Cyberpunk: 2075.

Chapter 755, page 169: Entering the Gemstone Green

As the Aguilar elevator arrived at the banquet floor, the Wise Squad had already completed the clearing of all planned routes.

"Your Excellency, all personnel have been subdued and the situation cleared." The team member put away the sizzling stun gun, the insulated gloves still bearing the scorch marks of the high-voltage arc. "As per your instructions, a non-lethal strike was carried out using the stun gun adjusted to nerve paralysis mode. All targets' vital signs are stable, and the estimated duration of unconsciousness is 4 hours and 38 minutes."

The operative glanced at the hounds being moved aside by the team's technicians and continued reporting: "It has been confirmed that the bioelectrical feedback of all implanted sensors in their bodies has been cut off, and the detection system will only show that they are in a normal state."

"You guys did a great job."

Mingzhi nodded slightly, and this simple praise made the operatives standing in front of him unconsciously straighten their backs: "It is our honor to receive your praise."

To make up for the mistakes caused by their previous rash actions, every member of the team was willing to go through fire and water for His Excellency Wise.

Mingzhi nodded slightly, turning his gaze to the hacker girl who had come with the team: "How long do you expect it to take to obtain higher-level privileges?"

“Mr. Tianhai has already deployed relay equipment during the ascent,” the hacker girl responded quickly, her fingers flying across the keyboard of her portable computer. “Control of the edge elevator and entrance is expected to be completed within ten minutes.”

Even the strongest fortress cannot withstand internal collapse.

With Tianhai disguised as Aguilar and the intrusion devices he placed in the elevator, the defense system of the Gemstone Blue Building was easily breached, even with Hansen's men stationed there.

The progress was surprisingly smooth.

The mysterious hacker who had put so much pressure on the hacker girl during the day was now completely silent. The expected fierce confrontation did not occur, and she and the slider easily seized control of the edge elevator and the entrance door.

"It has been cracked."

Things went much more smoothly than expected. After the team disarmed and restricted the hounds at the entrance, the hacker girl and Slide took full control of the entrance in just three minutes, a full seven minutes faster than the expected ten minutes.

It must be said that although the Akechi Squad did not perform well when facing Li De, the ace agent of the Joint Intelligence Agency, they were still the elite of Arasaka. They were very efficient when dealing with the Ghost Hounds. Especially with the help of Slippery, a local of Dogtown, Akechi quickly obtained an invitation to meet Hansen.

"The banquet hasn't started yet. Hansen is already on the roof. Shall we go up there early, Your Excellency?"

"The military technology and the people from the new America haven't shown up yet, so there's no rush to go up now."

Mingzhi looked at the elevator entrance that had opened in front of him and asked, "Are there any floors where we can disarm in advance so that even if there are any errors in our operation, we can still evacuate in advance?"

"There are three floors that can be used as buffer zones for evacuation. Your Excellency, we can set off immediately at your command."

"Let's go together now." After leaving behind the necessary personnel for backup, Mingzhi led the rest of the team to take the elevator to the upper floors of the Gemstone Blue Building. As the elevator ascended, Mingzhi saw an internal channel that had been transferred to him. It was the internal communication channel of the Netherhound that Slider had obtained for Mingzhi during the hacking process.

This communication channel was originally set up as a preventative listening line to monitor the movements of the hounds at the entrance and prevent other patrols from noticing any unusual activity. However, at this moment, Akechi caught an intriguing conversation amidst the static.

"Repeating the order: Lieutenant Colonel Bennett has given clear instructions that if the treasurer, Gago, is found to be acting suspiciously during the succession ceremony, he should be immediately detained and reported to Colonel Hansen immediately." A hoarse male voice came through the communicator, accompanied by the metallic clang of a weapon being released.

“Gagozab? To specifically monitor him during such a sensitive time?” Another, younger voice hesitated. “Does Lieutenant Colonel Bennett really think that accountant who’s always on the computer would dare to pull any tricks in this situation?”

"Who else could be Colonel Hansen's successor besides Lieutenant Colonel Bennett?" the previous voice sneered. "But who can guarantee that Gagozab, that smiling tiger, won't have ulterior motives? Although we don't know what kind of spell that sycophant has cast on the colonel, since the colonel values ​​him so much, and Lieutenant Colonel Bennett specifically emphasized that even if we have to take action, we must spare his life—unless, of course, we get Colonel Hansen's personal permission."

"Understood, I will have men keep a close eye on Gagozab's people."

Listening to the communication, it was clear that a high-ranking Netherhound was issuing commands to its subordinates, and Mingzhi sensed the hidden secret within.

This is clearly a member of the Bennett faction, wary of their rival in the succession dispute—financial manager Gagzab.

That's it
A glimmer of understanding flashed in Mingzhi's eyes. Only those involved could truly understand the purpose of this banquet. For ordinary members of the Netherhounds, and even for Bennett and Gagozab, who were on the list of successors, Hansen and the company's plans were certainly related to the future of the entire force, but this successor selection was also related to their personal life and death.
Perhaps compared to those major events that can be resolved by someone taller, the struggle for succession is more urgent for them.

After all, the conflict between the two had long been on the surface. Within the Ghost Hound organization, even Hansen's prestige was becoming increasingly uncontrollable. If one of them successfully rose to power, the fate of the other after Hansen's resignation was predictable.
In this decisive game, the selection of the heir is almost equivalent to the final judgment.

Once one side is officially chosen, the other side has very few options left—either immediately submit and swear allegiance, or flee the territory of the Netherhound overnight, otherwise, death awaits them.

Regardless of what Bennett and Gagzab think in private, the decision on the successor still rests with Hansen. Just as previously speculated, the partners will be decided first, and then the successor will be chosen.

But perhaps we could consider other possibilities?
Perhaps we could decide on a successor first, get rid of Hansen, and then decide on a partner?

If what Hansen holds in his hands, his two heirs also hold in their hands, then this cooperation might not just be something to discuss with Hansen.

As the elevator ascended, Mingzhi pondered, his gaze gradually calmed and became undisturbed. Meanwhile, in the sapphire-blue underground waterway, someone had already completed their infiltration.

"call."

V took off his wetsuit and exhaled.

(End of this chapter)