Dialogue: Lightning Breaks

Towfiq Iqbal

We return to today's breaking story of an attack on a Santo Domingo power station.

The assailants, who remain unidentified, broke into the station and severely damaged the cooling system, which led to a sharp spike in EMP emissions.

Fortunately, most nearby populated areas avoided exposure to the EMP. Considering the scale of the damage, human casualties were held at a minimum.

Reports from the NCPD suggest nomad outlaws are likely to blame and are currently weighing plans for retaliation.

We will continue to keep you updated as the situation develops.

We return to today's breaking story of an attack on a Santo Domingo power station.

The assailants, who remain unidentified, broke into the station and severely damaged the cooling system, which led to a sharp spike in EMP emissions.

In the immediate aftermath of the attack, many residents nearest to the power station suffered critical implant failures.

So powerful were the EMP, the entire city was plunged into darkness for several hours.

Reports from the NCPD suggest nomad outlaws are likely to blame and are currently weighing plans for retaliation.

We will continue to keep you updated as the situation develops.

V

1AHey.

Panam

1AHello.

1AI'm just checking the suspension. The hydraulics have to be shipshape – we're in for a bumpy ride.

V

1BCan I help?

Panam

1BNo, you can't. I'll be done soon. The Raffens left her crooked as a bag of snakes.

Did you sleep all right?

V

Can't complain.

V

2ACome up with anything? For Hellman, I mean.

Panam

2AAs a matter of fact, I did.

2ALook here.

V

3AOK, tell me.

Panam

3AWe're the wrench. The cutter is the AV. And the screwdriver is where the AV should bury its nose cone in the dust.

3ANow, you must be wondering how we get the AV to do that.

V

3AThat ol' HMG of yours?

Panam

3AMy gun will be useful elsewhere. This caliber would barely dent the armor of a heavy hitter like that.

3AThere are other ways. Here – the clamp's our solution. A satwave power station.

V

4AUm, satwave power station?

Panam

4AYes. We need to break into it.

V

4AMhm, so far so good. But then what?

Panam

4AAnd then we strike. We hit the AV with an EMP.

V

4A'Course we do.

Panam

4AAs soon as the AV is in range, we cause an electromagnetic pulse. The on-board electronics should fail outright.

V

4AMeaning what? Engines'll shut down?

Panam

4AEverything will shut down, engines included. Drive, navigation, communication systems…

V

5AAll right. Let's ride.

Panam

5AGreat. Hop in, it's cold out here.

V

5BAren't you, um, counting chickens? We can't actually know the AV'll fly over the station.

Panam

5BOf course, we can't. But we don't have to. You'll see.

5BIt's bound to be quite a ride, but not one you'll regret. I've got everything planned out.

V

5C'Member, need Hellman alive, unharmed. Gotta try not to blow the AV to bits, OK?

Panam

5CI know. But I'd say your man had best be buckled in. This idea... if it works, he'll be in for a rough landing.

V

4BPower station? Wait, you wanna use an EMP?

Panam

4BBullseye.

V

4BBut... how? We can't generate that sort of pulse on command.

Panam

4BWould you like to bet me?

4BWe drive up to the power collection unit, break in and override the controls, lift any limiters.

4BAs soon as the AV is in range, we set off the electromagnetic turbopulse. This should smoke the AV's systems.

V

4BSo the drive, navsystems...

Panam

4B...communications. Everything, out like a light. They won't stand a chance in hell!

V

4CWhy down the AV there, at that exact spot?

Panam

4CBecause once it's on the ground, we'll have to locate it and grab your target. As fast as we can.

4CAnd the terrain there is typical California desert – flat, dry and empty. They'll be a big old sitting duck.

V

4DHold up, one more time. Wrench is our car, right?

Panam

4DMhm. The cutter is the AV. The screwdriver is where the AV should hit the ground.

4DAnd the clamp is the satwave power station. That is, the net we use to bring the AV down.

V

2BAnd you? Reasonably rested?

Panam

2BI think you had nightmares. You screamed a few times.

V

2BReally?

Panam

2BDon't worry, I'm accustomed to that sort of thing. When Mitch and Scorpion came back from the war, they tossed and turned night after night. For months this went on.

2BWhatever it is, it'll pass.

V

2BUh-huh... let's hope so.

2BAnd you? Sleep well?

