From the satellite's surveillance data, it was clear—Peter was heading straight for the headquarters of Military Technology in Night City. His goal? To settle the score with Gail Gibbs.
Naturally, the higher-ups needed to act fast.
But what exactly could they do?
The phrase "beat the dog while it's down" came to mind. Whatever had happened today couldn't be hidden anymore. Military Technology's reputation had taken a massive hit, and the consequences would ripple through the financial world. The disgrace would inevitably lead to a sharp decline in their stock value. Insiders were already preparing to pull their investments—what the financial world would call "drawing salaries from the bottom of the cauldron."
Even under conservative estimates, Military Technology was expected to lose at least 100 billion euros in market value. While this wouldn't be a fatal blow, it would be more than enough to make them bleed.
Inside the military tech headquarters, chaos reigned.
"Fack! Fk! Fk! This is impossible!"
"What the hell was Gibbs hiding from us?"
"Why didn't Night City's intelligence department respond sooner? Gail Gibbs needs to take full responsibility for this disaster!"
"I propose we strip him of his shares! That's the only way we can begin to recover the shareholders' losses!"
These normally dignified, high-level executives were now in total disarray, shouting over each other like headless chickens.
"Enough! Silence!"
Donald Lundy slammed his fist onto the conference table, the sound echoing through the tense room and instantly quieting the arguments.
As the core figure of Military Technology, Donald's expression was grim. His eyes remained locked on the satellite images being transmitted to the screens in front of him.
Where once stood a formidable military base, there was now nothing but a massive, slowly dispersing mushroom cloud.
A nuclear explosion.
He could already see the domino effect. If both Kang Tao and Arasaka decided to move in this moment of vulnerability, Military Technology's collapse might not just be a market fluctuation—it could become a full-blown nosedive.
For now, the most pressing task was damage control. They had to stabilize their key investors and partners, particularly Huangban Laixuan. If they could do that, perhaps they could survive even if Kang Tao made a move.
As for Gail Gibbs?
He would be dragged back and held accountable. No question.
---
Meanwhile, inside Peter's vehicle—
"Where are we going now?" Mann asked.
"Where else?" Peter replied with a sneer. "Straight to Military Tech's headquarters. Time to have a chat with that old b*****d Gail Gibbs."
"Haha, you people from Huaxia have a saying for this, right?" Mann smirked. "'A wave of unrest followed by another wave'?"
"That's not quite the right usage," Peter muttered.
"Who cares!" Mann laughed. "Let's just cause a big scene! Make sure everyone remembers our names in Night City after today!"
Peter didn't answer, but his smile was chilling.
---
Night City – Military Technology Corporation Building
At that moment, Gail Gibbs was in full crisis mode.
All available Military Tech forces in and around Night City had been summoned. Gibbs didn't know what Peter was capable of, but one thing was clear—he was a lunatic. A lunatic who had just caused a nuclear explosion at a major base, without even attempting negotiations.
Now, his phone was constantly ringing—calls from Donald Lundy and Melissa Cruz demanding explanations—but he didn't have time to answer them.
Survival was his top priority.
Even if this incident cost him all his shares, Gail Gibbs wasn't worried about money. His personal wealth would be enough to live extravagantly for several lifetimes.
Escape? He'd considered fleeing in a hovercar. But then he remembered the terrifying power of that strange creature—Mewtwo—by Peter's side. Against that kind of power, running was just suicide.
"President Gibbs! All soldiers in Night City have reported in—total headcount: 4,000!" Brandon, pale and shaken, delivered the report.
Gone was the confidence of the man once known as the Head of Security for Military Tech's Night City division. He was clearly aware of what had happened outside the city.
Military bases had fallen. Their outer defenses were gone.
Now, they could only pray that the recalled forces could offer some resistance.
"Good. And what about the middleman who contacted the mercenaries?" Gibbs asked.
"Caught and locked in the car behind us," Brandon answered stiffly.
Gail Gibbs gave a small nod, his expression unreadable.
He was still clinging to the fantasy of reconciliation. If he could shift the blame onto someone else—Brandon and Faraday, perhaps—he might survive this.
Yes. He'd make Brandon the scapegoat. It would look more convincing if someone close to him took the fall.
Behind him, Mercedes Stott stood silently, a chill settling in her heart.
She, too, had seen the mushroom cloud. Just a short while ago, she had been casually working in her office. Now, the world had changed.
Today was supposed to be the day they captured Peter.
Clearly, that plan had failed. And not just failed—failed miserably.
She understood the implications. Recalling all soldiers to headquarters wasn't just an emergency tactic—it was a gamble on the company's survival.
There was no turning back now.
"President! The target is less than two kilometers from our building!" a voice crackled through the comms.
"All units on alert!" Gibbs ordered. "No one fires without my direct command!"
Across the building, soldiers scrambled into position, weapons ready, nerves taut.
Two minutes later, Peter's car came into view.
Every instinct in Gail Gibbs screamed at him to run—but he forced himself to stay put.
He pushed aside the memory of the destroyed base, the impossible mushroom cloud.
He forced a smile. Made a welcoming gesture.
---
Swish!
Mann, sitting in the driver's seat, didn't hesitate. He threw open the car door with dramatic flair, stepping out like a movie star.
He straightened his jacket and looked up at the towering building.
"Tch. So this is where the so-called king of Night City hides," he muttered.
Peter stepped out beside him.
In his eyes was a quiet storm.
He hadn't come to negotiate.
He had come to destroy.
---
To be continued...
---