"If you succeed, I am willing to personally award you a Lone Star Medal," Miles joked: "Do you have any backup plans?"
"If I die on the Moon and can't return, I will directly detonate the Lark, using the Black Wall to wipe out the entire Moon's network. And if the network attack spreads to Earth, I demand you must ensure the safety of the people under me."
After Mercer finished speaking, Miles could finally be certain that this guy was for real. His expression turned serious as he seriously considered the feasibility of this plan: "Are you sure? Can such a thing... really be done?"
"Yes," Mercer said directly, "I believe you must know something about me—just in terms of network technology, I consider myself far superior to Lark.
She alone might not be able to ignite your originally intended 'Network Nuclear Bomb,' but with me, she can."
Mercer's words sharpened Miles's gaze: "You already have control over the Black Wall Protocol?"
"That's not a difficult thing to handle."
After saying this, Mercer continued, "This is my plan. If you agree, I will start preparing to land on the Moon now."
"... Aren't you afraid of dying?" Miles squinted at him.
Mercer admitted candidly, "The President of New America crashed in Dog Town. If I don't take risks, will this matter end well?"
He looked at Miles and sighed, "Then you tell me: at this moment, besides me taking the risk to solve Lilith, what other way is there to both not offend New America and avoid Dog Town suffering a devastating blow?
And if the plan fails... then Dog Town has no reason to exist anyway."
"... What do you need me to do?" Miles asked in return.
"First, I will grant you communication permissions, immediately terminate the threat actions of Military Science agents and New America against Dog Town. Before my plan achieves results, please ensure that President Miles stays in Dog Town obediently, and don't let this place become a battlefield."
After Mercer finished speaking, Miles agreed without hesitation, "Alright, but if your plan fails, I will immediately start evacuating."
"Second, if I need assistance on the Moon, President Miles, don't think you can stay uninvolved. After all, this matter started because of you, and naturally, people and resources from your end are needed."
As Mercer spoke, Miles also agreed, "Alright, I will coordinate with various forces as much as possible to provide assistance for your operations."
"Third, President Miles, you must immediately contact the media to clarify that the cause of the crash incident was the rogue AI, Lilith—I do not want to take the blame for Lilith."
After Mercer finished, Miles remained silent for a moment, weighing the pros and cons, and then said, "Alright, anything else?"
"Fourth, compensation must be made for the damage this incident caused to Dog Town—we will provide you with a reasonable compensation agreement, how about it?"
After Mercer finished, Miles's expression did not change as he said, "I can't sign legally binding documents in such a situation. A president's signature is not just a random inscription."
"So, my request is, I will open special channels to allow reporters into Dog Town, and you must clarify the cause and effect of this incident in front of the cameras and make a verbal promise for compensation to Dog Town.
Reporters will broadcast your promises live to ensure that this matter is established."
Mercer stared at Miles, emphasizing his tone, "If President Miles is ready, then let's start preparing the press conference immediately.
My people will ensure your safety in Dog Town until my mission on the Moon is completed—if I lose contact, or am confirmed dead, I will ensure that President Miles is safely evacuated from Dog Town to avoid getting caught up in it.
And if my mission goes smoothly, I will also ensure that President Miles is sent away immediately upon my safe return to Earth."
"..." Miles covered his forehead, unable to respond immediately, and after a moment of silence, he slowly spoke, "Three days—whether your crazy plan succeeds or not, I will only stay in Dog Town for three days. After three days, you must send me away."
She stared directly at Mercer, with a hardened expression showing a hint of ruthlessness, "The truth of the rogue AI possessing orbital weapons is questionable, but the fact of New America's nuclear arsenals does not require investigation.
I can honestly tell you my bottom line—if your plan fails, you must ensure that Lark dies with you, the intelligence and data of the Black Wall Protocol must not be leaked to a rogue AI!
Even for the sake of all humanity's future, Mr. Mercer, please ensure this point."
Mercer didn't believe for a moment that she was thinking about all of humanity, but at this moment, he still cooperated fully, saying: "Alright, I assure you that no intelligence or data related to the Black Wall Protocol will be leaked to anyone—if it is leaked, I am willing to accept the consequences."
Only then did Miles's expression relax, speaking in a tone of admiration: "Then I wish you all the success... If you can solve that rogue AI, you will be the hero of New America, no, of the entire world!"
"Hero? I just want to protect my home," Mercer sighed, then stood up decisively: "I will immediately start restoring President Miles's network communication permissions, and then arrange for reporters to enter Dog Town."
"Alright." Miles stood up as well.
The two walked close, looking into each other's eyes face to face, and finally, they simultaneously extended their hands for a handshake.
Mercer turned and left, while Miles returned to his seat.