Mercer paused and said, "This main network is also the one most employees use on a daily basis.
The elevator, some door switches, are all controlled from the main server, so I don't need to waste any more time.
But some important door switches for the upper levels use independent internal network servers...
To put it simply, the company set up a ton of big and small servers, each controlling some critical equipment, and they remain disconnected unless necessary.
For instance, each level's security personnel have independent sub-networks; if the main server has issues, they can directly cut off the connection to prevent hacking..."
Though it doesn't always help.
Mercer thought of the group of Agent Arasaka he had taken down—they operated the same way.
Yet, facing Mercer's terrifying power, while he leveraged large servers and professional server cooling, they couldn't even disconnect from the main network before they got wiped out.
Even if they managed to disconnect in time, as long as Mercer could still detect their network, he could forcibly hack into their sub-network, merely delaying the inevitable.
V gave a thumbs up, "Wow, A, why does it feel so easy working with you?"
"That's because I've already cleared the hard parts in advance..."
As Mercer's words fell, the elevator doors slowly opened.
The elevator opened to a corridor; V wanted to peek out, but Mercer reached out to pull her back, his prosthetic eye glowing as he scanned for the nearest camera and started hacking.
He didn't even take off his coat, the warmth from the cooling fans humming faintly within.
He then used the camera's perspective and its scanning capabilities to observe the corridor.
"There are four robots in the corridor, let me get an authorization... Alright, go, the robots will see us as one of their own."
Mercer took the first step.
Looking around, the data diagrams Wagako sent him rapidly transformed into three-dimensional images in his mind, allowing him to quickly ascertain the room layouts after matching with the corridor in his vision.
"The large rooms on the left are all laboratories... Seriously, working overtime at 2 AM, that's something."
Mercer muttered as he used the camera's perspective to observe the inside of the laboratories. After pondering for a moment, he said:
"There are three employees in the laboratory, but I don't see Dr. Kuno. Considering it's so late and they haven't finished work, the leader is probably watching nearby, which means she might be in the office... let me think."
Should we rush in directly?
Not impossible, but don't know if this biotechnology has some fancy alarm systems? Uncertain, Mercer pondered for a moment and decided to be strategic to minimize risks.
"Here's the plan, we'll keep it low-key and head to the restroom at the end of the corridor. I'll trigger an error alert in the lab, which usually happens when there's an experimental accident or equipment failure.
So it will certainly report directly to Dr. Kuno's office computer.
If Dr. Kuno is there, she'll likely come out to see what's going on, since it's only a couple of steps away, it's more efficient than calling to ask.
Once she heads to the lab, we'll slip out of the restroom and seize the chance to enter her office.
I'll first neutralize the security measures in her office, and then we'll lie in wait until she returns. We'll knock her out, then I'll hack into the server using her computer.
While at it, I might even implant a backdoor in her brain, see if we can cyber blackmail her to extract something.
If she isn't there, or doesn't come out, I'll monitor the situation using the lab cameras, and as a last resort, we'll deal with the three employees first, then I'll try hacking her office remotely through the door.
If luck is on our side and we act fast, we can safely get the data and retrace our path out.
If luck isn't, and her office has some unhackable alarms... we'll rush in, I'll grab the data quickly, then head up the elevator to the rooftop, and exit via the sky."
Mercer first triggered the network signal of the trash bin downstairs, so that the 'Halo' drone he had previously hacked at the recycling station would receive the signal and take off—whether or not it's needed, it'll be a test for stability.
The landfill is in the suburbs, but the drone station of the recycling company is downtown, right in the San Dimingo District, and it wouldn't take long to fly over.
Mercer crouched, stealthily advancing down the corridor with V. The labs facing the corridor had large glass windows.
One could see the inside from outside the window, and vice versa—quite convenient for certain managers to stand in the corridor and observe the researchers' work.
However, this design became a hindrance for Mercer's stealth operation.
Regardless, Mercer only patiently waited for a moment.
Once the cameras inside showed that no one was looking towards the window, he waved his hand, relaxing his steps, and quickly darted across this stretch.
Afterwards, there was no significant danger; after all, it's rare for most people to be working overtime at 2 AM, as most left before midnight.
Mercer and V reached the end of the corridor and slipped into the restroom. Using the camera's scan function, he immediately located the instruments being operated by several researchers.
After carefully studying the functionality of these instruments, Mercer slightly adjusted the parameters inside, leaving the researchers bewildered.