Infinity, progress from Arasaka

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

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

Vera retracted her gaze, raised the corner of her mouth, and got to the point.

"The most important thing is that Lord Arasaka Saburo has returned to our side. It's time to carry on the past, blow the horn of counterattack, follow Lord Jing's cause, and take back everything we have lost."

Taking a step forward, Vera deliberately stood at the geometric angle that had been calculated long ago.

In the audience's view, she was overlapping with the black-and-white "Arasaka Clover" logo on the image wall behind her, which was made up of large strips of black marble.

"We all know clearly why Arasaka fell half a century ago."

The holographic projection screen started at the right time. In the picture, a huge mushroom cloud rose in the center of a prosperous city with tall buildings.

The burning sky and the collapsed Arasaka Tower.

Make no mistake, it’s Night City in 2023.

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

"Military technology, urban legend."

Vera spat out two words coldly.

“There are some things we can never forget.”

The imaging device changed, casting two rugged, bohemian figures.

First, a tall, muscular man with an unshaven beard, wearing a black turtleneck windbreaker and carrying a large-caliber gun that was outdated in the last century;

The second one is thin, wearing frog-eye glasses, with a rebellious expression, disheveled hair, holding an electric guitar, looking like a rock boy.

If there were fanatical "legendary" believers from the underground world of Night City's afterlife, Lizzie, etc., they would definitely exclaim at this moment.

"Morgan Blackhand, Johnny Silverhand..."

Vera said their names.

More than half a century has passed, and the incident is almost known to everyone.

In 2023, legendary figures such as rock boy Johnny Silverhand and Morgan Blackhand led a large number of legendary mercenaries and hackers, and with the support of military technology, they used a nuclear bomb to destroy the Arasaka Tower in Night City, killing millions of people directly or indirectly.

Elizabeth Kress, then-President of the New United States, immediately blamed Arasaka for the explosion, even though it was military technology that caused the tragedy.

Ultimately, amid a wave of global boycotts and condemnations, Arasaka, which had reached its limit, was forced to surrender. 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 driven out of North America.

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

As for the big companies, well, they have their own channels 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 the payment from Washington has arrived.

"They (Washington) think that through enough blackmail and political influence, finding some desperate men, killing certain people, and massacring workers in certain companies, they can prevent us from regaining our former glory and making us lose our former confidence and determination?"

Vera's slightly closed eyes suddenly opened, revealing a hint of pride.

"No, we are still great. We are reborn from the wasteland. We will create the future, and we will continue to lead the future. From the [Solar Staircase Project], [Relic Project], [Heavy Quadruped Thinking Chariot], [New Super-Heavy Aircraft Carrier], [Large Aerospace Ship], [Crystal Palace Space Station], [Moon Colonization], [Mars Exploration]..."

These are all publicly available. The interim results of the Stairway to the Sun project, the R-618 'Rebirth' drug, has been piloted and commercialized in cooperation with biotechnology and European banks. The Relic project is a concept that Arasaka has long thrown out to the market to attract investors and attract fraud. The soul is digitalized and immortal...

As for the rest, Vera naturally reviewed some of the scripts with Shintaro Takayama.

Some of Arasaka's achievements have already been made, some are still PPTs, and some have none at all, but this does not stop her from bragging about them, and even from making big promises on the spot. True and false, false and true, "friendly competitors" can go and investigate if they want, anyway, that matter is the responsibility of the Counterintelligence Department, the Internal Security Department, etc.

"We will never forget, we will always remember."

"It is only natural to pay back a debt. If you deny it, you will have to pay double."

"We will have revenge."

Revenge and setting up a target are Vera's policy propositions and tendency declarations after she came to power.

Internal meetings are a place for her to have a voice.

In a word, do military technology!

New America must be divided again!

Whether it is personal interests or the interests of the company, Vera is very clear that she cannot ease the relationship with Xinmei and Military Technology, let alone become friends.

Unlike European banks, Su Petrochemical, Kangtao, Zeta Technology, Biotechnology, etc., which have complex relationships in which they compete with each other but sometimes cooperate for mutual benefit, although Arasaka and Military Technology buy each other's products, actual cooperation is impossible, absolutely impossible!

The family feud is one thing, but the geographical location also determines that if Arasaka or Military Technology wants to develop and go further, they must defeat and cripple the other.

Arasaka wants to return to the situation where they dominated the Pacific Ocean, divided North America, and occupied the west coast; Military Technology wants to unify North America, completely drive Arasaka's forces out of America, and realize the Monroe Doctrine, that is, America belongs to Americans.

This is an irreconcilable contradiction.

There will be a battle between Arasaka and military technology.

Vera's roots are in Night City in North America, on the west coast. Did she use military technology to destroy the Arasaka Tower in Night City, and her home and nest? So, in this regard, she coincides with the political correctness within Arasaka.

"History will always remember this day. Master Saburo has returned, and Arasaka will rise again. All Arasaka employees have to do is open your arms, sharpen your will, cultivate your mind, and prepare for the glory that is coming."

As soon as she finished speaking, a tray slowly rose from the podium. Vera took up the high-heeled glass filled with champagne on the tray and raised it to the audience.

"In 2076, everyone, let us work together."

Crash! The Arasaka trainees from Night City in North America stood up first and said in unison: "Arasaka!"

"Arasaka!"

Upon seeing this, the grassroots management positions and students of Arasaka Academy sitting in the back row immediately stood up.

"Arasaka!"

