Neon Cogs: Chapter 9 (Patreon)

Rebecca adjusted her obi for what felt like the hundredth time and it didn’t help with how stuffy and heavy it all was. She couldn’t help it as she needed to be absolutely immaculate on this specific day because this was the day she meets Hiro’s grandfather, who was none other than Subaro Arasaka. To say the man was legendary in night city would be an understatement for only a man of supreme will could hold the titanic empire that was Arasaka together.

“Come on Rebecca, just breathe.” Hiro whispered to her ears as he gave her hands a reassuring squeeze. There, they sat inside an Aerodyne as it cruised through the sky. Their destination was just ahead, a massive walled compound sitting atop a small hill. This was the true heart of Arasaka’s operation, they were heading for the Arasaka Family Compound.

“Easy for you to say when you’re not swaddled in what feels like a dozen layers of silk,” She fired back as she leaned back against the luxurious leather seat. Not even the chocolates that were provided nor the small sip of wine she had could help calm her frayed nerves.

“Heh. Still though, you got this. I believe in you. This will just be another practice run.” He reminded her. She smiled before a yawn overtook her. Rubbing her tired eyes, she stared down at the compound down below as their ride started to descend among one of many Aerodynes landing and flying off from the small airport attached to the compound.

“Yes, just another practice run. Nothing more, nothing less.” She whispered to herself, doing her best to psyche herself up now that they were finally there.

The rows of immaculately dressed maids with their black and white uniforms with more oriental sleeves was quite the sight. They stood there in attention as they came to greet them along with a whole entourage of guards. They were not the ones that caught Rebecca’s attention however but it was the man overseeing it all. There, standing ahead of everyone else was an Englishman with graying black hair combed back without nary a stray hair in sight wearing a suit that was pressed to a perfection.

“Good morning, young master.” The man greeted in japanese as her input brightened up at the sight of the man. “And my my, it seems that he has brought a lady friend home,” he then added as his gaze landed on her. Rebecca stared back with a soft smile, waiting for him to say anything else.

“Walter! How’s my favorite butler doing? I hope grandfather didn't give you too much trouble while I was away,” Hiro greeted as he walked up to the man and gave him a hug. The butlers sighed out as he rolled his eyes and gave Hiro a pat on the head.

“On the contrary, the estate had never experienced such peace in almost 15 years. I believe that might be due to the fact that there haven't been any explosions since you left. Strange, but a welcome change of pace,” The taller man snarked out as Hiro pulled away from him. Rebecca had to look away and hide her lips with her sleeves just to avoid laughing. She liked this man.

“You're so funny, Walter,” Hiro snorted out at the man's joking remark as he turned toward her and introduced her to the family's butler, “Anyway, I would like you to meet my girlfriend. Rebecca, meet Walter. Walter, meet Rebecca.”

“Walter Dornez at your service,” The man greeted as he forwent the usual japanese way of greeting for a kiss on her hand. Her brow twitched at the man's attempt to flirt but chose to hide it behind a strained smile of her own.

“Charmed,” She replied as she did her best not to throttle the man.

“Quite a fiery one are you? Well, the master does have a distaste for those of weak will so no wonder he picked you,” The man then said as a rather cheeky smile stretched across his face before gesturing for them as the sea of maids and guards parted before him, “Now, if you’d follow me?”

The gate of the compound was just as impressive as everything else with each of the doors looking like they were made from one massive tree. It wasn’t just them that arrived either, but a whole host of people as well. She watched as a pair of businessmen entered through the compound before she specifically was barred by the guard stationed at the gate. She took in a short breath as she turned to look at the butler who in turn was glaring at the man before them.

“The master's orders,” The man intoned as he refused to budge one bit even as Hiro was waiting on the other side.

“I’m quite sorry but we’ll have to do a quick search before you enter the estate. Normal procedure, I assure you,” The butler gritted out through his strained smile. Rebecca smiled back and shook her head. There was no need to be offended for her when this was to be expected. That was why she and Hiro made sure to give quite the impression.

