"Oh damn," Dayle muttered as he tapped the gauntlet's screen for the umpteenth time. The same message popped up whenever he scrolled to Map: Please connect to Terminal. Well, great. Due to the rain which had recently just passed, he was both wet, and lost, in a giant city, with no idea where he should be heading. At least, if nothing else, the rim of his hat had shielded his eyes from the pouring rain. It now sat in the gauntlet, still soggy from the rain.

Determined not to let a little situation get him down, Dayle obtained directions from a kind store owner. Armed with direction, and purpose, he returned to the ridiculously crowded streets. Really, if he didn't know any better, he would think he was still in New York, what with the impossible crowd density.

Teenagers on hoverboards flew overhead and on the main road, effectively dodging the traffic. Dayle made a mental note to get himself one of those as soon as possible. They really looked handy.

Maybe it was the luck of the day, or his heightened senses as a Radi, but somehow, muffled screams from an alley reached his ears despite surrounding noises. Dayle paused, for a moment not trusting his own ears. However, when the scream repeated, he elbowed his way past the throng of pedestrians, into the alley.

For an alley it was much neater than Dayle expected. The ground was pristine aside from a piece of paper someone had recently abandoned. He spotted a group of men gathered near a large dumpster to the side. Really? Dumpsters in the future? Developers probably just felt that particular detail wasn't important... Or maybe humans would still be using dumpsters thousand years in the future. Who knew? Either way, his main concern should be the B-list movie thugs gathered around it. He counted five.

"Hey guys," Dayle called cheerfully.

The thugs turned to face him, each man worthy of a WWE Championship belt, what with the muscles they were packing. Like any generic thug group, they sported lots of denim, and more jewelry than should be legally allowed. If he was to color code them by the dye they had chosen to use on their hairs, they would go: Red, Green, Orange, Pink and Indigo. Indigo shot, "Who the fuck're you?"

Redneck accent. Gotta respect the classics. Dayle glanced past the men to a huddled figure on the ground beside the dumpster. A girl judging from her figure. Long, dirty grey hair spilled over, shielding her face from view, but he noted a tattoo on her left arm. Her right was buried beneath her so he couldn't confirm if it was a twin tattoo. "A friend of hers." He pointed at the figure.

"You know Dee?"

Easiest name-get ever! "Yup," Dayle pronounced. Sure, every mentor and boss he'd ever had always had the same thing to say about this exact situation. But he'd never listened, and he wasn't about to start now. "Got a problem with her," Dayle thumbed at the girl, "You deal with me." He pressed the thumb to his chest.

The leader—he assumed he was the leader because he was the biggest—made a show of cracking his knuckles as he took a step towards Dayle. He raised his right arm high... then tapped Dayle's shoulder, a large grin on his face. "Why didn't you say so?" He hooked his arm around Dayle's neck, laughing madly. "Hey Dee!" Orange called, hook tightening ever so slightly round the smaller man's neck. "You didn't tell us you had friends."

"That's cuz I fucking don't Vega," cursed the girl called Dee as she rose from the floor, so she sat against the dumpster.

Dayle's breath caught.

Dee was stupid beautiful, and not in that supermodel kind of way. A single dark, auburn eye regarded him with disgusted suspicion, full lips pursed to match her scowl. A left eye was shielded from sight by long dark-grey curtains, but he could make out what seemed to be scarring beneath. A blood-red sleeveless vest left enough of a toned mid-riff to get the imagination working, but cargo pants ending in work boots covered all of her legs.

"I'm in love," Dayle confessed.

"Hey, Dee. Dude says he's in love," Vega chorused.

"Leave it Vega," Dee pressed. She glared at Dayle. "Probably some lost Aug."

"I was lost," Dayle admitted. "But not anymore."

"HAHAHA!" Vega guffawed. "I like this kid. That line ever work for ya?"

"Eh, it wasn't—"

"Fuck off Aug," Dee cursed as she got to her feet. She spat out what looked like blood, then wiped a gash on her lower lip. "Don't need your help."

"Oh, I don't doubt it," Dayle said, absolutely still. "Hey Vega was it? What's your beef with her?"

