[At 7 a.m., your mother left a note and breakfast beside your bed.] [The note read: Lier, sorry, I have to go to work. Here is your breakfast, and there is a packed lunch ready in the kitchen. If using the wheelchair on your own is too difficult, you can call me. Mom will be back soon. Please don't push yourself. Love, Mom.] [You planned to get up and check your phone, looking for information on network technology and biotechnology to study.]
After setting things up for his other-world self, Lier sighed.
The apology in his mother's note left him with mixed feelings.
V glanced at him and said, "You're from Night City? I've never seen you before."
Inside the van, the two of them watched the entrance to the Veterans Association closely. Two guards stood at the door, but they looked very relaxed, nothing like the guards on duty in Night City.
"More or less. As for never having seen me... would you pay attention to a bald monk like me?"
"Honestly, you look more like a shady fixer now." V looked Lier over in his new clothes. "So you came to Atlanta to find a way to save your life?"
"What else? To find a better life, like you?" Lier kept his eyes on the entrance as he answered. "Someone's coming. We're here to talk business. Unless I give you a signal, pretend you're a statue."
"You're the boss-for the money's sake."
Two tall men in camouflage walked over and knocked on the van's door. "Come on. The boss said he's willing to talk."
With the men leading the way, V and Lier entered the building. The interior looked like a barracks, without a single unnecessary decoration. Every so often, they saw members returning from target practice.
Yet the garden in the center of the building was lush and vibrant, making the place look like a convalescent home.
All kinds of war photographs hung along both sides of the corridor. Pictures of veterans wearing two or three rows of medals were everywhere on the walls. They certainly looked distinguished.
Even V was privately impressed. With enough weapons and a reason to fight, these veterans looked capable of waging a real battle.
These were elite soldiers, nothing like the military thugs in Night City's Sixth Street.
After a moment's thought, Lier said, "Your association certainly has an impressive service record. It looks like New America is proud of you."
"Of course it is. Without us, there wouldn't be a New America," the big man leading them said proudly.
Just then, a chat window appeared before Lier's eyes:
V: This big idiot got conned into fighting a war, and he's still proud of it. Lier: Look at this place. I think you're just jealous. V: Screw you... Lier: Stop interrupting my work!
Sounding slightly puzzled, Lier asked, "Why haven't I seen any photographs of Mr. Nott?"
"The boss doesn't like showing off. Besides, think about it. There's no way outsiders can know about every battle he fought or every medal he earned. Might as well not put up any pictures."
They passed through the corridor and took an elevator. The big man led them all the way to a door.
His eyes glowed blue, as though he were communicating with someone.
"All right, go in. The boss is inside." Then he flashed his hands in warning. Their exposed carbon-fiber structures were intimidating.
"But don't forget, this is our turf. Show some respect, or every soldier in this building will go back to his old line of work."
Lier bowed slightly. "Don't worry. We know the rules. I've always respected New America and its brave soldiers."
"You stay here. He goes in."
The big man stopped V. Lier nodded, signaling for her to wait outside, and sent her a text warning to stay calm.
Click.
The moment he stepped onto the office floor, he felt the difference. The entire floor was solid wood, and a rare species at that.
The environment in the world of Cyberpunk 2077 had deteriorated so badly that many people had never even seen a real animal. The same went for all kinds of trees. Most people had only ever seen Biotechnica's fast-grown timber.
The room was large and open. Upon entering, he immediately saw an enormous glass curtain wall. Through it, he could see Atlanta's administrative center, with the Militech tower and the European Market Alliance office beside it.
On the other side of the enormous desk sat a bald Black man, his back to Lier.
Even that back alone put tremendous pressure on Lier-
The man's records were available: a soldier decorated by the President of New America, ranked captain, equipped with every essential combat implant. His combat prowess was beyond question.
V's absurd combat strength only came later in the game's story. Lier had no doubt this man could easily kill both him and V.
