Cyberpunk: From Dogville to Legend

Chapter 249 Subduing the Tiger (End of Chapter) [6K]

"To be honest, Dorio... I'm not sure if he's the same person you know now."

Lin Yue tried to phrase it more tactfully, mentioning that he had come into contact with Mann in Dogtown's Terrorist Mobile Squad—even though Lin Yue hadn't met him directly, he had heard about the former squad leader from Jack Wells.

Everyone has the right to choose their own life, and Lin Yue does not want to interfere.

He just wanted to remind Dorio to be prepared and not to think that he was still her previous lover.

Lin Yue had always been curious about how the Terrorist Mobile Unit managed to get these cyber lunatics to participate in operations normally, because, judging from their behavior, although they did attack civilians, they did not have the indiscriminate slaughter tendencies of cyber lunatics.

Furthermore, his logic, speech, and other aspects, apart from his irritable temper, seem to have remained largely unchanged.

Suzuki nodded and jumped out of the car first. He needed to give his boss and his former teammates some space to talk, and also see if anyone from the NCPD or Arasaka would come after him.

“You’re right, Mr. Rin—”

Dorothy looked at the messy rooftops of the shantytown on the riverbank, just like her own worries.

Lin Yue denied it, saying, "Dorio, we came from Dogtown together... Friend, my name is Lin Yue."

Dorio cracked her cigarette butt and turned to look at the man leaning against the passenger seat with some surprise. Apart from his prosthetic body, this guy seemed to be the young mercenary who had been doing all sorts of jobs with them in Dogtown... Damn it, it hasn't been long at all, but it feels like it was years ago.

Dorothy sighed, "Okay... Lin Yue, it's true, Mann seems, seems like a completely different person."

A memory flashed through Lin Yue's mind:
When V was pushing his work through Dogtown, he once stormed into the Slippery's lair alone to expose his behavioral characteristics. That was also the first time he had experienced the rapid cracking of Cyberpsychosis—in fact, very few people can wake up or recover from Cyberpsychosis again unless their prosthetic body is disassembled when signs appear.

Not only did he regain consciousness despite the rapid cracking by a hacker of that caliber, but he also suffered no subsequent physical harm…

Many irrational things had already happened to him, so he stopped thinking about it and instead shared this experience with Dorio: "Cyber ​​psychosis is like a dream you can't wake up from. Your desires, your past, and so on are magnified infinitely—you're out of control in that state."

Dorio: "He's too eager to get stronger, or rather... Mann always thought he was the special one."

Lin Yue was somewhat puzzled, "Special?"

Dorothy nodded, took out a cigarette, and asked Lin Yue if he minded her smoking another one. She continued, "Before he even served in the new U.S. Army, he took down several Marines with his brute strength—so he always thought he was exceptionally gifted."

"Cyber ​​psychopaths only target people who are overly confident in themselves, of course... Lin Yue, not you."

Talking to Dorothy was like having an equal conversation with a delicate yet powerful woman. Lin Yue could see a hint of something akin to a man's duty in her eyes.

"That guy is such a childish brat..."

Lin Yue took a deep breath. "I'm sorry, Dorio, but some things are beyond the company's control. Mann went with that woman from the Terrorist SWAT team on his own initiative. The Terrorist SWAT team... the most troublesome organization in Night City. After all, nobody wants to mess with a bunch of cybernetic lunatics, and the company is happy to have some lunatics testing new prosthetics..."

"And my partner in Night City, that big guy who helped me in Dogtown, Haywood, he's met Mann."

“Mann seems to be chasing after Cyber ​​Madman… He wasn’t on duty as part of the Terrorist SWAT team that day.”

After saying so much in one breath, Lin Yue was actually just worried that Dorio might get too involved. The NCPD wasn't necessarily any better than Night City—the reason he didn't choose to disturb her was because he always respected her choice.

