It’s Not Easy Making Money In the Apocalypse – V6 - Chapter 10

“Have a seat, Daniel.” Jacques waved me to a free chair apart from all of the other people nearby.

Every single one of them was sitting separate from the others and also positioned in a way they could reach their weapons easily. Even the ones that looked comfortable were scoping out the others.

“I thought you said this heist you had been working on for months. What happened to the Perry Merc Group?” I asked.

“You never said you were part of the Perry Mercs.” The older woman in armor glowered. “They’ve raided a few ironclad supply depots for supplies.”

“It was just a job or two, Scoria!” Jacques held up his hands defensively. “I occasionally outsource work for them. That’s all. Besides, those supplies couldn’t have been important. If the Ironside wanted to keep something, no one in the wasteland would be able to take it!”

I frowned slightly, but I didn’t say anything. I had been under the impression that Jacques was part of the Perry Mercs or even their leader. I had been expecting to see many of the same people from the Perry Merc group, yet these were strangers, and unlike before, they didn’t seem to be related to each other at all. I was out of my element once again. I realized I didn’t know a thing about this guy Jacques. I needed to be careful with the future.

While his words made me uneasy, the woman named Scoria seemed to relax slightly. “You’re damn straight about that. However, just because those supplies weren’t strategic doesn’t mean anyone can just steal from us.”

“Do I have to remind you again you’re not Ironside?” The wiry man declared again in exasperation. “However, this does make me curious about each of your affiliations. I, for one, still belong to a prestigious group and I wouldn’t want to compromise my position or my group’s reputation by associating with unsavory sort.”

“Prestigious?” Scoria looked back in disgust. “You couldn’t be talking about your group. You’d blame others for being unsavory? Your entire organization is made up of unsavory types, present company included.”

He stood up angrily. “You may speak negatively about me, but do not speak negatively of the brokerage.”

Jacques cleared his throat loudly, interrupting the tall man’s speech. “Kane, sit down for now. She’s made a good point. I should introduce you all before we get started. If you’re unhappy with my plan or your role in it, any of you are welcome to leave once I’ve given my offer. Is that fair?”

The two arguing people glared at each other for a second, and then looked away, which Jacques took as acceptance. I quickly found my seat, not daring to say anything unless I pissed off someone else.

“Get on with it then.” The man with goggles spoke.

“Merci!” Jacques nodded. “I’ve gathered you four because you’ve got the skills necessary for the task at hand. Pick here is a locksmith. He can break into any none-electric locks we encounter.”

The man with goggled nodded with his arms crossed. “I always work for the highest bidder. I’m rarely willing to waste my time on promises.”

Under Pick’s suspicious gaze, Jacques threw his hands in the air. “The profit will far exceed the risk, I assure you. Let’s see, who is next. Ah, Kane is an information broker under the Nexus Library, otherwise known as the brokerage. They collect and sell information. Naturally, he’s acquired a great deal of information on the Allco property, things that even Marsh may not know.”

The wiry man nodded, and I glanced his way with interest. There were various pieces of information I wanted as well. I’d have to find a chance to talk to him and see what they could trade.

“Hmph, what’s the point of information that can’t be replicated?” the woman spoke up.

“You never know. We bring the right information to the right people to be of use.” Kane responded. “You brutes never understood, it’s about the preservation of the past.”

“And selling it to the highest bidder.” The woman snorted. “Preservation? Giving it to the right people? Pah! You’ll sell to anyone who pays, and then take the knowledge back when they die!”

“What is the value of information if everyone has it?” Kane asked, raising an eyebrow. “Protecting information is costly, and so we rent it out to various groups to maintain our operation. It’s certainly better than taking it by force!”

“Why, you…”

“Ahem… this woman’s name is Scoria. She’s…”

“Ironside… former… I used to belong to the Ironclad but I was… dismissed, a few years ago.”

