Stepping into the firestorm after the events of Firestarter is one of those moments where you just have to take a breath. I chose to help Reed capture Songbird, and boy, did things go sideways fast. Songbird went full Cyberpsycho, and now MaxTac has her locked in an armored convoy – and these guys don’t mess around. MaxTac is basically the Cyberpsycho squad that hunts other Cyberpsychos, and now V and Solomon Reed have to hit them head-on. No pressure.

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Right after Firestarter, you’re thrown into the mission Black Steel in the Hour of Chaos, and the first big choice hits you: who do you call for help breaching MaxTac’s data? The phone list can include several Netrunners – if you’ve done their side quests – or your fixer Mr. Hands. Even in 2026, replaying Phantom Liberty, I still pause here. Let me break down what each contact brings, because it changes the vibe of the mission.

  • Carol Emeka – If you ran with the Aldecaldos, Carol’s an option. She won’t hack the data fortress for you, but she’ll stash a random useful item for V later. Not exactly a game-changer, but a little surprise never hurts.

  • Chang Hoon Nam – I saved him from a Gig once. He offers free services, but honestly? Don’t pick him. The hack fries his brain permanently, and he’s forced out of Night City forever. I felt like a complete scumbag after that.

  • Nix – Rogue’s buddy and a reliable ally if you helped him out at the Afterlife. He hacks MaxTac effortlessly and gifts V some classic Cyberware. Probably the best Netrunner choice if you’ve got him.

  • Sandra Dorsett – Yep, the woman you pulled out of that Scav den early on. After her side mission, you can pressure her for help. She’ll crack MaxTac but will want a favor in return: data on MaxTac operations. It feels a bit shady, but maybe that’s what Night City is all about.

If you’re missing these contacts – or just don’t want to risk their necks – calling Mr. Hands is the straightforward route. He’ll connect you with a specialist for 15,000 eddies. Money well spent, if you ask me. Pay up, and he’ll tell you to hit the Kabuki Market in ten hours.

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At Kabuki, I walked into that familiar Quickhack shop and met Yoko, the same techie from the main story. She hands you a datashard with the convoy’s route but also throws in an optional favor: send her coordinates of dead MaxTac agents after the dust settles. Extra eddies never hurt, and it’s not like those agents will miss them.

Once you share the data with Reed, he gives you an address in Pacifica – near the West Wind Apartments. That’s where things get tactical. You’ll find Reed negotiating with the 6th Street gang, who are secretly working as NUSA’s “fifth column.” Then a 6th Street techie hands you control of a drone to set up the ambush zone. Now, I’m not gonna lie, I geeked out a little playing with those traps.

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The drone lets you place three trap types:

  • Mines – Stop vehicles, but the convoy won’t be moving much anyway. Pass.

  • Turrets – Spread these out for maximum chaos. They force MaxTac and NCPD to split their attention, which gives Reed clear sniper shots. These are the MVPs of this setup.

  • Smoke Grenades – Sounds cool, but they blind Reed as much as the enemy. Don’t nerf your own sniper cover.

  • Positioning – I went with the sky bridge for a close-quarters view, but the terrace offers solid cover, and the stairs give long-range control. Pick what fits your V’s build.

After the traps are placed, I met Reed, had a quick chat with Johnny, and settled into position. The convoy rolls in, vehicles explode, and the gunfire starts with waves of NCPD officers – easy pickings compared to what’s coming.

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The real fight kicks off when you open that MaxTac truck. Four elite operatives leap out – Faye Russo, Dallas Foster, Asher Peterson, and Jasper Collins – each a mini-boss with Cyberware that makes them dodge like crazy. Here’s the trick I wish I knew earlier: watch for Reed’s laser sight. When he tags an enemy, their Cyberware gets fried, and they’re stunned for a few seconds. Only focus fire on the one Reed hit; the others will Matrix-dodge everything.

Jasper Collins is the hacker of the bunch, hiding behind cover and frying your Cyberware with Quickhacks. He’s the weakest link – you can actually damage him even without Reed’s sniper assist. Take him out first. The rest require patience and keeping your eyes on that laser sight.

Once MaxTac falls, Songbird seizes control of the truck and floors it, leaving a trail of destruction and an injured Reed. I chose to check on him – it’s a small character moment, but after that chaos, it felt right. Then I grabbed a car and chased the wreckage to a crossroads where the truck had rammed through a wall.

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That’s when Somewhat Damaged begins immediately – you can’t walk away, so be ready for a marathon. Black Steel in the Hour of Chaos remains one of the most intense set-pieces in Cyberpunk 2077, even in 2026. The mix of planning, betrayal, and pure firefights against MaxTac still gets my heart racing. Whether you’re a veteran or a fresh edgerunner, this mission is a masterclass in controlled chaos.