Tarik: Entry Level Warfare Read Free Page B

bullshit or I'm going to kick you  in the mouth. Call me Dav while we are off mission. On mission you call me Redeye. Next, grab your shit Jimmy we’re off to the Beetle.”
    “Yes Si--- Dav.”
    Dav led Tarik  out the corporate door and through a maze of hallways. Corporations were allowed to dock directly so he didn't have to worry about being seen and challenged while here. The got into an elevator and Dav kept tapping furiously at his hand blaster stock.
    Dav was slightly shorter than Tarik , although Dav could afford rejuvenation treatments it looked like he rarely went. Dressed in tan clothes he reminded Tarik  of the Cowboys in Sol legends. He imagined him robbing a steam powered train or maybe with a whip, exploring ruins. The scars on his neck spoke of countless adventures with limited medical support. Tarik looked forward to hearing more about him and the type of life he lived.
    The elevator stopped and Dav stepped out. Just then Dav turned quick and faced Tarik. Gi ving Tarik  the most serious look he could ever recall seeing on a man. Tarik tensed waiting to be scolded or maybe even shot dead.
    “Tarik, this isn't kids play. If you wish to live a life of peace it's not too late and nothing to be ashamed of. This job is going to break you down. From the moment you step off that elevator you're on contract. Make your choice now and have no fear of anyone judging you. If you worried about the mob I can task an escort, free of charge. I can see you off this planet without harm and you can live out your days. Step out here and you will live for today but I can't make any guarantees about tomorrow.”
    Tarik frozen in place weighed his options. The old man caught him off guard , before this frank conversation this was all Tarik  had on his mind, this was his plan for the past ten years. Nobody ever questioned him when he told them, nobody ever thought to tell him it sounded like a bad idea. Then again nobody he’d talked to ever did anything like this, all his acquaintances shoveled  rock and ice, maybe they boxed on the side for some spare points. He could go back to Sol or another system. He could get on another mining rig, but he'd be stuck out in the rocks. He'd done that before, that life wasn't really worth living to him. It was a means to an end, a stopgap to come here and join a corporation. He knew the danger and he wasn't going to back down now. With a confident stride he stepped off the elevator.
    “Well Jimmy, looks like you're part of the team.”
    “Dav, my name is Tarik  why do you keep calling me Jimmy?”
    “You'll be Jimmy for a good long time to come. Until you earn a nickname anyway, speaking  of which, go to the facilities over there and wash up. If you don't I'm sure your nickname is going to be “Chickenshit” when time comes. When your done we are at dock 6-H. “ Dav turned and started walking without a look back.
    Tarik rinsed the blood from his hair as best he could but it had already stained his light brown hair with purple and green streaks. His jacket was trashed and scrubbing it seemed to make it worse. He emptied a canister of bathroom freshener on his clothes in a somewhat successful attempt at not smelling like spoiled meat.
    Arriving at the dock he could see crates stacked high. High enough to only catch a glimpse of the silver haul of the ship. Dav was close to a terminal, no doubt going over the inventory. Walking up behind him Dav swung around with speed  and grace he didn't think the old man had. There was definitely something to this guy; he was deadly to the point that it couldn't be hidden.
    “Crates will be out of the way in thirty seconds. Crew is back already, sit on that step there and watch out for the loaders.” He turned again and hit a yellow button.
    A buzzer went off on a loudspeaker and the crates shifted into the ship so fast it would rival any courier warehouse. Thirty seconds had passed and the crates were gone.
    Before him sat the strangest