The living room was just as he'd left it. His mother hadn't moved a thing, the entrance serving both as a reception desk and a waiting area for patients, a curtained archway to the tattoo room and the door separating the apartment from the salon.
Tubio took his mother in his arms for a hug, before looking at the drawings of tattoos on the walls.
-There's more, isn't there?
-Of course, if you'd come by more often, you'd have seen it sooner. Mi hijo, I'm glad you're healthy.
-I do my best. And what about you?
-Oh, you know. Apart from the other one you've just chased away, I can say that life's is good, and with the knowledge that you've become somebody.
-I'm nobody, you know.
-You become someone when you assert your values. And the ones you've shown me since your return tell me you're on the right track.
Through the door, the tiny "living room" split into two corridors, one leading to the parental bed, the other to the closet room where the children had lived. A radio on the table recited music, and Tubio thought wistfully of listening all day to the choruses of songs during his mother's working hours. The apartment was a sieve of noise. His mother invited him to sit down as she prepared a cup of herbal tea.
-Madre, I need to talk to you. To you and to her.
His mother looked at her son. She knew, Tubio didn't need to say. She knew he was no longer her son from back then, that he had blood on his hands. But she smiled at him.
-I know, mi Hijo, from the moment I saw you in the street, covered in blood... I knew. I don't blame you. This town, it makes you do things... Don't regret anything, believe me, if there's one thing the world doesn't care about, it's your regrets. If what you've done in the last few months has allowed you to live longer and to be happy and alive. That's the worst I can wish for you.
-I want to talk to you about that night. The night I left with Doug.
She sighed in exasperation, swearing in spanish and shaking her head at the conversation that was about to follow. She'd rehearsed that night so many times, only to be deprived of her son. But after all that, an explanation was in order.
Tubio passed into the corridor, illuminated by a single ceiling light. Passing his sister's room, he arrived at the end of the corridor in front of his old room. A sliding door with a tag on it. Opening the door, there she was.
What a shock it was to know that the bogeyman he'd been following until now was a woman. Worse, she must have been his age. She'd got her arm back and her mother had fitted her with makeshift legs - two simple, barely articulated prostheses. Her hair had been shaved to operate on her head but had already grown back. Her mother had groomed her well, she was wearing shorts and a t-shirt, her look when he entered was... Concentrated. He had her full attention.
-Hi there...
-Tubio...
-How are you?
she smirked.
-I'm missing an arm, my vertebrae are shattered, my legs are out in a dump, I've got a chronic headache... I'm as good as I can be.
Her voice was clear and effortless, a far cry from the holo she'd sent him. He smiled as he went inside, having deserted the place long ago, the closet was empty of any need and even the TV his mother had added couldn't change the fact that this place would never suit him again. Sitting down beside the bed, Isabella arrived with tea to hand out.
-Ma, go and get a chair, the story's pretty complicated and I want to detail it as best I can.
Returning to the living room, Cyclops spoke to Tubio slightly embarrassed.
-She doesn't need to be here, you know.
-For this story, yes. Gaton promised me he'd never talk about how he got me out of the mess I was in. And knowing Doug, I'm sure he took advantage of the situation to distort the reality of what happened.
-Your father-in-law, what's he got to do with it?
-Like I said, long story. But it's all his fault, at least in the beginning.
-You don't get into the Maelstrom like that. From what I understand, you've gone from 0 to 100 in your career.
-I don't regret it, but I've got to tell you, I'm not going back to the maelstrom.
-Me neither.
-Huh?
-You heard me, the only reason I was there died with Gaton. I've got nothing left there...
At that moment, Isabella returned with a chair and looked at her son. This time with a mixture of emotions.
-The Maelstrom? Of all the gangs in Night City?
-I can explain.
-I hope.
----------------------------------------
*****
Tubio remembers it like it was yesterday. Isabella wanted her son and father-in-law to finally do something together. Tubio had never accepted the man, always smiling from the front and pouting from the back. Muttering to himself about the others around him. Doing only what interested him without a care for the others. Isabella was too much in love to see him, Sabrina too young to see him for what he really was. But Tubio... He'd never accepted the fact that this man was trying to replace his genetic father. The moment he came into their lives he "accidentally" destroyed almost all physical memories of Tubio's father, unapologetically erasing him with a smile.
