Chapter 216: Assassination and Betrayal
The Arasaka White Whale carrier battle group continued to cruise in the outer waters of Night City, maintaining significant military pressure.
However, the actual evolution of the battlefield did not proceed in the direction Arasaka expected.
In the direction of the Badlands manufactorum, the armored units commanded by Shintaro Takayama were consistently unable to breach the defense of the energy shield. Instead, they lost a large amount of manpower and equipment in the ongoing war of attrition.
Just at this critical moment, news from other war zones arrived one after another, plunging Arasaka into a passive situation of multi-front warfare.
The changes in the Southeast Asian region were particularly significant.
After clearing the internal interference caused by its North American branch, Kang Tao's Chinese headquarters began to fully commit to military operations.
Benefiting from the connection established with Joric, the equipment level and combat capabilities of Kang Tao's forces had been substantially improved.
On the urban streets of Ho Chi Minh City and Bangkok, Kang Tao deployed well-equipped special forces.
These troops were equipped with advanced smart weapon systems, demonstrating excellent fire control and battlefield coordination capabilities in actual combat.
Kang Tao's air power sortied frequently, systematically destroying Arasaka's communication hubs and energy facilities.
Ground forces, relying on improved individual equipment and refined tactical coordination, cleared Arasaka's strongholds one by one.
These military operations precisely struck Arasaka's core interests in Southeast Asia.
Chip manufacturing plants and bio-resource collection points in the region were destroyed in succession, forcing production activities to a halt.
The Arasaka Board of Directors constantly received emergency war reports from Southeast Asia. This region, which had historically provided an important source of revenue for Arasaka, was facing the risk of being completely dismantled.
Meanwhile, the New United States of America (NUSA) also noticed this change in strategic posture.
President Myers and her team of military advisors believed this was a favorable opportunity and began actively mobilizing troops.
The NUSA not only issued political appeals to other regions of the West Coast but also stepped up troop deployments, attempting to further advance its unification plan while Arasaka was under pressure on both the eastern and western fronts.
Arasaka was now indeed in a strategic predicament.
Its forces on the Night City front were thwarted by a solid defense system, while its industrial bases in Southeast Asia were being pressed step by step by Kang Tao.
This situation of being attacked from two sides was continuously consuming Arasaka's strategic resources and affecting its overall strategic layout.
The dilemma of fighting on two fronts put immense pressure on Arasaka's battle lines, which were already strained by frontline failures. The Arasaka high command in Tokyo was exhausted from dealing with the situation, scrambling to cope.
While Arasaka's leadership was weary from handling the wars on both the east and west fronts, the NUSA was closely monitoring this strategic window.
Washington D.C., White House Situation Room. President Rosalind Myers stood before a huge electronic map.
The screen displayed real-time simulations of the battle situation around Night City, as well as the dynamics of Kang Tao's offensive in Southeast Asia.
She leaned her hands on the edge of the console, her sharp gaze sweeping over every flickering dot.
"The time is ripe." Myers' voice broke the silence of the Situation Room. "Arasaka's attention is divided, and their military power is pinned down on various battlefields. This is an opportunity given by history to the New United States. We must seize this chance to complete the great cause of unification."
Three days later, Myers' special plane landed in the Militech-controlled zone of Night City.
She did not go to the underground command center but instead stepped directly onto a temporary podium erected in front of City Hall.
Below the stage gathered fearful citizens, their faces a mix of dread for the war and confusion about the future.
Countless camera lenses were aimed at this president determined to change the landscape.
"My fellow countrymen!" Myers' voice spread through the entire square via the PA system and was simultaneously broadcast live through news networks to all Free States and independent cities on the West Coast. "We were once a whole nation, a united people! But the expansion of corporate power and endless conflicts have cost us dearly. Look at this scarred city, look at our fragmented land—this is the bitter fruit of division!"
She pointed to the ruins of Arasaka Tower still smoking in the distance. The faint sound of artillery fire from afar provided the most authentic background noise for her speech.
"But today, we see the dawn of hope! The New United States will inherit the spiritual legacy of the old Union and end the chaos and division on this land! Here, I formally announce: The New United States will restart the Unification War! We call upon all brothers and sisters of the West Coast to return to the embrace of the motherland! Let us join hands to rebuild a strong, prosperous, and inviolable America!"
As the speech reached its climax, the emotions of the crowd were fully roused. However, at this critical moment—
BANG!
A crisp gunshot tore through the air. The bulletproof glass on the side of the podium instantly cracked like a spiderweb.
President Myers' body swayed violently. Her left shoulder was instantly stained red with blood. Secret Service agents immediately formed a human wall to shield her.
"Sniper! Three o'clock, high-rise building!" Urgent alarms rang out in the comms channel.
The scene instantly descended into chaos, with the terrified crowd scattering in panic.
FIA agents ambushing on the high ground engaged in a fierce firefight with the attackers.
In the confusion, FIA agent "Songbird" (Song So Mi) quickly broke away from the protective formation.
This Korean-American agent, relying on her familiarity with the terrain, moved rapidly along a pre-planned route.
Clutched tightly in her hand was a data shard containing test data on Militech's new energy weapons and details of frontline defenses, stolen using her position.
Around a concealed corner, she handed the shard to a seemingly inconspicuous figure.
The handover lasted only two seconds, after which she disappeared into the intricate alleyways of Night City like a drop of water merging into the sea.
The agent codenamed "Songbird" had completed her final mission at this moment.
Just minutes later, the intelligence department on Arasaka's White Whale received this generous gift from the traitor.
Accompanying the intelligence was a concise message: "Confirmed target 'Sage' is located in the Badlands manufactorum core workshop. Target possesses core technologies for shield systems and unknown energy weapons."
Almost simultaneously, President Myers, wounded in the left shoulder, was escorted into an armored vehicle under the strict protection of agent Solomon Reed.
Despite the bleeding wound, she still shouted firmly into her communicator: "Do not retreat! Continue fighting! For unification! For the New United States!"
Reed's face was grave. While directing the evacuation, he scanned the surroundings vigilantly.
This experienced veteran knew very well that the real threat might have only just begun.
Song So Mi's betrayal and this carefully planned assassination were undoubtedly a lethal counterattack launched from the shadows by Arasaka after being thwarted on the frontal battlefield.
This event not only dealt a heavy blow to NUSA morale but also gave Arasaka key intelligence concerning the direction of the war.
As for the name "Songbird," it would become an indelible shame for the FIA and a target for hunting down.
(End of Chapter)