Chapter 239: Laying Cards on the Table
The temporary workshop was located in a specifically reinforced independent building in Charter Hill.
Originally an abandoned secure laboratory of a biotech corporation, its foundational conditions were excellent.
After Joric took over, he conducted no decorative renovations but directly utilized its sturdy structure and existing energy interfaces to deploy core equipment.
The interior space was spacious with sufficient ceiling height, retaining the clean lines and reinforced partitions of the original lab.
The walls were dense bulletproof composite material, and the floor was paved with conductive metal grating. Temporarily laid thick energy conduits ran neatly along the base of the walls and the ceiling, connecting the main console of the Dimension Teleporter in the central area and several sets of server racks emitting a low hum.
The air was filled with the faint smell of ozone generated by equipment heat dissipation and the freshness of the high-efficiency filtration system circulating the air—a stark contrast to the common turbid air of Night City.
Several Servo-skulls cruised quietly along preset paths.
Ignis and her squad of Secutarii Hoplites stood silently at key entrances and around the main console. Their finely crafted armor and grim postures blended with this modern yet lifeless laboratory space, creating a professional and austere atmosphere.
Maine's squad, Valerie, Jackie, David, and Mower followed the leading Servitor into this workshop that combined high technology with makeshift arrangements.
Joric's massive body, encased in dark red composite armor, stood quietly before the main console in the center of the workshop. His crimson optical lenses turned toward the people entering.
That inhuman gaze caused everyone except Maine's squad and Mower to feel a wave of instinctive palpitation.
"You have arrived," Joric's voice rang out steadily in the workshop, devoid of any superfluous pleasantries. "I have gathered you all today to clarify our future relationship."
His optical lenses swept over everyone present in turn. Invisible sensors captured each person's physiological signals and micro-expression changes.
"I am not of this world." Joric's opening was simple and direct, like stating an established fact. "I come from another universe, a dimension defined by eternal war, profound darkness, and an endless thirst for knowledge.
"My identity is an Explorator Magos. This is where my duty lies."
He paused deliberately, giving everyone time to digest the information.
Maine crossed his arms, his thick prosthetic limbs motionless; Dorio stood by his side, expression unchanged; Lucy and Kiwi exchanged a knowing glance—having experienced dimensional travel, they were not surprised by this truth.
Rebecca, on the other hand, stood on tiptoes looking around excitedly, as if searching for traces of another world.
Valerie and Jackie were visibly stunned.
The two looked at each other, reading disbelief on each other's faces.
Although they had witnessed the invincibility of the Secutarii and the eerie annihilation of the Arasaka fleet, the straightforward answer of "visitor from another world" still exceeded their cognition.
Jackie's lips moved, habitually wanting to crack a joke to ease the atmosphere, but under Joric's calm gaze, he swallowed the words back.
A trace of confusion crossed young David's face. He subconsciously turned his head to look at Lucy.
Fighting side-by-side during this period had created a tacit understanding between the two young people. At this moment, this subtle movement revealed an imperceptible dependence.
Lucy's gaze met his briefly, and she nodded slightly.
Mower stood quietly at the front; her respectful posture already indicated her stance.
"My work is far from over," Joric continued, his voice as steady as ever but carrying unquestionable weight. "I will use this place as a starting point to explore this world, and pierce through dimensions to travel to more worlds.
"This requires reliable personnel.
"You are individuals I contacted relatively early in this world and invested resources to observe and test.
"Data indicates you possess value and potential for continued cultivation."
He gave no room for anyone to interrupt, directly revealing the core topic without any euphemism. "Now is the moment for you to make a choice. Voluntarily swear allegiance, dedicate your skills and lives to my cause of exploration, and unconditionally follow my rules and directives.
"In return, you will obtain resources beyond the imagination of this world, cutting-edge technological augmentation, and safety and status under the protection of my order."
He paused slightly. The hum of equipment in the workshop seemed to deepen, and the cruising trajectories of the Servo-skulls appeared to become heavier.
Although Ignis and the Secutarii did not move a muscle, the invisible oppression tightened abruptly.
"Or," Joric's voice maintained absolute steadiness, but every word seemed condensed with ice, "you choose to refuse. Then, based on basic principles of efficiency and resource management, I must reclaim the observation costs, testing resources, and consumption of provided protection invested in the early stages.