Tubio couldn't help seeing the smug look on his face, reminding him without a word every time he smirked that he’s sleeping with his mother.
Tubio found him disgusting, weak and insecure. Why else would he have been afraid of his dead father? Was he afraid his mother would realize he was 1,000 times less than the man he was?
This had often led to arguments between him and his mother, with Doug shrugging his shoulders as if it were normal. How many times had his nonchalant attitude brought Tubio out of his hinges? Not enough. Because Tubio was afraid, afraid of risking losing his family, afraid to have is own mother kick him out, and at that time afraid of Doug.
This evening Tubio's mother had convinced him to make an evening of it. Doug and Tubio were to meet a friend of hers who had children Tubio's age, then go to a fighting arena to see and cheer on a friend for Tubio and a buisness one for Doug's. Tubio's mother had convinced him to make an evening of it. Tubio wasn't interested in fighting. But he wasn't going to say no to his mother just yet, and at least stay for dinner before sneaking off at the fights. Until Tubio found out that one of his friends would be taking part in the fights. The meal was tense with Doug trying to make conversation but Tubio wouldn't talk to him. Seeing he'd get nowhere, he did what he always did when he had a problem: ignored him. Dinner passed in silence with Doug going from ultra convivial with a big smile on his face, to totally disinterested and indifferent as he watched the TV hanging over the counter in a split second.
That's why Tubio hated him. A fucking bipolar, liar and opportunist.
After visiting his mother's friend, Tubio was taken by Doug to a building. Up the stairs to the Gorilla's Battle Cage. Tubio and Doug were greeted by two huge bouncers wearing T-shirts with the Animals gang logo.
The Animals are a night-city gang. They appeared after synthetic drugs and other ways of becoming more human than human reached the public market. The Animals are everything a man or woman could want if they're looking for strength at all costs, but don't want to get hooked on chrome.
The Animals is an aggressive boostergang that emphasizes physical power above all else. Tubio especially knew that members of this gang doped with a steroidal drug called "the Juice" that increases strength, body and muscle mass. They often sell their services as bouncers, a job for which they are much sought-after. They are spread all over Night City. They have cornered the market on illegal substances and underground fighting.
The two muscle monsters seemed to recognize Doug, but not in a good way. Looking at him sideways, one of the bouncers let them in, while the other seemed to be making a holo. Tubio looked at Doug, inexpressive and seemingly indifferent. Continuing on, they entered a corridor leading to various doors. The building was designed that way, the fighters get ready here and go upstairs. The arena was above, and Tubio could already hear the crowd through the concrete. Climbing a new staircase, they came to a double door again guarded by a big guy.
As they passed through, Tubio was blown away by the heat. Two men in a ring were fighting barehanded in front of a cheering crowd at the foot of the ring. The room must have been packed with a hundred people.
The room was low, the light focused on the ring, and Tubio followed Doug along the wall at the back of the room. Avoiding chairs and other people on their way to the counter. As well as being a venue for fights, the hall also served as a bar and discotheque on non-match nights. Doug arrived at the counter and instantly the bartender, who until then had been smiling at another customer, pulled out an ice pick ready to stab someone. Tubio remained silent and kept a safe distance from the counter.
-You still need me? Or I can leave.
-Get lost.
Totally losing interest in him, Tubio took off. Leaving Doug to his own devices, for clearly he wasn't here to see a friend. Tubio watched the match finish. Both fighters were bleeding profusely now. One was bleeding from the eyebrow, the other from the lips.
The crowd, though compact around the ring, allowed plenty of room to pass around. Going over to a waiter, he asked him if the match with Lianovak was about to start.
-Soon, half an hour. must be in the locker room. Ask the bouncer if you'd like to talk to him first.
The fight in the ring had just ended with a vicious kick to the ribs followed by an uppercut. The crowd went wild as the referee counted and on ten the fighter was defeated.
After a discussion with the waiter, he agreed to speak with the bouncer. And less than a few minutes later, the doors to the locker room were opened for him. The same doors just across the hall leading to the same floor he was on when he entered. Sighing at the bouncer, who let him through to go down the same dimly-lit corridors, it didn't take him long to stumble upon the men's locker room.
