The Administorum
Battle Related Forums => Board Battles => Board Battle Archives => Topic started by: Veldanya Venalla on October 16, 2013, 03:18:58 PM
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"I bid 4 3's"
"I call bluff."
Three cans are raised and dice are counted to reveal only 3 3's in play.
"Damn it all!"
The man using the green dice reaches forward and removes one of them from play. It is evident that the goggled man is currently winning this game by a landslide as both of his opponents only have 2 dice each left. The cans are placed back over the dice and play continues.
"So I hear there are rumors of trouble at Fort Southridge. You hear anything about it Vil?"
The goggled man looks up after gazing at his dice.
"Yes. I have a friend down in Yewanrey that was expecting a package from the Fort but it never showed up. I'll be headed down there in a day or so to check it out for him. I bid 3 6's by the way."
The man with the red dice looks up his can, and thinks for a moment.
"I call bluff"
The can's are raised again and dice are counted...it would seem Vil had 3 dice all on his own. A red die is removed and play continues.
"Damn it all Vil! So anyways...you planning on going down there solo? That area is right at the edge of the Badlands, prime feral territory. I bid 2 1's."
"Nope, I have a few men on their way that will be joining me for this endeavor. They should be arriving within the next day or two by my figures. I call spot on by the way."
It would appear that Vil is right once again as dice are counted and exactly 2 1's are in play. A red and a green die are removed and the gentleman with the red dice loses his ante.
Vil looks at the man with the green dice and smiles.
"Looks like its just you and me. Time to finish this?"
Cans are shaken and slammed. Vil has 3 dice, and there is only one green die left.
"So what kind of men do you have coming for this? I bid one 5"
"Well I sent messages to a Jagger and to a skilled Techanic as well as a gunslinger. 2 5's"
"Sounds like a pretty good combination. I call spot-on"
Cans are raised to reveal there are 3 5's in play. Looks like Vil has won this round.
"Care for another round gentlemen?"
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You have received a letter from a well known Marshall called Vildayvin Devaron. Within the letter is a job offer from the Marshall to assist with a retrieval mission outside of Yewanrey. You were instructed to meet the man at the Rusty Tankard located in Brimstone. You were given one week to show up at the Rusty Tankard or it would be assumed you declined the offer. The letter also instructed you to present the letter to the barkeep at the Rusty Tankard when you arrived and he would put you in contact with Vildayvin.
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A loud revving noise precludes the Arrival of a figure in a hooded duster.The Bike growls its way through the wasteland to the town of Brimstone before cutting a massive turn, kicking up dust and stopping the Bike just outside of the town's borders. Taking it more slowly the rest of the way into town, parked the bike at the Horse Hitching post. Pulling the key out of the bike and hanging it from his neck, he pulled a heavy metal chain from the bike's bag and looped it between the bike's front bars and the hitching post before slapping a heavy Padlock onto the chain that only opened with the very key that started the bike itself. Ignoring the stares of those who had never seen such a device before, Sethranas Ravenhall strode into the Rusty Tankard. He approached the Bar of the establishment quietly and sat down at a stool that had a view of the window where he could see his bike. His arms met the counter-top with a metallic clunk as his pneumatic bracers made contact with the wood. He reached into his duster and pulled a letter from an inner pocket. Holding it up, he used it to wave the Bartender over before offering it to him.
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A pair of goggled eyes look up at the sounding of an engine pulling up outside the tavern.
"Sounds like one of them has just arrived."
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As Seth enters the tavern a few eyes (mainly the bouncer...his hand shifting towards a pistol at his him for a few seconds before he returns to crossing his arms) gaze towards him. The barkeep looks up as the man sits down, glancing down at the bracers as they clunk onto the bartop. He walks over and accepts the letter from the strange man and notes the broken seal on it...an intricately drawn VD stamped into the wax. Knowing instantly what the letter is he walks through the "Private" door. He hands the letter to Vil and waits for a response. Vildayvin calmly reads the letter then tucks it into his duster.
"Yep, I was correct...please take care of whatever he asks, within reason obviously. I am expecting two more arrivals and do not wish to repeat myself, their tabs will be taken care of. (He turns back towards the other two gentlemen at the table) Now gentlemen, how about we switch over to a...shorter game. You two up for some Six Shoot?"
The barkeep turns and leaves the room as dice and bits clatter across the table. He walks over to Seth.
"Good evening and welcome to the Rusty Tankard lad. Me names Ryan "Rusty" McGibbins. What can I get fer ya?"
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"Water, please." Seth said, pulling his hood down and lifting his goggles from his eyes, planting them on his forehead. Pulling a rolled up blue sheet of paper from a bag at his side, he unrolled it on the counter and began to pore over its contents. Looking up at the Bartender after scanning through the blueprints for a moment, he decided to ask what he could.
"Do you know anyone who has a Steam compressor they'd be willing to part with? Or a Railroad company nearby? I'm in need of parts."
When the Bartender placed the water next to him, He took a drink to quench his parched throat, listening to anything he had to say while he continued to read the Blueprints.
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"Water, please."
The barkeep nods at the request...though mildly surprised seeing as how its a tavern and most people who come in request drinks of a more...alcoholic content. He turns around to a faucet and hits a lever causing water to flow into a tall glass. As he turns around Seth speaks to him.
"Do you know anyone who has a Steam compressor they'd be willing to part with? Or a Railroad company nearby? I'm in need of parts."
Placing the glass of water in front of the engineer Rusty responds to the question.
"Raildroad company...are ya daft boy? We got the tram leading into Brimstone 3 different ways. Though I wouldnt recommend trying to obtain anything from the station, all parts would be considered too vital to sell to some random person. As for a steam compressor...hmm....ya know...there might be someone who can help you with that. There's a fellow nearby goes by the name of Gizmoid. Thats not his real name obviously but he's a little....odd you could say. He's one helluva tech though...ya need anything crafted or repaired you talk to him...as long as you are able to deal with his eccentric personality.
Rusty then leans in closer to Seth so only he can hear.
"And he is more....understanding of a persons privacy then many of the shopkeeps around here if ya get me drift lad."
"Hey Rusty...my tankards getting a bit low!"
The barkeep turns to another patron sitting farther down the bar.
"Bah...hold yer horses Tommy...ill be right there!"
He goes down to the man he called Tommy and leans on the bartop.
"Ya be drinking and drinking...but Im not seeing any paying."
"Just put it on my tab Rusty...ya know im good fer it!"
"Your tab is at the max Tommy...you know the rules...no pay....no booze."
"Thats bullshit Rusty...ill get ya the bits...Im just a lil short this month!"
"Nope...not hearing it."
"Bastard...."
At this Rusty nods at the bouncer who promptly walks over, grasps the man named Tommy by the shoulders and effortlessly chucks him out the doors onto the street then walks out the door.
"Come back when ya got the bits to pay the Boss ya bum!"
The bouncer then returns to his position and crosses his arms again.
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Sebastian is surprised to receive a letter from marshal Devaron. Normally jobs from marshals involved hunting down some rabble for little bits, but this did not seem to be the case. The amount of bits indicated on the message was nothing to sneeze at. Though he dislikes working with others, and especially marshals, for the right amount of bits he would work with Manciple Primus himself.
As per instructions the Jagger makes his way to Brimstone using the tram service. Sabastian dislikes the tram. Too many people cramped up in a small place. Don’t know what half of them are up and with all the looks people are giving him, he can’t help but get that funny feeling where you want to shoot a man just because you can. Coming off the tram, with a small travel bag in his right hand, he takes a few steps before people pour out and go on their way. He has arrived in the evening and proceeds to scope out the place. Walking down the streets he keeps to the darker alleys and shadows of buildings. The few people that take notice of him, quickly turn their gaze away, upon his approach. It doesn’t take him long to make his way down to the Rusty Tankard.
Sebastian comes just in time to see a man get flung through the doors of the establishment. He takes note of the larger bouncer and takes a moment to remember the locations of all the windows just in case. There is also an interesting contraption left outside. It seems to be some sort of steam powered vehicle. It is the first of its kind the Jagger has seen. Crombel enters and moves through the pub with a rather slow pace. After making his way to the bar he takes out the message and leaves it for the barkeep.
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Rusty glances up from cleaning a glass as a stranger in a duster and gas mask enters through the saloon doors. Raising an eyebrow momentarily then shrugging he returns to cleaning the glass until a letter is placed on the bartop in front of him, baring the same broken seal. Calmly placing the glass down he picks up the letter and heads back through the Private door again.
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"3 sixes! BOOM!"
"Double or nothing you can't do it again Vil!"
Bits clatter across the table as the three men place their wagers. Cigarette smoke has started to gather within the room as all 3 men absentmindely puff away, their focus entirely on the dice as they hit the table.
"2 sixes! Thank you Lady Luck!"
"Damn it all!"
It is at this point Rusty hand the letter presented by the stranger to Vil. He opens it up and reads the contents, puffing away on his cigarette, the glow of the cherry reflecting off the blackness of his goggles lenses.
"Hmm....so we got the techhead and the bounty hunter....I wonder what happened to the third man...."
It is at this point a man comes running into the tavern waving a letter in his hand. Rusty quickly walks back out and speaks with the man, taking the letter and handing him a few bits. He comes back in and hands the letter to Vil who opens it and reads silently again.
"Hmm.....it would seem the third man will be a no show....so be it. Rusty if you could please make the gentlemen comfortable outside while we finish this up quickly."
Rusty nods and walks back out to the bar and stops in front of Sebastian.
"I apologize for the delay laddie...it will only be a little bit longer. What can I get fer ya in the mean time?"
OOC
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Sebastian looks at the bar tender for a second and then quickly rummages through his traveling bag. It takes him a few seconds to locate a fairly big cylinder shaped canister, some stains are visible from the transparent walls. The Jagger removes the tube shaped cover and hands it over.
“Rinse with cold water please. Fill it up with warm milk and honey,” a muffled and hoarse voice can be heard from behind the mask. “Five to one ration and stir when you add the honey please.”
The hunter takes a look around the pub and the variety of patrons it has. He stops his eyes on the one closest to him. The man that is a little taller than him, is drinking water and looking into a blueprint of some kind. Every now and then he shoots a look outside as if to check on the contraption left at the hitching post.
“Is the vehicle outside yours? It has an… interesting look. Did you perhaps make it yourself?” Sebastian has sat himself on a stool, close enough to talk but not close enough to see the details on the blueprint. He has spread his elbows and leaned back with his back towards the bar as he speaks.
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"Yes, it's mine." Seth says, not looking up from the blueprint. "I didn't build it. At least not initially. It's my father's original design, maintained, repaired, and improved by me." He brought the water to his lips with his right hand, but something caught his eye and he stopped just before taking a drink.
His left hand shot down to his belt and pulled up one of his pistols. His arm pointed straight out the window, and following the aim of his pistol, there was a man with a crowbar who had just been about to smash the lock of the bike's chain and steal it. When he realized there was a Colt staring him down, he immediately dropped his crowbar and ran for his life.
Putting the gun back on his belt, Seth went back to looking over the blueprints, taking the final drink of his water and placing the empty glass on the counter.
"Thank you." He offered to the bartender, before turning his eyes to Sebastian.
"Why do you ask? Building one requires as much trial as error, I don't think I could reproduce one like that. Especially without parts or funds."
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Sebastian shakes his hand in disapproval. “I doubt I have the skills necessary to maintain such a machine and I do prefer to travel in a… quieter manner.”
He moves so that he can see the bike and takes a good long look at it. “How much bits would you be willing to part with to retrieve it if it got stolen?” The Jagger pauses for a second as if to read the man’s reaction. “Don’t get me wrong, I am curious out of professional point of view. If you are looking for parts I could always help with retrieving them, for a price that is.” Looking at the blueprint again, Sebastian crosses his arms and tilts his head to the right. “Or perhaps you could be of help to me. Have you heard of flechette shells? It is a shotgun shell that is filled with darts. I need a design for a 12 gauge flechette shell. Perhaps you can make one or direct me to someone who could?”
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“Rinse with cold water please. Fill it up with warm milk and honey,” a muffled and hoarse voice can be heard from behind the mask. “Five to one ration and stir when you add the honey please.”
Rusty raises an eyebrow at the request, in all his years at running the Rusty Tankard he hasnt ever had such a request. With a shrug he walks out from behind the bar and heads over to a door marked Storage. He pulls a jar of honey from a shelf within the room and returns to the counter. Reaching under the bar he cracks open a special cabinet and pulls out a bottle of cold milk. After rinsing the glass as the man requested, he mixes the milk and honey then slides the glass over to the man. As the newcomers are talking, one suddenly draws one of his guns and aims outside. The nearby bouncer goes for his guns but a slight shake of the head from Rusty stops him, he sees what the man is aiming at. The two men continue chatting when the nearby door swings open and out come two men chatting quietly but an attentive ear could pick up phrases such as "damn his luck" and "how am I going to explain this to the wife?" A few seconds later a small light under the bar counter flickers on. Rusty immediately stops what he is doing and walks over to the two men at the counter.
"It would appear he is ready for ya lads. Please follow me."
He walks over to the Private door and opens it up, gesturing for the two men to go through. Once they do he closes the door behind them. All the windows in the room have curtains pulled in front of them except for one at the other end of the room where a man is currently standing. He stands about 5' 8" tall is of a medium, muscular build and is completely clean shaven. He is wearing a long black duster, a black cowboy hat, and a pair of dark black goggles. A puff of his cigarette reflects off his goggles.
"Good evening gentlemen, please have a seat (He gestures to one of the tables). I apologize for the delay for I was expecting a third man to show up but it appears he will not be. As the letter you both received stated this is going to be a retrieval mission. A good friend of mine has had a package disappear that was coming from the fort nearby (Southridge). As you are no doubt aware that area is heavily infested with ferals and scavs...not even mentioning the creature population. With that being said...."
He places the cig back in his mouth and reaches into two pockets in his pants, pushing his duster out of the way. This reveals two sizeable revolvers at his hips and a Marshal's badge over his heart. He digs out two bags that give off the clinking sound of bits and tosses them onto the table in front of the two men.
"Consider this a partial payment. Once the job is complete you will get the remainder."
Within the bag you find 100 bits and a small piece of paper with the words "300 at completion - VD" on it. Vildayvin reaches into a pocket on his vest and pulls out a pocket watch and glances at it.
"We have about oh....9-10 more hours of nightfall left. We will head out to the tram at daybreak and take it down to Yewanrey where we will meet up with my friend. (He then looks towards Seth) Don't worry, there will be space to store your bike as well. There are rooms for you on the floor above, speak to Rusty for the keys. Take care of any business you may have and I would recommend some sleep as well. (He takes a puff of his cigarette and then mashes it down into an ashtray nearby.) Good night gentlemen, see you in the morning."
He then walks out the door, nods towards Rusty he tosses a set of keys towards him. Catching the keys he heads upstairs to the very first door, unlocks it and heads inside then closes the door. The clicking of a lock can be heard.
OOC
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Without saying a Word Seth takes the money, and after Vildayvin leaves, he glances over at the other member of their party. "We'll see about your requests. I might be able to help, but I've got business of my own currently." With that he exits the private room and heads back to the bar counter to talk to rusty.
"Rusty, do you know where I can find this Gizmoid person?"
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Rusty looks up as the two men exit the room after Vildayvin.
"Rusty, do you know where I can find this Gizmoid person?"
"Yep of course. You just gotta go out here, follow the street down to the right, make a left at the first intersection you hit, then a right at the first street you see, you will see his shop shortly after that. You'll be looking for Gadgets & Gizmo's.
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"Thank you." Seth said before turning and heading out the door. Unlatching his bike and turning it on, he turned down the street in the proper direction and set off at a roll that was something akin to a horse's trot. Coming up to the shop in question, he once again latched his bike to the nearest stable object and approached the door, knocking twice before opening the door and entering the establishment. he stood at the door and waited for any sign of someone approaching, and while doing so took a moment to take in his surroundings to see just what kind of place he had wandered into.
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As Seth rolls up on the store its pretty obvious which building he wants even if you couldnt see the name. The words Gadgets and Gizmos have bulbs installed over them which flicker frequently. Upon entering the shop he hears a beeping noise near the back and sees what could be described as an organizational nightmare. Random parts, pieces of metal, and wiring are scattered across numerous shelves. Books and pieces of paper containing random drawings/schematics lie scattered about as well. A counter sits near the back of the room with a doorway behind it from where some sounds of tinkering and a voice muttering to itself can be heard.
"One moment...ill be right...."
Suddenly an explosion occurs, launching a small (about 3 1/2 feet tall) form through the doorway and into a mattress fastened to the wall on the opposit side of the room. The little man coughs a few times and shakes his head. He brushes himself off as he heads over to the counter and after hopping up on a stepstool looks at Seth.
[Other then his short stature something else that draws Seth's attention is that his right eye and arm have been replaced with cybernetic enclaves and that some pretty heavy scarring is visible on the right side of his face, his head is completely devoid of any hair. A small apron covers his chest and is wearing a pair of welding gloves. He speaks with a high pitched kind of squeaky voice.]
"Hi there stranger...what can we get for you today? We have bits, bobs, buzzers, and bongers...."(he stops suddenly and it looks like he is listening to someone).
"Wait what do you mean we are out of bongers? Damn it all Cheezle I told you to make sure we had those in stock!"
He turns and swipes at the air and promptly falls off his stool, releasing a squeaking sound. Climbing back up on the stool he looks back at Seth.
"Im sorry buddy apparently we are OUT of bongers.....*glares off to the side*. Anyways....what can we help you with today?"
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"I'm in need of a steam compressor. Also, if possible, railroad spikes, but I don't expect to find those here." He says, pulling the blueprints out of his bag. He feels like he can at least trust this man to be genuinely interested in the design enough to look it over.
"I'm looking to build this. The blueprints are mostly complete." He places the blueprint on the counter and unrolls it so that Gizmoid can see it. "I've got a trigger mechanism and a stock, but I'm in need something that I could use as a barrel, ammunition, and a steam compression system and a release valve."
He pulls out the bag of bits Vildayvin handed him and places it on the counter.
"I have bits, some scrap, as well as my services as an engineer for trade."
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"Steam compressor eh? Hmm...."
Seth then places the blueprints down in front of Gizmoid. There is a soft whirring noise as his electronic eye zooms in on the small assorted writing.
"Hmm....nice...very nice....barrel, ammo, steamer, and valve...hmm...."
He hops off the stool, muttering to himself as he walks over to a pile of random stuff in the corner of the shop, he begins digging through it, toss items around, a few whizzing past Seth's head, as he keeps muttering what sounds like random nonsense.
