Chapter 81

That is a responsible attitude and dedication to one's work.

It must be admitted that before his health deteriorated and he was confined to a wheelchair, this old man was indeed a super workaholic.

Whether it was just her imagination or not, as Vera withstood the pressure and steadily achieved results in the [Solaris Staircase Project, ensuring that Night City did not experience any major chaos, and at the same time diligently completing her studies at Todai University, based on Vera's observations of Saburo over the past few days, he seemed to be increasingly satisfied with her.

Lin is still evaluating her...

This is how Vera feels.

Okay, if you dare to investigate, I dare to act.

"Heaven's Gift", add 'WeChat'!

The power of the Five Elements!

Putting everything else aside, her boundless energy means she fears nothing more than multitasking and stress.

"However, Quinque technology... Ghoul viruses, Kagune, Kakuhou, Quinque Steel, shape Memory Metal... let's use it to pave the way for now..."

Silently reciting the words to herself, Vera picked up the steaming black tea, took a sip, and snapped her fingers, activating the video recorder on her desk.

With a flick of her fingertips, Vera sketched out the manufacturing methods and processes of Quinque Steel, a special-grade Memory Metal supplied by the CCG, in the form of random scribbles inspired by sudden inspiration.

Leaving aside the Kagune material, CCG's Memory Metal are indeed quite intriguing.

From being able to fit into a standard briefcase to instantly transforming into various shapes and sizes of weapons ranging from one meter to over ten meters, the characteristics of Kagune certainly play a role. However, shape Remembrance alloys that achieve this level of technology should have a significant technological supplementing effect on both Arasaka's light and heavy industries, and the benefits are considerable.

Furthermore, Vera wanted to try using the technology for making Quinque to add the Progenitor Virus, or a mixture of Kagune and the Progenitor Virus, to see what kind of mutations would occur.

Until, ring ring—

Telephone.

Vera's eyes began to gleam with an orange-red light. "I am Vera Adelheid."

"I am Shintaro Takayama."

"Commander Shintaro?"

"Vera, there's a closing ceremony that needs your attention." Shintaro Takayama's tone was calm, carrying obvious goodwill and optimism. "This is a reward and honor you deserve."

"Award?"

With a soft murmur, Vera's gaze first sharpened slightly, then a hint of joy flashed across her face.

Phew, is the 'year-end bonus' finally here?

Chapter 086 'Year-End Bonus'

Six days later.

Tokyo Arasaka Tower.

2075/12/31

"Ladies and gentlemen, please welcome Vera Adelheid Russell, Director of the North American Arasaka Tower Director of Operations and Executive Director of the Night City General Security Bureau, to deliver her year-end address."

Backstage, Vera observed the already packed auditorium through a closed-circuit television.

The luxurious yet understated minimalist gray row of seats was filled with Arasaka employees dressed in well-made, dark-colored company uniforms; there were no foreign media or reporters present.

These were elite employees from the middle and lower levels of Arasaka Corporation who were stationed at the Tokyo Headquarters for overseas study, training, and other purposes, representing other branches of Arasaka Corporation around the world.

The lowest-ranking employees are small managers within their respective regional branches, overseeing anywhere from a few to a dozen junior management staff.

In the very last row, Vera even saw students from Tokyo Arasaka Academy.

There were people of all races; they were clearly the kind of outstanding students recommended by the local Arasaka Academy and sent to the Tokyo Headquarters for observation and further study.

Looking at their upright posture, Vera suddenly had a very strange feeling.

It feels like a lifetime ago.

I was eighteen that year, standing below the stage like a lackey.

She was once one of those clapping and applauding in the audience.

Now, it's her turn to go on stage.

"Director Russell." As Vera, surrounded by bodyguards and agents, walked down the steps from the audience seats, the mid-level official from Arasaka, who had just finished speaking, immediately bowed.

"Um."

Nodding, Vera cleared her mind of all distractions and calmly strode onto the center of the stage, her steps light and airy on the silky red carpet.

She's very skilled at giving speeches and presentations.

They are all about empty rhetoric and grandstanding, making a loud noise and claiming lofty ideals. They simply talk to people in a certain way and to ghosts in a different way.