On his way in, he came upon a man sitting on a bench with his back to the door. But with his tattoo Tubio recognized him immediately.
-Straight from the H2 megastructure, a monster of speed and arrogance, here in this ring is the mighty, green Drrrrragon.
The young man in the green boxing shorts, his hands covered in bandages, raised his head along his back, across his collarbone to his torso, a tattoo of scales and claws disappearing into his scalp before reappearing as scales along part of his forehead, stopping at his eye. His brown hair was shaved on the side and thicker on top. He smiled when he saw Tubio.
image [https://media.discordapp.net/attachments/1178789115622326365/1210605557958840411/Pavel_Lianovak.jpg?ex=66101548&is=65fda048&hm=765d75a9c23399e0ca0d3d32077c2da09fa62ca2ef877d782f2569513b2db13c&=&format=webp&width=597&height=597]
-I'll say. Tubio emerging from the demon's lair for some fresh air. For my fight, noooo, I'm really flattered. And when is it going to snow?
-I don't know? when you'll win your first fight?
-Fuck, it won't be long then. Be careful, you're a little white does it count?
He stood up and shook her hand like old friends.
-How you been?
-Well, listen, before I saw you not strong, but with the luck you've just brought me by your exceptional presence... I'm obliged to win now.
-So it's my fault?
-Yeah, you'll see, I've been training hard and now I'm going to blow it.
Making shadow boxing movements to mount him, they both smiled.
-Glad to see you.
-What the hell are you doing here? Knowing you, you never leave H2.
-My mother, you'd think. She wants me and Doug to have a closer relationship.
-Yeah, you told her no. That's not possible.
Tubio took a long breath.
-Sissy.
-What do you mean, wimp? Dare tell me you'd stand up to my mother.
-Nope, not in your dream.
-We agree.
-What happened?
-Dinner with Mom's friends, and Doug and I agreed on a boxing match night when I heard a someone Lianovack was going to fight.
-You mean he's here with you?
-Don't worry, we don't know each other when it suits him. And now that my mother and sister aren't around. I can die with my mouth open and he wouldn't care. I'm sure he'd even like it, not having me around anymore.
-Did I already tell you how my father turned him down?
-His deal of the century... What was it in the end you never told me?
-I don't know, but out of respect for your mother he kept it quiet and just forbade him to come back.
-A jerk. I'm sure he'll be gone before your fight starts.
-If he didn't rig it.
-Come on, he wouldn't dare... I hope?
-Enough jokes, kids, Pavel, let's go. Tonio, good to see you.
A man came into the dressing room and shook Tubio's hand, Olov Kirkiv, still smoking medicine with his inalator, a war veteran missing more than one tooth which he replaced with several chrome ones. Small but stocky, he worked as a trainer at a boxing club in H2.
After a brief exchange, the three began to make their way upstairs.
The spectators had deserted the ring, heading back to the bar and the girls who were doing their best to keep the interest of these testosterone-filled people.
The bartender from earlier rang a bell and the patrons turned to the ring, accustomed to the maneuver. In the ring, a gentleman in a referee's suit captured the crowd's attention by connecting to the room's speakers.
-Ladies and gentlemen. For tonight's third match. Let me introduce the fighters. All the way from Wellsprings, making his debut this evening, I'd like you to give a round of applause to The Green Dragon... Pavel Lianovak.
Coming to the ring in a green and black dress, Pavel was as focused as ever, separating from Tubio and his coach to climb into the ring and greet the crowd. The crowd applauded politely.
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-His opponent was a regular in our fights, returning from injury when ha was face to face with the terrible Hugo Plarcar, his punches had shaken the strongest fighter in Santo Domingo, called the steel grinder of Arroyo. I ask you to welcome the return of... Douglas Tiron!
Pavel's opponent entered through the doors opposite. Tubio was shocked - he was a muscle monster, clearly weight was no object here. A black man twice as wide and a head taller than Pavel. Tubio looked at Pavel, who was concentrating, and Kirkiv, whose face was closed. Clearly there was something odd going on. The guy could have been with the Animals and it wouldn't have surprised him.The crowd was happy to see him, with some people even patting him on the back as he approached the ring. He was all smiles, relaxed, Tubio could see exactly what this match was for him, a warm-up.
Moving closer to Kirkiv, Tubio grabbed his arm.
