Warhammer: The Time Traveler

Chapter 148 Hostage Exchange (Seventh Update)
At the same time, in the Counterintelligence Department office at Arasaka Tower.

Department head Jenkins rubbed his throbbing temples as he looked at the highest priority alert that had just popped up on the screen—Technology Department Head Tanaka had been kidnapped, and the signal had appeared in an abandoned industrial area on the outskirts of the city; the company's internal security response team had intervened and was engaged in a firefight.

"That idiot!" Jenkins couldn't help but mutter under his breath.

He had long warned the company's executives, who were focused on technology and lacked street experience, to be mindful of their personal safety, especially when engaging in private activities.

Tanaka, on the other hand, didn't even bring bodyguards in order to save some so-called "private space," and ended up being kidnapped by a group of unidentified armed men.

What troubled him most was that his most capable subordinate, Valerie, was currently in Europe dealing with a critical matter concerning the company's European cybersecurity and was unable to leave his post.

The counterintelligence department currently has enough manpower to handle routine surveillance and intelligence analysis, but it is stretched thin when dealing with sudden, high-intensity armed conflicts and crisis negotiations.

Although the Technology Department and the Counterintelligence Department both belong to Arasaka, there is internal competition and discord between them.

Jenkins had heard of the "Giant Prosthetic Body" project that Tanaka was in charge of, and knew that it was a hot potato that required huge investment but was not progressing well.

Now that the project leader has been kidnapped and is involved in armed conflict, if this is not handled properly, not only will the technical department lose face, but the security capabilities of the entire Arasaka Yoru no Shiro branch will also be questioned by headquarters.

He couldn't ignore it, but he also couldn't easily interfere.

Send counterintelligence personnel directly to take over the scene? That would offend the internal security department, and their people might not be able to handle the situation better than professional combat personnel.

Jenkins quickly weighed the pros and cons.

He first had to report to higher authorities, explain the situation, and absolve the counterintelligence department of responsibility.

After all, this accident was caused by the negligence of the head of the technical department, and the security forces have already intervened.

At the same time, he also had to find a way to control the situation, prevent the conflict from escalating, and prevent Tanaka from actually dying or the company's important project information from being leaked.

He immediately contacted the head of internal security, his tone serious: "I understand the situation on the ground. Ensuring the personal safety of Supervisor Tanaka is the top priority! Subdue the criminals while ensuring his safety. I need real-time battlefield footage and intelligence sharing."

After ending the communication, he quickly drafted an emergency report to the top management of headquarters and the Night City branch, objectively stating the course of events and current progress, and emphasizing that the counterintelligence department was "closely monitoring and coordinating the handling."

After finishing these procedural tasks, he leaned back in his chair, his brow furrowed.

Relying solely on those muscle-bound brains of internal security who only know how to launch brute force is probably not enough to solve the problem. What if they push the kidnappers too far and Tanaka gets killed, or... a more terrifying thought flashed through his mind: what if this group of kidnappers is the same group as the last one...

He pulled up surveillance footage and communication interception records from the area surrounding the industrial zone, hoping to find some clues.

Soon, technical analysts reported that, based on preliminary investigations into the vehicles and communication methods used by the kidnappers, they strongly suspected a connection to the recently prominent Mann Squad.

“Mann’s team…” Jenkins’ heart sank.

It was them again! He immediately recalled the disastrous consequences of Abernathy's unauthorized actions and the fragile ceasefire that Valerie had painstakingly achieved, in exchange for Abernathy's future and company compensation.

If it's them again this time, and Tanaka was kidnapped because his stupid "cybernetic body" project targeted their people... then we're in big trouble!
He couldn't directly send counterintelligence personnel to take over the scene, as that would completely escalate the conflict and could also backfire.

He needs a more... indirect approach.

He thought of the channel Valerie had previously established to contact Mann's team through the middleman priest.

Even though Valerie is gone, this line might still be usable.
-
Inside the abandoned warehouse, bullets flew everywhere, and metal scraps were scattered all around.

The Arasaka Security Forces' firepower was fierce, but Mann's squad, relying on cover, returned fire accurately and efficiently, temporarily holding off the offensive.

