Chapter 245: Decapitation Operation
Inside the newly completed laboratory in the Badlands, Joric's crimson optical lenses scanned the data streams refreshing constantly on the main console.
Intelligence from Militech and Kang Tao CN, after preliminary filtering and cross-validation by the "Administrator" AI, was converging here.
Although the whereabouts of Saburo Arasaka, the true core of the Arasaka Empire, were not a complete secret, confirming them still required significant effort.
But under the absolute power Joric had displayed and his clear intent to thoroughly uproot Arasaka, both the NUSA and Kang Tao held nothing back, activating their most deeply embedded intelligence networks.
A report from a high-level Militech mole within the Tokyo municipal system, corroborated by abnormal internal energy consumption data obtained by Kang Tao through commercial channels, finally locked the target onto the shores of Tokyo Bay—the Arasaka family private estate, shrouded by high walls, forests, and layers of electronic defenses.
That place was not only Saburo Arasaka's residence but also the symbol of his power and his final fortress.
"Saburo Arasaka precisely located. He is hiding in the underground core of the Tokyo estate. Security in that area constitutes the final line of defense." Joric's voice rang in the laboratory, calmly stating the conclusion.
He turned to Ignis, who stood waiting nearby. "Notify House Nearl. Prepare to execute the 'Decapitation' protocol."
The command was transmitted instantly via data link to the House Nearl squad, who were currently adapting to the environment.
Simultaneously, Joric connected to the encrypted communication channels of Militech and Kang Tao.
Militech's highest liaison officer in Night City and the commander of Kang Tao's Li Wei squad appeared simultaneously on the split screens.
"I need a strike unit secretly deployed over the skies of Tokyo. Coordinates have been sent." Joric issued the core directive directly, without any beating around the bush.
On the other side of the screen, the two responsible officers did not hesitate in the slightest. Faced with Joric's request, they had long understood that "cooperation" was the only option, and they immediately demonstrated their respective professionalism and value.
"Understood, Lord Sage," the Militech liaison responded first, his tone decisive. "We will handle the transport logistics. We can immediately allocate a 'Leviathan' class heavy stealth aerodyne. Its payload and range are sufficient for the task.
"The flight path will utilize meteorological blind spots over the Pacific and cover from existing commercial routes. We expect to present a concrete plan within 48 hours."
Before his voice had even faded, the Kang Tao commander seamlessly followed up, his voice calm. "Kang Tao can ensure information superiority for this operation. We will activate sleeper network nodes in Japan to provide full-process electronic silence cover and focus on jamming the early warning systems of Arasaka's regional air defense.
"Simultaneously, we will preset an emergency extraction point on the periphery of Tokyo Bay to provide logistical support for the mission."
"Efficiency meets expectations," Joric evaluated flatly. Then, he changed the subject, raising the most critical requirement that caused the hearts of the two men on the other end to tighten abruptly. "The strike unit to be deployed consists of two main battle Knight suits and six Armiger-class mechs. The deployment method will be high-altitude penetration, forced landing."
"K-Knight suits?" The Militech liaison's voice carried a trace of dry disbelief. He had obviously seen the terror of the "Secutarii" through battlefield records, but the concept of "Knight suits" completely exceeded his existing cognitive framework.
The Kang Tao commander also fell into a brief silence, seemingly processing this information, before cautiously confirming, "Lord Sage, are you referring to... some kind of large-scale combat mecha with specifications far exceeding power armor?"
"You will know the specific form when the time comes." Joric offered no further explanation, turning the topic directly to technical details. "Militech, you need to equip dedicated high-altitude landing stabilization systems for these heavy units. Retro-rockets and high-strength shock absorbing mechanisms are key. You must ensure the mechs remain structurally intact under landing impact and can immediately engage in combat."
"...Understood." The Militech liaison took a deep breath, forcibly suppressing the stormy shock in his heart, and responded in the most professional tone possible. "We will repurpose the prototype 'Bastion' class airdrop system designed for heavy construction modules and immediately conduct adaptive reinforcement modifications based on the unit data you provide. Mission completion guaranteed."
The communication cut off. Joric's attention returned to House Nearl. He contacted Młynar Nearl directly.
Joric's command came through the data link, clear and direct: "Squad Nearl, there is a high-priority elimination mission. Deploy two units to execute this task.
"The target individual is named 'Saburo Arasaka', the core leader of a massive hostile force in this location.
"Your mission is to thoroughly eliminate this target and his elite guards, and destroy his stronghold—the Arasaka Family Estate in Tokyo."
Młynar's steady voice immediately rang out in the family communication channel. He did not dwell on the target's specific identity but focused on the mission itself. "Command confirmed, Lord Sage. The House shall execute the purification."
Immediately, his tone shifted to internal deployment. "Margaret, Maria, conduct final combat readiness checks on your machines immediately. You are the main force for this operation.
"Zofia, coordinate the maintenance team. All resources prioritize the sortie units to ensure absolutely no errors."
Inside the maintenance area on the other side of the laboratory, following Młynar's order, the warriors of House Nearl immediately moved into efficient action.
Forty-eight hours later, at a secret airfield strictly controlled by Militech on the far outskirts of Night City.
A massive "Leviathan" class aerodyne lay quietly on the reinforced runway like a dormant gray beast. Its size far exceeded conventional transport aircraft. Beneath its streamlined fuselage were thick landing gears and multiple large cargo bay doors.
Inside the designated hangar, Militech's project lead, Kang Tao's technical representative, and a group of strictly vetted core engineers finally saw the "strike unit" Joric spoke of.
When Margaret's "Lancer" and Maria's "Punisher" were slowly towed out of the transport bay by heavy tractors and appeared before them, everyone was deeply shaken despite their mental preparation.
This was not the magnified power armor they had imagined.
These were true steel giants standing over nine meters tall.
The Knight suits' heavy, angular composite armor, massive hydraulic joints, and the gigantic weapons mounted on them—lances, warblades, bolt cannons—that looked both primitive yet filled with the aura of destruction, all assaulted their visual nerves and ability to comprehend.
"My god..." A senior Militech engineer looked up at the slender yet powerful body of the "Lancer" and that massive Shock Lance, muttering subconsciously, "This—this is practically a monster that walked out of a museum—but also so... advanced?"
He couldn't understand this seemingly contradictory technology tree.
The casting craftsmanship of the armor far exceeded their technology, and energy readings indicated terrifying power contained within, yet the form of the weapons carried an ancient aesthetic from the cold weapon era.
The Kang Tao representative focused more on details. He observed the energy patterns and joint structures on the mech's surface through a portable scanner, whispering, "Energy conduction method unknown. Joint articulation mechanisms are completely different from what we know—this is simply not a product of our technological route.
"Their shield systems... are probably far more powerful than the individual shields we've seen on the Secutarii."
Awe and fear permeated the hangar like a physical substance.
They previously thought the Secutarii were incomprehensibly strong, but these steel giants before them represented a destructive power on another level—more intuitive and brutal.
They had no doubt that once these mechs were deployed onto the battlefield, they would bring about earth-shattering changes.
(End of Chapter)