Vega chuckled, obviously amused by the absurd scene. "Broad owes us. Useless pops left her with a lotta debt and unfinished dreams. Ain't that right Dee?" When Dee didn't reply, his tone darkened as he repeated, "Ain't that right Dee!?"

Dee's hands trembled as she forced herself to speak the words. "That's ri—"

"How much she owe you?" Dayle interrupted, voice hard.

"Million credits," Vega replied, smile returning as he realized where this was going.

"How bout I take care of that?" Dayle offered.

"Like hell you—" Dee started, but at Vega's signal, one of his henchmen punched her in the gut.

"You look like a fresher," Vega observed. "You don't have a million credits."

"No," Dayle confirmed. "But I'm an Auger. You should know how easily we rake it in."

Vega looked to Red, who shrugged. Vega's hook tightened round Dayle's neck as he said, "Know who I am, Kid? Don't be making promises you ain't sure you can keep. I get real antsy when people break their promises."

"You got no problem here, man. I always keep my promises."

"That so?" Vega laughed, finally releasing his hook around Dayle's neck. Dayle massaged his neck. Vega's muscles were definitely not just for show. "I believe ya," Vega said as he tapped his bracelet. "What's your name, kid?"

"Dayle, Dayle Butcher."

"Got you," Vega said, doing something on his gauntlet. "Whoa man, says here you just registered. Ain't even in a faction yet. That true?"

"Yeah," Dayle said with a curios frown. "How do you know that? That information aint supposed to be public."

"Pfft. Public he says." Vega and his henchmen laughed at Dayle's apparent stupidity. "Let's just say we got some... means to information." Vega collected himself, and stared Dayle down, eyes hard. "Forget the million credits. Don't join any faction. Work for me for six months. Do that, and the debts forgotten."

Dayle glanced at the girl who glared daggers at him. Well, this was a funny turn of events. He was supposed to sign up with a faction, climb up their ranks, then find the Intel using their vast networks. But it seemed just like in the real world, this game had a criminal underground which could cheat their way into information that didn't belong to them. Save a pretty lady and gain a shortcut. Win-Win. "I'm in. But I'm a contractor, not your henchman. I have my team and my way of getting the job done. No interventions. I will not get you coffee, follow you around like some dumbass roadie or be at your beck and call. You send any missions to me, and I withold the right to refuse if it's not my thing."

Vega frowned. "You've got a lotta demands, kid."

"Or we could go the million credits route. I'm pretty sure I can make that in a year," Dayle declared. "You want an Auger. You were all jittery when you saw I wasn't allied. Way I see it: You need me, I don't need you." Brow raised, he flashed a cocky grin. "What's it gonna be?"

Vega snorted, then burst out in animated laughter as he slapped Dayle's back. "And you're a negotiator to boot!" He placed his left arm round Dayle's shoulder, and raised the other as he faced his men. "Seems we've got ourselves a heck of a catch boys." He set down his right and fixed Dayle a firm handshake. "You've got yourself a deal Aug. Get your team to Experience Level: Four by the end of the week, then come meet us. Dee'll direct you. Won't you Dee?"

Dee glared, disgust apparent in her sneer. "Like I have a fucking choice."

"That's my girl," Vega mocked. "Didn't I tell you your luck was gonna turn up one of these days?"

"Funny," she quipped. "I remember you said the exact opposite."

"Ah, Dee," Vega mockingly placed his right palm on his chest, "you wound me." He looked down to Dayle. "Women huh?"

Dayle's reply was a short grunt. "So, we in business right?"

"Sure thing."

"Good," Dayle confirmed. "Cuz from here on out, it's purely personal."

"What you me—" BAM! A solid punch against his nose sent Vega staggering back. His eyes went wide as blood pooled in his cupped hands. "Fucker sucker-punched me!" Behind him, both his henchmen and Dee froze as they tried to process exactly what just happened.

Dayle stretched, as if waking up from a long sleep. "Whoa that felt good. Been holding that in for too long."

"You hit me," Vega repeated, obviously as confused as his men.

Dayle shrugged. "Gotta admit, you kinda had it coming. Roughhousing a lady? What you think I was gonna do?"

