"Sure, but for now... do you guys want to make some quick money?"
Mercer flashed a mysterious smile, and V looked at Mercer, who wasn't wearing a mask today, and had a young face with such an expression. For some reason, V suddenly felt uncomfortable all over.
"What do you mean?" Pira was quite interested.
"Give me all your savings. Tomorrow night, we're going to cash in big on biotech stocks."
Mercer chuckled lightly and raised his phone. "Leverage short selling... Dude, this time, I've got to skin them off the biotech stock price."
...
January 17, 2072, 7:30 PM.
Following a classic Channel 54 news animation, a well-looking blonde woman, wearing formal attire, appeared seriously on the television screen.
"Hello everyone, I'm Julian Jordan, the host of Channel 54 News. Welcome to Channel 54 News, today's news."
The female host spoke seriously to the camera: "Just at 7:20 this evening, we received a heartbreaking piece of news.
The Night City Biosafety Management Committee disclosed a heinous poisoning incident on its official website.
Dr. Joanna Koch, then Deputy Director of Technology and Development Region at the biotech company, actually experimented and researched drugs by releasing biological toxins into the water sources of Sillan Town and the Red Ochre Tribe in Evil Land.
This action severely violated Night City's corporate laws, causing extremely harmful effects..."
In the underground base of the 'House of the Flame,' everyone sat on the sofa, diligently watching the news.
Even Pira, who usually paid no heed, looked very serious at this moment.
At this time, on the TV screen, the host briefly summarized the evil deeds that biotech did in Sillan Town and the Red Ochre Tribe in straightforward language.
Then, she began her relentless critique, bringing out reports like land and water quality inspection reports, and even included interviews with victims.
Citizens of Sillan Town held up signs like 'Return My Justice' and 'Biotech Poisoning', gathering in front of the camera, tearfully accusing biotech of its wicked actions.
They also filmed a middle-aged woman from the Red Ochre Tribe, severely poisoned due to the water poisoning, lying weakly in a tent.
Finally, the screen returned to the studio, and the female host feigned a few words of grief, before directly attacking the biotech company with questions.
"At this point, Director Joanna of the biotech company has not responded directly, but we believe this time they absolutely won't be able to cover up the truth of the matter!"
"Next, let's connect with the expert from the Biosafety Management Committee to have him tell us what kind of vile impact the biotech's poisoning incident will cause..."
And just when the female host started summoning the expert, the usually serious Pira suddenly widened his eyes slightly, then let out an excited laugh.
"Finally falling! We're going to make a fortune!"
Pira cheered, watching the biotech company's stock curve sharply drop, his eyes practically turning into money symbols.
V also excitedly picked up her phone, shouting: "What's the percentage gain for each point? Mercer, quickly tell me how much I made!"
Yet Mercer just propped his chin with one hand, squinting his eyes slightly.
After a moment's thought, he decisively sent a message to Diana.
[?: Are you sure releasing news like this, you can still land smoothly?]
[Diana: Can't say much about the details, but rest assured, Joanna is doomed this time... But I have to remind you, if you're aiming to cash in from the stock market, you better not hope for the stock to stay down for long.]
[?: I'm short selling.]
[Diana: Then I'd advise you to switch to the opposite buying method before the exchange closes tomorrow night.]
Mercer mused over this, while V, seeing him silent for so long, couldn't help but shake him: "Hurry, tell your sis!"
"Five-fold leverage, meaning if the stock drops by 20%, your principal doubles. Calculate it yourself."
Mercer smiled at her: "Why? Don't find me awkward to look at now?"
"Huh..." V just stared at his young face for a while, awkwardly turning around: "Got to make do, already mixed up with you, what else..."
"Come on, aren't you just afraid of the boomerang? Okay, I'll forgive the nonsense you said before." Mercer rolled his eyes and jabbed her with an elbow.
V has been quite awkward these days—mostly because she used to do whatever Mercer said, but now... she always felt she should take care of him more.
V rubbed her ribs, muttering: "What am I afraid of, what did I say?"
"Oh~ People should flirt with someone around their age~" Rebecca suddenly spoke in a weird tone: "Don't get chummy with kids all the time."
"Damn! I'm not flirting!" V glared, righteously: "Everything else is negotiable, but I have no intention of taking back this statement."
After she said it, even Qiwei laughed.
Because it was clear to the discerning eye that V, although she didn't say so, actually listened a lot to Mercer, that obedient demeanor totally different with others, couldn't be merely a simple superior-subordinate relationship.
And V herself seemed to truly have tricked herself—as she put it, it's a favor of acquaintance, street loyalty...
Alright, in this aspect, Qiwei could somewhat resonate too.
Aside from Mercer, others were just fooling around, excitedly watching the stock's downward trajectory, chatting away.
And as the news wrapped up, Mercer looked at the stock market, with the biotech stock already down about 6%, which for a big company like biotech, was no small drop.
This wasn't just due to the scandal; what's more important was that the scandal was aired by Channel 54.
Ordinary folks or those unaware might not grasp the relationship behind this, but those in investment banks, professionals, definitely knew. Channel 54 has always been backed by Military Science.
Stock followers were well aware, ever since the Unified War began, biotech seemed to be cozying up with Military Science somewhat, clearly tilting towards Military Science in recent times compared to its previously complete neutrality.
However, at this critical moment when the two sides looked closer, the scandal of biotech was suddenly exposed on media controlled by Military Science?
And the scandal occurred around Night City?
That was very intriguing.
The news rocked even Arasaka's stock, mysteriously inching upward, enough to reflect the impact of this news expose.
But Mercer pondered over the deeper, behind-the-scenes aspects of this.
With insider knowledge, Mercer sensed a whiff of danger from Diana.
She seemed to have grown too close to Military Science during this time, far beyond his expectations in terms of closeness.
Forcing Mercer to plan ahead—he didn't believe having some dirt could make Diana obedient.
After a brief contemplation, Mercer made a decision.
He needed to prepare a backup plan for himself.
So, who should this backup plan be directed towards?
Multiple schemes flashed through Mercer's mind, but ultimately, a woman's figure appeared before his eyes.
A very ambitious woman.
Meredith Stout, Deputy Director of Operations at Military Science's Night City branch, senior agent.