"But, while the junkyard has good things, it's the Wraiths' territory. If we try to move in, we'll have to fight those guys."
Mitch, who was lying on the ground, frowned and raised a question.
Every gang in the badlands has its own sphere of influence.
And that open-air junkyard outside the city, which almost encircled it, was the territory of another badlands gang, the Wraiths.
Good foresight wasn't exclusive to one person.
Everyone knew how many good things were in those unwanted electronic scraps.
But having the ability to take them was another matter.
Individual Scavengers were fine, but if the Aldecaldo Family went there, it would definitely attract the attention of the Wraiths.
"That's for you to figure out."
Berry shrugged, not treating it as a difficult problem.
A transaction is a transaction; it requires give and take.
The Aldecaldos couldn't just sit back and reap the benefits, could they?
"Anyway, those Wraiths are already at odds with us, so what's the harm in making more enemies?"
The person speaking was Panam Palmer.
Panam Palmer was young after all, and not yet at the age of being afraid of this and that.
Her words were quite impolite, implying she was ready to take on both the Wraiths and the Wraiths.
"Alright, you two, stop talking."
Saul's movement of standing up interrupted Panam Palmer. The leader of the Aldecaldo Family seemed ready to make the final decision.
No matter what, he was the chief of the Aldecaldo Family, and he had the final say.
Saul stood tall, his algae-like long hair fluffy like a mane, combined with his robust build, he resembled a standing lion.
He looked at the two seriously and spoke solemnly.
"Berry, V, and Mitsuhide, you saved our family, and Panam Palmer, you even saved me. You've helped our tribe a great deal, and you are undoubtedly our friends."
Scanning the three members of The Hive, Saul continued.
"I have seen the sincerity of your organization, so I agree."
"The Aldecaldo Family and The Hive, under the witness of this storm, establish an agreement to help each other, assist each other, and be brothers to each other."
Looking at Saul's outstretched hand, Berry smiled and reached out to shake it.
"Of course, Leader Saul, time will prove that our alliance is wise."
"Ah, that's great. It looks like we've made new friends."
Mitch, lying on the ground, sighed as he watched their interaction.
"Mhm, at least it's better than working for the Corporations."
Scorpion, standing nearby, also nodded.
"If you have time, you can also come to our base and sit down, let us show you some hospitality."
Holding Saul's hand, Berry smiled.
With the objective achieved, Berry was in a good mood.
The Aldecaldo Family was undoubtedly a reliable ally.
In the game, this large group of people dared to challenge Arasaka for V, storming the Arasaka Tower together.
No matter how you looked at it, they were the kind of suckers... good brothers you couldn't find even with a lantern.
"Alright, it's getting late. We should rest up. We can head back to the tribe when it's light."
Withdrawing his hand, Saul rubbed his forehead, looking somewhat tired.
The effects of the stimulant had long worn off, and the exhaustion from the torture and the escape rushed in; even his nearly 200 pounds couldn't bear it.
"Oh right, do you know that in Africa, storms have a nickname?"
Before entering the house, Saul suddenly turned back and mentioned this.
"It's called Hadaboh."
"What a vulgar name."
Saul laughed twice after saying it himself, then shook his head and walked into the room to rest.
Hehe, you really have some... unique humor.
In response to this terrible joke, the people present only offered two awkward laughs.
Everyone found a place to rest, some sleeping on the floor, others on the sofa.
Mitsuhide was about to stand up from the sofa to find a place to sit and wait in standby mode, but Panam Palmer, sitting next to him, called him over.
"There's no space left. Just squeeze onto this sofa with me for a nap."
Seeing Panam Palmer's casual expression, Mitsuhide felt a rare moment of awkwardness.
Ah, is this appropriate?
A man and a woman alone, isn't this a bit improper?
But Panam Palmer didn't give Mitsuhide a chance to refuse; her full, long-boot-clad thigh was already resting in his lap.
"Mmm... today was really long. I'm actually a bit tired."
