Infinite: Progressing from Arasaka - Chapter 91

He was tall and thin, with short white hair. His right eye was very unique; where his original right eye used to be, three horizontally arranged prosthetic eyes had been installed, all flashing red light in unison.

If there were any mercenaries from Santo Domingo here, they would definitely recognize this four-eyed man—Faraday, the most powerful middleman in the Santo Domingo area.

With a slight braking sound, the Militech vehicle stopped beside Faraday.

"Faraday, you'd better give me an explanation. These repeated delays make us seriously doubt your abilities."

A man's gloomy voice came from inside the half-lowered car window.

Faraday, one hand in his pocket, coldly retorted, "That's because Arasaka is heavily guarded. All the men I sent out were killed, which is enough to prove how important the Cybernetic Kong is to Arasaka. Don't you know that?"

"That's why we've invested so much. Produce results quickly, otherwise we won't get extra money or the final payment."

Are you kidding me?

Faraday's tone was quite unfriendly, "The results, how am I supposed to take them now..."

"Because you are at a disadvantage in the competition with Arasaka. The Night City government has signed a city sheriff agreement with Arasaka, and even the thugs you kept in Santo Domingo have been defeated. The people who did it were the thugs you abandoned in the past. Martial law is in effect everywhere. My people and assets in Santo Domingo have suffered heavy losses."

Lies don't hurt, but the truth is the sharpest knife.

The Militech liaison officer fell silent for a moment.

After a moment, he continued, "Okay. I'll give you half of the remaining payment first. The additional payment agreement is still in effect, but you can't refuse the additional commission. Are you aware that Vera Adelheid has returned to Night City?"

Faraday: "Of course. Last night, the Purple Stone Banquet Hall in the Konpeki Plaza was booked out by Arasaka. What, you don't want me to make a move on her, do you? Forgive my bluntness, but I don't want to die. Let's talk about other things after you have the advantage in Militech."

"Hmph, we already have the advantage, why would we need you? Don't worry, we're not sending you to your death, but rather targeting her project."

The liaison officer gave a cold laugh.

"You should know about the 'Solaris Staircase Project,' which will allow that old Saburo Arasaka to regain his youth. Vera Adelheid is the project director. According to reliable sources, Arasaka intends to build a new research facility for her in Night City. However, the additional troops Arasaka has sent are not yet fully in place. Take advantage of this gap in time. There are goods arriving from the port and transport convoys, and you need to find a way to steal or rob them. Search even if it's just a single dose of undiluted R-618 regeneration serum, it's worth one million euros."

Upon hearing this, Farah narrowed his fourth eye slightly.

"Arasaka is pressing you relentlessly. You've been suffering so much in the global stock market lately, the Six Street Gang has been almost wiped out, and even I need to reorganize and manage the situation in Santo Domingo. Yet instead of focusing all your efforts on dealing with the threats and provocations from Dogtown, you still have the energy to go against the tide and take on new commissions?"

"This is called 'blind spot'," the liaison officer said. "Whether it's the Cybernetic Kong, the laboratory-grade products of the 'Solaris Staircase Project,' or the new research results that Vera Adelheid is developing, we will grant you an exemption if you get your hands on any one of them."

"As for other things, Faraday, you're a smart man, so mind your own business. That's all I wanted to say."

The 620 Lagna started its engine and drove away from the underground parking lot.

"Whispering sound!"

Faraday clenched his fist, turned his head, and wiped away non-existent dust from his sleeve with an annoyed expression.

"Those sycophantic Corporate Dog will get what's coming to them sooner or later... Hmph, let's go to the Afterlife... Hmm?"

He paused for a moment, and all four prosthetic eyes focused simultaneously.

Didi.

Caller ID: Maine

A burly man with brown skin and sunglasses appeared on Faraday's video call.

Connected.

[Maine: Hello, it's me, Faraday. What's up?]

[Faraday: Maine, didn't you already receive the commission?]

[Maine: Because of those idiot Corporate Dog, several major investors have backed out and withdrawn their funding. Damn, what a waste of time...]

Faraday's eyes flickered.

This Maine is one of the cyber mercenary teams he has collaborated with many times.

Perfect, he needs cannon fodder.

Faraday: There's a job.

Chapter 095 Freshly Baked Plastic Sisters

The video signal was transmitted to Vera's prosthetic eye.

Data is received and converted, and suddenly, a stylish and fashionable young woman appears on her retinal virtual screen.

She had a mohawk, shaved sides, and her hair was dyed an unconventional blue. She had an Asian face with good looks and well-maintained skin. She had no tattoos, was very clean, wore gold lip gloss, large gold earrings, and a deep V-neck gold dress with fur straps that revealed her midriff.

In 2076, people with such "empty board numbers" are either monks who are extremely poor or people of very high status.

The woman in front of them was clearly the latter.

Michiko Arasaka.

Saburo's eldest granddaughter.

The only daughter of the late Kei Arasaka Crown Prince Takashi.

With Norinobu and Wako remaining unmarried and childless, he is currently the only surviving third-generation descendant of the Arasaka family. He is the founder and CEO of Dangerous Girl Company.

Well, this 68-year-old Elder Sister, whose biological mother is of Japanese American descent, was born and raised in the United States in the 2000s. Her makeup and taste are hard to describe.

It's rebellious, American, and Militech.

The makeup was the kind that would make Old Man Sanlang frown.

The phone light flashed on her iris. Vera took a sip of hot coffee, and after indicating to her uncle James Thomas that the caller was Michiko Arasaka, she straightened her posture and said, "It's been a long time, Ms. Michiko."

She spoke, not choosing to mute herself despite Thomas's presence.

"Vera Adelheid, tell me, how should I address our relationship? Should I call you Director, Chief Director, or should I affectionately call you my sister?" Michiko said.