Panam

2BLike a baby on a bumpy road.

Are you ready to go?

V

Born that way.

Panam

It's all settled then, right? You'll be back here at dark.

Panam

Get in, V.

V. Get. In. The. Car. You've got to be freezing.

Are you interested in hearing this?

V? I thought we needed to do this quickly.

V? Hello?

Well, do you have any thoughts?

Panam

Good, time to roll.

V

Done anything like this before?

Panam

Downing an AV? By myself? No.

Why do you ask?

V

1APower station, EMP, the systems, networks... Came up with a really solid plan.

Panam

1AThank you.

1AHow you approach things – that's the trick. Mine is the triple A.

V

1AWhat now?

Panam

1AAssessment, Assembly, Action.

1AWhatever your task, you do three things. Start by assessing what you already have and what you'll face, the problem.

1AThen you plan with those variables in mind. Take what you have, get what you need, assemble things, people. Finally, you take action. Simple.

V

1AGot one word for you – T-shirts.

Panam

1ATriple A – it's all you need to lead the good life. That and the occasional cold beer.

V

2AWhat if, uh, something goes ass up?

Panam

2AWell, then your ass had better improvise. Did you really think I'd just give you a foolproof secret to success?

V

2AGotta say, almost had me believing just that.

Panam

2AYou're too much sometimes, V.

V

2BYour method, Triple A – that all you?

Panam

2BHah, not at all... I learned it from the Aldecaldos. Mitch and Scorpion.

2BThey were trained in something like it during the war. Then they made it their own. It's come in handy, I can't deny. And it will again now.

V

1BSeems Rogue was right.

Panam

1BV...

V

1BWhat? She said you were good. And she was right.

Panam

1BYes. I suppose she was.

1BBut we have yet to take the AV. So you might wait before you fasten a halo on her.

V

1BKnow what? Think I figured you out.

Panam

1BOh, you have, have you?

V

1BEither pull off this mission or prove Rogue wrong – choose one.

Panam

1BFuck off. I will get both done.

V

1CThought you woulda done something like this with your clan.

Panam

1CNo... We did take back one of ours from a convoy once. But this, what we're doing now...

1CThe risk is so much greater.

V

1CYou don't miss it?

Panam

1CWhat? Jobs like this?

V

1CBeing in a clan. Being part of a family.

Panam

1CI could ask you the same. How do you feel, all on your own?

V

3AHey, now. Didn't answer the question.

Panam

3ABecause I have no answer to give. Yet.

V

3BYeah, sometimes wonder what life would be like, back with the clan.

Panam

3BAnd?

V

3BAnd the price is always too damn high.

Panam

3BHmm. I believe I understand.

V

3CNo. That chapter's closed.

3CBesides, I try not to regret what's already decided. Just a time sink, usually.

Panam

3CI wish I could let bygones be bygones. Like you.

OK. We'll be there in a moment.

One last time – we drive in, fuck up the system and get the hell out of there.

Hold on tight. This could get a little bumpy.

Get ready!

V

4AOK. I'm ready.

Panam

OK. Here goes nothing.

You see that pile of junk? Fire a short burst into it. I'll take care of the calibration.

Now, that wasn't so bad, was it?

V

5AUh-huh. Just wondering how it'll work with moving targets.

Panam

5AThe gun is calibrated. You'll have system support. Just be careful with the recoil, it sometimes knocks things out of balance.

V

5CCalibration's fine, but your soft could really use an update. Scanner, controllers – all a couple generations back, at least.

5CThere's better tech in the bargain bin at a Kabuki flea market. I can help you with that, you know.

Panam

5CYes, sure. The most important thing is that it works now.

V

So where's this power station?

Panam

You will see in a moment.

I know a spot. We'll have a decent view from there.

I just want to be sure the area is clear.

Johnny

Sabotage a corpo power station, jump a corpo transport, kidnap a corpo suit…

V

This a plug for the word corpo or do you have a point?

Johnny

Know what? You're starting to remind me of me... fifty years back.

Minus the charisma... and impressive cock.

Hm. Maybe we CAN just get along.

V

6ALet me remind you, I want Hellman for me, not to stick it to Arasaka.

6AThis is life or death. MY life or death.

Johnny

6AUm, and let me remind YOU that 'Saka and their fucked-up tech is what got you here.

