Mornings were never really my thing, and Night City didn’t exactly encourage anyone to be a morning person. The city came alive at night – neon lights, wild deals, joytoys, motorcycle gangs, and chaos. That’s when it thrived, and so did I. But unfortunately, business often demanded attention during the less glamorous “banking hours.” So, there I was, in my office at the Batty, nursing a fading caffeine buzz and trying to look like I’d gotten more than four hours of sleep.
The massive window behind me offered a panoramic view of Pacifica. The district didn’t look half bad from here. The GIM was already buzzing, it’s early-morning hustle almost a comfort. It had become a hub of activity, much like the Batty itself. What had started as a base of operations for The Pack was now something much more – a shopping center, a hotel, and the place people came when they needed favors or to plead their cases. The businesses along the main drag had all fallen in line, paying their dues. And there hadn’t been any signs of Scav activities or small-time gangs moving in.
All in all, everything was going much better than I’d expected when we first moved in.
Behind me, the low hum of voices reminded me I wasn’t alone. I turned to see John, Angelica, and Sandra gathered around the coffee table in the middle of my office. Cyndi leaned against the wall, playing the part of bodyguard for the day. She looked bored out of her mind and wasn’t even pretending to follow the conversation. But the others were all locked in, particularly John.
“Hands had a lot more going on than I realized,” John said, his voice still carrying that hint of nerves he always had in group settings. He glanced up from the tablet in his lap, meeting my eyes briefly before diving back in. “I’m still going through his files. He had contacts with everyone – techies, muscle, netrunners. I’ve been reaching out to, uh, figure out who’s reliable and worth keeping around.”
He adjusted his grip on his tablet and shifted in his seat. “I’ve even reached out to the layers and financial advisors he had on retainer. At first, I thought they’d just ignore me, but…they didn’t. They’ve already started working on those dummy corporations you asked for.”
Angelica leaned back in her chair, one brow raised as she processed it. I could see her trying to figure out the reason for the dummy corporations. “And these people are solid?”
John nodded, his confidence inching up. “Yea. I’ve met with them. They know how to set everything up without it coming back to us. On paper, these dummy corps will own the Batty, the GIM, and some other properties. I’m thinking most of the main strip and some spots we’re renovating into hotels.”
Cyndi tilted her head, breaking her silence. “What’s up with the dummy corporations and buying buildings? Everyone already knows we own the GIM and the Batty.”
She wasn’t being aggressive – just genuinely confused. I glanced over at Sandra, but she didn’t seem particularly invested, scrolling through her own tablet. If it didn’t have to do with netrunning, Sandra wasn’t particularly interested.
Cyndi looked between me and the others, trying to see if they understood what was happening. “I mean, why bother? We own everything in Pacifica.”
I smiled, more to myself than to her, and moved away from the window. “We control Pacifica right now, sure,” I started, lowering myself into a chair at the table. “The Batty, the GIM, the streets – we’ve got it all under our thumb. But there’s a difference between control and ownership.”
Cyndi squinted at me, still not following.
“Think about it,” I said. “The only reason we’re sitting pretty at the top is because we’ve got the biggest stick in the district, and nobody’s in the mood to test us. The Valentinos? They’re too busy counting the eddies we’re making them. The Tyger Claws are happy with the gambling houses we sold them in Watson. Barghest uses us to move their cargo. 6th Street’s still licking their wounds, and Maelstrom is too far away to give a shit.
“But that balance isn’t going to hold forever. You think the corps care about who’s got the biggest stick? One multinational decides it wants a piece of Pacifica, and we’re toast. They’d step on us like bugs. That’s why we’re setting this up. The dummy corps are our insurance policy. They let us keep what matters when someone eventually tries to muscle in.”
Angelica nodded slowly, the logic sinking in.
