[RELIC 2.0 Prototype Specification Document]
TOP SECRET
Clearance Level: PO
Decryption Date: N/A
Project Code: M-AH-76/-38272/SA
Project Supervisor: Anders Hellman
Approved by: Saburo Arasaka
Project Name: RELIC 2.0
Core Algorithms: "Soulkiller" v.2.311.8-B, RELIC 1.0 "Secure Your Soul"
Preliminary Assessment
Project Overview:
Unlike RELIC 1.0, this latest prototype biochip not only stores digital engrams capable of basic communication but also houses a self-contained, fully enhanced personality construct, which can be re-implanted into a new organic host.
The modified construct in RELIC 2.0 preserves a significant portion of the subject's original cognition and (virtualized) motor functionality. Initial testing shows emotional output levels at 75% of the acceptable threshold (Note: assessment is based on engram matrix consistency rather than subjective realism), and autonomous will fluctuation within the 80–90% range.
Much of this advancement is attributed to the use of experimental polyethylene glycol lattice structures and the introduction of newly synthesized pseudo-matrix neuronal replication genes (see Section 8764-03).
The precondition for activating RELIC 2.0 is the irreversible termination of the host's biological functions (e.g., brain death, cardiac arrest). Only after total neural activity ceases can the engram anchor and assume control of the host (i.e., system reboot). Current clinical trials confirm that subjects nearing biological death cannot activate RELIC 2.0's core functions.
In documented instances of biological death, the chip exhibited stable initial activity during the anchoring process before system shutdown. The breakthrough now lies in identifying why, despite meeting all technical conditions, activation still occasionally fails (i.e., why an engram sometimes fails to initialize within a prepared organic host).
After reading the spec sheet on the RELIC prototype, Roqi finally pieced together the mystery surrounding the chip.
RELIC 1.0 had been nothing more than a glorified memory stick—no feelings, no thoughts, just raw data. It had already hit the market as a premium high-end chatbot.
RELIC 2.0 (prototype) = RELIC 1.0 + Soulkiller + synthetic neuron substrate.
Soulkiller handled soul extraction, the neuron substrate preserved self-awareness, RELIC 1.0 enabled engram storage, and a final one-way overwrite mechanism allowed the soul to take over a physical host.
But the soul only began to think once transferred—because the chip lacked biological structure, the engram had to rely on the host's brain to function.
So how the hell was Johnny Silverhand still active in a PDA?
How was he moving around, cracking jokes, and being his usual pain-in-the-ass self?
Could it be… because of the system in my head?
Roqi found himself trapped in yet another mystery. Just how many secrets did this world still hold?
He stood on the rooftop of Afterlife, gazing out at the descending night and the constant pulse of city life below.
Mo'er stood behind him, quietly watching, occasionally checking the stairwell to make sure no one was coming up.
She knew when he was deep in thought—and knew better than to interrupt.
When Roqi finally loosened his shoulders and sat down, she stepped closer. Her cue.
"Militech…" Roqi muttered, his face dark.
The more time passed, the more he realized the system in his head—the one that had gone quiet—was anything but ordinary.
It could repair chips. Sync with bizarre parts from YokeMan Technologies. Respond to weird tech with unknown origins.
What the hell am I? An alien dropped off on Earth?
A supersoldier cooked up in some Militech black lab?
Or just someone lucky enough to roll a divine cheat code?
Any answer was possible—and completely absurd. His entire existence was a damn anomaly.
Mo'er knew nothing. Either it was out of her domain… or beyond her clearance.
"Maybe Rogue can help us," Mo'er said. "If she can dig up Kang Tao's classified files, Militech's won't be much harder."
"And what do I say?" Roqi asked. "That I've got some voice in my head that fixed relic, and it's syncing with tech no one's even heard of?"
He sighed. "But you're right. She probably could help."
He stood and let the wind blow through his jacket.
"But not yet. First, we need to figure out what Militech's hiding."
Maybe YokeMan was to Militech what ShardTech was to Kang Tao—an off-the-books front for stuff they couldn't be seen doing.
They rode the elevator down into Afterlife.
Rogue was at her usual booth, seated like nothing had changed, calm as ever.
Roqi slid in beside her, leaned back, eyes on the bar, voice low.
"What do you plan to do with him?"
The music's heavy bass shook the floor, neon lights casting surreal shadows across the lounge.
She crossed her legs and answered, unfazed. "What would you do, if you were me?"
"Oh, we're doing tests now?" Roqi chuckled. "Lock him somewhere he'll never escape. Strip relic bare. And make sure the bastard never gets to talk."
"Then you're not as dumb as you look," Rogue said.
