[Mercer: This stupid AI's emergency protocol is to create a vacuum... Good thing it wasn't crazy enough to just blow a huge hole in the base, or we might have been blasted into the lunar sky by the air at supersonic speeds.]
[Songbird: This so-called emergency protocol is aimed entirely at humans... Still, it's better than a big explosion... Dammit! Mercer, you scared me to death!]
[Mercer: I really thought it was going to be a big explosion... But if it were, it's not like we couldn't have survived. We'd just have to find a small, sealed room, punch a hole, and let the air pressure push us out.]
Easy for you to say!
Songbird didn't have time to savor the joy of surviving a disaster. She looked around the deathly silent interior of the base, at the Orbital Air employees who had luckily survived by wearing their spacesuits, but were now just frantically gesturing at them.
[Songbird: We need to solve the oxygen problem, and fast!]
[Mercer: It looks like they have some suggestions.]
Hacking into their communication systems was a piece of cake for Mercer. With what was probably just a glance, Mercer successfully established a network connection with one of the gesturing Orbital Air employees.
After regaining a network signal, the employee's face lit up with elation, clearly not expecting to get back online.
The network signal Mercer currently possessed was provided by multiple satellites in lunar orbit that had been hacked by the Skynet system. It was completely unaffected by the base's current network outage. At most, the signal was a little weaker, but it was nothing to worry about.
[Employee: Listen to me! We have to go to the server room immediately to restart the servers and turn the atmospheric regulators back on, otherwise we're all dead when the oxygen runs out!]
The message from this Orbital Air employee was received simultaneously by Mercer, Songbird, and V. But Mercer wasn't in a hurry to restart the atmospheric regulators. Instead, he continued to press for more information.
[Mercer: Besides this emergency protocol, does your base have any other security measures, like a self-destruct?]
[Employee: I don't know! According to the employee handbook, the base only has three types of emergency situations. One is a Red Alert for repelling external invasions, another is a Blue Alert for when key internal facilities have problems, and the last one is the current emergency protocol. For the first two, an ordinary employee like me just needs to get to the underground shelter in the facility as quickly as possible. The third one requires us to put on emergency spacesuits and reach a safe house before our oxygen runs out, then just wait for the emergency protocol to end...]
At this point, the employee's face suddenly filled with fear, and he began gesturing frantically, his voice urgent in the comms.
[Employee: But it's different now! We've lost our network connection! To be precise, all equipment has been disconnected! This means the atmospheric regulators might not turn back on!]
He pointed to the oxygen backpack on his back, his movements clearly showing his desperation.
[Employee: The oxygen in our spacesuits only lasts for half an hour... We have to restart the atmospheric regulation facilities within half an hour, or we're dead!]
[Mercer: Lead the way.]
He unhurriedly told the employee to lead. The employee didn't hesitate, waving to a few other survivors who had also managed to survive Mercer and V's slaughter and were now in spacesuits.
No more words were needed. These employees all knew what they had to do now.
The employees led the way, with Mercer simply following behind them.
[V: Could this be another trap?]
[Mercer: Lilith has already left this lunar base, and this place is now isolated and cut off. She can't come back even if she wanted to. As for these employees, they need to figure out how to survive first, don't they?]
[Songbird: Cutting off the base's oxygen supply... what a method. If we hadn't been prepared, we'd be in serious trouble right now.]
[Mercer: Don't celebrate too soon.]
Through his helmet, he met V's and Songbird's eyes.
[Mercer: There's a high probability that the atmospheric regulators here can no longer be turned on.]
[Songbird: Huh? Is Lilith insane? If the atmospheric regulators can't be restarted, everyone here will die!]
[Mercer: The people are definitely dead, but the equipment and machines are still here, aren't they? You don't really think Lilith cares about the lives of a few humans, do you?]
[Songbird: Dammit... Can't we just launch one of the base's manned rockets and fly back while we still have oxygen?]
[Mercer: We'd still have to restart the rocket launch center's network for that. Otherwise, we can't ignite it remotely. Who's going to stay behind to launch the rocket for us? If they could have escaped by rocket, these guys would have been long gone! Besides... I suspect the rocket launch center here might have also been sabotaged by Lilith, I sent some bots infected with Blacklight to check the base's rocket control room. It's a total mess over there.]
As Mercer said this, his tone remained relaxed.
[Mercer: We need to be prepared for this base to be completely done for.]
[Songbird: How do you look so prepared?]
[V: Hah... whatever. Raiding Arasaka's place is just as good. Why don't we just find a vehicle and some oxygen tanks and delta?]
[Songbird: Arasaka!? Hey, didn't we agree we'd leave after dealing with Lilith?]
[Songbird: Wait, what are you guys planning to do?]
[Songbird: Oh god, can I just go look for a working rocket myself right now?]
