"A little trick, I hope you don't mind. It's to make our conversation more efficient and for us to have a candid talk later... please sit."
After seeing Mercer nod, V stepped aside, and Blaise sat down across from Mercer with a grin, turning his head and saying, "Could I get a cup of coffee? I haven't slept for 39 hours. Honestly, it's a bit rough at my age."
Mercer just replied blandly, "Sure, just a moment."
Before the coffee arrived, Mercer got straight to the point, "A high-level agent from the famous Internet Supervision is sent to me. I guess it's not just to have a cup of coffee. Speak directly, I don't like beating around the bush."
"Alright..." Blaise sighed, and then spoke slowly, "I came here to discuss three things with you."
"The first matter concerns your AI and your program."
Blaise's words didn't cause Mercer any change at all, not even altering the sound of him sipping on his soda.
Seeing Mercer's calmness, Blaise shrugged and continued, "The second matter involves Otter Cunningham, Johnny Silverhand, and Arasaka Yoshinobu."
"As for the third... it's related to the Voodoo Gang." After Blaise finished, V couldn't help but glance at Mercer twice—does this guy know too much?
But Mercer just chuckled twice, "As expected of Internet Supervision, go on."
"We know you have more than one AI at hand. Judging by the intensity, we think it's very likely a roaming AI from the old net. Of course, there's also a possibility that you possess some highly intelligent soul core code...
I think you should know that either way, from our Internet Supervision perspective, it's a highly dangerous potential hazard."
After finishing, Blaise paused and said, "So you have to accept monitoring and strict control from Internet Supervision, and particularly comply with the current international laws regarding AI..."
"I refuse, next." Mercer interrupted bluntly before he could finish, "I don't acknowledge having a high-intelligence AI, I refuse to register, and if you don't have evidence, do whatever you like. Don't expect to pressure me with Internet Supervision and international law."
Blaise sighed again but just calmly said, "But you should be clear that once a roaming AI gets out of control, it causes a large amount of damage, and the Soul Source Code is explicitly forbidden from private possession, distribution, and replication..."
"I said, next. If you have evidence, just come and arrest me, skip the crap." Mercer rolled his eyes, "Arasaka Military Science, New American Kangtao, I can't believe these big corporations don't have unregistered high-intelligence AIs.
If you really have what it takes, get them all sorted out first."
Seeing Mercer wasn't having any of it, Blaise remained unfazed and continued, "Alright, regarding the second matter—we've heard someone is impersonating us, trying to establish contact with Arasaka Yoshinobu...
I guess all this might be related to Otter and Johnny Silverhand's issues?"
Mercer could discern a lot from his question but merely said expressionlessly, "I don't understand why you're telling me this, you don't think I can get involved with these guys, do you?
The currently most powerful roaming AI on the net, a dead man, and Arasaka's future heir... heh, if I really had these connections, I'd have made it big by now, wouldn't need to hide in Dog Town?"
But Blaise just replied calmly, "No, what I'm saying is... at least in this matter, we're on your side. To be precise, we've collaborated a few times with Otter Cunningham, and as for Johnny Silverhand's matter, we're also well aware."
Mercer just shook his head, saying nothing.
Blaise had to continue speaking more directly, "Otter has clearly told us that your goal aligns with ours, which is to get to Johnny Silverhand, and ideally find a way to handle the Divine Chariot, releasing the consciousness data contained within.
You gain Otter's friendship, and we gain another cooperation with Otter Cunningham, and this collaboration is related to the roaming AI beyond the Black Wall, as well as humanity's future.
So, we know you're trying to use our name to find a way to contact Yoshinobu."
Mercer clicked his tongue, "What else did Otter tell you?"
"Nothing else, honestly. We're really curious about how you got in touch with Otter Cunningham? And why she would entrust a hacker like you to help her?"
Blaise looked at Mercer intently, "In fact, the reason we've allowed, or even 'indulged' what you've been doing in Night City is precisely because of this.
We even once thought you might be a high-level AI sent by Otter herself... but now we can confirm, you have nothing to do with AI, hence our proactive approach to seek cooperation."
Blaise confidently stated, "You don't really think Internet Supervision has turned a blind eye to everything you've done online all this time just because they fear your network skills, do you?
In fact, when you first came to Night City and went online encountering our agents, we've been observing the changing dynamics in Night City.
One could say, no one knows your strength better than us, and how much you've accomplished during this period."
Mercer still said calmly, "So, you're willing to provide me with some help? Alright, regarding the second matter, I have a suggestion—how about giving me some operational funds?