Warhammer: The Time Traveler

Chapter 223 Controlling Night City (First Update)
The desolate beach was transformed into an endless burning ruin, with thick smoke billowing into the sky, as if branding an ugly and hideous scar onto the night city's sky.

This is not just the destruction of a logistics hub, but also a symbol of the complete shattering of the Arasaka Empire's authority in Night City.

The once invincible corporate giant now reveals an unprecedented weakness and defeat in the face of absolute power.

Deep within the abandoned town's workshop, Chen Yu's crimson optical lens swept across the final battlefield assessment data stream transmitted back by the sensors.

Ignis's Royal Guard completed the "purification" mission with impeccable efficiency, and Arasaka's manpower and infrastructure in the coastal area have been completely wiped out.

Once the data was confirmed to be correct, his processing core immediately issued new instructions.

Now that we've made our move, there's no need to hold back.

Completely controlling Night City, bringing this chaotic independent city under his management, and establishing a stable and controllable logistics and experimental base aligns with his long-term strategic plan.

Efficiency is always the highest principle.

“Ignis,” his synthesized voice transmitted directly to the Cleric Commander’s processing center at the ruins via an encrypted data link, “Mission changed. Disperse your forces into ten clearing squads of five men each, and, in coordination with military technology and Contau’s armed forces, take full control of all key nodes in Night City.”

The goal is to eliminate all systemic, organized resistance and ensure a smooth transition of the city's basic functions.

We authorize the use of necessary force to suppress any actions that dare to challenge our jurisdiction.

"Instructions confirmed. Reorganize combat units and execute the city control agreement." Ignis's response was swift and efficient, without the slightest delay.

Almost simultaneously, Chen Yu, through Mowell, sent a brief but clear notification to the temporary command of Military Technology and New America in Night City, as well as Li Wei's team at Comtau CN: "I will be taking over Night City. Your cooperation is requested to maintain order."

This is not a request, but a notification.

Faced with the terrifying military power displayed by Chen Yu, which was enough to easily crush the Arasaka elite, both the New United States and its military technology, which were eager to use its strength to complete the great cause of unification, and the Comto CN, which hoped to consolidate their cooperative relationship, made wise choices in a very short time.

Upon receiving instructions personally authorized by President Miles, the Military Technology's top liaison officer in Night City immediately responded: "Military Technology will fully cooperate with the Sage's actions to assist in maintaining order in Night City and ensure a smooth transition."

The new United States began mobilizing its troops and private armies with military technology, taking control of administrative regions and major roads, and "persuading" smaller, still-watchful factions to remain neutral.

Li Wei's reply was equally swift and firm: "Kantau CN will follow your will and assist in stabilizing the situation in Night City. Our technical team and security forces are ready to go."

Contau's soldiers and engineers began taking over some key communications hubs and energy facilities, their actions precise and swift, demonstrating a high level of professionalism.

Thus, under the horrified, bewildered, or numb gazes of countless residents of Night City, an unprecedented power shift began.

Ignis's Royal Guard squads, like cold steel wedges, precisely and efficiently penetrated every corner of the city.

Their heavy footsteps echoed through the empty streets, and the pale gold Union Shield gleamed with an inhuman luster under the neon lights.

Any stragglers of Aragaki who tried to stop them, or any street gangs taking advantage of the chaos, were reduced to charred remains by the precise strikes of the arc spears.

Their very existence is a silent declaration: the old rules no longer exist.

The municipal center, that magnificent building that symbolizes Night City’s independence and (to some extent) autonomy, is now shrouded in a somber atmosphere.

The building was guarded by soldiers from the Military Technology Corps and the security forces of Contau, while the interior was controlled by a ten-man guard squad personally led by Ignis.

They stood silently in key positions in the corridors and halls, like steel statues from ancient times, exuding a suffocating sense of oppression.

The atmosphere inside the municipal council hall was extremely tense.

The mayor of the city of night, a seasoned politician known for his shrewdness and political maneuvering, along with dozens of councilors representing different corporate interests and (nominally) citizen groups, gathered here. Their faces were etched with unease, fear, and a lingering, unrealistic fantasy.

The air was thick with tension, as if a single spark could ignite it.

Just then, in the center of the hall, a strong beam of light was projected from the eyes of the servo skull floating on Ignis's shoulder. The beams quickly intertwined and condensed, outlining the virtual image of the black-haired, black-eyed Eastern youth that Chen Yu had chosen.

The projection was incredibly lifelike, even simulating the subtle swaying of clothing, but its gaze contained a coldness of pure rationality and absolute authority that far surpassed human emotion.

"The administrators of Night City," Chen Yu's projection spoke, the synthesized voice steadily transmitted through the speakers of the servo skull, clearly echoing in the quiet hall, "From this moment on, this city is under my control, and the existing municipal management system is immediately dissolved. You have two choices: unconditionally submit and accept the new management order; or, die."

His words were unadorned, bluntly brutal, like reading a lab report.

After a brief silence, the mayor abruptly stood up, trying to maintain his usual composure, but his slightly trembling voice betrayed his inner fear: "Sage... Sage! Night City is a free city!"

We belong to no country, nor do we submit to any company or individual! This is the very foundation of this city! You have no right to…”

"Freedom?" Chen Yu's projection interrupted him, her tone completely flat, as if stating an objective fact: "Freedom built on corporate exploitation, street violence, and systemic poverty is nothing more than a fig leaf for disorder and chaos."

I have no interest in this inefficient kind of 'freedom'; I bring order and efficiency.

He paused slightly, his deep black eyes sweeping across the faces of everyone present, as if recording their physiological reaction data.

"My patience is waning. This is the final question: surrender, or death?"

The mayor's face flushed red. Perhaps driven by political ideals, perhaps to preserve his last shred of dignity, or perhaps simply by misjudgment, he waved his arms and shouted passionately, "No! We will never yield! Night City will never be enslaved! Fellow councilors, we cannot..."

His words stopped abruptly.

Chen Yu's virtual image didn't even change its expression; it only moved its thoughts slightly.

A heavily armed guard standing near the mayor seemed to receive an invisible command, and his arc-charged spear shot out like a venomous snake emerging from its hole without warning.

There was no violent explosion, only a very brief, blinding blue flash and a slight crackling sound.

The mayor remained in a shouting posture, his entire body instantly carbonized by the highly concentrated electric arc energy, turning into a charred sculpture with a horrified expression, before collapsing to the ground and shattering into a pile of black fragments.

Almost simultaneously with the mayor's collapse, several other councilors who reacted strongly, attempted to speak out in agreement, or displayed obvious resistance also met the same fate.

Several arcs of electricity flashed, and instantly several charred remains appeared in the hall, filling the air with the eerie smell of burning protein.

The entire execution process was quiet, swift, and efficient, giving no one time to react or beg for mercy.

The remaining members of parliament froze completely, fear washing over them like ice water.

Some people slumped in their seats, some covered their mouths tightly to prevent themselves from screaming, and many more were pale-faced and trembling uncontrollably.

They finally realized that the being before them was not a political opponent or corporate giant to be negotiated with, but a "higher being" who held absolute power over life and death and whose logic could not be judged by common sense.

"It seems you've made your choice," Chen Yu's projection said calmly, as if he had merely cleared away a few insignificant obstacles. "Remember today's lesson. Efficiency and obedience are your only rules for survival in the future."

He ignored the terrified survivors and turned his virtual avatar toward Ignis: "You are responsible for maintaining physical control of the city. Social management and resource allocation will be handled by new administrators."

After he finished speaking, his projection vanished silently, just as it had appeared, without leaving any words behind.

(End of this chapter)