“There’s no need. Besides, I’ve been meaning to find a place to put all my guns down,” She laughed out softly as she started unloading her arsenal. Her elegant clothing served well to hide everything as she dropped the bolters she had hidden in her sleeves. That made everyone pause as they turned and watched her start pulling out other weapons. Lasguns, grenades, knives, even an LMG version of the Bolter was handed over to the poor man who was now trying his best to carry everything. Finally, she lifted up the side of her kimono and pulled her favorite black gun.

“Please take care of them alright?~” She sang out in a teasing tone as she watched the man stagger off to find a place to drop it all down. She had packed her most expensive weaponry and the man knew damn well not to scratch her belongings. Was it petty having him carry it all when he was merely following orders? Yes. Was it entertaining to watch? Most certainly it was.

“I’ll repeat, isn’t she a fiery one. The master doesn’t half ass things when it comes to choosing his woman, just as much when he attempts to break the laws of physics themselves.” The butler reiterated with an amused tone of his own as they were finally allowed through after a brief search by a female guard.

She smiled as she walked with Hiro confidently. She was ready for the challenges that Hiro’s grandfather posed, the question now would be if his grandfather was ready for her?

-x-x-x-

“Mr. Fujimoto,Tokyo around this time of the year is rather pleasant. Why don’t you and your entourage take a tour of the city? Kyoto has its charms but I assure you that Tokyo has character equal to the old capital.” Saburo Arasaka, the true head of the Arasaka Corporation, said as he waved off another petitioner as he held court.

There the man sat as the door leading to a balcony overlooking the massive enclosed forest with Mount Fuji in the background remained open. The cool fresh air of the morning flowed in but that couldn’t stop the man before them from sweating. Goro Takamura watched it all as he stood there in attention, ready to cut down anyone that tried thinking of anything funny.

“B-but Mr. Arasaka, please, just give me anoth-” The man stuttered, getting on his knees and crawling up to the elderly Arasala, begging his master only for the old man to frown. The fool had just signed his death warrant.

“Good day Mr. Fujimoto. I hope your visit has been pleasant.” The Arasaka head chided the blubbering fool who hastily made a bow and scampered off to whatever hole he came from. His master reached up for his forehead and sighed out in frustration. He sympathized with him for the flood of sycophants and asskissers was never ending.

The frown however quickly gave way as word of the young master's arrival came. There was still a frown on the older man's face at the mention of the girl but that gave way to a bemused look as tales of the arsenal of weapons disgorged at one of the poor guards. Goro made sure to remember to have a table placed nearby.

It didn’t take long for his former ward to arrive with the girl he had taken fancy in tow. Her pale face, her immaculately done hair and her tidy dress spoke of a cultured woman but those striking and fierce red eyes of hers said otherwise. She might look like a pretty flower but this one had thorns.

“When I heard that she’s always armed, I did not expect that she’d bring enough to arm a whole squad of soldiers.” The old master commented with wry amusement tinged his tone. He might have remained impassive but the way he relaxed on his seat was a good sign.

“Good afternoon, grandfather.” The young master respectfully bowed along with his lover. The two bowed together, with the girl bowing a bit lower. He gave the girl an approving nod.

“So, this is the gaijin girl then. I expected someone… taller,” The elderly Arasaka sneered at the girl. Only the girl's soft frown was any sign that she was affected by it. As the master's personal guard, he had studied the girl in front of her. The girl was going to fight an uphill battle with her upbringing and he couldn’t help but root for her, but the girl was doing good so far.

“What can I say, grandfather? The best things often come in small packages,” Hiro replied for her, defending her before his grandfather.

The old man snorted as he slowly stood up from his seat. With Goro assisting him and making sure he didn't fall over, the man got up to his feet and made his way up to inspect the young master's lover. He walked close, getting well within the striking distance of the girl as he stared at her with those cold weathered eyes that remain sharp despite his extremely advanced age. There was a stand off between the two with the girl refusing to budge.

