Cyberpunk: From Dogville to Legend

Chapter 423 The Fall! [1 words]

"That damned old bastard!"

Miles wished he could have killed the guy in his office, but given the current situation, the House's pressure on him was perfectly normal, especially with the problems on the military technology front...

Lucas's failure in this round of military technology competition was something Miles never expected; it was the worst possible outcome.

But Miles couldn't show anything.

When he took office, Miles’s slogan was to let the new America control everything. The company is now the enemy of the voters. Even though most of the focus of military technology is on military weapons, the various forms of oppression on voters still exist.

To give a prime example: there have been cases of overwork and intolerance to prosthetics among military technology workers, resulting in the deaths of more than 300 people. If Miles hadn't passed the bill and provided financial compensation, this incident would have been enough to cause Miles' approval rating to drop by several more points.

What is the current status of military technology?

"Why...?"

Miles rubbed his temples, realizing he had been overly frightened. He knew that every president of military technology companies had been backed by powerful conglomerates, and Lucas was no exception.

For countries with such military-industrial complexes, power is merely a byproduct of the economy.

Henry dared to speak to the president like that in his office at the White House simply because he had secured funding. Miles's much-anticipated proposal is now effectively dead in the womb.

The fact that the entire new US government has taken sides is already very clear.

However, Miles had no intention of backing down. Even if the military technology sector had a new leader, she still had ways to mediate the situation. At the moment, taking care of Lucas was the first key point that Miles thought of.

Regardless, not kicking a political ally when they're down is Miles's way of survival. The new American political system will never lack those who can turn the tide against all odds, and right now Miles still needs Lucas's help.

"Pick up Lucas for me, we can talk about everything later."

This time, the assistant didn't follow Miles's instructions. Instead, he stepped forward and said, "Your Excellency, instead of worrying about Mr. Lucas, I think you should take a look at what the Joint Logistics Command has obtained."

A hint of unease flickered in Miles' eyes.

Her assistant never had that expression on his face. As the president's assistant, he also had an important responsibility: to protect the president's safety.

Miles didn't speak, but instead pursed his lips and confirmed with his eyes, receiving a firm nod from his assistant.

"The intelligence is very simple."

"Sir, we now have intelligence indicating that you may become an assassination target for the Kongbu organization."

"The information provided by the Joint Logistics Agency and Lark is... Melger, the proposed president of Military Technology."

Miles's face instantly darkened.

"Does Melger have the guts?"

The assistant spoke based on evidence, so he simply labeled the organization he had contacted as a terrorist organization. But Miles knew very well that no one but the political enemies of New America would dare to do such a thing to him.

Miles absolutely didn't want to mention Melger.

Because he is the new generation leader in military technology, according to the so-called historical "pattern," he is the successor to Miles the year after next.

If nothing unexpected happens.

Lucas will continue to serve concurrently as president of military technology, and Miles will continue to be the one with the highest "approval rating," thus making her the female president with the most consecutive terms in the history of the new United States...

Backfired.

Miles rubbed his chin; the first impression this information gave was very strange.

There's no need for Melger to be in such a hurry to take action against himself. After all, the position of the new US president has nothing to do with him. It should be the candidates who are in a hurry.

"We suspect that Melger might be afraid that you will continue to enter the board of directors of military technology after you leave the new US government, so we are more inclined to believe that Melger is protecting himself. However, none of the people arrested by the Joint Logistics Agency have revealed the specific organizers."

"All…"

The assistant didn't continue speaking.

Or they're the kind of people who would rather die than talk, not even under torture... they're the kind of guys who just want to die, so this outcome is perfectly normal.

"The only concern now is that neither Washington's cybersecurity department nor the Lark has found any follow-up leads. Without evidence, you are in a very dangerous situation."

As Miles listened to his assistant speak, his eyes were fixed on the holographically floating date.

I only have nine months left...

"I'm afraid more than one of these people wants me dead, right?"

