Infinite: Growing Stronger from Arasaka

Johnny Silverhand, the infamous Morgan Blackhand, had a legendary career that was both successful and unsuccessful, teaching many people a damn truth:

You can't change anything!

Night City is still Night City.

After going around in circles, the real culprits are still Arasaka and Militech, those old rivals.

Take a look at the Corporate Plaza.

Arasaka's group of soldiers, dressed in impressive-looking individual exoskeletons, had already set up heavy machine guns and anti-materiel Thermal Cannon cannons on the protective barriers along the roadside. Immediately following was the sound of bolts being pulled. On the other side, the soldiers from the Militech company were not to be outdone, and directly brought out all the armored vehicles from their showroom, which was essentially a large armory.

The smell of gunpowder made Jackie fear that they might accidentally blow Night City to smithereens.

"Please, Chica, answer the phone."

Jackie rubbed his hands together as he paced back and forth on the balcony.

Every now and then, he would turn his head, his eyes flashing with the light of phone call data, and look out through the floor-to-ceiling window at the Corporate Plaza.

This was a half-day room he had specifically rented in Heywood, where the better view and angle allowed him to peek through the gaps in the fortress-like skyline and catch a glimpse of the standoff in the Corporate Plaza.

In the background is news about the situation in North America being broadcast around the world.

"Arasaka's so-called humanitarian aid is nothing but a pretext. It is Arasaka's conspiracy to interfere in the internal affairs of the New America and destroy our great, unified, and bright vision. For the bright vision that belongs to the New America, we will fight to the end, like warriors fighting to the very end. There is only one outcome awaiting Arasaka: defeat, utter defeat..."

"Our position is very clear: Arasaka Corporation's military interference in the internal affairs of other countries has seriously violated international law, and it is absolutely necessary to take it to an international arbitration court..."

If you want to fight, if you want to be tough.

It's hard one moment and soft the next.

There are pre-recorded videos, and comparing the statements made half a day ago with the latest remarks in the same time creates a sense of absurdity.

The situation is changing too fast, almost every moment.

Jackie was still a novice in the early stages, and he genuinely couldn't understand whether the New America would actually fight. Arasaka had brought over two supercarriers and a fleet strike group this time; was he really going to deliver a powerful blow to Militech?

Should he ask his mother to close the Wolf's Den Bar and flee temporarily?

Finally, just as Jackie was frowning in worry, the encrypted video call connected to the contact labeled "Big Sister".

On the retina of the video screen, a red-haired woman with a single shovel.

It is V.

His once sharp and heroic face looked much more haggard, indicating that he had been working a lot of extra hours lately.

"Hey V, you guys have been making some pretty big moves lately. You didn't tell me when you gave me this job that it would have such a big impact."

[V: What's wrong, our big shot, 'Old Jackie' of Heywood, having some ulterior motives?]

A forced, sarcastic tone.

"Bullshit."

Hearing that V could still joke, Jackie's tense heart immediately relaxed a lot. "Who is our old Jackie? Such a prestigious event, one that can be recorded in history, it feels quite amazing to think that I played a part in it. I guess I'm half a legend now."

[V: Yes, half a legend. A legend that absolutely cannot be made public. If Militech finds out, they'll never forgive you.]

That's a real shame.

[V: Joining Arasaka will allow you to go public.]

"Never mind then."

After a lively banter, Jackie, with a sly look in his eyes, lowered his voice and asked, "Really fighting, or just pretending?"

[V: My boss is probably being kept in the dark, how could I possibly know? Anyway, our Counter-Intelligence Department has been busy cooperating with the intelligence department to relocate the families of local party and liberal politicians from other states.]

"Ah, what about Vera Adelheid? Finding out her location might help..."

V: Don't even think about it. Do you know who's currently in charge of the North American campaign?

The tone was one of deep regret and emotion.

"Who?"

Jackie then displayed the expression of a curious child.

[V: Shintaro Takayama. The security director at the Tokyo Headquarters, a senior retainer of Saburo Arasaka, a veteran of the company's security operations, and Director Russell Direct Superior —a nearly 100-year-old man. And according to the latest information I have, Director Russell and Michiko Arasaka should be on the Kujira at this time.]

"Hiss... The Kujira? That Super Aircraft Carrier?! And the security chief of staff..."

As we all know, the shorter the prefix of a job title, the more impressive it is.

Then, seemingly realizing something, Jackie froze, "Holy crap! And there's Michiko Arasaka too, are they trying to run away? Are they really going to fight?!"

Upon hearing that Vera and Michiko Arasaka had run away, Jackie reflexively thought, "This is the rich running away first before the war."

"Thanks, V. I need to hurry and tell my mom, Misty, and Vik..."

[V: Stop, stop, stop! I know you're in a hurry, but don't rush.]

On the video screen, V took a sip of a Flex Stimulant and then a fatigue pill. His complexion improved slightly before he spoke, a hint of smugness in his voice. "Our superiors might really want to attack, but it looks like Washington won't let us succeed."

Realizing what was happening, Jackie looked at the TV, beep, changed the channel, and switched to News Channel 54.

