Infinity, progressing from Arasaka

The gang was severely weakened, and its territory was reduced to only the Haywoodley Scenic Area and Coronado Farm in Santo Domingo, which was also cut off by the River Valley occupied by the Hounds.

She did not intend to leave the Lijing Scenic Area to the Sixth Street Gang.

“I am Vera Adelhead.” Vera’s prosthetic eye flashed with data streams. “I need an analysis report on the influence of the Valentino Gang and the Mox Gang in the Lisboa area… plus the Tiger Claw Gang’s. As soon as possible.”

She was assessing the feasibility of supporting other gangs to occupy the Lijiang scenic area.

In any case, avoid anything related to military technology, and just maintain good relations with Arasaka. The streets have their own rules and regulations; currently, let alone Arasaka, even European banks don't have a suitable way to eradicate the gangs on the streets of Paris.

Alternatively, if gangs are truly unsuitable, how about handing it over to the NCPD...? Using the security agreement signed between Arasaka and the Night City Council as a benchmark, jointly govern the Rei area and create a model security district...

Speaking of public security services.

It's an old-fashioned skill, Arasaka's biggest and most famous specialty.

With that in mind, Vera dialed the interdepartmental communication line within Arasaka again.

[To the Security Services Liaison Department: Our security officers will be conducting community patrols soon. You should seize this opportunity presented by the current unrest to promote a sense of security. Focus your security service promotion efforts on the Lijiang Scenic Area and the River Valley area. Consider offering discounted group packages for families, communities, and neighborhoods with reduced security levels.]

Yes, yes, including the River Valley... I've already sent people to talk to the Ghost Hounds. Having dealt with Washington's mistress, if they want to quickly establish a foothold in the River Valley, they won't refuse the olive branch we've extended.

[Intelligence Department, I need all information on Kurt Hansen before and after his defection to the NUSA military, as well as a detailed report on the events that occurred during that time period and a personality analysis.]

Regardless of the ownership of the Lijiang scenic area, the pursuit of business expansion, profit generation, and involvement in military technology should not be forgotten.

One of her current roles is as a member of the North American Business Council.

The word "operation" extends beyond her basic security and military authority; she can now openly and legitimately win over and command people in other departments.

dong dong.

"Come in."

Click——

The door was pushed open, revealing the cyber ninjas of the Arasaka family compound.

"The board member is James Thomas, the first deputy director."

"Please."

Soon, a middle-aged man wearing a black suit with red stripes in the Arakawa style, whose sideburns and beard were already turning gray, walked in.

Vera stood up and immediately went to greet her.

"Uncle Thomas."

“It seems that a year of academic life in Tokyo with books around hasn’t made you rusty.” James Thomas forced a smile. “My little princess, Fred and Mia will be so proud of you.”

Upon hearing this praise, Vera seemed to leap with joy, and with light steps, she placed a cup of coffee that she had just brewed herself in front of Thomas.

"It's nothing more than Lord Saburo's appreciation and Uncle Thomas's help from years ago." But she quickly calmed down at Thomas's satisfied expression and gently asked, "Is Lady Michiko coming to Night City?"

"You're still so perceptive."

Thomas nodded, carefully considering his words.

"Lady Arasaka's legacy isn't so easy to inherit, Vera. Although you have the support of us old guys from the North American Security Department, Lady Arasaka Michiko also has..."

Vera smiled at this, changed her posture, leaned back, crossed her legs, crossed her hands over her lower abdomen, and tapped the back of her left hand with her right index finger.

James Thomas is the First Deputy Director of Security, a senior security officer with a higher rank than Vera, and he is also a member of the council.

The reason Vera was on a higher floor than him in the Arasaka Tower was because of the special treatment given to her by Saburo Arasaka. In the Arasaka family compound, Vera had made an appearance in front of the 'national-level directors' of Arasaka Global.

"Gifts are never given out of thin air. Only those who strive with all their might are worthy of receiving them."

Vera looked in a certain direction inside the room.

Thomas followed his gaze.

Then, I was shocked.

Behind the drawn curtain of the cubicle, there was a portrait of Arasaka Kei.

Instead of giving Thomas a direct answer, Vera explained her mission upon returning to Night City, mentioning her amusing experiences in Tokyo and her encounters with Saburo, Shintaro Takayama, and Hanako.

Then, she smiled calmly at Thomas—

"I will avenge Lord Arasaka Kei."

That was enough, Thomas understood.

Revenge means wiping away shame; once the humiliation is avenged, you will be the heir.

"This isn't easy, Vera..."

"But this is something Arakasaka will inevitably have to face in the future."

Vera quietly placed her crossed legs back on the carpet and straightened her posture. "The view from the top of Arasaka Tower is beautiful; we should go see it. Why not?"

"As for Lady Michiko, to be honest, Uncle Thomas, after returning to Night City and clarifying the current situation, my second step will be to go see Michiko..."

Before she could finish speaking, a high-priority communication request flashed across the virtual screen grid of Vera's built-in prosthetic eye plugin, and she cut in line with higher privileges, leaving a stylish and trendy silhouette on the virtual screen grid.

