Chapter 124

The Secretary of State's guards and parliamentary marshals worked together to kill him. The marshals, in particular, were unusually brave and swift, firing a concentrated barrage of fire that blew the killer's head off.

There's obviously something fishy going on.

How did the perpetrator manage to bring a gun into the state legislature? What about the security check?

When did the bailiffs switch to using large-caliber electromagnetic pistols from the Russian Federation's high-tech military industry, and also use armor-piercing incendiary bullets specifically designed to damage brain tissue and brain-computer interfaces?

The situation in other states is no less dire.

In Nevada, the state capitol was stormed and occupied by rioters, and the city police turned a blind eye. A mid-level National Guard officer, dissatisfied with the unfair regional discrimination policy of heavy taxes in western Washington and light corvée labor in the east, rallied a mob, stormed the armory, killed his superiors, and announced his support for the local party's declaration of independence.

In Utah, the SLCPD (Salt Lake City Police Department), under the direct leadership of its deputy commissioner, has joined forces with a highly respected former liberal mayor from the Free State era to bombard the local IRS, attack federal law enforcement officers, and is currently occupying City Hall and the State Capitol.

In Portland, Oregon, a verbal altercation between protesters and supporters escalated into a large-scale gun battle. Local gangs intervened while police turned a blind eye, and White House supporters were completely outmatched, resulting in thousands of deaths and injuries.

In Olympia, Washington state, the American flag was torn down and burned in public at the state capitol building.

"Was it premeditated... or a spur-of-the-moment decision..."

Unable to bear it any longer, Miles stood up from his chair and lit a cigarette with trembling fingers.

Just as many people on Arasaka's side, and even agents who were on a mission but didn't know the full picture, were startled, Miles was also initially startled.

Has Arasaka already connected so many people?

When did this happen? Why hasn't the Federal Intelligence Agency reacted at all?

After calming down and carefully considering and verifying the information, Miles finally made a rough judgment.

Arasaka has connected a group of staunch opponents of Washington unification, but due to confidentiality and security considerations, the scale will not be too large, at most two or three states.

But those traitorous local tyrants on the West Coast chose to become thieves!

They help whoever is in power.

Predictably, even if this West Coast riot is over, regardless of whether the outcome is peaceful, her approval rating will drop significantly, and she may even face impeachment.

She has quite a few political enemies on Capitol Hill and on the Militech Board of Directors.

Thinking about this, Miles felt a surge of anger.

You were once United States too, followers of the great and glorious Mayflower spirit. Why did you choose to help Arasaka? Why did you choose to abandon the light and turn to darkness? Wouldn't it have been better to unite around the thirteen states and make America great again?

What a bunch of short-sighted insects!

Why can't you understand my good intentions?

We're exploiting you now, setting your tax rates so high, so that the Eastern States can recover better and faster, revitalize the American economy and industry, and then give back to you. We're making you suffer a little, but it's good for you, me, and everyone else. Isn't that Old USA prospered?

The rich get rich first and then help the poor get rich later. Do you understand the principle of first come, first served?

The fact that she dared to resist, and even had the ability to resist, suggests that her past policies were too lenient. The sustainable approach of exploiting the Midwest and Western States by draining their resources is not enough to truly exploit them; a much stronger approach is needed.

Miles made a mental note of it.

This is not over yet.

I'll settle the score with you sooner or later...

"Your Excellency, the Pentagon has responded that the order to move out has been issued. The 82nd Airborne Division, stationed in the central buffer state, has moved out. The 3rd and 4th Infantry Divisions have recalled their reservists. It is expected that the two heavy brigade combat teams will be able to move westward in 12 hours."

The Air Force Chief of Staff responded that the 5th Bomb Wing and the 91st Space Wing at Minot Air Force Base are combat-ready and ready to take off for combat operations at any time...

"Very good."

She stubbed out the half-smoked premium cigarette in the ashtray. Confident in her military strength and backed by Militech, Miles strode confidently, hands behind her back, the holographic intelligence data on the battlefield reflected in her eyes.

Following brain-computer commands synchronized with her thoughts, the low-intelligence AI arranged the repaired, enlarged, and high-definition processed camera footage into a densely packed image that filled the screen.

There are enlarged photos of the new Cybernetic Tyrant.

