Chapter 173: Militech's Cooperation
Deep within the Badlands manufactorum, Joric's massive metal frame stood silently before the main control console, his crimson optical lenses scanning the data streams scrolling steadily across the screen.
The massive amount of information from Mikoshi had been systematically archived, and the optimization calculations for the dimensional teleporter were running synchronously in the background.
Just then, an incoming request signal from the external communications interface caught his attention. The signal bore Militech's encryption signature and was automatically flagged by the system as "Medium Priority."
Almost simultaneously, Mower, responsible for external liaison, reported via the internal encrypted channel: "Master, a representative from Militech requests contact. They wish to convey an intention of cooperation to you through me."
Joric's processing core immediately pulled up the data files related to Militech.
This arms giant, closely tied to the NUSA government, had maintained an unusual silence after Arasaka Tower was destroyed. Now, as expected, they had come knocking.
This move aligned perfectly with his deduction based on profit logic.
"Patch it through," Joric's synthesized voice sounded calmly in the workshop.
Mower's communication channel was rerouted to the main console.
Her voice remained composed, but the content she conveyed carried significant weight: "Master, the Militech side has explicitly stated that the NUSA and they have decided to no longer tolerate Arasaka's continued existence. They are preparing to restart the Unification War, with the goal of completely eliminating Arasaka's influence in North America. They wish to establish a strategic partnership with us."
Joric's crimson lenses flickered slightly, signaling her to continue.
"They promise to provide comprehensive military support, including organic units of powered armor troops, automated drone swarms, and aerial gunship support to bear the frontal pressure of the main battlefield.
"Simultaneously, to counter the initial retaliatory strike Arasaka might launch and to demonstrate the sincerity of their cooperation, the NUSA will immediately dispatch an elite special forces unit to station around the Badlands manufactorum, responsible for perimeter security and defense tasks."
Mower paused briefly to confirm the information before continuing. "This unit is the 'Barghest,' commanded by Colonel Kurt Hansen, which breached Night City during the Unification War years ago and now practically controls the Dogtown district.
"The NUSA claims they have successfully persuaded Colonel Hansen and his soldiers to return to the NUSA fold. Colonel Hansen and his Barghest will serve as the cornerstone of trust for this cooperation."
Hearing this, a faint flicker of curiosity rarely seen in Joric's rigorous, logic-dominated thoughts arose.
Arasaka launching a fierce counterattack was well within his expectations, and deploying carrier strike groups and powered armor troops aligned with the assessment of this corporate giant's capabilities.
The data acquired from Mikoshi had already revealed the upper limits of military technology in this world. Night City, restricted by the Arasaka Tower Treaty, indeed lacked decent heavy equipment; the paralyzed "Chimera" in Dogtown was merely obsolete junk left over from the Unification War.
However, data was ultimately just data.
Personally observing and evaluating the "real war" form of this world held unique value for him.
He looked forward to seeing the true face of this world's armies in formal campaigns, detached from the street conflict mode—their tactical coordination, equipment efficacy, and soldier quality, and what gap existed compared to the Astartes Legions, Imperial Guard, and even the Skitarii of the Mechanicus familiar to him from the Warhammer universe.
This "field observation" itself was precious data collection.
Especially the powered armor troops.
Although in his eyes, the powered armor technology of this world was crude, the energy systems inefficient, and protection weak, the basic design philosophy and individual enhancement concepts did have merit.
If these troops performed passably in actual combat, after targeted enhancement based on the Ommnissiah's doctrines and Warhammer tech standards, they might truly serve as a low-cost, mass-producible auxiliary force assigned to Imperial Guard regiments in certain fringe sectors to deal with low-threat rebels or xenos harassment.
This was obviously more cost-effective than mobilizing precious Skitarii or requesting support from Knight Houses.
Now, Militech and the NUSA had actively proposed cooperation and were willing to provide ready-made combat units to bear the initial defense and probing attacks. This fully aligned with his principle of "efficient resource utilization."
Since someone volunteered to be the vanguard, he was naturally happy to save his precious Skitarii and computational resources.
"Permitted." Joric's synthesized voice responded to Militech through Mower. "Inform them that cooperation is agreed upon in principle. But cooperation must be built on the strength and sincerity of both parties.
"Have them immediately provide detailed equipment lists, personnel organization, training levels, and logistical support capability data for the Barghest unit."
He paused slightly, adding calmly, "Since we are partners, I do not mind 'optimizing' this dagger they are about to thrust at Arasaka before the war begins.
"Let me see just how much room for improvement there is in the 'sincerity' you offer."
At the same time, Dogtown, Black Sapphire.
This luxury hotel built before the Unification War, now the core of this lawless zone, was permeated with a decay and tension starkly different from other areas of Night City.
In the commander's office of the building, the air seemed frozen.
The burly Colonel Kurt Hansen stood with his back to the room, facing the massive floor-to-ceiling window.
He silently overlooked the chaotic yet tenacious streetscape of Dogtown outside, tightly gripping a newly delivered electronic document.
On the screen, the personal signature of NUSA President Rosalind Myers and the national seal were clearly visible, silently declaring the weight of this document.
The content was brutally straightforward: The NUSA formally recognized Hansen's "special contribution" to maintaining order in Dogtown, pardoned all his past "unauthorized actions," restored his rank of Colonel in the NUSA armed forces, and reorganized his "Barghest" troops back into the Army Special Operations command structure.
In addition, he would be awarded the Medal of Honor based on his meritorious service during the Unification War.
However, behind this seemingly glorious certificate of return lay a heavy price.
In exchange, Hansen and his Barghest must immediately and unconditionally obey the orders of the NUSA High Command.
The primary mission was to establish a cooperative relationship with a mysterious faction and assume full responsibility for the perimeter security of their stronghold, the "Badlands Manufactorum," until comprehensive military operations against Arasaka commenced.
Militech's special envoy, a middle-aged man in a well-tailored dark suit with eyes sharp as a falcon, sat quietly on the leather sofa opposite the desk.
He brought not just this piece of paper, but a cold, realistic analysis of the current situation.
(End of Chapter)