Chapter 120
Vera stood up, crossed her arms, and looked at the enlarged map of the North American West Coast, having already made up her mind.
Beep, the administrative interface for individual Director of Operations's UID is now open.
"I am Vera Adelheid, issuing orders to the General Security Bureau to carry out a covert operation, codenamed 217, codenamed 'Sodehime Hannya.' Deploy a portion of the Special Rapid Response Unit and station the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd Mobile Unit eastward to Phoenix City."
After she was 'stabbed,' Arasaka made accusations but took no action. Didn't the White House press secretary keep saying that the incident was a case of a subordinate infiltrating a superior, that a mid-level agent went alone, and that it had nothing to do with Washington?
Alright, this council member is open to suggestions and will appoint one himself.
Look, the traitor has jumped out on his own!
That's Plymouth Devin, the Chief State Secretary of Phoenix City, Arizona!
He worked for the Federal Intelligence Agency. The traitor Mendoza Laurie who assassinated me was promoted from his jurisdiction. At the time, local newspapers published photos of him and Mendoza and others receiving medals. He must have known about it and it was he who gave the order!
Putting aside the facts and relying on hearsay, Vera decided to kill him as the end of her attack case.
His rank was just right.
The position of 'Chief State Secretary' was created by Miles after the Metal War to absorb the western Free State Western States a special act, and it is not a permanent position.
Because according to the federal constitution, governors are directly elected by voters, Washington, concerned with appearances and emphasizing that he inherited the traditions of the Old USA ancestors, buryed his head in the sand and created a special Chief State Secretary position, which was actually a 'powerful minister' to undermine and restrict the elected governors.
It wasn't a spur-of-the-moment decision, but rather a carefully selected one.
Whether or not to kill him is not important; what matters is the place we go along the way when we kill him.
For example, the accidental injuries caused along the way due to his stubborn resistance and madness...
It would be a shame not to fully exploit the opportunity given her embarrassing moment on camera. Based on the principles of reciprocity and courtesy, Vera's 'revenge' was justified.
The key point is that this action by our company is not directed against any political entity or corporation; it is a matter of personal vendetta.
I believe that international friends can understand her feelings, and that Militech and Washington can also understand her anger.
Vera continued to issue instructions.
"Regional Bureau, in coordination with the Intelligence Department, activate the agents lurking in Phoenix City. It's time to wake them up."
"Ministry of Foreign Affairs, immediately send a commissioner eastward to tell the local parties in Arizona: what are they trying to do by gathering without fighting, making a fuss without breaking up, and refusing to surrender? This is their last chance. The longer it goes on, the less voters will need them. Do they really think Miles will let them off the hook? I, Vera, keep my word. As long as they correct their mistakes, occupy the state capitol, and declare independence again, Arasaka stand with them, and the international community will stand with them."
"The Arasaka Waterfront Administration Bureau is to covertly enter a state of military alert, organize transport convoys, and cooperate with the Night City Railway Administration to prepare for the transport of large quantities of supplies. This is to be done according to the standards for waging an interstate war."
[AI: Issued.]
After a few minutes, Vera checked and confirmed that everything was correct, and then the AI assistant sent out the internal encrypted instructions.
Seemingly having thought of this, Vera looked at Plymouth Devon's information and dialed a number that was pinned to the top of the private contacts list.
[Shintaro Takayama]
Beep... Beep...
"Commander Shintaro, it's been a long time..."
"Well, I've issued a seemingly impulsive order, and I need to consult with Lord Saburo."
"Six years ago, the Metal War ended with the Federal Intelligence Agency killing Commander Daitsuru Murata (Captain of the Kujira). Now, I will begin with the death of Arizona's Chief State Secretary, Plymouth Devin, to properly conclude the Arasaka's role in this attack on the US-Mexico border."
"Yes... this is the only chance that Arasaka has to legally and reasonably intervene with force in this round of events. For the rest, Arasaka needs to stay out of it for a while... Naval deterrence is necessary during the process... Yes, the Western Free State Alliance, we must rebuild it and support it, instead of directly intervening... I understand."
After hanging up the phone, Vera let out a long sigh of relief.