"Breaking news: The White House may have reached an agreement with Security Director Arasaka Shintaro Takayama to hold the second peace talks in Alvin, Southern California. Saburo Arasaka himself and the New America President Rosalind Miles will attend via video conference, and a private meeting is also possible. Both sides will discuss and seek long-term peace..."

The tune has changed again.

Politicians' mouths are deceitful.

"..."

Jackie remained silent.

Meanwhile, in Washington.

White House.

Rosalind Miles had been standing by the window for a long time, a cigarette between her fingers, held in both hands, taking a puff now and then, her eyes, devoid of any emotion, fixed on the South Lawn of the White House. Several cigarette butts were stubbed out in the ashtray near the window frame.

"Arasaka... Hmph."

She hates Arasaka.

They destroyed her dream of unification.

But Miles also knew. Now was not the time to go to war. She didn't know how well Arasaka was prepared, but the New America was not ready. Moreover, the international situation was too unfavorable for her; going to war now would be detrimental to all sides and would be a losing proposition.

The most urgent task is to find ways to divide and weaken the anti-New America forces internationally.

"Call..."

With this in mind, Miles slowly exhaled a puff of white smoke.

"Then... this is something that must be given up."

She turned around and solemnly said, "My decision remains unchanged; I accept some of the terms of the second Alvin peace treaty."

"Your Excellency the President?"

The Chief of Staff was still somewhat hesitant.

"Go and carry it out."

Miles waved.

"Yes... yes."

After the Chief of Staff left, Miles took another deep drag. She squinted at the map on the holographic screen showing the situation in the Western States. All the coastal states in the west had become independent.

She has now given back most of the political capital she gained in the last Unification War.

"They are nothing but traitors and rebels. So be it. The situation in the Western States is beyond saving. Let's just treat this as a way to lure the enemy into a show of weakness."

She murmured to herself.

That's right, showing weakness.

Miles refused to believe that so many international forces genuinely supported Arasaka.

Just as they do not want to see a unified New America.

Arasaka has returned to his peak, dominating the Pacific Rim, encroaching on North America, and eyeing Latin America. How many forces would be willing to see this?

All they wanted was for Arasaka and Militech to fight amongst themselves.

In that case, why not retreat in order to advance?

Will Arasaka, which occupies the fertile lands of the West Coast North America, still receive so much support from international powers?

Sss. Miles stubbed out his cigarette in the ashtray.

"However, the mercenary war continues. If Lazarus can't even devour the Ghost Hound, then it really needs to be remade."

One day later.

When the war was stopped and news of peace talks and treaty revisions was officially announced by authoritative media, the Arasaka Navy fleet immediately withdrew from the coastal waters to the high seas, and the New America and the Militech alliance also stopped their march to the West Coast states.

Both the Free State and New America claimed victory.

The newly revived Free State Alliance emphasized that they had preserved their independence and re-established their sovereignty;

Meanwhile, Washington boasted in the eastern and central states that, thanks to the threat of war launched by Arasaka, the people of their land had never been so close to reuniting the spirit of the divided American people...

Just as politicians from all sides were unilaterally declaring their own great victory and win-win situation, on the deck of the Arasaka Navy Fleet, the Kujira, Vera looked back at the North American continent.

"This is not peace, it's just a ceasefire."

Upon hearing this, Michiko Arasaka said to Vera, "And next time, you'll really be facing a Corporate War."

"Ah, a world war."

Vera nodded.

"We 'sisters' are of one mind, seeking revenge. How about another speech at the White House, but this time as the hostess? Interested?"

"Opening champagne at halftime is a no-no, my dear 'sister'."

"That's true."

The two smiled at each other, and Vera turned and boarded a luxurious airship. Michiko followed.

Departing for Tokyo.

Reclining gracefully in an airline-style sofa chair, Vera crossed her arms and closed her eyes, her mind instantly focusing amidst a myriad of thoughts.

The deep sea of the soul is like a calm, still pool of water, now rippling with waves.

[Resident Evil]

San Francisco, Military Science Building.

"Ha, the authorities over there are doing everything they can to suppress military science, while we're going to great lengths to develop it. Is this the thrill of NTR?"

Vera, Chief and Chair of the Board of Directors Militech, muttered this silently.

[Ms. Executive Officer, how can I help you?]

A sweet, childlike voice appeared as a girl, outlined by the red data cable of the imaging device, quietly appeared in front of Vera's luxurious, spacious desk.

Ah, without that bastard Rachie Batmos who messed everything up, the AI is definitely much easier to use.

Nodding, Vera said, "Please help me compile a list of Bioterrorist Attack and BOW sightings that the Pentagon has encountered in the mountains of Afghanistan this quarter."

[Red Queen: Yes, madam.]

Beep beep beep—

The holographic crystal display on the desk then automatically began to retrieve relevant images, texts, and information.

Vera then unfolded a folder on the table bearing the insignia of the Pentagon and the USA Army.

——Operation Boa——

The Afghan War.

"Such a 'feast' is a waste of the White House if one doesn't even get a slice of the American-style bill."