When the trio from Lille arrived at Dog Town’s gate, the news that the Voodoo Gang had been wiped out had already spread—
This ant that the situation in Taiping State was about to undergo so subtle changes.
There are many reasons why Taiping State beca a lawless land, the direct reason being the Netherworld Dog’s attack, but the fundantal reason for this place’s persistent decrepitude was the economic collapse. The Voodoo Gang took advantage of the situation, controlling the local order in cahoots with other criminals.
Now that the Voodoo Gang was gone...
It naturally reminded people of the once-proposed developnt plan for Taiping State.
At Night City Hall, just now, the Mayor’s Office announced an important decision:
The forr Deputy Mayor Hot had stepped down due to illness, and mayoral candidate Jefferson Peralares would take over his position, becoming the Deputy Mayor of Night City.
"The first thing, through unrelenting efforts, Mr. Peralares and I have reached a certain degree of reconciliation, mainly on policy grounds.
Considering his past performance in the council, I believe I should promote him to Deputy Mayor, to replace my long-ailing assistant Hot.
After an eventful night, his work efficiency was still surprisingly high. Frankly, I don’t even know where to find such a group of hardworking lads to clean up the nuclear blast site."
This decision stunned everyone involved in the mayoral election, as well as those who were watching it:
Peralares and Ryan were archenemies who would beco opponents in the next mayoral election.
Their political capital was also vastly different. Why would Peralares abandon his solid position as a legislator and suddenly give up his political capital to work under Ryan in the Mayor’s Office?
The press conference was abuzz with flashing caras, and the dia reporters in the audience were collectively agitated—
This was so sudden, so unexpected, that they didn’t even know what to ask, and could only express their confusion.
Peralares and Ryan, in the center of attention, however, shook hands amicably in front of the caras.
"It still feels very strange."
Ryan was smiling at the cara while squeezing the words out of his throat.
His colleague Peralares’s expression was much more composed, which was a slight departure from his usual style.
It seed that having just erged from the brainwashing turmoil, he didn’t even dare to exhibit his expressions, fearing they were the result of implanted beliefs.
"I feel strange, too."
After shaking hands, the two sat down, and Ryan continued to announce the upcoming policies:
"All right, considering that our political struggle might have beco a bit too intense, I think I should learn to let go of so power and give my old rival so space to flex his muscles. It turns out he’s done well.
This way, I can concentrate on other matters, other... things that can make Night City even more prosperous."
Ryan looked at the script in his Prosthetic Eye’s view and paused:
It felt strange because on one hand, he was about to announce an intensification of the manhunt, while on the other hand, he was about to announce the granting of the next construction contracts to the little brother of the person wanted.
Honestly, most people of consequence have their tempers, and this kind of... he had never seen anything like it before.
Perhaps this is what a leader is all about.
"I hereby announce on behalf of Night City that the Taiping State developnt plan is being reinitiated."
Before the journalists could contain themselves, Ryan rapidly announced the content that followed with a downward press of his hand:
"Taiping State will be reintegrated under the control of Night City’s municipal jurisdiction. We will bring in a brand-new security team, composed of experienced professionals, to lay the foundation for subsequent public order efforts.
We will quickly establish a series of provisional administrative asures to ensure every citizen receives tily assistance and support. These facilities will gradually transition into permanent institutions, ensuring Taiping State returns to a normal urban managent system.
We will heavily invest resources and capital to improve infrastructure and enhance public services, making this place a paradise that is even beyond our prior imagination!
And, as the establishing of security progresses, we will find the primary suspects in the zero-hour nuclear explosion incident..."
Ryan looked toward each dia outlet raring to go as if he could see through their eyes the logos of those corporations and their armies, their assets...
"...make them pay for everything they’ve done."
After Ryan spoke, he sighed to himself. Close at hand, Perares had sent him a ssage:
[Perares: The folks from Military Technology are asking if I know anything: The Voodoo Gang is gone.]
[Ryan: Let them guess. For now, use the orders to shut them up.]
The Voodoo Gang was gone, and several gang’s ard squads had almost entered Taiping State at the sa ti as the special forces of Military Technology. That was a bit too quick, and anyone would have suspicious thoughts.
These people were the professionals Ryan ntioned and were the sa bunch who would later beco the local tyrants of Taiping State’s NPCD.
Ryan was answering the dia using the prepared response database while receiving queries and doubts from various corporations.
He was more anxious than ever. First and foremost, Night City’s biggest reliance, the Ye Group, which would never stand by an outside corporation, had been crippled, and it had been proven to be an even bigger mine—The Ye Group seed to be controlled by a rogue AI and was attempting to take control of humans.
The weakening of the Ye Group would lead to a dramatic decrease in the economic value of Night City, leaving only its geographic advantages.
If Taiping State could indeed be developed by Lille, then the lost economic value might be recovered, and there was even hope of replacing the Ye Group, pulling out this big mine.
But all those were matters for the future. What was most urgent at the mont was sothing else:
He had replaced Hot, which ant if he still wanted to leverage the power of Arasaka, he would have to personally deal with the arrogant Arasaka Company directly or keep his distance.
The balance between Arasaka Company and Military Technology had been disrupted, and the city safety coefficient had significantly dropped—
This wasn’t about safety in the sense of public order but strategic security. Here lay the last Free State in North Arica, the final breach in the map of New Arica.
As for Perares, he had been able to get support from Military Technology, all thanks to the ’balance’ Ryan had cultivated. Now that this balance was disturbed, Perares could bluff the corporations for so ti, but if the root issue wasn’t solved, trouble was inevitable.
Military Technology refrained from attacking simply because of their fear of Arasaka, but if they wanted Arasaka to stay, they would have to give them enough benefits...
Hot had once been a good henchman, but his interactions with Arasaka had turned him into Arasaka’s dog. In Ryan’s view, that was because Arasaka only needed dogs; the better Hot did his job, the more he had to act like one.
What about him? Was he to beco Arasaka’s dog as well?
As the aircraft carrier docked, Military Technology wouldn’t believe a word Arasaka said and would remain restrained, but once the carrier left, things wouldn’t be so certain anymore.
So...
Burger King, what solution can you co up with?
...
hours after the Zero Hour nuclear explosion.
The locals of Taiping State saw the two explosions at the Batty Hotel, the comings and goings of the Animal Gang, followed by the comings and goings of Military Technology.
The scale of Military Technology’s comings and goings was actually quite small: one vehicle, a few drones, a couple of staff, and they left the scene after they were done.
The Voodoo Gang’s hideout had been poked, and people were starting to realize sothing wasn’t right.
If the nuclear explosion didn’t affect local order, it would just be scare tactics; but if the Voodoo Gang disappeared, the order would change.
The lethality of a change in order is always more far-reaching and brutal than one or two explosions.
So, the people hid in their hos, only to be t with a convoy of Mackinaws brazenly rampaging through—
Nearly seizing and clearing all locations that were rumored or openly known to belong to the Voodoo Gang.
Their actions were fast and direct.
Taiping State had changed hands.
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