2077: V really knows how awesome he is

He took office in 2065, and now it's 2077. In the 12 years since, while military technology has become somewhat weaker externally, internally, under his more lenient management, it has reunited as a cohesive unit. Even though its territory hasn't expanded much, its overall strength has increased significantly, even surpassing Miles in dominance. Arasaka was so tough and powerful, constantly waging war against everything, but what was the result? Arasaka is gone, bankrupt, and dead. Meanwhile, military technology continues to secure orders and make money, its life becoming more comfortable every day.

This result made Lucas Harford very proud. He knew he didn't have any great talent and that his success was entirely due to being born in a good era, but that didn't stop him from being very proud.

How did this great era come about?

The answer lies in V!

The emergence of V brought giant corporations to a halt in their reckless expansion, as V disrupted the original balance.

The giant corporations are not too far apart in strength, and eliminating one of them would require launching a fifth corporate war, a protracted tug-of-war. According to AI predictions, before this tug-of-war is resolved, the Earth's environment will be completely destroyed by various superweapons, so no giant corporation dares to act rashly.

But the appearance of V produced a different result.

According to AI analysis, V's personal combat power makes decapitation tactics possible. Even if he hides in the deepest and most heavily fortified fortress, V has a 23% chance of striking at the heart of the enemy and successfully killing the leader of any company.

Whether it's military technology, biotechnology, Kangtao, or any other company, it's fine!

V alone certainly couldn't do it, but if she received support from other companies, such as Comptau providing technology, equipment, and intelligence to arm V to the teeth, this world's strongest lone wolf would have a 23% chance of single-handedly storming through the Military Science Tower in Washington and severing Lucas Harford's head to use as a football.

A 23% chance isn't high, but nobody dares to gamble on it.

As the saying goes, a beggar's fear of death is merely a fear of pain, while a deity's fear of death is a true fear of death.

Moreover, this is under the condition that V has extensive nerve atrophy throughout her body. Once she fully recovers, the probability will not be 23%.

Therefore, there is an unspoken rule among major companies: it is acceptable to make empty promises about treatment, but if anyone actually dares to do so, other companies will definitely attack them en masse.

Fortunately, the company doesn't trust V, and V doesn't trust the company either, so Night City is handling the treatment on its own, and progress is slow.

V is someone who advocates for win-win cooperation. She lives her life within Night City, without showing any ambition or expansionism. At the same time, she knows the rules. She takes what she is entitled to and asks for what she is entitled to, but never oversteps her bounds in matters she shouldn't interfere with. As a result, major companies tacitly accept her existence, and some smaller companies simply follow V's lead. If she wants to cooperate, they actively engage in cooperation. Gradually, the world has formed its current new pattern.

V distributed some moderate technological benefits, and major companies changed their previous aggressive practices and followed suit. People gradually began to live like human beings, and the benefits radiated outward from Night City as the center.

This was certainly not because the company suddenly had a change of heart; they simply didn't want V to have any leverage over them.

Assessing V's personality traits and behavior is a task that many companies are undertaking. Studies have shown that if you don't provoke V, everything is fine, but once you do, V is very likely to kill a company leader or a god in a high tower for a few tens of thousands of dollars!

Only a fool would dare to slap a sleeping tiger.

Lucas Harford never imagined that Rosalind Miles would be such a fool.

Hearing V's words, he cursed that old hag in his heart again. Why did you have to provoke V for no reason? Now look what happened, I have to clean up your mess.

After careful consideration, Lucas Harford decided to cut to the chase and speak the truth.

“V, calm down. Miles did something wrong, but it involves a lot of military technology interests, so I really can’t give up easily. Here’s what we’ll do: give me some time, and I’ll call Miles right now and have her apologize to you in person. I’ll also give you some financial compensation. Don’t worry, it won’t be a small amount. Consider it a favor I owe you.”

