Chapter 182 Expedition! Expedition!
Song Zhaomei was a little hesitant, but when she saw V's determined look at her, she slowly stretched out her hand.

Although I don’t know what fate will await me after boarding this plane, whether I will be treated like a prisoner by the company as before, or whether I will truly be free.

Just before Song Zhaomei's hand was about to touch V's giant palm, V had already stepped forward and pulled her into the cabin of the Skyhawk shuttle.

Song Zhaomei stumbled and bumped into V's burly body.

"You have to be careful. This plane is going very fast. Don't fall."

While V reminded Song Zhaomei to watch her step, he held her wrist tightly and brought her to the cabin's viewing window.

"it is good."

Song Zhaomei nodded. She couldn't help but look at V deeply. V seemed to be still the same as before, knowing how to be considerate and caring towards others.

Soon, Song Zhaomei came to the window of the cabin.

Through a thick layer of transparent material, she saw that the former Night City had been transformed by LA companies into a metropolitan area with a high concentration of skyscrapers.

The stacked city became bottomless. Song Zhaomei could sense that the actual height of the neon city beneath her feet might have reached several thousand meters!
The new Night City might have a foundation that is tens of thousands of meters thick.

However, large unfinished areas such as Santo Domingo, Pacific Island, and Heywood no longer exist, replaced by soaring neon towers and multi-story winding highways.

Even the barren land that was once covered with yellow sand and was occasionally swept by the Hadabon sandstorm has been transformed into the outskirts of a prosperous urban circle.

The dazzlingly dense large-scale buildings made Song Zhaomei's head buzz involuntarily.

She felt like a primitive person at this moment who accidentally came to the human world hundreds of years later.

This majestic, magnificent and breathtaking Night City was completely different from what she had imagined!

The Night City used to be half prosperous and half ruined. Beneath the bright and beautiful surface were decaying slums, like an extreme contradiction of half light and half darkness.

But today's Night City is just as described in LA's new bible: warm and pleasant, with an orderly urban array like a chessboard.

"Dogtown... How come even Dogtown has become a giant commercial district? Is there a Mewtwo Club and a casino here?"

When the Skyhawk shuttle passed over Dog Town, Song Zhaomei saw the huge sign of the Sapphire Hotel standing on the skyscrapers of Dog Town.

The Sapphire Blue Hotel seems to have been preserved.

Even after the transformation and reconstruction by LA Company, the entire Pacific Island has long become a real place of singing and dancing. It has become a specific entertainment area in Night City.

Seeing Song Zhaomei's curious expression like Granny Liu entering the Grand View Garden, V patiently explained to her:

"Song Zhaomei, what you see now is only a small part of the transformation and planning of Ideal City. There are many cities like this all over the world."

"In fact, our transformation progress has reached the fourth plan."

"The remaining construction work is expected to be completed within six years. For the general public, this is just a building miracle that can be expected in the blink of an eye."

As soon as he finished speaking, V turned around and asked the pilot to start accelerating and taking off.

As a surge of oppressive gravity came, Song Zhaomei suddenly felt as if she was being forced to sit on the seat.

Fortunately, V held her hand firmly, so Song Zhaomei did not panic.

After a while, the shuttle returned to its normal flying posture, and Song Zhaomei finally broke free from the extreme feeling of oppression.

“Have you seen those rockets and spacecraft flying into outer space? These are convenient means of transportation used by LA companies to build new routes and transport basic supplies.”

"They travel back and forth between low-Earth orbit and the Earth's surface day and night, just to facilitate the smooth exchange of basic materials between various planets."

Song Zhaomei followed V's gaze and looked in another direction.

With V's prompting, she saw rockets and speeding vehicles like reverse meteors, rushing from the ground into the deep outer space.

Through the clear blue sky, Song Zhaomei saw the giant space station in low-Earth orbit. The material transportation routes drawn by millions of aircraft were like invisible space bridges.

"Is this really something that humans can do in just over three years?"

Song Zhaomei murmured to herself in a low voice. The more she looked, the more she could not believe what was happening before her eyes.

When did reality become more bizarre than dreams!