“Her zealous nature was even a bit too much for the Ironside. She was kicked out after forcefully disarming a population of their technology and then allowing them to fall to mutants.” Kane whispered.

“You giving away free information now?” Scoria glared at him with a red face.

“If it’s about you, gladly!” Kane chuckled.

“Yeah, well, your information is incomplete and one-sided. You belong with the brokerage. You’re both willing to manipulate the truth to your end.” She huffed and Kane glowered before she turned to the rest of us. “I was a scapegoat for bad press. What he doesn’t say is that the settlement knew about the coming mutant attack, and wanted to fend for themselves, but they barely had the energy supply or knowledge to run the tech. They would have failed, and the technology would have just ended up in mutant hands, so we confiscated it and offered to stay and protect them, but they refused us. They said they were better off dead than risk losing their freedom. They got what they asked for.”

“You can’t safe stupid people from themselves.” Pick grunted. “It’s a shame others suffer the consequences.”

“Well, if I find worthy enough tech, Ironside may let me back in. That’s why I’m here.” Scoria declared.

“Mm… that’s why you’re here, but what can you do for us?” Kane asked.

“I’m security,” Scoria responded. “I know more about old-world technology than anyone. I can spot turrets and traps. I can scope out the place better than any of you. I can disarm bombs, infiltrate guarded facilities, and I’m not a bad shot with a gun either.  If you don’t want to face a sudden and unexpected death, you’re going to want me on your side.”

Her words seemed to be enough to cause Kane to quiet down. He still looked unhappy, but he no longer spoke up.

“Daniel here is the last. He’s a hacker with a Perco.”

“Tsk… another lucky break,” Pick growled.

“At least he has value…” Kane huffed.

“Don’t worry kid, Perco users are highly valued in the Ironside.” Scoria nodded in my direction. “Stick with me and I’ll keep you safe.”

“Uh, th-thanks,” I responded.

“Of course, you all know me. I’m Jacques.”

“Do we know you though?” Kane asked.

I found myself nodding at his word. I didn’t know who Jacques was. I thought he was just a merc, but he seemed to be a man who moved from job to job. I noticed how Jacques didn’t mention anything about Ascension or my history with Marsh. His secrecy there suited me fine. Scoria was an open book with her intentions. I supposed I could guess Kane’s plans too based on his affiliation, and Pick seemed to want money. The only one who was a complete mystery was Jacques. What did he want out of this trip?

“Enough of this delay, what’s the plan?” Kane demanded, cutting off my thoughts.

“How do we start… let’s see… Argos city has always been a somewhat special city. It wasn’t hit particularly hard by the virus or nuclear fallout. Quite a bit of the city has remained intact over the years.”

“We all know this, get on with it!” Scoria growled.

“I-I’m setting the mood!” Jacques complained, coughing lightly. “Now, where was I? There are still many hidden secrets in this city, and nothing is more secret than the contents of Allco R&D. Allco practically ran the country, having a monopoly on almost all technology. They led the world in status-enhancement research and were at the forefront of combining technology and humanity. As much of this world still bears the fingerprints of this organization, the R&D would hold all of their latest and greatest techs.”

“Which is why my information says that technology was raided and distributed throughout the city decades ago.” Kane interrupted.

Jacques gave a helpless shrug. “That is what a lot of people believe, but that’s the point, no? No one will go searching for the technology they don’t think is there. The building contained some of the highest-grade security. There were bots, turrets, and locked entrances. Year after year, explorers tried to get deeper and deeper into the building. A few returned with a trinket or two, but nothing new or revolutionary. Nothing that couldn’t be found in any Allco building.”

“Of course, that changed a few years ago. A group of raiders seemed to manage to take the building, and with the weapons they obtained, they became one of the largest raider groups in the city. Do you know why they’re called the Cock and Balls, oui? They were the only ones with the cock and balls necessary to conquer the unconquerable. We’re going to need to be even braver since we’re the ones who are going to take it all away from them!”