CYBERPUNK: Travel to 2075

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Behavioral Characteristics Synchronous Faceplate

"The nerve endings are integrated."

Amid the subtle noise, Karl opened his eyes and saw Jack, Oliver, and victor watching him with concern next to the operating table.

It looked like the surgery was over.

"How's it going? Is it okay?" Jack asked, moving to touch Karl's face but pulling back halfway. "It looks no different from before."

"The behavioral characteristics synchronization panel hasn't been activated yet," victor said, glancing at Karl before focusing on the screen beside the operating table. "This technology is impressive. It doesn't just change your face; it can alter your voice too. The processing occurs during voice production, and it's not installed on the neck, yet it works. Military tech research is truly advanced. Give me a moment, Karl. I'll set up a few finely-tuned facial presets and save them."

"Is this easy to operate?" Oliver asked, worried about breaking Karl's face.

"It's very simple," victor replied casually. "We're not making Karl imitate or pretend to be someone else. The adjustments are minor, akin to a small plastic surgery—a self-changing surgery of the facial prosthesis."

"Can I get my face back, victor?" Karl pressed his face, finding it felt no different from his own.

"Of course. You don't have any invasive prosthetics or even bionic skin. If you had, I'd need to peel and reattach it. This prosthetic body has its advantages. When you don't need it anymore, I'll perform a minor surgery to remove it. It'll hurt a bit due to the nerve port connections, but you know how that goes. Didn't Oliver explain everything?"

"Are you sure this will work, victor? This prosthetic seems better than expected."

"It's almost like wearing a mask—much better than prosthetics that replace human organs."

"That's reassuring."

"But there are some side effects," victor added seriously, causing Karl, Jack, and Oliver to tense.

Victor's serious expression quickly shifted to a smile. "Your face will be pale after removing the prosthetic, having not seen the sun for a while. Don't go out at night, or you might be mistaken for a vampire."

Hearing this, the three of them nearly gave him a middle finger in response.

"Tch, even if there's a vampire hunter, I'll kill him," Karl muttered, rubbing his face again. It still felt normal. "Victor, since you're adjusting my face anyway, make me look more handsome."

"You're already good-looking, Karl," Oliver said, speechless. "You're not there to pick up girls; why do you want a more handsome face? Planning to seduce them for information, like 'Public Lover' Lance Locke?"

"Arasaka already recognizes your face," victor noted, tweaking the screen. "If it's too striking, it might attract unwanted attention. I'll tone it down."

"Is it because I'm too handsome?" Karl smirked.

"Look at you, so proud," Jack laughed. "Karl, maybe you should quit being a mercenary and become a star. Your looks and charm could make you famous."

"Like those celebrities with multiple prosthetics, treating transformations as fashion? No thanks. I don't want to become the next Adam smasher in the entertainment industry."

"Are you talking about Lizzy?" Oliver interjected, recognizing the reference. "I've listened to her songs a few times. Her performances in BD are impressive."

Karl referred to Lizzy, the lead singer of the bands Lizzy and Post-Dwarves, the only human member who famously staged a suicide during a concert. She was dead for an hour until the trauma team arrived and replaced her body with prosthetics, reviving her. Her subsequent performance became legendary.

"There are many rumors about her show," victor added, surprising the others. "The trauma team arrived within a minute, with a pre-prepared prosthetic body. Lizzy signed an agreement for on-site execution. In my experience, reviving someone after an hour is nearly impossible, like a space shuttle crash carrying the new U.S. President."

Karl, Oliver, and Jack were taken aback by victor's knowledge.

"What's wrong?" Victor asked, puzzled by their reactions.

"Nothing," Oliver said, astonished. "Victor, you actually know this stuff. I thought you only cared about boxing matches."

"Night City's most famous stars are hard to miss," victor replied, turning the screen towards Karl and the others. "Many clients talk about her during surgeries, both good and bad. So, I've heard a lot. Don't think I'm an old antique."

He displayed four preset faces on the screen. "Take a look, Karl. Pick one and try it."

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