Second Time at City Center

"Old Vic, how have you been lately?"

"You mean the City Center incident? Yeah, it was pretty terrifying."

"Here's the thing, I want to buy a batch of equipment, mainly bio-semiconductors and bio-conductors for powering cyberware. I'll send you a list of the models.

Uh, the payment will be handled on our end, and we'll transfer it to you.

Alright then, thanks, Old Vic."

The newly repainted black and red-striped Mackinaw arrived once again at the edge of City Center. Just as Leo expected, the lockdown was slowly being put in place, like a constipated patient struggling to finish.

There were still thirty minutes left until the meeting.

The remote backdoor Leo had placed at City Center node had already been cleared out. Clearly, the hacker on the other side wasn't just loafing around.

However, when they tried to trace Leo back, they encountered a colossal problem—there was no way to track him down on the cyber network.

Inside the car, V, holding her Nekomata, asked, "Did you call Old Vic? What did you buy this time?"

Leo explained, "This recent ambush by the Biotechnica operative exposed our problem—we're strong in direct combat but lack specialized gear. Was that operative really that formidable? Honestly, despite being backed by a mega-corporation, his gear probably wasn't even worth as much as ours.

In a direct fight, his combat strength wasn't that impressive. Yet, with just one high-end optical camouflage, he could execute a meticulous plan, using himself as the pivot to turn the situation around."

This is the core business capability of spies and operatives—using information and strategy.

"Makes sense—so are we getting one too?"

"We can't—optical camouflage conflicts heavily with subdermal armor. Since you guys opted for armor that's more useful on the front lines, you can't equip this thing."

Jackie and V's subdermal armor had extensive coverage, so adding this kind of cyberware to their skin would greatly increase the chances of malfunctions and cyberpsychosis.

This is why having a cyberware doctor on the team is an advantage—Leo wouldn't let them blindly install cyberware.

Leo continued, "I'm thinking of creating some new gear, but it's just an idea right now. I'm still perfecting the design."

As he spoke, Leo opened his system interface.

[Interdimensional World Status]

[In another world, Skye has helped Aiden Pearce reach the core of the mystery, attracting the pursuit of Chicago gangs.]

[Skye and Aiden used ctOS to create a blackout in downtown Chicago, erasing their traces completely, and began counter-tracking the gang leaders.]

[Victory is within reach.]

[Skye has uploaded the blackout data to the server. You can review the related information.]

[ctOS Development Progress: 70%]

[Current Interdimensional Data Channel Open Level: 70%]

The blackout, the ultimate weapon against the cyber network.

A large-scale, widespread power outage would cause irreversible damage to servers, but executing it is extremely difficult.

After all, 99.9% of important facilities worldwide have backup power solutions. So, causing a major blackout isn't something that can be done just by operating online.

However, the progress in developing ctOS was quite encouraging—those 500 tech points were well spent. Now Leo could experiment with his next idea.

Although computer efficiency in 2011 was still behind that of 2076, this gap could be bridged with quantity—after all, it's a computational difference.

The smallest military-grade ICE servers could be shrunk down to fit in the trunk of a car. While the computational level of 2011 wasn't high, Leo could chain together an entire warehouse of computers to process calculations.

The 70% data channel open level provided enough bandwidth for real-time rapid decryption, with the heavy lifting being handled by servers in another world.

It might be slower, but it was safer—after all, burning through computers wasn't a problem. Even military-grade ICE tracking programs wouldn't be able to trace the location and time information of the burnt-out servers.

[You've connected with Skye.]

[Leo: Did the XMSC chip arrive?]

[Skye: It did. The computer's assembled and the system is installed, just like you said. But what's a pure calculation computer for?]

[Leo: I've got a special use for it. Just keep a fire extinguisher handy in the server room—if it catches fire, just spray it.]

[Skye: Seriously, boss? Are you going to start a fire in your own place?]

[Leo: No questions, just spray it when needed. Consider it a performance bonus.]

[Skye: Got it, boss.]

After finishing up on that side, Leo turned his attention back to his current task and decided to call Professor Connors.

[You choose to communicate with Professor Connors via phone.]

[Leo: Professor, I remember you mentioning that Oscorp got their hands on some genetically modified spiders with exceptional traits. Could you create a batch of similar spiders?]

[Professor Connors: Theoretically, yes. The decay rate algorithm has already been verified on spiders, so it's not difficult to implement—for me, at least.]

[Professor Connors: But Oscorp holds patents in this area, so...]

[Leo: I really need to verify the decay algorithm right now. Could you quickly breed one of these spiders?]

[Professor Connors: You want to re-validate the decay algorithm across multiple mature specimens? I've already tried that, and the result is as expected.]

[Leo: No, I have other uses for it. You can transfer the funds from the company through Matt. There are still some deposits left—please hurry.]

[Professor Connors: Alright... but just one spider. If we start mass breeding, we'll run into patent issues, and I don't want Oscorp breathing down my neck.]

[Leo: Thanks, Professor. Please, make it quick.]

After wrapping up with the professor, Leo called David and Lucy.

Caller: Lucy

Ring ring—

Leo: "Got a job for you. Head to the control center at City Center subway station and wait for my signal. Then hack into the equipment there."

Lucy: "Hack the subway? What are you planning now? This job sounds like a death wish."

Leo: "Ten thousand eddies. The front lines will draw a lot of attention, just provide me with an access line. I've got data barriers in place to cover you."

Lucy: "...I'm on the subway right now with David. Who are you going up against this time? A battlefield? Are you taking on a corporation head-on?"

Leo: "It's better if you don't know too much. Just tell me, are you in or not?"

