Infinity, progressing from Arasaka

Even if it's just a fleeting glimpse, you secretly want to get rid of your superior.

"2075 marks the sixth year since Arasaka returned to North America. It is also the present moment for Arasaka to regain its former glory."

Turning her gaze away, Vera smiled and got down to business.

"Most importantly, Lord Saburo Arasaka has returned to our side. It is time to build on the past, sound the horn of counterattack, follow Lord Kei's cause, and reclaim everything we have lost."

Taking a step forward, Vera deliberately positioned herself at the pre-calculated angle.

From the audience's perspective, she was now aligned with the black and white logo of 【AraSaKa】on the image wall behind her, which was made up of large, long strips of black marble.

“We all know clearly why Arakaza collapsed half a century ago.”

The holographic projection was activated at the right time, and on the screen, a huge mushroom cloud rose in the center of a bustling metropolis filled with skyscrapers.

A burning sky, a collapsed arbaka tower.

Without a doubt, that was Night City in 2023.

"The nuclear explosion at the former Arasaka Tower headquarters in Night City. Because of it, we lost that war, and the Arasaka Corporation lost a respected and outstanding employee (Takashi Arasaka)."

"Military technology, urban legend."

Vera coldly uttered two words.

"There are some things that we can never forget."

The image sensor shifted, casting two rugged, unrestrained figures into view.

First, a tall, muscular man with a stubble beard, wearing a pure black turtleneck trench coat, carrying a large-caliber rifle that was outdated in the last century.

Secondly, he was lean and wiry, wearing sunglasses, with an arrogant expression, disheveled hair, and holding an electric guitar, looking every bit the rock kid.

If there were any fanatical 'legendary' followers from the underworld of Night City, Rebirth, Liz, or others present, they would surely gasp in surprise at this moment.

"Morgan Blackhand, Johnny Silverhand..."

Vera said their names.

More than half a century has passed, and that incident is now common knowledge.

In 2023, legendary figures such as rock star Johnny Silverhand and Morgan Blackhand, along with a large group of legendary mercenaries and hackers, with the support of military technology, used nuclear bombs to destroy Night City's Abandoned Tower, killing millions of people directly or indirectly.

Then-President Elizabeth Cress immediately blamed the explosion on Arasaka, despite the fact that military technology was responsible for the tragedy.

Ultimately, amidst a global wave of boycotts and condemnations, Arakawa, which had reached its limit, was forced to retreat. Its eligibility to operate in the United States was immediately revoked, and its board of directors and employees were denounced as terrorists. Their assets were either confiscated or they were expelled from North America.

With Arasaka's return to Night City, more and more ordinary people are beginning to suspect that the nuclear explosion was the work of military technology, and President Kress's lies have been exposed.

As for the big companies, well, they have their own connections and naturally know the details. It would be a miracle if they believed the nonsense about military technology. Whether they believe it or not depends entirely on whether Washington has made the payment.

"They (Washington) think that by using enough blackmail and political influence, finding some outlaws, killing specific people, and massacring workers in specific companies, they can prevent us from regaining our former glory and make us lose our former confidence and determination?"

Vera suddenly opened her slightly closed eyes, revealing a proud look.

"No, we are still great. We rose from the ashes. We will create the future, we will continue to lead the future. From the Solar Staircase Project, the Relic Project, the Heavy Quadruped Thinking Vehicle, the New Super-Heavy Aircraft Carrier, the Large Spaceship, the Crystal Palace Space Station, Lunar Colonization, Mars Exploration..."

These are all publicly available. The interim results of the Solar Ladder project, the R-618 'Rebirth' drug, have already been piloted for commercialization in cooperation with biotechnology companies and European banks. The Relic project, on the other hand, is a concept that Arasaka had already thrown out to the market to attract investors and suckers—digital immortality of the soul…

As for the rest, Vera had naturally gone over the manuscript with Shintaro Takayama.

Some of Arasaka's claims already have results, some are still just PowerPoint presentations, and some have nothing at all, but that doesn't stop her from boasting about them, and she even improvises grand promises on the spot. Truth and falsehood are intertwined; let the 'competitors' investigate if they want, since that matter falls under the purview of the Counterintelligence Department and the Internal Security Department.

"We will not forget, we will always remember."

"Paying back debts is a matter of course. If you try to renege, you'll have to pay back double."

"We will take our revenge."

Revenge, setting up a target – this was Vera's policy stance and inclination after taking office.

The internal meeting was designed to give her a voice.

In short, we're engaged in military technology!

The new America must be divided again!

Whether it's for personal or corporate interests, Vera knows very well that she can't mend her relationship with Shinmei or Military Technology, let alone become friends with them.