“Here’s the deal: we can’t just sit on what we’ve got and hope everything stays the same. That’s not how Night City works. If we want to build something real, something that lasts, we’ve got to change the way people see Pacifica. Right now, yea, we’re getting some traffic, but let’s not kid ourselves – most people still think of this place as a combat zone. It’s bad for business. We can’t make serious eddies if people are too scared to set foot in the GIM.”
I gestured broadly around the room, as if the Batty itself stood in for the whole district. The old building had a rugged charm, and it was a lot better off than most things in Pacifica, but the cracks in the walls and the flickering neon lights screamed past its prime. “Pacifica needs more than a Band-Aid. It needs a full makeover. And that’s where the corps come in. Let them roll into Pacifica and build their shiny new headquarter, their worker housing, and their sidewalks. Let them pave the roads and fix the power grid. They’ll bring the kind of security that makes people feel safe – not for us, mind you, but for themselves. Once that happens, workers start showing up. Tourists. Fresh blood. Eddies.”
Cyndi’s brow knitted together as she chewed on the idea. “Okay, but if we let the corps get too comfortable, isn’t that just painting a big target on us? What happens when they start seeing us as their next big problem?”
I smiled, already expecting the question. “That’s why we’re setting up the dummy corporations. On paper, they’ll own the Batty, the GIM, and every property we actually care about. Meanwhile, we stay in the background, running the show. The corps will think they’re reshaping Pacifica, but they’re really just building their shiny playground around us. We stay in control, keep things low-key, and rake in the rewards. They clean up the streets, but we make sure those streets stay ours.”
Cyndi leaned back, clearly thinking about my answer before she gave a faint nod of approval. Good enough. A moment later, she looked away, clearly already tuning out the rest of the conversation. Her interest had a short shelf life.
I shifted my focus to Sandra, seated nearby with one leg crossed over the other. Her eyes were fixed on her tablet, but I could tell her mind was on something else entirely.
“What’s the latest with Rezo Agwe?” I asked, cutting through her fog.
Sandra perked up at the mention of the project, her eyes snapping to mine. Finally, something she cared about. “My team’s still chipping away at it,” she said, a small smile tugging at her lips. “We’ve had a few hiccups – blips and power surges – probably some leftover Voodoo Boys trash rigged into the system. But nothing we can’t handle. The important stuff is already locked down.”
“Important stuff?”
She sat up straighter and gave me a knowing look. “The schematics, the blackmail, any information the VDB collected on corporations, bank accounts and records. And…the stuff you wanted.”
It took me a second, but then it clicked. The VDB files on the Relic, Alt Cunningham, and the Blackwall. A knot twisted in my stomach. Just thinking about how close the Voodoo Boys might’ve come to cracking the relic made my skin crawl, but I kept my expression neutral. That was a can of worms I wasn’t opening now. “Good. Keep it under wraps. The last thing we need is any of that leaking.”
Sandra shrugged. “Already done. I’ve sequestered everything. Nobody’s getting near it unless you give the green light. Meanwhile, we’re still combing through the server, making sure it’s squeaky clean. No hidden backdoors, no rogue code, no nasty little surprises waiting to bite us in the ass later.”
“Nova. And the hub idea? Still think it’s got legs?”
A small grin lit up her face, the kind she wore when she knew she’d done good. “Oh, definitely. I’ve already tested the waters – offered limited storage to a few runners I trust. They jumped at it. Once everything’s set, we’ll have a secure space for them to stash their data. And they’re willing to pay top dollar for a server out of Netwatch’s reach.”
“Timeline?”
Sandra tilted her head, considering. “Depends. My team’s scrubbing every inch of that server, purging any trace of VDB influence. If we keep this pace, we’re looking at a few weeks, maybe a month, tops.”
I nodded, filing her report away in the mental Rolodex. Just as I was about to dig deeper, movement by the office door caught my attention. Zion was there, his broad shoulders almost blocking the frame. Behind him, a woman hovered – Eva Cole.
I straightened, cutting the meeting short. “That’s it for now.”
