Page 226

Bernard DuPont's expression turned cold: "You dare!"

Vincent scoffed, "You can try."

The CEO glared at the Demon King, and the Demon King glared back at the CEO.

A moment later, Vincent suddenly smiled, his eyes flashing blue, and said, "Big Sister Ultra, the goods have been delivered, this order is settled." Then the blue light in his eyes went out, and he turned to Panan and said, "Let's go."

Panan nodded, and the two walked towards the door together.

"Are you just leaving like that?" Panan asked in a low voice.

“Don’t worry, he’ll call us back,” Vincent replied quietly.

Sure enough, three seconds later, just as the two reached the door, the president spoke.

"Wait a minute, I can give you a chance."

Vincent and Panan both laughed, but when they turned around, they were both very serious.

Tell me about it.

“The solar power plant outside the city,” Bernard DuPont said. “Blow it up, and I’ll give you the high-speed scope.”

"Damn it!" Panan exploded before the power plant was even blown up: "You give us a broken scope for such a big thing as blowing up a power plant? Or we don't need the scopes, just give us two boxes of Benben monkeys instead."

Vincent raised his hand to reassure Panan and said to Bernard DuPont, "The solar power plant is a Contau property. The consequences of blowing it up would be too great and not worth our gains."

“You said it yourself, that’s Kangtao’s property. Do you think just two street mercenaries can blow it up?” Bernard Dupont said. “The Crossroads Division has already made preparations, but it just lacks a suitable executor. After all, the Crossroads Division is still too weak compared to Kangtao, and we don’t want Kangtao to come after us.”

“So, as street mercenaries, we’ve become the best candidates.” Vincent nodded. “I think I understand. Tell me your plan.”

“Solar power plants are unmanned factories, and security relies entirely on armed drones. Although Contau claims that the power plant has 300 armed drones patrolling 24 hours a day, in reality there are only 3.”

Vincent was taken aback: "The Crossroads Division can actually do this?"

"No, this wasn't done by the Crossroads Division."

"That is?"

"Corruption within Kangtao."

Vincent raised an eyebrow, and Parnan was equally surprised: "What kind of corruption could turn 300 drones into just 3?"

Bernard DuPont smiled: "After all, that country has written several books on how to embezzle."

"Don't the supervisory agencies care?"

“The supervisory agencies are also corrupt. Kang Tao’s specialty is to investigate his own subordinates and manage himself.”

Panan couldn't help but complain: "How did Contau, with its despicable character, manage to become a giant corporation?"

"Of course it's because they have the most hardworking and diligent workers in the world. If we had those workers, Qilusi could have become a giant enterprise. It's just a pity that the officials in Kangtao not only failed to realize this, but also foolishly thought it was because of their good leadership. I guess you could say that fools have good luck." Bernard Dupont looked on with envy and jealousy.

"Let's get down to business," Vincent interrupted the president. "I'm not interested in other people's affairs."

"Okay, let's get down to business. There are only three armed drones in the entire solar power plant, and they're only safe because they're branded as Kangtao. All you have to do is drive in, take out the three armed drones, and then let the power plant overload and explode on its own."

"That sounds simple, so what can you do about it?"

“We will intercept the power plant’s distress signals, so you don’t need to worry about Contau’s reinforcements at all. You have plenty of time to carry out your work.”

“Understood.” Vincent asked, “If I blow up the power plant, will the Crossroads Division give me the high-speed scope?”

"Yes."

"Okay, I'll take this job."

Vincent was quite decisive, not only for the high-speed scope, but also because Compaq's high-capacity batteries were his next target.

Even a company of Kikkaku's caliber was ignoring them, so the chances of buying high-capacity batteries from Comto were naturally slim. Since they couldn't buy them, they might as well rob them. Vincent decided to follow the customs of Night City, figuring that the power plant must have plenty of high-capacity batteries, which would be a perfect way to kill two birds with one stone with the high-speed scope.

Bernard Dupont appreciated Vincent's decisiveness: "Very well, once you're out this door, I won't recognize you. If you have any questions, this is your last chance."

“I’m just curious.” Panan raised his hand and said, “You said yourself that the Crossroads is much weaker than Kangtao, so why did you still bomb Kangtao’s power plant?”

"Because Kijiro is currently competing with Zeta Technology for the optical equipment market."

Panan was completely confused: "Wasn't it supposed to be Comto? How come Zeta Technology has suddenly appeared?"

