Steel soldiers were a type of armored robot. Compared to humans, they might not be as agile, but their immense power lets them carry heavy weapons and thick armor, shielding them from most light arms and explosive damage.
Atlas needed units like tha,t too. Even in Night City, with his reputation, Leo had to make sure no one could shoot him in the back.
The Aldecaldos needed these for their own runs as well.
"Big bro hero!" Joestar yelled from a small van tailing Mackinaw's vehicle, leaning his head out the window. "That's Eren Street, numbers 20 through 56, right ahead!"
By now, there were far fewer people around—and no prostitutes.
As the shadows deepened, the advance of the encirclement slowed, and people could sense something off in the air. Fewer cars too. Even though Mackinaw's ride had a makeshift shell covering it, anyone paying attention could see what was happening inside.
Ssshh—
From the rear compartment came the sharp hiss of welding and the metallic clink of armor plates fitting together. Motors whirred, gears hummed in sync.
Flashes of arc light and the glare of welding torches flickered across Jackie's visor. He watched as layer after layer of armor locked into place, power systems came online, and the lizard serum pumped into his heart surged through his veins.
It was every boy's dream coming true.
[Name: XS-1 Power Exoskeleton (Half-Frame)]
[Description: After extended research and field testing, graphene-alloy composite materials have proven structurally sound. We've successfully reverse-engineered the armor-piercing alloy used in the Scorpion Suit and achieved mass production. This ultra-hard alloy is expensive—but has tremendous potential. The XS-1 Power Exoskeleton elevates exoskeleton design to a new tier: sturdier frame, greater power, larger build, and enhanced weapon compatibility. However, to prevent users from being mentally overwhelmed by its strength, we recommend either extensive training or use with a second-generation neural implant.]
[Note: This prototype is a half-frame version tailored for Jackie's implants. Power is partially supplied by the Lizard Berserk module. The upper-body system lacks weapon ports.]
[Functions: Active Defense System, Power-Assisted Ammunition Feed Structure]
"Mano, you gotta tell me straight—did you really handcraft this thing?"
Ssshh—click.
A torque wrench extended from one of Leo's octopus arms, tightening a bolt inside the frame. Another mechanical limb clamped the final latch into place.
Clack, clack.
"What do you think? You're awake, aren't you?" Leo rapped on Jackie's transparent helmet with a metallic limb. "What's wrong? Shocked? Don't believe it?"
"Mano, I don't even know how to describe this feeling—"
Leo grinned. Two octopus arms released the last safety locks. Under gravity, the entire suit—heat gauntlets included—settled heavily onto Jackie's frame.
For the first time in ages, Jackie felt the same rush he'd had when he first used the Lizard Rage serum.
That intoxicating feeling of strength surging from his heart to every muscle and bone!
The once-heavy Scorching Knuckle gauntlets now felt light; his stance no longer wobbled. He could finally punch like a boxer again—instead of elbowing people midair.
Whoosh—
Jackie swung a fist, and the front of Mackinaw's car lurched up off the ground. Thankfully, V yanked the handbrake in time.
Bang.
"What the hell are you two doing back there?!" V shouted, leaning out the window and smacking the door.
"Accident! Accident!" Jackie tilted his head, then grinned at Leo. "Mano—"
He froze mid-sentence.
The car had just rolled past a building where NCPD officers were still clearing floor by floor. Through his visor's enemy-detection overlay, Jackie spotted movement—someone inside leveling a rocket launcher and a sniper rifle straight at them.
Whoosh—
In the darkness, the rocket's flare bloomed like a miniature sun, blotting out the flickering streetlights. The bullets were hidden in that glare. Jackie's brief joy at the new armor vanished in panic—he was protected, but Leo wasn't.
No matter how smart your brain is, one bullet can still make it burst like a melon.
[Active Defense: Engaged]
A small line of text blinked across Jackie's HUD—but he didn't notice it.
Ports opened along the armor's back-mounted pack, firing a rapid burst of micro-grenades.
Jackie stomped forward, trying to shield Leo—but compared to bullets, he was still too slow.
Boom!
The grenades detonated midair, creating concentric shockwaves of fire and compressed air—an invisible wall.
The first barrier deflected the incoming rounds, giving them sideways momentum. Bullets zipped past, grazing by Leo and the car.
The second layer detonated higher up, catching the rocket and blowing it apart in midair.
Boom!
Mackinaw's car nose-dived and slammed into the ground.
Through the firelight, one of Leo's octopus arms clapped Jackie on the shoulder.
"Time to get out there—do what you do best."
Jackie got the message. He crouched low, power building in his legs, eyes locked on the thinning smoke.
BOOM!
The two-meter-tall armor leapt skyward, twin jets firing from elbows and legs, propelling him five meters up before he crashed through the building wall in a thunderous punch.
Unfortunately, Mackinaw's ride didn't fare as well—the jump shattered the chassis, leaving the car tilted nose-up for good.
"Damn it!" V slammed the steering wheel.
No way that thing was driving again.
"Ahhh!!"
Bang!
A Scav was flung from the building, splattering against the opposite wall with bone-crushing force—stuck there like a grotesque painting.
"Monster! Holy shit!"
The screams and carnage snapped everyone back to reality.
Gunfire erupted from the shadows. Bullets and grenades filled the air. The battle had begun.
From the frontlines, Leo's octopus limbs tore a car door free and used it as a makeshift shield. Two of the limbs served as legs, skittering him forward toward the car's front.
Inside, V had just pulled out her gun, mind racing on how to get out alive.
Leo yanked open the door. "Get out!"
"At least you've got some decency left."
V suddenly laughed, half out of adrenaline. With one arm wrapped around Leo's shoulder, she leveled her pistol toward the enemy—
As she squeezed the trigger, a strange thought crossed her mind.
They say rich folks always have someone holding an umbrella for them when they step out of the car.
She'd never had anyone hold an umbrella for her in the rain.
Maybe… this was what it felt like.
The storm of bullets rained down like Night City's endless downpour, drumming against the metal shield, each explosion blooming like a firework. Scope lenses flashed like crystals in the rain.
V's gunfire shot through the gaps in the shield, dropping two Scavs before they could pull their grenade pins.
Jackie's massive armored hand tore through the floor above, magnetic servos gripping the wall. With a grunt, he climbed, ripping out a chunk of concrete and dropping it on another unlucky bastard's head.
NCPD, the Mox, and the alley gangs exchanged furious fire. Normally, firefights like this dragged on—but this time, three figures moved through the storm of bullets, pushing the frontline forward.
Night City's streets echoed with the endless rain of gunfire, the rain of bullets, explosions, and falling bodies—
And through it all, two figures walked together in the storm.
Hanging off Leo's shoulder, V whispered softly,
"This is the first time anyone's ever held an umbrella for me."
Her voice was just quiet enough to be drowned out by the rain.