Cyberpunk AU start: Max

[drfeelbad]

House didn't visit Input on a regular basis exactly, but often enough that his face was known there. The men and women he'd spent time with he'd seen more than once, and when he arrived tonight and sat down at the bar, the bartender pushed him a Jack Daniels without him having to ask, and mentioned that they were quite busy tonight but he'd seen Isaac recently if he'd like to have a drink with him. "Yes, please tell him I'm here," House had said before taking a sip.

Though before he'd even managed to take a second drink, he heard someone shouting for a doctor.

He almost ignored it. Almost. But instead, he said to the bartender, "I'll be right back," and then slid off the stool, grabbed his cane, and headed in the direction of the shouts.

Comments

[drfeelbad]

"I think you'd probably do fine without it," House said. It wasn't really intended as a direct compliment, but he felt like on a surface level that Max was as appealing as Isaac, for example. "You're taking a risk."

[511v3r_h4mm3r]

"It's worth it," Max assured him. And it was- At least to him. It helped him lure out the worst sorts of men.

[drfeelbad]

House assumed he meant money, because what else would it be? So he didn't comment further on it.

They got to an office building, and House unlocked the door with his thumbprint and led him inside. The place was small and clean, moderately high tech but not particularly impressive. A small waiting room opening into an exam room, and there was another door, also locked.

"Get on the exam table, we'll do some more extensive diagnostics," he said. "There's a port there for you to plug in."

[511v3r_h4mm3r]

Max nodded, plugging in and laying down on his back. His eyes flickered as his system connected- Something you didn't see much with modern hardware.

[drfeelbad]

House watched this with interest. Then pulled up a screen and a battery of standard diagnosis tests plus a few he'd devised himself.

"I'm assuming you've skipped some system updates intentionally?" he asked as he studied the screen.

[511v3r_h4mm3r]

"Optics aren't compatible," Max nodded. "Some of my parts are imported, easier to update, especially the parts from Japan. Some have hobbyist support. I've been looking for optics that have compatibility and newer updates, but there's only one company out in Korea that makes them, and they're expensive. nearly 7K in cred."

[drfeelbad]

"I have some supply lines with medical discounts," House said. "What is it that you most need?"

He could guess based on what he had, but didn't want to assume. There were some things about Max that didn't really add up.

[511v3r_h4mm3r]

"Optics, probably. Like I said though, the only match I found were way out of my budget. BodaNasda Optiprisms. Even on discount, I'm not sure I could get the cash. I still owe someone 3k. I can't take on more debt now. Especially not while I'm trying to find a flat. I've been sleeping in my friend's storage unit these past few days," Max admitted.

[drfeelbad]

"And you can't do without until you manage to save up or the price goes down?" House said. "Because this bootleg bullshit is crashing your system."

[511v3r_h4mm3r]

Max was quiet for a moment.

"I can't get rid of the port," Max said quietly. "I will, eventually, but right now- Right now it's important. Unless you're willing to break the law and help me install a newer model. They still sell them in Japan, they're not even that expensive. I know a guy who could import one, but I don't know anyone willing to install it. If I had the newer model I could buy cheaper upgrades for everything else."

[drfeelbad]

"It's a stupid law," House said. "Everything you do with that thing, you do it because you want to? Fully consenting?"

[511v3r_h4mm3r]

"Yes," Max nodded, and it was true. Sometimes he didn't like the programs, but it was all part of getting rid of the sort of assholes who'd had one installed in him in the first place. It was the only thing he cared about anymore.

"I can end the program whenever I want, the newer ones are even more secure," he shrugged.

[drfeelbad]

"Okay," said House. "You get it, I'll install it. In the meantime I need to quarantine this one so it doesn't continue to fuck with your systems. Okay?"

[511v3r_h4mm3r]

Max hesitated, then reluctantly nodded.

"I can probably order it now. I know someone who was interested in buying my old one. He collects old tech, displays it. I could message him, see if he's willing to pay in advance, then order the new one from my contact... I might even be able to get it by tomorrow."

[drfeelbad]

"Done," said House. "Get it and I'll install it." Though in the meantime, with his consent he went about blocking the rest of the system from the port. It would be easier to just take it off, but he figured Max would want to ensure he actually got the new one first.

[511v3r_h4mm3r]

The first person Max messaged was Hex, who was more than happy to pay him in advance for his old port. The next was to a supplier. One transfer of credits and he had a promise that a courier would bring it to the spot of his choosing tomorrow afternoon. From anyone else it would sound sketchy, but Max had known Spitz since they were both kids. They were practically brothers.

"He can get it to me tomorrow sometime after noon. Can I have it brought here?" he asked.

[drfeelbad]

"Sure, if you'll be here," House said. "If I'm getting arrested, you're getting arrested."

[511v3r_h4mm3r]

"I'll be here, I'll find a bench or something to crash on nearby," Max promised. "And look, I don't have much, but I can transfer you what I have," he said. He knew the man was risking a lot for him after all, whatever he'd been saving, he could save again.

He held out his hand to do a wireless transfer of credits.

[drfeelbad]

"Give it to me tomorrow," said House. "And do me a favor and calculate what you need to not be homeless. You can sleep on the couch in the waiting room if you want. The rest of the place will be locked up anyway."

[511v3r_h4mm3r]

Max nodded a little.

"Alright. ...And thanks," he added quietly. "I'm sorry if I derailed your night."

[drfeelbad]

"Yeah well, just think how much money I'll save," House said with a snort. Another night of whiskey and masturbation.

He finished up, and unplugged him. "You feeling okay now?"

[511v3r_h4mm3r]

"Feel a bit... Like I know something is missing," Max admitted. "I do feel better though, the vision in my left eye isn't slightly pixelated anymore."

[drfeelbad]

"Good," said House. He waved his hand in front of Max's face. "Sorry you have to see the world properly now though, not always pretty. You hungry? I've got some protein bars."

[511v3r_h4mm3r]

Max nearly said no, but he was slowly learning to be more trusting and grateful for any help offered.

"I'd appreciate that, yes, thank you," he said, offering a tiny, but genuine smile.

[drfeelbad]

House tossed him his shirt back, and then picked up his cane and wandered over to a drawer where there was indeed a box of protein bars. He tossed him one of those, too. Then he went to another drawer, and pulled out a bottle of whiskey.

"You want?" he said as he pulled out a glass as well. This place was basically his office, too.