Chapter 216
They were so confident, it was as if they were openly announcing my arrival.
Cyber agents guarding the key points of the storage room's entrance and exit passages remained unblinking. Numerous surveillance cameras, scanners, automated turrets, drones, and Drone Mechs continued to remain silent after identifying the visitor's biometric information.
Three senior researchers, who had just learned that the project's Chief director would be here at the end of New Year's Day to check on the project's progress and update the development logs, were already waiting here.
As she carried the biosafety transport box, Vera calmly passed through the access control.
"Director Vera." ×3.
The three senior researchers, who had been waiting at the entrance for some time, immediately went to greet them.
They are the staff who will remain at the facility during the New Year's Day holiday in 2077.
Even in a system as exploitative as Arasaka, annual leave and necessary rotation systems still exist.
Although it still can't compare to the 6-day paid vacation offered by biotechnology companies and the reduced weekly mandatory work hours of Nightworld Corporation to just 80 hours.
"Happy New Year. Director, any new developments?"
The leader bowed respectfully as he spoke, extending his hand to help take the suitcase.
Vera waved her hand to decline her subordinate's offer and said calmly, "More or less."
In her bright indigo eyes, which gleamed with a light smile, a deep, Crystal Blue Halo flashed, as she casually glanced at the three of them. "Unfortunately, the situation in North America is becoming increasingly complex this year. It is foreseeable that I will have much less time to spend on the [Solaris Staircase Project]. As it is my duty in the Night City, I need to focus my energy on military matters."
As she spoke, she extended her hand to the three senior researchers.
"Everyone, thank you for your hard work staying behind. Happy New Year, よいおを."
They were, after all, the backbone of Arasaka's bioengineering department, and Vera acknowledged their competence. After all, Saburo Arasaka himself would occasionally show his approachable side to the company members and the public.
Vera never hesitates to show respect to her valuable subordinates.
Well, before we completely break off relations—
Based on her rudimentary understanding of working together, and utilizing the Geass perspective, Vera mentally analyzed the three people's emotional models:
The leader flattered the common people, his heart burning with fervor and an intense thirst for progress.
The other person was somewhat awkward in interpersonal interactions. She didn't pay much attention to the incessant, ever-changing thoughts that seemed to be weaving a table, but she guessed that the person was constantly thinking about the projects at hand and the annual report.
The last person, outwardly respectful, was actually quite emotionally volatile. Panicked? Not exactly, but anxious, his mind wandering...
As a senior researcher with access to the virus sample prototype library and the ability to lead a research team to conduct high-level branch research on projects, it was almost impossible for him to feel apprehensive like the newly graduated Karami did, simply because of her slight attempts to win people over.
Vera isn't that arrogant.
What is causing his anxiety?
There is only one answer.
You are disloyal!
Not long ago, Vera left the Arasaka Family Estate, and soon after, an official email was sent to the level of senior researcher, stating that she would be transferring personnel from Tokyo Tower to support the construction of the new district of the Arasaka Research Center in Night City.
The three of them must have known.
Who wouldn't want to go?
Those who are eager to improve themselves should go there; this is an excellent way to enhance their resume.
The relatively honest ones only care about research; as long as there are research conditions, that's enough.
Are those who don't want to go truly attached to their homeland? Expanding the scope, let's assume that Arasaka's intelligence department is incompetent. If such a crucial department were infiltrated by foreign spies, logically, the spies would prefer to go to the newly established agency, as it would be easier to operate and get promoted.
So, is it you?
If he wasn't a spy, was he a 'loyal retainer' of the Arasaka Hawks who had already placed his bets on one side due to sunk costs?
After briefly shaking hands with each of the three, Vera's lips, hidden behind a polite smile, suddenly curled into a playful arc.
Then it's you.
Instead of transferring him, he was allowed to remain at the biological research center in Tokyo.
Let's see what he does.
"You guys go ahead and get busy."
After a brief exchange of pleasantries, Vera calmly walked deeper into the laboratory.
