Chapter 105

[Received]

Vera put down her tablet and took the American Dirty Hot Dog, which was just handed to her by the housekeeping robot and wrapped in an oil paper box. She took a small bite and chewed it, while she thoughtfully watched the Holographic TV broadcasting today's news about 'The Barghest' in Dogtown '.

The follow-up plan has been submitted to Sanlang.

Tanaka's 'Cybernetic Kong 2.0' is progressing rapidly under her encouragement and support.

New Tyrant bodies are being developed and deployed, and are being adapted to Cybernetic Kong. The Cybernetic Tyrant Unit, led by Adam Smasher, is rapidly taking shape and reaching a considerable scale.

According to the Alvin Peace Accord and the International Convention on the Prohibition of Excessive Firepower in Cities, powered armor like Adam Smasher's DaiOni is not allowed to enter cities. Frankly speaking, Hammer's cybernetic skeleton and body, which are comparable to those of a main battle tank, are already exploiting loopholes in these treaties.

Cybernetic Tyrant are a product of exploiting loopholes in treaties.

While she might be virtually invincible in conventional urban warfare, her firepower would undoubtedly be insufficient when her planned proxy war commenced, requiring reinforcement...

She herself also needs to prepare new trump cards to ensure her safety.

Considering her subsequent actions of digging into the lifeblood of Militech, what if the Militech companies go all in and try to destroy her, launching Decapitation Strike like they did with Kei Arasaka? Since her life is at stake, she must be prepared for the worst.

Regardless of anything else, she must have some leeway.

After pondering for a moment, Vera got up and went upstairs to her research workshop.

A large amount of data is displayed in the form of a light blue projection.

Vera stared at the blue screen on display, on which her reflection was faintly reflected.

The reflections appear both the same and different.

Some seemed to be immersed in a laboratory filled with prosthetics and mecha modules, making a racket; some seemed to be in a port directing the loading and unloading of munitions; some were speaking in the USA·CCG hearing room; and some were standing in front of some kind of cylindrical container, tapping on operation buttons.

At this moment, her fingertip is hovering over the blue light screen.

Accompanying Vera's thoughts and ideas.

She, who was standing in front of some kind of cylindrical container, turned around.

A completely naked blonde woman was revealed in the container behind him.

Alexia Ashford.

To be precise, T—Veronica.

Brain dead, it was turned into an unconscious viral extract body by Vera.

"The progress is faster than I expected. It seems ready for application... but it still needs experimentation. The ant-like social structure... is quite suitable for my needs... the candidate... well, the other achievements of 'me' also need to be implemented as soon as possible... Let's take it slow, safety first, there's still time before direct conflict with Militech..."

Vera already knew the answer in her heart.

One week later.

Night City, Badlands.

David Martinez, a new field agent at the Arasaka Security Department, looked curiously at the desolate landscape of the Badlands outside the observation window.

This world is as barren and desolate as its name suggests, with endless deserts, low hills, dried-up oil fields, and piles of waste as far as the eye can see...

The old asphalt roads crisscross the wasteland, some of which have been buried by sand.

The few things that still look alive are the sparse, well-preserved buildings isolated from the world, the dilapidated wind turbines that turn slowly, and a group of "whack-a-mole" digging holes in the sand with their butts sticking out.

The armed and guarded men were surrounded by dilapidated modified cars; they were Nomads.

This was David's first time outside the city, and he had seen such vivid Nomads.

Oh, it was that dark-skinned woman sitting in that rugged muscle car who seemed to be looking at them with disdain, almost giving them the middle finger, but her hooded companion next to her forcefully pressed her down.

"Heh... They're just a bunch of stray dogs who eat the scraps the company throws at them. They think they're superior to us city dwellers just because they escaped to the wilderness. Their souls are free, while we are prisoners."

It's Katsuo Tanaka.

Sitting opposite David, Sheng Nan, dressed in a jet-black combat uniform with a light armor layer and a winged helmet, took off Katsuo tactical mask and smiled disdainfully.

He looked at David and said, "But if they really leave the company completely, where will their vehicles, weapons, energy, and supplies come from... will they make them by hand?"

"Be careful, David. We've caught a good wave. Soon, we'll have no shortage of opportunities for rapid promotion," Katsuo said seriously, pointing to the screen inside the carriage. "But the prerequisite is that we survive."

David looked over.

This is WNS's international news.

The report is covering an ongoing meeting.

In the video, Arasaka and the Western States and local parties he represents, along with Militech and the eastern states and the ruling party of the New Federal Government Washington federal government, hold a multilateral dialogue on whether the recent escalating tensions on the West Coast violate the spirit of the Alvin Peace Accord.