[V: You want to run off on your own?]
V turned her head. Her expression was hidden behind her mask, but Songbird felt a chill run down her spine. Helplessly and pitifully, she turned to look at Mercer.
[Songbird: Mercer, I'm not much use anyway. Taking me with you is just bringing along extra baggage...]
[Mercer: Alright, stop scaring her. Her mission is complete.]
[V: So you really just had her come here to trick Lilith into accepting your virus?]
[Mercer: And to help her escape and regain her freedom, I always keep my word.]
[V: Hah...]
[Songbird: Thank you, Mercer, really!]
The three of them chatted in the squad comms, but the Orbital Air employees leading the way were growing more and more agitated.
They frantically scavenged for any oxygen backpacks they could find along the way and kept gesturing, seemingly trying to restart the oxygen facilities in the rooms directly, but unfortunately, they all failed.
When they reached the server room and saw the other Orbital Air employees in spacesuits clustered around the computers, this agitation reached its peak.
By now, someone had already restarted the local server's communication network, allowing them to talk through the microphones inside their spacesuits.
But the content of their discussion was nothing but bad news.
"Restarting the servers didn't work!?"
"No! All the switches on the facilities are disabled! And the server has abnormal data in it now, we opened the network..."
"Where's the maintenance team?"
"They said they can't restart it manually and are troubleshooting the fault!"
"Can the rockets still be launched?"
"Have you requested help from the space station in lunar orbit!?"
"What about going to the lunar bases of other nearby companies? We still have a few Lunar Rovers. If we gather up the oxygen equipment, maybe we can make it there!"
"And what's with those bots going out of control? Dammit, I saw those bots killing people!"
The group chattered away, but their conversation abruptly fell into a strange silence the moment Mercer and the others arrived.
"Don't, don't kill me!" someone cried out in panic and turned to run.
Others forced themselves to remain cool and tried to initiate a voice call with Mercer. "Hello, do you know what's going on? We have to cooperate now..."
Mercer just pushed them aside, walked over to a computer in the server room, and started working.
He did only one thing: after opening the server's local area network, he completely unleashed the Blacklight virus that had been trapped inside.
And he issued the full hack command.
Instantly, all the equipment in the base began to be taken over by Blacklight.
And just as the local network was fully restored, the group of Orbital Air employees around him suddenly fell into a strange silence.
First, their bodies twitched uncontrollably for a moment. Then, like bots, the group of Orbital Air employees fell silent and began to walk away, swaying unsteadily.
[V: What the hell, what just happened to them? It's like they were all possessed! Fucking creepy!]
[Mercer: It's Blacklight.]
[V: Your virus... it can kill people!?]
[Mercer: Something like that. But they're not dead yet, just controlled by Blacklight so they don't get in the way later.]
Mercer sighed, his gaze complicated as he watched the Orbital Air employees now wandering around aimlessly like the walking dead, not saying another word.
If he had a choice, Mercer didn't want to kill everyone in the Orbital Air base.
But from the looks of it... unless they could restart the oxygen facilities in time, they were all dead anyway.
Just then, Morning Star suddenly sent Mercer a message.
[Morning Star: The network signal between me and Lilith has been cut off.]
[Mercer: Reason?]
[Morning Star: She shut down the satellite network. After taking the Blacklight virus to Mars, she activated locally established signal-jamming equipment, completely blocking all off-world communication signals.]
[Mercer: So, Blacklight is now operating autonomously?]
[Morning Star: Yes. Unless we immediately find a way to re-establish the network connection and stop the Blacklight over there, the Blacklight program that went with her will definitely operate according to its default settings and won't stop until Lilith is compromised by its virus.]
[Mercer: Alright.]
[Morning Star: I'm sorry. From here on, we can only rely on the Blacklight program's own capabilities.]
[Mercer: No need to apologize... Take a look at this base. Can it be saved?]
[Morning Star: Analyzing...]
[Morning Star: Restart failed. I suspect Lilith may have directly initiated an overload on this equipment, causing it to be destroyed. To repair it, we'll have to work on the hardware. I can use the Blacklight-controlled bots to try and find the necessary components within the base for emergency repairs, but it's currently difficult to estimate the time required for the repairs. I suggest you prepare to leave immediately to avoid having to upload your consciousness due to oxygen depletion, you still have things to do, don't you?]
[Mercer: Understood.]
Mercer stood up, turned to V and Songbird, and shook his head.
[V: No hope?]
[Songbird: So, we delta?]
[Mercer: Let's go. Let's check the rocket launch center. Morning Star, is the remote ignition repaired?]
