CYBERPUNK: Travel to 2075

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Two Ideas

"Such a thing happened with Maine... There's nothing we can do about it. It seems like this mission can only wait."

The day after Karl rescued Sasha, the three regrouped after their vacation to exchange information. Jack felt a little regretful but understood: "But it's good that everyone is okay."

"No need to wait; I have new information."

Oliver didn't dwell on the Maine team's surprise. He passed something to Jack and Karl: "While having dinner with my sister yesterday, I checked up on Tanaka-related matters. He's from Arasaka Corporation, and his identity is highly confidential. There's not much available, but I did find some relevant news."

"News?"

Jack read what Oliver had sent: "Director Tanaka once again donated to Arasaka Academy..."

"Director Tanaka?"

Without reading further, Jack realized: "He's a board member of Arasaka Academy?"

"Arasaka Academy is a training ground for future Arasaka employees. It makes sense for company executives to serve as board members."

Karl understood Oliver's point: "Oliver, do you mean we should investigate Arasaka Academy to find any trace of Tanaka?"

Oliver nodded: "Yes, as a board member, he would need to attend meetings when issues arise at the academy. I think we could exploit this."

It's true that more heads are better than one. Together, they could come up with better ideas than one person alone.

"But starting with Arasaka Academy..." Jack pondered, "Are we planning a terrorist attack?"

"While it's true that this is America and school shootings aren't uncommon, let's not. That's just hell."

Karl said something Jack and Oliver didn't quite get, then continued:

"I think we could look into the students. They aren't Arasaka employees yet, so their identities shouldn't be as confidential. Maybe we can find students who know the academy well and learn how to trigger a board meeting."

"Would ordinary students know that?"

"Of course."

Karl explained: "Who do you think attends Arasaka Academy? The tuition is beyond the reach of ordinary people. These students come from wealthy or influential families and know far more than the average person."

"I have another idea."

Oliver sent something more to Karl and Jack: "This idea can complement Karl's."

"What's this... Arasaka Academy admissions?"

Karl read the news he'd seen before: "Admissions, what's the point?"

Karl noticed Jack and Oliver staring at him, their expressions suggesting, Haven't you figured it out yet?

...

"So, what's the problem?"

Karl was confused until Oliver used his Nova revolver's polished barrel to reflect Karl's face, finally cluing him in.

In the reflection, Karl saw a youthful face, perfect for an Arasaka Academy student.

"You want me to enroll?!"

Karl was shocked by Jack and Oliver's idea: "Why would I go to school?"

"Aren't you the right age? Karl, you should give it a try. Stay for a couple of days, finish the task, and leave. You might even learn something."

Jack began persuading, and Oliver joined in: "Exactly. Mercenaries need to do everything. I've heard of the famous Morgan gangster falling for a star for a mission. You're just attending school, which is easier."

"Wait, that wasn't Morgan Blackhand; it was Lance Locke, a lone wolf as famous as Blackhand. And Locke was unreliable. He mainly did bodyguard work, and many of the stars he protected died mysteriously."

Karl corrected Oliver's memory, who shrugged it off:

"Close enough. They were both famous... Anyway, Karl, don't you want to try? Enroll, and you won't have to pay tuition. For a month, it's only 10,000 euros, then 20,000 per month after that. You'll be done in a month."

"One month should be enough."

Karl felt like he was being talked into it but caught a critical point at the last minute.

"Wait, my face is known in Arasaka's Night City branch. I'd be recognized."

"Oh, don't worry about that, Karl. I'm from the Six Street Gang, which has ties to New America, a Military Technology puppet. In our company, some top-secret projects are sold off. One of these is a prosthetic technology that can change appearances. My father bought it for emergencies. I got the prosthesis from my sister yesterday. We can ask victor to help install it."

"Prosthetic technology to change appearance? That sounds like science fiction."

Karl was skeptical: "Do I have to remove my face and replace it?"

"It's not that extreme. If someone's face or eyes were modified, they'd lift bionic skin to avoid interference. For you, it's like wearing a mask—maybe a few small holes on your face."

"Is victor aware of this?"

"The technology is complex, but the operation is simple. I sent victor the procedures yesterday, and he's familiar with it. He can handle it."

"Oh, so you've already planned this for me, huh?"

"It's just perfect."

Oliver shrugged: "Even with the prosthesis, Jack and I would stand out as street thugs. You, on the other hand, fit right in."

"You mean I look like a wealthy student?"

Karl joked but had already agreed in his words.

For the mission, a little sacrifice was acceptable.

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