Warhammer: The Time Traveler

Chapter 281 The Third Choice (Third Update)
Just then, Mowell, who had been silent like a shadow, suddenly spoke in her metallic synthesized voice.

Her voice wasn't loud, but it sounded exceptionally clear in the tense silence: "I can sneak into the factory and find out about the workers' situation."

These words came so suddenly that Mann and the other team members couldn't help but turn their gazes to her.

Mowell always acted only when given explicit instructions, making this proactive suggestion highly unusual.

Her modified prosthetic eyes calmly looked back at Mann, as if she had just said something completely ordinary.

Mann's thoughts raced.

He glanced at the fully armed team in the courtroom, then at the grave-faced Earl Gresham and the Ministry of Justice officials.

If the Ministry of Justice's plan is followed, although it is relatively mild, it is essentially still a suppression of these workers who are fighting for their survival.

This reminded him of his days in Night City, when they too were on the workers' side.

The "purification" plan proposed by the court sent chills down his spine just thinking about the numbers involved.

More than three thousand workers and more than ten thousand family members were all executed? This was far beyond what he could accept.

Mowell's proposal offers a new possibility.

Mann's mind raced through several options.

Understanding the workers' true demands may be the key to breaking the deadlock, but this means simultaneously dealing with the expectations of the Ministry of Justice, the Earl's considerations, and the watchful eyes of the court.

The risks are obvious—a slight misstep could not only wipe out the entire team, but also bring unpredictable trouble to Sage Chen Yu.

He could feel the gazes directed at him by his teammates.

Rebecca tapped impatiently on the weapon's casing with her fingers, Pila fidgeted nervously with his mechanical arm, and Dorio stood silently to the side, her clenched fists betraying her inner turmoil.

“Perhaps we should contact the Sage,” Dorio suddenly said, “and let him decide.”

“No.” Valerie’s voice came immediately from the Iron Guard’s communication channel, calm and decisive. “If we have to ask for permission for even such on-site decisions, what will the Sage think? He will think we are worthless, just a bunch of rookies who need to be taught step by step.”

She paused, then added, "In Night City, we despise those corporate dogs who have to ask their superiors for permission for everything. Now, we have to prove that we deserve the equipment and modifications we've been given."

Mann remained silent; he knew Valerie was right.

They have been given sufficient authority and equipment; now is the time for them to prove their worth.

Each choice means a different path: a safe but unconscionable repression, a thorough but cruel purge, or a risky investigation.

Time ticked by, and Judge Kelas's gaze remained fixed on them; his patience was clearly not limitless.

Mann took a deep breath, knowing he had to make a decision immediately.

He could feel the scrutinizing gaze of Judge Kelas, and he could also sense the expectant look in Earl Gresham's eyes.

The Ministry of Justice officials waited anxiously, their futures likely hanging in the balance in the next few minutes.

Mann's fingers unconsciously rubbed against the metal shell of the prosthetic limb, a subtle movement that revealed his inner turmoil.

Finally, he issued the order via an encrypted internal channel: "Mower, carry out a reconnaissance mission. Infiltrate the factory, find the workers' representatives, and learn their true demands and specific circumstances."

"Remain concealed, do not reveal your whereabouts, and avoid conflict with any party. We need accurate intelligence."

This order surprised several team members.

Rebecca raised an eyebrow, and Pila nervously pushed up his goggles.

Moir merely nodded slightly, offering no further comment. Her figure vanished into the shadows in the next instant, as if she had never existed.

Mann then turned to the judge and the count, speaking in a deliberately calm tone: “Your Excellency, Your Excellency, before taking any further action, we must first assess the damage to the equipment inside the factory.”

This not only concerns the completeness of the test data for the 'Iron Guard' prototype, but also directly affects the Sage's accurate judgment of the production recovery time.

He deliberately used the terminology and logic specific to Mechanics: "Decisions not supported by sufficient data are not only inconsistent with the teachings of the God of Machines, but may also lead to unnecessary waste of resources. Please give us the necessary time to complete the evaluation."

These words eased Earl Gresham's brow slightly; he clearly understood the unspoken meaning in Mann's words.

Judge Keras narrowed his eyes slightly, his right hand unconsciously stroking the explosive pistol at his waist.

The Imperial Fist warriors behind him remained motionless like statues, but Mann could feel the sharp gaze piercing through their helmets.

“I’ve heard about the Mechanicus’s obsession with data,” the Inquisitor finally spoke, his voice devoid of emotion. “But remember, the work of purging heretics is urgent. You have… a standard time.”

This timeframe was clearly far from enough, but Mann knew it was the maximum concession the other side could make.

He nodded slightly, without haggling.

During this brief exchange, he could sense that Valerie's Iron Guard prototype had quietly adjusted its position, now blocking the Inquisition Stormtroopers from the factory entrance.

Jack's other Iron Guard also moved in coordination, its heavy footsteps particularly clear in the silence.

The presence of these two war machines added weight to Mann's decision.

Mann knew in his heart that this seemingly technical excuse was actually a dangerous game being played.

He not only needs Mowell to bring back crucial intelligence within a limited time, but also to ensure that the situation does not spiral out of control during this period.

But none of that is the point. The real issue today is what choice to make.

Mann stood in front of the factory gate, feeling the struggle within him.

Three completely different paths unfolded before him, each leading to a completely different ending.

He instinctively wanted to help the workers.

During their time in Night City, they too were people standing on the other side of the fence, fighting for survival.

The familiar despair in the workers' eyes reminded him of the helplessness he once felt when facing the company.

But Valerie is right; they now represent the Cult of Mechanics.

Sage Chen Yu endowed them with these powerful equipment and modifications not so that they would act based on personal feelings.

Every mission tests their worth and proves they deserve these powers.

However, the "purification" plan proposed by the court sent chills down his spine just thinking about the number involved.

More than 10,000 lives, all to be executed simply for participating in a protest? This has completely exceeded the bottom line he can accept.

Mann realized that this decision not only concerned the lives of the workers in the factory, but would also determine the future path of their team.

Option 1: Assist the Ministry of Justice in the crackdown.

Option 2: Assist the court in purification.

Option 3: Understand the situation and help the workers.

(End of this chapter)