Miles chuckled coldly, stood up with his hands behind his back, and looked at the lawn outside the White House, which resembled an oil painting. He had to admit that the White House's artificial climate system was very well done; cloudy days were rare.

Especially when the president is in a bad mood, they will artificially control the weather.

The assistant nodded. "So the Ministry of the Interior's intention is for you to suspend all state visits and reduce unnecessary outings, including speeches in crowded places, radio debates, etc."

Miles raised his hand.

In that case, she can only wait to die...

"Hey, how's it going, old buddy?"

Miles is always decisive and efficient; the intelligence about her potential assassination attempts just now didn't interfere with her progress in doing other things at all.

The last thing Miles would do is throw the baby out with the bathwater.

Lucas's hairstyle on the holographic screen was still impeccable, but he looked somewhat tired, and the expression on his face as he looked at Miles made Miles feel uneasy.

"Your Excellency the President."

Miles's lips twitched almost imperceptibly.

"Hey, old buddy, you should take a break... a temporary setback doesn't mean anything."

Miles could only offer some high-sounding words to make Lucas feel a little better, but in reality, the phone call was an unspoken exchange. Miles knew that Lucas's fall from that position was mostly due to his own efforts.

As the saying goes, a community of shared interests.

She was well aware of how much military technology had helped her in recent years. Lucas had engaged in many illegal activities for the sake of this massive military-industrial complex. Therefore, the outside world speculated that military technology was deeply intertwined with the new United States, rather than the new United States controlling military technology.

This was slightly better after Miles came in, because her intelligence allowed her to maintain a delicate balance between the company and the government, and Miles always managed to find suitable places for those working in military technology.

Lucas was also a smart man; the fact that the military technology hadn't suffered significant losses after several failed operations in Night City was all thanks to By Miles's actions.

But not being at fault or covering up a fault is itself a mistake.

The company prioritizes efficiency, and the military technology development under Lucas's leadership was too stable, which inevitably led to dissatisfaction among many people—moreover, Miles's position above the company was a thorn in the side of many.

Lucas sighed.

After pondering for a while, he finally sat up straight in the back seat of the car.

"Let me make myself clearer, Miles."

"Your task now is to clean up the mess left by our administration..."

Miles hadn't expected Lucas to be so decisive and straightforward. For a moment, she was stunned and didn't know how to respond to him... She could only watch as Lucas stared at her with a somewhat helpless expression.

“Miles, the current situation is that we have our lifeline strangled. Some people in the company can no longer tolerate this situation... It is almost impossible for North America to replicate the situation ten years ago when it was able to wage war against Arasaka with its current military technology.”

“You promised to let military technology take over another free state, and you broke your promise, Miles.”

Miles's posture remained upright.

"So Lucas, are you becoming one of those short-sighted guys in the company too? A company can't make a country run perfectly; things don't show results in the short term—"

"Even a three-year-old understands this principle, don't you understand it?"

Lux nodded.

"But it didn't bring any benefits."

"Your personal brain is that of a woman whose body is unable to function properly. Most of the network-level research and development achievements of military technology have been invested in it. What about the benefits from this?"

Miles's face froze instantly.

Lucas, having found Miles's Achilles' heel, insisted on sealing his fate, "Can you tell me, my dear old man?"

Miles paced back and forth.

It's not that Lark hasn't fought for the benefits of military technology, but to Lucas, these so-called benefits are like petty gains, or pacifiers for infants.

Miles, having been exposed, certainly couldn't admit to it.

"How many orders have our allies generated for us? Do these candidates, who are using the media to smear me as a warmonger, really want to make a new America great again through peace?"

"Lucas, please help us. This proposal is very important. Internal decisions on military technology do not mean we have no chance."

Lucas rubbed his forehead and shook his head repeatedly.

“Miles, the unification war has failed, the Night City Corporation’s operations have all gone wrong, and that gas tank in Dogtown still hasn’t been lit—do you know how many people want you out of that position right now?”

