Infinity, Progressing from Arasaka

A cacophony of shouts and applause erupted.

"And someone else said..."

Lowering her right hand, Vera surveyed the press conference room, her gaze sharp. "My men were attacked because my team and I are developing various advanced weapons of mass destruction, capable of violating the Arvin Accord and threatening peace?"

"Am I really developing that kind of weapon? Am I planning to break the Arvin Accord? Are we, Arasaka, really preparing for war?"

Vera asked three rhetorical questions in a row, pressing her hands on the edge of the podium and tapping her fingers lightly on the table.

"Of course not."

He spoke slowly and deliberately.

Snap—

Applause erupted subconsciously out of courtesy.

Before the scattered applause could coalesce into a continuous burst, perhaps some genuinely hoped for peace, or perhaps some smiling media figures were prepared to first praise Vera and then use certain footage and information they had gathered to refute her claims. But the next moment, "Because I was already prepared."

The applause, which was just about to begin, came to an abrupt halt.

Vera pursed her lips with a half-smile.

"Arasaka, I fear no challenge."

"Because we have risen again, we are always ready to solve problems."

"Because of a wicked neighbor, having a sword but not using it and not having a sword are two different things."

"Because some politicians in Washington never think about how to solve problems; they only target those who raise them, plunder the fruits of others' development, and fall into the low habit of hindering the progress of others..."

At the same time.

Beneath the surface of an abandoned oil town in Badlands.

Falco, engrossed in watching the news, could no longer contain his joy and slammed his remaining left arm on the table. He didn't care that the precious painkillers, inhibitors, and hormones on the table fell to the ground, or that the sauce noodles were spilled all over the floor.

"It's settled! Arasaka has settled the case! New America and the Federal Intelligence Agency have taken the blame. We're safe, Maine, we're safe!"

To be precise, it made them take all the blame.

Falco glanced at Maine, who was currently on drugs. Even someone as rational and calm as him couldn't help but look relieved, his tense nerves finally relaxing. The statement was issued by Vera Adelheid Russell, the de facto head of Night City —there was no mistake!

"Call."

Maine collapsed onto the sofa, leaning back, face up, eyes closed, his expression a mixture of exhaustion, frustration, and deep relief.

"I guess I haven't let the Jackie brothers down."

He murmured.

Because of Reed's situation, he subconsciously deduced that it was because of his own connections that the commission was being targeted, adding to the complications. He was under a lot of pressure and felt very guilty. He didn't know how to explain it to Jackie, or to Panam had lost a group of Nomads brothers.

"You should focus on recovering and getting out of danger before discussing anything else."

Dorio subdued Pilar, who was starting to stir again, with a single injection of a sedative. Then, she looked at Falco and said, "Wait a few more days. I'm in the best condition. Depending on the situation, I'll go out and contact Jackie and the Cybernetic Doctor."

"Um."

Falco nodded. He glanced at Maine, who was clinging to life on drugs, Pilar, who was half-dead. These injuries were definitely beyond the capabilities of a barefoot doctor. They couldn't be dragged out for long; they needed to find a more professional doctor.

"I wonder what happened to Kiwi and the others... sigh."

He looked again at the elegant woman standing on the television screen.

Arasaka Tower, the floor where the Counter-Intelligence Department is located.

In the department director's office, Arthur Jenkins paced back and forth like a restless wild beast.

He looked rather haggard, as if he were filled with anxiety and uncertainty.

Undoubtedly, the wait is agonizing, especially when it involves one's life and fortune. While it's true that Abernathy was eliminated, this doesn't mean Jenkins is safe and sound.

It should be noted that his methods of insubordination, even in a society rife with social norms and fierce factional struggles like Arasaka's, involve hiring assassins—the most radical and despicable of methods. If discovered, it would be enough to cost him everything. If Abernathy hadn't gone too far and tried to kill him, he wouldn't have struck first.

After going around in circles and returning to Arasaka Tower, V, who was in his boss's office after reporting on his covert work, noticed the latest developments at the press conference and turned around. "Boss, it seems we've weathered this storm."

"The board has turned its attention to Washington, but that's not enough to be safe."

Jenkins hesitated for a moment, then downed the whiskey in his glass along with the ice in one gulp. Chewing on the ice, he looked at V, his blue eyes icy cold. "V, how many people still know about this?"

V was briefly taken aback. She opened her mouth, but ultimately remained silent, because she knew that what the other party needed at this moment was compliance.

What do you mean?

"Remove all traces."

As he poured the wine, Jenkins pointed to the large briefcase on the low table in the sunken reception area, "Get it done as soon as possible."

V knew that the suitcase contained the remaining payment that had been promised to Jackie.

Judging from Jenkins's intentions, this money was a benefit specifically for her, meant for her to keep all to herself.

"Don't let me down. It would be a shame to kill your absolutely trusted informant, but get rid of all the others who know the truth."

Jenkins gave V a long look.

"Yes."

V perked up, his expression quickly returning to its indifferent state, and he replied expressionlessly.

Click.

The automatic door opened, and V walked out of the office.

After returning to his workstation at a leisurely pace, V lowered his head, his eyes darkening. Seven or eight seconds later, his prosthetic eye flashed with an orange-red light.

Didi.

[V: You saw the news, right? Something's happened. Let's meet.]

[Jackie: Así Eslavida (Spanish catchphrase: That's life), girl, I guess it's not good news.]

V: I guess so.

Washington, D. C., the White House.

Vera's words were blatantly blunt, his statement specifically naming Washington as the source of the attack.

"As expected."

"It makes sense; opposing us is politically correct in Arasaka, and they can't let such an opportunity slip by."

