Infinity, progressing from Arasaka

Michiko did indeed do that.

Fortunately, she inherited Arasaka Kei's intelligence and knew how to keep things in check. She did not go too far and secretly kept a considerable number of large-scale Arasaka secret facilities.

It's a pity that success is a failure and failure is a failure.

Michiko's actions to save her own life were one of the important reasons, even the fundamental reason, that she was never able to fully inherit her father's political legacy.

Fine, you be the pigeon, I'll be the hawk.

I will inherit the rest, the part that you cannot control.

If these hidden pieces are activated at the right time, the immense damage they could inflict on Washington and the military technology behind it is foreseeable.

Vera needs them.

Ding.

Arakasaka Tower, 99th floor, diplomatic reception hall.

The elevator doors opened, and Vera quickly adjusted her posture, revealing an elegant and graceful smile as she stepped out.

------

P.S.: Regarding trauma groups, I did some research, and it's true, their salaries are indeed the lowest among those at the same level.

There's an official comic about the protagonist of a trauma group. A criminal kills someone close to the protagonist, and the protagonist wants revenge. However, when they meet again, it's when the protagonist has to save the criminal because the criminal has money to buy a platinum membership. The protagonist also has to save the client without hurting him, which is too hellish.

Chapter 104 Moving and Exploration

"Thanks to the joint efforts of the NCPD and the Arasaka City Sheriff, violent crime in the Rei area has been effectively curbed. According to the latest statistics this month, the number of assaults is now far below the average level in Heywood. Below is a report from our reporter on the scene, showing that local residents generally have a positive attitude towards the city government's new policies..."

Santo Domingo, Megabuilding H4 apartment building.

The small room was filled with cardboard boxes and packages of all sizes at the entrance.

The air was filled with the scent of old things mixed with air freshener. A holographic television playing WNS news flickered with changing blue light around an old ceiling-mounted projector. The table was covered with small items, old photo albums and souvenirs that had been found after rummaging through drawers and cabinets.

"I've packed everything I need, I can go now. I don't think there's anything else I need to take from our house... Mom, what are you looking for?"

After packing his belongings, neatly stacking several suitcases bearing the Arasaka Clover logo into a cardboard box, sealing it, and labeling it 'The Academy,' David Martinez looked at Gloria, who was still rummaging through the storage room, and couldn't help but ask.

You don't know what you'll find until you move; once you do, you'll be shocked.

They knew our family was poor, but they didn't know it was this poor.

Well, the house is rented. The bed, sofa, TV, wardrobe, bathroom, storage room, and toilet are all provided by the house. The computer is a basic model I bought on the black market; it works. Oh, and that damn front-loading washing machine is also rented. Not only is it not good, but you have to pay extra to use it!

Once the assets were inventoried, aside from some personal belongings, the Martinez family really only had two living people as major possessions; everything else was gone…

But it's good that moving is convenient and easy.

David chuckled self-deprecatingly.

There was no complaining or blaming others.

At least he was lucky to have a mother who raised him with great care and hardship, instead of leaving him at the gates of an orphanage and then asking David for cigarettes on the street.

After setting the boxes aside, David plopped down on the sofa in the sunken living room, staring up at the familiar ceiling, lost in thought.

"...We sincerely thank Ms. Vera Adelheid Russell for her outstanding contributions to the security of Night City. WNS News will continue to report on the progress of security improvements in the Lijiang area. Below is civil news: it is reported that the improved security conditions have greatly boosted investor confidence..."

The news projected on the projector also mentioned the rise in property prices in the Lijiang scenic area.

With the actions of the NCPD and Arasaka in hand, once the public order improves, land prices will naturally be driven up.

Fortunately, my mom acted quickly enough to rent a new house before the market fully reacted, and it was a long-term lease on a yearly basis.

Later, after learning the news, Haywood Real Estate Agents did try to contact Gloria to modify the contract and force a sale, but what about the 2076 graduates of Arasaka Academy?

The real estate agent glanced at Sheriff Arasaka, who was patrolling the street and chatting with the NCPD. Cough cough cough... Well, right, businessmen should operate with integrity and treat everyone fairly.

Just imagining the look on the real estate agent's face when he saw me in my Arasaka Academy uniform after making that video call to revise the contract made David want to laugh. It felt so good! You bunch of snobs!

With a broad smile, David picked up the box from the coffee table.

Lifting the lid reveals a separate chip that records the entire graduation ceremony, an exquisite commemorative shield-shaped badge, and a graduation certificate from the 2076 class of the Security and Tactics Academy at Arasaka Academy.

That's right, he graduated successfully.

The assessment went smoothly, just like any other test, without any major setbacks.

I finally lived up to my mom's expectations.

Thinking this, David closed the box again and looked at his mother, who was still tidying up and searching for something in the storage room. His gaze hardened. He was determined to give his mother a good life. He vowed!

The first step is to buy a good washing machine after moving into the new house...

