Chapter 170 I am a remnant of the old era. There is no ship in the new era to carry me.

"Well done, Alex!"

Miles, overjoyed, immediately went to the radio and told Alex to quickly tune into the receiving channel, as she urgently needed to know the news outside.

As the busy new president of the United States, Miles has long been accustomed to dealing with all kinds of complicated information and events at the same time. If she suddenly has free time, she will feel anxious.

But now she was trapped in an unfinished building in Dog Town and could not receive any news from the outside world for a while, which made Miles very uncomfortable and crazy.

For her, unobstructed information channels are the nutritional conduits that sustain her political life. Once they are cut off for too long, unexpected events may occur at any time in Congress in Washington!
After all, there will never be a power vacuum.

Soon, at Alex's command, the radio began broadcasting news from various media channels.

#Intelligence talk: According to the latest investigation results of network monitoring, the network outage in the Russian network area was purely accidental and there was no hacker intrusion! #
……

"Change."

Miles frowned in frustration. This was not the message she wanted to hear.

A piece of breaking news about Russia's Internet outage has attracted the attention of these European companies for so long. They are simply too full to find anything to do.

Immediately, Alex pressed the button and switched to the next media channel.

#WNS: LA companies have reached an alliance of interests with companies from various countries in the European Community. So far, 23 giant companies have joined the LA alliance! #
……

"Hmm? LA companies and companies in the European Community have reached some kind of alliance. What's going on? What is the LA Alliance?"

Miles felt a little confused. Her first reaction was that Leon had held another technology product launch conference to invite those European companies to join his business alliance.

Just like the last polymer launch conference, almost all companies in the world chose to cooperate with Li Ang, even if it meant paying the price of company shares in order to cling to the LA company.

Apparently, Miles believes this time is no exception.

She never thought that the role of the LA Alliance was to replace the European Community. She thought it was just Leon's little business trick.

Unfortunately, this is still not the news that Miles wants to hear.

"Keep changing."

Miles ordered.

It was not until Alex dialed it several times that she finally tuned out the signal of N54 News, the official media of New America.

And this time, Miles finally heard the news she wanted.

#N54 News: The Sky One airship crashed unexpectedly in Dog Town. Currently, Lucas Harford, CEO of Military Technology, has temporarily taken over as acting president of New America.

Harford publicly stated that the troops would stay near Night City to warn the warlord Hansen in Dogtown, and would send elite troops to rescue President Miles.
……

When Miles learned that his presidency was temporarily taken over by Lucas Harford, the CEO of Military Technology and his second-in-command, he finally felt relieved.

She also thought that those old congressmen would seize power and usurp the throne while she was in trouble and sideline her.

But now it seems that Miles realized that there was no need to worry.

Harford is her trusted member, otherwise she would not have appointed him as the CEO of Military Technology as her next successor.

Now that Harford is helping him keep an eye on the situation in Congress in Washington, Miles can confidently give orders to the soldiers outside and the agents from various departments in Dog Town.

As long as he waits until tomorrow and Reed brings the communication equipment, Miles believes that he will still be able to firmly control the situation.

Seeing Miles showing a happy expression, V, who was curious about the truth, couldn't help but ask Leon through the AI ​​White Queen:
'Mr. Li Ang, is this true? I always feel that the development of the situation seems a little too optimistic.'

V doesn't think there is any company executive who would remain indifferent when faced with the presidential throne falling on his head.

What's more, this is the position of the President of the new America, controlling the lives and deaths of hundreds of millions of people and controlling a large area of ​​North America. V doesn't believe that Harford can resist and not stab Miles in the back.

[Of course this news is true, but who can guarantee that the elite troops sent by Harford to rescue Miles are really here to save her or to kill her. ]

As soon as Li Ang said this, V felt a chill down his spine.

That’s right!

If this is a smokescreen deliberately thrown by Harford to confuse Miles in the media, then the possibility of Miles returning to power will be very slim.

Maybe Harford is trying to seize power.

In an instant, V suddenly felt that all the ambitious people jumped out at this moment, each carrying out their own conspiracy.

Even the arrogant President Miles could not avoid being stabbed in the back by those around him.

