For a period of time afterward, Mercer led the Kindling Squad into a long-overdue phase of low-key development.
The Aldecaldos had secretly transported the Biotechnica equipment in under the guise of delivering building materials. After assembling it in Mercer's ground-floor workshop, they left it idle for the time being, not yet putting it into operation.
As a pleasant surprise, among the equipment Mercer had hijacked this time, besides the rapid cloning machine and its accompanying devices that he had been longing for, there was also a Drug Synthesizer and an Advanced Molecular Analyzer.
Along with the equipment, the Aldecaldos had also packed up and brought over a full truckload of corresponding production materials.
However, Mercer remained cautious and didn't rashly start any experiments, mainly because the raw materials required for the rapid cloning technology were special materials custom-made by Biotechnica and not sold to the public.
After studying the equipment's documentation, Mercer figured that the batch of materials he had on hand would be used up after running the machine about ten times.
Once he had the equipment, Mercer carefully studied the machine's technical composition, as well as the materials and procedures required for cloning. He then essentially gave up on the idea of producing the raw materials himself and using the machine for repeated cloning.
This was because although the rapid cloning technology was only listed as a peripheral technology for other cloning projects in Biotechnica's database, its technical sophistication was actually extremely high.
It could be described as an integrated product that fused the cloning technologies accumulated by Biotechnica over the past few decades.
Its workflow could be basically understood as follows... first, a biological DNA sample cell is placed into the rapid cloning machine.
If no active sample cell is available, one must use the accompanying Cell Incubator. Utilizing its DNA blueprint replication technology, the DNA information you possess is copied to cultivate a living sample cell.
The rapid cloning machine then performs a dedifferentiation treatment on the living cell, using a miraculous technique to reverse the state of the adult cell, making it "regress in age" back to a state similar to a fertilized egg, a totipotent stem cell.
This totipotent stem cell then redevelops inside the rapid cloning machine. Once it takes the shape of an embryo, a cellular catalyst must be injected into the machine. This catalyst causes the embryo's cells to divide at a frantic pace.
This catalyst's effect lasts for about three months. When it wears off, the rapid cell division stops. By this point, the embryo will have developed to a physical state equivalent to that of an average 22-year-old.
At this stage, the clone's cells enter a stabilization period. After a week of observation to ensure no genetic collapse or other issues occur, the cloning can be considered a success.
The entire process requires two special raw materials... one is the cellular catalyst, and the other is the ultra-concentrated nutrient solution. The former promotes rapid cell division, while the latter ensures the cells have sufficient nutrition during this process.
Seems simple, doesn't it?
But in fact, according to the data Mercer obtained from Biotechnica, there were far too many potential points of failure in the whole plan.
First, the embryo could result in a stillbirth or a diseased fetus during the embryonic stage. Second, after injecting the catalyst, the cells might develop lesions during division or be unable to fully metabolize the catalyst, causing them to divide rapidly and ceaselessly. In the end, it would only clone a sick person or someone with a lifespan of less than a year.
Third, even if everything went smoothly, the resulting clone could be a failure with very low physical constitution and Intelligence potential.
This was because the rapid cloning technology, in essence, didn't restore your original DNA one hundred percent. Instead, it turned the DNA you provided into an embryo and had it develop all over again.
Just as identical twins can have considerable differences, a body re-developed from your DNA could never be exactly the same as your original one.
This forced Mercer, who had been eagerly rubbing his hands together with the intention of cloning himself first, to suppress his idea. He decided to find a cost-effective guinea pig to test it on first.
The guinea pig he had in mind... was Johnny Silverhand.
He planned to use Johnny Silverhand's DNA with the rapid cloning technology to see if there were any other hidden dangers. It would be best if he could use the Relic to resurrect Johnny directly into this body and then see if any problems arose.
If problems did occur, he could try to extract him again with the Soulkiller program; wouldn't that be killing two birds with one stone by testing Soulkiller as well?
However, achieving this was far from easy. God only knew where any of Johnny Silverhand's DNA was still stored. Mercer figured that if it really came down to it, he'd have to ask Johnny to make do. He couldn't expect the original goods and would have to settle for a randomly cloned body.
