Infinity, progressing from Arasaka

Instead of being a marginalized individual, become a corporate dog.

Ugh, I'm such a bad person.

Vera felt she did have some talent, especially when she was being cunning.

She had never thought about how to deal with this young legend before, but as soon as they met, she didn't need any advice. In no time, she had a thousand thoughts and figured out how to win him over and use him.

Yes, it's all Arasaka's fault!

It was Arasaka who made me turn bad.

"So, first, struggle to survive at Arasaka Academy, endure torture, and strive to improve yourself."

Vera deftly lifted the glass filled with ice water with her slender fingers. After taking a small sip, she leaned back on the sofa and looked through the glass window at the growing number of new students. Although chaotic, the formation was quiet and orderly.

Soon, the freshman admission ceremony began. Upon entering the venue, Vera, as a former top student, outstanding alumna, and member of the Arasaka leadership, was invited to the central stage to listen leisurely to the short, stout principal's speech.

A little while later, she will also be going on stage to give a speech. According to the rehearsal schedule, she should also have to deal with some questions from the younger generation.

piece of cake.

There's not much to say; as a director at Umbrella, Vera was used to giving speeches and attending ceremonies of this kind.

In America, Vera had honed her skills in dealing with all sorts of journalists, rights organizations, charities, and so on, including lying through her teeth, fabricating stories, refusing to answer questions, downplaying the main points, changing the subject, shifting the focus, making false assumptions, and labeling people... and so on.

"Next, please welcome Vera Adelheid Russell, Head of the Class of 2070 at Arasaka Tower Academy, to offer her blessings upon entering the academy!"

------

Chapter 019 Friend of Villains

"Good morning."

Vera appeared calm and composed, with a formulaic smile, yet exuding an air of confidence.

“I am Vera Adelheid Russell.”

"As your senior, I am honored to be invited to participate in this year's Night City Arasaka Tower Academy freshman entrance ceremony."

"To quote what Saburo Arasaka often said, 'Fallen flowers are hard to return to the branches.' No matter who you are, from the moment you are born, there will always be a time when you leave the protective swaddling clothes of your parents and face the storms alone."

"Now that you have arrived here, this marks your first step towards independence and self-reliance."

"The road is winding, but the future is bright. New things will inevitably replace old things. Similarly, the growth of Arasaka needs the injection of fresh blood, and that is you."

……

"Thank you all for listening."

Ordinary and unremarkable.

With a formulaic, sincere smile and a calm tone, Vera delivered a speech about family, responsibility, obligation, the transition between generations, and the future belonging to them, smoothly concluding her role for the day.

These are all statements that fit Arasaka Company's style.

Da da.

After stepping off the stage, Vera did not return to her seat in the VIP section. Instead, she went to a corner on the edge of the venue and observed the various people in the room with great interest.

Lacking connections and relying on their parents' best efforts to pay for their tuition, the rather naive child showed an excited expression.

She made a solemn promise to her parents, seemingly looking forward to the day she graduated, joining Arasaka as 'fresh blood,' and then using her own salary to repay her parents and fulfill the 'family' obligations that Vera spoke of.

Knowing something, but only to a limited extent, and understanding that Arakasaka was difficult to get into, the boy was somewhat inspired after hearing Vera's personal account.

I'm determined to work hard to get into Arasaka High School, make a name for myself, and start studying like crazy as soon as school starts.

Oh, and there are also people who don't catch a cold at all.

Children whose parents are company employees are often arrogant and haughty, clapping even when reminded by their parents, and more or less aware of what Vera's position level means. They applaud enthusiastically whenever a leader goes on stage.

Their future has already been planned.

David Martinez is a newcomer somewhere in between the second type.

He naturally recognized Vera, but he wasn't stupid enough to exclaim or make a fuss in this situation.

He listened attentively to Vera's speech, but unfortunately the Q&A session with the new students was pre-arranged and he didn't have the chance to stand up and ask a question.

He vaguely knew that this place was not suitable for him, but Vera's words made him somewhat inclined to believe her.

My mom always says he's very smart. This is his chance to climb into Arasaka Tower, and he's one of the top performers in this entrance exam, even better than many dissolute company kids.

Under his mother's hopeful, tearful gaze, David silently clenched his fists.

As Vera said in her speech, 'family, duty, responsibility'—he didn't understand much else, but he was grateful to his single mother for raising him with such hardship in this run-down place like Night City, and for giving everything to earn money to send him to Arasaka Academy!

clap clap-

The ceremony concluded successfully shortly afterward.

Many people from the same company began to gather in a circle, and then they would bring their children and politely introduce and recommend each other.

Vera had no interest in spending too much time there. After briefly offering encouragement and blessings to the children of several employees belonging to the security department, she took her leave, citing busy official business.

