Chapter 127: The Battlefield of the Meat Grinder!
Panam, furious and frustrated, grew angrier the more she spoke. Her hands itched to grab someone and give them a good beating just to vent the pent-up anger in her heart.
After hearing her out, V and Jackie Welles struggled to maintain their composure.
In fact, Saul wasn't entirely wrong in his understanding. In today's world, it's nearly impossible for gangs to survive without aligning with corporations or other powerful organizations.
Take Chen Tao of the Triads, for example. At first, he only had a bit of notoriety in Little China, but his turf was nearly taken over by the Tyger Claws. However, after securing support from LA Corporation, Chen Tao has now become one of the top gang leaders in Night City, to the point where even Hiromi Sato, the leader of the Tyger Claws, can't deal with him.
Wanting to cooperate with corporations to ensure the family's growth isn't inherently wrong. But the scientists at Biotechnica aren't exactly looking for delivery boys—they're in desperate need of "human guinea pigs."
"Panam, once we help you get your car and guns back, you should return to the Aldecaldo clan and have a proper conversation with your leader, Saul. Biotechnica isn't a company with moral boundaries. If Saul really ends up selling out everyone in the family, you'll regret leaving today."
This time, V's well-meaning advice struck a chord with Panam. She took a serious look at the mercenary, who was starting to look much more agreeable.
"You're right, V," she said. "Once I get my car and guns back, I'll return to the Aldecaldo camp and confront Saul. If he dares to act recklessly again, I swear I'll put a bullet through his skull!"
Panam gritted her teeth and spoke with fierce determination.
"In that case, let's pay the Wraiths a visit."
With that, V pulled the keys to his Thorton car out of his work pants pocket and tossed them to Jackie. "Jackie, you're driving. Panam and I will discuss the plan in the car. If we can't reason with the Wraiths, we'll just have to shoot our way through."
Hearing this, Jackie's smile froze. He had intended to stay out of the mess and just watch the show. But seeing V ready to stick his neck out for Panam, Jackie, as a good friend, couldn't back out now.
"Uh… fine. Let's just get this over with quickly so we can all head home early," Jackie grumbled. Taking the keys, he headed out to bring the car around, while V handed Panam his newly purchased True Detective kinetic pistol.
Panam, now armed only with a blunt hunting knife, had no chance of taking on the ruthless Wraiths with such a weapon.
"You're giving me your gun—what about you?" Panam asked curiously as she took the pistol.
"I'll use this," V said, patting the holster on his waist, where the AI-powered Four Seasons smart pistol Li Ang had given him rested. He had tested it earlier and found it worked exceptionally well.
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Eastern New America, Georgia Battlefield
The sky was heavy and gray, pouring down a filthy acid rain.
Swarms of armed helicopters and military hovercrafts filled the air, blotting out the battlefield below.
The foul-smelling rainwater splattered on the soldiers' weapons and the composite metal shells of their power armor. The noise of the falling droplets was drowned out by the loud mechanical grinding of LA Corporation's ultimate battlefield weapon—the Chimera tanks.
Amid the storm of gunfire and explosions, hundreds of Chimera tanks, like hulking beasts of steel, advanced slowly, providing cover for the soldiers around them.
The deafening roar of advanced turbine engines echoed like war drums, hammering on the hearts of every soldier.
At this moment, the New American Unified Forces launched their final assault on the rebel forces in Georgia!
Bullets and cannon fire poured out in relentless streams, tearing through the rain to obliterate the enemy. Flesh and bones were shredded, and the remains were crushed into the mud by the advancing Chimeras, buried on the spot in this hellish battlefield—a veritable meat grinder.
Five kilometers above the battlefield, the NUSA-branded Airship One hovered silently, like a god watching the carnage below.
"At this rate, the Eastern rebels should be dealt with in six months. Mr. Li Ang, your LA Corporation's military hardware is truly impressive," said President Myers, holding a glass of red wine as she watched the live battle feed with a satisfied smile.
Even the faint smell of blood from the battlefield seemed to seep into the airship's ventilation system, blending with the aroma of her wine. Sipping it, Myers seemed to savor the metaphorical blood of the soldiers below.
"Madam President, if you were to pay our corporation in full upfront, the war might progress even faster. On behalf of LA Corporation, I wish you swift success in achieving national unity," Li Ang said with a polite smile.
As one of the major backers of this war, Li Ang had made a fortune. However, after the military supply agreement with New America, Myers had been deliberately delaying payments, transferring funds to LA Corporation in small, staggered amounts.
In response, Li Ang employed a similar tactic, delivering the weapons gradually. This delay slowed the army's early advances.
It wasn't until Myers finally paid the balance in full that Chimera tanks, AST power armor, and other advanced weaponry were fully deployed.
With this new arsenal, New America's counterinsurgency efforts had reached 40% completion. Next, they would push westward toward Alabama.
Myers, now emboldened by the recent progress and newly approved funds from Congress, attempted to inquire about LA Corporation's internal decisions.
"Mr. Li Ang, why did your company sell the flapping-wing drones to the Highriders first instead of us? It's not as if only they can build spaceports," she said, her smile thin. "We're your strongest allies. Who else could match New America's demand for your military products? Don't you agree?"
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