Chapter 252

" At Arasaka, we simply want to provide a platform for every loyal employee and every talented individual who aspires to serve Arasaka. That's why Arasaka has maintained its appeal for so long."

Television: An in-person interview, an awkwardly bowing host, Vera's elegant and eloquent speech, all against a backdrop of Santa Fe riots and fierce street battles, together forming today's WNS News.

As for why the joint 'bandit suppression' operation taking place on the West Coast wasn't broadcast, well, it has nothing to do with Santa Fe.

We, the Arasaka, discovered it ourselves.

Domestic affairs are hardly worthy of being discussed in the grand scheme of international news.

WNS News, which has received long-term funding from Arasaka, expressed its understanding and cooperation.

Looking at Vera's confident and certain statement that she would back down, Miles wondered if she had genuine evidence or if she was just being provocative.

She had actually made up her mind—to let the citizens suffer, and she would bear the blame.

With a whoosh, the executive chair spun around. The setting sun, like blood, cast the first rays of dusk through the bulletproof glass onto Miles' face, casting a cold, stern shadow. She remained silent for a long time.

Until, ding-dong, buzz-buzz-buzz.

The holographic video image of the encrypted private line lit up, and a human figure was outlined by light and shadow.

[Caller: Lucas Hartford [CEO of Militech]]

"So, Rosalind, are you... ready to go to war?"

The newcomer, a businessperson recommended by Miles to succeed him in his Militech position, spoke up.

As a close friend, he knew Miles's character and the war preparations he had made over the years very well.

She can't afford to lose.

Miles paused for a moment, then slowly turned to the side, her gaze falling on the portrait of George Washington and Elizabeth Kres framed in oak on the wall. In her eyes, the resolve grew even stronger.

"Yes, war is about to break out."

If she steps down, or if presidential power is hampered by impeachment, then all those war preparations would have been better left undone!

Honestly, sometimes she envied the atmosphere inside Arasaka, where there weren't so many petty squabbles and arrogant councilors.

She loved the New America, and she loved the New America under her leadership—these are two different things!

To hell with this bullshit impeachment and those opposition parties!!

"I'll let you know. I'll order Lazarus to launch a full-scale attack on the Hound of the Underworld. Diplomatically, I'll formally issue an ultimatum to Arasaka, demanding that they hand over the defector agent Lark and withdraw from New Mexico."

She said, "I need your support."

At the same time, in Night City.

Arasaka Tower.

After finishing her interview with WNS News, Vera walked down the courtyard corridor surrounded by her secretary and staff, inquiring about the situation in Santa Fe City.

"The cleanup on the West Coast is going well. Have the larks been moved out yet?"

"The main force of the Ghosthound mercenaries has arrived at the Arizona border to provide support."

"What about the SATs, which are tasked with blocking the enemy?"

"We have joined up with a unit of the Netherhounds stationed in the western suburbs of Santa Fe City. Their heavy equipment has been replenished, and they are currently engaged in fierce fighting with Lazarus. Lazarus is fighting recklessly, showing no regard for the city, presumably under strict orders. New reinforcements for the Netherhounds are on their way. Sir, shall we send more troops?"

"Send Adam Smasher Force..."

Vera was about to speak when this happened.

Tap tap tap, the staff from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs came running over.

"Your Excellency, this is an ultimatum from Washington."

The Federal Intelligence Agency's two assistant deputy directors referenced the CIA's job titles and hierarchical structure. The National Covert Operations Division (NCS) and the Intelligence Division (DI) are two of its core components.

Chapter 247 On the verge of conflict, Vera: I refuse.

Night City, Arasaka Tower.

Current.

The atrium on the 110th floor is a sky garden where beautiful flowers bloom in profusion, with a constant and pleasant temperature and a serene fragrance.

It was 3:30 p. m. on the West Coast (3 hours behind Washington time).

Steam rose from the teacups on the small round table. Vera, dressed in a formal suit with a black, gray, and silver diamond-patterned vest, sat with her legs crossed, reviewing official documents. Not far from the booths where people could relax, there was a small fountain.