A host of international giants, including Soshikah, Biotechnology, European Bank, Rail Aviation, Petrochem, Zeta Technologies, Kang Tao, Qiris, and Network Surveillance, are represented as third-party observers and mediators. These include established leaders, rising stars, industry leaders, and companies with extensive business operations in North America.

Holding a treaty revision conference is not the same as revising the treaty.

Now speaking is Vera Adelheid Russell, Managing Director of the North American Division of Arasaka.

On the conference stage, a blonde, blue-eyed woman took out a Separate Chip.

"... In keeping with the somber atmosphere at this moment, we have reason to believe that NUSA's continued development and deployment of weapons of mass destruction on the borders of Independent States pose a serious threat to the security of Night City and the Free State, which values autonomy. Clearly, President Miles and Washington have premeditated and planned to tear up the Alvin Peace Accord in the future."

Since time had already passed, I decided to write more, and that's how it turned out.

Chapter 108: A Divided New America is the Best Eagle

"... For six years, NUSA has never explained their display of deadly weapons and military forces along the Free State border, which seriously violate the spirit of the Alvin Peace Accord and the International Convention on the Prohibition of Excessive Firepower. Ladies and gentlemen, this is solid evidence, not mere speculation. It is true, and it is all documented in detail."

On the stage, the fluorescent display plaque for [ARASAKA] shone brightly. Blonde Beauty, elegant in speech, graceful in demeanor, and poised in manner, spoke slowly, her clear and cool voice resonating throughout the spacious conference hall through the sound system.

Vera then raised the Separate Chip in her hand.

With a sizzle, the large screen displaying the gleaming logos of the Major Corporations attending the conference switched to a new display.

Several photos and videos/audio recordings, seemingly taken or recorded under dangerous circumstances, appeared on the screen.

The trembling footage shows a gaunt, poorly clothed former Independence State veteran being humiliated by soldiers in Militech camouflage uniforms; convoys of main Hover Tank rumbling into a breached military outpost carved out of the Nevada Mountains near Northern California, concealed by transport vehicles; and audio accompanying the massacre of unarmed civilians, with key words appearing in their conversations amidst gunfire and screams: 'batch,' 'job from above,' 'complete,' 'clear out'...

"... Undoubtedly, all of this was premeditated, planned, systematic, and large-scale, blatantly disregarding the independence and sovereignty of the Free State, and trampling on the dignity of the citizens of the Western States."

Amidst timely exclamations and whispers from the attendees, Vera spoke in a tone that was a mixture of suppressed anger and righteous indignation.

They're all actors!

At the multilateral dialogue open expanded meeting, one of the "best actresses" in attendance, Ms. Vera, subtly glanced at the group of bloodsucking vampires and Corporate Dog below.

Exaggerated, really exaggerated, not professional at all.

Some viewers exclaimed "Oh my god" in shock after watching several live videos, others wore expressions as if their fathers had died, and some even squeezed out tears, covering their faces with their hands while their shoulders trembled, whether from putting in eye drops or something else...

Anyone who didn't know better would think they were genuinely concerned about the post-war well-being of citizens in the Western States of North America.

Oh, and there are also the booths with nameplates for [NUSA] and [MILITECH]. Those attendees, dressed like they were from New America and Militech and dressed like they were being charged for their services, were sullen and banging on the table in protest and standing up to question us.

But nobody paid any attention.

While this place is not within the sphere of influence of Night City, Northern California, or other states closely associated with Arasaka, it is also not Eastern States influenced by Washington. Rather, it is Texas, or more specifically, the Lone Star Republic, with its capital in Austin.

As one of the states with the strongest desire for independence in the Old USA.

Perhaps during the Metal War, the Federalist Party, which ruled Southern Texas, chose neutrality and made appropriate alliances with Washington. However, by 2076, Texas's attitude had subtly changed in the face of Washington's insistence on returning to the Old USA system, which was ostensibly aimed at "strengthening national power" and promising to expand federal rule.

Does Lone Star State want to be one of the fifty stars on the Stars and Stripes again?

Turning her gaze away, Vera ignored the protests of the Militech representative and used the pause during which attendees reviewed the evidence to gather her composure.

Hmm, should I squeeze out a tear?

Forget it, I went too far and it backfired.

Fortunately, we were prepared...

Taking a deep breath, Vera raised her head and gazed at the audience with her gentle, clear eyes, which seemed to have turned into a pool of clear water. The hypocrites in the audience became unreal in the ripples of the water. She saw herself in them, attending the anti-monopoly hearing, another version of herself as the CEO of Junke.

