2077: V really knows how awesome he is

When Miles called, they had already been drinking for a while.

Kurt Hansen put down his glass, refilled V's, and said, "V, I'll just call myself 'brother' for the sake of it. I had a good time ranting just now, but to be honest, I'm still not sure. Give me some real information: can we win this battle or not?"

V smiled: "If I say no, are you going to run away with the money again?"

"Haha, I wanted to too, but this time I've staked everything on it. My old brothers and newly recruited brothers are all gone. If they're all gone, I won't be happy no matter how much money I have. So I've decided, this time I'm not running away. If Night City falls, I'll go down with it. Remember to stay far away from Taiping Prefecture then. I'm going to make a big mess of things, I'll make sure that a hundred years from now, people will remember the name of Kurt Hansen!"

"That's loyal! But you don't have a nuclear bomb, do you?"

"Never mind what else you have to say, just tell me, can we win?"

V smiled and said, "I'll check the news tomorrow morning."

The next day's morning news.

Kangtao President Xu Shiming delivered an important speech regarding the internal conflict in Arasaka. He expressed his hope that both sides would exercise restraint and calm, avoid further escalation of the situation, and actively seek ways and means to resolve differences through dialogue.

The wise old man recalled the brutal history of the corporate wars of yesteryear, characterizing them as a catastrophe for all humanity. He declared that the Comtó Corporation would learn from history, taking the maintenance of peace as its mission, and hoped that other major corporations would also remember the lessons and resolutely prevent the possibility of a fifth corporate war.

No sooner had Contau issued a speech calling for peace than the peace-loving Contau held a large-scale military products exhibition in the southeastern sea area. The sea surface was almost covered with a dense array of warships of all sizes, and there were even three tactical nuclear submarines carrying nuclear bombs, with their spearhead aimed directly at the Sea of ​​Japan.

Kurt Hansen burst out laughing, giving him a heartfelt thumbs-up: "V, you're fucking awesome!"

"No problem." V smiled faintly. "Let's go to another restaurant for drinks today."

The dog town boss was taken aback: "Where in Taiping Prefecture is there wine better than my Gemstone Green?"

"You'll see when you get there; it's not far."

V took Kurt Hansen to the Moth Bar at the Long Beach stockpile.

"What good wine could there possibly be here?"

"We definitely have good wine, it just depends on whether the boss is willing to bring it out."

Kurt Hansen looked at his boss, a white woman who was somewhat attractive but just an ordinary person.

At this moment, she also gave an awkward smile and said ingratiatingly, "President V must be joking. My little shop doesn't have any good wine."

V remained silent, his eyes flashing blue light. Suddenly, sparks flew from the proprietress's face, and ripples spread from her head to toe, transforming her from a plump, fair-skinned woman into a slender, dark-skinned one.

"Fuck me!"

Kurt Hansen and the "landlady" exclaimed in surprise at the same time, but the Dogtown boss was a beat slower to react. The landlady had already drawn her gun, while he had only just touched his holster.

Just as the proprietress was about to fire, sparks flew from her arm again, causing the pistol to slam onto the counter. Glancing at V, whose eyes had turned blue, she knew she was outmatched and immediately activated her Sinwidman to escape. However, she was frozen in place after taking only one step, her prosthetic legs completely disconnected.

[Operational Obstacle], S.A.S.'s biological father.

V turned to the Dogtown boss and said, "You've backed down, Colonel Hansen. If I hadn't been here today, you probably would have been stabbed a few times by this guy."

Kurt Hansen's face turned as black as the bottom of a pot. He knew V wasn't exaggerating; if he had come alone today, he would already be dead.

"I didn't know Dogtown had such a powerful figure. Who is this guy?"

"Alex, whose real name is Alina Zenax, is a member of the new FIA and has been undercover in Dogtown for seven years."

"Fuck me!"

Kurt Hansen and Alex exclaimed in surprise at the same time.

The former was amazed by the pervasiveness of the new America, while the latter was astonished by V's understanding of him: "How do you even know my real name...?"

V calmly replied, "Li De told me."

"Damn it, it's that bastard again! I'm going to kill him! This time I'm going to kill him!" Alex cursed on the spot.

Kurt Hansen had two Ghosthound soldiers tie up Alex and put him in the car, then asked V, "Is that Reed also an FBI agent?"

"Yes."

"Where is he?"

"Working as a security guard in a small bar in the city center."

Kurt Hansen: ...?

