Dexter Deshawn cast a cold glance at Nash. The man's contempt and provocation meant nothing to him. As a well-known fixer in Night City, Dexter had seen too many people like Nash. To him, Nash was nothing more than a small-time punk.
"It seems you night-crawlers are still as rude and uncivilized as ever," Dexter said disdainfully.
Nash sneered. "We don't need to be polite to a fixer like you."
"If you don't trust us, then there's nothing left to discuss." Dexter turned to leave.
"Wait," Nash called out. He didn't want to miss any opportunity. "Tell me—what kind of deal are you proposing?"
"We're going to attack the Arasaka Plaza," Dexter said bluntly.
"Are you insane?" Nash stared at him, thinking the man was delusional. "The Plaza is patrolled around the clock by NCPD and Arasaka's private kill squads. If you've got a death wish, don't drag me into it."
"There are plenty of others involved besides you," Dexter said casually.
Nash raised an eyebrow, intrigued. "Oh? So a big name's about to fall, huh?" He grinned. "If that's the case, you'd better go to the Aldecaldos first. Come back after you get turned away."
"Just tell me—are you in or not?" Dexter wasn't interested in wasting time.
Nash scoffed. "Join you? Then show me what you're capable of."
He clapped his hands hard. A group of night-runners surrounded Dexter with hostile stares.
The fight was about to begin.
When the Electro-Man moved, his body seemed to merge with the endless lightning around him. Electric arcs danced across his frame like a god descending upon the battlefield.
"What the hell is that?" Nash muttered, still in shock.
Electro-Man raised his hands, unleashing a surge of electricity that tore through the night-runners. The arcs hissed through the air; those struck were instantly paralyzed, unable to move.
Some tried to fight back, but he was too fast. He moved like a shadow, blinking through bursts of light, dodging every attack with ease.
The night-runners quickly realized their weapons were useless. Even those equipped with reflex boosters and pain editors couldn't withstand the electric onslaught.
The Electro-Man's face was expressionless, his body flashing more intensely, as if he had become one with the lightning itself. With a swift motion, he swung his arms—an arc of lightning traced a beautiful curve through the air and struck a runner dead-on.
The man screamed as electricity consumed him, leaving nothing but ash.
The others froze in terror.
"He's a monster!" someone shouted.
"Fall back!" another yelled, firing a thermal weapon.
Electro-Man's eyes were cold and merciless. He raised his hand, a bolt of lightning shot forward, piercing the attacker's chest clean through.
The man screamed once before collapsing lifelessly.
The night-runners were now gripped by fear and despair. They realized this wasn't a normal enemy—it was a being of overwhelming power.
The Electro-Man continued to weave through the battlefield like living lightning, cutting down one after another. Each strike was fatal, precise, and unstoppable.
Bodies dropped all around. The air smelled of ozone and fear.
Even Nash's expression turned grim—he hadn't expected the enemy to be this strong.
"Enough!" Nash roared. "We're retreating!"
He wasn't about to risk more lives. The losses were already devastating.
"Max," Wesker called.
A hand flashed, wrapped in lethal lightning, stopping inches from a night-runner's neck.
"Ahhh!" The terrified man collapsed, trembling before the figure that had nearly killed him.
Nash, watching from nearby, swallowed hard. His voice trembled. "You… you're the ones who slaughtered the Maelstroms, the cyberpsychos—even that Trauma Team unit, aren't you?"
"Correct," Dexter said with a smirk. "But unfortunately, there's no prize for the right answer."
"So," Nash turned to Wesker, "you're the leader this time, huh?"
Dexter chuckled. "No."
"Of course not!!!" Nash's fear spiked again.
Dexter walked closer and said, "So? What do you think?"
Nash forced a smile. "Of course, we'll follow your lord's orders and join the fight. But in return, we night-runners want entry into Night City."
"Don't worry. You'll have two days to gather your ghosts near the perimeter. I'll get you inside. The assault on the corporate tower is just for show. Whatever you loot—keep it."
Nash's eyes lit up. The deal excited him.
"Good. I'll gather the others," he said, calling over a trembling runner. "Go round up our people. And if anyone leaks this—kill them."
"Y-yes, sir," the ghost stammered, legs still shaking as he hurried off.
...
At the new base.
Nathan Hawke and his team began discussing the plan.
"I've got around a hundred men," Wesker reported. "But only seventy are combat-ready."
"Forty-five mercs total," Dexter added. "They're planning to hit the tower, but only a few scavvers are actually willing to go."
"Any chance the intel leaks?" Nathan asked.
"We've rounded everyone up. Anyone who tried to run has already been dealt with," Dexter said, glancing at Oleg behind him.
Oleg, now far stronger than before, could easily take on a whole pack of scavengers.
Nathan nodded, then looked toward the new faces at the table.
Suzy Q. Father Nash.
"Didn't expect a priest to join in," Nathan said, smirking. "Aren't you supposed to be back in Heywood?" Then, turning to Dexter: "Honestly, man, did you join the Animals gang? You're looking bulked up as hell."
Suzy Qi noticed Nathan's gaze. "I've got some netrunners working with Mr. Tanaka to breach the Plaza's defenses. I can only send fifty people—not like the others with big crews and bigger wallets."
"I heard your Mox pal, Evelyn Parker, is an exec now," the priest said with a grin.
Suzy didn't deny it. "She's not involved. But tell me, Father, what's your play here?"
With a sly smile, the priest replied, "Influence among the elites."
He turned to Nathan. "Some Valentino members are interested. They'll join as mercenaries—around a hundred. If things escalate, we could reach two hundred."
"Jackie Welles and V can handle the infiltration jobs," he added.
"Perfect," Nathan said, giving Wesker a knowing look.
"I'm in no rush," the priest said calmly. "We can start after the meeting." He glanced at Dexter, envy flickering briefly in his eyes.
Nathan nodded again and looked toward Nash.
"Three hundred night-runners are already inside Night City," Nash said, scanning the table—The Mox, Valentinos, night-runners, Dexter's mercs, and Wesker's enforcers. Plus four individuals whose power was immeasurable.
"Good. Then it's settled," Nathan said. "You'll all receive the final attack plan from Tanaka. We strike at dawn in two days. Be ready."
Meeting adjourned.
Afterward, the priest spoke privately with Dexter.
The priest had finally achieved what he'd long sought—power and longevity.
"When you first came to me," he said, "I was shocked. Never thought someone like you would take orders from another. But now I see it—the energy and confidence you carry are truly intoxicating."
"And our alliance?" Dexter asked.
"You have my word," the priest said firmly. "We're allies now."
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