Seemingly remembering something, she turned her head and said, "By the way, send me your individual annual reports in a bit, as well as backups of the development logs for each research group, including those for those on leave."
"Yes, Director."
Vera nodded, then walked towards the heavy, blast-proof and chemical-resistant isolation door. A blue-white scanning beam illuminated her entire body; after a moment, click, access granted, the door opened. She stepped inside.
The three senior researchers watched as the Chief director's figure, with his elegant light blonde ponytail, disappeared through the closing door.
After a moment, the leader patted the back of his fist and said, "Let's go, you two. It seems Director Vera won't be staying in Tokyo for long. The laboratory in the Night City New District should be a good job."
The taciturn man pulled out his personal PDA and said, "I'm fine with anything."
The last person sighed.
"I don't know if it's beautiful or not, all I know is that Night City is a cesspool. Who knows what big news the Militech and Miles will bring?"
Muttering to himself, he glanced at the entrance to the prototype library, then walked away without looking back.
"The situation in North America is too delicate. I don't want to spend all my time worrying about getting my head cracked open."
The lights turned on automatically.
Entering the virus sample prototype library, walking through this huge storage room, Vera stopped in front of an empty, sealed display shelf and placed her suitcase on the display table.
Snap—
Vera took out the cylindrical sealed jar and then placed it into the storage groove perfectly, click click.
Her eyes gleamed with the light of data streams.
The robotic arm inside the display case moved in response. After the sealed container holding the virus was safely opened from the inside, the robotic arm reached in from the top and took out a sealed container shaped like a pen refill.
What it contains is a liquid that is as slippery as gas and as viscous as oil, but scarlet in color.
The seemingly alive and writhing liquid reflected Vera's slightly squinted eyes.
Didi.
As Vera inputs log information via a local area network connection, this type of virus: [Tentative name: Tyrant-Ghoul-118-09 Fusion Virus (TG-Progenitor-Veronica- Ghoul Fusion Virus)]
Vera stared at the holographic data panel screen in front of her, the dim light from the screen reflecting off her indigo irises.
She paused, her eyes flashing with an orange-red light, and added a sentence to the footnote column—
[Developed by: Vera Adelheid Arasaka Russell, discovered on 2076-12-18. This is an artificially intervened fusion virus, extremely unstable, with unknown effects, high mutation rate, high mortality rate, and high risk.]
[Future Outlook: Those who successfully adapt to the virus will retain their self-awareness, be endowed with extremely strong regenerative abilities, and have significantly enhanced physical functions and extended lifespans. They will also have a high probability of evolving new organs that adapt to the transformed super cells, thus evolving into superhumans, or rather, a new kind of human...]
Emphasizing words like 'evolution,' 'supercell,' 'new organ,' 'superman,' and 'new human,' Vera launched into a whimsical tale of various visions and future prospects, mimicking William Birkin. After typing the last character, Vera leaned back, casually placed the empty sealed jar back into her suitcase, and closed it. A meaningful, sly smile unconsciously crept onto her lips.
To be honest, Vera definitely doesn't trust this thing.
But that didn't stop her from praising it.
Don't worry about whether it will be a successful fit. The traits listed in the future outlook are guaranteed to be genuine once you get the injection! If the fit fails, it's due to personal reasons. The risks have been clearly stated, so you can't blame the developers.
As for the highly transmissible nature of the T-series viruses, Vera is not worried. Putting aside the special characteristics of the Cyberpunk world, isn't there also the Sakura Stone bomb that can be sterilized at high temperatures and is clean and pollution-free?
The only thing to be careful about is that the outbreak point of this virus needs to be controlled. It must not be in Arasaka Tower, but far away from the key facilities in Arasaka. We need to make some arrangements after returning to Night City.
With this in mind, Vera turned around, walked to the workbench in the storage room, Vera over the built-in office chair, sat down, logged in with her personal ID, and looked at the emails and official letters with red dots on the UI interface. She briefly sorted out her thoughts and then began her work on the [Sun Stairflower Project].
Office politics are necessary, but we can't lose our jobs!