Beneath the calm yet slightly sarcastic tone, an inexplicable undercurrent seemed to be surging.

Vera just smiled.

"Not for now. Perhaps it's just a whim of yours, Lord Saburo... It's not that bad yet."

"Not yet? That's nonsense."

Michiko laughed too, "Vera, my grandfather, the 'God of Enterprise,' never does anything unnecessary." Her tone was clearly that of someone on the same level.

On the virtual screen, she looked at Vera with a complex and wistful gaze.

Just as Vera was scrutinizing her, Michiko, having learned the whole story of Tokyo and knowing she could no longer remain uninvolved, was also carefully examining the 'business partner' displayed on the holographic screen.

During the video call, the elegant woman, dressed in a high-end custom-made suit, remained as noble as a rose. Despite her tall and dignified appearance, with her sharp eyebrows and unsmiling demeanor, her beauty was undeniable.

A style completely different from his own.

Her style, aesthetics, and habits should get along well with the older generation in Japan.

Michiko thought with malice towards the Anteiku of Tokyo.

She was always well aware that her grandfather, Saburo Arasaka, disapproved of many of the ways and habits she had developed in America.

No wonder Saburo wanted to train Vera...

To be honest, Michiko was initially quite baffled by the rumors circulating among the higher-ups that she had suddenly woken up to find herself with a stepsister who was nearly half a century older than her.

But then I thought about it again.

The object of his affections is Vera, a high-ranking military commander from the Night City Security Department, who is at the forefront of Militech and is exceptionally talented. He helps Saburo win back the young Vera.

Saburo is serious.

A nearly 160-year-old grandfather wants to recognize his daughter on behalf of his father, who passed away more than 50 years ago!

Saburo has not yet officially announced the bestowal of his surname and inheritance rights, but the courtesy and privileges Vera received in Tokyo are undeniable.

She frequently visited the Arasaka Family Estate, participated in the Arasaka family's New Year's Eve dinner and Kei Arasaka, and even on New Year's Day, Saburo took her to attend the highest-level meeting of the Arasaka Global Regional Presidents and 'National Directors'...

"Perhaps, in the near future, you will call Norinobu 'Uncle' and Wako' Aunt,' just like I do..."

"But we can discuss our own opinions privately."

Vera did not deny that she had her own understanding of surnames and inheritance rights.

"What's done is done. It's not my intention to be seen as a sycophant by others. I don't like it, and I won't force everyone to like me. At the very least, I will prove that these are the rewards I deserve for my achievements."

As she spoke, she looked at James Thomas, who had stood up in front of her.

Additional text messages inserted.

Thomas: Vera, you're a promising young woman. I know your ideals. You truly are the most outstanding among our faction's generation... I look forward to the day you actually reach the Arasaka Tower... You and Lady Michiko talk first; I won't disturb you any longer.

Vera: Thank you, Uncle Thomas. Thank you for your help. Sometime, I'd like to invite you to relax at the North Oak fishing grounds or the Hokkaido hunting grounds.

Thomas: Haha, I'm even more excited now...

Seeing that Michiko Arasaka's encounter with Vera seemed far from over, Thomas wisely excused himself. Even considering privacy and minimizing disruption, he didn't speak, but instead sent a text message.

Vera rose to see him off, and only after Thomas's figure had disappeared from the living room did she turn her attention back to him.

"Military achievements." Michiko carefully considered Vera's words from a few seconds ago.

He's a real fighter.

She raised her head and said, "You should say this to Norinobu."

"I have no interest in currying favor with someone who doesn't reciprocate my feelings. Just as Norinobu disliked Lord Jing, I don't have a good impression of him either."

Vera tapped the sofa armrest lightly with her fingers.

"Undeniably, he is both insightful and skillful, a qualified manager, and even an outstanding one. You know, Miss Michiko, Norinobu's hostility toward Militech and his slogan of waging war on Militech once fascinated me."

As she said this, she glanced discreetly at the Cyber Ninja of the Arasaka compound standing outside the living room.

Feeling of being watched.

Surveillance, huh?

Vera didn't pay any attention.

Appropriate surveillance is unnecessary; special protection suffices. This group of elite bodyguards, well-versed in the "Three Monkeys and Four Don'ts"—that is, don't look at, don't listen to, don't speak of, don't move—are very discreet and understand the importance of maintaining proper distance. As for the surveillance reports being relayed back to Tokyo, well, watch me handle that—

"Pity."

"What a pity?" Michiko's interest was piqued.

"People always grow up. I have hatred and anger, but when I awoke from my confused hostility, I realized it was unreliable. The spark of ambition must be ignited by myself, and what truly propels me to greater heights is never the shoulders of others. Besides—"

Vera looked at Michiko on the retinal virtual screen, and her smile became much more meaningful.

His shoulder was 'crooked'.

Norinobu betrayed him.

Michiko understood instantly.

For some reason, being stared at by Vera through the video screen gave her a chill. Those deep eyes, even though they were prosthetic, were so intense and bright...

Suppressing the unease in her heart, Michiko said indifferently, "You... your ambition is even greater than I thought." Only after she spoke did she realize that her voice was a little hoarse.

Vera curled the corners of her lips again, as if she didn't care at all whether Michiko was there to question her or not. Stroking her chin, she chuckled and said, "Not at all. Would I have gotten this far?"

"Miss Michiko, do you want real revenge?" she said.

"Call..."

A deep breath.

"Sometimes I think about how I should handle things to satisfy the voices in my father's organization who are eager for revenge and leave behind an inheritance for him." Instead of answering the question directly, Michiko changed her perspective, "Now it seems that I will definitely gain a younger sister."

I support you.

"It's my pleasure."