Chapter 155: Welcome to the Winner's Camp!
High above the North American Midwest, aboard the Sky One airship:
"Ladies and gentlemen, this is the polymer from our LA Company. Everyone present here today will have access to this groundbreaking material technology!"
"Welcome to the winner's camp."
As Li Ang's words fell, the gathered company executives erupted into cheers and applause.
Through Li Ang's detailed presentation and the live battlefield footage below, they had come to understand the incredible applications of the polymer.
Drones, robots, and even unmanned power suits equipped with polymer devices could all be controlled by human thought alone.
Wars that once required countless lives and piles of corpses to achieve victory had now transformed into battles between robots and clashes of mechanical devices.
With LA Company's polymer technology, the concept of "future warfare" was completely redefined!
No longer would large-scale casualties among soldiers dominate the battlefield.
Soldiers on opposing sides would use polymer devices to control their own company's machines, attacking their enemies from a safe distance.
It was like playing a video game, where durable chrome-alloy robots replaced the fragile flesh of humans, engaging in wave after wave of assaults.
Each soldier needed only to stand in the rear and control the robots, participating in an intense exchange of fire.
While similar tactics had been tried before, issues such as unstable battlefield signals and high electronic communication costs made robotic warfare less efficient than deploying real soldiers.
The advent of polymer technology changed all that by drastically reducing the cost of war.
The production of polymers was neither complex nor expensive. Whether mass-cultivated in laboratories or secreted by polymer-producing plants, enough could be produced to meet demand.
These polymers could then be widely applied to mechanical equipment, controlled remotely via the devices.
Wars had now become pure money-burning games, where only corporations with deep pockets could emerge victorious.
From now on, corporate management teams could cut down on the high costs of hiring security forces and instead use those budgets to build robot armies!
A small team equipped with polymer devices could control a massive army of security and combat robots.
"This is what we're talking about! Mr. Li Ang, this is the kind of innovation we've been waiting for. LA Company is still the king of warfare in our eyes!"
"Let Contau's smart robots go eat dirt. LA Company is the weapons dealer we truly need."
"If gamers can become elite warriors, I'd say this is just too cool!"
"..."
The corporate elite in the room applauded enthusiastically, their expressions brimming with excitement as they watched the live battlefield feed.
Seeing a small polymer-equipped team of fewer than ten people control thousands of war machines to crush rebels below like mowing grass made their blood boil.
Some even wished they could step in and try their hand at operating the polymer devices.
This visceral and exhilarating "game of slaughter" was more thrilling than any immersive dream video they had experienced.
"Ladies and gentlemen, I'll have our staff distribute the polymer usage agreements. Once you've signed, you'll officially join LA Company's polymer user alliance."
"No one will leave here empty-handed. Everyone on this airship—future winners—will receive a share!"
Amid the unending cheers, Li Ang left the stage and retreated to a private suite. The rest would be handled by his team of professionals; Li Ang only needed to glance over the signed contracts later.
The usage terms, patent fees, and other details regarding the polymer had all been meticulously set. All Li Ang needed to do now was wait for the executives outside to sign their contracts.
Those willing to pay the price or sell their company shares to join LA's alliance had only two options.
Through a one-way glass, Li Ang could see the executives scrambling to sign the agreements.
"Polymers are a wonderful thing—enjoy them at your leisure," Li Ang chuckled inwardly.
The short-sighted fools didn't realize the polymer was a carefully crafted "fatal poison" prepared by LA Company.
Once the polymers were installed on their machines, the devices would automatically connect to LA's vast neural network.
It was akin to Li Ang placing his own lock on their devices—one he could control at will.
But Li Ang had no intention of forcibly seizing their assets. He simply provided a direction, rewarding those who followed him and eliminating those who didn't.
He abided by LA's laws—be it equivalent exchange or survival of the fittest.
Companies that adapted to LA's rules thrived, while those that didn't were naturally eliminated.
Li Ang preferred killing two birds with one stone—destroying his opponents mentally before offering them a deal they couldn't refuse.
Just then, Lucy, who was managing the contracts outside, sent Li Ang a message:
"Some smaller companies that weren't invited want to join the polymer conference. Should we allow them?"
News of LA's polymer launch aboard the Sky One airship had spread through every corporate intelligence network.
Even smaller companies scraping by on the scraps left behind by giants wanted to seize this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to catch the train to the future.
Li Ang allowed their participation but raised the stakes.
Large corporations like Orbital Aerospace only needed to give up 15% of their shares or equivalent resources to secure polymer usage rights.
However, smaller companies lacking funds or standout projects had to sell at least 50% of their shares to gain access.
With his instructions, Lucy ended the conversation and resumed her work. Li Ang shifted his focus back to the scene outside.
Based on New America's current pace, Myers ' forces would likely reach the West Coast in a month or two.
At that point, Night City would face the crisis of Myers ' army at its gates.
The rebels, armed with Contau weapons and funded by European and Cuban conglomerates, were on the brink of collapse under the polymer's overwhelming might.
Now, the European conglomerates hesitated to invest further, fearing the rise of another Eastern superpower. Yet, they also didn't want Myers to unify New America.
This indecision allowed Myers to seize the moment, swiftly sweeping through the East.
New America's troops, riding high on morale, watched as military tech stocks soared, further crushing the rebels' spirits.
Meanwhile, Li Ang—untouched by the chaos—focused on a different target: the AI Europa.
"V better handle this mission flawlessly," Li Ang mused.
V was en route to the Voodoo Boys' Pacifica base, tasked with secretly transplanting matrix programs into the Sea Goddess Net.
Li Ang considered dispatching Morgan Blackhand for added security when Myers Rosalind knocked on his door.
"Mr. Li Ang, may I come in for a toast to our success?"
"Come in."
The door opened automatically as Myers entered with two glasses of red wine.
Before Li Ang could exchange pleasantries, she raised her glass.
"Congratulations, Mr. Li Ang. This polymer launch was unparalleled. Your LA Company is now the number one in New America—and perhaps all of the Americas. Let's celebrate this historic moment!"
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