As the vehicle came to a halt, Melton took in the surroundings with a wary eye. The place looked more like a futuristic viewing station, with large screens flashing various feeds and data.
His irritation was palpable. "Why would you bring me to a viewing station?" he demanded, glancing at Jemmy with a mixture of frustration and confusion.
Jemmy, unfazed by his irritation, rolled her eyes and shook her head. "Just follow me, dumb head. You'll see."
Drawing her back and pinning her to a wall nearby, he looks her directly in her eye. "Don't you dare call me names just because I'm asking you to help me"
Hitting his hand and walking off, Jemmy adjusted her shirt and said, "Then you better stop asking questions and acting like a baby"
Melton now infuriated, clenched his fist and shook his head as he followed closely behind her.
They walked towards a heavy door, which Jemmy pushed open to reveal a vast hall. Inside, Melton noticed a counter manned by two women who looked more like bouncers than receptionists. The hall was filled with mercenaries, some lounging around, others scanning job boards or talking in low voices. Melton's eyes widened as he quickly realized where he was.
"If you're looking to make some serious money and find a place to stay," Jemmy said, her tone matter-of-fact, "DWZ is your best bet."
Melton frowned deeply, confusion etched on his face. "DWZ? What's that supposed to be?"
"Death Wish Zone," Jemmy replied, a smirk tugging at her lips. "It's a mercenary recruitment center. You want cash and a roof over your head, this is where you come."
Melton was clearly skeptical. "I'm not exactly in a position to be picky, but I am aware that this isn't the right location for me. I am unable to sleep outside."
With a casual shrug, Jemmy's demeanor remained neutral. It will be up to you to figure out how to make it work. Dress appropriately, but don't anticipate to walk in and have everything laid out for you. Furthermore, avoid greed."
"What do you mean when you ask me not to be greedy?" Melton asked, looking into her eyes for answers.
With a dismissive wave, Jemmy turned and walked away, leaving Melton to navigate this new and unwelcoming environment on his own.
With a dismissive wave, Jemmy turned and walked away, leaving Melton to navigate this new and unwelcoming environment on his own.
Melton mentally activated Nexus, feeling the weight of the angry looks and the strange surroundings.
"Nexus, can you scan the environment and give me a rundown on the type of people I'll be dealing with here?" Melton questioned in a stern yet quiet tone.
"Affirmative, Melton," Nexus responded. "Initiating environmental scan and profiling of nearby individuals."
A moment later, Nexus's voice came through with detailed information. "Based on the scan, this establishment caters primarily to mercenaries and contract operatives. The individuals here exhibit a wide range of specializations, including combat experts, tech specialists, and bounty hunters. The atmosphere is charged with tension, likely due to the competitive nature of the mercenary work available."
Melton frowned. "What about their skill levels and potential threats?"
Nexus continued, "The majority of individuals present are experienced professionals, with varying levels of skill. Many of them seem to have been in the field for years, and their demeanor indicates a readiness to engage in conflicts if provoked. The people with the most intense glares are likely to be those who see your sudden arrival as a challenge or competition."
"Great," Melton muttered. "So, I'm basically stepping into a den of seasoned warriors who might not take kindly to a newcomer grabbing the highest-paying job."
"Precisely," Nexus replied. "You should be prepared for potential confrontations or attempts to undermine your position. Additionally, the higher your job rank, the more attention you will attract from other mercenaries who may view you as a threat or an opportunity."
Melton sighed, trying to shake off the anxiety creeping into his mind. "Any advice on how to handle myself here?"
"Given the environment," Nexus suggested, "maintain a confident demeanor and avoid showing any sign of weakness. Engage only when necessary and be cautious about revealing too much about yourself or your capabilities. It would be beneficial to quickly establish a reputation for reliability and competence."
Melton nodded, feeling a bit more reassured. "Alright, Nexus. Keep monitoring the surroundings and let me know if anything unusual comes up."
"Understood," Nexus confirmed. "I will continue to monitor and provide updates as needed."
With a deep breath, Melton tucked the data pad under his arm and started walking with purpose. He knew that making an impression in the DWZ was crucial, and he had to tread carefully to navigate through this dangerous new world.
Melton stepped up to the counter by himself, trying not to look at the group of mercenaries and listen to their looks and whispers. The first woman behind the counter, a strong, no-nonsense woman, examined him closely from head to toe. With a harsh voice, she enquired, "What can I help you with today?"
Melton cleared his throat in an attempt to come across as assured as possible. "I'm here to do some work. What's on hand?"
A tech board flickered to life behind her, displaying a range of job ranks and corresponding pay rates. Melton's eyes scanned the list quickly, and he selected an A-rank job with a pay of 2 million credits. The room went silent as the mercenaries' eyes turned towards him, their gazes heavy with judgment and curiosity.
The second lady at the counter, younger and with a more calculating look, gave him a half-smile. "You've picked an A-rank job. That's a pretty high-stakes choice. Before that, you'll need to pay 30 thousand credits for your Mercenary ID."
Melton's heart sank as he realized he was almost out of funds. With only 35 thousand credits remaining, the cost was nearly all he had. He took a deep breath and handed over the money, leaving him with a meager balance.
The first lady handed him a small data pad, her expression unreadable. "Here's your job description and details on how to get your pay. The job details are encrypted; you'll need to access them with the pad."
Melton took the pad, nodding curtly. He could feel the eyes of the room boring into him, but he ignored them as he turned to leave. The second lady's voice followed him, tinged with a mix of curiosity and caution. "Good luck out there. Get me a rose if you make it."
Melton didn't respond, his mind already focused on the task ahead. As he exited the hall, he was unaware of a mysterious figure slipping into the shadows, silently following his every move.
Melton walked through the city
's labyrinthine streets, his thoughts racing with strategies and plans.