"The most effective method of compensation is to subject you to 're-formatting'—stripping away unnecessary personal will and emotional redundancy, modifying you into absolutely obedient, efficiently operating Servitors.
"Your physiological functions and some skills will be retained to continue serving my research in another, purer form."
The choice was laid bare before them: simple, direct, and cruel.
On one side: retain the self and embark on a road leading to the unknown but filled with possibilities. On the other: lose everything completely and be reduced to a tool to compensate for resource loss.
No middle option, no room for bargaining.
A dead silence fell over the scene. Only the low hum of the cooling system running continuously and the slight sounds of Servo-skull optical lenses turning beat against everyone's nerves.
Maine's thick fingers rubbed unconsciously at the joints of his mechanical hand, making faint metal scraping sounds.
He looked around at his team members—Dorio met his gaze and lifted her chin almost imperceptibly; Lucy and Kiwi looked calm, as if they had long expected this situation; Rebecca was grinning, looking like she couldn't wait to cause some big commotion.
They had bombed Arasaka Tower together, set foot in another world... going back to Heywood to take gigs for gang fights or stakeouts for adultery indeed seemed a bit... degrading.
In Night City, following the right boss was more important than anything. And the one before them was clearly not a "boss" in the ordinary sense.
He cleared his throat, his voice carrying the rasp of years of smoking. "Alright. After seeing your big moves, Boss, going back to mix on the streets really is dull."
He spoke very plainly, with no fancy words. "Working for you, Boss, sounds like it has more potential."
Dorio gave a short "Mhm," counting as a second.
Sasha and Kiwi exchanged a glance. As netrunners who had witnessed Joric's terrifying capabilities, they couldn't muster any thought of defying him.
Rebecca was already excitedly elbowing Pilar next to her. "Hear that? We're doing big things from now on!"
Joric's optical lenses swept over the members of Maine's squad one by one, the cold red light adjusting focus minutely.
"A wise choice," he responded flatly, data streams silently recording each person's reaction pattern.
(End of Chapter)
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Chapter 239: Laying Cards on the Table (Update 1)
The temporary workshop was located in a specifically reinforced independent building in Charter Hill.
Originally an abandoned secure laboratory of a biotech corporation, its foundational conditions were excellent.
After Joric took over, he conducted no decorative renovations but directly utilized its sturdy structure and existing energy interfaces to deploy core equipment.
The interior space was spacious with sufficient ceiling height, retaining the clean lines and reinforced partitions of the original lab.
The walls were dense bulletproof composite material, and the floor was paved with conductive metal grating. Temporarily laid thick energy conduits ran neatly along the base of the walls and the ceiling, connecting the main console of the Dimension Teleporter in the central area and several sets of server racks emitting a low hum.
The air was filled with the faint smell of ozone generated by equipment heat dissipation and the freshness of the high-efficiency filtration system circulating the air—a stark contrast to the common turbid air of Night City.
Several Servo-skulls cruised quietly along preset paths.
Ignis and her squad of Secutarii Hoplites stood silently at key entrances and around the main console. Their finely crafted armor and grim postures blended with this modern yet lifeless laboratory space, creating a professional and austere atmosphere.
Maine's squad, Valerie, Jackie, David, and Mower followed the leading Servitor into this workshop that combined high technology with makeshift arrangements.
Joric's massive body, encased in dark red composite armor, stood quietly before the main console in the center of the workshop. His crimson optical lenses turned toward the people entering.
That inhuman gaze caused everyone except Maine's squad and Mower to feel a wave of instinctive palpitation.
"You have arrived," Joric's voice rang out steadily in the workshop, devoid of any superfluous pleasantries. "I have gathered you all today to clarify our future relationship."
His optical lenses swept over everyone present in turn. Invisible sensors captured each person's physiological signals and micro-expression changes.
"I am not of this world." Joric's opening was simple and direct, like stating an established fact. "I come from another universe, a dimension defined by eternal war, profound darkness, and an endless thirst for knowledge.
"My identity is an Explorator Magos. This is where my duty lies."
He paused deliberately, giving everyone time to digest the information.
