Chapter 224

In mid-January, Director Abernathy, who was already displeased because his political rival Jenkins had also received a reward from Director Vera, unexpectedly learned that Jenkins was planning to go to Los Angeles to carry out a certain mission.

218

Chapter 218 Director Abernathy Decides to Steal the 'Car'

Night City Arasaka Tower.

Current.

The Special Operations Department is located on this floor, in the Director's office.

[Encrypted Channel]

"Director Abernathy."

"I've looked at the attachment. Can you explain what's going on?"

"It's flattery. According to our informant in the Counter-Intelligence Department, Jenkins' henchmen have been very active lately, and Jenkins himself is actively trying to get close to Director Vera. This time it's a complete takeover. The goal is simple: they want to oust us and attack you, Director, for getting promoted in Osaka while Jenkins didn't..."

The confidant, whose voice was encrypted, gave Susan Abernathy a very brief account of the latest developments in the Counter-Intelligence Department.

"2075 years ago."

Finally, the confidant emphasized the importance of time.

The PDA tablet screen on the table lit up and flashed blue light. Abernathy, dressed in Arasaka suit, sat behind the large, dark marble desk, deep in thought.

Damn it!

A moment later, realizing what was happening, she cursed under her breath.

"Jenkins, that bug, knows how to burrow."

There are no incompetent professional managers who can rise to high positions in cyber giants; they are simply outdated and fall behind. Abernathy quickly understood Jenkins' strategy for countering the suppression: escalate the level of involvement and involve more people and factions.

It should be noted that before 2075, Vera's board of directors was still in hiding, and Saburo Arasaka was too old to show his face for a long time. At that time, although Hanako Arasaka was in office at the Tokyo headquarters of Arasaka Universal, the real power was held by Sano Arasaka.

At that time, she was at the same level as Jenkins and in charge of a case in Osaka. In order to climb the ranks and set a trap for her old rival, she did a lot of currying favor with the Hawks who dominated the Arasaka faction at the time, or more precisely, with Crown Prince Norinobu. Saburo was someone every Arasaka Corporation would fawn over, so he didn't count.

After all, who could have imagined that this old codger, Saburo, would grow younger and younger?

Not only did she successfully extend her lifespan, but she also adopted a grandchild, gaining a remarkable successor, Vera Adelheid Russell, whose talents seemed almost divinely bestowed.

Considering the power struggle Vera and Norinobu over the past year, that silent 'war' to see who was better, Abernathy can only say that Jenkins was truly audacious to escalate the conflict from a dispute between the Counter-Intelligence Department and the Special Operations Department to Contend for succession struggle between Vera and Norinobu.

However, it does fit his style.

Always choose the path of least resistance. Rough but effective, never caring about details or consequences...

"This is difficult..."

Abernathy's previously composed expression was shattered as he stood up from his chair and paced in front of the floor-to-ceiling window.

Once Vera identifies her as Norinobu's man... no, it doesn't have to be the director himself, but Vera's supporters, such as those from the Security Department, R&D department, administration department, Manufacturing Sector, the military, and the old guys led by Vice President James Thomas, if they put their efforts against her, then her future days will be difficult.

The Director of Special Operations is in charge of agents, intelligence, and internal security. He's very prestigious, and even ordinary Corporate Dog would have to give him a wide berth. He acts first and asks for permission later, with authorization from the Board of Directors!

However, they are also very easy to offend people; to put it bluntly, they are like a rag.

While a high level of security is desirable, it depends on who is using it.

Faced with high-level executives who could attend overall management meetings, the Special Operations Department was at a loss. They could only monitor and report back, and taking action required authorization from regional directors, the Chief, or the Tokyo Headquarters.

Moreover, things are different now; the situation within Arasaka is quite delicate...

The thought of his arch-rival using his inglorious failure to his advantage, or even potentially using that label to make a comeback, made Abernathy stomp his feet in anger.

Jenkins, I %￥&* (@#￥ (%*&***!

Don't you have any problems? No, you did the same thing I did, you just didn't win by sucking up to me.

"... Jenkins' henchmen continue their activities outside, and there are no changes in the company's system accounts, so they are probably using the Counter-Intelligence Department's own slush fund. The full picture of the operation is not yet clear, but it is speculated that the target is New America's Federal Intelligence Agency, cooperating with Barghest to purge spies around Dogtown. Of course, we cannot rule out the possibility that they are setting a trap for us."

Presumably sensing that his superior was in a bad mood, the reporter paused for a moment before cautiously speaking.

"Should be? Not sure yet? Speculation? Not ruled out?"

Abernathy snorted coldly.

"Is this how you report to me?"

"Director, as you know, Jenkins is very efficient and capable, just like any other madman. And lately, he seems to have really gone a bit crazy. Infiltration is a bit difficult. On my side... it's still the board... the attitude of the board members, not just you, but Jenkins also received a reward. We don't know if this is an indication that internal strife shouldn't cross the line..."

After hearing his subordinate's account, Abernathy knew that he wasn't to blame.

It's hard to strike the right balance.

She's also a little confused about what Director Vera means.

Does giving a pet dinosaur mean we've done a good job and put in a lot of effort?

Is it implying that North America is a unified group, and that we should be tolerant of each other and fight without breaking apart?

Or was it simply because the board members were happy after completing the dinosaur resurrection project, so they gave them free dinosaurs to show off their status and incidentally market the "Jurassic Park Project"?

Or perhaps, both are true?

Anyway, Abernathy wouldn't dare to gamble.

Go ask? That's too stupid.

Shit! Riddler, get out of Night City!

