Chapter 1029 - 71: I’m Back

In both worlds, the United States has experienced divisions, as if this nation is inherently prone to civil war.

[Mission Objective: Airborne Mission to New York]

[Loading detailed information on New York City...]

A city that has been bombed, most of our allies and civilians are hiding in the ruins and basements. The National Guard barely protects some factories with anti-aircraft missiles and turrets to maintain basic production, but supplies are still scarce.

This was once a prosperous city, and like Night City, it has experienced bombings. Moreover, the city remained under enemy control for longer, almost nine months of wartime status pushing everything to the brink of destruction.

Transport aircraft, invisible on radar and optics, gradually reached the airspace of the United States. The experience of crossing the ocean on transport planes amazed those from Night City, who had never seen such things.

The cargo bay doors of the transport plane were open, with V and Jack squeezing alongside, just like all their companions, looking down:

This experience was novel, as they were looking at a vast blue sea, an ocean where pollution wasn’t yet so severe, and a world!

"Is this the United States?"

The transport plane reached the airspace of the United States, and the same question arose in everyone’s mind — Is this the United States?

In North America, or perhaps the entirety of the Cyberpunk World, the land is mostly barren sand. Better areas might have pitch-black sewage, and when the wind comes, the yellow sand covers the roads, making it difficult for anyone traveling to see the way.

In the Marvel World, although also in a state of war, the suburbs still have large expanses of lush lawns, forests, and the lake water is crystal clear.

However, the cities are no different, covered in chaos —

Lille merely took a glance: "Prepare for the airborne mission, make sure to control your consciousness."

The ships on the sea began to enter the territorial waters, locking onto the ships executing blockade and bombardment on the coast; the transport plane silently arrived over New York City.

Once combat begins, the African Union navy will attack the US fleet and simultaneously execute an airborne mission to reclaim New York City.

However, the transport plane carrying Lille began to ascend.

V curiously asked, "Aren’t we going down?"

"No need, don’t forget what this training session was for, ground combat won’t yield training results."

...

The flagship "Somali" of the African Union raised its main gun high, Abdi sat in the command room, looking at the tactical radar, feeling a burst of absurdity:

Three years ago, he was a Somali pirate, and now they were fighting on American soil!

But it felt good.

[Lille: Initiating the full-scale assault in 30 seconds.]

"Prepare for bombardment!"

...

Frank gazed at the increasingly clear New York and involuntarily began to pray—

The once-world financial center, the most prosperous city in the world buried under ruins, where people have even learned to move swiftly and survive between ruins, as if they were in one of the third-world countries they had once bombed.

Except the people who bombed third-world countries and those bombing New York might even be the same group...

"Now I gradually understand why the boss doesn’t care about the so-called ’American’ indictments anymore."

T’Challa looked at the ruins below and asked, "Why?"

"The enemy isn’t divided by nationality...at least in this war, nationality can’t identify these brutal beasts. They attacked Vietnam, bombed Iraq, controlled the Middle East, and when there’s nothing left outside to bomb, they don’t hesitate to turn their knives on...’their own people.’"

"Indeed." T’Challa nodded in agreement, "Fortunately, Africans, Americans, and Europeans are no longer quarreling for those reasons — my friend, for tomorrow."

"For tomorrow."

Bang—

The electromagnetic turret on the battlecruiser opened fire before the stationed navy could react, the shell pierced the air, roaring straight toward US navy ships at sea!

...

A trace of vitality lies beneath the ruins of the devastated New York City:

Although the Rocksen Group has controlled most US states, not everyone will bow to authoritarianism.

People cannot choose where they are born, so "nationality" cannot represent all of a person, which is why this country is divided —

While Rocksen ruled half of the country using its might, the other half refused this authoritarianism, hoisted their flags high to inform Rocksen that their ideas were as free as the wind, supporting their flags flying high.

However... though the wind is hard to catch, the flags are riddled with bullets.

"The situation is dire, supplies are running out, drugs are insufficient, guns and bullets are depleted, Rocksen’s next scheduled search might find us, and then..."

Sheriff Stacy felt powerless, having lived under the ruins for over ten months.

During those ten months, New York City was first bombed directly by a space carrier, and the National Guard maintained high alert for a long time, with the enemy never slacking in their actions.

After enduring an extended period of bombardment and blockade, the National Guard’s shells and missiles ran out, and they had to retreat from the fortress—

Soon after, the enemy dispatched ground troops for joint operations, and street combat continued for a long time, lasting till today.

The National Guard members were virtually wiped out, many chose to surrender, and the remaining were incorporated into the resistance...it might not be organizing, but they all fell under Sheriff Stacy’s command, making her the head of the uprising.

Generally speaking, Rocksen seems to have given up on occupying New York. They only have one goal: to obliterate the legacy of the Atlas Group, be it people or possessions.

Mayor Anthony wore a grave expression, worriedly silent...

From unemployed worker to New York City mayor, and then to one of the leaders of the resistance, he had been through a lot, but just because someone has been through much doesn’t mean they will win; what sustained him till now was his feeling that he had to uphold the people’s spirit.

But can they really win?

Martin knew Anthony’s mind was nearing despair. In fact, at this moment, the soldiers and civilians in the ruins across New York were nearing despair as well:

Roksen’s soldiers are professionally ruthless, how many can endure such immense pressure and persist in rebellion amidst starvation and cold?

Besides, the Ellis president controlled by Rocksen is somewhat of a president!

However, from the information Martin received, those who surrendered might have literally become industrial materials.

These truths could support some people for longer, and even make some people persist forever, but they couldn’t provide the resistance with a decisive advantage...

Beep—

A red warning light flashed in the underground space, and people in the crowded shelter held their breath:

This indicated that surface warning systems detected someone approaching the passage, and they weren’t allies!

Sheriff Stacy grabbed the rifle beside her, pretending to speak lightly:

"The sheriff became the head of the uprising, the unemployed became the mayor, what a fantastical world..."

Martin also laughed, but he silently added a line to himself: The gang leader became commander of the resistance.

What was legal became illegal, and what was illegal came to symbolize the spirit of resistance, this might be their end...

Sizzle—

The radio made a strange sound.

[Survivors of New York City, no longer fear and dread —]

[I am Lille—]

[I have returned.]

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