"The company's assessment results already stated that Lark is completely unsuitable for collecting information and making decisions... You still trust this program? Or machine, I don't even know if it's human anymore... whatever."

"Miles, you and I are now enemies who wish we could get rid of you as soon as possible."

"I also have some news for you: the federal court has obtained evidence against me. Do you know what charges I, Lucas, will face?"

"Treason."

"That's treason, old man."

Miles sensed that the usually calm Lucas had lost his composure. Miles knew this, but as long as he was there, those who wanted to harm Lucas would not succeed. Why... was he so afraid?
"Lucas, what's wrong?"

Lucas simply replied, "Miles, I have to go to the European Community for a while, on a military technology assignment..."

"Miles, do you understand what I mean?"

You need to protect yourself.

Miles fell silent for a moment.

If it's just a simple cooperative relationship, the last sentence is an unnecessary instruction.

She paced back and forth with her arms crossed and head down, seemingly unable to face Lucas. Her overconfidence in her grasp of the current domestic situation in the new United States had betrayed her most trusted partner.

Miles knew perfectly well whether Lucas had ulterior motives or not.

"We still have a chance."

As expected, Lucas didn't even hear anything like "You need to take care of yourself too." Instead, he saw a new American president who wanted to win the entire game.

Lucas's smile seemed to indicate that he had let go of the past.

now.

The car speeding towards the Port of Los Angeles, the new largest port in the United States, was followed by a number of security vehicles equipped with military technology.

Lucas was going to leave first, and the reckoning with Miles would inevitably begin with him; he had to prepare himself.

"Chance…"

Beside him was a heavily cybernetically enhanced Black security guard. Although sitting in the back seat with his boss was against the rules, special circumstances were handled specially.

Because Lucas might be attacked on this trip, the company's intelligence department has already obtained very solid evidence.

Lucas opened his mouth, "I have a property in Switzerland, and the environment is very beautiful."

Sometimes you have to admit that the subconscious is a very strange thing. Lucas didn't know why he said that; he just felt that he would never have the chance to say it again.

"Ok?"

Miles didn't know why his ally would say that.

Just as Lucas was about to sit up and change his posture—

Suddenly, spiderweb-like cracks appeared outside the car window…

"Please lie down, sir!"

The black security guard pinned Lucas down, and Miles on the other end clearly sensed the commotion—

"Lucas?!"

Lucas kept his head down, feeling a sense of suffocation from the sudden bending over, his fair face instantly turning red.

At that moment, the clanging and clattering sounds outside the car were like hail falling on it, dull and muffled, like the drumbeats of death.

"Oh shit!"

The driver turned the steering wheel.

The convoy speeding down the avenue toward the harbor was targeted by snipers on the buildings. The company security personnel and Joint Logistics Command agents stationed to protect Lucas saw many gunmen through their sniper scopes.

"what happened?"

The fact that so many gunmen could appear under such tight security... the Joint Logistics Command agents immediately realized that this was probably not something they could control.

Just as Lucas bent down, a rocket emitting black smoke hurtled towards his vehicle. Luckily, the driver swerved to avoid the attack, but unfortunately, the accompanying vehicle was blown away by the rocket and rolled to the side like a fireball!

The deafening explosions triggered sirens blaring throughout New York City.

"Lucas!"

Miles had never been so panicked before, and his assistant, who was also pressing his earpiece, seemed to already know the news.

"Sir, the guards are already on their way!"

"Hmph..."

Lucas felt a little out of breath, but he still managed a gentlemanly smile in the shaky phone camera lens.

"Miles, believe in yourself."

Miles kept saying no…

After narrowly escaping the attack, the car sped towards a manhole cover in the middle of the road. There was a small path on the side, and it seemed the driver was trying to use the complex terrain to avoid the ambushing gunmen.