Unexpectedly, the perceptive Dorio immediately understood what Lin Yue was trying to say.

Instead, she spoke softly, a cool smile playing on her lips, and reminisced, "Lin Yue, we're all partners...you never owe us anything. When we first came to Dogtown, we didn't know that the so-called boss behind it all was you. Everyone thought the rewards were so generous that it seemed like a phishing email from the Cleaners!"

"The team members are all having doubts, saying that we're going to be the company's dogs, and one day we'll be discarded as mere white gloves."

Dorio then mimicked Mann's tone, "If you take the money, you have to do things for your buddies... We cyberpunks aren't those untrustworthy losers."

Lin Yue was amused, and a slight smile appeared on his lips.

So...why?

Dorothy looked at Lin Yue quietly.

Lin Yue felt a pang of anxiety. In reality, no one had ever understood him. Having come to this unknown world, he dared not trust anyone and only wanted to get close to those he knew. Faced with this future city where technology and living standards were so vastly different, he felt mostly lonely and fearful.

Those who are favored understand this principle.

To everyone's surprise, Dorio didn't intend to delve into it further. Instead, she suddenly smiled and continued:
"The first time we met Pila, Rebecca and the others was through Kako's introduction... When people are begging for food in Night City, they usually label each other first to see what kind of person they are. But Mann said that these two guys are fine just by looking at them, they have a connection!"

"So that's probably how you see us too..."

"Actually, in some ways, you and Mann are quite similar... you're both cut out to be big brothers, it's just that Mann isn't as quick-witted, as perceptive, or as broad-minded as you."

Lin Yue was stunned.

It turns out Dorio understood everything.

"But I love that bastard."

Lin Yue vaguely saw something glistening on the woman's face, but Dorio turned her face away. "I can't go around begging like a woman, and you've helped us so much... I want to accompany Mann in my own way."

"Who knows, maybe we'll run into each other someday at the scene of a cyber lunatic incident?"

Lin Yue's gaze suddenly softened, and his expression became somewhat reluctant.

He reached out and patted Dorio's broad shoulder. "But without me, perhaps you wouldn't have faced the Terrorist Mobile Unit head-on, although saying that might sound a bit—"

"No, Lin Yue."

Dorio murmured, “People in Night City are prepared to either be killed by a stray bullet or die on their way to make money. When we take the job, it means we agree to entrust our lives to this city… On the contrary, you bear enormous pressure that is not your own. Seeing you healthy is the best thing ever.”

“I think Mann would be very happy that you, Lin Yue, are alright…”

Lin Yue suppressed his complicated emotions. "I can help—"

Dorothy wiped her face, her expression calm. "You don't need to do anything... but I need to do a lot. I need to find out if he still remembers the past, what the Terrorist SWAT team did to him... even if he goes to hell, I'll go with him!"

Lin Yue stared blankly... He knew that what the woman in front of him said was not a lie.

Lin Yue may not know all of his life story, but he felt the most sincere thing.

That's what Haywood called: love.

……
-
"The Terrorist Mobile Unit... is a bit troublesome."

Suzuki and Lin Yue walked side by side on the streets of Night City. Despite their slightly injured faces and dirty clothes, they walked without any burden, because no one would pay any attention. The occasional gunshots mixed with the sirens made the pedestrians hurry along.

After Suzuki's explanation, Lin Yue realized that this Night City organization, which was specifically tasked with eliminating cyber lunatics, was shrouded in mystery.

Major companies will connect with the Terrorist Response Team, and it seems that the person in charge of this business is Michiko Arasaka, who has returned to Japan to recuperate.

Even he couldn't understand the intricacies involved.

therefore.

Lin Yue put the matter aside for the time being. At least Mann was still alive. Right now, the right thing to do was to deal with his own mess first.

At this moment, Suzuki asked, "What's going on with the NCPD? That bastard... how dare he blatantly interfere like this."