'So, Harford is probably secretly carrying out a plan to seize power, and forcibly remove Miles from the presidency while she is trapped in Dogtown.'

V continued to ask Leon questions, but this time Leon did not answer him.

The less V knows at this time, the easier it will be for him to handle the next things without any psychological burden. It is not a good thing for a chess piece to know too much.

Any struggle for power is bloody and cruel, and the ruthlessness and ugliness of human nature will be fully exposed in the face of the glory of power.

In fact, V's guess is basically consistent with the actual situation, because at this moment Harford is indeed busy uniting his factions to fight against dissidents and liquidate members of the forces loyal to Miles.

The person who was responsible for providing him with the list of personnel and supporting Harford's usurpation of the throne was Leon, who was preparing to replace the new President of the United States!
With the support of LA Company, Harford's inner desire for power was naturally magnified infinitely, so he dared to seize power without fear.

Here, after Myers confirmed that the situation inside the Washington Congress was safe, he also had a clear direction for the next layout.

In addition to letting Li De find the communication equipment to communicate with the outside world, the most important thing is to capture Song Zhaomei!

Miles must not allow this lark to escape from his grasp.

"Li De, I don't need to say more about how important Song Zhaomei is to our Joint Intelligence Bureau."

Miles looked serious and said to Li De in a low voice: "She is an important member of the military technology Xiao Beidou project, and she is also your apprentice."

"Now your apprentice dares to run away without the organization's permission. As a master, shouldn't you pull this playful lost lamb back?"

Li De could hear Miles' anger at Song Zhaomei's defection. From the other party's tone, he could hear that Miles' attitude towards Song Zhaomei was: if she's alive, I want to see her in person; if she's dead, I want to see her body!
For New America, Song Zhaomei is equivalent to a strategic-level mobile network weapon. After all, she is one of the few super hackers who can use the black wall.

If he can't get her, Miles would rather destroy Song Zhaomei than give other forces any possibility to get her.

What she can't get, no one else can want!

"Yes, I will find a way to bring Song Zhaomei back."

At this time, Reed was like a decadent and gloomy old watchdog, and as always, he promised Miles that he would complete the task.

This made V, who witnessed the whole process, feel very puzzled. He didn't understand why Li De was so loyal to such a harsh boss.

As far as he knew, Reed and Alex were abandoned by Miles himself.

If LA had not intervened, Reed would have died at the hands of Arasaka's soldiers.

But even so, after escaping death, Reed still chose to return to the CIA and continue to work for Miles, the ruthless president.

This made V wonder if Reed had some kind of Stockholm syndrome, as he could continue to willingly follow someone like Miles under such circumstances.

If it were him, V would have tried every possible means to kill this bitch president.

"Well, you guys go down and rest. We still have a lot to do next, and we'll officially start the action tomorrow morning!"

After making all the arrangements, Miles dismissed the three people in front of him and stayed alone in the room to continue thinking about the next deployment.

V, who was sitting in the hall with Li De, suddenly received a text message from Song Zhaomei, who had disappeared for a long time:

【Come to the top floor of the Baoshiqing Hotel to meet me the day after tomorrow.】

……

Time passed quickly as everyone was dealing with various busy affairs, and in the blink of an eye it was the third day since V joined the Joint Intelligence Bureau.

During this period, V not only reported the situation to Li Ang and dealt with Song Zhaomei, but also did not forget to deal with Li De and Alex.

Most of the time, as long as you can find a topic to talk about, it only takes a few sentences to go from strangers to acquaintances.

For V, who has excellent social skills, it is not difficult to get along well with depressed agents like Reed and Alex who have been unable to communicate for a long time.

For example, Alex, who looks aloof and doesn't want strangers to approach him, even enthusiastically invited V to drink with him in the pub for a whole night.

While the two were drinking and chatting happily, the slightly tipsy Alex once confided to V that he did not want to continue being an agent of the CIA.

Her real dream is to become an opera singer, appear in various Super Dream videotapes, and let everyone see her superb acting skills.

V fully agrees and supports this. Being a Mewtwo actor is indeed a good choice for laid-off UNCIRA agents to find re-employment.

At least the professions are matched, so the CIA agents' ability in disguise and acting will not be buried.