“Harford, since you’ve been so frank, I won’t hold back either. What I’m saying is, Rosalind Miles must die! Not just for me, but this will also benefit your Military Technology. I know Miles just signed a big deal with you, and you’ve reconciled. You think Miles will protect Military Technology’s interests in the future, right? But look at what she’s done! She knows my relationship with Military Technology, she knows these military dependents are what I personally requested, yet she still dared to sabotage things. You think this is a slap in my face? Wrong, it’s a slap in Military Technology’s face. Do you know what will happen next? It’s simple. If I can’t get your Military Technology’s support today, I’ll go to Compton, I’ll go to Biotech. What do you think they’ll offer me? Their countless sums of dirty money, Night City’s crappy little technology, or maybe just a pistol and a plane to Washington?”

Lucas Harford broke out in a cold sweat.

He knows how awesome V is, V knows how awesome he is, and the whole world knows how awesome V is!

In just a moment, he made his decision.

Lucas Harford has always been committed to protecting the overall interests of military technology, both in the past and now.

"If military technology provides you with a gun, could you go to Shenyang?" he asked tentatively.

"Dream on. I'm looking for them to help me contain and counter your military technology. I'm looking for you to throw out a pawn, a Teamfight Tactics Legend and a Twisted Street Legend. How dare you ask for the same price?"

Hearing V's refusal, Lucas Harford was relieved.

If they can joke around, it means there's room for negotiation. Ask for the moon and then settle for less.

Lucas Harford continued, "Miles is the new President of the United States!"

"The president is nothing, just put another one in the top position."

"It's easy to say, but do you know how difficult it is to support a president to take office?"

"I don't know, but it only took my people a week to film a documentary about the presidential inauguration ceremony, including the round trip."

"You said it yourself, that's a documentary. The truth is, we not only need the support of both houses of parliament, but also the Pope's approval, coordinating relationships with various parties, completing all sorts of procedures, and only then can we finally obtain the presidential appointment document!"

"Troublesome?"

"Extremely troublesome!"

V thought for a moment and said, "Didn't you guys prepare a copy before? It's the one for the documentary I'm making."

Lucas Harford retorted angrily, "That's fake!"

"But everything about it is real except that it's fake. It has the support of both houses of parliament, the Pope's permission, the electronic stamp, and the digital signature."

Lucas Harford remained silent.

It seems...right.

"Whose name is on the document again?"

"Merides Stock".

The two fell silent again.

After a long pause, Lucas Harford finally sighed, "Fine, she's the one."

"I have no opinion."

“You must support Meredith Stock after he takes office.”

“She’s my friend, of course I support her.”

Lucas Harford was convinced of this.

V's personality model has already been created. She is incredibly kind to her friends, but conversely, she is ruthless towards her enemies.

So everyone wants to be friends with V, only that old hag Miles insists on going against V, damn stupid idiot!

Lucas Harford is, after all, a god atop the tower. He's certainly not happy about being pushed to this point by V. Since he doesn't dare vent his anger on V, he can only vent it on the new US president.

"Rosalind Miles is yours, but I won't be involved in military technology. After all, I still have to consider our past relationship, and I don't want things to get too ugly."

"Understood. Thanks, Harford. What do you need?"

"Forget it, military technology doesn't need your paltry sums. Consider this my apology on behalf of Miles."

"Sure, Harford, you're a good friend, I can't just leave empty-handed. Here's what I'll do, I'll send you a copy of the data on isomers."

As soon as he finished speaking, a new email appeared in Lucas Harford's personal inbox.

Upon opening it, I found it was indeed a complete set of technical documents for isomers.

"Holy crap, are you serious?" The CEO of the military technology company was stunned.

"if not."

"What I mean is, this is Night City's trump card, and you just give it to me like this?"

If there's any major corporation in Night City that would be interested in it, it's only something like the isomer.

The Heterogeneous Component combines the strengths of Compo, Arasaka, and Military Technology. Lucas Harford valued not the Heterogeneous Component itself, but rather the armor technology from Arasaka and the energy technology from Compo.

The CEO of the military technology company confirmed with V again, but V's reply was nonchalant: "That's right, I've given it to you. On one hand, controlling the heterogeneous requires powerful computing power from the pilot, and even if you build a second one, no one will use it. On the other hand, I am the trump card of our Night City."

Lucas Harford smiled helplessly, but also with a sense of relief.

Yes, V is Night City's trump card, not only because of her power, but also because of her courage and boldness!

"V, may the friendship between Night City and military technology last forever."

"Of course, Harford, military technology will always be Night City's closest partner."