Until the front row, those middle and senior management employees attending the meeting in suits and ties also stood up one by one.

"Arasaka!"

In fact, it only took a few seconds for the sounds to become uniform.

"Arasaka!"×N

...

2076/1/1；0/01/24

tick.

[2075 Tokyo Arasaka Tower year-end training staff summary meeting] ended.

It's 2076. Vera looked down at the company dogs who were gathered in groups of two or three by region, department, or unit at the banquet hall, toasting each other.

In the cyberpunk worldview, staying up late doesn’t seem to be called staying up late anymore. Staying up all night is the norm, and if you don’t go to bed after three in the morning, it’s not called overtime or socializing.

"Director Russell."

"Commander Vera Adelheid."

Arasaka trainees from Night City in North America, South Africa, South America, and Australia continued to send her their sincere greetings.

The highest-ranking official is from the security department. Although they are not directly affiliated with the General Security Bureau and belong to the Customer Order Fulfillment Section, which is the unit that connects with the private security subscription business, they are also close to each other.

Vera was very kind and polite, chatting with them for a few words and then they simply clinked glasses.

After passing the assessment of the Tokyo headquarters, it can be foreseen that after returning to the regional branch, their promotion and salary increase are a sure thing. She doesn't mind making a good connection.

She doesn't want to play a mad dog role like Arthur Jenkins of the Counterintelligence Department who offends people everywhere.

"but..."

Click!

A crisp sound was heard, and a faint blue flame suddenly rose from the lighter.

Sitting on the sofa by the floor-to-ceiling window, Vera held a lady's cigarette between her two slender fingers, lit it and took a sip. Outside the glass that was as transparent as air, the gorgeous neon lights of the Tokyo skyline kept flashing across her profile.

The Tokyo that was stable and solidified did not belong to her.

The chaotic Night City belongs to her.

No matter how she criticizes military technology, she is not just talking big.

"Captain Gaoshan!"

The bodyguard's voice brought Vera back to reality.

"Sir Shintaro."

Vera put out the cigarette butt in the ashtray and turned to look at the muscular, purely physical cyber ninja.

With the help of the phased cell activation products of the [Sun Staircase Project], this old loyal servant of Arasaka seems to have become much younger, and the melanin in his gray hair has increased.

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

Shintaro Takayama took two steps forward, silently, as usual.

"Christmas gift? Oh, no wonder you notified me specifically on the 25th. It's really a surprise." Vera had a faint smile on her face and a gleam in her eyes. "It's better to come at the right time than to come early. Commander Shintaro is here, why not have a couple of drinks with me." As she said that, she pretended to get the wine.

"no."

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

------

Chapter 087: Hard Military Technology

The bright moon hangs high.

The rumbling sound of the floating vector engine stopped, and after getting out of the car, Vera followed Shintaro Takayama through the ancient palace gate with a single-eaved hipped roof, walked slowly on the bluestone brick path, passed through the cherry blossom forest and rockery garden, and came to the main house of the Arasaka family compound.

"Luo Shu, the middle supervisor."

Ah, that damn weird accent.

But don’t say it, you really shouldn’t say it, once you get used to it, it’s got a different flavor to it.

Vera turned sideways after activating the language plug-in's correction and control function. "Takemura-kun," she said, looking at the loyal guard Takemura Goro, who was still dressed in black. Behind him was Oda Santai, who was dressed in the same outfit and had long side bangs.

They are all acquaintances.

Oda Santaifu bowed slightly, "Director Russell."

"Mr. Oda." Vera responded with just the right amount of courtesy.

Compared to Takemura, he was undoubtedly a lot more unfamiliar, but Oda Sandaifu didn't care. He nodded indifferently and stepped aside. He continued to patrol the main residential area out of habit.

Vera glanced at his leaving back out of the corner of her eye.

The cyber ninjas secretly trained by Arasaka are indeed professional.

This Oda Santao is a loyal bodyguard just like Takemura Goro. In his eyes, the only person he protects is Arasaka Hanako. Even the priority of protecting Saburo comes after Hanako. After more or less contact over the past half year, she has basically confirmed that the other party has no interest in the intrigues and interests among the management of Arasaka Corporation.

Soon, Takayama Shintaro and Vera entered the main house, and the waiters had already placed New Year decorations such as kadomatsu and shimenawa. After the Meiji Restoration, the Japanese New Year changed from the lunar calendar to the Gregorian calendar, which is January 1 every year.

It can be seen that Saburo Arasaka is holding a small-scale New Year ceremony.

By 2076, not many people will care about this kind of cultural program.

Whether you want to pass is one thing, whether you can pass is another.

In the cyberpunk world where there is no holiday all year round and overtime is the norm, the "wonderful" words such as holiday, early break, leisure time, etc. have become an unattainable luxury for most people...

The scale of the dinner was small, and as soon as Vera arrived, she was led away by the "hereditary" waiters of the Arasaka family.

After a simple wash, cleansing of face and clothes to remove the dusty smell on her body, Vera took off her shoes, stepped barefoot on the tatami in silk socks, and, led by the waiter, walked through the exquisite wooden door and came to the inner room where Saburo Arasaka was.

The scent of expensive incense wafts through the air.

Arasaka Hanako was among them.

She still looked dignified and elegant, kneeling on a cushion, with her hands clasped together, head lowered, eyes closed, facing the tablet on the rectangular altar against the wall in the inner hall, muttering something, as if she was praying or offering sacrifices.

Sanlang knelt in the middle in front of the tablet.