"We'll hand over the data first. If there's no issue, I'll split the money with you face-to-face, and we can talk about it..." Mann was tempted.
For the bio-tech theft job, Faraday only offered him 150,000 Euros. According to the usual task procedure, if the three of them split it, Sasha, who was responsible for the infiltration, would get the largest share. Each person would only get about 20,000-30,000 Euros.
As Faraday put it—he would handle the bio-tech security himself and provide them with a signal jammer, so they only get an operation fee.
But Mercer's offer started at a guaranteed 200,000-300,000 Euros per person...
"No, we need to meet and talk before you submit the data. Mann, I don't want to screw you over, so to be honest, I plan to add something to the data I'm giving you."
Mercer's words left Mann silent for a while. Finally, Mann straightforwardly said, "Then tonight, at Rebirth Bar."
"Alright," Mercer agreed.
After hanging up, Mercer turned his head and looked around. "Where's V?"
Lucy, who was programming a quick-crack chip, didn't look up, "Go check the living room."
Qiwei suddenly spoke, "In the gym."
"Okay." Mercer smiled at her, got up and walked towards the gym, but hadn't taken two steps when a line of text suddenly appeared in his prosthetic eye.
[Qiwei: Mercer, I need to talk to you.]
Mercer glanced at her and nodded, using the chat software to privately message her.
[Mercer: Okay, online or in a room?]
[Qiwei: Are you going out?]
[Mercer: Not yet, heading out tonight. I've asked V to come along to act as my bodyguard.]
[Qiwei: Then let's talk in my room when you get back.]
[Mercer: Sure.]
He glanced at Qiwei again. She just smiled at Mercer quietly, not seeming to have anything major to discuss. Mercer smiled back at her before heading to the gym to find V.
Opening the gym door, Mercer immediately heard the sound of a sandbag being hit hard. Looking inside, he saw V with arms crossed, teaching Rebecca how to box.
"Accompany me to Rebirth tonight to chat with Mann."
As soon as Mercer spoke, V straightforwardly agreed, "Sure, are you planning to bring them onto the ship? Indeed, if we want to do this bio-tech job, having just us is a stretch."
"I think relying on quantity alone isn't enough to deal with that many elite soldiers. Professional mercenaries like Mann, with a special forces background, are useful; at least we won't have to worry about him being too scared to raise his head against agents and soldiers.
However, the main aim tonight isn't to recruit them, but because I thought of a good idea. With some luck, we might get first-hand support and simultaneously pin the blame on Arasaka."
V clicked his tongue, "I knew it! You'd eventually drag all these messy things in! There's not much time left until we start; is it still time to fiddle with these twists and turns?"
"Why not?" Mercer shrugged, "Let's give it a try; there's no harm in it, only benefits."
"Hope so." V sighed, "Which big companies haven't we messed with yet? Kangtao?"
Mercer laughed, "I'll call Kangtao in when I'm ready to handle Arasaka."
"Come on... Fine, I'll go with you tonight; I'm just your bodyguard anyway." V said, not happily.
Rebecca stopped, somewhat displeased, looking at Mercer, "What about me? I can be your bodyguard too!"
"If you want to come, then come." Mercer added jokingly, "But... if you do come to be my shield, even standing in front of me to block bullets won't cover everything with your stature."
V burst into laughter, while Rebecca gritted her teeth and swung a punch at Mercer, who dodged nimbly, laughing, "Alright, alright, let's all go together."
"What's the point, I can't even fully shield you from bullets!" Rebecca fumed, glaring.
Mercer winked, "Doesn't matter, half the coverage is good too."
"Screw you!" Rebecca snarled, leaping over. Mercer dodged twice before she pinned him to the ground, holding his face with her gloves. Mercer raised his hands in surrender, helplessly, "V, don't just watch, help me!"
"Who told you to hit her where it hurts?" V laughed but then noticed something was off, watching Rebecca cozying up, "Aren't you taking advantage of him?"
V nonplussed reached out, picking up a smiling Rebecca, "What are you doing?"
"Tsk." Rebecca darted a disgruntled glare at her, "How can you not know, you old hag."
"Old hag?" V chuckled in disbelief, "Alright, kiddo!"
"Bleh~" Rebecca made a face at her and then removed her gloves, "No more practice; I'll take a shower and head out for drinks tonight!"
She skipped out of the gym like a bunny.
"Just wait, tonight I'll drink you under the table; you won't leave standing!" V grumbled, clenching her fists and shooting Mercer a glare before following Rebecca.
From the hallway came their banter, with V calling her an old hag and Rebecca retorting with brat.
Mercer lay speechless on the ground for a while before sitting up, confused about why V glared at him—it wasn't that he didn't want to resist, but that Rebecca nearly choked him.
And with 15 points in physical attributes, things are like this, but V, with 20 points, could send him flying if she got too excited?
Goodness...
Mercer got up, shook his head, and went straight to Qiwei's room. He sent her a message, after which the door opened, and he walked in, glancing around.
Qiwei didn't seem to be into interior decorating.
The desk had a pile of reading chips, and a Super Dream Device sat on the nightstand, with a clean ashtray nearby and some Super Dream movies Kyoko might have recommended.
Mercer had been to Rebecca's room, which was full of colorful dolls and posters, with gun racks and such scattered around.
In comparison, Qiwei's room was similar to Mercer's, almost like a newly decorated model home.
Mercer sat in the chair in front of the desk for a while until Qiwei came in.
She grabbed a can of cola, placed it on the table before him, and sat on the bed, silently for a moment before softly saying, "I want to burn that factory before we do the bio-tech job."
Mercer knew what she meant, his expression growing serious, "Why the rush?"
"... Just in case." Qiwei could only say that, lightly sighing, "I'm a bit scared... if anything happens, there would be no chance."
Mercer silently regarded her for a moment before chuckling, "Don't worry too much about that job; you hackers don't have to be on the front line. You're mostly there to help me with drone control, and if things go south, you can retreat early."
"...Do you think Lucy and I would retreat first if you were in danger?" Qiwei countered, staring calmly.
Mercer massaged his forehead and bluntly said, "Then let's go."
"Hmm?" Qiwei was caught off guard, staying in place.
"I guess you didn't just come up with this; you must have a plan. So, go yourself, follow your plan. I'll have V and Rebecca act as your bodyguards. Just us four, we'll move out now, make it quick, and celebrate at Rebirth tonight."
Mercer said with a smile, "What do you think?"
Qiwei looked at him, and after a moment, she smiled as well, "Alright."
"I'll gather everyone. Let's settle this in three hours and make that scumbag pay." Mercer said, getting up to leave, and Qiwei watched his silhouette disappear by the door, lowering her head after a long pause.
Qiwei looked at her palm, slowly tightening it.
The flame of revenge burned fiercely at that moment, causing her hands to tremble.
Closing her eyes, the nightmares from the past surfaced once more.
But this time, she wouldn't have to endure, hope, and wait for her moment to come.
It was time to finally settle her dismal past thoroughly!