"However, to speak like that, hmph, what an extremely arrogant little girl."

An officer slammed the thick-bottomed antique glass, still covered in ice, onto the table. "Saburo Arasaka spoiled her rotten."

"She has the right to be arrogant."

An old aide lowered his eyes and said, "Her talent is beyond doubt. It's just a pity that we didn't pay attention to it back then. We were careless and allowed Kei Arasaka had grown breasts and regenerated, to grow up and become our biggest threat again."

He looked toward the resolute table.

"Your Excellency, I believe that the weapons of mass destruction that Vera mentioned are something we cannot afford to ignore. Her high-profile pronouncements are likely an attempt to confuse the public and make us think she is bluffing."

Miles wholeheartedly agreed with this statement.

This isn't the first time Vera has spoken so truthfully, as if it were a lie.

Once bitten, twice shy. Even though it was fake, Miles had to admit that Vera's threat made her take it seriously.

It's worth noting that recently, Vera has been making a lot of noise at her estate, leaving early and returning late, as if she's made new progress in her research.

Besides the pet dinosaur and the R-618 Rejuvenation Agent iteration model, or the custom version of the Rejuvenation Agent prototype from the sub-series, there is also said to be an extreme individual weapon prototype derived from the "Cybernetic Kong".

This is one of the reasons why Miles approved and urged Reed to implement his 'Gift Operation' strategy after receiving it.

There's a new research product; who knows if Vera might have included it in the shipment she sent to Michiko Arasaka? The latter is unlikely, but the former is quite probable. Since Reed is interested, she might as well give him a push; all she'll lose is one Reed.

The result? Success!

Miles really felt it was a pity.

If Reed hadn't become weaker... Seven years without combat and professional prosthetic updates, component maintenance, and the hidden injuries from escaping death, the sudden repairs after his 'awakening' couldn't fully make up for the physical and mental damage; he would have grown old—oh well, a dead man, I don't want to think about him.

"Call!"

After exhaling a heavy breath, Miles lit a cigarette, took a drag, and showed little emotional fluctuation.

"Without a doubt, Vera will not give up easily, and the further acceleration of the war is inevitable."

"Let Arasaka be smug for a while in 2077. Victory is not about temporary gains or losses, but about who is the final victor."

"If she wants to fight, then we will fight."

After glancing one last time at Vera on television, who was speaking eloquently and occasionally adding elegant gestures to enhance her presence, Miles solemnly scanned the people in the Oval Office of the West Wing with his emerald green eyes.

"Prolonged delays are detrimental to the election. The strategic concessions of 2076 have already subjected me to attacks from political opponents. We must be ready by mid-2078! If necessary, we can move it forward. Then, we will initiate martial law to control Congress, and whether we unify or fall, we will reclaim the glory that belongs to United States!"

"Meeting adjourned. Everyone return to your departments and speed up the process. Submit the general charter to me. Oh, and So Mi, stay behind for a moment."

Whoosh! People got up and came out one after another.

"Your Excellency the President?"

Song Zhaomei was puzzled.

"I am very sorry about Reed's situation."

Rising from behind his resolute desk, Miles apologetically took a box of high-end RAM cascade drugs—a treatment beneficial for a hacker's physical and mental recovery—from a drawer and handed it to Song Zhaomei. "I managed to keep him here through a clever switch, but I should have let him leave..."

"That's the path he's pursuing."

Song Zhaomei took the medicine with both hands, a look of reminiscence appearing on her face. "He was far more noble than me."

"Don't underestimate yourself."

Miles patted Song Zhaomei's shoulder, which looked even thinner than last year and covered in various advanced hacker implants made of carbon fiber and titanium. "Your importance and the responsibilities you bear are no less than Reed's."

"Retrieving the Old Net, researching the [Black Wall], and restarting the Little Dipper Project all require your contributions. I don't know how to reward you."

Miles said with genuine concern, "Take a good rest for a while, go to a sanatorium to relax, and have a doctor check you up. You must take good care of yourself."

"Thanks."

Song Zhaomei nodded, forcing a smile, "I understand."

He bowed and took his leave.

Miles leaned against the solid table, his eyes fixed on Song Zhaomei's back with a deep gaze.

"Thank you all very much for taking time out of your busy schedules to listen to my speech. That concludes my remarks."

Snap! Snap, snap!

Thunderous applause erupted.

The press conference was held on Arasaka's home turf; a lull in the atmosphere? Absolutely not.

Vera waved her hand and gracefully took her leave.

"It's not a declaration of war, but those guys in Washington are probably going to have a meeting tonight."

James Thomas, the bigwig who was holding the fort behind the scenes, handed over a cup of black tea and said with a smile.

Topics that are inconvenient to discuss in front of others are discussed in an encrypted channel.

[James Thomas (Vice President): Should we deal with Arthur Jenkins, the counterintelligence agent? This is insubordination, such blatant subversion, even bordering on collusion with foreign enemies—this trend must not be allowed to continue.]

Vera: No rush. Promote him by half a rank first, keep him hanging, and let the cleansing process proceed slowly, minimizing the negative impact.

Vera brushed a strand of hair aside, took a sip of black tea to moisten her throat, and said, "It's not that bad. Sharp words are nothing to worry about, and seizing the moral high ground is just icing on the cake. Our covert struggle with Nusa has never stopped. The key is what we have and how we do it."

After taking a sip, she asked again, "How did the regional branches and Tokyo Headquarters react to the assassination attempt on our Night City director-level executive?"

"As usual. However, at headquarters... it seems that Norinobu's efforts to consolidate power have slowed down."

Thomas whispered.