Angelica, John, and Sandra rose, offering murmured goodbyes as they filed out of the room. Sandra’s curiosity flickered briefly as she passed Eva in the doorway, but she didn’t linger. Cyndi moved to her post in the corner, settling into her usual guard stance – arms crossed, eyes sweeping the room like she expected ‘Saka ninjas to pop out of nowhere to try and assassinate me.
Zion stepped aside and ushered Eva into the room. I stood, offering her a hand with a polite node. “Ms. Cole. Thanks for coming.”
She accepted the handshake with a faint smile and then moved toward the chair in front of my desk. I caught the subtle tension in her shoulders, the faint lines of fatigue around her eyes.
“You look a little…frazzled,” I teased lightly as I settled back behind my desk.
A dry laugh escaped her. “So would you, if every major and minor corporation in Night City was banging down your door.”
I chuckled at that, leaning back in my chair. “Fair point. So…Kang Tao. Why them?”
She sighed, taking on the weariness of someone who’d already explained herself a dozen times that week. “The biggest reason? They’re not Arasaka or Militech.”
“Makes sense. I doubt Arasaka’s interested in Pacifica anyway. They’ve got their glass-and-steel monstrosity downtown. They don’t need anything here.”
“Exactly,” Eva agreed. “But they’re not the problem. The problem is that they’ll do everything in their power to make sure Militech doesn’t get a foothold in Night City. If Militech makes a move, Arasaka will use their people on the council to block the bid. It’s a mess waiting to happen.”
“Good,” I said. “I already promised Kurt Hansen I wouldn’t let Militech park an invasion force on his doorstep. Wouldn’t look great for me – or The Pack – if they ended up buying half the district.”
Eva’s lips quirked into a small smile, satisfied she’d done her job well. “That’s why I brought Kang Tao to the table. You told me you wanted extra security in Pacifica. That cuts out most of the smaller corporations – they don’t have the manpower to provide what you’re asking for. Zetatech might’ve been an option, but they’ve already got an office on Berkeley Avenue. Moving into Pacifica isn’t even on their radar.”
I frowned, mulling it over. “What about Orbital Air? They’ve got reach, resources, and nobody seems to be working against them. Seems like a safe bet.”
The author's narrative has been misappropriated; report any instances of this story on Amazon.
“They’ve approached me,” Eva admitted. “They’re definitely a contender. Nobody would block their bid – most corporations in the world rely on Orbital Air for logistics. They’re untouchable in that way.”
I grimaced, the idea settling in like a bad taste. An untouchable player in Pacifica wasn’t exactly what I had in mind. If Orbital Air’s influence was that pervasive, it could limit The Pack’s ability to maneuver if we ever needed to keep them in check. A company everyone depended on meant no one would risk making them an enemy. Eva caught my expression and gave me a knowing look.
“Exactly,” she said, cutting to the heart of it. “That’s why Kang Tao is the better option. Arasaka will back their bid because they’re not Militech. And while Militech won’t love the council selling land to a competitor, they’re not going to escalate over it, either. Kang Tao strikes a balance – they’re big enough to make an impact here but not so big that they’ll try to own the whole district. At least, not anytime soon.”
“Alright,” I said, crossing my arms as I considered her words. “What’s the catch? Anything I need to know about them before we open the door?”
Eva hesitated, her lips pressing into a thin line. It was clear she was weighing her words carefully. “They’re…not the most popular corporation around,” she admitted finally.
She sighed, smoothing her skirt a little. “Kang Tao’s great at business. They specialize in undercutting the competition – cheaper firearms, tech, security contracts, you name it. That’s part of their appeal. They’re efficient, competitive, and cost-effective.”
“Not hearing the problem here.”
She looked up, her expression unreadable for a moment. “They’ve got one of the largest intelligence and netrunning networks in the corporate world. That’s how they stay competitive – stealing research, reverse-engineering it, and reselling it at a fraction of the price. It’s why they can offer those cheap alternatives.”
