Cyberpunk: 2075.

Chapter 881, Section 91: For a New America

"Your Excellency, Reed has successfully infiltrated the stadium and found a passageway. He is expected to locate Kurt Hansen soon. Shall we proceed as planned?"

Rosalind Miles, in Night City, was listening intently to her subordinates' live reports. Her gaze swept across the satellite-transmitted map of Dogtown and finally settled on the stadium.

"Can you confirm that Hansen is not inside 'Gemstone Blue'?"

"Yes, Your Excellency, based on the statements and information records of our captured personnel, it has been confirmed that Kurt Hansen himself is inside the stadium."

Is it possible that this is a disguise?

"The analysis team has intervened, and they are certain that it was Hansen himself."

"In other words, Li De is now close to Hansen."

Rosalind Miles remained unusually calm. Even though Kurt Hansen's life or death was directly related to her political career, there was no sign of tension or urgency on her face, only a deep-sea-like composure, as if everything was under control.

Her thoughtful expression subtly influenced everyone in the command center, and a sense of security permeated the air—without a doubt, Rosalind Miles was an exceptional leader; as long as she was there, even the greatest crisis seemed to be nothing more than a common occurrence that could be handled with ease.

Kurt Hansen was nothing but a clown, and under President Miles's meticulous planning, he had been driven into a corner. As for Reed—who didn't know he was once the FIA's top agent? Now that he had successfully infiltrated, Kurt Hansen's death was almost a foregone conclusion.

Clearly, with President Myers in command, victory is imminent. If that's the case, then perhaps the initial nuclear test plan doesn't necessarily need to be carried out?
The nuclear explosion ultimately touched a raw nerve with people. Even though they had prepared a story to shift the blame to Hansen, the subsequent explanations and public notifications would still require a tremendous amount of effort.

Even if the public eventually believes that Hansen detonated the nuclear bomb himself, there will still be those who blame the actions of the new America for pushing him to the brink and causing the reactor to explode. At that time, public opinion will be just as difficult to manage.

Just as the military technology sector accused Arasaka of causing the nuclear bomb to explode due to miscontrol—since nuclear weapons were indeed hidden inside the Arasaka Tower, Arasaka did not offer much explanation. Under the influence of public opinion, people superficially accepted this claim, acknowledging that Arasaka detonated the nuclear bomb, but they also pointed the finger at the military technology sector, believing that their radical actions were the real root of the tragedy.

In other words, if a nuclear bomb were detonated today, even if the new United States could absolve itself of responsibility for the detonation, the ensuing public outcry would be inevitable. Considering Rosalind Myers' already notorious international reputation, this could potentially impact the future of the new United States.

If we can avoid detonating a nuclear bomb, that would be the best outcome.

Rosalind Miles was well aware of what her subordinates were thinking, and that was precisely what she was weighing.

After a moment's hesitation, she made her decision.

"Contact Li De immediately."

The communication was quickly established, and Miles' voice was calm and clear: "Reed, deal with Hansen as soon as possible. If you act quickly enough, we might be able to avoid a reputational disaster."

“I’d like to do that too. But I’m afraid we’ve underestimated Hansen.” Li De’s tone was grave. He quickly reported what he had seen. “Hansen has completed the modification of the reactor. His idea is exactly the same as our original plan—except that he really intends to detonate the reactor.”

Miles' pupils suddenly contracted.

She instantly understood the meaning behind Li De's words.

It turns out that it wasn't just them who wanted to use nuclear weapons; Hansen also planned to use them to resolve the matter!
Hansen got tricked.

Rosalind Miles realized her carelessness.

If she hadn't considered that the lark still had recycling value and sent Li De to ensure its survival or to silence it, the original plan might have continued, and she would have truly been blamed for 'actively using a nuclear weapon' under Hansen's scheme.

She turned her head sharply, her voice resolute: "Immediately seal off the perimeter of the stadium—ground, air, and underground—defend everything. Don't let a single person out. Since Hansen intends to use nuclear weapons, then block all his possible escape routes!" Miles' expression twisted slightly as he continued, "I want to see if he really intends to stage a suicide attack. Start drafting the nuclear test declaration now—remember, put Hansen's name first. He is the number one culprit in destroying peace."

After giving orders to her subordinates who were rushing to act on her instructions, Miles turned around abruptly and said to Reed on the other end of the communication channel in a deep voice: "Reed, take care of Hansen. The fate of the new America now rests on your shoulders."

The fate of the new America.
Li De silently recited this sentence in his heart, and an indescribable sense of strangeness twisted and spread in his heart.

He heard Miles's words clearly, but he also keenly caught the barely concealed panic in her voice.

Rosalind Miles panicked.

This politician, who had always appeared as composed as an elite monster and seemed to have everything under control, finally showed signs of cracking.

She finally realized that this matter truly threatened her, and at this moment she revealed her true nature, stripped of all pretense: cruel, ruthless, and extremely cold-blooded, willing to do anything to consolidate her power.

Just like the way she looked when she realized the lark had flown out of her cage.

Li De's mind was in turmoil, but he still forcibly suppressed the various thoughts that gradually surfaced in his heart.

"For a new America."

she says.

For a new America.

He said.

"I have found Hansen."

After saying this, Li De ended the call and then picked up his gun.

The pistol he named 'Discard'.

Was it because his existence and that of the other SIA agents threatened Miles that Miles ordered him to abandon them in the past?

A discarded pawn.

Li Demai began to walk.

He stepped out of the shadows and stood in the dim light, his skin making him appear as a dark silhouette.

Li De's sudden appearance immediately alerted Hansen and Albert beside him. Even the 'Nightingale,' whose consciousness was gradually fading, struggled to raise its head and look at him.

Li De did not choose the assassination method commonly used by secret agents, but instead took the initiative to show himself, and the fundamental reason was precisely for the sake of the lark.

He gripped the 'sacrificial pistol' tightly, facing the three men directly, his voice cold and stern:
"Hansen, hand over Song Zhaomei."

Li De would not give up on Song Zhaomei, because in his view, Song Zhaomei was never a pawn to be abandoned.

(End of this chapter)