183: Everything Goes Smoothly

After both sides had confirmed their identities, a meaningful smile curled at the corner of Hansen's lips.

He made an elegant gesture of invitation and led Akechi toward a private area. Barghest guards immediately formed a tight security perimeter around them, keeping bystanders several meters away.

"Miss Hanako needs to consolidate her position within the corporation. Songbird is a valuable card—she should be able to bring Miss Hanako considerable benefits."

Faced with Hansen's opening attempt to talk up her value, Akechi smiled faintly. Neither confirming nor denying it, he merely said calmly, "It seems Mr. Hansen knows quite a bit about Arasaka's internal affairs. But compared to minor issues between factions, I believe we should be more concerned with the value of the cooperation itself, shouldn't we?"

Hansen grinned, an unreadable glint flashing through his eyes. "Mr. Akechi is right. Business is business."

He spread his hands, his tone carrying the particular smoothness he had cultivated through years of neutrality in Dogtown. "As long as the terms are right, Dogtown's gates will always be open to friends."

The two men walked over to the sofa and sat down.

Songbird raised her head slightly, her gaze drifting briefly between Akechi and Hansen before her eyelids lowered again, as though she had no concern for the negotiation deciding her fate. Her fingers unconsciously rubbed at the hem of her clothes, as if nothing in the outside world could interest her.

The Barghest guards stood neither too close nor too far away, ensuring security without appearing overly wary, leaving ample room for the negotiations.

Akechi did not beat around the bush. "Mr. Hansen, we both know Songbird's value." His voice was steady and certain. "New America, Militech, and other corporations would all pay any price to obtain her. But what Arasaka can offer