Chapter 196 Dogtown

Dogtown, a notorious peripheral district within Night City.

Its existence is a problem left over from history.

Although it hasn't existed for long, its story must be told from the time Johnny Silverhand was still alive.

In the early 21st century, the United States split due to internal and external troubles. Many states declared independence, including California, where Night City is located.

Following that was the war between Arasaka Corporation and Militech.

Although Arasaka Corporation's defeat was ultimately declared by the nuclear explosion at Arasaka Tower, Militech also suffered heavy losses and was nationalized by the NUSA during the chaos.

It was essentially a pyrrhic victory; no one truly benefited.

Afterward came a long period of peace.

Until the year 2069.

The NUSA, backed by Militech, chose to launch the Unification War that year to reclaim lost territories. They advanced irresistibly and reached Night City by 2070.

During this period, Colonel Kurt Hansen of Militech led his elite squad to seize a strategic location within Pacifica, preparing for the subsequent full-scale reclamation war.

However, the Unification War came to an abrupt halt there.

Because Arasaka Corporation sailed its supercarrier into Night City, forcing the NUSA and the Free States to sign a peace treaty.

Seeing another corporate war on the horizon and lacking absolute certainty of victory, the NUSA eventually chose to withdraw its troops, turning around and selling out Colonel Hansen.

Having been betrayed, the Colonel simply declared himself the local ruler on the spot, transforming into a warlord.

He subsequently formed a unit called the Wraiths and, relying on the arms dealing business, established Dogtown within Night City's territory—a place beyond Night City's jurisdiction.

Of course, a few words certainly can't explain the deeper complexities involved, but that is the gist of the story.

This peace treaty has lasted until now, never having been broken by either side.

Chen Nuo brought Sasha to the main gates of Dogtown.

A large number of Wraiths soldiers were stationed here on guard.

Though not under Night City's jurisdiction, Dogtown couldn't truly sever all ties with the outside world. While control seemed strict, it was still easy for ordinary citizens to enter and exit.

However, Chen Nuo clearly didn't fall under the category of 'ordinary'.

By now, his identity information was flagged by all major factions, and he was ranked near the top of their lists.

"So, when did you hack into the Wraiths' security system?"

Sasha asked from the passenger seat as she watched the vehicle drive into Dogtown without any hindrance.

Since when did her man have this kind of hacking skill?

"Just now. I learned this from Songbird."

A crimson data stream flashed through Chen Nuo's Cybernetic Eye; it was the power of the Blackwall.

The Blackwall is the most important line of defense in cyberspace, separating the Old Net from the New Net. Because it is connected to almost all current networks...

...in other words, by using the Blackwall, one can bypass most network security measures to reach the target data core.

A more advanced method of utilization involves directly using the Blackwall to rapidly upload rogue AIs or destructive code into a target, achieving instant overload or collapse.

However, almost no one can do this.

After all, the Blackwall is not a firewall in the traditional sense, but a super AI with self-awareness and learning capabilities.

If you want to use the Blackwall as a "bridge," you first have to face its underlying defense code and become its primary target of attack.

But with Songbird's guidance and a bit of Chen Nuo's personal talent, he could now borrow a portion of the Blackwall's power, though only to bypass other network firewalls.

Sasha curled her lips secretly. She had no good feelings toward that Songbird, but she didn't say much.

After all, if Chen Nuo were truly the devoted and pure type, there would be no place for a 'third wheel' like her.

Furthermore, Sasha knew all too well about top-tier government mercenary Netrunners like Songbird. Given Chen Nuo's tastes, he likely wouldn't be attracted to a human-shaped radiator.

While saying it like that was a bit rude, it was the reality.

To escape the limitations of space and heat dissipation, the cybernetic implant rate of these top Netrunners far exceeded regulation limits. Aside from the brain, one might not find even two pounds of organic flesh on their bodies.

This was a very dangerous practice.

Excessive cyberware blur a Netrunner's sense of self.

