Cyberpunk: Starting in 2071

Chapter 4 Project Changes?

"Please repeat the AI ​​characteristics and behavior you observed."

This was the third time Mercer had been asked the same question, and his answer was always the same.

He described it based on the image of Ultraman Cunningham he had seen in the game:

"She was a woman constructed from a massive red data set, with long hair."

I didn't have time to observe more details because the moment the other party appeared, a single touch completely shattered Tony's cyber image, and I immediately set out to break free from the old net.

According to company policy, the priority is to bypass the black wall to ensure the data cannot be traced and located by the AI ​​through the data flow, and then immediately go offline. When I was disconnecting, I experienced a shock; I'm not sure if it was the black wall or the AI, and then I felt dizzy.

"How do I touch it?" the man asked expressionlessly.

“Just a fingertip,” Mercer gave the same answer.

His heart rate was extremely stable, his expression was completely normal, and the lie detector chip inserted into the brain-computer interface was immediately bypassed by the Free Killer V0.1 that he had just created the moment it was connected to the interface.

The data that the other party obtains through lie detector chips is now all fabricated, normal information.

This is also the other party's fault for insisting on inserting a chip into his head—this lie detector chip, which uses neural networks to detect lies, was also connected to his network receiver, and the result was predictable.

The defense protocols inside are not even as new or robust as the defense protocols of the Mk.3 network receiver on his head.

In addition, the zero-latency data transmission caused by the brain interface meant that the lie detector chip hadn't even had time to start working before it was already being copied into his own image.

While answering questions, Mercer was also studying the data composition of the lie detector chip, trying to copy and crack the program.

If he could completely replicate it, he could create his own lie detector program, which would surely be useful later.

"..." The man turned to look at the woman beside him, and seeing that she nodded, he simply stood up and stood aside.

The woman sat down gracefully, gazing at Mercer with a faint smile.

The woman in the suit was also Japanese. She had long hair that fell over her shoulders and looked quite pretty. Her traditional Japanese makeup made her look gentle and graceful, and she appeared to be around thirty years old.

Of course, in the cyber world, appearance is the easiest thing to change. Plastic surgery or maintaining a youthful appearance is not difficult at all for the rich.

"The initial review of your case is now complete. Let's talk about something else."

The woman spoke in a gentle, unhurried voice: "Mercer, based on the information provided by your and your companion's testimonies, we can confirm that a rogue AI did indeed infiltrate the server and caused it to overload."

However, according to the technical analysis, the main reason for this server overload was that a huge amount of data was downloaded to the local machine in an instant.

I'd like to confirm with you—did you receive any unknown program packets before the connection was lost?

"No, after reconnecting to the network, I checked the access device's local storage, and even the previously stored quick hacking program was cleared. I believe the company did this check when they removed my prosthetic body."

Mercer looked extremely docile, lying on the bed, answering every question, his body perfectly still, his hands placed in front of him, looking a little nervous, occasionally pursing his lips, his breathing heavy.

The woman smiled and said, "Don't worry, we suspect that the other party is planting a virus on the server or trying to use our server as a springboard to bypass the firewall and enter the internal network. We are not worried that you have anything to hide, we are just reminding you out of kindness."

If you discover any remnants of unknown programs or code, please report it to the company immediately to prevent serious consequences.

After speaking, the woman paused, then asked, "How was it at the breeding center?"

Look at this, is this even human language? Asking someone about the feeling of mining on a computer is really something else.

"My companions are all very nice."

Mercer hesitated for a moment, then finally mustered his courage: "When can we leave the underground? I haven't seen the sun in a year, and..."
When can we be transferred to another position?

"Soon, child." The woman smiled gently.

"You are all valuable assets to the company, rare hacking geniuses. The reason I am here is to correct the mistake of the former project director, Kimura—oh, I forgot to introduce myself."

My name is Ena Tano, and I'm the new project director.

As for wanting to sunbathe, I can make that happen. You'll all be able to move to surface work soon. Kimura treats you kids like slaves; you're truly...pitiful children.

Mercer's eyes widened slightly: "You mean, the project is going to be terminated?"

"To be precise, it's about shifting the focus of the project." Ena Tano smiled and stood up. "However, the specifics depend on whether you can continue to delve deeper. Only if you can delve deeper will our discussion be meaningful."

"But I heard from Dr. Oda that you're recovering well; you even tried programming on your tablet recently? It seems you'll recover soon."

"I feel that after resting for a while, I should feel better."

Mercer said, showing no surprise that they knew his plans.

Since the key data and behavior logs have all been modified, even if they investigate carefully, they can only find that he made a quick cracking program.

"Then get some rest. I'll get Dr. Oda to approve your discharge. After that, you can get together with your friends. These few days are a rare vacation for you, and it would be a shame to miss them."

After saying that, Ena Tano led the man outside, but when they reached the door, she suddenly turned around:

"By the way, your friend Xingzi said that before she left, she saw a special male AI figure vaguely appear next to you. Do you remember this?"

"No, I only saw Ultraman."

Mercer answered without changing his expression.

Ena Tano smiled and said, "Hmm, it seems the number of AIs we need to be wary of may have increased again. I almost forgot, go and remove his lie detector chip."

"Hi!" The man bowed, immediately turned around, walked to Mercer's side, removed the chip, and then inserted it into his own head.

His prosthetic eye shone with golden light, and after a moment, he nodded to Ena Tano.

"That's it."

After Ena Tano left, the room returned to calm.

Mercer, however, fell into deep thought. An AI with a male image?

It seems I need to talk to Xingzi as soon as possible.