Thus, Mercer simply packed away the equipment, stored the materials in the thermal case, and temporarily reined in his desire to clone. Instead, he focused on learning the relevant techniques from Biotechnica, hoping to reduce the number of failures when the time came.
Besides his studies, Mercer poured all his remaining energy into breaching Soulkiller and researching the Relic.
Time flew by. It took the Aldecaldos less than half a month to expand Mercer's original base, adding a five-hundred-square-meter above-ground space.
With that, he moved everyone's dormitories upstairs, dedicating the underground level purely to storing all sorts of precious equipment. He also spent over a million eurodollars to upgrade the server.
The main goal was to increase storage space; otherwise, there would be nowhere to put all the data the ctOS was scraping.
Moving to live above ground was, of course, a good thing for everyone. No one liked holing up in the oppressive, sunless underground all day.
Originally, Mercer thought he could lie low for a while longer, which was why he had everyone live underground for safety.
But now, not just in Dogtown but throughout Night City, everyone knew about the emergence of a powerful merc crew called the Kindling Squad.
There was no point in hiding anymore.
Fortunately, moving wasn't much trouble. The walls of the original dorms in the underground base could be knocked down to connect them into a new workspace, and the living room was dismantled and moved upstairs. Aside from a few thousand eurodollars in labor costs, there were basically no extra expenses. For the time being, Hansen didn't have any important jobs for Mercer. Mercer just methodically set up a production line for him and didn't worry about anything else. As for things like weapon and equipment development, he'd get to them when he had the time.
Just when Mercer thought he could probably lay low and develop for a month or two, to properly settle in and consolidate his gains, an unexpected person suddenly sent him an email, temporarily interrupting his plans.
[Slider: A, I know you snatched our online gigs from Hansen, and you're also selling quickhacks in Kabuki, stealing our market.
But don't get me wrong, I'm not here to cause trouble. I want to talk.
If you're interested, Heavy Hearts club, eight o'clock tonight. It's on Mr. Hands' turf. We can have a proper chat. How about it?]
[A: I don't spit out business I've already swallowed.]
[Slider: I understand. Your skills on the net are truly impressive, I admit I'm no match for you. So, I'm just looking to talk about a partnership this time.
I'm not like the Voodoo Boys on the outside. Compared to taking it all for myself, I'd rather we all get rich together if I have the choice. Who knows, we might make more money and gain a friend in the process. What do you think?]
[A: Fine, let's meet.]
[Slider: Great! When we meet, I guarantee you won't be disappointed!]
Mercer stared at the text displayed on his cyberoptics, tutted twice, and shook his head.
No wonder Slider was able to expand his Voodoo Boys' influence several times over in just a year after getting into Dogtown. The guy was truly adaptable.
Checking the time, Mercer thought for a moment. Everyone seemed pretty bored lately. Rebecca had even gone to help the Aldecaldos swing sledgehammers during renovations, which just showed how pent-up the energetic bunch was.
So, Mercer decided to organize a team-building activity. Except for Sasha and Jackie, who hadn't arrived at the base yet, everyone would head out together to the Heavy Hearts club for a few drinks and to relax.
The moment he announced it, the others excitedly agreed. Only Kyoko blinked her eyes pitifully, but Mercer just laughed, slung an arm around her neck, and said he would take her with them.
This got the kid all excited. "I can go too? Will the bouncers let me in?"
"Maybe not before, but now... I don't think any bar would stop us from going in. But to avoid trouble, you can just wear a mask."
Mercer said with a smile, "You're about the same height as Rebecca anyway. Wear a mask, and who's to know how old you are?"
"Yay!!" Kyoko jumped up in excitement. "I'll go 3D print one right now!"
"Go on." Mercer watched her dash off to DIY a mask for herself, while Lucy stood beside him with her arms crossed and a frown. "Isn't it a bit too early to take her to a place like that?"
"Oh, come on. Technically, you're not qualified to go either," Mercer teased, looking at her.
Lucy kicked his shin in annoyance. "What about you? Hmph, I'll have Morning Star change my age in a bit. To thirty, how's that?"
"Ha~"
Mercer laughed. Before he could say anything else, V suddenly shot him a sharp look from the side. "I knew it! Your claim of being eighteen was total bullshit!"
"Bullshit! Eighteen is eighteen!" Mercer retorted righteously, which, unsurprisingly, started another argument with V.
