"Don't worry. They've just scrambled here because of the Space Force One incident in Dogtown... Once I explain the situation to President Myers, those agents will stop making a fuss."
Mercer comforted her, but Rebecca just turned her head away. "You think that's what I'm worried about right now?"
"Alright..." Mercer reached out and patted her head. "Didn't I promise you I'd definitely come back?"
"Then we'll talk after you've done it safely!" Rebecca said, slapping his arm away. "What do you need me to do now?"
"Go with Jackie, Maine and the others to hold off the Militech agents. Buy me time to negotiate with Myers." After speaking, Mercer put on his helmet, gave her one last look, and flew back toward the top floor of the Black Sapphire where Myers was.
At that moment, Myers was calmly eating dinner, looking as relaxed as if she were on vacation at a hotel.
It had to be said, it was no fluke that this woman had become the President of the NUSA.
Upon seeing Mercer, Myers even extended an invitation. "Care to join me?"
Mercer glanced at her side. Reed, Alex, and two other agents were sitting at one side of the living room's dining table, with food placed before them. At a time like this, Myers was even inviting her subordinates to eat with her, a testament to her character.
"I hope our food is to your liking, Madam President. As for me, I'll pass for now."
Mercer took off his helmet and sat down naturally in the seat opposite Myers. "I wonder what President Myers has decided?"
"Mercer, listen to me." Myers put down her knife and fork, her expression sincere as she said earnestly, "I've had Reed and Alex explain the matter of the Cynosure facility, but I must say, this has nothing to do with me."
Mercer's expression didn't change; he just smiled. Myers found him difficult to deal with but kept a regretful look on her face. "You should know, the FIA has many operations that don't require presidential authorization. They were just conducting a routine inspection of the Cynosure facility to prevent any deets from leaking..."
"We can talk about that later. What I need to discuss with you now, Madam President, is the matter concerning Songbird."
Mercer's expression turned serious. "The other party has already designated a flight for tonight. They're demanding that Songbird be sent to the moon today. In exchange, they will guarantee the safety of Dogtown..."
"That's not a solution to the problem." Myers's expression grew stern. "Listen to me, Mr. Mercer; if they can use the lunar mass driver to threaten you once, they will certainly do it a second time. The safety of Dogtown cannot be guaranteed through compromise alone."
"Are you saying the NUSA can provide me with that guarantee?" Mercer retorted.
Myers nodded without hesitation. "Of course; it had the audacity to attack my private aircraft. This is clearly no ordinary rogue AI. We must strike back hard."
She said sincerely, "After we get back, I will immediately contact the ESA and discuss a joint strike with the European Economic Community against this super AI, whose main body is off-world. This includes working with NetWatch to implement key containment measures against this AI named Lilith. Furthermore, I promise you, if that rogue AI truly dares to use the lunar mass driver to strike you, it will be signing its own death warrant! You should know that no human faction can tolerate a rogue AI wielding such a terrifying weapon of mass destruction. Faced with our combined forces, even if this AI is hiding beyond Earth, it will be annihilated by our collective power."
Myers pledged, "But we absolutely cannot let any knowledge related to the Blackwall fall into this rogue AI's hands. Just think about it, Mercer, if the Blackwall is breached, what other terrible things will that rogue AI do? I know you're worried about Dogtown, worried that everything you've built over the years will be for naught, but I can assure you, we will spare no expense to compensate you for your losses."
Her sincere eyes and tone made her seem like the most honest person in the world.
But Mercer was unmoved. He simply said calmly, "I won't place my hopes in others."
Seeing this, Myers could only resort to a negotiating tactic she herself was reluctant to try. Her face grew cold, her tone deepening. "Are you sure you want to side with a rogue AI?"
"First of all, you were the ones secretly researching the Blackwall and dangerous things like rogue AIs, which is what led to this situation."
Mercer pierced through her facade, speaking mercilessly. "If a rogue AI breaks through the Blackwall, the biggest traitor to humanity won't be me, but you ambitious lot. Secondly, I don't believe your guarantees one bit. Strike a rogue AI on the moon? Forgive my bluntness, but if Militech had that kind of capability, this rogue AI would have been exposed long ago and never would have developed to this stage."
Mercer sneered, "As for Dogtown's safety, I'm counting on you even less."