I let that sink in, my mind ticking through the implications. “So, by inviting Kang Tao into Pacifica, we’re likely to piss off some of their competitors.”
Eva shrugged lightly. “Probably. But not enough for anyone to act on it. Kang Tao’s not big enough to provoke an all-out response from the others. Most corporations will grumble, maybe lose a few contracts to them, but they’ll move on.”
I chuckled, shaking my head. “Sounds like they might actually fit in quite nice here.”
Eva tilted her head, intrigued. “How so?”
“Kang Tao’s not afraid to play dirty to get ahead, and they’ve clearly got the resources to back it up. Hell, they might even be interested in some of the intel we pulled from the VDB servers. It’d sweeten the pot and keep them invested in the district long-term.”
The more I thought about it, the more the idea clicked into place. Kang Tao could bring both the muscle and the infrastructure Pacifica needed while creating opportunities we could exploit down the line. It was the kind of partnership that could keep The Pack in control without raising too many eyebrows.
&&&
Standing several stories above the city, I was surprised by how windy everything was. The rooftop of the Batty felt like a different world – a perch overlooking Pacifica, with the ocean stretching out in one direction and the fractured chaos of Night City in the other. The smell of salt mixed with the sharp tang of plastic and chemicals wafted in from the polluted waters below. It wasn’t paradise, but it was probably the best I could do at the moment.
The rooftop was an unexpected discovery. I hadn’t even known it had an AV landing pad until Eva Cole arranged for Kang Tao’s people to meet us there. She’d made sure they came to Pacifica instead of me schlepping all the way across town, which I appreciated. I stood next to her and Cyndi, hands in my pockets, watching the skyline as an AV cut through the haze.
The bright orange Kang Tao logo stood out on its sleek body, a sharp chrome blade against the smoggy backdrop. As it approached, the hum of its engines grew louder, a steady drone that I could feel in my chest. It slowed and descended smoothly onto the rooftop pad, and when it was finally settled the doors hissed open to reveal a group of suits.
It was like a choreographed routine. They fanned out and flanked a woman who stepped out of the AV, radiating authority. Xiaohan Ling. A Kang Tao Board member. She wasn’t old. At least, she didn’t look old. But everything about her presence screamed seniority. She was poised, commanding, and measured.
I stepped forward, giving her my best warm smile, and offered my hand. “Ms. Ling, welcome to Pacifica. I hope the ride over wasn’t too rocky.”
She took my hand with a firm, businesslike grip. The faintest hint of a smile touched her lips, more formality than warmth. “Mr. Batty. It’s a pleasure. The trip was smooth, thank you. A short hop from Konpeki Plaza, made simpler with the generosity of you and Arasaka allowing us the use of your AV pads.”
“Konpeki Plaza?” I echoed, the name catching me slightly off guard.
Her smile sharpened just a fraction. “Oh, you’re familiar? Kang Tao maintains a suite there for business visits to Night City. Convenient. Discreet. Efficient.”
I nodded, the name stirring memories – or maybe premonitions? – of the storm Konpeki Plaza would eventually become. It was where everything slowly started going wrong for V. Or…would go wrong. My thoughts wandered to V and Jackie. Had they already crossed paths? Were they still small-time mercs trying to claw their way up the city’s brutal food chain?
I pushed the thought aside, letting a casual grin settle back on my face. “I’ve been to the bar there,” I said lightly, pulling my focus back to the present. “Nice spot.”
Turning slightly, I gestured toward Eva, standing at my side. “This is Ms. Eva Cole. A member of Night City’s council, someone deeply invested in seeing Pacifica reach its full potential, and, I hope, a future friend of Kang Tao.”
Eva stepped forward, her polished poise slipping into place like a second skin. “Ms. Ling, it’s a pleasure to meet in person. I’ve been looking forward to discussing what Kang Tao envisions for Pacifica’s future.”
The exchange of pleasantries between Eva and Xiaohan Lin was smooth, but I caught the faintest hint of nerves flickering behind Eva’s polished exterior. It wasn’t every day you stood face-to-face with a board member of one of the largest corporations on the planet.
