Mercer thought about it for a long time, finally tapping the table: "Let's not worry about this issue for now, I'll figure out what to do later."
"What kind of device are you really interested in, still not giving up at this stage?"
V couldn't hold back and asked: "If you ask me... just get rid of Diana.
You're making things bigger and bigger, involving more and more people, from a biotechnological deputy director to Military Science, now collaborating with a senior agent in Military Science..."
"...It's a rapid cloning device." Mercer decided to be frank.
The others looked at each other: "Cloning? What do you need such a technology for?"
"Not just cloning, but rapid cloning—based on the biotechnological database, it can clone a complete adult body within a month.
Although there may be genetic collapse, as long as the preset parameters are lowered, cloning a body with lower potential values in various aspects of oneself will greatly increase the success rate."
After Mercer finished speaking, seeing that everyone still didn't quite understand, he bluntly laid it out: "Does anyone understand Arasaka's 'Protect Your Soul' project?"
"I saw it on TV, saying it can store a person's consciousness and allow communication with deceased relatives... was that not all exposed online, just a fake memory copy?"
V spoke while slightly widening his eyes, guessing that Mercer might have some crazy ideas.
"Because the version sold in Arasaka City is a castrated version."
Mercer paused, then said: "The core technology of the 'Protect Your Soul' project comes from the Soulkiller Program created fifty years ago by a genius hacker, or programmer, Otter Cunningham."
Qiwei unconsciously picked up a lady's cigarette: "Is that program real? I saw it online and thought it was just some hacker exaggerated ancient blowing."
"It's real. The program can completely upload and convert human consciousness into data consciousness. Arasaka once kidnapped Otter Cunningham for this technology.
Her ex-boyfriend, Johnny Silverhand, broke into Arasaka Tower twice for her, and the last time caused a nuclear explosion, leading to Night City being plagued by red radiation for decades in the 'Red Era'."
Mercer unfolded this urban legend kind of story, speaking earnestly: "Otter Cunningham is still alive, her consciousness has become a powerful AI in Cyber World.
She even founded her own 'Shangri-La' network realm in Hong Kong, controlled by AI, harboring wandering AIs and some consciousness transferred by the Soulkiller Program."
"You're not thinking of using the Soulkiller Program with this cloning technology... Mercer, wake up, Arasaka Saburo has researched this technology for decades! He hasn't tried transferring consciousness into different bodies; what makes you think you can?"
Lucy already heard what Mercer wanted to do, urgently speaking, even standing up: "I disagree... if it's for this purpose, I refuse to participate in this operation!"
"I disagree too." V also said solemnly: "You're already bold, if you really believe you can resurrect anytime using consciousness transfer... I don't dare imagine how crazy you'd become."
"I also disagree! What if something goes wrong? What if your consciousness transfer fails and turns you into an AI, or simply uploads you as a madman... I refuse!" Rebecca also rejected.
Mercer merely pressed his palm gently, then said: "Don't worry, do I look like some fool who gets new technology and can't wait to experiment on myself?"
He chuckled, then said: "I can assure you, I won't recklessly use this technology, it's only for experimentation. Most importantly..."
Mercer spoke with interest: "Have you thought about how the combination of these two technologies could revive those who have become consciousnesses already?"
"Why hasn't Arasaka Saburo tried? Mercer, I think you're still too idealistic." Lucy remained resistant.
She always felt that as soon as they grabbed this thing, Mercer would use it—it's his nature, no matter how big the risk, as long as he thinks it can work, he'll go for it; ever since escaping from Arasaka, it's been like this.
"First, because this technology must be used in conjunction with the Relic Chip, which isn't fully developed yet, currently only effective on the dead."
"Second, transferring consciousness is different from uploading an existing consciousness into a body; the former means that once you upload consciousness and start transferring, you enter an irreversible rebirth process.
Arasaka Saburo, that old thing, his current body can still sustain him for a few more years, of course, he wouldn't rush into killing his own body under unstable technological conditions to gamble on an immature technology."
After Mercer finished, he emphasized: "As for resurrecting others... how do you know Arasaka Saburo hasn't tried? The current Relic Chip is doing just that.
Using this technology on the dead has too many uncertainties because it means you'd not only transfer consciousness but also replace the original consciousness and ensure the dead can come back to life."
Mercer smiled and said: "But with cloning technology, it's different. The rapidly cloned humans are a brain-dead body, no matter what modifications you make, it won't resist consciously."