"The person in charge of Zeta Technology in Night City is the lover of the person in charge of Kangtao in Night City. It is because of this relationship that Zeta Technology has been able to gain the upper hand in the current business war."

"It's a bit complicated, but I roughly understand. If that's the case, shouldn't you be dealing with the head of Zeta Technology? Why did you choose to provoke Kangtao?"

"The so-called lover relationship is nothing more than a superficial physical one. Qilu Si believes that based on this relationship alone, Kangtao would not fully support Zeta Technology. Our analysts have unanimously concluded that the lover relationship is just a pretext. Kangtao is actually using Zeta Technology to enter the field of optical equipment and wants to seize our market."

"So you decided to blow up the Camtau solar power plant?"

“That’s right. Kangtao is a major energy producer. A power plant is nothing to them. But Night City is a chessboard for many forces to compete for power. Its strategic position is very important. For example, military technology will not let go of this opportunity of the power plant being destroyed. It will definitely launch an attack on Kangtao in the energy field. In this way, Kangtao will not have time to covet our optical equipment field.”

"It's so complicated," Panan couldn't help but exclaim.

Vincent comforted him, "It's nothing complicated, it's just a matter of using one wolf to devour another."

"Using one enemy to devour another, and finding ways to thrive amidst the pressures of giant corporations—that's the survival strategy for small companies." Bernard DuPont smiled slightly. "Any questions, gentlemen?"

"It's gone."

"Very good, I look forward to your good news."

Vincent and Panan left the Night City headquarters of the Crossroads.

They first went back to their apartment in the H10 mega-skyscraper to store the superconducting coolant, then had lunch at a food stall inside the building, bought two sleep chips, set the time, inserted them into the neural slots, and slept until 2 a.m.

With only 5 days left before Saburo Arasaka arrives at the Konpaku Building, time is tight and the mission is heavy, so the two decided to strike while the iron is hot and blow up the power plant outside the city tonight—after all, there are only three drones guarding the gate, so there is no need to worry about shift changes or patrol routes, just rush in and do whatever it takes.

The two drove to the outskirts of the city, and just as Bernard DuPont had told them, the huge solar power plant really only had three armed drones, like a passionate young girl who not only spread her legs but also spread her manhood open by herself.

"How dare they be so greedy? Are all the people in charge of Kangtao in Night City idiots?!" Panan started the heavy machine gun on the roof of the car as he drove: "Let's take out these three poor bastards first, so they don't interfere with us."

The heavy machine gun fired in rapid succession, quickly destroying one drone. But when it aimed at the second drone, the machine gun predictably jammed again.

"Damn it!" Panan cursed angrily.

Vincent was used to this, and he leaned to the side, about to lie on the girl's lap.

But this time Panan was prepared. He pushed Vincent aside and said, "You drive, I'll go fix it!"

"Are you sure?" Vincent asked, a little disappointed.

"Of course! I told you before, I will never let you touch my precious car again!"

When she made Vincent touch her car during the fight with the Vortex Gang, it was out of necessity. In Panan's opinion, it was no different from committing adultery in front of one's husband. So afterwards, she made a three-point agreement with Vincent, resolutely forbidding him from touching her beloved car again. She also personally repaired the heavy machine gun, but judging from the current situation, this girl's skills are really not that great.

Seeing Panan's reluctance, Vincent had no choice but to take over the steering wheel. Panan pulled a small screwdriver from his waist, opened the sunroof, and climbed up. But as the drone fired a series of shots, Panan suddenly groaned, and a stream of blood splattered down, splashing Vincent's face!

“Panan!” Vincent exclaimed.

"It's nothing," Panan said weakly. "I just took a few bullets for my car."

That means he got shot, okay?

Chapter 203 Vincent's Training Plan (Part Six)

"It's fixed!"

Panan clutched his stomach as he returned to the car and plopped down in the passenger seat.

Vincent glanced at her and saw that she had been shot in the abdomen and was bleeding profusely.

"Let's retreat!" Vincent was about to turn the steering wheel around when Panan grabbed him.

"We can't leave, the mission isn't finished yet!"

"But you..."

"A minor injury won't kill you."

Seeing Vincent still hesitating, Panan said fiercely, "Stop your damn indecisiveness! Think about your brother, he's waiting for you to save him!"

