Max Jones

Max Jones is Night City's wartime investigative journalist and Regina Jones' protégé.

Biography
While investigating the war veteran programme "In Blood We Serve", Max has received an anonymous tip that the entire campaign was not in fact based on helping veterans but receiving publicity. The help that the soldiers have received in form of high quality cyberware, was only on a six-month basis, after which they were expected to return them to the corporation. The period of their use has also been charged, taking away their veterans' allowance. Evidence in form of files has been sent within a period of two days and attracted some rather powerful enemies, leaving Jones in the crosshairs of an unknown bounty hunter. His emails prove that he fully ignored Regina's warnings and decided to instead take his last stand in his office.

In lack of better options, Regina contracts V to bring him to reason and send him on his way to her - she remembers him fondly from the days they worked together - mentions a successful podcast project on the topic of Biotechnica's exploitation of farmers. She knows that losing him would be a loss not only for journalism but for the city as well.

Despite ignoring Regina's messages, Max still expected a hitman knocking on his door and equipped his entire studio with military equipment, from mines to turrets. As soon as V has been noticed arriving, he used the sound system to play recordings of war veterans sent in as evidence of the scam the corporations have executed in attempt to, along all those mines, perhaps will the assassin into some understanding. V will need to be rather careful in approaching him, as he is more than willing to end his own life should the terms he is faced with not be acceptable. Once he finds out that Regina is in fact the one sending for him, he is disappointed and upset, refusing her offer immediately. He explains that he would rather end life on his own terms than become a sellout like she has. While it does look like he is starting to realize the pointlessness of his own statements as he hears them, he still insists that his mentor is the one who needs help and wills V to take a look from his perspective, pointing out the constant struggle of facts being covered up by PR machines and corporate lies. Times have changed, as he finally notices through his own monologue, where no amount of truth would make the people care of their own ill treatment by politics.

Each life path will have a specific persuasion dialogue, although regardless of chosen option, Max will refuse the offer as he still takes his responsibilities as a journalist very seriously and has no intention of stopping what he is doing. Only way he will follow is by calling up on his curiosity - he spent so much time away from Regina, avoiding her, ignoring her, he had no chance of actually learning what she is now and what she fights for. Upon accepting, he will gather his files and follow V to the car, which he will be rather annoyed with, as it looked like a vision of luxury, but he will eventually enter and conclude the job. Regina will express her gratitude by getting him back alive with an ample bonus.

In case of saving Jones' life, he can be found in one of the rooms of Regina's office in Watson, being upset with his predicament and scorning his friend as a supposed sellout.

Associated Quest

 * Gig: Freedom of the Press