At this moment, the stage lights in the auditorium automatically dimmed, leaving only the lights in the center of the platform.

When Vera, dressed in an exquisitely tailored and expensive custom-made uniform, stepped onto the center of the stage—

There was no thunderous applause, nor any Militech cheers, whistles, or screams. Inside the auditorium, everyone sat upright, looking at the important figure, Arasaka, who had taken the stage. He was tall and dignified, never smiling, yet his demeanor was elegant and graceful, exuding a heroic spirit.

This is Arasaka's corporate style.

Neo-militarism: understated elegance, an orderly and domineering aesthetic.

Good evening, everyone.

Vera's prosthetic eye prosthesis glowed slightly red. The data connection was switched, and without the need for a microphone, her voice instantly resounded throughout the auditorium through the panoramic surround sound system built into the walls and ceiling.

"I am Vera Adelheid, from the Night City Security Department in North America, and also the person in charge of the 2075 Tokyo Arasaka Tower year-end training personnel summary meeting. I hope we get along well—that shouldn't be difficult, after all, you are all tested, excellent, and loyal, aren't you?" As she spoke, Vera swept her sharp eyes across the newly recruited elites of Arasaka below the stage.

Undoubtedly, no one dared to meet her gaze.

Even if they were to collide suddenly, they would dodge in an instant.

This includes mid-to-high-ranking officials who have already reached the second or third position in a department of the Arasaka District Branch.

This is the advantage of the system, the beauty of progress, the sweetness of power...

Vera wouldn't be so arrogant as to think this was due to her authority and prestige.

If she were Arasaka Employee from Night City in North America, she might actually have a lot of prestige; that was the foundation upon which she rose through the ranks.

As for the other Corporate Dog who were used to acting like 'local emperors' or 'local tyrants' in their respective local branches, what they respected and submitted to was Vera's current position—one of the members of the Arasaka Regional National-Level Management Council and the Managing Director in charge of the General Security Bureau.

Based on the most prominent and important core spirit of Arasaka Corporation, the hierarchy of superiors and inferiors.

In other words, subordinates must strictly obey or execute their superiors' orders 100% under all circumstances. Even employees from the Japanese domestic system must bow deeply when communicating with their superiors to show respect.

While the situation isn't as extreme as at the Japanese headquarters, as seen in North American Night City Tower factions like Vera's, and in other regions such as the Paris Tower faction in Europe, South Africa, and Australia, superficial respect for superiors is still essential.

Even if it's just a fleeting glimpse, you secretly want to get rid of your superior.

"2075 marks the sixth year since Arasaka returned to North America. It is also the present moment for Arasaka to regain its former glory."

Turning her gaze away, Vera smiled and got down to business.

"Most importantly, Lord Saburo Arasaka has returned to our side. It is time to build on the past, sound the horn of counterattack, follow Lord Kei's cause, and reclaim everything we have lost."

Taking a step forward, Vera deliberately positioned herself at the pre-calculated angle.

From the audience's perspective, she was now aligned with the black and white logo of [Arasaka Clover] on the image wall behind her, which was made up of large, long strips of black marble.

"We all know clearly why Arasaka collapsed half a century ago."

The holographic projection was activated at the right time, and on the screen, a huge mushroom cloud rose in the center of a bustling metropolis filled with skyscrapers.

A burning sky, a collapsed Arasaka Tower.

Without a doubt, that was Night City in 2023.

"The nuclear explosion at the former Arasaka Tower headquarters in Night City. Because of it, we lost that war, and the Arasaka Corporation lost a respected and outstanding employee (Kei Arasaka)."

"Militech, urban legend."

Vera coldly uttered two words.

"There are some things that we can never forget."

The image sensor shifted, casting two rugged, unrestrained figures into view.

First, a tall, muscular man with a stubble beard, wearing a pure black turtleneck trench coat, carrying a large-caliber rifle that was outdated in the last century.

Secondly, he was lean and wiry, wearing sunglasses, with an arrogant expression, disheveled hair, and holding an electric guitar, looking every bit the Rock Kid.

If there were any fanatical 'legendary' followers from the underworld of Night City, Afterlife, Liz, or others present, they would surely gasp in surprise at this moment.

"Morgan Blackhand, Johnny Silverhand..."

