"Th-That's incredible!"
Staring at the "luxurious" gear on the table, Alvin suddenly found himself wanting to team up with Tucker.
Just who was this guy?
Never mind the Frag Grenades, Energy Batteries, Nutrient Solution, and Energy Bars.
Bolters and Carapace Armor were so rare that even in the Astra Militarum, only a tiny number of soldiers were equipped with them!
Carapace Armor especially—the standard heavy body armor could even stop Laser guns. It was absolutely a lifesaving treasure.
At least in the Underhive, with the weapons those gang scum had, they couldn't shoot through it even if he stood perfectly still!
And the Bolter went without saying. Though the Astra Militarum's version was a modified, downgraded weapon based on the Astartes model, its rounds still couldn't be stopped by ordinary defenses.
"How's that? I didn't lie to you, did I?"
Tucker grinned smugly, took a deep drag from his cigarette, and exhaled a thin plume of smoke. "It took a lot of effort to get all this. It's worth every penny."
"May I inspect it?"
Alvin suppressed his excitement and asked.
"Go ahead." Tucker didn't seem to care. He plopped back into his chair and crossed his legs.
[Item detected: Bolter, Astra Militarum model (worn)] [It has stood up to many battles. Though quite old, its sights and firing pin are still in good condition.] [Energy provided: 0 units] [Item detected: Frag Grenade (poor quality)] [Its only drawback is a mishap during production. The detonation time varies from 1 to 3 seconds. Perhaps it could be used for suicide.] [Energy provided: 0 units] [Item detected: Carapace Armor—Heavy Body Armor (worn—damaged)] [The paint has been completely worn off, making it impossible to identify its original unit. The armor is missing its alloy plates, helmet, rebreather, Auspex, wrist display, and compact power pack. But as a "turtle shell," it's still more than adequate.] [Energy provided: 0 units] [Item detected: High-concentration Energy Compression Battery (high quality)] [Commonly used to power factory machinery. Exclusively supplied within the Adeptus Mechanicus. Handmade by a certain Tech-priest. Reliable.] [Energy provided: 1000 units * 3]
After quickly handling every item, Alvin swallowed and felt a thought rise in his mind.
He'd really struck it rich this time!
Three thousand units of energy—that was enough to sustain him for thirty days!
Most importantly, Tucker had managed to get his hands on a Bolter and Carapace Armor issued to the Astra Militarum. Those two items completely filled the gaps in Alvin's current equipment.
"Finished checking?" Tucker glanced at him, stubbed out his cigarette, and stood up. "If everything looks good, I'll take you to the Mid-hive."
"The goods are excellent, Mr. Tucker."
Alvin swiftly gathered everything up, then nodded at Tucker. "I'm all set. Let's go."
Alvin had imagined that sneaking from the Underhive into the Mid-hive would be difficult.
At the very least, they'd have to be careful, avoid the enforcers' notice and the surveillance equipment at the Mid-hive entrance, then crawl through muddy pipes and endure all sorts of hardship before reaching their destination.
But... in reality, Tucker simply led him straight to the Mid-hive entrance, strolling in broad daylight.
"Mr. Tucker, I need to confirm this with you one more time." Alvin's eye twitched as he looked at the enforcers guarding the entrance and the two automatic Laser guns. He nervously swallowed. "We're smuggling ourselves in. Maybe we should take another route—that seems more in keeping with what 'sneaking in' means."
"Quit talking nonsense. Come with me."
With a cheap cigarette dangling from his lips, Tucker walked straight ahead without a care for the enforcers or the surveillance.
Was he seriously this brazen?!
Alvin watched from behind, his heart pounding. He was afraid the enforcers would shoot them both dead.
But things didn't seem to be going the way he'd imagined.
The enforcers at the gate spotted Tucker from a distance, their faces lighting up with warm smiles as they opened their arms and embraced him.
Honestly, Alvin had always thought of enforcers as generally looking down on Underhivers with disgust and contempt. Yet now they were grinning from ear to ear.
