"Please repeat the characteristics of the AI you witnessed and the other party's actions once more."
This was the third time he had been asked the same question, and Mercer's answer remained unchanged.
He described based on the image of Alt Cunningham he had seen in the game:
"It was a massive, red data construct of a woman with long hair. I didn't have time to observe more details because the moment she appeared, just a touch caused Tony's cyber avatar to completely collapse. I immediately began disconnecting from the Old Net. Following company protocol, I prioritized crossing the Blackwall to ensure the data couldn't be traced and locked by the AI through the data stream, then logged off immediately. I suffered an impact while unplugging, not sure if it was from the Blackwall or the AI, and then passed out."
"How did she touch him?" the man questioned expressionlessly.
"Reached out, just a tap with her finger," Mercer gave the same answer.
His heart rate was extremely steady, his expression showed no abnormalities, and the lie detector chip inserted into his neural link had been compromised the moment it connected by the Freelance Assassin V0.1 he had just developed.
Now, the data the other party was receiving through the lie detector chip was all falsified normal information.
This was also their fault for insisting on inserting the chip into his head. This type of lie detector chip, which judges deception through neural pathways, was simultaneously connected to his cyberdeck. The outcome was predictable.
The defense protocols inside weren't even as updated or robust as those on his Mk.3 cyberdeck.
Coupled with the zero-delay data transmission from the neural link connection, the lie detector chip hadn't even had time to activate before he had overwritten it to mimic his own.
While answering questions, Mercer was also studying the data composition of the lie detector chip, attempting to replicate and crack the program.
If he could fully replicate it, he could create his own lie detection program, which would surely be useful later.
The man turned to glance at the woman beside him, and after she nodded, he simply stood up and moved aside.
The woman then gracefully took a seat, smiling faintly as she gazed at Mercer.
This woman in a suit was also Japanese, with long hair cascading over her shoulders. She was quite beautiful, her traditional Japanese makeup giving her a gentle appearance, and she looked to be around thirty years old.
Of course, in Cyberpunk, appearance is the easiest thing to change. Cosmetic surgery or maintaining a youthful facade is no challenge for the wealthy.
"The preliminary review of this incident regarding you has concluded. Now, let's discuss something else."
The woman's voice was gentle, speaking unhurriedly: "Mercer, based on the information provided by your and your companion's testimonies, we can confirm that a rogue AI did indeed invade the server and caused it to overload. However, according to the technical division's analysis, the main cause of this server overload was a massive data stream being downloaded locally in an instant. I want to confirm with you, did you receive any unknown program packages before disconnecting?"
"No, after reconnecting, I checked the local storage of the interface, even the previously stored quickhacks were wiped clean. I believe the corporation already ran checks when they removed my cyberware."
Mercer looked utterly sincere, lying on the bed, answering every question dutifully. His body was perfectly still, hands folded in front of him, and he seemed somewhat nervous, occasionally pursing his lips and breathing heavily.
The woman smiled. "Don't worry. We suspect the other party was planting a virus on the server or attempting to use our server as a stepping stone to bypass the Blackwall into the intranet. We aren't concerned that you're hiding anything, just giving you a friendly reminder.
If you detect any remnants of unknown programs or code, report it to the corporation immediately to prevent a major incident."
After a pause, she added, "How was your experience at the training facility?"
Seriously, is that even a human thing to say? Asking a mining GPU how it feels to mine inside a computer, only you.
"My companions were all great, it's just..."
Mercer put on a hesitant expression before mustering up his courage: "When can we leave the underground? I haven't seen the sun in a year, and… when can we transfer to another position?"
"Soon, child," the woman replied with a gentle smile. "You are all valuable assets to the corporation, rare netrunning talents. The reason I'm here is to correct the mistakes of the former project director, Kimura… oh, I forgot to introduce myself.
"My name is Tano Ena, the new project director.
"As for wanting some sunlight, I can make the call. You'll all be transferred to work on the surface soon. The way Kimura treated you kids like slaves… you poor things."
Mercer's eyes widened slightly. "You mean the project is being shut down?"
"To be precise… the project's focus is being shifted." Tano Ena stood up with a smile. "But the specifics depend on whether you can continue to deep dive. Only if you can deep dive will our discussion hold any meaning.
"However, Dr. Oda mentioned you're recovering well and even tried programming on a tablet recently? It seems you'll be back on your feet soon."
"Yeah… I feel like with a bit more rest, I should improve."
Mercer spoke without showing any surprise that they were monitoring his activities.
After all, the key data and activity logs were altered. Even if they investigate thoroughly, they'll only find that I created a quickhack program.
"Then rest well. I'll have Dr. Oda approve your discharge. After that, you can spend time with your friends. These few days are a rare vacation for all of you, it would be a shame to miss it."
With that, Tano Ena led the man out. Just as they reached the door, she turned back abruptly.
"Oh, by the way, your friend Kyoko mentioned that before disconnecting, she vaguely saw a unique male AI figure near you. Do you recall anything about that?"
"No, I only saw Alt."
Mercer answered without changing his expression.
Tano Ena smiled. "Hmm, it seems the number of AIs we need to be wary of may have increased again. Almost forgot, remove his lie detector chip."
"Hai!" The man bowed immediately, turned to Mercer's side, removed the chip, and inserted it into his own head. His cybereye glowed with a golden light, and after a moment, he nodded at Tano Ena.
"Then it's settled."
After Tano Ena left, the room returned to silence.
Mercer, however, fell into deep thought.
An AI in the form of a man?
