Warhammer: The Time Traveler

Chapter 167 Reactions from All Sides (First Update)
The smoke from Mann's squad's withdrawal from Arasaka Tower had not yet completely dissipated. The flames and billowing smoke that continued to burn in the middle of that city landmark building were like a hideous scar that had not yet scabbed over, branded on the skyline of Night City.

Contrary to the chaos outsiders imagined, the entire city fell into an abnormal, suffocating silence.

This is not peace, but the extreme oppression before a storm, the instinctive retraction of claws and teeth by all creatures that sense danger.

An unprecedented sense of tension permeated the streets and alleys.

At the junkyard stronghold of the Vortex Gang, the industrial music that roared all day long fell silent for the first time ever.

The madmen, covered in rough metal prosthetics, unusually refrained from their usual acts of destruction. Instead, they gathered in front of the flickering screen, silently watching the explosion footage being replayed on the news.

An exceptionally burly member used a mechanical arm to flatten the tin can, hoarsely warning his companions to be more discreet lately, especially to avoid any unfamiliar faces dressed unusually.

For the first time, the lawless Vortex Gang revealed a primal awe of absolute violence.

In contrast, while music still flows in the Heywood district controlled by the Valentino gang, the usual street celebrations and family gatherings have been quietly canceled.

The well-dressed leaders whispered among themselves in a secluded private room, exchanging uneasy speculations, and finally reached a consensus—while increasing patrols, they must avoid any conflicts that might involve the company.

Even the animal gang, which always revered primal power, restrained their arrogance; their muscles and claws appeared pale and powerless in the face of that unknown force that could vaporize armor.

In the Night City Police Headquarters command center, the siren lights spun in vain.

The dispatcher's voice on the communication channel conveyed a sense of utter exhaustion and helplessness. They issued veiled yet clear instructions to their subordinates: prioritize handling routine security cases, and only record all calls involving company property and high-level armed conflicts.

Several police airships symbolically circled in the airspace far from Arasaka Tower, drawing an unspoken line.

Veteran detectives privately admitted that this was already beyond their jurisdiction, and the entire law enforcement system had temporarily reverted to the role of bystanders maintaining a minimum level of order.

The shift in media is more subtle.

At the outset of the incident, all news channels broadcast the attack of the century at maximum volume, with anchors and invited experts excitedly proclaiming the end of the old order.

However, a few hours later, the tone of the report began to change noticeably.

The footage showing the team's combat details was heavily cut, leaving only a blurry distant view.

The wording gradually shifted from "ruthless terrorists" to "unidentified armed men," and finally settled on the cautious and vague description of "highly dangerous unknown entities."

Clearly, an invisible pressure has choked the media, forcing the truth and ratings to yield to the instinct for survival.

Their reporting became filled with uncertainty and restraint, as if any overstepping of boundaries could lead to utter destruction.

Beneath this eerie silence, the entire city held its breath and watched.

From company directors to street vagrants, every soul living here is trying to glean clues about the future from this desolate landscape.

For the first time, this behemoth, which was always roaring in chaos, fell into collective silence due to incomprehensible violence.
-
Inside the strategic intelligence room at the North American headquarters of Military Technology, a room capable of withstanding a nuclear strike, the air was so heavy it seemed you could wring water out of it.

On the enormous holographic projection screen, incomprehensible combat clips played repeatedly with unsettling clarity. The technical analysis director's dry voice had barely faded when his conclusion—that the technological gap was at least twenty years—fell into a deathly silence.

On the faces of the senior generals and company directors, there was no trace of the satisfaction one would expect from a sworn enemy suffering humiliation; only a profound and unfathomable solemnity.

The North American CEO began speaking in a low voice, attempting to unravel the specter lurking behind Mann's team: "The European Bank? Those old foxes prefer to kill with euros and contracts..."

“Su Petrochemical and Peizhuo Petrochemical? Their armed forces are more geared towards regional defense…” The executive in charge of black operations then ruled them out.

Just as the Chief Security Officer shifted his suspicions to Contour, pointing out that this could be the spark that ignites the fifth corporate war, the atmosphere in the meeting room oscillated between brief excitement over the prospect of war and deeper anxiety—

The home screen switched without warning.

The resolute and stern face of the new US president, Rosalind Myers, appears in the center of the image, her sharp gaze carrying an authority that pierces through the screen.

Her access privileges clearly exceeded all the usual restrictions imposed on this secret room.

"Gentlemen," President Miles's voice cut straight to the point without any pleasantries, as if she had already listened to the entire discussion, "it seems we are witnessing a sudden change that could alter the course of the game."

There's no need to repeat your analysis; the conclusion is clear: an unidentifiable third party, using technology we cannot comprehend, shattered Arasaka's hardest shell in Night City.

The CEO of the military technology company immediately adjusted his posture, speaking respectfully yet with considerable weight: "Your Excellency, as we feared, this is an opportunity, but the risks are uncontrollable."

The purpose of this unknown force is unclear, and its technological background poses a threat to us as well. Arasaka's retaliation will undoubtedly be ruthless and reckless.

“Risks are always present; the key is how we manage them.” Miles interrupted him, her gaze sweeping over the image of the raging Aragaka Tower frozen on the holographic screen. “In 2069, we were forced to sign the Alvin Accords, and from that moment on, reunification and making the new America great again became our unfinished mission.”

Now, someone has presented us with an opportunity!
Arasaka's prestige and credibility in regional defense have suffered a fatal blow. This wasn't a conflict we started, but we cannot stand idly by.

She leaned forward slightly, and the sense of oppression she exuded emanated from the screen.

"What you see in military technology is perhaps a surge in arms orders after the start of war, a reshuffling of market share, and the prospect of completely overwhelming competitors with new equipment."

That's good. Profit drives progress, and companies need to make a profit.

But what the new US government wanted was a result—to bring Night City and even the West Coast back into the country, to restore the divided nation to its former glory.

What we need is a victory, a victory that will completely end the East-West standoff and lay the foundation for a new America for the next century.

The CEO met her gaze and cautiously replied, “We fully understand and support the country’s strategic goals, Your Excellency. A unified market and a stable environment are also in the company’s long-term interests.”

But it is precisely because our goals are so ambitious that we must be cautious. This unknown force…

We don't even know who their next target is.

If Arasaka's retaliation goes mad, or if this force turns against us, the situation could spiral completely out of control, even dragging us into a war of attrition against multiple adversaries. This would be a disaster for both the company's profits and the cause of national unification.

(End of this chapter)