Ethan hopped off the platform, dusted his hands, and smiled at Ross.
He'd admit it — he was provoking the senior soldier.
"Holy shit, bro — that was fucking incredible!"
The Dogtown residents who'd been cursing about losing their money to Ethan now stared at his cyberware, eyes hungry.
Not that they had the guts to do anything. Dogtown corpses — whether floating in drainage canals or strung up by Hansen — always got stripped of valuables by these people.
The underground fight boss's fighter had been beaten half to death, but the man was thrilled. With odds like that, he'd made a killing.
Ethan's optics lit up. The arena boss transferred Ross's money to him without hesitation.
"Nice fight, brother. Leave your contact info — you keep everything you won."
The guy's booming voice made sure Ross could hear every word.
Everyone hustling in Dogtown was a cunning bastard, a road-hardened outlaw. Ethan saw through the little scheme immediately.
He didn't refuse. In a way, this boss had just given him a perfect assist. Sure, the house had taken a fat cut, but that didn't stop the green-faced Ross from coming after him.
"Everyone freeze! Keep your money where it is!"
Ross was an old soldier used to throwing his weight around. No way he'd watch his eddies walk into someone else's pocket.
The Barghest grunts beside him raised their guns. The crowd went silent.
"Cough up the money. I'm done playing."
Ethan's eyebrow twitched. Several dozen people around the ring had placed bets. This asshole wanted to welch!
Looking at the Dogtown residents cowed by Barghest, Ethan called out: "Looks like these Barghest boys don't want anyone eating tonight! Think about it — if he takes this money back, who's ever coming here to watch fights again? This asshole's word means nothing. If listening to them put food on the table, we'd all be licking Barghest boots already!"
Once Ethan got them going, the crowd turned chaotic.
Curses and hostile glares surrounded the three Barghest soldiers. If Ross had the balls to open fire, Hansen would definitely have his head mounted upside-down in Dogtown's underground streets.
Seeing the residents turn on him, Ross didn't dare keep flexing.
Ethan strolled away from the arena, hands in pockets. The underground fight crowd scattered, leaving Ross and two soldiers who didn't dare breathe too loud.
Walking ahead, Ethan sensed the Barghest vehicle creeping along behind him. But he didn't rush to flee. He walked like he was window shopping — casual, natural.
Dogtown's architecture was split into above-ground and underground levels. Especially around the Luxor Pacifica area, what should've been underground pedestrian shopping streets had become gathering spots for beggars and criminals.
Ethan descended into the underground passage. The engine noise behind him stopped.
He found a relatively clean bench with graffiti, lit a cigarette, and studied the data shard in his hand.
[Ross Elmore]: Where's my shipment?
[Linus Rudy]: Fuck! Yuri's people intercepted them. Two crates got seized.
[Linus Rudy]: Forget the cargo for now. Those two idiots are being hunted all over the city by Yuri's people. Think of something! If they get caught, you and I are both fucked. You get that, dipshit?
[Ross Elmore]: Just find someone to take out those two guys. I need that shipment. You know I need this money.
[Linus Rudy]: You brain-damaged, bro?
The shard's contents still made Ethan want to laugh. According to his past-life memories, Ross Elmore was just an arms smuggler with underground tunnel access, making money behind Hansen's back —
But what kind of person Ross actually was? Ethan hadn't known.
Until he'd paid for intel within Barghest and discovered Ross's spectacular fuckup.
As for the two soldiers mentioned in the shard? Long gone — probably already through orbital spaceport security by now.
Petty. Greedy. Couldn't read the room. All brawn, no brains. A low-level criminal's mind... That was Ross Elmore.
Ethan rubbed his chin, took a final drag until the smoke burned his lips, then dropped the butt and crushed it.
He looked up.
Ross stood before him, arms crossed, expression vicious, staring at this young man with military-grade chrome.
"Where the hell are you from? I've never seen you in Barghest."
The three Barghest soldiers had him surrounded. Ethan leaned back against the bench, watching the three stooges with amusement. "There's a lot of people you've never seen. You need me to introduce myself?"
Ross's exoskeleton frame creaked. His strength came from the frame's powerful defense and his military shield — though he'd removed those bulky attachments today. Just here to watch a fight, after all.
Ross threatened: "I don't mind you introducing yourself. Or... I could beat it out of you."
This was exactly the simple-minded grunt Ethan wanted!
He pointed at Ross. "How's business been lately?"
Ross played dumb. "What are you talking about?"
"Dogtown business. Selling arms, making profit. Maybe digging some tunnels on the side —"
Before Ethan finished, Ross grabbed his collar. "Who the fuck are you? Hansen's man? Investigating me?"
"Whether it's Hansen, Yuri, or Gago checking the books... you shouldn't treat someone who knows the details of your business like this."
Ethan looked at Ross's hand, expression flat.
The Barghest soldier behind Ross swallowed. "I think you... uh, should let go of his collar, sir."
Ross's temper cooled. He deflated and released Ethan.
Ethan exhaled in relief. He wasn't confident he could come out ahead against this Barghest senior soldier. Talking was definitely preferable.
"Still want to do business?" Ethan asked.
Ross's expression shifted. "I just sell some stuff. You know Hansen —"
Ethan cut him off. "I get it, I get it. Who doesn't love eddies? I'm asking if you want to keep doing business."
Ross's face froze.
Who the hell is this guy?
"Those two soldiers — I've cleaned that up for you. Arms dealing is too risky. Forget NCPD. Let's talk about the good Colonel. He turns a blind eye, doesn't audit closely — but what happens when he does look your way? What's your plan?"
Ross said nothing.
Ethan continued: "My boss and I are offering you a new path. Cyberware and weapons from the city, brought in to sell. Using your channels... As for the split."
Ethan's optics flashed. He transferred ten thousand eddies to Ross.
"Your fight-betting money — returned. Keep the extra. Boss says there's a shipment coming from the city soon. Any problems, contact him. I'll send you the contact info later."
Ross's mouth went dry.
He loved fat stacks of eddies.
"Wait! You know how it is — Hansen controls everything in Dogtown. I'm worried..."
Ethan gave him a your thinking is too small look. "I guarantee the goods won't hit the black market. We'll move them slowly through Dogtown. Quiet sales."
Funny — Ross wasn't scared to smuggle arms out, but smuggling in made him nervous. Hansen's grip on Dogtown was clearly iron-tight.
Ross gritted his teeth. "Fine... Mind telling me who your boss is?"
Ethan shook his head. "Knowing less protects you. Think about it — ignorance means no burden. Know too much and you get scared. Goods come in, you get paid again... Long-term partnership with my boss. What do you think?"
Ross's already weak resistance crumbled completely...
Fifteen minutes later, Ethan emerged from the underground passage, feeling refreshed.
Smuggling channel secured!
Next step: investigate this "big boss" target.