The operator hung up the phone, grabbed a handful of documents, and sprinted toward the NCPD Director's office.
"Director, we've got a situation that might need your personal attention," he said, slightly out of breath.
The bald director rubbed his shiny scalp, visibly annoyed. In Night City, a hairless head wasn't just a matter of genes—it was the natural result of stress-induced shedding. If you still had hair, you probably weren't doing your job.
He took the file, flipping through its contents. With every line he read, his scowl deepened.
"Someone in Pacifica... called in a cyberpsycho attack?" he asked, raising an eyebrow.
"Yes, sir."
"And they've been paying property taxes in Pacifica for over a decade?"
"Correct, sir."
The director groaned, scratching harder. "Goddamn it. Cyberpsychos running wild in the middle of the day, and they're targeting one of our taxpayers? Dispatch MaxTac immediately!"
"Understood."
The operator blinked. Was this really the NCPD? The same agency that couldn't be bothered to protect their own HQ sometimes? Now they were deploying MaxTac—to Pacifica?
Just as he turned to leave, the director spoke again.
"Wait. Deal with the caller too."
"Sir?"
"You heard me. NCPD is a corporation, not a charity. If we let people think calling us actually works, we'll be buried in complaints. Solve the root of the problem—and the one who reported it."
The operator hesitated, then nodded grimly. "Understood."
To the director, anyone crazy enough to pay taxes in Pacifica for over ten years had to be a cyberpsycho. This was just efficient management.
---
Back in Pacifica, Arthur was looking smug after ending the call.
Lucy stared at him like he had grown another head. "You—a cyberpunk—called the NCPD for help? Are you out of your mind?"
Arthur calmly pulled out his pistol and fired a few rounds over the car for cover.
"Why not? I pay my taxes. Isn't that what cops are for?"
Lucy opened her mouth, paused, then closed it. Technically, he wasn't wrong. But in Night City, technicalities didn't mean squat. Everyone knew the NCPD wasn't reliable—unless you were rich, corporate, or absolutely suicidal.
Arthur, as always, looked entirely unconcerned. "Relax. I've got friends in the department. They'll handle it."
Lucy was torn. Arthur had a strange way of twisting reality to his favor. His stories always sounded like lies—until the impossible started happening. And even when he told the truth, it was usually the worst kind of truth.
"Damn it," she muttered. "Next time I agree to work with you, I'll officially register as a lapdog."
Bang! Bang! Bang!
Arthur didn't flinch. He stood up, took aim, and picked off three gang members with pinpoint shots before ducking back behind the car. The blood splatter confirmed every kill.
He could've wiped them all out—but he held back. Too much carnage might raise red flags. The last thing he wanted was to be flagged as a cyberpsycho again.
"Arthur!"
A booming voice thundered across the street.
Arthur didn't need to look. "Placid," he said, sighing.
Placid, Maman's top enforcer, was a brute of a man. Unlike most of the Voodoo Boys, who relied on hacking, Placid believed in good old-fashioned muscle.
"Arthur!" Placid yelled again. "Come out now, or I'll personally stuff your head up your own ass!"
Arthur chuckled, peeking over the hood. "Placid, buddy! Heard you're selling chickens these days. Told you you had the face of a butcher."
Placid looked ready to explode, fists clenched.
Arthur smirked. "You should've listened to me sooner. By the way, reinforcements are almost here. You might want to rethink your life choices. Also, save me a couple kilos of thigh meat—I miss real food."
The Voodoo Boys around Placid snorted with laughter, though their leader was clearly not amused.
"Reinforcements? You've been back in Night City for what, five minutes? Who the hell's coming to save you—NCPD?" Placid bellowed.
More laughter. The idea that the NCPD would step foot in Pacifica was beyond ridiculous.
Arthur exhaled slowly, enjoying a drag from his cigarette. "You'll see, big guy. Just don't piss yourself when they show up."
Lucy looked between Arthur and the chaos around them, narrowing her eyes.
And for the first time... she wasn't sure if he was bluffing.
---