After setting the general direction and consulting with her superiors and requesting reinforcements, she picked up the PDA tablet terminal on the coffee table.
High firewall data throughput red encrypted emails.
[Sender: Jimmy]
[Content: Everything is ready.]
[Vera: Standby, awaiting signal from Phoenix City.]
Vera put down the PDA tablet, a slight smile appearing on her lips, and a hint of excitement in her eyes.
Then, she said to the Cyber Ninja was hiding outside the door, "Prepare to leave. I'm going to see Ms. Michiko."
With that, Vera went upstairs to her bedroom. After washing up, she was going to fly to Los Angeles...
It's not about being a lesbian.
Serious business.
Militech is now keeping a close eye on her movements. Her departure from Night City serves two purposes: to divert some attention and to meet with Michiko Arasaka. Vera needs to leverage Michiko's influence.
Even a tiny increase can have an immeasurable motivating and boosting effect on individuals and teams facing difficult choices.
Whoosh—
Arasaka Watson Northern New District Arasaka Barracks.
The construction site is still bustling with activity.
As usual, David, who had undergone another implant enhancement as the foreman, was now dressed in the uniform of Arasaka Heavy Soldier. Carrying an electromagnetic shotgun, a chainsaw sword at his waist, and an HJSH-18 rifle on his chest, David carried a silver-white Quinque case and inspected the construction site under his supervision.
The Nomads, Aldecaldo Tribe, that's the name.
David watched the group of motorcycle modification fanatics from afar.
The minefields within the land acquisition area have been mostly cleared. Apart from a few people still doing dangerous demining work, most people are now working as civil engineers under the guidance of that tall man with flowing hair and a rugged beard.
It's all for making a living and earning money.
The more David observed the Nomads, the more grateful he became to his mother, even though he didn't understand why they were like this. If it weren't for his mother, he would never have gone back to the Arasaka Academy, and he would never have met the people who followed him...
Shaking his head to clear his mind, David continued to observe.
... Yes, as usual.
Where is that irritable, brown-skinned girl who always argues with that big, long-haired guy?
He glanced again at the pile of modified cars parked by the Nomads, but the roaring Militech 'Nomad' was nowhere to be seen.
Because of David's imposing presence as Arasaka Heavy Soldier, the Nomads guarding the vehicles stood up warily, but dared not draw their guns.
Seeing this, David, not wanting to cause trouble for the honest, hardworking people, checked one last time and left.
Just as he was preparing to head to the area overseen by Kawakami Xiao Fu called out, "Hey, David! Check your emails."
David turned around; it was Xiaofu.
Just then, ring ring.
[Arasaka Security Department - Night City]
—— [Operation Codename: "Sodehime Hannya"]——
[Employee David Martinez, you have been reassigned...]
Is this a field mission?
David's eyes widened.
Before he could even think, "David, Suneo."
With a screech of brakes, an Arasaka- painted Emperor 620 Ragnar came to a stop, its tail swerving. Katsuo Tanaka leaned out of the window to look at David and Suneo, who had rushed over.
"Mission: Operation 'Sodehime Hannya'." Katsuo took a deep breath, pointed behind her, and gestured for them to get in the car. "We've been assigned to the 3rd Mobile Garrison Unit. Whether we shine or make a fool of ourselves depends on this."
Washington and Washington state are not the same place.
Sodehime Hannya, in Japanese mythology, is the god of kimono and also the god of vengeance.
Chapter 122: The Proxy War Breaks Out!
The southwestern sky was covered with dark clouds, and a light drizzle was falling.
Amidst the drizzling rain, the air was filled with the smell of moisture.
Within the South Lawn, the acid-resistant grasses carefully cultivated by the Federal Secret Service swayed in the wind, each blade of grass adorned with glistening dewdrops—a vibrant scene of life rarely seen in 2076. Unfortunately, the New America elites passing by on the pedestrian walkway inlaid with ornate pebbles showed no interest in pausing to appreciate it.
The digital rain gauge beeps, and the control screen displays that toxic chemicals account for about 11% of the rainwater. Although this is still higher than the current production standards set by the New America. authorities for the automotive, clothing, and food industries, it is far lower than the 30% or more in Night City and Western States. This is an achievement that Washington boasts about.