V chuckled softly, "Let's go, I'll take you to him."

Chapter 46 Chimera

Night City Metro Line 2.

V leisurely admired the beautiful scenery outside the window, while Kurt Hansen seemed somewhat restless.

"Not used to it?" V asked.

"This is my first time sitting in this thing." Kurt Hansen twisted and turned, feeling uncomfortable all over.

"Do you find it unacceptable? Do you think the subway is beneath your status?"

“I’m just a lowly soldier, I’m not that dramatic. I just lack a sense of security. You know, I always have to bring at least a full squad with me when I go out.”

“We need to go to the municipal center. That place is too sensitive. It’s not convenient for the Ghost Hound to show itself.”

"I understand, but if we're arresting someone, shouldn't we hurry? Driving is always faster than taking the subway."

"Actually, we're not in a hurry."

"Why?" Kurt Hansen asked, somewhat puzzled.

“Because Li De’s shift is at 2 PM today.” V shrugged: “He has never been late once in all these years. He never refuses when his colleagues ask him to switch shifts. He is always the first to volunteer when the boss asks someone to work overtime. He is a well-known elite worker.”

"The FIA ​​is really dedicated to going to such lengths to hide their identities!" Kurt Hansen exclaimed sincerely.

V glanced at him.

"Am I wrong?"

"Not entirely. The FIA ​​is quite good, but Li De's dedication wasn't for hiding his identity."

"why?"

"To make a living, since New America put him in a state of silence, they haven't sent him a single penny. He has to find a way to support himself, and he chose the city center, an expensive place, so..."

"Alright, I get it. Another idiot brainwashed by that old hag Miles, thinking he's loyal and righteous." Kurt Hansen seemed to have convinced himself, but after a pause, he couldn't help but complain, "Seriously, the boss doesn't pay him and he's working for free, what's this guy doing here?"

To achieve lasting fame? Or to find peace of mind?

V estimates that even Li De himself doesn't understand it.

Li De chose to become Miles's loyal dog even after he knew how shameless Miles was.

There are countless ways to serve one's country, but he chose the stupidest one.

Recognizing only identity, not person, even if a maggot became the new US president, Reed would probably be loyal to that maggot. With such blind faith, it's no wonder Miles treated him like a dog, even calling the program to wake him "dog whistle."

"Ding! We have arrived at Alexander Street. Passengers getting off, please exit from the left door. Passengers boarding, please stand firm and hold on."

"Let's go, this is where we are."

V led Kurt Hansen out of the subway station, across the zebra crossing to the other side of the road, where a bar called "Electronic Climax" came into view.

"This is it?" Kurt Hansen looked around. "I didn't bring any men. Where are yours?"

“I can’t use my people. Li De can tell at a glance that they’re from Arakasa.”

"You're not going to do it yourself, are you?"

"Haha, no way. I bet Li De's first reaction upon seeing me would be to turn and run." V glanced at the burly men in the bar: "Let's rely on local forces."

"Them? They're too weak."

"The food won't arouse the suspicion of the FIA's top agents."

"That makes sense. How do you plan to convince them?"

“Night City’s old rule: place the order through a middleman.” V called out towards the bar: “Dano Tinovich.”

The bald man wearing sunglasses turned his head and was immediately taken aback: "President V, what brings you here?!"

"I need your help with something."

"Don't worry, I've already started organizing my brothers. I can't guarantee more than 50, but that's definitely 50. They're all tough guys from the underworld, and they'll bring their own weapons and equipment. You won't have to spend a penny. Night City just started to look like a decent human being and they came to rob us. Fuck Arasaka, kill them! Uh, I'm not insulting your Arasaka, I mean Arasaka from Tokyo..."

"Alright, Dainuo, I understand what you mean. Anyway, thank you, I will always remember everyone's kindness."

"Damn, I should have recorded this and played it for those idiots. It would be even more exciting than the purest black lace. I guarantee they could jump up to the third floor even if they broke their legs."

"Alright, after this big battle is over, I'll speak, you'll record it, and we'll split the profits 50/50. Let's join forces and completely destroy Black Lace!"

"Haha, as expected of President V, you're awesome!"

"Absolutely. By the way, there's something else I wanted to talk to you about today."

Dino Tinovich's expression turned serious: "You speak, I'm listening."

"You have a security guard here named Solomon Reed, right? I need you..."

At 2 p.m., a dark-skinned, unassuming, burly man arrived at the bar on time for work. He was Solomon Reed, the UNMISS's top agent.

