"Comrade, how are things progressing in Night City?"
"Fairly well. We've completed initial contact with PROJECT, and they've agreed to a cooperation deal. They'll supply us with energy weapons and Energy Shields, though we haven't reached an agreement on the technical side yet."
"Mm, that's understandable. The European Space Agency and the Highriders haven't fully settled things either. Securing a batch of advanced weapons is enough for now. What about the Cyberware?"
"Progress there is solid as well. They've sent several technicians to teach us some of the relevant technology."
"Good. Once we've mastered this new type of Cyberware, we can also deal a blow to the Scavengers in Eastern Europe."
Toristnev nodded, clearly satisfied with the outcome.
"Oh, right. It seems Arasaka wants to make contact with us. Should we…"
"Hmm… let's see what they're after. Comrade, stay cautious during your time at Petrochem."
"Everything is for the Motherland."
Norman spoke with a solemn expression before ending the communication with Toristnev. As for his identity… he was an envoy sent by Petrochem to Night City, but in truth, he was a spy opposed to the Petrochem faction.
The deal they had just discussed was one he had facilitated for another faction within the government. Naturally, Petrochem had also secured a similar agreement.
As for the finer details and how the goods would be transported, that was for others to figure out. He had already done everything within his power.
After all, achieving this much under Petrochem's control was already pushing the limit.
After the Fourth Corporate War, Petrochem had taken a hit, but over the years it had largely recovered. If they wanted to counter Petrochem, they needed to bring in additional forces.
If they could get their hands on PROJECT's technology, it would undoubtedly become a powerful bargaining chip.
"Ahem… Liana, let the Arasaka people waiting outside come in."
"Yes, Mr. Norman."
As the door slowly opened, the Arasaka representatives stepped in with polite smiles.
"Mr. Norman, greetings. On behalf of Arasaka Corporation, I extend our regards to the Petrochem Group."
"Mr. Sato, just get to the point. As long as there are shared interests, I believe we can reach an agreement."
Norman had no interest in wasting time with their politeness and cut straight to business.
"Of course. I assume your corporation is quite interested in PROJECT's technology. Otherwise, you wouldn't have come all this way to purchase weapons."
A flicker of light passed through Norman's eyes. He could smell a scheme.
"Of course. But what does that have to do with Arasaka?"
"We can help your corporation apply pressure on PROJECT. With support from the European Space Agency, the New United States, and other backers, if we act together from multiple fronts, we're bound to achieve results."
Sato spoke with a calm smile.
"The European Space Agency? They're involved too?"
Norman immediately picked up on the key detail.
"Yes. PROJECT and the Highriders have already reached a technical cooperation agreement, which has made the European Space Agency quite uneasy."
Sato nodded. This intelligence had been deliberately released by the European Space Agency to encourage others to join in pressuring Highriders and PROJECT.
Those who previously didn't dare to pressure the Highriders were now stepping in as well. With a major power leading the charge, their hesitation naturally faded.
Norman narrowed his eyes in thought before speaking.
"I'll need to consult my superiors."
"Of course."
Sato smiled and stepped aside tactfully.
Norman immediately contacted Petrochem's upper management, moving off to the side to speak in Russian.
He was doing everything he could to push this cooperation between Petrochem and Arasaka. The main reason was simple. He didn't believe in the success of Arasaka and the European Space Agency's plan.
If Petrochem got involved, there was a high chance they would stumble. That would be a very favorable outcome for his faction.
"Mr. Sato, after discussion, my superiors have agreed to cooperate with you."
Norman returned with a smile, extending his hand.
"That's excellent news. A pleasure working with you, Mr. Norman!"
Sato's face lit up with delight. With this partnership secured, their plan's chances of success had increased even further.
...
The Highriders' upper ranks quickly convened a meeting in response to the European Space Agency's actions.
"The European Space Agency will likely join forces with the New United States, Arasaka, and Petrochem to pressure PROJECT. What should we do?"
Encryptus turned to his colleagues.
"Support PROJECT and help them weather what's coming. At the same time, observe whether they can hold out on their own. If they manage it… then we hold off for now. If they can't, we step in and use our support as leverage."
Opus proposed the plan after only a brief moment of thought. Hearing this, Encryptus immediately looked toward Logan Doyle.
Logan Doyle said nothing, clearly acquiescing to the proposal. After all, this was the best opportunity to obtain PROJECT's energy utilization technology.
...
"Hah, quite the show they're putting on."
Roland sneered as he looked at the joint statement issued by the European Space Agency and several other nations, which included the so-called "Anti-Monopoly Treaty."
Its core content was opposition to PROJECT Corporation's monopoly over the energy weapons market, along with a comprehensive exclusion of PROJECT's products and businesses within their territories.
Within the New United States, however, the policy hadn't been fully enforced. It had only begun in certain states.
Most were still observing the situation, and some, being stakeholders aligned with PROJECT, had not implemented it at all. In the New United States era, the relationship between state governments and the federal government was very different from that of the old world.
As for the Highriders, they hadn't made any major moves either, clearly taking a wait-and-see approach.
The most interesting case was Arasaka. Although its home country had already implemented the policy, Arasaka itself continued cooperating with PROJECT, acting as if it had nothing to do with the situation.
"Putting on a pretty convincing act…"
Roland let out a cold snort as he looked toward Arasaka Tower, then issued a new order.