Starter Base (3)

As a veteran Factorio Player, Mark managed to speedrun most of the early sciences available to him by carefully expanding his operations with a careful application of spaghetti, and by using a newly discovered function from the system.

While the game had Mods, the Factorio System allows him to enable, disable, and program certain aspects to customize his employee experience. The first thing he programmed was a Calculator, with the second thing he programmed was the Evenly Distribution function, and the third most useful tool being a To-Do list that he can bring up for task outside the factory.

"Good thing I can install the simulation module. I hate to test designs in my main world."

The simulation module is a setting that creates an empty space used to build factories, test defenses, and try newly researched technologies. Right now, he enabled the AAI Vehicles, AAI Programmable Vehicles, and other related modules that are compatible with his current setup.

As time passed something caught Mark's attention, with four red dots approaching his Starter Base. Looking through the minimap Mark identifies the four individuals. Facing the northern side of his base, Mark patiently waits for the four interlopers.

All four of the group are large, with bulging muscles giving them an intimidating appearance. Three of them are clearly men, proudly displaying their pectorals and biceps, and one woman with flatter but better-defined chest muscles. One of the gangsters even take the opportunity to pose like a body builder while they wait for their leader, and the only one with visible cybernetics, to step forward and greet Mark.

"Hey, choom," the leader called out, a sneer on his face. "This is Animal's turf. You think you can just set up shop here without paying your dues?"

Mark pauses for a moment, pondering how to answer. He would rather avoid unnecessary conflicts for now, but he's far from defenseless. Aside from the gun turrets, he also unlocked the first tier of military science, making himself a submachine gun, a shotgun, a suit of heavy armor, and enough bullet magazines to defend himself. Everything put together, and Mark strikes a dangerous silhouette.

"I'm a bit strapped for cash right now, since I just got things started. However, I'm salvaging some valuable components, if you're willing to negotiate we can get into an accord."

The Animal team leader laughs, with his minions following suit. "Salvage, you say. Got anything good up there, choom? Some fancy iron? Maybe some nice Kiroshi eyes?"

Mark shrugs, "intact microchips, computer units, mostly advanced electronics. No spare weapons yet, but if I find some I will ring you up and give you a good deal."

"He said he would give us a good deal, chooms. Did the Bozo gang made a return to Night City?" All hint of levity disappears from the Animal leader. "You think you're funny, Gonk? Do you think the Animals would let a Bennie squat on their turf and don't put him on their place, Doughboy? I bet you don't even know how to use that fancy toy in your hand. Give us your eddies, your iron, and we might just leave you with a broken arm."

"Hey boss, look." The only female of the group points towards the Marketable Plushy Solvernia™ that Mark left on top of the steel chest. "I want that too."

Before the remaining goons could engage in their typical routine of catcalling the Input-Output pair, Mark answers with a firm voice, bringing his shotgun up.

"Over your dead body."

The four Animal gangsters sneer at Mark's threat, with the female Anima stepping forward, only for all four of them to be startled by the whirring of machinery and staring at a large gun turret aiming at them.

"That's my range finder," Mark explains, "it's places just a few paces ahead of the rest. It's empty because its purpose is to alert me when some idiot who can't read get too close." Mark steps on the ground for the group to see.

One of the Animals takes a quick glance. "Ah, Boss, this might not be a good idea."

Exactly where the group was standing, there were large copper plates shaped into text, written "KILL ZONE."

"Shut it, you coward! He's just bluffing -" The Animal leader tries to take another step forward, but four other gun turrets activate at the same time.

"Try me," Mark says ominously behind his faceplate, his eyes obscured by the shadows, "see what happens."

To his credit, the Animal leader takes his time to access the situation, and steps back behind the danger zone. "This isn't over," he turns and leaves, to the protest of the other gangsters.

As soon as the four turn their backs, Mark uses the system to recover Solvernia back to his inventory.

"It's too much to ask them to leave me alone, right Solvy?"

She can only give her usual melancholic silent smile as an answer.

"Not the first time I had to work overnight. Let's see who blinks first in this game of chicken."