Ch 8. Enhancements and troubleshooting

When exploring Union one of the main focal points is The Outbacks. Most people enter the bar with the mind of drinks and relaxing, then again nobody expected the bar to be the house of one of Union's largest gangs. Diego sure as hell didn't but when Oakley saw him fight and offered him a job he accepted without batting an eye.

"What do you think's holding up the boss?" a grunt asked him

"No, clue. Are the tables clean?"

"Yep, gonna be locking up shop"

"Alright, see ya tomorrow"

Before the grunt left he turned around and looked at Diego "Say, where are you gonna be staying?"

"Why're you asking?"

"Ever since you broke up with that girl you'd just been crashing here"

Diego sighed, his dingo ears flattening on his head. "Boss has been letting me stay for a while"

"Cheer up mate, you know it's been close to four months right?"

"I-I know. It's just that I feel like I could've explained it better"

Snrk "Look, i'm sorry. Just that most girls wouldn't be interested in a kid being part of a gang"

"Yeah, your right" Diego sighed and waved goodbye at the grunt. Cleaning the glass he continued to ponder if his choice was the right one.

Ding

"Huh? Oh sorry, we're closed for the night" Diego called out

"Oh? And you wouldn't even serve a drink to little ole me?" Diego tensed, that voice, although sweet, sounded dangerous. Looking up he flinched, the woman looked at him directly, sauntering her way to the bar. He didn't know if it was the green hair, or her tanned skin but there was something alluring about her.

"Tell me bar boy, how long have you been working here?"

"U-uh, 7 m-months"

"Tell me boy, are you scared? I wouldn't be surprised, then again you probably don't know who I am"

"That would be c-correct ma'am" Diego's ears perked up, they scanned the room.

"Of course Oakley wouldn't talk about me after what he did. Tell me what do you see in your boss?"

"A-a hard working man, w-who would help his employees?"

"What if...I could provide more than what he does? All you have to do is stare into my eyes" Diego looked at them and began to feel mesmerized. The way her pale green eyes began to glow, Diego began to get in a trance like state.

"You could have so much more working for me...It could be profitable as well. Besides this joint venture with the White Fang could"

Diego smashed a glass over his head, shaking it he looked back at the woman the glow from her eyes gone. In that moment Diego grabbed a pistol from under the bar table, but instead of attacking he ran towards the window and jumped out. Diego didn't know how he was able to break her trance but he needed to run. To where he didn't know, he just needed to find Oakley.

Jaune stood in front of Richter's shop, Oakley was currently balancing himself on his shoulder. Jaune waddled up and knocked on the door, it opened after a bit and a sleepy Richter opened it. He seemed as if he was about to explode but froze when he looked at Oakley.

"G'day mate"

"Jaune. You didn't tell me I was going to help a man from the local mafia"

"It's more of' a gang than a mafia, but hey whatever floats your boat" the older man responded

"Can we just go in?"

"Yeah, yeah sure" Walking in Jaune expected it to be a bit dirtier, turning on the lights Jaune saw itv was cleaned and a chair was set up next to a table. Setting Oakley down Jaune saw Richter walk in with a computer and some blueprints.

"Ok we can do this the legal way by buying a pre-made prosthetic, of course that will cost us a lot"

"How much are we talking?" Jaune asked

"Depends on the manufacturer and what...you never gave me a name?"

"Jonahe Oakley, 'pleasure to meet you"

"Richter Brown, as I was saying"

"I want something that actually works, not one of those toys that people call arms"

"So an Atlesian 380?" Jonah grinned at that

"Great, you know that would be around 5k right?"

"Pah, Atlesian numbskulls wanting to over price shit"

"It is a prototype"

"That's what they always say"

"Jaune what do you think?" Richter turned and asked his friend

Jaune hummed to himself, looking at the blueprints he 'found' he wasn't impressed. Although the thing had great mobility and usability, the power consumption was too high, the materials were purposefully made to be weak so then it was lightweight and the assembly looked rushed.

"Don't like it"

"You know it's going to be my arm right?"

"Yeah but still, with your line of work I doubt that it would be able to stand up against the lady we fought earlier. I think I got something better" Jaune went to the computer and pulled the usb stick out.

"Umm, Jaune what are yo-?"

"What I'm about to do is going to seem weird, but trust me when I say that you are not allowed to speak of this to anyone. Ok?"

"Sure mate. What is it that you're going to do any-?"

Jaune removed the usb chip and inserted it to his neck, after a bit he saw a loading bar and opened it. An assortment of folders appeared, after a bit Jaune was able to create his own folder and insert blueprints for a prosthetic arm, more specifically a projectile launch system or PLS.

Removing the chip he plugged it back into the usb stick and then the computer. In reality it only took 2 seconds. Looking back at his two companions they both seemed shocked, to say the least.

"Bloody hell mate. How on the gods green earth did you do that"

"I've been cybernetically enhanced to the point that my bones are pure titanium, my immune system can turn any poison into medicine and I can do that" he pointed to his neck "and present this" he turned the computer to face the two.

