Deadlock Rebels - Beat Up Three Guys

The hat pushed up, revealing a young man with a ready smirk and piercing brown eyes, one of which was bruised and swollen. “Funny. Me neither.”

“Oh, really?” Ashe scoffed. “That shiner indicates otherwise.”

“This?” The young man sat up, fingers raised to the bruise. “Friend of mine had a little … misunderstanding with another farmhand. I stepped in to settle it.”

“Can’t help but notice you’re alone in there.”

A shrug. “He’s had a few too many run-ins with the law already.”

Her annoyance turned to surprise. “You—you took a beating and an arrest for him? That sounds awful generous. And more than a little stupid.”

[...]

But as it turned out, Ashe didn’t need to ask anything of anyone. The moment B.O.B. opened the car door for her, the door of the human/omnic resources building flung open as well, and out stumbled Jesse McCree.

A large, red-faced man followed on his heels. “I don’t care what you think you did, kid, you’re done here!”

Too caught up to notice Ashe, Jesse turned back to face the man, a deferential set to his stance. “Look, Mr. Doherty, this was all a misunderstanding that went a little too far.”

“Too far?” cried Mr. Doherty. “You put three of my workers in the med clinic.”

Jesse stood a little taller. “They would have done the same to Julian if I hadn’t—”

“Oh, your little friend? He’s gone, too. I’m surprised you had the guts to even come back here after that mess.” Mr. Doherty’s frown deepened. “You think I need this? Need workers like you?” He jabbed a finger at the gathered crowd. “No, I do not. Because there’s always someone waiting to take an open place. Someone who won’t cause trouble. Now get out of here before I set the security drones on you!”

Jesse’s shoulders slumped as Mr. Doherty stalked away toward the hopeful workers, all of whom were now trying to get his attention.



- Deadlock Rebels, Chapters 1 and 3