Unlike the complex relationship between European banks, Su Petrochemical, Kangtao, Zeta Technology, biotechnology, etc., where they sometimes cooperate and win together while simultaneously hindering each other, Arasaka and Military Technology, although they buy each other's products, cannot, absolutely cannot, cooperate in any real way!

The blood feud was one aspect, but the geographical location also determined that either Arasaka or the military technology side had to cripple or defeat the other if they wanted to develop and advance further.

Arasaka wants to return to the era when he dominated the Pacific, divided North America, and occupied the West Coast; Military Technology wants to unify North America, completely expel Arasaka's influence from the Americas, and realize the Monroe Doctrine, which is that the Americas belong to the Americans.

This is an irreconcilable contradiction.

Ara-saka and military technology are bound to clash.

Vera's base is in Night City, on the West Coast of North America. Would she really let military technology destroy the Arasaka Tower in Night City, destroying her home and stronghold? Therefore, in this respect, she coincides with the political correctness within Arasaka.

"History will forever remember this day. Lord Saburo has returned, and Arasaka will rise again. All Arasaka employees must open your arms, hone your will, cultivate your mind, and prepare yourselves for the glory that is about to come."

As soon as she finished speaking, a tray slowly rose from the platform, and Vera raised a champagne glass full of champagne to toast the audience.

"In 2076, gentlemen, let us strive together."

A whoosh! The Arasaka trainees from Night City in North America were the first to stand up and shout in unison, "Arasaka!"

"Araka!"

Upon seeing this, the students from Arasaka Academy who were in the back row and held junior management positions immediately stood up.

"Araka!"

Even those employees in the middle and senior management positions at the very front row, dressed in suits, stood up one by one.

"Araka!"

In just a few seconds, the sounds were already in unison.

"Arasaka!" ×N

...

2076/1/1；0/01/24

tick.

The 2075 Tokyo Arasaka Tower Annual Training Staff Summary Meeting has concluded.

It's 2076. Vera looked down at the company dogs at the banquet, who were gathered in twos and threes, by regional branches, by department, and by unit, clinking glasses.

In the cyberpunk world, staying up late doesn't even seem like staying up late anymore; all-nighters are the norm, and if you don't go to sleep after 3 a.m., it's not considered overtime or socializing.

"Director Russell."

"Commander Vera Adelheid."

She received heartfelt greetings from employees of Arasaka Training School from places including Night City in North America, South Africa, South America, and Australia.

The highest-ranking officer comes from the security department. Although they are not directly under the General Security Bureau, but belong to the Customer Order Fulfillment Section, which is responsible for handling private security subscription business, they are still closely related.

Vera was very kind and polite, chatting with them for a few minutes and clinking glasses briefly.

Having passed the assessment at the Tokyo headquarters, it's foreseeable that promotions and raises are a certainty upon their return to the regional branches. She doesn't mind making a good connection.

She wouldn't play the role of a mad dog who offends everyone, like Arthur Jenkins from the Counterintelligence Department.

"but..."

Click!

A crisp sound rang out, and a dark blue flame immediately rose from the lighter.

On the sofa by the floor-to-ceiling window, Vera held a cigarette between her two slender fingers, lit it, and took a puff. Through the clear, almost airy glass, the dazzling neon lights of the Tokyo skyline flashed across her profile.

Tokyo, stable to the point of being stagnant, does not belong to her.

The chaotic Night City is what belongs to her.

When it comes to criticizing military technology, she doesn't just talk the talk; she walks the walk.

"Commander Takayama!"

The bodyguard's voice pulled Vera back to reality.

"Commander Shintaro."

Vera stubbed out her cigarette in the ashtray and turned to look at the muscular, purely physical cybernetic ninja.

With the help of the cell-activating products from the [Solar Ladder Project], this old loyal servant of Arakasa seems to have become much younger, with more melanin appearing in his gray hair.

"Vera, are you satisfied with your Christmas present?"

Shintaro Takayama took two steps forward silently, as always.

"A Christmas present? Oh, no wonder you specifically notified me on the 25th. It's truly a wonderful surprise." Vera smiled faintly, her eyes gleaming. "Better late than never. Commander Shintaro is here. Why don't you have a couple of drinks with me?" As she spoke, she made a move to get some drinks.

"no."

Shintaro Takayama looked at Vera with a sigh of deep emotion. "Lord Saburo has ordered that you be invited to the Arasaka family compound. Miss Hanako is also waiting for you."

------

Chapter 087 A Bitter Experience: Military Technology

The bright moon hangs high.

The rumbling of the floating vector engine stopped, and Vera got out of the car. She followed Shintaro Takayama across the ancient palace gate with its single-eaved hip roof, and walked slowly along the cobblestone path. They passed through cherry blossom groves and rock gardens and arrived at the main residence of the Arasaka family compound.

"Luo Shuzhongjian".

Ugh, this damn awkward accent.