"You don't have to be surprised. We have indeed achieved these unprecedented miracles."

V could see what Song Zhaomei was thinking at the moment, and he also understood her complicated and confusing state of mind. After all, anyone would believe in the changes before their eyes.

The three years of rapid development throughout the world seemed like centuries to Song Zhaomei, so it was normal for her to find it difficult to accept it for a while.

But the fact is that Song Zhaomei must adapt to the changes in the new world as soon as possible.

"Song Zhaomei, do you see the Pacific Ocean below? We have almost completely drained all the oceans on the earth."

"Countless marine life has been placed in specific aquariums. Even the 10,000-meter deep ocean pits have been filled and leveled by us to form a deep foundation."

"Mount Everest was flattened by a million D-22 bulldozers, and our sky is permanently set to daylight by sophisticated climate control systems."

"Anti-gravity engineering technology has reshaped our planet. The movement of the earth's crust can be controlled, the roaring volcanoes have subsided, and the glaciers at the North and South Poles have become warm and pleasant living areas."

V sat in front of Song Zhaomei and told her in detail all the earth-shaking changes he had seen in the past three years.

From leveling the mountains to filling the oceans, from reshaping the sky to controlling the earth, Le Ang, like a true creator, has molded this planet into the shape he wanted!

Many natural disasters that were once considered unsolvable by humans, such as earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, tsunamis and other natural disasters, have become trivial problems that are not worth mentioning in Li Ang's eyes.

In fact, as a witness to the planning and construction of Ideal City, V felt no less shocked and surprised than Song Zhaomei does now.

V feels honored to work in such a giant company that will go down in human history, because he is a witness to the new world and the new human beings.

He saw that mankind had truly triumphed over nature!

"Without forests, oceans, mountains, and farmland, where would humans get their basic supplies?"

Looking at the suffocating and airtight steel jungle on the ground, Song Zhaomei couldn't help but worry about the LA company's actions.

If the Earth loses its ability to generate natural resources, is it still the beautiful home that is suitable for human habitation?

What LA company has done is completely trampling on the past environmental concept of "protecting Mother Earth and guarding the human home."

In other words, LA's ideal city plan is clearly about taking over the entire earth!
Facing Song Zhaomei's questions, V was still full of patience and slowly explained to her:
"All the natural resources that humans need are now available at bases on the moon, Mars, Venus, and even Mercury."

"Through polymer technology, we can grow and cultivate food, fruits and vegetables, and even meat products. Forests can also provide humans with an inexhaustible supply of food, wood and other resources."

“We no longer need the naturally occurring resources that the Earth provides.”

When he said this, V couldn't help but shook his head and smiled:
"The moon is now almost transformed into a second Earth, and Mars and Venus are also about to become huge granaries for mankind."

"And the realization of these engineering miracles is actually inseparable from the Nexus model clones with the same body as you."

“Without their hard work, we would not have achieved the architectural success we have today.”

After listening to V's words, Song Zhaomei finally began to truly understand the meaning of LA Company's new Bible.

Nature is both a cradle that protects mankind and a shackle that binds mankind. The LA company took the initiative to choose to destroy in order to build, and carried out a drastic reconstruction of its home planet.

But this will certainly arouse strong opposition from many environmentalists.

After all, this huge ideal city plan will definitely involve ideological issues!

Environmentalists, religious believers, extremists, these people would never allow LA to do this.

As expected, when Song Zhaomei asked whether there had been any human rebellion war incidents, V nodded frankly and honestly to Song Zhaomei, indicating that this had indeed happened.

"In the past three years, both the environmentalist-minded human rebels and the company's Nexus replicants have launched a number of insignificant rebellions."

"But we have swept all these human heretics into the garbage dump of history and they no longer exist."

"In the face of the trend of the new era, no one can stop LA's will!"

When talking about this war, V's expression did not show the slightest emotion. The success of the rebellion war was actually far beyond his imagination.

The "Iron Hands" Astartes Legion led by him was completely crushed like autumn wind sweeping fallen leaves when facing the powerless human rebels and fragile clones.