"Mann! This is never going to end!" Dorio changed to a new magazine, her tone impatient. "Shouldn't we show them some real stuff?"

She was referring to the heavy weapons they had obtained from Chen Yu, weapons far exceeding the conventional firepower of this era. Mann's eyes were cold as he glanced at Tanaka, whom he had pinned behind cover, his face pale from the stray bullets and explosions.

He certainly wanted to solve the problem in a more direct way. But...

“No,” he said in a deep voice, “we can’t make a big fuss, or it will be difficult to rescue David.”

A forced breakout might be possible, but it would inevitably alert the enemy, increasing the difficulty and risk of rescuing David.

Just then, Sasha, who was in charge of communications monitoring, suddenly spoke in the team channel, her tone tinged with surprise: "Mann! It's Father on the phone! It's Jenkins from Arasaka's counterintelligence department. He requests to speak directly with you."

“Jenkins?” Mann raised an eyebrow, instantly understanding the other party’s intention.

That old fox must have received news of Tanaka's attack and discovered that they were the ones who did it. He was afraid of getting himself into trouble again, so he couldn't sit still.

"Take it," he commanded, his voice hard and cold as he spoke into the communicator: "Director Jenkins, you've picked a terrible time to call."

From the other end of the communication came Jenkins's voice, which was trying to remain calm but couldn't hide his tension: "Mr. Mann, I think there's been a serious misunderstanding between us. If we stop fighting, we can avoid unnecessary casualties."

"Misunderstanding?" Mann sneered, suppressing a firing position that was trying to emerge with a burst of bullets. "Your technical director set a trap to kidnap our people, and now your security forces have us surrounded here. Director Jenkins, is this Arasaka's sincerity in 'cooperation'?"

"Tanaka's actions are a serious overreach of authority! The Counterintelligence Department did not authorize, and absolutely does not condone, such behavior!" Jenkins immediately distanced himself, his tone adopting the official jargon of a company executive. "But right now, violence won't solve the problem. I understand that your target is that young man named David Martinez?"

“That’s right.” Mann didn’t shy away from the question. “Where is he?”

“He is currently in a… protected location,” Jenkins said cautiously. “I can arrange his release. But only if Director Tanaka returns to the company safely.”

Mann understood the underlying meaning of Jenkins' words and was happy to oblige.

“Sure,” he answered readily. “Have your men retreat immediately and clear the way. We’ll release the prisoners at the same time—you deliver David to the designated location, and I’ll return Tanaka to you.”

Jenkins was silent for a few seconds, clearly making a quick assessment.

Trading a nobody, even a potentially troublesome street kid, for a high-ranking company executive and the potential of a project, while avoiding further conflict with this troublesome team and the forces behind them, is a worthwhile deal.

“Deal,” Jenkins finally said, his tone regaining more control. “But I need to ensure Director Tanaka’s safety before the exchange. Also, the release location must be mutually agreed upon to ensure the process… is controllable.”

“Okay,” Mann agreed. “Have your people coordinate with Sasha on the details. Remember, Jenkins, if David loses even a single hair, this deal is off. Then, it won’t be us coming to you. I think you understand, David is the boss’s apprentice.”

He deliberately mentioned "the person behind it," which was a self-evident form of deterrence.

Jenkins clearly understood the implication, and his tone became even more serious: "I understand. Arasaka will keep his promise. Now, please allow me to order the troops to retreat, creating space for...negotiations between us."

Communication is temporarily interrupted.

Soon, the gunfire outside the warehouse noticeably subsided, and the Arasaka security forces began an orderly retreat, disengaging from direct contact but maintaining a remote blockade.

"They've left," Dorio confirmed, letting out a slight sigh of relief.

Rebecca pouted and put away her weapon: "Tsk, boring. I thought I could try out the new 'big treasure'."

“Saving David is the priority,” Mann said in a deep voice, his eyes still scanning the window warily. “Sasha, finalize the details of the exchange with them. Dorio, keep an eye on our ‘guests.’ The rest of you, stay alert and prevent them from trying anything funny.”

A temporary, fragile calm descended upon the warehouse, both inside and out.

(End of this chapter)