Chapter 109
Vera returned to her private car as the guards unloaded specialized scanning and refrigeration equipment from their armored hovercraft to begin collecting the brain tissue of the last wave of elite members of the 'Sand People' Vera had arrived in Sandevistan Modified's exoskeletons.
At this moment, reinforcements that had been rushing from various branches in Western States Arasaka America had also arrived.
The new Octave formation began to circle the ravaged battlefield and unleashed a frenzied barrage of fire on the remaining surviving 'Sand People' in the surrounding area.
In the darkness, the machine guns spewed fire at high speeds like lasers licking the ground, and the flying rockets pulverized any still-moving vehicles.
"Director, I'm late! Are you alright?!"
Upon seeing the piles of burning black metal scattered on the surrounding sand, Kotaro, the captain of the Special Rapid Response Unit 4, who was there as a relay point, immediately turned pale.
Of the six Octagon escorts of the Austin Conference delegation, only one remained; one Manticore was damaged and another crashed... He was so shocked when he saw Vera covered in blood, her once radiant blonde hair now stained with blood, that his eyebrows practically flew off.
Unaware of the true circumstances of the 'attack,' he practically slid to his knees and rushed to Vera's side, pushing aside the Night City Foreign Affairs Department official who was talking to Vera, and squatted down with a look of fear and self-reproach.
"It's alright, except for being a bit disheveled and anxious as if someone were about to capture me. I don't know whose wishes I've fulfilled."
Vera sat in the armchair and said softly.
She glanced at him and immediately ordered, "Seal off the scene, protect the evidence, and rescue the wounded. Capture those 'Sand People' if you can, and if you can't capture them alive, subdue Mewtwo."
At this point, Vera glanced at the sky, where the constant roaring sounds came from Arasaka's reinforcements, the Trauma Team's rescue workers, and the major news media.
Those who make a living in this industry are very well-informed; they can catch a whiff of the opportunity and come running.
With special frequency signals symbolizing the 'rights and obligations of journalists, right to report' flashing, and under the bright searchlights and flares of drones, WNS News and News Channel 54's iconic 'Atlas' armored hovercraft was prominently suspended in mid-air, frantically filming.
The reporters and film crew clearly noticed Vera appeared to be in the middle of a fierce battle and covered in blood, inside the half-open door of the exploration site.
I waited for about three or four seconds.
After the media had taken enough pictures of her like this, Vera ordered the onboard AI, which had already restarted the system, to start the car again.
As a precaution, the safety officer Arasaka of the newly arrived airships recommended changing the destination from Night City to San Diego, which is closer.
Vera has no objection.
As she closed her eyes to rest, seemingly indifferent because of the attack, a video call came in.
Caller ID: Shintaro Takayama
Vera opened her eyes.
"Lord Shintaro, everything is going well."
The self-inflicted injury plot, the victim Arasaka's attack, the curtain falls.
Buzzing... Buzzing...
Amidst the roar, the business vehicle carrying Vera, belonging to the delegation, slowly took off, escorted by multiple Octagonal aircraft, Arasaka Manticore aircraft, and gunships. With a sonic boom, the formation entered high-speed cruising mode and sped westward.
On the Gobi Desert, the cleanup and finishing work continued.
As armed personnel and tactical equipment from Arasaka became increasingly concentrated, the border troopers of New Mexico and Arizona finally arrived late, riding their new-century cyberpunk warhorses, along with bewildered New America. border patrol agents and Militech personnel.
What happened?
Was the Arasaka delegation's aerial convoy attacked?
What happened?
March 31, 2076, dawn.
San Diego, in the far southwestern corner of Southern California.
Whoosh—
After a bumpy ride, they arrived at the temporary hotel provided by the San Diego Arasaka 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.
Slap slap
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 Cyberpsychosis named Mendoza.
After cleaning up the battlefield for most of the night, and before the Militech 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 Militech in Juarez, Mexico, known as the Black Gloves.
The focus is on the last batch of "Sand People" riding modified demon lizards, their bodies fully modified with military-grade cybernetic bodies, and equipped with 'centaur' exoskeletons—
They are the New America Federal Intelligence Agency!
Although the information was incomplete and the Remembrance were fragmented, the Federal Intelligence Agency 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 Vera.
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 Cybernetic Tyrant 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 City]
[Analysis Report:... Preliminary assessment indicates that the March 30th attack at the US-Mexico border was an act of insubordination by a high-ranking frontline agent of the New America Federal Intelligence Agency, a lone act of revenge fueled by Cyberpsychosis 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 Militech 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.]
After issuing the instructions, she shook her hand and took off her dirty coat.
The play ends.
Hmm, I should report the progress to Saburo.
Just then, thump thump...
A knock on the door.
"Please speak."
"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 Militech and Washington. The attacker was Mendoza Laurie, a senior NUSA Federal Intelligence Agency in Juarez."
"According to reliable sources, the main suspect, Mendoza Laurie, died at the scene of the attack. The Militech 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..."
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 pouted, 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 Arasaka Cyber Ninja 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 Estate 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 Ninja 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 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 Militech 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.
The automatic doors opened, and Vera stepped out of the hotel, surrounded by layers of security officers and bodyguards.
Click click click—
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 Militech", "Freedom and Sovereignty Belong to the Citizens of the Free State", and "Vera Adelheid, We Support You!"...
Vera became a little shy upon hearing this.
I'm just a Corporate 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.]
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.
Buzz—
Several more brightly painted hovercraft arrived; they were WNS News and News Channel 54's special interview vehicles.
But Vera didn't have time to continue playing with them.