Chapter 139: The Title Ran Away
“You’re saying the Tyger Claws have withdrawn from Watson District?”
Roland raised an eyebrow when he heard the news, but he quickly understood Arasaka’s intentions.
“Tsk… figures it’d be Arasaka.”
The Tyger Claws had been suppressing the Golor Gang’s expansion on Militech’s behalf for a long time. For Arasaka—who already had limited influence in Night City—that meant considerable losses.
On top of that, not everyone within the Tyger Claws was truly loyal to Arasaka. Some of them simply avoided taking sides, neither openly supporting Arasaka nor opposing them. For those people, the cost outweighed the benefits, so pulling out was the natural choice.
And Militech had clearly made up its mind to take Watson District. Under those circumstances, going head-to-head with them would have been foolish.
In the end, the final winner would still be Arasaka. The operations in Watson District had already delayed things for a long time, which was more than enough.
After all, the original goal had been to stall for time. Now, PROJECT Corporation and The Mox had already seized control of the southern parts of Watson District and stabilized them.
That meant if Militech wanted to expand its influence and link up with forces coming from the south, it would have to pass through the territory controlled by The Mox and PROJECT Corporation first. Of course, they could also choose to clash with the Valentinos and the City Government on the other side.
After weighing the options, the most likely targets would be The Mox and PROJECT Corporation. After all, the New United States also wanted to see whether Night City could be peacefully absorbed.
After that, Militech would move into Tyger Claws territory. That window of time would also give Arasaka room to mobilize more forces—especially if PROJECT and The Mox couldn’t hold the line.
And if they collapsed? Even better. A huge stretch of land would be left vacant, ready for Arasaka to take.
“So what do we do now?”
Kiwi rested her chin on her hand, tilting her head as she looked at Roland.
“Hmm… let me think. Militech has already reclaimed several independent states. You could say the New United States has expanded to an unprecedented extent. It won’t be long before they reach Southern California…”
Roland tapped the table lightly with one finger, lost in thought.
“If they set their sights on our corporation’s factories, we push them back the moment they get close. If it’s The Mox… have the PROJECT team toss a few cyberpsychos in and then send them on a mission.”
Kiwi couldn’t help but laugh.
Roland gave her a helpless look and shrugged. “Some collateral casualties and property damage during law enforcement are normal. That’s what the government authorizes us to do.”
“That actually makes a lot of sense.”
Kiwi smiled and gave Roland a thumbs-up.
“By the way, about the New United States you mentioned… Night City won’t be in danger, right?”
Kiwi suddenly asked, a hint of concern in her voice.
Roland shook his head. “No. You don’t need to worry about that. Night City isn’t an easy place to take. Even if Southern California falls, Northern California will be fine. It just depends on whether certain people here are willing to bleed a little more.”
“And besides…”
Roland walked over to the floor-to-ceiling window with his hands behind his back, then turned to glance at Kiwi.
“I’ve had my eye on Night City for a long time. I’m not going to hand it over that easily.”
“For Arasaka, Night City is their chance to step back onto the world stage. But for me, it’s the same.”
“But we can’t really get involved in these large-scale corporate wars right now, can we?”
Kiwi still sounded uneasy.
“Hmm… you haven’t been to Agas City yet, so you probably don’t fully understand. When we get the chance, I’ll take you there. Then you’ll see what I mean.”
Roland chuckled softly and winked at Kiwi, signaling her not to worry too much.
“As long as you know what you’re doing. For me… it might really be just you.”
As she spoke, Kiwi slowly wrapped her arms around Roland from behind.
...
Meanwhile, within the New United States forces stationed not far from Southern California, Jamde was already planning the next phase.
“Commander, you have a communication.”
A soldier hurried into Jamde’s room.
Jamde immediately frowned. He had given explicit orders that unless something was extremely important, he was not to be disturbed.
So if someone was contacting him now, it could only be a major figure—or an urgent situation.
“Could it be that the group we took down earlier is causing trouble again?”
Jamde thought to himself as he looked at the soldier.
“Whose call is it?”
“It’s President Myers.”
Jamde’s expression shifted in surprise, and he immediately ordered the connection to be put through.
After he had taken command, Myers had clearly stated that she would not interfere with his military strategy and that he was free to act as he saw fit.
And now she was calling him directly…
“Your Excellency.”
“Commander Jamde, you’ve worked hard on this campaign. The New United States will never forget your contributions.”
“All of this is for making the New United States great again. May I ask why Your Excellency is contacting me this time?”
“I need to send someone to Night City as an advance force.”
“Oh? And who would that be?”
Jamde narrowed his eyes. He was genuinely curious who could warrant such attention from Myers.
“Kurt Hansen. A highly capable colonel within Militech. I’ve already issued the order—he should be joining you soon, Commander Jamde.”
“…Understood. I wish you success, Your Excellency.”
After a brief silence, Jamde replied and then cut the connection.
Bang!
“Damn bitch!”
Jamde slammed his fist into the table, leaving a deep imprint. He took a deep breath, his gaze turning cold and deep.
He knew exactly what Myers was trying to do—share in his military achievements while grooming her own faction.
“If I don’t give her some kind of response, she’ll really start thinking she’s the boss of the New United States…”
...
“So where are we supposed to strike, according to the orders from above?”
“Pacifica, in Night City.”
“Wasn’t that area still under development? A lot of corporations have invested heavily there, and even city council members keep giving speeches about it.”
“That’s exactly why we can step in now.”
“True. Once it’s finished, those corporations will be fully entrenched. The timing is perfect.”
Hansen took a drag from his cigarette, listening to the discussion around him. For some reason, he had a strong feeling that this operation wouldn’t be simple at all.
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