"Hmm....sprocket in the left, springer followed by a spratchet....no...maybe spratchet in the left would work....no that can't be right...now where did I put that netzle? Cheezle!! Where is the netzle's at?!? Oh wait...there they are!"
He runs over to another pile and literally dives into the pile, digging himself into the pile until he disappears. A few seconds go by when suddenly his head pops out from the top.
"Found ya!"
He then gathers up an assortment of random parts and walks back to the counter, climbs up on his stool and drops the armload of items next to the blueprints.
"Ok so you need..."
Suddenly a loud ringing from within the pile interrupts the technic. He digs through and pulls out an old style alarm lock, the bells ringing loudly. He bangs it off the counter.
"Quiet down will ya....shut up....QUIET!!!'
He then pulls a hammer out of his smock and starts smashing the clock to pieces until the ringing finally stops. He then picks up the smashed clock glances over it a bit and then toss it over into a pile.
"I'll have to fix that one of these days....now where was it?"
He glances around, his train of though completely lost by the interruption. He then leans over a little as if someone is talking to him.
"hmm? huh? oh....right! Thanks Cheezle!"
He reaches into the pile and pulls out two large metal tubes roughly the length of a shotgun barrel, followed by a steam compressor.
"Ok so Cheezle and me figure these tubes should work perfectly for a barrel, weld em together for a little dual action maybe. (he picks up the compressor) Here's a nice lil beauty for ya...steam compressor WITH a release already worked in. Simply wire in the trigger to the release and hit the switch to start the compressor gathering up moisture from the air and then hit the trigger and BOOM!"
He throws his arms into the air and loses his balance falling off the stool.
"Ouchies!"
He climbs back onto the stool and picks the compressor back up. He flips the aforementioned switch and nothing happens. He frowns a little and tries it again...still nothing. He thumps it off the counter once and tries again...nothing. He then reaches into his smock and pulls out a small screwdriver and starts tweaking with the compressor but accidentally leaving the switch turned on. Suddenly the compressor springs to life and releases a blast of steam, launching the screwdriver into the wall behind Gizmoid. He looks at the screwdriver for a second.
"Hmm.....neat. Anyways....now that thats working...sounds like thats all you should need to make this....hmm? (he leans over again) I thought you were getting the spikes Cheezle! Sheesh do I have to do everything myself?!?"
He hops off the stool and goes over to a pile and digs around for a bit and pulls out an assortment of metal pieces, ranging from actual rail spikes to large pieces of rebar. He climbs back on the stool and tries sliding different pieces down the barrel to figure out the needed size, tossing stuff found to be either too big or small behind him. Eventually 10 items are left on the counter, 5 being actual spikes and the other 5 being random rods of metal/rebar.
"ok NOW I think you should have everything you need."
He then picks up the bag of bits Seth dropped and holds it up to his ear and shakes it a lil. He then plops it off to the side.
"Cheezle please verify how much is in there for me...thanks. Anyways buddy...I figure for all this I'll take whatever scrap you might have and the....(leans to the left and talks to the air) 100 bits? Good. (looks back at Seth) and the 100 bits you have here. Just toss the scrap off there in the corner (waves at a pile near the door). Now if I might ask....who's the genius to make that nice pair of wheels you got there? Thats definetely not something you would see every day."
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Seth pulls a bag from his back and proceeds to dump various types of scrap, ranging from metal plates to malfunctioning machine pieces, even some working parts to larger machines. Afterwards, he loads the pieces he acquired into the pack, then picks up the blueprints and leaves the Bits on the table.
"My father built the initial model, and I've maintained and repaired it ever since." He said, making sure everything was in order. Instinctively his left hand twitched near his pistol, under the counter where Gizmoid couldn't see it. He didn't think Gizmoid would try anything...Yet. But he didn't quite seem to be right in the head, and questions about his Bike didn't usually end well.
"Thank you for the parts." Seth said, standing up and making his way towards the door. His left hand remained near his left hip just in case.
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Gizmoid gathers up the assortment of pieces and parts and tosses them into a pile. He stops for a moment when Seth mentions that his father built the initial model, but then climbs back on the stool.
"Well he was quite a master engineer then id say, whatcha think Cheezle?"
He notices the mans left hand resting near his hip and he seems to enter a brief moment of sanity as he says something softly.
"Yes...you watch over that bike. Your father would be proud of you buddy."
Then returning to his usual....unbalanced mindset he heads back towards the back room.
"Cheezle! Get me some gorbongs and get those damn bongers on order!!"
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As Seth and Vildayvin head their respective ways the mysterious jagger known as Sebastian leaves the back room he signals to Rusty for a room key as he heads to pick up his beaker. He retrieves the container, reinstalling the lid and placing it back into his bag as a set of keys come sliding down the counter. He grasps the keys and heads upstairs to the room matching the number hanging from the keyring he received. Shortly afterwards his light goes out as well. After a few hours or so Seth returns to the tavern, gets a set of keys from Rusty and heads to bed as well. After around 7-8 hours, just as daylight is breaking, Vildayvin steps out of his room, fastening his holsters up and glancing down into the nearly empty main area of the tavern. He walks to Seth's and Sebastians rooms and knocks on the doors.
"Its time gentlemen, we have much ground to cover."
He walks downstairs and heads outside, sitting down in a chair near the door and lighting a cigarette as he waits for the two men to wake up and get ready.
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As the two men exit the tavern Vildayvin stands up and tosses the butt of the cigarette down into the dirt alleyway in front of the tavern. He begins to walk towards two horses, a midnight black one and a brown one, tethered near Seth's bike.
"Good morning, we will head to the tram station from here, load up our mounts and ride down to Yewanrey. The tram we are taking will be going non-stop through Chakoda so I hope you werent intending on making any stops there. (He mounts the midnight black horse) We will then find my friend, get any other information he may be able to provide...and work to secure his package for him.
He pats the horses neck and takes off at a steady pace towards the tram station
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As the trio arrives at the station it is pretty quiet due to the early time they arrived at. A tram shuttle sits at the station, a few people getting on and off, a rear storage car sitting open with a ramp giving access for the horses and bike. After securing their mounts the three head onto one of the passanger cars. It would appear one of the other cars is being used for troop travel at the moment as two squads of Conscript troops march into it. The tram departs the station soon after, whizzing along the rails towards Chakoda. The scenery outside the window shows off the more temperate environment of the area closest to Chrysalis Lake, with grass and a treeline is visible, a herd of shieldhorses even make an appearance at one point but then moves back into the cover of the trees. Soon enough the tram nears the city of Chakoda, the farming "capital" of Westward. As the tram passes through the city, one can see that the usually strong presence of Capital City Guards is ever-present. Soon enough though the tram reaches the end of the city and is zipping down towards Yewanrey. Eventually the tram nears the end of the line as the defensive wall of the city comes into view. The tram slows as it reaches the station, just a short distance from Yewanrey's walls. The doors open up and people step out and (after giving the squads of Conscripts a wide berth) head into Yewanrey. Vildayvin steps out and heads to the rear cargo cart and guides the horses onto the station platform, leaving the bike for Seth to move (for obvious reasons). Once all 3 are mounted up Vildayvin leads the group into Yewhanrey and to the door of a shop with a sign over it simply labeled "Doctor". He dismounts his horse and tethers it up and motions for the two to follow him inside.
"Doc! Where are ya? Show your face ya crotchety old bastard!"
A beer bottle comes whizzing out of a side room, causing Vildayvin to duck right before the bottle would have hit him.
"Stop yer hollering ya damn loudmouth! Can't anyone get any sleep anymore?!?"
An old man, looking to be about in his 70's with wild white hair and a white beard comes out of the same room the bottle came from, wearing a pair of white longjohns and an old faded robe. He stops in front of Vildayvin and glares at him for a few seconds then the two embrace each other.
"How ya doin ya smartass young pup? Glad to see you got my message!"
"Damn right I got your message, got some extra muscle to make sure we get that package back for ya Gramps."
The two seperate and Vildayvin motions towards Seth and Sebastian.
"This is the extra muscle I was talking about, Gramps meet Seth and Sebastian...gentlemen meet Doc Grawler or as I call him "Gramps". He's an old family friend.
"Pleasure to meet ya two...the fact that ol' Vil here hasnt plugged ya full of holes must mean you aint a scav or a feral so yer friends in my book. Please sit down"
He gestures to a table as he walks off, coming back with a pitcher of water and some glasses and sets a glass in front of everyone, filling each with water and then sits down. Vildayvin then looks at Gramps.
"Ok Gramps, what do you got for us? What were you trying to get from Southridge? The veritable end of civilization on Westward!"
At this Gramps looks around a little nervously and leans in.
"Well....it was...Lasher venom."
-
Sebastian thanks Rusty and moves to his room. After a quick check up on his guns, ammunition and supplies, he turns off the light and moves to the window. He spends a few hours gazing through the window, watching as people come in and out of the tavern. There was some info on a few wanted parties being in the vicinity, even though he is on a different job, a few extra bits never hurt. None of the people he sees bare the traits of the bounties, so he gives up, counts his bits and retires for the night, it was a long stretch to begin with, but he had time to spare.
In the morning he rides to the tram, with a horse prepared by the marshal. The conscripts, who are boarding it, make the hunter a bit tense, but with the marshal there, there is nothing to worry about. Nothing of importance happens during the rest of the trip to Yewanrey and they safely reach their destination, which appears to be a doctor’s cabinet.
"Doc! Where are ya? Show your face ya crotchety old bastard!"
As Sebastian enters after Vildayvin, he is almost hit by the flying object. With his reflexes he manages to steps backwards and to the left, getting out of the way, while simultaneously flapping his trench coat open and reaching for his shotgun. Before he manages to place his hand on his weapon, he realizes the object is just an empty bottle and instead reaches for it with his right hand and catches it mid-flight, as it attempts to whiz by.
"Stop yer hollering ya damn loudmouth!... Please sit down"
The jagger leaves the bottle on a nearby shelf, takes a sit and listens to the rest of the conversation.
-
"Lasher venom! What the hell are you thinking Doc?!? Ya know that stuff is a potent paralyzer!"
Doc looks at Vildayvin with an annoyed gaze.
"Of course I know its a paralyzer!! Those damn ferals in the area like to use it to knock out the guards for the caravans in the area, grab all they can and amskray before anyone can stop them!"
(Vil) "Yeah...so what the hell are you doing trying to get your hands on the stuff?!?"
"Im trying to stop them in their tracks THATS what im doing! Its almost impossible to get any large amount of the stuff to test and try to create a possible anti-toxin or anything. I got word from a contact at Southridge that they managed to get their hands on such a stash and so I...."obtained" it from them. It was supposed to be getting dropped off by a caravan a while ago but the caravan never showed up. Naturally I do not like the idea some some damn scav or feral may have their hands on the stuff."
Vildayvin leans in close at this point as he speaks to Doc.
(V) "Yeah and anyone finds out you ordered the stuff and jumps to the wrong conclusion...."
"Yeah...im too damn old to be getting exiled."
(V) "Did anyone else know about the delivery?"
"Not of the specific contents hell no! I simply ordered some "medical supplies" from the Fort."
(V) "Ok, so key here is we gotta try to find the caravan and try and get that stuff back asap."
"Pretty much....the only good thing is my friend placed the venom within a special case that would only unlock if a specific keycode combination was entered into it."
Doc then pulls a small piece of paper out of his robe and slides it across the table to Vildayvin.
"You'll understand the combo when you see the case."
Vildayvin glances at the paper then slides it into a pocket inside his coat. He then stands up and glances at Seth and Sebastian.
(V) "Well gentlemen, shall we be on our way?"
-
Sebastian stays in his seat for a few seconds, before the muffled voice from behind the mask is heard.
“I believe, that the change,” the Jagger stands up from his seat, as he speaks. “In the... sensitivity of the assignment, should be reflected appropriately in my final payment.”
It is not in Sebastian's nature to miss an opportunity for squeezing a few extra bits out.
-
"Shut up." Sethranas says after hearing the Jagger try and squeeze extra money out of Vildayvin. "We knew there were risks when we took the job. Don't try and haggle more pay."
Seth crosses his arms and looks down, his hood obscuring his eyes as he leans on the back wall. "Lasher Venom. Hm. Alright."
Standing up, he turns and heads out the door.
"I may be able to make something to help deal with that on the way there, or at least formulate it. We'd best not waste time, however."
Sitting down on the bike's seat, he removes the necklace from his head and puts the key into the ignition. The bike flares to life with a growl, and Seth fixes the goggles to his face.
"We shouldn't keep the Ferals waiting after all."
-
Vildayvin glances towards the Jagger as he speaks.
"I believe, that the change in the... sensitivity of the assignment, should be reflected appropriately in my final payment.”
"Shut up. We knew there were risks when we took the job. Don't try and haggle more pay."
Doc speaks up before the Marshal can respond.
"Worry not bounty hunter...you're silence will be rewarded."
He then gets up and walks into another room and comes out with three full packs. He hands two to Vildayvin and one to Sebastian. Sebastian finds sufficient rations for about 3 weeks or so and a bag at the bottom containing 100 bits. Vildayvin turns walks outside, tossing one of the packs to Seth after he starts up his bike. Seth finds sufficient rations for 3 weeks and a bag containing 125 bits, looks like Doc added in a lil extra for the techanic.
"Lets hit the trail, its about 3 week travel from here to Fort Southridge. The caravan...or what may remain of it...will be somewhere between here and the Fort. We need to find it and find out where the supplies may have gone.
He climbs up onto his horse and fastens the pack to the side of his saddle then takes off towards the gate of the city. A guard at the gate motions for the group to stop.
"Where are ya headed Marshal?"
(V) "Looking into a caravan disappearance somewhere between here and the Fort."
"Fair warning...there are rumors going around that something has happened up at the Fort...we havent received any communications from there in a while. Damn Ferals have been a problem lately so we havent been able to look into it."
(V) "Thanks for the information."
The guard nods as the one gate creaks open allowing the party to leave. Vildayvin spurs his horse as he takes off down the main trail leading towards Fort Southridge.
-
"Shut up. We knew there were risks when we took the job. Don't try and haggle more pay."
Sebastian turns and faces the techanic.
"Worry not bounty hunter...you're silence will be rewarded."
The Jagger stands motionless and stares at Seth as he leaves. A short laughter is heard underneath the mask, before he turns and takes a pack from the doc and follows Vildayvin outside.
They mount their steads and after a short conversation with a guard, head down the road to Fort Southridge.
-
The trio spend about a week and a half traveling along the route to Fort Southridge when they encounter the remains of a caravan on the road. Bringing his horse to a stop Vildayvin hops off and begins to investigate the ruined carts and desicated remains. After a few moments he returns to the group.
"Looks like this is the caravan we were looking for. The case is missing, likely taken by the raiders...."
Suddenly a shot rings out as a bullet ricochets off the ground near the group. Vildayvin turns in the direction of the shot as he runs to get behind one of the carts.
"Bandits in the rocks! Get to cover!"
He unholsters his large revolvers and begins to fire on the raiders from behind the cart.
OOC
-
When Vildayvin heads for cover, Seth simply adjusts his goggles. Putting both hands on the handlebars, he revs the gas and holds the brakes at the same time, kicking up a massive cloud of dust that obscures him before releasing the brakes, bursting from the dust cloud while drawing a pistol with his now free hand. At first he rides in a straight line parallel to the rocks, allowing him to line up a shot before he makes a hard turn, kicking up more dust as he steadies his arm and fires. There is a hiss of steam as his gauntlets absorb the force of the shot, keeping his arm steady and absorbing the recoil, allowing him to fire twice more before speeding off in the opposite direction, kicking up dust. His target took a bullet to the shoulder and went down, the other two skipping off the rocks near him.
"Come and get me, you aimless bastards!" Seth shouts, continually changing his direction to avoid any of the bandits actually wising up and trying to lead him on, kicking up dust to make it harder to fix a shot on him.
-
Hearing the first shot, Sebastian quickly jumps to the nearest cover, but as soon as he sees the dust cloud left behind Seth's bike he dashes into it. Moving in even closer, using the second cloud left by the bike to cover his approach, he prepares to rush the rock formations. With his shotgun unhooked from the sling and already in his left hand, the Jagger dives into the rocks. The small man's approach was undetected by the riders and he gets the opportunity to deliver a surprise attack. He will empty his barrels into the first riders he comes upon.
-
The bandits watch as two of their number are gunned down in the blink of an eye by the one man hiding behind the cart as the one traveler fires up the motorize bike creating dust clouds impeding their vision followed by gunshots ringing out from within as another bandit goes down with a bullet tearing through his shoulder. The third traveler then comes out of the nearest cloud of dust left by the bike, a blast from his shotgun tearing a hole in the gut of the nearest bandit to him before he retreated behind a rock.
"Oh screw this! Im outta here!"
The farthest bandit turns and runs up the rocky hill behind them, fleeing over the hill as the final remaining bandit is gunned down by the trio. Vildayvin sprints from behind the cart after the bandit and points towards the injured raider on the ground clutching his shoulder, shouting towards Sebastian.
"See what he knows!"
He then disappears over the hill.
-
Everyone’s quick actions lead to the battle ending as abruptly as it started and Vildayvin runs after the last remaining rider, leaving Sebastian a task he is most suitable for.
The Jagger approaches the wounded rider and crouches next to him. He notices the man’s breathing becomes faster and more sporadic as he stands there.
“You worried?” Squeezing under the index and little finger, the hunter removes the man’s arm from his shoulder and looks at the wound. “Ah, there we go. Tc tc tc, that is a nasty one you got there. Well you are better off than the other fellas. Tell you what, I am in a bit of a hurry so we will try the easy way first.” Sebastian pauses for a few seconds and inspects the wound closely. The bullet passed through his shoulder, which is good, but the man would still bleed out. “If not treated, your wound will kill you and I assume returning to your gang won’t be all hugs and kisses. Tell me where the caravan cargo is, how many men are with it and how you came upon this particular caravan and I promise you two things: I will make sure your wound doesn’t kill you and I will give you three weeks’ worth of rations” He grabs the bandit’s hand, place is it back on his shoulder and leans in a little bit closer. “The choice is yours.”
-
The man glances up at the masked face before him, coughing as pain wracks his body. A laugh escape his lips.
"You think Im willing to tell you anything?!? I tell you what I know and sure as shit I'll be hunted down by the boss's men and gunned down!"