Finally, after what felt like an eternity, the old man nodded as he introduced himself, “You may know me already but it’s best that I introduce myself. I am Arasaka Saburo, Hiro’s grandfather. With what name shall I call you?” The master said as he looked at the girl appraisingly, trying to find any flaw but she wore her dress with the dignity of a proper japanese woman; a feat all on its own.

“My name is Rebecca Hall. It’s an honor to meet you,” The young woman demurely replied. Her tone was controlled and her speech slower almost imperceptibly.

“Hall. I believe I’m unfamiliar with such a family in all my dealings in the US but no matter. Come, sit. The servants will bring the tea set shortly,” The old man quipped, sending another barb towards the girl's way but all he ever got when he turned away was a soft, yet challenging, smile.

Walter and another maid would soon come to the room bringing with them some of the older pieces of ceramic. They were priceless works of art made during the time of the shoguns. Their worn appearance showed their age well and the girl gulped ever so softly at the sight. Emboldened in the front of the cups was a raging wave like texture, an imperfection on the otherwise perfect piece of ceramic yet it was strangely beautiful in its own way.

“Why don’t you prepare us some tea while I discuss with my grandson on his recent escapade.” The master requested, though anyone that was familiar with him knew it was an order. She was to be the host of the ceremony and she took it in stride as she made a gentle bow from her seiza.

“Please, allow me,” She replied as she slowly sat up and walked over to start.

Using the offered basin, she washed her hands, cleansing them before even making a move to touch the tools. She gave proper reverence to the tools as she cleaned them with the linen provided for her with the whisk being cleaned with the hot water served she had scooped from the hot kettle. Scooping the right amount of matcha, she prepared a suitably thick tea for the master. Everything was done with a deliberate pace, neither slow nor hurried, as she made sure that it was well mixed. With the wave on the teacup facing her, she offered it to the elderly man.

Everything was almost done to the prescribed procedures but Goro couldn’t help but shake his head; the key word was almost. Still, the master took the offered tea and gave a small bow of gratitude before taking a sip. The old man savored the tea as Rebecca made another cup for the young master.

“Hiro, do you know why I’ve called you here?” The man then asked as he looked up from his steaming drink.

“To judge my actions, grandfather, as well as meet the woman that has caught my eye,” The young master answered with a solemn tone.

“Indeed,” The man nodded as he finished his tea. Setting the cup aside, the young woman asked if he wanted another cup to which the elderly Arasaka shook his head. Hiro would soon receive his tea cup with the wave of his cup facing him. He bowed as he received the cup before turning his cup clockwise twice so that the front faced away from him.

“When I sent you to America, I thought you were ready to handle our branch in Night City. Everything was going smoothly, investment was steady, and the confidence the markets had in our stock was at an all time high. Your lab had just been set up and the latest release of your newest weapons system has been a resounding success,” the elderly Arasaka started, praising Hiro’s effort so far before his frown deepened as he leveled a small glare at his grandson.

“Your actions involving your private life, however, leaves me wanting,” The man then scolded, laying before the boy all that he had found him lacking, “Starting a fling with a courtesan and practically screaming it out to the world in a press conference, starting a war with the gaijin’s pawns when you’re still scrambling to get your manufacturing equipment to the country and then, to top it all off, you decided to get involved in a fire fight,” The girl’s hands clenched yet she stayed her hand and remained quiet as she allowed her man to fight his own battle.

“Grandfather, I’d like to apologize for the fire fight. I thought I was ready-” The boy apologized only to be cut off.

“But clearly you aren’t. You didn’t have to get your hands dirty when your executioner could have handled it but you didn’t let him. Has your lover clouded your mind that much? What you have done was foolish.” The almost bicentennial man growled out, questioning the wisdom that the young master showed.

“My choice of timing left much to be desired,” The younger of the two lamely replied making the old man sneer as he turned his attention to the girl who had remained quiet all this time. Her shoulders were squared, her posture tense yet she did her best to remain calm under fire.

