Chapter 223: Controlling Night City
Arasaka Waterfront had turned into an endless expanse of burning ruins. Billowing smoke rushed straight into the sky, as if branding an ugly, hideous scar upon the dome of Night City.
This was not merely the destruction of a logistics hub; it was a symbol that the authority of the Arasaka Empire in Night City had been thoroughly shattered.
The once-arrogant corporate giant, in the face of absolute power, revealed unprecedented weakness and decay.
Deep within the Badlands manufactorum, Joric's crimson optical lenses swept over the final battlefield assessment data stream returned by the sensors.
The Secutarii Hoplites led by Ignis had completed the "Purification" mission with impeccable efficiency. Arasaka's manpower and infrastructure in the waterfront area had been completely erased.
With the data confirmed, his processing core immediately issued new instructions.
Since he had already struck, there was no need to leave any room for maneuver.
Thoroughly controlling Night City, bringing this chaotic independent city under management, and establishing a stable, controllable logistical and experimental base aligned with his long-term strategic planning.
Efficiency remained the highest standard.
"Ignis," his synthesized voice was transmitted via encrypted data link directly into the processing core of the Skitarii Marshal far away at the ruins. "Mission parameters updated. Disperse your forces into ten cleanup squads of five units each. Coordinate with the armed forces of Militech and Kang Tao to take full control of all key nodes in Night City.
"The objective is to eliminate all systemic, organized resistance and ensure the smooth transition of the city's basic functions.
"Authorized to use necessary force to suppress any behavior daring to challenge our jurisdiction."
"Command confirmed. Restructuring combat units. Executing City Control Protocols." Ignis's response held no delay—cold and efficient.
Almost simultaneously, through Mower, Joric sent a brief and clear notification to the temporary command post of Militech and the NUSA in Night City, as well as to Li Wei's Kang Tao squad: "I am taking over Night City. Cooperation is expected to maintain order."
This was not a request, but a notice.
Faced with the terrifying military force Joric displayed—sufficient to easily crush Arasaka's elite—both the NUSA and Militech (eager to use his power to complete their unification cause) and Kang Tao CN (hoping to solidify their cooperative relationship) made the wise choice in an extremely short time.
After receiving orders authorized personally by President Myers, Militech's highest liaison officer in Night City responded immediately: "Militech will fully cooperate with Lord Sage's operations, assist in maintaining order in Night City, and ensure a smooth transition."
NUSA troops and Militech's private forces began to mobilize. They were responsible for controlling administrative districts and main thoroughfares, and "persuading" smaller factions still on the fence to remain neutral.
Li Wei's reply was equally swift and firm: "Kang Tao CN will follow your will and assist in stabilizing the situation in Night City. Our technical teams and security forces are on standby."
Kang Tao soldiers and engineers began taking over key communication hubs and energy facilities. Their actions were precise and rapid, demonstrating a high degree of professionalism.
And so, under the terrified, bewildered, or numb gazes of countless Night City residents, an unprecedented transition of power began.
Ignis's Secutarii squads, like cold steel wedges, inserted themselves precisely and efficiently into every corner of the city.
Their heavy footsteps echoed on the empty streets, and their pale gold joint shields shimmered with an inhuman luster under the neon lights.
Any sporadic Arasaka remnants attempting to block them, or street gangs trying to loot amidst the chaos, were turned into charcoal under the precise strikes of Arc Lances.
Their very existence was a silent declaration: The old rules no longer exist.
City Hall, the magnificent building symbolizing Night City's independence and (nominal) autonomy, was now shrouded in a grim atmosphere.
The perimeter of the building was guarded by Militech soldiers and Kang Tao security forces, while the interior was controlled by a ten-man Secutarii squad led personally by Ignis.
They stood silently in key positions in the corridors and the main hall, like steel statues from an ancient era, exuding a suffocating oppression.
Inside the City Council Chamber, the atmosphere was heavy to the extreme.
