The five corporations are:

1. **Coyote Microtronics** - mentioned in the story under the colloquial name "coyote corp," Coyote is the manufacturer of many high-tech devices used in this world, such as Chip's portable console and credit disk.
2. **Ursa Defense** - a manufacturer of weapons and armor that supplies the security forces of the other corporations and the general public. Against the wishes of the other corporations, Ursa has been a passionate lobbyist for the right of civilians to bear arms.
3. **Xiong Mao Gong** - An entertainment conglomerate recognizable by its iconic panda mascot. The company's wholesome, child-friendly image belies the dishonest and brutal tactics it sometimes employs to maintain its monopoly on mass media.
4. **Xiphias Biogenics** - Xiphias is a major food producer and is also at the forefront of biotech, whether for medicine or more sinister purposes. Most of their territory is underwater, staffed by sea creatures such as squids and octopuses, where they can conduct their experiments in private.
5. **The Khalad Group** - A massive mining and natural resource conglomerate. They are known for requiring a cult-like level of loyalty and devotion from their employees.

These corporations have a complicated relationship with each other. They work together to maintain their power over society, yet they can be fierce rivals against each other, vying for more power and control. They often hire outside parties to carry out missions to sabotage each other, providing lucrative employment opportunities for hackers like Chip and other mercenaries.

Collectively, the five corporations form the closest thing to a central government in this society. Each of them has their own territory where they can enforce their own law. However, for their own reasons, they allow some independent cities like Las Dunas to exist as neutral ground between them.

The group that Chip befriended was one of many mercenary crews trying to survive in this hostile world. They make their living carrying out missions of sabotage against the corporations, usually on behalf of other corporations. The members of the crew have different motivations. Red Jack has a cynical, profit-motivated output. Sally Bytes has a more idealistic viewpoint, believing that the crew is helping to make the world a better place by damaging the corporations, even if the corporations are the ones who send them to do so.

And no, Chip got caught up in his mission to help Sally Bytes that he forgot about the gecko, and by the time he returned to the bar, both the gecko and his bike were gone. This was especially unfortunate because the gecko was secretly an agent of a powerful underworld boss who was scouting Chip for recruitment into his organization, which would have been a good opportunity for Chip. However, Chip's carelessness did not make a good impression. It remains to be seen whether or not he'll have another chance.
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