Jax watched the cowboy-dressed man from a distance; given that Reiner was standing behind him, this old man was likely a leader in the 6th Street Gang.
Moreover, the worn-out medal on his clothes further highlighted his identity—a veteran.
Soon, their group walked over.
The gathered people immediately caught the attention of the security robots, which, with beeping sounds, turned from facing Jax and his crew to facing the 6th Street Gang.
However, after a scan, the security robots immediately turned back, resuming their watch over Jax and the others—alarm disarmed, these 6th Street Gang members were not illegal intruders.
As soon as the old redneck approached, he looked at Jax and said, "Reiner has explained the situation to me. Maine's crew, right? You are Jax? And you, are Maine?"
Maine stepped forward, crossing his arms and standing beside Jax, looking down at the old redneck in front of him, his actions clearly stating his attitude.
Jax also looked at him and asked, "What's the matter?"
"I'm here for two things, kid," Gunner said, looking at Jax. "First, there seems to have been some misunderstanding between Reiner and you all."
Gunner quickly explained, "We took Martinez because she had done multiple outsourced jobs at a hospital under our 6th Street Gang, and we are currently investigating internal corruption within that hospital, which led to some misunderstandings between us.
From the cleaners involved in this matter, we've learned the reason why the ambulance suddenly changed its destination, and also why you and Reiner clashed.
You were worried Gloria would be sent to the hospital and then… something unexpected would happen, right? So you also knew about the situation at that hospital."
Jax narrowed his eyes, looking at the old man in front of him. Then, he remembered something David said in Maine's car when they were on their way to the hospital: that 6th Street Gang sub-leader named Reiner didn't seem like a bad person.
Everyone in the crew's voice chat laughed at the time.
In this city, where the crime rate is as high as 40% and it's not an exaggeration to say everyone commits crimes, who dares to claim they are a good person?
Even Jax, who sticks to his principles, might have unintentionally harmed or involved innocent people, so Jax didn't dare to say he was a good person.
But now, looking at it, whether he's a good person or not is uncertain, but there was indeed a misunderstanding.
Gunner continued, "We need Martinez to understand the internal situation of the hospital. Among the cleaners, she has the best performance and the longest tenure.
Furthermore, Martinez has privately collaborated with multiple hospitals. Therefore, we took her not to harm her; we will treat her and obtain the information we need from her."
"This is the first thing I wanted to say, to clear up the misunderstanding between us."
"And then? What's the second thing?" Jax asked.
Gunner said, "Your crew previously destroyed one of our strongholds, killed many of our people, and also stole our weapons, right?"
Here it comes, this matter really couldn't be avoided.
Jax just smiled at this, while behind him, the crew members were all ready for battle.
Fighting in a hospital… Damn, just thinking about it is exciting!
With Maine's crew's current abilities, these guys in front of them… are completely not enough to kill!
But the tense atmosphere that had just begun was broken by the old redneck's next sentence.
"However, I don't intend to trouble you over this matter, because ultimately, what you did actually helped me."
Gunner changed his tone and continued, "As you can see, the 6th Street Gang is not entirely united internally. Your conflict with Reiner was also due to this reason; he believed you were hired by Magus, the guy now in charge of that hospital, to stop us."
"So I came to resolve this misunderstanding, and at the same time, to introduce myself."
"My name is Gunner, the current Captain of the 6th Street Gang. In your words, I'm a leader," Gunner stated.
Jax looked at him, growing a bit impatient: "What exactly do you want to say by coming to me?"
"Clean up the hospital, get rid of Magus, that tumor within the gang! His greed for money and power is growing, and if we let him continue, many people in Santo Domingo will be harmed.
The 6th Street Gang was founded to protect Santo Domingo, to shield its residents from oppression by mega-corporations and gangs.
But that bastard is now targeting ordinary people. He's collaborating with Scavengers for profit, and the number of innocent people dying because of him has increased this year. I came to you to stop this; we need your help!"
