Chapter 148: Hostage Exchange
At the same time, Arasaka Tower, Counter-Intelligence Division Office.
Director Jenkins massaged his throbbing temples, staring at the highest-priority alert that had just popped up on his screen—Technical Division Director Tanaka kidnapped, signal detected in a derelict industrial zone on the outskirts, internal security response teams engaged in firefight.
"That idiot!" Jenkins couldn't help but curse under his breath.
He had long warned those tech-obsessed executives lacking street smarts to be mindful of personal security, especially during private activities.
Tanaka, seeking some so-called "private space," had gone without bodyguards, only to get snatched by unidentified armed militants.
What gave him the biggest headache was that his most capable subordinate, V, was currently in Europe handling a critical matter regarding the corporation's Euro-zone network security and couldn't be pulled away.
The personnel currently available to Counter-Intel were fine for routine surveillance and intel analysis, but facing this kind of sudden, high-intensity armed conflict and crisis negotiation, they were stretched thin.
Although the Technical Division and Counter-Intelligence both belonged to Arasaka, internal competition and friction were rife.
Jenkins had heard of the "Cyberskeleton" project Tanaka was in charge of—a hot potato with massive investment but poor progress.
Now the project lead was kidnapped, involving an armed conflict. If handled poorly, not only would the Technical Division lose face, but the entire security capability of the Arasaka Night City branch would be questioned by HQ.
He couldn't ignore it, but he couldn't easily intervene either.
Send Counter-Intel agents to take over the scene directly? That would offend Internal Security, and his people might not handle it better than professional combat personnel.
Jenkins rapidly weighed the pros and cons.
First, he had to report to the higher-ups, explaining the situation and clearing Counter-Intel of responsibility. After all, this was an accident caused by the Tech Director's own negligence, and security forces had already intervened.
But simultaneously, he had to find a way to control the situation. The conflict couldn't escalate, and Tanaka absolutely could not die or leak critical corporate project information.
He immediately contacted the head of Internal Security, his tone serious. "I am aware of the situation on the ground. Ensuring Director Tanaka's safety is the number one priority! Subdue the hostiles only under the premise of guaranteeing his safety. I need real-time battlefield feeds and intel sharing."
After ending the call, he quickly drafted an emergency report to HQ and Night City top management, objectively stating the event's course and current progress, emphasizing that Counter-Intel was "closely monitoring and coordinating the response."
Having finished the procedural work, he leaned back in his chair, brow furrowed.
Relying solely on the muscle-heads in Internal Security who only knew how to storm in probably wouldn't solve the problem. If they pushed the kidnappers too hard and Tanaka got killed, or... A more terrifying thought flashed through his mind: What if these kidnappers are the same group as last time...
He pulled up surveillance feeds and comms interception logs from around the industrial zone, hoping to find clues.
Soon, technical analysts sent word: based on preliminary tracing of the kidnappers' vehicles and comms patterns, there was high suspicion of involvement by the recently prominent Maine's crew.
"Maine's crew..." Jenkins' heart sank.
Them again! He immediately recalled the disastrous consequences of Abernathy's unauthorized action previously, and the fragile ceasefire V had painstakingly negotiated using Abernathy's career and corporate compensation.
If it was them again, and Tanaka was snatched because his stupid "Cyberskeleton" project targeted one of their people... then this was big trouble!
He couldn't send Counter-Intel directly to take over; that would completely inflame the conflict and possibly burn himself.
He needed a more... indirect approach.
He thought of the channel V had established previously to contact Maine's crew through the fixer Padre.
Although V was away, that line might still be usable.
Inside the abandoned warehouse, bullets flew and metal shards sprayed.
Arasaka security forces' firepower was ferocious, but Maine's crew used cover effectively, returning fire with precision and efficiency, temporarily holding off the assault.
"Maine! This isn't going to end!" Dorio slapped in a new magazine, her tone impatient. "Do we show them the real hardware?"
She was referring to the heavy weaponry they had acquired from Joric, firepower far exceeding the era's conventions.
Maine's eyes were cold. He glanced at Tanaka, who was pinned behind cover, pale from the stray bullets and explosions.
Didn't he want to solve this more directly? But...
"No," he said in a low voice. "We can't blow this up too big. If we do, saving David becomes trouble."
Forcing a breakout might be possible, but it would inevitably alert the enemy further, increasing the difficulty and risk of rescuing David.
Just then, Sasha, monitoring comms, suddenly spoke in the team channel, surprise in her voice. "Maine! Call from Padre! It's Jenkins from Arasaka Counter-Intel. He's asking to speak to you directly."
"Jenkins?" Maine raised an eyebrow, instantly understanding the intent.
That old fox must have heard about the attack on Tanaka, discovered it was them, and got scared of getting burned again. He couldn't sit still.
"Patch him through," he ordered. Speaking into the comms, his voice carried the hardness of combat. "Director Jenkins. You picked a terrible time to call."
From the other end came Jenkins' voice, trying to maintain calm but unable to hide the tension. "Mr. Maine, I believe there has been a serious misunderstanding between us. Cease fire, and we can avoid unnecessary casualties."
"Misunderstanding?" Maine sneered, firing a burst to suppress a hostile position. "Your Tech Director sets a trap to kidnap our man, and now your security forces have us surrounded. Director Jenkins, is this Arasaka's sincerity in 'cooperation'?"
"Tanaka's actions were a gross overstep! Counter-Intelligence did not authorize and absolutely does not condone such behavior!" Jenkins immediately drew a line, using his corporate official tone. "But right now, violence won't solve the problem. I understand your objective is the young man named David Martinez?"
"Correct." Maine didn't dodge. "Where is he?"
"He is currently at a... secure location." Jenkins chose his words carefully. "I can arrange for his release. But the condition is that Director Tanaka must return to the company safe and sound."
Maine heard the transactional implication in Jenkins' words, and he was happy to oblige.
"Agreed," he answered crisply. "Order your people to pull back immediately and clear a path. We release simultaneously—you deliver David to a designated location, I give Tanaka back to you."
Silence on Jenkins' end for a few seconds, clearly assessing rapidly.
Trading an insignificant street kid—who might even be a liability—for a corporate executive and the potential hope of a project, while avoiding further conflict with this thorny team and the power behind them... it was a good deal.
"Deal," Jenkins finally said, his tone regaining more control. "But I need to ensure Director Tanaka's safety prior to the exchange. Also, the release location must be mutually agreed upon to ensure the process is... controllable."
"Fine," Maine agreed. "Have your people coordinate details with Sasha. Remember, Jenkins, if David is missing a single hair, the deal is off. And when that happens, it won't be us coming for you. I think you understand—David is the Boss's apprentice."
He deliberately mentioned the "person behind," a self-evident deterrent.
Jenkins clearly understood the implication, his tone becoming more solemn. "I understand. Arasaka will honor the agreement. Now, allow me to order the troops to withdraw, creating a... space for negotiation."
The call ended temporarily.
Soon, the gunfire outside the warehouse thinned noticeably. Arasaka security forces began an orderly retreat, breaking direct contact but maintaining a remote cordon.
"They're pulling back," Dorio confirmed, relaxing slightly.
Rebecca pouted, holstering her weapon. "Tch, boring. Thought I could test the new toys."
"Saving David is the priority," Maine said gravely, his gaze still vigilantly scanning outside the window. "Sasha, finalize the exchange details with them. Dorio, watch our 'guest.' Everyone else, stay sharp. Don't let them pull any tricks."
Inside and outside the warehouse, a temporary, fragile calm descended.
(End of Chapter)