But looking at Mercer's incredibly youthful appearance, Hansen reluctantly nodded:
"Alright, I'll pay you a million Euros each quarter as a salary, but if your performance isn't good enough... our cooperation can end at any time.
If you want more money from me, you'll have to give me a compelling reason.
As for the expenses related to new equipment development and manufacturing in the factory, those must go through the process for approval before funds can be disbursed."
Mercer nodded, got up, and extended his hand: "Deal, Colonel Hanssen."
After Hansen stood up, he looked at Mercer for a moment, then extended his hand, gripping and shaking it firmly before letting go: "Currently, the network services in Dog Town are managed by the Voodoo Gang. If you're interested, I could have you and the Voodoo Gang co-manage this part of the work."
"Then you'll have to make the Voodoo Gang cough up the servers they've swallowed."
Mercer said bluntly: "If I don't have the servers under my control, I can only provide you with the ICE program and participate in network security defense as necessary. The maintenance fee is a million Euros per month, provided the updates are included."
Hansen's eyelid twitched slightly — how could this little bastard demand money so easily, and millions, no less? Did he think money grows on trees?
"The fee from the Voodoo Gang is only 300,000," Hansen said with a sullen face.
"That's why they're all useless. You can ask them whose authentication they're using when diving deep in Dog Town now?
The entire Taiping Prefecture's network is under my control. If I don't agree, no one can surf the web safely. I've already given a lot of face to the Netherworld Dog. When your people go online, I didn't even charge them for internet access."
Mercer's words made Hansen's teeth ache, but after a moment's thought, he decided: "500,000 Euros, but you must ensure that no one can break through your ICE online."
"Programs are static, people are dynamic. Thinking a single ICE can prevent issues is an amateur's mistake."
Mercer candidly said: "I can only assure you that your ICE reaches a top-tier level, and by top-tier, I mean that even if the Voodoo Gang from Taiping Prefecture used the Sea God Server to attack Dog Town's network, it could last for a while.
Whether it can hold depends on the technical proficiency of the person managing Dog Town's network."
According to Mercer's knowledge, Dog Town's public network service is currently managed by the Voodoo Gang. It is by providing a safe online environment for Dog Town that the Voodoo Gang charged the Netherworld Dog a large fee, which allowed them to set up their servers.
This server is not only used for the Voodoo Gang's own business but also functions to set up a network firewall for Dog Town, allowing its residents to surf the net safely.
If Mercer is to be responsible, he would need to use his server for this portion of security, and he's not interested in doing unpaid work for Dog Town's internet users.
After much contemplation, Hansen figured that it might be easier to just hand the job directly to Mercer. This way, they could save the money paid to the Dog Town Voodoo Gang.
"600,000 Euros per month, I'll give you double what the Voodoo Gang gets. Now, the public network of Dog Town is in your hands, and you also need to protect and upgrade the local area network of the Netherworld Dog whenever I need it."
Hansen spoke decisively.
Mercer naturally saw no reason to refuse — to be honest, it's practically money in the bag for him.
Even if Hansen didn't make the offer, Mercer would still ensure the network security of Dog Town. After officially taking over, Mercer could directly charge Dog Town users for internet access.
Previously, people had to pay the Voodoo Gang to access the internet in Dog Town; otherwise, they'd find ways to disrupt your connection or cause trouble. Now, Mercer could take over this part of the business without a hitch.
For Hansen, a stable network environment is one of the essential conditions for attracting people to Dog Town, and his people also need internet access, so this expense is unavoidable.
He couldn't possibly open up his internal server for everyone to use, could he? That would be the end of network security.
Hansen had no idea that his own servers had long been infiltrated by advanced hackers like Mercer and Lark.
Mercer thought it over, 600,000 it is. As for local network security upgrades, the ICE program provided to the 'Heavy Heart' bar by Hans will do. Earning for two with one program is pretty good.
As for upgrades and maintenance, that's not Mercer's job. After writing a BETA initial version, the subsequent updates and maintenance were actually done by Lucy, Qiwei, and Kyoko.
"If there are any other projects, feel free to contact us."
Mercer grinned, showing Hansen a smile: "You know, we're a pretty outstanding edgerunner team."
Hansen's smile was a bit stiff as he nodded: "Alright, it's settled then. I can transfer this month's payment to you right now.
But this month, you must get my factory's production line running, the two handguns, the submachine gun, and your drones — I want them all.
For the three firearms, I will pay 500,000 Euros, and as for drone production..."
Hansen pondered for a moment and said: "I will separately pay you a 500,000 Euro licensing fee, but you'll have to set up a drone production line for me."