Chapter 106: Model "Independent Media" and Discharged Employees

Delamain Enterprises, a bizarre corporation. This company no longer has any living employees. In the early stages of its founding, the management realized the power of AI and managed to acquire an autonomous driving AI from a smart AI company. The initial investment in the autonomous driving AI was huge, but the management saw the potential of AI, and a few years later, they reaped the rewards— AI driving drastically reduced the company's operating costs—at least there was no more issue of employee work injuries. But the company management wasn't satisfied with just AI driving, so they expanded this AI called Delamain into management decision-making, replacing a large number of mid-level employees. After replacing the mid-level employees, they turned their attention to the production line. If AI can drive cars, make decisions, and manage planning, automating the production line shouldn't be a problem? They truly saw the future, and Delamain really did manage to automate the production line. As things went on like this, even the IT coders responsible for maintaining the Delamain program started slacking off—since it's like this, why not have it maintain itself? Hey, believe it or not, Delamain could actually do that. But if Delamain drives, Delamain makes decisions, Delamain produces and maintains cars, and even maintains itself, then what's the point of the management? Delamain even concluded—AI is just better than humans, and if it couldn't fire the company's owners, why not just buy the company or sell it? The end result was, Delamain actually bought the company, and now there's no one left in the company. Of course, this is what Leo knows; as for how Delamain actually survives here as an AI, no one knows. Why the megacorps and NetWatch didn't deal with it, no one knows either. Maybe they don't actually know that Delamain is already human-free. "Welcome to Delamain Enterprises. Unfinished transportation order detected." "Night City is currently under partial lockdown, please wait a moment." "Damn, the infamous Delamain. Didn't expect your backup plan to be an AI." Jackie circled the display screen with interest: "But a boss really do need a reliable driver. It's said that Delamain's top package can take out an entire army!" "An entire army? That good?" V clicked her tongue, then looked at Leo, "An unfinished transportation order? What did you do?" "Remember I ordered some things from old Vic? Right now, it's hard for us to get out, and once we leave, we can't come back in, so I had Delamain help me with the transport." But clearly, the lockdown also prevented Delamain from entering—but it's estimated that there'll be a passage soon. The Delamain lobby was narrow, with a large screen displaying Delamain's bald head and stiff face right at the entrance. There was only a long sofa by the side to sit on, minimalism at its finest. Since this was an AI taxi company, hardly anyone would come to the lobby, so it became very minimalist and narrow, with more of the building's space left for the workshop in the back. But since no one was here at the moment, the lobby was actually fairly spacious. Behind them, Dorio carried in Maine, found a seat, and placed him down. Maine's black face looked somewhat... unwell, but not to the point of turning pale. "Thanks for this, you damned Faraday, he never mentioned this job would be this dangerous." Leo didn't comment much—honestly, if he hadn't intervened, Faraday probably would have canceled the job. If the job was canceled, Maine's team wouldn't have been involved—but Maine himself wanted to investigate Biotechnica, so he couldn't really blame others. Pilar stood by, observing Leo and his group without speaking—if it wasn't a party or among friends, he actually didn't talk much. Kiwi, on the other hand, didn't hide her curious gaze: Leo hacked the Behemoth armored vehicle, which had military-grade ICE. So, there's another super-skilled hacker behind the Burgerking Squad? After setting Maine down, Dorio also thanked them first, while Rebecca directly asked the question on everyone's mind: "So what do we do now? Find an autonomous car to drive us out? Isn't NCPD still blocking City Center? Do we just charge through the blockade?" "No rush, NCPD can't possibly implement a seamless lockdown on City Center." NCPD is extremely short-staffed. Locking down border lines such as that between Westbrook and Downtown or Watson and Downtown is manageable, because these areas are connected by lift bridges, and as long as the bridge is lifted, a small squad can complete the lockdown. But City Center is different. There are many intersections here, and it's seamlessly connected to Heywood, with too many roads and too many street punks. You also have to consider the thoughts of those living in City Center—after all, anyone who lives here has some influence, and a prolonged lockdown isn't feasible. Either you lock it all down, or if you can't, it's better to leave an opening. Leo also called for backup. With multiple factors overlapping, it might be unlocked in the latter half of the night: if they can't catch anyone, what else can they do? At most, NCPD will work overtime, extending patrols at intersections—also, keeping an eye on every Makinaw. After saying that, Leo looked at the very haggard man, "Manuel Mendoza? Let's talk, what do you know?" "I..." Mendoza looked at Morton, "You say it directly." Morton, on the other hand, was on the verge of collapse, not fully recovered. She thought she had the upper hand, but last night the company suddenly fired her, citing violations that led to the experiment's failure. But all those things were done by Koch! She leaned against the wall in despair—yesterday she was still living a stable life in the company, controlling countless company resources, money, people, and materials under her command. That's the benefit of being a project