Vincent was jolted. Yes, he couldn't give up on Jack, so he had to succeed, but Parnan...

Seeing Panan's blood-soaked hands, Vincent made a decision.

He stepped on the gas, sending the vehicle hurtling towards the power plant control room.

"I'm sorry, Panan, I'll complete the task as soon as possible and then take you to see a doctor immediately!"

"Ah, that's right. Remember, you owe me one."

"Okay, I owe you one, so please don't die!"

"Get out of my way... I haven't made any big money yet... I'm not going to die..."

"You still say you're not dead? You're using ellipses in your speech!!!"

Vincent drove the vehicle forward at breakneck speed, with two drones in hot pursuit. Amidst the hail of bullets, Vincent, with one hand on the accelerator and the other on a heavy machine gun, miraculously managed to destroy another drone, greatly improving the situation.

"Holy crap..." Panan said weakly and in shock, "You're too fierce."

"I'm sorry," Vincent suddenly apologized.

Panan asked, puzzled, "Apologize for what?"

"Sorry about this," Vincent said, driving his car head-on into the power plant's control room. The door shattered, and the front of the car was dented.

Panan's vision went black, and he felt like he was dying.

Vincent didn't care about anything else. Taking advantage of the fact that the drone was too big and the door was too weak to enter the control room, he opened the car door and rushed out. After a series of operations on the control panel, he successfully overloaded the power plant's receiving tower. In just three more minutes, the entire solar power plant would be blown to bits.

"Alright, I'll take you to see a doctor right away!" Vincent quickly got into the car, but found that Panan didn't respond. He turned his head and realized that his usually cheerful and lively temporary partner had fainted.

"Slap!" Vincent slapped him hard, helping Panan wake up.

"Panan, whatever you do, don't fall asleep!"

“I know…you’re…fuck…not a gentleman at all…”

Vincent wasn't in the mood for jokes; he started the car and sped off.

The last drone was easily destroyed by the heavy machine gun, and he drove unimpeded onto the main road, whereupon the solar power plant behind him exploded.

The entire Night City instantly turned two-thirds dark, including the streetlights and traffic lights.

Vincent sped through the dark streets, his wheels practically sparking. The absence of traffic lights meant he didn't have to wait for traffic signals, but it also created chaos in the road network. It was manageable outside the city, but once he entered, he was stuck in traffic.

The overpass was littered with vehicles lying haphazardly, some with minor collisions, some with illegal lane changes, and some with cars that had been beaten up for driving too slowly. These cars, all together, completely blocked the road, leaving Vincent with no way to stop them, no matter how good his driving skills were.

He tried to take another route, but all the roads were completely blocked; he honked his horn frantically, but all he got in return was one middle finger after another.

"Damn it!" Vincent was so anxious that he even wanted to start the heavy machine gun and mow down all the vehicles in front of him, but Panan stopped him again.

"Don't do that... I'm not worth it..."

“No, you deserve it.” Vincent’s voice was choked with emotion.

"So sentimental, and you still say you're not gay?"

"Yes, I'm gay, I admit it, Panan. You have to hang in there. Once you're better, we'll go to the bar together and pick up guys."

"Heh, I guess I'm not up to it." Panan touched Vincent's cheek with his blood-stained hand. "Go ahead, have a threesome, take mine too..."

"Uh, actually I'm quite traditional..."

Before he could finish speaking, Parnan's hand slipped down. Vincent looked at his temporary partner, whose eyes were already closed, in surprise, and couldn't help but feel a surge of grief. He cried out in anguish, "Parnan, you are the real one..."

With a loud bang, before he could finish speaking, a huge black shadow landed in front of the car.

Vincent looked over and saw a young man who looked like a student piloting an extravagantly designed exoskeleton on the congested street.

“Sister V asked me to help you,” the young man said.

"who are you?"

David Martinez.

After saying that, the exoskeleton grabbed the entire vehicle and soared into the sky.

When Panan woke up, he saw an unfamiliar ceiling.

She found herself in a clinic, lying on a medical bed, with Vincent fast asleep beside her, his head buried in his hands.

Well, after carefully considering his current feelings, Panan felt a bit disgusted.

Just as she was about to pull her hand away, a voice suddenly rang out: "You woke up a few minutes earlier than I expected. It seems you're in good physical condition."

Panan looked toward the source of the figure and saw a middle-aged man in a blue shirt walking slowly toward him.