Chapter 66 - 64: Commission: Leading the Pack

The introduction of Gorilla Arms into the civilian market was originally for heavy manual labor workers like porters.

But anyone with a keen eye could see that enhancing arm strength was a natural fit for military prosthetics.

And the Gorilla Arm that Old V gave to Jack was unexpectedly good—in fact, it was a full prosthetic system, a set that Old V originally prepared for himself.

It didn’t just replace the forearm entirely; it also replaced all the bones and muscle groups of the upper limb, and came with matching synthetic pectoral fibers and enhanced integrated ribs.

These artificial ribs completely replaced the shape of human ribs, providing stronger support and able to withstand more powerful muscle tension.

The synthetic muscle fibers were almost unbreakable, and with the hormone stimulation device, the human body would release stored energy without reservation.

Combined with the mechanical energy storage device within the prosthetic, once it exploded...

It would be far from just knocking someone’s head off; it might even be able to lift the top of a tank.

As long as a person wasn’t wheelchair-bound, nearly 90% of human movements required support from the lower limbs.

To ensure the body’s force coordination, Jack also received a comprehensive skeletal enhancement implant and reinforced lower limb muscle groups.

Finally, as the biggest and most capable member of the team, he was implanted with Heavy Subdermal Armor. Though it might not be military-grade like the one James used, it was definitely the heaviest and thickest Subdermal Armor Old V could get.

Only someone of Jack’s size could support such heavy Subdermal Armor far exceeding the thickness of the skin.

While these items weren’t top-notch, at least they ensured that while exerting force, Jack wouldn’t shatter his lower limbs, nor would he need to worry about how a big target like him could dodge bullets.

Why weren’t they top-notch?

Another reason—the Burger Kings were out of money.

Previously, the squad’s assets were: Jack had 100k euros, Lille plus the 150k euros just received from Father totaled 170k euros, and V was the richest with 510k euros.

A total of 880k euros, all spent. Lille had Old V buy equipment costing 550k, Jack’s Gorilla Arm and modifications cost 310k, V installed a Mantis Blade for 50k, and Cheson got 30k.

They spent 940k in one go.

Not only were they out of money, they owed Old V 60k euros—oh, and the system maintenance and rescue costs weren’t included, so the actual debt was 71k.

"Sorry, I was wrong. I shouldn’t have used your name to get credit behind your back."

Lille sincerely slid to his knees.

Surprisingly, V merely twitched her eyebrows this time, not letting Lille and her fist become intimate.

"Forget it—just consider it as you owe me. Put it in the memo, got it?"

"Absolutely—"

"But now there’s no money left for the Si Anweisitan augment..."

"Actually, I got one for you, a prototype from Kantao, the most advanced."

Lille received a message from Cheson—Kantao agreed. They directly shipped it from their Night City warehouse.

V looked surprised, both of their eyes met, and they understood each other’s meaning:

Kantao was truly a decent company, not only giving them their first jackpot but also sending high-end prosthetics.

The problem was... Si Anweisitan was known for causing cyberpsychosis.

V remembered Old V’s advice, raising an eyebrow: "You’re not stopping me from installing this thing? You even got me a prototype from Kantao?"

"Remember what I said? If you doubt your ability to handle it, I advise against it. But if you think you’re ready, I trust your judgment."

Lille spoke earnestly.

If someone else had said this, V would’ve thought they were trying to trick her into installing prosthetics.

But when Lille said it, she felt that Lille genuinely recognized her ability.

"You rascal."

V touched her nose, waiting for the surgery to begin.

...

Kantao’s prosthetic company had split from the parent company. This subsidiary was called Qianqi, and the Si Anweisitan Lille found was also produced by Qianqi.

Strictly speaking, Si Anweisitan was divided into two parts, one that was relatively "hardware" focused as a spinal prosthetic.

The spinal prosthetic provided the hardware conditions to invasively stimulate nerves, muscles, organs, and all other human parts needing influence.

And the chip plugged into the spinal prosthetic regulated the stimulation modes and levels, which was the Si Anweisitan chip.

Simply put, if a behavior chip was the CPU, then the spinal prosthetic was the motherboard; if the behavior chip was software, then the spinal prosthetic was hardware.

And in terms of spinal prosthetics, Qianqi had done an exceptional job, at least not lagging far behind top-tier prosthetic manufacturers, able to support 99.9% of behavior chips in the market.