Boom!
A powerful and wonderful slam dunk was performed on a small basketball court somewhere in Dog Town. At this moment, V and Li De were sitting on the steps around the basketball court, discussing the plan to enter the Baoshiqing Hotel and forcibly take Song Zhaomei away.

After arranging the specific action steps, Li De finally breathed a sigh of relief, turned around, and said to V in a low and tired voice: "V, do you know?"

"In fact, I fully understand why Xiao Song would rather betray Miles and collude with the warlord of Dogtown, Kurt Hansen, in order to leave the United Intelligence Bureau."

When he said this, Li De looked at V with a look full of vicissitudes: "The system will slowly assimilate all people into one type of person."

"Whether it's me, Alex, or Song Zhaomei, as long as we stay in the Joint Intelligence Agency, we must always dedicate our lives to the new America."

"But how many people are willing to withstand the pressure of life and death every day, suppress their nature, and become a silent and depressed agent?"

"Even I sometimes wonder if it's really worth it to give everything I have for an America that no longer exists."

Reed's mood was very complicated. When he first received Miles' request for rescue, he felt extremely conflicted.

Alex advised him not to pay attention to Miles's news and just wait for Miles to be killed by Hansen's Hellhound soldiers, so that they would all be free.

But when Reed thought that the Metal War had entered the most critical point, and Miles was about to unify North America and restore the new America, it would be a pity to fail suddenly at this time.

Miles may not be a good boss, but she is a good president who can revitalize the country, which forces Reed to choose to obey Miles's instructions and sacrifice his own interests for the overall situation.

Alex, who originally didn't want to be involved, now joined this operation with him, which made Reed feel very guilty.

But he had to do it.

[V, I feel like this guy has a strong tendency to commit suicide. Maybe after a while, he'll just shoot himself in the head.]

At this moment, Johnny Silverhand couldn't help but speak up. He could feel Reed's mood at the moment because he had had the same feeling before.

V, who was also touched by Li De's words, thought for a moment, raised his eyes to meet Li De's, and said seriously:

"Li De, you can actually consider joining LA Company and giving up your current identity as an agent of the United Nations Intelligence Agency. I mean it!"

"Now the whole world is almost becoming the property of LA. There is no need to continue this futile metal war."

"Do you really think that if Miles wins the war and sends Song Zhaomei back to the CIA to work, the long-lost America will be able to return."

"No, there's no going back. This new America controlled by Miles is no longer the country you remember!"

Through observations during this period, V was able to realize that Reed was a good person, but he had an almost paranoid loyalty to Miles and New America.

Li De is not a bad person by nature, and can even be considered a friend worth making close friends with.

V didn't want to watch Reed being buried with Miles and New America, so he felt pity and wanted to help him.

Although V usually doesn't like to meddle in other people's affairs and follows the realistic rule of letting go of the complex of helping others and respecting the fate of others, but facing such a tragic character like Li De, V chose to make an exception this time.

Faced with V's sudden invitation, Li De habitually looked at the other party deeply.

Based on what V said just now, he could tell that the relationship between V and LA company was very unusual!
At least it is definitely not as simple as the information shows.

However, Li De did not intend to reveal the other party's identity immediately, nor did he continue to discuss this ideological issue with V.

After all, the world situation has changed to this point. Even a blind person can see that LA's monopoly process is unstoppable, let alone a smart person like Li De.

But he is not mentally prepared to accept reality yet, nor can he openly betray the organization he has been loyal to for decades.

"V, since you told me the truth, I will tell you some secrets about me."

Reed shook his head and chuckled at V, as if he was mocking his blind loyalty to the New America, and also as if he was mocking V's fatal and childish behavior of being so credulous.

The agents of the CIA are animals who live in lies, falsehood, and betrayal all day long. Even if they appeal to others' emotions, it is most likely fake and just a trick to get words out of them.

But it was such a simple trick, and the young man V was easily fooled and almost exposed his true identity.

"In fact, Mr. Li Ang contacted me some time ago. He asked me some questions, and I answered his questions."

When Li De said this to V, he had been secretly observing V's movements and expressions. Sure enough, when V heard the word "Li Ang", he was obviously a little unnatural.

