Chapter 200: Peril
“Hey… something doesn’t feel right.”
Falco slowly scanned the surroundings as he spoke.
“Yeah, I feel it too. This doesn’t look like a handoff site. Feels more like we’re walking into an ambush.”
Jackie took a look around and nodded in agreement.
“Shit—don’t tell me I actually called it?”
Pilar pressed his face against the window, staring hard at the outside.
“Forget it for now. Chamber your weapons. If things go south, we need to move fast.”
Jackie tossed his pistol up, caught it with one hand, racked it smoothly, and checked the round in the chamber.
Lucy activated her cyber-eyes and began sweeping the area, searching for possible access points.
Before long, they passed through a canyon that was perfect for an ambush and emerged onto a wide, open plain. Instead of easing the tension, it only made their expressions darker.
Out here, if someone set up a sniper nest at range, they’d be nothing more than live targets.
Just as Falco was about to say something, a car drove toward them from the side.
“That should be our contact.”
Falco watched the vehicle approach.
Jackie slowly narrowed his eyes. The model looked familiar.
As it drew closer, he finally recognized it.
“A Chevillon Emperor? You’ve gotta be kidding me.”
Jackie stared, disbelief slipping out of his voice.
“Huh?! For real? You sure you’re not mistaken?!”
Pilar grabbed the seat and leaned forward to get a better look.
“He’s not wrong. It really is a Chevillon Emperor.”
Falco took a long drag from his cigarette, his expression turning heavy.
“We’ve been baited. Get ready—this is going to get ugly.”
No one objected. Rebecca, in particular, had already lifted both heavy weapons, scanning left and right, ready to jump out and open fire at a moment’s notice.
The Chevillon Emperor stopped not far away. A man in a tailored suit stepped out, raising both hands to show he wasn’t hostile.
The group exchanged looks, uncertain.
After a brief silence, Jackie spoke. “Cover me. I’ll go see what’s going on.”
“I’ll go with you.”
Jessica spoke up suddenly, flexing her arms slightly. “This muscle plating isn’t just for show.”
“Appreciate it.”
Jackie nodded, opened the door, and stepped out.
“Target in sight.”
The suited man immediately spoke into the comm channel when he saw the two figures approach.
“Copy.”
Two snipers quickly took position, sights trained on Jackie and Jessica.
Before long, the two sides met.
“Jackie Welles, team lead. This is my teammate, Jessica.”
Jackie extended his hand. Jessica gave a slight nod.
The man smiled and shook Jackie’s hand. “Wilson. I’ve heard a lot about you, Mr. Jackie.”
“With security like this, you still need outside protection?”
Jackie gestured toward the modified Chevillion.
“For special reasons, our people can’t enter Night City right now. You understand.”
Wilson smiled as he answered.
Jackie nodded.
“Where’s the rest of your team?”
“In the vehicles behind us. They’ll be here shortly.”
Jackie glanced back toward Falco as he spoke.
“And the cargo?”
“Down below the cliff not far from here. A perfect place to keep it hidden.”
Wilson answered casually.
“Should we wait here and move together?”
“No. We’ll need the two of you to come with us.”
Wilson looked at them with a smile that didn’t quite reach his eyes.
Jackie frowned.
“That seems unnecessary.”
“This concerns our internal arrangements. We believe it’s absolutely necessary, Mr. Jackie.”
Wilson spoke slowly, his smile stiff and insincere.
That expression made Jackie click his tongue in annoyance. He’d just thought this guy was easy to deal with. Figures—corporate type through and through. Friendly one second, knife out the next.
“Then, please, Mr. Jackie.”
Wilson tilted his head toward the Chevillon Emperor.
Jackie didn’t question it further and walked straight to the car.
“How’s it looking?”
“All clear. Pull the snipers back for now—no need to risk exposure.”
“Copy. Once the others arrive, we’ll take them out. The captain’s already been swapped. Once we deal with that woman, we’ll replace her too.”
“Heh. So who’s taking this guy’s place?”
“Not me. Send Nissen. His build matches.”
“Bullshit—why me?!”
Inside the vehicle, Jackie and Jessica quietly observed the two men ahead.
“Jackie, how’s it on your end?”
“Nothing obvious for now… but I’ve got a bad feeling. That guy earlier didn’t feel like a typical corporate liaison.”
“What makes you say that?”
“He’s got a lot of cyberware. Feels more like an armed operative than office staff.c”
“Damn it—then why are you still going along with this? You trying to get yourself killed?!”
“Relax. They haven’t made a move yet. No one here should be running a Sandevistan. If things go wrong, I’ll grab that suit-wearing bastard first.”
Jackie rested a hand on his gun as he spoke over the channel.
“Be careful. Their ICE is solid. I’ll need some time to crack it, and I don’t know if they’ve got a netrunner—or how good they are.”
“Got it. Thanks, Lucy.”
When the Chevillon Emperor slowed to a stop near a large cargo truck, Jackie knew they’d reached the destination.
Seeing workers below, busy and dressed in ordinary uniforms, his guard lowered just a little.
“Out of the car, Mr. Jackie.”
Wilson smiled, opened the door, and stepped out. Jackie followed.
The instant his feet hit the ground, a sharp chill ran through his scalp.
No hesitation. He drew, turned, and fired—smooth, instinctive, seamless.
The bullet punched straight into the forehead of a man in a plain work uniform behind him. The man had been holding a gleaming rifle, clearly aiming at Jackie only moments earlier.
Wilson’s face darkened instantly. He lunged forward and kicked the car door beside Jackie, blocking his path back inside.
“These people are compromised!”
Jackie roared into the comm channel—
but there was no response.
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