Chapter 24: Trust The System

[While traveling through the Badlands, the battle-worn vehicle encountered a minor issue that needs to be resolved.] [You can spend Tech Points to initiate a repair action.] [Note: The host must possess adequate repair skills.] [Currently not qualified.] That evening, the car in the Cyberpunk 2077 world broke down, and Leo had to stay up all night learning automotive repair. Fortunately, engineering knowledge is somewhat easier to grasp than research-based knowledge, especially when cross-referencing information from both worlds, combined with V's formidable hands-on skills—like grabbing electrical wires directly. The subdermal armor partially insulates against electricity, and when current flows through the body, the cyberware diagnostics can still manage the electrical flow—essentially making them human circuit testers. Finally, the two of them managed to fix the car—though they couldn't quite figure out what the problem was. The vehicle technology in Cyberpunk 2077 differs from modern-day tech, starting with the fact that it doesn't use gasoline as fuel. Moreover, high-end vehicles like the Behemoth armored truck are equipped with numerous circuits for personal link interfaces. The real world doesn't have such complicated in-car electronics. After they removed one of the two armored cargo boxes from the back, the car could move again—Leo figured the vehicle might have toppled a few times, causing the weight to overload the power circuits. With that issue resolved, the interior space of the car was a bit cramped. [Basic Cyber Armor Vehicle Repair Skill Acquired.] [Tech Points +50] [Tech Points spent on setting up repair commands.] [Tech Points -5] [Current Tech Points: 535] [V: This car is supposed to be Militech's best-selling armored vehicle? Junk. Thankfully, it's only a day and a half until we hit the Badlands. We'll have to find someone to swap out the car.] [You: I'm going to sleep now.] [V: Sleep like the dead.] After wrapping up things in that world, Leo returned to the main world, still feeling a headache. Skye was an orphan with nowhere to stay, and as her boss, Leo's apartment could actually accommodate another person. The apartment had two bedrooms and a living room connected to a small kitchen, but at least there was space to place a couch where someone could sleep. The problem was, Skye was a girl and physically around the same age as Leo— What would Maya, his mom, think about that? It was a tricky situation, really tricky. It wasn't that Maya looked down on Skye for being a dropout orphan. On one hand, she thought Leo didn't have much time left and just wanted him to enjoy his remaining days. On the other hand, Skye was also quite unfortunate—a lonely orphan, wandering the streets. What kind of person was Leo? He immediately saw through his mother's thoughts and rubbed his forehead, saying, "Mom, it's like this. I'm planning to start a small business in my spare time, to contribute to... the community. Skye knows some computer skills, so I asked her to help out." Honestly, being mentally several decades older, he wasn't that sensitive in this area— To Leo, Skye really was just a little girl; maybe in another five or six years, she'd be different. Skye, oblivious, just thought this elegant and gentle woman made really good food. To hell with fast food! So, she ate heartily, completely focused on her meal. Once this topic came up, the conversation shifted immediately—no relationship issues could top the concern over life and death. Maya worriedly said, "Leo, you've grown up, and it's understandable that you want to do something for the family and the community, but this... what happened today was too dangerous!" "But even if I didn't act, they would have still robbed us—Mom, unless we get driven out, they won't stop." Leo shrugged, explaining a very simple truth. Yes, there are many simple truths in this world, like resisting oppression when faced with it. If you're bullied—why not stand up for yourself? After standing up for yourself, your money gets stolen—why couldn't you protect your money? When protecting your money, you get beaten by the robbers—why didn't you give them the money to protect your safety? Going in circles, if you keep giving up what's yours, it seems like you'll end up with nothing but your life. Maya knew this too. Leo continued, "Mom, I know you're worried about me, but I'm 18 years old now." In Latveria, an 18-year-old man who didn't want to be a serf under a feudal lord would have to join the rebels. So Maya actually understood Leo. At this moment, Skye, while eating, suddenly said, "Boss, you're already an adult? If not, should we throw a party?" Leo glanced at this food-obsessed person, "I turned 18 three days ago, right when I got out of the hospital." "Uh, okay then." Skye continued eating, not really understanding what "getting out of the hospital" meant. Maya sighed, "Alright... I just want you to take care of yourself, understand?" "Understood—get some rest, Mom. You need to take care of yourself too. Oh, and remember to take your phone when you go out." Leo had modified Maya's phone so it could be turned on remotely even when powered off, ensuring they wouldn't lose contact. Though Leo didn't think the enemy would resort to kidnapping or other coercive methods in the current situation, it was better to be cautious. At this moment, Leo's Kiroshi optic displayed a message from Matt: "The car's downstairs. Let's