Chapter 82
"In 2076, gentlemen, let us strive together."
A whoosh! The Arasaka trainees from Night City in North America were the first to stand up and shout in unison, "Arasaka!"
"Arasaka!"
Upon seeing this, the students from the Arasaka Academy who were in the back row and held junior management positions immediately stood up.
"Arasaka!"
Even those employees in the middle and senior management positions at the very front row, dressed in suits, stood up one by one.
"Arasaka!"
In just a few seconds, the sounds were already in unison.
"Arasaka!" ×N
2076/1/1; 0/01/24
Tick-tock.
The 2075 Tokyo Arasaka Tower Annual Training Staff Summary Meeting has concluded.
It's 2076. Vera looked down at the Corporate Dog at the banquet, who were gathered in twos and threes, by regional branches, by department, and by unit, clinking glasses.
In the Cyberpunk world, staying up late doesn't even seem like staying up late anymore; all-nighters are the norm, and if you don't go to sleep after 3 a. m., it's not considered overtime or socializing.
"Director Russell."
"Commander Vera Adelheid."
She received heartfelt greetings from employees of Arasaka Training School from places including Night City in North America, South Africa, South America, and Australia.
The highest-ranking officer comes from the Security Department. Although they are not directly under the General Security Bureau, but belong to the Customer Order Fulfillment Section, which is responsible for handling private security subscription business, they are still closely related.
Vera was very kind and polite, chatting with them for a few minutes and clinking glasses briefly.
Having passed the assessment at the Tokyo Headquarters, it's foreseeable that promotions and raises are a certainty upon their return to the regional branches. She doesn't mind making a good connection.
She wouldn't play the role of a mad dog who offends everyone, like Arthur Jenkins from the Counter-Intelligence Department.
"But..."
Click!
A crisp sound rang out, and a dark blue flame immediately rose from the lighter.
On the sofa by the floor-to-ceiling window, Vera held a cigarette between her two slender fingers, lit it, and took a puff. Through the clear, almost airy glass, the dazzling neon lights of the Tokyo Metropolis skyline flashed across her profile.
Tokyo, stable to the point of being stagnant, does not belong to her.
The chaotic Night City is what belongs to her.
When it comes to criticizing Militech, she doesn't just talk the talk; she walks the walk.
"Commander Takayama!"
The bodyguard's voice pulled Vera back to reality.
"Commander Shintaro."
Vera stubbed out her cigarette in the ashtray and turned to look at the muscular, purely physical Cyber Ninja.
With the help of the cell-activating products from the [Solaris Staircase Project], this old loyal servant of Arasaka seems to have become much younger, with more melanin appearing in his gray hair.
"Vera, are you satisfied with your Christmas present?"
Shintaro Takayama took two steps forward silently, as always.
"A Christmas present? Oh, no wonder you specifically notified me on the 25th. It's truly a wonderful surprise." Vera smiled faintly, her eyes gleaming. "Better late than never. Commander Shintaro is here. Why don't you have a couple of drinks with me?" As she spoke, she made a move to get some drinks.
"No need."
Shintaro Takayama looked at Vera with a sigh of deep emotion. "Lord Saburo has ordered that you be invited to the Arasaka Family Estate. Miss Wako is also waiting for you."
Chapter 087 A Bitter Militech
The bright moon hangs high in the sky.
The rumbling of the floating Vector Engine stopped, and Vera got out of the car. She followed Shintaro Takayama across the ancient palace gate with its single-eaved hip roof, and walked slowly along the cobblestone path. They passed through cherry blossom groves and rock gardens and arrived at the main residence of the Arasaka Family Estate.
"Luo Shuzhongjian".
Ugh, this damn awkward accent.
But you know what, once you get used to it, it has a unique charm.
Vera activated the language plugin's correction and adjustment function, turning to the side. "Takemura -kun," she said, looking at Goro Takemura, the loyal bodyguard still dressed in Man in Black, who was walking towards her. Behind him Sandayu Oda, dressed similarly and sporting a dashing, long, slanted fringe.
They were all acquaintances.
Sandayu Oda bowed slightly, "Director Russell."
"Lord Oda," Vera returned the greeting, displaying just the right amount of courtesy.
Compared to his familiarity with Takemura, he was undoubtedly much more rusty, but Sandayu Oda didn't seem to mind. He nodded indifferently and stepped aside, continuing his patrol and vigilance within the main residential area as was his habit.
