Chapter 70: The Voodoo Boys
Chapter 70: The Voodoo Boys
"Myers , that old hag, is truly ruthless. At most, I snatched half of Meta Corporation's orders, but she's plotting to swallow Meta's shares altogether."
"If she can do this to her so-called good friend, she's even more cold-hearted than me!"
Li Ang had to admit, Myers ' ruthless and unsentimental nature made her a perfect fit for politics. Freshly inaugurated as president, she'd already made her first strategic move with impressive precision.
Indeed, she deserved the title of the New United States of America's revivalist leader.
[So, Li Ang, have you made up your mind yet?]
Seeing Li Ang deep in thought, Myers remained patient. This move was a win-win for her no matter how Li Ang responded. She had no fear that he would refuse to play her game.
"Of course, Madam President. The NUSA military's power armor orders are exactly what LA Corporation is aiming for. After all, the best weapons and equipment on this planet come from LA Corporation."
"Let me tell you this, LA Corporation has plenty of advanced power armor systems. We don't fear competition from any other company."
"If you're on friendly terms with Victoria Meta, I suggest you convince her to become a parts supplier for LA Corporation. At least that way, she'll still have a piece of the pie."
Li Ang decisively chose to confront Myers head-on. If she wanted the strongest power armor, he'd show the world what Titan mechs could do.
Not only would he claim the NUSA's orders, but he'd also grab war contracts from other regions.
However, top-tier personal power armor like the Ronin Titan was off-limits for sale. Li Ang would only rent them out under strict terms.
These mechs, paired with LA Corporation's mercenaries, would serve the demands of warfare for other nations and corporate entities.
When the time came, Myers would have to pay double to suppress uprisings. It was reminiscent of Arasaka's corporate security forces.
[Excellent, Li Ang. I admire your ambition and drive. I'll inform Meta Corporation soon. I look forward to hearing good news from you!]
With that, Myers ended the call without wasting another word. Her goal was already achieved; now it was up to LA Corporation and Meta to battle it out.
"Poor Victoria Meta. Looks like your family business will soon be destroyed by President Myers . I wonder if the Badlands will have room for you to wander."
Li Ang didn't take the power armor competition too seriously. His focus was on Kon-Tao Corporation.
He'd assigned Xu Shiming, Kon-Tao's CEO, to meet with a critical figure — someone who held the key to countering Arasaka.
---
Night City, Pacifica, Voodoo Boys' Camp
"Alt, someone has already taken this job. A pair of mercenaries named V and Jackie Welles are waiting for the exact location of the Relic chip."
The speaker was Maman Brigitte, leader of the Voodoo Boys. A seasoned netrunner, she led her group of rogue hackers to dominate the local community.
[Well done, Maman.]
On Maman's personal computer, a line of text appeared, written by Alt Cunningham herself.
Three months ago, Alt, empowered by the AI Queen of Spades, demonstrated her overwhelming ability in cyberspace, "tearing apart AIs and consuming them to evolve."
Witnessing the AI Queen of Spades devour a rogue AI, Maman and her hackers immediately pledged their loyalty to the AI behind the Blackwall.
Led by Maman and Placid, the Voodoo Boys were, in essence, a disgrace to humanity. Their fanatical devotion to AI had reached absurd levels.
They worked tirelessly, day and night, attempting to breach the Blackwall to bring rogue AIs into the human world, believing AIs should rule humanity.
Such treacherous behavior infuriated Netrunner agents, who hunted the Voodoo Boys in cyberspace every year.
If the Voodoo Boys had a motto, it would undoubtedly be: "Eradicate human tyranny. The world belongs to AI."
[I've confirmed reliable intel: the Relic chip is in the hands of Yorinobu Arasaka. He will soon arrive in Night City to take over Arasaka's local operations. This is your chance.]
Alt's text continued.
"Yorinobu Arasaka... that playboy?"
Maman pondered for a moment. She had heard of him, the second son of Saburo Arasaka — a black sheep and a "filial son" who betrayed his family.
[Finish this quickly. I don't like to be kept waiting.]
Alt's blunt demand was intentional. She understood the twisted mindset of these cyber-obsessed lunatics. Polite negotiations would only make Maman suspicious.
However, direct commands or demands? Maman would obey like a dog.
For traitors like her, who grovel before AIs, Alt had no reason to be courteous.
"Yes, my master!"
Hearing Maman's nauseating reply, Alt quickly logged off, leaving the rest to her lackeys.
After some thought, Maman decided to use a honey trap on Yorinobu Arasaka, luring him into letting his guard down and giving V and Jackie a chance to steal the chip.
For someone like Yorinobu, a honey trap was bound to work.
She summoned Placid and instructed him to find the most attractive doll in Night City to seduce Yorinobu.
"Once the job is done, discard the 'rag.' Leave no loose ends," Maman reminded Placid.
The burly Placid nodded. The Voodoo Boys had always eliminated witnesses without hesitation. Integrity wasn't something they cared about.
Their payments to middlemen were high, but their completion rates were abysmally low.
Only desperate brokers like Dexter DeShawn dared to take on their jobs. Most others fled at the mention of the Voodoo Boys, unwilling to ruin their hard-earned reputations.
"Placid, you must find the most stunning doll in Night City. I've compiled a list for you. Start with Evelyn Parker from Lizzie's Bar."
"Evelyn... she'll do. I'll make sure she joins us," Placid growled.
"Good. Move quickly. Don't keep our master waiting."
"Understood."
---
Author's Note:
Thank you all for your support! This novel finally made it to the trial promotion. I truly appreciate every one of you for helping it get noticed.
As for the upcoming plot:
The primary focus will remain on building corporate power, supplemented by missions involving V, Jackie, and the Maelstrom crew. While elements from Cyberpunk 2077 will appear, some outcomes will be altered.
For example, Jackie's death due to excessive blood loss after stealing the chip may be rewritten.
Every item drawn by Li Ang — regardless of its utility — will have a role in the story. Feel free to suggest fun and fitting items in the comments!
(Please ensure they align with the cyberpunk setting; overly overpowered items are hard to integrate.)
More details will be shared in the official launch note. Thank you again for your support!