A shot rings out suddenly. From atop the nearby hill Vildayvin appears alone. One can safely assume what happened to the fleeing gunman at this point. The eyes of the wounded raider grow wide as he spots the Marshal's badge upon Vildayvin's chest and gets a good look at his face.
"Oh god...not him!"
He reaches up and grabs Sebastian's coat pulling him close.
"Ok, you promise me freedom I'll tell you what you want! Just keep him away from me!"
He releases Sebastian and falls back as a coughing fit overtakes him."
"Ok, I don't know exactly where the cargo is I swear! After we hit the caravan the boss took the case with him. He made mention of meeting up with some other raiders and hitting the Fort. They supposedly had a mech or two ready. That's all I know i swear!"
At this point Vildayvin reaches the group and rests his hand on the handle of the hand cannon on his right hip.
"Well I see our friend here is still alive and kicking. I wonder for how much longer though....."
-
The Jagger looks at Vildayvin, for a moment he though the marshal knew what he was up to. He focuses his attention at the dying man. “Your boss, give me his name.”
“It’s Edgar man, Edgar Kreevan!” The unfortunate man wriggles in pain on the ground.
Sebastian stands up and glares at the injured criminal, than turns towards Vildayvin. “His boss took the case and went to the fort to meet up with other riders. Apparently they have one or two mechs with them. It is the first time I hear of riders attacking a fort. Sounds weird to me, do you want to ask anything else?”
After the marshal is done, Sebastian goes back to his horse and takes his bag of rations. He had already taken the bits, so he simply tosses it in the rider’s feet. “Here are your rations. As for your wound, I promised I will not let it kill you and I am a man of my word.” The hunter opens up his trench coat and puts his hand on the shotgun. If none of his companions voice out a complaint in the next two seconds, the Jagger will shoot the man.
-
"Don't." Seth said as he approached on foot, rolling his bike alongside him. His hood was down and his goggles rested on his forehead, but his gaze was no less serious.
"Don't extort a man for information and then betray him to his death. You'll be no better than a Bandit at that point. I shoot bandits. If you have any medical skill then aid him. If not, I can construct a bandage for his arm though I have no dressings. Either way, the man is leaving with his life today."
To accentuate his point, Seth's free left hand roamed down to his belt, where his revolver sat ready to answer Sebastian should he refuse.
-
The Marshal is about to draw his revolver and gun down the bandit when Seth approaches.
"Dont. Don't extort a man for information and then betray him to his death. You'll be no better than a Bandit at that point. I shoot bandits. If you have any medical skill then aid him. If not, I can construct a bandage for his arm though I have no dressings. Either way, the man is leaving with his life today."
Vildayvin looks at Seth then at Sebastian and removes his hand from the handle of the revolver on his right hip. He then turns and walks over to one of the dead bandits and proceeds to rip the shirt off the corpse, tearing it into strips of cloth. He then returns to the wounded bandit, kneeling down near him.
"Consider yourself lucky that he was here...."
He then examines the wound, knowing a little in the field of medicine thanks to the teachings of his dead parents.
"It would seem you are doubly lucky today scum. Looks like the bullet passed right through you."
He then takes the strips of cloth and begins to wrap them tightly over the wound. After a few moments he looks over his handywork.
"There, that should keep you from dying for a while."
He then leans in close to the bandits ear so only the bandit can hear what is said next.
"Keep in mind though....I EVER find you in the company of bandits or ferals again....you will NOT be so lucky. I suggest you do not waste this second chance."
Standing back up the Marshal waves in the direction he had chased the fleeing bandit towards.
"Go on....you have 30 seconds to get out of my sight or else.......1......2.......3"
The bandit struggles to his feet, picks up his fallen sidearm and runs off up the hill out of sight. Vildayvin turns to the Jagger and Technic.
"Well it is pretty obvious we must continue on to Fort Southridge. I wonder how ol' Richter is doin..."
He then turns and heads back towards the horses, mounting up and once his companions are mounted as well, heads off towards the Fort.
-
Sebastian waits for Vildayvin to head towards the horses, than addresses Seth. “You offer mercy to those who won’t show any in return.” Even though his voice is muffled, you can catch a hint of pity in it. “We live in a world where guns dictate the rules. When he gets better, he will be the same. He will kill and he will rob people, the only difference being, that those he kills from now on will lay on your conscious as well.”
After the little chat, the Jagger goes and joins Vildayvin.
-
The trio continue traveling for about another week and a half until they notice a plume of black smoke on the horizon. After clearing the next hill they can see the walls of Fort Southridge, the plume of smoke coming from behind them, evidence that something has happened at the Fort. As the group heads towards the North Bridge of the Fort, it would be hard not to be impressed. The walls stand approx. 32 feet tall, with two massive twin cannons on both sides of the main gate. The gate itself is covered in a series of complex, interlocking gears. One either side of the gate stands a guard, fully armored and armed with a rifle and spear. As Vil and the others draw near the two guards take notice and move to block entry as a single figure, armed with a rather nasty looking rifle on his shoulder, emerges from a small guard post next to the gate and approaches the travelers, a third guard following behind him. Seth and Sebastian reach the man first with Vil hanging behind.
Zav (The man with the rifle): "Halt right there, who are you and what are you doing here?"
-
The smoke coming from the horizon was a sign that the bandit’s words were true. Taking that into account, the situation in the fort would probably be tense.
Upon reaching the fort, the party is met by a group of guards and someone who seems to be of higher rank or at least of higher stature. Sebastian tosses a look at Vil, who is staying at the back silently. Realizing he expects them to take care of the situation themselves, he grinds his teeth quietly and looks at the man who approached them.
“I am Sebastian Crombel, I am a jagger and my contract brings me and my associates, to your fort.” He faces the smoke coming up from the fort. “We will conduct our business quickly and be out of your hair before you know it. “ The bounty hunter returns his gaze upon the man in front of him, “I thrust this will not trouble you.” He tosses a look bat at Vildayvin, as if asking if he had something to add.
-
Seth wasn't very invested in the conversation at the moment. He was busy working with a set of tools on finishing his rifle. The double-barrel had been welded together and fixed to the stock, his only trouble now was wiring the trigger mechanism and the pressure system to the rifle itself. He was currently resting the rifle in the crook of his arm while he worked at the pressure system with a pair of pliers, twisting and affixing wires as he slowly worked it around to the trigger he had installed.
Still, his mind flashed to where he had stashed his bike. It should be safe where it was, under a tarp that gave it the appearance of a rock or sand dune, under the shadow of a steep hill near the fort, the hill obscuring it from plain view. Just in case, it was spiked to the ground and padlocked, and the key hung on his neck next to the ignition key.
"If my partner says anything stupid, please don't point guns at me. I'm not exactly paying attention to his words so I can't retort if he says anything particularly tactless." Seth notes offhandedly, pulling his goggles over his eyes to keep the dust out while he leaned over his work. Nonetheless, he kept glancing to the side under the goggles, noting the guards and being wary of when he might need to reach for one of his pistols.
-
Zav glances between the two men who speak to him and then to the man behind them. His eyes, partially hidden by a pair of dark shades, squint slightly as the silent man seems vaguely familiar but he can't seem to place him yet. He slings the rifles harness over his shoulder, letting it hang slightly.
"Jagger eh? Well if you were after the bandits who attacked up then it looks like you missed out on your contract. Only one was spared and thanks to me (he pats the butt of his rifle) he is securely locked up in our jail underneath City Hall. As long as you are all who you say you are then you are free to enter, just don't cause any trouble or else, got me?"
He then glances up towards the top of the wall and gestures with his hand. The large gears on the doors being to spin as a few loud clicks can be heard as locking mechanisms are disengaged and the doors crack open slightly, allowing the three men to enter the Fort.
The three men enter with Vildayvin taking up the rear, nodding slightly at Zav as he passes by, eliciting a raised eyebrow from the man. A small sign post off to the side of the road bears a map showing the key places of Fort Southridge. Farther down the wall repairs are in work fixing damage cause by the most recent bandit attack. A man wearing a gray suit and a pair of spectacles seems to be in charge of the operation. The sunlight glints off a Marshal's badge upon his chest as he turns and notices the jagger and techanic. Upon seeing Vildayvin he pauses and scratches at his graying beard. A man walks up behind him and begins talking to him, distracting the Marshal for the moment. Vildayvin turns to the two men with him at this point.
"I have some business to attend to. See what you can learn about the attack, that bandit will probably be the best source of info as to where the box might be right now. I will catch up with you two when I am finished."
He then heads towards the man in the suit, eventually hopping off his horse and striking up a conversation with the man.
-
Seth nodded and went off in his own direction. Still working on the rifle in his arms, he went not to the jailhouse, but rather to the top of the wall. Approaching the gate guards, he glanced out across the wasteland before turning his attention to them.
"Do you know anything about the attack? Where the bandits came from, and what they were after?"
He continued to work without even looking at the gun, though at this point he was nearly done. He simply had to fasten the machinery and make sure nothing would come loose.
-
Sebastian watched Seth take his leave. That was good, he preferred to work alone, but even so, for some reason the techanic rubbed him the wrong way. Whatever the case, it did not matter. The jagger was here for a contract not to make friends. He goes on the move and heads towards the convenience store for starters. He needs to refill his own supplies and while in there he could ask a few questions, before heading to the jail house.
When Sebastian enters the store he takes a quick look around by reflex. The short man goes to the counter and takes another look around.
He orders a new set of rations and when time comes to pay takes out the pouch of bits given to them. Sebastian shakes the pouch a bit, just enough to make the bits in there release a pleasant sound, than proceeds to tossing it lightly in his hand.
“I heard you were attacked by bandits. It is not every day bandits attack a fort. Do you think you know why they did something so foolish? Heard anything?”
-
The guards gaze at the techanic who approaches them, working on some contraption that appears to be a firearm. He suddenly speaks up.
"Do you know anything about the attack? Where the bandits came from, and what they were after?"
The men exchange glances, wondering who this man was and why he suddenly showed up inquiring about the recent attack. One of them pipes up after a few moments.
"They've been attacking the Fort for some time now, but this last one was the worst...they had a mech with them! No one knows where they are camped out at, can't really spare any men to try and find em. The Captain managed to injure one of em this last attack, first time we've managed to actually get a prisoner to interrogate...maybe the scum will tell us something good."
********************************************************************************
The shopkeeper looks up as the masked man enters his store. He orders some rations and after pulling out a pouch of bits to pay for it begins to talk to the shop keeper.
“I heard you were attacked by bandits. It is not every day bandits attack a fort. Do you think you know why they did something so foolish? Heard anything?”
The clerk suddenly stop counting the bits the stranger provided as payment and chuckles.
"You're not from around here are ya? Those damn bandits attack the fort and any caravans more and more frequently....though this is the first time they have had tech like a mech with them. Dunno if they managed to pillage it from a caravan or what but it definetely managed to do some damage before the guard knocked it out of commission. As for why they would do it....how should I know? They are bandits, they do and take whatever they want! Got one of em locked up in the jail, Zav managed to wing him as they were attempting to run away. They oughta string him up if ya ask me."
The clerk slides a bag containing the rations across the counter to Sebastian.
"Anything else I can get fer ya?"
***************************************************************
The door of Davin's Bar swings open as Vildayvin enters. He glances around until he sees Zav sitting at a table, just finishing a game of Six Shoot, apparently beating out the competition for the rest of their bits. The two men grumble a bit and head out of the bar leaving Zav alone, a pint of cold beer next to him. Vildayvin sits down at the table, extending a hand to Zav who promptly shakes it.
"How ya doin Zav? Its been a while since I've seen ya last."
Zav: "Not too bad...trying to help keep the peace and fight off the persistent bandit attacks. What brings you here though I wonder."
Vildayvin motions to the bartender for a drink. Once it arrives he leans in closer to Zav, lowering his voice.
"Well lets just say I'm on a mission for a friend to get something back from some bandits...the same bandits responsible for the most recent attack on the Fort I am beginning to suspect. Richter's given me the ok to speak with the man you detained after the attack, see what he knows."
Zav: Oh really? What did they take from your friend?
"A box, thats all I can say."
Zav raises an eyebrow but doesnt push for any more info.
Zav: Well I gotta get going, nice seeing ya again Vil. Be careful if you're going after those bandits...if they have mech's available it could be a death trap.
"Thanks for the tip Zav, I'll keep it in mind."
The two seperate, Zav heading out of the bar, leaving Vildayvin alone at the table sipping on his drink. At a table nearby a lone woman sits with her back to the Marshal, her jet black hair held back by a bandana, a pair of goggle resting on top of her head. Unbeknownst to the Marshal she managed to overhear some of the conversation.
-
Enoka sat with her back to the Marshal, picking up the conversation he was having with the another man. So the marshal was looking for something eh? Well, she had no job at the moment, perhaps he could be the one to put more coin in her pocket. Smiling, she downed the remaining whiskey in her glass.
Motioning to the bartender, she held up two fingers and jerked her thumb to the marshal's table. Standing up, she straightened her skirt and checked the knives in her bracers before gliding around to his table. Without a word, she took a seat across from his as two whiskey's were delivered to the table, one to each occupant. She picked hers up and took a sip, looking at him over the top of the glass.
"Marshal" She said, keeping the conversation quiet. "I hear you are looking for something. Well, it just so happens that I am looking for something too" She smiled at him as she put the glass on the table
"I am Enoka Midiga. Perhaps you have heard of me, perhaps not, but i am looking to put some coin in my pocket, and it sounds as if you need a problem solved. That is what i do." She grinned wickedly "Solve problems"
-
The Marshal glances at the woman as she sits down in front of him, a whiskey being brought for each of them. He listens as she introduces herself and offers her specialized services, in exchange for bits of course. Vildayvin stares at the woman from behind the reflective black glass of his goggles for a moment as he thinks to himself. He reaches over and picks up the whiskey glass and takes a sip before speaking.
"Well Ms Midiga I have in fact heard about you. (Vildayvin leans in closer) I also know what you really are. Those in your....profession...are known for creating more problems most of the time then they solve. However...I am a man short for my team, and I'm sure as long as the bits are provided you will do what is needed."
He reaches into a pocket inside his duster and pulls out a small pouch of bits. He tosses the pouch across the table so it lands right in front of Enoka. Within she will find 100 bits.
"The rest will be provided upon successful completion of the errand. You will also be working with a techanic and a jagger, Seth and Sebastian respectively. They are elsewhere in town. See what you can find out about the recent bandit attack, there is other business I need to attend to before we move on."
With that the Marshal finishes his whiskey, stands up and tips his hat to the lady and leaves the bar.
-
"Creating problems? Never!" She grins at him. She reaches out to pick up the pouch as it was tossed in front of her. She opens it up to look inside as she listens to what the marshal has to say
"The rest will be provided upon successful completion of the errand. You will also be working with a techanic and a jagger, Seth and Sebastian respectively. They are elsewhere in town. See what you can find out about the recent bandit attack, there is other business I need to attend to before we move on."
She sniffs as she quickly counts 100 bits in the pouch. A bit stiff if you asked her, but he did say that she would be receiving more later upon completion. She sighed softly and snapped the strings of the pouch tight.
"I will report back once this task is complete, i expect payment upon return of completing this errand" She looked at him seriously as he got up. She smiled as he tipped his hat to her and nodded back. Re-opening the pouch she quickly counted out the price of the drinks before downing the rest of her whiskey. She kept her main purse attached to a small belt under her skirt, it helped keep the bandits away, so she attached the rest of what she had gotten to the outer belt she wore Moving to the bar, she dumped the bits before the barkeep before taking her leave.
Turning to leave the saloon, she listened as she left for any mention of bandits, just to catch rumors. As she got outside though, she would wander the streets in the direction that she suspected they would keep prisoner's here. She wasn't worried about the other two that she was supposed to be going with, if she met up with them, so be it, but they better not get in her way. Listening to the rumors and talk of the town as she walked, she searched out her mark: The captured bandit.
-
"Hmm...." Seth said, processing their information while completing the final touches of his gun. He surveyed the ground outside the gate for a few minutes more before turning to leave.
"thank you, your information was invaluable." he said, clipping the final bit of metal and inserting it into its proper place. Slinging the finished rifle over his shoulder, he headed back down and into town.
"I still need to test it, but that opportunity should come soon." Seth muttered to himself as he walked the streets, following the signs, and occasionally asking a citizen for directions as he made his way to the Jailhouse.
Pushing the door open when he got there, he entered and looked around for the figure in charge.
"Hello?"
-
Seth enters the City Hall and steps into a small entry hall with a desk on the other side, usually occupied by the mayor's receptionist but presently vacant. One can assume they had to step away for some reason or other. A few wooden chairs sit against the wall near the door for those who are waiting on speaking with the mayor or needing some other administrative assistance. A door is on either side of the room, one plainly marked with the word MAYOR and the other marked JAIL. Testing the door it appears it is presently unlocked, a small room with a table and two chairs and a stairway leading down to the cells below. While no one seems to be around may make it seem like an oppertune time to speak with the bandit, one can safely assume that the law in the town would not appreciate random people sneaking into their jail.
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As Enoka wanders down the main street of Southridge she manages to catch bits and pieces of conversations. With the recent attack most involve the increasing bandit raids, as well as talk of what the Marshal (Richter) will do with the captured bandit located in the jail beneath city hall. Enoka can assume from the talk she hears that the man is not known for treating bandits and lawbreakers in general with compassion and kindness.
-
She walked down the main road of the dusty town listening to snippets of conversation that floated to her. No one seemed to take any notice to her, and that was the way she liked it. She wondered what sort of deal she might be able to work out with Marshal Richter should she come across, but for now, she headed straight to the town hall. She was glad that Richter did not treat bandits kindly. She would do the same, they were a blight on society and she never had many qualms about taking jobs that involved killing them.
Approaching the city hall, she glanced about for anyone who looked like they might cause her grief. There was nothing she liked less than some young fool that was too big for their britches trying to cause her trouble. With on last glance about, she pushed the door open. she steped into the entry hall for the city hall, looking around as she entered, taking in quickly who was there and what they were doing, as well as possible escape routes. It never hurt to be too careful.
-
Having finished his business with the clerk, Sebastian thanks him for the supplies, pays and leaves the establishment with his purchase. Upon leaving the shop he checks out the streets, thinking on what to do next. With little left to do in the city, but dig out information from the bandit, his destination is the city hall that houses the local jail. During the short walk he thinks on what approach he should use, if he is given the opportunity to interrogate the prisoner. A lot of nasty things come to mind, but given the nature of their job he doubts the marshal would approve of any of those methods.
