Now that Victor had a rough framework for his Dogtown plan, the next step was execution.
Unfortunately, execution was always the hardest part.
The concept itself was simple enough.
If he wanted to establish influence inside Dogtown without openly challenging Kurt Hansen, he would need reliable intermediaries.
He would need assets capable of operating in the shadows, building networks, and gradually extending Arasaka’s reach without drawing unwanted attention.
The problem was finding the right people.
Victor rubbed his chin thoughtfully while staring at the sprawling Night City skyline outside his office window.
Finding a suitable agent wasn’t easy.
Most people either lacked the necessary skills, lacked loyalty, or simply wouldn’t survive long enough to be useful.
Dogtown wasn’t forgiving.
It was a place where even experienced mercenaries disappeared without a trace.
“Let’s take this slowly,” Victor muttered.
“First, let the intelligence people gather information.” That decision was made almost immediately.
Some might wonder why he wasn’t assigning the task directly to Special Operations.
The answer was simple.
Because Special Operations wasn’t an intelligence agency.
Their primary function was violence.
Protection.
Combat.
Assassinations.
Security.
While Special Operations operatives could gather intelligence when necessary, they weren’t specialists.
Counterintelligence and Intelligence Departments existed for a reason.
Professional work should be handled by professionals.
Otherwise, what was the point of having an entire corporate structure?
Victor had no intention of doing everyone else’s job.
This time, instead of bothering Jenkins, he decided to contact someone else.
Someone whose department specialized in exactly what he needed.
Abernathy.
Head of Arasaka Intelligence.
— A communication request was sent.
Several moments later, a holographic display flickered to life.
Abernathy appeared before him.
The woman sat upright immediately upon establishing the connection.
Unlike many corporate executives, she projected confidence rather than arrogance.
Her sharp eyes carefully studied Victor.
This was technically their first direct conversation.
While both operated within Arasaka’s upper hierarchy, their departments rarely interacted directly.
“Ms.
Abernathy.” Victor smiled.
“Is this our first meeting?” Abernathy gave a polite nod.
“To be precise, Minister Victor, this is our first direct conversation.” Victor chuckled.
“Fair enough.” The atmosphere remained professional.
Neither side had any significant grievances with the other.
Their factions operated separately.
Neither had interfered in the other’s territory.
At least not yet.
“I assume there’s a reason for this call.” “There is.” Victor leaned back slightly.
“I need your department to gather some information.” Abernathy immediately became serious.
Work-related matters were always simpler.
Business was business.
“Please continue.” “I need profiles on individuals with strong grudges against Militech.” Victor paused.
“Preferably people who have reasons to cooperate with rival corporations.” Abernathy listened carefully.
Victor continued.
“Disgruntled employees.
Former contractors.
Political enemies.” His smile widened slightly.
“And if you happen to find any desperate people willing to do almost anything for survival, include them as well.” Abernathy nodded.
“I understand.” “Good.” “I’ll have my analysts begin immediately.” Victor gave an approving nod.
“I’ll send the authorization files shortly.” “Understood.” The official discussion should have ended there.
Yet neither side disconnected.
Victor noticed immediately.
Abernathy clearly wanted something.
— For several seconds, silence lingered.
Then Abernathy finally spoke.
“Minister Victor.” The change in tone was subtle.
But Victor noticed it immediately.
He stopped reaching toward the disconnect command and looked back at her.
“Yes?” Abernathy folded her hands together.
“There is something I’d like to ask.” Victor smiled.
“Go ahead.” After all, there was no reason to be rude.
Especially when someone was being respectful.
Abernathy chose her next words carefully.
“What are your thoughts regarding the vacant position of Special Operations Director?” Victor’s smile widened slightly.
Now he understood.
Completely.
The reason behind her sudden friendliness.
The reason she wanted this conversation to continue.
The reason she was willing to take a small political risk.
Support.
She wanted his support.
And honestly?
Victor wasn’t surprised.
The Head of Special Operations held significant influence regarding future appointments.
Not enough to make decisions alone.
But certainly enough to affect outcomes.
Especially when recommendations were involved.
Abernathy clearly understood that.
— Victor considered the situation carefully.
Jenkins wanted the position.
Abernathy wanted the position.
Several others probably wanted it too.
The competition would be fierce.
More importantly, both Jenkins and Abernathy were competent.
Perhaps surprisingly competent.
Jenkins had reached his current position through skill as much as political backing.
Abernathy was similar.
In some respects, she might even be better.
The difference was their support networks.
Jenkins had powerful allies.
Abernathy had even more powerful ones.
People inside Arasaka itself.
People who preferred remaining invisible.
People who wouldn’t openly intervene unless she proved her value first.
That was the nature of corporate politics.
Nobody received support for free.
You had to demonstrate usefulness.
You had to show results.
Only then would powerful individuals invest resources into your success.
The competition for Special Operations Director was simply one of those tests.
Victor understood this perfectly.
— After several moments, he finally answered.
“I don’t have any strong opinions.” Abernathy remained silent.
Victor continued.
“The position doesn’t directly affect my responsibilities.” Technically true.
At least partially.
“As for who ultimately receives the promotion…” Victor shrugged.