"So, since you've already made your decision, why bother coming to talk to me about this?" Myers said with a placid expression. "I'm at your mercy now. I just hope Mr. Mercer will carefully consider the consequences of kidnapping the NUSA President and selling out NUSA national interests."
"Whoa, selling out NUSA national interests? Kidnapping the NUSA President?"
Mercer let out a chuckle, then turned on the television.
At that very moment, Channel 54 was broadcasting the news.
The news report was about Space Force One crashing in Dogtown. The live feed was showing the standoff at the Dogtown entrance between Barghest, Militech agents, and the NCPD.
A Militech representative was negotiating with Maine, his expression extremely grave, demanding that Barghest clear the way for them to enter and search for Myers, or for Barghest to hand over the NUSA President.
The NCPD had clearly received strict orders as well. They were standing with Militech, shouting for Barghest to open the checkpoint and stop being stubborn; they didn't want anything to happen to the NUSA President in Night City.
Myers glanced at it once before looking away. "So, you understand the gravity of the situation now? Where is Songbird?"
"President Myers, the one who should understand the gravity of the situation right now is you."
Mercer said bluntly, "Until I can confirm our safety, you and I are grasshoppers on the same rope. And if that rogue AI decides the deal has failed and activates the mass driver to strike Dogtown... you, me, and all these agents and NCPD officers will all die! The problem we're facing isn't whether or not to hand over Songbird, but how to minimize the risk!"
"So, you have a good idea?" Myers heard something in his tone, and her expression softened slightly.
But Mercer's next words made her brow furrow deeply.
"First, we must confirm whether this rogue AI named Lilith actually possesses a mass driver. Second, even if it's just a stalling tactic, we must send Songbird into space on time."
Mercer paused, then continued, "For the first point, I need President Myers's cooperation. Contact all allies with lunar reconnaissance capabilities to confirm the whereabouts of this Lilith. I'm guessing you know something about her relationship with Orbital Air and those Highriders. We must confirm whether they have the capability to strike ground targets, and what their true objective is. Think about it. This rogue AI has gone this far for Songbird, which is tantamount to openly declaring war on the NUSA. What gives her the courage to go to such lengths, to get Songbird at any cost?"
Mercer's words were alarmist. "There must be a larger conspiracy behind this. Perhaps even Songbird herself is just a smokescreen. Her real goal might be to stir up the current precarious international situation, to plunge us into an unprecedented space war without any preparation!"
Myers remained unmoved, listening quietly.
"The second problem is easier to understand."
Mercer's expression also grew cold as he looked at Myers and said bluntly, "President Myers, you're not leaving until I can confirm Dogtown's safety. I believe that as long as you're here, even if that rogue AI wants to make a move, it will have some reservations."
"Are you sure?" Myers let out a laugh. "It already almost killed me."
"Its goal was just to create an opportunity for Songbird to get out of your control and to negotiate with her, to lure her to the moon of her own volition."
Mercer directly pointed out the suspicious aspects of the situation. "This is also why I dare to keep you here, President Myers. Although the threat is objectively real, if she truly controlled a mass driver, would she really need to put on such a show? If she really wanted to threaten someone, why not try to cooperate with you directly? Knowing your character, gaining the cooperation of an off-world AI that controls an orbital weapon in exchange for Blackwall data isn't an impossible option."
Mercer seemed to be genuinely analyzing the situation calmly. "So why would it choose to attack you first, then threaten an outsider like me to achieve its goal? I think there's a high probability that she's bluffing."
"Since you think she doesn't have an orbital weapon..." Myers didn't finish before Mercer cut her off, staring straight at her. "Are you asking me to bet our lives on it?"
Myers sighed, quickly grasping the crux of the negotiation. She pondered for a moment, then said, "What's your plan?"
A somewhat crazed, cold smile appeared on Mercer's face. "A base trade."
"What?" Myers was taken aback.
"It's threatening me with Dogtown? Fine. Then I'll go to the moon myself with Songbird... I'd like to see just how powerful it really is!"
Mercer's words made Myers laugh in disbelief. She thought Mercer was talking nonsense, but looking at his cold eyes, she couldn't help but ask, "Are you serious?"
