83. Cold War Corporate Warfare
Cold War corporate warfare. It meant war between corporations in the literal sense. Not competition over the same consumer base, but actual physical combat. Bullets flying, missiles raining down, tanks spewing fire—that kind of war. In a world where corporate power surpassed nations, it was more common than one might think. History had proven, however, that even victories in corporate wars often felt like defeats, so companies generally avoided them. Unless it was truly the last resort, they held back. Instead, a new concept had emerged: the Cold War.
A quiet war that deployed assassins instead of soldiers, smears instead of bombs, and black AI instead of tanks. That was corporate Cold War. Compared to full-scale war, it offered far greater gains with less risk, making it the preferred method for most megacorps. And according to Kashi's words over the phone, the pharmaceutical company Amon and Sonia had been watching was currently locked in a Cold War with a rival pharma corp.
> [They both recently developed a fat regulator. Coincidentally, around the same time.]
Decades of poured resources had led to overlapping drugs. Both sides accused the other of stealing company secrets, but the truth was anyone's guess. One thing was certain: the drugs were identical in efficacy and performance. Unable to secure a monopoly—perhaps afflicted by a "die without dominance" disease—the two companies launched sabotage operations to force the other to abandon their patents. It started with bribes to regulators like the FDA and lawsuits against each other. As the fight dragged on, it escalated to extremes, eventually spilling into Cold War.
> [France is the key battleground right now. Whichever company gains the upper hand there seizes control of this Cold War.]
That's why Miller Pharmaceuticals hatched their insane virus dispersal plan. It would cripple the rival's forces, expand their own business, and even rake in vaccine profits—one stone, three birds. They put it into action immediately. To secretly develop a vaccine, they needed quiet clinical trials, so they turned to human trafficking. Gangs specializing in organ or slave trade provided a steady supply of test subjects. Then one of those gangs ran into Amon, and during the chaos, the security chief used the raid as an excuse to head out—only to get killed by Amon. Kashi got wind of it, contacted them, and now here they were. That was her explanation.
Amon nodded. Pointing to the now-corpse raiders, he asked, “So these guys were sent by Miller? Because things got messy on my account?”
> No. Miller doesn't hold any grudge against you. Probably.
“Probably?”
> I see the future, not read minds.
“Fair enough.”
> But this much is certain. These aren't Miller's people.
As Kashi said, Miller held no ill will toward Amon. If Morocco wouldn't work, they'd pivot to Seoul—ultimately, with her help, they'd dominate Paris anyway. To the company, the security chief was just a spare part; his death was a mere hiccup. If anything, trading his sacrifice for superiority in France was negligible.
“Corporations really are heartless.”
> Just so you know, I'll never abandon you no matter what!
Kashi said it playfully, like she'd been poked. Naturally, Amon didn't take it too seriously.
“It's fine~ If you betray us, I'll just stage another coup.”
> Hey?!
“Success makes it a revolution, failure makes it rebellion—right?”
> Hey! That's purge material!
“Aigoo~ Sorry, miss~”
He teased Kashi back and returned to the topic. These raiders weren't from Miller Pharmaceuticals.
> They're from Neville Pharmaceuticals.
“The ones competing with Miller?”
> Yeah.
He could roughly piece it together.
“They thought we sided with Miller?”
> Probably.
Her company was suddenly helping Miller gain dominance in France. From Neville's perspective—unaware of Miller's plot—it looked suspicious enough.
Sonia, who had been listening quietly, spoke up. “But their intel seems incomplete. Sending this many at us.”
> If anything, it seems perfect—that's why they sent elites like these.
No traceable affiliations, combat prowess disposable for deniability.
> If the goal was 'raid' not 'assassinate,' they're ideal.
If the aim was to tie up the two of them, it was a rational choice. Amon agreed. “Yeah, without you, we couldn't even ID them.”
Suspicion would have been strong. Too well-trained for mercs or gangs, tight-lipped, fiercely loyal—enough to guess a corp backed them. But pinpointing which one? Hundreds in Paris alone. It would've ended in nagging doubt. Luckily, Amon and Sonia had Kashi—no need for doubt. Just curiosity instead.
