"Hello, hello, can you hear me?"
Years later, Panam Palmer, the leader of the Aldecaldo Nomad family, would recall that afternoon when a strange man called her.
"Who are you?"
Panam Palmer suppressed her recent anger, trying to speak calmly, as she didn't want to vent her frustration on someone who might have just dialed the wrong number.
But she miscalculated; this guy was indeed looking for her. Not only that, Mitsuhide slowly, like a blunt knife scraping flesh, recounted all of Panam Palmer's misfortunes.
"Panam Palmer, I'm looking for you. I heard you've been in some trouble recently."
Yes, trouble, and quite big trouble at that.
Everyone knew Night City wasn't a good place, but only when truly betrayed could one truly recognize the cruelty of this damned place.
After Panam Palmer broke up with her tribe, the initial days weren't easy. After all, everyone knew the fate of those who impulsively ran away from home.
No plan, no arrangements, until looking at the twilight sky, or the park bench at hand, and realizing she still didn't have a place to go, only then did she realize what a terrible decision she had made.
But thankfully, Panam Palmer still brought her beloved vehicle, along with her skills in shooting and running lines.
Night City welcomed her in this regard.
After a period of struggle, Panam Palmer earned some living expenses by running lines and delivering goods, rented a house, and managed to barely settle in Night City.
It wasn't until she was betrayed by her partner, losing both her car and goods to them, that Panam Palmer truly felt the iron hammer of Night City strike her forehead.
Welcome to Night City.
It was as if someone was saying that in the unseen.
This setback completely shamed Panam Palmer; everyone who knew about it seemed to mock her with every glance, at least that's what she thought.
Especially after Rogue, who was somewhat of a client to her in Night City, refused to help her, this impression deepened.
So, Panam Palmer, now filled with the indignation and fury of betrayal, was preparing to single-handedly find her former accomplice who betrayed her and reclaim everything she had lost.
Until she received Mitsuhide's call.
A little later, at a deserted outdoor parking lot on the city's edge.
Under the midday sun, in the hot air, Mitsuhide saw Panam Palmer, bending over the front hood of a used, dilapidated car, tinkering with something.
A short leather jacket and jeans perfectly accentuated Panam Palmer's fiery figure, matching her temper.
Especially her current posture, which clearly revealed a certain full and perky part of her, making one unconsciously want to give it a slap.
Shhh~~
Berry, behind the scenes, couldn't help but whistle.
Hmm, confirmed, Panam Palmer is the Childbearing Type.
Thankfully, the Chassis wouldn't display its unscrupulous owner's lewd expression.
Otherwise, Panam Palmer, full of rage, would surely explode.
"Hello, Panam Palmer."
Mitsuhide walked over and greeted the fiery Nomad Girl.
"It's you, the one who called."
Panam Palmer, focused on struggling with the scrapped used car in front of her, heard the movement, looked up, and saw Mitsuhide walking towards her. Seeing Mitsuhide's strange attire, she immediately raised an eyebrow.
"I say, are you going to a costume party dressed like that?"
"Hmm, something like that. I'm just going with some unlucky guy to get back what he needs to make a living."
"Fuck you, try that passive-aggressive tone with me again!"
"Sorry~"
Mitsuhide spread his hands, indicating no offense, though without much sincerity.
"How do you know my business? Did Rogue, that old bitch, send you? Tell me, or I'm not done with you!"
Panam Palmer was currently in a state of suppressed anger, so her tone was naturally not very polite. Moreover, given that her current predicament was due to trusting a so-called partner, her wariness was normal.
So, Mitsuhide patiently explained to her.
"Rogue did tell me about your situation, but my decision to help you has nothing to do with Rogue."
With a straightforward person like Panam Palmer, Berry felt there was no need for circumlocution; just speak plainly.
"Our organization's... well, boss is very interested in your skills. We have a job we'd like your help with, but we heard you've run into some trouble. To show our sincerity, we've decided to give you a hand."
"Hmph... such good fortune in this shitty city? Are you taking me for a three-year-old?"
Panam Palmer scoffed, clearly not believing a word Mitsuhide said.
Betrayed kittens are all like this, fur bristling, claws out at everyone, ready to scratch if you come near.
Berry sighed, knowing that gaining her trust wouldn't be so simple.
However, she had plenty of patience and methods for such pitiful kittens.
Even so, what Mitsuhide said was still not very pleasant to hear.