This made Li De even more convinced that V was the company agent sent by Li Ang, and perhaps there was a close relationship between V and Li Ang.

"Really? Then what did Mr. Leon tell you?"

V suppressed his inner curiosity and asked Li De pretending to be nonchalant.

But such poor acting skills made Li De couldn't help but shake his head and sigh in his heart. He could see that V was not a professional agent.

It is no exaggeration to say that V is a rookie in the industry.

Facing V's question, Li De withdrew his gaze and focused on the court again, then continued:
"Mr. Li Ang asked me to report to him everything I have done in Dog Town these days, no matter whether it is big or small."

"Just like what President Miles asked me to do, working for two big men at the same time is not an easy job."

Hearing this, V, who had long been accustomed to reporting work to Li Ang, immediately realized Li Ang's true intention. It was obvious that he was testing Li De's loyalty!
"So how did you answer? Did you tell Mr. Li Ang everything?"

After saying this, V did not forget to continue to ask: "I mean, including the fact that you worked as an agent for Miles."

Obviously, V knew very well what Li Ang really cared about, so he specifically picked out the key points to ask Li De.

Faced with V's continuous questions, Li De was completely certain that he was from LA company, and even Li Ang's trusted agent.

Logically, he could draw his gun and shoot V at any time to help Miles eliminate a spy in the CIA, but Reed no longer had the heart to do so.

After taking Song Zhaomei away, everyone parted ways amicably. He returned to the CIA as an agent and dedicated the rest of his life to the New America, while V returned to the LA company to follow the real big shot.

"I told you all the information, but I didn't do it for myself, but for Alex. Mr. Li Ang promised me that he would let Alex join the LA company."

"As for me... he only said four words: take care of yourself."

Li De exhaled deeply the breath that had been pent up for a long time. This feeling of relief was so good that it made him feel a lot more relaxed.

Some things have been suppressed in the heart for too long, and they become the gas stuck in the heart. Over time, it will make people depressed and low spirits.

After confessing all these things to V, Li De suddenly felt how wonderful it was to live in the sunshine.

"What about you, what are you going to do?"

V didn't understand why Li De only found a way out for Alex but didn't think about his own future. He clearly had the opportunity to choose.

"I am a remnant of the old era. There is no ship in the new era that can carry me. Perhaps sacrificing my life for my country is the best destination for me."

Li De shook his head and chuckled.

Just when V wanted to say something more to make Li De change his mind, Li De stood up, looked at his watch and said:
"V, it's time to go to Baobaoqing to meet those noble people!"

……

……

Dogtown, top floor of the Sapphire Blue Hotel.

The crash of the Skyspace-1 airship and the unknown life and death of President Miles are actually a great thing for all parties.

The instigator, Dogtown warlord Kurt Hansen, can get the full support of the Cuban Group and the favor of European financial groups.

The powerful and wealthy in Night City no longer have to worry about being liquidated by Miles, and the private property of various companies can continue to be safely protected.

They no longer have to pack their bags like refugees, hurriedly fleeing to other areas to lower their quality of life.

The city of night, with its singing and dancing, is still their paradise for seeking pleasure.

Even within the New American Congress, people expressed an attitude of "Good death! Open the champagne" regarding the uncertain life and death of Miles.

Miles, who usually acts arbitrarily and holds power alone, has often infringed upon their interests. Now that a tyrant who was in the way has died, they will naturally applaud and celebrate.

To celebrate this wonderful moment, Dogtown's warlord Kurt Hansen specially invited celebrities from all walks of life in Night City, as well as executives from European companies, to attend tonight's event.

Of course, a heavyweight boss of a giant company like Li Ang would not attend such a low-end party.

But Chen Tao, the triad gang boss who is a loyal lackey of LA Company, appeared in tonight's event.

He was accompanied by various leaders of the Tiger Claw Gang, including Hiromi Sato, Taketo, Jotaro Masahiro and others.

In short, most of the celebrities from both the black and white worlds of Night City have arrived at the top floor of the Sapphire Blue.

At this moment, Song Zhaomei, wearing a gorgeous blue off-shoulder dress, was standing on the observation deck on the second floor with a worried and nervous look on her face, constantly looking at the guests below.

She was waiting for V to arrive.

(End of this chapter)