"Daichi Tetsuya: Tomorrow? But we don't even have a Deep Dive scheduled today! I heard there's no plan for tomorrow either, so we—"
"Mercer: We don't need their permission. There's no time."
Mercer calmly brewed tea for everyone, using a box of what looked like extremely expensive tea. Honestly, everyone present felt a bit... disconnected.
We were escaping Arasaka. Facing an entire team of Arasaka agents, dozens of skilled technicians, countless security guards, and a full array of automated defenses. And yet, Mercer seemed to treat it like a casual tea ceremony.
"Lucy: Why? What happened?"
"Mercer: The director is sending me a lab-grade cybernetic eye. I suspect it's a trap. Even if it isn't, it's likely full of messy programs, and who knows which one might disable me. And if I can't handle the modification—if I become crippled or need a long adaptation period, or if they transfer me after installation—how will everyone escape then? So, there's no choice. We run tomorrow."
"Leon: Then why not tonight?"
"Daichi Tetsuya: Yes. At night, our movements are easier to conceal, and there are fewer guards."
"Mercer: Because I want that cybernetic eye! Risks aside, I'll adjust it slowly once I have it. This set of cybernetic eyes would cost at least a million—no, ten million Euros outside! Where else could I find such treasure after escaping? Not only the eye, but we must get the Relic Chip. They're usually stored in cold storage near the infirmary after use, according to procedure."
The chat group fell silent, everyone exchanging complex glances. Mercer valued money more than his own life.
"Mercer: Don't worry. The AV delivering the eye tomorrow will be perfect. We act the moment it arrives. First, I'll use the server to neutralize the armed personnel inside the Arasaka underground facility. Once the AV reaches the upper floors, we'll use automatic turrets and robots at the entrance to handle the guards. After hacking the AV, we'll take the eye and everything valuable we can scavenge, then run.
"I suggest everyone gather additional valuables, plus enough food and water for at least three days. Loot the bodies, take every money chip you can find. Don't be foolish enough to store it in Arasaka accounts. Once we reach a public network, we can create new accounts at a European Community bank—Arasaka can't control them.
"We'll detour to avoid Arasaka pursuit routes; we won't go straight to Night City. Once we reach the Badlands, the vast dust will conceal our tracks. Nomads and Wraiths can also supply us. We won't enter cities or stop along the way. Straight to Night City."
"Rosie: Night City has a place like that? Dogtown?"
"Mercer: Last year, after NUSA launched the Unification War in 2070, Colonel Hansen refused withdrawal orders in Night City, became a warlord, and claimed territory. He's building Pacifica into a massive smuggling hub. Backed by Militech, Dogtown has become almost a no-man's-land. Night City doesn't care, NUSA can't control it, Arasaka can't get in, and Militech only fences stolen goods.
"Entering Dogtown could be our first step toward freedom. The waters there are murky, perfect for connecting with all kinds of people. The best way to fight a corporation is to find another corporation—I already have an idea. Most importantly, I suspect there are leftover special cybernetic eyes from the NUSA war—behavior pattern faceplates. They can transform your appearance, voice, demeanor, hormones, and even identity. With them, I could replicate a simplified Death Wish. Then we can openly run wild in Night City—and give Arasaka a headache. I also have a plan for dealing with them. You can act with confidence. I promise, one day, the bounties on us will be canceled. We'll walk freely anywhere."
"Lucy: Okay. I trust you."
"Rosie: Me too!"
"Daichi Tetsuya: So what's our specific action plan?"
"Mercer: First, I'll send you the device takeover program. We'll take turns on watch tonight, so I know immediately when the AV arrives. Second, review any deficiencies from previous scouting. Think about what valuable items we can grab and pack your personal belongings—but not too much. We need space for the cybernetic eye and its box.
