Inside The Dump Settlement Hideout, Maine's crew was performing routine maintenance and training.
Rebecca was calibrating her new attachments at the firing range, Pilar was tinkering with his flashy cyberware coatings at the workbench, Falco was checking the vehicle's sand filters, and Dorio was doing strength training in the open space.
Kiwi was huddled in front of a terminal in the corner, monitoring the data stream from the external sensors.
A seemingly relaxed but highly vigilant atmosphere permeated the hideout.
Just then, servo-skull experiment no. 1, which had been in standby mode, suddenly emitted a monotonous electronic sound, breaking the silence: "All Maine Team members, Creator Osiris summons you. Proceed to the main workshop immediately."
As the sound faded, the hideout instantly fell silent.
Everyone's movements stopped, and their gazes uniformly turned towards Maine.
Rebecca was the first to jump up, her green cybernetic eyes excitedly flashing: "It's happening! It's finally happening! The boss is going to upgrade us!"
Pilar also excitedly dropped the spray gun in his hand, waving his slender mechanical arm: "I've waited for this day for sooooo long! My old clunker can finally retire! Getting an upgrade baby!"
Even the usually composed Falco pushed up his sunglasses, a slight, uncontrollable smile playing on his lips. Dorio stopped her training, fine beads of sweat glistening on her tanned skin. She looked at Maine, her gaze steady yet questioning.
Maine took a deep breath, his thick fingers clenching and unclenching. He surveyed his team members, each with their own emotions, and said in a deep voice: "Did you all hear that? Get ready, we leave in five minutes. Don't lose your composure in front of the boss."
Kiwi silently stood up from the terminal, pulling up the collar of her dark red jacket, hiding half of her face in shadow. She was both anticipating and dreading the modifications; Osiris' power made him seem unfathomable to her.
The group silently walked through the desolate streets of Wasteland Town, heading towards the workshop that emitted a low hum.
The closer they got, the more pronounced the smell of ozone and hot metal became in the air. The workshop's massive metal doors slid open silently, revealing the vast interior illuminated by constant cold light sources.
Osiris' tall, dark red figure stood before the central control console, his crimson optical lenses scanning the newcomers without any greetings. Morris stood in the shadows behind him like a silent guard, her presence almost blending with the environment.
"You've arrived," Osiris' synthesized voice was flat and even, cutting straight to the point, "Based on the materials you've collected recently, and the demands of subsequent missions, the time is ripe for your comprehensive enhancement."
Rebecca almost cheered but forced herself to hold it in, only clenching her fists tightly. Pilar excitedly rubbed his hands, his eyes darting between Osiris and the strange mechanical devices around them.
Maine steps up, voice steady but respectful. "Yo, boss, heard you called for us. What's the gig? Who we runnin' on?"
Osiris' mechanical finger lightly tapped the control console, and a complex energy structure diagram floated in the air, its core a constantly twisting, flickering rift model.
"Mission objective: Conduct a live cross-dimensional teleportation experiment," Osiris' voice was devoid of any fluctuation, as if stating the most ordinary thing, "You will serve as experimental subjects, passing through the dimensional rift that I am about to stabilize, to a world on the other side. Collect basic environmental data, and then await recovery at the designated coordinates."
These words were like cold water poured into a hot oil pan, instantly freezing the excitement on everyone's faces.
Pilar lets out a short, awkward laugh, his tone dripping with disbelief. "Wait, wait, hold up—live cross-dimensional teleportation? Boss, you're tellin' me we're gettin' yeeted into some other freakin' world?"
Rebecca's grin fades, her eyes flicking wide with a mix of awe and panic.
"Yo, hold up—what's it like over there, huh? We talkin' air and ground, or are we just gonna pop out in space and crisp in a damn star?!"
Dorio frowned, looking at Maine, her eyes filled with worry. This mission sounded far more dangerous and bizarre than they had imagined.
Maine's heart also sank abruptly.
He had guessed the mission wouldn't be simple, but he hadn't expected something completely beyond the scope of his understanding.
Maine takes a slow breath, keeping his tone level.
"Alright, boss, what're we lookin' at risk-wise here? You sure them coords ain't droppin' us somewhere cooked?"
"Risks exist," Osiris' answer remained concise, "The stability of the rift, the precision of the coordinates on the other side, and adaptability to the unknown environment are all variables. But necessary safety measures and survival guarantees will be integrated into your modifications.
The coordinates on the other side, after initial scanning, possess basic conditions suitable for carbon-based life."
Osiris did not disclose information about the Warhammer World to Maine's crew, only telling them to prepare, as knowing too much would not benefit them.
He paused, his crimson optical lenses sweeping over each person: "The choice is yours. Accept the modifications and execute the mission, or maintain the status quo. But maintaining the status quo means your value to me will remain at its current level."
The meaning of these words was clear.
Not accepting meant giving up the possibility of further advancement, and perhaps even losing their current protection.
Maine barely hesitated.
He looked back at his team members, seeing shock and hesitation in their eyes, but more so a compelling, irresistible desire, especially after witnessing the power displayed by Morris and Dorio.
He turned back, nodding heavily at Osiris: "We accept, boss. We made a vow to serve you long ago."
Osiris seemed unsurprised by his answer.
"Very good. Modifications will be carried out according to your roles and mission requirements. Maine, as captain and primary firepower; Dorio, close combat and assault; Morris, high-speed assassination and reconnaissance; Rebecca, assault specialist; Pilar, technical support and area control; Falco, vehicle operation and logistics; Sasha, Kiwi, electronic warfare and communication support." He listed each person's duties as if inventorying tools.
"The modification process will proceed in batches. For now, leave your existing cyberware data and usage habit feedback. Then return to the hideout and wait. I will notify you of the specific modification order and content." There were no further explanations, nor any words of encouragement.
After speaking, Osiris turned back, refocusing his attention on the data stream flickering across the holographic interface. The massive dimensional teleporter emitted a deep resonance, as if responding to his concentration.
Maine and the others silently left their data, then, under the "guidance" of the servo-skull, departed the workshop.
On the way back, the atmosphere was somewhat subdued. Pilar couldn't help but speak first: "Damn, teleporting to another world... that job sounds sinister."
Rebecca, however, quickly regained her spirits, patting the plasma pistol on her back: "What's there to be afraid of! Didn't the boss say there were safety measures? And after the modifications, we'll definitely be much stronger than we are now! Maybe even tougher than Morris!"
Dorio looked at Maine and said in a low voice: "What do you think?"
Maine's expression was serious as he slowly said: "We have no retreat. From the day we decided to follow the boss, we were destined to face this level of 'trouble.' Besides, think about the power after the modifications... it's worth the gamble."
Falco sighed: "Yes, it's worth the gamble. I just didn't expect the stakes to be so high."
Kiwi remained silent throughout, but her hands trembled involuntarily, a mix of fear for the unknown mission and a burning anticipation for the electronic warfare cyberware she was about to receive, far beyond her current hacker understanding.
They knew that once they stepped into the modification chamber, there would be no turning back. But the immense power ahead, like a mirage in the desert, drew them, those struggling to survive in Night City, step by step forward.