"Chapter 127: Meeting with Hanako Arasaka"

As Alex gazed at the towering Arasaka building, he realized he was about to ruin a lady's evening far more thoroughly than he had before. At the moment, she was likely in a meeting, dealing with problems and discussing security matters with the people responsible for this massive corporation. Jumping down from the building, Alex cast an illusion spell on himself, rendering him invisible to passersby. Enjoying his nighttime stroll, he moved leisurely through the bustling streets of Night City, admiring the lights and chaos of the night.

Stopping in front of the tower, he looked up, gauging the height he'd need to scale. His first thought was to walk in through the main entrance and take the elevator—definitely easier. But recalling his flair for the dramatic, he dismissed the idea. He turned to his loyal companion, GIR, perched on his back.

Then again, using the elevator might annoy Arasaka even more since it would be the second time he entered through the front entrance unnoticed. As he looked at the entrance, he considered giving them an even bigger headache by walking right in. Just as he was about to make a decision, GIR tugged his hair from his spot on Alex's head.

«Well, GIR, what do you think? Go up like mere mortals—by elevator? Or in style, by scaling the wall?» Alex asked with a smirk.

GIR peeked over his shoulder, glanced at the entrance, then the wall, and scrambled to sit atop Alex's head, thoughtfully rubbing his «chin.» Alex waited for his companion's decision, though he was already leaning toward the wall route. Finally, GIR tugged his hair, pointing to the wall. Alex grinned and agreed.

Approaching the wall, he began ascending as if strolling up a sidewalk, enjoying the view of the city stretching out before him. GIR held tight to his hair, bracing for the long climb. As they rose, Alex hummed a song with a smile:

[Beyond the forests, beyond the mountains, mountains and woods.

And beyond those forests, woods and mountains,

And beyond that mountain, mountains and woods,

And beyond those forests, woods and a mountain.]

GIR, caught up in the fun, started humming along as they climbed toward the upper floors. The sight was utterly absurd: a man scaling a vertical wall, singing as if he were walking through a park. Any scientist witnessing this would have been speechless.

Finally reaching the correct floor, Alex stopped in front of a glass wall, looking into Hanako's apartment. Scanning the windows, he quickly noted there was no balcony or easy entry. So, he decided to try a technique he wasn't sure would work.

«How did Alucard phase through walls again? He made himself intangible to slip through, right?» Alex said, stroking his chin thoughtfully.

Recalling how Alucard walked through walls, Alex focused, extending his hand toward the glass. His hand passed right through, and, satisfied, he stepped inside, letting GIR follow him. Once inside, GIR rushed toward the glass, eager to try phasing through solid objects as well. However, as he hit the window, he looked back at Alex in dismay. Alex shook his head and explained:

«You went through because of me. On your own, you can't phase through walls; it was me pulling you along.»

Disappointed, GIR gave the glass a little kick, venting his frustration. Alex chuckled, donned a mask, and began exploring the apartment. He soon found an office, where GIR, realizing his inability to walk through walls, cast an indignant glance at the window and kicked it again to vent his irritation.

Alex shook his head and retrieved a mask from his inventory to greet Hanako. Checking the time, he realized she should be free soon, so he decided to explore her apartment for useful information. Entering her private office, he spotted the computer she most likely used for work. Alex sat down at the desk, lifted GIR, and connected him to hack into Hanako's computer to check her messages or uncover valuable information.

Opening her inbox, he found a message from her father insisting she go to Night City to address the issues there. Up to this point, she had rarely left Tokyo, with such trips few enough to count on one hand. Reading through her chat with her father, he realized Hanako preferred to focus on her digital research and was somewhat of a recluse.

Alex made a mental note that Hanako was deeply connected to cyberspace and spent much of her time there. If she was that involved in cyberspace, it was highly likely she could have some connection to the Mechanical Man. However, there wasn't a single hint of this in her messages. Judging from her correspondence with her father, it was clear she cared for him deeply and would probably share such information if she encountered someone or something in cyberspace that helped her with new ideas. Or, perhaps, she was smart enough to understand that trust in cyberspace was risky.

Setting those thoughts aside, Alex continued scanning her personal data and even delved into her projects, reading them to discern if she had assistance or if she'd achieved everything on her own. «I wonder what other secrets are hidden within these walls,» Alex thought, eagerly anticipating more discoveries.

He combed through Hanako's correspondence while she was still in a council meeting, substituting for her father, who was busy addressing issues at the Tokyo headquarters. The attack on the Night City branch had triggered a wave of crises, even impacting the main office, forcing Hanako to leave her home and come here to sort things out.

In the meeting, she surveyed the faces of department heads with a grim expression, including the head of branch security. Her piercing gaze made it clear they were responsible for what had happened.

«Well, do you have anything to say? Or do I have to handle everything myself?» Her harsh tone caused the gathered executives to exchange nervous glances.