“Shall we?” I asked, stepping aside and motioning toward the rooftop door that led to my office.
Ling nodded, her entourage moving in lockstep behind her. Most of them were harried-looking staffers, their faces etched with the exhaustion of keeping a corporation juggernaut like Ling running on schedule. But two of them stood out to me immediately. Their sharp eyes scanned the area with a look that screamed security. They didn’t need visible armor or weapons to broadcast that they were trained killers.
As we reached my office, both Cyndi and the guards split off to take opposite and competing positions, showing off to everyone that they were security.
Inside, the atmosphere softened. The formality of the rooftop gave way to a more intimate setting of my office. Ling’s sharp gaze swept across the room, cataloging every detail with the ease of someone who’d seen her fair share of high-stakes meetings. Meanwhile, two of her staffers lugged a matte black case to the coffee table, setting it down with care.
The soft click of the latches echoed louder than they should have in the quiet room. When the lid opened, it revealed the prize inside: Optical Camo. Pristine and gleaming like a rare gem.
My eyes widened and I leaned forward to inspect it. Optical Camo wasn’t some off-the-shelf cyberware you could pick up at the nearest ripperdoc. It was elite gear, the kind of hardware reserved for the top one percent: high-priced mercs, executive operatives, or corpo security with cash to burn. Seeing it here, presented so casually, made a clear statement.
“Impressive,” I said, letting my eyes linger on it for a beat longer.
“A gift, Mr. Batty,” Ling said smoothly. “Kang Tao prides itself on innovation. Consider this a gesture of goodwill as we lay the groundwork for what I hope will be a mutually beneficial relationship.”
I looked up, arching an eyebrow. “Goodwill, huh? This is some serious goodwill. Most folks can’t even get their hands on one of these, let alone think about affording it.”
Her smile deepened, just a touch. “I began my career in Kang Tao’s cyberware division,” she said, her tone casual but carrying the weight of her experience. “Years of honing my eye for technology has given me a unique perspective. I can identify cyberware at a glance, even hidden under realskinn.”
That gave me paus, and her eyes glittered as she caught my reaction.
“For example,” she continue, tilting her head. “You’re partial to the monowire. A fine choice – versatile, elegant, efficient, and lethal when used correctly. You also favor a cyberdeck. I would also estimate…one or two accessories that compliment it. A Feen-X model, perhaps paired with an Ex-Disk for expanded cache.”
Her words settled into the air like a challenge wrapped in a compliment. I masked my reaction with a nod, motioning toward the chairs near the coffee table.
“Impressive,” I said, forcing a small grin. “But are you sure you didn’t have a little help? Kang Tao’s intel network is legendary. Feels like you’ve got a file on me already.”
Ling’s faint smile didn’t waver. “If we did, Mr. Batty, would you truly be surprised? You’ve made quite the impression in this city. This,” she said, motioning toward the Optical Camo, “was my personal selection. A gesture of respect, if you will. A reflection of what we’ve observed about you and your…methods.”
“My methods?”
“The Pack’s rise to prominence is a fascinating story,” she replied smoothly. “Especially its role during the blackout.”
Her words made my stomach tighten, though I fought to keep my face neutral. The blackout – the chaos, the riots, the fear – had been a turning point for The Pack. To most, it was just another chapter in Night City’s grim history. It was a freak occurrence, an unfortunate confluence of bad luck and poor planning. Few knew the truth, and fewer still dared to piece together how it was pulled off.
“Stealth,” she continued, her tone laced with admiration, “must have been the cornerstone of your efforts. Coordinating a prison riot while crippling a major power plant isn’t something that happens by accident. Precision, control – those are rare qualities in this city. Yet The Pack not only survived that night but came out stronger.” Her gaze locked onto mine, sharp and unrelenting. “That’s why I chose this Optical Camo as your gift. It’s a tool for those who thrive in the shadows. Those who understand the value of invisibility.”