"I don't know," Vega angrily retorted. "Anything but clock a guy you just fucking met!" He turned to his lackeys. "You fools waiting on a carpet or something? Get the fucker!"

"Just to be clear," Dayle called as he ducked under Red's swing. "This ain't business," he rose with a sharp uppercut to Red's chin, "just personal." Red staggered as th eblow rattled his brain. Dayle finished him off with a left jab to the face. The remaining three wisely chose to rush as one.

Dayle parried Indigo's punch, but Green—who had clearly been hitting the protein shakes—rounded Dayle with surprising agility and wrapped him in a bear hug, pinning his arms to his sides. Pink and Indigo both punished Dayle with a series of well placed hits. Confidence growing, they stepped in for the finisher.

Dayle pushed against Green and the ground at the same time so his outstretched legs landed on Pink and Indigo's shoulders. Dayle shut the distance between his legs. Pink and Indigo's brains rattle as their heads collided with a loud crunch. Soles crashed into their respective faces before they could recover. As they fell over, Dayle used the momentum to push him up and against Green.

Green held his ground though, determined to squeeze Dayle to death if possible.

Dayle cursed and ran to the side, dragging Green along. Dayle jumped, then kicked off the wall with both feet. The recoil sent both men crashing to the ground. Green's hold slacked and Dayle did not miss the opportunity.

Dayle rolled out of Green's grip, then kicked the bigger man's face as he made to rise. Green's head smashed against the concrete, and he went absolutely still.

Panting, Dayle got to his feet, and wiped his sore lips. Those guys had gotten in some really good ones. He looked to Vega. "This doesn't affect our deal right? Just a buncha guys letting off some steam?" A teasing smile played on his lips.

Vega raised a brow as Indigo and Pink wobbled to their feet. To everybody's surprise, he burst out laughing. "Nice one kid. You said your name was Dayle right? You've got a good punch. I'll remember it for when I repay the favor."

Dayle flashed a relieved grin. "Well, you're a bigger man than I thought you were. Deal stands right?"

"It stands," Vega confirmed. He smacked both Indigo and Pink up the back of their heads, then pointed at Red and Green. "Pick 'em up you roaches! Might need better hands if a single guy's clocking your numbers." He looked to Dee, a snide grin on his face. "Seem you get to keep your vitals after all. Ain't you glad?"

Dee frowned. "Piss off."

Vega shrugged. His henchmen helped their allies up, then made their way out of the alley to a waiting van. "Take good care of him, Dee," Vega ordered. "He's an asset now."

Dee turned to Dayle and spat. "Yeah, I'll take care of him all right."

"That's my girl," he praised. He tapped Dayle's shoulder as he made his way to the van, cold eyes conveying all he needed to, flashed a grin, then left the victim and rescuer to themselves.

Once Vega was out of the picture, Dee trudged up to, then seized Dayle by the collar. "Who the fuck're you and what do you want from me?"

Dayle raised his arms in mock surrender. "Already gave you my name. It's Dayle, remember?"

"Yeah, Dayle?" she sneered. "What do you want?"

Dayle flashed a smile. "What if I said I just wanted to help a beautiful damsel in dis—" Dee slammed him against the wall. "Well, this is definitely getting heated," he joked.

"I'm no fucking damsel, and I sure as hell don't need your hero complex ruining my life."

"Hey, my psychiatrist said the same thing. You think I got a hero complex too?"

Dee frowned. "What? No. I mean Yes... I don't know!" She slammed him again. "That ain't the fucking point." She drew close as she hissed. "You stay the fuck away from me. Got that?"

"No problem," Dayle replied. Her grip relaxed. "As long as you stay away from Vega." It tightened.

"Who the fuck do you think you are?"

"A selfish asshole who likes to save girls to boost his own ego and maybe get their numbers, and if he plays his cards right one day bang them," Dayle answered. "That about it, I think."

Dee faltered, eyes blinking. She couldn't come up with an appropriate response to that... so she just went to the default. She kneed him in the crotch.

"Oh Jesus," Dayle squeaked as he dropped to a knee. "Maybe I had that one coming."

