NOVEL NEXT Chapter 129: Physical Examination
Jurassic ZT15 crossed the street.
The sunlight was blinding, and the yellow and white lines and traffic lights were distorted under the scorching sun.
John was on his way to the East District.
The radio music was tasteless, and the news host continued to report emotionlessly.
[A gunfight broke out last night on Sakura Cross Street, with a large number of cyberpsychosis on site. The situation is now under control, but in some public opinion polls, the efficient killing by the Special Action Team has caused panic...]
The red light switched.
The zebra crossing began to flash alternately, creating a visual effect of rolling to both sides.
Opposite was a huge LCD screen.
It was broadcasting Eden City's hottest variety talk show "Cyber Night Language," with the current episode also discussing the Special Action Team.
John raised his hand to turn off the radio and rolled down the car window.
The host of Cyber Night Language was a flamboyant thin man, rumored to have been a model. John once saw a film featuring his name while browsing the Super Sensing Chip.
He wore a garish pink-and-white suit, energetically greeting the audience.
This episode featured a guest debate.
Sofas rose on a glass platform, and as the light pollution faded, the pros and cons appeared.
The first to speak was a lady.
SAT had killed her husband during enforcement.
"We must limit these maniacs' rights."
"A cyber lunatic broke into my husband's store, and he was forced to take up arms to defend himself, but those people jumping out of the hovercar... oh no, killing machines, shot him six times, damn, it was six times!"
"SAT has no discernment whatsoever, any living thing near a weapon becomes a target. How is that different from solving disputes with nuclear missiles?"
She was emotionally agitated and choked up several times.
The TV program was indeed much more vivid than the dry car radio.
Beep beep beep—
John was awakened by the car horn.
He started the vehicle through the intersection, stopped by the roadside intending to watch more of the show.
The previously blocked vehicles passed by one after another.
John heard a peculiar engine sound and watched the incoming vehicle through the rear-view mirror.
[Vehicle: Fafnir-Cruise]
It was over five meters long, yet a sedan, equipped with a massive front and six wheels, with double axles at the front, silver hubs glistening in the sunlight.
John privately thought this design was quite silly.
But it had withstood the test of the market.
Street celebrities and gang members both found this unique styling extremely trendy, as if boasting about something every time the throttle roared.
Fafnir was a very savvy company.
They understood what their customers needed, using exquisite interiors to fulfill vanity, giving passengers the feeling of sitting in a low-end hovercar.
The Cruise brushed past the Jurassic.
The car window left a gap, but accelerated and closed up when approaching.
John pondered for a moment, then realized.
The passengers inside probably intended to "friendly" debate with him for a few sentences, but upon seeing the Owl Town gang-style leather jacket, chose to endure.
John's sudden stopping move might have looked to them like he was preparing to draw a gun from the passenger seat, so they sped away from the scene.
The influence of the Owl Town gang in the city was still considerable.
Frictions between the two largest gangs were also turbulent for other forces caught in the gap.
John smiled at the car's receding figure.
When he looked up again, a different guest was speaking.
This seemed to be an executive from Jingke Heavy Industry, who occasionally expressed opinions on social platforms and seemed to have a certain fan base.
"Did we damn well get our priorities wrong? Listen to the news, buddy, last night there were a bunch of cyber lunatics, gunfire all night."
"Gang tensions are already severe, we all know things will get worse, sixty died last night, what if a hundred and twenty die tonight?"
"You might be executed on the street on your way home from the studio!"
He grew more excited as he spoke.
The host raised a hand to signal, interrupting with a smile and asking the gentleman to control his emotions.
John frowned.
Why didn't the host speak up earlier?
The corporate drone straightened his tie and sat back.
"ECPD's equipment and personnel can't cover the entire city, do you expect them to take on cyber lunatics with measly salaries?"
"SAT is our last hope, yes, I know what you're thinking, but only these guys never shy away from a battle..."
"Over-equipped, violent enforcement, right, but that's how they should be, you can't expect a hunter to kill a tiger with a toothpick!"
"Damn it, the city is in chaos, and we're not discussing gang tensions but instead suppressing the only team enforcing in the streets?"
The program site was particularly lively.
The host interrupted again, holding up a neutral card but clearly biased.
"OK, calm down, everyone~"
He questioned again.
"There's currently no disagreement that the Special Action Team indeed has the strength to confront cyber lunatics. So how do we confirm..."
"When our city falls into chaos, will these guys still stand for reason and humanity? A gun capable of hunting monsters, who can ensure it won't accidentally discharge?"
...
John watched for a long time by the roadside until the commercial break began, then set off again.
Every TV program needs sponsors.
"Cyber Night Language" was quite complex, Raqi Industry being the patron, though not exclusive. The conflicting sources of funding, in fact, made it a fairly credible talk show.
But it was just that.
[East District Underground Mall - Prosthetic Clinic]
The porch displayed a sign indicating a temporary closure.
John had sent a message to make an appointment in advance, and the locked door gave him a bad association, silently moving the Widow to where it was most handy.