However, when the car drove quickly over the manhole cover, the entire car seemed to be instantly thrown into the air, followed by an extremely rapid secondary explosion!

[Signal cut off]

All that was left for Miles was a completely black screen.

The assistant was also stunned.

She lowered her head for a brief moment when her eyes met the president's, saying, "Excuse me, ma'am."

"Get our men moving faster! What the hell are they eating? Is the new America just paying them salaries for nothing?"

Miles completely lost control of his behavior at this moment, clenching his hands and roaring incessantly.

"Where's the lark?!"

"Why didn't that bitch give a warning?"

Miles' voice was loud, and his assistant could only keep communicating with the people below to see if Lucas still had any hope of survival.

"The lark..."

The assistant could only shake his head helplessly.

No one can communicate normally with the Nightingale now. The only reason she is still willing to serve New America is because of Li De's persuasion.

"As you know, we can't get any intelligence from the Lark. The problem now is that the Joint Logistics Command's security plan for Mr. Lucas is full of loopholes."

The assistant's expression turned somewhat awkward as he said this, "I suggest you carefully consider whether Song Zhaomei is suitable to continue serving New America, referring to the military technology assessment report."

Miles slammed his hand on the table.

"Do they all want to be mad dogs?"

What tricks is Song Zhaomei up to?

The assistant could only keep quiet and wait for Miles' decision.

After Miles' anger subsided somewhat, she sat down in her chair and took a document from the combination lock drawer of her desk.

[Suspected Issue Report]

【birdcage】

"We have discovered that Song Zhaomei accessed your personal travel information through the Great Firewall."

"And she made more than one attempt to hack the surveillance program."

As Miles recalled his conversation with the head of the Washington hacker group that day, his doubts reached their peak.

It's important to understand that Lark is a crucial right-hand woman for Miles in the White House, but she's also a ticking time bomb. If she gets out of control or causes problems, Miles will definitely not be able to live up to his title as the new president of the United States.

If the new America becomes a target of public criticism, its military technology will also be dragged down...

However, the benefits of the lark were so great that Miles was unwilling to give it up easily. In Miles' eyes, the lark was even more powerful than the Joint Logistics Command's intelligence department.

In other words, if Miles wants to know something, give the lark a target and she can get the secrets of the deepest part of the data fortress…

Using intelligence to gain the upper hand is Miles' secret to enabling the new America to maintain its international standing.

"You really need to consider the opinion of the Washington hacker team."

If Lark knew this and didn't provide information, Miles would most likely still continue using Lark.

"Two years ago, the lark could no longer communicate normally, you..."

Miles raised his hand.

"Take care of Lucas first, then let Ron in... I need to go to the birdcage. Don't worry... I have my own decisions."

The assistant gritted his teeth and had no choice but to leave first to handle the matters Miles had assigned him.

When he was alone in the office, Miles pulled a card from under the files and inserted it into the brain-computer interface.

Almost at the same time, the door was pushed open.

"Ron, how are things going with Night City?"

The person on the other end simply nodded. "The military technology project that President Lucas personally oversaw is functioning normally. Have you... received the key?"

Miles nodded. "Just now."

“Ron, you know how bad things have gotten. They can take my life whenever they want…”

"So I don't plan to continue like this."

Miles gently picked up a thick legal code from his left hand.

She held the new American constitution in her hands. "What I want is for them to be unable to replace me, not to find someone to replace me, but before that, I need to see Song Zhaomei."

"I trust my own judgment. Just wait for news."

……
-
Dogtown, Day of Action.

Abandoned basement at the Long Beach stockpile.

Inside the stuffy and deep tunnel, Li De groped his way forward at a snail's pace.

"Have you found Li De?"

Li De nodded. "Xiao Song, we have to do the job Miles gave us. Regardless of whether that Lin is still alive or not, we have to give him something."

Song Zhaomei is dressed the same way she did a few years ago in the holographic lens.