"I'll go to the moon with Songbird and see what this Lilith is made of. Regardless of whether the plan succeeds or fails, I will ensure the Blackwall data doesn't end up with that AI... But in exchange, I demand that until I send word, President Myers must ensure the absolute safety of Dogtown. My people will stay with you until the crisis is resolved."
Mercer's words left everyone staring at each other.
"You alone?" Myers couldn't help but laugh. She thought this guy was genuinely out of his mind. What was the difference between this and just handing himself over?
But Mercer just looked at her with calm eyes. "And my friends; three of us in total."
"Alright, three people, getting on a rocket to the moon to deal with a rogue AI of unknown identity and capabilities... That's your plan?"
Myers shook her head, no longer wanting to talk. She thought Mercer was either insane or employing some bizarre negotiation tactic.
"If you succeed, I'm willing to personally award you a Lone Star Medal," Myers quipped. "Any other backup plans?"
"If I flatline on the moon and don't make it back, I'll detonate Songbird directly, using a Blackwall attack to fry the entire moon's network. And if the cyberattack affects Earth, I demand that you guarantee the safety of my people."
After Mercer finished, Myers was finally certain that this guy was for real. Her expression turned serious as she earnestly considered the feasibility of such a plan. "Are you sure? Is something like that... even possible?"
"Yes," Mercer said directly. "I believe you must have some deets on me. In terms of netrunning alone, I consider myself far stronger than Songbird. She might not be able to detonate the 'Net-nuke' you originally envisioned on her own, but with me, it's possible."
Mercer's words made Myers's gaze sharpen. "You've already mastered the Blackwall Protocol?"
"It's not that hard to get a handle on."
After speaking, Mercer said directly, "That's my plan. If you agree, I'll start preparing for the moon launch now."
"...You're not afraid to die?" Myers squinted at him.
Mercer answered frankly, "The NUSA President's plane crashed in Dogtown. If I don't take a risk, do you think this matter can be resolved peacefully?"
He looked at Myers and sighed. "Tell me, then. Right now, other than me risking my life to deal with Lilith, what other way is there to avoid both offending the NUSA and preventing a devastating strike on Dogtown? And if the plan fails... then there's no need for Dogtown to exist anymore."
"...What do you need from me?" Myers asked in return.
"First, I will give you communications access. Immediately terminate the threatening actions of Militech agents and the NUSA against Dogtown. Until my plan yields results, please stay put in Dogtown, President Myers. Don't let this place turn into a battlefield."
After Mercer spoke, Myers agreed without hesitation. "Done. But if your plan fails, I will immediately begin to delta."
"Second, if I need assistance on the moon, President Myers, don't think you can stay out of it. This whole thing started because of you, so naturally, you have to contribute people and resources."
As Mercer spoke, Myers also agreed. "Fine. I will coordinate with multiple parties as much as possible to provide assistance for your operation."
"Third, President Myers, you must immediately contact the media and clarify that this crash was the work of the rogue AI Lilith. I have no intention of taking the fall for Lilith."
After Mercer finished, Myers was silent for a moment, weighing the pros and cons before saying, "Alright. Anything else?"
"Fourth, you must compensate Dogtown for the losses caused by this incident. We will provide you with a reasonable compensation agreement. How about it?"
After Mercer spoke, Myers's expression remained unchanged. "I cannot sign a legally binding document in my current situation. A president's signature isn't something that becomes valid just by scribbling a name."
"So, my demand is this: I will open a special channel to allow reporters into Dogtown, and you must explain the cause and effect of this incident in front of the cameras and make a verbal promise of compensation for Dogtown. The reporters will broadcast your promise live to the public, ensuring this matter is officially framed."
Mercer stared at Myers, his tone hardening. "If you've made up your mind, President Myers, then we'll start preparing for the press conference immediately. My people will ensure your safety in Dogtown until my operation on the moon is over. If I lose contact or am confirmed dead, I will ensure President Myers is safely escorted out of Dogtown at the first opportunity to avoid being implicated. And if my operation goes smoothly, I will also escort you out immediately after my safe return to Earth."
"..." Myers pressed her forehead, unable to give an immediate answer. After a moment of silence, she finally spoke slowly, "Three days. Regardless of whether your crazy plan succeeds or fails, I will only stay in Dogtown for three days. After three days, you must get me out."
