Chapter 666 - 637: The Slightly Desolate Banquet

Compared to Lille’s flashy arrival in a floating car, Fiona did not have the conditions, nor the necessity.

She and Matt would ride in her own business sedan, following the Animal Gang’s convoy of trial products heading to Gem Green:

These trial products included Mackinaw’s "Mammoth," Rattlesnake Electromagnetic Cannon, Iron Beetle Unmanned Aerial Vehicle, Combat Exoskeletons, full-body "Ranger" Prosthetics, and Burger King’s specially made second and third generation Prosthetics... a series of advanced products ready for mass sales.

But Fiona knew that all the big vehicles and cannons, actually, might not be as valuable to the company as their own homemade second and third generation Prosthetics.

After all, in Dog Town, trades are made with submarines, missiles, tanks...

While Burger King’s weapons were still somewhat immature in the dimension of war, in the realm of Prosthetics, their unique hybrid muscle cells were extremely formidable, and the systems used in the Prosthetics had great universality, compatibility, and simplicity.

Just discussing Prosthetics, these products absolutely crushed those of the same category.

And for this reason, they needed Matt to tell the world, so Matt also needed to attend this banquet to make an appearance, to remind people to watch the ongoing match, and the upcoming second match.

As the Dean of Luxor Academy, Fiona had two tasks: the first was to establish relationships to send Matt out: given Matt’s performance, he certainly wasn’t short of teams, but he still needed to carefully pick a team that met his brother’s expectations.

"Dean Fiona, we are just making an appearance and then leaving, right?"

"Yes, the banquet will last a while, but we have a race tomorrow. Luxor Academy’s exhibition is a stage, the match is a stage, this banquet is yet another stage, you just need to keep quiet and do as I say, I will connect you with a team."

"Understood..."

Matt nodded, shifting his gaze from inside the car to outside, and suddenly he was startled:

A shabbily dressed man with disheveled hair was screaming on the side of the road!

Even though his voice could not penetrate Fiona’s high-end business car, Matt instantly understood the man’s cry:

"Son—"

The convoy did not delay for a second because of this man’s actions, as he kept yelling from a very delicate distance; the Animal Gang probably thought he was a drugged-out junkie or a homeless man, but Matt could see this scene very clearly!

"Dean!"

Matt suddenly grasped Fiona’s hand, who was interrupted in her work and looked up annoyed, shaking off his hand and said, "Don’t panic..."

"It’s my dad!"

"Ah?"

Fiona was stunned for a moment, turning to look at the man on the roadside who was attempting to chase after them while keeping within a safe range to get Matt’s attention:

This man was in rags, hobbling down the road, panting as if he would cough out his lungs.

She did not immediately stop the convoy, instead, she sent a message to Lille.

[Fiona: ...Matt’s mental condition is very good, very strong, but he has a blockage, if it is really his dad, it could help control his mental health.]

[Fiona: I heard his dad was once a decent company manager, it may also help his career, but I can’t leave the academy, always acting as Matt’s agent.]

[Lille: Follow up, let the Wild Man King keep a good watch on him.]

[Fiona: Okay.]

...

"All right, our dear big brother from Night City, an internationally infamous fugitive, the most prominent terrorist lately, our male and female guests hand in hand, entered the Gem Green nightclub located in Dog Town..."

Phantom muttered the content she wanted to remember, watching the three enter the venue.

"This place is really luxurious, we are indeed basking in the big brother’s glory... Iron Hand, cheers!"

As a war correspondent who had sided with Lille, she was granted an invitation by Lille not as a photographer, but as Jefferson’s advisor and managed to enter the venue ahead of time.

Due to the special nature of the banquet, recording on-site was not allowed. She wisely complied with this requirement and intended to document it in writing instead.

In a corner of the banquet, she and her partner Iron Hand raised a toast, "To Dog Town, a treasure land where wars don’t hinder business."

After clinking glasses, they drained their drinks. Iron Hand remarked, "Don’t forget we’re here to work."

"How could I forget?"

[Phantom: Big brother, we really saw the big brother. Someone with a broad-brimmed hat went into the booth by the window first and talked with Hansen for a while.]

[Phantom: I recognize him, a diplomat from Su Petrochemical. Does he think people can’t recognize him with sunglasses on?]

[Phantom: It’s all corporate people...]

Phantom’s lament was not without reason. Logically at such a banquet, gangs involved in illicit activities from Night City should have been present, yet there was not a single one, not even the NCPD.

It seemed that their big brother’s control over Night City was extremely strong, making those who valued money as much as life wait obediently outside.

Burger King alone could represent the largest gangs and even the Night City authorities in Night City...

Such an assessment arose in Phantom’s mind, and such an outrageous reality would take some time to sink in to others. Their impersonation of Jefferson Perares could also add some element of confusion.

However, it was certain that they couldn’t keep it hidden for long.

"Hansen came out," Iron Hand patted Phantom’s shoulder.

...

"This place is really something," remarked V, as he surveyed the venue.

The Gem Night Club was actually only active on the top floor; most of the lower floors were still unfinished and served as a base for the Netherworld Dog.

But the top floor was unbelievably luxurious.

The outdoor walkway used top-grade black rock panels as handrails, dotted with white fluorescent stones to match the stars above.

The handrails neatly carried nearly indistinguishable cold-toned flame holographic projections, perfectly matching the wind conditions, lighting the path while providing some warmth and blending with the existing decor.

Even the middle of the walkway was carpeted with expensive natural materials, making it comfortable and quiet to walk on.

The main ballroom was just ahead, while the other side hosted the guest residences, with architectures resembling palaces. Right in the center of these buildings was a huge holographic waterfall, leaning over the handrails to look down, the space below was filled with purple mist, cleverly avoiding any discomforting views.

Compared to the scenes from the games in Lille’s memory, this place was noticeably more deserted:

Not many people were qualified to be here, and now one person directly represented all of Night City’s powers, naturally squelching many potential deals.

Everyone was observing them, both openly and subtly, and Lille was observing them too.

"A bit unexpected... Matt’s father has approached us," Lille said after receiving a message from Fiona, "but it’s not a big surprise. We have two things to do this time, one is to negotiate with Hansen and see his attitude towards Night City and us.

The second is to find that European selling biotechnology technologies; it seems he specifically came for us..."

[Phantom: Hansen came out.]

The message had just ended when Lille received new information:

[Sender: Hansen]

[Hansen: Give me some time, I need to talk to you both alone.]