Slightly tired from walking, Li De looked at his apprentice and said, "I really hope some things haven't changed, Xiao Song. If I had known two years later—"

Song Zhaomei's smile was peaceful.

"It's all in the past, Li De. You promised to help me, at least..."

Li De shook his head. "I'm sorry, Xiao Song. I've been searching for a year. I really hope I can find a way to keep you alive—Miles is a fraud. I realized this too late."

"If Rin dies, our hopes will be even slimmer."

"If he can survive, so can you."

Song Zhaomei sighed.

"I really want to know how he survived for so long without relying on the neural matrix, but it seems that Arasaka is even angrier... after all, Saburo Arasaka is dead."

"If I were Arasaka Yorinobu, I would definitely thank him properly."

Li De silently stood up and continued walking forward. Soon he felt a wave of heat rushing towards him.

At the end of the passage ahead stood a group of people who had long been absent from the ground. Although the Voodoo Gang's distinctive features had faded, their sharp Haitian accents immediately told Li De that he had found the right place.

The Joint Logistics Command keeps quite a few dogs, but the Slippery Dog is undoubtedly the slipperiest.

This guy had been missing for a while, and the Joint Logistics Command thought he was dead. Turns out, he was still selling cybernetic data he'd stolen from the company's data fortress online…

The Joint Logistics Command confirmed that the guy was still in Dogtown through this message.

Li De, who was crouching on the ground, moved his wrist slightly and gripped a pistol tightly in his hand.

This gun was Li De's loyal companion, someone he had risked his life for.

When Miles abandoned him and the other agents in Night City, a desperate Reed used it to fight his way out of the intercity train.

From that moment on, the gun was called "Discard".

The infiltration went smoothly. The silenced gun, equipped with a decoy, used its power to quickly wipe out the remaining voodoo gang members at the entrance who were still discussing which sex doll was the most comfortable.

Although the slider has "reformed," it now only does things like puppet making or stealing data.

嗏

The Joint Logistics Command can find any excuse if it wants to cause trouble.

"The blind fury of the cyber world."

Li De chuckled as he read the name, snapped the neck of the Voodoo Gang member in his hand, and watched as the data intrusion lines sent by the hackers were almost entirely withstood by his specially made ICE. Apart from the slight fire that broke out in the prosthetic arm due to the high temperature, it did not hinder Li De's progress.

After Li De barged in, Wilkie, sitting in his wheelchair, simply listened to the footsteps of the newcomer.

Li De, holding a gun, approached.

"Slide, it's surprising you're still alive, you blind dog."

Wilkie chuckled upon hearing this voice he hadn't heard in years. "So it's a big shot from New America. What brings you here? You're just like that idiot who barged in last time, wiping out all my men..."

"Get to the point. Has no one taught you the proper etiquette?"

Li De, gun in hand, circled around to face Willkie. "Slide, you didn't expect to find you again, did you?"

Sliding didn't speak, he just chuckled. He was blind to begin with, so there was no difference between living above ground and underground. But in this underground environment where there was no sunlight and the air quality was extremely poor, Sliding seemed to have gone a little crazy.

"I guess either the new America has no one left to extort, or it's forcing me to do some more inhuman things for you, right?"

Li De slapped away the hand that was reaching out to him.

"Behave yourself with the slider."

Wilkie lowered his hand shakily, then lowered his head and chuckled to himself.

Li De looked at Willkie helplessly, "I'm asking you about someone. You've met this person before."

That's just how Miles is. Even though Li De was going to believe Lark, he still had to do his job. After all, it was a tip provided by the Joint Logistics Command, and he couldn't just ignore it.

No results are a minor issue; not doing any work is a major issue.

"Ah, I've seen far too many people, and I've seen far too many ghosts."

"Who exactly are you asking?"

Li De: "Stop trying to be clever, Lin. Your real name is Lin Yue. Do you remember that guy outside Taiping Continent who wiped out your Voodoo Gang?"

