Last entering the workshop were Sasha and Kiwi. Both had completely different moods yet similar gravity.
Sasha's feelings were most complex and indescribable.
She'd once walked death's edge—body like shattered dolls, most bones fractured, internal organs severely damaged.
It was Cairo who, with methods beyond her comprehension, forcibly dragged her back from complete oblivion's cliff.
That emergency modification nearly replaced everything except her brain and portions of core nervous systems—all original biological components—letting her be reborn in a nearly "inhuman" form.
Standing here now, facing deeper "upgrades," her heart intertwined with gratitude toward her creator, trepidation toward unknowns, plus traces of confusion about her own existential form—did this body almost entirely composed of metal and synthetic tissues still count as "Sasha"?
Kiwi carried more technical curiosity plus barely-detectable awe.
She'd personally experienced Cairo's god-like power—instantly paralyzing entire corporate squads through networks. That experience of consciousness forcibly occupied, body becoming springboards—completely overturned her understanding of "hacking techniques."
She craved understanding, craved mastering electronic warfare tech transcending Night City's comprehension, though deep down still retained vigilance toward this power and its sources.
Cairo's tall dark-red figure stood beside examination tables. Crimson optical lenses swept both—zero redundant emotional expressions or pleasantries.
"Your existing systems are inefficient and mismatched with team future combat requirements." His matter-of-fact synthesized voice echoed through workshops, like stating objective facts. "Modifications will concentrate on heads and nervous systems, replacing outdated cyberdeck ports and hacker suites."
Surgical processes were precise, efficient—even ruthlessly so.
Original cyberpunk world implants were removed one by one, replaced by Mechanicum-standard electronic warfare cyberware.
These newly-implanted structures were more complex, extremely highly-integrated, lines rigid yet full of functionality—exuding purely inhuman efficiency sensations.
Neural connection processes accompanied minute energy fluctuations and data stream synchronizations. Sasha and Kiwi could feel something more massive, colder interfacing with their consciousness.
"Modifications complete." Cairo's voice pulled their consciousness back to reality. "Your original hacking equipment has been removed. New systems are node units constructed based on electronic warfare needs."
He began explaining this new system's specific functions, tone like reading technical manuals: "First, individual combat capabilities. In solo states, either of you can actively deploy powerful electronic warfare domains with approximately one-kilometer radii.
These domains aren't simple signal jamming but can release modulated, high-intensity electromagnetic pulses and data garbage code floods.
Sufficient for instantly overloading and frying all 'insufficiently-protected' civilian plus some standard military-grade electronic equipment within ranges.
This means the vast majority of unshielded cyberware, communicators, drones, vehicle control systems will paralyze the instant domains deploy."
"Second, coordinated combat modes. When you two are within effective connection distances, operating coordinately—system power and ranges can stack and amplify.
Electronic warfare domain coverage ranges can expand maximally to five-kilometer diameters.
Simultaneously, you can construct relatively stable regional encrypted communication networks, providing reliable command and intelligence links for friendly units under complex electromagnetic environments."
Cairo finally summarized: "Simply put, this system's core advantages lie in targeting all enemies relying on precision electronic equipment and network connections.
In this world where most combatants are highly cyberized, its effectiveness will be maximized."
Sasha slowly raised her hand. She tried slightly mobilizing newly-obtained power. Fingertips instantly sparked several barely-detectable, dangerously-blue-glowing weak arcs. Air filled with faint ionization scents.
She could "feel" originally-invisible electromagnetic signals in surrounding spaces now possessing outlines and colors, forming entirely new informationized perception layers.
She took deep breaths, suppressing that trace of self-cognition confusion, concentrating attention on control sensations this new power brought.
Kiwi's reactions were more direct and focused.
Almost the instant systems activated, she immersed into that vast data perception ocean.
She could clearly "see" wireless data packets flowing through air, could "hear" electromagnetic whispers from distant workshop equipment in standby, even faintly sensing identification signals emitted from implants on Maine and others outside wasteland towns.
What Cairo bestowed wasn't techniques hiding in data shadows seeking system backdoors but frontal crushing—authority controlling entire information battlefields with absolute power.
This power-level leap made her previously-mastered hacking techniques seem like children's games.
She realized for the first time—joining this team was perhaps her career's most correct yet most subversive decision.
When Sasha and Kiwi exited workshops together, their appearance changes weren't as conspicuous as other crew members, but temperaments underwent subtle shifts.
Sasha became more tranquil. Deep in her gaze seemingly had invisible data streams quietly flowing—carrying transparent detachment after experiencing death and rebirth.
Kiwi restrained portions of previous coldness and guardedness, replaced by focus and burning heat exploring unknown technical domains. Her gaze became sharper—as if capable penetrating material surfaces, directly viewing internal electronic souls.
They two were no longer traditional hackers.
They were mobile electronic warfare fortresses, invisible information barriers, strategic-level units capable of instantly regressing technology-dependent enemies to primitive states.
In future battles, they'd need not directly pull triggers. Their very existence sufficed opening absolute advantage channels for teams on informational dimensions—or when Cairo needed, transforming into electronic storms sweeping everything.
In fact, measured by cyberpunk world technical standards, electronic warfare capabilities Sasha and Kiwi currently possessed had reached near-strategic-deterrent levels.
Cairo's internal simulation results showed—merely them two coordinating, if recklessly going full power without considering consequences—their stacked, amplified electronic warfare domains sufficed covering Night City's core zones.
By then, most city residents—those citizens highly relying on implants maintaining basic physiological functions or social connections—their nervous systems and cyberware would suffer devastating strikes, equivalent to indiscriminate electronic massacres targeting entire cities.
City infrastructures, communication networks, transportation systems would also descend into comprehensive paralysis.
This terrifying effect didn't stem from Mechanicum electronic warfare tech itself aiming at such large-scale non-selective attacks but originated from cyberpunk world's "defenselessness" toward it.
This world's tech tree extremely biased toward electronization and network interconnection. Whether human enhancements or societal operations, all deeply relied on precision yet universally lacking high-intensity, specific electronic shock resistance capabilities—implants and equipment.
In the Warhammer universe, to handle various harsh battlefield environments, important military equipment, vehicles—even Space Marine power armor—all equipped corresponding protection and shielding measures.
While Night City's common tech levels—when facing Mechanicum's high-power electronic warfare specifically designed for brutal galactic wars, aimed at paralyzing combat-servitors, jamming enemy communications and sensors—their inherent vulnerabilities were fully exposed.
Perhaps some top-tier Militech prototype equipment or Arasaka Corporation core security systems could—relying on special structures or independent networks—resist momentarily. But under tsunami-like electronic garbage code impacts specifically targeting underlying protocols and energy signatures, such resistance was destined unsustainable.
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