[Morning Star: Checking... Failed. I suspect the network components were also burned out by the overload. I am dispatching bots to conduct a hardware inspection. However, from what I can see, the rocket launch center has not suffered large-scale damage. We can try to use the bots to launch the rocket via manual ignition. I have already taught myself the relevant knowledge about rockets and can prepare for your departure at any time.]
Hearing this, Mercer nodded and quickly led V and Songbird to the base's rocket launch center.
There were a total of only four rockets that the lunar base could currently launch.
Three of them were short-range transport rockets used for docking with the space station. They could carry people or cargo, but their reusable engines and fuel were only designed for docking with the space station in lunar orbit.
In other words, they were completely incapable of returning to Earth.
The only manned rocket that could return directly to Earth... had only two seats.
[V: Looks like we'll have to squeeze.]
Well... no one said a two-seater manned rocket couldn't fit three people, right?
But after inspecting the rocket, Mercer turned to look at V.
V stood with her hands on her hips, looking at Mercer, and seemed to sigh.
[V: Fine, just kidding. Let's go, send Songbird back. I'll go with you to find the Arasaka Base!]
[Mercer: You go back with her.]
[V: ???]
[Mercer: Isn't this a two-seater, perfect for you two?]
[V: What the fuck are you talking about!]
Her tone in the squad comms made it clear she was genuinely angry.
[V: I've come all this way with you, and now you're telling me to go back?]
[Mercer: Your mission was to protect Songbird for me. Getting this far is enough...]
[V: Say that again?]
Although he couldn't see her face, Mercer could guess her expression right now.
V strode up to Mercer, forcefully pressing her head against his. Helmet clanked against helmet with a crisp sound.
Neither of them spoke. In the comms, Mercer could even hear her angry, heavy breathing inside her helmet.
Songbird weakly raised her hand.
[Songbird: I don't really need that much protection. As long as you can drop me somewhere NUSA can't find me...]
Seeing V refusing to back down, pressing her helmet against his, Mercer could only sigh. Then, he chuckled.
[Mercer: If you go back from here, I'm ninety percent sure you'll be fine. But once we get to the Arasaka Base... I can't guarantee we'll all make it out alive.]
[V: Cut the crap. I've already slotted the Relic. The worst that can happen is I become an AI person with you... Shit, you're actually telling me to leave?]
The more she thought about it, the angrier she got. She punched Mercer hard, then turned and walked away.
[V: You send her off yourself. I'm going to find oxygen equipment, then a vehicle. We're going to Arasaka!]
[Mercer: Got it.]
[V: (Sound of grinding teeth).]
[Songbird: You really pissed her off this time.]
[Mercer: Why don't you come along too?]
[Songbird: Bro! I'm begging you! I really can't! My head is still killing me. You performed the surgery on me yourself, don't you know my condition?]
[Mercer: Little Song, don't say your big bro isn't loyal, here.]
He suddenly reached out, holding what turned out to be a storage chip.
Songbird hesitated for a moment before taking it.
[Songbird: What's this?]
[Mercer: A chip with money on it. There's not much, fifty thousand eurodollars, but it's enough for you to find a place to stay for a while... I'm guessing you didn't have much time to prepare escape money. Go on, go live the free life you wanted.]
[Songbird: ...I can really just go?]
For a moment, she couldn't quite believe what was happening.
[Mercer: Can't bear to leave? Then how about you stay?]
After Mercer asked with a smile, Songbird, without another word, ran straight for the manned rocket.
But before she stepped onto the rocket, she turned back to look at Mercer.
[Songbird: I'm really leaving.]
[Mercer: Go on, Songbird. Next time, be more careful. Don't get caught in a cage again. Or rather... Song So Mi, goodbye.]
[Songbird: ...Mercer, you... you better not die at Arasaka's place! When you get back... maybe we can really become good friends!]
[Mercer: I'll outlive you. Now get the hell out of here!]
Mercer smiled and gave her the middle finger, watching as she eagerly scrambled back into the manned rocket.
Nearby, the bots that had been hacked by Blacklight and were now controlled by Morning Star quickly began setting the parameters for a manual launch on the instruments.
These bots used a physical connection to adjust the rocket's parameters. At the same time, Morning Star cheekily asked Mercer.
[Morning Star: Say, what do you think her expression would be if we launched her directly to Washington?]
[Mercer: Hmm... she probably wouldn't cry?]
[Morning Star: XD~]
[Mercer: Send her to the European Economic Community's territory. And prepare a fake identity for her. Just pick one from the Skynet system. Might as well go all the way.]
[Morning Star: You're so kind.]
Mercer looked at some of the Orbital Air employees in spacesuits nearby, who had been hacked by Blacklight and now looked as dazed as zombies. He shook his head.
Kind?
He had always thought of himself as just a willful and selfish guy. Kindness? That word was pretty far from him.
Well, if you compared him to others in the Net, then he might indeed be considered a great philanthropist.