Panam Palmer yawned, stretched, and leaned against the armrest of the sofa.
"Ah, yes."
Mitsuhide responded verbally, but his eyes never left the thigh in his lap.
Mitsuhide—no, Berry—was short-circuiting over the current situation.
Was it inappropriate to just push Panam Palmer away? But letting things be seemed wrong too.
V was right nearby, and now a full, curvy thigh was resting in his lap. Using his mouth was definitely out, but not using his hands seemed to betray his perverted soul.
Berry was suddenly caught in a dilemma.
He struggled with the philosophical question of whether the Chassis cheating counted as the main body cheating.
Meanwhile, Panam Palmer continued speaking.
"It's been a long time since I slept under a roof. Nomads just run around like this, living and sleeping in their cars."
"Mitsuhide, my life has really changed a lot since I met you."
Saying this, Panam Palmer looked at Mitsuhide, but found him spaced out, and couldn't help but ask curiously.
"Mitsuhide?"
"Ah, yes, yes. Life is truly wonderful, and the Earth revolves around the sun."
Finally, interrupted by Panam Palmer, and recalling the ancient Greek sage Socrates' philosophical saying, "Know Thyself," Mitsuhide realized a truth.
Failure to touch a thigh results in a fifty-unit fine.
Lightly, his hand naturally rested on Panam Palmer's full thigh, quietly feeling the soft elasticity of her skin through the denim fabric.
Panam Palmer, acting as if nothing strange had happened, leaned against the armrest and slowly closed her eyes, although her breathing seemed slightly hurried, suggesting she wasn't asleep.
Meanwhile, in the utility room, V had just lain down next to Berry when she saw Berry visibly flinch.
"Berry?"
"Ah, I'm fine, I'm fine."
Berry quickly chuckled nervously and hugged V while lying down on the carpet.
This feeling, similar to cheating right in front of her, was kind of exciting.
But he could still argue his way out of it.
What Mitsuhide touched had nothing to do with Berry... The next morning at dawn, the sun rose, and the storm dissipated as if it had never been there.
After contact was made, the Aldecaldos tribe also found the location.
Several vehicles stopped in front of the Abandoned Farm, and it was time for everyone to part ways.
Since V's car had unfortunately been destroyed at the Abandoned Factory, the Aldecaldos generously gifted them a vehicle for transportation.
Although it wasn't a supercar, it was perfectly fine for returning to Night City.
Before parting, the two sides said their goodbyes.
"Mitsuhide, goodbye."
Panam Palmer waved at Mitsuhide.
"Mhm."
Mitsuhide nodded, but his gaze involuntarily drifted downward, glancing at Panam Palmer's clearly outlined thigh wrapped in denim.
He hadn't expected Panam Palmer's thighs to be so powerful, despite her spending all day in a car.
Meaty yet muscularly elastic—anyone who touched them would know.
Mitsuhide nervously rubbed his nose and turned to leave.
"Mitsuhide, goodbye."
Panam Palmer called out again to Mitsuhide's retreating back, waving vigorously.
This strange scene caught the eye of the Aldecaldo who was helping the injured Mitch into the car.
"What's wrong with Panam Palmer? She seems strange today."
Scorpion, who had just settled Mitch into the car compartment, couldn't help but frown upon seeing this.
"Come closer, I'll tell you."
Mitch, lying in the compartment, smiled mysteriously and beckoned to Scorpion.
After whispering in his ear, Scorpion pulled back, looking astonished, somewhat dazed, and seemingly incredulous.
Meanwhile, Mitch maintained his mysterious smile, watching Panam Palmer, who stood in front with her arms crossed, staring fixedly at the receding tracks of the vehicle.
He hadn't actually said much.
He just said that spring had arrived.
Regardless, the mission was successfully completed.
The Aldecaldos and the Hive Organization collaborated to rescue Saul, the Aldecaldos' leader. Aside from Mitch taking a bullet in the butt, there were no other losses, qualifying it as an SSS-rated completion.
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