Lucy: "I can't do it."

Leo: "Fifteen thousand, take it or leave it. I can always find another hacker."

Lucy: "...Fine, but I'm not getting into any fights. If things go south, I'm out."

Leo: "You think I'm okay with that? If you bail at the sight of one or two people, I can guarantee you won't last long in Night City—I'll drag you out even if you hide on the moon."

Lucy: "Big talk. If there are more than two people, I'm not doing it. Twenty thousand euros, take it or leave it."

Leo: "Deal. Get into position."

After hanging up on Lucy, Leo received a call from Chesson.

Beep—

Chesson: "Boss, the goods are at the drop point, at that rocker Dino's place. I sent you the location—cost us a pretty penny."

Chesson: "But what's the plan with all this gear? If the NCPD catches wind, we're in for a heavy search."

Leo: "Don't worry about that. Just make sure the stuff's there. Tell your boys to lay low for now—there'll be plenty of chances to step up later."

Chesson: "I thought you weren't planning on letting him play anymore. Alright, I'll pass the message along."

The car drove into a dark corner of City Center—underneath a pedestrian overpass, where the stairs and tall buildings created a no-man's land.

The so-called drop point was disguised as a vending machine.

Jackie and V pulled out two heavy crates, disguised as cases of soda. Anyone watching would've thought these three big guys were just picking up some drinks.

V hefted one of the crates. "What's inside? This thing's heavy."

"You'll see once we're in the car."

The three of them loaded the crates into the car. Under the curious eyes of the others, Leo opened one of the crates.

One was filled to the brim with bullets and grenades. The other contained a disassembled rocket launcher, commonly known as an RPG.

Leo casually grabbed a magazine from inside—this was the first batch of smart bullets Chesson had just produced.

Since they weren't custom-made for the Yinglong, the chances of triggering an EMP pulse were much lower, but they made up for it in quantity.

V and Jackie turned their heads in unison, looking at Leo:

"Holy shit, you're serious about this?"

"It cost us twenty grand in transport fees, of course, I'm serious."

Leo then assembled the RPG from the scattered parts in the crate.

"Heavy firepower is a must—NCPD is about to complete the full lockdown. Drive, and make sure we're not stuck outside City Center. That would be a joke."

The car started up again, casually driving through the streets.

It wasn't until they were already inside the City Center area that they saw NCPD support vehicles arriving one by one, bringing in lockdown equipment to secure the perimeter.

This made V curious. "Something that big happened yesterday, and they're just now starting the lockdown?"

It was strange indeed—NCPD's lockdown orders came much later. By the time Leo and the others drove into City Center, the perimeter lockdown had only just been set up.

"Honestly, I think NCPD is just going through the motions—they didn't dare to lock it down right away, and now that they're doing it, they know it's not really going to help."

As for why that was, there were many possibilities.

After all, a lockdown would have a huge economic impact, not to mention the negative experience it would create for the rich residents of City Center.

Gunfights in poor areas don't need to be managed, but if something happens in a rich area, you have to consider the rich people's feelings. Lockdown orders have to come from higher up.

And higher-ups have to negotiate with various parties, so it takes a while.

NCPD may be slow, but the corporations' own security forces aren't.

There were more corporate soldiers on the streets. If the trio approached the corporate plaza, they would only see more soldiers surrounding the building, sealing it off completely.

In the end—letting the Mackinaw slip away was one thing, but as long as they killed the people in the subway, Koch's cleanup and scapegoating plan would still be a success.

So the lockdown was really just a show for Militech, focused on the subway area, with NCPD just playing along.

No way that Mackinaw would come back for a death wish, right?

Leo's phone rang.

Caller: Maine.

Maine: "Burgerking? You were right, the subway's crawling with Militech soldiers. Are they really going to start shooting here?"

Leo: "No shit. Get the targets to hide themselves, make sure they wear masks! Whatever you do, don't let them be seen!"

Leo: "Have you spotted Morton and Mendoza?"

Maine: "Yeah, should we head over?"

Leo: "You don't need to. Tell them to hide themselves."

Leo: "Here are your options: Militech will likely spot you soon. You can choose to wait until they get close before opening fire."

Leo: "Or you can take the initiative and catch them off guard—once you start shooting, I'll attack from the outside."

Leo: "Also, get your hacker to open up your team's channel. I'll connect you to my data barriers. Otherwise, Militech will hunt you down to the ends of the earth."

Huh?

Fresh off the subway, Maine looked at the Militech soldiers at the station entrance and the people milling about, suddenly feeling utterly lost.

Clearing out the subway?

The subway announcements echoed in Maine's ears:

"Dear passengers, due to the terrorist attack at the City Center yesterday, the City Center will be fully locked down. Please proceed through the security checkpoints in an orderly manner."

"This area lockdown is partially contracted out to Militech International Armaments Corporation. Choose Militech, choose victory."

The subway ceased operations, and people began moving towards the exit—

In no time, the subway would be empty.

And if things went the way Burgerking predicted, Militech would spot them, spot Murphy, and spot Mendoza and Morton, who were currently on the other side of the subway.

And then...

It would all be over.

The muscular woman, Dorio, standing next to Maine, nudged him with her elbow.

"Maine? What's going on?"

The rest of the team also looked over, puzzled expressions on their faces.

Maine swallowed hard.

"Kiwi, open up our team signal to someone named Burgerking."

"Burgerking Big Shots Squad? Is that the guy? What's going on?"

"...Yes—get ready for a firefight."

"Huh? A firefight?" The short, hot-tempered Rebecca let out a confused squeal, "What the hell are you talking about, Mann? Who are we fighting?"

"...Militech."