Chapter 64: The High-Level Defectors

“Oh? You’re saying a group of executives from Luvena Tech came over carrying piles of internal documents—and even brought a fully trained security squad with them?”

Roland looked at Tina, genuinely surprised.

With Lissandra busy at the moment, Roland didn’t want to bother her too much. She was already managing company operations, overseeing the secret factory, monitoring everyone, and tracking targets in the digital world.

Thinking about it now… he really had been working Lissandra like a pack mule.

So he handed the minor errands over to Tina. She was usually only responsible for netrunning support for the PROJECT squad, and right now she didn’t have much else to do.

So Roland called her in to work. What, as the boss, he was supposed to let his employees sit around milking his resources?

Impossible.

As for why Tina instead of Vilet...

First, Vilet wasn’t good at these things—she was a straightforward bruiser. Second, she needed to focus on training so she could better adapt to the Judgment template once it was installed.

“Besides, Tina wasn’t a Compatible Host for the PROJECT template anyway. Well… she was basically the equivalent of a free bonus that came with a phone plan.”

“Right now, those Luvena Tech executives are all asking to see you, boss.”

Tina nodded, passing him the tablet in her hands.

Roland glanced over the list and narrowed his eyes.

Looking at it—good grief—every single one of them was a Bull Demon plant. Luvena Tech was practically one giant sieve at this point.

One of them was even a double agent named Peru. Originally from Militech, he’d infiltrated Luvena Tech to gather intel. Then Arasaka recruited him to monitor PROJECT.

From then on, he played both sides, collecting money from Arasaka and Militech alike.

He even happily told Militech Science Division that Arasaka had approached him as a spy. So now he funneled Arasaka intel to Militech Science Division—and got promoted for it. If Lissandra hadn’t dug deep enough,

Roland would never have imagined this group included someone like that.

“Tell them this: if they truly want to show sincerity, then give me the location of all bases under Brown’s security forces. Right now.

If they do that, I’ll consider letting them join PROJECT. Once Luvena Tech merges into us, I’ll give them appropriate positions to match their previous status.”

“Got it.”

Tina nodded and left, relaying Roland’s words word-for-word to the group.

Hearing Roland’s demand, the executives exchanged uneasy looks. After a round of frantic discussion, they sent back their conditions.

“They said Brown has three bases. They’ll only tell you two of them unless you sign a contract guaranteeing you won’t fire them for a certain period.”

Roland let out a cold snort, shaking his head. “Tell them to leave. It seems they still don’t understand the situation.”

“What?! He’s telling us to leave?”

Their expressions shifted instantly. They quickly regrouped to weigh their options.

And the conclusion was obvious—they really had no leverage.

Luvena Tech had no chance of surviving an attack from PROJECT Corporation. And now they were considered Arasaka’s people—except for Peru.

Arasaka wanted them to infiltrate PROJECT Corporation’s management and deliver internal intel. Only then would Arasaka pay them their bonuses.

If they walked away now, they’d get nothing. After all, PROJECT Corporation could crush Luvena Tech on its own without their cooperation.

Even if they resisted, all they would do was cause slightly higher losses—nothing more.

So after reconsidering, they surrendered and accepted Roland’s initial terms.

Once Roland received the update, he smiled and told Tina, “Inform them that things have changed. Now I can only give them positions one rank lower. If they refuse, they can leave.”

Upon hearing this, the executives’ faces turned green, but all they could do was swallow their frustration and accept Roland’s terms.

Roland sifted through the stack of Luvena Tech research data and security client information, along with the security forces under these executives, and—most importantly—the locations of Brown’s bases. A satisfied smile curved his lips.

What? You’re saying those forces belong to them?

Nonsense. What’s theirs is his, and what’s his is still his.

Next, he would send in a batch of Security Robots—just in case any of the people inside couldn’t tell who was in charge and started thinking they were important…

“Hmm… three bases. Perfect. I can give one to the PROJECT squad as a training exercise—to see where their current strength stands…”

With that thought, Roland immediately contacted Kiwi, who was out on assignment.

“Boss, what do you need?”

“This time, I need you to take down a Corporate Security base. It’ll probably be challenging, so take the entire squad. Oh, and Jhin will accompany you for final cleanup.”

“Understood. I’m heading back now to prepare.”

He planned to send Vilet along as well. Training was important, but combat was a form of training too. With all the top-tier cyberware she had installed, mule or horse, it was time to put her to the test.

And with Jhin, controlled by the Lissandra sub-AI, providing backup, he wasn’t too worried.

Honestly, a squad of Night Owl robots, two PROJECT augmentations, a top-tier cyberware-modified drifter, and an AV loaded with heavy weaponry—

With that firepower, they could probably make a run at Arasaka Tower itself. If they couldn’t take down a simple base…

Then none of them were worth keeping. They all had rebellious tendencies and needed to be cleaned out before he could rest easy.

Roland then headed to the training room where Vilet was working out. She was wearing a black combat vest, locked in hand-to-hand combat with a Imperial Guard robot.

Every impact between them rang out with metallic clanks.

When Roland entered, both fighter and robot immediately halted and turned toward him.

“Boss, you’re here. Is it about my modification plan?”

Vilet couldn’t help asking. Ever since seeing Kiwi’s transformation, she’d been obsessed with the PROJECT enhancements—they were insanely cool.

Roland’s mouth twitched. In other worlds, people would run screaming from such modifications, yet she actually wanted them…

“It’s not that. I’m here to tell you we need you on an external mission.”

“Really?!”

Vilet lit up instantly.

“Yes. I’ve sent the details to your email. Kiwi will come find you later. Rest up.”

“Yes!”

Vilet pumped her fist with excitement. She was practically suffocating from boredom—finally, she could get out and have some fun.

Behind her, the Imperial Guard robot looked silently at Roland, as if awaiting confirmation.

Roland nodded and issued the order to accompany her.

Yes—this Imperial Guard unit had been specially designed to protect Vilet.