However, Ena Tano's appearance really caught everyone off guard.

She claims to be the new project director, so it goes without saying where the original project director went.

The company almost never gives people a chance to make mistakes. Once you make a mistake, all the competitors will do everything they can to make you die as completely as possible, without the need for anyone above to lift a finger.

However, this only made things more difficult for Mercer—the original project director's project was simply for the group of kids to mine, but the new project director seemed to want to change the project's content.
Mercer had a premonition, or rather a prediction, that this project was very likely related to AI.

He originally said that he met with Ottkeningan purely for self-preservation, but now it seems that he has made a mistake.

When Ultra was alive, he was a top-tier hacker whom Arasaka was willing to kidnap to obtain. Now that he is dead and has become an AI in the cyber world, he is an even greater enemy that Arasaka fears.

Mercer had initially thought that perhaps he could use Ultraman's fame to intimidate them, and maybe even escape his fate of being sent deep into cyberspace to work as a mining card. But now it seems...
These bastards probably aren't afraid at all; instead, they've developed some kind of idea or ambition regarding the roaming AI.

but
Ha, aren't all these companies like that?

Mercer sighed. There was nothing he could do at the moment. He could only take it one step at a time and prioritize getting away first.

Going to Night City, at least in that place where multiple companies are vying for power and there is still no neutral territory to belong to, gives him room to rise and the possibility of changing everything.

After clearing my mind, it wasn't long before Dr. Xiaotian walked in with the click of the automatic door.

"Mercer, according to the director's orders, you can be discharged and observe yourself. As for the prosthetics that haven't been installed yet, we'll leave them for now and wait for further instructions from above."

Mercer opened his eyes: "My RAM compensation, biological cycle optimization, all of these are unsettled?"

"Yes, your current neural strength is insufficient to support too many prosthetics operating simultaneously. In fact, the fact that you were able to install so many already amazes me with your neural tolerance."

Considering you'll still need to perform hacking operations, my advice is to primarily use external devices.

Oda paused, then said meaningfully:

"The new Director Tianye has a wide network of connections. I believe she will arrange better prosthetic bodies, or even experimental prosthetic bodies, for people with potential, including the mk.3 network access module that you are currently using. In fact, it will be discontinued this year."

The company's internal mk.4 version of the access repository is ready to be launched to the market.

In short, as you know, experimental prosthetics generally outperform commercially available versions by a significant margin.

So, does that mean we mining cards are all using obsolete junk?

And yet they call them genius young hackers? Are they really not geniuses at all? Or are they just excellent consumables?

Lucy's hacking skills have dropped in quality again.

Mercer, understanding the implication, said, "If possible, I will apply to the director."

“She values ​​you highly, and I think you know why: there aren’t many humans who can be touched by AI and survive.”

After Xiaotian finished speaking, he pointed to the doorway and said, "You can leave at any time. Remember to come for a follow-up check-up every morning. We'll contact you by text message at the specific time. That's all."

Mercer stood up, still somewhat weak, but able to walk without much trouble. He bowed slightly to Oda before leaving—yes, this was basic etiquette stipulated by the Arasaka Company.

The kind that's written in the employee handbook where violations will result in punishment.

He had only taken two steps when he suddenly stopped: "Uh, where are my clothes?"

His hospital gown was loose and baggy; he didn't even have an undershirt, and it was swinging around uncomfortably—young boys are prone to accidents when they rub against each other like that.

"Your old clothes have been disposed of, and your new black-clad customer service representative has been delivered to your dorm. You'll have to apply for the rest of your clothes yourself when you get back."

After Xiaotian finished speaking, Mercer thanked him and quickly left. Following his memory, he found the elevator and pressed the button for the basement.

Since there were only a few of them, each of them had their own dormitory room, although the space was quite small.

A bed, a table and chair set with a thick laptop and a suitcase, a wall-mounted TV, a wardrobe, a shower and a toilet—that's all there is to the room, filling it to the brim.

The decor was utterly devoid of any human touch; the walls were made of metal, there were no windows, only nauseatingly bright incandescent lights and the ever-present whirring of the fans.

After passing through biometric and password verification, Mercer entered the room, first collapsing onto the bed to catch his breath for a while, before his eyes lit up and he began making a video call.

After the brief ringing, the image of Kyoko Nishimura's tender little face appeared on his retina.

"Mercer! You're out of the hospital?"

She seemed genuinely happy.

"Yes, I'm in the room. Call Lucy. Aren't we supposed to have a meeting? I also have something to say."

"Okay," Kyoko immediately agreed with a smile, but then hesitated and stopped herself from saying anything more.

"Just say it face to face, that's all." Mercer couldn't help but roll his eyes—this little girl seemed a bit dim-witted.

He didn't even need to think to know that she definitely wanted to talk about that AI.

He doesn't mind if the company finds out, or more accurately, he certainly can't stop the company from interrogating other people. He can modify the lie detector chip himself, but no one else has that ability.

The company asks them anything and they have to answer. Even if they're willing to risk their lives to lie, it's useless. The company has plenty of ways to find out the secrets of its employees that they want to know.

But that doesn't mean he wants his conversations about AI to be overheard.

Kyoko Nishimura quickly said "oh" twice and hung up the phone, seemingly realizing that she was a bit clumsy.

Mercer lay back down, closed his eyes, and soon there was a knock on the door. He used the brain-computer interface to remotely control it, and the door was opened with a whoosh.

Sure enough, when the door opened, the first thing Mercer saw was Lucy and Apricot.

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(End of this chapter)