Infinity, progressing from Arasaka

...

March 31, 2076, dawn.

San Diego, in the far southwestern corner of Southern California.

wow——

After a bumpy ride, they arrived at the temporary hotel provided by the San Diego Aragaka branch. Cool water splashed on Vera's face and then flowed down her smooth cheeks.

Turning on the tap, with her eyes lowered, Vera patiently washed her hands, which were covered in congealed blood, dirt, sand, and other filth.

With a whoosh, as the water flowed over her palms and between her fingers, mud and blood came down, and the glaring dark red on her fair hands gradually faded until the turbid blood in the sink became clear again.

Vera continued washing, her indigo eyes coldly fixed on her reflection in the mirror.

A sophisticated urban woman who seems to have just returned from a fierce battle.

Stained with ash and blood, his clothes torn and his expression gloomy...

It perfectly portrays the furious state of a seemingly glamorous and always elegant executive from a militant company after being attacked. Probably.

popping.

Vera washed her face with slightly cool water, removing the few remaining traces of blood. She picked up a towel and dried the water droplets. Her previously gloomy expression vanished instantly. She blew on it and returned to her relaxed, ordinary, and wistful demeanor.

"Tsk... Interesting, it really is because of me. An unexpected bonus."

A playful smile curved her lips as Vera thought of the cyber psychopath named Mendoza.

After cleaning up the battlefield for most of the night, and before the military technology personnel arrived to intercept them, Arasaka's intelligence department managed to salvage the batch of preserved brain matter. With the help of a group of top Mewtwo editors working overtime, they finally identified the attackers.

Let's leave aside the previous groups of gang drug addicts and military technology in Juarez, Mexico, known as the Black Gloves.

The focus is on the last batch of "sand bandits" riding modified demon lizards, their bodies fully modified with military-grade cybernetic bodies, and equipped with 'centaur' exoskeletons—

They are the new U.S. Federal Intelligence Service!

Although the information was incomplete and the memories were fragmented, the FIA ​​senior agent named Mendoza's disgust and hatred for Vera and Arasaka was undeniable.

Her mentors, brothers who risked their lives for her, colleagues, and students—too many people around her died because of Vera, or were simply killed by her.

Vera simply forgot.

Just like people don't remember how many pieces of bread they've eaten.

That guy has developed cyberpsychosis, yet he can still suppress his burning anger even when he loses more of his judgment. He knows to wear her down first, then follow up with the Demon Lizard Armored Transport Vehicle. Inside the armored vehicle, he's fully armed and wearing a centaur exoskeleton. That thermal cannon is practically overloaded and fully charged. If Vera dares to come up, he'll definitely fire a shot at her.

If Vera hadn't been cautious enough to bring along two Cyber ​​Tyrants as a backup plan, she might have actually suffered some physical pain for this half-directed and self-acted "bitter trick".

In retrospect, Vera had to admit that her actions were not cautious or rational enough, and that she had taken some risks.

However, "it was exactly what I wanted."

Vera looked at the document displayed on her cornea.

[Arasaka Intelligence Department - Night Castle]

[Analysis Report: ...Preliminary assessment indicates that the March 3.30th attack at the US-Mexico border was an act of insubordination by a high-ranking frontline agent of the new Federal Intelligence Service, a lone act of revenge fueled by cyberbullying and other mental illnesses, an abuse of power.]

It subtly describes Vera's role in the matter.

After reading it, Vera was speechless.

Subversion of superiors? Going solo? Even the Arasaka Intelligence Department made such a judgment before understanding the full picture.

Vera licked her full lower lip, her gaze hardening, wondering if the military technology side had reached a conclusion yet.

[This judgment document can be used as bait to lure out spies within the company. Partial disclosure is permissible.]

drop.

After issuing the instructions, she shook her hand and took off her dirty coat.

The play is over.

Hmm, I should report the progress to Saburo.

Then, thump thump...

knocking.

"Please say."

"Tear off your tie," Vera said without turning her head.

"Director, the private jet back to Night City is ready."

------

Chapter 112 is boring; I want to see rivers of blood (Second Update)

"Last night, a vicious attack occurred at the US-Mexico border, which borders New Mexico, Arizona, and Chihuahua, Mexico. Arasaka said that the attack was a premeditated attack by the military technology and Washington. The attacker was Mendoza Laurie, a senior NUSA federal intelligence agent in Juarez."

"According to reliable sources, the main suspect, Mendoza Laurie, died at the scene of the attack. The military technology authorities and Washington have stated that they were unaware of the incident and have denied Arasaka's allegations of premeditation. The case is still under investigation."

"WNS News will continue to follow up on this..."

drop.

