A modified vehicle in Santo Domingo parked next to a shipping container.
Inside the large container, the incandescent lights were on, furniture and food bags were haphazardly placed, and a few clothes lay in the corner. On the comparatively tidier sofa, people were now seated.
Maine sat broadly on the sofa, his hands on his thighs, leaning forward to look at Roel and Sasha, who were sitting side by side.
Pilar sat next to Maine, also looking at Sasha and Roel with a serious expression.
Sasha had already treated her wound; the bullet hadn't hit any vital organs, it was just a stray bullet that had pierced her shoulder.
Therefore, Sasha's injury didn't even require a Ripperdoc.
She only needed to replace a small part in her shoulder.
Although that was also a Ripperdoc's job, if a skilled Netrunner had to go to a Ripperdoc for such a minor part replacement, wouldn't the cost be too high?!
Therefore, from Maine's perspective, this mission was a close call, but ultimately safe.
But every time he thought of Sasha and Roel leaping from the fourteenth floor, Maine felt his heart being squeezed by a hand. What a joke!
If he hadn't asked Roel to protect Sasha, if Roel had failed to escape with Sasha at that time...
Then, when Maine and Pilar arrived...
Thinking of this, Maine secretly clenched his fists.
He had, on more than one occasion, instilled in his crew the idea that everyone was family. In Night City, this was truly foolish and deceptive; what 'family' was there among mercenary crews?
But Maine was genuinely serious.
Death was commonplace and utterly normal in Night City, but even so, Maine didn't want it to happen to his crew.
Looking at Sasha and Roel, Maine said seriously:
"So, which of you two can tell me what exactly happened?"
"Also, Sasha, you should sincerely apologize to me."
After escaping from the City Center, they drove all the way to Santo Domingo to return to their base. During this time, Maine only made a call to Dorio.
He told her that the mission had encountered some trouble, but everything was now resolved, reassuring her and asking her to take care of Rebecca.
Dorio also said she would bring Rebecca over immediately.
Listening to Maine, Sasha nodded seriously, raised her hand to her face, and softly said:
"I made a mistake. I shouldn't have let personal emotions sway me, causing variables in the mission. I request to forfeit my share of the mission's reward."
Maine's mouth twitched, and he said sternly: "Do you think that's what I want to talk about?"
"I..." Sasha paused, glanced at Roel beside her, then lowered her head and said: "I shouldn't have hung up the phone. I should have told you what happened and hidden to wait for your rescue, instead of going to seek death."
"I don't know what happened to make you, who is usually the most principled in the crew, break the rules. But Sasha, no matter what it is, you should tell me and Dorio. I've said it before, we share wealth, we share blessings, and we face difficulties together."
"We've been together for half a year now. Do you still not trust what I say?" Maine said earnestly.
Is half a year a long time? Not at all.
But in the mercenary world, half a year is enough to bring in a lot of new blood, so half a year is not short either.
Sasha fell silent. She really didn't know how to speak. If Roel wasn't there, she might have explained the situation to Maine and asked for his forgiveness.
But no matter the reason, she had almost ruined the mission and put the crew in danger because of personal emotions.
However, when she thought about the long lecture she had given Roel at Afterlife just a few hours ago, and now, a few hours later, she was rescued by Roel, sitting next to him, and being reprimanded by Maine in front of him...
Does Sasha not care about her pride?
"I won't pursue this matter further, nor will I ask why you did it, but Sasha, I hope you reflect on yourself properly," Maine said sternly to Sasha, "Think carefully about what I've told you."
"Thank you, Maine," Sasha looked up and said seriously.
"Alright, the scolding is over, so now let's talk about this job." Maine changed the subject, grinning, "This job ends here. Once the money is in, the four of us will split it equally. No one loses out."
Normally, Maine would divide the money evenly among everyone, but only four people worked on this job.
Naturally, Dorio and Rebecca wouldn't get a share, but that's just how it's said; in practice, it's not like that.
Maine and Dorio, Rebecca and Pilar—the money would go to either of these two pairs.
"Maine, about my share..." Sasha suddenly raised her hand.
She was a bit conflicted internally; this didn't align with her usual persona in Maine's crew, but after a moment, Sasha made a decision.
Maine looked at her.
"My money goes to Roel. If it weren't for him this time, I would have been truly screwed," Sasha said, feigning nonchalance.
"That's not according to the rules, Sasha. That was Roel's job; that's the mission he took. Besides, his pay is already the highest among us," Maine frowned.
Sasha shook her head and said: "It's different. I caused the accident. This job shouldn't have had any danger, and Roel shouldn't have had to risk his life to save me. I have to pay for my own mistakes, don't I?"
"And this is my life! Or do you think you can find many hackers better than me out there? I promised him this in advance," Sasha said with a cat-like smile.
She turned to Roel and winked, "It's all yours."
Roel gave a thumbs-up, not refusing Sasha's good intentions.
He was indeed short on money now. Roel knew Moxes' situation best; money was needed everywhere. Moreover, Roel also needed to invest in himself now.
And also... he had to rent an apartment, otherwise, would he keep sleeping in a shipping container?
Roel definitely wouldn't.
Just then, the container's metal door was pulled open from above, with a rumbling sound, followed by Dorio's voice.
"How is it?"
Dorio returned with Rebecca, looking at Maine, she asked anxiously.
Maine leaned against the back of the sofa, turned, and smiled at Dorio, shaking his head: "Everything has been resolved."
Rebecca let out an annoyed "Ha," drawing out the sound: "Then why didn't you just come to Afterlife to find us?"
"Escaping, you understand?
"I also wanted to go to Afterlife for a drink and to brag a bit after the mission, but we almost got caught by a flying car. Speaking of which, I think we should find a veteran driver now," Maine said, looking at Rebecca.
Sasha also greeted Rebecca and Dorio.
Dorio looked at Sasha, and seeing Sasha and Roel sitting side by side and quite close, Dorio raised an eyebrow and gave Maine a look.
Maine winked at Dorio.
"Maine, is there something wrong with your eyes? Bro, help Maine check his eyes!" Rebecca saw Maine's expression and immediately shouted.
In an instant, everyone in the container looked at Maine.
Maine was about to say something, but Sasha stood up.
Turning to Roel, she crossed her arms and said: "Come out with me, I have something to tell you."
"I want to go too!" Roel hadn't even spoken when Pilar shouted.
Rebecca also looked at Roel and Sasha, her crimson-yellow eyes shifting.
The sharp-nosed Rebecca smelled something amiss!
Her big brother was clearly wary of Roel!
"Stop messing around, goddammit." Maine grabbed Pilar, who was about to run in front of Sasha, then looked at Roel, "Roel, it's not a good habit to keep a lady waiting."
After personally witnessing Roel's strength, Maine was even more eager to recruit Roel into his crew!
Having such a guy in the crew was like a life-saving charm, baby!
Roel silently stood up, and Sasha also turned and walked out of the container.
Following Sasha, the two quickly exited the container.
"What are they doing?" Dorio sat next to Maine, asking curiously.
Maine grinned broadly, "Just a little... subtle change."
He laughed, kissed Dorio, "Just like you and me."
Dorio didn't refuse Maine's affection, and she also understood what was going on.
A hero saving a beauty—that old-fashioned, cheesy, yet incredibly romantic and timeless story.