(QUICK EDIT: Taking a brief hiatus from writing this! A lot of stuff is going on both in and out of game, and I just don’t have the time to write this as well as I’d like! Once things calm down a bit, though, I’ll get back at it!)
This is ridiculous. Why do I gotta start taking orders from these mooks?! An underling, they dare to label me as THAT?!
Jaxxi Hardrocker leans back in a recliner on the ground floor of the Diamond Lounge. It has undergone serious renovations since the events of Undermine began. It is also under new leadership: Gearfist Acquisitions is a small fish in a big pond, but this small fish was quick to gobble up the next best thing to the Gallagio.
At least, if one is looking for a place for food, thrills and business. There’s always business to be done. Which is why she is here now.
It seems like yesterday when she barged in here, hunting down rats looking to disrupt the way things were. The way things ought to be. After the uprising of the four major cartels, aided by many outside sources, the Darkfuse cartel was overwhelmed and, ultimately, defeated.
Jaxxi’s Rapid Initiation Fuse Force, R.I.F.F., wasn’t a war machine. It was an anti-insurgency force, to find rats and put them to whatever torture device happened to be nearby. Have them spill their guts, reveal where the rest of their rat friends are.
It all ran like clockwork. Until Guuah came.
She thought it would be simple enough, let an arrogant gob loose in a world he did not comprehend. He’d likely make friends somewhere, she can swoop in and get both him and his allies, and end a revolt before it could even make baby steps.
That’s not how it played out, though. She underestimated him, and more importantly his retainers. This ‘Burk’ seemed to have a plan, and everything went according to it. Burk, Vezz, and Guuah himself, making small steps in their own way to uproot the control Darkfuse established, ending in that fateful clash in the Black Blood processing plant.
She could have died. She should have died. But she didn’t. Despite everything, she didn’t. She, and her child, Bekki, managed to flee from Undermine before it was too late.
Life has been a never ending whirlwind since. She thinks back to the time she first made her way to Orgrimmar…
–
“Goblin, we are not a daycare, this is an orphanage!”
A matron at the Orgrimmar Orphanage has her arms crossed, looking down at Jaxxi. Bekki looks up between the two, her eyes darting to the taller orc woman and her mom, fully clad in her DF-JAKD-UP exoskeleton. What remains of it, anyway.
The exoskeleton is a one of a kind prototype, and with the damage it received there is no way to restore it to it’s former glory. In addition, Black Blood isn’t exactly a welcome fuel source where she now resides. She had to replace the Black Blood regulator with an old fashioned battery, strapped to her back. While it allows her to move like normal, many of the auxiliary functions are disabled: No thrusters, no rocket launchers, nothing.
The repair work has armor patches that loosely match the original work, giving it a real sloppy, patchwork appearance. Parts of it are singed, as if it was impacted by an explosion.
“Look, I know, but I can’t leave her alone! I know no one else here!” Jaxxi huffs, her voice echoing behind her Darkfuse helmet. Jet black, with a bright red visor over her eyes. “Yous gotta help me, at least until I get to my feet, okay?”
The orc matron sighs. “I recognize your colors, goblin. Think you and yours have caused more suffering than you realize. Surely left a number of orphans yourself. I should leave you to suffer.” She pauses. “…But the child should not have to suffer for your actions.”
Jaxxi’s head dips down. Any emotion is hidden under her helmet. “They just had to–”
“Mommy, what is she talking about? You didn’t do those things, right?”
Bekki speaks up, clad in a simple black dress with black boots. A small purple bow is tied to the back of her similar black hair. Violet eyes peer up at her exoskeleton-clad mother.
“No, Bekki Sweeti,” Jaxxi starts, looking back up at the matron. “Mommy did the right thing. All they had to do was listen, and stay in line.” A low snarl echoes under her helmet. “Then we wouldn’t have to flee our home. But it will be okay, Bekki.”
The matron’s gaze narrows. “You have a week, goblin. I will not harbor your child one day longer.” She uncrosses her arms and uses her right to point towards the open archway, leading out to the Drag. “We have nothing more to discuss.”
Jaxxi can only nod in response, before looking down at Bekki. “Play nice with the other kids, Bekki. Mommy is going to look for some new work, and we’ll find a new place to live!”
“Okay!” Bekki hops and turns, running towards a group consisting of orcs and a blood elf, playing “Tonkwarrior 3: The Tonkerer” on a tabletop.
