The major reason for this is that after the collapse of the old net, there was a technological gap. A vast amount of research data on AI, weaponry, and technology was devoured by the old net.
But as Mann listened to the AI speaking inside Mercer's car... this didn't feel like an ordinary AI!
"Of course, nowadays even vending machines might have to be equipped with AI, so what's the big deal?"
Mercer casually brushed off the matter and then said, "I've locked onto two groups, see if you recognize them.
One of the mercenaries doesn't have a formal name. The leader is called 'Maeda Toru,' a mercenary from the Kabuki District who used to be an elite enforcer for the Tiger Claw Gang. Do you remember him?"
After Mercer asked, Mann pondered and said, "I do remember. I know him, a tall Japanese with a nice touch on the samurai sword, equipped with a Sianwistan, quite skilled.
He has five people under him, three of whom are from the Tiger Claw Gang, and two are lone wolves he recruited. This group typically operates quite ostentatiously, and I guess if Faraday wanted a low-key backup, he wouldn't choose them."
"The other group, the leader goes by the nickname 'One-Eyed,' do you know him?" Mercer continued to ask.
"We usually call him K... He's a retired sniper. I've had drinks with him. He's also retired from the special forces of New America, and his team consists of retired soldiers.
He once tried to recruit me, but I felt our personalities clashed a bit and I didn't agree."
Mann said, contemplating, "The possibility of Faraday hiring him seems indeed greater. This team is usually quite disciplined, and One-Eyed K likes to manage his team with military rules, he has his own secret base, staying low-key usually.
No one knows how to deal with professional soldiers like us. I originally thought that this job, Faraday intended to have them do it together with us."
"Hmm..." Mercer pondered and finally said, "Then let's start with One-Eyed K. If we can confirm that they also took Faraday's commission, then we eat them first before dealing with the biotechnology."
"Why?" Mann didn't quite get it: "If we're determined to sidestep Faraday's commission, wouldn't it be easier if we told Faraday from the start that we wanted to cooperate with other mercenaries?"
"Then wouldn't I become the 'backstabbing employer' or 'murdering colleague' villain?"
Mercer chuckled softly, saying in a relaxed tone, "I had told Faraday beforehand not to find anyone else, just our team would be enough. If he insists on making stealthy moves behind my back, then of course, I don't need to be polite with him either."
At this point, Mann expressed some concern: "Playing like this with Faraday, if things get out, other clients and middlemen might have an opinion on you..."
"I know, so I will find a 'justifiable reason' for betraying him."
Mercer said confidently, "We just need to find out which team is up to something, and then just keep an eye on them."
Since Faraday contacted others behind his back, when Mercer is ready to act, he can suddenly discover an 'unknown armed group' at the mission site and deal with them, which makes perfect sense, right?
Having discovered an 'unknown armed group,' wouldn't it naturally delay the planned ambush?
This way, it would logically wait until the transport team approaches Night City and the Demon Lizard of Military Science withdraws, to then act on the convoy, right?
As for the equipment in the car?
It could only be blamed on the sudden appearance of the 'armed group' disrupting the deployment, making it impossible to transport the equipment, leaving no choice but to 'destroy' it on the spot.
If Faraday has any complaints, Mercer's complaints could be even bigger.
At that point, Mercer might even retort to Faraday— We clearly said only our team was needed, yet you secretly recruited another squad behind my back, were you planning to silence us afterward?
How Faraday wants to respond doesn't matter, but Mercer would ensure this version of the story circulates in the mercenary circles.
Once a middleman bears such an ill reputation, his future work won't be easy to carry out.
Mercer also plans to ask him for money! Maybe he could even extort him — You wouldn't want people to find out about you secretly hiring other mercenaries to silence us, right?
If Faraday wants to retaliate, that's even better. Mercer already doesn't like him, and it's a good chance to take him out, such middlemen usually have a lot of money on hand.
Then Mercer can slowly deal with him, squeezing him dry to gather some funds for Mercer's future research expenses.
Seeing Mercer's calm and assured demeanor, Mann didn't say much more — He's a rule-abiding person. Since he decided to follow Mercer this time, he'll just listen to Mercer, he's the boss.
The car quickly drove itself to Mann's apartment building. After Mercer got out, Rebecca popped her head out of the car window, waved at him, and said, "Then we'll head back to get Qiwei, and prepare to snatch things from Arasaka tonight."
"Alright." Mercer nodded, "Be careful."
"You too, make sure you're just going to scope things out, don't go getting yourself into other trouble again," Rebecca laughed as she waved goodbye.
Watching them leave, Mercer simply shook his head and together with Mann headed back to his apartment.
As soon as they entered, Mercer raised an eyebrow and looked toward Mann who wore a somewhat awkward expression: "Uh... looks like you've figured it out already?"