February 1, 2072, clear.
Ghost Town remains dead silent—a piece of good news for Mercer and his crew lurking there.
Early morning, except for Lucy who was catching up on sleep after a night shift on the second floor, the others were up and ready to meet Scott, an agent from Military Science, for a negotiation.
Mercer thought long and hard about the meeting location and finally decided on a spot above an Evil Land Plain near Stone Ridge Mountain.
Negotiating in such a relatively flat area where they could occupy a vantage point in advance could effectively prevent Stout from playing tricks—only those who have ambushed others know how painful it is to be ambushed.
Mercer didn't want to be tricked by Stout. With Military Science's capabilities, if they really intended to catch him off guard, he couldn't escape a magnetically launched sniper tungsten carbide bullet fired from a kilometer away.
After acquiring Diana, Mercer didn't delay. Regardless of the time, he immediately informed Stout to prepare for the transaction.
After telling her the approximate time, Mercer personally surveyed the negotiation site the next morning. Finally, he arranged for Pira to be stationed at a mountain top in Stone Ridge Mountain, using a sniper rifle to ensure safety.
Lucy and Qiwei, with a miniature missile launcher seized from a mercenary team called K, were on standby several kilometers away with another vehicle.
If danger arose, they could use this device for remote fire support to create opportunities for Mercer's group.
Mercer, with V, Rebecca, Mann, and Dolio, would negotiate face-to-face with Stout.
Once Mercer handed over the negotiation location to Stout, the agent eagerly agreed. Both Military Science and Arasaka's branches in Night City were caught in big trouble.
Military Science not only failed to protect the transported equipment but also failed to safeguard the project leader, Diana Kuno.
Arasaka, on the other hand, found it even more absurd—they hired mercenaries through intermediaries to sabotage Military Science and Biotech's cooperation, but while the other party ended up unlucky, they also suffered substantial losses.
Once the exoskeleton leaks into the market or to other companies, it means the exposure of the most important gravity device and the entire equipment design concept of the Artificial Vajra project to competitors.
Now, the mercenaries have vanished, and the middleman Faraday fled overnight. Arasaka's higher-ups are furious, conducting internal investigations on the project leader who approved the combat test.
In short, for both Military Science and Arasaka, anyone who could salvage the losses and change the current situation would undoubtedly be credited as a corporate hero, with promotions and raises within reach.
The key to salvaging the losses relied on the Diana and exoskeleton armor in Mercer's hands.
This is why Mercer was so cautious, and Stout was so eager.
It only took about an hour for Military Science's armored vehicles and hovercar convoy to speed across the wilderness.
Stout brought an entire combat team, but when the two sides met, the atmosphere wasn't overtly tense.
She jumped out of the hovercar, took a glance at the several mercenaries standing by the bulletproof van in various attires, then focused her gaze on the mask-wearing Mercer.
"Where's the person and the item?"
Stout, in a black suit, her short hair slicked back, appeared somewhat impatient and eager.
"In the van." Mercer got straight to the point, nodding towards V, who walked over to the van and opened the door.
Inside, Diana Kuno, with her hands and feet bound, was still in a coma, while a black exoskeleton armor 'sat' against the interior, its surface emanating a cold metallic glow.
Stout didn't waste words either, "Give me Diana for half an hour. Also, I brought a tech expert to check your exoskeleton. If everything's fine..."
She gestured, and an agent dressed in standard 'American soldier' attire—military green vest, camouflage pants, crew cut, and large sunglasses—stepped forward with a large chip.
"Here are five million euros, in an anonymous account, transferable without a password."
She displayed the roughly twenty-centimeter chip and then nodded slightly at Mercer.
Mercer, too, got straight to business, nodded at V, who then lifted Diana out with one hand.
Meanwhile, Mann and Dolio, standing beside Mercer, solidly built and towering over the Military Science agent, stepped aside to clear the path to the van.
A middle-aged white-haired man, slightly bald, with rimless glasses and a suit, casually walked over, his expression somewhat excited as he approached the exoskeleton to start inspecting it.
The man's prosthetic eye sparkled, and various instruments extended from his hands as he connected a small computer to the helmet's data cable, fully engrossed in exploring the exoskeleton.
V casually tossed Diana, and the agent beside Stout deftly caught her with one hand.
Mercer immediately shut down the program in Diana's brain, and suddenly, she awoke as if from a nightmare. With a start, she opened her eyes, "Military Science... Military Science? Quick! That guy is right here! You need to help me...
Before she finished, she turned her head and saw the negotiation setup between both sides. Turning again, she looked around the desolate surroundings, her heart pounded, and her face turned ashen with shock, mouth agape.