"I found it!"

Just as David was dreaming about the future, Gloria peeked out from the storage room. From her bright expression, it was clear that she was very relaxed.

"David, look! You were so much cuter when you were little... hahaha..."

By the light, David stood up from the sofa and looked closely at the photo frame in Gloria's hand.

The photo shows a woman and a child together.

He was a child.

Gloria looked at David and smiled gently. "This is the most precious thing. David, a rare record from your childhood. I'm sorry, we didn't have the money to film Mewtwo back then..."

David didn't know what kind of expression to make.

He rubbed his temples, then pointed to the ceiling and said, "Mom, if you keep dragging this out, once the check-out time is over, every extra second we stay in here will cost us money..."

“You little rascal… no, you’re not a child anymore.” Gloria shook her head with a smile. After carefully putting away the photo frame, she looked at the familiar arrangement in her ‘home’ with some emotion.

After a while, she looked away.

It's time to say goodbye to Santo Domingo.

"Now bringing you local news from Santo Domingo. While the larger gang conflict has ended, ongoing violence continues to rage in the River Valley, with sources saying the Sixth Street gang has received support from an unknown force. Fatal shootings are occurring daily in the narrow strip of land bordering the River Valley and Coronado Farm."

"Based on the assessment of experts, the gang conflict in Santo Domingo still has the potential to escalate and erupt again. Out of a sense of security, the NCPD has decided to raise the threat level in Santo Domingo to a new normal..."

drop.

After turning off the TV that was acting as a background noise, Gloria neatly folded and stored the last few pieces of clothing, then picked up the storage box and walked out of the storage room.

“All done, David. I'll drop you off at Lijiang Scenic Area on my way. Your job assignment after graduation should be today, right?” she said.

David nodded.

“Shengnan said that our first field mission would be either Watson or Badlands.”

As he spoke, he grabbed a cardboard box next to the coffee table and stuffed it with all the messy little items, old photo albums, and souvenirs on the table. After picking up a few more boxes at the door, he followed Gloria out of the rented room.

Outside, there were rusty, dilapidated apartment buildings, a dirty and messy ground, and neighbors living a life of decadence...

Downstairs, David stuffed everything into the trunk of his mother's old car, repeating this process twice. Then, holding the cardboard box, David took one last look at the empty apartment from the doorway.

This rental house has nothing to do with them anymore.

Goodbye, Santo Domingo.

David murmured to himself, closed the door, and clicked it shut, plunging the room into darkness.

hum.

A few minutes later, a red LED neon projection appeared in front of the door.

[Martinez] → [Uninhabited]

Available for rent.

H4 apartment building underground parking lot.

After taking inventory of the belongings, David climbed into the passenger seat, and Gloria started the engine and drove away from Santo Domingo toward the bridge leading to the Lisboa area.

In the car, bathed in the morning light, David kept glancing at Gloria's face out of the corner of his eye; she seemed to be showing a mixture of relief and melancholy.

David knew why, paused, and said, "Mom, it's okay."

"Sigh." Having her worries exposed, Gloria sighed, her voice suddenly becoming somewhat hoarse. "I can't hide it from you anymore. It's good that you know..."

“Watson, Badlands... Arasaka Security Department, a department with high pay, lots of work, and fast promotions, but also one with the highest casualty rate of all departments... David, you are an adult now, and your future is brighter than mine. I will not interfere with any decisions you make, but... don't think I'm being nosy, please, live.”

"I..."

The word 'guarantee' could never be uttered.

David stared blankly ahead: after passing through NCPD security, the car had already driven onto the bridge across the river. Ahead lay Heywood, the municipal center, and the company square, with a fortress-like skyline showcasing the unparalleled strength and arrogant arrogance of the mega-corporation.

That's where his future lies.

But who can predict the future?

David did not drop out of school halfway, but completed all his credits and graduated as an adult. He was no longer the clueless young man who knew nothing.

He no longer fantasizes that the important person who once encouraged him and helped him out of his low point in life will remember him.

The rigid hierarchy of Arasaka's workplace, the inherent dangers of the security department's missions, the increasingly sensitive situation in Night City, the unpredictable power struggles among influential figures… within the circle of people accepted into the academy, he passively gained an understanding of all of this. Or perhaps, to put it simply…

He knew very well that he could not give any guarantees.

But how bad can it get?

Will he be worse off than he was in the past?

After a long silence, David turned his head and said, "I'll try my best."

That's something he can guarantee.

Then, he smiled from the bottom of his heart and clenched his fist, pounding his chest.

"Mom, even if you don't believe me, you should believe Chief Vera Adelheid. I'm from the security department. As long as she's around, and we're with Shengnan, other departments shouldn't be able to use us as cannon fodder."

"As for conflicts between large corporations, and Arasaka's enemies, military technology... let them fight. According to the principle of tit-for-tat, Arasaka lost once, this time, it's their turn to lose..."