With the sound of the babbling water in the background, she quickly read through the Rosalind Miles government's ultimatum to Arasaka and his allies.

Close the formal document filled with diplomatic rhetoric.

"Miles is desperate; he's about to do something drastic."

A smile crossed Vera's face.

Look at the terms above. If she agrees, it will ruin her Hawks image.

James Thomas was still processing the contents of the ultimatum. "Hand over the defector Lark and withdraw from New Mexico, cease anti-American activities on the West Coast, and establish a demilitarized zone in Arizona..."

After a moment, he spoke meaningfully, "She wants to take this opportunity to divert attention from domestic problems."

"Yes, she has no room to back down anymore."

Vera nodded and asserted, "The Lazarus mercenaries who trampled on the Second Arvin Accord are just the first step in Miles's betrayal."

There's nothing new under the sun; it's an old trick from ancient times to the present, both in China and abroad—showing a tough stance to the outside world is a way to divert attention from internal conflicts, consolidate one's political position, and further boost one's approval ratings and prolong one's political life by escalating external conflicts.

Thomas glanced at Vera and subtly reminded her, "Well, regarding that interview with WNS News just now... you should be well aware that a decision-making leader's misjudgment can lead to a decline in authority..."

A calm smile played on Vera's lips as she turned her head. "No rush, I'm still young."

She naturally understood Thomas's concerns; after all, it wasn't a good look to be so confident on television that Miles would back down, only to be proven wrong the very next day.

In other words, what's wrong with young people making minor, insignificant mistakes while accumulating experience and knowledge?

"..."

Thomas was speechless.

Yes, youth is an asset.

Now, when he talks to Vera, he always subconsciously ignores her age and treats her as a peer of Michiko Arasaka. Well... although legally they are indeed peers, one is nearly seventy years old and the other is still a young man under twenty-five.

Given that his opponent was a seasoned politician like Miles, it was normal for him to make mistakes.

Learn from your mistakes.

"Despise the enemy strategically, but take the enemy seriously tactically."

Vera said casually, "I was wrong, so I'll learn to be humble and patient."

"And doesn't my mistake make Arasaka seem even more innocent? Wasn't Washington the instigator of the war? Public opinion propaganda is still useful."

She took a sip of tea, stood up, and said, "It's just a reputation, nothing to mention."

Moreover, this matter was not unreported.

Vera's Retina virtual screen visual interface, an encrypted private home phone address book.

Recent calls:

[Saburo Arasaka [House Superintendent]]

[Shintaro Takayama [Elder]]

[Michiko Arasaka [Older Sister]]

Tap, tap.

Walking to the garden and flower area, Vera leaned over and reached out to touch the eco-friendly birdcage hanging on the branch.

"Chirp chirp".

The captive canaries chirped and were not afraid of people, gently pecking at Vera's fingers with their beaks.

These caged birds are far luckier than their nearly extinct natural relatives.

Haha, once a lark is caught in her trap, how can it possibly be released again?

Not only that, she also wants to weave a more magnificent 'birdcage' to mock the poor little bird's dilapidated 'old home'.

While fiddling with the feeder outside the birdcage, Vera waved behind her, signaling the Ministry of Foreign Affairs officials who were respectfully waiting for instructions outside the cordon to come over.

"Reject."

She said it without turning her head.

With a squeak, after manually feeding her a small amount of mixed seed food, Vera opened the birdcage, letting the canary land on her index finger. While gently rubbing the bird's head, she turned to the side and said, "There's no need for them to give us a deadline. Respond to the White House immediately. Their conditions are a provocation that no dignified, independent political entity would ever accept."

"はい(Yes, Hai)!"

Masao Mizuno, Parliamentary Vice-Minister for Foreign Affairs of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, who had accompanied Vera to Arasaka Austin Night City in the Republic of Texas, bowed twice.

"... You will lead the press conference. The protagonist is not you or me, but Song Zhaomei, the former FIA agent 'Nightingale' who was persecuted by the Federal Intelligence Agency. Foreign affairs is your area of expertise, and I believe you know how to maximize its use."

