Chapter 6: Local "Gang" (Signed, Investable)

[At 7 a.m., your mother left a note and breakfast by your bedside.]

[The note read: Lille, sorry, I have to go to work. Here’s your breakfast, and there are prepared lunch boxes in the kitchen.]

If using the wheelchair alone is difficult, you can call, and Mom will come back quickly.]

Do not overexert yourself.]

Love you, Mom.]

[You plan to get up and check your phone for some network and biotechnology knowledge to study.]

Lille, deployed in another world, sighed.

The apology in his mother’s note filled him with mixed emotions.

V glanced over and said, "You’re from Night City? I haven’t seen you before."]

In the van, the two stared intently at the Veterans Association’s gate, where two guards stood, appearing very relaxed, unlike those on duty in Night City.]

"More or less, as for not seeing me... would you pay attention to a baldy like me?"]

"To be honest, you now look like a sneaky middleman," V sized up Lille, now in new clothes, "So, are you here in Atlanta to find a way to save your life?"]

"What else, to find a wonderful life like you?" Lille responded while keeping an eye on the gate, "Someone’s coming; we’re here to talk business this time. If I don’t give you a sign, just stand there like a wooden figurehead."]

"Got it—out of respect for money."]

Two tall men in camouflage came over and knocked on the van door: "Let’s go, the boss said we can talk."]

They led V and Lille into the building—inside, it looked like a barracks devoid of unnecessary decorations, with members occasionally seen coming out after target practice.]

However, the garden in the center of the building was lush and vibrant, looking like some sort of sanatorium.]

Various war photos hung along the corridors, and it wasn’t hard to find old soldiers with rows of medals on the walls, all looking distinguished.]

V was inwardly shaken—thinking that given enough arms and reasons, these retired soldiers could fight a real battle.]

These were elite soldiers, nothing like the riffraff of the Six Street Gang in Night City.]

Lille commented, "It’s apparent that your association has distinguished service, and it seems New America takes pride in you."]

"Of course, what would New America be without us?" the tall leader said proudly.]

At that moment, a chat window popped up before Lille:]

V: This big dummy is still proud of being conned into fighting.]

Lille: Look at this place; I think you’re just jealous.]

V: Screw you...]

Lille: Don’t distract me while I’m working!]

Lille, somewhat puzzled, said, "How come I don’t see Mr. Notte’s photo?"]

"The boss doesn’t like showing off—and think about it. It wouldn’t be wise to let outsiders know about all the battles and medals the boss has, might as well not post a photo," the leader explained.]

They walked through the corridor, took the elevator, and the tall man led the two to a door.]

His eyes flashed blue, as if communicating.]

"Alright, go in. The boss is inside," he said. Then with a warning gesture, he flashed his carbon fiber hands, their intimidating structure evident.]

"But don’t forget, this is our turf. Show some respect, or the entire building of soldiers will go back to their old jobs."]

Lille bowed slightly, "Rest assured, we understand the rules—we always have great respect for New America and its valiant soldiers."]

"You stay here; he goes in."]

The tall man stopped V; Lille nodded to her to stay outside while sending her a text warning to keep her cool.]

Click.]

Stepping onto the floor of the office, the difference was instant—the entire floor was made of solid wood, and it was even a rare species.]

In the Cyberpunk 2077 world, the ecology has severely deteriorated, and many people have never seen a real animal, the same being true for various trees—most have only seen the biotechnology companies’ fast-grown wood.]

The room was large and open; upon entering, one could see a huge glass wall, through which the Atlanta Administrative Center was visible, with the Military Technology Building and the European Market Union Office beside it.]

And on the other side of the massive desk, a bald black man sat, leaving only his back to Lille.]

But even just this silhouette brought Lille a tremendous sense of oppression—

This person’s data was accessible—decorated by the new President of New America, a soldier with the rank of Captain, not lacking any essential combat prosthetics, and his combat ability was unquestionable.

V’s explosive combat effectiveness was also the story of the later stages in the game, and Lille had no doubt this guy could easily take out both himself and V.