A sigh escapes my lips. I can empathize with the frustration of being investigated for antitrust violations and attacked by those who are envious of the profits. I want to take them down, but for the sake of the bigger picture, I have to endure it for a while longer.

Immediately, Ms. Vera, with a sorrowful and compassionate expression, continued to speak.

It is eloquent, sincere, and perfectly worded.

After recounting NUSA's violations of the agreement, including its secret troop buildup on the West Coast, as well as its oppression of the people of Western States, its retaliation against veterans of independent states in violation of the agreement, its persecution of respected elders of local parties, and its failure to fulfill the agreement's promise of granting Western States the same voting rights and corresponding respect as Eastern States—

"Thank you all for listening."

After finishing his speech, he stepped down from the podium and passed by the Militech representative. Vera gave him a deep look before taking her seat.

Rosalind Myers and the current CEO of Militech were absent; clearly, based on the principle of reciprocity, Vera's rank wasn't high enough to warrant their attendance. It would have been more likely that Saburo Arasaka or Sano Arasaka have been present.

"This is a slander, a rumor without any factual basis. Director Russell's accusations are untrue and imprecise."

With his signature 'accordion' gesture, the Militech representative began his rebuttal speech. "No one knows better than us how to serve the citizens of United States..."

Below the stage, Vera treated it as trash talk. She unscrewed her mineral water bottle, took a sip, and nodded to the biotechnology representatives, European Bank representatives, and Soshikah representatives who showed goodwill and concern. Only then did she straighten her posture, cross her hands on her lower abdomen, and listen to her old rival's rebuttal on the stage.

At least on the surface, they were listening.

This meeting will not yield any results.

Vera knew very well.

What you can't get on the battlefield, you can never expect to get at the negotiating table.

But this is a political statement.

By rallying people in the Western Independent State who are pursuing statehood, and by inspiring resistance in the former Free State in the Midwest who have suffered from regional discrimination and wealth exploitation by the eastern Eastern States, Miles aims to shake the banner of the New America ideology that he emphasizes. "Unity, Make America Great Again."

In this respect, Arasaka will have countless potential allies internationally.

No country or power in the world wants the United States to reunify and return to its post-World War II bipolar hegemony.

European Bank don't want this, because they only managed to break free from control by taking advantage of the collapse of the dollar settlement system, the global economic crisis, and the fragmentation of the Old USA in the 1990s, and only then did old Europe finally usher in a second period of great development. It's a matter of fortunes changing.

Soshikah does not want this, which is driven by both self-interest and lingering historical factors.

Biotechnology companies don't want this, because it's a common demand from all companies: there shouldn't be any more superpowers with strong governmental influence in the world.

Even companies like Petrochem, which have close ties to Militech, do not want Washington to become too powerful.

As the only petrochemical company in North America with a license to produce CHOHO2 (an essential energy product), they do not want their monopoly position to be undermined by an antitrust investigation by Washington after it gained normal governmental authority.

After all, they are not Militech.

It's an open secret that the New America is now all about Militech, and Militech is the New America.

After the end of the Metal War, Washington had almost unified the Old USA territory, Militech became increasingly arrogant and domineering towards other North American companies, acting as if it owned the place.

Better to die for your fellow Daoist than for me.

The consensus among a growing number of international powers is to teach Militech a lesson and halt the rise of New America. Especially since it was Arasaka who spearheaded this effort, rather than them personally intervening.

Vera never expected them to be reliable. Despite their loud pronouncements, most of them could only offer help beyond practical assistance.

As long as they don't hold us back, it's a success.

Vera secretly plotted in her mind, glancing sideways at the Soshikah Slavic representative who had a look of amusement on his face.

Compared to Vera's speech, the rebuttal by the Militech executive dressed like a flamingo was undoubtedly a flop.

That is to say, the people present were all respectable business people, which is why there was no middle finger being raised or booing.

Vera shook her head.

There was no need to listen any further; the righteous rebuttal from the Militech expert would be handled by the head of the Night City Arasaka Tower's diplomatic and public relations department, who had accompanied Vera.

Midway through, while the Militech representative was talking at length about Arasaka's earlier reinforcement of troops than Night City, before Vera could even speak, the burly Slavic representative from the Soshikah industry, who was thoroughly enjoying the talk, even took his shirt off to take sides.

They seized upon the fact that Militech had been used to frame and fabricate evidence after the 2023 nuclear explosion at Arasaka Tower, and then went on to talk about it at length, saying that you (the US) are terrorists with a criminal record, and that Saburo lost his eldest son because of you, so naturally he has to be wary of you.