Kang Tao had clearly been watching me, watching us. My thoughts flicked to my face implant; experimental tech that had given me an edge far beyond what most knew. It wasn’t something I advertised. No one outside Vik and the upper echelons of The Pack knew about it. If Kang Tao had any inkling of what it was or what it could do, this meeting would be far less cordial. They’d have sent a hit squad to snatch me up and rip it out, leaving nothing but my body bleeding as they pried the tech from my skull.
Still, I smiled back at her. “Stealth has its moments,” I said lightly, “but persistence and vision are what brought us to the top of Pacifica. Speaking of vision, let’s talk about the district.”
I steepled my fingers, letting the moment settled before continuing. “Here’s what I’m looking for in this partnership, Ms. Ling. Kang Tao gets the council’s green light to purchase a significant plot of land in Pacifica for a ceremonial price of a single eddie. That’s step one. But it comes with expectations. I’m talking security, infrastructure, and a commitment to turning Pacifica from a warzone into a district worth investing in.”
Ling nodded thoughtfully. “Naturally. A project of this magnitude requires substantial investment. The council will expect us to bolster security and revitalize logistics networks. Those are standard conditions.”
“Exactly,” I said. “The Pack already has Pacifica mostly under control. We’ve kept the big gangs out, stabilized the streets – it’s the best shape this district has seen in years. But we have our limits. That’s where Kang Tao comes in. I’d like to see your security forces shore up the edges, handle the areas we’re stretched too thin to cover. It benefits both of us. You keep rival corps out of your hair while ensuring your investments stay protected, and I get to focus on turning the core of Pacifica into something people want to be part of.”
Ling tilted her head, her expression thoughtful. “You’re asking Kang Tao to protect its investments. That will happen either way. But I imagine you have…conditions on how we provide this ‘security.’”
I grinned. “Just one. Don’t get in our way. The Pack will ensure no gangs muscle into Pacifica and cause chaos or disrupt your shipments. If other corporations get any ideas about planting their flag here, we’ll squash them before they even make a move. The city council will block their proposals, and my people can acquire some new gear from their shipments. This will be your playground as far as business is concerned. But when it comes to the entertainment side of things – clubs, hotels, underground markets, fights – that’s our turf. We keep Pacifica’s edge, you keep its stability.”
Ling’s lips curved into a faint smile. “So, Kang Tao manages logistics and secures a new operational hub, while The Pack gets a corporate ally and remains the face of Pacifica’s rebirth. Ambitious. But what guarantees do I have that the council won’t pivot to another corporation when it suits them.”
Eva, sitting nearby, stepped in smoothly. “There’s little risk of that,” she said confidently. “Noah’s influence on the council is…extensive, to say the least. The votes are already there. Once this deal goes through, we can make it a long-term arrangement. The council won’t backtrack, not with what Kang Tao brings to the table. And, of course, the terms can include safeguards to ensure mutual stability. Nothing that should give Kang Tao cause for concern.”
Ling regarded Eva with a measured look before turning back to me. “Fair enough. Still, I have one lingering concern. Kang Tao wouldn’t be the first corporation to try and revive Pacifica. This district has a…reputation. It devours investments. Many have tried, but none have succeeded.”
I shrugged, leaning forward slightly. “That’s where The Pack comes in. None of the previous investors had us on their side. You focus on building the infrastructure and securing your operations; we’ll handle the streets, keep things stable where it matters. And if you’re still uneasy about history repeating itself? Maybe I can sweeten the deal.”
Her eyebrows rose slightly, a signal for me to elaborate.
“My people have access to certain…insights about your competitors,” I said, letting the words hang in the air for a moment. My mind flicked to the trove of blackmail material and data caches the VDB had hidden away on people. “Call it intelligence your operatives might find valuable – leverage that could give Kang Tao an edge when dealing with rival corps.”
