New America attempted to seize the city and bring Night City back into its sphere of influence.
It was "led" by Ryan, who bravely resisted alongside the citizens, while also borrowing an aircraft carrier from Arasaka. The latter was the real key.
Only then did they drive back New America's army and preserve Night City's independence and freedom.
Because of this, Ryan was able to reverse his declining fortunes in that election, regain the support of most of the people, and win reelection without much trouble.
Now, the mayoral election was only half a year away, and it would be held again.
But this time, there would be no army from New America to "help" him.
Not only that, a political rising star named Jefferson Peralez had emerged.
That man was either appearing on television as a guest on the popular program Tonight Talk or showing up all over the streets, making frequent public appearances.
Even the station chief had to admit that Peralez was extremely persuasive and inflammatory.
Even the station chief's own family planned to vote for Peralez.
Peralez's appearance seriously threatened and shook Ryan's foundation.
So it was hardly surprising that Mayor Ryan insisted on wiping out the All Foods Factory.
If he could destroy a drug den during his term, especially a major one,
that would undoubtedly be a major political achievement.
It could draw in quite a few votes.
Thinking of this, the unwilling station chief began entertaining a small idea.
He actually had some dirt on Ryan. Should he use it to threaten Ryan and make him change his mind?
But his thoughts soon changed.
Because if he stripped someone else bare, his own underwear would be stripped off as well.
Besides, Ryan absolutely would not tolerate anyone dragging him down during the election.
The station chief carefully weighed the pros and cons, but really could not think of any good solution. In the end, he could only give up.
Watson District, Northside.
On the overpass above the All Foods Factory,
Su Xiao and V sat in the car.
Jack was leaning against the railing of the overpass.
After returning from Santo Domingo, the three of them first bought some food from a roadside stall.
Then they drove straight here.
On the way, Su Xiao explained the purpose of this plan to Jack.
Simply put, they would deliberately frame the All Foods Factory's cargo truck—though perhaps "frame" was not quite the right word—and then cause the NCPD to target the All Foods Factory.
But Jack refused to believe it.
He had lived in this dump ever since he was born.
Was there anything he did not know about the NCPD's conduct?
They would only use this to extort and threaten the Vortex Gang at the All Foods Factory, forcing them to hand over a share of their profits from selling Glitter.
How could they possibly send troops to attack the Vortex Gang?
Had you ever seen a crow whose wings were not black?
Jack walked over and leaned against the car window.
"I'm asking, Su, how long are we going to wait here? They're not coming."
"They'll come. Have a little patience, Jack."
Jack let out a breath and said nothing more.
But his constantly shaking leg
and the expression on his face
both exposed the restlessness in his heart.
Seeing this, Su Xiao suddenly thought of an idea. "Jack, want to make a bet?"
"What are we betting on?" Jack became interested.
"If you win, I'll cover your alcohol expenses for a month."
"Su, you only just managed to make some money, and you..."
"It's fine. If the money's gone, I can earn more."
"Since you put it that way... Heh heh, Su, you're going to regret this." Jack rubbed his hands together, as though he was already imagining a whole month of drinking every day.
It was obvious what Jack was thinking from the delighted expression on his face.
Su Xiao did not expose him, though.
"Then what will you do if you lose?"
"Lose? How could that happen? It's impossible."
Jack felt that he had a huge advantage.
Su Xiao was a Nomad.
He had only arrived in Night City a few days ago.
Could he understand the city more deeply than a native like Jack?
What a joke.
No one understood the NCPD better than he did.
"If I lose, I'll eat your laptop right here."
The moment Jack finished speaking, the sound of sirens suddenly erupted below.
Chapter Twenty-Three: If the NCPD Dares to Come, I'll Eat This Computer Right Here!
One police car after another came roaring over, heading straight for the All Foods Factory.
There were at least dozens of them.
Maybe the entire Night City police force had come.
The large number of police cars split into two groups.
