The Arasaka Waterfront had been reduced to an endless expanse of burning ruins, thick smoke billowing and soaring into the sky, as if searing an ugly and grotesque scar onto the firmament of Night City.
This was not merely the destruction of a logistics hub; it was a symbol of the Arasaka empire's authority in Night City being utterly shattered.
The once invincible corporate giant now revealed an unprecedented weakness and decline in the face of absolute power.
Deep within the wasteland workshop, Osiris' crimson optical lens scanned the final battlefield assessment data stream transmitted by the sensors.
Sekhmet, leading the Guard Corps Heavy Guardsmen, had completed the "purification" mission with impeccable efficiency; Arasaka's living forces and infrastructure in the Waterfront area had been completely obliterated.
With the data confirmed, his processing core immediately issued new directives.
Since he had already made his move, there was no need for further reservations.
Taking complete control of Night City, integrating this chaotic independent city into his administration, and establishing a stable, controllable logistics and experimental base aligned with his long-term strategic planning.
Efficiency was always the highest principle.
"Sekhmet," his synthesized voice transmitted directly via an encrypted data link to the Skitarii Corps commander's processing core at the ruins, "Mission parameters changed. Divide your troops into ten five-person clear-out teams. Coordinate with Militech and Kang Tao's armed forces to take full control of all key nodes in Night City."
"The objective is to eliminate all systemic, organized resistance and ensure a smooth transition of the city's basic functions."
"You are authorized to use necessary force to suppress any actions that dare to challenge our jurisdiction."
"Directive confirmed. Reconstituting combat units, executing city control protocol," Sekhmet replied without delay, her voice cold and efficient.
Almost simultaneously, Osiris, through Morris, sent a brief and clear notification to Militech and NUSA's temporary command centers in Night City, as well as Li Wei's Kang Tao CN squad: "I will be taking over Night City. I expect your cooperation in maintaining order."
This was not a request, but a notice.
Faced with the terrifying military power Osiris displayed, capable of easily crushing Arasaka's elite, both NUSA and Militech, eager to leverage his strength to achieve their grand unification, and Kang Tao CN, hoping to solidify their cooperative relationship, made wise choices in a very short amount of time.
Militech's highest liaison in Night City, upon receiving a directive personally authorized by President Myers, immediately responded: "Militech will fully cooperate with Lord Archmagos' actions, assist in maintaining order in Night City, and ensure a smooth transition."
NUSA's troops and Militech's private army began to mobilize. They were responsible for controlling administrative areas, main thoroughfares, and "persuading" smaller factions still observing to remain neutral.
Li Wei's reply was equally swift and firm: "Kang Tao CN will follow your will and assist in stabilizing the situation in Night City. Our technical team and security forces are on standby."
Kang Tao's soldiers and engineers began to take over key communication hubs and energy facilities. Their actions were precise and swift, demonstrating a high degree of professionalism.
Thus, under the horrified, bewildered, or numb gaze of countless Night City residents, an unprecedented transfer of power began.
Sekhmet's Guard Corps squads, like cold steel wedges, precisely and efficiently penetrated every corner of the city.
Their heavy footsteps echoed through the empty streets, and their pale gold composite shields shimmered with an inhuman glow under the neon lights.
Any scattered Arasaka remnants attempting to resist, or street gangs trying to take advantage of the chaos, were carbonized by the precise strikes of their arc lances.
Their very presence was a silent declaration: the old rules no longer existed.
The Municipal Center, that magnificent building symbolizing Night City's independence and (to some extent) autonomy, was now enveloped in a chilling atmosphere.
The building's exterior was guarded by Militech soldiers and Kang Tao security forces, while the interior was controlled by a ten-person Guard Corps squad personally led by Sekhmet.
They stood silently in key positions in the corridors and halls, like steel statues from an ancient era, exuding a suffocating sense of oppression.
Inside the Municipal Council Chamber, the atmosphere was extremely heavy.
