November 29, 2078 The weather was gloomy and breathless, and the atmosphere in the Military Science and Technology Building was extremely tense, and everyone was waiting for it, as if something big was going to happen today.

In the central conference room on the 50th floor of the building, five people sat around a round table, with several cigarette butts stuck in the ashtray on the table.

Led by a middle-aged man, the rank of lieutenant general on the shoulder of the military uniform is particularly conspicuous, his forehead is engraved with deep wrinkles, his temples are mixed with silver threads, his facial features are rough, and his eyes are very sharp. This man is Zoe's biological father, Lieutenant General Damon Frey, who now serves in the Department of Defense of the New United States.

The two people next to him are Zoe's two older brothers.

The eldest brother, Horst Frey, is a full member of the board of directors of military technology, with short blond hair neatly combed back, and a black suit worn neatly, giving people a very capable impression and very majestic.

The second brother, Harry Frey, a member of the Council of Night City, wears long blond hair neatly draped over his shoulders, wears a pair of black-rimmed glasses, and has a fox-like cunning in his eyes.

Stott sat across from the three of them with a serious face, after experiencing the events of yesterday, whether her job and position can be kept depends on now, if the other party intends to be angry with herself, she will be swept out of the house and wander the streets. At worst, it is a dead end, and there is no return. Before she knew it, her palms were already sweaty, and her body seemed very stiff, and she didn't dare to breathe.

Zoe was like a child who had done something wrong, not even daring to look up at the other party, keeping her head down and remaining silent, a feeling of letting her go.

The room was quiet and frightening, the air seemed to freeze, and soon the second brother Harry Frey broke the atmosphere and took the lead in saying: "Ms. Stout, we have a general understanding of your explanation, and I still want to thank you very much for safely rescuing my unsuccessful sister, in the face of the threat of terrorists, you can calmly deal with it, and successfully rescue the hostages, it is already commendable." What do you say, Horst? ”

Horst breathed a long sigh of relief and said in a low voice: "Indeed, in terms of the results, it is already very good, hard work Stout. Against this gang of self-proclaimed Black Watchmen, we will send someone to conduct an in-depth investigation. ”

Stott's hanging heart fell to the ground instantly, it seemed that he was safe, and he hurriedly said with a smile: "Thank you for your understanding, I still have one more thing to report about the situation of the Black Warden, their leader ZERO handed me a chip, which contains the information he wants to convey to military technology, and he seems to want to cooperate with military technology." ”

Stott got up and handed a long black chip to the round table. Horst and Harry looked at each other, and finally looked at Daemon Frey, who had remained silent.

"Stout, tell me everything you said about your conversation with ZERO, and don't leave a word behind." Damon's voice was extremely intimidating, and the atmosphere in the conference room dropped to freezing point in an instant.

"Yes!"

In the next five minutes, Stott gave a detailed report to the three of them about the specific situation of yesterday, and I have to say that her memory is really strong, and it is really word for word.

After listening to the report, Horst asked in disbelief, "You said he wants to start a fifth corporate war against Arasaka?" And join forces with us. The chip he gave had Arasaka's top-secret information in it? ”

Stout: "That's exactly what he said, I remember it very well. ”

Harry asked with some suspicion: "There won't be any conspiracy in this, has the chip been tested for safety, is there any malware or virus?" ”

Stout: "Not yet, let the chief do the same." ”

Dimon took the chip on the table, put it in his hand and looked at it for a while, and said, "The Black Warden must be traced to the end, as well as the true identity of ZERO." The contents of the chip will also be confirmed, and I hope that the results will be available within three days. Horst, does Harry have any objections? ”

The two said in unison: "No problem, please rest assured." ”

Dimon then got up and came to Zoe's side and asked softly, "Have you learned the lesson from this time, and what should you do next?" ”

Zoe quickly stood up and raised her head and said loudly: "I know what to do, Dad, I will learn the lesson of this time, and I will never put myself in danger again." ”

Dai Meng looked at the emotional Zoe with an expressionless face, stretched out his hand and gently patted her shoulder, and whispered: "Okay, I look forward to seeing your performance, don't let me down." With that, he left the conference room.

Seeing this, Horst and Harry immediately got up and prepared to leave.

Horst: "Zoe, as a member of the Frey family, remember what you said, and don't let us down. ”

Harry smiled: "Don't worry, don't forget that you still have two brothers when you encounter difficulties, we will always be your most solid backing." Let's go. ”

"Hmm.... I understand. Goodbye, brother! ”

After the three gods left, Stott lay down on the table with a sigh of relief.

"Zoe! From today onwards, you will be my direct adjutant, and you will be where I am, and you must be inseparable! If I do it again today, I should kill myself, did you hear me? ”

"Okay, no problem, Chief Stout! So when are we going to investigate ZERO? ”

As soon as Stott heard about the investigation of ZERO, he suddenly felt his heart tighten, and said weakly: "Uh..... ZERO, forget it today...... I'm having a nervous breakdown and need a break, so you can go back to work first. ”

"Well, okay, you have a good rest, I'll go out first."

————

Why so many candles and so many faces on my head?

This body will not be harmed in any way.

Everybody's standing—I'm the only one lying here—

Mourning, deception. Only when you die is you who you really are.

So, I was buried under a wreath of fallen leaves—

Solemn - eternal - lonely.

Death, to silence, poured into my mind again,

Although now I know that all the meaning is dead.

How I hate myself for being accustomed to this tomb,

To be who I used to be, that's what I desire.

"Why So Many Candles...", by Bolesław Leshmian

Kate sat alone on the balcony with an old book covered in dust in her hand.

"What are you looking at? So focused. Alan appeared behind her at some point.

"It's nothing, is everyone else arranged?" Kate quickly drank the old book in her hand and asked coldly.

"It's all in Roman's charge, he is more familiar with everyone than me, and the arrangements will be more proper."

"Heh, your reason is really seamless, Roman is tired from driving the floating car for so long."

"You're right, so you'll help him on my behalf during the time I'm away."

"What do you mean, you're getting out of here? Leave us alone? ”

Alan smiled and said jokingly, "Why, you started thinking about me before you left?" Otherwise, I'll be with you a little longer. ”

Kate waved her hand in disgust; "Don't be sentimental, you hurry up, I don't want to see you shaking in front of my eyes for a second, I have a headache."

"I still have some important business to attend to in the city, and I don't think it will be a few days before the military tech people will have to meet me, and before that I need to find a new base for us to use."

"By the way, how did you convince that Stott to give us the float? I still haven't figured it out, what deal did you make with her? And where did the hostage you find come from, and the other party is willing to negotiate with you obediently? Kate's questions poured out like bullets from a machine gun, making it impossible to speak.

Seeing this, Alan made a secret gesture; The god whispered mysteriously, "Next time.... I'll tell you about it next time. ”