Vera glanced at his departing figure out of the corner of her eye.
The Cyber Ninja secretly trained by Arasaka are indeed quite professional.
Like Takemura Sandayu Oda, Goro Takemura is a loyal bodyguard. In his eyes, there is only his target Hanako Arasaka. Even protecting Saburo is a priority for him, second only to Wako. After more or less contact over the past six months, she has basically determined that he has no interest in the infighting and profit-driven strife among the management of Arasaka Corporation.
Soon, Shintaro Takayama and Vera entered the main house, where New Year decorations such as kadomatsu (pine trees) and shimenawa (sacred ropes) had already been arranged by the servants. The Japanese New Year was changed from the lunar calendar to the Gregorian calendar after the Meiji Restoration, which falls on January 1st each year.
It's clear that Saburo Arasaka is holding a small-scale New Year's celebration.
By 2076, few people will care about this kind of cultural program.
Whether you want to live together is one thing, whether you can live together is another.
In Cyberpunk world where working year-round and overtime are the norm, the 'wonderful' words like holidays, early rest, and leisure have become unattainable luxuries for the vast majority of people...
The banquet was small, Vera was led away by the Arasaka family's 'hereditary' waiters as soon as she arrived.
After a quick wash, cleansing, and dressing to remove the weariness of her journey, Vera took off her shoes, put on silk socks, and stepped barefoot onto the tatami mat. Led by a waiter, she crossed the exquisite wooden door and entered the inner room where Saburo Arasaka was.
Expensive incense wafts through the air.
Hanako Arasaka was among them.
She remained dignified and elegant, kneeling on the prayer mat with her hands clasped together, head bowed, eyes closed, facing the ancestral tablet on the rectangular altar against the wall in the inner hall, muttering incantations as if she were praying for blessings or making a memorial service.
Sanlang knelt in the center in front of the memorial tablet.
With her excellent eyesight, Vera could see clearly.
The offering table is divided into three tiers.
Above, there were two memorial tablets, but due to the angle, she could only see one. The tablet was carved in Japanese and read "Sanzhai".
In the middle, there are three memorial tablets, one of which is in the front center, for Michiko.
Below, a memorial tablet stands, offered in reverence.
Vera immediately understood.
The altar, from top to bottom, is dedicated to Saburo Arasaka's parents, his three wives, and, in the center and front, his beloved Michiko, as well as his only lost child, his eldest son Kei Arasaka.
Oh, and also, Sano Arasaka isn't here. Michiko Arasaka, who shares the same name as Saburo's third wife, isn't here either.
"Lord Saburo." Vera bowed and performed a gesture of respect, shifting her gaze from the empty prayer mat near the memorial tablet to Sanlang's right hand.
"You've arrived."
Upon hearing Vera's voice, Saburo slightly opened his closed eyes and stood up decisively.
Having recovered to his seventies or eighties, Old Deng was in high spirits and full of vigor. Without needing anyone's help, after placing three more incense sticks in the incense burner in front of his eldest son, Kei Arasaka tablet, Saburo, who looked serious yet kind, turned to look at her.
He truly embodies the qualities of a wise, focused, determined, considerate, and passionate entrepreneur...
Without exchanging pleasantries, Saburo asked Vera questions about the "2075 Tokyo Arasaka Tower Year-End Training Staff Summary Meeting."
The two conversed warmly yet respectfully, maintaining a proper sense of hierarchy.
Saburo offered brief comments on Vera's performance, policy proposals, and vengeful tendencies in Militech, expressing his appreciation while also warning her not to be careless.
Vera naturally agreed, neither arguing back nor blindly following. Appropriately, she calmly and confidently recounted her plans and arrangements for returning to Night City.
A key to effective collaboration and trust between subordinates and superiors is to ensure that superiors are aware of your intentions, progress, and expected outcomes.
"... Dogtown, Pacifica, the Hounds... reorganized from the NUSA advance force that stormed Night City during the New America Metal War, a military gang that rebelled due to dissatisfaction with the Alvin Peace and Unity Agreement... You want to use them to stir up trouble in California and instigate a second rebellion in the former Free State of the New American West?"
Upon hearing this, a glint of light flashed in Saburo's eyes.
He became interested.