"Hmm, look at the car in front of you. Even if you dismantle it for parts, it wouldn't sell for a thousand yuan. Panam Palmer, what do you think I could possibly want from you now?"
"We need your skills, and you need help. It's an exchange of equals; sometimes things are that simple."
"...Fuck."
Listening to Mitsuhide's impolite words, Panam Palmer cursed unhappily, but then turned back to her own business, no longer speaking.
Yes, just like that.
Berry knew she had agreed.
"We'll talk about helping you later. You said you know where that bastard Nash and my car are. Tell me first, or it's off."
No matter what, Panam Palmer had received Night City's welcoming ceremony. Although somewhat swayed by Mitsuhide, she wouldn't agree so easily.
What happened to Panam Palmer was actually simple: she underestimated human nature again, having already underestimated it before. Because people can read about betrayal from the essence of human civilization—some papers covered with tadpole-like marks for animals—knowing humanity's lower limits, until truly betrayed, only then do they realize how high their original conjectured human bottom line actually was.
Because people are often betrayed by those they trust, and the subconscious adaptation to those illusory feelings makes many overlook this point.
So, Panam Palmer, singing and delivering goods, was betrayed by a partner named Nash. Only then did she realize that this guy was originally a member of the Wraiths, a gang composed of Nomads scorned by other Nomads for their perfidy.
Nomads might have hijacked transport vehicles and such, but they still adhered to a certain code of honor and family sentiment, making them quite appealing. These were the nascent states of so-called laws and morals.
It must be said that the original, unhardened state of things is the most appealing, possessing spirit and passion.
But the Wraiths, these bastards, are exiles from Nomad families for killing family members or violating family contracts, along with scum who fled the city due to crimes. They colluded to form the notorious Wraiths.
They not only hijacked corporate transport teams but also ordinary vehicles.
Because city dwellers couldn't quite distinguish between the Wraiths and Nomads, some of the Wraiths' crimes were often attributed to Nomads, which could only be described as undeserved misfortune.
"Your former friend Nash is with the Wraiths, but I don't think you'd be foolish enough to take them on alone. You need my help."
"Help me, huh, that's hilarious. With just those two toy knives of yours?"
Nomads are true American types; they don't interact much with outsiders, especially non-Americans.
Superstitious about firearms, they didn't believe knives could solve problems, not even the two at Mitsuhide's waist.
Panam Palmer glanced at Mitsuhide's waist and said mockingly.
But just like before, Mitsuhide's response was full of politeness and friendship.
"Your gun is good, but your car is gone."
"F*** you."
Panam returned a middle finger.
Mitsuhide nodded in satisfaction, thinking he might be suited for diplomacy.
"F***, f***, f***."
Panam's mouth was a constant stream of profanity. It wasn't Mitsuhide speaking, but rather that she had accidentally triggered the car horn while trying to fix the engine. Now it was honking incessantly, like a series of taunts, as if constantly shouting in her ear, "Your car's gone, your car's gone."
This only ended when Panam, cursing, violently ripped the horn off.
"Alright, you're impressive. I hope your skills with your hands are as good as your skills with your mouth."
"That Nash guy stole my car and my cargo. He's probably going to fence it now, at Stone Ridge Mountain. How dare he steal my goods? I'm going to show them what I can do."
Panam finally compromised, deciding to add this Monstrous Figure to her team.
"Hmm, a wise decision. So, getting in the car together now?"
Oh my god, incredible, he actually made a pun.
Wise decision, wise decision.
Berry felt she shouldn't be too proud.
"Wait, I still need to find some backup."
As the saying goes, the underworld isn't just about fighting, but about human relationships. As a smuggler, you can't just work in silence. For example, Panam has connections with the 6th Street Gang's receiver. The traitor Nash plans to fence the goods, and his target is also the 6th Street Gang.
She had originally planned to set a trap and then take out that bastard Nash.
It's just that now this Monstrous Figure, Mitsuhide, has been added.
However, the plan hasn't changed.
With a phone call, Panam convinced the 6th Street Gang's contact to set a trap at the delivery location, Stone Ridge Mountain, just waiting for the Wraiths to fall into it.
It must be said, the fact that Panam is still here discussing a counterattack plan instead of rotting in a sewer shows she has some ability.
The 6th Street Gang ultimately agreed to her, after all, Panam had already proven with her actions that she was a rising star in the smuggling world.
So, the final result was Panam and Mitsuhide, getting into the car heading to Stone Ridge Mountain.
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