Chapter 149: Impossible! Absolutely Impossible!
Night City, Watson District, LA Corporation Headquarters
Niccolo stared at the live feed from Morgan, capturing the aftermath of the desolate experimental base, his mood heavy and agitated.
As one of the leading executives of biotechnological development and the primary head of the gene fusion project, he could have leveraged the company's influence to shield his entire team from responsibility.
There had been no need to send Joanne out as a scapegoat. However, under the dual pressures exerted by Li Ang and Night City's municipal government, he was forced to accept their suggestion and offer Joanne up as a sacrificial pawn.
Although the biotechnology company would no longer face scrutiny from Night City's government or endure public media attacks, Niccolo found it hard to accept that a project he had spent days perfecting had abruptly gone up in smoke.
The financial investment had been immense, yet there were no returns to show for it. Adding insult to injury, they were now being mocked by LA Corporation. Niccolo's resentment toward Li Ang grew to the point where he wished to strangle him.
But he dared not. Nor could he.
---
"Mr. Li Ang, your company's Leaf Polymer product is truly impressive. It's just a pity about our lab's sample, Ivanov," Niccolo remarked with a forced smile. His product's defeat at the hands of LA Corporation's Leaf Polymer was a bitter pill to swallow.
"That mercenary was someone I borrowed from the Intelligence Bureau. Losing him like that feels like such a waste."
Before Li Ang could reply, a voice from the other end of the electronic screen interjected. It was President Myers.
"No waste at all," Myers declared.
"It is an honor for Ivanov to die for the country!"
In the holographic call, Myers's face radiated uncontainable excitement. More than anyone, she understood the Leaf Polymer's battlefield potential.
When deployed en masse, the Leaf Polymer would make traditional combat obsolete. Enemy soldiers would become frail, dying from a single bullet, thereby conserving ammunition.
Unless the enemy soldiers were encased in airtight powered armor, they would be marching to their deaths.
Given the rebels' limited financial resources, they could hardly compare to the New American Federation's extensive reserves. Furthermore, LA Corporation monopolized the arms market's powered armor supply.
Even if the Eastern rebels attempted to create their own armor to resist the Leaf Polymer, it was already too late.
At that moment, Myers believed her unification campaign could be achieved within the year.
---
Watching Myers beam with exhilaration, Niccolo realized he had no choice but to swallow the bitter defeat. The company project he had painstakingly overseen was now effectively buried.
The resources, funding, and manpower expended on biotechnological developments were entirely wasted!
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"Madam President, we will discuss further collaboration later. For now, I must have a proper discussion with Niccolo," Li Ang stated.
"He's just lost his treasured gene fusion technology. I owe him some counseling."
With the purpose of showcasing polymer technology to New America and the biotechnology company achieved, Li Ang had no reason to keep Myers involved in the ongoing affairs.
His next step was clear: to consolidate these two forces under his control. Those who cooperated would share in mutual glory, while dissenters would be forced out.
"Very well, Mr. Li Ang. I will transfer the final 2 billion euros to your account shortly. Should you decide to sell the Leaf Polymer, you must prioritize our New America," Myers emphasized.
Li Ang nodded. He understood her eagerness. The New American Federation's treasury had already been drained by LA Corporation, leaving them on the cusp of victory against the Eastern rebels.
"Rest assured, Madam President. LA Corporation's best products are always reserved for allies," Li Ang replied.
"Good! It's settled then," Myers said, satisfied as she ended the call.
---
With Myers gone, only Li Ang and Niccolo remained in the headquarters' grand hall.
"Mr. Niccolo, I sense you are not only frustrated but also quite angry," Li Ang said, a subtle smirk playing on his lips as he regarded Niccolo like a predator sizing up its prey.
"Yes, Mr. Li Ang. I am deeply dissatisfied with your company's actions. I originally intended to invite you to join our biotechnology alliance and share cutting-edge technological advancements," Niccolo said bluntly.
"But I never expected you to steal my largest client and destroy my gene fusion project! Your actions are outrageous!"
Having reached his limit, Niccolo decided to lay all his grievances on the table. He had encountered rivals before, but LA Corporation's tactic of flipping the table and taking everything in one fell swoop was unprecedented.
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"Mr. Niccolo, the issue you should be considering now isn't gene pharmaceuticals but joining our company's alliance and adopting polymer technology," Li Ang countered bluntly.
"As for the price of entry, I don't ask for much—just 50% of your company's shares. You and Francis can split the contribution evenly."
"Francis has already agreed to surrender his portion. The only piece missing is yours."
"Give up your share, and you'll become part of the LA Corporation alliance," Li Ang concluded.
---
Niccolo scoffed at the proposition. "Your polymer may produce weapons like the Leaf, but such tools of destruction have no constructive value.
"Our biotechnology company remains unrivaled in our field. Why should we join you?
"You know nothing about biotechnology! Your polymer couldn't possibly create something like Ethanol-2, the new energy source," Niccolo retorted vehemently.
His rising anger was evident as veins bulged on his neck. The thought of Francis allying with Li Ang infuriated him further.
"Francis may be foolish enough to trade half his shares for his daughter's sake, but I am not!
"If you want my share, dream on!"
---
For years, Niccolo and Francis had dominated the biotechnological sector, unmatched by competitors. Their monopoly on Ethanol-2's patents had enabled reckless investments in diverse research.
Now, with Francis's apparent betrayal and Li Ang's incursion, Niccolo was cornered.
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Li Ang remained unfazed. "What if I told you the polymer's capabilities extend far beyond producing weapons like the Leaf? It can also manufacture controlled cold fusion reactors."
Niccolo burst into laughter. "Mr. Li Ang, you should save such jokes for the European Space Agency. They'd appreciate it far more."
Currently, only two corporations excelled in nuclear technology: Orbital Aerospace and Arasaka.
Orbital Aerospace utilized nuclear reactors for spacecraft, while Arasaka equipped its nuclear-powered aircraft carrier, White Whale, with fission reactors. However, both remained far from achieving nuclear fusion.
---
Without further words, Li Ang instructed the AI White Queen to display a video.
The footage revealed LA Corporation engineers installing a cold fusion reactor, constructed from polymer materials, into a Ronin Titan.
It also showcased the reactor's production process and its operational applications.
As Niccolo watched the demonstration, his initial skepticism turned to uncertainty. The polymer material's properties resembled those of room-temperature superconductors.
It couldn't be real, could it?
"Impossible! Absolutely impossible!"
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