She stared straight at Mercer, a hint of ruthlessness on her tough face. "The authenticity of a rogue AI possessing an orbital weapon is questionable, but the number of nuclear weapons the NUSA has is a fact that requires no investigation. I can tell you my bottom line frankly; if your plan fails, you must ensure Songbird dies with you. The deets and data of the Blackwall Protocol must not be leaked to a rogue AI! Even if it's for the future of all humanity, Mr. Mercer, please guarantee this."
Mercer didn't believe for a second that she was doing it for all humanity, but he was very cooperative at the moment. "Fine. I promise, the deets and data related to the Blackwall Protocol will not be leaked to anyone. If they are, I am willing to accept the consequences."
Only then did Myers's expression soften. She said in an admiring tone, "Then I wish you all the best... If you can really deal with that rogue AI, you will be a hero to the NUSA; no, to the entire world!"
"A hero? I just want to protect my home." Mercer sighed, then stood up decisively. "I will immediately begin restoring President Myers's network communications access and then arrange for reporters to enter Dogtown."
"Good." Myers also stood up.
The two walked closer, looking each other directly in the eye. Finally, they simultaneously extended their hands and shook.
Mercer turned and left, while Myers sat back down.
An agent turned his head to look at Myers. "He seemed to be serious about everything he said?"
"...What a crazy young man," Myers lamented with a complicated tone. Then, she just propped her cheek on one hand and fell into deep thought.
She wasn't foolish enough to believe Mercer's story, but his plan to go to the moon and the deets about the rogue AI named Lilith didn't seem to be lies.
So that raised a question.
Assuming Lilith was real and she had indeed planned this attack, why would Mercer choose to go to the moon to confront her?
For humanity? For his home? Don't make her laugh; such naive words would never come from the mouth of a local leader.
So what was Mercer's real goal?
Myers couldn't figure it out.
But soon, after her communication signal was restored, she had no time to ponder this question and immediately dialed the director of the FIA.
"This is Myers... Yes, I'm in Dogtown right now, relatively safe... Kidnapped? Heh, you could say that..."
After briefly explaining the situation, ordering the Vice President to temporarily take over NUSA affairs, and arranging the delta plan for three days later, Myers got straight to the point. "I need deets on a rogue AI named Lilith. And, contact the ESA immediately and have them confirm for us whether the other party has an orbital weapon on the moon."
"Yes, do you think I have time to joke with you? That's right, according to Dogtown's leader, Mercer, we were attacked by a lunar rogue AI that has an orbital weapon... What now? We do nothing. First, confirm the deets, then have agents ready for extraction. In three days, regardless of whether Barghest's people cooperate, we will arrange to delta... I know. Also, I want to know why the satellite communication signals were also intercepted? What the hell are you people doing? The ICE on us didn't even trigger an alarm! ...What? The satellites were hacked?"
When Myers cut the connection, she was ninety percent convinced of Mercer's story.
The reason was simple; Myers had initially thought Mercer had tampered with her people and equipment, which was why their communications were restricted.
But after talking to the FIA director, Myers realized just how outrageous the attack she had suffered was.
The enemy's cyberattack had even covered multiple advanced satellites, including navigation satellites and communication satellites. Even the plane's malfunction was because the enemy had hacked directly into it through the navigation satellite.
At the time, the NUSA's security department had almost thought someone was about to launch a nuke at them!
Myers truly didn't believe that such a terrifying cyberattack could have been orchestrated by Mercer, the leader of a small place like Dogtown.
It was far more likely that a rogue AI was capable of such a feat.
This made Myers's expression turn grim.
That rogue AI...
To go this far for Songbird?
Could it be that the Blackwall Protocol she possessed had some unknown secret or destructive power?
But whether looking at the experimental data reports or watching Songbird use it... it didn't seem that special, did it?
Just as Myers was racking her brain, wondering what on earth had happened...
After leaving the top floor, Mercer immediately began arranging for reporters to enter Dogtown.
And so, just half an hour later...
When President Myers's figure appeared on the live broadcast, countless new headlines instantly flooded the news columns of every country, dominating the entire internet.
[Extraterrestrial Rogue AI Attacks NUSA President!]
[Space Force One Crashes in Dogtown, NUSA President Miraculously Survives! The True Culprit is a Lunar AI...]
And just as people were exclaiming in shock over this explosive news...
An unmarked APC quietly drove onto the highway heading for the airport.