“Speaking of your lover… a commoner of all things and a foreigner at that. You are the scion of the house of Arasaka and your future wife should match your station. Almost every prominent family in Japan has offered the hands of their daughters or close relatives to you and far more that I have to reject due to their current situation. You could have anyone and we could have made it work, even a seat beside the chrysanthemum throne is on the table and is still, I would have even contented myself with that Korean whore you had for your sports team as her family is from a more respectable sort but you choose her, why?” The man questioned.

There was a pause as the young woman took deep calming breaths while the two stared off against one another. The young master himself was frowning now as he grounded out, “Because she is my choice and she has yet to make me regret it. I accepted your choice once, grandfather, and she did not live up to my expectations.”

The older man glanced away, turning to the beautiful scenery to the side. For a minute, they remained silent before the older man broke the silence, “And so she did.” He whispered out.

Hiro nodded before he bowed down to his grandfather, pressing his forehead down on the tatami mat, “Grandfather, I take full responsibility for my actions. Whatever you decide today, I shall follow,” the boy intoned, laying his fate before his elder. He had wronged in the older man's eyes and the younger man accepted his faults.

The man closed his eyes as he let out a deep seated sigh before he gestured for Goro to help him, “I’m feeling the need for some fresh air. We’ll decide your punishment after we have a round out in the field.” The man declared as he motioned for them to follow him.

-x-x-x-

“First time on a shooting range, Miss Hall?” Walter asked as he observed the young woman before her. She might try to hide it but the wide eyed stare of awe at the rolling fields of grass and the various sporting equipment was truly a sight to behold. Seeing her origins, she might not have had the luxury to enjoy it.

“No, not at all Mr. Dornez it’s just the first time I’ve been in such a wide and open one,” The girl admitted as she walked up the table where a pair of preloaded pump action shotguns were set aside.They were old things, hailing from a time before the rise of corporations but they were well kept even if their grip had been worn from all the use. The young lady looked over to the young master, giving him questioning looks to which the man shrugged.

“Well, you're in for a treat then,” The butler smiled as the elderly Arasaka grabbed one of the guns and inspected them, loading them with bird shots from a nearby box. Walter gestured for the maids to man the clay pigeon machine.

“So Miss Hall, I heard from my grandson that you’re quite a sharp shooter,” The old master quarried as he gazed towards the young lady.

The woman blinked, surprised by the question, but she remained poised as she answered without missing a beat, “The use of one’s gun is essential for my profession. Nothing beats combat in improving one’s shot knowing that a miss can cause one’s death.”

“Indeed. As much as a soldier is trained for the battlefield, nothing can truly replicate the experience of a real fight,” The elderly Arasaka reminisced as he gazed up in the sky.

“I couldn’t agree more,” The girl nodded in agreement.

“Miss Hall, would you care for a shooting contest? While using a gun out in the field is relaxing, having a friendly competition can spice things up,” The old man then asked as he gave the girl one of his ever so rare smiles.

“I’ll be more than happy too,” The younger girl accepted as she almost grinned from ear to ear until she noticed it and toned down her excitement. The girl was showing cracks from her immaculate appearance but they showed steel of a warrior rather than the softness of a conniving worm; interesting. He made sure to watch her closely as he walked over to the maids manning the machine.

“Walter, prepare the Clay Pigeons,” Their master ordered and Walter was more than happy to set the stage for a match.

There was enough ground in the training field of the Arasaka compound to house a clay pigeon shooting range among various other firearm related courses and Walter made sure that everything was ready at a moment's notice. “Miss Hall, your weapons have been prepared. Best of luck. The old master is quite the proficient shooter,” He warned the young girl.

“Thank you,” The young woman replied as he held comfortably, her hands gripping the stock as she tested the iron sights of the ancient weapon. She nodded appreciatively as she watched the old man start off the competition. There were three machines loaded with the clay targets and one by one they fired. The old man was deft with his hands as he quickly tracked the target and shot them out of them but missed the last as it was far too close to the ground.

“I believe that you’re a Night City native, Miss Hall?” The man asked before turning to Walter to order the machines to fire.

“Yes, born and raised in the streets of Watson. Night City is an unforgiving place especially for those that were orphaned, but we survived,” The girl casually replied even as she shot them from the most awkward of angles; she held the gun around her waist.

