After the doctor (Old fella with white hair. Imagine stereotypical doc-fella ^.^) Examined me once more, I was released from that medroom. It seems Alicia’s arm is more than just wounded, her elbow was shattered by an enemy bullet… That is a problem. She seemed really sad and pale when she told me that, so I gave her a hug.
(I can’t have her dive hug me again! My wounds are not properly closed. Pre-emptive measures!) After crying a bit she calmed down again.
“Seriously though, this is what ya find to replace me? This? She can't even handle an injury without a shoulder to cry on! Your standards for a partner have really gone down… ”
As I said, the doctor said I am ok to leave, so there should not be anything wrong with my brain, the annoyance should disappear when the swelling goes down.
“Nah~ I am here to stay.”
Ignoring the annoyance, I slowly made my way to the Commission Hub to receive my reward.
As always, I get stared at in the streets a tad. I think it has increased a little…
Oh god… the bandaged head must have made me even more unpopular...
...Endure…
After entering the Hub, I was going to make my way to the Commission Hub terminal, but I was stopped midway by one of the managers of the Hub.
“Excuse me Mr Ironwood... I am sorry to disturb, but could you follow me to one of our private terminals… free of charge of course...” He seems a little pale, I hope he is Ok…
But that is surprising, a private terminal? Those are quite a luxury you know?
“Ok, lead me there.”
“Of course sir!”
I was soon lead to a private room with a nice armchair and a terminal in front of it,
I had alicia sit down in case she was feeling tired and turned the terminal screen towards myself so I can go through it.
….O...k.. I see now why I had to use a private terminal…
I don’t know what happened while I was out but there are like half a dozen transactions to my account, and that is ignoring the reward that I can claim…
Transaction: 5000 Credits.
Sender: *Private citizen, Anonymous*
Transaction: 105 Credits
Sender: Timothy McMano
Transaction: 2170
Sender: Nali Erlim
Transaction: 6000
Sender: A&A Corporations.
Transaction: 55
Sender: *Private citizen, Anonymous*
Transaction 2000
Sender: Bob Marley (Author: No musicians were harmed during writing)
….
What the fuck went down whilst I was under?
… After looking at the list a while longer I decided to do the smart thing. I phoned Nassim.
…
So… apparently, the Commission Hub released the names of my “Squad” to the public as some kind of heroes, so I guess this is the people showing support to the survivors. In Nassim’s case, I suspect it was him showing gratitude for saving his daughter.
...That was not why we fought.
...I do not deserve this money.
Unauthorized tale usage: if you spot this story on Amazon, report the violation.
After turning in the skirmish, my money amounted to around 18 thousand creds.
… Jesus christ I got shadow-riched
Hm, some of the money is missing?
Ah, of course, the loan was auto paid. Cool. It would have been overdue by now...
… After finishing that, I moved on to my next order of business...
….
“You know… You always seem to avoid thinking about that subject… Are you gonna be able to handle it?”
“...Shut up.”
“...Sorry…”
...great, now I confused Alicia.. *pats head* (Patting the head, cure for all ails!)
Ignoring lily, I make my way to a local residency in the Arcology, and ring the doorbell.
The door was answered by an elderly woman with slightly reddened eyes. She must have been crying.
...The door sign had the surname “Benson” on it.
.
..
…
..
.
“Rasmus? ...Are you alright?...”
…
After I told the lady who I was she kicked me out, apparently I am
“A Murderer.”
“I took her son from her.”
“If I did not exist, Lee might still be alive.”
“Rasmus! Snap out of it!” Alicia slapped me.
“It was not your fault.”
“....”
I pat alicia’s head as I get up.
“...Thanks…” I quietly muttered as we moved on.
Next order of business… I made a promise I must fulfill.
...Yea, we went to a pet store.
I bought Alicia a squirrel. (domesticated breed, they become strongly attached to the first person that feeds them.)
...The first thing the squirrel did when Alicia let it out of its cage after feeding it was skitter up her arm and onto her head.
“OHMYGAWD THAT'S SO ADOWABLE!”
And so, Lily went insane.
“ Shut up Rasmus! I want one too!”
...Annoying. And you are a hallucination, no pets.
“...I hate you.”
Good.
After purchasing the squirrel I made my way out of the pet store with a really upbeat Alicia.
I knew it. She really wanted that squirrel.
I made my way back home with Alicia. Where we enjoyed a rather tasty meal (Alicia cooked, and I helped since her arm doesn't work..) and ate some chocolate that was left in our mail. Who sent it I wonder.
(Don’t worry, I tasted it for poison. I have a rather strong purification aug after all.)
After that, we retired for the night.
*Pov: Alicia*
…. Rasmus~ Rasmus~ Rasmus~ Rasmus~
He didn't reject me because my hand was broken after all~
He even bought me Tibbles later!
Hehe…
Rasmus~ Rasmus~
… Poor Rasmus...Why did Lee have to go and die on Rasmus? If he was still around Rasmus wouldn’t have to feel sad…
Rasmus~ Rasmus~
And that girl he saved.. Lisa?...
...She Likes rasmus…
I don’t mind that, but I was there for the last 2 weeks…
...Her personality is bad news. Rasmus shouldn't get involved with those kind of corrupt people…
...Her father as well...
I knew he might not react well to finding out that Rasmus is... an Old Beast… so I paid him a visit.
...In the end, he is just as bad as that girl. But he is Rasmus’ friend, so I think it's fine…
Rasmus~ Rasmus~
They treated Rasmus and me much better today, they still stare a lot, but it was more curious than scared or disgusted… I hope they will stop looking at Rasmus like that forever...
You know? Rasmus bought me Ms.Tibbles…She is so cute I could just pet her for days…
…I gave her an Acorn and she just got right into cracking it...
Its adorable hehe~
*Pov: Nasim AKA: Evil 2nd in command*
…As always, Boss truly is a genius… How on earth did he foresee everything click into place like this I wonder… Ah… I have so much to learn…
The invasion attempt on Aurora not only gave Boss a shiny new reputation of a near-martyr hero...
...But also drained Ìrota’s available security folk drastically for the duration of the invasion war, as their security was more focused on taking the duties of the Commission-Hub members that were sent as reinforcements.
They also lost many of their high-end spy machines and similar precautions as they were given to the use of the scouts…
For a few days, Ìrota was wide open for smugglers to use, and we were the only ones on the scene to exploit it.
We did not only rake in some serious coin, but secured a-nigh unbreakable foothold on Ìrota’s smuggling routes, one unlike anything any other local smuggling ring has…
...We have a strong enough backing from the the corrupt, bribed, and coerced backers in the area that we can even safely carry out the “silencing” service Boss ordered, without risking much… Etre family as well.. With our control over Ìrota we have a total chokehold on them...
...Just how much did Boss foresee?... That slave of his as well… *shiver*
...I was a fool to ever think she was just some kind a trophy or amusement to Boss… everything he does is coordinated… That girl is like a toxic flower, or an ornamental dagger… Pretty and innocent looking… But I know better now…
While Boss was in coma she gave me a warning… she called me, saying that I should be very careful on how I react to Boss’ state.
….And shot an employee in the head just half a meter to my left through a window… That could have been my head… (and how on earth does she shoot with only one properly functional arm!?)
…She is Boss’ insurance… His way of ensuring that no matter what happens, or
how much he delegates to us. He stays in control…
How did he train her to be so loyal so fast?... Boss is frightening… I was right to never cut Boss out… he is too cunning...
I worry for my daughter… she seems to have caught a fancy towards Boss…
… No matter what. I must never end up on Boss’ wrong side, if boss likes Lìca as well, that would be great...