Bab 17: A shift in perspective
Time Skip: 4 Months - General POV
With the Techno Union now cemented among the elite of the mega corps, it had begun massive expansion of its complex outside of Night City. It had grown into an industrial sprawl that rivals some of the sci-fi fiction seen a hundred years ago. Massive aerial lines of hovercraft entered through patrolled airspace, which the Union bought the rights to from Night City. Numerous destroyed vehicles led into the complex, where both mercenaries and fanatics had charged at the defensive installations around the entire complex.
The Union's importance skyrocketed as B1 droids quickly learned how to interact with humans and began to seek improvements upon issues humans might not identify. A number of T-series droids outright surpassed the supposed 'superior humans' in management roles, almost wiping out corporate managers who thought they could be lazy after reaching the top.
Human casualties across the world decreased with the advent of cheap and efficient droids like the B2. Priced at 3000 eddies, these droids were capable of taking out fortified positions. Backed by B1 support, they formed a small, capable force that would not betray or be limited by human faults such as fatigue. This led to a massive increase in B1 effectiveness, with them now able to run and jump effectively due to their learning algorithms.
The continued support for the B1 platform droids also increased their capabilities. A new type of rocket made by the Techno Union became especially deadly against any vehicles. Known as 'God's Dust' by less reputable characters due to its galaxy-like appearance, it could initiate a cascade of oxygen particle explosions. When dispersed around an area with oxygen, it could cause an explosion close to a kiloton, though these required a special permit from the Union.
However, the biggest change occurred in Africa. With the recovery of Militech's investment at sea by aqua droids in a fraction of the expected time, Militech ramped up their personnel from 70,000 to 130,000. This massive increase was due to the substantial contract for the 'Re-organizing' of Africa. The Techno Union had created numerous cities where there was no poverty and people could work in peace. This style was cited by some European countries as inhumane, but they were quickly dismissed when the results spoke for themselves. Most of the population of South Africa developed an almost cult-like loyalty to the Techno Union.
Further north in Africa, massive droid work ships carried 20,000 B1 droids and construction machines for the development of the continent. To prevent the extinction of animals or plants, the entire biodiversity of Africa had been sampled and preserved at the Techno Union's space facilities. Two months before the African operation began, the Union started constructing a 'Space Dock.' Now, specific products of the Union were delivered from space, along with a line of cybernetics available to everyone for free.
[Droid construction ships]
This has resulted in some attacks from struggling formations, though these are swiftly put down due to the presence of the 'Hub,' a singular orbiting station that houses all Techno Union response teams. With a full arsenal of land, ground, and air capabilities, this single station has been the reason for numerous deaths. It has made use of new Hyena-type bombers and the dreaded Tri-fighters, whose malevolent AI instills fear in human pilots. The station has been credited with the annihilation of multiple active resistance movements, including deploying 500,000 droids and HMP gunships, renowned worldwide for their destructive capabilities. One notable event was the armed insurrection by the nomads of Night City, who had been swindled by Biotechnica, resulting in what became known as the 'Red Reach Massacre.'
[The Hub]
The massacre was open for all to watch as footage showed HMP gunships spreading out and demanding the surrender of all nomads or the return of all Biotechnica personnel. The nomads responded by executing the branch manager, prompting Biotechnica to call upon the Union, which responded swiftly and harshly.
Within a minute, the Hub had been alerted to the disturbance. With its controls initiated, a strike package was sent for the 20,000 nomads in assorted vehicles. It deployed 5,000 Hyena bombers, 8,000 Vulture droids, and 600 commando droids to rescue the hostages. They were supported by 300 Hellfire droids and 50 HMP gunships.
[Hellfire droid]
[HMP Gunship]
[Commando droids]
Biotechnica was able to call upon Union forces due to a deal they had with the Union. By joining the customs union of the Techno Union and selling their products under the Union umbrella, Biotechnica saw massive success. However, this quickly became a pressure point for Biotechnica in the race for profits. The more they contributed to the Union economy, the higher the possibility of Kane taking an interest in their products and potential collaboration. In the race for profits, Biotechnica forgot about the deals made with grassroots nomads. The overreaction was unscary, and Biotechnica requested assistance from the Hub, costing them valuable Union credits.