"Mendoza Laurie, the bastard who screwed everything up."
"President Miles has been too lenient with those guys at the FIA (Federal Intelligence Agency). The New America can't afford another major split caused by the chaos of the 'Big Four.' This kind of insubordination can't be tolerated. Mid-level agents going their own way is a very dangerous trend..."
Click-clack...
Holding an umbrella, the lark walked slowly toward the white neoclassical sandstone building.
The chattering complaints of my colleagues mingled with the pitter-patter of the rain.
She tightened her linen coat, wrapping her body, which had recently undergone a more advanced hacker implant modification, in the fabric, as if only in this way could she calm herself down. Upon hearing this, the lark looked up at the well-dressed staff and politicians who were walking by, her eyes deep and thoughtful.
Insubordination...
She smiled.
Look at that 15 silver stars and stripes flag fluttering in the drizzle.
This is the White House, the highest center of power in the New America, and also where she works passively.
"Nightingale Agent".
As the lark passed through layers of security to enter the White House, its biometric information was identified.
Without needing to ask, the White House social assistant, noticing that this President's Favorite had been modified to the point that there was hardly any bone left on the back of his head, stepped forward with a PDA tablet.
"His Excellency the President is waiting for you in the War Room."
The lark nodded, her expression unchanged, and followed the Secret Service agent into the White House.
Inside the War Room on the first floor of the West Wing of the White House.
The current president of the New America, former CEO of Militech, Rosalind Miles, sat at the head of a modern yet retro wooden table, wearing a beige low-cut uniform.
This powerful woman from a privileged background sports a classic politician's slicked-back short haircut.
Brownish-yellow hair, blue eyes, very few signs of implants, only a golden prosthetic indentation running vertically downwards on the right forehead.
However, just like the gloomy weather in Washington at that moment, the president's expression was not very cheerful either. With her legs crossed and her body slightly turned to the side, she sat in her executive chair with her brows furrowed and lit an expensive cigarette. As she exhaled the smoke, wisps of smoke drifted from her mouth and nose.
The White House staff and generals from the Pentagon, along with Militech and Lazarus military advisors, who sat around the long table were all heavy smokers.
The long conference table was filled with smoke on both sides.
Their meeting had been going on for some time.
There are only two issues: making worst-case scenario plans and preparing for localized outbreaks of war, and how to wage a mercenary proxy war without going to war, and win it to suppress or even eliminate separatist forces in New Mexico and Arizona!
"Report, latest update from Arasaka: Vera Adelheid has been confirmed to have landed at Los Angeles International Airport."
"According to our informant on the Arasaka Waterfront in Night City, a large number of military units have been urgently mobilized in Arasaka, divided into multiple routes, and have already left Night City. Several of our military satellites have been subjected to cyberattacks by an unknown force."
At the technical support booths on either side of the War Room, information officers dressed in hacker cooling suits and information masks looked up and reported in low voices.
"Arasaka couldn't sit still anymore. But instead of staying in Night City and causing trouble and biting people in New Mexico, what was she doing in Los Angeles?"
"Is it possible that her target is Nevada and the Northwest? According to records, before she rose to prominence, she had several major security contracts and field missions carried out in Las Vegas and Carson City, for which we lost a lot of personnel and equipment. There are a lot of people there who are friendly to her and Arasaka. As far as I know, a unit of the Ghost Hounds has already been stationed there."
"So you're saying she's playing a diversionary tactic, and that Kurt Hansen's performance in New Mexico was all a bluff?"
"I oppose the hasty deployment of Lazarus's field corps. Arasaka's heavy-armored survey team is already stationed on the US-Mexico border in Juarez City. Arasaka's armed forces in Mexico could move north at any time. Oh, and those Slavic barbarians from Soshikah, they've also joined in the fun by sending an international survey team to the border."
"Don't forget those rednecks in Texas. They were behind the suicide terrorist attacks we suffered at our military bases in New Mexico and Oklahoma..."
The staff exchanged opinions.
"Your Excellency, President."