Council members frantically searched for someone brave enough to respond. No one wanted to take responsibility for the incident; the intruder hadn't simply waltzed through Arasaka's front doors but had beaten all the guards, blown up a floor, and even hacked into the security system to leave a message that had made headlines for days. The corporation couldn't suppress it—the entire city had seen it on the building walls, and now it was all over the net.

Hanako silently watched as her subordinates dodged accountability, fearing the consequences. Even Yamamoto Kai, one of the incident's victims, fell under suspicion as a potential accomplice to the unknown intruders. While flying to Night City, Hanako had gathered information about these masked individuals but had only learned of two other incidents involving them: a limousine hijacking and interference in a gang fight. Despite all of Arasaka's influence, tracking them down had been impossible.

«Lady Arasaka, may I speak?» Arthur Jenkins, head of counterintelligence, suddenly spoke up.

Hanako looked up from her tablet and fixed her gaze on him, raising an eyebrow with interest.

«Then share your idea on how to resolve this situation,» she said coldly.

Arthur gathered his thoughts, stood up, and said, «Lady Arasaka, I believe that besides tightening security, we should involve… people from the streets. Mercenaries,» he suggested. «These people, willing to do any dirty work for money, could become our eyes on the streets.»

The people present tensed slightly at the unconventional suggestion, but Arthur, steeling himself, continued, «We can offer a reward for capturing these masked individuals. That way, we'll have extra eyes combing every corner of Night City for the information we need. Yes, it might seem risky, but this way, we'll have a cheap workforce, ready to do anything for a reward.»

Hanako tapped her finger rhythmically on the table, considering his words. The plan was bold, but if she thought about it, the reward would indeed push people to search through Night City. Knowing how skillfully the masked people covered their tracks, she decided it was worth trying.

«Very well, then you'll be responsible for this matter. If your plan fails, you know the consequences,» she replied, removing her hand from the table.

Arthur felt his shoulders tense but nodded, understanding that he had to succeed. This was his chance not only to clear his name but also to surpass Susan Abernathy, who had once set him up to secure her promotion. The thought of potential revenge fueled him, but for now, the mission was his priority.

«I won't let you down, Lady Arasaka,» Arthur replied, ready to act.

Hanako nodded, listening to the group, then signaled everyone to leave the conference room. When the last person exited and the doors closed behind them, she leaned back in her chair and began massaging her temples, trying to relieve the tension. Since her arrival in Night City, she hadn't had a moment to herself, buried in her efforts to resolve endless problems.

Her gaze fell on Sandayu Oda, her loyal bodyguard, who stood nearby, silent and vigilant as always. Oda was always by her side, never straying and had saved her life more than once. When it came to her safety, he was ever prepared.

«Well, we're done here. Now, I can finally take a little break,» Hanako said, looking at him with slight relief.

Oda nodded, showing his readiness and endurance, as though he didn't know fatigue. Unlike Hanako, who had spent the entire time sitting, he stood on his feet, remaining alert, always on guard. Satisfied that everything was in order, Hanako stood and headed toward the elevator to return to her apartment before the next meeting. Oda entered the elevator first to check for any security issues, and once he confirmed it was clear, he allowed Hanako to step in. Pressing the button for the designated floor, they headed to her private rooms.

Meanwhile, Alex was seated at her personal computer, immersed in her correspondence, when he felt a gentle tug on his sleeve. Glancing over, he saw that it was GIR, his faithful robotic dog, drawing his attention. Alex looked at the screen, where GIR showed the feed from the elevator camera—Hanako and Oda were already on their way up. Realizing it was time to prepare for the encounter, he disconnected GIR and finished up on the computer. Surveying the living room, he picked a secluded corner for a dramatic entrance, deciding to add a touch of mystery to the moment.

Lurking in the shadows, Alex waited for Hanako's arrival. Soon, the elevator doors opened, and Hanako entered the apartment with Oda. The lights came on, illuminating the room, except for the shadow where Alex stood. He watched Hanako, observing her movements. She headed to her private room to change out of the formal suit she'd worn all day. Emerging in a comfortable robe, Hanako approached the bar to pour herself a glass of wine, ready to finally unwind.

Alex waited patiently, knowing that the right moment for his dramatic entrance was when her guard was down. Finally, she settled on the couch, uncorked the bottle, filled her glass, and took the first sip, exhaling as if releasing the weight of the entire day. At that moment, a voice came from the dark corner:

«A beautiful night, isn't it, Miss Arasaka?»

Hanako quickly turned, hearing a voice behind her, and saw a figure in strange attire, with a mask and a top hat, emerging from the shadows. Oda immediately drew his weapon, positioning himself protectively in front of her. Peering over her bodyguard's shoulder, Hanako recognized the mask. There had been only a few incidents in Night City involving people with such masks, and now another one stood before her. Anger surged through her as she realized the intruder had bypassed security and evaded detection.

«Who are you?» she asked with cold severity, narrowing her eyes.