Night City's mayor, an old-school politician known for his smooth demeanor and political maneuvering, and dozens of council members representing various corporate interests and (nominally) citizen groups, were all gathered there.
Their faces were etched with unease, fear, and a lingering, unrealistic glimmer of hope.
Tension permeated the air, as if a single spark could ignite an explosion.
Just then, in the center of the hall, the servo-skull hovering at Sekhmet's shoulder projected powerful beams of light from its eyes, which quickly intertwined and condensed, outlining the virtual image of the black-haired, black-eyed East Asian youth Osiris had chosen.
The projection was lifelike, even simulating the subtle flutter of his clothes with great realism, but the gaze in his eyes contained a coldness of pure rationality and absolute authority, far exceeding human emotion.
"administrators of Night City," Osiris' projection spoke, his synthesized voice transmitted steadily through the servo-skull's loudspeaker, echoing clearly in the pin-drop silent hall, "From this moment on, this city is under my control, and the existing municipal administration system is hereby dissolved. You have two choices: unconditional surrender and acceptance of the new administrative order; or, death."
His words were unadorned, brutally direct, like reading an experimental report.
After a brief silence, the mayor suddenly stood up. He tried to maintain his usual authority, but his slightly trembling voice betrayed his inner fear: "Mr... Mr. Archmagos! Night City is a free city!
We belong to no nation, nor do we submit to any corporation or individual! This is the foundation of this city's existence! You have no right..."
"Freedom?" Osiris' projection interrupted him, his tone devoid of any emotion, as if stating an objective fact, "'Freedom' built upon corporate exploitation, street violence, and systemic poverty is merely a fig leaf for disorder and chaos.
I have no interest in such inefficient 'freedom.' What I bring is order, is efficiency."
He paused slightly, his deep black eyes scanning the face of everyone present, as if recording their physiological response data.
"My patience is limited. This is the last inquiry: surrender, or death?"
The mayor's face flushed red. Perhaps out of political ideals, perhaps to maintain a last shred of dignity, or perhaps simply a misjudgment, he waved his arms, shouting excitedly: "No! We will never yield! Night City will never be enslaved! Fellow council members, we cannot..."
His words abruptly stopped.
Osiris' virtual image didn't even change expression; he merely willed it.
A Guard Corps Heavy Guardsman standing near the mayor, as if receiving an invisible command, thrust his arc lance out like a venomous snake striking, without warning.
There was no violent explosion, only an extremely brief, blinding blue flash and a faint "crackle."
The mayor remained in his shouting posture, his entire body instantly carbonized by the highly concentrated arc energy, turning into a charred, astonished-looking sculpture, then collapsing to the ground, shattering into a pile of black fragments.
Almost simultaneously with the mayor's fall, several other council members who reacted violently, attempting to voice agreement or showing clear signs of resistance, met the same fate.
Several arcs of electricity flashed, and in an instant, several charred remains appeared in the hall, and the eerie smell of burnt protein filled the air.
The entire execution process was quiet, swift, and efficient, giving no one time to react or beg for mercy.
The remaining council members were completely frozen, fear washing over them like ice water.
Some slumped in their seats, some desperately covered their mouths to prevent themselves from screaming, and many more were pale-faced, their bodies trembling uncontrollably.
They finally clearly realized that the entity before them was not a political opponent or corporate giant with whom they could bargain, but a "higher existence" wielding absolute power over life and death, whose logic of action was completely beyond normal comprehension.
"It seems you have made your choice," Osiris' projection said calmly, as if he had merely cleared a few insignificant obstacles, "Remember today's lesson. Efficiency and obedience are your only survival rules for the future."
He no longer paid attention to the terrified survivors, his virtual image turning towards Sekhmet: "You are responsible for maintaining physical control of the city. Social management and resource allocation will be taken over by new administrators."
With that, his projection dissipated as silently as it had appeared, leaving no further words.