Those wars with completely unequal strength almost became a one-sided massacre show by the LA company.

With the guidance of many professional officers and the hardships of war, V quickly grew from a green battlefield rookie to an independent Astartes chapter commander.

At this moment, the resolute and cold-blooded temperament revealed by V made Song Zhaomei feel a strong sense of crisis as if she was trapped in a beast camp.

But from V's gentle gaze, she could feel the long-lost comfort and security among friends.

The various changes that happened to V made Song Zhaomei difficult to adapt to.

"V, you've changed a lot, really."

Song Zhaomei couldn't help but reach out and stroke V's arm. She could see that V was no longer the same as before, both in appearance and in heart.

In the past, V was somewhat bohemian and freedom-loving, and deep down, he was not very close to the company.

Perhaps it’s the natural aversion of wanderers to company.

But now V has been tempered by the company and the legion into a resolute and loyal warrior. Song Zhaomei can hardly tell whether the person in front of her is V or not.

"Everything in this world will change, and we have to get used to it."

V has already calmly accepted all the changes that have happened to him.

Three years ago, on the day V was rescued from Dog Town by the Astartes warriors, he was sent to another secret base and underwent surgical transformation of his gene seed.

As of today, V's surgical transformation has entered the 19th stage, and a "black shell" organ has been transplanted into his body.

This special organ can help V smoothly pass through the neural sensors of the shell and perfectly control the activities of the power armor device.

Although LA company already has an axon nervous system device that can assist the human body in controlling power armor, it is just a tool after all.

It is far less convenient and direct than an organ like V that grows inside the body.

"V, where are Reed and Alex, are they all okay?"

At this time, Song Zhaomei finally remembered her old friend and mentor Li De, and her former colleague Alex from the Joint Intelligence Bureau.

Although they had stabbed her in the back, Song Zhaomei never really hated Li De and Alex.

Otherwise, she would have used the power of the black wall to kill them when she lost control.

The reason why Song Zhaomei didn't do so was because she still cared about the old friendship and she didn't want to kill her old friends with her own hands.

"Li De is now my adjutant, and we are both members of the Astartes Legion."

"As for Alex, she is now the head of the intelligence department on the Infinity, so she is continuing to do her old job."

When talking about the current situation of his old friends in Night City, V's expression, which had been solemn for a long time, finally showed a faint smile.

It was obvious that his old friends were all doing pretty well now.

Under the company's arrangement, Lao Wei became the director of a giant medical center in Little Chinatown.

Even the body parts of Song Zhaomei were disassembled and installed by Lao Wei himself. Johnny Silverhand, like V, chose to undergo genetic modification after his consciousness was transplanted into a new clone by the company's engineers.

His current official position is centurion of the battalion, and he is mainly responsible for military advisory and occasionally participates in specific combat operations.

After Jack and Misty got married and started a family, he also followed V and chose to join the Astartes Legion.

It's just that Jack is a newcomer, unlike V who has proven his value and ability to the company. Therefore, Jack worked hard for three years before he could barely become the captain of the advance team.

However, only in this high-risk, high-reward position can Jack be promoted quickly.

As for the equally loyal Morgan Blackhand, he did not join the Astartes Legion like V did, but served as the captain of the Infinity under Leon's arrangement.

Most of the remaining wanderers in the Adecado camp also entered various departments of LA company.

Panam was among them.

When Song Zhaomei learned that everyone was going their separate ways under the company's arrangement, she suddenly felt a sense of loss.

Miles died, Hansen died, she was reborn, and got the freedom she had always dreamed of.

But in this new world, Song Zhaomei seems to no longer be able to find the meaning of her existence, nor can she see the next direction.

She seemed somewhat out of place in this new world.

Just as Song Zhaomei remained silent and her tangled thoughts were lost in memories, V suddenly spoke to her:

"Song Zhaomei, actually I came to see you this time not only to visit you, but also to say goodbye to you."

In Song Zhaomei's astonished eyes, V explained to her in a low and slow voice the task he was going to complete next.

"LA's giant fleet array is ready. In two weeks we will start the space jump and reach Pandora, 4 light years away."