The Mayor of Night City—a veteran politician known for his slickness and political maneuvering—along with dozens of councilors representing different corporate interests and (nominally) citizen groups, were gathered here.
Their faces were written with unease, fear, and a lingering, unrealistic fantasy.
The air was filled with tension, as if a single spark could detonate it.
Just then, in the center of the hall, the Servo-skull floating by Ignis's shoulder projected intense beams of light from its eyes. They rapidly interwove and condensed, outlining the virtual image of the black-haired, black-eyed Eastern youth chosen by Joric.
The projection was lifelike; even the subtle flutter of his clothes was simulated with extreme realism. But what his eyes contained was a coldness far beyond human emotion—pure rationality and absolute authority.
"Administrators of Night City," Joric's projection spoke. The synthesized voice transmitted steadily through the Servo-skull's speaker, echoing clearly in the hall where one could hear a pin drop. "From this moment, this city is under my management. The existing municipal management system is dissolved immediately. You have two choices: Unconditional submission, accepting the new management order; or, death."
His words had no embellishment, brutally direct, like reading an experiment report.
After a brief dead silence, the Mayor stood up abruptly. He tried to maintain his former dignity, but his slightly trembling voice betrayed his inner fear: "Sa... Mr. Sage! Night City is a free city!
"We do not belong to any country, nor do we submit to any corporation or individual! This is the foundation of this city! You have no right..."
"Freedom?" Joric's projection interrupted him. His tone held no ripples, as if stating an objective fact. "'Freedom' built on corporate exploitation, street violence, and systemic poverty is nothing but a fig leaf for disorder and chaos.
"I have no interest in such inefficient 'freedom.' What I bring is Order. And Efficiency."
He paused slightly, his deep black eyes sweeping over the face of everyone present, as if recording their physiological response data.
"My patience is limited. This is the last inquiry: Submission, or Death?"
The Mayor's face flushed red. Perhaps out of political idealism, perhaps to maintain a shred of dignity, or perhaps simply due to a misjudgment, he waved his arms and shouted excitedly: "No! We will never yield! Night City will never be enslaved! Councilors, we cannot—"
His words came to an abrupt halt.
Joric's virtual image didn't even change expression; he merely moved his will slightly.
A Secutarii Hoplite standing near the Mayor seemed to receive an invisible command. The Arc Lance in its hand struck out like a viper leaving its hole, without any warning.
There was no violent explosion, only an extremely brief, blinding blue flash and a slight crack.
Maintaining his shouting posture, the Mayor was carbonized instantly by highly concentrated arc energy. He turned into a charred sculpture frozen with an expression of astonishment, then collapsed, shattering into black fragments on the floor.
Almost at the same time the Mayor fell, several other councilors who had reacted intensely, attempted to voice agreement, or showed obvious signs of resistance suffered the same fate.
Several arcs flashed, and instantly, several more charred remains appeared in the hall. The eerie smell of burnt protein permeated the air.
The entire execution process was quiet, rapid, and efficient, giving no one time to react or beg for mercy.
The remaining councilors froze completely. Fear poured over them like ice water.
Some collapsed in their seats, some covered their mouths tightly to stop themselves from screaming, while more were pale-faced, their bodies trembling uncontrollably.
They finally realized clearly that the existence before them was not a political opponent or corporate tycoon they could bargain with, but a "Higher Existence" who held absolute power over life and death and whose operational logic could not be measured by common sense.
"It seems you have made your choice," Joric's projection said calmly, as if he had just cleared away a few irrelevant obstacles. "Remember today's lesson. Efficiency and Obedience are your only laws of survival for the future."
He ignored the survivors who were now silent as winter cicadas. The virtual image turned toward Ignis. "You are responsible for maintaining physical control of the city. Social management and resource allocation will be taken over by new administrators."
Having said that, his projection dissipated silently just as it had appeared, leaving no further words.
(End of Chapter)