Cyberpunk: 2075.

Chapter 388 1. Going to Southern California

"Presidential campaign documents. I never thought that I would be able to do this kind of work now."

Driving the modified Hera across the Badlands, Oliver in the driver's seat complained while driving:

"To me before, the new president of the United States was just a big shot that I had only heard about and seen in live video broadcasts. He was like a cloud in the sky and had nothing to do with us on earth."

“So today we have this opportunity.”

Jack, sitting in the passenger seat, looked at the rolling sand outside Hera and talked about a more critical issue: "Can Hera really carry us to our destination? Can the temporary Badlands transformation work? In my opinion, we should actually drive an armored vehicle out, or a hovercraft will do."

"Jack, don't worry about your armored vehicle. Do you want to be targeted before you even get there because you're attracting too much attention? The place we're going to is not a place like Night City, which is a mess and won't be too attractive as long as nothing big happens. That is nominally the territory of the New America."

V said, while patting Hera's cushion. "And don't worry about Hera having any problems. Are you still unsure about my modifications? My previous Vipers were able to run in the Badlands, not to mention the Hera with better parts and a better engine. I know the route to Southern California well, so just follow my instructions and I'll take you there."

"As for the route, I'm familiar with it too."

Carl said, "Northern California, Southern California. Night City is Northern California. Our destination is Southern California. Why don't we just keep driving south?"

"Those who don't drive should just stop talking."

Oliver was a little speechless in the front seat: "According to what you said, we can drive all the way from the North Pole to the South Pole. You really don't know the situation in Northern California and Southern California at all."

"What's the difference?"

Carl really didn't understand: "I remember that Night City is an independent city-state belonging to Northern California. Geographically speaking, it is also a part of California. Is there anything special about Southern California?"

"You know about the Unification War, right?"

"of course."

Carl knew something about the war that took place in 2069 and 2070, and Oliver explained it:

“In short, during the Unification War, when the army of the new United States set foot on California soil, parts of Southern California and cities were directly under the jurisdiction of the federal government. At the same time, the city-states in Northern California were unwilling to bow to the new United States;
At the request of Lucius Lane, the current mayor of Night City, who was a councilman at the time, Arasaka Corporation intervened in the unification war and ensured the independence of Night City. The independence of Night City actually divided Northern California and Southern California into two spheres of influence, each controlled by multiple forces. Now, we are about to step into a territory that nominally belongs entirely to the New America. The forces and scenes there will only be military technology and the New America, so the actions will be very different from those in Night City. "

"To put it simply, Southern California is the territory of the New America and Military Technology. When operating there, they are the official authority, so we have to live under their control?"

Carl probably understood what Oliver meant.

Oliver was reminding him that in Night City, due to the existence of multiple forces, their group of mercenaries surviving in the cracks could accept commissions from various companies at will and act in various identities. However, when they arrived in Southern California, which was completely different from Northern California, they had to be controlled, or at least on the surface they had to obey the military technology and New America's control over the land of Southern California.

"It seems that the task is not easy."

Carl thought about their mission this time.

They were going to a place in Southern California to obtain documents related to the presidential campaign, and the person who assigned them was a military technology person.

Everyone knows that Military Technology and the New America are almost in the same boat. The current new president of the United States is the former CEO of Military Technology. However, even in this situation, the people claiming to be from Military Technology hid their identities and faces and entrusted Carl and other third parties to obtain the presidential campaign documents.
Everyone knows that who will win the presidential election in the new United States is still determined by the military technology behind it, but even so, they are still required to obtain these files, which means
"We are involved in the internal struggle of Military Technology, or we are involved in the dispute between the half-puppet New America and Military Technology." "It depends on the situation."

T-BUG's voice came over the communication:
"According to the timetable, it is almost time for the presidential transition. If someone gets hold of the document involving the president's propaganda at this time, it will inevitably leave an impression of unreliability and incompetence within the organization. It is not impossible that this may affect the election.
After all, even the words are known, so it is easy to deal with it. However, the client gave us too little information, so we may not know which presidential candidate's campaign document we have until we get there."

"It's not that the client gave less information, it's that they just didn't want to give information."

Jack understood:

"Whether it is the current new US President Rosalind Myers or her possible internal opponents, are they innocent? Especially in issues involving power and status, no matter which party commissioned us, they certainly don't want us mercenaries to know too much inside information - but this is not without benefits. At least they have shown their intention to conceal the truth, which reduces the risk of us being silenced."

"The less you know, the safer it is."

Carl murmured, as a mercenary, it is true that he has to turn a blind eye to some things. A good mercenary is one who knows how to not delve too deeply into secrets.

only.
"I now feel like we're short."

Karl felt a little regretful: "The deposit was only 400,000, and we only wanted the full amount of 2 million. In the end, it turned out to be such a troublesome job. I didn't negotiate the deal well this time."

"Don't worry about the occasional mistake. Just think of it as building a good reputation for yourself as a commissioner in the military technology department."

Jack said nonchalantly, "Believe it or not, if we do a good job on this mission, there will definitely be a lot of people lining up to commission us."

"I'm afraid that by then even the next life won't be able to accommodate so many people."

Oliver also said this with a smile, indicating that Carl didn't need to care so much about the price. However, V said something inappropriate at this time.

“I actually think two million is a lot.”

"You were harmed by the small commissions you took on in your spare time."

After Karl said this helplessly, his mobile phone received an external message.

take a look.

"Welcome to the land that truly belongs to the New America, Mr. Carr."

Looking at the words in this unfamiliar message, Carl looked outside and saw the regional demarcation sign at the edge of the road outside the window.

I was in the bad land and my location was locked as soon as I arrived in the car. If it weren't for their sophisticated hacker tracking methods, then it would be.
Carl looked through the glass at the blue sky that could not be seen in Night City.

"Satellite surveillance?"

　ps. I have tried all weapons in the wilderness, but the light crossbow of this generation is my favorite. It is so comfortable to switch modes, fire quickly and lock weak points ()
　　
　
(End of this chapter)