Lin Yue glanced at his subordinate beside him. "Jerry has never been a reliable person, but I didn't expect him to be this stupid—how did Nitta Kazuya find out we were in Westbrook?"

Retaliation is inevitable.

As an important force in Night City, the NCPD deserves Lin Yue's attention, but his position and identity have become somewhat awkward since leaving the company.

Clearly, V wouldn't have enough energy to deal with this greedy guy...

Putting Jerry into Nitta's lineup would be another big loss.

Suzuki suddenly realized and said, "You mean someone on our side has betrayed us?"

Immediately, a murderous glint appeared in the eyes of this supervisor, who always placed great importance on the safety of his superiors.

There are plenty of traitors in the company, but if it weren't for luck, Rin's accurate assessment of the situation, and the fact that Rin had her own people in the NCPD—the consequences would have been extremely serious.

Suzuki finally asked the question that had been on his mind for so long.

"So, sir, how exactly did you determine that Jerry was colluding with Nitta?"

Lin Yue's greatest strength is his ability to think from the enemy's perspective.

Jerry is stupid, but even a three-year-old understands one thing: check if all the necessary elements are present before taking action.

then.

As Lin Yue walked, he said, "Someone tipped Jerry off... Let me guess how this idiot thinks about things."

Suzuki listened attentively.

"First of all, Jerry won't have much time to think. This operation is full of loopholes, and the Terrorist Mobile Unit and the NCPD are not on the same page. It will take some time, and that's what we're using to our advantage, right?"

"Secondly, someone gave Jerry confidence to win—my prosthetic team is all from this state, Lai Xuan's people... But people are creatures who can't resist temptation, so many technical experts are bound to leak information, but that's not the point; the point is that Jerry knows I can't fight against that terrorist mobile team."

Suzuki's expression twitched.

All he could say about this conjecture was that it was bold.

"Secondly, Jerry may seem successful on the surface, and while Arasaka might not kill him in front of the city hall, I have plenty of dirt on him—he needs an explanation for this failure. We can call our chief right now, and his reason will definitely be a normal cleanup operation of the Cyber ​​Madman."

Suzuki made a phone call with some skepticism.

The phone, which had been going unanswered for a while, was picked up after only a few rings.

Suzuki had only been talking to the other person for a few minutes when his expression turned into one of gritted teeth and furious anger…

That's really accurate.

Lin Yue had an expression that said this was all expected. On the contrary, he was very curious about who Arasaka was who had come into contact with Jerry in such a short time. Jerry kept his distance from anyone outside of Arasaka unless someone directly approached him...

It's just speculation.

However, the trouble that needs to be caused still needs to be caused.

Lin Yue gestured for Suzuki to accept this explanation and then hung up the phone.

"Lord Rin, this kind of guy..."

Lin Yue interrupted, "Of course I'll let him know not to ask for other people's food... But before that, I have to wait for the team's progress. The Sixth Street Gang and Valentino's involvement is a big problem."

Suzuki pursed his lips and nodded slightly.

He's very worried about the team right now, since Roger still hasn't given him any definite news...

However, after a phone call ten minutes later, Lin Yue's expression changed repeatedly.

Under Suzuki's curious gaze, Lin Yue muttered to himself:

"Is this even okay?"

...At this very moment.

Inside a bar controlled by the Sixth Street Gang.

Rebecca was savoring her drink with relish, showing no signs of being someone about to get things done. Pila, on the other hand, had a gloomy face, and the smoke from his cigarette was as thin and long as he was.

Qiwei crossed her legs, disabled one of the cameras in the hall, and continued to monitor the current situation.

"Holy crap...that feels so good!"

The bartender at Sixth Street is great; he makes some sweet cocktails for ladies, which is absolutely irresistible to Rebecca.

Who doesn't love a colorful cocktail with a touch of fizz?

That's what Rebecca thinks, anyway.

