Progressing from Arasaka Through Infinity
The CCG found this information at one of their strongholds during the crackdown on and suppression of the V Organization. It was a plan that the CCG had already abandoned.
Using Ghoul remains as materials, the original plan combined 'Kakuhou control' and 'remote activation structure' in the hope of bringing out the physical abilities of the 'Ghoul' itself. After Vera obtained the prototype and sample data, she now fine-tuned and handcrafted a modifiable Quinque implant.
In short, performance metrics are reduced. Fancy features like remote activation of the structure and resurrecting Ghoul corpses for combat are removed, leaving only Kakuhou control. The implant disguises brain signals to maintain basic bodily activity.
Are you ready?
Vera walked up to an empty culture tank, raised her hand, and looked at the outline of light and shadow reflected in the glass container.
Then, she focused her gaze.
In an instant, Vera felt a warm touch on her fingertips.
Following closely behind is the sense of weight.
A headless corpse the size of a little girl appeared out of thin air and was thrown into a culture tank by Vera.
Click click.
In response, the culture vessel closed and sealed, and the robotic arm inside lifted the donor, quickly filling it with a light red culture medium diluted with Rc cells concentrate.
While pondering the information about this donor, Vera operated the CNC system to write down the note: [GYPSY]
Her name is said to be Hanasaki Roma. Founder of the Clowns organization. Her threat level in the Ghoul Prison records is SS-rank Kakuja.
Taking advantage of the chaos in Quilalea, another 'she' has already begun to clean up the redundancies.
She didn't need the intelligence; she only craved their bodies.
Vera continued to use the same method.
A gaunt, headless corpse covered in inhuman torture marks.
[JAIL]Rin'o.
[𩾇] Shindai Sarue.
[Priest] Donato Porpora.
Vera stopped rubbing her temples when she felt utterly exhausted, both physically and mentally drained.
This cycle of radiant beauty → being drained → radiant beauty again → being drained again has been going on for some time.
There's too much stock.
Beyond these interactive Kagune donors, Rc cells supplies and concentrates are the real bulk of the business, since humans in other worlds, except for the [Ghoul] world, do not contain Rc cells.
Before Rc cells can 'import' the legacy left by Donato Porpora, the Washuu Clan, and the V Organization, and develop and produce a relatively stable Ghoul virus prototype, they can only 'import' it.
Yawn~
Let's have a meal first, then I'll take a nap.
The frequent interactions continued for two more days.
As usual, Vera, CEO of Military Science, was taking a break from her usual spot at the top floor-to-ceiling window of the Military Science Building in San Francisco, gazing at the Contra Costa County harbor construction site in the East Bay, watching the Militech Tower gradually rise from the ground. "Hmm?"
With a raised eyebrow, she calmly picked up the steaming cup of black tea and took a sip.
"Quinque? Fine, give it to me."
Vera tapped her fingers rapidly on the table as she leaned on it, then opened her hand.
Two black and gold briefcases appeared and she placed them upside down on her desk.
Vera knew their names.
S+ Rank Koukaku 'IXA', S+ Rank Ukaku 'Narukami'. These Kishou Arima's legacy, two Quinque with excellent functionality and mechanics.
"Including the second 'Owl'... Are they used for experimental virus modification?"
Just as Vera's consciousness continued to connect with her [Ghoul] 'self' as usual, catching the only two heavyweight SSS-level two-handed greatswords that were being passed on—
Like a shooting star, a flash of light streaked across her mind, like a sudden revelation.
Vera's languid composure froze.
She could feel her soul being touched.
In an instant, her eyes became as sharp as an eagle spotting its prey.
Unbeknownst to her, Vera's indigo eyes were tinged with a deep halo, bright and intense.
The familiar feeling returned as she once again touched those seemingly invisible, traceless veins, like silk threads.
Her own inner workings.
Like newly emerged tendrils, stretching towards their respective ends, Vera reached out to the "veins" surrounding her, just as she had when she awakened to "Heaven's Gift," seeking advantage and avoiding harm.
Buzz—
One!
Two!
Three!
Four...
It came to an abrupt end.
"Four?"
Vera murmured with her eyes closed.
167
Chapter 167 The Power of 'Wei', Nine Heavens!
An indescribable feeling welled up inside me.
The unknowable and imperceptible mind and spirit silently opened their unseen hands and embraced the entity called [Vera].
Thoughts, words, Remembrance, consciousness, and vibrant life enveloped Vera's senses in an instant, allowing her to once again touch the marks left by her "divine Heaven's Gift" on the invisible veil.
A long-accumulated spiritual awareness is reawakened.
Having met before, Vera felt completely at ease, as it was a familiar experience compared to meeting for the first time.
Although she wasn't exactly an expert, she was certainly familiar with the place, and these engraved lines and veins wove the streams together so clearly and intensely.
