Chapter 160: The Collapse of the Blackwall! Lone Wolf Spy!
"I need to know what price you're offering, though I'm not particularly interested in money. How about we exchange information instead?"
"Preferably useful information."
V smiled knowingly. He was aware that Bryce, a profit-driven information broker, likely carried plenty of intelligence on other corporations in his vault. It would be a waste not to extract some of it.
When Bryce realized V was more interested in information, he chuckled in sudden understanding. "Oh! You're a corporate agent, aren't you? No problem. I've worked with plenty of people like you before."
Bryce grinned. Whether it was corporate traitors secretly selling out their employers or loyal operatives serving their companies, Bryce could get along with anyone. Both relied on his services, after all. This was precisely why his business thrived.
"So, V, which company's intel are you interested in?"
To show his sincerity, Bryce decided to gift V a piece of information for free. Not because he was generous, but because corporate agents like V often provided high-quality intelligence—far better than what the average employee could offer. Trading with such individuals was far more lucrative for Bryce.
"Your Network Surveillance Company. I want recent and significant intel. If your information catches my interest, I'll trade you intel from LA Corporation," V offered.
Hearing V's willingness to exchange LA Corporation's intel, Bryce nodded excitedly, as if afraid V might change his mind. "Deal!"
After a moment of thought, Bryce revealed a critical piece of information related to Network Surveillance:
"You've probably heard about the recent internet outage in the Russian cyber district. Well, there's an update on that."
"According to our company's latest investigation, the force responsible for the outage might be based right here in Night City."
"This force is either a corporation or the Voodoo Boys' hackers. But our executives are leaning toward it being a corporation."
V's face darkened immediately upon hearing this. Bryce was offering information that had already been reported in the news.
"Bryce, are you messing with me?" V asked coldly.
"That crap's been public knowledge for ages! Why would I care about something so trivial? Investigating an internet outage? Do your Network Surveillance agents have nothing better to do?"
V was baffled by why this incident was being treated as a top priority by Network Surveillance. It wasn't even a permanent outage!
Seeing V's frustration, Bryce quickly waved his hands in defense. "No, no, this incident is one of our company's most confidential matters. The outage apparently caused something very important to go missing."
"What went missing?" V finally felt a tinge of curiosity.
"Some kind of AI was leaked. Apparently, this internet outage technology led to the loss of a critical AI. That's why our company is conducting a full investigation."
"The primary suspects are Arasaka, Yorinobu Corporation, Petrochem, Kang Tao, and LA Corporation!"
After hearing Bryce's explanation, V started to form a basic understanding of the situation. The matrix program he had come to install in the Voodoo Boys' basement might be connected to this.
Still, V couldn't piece everything together. The details felt murky, like looking through foggy glass.
"It's just an AI. What's the big deal?" V scoffed.
"This isn't just any AI," Bryce said gravely. "I've heard that this particular AI is tied to the Blackwall. If this situation isn't handled properly, the Blackwall could collapse!"
Bryce didn't know about the existence of the Transcendent AI Europa, but as an insider, he was aware that Network Surveillance had an AI capable of maintaining the Blackwall.
The commotion over the recent outage stemmed from the realization that this AI—capable of maintaining the Blackwall—had inexplicably disappeared.
If all the AIs capable of maintaining the Blackwall were lost, it would eventually be breached by rogue AIs from the other side, turning it into a sieve.
And when that day comes, it would spell humanity's doom.
"The Blackwall collapsing? Are you serious?" V was skeptical, wondering if Bryce was feeding him nonsense.
"Where'd you even get this nonsense? Some tabloid? This sounds more absurd than Little Red Riding Hood eating the wolf."
Bryce frowned at the mockery. "You wanted the latest Network Surveillance intel. This information took me a lot of effort to acquire. If you think it's nonsense, then don't listen."
"Also, not every piece of intel is 100% accurate. If it were, I'd be rich by now and wouldn't have to run around verifying facts."
"Out of ten pieces of intel, if one is reliable, that's already a jackpot!"
Bryce vented his frustrations. From V's reaction, he was convinced the man was a complete rookie, ignorant of basic industry knowledge.
The transmission of information always carried the risk of distortion, which was why first-hand data was so valuable. Anything passed through too many hands was likely unreliable.
Bryce's intel, at least, came from within his company, making it far more credible than rumors circulating outside.
"Now it's your turn, V," Bryce said coldly. "Let's hear the LA Corporation intel. If it's disappointing, this will be our last trade. And I won't deal with you again. Trust is everything in this business."
He crossed his arms and continued, "Don't try feeding me lies. I make a living off information and can sniff out the truth."
V panicked internally. Should I really reveal LA Corporation's intel to him?
He doubted his ability to fabricate something convincing enough to fool Bryce. Blowing this would mean losing a crucial information source.
[Johnny Silverhand]: Relax. Just tell him about what happened in the Badlands. He doesn't know who you are anyway.
Fine. I'll leave it to you.
Following Johnny's instructions, V recounted the events at the biotechnological facility in the Badlands.
Johnny described how a lone wolf operative named Vincent from LA Corporation used a polymer device to eliminate a genetic monstrosity named Ivanov.
When V mentioned details like Joanne's arrest and the involvement of Militech and LA Corporation soldiers, Bryce nodded with growing interest.
The details aligned with what he already knew, even filling in some gaps.
"So, this Vincent, an LA Corporation operative, is as skilled as the Crystal Palace's Twelve Angels?" Bryce asked excitedly.
"And now, this top-tier lone wolf is heading to the Pacifica Region for a secret mission assigned by Mr. Li Ang himself?"
Bryce paced the room, his mind racing over how to sell this intel to the highest bidder.
"This is gold! I'm going to make a fortune!" Bryce exclaimed gleefully.
V, meanwhile, was confused. Why were corporate agents so obsessed with one lone wolf?
"Is this intel really that valuable? What's so special about this Vincent guy?" V asked.
"For me, yes," Bryce admitted. "I've got a friend in the Federal Intelligence Agency who mentioned a mysterious LA operative. But the details were vague. Now, thanks to you, I know much more."
Bryce smiled, satisfied.
The FIA… V thought grimly. The idea of being on the radar of such a notorious organization was unsettling.
It felt like someone had been watching him all along, but who?
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