The Metal War, also known as the Unification War, broke out in January 2069. The two sides were Niimi and the Free State, and each received support from Militech and Arasaka, respectively.
The two sides also use different names for this conflict. The Shin-American/ Militech side calls it the "Unification War," while Arasaka and the Free State prefer the name "Metal War."
This battle severely hampered the momentum of Militech, allowing Arasaka to return to North America.
Although Saburo didn't want to admit it, he knew very well that he hated the company from the bottom of his heart when it came to Militech.
Not only because Arasaka Enterprises clashed with Militech during the Fourth Corporate War, causing him to lose his eldest son and suffer the humiliation of defeat, but also because of Militech's then-CEO—Donald Lundy.
This former general, who came from the Pentagon of the Old USA. military, saw a reflection of himself in Saburo's experience of transitioning from military to business, and it also reminded him of the American pilot who shot him down in the Pacific War.
Saburo said in a low voice:
"How can you be sure this isn't a mole planted by Rosalind Miles (former CEO of Militech, current President of New America) in Night City, entrenched there under the guise of rebels, as a backup plan to drive us out of California?"
Vera remained composed as she explained her reasoning, "I can't be sure if Washington has any connections there, but we can incite the Hounds' hatred. Betrayal is sometimes more shameful than an enemy."
A statement with a double entendre.
Sanlang lowered his eyes and moved slightly.
"Continue."
"Washington might be able to issue the order to lie low down to the officer level, but it would never be able to do so to the rank and file. The feeling of being betrayed by one's own people on the eve of victory is so profound that it can destroy any loyalty."
Vera bowed again, placing her hand on her chest, and said neither humbly nor arrogantly:
"A town cannot survive solely on the military. Dogtown's establishment and development were sustained by the 'humanitarian aid' from Soshikah and Arasaka. The inherent characteristics of Night City naturally led Dogtown to provide shelter for various criminals, including Black Market, intelligence trading, and bounty hunting..."
"All sorts of social dregs gather there, which is why they are able to survive and even grow stronger."
"The rapid expansion without a stable channel for replenishing qualified personnel to ensure a minimum level of personnel means dilution. While the current Ghost Dogs still retain a considerable degree of military discipline, the influx of various thugs, ruffians, and scum will inevitably affect the 'purity' of the army."
"Six years of decadence and slackness, even if military skills do not decline, does not mean that ideological quality will not decline. Street kids, cyber mercenaries, those people who lick blood from the blade, indulgence is life, betrayal is commonplace. Such is the environment. As the saying goes, it takes a thousand days to learn good, but only one day to learn bad."
"When the bottom line is broken, loyalty is gone, and hatred is incited, how many of Washington's ghost dogs can be controlled?"
"Furthermore," Vera looked at Saburo Arasaka and said arrogantly, "Would I let them reconnect?"
Every gesture she made exuded confidence and composure, and her beauty was beyond compare.
"Find and investigate any Ghosthound officers who may still be in contact with Washington. Better to kill the innocent than let the guilty go free. Night City has no shortage of mercenaries who want to get rich overnight and become famous overnight. Have a middleman pass on the message: things that can be solved with money are never a problem."
"Kurt Hansen (former NUSA Military, now the head of Dogtown), I don't know if he's a true traitor or a loyalist, but that doesn't stop us from putting him in a difficult position."
As one of the most powerful people in the world, the situation in Night City was no secret to Saburo Arasaka. However, due to the information asymmetry, Vera could not say that she had foreseen the future where Rosalind Miles would be betrayed by her own subordinates. She only emphasized that she would push for it.
"..."
After a long while, seemingly having digested and sorted out Vera's plan, Saburo nodded slightly, a smile appearing on his lips. "Vera, I like your adventurous spirit. However..."
"The New Year's Eve dinner is the most precious event of the year, so don't waste it as a company briefing. As for your detailed plan, submit a concrete implementation plan to me within two days."
"Yes, ma'am."
At this point, the waiters, whose skills in reading people were maxed out, had already begun preparing to serve the dishes and arrange the dinner.
The individual serving tables were set with extremely luxurious jade, silver, and ivory tableware, and various famous dishes were quickly served, almost piling up on the table. Compared to the kaiseki cuisine I had visited before, this time it was undoubtedly very meaty, eggy, and dairy-based, very German and very American.
"Sigh..." Vera slightly surprised.
Saburo seemed quite satisfied with Vera's statement and stance.