-
Seth saw the open door, but casually strolled through. It wasn't that he didn't care for the law, it was that he had to make sure the prisoner wasn't already being shot in the foot by someone. Probably Sebastian, if anyone. Seth didn't get why anyone thought they could get decent information by beating someone. At some point prisoners will say anything just to make the pain stop. He needed to be down there before anybody started beating on the prisoner.
So he strolled into the room and sat at the table, waiting. Quietly, waiting for anyone with authority to enter.
-
A quick scan revealed no one about. Not the Mayor's receptionist, not a Marshal. Looked like hopefully no complications then.
Enoka saw the door that led to the jail and moved to it. With one last glance around, she opened it and went through.
In the next room, she froze, confronted by a man before her sitting at the table. The woman looked down at the man at the table, and put in a warm smile.
"Well hello there handsome."
She 'unconciously' smoothed her skirt.
-
Seth leaned back, craning his neck until the chair was resting on its back legs and he was looking upside down at her.
"What do you want? You're not wearing the usual attire of a sheriff or deputy, so you're not an officer of the law. You don't look like a government official, and you're clearly not panicked or in a state of injury. Which leaves one of two options. Either you're here to taunt or berate the prisoner below, or Vildayvin has recruited another member to our little party."
He let the chair drop back to its normal resting position and leaned over the table, looking back ahead. "Either way, you'll have to wait here for an officer to arrive. I can't abide going into the jail cells without the permission of the local authorities."
-
Enoka Frowned and put a finger to the corner of her mouth, as if considering. He was quite rude.
"That's not the way to talk to a lady, good sir."
She put her hands on her hips. So this was one of the others that the Marshal had picked up for this.
"You are seth I presume?" She tilted her head, watching him.
-
Sebastian enters through the main doors of the City hall. He is surprised to see the entry hall empty. Making a few cautious steps he hears voices coming from the location of the jail house. He recognizes one of the voices, the one belonging to Seth. After waiting for the conversation to finish he enters the room quietly.
"Sorry to barge in on your conversation," coming directly behind Enoka, his raspy and muffled voice might startle her. Taking a quick glance around the room, the hunter figures there is no one around besides him, Seth and the woman.
"Good day to you ma'am. It seems you are having a discussion with my colleague here, by all means do continue, I myself will be on my way." As he talks Sebastian moves through the room in the direction of the stairs.
-
"Sebastian." Seth says, looking at the Jagger as he walked past.
"I cannot abide you entering the jail cells without an officer of the law present. I recommend you wait with us until one arrives."
His left hand slowly made its way down to his waist, his eyes still on the Jagger.
-
She did not react as the other came in behind her. In fact, she had heard him coming. She smiles at Sebastian as he comes in to the room.
"So you are Sebastian" She spoke as he made for the door.
"It appears that we 3 are to be working together now, and I am afraid i must agree with Seth here, I will ask you to remain here with us until an officer of the law arrives. If not for the law, for me" She gave him a winning smile. She was fairly certain that wouldn't work completely, but she figured she'd give it a try anyway.
-
Sebastian stops at the top of the stair case, with his back towards his companions.
"Heh, interesting," the Jagger chuckles lightly, as he turns around. "Ma'am," his attention is on their newest partner. "What man in his right mind would say no to you?!" He walks towards the wall opposite the stair case, leaves his supplies on the floor and leans on the wall. "Just one last thing," Sebastian looks at each one of them,Enoka and Seth, for a few seconds. "Seeing how this room and the front desk are empty, before you decided to camp out here, you went and checked that the prisoner was actually in the jail and not somewhere else getting shot, hanged or worse, right?"
-
"You don't know people, do you, Sebastian? If this prisoner was to be executed, there wouldn't be a quiet, unceremonious hanging. This man was part of an attack on these people. There would be an angry crowd waiting for him to meet his death. And I haven't seen an angry mob in town, have you? He's in his cell down there." Seth said, his hand returning to the table as he lowered his goggles over his eyes.
"And you're not threatening him when we interrogate him."
-
"I hadn't heard anything going on, and I listened around" She nodded.
"I spoke with the Marshall that hired us not long ago, and he did not mention anything about an execution either. So i believe he is down there" She jerks a thumb to the entrance to the jail door.
She had clasped her hands behind her back and when Sebastian eyed them she gave him a shy smile.
"I think you wouldn't be here if you believed him elsewhere"
-
"I believe nothing. I simply don't know where else he could be and until I figure it out, I might as well spend some time here. Just for the record though, if I was certain he was down there, neither of you would have been able to stop me." Sebastian crosses his arms and waits, while still leaning on the wall. The fingers of his right hand lightly tapping on his arm every now and then.
-
Her smile turns into a smirk. She had nothing to prove to this man, but he would find himself in big trouble if he thought he could intimidate and push her around.
She leaned up against the wall herself, and waited, the smirk eventually disappearing and she seemed to go into deep thought.
-
As the three are talking, 2 guards are returning to City Hall after rushing away to deal with an incident nearby involving a few roudy gamblers on their way back from the bar. The one remains at the entry door while the other one enters the building, intending to return to his post near the jail when he hears voices behind the door. Unslinging his rifle he cracks the entry door open and signals for the other guard. Both approach the jail door until the one flings the door open, both aiming their rifles at the trio
Guard 1: "Don't move! Identify yourselves at once!"
The second guard lowers his gun after a moment.
Guard 2: "Wait, I think these are the one's we were told about, authorized by Marshall Richter to speak with the prisoner. (He slings his rifle and walks past the trio). Follow me."
He leads them down the small stairway ending at a wooden door. The guard unclips a keyring from his belt and unlocks the door, opening it for the three.
Guard 2: "No funny business in there."
Once the three enter the jail area he closes the door. A lantern hangs from the ceiling at each end of the room, illuminating the 4 cells within. 3 are empty with the far left one bearing the only occupant. Within a thin man sits on the worn wooden bed, a bandage wrapped around his bare chest and a pair of cotton pants covering his lower half. Upon hearing the door open he gazes up, seeing the three stranger enter the room he raises an eyebrow. He watches as the guard turns and leaves, closing the door again. He is silent for a few moments.
Prisoner: "Who are you and what do you want?"
-
"Who we are isn't important." The techanic says, stepping up to the bars. "What's important is that we need information. Why were you attacking this town? What were you after?"
He looks over his shoulder at Sebastian, offering a pointed glance before returning to the prisoner.
"I'm afraid I'm the only one who'll ask nicely. My partner doesn't seem fond of avoiding violence. I'm probably the only thing standing between you and a brutal interrogation. I can make sure you aren't beaten for information, potentially stop you from being executed. But only if you help me find what we're looking for."
His words are sincere, and his hands are away from his guns. He stands, watching the prisoner, waiting patiently for a response.
-
She smirked unconcernedly as the guards pointed their guns at them. She could have killed them there they were. At least they had the sense to figure out who they were quick enough.
As they were taken down into the jail, her eyes take in everything. Where the keys are stored on the guard, ways out, what doors are locked, etc etc.
They approach the stranger who sits in a cell on a wooden bed. Her gaze takes in that of the Prisoner's while he was silent.
Enoka's eyes narrow a bit as Seth keeps referring to sebastian and his 'partner' with no mentioned of herself, so she leans back up against the wall and listens to him prattle on. She draws a heavy knife from her belt and begins trimming her nails, apparently having little concern as to what is going on but in reality paying close attention.
-
Sebastian doesn't move a muscle when the guards enter with their guns. He saw the glances between Vildayvin and Zev, and he saw the marshal was intending to talk to one of his own kind. The least that other marshal would do is to inform his guards of our presence. As long as the trio was not caught doing something, he knew there is nothing to fear of the local authority.
After a short exchange the guards lead the party into the core of the jail and leave them with the prisoner. The Jagger also left his supplies with the guard.
"Who we are isn't important...But only if you help me find what we're looking for."
"I am afraid I must concur with my colleague here. For me if violence doesn't solve all your problems, than you are either not doing it right or not using enough of it,"
-
The man smirks as Seth speaks to him and is about to respond when he notices the woman pull a knife from her belt and flawlessly start to trim her nails. It is evident to the man that she is quite skilled with the blade. Then the man wearing the mask speaks up.
"I am afraid I must concur with my colleague here. For me if violence doesn't solve all your problems, than you are either not doing it right or not using enough of it,"
The man is silent as he ponders the options before him. He glances at Seth and stands up, walking over to the bars.
"You obviously arent any of Richter's men, and quite frankly it seems I have few options available. To answer your questions....I don't know. My f....our leader dispatched myself and a few men to an area near Southridge and instructed that we were to wait for further orders and meanwhile to "keep our eyes open". We normally dispatch teams occasionally to monitor traffic into and out of the fort, especially for any conscript units possibly showing up or whatnot, so I assumed this is what we were doing...though he was stationing us closer to the fort then usual. A few nights after we had arrived at the site some more men showed up, accompanied by our only operational mech. The leader of the team presented me with orders dictating that he was in charge of the unit now and that we were to pack up and move out at once.
We traveled through some canyons and then I realized we were moving towards the Fort. I demanded to know what we were doing and was informed it was "almost time for the fun to start". We reached the far edge of the walls and stopped. Suddenly an explosion ripped a massive hole in the wall and the leader ordered the men forward with instructions to loot anything they could and kill anyone they see. I couldn't believe my ears! Whether you want to believe it or not but my tribe is not an overly violent bunch of bloodthirsty thugs and killers....at least it didnt use to be....(The man seems to sink into thought for a moment) I tried to stop it but it was too late, the men had already charged into the breach. I watched from the wall as they entered houses....I could hear the...the screams and gunshots as they murdered innocent people!"
Jerrick returns to the bed and slumps on the edge, placing his head in his hands. After a few moments he looks back up, anger in his eyes.
"I couldnt stand it any longer, I turned to flee. I was intent on returning to camp and confronting my father and finding out what the hell was going on. We may be ferals but we are......we were.....different! However a shot rang out and I was sent the ground, taking a bullet in the gut. The rest you can safely assume after that."
-
"Your father.." Seth rolled the word over in his head, remembering his own father. "I feel sorry for you. I know what it means to feel isolated from your father. But I can promise that your information was worth while. If you have any more information that can help us, I assure you we will ensure your safety. And, as you seem attached to your tribe, I will do everything in my power to settle things peacefully."
He kept his face to Jerrick, but his eyes turned to the side, in the direction of Sebastian.
"But things may not go as planned. I cannot in good conscience tell you that you will see all of your friends alive again."
He took something out of his pocket, a small bandanna adorned with a Raven superimposed on a gear and cog. He tossed it into the cell and returned his hand to his pocket.
"A token of my trust. The symbol of a family that doesn't exist anymore. Their legacy ended at the hands of Ferals, but I give that to you in an olive branch. If you know anything that will help us resolve this, please tell us now before we go."
-
"A Bullet to the gut?" She said, not even looking up from trimming her nails.
"Lucky you survived that. That is a nasty and painful way to die. Or not so lucky, now you are stuck in here" She mused
With an expert twirl, she rolled the knife along her fingers and sheathed it back at her belt without looking. A whisp of a smile ghosted across her face at how easy the imformation had been pouring out of him. She hadn't wanted to harm him, and sometimes the threat of violence worked much better than violence itself.
She glanced at Seth with a curious look as he produced a bandana and handed it to the man in the cell. She listened as seth spoke once more then looked to the man in the cage.
"Anything you can give us would be a help. Make this easier on yourself, please."
-
Sebastian was listening carefully to the prisoner, lightly tapping his fingers on the bottom of his mask. He also listened to his companions and with each of their words he became more and more aware of their incompetence at using others. Taking a step forward the Jagger closed the distance between himself and the prisoner.
“Listen friend, forget all this bullshit, how about we just get you out of here and take you back to your camp? What do you say?” Despite the obstructions to his voice, the more perceptive would catch a hint of arrogance in it, an arrogance befitting of a man who is experienced in using others and hatching up schemes on the spot. A smirk was left hidden underneath the mask, indicating that Sebastian is ready to put in action yet another one of his plans. Only a few steps need to be taken in the right direction.
-
Jerrick smirks slightly as Seth speaks to him and then offers the bandana.
"Isolated? No...my father and I were close. The man who ordered the attack on the fort and the slaughter of innocent people, sacrificing men and a mech in the process....he is not my father anymore. "
He looks towards the woman as she speaks.
"Lucky? Doubtful....rage is a helluva anesthetic and their doc is quite skilled. Im sure the Marshal told him to make sure to keep me alive so he can string me up."
The masked man moves closer to the bars at this point.
“Listen friend, forget all this bullshit, how about we just get you out of here and take you back to your camp? What do you say?”
Jerrick narrows his eyes at the man.
"First off "friend" how exactly you think your gunna do that? Doors locked, guards out front, and we are in the middle of the town. Unless you can convince the Marshal of the truth and he decides to release me...you'll be having to shoot your way out of this place. Also...don't think i've forgotten what you said earlier..."
-
"If you are so kind as to not cause any problems, there shall be no need for me to do anything, which would be a perfect scenario for the both of us. As for getting you out, don't sweat the small stuff, they will be taken care of." Even though most would not figure it out easily, it was more than obvious that the Jagger has a trick up his sleeve.
"We get you out and you take us to your camp. It is that simple. Do we have a deal or are you going to be... problematic?" Having said what he wanted, Sebastian takes a few steps back and gives the prisoner some time to think and respond.
-
"You are awfully arrogant for someone behind a cage of metal bars. I suggest you watch you speak to us..." Enoka spoke in a dangerous tone.
She listened to Sebastian speaking, and wondered what sort of plan he had up his sleeve.
Her glance flickered between him and the prisoner, willing to wait this out and see what came of it. After all, she wasn't were she was because she was unable to improvise.
-
"You have my word that we will use negotiation first. If there is any of your father left, I will try to see him brought out. Until then, I'm afraid all I can do for you is ensure your continued safety behind bars and not on the end of a noose." Seth says, changing the subject from the other two. "I don't know if my client has the pull to get you released just yet. I will do what I can, but until then you may have to stay here. I know you understand, even if Sebastian does not, that were you released now with the public about, a lynching would be likely. Your allies' violence is fresh in their minds. But if you have any other information you feel is important to this mission, please tell me before we leave."
Seth stands with his back to the others, facing towards Jerrick, as he awaits a response.
-
"My words were not directed towards you m'am."
Jerrick glances at the masked Jagger before settling on Seth.
"It would seem I have little choice but to accept your companions offer. If you manage to get me out of here I will take you to my clans encampment. I do not know how my return will be accepted so I can not guarantee safe passage. Tell me though...why such an interest? You have made it obvious you are not residents of the fort, and you are certainly not conscripts and most travelers do not have a "client". Those with clients are usually looking for something. Who are you and what is it you are looking for?"
----------------In the entryhall------------------
The door swings opens and three men enter, one being the man in a suit the group saw earlier and another well-dressed man, Overseer Klyne, and lastly Marshal Devaron. One of the guards (having since stepped away from the jail door and returned to the top floor) moves over and whispers in Richter's ear informing him of the 3 people entering the jail to speak with the prisoner. He nods and the three men enter the room marked Mayor and close the door.
-
"We're after a Dangerous tool that was plundered on its way to its destination. We have a sinking suspicion it may be in the hands of your former comrades."
Seth says, unwilling to fully divulge their objective, for the box's contents were very dangerous. "Especially if they went to all the trouble to attack this fort."
-
Quite honestly, Enoka had no idea what was in this box, but she had no intentions of revealing that to anyone present. She smirked.
"Yes, I've heard tell that what we are looking for is hidden amongst the camp you came from. Quite dangerous, as my companion here stated. As for who we are, it really is none of your concern."
She crossed her arms beneath her breasts and watched the men talk. She was content to say no more for the moment.
-
Sebastian waits for everyone to say what they have on their mind and motions for the party to leave. “Now is the perfect time to leave and set things in motion” Sebastian heads out ahead and waits for the rest of the party to meet him near the building. When they do, he addresses Seth first.
“For your ease of mind, I suggest you go find Vildayvin and tell him what is about to happen.” The Jagger turns towards their female companion, but then as if suddenly coming to mind he looks at the tinker once more. “Don’t be worried, our newest companion is here and a gentleman such us myself will surely not misbehave in front of a lady, no?”
“Now ma’am,” Sebastian pauses for a second, trying to choose his words carefully. “I am certain, that amongst your many talents, you can find a way for us to acquire the keys to the cell. However Just in case, I will give you a thought of my own.” Nodding at the building hosting the jail he continues. “Where were the guards when we gathered? Tending to a local problem perhaps? Now let’s for example say, that a problem appears and they are called for assistance, can I count on you to retrieve the said keys promptly and hopefully, without them realizing? Do note that there are other ways of acquiring them, yet this one will prove to hold less potential to escalate.”
-
She listens as Sebastian speaks to her. At least he is being polite!
She gives him a flat look, however, as he finishes.
"What you are asking" she says quietly, so her voice does not carry "is most illegal. While I find your confidence in my talents... pleasant, I am a bounty hunter, so to speak. I do not do things illegally if there are other choices, and in this case I do believe there is. I don't particularly want a bounty on my head as well."
She glanced to Seth, to see if he had her back on this.
"We might be able to convince the mayor or the marshal to let him out to guide us there, should we put up a suitable replacement, or show that we have taken the bandits down a peg, or what not. That would have to be decided in conversation. While I do like a good fight, I'd prefer not to do it with the law"
-
"Indeed." Seth said, crossing his arms as he looked at Sebastian. "We don't use illegal methods in our search. We were hired by a Marshal. Do you want your pay? Or are you willing to risk forfeiting it by performing illegal acts in the process? Did you not think that our employer would take offense to our crossing the law for convenience? If we are to secure his release, we do it with the consent of the Marshal."
Seth's arms dropped to his belt, resting on the grips of his pistols. Not a threatening stance, but one that showed that Seth had had more than one conversation turn sour at this point, and was prepared.
-
“Heh.” Sebastian lets out a small chuckle, not enough to be consider laughing, but enough to irritate the other two. “Is that what you think? Tell you what, you go ahead and tell the local Marshal we will be taking the only prisoner he has from the bandit attacks. While you are at it you can also tell townsfolk, you know the ones who lost friends and family members in the attacks. Tell them we are taking this guy back to his camp, cause he wants to talk to his dad. Go ahead and do that, it will work like a charm. I bet you will get payed extra!” Even though his voice is low and muffled, the sarcasm in it is sharp and clear. “As for our employers consent, Seth here will have plenty of time to go check in, come back and stop us if need be.”