“I can see why,” The man replied as the next course started. Two machines now started firing in pairs but in random order, “Any hobbies that you find enjoyable?” The man then asked as he shot down the first pair without any problem.

“I find shooting to be far more relaxing than most forms of mindless entertainment, at least it has practicality,” The woman replied as she fired once more from her awkward shooting angle, hitting her targets head on, “I also find enjoyment by reading through classical fiction. Reading provides a different perspective to one's own and can serve well to sharpen the mind.”

“A balance of mind and body. Many would tend to ignore one and favor the other, yet they do not see how both are one and the same,” The man agreed, praising her for her hobbies. That got his brow rising. Was she of all people getting through the old master?

The next pair were quickly fired at the sky but with varying speed. The older man shot down the low lying and slow moving target first before targeting the other. “You have overcome challenges and now you have achieved lofty heights that many are often not worthy of achieving. What do you intend to do moving forward?” The man pressed on, grilling the girls with ever harder questions.

“I intend to remain by my lover's side, even if it means that I’ll have to face a whole new set of hardships. To give up on him would be a betrayal of the trust that he has placed upon me and I aspire to be worthy of the love he gives,” The girl declared with a look of grim determination as shot the twin targets in quick succession.

“Loyalty, even if it's blind or senseless, is praiseworthy. A bucket of crabs is all I have most of the time, but to find one that would remain by one's side through all the trials and tribulations of life is exceedingly rare and often elusive especially in this day and age,” The older man lamented as the last pair was flung to the air. He waited a bit, letting them fly to the peak of their ark before shooting them down.

“People often get blinded by their own hubris,” The young woman replied, sympathizing as Walter prepared a surprise for her for the next round.

“Do you intend to remain in Night City?” The man questioned as the final clay shots were fired in the air.

“Given the chance and if Hiro were to ask me? I would choose to move out and never look back,” She answered truthfully as she shot the pair down without so much a blink. Her eyes widened however as five more clay targets were sent flying in the air.

“Is it not where you were born? Is it your home?” The old man asked as the girl took aim and squeezed the trigger only to find that her shotgun had run out of shells. She grabbed four more, two shells paired with each other as she performed a pitch perfect speed load. She shot down three of the lower flying ones before raising her gun for the final pair. With her head slightly tilted to the stock of the gun, she aimed carefully before making her shot. The slug ripped through the last two targets in quick succession. Her audience clapped and he too joined in at the display.

Wiping the sweat off her forehead, she gently set her firearm to the table before making her reply, “Yes, it is where I was born but it is merely a place where I live. It is where I live but it is a hostile place, an unforgiving place, a place not suitable for any child to grow up in.”

Turning to the older Arasaka, she continued, “It is cold, it is uncaring, and a blight on this world,” She smiled softly, before adding, “You can say that it is a hive of scum and villainy.”

Walter had to clench his jaw to avoid bursting out laughing. This girl, he now knew exactly why this girl of all things captured the heart of his former ward. Hiro was a lucky man to have a girl like this by his side. It’s a shame that she was not one of the old masters' picks.

“But it would not be for long,” The old man nodded gravely before turning to his grandson. “I’ve finally reached a decision. I will not be asking you to come back to Japan. Our operation in Night City is still a top priority and I need you there to oversee it with Michiko.”

The boy visibly deflated just as his master turned his attention to the young firebrand, “As for you, Miss Hall, the estate is for you to explore. Walter will be your guide. Might I suggest the pond next to the shrine? I have yet to feed the ducks with how busy I have been this morning and they might be hungry,” The man suggested with a soft smile on his face. The girl brightened up noticeably as she gave the man a smile that reached up to her eyes before nodding eagerly.

“Of course. By your leave?” The girl requested to which his master nodded and gestured for her to go. She did not need to be told twice.

“Right this way, Miss Hall.” Walter motioned for her to follow. She earned this small tour inside the compound. He made sure that she wouldn’t be bothered by any of the other staff. After all, it would be rather dangerous if anyone from the staff decided to mess with the young master’s mistress.