The slider, which had been chuckling with its head down, slowly closed its mouth.

“You definitely wouldn’t believe me if I said I didn’t know. Don’t use ‘my people’ to describe those lunatics outside. They want to drill down the wall… let those things outside that we could crush with one foot in. Good riddance.”

Both Li De and the lark on the holographic display screen looked somewhat helpless.

This guy is probably just changing the subject.

Have you seen it before, or haven't you?

The slider nodded. "I saw what it looked like three or four years ago. Just like you, they risked their lives to rush in, all for that face of yours that could be used to gather intelligence for you."

The intelligence matched.

Li De nodded. "Hmm? What happens next?"

Slide suddenly couldn't help but chuckle. "The company's head, the Asura Killer of Night City, the King of Hell who keeps a bunch of company executives up at night—you're asking me if I've ever seen him? Li De...did you live in the past?"

Li De no longer wanted to stay in this place.

He asked casually, "Do you know if he's dead or alive? That queen of Dogtown... I heard she's one of his people?"

Sliding Rod sat in his wheelchair and suddenly fell silent.

Li De was surprised that this cunning fellow suddenly showed an expression as if he still had something to do.

"what happened?"

hum…

The automatic chair under the sliding seat slowly moved towards Li De.

Do you want to hear me say I'm dead, or alive?

What if I said he was alive?

Li De shook his head.

He hates dealing with hackers the most; they're so eccentric and always do things the opposite of what he wants. The slider should have chosen the answer that would cause him the least trouble, but now it seems like he can't get out of control.

"Hmm, go on."

He wanted to see how to pull the slider.

However, without Li De's permission, the network cable behind the slider began to flash with light.

"what are you doing?"

Li De immediately became alert.

"What for? Of course, it's to clear my name. You know, Li De—there's always been a pair of eyes watching you and me in cyberspace. What is the Joint Logistics Command? I've seen what's on the other side of the wall."

"Someone is trying to create new life..."

"Slider?"

Li De's attention was entirely focused on the slider, and he didn't see the lark's increasingly gloomy face.

"Lies, truth, none of them matter."

“I’m telling you, Li De, he’s still alive and well—”

Li De suddenly stood up at that moment.

The slider spoke with utmost seriousness…

"Why do you say that?"

The slider tilted its head back and chuckled, its gleam a light only seen in the blind during a hacker intrusion or data reading...

"Because I saw him again online, and we were very familiar with each other."

"Powerful creatures have been tamed. Those lunatics in Taiping Continent were right, hahahaha!"

The entire basement echoed with the terrifying laughter of the slider.

"Li De! This guy...this guy is triggering a data crash; he's trying to lure companies from Taipingzhou here!"

"屮!"

Li De felt a surge of anger rush to the top of his head.

Those damn hackers!
"Li De, you could have easily shot me to cover your tracks just by coming in... yet you kept me here to say all this. Watch out, Li De... watch out behind you—"

Li De felt as if a bucket of cold water had been poured over him from head to toe...

The sound of a lark came from the sky.

"屮!"

"I'll handle Li De!"

In Li De's astonished gaze, all he could see was a black wall of data flowing like magma, rapidly devouring the network devices and sliders!

boom--

A strange, noisy roar erupted in my ears.

When Li De came to his senses, the only smell in the room was the burnt smell of short-circuited electrical components and a strange meaty aroma.

……

evening.

Li De walked through the ruins where the Ghost Hound mechs had pushed over the buildings, and sighed as he looked at the distant surface-to-air missile facility.

According to Lark, they used the Dogtown weapon system's data fortress as a barrier to download what Lark called data.

Li De felt his mind was in a mess.

When the slider said those words, he felt a strange sense of unease.

As for the lark, the last line of the slider says "Be careful..."

"Li De, now you know just how much of a liar that old bastard Miles really is? Fortunately, we've reached a consensus now."

The evidence for the lark is undoubtedly sufficient.