Her expression didn’t shift much, but the faintest quirk of her lips betrayed her interest. “Intriguing,” she said, her tone calm yet edged with curiosity. “I’ll admit, Kang Tao values allies who think outside the box. But let me be clear: I’ll need to present all of this to the Board. They’ll make the final call, and I don’t make promises lightly.”
“Fair enough,” I replied with a grin. “But let’s be honest – the Board wouldn’t have sent you here if they weren’t already interested. And if anyone can sell this to them, it’s you.”
“I appreciate your confidence,” she said, her words smooth as glass. “Just don’t mistake it for certainty. Pacifica has a way of swallowing bold plans and leaving nothing but regrets behind. But I’ll take this to the Board. If they approve, I’ll return with the next steps.”
Ling rose from her seat and I followed suit. She extended her hand and I took it, her grip firm and assured.
“And the council?” she asked, turning her attention to Eva.
Eva stepped forward with an easy smile. “The council will approve,” she said confidently. “You have my word on that.”
“Then we have a tentative agreement,” she said, her eyes narrowing slightly, as if measuring the risk in her next words. “For both our sakes, I hope this pays off.”
She turned, her entourage falling into step behind her with a practiced efficiency as she made her way to the roof and the waiting AV to take her back to Konpeki Plaza.
&&&
The sky above Pacifica was its usual polluted palette of smog and city haze, but something in the air felt different – a faint buzz of opportunity, of plans set in motion. Xiaohan Ling was off to, hopefully, fast-track their bid on Pacifica’s land. Down on the street level, Eva Cole was by her car. One hand rested lightly on the driver’s-side door while she glanced back at me, the faintest trace of fatigue tugging at her expression.
“So, anything else I need to take care of before this goes through?” she asked, her voice clipped and professional.
“I trust you to handle the politics. You know the council inside and out – that’s why we put you there. Just keep steering them in the right direction.” I paused for a beat, just enough to remind her of the balance of power. She knew it as well as I did: we put her on the city council, and we could just as easily replace her. “Meanwhile, I’ll make sure the Mox are on board with setting up a Lizzie’s satellite at the GIM. Next time you’re in Pacifica, I want you to actually enjoy yourself.”
That earned a soft snort from her, a break in her councilwoman façade. Shaking her head, she muttered something I didn’t quite catch, though her lips curled into a faint, reluctant smile. Without another word, she slid into her car. The door shut with a solid click, the engine hummed to life, and the vehicle pulled away, merging into the city’s restless flow.
I watched her taillights fade into the distance, hands buried deep in my jacket pockets. Everything was starting to align. The Pack had Pacifica running smoothly, businesses were paying their dues, and with Kang Tao on board, the district would soon have security on par with City Center. I’d had Deng come by and take my Optical Camo cyberware to my office in the GIM, eager to call up Vik to see if it could mesh with my face implant. All the gangs of the city were at relative peace for the moment. And Pacifica wasn’t a combat zone anymore. At least, it was on its way to shaking that reputation.
And then the shooting started.
The sharp staccato burst of gunfire ripped through the stillness, echoing down the street. My head snapped toward the noise – somewhere along the main drag. Muzzle flashes burst into being and I could hear the muffled pops of pistols and the heavier thud of automatic fire.
“Shit,” I hissed, instincts kicking in as I ducked behind a pillar in front of the Batty, trying to stay in cover.
The sound of squealing tires hit me and I saw two white-panel vans tear around the corner, screeching to a halt right in front of the building. Before I could make sense of it, the van doors slammed open. Figures spilled out, guns already blazing. The bursts of gunfire cut down a few unlucky souls hanging around outside the Batty – a couple of locals and maybe some of my people. I couldn’t tell.
Heart pounding, I slipped further into cover, my hand darting into my jacket to grip the handle of my Kenshin. I crouched lower, trying to piece it all together. Who the hell was attacking? Boosters looking to make a name for themselves? Another corp trying to send a message?
What the fuck was going on?