The workload waiting on Victor’s desk seemed endless.
Every time he thought he had finally reached the bottom of the pile, another report, another approval request, or another political issue appeared waiting for his attention.
Minister.
The title sounded prestigious.
The reality was far less glamorous.
“How’s the situation with the Public Relations Department?” Victor asked while reviewing several operation reports.
Brandt stood nearby with his usual relaxed posture.
“They’ve prepared a proposal, Boss, but they specifically requested that you review it in person before anything gets finalized.” Victor sighed.
“Fine.
Let’s go now.” He closed the report and stood.
“The sooner we finish this, the sooner I can find somewhere comfortable and pretend I have a life outside this building.” Brandt grinned.
“Heh, Boss, I know exactly what you mean.” Victor shot him a flat look.
“No.
You really don’t.” Brandt laughed even harder.
The bodyguard had many strengths.
Understanding subtlety wasn’t one of them.
A few minutes later, the two entered one of Arasaka Tower’s private elevators.
The doors slid shut.
The elevator began descending toward the Public Relations Department.
Then, just before the doors fully closed on another floor, someone stepped inside.
Victor glanced over casually.
Then froze for half a second.
A familiar face.
White hair.
Sharp features.
Professional demeanor.
A face he hadn’t seen in years.
Or rather…
A face he remembered from another life.
V.
More specifically, Valerie.
For a brief moment, Victor almost laughed.
Of all the people he expected to encounter inside Arasaka Tower, she hadn’t been particularly high on the list.
Yet here she was.
Young.
Ambitious.
Still wearing the confidence of someone who believed hard work alone could guarantee success.
The future legend of Night City.
The woman who would one day leave a mark on the city that few could ever match.
At this moment, however, she was simply another corporate employee.
A newly hired operative still trying to climb the ladder.
Victor discreetly activated his cybernetic optics.
Data immediately began scrolling across his vision.
Name.
Department.
Employment records.
Recent assignments.
Performance evaluations.
Everything appeared within seconds.
Meanwhile, V remained completely unaware.
Or at least, mostly unaware.
Because while Victor calmly reviewed her information…
V was internally panicking.
Oh, come on.
Seriously?
Why is the Minister here?
Why today of all days?
Her expression remained professional.
Years of corporate training ensured that.
But internally?
She was screaming.
The last thing she wanted was to share an elevator with one of Arasaka’s rising stars while she was still trying to establish herself.
Especially after receiving her newest assignment.
Fortunately, Victor showed no obvious interest.
At least from her perspective.
Silently, he sent a secure message.
“Canris.” “Yes, Boss?” “Pull Valerie’s complete file from Counter-Intelligence and place it in my office.” “Understood.” The response arrived instantly.
Victor closed the data feed.
There would be time to review everything later.
And more importantly, he didn’t want Brandt noticing.
If he openly requested information on V while she was standing right there…
The man’s reaction would probably create an unnecessary headache.
Ding.
The elevator doors opened.
Victor and Brandt exited first.
The moment they disappeared down the hallway, V finally released a breath she hadn’t realized she was holding.
“Talk about bad luck…” She rubbed her forehead.
Then continued toward her destination.
— A few minutes later, Victor arrived at the Public Relations Department.
The atmosphere immediately felt different.
Unlike Special Operations, where paranoia and secrecy dominated every conversation, Public Relations projected warmth and friendliness.
Artificial warmth.
But warmth nonetheless.
The department’s minister personally emerged to greet him.
A middle-aged man wearing a perfectly tailored Arasaka suit approached with an enthusiastic smile.
His dark hair was slicked back neatly, though streaks of silver had begun appearing near his temples.
“Minister Victor!” The man extended his hand enthusiastically.
“What a pleasant surprise.
Welcome.” Victor responded with the same polished smile he reserved for corporate interactions.
A smile carefully perfected over years of political maneuvering.
“Minister Aizov.” They shook hands.
“It has been quite some time.” Aizov laughed.
“It certainly has.” His gaze briefly swept over Victor.
“Although I must admit, I didn’t expect our next meeting would be after your promotion.” He shook his head admiringly.
“Minister of Special Operations at your age.” “That’s impressive.” Victor accepted the compliment gracefully.
“You’re too kind.” Aizov gestured toward a conference room.
“Please.” “Let’s discuss business.” The two men entered.
Brandt remained outside.
Several department officials quickly distributed documents and holographic reports.
Victor reviewed them while Aizov began explaining.
“As expected, there are some public relations complications resulting from your previous operation.” Victor wasn’t surprised.
There always were.
Destroy half a city block and somebody inevitably starts asking questions.
“The road authority has filed complaints regarding infrastructure damage.” Aizov displayed several reports.
