10 Arming up, Beefing up

David slotted the new slide into place of his Nue, having just finished crafting a better slide for it to increase fire rate without degrading the barrel more so he could fire more often without jamming.

David already knew plenty about guns, but having the nanites was a cheat that allowed him to apply it with barely any resources and still get high-quality gear.

Another thing he learned the nanites did, basically turned his body into a walking juice-fed machine.

In just a few days he had off before the next gig, he had grown half an inch and added a few pounds on himself.

Having used nanites to break down the food he's been eating and turned them into 'Nutri-bars' that basically acted as granola bars, that focused on helping him maximize the gains.

His new gym equipment helped as well, and with the constant movement and running his stamina was also increasing.

These things happened in only a few days of focusing on the grind.

Right now, it was the day before the gig, he was supposed to meet the crew later today to get the plan memorized and stay with them for the night so they could all move out at night when the gig would start.

Apparently, they were aiming for a corpo driver, that's all he knew so far.

He had customized his Nue, extended magazine, better sights, and slide, and a better chambering mechanism, he even added a halo sight with zoom up to 3x, meaning he could, in the right conditions most likely hit targets from a lot further.

He also added a removable silence that was now snuggled in a new slot on his holster to his side, along with the extended magazine cases to hold the new ones.

There was also a hook and multiple mags on his right side, the holster for his Nue being under his left shoulder so he could draw with his right hand.

Beside his nue, across the table was a customized Militech M251s Ajax, its stock currently retracted to its full length, there were multiple custom parts, using lighter but more durable materials to make it easier to move around with along with a custom increased clip size that brought it ups to 40 rounds instead of thirty.

A 4x wide view scope along with a canted ironsight, a laser attached to the left side along with a foregrip, the biggest thing however was the customized tactician turned underslung shotgun capable of holding 4 rounds.

That's the reason he had to remake the frame to make a lighter but more durable frame, simply because the undersling alone added quite a few pounds.

The foregrip was integrated with the underslung shotgun to allow him to maneuver the rifle a lot better and to compensate for recoil better. Slightly bulky, but as David loaded the Nue, putting the safety on and holstering it into his left holster, then unlocking the stock of the Ajax and sliding the stock in it compacted nicely as he hung it from his right side.

He could draw with both hands already, so it was fine.

Originally he wanted to have a folding shotgun, but after some consideration, it would limit his range so he decided to just make an undersling for it.

He had also reinforced his jacket, it wouldn't block many bullets, but a few would be fine in the worst case, but now it would prevent some blades from reaching him.

Standing up he began to adjust the holster a bit and how the weight sat on him, after finding the comfortable position he grinned, pulling on his jacket.

It was still large enough to hide both guns unless someone looked close for the two of them.

Heading out of his apartment, he decided to go hang out with V for a bit before he had to go meet the crew.

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

After a few hours, he drove into the garage, parking his car as instantly Falco was there, popping the hood open as he began to inspect the car closely.

He chuckled a bit as he stood, catching a beer that was tossed to him, Dorio jerking her head backward. ''Hey David, Maine's in the back with the others. He's getting some last details together, so you got fifteen minutes to fool around.''

He gave her a fist bump as they passed each other, Dorio was interested in his car as well since she knew what Maine was going to ask him later.

Opening his beer he took a long swig from it, still riding the slight, very slight buzz he had from leaving Padre's place earlier. V was settling in well, already doing odd jobs for Padre to earn some eddies for herself. Said she wanted to get something for both him and Rebecca for saving her.

As he entered he waved to Kiwi and Lucy who were looking at a terminal, getting a wave back.

Rebecca stomped up to him as she threw open his jacket, pulling the Ajax from the sling with a fire in her eyes as she looked at it, surprised at the weight before she looked up to him, almost glaring at him. ''Who speced your Irons, you let someone else touch them that wasn't me?''

''Well, I get to touch them too, right? I just fooled around a bit.''

''You wh-''

''DAVID! Come in the back real quick, got a question for you!'' Maine called from further back, where the lounge area was.

''On my way!'' David called, turning back to Rebecca as he drew his Nue for her, handing it over. ''Go test them on the range if you want, I guarantee their quality.''

David walked away, unaware of her burning gaze on David as he walked into the back room.

Both Pilar and Maine were looking at a tablet together, Maine occasionally poking at something to bring up a new screen, looking up as he noticed David he grinned. ''Kid, heard you and Rebecca got into a scuffle, said you handle yourself like a dream, makes me think letting you in might have been the best choice since I started running.''

David noticed a soft shake in Maine's hand that was holding the tablet only for it to still just as quickly.

''Kid, look... We looked at the specs of your car, and I was wondering if we could use it for the mission?''

''You want to use Bast? Sure, but if you hurt my sweety, I'm going to unload a crusher round into your 66.'' David said, transferring Maine the permissions so he could activate Bast without him being around.

Maine paled a bit. ''You wouldn't would you?''

After a moment of silence, the two of them stared at each other before he nodded. ''I'll be real careful with her, I promise... But IF something happens, can it at least not be a cru-.''

''Nope, single crusher round, right into your fancy hood,'' David stated bluntly, Pilar snickering on the side.

Maine sighed as he nodded. ''Alright, just... Please make it quick if you need, I can't stand to see my baby in pain.''

''Anything else you needed Maine?'' David asked.

Maine thought for a moment before he nodded, pulling something out of his jacket, and tossing it to David who caught it. ''Hand that to Dorio, it's the reader we'll need to crack the shard.''

''Got it, see you at the briefing.'' David waved as he passed by Lucy and Kiwi, Lucy's eyes lingering on David's back for a few minutes before she turned back to the screen.

He came up to Dorio and Falco sitting in front of the hood of Bast, Falco had tears in his eyes as David handed the device off to Dorio. ''Tears of joy Falco?''

He spoke in that near cowboy accent. ''So much Joy David... So much.''

''Well, get the specs you want for your ride and send me the eddies, and I'll see how long it will take to get your ride together.''

''Yeah, I'll get around to that, just... Just let me enjoy the sight of her for right now.'' Falco took a ship of his Dark 'n' Stormy cocktail.

David chuckled, shaking his head as he joined them, sitting on a chair as he continued to drink his beer, waiting for the debriefing to start.

(Posting at 4:20 AM, because funny number.)