The worst outcome isn't even becoming a cyberpsychosis victim, but being directly assimilated by the intelligence within the implants.

Even more unfortunately, for agent Netrunners like Songbird, most of their cybernetic modifications were not voluntary. In a sense, they also served as research subjects.

Sasha cast her gaze out the window, looking at the familiar scenery with a nostalgic expression.

This place was originally part of Night City. After Colonel Hansen took control, no one asked the ordinary citizens for their opinion; it was simply forced to become independent from Night City.

But what else could they do? They just had to make the best of it.

Fortunately, Colonel Hansen came from a military background and understood the importance of rules and order.

Under his management, while Dogtown hadn't exactly thrived, at least it hadn't become worse than before.

Colonel Hansen's arms business had even indirectly boosted the local economy, creating the largest black market in Night City. Many gangs came to Dogtown to stock up.

"Have you contacted your sister?"

Chen Nuo asked.

According to the intelligence gathered by Dove, Sasha's sister, Stella, was still a low-level NCPD officer, just like their mother.

The two sisters had a good relationship, but because they chose different lifestyles and Stella had a fiancé and her own family, the time they spent meeting became increasingly rare.

If it weren't for the Water Plant rising to fame in Night City by stepping over Biotechnica...

...Sasha wouldn't have been able to convince Stella to resign and move to a new place to live.

After all, in the minds of Night City's citizens, the Badlands were more like a place for exiles.

"This is the meeting point."

Sasha sent a location; it was where Stella lived.

As a low-level NCPD officer, Stella's residence was slightly better than the bottom tier. Most of the neighbors were colleagues or their relatives.

Generally, no gang members would dare come here to harass people.

In Night City, you won't survive if you don't stick together.

After a short drive, the vehicle stopped at the community entrance.

When an unfamiliar license plate appeared, community security immediately surrounded them.

"It's me, Uncle Mark."

Sasha rolled down the window and showed her face.

"Oh, it's Sasha. You actually brought a man back this time. I wonder how many young lads' hearts will be broken now."

Mark, the security guard, relaxed. After his gaze paused on Chen Nuo's face for a few seconds, he teased with a laugh and gestured. The barrier rose, allowing Chen Nuo to drive into the community.

Stella was already waiting downstairs. Seeing Sasha, she gave her an enthusiastic hug.

The two sisters had very similar facial contours, but Sasha's features were more delicate, while Stella's appeared slightly more mature. Additionally, Stella had an injury on her chin with obvious signs of a cybernetic implant.

"This is Nuo."

Sasha introduced him, taking Chen Nuo's arm.

"Hello. Thank you for taking care of Sasha."

Stella didn't know Chen Nuo's specific identity, and she didn't even know much about Sasha's past as a Netrunner. She only knew that her sister seemed to be living a very good life.

This was evident from the past transfer amounts.

Sasha had actually been quite restrained about it, but it had still shocked Stella.

In Night City, income is proportional to risk.

Stella was very worried about Sasha's safety but couldn't do anything to help. She was just a low-level NCPD officer.

It was difficult to support herself with this job, and she usually had to earn some extra cash on the side. If it weren't for Sasha's financial help, Stella wouldn't even have had the courage to get married.

"Where's Bill?"

Sasha looked around and asked.

That was Stella's fiancé, also an NCPD officer.

Sasha had investigated him; he was a rare honest man in Night City.

If he had even a hint of ill intent, Sasha would have fried his brain long ago.

Marriage in Night City is a high-risk, low-reward endeavor.

Who knows if you'll wake up on your wedding night on a Scavengers' operating table or in your own new bed?

"He and Charlie went to handle some business. They're about to leave, so they need to wrap things up cleanly. Oh, Charlie is Bill's partner."

Stella explained.

Just as she spoke, Bill's call came into her head. However, what was said on the other end caused Stella's relaxed expression to gradually turn solemn.

"...Something happened."

Stella's voice was strained.

The matter wasn't complicated. Bill and Charlie had some business dealings with a local gang and had some money held by them. They went there this time to get it back.

