As soon as David's words came out, Roger's expression shifted into one of pure shock.
This guy, David... he really never failed to drop a bombshell.
He had just claimed he intended to take down a biotech company.
Now, Night City had its powerhouses—Militech and Arasaka being at the top. Everyone knew about them. But Biotech wasn't much weaker in comparison. While their primary industry wasn't weapons, their influence in the city was just as deep and far-reaching.
From over-the-counter medicine in Night City's pharmacies, to experimental neurological treatments in hospitals, and advanced psychiatric drugs for cyberpsychosis—most of it came from that one source: the Biotech Corporation.
If an average merc claimed they'd wipe out a company like that, Roger would have laughed, thinking the person was either suffering from cyberpsychosis or simply didn't have both chips in the deck.
But the one who said it was David, leader of the newly rising Qin Group, commanding a squad of mercs that had been turning heads in every corner of the city.
That changed everything.
Roger's eyes narrowed as she leaned forward slightly, her tone serious. "David, are you serious about this? You... want to wipe Biotech off the Night City map?"
David nodded without hesitation. "Yes."
Roger blinked. No hesitation. No bluff. He really meant it.
She exhaled slowly, tapping her cigarette against the edge of the ashtray. "Look, David. Biotech isn't on the same level as Arasaka or Militech when it comes to firepower. But they've got deep connections—with both of those corps and with the NCPD. You make a move against them, and it's not just one hornet's nest you'll be poking—it's all of them at once."
David didn't argue. Instead, he grinned faintly and replied with his usual calm. "That's why I'm not charging in blindly. I'm asking you first. Your opinion matters."
Roger raised an eyebrow at that. "You're flattering me."
"I'm being honest," David replied. "Biotech has never treated the people of Night City as human. The number of undocumented side effects from their drugs alone is staggering. And that's just the surface. I'd bet good money they're running secret genetic experiments somewhere underground. Companies like that are a cancer—growing unchecked, rotting the city from within."
His expression grew darker, his tone turning cold. "And most importantly, they've already made the mistake of hiring people to target my crew."
He looked over at Rebecca and Sasha as he spoke.
"That's reason enough to strike first."
Roger followed his gaze, her eyes lingering on the girls for a moment before nodding slowly. "They went after your people. That's a mistake they won't get a second chance to make."
David leaned back in his chair, his voice lowering. "I've said this before, and I'll say it again—if someone tries to mess with my people, they'll learn very quickly that I don't play fair. I'm not just going to retaliate—I'm going to erase their name."
Roger stared at him for a few seconds, then smiled faintly. "You're terrifying when you talk like that, you know?"
"Good," David replied without blinking.
Roger crushed her cigarette in the ashtray and stood up. "Alright. You've got my support. I'll keep my ear to the ground and feed you whatever information I can gather about Biotech. But I can't back you directly—not yet."
David nodded. "That's all I ask."
She grinned, a more relaxed look taking over. "But I'll be damned if I don't buy you a drink after a declaration like that."
He raised an eyebrow. "You paying?"
Roger crossed her arms with a laugh. "Damn right. Tonight's tab is on me. Drinks, food, all of it."
Rebecca blinked. "Wait, seriously? You never pay for anything."
"I make exceptions for madmen who declare war on corporations with a smile," Roger quipped, already signaling the bartender. "Let's party. No doom and gloom tonight. Just good drinks and better company."
Sasha laughed, and the rest of the crew started cheering.
"Yo! Roger's treating us!" Jack shouted.
Mann raised his glass. "This one's for David, the craziest boss in Night City!"
"To the boss!" Pila echoed.
"To smashing Biotech!" Rebecca added with a gleeful grin.
The music got louder, the neon lights reflected in the raised glasses. The group toasted and laughed, the tension from earlier forgotten—if only for a few hours.
But even amidst the celebration, Roger couldn't help but glance back at David with a thoughtful look.
This man wasn't just another merc looking for a payout.
He was building something.
And Night City had better start paying attention.
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