The news is precisely about Air Force One crashing in Dog Town, and the live footage shown is exactly the current standoff at Dog Town's entrance, with the Netherworld Dog confronting the Military Science agents and the NCPD.
At this moment, the representative from Military Science is negotiating with Mann, looking extremely serious, demanding the Netherworld Dog clear the road to allow them to rescue Miles or voluntarily hand over the President of New America.
Clearly, the NCPD has also received strict orders, currently siding with Military Science, shouting loudly for the Netherworld Dog to open the checkpoint and not be stubborn—they don't want anything to happen to the President of New America in Night City.
Miles glanced briefly, then looked away: "So, do you understand the severity of the situation now? What about Lark?"
"President Miles, the one who should recognize the gravity of the situation right now is you."
Mercer said directly: "Until I confirm safety, you and I are in this together, and if that rogue AI believes the negotiation to have failed and directly initiates material pusher strikes on Dog Town...
you, me, and all these agents and NCPD, we're all going to die! The question before us now is not whether to hand over Lark, but how to minimize risks!"
"So, do you have any good ideas?" Miles detected a hint of optimism, his expression becoming calmer.
But what Mercer said next immediately caused Miles to frown.
"First, we need to confirm whether this rogue AI, named Lilith, really possesses the material pusher.
Second, even if it's just a delaying tactic, we must ensure Lark is sent to the sky on time."
Mercer paused for a moment, then continued: "For the first point, I need President Miles to cooperate, communicating with all allies capable of lunar reconnaissance to confirm where this Lilith character really is.
You certainly know about her relationships with Orbital Aviation and that group of High Knights, we must confirm whether these people have any ground strike capabilities and their true intentions.
Just think about it, this rogue AI causing such a commotion for Lark, is practically a blatant declaration of war against New America—what supports her bravery, allowing her to go to such lengths, willing to do anything for Lark?"
Mercer warned alarmingly: "There's certainly a larger conspiracy here, possibly even Lark herself is just a decoy.
Her real goal may be to provoke the current international crisis, dragging us into an unprecedented space war when we're totally unprepared!"
Miles remained unmoved, just listening quietly.
"The second issue is even easier to understand."
Mercer's expression cooled as he looked at Miles, straightforwardly: "Until Dog Town's safety is confirmed, President Miles shouldn't think about leaving. I believe as long as you're here, even if that rogue AI wants to act, it would definitely exercise some caution."
"Are you sure?" Miles chuckled softly: "It almost killed me."
"Its aim is just to manipulate Lark, negotiating with her, enticing her to go to the Moon."
Mercer pointed out the suspicious aspect: "This is also why I dare to keep President Miles here—although the threat exists objectively, if it truly possessed the material pusher, would there really be any need for such a dramatization?
If it truly wanted to intimidate, why not directly cooperate with you? Given your disposition, in exchange for surrendering the Black Wall data, obtaining cooperation with an alien AI possessing orbital weapons isn't an impossible option."
Mercer seemed truly to be calmly analyzing the reason: "Why would it rather first attack you, then threaten me, an outsider, to achieve its goal?
I think there's a high likelihood it's bluffing."
"Since you think it doesn't possess orbital weapons..." Miles didn't finish her sentence before Mercer interrupted her, staring squarely at her: "Do you want me to bet our lives on it?"
Miles sighed, quickly grasping the key point of the negotiation. She pondered for a moment then said: "What's your plan?"
Mercer revealed a somewhat mad cold smile: "Switching House Strategy."
"What?" Miles was taken aback.
"It's using Dog Town to threaten me? Fine, then I'll personally go to the Moon with Lark... Let's see how powerful it truly is!"
Mercer's words left Miles speechless in amusement; she thought Mercer was spouting nonsense, but seeing Mercer's indifferent eyes, she couldn't help but ask: "Are you serious?"
"I'll go to the Moon with Lark, see how capable this Lilith really is—whether the plan succeeds or fails, I'll ensure the Black Wall data won't fall into the hands of that AI...
But in exchange, I want President Miles to ensure absolute safety in Dog Town before my information arrives. My people will stay with you until the crisis ends."
Mercer's words left everyone exchanging glances.
"You alone?" Miles couldn't help but laugh, thinking this guy really had a screw loose; how was this different from a fool's errand?
Mercer just gave her a calm look: "Plus my friends—a total of three people."
"Alright then, three people, getting on a rocket to the Moon, dealing with an unidentified, unknown capability rogue AI... is that your plan?"
Miles shook her head, no longer wanting to discuss further; she thought either Mercer was going mad or was up to some bizarre negotiation tactic.