-What's going on?
-паршивец, shut up you want... sometimes you don't get to choose your fights.
With that he shook his arm off. Tubio let go, looking at Pavel. He was going to get slaughtered. Douglas waved to the audience once he was in the ring before quickly waving to Pavel.
Tubio was at ringside trying to understand...
The bell rang and with it the fight. Pavel circled around Douglas, but Douglas charged. No tactics, just sheer force. The blows rained down on Pavel, who did his best to dodge and return the blows. alas for him, the difference was too great. Round 1 was almost over when Douglas managed to land a big blow to Pavel's ribs that knocked the breath out of him before being followed by several more blows.
The bell rang and the round ended with Douglas returning to his corner. Pavel's fist was already sore and hematomas were starting to appear on his belly. The only mercy Douglas had was not to break his face in the first round.
Tubio looked around, searching for something to do, because this wasn't a match. All around him, the partrons were happy, applauding the fight as the spectacle of a cat playing with a mouse was. He saw Doug impassive, as usual slumped on the counter. The bartender chatted with one of the bouncers, but apart from that, Tubio's gaze returned to the ring where Pavel was sweating and about to leave. The bell rang. And this time Pavel took advantage of Douglas' assault to send jabs right into his face. Always on the move, Pavel in green short turned into the ring, always keeping his distance from Douglas, who was in no hurry to keep moving forward, deflecting blows or taking them effortlessly. Several times Douglas tried to pin him in a corner of the ring, and several times Pavel managed to get out of the way, with several blows shaking his defense.
The second round ended with an exhausted Pavel facing off, while Douglas was clearly smiling and ready for more. Round three arrived, and with it the steamroller that was Douglas. His blows easily passed Pavel's guard. Douglas's hook put him down immediately. Getting up quickly, the referee came to see him. After a nod, the bell rang and so did the match. Pavel was only defending himself now. His elasticity wasn't helping him any more - he was heavy in his movements. Even Tubio could see it. Douglas was dragging things out.
By the end of round 3, Pavel was dead. A breeze would have knocked him off his feet, and he was bleeding from the arch and lips. But the match went on. Kirkiv wouldn't let go. And Pavel was too stubborn to give up.
The fourth round started badly, but Pavel seemed to get a second wind, throwing himself at Douglas with a series of blows. But Douglas woke up the beast, as one of his combinations swept through Pavel's guard, sending him flying into the ropes. The referee separated them as Pavel got back on his feet while the referee counted. No sooner had Pavel stood up and nodded than Douglas began his assault again. Pavel didn't make it to round 5. A blow to the ribs before a right hook hit his temple, knocking him unconscious.
The unsurprising winner was Douglas Tiron. The club doctors quickly removed Pavel from the ring and took him to the dressing room. The guests shouldn't have lost their appetite with a corpse on the main stage.
Tubio followed Pavel and Kirkiv into the dressing room, this time without being stopped by the bouncer.
Pavel woke up with salts. The doctors kept him with them for as long as it took to make sure he wouldn't die, and left immediately. Kirkiv smoked his mixture before leaving as well. Tubio and Pavel were the only ones in the dressing room.
-Can you explain? No, because if I wanted to see someone get beaten up, I'd have done it in front of my TV.
-I had to do it, okay.
Tubio sat down opposite him.
-The Animals... They control almost all the underground fights and little leagues in Night City. How could I have got in if I hadn't given a bit of myself?
-You could have told your father.
-And have a match rigged? No, I don't want to win that way. And even if he hadn't, I'd still have doubts. You know, we're the last two choums left unproven. My sisters work for a corpo. My brothers have pulled their fingers out of their asses and are even talking about recruiting you for the nightclub they're going to do. My father... wants me to take over THE business...
-And you don't want to...
-And I don't want to. I only like one thing. There's only one thing I love, and that's not making deals with thrill-seekers. Fighting's good, it frees my mind even if I take a beating. At least once I wanted to try my luck outside H2.
-He'd have let you do it, you know... fight.
-No offense, but you're in no position to talk about a father's love.
-My biological one would have proven otherwise. You know what? Go see Kirkiv and tell him that your next match will have to take place in H2. Tonight or tomorrow you go see your dad and explain to him that you want to start fighting.
-My dad's all about money, remember?
