Following the doctor, Jax brought Gloria, who was in the capsule, to the ward, and everyone returned to the small room.
Leaning against the wall, Jax and Maine were talking.
"Did you really call Rogue just now?"
"Otherwise? We don't know the market price. How much did you get for this kind of job before?"
"Around tens of thousands, a somewhat famous target would only give a hundred thousand or so. So, killing one person for six hundred thousand... Tsk, I've never done a job like that," Maine said thoughtfully, then added, "Those who can take on jobs of that level are high-tier mercenaries, killing big figures within gangs or high-ranking executives in corporations."
Although Maine's crew had made a lot of money during this period, they shouldn't take money for granted. They had to know that the job in the Badlands had been full of unexpected incidents; otherwise, Rogue would have only offered a hundred thousand or so.
"But the 6th Street Gang people are not trustworthy, Jax. Your choice was right; that old man is no good," Maine said again after some thought. He had also been a soldier and fought in wars, so Maine understood one thing too well.
That is, in Night City, on this land, being a soldier is not something to be praised or honored.
Becoming a pawn for big corporations, shouting slogans about protecting one's homeland loudly, but what was the reality? So-called soldiers were merely tools in the hands of those in power.
Didn't the legendary Johnny Silverhand also serve as a soldier and fight in wars? But what was the result? Didn't he also become a cynical, anti-corporate punk lunatic?
So, Gunner's words should just be listened to; if you took them seriously, the final outcome would be to be eaten until not even bones were left!
"Get up!"
A sound came from ahead. Jax and Maine stopped chatting and walked over, only to see Gloria slowly sitting up, her hand on her forehead.
"Mom? Mom!"
David quickly called out.
Gloria didn't seem to hear. She slowly raised her head, swaying, and then, the first moment she saw David, she became nervous and excited, reaching out her hands to grab David. With both hands on David's shoulders, she loudly asked, "David, are you okay?"
David was stunned, then reached out and hugged her, burying his head in Gloria's chest. His body was trembling.
Gloria froze, and then she finally realized that her current location was wrong and saw Jax, Maine, and the others.
"..." Gloria pursed her lips, then hugged David, gently patting David's head: "It's okay now, it's all over."
"Don't worry... David."
"You don't know anything..." David said in a muffled voice.
Yes, Gloria knew nothing.
If it weren't for Jax... then, what would have been the outcome for his mother?
David was not a fool; on the contrary, he was exceptionally smart, otherwise, he wouldn't have been able to attend Arasaka Academy.
Because of this, he had already learned the situation from the conversation between Gunner and Jax.
If it weren't for Jax... if the ambulance workers really took his mother to a hospital under the 6th Street Gang...
A hospital cooperating with Scavengers—what good outcome could there be after going in there?
"Alright, alright, aren't I fine?" Gloria said gently. She comforted David for a while, then looked at Jax and Maine.
With a complex expression in her eyes, she then spoke: "David, please step outside for a moment. I have something to discuss with Jax and the others."
"..." David got up and nodded.
He knew this involved the matter Maine mentioned, about his mother's business.
After thanking Jax, David walked out of the ward.
Dorio thought for a moment, then took Rebecca out with her. Rebecca didn't intend to leave but was dragged out by Dorio.
Dorio had a very delicate heart; she planned to go and comfort the young man outside.
So, those left in the room were Jax, Maine, Jackie, and Kiwi, who was watching the show.
Gloria pulled back the white blanket and sat on the edge of the bed, looking at Maine and Jax, and said, "David knows everything?"
Jax was stunned for a moment and said, "What are you referring to?"
"The fact that I almost died," Gloria said with a self-deprecating smile. She reached out and rubbed her red hair, then continued, "If I were sent to that hospital and couldn't afford a medical package for treatment, then all that awaited me was being disassembled. If I was lucky, I might be secretly sold to Scavengers to become a tool for filming black braindances until I broke down. If I was unlucky, I would be directly turned into various materials and sold on the black market."
She wasn't afraid to talk about it. Gloria knew too many secrets in the industry, and besides, she didn't need to hide anything from the people in front of her.
