In a dark, unlit office in Arasaka Tower, Tanaka sat at his desk, facing a holographic screen.
Behind him stood Goro Takemura, holding a remote control. He had organized this important meeting and held the power to kick anyone out at any time.
At this moment in the meeting, a Fixer named Dino was speaking: "This matter, to handle it, is not difficult, but it is certainly not easy either."
"I've even heard that kid's name. They say he's the future of Santo Domingo, a rising star in Watson District's Afterlife, and the nightmare of the Badlands families. Haha, in just one day, he went from a nobody to a guy with many nicknames.
Those who get nicknames are not simple people, so to catch him, we need to plan carefully. But my territory is only around City Center, so..."
"What exactly are you trying to say?" On the screen, a face interrupted Dino. The speaker was a white man in a high-end custom suit, with sharp features and a somber demeanor.
It was Arthur Jenkins, head of Arasaka's counter-intelligence department, whose authority and status far surpassed Tanaka, the head of Night City's intelligence department. He was a true superior.
Not only in Night City, but across all of North America, Arthur held a noble status and great power. The reason he could be invited was that the data Tanaka reported successfully piqued his interest.
These minor incidents in Night City should not have come to his attention.
However, the Cyber-Skel is a weaponized implant primarily developed by Arasaka in Night City, and not only the Night City branch, but even the Tokyo headquarters are currently tracking the Cyber-Skel's experimental data. Yet, to this day, the Cyber-Skel remains a failed product.
It's a weaponized implant that, after being tested on numerous subjects, has yet to find a suitable candidate.
Under the Cyber-Skel's powerful high-load, its experimental subjects often quickly fall into dangerous madness and a state of losing themselves.
Although Arasaka possesses the technology to brainwash them, turning them into "emotionless weapons," that technology is incredibly expensive, and success is not guaranteed for everyone. Therefore, only those who can withstand the Cyber-Skel's pressure for a short period and possess "potential" are deemed worthy of using that technology.
That's right, if you want to be a dog, you must first have the qualifications to be one.
Not everyone is a machine monster like Adam Smasher. And this damn Cyber-Skel, I don't know what those bastards in the design department were thinking. That thing couldn't even be handled by some Militech agents I secretly captured!
After their limbs were severed, half their bodies removed, and the implant forcibly inserted, the subjects would often collapse and vomit blood within less than ten minutes of operation, their bodily functions severely damaged.
Therefore, the data Tanaka had caught Arthur's attention.
If... he could possess a secret weapon capable of using the Cyber-Skel, would the internal struggles in his office still be in the state they were today?
"Uh..." Dino paused, then quickly offered a conciliatory smile to the Arasaka executive's question, saying: "I mean, to understand this kid, we need to start with the Fixers in Santo Domingo and the Fixers in Watson District."
"I don't know him, he suddenly came to Santo Domingo," a thin man quickly said. He continued, "But I've had a few dealings with Maine's crew. They've done jobs for me before, so... I have some intelligence on them here too."
With that, the Fixer immediately uploaded a data file.
Tanaka downloaded and reviewed it, finding detailed information about Maine's crew. Most of it overlapped with what Goro Takemura had investigated, but there were also some details Goro Takemura hadn't discovered.
For example, the bars they always went to, the times of their gatherings, and their birthplaces, etc.
Seeing this, Tanaka nodded in satisfaction.
"You're... Faraday, right? I've heard my subordinates mention you," Tanaka said, looking at the Santo Domingo Fixer. He paused, then continued, "You're very good."
"Yes, thank you, thank you for your appreciation," Faraday quickly said.
He failed to notice that after his declaration, the other Fixers attending the meeting, including Dino who had spoken earlier, all showed disdain for Faraday in their eyes.
Fixers are the lubricant between clients and mercenaries. Good Fixers, excellent Fixers, know one thing: don't act as a catalyst. Learn to be a reliable drive shaft. Don't try to ignite when there's no oil, and besides... few Fixers who betray their mercenaries come to a good end.
Why do Fixers thrive in Night City?
Of course, it's all about their reputation on the street. This Santo Domingo rookie named Faraday, with a wave from Arasaka, eagerly wagged his tail and fetched the bone.
Yes, after this, Faraday has connections, he has a backer. He's backed by Arasaka, he's a big shot now, but what he can do in Night City will forever be limited.
When he's no longer useful, will Arasaka keep him around?
Joking... this idiot... he won't last more than two years in Night City!
These were the thoughts of all the seasoned Fixers present.
Was Dino just sucking up? Yes, he was.
But Dino had no choice; the other party was a genuine corporate executive, and the necessary deference had to be paid. However, this didn't mean Dino had to become Arthur's dog.
As a retired singer, Dino relied on his previous high-level connections to thrive in City Center. He had handled major contracts for Arasaka, and also major contracts against Arasaka.
This is not a contradiction; the relationship between Fixers and corporations is inherently relatively neutral.
Therefore, truly formidable Fixers maintain a somewhat detached relationship with corporations, neither opposing them nor completely relying on them.
"So, how exactly do we proceed? I called you here not to hear your excuses. I hope you can be like Faraday, come up with solutions, and seriously consider this matter from Arasaka's perspective."
Tanaka continued in a deep voice: "Afterward, I will provide generous rewards."
"..." No one answered Tanaka.
Dino thought, these guys must be showing Rogue some respect...
"How about starting with the Moxes?" A voice spoke up.
It was Faraday again. He paused, then continued, "Although it's publicly rumored that he broke with the Moxes, and was kicked out by Susie Q Q, in reality, according to the information I've gathered, his break with the Moxes was only due to external pressure from the Tyger Claws."
"And I investigated his past records, and I found that he is a foolish person. He has several instances of standing up for Moxes sex workers, and the friction with the Tyger Claws was also because of this," Faraday quickly stated.
Faraday continued, "So I believe we can put pressure on the Moxes. He's currently active on the streets as a mercenary. If we only target him, he could leave Night City at any time.
But the Moxes are different. If the intelligence results from the investigation are accurate, then if the Moxes are harmed, he will definitely show up. Unlike his status, the Moxes are rooted in Night City, so I think starting with the Moxes is the best method."
Alright, really alright, this bastard is truly thorough in betraying his own people!
Before Maine's crew went to work for Rogue, weren't they your people, Faraday?
Dino watched and listened quietly, then he saw an ordinary old man in a wool sweater with a beard in the third row—the priest from Heywood.
Sebastian had been silent since he appeared, his hands clasped, listening quietly to the meeting.
Then Dino suddenly remembered something. In that small crew... wasn't there a Valentinos member named Jackie?
So, would the priest know him?
After hearing Faraday's words, Tanaka turned to look at Arthur.
Arthur nodded: "How to proceed, Mr. Tanaka, you decide. After all, this is your plan. I will provide you with the relevant intelligence you need, agents, gangs, you can choose and use freely."
"Understood, thank you for your support," Tanaka said loudly.
After Arthur finished speaking, he exited the meeting, leaving Tanaka and the others.
"Then, we will proceed with Faraday's method. As for how to execute it... Faraday, this task is yours. I hope you won't disappoint me," Tanaka said to Faraday, his tone flat.
"Yes, Mr. Tanaka, I guarantee I will complete the mission!" Faraday immediately said loudly.
He completely failed to notice the looks the other Fixers in the room were giving him.