6AWho gives a shit about motives? Ends justify the means. And right now, your end is to survive.

V

6BCould be something to that, I suppose…

6BWhat happened to us, it must've had some effect.

Johnny

6BYou're more like me than you think. You'll see.

V

6BBut it goes both ways. Maybe you're becoming more like me.

Johnny

6BNah, no way.

Panam

All looks clear. The area looks deserted, I see no patrols.

The huge thing is the collection unit. And see the antennas?

Each antenna collects microwave energy from satellites in orbit. That's then converted into electric power.

V

7AHuh, antennas run all the way down the interstate…

Panam

7AMhm. And they're linked, which is to your advantage. We just need to mess with the collection unit. A chain reaction will follow. Each one of the antennas will emit an EMP burst.

7AThe AV will be like a fly headed for a spider's web. We just have to fire off the pulse at the right moment.

V

7ALet's go get 'er.

Panam

7AOnce we reach the station, I'll set up a bypass for the detonator. You just overload the systems.

V

8A"Overload the system." Yes, ma'am – when do I start?

8AAlthough... hopin' that's not too complicated. Is it?

Panam

8AIt shouldn't be. You just turn everything up as far as it'll go.

V

8ACrank it up to eleven. Got it.

V

9ASo, what now?

Panam

9AWe wait. We should time our arrival to the AV flight plan.

V

9AGot it.

8BPanam, what if we cut all the cute stuff and blow the station up?

Panam

8BNormally, I'd love to. But an explosion would trigger an automatic shutdown protocol in each collector.

8BAll Night City would know we were there well before we got around the protocol. Nice idea, though. Maybe next time.

V

7BPower station serve the whole city?

Panam

7BHonestly? Who the fuck knows.

V

7BGuess we're about to find out.

7CAntennas run a ways down the interstate. We set off a chain reaction that starts in the collection unit…

Panam

7C...then each antenna will emit a massive EMP burst.

V

7CWhile our AV flies right into our net.

Panam

7CWe just have to send out the pulse at the right moment.

V

7CLet's go get 'er.

Panam

7CWhen we arrive at the station, you overload the systems. I'll set up a bypass link for the detonator.

V

10BWhy don't I start with the transformers, make mayhem in the relative voltages? Rest should move faster after that.

Panam

10BNot a bad idea. It's just…

V

10BYeah, yeah, I know, the converters… But they shouldn't be a problem. I'll just crank everything up past max.

Panam

10BSeems we think alike!

Great. We're done, I think.

Hey, if you'd rather daydream, please wait until we're done calibrating.

OK. Just one more. Longer round.

Good. Next target. Single shot.

Johnny

And now, Panam, here's Johnny! Out in the middle of bumfuck nowhere. Great work, V.

Panam

Hey, uh, I think your implant has a virus. The one in the nape of your neck.

V

11AIt's not a virus. Just a little malware. You get used to it eventually.

Johnny

11AScrew you.

V

11AWill it affect the calibration?

Panam

11AWe shall see.

V

11BI know, but it's nothing to worry about. Nothing dangerous or anything.

Panam

11BMaybe for you. But this vehicle only has basic security soft. If it's something advanced...

V

11BDon't worry. Nothing too advanced. Pretty backwards, actually.

Johnny

11BReal fucking funny.

Panam

11BYou had better see a ripperdoc after all this is over.

V

11BAll right, mom.

11CUh, I've got a bioprocessor in my head that operates independently of me. Probably why your diagnostics flagged it.

Panam

11CMhm. OK...

V

11CBut no data will leak out of it through the personal link. Your ride's secure.

Panam

11CFine. I trust you won't fuck anything up.

V

Who owns this power station? Gov or corp?

Panam

Is there any difference? Who do you think pulls the government's strings?

V

I'm just wondering whose toes we're about to step all over.

Panam

V, look around. It is simple. Everything you see is owned by a corporation.

We've almost reached the dam. We'll make a quick stop here.

We need to calibrate you with the turret.

I want you to be able to use the gun, too. It should up our chances in general.

Connect here.

V

12AHow should I connect? Personal link?

Panam

12AHow else? Just watch the jack. Sometimes you have to jiggle it a bit.

V

13AWired in.

Panam

13AWait a moment. Diagnostics first.

13AShit. It keeps giving me an error. Odd. Let me work around it.