“Nothing serious.” “Money solves most problems.” Victor nodded.
“Naturally.” “Our recommendation is simple.” Aizov smiled.
“Make a charitable donation.” Victor nearly laughed.
Classic Public Relations.
Destroy property.
Donate money.
Receive praise.
Night City’s version of morality.
“It should improve public perception while silencing most critics.” “Approved.” Aizov continued.
“Next issue.” Several casualty reports appeared.
“Some civilians were unfortunately caught in the crossfire.” Victor skimmed through the numbers.
Not ideal.
But not unusual.
“What solution do you have?” Aizov’s smile widened.
The kind of smile that always made Victor slightly uncomfortable.
“We redefine the narrative.” A new report appeared.
Victor read it.
Then shook his head in admiration.
Public Relations really were artists.
The original target had already been transformed into a dangerous terrorist mastermind.
The collateral damage had become evidence of heroic intervention.
The operation itself had been rewritten into a successful anti-terror action.
It was complete fiction.
Convincing fiction.
But fiction nonetheless.
Victor reviewed several pages.
Then nodded.
“No issues.” “Proceed.” Aizov looked pleased.
“Excellent.” “That leaves one final matter.” Victor already knew what was coming.
“WNS?” Aizov smiled.
“Exactly.” The corporation-controlled news network.
“The public would appreciate hearing directly from the hero responsible.” Victor sighed dramatically.
“So now I have to pretend I’m charismatic?” “Only for fifteen minutes.” Victor chuckled.
“Fine.” “I’ll do the interview.” Aizov visibly relaxed.
“Wonderful.” The meeting had gone surprisingly smoothly.
Which usually meant the real trap was still coming.
Sure enough…
Aizov leaned forward slightly.
“By the way.” Victor immediately knew that tone.
“Yes?” The Public Relations Minister grinned.
“I recently acquired some very interesting braindances.” Victor already regretted asking.
“Really?” “A new creator.” Aizov’s eyes sparkled.
“Very talented.” Victor knew exactly what kind of content they were discussing.
Everyone in Arasaka knew.
Aizov had many hobbies.
Most of them were concerning.
“You should join me after work.” Victor smiled politely.
“Perhaps another time.” Aizov looked genuinely disappointed.
“A shame.” “Work never ends.” “Unfortunately.” Neither man acknowledged the fact that they both knew exactly why Victor was declining.
Some conversations were better left unfinished.
After a few more pleasantries, the meeting concluded.
Victor and Brandt returned toward the elevators.
Another problem solved.
Several hundred more remained.
Just another day inside Arasaka.
— When Victor finally returned to his office, Canris was already waiting.
The bodyguard placed a data shard onto the desk.
“The file you requested.” Victor nodded.
“Good work.” Once alone, he activated the report.
V’s complete personnel record appeared before him.
Academic achievements.
Internship evaluations.
Psychological profiles.
Combat simulations.
Performance assessments.
Victor read everything carefully.
The conclusion wasn’t surprising.
She was talented.
Very talented.
Perhaps even exceptional.
Still, talent alone wasn’t enough.
Night City was full of talented corpses.
After reviewing the file, Victor leaned back thoughtfully.
He certainly had some interest in V.
How could he not?
She would eventually become one of the most influential mercenaries in Night City’s history.
But right now?
She was still Jenkins’ subordinate.
Still deeply embedded within Counter-Intelligence.
Recruiting her immediately would create unnecessary complications.
Besides…
Why recruit her now when he could simply use existing channels?
Special Operations and Counter-Intelligence already worked under the broader Security structure.
If he needed her assistance, he could simply request it.
No effort.
No political complications.
No recruitment battle.
At least not yet.
Dogtown, however…
That possibility remained interesting.
A future assignment there might create opportunities.
Victor tapped the desk thoughtfully.
Then another name surfaced in his mind.
Biotechnica.
The time for observation was ending.
The time for action was approaching.
Executives needed pressure.
Secrets needed uncovering.
And certain individuals needed reminding that crossing Arasaka carried consequences.
One name stood out above the rest.
Abernathy.
A faint smile appeared on Victor’s face.
Now that would be interesting.
He pressed the intercom.
“Canris.” The response came immediately.
“Yes, Boss?” Victor’s eyes remained fixed on the Biotechnica files.
The smile on his face slowly widened.
The first move against Biotechnica was finally about to begin.
“Come in for a moment.” Outside the office, Night City’s neon lights flickered across the skyline.
Inside, another corporate war was quietly taking shape.
And somewhere else in Arasaka Tower…
A young woman named V had no idea that one of the corporation’s most dangerous men had just started paying attention to her.
The game board was expanding.
New players were entering the field.
And Victor was finally ready to make his move.
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