"All of humanity has been preparing for this Avatar Project for three years."

"Mr. Leon said that this was a friendly interstellar trade operation, but I don't think it's that simple..."

V's words were very tactful and cautious, but Song Zhaomei understood what V meant in an instant.

The actual situation is most likely the same as V guessed.

V From Leon's annihilation operations against human rebels and clone rebellions, it can be seen that Leon is still the decisive and ruthless executive!
Once the LA company's troops arrive on Pandora, I'm afraid that the fate that awaits those natives will not be free trade.

But it was a bloody and brutal military strike!

Therefore, V must be prepared to engage in war for a long time.

However... V will not sympathize with those alien bastards. As the commander of the "Iron Hands" Astartes Legion, his goal is to purify every alien heretic with the LA company's nuclear peace concept.

"So, you are going to participate in the interstellar colonization war."

Song Zhaomei seemed to be lost in thought, her expression a little dull, and it was obvious that she had not yet fully recovered from her bewildered state.

"Oh, and by the way, I have already paid for your surgery. The money in your bank account and the private apartment at the Crystal Palace are all there."

After saying that, V took a small document bag from the accompanying soldier, which contained all of Song Zhaomei's property and information.

"Song Zhaomei, I have lived up to my promise to you. You have regained your life and are free."

V smiled with relief. He risked his life to save Song Zhaomei in Dog Town just to fulfill his promise at this moment.

Now that his promise has been fulfilled, he no longer has any worries or guilt in his heart.

Song Zhaomei's hands were trembling slightly, and when she took the file bag handed to her by V, the sense of loss and sadness in her heart became more and more obvious.

For some reason, Song Zhaomei felt that this kind of freedom was no different from being abandoned by the whole world.

This uncomfortable feeling was just like when she left her hometown in Brooklyn and joined the IA, and then gave up everything she had in order to leave the IA.

In the end, she was left with nothing.

"Then...will you come back again?"

Song Zhaomei hugged her only remaining file bag tightly, and looked up at V while trying to hold back her tears.

To be honest, she was reluctant to let this last old friend leave her.

"This is a colonial war after all. I am not sure when I will return, so I don't know if I will come back in my lifetime."

V told Song Zhaomei truthfully that according to the expansion speed of LA Company, perhaps after conquering Pandora, he would immediately open up another new battlefield.

As a soldier, he could only obey Li Ang's will unconditionally.

"Well then, V, I wish you the best."

Song Zhaomei knew that she would not be able to keep V, and it was impossible for her to keep V, so she could only silently wish him a bright future.

But as she watched her old friends leave her one after another, a heavy rain began to fall in Song Zhaomei's heart.

Perhaps this kind of cold and dampness will accompany her throughout her life.

"Song Zhaomei, please take another good look at the contents of the file bag. Don't forget to include any information, or it will be difficult to obtain replacement documents later."

V's words immediately aroused Song Zhaomei's vigilance. She seemed to suddenly think of something and quickly opened the file bag, as if searching for something.

Soon, Song Zhaomei found a document marked with the LA company's logo in the file bag.

This document is the invitation letter sent by Li Ang to Song Zhaomei. LA Company specially invited Song Zhaomei to become one of the matrix server administrators of LA Company.

The main job is to cultivate AI tools used to control the minds of Astartes warriors and some clones on the Infinity ship.

The position was originally held by Ott Cunningham, but Ott has now been promoted to the company's head of cybersecurity.

The vacant position fell to Song Zhaomei.

When Song Zhaomei saw that she actually got a job offer from the LA company, she was so moved that she was speechless. The tears that she had been holding back suddenly filled her eyes.

It turns out that V already knew all this, but he still deliberately said these sad words to tease himself!
Just when Song Zhaomei wanted to rush up and punch V, V had already stretched out his hand to her:
"Song Zhaomei, on behalf of LA Company, I formally invite you. Are you willing to join LA Company and become a part of us?"

Looking at V's solemn expression, Song Zhaomei subconsciously stood up straight.

She seemed to be back in the CIA a few years ago, facing Miles and swearing her allegiance to the new America.