V

12BDo we really have to waste our time on this?

Panam

12BWe do.

12BUnless you've already used one of these without help, while moving, while taking fire from all directions. And still managed to hit something.

12BBut somehow, I don't believe that's the case. So don't argue, just connect.

V

'Cause me, I had to carry a real 'ganic iguana once.

Panam

Seriously? A live one?

V

Yup. Someone put 'im in a deep sleep, packed 'im in a cooler. No idea why, but man, I made a shitload off that job. Your turn – think you can beat that?

Panam

The deputy finance director of Kaukaz.

V

Whoa. I'd say it's a tie.

Panam

Dead. In the trunk.

V

OK, fine, you win.

V

14AYou like to mess with the corps, huh?

Panam

14AWhatever gave you that idea?

V

14AOr wait, scratch that.

14ARogue, Nash, the Raffens...

Panam

14AYou're on thin ice, V.

V

14AYou just like to mess with everyone.

Panam

14AWell, then I suppose it's a good thing I'm on your side, isn't it?

V

14AMhmmm.

14BAnd now for something completely different. Weirdest thing you've ever transported – go.

Panam

14BWhat, are we playing twenty questions?

V

14BC'mon, answer.

Panam

14BThe deputy finance director of Kaukaz.

V

14BThat's chauffeuring, not smuggling.

Panam

14BHe rode in the trunk. Flatlined.

V

14BReally? Dead?

Panam

14BA long story. Maybe someday I'll tell you.

V? You going to connect?

Uh, V?

Gillean Jordan

We've just received word on a breaking story – a Kang Tao AV has crashed outside of Night City.

The aircraft's thrusters were deactivated by a sudden EMP discharge from a nearby damaged power station in Santo Domingo. The emergency landing attempt proved unsuccessful.

The passengers who survived the crash landing were met by a band of nomads.

Fortunately, Kang Tao's surviving security personnel managed to fend off the attack without suffering addtional losses.

The company has already announced a forceful response against the nomads' camps.

After the break – President Myers has released a statement on the flow of refugees from the Netherlands.

V

Panam! Problem! Not shooting!

Panam

Shit! Probably jammed again!

I'll fix it. Hold on tight, going on autopilot!

Mhm, seized up. Son of a bitch.

V

They're on our tail! Panam!

Panam

I know!

Fucking latches! Don't want to open!

Just a second...

Fuck!

V

Panam?!

Panam

It's nothing, I'm fine... OK, it should work now.

For the time being, at least.

V

Time being's all we need.

Johnny

V! Get the fuck out before something happens to the chip!

V

Thanks for the tip. Y'know, I was just about to set up a picnic, maybe lay out, work on my base tan...

Johnny

I mean it. Watch out, the next one migh--

V

Johnny? Johnny?!

Johnny

Fuckin' hell...

OK. I'm fine. It's... it's OK, just... It's OK, I'm fine... Yeah... Just – DELTA THE FUCK OUT.

Panam

Not the cleanest job, perhaps, but it still went well.

V

What about the detonator? Is it workin'?

Panam

Yes, it's working. And I don't even see a drop in the signal strength.

We just need to drive far away enough to keep the pulse from blasting us, too.

The cliff there – we'll set up. It should give us a good view of the antennas. And then we wait.

V

OK.

Panam

Here.

V

1AAlways wanted to push the big red button on somethin' like this.

1AHow do we know when?

Panam

1ADon't worry, I'll have eyes on it.

1AYou just wait for my signal, then set off that pulse.

1AThey won't know what hit them.

1AAnd by the way...

V

1AWhat?

Panam

1AWe are about to knock a multimillion-eurodollar Kang Tao asset clean out of the sky.

1AHow does that make you feel?

V

2ABlastin' shit – 'zactly what the doc ordered.

Panam

2AAnd that's exactly what I like to hear.

V

2BWe only got one chance, Panam. Let's not screw it up.

Panam

2BFear not. I finish what I start. Always.

V

1AJust noticed.

Panam

1AWhat?

V

1AIt's quiet. The hum of the city, people's voices, the smells... It's all gone.

1AWind just intensifies it. Think I forgot quiet exists.

Panam

1AMhmm... Though maybe not the smells. I mean, the coyotes? Rather hard to miss.

V

1AThought that was just the air freshener in your Thorton.

