Chapter 153: Betrayal!
Faced with Hansen 's doubts, Aguilar was surprisingly straightforward in explaining the origin of the device.
"This thing was procured from International Electronics Corporation. The European AI Neural Matrix prototype was a joint development by several European companies."
"There are only three units worldwide. This one is a slightly defective prototype but still retains basic functionality, albeit with stability issues."
"However, for military technology projects like the North Star Project, which desperately need breakthrough results, it's an invaluable treasure."
Upon learning that this prototype came from Europe's industrial giants, Hansen 's doubts only deepened.
Those European companies were among the most powerful entities on the planet. How could the Cuban group possibly have gotten their hands on such a thing?
After thinking it through, Hansen quickly realized that Aguilar's explanation was far from the whole truth.
"Mr. Aguilar, this isn't something your group could have acquired on your own, is it? I suspect those companies gave it to you deliberately."
Hansen had already pieced together the underlying scheme.
The North American rebels were backed by the Cuban group, which, in turn, was controlled by European conglomerates.
Those European elites likely couldn't stand the idea of Myers achieving unification across North America, as it conflicted with their interests.
Thus, the executives of these European companies decided to use the Cuban group to create trouble for Myers . This AI Neural Matrix device was bait—a trap meant to ensnare her!
Seeing Hansen grasp that he was just a pawn in a larger game, Aguilar smiled approvingly.
"Mr. Hansen , you're a clever man."
"We're all working for the big bosses up top. Being the hidden hand isn't a one-time job. As long as we do our part well, they won't treat us poorly."
Aguilar was very clear about his own role and hoped Hansen would understand the same.
All they needed to do was stay in line and carry out their orders without getting any funny ideas.
Hansen took Aguilar's advice seriously. After all, the Cuban group was his only lifeline now.
Without the backing of these criminal syndicates, he wouldn't last a day in Night City.
"Fine, but I still don't get it. How exactly do you plan to use the Neural Matrix to lure Myers ? Do you expect me to hand this thing to her and beg for mercy?"
"And then what? She gives me some cushy position by her side, and I feed you intel until the right moment to stab her in the back?"
Hansen doubted such a plan would work. He knew Myers too well; she was the kind of ruthless leader who would discard anyone once they outlived their usefulness. The moment he handed over the device, she'd probably have him killed.
Aguilar chuckled and shook his head. If they did that, the Neural Matrix would be like throwing a meat bun to a dog—gone for good.
Such a losing deal was not what the European backers had in mind.
"To be precise, this device is for a bird. She needs it more than Myers does, and we can use her to influence Myers ' decisions."
"At the critical moment, she'll deliver a fatal betrayal."
As he spoke, a sinister smile crept across Aguilar's face, sending shivers down Bennett and Gago's spines. They couldn't shake the feeling that Aguilar looked ready to devour this bird whole.
After a moment of contemplation, Hansen suddenly realized who this "bird" referred to. His expression turned to disbelief as he asked:
"Are you talking about that hacker by Myers ' side? The one codenamed Nightingale—Song Zhaomei?!"
Though the codenames of Federal Intelligence agents were top secret, that secrecy only applied to ordinary people.
Someone like Kurt Hansen , who often did dirty work for European conglomerates, had access to such confidential information. While he had never met Song Zhaomei personally, he had heard of her name and codename.
Seeing Aguilar neither confirm nor deny his guess, Hansen felt even more shocked. He could hardly believe that the European backers had turned Song Zhaomei into their mole.
After all, Song Zhaomei was one of Myers ' most trusted aides, rarely leaving her side, as if Myers feared losing her.
"Why would Song Zhaomei need the AI Neural Matrix more than Myers ? What's she going to do with it? Sell it for cash?"
Hansen immediately dismissed his own idea. A hacker of Song Zhaomei's caliber wouldn't betray someone for money. For her, financial freedom was as easy as moving her fingers. Money was nothing more than meaningless numbers.
Aguilar's raspy, gravelly laugh broke the silence, mocking both Hansen 's naivety and Song Zhaomei's doomed fate.
"She needs this prototype to save her own life."
"To save her life? This thing can save her?"
Hansen was just a warlord with ambitions—good at trade and power plays, but clueless about advanced AI technologies like the Neural Matrix.
Aguilar patiently explained the full context.
"We've been monitoring this bird in cyberspace for quite some time. To make Myers ' North Star Project work, she's practically turned herself into a mobile network server."
"Her body is wired with high-speed cables and equipped with cutting-edge network jacks. As a hunter of rogue AIs, she's unmatched—even better than most AI hunters."
"But she's been severely infected by the Blackwall. Without treatment, her consciousness will be consumed, leaving nothing but an empty shell."
"And this prototype is the only thing that can save her."
As Aguilar finished, all eyes turned to the Neural Matrix on the table. Hansen finally understood why Song Zhaomei had chosen to betray Myers —it was to save her own life.
"Wait a second!"
Suddenly, Gago, who had been silent with a frown throughout the conversation, spoke up.
"Hackers infected by the Blackwall can be treated by more than just this thing."
"I've heard that LA Corporation's AI White Queen has similar capabilities. Since Song Zhaomei is one of Myers ' closest aides, why would she come to us for help instead of seeking treatment from LA Corporation?"
"I can't believe LA Corporation couldn't save her!"
Gago's sharp observation exposed a flaw in the story, prompting Hansen to look skeptically at Aguilar.
If this matter wasn't clarified, they might risk Song Zhaomei playing both sides, leaving everyone empty-handed.
Aguilar, however, was unfazed by the question. Instead, he shot Gago an approving glance.
" Hansen , it seems your men aren't all fools."
"Yes, we asked her the same question. She said she wanted freedom. Her terms were curing her Blackwall infection and securing a luxury apartment in the Crystal Palace."
"Once it's done, we'll send Song Zhaomei to the Crystal Palace to live out her days in space."
Hansen nodded thoughtfully at Aguilar's answer. If he were in Song Zhaomei's position, he might have done the same.
With a boss like Myers —someone who chewed people up and spat them out—even if Song Zhaomei were cured at LA Corporation, she'd just be dragged into the next grueling project.
No wonder she chose betrayal. The terms offered by the European backers were genuinely enticing.
"And you're sure Song Zhaomei can be trusted?"
Hansen remained skeptical, refusing to trust anyone easily—especially someone from the enemy camp.
"Trust isn't about words; it's about actions. When we give her instructions, her betrayal will be unmistakable."
Aguilar's response resonated with Hansen . Words were meaningless; actions would reveal the truth.
Seeing that Hansen now grasped the basics of the situation, Aguilar prepared to introduce him to their new ally from Dogtown—Song Zhaomei.
He inserted a communication chip into his neural jack, connecting the signal. Moments later, a holographic projection of Song Zhaomei materialized.
Hansen was instantly struck by her appearance—a hauntingly beautiful figure, half-human and half-machine, modified to the brink of cyberpsychosis. He couldn't help but question her mental state.
"Aguilar, where's the thing I asked for? Where is it?"
Song Zhaomei wasted no time with pleasantries, her voice weary, as if she had just completed an exhausting task.
"I've brought the AI Neural Matrix prototype. All that's left is for you to act."
With that, Aguilar opened the metal case on the table, revealing the Neural Matrix device Song Zhaomei had been desperate to obtain.
As a participant in the North Star Project, she recognized it instantly.
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