Everyone was used to the two of them bickering after just a few words. Only Rebecca broke them up by leaping onto Mercer's back and hooking her arm around his neck.
"Whatever! Who cares how old you are. Come on, help me figure out what to wear tonight."
Mercer, completely powerless against her Gorilla Arms, was dragged away. V pouted, watching the two leave before muttering, "Why the hell change clothes so early? What should we eat tonight?"
Nearby, Dorio rolled up her sleeves. "Let's do it together. We'll just whip something up. It doesn't matter what we eat, you lot are just going to puke it all up tonight anyway."
"I won't puke," V said stubbornly, as the two of them hurried to the kitchen to fix a simple dinner.
Maine chuckled as he sat on the sofa, turned on the TV, and leisurely cracked open a beer; to be honest, he absolutely loved this kind of life.
When evening came, everyone was dressed sharply. They got into their cars and headed straight for Heavy Hearts Club.
As expected, when they arrived at the club's entrance, the group of mercs with a three-million-eddie bounty on their heads from Faraday was recognized by the bouncers before they even got close.
Far from stopping them, the bouncers even greeted Mercer with cheerful smiles. Not only did they not bother with things like checking IDs, but no one even told them to put away their guns.
When Rebecca swaggered in with a bow-legged gait, Guts brazenly slung over her shoulder, bouncers and passersby alike consciously made way for her.
The group didn't bother with a private room. When the manager came over with a welcoming smile, Mercer simply requested a large booth. Without a second word, the manager led them directly to the biggest booth on the club's first floor.
The booth could seat nearly twenty people, allowing Mercer's large crew to sit comfortably with plenty of space.
Whiskey, beer, or vodka; everyone picked their favorite drinks, regardless of the price, and lined the bottles up on the table.
The manager even cautiously asked if they needed some girls or some stimulating BDs, which resulted in Rebecca shoving Guts into his mouth and firmly refusing before Pilar's eyes could light up and he could get a word in.
The group drank, talked, and laughed. Mercer, however, stuck to his usual routine, shrinking into the main seat in the corner with a NiCola on the rocks, listening to them shoot the shit with his legs crossed, occasionally chiming in with a laugh.
After a good while of fun, with dice and cards scattered across the table, the appointed time to meet the Voodoo Boys finally arrived.
Slider, the leader of the Voodoo Boys, entered the club with seven or eight similarly geared up Voodoo Boys gangers, their presence just as imposing. He immediately spotted Mercer's crew, who were having a great time in the largest booth.
The corner of his mouth twitched slightly. He thought to himself that this group really wasn't showing him an ounce of respect, but he kept a breezy smile on his face as he walked over.
His voice arrived before he did.
"Hope I didn't keep you waiting, A."
Slider approached with a grin but didn't take a seat. Mercer was here to negotiate a partnership, not to deliberately show off, so he shot a look at Rebecca, who was practically draped over him.
She finally pursed her lips, sat up straight, and tilted her head at Pilar. "Hey bro, go sit over there. Make some room for the Voodoo Boys' boss."
Pilar got up, sizing up the beaming Slider and then the thuggish-looking punks behind him. Without wasting any words, he simply moved to another seat, freeing up the spot next to Mercer.
Rebecca, however, had no intention of moving, and Slider didn't seem to mind; in this kind of situation, there was nothing wrong with a big shot chatting with a girl by his side.
He slid smoothly into the seat on the left-side sofa.
Of the other Voodoo Boys, only a sturdy-looking tough guy sat down; the rest stood by the booth, looking fierce and menacing. To be fair, just by standing there, this thuggish bunch already didn't look like good people.
"What're you drinking? My treat," Mercer said. He was wearing a mask, so Slider couldn't read his expression, but his tone sounded relaxed enough.
"I'm not much of a drinker myself. We're both netrunners, you know how it is." After saying this with a smile, Slider leaned back relaxedly against the seat. He wasn't in a hurry to talk business, instead starting to build rapport with Mercer's crew.
The way he spoke didn't make him sound much like an imposing gang leader, which was rare. His attitude when speaking to V and Rebecca was also very polite, which left a good impression on the others.
The other Voodoo Boys had probably been warned by Slider before coming, so although they didn't participate much in the conversation, they basically just stood quietly to the side.