Compared to the Cybernetic Tyrant photographed in Night City's Badlands, the armor's workmanship is more refined. While maintaining the sharp edges of the weapon mounting modules, the joints and armor plate connections are more seamless. Arasaka continues to improve this military product.

And those Arasaka Heavy Soldiers.

In addition to their signature fish-scale armor plates and fully enclosed polycarbonate bundled ballistic aramid combat suits, they also wore an exoskeleton.

It is not a semi-coverage, non-life-size heavy exoskeleton like the 'Centaurus', but a full-coverage, life-size lightweight exoskeleton, just like a human spine and limb skeleton, which fits and wraps around the soldier's spine and limbs from the back.

The AI repaired, thickened, enlarged, and brightened the video. The AI then pressed the stop button. At the moment when the Arasaka soldier raised his gun to execute Devon, the characters "EXO-1" were engraved on the exoskeleton of his limbs, which was equipped with arm guards and a combat terminal.

Model.

New model.

This is yet another new model designed to circumvent the International Convention on Excessive Firepower Limits.

That convention was a compromise product of mutual wrangling and shirking of responsibility among various forces. For example, military-operated mechs were absolutely not allowed in urban areas, but exoskeletons were permitted under necessary and emergency conditions.

Is it being deployed on a large scale...?

Miles's gaze swept across the holographic screen displaying the battle situation.

Arasaka...

Although I hate to admit it, the reality is that Arasaka's development momentum in recent years has been far better than that of Militech.

Who could have imagined that Saburo Arasaka would regain his youth and reunite the Arasaka? What can be done?

She sighed inwardly.

Looking up now, from the [Solaris Staircase], [Cybernetic Tyrant], [Quinque], [Night City Expansion Area], [EXO-1]... she didn't know what the future held, but Miles knew this was not the end. Sensing Arasaka's momentum as he was about to return to his peak, she felt only the oppressive feeling of 'dark clouds pressing down on the city, threatening to destroy it'.

Arasaka will not let Militech go unnoticed, just as Militech will not let Arasaka go unnoticed if given the chance.

If she chooses to use force to suppress the independence movement in the Western States, Arasaka also chooses to intervene directly, should they go to war?

When the attack on the US-Mexico border first occurred, none of her staff anticipated that Arasaka would go to such lengths.

Furthermore, to what extent has Arasaka made preparations for war?

Miles didn't know; she had no idea.

All she knew was that her New America was not yet ready to wage a full-scale Corporate War against Arasaka.

The relationship between the Republic of Texas and Washington has also deteriorated significantly in the past six years. There have been several border clashes and dozens of soldiers have died. If war breaks out again, the Lone Star Nation will definitely not choose neutrality as it did during the Unification War.

If they fight, Arasaka might personally intervene, and their vulnerable rear could be attacked by Texas...

If the war is not fought, the rising tide of the New America will be cast overshadowed, and its political career will forever be marked by weakness and incompetence. However, once the western local parties gain a foothold, the Free State Alliance, supported by a host of international giants such as Soshikah, will be revived, and most of the gains from the last Unification War will be lost.

How to fight, and to what extent, are all questions.

Frankly, such concerns are like fighting a war with your hands and feet tied, resulting in a half-hearted and frustrating defeat.

Upon reflection, a myriad of thoughts arose. In his anxiety, even someone as calm as Miles couldn't help but feel a sense of exhaustion, his mind in turmoil and his thoughts scattered.

Lost in thought, time seemed to stand still. "Your Excellency, the first battle has been a resounding success. The armored vanguard of the Lazarus Corps has broken through the Barghest' defenses outside Santa Fe, killing hundreds and destroying vehicles..." A White House staffer rose to report with a look of delight.

"Your Excellency, the Utah Federal Intelligence Agency reports that they are preventing insurgents from occupying City Hall and the State Capitol. The 19th Special Operations Group of the Utah National Guard has responded and received orders from the President that insurgents in the military have been killed."

"President Miles, a combined force of state troopers, SWAT teams, and marshals is dispersing the rioters occupying the state capitol building, and the Nevada Chief State Secretary has successfully evacuated the city..."

Miles listened silently, and the series of good news at least eased her furrowed brows slightly.

Then, the AI was asked to bring up military maps of the southwestern states of Arizona and New Mexico, which were then examined in detail.

Based on the Federal Intelligence Agency's current intelligence, it is speculated that Arasaka's target is these two states, according to the Pentagon's operational plan.

