Arasaka Tower.
Counterintelligence.
Inside the office, Jenkins and V sat facing each other.
"V, you've seen the Konpeki Plaza report, right? You really hired a capable bunch. Not only did they take care of the target, but they also caused Arasaka to lose a netrunner."
Jenkins said calmly, making it impossible to discern his emotions.
"I've seen it. That's how mercenaries are; as long as the objective is achieved, no one knows what might happen in between."
Jenkins nodded, understanding that various situations always arise when mercenaries work. Since the dead netrunner wasn't one of his subordinates, it was no loss to him.
On the contrary, they cleaned up the traces very thoroughly, which brought him great convenience.
"How did things go on your end? Abernathey is practically going crazy now. Her people haven't found any useful intelligence or evidence yet, so now is a good time to muddy the waters."
"Don't worry, it's all sorted out. The finger is pointing directly at Military Technology."
Hearing Jenkins' question, V responded confidently.
Currently, he is the supervisor in Arasaka's Counterintelligence department responsible for corporate espionage intelligence.
Arasaka's dispatched spy agents are all under his jurisdiction, and the reports they submit must ultimately go through his approval and review.
Arasaka couldn't find the culprit behind the Konpeki Plaza incident, but everything has a source.
No one would think these few small-time thugs suddenly decided to come to Konpeki Plaza to kill people, especially with targets being just executives from small companies. There must have been a client's commission behind it.
Who this client is, is what Arasaka cares about more.
Clearly, the mastermind's goal was not aimed at that small company, but at Arasaka.
No small company would choose to assassinate executives of rival companies at Konpeki Plaza for industry competition. Without sufficient scale, going against Arasaka in Night City is a dead end.
In this situation, if Arasaka's undercover agents within Military Technology found intelligence linking Military Technology to this matter...
Then, as the party with the greatest suspicion, Military Technology would be unable to clear its name, even if it jumped into the Yellow River.
Perhaps Military Technology originally had nothing to do with this matter, and the undercover agents also wouldn't find the so-called intelligence.
But it doesn't matter, V will make him find it. In the company intelligence team now, V is in charge. If he says it's found, then it's found.
"Very good, you handled this matter beautifully. I have high hopes for your future performance.
If there's nothing else, you can go back."
Jenkins expressed his attitude to V, acknowledging V's capabilities, and waved his hand to indicate he could leave.
V walked out of Jenkins' office and found that his old colleague was waiting for him outside the office.
"V, I have the latest report here, it's about a newly appeared mysterious company.
Based on my initial judgment, I think the priority of this matter needs to be raised by at least two to three levels, but it requires your approval."
This person was the employee who previously handled the Ascension Technology report.
Just a few days ago, V and he were still sitting in the same office, but now V has transformed and become his superior.
Now these guys are really doing things according to what he said, listening to V.
"I understand. Just send it to my email, I'll handle it in a bit."
V nodded at him. V was quite familiar with this employee and knew what he was responsible for. Although his rank wasn't high, raising the priority by two or three levels was not a small matter.
"Understood."
And the employee, seeing V agree, showed a happy smile.
Employees at his level usually have little access to useful intelligence. If the importance of this report is confirmed through approval, he can also gain considerable performance points, and perhaps he'll have a chance to advance further in this year's employee evaluation.
That's why he personally came here to wait for V, hoping he would pay more attention to this report.
Returning to his office cubicle, V began browsing the report sent to his terminal.
[Arasaka Counterintelligence Investigation Report — NC8755832]
["Advanced Soldier Serum" Investigation Report]
[Investigator: Steven]
[Investigation Report Content: Intelligence provided by an underground Ripperdoc clinic located in Nihonmachi indicates that the mysterious pharmaceutical company 'Ascension Technology' recently began selling a high-strength human enhancement serum to clinics in Night City. (Regarding 'Ascension Technology', please refer to Report No. NC8754699)]
According to the information provided by the Ripperdoc, this drug can comprehensively enhance the user's physical strength, reaction time, brain function, and various other attributes, and can also improve the body's tolerance for cyberware and resistance to Cyberpunk.
The clinic has currently ordered two doses of this drug. One has been sold and injected. (Preliminary investigation report on injected subject: NC8755943) According to the investigation, the effects of the serum are largely true.
Whether to continue the investigation into this drug and company is awaiting further instructions.]
[Preliminary Approval Report: Based on preliminary assessment, this drug has extremely high value. The priority of this incident needs to be raised, and further investigation is required.]
[Handler: Bruno]
Leaning back in his office chair, V finished browsing this report and the reports associated with it.
'This really is a big gift for me.'
Enhance the body, improve tolerance for cyberware and resistance to Cyberpunk.
Tapping his fingers lightly on the desk, V showed a smile on his face as he looked at the keywords in the report.
Arasaka's collaboration with Mari Pharmaceuticals was just ruined, and now Ascension Technology has appeared.
Mari Pharmaceuticals' powerful immunosuppressants could reduce the effects brought by cyberware and provide assistance for Arasaka's various experiments, but now Ascension Technology's Advanced Soldier Serum can achieve the same effect, or even stronger.
And it's not just for experiments; Arasaka can even use it to build stronger soldier units.
It can be said that the value of this serum to Arasaka is infinite.
And now the intelligence and handling rights for the serum are in his hands. As long as he uses them properly to secure this so-called serum for Arasaka...
Then both he and Jenkins will gain a huge bargaining chip.
After a moment of thought, V began directing the handling of the incident.
Regarding the serum, there are essentially three outcomes Arasaka wants to achieve.
The first is to completely control its production, and ideally, be the only one capable of producing it.
The second option is a fallback: establishing a supply partnership so that Arasaka can receive stable, long-term support from the serum.
The third, and perhaps the one Arasaka hopes for the least, is if they ultimately cannot obtain the drug, but other rival companies do. In that case, they can only consider making this drug disappear completely.
To achieve the desired outcome, there are essentially several methods.
Negotiation, theft, forcible seizure, coercion, and destruction by force. Regardless of the method, Arasaka is extremely skilled at all of them.