Let's finalize the list of people to be transferred from Night City first...
Vera was in Tokyo Metropolis (time zone: UTC+9) preparing for her return trip on the morning of the 2nd.
Meanwhile, in Night City (time zone: UTC-8).
Both are New Year's Day 2077-1-1, but due to the time difference, New Year's Eve in Tokyo is almost over, while New Year's Day in Night City is just beginning.
For the natives of Night City, going to bed early? Going to bed early my ass! Health? Health my ass!
Nightlife truly begins after midnight.
Although the city skyline remains brightly lit as usual, and the rust belt remains desolate and scarred, at least consumption has increased.
The Japan Street in Westbrook, the Lisboa area in Heywood, the City Center, and the Chinatown in Watson District have a slightly more palpable festive atmosphere. The shopping districts, nightclubs, and even small shops have seen a tiny bit more customers coming and going.
Of course, Night City is still Night City. The NCPD's emergency lines are swamped with calls. There are always more robberies, thefts, kidney harvesting, and murders than usual tonight.
This is the City of Dreams, where everyone has the right to realize their dreams, even if you're a piece of trash rotting in a shack or a stinking alley, rotting in your own urinal. The only prerequisite is not getting caught by the Arasaka sheriff or the NCPD cops.
For example—
Lijiang Scenic Area.
"Aaaaaaahhhhhhh!!"
"You're calling your mom."
The baton was fully charged, crackling and blindingly bright.
Fully armed Sheriff Arasaka is wielding his baton to berate a flashy, colorful-haired thug.
It wasn't until Arasaka, the officer who had made the move, struck the man six times in a second, leaving him unrecognizable even to his own mother, that the sheriff standing nearby, whose collar was adorned with a rank badge, spoke up, "Alright, Suneo, just a petty pickpocket. Call the NCPD to clean up the mess."
"OK".
Arasaka Tiaozi, who was called Suneo, shrugged and picked up the unconscious thug, throwing him onto the curb.
"Katsuo, when is your shift change?"
He grumbled, "Honestly, we're supposed to be an elite team from the Security Department, why are we doing the work of cops patrolling the streets? The crackdown is over, isn't it? I really want to go home."
"Who told us to be so junior? Should we let the seniors do the street patrols instead of the 2076 graduates? It'll be easier when the 2077 graduates."
Katsuo tapped on the tactical terminal of his wristwatch as he spoke. After the NCPD indicated a response, he looked up and shouted, "Hey, David, what are you daydreaming about?!"
"Oh, oh, oh!" came the cheerful young man's voice. "Sorry, I was thinking about what gift to buy for my mom for New Year's Day."
The tallest and most heavily armed Sheriff Arasaka, whose collar also bore rank insignia, touched his winged helmet and waved to Katsuo and Suneo.
The shop he had just been staring at, with its logo featuring a half-body of a girl with cat ears and snake eyes, was a health product store called "Dangerous Girl" located in the Lijiang Scenic Area. The security guard standing guard at the entrance didn't even glance at him, completely ignoring the big guy.
"To be honest, my home is in the Lijiang Scenic Area, and I have to wait until the evening to change shifts."
Thinking of something, David turned around and enthusiastically invited his companion, "Would you like to come to my house for lunch? My mom's Spanish food is pretty authentic."
"Shall we go?"
"Go." ×2.
211
Chapter 211 Today's Dinner at the Martinez Family's House—A New Year's Day of Unrequited Joy and Sorrow.
Noon.
Heywood, Lijiang Scenic Area.
Company community, Megabuilding, Unit 17.
At the tower entrance, an automatic door with a columned portico opened, and three armored sheriffs of varying heights, wearing Arasaka- style winged bulletproof helmets, walked in.
"Welcome back, Mr. David Martinez. Welcome, Mr. Katsuo Tanaka, Mr. Kawakami Xiao Fu."
The system reads the identity information, and a low-intelligence, AI-synthesized female voice at the front desk begins to play.
Tap, tap.
"Oh? It's been renovated?"