Birdsong.
That was something Night City didn't have.
Night City had wiped out its birds, supposedly because of an avian flu plague that had broken out in the past.
But that explanation clearly didn't hold water. Once the birds were gone, Night City's slums had become garbage pits crawling with rats and bugs, yet no one had seen the mayor help exterminate cockroaches or other pests.
So why had the birds been exterminated?
No one knew the real reason, but from then on, Night City's skies had belonged solely to skyscrapers and AVs.
Lier had popped an immunosuppressant and gone to sleep yesterday. When he woke up early, he was already in New York.
"No ads, bright sunshine, and even birdsong-gotta say, life here really is much better than in Night City."
Lier got out of bed.
Hell's Kitchen was far better than Night City's slums. Of course, that was only in comparison to Night City.
His mom knocked on the door. "Lier-are you up? Breakfast is ready."
"Coming."
He got dressed and began a new day in New York.
It was just... his immune reaction was getting a little severe, leaving him weak.
At the breakfast table, Skye said secretively, "Boss, let me show you the new AI I put together..."
"Good-very good. I've already tried it."
Skye froze.
Lier took a sip of milk. "Have you thought about expanding this AI? Into public safety and civilian internet applications, for example."
Lier didn't elaborate-he hadn't just tried it. He'd even rammed several people to death with it.
"Boss, great minds really do think alike! I've actually already got some ideas. It's just that the processors available right now aren't very good..."
"Before we start discussing technical issues..." Lier wiped his mouth. "I want to discuss some ethical questions,