Cyberpunk: 2075.

Chapter 969, Section 180: Special Investigation
With KK's arrival, the last personnel in this temporary command center were also in place, and the equipment was ready. The entire task force officially began its operation.

As part of the task force, they were not fighting alone.

Just like deploying troops, it's impossible to rely on just a few core generals—the NCPD provides a large number of auxiliary positions and support teams. The so-called 'project team' is actually the brain of the entire operation system, mobilizing the resources of various departments around it.

At this time, teams dispatched by the Information Section, the Investigation Section, and other departments had already begun their work. With their collaborative efforts, first-hand intelligence was continuously flowing into the room and rapidly circulating on various screens.

The NCPD took this matter very seriously and granted River Ward considerable authority. Except for special operations teams and terrorist mobile units, which can only be called upon in the most urgent situations, he had almost the authority to mobilize resources from any district office in Night City.

After all, if the city council doesn't give them an explanation, the NCPD will receive less support in that area, and the city council officials don't want to be the next ones to be assassinated for no reason.

Chief Johnson's meaning was clear: an answer had to be found, otherwise the NCPD's future budget and support from the city council would be put to the test. Whether the result was a revenge killing or an accident, the city council had to be convinced.

River Ward quickly got into the zone. Once the investigation team was fully operational, he cleared his mind of all distractions, including those of Carl, and immersed himself completely in the flood of information.

He stood in the center of the command room, precisely processing each piece of intelligence and assigning it to the most appropriate channels. He directed patrol officers to cordon off the scene, coordinated with forensic experts to prioritize the handling of key evidence, and demanded that the technical department decipher the residual data of the murderer's prosthetic body. His instructions were very clear and decisive, which made Karl take a second look at him.

It must be said that Johnson was indeed excellent in terms of vision, managing to select someone like Karl, who, while not particularly memorable, was a truly capable and competent person who could handle such a critical situation.

Carl had read River Ward's resume during his journey. Rumor had it that during his suspension, he had considered rallying his own people to carry out his cause and uphold justice on the streets. Carl thought it sounded like the early Sixth Street gang. Considering that he came from the area near Santo Domingo, this should be considered a unique characteristic.

The people there really know how to get things done in groups, oh, and their driving skills are so aggressive. I just wonder if Rivers is like that too.

As an on-site consultant, Carl didn't actually have any specific job duties. After all, consultants are just there to offer advice. Since River was busy with other matters and there was no need for him to do anything, Carl chose an inconspicuous corner and quietly observed everything.

He was very self-aware—investigating and solving such murder cases was the police's specialty, and at least for an expert like River, it was definitely better than him. He could just watch and do his job; an amateur trying to direct an expert would only make things worse.

He knew a little about detective work, but there was a difference between the two, so he took the opportunity to learn from him.

I don’t know if Carl is studying me, I just occasionally notice him scrutinizing his target, and I don’t know why Carl is staring at me, but River is performing very well.

He felt no burden or tension whatsoever, and under his coordination, the preliminary on-site report and physical evidence analysis were quickly completed.

The technical department was the first to report the news.

"The weapon analysis results are in."

An officer from the task force projects data onto the main screen:
"The killer used a modified Tsunami 'Nue' kinetic energy pistol. The original model is an excellent firearm, but it is too large and has poor concealment, making it unsuitable for assassination. This one has been heavily modified, especially the barrel and firing mechanism, which use uncommon black market materials, making it difficult to trace their origin."

"So you mean it's difficult to trace?" River asked.

"Theoretically yes."

The officer glanced at Carl, who was observing, and said, "Due to the recent chaos and personnel relocation in Dogtown, the black market in Dogtown has not been controlled in a short period of time, resulting in a large number of unverified and untested weapons flowing out. The materials related to this weapon may have come out during that period; otherwise, we should have been able to find some traces at the checkpoint." "Keep people looking for ways to track it down."

"Yes."

Listening to his colleague's words, Rivers frowned slightly. The easiest lead to the weapons had gone cold, which was not a good sign for the investigation.

But that's not all the bad news.

A new report followed: "Forensic experts discovered a crucial clue in blood tests—the killer's body contained a high concentration of synthetic stimulants, commonly known on the black market as 'Black Dream';
This drug causes users to experience a powerful hallucination of their own "damaged prosthetic eye," immersing them in a pure, game-like dark experience. It can drastically suppress pain and induce a state of frenzy, but at the cost of severe cognitive impairment. Currently, this test further corroborates the preliminary diagnosis of "cyberpsychotic onset."

As Rivers listened to the report, his brow furrowed even deeper.

This seems to be a deliberate attempt to guide the clues towards a drug-induced madman.

It sounds reasonable; countless people have gone mad from being high on drugs. Even if they weren't cyberbullying, there were countless such people in the old Dogtown. But too many details reveal contradictions:

Why would a mentally unstable person suddenly go insane at this time, and why can't any information about him be found? Why would a gun unsuitable for assassination be modified to be suitable for assassination, and why would it happen to be in the hands of this cyber psychopath?

If this is simply a case of cyberpsychosis caused by medication, then aren't there too many coincidences?

Thinking this, Rivers subconsciously glanced at Carl in the corner, and Carl, sensing his gaze, nodded slightly at him.

Carl took this as a consultation, and since River had come to ask him, it was his duty as an advisor to offer some advice.

"Prosthetic body".

Carl mentioned something that River would realize in a moment, but he hadn't thought of it yet.

"Seanwistan".

S. Anwestein.
Yes.

How could I forget this?

Sianwistan is not a prosthetic body that can be found everywhere. Even the lowest grade of this thing is something that ordinary people on the street can only dream of, not to mention that it requires frequent maintenance.

In other words, as long as the sales or maintenance information for this SEA WISTA model is traced, then the personnel can investigate the matter thoroughly.

(End of this chapter)