Panam

1AHar-har. Screw you.

1AYou'd do better to focus on the AV. Keep your eyes open...

1ATHAT'S how you do it!

V

1AIt's losing altitude!

Panam

1AWe got the bastard.

V

1ALet's go!

Panam

1AIt's there! Coming from Pacifica!

1AAll right, get ready... One more second... One more...

1ANow!

V

3ABoom. There she is.

Panam

3AShit. What's happening?

1ABullseye!

V

1APanam! The engines are still running. Fuck! They're gettin' away!

Panam

1AThey're going nowhere.

V

1AWe gotta go after it!

Panam

1AGive me a moment…

V

5APanam, what're you doin'?

Panam

Fuck! V!

Wake up!

Blast off!

Panam

Good enough.

V

Is that all of 'em?

Panam

Mhm. Provided we hurry.

Find the controls!

I'll connect the detonator. Quick, V!

V

1AOh, shit! Think we mighta overdone it, Panam!

Panam

1AYou'll survive!

Panam

1AFind the controls!

Do you see that? All lit up and blinking like a Christmas tree!

V

Girl, you wanted eleven, you got eleven!

Panam

Fuck yeah!

Let's get out of here, before it lights us up, too.

Drones!

V

I'll deal with 'em!

Panam

Deal quick, before they hit us!

Get rid of those drones, V!

V

Whaddaya think I'm doin'?!

Panam

Do it better!

V! Either you focus, or they fuck us!

Get in!

Hurry! Let's get out of here!

V

Shit!

Panam

Hurry! Let's get out of here!

Panam

We got it!

V

No way it stays in the air after a blast like that.

Panam

They either land or crash!

Mitch

You catch that? Over.

Scorpion

Yup. AV, unmarked. Losing alt-- ...there?

Panam

Mitch! Scorpion! What the hell are they doing?!

Mitch

Finishing-- ...at the generators. Follow 'em, ...on my way in a bit. Battery should sort it--

Panam

Mitch! Scorpion! It's Panam! Don't go near that AV! I repeat – do not approach the AV!

Scorpion

Mhm-- ...on the way, or I'll start the party without you.

Panam

It's Kang Tao! Wait for me! Or better, get the hell out!

They probably want to help the survivors. Without knowing it's corporate. They can't hear me. The pulse is interfering. Shit!

I have three on radar!

V

Drones?

Panam

Yes. Get ready!

They're tryna slow us down!

We won't let them! We have to reach Mitch and Scorpion!

Shit! Probably jammed again!

V

Saw it! Behind that hill!

Panam

Well, one less thing to worry about... Augh.. Shi…

V

Panam? You OK?

Panam

Fucking... ricochet...

V

Think you can manage?

Panam

Sure. I'll live, don't worry.

Mitch Radio

Hey man, where are you? Hellooo! Scorpion?

Panam

Mhm, perfect! Keep broadcasting over an open channel, just in case they missed you the first time! God, I swear!

Something's not right. Did you hear those shots? V, something happened to them!

V

Let's check it out.

Panam

I see the wreck. But no Scorpion. Or Mitch.

Looks expired.

Fuck it.

V, connect to the drone. We'll scan the area. We have to get our bearings.

V

1ALet's roll. You connecting to visual?

Panam

1AMhm...

1AV, if they got the Aldecaldos... If they got Mitch and Scorpion, I can't, I don't...

V

1AI know, I know...

1AConnected. I'm in control.

1BThey won't mark us?

Panam

1BI'll enable the masking. Their scanners are out. They're blind.

Fucking corporate rats...

They've set up the launcher. They'll tear us to shreds if we get too close.

V

Can't we take it down somehow?

Panam

Maybe... But we have to get there first.

V

Got five Kangs on patrol.

Panam

Oh, no, no, no…

V

I - I'm sorry. Your clan?

Panam

Aldecaldos. Yes. They're dead, all of them...

V, if they...

V

Don't worry. We don't know for sure...

Panam

Mitch! He's alive! They have them!

V

Combat drones – defense systems active.

Panam

They secured the area. They're waiting for reinforcements. Shit...

V, this does not look good...

FUUUCK YYOU AAAAALLLL!

Panam

Answer, Mitch! Come on, answer!

He's not reading me. Fucking interference!

This is our only way to check on Mitch and Scorpion.