[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-cyberpunk-cross-dimensional-science-and-engineer":3,"chapter-cyberpunk-cross-dimensional-science-and-engineer-cyberpunk-cross-dimensional-science-and-engineer-chapter-291":6},{"origin":4,"title":5},"english","Cyberpunk: Cross-dimensional Science and Engineering",{"chapter":7,"nextChapterSlug":20,"prevChapterSlug":21,"totalChapters":22,"novelImage":23},{"id":8,"novel_id":9,"title":10,"slug":11,"index":12,"content":13,"wordcount":14,"created_at":15,"updated_at":16,"volume":17,"translator":18,"content_hash":19},1151782,1495,"Chapter 291 - 270: Holiday Ends","cyberpunk-cross-dimensional-science-and-engineer-chapter-291",291,"\u003Cp>Homelessness in Night City had always been a big problem.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The recent economic crisis, triggered by New America’s war of unification, had ravaged Taiping State; it caused massive investor withdrawals and companies to flee, leaving a mess in their wake.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Given the existence of Dog Town and the hopeless economic collapse, Mayor Luxius Lane took proactive measures in the face of such adversity:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He simply excluded the crime data and other statistical indicators of Taiping State from the Night City statistical yearbook.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>You could say statistics is an art, and Mayor Lane really got the hang of it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With this exclusion, the crime rate in Night City plummeted dramatically.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Now, he was about to launch an even more significant plan: to eradicate the homeless!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yes, the policy was exactly as it sounded, truly meant to eradicate homelessness.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This issue became a major point of criticism from his opponent, Perares, in the upcoming mayoral election.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And to truly understand this policy and eliminate related risks, one needed to look to the candidate, Jefferson Perares.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After briefly checking on the stronghold’s situation and understanding the financials, Lille and V embarked on their return journey.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hand resting by the window, V yawned again, showing a lack of interest, \"Ah, feels like we just went for a drive.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"What else did you expect, a shootout every day?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The car started, and Lille turned on the radio, tuning into the Body Temperature Station, which was playing \"Night City.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As the electronic music began, V raised an eyebrow, \"Quite timely, so are we getting involved in the mayoral election? Sounds like there could be a lot of money to be made.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"These things usually involve more trouble than money; you might even end up taking the blame. Politicians are much darker than you think.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Darker than you?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lille glanced at her helplessly, \"Can’t you compare me to something else?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"No way, you’re the darkest person I’ve met. If we get involved, who should we help?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Tell me your thoughts.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Me?\" V thought for a moment, \"Hot is a piece of shit, no one would vote for him; Ryan is a cunning fat man, but he has indeed done some real things.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Peralez... he talks a good game, but online people say he was put forward by Military Technology intending to integrate Night City back into the United States, ending up as a corporate dog.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Talking from a corporate dog is as good as farting...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wait, aren’t we getting a bit ahead of ourselves here, even discussing elections?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In Night City, elections existed but were implemented in the form of a concentrated democracy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This democracy was formed by the election of representatives by the ten largest giant corporations in Night City, who then elected the Mayor.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In other words, from a direct view point, the elections didn’t really concern the citizens of Night City much.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But all that was on the surface; a qualified politician should be aware of that, because the requirements for this democratic condition are: headquartered in Night City, and held among the ten most powerful companies in Night City.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Essentially, the resources that various companies invested in Night City and their policies towards the citizens were reflected in sales revenue data, and then they were granted democratic rights.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Of course, considering the scale of these companies and their impact on society, the influence of the citizens on democratic elections was still in a very subtle position.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Saying it didn’t concern the citizens much wasn’t far from the truth.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>However, Lille shook his head, \"We are big shots now, if we don’t get to participate, then the people of Night City are truly just numbers.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>So, Ryan or Perares?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You say that as if my saying a name would make you elect them—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I’ll pick Ryan, considering my experience in Atlanta, I guess I should thank Ryan, someone like me can probably only make a name for themselves in Night City.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Who isn’t?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>V looked at Lille with slight surprise, \"Being humble?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Absolutely,\" Lille laughed, \"Without the well-known V, where would I be today?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You know what’s good,\" V pleased, shifted in her seat, scooting it back a bit, \"Though it would be nice if he could be as upright as Perares.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ah, why do we have to pick sides among jerks?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The car passed over the Saint Domingo Bridge, entering Scenic Area, where the lights became brighter.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The corporate skyscrapers blocked the sky, artificial light sources replacing the stars and moon, hanging overhead.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The musical intro concluded, and a female electronic voice started: \"good morning, Night City...