"But correspondingly, I'm not interested in some of the Voodoo Gang's deals that you rely on for survival. Just give me a thirty percent cut of the pure profits."
"Then aren't we just working for you?"
Hua Tiao wanted to haggle, but Rebecca's shoulder cannon suddenly popped out, wobbling as it aimed at Hua Tiao. She let out a yelp, reaching out to quickly pat her shoulder cannon: "Tank, don't get excited, they're not bad people..."
Hua Tiao immediately shut his mouth, nodding vigorously: "Fine, let's do it that way!"
Mercer finally smiled: "Looks like you really understand what it means to get rich together...brother, you better remember, I'm too lazy to run street businesses, that's why you have food on your plate. If I decided to join a gang..."
He tilted his chin, indicating for Hua Tiao to look at Placid's dead body.
"Then many people would really have nothing to eat."
Hua Tiao remembered the last time he was so obedient like a grandson was when he only had a dozen people under him and met Hansen.
But now, he showed even more courtesy than he did to Hansen, grinning at Mercer: "I understand, your Spark Team is up to big things, you look down on these small-time street trades, and you're not interested in scamming ordinary people for money.
Rest assured, from now on, the Spark Team is the best and most important friend of our Voodoo Gang!
How about this, you leave someone you trust to keep an eye on me. I guarantee you won't miss a cent that should be yours! As for the market share, we'll do as you say: you provide the tech, and we'll do the legwork and manage the shops for you."
Seeing Hua Tiao so perceptive, Mercer nodded with satisfaction: "Then tell your people to dismantle that Sea God Server and move it to my base. I'll head off now, and as for the NCPD, you'll have to find someone to stall them."
But Hua Tiao laughed and shook his head: "The NCPD stations in Taiping Prefecture are all being dismantled recently. They have no mind to risk their necks here. When gangs clash, they usually wait until everyone's gone before showing up, so don't worry, the stuff will definitely be delivered to you on time!"
Mercer chuckled lightly, the Octopus Arm supporting him, making him seemingly float steadily to the ground. Then the Octopus Arm retracted back, mounted on his shoulder. He moved his shoulder and said:
"Then it's settled. Go through the side door, just follow the road straight."
Hua Tiao thought of the mess on the street: "Besides the Sea God Server..."
"Those messy bits and pieces, you can clean them up and keep them, but other things like automated turrets, defense robots, computer hosts, they're considered assets."
After Mercer finished speaking, Hua Tiao nodded: "I understand. We just plan to dismantle the prosthetics and sell them second-hand..."
"As you like."
Mercer said, uninterested in these trifles, and prepared to leave with his team.
Hua Tiao, seeing them off to the door without missing a beat, smiled and waved until Mercer's group's taillights were out of sight. Only then did he turn and coldly look around.
"What the hell are you all standing around for? Get in there and dismantle the Sea God Server, send it to their base! Move fast, don't let the NCPD cause trouble!"
As Hua Tiao's voice fell, a sidekick nearby grudgingly said: "Sending everything? I mean, boss, we seem like we're working for them. Even the market has to be split, and our own businesses too...
Do they really have enough goods to flood the market?"
"Why don't you go negotiate with them for more money?" Hua Tiao turned with a sardonic smile: "Go ahead, if you can make that deal, you can be the boss."
The sidekick glanced at the smoke-filled street and, after a moment of silence, scratched his head.
Hua Tiao smacked him on the back of the head: "Idiot! Get to work! If they don't have enough goods, then bring the business to them!
When the prosthetics are dismantled, pack them up and send them to their base. They can run a program and do some simple repairs, and then hit the market!
In the future, send seventy percent of all the prosthetics we get to them. We'll sell at cost price, break-even is fine!"
"Then what do we eat?" another Voodoo Gang member couldn't hold back any longer.
Hua Tiao was exasperated, rolling his eyes: "Take over shops, smuggle more good stuff and sell at a small profit, plus the old trades of the Voodoo Gang... You better not make my life harder, get moving and start hauling stuff, damn it."
Sighing, Hua Tiao turned away, gazing at the church's cross, and after a moment, gave a resigned smile.
How could he be willing?
It's just... a matter of power, nothing more.
...
When Mercer returned to Dog Town, he'd barely warmed his seat and eaten some dumplings Pira had driven out to buy, when several emails made him sigh.
[Hansen: How did today's actions go? If you're warmed up, come to the workshop and use your brains — I'm interested in your new invention. As my design director, why haven't you mentioned such a big surprise?
I'll be at the stadium waiting for you, don't keep me waiting too long.]
[Bryce: Damn, you guys are tough, did you get the stuff from the Sea God? I'll open a dedicated network line for you, and send the key as well, just transmit the data over directly.
I guess you're busy lately, so I'll visit in a few days to discuss further cooperation. Our Internet Supervision department has high expectations for you.]
[Stout: Was that you at the Voodoo Gang? I saw some footage, did you upgrade the Arasaka exoskeleton by a version?
The higher-ups are very interested in you. Would you like to visit Military Science? If not, I'll come talk to you — Dog Town isn't convenient, how about a drink at Rebirth where we first met?]
Even someone Mercer hadn't expected also sent him a message.
[Xu Kangping: Hello, I'm the general manager of Kangtao Night City branch. I got your contact from an intermediary. Interested in talking about your new stuff?
Including the exoskeleton data you sold to Military Science before, which we're also interested in now.
We're always generous and friendly with friends. Do you have time for a cup of tea?]
Mercer looked at the string of emails in his inbox, and after a moment, sighed softly.
Now, the Spark Team has finally stepped from the shadows into the spotlight.
This is a good thing.
But it also means... a wider, yet more dangerous, new world awaits just ahead.