After a brief, suffocating silence, Cairo's voice returned to its previous steadiness but carried an undeniable, nearly absolute finality: "Details aren't within your scope of concern. Forget the previous conversation."
Maine immediately realized they might have touched upon something far exceeding their comprehension level—an extremely dangerous domain. He grabbed Rebecca beside him, who seemed about to press further, forcefully shaking his head with extremely stern eyes. Other team members instantly understood the atmospheric shift, falling silent, burying those scattered words just heard deep in their hearts, categorizing them as absolutely forbidden territory—secrets belonging to this mysterious "boss" that must never be probed.
"As for the upgrades you want," Cairo pivoted, pointing to those coveted blueprints, "I happen to have a job needing hands. Trade with this job—very fair."
He called up the underground facility structural diagram the servo-skull had previously mapped. That complex three-dimensional model marked "Little Dipper Project Seventh Outpost" slowly rotated, hovering before everyone, casting ghostly blue light.
"I've preliminarily explored entrance area and several adjacent functional zones, clearing physical passage obstacles." Cairo continued, his voice steady and clear. "But its internal structure is complex. Deeper areas inevitably contain security systems I haven't yet triggered, encrypted data nodes, or other potentially remaining threats."
His optical lenses swept across every member of Maine's crew, red glow briefly lingering on each face.
"This job's content is clear: Conduct thorough exploration of this underground laboratory. Map complete internal structure, precisely mark all high-value areas including main energy core location, central server machine room, large biological or physical experiment zones, and any abnormal energy signal sources. Simultaneously recover all valuable physical materials—for example, well-preserved research equipment, high-density data storage units, special alloys or biochemical samples."
Cairo paused, letting each word sink into listeners' hearts.
"Most importantly, make every effort to locate and download any data logs related to this project's core research subjects. This job isn't simple. Internally there may be incompletely failed automated defense systems or other troubles left from corporate war era. But completing it rewards you with certain portions of those upgrade plans you just saw."
The holographic map slowly rotated before everyone, displaying the underground facility's complex structure. Maine stepped forward, brow furrowed studying this massive underground labyrinth. Dorio stood at his side, expression equally grave. Falco had already pulled out his portable terminal, beginning to scan and download data packages Cairo shared.
After Cairo finished detailing task specifics and turned back to the workbench, Maine signaled team members to gather at the warehouse's other side. The air permeated with tense silence, only distant faint electronic sounds from Cairo operating terminals.
"Everyone heard," Maine lowered his voice, gaze sweeping each team member's face. "This job isn't simple. 'Little Dipper Project,' 'Seventh Outpost'... this smell too familiar—typical corporate black ops, possibly the dirtiest kind."
Dorio crossed her arms, brow furrowed: "Corporate war era leftover facility—I smell trouble. This kind of job often hides more than surface reveals."
"Structural diagram shows multiple isolation zones and high-security areas below," Falco interjected, his terminal displaying just-received detailed scan data. "Energy readings though weak still exist, meaning some systems possibly still running low-power. Environmental seal over twenty years—who knows what 'surprises' bred inside."
Rebecca snorted but with obvious nervousness in her voice: "Whatever surprises, big sis's new gun needs target practice." She patted the massive shotgun at her waist. "Besides, could it be worse than that mutant rat-filled drainage system last time?"
Pilar uneasily adjusted his optic implant focus: "Don't jinx it, sis. Corporate-grade security systems aren't joking around. I don't wanna get sliced by laser grids or worse—trigger some self-destruct sequence."
"Quiet," Maine's deep voice silenced everyone. "Yes, this is dangerous. But we're not rookies—we've taken tougher jobs than this." His gaze swept each team member in turn. "Dorio's heavy firepower sufficient for most physical threats, Falco's electronic warfare can crack most systems, Pilar can handle mechanical locks and physical barriers, Rebecca..." he glanced at the loli checking ammunition, "...excels at creating chaos and close-range clearing. Sasha can provide network-level support, and I can lead everyone out alive."
Dorio slowly nodded: "We just completed upgrades—peak condition. Plus..." she lowered her voice, "those upgrade plans' value far exceeds ordinary compensation. If we obtain them, our standing in Night City will be completely different."
Falco added: "From technical perspective, risk controllable. Boss's provided preliminary data can massively reduce accident factors. Plus with his remote technical support, this actually has more guarantees than jobs we usually take."
Maine finally summarized: "So consensus is: dangerous but feasible. We maintain maximum vigilance but take this job." Everyone nodded in agreement, eyes showing both nervousness and professional mercenary characteristic calm determination.
"We'll take this job, boss." Maine turned to Cairo in a deep voice, tone firmer than usual. "We need all intel you've obtained on entrance areas, plus what you consider the safest initial infiltration path."
"Relevant data packages already encrypted transmitted to your tactical receivers." Cairo nodded in response. "I'll dispatch a skull to guide you entering through southeast side maintenance ventilation shaft—currently lowest-risk calculated path. Two combat servitors will accompany you down.
I'll remain here providing remote data decryption and technical support, real-time monitoring internal conditions through sensors you carry."
He especially emphasized: "Remember primary principle: Never rush into unknown areas. What I want is this job completed perfectly—don't blow up important data."
Cairo handed Maine an imitation skull, indicating he bring it: "Find the laboratory's internal network physical access point and connect it. I can thereby gain deeper system access permissions, providing more support for your job advancement while it can transmit data I need upward."
Maine took the servo-skull—though somewhat uncomfortable with this thing's styling, he still gripped it tightly in palm, feeling its cold touch.
"Understood. We'll do this job beautifully." He turned facing his team members, gaze becoming sharp. "Final equipment checks, replenish ammunition and medical supplies. We begin operations in ten minutes."
Cairo returned before the main workbench. Multiple light screens simultaneously lit, respectively displaying underground laboratory entrance monitoring footage, structural diagrams, and real-time biosignal monitoring data streams of Maine's crew members.
His crimson optical lenses watched that squad about to delve into unknown shadows. The servo-skull hovered silently at his shoulder, recording all parameters and decisions at this moment.
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