-Explain to him that you want to start a gym. And with it fights like this shithole. But better, you could even team up with Ivan and Lev to organize matches like here, but once again better.
-I don't know, Tubio. We already have a gym...
-That dump you're using? Shit, even the veterans are keeping to themselves not to say they've trained there. Pavel, you were always smarter than Lev and Ivan, but not handsome enough like your sisters.
-It's true that I don't have breasts.
-I know that with some calculations and a little time you'll find a solution, not today or tomorrow. But I'm sure it'll happen, but don't hesitate to think big and include your dream. What's your dream again?
-Champion of Night City.
The two looked at each other. Pavel's face, so far defeated, broke into a smile.
-My father's going to kill me.
-Not when he sees who you've stood up against. I'm sure Kirkiv has already reported.
-Fuck me...
-You should have expected it. I assume, but dare to tell me that brave Kirkiv would take you to get your face smashed without informing Mister Lianovak.
BANG!
Tubio and Pavel gasped. Tubio got up and ran for the door.
Glancing down the corridor, shouts came from above. As more shots rang out, Tubio turned to Pavel.
-You can walk, we're leaving now!
-Kirkiv?
-He's got a tough hide, the most important thing is to get out of here, we'll ask the questions later. Call and tell him we are leaving.
Grabbing his belongings, Pavel left with Tubio. Passing through the corridor, the tension was at its height. Pavel quickly put on pants and a T-shirt, following Tubio.
-Are you sure where you're going?
-I came this way.
through a double swing door. Tubio let Pavel through, heading for the door where the bouncers had greeted them. But when he stopped a few steps away, noises came from behind the door. Pushing Pavel towards an open door, they stumbled into another changing room. Where Douglas Tiron had been executed.
Against the wall, he'd been shot in the face, still wearing his uniform. His eyes were wide open as he sat against the wall. Pavel pressed Tubio against the wall before closing the door just enough so that the corpse could be seen from outside. So that no one would think anyone was still there.
The door opened into the corridor and they heard screams from outside. New gunshots had sounded from above. Several people ran past the room without stopping before climbing the stairs to the ring room.
Waving to Pavel, he and Tubio exited again. By the time they reached the doors, blood had spilled under it and the traces led where they came from. Not asking for more, Tubio opened the door and stepped into the alley where the two bouncers lay in their own blood. Checking their pulses without much hope, Tubio heard Pavel tell him to hurry up. Running down the alley, he and Pavel headed for the main street, where they'd have a better chance of putting some distance between themselves and the fighting. But just as they were about to get there, Pavel knocked Tubio into the garbage cans with him. The lights in the alleyway were dark and malfunctioning, so it was only natural that someone walked past them without seeing them. Pavel and Tubio got up quietly and begin to left. Pavel began to run as more shots rang out further up the street. Not looking back, Pavel rounded the corner without stopping or looking.
Tubio turned around. He saw the person who had just passed them look up. The door of the club opened and the man looking up at the sky didn't see him, but a member of the Animals had just stepped out, blood running down his shirt and an assault rifle in his hands, ready to fire.
He raised his weapon in the direction of Tubio and the man. Tubio changed course and ran towards the man, tackling him to the ground behind one of the many piles of garbage. The man was heavy for Tubio, but the safety of the situation allowed him to talk to the stranger.
-You're all right?
Turning his head, the man smiled and burst out laughing.
-It's just my luck that strangers save me now!
He let out a thunderous laugh before drawing his gun and returning fire through the garbage heap. An agonized groan was heard and the man got to his feet before dusting off his jacket. Tubio was stunned, while Gaton grinned from ear to ear. Five red eyes on an ultra-modified face faced him, his two normal ones and three arched along his forehead. His hair was short and trimmed, leaving the hair on top of his head longer and shaved on the sides, with chromium-plated patches behind his ears and disappearing down his neck. He looked like a military man who'd joined the Maelstrom. His clothes, though street-worthy, were much nicer than Tubio. With a leather jacket and red shirt, combat boots to go with a pair of leggings, too classy for a gang member.
Of course he was heavy with chrome, but if he'd refused to move, Tubio wouldn't have done it.
With a flick of his wrist, he grabbed Tubio's arm and lifted him to his feet effortlessly. Bringing him to his feet, he shook him, knocking the shredded debris to the ground.