"Hellman thinks this relic is either a new version made after he left… or something's been done to it he doesn't know about."
Her eyes narrowed, voice sharp.
"What exactly did you do before plugging relic into your PDA?"
That stare made Roqi's lungs tighten. People like Rogue didn't miss anything. Even if they didn't know the truth, they could smell something off from a mile away.
He held her gaze, then looked away.
"…Alright. But I have a condition."
"Are we making a deal," she asked, "or are you telling me the truth?"
"What's the difference?" Roqi sighed, understanding her point.
Queen of Fixers. A fox's cunning. A tiger's ruthlessness. A snake's accuracy.
"If it's business, there's a price. You work for me, I pay you. I help you, you owe me."
"But business doesn't involve favors, right?"
He sighed. "And telling the truth?"
"Means I know you. You know me," Rogue said. "And I don't waste time answering dumb questions."
Roqi nodded. It was clear now—his question had been dumb.
But he still needed the answers.
"To be honest, you're one of the few people I'm starting to actually trust."
Rogue smirked dryly. "Then I hope I don't regret it."
"Same. But even if we figure relic out, we don't exactly have Arasaka's R&D lab."
Building a lab wasn't about money—it was about resources, people, experience, equipment. Not something you could patch together with some eddies and optimism.
"…So you thinking of hitting a corp?"
Roqi blinked. Rogue didn't deny it.
"You got a better idea?"
"…Shit."
He thought of Johnny. Of Rogue. Of the so-called "terrorists" who died at Arasaka Tower in 2023.
The flames of resistance were nothing more than flickering embers now.
"I hope I didn't back the wrong horse."
He leaned in, whispering.
"You ever hear of YokeMan Technologies?"
"YokeMan?" Rogue frowned. "No."
"Hold up. Let me check." Her eyes flared red. "YokeMan Technologies—find out what it is."
"It's connected to Militech. At least loosely," Roqi added.
She nodded and repeated the query. A few seconds later, she ended the call.
"I've never heard of them. But I've got a feeling… YokeMan might hold a piece of this puzzle."
Rogue could tell Roqi wasn't lying. His face and voice—he was just as lost as she was.
"When we're working, I expect full disclosure. But secrets? Everyone's got a few. I get it," she said. "Once I know more, I'll tell you."
"Thanks," Roqi exhaled. "I was gonna come to you anyway."
"I know." She smiled—that sly, knowing smirk.
"So… are we officially on the same side now?" Roqi asked.
"If you wanna call it that, sure."
"With Hellman handled… what about the Voodoo Boys? We grilling, frying, or slow-roasting those guys?"
For now, getting Johnny out of relic was stalled. Roqi turned to the other job.
"No rush. I've got zero patience for those Pacifica rats right now."
Her head was full of Johnny and relic. The Voodoo Boys could wait.
"One more thing." She waved her hand. "Interested in working with me?"
Roqi gave her a suspicious look.
"When you say work with you… what kind of 'work' are we talking?"
[That's it, kid. Joking with Rogue? You got guts. I like that.]
Johnny cut in, his voice smug and amused like always.
Rogue stared coldly.
"I mean—keep being a merc? Or are you ready to evolve?"
"Hey, I've heard this pitch before. Dexter said almost the exact same thing."
"It is about Dexter," Rogue said. "Do you even realize what you've done?"
"Killed a semi-famous fixer. Went psycho down half the street. Blew up a Militech convoy…"
"You've got the skills and the rep. Now you need a name."
Rogue answered the unspoken question.
"A name bigger than Dexter's. One that echoes in Afterlife."
"You want me to be a fixer!?" Roqi rolled his eyes. "I'm not a smooth talker like that fat bastard, and I'm not a negotiator like you. I'd be better off piloting a jet—at least I know nothing about that too."
[Kid… back in my day, fixers weren't all talk and no teeth.]
Johnny sighed. [You ever hear of the Atlantis Club?]
"You mean the go-to merc hangout before Afterlife? Sure. That's ancient history."
[It used to be Atlantis. Now it's Afterlife. Looks like everything's changed—but really, nothing has.]
[Clients don't hire you for your charm. They hire you because you deliver. If you've got the muscle, the contacts, the name—business will come crawling. You'll have more jobs than you can handle.]
[Back then, fixers and mercs were the same. If you got shit done, people trusted you.]
2020 felt like yesterday to Johnny Silverhand—especially since, for him, it basically was.
His instincts hadn't dulled. One sniff, and he could still sense who had the edge.
"Go see Emmerick," Rogue said. "He'll teach you how to build a brand, rookie."
Roqi didn't know what she was thinking just then…
But he was pretty damn sure she was underestimating him.
Like hell I'll let her get away with that.
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