The Giant Corporations that Started in Night City

Chapter 56: Division

In the boundless expanse of cyberspace, wandering AIs occasionally emerge, but they're generally not highly aggressive and pose little lethal threat to hackers.

Unless a hacker ventures near the edge of the Blackwall, they're unlikely to encounter a highly dangerous rogue AI. Even in cases of sheer bad luck, quick reflexes usually allow hackers to escape unscathed.

But Alt Cunningham had already lost her connection to the outside world. Her consciousness data was trapped in Arasaka's Mikoshi servers. Without external electronic devices, she had no way to escape!

Just as Alt was preparing to accept her fate in despair, she heard the voice of the unknown AI: "Alt Cunningham, I am Li Ang."

"What… what!"

Alt focused her gaze and saw the blurry data form before her begin to materialize into a clear human face. The AI Red Queen's appearance now resembled Li Ang's face.

"You're an AI from LA Company?"

Alt was astonished. She was well aware of Li Ang's infamous reputation as the weapons king of Little Chinatown and had seen reports about him on television.

Li Ang's face was familiar to her, but she had never imagined that an AI from LA Company could break through layers of obstacles and infiltrate Arasaka's servers!

Beyond the rogue AI forces outside the Blackwall, only NetWatch operatives could possess such formidable networking capabilities.

However, what truly shocked Alt was what came next. When Li Ang, speaking through the AI Red Queen, revealed his entire plan, Alt was left completely bewildered.

Li Ang intended to have the AI divide Alt's consciousness into multiple data packets, label them accordingly, and transmit them to a different cyberspace location for reassembly. This novel rescue method left Alt in disbelief.

She knew that such a process was extraordinarily challenging to execute!

If even one of her consciousness data packets went missing or was devoured by a rogue AI, the consequences would be catastrophic.

Yet, Alt found herself with no reason to refuse. After all, this plan at least offered a glimmer of hope—better than being permanently trapped in Arasaka's Mikoshi servers.

"Are you sure this AI won't malfunction? Are you certain it won't just devour me?" Alt asked uneasily.

The earlier scene of the AI Red Queen instantly obliterating the Soulkiller was still vivid in her mind, fueling her apprehension toward the unknown AI.

"No, it only follows my commands. You'll be safe soon."

Without waiting for Alt's consent, Li Ang immediately commanded the AI Red Queen to split Alt's consciousness into five data packets and transmit them to specific cyberspace coordinates.

When Li Ang shifted his attention back to the real world, he suddenly noticed Rosalind Myers breaking down in tears, her hands covering her face as she sobbed in anguish.

"What happened?"

Just as Li Ang was about to ask Lucy and the others what had occurred, he caught sight of the television broadcasting a shocking global headline:

#N54 News: Multiple high-ranking executives of Militech have suddenly perished! Confirmed cases of consciousness annihilation and brain death include Militech CEO Donald Lundy…#

#Rumor Watch: Arasaka's latest research breakthrough, the AI Soulkiller, is wreaking havoc, destabilizing Militech's leadership. The corporate war is nearing its end!#

#WNS News: President Elizabeth Kress of the New United States has reportedly been attacked by the Soulkiller. Her vital signs are currently unknown. An emergency congressional meeting has been convened.#

#Business Insider: Militech's stock is plummeting dramatically. This company is doomed! My advice: sell as fast as you can. Dump everything!#

#…#

"Damn it! Damn Arasaka!"

Rosalind Myers glared at the television screen with red, tear-filled eyes. Her expression was a mix of boundless anger and fear for the uncertain future.

With Donald Lundy dead, Myers was poised to become Militech's new CEO. But if Elizabeth Kress died as well, who would step forward to lead?

Clenching her fists tightly, Myers vowed that if Kress truly succumbed to Arasaka's AI weapon, she would dedicate her life to waging war against Arasaka—to the death if necessary!

Just half an hour ago, Militech and the NUSA had been experiencing minor disturbances, nothing that seemed life-threatening.

But who could have foreseen that in such a short span of time, Arasaka's AI weapon would unleash devastating attacks on Militech and the NUSA? They hadn't even had a chance to fight back!

"Li Ang, we're finished."

Myers turned to Li Ang. Though she still harbored mistrust toward him, she needed to use the cold, harsh truth to make him see reason and urge LA Company to ally with Militech.

"Saburo Arasaka now controls the AI Soulkiller. You, me, and every other corporate executive will be eliminated by Arasaka one by one. No one can escape death!"

"I'm willing to offer you 40% of Militech's shares, but you must fully support Militech and the NUSA. Together, we need to develop AI weapons to counter Saburo Arasaka."

Seizing the moment, Myers proposed an alliance to Li Ang.

But Li Ang's response was still a shake of his head. He had made up his mind to capitalize on the situation and take over Militech.

"No, given the mess Militech is in, I'll need 55% of the shares to even consider working with you."

Li Ang then added coldly, "Ms. Myers, you should be grateful I invited you to LA Company. Otherwise, you might have shared Donald's fate."

"Oh, and you expect me to thank you?" Myers scoffed sarcastically.

Li Ang ignored her retort and handed her an electronic tablet containing the latest AI intrusion log report.

"Fifteen minutes ago, LA Company's headquarters was infiltrated by Arasaka's AI Soulkiller. But our AI firewall devoured it, which is why we're still standing here unharmed."

Li Ang's words left the members of Maine's crew and Myers visibly stunned. None of them had realized just how close they had come to death.

At this moment, Myers felt deeply conflicted. The advanced technology LA Company had inadvertently revealed seemed even more formidable than Arasaka's Soulkiller.

Taking a deep breath, she recalled Elizabeth Kress's advice about flexibility and pragmatism. Ultimately, Myers chose to accept reality and agreed to Li Ang's terms.

"Fine! Mr. Li Ang, as the holder of 55% of Militech's shares, you will join Militech as a major shareholder. Welcome to the team!"

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