Cyberpunk: Starting in 2071

Chapter 20 Landing in Shattered Stone Town

“Dear friends, do you see those big and small black dots on the highway over there? Those are the checkpoints leading to Seattle.”

However, we don't have to queue like them.

Ha, see that drone over there? They clearly saw us, but those people at the border station didn't even dare to send a message.

These dogs raised by Arasaka are greedy and demanding at the border, but they become deaf and blind when they run into a tough opponent.

But that's even better; they saw us flying towards the direction of the new American control, and they conveniently became eyewitnesses for us.

Mercer's leisurely voice came through the car radio. The little hackers, who had been watching the outside of the window with tension and anticipation, now felt as if they were going on a trip.

"Next, we will cross the hills and arrive at a wilderness. Let's cherish the little bit of green we can still see."

For the rest of the journey, we'll most likely only see dilapidated roads, endless yellow sand, and perhaps countless 'Ha Da Bo' (a type of sandstorm).

I'm curious what 'Ha Da Bo' means?
This is a word used by wanderers; it means 'sandstorm'.

I think many of you have never experienced a sandstorm, but don't worry, once you actually see one, you might not like it anymore.

Moreover, due to the legacy of war, when these sandstorms rage, radioactive materials attached to the ground and in the air also fly around with the sand.

So sometimes the network signal will become very poor, which means that the sandstorm comes from a radiation source. But don't worry about radiation, eating some sand won't hurt you.

Due to multiple wars and climate change, new American oases are becoming increasingly rare.

Especially the area near California, which is mostly desert.

If you're unlucky and don't know which path is the safest, you might even step on landmines planted during the unification wars.

But like I said, don't worry, I've been doing a lot of work on the server. I not only got the map, but I also connected to Vancouver's city network and searched for a lot of things.

Mercer spoke calmly and deliberately, like a radio host, and the young hackers finally stopped being nervous and started chattering amongst themselves.

But as they began to chat more casually, Mercer fell silent.

Lucy quietly looked out the window, and after a while, she secretly sent him a message using a messaging app.

[Lucy: Why did you do that?]

Mercer: What?

[Lucy: You're the one who's worked the hardest and is the most exhausted. We've done almost nothing, so why are you still going to bother taking care of our feelings?]

[Mercer: This is what a mature older brother should be like, you know?]

[Lucy: Actually, there's something I'm hiding from you, or rather, from everyone, Mercer. I... I'm not sure if taking me with you might cause me some other trouble.]

[Mercer: Is this a bigger problem than me killing the project director and dozens of security personnel and agents, and stealing Arasaka's top-secret Relic chip and the prototype prosthetic body from the lab?]

Lucy: That's still not as good.

[Mercury: In short, if you treat me like family, I'll treat you like family, it's that simple. But, buddy, I can be a little stingy sometimes, you know what I mean.]

[Lucy: Okay. I understand. I won't say anything about Sailor Moon Mewtwo anymore. I'm sorry.]

Mercer: Ha! You brat, don't let me catch you doing anything embarrassing.

[Lucy: XD~ But seriously, thank you, Mercer. Without you, I might really have died there.]

[Lucy: I'm terrified of dying, really terrified. Watching my companions die one by one in their chairs, I felt like I was going crazy.]

[Lucy: But I owe you a life, we all owe you a life, Mercer, I will repay you, I promise.]

Mercer: We don't talk about that among our own people. It's only outsiders who talk about owing each other a little.

If you really want to say this, wait until we part ways. When that time comes, and you need me to repay a favor, I won't be stingy; you won't be able to refuse.

[Lucy: Are we all one of your own?] [Mercer: It depends on whether you want to follow me or not.]

However, it's okay if we're not together, as long as you don't stab me in the back.

We'll find another opportunity to talk properly later. Right now, I need to focus on driving and also find the locations of our good friends whom we'll be meeting later.

[Lucy: Who?]

Mercer: You don't really think we can travel thousands of kilometers on foot with just a few supplies in our individual survival backpacks, do you?
They're definitely here to deliver vehicles and fuel supplies to us. While I was connected to the server, I checked the map and found a place where I could get vehicles and supplies. I'm currently trying to connect to the network to pinpoint their location.

As for who it is
I'll tell you later, but I can say in advance that it's going to be very exciting. You should take this opportunity to recall your shooting training sessions.

[Lucy: Okay, then I don't think I can help you with anything.]

Mercer: Children should act like children. I'm not in a hurry to use child labor here.

Lucy pursed her lips—"Aren't you only fourteen years old too? Or maybe you really are some kind of wandering AI or something. Even if you are a wandering AI, she still owes him a life."

When Lucy came to her senses, she realized that the car had fallen silent, and the three remaining people were staring at her.

"Finished chatting? What did you talk about?" Leon asked with a mischievous smile.

"It's nothing, just the plans for the future. Otherwise, I won't feel at ease," Lucy said without changing her expression.

Xingzi looked at her suspiciously and snorted, "I always felt like you and Moser had talked a lot behind my back. Aren't we best friends?"

"Of course. I just didn't want to disturb your relaxation." Lucy didn't understand why she instinctively lied.

After a moment of silence, she said softly, "I'll tell you when I have the chance later."

No one pressed for details; they simply fell silent, gazing out the window at the ever-flowing scenery, the drifting clouds, and the azure sky.

Everyone has secrets. Just like everyone can see that Mercer has been acting strangely ever since that accident, but no one dares to ask, or rather, no one wants to ask.

That's what trust is all about: believing in the unknown aspects of you rather than exploring everything about you.

"Night City hopes that the journey will be as smooth as it is today."

Lyon suddenly began to mutter to himself.

Tetsuya Daichi rolled his eyes: "Generally speaking, once someone says something like that, you can forget about having an easy journey."

"Exactly! Haven't you seen Sailor Moon? The yellow-haired Sailor Moon said something similar, and then she got captured by the villain," Kyoko reprimanded righteously.

Lyon raised his hands in surrender: "It's my fault, please forgive me."

Lucy didn't speak, but leaned against the window, gazing quietly in the direction that used to belong to the Arasaka base.

Looking in that direction, all she could see was the line connecting the ground and the sky; the place that symbolized her nightmares seemed to have vanished forever.

She slowly closed her eyes, and only peace remained in her heart.

Goodbye. No, never again!
You idiot Arasaka, go to hell!
"The design of Arasaka's floating car is truly brain-dead."

Mercer stared silently at the fuel gauge on the car.

It's only been four hours, and it was after a full tank of gas at the base. It's only covered less than 600 kilometers in total, and it's already almost out of gas.
"What use is this kind of vehicle other than driving around the city? I don't know why it's used for delivering goods, like an armed airship or something."

The only advantage was that it ignored the terrain and proceeded in a straight line, and soon it reached the drop-off point that Mercer had predicted.

Mercer didn't turn on GPS, which means he's been relying more on maps he downloaded online to navigate, and can only estimate his approximate location now.

Fortunately, he hadn't gone astray and had now reached his destination, a shady spot on a small hill. If you stood on the top of the hill and looked into the distance, you could see a somewhat dilapidated town not far away.

"Ready, we're getting off," he said via voice message inside the car.

(End of this chapter)