One headed straight for the main entrance, while the other circled around to the rear.
Countless officers wearing bulletproof vests and carrying firearms got out of the cars. Using the vehicles as cover, they surrounded the All Foods Factory.
Following behind the police cars were several black vans.
After reaching their destination, no one got out of the vans. Instead, the vehicle compartments opened to both sides, like flower buds blooming.
What emerged from the black vans were Walking Mechs that the NCPD had purchased from Military Technology at great expense.
The mechs stood three to five meters tall. Their entire bodies were pitch-black, radiating a chilling killing intent.
"Fire in the hole!"
The Walking Mechs fired grenades one after another, blasting open the main gate of the All Foods Factory.
"GOGOGO!"
The officers surged inside like a tide, engaging in a fierce firefight with the Vortex Gang members inside the All Foods Factory.
Even from this distance, the gunfire and flashes of light carried over clearly.
But the NCPD had real Walking Mechs, constantly pouring out grenades and Gatling-gun fire. The Vortex Gang lacked heavy firepower, so even after taking drugs and throwing away their fear of death, they could only suffer heavy casualties.
On the overpass, Jack wore a blank look.
He could never have imagined it.
Why had these NCPD bastards suddenly changed their ways?
Had they taken the wrong medicine?
Brick finally escaped through the secret passage with several trusted men.
Fortunately, the passage's exit had been set in another street beside the All Foods Factory.
Even though the NCPD had surrounded the All Foods Factory so tightly that not even water could pass through, this place was still safe.
Near the secret passage's exit was a vehicle specially prepared for escape.
Brick and the others got into the car and sped toward another Vortex Gang hideout, the Dance of Death Bar.
Inside the car, Brick repeatedly hammered the window glass.
He simply could not understand it.
Every month, he scattered piles of money among the NCPD.
So how could the NCPD have come to raid his territory?
The more Brick thought about it, the more confused and furious he became.
In the end, he simply called his informant within the NCPD.
Only then did he finally learn that the driver delivering goods to the All Foods Factory had been caught at the border checkpoint, which had triggered everything that followed.
Moreover, the NCPD chief had originally planned to try persuasion before force with Brick.
But this had been a forceful demand from the mayor.
The chief had no way to refuse.
The NCPD chief was different from the station chief at the border checkpoint.
The latter belonged to Military Technology and could, in name, show the mayor some respect.
But whenever he had to choose between the company and City Hall, the station chief would stand with the company without hesitation.
The NCPD chief was different. He answered directly to City Hall.
He certainly did not dare secretly play tricks while Mayor Ryan was paying the closest attention.
After finishing the call, Brick asked, "Who hired that driver again?"
One of his trusted men beside him answered, "Kirk, that one from Heywood. The fixer who's doing terribly."
"Fuck! I knew that bastard was unreliable! Kirk, right? You little shit, you're dead!"
Dangerous red light flashed in Brick's spider-like cybernetic eyes.
"All right, we've seen the show. Let's head back and tell Peppy the news. He won't have to worry about Kirk anymore."
Seeing the gunfire from the direction of the All Foods Factory
gradually die down, Su Xiao knew that the battle inside was probably almost over.
After all, the NCPD had even brought in Walking Mechs, and they had launched a surprise attack...
The Vortex Gang had been caught completely off guard. The All Foods Factory was a workshop for processing food and Glitter, not a military fortress. It would have been strange if it could hold out.
Su Xiao had learned a little about the distribution of the city's gangs from Jack, albeit in a rough and fragmented way.
He knew that the All Foods Factory was Brick's territory.
In other words, it belonged to Kirk's employer.
Su Xiao was not worried about what would happen if Brick died at the All Foods Factory.
Actually, it did not matter whether Brick died or not.
Even if he really died, someone else would take over.
And Kirk had not merely screwed over Brick. He had screwed over the Vortex Gang.
That debt was not something they would forget just because a new leader took over.
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