"Mr. Notte, it’s a pleasure to meet you."

"Cut the pleasantries, let’s get to the details—what do you want from us?"

"My client wishes to take revenge and can’t afford to delay his work, and... he hopes to resolve it in his own way, not bothering the APD."

The muscular man’s voice was very deep. After listening, he fell silent for a moment, still not turning around.

"Hm... You do know, to my ears, that means—You’re planning to circumvent New America’s laws, you’re about to commit a crime."

Lille immediately responded, "Of course not—In fact, the New America Constitution explicitly protects private property. I may not be the target of legal protection, but my client is, and I can ensure that the target of this conflict is based on the protection of property."

Lille didn’t mention the exemptions the company had under various national laws, simply following the other party’s lead.

"Interesting... who is your client?"

Lille hesitated before replying, "Kantao Company’s Atlanta supply chain specialist."

Notte slowly turned around, "Kantao? Interesting—You’re not from Kantao, yet you’re working for them, and you’re also an... Easterner.

Are you from the island?"

"No, I’m from Night City."

"A foreigner, and from that dump, working for Kantao... Honestly, I do feel a bit sympathetic towards you, always stuck doing the dirty work."

As Notte turned around, Lille finally got a clear view of the big fellow’s appearance.

Beneath the camouflage coat was a fully modified body, with nanofiber muscles and skin armor unabashedly presented to outsiders, and an entire neck made from high-grade custom prosthetics, extending underneath that short-sleeved sweatshirt.

The wars had left permanent marks on his body, and he obviously embraced them.

[Warning: Scanning in progress.]

[Progress:....]

"Interesting, you’ve only installed a prosthetic eye and brain-machine interface, and the eye is a cheap one at that, just one eye—hm, your physical condition is terrible, did you just get checked out recently?"

Lille seemed very displeased, but his tone was subdued: "Mr. Notte, your reach is truly extensive."

But in his mind, he thought: Stupid jarhead, getting a bit of power and showing off, huh? Show off until it kills you, V was right, just a fool being conned to his death...

"I can help you with Kantao, but what’s in it for me?"

"500,000 euros, and you won’t need to get your hands dirty, just provide a little network support."

Hearing this condition, Notte suddenly burst into laughter: "Hahahaha—Look around you, kid, do you think I need to oppose Kantao for that 500,000 euros?

Even though it’s a damned Eastern enterprise, why should I do it for 500,000 euros?"

Notte must have had a robust synthetic lung—Lille thought, as the terrifying vocal pressure echoed like waves all around.

Lille’s complexion didn’t look too well: "600,000 euros..."

"I’ve told you, it’s not about the money."

"700,000... No! 1 million, that’s my limit, Mr. Notte. You won’t need to have a direct confrontation with Kantao, we will handle the dirtiest work, I only need a bit of... support!"

Still, Notte remained unmoved, merely shaking his head slightly: "Not bad for an offer, but you still haven’t brought anything to the table that interests me."

Lille gritted his teeth: "The merchandise has been modified by Kantao, intended for expanding into the American market—prototype weapons. I guess... a little information leaking during transport isn’t unusual."

Notte’s eyebrows went up, finally revealing a trace of an interested smile: "Now you’re talking. And I see you’re not a fool, either; I bet you’ve already thought of double-crossing Kantao, haven’t you? Rolling with me beats working for Kantao any day.

This is Atlanta.

Alright, I hate beating around the bush. I’ll help you. In addition to the prototype weapons’ blueprints, you also need to get me an actual prototype.

Even though I hate Kantao, their prototype weapons do have some collector’s value.

Since you’re going to take out the person in charge anyway, it can be said he pocketed it—that’s my final condition."

Lille hesitated greatly, finally gritting his teeth: "Fine! Deal! But I’ll need a usable physical channel."

Notte laughed heartily: "Of course, that’s possible. I’m now looking forward to our collaboration, maybe this will turn into a long-term partnership."