[Daichi: Tomorrow? But we don't have any deep dive opportunities today! I heard there's no deep dive planned for tomorrow either, so we...]
[Mercer: We don't need their permission. There's no time.]
Watching Mercer calmly brew a pot of what looked like extremely expensive tea for everyone, honestly, everyone present felt a certain... dissonance.
We're about to flee Arasaka! We're up against an entire team of Arasaka agents, over a dozen technicians with netrunning skills, dozens of regular security guards, and a full set of automated security systems!
Why are you discussing it like we're going on a picnic tomorrow?
[Lucy: Why? What happened?]
[Mercer: My dear director is sending me a set of lab-grade cyberware. I suspect it's probably rigged.
Even if it isn't, it's definitely loaded with all sorts of messy programs. Who knows which one might cripple me.
And what if I can't handle the cyberware modification, end up disabled, need a long adaptation period, or worse, she transfers me right after it's installed? How will we escape then?
So there's no choice. We run tomorrow.]
[Leon: Then why not tonight!?]
[Daichi: Yeah, under the cover of night, it's easier to hide our tracks, and there are fewer guards on duty at night.]
[Mercer: Because I want that cyberware!
Even if it's rigged, I can tweak it slowly once I get my hands on it.
A set like this would cost at least a million, no, ten million eddies on the outside!
Where else are we going to find such a treasure after we escape?
Not just the cyberware, we also have to get the Relic. I remember it's usually stored in the cold storage unit near the medical bay after use.]
The chat group suddenly fell silent, everyone staring at him with complex expressions.
So it's about money over life.
[Mercer: Don't worry, the aerodyne vehicle delivering the cyberware is coming tomorrow. We'll act as soon as it arrives.
My plan is to first use the server to disable the armed forces inside the Arasaka underground facility.
Then, when the aerodyne vehicle is cleared to enter upstairs, we'll use the automated turrets and robots at the entrance to take out the guards on board.
After netrunning the aerodyne vehicle, we escape with the cyberware and everything else we can loot.
I suggest everyone take the chance to grab as many valuable items as possible, along with enough food and water supplies to last at least three days.
Don't forget to loot the bodies and transfer all the money you can, storing it on any CredChip you find. Don't be foolish enough to leave it in our Arasaka employee accounts.
Once we find a public network, we can apply for new accounts with the European banks; Arasaka has no jurisdiction there.
We'll need to take a detour to obscure Arasaka's pursuit route; we can't head straight to Night City.
But once we enter the Badlands, things will get much better. The vast dust storms will cover our tracks.
Various nomads and Raffen Shiv can also provide us with supplies. We won't be stopping in any cities along the way. We'll move directly through the Badlands straight to Night City.
After that, I'm thinking of laying low in Dogtown, Pacifica, Night City first. It's an area where Militech operates more frequently, and Arasaka can't easily infiltrate it.]
[Kyoko: Night City has a place like that? Dogtown?]
[Mercer: Last year, after the Unification War launched by the New United States in 2069 ended, Colonel Hansen, who was stationed in Pacifica, refused the order to withdraw from Night City. He turned warlord and carved out his own territory.
He's turning the Pacifica stronghold into a massive hub for illegal smuggling operations. The guy is shrewd and resourceful, and he has a group of soldiers called the Barghest under his command.
Backed by Militech and taking advantage of Night City's complex political landscape, Dogtown has practically become a no-man's-land.
Night City doesn't bother with it, the New U.S. can't control it, Arasaka can't get in, and Militech only uses it to move illicit goods, they don't care about anything else.
So, getting into Dogtown might be our first step toward freedom.]
[Lucy: Looks like you've got a more detailed plan already?]
[Mercer: Dealing with people inside Night City makes it easier for our identities to be exposed. Before we're strong enough to handle any Arasaka agents that might show up, I want to focus our efforts in the Badlands and Dogtown.
Besides, the situation in Dogtown is messy, it'll be easier for me to connect with all sorts of people. The best way to fight a corp is to find another corp to work with. I already have some ideas.
Most importantly, I suspect there might still be some leftover specialized cyberware from the New U.S. war era there, Behavioral Imprint-synced Faceplate.
This thing can completely transform you into another person, appearance, skin, voice, posture, hormones, even identity records!
With it, I might be able to modify and replicate a simpler version.
Once we have that, we can roam Night City openly, maybe even cause some trouble for Arasaka. When we're strong enough, we'll say fuck Arasaka. Night City doesn't belong to them.
As for how to deal with Arasaka…
I actually have a plan for that too. So, just follow my lead. I'll make sure we hit Arasaka hard.
I promise, one day, I'll clear our bounties so we can walk freely anywhere.]
[Lucy: Alright, I trust you.]
[Kyoko: Me too!]
[Daichi: So what's our specific plan of action?]
[Mercer: First, I'll send you the Take Control program I use. Take turns on watch tonight so that no matter when the aerodyne vehicle arrives, I'll know immediately.
Second, based on what we've scouted so far, think about any gaps we might have missed.
See if there's anything valuable we can take with us when we leave.
Also, pack your personal essentials, but don't overdo it, we still need to transport the cyberware. With the crate, that thing isn't small, so we have to reserve storage space.
Third, use cameras to mark all targets that need attention or netrunning. I'll connect to the server myself and fry the brains of all high-risk targets. That agent squad leader is a priority! After I fry him, remember to bring his body along. I recall there's a professional cyberware storage freezer in the medical bay. Later, I'll perform a minor surgery on him in the aerodyne vehicle to strip all the good stuff off.
