"You always bring me surprises, or perhaps troubles, Mercer."
The moment Tano Ena spoke her first sentence, Mercer knew the general tone this conversation would take.
Hmm, next would probably be the stick first, then the carrot.
"You know, after you attracted that AI and caused server losses, it was very likely you'd be disposed of along with the former supervisor.
Especially since you were directly contacted by the AI.
As a netrunner, you should be well aware that you should have died the moment that contact happened.
Now, can you tell me why you're still alive?"
Mercer felt bored inside, but on the surface, he put on a somewhat panicked expression:
"I don't know... I, I didn't even know I was contacted!
When Kyoko told me about it...
To be honest, even now I think Kyoko might have misseen it. You must believe me, Director Tano!"
"Mercer, of course I want to believe you. After all, I personally conducted your investigation and interrogation. But, you should know that at Arasaka, someone in my position always has countless eyes watching, not just competitors, but also past enemies.
I want to believe you, but others might not. If this gets out...
Sigh, to be honest, the project's progress is not optimistic. We've allocated a large amount of funds, but there have been no results or even progress for so long. I'm under a lot of pressure."
Tano Ena's words suddenly made Mercer break out in goosebumps. Why did this plot feel familiar?
Wasn't the next line going to be something like 'You wouldn't want others to know,' right?
"So now, we need to help each other, and coincidentally, I have a perfect solution right here."
Tano Ena smiled, stood up, and actually invited him to sit on the nearby sofa. She even picked up her teapot. "Sit, let's talk slowly."
She poured the tea unhurriedly without speaking.
Mercer just sat up straight, pretending to be cautious, but his eyes were examining the teapot and tea leaves, sniffing the aroma.
Honestly, after spending so much time in the Net, eating that garbage synthetic food in the cafeteria every day, the scent of natural tea leaves really made his mouth water.
Unaware that her deliberate pause and pressure tactics had instead stirred Mercer's appetite, Tano Ena chuckled inwardly at his nervous lip-pursing. He really was just a kid.
"What do you think?" She poured two cups of tea and gracefully sat at the other end of the sofa.
"What is it you want me to do?" Mercer looked extremely tense.
"Before I was transferred to this project, I was in charge of cyberware development related to netrunners.
The lab prototype is already complete, but it was designed... rather idealistically.
So, strictly speaking, it's not a single piece of cyberware, but a full set related to netrunning.
Since it must be installed as a complete set to function, the requirements for the user are very high. Even for everyday use, it demands a high level of neural strength from the user.
Additionally, as a full set of cyberware, it imposes stringent requirements on the user's mental attributes and cyberware tolerance.
A previous test subject, an Arasaka netrunner agent, suffered brain burns during an Overclock attempt and was sent to Japan for recovery.
Currently, the entire cyberware set is undergoing a second round of adjustments, originally intended to scale back some functions to lower the user requirements.
But you, Mercer, you might be able to handle the full version of the prototype cyberware and become its perfect match.
Do you know what it would mean if you could bear this set of cyberware?"
Tano Ena raised her voice, her eyes gleaming with excitement as she tempted him, "It means you could become Arasaka's 'Adam Smasher' in the field of netrunning!"
Damn, just how extreme are these modifications? I'm not ready to ascend to machine godhood yet!
Mercer feigned hesitation, timidly asking in a low voice, "What exactly is this set of cyberware? Could you explain it in detail?"
Tano Ena simply chuckled and directly transmitted the data to him.
Mercer chose to accept it and then saw a brief showcase and data description of the full cyberware set.
[Neuralware · Kokuyo Neural Link: Supports 0.01 ms latency for thought-controlled devices, compatible with a dedicated cyberdeck.]
[Operating System · Cyberdeck Soulkiller: Can use the SoulKiller protocol to initiate Quickhacks against enemies.After a Quickhack is completed, all of the enemy's consciousness data will be destroyed and a backup copy automatically uploaded to an available storage chip.Paired with the Kokuyo Neural Link, it can effectively reduce network latency by over 50 %.Built-in eleven standard units of memory; the usable SoulKiller protocol can spread infection to up to four marked targets. Equipped with the "Kokuyo Coprocessor," which accelerates Quickhack intrusion speed by approximately 40 %.Includes built-in Overclock functionality, significantly boosting computational power in Overclock mode.Drawback: Noticeable heat generation; requires pairing with professional-grade netrunner cooling cyberware and strong neural tolerance.]
[Face · Arasaka Net Yūrei V3 Optic: Can visualize connected devices and targets within a 32-meter range, visually detecting connection signals in the air. Supports tracing airborne network signals for source search, enabling remote intrusion.]
[Frontal Cortex · Kokuyo Self-ICE: Corporate-grade countermeasure unit that can effectively block data attacks.Triggers an automatic network disconnect when an unblockable attack is detected; requires manual system reboot to reconnect.]
[Circulatory System · Kokuyo Evil Shark Blood Coolant: A specialized coolant that can be injected into the bloodstream, recycled, and safely metabolized. Enhances brain cooling efficiency once integrated into blood circulation. (Requires reinjection every three months)]
[Skeleton · Kokuyo Evil Shark Supercooling: An integrated cooling system installed in the brain, neck, and spine after modification, effectively reducing body heat during network activity. Its performance is approximately 12 % stronger than NetWatch's equivalent professional cooling system.]
