clinging to the idea that I might be her long-lost relative. Back then, when I disappeared, they never found my body. It was easier for them to assume I'd been dismantled for parts and dumped into some bio-waste vat."
I paused, trying to organize the storm of thoughts in my head. "She even went all in at the end, hinting at her suspicions. I don't know how I managed to keep it together and not give myself away. But if she tries something like that again, I'm not sure I'll be able to hold out."
As I spoke, Kiwi's frown deepened. Pushing off the wall, she crossed the room, her movements deliberate. When she stopped in front of me, we locked eyes in an intense, wordless exchange. The silence stretched until her patience snapped.
"Why won't you just tell her the truth?" she demanded, grabbing my face with both hands. Her voice was firm, unyielding. "Does her determination mean nothing to you?" she pressed, her intensity catching me off guard. It had been years — more than five, by my count — since I'd seen her like this.
"And what would you have me do?" I nearly shouted, my voice cracking with frustration. I bit the inside of my cheek hard, forcing myself to rein in my temper. When I spoke again, my voice was quieter, almost defeated. "I don't know what will happen if Michiko learns the truth..." I trailed off, breaking eye contact.
The logical, adult part of me sees this sudden appearance of a relative as more of an obstacle than an opportunity. But then there's another part — the one tied to Alex's legacy — that desperately wants to tell her everything, to reclaim the bond we once had. When she held my hand earlier, I felt torn apart, caught between those two opposing forces. In the end, the adult side of me won.
But deep down, I know if this happens again, my rational mind won't be strong enough to silence the overwhelming need to have a family again.
"Alex, you're an idiot," Kiwi whispered, her tone soft but cutting. She leaned in, resting her forehead gently against mine. "You're completely ignoring her feelings. Are you really so terrified of an unknown future you've conjured up in your own head?" she asked, her voice laced with warmth and understanding. A small, knowing smile spread across her face.
"Yeah... it scares me," I admitted reluctantly. The words felt heavy, difficult to say aloud, but once I did, a strange sense of relief followed. I'd been carrying the weight of these fears for so long, and now, finally, I was beginning to let it out. "You want to know why? Fine..." I took a deep breath, steadying myself as I prepared to lay everything bare.
"The world is spiraling into complete and utter chaos. War is looming. The AIs have gone quiet for now, but who knows what schemes might be brewing in their electronic brains. On top of all that, I carry the responsibility of keeping the people I care about alive. If I slip up — even once — the chain reaction could destroy everything, leaving nothing but a lifeless, radioactive husk behind."
"I'm glad you told me," Kiwi said softly, pulling me close and holding me tightly against her chest. Her hand stroked my hair gently, the motion soothing in a way I hadn't realized I needed. "If something's bothering you, don't hesitate to talk to me. You don't have to bear it all on your own, thinking you can handle everything yourself."
"That felt like getting scolded by my mom," I said with a small smile, making no effort to pull away from her comforting embrace.
"You know," I continued after a pause, "she stole the cup I was drinking from. I wouldn't be surprised if she managed to grab other things for a DNA test. My aunt's incredibly persistent, and my refusal probably only fueled her curiosity further."
"Only we know that it won't give her anything conclusive," Engel chuckled as she loosened her hold. "Your genes are so different now from what they originally were. If she's lucky, you might still be a close match to your parents. Worst case, she might think you're a distant descendant, ten generations removed."
"So, what will you do?" she asked, stepping back and meeting my gaze.
"Nothing," I replied with a shrug as I freed myself from her embrace. "If she comes back, I'll just tell her the truth. Otherwise, I'll leave things as they are. Maybe in the future, once I've dealt with Militech, we can have a real conversation."
"Alex, wouldn't it be better to secure Michiko's support in the coming war?" Vega's voice cut through the room. She stood in the doorway of the workshop, her expression calm but purposeful. "While she doesn't hold absolute power, from what I've gathered, she could significantly help you bring Arasaka into play as a stabilizing force."
"I hadn't thought about that," I admitted, glancing at the unexpectedly insightful android. "But sharing even part of the plan with her comes with risks."
"Those risks address the weakest point in your strategy," Vega countered without hesitation. "There's a significant chance that the kind of defeat you've envisioned for Militech could destabilize America further. Militech is deeply entrenched in the NSU government, and predicting the outcome with the variables we know is nearly impossible."
"So, peace between the two corporations, with Michiko positioned as some kind of mediator…" I muttered, mentally running through the scenario. Reluctantly, I had to admit Vega was right. "It might actually work."
As much as I hated to admit it, I needed my aunt's help. Especially considering she was already well-acquainted with Elizabeth Kress, who had once tried to deport Hirako and Michiko back to Japan after the events of 2023. Back then, after a personal meeting with Elizabeth, Michiko managed to defend her position and mitigate the fallout from the detonation of a nuclear bomb in the middle of the city. She had been instrumental in ensuring Arasaka's continued presence on the continent, albeit under harsh conditions.
If anyone could help me navigate this storm, it was her.