-x-x-x-

Saburo Araska had enough excitement for the day and sent off any would-be petitioners for the day home as he led his grandson to his personal office. Any important meeting would have been sent through to his youngest daughter and he trusted her well enough to handle it. Now, he simply wanted to spend time with his grandson.

Reaching his room, his faithful retainer opened the door leading to his study for him. His aching bones reminded him that he needs to check his personal physician once more. Heading inside, he motioned for Goro to stand guard as he locked the door behind him. There, inside the relatively privacy of the study, they could finally talk.

This room had once been the office of his father and he remembered the time he spent playing here. It was a more western styled office than he would have liked, but the memories this room held were far too precious for him to destroy. He stepped across the burnt part of the rug, remembering how he almost burned the whole office down when he knocked down a candle, before sitting down on one of the comfortable Edwardian Couch that his father imported and patting the seat beside him.

They sat together in silence for a while as his grandson stretched his tired legs, “I would like to say that I was rather disappointed when I first learned of her through Michiko. I thought you made a mistake in choosing her, but now that I’ve met her and judged her, I find that I’m the one that’s mistaken,” He admitted, feeling a bit of deja vu as he was forced to admit that he was wrong in judging a book by its cover. He looked over to his grandson, a union of his rebellious son and a princess from a far off land. He was every bit his father's son, even if there was a rift between the two.

“Make no mistake, however, as fine a woman she is, she is not suitable to be your main wife. Yes, she has a good head on her shoulders and she showed that she can learn and adapt to our customs, but her educational attainment is lacking. She is rather emotional as well, despite how well she held herself back,” Just like his father, he had fallen for someone not of his choice. He grimaced as the memories of confronting his son came rushing back. The shouting, the punches thrown, such a foolish boy.

“Simply put, the realities of your situation require you to marry for the sake of the company and the family first and foremost if Arasaka is to survive this century and the ones afterwards. Your wife needs to cover for your weaknesses when it comes to dealing with business,” He explained, laying his objections to any official union they might have.

“And unfortunately in your eyes, Rebecca will not be able to meet the challenge,” The boy deduced, making him frown. Still, his grandson proved himself to be far different when he saw through the wisdom of his words as he heard his resigned sigh.

“Regrettably, yes. Love and Duty often come at odds, but that does not mean you can’t choose both.” He comforted him, making his grandson perk up. Cruel he might be to his enemies, he was not one to his own blood.

“She might not be a good candidate to be your wife but she is a good retainer as well as a lover, if this is your taste. If your future wife can get through her and your heart, then all the better but it might not be the case. Best to have her around to ease things out for you and your future wife’s sake,” He added, acknowledging that the girl might not be perfect but she still was good enough to stand by his grandson’s side. Maybe not as a wife, but a lover to warm his bed and calm the emotions he had inside his heart. The girl was also good with firearms, terrifyingly so.

“Thank you grandfather,” The boy replied.

“Do not think that you're out of hot water just yet, young man. There are still the consequences of your ill thought out actions,” He reminded him. He had been less than pleased with his actions to say the very least. “As for your punishment, you have long denied my attempts to give you a proper body guard, even going so far as to recruit your butcher. I have held my hand but no longer,” He declared, leaving no room for questioning. This was his ultimatum and all that he asked of him. His grandson might value his freedom but he valued his life even more.

“I’ll… provide accommodations for Jubei,” The boy relented with a bit of reluctance to his voice. He laughed at the boy for his assumption. No, he had learned his lesson when it came to choosing his grandson's retainers as well as potential suitors.

“Who said it would be Jubei? You may come out now,” He replied before signaling his shadows to descend from their hiding spot. A panel on the roof opened up as the grandfather and daughter duo descended down and knelt before them. The Kamori clan might not be as famous as the Hattori but they had been in the Arasaka’s service since time immemorial.

“Finally, you guys should really get someone to clean up there. If I wasn’t wearing a mask, I would have sneezed my nose off,” The young scion of the Kamori clan mouthed off but was instantly cuffed on the back of the head by her grandfather.