“Listen now,” the Jagger takes a few moments to compose himself and his next response. “This man is the only lead we have to the whereabouts of the bandits camp. He gets executed in the morning, then we have nothing. If his words are true, then that man is innocent and still confined in a cage. Not to mention that the son of the bandit leader can perhaps have enough pull to get us what we need, without us starting a bloodbath with bandits.” He stops for a few moments letting the atmosphere cool down a bit. “To begin with, Vildayvin will be giving us his answer before we get to the illegal part of the action. We pull this off properly, there wont be any trace of our involvement. This is our best bet at finishing our contract and we do no significant harm to any one in the process, if that doesn’t satisfy you both, I wonder what will?” Sebastian is laying it on a little bit too rough, but he figures that is what it would take to get his partners to bite.
-
She listens patiently as the jagger blathers on. While she remained calm on the outside, she just wanted to smack him alongside the head. As he finished she took a breath and began back at him in a quiet voice.
"I will NOT perform unecessary illegal actions and jepordize my job and life. I don't care if there would be a trace of our involvement or not. There are ways to get him out without breaking him out."
She sighed softely.
"Talk to him Seth" she looked to seth and motioned to sebastian, before looking to him once more.
"I am not averse to doing what is necessary, but only if it is, I think we can do this without breaking the law"
-
"I don't think there's much chance of talking him out of it." Seth says, glancing to Enoka before returning his gaze to Sebastian. "But his plan requires our cooperation, which I don't plan to give. He can run out and get himself killed for all I care, I'm going to do this properly."
His hands have gone from resting casually on the backs of his pistols to lightly tapping on the workmanship. In the case of a necessary quick draw, Seth does not appear to be unprepared, waiting for a sign of Sebastian reaching for a weapon to threaten them.
-
“It would appear... that we disagree. This is truly disappointing, I honestly expected more.” Even though obscured by his mask, Enoka would be able to feel Sebastian’s penetrating glance. Right know he was angry, but not angry enough to lose his composer. He could not understand why his companions shun the idea, as he explained it held very little risk and gave a very good reward. There was nothing he could do in this situation. He could curse them good and proper, lay it on them nice and thick, but what of it? Nothing will change, in fact it would make it even harder to enlist their assistance down the road. So he grind's his teeth and keeps his mouth shut. “I do not like admitting it, but executing my scheme, would become quite messy without assistance.” There is a few seconds pause where everyone just stands still. “Well then, I guess it is now up to you to see to our acquaintance’s safety. I will take my leave from you know. I doubt you will need any of my assistance.” With that said, if there is nothing they want to add to the conversation, the Jagger will simply go to the bar.
-
Enoka would meet sebastian's heated glared with an icy one of her own. While she could tell he was angry, her own glare held no anger: only calm, confident, relaxed. She watched him turn and walk off. She nearly sighed out loud. She turned to Seth.
"He seems like a reckless man. Can we trust someone like him?" She shook her head.
"We've got to find Devaron again, perhaps the mayors secretary will know where he is." She moved to the door of the building.
She looked around upon re-entering, and spotting the secretary of the mayor, she stepped forward. One such as this woman might know a lot of goings on.
"Pardon me, do you happen to know where Marshal Devaron is?" She questioned
-
The secretary looks up as the door to the Jail area opens up 2 men and a woman come walking out and head outside. After a short bit, the woman comes back in and walks over to the desk.
"Pardon me, do you happen to know where Marshal Devaron is?"
She had been briefed slightly on the visitors the prisoner below was going to have and judging from where the woman came from one could safely assume as to why she was needing the Marshal.
"Yes one moment please (she gestures to one of the chairs against the wall) Please have a seat."
She walks over to the Mayor's door and knocks twice. From within an "Enter" can be heard and she opens the door and enters the room then closes it behind her.
=============================================
"Pardon me but you are being requested in the entry hall Mr. Devaron, I believe it is one of your companions and in regards to the prisoner."
Vildayvin looks at the woman and then back towards the Overseer and the other Marshal.
"Excuse me gentlemen, I will be back shortly."
(Overseer Klyne) "Let us know if they managed to get anything out of the man."
He nods and gets up and walks out of the room
==============================================
Vildayvin walks out and sees Enoka waiting for him. Without a word he motions to the door leading to the outside, not wanting to have the pending conversation overheard by the secretary or the guard. Once outside he notices Seth waiting a short distance away from the door but no sign of Sebastian.
"We appear to be missing someone...no matter, did you learn anything of value from the man? Apparently he has been quite tight-lipped to everyone else."
-
"There's been a change of heart in this tribe's leader, apparently." Seth said, leaning on the wall of the building. He looked up at the sky and began to recount the conversation.
"That man is the tribe leader's son, and according to him they used to be relatively peaceful. Wild, outcast, but nowhere near bloodthirsty enough to attack a town, let alone a fort. Apparently something, or someone, turned the bigshot's ear and made him think that violence would get them further in life. In fact the son was supposedly out to go and confront his father before he took the bullet that put him in here."
He stood up and turned to face Vildayvin. "I don't care how much of that you believe, but if you believe any of it you know I can't just kill everyone in there. I need to find out what caused this."
-
"I'm with seth." Enoka said, backing him up, her voice ringing in a soft, pleasing tone.
"While I am willing to take out any number of these people, I would rather not do so if the man is telling the truth. I do not want the blood on my hands if it is not necessary" And not paid for, she thought to herself.
"I think there is potential in seeking out this lead." She nodded to the Marshal and waited for his response to them.
-
The Marshal stands in silence as the two recount the information they managed to learn, his right hand resting on his one revolver, a finger tapping on the handle as he ponders what he has just been told.
"Wait here..."
Vildayvin then heads back into the building, lowering his goggles as he enters. He heads straight past the first guard and into the jail. He stops at the second guard and extends his hand.
"Keys....now."
The guard looks at the Marshal with hesitation, but then buckles under the piercing gaze of the man steel grey eyes glaring at him and hands the keys to him. With only a "No one else enters" Vil heads into the cells, Jerrick looking up as the man opens the jail cell and suddenly rushes in, lifting up the prisoner and slamming him against the wall.
(Vil) "We may be short on time here so I am going to put this simply and to the point. My companions informed me of everything you told them. Tell me right here, looking me in the eyes, and tell me if its true or not...are you really the tribe leaders son, and at odds with your father about his current violent approach to matters?!?"
Jerrick looks directly into the Marshal's eyes, not even a hint of doubt in his face.
(Jerrick) "Yes...its true. He has changed in the past months and seems intent on turning my people into the same bloodthirsty...creatures people tend to assosciate ferals as!"
The Marshal releases the man and steps back.
"Thats all I needed to hear."
He exits the cell, locking the door and leaves the cell area, tossing the keys back to the guard as he hurries up and to the mayor's office, opening the door and entering, disregarding the attempts of the secretary to stop him.
=======A few minutes later=====
The Marshal exits the room, the secretary looking up, wondering what all the shouting and hollering could be about. The Marshal heads back towards the jail area as a shout for the secretary and the two guards comes from within the mayors office. The three rush into the office, the secretary leaving a moment later and exiting the building, a look of shock on her face as she hurries off towards a building a little distance away from the town hall. The guards leave a moment later and both exit the building taking up positions on either side of the entry door. Suddenly a shot rings out from below the hall. A few moments later the secretary returns with a man riding a horse and cart. The man hands a large canvas bag (approximately the size to accomodate a body) to the secretary who takes it over to Seth and Enoka.
(Secretary) "Im told you are to take this down to the jail cell, Marshal Devaron will require your assistance handling the body."
=============Once the two enter the jail area===========
Upon entering the jail area, one can see the cell for Jerrick is open, Vildayvin standing over an unmoving body, his pistol still in his hand. Glancing back as the two enter Vildayvin puts the pistol away and moves away from the cell door. Before anyone can ask anything he raises a hand.
"Fear not...he is not dead....just unconscious. Will probably wake up with a slight headache (he pats the handle of his one gun). We do not have a lot of time, open that and help me move him into it."
Once Jerrick is loaded into the bag, it is moved upstairs and out to the cart and placed on it. Vildayvin turns to Seth and Enoka.
"I need one of you to find our missing friend. If you do, meet us at the undertaker's office post haste. If all goes as I hope we will be on the road soon."
With that Vildayvin hops on the other side of the front bench of the cart next to the undertaker and the cart departs the town hall, the guards turning and heading back inside.
-
"Miss, could you go fetch Sebastian? If we're about to get moving, I need to procure my transport."
Seth says, turning and heading towards the town gates. Not waiting for a response, he makes his way out of town to the rocky hiding spot where he stashed his bike. Removing the rock-colored tarp hiding its position, he proceeds to fashion a quick gun rack to holster his new rifle on before checking that his two pistols were fully loaded, and that he had plenty of ammunition on him. Checking the pressure gauges on his bracers told him they wouldn't need new water for some time, so he took a seat on his bike and waited. Pulling his goggles down over his eyes, he pulled the key from his neck and put it in the ignition, his hand resting on it while he waited for the signal to move.
"Hurry up you three. Time's wasting." he muttered to the air.
-
As the shot rang out from within the jail cell, she would pinch the bridge of her nose. What was the marshal doing? She hoped that he had just fired a warning shot at the prisoner, but had a bad feeling. He looked to be a man that would not hesitate to shoot if angry. As they were handed a cloth bag to take to the Marshal, her eyes narrowed. Was she reduced to an errand girl now? Whatever, she would give the marshal piece of her mind.
Upon entering the jail, her mouth opened to speak but she then noticed a lack of blood. Looking to the captive she noted there was no bullet wound despite the man being unconcious upon the floor. She looked questioningly to the marshal and he spoke.
"Fear not...he is not dead....just unconscious. Will probably wake up with a slight headache. We do not have a lot of time, open that and help me move him into it."
'You ask a lady to do your heavy lifting?" She grumbles, bending to help but lets the men do most of the work.
As they were outside, he requested that one of them get sebastian and meet them at the undertakers office.
"Miss, could you go fetch Sebastian? If we're about to get moving, I need to procure my transport." Seth spoke
She opened her mouth to speak but it clicked shut in frustration. She shook her head and turned, stalking away kicking at her skirts. She would be an errand girl today it seemed. No worries, she had put up with worse, she would make do for today. She decided to head to the bar, to see if they had seen Sebastian. She entered, and would look about for the barkeep and keep her eyes open for sebastian should he be here.
-
Sebastian had just finished refilling his cylindrical container and arranging his supplies. He was not in a hard to spot position and his distinctive attire made it even easier for Enoka to find him. He sees her as well and approaches her. Seeing as he left things in the hands of his companions, he was interested to know how it all went down.
“Ha! I thought for sure it would be Seth barging in here and try and threaten me into doing something,” the raspy voice from behind the mask is rather creepy when it tries to sound funny. “So?” Sebastian pulls a nearby chair a little bit closer, sits on it and puts his feet on the table. “How did things go down your way? I am all ears.”
-
She put her hands on her hips and pursed her lips as he propped his feet up on the table. Well that's a bit rude, she thought to herself.
Shaking her head, She spoke up quietly. "I will need you to come with me. We are going to the undertakers office. The Marshal got a bit... overzealous when he went to question the prisoner again. I think things are going to be okay though, you're just going to have to trust me on this. We have what we need"
She looked him straight in the masked face, emphasizing the last sentence.
-
"Of course we do. After all I did leave everything in your and Seth's capable hands! What could possibly have gone wrong?" Though it sounds like obvious sarcasm, the voice behind the mask doesn't betray it's intentions and should leave you offended, but still guessing whether that was what he mean to achieve. "Well than by all means lead the way. Lets no waste any more time, right?" Sebastian quickly gets his things and moves out of the bar as if waiting all this time for this to happen.
-
======Insert Enoka's reaction to Sebastian's comment here ==============
The two make their way to the undertaker's office, eventually finding it, a small wooden building, planks of wood next to it, no doubt intended for the creation of coffins to house the deceased. 4 horses are tethered up outside. They enter the building to the main room, within they see two smaller rooms in the back, probably where the bodies are prepared for their final rest. As the door closes Vildayvin steps out of the one backroom, his hand resting on one of his guns until he sees that its Enoka and Sebastian.
"Good, I see you found him m'lady. Now to determine the.....next part of the plan."
Vildayvin stops about mid-sentence as an idea comes to mind and he turns back towards Sebastian.
"Mr. Crombel....this may sound strange but I need your clothes...well your mask and coat if you are able to part with them. I believe a little disguising might make our departure a little less eventful."
==============Insert Sebastians response here=================
After getting the articles of gear from the jagger Vildayvin turns and heads back into the room he recently exited from. On the table lies Jerrick, who appears to finally be waking up from the blow to the head from the butt of one of Vildayvin's cannons. He looks around to see the undertaker and Vildayvin standing around him. Panicking he goes to sit up when the Marshal steps forward to help the man off the table.
"You can relax....believe it or not we are getting you out of here. Through some....negotiations I have had, a temporary "reprieve" has been granted to you on a few requirements. First and foremost, you get out of Southridge without revealing anything to the townsfolk, second...you prove that your story is true and accurate, and third you bring an end to all hostilities against Southridge and aid in bringing those responsible for the recent attack to the justice of Marshal Richter and the people of Southridge. Naturally you can choose to turn down the offer but I would not recommend it (He pats the butt of his one gun) and of course any sign that you intend to betray me or my companions a similar fate will await you."
The man looks around, a slight look of surprise on his face at the sudden turn of events, and thinking about his options.
(Jerrick) "Well quite frankly I don't have much of a choice....I decline and I get strung up and the attacks continue until my clan destroys itself. Therefore I accept, now how do YOU plan to get me out of here without anyone being the wiser? (he glances at the undertaker).
"Fear not, Mr. Tobin here won't say a word, he might be in the business of death but he isnt too fond of having to bury so many townsfolk at once, so if you are able to remedy that, he doesnt know anything. As for the bigger picture......"
He tosses the Jagger's coat and mask/helmet (as well as a plain shirt) to the feral.
"The captured feral has died after attempting to attack one the Marshal's interrogating him. His, and the rest of the bodies of the attackers will be buried without ceremony or markers at an undisclosed time and location so as not to give them any sort of regard or acknowledgement of their passing. Our group has gained the skills of two mercenaries recently (referring to Enoka and the "revealed" Sebastian since no one has ever seen him without the gear). You for the time being will be a silent version of Mr. Crombel until we are safely out of sight of the fort. You will then guide myself and my companions to your clan's settlement and we will see just how truthful you have really been."
The feral (now clothed in Sebastian's gear) nods at the Marshal.
(Jerrick) "I can get us there....though I doubt my father or any of his men will be....accommodating to any of us. I suspect they consider me dead...and quite possibly are not very disappointed by that news."
The Marshal grins slightly at this news.
"Well, I am kind of expecting such a thing to occur. Well I think it is high time we get on the move, Im sure Mr. Ravenhall is getting anxious waiting for us near his mode of travel, so with that being said. (He tips his hat towards the undertaker) I bid you farewell and thanks Mr. Tobin. Let us be on our way."
He heads outside and mount up on one of the horses. Once everyone is mounted up the group heads towards the gates, no one really paying them any mind though Marshal Richter can be seen as they near the gates. A scowl is on his face though he remains silent as the group passes by and exits the fort. Eventually the group reaches Seth. The Marshal nods at the Technic as he rides up to the bike.
"We make for their camp. Once we are a little farther from the Fort we will be making a short stop to....remedy some outfit changes made as Im sure Mr. Crombell would like his equipment back before we get too far into the wastes."
Once Seth has his bike started the group moves on. Shortly after the fort completely disappears from view after they go down a hill Vildayvin signals for the group to stop.
"I believe we should be safely away from the fort at this point, Jerrick if you would be so kind as to return Mr. Crombel's stuff to him and then we can move on. The disguised feral nods and pulls off the helmet, mask, and coat as he hands each item to the Jagger. He then rides up so that he is next to the Marshal. The party then continues onward as they make their way (guided by Jerrick) to the feral's camp. After a few hours travel, the sun slowly starting to dip closer to the horizon the group reaches a an area with hills on either side, covered in rocks. Suddenly a man, clothed in a black trenchcoat and wearing a black bowler hat appears at the top of one of the hills, raising a rifle as he shouts down to the group, followed by a shot that wizzes dangerously close to Jerricks head before burying itself into the ground.
"Greetings Marshal!"
As he dives down behind a nearby rock the group can hear him shout out.
"Get 'em boys!"
Gunshots ring out across the hills as the group is fired upon. It would seem they are facing about 7 men (bandits.....ferals?) and the man who fired the first shot who appears to probably be the one in charge. Jerrick urges his horse forward, grabbing the reins of the other mounts and guiding them all backwards a short distance away from the battle as the rest of the group makes for cover.
-
Enoka would have led them to the undertakers where they all would have prepared to leave with the Marshal. She did not voice her thoughts on the plan, but she thought it seemed rather reasonable. As they left and traveled for hours, Enoka could only feel that her fortune was increasing as the sun moved towards the horizon. She worked better in darkness, so this would be favorable to her.
As a shot range out near her companions head and a man with a trenchcoat and bowler revealed himself, she immediately swung down from the horse, keeping it between her and the gunman. She grinned, ready to get into combat. She called to her companions.
"I am going up there, don't shoot me please"
Not waiting for any sort of answer, she disappeared as her horse was led off. Running in a low crouch, her boots making no sounds on the ground, she leapt over a rock and laid flat against it. Stalking was hard in a dress, but she was an expert at this. Drawing a combat knife into each hand she started making small dashes from rock to rock. She tried to get a glance at the men ahead of her and pick out those who had the best chance to hit them from distance.
She quickly came up around beside two men with guns, knelt down behind a rock taking aim at her companions. Moving up behind them, she first took the one on the left. With a sharp stab, she jammed the knife into the soft of his back, her strong arms forcing the blade up to the hilt in his body, Piercing his kidney. Such a painful blow this was, his face contorted and his throat clenched. He threw his head back in a silent scream and at this moment Enoka brought her other blade around the front to slice his throat all the way to the spine. He fell backwards with a gurgle.
His companion looked to the side and his eyes widened as he saw a grinning woman with bloody knives in her fists. He brought his gun up, but enoka was there before he could pull the trigger. She backhanded his gun, just as he tried to shoot and his shot veered wildly to the side. There was a sharp gasp as Enoka plunged her knife into the mans stomach with her left hand and jerked it up to his sternum, spilling his innards at her feet.
Such soft things, bodies. She thought to herself. So frail. So weak.
