The moment David laid eyes on the Militech convoy, everything suddenly clicked into place. His mind cleared in an instant, and he shouted a single name in rage:
"Faraday!"
Even just seconds earlier, David had genuinely believed that this mission had simply gone sideways because of Faraday's incompetence. That the intel had been wrong, that the risk had been miscalculated—just another botched gig. Nothing more.
But now, seeing Militech's forces out in the open—not even bothering with disguises—it all became clear.
This had been a trap from the very beginning.
Faraday hadn't lacked intel.
He knew Arasaka wasn't transporting any cyber-enhanced Titans. He knew there was going to be an ambush. He knew everything.
Faraday had fed David and Maine false intel, not out of ignorance, but to deliberately send them to their deaths—as bait. He knew Arasaka had set a trap. He knew there was no chrome in that convoy. The entire job was designed to lure out Arasaka's ambush team so Militech could sweep in and take the credit.
That was the point. That was Faraday's goal.
Taking out an Arasaka ambush unit? That was the kind of success that made careers. And this time, we're talking about a full convoy. A prize no mid-level Militech officer could pass up.
David knew what kind of fixer Faraday really was—one of the few on the street who openly bowed to the corps. He'd probably already negotiated his reward with the Militech execs behind the scenes—whether it was a cushy corporate title or a massive eurodollar payout, it had to be enough to sell out a couple of expendable mercs.
To someone like Faraday, mercs—no matter how long the partnership—were nothing but pawns to be played and sacrificed when the time was right.
He'd never hesitated to pull strings on Karl's squad, even though they were clearly rising stars. So why would he hesitate to use Maine and David?
'To him, we were just fools blinded by the word legend.'
David clenched his teeth so hard they ached.
But even if they were fools—even if they were dreamers chasing illusions like moths toward a sun—they still had real dreams.
Faraday had spat on those dreams. With the coldest part of Night City's soul in his veins, he'd chosen to insult everything David and Maine believed in.
"AAAHHHHH!"
As time sped up again, David felt the strain of the Sandevistan reaching its limit.
He raised his arm.
In his hand was a gun—
The same gun Karl had placed in his hand the first time he stepped into the darkness.
Karl's current weapon was called Night's End—a gun made to end the night.
Then this one—
"If you hit... I'll name you Dawn. Break the dark—for me!"
As the world resumed its normal speed, Maine saw David raise the gun—and point it at him.
He instantly understood.
Without hesitation, he powered forward, trusting his crewmate to make the shot.
"All yours, David!"
The gun fired.
BOOM!
The blast of fire and shockwave rushed up behind Maine. He staggered, stumbling forward.
He nearly went face-first into the dirt.
But at the very last second—just before the fire swallowed him whole—he slammed one foot down into the earth, crouched low.
And stayed standing.
Maine didn't fall.
The rocket had exploded early—David had shot it midair—and though it threw Maine off balance, it couldn't bring him down.
The man still stood, a giant in the sunlight.
"I'm here, David."
He'd cheated death. But there was no fear on his face. No panic. No relief.
Just a smile.
Bright. Radiant.
"You saved my life. Damn good job."
His legs still strong, his path still forward.
But the Militech soldiers weren't done.
More rockets were coming.
Maine and David were still marked as targets—nothing had changed.
Arasaka's convoy? Every last one of them had to die. And the bait—Maine and David—had to go too.
If they lived, people would ask questions.
Faraday couldn't afford that. Not yet.
To Militech, Faraday was still useful. He could coordinate deniable operations, supply expendable street mercs, provide cover. A convenient tool.
Yes, his reputation had taken a minor hit over payout delays, but that was salvageable.
A fixer who simply skimmed a little off the top? Tolerable.
A fixer who openly fed his people to the slaughter?
That could never be allowed to get out.
Another rocket screamed overhead.
But David and Maine had already reached the cliff.
Beneath it—an old cave, once used by Wraiths. Not too steep a drop.
They looked down. Then jumped.
BOOM!
Explosions roared behind them. Rock shattered and tumbled down after.
Inside the cave, David turned to Maine.
"What now?"
Maine took a deep breath, brushing stone dust off his jacket. His voice calm.
"Now? Now we figure out another way."
As he spoke, Maine pulled something from his coat.
David's eyes narrowed. "What's that?"
The device looked like a comms unit.
"There's no signal down here, right?"
"Doesn't need a tower," Maine muttered. "It's a hacked satellite transmitter. Hooks into the corp sat-net. Custom mod—one use only. Cost me five grand. After one ping, it gets blocked immediately."
He sighed, staring at the device in his hand.
"Guess I'll have to eat a little pride. But hey—at least we won't need body bags."
David frowned. "Who are you messaging?"
But he already knew.
Maine just smirked.
"Who else are we gonna cry to for help?"
.-
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🔥 Cyberpunk: The Relentless
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