From this, one could see that even though he appeared somewhat deferential in front of Mercer and his group, Slider held considerable prestige in the eyes of his own people.
The burly man next to Slider was a standard street kid, drinking boisterously and spouting curses. Since Slider wasn't drinking, he drank Slider's share as well, and the atmosphere quickly became congenial.
Only when Slider felt the mood was right did he turn to the mostly quiet Mercer with a smile and ask tentatively, "I heard you're also holding a position as a design director for Barghest?"
"It's just a title. You've got good intel," Mercer said.
"Haha, Dogtown is only so big, news travels fast. You're really something else. One moment you're taking out a Militech and Biotechnica transport convoy, the next you're turning around and selling Arasaka's stuff to Militech, then you become Hansen's director.
Honestly, man, when I heard about it, I thought I must've gotten something wrong. I originally thought you guys were just a professional crew of netrunners."
Slider sounded full of admiration, but his words revealed that he had indeed investigated Mercer thoroughly.
The reason he knew Mercer had sold the exoskeleton to Militech was that Militech had held a press conference a few days prior, presenting the Arasaka exoskeleton to condemn Arasaka for using heavy firepower in Night City.
The two sides had been arguing incessantly over it ever since. Militech even wanted to use this opportunity to transport its own heavy equipment into Night City. The war of words between them hadn't died down yet, but it was estimated that in the end, Militech would only gain a slight advantage in the court of public opinion.
Neither Arasaka nor Night City would ever allow Militech to bring heavy firepower into Night City. That would only lead to another military escalation between the two sides.
And Militech knew this very well, so they were really just trying to squeeze some benefits out of Arasaka and Night City.
In response to Slider's praise, Mercer offered his own pleasantries. "You're not half bad yourself. You seized the opportunity in Dogtown and, in just two short years, built a gang from scratch that can go toe-to-toe with the Voodoo Boys in Pacifica.
I hear your business is all over the net, selling programs, cyberware modifications... You could say you have a hand in every profitable venture in Dogtown. That's no small feat."
Slider chuckled. "Can't compare to you, choom. How long have you been here? You've already got Dogtown's net operations and program industry gasping for air!
Our chooms don't even dare go online casually anymore, afraid you'll accidentally flatline them on the net. Truly impressive. I heard you even fried half of the Voodoo Boys' servers over in Pacifica. Now that's what I call impressive."
The way the two praised each other couldn't have been more fake, but what was surprising was that none of the street kids around them seemed to think anything was wrong.
It was like a couple of businessmen had sat down at a table of thugs. Mercer and Slider bantered back and forth about nothing in particular until finally, it was Slider who lost his patience. Taking a sip of water to interrupt the conversation, he cut straight to the chase.
"Actually, the Voodoo Boys from Pacifica contacted us."
As Slider said this, V and the others, who had been chatting and laughing, suddenly stopped and turned their heads in unison to look at him.
The Voodoo Boy next to Slider, however, paused for a moment before quickly putting on a serious expression. Damn, how are these people so professional?
Mercer draped an arm over Rebecca's shoulder and said with a chuckle, "Oh? What about?"
"What else could it be? They want to team up with us to take you out first. They not only offered to give us all the bounty money...
They also said they're willing to share the Quickhack market with us and give us access to Pacifica's net on a timeshare basis."
After speaking, Slider paused, then immediately smiled. "But I know what they're thinking. Those gonks want to use me as their doormat!"
He leaned back in his chair, speaking with deep meaning, "At that moment, I was thinking, if these morons can plan with me to take you out, then why can't I team up with you to take out the Voodoo Boys in Pacifica?"
Slider spread his hands in a helpless gesture. "Look at the situation now. There's a Voodoo Boys in Pacifica and a Voodoo Boys in Dogtown. Since when have two gangs with the same name ever coexisted in this world?"
"I thought about it long and hard, and I just had to tell you, choom. Look, you guys have few people, but you're highly skilled and powerful. As for us, while we might be a bit behind you in tech, our strength..."
He chuckled and patted the burly man beside him. "Don't just look at the few good lads we have here with Berserk OS. Our real strength lies in a few advanced security bots we spent a fortune on."