However, someone had leaked the news of their resignation. Without the protection of their NCPD status, the gang members got ideas.

They detained Bill and Charlie, intending to pull off a 'pure profit' job by extorting money from Stella.

"One hundred thousand?"

Chen Nuo repeated the ransom amount the gang was demanding.

This was roughly all of Stella's savings, most of which were from Sasha's previous private transfers.

For those at the bottom, this was undoubtedly a fortune—the kind one couldn't save in a lifetime.

And for the gang to dare ask for this figure, they certainly knew Stella could produce it.

Sasha naturally realized this too. She immediately investigated Stella's neural link chip and confirmed there were no signs of a Netrunner intrusion, so there was only one possibility.

"I only told Bill about this money."

Stella wasn't stupid either. She immediately realized the information had leaked from Bill's mouth, but she quickly added...

...after all, they were about to start a family. The two of them had discussed and planned together, saying that if they ever stopped being NCPD, they would use this money to open a hot dog stand.

"It must have been when Bill and Charlie were drinking and bragging; someone must have accidentally overheard."

Stella knew her fiancé and guessed the truth of the matter easily.

She didn't suspect Charlie; after all, they were old partners.

"Don't worry. As long as they're still alive, Nuo can bring Bill out."

Sasha hugged her sister to comfort her.

"My appearance fee is very expensive."

Chen Nuo gave Sasha an ambiguous look. She immediately understood what he meant, and her cheeks instantly flushed with an embarrassing blush, knowing she would have to 'unlock new positions' tonight.

"I'll give you five minutes."

Sasha huffed, adding a condition.

"No problem."

Chen Nuo made a gesture.

In fact, just as Bill's call came in earlier, he had already locked onto the signal location.

It wasn't far from here.

Five minutes was enough for him to make two round trips.

Two minutes later.

Stella saw Bill return to her side with his nose half-crooked.

He looked a bit pathetic, but his expression was extremely excited.

"Stella! You have no idea what just happened..."

Bill was somewhat incoherent.

The art of slaughter Chen Nuo displayed had shocked him.

A dozen gang members—in the blink of an eye, they all had holes in their heads.

It was even more thrilling than the XBDs he used to watch secretly.

Even though he was an honest man, he still watched XBDs.

Slap!

Stella delivered a slap.

Bill clutched his face and lowered his head, becoming obedient.

The power dynamic between these two couldn't be more obvious.

"Uh, if there's nothing else, I'll be going now."

Charlie tactfully slipped away. That slap was clearly for him to see; Stella had always had significant issues with Bill's partner.

While he was enjoying Stella disciplining her husband, a message from the Blackwall entered Chen Nuo's mind.

The one with this capability was undoubtedly Songbird.

(BT, I need your help.)

Songbird said straightforwardly.

(Speak.)

Chen Nuo's reply was also blunt.

Songbird had previously worked hard to guide Chen Nuo through the Blackwall, teaching him everything she knew, precisely for this moment.

(In ten minutes, a plane carrying the NUSA President will make an emergency landing in Dogtown. I am also on board.)

(It looks like the bird intends to break free from its cage.)

(I hope you can secure the President.)

(That's a big job.)

(Over the years, I've collected a vast amount of Militech technology. You will be satisfied with the reward.)

(Fine, give me the address.)

Chen Nuo glanced at the address Songbird sent and then said to Sasha.

"I can't go back to Oasis with you guys. A President is about to fall from the sky; I have to go pick them up."

"The President?"

Stella thought Chen Nuo was joking. Even though the joke was a bit dry, she still gave a cooperative laugh.

Only Sasha knew he was being serious and asked worriedly.

"Will you be okay?"

"What could happen? The Water Plant's low-earth orbit satellites are right overhead."

Chen Nuo said, pointing to the sky.

He stored different models of titans in modular form on these stealth satellites. When needed, he could drop a titan at any time.

This was also the main reason why no one dared to disturb Chen Nuo as he wandered around Night City.