While inwardly grumbling, Abernathy glanced at the sunken reception area on one side of his office.

"Huh?"

In a transparent, temperature-controlled cage behind the sofa against the wall, a small animal resembling a lizard, with a long, flexible neck, slender hind limbs, and a tail, is chewing on a chew toy with its mouth full of sharp teeth. The cage is littered with scraps of cloth and toys.

A Compsognathus. Medium-sized dog.

At least I received a dinosaur.

Abernathy thought to himself.

Taking this little gadget out to show off is definitely more prestigious than walking a cat, dog, or iguana. She enjoys the scenes of amazement from others at high-society dinners and salons when she leads out her dinosaur.

If you're going to resurrect something, resurrect dinosaurs. That's far more sensational than cloning mountain lions or prosthetic horses using biotechnology. She has no doubt that the Jurassic Project will also involve prosthetic dinosaurs.

To put it neutrally, she was jealous of Vera, who had risen to her top, and wished to replace her, while also respecting and admiring her.

Is there anything else?

After calming down, Abernathy went over and patted the little Compsognathus's head, picked up the mixed protein food bag on the low table, unzipped it, took out a meat stick, and fed it while asking questions.

"Yes, we've recruited a new idiot who's been frustrated and unsuccessful under Jenkins. His name is... Carter Smith."

The report continues.

"He overheard that Jenkins was planning to go to Westbrook the day after tomorrow to pick up a shipment under the pretext of overseeing counterintelligence affairs in the Channel Islands Los Angeles, and would deliver it to Lady Michiko in Los Angeles on the way."

"The day after tomorrow, the goods?"

"Abernathy scratched the long neck of the Compsognathus and asked."

"It should be a dinosaur for Lady Michiko. It was specially commissioned by Director Vera. Director, what's your opinion?"

Abernathy narrowed his eyes.

Not only does he plan to use Vera's connections, but he also intends to use Michiko's connections.

"That's interesting. I'll definitely lend a hand with what Jenkins is doing. Thanks for your hard work, this is very valuable intelligence, the reward has already been deposited into your third-party account. I won't treat you unfairly for working for me. As for the rest, maintain the current level of surveillance, and report to me regularly on the internal dynamics of the Counter-Intelligence Department. Don't forget about that Carter Smith either, give him some incentives first, keep him under control, and find his weaknesses and vulnerabilities."

"Yes."

The communication was disconnected.

As the light from the data stream in her eyes faded, Abernathy returned to her desk after feeding the Compsognathus, crossed her arms, and looked down at the bustling Corporate Plaza outside the floor-to-ceiling windows.

Adjacent to the floor-to-ceiling windows, offering a near 90-degree vertical view.

"Jenkins, I can make you fail once, and I can make you fail a second time. You can't beat me."

As if looking down at the floor where the Counter-Intelligence Department was located and the people living there, Abernathy murmured something and sat down again, activating his personal UI holographic interface.

She knew part of the "Jurassic Park Project" as the pet dinosaurs were distributed.

The Channel Islands near Los Angeles are one of the potential locations for Jurassic Park.

Jenkins, as the head of the Counter-Intelligence Department, was able to go on inspection work.

As the Director of Special Operations, she was naturally entitled to go and inspect.

That's right, she's going to pick Jenkins' peaches!

It's not like he's the only one who knows how to scheme; it's not too late to get close to him now.

Although Vera's attitude suggests avoiding actions detrimental to unity and that it's not advisable to eliminate him outright without catching him in the act, this doesn't stop Abernathy from provoking Jenkins. It's a battle without a complete breakdown, not a lack of confrontation.

She dialed a number that was pinned to the top of the internal address book of Arasaka Tower.

Beep beep...

The moment the call connected, Abernathy jumped to his feet.

"Good day, Director Russell. This is Susan Abernathy. Excuse me for bothering you, but I need to brief you on the Special Operations Department's operational plans for the next week. The location is Los Angeles, and I suspect New America and the Federal Intelligence Agency ..."

The next day.

Arasaka internal news.

Jenkins suddenly erupted in a rage in his Counter-Intelligence Department office.

The Special Operations Department meticulously arranged the bodyguards for the director's travel, and the car was already prepared.

A rumbling sound seemed to come from the Russell Manor firing range in the Westbrook Arasaka Corporation community. A transport hovercar drove out swaggeringly, handing over some kind of cargo to the Arasaka Tower's Special Operations Department. Many observant people noticed this action.

External.

Counterintelligence agent V, disguised, once again traveled to 'Afterlife' during a field mission.

Jackie Welles, the middleman between Bradbury Street and Bran Street, led Maine and Panam to 'Afterlife'.

A portion of the Aldecaldo Tribe Nomads were contracted to do civil engineering projects in the North City Arasaka Scientific Research New Area, set off for the South Night City.

In Dogtown.

The long-dormant Federal Intelligence Agency network has begun to be transferred and activated.

Outdated encrypted communication lines.

[Audio source encrypted: The lurking agent should awaken.]

[Alex: Tch, does the government think we haven't been completely drained yet? They always pick these critical moments to give us new missions, are they afraid we're not all dead?]

[Solomon Reed: Enough said. That thing from Arasaka is useful to our country, that's enough. I have connections; it's not just us eyeing it. I think we can fish in troubled waters.]

219

Chapter 219 The Patriots and the Director, Next Stop—

Dogtown, Cres Street, Long Beach stockpile.

The walls, cracked like a spiderweb and riddled with bullet holes, belong to the abandoned Daphne- Moth Bar.

Not far away.

A campfire-style open-air Tavern, which has been open for more than six months, is now open for business.