It seemed he needed to talk to Kyoko as soon as possible.
Still, Tano Ena's appearance had caught him off guard.
She introduced herself as the new project director, so it went without saying what had happened to the previous one.
The corporation rarely gave anyone a chance to make mistakes. Once you slipped up, all your competitors would do everything possible to ensure you were thoroughly finished, no need for those higher up to lift a finger.
But this only made things more complicated for Mercer. The former project director had been in charge of sending their group of kids to mine, but this new one seemed intent on changing the project's direction.
Mercer had a hunch, or rather a prediction, that this project was highly likely to involve AI.
He had initially claimed to have seen Alt Cunningham purely to protect himself, but now it seemed he might have overplayed his hand.
When Alt was alive, she was a top-tier netrunner Arasaka was willing to kidnap to acquire. Now, as an AI in the Net, she was an even greater threat they deeply feared.
Mercer had thought he could use Alt's reputation to scare them, maybe even free himself from the fate of deep diving into Cyberspace as a mining GPU. But now it appeared...
These bastards weren't just unafraid, they seemed to have gotten some wild idea or ambition about rogue AIs.
Then again...
Heh, isn't that just how corps are?
Mercer sighed. For now, there was nothing he could do but take things one step at a time. His priority was still to ensure he could escape.
At least in Night City, a neutral ground still contested by multiple corporations, not yet fully claimed, he would have room to rise and the possibility to change everything.
—--
After clearing his mind, it wasn't long before Dr. Oda walked in, accompanied by the sound of the automatic door sliding open.
"Mercer, per the director's orders, you're cleared to leave the hospital for self-observation. Some of the cyberware that hasn't been installed will be put on hold for now, pending further arrangements from above."
Mercer opened his eyes. "So my RAM Recoup, bio-regeneration optimization, none of that's getting installed?"
"Correct. Your current neural capacity isn't sufficient to support too many cyberware systems running simultaneously. Frankly, I'm amazed we managed to reinstall this much, your neural tolerance is remarkable.
"Considering you'll still need to perform netrunning, my recommendation is to rely mainly on external devices."
Dr. Oda paused, then added meaningfully:
"The new director, Tano, has extensive connections. I believe she'll arrange better cyberware, even experimental models, for those with potential. That includes the mk.3 cyberdecks you're all using now, which are actually being phased out this year.
"The internal mk.4 version is already ready to hit the market.
"Anyway, you know how it is, experimental cyberware generally outperforms commercial versions by a significant margin."
So we mining GPUs are all using soon-to-be-obsolete junk?
And they still call us genius kid netrunners? Could it be that we're not actually geniuses, but just excellent expendables?
Lucy's reputation as a netrunner just lost some credibility.
Mercer replied understandingly, "If possible, I'll put in a request with the director."
"She values you highly, and I believe you know the reason yourself. There aren't many humans who can encounter an AI and survive."
After saying this, Oda pointed toward the door: "You're free to leave anytime. Remember to come for a check-up every morning, I'll text you the specific time. That's all."
Mercer stood up, still somewhat weak, but he could walk without much trouble. He gave a slight bow to Oda before leaving, well, it was the basic etiquette mandated by Arasaka Corporation.
The kind written in the employee handbook, violation of which would result in disciplinary action.
But after taking a few steps, he suddenly stopped: "Uh, where are my clothes?"
The loose patient gown he was wearing left him without even underwear, and the dangling fabric felt uncomfortable, a young guy like him, rubbing around like that could easily lead to awkward situations.
"Your old clothes were disposed of. Your new netrunning suit has been delivered to your dorm. You'll have to apply for other clothes yourself later."
After Oda finished, Mercer thanked her and hurried off, following his memory to find the elevator and pressing the button for the basement level.
—--
Due to the small number of people, everyone had their own dedicated dorm room, though, of course, the space was tiny.
A bed, a desk and chair set with a bulky laptop case, a wall-mounted TV, a wardrobe, and a combined shower-toilet unit filled the room to the brim.
The decor was utterly impersonal: metal walls, no windows, only nauseatingly bright fluorescent lights and the never-ending hum of the ventilation fan.
After verifying his biometrics and entering the password to get into the room, Mercer first collapsed onto the bed to recover for a moment. Then, his eyes gleaming, he made a video call.
After a brief ring, Nishimura Kyoko's youthful face appeared in his retina display.
"Mercer! You're out of the hospital?"
She seemed genuinely a bit happy.
"Yeah, I'm in my room. Get Lucy. Isn't there a meeting? I also have some things to say."
"Got it." Kyoko immediately agreed with a smile but then hesitated, as if she wanted to say more.
"Whatever it is, we'll talk in person. That's it." Mercer couldn't help rolling his eyes, this girl seemed a bit slow on the uptake.
He didn't even need to think to know she probably wanted to discuss that AI incident.
He didn't mind the company knowing, or more accurately, he knew there was no way to stop the company from interrogating the others. He could modify his own lie detector chip, but the others didn't have that ability.
Whatever the company asked, they'd have to answer truthfully. Even if they were willing to risk their lives to lie, it'd be useless, the company had plenty of ways to uncover employees' secrets.
But that didn't mean he wanted his conversations about the AI with others to be overheard.
Kyoko hurriedly mumbled an "okay, okay" and hung up, apparently realizing she'd been a bit foolish.
Mercer lay back down, closing his eyes. Soon after, there was a knock at the door. He used his neural link to remotely control the lock, and the door slid open with a swish.
Sure enough, as the door opened, the first people Mercer saw were Lucy and Kyoko.