Rogue's lips subtly turned downward; at the mere mention of this woman's name, she felt a surge of anger.
Years ago, Johnny Silverhand charged into Arasaka Tower twice because of her, and died because of her. Many old friends, too, perished due to the events at Arasaka Tower.
Even she had to wander in the wasteland for years because of it.
She still held remnants of old feelings for Johnny Silverhand… or perhaps she had never truly let him go. So, thinking of the name Ultraman made her even angrier.
With an unfriendly tone, Rogue said, "Then you shouldn't come to me; whatever Ultraman asks you to do, what's it got to do with me?"
This woman is really stubborn.
Mercer shook his head slightly, speaking directly: "Telling me to go rescue him now? I don't have the expertise or time.
Honestly, saving him is at most a side quest for me; getting him out, how does that benefit me personally?
Ultraman may say she's offering me some reward... but frankly, she probably wouldn't care if Johnny continued to suffer in a server or some storage chip for another few years.
I'd rather wait until I have absolute assurance and enough safety before acting; abandoning this commission if necessary is also fine."
His words furrowed Rogue's brows, and then Mercer added fuel to the fire by saying: "Yes, I can help Ultraman, but is that good news to you?"
"Ultraman gave me several choices: liberate Johnny Silverhand to regain freedom, or simply help him get relief, or… hand him over to her."
Mercer stared at Rogue, speaking calmly: "Do you want to see Silverhand completely dead, or would you rather watch him fly off with Ultraman in Cyberspace?"
"Enough!" Rogue glared at Mercer with displeasure: "You seem to know quite a lot... Did Ultraman tell you? Still so unpopular even as an AI."
"No, no, no, I figured out your love-hate relationship out of personal interest.
You were all big names in Night City back in the day, gossip and rumors were a dime a dozen."
Mercer chuckled: "So, I'm thinking, rather than letting Johnny Silverhand become an AI with Ultraman whose feelings have long faded, or outright killing him...
Perhaps you'd be more interested in the proposal of resurrecting Johnny Silverhand?"
"Resurrect? Are you joking." Rogue stared intently at Mercer.
But Mercer replied lightly: "I'm not joking... Queen Rogue, with connections so broad, should've heard of Arasaka's 'Secure Your Soul' project, right?
Relic Chip.
Johnny Silverhand's consciousness is probably stored on some Relic chip hidden in an Arasaka Tower—of course, it could have already been uploaded to some Arasaka server.
But either way, as long as his consciousness is transferred into the Relic chip.
Then, inserted into a living body... Boom, that rock boy is back."
Mercer mimed a fireworks explosion with both hands, looking at Rogue with a grin: "By then, you'd be his savior, and Ultraman in Cyberspace would have nothing to do with a guy making a comeback.
Ultraman's mouth is tougher than yours; when she commissioned me, she pretended to be a cold-hearted AI... You two are quite alike in that aspect.
Anyway, she definitely wouldn't give Silverhand a warm welcome.
And after decades when Silverhand wakes, the only familiar face, the one he can rely on, would be you...
Decades later, old lovers experiencing separation and reunion... Wow, how wonderful."
Rogue just stared at Mercer, spoke after a moment of silence, with some irritation: "I'm starting to dislike you; you're reminding me of a damn fool I dealt with decades ago..."
This kid's tone really deserved a punch, reminding her of a jerk named Bartmos.
"Hahaha!" Mercer laughed heartily, then became serious: "So, are you interested or not?"
He spoke leisurely: "If you have no interest in rescuing Johnny Silverhand, and feel indifferent about him suffering in a chip or server, then I'm less inclined to hurry to save him.
Three to five years later? Or ten, twenty years?
Anyway, I won't risk my life or pay a hefty price to save someone unconnected to me.
I came to you because I think this matter might mean a lot to you, and could earn me a good reward.
If you're not willing, that's fine too, let Johnny Silverhand rest for now, I'll save him when I have the time."
Mercer's words made Rogue squint her eyes: "I feel like you're threatening me."
"I'm merely stating the facts; if even the woman he liked in life isn't willing to lend a hand, then why should an outsider like me hurry to save him?
Of course, even if you don't help, when I find the timing right, I'll still pull him out—seeing one more damned terrorist trouble the company, I'll welcome it.
Not to mention, I can achieve some of my own goals through this matter."
Mercer slumped onto the sofa, looking soft and extremely relaxed, and asked for the last time: "So, can we talk about the details of the commission now?"
Rogue irritably took out a cigarette, lit it, and took a heavy drag, exhaling a puff of smoke.
After a while, she almost gritted her teeth and said: "Fine! I agree, let's get that jerk out, tell me, what do you want."
"Let's not discuss rewards first, I have two plans, each with only three steps, very easy."