Jaxxi gives one more look to the matron, before stomping out of the Orphanage. Light claps of electricity can be heard with each step.
It’s time to dive back into the workforce. One would expect a graceful dip, as opposed to the cannonball to come.
–
Six days pass. The week is nearing it’s conclusion. Zero progress has been made.
The Valley of Honor remains the ‘happening’ place for one seeking employment with one of the many employers within the Horde. Being a nameless adventurer isn’t exactly profitable, and without a war there is no demand for soldiers.
Every single time, without fail, Jaxxi has almost come to blows with the many denizens residing there. One time she did cross that threshold, against an orc who took offense to her making fun of his ‘stupid’ skull-clad belt. She did emerge victorious in that conflict, but it didn’t improve her reputation any.
Her brash, surely attitude did not win her many allies. Despite what she felt were great accomplishments, none in the Horde seen it this way. The other goblins often treated her with disgust due to the equipment she often went around in. Not that she tried to earn their respect with her harsh words.
The Darkfuse colors sure did not help, but she knew that if she didn’t look the part, and act the part, she’d never get the part. There has to be something for an ex-Giga Bruiser out there!
She did win a few unlikely allies. It’s hard to tell if it’s out of pity or out of worry. Through them, she learned that there is a Fight Night to be had. Her wheelhouse.
While it won’t be the same as terrorizing would-be insurgents, smearing the ground with the blood of these mooks will do just fine! Just to be told that there was an ongoing tournament and that she would not be able to apply.
–
“YOUS telling me ‘NO’!? Do yous know who I am?! What I can do to yous without a second thought?!” She stands on the porch of the Wyvern’s Tail, fully clad in her exoskeleton, in addition to her usual longswords. Her words are directed towards a well dressed goblin in a wide brim hat. She is surrounded by many who seek for her to either take action, or to simply leave.
The hat goblin shrugs his shoulders. “No can do, lady. Now you can try applying next time, and you can come watch, but you can’t take part.”
“What makes yous think I need permission? If yous won’t invite me, I’ll invite myself.” Jaxxi jabs a thumb in her direction, her exoskeleton creaking a bit with the motion.
The goblin seemed less than impressed. “We have security that will be ready to escort you out. I ain’t ever had to ban anyone from Fight Night before,” He gives a deadpan stare to Jaxxi. “You can be the first.”
By this point, the den of the conversation has reached many ears, and many were bracing, or inciting, a confrontation. Something Jaxxi was willing to partake in.
“Yous MOOKS can’t tell me what to do! Ban me? Yous can’t–”
“AHEM.”
Jaxxi sharply turns her head to the voice behind her, her single minded fury being focused on the new voice. “WHAT?!”
The voice came from another goblin, this one a tall, imposing lady with a wicked looking mohawk. Her equipment is of Blackfuse make, more jagged and primal, but no less effective. Complete with a massive two handed hammer strapped to her back.
Finally, a somewhat relatable face.
“Ya want in dis Fight Night? I can squeeze yous in, but yous gonna be workin’!” The gob crosses her arms, a smirk lining her face. “I know yous are broke, lookin’ for work since ya ain’t got ya ol’ gig anymores.” She speaks with a very heavy accent, which made it difficult to follow her sometimes…But Jaxxi understands every word.
Blackfuse, Darkfuse, same difference. Born out of war and violence, shut down by circumstances beyond their control. When war isn’t on the table, especially when you’re on the losing side of it, it tends to cut into profits.
Seeing as her skillset doesn’t really involve anything that isn’t beating the snot out of anything standing against her, this leaves her with a bit of a problem. And after the day passes there won’t be many other places to turn.
She has to swallow her pride. At least a bit.
“…Fine. I’m listening.”
“Good! Yous gonna be an announcah, yous get to watch the fights and yous g’on and talk over them, and I’ll pays yous for it. Diamond Lounge.” The Blackfuse gob tilts her head, that smirk never leaving her face. “Yous do good? We start talkin’ ‘bout somethin’ more long term.”
She’s loud. She sure loves violence. While she prefers to be the one dispensing violence, watching it isn’t that bad!
I get to see these mooks kill each other? And I get paid for it? If this is enough for Bekki to stay where she’s fed, and safe…
Jaxxi jabs her thumb into a button located on her collar. Her helmet starts sliding back behind her head, revealing her face, violet eyes, and jet black ponytails dipped in purple highlighter.
