Chapter 21: AI Artificial Intelligence! Red and White Queens!
Chapter 21: AI Artificial Intelligence! Red and White Queens!
Although Arasaka and Militech are fierce competitors in the weapons market, their rivalry hasn't escalated to the point of engaging in direct combat over gang conflicts.
The Tyger Claws are essentially Arasaka's dogs; their master has no reason to offend another powerful dog owner just because one of their dogs got kicked.
To resolve this matter, they'd have to handle it themselves.
"Wudong, take some people and personally apologize to the Triad's prince, Chen Tao. Offer them 10 million eurodollars as a gesture of goodwill. Hopefully, they'll return the Kabuki district to us, and we can let bygones be bygones," said Hiromi Sato with a deep sigh, clearly pained by the suggestion.
At this point, it was the only option left. After all, the Triad had found support from a company as formidable as LA Corporation.
Militech executives were directly handing out weapons to their allies, while Arasaka simply used the Tyger Claws as tools to unblock obstacles and discarded them when they were done.
Wudong nodded. After some thought, he agreed this was the most pragmatic approach. Bowing and apologizing was practically a national specialty—it's fine to play the underdog first and reclaim pride later.
"But what if... they don't accept our apology? What should we do then?" Wudong asked.
"If they don't accept? Then take all the money and buy guns! Whether through connections or intermediaries, get them, even if it means paying extra!" barked Jotaro Matsumoto fiercely.
Wudong glanced at Hiromi Sato and, seeing the other nod, understood what needed to be done next.
If negotiations worked, the 10 million eurodollars would be the price for peace. If not, they'd convert it all into LA Corporation's weapons and forcibly reclaim Kabuki.
One thing was clear: the Tyger Claws could not lose their grip on the Kabuki district.
"Alright, it's settled then," Hiromi Sato said, taking a small sip of the sake in front of her. "The 10 million eurodollars will be divided among the heads of each group. Resolve this matter quickly."
"If Chen Tao's demands aren't too unreasonable, concede where you can. Don't let pride get in the way."
"Understood!"
---
Watson District, Little China
Since the Triad took control of most of Watson, more Chinese merchants had been flocking to Little China, creating the appearance of a commercial revival.
This wasn't because the Triad were courteous or law-abiding—just marginally less scummy than the Tyger Claws. But only just; in most respects, they were no different.
Beneath the towering, unadorned skyscrapers, Triad members roamed freely, collecting protection fees from vendors and conducting smuggling operations.
Li Ang stood on the top floor of the commercial center in Little China, overlooking the throngs of pedestrians below, his thoughts adrift.
Since the Kabuki district shooting, his LA Corporation had gained unprecedented momentum. Massive amounts of eurodollars flooded into their accounts daily, and their corporate stocks skyrocketed.
Just last week, Li Ang had leased this luxurious business center and hired a team of financial experts to help manage his weapon tech company.
For now, Li Ang hadn't rushed to build a weapons manufacturing plant. As such, LA Corporation had fewer than 500 employees, most of whom handled firearm transactions.
Currently, the company's operations were confined to the Watson district. Li Ang avoided business in other districts for a simple reason: every district in Night City had its own delicate balance of power among gangs, corporations, and the NCPD. Introducing a new player would disrupt that balance.
Until Li Ang had sufficient manpower and a robust company presence to expand elsewhere, he chose to focus on steady growth.
So, anyone outside Watson wanting to buy from LA Corporation would have to bring their money and visit Little China in person.
---
[Host: Li Ang]
[MegaCorp Template: Militech]
[Monopoly Progress: America 0.36%]
[Corporate Credits: 12.34 million]
---
'Spin the wheel, activate!'
The speed at which capital multiplied was astounding. LA Corporation's transaction volume had recently surpassed 100 million eurodollars, and Li Ang had completed 50 system tasks.
Up to this point, Li Ang had saved 50 wheel spins without using them. This time, if he didn't get five legendary items, he should at least land one game-changing upgrade!
As the wheel slowed to a stop, the system's rewards materialized, and the results far exceeded Li Ang's expectations.
He hit three "Golden Legends"!
[Wheel Spin x50 Results: AI Artificial Intelligence Red Queen (Legendary), AI White Queen (Legendary), Zetatech Atlas Hovercar (Legendary), Constitution Arms Defender...]
[Host has unlocked the entire Constitution Arms product line!]
"Wow, I just freeloaded an entire military tech company's arsenal! This system's drop rate is better than Uncle Long's loot in Castle Siege!" Li Ang couldn't hold back his laughter.
The most surprising prize wasn't the military equipment or the Zetatech hovercar—it was the AI Red and White Queens!
The Red and White Queens were super AIs from Resident Evil, tasked with assisting Alexander Isaacs in managing Umbrella Corporation's vast interests and overseeing the Hive.
Similarly, Cyberpunk 2077 featured an AI like Delamain, which operated a taxi company. However, compared to Delamain, who was content with taxis, the Red and White Queens, which aimed to control humanity's fate, were far more advanced and aggressive.
"AI Red and White Queens... I've really hit the jackpot this time!"
Li Ang was both excited and apprehensive. The AIs were incredibly powerful but also posed a potential risk of betrayal.
He immediately opened the attribute panels for the AI Red Queen and AI White Queen.
---
[AI Red Queen (Legendary)]
Function: Manages and protects all company assets; presence can extend across all machinery and cyberspace.
Capable of surveillance, wiretapping, and cyber intrusions.
Currently unable to fully consume external military AIs or cyberspace entities due to the dangers beyond the Blackwall.
Feeding data and advanced AI entities to the Red/White Queen can accelerate their evolution.
In emergencies, where corporate executives fail to make timely decisions, the Red Queen will mobilize all company forces.
Note: Fully obedient to the host's commands; can be destroyed by the host at will.
---
Meanwhile, the AI White Queen specialized in market intelligence and data collection, creating optimal business strategies—a perfect "domestic helper."
"Great! The system even ensured their loyalty. A cooperative, non-rebellious AI duo is exactly what I need."
As Li Ang contemplated how best to utilize the Red and White Queens, a knock came at his office door.
"Mr. Li Ang, the mercenary you asked us to find has been brought here," a member of the Mann Squad announced.
"Let them in," Li Ang replied.
The door opened, and under the squad's escort, a man with striking black metal arms entered Li Ang's office.