"Mr. Nott, it's a pleasure to meet you."
"Skip the pleasantries. Give me the details. What do you want from us?"
"My client wants revenge, without letting it interfere with his work. And... he'd like to handle it his own way, without troubling the APD."
The burly man's voice was deep. After listening, he fell silent for a moment, still without turning around.
"Hmm... you know, what I'm hearing is that you want to circumvent New America's laws. You want to commit a crime."
"Of course not," Lier said immediately. "In fact, the New America Constitution explicitly protects private property. I might not fall under that protection, but my client does. I can guarantee that the objective of this conflict is the protection of property."
Lier made no mention of the exemptions corporations enjoyed under national laws. He simply followed the man's lead.
"Interesting... who's your client?"
Lier hesitated before answering, "The Kang Tao Corporation's supply chain representative in Atlanta."
Nott slowly turned around. "Kang Tao? Interesting. You're not with Kang Tao, but you work for them. And you're... Asian.
"Are you from the island?"
"No, I'm from Night City."
"An outsider, from that garbage heap, working for Kang Tao... honestly, I almost feel sorry for you. You'll never get to do anything but dirty work."
Nott turned around, and Lier finally got a clear look at the massive man.
Beneath his draped camouflage coat was a fully modified body. Nanofiber muscles and dermal armor were openly displayed. His entire neck had been replaced with a custom implant made from high-grade materials, extending down beneath his short-sleeved undershirt.
War had left permanent marks on his body, and he clearly embraced them.
[Warning: Scan in progress.] [Progress: ...]
"Interesting. All you've got are a Cyber-Eye and a brain-computer interface. The Cyber-Eye's a cheap one, too, and you've only got one installed. Hmm, your body's in terrible shape. Had a checkup recently?"
Lier looked distinctly displeased, but his tone was deferential. "You certainly have impressive resources, Mr. Nott."
Inside, however, he thought, You dumb fucking grunt. Got a few connections, so you just have to show off? Go ahead and show off until it kills you. V was right. You're just an idiot conned into going off to die...
"I can help you hit Kang Tao. But why should I?"
"Five hundred thousand Eddies. And you won't need to do anything in person. All we need is some network support."
At those terms, Nott suddenly burst out laughing. "Hahahahaha! Take a look around you, kid. Do I look like I need to go up against Kang Tao for five hundred thousand Eddies?
"Sure, it's a goddamn Eastern corporation, but why would I do this for five hundred thousand Eddies?"
Nott must have a powerful pair of synthetic lungs, Lier thought. The terrifying force of his voice rolled through the room like waves.
Lier's expression soured. "Six hundred thousand Eddies..."
"I told you, this isn't about money."
"Seven hundred thousand... no! One million. That's my limit, Mr. Nott. You won't have to confront Kang Tao directly. We'll do the dirtiest work. I just need some... support!"
Nott remained unmoved, shaking his head slightly. "A decent price, but you still haven't offered anything that interests me."
Lier gritted his teeth. "That shipment contains prototype weapons Kang Tao modified in hopes of expanding its American market. I suppose... a little information leaking during transit would be perfectly normal."
Nott raised an eyebrow, finally showing a faint smile of interest. "Now we're talking. And you don't look stupid, kid. I'm guessing you'd already planned to screw Kang Tao over, right? You're much better off working with me than working for Kang Tao.
"This is Atlanta.
"All right, I hate beating around the bush. I can help you, but besides the prototype weapon schematics, you'll have to retrieve a prototype for me.
"I may hate Kang Tao, but their prototype weapons do have some value as collectibles.
"You're killing the man in charge anyway. You can say he embezzled it. Those are my final terms."
Lier looked deeply conflicted. Finally, he clenched his teeth. "All right! Deal! But I also need a usable Physical Channel."
Nott laughed. "Of course. Now I'm starting to look forward to working with you. Maybe this will turn into a long-term partnership."
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