He changed into a white shirt and a gray baseball cap in the locker room, and even indoors, he didn't remove his dark sunglasses. While it might seem like a security guard deliberately trying to project a serious image, to V and Kurt Hansen, who were in the know, he was undoubtedly intentionally concealing his facial features.

"Hey, Li De, the boss wants a few of us to go to his office together."

Seeing the group of burly men surrounding him, Solomon Reed became wary: "Daino? What does he want with us?"

"Of course it's good news, he's going to give us a raise!" the burly men shouted and cheered.

A raise?!

Li De's heart raced a little, and his guard lessened somewhat, but out of caution, he still asked, "Why did Dai Nuo suddenly decide to raise our salaries?"

"Of course, it's all thanks to President V! She got the city government to raise the minimum wage in Night City and launched a bunch of new projects. Now there are jobs everywhere in Night City that need people, and there are plenty of more lucrative jobs. Several security guards at the bar next door have already quit. That bastard Dano must be afraid we'll quit, that's why he's raising our wages!"

"President V is incredibly awesome! She treats me even better than my own mom!"

"Who says otherwise? If it weren't for her, Night City would still be a fucking cesspool!"

“I signed up for the reserve team before, but they didn’t want me because they said I have a wife and children.”

"Hahaha, I've got it! My wife and kids died of illness a few years ago, and now I'm all alone. I'm giving my life to President V!"

"You're awesome, bro!" The burly men were full of genuine envy. "The drinks are on me tonight. Go to the battlefield and kill a few more of those Arasaka bastards for me!"

"Don't worry, I have no intention of coming back. I'm going to kill at least three Arasaka dogs! When I get down there, I'll tell my wife and son that their husband and father worked for President V and died protecting Night City. That'll be something to be proud of!"

"Damn, bro, you're such a man! Don't worry, we'll definitely bring some wine to your grave!"

"Hahaha, come on everyone! Anyone who doesn't come is a son of a bitch! Bring some good wine, let's drink until we drop!"

The group was originally discussing a pay raise, but somehow the conversation turned to "President V." The passion and admiration they expressed seemed genuine, and Li De suddenly felt that these rough, burly men were somewhat similar to the people in the Joint Intelligence Bureau. They were all willing to give their lives for their leader.

However, a rough and burly man can be spirited and vigorous, while the intelligence agency must remain unknown. The former is as fiery as the sun, while the latter is like mud in a ditch.

why?

Perhaps it's because they are loyal to different people.

V is a legendary figure. She single-handedly fought against the company, turning the tide time and time again, becoming the savior and idol of the entire Night City. Even she herself benefited greatly from it. If V were not the leader of Arasaka Night City but the leader of New America, this country would surely become a better place!

Solomon Reed did not allow himself to think about it any further, because it was too outrageous.

There are so few good people in this world these days, and he sincerely hopes that V can get through this crisis.

Surrounded by his colleagues, Solomon Reed pushed open the door to his boss's office. He saw Deno Tinovic sitting behind the boss's desk, and two other people sitting in guest chairs with their backs to the door.

That back view?!

The top agent possessed extremely high professional qualities. He recognized one of the people just by looking at his back. He immediately turned around and ran away. However, the doorway was too small and his colleagues, who were arm in arm with him, were too close. Almost instantly, he was not only grabbed tightly by seven or eight strong arms, but also kicked hard in the crotch by one of them.

Solomon Reed did not install a large steel cannon, citing poverty as the reason.

When a man's most vulnerable spot is attacked, he inevitably bends over, and in that instant of relaxation, he is pinned to the ground by seven or eight men.

"Damn it, I never expected that you, Li De, with your thick eyebrows and big eyes, would actually be a spy for New America. I even called you my brother, what a fucking jinx!"

"Luckily, I'm just a nobody and don't know anything, otherwise you would definitely have tricked me out of a bunch of secrets!"

"Li De, we've been through thick and thin together since that cyber-psychotic caused trouble last time. Take my advice, quickly abandon the darkness and turn to the light, and honestly confess all the secrets of the new America!"

Li Deren was completely stunned. "I'm a legitimate government official, and you're just a bunch of street thugs. Who's in the open and who's in the shadows? And who the hell kicked me in the groin just now?!"

He was hesitating whether to activate his military-grade cybernetic body and ruthlessly defeat these guys who weren't even his brothers, when a spark of electricity suddenly emerged from the nerve slot behind his ear.