-Call me Gaton and in the future if you have a problem. Just let me know.
Putting his arm around Tubio's shoulders, he guided him towards the club door, where the corpses of three people now lay. He continued to speak cheerfully, completely devoid of remorse or concern. Tubio was terrified, but even if he tried to escape, he knew that Gaton would crush his head before he could do anything.
-You know, it's rare to see charitable souls in Night City. Especially to people like me.
-Modified?
-Ah! No, for Maelstrom people! Your act goes straight to my heart.
He pushed open the door to go inside Tubio under his arm and his weapon, still in his hand, waving it as he spoke.
-You know what, join us and I'll take you under my wings, a good salary, action galore, wild parties...
-Thank you, but I think we'd better be going, don't you? There's a reckoning in progress if you hadn't noticed.
-That? No, we're the ones attacking. No worries. We don't necessarily want to kill everyone. If we have no business with you and you're not in our way, there's no reason to.
Saying this, he'd just passed the dressing room where they'd been hiding with Pavel, Douglas's corpse still warm against the opposite wall.
-And the Animals had seen it coming. One of their guys stole a load from us. We were informed that he was here. So at first we were polite, but politeness is never respected without deeds, so we acted to make people respect our politeness. You'll see, I'm going up those stairs and I'll have my guy ready to be dumped.
Climbing the stairs, the room behind the door was silent. Passing in front of it, he came upon a battlefield. Gone were the customers and the other girls, and all that was left was a battlefield. It looked as if grenades had exploded everywhere. Tables overturned, people dead. The room was empty of life other than that of the Maelstrom. Several men with varying degrees of augmentation watched Gaton enter. Then they raised their weapons at Tubio before Gaton could say he was with him. Walking around the room. He laughed out loud as Boris came to see him.
-We don't have him, at least not yet, but he was there during the assault. We're in the process of finding out where we're storing the camera images.
-Perfect, Boris. Good job guys! That'll teach them to mind our own business and party for us!
The men let out a cackling cheer and began ransacking the place. Gaton pointed to Tubio.
-What's your name again?
-Tubio...
-The tube! Perfect. Meet Boris, my right-hand man. If you've got a problem, he won't bite. That I know of! Ahahaha. Then let’s go see the surveillance cameras.
Boris looked at Tubio with the dead intensity that a chrome gaze could give.
Passing behind the ravaged counter where the bartender's body was on his stomach, Tubio tried to keep up with the movement so as not to find himself with the Maelstrom's madmens. Gaton seemed to have a case loose too. But at least he seemed to know how to be indebted. The sooner they left, the sooner he could give them the slip.
Passing through several doors, stockroom and otherwise, they entered the control room. A netrunner chair connected to a set of screens mounted on the wall. A man from the maelstrom was sitting in the chair when they entered Boris Gaton and Tubio.
-Boss, I've got the images if you want to see. From the moment we got the call to the moment we arrived.
-It's perfect. You and Boris leave me with the new guy, we need to talk.
Disconnecting himself the netrunner started to leave, Boris grunted, going with him to loot the bar. The door closed behind him and Gaton let out a sigh. Then he launched the video on one of the screens.
-You know, Tubio, I'm not getting my hopes up. The cold blood you've shown so far is as admirable as your altruism. But I can see 20 miles away that you're shitting yourself.
Tubio remained silent, observing the man in front of him. His smile gone, he concentrated on the images in front of him.
-Tell me, what were you doing in the alley?
-I was... Fleeing the building.
-Oh, so it wasn't totally by chance. Do you work here?
-No, I'd come to see a friend fight.
-It was a ring fight night? Did he win?
-No, but I don't know if he's still alive…
-Ah… yeah. It's embarrassing, I must say. Come and watch the videos with me, maybe we'll find out...
Tubio wines sat down next to him. Although Gaton was clearly concentrating, he was trying to make conversation with him, Tubio was very disturbed.
-Tubio... Where did that come from?
-I like music, so...
-Well, I've seen worse. At least yours isn't composed. I had a guy who wanted to be called The Great Fighter. In every conversation, it was hell...
-And who's this person you're looking for?
