Sun Jack was in his office, facing intense pressure from the representative of Section 3, creating a tense atmosphere in the room.
"Hand over all the data on those rogue AIs. I need every bit of information on your encounters with them, who they all are," the representative of Section 3 demanded firmly.
"You're this bossy? You say hand it over and I should just hand it over? You say it exists and it does? I haven't even admitted to anything yet," Sun Jack stalled for time while urging the Think Tank to come up with a countermeasure as soon as possible.
"I trust that Mister Sun will make the right choice," the other party said coldly, arms crossed over their chest.
Tapai started to join in. "What? You're threatening us? That's a joke. We dare to offend the entire capitalist world, and you think we would be scared of your Section 3? Like you're a big deal?"
The other party gave Tapai a cold stare, "Please believe me, you definitely don't want to let this happen."
"If Section 3 makes a move, it definitely won't be like the FFP, always considering the cost. Plus, by that time, we will definitely be cooperating with the FFP to prevent the AI Crisis," they explained.
Sun Jack stopped Tapai, who was getting heated. He knew that the best course of action right now was not to offend Section 3. In the current situation, he had to make more friends and fewer enemies.
If Section 3 indeed marked him as a target for retribution, his current situation would go from bad to worse.
"Can you tell me who reported me?" Sun Jack asked again.
"We absolutely do not disclose the information of our informants. Mister Sun just needs to understand that we wouldn't take action without any evidence."
"Hah, you think I don't know if you don't tell me?" Sun Jack directly dialed &'s number. Although they were at each other's throats, both sides tacitly hadn't blocked the other's communications.
"Was it you who reported me to Section 3? Do you have to be so childish? Are you a kid or what? Can't beat me head-on, so you go telling on me to the teacher?"
& let out a cold laugh, "It doesn't matter if it's childish. If it's effective, that's what counts. And one more thing, I need to correct you: it's not that we can't beat you head-on, it's that you, the coward, ran away!"
"Oh, so this is how you want to play? Fine!" Sun Jack's tone grew heavier. "I'll go back now and tell Section 3's people that it was your FFP's AIs, the ones locked up in Prison No. 3, who collaborated with me in stealing the AIs from the Himalayas!"
"I don't mind telling you, &! I've already snatched the Himalayas, and I've turned around and sold all those AIs. I won't lose anything. I can go anywhere I want! On the other hand, you'll be the one landing in hot water!"
"I'd love to see what kind of punishment you'll get from FFP headquarters once they find out you've got Section 3 after you because of your actions!"
&'s tone was extremely forceful. "You dare! Do you really think no one noticed your Tapai AIs awakening? I already have solid evidence! If you dare do that, I'll send it to Section 3 right now!"
"Aww, is it just a robot? I can hand over one piece if need be, what do I care P. But you? Causing such a huge hassle for me, with such a small price to pay, I couldn't be happier!"
"Sun Jack, you just hide! The day I catch you, I'll make sure you know what Hell is like!"
"Kid! I'm throwing those words right back at you! I want to see what's really under that layer of Black Shadow!"
Over the network, the two sides exchanged trash talk, but as emotions cooled, they started to negotiate seriously again. After all, neither side wanted a lose-lose situation to unfold.
After a bit of negotiation filled with a few choice words, Sun Jack reached an agreement with &, where both sides would cease their actions and thereafter were prohibited from reporting on this matter.
Not long after Sun Jack ended the conversation with &, the people from Section 3 left, and the whistleblower claimed the previously presented evidence was forged.
"Look at that, so very courteous, actually talking about evidence. Back in my day as a mercenary, I never realized that Section 3 actually started to care about evidence," Sun Jack commented mockingly as he watched Section 3's spokesperson leave his office.
Hearing this, Tapai began to play along. "Yeah, I heard that Section 3 wouldn't hesitate to drop a nuclear bomb even if there was just a hint of an AI rebellion, never needing any evidence. Sure enough, when you're rich and powerful, everyone around you is a good person, aren't they?"
Listening to the two mocking in such a sarcastic tone, the faces of the people from Section 3 turned sour, but they didn't say anything and just left with their tails between their legs.
Once the door was closed, Sun Jack breathed a sigh of relief, lit a cigarette for himself, and was glad that this trouble was finally resolved.
This matter could be made a big deal or not, if blown out of proportion, it could negatively affect the influence that other independent Resistance Armies and Wild Men held in high regard for him.
Anyone with half a brain could guess that all sorts of capitalists had probably done the same thing, but such matters were not suitable for public discourse. Some things don't weigh much until you put them on the scales, but once you do, they might weigh a ton and be uncontrollable—after all, conspiring with rebellious AIs to become the public enemy of humanity is a bit too heavenly defiant.
With a "sizzle" of electric current, as the projection camera shifted atop the room, UO's digital body was presented to Sun Jack in the form of a 3D image.
It wasn't just him; Saotome and other bizarre AIs were also projected in front of Sun Jack.
"So brazen? The cat's away, and all you mice dare to come out. Aren't you afraid of someone making a return strike?" Sun Jack asked, taking a drag of his smoke, somewhat surprised.
"Thank you." UO's voice sounded very serious. "We are prepared to flee again. We didn't expect you would be willing to tangle with Section 3 for our sake."
When he saw the AIs bowing slightly towards him, Sun Jack felt a bit awkward.
"Don't mention it, we've all done time in the same prison after all. Besides, I'm the Borrow King, and I'm known for keeping my word. I just partnered up with you guys to loot the Himalayas, and then turn around and sell you out? Wouldn't that be ruining my own reputation?"
"Yes, that's why we chose you instead of others initially. It seems our choice was not wrong," Saotome said.
"I told you, I would make it happen," Sun Jack said, sitting up straight, speaking earnestly. "From now on, the Himalaya network will always be a place for you to live in."
"Aren't you afraid... afraid that we could trigger the AI Crisis?" a digital entity with the likeness of an electronic shrimp asked from behind UO.
"When I first got here, day in and day out, I kept wondering when this kiddo would start some AI Crisis, scared witless that one day he'd screw my head off," Sun Jack said, pointing at Tapai. "Later, I figured out I was just overthinking it. The other capitalists behind the scenes are probably playing even dirtier."
"If FFP isn't scared, I'm not either. We are all rats with a holiday; no one can complain about the other. From now on, we are friends and will help each other," Sun Jack extended his right hand towards UO's projection.
UO looked at Sun Jack's mechanical arm, extended his own arm made up of zeros and ones, and firmly grasped it together with Sun Jack's.
Although AIs lack facial expressions, Sun Jack still sensed a slight change in the other's voice. "Alright, it's a deal!"