Changing, flowing.
In the instant that the independent yet resonant streams converge, weave, coil, and gently entwine, she accepts those streams that flow towards her—
In a daze, Vera saw a painting composed of dazzling light and wildly bursting colors.
A dynamic scroll painting.
The line between reality and illusion seemed to be thin, with countless scenes overlapping, eyes meeting and diverging, all in perfect order. Remembrance, like a gentle breeze, caressed Vera's mind: they were intersecting thoughts and ideas.
Firstly.
The sun was shining brightly.
Seagulls soared, their chirping echoing in the sea breeze.
Beneath the boundless blue sky lies a multi-functional entertainment resort and amphibious theme park, spanning several kilometers and nestled on the edge of rolling mountains and primeval forests.
"That's really nice..."
I sat on the recessed semi-circular grandstand of the coastal water park, looking down at the view ahead.
Leaving aside the infrastructure, services, and security within the resort, the environment alone makes it worthy of the reputation of a 5A-level natural scenic spot.
Everywhere you look, there are large areas of carefully cultivated plants.
Looking inland, towering trees and soft, moist primeval forests are within easy reach. Ancient giant ferns and gymnosperms, restored using modern genetic technology, are interspersed among modern plantings, making visitors feel as if they are entering a new world, a magnificent prehistoric tropical world.
Chaowai, from here you can overlook the vast ocean.
Currently, a science education tour is underway at the water park, and the stands are filled with noisy, excited, and impatient spectators.
"Research shows that mosasaurs hunted near the water's surface, and their prey was everywhere their sharp teeth could reach, including turtles, large fish, and even small mosasaurs."
On the convex platform extending towards the deep pool, the female host kindly explained and introduced the program to the audience.
After saying that, she turned to look at the large, deep pool in front of her that didn't seem to be for human use.
On the cable pillar connecting the center of the deep pool, a 3-meter-long adult great white shark was slowly moved by the cable guide.
"Okay, everyone, let's see if she's still hungry after eating today."
The female host then said, "She's very shy, so remember to clap when she comes out..."
Before the words were even finished, a roar erupted –!
With a roar from the behemoth, the massive deep-sea predator leaped out of the waves, opened its blood-red maw—enough to swallow an entire hippopotamus whole—and bit the great white shark's tail fin, tearing it off with a loud bang!
The mosasaur plunged into the water, splashing water high into the air.
In an instant, the scene erupted in cries of "Oh My God!"
"Genetic programming, hybrid mosasaur."
With a very certain tone, I turned my gaze to the banner on the backdrop of the stands that read, "Isla Nublar: Welcome to Jurassic Park," gave a faint smile, and then said to the HR person in a suit next to me, "I agree."
Upon hearing this, the HR person stood up cheerfully and extended their hand to me. "Dr. Russell, welcome to Masrani Global!"
Secondly.
An island nation in the far east.
The metropolis at dusk.
Light rain.
An Airbus from Berlin landed at the international airport, and I looked out the window at the gradually clearing sea city— the Newport City.
The newly reclaimed land near the sea was shrouded in a gray rain and mist, while the city skyline in the distance was brightly lit with high-rise buildings.
After disembarking, guided by a designated person, I verified my destination: the headquarters of the Japanese Ministry of Home Affairs.
Along the way, I took the opportunity to examine this land that was both strange and familiar.
Like all cities in a cyberpunk world, society is full of contradictions. Towering, modern and technological buildings coexist with dilapidated slum-like houses. Many places look bright and beautiful from a distance, but are mottled and unsightly up close.
Of course, even at its worst, it's still much better than Night City.
The safety and security here is something that even residents of Charter Hill and North Oak in Night City would envy.
Soon, they arrived at their destination and pulled over.
Several men and women with very different styles seemed to be waiting.
"Is it Major Russell of GSG9, who is here for tactical and technical exchanges?"
"It's me."
I pulled out an officer's ID card with an Iron Cross eagle emblem and an internal identification chip, and said.
The short-haired, capable woman, who seemed to be the leader, nodded after scanning and recognizing the officer's identification and said, "Section 9, Motoko Kusanagi in the Ghost in the Shell Captain, Motoko Kusanagi."
Motoko Kusanagi was wearing a dark combat jacket with the zipper hanging down to her abdomen. The firm curves of her breasts rose and fell with her breath under her white shirt. After handing back her identification, she smiled and extended her hand to me.
"If I'm not mistaken, we'll be colleagues for the foreseeable future. Please take good care of me, Major Russell."
"Vera."
I extended my hand and introduced myself, "Vera Adelheid Russell, Third-Class Police Inspector (equivalent to Major) and Head of the Special Dispatch Guidance Technology Department, German Border Guard 9th Brigade MaxTac, Germany."
"Come with me, the section chief is waiting for you."