Ignoring the bodyguard's car, which was already prepared with a signal and filled with inexplicable symbolism, Vera's indigo eyes flashed with data. After remotely shutting down the radio via the communication adapter, she turned off the shower, lifted her washed light blonde hair, glanced at it, and ran her hand through it.

Hmm, it's smooth and free of foreign objects; at least I didn't touch any sand, coagulated bloodstains, or sticky, soft bits of meat.

I took a quick shower and washed up.

Vera gazed at her refreshed face in the mirror. "I won't need to show my face much on the rest of the return journey. Whew..." She felt so refreshed and comfortable.

She pursed her lips, dried herself with a towel, changed into a more casual Arasaka uniform, and then used a hairdryer to dry her hair as she walked out of the hotel bathroom.

"Destroy it."

Vera pointed to the blood-stained, tattered old clothes containing her underwear in the garbage bag and said to the cyber ninja Arasaka who was guarding her.

Nodding silently in agreement, the cyber ninja picked up the trash bag and left the room. He was off to be cremated and disposed of.

Vera sat on the soft stool and began to go through the emails containing her personal terminal UID.

While she was busy working in her spare time, naturally, a female cyber ninja from the Arasaka family compound walked behind Vera and began to comb her hair, while other ninjas were responsible for smoothing out the wrinkles in her clothes and putting on her shoes. The whole process was just like serving a wealthy landlord.

Alas, I've fallen...

But you know what, the cyber ninjas trained by the Arasaka family are indeed all-around excellent at housework, proficient in everything. That's how they were raised in the compound.

When the cyber ninja who had destroyed his clothes returned to the team, Vera, who was now completely restored to 'brand new' condition, stood up, picked up the quinque black gold box that was placed on the long table, and walked outside.

"Has Adam's Hammer arrived yet?"

"We are already waiting on the tarmac."

"Mm." Vera nodded.

As the saying goes, the safest time is the most dangerous time. Based on the logic of human complacency, in order to prevent military technology and Washington from being forced to take desperate measures and explode with Arasaka after the mess falls on their heads, she went to great lengths.

Boom!

The automatic doors opened, and Vera stepped out of the hotel, surrounded by layers of security officers and bodyguards.

ka ka ka-

A continuous burst of shutter flashes.

Vera's face darkened again. She turned her head and glanced out of the corner of her eye at the group of reporters and photographers with their long lenses and microphones outside the hotel security cordon, as well as the crowd of protesters who had gathered there, their voices filled with righteous indignation and shouts echoing through the air.

It wasn't a protest, it was a demonstration of supporters.

Holding signs that read "Reject Washington! Reject Miles!", "Just Austin Conference", "Against Terrorism Using Military Technology", "Freedom and Sovereignty Belong to the Citizens of the Free States", and "Vera Adelheid, We Support You!"...

Vera became a little shy upon hearing this.

I'm just a company dog ​​that everyone hates, when have I ever been so popular?

Could it be a plant?

[Someone from the intelligence department?]

While waving in surprise at the crowd demonstrating in support of her performance at the Austin Multilateral Dialogue, Vera used her high-level access to the San Diego local office's communications to ask the San Diego local receptionist beside her.

[Sir, partly yes. But also thanks to your statement in Austin, the people of San Diego who yearn for freedom have long suffered under Washington's tyranny of annexing independent states and trampling on democracy.]

Oh.

Vera understood.

This 'people' certainly doesn't refer to ordinary citizens, but rather to the local party.

“They’re quite quick,” Vera said with a meaningful smile.

hum-

Several more brightly painted hovercraft arrived; they were WNS News and News 54's special interview vehicles.

But Vera didn't have time to continue playing with them.

Her scenes in this opening act have temporarily wrapped up.

She should be in a state of being secretly annoyed by being tricked right now.

Making a show of bravado, Vera nodded briefly to the protesters before heading to the hotel helipad, where a new car and escort convoy were already prepared.

Adam Hammer, clad in basic exoskeleton cyborg armor, stood out prominently at the entrance of the vehicle's unfolded hatch, his figure appearing as if cast in steel.

It was not equipped with a prosthetic body.

Even the upgraded and improved cybernetic body of Tanaka is still too large to be convenient for close protection inside the cabin, but at least the structure has been optimized for Adam Hammer's special characteristics. It is stored in the air vehicle that travels with the formation and can be combined and dressed at any time.

"Thank you for making this trip, Adam."

“Director, I’m actually looking forward to some fools coming to their deaths. Night City has been getting a bit too boring lately.” A cold, metallic voice rang out as Vera boarded the car; it was Adam Hammer.

Vera chuckled softly, turned her head away, and said in an extremely flat tone, "The thrilling and exciting days are coming. It all depends on whether you can continue the legend."

"Haha... With your words, I'm really looking forward to it, Director."