head to the NYPD together." Hell's Kitchen's current situation had a lot to do with the inaction of the precinct's captain. The precinct captain was actually appointed by the mayor, and though the mayor could directly appoint a captain, they had to consider whether the city council would object. And in the city council, the council member representing Hell's Kitchen was funded by Kingpin. Through financial support, private intimidation, and other legal and illegal means, involving the political scene, this was considered a smart move in the gang world. Given the current level of corruption, while Kingpin couldn't directly control the precinct captain, he could easily ensure a lackluster candidate was sent by the city council. Now, sitting in front of Leo was Precinct Captain Milton Robinson. "Alright, what happened? Why were you fighting?" Milton placed his hat on the table, his large belly making the chair creak as he sat down. Matt directly slapped the hard drive onto the table. "This was a home invasion. The suspect might be illegally armed, and we were merely defending ourselves, not engaging in a so-called brawl." Milton was taken aback—what a headache, and it involved the gangs too. Leo took one look at this guy's expression and knew it was unlikely he'd submit evidence to the district attorney's office. After all, New York wasn't Gotham—at least not this version of New York. There might be one or two low-ranking cops tied to Kingpin at this time. But the captain? He was just lazy. And a coward—his family didn't live in Hell's Kitchen; he was just afraid there might actually be gangs involved. "Fine, I'll review it. What a pain..." Leo frowned—that was the worst-case scenario. The police weren't doing their jobs, and he wasn't even willing to get one of his men to submit the evidence to the district attorney's office. With no one curbing Kingpin's secret expansion, his power would grow day by day, leading to more corruption. This kind of corruption is like a virus; if someone neglects their duty, one day it will seep into the system's bones—that's why dereliction of duty is a criminal offense. Just then, Leo saw a middle-aged man with graying temples briskly crossing the street—how strange, a cop willingly working overtime at this hour. Leo's Kiroshi optic quickly captured the badge of this officer— George Stacy. Commissioner of the NYPD! No matter which universe, George Stacy is always a righteous and by-the-book captain! "Captain Stacy!" Leo immediately raised his hand to call out to the captain. George hesitated for a moment, looking at Leo and then at Milton, who immediately stood up, albeit a bit unsteadily. "Captain Stacy, I'm handling a brawl in Hell's Kitchen—" "It's a home invasion! And the suspect had an illegal firearm, nearly killing someone!" Leo's ailing body produced a voice far louder than expected; he wanted to seem a bit more agitated. "Captain Robinson, in that apartment, there are eight households, over twenty people, including women and children! The suspect broke down the door in broad daylight, picking a time when no men were home, and fired a gun to threaten us! This happens every day in Hell's Kitchen! The evidence is right here! It's not just some gang brawl!" In contrast, Hell's Kitchen's gangs have been pretty harmonious lately. Everyone was united under Kingpin's contracts, making big money together. George frowned after hearing this— To be honest, maintaining law and order in Hell's Kitchen had always been a tough job. But often there was a lack of evidence, and most of the time, these brawls were proven to be gang-related—so how could he handle that? But if civilians were being threatened, he'd have to take a closer look— In summary, George Stacy was a man with a strong sense of professionalism, a socially conscious elite with a keen sense of justice. This meant his sense of justice was also of the elite, by-the-book kind. If Robinson reported these incidents as gang-related and law enforcement issues, George would believe him, treating these cases as gang disputes. In that case, the more gang members that died, the better. Yes, he didn't like Robinson's laziness, but he still respected him as a colleague and tried to trust him. On the other hand, if someone grabbed his leg on the street, crying about how Hell's Kitchen was a living hell, and that they were just crippled by criminals yesterday... He might start wondering if that person got their legs broken during a gang fight. Damn, gang members. Trust the system more than the rumors—that's Captain Stacy. However, evidence is also part of the system. George picked up the hard drive, showing a bit of interest, and said, "You know me?" "Seen you on TV... or maybe somewhere else?" George gave Leo a deep look, "I heard the public safety cameras in Hell's Kitchen are all broken..." Leo responded quickly, "Of course, this wasn't captured by public cameras; it's from private surveillance. After all, we don't have the ability to pull footage from public cameras. But... I think the public cameras might have captured something as well." Rare to see—though George thought this to himself, he knew what he had to do. If what this kid said was true, Captain Robinson might be guilty of dereliction of duty. "Captain Robinson, I'm very interested in this case—both of you, I'll need you as witnesses. You wouldn't mind testifying, would you?" Matt was quite surprised, while Leo patted his shoulder and said: "Of course not."