Chapter 257

She was fortunate enough to see it.

How should I put it? She's practically the same as Rosalind Miles.

Aside from not being as ruthless as he seems, and needing to improve his methods and experience, the other obvious differences are: younger and stronger, with higher combat skills, higher academic qualifications, taller and prettier, and slightly more sentimental and grateful...

Well, it's no wonder that some White House strategists privately complained, "Fuck, after she gains a few more years of experience, I feel like I'm seeing the late President Elizabeth Kres."

Elizabeth Kres, Miles' predecessor, comes from a military family, is an Air Force colonel, served as CEO of Militech, and was elected as a New America president for nine consecutive terms. She defeated Arasaka and crushed Kei Arasaka in the Fourth Corporate War. She is the person Saburo Arasaka hates the most and is the behind-the-scenes funder of legendary figures such as Morgan Blackhand.

Here's a translation of the Miles -Plus version.

Therefore, Song Zhaomei never asked for anything more regarding her circumstances.

To live, without being consumed by excessive cybernetic modifications and the "Black Wall".

Freedom is not a word associated with weapons and tools.

Now that I'm truly free, Miles's henchmen will definitely come knocking on my door.

As for moving elsewhere... leaving Arasaka wouldn't necessarily make her life any better. Going to the moon? That unreliable option was a last resort when all other options were exhausted.

Semi-house arrest – Song Zhaomei had already foreseen that her situation would continue for a long time to come.

This is not only for safety, but also to prevent problems before they occur.

Tap, tap.

While she was figuring out how to demonstrate her self-worth, Renpu came over. "Ms. Song Zhaomei, Miss invites you in."

Song Zhaomei then came to her senses, nodded, and stood up.

Following the steady-looking servant, we passed through two gates and entered the president's office.

Bright, dappled sunlight streamed through the windowpanes, casting long, scattered patches of light into the room. Lauren Black Gold marble floor reflected the luminous phantom of the holographic image on the long table.

A person was standing to the side of the wide floor-to-ceiling window behind the Lux Stone desk.

She was dressed in a neat formal suit, her long, lustrous golden hair styled in a simple low ponytail, her eyes were indigo, and her features were striking. She looked clean, elegant, and dignified.

Its appearance is, of course, impeccable.

Upon seeing her, Renpu and Song Zhaomei quickly stepped forward and bowed together.

"Miss/Your Excellency"

"Thank you for your hard work. This isn't Tokyo, so there's no need for formalities. Welcome to Arasaka Tower, Song Zhaomei. I'm Vera."

The blonde woman appeared very gentle. She first waved her hand, then gestured with her palm to the side, "Please sit down."

The former understood, placed both hands on the back of the guest chair, and pulled the chair out.

After Song Zhaomei took her seat, Renpu immediately retreated to a corner and stood still, keeping his eyes straight ahead.

Vera exchanged a few brief pleasantries before quickly getting to the point.

"I've looked at your medical report. Although it's a mess, it's treatable."

She accurately grasps the most pressing needs of her target audience and directly addresses their pain points.

Song Zhaomei's eyes visibly became more eager.

"There are two points, one more important than the other. Let's start with the difficult one. Your brain has been affected by the [Black Wall] protocol, which has led to the suspected implantation of an AI brainwashing virus. This needs to be addressed in a long-term manner and treated slowly. A brutal removal would turn you into a cripple, and I suspect you would also object to that."

Vera laughed and explained, "Since you've voluntarily defected to me, I should at least do a better Miles, right?"

"To put it simply, regarding the rejection reactions and personality disorders caused by highly prosthetic bodies, my solution is to use the byproducts of the R-618 'Newborn' drug during the development of the 'Solaris Staircase Project' to specifically modulate a special immunosuppressant. The prosthetic bodies will also be gradually updated and replaced with new models that minimize rejection reactions."

This is the truth.

Vera didn't just make empty promises; she can actually deliver.

On the other side of Ghost in the Shell, the other 'me' has already successfully digested and grafted many of the light, electronic, biochemical, and prosthetic technologies that she currently has access to.

"Call..."

Song Zhaomei took a deep breath, not letting the possibly treacherous "flying pancake" fool her.

"And what's the price?"

She asked.

"You've already paid the price."

Vera took a casual sip of tea. "Or do you want to abide by Arasaka's rules and regulations, where employees must fulfill a 20-year loyalty obligation in order to enjoy the latest prosthetic technology?"

"Don't you need it?"

Song Zhaomei hesitated for a moment.

Having navigated the treacherous waters of the White House for many years, she was well aware of the trap masquerading as 'free'.

Free things are often the most expensive.

"Naturally necessary."

Crystal Blue Halo flashed in Vera's eyes, and she smiled gently.

"But you have made a great contribution by exposing the scandals and shady dealings of the White Mansion. It is also thanks to you that we were able to wipe out the Federal Intelligence Agency's West Coast intelligence network so quickly. Naturally, you do not need to fulfill that 20-year contract. I will personally perform the surgery on you to preserve your hacking abilities."

"Don't underestimate yourself, you are important."

Then, she changed the subject, "Or rather, do you want to be an ordinary person?"

He stared intently at Song Zhaomei.

For ordinary people, only removing prosthetics and replacing missing limbs and organs without installing new prosthetics would reduce the burden. Therefore, there would be no need to implant the latest model of prosthetics. After helping him resolve the 'bomb' in his brain and fulfilling her promise, Vera would no longer need to waste time on him.