It's not exactly an excuse. Arasaka doesn't give you that many holidays. The company employees present probably won't be able to chat for long after the ceremony ends before they have to go back to work.

With a heartfelt farewell from the sturdy and robust principal, Vera, accompanied by her bodyguards, left the venue, walked through the lush green campus's ornamental plant area, and headed towards her hovercar.

Then, Vera spotted a middle-aged man with a serious face and a burly build, wearing the Arasaka-style black and red uniform, leading a mushroom-haired young man with a somewhat frivolous and flamboyant appearance standing next to her hovercar.

"Director Russell, hello. I am Shinichi Tanaka. I am honored to have you at Arasaka Academy and have been waiting for you here." The middle-aged man stepped forward and bowed. (PS: The original work only has a surname, not a given name; I made up the name.)

In response, the scanning program that captured Shinichi Tanaka's facial information and employee serial number automatically retrieved relevant information about Shinichi Tanaka from Vera's retina.

Shinichi Tanaka, mid-level manager in the research and development department of Night City Arasaka.

A scholarly type of cadre, belonging to the Night City R&D department, responsible for the sub-unit of testing new types of cybernetic bodies, exoskeletons, and mechs.

One of the board members of the Night City Arasaka Tower Academy, with experience working at the academy, loyal to the interests of Arasaka Corporation, a senior employee, and also one of the test managers for the Arasaka Experimental Product Project.

"Lord Tanaka."

Vera nodded, stepped forward, and extended her hand for a light handshake.

Tanaka, a long-time employee who considers the company his home, may not have the same rank or real power as someone in the security department who is in charge of the violent organs, but he is still a senior middle-level manager.

"This is my son, Katsuo Tanaka."

Tanaka turned to the mushroom-headed kid and said, "He doesn't like R&D, but has long admired the prestige of the security department."

Oh, so you want to get your son into the security department.

"Like father, like son. I believe in your abilities, but do you think we'll have a chance to meet again?"

As she spoke, Vera paced to look at Katsuo Tanaka, a half-smile on her face, looking down at him meaningfully, and said, "Don't waste your time and become decadent at the academy. If you have the means and ability, then train your body properly. Hacking skills, firearms proficiency, close combat... remember, it's not just for show."

"Yes Yes..."

For some reason, Vera's deep gaze put Tanaka Katsuo under immense mental and emotional stress.

He had never felt so breathless, not even during the most intense moments of watching Blackie's Dream. He instinctively straightened up, especially when the other person was looking at him. All the burly bodyguards around him focused their attention on him, and his face turned red.

"Very good, keep going."

Vera nodded to Tanaka, then boarded the hovercar surrounded by a group of people. The "Black and White Duo" rode together, while the other bodyguards drove out of Arasaka Academy in official vehicles to the company square.

hum...bum...

The blue exhaust flames of the vector engine surged forth. After a long while, as Vera's luxurious black hovercar slowly disappeared into the distance, Shinichi Tanaka straightened up from his slightly bowed position and looked at his rather thin son with a serious expression.

"From now on, stay away from your group of bad friends."

“Study hard in school, graduate, pass the assessment, and enter the security department. I don’t care if you called me today or because of the Watson incident last night. Now that Commander Vera has informed you, there’s absolutely no room for you to back out halfway.”

"Remember, climbing the ladder isn't child's play. If you're not capable enough by then... don't blame me for being ruthless."

------

PS: The opening remarks were inspired by the ending of 2077, specifically the speech given by Saburo Arasaka after he was resurrected in Yorihiro's body.

Based on the Edgewalker animation, Tanaka's position is likely not high, perhaps mid-level, but he is a senior employee.

David and Katsuo Tanaka, well, I've got an idea.

Chapter 020 Vera is a workaholic, but Arasaka...

2074/12/23

cloudy day.

rain.

Moisture, mold, dust, rust, chemicals, and the acrid smell of burnt blood.

The streets in the light drizzle were littered with the mess of broken shop windows. Glass shards and broken utensils were scattered everywhere, shimmering dimly in the rain.

The trash cans on the street were overturned, and garbage, paper parade signs, flags, plastic bottles, bricks, and even clothes and other waste were scattered all over the ground.

They mixed with blood and rainwater to form a muddy mess, becoming completely integrated after countless tramplings.

"call..."

In the lobby of the dark building bearing the Arasaka Clover logo, Vera gazed at the gloomy world shrouded in drizzle before the floor-to-ceiling windows. She parted her lips slightly, exhaling a plume of smoke that dissipated and was expelled by the ventilation system.

Standing among a group of corporate employees, some smirking, some mocking, and some expressionless, she quietly observed the scene before her.

"You son of a bitch, do you know that what you're doing is illegal?"