The next morning, the shrill ring of a phone cut through the silence.
Ding—
[Caller ID: Phra Nang]
Peter glanced at the screen, rubbing his eyes as he got out of bed.
"Who's calling so early?"
V stirred beside him, her voice groggy.
"Someone I worked with during my last trip to Badland. Must be urgent. You keep resting—I'll take it outside."
Peter left the room, answering the call as he walked out.
"Thank goodness, Peter! I need your help... it's urgent."
On the screen, Panan's face appeared, visibly anxious. Whatever was troubling her, it wasn't small.
"Urgent, huh? What's going on?"
Panan sighed, brushing a few strands of hair from her face.
"Let's meet in person. I'm at the Aldecaldo camp. Can you come?"
Peter leaned against the wall, sizing her up through the screen.
"Take a deep breath. I'll be there soon."
Relief washed over Panan's face.
"Thank you, Peter. I'll be waiting."
After hanging up, Peter returned to the bedroom, quickly pulling on his clothes.
"Where are you heading?" V mumbled from the bed.
"Badlands. I'll be back tomorrow."
"Going solo again?"
"More like helping out a friend."
Peter grabbed his jacket, offering V a small smile before heading out the door. Within minutes, he was in the air, flying toward the Aldecaldo camp.
---
The camp sprawled across the arid plains, a patchwork of tents, trucks, and makeshift homes. Peter landed near a cluster of vehicles, spotting Panan leaning against her car. He walked up, tapping her shoulder.
"Jesus! Peter?"
Panan spun around, wide-eyed.
"That was fast."
"I move quickly. Now, what's going on?"
Panan exhaled, brushing dust off her jacket.
"I tried staying in Night City after what happened last time, but... city life's not for me. I came back to the Aldecaldos. But that's not why I called."
She glanced around, lowering her voice.
"I'm planning to hit a Militech transport convoy. They're moving a prototype—codenamed Demon Lizard. It's military tech... and worth a fortune."
Peter crossed his arms.
"I figured you needed help with a kidnapping or something—not starting a war."
Panan's lips curved into a smirk.
"Come on. Where's your sense of adventure?"
Before Peter could respond, a heated argument erupted nearby.
"Panan! This is madness, and I won't allow it!"
Saul, the Aldecaldo leader, stood with his arms crossed, glaring at Panan.
"You'd rather lick corpo boots than fight for your people?" Panan shot back.
"If we cross Militech, they'll come down on us hard. The whole family could be wiped out."
Peter watched from the sidelines, arms folded. The tension was thick enough to cut. Finally, Saul stormed off, leaving Panan fuming.
"Stubborn bastard," she muttered, slamming her fist on the table.
Mitch, one of the older Aldecaldo members, sighed.
"He's just trying to protect the family, Panan."
Peter stepped forward, placing a hand on her shoulder.
"Don't sweat it. I'll back you up."
Panan's eyes softened, the anger melting from her face.
"Thank you, Peter. Saul just... doesn't understand."
Peter chuckled.
"V and I argue all the time. Comes with the territory."
He wandered off to grab some food, leaving Panan staring after him, lost in thought.
---
By midday, the team had gathered. They were few—mostly veterans, men and women who had seen too much war and couldn't let go.
"Is this all you've got?" Peter asked, eyeing the ragtag group.
"Too many would draw attention," Mitch explained. "These folks volunteered."
Peter nodded, scanning the faces.
"Alright. What's the plan?"
They outlined the mission—a hit-and-run ambush in Jackson Plains, terrain the Aldecaldos knew like the back of their hands. The convoy's guards would be light, but Militech never sent anything without backup.
"Let's move."
---
The sun was setting as they rolled out, dust trailing behind the convoy. Peter rode shotgun in Panan's old Thorton, the engine rumbling beneath them.
"Panan, what happens if Saul still wants to cut a deal with Biotechnica after this?"
Panan's hands tightened on the wheel.
"If we take down the Demon Lizard, the Aldecaldos will be the strongest tribe in the Badlands. If Saul still wants to crawl into bed with corpos... I'll leave."
Peter raised an eyebrow.
"Got a plan for after that?"
Panan smirked.
"I'll figure something out."
"You could always come to Night City."
Panan's eyes flicked toward him.
"Is that an offer?"
Peter grinned.
"I run a merc crew. Not exactly luxury living, but I could promise a roof over your head."
Panan snorted.
"Sounds like you're trying to recruit me."
"Just keeping my options open."
A few minutes passed in silence before Panan's curiosity got the better of her.
"That V you mentioned... is she your woman?"
Peter leaned back, smirking.
"Yeah. Took care of me when I was with the tribe. Now she's mine."
Panan's eyes dimmed slightly.
"Figures."
"But I also have Lucy and Sasha."
Panan's head snapped toward him, eyes wide.
"You're joking."
"Nope. Long story."
Panan stared at him for a long second, then burst out laughing.
"Peter, you're a real piece of work."
---
Night fell as they reached the ambush site. The convoy's lights glowed in the distance, creeping through the plains.
"Positions," Peter ordered.
They spread out, blending into the terrain. The plan was simple—hit hard, hit fast, and disappear before Militech reinforcements arrived.
The first truck rolled into range. Panan's rifle cracked, taking out the driver. The convoy skidded to a halt as the Aldecaldos opened fire.
Peter charged forward, cybernetic limbs whirring as he ripped through the guards. Bullets sparked off his reinforced jacket, but he barely felt them.
Within minutes, the Demon Lizard was theirs—a sleek, armored drone with enough firepower to flatten a city block.
"Load it up!" Panan barked.
They worked quickly, securing the drone before vanishing into the night.
---
By dawn, they were back at camp. Saul was waiting, his face like stone.
"You went behind my back."
Panan squared her shoulders.
"We did what had to be done."
Saul's eyes flicked to Peter, then to the Demon Lizard.
"You've made the whole family a target."
"Better to be feared than forgotten," Peter said calmly.
Saul's jaw clenched, but he said nothing. Instead, he turned and walked away.
Panan exhaled, shoulders sagging.
"Thanks, Peter."
He clapped her on the back.
"You ever get tired of the Badlands... Night City's always open."
Panan smiled faintly.
"I'll think about it."
Peter smirked.
"You do that."
With the sun rising behind him, Peter walked back to his bike—another job done, another promise kept.
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