"Jaune, what the hell is this?" Richter asked

"It's state of the art Arasaka technology. The PLS works like any other arm with the addition of having a concealed grenade launcher"

"This...this is...incredible. The way it's designed, it's as if it's made to act like a human arm"

"That's because it is" Jaune pointed to the atlesian arm "this is designed to act as a weapon, it's meant to be mass produced" he then pointed to the PLS "this is designed to be used by Netrunners and certain people"

"Netrunners?" Oakley questioned

"Yeah, think of a person who can access people's data with just a simple thought"

"Incredible. I think I can make this, with the materials, power source, and blueprints it shouldn't take me too long. Maybe 1 week if I dedicate all my time to this"

"That's good" Jaune said

"I'm gonna order the pieces and materials" Jaune saw Richter disappear deeper into the workshop. Jaune stood there for a bit, who knew Arasaka would end up being useful.

"Hey mate, quick question?"

"Shoot"

"Why'd you save me? I mean, we've only just met and already you not only saved me life, but also provided me with a futuristic arm"

Jaune was about to answer but paused, why did he save Oakley. He could have just left him behind and saved himself. Looking at Oakley he cupped his chin. "You know, I don't really know. I think it might have to do with me wanting to do something good. It could also be that I wanted to be in good graces with you. I think it might be because you remind me of someone…"

Jaune looked at Oakley again, in his place he saw a familiar face, it was only there for a bit but he couldn't exactly tell who it was.

"Well, I think I might know why"

"Huh?"

"There's an old saying, the eyes are the gateway to the soul. I don't know about you, but for me that can be true for some people and false for others. There are a lot of really good liars out there. Anyways, I've seen it all kid. Fought people, killed people, saved people, the works. Looking at you I see someone who's lost, he thinks he knows what he's doing but is just going with the flow. You've lost people, who I don't know but they've impacted you quite a bit"

"Y-yeah, that...makes some sense"

"Heh, some sense is an understatement. I'm guessing whoever I remind you of must have been a real great friend"

"Yeah, he was one hell of a choom"

"Hm? Choom?"

"Huh, oh it's like a really close friend. Like the best of friends, someone you would die for"

"Choom...like the sound of that"

"Heh, yeah"

The two sat in silence, it wasn't awkward silence, just comfortable silence. After a while Jaune checked the time, it was late and he needed to get back. Standing up Jaune was about to leave but the sound of a phone caught him off guard.

"Oh, that's mine" Oakley pulled out his scroll and answered. "Y'ello, Jonah speaking"

…

"Diego? Calm down, what's up?"

…

"Uh-huh"

…

"Ok"

…

"Alright, listen. I'm currently with a friend named Jaune. I don't know where I'll be crashing, do you have a place to stay?"

…

"Good, rodriguez is a good friend"

…

"Alright, i'll talk to you later"

"Who was that?"

"Huh, oh he's a friend named Diego. Well he works for me but you get the idea. Anyways, remember that chick we fought earlier?"

"The pacifica lady?"

"I...do not know what pacifica is, but yes her. She basically has done what I told you she would do. So i'm in desperate need of lodging"

"Let me call someone, I think we can accommodate one more" jaune pulled out his phone and dialed up Misty.

"Hey Misty...you don't sound so happy"

…

"I understand it's late, look I need to ask a favor?"

…

"Nothing too big, just need to ask if a friend could stay over for a while?"

…

"He got in an accident earlier but he's good now"

…

"You do realize that if he stays in my room i'll be sleeping with you right?"

…

…

…

"Alright, ok. I'll bring him over. Bye"

Jaune turned to Oakley, but the man seemed a bit sheepish

"What?"

"Your friend's name is Misty, correct?"

"Yup"

"She a faunus, wolf by chance?"

"Yeah...why?"

"Oh boy...let's just say things won't be pretty"

"What? Nah… I mean what's the worst that could happen"

"Get out of my house!"

Jaune had to hold Misty back while Oakley hid behind a chair

"Now, now lass. No need to be so hostile"

"Jaune, you have 5 seconds to let me go or so help me"

"NO"

"Ragh! Let me at him" Misty bellowed

"What the hell Oak, why didn't you tell me you knew each other"

"I don't, it's her ex"

"Really, she's getting pissy about some e- yow!" Jaune let go of Misty to soothe his hand, unfortunately that allowed Misty to attack the older faunus

"Misty, no stop. Um...bad dog, get off of him"

"You did not just say bad dog to her?"

"Well then what the hell am I supposed to do"

"Get her off of me!"

Jaune went and grabbed Misty, unfortunately when she thrashed in his arms it caused his hands to grab a soft pillow. Misty immediately stopped, turned at Jaune and blushed deeply.

"umm...I'm sorry?" Jaune squeaked out

Misty growled like a dog and attacked Jaune. This allowed Oakley to escape and enter Jaunes room. Closing it he locked the door and exhaled, he could hear Jaune screaming about him being a traitor and coward. Oakley didn't care, sitting on Jaune's bed he sighed and laid down.

Closing his eyes he was about to fall asleep when he heard something

"M-misty, w-what are you do-mmphm….mmmhmm" Oakley stood up. Rummaged around and found a pair of noise cancelling headphones. Putting the above his ears he found normal styrofoam ear plugs and put them in his Faunus ears. Laying back down he sighed to himself.

"Teenagers plus hormones equals Headphones. Time for a long night"

That concludes this chapter, not much to say really just a bit of set up for the arc. I do hope you guys keep enjoying it and if you have any questions PM me or leave a review.