However, there was a significant gap in software, with the result being that their most advanced model, the Qianqi 5, "Reality Distortion" Si Anweisitan, could only make users feel time slowing down by 20%.

But it didn’t matter; V’s reaction speed was extremely fast—the same prosthetic would have different effects when used by Lille and V.

What she needed was the effect of active-activated, while the passive-activated Krensky was too passive in tactics.

Next to the operating table, Jack was getting used to his new body while Lille sat quietly on the side, fiddling with a pile of parts.

Dingdong—

Cheson: "Lille, you guessed it right. James Norris was a ticking time bomb. They took James back to Aloroy for surgery, and that big guy suddenly went berserk!

No one could handle him; he slashed right away! He fought his way out of Aloroy directly!

But for some reason, he still recognized tactical hand signs—I don’t quite get this cyberpsychosis stuff.

The Six Street Gang suppressed the news and are pushing him towards Valentino territory!

I got NCPD’s surveillance; I’ll keep you posted—the route is a bit tricky, mainly because Six Street Gang members keep getting hacked to death, they aren’t sure about James’ intentions either.

Kantao also got you an NCPD outsourcing contract. Now you can use force to deal with cyberpsychosis before the Terrorist Mobile Team is deployed!"

Lille: "Received."

Cheson: "Good luck, brother. If we pull this off, we’ll latch onto Kantao’s big legs! Make a fortune!"

————

Father: "Lille, the Six Street Gang is rushing towards the Scenic Area with people. If James is leading the charge, my people may not be able to stop them. Coordinates sent to you."

Father: "Child, the safety of the Scenic Area depends on you. My people are waiting for you at the entrance. Take care of them."

Lille: "Received."

Father: "May God bless you."

Ka.

The component in Lille’s hand snapped, and V stepped off the surgical table, getting used to the new prosthetics.

Krensky and the Neural Coordinator were originally integrated into the spine, so switching to Qianqi’s prosthetics didn’t cause too much discomfort for V.

On the contrary, she was full of energy.

"It’s time to pull off a big one—are the things ready?"

"Of course." Lille set the assembled firearms aside.

To the left was the raccoon dog V used to kill Notte; to the right, the fully unrestricted modified Sadara, and that nearly 1.5-meter-long MK31 heavy machine gun.

Unlike the operation at Preaching Seaside, each of these three weapons now had the capability to threaten James.

Lille spread his hands: "Gentlemen, ladies, pick up your gear—

The target: James Norris, and... Aloroy."

They each picked up their preferred weapons, inspecting them.

Jack laughed as he slung the Defender and Sadara over his back, looking somewhat nervous.

"It feels strange... I’m a bit nervous."

V laughed and patted Jack on the back: "Jack, is this tiny scene scaring you? Where did that cocky attitude of yours go?"

"Ha, I think you’re the one with the issues..."

Just as they were about to exit the clinic, Lille suddenly paused and said to Jack: "Jack? Do you hear the sound outside?"

Jack froze for a moment.

Then Lille said: "Video can’t be manipulated—stay alert."

Lille kicked open the wire gate.

Boom—

Outside the clinic, the streets were filled with the rumbling engines of cars—

Then, the main event began.

Seeing the three appear on the street, Gustavo stubbed out his cigarette and stood straight.

The entire street full of Valentino’s best saw Gustavo’s action, and they too turned their attention to the street and extinguished their cigarettes.

Jack even spotted a few of his old brothers—it had been a long time since they’d seen each other.

He never thought they’d have such a day.

The car headlights illuminated the street like stage lights, lighting the way forward.

A black Mackinaw pulled up at the door, with Acido driving it. He waved his hand, now replaced with a cheap prosthetic, etched with Valentino’s tattoos:

"Mr. Lille, I’m now a member of Valentino, but Father didn’t assign me a car. Do you mind if I continue to be your driver?

This hand was specially chosen for driving, same with the foot—oh, you can’t see it from out there."

Lille smiled: "Just don’t be as jittery as last time—it’s unbecoming."

V and Jack hauled their weapons and jumped onto the pickup truck’s cargo bed, setting up the gear. The black Mackinaw roared to life and sped off in a cloud of dust.

Moving through Valentino’s convoy, the car led the way—

Gustavo’s car also started, following behind: "Valentino boys, follow that black Mackinaw. If they don’t stop, we don’t stop."

"It looks like they’re heading to Saint Domingo—what if they make it to Aloroy?"

"Which dumbass asked that? If they make it to Aloroy—

We follow them to Aloroy!"