She turned her attentian to the man with the bowler, who appeared to be leading this group. Her eyes narrowed and she flipped a knife around, grabbing it by the tip. She pulled her arm back and with her substantial strength and accuracy, let it fly towards the man, in hopes of taking him in the neck.
-
With a loud roar of the engines, Seth gunned his bike and it bolted forward, its speed throwing off the aim of his attackers as he bolted past them before spinning round. Aside from the two dying to Enoka, the remaining five had two options. Turn and face Seth, opening their backs to the rest of the party, or continue their assault on the main group and risk his attack from behind. He intended not to give them the time to choose. He punched the engines, and the steel horse made an angry roar as it charged back towards the group of enemies. Two of them had turned to face him, preparing to open fire, but Seth had a better idea. He pulled back on the handle-bars with all his strength, forcing the bike onto its back wheel as it struck a large rock jutting from the ground, sending the bike airborne.
Time slowed down to Seth as his brain worked in overdrive, guiding his muscles and taking in the area around him. As his right hand grabbed his pistol, his main hand still holding the handlebars, he looked down at the two bandits below. As a techanic and, to some, a technological genius, it was not hard for Seth to envision the paths and trajectories of the bullets in his mind's eye, small imaginary red lines appearing in his mental view as he lined up his gun, compensating for the motion of his body and the angle of the shot. What happened in the span of seconds felt like minutes to the Techanic, as four shots rang out and two bodies hit the dirt. His aim was still off. He'd missed twice, requiring four shots. But the job was done, and he could work on improving his aim later.
Time returned to normal speed as his bike hit the ground again, wheels kicking up dust as they caught traction with the dirt, spinning up a cloud before he bolted back to the main party and spun round again, holstering his pistol and retrieving the rifle on the side of the bike in one swift motion. Leveling the rail rifle on the handlebars, he took a moment to steady his aim, using his right arm to hold the rifle still on the handlebars while his left held the trigger. With a double-tap, both barrels opened wide, and with a sound like a train's whistle, a pair of railroad spikes made their way towards the man in the Bowler hat.
-
"Mr. Crombel....this may sound strange but I need your clothes...well your mask and coat if you are able to part with them....”
“Well my attempt of freeing Jerrick would have involved utilizing my anonymity to get him out, so I’m game.” The Jagger removes his helmet and everyone can see short blond hair showing up underneath. “Just so you know,” he continues ominously “what you see here stays between you and me,” the muffled and raspy voice changes to a pitched, almost childish voice as the mask comes off. “Not that anyone is going to believe you any way!” Every one present sees who Sebastian really is, a blonde young girl, barely in her teens, with deep blue eyes. With one swift motion her coat is hanging on her finger and she is shoving it in the marshal's hands. She looks at her shotgun hanging from the one point sling and mumbles something about it standing out too much, than lets it be.
Eventually the marshal comes back with Jerrick and his new attire and after a rather uneventful stroll through the city, the party reunites with the technician at the outskirts of the fort. Soon after the Jagger reclaims her gear and for a time it seems they made a clean get away, but only a few hours later they come under attack by an unknown group.
Enoka and Seth are quick to dispose of four of the attackers and send the battle field in chaos.
The Jagger however, is not quick to act, instead she stands near the marshal and the prisoner and looks at the situation. It doesn’t take long to see another two attackers who try to attack Enoka and Seth from behind. A quick spur in the horse’s ribs gets it running at its top speed towards the assailants. Moments before she is under the little hill they are upon, she grabs the saddle and raises herself to a crouch, legs poised on the horse’s ass. In the instant she lets go of the saddle and stands halfway up, her legs make a few quick steps and a quick jump propels her from the horse’s head. This sends her well above and behind the two attackers. They are fast enough to notice the enemy appearing near them, but not fast enough to respond. The moment the Jaggers legs reach solid ground, her left hand has already lifted up the trench coat and moved it out of the way, while her other arm was squeezing the trigger. The men fall on the ground, faces and chests splattered around the nearby scenery.
“Hey! Catch the last one alive!” The jagger shouts, as he walks towards the last man. Reloading the shotgun, which is no longer on the sling and getting ready to rush in or dodge depending on the situation.
-
Vildayvin watches as his companions cut down most of the bandits without breaking a sweat, leaving only Bowler Man and one bandit left standing. The lone bandit begins to take aim on the woman who just gutted his two buddies but suddenly a loud boom echoes through the area as his head explodes into a mist of blood and bits of skull. A faint whisp of smoke escapes from the barrel of one of Vildayvin's hand cannons just as Enoka releases her dagger and a loud train whistling tears through the area as Seth tests out his newest invention. The whistle catches the attention of Bowler Man, distracting him from noticing the razor sharp blade spinning through the air until it's too late. The blade catches him in the side of the neck, just barely missing the major veins but in the end it is a moot point as the blade completely shatters his concentration and the two rail spikes catch him in the gut, launching the man backwards onto the ground.
The Marshal holsters his gun and walks over to the mortally wounded man. He watches as the bandit grasps at the blade stuck in his neck, blood flowing freely from the wound, as well as the two spikes buried in his stomach. The gunman's hand hangs near his gun for a moment as he decides whether to simply put the man out of his misery or not, but then he turns back towards Jerrick.
"See if you can get any info from the bastard before he expires."
Vildayvin reaches the recently released man and grabs him by the shirt, pulling him close to his face.
"Ok, I'm not going to mince words here. Is there something you aren't telling me?!? These bastards were ready for us, and they sure as hell don't look like ferals to me. You level with me now or else..."
The feral raises his hands in the air, as if gesturing that he has no idea.
"Look Marshal, first off I've been in jail for however many days now....and away from the main camp for even longer. My father wasn't exactly keeping him in his closest circle before I left, but I can say I have never seen these men before. Besides, it's not like I could have had anything to do with this? How would I have told anyone we were coming?"
Vildayvin pauses as he thinks about what the man has said. Releasing the feral he climbs back onto his horse and moves up a bit as he waits for his companions to finish speaking with the dying man and possibly searching any of the corpses, his right hand resting on his revolver, his fingers drumming on the handle as he thinks to himself.
-
She stands as the last is dispatched and gives a thumbs up to the marshal, a wry grin on her face. She walks over to downed man, the poor wretch with some nasty gut wounds and a blade sticking from his neck. She tsked and turned to Seth.
"Your fancy invention caused him to spook, otherwise he'd be dead. I don't whether to thank you for sparing him for information, or curse you for causing a missed kill."
She laughed then, a hearty laugh. She didn't apparently care too much. Kneeling down next to the bleeding man, she wiped her one blade off on a less dirty patch of his clothing to remove the blood, then moved her hand to hover over the knife in his neck. She thought for a second and pulled her hand back a bit.
"You know, as soon as I pull this out, you are going to lose a lot of blood. If you have anything to tell myself or my companions, please do" She smiled, her elbows on her knees as she crouched next to the man.
"What can we expect ahead?"
-
Seth cracked the barrel of his rifle open, the break-action mechanism working with ease as he reloaded a pair of spikes into the weapon. Walking over to the downed bandits, he slung the rifle over his shoulder, glancing over the fallen enemies to see if they perhaps held anything of value. He would leave the talking to the others.
"Offer him a quick death, it's about all we can give him at this point." Seth said, rifling through the dead men's pockets for bits or ammunition. He also looked for any workable metal they may have had on them, as well as taking their guns. Spare parts and spare ammunition would never go amiss to a techanic. Even if he couldn't use exactly what he took, he could more often than not refashion it, take it apart, or melt it down into something he could use. Anything he found he'd load onto his bike, the storage space being comparable to a pack horse's, considering the size and strength of the vehicle.
-
The Jagger sighs as he looks at the last living bandit. Enoka seems to be trying to get some information out of him, but for Sebastian, information received for free or without an appropriate threat, is untrustworthy. Better to keep going while on the lookout, instead of getting unreliable information.
Sebastian sees no merit in entering either of the conversations that currently take place. She retrieves her horse instead and patiently waits for both conversations to unfold.
-
The mortally wounded man laughs, the action causing him to start coughing, some blood spurting from his mouth.
"You damn bitch, you think I gunna tell you anything?!?"
The man laughs again as he seems to realize something, struggling as he props himself up on an elbow, leaning in closer to the woman so only she can hear what he says.
"You have no idea what you are REALLY involved with...can you really trust the Marshal? Has he told you everything?"
Another fit of laughter overtakes the dying man as he flops back onto the ground, followed by another coughing fit. Before long the coughing stops as the man dies from the loss of blood from the neck injury and spikes embedded in his stomach, his eyes staring up into the sky. The Marshal pulls his horse up near Enoka and the dead man and silently looks down at them, the dying light of dusk reflecting off his goggles, making it almost seem as if there is a fire behind the black lenses.
"Did you learn anything?"
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
Seth searches the corpses of the fallen, finding some spare ammo on each man and of course their weapons. Within a hidden pocket of one of the dead men's coat he finds a piece of paper with writing on it.
No screw ups this time. I want the Marshal and his two companions dead. We take a job we see it to completion. You fuck this up you had better hope they kill you or else.....
The paper is signed simply with the letter D.
-
Seth read the note over, reading it three times to commit each word to permanent memory, before he struck a spark using some of the metal he'd gathered and burnt the note to ashes, his back facing the group so they could not see what he was doing.
Someone was hunting them, but they apparently only knew about Sebastian and himself. That could mean three things. Either they didn't have any contacts in that town, this group had been tailing them for some time, before reaching Southridge, or...
Seth glanced over to Enoka, sniffing sharply as he pocketed the ammunition and stored the guns on his bike. Whether Enoka was a traitor or not, he needed more information. He'd wait and see how long it took for word to get out of the party's expansion into four members. He'd judge for himself if the news traveled too fast to come from outside the group. Best he didn't share the contents of that note with anyone else. He didn't know if he could trust anyone, not even the Marshal. He'd been back-stabbed by more 'noble' men than he in the past. But he would see what he could glean from casual conversation.
"So. What did the dead man have to say?" Seth said, approaching with his rifle resting casually on his shoulder. It had proven itself in its first combat trial, but he still needed to tinker with it to make it more efficient.
-
Enoka frowns as the man died.
"He called me a bitch. That was very ungentlemanly of him."
She reached forward and yanked the knife out of his neck. A small spurt of blood shot up, but then died down quickly. She wiped the blade on his clothes and spent a moment inspecting the blade to insure that it wasn't dulled or anything of the like. She sheathed the blade and gave the dead man a pat down and took the gun and ammunition that he had been wielding.
She didn't respond to the marshal right away, rather she put the rifle she had gathered on her horse. She turned as Seth spoke as well and addressed both as she wiped her hands off of blood with a lace hankerchief that she had pulled out of her pack.
"The dead man really didn't say much"
Her gaze swept to the marshal however, and she gave him THE LOOK. The one where a woman knows that you know more than you are saying.
"Perhaps the marshal can enlighten us a little as to this situation?
-
The jagger, now sitting on her horse, was in thought about why was there an ambush set up way out here and amidst a road frequent by ferals. To top it off, in order to set up this attack the bandits would have had to know ahead of time the destination of the marshal's party. Why attack the party if they have come first? If they share the same goal retrieving the package would not take so much time as to have the need to slow us down? Something just seemed out of place, was some one of the party a target? Who and why?
"So. What did the dead man have to say?" …
Enoka's question came right on time, if there was someone who knew more than them about the situation it would be the marshal. Sebastian moves her horse and places Vildayvin on her left side, just in case things got rowdy.
-
Vil gazes at Seth and Enoka (respectively) as they speak. He notices the stare that the woman gives him but his face remains emotionless.
What is she hiding? He said something....that look proves that. Damn Tranquil, I'm going to regret hiring her on I just know it.
"Perhaps the Marshal can enlighten us a little as to this situation."
Gray eyes squint at the woman from behind black glass at the tone and attitude of the woman.
"Enlighten you? Well lets see....we are traveling to a feral camp, out in the middle of the badlands. We have been attacked by a group of bandits, intent on deepening their pockets from whatever they could get from our corpses, something they failed at quite plainly."
He then reaches into a vest pocket and pulls out a pocketwatch, popping open the lid and gazing at the hands a few moments before closing it and sliding it back into the pocket.
"Now....we must continue on. Jerrick, how much farther until we get near your camp?"
The feral draws his horse up behind the Marshal as he responds.
"Only a few more miles actually. Its getting dark though, shouldn't we think of finding somewhere to hunker down for the night?"
"No.....we are short enough on time as it is and there might be more bandits or patrols that could find us. No...we finish this tonight."
Gesturing forward to Jerrick, silently telling him to take the lead, Vildayvin urges his horse forward, the feral taking the lead as instructed by the Marshal. A distance away from the party, a man is hiding behind a rock, looking through a spyglass as he watches the group move onwards, all still standing after the ambush.
"Shit.....Boss is gunna be pissed about dis!"
Scrambling back down the hill to a horse waiting nearby, the man leaps on it and gallops off. The group travels on as the sun continues to fade away. As the last rays of the sun break over the horizon they see the walls of the feral camp, men patrolling the perimeter. A few hundred feet in front of the walls a shallow gully runs past the camp, probably a stream or river now long dried up, a rickety wooden bridge giving access across the gully to contiue to the camp. Jerrick signals for everyone to stop just before they reach the bridge. He continues on alone across the bridge, reaching the end just as one of the guards above the gate yells down.
"Halt! Who goes there?"
"Josper....its me....Jerrick!"
"Jerrick? Your father told us you died in the last scavenging run."
"Scavenging run? Is that what he calls it? There was no scavenging attempts....he sent those men to butcher and murder innocent people! Let us in, my father has gone mad and must be stopped!"
The man turns as if he is about to yell down when another man on the wall stops him.
"No! Boss says no one allowed in.....kill em all!"
The man then raises his rifle and fires off a round, the bullet whizzing down and embedding itself in the skull of the horse Jerrick is riding on. The creature crashes to the ground, the man barely managing to prevent from being pinned by the corpse. As gunfire ripples from the wall he scurries over the side of the small bridge and down into the gully, taking cover against the wall of the riverbed. Soon after he is joined by the Marshal, his revolvers drawn as he occasionally pops up and fires some rounds off. A few seconds later three flares rocket up into the sky from within the walls, bathing the entire area in flickering light, revealing both the defenders and the party to the sight of each other. While many of the men on the walls seem intent on killing the group below them, a few (such as Josper) seem to either be horrible marksman or intentionally throwing off their aim. Could these be some of the men still faithful to Jerrick?
-
Ferals. Superstitious, antagonistic rock-biting morons. But apparently some of them could be decent people. But, that didn't mean he wouldn't take advantage of that superstition. Letting go of the clutch, Seth gunned the motor of his bike, creating an angry growling noise akin to a raging beast. Drawing his pistol with his left hand, the Techanic opened fire on those who were honestly attempting to shoot him. Ignoring those who appeared to be intentionally missing, he shot down the loudmouth who had initially ordered them dead, and while he was firing he continued to Rev his bike, attempting to scare or draw the attention of the ferals.
-
After the first shots are fired, Sebastian rethinks the situation before jumping into action. First off, Jerrick has lost any value he might have had as an exchange coin. Second, their priorities have not change and their task remains the same. Third, the flared up sky and the ferals remaining here are the perfect thing to distract the ones still in the camp. Perhaps things did not turn out as bad as they seemed at first.
The Jagger turns her horse around and spurs the horse to run until she vanishes into the darkness. Taking a roundabout way to approach the camp from a different direction, she makes sure her movements are not lit by the flares. When the time comes to cross the gull she dismounts and crosses on foot, while looking out for any sentries that might be placed nearby. Under the cover of darkness she gets close enough to the wall to be able to make a sprint for it.
Using the gun fire as cover for the noise, she times it so that the moment she hits the wall a few shots go off and cover the noise. Now she will scale the wall and if she remains unnoticed she will try to get to the chiefs tent to look for the Lasher venom and retrieve it if possible.
-
Enoka leaps from the back of the horse just as the first shots are fired and darts down into the gully, taking refuge for a minute. Her keen eyes pick up on the fact that a few of the men seem to be missing them on purpose. She makes a mental note to which ones they are. Her light colored dress tends to blend in well with the terrain around them as she watches her companions move into action. The Roar of seths motorbike was heard over all and she hoped that that might catch most of the people's attentions. She watched through narrowed eyes as sebastian retreated back into the darkness. She wondered what the other was up to, but quickly turned her attention to the marshal and jerrick.
"Give me as much cover as you can. I'll see if I can't get that open"
With that, she turned and angled herself to the flank of the wall, where she might be able to get up relatively unnoticed. First running along the gulley parallel to the wall, she pulled on her climbing gloves, staying low enough to remain unseen. Once she got to the end of the line of defenders, she angled inward in a low, crouched run. If anyone took aim at her, she would move in erratic, unpredictable patterns. She knew the dangers of bringing a knife to a gunfight, and she trained herself well for them.
As she hit the wall, she drew one combat knife and placed it between her teeth. The tang of copper still hinted at what they had been used for earlier this day, as she silently leapt up to seek any handhold on the wall. She was no expert, but she was strong and swift. She would hug the wall as she tried to scale. If anyone neared the edge to look down as she climbed, she would reach up if she could and drag them off, unless it was one of those who had intentionally missed them.
-
The roar of the technic's bike bellows across the battlefield, almost drowning out the sound of the gunfire. Some of the men seem startled by the mechanical monster in front of them, though the knowledge that they are up behind a wall seems to keep any of them from really being affected. It does however manage to draw the attention of most of the men on the wall as rifles and pistols shift aim towards the bike and the rider on it. Bullets wizz by Seth, a few pinging off the metal skin of the bike. It is obvious to the tech that if he doesn't move soon though one of those bullets is going to find its mark on him.
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Sebastian manages to scale the wall relatively easy, the assorted sheets of metal providing decent handholds for the jagger. Reaching the top, she finds herself alone on the wall. It would seem the technic's little distraction has drawn most of the attention. Slipping over the side and down into the camp the jagger moves in between the tents as she heads towards the center of the camp where the chiefs tent should be. Other then the occasional woman or child glancing out from their hiding places inside other tents, Sebastian doesn't see any sign of guards, the attack at the gate likely drawing everyone with a gun. Reaching the center, she spots the chiefs tent, the flap open and unguarded. Moving inside she sees a large bed at the end of the single room. Scattered around the room is loot taken from their recent attacks and taken by the chief for himself. On a table at the one side of the room sits a large metal container, almost like a briefcase. It seems secured with 3 different clamps and has small square panel of raised buttons, their faces blank. It is evident someone has been trying to open the container with force as the clamps have numerous scratches and dings on them but it still looks like it is secure.