Arasaka had been forced to compensate for all the damages, pay reparations for the incident, and accept an increased mandatory corporate tax to the state. In the end, both sides emerged from the ordeal with relatively minimal losses, all things considered.
"So, you're going to tell her after all," Kiwi said with a sly smile, her expression full of knowing.
"If she doesn't come in person tomorrow, I'll have to call her," I replied, nodding as I pulled the business card she'd given me from my pocket. "Conveniently enough, she gave me this." I held up the card, its presence immediately catching everyone's attention.
"Why not call her now?" Vega asked, ever the pragmatic one.
"Because… it's embarrassing," I muttered, averting my gaze to avoid their scrutinizing eyes.
Kiwi's melodic laughter filled the room, her amusement ringing clear and impossible to ignore.
***
September 10, 2066
Michiko Arasaka (Sanderson) POV
Michiko waited anxiously for the genetic test results, her restless demeanor unsettling the employees passing by. For many, seeing their typically composed boss in such an agitated state was unnerving, sparking an irrational sense of unease.
"Kerrigan, finally!" Michiko exclaimed the moment Sara stepped out of the lab. Her expectant gaze locked onto her friend, who maintained an almost theatrical silence. Seconds stretched into what felt like minutes before Michiko managed to compose herself.
"That's better," the scientist remarked, holding up a data chip in front of her friend's face. "But don't rush — we need to discuss this in my office first. No prying ears there," Sara added, gesturing subtly to the bustling hallway.
Michiko nodded silently and followed her friend, doing her best to mirror Kerrigan's unflappable composure. While Sara understood her old friend's nervousness, Michiko's current state bordered on excessive, and it was clear she needed to rein it in.
Once inside the office, the two women closed the door behind them. Sara didn't speak right away, choosing to let Michiko settle. In her professional opinion, impulsive reactions could do more harm than good — especially given the gravity of the questions weighing on Michiko's mind.
"First, drink some water and calm down," Sara said, handing Michiko a glass. "I need you to approach this with a clear head. Don't jump to conclusions, especially since I haven't fully unraveled the puzzle you've handed me."
"I'm sorry," Michiko murmured, sinking into a soft chair in the corner of the room. "It's just… it's important for me to know if that man is truly my relative."
"I understand, which is why I'm asking you to stay calm," Sara replied, placing the chip gently into Michiko's trembling hands. "For now, just insert it — and don't do anything else."
Michiko followed her instructions, inserting the chip into the reader. Once the display lit up, Kerrigan continued.
"That man is definitely related to you — but that's where the clarity ends. His genetic profile is… extraordinary. What I analyzed represents the pinnacle of human development. I can't begin to imagine where he came from or what process created him, but the sacrifices required — the lives lost, the experimentation — it's horrifying to even consider."
Sara's tone grew more serious. "But I must warn you: your familial connection is so diluted it feels as though he's a distant descendant, separated by several generations."
"So Mikhail actually managed to finish it," Michiko whispered, her thoughts spilling out unfiltered as an unintentional smile tugged at her lips. "What on earth was that fool thinking, injecting his concoction into his own son?" Her voice cracked, and tears welled in her eyes. "And why… why wouldn't A-chan acknowledge me?"
"Sorry to interrupt your monologue," Kerrigan said, smirking as she crossed her arms over her chest, "but I think I can understand where this guy is coming from. Think about it — if a long-lost relative suddenly appeared out of nowhere, someone I hadn't seen for more than half my life, I'd probably react the same way."
Michiko blinked, momentarily taken aback.
"Night City isn't exactly the warmest place for someone who suddenly becomes an orphan. Add in the fact that he grew up among nomads, and his caution makes a lot of sense."
"I hadn't considered that," Michiko admitted, lowering her gaze, a hint of embarrassment flickering across her face.
"That's what good friends are for, right, Mi-chan?" Sara teased, using the old nickname from their wilder, younger days.
"But how do I approach him if he refuses to acknowledge our family connection?" Michiko asked, her voice tinged with uncertainty.
"Well," Kerrigan began, tilting her head thoughtfully, "I've never dealt with something like this before, so you'll have to figure that out on your own." She sighed as Michiko slumped her shoulders in defeat. "Maybe there's something sentimental from his childhood — a photo, a keepsake, or even a favorite toy?"
"I think he's a little too old for toys," Michiko said with a wry chuckle. "But you're right — I do have something like that." She nodded, recalling an old family photo taken long ago. Mikhail had always been traditional in certain ways, and family pictures held a special place in his heart. Michiko often wondered if it was just his peculiar mindset or if it stemmed from the fact that Mikhail had been an orphan himself.
"Then take it and try talking to him again. If he doesn't open up right away, give him some time to process it all," Sara said with a casual shrug.
"Thank you, Sara," Michiko said, bowing deeply before abruptly heading toward the door, ignoring her friend's protests.
"Never thought I'd end up playing the role of a family therapist," Kerrigan muttered, shaking her head as she watched her friend disappear down the hallway.
______________________________________________________
Want to read ahead of schedule? Head over to Patreøn.
[https://www.patreøn.com/amattsu]
The link is also in the synopsis.