A woman whose body shows almost no signs of implants.

...

At the same time, in Watson District, in a neighborhood near the Laisheng Nightclub.

A Chevrolet Emperor 620 Lagna was driving normally on the street, occasionally dodging homeless people in the corners, circling around, and finally quickly drove into a closed underground parking lot.

Until several cyber mercenaries wearing jackets and sunglasses appeared, the muscular black guy in the middle making hand gestures.

Bang! The car lights came on.

On the body of the 620 Lagna, the 'Militech' logo lit up.

A man in a red suit slowly walked out from the shadow of a load-bearing wall not far away.

He was tall and thin, with short white hair. His right eye was very unique; where his original right eye used to be, three horizontally arranged prosthetic eyes had been installed, all flashing red light in unison.

If there were any mercenaries from Santo Domingo here, they would definitely recognize this four-eyed man—Faraday, the most powerful middleman in the Santo Domingo area.

chapped.

With a slight braking sound, the military-tech vehicle stopped beside Faraday.

“Faraday, you’d better give me an explanation. These repeated delays make us seriously doubt your abilities.”

A man's gloomy voice came from inside the half-lowered car window.

Faraday, one hand in his pocket, coldly retorted, "That's because Arasaka is heavily guarded. All the men I sent out were killed, which is enough to prove how important the Cybernetic Kong is to Arasaka. Don't you know that?"

"That's why we've invested so much. Produce results quickly, otherwise we won't get extra money or the final payment."

"Are you kidding me?"

Faraday's tone was quite unfriendly, "The results, how am I supposed to take them now..."

"Because you are at a disadvantage in the competition with Arasaka. The Night City government has signed a city sheriff agreement with Arasaka, and even the thugs you kept in Santo Domingo have been defeated. The people who did it were the thugs you abandoned in the past. Martial law is in effect everywhere. My people and assets in Santo Domingo have suffered heavy losses."

Lies don't hurt, truth is the knife.

The military technology liaison officer fell silent for a moment.

After a moment, he continued, "Okay. I'll give you half of the remaining payment first. The additional payment agreement is still in effect, but you can't refuse the additional commission. Are you aware that Vera Adelhead has returned to Night City?"

Faraday: "Of course. Last night, the Purple Stone Banquet Hall in the Azure Mansion was booked out by Arasaka. What, you don't want me to make a move on her, do you? Forgive my bluntness, but I don't want to die. Let's talk about other things after you have the advantage in military technology."

"Hmph, we already have the advantage, why would we need you? Don't worry, we're not sending you to your death, but rather targeting her project."

The liaison officer gave a cold laugh.

"You should know about the 'Stairway to the Sun Project,' which will allow that old codger Saburo Arasaka to regain his youth. Vera Adelhead is the project director. According to reliable sources, Arasaka intends to build a new research facility for her in Night City. However, the additional troops Arasaka has sent are not yet fully in place. Take advantage of this gap in time. There are goods arriving from the port and transport convoys, and you need to find a way to steal or rob them. Search even if it's just a single dose of undiluted R-618 regeneration serum, it's worth one million euros."

Upon hearing this, Farah narrowed his fourth eye slightly.

"Arasaka is pressing you relentlessly. You've been suffering so much in the global stock market lately, the Sixth Street Gang has been almost wiped out, and even I need to reorganize and manage the situation in Santo Domingo. Yet instead of focusing all your efforts on dealing with the threats and provocations from Dogtown, you still have the energy to go against the tide and take on new commissions?"

“This is called ‘blind spot’,” the liaison officer said. “Whether it’s the prosthetic body, the laboratory-grade products of the ‘Solar Stairway Project,’ or the new research results that Vera Adelhead is developing, we will grant you an exemption if you get your hands on any one of them.”

"As for other things, Faraday, you're a smart man, so mind your own business. That's all I wanted to say."

hum.

The 620 Lagna started its engine and drove away from the underground parking lot.

"whispering sound!"

Faraday clenched his fist, turned his head, and wiped away non-existent dust from his sleeve with an annoyed expression.

"Those sycophantic office dogs will get what's coming to them sooner or later... Hmph, let's go to the next life... Hmm?"

He paused for a moment, and all four prosthetic eyes focused simultaneously.

drip.

Caller ID: Mann

A burly man with brown skin and sunglasses appeared on Faraday's video call.

connected.

[Mann: Hello, it's me, Faraday. What's up?]

[Faraday: Mann, didn't you already receive the commission?]

[Mann: Because of those idiot company dogs, several major investors have backed out and withdrawn their funding. Damn, what a waste of time...]

Faraday's eyes flickered.

This Mann is one of the cyber mercenary teams he has collaborated with many times.

Perfect, he needs cannon fodder.

Faraday: There's a job.

------

PS: The money that V, the corporate dog, gave to Mann's team, and the money that the military technology company gave to Faraday Future, are all based on the figures when Arasaka, a counterintelligence agent, issued a commission in the anime The Edge Walker.