Chapter 10: Paths
So, even the Mox refused to help... A group literally founded on helping the weak and destitute.
Ori stares into his untouched drink and lets out a helpless chuckle, he had no idea where to go now. What to do. There was the idea of joining one of the three gangs undercover but, if Cat wasn't being held by them then he'd be back at square one, only then he'd have an entire gang wanting his head.
And it was all his fault... Maybe he should just sell his body to scavs and have Bats take it from there.
He jolts and almost falls out of his chair when someone drops in the seat next to him, the same woman from earlier who'd been arguing with Susie.
"Judy Alvarez, overheard your conversation with Suse'." she states, leaning on her elbow while eyeing him.
"And? She said no, unless you can use convince her to help me out instead?"
Judy shakes her head, "No, I don't have that kinda pull. I can help you out myself though, if you want."
Ori crooks a brow at her, "Don't take this the wrong way, but you don't look like the sort of person I need help from." he nods his head at the corner to where the heavily armed Mox were using their BD's. "They're the sort I was hoping for."
"I might not be a fighter, but I'm one of the only Mox who knows her way 'round tech." she gestures haphazardly behind her, "I'm the one who fixed up all these BD's, made them worth the price and without the risk of scrambling your brain if your specs don't line up right. Punks with guns ain't gonna be the ones to find your sis."
...
"What's the catch then?" Ori asks, knowing well that nothing comes free.
"I scratch your back, you scratch mine kinda deal. We handle your stuff first, then I can get your help for mine. Sound good?" she offers.
He nods "Too good to be true, to be honest." he admits, despite that though that wasn't really any reason to refuse. At worst she'd stab him in the back, but that'd only come after he'd rescued Cat, which would be an acceptable trade all things considered. "Ideas on the way forward then? I've got nothin', to be frank."
"Before we can get started on anything, I need to know your schtick. Got any skills worth mentioning?"
"Why?"
"Because, even if we find your sis we'll still need to rescue her. If you're not a fighter then we'll need to hire someone to do it, which means lotsa' Eddies." she explains.
...
Ori threads his hand through his hair, "Nah, I know a bit about everythin' but I'm a pro at nothin'. Think scavenging for parts in the junk yard'll be enough?" he sardonically asks.
She snorts, "Not if you wanna get moving in your lifetime... Or your sis' lifetime." she corrects herself with a serious expression.
"What's the best way to make cash quick then?"
"Safely or...?"
"Don't matter."
She shrugs her shoulders, "Merc work's the quickest way, but, I doubt you'd last long. Plus, getting anyone good to hire you would be almost impossible."
...
Merc work, eh?
That was something Ori had never really considered. His dad had always spoken poorly about them, Cyberpunks, Edgerunners, Mercs, different names for the same occupation. Said they were either Chromed outta their minds and on the verge of going Psycho, or so in over their heads that they'd not be able to tell if they were driving towards a cliff or candy shop.
Not that what his dad thought mattered anymore, he was dead, his advice useless. Besides, Ori had an advantage others didn't. These Nanites of his, if they could come to an agreement that didn't involve completely taking over his body, they could become a powerful asset.
They'd clearly displayed how effective they are at healing his body, the wound in his heart should've killed him, and his broken ribs had healed ridiculously quickly. Their potential was crazy, while their programming must've inhibited a lot of their behaviour, them becoming sentient would've altered much of it.
The only problem then was to contact them, and try to come to some sort of compromise. He'd be perfectly willing to give up his body completely if his sis was safe, if that's what it took.
*Slam!*
"'Becca! Are you serious!?" one of the Mox in the corner of the room exclaims as they throw their BD headset to the ground. The doll-like woman sends a scathing glare at the younger-looking girl opposite her, strange white-modified skin covered in pink Mox tattoos that stuck out starkly from the darker colours of the club.
"What? I did as you asked, not my problem if you couldn't keep up!" she carelessly responds as she sorts out her messy green hair.
"Did you not read the fuckin' mission brief!? Res-cue mission! Save the hos-tage!"
"Relax, it was just a game!"
"A game that'd decide whether you stay Mox or not! How're we gonna take you anywhere if you can't even handle a simple training exercise!? I mean REALLY! Throwing a whole belt of grenades at the building WHERE THE HOSTAGE IS!?"
"I was having fun alright!? Don't bite my head off for that, choom!"
"WE AIN'T CHOOMS YOU LITTLE-"
Ori shakes his head at the racket and finally answers Judy, "I'll think about it, the merc work I mean. Just gotta sort some things out before I go all in on it." he admits.
She nods, "Aight, I'll work on finding some Fixers who'd take on a newbie. Just... Know that you're not getting preem of the crop here."
"Thanks..." he offers sincerely, really, she was helping him big time for basically no immediate payoff.
She chuckles and pats him on the back, "Mateo, drinks here." she asks and the barman slides three shots over, one for everyone. "To not dying for nothin'" she states, clinking glasses with the barman and a reluctant Ori.
Unfortunately... The Nanites weren't a fan of smoking or drinking apparently, so as soon as he raises the thing to his mouth his hand forcefully hurls it across the entire bar, somehow not spilling anythinh and stopping in front of the green-haired short stack, who immediately turns her gaze at him.
Judy laughs at his misfortune, "Very smooth!"
Ori claps a palm to his face, closing his eyes momentarily to wish himself out of existence. Only, when he opened them again he was face to face with curious red and green eyes.
"'Sup choom..."
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