Chapter 669 - 640 Where Are Your Shiny Desires?

The Netherworld Dog’s sniper squad was ambushed in a ruined building, about two streets away from the Azure Night Club:

The Tsunami Defense System’s designed electromagnetic sniper rifle, Rakshasa, was a long-range sniper rifle with a retro-futuristic design and had power far exceeding that of the raccoon dog in the same technical sniper rifle category.

This weapon also had a special external slot; with just an electromagnetic function base and a stable power source, the gun could transform into an anti-armor electromagnetic gun.

The Netherworld Dog was here aiming at Lille at the banquet.

"What do you think these people are after?"

The support team below the sniper was discussing the biggest news of Night City today: the entire city was giving face to those terrorists, but they chose to become madmen and didn’t give the city any face.

"How would I know? I just know that the scale of this banquet is not that big, probably because they caused a commotion, and now people are not so confident about trading with Dog Town."

"If it were me, I would have fucked off to go on vacation by now. After achieving so much, doesn’t it make sense to pocket some cash?"

"That Burger King might really be a brain-dead cyberpsycho, or just low on social IQ..."

"Shut the fuck up, this is a mission, not a bragging contest! Watch out, or I’ll report you."

The soldier’s reprimand silenced his companion, who then focused intently on the distant Azure Night Club—

Logically, soldiers of the Netherworld Dog’s caliber shouldn’t have prosthetic eyes capable of seeing so far.

But he could see.

[Lark: Riddle... I’m sorry for what happened before.]

[Riddle: Don’t bring up the past during the mission.]

[Lark: I... I’m really sorry.]

...

[Sender: Lille]

[Lille: Captain Carter, I’m sorry, but you must immediately take a vehicle to Washington to protect President Barnes.]

Bang!

A box containing vibranium was placed into the transport truck along with other cargo; a robot was seated on the truck:

This robot was Atlas Group’s most advanced production robot, actually controlled by a worker from another world—

Very complex, and far from efficient, but highly secure.

Captain Carter received the message just as she got off the truck but didn’t complain. Instead, she said solemnly, "By plane?"

[Lille: By floating car.]

Roar—

A newly produced Mackinaw Floating Shadow approached from the sky at high speed and docked.

A flying car, which seemed almost like a UFO to the people of this world...

[Lille: The ride might be uncomfortable, but it’s the safest and fastest way. You’ll reach Washington in under two hours. I can only give you a rough outline of Barnes’s itinerary; how you execute the mission is up to you.]

[Lille: Also, there’s a shield made of our most advanced materials in the car. It’s not as good as the old one, but it’ll have to do. I hope you don’t mind.]

[Carter: Why would I mind? Flying a car? That’s quite a sight.]

Carter boarded another floating car immediately after getting off, and as Frank watched it disappear into the sky, he said:

[Frank: Boss, I guess I have a mission too?]

Lille wanted to task Frank with rescuing Tony but reconsidered:

Tony had Jarvis. If Tony was stuck with his own AI, then his AI must be highly advanced.

Without specialized technical support, that thing posed a significant threat to Frank’s prosthetics and exoskeleton.

[Lille: ...Yes, go back to the company and be on standby.]

[Frank: Understood.]

...

"This is Night City, a prosperous city in Northern California, and one of the few free cities not yet ’reclaimed’ by New America."

Lille pointed to Night City on the map on the table and said.

"We now have advanced second and third-generation prosthetics and a large amount of basic medical equipment as civilian goods..."

The screen on the table displayed Matt striving in the stadium, various commentators’ opinions, and Fiona’s conversation at tonight’s banquet—

All of these were proof of a powerful prosthetic, crushing current competitors and targeting the broadest market.

"...This kid will become a star. He has the best physical attributes and the best prosthetics. He will sweep the globe and open up markets for us. We just need to establish trade with Mexico to gain support and market access.

And you’re stuck here, south of Night City."

Lille spoke like a salesperson rapidly selling his vision—

Hansen shook his head, "This freedom is based on the existence of corporations. Night City itself is nothing. Without Arasaka and other companies, Military Technology’s aerial fortress could flatten the city in two hours—including takeoff and landing time.

And if we exclude Military Technology and other companies, Arasaka’s carrier—currently off the coastline—could do it in an hour.

If that’s what you’re talking about..."

Lille ignored Hansen’s objection and continued, "Then there are vehicles. In just a year, I made cost-effective and high-performance dual-use vehicles. These can arm Night City as light armored units and be sold to the civilian market, and now we also have floating cars.

We have electromagnetic guns, exoskeletons, drones... not the most advanced, but good enough for regular military standards."

Hansen didn’t get angry at being interrupted; instead, he got interested.

Regardless of how absurd Lille’s claims were, they at least caught his eye:

This wasn’t a desperate stray dog or brain-dead cyberpsycho.

"The recruits should come from the gangs: Night City gets countless immigrants every year, who then join gangs. All we need to do is redirect employment, or promote ambitious youth from them..."

"You sound like a New American recruiting officer. You should be conscripting soldiers."

Lille ignored Hansen’s jest and continued pointing at the map:

"Open up trade, and there’s money, and this city can continue as a trade hub. If the current corporations are dissatisfied, recruit new trade partners.

With money, you can arm soldiers and build a real army to remain neutral in this sensitive region:

Just as you said, Military Technology’s aerial fortress could demolish this in two hours, and Arasaka’s carrier in one, so we just need to hold out for a few hours."

Hansen stopped laughing. As a military commander, especially one directing special operations like the Netherworld Dog,

These words didn’t sound like those of a serious officer but rather a politician with some military knowledge:

If it’s just self-preservation, indeed, being able to hold out until reinforcements arrive means going from zero to one.

The drawback is that this freedom remains a mere one.

He didn’t joke about new corporations replacing old ones. Dog Town’s status, the Netherworld Dog’s power, and his own personal gains...

All saw real changes this way.

As a "pragmatist," tangible improvements were more important than envisioning a "perfect plan and future."

Hansen seemed to anticipate Lille’s next words, but he still said:

"...Economic strength, military strength... it’s the chicken and egg problem. But I can tell you, Night City has neither."

Economic power comes from corporate competition, which continuously invests resources, and the same goes for military power. Without corporate support, there’s nothing left.

"Right." Lille nodded. "So, we need to grab both ends: No corporation would sell Night City submarines, missiles, or tanks, but you’ve got them, and they didn’t sell well, so there are some in the warehouses.

Night City has no soldiers to operate these war machines, but you... just happen to have some."

"You want me to follow you to certain death..."

"Colonel Kurt Hansen." Lille said slowly, "Will you remain a desperate stray dog or a self-deceiving madman?"

Lille looked at him with eyes that seemed to ask: What about your shining ambitions?

Hansen was stunned for a moment, then laughed while touching his head:

"Interesting... continue."

But secretly, he made a hidden motion and gesture to his subordinates.