“Kiriko! Not the time. Master, please forgive my wayward daughter,” Jubei growled out before forcing his daughter to bow down. The girl tried to fight back but Jubei showed why he was still the head of the clan.

“No need for that my old friend. Besides, she would be Hiro’s retainer from here on out?” he replied as he gestured for them to rise up.

“Wait really? Sweet! I won’t let you down,” The young excitable girl piped up as she gave them both a salute. He and Jubei sucked in a breath before sighing out. Were grandchildren really this much of a handful?

“Well, she’s certainly lively,” Hiro slowly drew out as he looked at the young kunoichi with apprehension and uncertainty.

“Isn’t she not to your tastes?” He questioned with a frown. It was by sheer luck that his shinobi retainer had a granddaughter that was only a few years older than his grandson.

“I did not expect you to drop the subtlety of your actions so soon, father,” He deadpanned, making him chuckle softly.

“When a sword can’t cut it, it’s best to start using a club,” He replied with a shrug. Yes, it was crude but his intentions were clear as day.

“She will do,” The boy sighed, making the girl gush out in excitement. The girl was certainly a handful but she would be Hiro’s problem from now on. He allowed the girl to settle down first and remember who she was standing before sending them off.

“With that out of the way, let’s talk about your other actions as well, shall we?” He asked as he leveled the boy a more serious and questioning look. The boy had been rather hasty these past few months. He had waited an entire year before he acted and the results of his actions had been rather explosive.

The boy merely smiled enigmatically as he clarified, “Everything has been going as planned.”

“Is it really necessary to play the part of a fool? Starting the war so early with the enemy when you're in the middle of preparing your fortress and factories?” He asked, wondering why he was acting as such. There was a method to the boy's madness, there always had been. Even the explosions in the villa had been a showcase of his technology's potency, even if they were earthshaking.

“People do severely underestimate the fool. Besides, I now know my enemies as well as those who I can’t trust,” The boy casually answered with a shrug. A bit wasteful in his opinion but Night City was his grandson’s theater. The boy needed to learn even if it meant a scrape or two on his knees. It did show who his grandson couldn’t trust as well as finding new pieces that were more than willing to play along.

“The cat’s paw has decided to stay its hand when the company is in need of their action. They have grown fat and lazy,” He scoffed in disgust. It only took two generations before the successors of his son's pet ronin decided that they would not act until called upon. Where was the initiative? The loyalty?

“They are disposable assets in the end. They can be replaced, especially when the public can be swayed to our cause instead. Fear is a useful tool, but it can only get us so far. Being loved is far better.” His grandson pointed out.

“And your move to court a shipping company by letting them handle such delicate equipment?” He then questioned. Why had he relied upon the help of outsiders when he had his aunt to call upon for help.

“Equipment I black boxed and would be useless if not assembled properly, grandfather, but to put it simply? Asset denial,” The boy answered. That he could understand. Arasaka had stood alone in the last war and look at what that cost them. They had no friends to back them up and they paid for it in blood when their reputation was tarnished by the very bomb used against them. His blood boiled at the very memory of that day, that day when everything went horribly wrong.

“And so the pieces are now set and all that’s needed is for me to set things in motion. Not even Militech and NUSA’s honeyed words can’t sway the public once I’m done with Pacifica. Night City shall serve as quite the forward base for another Corporate War don’t you agree, grandfather?” His grandson then asked.

“Indeed, but be careful there.” He reminded him. He already lost one heir to the enemies across the ocean, he dared not think what he would do he would lose another.

“Of course grandfather. By the way, about the other project?” His grandson then asked, making his groan out in frustration.

“The answer remains no, Hiro. You have far too many balls in the air to handle that as well. Let your Aunt have it,” He scolded the boy as he shook his head. He needed to learn to rely on his blood and not just on him and his cousin.

“If you say so,” the boy muttered. He swore out inside the privacy of his head, the friction between his descendants would cost him his life if things got out of hand.