"Looking at this bunch of new Americans, I almost thought I'd stumbled into a veterans' club—we came in all that swagger, Roger was all high and mighty, and it turns out we're the ones who managed to sneak in..."

Pira is a master of witty remarks. Although he's been in Santo Domingo for quite a while, he's never really liked the Sixth Street gang—these guys who love to throw barbecue parties on the rooftop every day, organize target practice contests at the drop of a hat, and are extremely xenophobic are all a bunch of scoundrels.

It's a bit like a redneck playground.

They are patriotic, but as they love their country more, they turn into selfish individuals who only care about their own homeland and make money. They only talk about missing the beautiful country of the past, but then forget the law and the system completely.

Like most gangs, the Sixth Street Gang does nothing more than drug trafficking and money-making schemes.

Qiwei: "These are all Sixth Street gang members. It would take forever to kill them with guns... Are they crazy?"

The hacker watched as Rebecca's face flushed and she hiccuped, then tucked the thin cigarette he was holding into his face mask and reached out to get her a small bottle of Coke.

"No more drinking."

Rebecca surprisingly complied and nodded seriously.

"That kid from the Sixth Street Gang is rushing to deliver food to the priest like he's begging for his life?"

Pira glanced at the mailbox. The guy Roger had contacted, who didn't get along with the priest, seemed to really think that a windfall had fallen from the sky. Of course, he was delighted that someone was taking care of the boss standing in his way.

But he never imagined that he wasn't qualified to sit at the same table as a seasoned middleman like a priest.

Judging from the guy's tone, he'd love to drive up to that old bachelor priest and make him give up his good spot.

"Let's wait for Rogge's news."

Although no one knew how Roger would lure away the room full of drunken Sixth Street gang soldiers, patience was always a virtue.

"This is a topographic map."

Qiwei's eyes lit up, and the team members obtained a security configuration map that was improved based on Rogge's.

Unbeknownst to them, the team's most silent hacker was actually quite organized at this moment.

"Be quick when you start."

Rebecca had a satisfied expression on her face…

“kiwi…”

Qiwei shook her head helplessly.

Today's event is very important to Rin. Although the team seems careless on the surface, they are just trying to distract themselves from their tension...

At this moment, Rogge, who had been silent for a long time in the headset, spoke.

"We can get started now..."

Just then, the loud rock music that had been playing in the bar abruptly stopped. The team members instinctively reached for their pistols at their waists, only to have one of the Sixth Street gang members shout, "The Vortex Gang is causing trouble at the power plant!"

"Get moving, all of you! Damn it!"

Upon hearing this, the swarming Sixth Street gang, just like the gang leaders on the street before a passionate brawl, grabbed their weapons and headed outside.

A group of customers who almost crawled under the table were left speechless...

The three members of the team looked at each other in bewilderment.

The Vortex Gang?
"Rogge? [What's the deal with the Vortex Gang?]"

Why does "Cyberbrain CAN," who's been arguing endlessly with Valentino in the Watson District, have the leisure to come to Santo Domingo and cause trouble...?

On the holographic screen, Roger remained expressionless. "Don't ask what you shouldn't ask—"

Meanwhile, the men who had been disarmed and had their guns stored at the entrance regained their weapons.

A scruffy-bearded bar employee carried a large case of beer and stuffed it under the table of several people. When you reached out and touched it, you felt the familiar, cool, refreshing feel of all the beer.

I'm going to...

The top middleman in Night City is feeding him food.

Just as Roger was confirming that everyone had received their equipment, Qiwei suddenly stopped him, saying, "Wait!"

Roger was somewhat annoyed.

Is Rin always this slow and indecisive when it comes to work?

"Oh shit--"

Qi Wei's distorted electronic voice came through, "The Valentino Gang?"

Rebecca's voice came at just the right moment, "Holy crap..."

Roger was speechless for a moment.

Pira rested his hand on the sofa, watching the three Valentino gang members walk in. They didn't recognize the leader, but Jack was sure he would.

