[Lark: Lilith replied to me. She said that if we can't find the rogue AI, we must at least get some technical data from the Little Beidou Facility.]
[Mercer: She really is relentless. What exactly is she after?]
[Lark: I suspect she might be interested in how Military Science captures rogue AIs—there's nothing else of value in the Little Beidou Facility.]
Mercer pondered, not responding immediately.
Lilith wants the technical data on capturing rogue AIs from the Military Science's Little Beidou Facility?
It's not impossible. After all, analyzing from the clues Mercer found, Lilith is currently working on a 'Consciousness Sublimation Program' that can corrupt AI consciousness.
The ultimate goal could likely be to first corrupt AIs, creating her loyal 'subjects,' establishing a realm akin to Ultraman's current one with numerous consciousness data entities that exist in an 'AI Realm.'
If she gets hold of the military's rogue AI capture technology, combined with her unique consciousness corruption program...
But a subconscious part of Mercer's brain was warning him—something isn't right.
Seeing the light flicker in his prosthetic eye, Rebecca reluctantly let go of his hand, stopped teasing him, watched Mercer getting lost in thought, sighed, and sat aside.
Mercer just squinted, slightly frowning, deep in thought.
After a while, he sent a message to Lark.
[Mercer: That's all she wants? And what did she promise you?]
[Lark: She will provide me with a manned rocket at Night City's airport to go to the Moon and promised to transfer me to an underground base on the Moon, offer me medical treatment, and permanently escape from New America's pursuit, gaining freedom.]
[Mercer: Tell her you can't hack into Dog Town on your own and need to discuss terms with me, ask Lilith's opinion.]
[Lark: Hold on...]
[Lark: She said it's okay, and allowed me to discuss terms with you.]
Mercer frowned deeply, pondering, and after a while, replied.
[Mercer: Give me some time, just say you need some time to contact me and persuade me.]
[Lark: Okay...Mercer, I feel something's a bit off.]
[Mercer: Wow, you actually noticed~ That's quite impressive.]
[Lark: Damn it, I just want to live freely! Mercer, you promised to help me! I know you're not that kind of bastard! So don't screw me over, I'm begging you!]
[Mercer: Ha, Li De might cry listening to you, you're the real manipulator here—but don't worry, I always fulfill my promises unless you try some tricks, as long as we help each other, I always keep my word to friends.]
[Lark: I did everything you said! Honestly, trusting you is way better than trusting an AI, isn't it? I just had no choice before!
Have you discovered something wrong? What exactly does Lilith want?]
Mercer did not reply to her. The less this woman knows, the more obedient she is; knowing too much might lead to her having some foolish ideas.
In comparison to Evelyn, Lark's only advantage is that she still has some conscience, and isn't as terribly foolish, but to say she's smart or a good person...
Li De, the one who got tricked and riddled with bullets on the train by her, might have something to say about that.
Mercer began pondering Lilith's true intentions. Thinking back and forth, he still felt that just for the technical data on rogue AI capture from the Little Beidou Facility, taking the risk to send Lark to the Moon didn't align with AI's way of thinking.
Having been an AI once... no, a consciousness data entity, Mercer was well aware of the AI's thinking in that state.
Taking Lark to the Moon, Lilith had to take on the risk of exposing herself to Military Science, New America, and even Earth's forces.
Is there a need to go against New America just for some technical data?
Impossible, then perhaps her target is...
Mercer's mind suddenly thought of the answer.
[Mercer: I figured it out.]
[Lark: What?]
[Mercer: Lilith's real target isn't the Little Beidou Facility. Her first target is that rogue AI, hoping to protect her little secret.
But unfortunately, the rogue AI has been intercepted, so she had to settle for another main target.]
[Lark: So, what exactly is that target? Please don't be cryptic, I'm anxious!]
[Mercer: You.]
[Lark: Me!?]
[Mercer: Or rather, it's Ultraman's Black Wall—she's interested in the Black Wall protocol!]
[Lark: ...]
[Lark: You mean, what she thinks isn't different from New America, it's all because I can use the Black Wall, that's why she wants to save me!?]
[Mercer: You're overestimating yourself a bit. She's just interested in the Black Wall, you're just a knowledge storage tool—I guess you've probably come into contact with quite a bit of information about the Black Wall inside New America, right?]
[Lark: ... I do have a lot of information related to the Black Wall, is that really why? Damn it!]
As Mercer thought about it, eventually, a bold idea suddenly flashed in his mind.
[Mercer: Agree to her, but you need to take two bodyguards with you.]
[Lark: You plan to go with me!? To the Moon? That's her territory! Once we get there, we won't have a choice!]
[Mercer: Have her send over the landing spot details and everything, and we'll find our own flight back.]
[Lark: You are crazy! How are we going to find something to fly back once we get to the Moon? We are heading to the Moon, not catching a flight on Earth! Mercer, don't be reckless!]
[Mercer: You think I'm not scared to death? I'm bringing friends along, you think I don't care about my life, but my friends do! So, you just go along for now, and I'll figure out the way!]
How are we going to find something to fly back?
Mercer steeled his nerves—surely in the massive Arasaka Base, there must be an escape pod to return to Earth?
We'll infiltrate the Moon using Lilith's orbital aviation vehicle and then head straight to the Arasaka Base, give them a run for their money, and then find a rocket to fly back from the base!
This plan is so outrageously simple it sounds like a joke.
But Mercer immediately stood up, gently fondling the head of Rebecca, who was pouting nearby.
"I've got work to do."
"Go on!" Rebecca sighed, then hugged and kissed him: "Come back early, I'll make something nice for dinner."
"Okay." Mercer kissed her on the lips, then immediately got up, getting ready to dive deep.
He needed to start discussing the detailed plan with Venus.
The first thing to confirm is how to hijack a vehicle to get back from the Moon—Mercer was determined.
This time, he's not only going to deal with Arasaka Saburo.
He also had a bold idea.
Screw over that idiot AI Lilith!