Chapter 50: Chapter 50
Cyberpunk: Legendary Life
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Jenkins never expected the operation to end in such a monumental victory. Not only had the Counter-Intelligence Department not lost a single agent, but they also managed to flush out an internal mole, Carter Smith. At the same time, Jenkins had taken the opportunity to thoroughly sabotage Susan Abernathy, the woman he despised most in his life, leaving her to face a significant setback. Jenkins's maneuvers had successfully highlighted Susan Abernathy's incompetence to the higher-ups, bolstering his own standing within the company. He felt content and elated, his happiness rooted in the adage that one's joy is often predicated on another's suffering—In this case, built on Susan Abernathy's distress.
The only disappointment for Jenkins was the failure to secure the primary target, the experimental military-grade cyberware. This meant he wouldn't have much sway at the board meeting since the task had been assigned to the Counter-Intelligence Department. However, even if he faced criticism, the brunt of it would fall on Susan Abernathy, giving him ample reason to shift the blame onto the Special Operations Division.
But when Tang Yu informed him that they had also obtained the operational data from the military-grade Sandevistan cyberware, Jenkins felt like Tang Yu was Santa Claus, always bringing surprises. He was thankful for his keen judgment years ago in promoting Tang Yu against all objections. With these thoughts, Jenkins couldn't help but express his excitement to Tang Yu: "Tang, you really deserve a big commendation for this! No reward would be too much."
"I must advocate for your rightful rewards at the board meeting!"
"Since you've given me a surprise, I'll also arrange one for you. Just wait for it."
People's emotions don't often align, and Tang Yu merely offered a polite smile in response, "Mr. Jenkins, I'll process the cyberware operational data and bring it to you tomorrow during work hours."
Jenkins replied, "Good. Be careful. The Arasaka elite squad has returned to Arasaka Tower for debriefing. Be extra vigilant about Abernathy in the meantime."
"With her temperament, she'll definitely have a new plan for you."
Hearing Jenkins's concerned tone, Tang Yu was reminded of the corporate creed that to be valued, one must provide equivalent worth. If Caitlin from Special Operations had been successful today, she'd certainly have climbed the ranks in Abernathy's eyes. Unfortunately, the cutthroat nature of the Arasaka corporate world meant that not everyone was lucky enough to get a second chance.
"I understand."
Although Tang Yu knew Abernathy would have a contingency plan, he was curious to see how she would attempt to justify herself the next day. After exchanging the necessary information with Jenkins, they ended the call.
Jackieie, who had been sitting silently in the car all this time, finally seized the opportunity to join in the excitement with a thumbs-up to Tang Yu: "Hermano (brother), you really pulled off something amazing this time. You totally dominated those Militech geeks."
"You should've seen that woman leading them in her uniform; she looked even more upset than if she'd seen the King of Hell."
"At first, I thought we were actually going to go up against Militech, guns in hand, all awkward and sloppy."
"Damn! Almost scared myself into having a nervous breakdown."
"But seeing those Arasaka armored aerodynes escort us, I suddenly felt so bold!"
"Seriously, dude, I got a taste of how the corporate executives strut out - not bad at all!"
Taking advantage of Jackieie's lingering excitement, Tang Yu teased, "If you had gone down to negotiate with Meredith just now, I bet they would have been even more shocked!"
Jackieie continued the joke, feigning surprise, "My God! Since when did a kid from the Arasaka nobility show up in Heywood?"
Continuing, Jackieie joked with a hint of resignation, "With my bulky frame, I don't exactly look like someone born into corporate high society. Instead, it's you, who have the looks that chicas love, appearing every bit the part of the aristocratic heir."
Tang Yu laughed and enlightened Jackieie with an example, "Don't speak too soon, even in the Arasaka family there were some who turned to the streets."
"Arasaka's Yorinobu, that kid, he disappeared the night of his graduation party when he was twenty-one."
"He vanished for four whole years, and in that time, he founded the street racing gang 'Iron Dragons,' constantly opposing his father Arasaka Saburo."
Jackieie had heard something about this, but wasn't clear on what Yorinobu's motives were.
"So, Yorinobu did end up returning to take over Arasaka, didn't he? What was going on in his head at first; why turn away from power, fame, and fortune?"
Tang Yu looked at Jackieie seriously and said, "It's not that simple. It's said that Yorinobu did it all for his ambitions and ideals, wanting to put an end to Arasaka's evil reign."
"There's even street talk that Yorinobu idolized Johnny Silverhand, but could the truth be so easily uncovered by the world?"
Jackieie, seeing the gravity on Tang Yu's face, suspected there was a significant secret at play and held his breath as he anxiously asked, "So, what is the real truth?"
Tang Yu, with a somewhat solemn expression, uttered four words.
"Arasaka Hanako."
Seeing Jackieie completely stunned and seemingly unable to grasp the secrecy, he continued to explain.
"Arasaka Saburo, out of fear that the dirty world would taint his daughter Hanako's pure heart, kept her isolated and protected within the family estate from a young age."
Jackieie asked curiously, "Wow, how did she pass all that time in her crystal cage? Origami? Crossword puzzles?"
Tang Yu went on, "Hanako was only allowed to leave the estate once a month, and during those times, she sought every opportunity to see her older brother, Yorinobu."
"Later, through the net, Hanako learned of more of Arasaka's bloody sins, and thus she developed different feelings for her brother Yorinobu, who dared to openly defy the supreme authority of Arasaka..."
Jackieie: "Huh???"
Jackieie felt uneasy hearing this; the content sounded like gossip, but Tang Yu's serious demeanor suggested otherwise.
Mainly because, as a senior executive of Arasaka, Tang Yu would know family secrets far more reliable than common street rumors.
"It can't be! Are you saying there's a story of incest between the Arasaka siblings? Isn't that a bit too sensational?"
Tang Yu remained silent, neither confirming nor denying.
Jackieie pressed on eagerly, "Bro, you have to tell me where you got this news from - is it accurate?"
"Looks like I need to mull over this tonight... this is really some earth-shattering news!"
As Jackieie spoke, he unconsciously touched his racing heartbeat.
Tang Yu, however, leaned back on the soft leather sofa, saying airily,
"Of course, I read about it in 'The Unspoken Flower,' the Secret Records of Hanako Arasaka. It was even promoted on the Nightly Talk show a couple of days ago. The author's got guts; the last person who wrote a biography about Hanako Arasaka ended up with ten bullet holes in the back of his head and lying in a coffin."
Jackieie: "..."
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