They were then kept in captivity to prevent assassination attempts Militech. They were periodically shown to the outside world that the other party was still alive, demonstrating that Arasaka had not discarded him after he had served his purpose.

When Arasaka achieves a great victory, he may be released and given freedom, with regular payments to allow him to live a relatively decent life until the public completely forgets about him.

If the New America wins, then all will be over.

The option besides ordinary people is Arasaka's Corporate Dog.

He was still a meritorious Corporate Dog had made great contributions. He was rewarded for his service, transforming from Miles's "favorite" into Vera's "hot commodity."

There is actually only one choice.

Song Zhaomei gave a wry smile, "No."

She shook her head. "Ordinary people aren't for me."

"Very good."

With a snap of her fingers, Vera said cheerfully, "Looks like you made the right choice."

As she spoke, she flicked the polarized holographic image on the table with her fingers, grabbed a document in mid-air, shrunk it, and flicked it toward Song Zhaomei.

Ding-dong.

The document has been received.

[Medical Examination Report and Diagnosis [Song Zhaomei]]

"This is?"

Seeing the pop-up notification on the prosthetic eye's visual interface, Song Zhaomei was stunned for a moment.

"Your follow-up treatment report."

Vera said.

"I will give you initial treatment when I have time within three days. Don't forget to take your medication as prescribed. Conservative treatment will make you feel much better."

At this point, she glanced at Song Zhaomei with a half-smile, "I'm really looking forward to your performance at the official press conference."

After saying that, Vera waved her hand, indicating that the conversation was over.

"Ms. Song Zhaomei, please."

Cybernetic Ninja Servant stepped forward in response.

Clang—

Stepping out of the office, Song Zhaomei had a look of utter disbelief on her face.

Of course it's fake!

As a seasoned veteran who has seen the world and traveled extensively in the field, she is not so easily intimidated.

Besides, she had already witnessed Vera's truly terrifying side outside the "Black Wall." In this encounter in the real world, Vera had no time to scare her. After a brief exchange of carrots and sticks, she was busy with her own tasks.

The "radish" refers to the physical examination report and diagnosis given to you personally; the "big stick" refers to the other party casually swiping it without any questions, and her Self ICE accepts it without any reaction. Obviously, when she was recuperating and stabilizing her condition, Arasaka's backdoor and security program had already been implanted.

The press conference later is a reminder that your performance will be evaluated and you will be given opportunities, so don't try to maintain a lingering connection.

It's a classic example of using both kindness and severity.

"Miss Nightingale".

When V saw the protector come out, he went to greet him.

"Just call me Song Zhaomei. Nightingale is the FIA's code name and what the media calls me. Perhaps we'll be colleagues in the future, Director V."

Song Zhaomei looked at V and extended her hand.

V raised an eyebrow upon hearing this, "That's really quite good."

He also reached out and gave Song Zhaomei a light handshake.

Those around witnessed this scene.

"According to the itinerary, what's the next stop?"

Song Zhaomei asked.

"Ministry of Foreign Affairs, please don't Lord Mizuno waiting."

"What a clever little bird. Whew."

Vera turned off the monitor, exhaled a puff of white smoke, and slowly turned around.

Song Zhaomei's loyalty?

Ha, she's not that naive.

After all, she couldn't truly empathize with the other person's plight; it was merely a matter of mutual benefit and each getting what they wanted.

They may or may not turn against each other in the future.

But at least for now, Song Zhaomei needs to live and cannot be trusted. What Vera needs to do is to squeeze out as much profit as possible from her—after the press conference, treat her while sending her to deal with Night City's Militech intelligence network.

As she pondered this, Vera's indigo eyes flashed with crimson data as she dialed the internal communication channel of the Araban Security Department, "Keep an eye on her."

Then, she looked at the mirrored surface of the floor-to-ceiling window, which seemed to ripple with countless reflections, each silhouette bustling about, both for 'themselves' and for 'herself'. Except for those dormant in the darkness, and some guy gambling in a casino in the conventional world...

'Emotional value received.'

With her eyes closed, Vera experienced the thrill of gambling more vividly. She felt a sense of relief, stubbed out her cigarette, turned around, brought up her personal UI control terminal, and buried herself in her work once again.

One war preparedness meeting after another, one administrative document after another.

If you want to wear the crown, you must bear its weight.

To take control of Arasaka, defeat the New America, dominate the planet, and then venture into the stars, one must bear the corresponding responsibilities and pressures.

Anyway, she's already divorced him, and Miles is even more overwhelmed than she is.

That day.

WNS News.

Night City Arasaka Tower Press Conference.

"... In those media reports, the Washington authorities arbitrarily edited and added everything that was favorable to them. Fabrication was rampant, and all sorts of rumors and lies drowned out the truth, ultimately creating the current miserable situation in North America."

"This is why I chose to come to Arasaka, and why I am standing here now. This is the most agonizing decision of my life. Here, I will frankly reveal to you the truth that has been buried by history."

"August 20, 2023, 11:45 PM. Right where we are now. What really happened that night? What happened?"

The backdrop of the press conference displayed slides containing Federal Intelligence Agency documents.

On stage, the Red-haired FIA Defector Agent, who was being interviewed, paused for a moment and straightened his posture.