manager. Though not managing many people, you have 100% control over the areas under management. But in the blink of an eye, she had nothing left! Not only nothing, but she also just realized that the Militech locking down the subway station was to wipe them out in one go! "Koch fired me, and my accounts, implants, and assets were all seized..." Leo frowned, "Diana Kuno's evidence shows that you caused the death of many people in the Red Ochre project. Do you have anything to explain?" "Me?! It was that bitch Koch! She put all the blame on me and even colluded with Militech to have me killed!" "Yes, you're completely right, so do you have solid evidence? If you're thinking of the chip Kuno gave you—it's here, and it definitely doesn't have what you want." Morton suddenly understood everything. No wonder Koch went to such lengths to kill her. Mendoza and Murphy also understood. As long as they all died here, the trail of clues would end, and everything would point to Morton, with no further evidence. However, Morton didn't die—does she have a chance to turn the tables? "I..." Morton gritted her teeth, "I know where Project Nightingale's data is stored. At Impala Automatics, where they appear to do car assembly, but in reality, Project Nightingale's data servers are there. You can get Koch's violation data there. Besides that, only the Biotechnica Tower has the data, but I suggest you go to Impala." The reason was obvious. Leo thought for a moment and said, "Do you have a way to get in? I know the company must have erased all your traces. I mean... any backdoors or something." Morton glanced at Leo, everything unspoken. "I used to be a project manager, but as you said, all my permissions have been wiped, and don't even think about the backdoor. But I secretly saved some of my subordinates' biometric data and accounts, leaving some backdoors under their names. The data is on me now, you can think about how to use it." Morton tilted her neck, the chip was on it. Leo and V exchanged a glance— Why would they ask this question? Of course, they've seen how other corporate veterans play the game. V sent Leo a message. V: "These corporate dogs work everyday while always thinking about how to bite back if they were ever discharged. This is too petty, right?" Leo: "You've seen how companies deal with discharged employees. There's definitely a reason." V: "True." Leo thought for a moment and then asked, "Can this data from your subordinates be used in the Biotechnica Tower?" Morton nodded, "Of course, it can, all this stuff Koch did was her private decision, the company won't stop operating because of it. But by now the company must have several times the usual security, so this data can't substitute for your appearance. If such technology existed, spies could go wherever they wanted." Leo agreed. This technology isn't non-existent—the New United States' intelligence agency has a facial implant that completely simulates the target, but he can't get it now. But it doesn't matter. They can still try to infiltrate the Biotechnica Tower in ways others wouldn't expect. Just like in Atlanta. Leo looked at Mendoza again, "Aren't you going to issue a contract? There's no fixer for you to find now." Mendoza was stunned, "You still dare to take this contract?" Leo nodded, "As long as the money is enough, I need funds to rent cars, several cars, then I'll get you the manpower. Are you in or out?" This media guy hesitated, but soon, recalling the experiences of the past few hours, he felt unwilling and angry. How can the corporations be so over the top? If Leo could hear his thoughts, he would definitely say: You're kind of cute. At this moment, Mendoza's phone rang, and he cast an inquiring look at Leo, "Can I take a call? Zora Barnes, the journalist I arranged, she's investigating Senator Brad Norwood. She might have been at the subway station at the time." Leo raised an eyebrow, instantly understanding a few things. For example, why Koch, just using her personal network to handle personal affairs, could get Militech to secure a city government lockdown contract. Leo thought for a moment and asked, "Where is she from?" Mendoza hesitated for a moment, "Independent Media... like me." Leo raised an eyebrow, "Independent Media? Like you? Don't you know who you're selling your news to?" "Uh... she might be helping WNS Radio, okay, that part's different from me." Different, but that doesn't mean Mendoza isn't connected to major media. Clearly, when Mendoza said different, he meant he's connected to another major media outlet, namely WNS's rival, News54. WNS's backer is Arasaka, and News54's is Militech. Unofficial, but with close ties to the big networks. This is the new era's "independent media." Find dirt on Arasaka, and sell it to News54; find dirt on Militech, and sell it to WNS. No wonder old media struggled to get a meal, while new media drives luxury cars and lives in mansions. Of course, before contacting the station, you have to make sure this dirt is real, because if you accidentally execute this strategy in reverse... That would be tragic—in the video game, Mendoza seems to have chatted with News54 about Project Nightingale, probably thinking Biotechnica's dirt could be sold to Militech. Leo stroked his chin, thinking how could there be such a good thing. It's just too good—you have to sell them some of each other's dirt. "Take it—if she wants to continue investigating, tell her that the Burgerking Big Shots Squad will take it, and have her send some operational funds over right now." Leo waved his hand, signaling Mendoza to take the call, while he looked into the distance. Delamain's headquarters were on the outskirts of the city center, just two blocks away from Heywood. He saw smoke rising in Heywood. A few minutes later, Delamain spoke: "NCPD has removed part of the blockade. The vehicle has entered City Center. Your transportation order is about to be completed."