"Then why doesn't Arasaka collaborate with biotech companies? Or develop the technology themselves?" Lucy asked.
"What do you think would happen if Arasaka collaborated with biotech companies to co-develop this technology?"
Mercer let out a cold laugh, "Let those people know that Arasaka Saburo is plotting for immortality? Or should Arasaka Saburo share the authority of immortality with others?
As for developing a cloning project on their own... Ha, Arasaka is now in a dire situation, dealing with internal and external troubles. Even their primary source of revenue, the 'security business,' is becoming a joke. Where would they find the resources, time, and money to research cloning technology?
If Arasaka Saburo were a hundred years younger, maybe he would consider doing both, but now, Arasaka Saburo has no interest in cloning. He's about to die and must realize the Relic consciousness rebirth project as soon as possible. Everything else is unimportant."
Mercer believed there was actually a more critical reason, which is Arasaka Saburo's emphasis on his own bloodline.
This old man is a staunch proponent of extreme bloodline theories, which might lead to a repulsion toward clones. In Arasaka Saburo's eyes, reviving with the body of his sons or grandsons is better than living in a cloned body.
Seeing the high emotions of opposition, Mercer reassured, "I promise, unless it's absolutely necessary, I will never use this technology on our own people.
I will first test it with other consciousnesses, and I won't take any risks until the technology is confirmed to be viable."
Lucy silently stared at Mercer, and after a while, suddenly asked, "Have you already decided which consciousness to revive?"
"Yes." Mercer did not hide it, nodding, "I plan to revive Johnny Silverhand."
"That idiot who detonated a nuke?" Rebecca rolled her eyes, "What's the use of reviving him? If you could find Morgan Black Hand, I think that would be interesting."
"He was Rogue's old flame, and also Otter's old flame. I once had a deal with Otter; as long as I can rescue him, Otter will owe me a favor."
Mercer emphasized, "You may not know Otter's current strength, but I can tell you that as long as she owes me a favor, even if we nuke Night City again, we could all peacefully retire to Europe or Hong Kong."
"And bringing this rockstar back to life... I think it would help my dream."
Mercer sighed, "Though he's a bastard, an idiot, he undoubtedly has an incredibly charismatic personality, making many people willing to go crazy with him—if he comes back to life, maybe this city will come alive again."
"...Sigh." Rebecca sighed, "You seem determined."
"Why don't we think positively?" Mercer said optimistically, "If this technology succeeds, then we might be the only ones in the world mastering true consciousness transfer and resurrection technology."
"I don't think this technology will be a good thing... Mercer, you'll become another 'Otter' in the eyes of those wealthy people, and they will go crazy for your technology."
Lucy expressed concern.
Mercer still smiled optimistically, "By that time, it should be them who are afraid. Think about it, a Bartmos who doesn't fear physical death in this Internet-of-Things world—how terrifying is that?
Only with this power do I have the confidence to realize my dream."
"I don't agree with your idea... but if you want to try... then try." V softened.
Lucy hesitated to speak, finally just looking at him, and after a moment said, "Think about Spider Murphy."
Mercer nodded, "I know... Let's consider it an insurance. Thinking about Bartmos's fate, I have to have a backup plan. What do you think?"
Lucy said nothing, just remained silent for a moment, then nodded, agreeing with his idea.
With Mercer's talent, unless he willingly stays a nobody, he will eventually become a target for all ambitious people.
For a hacking prodigy potentially surpassing Bartmos, and in programming, possibly exceeding Otter Cunningham's level of genius, those big corporations will only give him two choices.
Either turn him into their own, or destroy him—Back then, Bartmos was recruited by countless companies, even after causing much chaos, companies would still grit their teeth and recruit him to work for them.
Until everyone realized Bartmos was an ungrateful wolf, impossible to domesticate, and began to choose another way to deal with him, which was physical destruction.
In the past, Arasaka even tried to use artillery to cover an entire area to kill Bartmos, and if Mercer reached that point...
Lucy thought maybe a company would choose to drop a nuke on his head.
And indeed, Mercer had no choice.
He must prepare a last resort backup plan for himself, Bartmos's body is still frozen in a freezer, he doesn't want to share the same fate.
Rather than becoming an AI after death, it's better to prepare for the worst when alive, even if things reach the worst point, he still has a chance to live again as a human.
Instead of being forced to become a consciousness, forever separate from his friends and family.
Spider Murphy's situation already told him what embracing full digitalization would become. By that time, Mercer might become the strongest AI in history, perhaps even achieve a kind of mechanical transcendence, but at that time, would he still be human? Would he still be himself?