Infinite, Advancing from Arasaka

As she entered the tower's interior lobby, fixed scanners, drones, surveillance radar, and other equipment swept over and past her one after another. Vera could feel dozens of gazes converging on her in an instant before quickly shifting away.

Other than the dedicated reception area on the first floor, which was open to the public, Arasaka Tower contained no public facilities. Everyone moving through it was either a company employee or internal service staff.

Ding—

2074/5/27, 8:00.

After taking the private elevator to the floor housing Arasaka Security Department's offices and clocking in, Vera sent her two bodyguards to put the briefcase in her office. She then headed unhurriedly toward the Internal Cafeteria, projecting today's Night City Briefing from the Arasaka Administrative Center onto her Built-in Cybereye Plugin as she read.

She had not eaten yet.

Arasaka's employee handbook might have laid down brutally strict rules, practically demanding 24/7 service all year round, but that was for low-level employees.

She was, after all, middle management in the Security Department, Arasaka's largest division, and she was about to be promoted again. Not long ago, she had successfully completed the public security and stability contract in Brasilia, and had also taken the initiative to help the company secure crucial time in the battle for Rio's reconstruction pie.

In this world, the winner took all!

Security Department office floor, Regular Cafeteria.

Upon seeing Vera, an attendant in a pale uniform resembling that of a flight attendant hurried forward and bowed. "Good morning, Officer Vera Adelheid."

Taking a seat beside some indoor ornamental greenery, Vera connected her cybereye to the public signal source of the holographic TV nearby and nodded. "The Pasta Set. Same as usual."

"Certainly. Please wait a moment."

The attendant respectfully withdrew.

"Good morning, Night City! I'm your old friend Stanley, and yesterday's Death Lottery..."

She turned on the television, using the impassioned voice of Night City's famous lottery host as background noise. After ordering a glass of ice water, Vera casually swept her gaze across the cafeteria.

The place was quite spacious. Diners were seated far apart, with tables separated by transparent specialized glass partitions that had been deliberately blurred.

Those who could eat in the Regular Cafeteria were either veteran agents with at least ten years of service, or minor leaders and middle-ranking cadres.

In the Cyberpunk world, the more "regular" something was, the less regular—and the more expensive—it was.

In a world where even the land and oceans had been severely polluted, ordinary people's three daily meals had long been replaced by various processed artificial proteins and synthetic meat. Natural food—even genetically modified food—required a hefty price to enjoy.

While waiting for her meal, Vera gradually spotted quite a few colleagues from the General Security Bureau who had come to eat.

She was the Deputy Security Chief of the Special Rapid Response Unit, the General Security Bureau's most important unit, as well as captain of Team 6—a hundred-man force of Arasaka elite heavy soldiers.

The General Security Bureau had a large establishment, so it naturally had other units as well. There was the 1st Mobile Unit, for instance. They were similar to a garrison force, stationed at Corporate Plaza, with duties including ceremonial guard, the Explosive Ordnance Disposal Squad, and the Firearm Countermeasure Unit, which handled large-scale shootouts.

Then there were the 2nd Mobile Unit, 3rd Mobile Unit, 4th Mobile Unit, and so on, each responsible for places such as Konpeki Plaza, the Northern Industrial Park, and the Arasaka Waterfront Industrial Park. They were not agents so much as special police.

And the greatest difference between the Special Rapid Response Unit and the Mobile Units was this:

The Special Rapid Response Unit—Vera's department—often had to deploy into the field and travel all over the world. They had to be capable of providing strategic support to regional branches, conducting field operations, maintaining public order, suppressing riots, and fulfilling national defense contracts. Their military equipment allocation was of an exceptionally high grade.

"Miss Russell. Congratulations. I believe it will not be long before you can drop the word 'Deputy' from your title."

The Security Department was not the Counter-Intelligence Department or the Intelligence Department. Although cunning schemers were also congregated here, more people still went to the battlefield, carried guns, and stood guard. The military atmosphere was stronger, and the internal environment was relatively better. Moreover, Vera deliberately avoided being too smug, arrogant, or wearing a dead face all day in her Daily Life, so her relationships were not bad.

At least, they looked good on the surface.

Bullets had no eyes. Once they were on the front line, they had to fight back-to-back. No one wanted to be set up or shot in the back while out on a mission.

"Thank you."

"One day, Captain Vera will surely surpass old Commander Fred."

"Haha, I'll gladly accept the blessing. But there's still a long way to go. We're all part of Arasaka—let's support one another, restore Arasaka to glory, and strive together." Seeing acquaintances make casual conversation, Vera rose and raised her glass in greeting, using water in place of wine before draining it in one gulp.

