Chapter 241: Dimensional Exploration Squad
"Very good." Joric's synthesized voice echoed in the workshop, expressing a final, emotionless acceptance of everyone's choices. "Your decision conforms to logic and is the most efficient solution under the current conditions."
He paused slightly, allowing this conclusion to settle, then revealed the true purpose of summoning them here.
"Mere destructive force is not my sole requirement; that is only a necessary means to clear the work area." Joric began to elaborate on his plan, his tone like explaining a complex engineering blueprint. "I plan to form a specialized Dimensional Exploration Squad. Its core function is to execute cross-dimensional reconnaissance, environmental data collection, initial contact with indigenous forces, and basic assessment of potential threats.
"The objective is to minimize the uncontrollable risks and information asymmetry I face when directly intervening in a brand new, unknown dimension."
His optical lenses swept one by one over the people he named.
"You will constitute the core framework of this squad." He looked first at Maine's squad. "You have proven to possess efficient teamwork capabilities, rich combat experience, and comprehensive qualities for executing infiltration, sabotage, and precision elimination missions.
"These are the basic survival and operational guarantees for the exploration squad when encountering hostile environments."
His gaze turned to Valerie and Jackie. "You possess a deep, firsthand understanding of the social structure, cultural unwritten rules, and technological foundation of this dimension—this world known as 'Cyberpunk.'
"This 'local wisdom' will be an indispensable transitional bridge and basis for risk assessment during the initial stages of exploration, especially when contacting unknown dimensions with similarities."
Finally, he looked at young David. "Your physiological age is at the peak of plasticity, and your nervous system demonstrates learning and reception potential superior to the baseline. Your primary identity will be my apprentice."
Joric's synthesized voice steadily elaborated on the arrangement for David.
"Your core development direction is biological genetic engineering and otherworldly medical application.
"In the team, your role is that of a technical support unit, responsible for detecting environmental toxins and pathogens during initial exploration, collecting and preliminarily analyzing indigenous biological samples, and conducting basic risk assessments and technical tier judgments on unfamiliar technological artifacts.
"Of course, the premise for all this is that you can pass the test one year from now.
"If you fail, your future will be nothing more than a cyber-idol girl on a stage in Night City for people's amusement."
As for Mower, she didn't need to be specifically pointed out; her role had long been set. "You will be embedded in the squad as my direct liaison officer, ensuring smooth command flow and providing necessary cross-dimensional technical support."
Joric made no attempt to hide the ultimate nature of their work. "This means your future scope of duties will no longer be limited to Night City, or even to this universe you know.
"You will actively step into worlds where physical laws may differ drastically, ecological environments may be extremely toxic, and civilization forms may be incomprehensible. Danger will appear in forms you cannot predict."
He shifted the topic to the rewards. "Correspondingly, the remuneration will also exceed the limits of your imagination based on current cognition.
"Not just the material wealth you have just witnessed, but also including mandatory evolution of life forms, artificial extension of lifespan, and access permissions to vaults of technology and knowledge you cannot imagine."
Hearing this, a murmur of commotion rippled through the workshop.
Maine rubbed his metallic chin, grinning to reveal a scarred smile. "Now that sounds like something. Finally, don't have to rot in this hellhole of Night City anymore."
Dorio crossed her arms over her chest and hummed softly. "At least your pay is solid, Boss."
She had already started calculating in her mind what new equipment to acquire.
Lucy and Kiwi exchanged a glance, the corners of their mouths lifting in faint arcs.
For netrunners like them, the temptation of accessing databases from other worlds was stronger than anything.
"Awesome!" Rebecca bounced excitedly. "Now we've got something to play with!"
Valerie and Jackie exchanged a wink.
Having mixed in Night City for so many years, they understood one principle well: the greater the risk, the higher the return.
Working for Joric meant facing unknown dangers, but at least they didn't have to look at the faces of corporate dogs for petty cash anymore.
Jackie grinned. "This is way more thrilling than taking those gigs at the Afterlife."
David pursed his lips. He had no concept yet of the specific perils of "dimensional exploration," but the two goals of "learning knowledge to cure his mother" and "obtaining stronger power" were enough to drive him to face any unknown.
He subconsciously glanced at Lucy again, finding that she was also looking at him. Her gaze seemed slightly softer than usual, settling his heart.
"Boss, this is fucking exciting!" Jackie almost roared it out, his face radiating the fanaticism of finding an ultimate life goal. "Don't you worry! Whether it's alien monsters or otherworldly warlords ahead, as long as you give the order, I, Jackie, will definitely be the first to charge in!"
Valerie took a deep breath, her tone returning to its usual calm and pragmatism. "Clear objectives, clear pay. Since we took this job, we'll go all out.
"Dimensional Exploration Squad... sounds like a position where we can use our strengths."
Maine made a more concise promise on behalf of his team. "We'll handle it."
The implication was that no matter how bizarre the mission, they would find a way to complete it.
Watching these people's reactions, Joric showed a rare attitude of satisfaction.
Data indicated that the acceptance level of these individuals was extremely high. Low-efficiency emotions such as expected resistance, fear, or bargaining were controlled at a minimum level.
This saved a massive amount of computing power and resources that would have been used for persuasion or suppression.
What he needed were exactly these "probes" who grew up in chaos, possessed independent survival and decision-making capabilities, and could adapt to extreme uncertainty.
Their inherent pragmatism, adaptability to danger, and greed for opportunity were all quality traits for completing exploration missions.
"Specific biological enhancement plans, cyberware upgrade paths, and skill training outlines will be customized based on your detailed physiological scan data and capability assessment reports," Joric gave the final instruction. "Before that, you have limited time to handle personal affairs in this world and complete necessary farewells. Dismissed."
The group walked out of the temporary workshop one after another, the atmosphere noticeably relaxing. Jackie threw an arm around Valerie's shoulder, gesturing excitedly. "Say, should we deposit these gold bars in a bank vault, or get a penthouse in Charter Hill? Damn, gotta find a reliable place..."
Valerie shook her head helplessly but started considering it seriously. "Better to store them separately. Such a large sum is too conspicuous."
Maine's squad gathered at the other end of the corridor, talking in low voices. Pilar was gesturing, imagining alien creatures. "Maybe we'll meet ones with three eyes..."
"Who cares how many eyes, just blast 'em and be done with it," Rebecca interjected, already rubbing her hands impatiently.
Dorio reminded everyone, "Don't forget to go back and pack equipment first."
Maine nodded, already calculating what supplies needed replenishing.
David walked alone slightly behind, his expression focused.
He was already imagining treating his mother. Curing her was his most pressing concern right now, but the other world was also attracting this young man.
Lucy followed quietly by his side, maintaining just the right distance—neither overly intimate nor distant.
Mower was the last to leave. As she walked, she recorded on her data pad: need to establish detailed capability files for everyone, plan training grounds, and customize a batch of equipment adapted for cross-dimensional combat...
Silence returned to the workshop.
Joric turned to the main console, his optical lenses locking onto the complex structural lines of the holographic blueprint.
Personnel were in place. Next, he had to tackle two things: equipping them with suitable gear, and simultaneously completing the construction of the portal.
This exploration squad would be his tentacle extending into other dimensions.
(End of Chapter)