The call between the two ended.

Looking at the technical data on the isomer, Lucas Harford was thrilled.

See, here are the benefits of being friends with V!

Considering that he was also friends with Miles, Lucas Harford hesitated for a moment, but eventually dialed the number.

"Harford, what's up? I'm in a meeting."

Lucas Harford snapped, "Stop fucking having this meeting! V's going to kill you. Run! Run as far away as you can, to the moon, to Mars!"

Miles was taken aback: "What did you say! Why, V?"

"What else could it be? Because you masturbated before!"

"Damn, a bunch of civilians, they died and that's it. It was just a harmless little joke. Did she really have to make such a fuss!"

Unfortunately, V didn't find it funny at all.

"Damn it, V is a lunatic!"

Lucas Harford thought to himself, "You're the one who's crazy. Now you're scared? Why did you provoke V in the first place?"

"Harford, you have to help me! You absolutely must help me with military technology!"

“No, Miles, V has already spoken to me, and we’ve reached an agreement.”

Miles froze for a few seconds, then angrily cursed, "You son of a bitch, you fucking betrayed me!"

"Yes, I betrayed you, just like you betrayed your men. Miles, if I'm a son of a bitch, what about you?"

“No, no, no, Harford, I apologize for what I just said. I acted impulsively. I understand you. I am still useful to you in military technology. I can give you many orders, using the money of the new America. If the national treasury is not enough, I will raise taxes. I can start a war against Canada and buy lots and lots of military technology weapons. I…”

Before he could finish speaking, Lucas Harford hung up the phone.

"Hold!!!"

Miles was furious and swept everything off his desk onto the floor!

Everyone in the meeting room stared at her in surprise, wondering how something so simple could have turned out like this.

"Get out, all of you! Get out of here!"

No one dared to disobey, so they grabbed their belongings and quickly fled the meeting room.

In the conference room where he was all alone, Miles was breathing heavily, his heart pounding.

She didn't want to die, she really didn't want to die!

The sunlight shone on her face, jolting her awake. She quickly went forward and drew all the curtains in the conference room, curling up in the corner furthest from the window, where she could only find a tiny bit of security by pressing herself against the wall.

"I can't die! I have to protect myself! I have to get the results of the Little Big Dipper Project, I have to!" Miles, like a mother wolf driven to the brink of despair, dug her nails into her flesh and said viciously, "V, you forced me to do this!"

Meanwhile, V also called his men.

Looking at Meredith Stock, V decided to keep the good news of her impending presidency a secret for now and give her a surprise.

Once everyone had arrived, V shared his plans.

"I'm going to kill Rosalind Miles."

"Okay, no problem." No one tried to sabotage them, after all, everyone present was a corporate dog, and they were all bad guys.

"What about military technology?"

"It's settled. They've given up on Miles, but to save face, they won't make a move."

“That will be a bit difficult.” Xu Ling rested her chin on her hands. “Miles has been holed up in Washington, so it’s not easy for us to make a move unless you go there alone.”

V shook his head: "The commotion is too great, and there are also intelligence problems. Without the assistance of military technology, it will be difficult for us to pinpoint Miles' exact location."

"So what are you going to do?"

“It’s simple. Lure Miles from Washington to Night City. Didn’t she say there are terrorists in Night City? Well, we’d better believe there are. Once her Space One is over Night City, we’ll do the same and take it out.” V sneered, “She loves masturbating, I love masturbating, everyone fucking loves masturbating!”

No one objected to the plan to shoot down the plane.

After all, she's just a new US president, and certainly not as sturdy as Arasaka's Shokaku aircraft carrier. Two missiles would be enough to vaporize her.

"How do you plan to lure Miles here?" The future new US President Meredith Stock frowned. "I reckon my boss has already told Miles that you're going to kill her. She's trying to avoid you right now, so why would she come to Night City?"

V said confidently, "Of course, it's because Night City has what she's been longing for."

"You mean... the Beidou project under Taiping Prefecture?"

"Yes."

"It's a good bait, but how are you going to get it to Miles?"

“Remember the nightingale Song Zhaomei?” V tapped his neural slot: “I left a backdoor in her.”

Chapter 65 Once the deal is done, it's done.