That was one small drawback that came with inheriting her bargain-bin parents' legacy.

The Security Department was full of so-called uncles and seniors—her father's subordinates, colleagues, and superiors. If she was going to climb above them in the future, she had to maintain her authority and show firmness, but she also had to give them the proper respect.

Showing the right amount of approachability made it clear that she was one of them. Only then could she fully absorb that "political inheritance" and command the Security Department's resources as easily as moving her own limbs.

"Strive together." ×N

They were all shrewd people, and quickly dispersed in twos and threes. Some left after finishing their meals, while others sat down to order.

"Officer Vera, here is your cream ice cream, tomato beef spaghetti, curry chicken... Enjoy your meal."

Natural food was available in the company's Regular Cafeteria, and Vera had no weight anxiety. Naturally, she chose to indulge. She could afford this much.

Once she was full and satisfied, she cleansed her palate with ice water, paid cheerfully, and left.

The heartfelt joy brought by enjoying delicious food was probably one of the easiest pleasures for humans to obtain, as well as a way to relieve stress. Anorexia was another matter.

After eating, Vera seemed altogether more energized as she carried a complimentary coffee toward her office.

If nothing else, Arasaka's employee benefits looked fairly good compared to those of its competitors.

The salaries were high, executives were generally covered by Trauma Team Platinum Plans, combat personnel were issued combat suits and weapons, elite combat personnel could install Combat Cybernetics at discounted internal prices, and after fulfilling twenty years of loyalty obligations, they could enjoy the latest cybernetic technology for free...

The tower's employee facilities included the Regular Cafeteria, Executive Cafeteria, Trauma Center, stores, equipment center, Entertainment Center, Sleeping Area, and Barracks.

Aside from the immense pressure, the near-total lack of rest time, no pension, and the fact that all savings, cybernetics, and apartments would be confiscated upon dismissal.

Back in her office.

2074/5/27, 8:30.

The Security Department's lower-level employees had long since reported for duty. After a brief video conference with her superiors in the General Security Bureau, Vera picked up the personal briefcase sitting on the reception coffee table in her office, opened it, and took several Separate Chips that needed to be handled in the coming days from its chip storage slots.

Time to get to work.

Worker mode, activated!

Brasilia Public Security and Stability Maintenance Service—Action Report

Study the Arasaka Spirit

Special Rapid Response Unit Team 6—Action Loss Report

Shortcomings of This Operation and Improvement Measures—Vera Adelheid Russell's Self-Reflection Report

General Security Bureau New Recruit Training Assessment Opinion Letter—Second Edition

Team 6 Comprehensive Combat Evaluation

Operation Bonus Application

Vera had only recently returned to Night City from field duty, and since her promotion process was already underway, the area she would oversee had yet to be determined. As such, most of what she needed to handle today consisted of various field reports and Team 6's internal affairs.

Among them, the Team 6 Comprehensive Combat Evaluation and Operation Bonus Application, which Vera's subordinates cared about most, were the highest priorities.

The former concerned the soldiers' qualifications and performance evaluations; the latter concerned the most practical matter of all—money. Both were important.

Time flew by.

Vera remained in her dedicated Corporate Dog state until the afternoon, intending to settle all the wordsmithing in one go.

"Whew..."

After pulling out the last Separate Chip and clicking Submit, Vera instinctively rolled her neck.

She took a small sip of her now-cold coffee. Just as she was about to get up, head to the Biotechnology Research Department to work her side job, make her presence known before the powerful patron she had latched onto, and maintain her persona, beep beep!

"Officer Vera. Your invitation."

The bodyguard's voice came through the intercom on her desk.

"Come in."

The office's automatic door opened. The Fixed Scanner's red scanning line flashed past, and the Black bodyguard entered.

Vera paused slightly when she saw the invitation in his hand.

"A paper invitation? Who's holding a banquet?"

The Black bodyguard shook his head. "It has been inspected. Nothing abnormal." Right in front of Vera, he took out something resembling an iron and scanned the invitation twice more.

Vera accepted the invitation, and Arasaka's three-leaf clover logo immediately came into view.

She unfolded it—

"Arasaka Tower Academy hereby invites an outstanding graduate..." Vera read aloud. "To attend the 2074 Freshman Entrance Ceremony and deliver a speech..."

'Persona'

"The Arasaka Tower Academy 2074 Freshman Entrance Ceremony. They want me to give a speech?"

The unfolded invitation lay on the desk. Vera lit a premium ladies' cigarette with some satisfaction, her fingers idly tapping the armrest of her chair.