[Nervous System · Kokuyo Synaptic Accelerator: Slows time by 72 % during use while maintaining the user's normal thinking speed.]
[Hands · Kokuyo Smart Link: Provides more efficient data connectivity, with near-zero latency when paired with the Kokuyo Neural Link. Allows direct connection to servers or advanced devices via hand data cables for control and netrunning, effectively reducing intrusion delays and improving data transfer speeds.]
[Integumentary System · Kokuyo Heat Dissipation Coating: Compatible with Evil Shark-type cooling systems, significantly enhancing the body's natural heat dissipation.Drawback: Due to excessively high thermal conductivity, it severely absorbs external heat. Currently under improvement; optional installation available.]
[Arms · Neuromayfly Monowire: Automatically uploads Quickhacks stored in memory units upon hitting a target. When sharpness is deactivated, it can implant the malicious program "Neuromayfly". After the target's demise, it leaves network positioning data in their system, allowing the SoulKiller protocol to automatically locate and execute ultra-long-range Quickhacks via the network.]
Mercer was stunned.
This...
He had just intended to skim some benefits, but they were practically force-feeding him the whole feast!?
Top-tier. Absolutely top-tier.
Mercer felt that with this set of cyberware, even if he just tinkered with it, repaired and upgraded it over time, it would remain cutting-edge equipment all the way to 2077!
Not to mention, just the cyberdeck with the built-in SoulKiller protocol alone, this thing was practically on par with that super cyberdeck developed by Militech with the "Blackwall Gateway" protocol.
The Blackwall was pure destruction, while SoulKiller not only killed you but also preserved a copy of your consciousness, allowing it to be manipulated at will.
And this cooling system...
Just from the design schematics, Mercer could tell it was definitely high-quality, judging by its appearance alone; it bore an 80 % resemblance to the cooling system used by that NetWatch agent Bryce Mosley he'd seen in the game!
Keep in mind, that agent's gear was NetWatch's 2077-era cooling tech, and now it was only 2071!
The monowire was also legendary. Paired with this SoulKiller cyberdeck, it was practically an assassination tool of the gods!
Just imagine: during the day, someone brushes against you with the monowire, thin as a string and with its sharpness deactivated. By night, they can remotely locate your IP using SoulKiller and hack you from afar for an assassination.
They'd even package up your soul and consciousness to transmit back. From then on, all your secrets would be laid bare, and even your consciousness would no longer belong to you.
Your soul could even be repurposed to serve as a small-scale AI, continuing to work for the corporation... that's the terrifying part about corps.
Moreover, with cooling at this level, as long as you could withstand Overclock, it would be like having a mini-server backing you up, unleashing a netrunner's full potential to the maximum.
That Self-ICE could also provide stronger protection while saving space in the cyberdeck's memory.
"Feeling confident?"
Tano Ena curled her lips into a smile. She knew no netrunner would turn down this set of gear. Ambition, ah, there was no one in the corps without ambition.
"...I-I want to give it a try."
Mercer struggled to give his reply, then lifted his head. "I'm willing to have it all installed." "Excellent." Tano Ena resumed her composed and gentle expression. "Mercer, I knew you wouldn't disappoint me! Don't worry, starting today, you won't need to deep dive anymore."
"I'll dispatch an aerodyne vehicle for transport. The item is in Vancouver. By tomorrow morning, you'll see your cyberware!"
Mercer suddenly had a thought.
"An aerodyne vehicle? I mean, there's no need to waste resources like that. There's no hurry."
Mercer seemed to suddenly grow fearful again, making excuses to delay.
Tano Ena curled her lips into a smile. "This is Vancouver, Canada. No one would dare make a move against Arasaka. Besides, it's just one aerodyne vehicle. Such resources are nothing to me."
Mercer lowered his head, appearing resigned.
Tano Ena nodded with satisfaction. "Then it's settled. You may go back and rest. Be prepared to install the new cyberware tomorrow morning."
"Understood."
Mercer glanced at the teacup, forgot to drink the tea. Damn it.
"Like it? I have a new can here. Take it."
Tano Ena! This woman is damnably kind! How can I bear to strike when you're being so gentle!
Mercer felt somewhat embarrassed, so he simply remained silent, took the tea leaves, and left. No need to drink this cup of tea; he could brew his own back in his room.
Tano Ena didn't mind that he neither bowed upon entering nor upon leaving.
It didn't matter. Even if Mercer had ill intentions, it was fine. Once the cyberware was installed, SoulKiller would imprint and reshape his soul, turning him into an utterly loyal dog, a dog loyal to her.
For a cute and capable dog, Tano Ena had never been stingy with kindness.
With that, Tano Ena's mood lifted immensely. She sat in her office chair, gazing out at the distant desert and dust storms.
It would be best to leave this wretched base soon. Once the cyberware was installed, someone else could deal with this damn Star Project.
She suspected it hid some major secrets, and to live long and well, it was better not to dig into those secrets that might be connected to rogue AIs.
The thought of escaping this suburban base and returning to the city, perhaps even using Mercer to rectify her previous failures in the SoulKiller project...
Tano Ena felt the sunlight grow warmer and her chair much more comfortable.
"Mercer, you'd better not disappoint me."
—--
[Mercer: It's do or die. I'm leaving tomorrow!]
Returning to his room, Mercer gathered his small team and immediately made his decision over an encrypted channel.