"Hector?"

The Sixth Street gang soldiers who were responsible for security at the bar, who had been drinking and smoking with their backs to the bar, realized that the people who had gotten into trouble were the ones they didn't like.

Wow!
The bolt was pulled back, and the gloomy man at the door, seeing the other man draw his rifle, raised his hand and said in a rather sarcastic tone, "Oh... I've come at a bad time? Where are your men?"

Rebecca had her prosthetic arm resting on the gun for a while, and through gritted teeth, she asked in the channel, "Rogge?"

Roger looked at the guy and really couldn't figure out where this bastard came from. He brought such a small group of people into the place, and he acted like he was invincible.

Do you know each other?

Everyone shook their heads.

Qi Wei said calmly, "Let's listen first."

The leader of the Sixth Street gang shouted, "Are you looking for death?!"

Hector shrugged. "If your boss knew you were going to kill his partner, he'd twist your stick off and use it as a stress-relieving toy! A bunch of 'smack' sounds, you're dead, I'm dead, what's the point?"

The Sixth Street gang was intimidated by this guy's confident demeanor...

This?
After all, the Sixth Street Gang and the Valentino Gang haven't reached the point of being irreconcilable enemies. To be honest, with such a small number of people on the other side, there's no need to be so aggressive.

"I'm calling a lovely prosecutor in Night City right now. She'll be here soon to redraw the map for us—"

Rebecca and the others, who were listening in the corner, widened their eyes instantly.

"Prosecutor?"

At this moment, Roger on the other end of the phone suddenly fell silent.

Unfortunately, they ran into a member of the Valentino gang who had connections with the Night City Hall, and now they had to deal with a Sixth Street gang member who was taking advantage of Georgina.

Isn't this too good of a luck?
Everyone heard Roger's silent sigh on the phone.

The experienced Roger was the last person who wanted to get involved with these companies and the Night City government. He was already having a headache dealing with the Ringa Sixth Street gang, and now the Valentino gang was on his way...

Most importantly, that guy will also bring in the prosecutor from Night City.

Depend on!
Qiwei frowned, pondering what to do, while even Pila, supporting herself on her thighs, was at a loss for what to do.

At this point, the bar started kicking people out.

"Are you all gone? Or are you stuck here like a nail in the ground? You're not leaving, are you?!"

Just when everyone was at a loss—

Rebecca blinked and asked, "Question: Does anyone know us?"

Everyone was speechless, wondering what this guy who usually seemed so carefree and heartless was thinking.

Rebecca tapped her lips in thought, "If nobody recognizes us, before the prosecutor arrives, we'll kill that guy from the Valentino gang, and then kill that guy from the Sixth Street gang!"

"When that happens, Valentino will beat up the Sixth Street Gang, and the Sixth Street Gang will cause trouble for the priest!"

Pira suddenly raised her head and looked quietly at Rebecca.

Rebecca felt a little uneasy under his gaze…

Hey, what are you looking at?!

What is this if not genius?
Everyone's first thought was about the consequences, but Rebecca didn't forget the first essential element for cyberpunks to accomplish great things: don't be a coward.

Seeing everyone staring blankly...

Rebecca, with a look of utter disappointment, stood with one foot on the table, pulling out an iron bladder from under her pants in a bizarre pose, muttering something under her bewildered gaze—

"I don't care about your affairs!"

Immediately following was Rebecca's loud shout.

Hey! You idiots! Look this way!

The two groups of people in the bar, who were on the verge of conflict, were instantly drawn to each other—

Hector looked at the little girl in the distance with a puzzled expression, then looked closer...

Damn it!
A troll?!
　【The Vortex Gang】: In the Rogue's side quest in 2077, Rogue did things for the Vortex Gang, which is why he was able to find the information about Hammer's men at the docks so accurately.

　　
　
(End of this chapter)