"You think!?" Dee hissed. "Motherfucker, you ruined everything!" She walked up to, then kicked the dumpster with all her might. "Fuck!" she cursed out loud as pain rain up the length of her leg. "I'll murder you!"

"I don't think that's going to happen," Dayle muttered as he got to his feet, wincing from residual pain. "You heard Orange. We gotta work together from here on out."

Dee's brow furrowed. "Orange?... Oh?" Lips curled in an involuntary 'O' as she realized who he was referring to. Laughter bubbled from deep, then exploded, incensed by her frustrations. "Oh, that's rich! Orange! Ha! When Vega hears that," she turned to Dayle with a wicked glint. "Maybe he'll change his mind and take care of you."

Dayle let out an exaggerated sigh. "You really hate me huh? Guess first impressions really do matter." He held out his hands. "Feelings aside, how about we just cooperate. To be honest, I'm not helping you just out the goodness of my beautiful heart." Dee's brow rose in question. "Vega's my ticket to a mission of my own."

Dee frowned. "Fine, if that's the case, I'll work with you." Eyes hard she added, "Strictly professional."

"Fair enough," Dayle admitted. "You'll come around eventually." At her icy glare, he hastily added, "But of course I won't harass you or anything." He led them out of the alley, then made his way to the patron, Dee following beside him. "So, in the spirit of professionalism, just what exactly do you bring to the table?"

Dee suddenly found an interest in the pavements. "I'm an engineer," she answered, voice low.

"What's up with that?" Dayle bluntly asked. "You don't look too proud. From what I gather, Engineers are raking it in."

"Those posers aren't engineers," she spat. "Posers regurgitating whatever Central spits out aint engineers. We're supposed to be innovators, but we've been doing the same damn thing for decades hoping for a different result."

"The definition of Insanity."

"Exactly!" Dee concurred. In her rage, she didn't noticed she had actually agreed with Dayle. "Father at least tried something different, fresh! But nooo, everybody laughed at him, cause they were mostly failures. Everyone forgets it was father who proposed Mobile Cities in the first place. He should have a goddamn statue in Central, respected by everybody. He was a bloody pioneer!" He raised voice attracted attention from the passing pedestrians. She lowered it. "Vega's my only chance to get revenge," she whispered.

"Revenge huh?" Dayle said with a short nod. "A classic. I'm a good fan of vengeance myself. Difference is, I only support it if it has a higher purpose. What's your plan? Crash this Central thing, expose secrets or what? No matter what you do, all you'll achieve is destabilizing society to suit your own selfish needs," he pointed out. A smiling teenager with dirty grey hair flashed in his mind. "Shaking up society that violently has to have an end game unless all you've done is destroy what your father helped create, for no good reason."

"You sure can fucking preach," Dee hissed. "What do you suggest I do then?"

"Well, you could become the best goddamn engineer with fresh new ideas. From what I know of humanity, do that and your father's name becoming renowned will be the least of your worries. And hey, if to do that, you gotta burn down a few cities, go the hell ahead. I couldn't care less as long as it doesn't affect my life."

"You really are a selfish asshole."

Dayle laughed as they rounded a corner to see a large tower with the words, The Patron, hovering over an impressive water fountain at its entrance. "Well, I've never denied it." Dayle chuckled at the sight of two human Augers in battle suits standing beside the fountain. His amusement was brought by the eye catching hologram that hovered above their heads. Over here, asshole!

Well, Dayle said with a laugh as he walked towards them. "How's about we go meet the rest of the team, Dee?"

"Don't call me that," she chided as she fell into step beside him. "My name's Dacey. Dacey Darius."

"Pleasure to finally meet you," Dayle said with a soft smile. "Dacey."

****

A/N: It's a funny thing when all of a sudden, 3000 words feels like a short chapter.. Anyway, I know it seems odd that an entire chapter was dedicated to this encounter, but believe me, Dacey Darius plays an integral part in the story...

Why did I bother to put this as an A/N? Well, because this is one of those cases of art influencing writing. Was just browsing through google for a female mechanic. But once I saw the linked picture, Dacey Darius was born.. I mean it. The second I saw that pic, Dee elevated from a side character to one of my favorites... So shoutout to the artist, whoever you are. You are responsible for one of my favorite\e characters to date..