"I think you owe me a reasonable explanation, Taylor."
Myers looked expressionlessly at the commander-in-chief in Idaho before her. Her voice was unusually calm—but anyone who knew her understood that this was what she sounded like when her anger had reached its limit.
Faced with Myers's questioning, Taylor's face looked grim. In the end, however, he offered no excuses.
"This was a failure in my command. I am willing to bear all the consequences."
Lowering his head, Taylor spoke plainly. While the true cause lay in the massive technological gap between the two sides, there had indeed been flaws in his command.
For example, if they hadn't chosen to provoke PROJECT at the outset but instead launched a covert operation immediately—mobilizing air power and missile silos to carpet-bomb PROJECT's forces—the situation might have turned out very differently.
Even if they still couldn't deal with PROJECT's fighter squadrons, at worst both sides would have suffered heavy ground losses, dragging each other down to the same level with neither gaining an advantage.
But now…
PROJECT had dealt them a severe blow in ground troop numbers—one that could only be described as devastating.
The main force they had dispatched to Idaho had been virtually wiped out in this campaign. In other words, the overwhelming majority of the resources they poured into this battle had been buried there.
And yet, they hadn't inflicted comparable damage on PROJECT. That was what the hawks found truly intolerable.
This battle had genuinely hurt. Even during the Unification War, the price they paid hadn't been this high. It was a complete loss—nothing gained, everything squandered.
Some people were already starting to waver. At a time like this, someone had to step up and take responsibility. As the commanding officer of this campaign, Taylor had no choice—especially since he did bear part of the blame for its failure.
"…Resign and take responsibility. I'll make arrangements for your family."
Myers let out a sigh as she looked at him. The loss stung her as well. Taylor belonged to her faction. But if the hawks were to continue committing resources, an explanation had to be given.
Taylor alone might not be enough. The next frontline commander would likely come from another faction, and her own authority would inevitably take a hit.
"They really know how to make trouble… PROJECT Corporation… Damn it. I should never have let them off in the first place."
Myers rubbed her temples in frustration. Ever since getting entangled with this company, nothing had gone smoothly for her. She was beginning to suspect that PROJECT Corporation was simply her natural nemesis.
...
"That concludes the detailed report of this campaign. Here is the battlefield footage."
Burke slowly slid a chip across the table and looked at the man in blue before him, wearing engineer's glasses.
The man took the chip and immediately inserted it into his slot to review the contents.
When the energy shield and the Sovereign Series appeared on screen, his breathing grew noticeably heavier. A moment later, he forced himself back to calm.
"I want you to approach PROJECT Corporation and request an exchange for this technology. If we can't obtain the underlying tech, then acquiring the finished product will suffice. We're prepared to offer anything they want."
Encryptus abruptly removed his engineer's glasses, revealing a pair of yellow eyes that looked almost like flowing data as he addressed Burke.
"Understood. In what capacity should I negotiate with them?"
"Hmm… Approach them directly as a Highrider to show our sincerity. If negotiations fail… no threats. You may abandon your undercover mission here and return to Crystal Palace."
"I understand."
Burke nodded. The Encryptus before him was a high-ranking figure within the Highriders. Of course, this was not his true body, but a remotely controlled bionic shell used for the meeting.
Burke himself was a Highrider plant within the New United States moderates. This campaign had begun with his involvement behind the scenes.
The Highriders had intended to use this war to test PROJECT's true strength—and to weaken the New United States in the process. A fully resurgent New United States was not something they wished to see.
"How did it go?"
Hollit turned to Encryptus after he finished the remote session.
"We obtained valuable intelligence. The technology in PROJECT's hands exceeds expectations. It wouldn't be wise to attempt to seize it by force. The European Space Agency should receive similar intelligence soon and will likely adjust its strategy."
Encryptus nodded and projected footage of the Titan Sovereign-class Fighter.
"…You're saying we elevate them to our level?"
Encryptus glanced at Hollit. "The world is vast. They can't swallow everything alone. And I don't believe their boss is some lofty idealist who would tear relations apart with us over abstract principles."
"Their territory happens to sit right next to the New United States. Let those two give each other headaches. If possible, we could even let them replace the New United States. After that, we approach them. We might secure an even more detached position."
Hollit's expression darkened. He clearly had no desire to share that level of status with PROJECT.
Encryptus's face remained unchanged, though inwardly he felt a trace of disdain.
Arrogant fools. Can't they see how terrifying that technology is? Hmph… Years of comfort have dulled their edge.
After all, the Highriders had been born in resistance to the European Space Agency's oppression.
"If that technology could be applied to space warfare… And who's to say they don't possess even more advanced engines…"
The thought made Encryptus's eyes burn with renewed intensity. His ambitions had never been limited to Earth. He wanted to see the greater universe beyond, uncover its secrets, and lead humanity into the interstellar age.
Only then could they become true New Humans—rather than a group of gilded prisoners living inside the Crystal Palace.
...
Roland didn't know much about what was happening on the Highriders' side, but he was well aware of the situation in Idaho. After learning how the battle had unfolded there, the smile never left his face.
All that time spent holding back, locking down Nevada so tightly that not a single hint leaked out—it had finally paid off. One decisive rise, and they were airborne.
"Come to think of it… it's about time we built an airport here in Night City… Hmm, that plot in the Arasaka Waterfront District would be perfect. But we already agreed to lease it to Arasaka. Wouldn't that be a bit awkward…?"
He paused for only a moment.
"Ah, whatever. If someone has to be inconvenienced, it's not going to be me. Arasaka can just shift over a bit."
Arasaka: ?