"Mercer, I saw on the news that something big happened in Dog Town recently. You didn't get into any trouble, did you?" Daichi asked with concern.
Mercer smiled and shook his head: "No trouble, President Miles even called me yesterday, intending to award me an honor medal, but I thought it was useless and declined."
He wasn't lying; Miles actually planned to award him a New America honor medal for 'saving' the New America president in Dog Town, but Mercer had no interest in boarding the sinking ship of New America.
Although it was said to be a commendation, in truth, it was a probe to see if Mercer was the user of the orbital weapon that bombarded the Arasaka Base in Tokyo and to inquire about Lark's whereabouts.
Mercer's reply was straightforward—Lark died on the Moon, and as for whether he used the orbital weapon or not, he left it up to them to guess, without denying or confirming.
Before Miles could be sure whether the orbital weapon was still in Mercer's hands and whether it could still be used, she didn't dare to fall out with Mercer.
Unlike Arasaka and other large forces, Mercer just owned a small Dog Town. If he got really pissed, he could blow something up and then escape with his family around the world, leaving no place for revenge.
If it came to mutual destruction, you also had to consider the cost-effectiveness, right?
"Sometimes I really regret it... It feels like you've had such a thrilling time these years." Daichi sighed, but then he smiled, "But it's good to see that you're all fine."
Old cowboy Cassidy looked at Mercer with a hint of relief and said sincerely, "I never expected that a group of kids who escaped from Arasaka would become influential figures in Night City..."
"We also have you to thank for bringing us to Night City and to Adcardo. Otherwise, who knows what we'd be doing now." Mercer said with a tinge of emotion.
The group chatted about the past, not in a hurry to discuss important matters, until V urged everyone from afar to finish talking and have a drink, only then did Sol curiously ask: "Mercer, you invited me here not just for drinks..."
"There's no other big deal, I just plan to make a formal transition from the boss of Dog Town to a legitimate company owner."
After Mercer said this, Sol guessed Mercer's intentions and looked troubled.
But Mercer proactively said: "Listen... I know most Adcardans love the free life, but frankly, running errands on Evil Land and dealing with those gangs isn't a promising life.
Now that I plan to officially set up a company, if all goes well, business will soon spread worldwide, and I'll need more than just one or two hands.
Compared to hiring a bunch of ordinary employees with questionable loyalty, I still trust the relatively reliable Adcardans more.
There are plenty of jobs to choose from, including logistics work, just like before, guarding goods with weapons.
Besides, I also plan to engage in agricultural and livestock production around Night City, including Free States like Texas. Surely, you Adcardans won't refuse these jobs?"
Mercer's words left Sol at a loss for words to decline.
But Mercer continued to look at Sol and the others seriously: "I've stayed in Adcardo, and I know that what everyone wants, most of the time, is just a stable job that can support their family and not be exploited like cattle by a company.
The company I'm establishing will definitely be different from the inhumane ones like Arasaka."
Mercer emphasized: "My plan is for an eight-hour workday, with strict overtime pay, guaranteed minimum of four days off each month, and salaries aligned with first-tier companies like Arasaka.
No corporate word games with insurances and benefits..."
"Then how do you plan to make money? Mercer, I'm just saying... an eight-hour workday with overtime pay, isn't your company more like a charity?"
Leon said incredulously.
Mercer just sighed: "I think an eight-hour workday is already exhausting enough..."
Considering the current Cyber World, where big company employees have an average annual vacation of less than a week and daily working hours starting at 12 hours.
Mercer's proposal of an eight-hour workday is simply mind-blowing.
"With the current level of technology, to be blunt, I could have robots tighten the screws, and I can't think of a reason to exploit employees just for a couple more percent of profit on the financial report?
I don't care about that money anyway, and my company doesn't have a dumb board of directors meddling around... In any case, Sol, I promise that Adcardans willing to work with me will have a better life than wandering in Evil Land."
After Mercer finished speaking, Sol was silent for a moment before saying: "I'll take your words back to Adcardo."
"I'll give you a job list then, and those interested can just send their resume via email for the available positions."
After Mercer finished, he paused and then added: "Besides this, I have another matter that might need the help of the Adcardans."
"Go ahead." Sol looked at Mercer.
And Mercer smiled: "Don't be so serious, it's just work. I want to hire a large number of Adcardans to participate in the reconstruction of Taiping Prefecture, simply put, we need to hire a lot of construction workers."