Cyberpunk: Cross-dimensional Science and Engineering

"So he just wags his finger and takes a million from us? On what grounds?!"

As expected, V indeed blew up.

Lille could only say helplessly, "Just because he's the president of the Veterans Association, New America regularly distributes retirement pensions to them.

Do you think New America would give a pension to someone worthless? They definitely earned it themselves.

But since they earn this money, of course, there are corresponding responsibilities, as well as powers."

"Why does doing a job have to be so roundabout? We still have time, explain— and this seems to be quite different from the 'covert operation' Zhu Shen mentioned?"

"First, nobody would want to part with money, so 'money talks' is universal. But Mr. Notte only opened up after hearing about Kantao.

It's clear he's interested in Kantao, which is good news— because he's backed by New America, and New America and military technology go hand in hand.

So the second point: It's precisely this way that can meet the requirements for a covert operation.

New America, being a giant in the Rust Belt with a seat all to itself, only with this permit can we possibly get around web surveillance and take care of Kantao's staff. Otherwise, the moment we step out the door, APD will be knocking."

You and I, two nobodies from the streets without any value, but if we're doing their work, at least we have a chance to be used as a bullet, not just decay in the gun barrel, together with the gun dismantled and dunked in water."

Whoosh.

On the highway, cars were coming and going; V drove very rapidly, full of discontent.

All this was somewhat perplexing for him—he would have rather fought in an octagon cage with that seemingly terrifying Notte.

"But the terms you negotiated with Notte seem to have sold out Zhu Shen."

"Haha, maybe I betrayed Kantao, but Zhu Shen—what did he ask for? Cai Pin dead, the goods arriving at the headquarters.

He didn't mention anything about the design blueprints. He couldn't be unaware of the risk of information leaks; as long as we keep silent, he won't know.

We betrayed Kantao, but not the client, and as for the client? His requests are fulfilled, and he didn't betray the company either.

Even if someday Kantao realizes something is wrong, everyone goes by the book, and everyone is happy."

V's brows twisted, "So you mean, he guessed we might pull a fast one, but he consented to it?

And if it comes out later, he'll just carry on investigating as if nothing happened? Isn't that just creating more work for himself?"

Lille spread his hands: "You have a choice between having a job to do, or being offed by a former colleague—which do you choose? Even if it's extra work for 007, that's a blessing. And at the very least, you can get back at Cai Pin."

The traffic light turned red, and the car stopped at the crossroads. V fell silent for a moment, and the two of them listened quietly to the traffic report.

"Red light, no entry; red light, no entry..."

After a while, V finally said slowly, "So you mean, middlemen are all heartless, and I'm definitely not going to do it."

Lille thought internally, you probably can't handle it, can you? Naive kid.

"What are you thinking? Don't tell me it's something bad about me?" V glanced over. "Another thing, if we only need network support, why not find that... Network Worker's Union?"

"Because they're backed by web surveillance, and web surveillance has no competition with Kantao. On the contrary, Kantao is also one of their main clients, so there's no reason for them to cross the line over Kantao.

Second, to put it simply, Veterans Associations would be regulated against illegal forceful actions, while Network Worker's Unions would be regulated against illegal network actions.

That's the compromise they need to make for their paycheck—finally, look at the weapons in the back of the car.

The Veterans Association may not be able to act directly, but they have plenty of gear. If someone were to check, they wouldn't trace it back to us."

As Lille spoke, he adjusted the back of his seat and laid back relaxedly. "Consider it a bit of their sincerity. When the time comes, just say the weapons were stolen... thief untraceable."

After listening to this long explanation, V concluded with furrowed brows:

"What you mean is, New America offered benefits for them to give up causing trouble with their expertise, and they readily agreed. Although it's less money, it's stable...

Man, what a place... I'm starting to regret coming to Atlanta."

"I thought you regretted it long ago."

V shrugged, looking out the window: "The scenery is indeed nice here, and the streets aren't full of exhibitionists playing with Fleshlights everywhere, no gunfire in sight.

But now... in the city with the lowest crime rate in the United States, a one million dollars crime permit... haha.