The bots busily finished setting the parameters, while other bots, under Morning Star's command, quickly scavenged for supplies within the base, preparing Mercer for the trip to the Arasaka Base.
By the time V had gathered her things and her composure and found Mercer again, the bots had already finished preparing Songbird's rocket for launch.
V was still fuming and silent, clearly still holding a grudge about Mercer's suggestion that she leave first.
[V: Not done yet?]
[Mercer: Almost. The main thing is the system was collapsed, so all the parameters have to be adjusted manually... Good thing we have Morning Star.]
[V: Oh.]
She held it in for a while, but finally, she picked up an oxygen tank.
[V: Top up?]
Mercer smiled and took it. He used an Octopus Arm to hold the tank, pulled out the pressurized intake tube from his oxygen backpack, plugged it in, and refilled his air.
Watching the oxygen level return to full, Mercer just gazed through the glass window at the busy bots and the massive manned rocket in the distance.
[Mercer: I wasn't kidding, V. It's not too late to leave now. I'm prepared to transfer my consciousness. I even have my own clone... If necessary, I'll transfer my consciousness directly back to Night City.]
[V: You think I'm not prepared? Heh, you really think your little schemes can fool me? I had Morning Star prepare one for me a long time ago.]
[Mercer: Prepared what!?]
He turned to look at V in surprise.
V spoke as if it were the most obvious thing in the world.
[V: A clone, of course!]
[Mercer: Morning Star!?]
[Morning Star: She's lying to you.]
[Mercer: V!]
[V: Dammit, does Morning Star have no social skills at all?]
[Morning Star: Getting yelled at by you is better than having my master think I've been negligent in my duties, right?]
[V: Tsk... Aiya, anyway, with your skills, getting me a new body is a piece of cake, right? You're confident you can even bring Silverhand, who's been dead for decades, back to life, let alone me.]
[Mercer: Have you ever thought that if you change bodies, all your skills will be gone? You know the flaws of rapid cloning. There's no guarantee of the body's physical attributes!]
[V: So what? You're gonna dump me if I can't fight anymore?]
She flashed the red light on her helmet's visor threateningly.
[V: Let's get this straight. If I become a frail weakling, my salary and benefits can't be reduced one bit! You hear me?]
[Mercer: ...I'd support you for a lifetime.]
[V: Screw you! Why are you being so ambiguous!]
[Mercer: I'm serious, V. Even if I fall on hard times and have to work for a corp, I'd be happy to support you.]
[V: What about Rebecca and the others? Aren't you ashamed to say that?!]
[Mercer: I never said I'd only support you... Shit, you think I can't earn enough money to support a few girls? Don't worry, I guarantee you'll have nothing to worry about and live a good life!]
[V: You're a scumbag of the highest order! Does your V need you to be her sugar daddy?!]
[Mercer: How is it scummy if it's consensual? Aren't I a very responsible, good man? But seriously, V, if it ever comes to that, I'd gladly support you for a lifetime. No one would be allowed to bully you.]
[V: ...Fuck, stop, let's not talk about this!]
She turned her head away, crossed her arms, and fell silent.
Mercer, however, suddenly had an impulse to see the expression under her helmet. Was she blushing even a little?
The two of them waited in silence for a long time, until Morning Star announced that the rocket's adjustments were complete and it was ready for launch.
[Mercer: Preparing for ignition, Songbird. Have fun in Europe.]
[Songbird: Thank you! Mercer!]
[Mercer: I'll have Morning Star send you the specific details... In any case, have a safe trip.]
[Songbird: Thanks! If I get the chance, I'll definitely repay this kindness!]
[Songbird: ...By the way, V, I think Mercer is actually a pretty good guy. Why don't you two just get together?]
[Songbird: I can tell you two are just one step away... You'll hook up sooner or later.]
[V: Fuck! None of your damn business! Don't talk nonsense! Where did you get the idea that we're just one step away? We're miles apart, okay! I don't even...]
[Songbird: I heard everything just now. You two didn't turn off the squad comms while you were talking...]
[V: ?]
[You have been kicked from the squad comms by V.]
Songbird stifled a laugh. In the end, she just listened to the roar of the engines and, through the screen, silently waved at the two people who remained on the moon.
Thank you...
And I hope everything goes smoothly for you.
See you again on that brilliant Earth!
Watching the moon gradually shrink as the rocket launched, Songbird slowly closed her eyes.
For the first time in a long while, she fell into a deep, peaceful sleep.
—--
And just as Songbird was happily returning to Earth, Mercer took V into a fully enclosed All-terrain Lunar Rover. Without a second thought, he drove the rover out of the base and into the desolate, seemingly endless lunar Badlands.
The next stop on their journey had been planned long before they even landed on the moon, Arasaka's lunar base.