“Hmm…
this data and information are very valuable.
Thank you for your help, Rain.”
“It’s nothing, just doing my job.
Speaking of which, what do you plan to do next?
Can you share a bit?”
Facing the gratitude from Minister Samir of the Armed Cyberware R&D Department, Rain waved his hand to indicate it was no big deal, while curiously looking at the other man and asking his question.
“Normally, I shouldn’t disclose it, but given your rank and the fact that it’s not exactly a top secret, it’s fine.”
Samir shrugged with a smile and spoke.
“Next, we’ll probably use this data to assist in developing Arasaka’s own armed cyberware.
Militech’s data collection is quite good.
It might not be long before we can develop new Berserk Cyberware based on their data.
As for the other stuff…
that’s for the PR and Counter-Intelligence Departments.”
“Hmm, new Berserk Cyberware…
I suppose you’ll need new experimental data once it’s developed?”
“Exactly.
That’s not a big problem.
We can just grab some bums off the street or find some gang members to test it on.
We could also ask the Counter-Intelligence agents for a favor and have some Scavengers help distribute it.
If all else fails, Nomad will do.
Why the sudden interest?”
“Nothing much.
I just thought that if you fix the side effects, I’d like to get some good stuff for a couple of my subordinates.”
“I see.
That’s easy.
Once the experiments are done and we’ve confirmed the cyberware is stable, I’ll let you know, Rain.”
“Then my thanks to you, Minister Samir.”
Rain smiled and nodded upon hearing this.
“It’s no trouble.
If you find any valuable test subjects on your end, please let me know.
After all, the data collected by those guys might not be comprehensive.
Ideally…
someone with talent.”
“Understood.
I’ll keep an eye out for some high-profile gang members or Edgerunner for you.”
“Haha, then it’s a deal.
I have some experimental data to attend to, so I’ll leave it at that for now.” You are reading on g.com, the official source.
“Right, see you next time.”
Rain nodded and hung up the call, then turned to look at Canris.
“Boss, any orders?”
“I reckon it won’t be long before they transfer that guy.
They’ll likely have our Special Operations Department get ready.”
“Got it.
Should we start preparing then?”
Canris nodded and asked Rain.
“Hmm…
let me think…”
Hearing this, Rain propped his chin on one hand and tapped the desk with the other, lost in thought.
Generally, protection missions involving other companies are handled by Counter-Intelligence Department agents and Security Department personnel.
The Special Operations Department usually provides support and assists the Security Department with protection.
Simply put, they stay on standby in full gear.
If the Security Department can’t handle the situation, the Special Operations Department steps in.
“Get ready.
I’m coming along this time.”
“Boss, you’re going personally?!”
Canris’s eyes widened in surprise.
“What, you have a problem with that?”
Rain looked up at Canris and said.
“No, no, I’m just surprised.
After all, for such a small fry, it shouldn’t require your personal attention, Boss…
Even if something goes wrong, the ninjas and Netrunner under us should be able to handle it…”
“Normally, yes.
But I feel like my bones are rusting from sitting in the office lately.
I just want some exercise.
Since the business with Dangerous Girl is settled, I’ll see if any rats try to make a move.
I hope their luck is poor.”
Rain shrugged, then stood up and tilted his head for Canris to follow.
A lone-wolf brute with cat ears popped into his mind, and he couldn’t help but shake his head.
What else could Canris say?
He quickly followed in Rain’s footsteps.
Canris was equipped with a Kerenzikov, heavy subdermal armor, Arasaka’s internal Berserk Cyberware Mk.3, and Gorilla Arms.
In terms of strength, if Canris were a mercenary, he would already be a famous name in the Afterlife.
Of course, power comes at a price.
The most expensive piece was the Berserk Cyberware, but Canris didn’t pay for that one; Rain did.
As for the risk of cyberpsychosis…
it existed, but it was very low.
Most cases of cyberpsychosis are caused by installation issues leading to cyberware capacity chaos that exceeds thresholds, or installing and replacing cyberware repeatedly without an adjustment period, as well as the compatibility of the cyberware itself and the doctor’s skill.
Corporate employees have access to Quantified Enlightenment psychological therapy, and specialized Ripperdocs to fine-tune and adapt cyberware for combat specialists.
This ensures their cyberware load remains within reasonable thresholds.
Combined with scheduled installation times and proper use of Immunosuppressants, there are usually no issues.
After all, as long as you’re valuable, the corporation is quite keen on preventing you from becoming a cyberpsycho.
You are a corporate asset, and they naturally don’t want to see their assets suffer unexpected losses.
Soon, Rain arrived at the designated location and donned his gear.
First, a black skin-tight combat suit, followed by a custom black Exoskeleton Armor.
The matte black with red accents looked incredibly intimidating.
After letting the mechanical arms finish the equipping process, Rain closed his full-face helmet.
Immediately, a V-shaped red light glowed on the helmet.
Additionally, the Exoskeleton Armor was equipped with various combat support gadgets.
Then, a katana popped out from the nearby armory, forged from an alloy created through a special process combining tungsten steel and various other metals.
After spinning it in his hand, Rain sheathed it.
“Let’s go.”
Accompanied by a low electronic voice, Rain turned his gaze toward Canris.
By then, Canris had also donned his field combat gear.
It was also a full-coverage black battle suit, but the helmet had a mirrored design—the standard-issue armor of the Special Operations Department.
“Boss, no matter how many times I see it, your gear is just too cool.”
“Cut the flattery.
Let’s go and see if we’ll be working overtime today.”
“Copy that!”
…
“Maine, are we really going to hijack an Arasaka convoy and kill the guy inside?”
“Yeah, the contract’s been accepted, so we’re definitely seeing it through.
Besides, this is a big one.”
Maine nodded and continued to stare at the traffic passing on the street.
A 150,000-eddie contract.
Even split evenly, that’s 25,000 eddies each.
And all we have to do is intercept and kill an ordinary researcher who betrayed Militech while he’s in Arasaka’s hands, even if he does hold a lot of data.
“At the end of the day, what’s valuable is the data in his hands, not the man himself, right?”
So Maine felt the contract was perfectly doable, and the risk wasn’t that high.
In fact, normally, Maine’s logic would be sound.
But unfortunately…
this mission involved a Minister from the Arasaka Special Operations Department.