Chapter 32: Joric's Commission
After the brief, suffocating silence, Joric's voice returned to its previous flat monotone, but now carried an undeniable, almost absolute finality. "Such details are beyond the scope of your operational parameters. Erase the preceding exchange from your short-term memory."
Maine instantly recognized they had brushed against something far beyond their comprehension, something incredibly dangerous. He grabbed Rebecca, who looked like she was about to ask another question, and gave her a sharp, warning shake of his head. The rest of the crew immediately understood the shift, fell silent, and mentally buried the fragments they had heard, classifying them as absolute taboo—part of the mysterious "Boss's" forbidden knowledge.
"Regarding the upgrades you desire," Joric shifted topic, gesturing back to the tantalizing blueprints, "I have a task that requires... specific assets. A fair exchange for the services rendered."
He called up the subterranean facility schematics mapped by his servo-skulls. The complex, 3D model labeled 'Project Ursa Minor, 7th Outpost' rotated slowly, suspended in the air before them, casting a faint blue light.
"I have conducted a preliminary reconnaissance of the access points and adjacent functional sectors, clearing physical obstructions," Joric continued, his voice steady and clear. "However, the internal structure is complex. Deeper levels undoubtedly contain security systems I have not yet triggered, encrypted data-nodes, or other residual threats."
His optical lenses swept across Maine's crew, the red light lingering briefly on each face.
"The commission is precise: Conduct a thorough exploration of this subterranean laboratory. Generate a complete internal schematic, accurately identifying all high-value zones—including the primary power core, central server-stacks, large-scale biological or physics research areas, and any anomalous energy signatures. Concurrently, reclaim all material assets of value: intact research apparatus, high-density data-storage units, specialized alloys, or bio-chemical samples."
Joric paused, letting the weight of the commission sink in.
"Critically, you are to locate and download any data logs pertaining to the project's core research subject. This task is non-trivial. The facility may contain automated defense systems that are not fully defunct, or other hazards remaining from the Corporate War era. The compensation for its successful completion will be... components of the upgrade paths you have just witnessed."
The holographic map rotated before them. Maine stepped closer, his brow furrowed as he studied the vast underground labyrinth. Dorio stood beside him, her expression equally grim. Falco had already pulled out his personal datapad, scanning and downloading the data packet Joric shared.
After Joric finished detailing the mission and turned back to his workbench, Maine signaled his crew to gather in another corner of the warehouse. A tense silence fell, broken only by the faint electronic hum of Joric working at his terminal.
"You heard him," Maine said in a low voice, his eyes scanning his team. "This ain't simple. 'Project Ursa Minor,' '7th Outpost'... smells like corpo black-ops. The dirtiest kind."
Dorio crossed her arms. "A Corp War relic. I smell trouble stacked deep. Places like this always hide more teeth than they show."
"Schematics show multiple quarantine zones and high-security sectors," Falco interjected, scrolling through the scan data on his pad. "Energy readings are faint but present. Means some systems might still be on low power. Place has been sealed for over twenty standard years. Who knows what kind of 'surprises' have been breeding down there."
Rebecca snorted, though her voice held a nervous edge. "Whatever's down there, my new iron needs target practice." She patted the massive shotgun at her hip. "Besides, how bad can it be? Worse than that mutant-rat sewer crawl?"
Pilar fidgeted, adjusting the focus on his own cyber-eye. "Don't jinx it, Becca. Corpo-level security is no joke. I don't fancy getting sliced by laser grids or triggering some forgotten self-destruct."
"Quiet," Maine's low growl silenced them. "Yeah, it's dangerous. But we're not gonks. We've handled worse." His gaze met each of theirs. "Dorio's got the heavy firepower for physical threats. Falco can crack most systems. Pilar handles the locks and physical bypasses. Rebecca..." he glanced at her checking her ammo, "...is good at making noise and clearing rooms. Sasha can cover us in the Net. And I'll lead us out."
Dorio nodded slowly. "We just got tuned up. We're running hot. And..." she lowered her voice, "...the value of those upgrade paths... it's beyond eddies. If we get that chrome, our whole standing in Night City changes."
Falco added, "From a tech perspective, the risk is manageable. The Boss's preliminary data mitigates a lot of unknowns. And with him providing remote tech support? It's actually more secure than most gigs we pull."
Maine made the call. "Consensus: dangerous, but doable. Maximum caution, but we take the job." Everyone nodded, their faces a mixture of tension and the cold resolve of professional mercs.
"We'll take the job, Boss," Maine turned back to Joric, his voice firm. "We need all the intel you have on the entry zones and your recommended infiltration route."
"Relevant data packets have been encrypted and transmitted to your tactical receivers," Joric confirmed. "I will dispatch one servo-skull to guide you via the southeast maintenance vent—currently calculated as the lowest-risk vector. Two Combat Servitors will accompany you."
"I will remain here, providing remote decryption and technical support, monitoring the internal situation via the sensors you carry." He added emphatically, "Primary directive: Do not proceed recklessly into unknown sectors. I require successful completion of this commission, not fragmented data recovered from demo charges."
Joric handed Maine one of the replica servo-skulls. "Locate a physical access point to the facility's internal network. Connect this unit. It will grant me deeper system access to support your progress, and allow for direct data exfiltration."
Maine took the skull. Its appearance was still unnerving, but he gripped it firmly, feeling the cold metal. "Understood. We'll get it done right." He turned to his crew, his eyes sharp. "Final gear check. Max out ammo and med-kits. We move in ten."
Joric returned to his main console. Multiple screens lit up, displaying surveillance feeds of the vent entrance, the facility schematics, and the real-time biometric data-streams of Maine's crew. His crimson optical lenses watched the small team that was about to descend into the unknown darkness. The servo-skull hovered silently at his shoulder, logging all parameters and decisions.