Chapter 908 - 187: Towards the Stars

It’s practically a crime manifesto.

Moreover, it’s a strange crime manifesto, followed by an imperative sentence, making it seem like he’s pleading for something...

This back-and-forth makes the message quite peculiar, both in terms of the information conveyed and the sender’s attitude.

This message used some special methods for sending:

As we all know, every legal resident of the European Union is assigned an ID, a unique string of numbers associated with other biometric information of the holder, such as facial data, voice data, DNA information, fingerprint data, and more.

The ID and network access permit in the European Union are also bound together. Given that the current world’s network is a cobbled-together patchwork of different local networks, it requires any individual connecting to the network to divulge a significant degree of privacy. Unless you’re operating the network yourself, everything you do on it is clear as day.

Coincidentally, in the European Union, all social media operations must adhere to European Barrier’s policy controls, making it impossible for any media company to maintain absolute independence internally within the European Union—

In Night City, news channels 54 and WNS overtly accept investments from Military Technology and Arasaka, secretly controlling "independent media" through violence, threats, and subsidies. This is unnecessary in the European Union.

In the European Union, all news media must weigh their options when releasing news, for two reasons: the Union laws require cooperation with the European Barrier, and their investors usually have political influence—

Perhaps the investors find it bothersome to communicate with their assets and prefer going to parliament for legislation and legal amendments?

This results in the European Union being able to easily lock down a person’s speech from the network and proceed to locate someone in reality; this right is typically granted to Network Supervision.

Never assume that this is a straightforward technology; during the internet era, hackers relied on the internet’s inability to physically track a person, providing them time to learn and develop. Now, it’s different. The moment you illegally access the network, Network Supervision can start monitoring.

Thus, tracing this strange message would also be straightforward—

Originally, it could have been very simple.

The sender might have used some method to conceal his true network access permit, but the physical address where he connected to the network can be traced, which is at the IEC factory...

Right at the factory Elliot and his group visited today: what equipment was used, the send time, at which workstation... all are crystal clear.

However, the network where he posted the message seemed under the control of Network Supervision, but actually, part of the data was directly cut off by Lille, at least making it impossible for Network Supervision to pinpoint the exact location, only knowing it belongs to an IEC subsidiary factory.

The celebration continues, yet everyone’s thoughts are elsewhere now.

Graham frowned: "Network Supervision can’t find the person? How is that possible... Did they extract the raw data from the server?"

Sevens nodded: "This time the information was handled on the Bremen server. Local Network Supervision and Interpol were right beside the server, and after the incident, we had them check at the first instant.

However, other than knowing this..."

"Terrorist." Graham immediately labeled the sender’s nature, "This terrorist declared an anti-capitalist terrorist attack at the factory."

"...Aside from knowing this terrorist used IEC’s network to communicate, we’ve found no other clues. Perhaps a field investigation can uncover new evidence."

The party remains relaxed, except for this side meeting.

The meeting fell silent briefly, as other sounds emerged from the venue—

The main stage saw a very young and beautiful woman step up, youthful in appearance but mature in her gestures.

Matt, initially restrained by his status, didn’t bother with why Elliot and his group suddenly whispered to the side, but upon seeing this woman, he was suddenly startled:

"Medici?"

The Medici in Matt’s words was the woman who acted as his cyber tour guide throughout the journey. Spotting Matt in the crowd, Medici smiled at him before addressing the guests:

"Ladies and gentlemen, today we gather not only to celebrate prosperity and beauty but also to preliminarily share a piece of good news with you.

As everyone knows, the world entered a decades-long recession period after the internet collapse. Though the European Union accomplished remarkable achievements under the leadership of united citizens and exemplary leaders, swimming upstream during the recession, development speed suffered a severe hit—

We had to invest significant funds to repair our accomplishments, but luckily, we have already recovered from the pain period.

Ladies and gentlemen, now is the time to reconnect with our lost dreams..."

Seeing this, Graham pinched his brow, speaking to Elliot and Sevens:

"There was a reason I didn’t let you go to IEC during the day. For one, this company indeed cooperates with our policies well; secondly, it’s one of the reasons for tonight’s celebration.

Berlin Industrial Investment Company has decided to thoroughly reorganize IEC and bring it to the forefront, and... continue to carry forward its great mission—"

He paused halfway through, evidently leaving Medici to finish his speech.

Medici raised her head, toasted towards the sky, and everyone’s gaze followed her movement, passing through lights, thickets, and towering spires, transcending all earthly matters—

"...The starry sky, that’s where the future belongs. Since humanity first looked up at the starry sky, we have never ceased yearning for infinite space;

With technological advancement, we have eventually recognized one fact: from the start, all the elements constituting our bodies stem from the starry sky, originating from the universe’s first explosion..."

Medici’s voice seemed to surround everyone, her tone brimming with passion and longing, able to infect anyone who comprehends the concept of space.

Conveniently, those present weren’t in a mood to spoil the atmosphere, acknowledging this beautiful fantasy:

The stars, like themselves, were wondrous and mysterious, and of course, they belonged to the starry sky.

Today is a clear day; the cold moonlight reflects off the wine glasses, making these sparkling crystals and the fine wine as beautiful as the celestial stars...

Nearby, some designated media journalists were taking photos, clearly considering equally beautiful these people themselves:

Their skin, prosthetics, and clothing were equally noble and magnificent under the radiance, dazzling.

"There, there is our true home."

The Golden Son is about to set forth again towards the stars and seas.