Chapter 497: The Fifth Corporate War
When Ryo (Avatar) stepped onto the receiving area of the Night City laboratory via dimensional teleportation, what entered his optical sensors was a scene entirely different from the Warhammer world.
The air was maintained at optimal composition by an efficient filtration system. Within the temperature- and humidity-controlled environment, only the low hum of energy conduits and the faint rush of air as hover-maintenance units glided past could be heard.
This place, which had borne heavy traces of a workshop just a few years ago, was now an advanced research facility filled with precision instruments, multi-layered energy shielding fields, and glowing bands of flowing data.
He wasted no time, immediately accessing the urban data network governed by the "Administrator" through the laboratory's data ports.
The changes that had occurred in the Cyberpunk world during the years of his absence were presented before his eyes in their entirety.
The collapse of Arasaka was the most central link in this upheaval.
That skyscraper, once the symbol of Arasaka's power, had long been reduced to rubble, and its fall directly triggered a global restructuring of power.
Having lost its headquarters and central command system, the former corporate giant was rapidly torn apart and devoured by its competitors.
Taking this opportunity, the NUSA and Militech, under the guise of "restoring order," forcefully integrated the previously deeply entrenched Free States and independent city factions on the West Coast. They achieved substantial unification of western North America, accomplishing a strategic objective that had remained unfulfilled since the Unification War.
However, the Republic of Texas maintained its stubborn independence, foreshadowing that the NUSA's path to integration was far from over.
In Europe, the interest group formed by the ESA and Eurobank displayed seasoned capitalist maneuvering, almost seamlessly taking over Arasaka's massive legacy in Europe.
This windfall immensely bolstered their power and simultaneously sapped their motivation to further escalate the conflict, objectively contributing to the pacification of large-scale global hostilities.
In Asia, however, the flames of war burned much more fiercely.
Kang Tao and the remnants of Arasaka engaged in a bitter tug-of-war in Southeast Asia and other regions. Though they paid a considerable price, Kang Tao ultimately succeeded in absorbing the vast majority of Arasaka's traditional sphere of influence in Asia, establishing its position as one of the primary victors of the Fifth Corporate War.
Yet, Arasaka was not completely annihilated.
In the midst of the crisis, Hanako Arasaka displayed astonishing resilience. She rallied core forces and fully contracted the surviving Arasaka assets back to their most deeply entrenched fortress: the Japanese home islands.
Relying on their profound control over Japanese society and their retained space assets, Arasaka barely managed to hold onto their final base of operations.
But this absolutely did not mean peace.
None of the titans who had participated in the carving-up were willing to see Arasaka gain a moment to breathe.
Economic blockades, technological containment, market squeezing, and even covert operations continued unabated. Under Hanako's leadership, Arasaka was like a besieged lone city, struggling to survive amidst enemies on all sides.
As this information flowed through Ryo's (Avatar's) consciousness, he clearly recognized that the stability and current paradigm of the city beneath his feet were directly correlated to his intervention years ago, and continued to remain under the shroud of his influence.
This laboratory, and indeed all of Night City, was his controllable testing ground and resource base.
"Administrator," his synthesized voice echoed in the core control room. "Elevate the laboratory's biohazard protection level to maximum. All samples transferred from the Death World must undergo quarantine scanning before entering the core research zone. Authorization granted to utilize the urban surveillance network; implement dynamic sensory coverage within a five-kilometer radius of the laboratory, and report any anomalous energy signatures or unauthorized biological signals."
"Directive confirmed and executed, Lord Magos," the Administrator's response fed back instantly. "Early warning thresholds synchronized. City defense forces are on standby."
Ryo (Avatar) walked toward the heavy alloy blast door leading to the core research zone, the energy lines on the door lighting up one by one as he approached.
Here, within this city and laboratory under his control, he would continue that research disrupted by the shadow of the Warp.
All mysteries and potential dangers were placed under the order he had personally established.
After preliminarily stabilizing the containment environment for the Genesis Particle research samples and confirming the laboratory's protection systems were operating normally, Ryo (Avatar) summoned Młynar of the Nearl family via an internal comms channel.
A few minutes later, Młynar's figure appeared in the reception room of the laboratory's core zone. He still maintained the upright posture and elegance of a Kazimierz knight, but his sharp eyes, compared to when he first arrived here years ago, held less battle-ready tension and more of the tranquility worn down by a long period of peace.
"My Lord," Młynar placed his right hand over his chest, offering a concise and standard knight's salute. His gaze fell calmly upon Ryo (Avatar), maintaining respect for the Magos's representative.
"Knight Młynar," Ryo's (Avatar's) synthesized voice sounded steady. "The conventional defense systems of the laboratory and Night City have largely been perfected. I have summoned you to understand the current condition of Squad Nearl."
Młynar nodded slightly, his tone composed but carrying a trace of candor: "Thank you for your concern, my Lord. The squad members are in good condition; daily training has never slackened. However..."
He paused slightly. "Since executing the mission to destroy Arasaka Headquarters, we have primarily been responsible for guarding the core zone and assisting in maintaining urban order. Such duties, for knights accustomed to campaigns, are indeed overly mundane."
He raised his eyes, his gaze holding the directness unique to a knight: "Prolonged peace is detrimental to maintaining the will to fight. On behalf of Squad Nearl, I implore you, my Lord, to consider assigning us more challenging duties."
Ryo (Avatar) rapidly assessed this request.
He understood the knight's thirst for actual combat, while simultaneously recognizing this as an opportunity to adjust defensive deployments.
"Your request is reasonable," Ryo (Avatar) responded. "Currently, the defense of the Death World base is overseen by Knight Zofia's squad; she has been stationed there for quite some time. Considering the necessity for rotation, as well as allowing you to re-acclimate to the environment of the Warhammer universe, I have decided to implement a defensive realignment."
Młynar's expression immediately became focused.
"You will draw personnel and swap with Knight Zofia to garrison the Death World base," Ryo (Avatar) issued a clear directive. "Your mission is to assist Marshal Anvil-7 in consolidating the base's defenses, particularly the security of the canyon experimental zone. Simultaneously, maintain vigilance over the surrounding environment. Correspondingly, Knight Zofia and her squad will rotate to Night City for rest and recuperation, assuming responsibility for the core defense here."
"I thank you for your trust, my Lord!" Młynar responded immediately, his voice carrying a resolute tone of relief. "We are familiar with the Death World and understand the threats there. The Nearl family will perfectly fulfill its defensive duties."
"Very good," Ryo (Avatar) nodded. "I will coordinate the specific handover details directly with Knight Zofia and Marshal Anvil. You have three days to prepare."
"As you command!" Młynar saluted solemnly, the luster of executing an important mission reigniting in his eyes.
This redeployment not only answered the knights' request for battle, maintaining the squad's edge, but also achieved a normal rotation of defensive forces between the two locations. Furthermore, having Młynar's squad, who was familiar with the Death World, provided an additional observational perspective for potential anomalies.
Everything was operating smoothly within the established framework.
(End of Chapter)