Dum Dum

Dum Dum is a Maelstrom gang member and Royce's representative in.

Biography
During the spring of 2077, Maelstrom went through a reform following a hostile takeover, shifting affiliations from the former leader Brick to Royce, who had managed to prove being more true to the gang's intended manner of expressions of violence over matter. With this change, the gang itself suffered a reform where all of those loyal to Brick got treated as traitors while those who followed Royce's ideology received more prominent roles. Among them was Dum Dum, the gang goon with a bit more social tact and sense for diplomatic discernment. Despite their divergent methods, Dum Dum and Royce get along remarkably well, and he openly shows concern about the leader's welfare.

In wake of the usurpation, Dum Dum remains by Royce's side, with the branch of Maelstrom in the All Foods Plant, assigned to guard and distribute stolen equipment from an intercepted Militech convoy. Among the haul was a military grade unit for surveillance and reconnaissance missions, the MT0D12 "Flathead", that had been sold to Dexter DeShawn prior to the change in leadership, inviting mercs hired by the fixer, namely, Jackie Welles and V, to the Maelstrom's door for a pickup. The two will be let in as deferentially as the gang customs allow, whether to discern their intentions or simply coax a deal more beneficial for the Maelstrom is not clarified. Dum Dum will meet them personally, seeming confused with their presence, but more than willing to hear them out. Due to them being more than an unknown variable in the matter, he instructs them to take a seat in a well-controlled environment, preventing any sudden reactionary moves. The distrust is shared by the mercs and Welles will refuse to obey, preventing further discussion until placated by his associate. Once the dispute has been settled, Dum Dum will start the arbitration by offering his own inhaler of S-keef to the more agreeable of the mercs, explaining how it will give them a rush. This being a variant of an infamous drug called Black Lace, may cause the merc to decline the offer, but regardless of response, Dum Dum will be happy to proceed parlaying, after inhaling it himself.

Only once the bot has been brought in, Dum Dum explains how the gang has not only lifted access locks but taken precautions of safeguarding the equipment from Militech ever finding it by going all the way to removing its serial number. Employing his high-profile cyberware, he controls the robot for a brief demonstration of its functions and perks, praising it every step of the way, but if V is technically proficient, they may notice that it isn't the same hardware that was incipiently promoted due to its difference in control unit. Dum Dum will find the entire point of this allusion laughable and explain why this is the case - should the robot retain the Militech controller, it would retain the autolink to Militech systems and allow tracing it back to whoever has it in their possession. Once the mercs accept the product, Dum Dum will ask for payment. This is when Brick's name is brought to the table as the one who already sealed the deal financially prior to the exchange and provoke Royce, who has been observing the situation to burst out in a display of threats and weaponry. Dum Dum, while initially startled, quickly stands behind Royce as a support gunner, aiming at the mercs without further comments. Royce will attempt to strike a new deal through aggression and rather spoiled behavior, elevating himself as someone with infinite leverage, allowing only two responses to his assertion - accepting the offer and paying or ending the conversation altogether by violence. In case of deciding on the second of the two options or using a Militech shard that hadn't been wiped for payment, the mission of the mercs will not progress until the room has been cleared, Dum Dum included. Regardless of the approach being lethal or non-lethal, he will be considered dead.

Accepting the deal will not prevent a full-blown Militech raid of the facility, although in such circumstances, the mercs will stand in Maelstrom's defence. Dum Dum will show them an alternative way out of the plant offices, claiming how he is simply working on preserving his own skin, although will follow them closely and watch their back through the entire facility.

Reaching the final area where Royce fought with Militech mechs, Dum Dum will shout in desperation that they have to help him and all but charge at the surrounding enemy soldiers once they approach, which might suggest that his loyalty isn't as flexible as the other gang members who simply switched sides once a stronger leader took place, but lies in a different school of thought. Once the Militech invaders have been defeated, Dum Dum will approach the mercs and express liking their style. If V participated in Black Lace consumption, he will gift them his own S-keef inhaler, as gratitude, saying how it's his own appreciation of their good taste that won him over.

This resolution of these unfortunate events will keep the Maelstrom societal infrastructure intact, which is why Dum Dum remained at Royce's side and will be found in the Totentanz during one of frequent Maelstrom-organized gigs. He will be guarding the door of the lounge while an interview took place, but will express delight recognizing V as the visitor wishing to pass through. He admits not quite being a fan of the music his gang promotes and instead preferring anti-corporate oldies like Samurai, but he respects differences in taste, employing no judgement. If the merc notices his brand new set of teeth, he will be elated, but will not agree with such chrome befitting someone like V. Before letting them pass, he will warn of Royce not being the type to appreciate interrupting and be careful in announcing V in a less threatening manner and do his best to diffuse any succeeding tense situations. In case of an armed conflict, he will, once more, take Royce's side, but this interaction in itself will be the final one between him and V.

Associated Quests

 * The Pickup
 * Second Conflict (Dependent)