Tucker even looked thoroughly put out as he pushed one of them away and grumbled while handing over a few cheap cigarettes.
Just who was this guy?!
Alvin was now a hundred percent certain that Tucker wasn't an ordinary Underhiver.
What kind of Underhiver could make the usually cold enforcers smile like they'd just had their backsides blown out?
They chatted for a while, but when Tucker turned and saw that Alvin hadn't followed, he impatiently waved him over. "Hurry up. Don't waste time!"
This was so embarrassing. Alvin obediently walked over in silence.
"All right, let's talk again next time."
With his cigarette dangling from his lips, Tucker waved to the enforcer and said lazily, "I'll take this kid inside first."
"Goodbye, Mr. Tucker!"
"See you, Mr. Tucker!"
The two enforcers waved enthusiastically as they sent off... the smuggling duo.
This was absurd!
Absurdity had opened the door for absurdity, and absurdity had come home to roost!
Even after passing through the Mid-hive gates, Alvin still felt as if he were dreaming. The whole "smuggling" process had been far too surreal.
They'd strolled right in under the enforcers' noses. Was there any justice in the world?
Alvin discreetly turned his head and studied Tucker again.
Nearly six foot three, with a well-proportioned, powerful build, broad shoulders, and a solid back. His hair hung down like instant noodles, covering half his face.
His features were rugged, and his eyes were bright and alert. Apart from the scar running across his entire face over the bridge of his nose, which rather spoiled his looks and bearing, he seemed like a weathered old man.
The way those two enforcers had looked at Tucker had clearly carried a hint of respect.
Could this guy... have been a veteran?
Alvin silently guessed at Tucker's suspicious background and identity.
"Don't overthink it. This isn't how things usually go."
Tucker's senses were exceptionally sharp. He turned his head and met Alvin's doubtful gaze, cigarette between his lips. "First, you paid a steep price. Second, we're short on time. Otherwise, I definitely wouldn't have brought you in this way. As for those two, I've had a long-standing business relationship with them."
That explanation only made things worse. The more Tucker explained, the more suspicious Alvin became.
Even with a long-standing business relationship, the enforcers wouldn't show that kind of respect to an Underhiver.
Alvin stayed silent, choosing not to call Tucker out on his lie.
"Kid, I know you've got secrets, but I won't ask."
Tucker let out wisps of smoke and gave him a meaningful look. "You didn't leave the Underhive just because you were being hunted, did you?"
Alvin stiffened slightly, but quickly recovered. "Mr. Tucker, I don't know what you mean."
"You know, when people lie, they show all kinds of subtle signs."
Tucker stopped and turned around, looking at him with a half-smile. "Their eyes, their breathing, their movements, every tiny muscle in their face. I'm good at spotting those things."
"Mr. Tucker, I really don't know what you're talking about."
Alvin stubbornly stuck to his story, smiling back and putting on an innocent, bewildered expression.
"Kid, staying in the Mid-hive won't be that simple."
Tucker grinned, as if Alvin's reaction was exactly what he'd expected, and gave him a sly look. "For smugglers, once the enforcers find them, there's only one outcome: they're shot dead on the spot. You don't want that happening to you, do you?"
Suddenly, Alvin understood why Tucker had brought him in through the main gate.
The enforcers had already seen his face. All Tucker had to do was say the word, and they'd hunt him down through the Mid-hive like mad dogs!
"Mr. Tucker, is this how you do business?"
Alvin dropped his feigned innocence, his voice turning cold. "You're threatening me with the enforcers?"
"No, not a threat. A deal."
Tucker flicked his cigarette butt away and turned his head, speaking calmly. "Tell me the real reason you came to the Mid-hive. In return, I can introduce you to a job—legitimate work that'll let you settle in the Mid-hive without worrying about the enforcers. How about it?"
No recommendations again. That's pretty depressing. Guess my readership isn't high enough.
Before you continue