The Giant Corporations that Started in Night City

Chapter 31: The Maelstrom Gang

It wasn't long before the members of Mann's squad gathered near the Red Queen's Race Club.

In just a few brief sentences, Li Ang explained the situation and the tasks they were about to undertake.

"Your first priority is ensuring Lucius's safety or at least stalling until the Trauma Team and emergency responders arrive."

"In any case, we can't let that guy die at the hands of the Maelstrom Gang. He must leave safely."

This mission wasn't particularly difficult. Taking on small-time thugs like Royce and Dum was almost overkill for the entire Mann squad.

"Secondly, bring me one of them alive. I need to ask them some questions—preferably one of the leaders."

As Li Ang finished speaking, the squad members nodded in agreement. "Understood."

This was the first time since joining the LA Corporation that the Mann squad was being deployed in full.

Although this mission wasn't particularly challenging, it was an excellent opportunity to showcase their professional skills to Li Ang.

The Maelstrom Gang's cyberpsychos were riddled with cheap cyberware implants—low-grade junk they dared to install in their bodies.

As the team's elite hackers and technicians, Kiwi and Pilar could easily hack into Royce and Dum's cyberware, quickly weakening their combat capabilities.

"If the situation becomes uncontrollable, retreat immediately. Don't risk your lives unnecessarily," Li Ang reminded them.

Unforeseen complications are always a risk in rescue missions, and Li Ang wanted to account for every detail for the team's safety.

After finishing his instructions, Li Ang donned a pair of holo-glasses. These could sync with Mann, Pilar, and others' cybernetic eyes, projecting their perspectives onto his glasses. He could also issue commands through voice communication.

"The rest is up to us!"

Mann stretched his limbs. As the leader of the mercenary squad, he had extensive combat experience.

He promptly assigned tasks:

Mann and Rebecca would take on the offensive roles.

Dorio would serve as backup and medic.

Kiwi and Pilar would provide support and interference from a secure location, hacking the enemy's cyberware.

Veteran driver Falco would stay outside for extraction, ready to whisk them away if things went south while also keeping an eye on the surroundings.

Lucy, meanwhile, would remain by Li Ang's side to ensure his safety.

With roles assigned, the squad moved into action immediately.

Li Ang and Lucy sat in an AI Delamain car parked near the club, observing the area.

In the confined space, Lucy felt the temperature rise around her. Her breathing became slightly uneven.

"Lucy, are you still comfortable using the monowire? If it's causing too much strain, let me know, and I can help you switch to another implant," Li Ang said warmly, earning Lucy's gratitude.

"I'm fine. It suits me well," Lucy replied with a smile. She glanced at Li Ang's sharp and slightly gaunt face, her emotions becoming complicated.

Recently, she found her gaze often drifting toward him.

"Good to hear. Viktor's been busy lately, but if you need an implant change, we can still count on him," Li Ang replied, nodding before falling silent.

Lucy wanted to say something but was interrupted by the piercing screams and gunfire erupting from the club.

The Maelstrom Gang had made their move!

---

Lucius clutched his bleeding, bullet-ridden arm as he weaved desperately through the panicked crowd, heading for the emergency exit.

The Red Queen's Race Club was in utter chaos, filled with terrified screams and gunshots.

"Damn it! Those street punks dare ambush me here?" Lucius felt like his lungs were about to burst. Any further, and he'd collapse.

His stamina was nearly depleted, and it wouldn't be long before the pursuers caught up.

Just two minutes ago, Lucius had been preparing to explore the wonders of human anatomy with a doll in a private room when a group of uninvited guests barged in.

Each wore facial distortion devices that made their faces look like a mosaic blur, preventing any camera from capturing their real features.

Before Lucius could scold them, his companion was shot point-blank, her head exploding in a mixture of brain matter and electronic components.

At that moment, Lucius realized they were targeting him. Mustering all his strength, he fled through the back door.

Even so, he was shot in the arm. The only silver lining was that his Trauma Team chip had been triggered, and their airborne medivac was en route.

"Who sent these little bastards to come after me?" Lucius racked his brain, trying to figure out who was behind the attack.

The Trauma Team's automated response chimed in:

"User's vital signs detected abnormal. Trauma Team dispatched. Estimated arrival: 12 minutes."

Lucius nearly fainted from rage. In his current state, he wouldn't last another five minutes.

"Is this thing for saving lives or collecting corpses? And to think I pay €100,000 annually for Platinum Membership!" he cursed bitterly.

Just as despair crept in, another chip activated:

"Emergency Response detected injury. Releasing repair agents. Atlas evac in three minutes."

"Please move to an outdoor or windowed location."

"The emergency team? That's Li Ang's chip!" Lucius was overjoyed to notice the bleeding from his arm had lessened.

"Three minutes! I just need to hold out for three more minutes!"

A bullet whizzed past him, spurring Lucius to quicken his pace.

Not far behind, Royce and Dum led a dozen men, shooting indiscriminately and leaving a trail of corpses.

"Get down and don't move! Anyone disobeying will die!" Royce snarled, his frustration mounting.

If he'd known about the hidden back door in that private room, he would have captured Lucius immediately instead of playing this chase game.