Gunner's voice carried a sense of righteousness.
Indeed, when this veteran spoke, his charisma was very strong. Whether it was because his skin was naturally red or flushed with excitement, his spirited demeanor was very infectious.
Behind him, Reiner and other 6th Street Gang members puffed out their chests, looking noble.
On Jax's side, Jackie was already moved; his throat bobbed, and the romantic man from Heywood couldn't hold back—protecting the district, protecting the people, damn, how manly is that!
Dorio was the same, and Rebecca's eyes sparkled.
Even Sasha was silent, with a look of respect for the old redneck in her eyes.
But Kiwi watched this scene with indifference, and Maine rolled his eyes in disdain.
David, who grew up in Santo Domingo, became conflicted. He wanted to say something, but he wasn't sure if it was appropriate for him to speak in this situation.
Protect the people of Santo Domingo?
Over the years… aren't you, the 6th Street Gang, the ones who have bullied the people of Santo Domingo the most?
David remembered an incident a few years ago: the 6th Street Gang, in order to seize territory from the Valentinos on the outskirts of Santo Domingo, didn't bother the Valentinos directly, but instead wreaked havoc on the local residents!
Thinking of this, David really wanted to tell Jax not to trust them.
But Jax spoke. He just looked at Gunner indifferently, his tone calm: "But what does any of what you're saying have to do with me?"
"Your crew is also active in Santo Domingo, and you even live in Santo Domingo. Surely you also want Santo Domingo to become better, don't you?"
Gunner continued, "This is justice, a righteous act. We can cooperate; we have a common enemy. So, let's get rid of that bastard Magus together. I can guarantee that you won't be troubled by the 6th Street Gang after killing him, and you will have my friendship."
"Your friendship? How much is that worth?" Jax chuckled.
Before Gunner could speak, Jax looked at him and continued, "Stop bullshitting me, okay?"
Justice?
The 6th Street Gang's justice is a load of crap!
Jax believed that this veteran, who participated in the Fourth War and helped establish the original 6th Street Gang, might be sincere. He genuinely wanted to protect Santo Domingo, but that was also where the problem lay.
This old man only wanted to protect Santo Domingo, and he only protected the local white people and his America!
Moreover, the 6th Street Gang is a large gang. As a major gang in Night City with over two thousand members, the roots of the 6th Street Gang had long rotted.
From the game plot Jax understood, the 6th Street Gang had long transformed from a former community militia organization into a violent, law-enforcing gang, and unlike the religious fundamentalism of the Valentinos, the 6th Street Gang followed fervent white leftism!
One point could be gathered from the party mission Jax mentioned earlier: the 6th Street Gang was extremely exclusive and bloodthirsty towards anyone outside of 'their own.' They might not be traitors like the Voodoo Boys, but trusting their words would truly be no different from being an idiot.
Besides… if it really came down to justice, how could the 6th Street Gang compare to the Moxes?
What was the 6th Street Gang's credo? It had long changed from protecting Santo Domingo to restoring America!
They are Militech's dogs!
In Reed's words, they are dogs who lead the way for money!
And the Moxes? Under the influence of Elizabeth Lizzies, the Moxes' purpose was to protect street workers and the impoverished from violence and abuse.
Although the Moxes' credo had changed over the years due to Susie Q's leadership, that was unavoidable, because how could one talk about helping others when they couldn't even survive well themselves?
If they couldn't even help their own, would they help outsiders?
For these reasons, Jax would not be swayed by the old redneck veteran's few words.
He said so much, but in reality, wasn't he just trying to turn his group into a tool for his factional struggle?
And at Jax's words, the few people behind him also sobered up.
Looking at Gunner, Jax said sarcastically:
"We are mercenaries. If you want us to work, then honestly bring out the money. Your friendship, your justice, your ideals—what do those have to do with us?"
"Go to hell."
Jax extended his hand and, with Rebecca's favorite gesture, gave Gunner's old face a big middle finger.