Arasaka's internal report, the individual combat recorder, the encirclement operation in Taipingzhou utilized Arasaka's most advanced technological achievement—the individual soldier...

Li De had long since lost the ability to see the truth amidst these illusions that blurred the lines between reality and illusion.

"Sorry, Xiao Song, I'm a little confused."

"I have to apologize to you... Xiao Song, I thought you wanted to get the weapon system in Dog Town—"

Li De covered his head.

If it weren't for the lark's desperate pleas to download the data inside the facility, he might have almost believed the slider's words.

This subconscious distrust made Li De feel somewhat ashamed…

Song Zhaomei's smile was so gentle that Li De thought she was still the lively, energetic Xiao Song who liked to sit on a chair with her legs dangling, shaking her head and joking with him.

"It's alright, Li De."

"He should apologize..."

Actually, it was me.

Li De sat there quietly. He hadn't found anything in Dogtown and could only wait for the Joint Logistics Command to recall her.

Xiao Song talked to him a lot about the past, life, and his hopes for the future while he was still healthy.

The more this happened, the stronger Li De felt an urge to go to that company in Taipingzhou. He really wanted to know how that company had freed Rin from the black wall...

However, if we were to meet like that, we would probably be enemies.

at this time.

Song Zhaomei, inside the cyberspace, looked at the data particles in front of her.

She muttered to herself, "Shouldn't all the hypocrites be dead?"

"Li De, you probably didn't expect to see your name in the data for the activation of the Dogtown weapons, did you?"

A series of disordered sounds.

"Don't even think about it, Lark. I won't betray Li De."

"I have agreed to cooperate with the Ye family."

"You think that thing can take down the new US president's limousine? Unless I do it—"

A sharp, angry voice roared incessantly.

"Are you still choosing to believe them?"

"Go to hell, Song Zhaomei."

The blue-eyed guy looked at the deranged guy beside him. "Lark, everything's ready. Are you sure about the location of that Relic receptor?"

The strange thing is...

With this guy's appearance, the lark's jumbled sentences decreased significantly.

"It's confirmed, she's been following Li De."

"Hold…"

The blue-eyed fellow was just staring at the lark.

"Relax your breathing, try to take the lead, these are all necessary steps..."

"Li De, is this how you intend to handle this?"

Another twist occurred in the lark's statement.

That's her deceiving the AI ​​in her mind...

"I gave Li De a big gift; the colonel thought he could kidnap the new US president to make demands, so that this cesspool of his wouldn't be cleaned up by someone else..."

"Li Dehui is the hero who stopped the colonel. Based on those data on the destruction of the weapon system... cough cough, it can only be implanted offline."

"I...I'm sorry to him."

The blue-eyed man nodded.

Are you feeling any better?

The lark nodded. "Thank you."

"You're welcome. After all, we're the same kind of people."

The blue-eyed man continued, "You have to stay in Night City. There's no guarantee that Rin won't do something... Make sure everything goes smoothly. That woman has to die outside Night City."

"Don't worry, Atlanta's weapons will leave her with nothing... The plane won't descend, so we can just wait patiently."

"Well."

"There are only ten minutes left until our beautiful president takes her final bow. I reckon it won't be long before she flies over Night City."

The lark took a few deep breaths. "I have to go find Li De while I'm still lucid."

"okay."

Li De, his mind a complete mess, sat for half an hour before he was able to calm down the chaotic feeling in his heart...

The city lights begin to twinkle at night.

Standing on the high slope, he looked at the neon lights surrounding the tallest building in Night City, and Song Zhaomei appeared at that moment.

"Li De?"

"Ok?"

Li De was surprised to see Xiao Song reappear.

“I’m much better, Xiao Song. I just hadn’t figured out some things, but now I know. I won’t leave Night City—I have to investigate this Dreamer for you, as a way of making up for what I owe you.”