-----------------------
Enoka scrambles up the side of the wall, her dexterity along with the benefits of the climbing gloves speeding her ascent. Reaching the top she flips overself over the wall, landing next to a very surprised feral as she pulls the blade from between her teeth. Having been focused on the bike rider, the man had failed to notice the womans silent approach. He attempts to turn to fire his gun at her but the assassin is quicker, knocking the rifle to the side and slashing her blade across his throat. As blood seeps down over him, the dying man drops the gun and clutches at his neck in an attempt to stop the flow. The Tranquil grabs his shoulder and launches the man over the edge of the wall, his suffering ending when his neck snaps as he hits the ground. The man next to him watches the short fight and glances at the woman and the bloody knife in her hand. He then glances back down the wall at the other defenders. It is becoming evident that the chiefs men are fighting a losing battle as bullets continue coming up from the gully, about a quarter of the men loyal to the chief already dead or wounded. He raises his gun and promptly blows out the brains of the man next to him, one of those actually trying to kill Jerrick.
-----------
Josper watches as the man who interrupted him takes a bullet to the head, the corpse falling over the wall and landing in front of the gate. He ducks behind the wall and watches as the guards open fire on Jerrick and those who came with him. He was good friends with the chiefs son, and was not fond of the recent decline of the chiefs apparent mental state. He and Jerrick had spoken a few times about the possible need to remove his father from power, slowly working to determine all those loyal to Jerrick, which was most of the camp, but as time passed his father brought in more outside force of his own. Their plan had come to an end though when Jerrick was sent out on a scavenging run (or so his father told everyone) and was killed by soldiers from Southridge. With his return, and the additional reinforcements he somehow managed to bring, Josper realized that the time for rising up was now or never. Taking a deep breath he shouts out the agreed upon signal.
"Men! For the son!"
Those loyal to Jerrick hear the call and suddenly the wall is thrown into chaos as they turn and attack the chiefs men. He then moves down the wall, joining his men in battle. It would seem that the battle is almost theres but then suddenly a crashing sound tears across the area as the wall shakes violently. The gate to the compound explodes as a large mech blasts through it. The mech stands over 8" tall, a large pack on the back with a small stack on top powers the mechanical monster. One hand resembling a large claw and the other being replaced with a large minigun. A voice bellows from within the automaton, circuitry within amplifying the voice.
"JERRICK! You think to betray me?!? I will have your head for this!
The minigun then rises up and aims towards those in the gully and on the bridge, the barrels slowly beginning to spin up. Vildayvin and Jerrick see this and slide back down into the gully, making for the area underneath the bridge to take cover.
-
Bullets were skidding past Seth, skipping off his bike, and one even grazed his cheek, drawing a thin line of blood across his face. Perfect. He had their attention. Pulling on the clutch and setting the bike into gear, Seth spun the bike around and took off, kicking up dust as he drove circles around the camp, constantly moving and constantly firing, picking off those he could while a rebellion sounded within the walls. While battle raged inside, he would be the metal beast circling its prey, circling the outside for easy targets and fleeing enemies. He would keep his watch steady, eyes open for allies or enemies who might need protection or a bullet. He would let the others handle the interior for now.
But before Seth could act on that, a mech breaks through the gate. Now this was a sight. A mech, and a big one at that! Probably tech stolen from capital forces. Well that was just too bad. For the chief, that is. A techanic knows machines like an average man knows his hands. While Seth scanned the machine for particular weaknesses, he started with the most generic weakness a mech could have; its joints. Servos and pulleys that need full room of motion to work properly. The joints attached to the weapon arms in particular would need range of motion to aim and fire.
Pulling his Rail rifle from its rack on the bike, he takes a position off to the side of the mech, out of its driver's cone of vision, and lined up a shot on the attachment joint of the minigun hand before firing both barrels at his target.
-
She scaled the wall easily and dispatched of the man on top of the wall. As she moved toward the next, knife bloody in her hand, the man turns at a shout from this Josper and attacks his companions in an apparent division of followers.
She sighed. It didn't look like there was going to be much sport today-
Suddenly a loud explosion causes her to brace herself so as to not fall, and the gate shatters outward toward her companions. Through it, steps a
monstrous mech. She had seen a few of these in the capital city. A grin came to her face. This would certainly be a bit more fun!
She glances quickly down the wall to see josper's men turning on the others. With them seemingly distracted, she could try to do something about this mech. She saw from her vantage point that Seth was lining up a shot with his rifle. She knew he was a good shot, so she was willing to chance it.
With one last deep breath, she started sprinting down the wall, before take a small jump up to the edge and leaping. She could feel the rush of adrenaline going to her head as she sailed over nothing, her heart pounding in her ears. She flips the knife around so it protrudes from the bottom of her fist and attempts to land on the shoulder of the mech, grabbing hold of anything she can to keep hold aside from what appears to be the boiler. If she is successful, she will pull back her other fist and try to ram the knife in any vision port on the mech that she could find.
-
The jagger is a bit distracted by the loot inside the tent, but she quickly snaps out of it and retrieves the briefcase. It looks like the container they are looking for, there is also evidence of failed opening attempts and that is proof enough for her that this is the item of interest. The briefcase is a bit on the heavy side, but nothing that she can’t handle and so she returns to the shadows of the camp to make her escape. She is startled, however, by a crashing noise coming from the direction of the gates. Stopping to think for a second, the jagger struggles a bit to decide what to do. Knowing that the one paying the money is the doctor they've met, she could flee and deliver the goods to him, but the prospect of having your contractor die is not a welcomed one. After all, some people might question the validity of a contract should the employer die. Reluctantly, Sebastian tracks her steps back and quickly returns to the wall. Approaching the action carefully, she keeps out of sight as much as she can and after seeing the mech spits out a curse. Currently she stands away from the action, but close enough to have a look into it, waiting for a chance to act.
-
Enoka nimbly lands on the shoulder of the steam-mech, grabbing hold of the "collar" around the head of the mech. A moment before she slams her blade through the front viewport of the protective helmet of the machine, a loud whistle sound is heard as Seth fires two spikes at the monstrosity. As the blade shatters the viewport, the spikes slam into the metal plating of the arm joint of the mini-gun appendage. The metal rods embed themselves within the plating, jamming the mechanisms allowing the arm to properly move and turn, in effect locking the arm up pointing forward. Between the loss of aiming control and the sudden destruction of the viewport, cursing echoes from within the mech as the gun fires. A barrage of bullets fly across the field, peppering the approximate area Vildayvin and Josper were at until a few moments ago.
The mech lurches around as the driver seems to be attempting to throw his assailant off of him. It is quickly evident though that the person above him is not going to be falling off any time soon, so suddenly the mech stops and begins to quickly move in reverse. Enoka realizes that if she doesnt do something quick, the mech is going to slam back first into the wall of the camp....with her between the wall and the mech.
---------------------
Vildayvin and Josper dive under the bridge just as the mingun belches to life, bullets tearing through the area they had previously been in, some even punching through the bridge above them. Leaning up against the side of the gully, Vildayvin pops out the cylinder of his guns, dumping the bullets into his hand and stuffing them into a pocket of his coat. Reaching inside his duster, he pulls out a box and opens it up. Within are bullets, the tips of the bullets bearing a red mark, a method the Marshal uses to designate the small stash of armor-piercing rounds he always tries to keep on hand. Loading up the cylinders with the special ammo he slips the chambers back in and slides out from under the bridge as the gunfire above him dies down. Popping up he fires off a few rounds towards the hulking mech. The bullets whiz through the air before impacting against the plating. As Enoka realizes her predicament she hears the man within shout out in pain, no doubt one of the bullets found its target.
-
The satisfying crunch of the view port crumbling and cracking before her blade makes her very happy. She did not flinch as the spikes of metal from seth embed themselves into the minigun and it lets loose. Her adrenaline had her in its grip and she hardly knew the meaning of fear.
Suddenly, the mech changed directions and starts moving backwards. Enoka, quick of wit as well as body, realizes that if she doesnt move she is going to get crushed. She noted that the mini gun arm seems to be locked in place as the blazing sound of ammunition going off rings a chorus in her ears. Taking a good grip on the collar of the mech, she pulled herself forward over the shoulder of the mech as she heard bullets rip into the metal and a yelp of pain.
Lurching into motion, her dress swirled around her as she flipped over the shoulder of the mech, spinning herself so that she could grab the collar on the front of the mech now. As she came back down, she would be holding onto the front of the mech, feet planted on the metal armor, staring into the viewport. She draws her knife back in her left hand and repeatedly slammed the blade into the viewport in order to get at the flesh that was hidden beneath the skin of metal.
-
Seeing how Enoka and Seth are handling the mech, it is apparent that Sebastian’s aid in the matter won’t be needed. Sebastian takes note of Vyldavin’s armor piercing rounds, she would try to get her hands on some of those eventually. Right now moving the goods to the marshal and getting out of here are what must be done. A midst the confusion, she goes down the wall swiftly and rushes for the gully. Hopefully they can be out of here before sunrise.
-
The mech slams into the ramshackle wall, the structure denting from the force of the collision. The mechanical construct lurches under the combined attacks of Enoka, Seth, and Vildayvin; blades, bullets, and spikes punching through the shell of the construct. After a few moments it becomes evident that the mech is crippled and its occupant is at the mercy of the attackers. The battle on top of the wall draws to a close as the thugs loyal to the chief fall under the bullets of the rebels. Silence spreads across the area as guns fall silent. From within the iron hull a voice suddenly rings out.
"Hold your fire! I give up! I'm coming out!"
Hearing this Vildayvin and Jerrick clamber up the side of the embankment and move to the front of the crippled mech, the Marshal still keeping his guns aimed at the mech.
(Vil) "Step out of the mech and keep your hands where I can see them! Now!"
Sounds of the locking mechanism resonate from within the mech, the front section shifting forwards and then raising up. From within a man comes climbing out. It is immediately obvious that it is Jospers father, the physical similarities easily visible. Glass pieces are visible on his upper body, no doubt the remnants of the visor port of mech. He struggles slightly to climb out of the mech, a bullet wound evident in his leg. As his feet hits the ground he glares at the Marshal standing before him, and then over at his son.
"Congratulations Marshal....it looks like you win out in the end. Well....what are you waiting for?!? Finish it already!"
For a moment it seems as if the Marshal is about to do just that when suddenly Jerrick raises his hand.
"Wait!"
He pulls Vil off to the side and speaks to him quietly.
((Jerrick) "I can't allow you to do this. You and your friends have assisted greatly in helping me and my people...but if I am to become chieftain of the tribe it must be through my own hand."
The Marshal stands in silence for a moment, his face completely blank, and sign of emotion within his eyes hidden behind the pitch black lenses of his goggles.
(Vil) "What are you proposing then? I certainly can not allow that man to go free."
(Jerrick) "I understand and that is not something I would suggest. Leadership of a tribe happens through two methods....either it is willingly handed down or it is taken by force. As we are poised to achieve it through the second method through your help...I must demonstrate that I am capable and skilled enough to be chieftain on my own accord. Therefore.....a duel. Me versus my father, the faster one remains standing and determines the leader of the clan."
(Vil) "And if you should be slower?"
(Jerrick) "Then I will die and will no longer be able to hinder you from handling things your way."
(Vil) "What of your people then? Should you fall....and your father meet his end by my hand....who shall lead them?"
(Jerrick) "I will see that that possibility is taken care of. I know this is not how you would PREFER it to happen but I must demonstrate that I am capable of being chieftain without.....outside assistance."
Vildayvin stands in silence again, contemplating the decision before him. As if to give his answer, he lowers the hammers on his revolvers and slides them into their holsters.
(Vil) "So be it...you shall have your duel....and should you fail......"
He pats the handle of one of his revolvers to signal the next option. Jerrick nods in agreement and signals to Josper, who was still up on the wall above them. Nodding the man turns and hurries down. As he reaches the group, Vildayvin pulls something from within his coat....a pair of manacles, and tosses them to the guard. The two move and quickly binds the now-overthrown chiefs hands behind his back, Josper then escorts the bound man back into the camp as Jerrick turns towards the rest of the companions.
(Jerrick) I thank you all for your assistance with this. You are all welcome to rest here til morning. I would not recommend travelling this area during night time, especially after all the noise the battle made. Many a creature is likely awake from it. In regards to the item you were searching for....
It is at this point that Sebastian reaches the gate, Jerrick turning to see the case in the bounty hunters hands.
(Jerrick) Well.....I take it you have found what you were looking for then? (He doesn't seem to wait for a response) Well, the men will lead you to some available tents you can sleep in and I am sure we can spare some food and water if you need it.
-
The fight over, Seth shoulders his rifle and drops the clutch of his bike down, reducing it to a low idle as Jerrick and Vildayvin argue over how to deal with the chief. Cruising over to the now empty mech, Seth parks his bike next to it and, replacing the key around his neck after removing it from the ignition, steps up to examine the damaged machine. His eyes run cursory analysis and he idly reaches down for a toolkit from his bike.
"I hope nobody minds if I examine this wreck. I might be able to salvage something from it, or even repair it for use." He doesn't wait for a reply before getting to work, opening up maintenance panels and examining internals as well as checking the extent of surface damage.
-
By the time Sebastian reaches the gate the whole mess is sorted and she finds there is no need for her services after all. She approaches Vildayvin and hands over the package quietly.
"The package is secured." her altered and raspy voice came out from beneath the mask. "I will go retrieve my horse and join you lot inside, unless..." she purposefully moves her head to indicate the shift of her gaze towards the chieftain and quietly adds "you want something else done?" The walls were easy to scale and the place had no structure capable of keeping the bounty hunter out. It would cause little effort to sneak in and out of the camp.
-
She leapt back off the meck as it started to open, revealing josper's father. She smirked at him from the ground as her dress settled around her, and she tapped the side of the blade of the knife on her offhand.
"Congratulations Marshal....it looks like you win out in the end. Well....what are you waiting for?!? Finish it already!"
Enoka gripped her blade and stepped forward "So eager for death, that-" she was cut off by Jerrick
Wait!
She sighed and closed her eyes, pressing her right hand to her temple. She turned to half face both Josper's father and Jerrick as he pulled the marshall off to the side.
She looked to Sebastian as she arrived at the gate, carying what they had been looking for.
"Good, we are done then." she said with a nod. She pulled out a small stone and began to run the blade of her knife along it, to sharpen it once more.
She looked to the others as the spoke, shrugging to Seth and looking to vil, waiting to see his response to Sebastian.
-
The black lenses of the Marshals goggles settle on the masked bounty hunter. His response is simple but there is force behind it. The man doesn't like what Sebastian seems to be hinting at.
"No."
Drifting his gaze over the three mercenaries the man continues speaking.
"We will be remaining here until it is light. Our associate will then be seeing to taking care of the last few loose ends and then we will be on our way. With that being said I assume I will be seeing all three of you in the morning.
After fixing both Enoka and Seb with a hidden glare, he tips his hat and heads into the camp, the briefcase hanging in his left hand.
===========================
As Seth is examining the mech one of the ferals walks up near him.
"That gun of yours is something else, I don't even have to look to know it likely did a number on ol' Bessy here. She used to belong to me before the chieftain seized her and had that gun strapped on. Used to use her for heavy lifting and other less "violent" purposes. She only would have to worry about the occassional stripped gear or bent bracket then. The name's Chester, though some call me Cheezle for some reason *shrug*. Seems like you are quite handy when it comes to mechanical things. That "steed" of yours is quite something. You don't see something like that even in Capital City let alone out in the wastes. Anyways...if you're interested, since you and your friends seem to be staying here for the night, I wouldn't be against some assistance in getting Bessy up and running again. Might even be able to scrape together something to pay ya for your help.
-
"Cheezle?" Seth asks, not looking away from his work as he set about removing the metal panels around the damaged parts of the Mech's frame. "There was a 'mentally unstable' man by the nickname of Gizmoid who kept yelling for a Cheezle while I was in his shop." He deposited the wrench in his left hand in his mouth for a moment as he proceeded to use his hands to adjust the internal wiring, but he continued to talk around the tool. "He was instrumental in building my rifle, in fact. Gave me the last few parts I needed."
The mention of his steed and the capitol gets his attention. He stops for a moment, looking straight ahead, but then gets back to work, removing the wrench from his mouth and using it to remove the fastening bolts that had been busted through by some of his rail spikes.
"The vehicle is my father's design. He built the prototype, I've merely maintained and upgraded it over the years. I can't take all the credit."
Sliding the now free spike from the dented chassis, he placed it back in a bag on his bike before pulling a mallet from his toolset and setting about hammering the dented metal back into place.
"Even if you didn't pay me, I'd fix this mech. It almost pains me to see machinery misused in this fashion. This wasn't a battle model, that much is clear. She was practically screaming in protest with that gun nailed to her. I'm sorry I had to hurt her."
It seemed Seth's affinity for machines went a bit deeper than just natural skill. Almost like he felt a connection with machinery.
-
As the marshal stared in Sebastian's direction, she watched the marshal, unblinking. She looked to Sebastian as well.
The marshal, however, just stomped into the camp, without anything else.
She glanced over to Seth, watching him talk about machinery if it were alive. Well, even if it were, she had stabbed it in the eye. It was dead to her, and that was what mattered. With a shake of the head, she headed into the camp to find a place to bunk down, starting challengingly at anyone who gave her trouble.
-
"No"
Sebastian stared a few seconds after and gave an understanding nod. If the chief died tonight it would not be her doing. She goes to retrieve her horse, after which she asks for directons to a free tent and quickly heads into camp. In the solitude of the tent she removes her mask and takes advantage of the food and water offered. It has been a while since she had kicked back and relaxed. Who knows when there will be another time for a breather like this.
-
Vil heads for one of the huts that have been reserved for him and his companions. Locking the door behind him he glances around the domicile. The "house" contains a simple bed, nightstand, and table with chairs in it. The Marshal removes his hat, placing it on the table, and lays down on the mattress, falling asleep soon after.
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Chester can't help but react to Seth's response.
"Gizmoid? I'll be damned....that crazy lil' bastard is still alive?"
He seems to drift off into his own thoughts for a moment before returning to the present.
"My apologies...."Gizmoid" as he calls himself now, was a good friend of mine. There was a time where he, your father, and myself were quite a dynamic trio. Three masterful engineers working to try and better the future of humanity."
Seth then mentions about how Gizmoid was influential in constructing the gun he had hanging at his side. The mechanic chuckles slightly at hearing this.
