Fortunately, the Nomads of the Aldecaldo tribe hadn't learned the art of labeling others or moral posturing yet.
They didn't escalate the question of how to save Saul to the level of loyalty and morality.
In the end, after an intense but rational discussion, they unanimously decided that they still had to send a small strike team to infiltrate and rescue their leader.
There was no other way; the Aldecaldos were, after all, still weak.
The Aldecaldo Family had migrated halfway across the United States to Night City precisely because their previous home was full of gunfights and slaughter.
They had lost many people and much heavy equipment along the way.
And upon arriving in the Badlands of Night City, they had to deal with the Wraiths and other degenerate Nomad gangs that occupied the wasteland and the roads.
This could be considered the weakest point in the Aldecaldo Family's history.
Asking them to go head-to-head with the Wraiths now would only lead to total annihilation.
With the infiltration strategy decided, the next step was to arrange the specific operational method.
"I've already sent a drone to scout the situation where Saul is being held."
"It's an abandoned factory, but the Wraiths have clearly modified it. There are patrols everywhere, and in some corners, I even saw automatic turrets. Clearly, these bandits are also guarding against us making a move."
"To infiltrate such a place, we need elites, the elite of the elite, otherwise we're just going to die in vain."
After Mitch finished speaking, he looked around and then continued.
"I propose that Panam Palmer, Mitsuhide, myself, and Scorpion go."
"Four people? Will that work?"
Carol frowned, looking worried.
"Fewer people mean better stealth. As I said, for this operation, we need to be quiet and quick."
Mitch said calmly, his low, smoke-damaged voice adding a sense of silent strength.
In this moment of crisis, this guy was showing some leadership qualities.
"Actually, I have two friends who are also here to help."
In the silence, Mitsuhide spoke up.
"What?"
Amidst the confused gazes of the crowd, Mitsuhide continued.
"Don't worry, both of them are skilled. Have you heard of V? A famous Mercenary in Watson who has done work for the 'Afterlife'?"
"They are on the main road now. If needed, we can call them."
Given that these guys might not know the reputation of the Hive, Mitsuhide ultimately brought up the name of the Afterlife.
If you're hanging out in the underground of Night City, you might not know who the mayor is, but you can't not know the Afterlife.
Anyone with a bit of reputation has done work there.
"'Afterlife,' interesting. Then let's go together."
Mitch squinted at Mitsuhide for a moment, and finally chose to trust him.
"Alright, we must act as soon as possible. Saul is being held in that godforsaken place, and the Wraiths will do anything to pry the location of our camp out of his mouth. Before it's too late, we must start the operation."
After speaking, amidst the tense atmosphere of the camp, the group began their operation.
Mitch, the silent Scorpion, Panam Palmer, and Mitsuhide—four people in total—got into the prepared van.
Mitch and Scorpion got into the back, Mitsuhide sat in the passenger seat, and Panam Palmer was the driver.
Before the car started, Mitsuhide felt someone put a hand on his shoulder.
He turned around and saw the eyes of Mitch and Scorpion.
"Listen, kid, Panam Palmer trusts you, so I'm inclined to trust you too. But before the operation, I want to ask you myself: are you worth our trust?"
What Mitsuhide saw were the deep, piercing gazes of Mitch and Scorpion.
Unlike Panam Palmer, who could be swindled out of her last pair of pants, Mitch, with his graying hair, was a seasoned veteran.
He hadn't fully vetted Mitsuhide yet.
That's why he asked.
"You can trust me."
Under the scrutinizing gazes of Mitch and Scorpion, Mitsuhide first made eye contact with Panam Palmer, then nodded solemnly.
"Panam Palmer is my friend, and I will help her. Since I've committed to this, I will see it through to the end."
"Hmm..."
The atmosphere was silent for two seconds. Looking at Mitsuhide's firm gaze, Mitch nodded, choosing to believe him. He turned to Panam Palmer and said.
"Drive, Panam Palmer."
The vehicle started.
Mitsuhide let out a sigh of relief.
Fortunately, it wasn't the original body here; otherwise, with her personality—which wasn't her doing but caused her to panic whenever asked—she would have been kicked out of the car on the spot.
Berry was incredibly grateful that this body was so useful.
It could display any expression she wanted.
Adjusting to a determined look was just a matter of a thought.
The car drove onto the main road, and the tires finally stopped wobbling once they hit the asphalt.
Mitsuhide felt a bit more comfortable.
Not to mention that his mechanical oil was almost shaken out, even Berry was almost suffering from 3D motion sickness.
There was a car parked on the side of the road with two people standing next to it: V and Berry.
At this moment, both were fully armed, with revolvers tucked into their waists.
"V, Berry, this is Mitch, Scorpion, and Panam Palmer."
"Panam Palmer, Scorpion, Mitch, this is V and Berry."
Every time he had to introduce his own body face-to-face, Berry felt it was absurd and wanted to laugh.
But fortunately, the situation was urgent. After a brief introduction, both sides moved out together.
Two cars drove along the road, one after the other.
"Tell me, Mitsuhide, what kind of circles do you run in? How come your helpers are two pretty young women?"
While driving, the carriage was shaking, and Mitch couldn't help but ask Mitsuhide.
Obviously, the appearance of Berry and V had left a very deep impression on him.
Heh, not even a few minutes after getting out of the car, you old guy sure know where to put your attention.
Mitsuhide couldn't help but laugh and cry.
"Hey, don't get me wrong. I don't mean any disrespect to your companions. I just wanted to ask, are you guys still hiring?"
Mitch waved his hand, indicating that his motivation was pure.
"Heh." Before Mitsuhide could speak, Panam Palmer, who was driving, laughed first.
"Mitch, didn't you say you would never leave after returning to the tribe? What's this, changed your mind and ready to make a comeback?"
"Hey, look at what you're saying. Am I that kind of person? I'm just trying to lighten the mood."
Mitch waved his hand.
Although he was thick-skinned, being teased by a younger generation like Panam Palmer made him lose face a bit.
Mitch mentioned their current situation, and as soon as he said that, the atmosphere became somewhat oppressive.
Silently watching the road ahead while holding the steering wheel, Panam Palmer murmured.
"I still can't believe Saul was captured."
"If it were anyone else, it would be fine... but him?"
Hearing this, Mitch and Scorpion were obviously feeling bad too. Scorpion silently shook his head, while Mitch chewed on a cigarette without lighting it.
"People get old, Panam Palmer..."
Speaking of Saul, it was clear that Mitch and Scorpion had more insight, as they had come all the way with Saul and understood that stone-headed, stubborn guy.
"That's true, but..."
"Escorting civilians across the border in a hail of bullets, hijacking a Petrochem tanker, and then turning it into fireworks with a 'Molotov cocktail'—that's the Saul I know."
The situation was tense before, so there was no time, but now on the road, Panam Palmer felt a bit dazed by the fact that Saul had been kidnapped.
Clearly, although this young woman usually didn't approve of some of Saul's methods, she had never doubted his skills and abilities.
That's why this fact was such a huge shock to her.
The mutual appreciation between the new and old generations—perhaps that was a possible explanation.
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