“I remain neutral.” The answer was diplomatic.
Carefully diplomatic.
And both of them knew it.
Abernathy immediately understood the hidden meaning.
Victor wasn’t choosing sides.
Not yet.
He wanted to see who could provide the greatest value.
He wanted to see results.
Competence.
Perhaps even favors.
Only then would he consider offering support.
Abernathy wasn’t disappointed.
If anything, she seemed relieved.
A neutral Victor was far easier to work with than a committed Victor.
“I understand.” A small smile appeared on her face.
“In that case, today’s conversation has been very pleasant.” Victor laughed softly.
“It has.” He inclined his head slightly.
“I look forward to working together in the future.” “Likewise.” A few moments later, the connection ended.
— Victor leaned back in his chair.
The office suddenly felt much quieter.
For now, there wasn’t much else demanding his attention.
The Dogtown operation would require time.
The intelligence gathering process had begun.
The political situation would continue developing naturally.
Unless his superiors suddenly assigned additional work…
Or his subordinates caused trouble.
Victor paused.
Then frowned.
“Wait.” Something felt wrong.
He had forgotten something.
Several seconds passed.
Then realization struck.
“The cigarettes.” Victor stared at the clock.
“Why hasn’t Canris returned yet?” — At that exact moment, Canris was standing inside Arasaka Tower’s ground-floor lobby.
And he was getting increasingly annoyed.
The operative he had sent to buy cigarettes still hadn’t returned.
“What’s taking him so long?” Canris scratched his head.
“It’s a vending machine.” His patience was beginning to wear thin.
“Tsk.” After several more minutes, he finally decided to investigate personally.
— The nearest cigarette vending machine sat outside the corporate plaza.
When Canris arrived, he immediately spotted his subordinate.
Unfortunately, he wasn’t alone.
Two unfamiliar men stood nearby.
Both appeared to be arguing.
Canris frowned.
“What’s going on?” The subordinate immediately looked relieved.
“Captain!” He pointed toward the vending machine.
“There’s only one pack left.” Canris looked.
Indeed.
One pack.
The exact brand Victor requested.
The subordinate continued.
“I was waiting first.” “Then these idiots showed up.” One of the strangers immediately sneered.
“Who are you calling an idiot?” Canris slowly turned toward him.
The man looked like a recently unemployed office worker.
Cheap suit.
Bad attitude.
Terrible survival instincts.
“What department are you from?” Canris asked.
The stranger laughed mockingly.
“I’m not Arasaka.” Then he looked Canris up and down.
“Why should I answer one of Arasaka’s dogs?” The surrounding atmosphere instantly changed.
— Canris’s eyes narrowed.
His cybernetic optics activated automatically.
Data appeared across his vision.
Identity scan.
Employment history.
Recent records.
Results quickly appeared.
Former Militech employees.
Recently terminated.
No active corporate protection.
No significant connections.
No threat.
Canris relaxed.
Then smiled.
That smile terrified his subordinate.
Because he knew exactly what it meant.
The stranger didn’t.
“What’s so funny?” The man demanded.
Canris glanced toward his subordinate.
A single look was enough.
The operative immediately moved aside and blocked the exit path.
The two former employees finally realized something was wrong.
“Hey.” One of them took a step backward.
“This is corporate property.” “Correct.” Canris nodded.
“Don’t worry.” His gorilla arms hummed softly.
“I’ll pay your medical expenses.” “What—” BANG!
The punch landed before the man could finish speaking.
His body spun sideways.
Blood.
Teeth.
Saliva.
All erupted into the air simultaneously.
The second man froze.
Absolutely frozen.
Canris cracked his knuckles.
“Got fired and still acting tough?” The second man attempted to run.
A mistake.
Several seconds later, both former employees were lying on the pavement.
— Nearby pedestrians had begun gathering.
Curiosity was natural.
Night City residents loved entertainment.
Canris’s squad members immediately stepped forward.
Arasaka insignias.
Combat cyberware.
Corporate authority.
The crowd dispersed almost instantly.
Nobody wanted problems.
Especially not with Special Operations.
— Several minutes later, Canris finally obtained the cigarettes.
The mission was complete.
Before leaving, he uploaded both men’s facial profiles into Arasaka’s database.
Just in case.
It never hurt to be cautious.
Then he turned toward his subordinate.
The younger operative immediately looked nervous.
Canris stared at him.
“Next time.” “Yes, Captain?” “Verify their identities.” “Then punch them.” The subordinate blinked.
“You needed me to tell you that?” The young man looked miserable.
“Captain…” “What?” “My cyberoptic database connection is broken.” Canris paused.
“What?” “I was literally on my way to the medical department when you sent me to buy cigarettes.” Silence.
The subordinate swallowed nervously.
“So technically…” Canris crossed his arms.
“You’re blaming me?” “No!” The answer came instantly.
“Absolutely not!” Canris snorted.
“Hmph.” Then he grinned.
Which was somehow worse.
“Extra training tomorrow.” The subordinate nearly collapsed.
And somewhere high above Night City, completely unaware of the chaos caused by a single pack of cigarettes…
Victor continued waiting.
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