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>V relaxed, stretching her long legs onto the car’s dashboard—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lille glanced over and moved her legs back with his mechanical arm.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"What!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"It’s enough not wearing a seatbelt, now risky moves?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You sure like to control...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>.....\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The next morning, Lille and V went to Mrs. Wales’s house to find Jack—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The guy was glowing with health, which made Lille wonder, \"Jack, didn’t you hold some fancy ’Thursday Bash’ last night?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"What ’Thursday Bash?’ It was the ’Wild Wolf Beer Festival!’\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In Jack’s garage, the big guy patted his motorcycle.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was an ARCH Nazare, painted in red and black.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Feeling that good?\" V clicked his tongue in surprise, \"Besides drinking, what did you do yesterday?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jack waved his hand with a smirk, leaning to one side and ’accidentally’ revealing a hanging décor on the wall behind the bed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This decoration looked like a circle made of some kind of branches, with a net woven out of fine threads in the middle, and colorful beads and dyed feathers hanging below...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was a delicately made ornament, clearly handmade.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Upon seeing this, Lille raised an eyebrow, \"A dream catcher?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Wow, you know your stuff, hermano, how did you know this dream catcher was a gift from Misty?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jack chuckled and hugged Lille, \"Looks nice, right? Only good dreams pass through this net, flowing down the feathers while nightmares... get trapped in the dream.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They vanish with the next morning’s sunlight—Boom.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>While saying this, he also cupped his other hand and blew on it towards the sunlight.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>You’ve got to admit, Jack really looked like a kid showing off a new toy...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Obviously, the big guy hadn’t drunk too much yesterday and had even taken a short ride out with Misty.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jack, hugging Lille, said, \"Bro, you should think about these things too, otherwise why earn so much money...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jack suddenly stopped halfway through his words, remembering that Lille was kind of broke...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>V stood behind them, watching the two share their feelings, \"Nice piece, but shouldn’t we be talking about the job ahead?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jack let go of Lille, scratching his head, \"True, what’s our next move?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lille responded, \"Let’s go meet our candidate for mayor, Jefferson Peralares. He might have some work for us.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After meeting him, I’ll think about how to proceed. I guess the candidate has a lot to talk with us about.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jack hopped onto his motorbike and added,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Mayoral candidate... There are three cliché pieces of advice on the streets: First, when offered a ’top-secret’ task: don’t take it.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>V shrugged, \"Second, the first rule with politicians: don’t cooperate.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The two exchanged glances and said in unison, \"Third, the first rule with cops: don’t engage.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>V added, \"But here we have more cunning folks.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jack nodded, \"This job’s gonna be lucrative, right?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lille frowned, \"No, do you guys have some misunderstanding about me...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The two looked at each other and shook their heads.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"...\" Lille seemed choked up for a moment but quickly moved to the next subject.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Whether the job’s lucrative or not is hard to say until we meet. But this task will likely involve dealing with corporates and gangs. We might be able to make a decent score.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If there are no objections, I’ll get in touch with Peralares and then see how we can hit the next jackpot—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>So, vacation’s over, no objections, right?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jack rolled up his sleeves, ready to go: \"Absolutely, mano!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>V, looking at the enthusiastic Jack and Lille, suddenly asked, \"I’ve been feeling less driven recently. Any clue why?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Losing drive?\" Jack puzzled, \"You’re not OK, girl! Got a house yet? A car? And...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lille raised his hand, gesturing Jack to stop, and looked at V, \"Don’t worry, you’ll get your mojo back soon.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Contact: Jefferson Peralares]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Burger King: Heard you’re looking for us for a job.]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Jefferson: You guys are really busy. Hiring you is not easy.]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Jefferson: Yes, I do have some things I intend to entrust to you.]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Jefferson: I’ve booked a spot at the Remnants, let’s meet there.]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Jefferson: I’m looking forward to meeting the heroes of Night City. We have a lot to talk about.]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Jefferson: By the way, I know you’ve got a mean ride. If possible, please don’t bring that car to the city center.]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Burger King: Got it. See you then.]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>V crossed her arms, \"I’m curious to see why you say that.\"\u003C\u002Fp>",1497,"2026-06-03T12:33:12.909Z","2026-06-03T12:33:19.802Z",1,"novelbin.me","5a50f3d8c5f2a3d39427d675936fe68b6056ed96e7b2a0fe765c9cc2e4778982","cyberpunk-cross-dimensional-science-and-engineer-chapter-292","cyberpunk-cross-dimensional-science-and-engineer-chapter-290",1068,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fcyberpunk-cross-dimensional-science-and-engineer-cover.jpg"]