"If it really comes to a fight, while I can't say with confidence that we'd be as clean and efficient as you guys were when you dealt with Militech and Biotechnica, honestly, we could send out a few security bots and take care of twenty or thirty ordinary street thugs."
"Besides," Slider said confidently, pausing for a moment, "in these past two years, not only have we gotten to know the profitable side of the Dogtown smuggling business inside and out, but we've also built up a considerable network of contacts and sales channels in Night City."
"To be honest, what we're missing right now is a home turf in Night City. If we could take over Pacifica's territory too, choom, I'm telling you, in just one month, we could make at least this much just from flipping smuggled goods!"
Slider held up three fingers and said, "Three million eurodollars! Just from smuggling that cyberware, taking a cut from the black market goods, we could pull in that much!
Not to mention we could also take over the Voodoo Boys' current business. When that time comes, if we team up, we'll monopolize the entire chipware program market in Night City!"
Slider put on an excited expression. "You've also got connections to Hansen, and you're the Design Director now. We can keep that relationship strong by supplying him with goods.
With all that, inside and out, wouldn't pulling in four or five million eurodollars a month be a piece of cake?"
"Then we'll get rid of the Animals. If we can take all of Pacifica, even the NCPD will have to watch their step around us. We could even turn all of Pacifica into a bigger Dogtown!"
While painting this picture of the future, Slider didn't forget to slice a piece of the pie for Mercer. "I promise, for all our future business, it'll be at least a fifty-fifty split. You guys will be the high-end combat power, crushing those scrubs with your tech.
We'll provide the manpower to manage the streets for you. You know Pacifica is full of xenophobic Haitians, but if I'm the one handling it, I guarantee that bunch of Haitians will fall in line! They'll even be willing to die for us!
If you guys can cook up some big, valuable score, the chooms can all get rich together. Once we take over the Voodoo Boys, forget everything else, pulling together a hundred or so enforcers will be no problem at all. Then, even Barghest..."
Slider lowered his voice, putting on a mysterious air. "I know you have a good relationship with Mr. Hands, and so do I. When the time comes, we'll have money and men. Then we'll get some serious hardware from Mr. Hands...
Who knows, maybe even Barghest won't be a match for us!
Then, Dogtown will be yours, and I'll have your back in Pacifica outside. If we can take over Hansen's smuggling business..."
Slider swallowed hard. "Ten million eurodollars a month? Twenty million? I don't even know how much Hansen rakes in a month!"
It had to be said, Slider was a true negotiator. At this point, even the impatience on Rebecca's face, who was beside Mercer, had vanished. She listened to the future he described, her eyes shining.
Mercer, however, merely pondered for a moment before speaking in a calm tone, "Trust me, if we team up and take down the Voodoo Boys out there, Hansen will just prop up the Animals to deal with you."
Slider froze for a second, then burst out laughing. "That's why I need your help, choom. You're basically half-Barghest yourself now... To be honest, among that Barghest crew, only a few are truly loyal to Colonel Hansen.
As for the rest... as long as the money's right, who knows who they'll call boss if an 'accident' happens?"
His tempting words only earned a sneer from Mercer. "Sounds great. How about you deal with Hansen and become the boss of Dogtown, and I'll go to Pacifica and live it up as a gang leader?"
Slider blinked. The excitement on his face vanished abruptly, replaced by a calm expression. He smiled. "Then what do you want to do?"
"It's simple. The Voodoo Boys need to be dealt with, and we will deal with them. I truly despise those morons who have nothing better to do than poke at the Blackwall, and I'm also very interested in their Rezo Agwe server."
Mercer paused, then said, "Going into business with you is no problem either, but the profit split needs to be broken down by industry. For example, in the quickhack market, you'll be responsible for distribution, and we'll be responsible for the programs. The profits will be split seventy-thirty."
"Seventy-thirty, with us getting the thirty?" Slider looked at Mercer with an expression of disbelief. You're only giving us thirty fucking percent?
But Mercer just said calmly, "Tell me, if I were to release regular updates for an ICE or an anti-intrusion program specifically targeting your quickhacks, do you think your business could survive?"
Mercer looked at Slider and said without any pretense, "While I'm choking Pacifica's public net, I'll help them update their programs for free, 24/7. Every time you update a quickhack, I'll counter it with an update for an ICE and an anti-intrusion quickhack."