"Third, mark all targets needing attention or hacking with cameras. I'll personally connect to the server and fry the brains of all dangerous targets. That agent captain requires special attention. After that, bring his body. The infirmary has cybernetic eye storage freezers—I'll perform minor surgery on him in the AV to strip valuable items. He dared to glare at me today… I won't let it slide tonight."
"Rosie: Mercer is scary… But I won't be able to sleep anyway, so I'll keep an eye on him!"
"Leon: You're petty too, isn't it? Just because he glared at you in the interrogation room?"
"Mercer: Too?"
"Leon: I'll monitor all AV movements, ensuring you get news the moment it arrives."
"Daichi Tetsuya: I'll operate the surveillance equipment from the room, marking all armed targets. Lucy, cutting the alarm is your responsibility, along with Leon and Rosie."
"Lucy: Received."
"Mercer: Okay. Once the AV appears, I'll hack the server, crack the Guardian AI, and use its computing power to neutralize hackers. You must simultaneously cut the alarm to prevent detection. Don't worry—Arasaka agents won't withstand my program. Just deploy the quickhacks I provide. The only one to watch is the agent captain. His ICE is tough."
"Well, the tea is poured. Everyone, have a taste."
Mercer handed cups to everyone.
"Lucy: …So, we're leaving soon?"
Mercer looked at her pale face and smiled.
"Mercer: Yes. We go to Night City together."
Lucy inhaled deeply, the aroma stabilizing her trembling hands.
"Lucy: I understand."
"Rosie: Lucy-chan, nervous?"
"Leon: Rosie, why are your legs shaking?"
"Daichi Tetsuya: Leon, calm down."
"Rosie: Baka! Leon is a big baka!"
"Mercer: Oh~ the classic anime voice appeared!"
"Lucy: You still like anime? No wonder you love Sailor Moon."
"Mercer: …Will this topic ever end?"
"Leon: Hahaha, once we reach Night City, I'll find even more exciting braindances!"
"Daichi Tetsuya: Actually, immersive games are more fun than braindances these days."
The tension that had frozen their bodies slowly dissipated, leaving only the lingering aroma of tea.
When curfew came, everyone returned to their dorms, acting according to plan. Mercer lay alone in his room, eyes shut, simulating every possible risk and predicting outcomes. He devised backup plans: if alarms were triggered, if the AV was delayed, or intercepted. One by one, the possibilities ran through his mind.
I can do this. Take everyone out safely. They're counting on me. I cannot fail.
Finally, he exhaled, lay down with determination, and slept—to conserve energy.
At 4 a.m., an encrypted communication ringtone jolted him awake.
"Leon: The AV is arriving! Security got a message—they'll open the gate in twenty minutes!"
"Daichi: Security positions have been marked on everyone's cybernetic eyes. Underground floors 1 and 2 are still under my control. The elevator is clear."
"Lucy: Dr. Oda's assistant might still be in the infirmary. Be careful."
"Rosie: The agent captain, our Focus, is directing first-floor security. No anomalies."
"Mercer: You three cut the building's alarm, then head to the infirmary's cold storage. Grab the Relic and plug it into your heads. Bring all remaining Relic Chips and meet Daichi. Don't forget two cybernetic eye storage freezers. I'll hack the server once you signal me. Move out!"
Mercer grabbed his laptop and walked. The neighboring rooms' doors opened almost simultaneously. Lucy, Leon, and Rosie exchanged a glance with Mercer, who simply gave a thumbs-up.
"Mercer: Shutting down the alarm is your job!"
"Lucy: On our way, Mercer. Be careful."
"Mercer: Understood."
They exchanged one last look, then split. Mercer entered the elevator, pressed the second basement floor, and closed his eyes.
When the doors opened, the enormous server room appeared. The familiar hacker's chair lay quietly among a web of neural connection cables. Mercer calmly inserted the neural interface into the back of his head.
Come on… Guardian AI. Let's see how long you last against Bartmoss' Death Wish.
FOR MORE CHAPTERS
patreon.com/Johnybairstow