Maine crossed his arms, his thick prosthetic limbs motionless; Dorio stood by his side, expression unchanged; Lucy and Kiwi exchanged a knowing glance—having experienced dimensional travel, they were not surprised by this truth.
Rebecca, on the other hand, stood on tiptoes looking around excitedly, as if searching for traces of another world.
Valerie and Jackie were visibly stunned.
The two looked at each other, reading disbelief on each other's faces.
Although they had witnessed the invincibility of the Secutarii and the eerie annihilation of the Arasaka fleet, the straightforward answer of "visitor from another world" still exceeded their cognition.
Jackie's lips moved, habitually wanting to crack a joke to ease the atmosphere, but under Joric's calm gaze, he swallowed the words back.
A trace of confusion crossed young David's face. He subconsciously turned his head to look at Lucy.
Fighting side-by-side during this period had created a tacit understanding between the two young people. At this moment, this subtle movement revealed an imperceptible dependence.
Lucy's gaze met his briefly, and she nodded slightly.
Mower stood quietly at the front; her respectful posture already indicated her stance.
"My work is far from over," Joric continued, his voice as steady as ever but carrying unquestionable weight. "I will use this place as a starting point to explore this world, and pierce through dimensions to travel to more worlds.
"This requires reliable personnel.
"You are individuals I contacted relatively early in this world and invested resources to observe and test.
"Data indicates you possess value and potential for continued cultivation."
He gave no room for anyone to interrupt, directly revealing the core topic without any euphemism. "Now is the moment for you to make a choice. Voluntarily swear allegiance, dedicate your skills and lives to my cause of exploration, and unconditionally follow my rules and directives.
"In return, you will obtain resources beyond the imagination of this world, cutting-edge technological augmentation, and safety and status under the protection of my order."
He paused slightly. The hum of equipment in the workshop seemed to deepen, and the cruising trajectories of the Servo-skulls appeared to become heavier.
Although Ignis and the Secutarii did not move a muscle, the invisible oppression tightened abruptly.
"Or," Joric's voice maintained absolute steadiness, but every word seemed condensed with ice, "you choose to refuse. Then, based on basic principles of efficiency and resource management, I must reclaim the observation costs, testing resources, and consumption of provided protection invested in the early stages.
"The most effective method of compensation is to subject you to 're-formatting'—stripping away unnecessary personal will and emotional redundancy, modifying you into absolutely obedient, efficiently operating Servitors.
"Your physiological functions and some skills will be retained to continue serving my research in another, purer form."
The choice was laid bare before them: simple, direct, and cruel.
On one side: retain the self and embark on a road leading to the unknown but filled with possibilities. On the other: lose everything completely and be reduced to a tool to compensate for resource loss.
No middle option, no room for bargaining.
A dead silence fell over the scene. Only the low hum of the cooling system running continuously and the slight sounds of Servo-skull optical lenses turning beat against everyone's nerves.
Maine's thick fingers rubbed unconsciously at the joints of his mechanical hand, making faint metal scraping sounds.
He looked around at his team members—Dorio met his gaze and lifted her chin almost imperceptibly; Lucy and Kiwi looked calm, as if they had long expected this situation; Rebecca was grinning, looking like she couldn't wait to cause some big commotion.
They had bombed Arasaka Tower together, set foot in another world... going back to Heywood to take gigs for gang fights or stakeouts for adultery indeed seemed a bit... degrading.
In Night City, following the right boss was more important than anything. And the one before them was clearly not a "boss" in the ordinary sense.
He cleared his throat, his voice carrying the rasp of years of smoking. "Alright. After seeing your big moves, Boss, going back to mix on the streets really is dull."
He spoke very plainly, with no fancy words. "Working for you, Boss, sounds like it has more potential."
Dorio gave a short "Mhm," counting as a second.
Sasha and Kiwi exchanged a glance. As netrunners who had witnessed Joric's terrifying capabilities, they couldn't muster any thought of defying him.
Rebecca was already excitedly elbowing Pilar next to her. "Hear that? We're doing big things from now on!"
Joric's optical lenses swept over the members of Maine's squad one by one, the cold red light adjusting focus minutely.
"A wise choice," he responded flatly, data streams silently recording each person's reaction pattern.
(End of Chapter)