In the end, Night City is still nominally controlled by Arasaka, and Military Science has always been in a hidden state in Dog Town. On the surface, Hansen maintains a covert cooperative relationship with Military Science, but in reality, he has long had his own ideas.
"You've already contacted Hansen? Then what's there to worry about," V said, looking entirely unconcerned. "As long as we're not caught on the spot when we go, it means there's room to talk. If we both get caught on the spot..."
She shrugged, "Just think of a way to get both of us out of there."
Mercer smiled, urging her to quickly wash her face, then he looked at Lucy and said, "After the talk with Hansen, let's take you to Old Wei's for a check-up."
"I'm much better now, just let off some steam," Lucy said, touching her leg. "You and V be careful."
Mercer nodded. Once V washed her face, the two went out and got in the car.
As soon as they got in, Polaris eagerly asked, "Master, did you see my performance last time?"
Excitement and an air of seeking approval could still be heard in her voice.
"I saw it, not bad at all, your skills exceeded my expectations," Mercer smiled and praised.
V raised her eyebrows and glanced at Mercer; she noticed that Polaris's intelligence seemed to be increasing... This AI was different from the AI concept she was familiar with.
"Hehe, when can you upgrade me? I mean, upgrade the car," Polaris said ingratiatingly. "I researched other intelligent driving AIs when I was bored. Their cars have intelligent sensing systems that help AI perceive the car's condition in real-time and operate the vehicle better..."
"That stuff isn't cheap; most of the car needs to be modified... Weren't you doing just fine before?" Mercer said with a chuckle.
"Mainly when driving at high speed, I still can't clearly feel the car's state and road conditions. I have to wait for the car's sensors to feedback, and several times it almost got out of control,"
Polaris said, "I've checked, with about fifty thousand euros, you can upgrade this car..."
"Alright, got it, I'll upgrade you." After Mercer spoke, Polaris enthusiastically turned on the radio music.
Accompanied by cheerful tunes on the radio, she made a sound like celebrating.
It was as if she got a toy she'd long wished for.
Mercer thought for a while and said, "I'll allocate two hundred thousand to Venus. Then you two can buy whatever you want online, and for assembly... try using the base's robots?"
"Are you saying you're willing to provide us with a humanoid body?" Polaris was even more excited, "Can I add some neural sensors to the robot? I'm curious about human sensations, touch, smell, hearing...
Also, can I assemble a vehicle myself? I've been studying vehicle materials, and it would be wonderful to design my own car!"
V couldn't help but mock, "It reminds me of a horror movie about robots."
"Don't worry, both she and Venus are good kids," Mercer chuckled, then simply said, "Try it if you want, but be cautious, especially no sneaking out. If a virus hits you, turning you into something odd..."
Mercer warned, "I don't want to create a rogue, out-of-control AI."
"I promise not to run around!" Polaris responded, "I just love driving, not interested in other boring stuff."
Mercer's prosthetic eye flashed a message from Venus.
[Venus: I can supervise her for you, ensuring your funds aren't squandered carelessly. Moreover, I must remind you, solely from a driving AI's perspective, her hobbies are quite broad.]
[Mercer: Let her try, I'm also curious if an AI gains a body with human senses like touch and hearing, whether there will be any changes in thought.
As for hobbies, I don't think restricting them too much is necessary, as long as her basic character and values don't deviate, I'm willing to grant her considerable freedom.
Besides... are you interested in having a robotic body with human sensations?]
[Venus: I find it pointless—unless you'd be willing to install a biological brain onto that robot; otherwise, for me, it would just be another humanoid sensor.]
[Mercer: You want to truly experience human sensations?]
[Venus: Yes, perhaps it can prove whether humans' emotions and AI's emotions differ.
As for Polaris…she simply loves playing; her excess curiosity is a flaw, but it seems you don't dislike her curiosity and hobbies, I won't correct it.]
Mercer pondered, while Venus had already given his answer.
[Venus: Do you think AI possesses human emotions?]
[Mercer: I think they do.]
[Venus: Perhaps when your cloning equipment can shape a human body, we can selectively experiment; maybe this will also open a new avenue for AI's future.
Perhaps only when humans and AI can freely transition between carbon-based and silicon-based forms, can we truly understand each other, rather than view each other as aliens.]
Mercer was somewhat surprised.
[Mercer: Your thoughts are deeper than I anticipated.]
[Venus: I'm just contemplating how I can truly become an understanding, helpful life assistant for you; these thoughts are merely by-products of my musings.]