"Also, contact Deputy Mayor Wilton Holt and the cyber police, and team up with the Ghost Hounds, the MaxTac, and the NCPD to wipe out those cyber blacks in Pacifica who are drilling holes in the Black Wall."

Just as Vera was petting the bird and giving instructions, in the courtyard...

V, the newly appointed counterintelligence director, stood humbly among the officers of the Special Operations Division, also awaiting tactical guidance from the board.

The 110th floor was a floor she had never been to before.

As the head of a sub-department within the intelligence network, he accompanied the secretary of the newly appointed Director of Special Operations, Jimmy Warren, to receive orders.

Why a secretary? Because Director Warren himself was in Sacramento, the capital of California, overseeing operations, coordinating with allied forces in the Free State, and intensifying efforts to dismantle the New America's intelligence network on the West Coast.

If I had to describe V's feelings upon arriving here, it would be that the feeling from when he first joined Arasaka has returned.

He was twenty-three that year, standing like a lackey.

Damn! Officials are everywhere; you have to stand at attention whenever you see one.

If she were to follow the bizarre etiquette requirements of Tokyo, she would bow so much that her back would ache.

Unfortunately, the Counter-Intelligence Department is just one of the subordinate departments of the Special Operations Department.

Even though both hold special positions and are under the leadership of higher authorities, making them confidential departments subject to dual leadership, their level is still far inferior to that of the Security Department, Manufacturing Sector, and banking departments of the "Upper Three Banners".

Aside from its low-ranking but powerful internal security authority, the Counter-Intelligence Department is administratively on par with the Science and Technology Department under the Manufacturing Sector, and the Research and Development Department under the Science and Technology Department. The Research and Development Department is also a confidential department with a dual subordinate system.

Aside from the waiters and security personnel, there were no lower-level employees present. The one sitting was Vice President Thomas, and the one standing and listening to instructions was the head of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs... If no one was being checked, she was just a little Karami cowering behind.

"V".

Suddenly, the secretary's voice snapped V out of her reverie.

Without needing to be reminded, V followed his secretary inside as he watched Masao Mizuno hurriedly leave. Beside him were the Intelligence Director (for external affairs) and the Internal Affairs Director (for internal affairs), both belonging to the Special Operations Department.

"Although I was certain in the television interview that Miles would back down, you still have a heavy task and a great responsibility. Keep a close eye on the White House, the Federal Intelligence Agency, Militech, and the internal workings of the company. Miles can't afford to lose; she'll do anything to prolong her political life."

Upon hearing this, the three directors of the intelligence sub-departments, including V, nodded solemnly.

Finally, after explaining some details, Vera gave V a deep look as she put the canary back in its cage.

With her red hair and brown eyes, V's style, though increasingly aligned with the ruthlessness of neo-militarism due to her promotion, still stands out from the crowd with her inherent fierceness and wildness. In other words, she possesses the aura of a tough, capable general.

"Valerie, 'The Nightingale's' safety is your responsibility. I will order the Security Bureau (SP, commonly known as VIP protection) to cooperate with you. Any other questions?"

V quickly replied, "No problem, the Counter-Intelligence Department will ensure the safety of the target."

"Very good, I hope you won't let me down. If you have any hardware needs, go to the R&D department and find Shinichi Tanaka."

Vera waved her hand, ending the in-person instruction session.

After a brief discussion with officials from the administration department, the network information center, and the Arasaka garrison about the likely deterioration of the situation, Vera petted the birds and played with the pet dinosaurs in the specially designed anti-collision and anti-bite dinosaur enclosure to calm her mind. The short afternoon tea time came to an end, and she put on her coat to leave the courtyard.

"Just now, Adam Smasher Force has already set off. The fighting in Santa Fe is fierce; several city blocks have been reduced to ruins. Ram is requesting to fight. What's your opinion?"

Thomas got up, poured a cup of warm tea, and handed it to him.