“Alright. Yous got yourself a deal!” Jaxxi extends her hand out. The onlookers seemed amused by the sudden turn of events: The rising tension of conflict gave way to the soaring spirit of capitalism.
The Blackfuse gob grins as she shakes Jaxxi’s metal clad hand. “Good. We startin’ in two houhas.”
–
The fight night came and went. A lot of fights, a lot of violence, a lot of blood. Jaxxi maintained her usual attitude to those, but despite this she still managed to befriend some. Certainly left an impression on most.
She was recognized for her good work and received her payment. The Blackfuse gob, known as Ramii, offered her a position. A purely probational position, but a position nonetheless. As promised, a more long term opportunity.
While Bekki will be asked to leave the orphanage the next day, they at least have enough money to start a new life elsewhere.
It is a snag in her grand scheme, but once their home situation is situated, and she takes a bit of a break with Bekki, she can start planning on her next move.
Her interview is tomorrow, with a new manager of the Diamond Lounge. Her last chance to make a good impression on something that will affect the current path her life is taking.
These crumbling walls may be patched up yet.
–
She has been waiting for ten minutes. For once in her life she is clad in casual clothing, with a casual cloth top and pants. She wears heavy metallic boots, because of course she does, everything colored black.
Old habits die hard.
Finally, a nearby door opens. A goblin starts walking his way in, slowly. He seems to be of middle age, with a long, brown pony tail with lines of grey going through it. Golden brown eyes, and clad in yellow and gold. His attire is equal parts business professional and wartime professional, with a large heavy duty rifle strapped to his back by a sling. He turns towards Jaxxi, a smile across his face.
“Hey.”
Jaxxi’s eyes open wide immediately. She recognizes who this gob is.
“…Yeah. Kinda figured that’d be ya reaction.” Guuah Moneyblaster’s smile turns into a sheepish grin and he gives a light shrug. “Reckon we got lots to talk about?” He slides his gun off his back and places it against a seat right across from Jaxxi, getting comfy in his seat. He puts his hands on his thighs, looking at Jaxxi intently.
“What are yous doing here?!” Jaxxi seemed extremely confused, more than anything else. “Figured yous would run off and go do some other big shot thing!”
“Well, ya half right.” His grin grows more relaxed. “Stumbled into this gig, same as ya. Ramii has a weird eye for talent, I’ll tell ya that much.” He sits upright, crossing his arms across his chest. “Ever since that whole thing happened, I made it a point to make Undermine a better place. Forge a better future.” He looks all around him. “The Lounge is gonna be the hub of that better future, 'least for now.”
“Buh–” Jaxxi blinks. He went from being some sort of gun for hire to a manager for a sleazy gob hangout?!
“What, ya at a loss for words for once?” Guuah laughs. “Reckon ya gotta lot of questions, but this ain’t about me. Not yet, anyways.” He uncrosses his arms, motioning to Jaxxi. “How’s ya kid?”
Jaxxi composes herself, sitting upright. “Bekki is good. We gots a good place eyed in Ratchet. Once we start making money we’ll be residing there.”
“A cartel town? Didn’t think ya–”
“I don’t have a choice, Guuah.” Jaxxi snarls. “I told yous, I ain’t gonna stop. Ratchet is the closest thing to ‘free’ as I’m gonna get, for now.” She grips the sides of her recliner firmly. “All of the cartels will be burnt to cinders by the time I’m done.”
“And, we already get to why I’m hostin’ this interview.” Guuah seems unfazed. As opposed to before, where he seemed unsure and second guessing himself, he is now brimming with confidence. He is sure of the path he is taking, and is no longer shackled by the past.
“I know why ya doin’ what ya doin’, but I don’t know why.” Guuah tilts his head. “Reckon ya want a safe, orderly place for ya kid, but y’know ya can get that with the cartels. Know ya can get that without getting mixed up with Darkfuse or whatever they blastin’ choose to rebrand themselves as.” His grin fades, his face growing more serious. “Ya can get that without this whole idea of burnin’ down the big cartels.”
Jaxxi huffs. She never shared her story with anyone. Everyone who knows of it is either dead, or hiding off in some far corner of Azeroth, possibly beyond.
“If we’re workin’ together, I’m gonna have to get to understand ya a bit more. Ain’t much good for an employee to be so standoffish all the time, y’know? Ya gonna scare off our customers.” His grin returns. “We got time. This is the first part of ya interview.” A pause. “G’on.”
Jaxxi sighs. It’s going to be a long story.