Dark Rider's Freelancing Chapter #3

The Black Leather Turncoat

Chapter #3 (Make sure you've already read Chapter 1 and Chapter 2 of the story)

"I still don't see why you can't just wear the standard helmet like everyone else."

"Because I'm not everyone else" Al responded as he picked up a pair of pliers off the workbench. "Wait--what the hell is this?"

Chuck walked around the bench and picked up the partially disected helmet.

"Thats your oxygen jack" he said looking at the little hole. "You would hook an airtank to that."

"Wow, this thing has more features than I thought." Al said, obviously impressed.

Chuck bit into his apple, "Thats your enviornmental protection" he said with his mouth full, pointing at a metal panel.

Al looked up, "Damn it Chuck, chew your food, you got apple on my helmet."

Al liked Chuck, he was a smart kid and he knew what he was doing, but he liked to dick around too much.

He put the face-plate and air-filter into place. "Check it out." Al said with a smile as he passed the helmet to Chuck.

Chuck looked it over and looked up at Al. "Al, its the same fucking thing." he said.

"Yeah but now it looks cool."

"Why are you so damn obsessed with your looks?"

"Chuck my friend, your appearance is everything. When you meet your opponent face-to-face, 9 out of 10 times the winner is decided before anybody even reaches for their weapons." Al began starring at an enemy only he could see, "He looks you in the eye, and he says to himself 'If I fight this guy will I be walking away afterwards?', and if he can recognize me, then usually he won't even go for that weapon." Just then Javert burst through the door. "Theres some big shit going down on Liberty Island, Al"

He turned around quickly, "What are you talking about?"

"A 20 ft. robot is on Liberty Island and its on a rampage!"

"Chuck grab my gear!!!" Al shouted. Chuck scurried out of the room. "Are my goods in my vehicle?" he asked Javert.

"Al this looks serious, don't just go and..."

"I asked if my goods are in my vehicle!" he shouted, almost in panic.

"Yes Al, but you could seriously get killed this time, its not stopping for shit!!!"

"Thats why they need me!" he said

Chuck ran in and began helping Al suit up in his brand new FA-70FF Ultra-Lite Flexi-Steel Body Armor.

"Al, your living in a fantasy world! You think you can just keep showing up, kill something and ride off into the sunset but your not gonna make it someday!" she was almost in tears now.

"Emily, don't start this bullshit with me now." he said still gearing up.

"What bullshit?! That I don't want you to die like Elias?! I'm begging

you, just give up this crap now and you can work for us and put your

talents to making some money. You could engineer or..."

"Emily, I have a job already." he interrupted.

"Oh I forgot, fixing cars for your uncle!"

"No, protecting this shit-hiole city that I love!" he shouted back,

"That's my job! And I don't need career lectures from a contraband trafficer." He finished fitting the leather over his armor and he grabbed his helmet.

"Now I'm off to work, honey" he said through his teeth. He walked over to her and pressed his face against hers, giving her one good long kiss. Then he began walking from the room.

"Hey!" she called after him. "You forgot your briefcase." she tossed his shotgun to him. He caught it and ran for his van.

Written by the man you know as Ash!