Vera said their names.

More than half a century has passed, and that incident is now common knowledge.

In 2023, legendary figures such Rock Kid Johnny Silverhand and Morgan Blackhand, along with a large group of legendary mercenaries and hackers, with the support of Militech, used nuclear bombs to destroy Night City Arasaka Tower, killing millions of people directly or indirectly.

Then-President Elizabeth Cress immediately blamed the explosion on Arasaka, despite the fact that Militech was responsible for the tragedy.

Ultimately, amidst a global wave of boycotts and condemnations, Arasaka, which had reached its limit, was forced to retreat. Its eligibility to operate in the United States was immediately revoked, Arasaka Board of Directors and employees were denounced as terrorists. Their assets were either confiscated or they were expelled from North America.

With Arasaka's return to Night City, more and more ordinary people are beginning to suspect that the nuclear explosion was the work of Militech, and President Kres's lies have been exposed.

As for the Major Corporations, well, they have their own connections and naturally know the details. It would be a miracle if they believed the nonsense about Militech. Whether they believe it or not depends entirely on whether Washington has made the payment.

"They (Washington) think that by using enough blackmail and political influence, finding some outlaws, killing specific people, and massacring workers in specific companies, they can prevent us from regaining our former glory and make us lose our former confidence and determination?"

Vera suddenly opened her slightly closed eyes, revealing a proud look.

"No, we are still great. We rose from the ashes. We will create the future, we will continue to lead the future. From the Solaris Staircase Project, the Relic Project, the Heavy Quadrupedal Combat Walker, the New Super Heavy Aircraft Carrier, the Large Aerospace Ship, the Crystal Palace Space Station, Lunar Colonization, Mars Exploration..."

These are all publicly available. The interim results of the Solaris Staircase Project, the R-618 'Rebirth' drug, have already been piloted for commercialization in cooperation with Biotechnology and European Bank. The Relic Project, on the other hand, is a concept that Arasaka had already thrown out to the market to attract investors and suckers—digital Eternal Life of the soul...

As for the rest, Vera had naturally gone over the manuscript with Shintaro Takayama.

Some of Arasaka already have results, some are still just PowerPoint presentations, and some have nothing at all, but that doesn't stop her from boasting about them, and she even improvises grand promises on the spot. Truth and falsehood are intertwined; let the 'competitors' investigate if they want, since that matter falls under the purview of the Counter-Intelligence Department and the Internal Security Department.

"We will not forget, we will always remember."

"Paying back debts is a matter of course. If you try to renege, you'll have to pay back double."

"We will take our revenge."

Revenge, setting up a target – this was Vera's policy stance and inclination after taking office.

The internal meeting was designed to give her a voice.

In short, we're engaged in Militech!

The new America must be divided again!

Whether it's for personal or corporate interests, Vera is well aware that she can't mend her relationship with Shinmi and Militech, let alone become friends with them.

Unlike the complex relationship between European Bank, Soshikah, Kang Tao, Zeta Technologies, Biotechnology, etc., where they sometimes cooperate and win together while simultaneously hindering each other, Arasaka and Militech, although they buy each other's products, cannot, absolutely cannot, cooperate in any real way!

The blood feud was one aspect, but the geographical location also determined that Arasaka or the Militech side had to cripple or defeat the other if they wanted to develop and advance further.

Arasaka wants to return to the era when he dominated the Pacific, divided North America, and occupied the West Coast; Militech wants to unify North America, completely expel Arasaka's influence from the Americas, and realize the Monroe Doctrine, which is that the Americas belong to the Americans.

This is an irreconcilable contradiction.

Arasaka and Militech are bound to clash.

Vera's base is in Night City, on the West Coast of North America. Would she really let Militech destroy the Night City Arasaka Tower, destroying her home and stronghold? Therefore, in this respect, she coincides with the political correctness within Arasaka.

"History will forever remember this day. Lord Saburo has returned, Arasaka will rise again. All Arasaka employees must open your arms, hone your will, cultivate your mind, and prepare yourselves for the glory that is about to come."

As soon as she finished speaking, a tray slowly rose from the platform, and Vera raised a champagne glass full of champagne from the tray to toast the audience.