-An old fart, the bastard stole a whole case of product, enough to fill a van with drugs. A lot of money. I only got his looks. A receding hairline, a prosthetic leg and sports tracksuits...
Tubio began to sweat. A lot. It was totally Doug's description. What were those psychopaths going to do when they saw I'd arrived with him on the video? What would they do to my mother and sister... Doug, you're really going to kill my whole family with your bullshit. Taking one last look at Gaton, Tubio knew full well that the slightest challenge would get him killed. He took a deep breath.
-What do you owe me?
-Hmm?
-I saved your life, but what value do you place on it?
-It depends... You're not even my thief, are you?
-I'm afraid I know who it is.
Gaton stared at Tubio, his eyes and lenses growing bigger and bigger moving towards him.
-I'll watch the video. You tell me when you arrived and I'll judge from what I see.
Tubio complied. If ratting out Doug could save his mother and sister, so be it. The chances of getting out of here alive were slim to none. But Tubio had nothing of value to offer but honesty.
There was silence as Gaton looked gravely at the video.
He picked up the screen and turned it away from the wall towards Tubio.
-The guy at the counter... The one you came in with?
-...Yes.
Gaton heaved a long sigh before letting go of the screen. Sitting back in his chair, Tubio stared at the floor. His life was in Gaton's hands. The latter thought silently.
-Who's this guy?
-My stepfather. Well, he's with my mother, but that's all. I only came because my mate had a match.
-What's your relationship with him like?
-He's an asshole.
Gaton remained thoughtful.
-Why would your stepfather call us on him?
-What?
-Check it out.
Gaton gave him the precise moment when they received the message that he was here. Less than a second later Doug disappeared from the counter, leaving a box for the bartender, who seemed to be counting down before leaving the building.
What the fuck?
-I don't know what to say.
-Well, I'll tell you. Your dad's decided to make it up to you Maelstrom style. At least now I know why it was so easy to track him down. On top of that we'll have a debt to settle with the Animals. What an asshole indeed.
Tubio remained silent as Gaton rose to his feet. He took a few steps into the room before turning to Tubio.
-You know, I'm not one to hold a grudge, but we've lost a lot of money here. Now that I know who it is, it should go well.
-Good joke.
Gaton turned in the room before sitting in his seat again in front of Tubio, this time with his pistol in his hand.
-You don't have much of an option here. You're going to tell me where I can find him.
Tubio didn't want to lead him home.
-Does your offer still stand? I accept, but on one condition. All the money I earn goes back into paying off the debt, minus what he brought tonight. If he comes near the Maelstrom again I'll do nothing and let him get killed. Once my debt is paid I'll be free to leave.
-Why would you do that? The guy wanted you dead, even the best father deserves to be thrown under the bus in that situation.
-My family won't recover. My Madre… She needs him. And I know you'll stop at nothing to get compensation. But I'm not like him. I respect what I owe.
-You know nothing will stop him from doing it again with another gang or even us. Your family will still be in danger. Your generosity will be worthless if he's brave enough to use his own son-in-law to take the fall for him.
-No, he's desperate for money. If he asks for one eddie, my mother will know something up. I talked it over with her before tonight. He won't try anything crazy. I know he's cheating on her and I also have proof, I'm going to blackmail him to gradually recover the money he owes you.
Gaton scratched his chin. A new member, loyal, head on his shoulders, naive but with potential. With a little experience, he could be useful. On top of that, he offered to extort money on his own, and will agree to be paid a pittance. Killing his asshole father-in-law would cut off any possible income if he'd already blown the money. Win in all cases. Maybe that night really was a lucky day. Smiling, Gaton put away his pistol.
-Okay. I'll give you a try, but if your asshole stepfather and you don't come through with the money, your mom's gonna have to find herself another man for the house. I heard your terms. And I accept them. I'm even generous. I'll give you a total amount of what you'll owe, I warn you it's huge. I swear I won't go after the rest of the family if they don't come between me and my money. I want to know about your stepfather. If you die, I want to know where I can catch him to get the rest of what you owe me. You run, I will find you.
-Deal. I'm only a man, I'll do the best I can with our situation, at least then I won't have anything to reproach myself for.
-Ahahahaha!
They shook hands.
-I really like you a lot. Another thing, you're going to have to get some implants to stick with us. You'll see soon that chrome is beautiful.