She had not smoked in the past, but after the self-exploitative study experience at Arasaka Tower Academy, coupled with the truly immense work pressure inside Arasaka Corporation, she had picked up the habit without realizing it. Probably environmental influence.

Beep beep.

A new-mail notification chimed from Vera's office terminal screen.

"Oh?" Vera let out a soft laugh after glancing at it.

Those academic types really understood ceremony. They had sent both physical and electronic versions; every physical invitation contained a recipient identifier, and only after the invitee opened the paper invitation and the chip inside was recognized would the electronic version be sent.

They were inviting Vera to speak as an outstanding Arasaka Tower graduate and distinguished alumna.

To put it bluntly, they wanted to use Vera's personal example to inspire—and deceive—that group of expendable material who had joined Arasaka carrying all sorts of dreams, those screws who would burn themselves as firewood to illuminate Arasaka.

The ceremony was in June...

"Interesting..." The timing was so precise. They must have received definite news, and their intention was obvious. They wanted to secure her appearance in her new identity after her promotion, adding persuasive weight to the academy's educational capabilities.

Deep in thought, Vera raised an eyebrow as something occurred to her, then gladly accepted the invitation.

There was no downside. A mutual gesture of goodwill, each taking what they needed.

She clicked Confirm on the terminal screen, clearly informing Arasaka Tower Academy that she would attend the 2074 Freshman Entrance Ceremony.

Just feeding them some inspirational drivel.

"Whew..."

Vera stubbed the cigarette butt between her fingers into the ashtray beside her, where wisps of white smoke rose. She flexed her fingers lightly, and after a series of crisp cracks came from her knuckles, she leaned toward her personal terminal again and went through the information and files once more. Only after confirming that nothing had been missed did she stand, stretch, loosen her neck, leave her desk, and walk toward the liquor cabinet embedded in the recessed wall to the left of her office.

Vera opened the glass door and selected an amber honey-brewed whisky from among the collections of Champagne Paradise, Bicai Winery, and Kyoto Laurel Crown.

She unscrewed the cap and poured herself a glass. Taking a light drink of the low-proof liquor, she felt the sweet liquid slide smoothly down her throat like pebbles washed by water. Comfortable, she leaned back in her executive chair and looked toward the floor-to-ceiling window behind her, and the view of Night City beyond—

At four in the afternoon, the sun was setting. A forest of steel stretched out in orderly rows, a world divided between white and black.

The bulletproof glass curtain wall was one-way, so there was no need to worry about privacy.

Some time later, ring ring ring.

"Hey, Vera, finished up and having a little drink here?"

Along with the phone's ringtone, a middle-aged man in a glossy black suit patterned with red lines appeared on the built-in virtual screen grid of Vera's cybereye implant.

"Good afternoon, Uncle Thomas. I'm just waiting for the handover. If you're craving some, I'll pick out a few bottles of Heavenly Champagne and send them over."

James Thomas was Vera's Direct Superior's Direct Superior, the Deputy Director of Security for Arasaka Night City's Security Department, in charge of the General Security Bureau. He had also once been Cheap Dad's superior.

Vera's "uncle"—the uncle who had once helped manage her "inheritance."

As Arasaka's largest, most renowned, and most important department, the Security Department did not appoint a full director unless necessary. A Board Member directly served as its highest authority, while the deputy directors responsible for specific fields were the department's highest-ranking officials.

Unless one came from the innermost circle of the Tokyo Arasaka Estate's direct line, it was difficult for someone outside the family to rise to the position of Security Department director.

"Hahaha..."

Vera's intimate yet courteous words brought a kindly smile to Deputy Director of Security James Thomas's face, where the traces of cybernetic modification were faint. He nodded repeatedly, as though he were truly looking at an outstanding junior.

"Then I'll be looking forward to your collection. Fred has always had an unusual fondness for fine liquor. He doesn't drink much, yet he loves collecting it and keeping it stored away."

After the brief pleasantries had drawn them closer, Thomas's tone turned solemn.

"Captain Vera Adelheid Russell, your promotion procedures have been approved in Tokyo. You did well in Brasilia. In thirty minutes, there will be an internal meeting of the Night City Security Department General Security Bureau. The news will be formally announced at the meeting, and it will take effect immediately upon announcement. Congratulations, Vera. Fred and Mia will be proud of you."

"Thank you, Director Thomas."

Vera appropriately showed the slightest expression of barely restrained excitement, then rose to her feet. "Thank you for looking after me."

"No need for that. You earned it. Arasaka treats capable people well. Attend the meeting on time in twenty-nine minutes."