He actually dared to glare at me today. I really don't get it, daring to lock eyes with a netrunner. Tonight, I'll glare him to death.]
[Kyoko: Mercer is so scary... But, well... I doubt I'll be able to sleep tonight, so I'll take charge of keeping a close eye on him!]
[Leon: You're pretty petty too. Wasn't it just because he glared at you and scared you in the interrogation room today?]
[Mercer: "Too"?]
[Leon: I'll keep a tight watch on all aerodyne vehicle movements. The moment one shows up, you'll get the alert!]
[Daichi: I'll stay in my room and operate the surveillance equipment from my laptop, marking all armed threats as much as possible. Lucy, you, Leon, and Kyoko handle cutting the alarm signals.]
[Lucy: Understood.]
[Mercer: Good, that's the plan. Once the aerodyne vehicle arrives, I'll immediately head to connect to the server, crack the Guardian AI, and use the server's processing power to strike at the netrunners inside the base.
You all need to move simultaneously to cut the alarm signals and avoid drawing attention while I'm forcing my way into the server.]
[Mercer: Don't worry, even Arasaka agents can't withstand my cracking programs.
Just mindlessly deploy the Quickhacks I gave you. As long as you successfully hack in and deploy the virus, they won't hold up.
The only one to watch out for is that agent team leader. His ICE might be too tough for you to breach. Even with my program, it demands a lot of brain processing power.]
"Alright, the tea's ready. Everyone, have a taste."
Mercer picked up the teapot and poured tea for everyone.
[Lucy: So… does this mean we'll be leaving this place soon?]
Mercer turned to look at her slightly pale face and smiled.
[Mercer: Yeah, together. To Night City.]
She took a deep breath and raised her teacup. The scalding heat forced her to simply inhale the aroma for now.
Even so, whether it was the fragrance of the tea or Mercer's smile, her slightly trembling hands finally steadied.
[Lucy: I understand.]
[Kyoko: Lucy-chan, are you nervous?]
[Leon: Kyoko, why are your legs shaking so much?]
[Daichi: Leon, could you just chill?]
[Kyoko: Baka! Leon, you're such a big baka!]
[Mercer: Oh~ Classic anime dialogue!]
[Lucy: So you really are into anime after all? No wonder you love Sailor Moon so much.]
[Mercer: Are we never moving past this?]
[Leon: Hahaha, once we get to Night City, I'll find you some even wilder BDs!]
[Daichi: Actually, the immersive games these days are more interesting than BDs.]
As they chatted, the tension that had left their limbs numb and bodies cold gradually faded, replaced only by the gentle fragrance of tea and the warmth of steam surrounding them.
—--
It wasn't until the nightly curfew, when everyone returned to their dorms to act according to plan, that Mercer found himself alone in his room, taking deep breaths repeatedly. He held his head, squinted his eyes, and continuously thought, simulated, and speculated about every possible outcome. After considering potential risks and confirming that his initial plan had no major flaws, he immediately began devising contingency plans.
What if they fail to disable the alarm system as planned, triggering alerts while netrunning the server? What if they can't seize the aerodyne vehicle? What if the aerodyne vehicle isn't fast enough to escape pursuit and gets intercepted at the border station?
One backup plan after another flashed through his mind, making his entire body grow faintly warm with intensity.
I can do this.
Bring everyone out. Not a single one left behind.
These kids are counting on me. I can't screw this up no matter what.
He repeated it to himself like a mantra, over and over, until no new ideas surfaced in Mercer's mind.
Finally, he let out a long breath, resolutely lay down, and fell asleep, gathering his strength for what was to come.
—--
At exactly 4 a.m., the encrypted comms tone rang in his ear. Mercer's eyes snapped open.
[Leon: The aerodyne vehicle is almost here! I overheard the security room, they've been notified. They'll open the base gate in twenty minutes to take over the vehicle's systems!]
[Mercer: Report status!]
[Daichi: Security positions are marked in everyone's cybereyes. No need to worry about surveillance, I still have control over all monitoring and security systems on B1 and B2! Elevators are clear and available.]
[Lucy: Dr. Oda's assistant is still working overtime in the medical bay. Be careful, someone might be there during the op.]
[Kyoko: The agent captain we're monitoring is currently directing security on the first floor. No unusual activity.]
[Mercer: You three, shut down the building's security alarms. Once the alarms are off, head straight to the medical bay cold storage, retrieve the Relic, and slot it into your own neural port. Bring all remaining Relic chips with you, then regroup with Daichi in the monitoring room. Don't forget to grab two cyberware storage cryo-units. I'll head downstairs and wait for your signal to hack the server. Move out!]
After issuing the orders, Mercer took a deep breath, stood up immediately, grabbed the laptop beside him, and started moving.
The moment he opened his door, the doors of the adjacent rooms opened almost simultaneously. Lucy, Leon, and Kyoko all turned to look at Mercer, who simply gave a thumbs-up.
[Mercer: The alarm shutdown is on you!]
[Lucy: We're heading to the surveillance room now. Be careful, Mercer.]
[Mercer: Understood.]
They exchanged one last look before turning and moving in opposite directions down the hallway.
Mercer stepped into the elevator and pressed the button. As the doors closed, he slowly shut his eyes.
When the elevator doors opened again, the all-too-familiar vast server room lay before him.
The netrunner station they had all used for deep dives still sat quietly at the edge of a sprawling web of neural link cables. Expression calm, Mercer walked over, lay down, and plugged the neural link into the port at the back of his head.
Come on then, Guardian AI.
Let's see how long you last against Bartmoss's Deathwish!
--------
Bonus chapter @100 power stones.