The Ocean

The ocean was vast and boundless, displaying layers of blue beneath the sun—from turquoise to deep navy. In the distance, sky and sea met at the horizon.

Everyone stands at a different distance from the sky.

There are those atop the Arasaka Tower, those who live in skyscrapers, those in the low wooden houses of Santo Domingo, and those lying in the streets of Night City.

Everyone sees the world differently—some see the hedonistic glamor of Night City, some only see the sky blocked by high-rises. And some...were born blind.

Due to severe environmental pollution and above-normal radiation levels in Night City, it wasn't uncommon for babies to be born with disabilities.

But out on the ocean, with nothing but the endless sea around, it felt like everyone stood equally distant from the horizon.

The waves rocked the ship gently. The sharp salty scent of the ocean stung V's nose a bit, but there was no trace of oil or machinery in the air.

"Wooo~"

A group of dolphins leapt out of the water, chirping and spraying water toward the people on the ship. They looked like they were laughing—

[V: Whoa, killer whales?! Why can't I see their cybernetic implants?]

[Leo: Those are dolphins!]

[V: Huh? No killer whales?]

[Leo: None!]

In the cyberpunk world, some corporations had developed cybernetic biological combat units during wartime—essentially implanting cybernetics into marine animals like dolphins and orcas to control them in raids and assaults.

The tactic had been highly successful. One legend—Boa Boa Weyland—had even ridden such a cyber-beast.

Meanwhile, in the Marvel world, animal rights organizations were still fighting to end animal performances.

[V: They look kind of cute. Huh? Is that... an octopus?]

V saw an octopus hop onto the deck and picked it up to examine it.

[V: What the hell… this texture—it feels just like the little octopus from last time!]

[Leo: "Why does an octopus feel like an octopus?"]

[V: Screw you.]

Dolphins, whales, seabirds... many animals appeared in the scene, and they all blew open V's imagination—

[V: Why are there so many weird animals?]

[Leo: Don't you think that's kind of rude? They're supposed to look like that. What makes them weird?]

In the cyberpunk world, bodies were sculpted to perfection, and information was received in a narrow, one-way stream. Most people had limited aesthetics, acceptance, and imagination.

After all, why care about an animal you might never see in your entire life… when you could be worrying about how to afford tomorrow's meal?

The ship sailed from morning until night, yet land still hadn't appeared.

The novelty of heading out to sea began to fade. Maybe tomorrow morning, V would again yearn for the feeling of watching the ocean—but by the afternoon in the braindance...

she just wanted to lie on the deck.

The soft, steady rhythm of the waves seemed to be telling an ancient, eternal story, occasionally interrupted by the cries of seagulls.

It was a world entirely unlike Night City.

It was the second time V had fallen asleep during a braindance.

What V didn't know was—the ocean she was watching was real. And at that very moment, it was under threat of war.

"The recent attack in the Somali waters has shocked the world. CENTCOM has announced it will deploy naval forces to sweep the area."

"Reports say the pirates may have caused the loss of a vital national asset. The U.S. military will deploy naval forces to recover it."

"Rumors suggest that aboard the freighter was Captain Carter, a WWII veteran from seventy years ago. Current Secretary of State Barnes, who once worked with Carter, has yet to respond."

"Online sources claim that the newly formed multinational Atlas Group plans to brainwash Captain Carter..."

[Barnes: The news is true. The navy is planning to establish a base in Somalia. It's pretty clear they're coming for you.]

Leo had anticipated this. It was one of the reasons he insisted Carter remain in Africa.

Captain Carter wasn't Captain America. Her reappearance in the U.S. might not be a good thing—

The social situation was complicated. Though she technically wasn't quite a normal woman anymore, if someone wanted to make a public spectacle out of her, it could become a serious problem.

But in Africa, her combat capabilities were still useful. She could carry the shining banner of WWII glory, inspire young people to join Atlas, and help develop Africa.

It was a calculated move. Africa would become a vital chessboard, drawing the enemy's attention and firepower.

This way, HYDRA and Roxxon would have to contend with both oil moguls in the Middle East and local African factions, leaving little room to meddle elsewhere.

Which meant Latveria could quietly become the second base of operations.

Christopher—the young man who had once stayed in Leo's apartment—had already arrived in Latveria, bringing with him a load of high-tech equipment.

This gear had been discreetly ordered through multiple layers online and delivered via various cargo ships to Europe, then transported by him and Silver Mink Security to Latveria.

[Christopher: Mr. Lee, I've established myself in an abandoned village.]

[Christopher: Next step is to repair the buildings and reach out to the locals.]

[Leo: Excellent. Now, locate the crate with the surgical equipment. Inside is a portable operating table—I'll perform remote surgery on you.]

[Leo: This is a tough ask, but you need to use the brain-machine interface to quickly learn company tech.]

[Leo: Over there, you'll need to manage all operations just like I do.]

[Leo: Learn Latveria's land. Learn what's happened there. Then tell the people ]what the world outside Latveria is like.]

[Christopher: Understood—I'm going to hook up the power now!]

The young man's reply came quickly, without hesitation.

Leo hadn't misjudged him—every impoverished place gives birth to a few people who strive upward. These people, this drive, would be the key to his covert plans.

Africa would become a key battleground. Latveria would quietly rise in Europe, eventually promoting Atlas's standards at the right time.

That land might not have much in terms of natural resources, but if it had people willing to stand up—that was a good start.

With oil monopolized, Leo would push clean energy as a large-scale replacement—from Tanzania's coast to all of Kilimanjaro's mountain ranges, wind, solar, and hydro power could all be leveraged.

Once clean energy reached saturation, ethanol and nuclear power would follow as daily options.

If Africa could hold steady, local oil could be used solely for industrial material purposes.

The current problem: after the recent Somali incident, Atlas's war gear was running low.

They needed larger vehicles, heavier firepower, broader control.

And of course—Leo himself needed them too.

He stared at the dynamic world map before him, which was marked with all his bases and directions of expansion.

As Skye's data mining progressed, more and more enemy tags appeared on the map—

From the U.S. to the EU, and even parts of the Middle East, Africa, and Northern Europe bore their shadow.

Leo's power base would grow from these three key locations, exporting advanced and mature civilian tech standards to win support.

This was a race.

It was also a war without visible smoke.

And one day, it would break out into full-scale hot war.

Leo sat back in his chair, closed his eyes, and waited for his next journey through time.