Once these two states successfully gain independence, they will have a land border with the Republic of Texas, forming a defensive alliance. At that point, the stability of the American South will be completely over...

Just as Miles made a decision and was preparing to issue a special military presidential order—

A staff member hurriedly reported to Miles, "Your Excellency... just now, the governors of Washington and Oregon, on behalf of their constituents, publicly announced to the international community that the Free State have become independent again."

"What?" Miles exclaimed in surprise.

It's the governor, not the secretary of state.

They represent the voters. Although their power is nominally held by the Washington- appointed Secretary of State, making them seem like a rubber stamp, they are, in legal terms, the highest-ranking state officials, recognized by the U. S. Constitution and international law.

And why Washington State and Oregon State?

Miles turned around expressionlessly and said, "What exactly happened?"

"The information currently available is not comprehensive and will require more time to be refined."

The staff carefully considered their words.

"But what is certain is that it was premeditated. Liberals in the western parts of both states, gang members, police systems, the National Guard, and even underground cyber mercenary groups that rarely get involved in politics were all involved, and they acted almost simultaneously!"

"I see, I see..." Realizing what was happening, Miles looked annoyed. "It really is a feint. They have such big appetites, aren't they afraid of breaking their teeth..." Faced with this situation, she could no longer maintain her cold expression.

"Your Excellency, President..."

"What's wrong now?"

Miles turned around in a very unfriendly tone.

"It's the Arasaka naval fleet. We've detected two Arasaka's super aircraft carrier and their escort formation approaching the high seas near San Francisco!"

The intelligence officer spoke with difficulty, his voice trembling slightly.

Now, the words that were on the tip of his tongue—to call for the NUSA Army's mechanized infantry divisions and armored divisions to advance westward and suppress the rebellion—came stuck in Miles throat.

"..."

It was like a bucket of ice water being poured over his head, instantly cooling his restless emotions, and a cautious expression appeared on Miles' face.

"Arasaka, are you ready for a full-scale war?"

This night seemed exceptionally long, both for the people on the east and West Coast, and for Arasaka and Militech.

Whoosh, whoosh—

Amidst the seemingly endless roar of the waves, the massive black and red catamaran bow sliced through the water, stirring up a thousand piles of white foam.

Tap tap...

It was the sound of hard-soled shoes stepping on the deck.

On the third deck of the colossal mothership, which resembled an Arasaka mountain range, Vera placed her hand on the railing of the observation deck on the island superstructure, watching the slight undulations of the distant sea and the roaring takeoffs and landings of the carrier-based aircraft.

The sea breeze, carrying the smell of fish and dampness, blew in, causing her light golden medium-length hair, tied in a ponytail, and the hem of her coat to flutter in the wind.

"So you called the fleet."

With her striking mohawk-blue hair, Michiko Arasaka had boarded the ship with Vera, paid no attention to the sailors' stares. She tapped rhythmically on the railing with her fingers and asked with interest, "So, are you ready for war?"

The answer is no.

Vera asked softly, a slight smile playing on her lips, as she leaned against the railing, her hands clasped under her stomach. "But I suspect Miles is even less prepared. And if we're going to keep her calm and hesitant enough, it won't be enough for just you and me..."

She paused for a moment, then looked to the other side.

"Commander Shintaro, we need your help to resolve the conflict."

If you're in trouble, it's perfectly normal to ask an elder in your family for help and to put things in order.

There stood a man who, in Vera's eyes, was not tall, but very strong, with a straight back, sturdy and broad, his white stubble silently telling of his age and tradition.

Shintaro Takayama.

"Little Vera ..." he began.

Michiko immediately felt jealous as soon as he opened his mouth.

Readers, please feel free to contribute as you see fit. I always give extra chapters, sometimes 0.5K, 1K, 1.5K, or 2K. Sometimes I'll try my best to update twice a week.

The National Guard, a seemingly useless tidbit: it's not the police or SWAT teams, but an active-duty military force, a legitimate army with comprehensive and luxurious equipment, far superior to the fourth-class military personnel. The biggest difference between it and the Army, Navy, and Air Force is that they are also subordinate to the state governments.

Chapter 126 Target of Blackmail: The Battle Begins and Ends.

Just as tensions were rising in Night City and across North America, in the Eastern Pacific...