Alex, hiding a smile beneath his mask, bowed slightly. «Apologies for the unexpected appearance, Miss Arasaka. Allow me to introduce myself: Hiruko Kagetane, one of the bishops of the Church of the Flying Spaghetti Monster,» he said with a faint hint of irony, removing his hat.

Hanako frowned but quickly deduced that this stranger had his own reasons for seeking a meeting if he had chosen to reveal himself. If he intended to kill her, he could have done so without notice. She thought it over, while Oda remained on full alert, fully aware of the danger posed by this individual. Though the odds of winning in a fight with him were slim, Oda was ready to defend her without retreat.

«And what brings you here, Hiruko Kagetane? Are you here to kill me or abduct me?» Hanako asked, staring intently at Alex.

Alex stepped forward, but Oda blocked his path. Raising an eyebrow, Alex refrained from forcing his way through and calmly addressed Hanako, «Please, Miss Arasaka, ask your bodyguard to step aside. If I intended you harm, he wouldn't be able to save you. My purpose is simple—I came to talk.»

Hanako looked at Oda, contemplating Alex's words. Her intuition told her he was telling the truth and that, in the event of an attack, Oda would likely be unable to protect her.

«Oda, stand down. He's not here to harm me,» she commanded.

Oda glanced at her but was reluctant to comply. Seeing his resistance, Hanako repeated her order more firmly. Only after her second command did Oda reluctantly step aside, though he continued to monitor Alex's every move. Alex walked over to the chair and sat across from Hanako, while Oda stood nearby, prepared to protect her if Alex went back on his word.

«So, what brings you here, Mr. Kagetane?» Hanako asked with curiosity, watching him closely.

Alex took his eyes off Oda, pondering, «So this is a cyber-ninja, but there's nothing especially ninja-like about him.» Hearing Hanako's question, he turned to her.

«I'm here merely to ask a few questions, and I suggest you answer honestly,» he said softly, with a hint of hidden menace.

Hanako tensed slightly, sensing the hidden danger in Alex's words, though she couldn't pinpoint its exact nature. A chill ran down her spine, and she realized it was best to answer truthfully to avoid any consequences.

«Aren't you afraid that while you're asking questions, security might already be on its way here?» she ventured, trying to gauge his reaction.

Alex raised an eyebrow, then suddenly burst into laughter, clutching his stomach. His laughter was genuine and loud, as if he had just heard the funniest joke of his life. Hanako flinched, confused by what had amused him so much, while Oda gripped his katana tighter, ready to act.

«Oh, Miss Arasaka, you're quite the comedian,» Alex said, catching his breath. «When Adriel and Orifiel came through the main entrance, no security stopped them; Adriel alone wiped them out without breaking a sweat.»

Hanako tensed as she recalled the video showing a single individual effortlessly taking down the guards. Still, she hadn't considered a ninja dog in a suit to be much of a threat. Realizing her options were limited, she decided to find out exactly why Alex had come here.

«Besides, even if you tried calling for security, it wouldn't work. My little friend here already made sure to isolate this floor, intercepting any signals,» Alex added with a smile.

At that moment, his companion, GIR, materialized from camouflage on Alex's lap, dressed in a ninja suit, capturing both Hanako's and Oda's attention. Alex, noticing their interest, decided to add a hint of sarcasm.

«This is how a ninja should operate, staying invisible. Unlike your bodyguard, who's always in plain sight,» he said, patting GIR on the head with a satisfied grin.

Oda couldn't contain himself; Alex's comment made his eye twitch. Yet he also understood that GIR had abilities that allowed him to remain hidden and virtually undetectable. Hanako was intrigued by the technology but knew she was unlikely to get answers. Turning back to Alex, she decided to discover the real reason for his visit.

«So, what questions do you want to ask me, Mr. Kagetane?» she asked, getting to the point.

Alex smirked under his mask. He liked people who got straight to business without unnecessary pretense.

«I'll repeat why I'm here: for you, Miss Arasaka, to answer a few questions, after which we'll peacefully part ways,» he said, stroking GIR like a villain in the movies.

Hanako frowned slightly, realizing she had no upper hand in this conversation, and decided to wait for Alex to state his questions.

«And what do I get for answering?» she asked, looking him directly in the eye.

Alex pondered. Essentially, if she was connected to the Mechanical Man, her fate was sealed. But if she had no relation to him, he might indulge her with a few answers as a gesture of goodwill.

Hanako watched his every movement closely, while Oda bided his time, waiting for a chance to strike. But meeting Alex's gaze, he understood that Alex was fully in control of the situation.

Oda realized he'd been read and resumed waiting for another opportunity to attack. As Alex considered his options under Hanako's intense gaze, she once again attempted to reach security and realized that the signal couldn't leave her apartment. She looked at GIR, who sat on Alex's lap, understanding that he was the reason the entire floor was isolated.

To be continued...