Chapter 96: No Freebies from LA Company!

Chapter 96: No Freebies from LA Company!

"So... when will V be able to separate from Johnny?"

At this moment, Alt Cunningham asked the question that V cared about the most. After all, if it weren't absolutely necessary, who would want to share their brain with a stranger?

As expected, the moment Alt asked the question, V looked at Li Ang with eager anticipation. As long as she didn't have to wait her whole life, waiting ten or even eight years would still be bearable.

If push came to shove, even twenty years would do.

In any case, V did not want to spend her days idly bantering and arguing over control of her body with Johnny Silverhand.

"The exact timing for your separation doesn't depend on me," Li Ang said, turning to Alt Cunningham, "but on Alt Cunningham herself."

Li Ang explained further:

"AI White Queen evolves through consuming data and assimilating other AIs. For her to achieve the capability to separate two consciousnesses, she'll need to evolve at least once or twice more."

After speaking, Li Ang discreetly opened the system panel to check White Queen's stats.

[AI White Queen Information Panel:]

Level 3 — Can simultaneously host three AI avatars with no restrictions on devices or spatial distances, enabling real-time data sharing!

Current Locations:

AI 1: LA Company Headquarters

AI 2: Cyberspace—Blackwall Boundary

AI 3: codex 6-grade cyberware

Data processing has been further enhanced, now capable of executing commands for data handling and optimization.

...

Currently, White Queen was still a long way from reaching Level 4. Alt Cunningham, her "caretaker," would need to step up her game to "feed" her to the next level.

"Alt, right now V is acting as a vessel for Johnny's soul. When Johnny can come back will depend on your performance," Li Ang said, hinting strongly at Alt. If they wanted Johnny Silverhand to return sooner, they'd need to hunt down and capture more rogue AIs to "feed" White Queen.

With the shockwaves from Arasaka's Soulkiller project still reverberating among global corporate executives, more and more corporate and freelance hackers were pouring into cyberspace to capture rogue AIs.

Driven by immense profits, countless hackers were willing to risk being killed by rogue AIs, seeing this as the latest gold rush.

The safer rogue AIs had become increasingly rare, leaving only the most dangerous ones in the wild. Those who entered the game too late wouldn't even get a sip of warm broth.

"Understood," Alt nodded, her expression turning heavier than ever. It seemed that the rogue AIs near the Blackwall boundary were no longer sufficient, and she would have to venture beyond it.

In reality, Alt wasn't the only professional AI hunter in cyberspace. Teams like Plasma Strikeforce and individual hackers codenamed "Nightingale" were all formidable competitors.

The greater the risk, the greater the reward. To achieve more, one had to take risks others dared not take.

"Alt, I understand your concerns. You don't know enough about White Queen, so from now on, I'll grant you some permissions to help you use her more effectively to capture rogue AIs."

"You can now enter White Queen's independent data storage space. She can safely and freely guide you beyond the Blackwall to capture rogue AIs."

"If you encounter danger, White Queen can still bring you back to safety quickly. So, you don't need to risk your life."

"Your only task is to capture low-level rogue AIs and avoid high-risk ones."

Li Ang understood Alt's fears. Venturing beyond the Blackwall to capture rogue AIs was an incredibly dangerous dive into the digital unknown.

Even elite hackers like Lucy had severe PTSD from repeated encounters with the Blackwall and its inhabitants.

"Thank you, Mr. Li Ang. I'll do my best to help White Queen evolve," Alt said gratefully.

With this technical assurance, she could continue her deep dives into cyberspace with peace of mind.

"Alt, you may leave now. I need to speak privately with V," Li Ang said, nodding to her.

"Understood."

Alt Cunningham cast one last glance at V before exiting the office, leaving Li Ang and V alone in the expansive lounge.

"V, now that we've discussed how to save you, it's time to talk about your payment," Li Ang said.

Li Ang had no intention of letting V freeload. Even though her body housed Johnny's consciousness, he still had to adhere to the basic corporate principle of "equivalent exchange."

No one could mooch off LA Company's resources for free!

Especially when the price was a life. V was equipped with top-tier cybernetic operating systems and the strategic AI White Queen—priceless assets that couldn't even be bought. If sold to President Myers, they could easily secure a governorship in return.

If it weren't for V being an ideal candidate for this cybernetic system, Li Ang would never have placed White Queen in her brain.

"Mr. Li Ang, I understand your rules," V said solemnly. "From now on, my life belongs to LA Company. I'm willing to take on any dangerous missions."

"You can ask any fixer about my reputation in Night City. I take jobs others won't and save people others can't."

"Basically, I don't pick and choose my work."

Initially, V had some misgivings about LA Company, assuming it was just another giant corporation feeding off the masses. But after observing for some time, he realized it was different from Arasaka and Militech—at least not as despicable.

More importantly, only LA Company could save his life now, and that mattered the most.

"V, I'm glad you feel that way. You truly are one in a million," Li Ang said with a smile.

A top-tier merc like V would be wasted as an ordinary bodyguard. It would be a severe misuse of his talents.

Better to let him wreak havoc on rival corporations instead!

"However, your current identity is a bit sensitive for LA Company," Li Ang explained. "With Arasaka's Hanako working to mitigate the fallout from Saburo's death, you're not suited to appear as an LA employee."

"Keep things as they were. Pretend you never went to Cantao GroupPlaza. Most witnesses have been dealt with; the rest depends on you and Jackie keeping quiet."

"In short, don't mention your trip to Cantao Groupto anyone. If someone asks, deny it vehemently."

"Understood?"