38 Occupational Hazards

The next day Ori, Max, and Six had just finished their protection gig, a schizo-client thought some corp was tracking and following him so he paid them to escort him around his usual haunts for the day. Nothing turned up obviously, and Ori was pretty sure the dude was off his rocker. He definitely didn't earn enough to keep paying mercenaries to watch his back.

His client's mental health aside, Ori walked over to his car that'd been parked next to Max's, Six was already in the merc's passenger seat, not seeing a reason to bring his own ride. Max and Ori stop in front of the vehicles before leaving however, both with something to say.

"So, you in big shit or what?" Max abruptly questions, lighting his and Ori's cigs.

"Hm?"

"Yesterday, you were either at gunpoint or had your balls in clamp..." he taps his temples, "Trust me, can I sniff this stuff out a mile off."

"Yeah, gunpoint... Why didn't you say something then?"

"You think I wanna say somethin' that gets you a bullet? Nah, you weren't beggin' or cryin' so I guessed you had it handled... Since you're here, I'm assuming I had it right?"

Ori nods, "Worked out a deal with that recording. Don't worry about Quentin either, he was there too."

"Hmph, sounds like a strange one..." he lets out a puff of smoke, and gestures the cig at Ori, "Say, did you get laid? You've had that stupid grin on your face all day, almost scared off the client..."

Ori touches his mouth, squinting in surprise at the upturned lines, "I did?" he shakes his head, "No, I didn't get laid... Anyway, I actually had something to ask." he states, changing the subject.

"Lemme guess, you need pick lines for that girly you're hot over?" Max snarkily replies.

"No! Even if I did you'd be the last person I'd ask."

"What? I'm probably the most handsome son of'a bitch you'll ever meet." he flexes his tattooed bicep, "This shit's all natural y'know!"

"Having no Cyberware doesn't make it natural, natural means no enhancement drugs either. You look like the picture they show kids to stop 'em tryin' steroids." Ori states, allowing them a good-natured chuckle, Max not confirming nor denying it.

"Anyway, I actually need some help with a personal job killin' some scav assholes. I know where they are, what time they'll probably be there, and how many're in the group... But I'm not really all that tactically inclined, as you know..." Ori admits.

"You want me and Six to help you out...? Cuz it'll cost you, friendly discount or not." Max confirms.

"What's the drop?"

Max shrugs and holds his hand out, obviously asking for the data. He quickly sifts through it before handing it back while flicking away his cig, "Approx twenty scavs, fortified position, alright security... Eight thousand for Six, five for me sound doable?"

"That include the 'whole' package?"

He nods, "Yeah, best part is you get to keep whatever we find there since you're the one payin'. Scav workshops have usually got some goodies stashed away... You might actually get your Eddies back after we're done."

Ori smiles but allows his expression to dull as he scrolls down the page, "There's only one condition I have." he points to Marv's face. "I want to gut this guy personally."

Max nods and shakes his hand, "Sounds like a deal. We'll get on it tomorrow, I'll do some scoutin' tonight, see if there's anything you've missed in that. I'll see you later kid." he says, patting him on the shoulder before departing with Six.

-----------------------

"There a reason you're so easy on the kid?" Six asks as they drive down the street and out of sight.

"What? Gonna tell me I'm too soft again?" Max grouses in response.

"Later. I wanna know why him?"

...

"Because you see him like Char-" Six starts but is interrupted as Max slams his hand onto the steering wheel.

"It ain't about her!" He shakes his head, "Do I need a reason to be nice once in a while!?"

"You? No. But like 'this'?" he nods.

"Fine..." Max relents, "Kid reminds me of my brother. Young, stupid, hopeful. My brother got dusted by a Militech Hovertank..." he states, his voice becoming slightly hoarse with emotion. He shakes his head and clears his threat, "Makes me wanna see where the kid goes, see how my brother might've turned out if he got the chance."

...

Six sits back in his chair and folds his arms, "You're being a fool. Letting your emotions control you."

Max sniffs at him, "Yeah? Well, not everyone can go full heartless-borg-asshole like some people." he pointedly remarks, "Some of us have still got things to hold onto..."

The rest of the ride is silent for the two, Max dropping Six off as his scheduled Ripperdoc appointment before driving off towards Longshore to get some scouting done.

---------------

Max parks a good distance away from the warehouse and slowly makes his way up a sandy hill overlooking the complex. He pulls out his binoculars and begins tagging the place with notes, recording everything so they could map out a plan tomorrow.

"Place looks like a goddamn anthill." he mutters to himself, worried about the amount of activity going on down there.

He tags a wall with clear structural weakness when he spots a van full of goons leaving the place... That wouldn't have worried him if they'd kept going their way, but instead, they'd driven offroad right towards his location, leaving a trail of kicked-up sand as they race towards him.

"Shit!" he curses, stuffing his binoculars in his pack as he begins hurriedly retreating. He'd left his LMG in the car to lighten his load and reduce the risk of exposure, but he'd have definitely liked having it on him right now...

"How the fuck did they see me!?" he mutters to himself, knowing well he hadn't given anything away.

He keeps running out into the desert and jumps into a small rocky ridge before the Scavs drive over the crest of the hill... They shouldn't have seen him right?

He holds his breath and keeps low as the sound of their engine approaches, the sound of tires transitioning from sand to rock causing his heart to beat faster...

"Hehe, told ya we'd have company."

"It's about time, you've had us keepin' watch like that for almost two days straight!"

Their footsteps kept getting closer, and closer... Until they were basically standing directly on top of his position...

"Hm... Could've sworn I saw something... Guess not?" the leader remarks out loud, and Max stifles a sigh of relief...

"NOT!" the man abruptly shouts, dropping a flashbang into the ridge with Max who isn't able to shield his eyes and ears fast enough.

*BAAANG!!!*