It seems beauty is hypocrisy, and reality is ugliness."

"That's a good summary, that's how it is."

Gazing at the majestic, beautiful buildings and the spotless streets outside the window, who would suspect that the acts deemed criminal hadn't decreased.

They were just legalized, weren't they?

Lille said, "Think it over, whether you want to stay here or return to Night City—but either way, before we bring Mr. Zhu over, I need you to recommend a prosthetics doctor.

One from Night City, with decent skills, but most importantly, someone we can trust."

"So this is why you set up the physical link? It won't cause trouble? I don't want to involve him."

"It won't—we just need medical support, and Atlanta's law enforcement can't cross borders to grab someone from Night City."

"You heard it too, Notte can get our medical reports, people here can't be trusted."

So-called physical channels are actually firewall bypass channels completely under control—unless web monitors come to check.

In this world, theoretically, only web monitors have the authority to perform cross-domain communications.

Broadly speaking, bypassing firewalls is illegal and dangerous, unless you report it to the web monitors.

But since the channel is provided by Notte, as long as it doesn't involve classified information, no one will pay attention, and that is also why Notte believes he can collaborate with Lille long-term—

Because if Lille transmits any secret information through this channel, he can find out.

If something goes wrong one day, Notte can just backtrack, then assist the web monitors and New America in seizing Lille's illegal gains, at most a minor loss.

V thought for a moment and said, "Okay, I do have someone in mind."

...

"Hey, Victor, long time no see—how's business lately?"

"So-so, V, didn't expect you to remember to call me. Have you made a name for yourself?"

"Uh... it's complicated, but I need a little favor now—can you remotely control and help us check some prosthetics, and it would be best if you could..."

"Best if I play remote prosthetics doctor for you? I usually don't do this kind of work, but, well, looks like you're aiming to make a splash. Where's the equipment?"

While V was talking with Victor, Lille connected his personal link to the device's port.

[First Time Using Personal Link]

[Technology Points +10]

[Current Technology Points: 60]

The equipment here is outdated—large surgical tables, CNC scalpels, connectors, and so on.

The equipment's data fully appeared in Lille's prosthetic eye, and he could browse this data with just a command from his brain.

In 2077, prosthetics doctors would use medical prosthetics as surgical tools, but now they could only let Victor operate remotely.

Lille introduced himself, "Hello, Victor, V recommended you for your excellent skills, and said you're trustworthy. I'm Lille, nice to meet you."

"Hmm... you seem like an honest man; I'm also glad to meet you."

After hearing this, V pursed her lips, "Him, honest? Victor, you've misjudged him this time."

"Alright, your friend is my friend, hook up the equipment then."

Lille's head was spinning.

Although his ability to learn was quite formidable, he had been in this world for less than 10 hours, and the actual learning time didn't exceed 4 hours, much of which was spent reviewing medical reports.

In the Cyberpunk World, prosthetics are just the surface; Cyberspace is actually the core, with countless network protocols and a myriad of interfaces.

He thought he could handle it, but now it seemed... he needed to use a little hack.

While thinking, he stole a glance at V, who had already settled on the sofa and started munching on chips—no, since he was the team's brain, he had to do it himself.

[Network Hacking Technology (Entry Level)]

[Learning Progress: 1%]

[Technology Points Required: 80]

[Note: All the technical skills required for an entry-level hacker.]

Lille clicked his tongue, he couldn't afford it at all, so he had to settle for the next best thing.

[Cross-LAN Network Channel Construction (Entry Level)]

[Learning Progress: 30%]

[Technology Points Required: 14]

[Note: A basic hacking technique, used for building remote channels]

[Technology Points Spent]

[Current Technology Points: 46]

A flood of knowledge entered his brain without any discomfort, and Lille adeptly opened the required ports on the machine and then accessed the physical channel that Notte had made available to him—

The signal tower was right above; in fact, this average apartment had been given to Lille by Notte.

Victor tapped on the armrest of his chair, saying:

"Not bad with the tech, I've got your signal... it's ready for use; send over the machine's info, I'll give these relics a check-up first."