Chapter 147: Arasaka Security
The vehicle drove into an abandoned industrial warehouse district and stopped inside a vast, empty warehouse.
Tanaka was dragged out of the car and thrown onto the cold concrete floor.
He looked up in terror at the members of Maine's crew surrounding him—especially at Maine's oppressive bulk and Rebecca's eyes, which made no attempt to hide her murderous intent.
"Who... who are you people? What do you want? I am the Director of the Arasaka Technical Division! Do you know the consequences of touching me?" Tanaka tried to use the corporate name to scare them, but his trembling voice betrayed his inner fear.
Maine crouched down, his massive shadow engulfing Tanaka. The muzzle of his smart pistol tapped gently against Tanaka's forehead. "Director Tanaka. We don't have much time, so I'm only asking once. David Martinez. Where are you holding him?"
Tanaka's heart sank. It was for that kid! He tried to feign ignorance. "I... I don't know what you're talking about! Who is David Martinez?"
BANG! A dull gunshot echoed, accompanied by Tanaka's scream.
Maine didn't hesitate, putting a bullet into his thigh. It wasn't a fatal spot, but the intense pain instantly drained the color from Tanaka's face.
"My patience is limited." Maine's voice was cold. "Next time, it's your kneecap."
"In... in Warehouse B7, Logistics Zone 7... underground..." Tanaka was sweating profusely from the pain, no longer trying to hide anything. "There's a secret Technical Division lab there... the project... is 'Cyberskeleton'..."
"Cyberskeleton?" Maine frowned. He hadn't heard of this project.
"It's... it's a heavy single-soldier exoskeleton project... requires extremely high neural adaptability... David's data... he's suitable..." Tanaka confessed haltingly, trying to trade information for a chance to live.
Having obtained the exact location, Maine stood up and gave Dorio a look.
Dorio understood. She stepped forward and began a more detailed interrogation of Tanaka, covering the internal structure of the lab, security forces, and the specific details and risks of the "Cyberskeleton" project.
Meanwhile, back at the Badlands bastion, Kiwi and Sasha, armed with the information Tanaka provided, began a full-scale assault on the cyber-defenses of Warehouse B7 in Logistics Zone 7.
With a clear target, their intrusion efficiency skyrocketed.
They quickly acquired the warehouse floor plan, ventilation layout, patrol routes, and shift schedules of the security personnel.
The intel was shared with Maine's team in real-time.
"The lab is on the second basement level. Entrance disguised as a standard freight elevator. Requires a specific keycard and iris verification," Kiwi's voice came through the comms. "Security force is about twelve men, patrolling in three shifts, equipped with standard corporate-issue weapons.
"Internal conditions of the lab are unknown, but based on Tanaka's description, there should be researchers and more security inside."
"Keycard and iris..." Maine looked down at Tanaka, who lay like a dead dog on the floor.
Dorio had already searched Tanaka and found the keycard. She also used rough methods to "ensure" he would "cooperate" with the iris verification—Maine's gun never left his head.
The plan was formed quickly. Use Tanaka as the "key" to infiltrate the underground lab in Warehouse B7, rapidly locate and rescue David, then extract immediately.
Avoid firefights with security forces if possible. Once the main security force of Arasaka Tower was alerted, escape would be difficult.
Everyone piled back into the vehicle, stuffing the ashen-faced Tanaka inside, and sped toward Logistics Zone 7.
This time, they had a clear target and a preliminary plan.
But everyone knew that breaking into a secret lab of the Arasaka Technical Division was like pulling teeth from a tiger's mouth.
The operation to rescue David had just entered its most dangerous phase.
The neon lights of Night City flashed past their windows, reflecting on their grim, determined faces.
Inside the abandoned warehouse, Tanaka was roughly dragged along, the gunshot wound in his thigh eliciting constant groans of pain.
Maine's crew had just pried the key information from him and were preparing to use him as the "key" to enter the lab.
However, just as Falco started the engine to drive toward Logistics Zone 7, Kiwi's urgent voice rang through the team comms channel, carrying a distinct warning tone. "Maine! Problem! Multiple high-speed signals converging on your position! Identification signal... it's an Arasaka Internal Security Response Team!"
Almost simultaneously, the distinct roar of heavy AV engines approached from the distance, growing louder. Blinding searchlights sliced through the night sky like swords, beginning to sweep the abandoned industrial district.
"Shit!" Maine's expression changed as he instantly realized what was happening. "This bastard has a tracker on him!"
Although Tanaka was grimacing in pain, hearing the engines brought a glint of hope and malice to his eyes.
The company hadn't abandoned him! Rescue was here!
Rebecca reacted instantly. She slammed the barrel of her shotgun hard against Tanaka's temple, shouting out the window, "Back off! Or I blow his head off right now!"
But the Arasaka Internal Security Response Team were not street thugs. They were well-trained and focused on their objective.
Two armored AVs quickly took up advantageous positions above the warehouse. Hatches opened, and security personnel in black heavy combat suits and full-face helmets fast-roped down, their movements swift and professional.
More armored ground vehicles sealed off every exit of the warehouse district. Red laser sights began dancing across the off-roader where Maine's crew was.
"Occupants of the vehicle, attention! Release Director Tanaka immediately! Drop your weapons and surrender! This is your final warning!" A cold, stiff announcement blared from a loudspeaker.
"Surrender? Like hell!" Rebecca gritted her teeth, her finger on the trigger, almost pressing down.
The situation had deteriorated instantly.
They had a hostage, but the enemy had absolute superiority in firepower and numbers, and evidently didn't care much about Tanaka's life—or believed they wouldn't actually kill an Arasaka executive.
Maine's crew was trapped in this warehouse, caught in a desperate dilemma.
"Falco! Find cover!" Maine roared, simultaneously yanking Tanaka out of the car. Using his massive body as a temporary shield, he dragged him quickly behind a pile of abandoned shipping containers inside the warehouse.
Dorio, Pilar, and Rebecca also immediately sought firing positions behind the vehicle and debris.
Bang! Bang! Bang!
An intense firefight erupted instantly.
Arasaka security personnel, leveraging their superior equipment and suppressive fire, poured bullets like rain. Sparks and debris flew as rounds struck the off-roader's armor and the containers.
Maine's crew fought back tenaciously, using their experience and the terrain. Their return fire whistled toward the enemy, temporarily checking the momentum of the assault. But everyone knew this was only temporary. They were completely surrounded and at an absolute disadvantage.
(End of Chapter)