When the NCPD's iconic Enforcer vehicle appeared before the Maelstrom gang members at the docks, the guards posted at the gate went on high alert almost instantly.
Maelstrom operated through decentralized cells, with different groups managing their own turf. This particular crew stationed at the docks numbered around thirty. They controlled the port area within Maelstrom's sphere of influence.
The docks—Night City's largest hub for cargo transit—were packed with profit and power, making them a highly coveted territory. Even though the ones holding it were gang members, the enormous revenue meant each of them was well-equipped, sporting high-grade cyberware. So, when NCPD officers suddenly showed up, it was definitely not a good sign.
"The NCPD pigs here to cause trouble?"
One of the guards reported up the chain while subtly tightening his grip on his gun.
None of them wanted to pick a fight with the NCPD—who didn't know by now that the department had formed its own Special Operations Unit modeled after the MaxTac anti-terror team? Sure, they might not be as extreme, but unlike MaxTac, which only deployed during cyberpsycho outbreaks, the Special Ops unit was known for dropping the hammer at the slightest excuse.
If they did something to provoke this squad, the thirty Maelstromers stationed here probably wouldn't last ten minutes. So unless the NCPD opened fire first, they preferred to stay cautious instead of rushing into a fight.
Maybe it was because they were decked out in branded cyberware or had gotten used to enjoying stable profits, but the dockside Maelstrom crew had more level heads than the usual neurotic gangsters. When their boss—the Maelstrom sub-leader assigned here after Brick's reinstatement, nicknamed "Iron Chunk"—got the message about the NCPD's arrival, his first thought was: Can we bribe our way out of this?
"If it's something we actually did wrong... we'll just pay protection." He calculated silently.
Emerging from a nearby port warehouse, Iron Chunk—a man with a slab of armored plating fused to his face and two cybernetic eyes mounted above his brows—strode calmly toward the NCPD Enforcer. All four of his eyes locked forward with a threatening intensity.
"Officers, what brings you to us today?" His voice was steady, but cautious.
Iron Chunk tried to peer into the Enforcer's front window, but the glass was treated with a special reflective coating—it showed only pitch black. So instead, he simply stepped in front of the vehicle, blocking its path, arms crossed, and said coldly, "We run a legitimate operation here."
"Iron Chunk, real name: Till Davis, thirty-four years old. Been with Maelstrom for almost sixteen years. Currently one of Brick's sub-leaders."
As Iron Chunk stared the vehicle down, the driver's door slowly opened. A uniformed NCPD officer stepped out, reciting his background as he exited the car, eyes locked on him.
"I assume I've got the right guy."
The officer's tone was calm but carried the weight of unquestionable authority.
"You might wanna add this one," Iron Chunk sneered. "The only guy to survive a deathmatch on a News 54 drone livestream—and who yanked the drone out of the sky and smashed it. Surprised you didn't dig up that highlight reel."
He recognized the officer immediately—and that changed everything.
The man before him wasn't just any cop. It was Andy, commander of the NCPD Special Operations Unit.
Iron Chunk, being who he was, knew Andy's backstory well: a former merc who went on a rampage through the Tyger Claws' Cloud Club to rescue his kidnapped sister, then got listed as a cyberpsycho himself. Later, after joining the NCPD with upper-level backing, Andy founded the Special Ops Unit—personally leading operations that crushed elite gang enforcers and captured cyberpsychos with ruthless efficiency.
This man had risen in tandem with NCPD's growing dominance over Night City's streets, and now had a reputation that made the underworld tremble.
Everyone knew Andy had a one-track mind when it came to hunting down gang members. If he was on your case, bribery was pointless. You were better off going down fighting.
"I know you're tough, Andy. You might even beat us down like dogs." Iron Chunk's four eyes bore into him. "But how would we know unless we tried? You really think you're all that?"
His voice dripped with challenge, daring Andy to cross the line.
He understood perfectly well that showing weakness to someone as incorruptible and unflinching as Andy would be useless. If there was no chance to negotiate, he might as well go out in a blaze—at least people would remember him as the guy who stood up to Andy.
As Iron Chunk prepared to act, the Maelstromers around him also tightened their grips on their weapons. The tension skyrocketed. A salty breeze swept through the dock, and the whole place fell eerily silent—like a single sound could spark an all-out firefight.
But just as Iron Chunk held his breath, ready to pounce—
Andy calmly looked past him, toward the warehouse inside the port. His expression was neutral.
"I'm here to investigate something," he said plainly. "Not to cause trouble. If you cooperate, I won't initiate a forced search."
Iron Chunk blinked.
So did the surrounding Maelstromers.
Huh?
Wasn't Andy supposed to be a hard-ass? The no-nonsense, no-compromise kind? Why did he suddenly sound... reasonable?
While the gangsters were still confused about this unexpected attitude, the passenger door of the Enforcer swung open. Karl stepped out casually and waved at them.
"Good morning, everyone."
The moment Maelstromers saw who it was, and heard the very familiar voice, the mood instantly softened.
"We'd be more than happy to cooperate with the investigation, Officer Andy."
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🔥 CYBERPUNK: THE RELENTLESS
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⚡ NO BRAKES. NO MERCY. NO TURNING BACK.
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