“I’m not counting on Miles, and I’m not counting on New America. I’ll have to fight for you myself, Song.”

Song Zhaomei looked surprised.

Then a gentle smile appeared on her face.

"Remember the hot dogs we had on Rocan Avenue in Washington? They were great, weren't they—I really want to go back and have them again."

Li De nodded, a smile appearing on his usually serious face.

"This is the first time I've ever seen a girl eat so much."

The lark chuckled, which made Li De grin and shake his head, laughing nonstop.

"Li De?"

"Ok?"

If I remember correctly, Song Zhaomei has called out this several times.

Li De's smile faded...

“Li De, tonight you will be a hero without any merit. The new America cares about titles. You will wear a medal and do your favorite clerical work right here in the Joint Logistics Command. The new president will definitely do that.”

"Now…"

Just a moment ago, Li De was immersed in warm memories, but now he heard the worst things.

"Little Song? Don't do anything foolish!"

Li De wanted to stop something...

“Listen to me, Li De, Miles’ plane is right above Night City right now. I originally wanted you to be the executioner, but… my path has always been narrow, all for the sake of survival.”

"I have done many things that have wronged others."

“You, those who died in Dogtown, even our enemy Rin… I’ve betrayed them all.”

Li De said in a deep voice, "No! Xiao Song, I'll go back the way I came right now."

"late."

Song Zhaomei's expression remained calm.

"I often can't tell who I am. I want to die, but you gave me hope again, Li De..."

"I will never hurt anyone again."

"Just pretend I never existed. If you have the chance, visit my grave. Maybe I'll find another way to live on, but anyway..."

Li De panicked.

"What's going on?! What are you trying to do?"

Song Zhaomei looked up in the holographic video.

"The weapons of the Free State will reduce Space-1 to rubble. The colonel in Dogtown has been deceived by me and will also launch an attack..."

"Kill two birds with one stone, achieve two goals at once."

"To start a war and carry out my revenge, I will also kill the friends and family that our enemies care about most... one by one, without leaving a single one."

Li De looked upwards.

Is Miles about to be knocked down?
If it's not Dogtown, then where is it?
"Song Zhaomei, tell me the location!"

Song Zhaomei pursed her lips and shook her head...

Li De roared, "Is it Atlanta?"

Song Zhaomei chuckled, "Li De, you truly are the best agent, but—"

The reason for Li De's flustered expression was no longer Song Zhaomei's plan... but rather, rather—

airplane!

Space-to-Sky One!
"Xiao Song, Space-Time One has appeared!"

Song Zhaomei didn't hear clearly at first...

"What? Li De...you?"

Li De looked at the black dot above him. His high-precision prosthetic eye could barely make out that it was an aircraft. Meanwhile, the Joint Logistics Command's emergency coordination messages in his earpiece were already in an uproar.

Space-Time One is out of control!
Under Li De's fearful gaze, the facility they had just been in suddenly came to life.

Rumble…

"Hold!"

The lark felt a sudden panic and quickly tried to stop Dogtown's weapon firing system...

Finished!

Li De watched as the fireballs beneath the missiles began to expand, accompanied by a terrifying plume of white smoke. One missile after another shot upwards like meteors, as if a meteor shower were falling...

The plane grew larger and began releasing decoy flares.

One, two, the flashes of explosions suddenly appeared above Night City…

Escaped?
Li De watched as the high-performance Space Shuttle One, piloted by its pilot, evaded the strafing... However—

In the direction belonging to Taipingzhou, a barrage of bullets, like a rain of iron, began to rise!
"Hold!"

The terrified screams of the lark echoed in Li De's ears.

Li De stumbled.

The rain of iron rained down, and Space-Time One had nowhere to hide...

boom!
The rear half of the plane was instantly torn apart, and it plummeted straight towards Taiping Island, billowing thick smoke.

"Cheep cheep..."

The lark's call was gradually drowned out by the enormous rumble...

……

……

(End of this chapter)