The elevator doors open.
Rocky and Yorinobu Arasaka step out into The Jungle on Floor 76 of Arasaka Tower. The air smells like wet leaves and filtered soil. Hidden speakers pipe in forest calls over the hum of climate control.
Rebecca waits by the path with several Ascension Technology combat robots. She has already seeded Ascension units throughout Yorinobu's security teams. Across the Tower, more Ascension squads sit in the structure like nails set in wood, ready for the hammer to fall when other factions counterattack or when Saburo's contingencies spring.
"L, move. They are already chirping nonstop," Rebecca says, falling in beside Rocky as they head to the central table.
The board is mid-argument when Yorinobu arrives. Voices dip. Heads turn.
"Yorinobu Arasaka, you finally show up. And who is that beside you?" one director asks.
Rocky and Yorinobu pass the front row and take their places.
"Forget me already?" Rocky smiles. "Ascension Technology."
Recognition lands slow. The director squints, then remembers the public deal Yorinobu cut with Ascension. He had never bothered to take Rocky seriously, and he certainly did not expect an Ascension executive to appear at an Arasaka board session.
"Why bring him here, Yorinobu? This is an Arasaka board meeting," the man snaps.
"An outsider? I do not see him that way," Yorinobu says evenly.
"What is that supposed to mean?"
"It means Ascension Technology is Arasaka's most important partner now and going forward," Yorinobu says.
"Ascension only delivered some serums. Lately, they are even muscling into armed security. You dare bring a scheming, ungrateful upstart into the boardroom? What exactly are you trying to do, Yorinobu? Overthrow the entire Arasaka Group?"
The director slaps the table and rises, anger bleeding into fear.
Ascension's armed robots have made noise across Night City. Since Ascension crushed Maelstrom, every major outfit has known they were hiding depth and aiming higher. Plenty of Arasaka brass have already discussed sanctioning Ascension, forcing them to hand over formulas, and boxing them out before they grow teeth.
"Good. You finally said something true," Yorinobu says. "Yes. I plan to overturn Arasaka."
"You are insane, and you—" The director jabs a finger toward Rocky.
A single shot cracks. His skull opens, and he drops across the table.
All eyes snap to Rebecca. She lowers the pistol with a small, crooked smile. "Rude. Go downstairs and reflect."
Screams rip across the room.
"You are mad, Yorinobu! Security, arrest that Ascension psycho now!" someone shouts.
The guards posted by the doors do not move.
The Tower AI chimes across hidden speakers. "Falcon Protocol activated. All relevant personnel report to designated muster points."
The board finally understands. The Tower is locked. They are trapped in Yorinobu's jar.
"Michiko, stand behind me," Yorinobu says without raising his voice.
Michiko Arasaka, Kei's daughter and Saburo's granddaughter, flinches but obeys. She is the Hato faction's chosen figurehead and Yorinobu's blood. He will not kill her.
"Yorinobu Arasaka, how dare—"
Another headshot. Rebecca does not let him finish.
She slings a heavy machine gun from the strap at her shoulder and opens up. The Jungle fills with muzzle thunder. Leaves shiver. Glass explodes. Directors drop in rows. In a heartbeat, the room goes quiet except for hot metal ticking and the wet drip of what is left of the board.
Rocky steps around a chair and does not look down. There is more to do.
"I am going to command the armed operations. Mikoshi is yours," Yorinobu tells him.
"You are not going to see Saburo one last time?" Rocky asks.
"No. I do not want to see him or hear his voice for even a second. When you interface with Mikoshi, crush his consciousness completely. Or torment him. Do whatever you want. Just do not let him continue."