Chapter 61
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Chapter 61
Night City, Arasaka Tower.
Six years ago, this world-class skyscraper was rebuilt atop nuclear ruins.
It stood opposite the Militech building, as if resurrecting from a bygone era.
In front of Tang Yu, Michiko mentioned the past of both, seemingly with an ulterior motive.
Her tone was even and calm, candidly saying to Tang Yu,
"I once thought about returning to the Kyoto estate, after all, that's where the core of the Arasaka family lies."
"But the Arasaka family cannot stay confined in its corner any longer, fantasizing about a return to past glories."
"We need to confront our enemies, to face them head-on."
Listening to Michiko's 'candid' words, Tang Yu felt increasingly perplexed.
The implication of her words was that she saw herself as the hope for revitalizing the family.
There seemed to be some dissatisfaction with Hanako Arasaka and Yorinobu Arasaka's seclusion in Kyoto.
Tang Yu couldn't fully determine whether Michiko's words were sincere, but he was certain that her strength outmatched that of other Arasaka family members.
Relying on maneuvering the Militech card for a higher position within the clan was clearly not a good idea.
The conflict between Arasaka and Militech was irreconcilable, and their primary businesses, military, arms, and security, dictated their fundamental interests.
The market pie could no longer expand, and growth could only come from encroaching on each other's shares.
In today's fiercely competitive environment, whoever stands still will be trampled.
Once the two corporate giants clash again, Michiko's role and position would cease to exist.
Moreover.
The Arasaka family still held trump cards, nowhere as precarious as Michiko described.
Tang Yu remained silent, guessing Michiko's intentions well enough, quietly waiting for her to continue her soliloquy.
Michiko seemed indifferent to Tang Yu's silence, continuing as if talking to herself,
"After the nuclear explosion, it was proven that there were no winners."
"Although we found evidence that Militech covertly supported the nuclear attack."
"The course of events didn't unfold as we anticipated. Instead of a wave of opposition against Militech, it gave our adversaries an even stronger foothold."
"The rulers of the New United States capitalized on the nuclear event to force Militech's nationalization."
"After the high integration of government and enterprise, Militech was no longer just a military-industrial company but a true military-industrial complex."
"Power, resources, money, technology, armaments – all these forces concentrate and integrate into the behemoth of today."
"This behemoth, reborn from the Fourth Corporate War's fires, has grown into the world's most formidable unilateral power."
"Arasaka is not yet ready to go to war with them again."
At this point,
Tang Yu began to suspect Michiko might be aware of last night's dealings.
Arasaka's elite team took out Caitlin, and Michiko struck a deal with Militech's Meredith Stout to cover up the truth about the Arasaka special task force's execution.
If this truth were to leak, it would surely cause an uproar in Arasaka Tower.
Not only would Michiko's years of tolerance and maneuvering with Militech be in vain, but also all her efforts.
It could also give Yorinobu Arasaka an opportunity to come to Night City and start an open offensive against Militech.
Even if a large-scale war doesn't erupt, small-scale conflicts will undoubtedly become more frequent and intense.
And if, somehow,
Tang Yu was framed for colluding with the Militech special operations chief, dismissal would not be the end of it.Reflecting on this, Tang Yu decided to first stabilize Michiko. It wasn't time to bail out just yet. Since Michiko was testing him, he could also make a stance as a test for her.
"I work in the Counter-Intelligence Department, and at least in terms of intelligence, I'm quite familiar with the internal situation of the company," he began.
"The Militech sector has been continuously intensifying its efforts to penetrate our intelligence."
"The recent Voodoo Boys' attack on the Special Task Force could not have happened without the support of Militech."
"This just goes to show that Militech has an edge over us in the intelligence channels, and it has even infiltrated into certain departments, which we must guard against."
Michiko frowned slightly; naturally, she was aware of all this since it had already been discussed by the board. Tang Yu didn't mind giving Susan Abernathy a forewarning, then he smoothly shifted the conversation.
"Six years ago, to return to Night City, Harusaka waged a Metal War against the Militech, even bringing an aircraft carrier to oversee the battle."
"This action earned Harusaka a chance to return to Night City, yet its current foothold is unstable; a direct confrontation with Militech would only put Harusaka at a disadvantage in its American ventures."
"I believe this is not what Harusaka wishes to see."
Seeing no reaction from Michiko, Tang Yu knew she was waiting for a more substantial statement from him, not willing to take action until she saw results.
He continued, "To speak frankly, I've made a detailed inquiry into today's board meeting."
"Many directors are very displeased with the Militech, believing it's supporting the Voodoo Boys from behind, and are demanding countermeasures against Militech."
"The call to retaliate is too strong; forcefully suppressing it will only make things more difficult."
"Therefore, we need to adopt certain measures that both achieve our goal of retaliation and avoid open conflict."
"Only this way can we satisfy both sides and attain the desired outcome."
Tang Yu didn't explicitly say it, but the trickiest part of the whole affair was Michiko herself. Should our retaliation be misjudged and Militech provoked, they could turn to their backers—the elite politicians of New America who have a lot of influence against you, Michiko. What's more, many Militech executives serve in high ranks within New America. Should that happen, caught between both sides, Michiko would find herself in an extremely embarrassing position.
Years ago, Michiko, in her efforts to retain her American citizenship, had to lobby countless politicians and executives. She had worked hard to achieve what she had today, and should she disappoint Saburo Arasaka back in Kyoto, she would lose everything.
Finally, Michiko relented, seemingly satisfied with Tang Yu's response, and she operated her cybernetic eye to send a command. On the empty metallic floor, a tile collapsed and then rose again, bringing up a chair and placing it in front of the conference table.
"Please, have a seat," she said, and then went to sit at her own desk.
Tang Yu, who had been standing for quite some time, approached and sat down in the chair across from Michiko.
Michiko lightly tapped the surface of the conference table with her fingertips, and immediately various types of image data related to Militech, including the latest updates and some plans, floated up into the air.
"I will grant you access to this high-level Militech intelligence."
"After the official induction orders are generated today, you will need to find the right entry point as soon as possible, and deliver a satisfactory mission result. You will handle the specific details."
"This matter should be reported only to me, and after the mission is completed, it will be submitted for board review."
"Understand, Mr. Tang, the Deputy Director?"