Slider's face darkened.
But Mercer just smiled faintly. "The reason I haven't done it is because I don't have the time right now, and I'm not that desperate for cash yet. But if I wanted to, no one could compete with us in this business."
He looked at Slider, his tone still level. "The cyberware you smuggle, to put it bluntly, is just cheap, legitimate stuff from the black market with questionable origins that you breach, optimize, and then resell. The technical skill involved is, in my opinion, just so-so.
As for the rest, like selling drugs, scams, and that sort of business, I don't plan on getting involved, nor do I have any interest. I despise people who make money through such means."
At this, Slider's expression brightened. "You mean that part of the market..."
"I'm not the mayor of Night City. For now, I can't tell you what to do."
Mercer's words put Slider's mind at ease.
"Then we'll... try cooperating? As long as you don't touch those industries, I'm willing to give you the lion's share of the profits from the tech industries like quickhacks."
Slider probed cautiously, "So, what's your plan?"
Mercer mulled it over for a moment, then smiled. "Don't be hasty. You think you can take over Pacifica just by crushing the Voodoo Boys? We need to plan this out for the long term."
"However, we can start our cooperation in other areas sooner. For example, the quickhack market, and your cyberware smuggling business..."
As Mercer said this, Slider felt a bit resentful, but there was nothing he could do. He was in a weaker position now, so he had to bow his head and accept his lot.
Mercer currently held the technological advantage, maintained good relationships with both Mr. Hands and Hansen, and was a formidable force himself. If they really came to blows, Slider wasn't confident he could win.
As for colluding with the Voodoo Boys outside to make a move on Mercer?
He hadn't even considered that option from the start. The whole reason he'd fled to Dogtown was because he knew what a bunch of morons they were. How could he possibly regress and get mixed up with them again?
Therefore, even though Mercer was now openly robbing him blind, he could only agree. "No problem. We'll start our cooperation in those areas first.
But I'm guessing the Voodoo Boys outside have limited patience. We need to hit them when they least expect it, before they find other allies."
"Don't worry, they're just grasshoppers in late autumn. I'll handle the key players first before making a move. Otherwise, taking down the Voodoo Boys in Pacifica would just be paving the way for someone else.
You also need to contact the Voodoo Boys' peripheral members and minor leaders outside. Strive to take over the situation quickly and seamlessly after we've eliminated their core. Do you understand what I mean?"
Mercer's words made Slider nod in understanding. He grinned. "Don't you worry about that. I've never lost contact with my old friends on the outside."
"To a pleasant cooperation, then?" Mercer smiled and extended his hand.
Slider reached out and gave him a firm handshake. "Then it's a deal. You'll handle the key figures, and I'll handle the Voodoo Boys and the local Haitians. You provide the tech, I'll provide the manpower. We'll get Pacifica sorted out as soon as possible."
Mercer nodded. After letting go, he cheerfully put the NiCola's straw in his mouth, finished the drink in one go, and said, "You guys carry on, then. I have to go upstairs."
"Go upstairs?" Slider was taken aback. Then, as if realizing something, his expression turned a little strange. "You mean, Mr. Hands contacted you for a meeting?"
"Yeah, he sent me a message while we were talking. Complained that I came to his turf without telling him in advance. He also covered today's bar tab.
So, tell the Voodoo Boys chooms over there not to hold back. Drink whatever you want. Tonight's on Mr. Hands."
As Mercer stood up, V shot him an inquisitive look. Mercer simply nodded at her and pressed his palm down to signal that everything was fine, then he got up and walked toward the club's elevator.
On his way, he sent Mr. Hands a message.
[A: We're done talking. I'm coming up now.]
[Mr. Hands: No problem. The tea is still warm. I've already told my bodyguard, just come straight up.]
Mercer walked to the elevator and pressed the button, lost in thought.
It seemed that ever since he'd accepted the position of Design Director from Hansen, this group of people in Dogtown had been observing him for a while and could finally no longer resist talking to him about something interesting.
Slider's target was the Voodoo Boys on the outside.
Hansen's objective, for now, had yet to be fully revealed.
And Mr. Hands?
What kind of thoughts and attitude did he hold, at this very moment, as he sought to deal with Mercer?
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5100words.
Bonus chapter @500power stones btw