She had done some investigation into Maine, and although it wasn't extensive, Gloria had to admit she had misjudged him.
Then there was Jax, who looked like an honest, gentle person, someone Gloria initially thought would be a good neighbor... but in reality, he was a rising edgerunner, hailed as the future star of the mercenary industry.
"How can I thank you all?" Gloria looked at Jax seriously and asked.
"Thank you?" Before Jax could speak, Maine chimed in.
He said with a smile, "You certainly should thank us. For you, we almost got into a fight with the 6th Street Gang at the hospital."
"But money isn't an issue. I'll buy that Sandevistan you have. The eighty thousand euros for the medical package will be my down payment. Once you give me the item, I'll give you the remaining money."
Gloria nodded. She knew there was a 'but' coming next.
Sure enough, Maine continued, "But this is just about money. We do have one thing we need your help with."
"Please say it, I'll do my best," Gloria said very seriously.
She wasn't someone who repaid kindness, or rather... Gloria was actually a ruthless and greedy person.
Humans are complex, and Gloria was no exception. She was definitely not a good person, but she was absolutely a good mother.
This accident almost prevented her from seeing David. If she were gone...
Then, could David survive well on his own in Night City?
Gloria dared not think about such a thing, nor did she wish for it to happen, so she was indeed grateful to Jax and Maine.
Besides, she truly had no reason to refuse now.
"We have a lot of implants and weapons, but we can't find suitable sales channels. So, we plan to cooperate with you for you to sell those cyberware and weapons. You have connections in this area; you are an expert in this field."
Maine thought for a moment and then added, "As for commission, how about this: you can take five percent of the profit from each item sold?"
Gloria's eyes lit up when she heard this: "How much do you roughly have?"
She was prepared to do it for free, after all, it was to repay a favor.
But hearing there was a profit, Gloria naturally didn't hesitate; if there was money to be made, of course she wanted it.
She still needed to continue supporting David's education!
"Currently, we have goods worth about several hundred thousand," Maine said.
"Okay, I'll do it," Gloria nodded and said.
"Then, welcome to our team," Maine grinned, smiling as he spoke.
? Jax and Gloria looked at Maine simultaneously.
Jax was surprised because wasn't the transaction with Gloria a one-time deal?
And Gloria was surprised because when did she ever say she wanted to join this crew?
Just kidding... she didn't have the qualifications to be a mercenary!
She didn't have that ability!
Letting her do petty theft, gather intelligence, or sell weapons—those things were no problem.
Gloria had been in this industry since she was fifteen, scrambling for decades; she was completely clear about this line of work.
If it weren't for supporting David's education and saving that money, she might now be running a weapon shop in Santo Domingo, or... become a black-ops agent for some corporation, engaging in arms smuggling?
"Don't be puzzled, sis," Maine extended his large hand towards Gloria, then seriously continued, "Our crew needs a logistics team. Someone like you is exactly what we need. In the future, we will have more weapons and implants. You know the business, you have the channels."
"I guarantee you won't regret this decision."
Gloria lowered her eyes, and after a long while, she sighed: "Okay, I'll give it serious thought."
She, herself, seemed to really need a background?
After all, Jax and the others just mentioned the 6th Street Gang. Since she had already appeared in the eyes of the 6th Street Gang, then the cleaner job... she couldn't do it anymore. Moreover, today's incident also told Gloria—in Night City, without a background, you are just an ant.
It's just that I don't know...
Can Maine's crew become a protective umbrella for her and David?
And Maine was already chuckling.
He poked Jax's ribs and whispered, "Look, our team is getting bigger and bigger."
"Then, shouldn't we buy an office?" Jax said, amused.
Yes, indeed... so many things had been changed by him.
Sasha is alive, Gloria is alive, and Jackie has joined the crew.
Currently, the members of Maine's crew are—Jax, Maine, Jackie, Dorio, Rebecca, Pilar, and Kiwi.
I heard Dorio is always looking for an experienced driver, so... will Falco be far behind? He is Night City's 'Car God' after all.
Plus the two who are still hesitant but have already been included—Gloria and Lucy.
The number of people has indeed grown from a crew to a group.