“Got it. Neville sent them. But one thing bugs me.”
> ···
“You knew Neville would send people? Nah, not grilling you—just curious.”
Pure curiosity. What future had she glimpsed? Kashi fell silent, choosing her words before speaking.
> Just so we're clear, my power reads threads of fate—not memorizes every future. Like you don't recite the whole Bible, right? Just the highlights.
“I have the Gospels memorized. Want me to recite?”
> ··· Generally, yeah. And unless it directly affects me, it's indirect at best.
“So you didn't know?”
> I swear, no.
“It's trickier than it sounds.”
> I keep saying, I'm not omnipotent.
“Still impressive. I rely on it.”
Ahem—Kashi's sniffle came through the earpiece. Reading threads was her bloodline; weaving them into cloth was her skill.
“You just learned about their Cold War too, right?”
> ···
“··· Right?”
Kashi went silent again. Amon sensed this silence meant something else.
“Well, you have a plan anyway.”
He accepted it and moved on. But Kashi stayed quiet, as if waiting for someone. Sonia's eyes sharpened as she listened; her lips parted, and Kashi softly closed her eyes—like she'd expected it.
Interpreting the silence her way, Sonia asked Kashi sharply, “Did it have to be this much of a secret?”
She valued honesty in relationships; this was serious. The conversation shifted from Amon to Sonia.
“Kashi. You listening?”
> Sonia, sorry.
“···”
> I know nothing I say will satisfy you. But sometimes, being here means hiding the truth.
“I get it. I understand.”
Her words said so, but disappointment dripped from Sonia's tone. A childhood memory flashed: her past lies to Amon. Hiding her divine power from Hickzen Group's hunters, using them to bait the Vatican for higher ransom. It spiraled out of control. She'd confessed later and been forgiven. But one thing lingered unforgiven... the Orphanage Director's...
Sonia pulled her sinking thoughts back. She prized honesty. Without it, bonds could shatter irreparably. That's why she felt hurt by Kashi—because she treasured her. She couldn't lose her. Kashi, sensing the sincerity, responded gravely.
> Still, I swear two things. One: I won't lie to your faces, even if I hide stuff. Two: I'll never abandon you.
Amon nodded beside her. Sonia realized she'd been too sharp.
“Sorry. Post-battle nerves.”
> I get it.
Amon and Kashi sighed in relief. The mood softened. Amon clapped to liven things up.
“Alright, back to business. What're we doing, Madam President?”
> Director.
“Shadow ruler stand-in President.”
> Keep it up and I'll spill your future black history.
“My apologies, Director.”
> There we go.
“So, what's the plan?”
> What else? Keep building our branch.
“No revenge on Neville or anything?”
> That's why we're building the Paris branch. Need a base for sabotage or Cold War ops. And it's not just Neville.
“··· Miller too?”
> You thought I wouldn't?
“Figured compromise.”
A snort from the earpiece.
> Hmph. I said I'd never abandon you—which includes not letting them touch you.
Miller was already on Kashi's grudge list. First, selecting Amon and Sonia as test subjects in the clinic incident. Second, plotting revenge via gangs. Third...
> Miller knew about today's raid. They let it happen to drag me into the Cold War.
She recited the unfolding future.
> By tomorrow morning, Miller will send people claiming the raiders were Neville's. We'll get pulled into the Cold War naturally.
“Future sight too?”
> Analysis.
Conclusion: Miller had stacked enough grudges. Kashi had no intention of sparing either. She feigned compromise outwardly while sharpening knives behind the scenes. Amon's style.
> Gotta lull 'em to land the backstab proper.
“Scary director.”
> You taught me.
They wrapped up. Priorities: 1. Find Recetio's essence company rep. 2. Use the new company to screw both pharmas. Simple. Amon and Sonia's task unchanged: find the rep.
> It'll be tiring starting today.
“That? No problem.”
Amon smiled. “We've done worse.”
Sonia and Kashi smiled back.