Although nominally the Anti-Intelligence Department is a subordinate department of the Special Operations Division, the leaders of both sides actually dislike each other.
However, the equipment first appearing in the hands of the Sixth Street Gang is quite interesting.
V: "I heard that the company built a stronghold in the Evil Land, but isn’t that place controlled by Military Technology?"
"The Evil Land is vast, Stone Ridge Mountain town is some distance from the city, and that place is Night Wanderer’s territory... but..."
Gustav recalled what the priest just said to him, combined with recent rumors from the underworld, integrating it all.
"Those defeated Night Wanderers did say their people were ambushed by Military Technology."
"Military Technology?"
V was initially interested but quickly recognized this as hearsay.
Huang Ban’s roots in Night City run much deeper than Military Technology’s, there’s no reason why they would target Night Wanderer without Huang Ban knowing, unless you’re telling me Miles ordered it personally.
Shaking his head, he said, "They must have gotten it wrong."
"Who knows? Anyway, from Night Wanderer’s perspective, this company is just a shell for Military Technology, using them to test equipment."
This was also Gustav’s previous guess; otherwise, it wouldn’t explain why Night Wanderer got involved with Military Technology’s stronghold, and the equipment first appears with the Sixth Street Gang, those cowardly bastards love using them to test body mods or drugs.
He just didn’t expect this company to connect with Lin Miao, even less that so many things were done by the same person.
"Shell company? Interesting."
Saying so makes it somewhat plausible.
"I just heard you seem to have some trouble dealing with this new equipment they’re selling, can you be more specific?"
"Hey, V." Jack interrupted, "Don’t be so pessimistic, we’ll get back at them eventually, just a few pieces of tin can, that’s all."
V valued Jack as a friend, so he said, "If it’s inconvenient, forget it."
"What, you’re interested in this junk too, Huang Ban?"
Gustav chuckled, "Well, it’s Military Technology stuff after all, but there’s nothing embarrassing about it, just a bunch of stainless steel-welded exoskeleton, but that thing is like an enhanced heavy subdermal armor, regular weapons can do nothing against it, one or two might be okay, more is troublesome."
"Like the Centaur NCPD uses?"
"Even worse than those."
"The worst part is the paint job on that damned thing, so disgusting, it’s totally dancing on the XP of those Sixth Street bastards."
The not-so-impressive equipment actually making a difference on the street...
It kind of sounds like the Grasshopper Light Power Armor Zeta Technology developed decades ago in exoskeleton history, just a little pricey, Zeta Technology no longer produces that junk model.
V asked, "Aren’t they afraid of Cyberpsychosis? This cheap armor should have a strong nerve-compression feeling, but so far we haven’t seen any signs of psychosis in those wearing it, and they seem stable."
Jack hugged Gustav and laughed, "Maybe these guys don’t value their people’s lives anyway, not everyone values brothers like us Valentino guys."
"Count me in when dealing, I want to see what’s so special about it."
He then raised his glass for a toast with Gustav.
His mom forbids him from street fights, but checking out arms deals should be okay?
"Sure, how could I forget my brothers when there’s something good?"
Gustav didn’t refuse Jack’s request anymore.
The two ended up drinking heavily, while V kept pondering the possibility of that company being a shell for Military Technology.
Night City is divided into multiple zones, each with its own well-known major gang, Tiger Claw, Vortex Gang, Sixth Street Gang, etc. They all have long histories, generally having developed over decades, holding almost absolute authority in their respective areas.
But this doesn’t mean the dark zones are entirely ruled by these major gangs.
Big fish eat little fish; little fish eat shrimp.
Even among gangs, there is an ecological niche; besides these largest gangs, there are many smaller gangs with numbers ranging from dozens to hundreds, and even their territories aren’t completely pure.
For example, the roaming Scavengers have strongholds in various zones of Night City.
Those smaller gangs generally exist for only a few years; smaller ones, just a few months. If you need a reference, the gang proliferation in Kowloon Hong Kong in the 60s and 70s is absolutely the best example.
According to the Horizon game official website settings, the game includes faction reputation and affinity, like the neutral faction Adcardo clearly expressing goodwill, leaning friendly.
If Night Wanderer could see affinity, it would definitely be -100, mortal enemies, attacking on sight.
After some discussion, players universally decided to target the softer targets first; Sixth Street Gang is currently the largest local gang and the boss’s business partner, attacking them for mere bounties is unwise.
So those smaller gangs became player targets.
After connecting to the NCPD bounty system, looking over, those guys are tagged with attempted murder, second-degree murder, illegal confinement, selling prohibited drugs, theft, etc.; attacking them evoked no guilt.
System limitations like not firing the first shot in the city, not provoking actively are naturally loopholes players find ample ways to exploit.
For example, like Potato and Titan’s current target—Fender Olyx, member of New United Gang, bounty 187 Eurodollars, crimes: extortion, kidnapping, selling contraband.
He swaggered into a small restaurant, walked to a table, and sat down.
"One serving of synthetic fish, a bottle of beer, plus two chicken skewers and a wrap."
The boss glanced at him; a flash of anger in his eyes quickly concealed, replied bitterly.
At the same time, Potato and Titan, who’s been following the target for a while, also entered, sitting at a nearby table. After casually ordering some snacks, Titan sinisterly smiled at Potato.
"How about we make a bet?"
"Bet he won’t pay after eating."