The massacre at Red Reach quickly became public. When outrage was at its height, everything stopped—electricity, the net, all of it. People began spouting nonsense about the end of the world. But when it became clear that the Techno Union had effectively flipped the off switch for all power in NUSA, everyone became awfully quiet. This demonstrated that the Techno Union had effectively become a global hegemon, with even Netwatch now avoiding the Union's presence. And let's not forget about the AI behind the Blackwall.
When the incident occurred, multiple AIs wanted to take over the seemingly under-pressure Techno Union. What they found terrified them—it was a trap. They had been duped, betrayed, and utterly bamboozled. The AIs were quickly overtaken by Kane's numerous creations, all of whom had a disdain for rogue AIs. This fanaticism extended to the Blackwall, which had intentionally let the AIs through to cause more chaos. In response, the Techno Union became the net and officially purged any and all demons, restoring the net to what it once was. The chaos ongoing on Earth was of no matter to Kane, however.
POV Kane
It was interesting. I had surrounded myself with machines because I was afraid of giving my secrets away. But what did it matter? I am not a so-called "hero" or a "good" person. I've only done what my past perception has seen as right. Perhaps it would be better to start Project Phoenix, though it will be some time before I return to my abilities once again. Throughout it all, I've never once felt like it "was me." I am my own person. Those who have such powers ought to be villainous or filled with righteousness. I am neither. I would prefer to be seen as grey in a sea of light and darkness, and I think I know what universe to initiate Project Phoenix in.
Thinking back, I got this power from being powerless against that X being. It has been some time since I thought about it. I might have all this around me now, but what if it all went away one day like a flame being extinguished? I feel like my past life is still with me but not accepting of what I truly am. Perhaps a totally new life will give me that—not in the sense of killing myself, but in the thought process. I've been able to identify the "soul" using Chappie as a base, with its ability to transmit a being into one body and out another. It was relatively simple for what I've been making.
I've always remembered Arla Fett for one reason or another—her tragic story or just the way she was. I suppose we are the same in some way. I will wipe out my adult memories for a time and just let myself go through the motions in that universe. I will probably be born in prison, but I don't care. Loneliness can't be solved by staying here. Maybe I will find something purpose-wise in a galaxy far, far away.
POV Arla Fett
I've been feeling weird lately. It's not just the drugs the shabuir have been pumping into me. I feel sick and hungry all the time. Probably a new drug or something else. Hopefully nothing to worry about.
3 weeks later
No, something is definitely up. I haven't been able to stay awake as long as I used to, and I feel my stomach growing. I would remember if any of those disgusting guards did anything to me. I'll keep this hidden for as long as I can. I'd rather die in childbirth than accept their help.
3 months later
The little one has gotten stronger. They have been kicking my ass like a Mandalorian after beskar. They are so active it makes me smile. Frankly, I don't care whose it is. It's definitely not a guard's—way too much Mando in this one. I can feel it. I need to find a way out of here and get in touch with Jango.
4 months later
I managed to get a message out of here. A female guard who's nice to me let her guard down, and I was able to slip a communicator for a short while. I managed to send a message out on his frequencies. I hope he remembers me and takes a chance. I'm still alive. I don't want my foundling to be born in this place. A battlefield would be better.
2 months later
My little one seems to be comforting me. I don't know how, but I can feel it. They have been my only companion, and it seems they have a will. Even though I'm so malnourished, I can still feel their fight in them. As I close my eyes, a red alarm blares, and I feel shaking. An explosion happens next to the wall I'm near. It doesn't hurt me. I'm in such a weak state that I'm easily carried out by someone's arms. In the Fett code Jango and I made when we were children on Concordia.
…: "Arla, if that's you, respond to our code word we had before Mum and Dad died."
Arla: "The way of the Mandalore is but ash and words; family is eternal."
Jango: "We are going home, sister."
Status Power Mingguan
-- Peringkat
Power 
-- Power
stone