Bryce is actually quite skilled; you can tell by how he silently takes down a netrunner without a trace.
However, most people don't truly understand the complexity of cybercrime, especially in Night City.
"First, let me ask the first question. You guys didn't cause the major blackout at the corporate plaza, did you?"
"No."
Leo shook his head, denying it in line with Bryce's question.
At this moment, it didn't matter what the network monitors thought. Leo still remembered Bryce's earlier advice: Don't talk about cybercrime in front of him.
Perhaps the monitors suspected him, maybe they were probing him, or they thought the netrunner responsible for the blackout was someone else.
There's also a possibility: the netwatch monitors are handling the case with all three attitudes simultaneously.
A monitoring organization isn't just one person. A mature organization can work multi-threaded, even following different strategies at the same time.
Of course, that depends on their resource availability.
It looked like Bryce was running into resource issues.
The agent glanced at Leo. "Since we're working together, let's put everything on the table. How much do you know about the netrunner who helped you out at the corporate plaza?"
"Not much. Faraday doesn't like questions."
Thanks, Faraday.
Thanks for your contribution to corporate confidentiality, Leo thought, as he bit into his burger.
Bryce continued, "Seems like Faraday is getting screwed over as well. Anyway, we're dealing with a crafty cybercriminal."
"The blackout they caused at the corporate plaza also led to significant damage and loss of cyberspace data. Within six hours, crime in Night City spiked, interrupting our operations."
"Now, we have more incidents to verify leads and evidence on, so we're reshuffling priorities."
"Like the Lizardmen?"
Bryce glanced at Leo. "Militech sometimes buys data from NetWatch. Your border activities might be part of the deal."
"But data trading these days can't be trusted," Leo warned.
"Thanks, but I don't need your reminder. Back to what you'll be doing—I have a few cybercrime cases to verify."
"First task: Investigate the Cloud. I need work records from some advanced doll companions at Cloud."
Leo raised an eyebrow. "doll chips shouldn't record while they're active."
"That's the issue. I suspect that some advanced doll chips are recording information while serving clients. It might not be rare in Night City, but I want to know what's being recorded."
Bryce pointed a chicken bone at Leo.
This guy sure could eat.
Leo pushed his hand away. "Quick question. Could I, maybe, also get a chip from a doll for… personal use?"
"No! I said no cyber talk in front of me! Are you deaf?"
"Alright, alright, point taken. What else?"
"Second task. Honestly, I don't recommend it: someone's stealing Deputy Mayor Holt's personal data. He hasn't filed a report—probably hired Arasaka's cyber-security."
"Then why are you jumping in?"
"It goes back to that netrunner you guys hired." Bryce wiped his mouth. "That night, in cyberspace enforcement, we noticed something interesting. Arasaka might have used a top-tier cyber-weapon. We want to know why they thought this small-time crook was worth using it on."
"As for why I don't recommend it: Arasaka is involved, and the deputy mayor is involved. You're here to look into gang cybercrimes. Small jurisdiction, limited maneuvering room, and the payout? Not great."
It did sound risky, but the potential rewards were tempting.
A modest official reward left plenty of room for off-the-books incentives.
"Anything else?"
"The last option: I'd prefer you take this one—break into the Voodoo Boys' subnet. There's no solid evidence, but I'm sure they're behind attacks on the Blackwall. That gang of lunatics is poking holes in the Blackwall nonstop!"
Bryce's voice grew tense. "I have no idea what these crazies are after! If you take this one, NCPD and NetWatch will look the other way."
"Just hack them physically!"
"Just joking, man. I'll take the first one."
Bryce stared at Leo's grin, deep in thought—it wasn't quite what he expected.
"I thought you'd prefer the third option, being the hands-on type."
"True, but who isn't scared of the Voodoo Boys?"
"I can provide network support."
"Yeah, that's what worries me. Hope you don't mind if I keep my distance? Since it's our first job together, let's start with the first case. We'll revisit the others if the situation changes."
"Fine." Bryce wiped his mouth and transferred the meal payment to the vendor. "Keep the Cloud case discreet. Don't let it show we're investigating dolls chips."
"I don't hang out in those spots much, so any ideas?"
"No problem. With so many gangs in Night City, we can find a cover story."
"Gang rivalry? Won't work—they'll keep at it for ages. Plus, Cloud's backed by the Tyger Claws. You won't find any gang willing to go head-to-head with them over dolls companions. Forget the Moxes—they're not even in the same league."
Leo rubbed his chin. "How about law enforcement? Start with some violent criminals among the Tyger Claws and 'accidentally' hit Cloud? We'd be doing Night City a favor."
"That works." Bryce's cyber-eye glowed with data, quickly finding what he wanted.
"There's a known criminal in the NCPD database, Jotaro Shobo, possibly tied to Cloud. Drugs, gambling, trafficking—could be worth checking out. If you need NCPD backup, I'll set it up."
"We'll see. You don't expect me to start tonight, right? I'm freelance—I set my own hours."
Bryce sighed, exasperated. "Why do I feel like I'm being too lenient with you?"
"Not at all. I've got full respect for the front line against rogue AIs, but I still need some prep time."
Bryce, thinking about Leo's earlier taunt on working hours, only half believed him.
He stood up and dusted off his coat. "Fine, you get 24 hours. The Blackwall is under constant attack, so we can't afford delays."
Bryce issued Leo a new network access code. "For as long as you're working with us, use this ID, which grants cyberspace access."
"But if I enter cyberspace with any other ID…"
"I know—that's second-degree cybercrime. Understood, officer!" Leo saluted as his cyber-eye flashed network re-connection prompts:
[NetWatch Access ID Issued: NIGHTCITY-NETWATCH-D-GOI66523] [You Are Reconnected to the NetWatch]
Reconnected.
"Good."
As Bryce was about to leave, Leo asked, "By the way, why don't you think I'm the netrunner behind the blackout?"
"Simple. Your tech is solid but not sophisticated or advanced enough. If you used outdated methods for an EMP of that scale…"
Bryce pointed to his head, "Your brain couldn't handle the neural load, even with a room full of servers."
Leo understood.
NetWatch's guess was spot-on. He'd gone through twenty rounds of neural burnout that night, and yes, there was a whole room of servers—not in this world, though.
"But…" Bryce's tone turned cold, "If you were behind the EMP, NetWatch would use its full force to crush you."
Bryce had been so friendly it was easy to forget he was a NetWatch agent.
But only the world's top netrunners work for NetWatch, and they have the best gear.
Since the Old Net's collapse, no wild netrunner has stood a chance against them.
Anyone under NetWatch's radar...
The netrunner lying in a gutter nearby met his end as easily as swatting a fly.
"By the way, I noticed you were looking for a netrunner uniform. As a perk, I asked logistics to set you up with some equipment."
"Check your inbox for customization data. See you in cyberspace."
With that, Bryce left the food stall.
Leo sat there, pondering his next move.
[NetWatch Agent Report]
Target: Burger King
Data Updated
Human Psychology Evaluation: A sharp street kid with excellent logical skills, grounded, composed in network disconnection situations, with a basic sense of street justice.
AI Psychology Evaluation: No AI logic detected.
NetWatch Access Granted, Continue Observation.
AI suspicions not fully eliminated.