"You Wraith brats, get over here. Aldecaldos, move to the other side."
After some time, Jackie, Falco, and Rebecca all arrived on the ground. The armed forces dispatched by PROJECT had also fully taken control of the situation.
A perimeter of PROJECT security robots and drones sealed off the area, backed by more than a dozen armored vehicles. No one dared resist.
The Wraiths still clung to a sliver of hope. PROJECT had not slaughtered them outright. Maybe they still had a chance to live. No one wanted to die like this.
Meanwhile, Karel blended into the Wraith ranks, keeping his head down, hoping no one would call him out as their leader.
"What do we do now?"
Rebecca glanced at the crowd as they split into two groups and turned to Jackie.
"How should I know? The boss didn't tell me what he's planning."
Jackie kept his arms crossed, replying through clenched teeth.
Rebecca rolled her eyes. "Fine. I'll ask him myself."
Once the comms connected, Roland appeared with a puzzled look.
"What's going on over there?"
"Aldecaldos and the Wraiths broke out into a full-scale fight. We had already gathered people to clear out the Raffen Shiv and Nomads in this area and just happened to run into them. Now both sides are under our control, so we're asking what to do next."
Roland blinked, clearly not expecting things to go this smoothly. Two major nomad forces around Night City had been dealt with in one go.
Especially the Wraiths. He had not expected to catch them all at once.
After all, in the Badlands, they had far too many places to run. Trying to wipe them out normally would cost more effort than it was worth.
"Have the leaders from both sides step forward. I'll talk to them."
"Understood."
Rebecca nodded and routed Roland's signal to a nearby floating sentinel.
After a brief flicker, Roland's figure was projected before everyone.
"Who are the leaders of the Aldecaldos and the Wraiths?"
Roland looked across the crowd.
After a moment of silence, Saul stepped forward from the Aldecaldos.
"I am Saul Bright, leader of the Aldecaldos. Chairman Vimers of PROJECT Corporation, greetings."
Saul kept his posture low. He understood very clearly that their fate was in the hands of the man before him.
"Mm. And the Wraiths?"
Roland nodded slightly, then turned his attention to the Wraith side, which remained silent.
Karel, hidden among them, broke into a cold sweat. After hesitating, he slowly stepped forward.
"I am the leader of the Wraiths, Karel—"
Bang!
Before he could finish, a gunshot rang out.
A single bullet ended Karel's life.
The security robot lowered its pistol and returned to Jackie's side. Everyone present shuddered.
Saul's body stiffened, but he forced himself to remain calm. Since he had not been killed, it meant he still had value.
The Wraiths, meanwhile, fell completely silent.
"Detain all Wraiths and send them to Carlos City. Mudor needs a batch of experimental subjects."
Roland waved his hand, deciding their fate without hesitation.
The Wraiths immediately erupted into panic. No one wanted to become test subjects. They tried to resist, but under overwhelming force, it was meaningless.
Watching from afar, Mudor showed a pained expression. Not for their lives, but for the loss of usable subjects during the suppression.
Losses were inevitable.
"Now, let's talk, Mr. Saul."
Saul straightened immediately.
"Yes, Chairman Vimers."
He met Roland's gaze directly, determination in his eyes. If his people were to be turned into experiments, they would fight to the end.
"No need to be so tense. I only need you to do one thing."
Roland raised a finger.
"Go speak with the leader of the Aldecaldos state. Have them join our corporation. I will offer favorable terms. If they refuse, then have him come speak with me about cooperation."
Saul froze for a moment, then quickly nodded. The offer felt almost unreal. The conditions were far more lenient than he expected.
"Don't rush. I'm not finished. Your time is limited. If you don't return within the deadline…"
Roland's gaze shifted to the Nomads beside Saul.
Saul's heart tightened.
"I guarantee I will contact the state."
"Good. That's for the best. I'm not a devil."
Roland smiled.
Everyone else instinctively glanced at the Wraiths, who were already drowning in despair, and their expressions turned awkward.