The only difference is that this time her allegiance is to LA Company and Leon himself.

"I, I do!"

Song Zhaomei does not think that her current choice is in conflict with the freedom she desired before.

She admitted that her biggest wish before was to leave the CIA, start a new life, and be free like a real bird.

But times have changed. Song Zhaomei is not a dull and rigid person, and she will not give up the opportunity to devote herself to the future just because of the pursuit of illusory freedom.

After witnessing the miraculous achievements created by LA Company, Song Zhaomei understood everything clearly.

It was no longer possible for her to hide in the mountains and forests alone, or enjoy a petty bourgeois life alone in the Crystal Palace as she had originally planned.

Facing the surging new era, Song Zhaomei knew that she had to throw herself into it and maximize her own value. This was her true rebirth!
"Well, Song Zhaomei, welcome to officially join LA Company!"

V reached out and held Song Zhaomei's wrist, because his palm was too big now, and it was definitely unrealistic to hold the other person's delicate hand.

So he could only symbolically hold Song Zhaomei's wrist as a sign of welcoming Song Zhaomei to join.

"Song Zhaomei, I will take you to the Infinity now and take you to meet Mr. Li Ang."

V looked at the scene outside the window. According to his inference, the Skyhawk shuttle they were on should be about to pass through the atmosphere.

It’s not far from the Infinity in low Earth orbit!

"Is Mr. Li Ang also personally participating in this expedition plan?"

Song Zhaomei was a little surprised. She didn't expect that the CEO of a huge company would actually take the risk and follow the fleets on an expedition.

Then who should be responsible for handling these affairs on Earth?

Facing Song Zhaomei's question, V already knew the answer:
"Now the planning of the ideal city for the entire earth is being promoted by the Transcendental AI Europa. Mr. Leon has no worries."

After saying that, V turned his head and looked towards the window again:

"Song Zhaomei, take a few more glances at this home that you are familiar with and love. When we come back next time, it may no longer be the blue planet you remember."

At this moment, V stopped talking. He stood straight by the cabin window like a resolute ancient Greek statue.

Through this transparent window, V could see that the familiar surface was being covered by silver-black metal.

The dried-up oceans revealed hideous wounds, and the densely packed steel cities were like densely packed metal bugs, slowly devouring the original appearance of the earth.

Song Zhaomei stopped talking. Like V, she stood silently by the window, casting a deep farewell look towards her hometown:
"Goodbye, Earth!"

……

……

After 14 days.

#LA环球日报: The fleet array formed by two hundred Infinity ships is ready and is about to leave the solar system.

The Space Marines will use the Mark X Macedonian engine to initiate a high-precision space jump and arrive at Pandora, 4.37 light-years away from the solar system.

The following is the message from the LA Alliance to the Avatar Project: Expedition! Expedition! #
……

The moment LA's Infinity Fleet officially set sail, all online media, TV news, and radio messages on Earth were broadcasting the news at the same time.

This is a day that will go down in human history!
At this moment, Morgan Blackhand's voice was passing through the communication device of the Infinity ship, giving unified command to the surrounding fleet arrays.

"Everyone, please note that the Macedonian engine device will be fully activated in 10 seconds. Please check again to see if the space jump destination has been locked."

"Make sure there are no errors in the destination coordinate system!"

In fact, there was no need for Morgan Blackhand to remind them specifically, as all personnel had already made full preparations a month ago.

Such an obvious low-level mistake is basically impossible to happen.

At this moment, Leon, surrounded by V, Song Zhaomei, Lucy, Johnny and others, walked to the observation deck of the Infinity main ship.

'Next stop, Pandora.'

Leon muttered to himself, he looked out at the deep and quiet universe, and listened to the countdown from the fleet's AI, which gradually reached zero.

Soon, the jump channel blasted by the Macedonian engines of two hundred Infinity ships slowly opened up to form a distorted space like a huge mouth of the abyss, swallowing up the entire array of the Infinity fleet!

In just a blink of an eye, the two hundred giant warships that remained in the solar system disappeared. They had been teleported to another time and space by the folded and distorted space.

……

(End of this chapter)