Chapter 57
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At Arasaka Tower in Night City during a Board Meeting, Michiko suddenly proposed that Tang Yu be appointed as the Deputy Head of the Special Operations Division, leaving the people both inside and outside the conference room immensely surprised. It was unprecedented in the history of Arasaka for one person to hold two deputy head positions.
As Susan Abernathy was about to take a sip of her coffee, she almost choked upon hearing this suggestion. She had been suspended for three months, but now Tang Yu was to serve as deputy head of two departments? The blatant favoritism could not have been more obvious. She immediately surmised Michiko's intentions: to suppress the opposition and curry favor with the counterintelligence department.
If Tang Yu were to succeed in securing the position of Deputy Head of Special Operations, he would undoubtedly be immensely grateful to Michiko. Tang Yu, having used Jenkins as a stepping stone, was reaching for the higher branches of the Arasaka family. With the experience from these two deputy positions, he had a high chance of being promoted to a director role.
For some reason, Susan Abernathy was not at all concerned about the threat posed by Jenkins' promotion. Instead, she saw Tang Yu as the likely dark horse who could potentially even take over her director position. Although she had connections at the Arasaka headquarters, they would not be able to help her in an immediate crisis.
As time went on, Michiko's influence in Night City would only grow. Tang Yu, the lone wolf within the Arasaka Corporation, was just the right person for Michiko to utilize. The board members could also sense the real intent behind Tang Yu's promotion. Those in Michiko's faction naturally supported the proposal, while the unaffected members were still observing the situation.
However, a board member in charge of Special Operations, and a direct superior to Abernathy, spoke out against it. "I don't think it's appropriate for one person to hold two department head positions," he stated. "The work nature of both departments is completely different, and the workload is extensive. How could one person manage it all?" "I suggest we select someone from Special Operations who is experienced and capable for the promotion."
Michiko did not deign to argue with him and did not even give him a proper glance. Other board members from her faction quickly countered, saying, "Promote from Special Operations? Do you want to repeat the debacle we had today?" "From what I see, Special Operations has received significant funding these past years but has accomplished very little, their focus seems to be on combatting their colleagues."
"The department is now desperately trying to take over the functions of counterintelligence, aren't they?" "I still remember Tang Yu; he was on a mission at the border not long ago when Abernathy ordered him to be recalled. Perhaps we should revisit that incident?"
Clearly, the Michiko faction had done their homework on the matter of recalling Tang Yu to Arasaka Tower beforehand. Another board member chimed in, "Having one person serve as the head of both departments can serve as a balancing and coordinating force, avoiding Special Operations from having too poor an image." "Moreover, without Tang Yu's support, Special Operations would probably fail miserably this time."
With those words, the other board members refrained from further argument. No matter the dispute, the fault lay with Special Operations. Even if the meeting records were sent to headquarters for Saburo Arasaka to review, the department would still face punishment.
Internal manipulation that led to the deaths of several Arasaka security personnel was not something that could be easily dismissed with a few words. Michiko looked on coldly until the dissenting board member gradually lowered his head and stopped speaking.
"If you all disagree, I can connect with the Kyoto headquarters right now and ask Lord Saburo to decide on this matter," she threatened. "However, things will not be as simple then." At the mention of Saburo Arasaka.The venue became utterly silent, with no one voicing opposition.
It was a decisive strike.
Upon seeing the board members tacitly approve the proposal, Michiko, representing the board, publicly announced the decision.
Once it was confirmed there were no objections.
Contented, Michiko immediately declared the meeting adjourned and was the first to leave her seat, with her bodyguards swiftly following.
The board meeting officially ended that morning.
Soon after.
The board announced their decision regarding the significant losses from internal espionage.
In the over one hundred floors of Arasaka Tower, every department was broadcasting this announcement.
Special Operations Director Susan Abernathy, suspended for three months, with a salary penalty for twenty-four months, was to review her responsibilities to the board and conduct an internal review within the Special Operations department.
The head of the department was held accountable for the same responsibilities and punishments, in addition to a collective salary penalty for the department for six months.
Employees on all floors of Arasaka Tower were astonished upon hearing the news.
The mighty Special Operations department had received such severe penalties.
At that moment.
On the thirty-third floor of Arasaka Tower.
The Counter-Intelligence Department staff all paused their work to read the announcement.
An additional six months' salary bonus was awarded for the year, with department head Arthur Jenkins commended for meritorious service, and Tang Yu appointed as the acting deputy head of the Special Operations department.
Tang Yu was sitting in Jenkins' office, watching the board meeting online throughout.
He hadn't fully processed the news that he was now the acting deputy head of two departments.
Even with his strategic mind, he didn't foresee Michiko making this move.
Tang Yu maintained his composure, not letting the sudden promotion cloud his judgment.
Jenkins disconnected from the live feed, turned to Tang Yu, and applauded heartily, laughing.
"Bravo! This board meeting couldn't have gone better for my liking!"
"Tang, you've certainly made an impression at the board meeting, Miss Michiko has a good impression of you."
"You should know, among the many executives in Arasaka Tower, only she bears the Arasaka name."
"Having caught her attention, your career has just opened up to many more possibilities."
Tang Yu spread his hands with a hint of helplessness: "Miss Michiko has really put me on the hot seat."
Seeing his serene demeanor and no signs of eagerness for the promotion, Jenkins was secretly pleased.
"Let's not speak dishearteningly. How many people in the company wish to be in your 'hot seat'? Do they have the ability?"
"You are the only one in the entire Arasaka Tower who has been a deputy head of two important departments, the signal for promotion is very clear."
"Moreover, Miss Michiko is the one who nominated you; whoever opposes you is opposing the Arasaka family."
"So don't worry too much, even if the Special Operations department tries to target you, they will have to tread lightly."
"Otherwise, if caught again, the consequences will be more severe than just a suspension."
Jenkins walked to the liquor cabinet, took out two heavy-bottomed glasses, and poured his favorite whiskey seldomly done.
The rich, aromatic scent of whiskey filled the room as he poured the brown-red liquid into the glasses, filling them one-third.
After a couple of sips of this premium, strong spirit, one's face tends to flush.
"Come, sit here and let's talk."
Jenkins gestured for Tang Yu to sit on the black leather sofa in the visitors' area.
Tang Yu stood up, took the whiskey from Jenkins, and settled alone on the sofa.
Jenkins took his glass and comfortably leaned back in his chair, crossing his legs and gently swinging his shoe, which gleamed brightly.
Raising his glass, Jenkins started with a smile.
"Tang, congratulations on being appointed the deputy head of the Special Operations department."
"Making you the first person in Arasaka Corporation to hold two deputy head positions."
They toasted to each other.
The whiskey kicked in.
Their throats burned.
Jenkins laughed.
And so did Tang Yu.