"Giz was always a fan of abstract weaponry. That's how things seemed to go actually....Giz handled the guns...I developed protective armory....and your father handled the "miscellaneous" you could say."
He gestures at the nearby bike as he continues speaking.
"That bike was his pride and joy. He spent so many hours pouring over the schematics of the Castleberry Courier. He was adamant that there had to be a "better" alternative to it. Eventually he figured it all out. In the end though....it cost him more then he could have ever expected....."
He seems to drift off again into some past memory.
-
"Wait, what!?" Seth jumped, almost dropping his tools. For once he stopped working and looked squarely at Chester. "You knew my father?" This was quite the revelation for Seth. As far as he knew, he was the only one left who had any knowledge of the Ravenhall family or their work. "I never really got to know him, he was always off doing work or building new machines. What was he like? How did you three meet? Where were you when those bandits attacked and killed him?"
He was ranting for a moment, but then caught himself and restored his composure. He turned back to the machine he was working on. "I'm sorry, that was rude, to ask so many questions after having just met you. Forgive me, it's just I never really knew my Father."
Seth pulled his goggles down, their rims and shaded lenses hiding the tears welling up in his eyes. He covered the action up by picking up his blowtorch and getting to work on welding some of the split internal metal back together.
-
The feral raised a hand at Seth's apology.
"No apology needed."
He watches as the man sets to work with the blowtorch, reforming and sealing damaged metal together effortlessly. The growing darkness obscures the man's face, though the glow of the torch illuminates it occasionally. A hint of sadness seems to reside on the man's features as he watches the son of one of his closest friends repair the mech before them. Seth finishes the weld job and puts the torch down, Chester finally speaking up.
"Yes....I knew your father. We were quite a team back in the day. It was myself, Gizmoid, and your father. If it was made of metal and gears we could make it or fix it. Our love for tinkering and machines was what brought the three of us together originally. Your father was always the one who came up with the grandest designs though. That bike....(his voice seems to catch in his throat slightly)...that was his greatest creation though. At the time nothing like it existed anywhere...not in the wastes....not even in the Capital. Sure there were bikes...the Cadberry Courier and what not. Nothing though that matched the sophistication and speed of the "iron horse" as he sometimes called it. Of the three of us he was the most...."sophisticated" which meant he was the only one who generally could get into the City without much of a hassle. It was obvious I was a wastelander so without proper papers or..."financial convincing" the city guards would give me trouble. Gizmoid....well from the sounds of it he hasn't changed too much. He always had a few "gears loose" you could say. Your father would come up with idea's....and Gizmoid's twisted mind would somehow make them work usually."
Chester gently leans against Ol' Bessie as he continues speaking.
"Unfortunately most of the money for fancy inventions and whatnot came from the City. Not too many out in the wastes and badlands have the scrap to finance three crazy inventors. To keep us...well himself really...in good standing with the City he would "hire" himself off to assist with the occasional mechanical snafu out here. Generally he would go in...get the job...and then we would all head off to see to it. That last job though....."
Should Seth look up, he would see hints of pain and regret on the weathered face on the man before him as he continues speaking.
"It was supposedly a really simple job. Giz and I had every intention of accompanying him as usual. We were right in the middle of trying to get our latest doodad working though and he didn't want to drag us away "needlessly". It was so simple he said he was going to take his son with him on this one. A week or two after you two headed out...we got the word that the caravan you were travelling with had been hit by ferals and that there were....no survivors. After that...the operation fell apart. Without your father it could never be the same. We both blamed ourselves for not coming along. The shock of it all seemed to affect Gizmoid even more then me. He began to rant to himself...or more specifically to invisible "people". A few times he would seem to carry on conversations with your father...as if he was still standing there in front of us. It truly ended though when we returned to the workshop one night to find it completely trashed. Someone had broken in, and it was clear they had been looking for something. After a short while we figured out what it was."
He gestures towards the bike.
"That. Anything and everything your father had written down or made while working on it....was gone. After that....well Gizmoid really snapped. Then one day he simply up and wandered outside....ranting to himself....and never returned. I figured he was grabbed by whoever had ransacked the shop. I destroyed the few projects we had still been working on and fled into the wastes. If only we had realized that you had survived....maybe things would have been different."
The man glances off out across the dark wastes surrounding them. He clears his throat as he looks back to seth and the mech.
"Anyways....it's dark and the men will be wanting to lock up the gate. Critters like to come out when the sun falls. She (he gestures to the mech) will be fine here til it's light again."
He kneels down as he examines the repairs Seth has performed. Outside subtle hints of repair one could say the mech almost looks as good as new. He pats the mech affectionately.
"Looks like you have pretty much gotten her up and running. I can work on fixing the faceplate and the other injuries later. Let's get inside."
He gestures towards the open gate and waits for Seth to follow him inside. A few of the guards stand at the open portal, positioning the damage doors to better prevent anything from entering until they can properly be re-fastened to the walls.
-
Seth lifts his goggles from his eyes, tears flowing out from under the rim as soon as he moves them away. He wiped his face with a rag and choked out a "Thank you." before following Chester inside, pulling the bike along with him. When he spoke again, it was somewhat more controlled. "It's nice. To finally know something about my father. He had always told me the Ravenhalls could build anything, and there was no-one better with a wrench on this dustball. but he also said that sometimes even a Ravenhall needed a bit of help. I suppose he was talking about you two."
Alex pulled the rag he had just used from his pocket. It was another one of those emblazoned with the raven and cogs that symbolized his family. He offered it to Chester.
"Here. It's one of the only ones I've got left, but I think you deserve something to remember him by more than I do. I have the bike."
-
Enoka, as she wandered, found a fire burning with relatively few others around it. She silently moved in and sat near it. She assessed her situation and surroundings, making note of what was going on around her.
Slowly, she drew the knives out of their sheaths. She pulled a small stone out of one of her pockets. Looking at the knife she had used to stab though the viewport on the mech, she inspected the blade. Grimacing at something that no one else would have noticed, she put the stone to the blades edge and with a soft whisk...whisk....whisk.... noise, she brought the blade up to its normal perfection.
She seemed to ignore anyone around her, but if anyone got close, she would look up at them, saying nothing to them unless they spoke. She had the air of a natural apex predator around her, it often threw people off, and she was doing nothing to surpress it.
After a while, she had her knives were she wanted them, and stood, brushing herself off. She headed to one of the huts that were for the group and let herself in with little noise. She chose a spot in the room to bunk down that could see every exit or entrance and went to sleep with a hand on her knife hilt. She was a very light sleeper.
-
Chester looks down at the rag that Seth handed him. He rubbed a calloused thumb over the symbol on it. The two walk through the camp and eventually arrive at one of the larger buildings. Seth notices that this one appears to have a large metal door at the one end in addition to a "regular size" door. Chester enters through the normal door and a moment later the sound of a latch sliding is heard and the large metal door raises up into the air. Chester gestures to the technic to bring the bike inside and once he has done so he grabs a chain fastened to the large door and pulls it back down and latches it in place once more.
"There, the bike will be safe in here. You are more then welcome to bunk down in here should you like, got some spare blankets and whatnot stashed around here somewhere. With that though, I bid you good night."
The man heads into the area off of the garage and disappears into his sleeping quarters.
=======================
As Enoka sits down at the fire and pulls out her knives, she elicits some looks from the villagers gathered around the campfire and a nearby guard seems to grip his gun a little tighter but nothing more happens. The assassin arrives in the building set aside for the group to see Sebastian has already arrived and removed her gas mask and was partaking of some refreshment, but in her usual style ignores the bounty hunter and lays down on one of the providing beddings giving her perfect view of the entry door of the building.
=======================
Vildayvin arrives at a small building next to the larger one that Sebastian and Enoka are residing in, and after entering he searches the building to ensure no one is possibly hiding within. Placing the briefcase on a table, the Marshal lowers his goggles and then begins to deftly fiddle with the locks on the case before a slight click is heard and he opens it up. Resting in the padded case is a medium-sized glass vial with a sickly green colored fluid within.
"So this is what we went through all this trouble for old man. I just hope it turns out to be worth all the trouble."
He closes the case and resets the locks on it. Heading over to the bedding he lays down, placing the case under his head, and his hat over his eyes before falling asleep.
===========
The guard leaded the shackled man through the camp to a building a distance away from everything else, Josper close behind them. As they enter the building Jerrick looks around, this is the first time he has been in here since his father "changed". All around there were signs that this was no longer the simple jail it had once been. Blood stains on the floor, torture implements set out on a nearby table, it all was yet another indication of how far his father had fallen. He gestures at the door leading to the handful of cells.
"See that he is chained up within. See that he remains under heavy guard until morning, then all of this shall finally be taken care of."
The guard nods his head.
"As you command."
Jerrick then turns and heads up to the chieftains tent, gazing around at the assorted spoils gathered by his father and shaking his head. He then just about collapses on the bed as exhaustion from the recent events overtaking him as he quickly falls asleep, two guards stationing themselves outside.
-
"Thanks, I think I'll handle myself." Seth said, nodding as Chester turned to walk away. The events and revelations of the day swirling in his head, he slowly pulls a bedroll and blanket from one of the saddlebags and laid them down next to the bike. Making sure the key was tucked safely under his collar, Seth laid down and closed his eyes, trying his hardest to get some sleep.
It wouldn't be easy. Seth was haunted that night with memories of the day he lost his father, of the attack and of his father's death. He started more than once during the night. It most certainly would not be a good night's sleep for the last Ravenhall. He tosses and turns, muttering in his sleep and breaking out in a cold sweat. He might not be very rested come morning.
-
The twin suns of Westward begin to rise above the horizon, the light washing over the ramshackle village. Two men briskly walk up to one of the huts and rap on the door.
========
The smell of food awakens Seth from his fitful sleep. He hears shuffling from somewhere past the doorway leading into the rest of the house. It would seem Cheezle is up and about, and from the smell is cooking something. A moment later Chester walks in with a plate in his hand, cutlery resting on top. Seeing the technic has awoken he smiles.
"Good morning Seth. Hope you slept well. Whipped up some grub for ya."
He places the plate on one of the nearby open workbenches and headed back into the other room, returning soon after with another plate and the handles of two mugs gripped in his other hand. Placing it all down on the same table he retrieves some chairs and sat down and began to eat his food. Soon after though a knock is heard at the door and he goes to answer it. Seth can hear the door open and Chester speaking with someone, and then the door closes and Chester returns.
"It would seem Jerrick and his father will be settling their differences in a short while. I am to tell you that should you choose to attend it will be at the gathering area in front of the chieftains home. If you wish, I will gladly see to your bike's safety. If not I am sure your Marshal friend will come find you once everything is over."
He sits down once more and begins to eat his breakfast once again.
================
The door to the building Enoka and Sebastian are residing in shudders slightly as someone raps against it, the noise awaking the vigilant assassin. She opens the door to see a guard standing before her.
"Pardon me m'am but I have been instructed to inform you "it is time". Should you wish to attend, head for the gathering area outside the chieftains home (he gestures in the appropriate direction) and if not the Marshal will come find you afterwards."
The guard turns and leaves, having completed his assignment.
====================
A knock is heard at the door and the seemingly asleep Marshal shifts slightly as his right hand deftly seizes one of his revolvers and aims it at the door, his hat still over his face.
"Marshal...it is time."
He recognizes the voice of Jerrick and gently uncocks the gun and slips it back into the holster. Reaching up he lifts his hat from his face as he sits up, placing it properly on his head. Standing up he stretches for a moment before sliding his goggles over his eyes and grabbing the briefcase in his left hand. Moving across the room he opens the door to see Jerrick in front of him, a guard a step behind the feral leader (or soon to be leader if everything goes to plan). The gleam from the slowly rising suns glimmers off the reflective darkness of the lawman's goggles, the lens glowing dimly like smoldering embers while hiding his eyes from view. A brief look of shock spreads over the guards face as he shifts back a step upon seeing the man in all black, his eyes almost glowing as if on fire. Vil always felt the simplest method to handle your average street thug was intimidation. The inability to see where his eyes were gazing worked to unsettle many a potential troublemaker, and the fact that light seemed to reflect (or be absorbed as some in the badlands whispered) seemed to further the effect. While Vildayvin was slightly amused by the reaction within his face showed nothing as he gazed at Jerrick.
"Excellent. Have my companions been awoken yet?"
"They should all be receiving their wake-up calls and directed to the area as we speak. If you would follow me, we will fetch my father. I am sure you wish to be done with this business as soon as possible."
"That is correct, I have important things I must see to as soon as possible."
Jerrick glances down at the briefcase in the Marshals hand and then back up to his face as the trio slowly make their way through the village. As they walk through the streets villagers glance out of their homes. Word quickly spread about what was to happen at sunrise and they all knew what was at stake. The feral leader and lawman walk in silence until they reach the jail. Josper stands at the door, though after a nod from Jerrick he turns and moves into the building. A few moments later he returns with another guard and and Jerrick's father, his hands cuffed behind his back. It would seem at some point someone had tended to the man's injuries and while he wasn't fully healed up, he wasn't close to keeling over anymore either. The two Kreevan's look at each other in silence, anger clear on the fathers face while something akin to sadness or disappointment flickers across the sons'. The entourage begins to move back into the village, soon after arriving at the open gathering area outside of the large home belonging to the chieftain. A few villagers and guards had gathered to see the proceedings. Jerrick steps forward and speaks to the small gathering.
"As you are no doubt aware, I have laid claim to the mantle of Chieftain. There are certainly some of you that doubt my claim as the recent happenings have been with the assistance of outsiders. Therefore I shall prove my worth through the simplest method. My father and I shall face off in a duel....to the death. The one left standing will have proven his claim.”
He gestures to one of the guards that had been accompanying him. The man steps forward, two gun belts in his hand. Jerrick gestures towards the guns as he gazes at the Marshal. Vildayvin places the briefcase on the ground, as he pulls each gun out of its holster and examines each weapon.
“So none may try and claim that any trickery was involved, the Marshal will verify that both weapons are operational and loaded properly. Marshal....are you satisfied with the firearms?”
Vildayvin glances towards the crowd as he speaks.
“Yes, both weapons are properly loaded and functional.”
Vildayvin takes one of the belts and the guard takes the other over to Jerrick. As the man accepts the belt and secures it around his waist, Vil is securing the other around the elder Kreevan. The crowd begins to move away from the two gunmen until the area is only occupied by the Kreevan's, Vildayvin, and a single guard. The Marshal makes his way back over to the briefcase. He reaches into his duster and pulls out a silver pocketwatch as he speaks, transferring the watch to his left hand.
“When I give the signal, you shall be unshackled Edgar. Then once the song ends....may the best man win.”
At this Edgar finally speaks up.
“How do I know you won't simply gun me down?!?”
Vildayvin chuckles.
“Should you emerge the victor...then you and I will settle the business between us just as you two are now. This is between you and you're son....though don't get any ideas.”
He then nods at the guard and the shackles around Edgars wrists are unlocked and removed. He then flips the pocket watch open and a song can be heard, the tune wafting through the courtyard. The Marshals face lowers slightly as he gazes at something on the other side of the watch top, before rising once more as he looks at one Kreevan then the other, his right hand resting on the handle of one of his guns.
-
She stares at the guard, listening to his words. She nods and promptly closes the door, before returning to her bunk. She picks up her small pack, pulling what appears to be dry rations out of it, some dried meat and hard biscuits and she eats them down quickly. She pulls a small container out of her bag and opens it. Staring at it for a moment, she sniffs the liquid contained.
After a moment she chuckled to herself and and shook her head, drinking some of the water before replacing it. She quickly replaces the bandana on her hair, her dust goggles hanging around her neck. Smoothing her skirts, she checks her knives. Once she is content everything is as it should be, she exits the building, with only a glance for sebastian.
She wandered in the direction of where the duel was going to be taking place, walking down the middle of the road, and not moving for anyone who happened to be walking there. If someone happened to not move as well, she shouldered through them, and glared at them with malice.
She finally approached the duel site and quickly scaled the tallest building nearby to watch. She sat on the edge, peering down. She idly took out one of her combat knives and spun it absently in her hand, keeping her senses peeled for the surroundings as the duel prepared to commence.
-
As Chester entered, Seth was already packing up his supplies back into his bike. As the other man offers him food, he takes it with a bow of the head and proceeds to eat quickly, but deliberately, finishing off the food in short order. Standing and dusting off his clothing, he walks over to his bike.
"Thanks, Chester. I'll take it with me." Seth said, removing the parking brake and raising the kickstand on the bike and beginning to wheel it out at his side from the garage.
It looked like the duel was about to get underway. Seth wheeled the bike around to a good position outside the crowd that was forming. Sitting down on the bike, Seth crossed his arms and proceeded to watch the proceedings unfold, lowering his goggles over his eyes as he analyzed the situation in his mind.
-
The tune wafts through the area and after a minute or two gently fades away. Utter and complete silence seems to pervade the area, even the wildlife and wind have faded away as the two Kreevans face each other. The Marshals eyes flit between the two men, as any second now one or both will go for their guns. Jerrick and Edgar glare at each other, their hands positioned above their weapons. Then a brief smirk spreads across the elder Kreevans face and his hand drops to his gun. In the blink of an eye a gunshot rings out and then only one of the two men is standing. Vildayvin walks over to the fallen man, his hand still resting on his gun. His hidden gaze drifts down to the fatally wounded man lying at his feet, the sound of Jerrick coming up behind him. Edgar lays in front of them, a bullet hole in his chest. His breathing is labored and a pool of blood spreads beneath him.
*Cough* "Well well well....looks like you had it in you after all my boy." *labored chuckle*
Edgar glances over to Vildayvin.
"Well Marshal....looks like you lost out in the end. He is not going to be happy about you meddling in his affairs."
Confusion spreads over Jerricks face as he leans down close to his dying father.
"Who is "he"? Tell me!"
The only response he gets is a ragged laugh followed by a coughing fit that ends in gurgling as Edgar Kreevan dies. Jerrick stands up and looks over at Vildayvin.
"I always suspected someone was overlooking my father. This confirms it."
"In my line of work I am used to "upsetting" criminal overlords and what not. This matters little to me. With his death....my business here is complete."
The Marshal walks back to where he had been standing and picked the case up. Turning around he notices both Seth and Enoka nearby. Gesturing towards the main gate with his head he turns back to Jerrick.
"Farewell Jerrick Kreevan. As long as you follow the agreement between yourself and Southridge I doubt we will see each other again. Break that agreement though....and I will return and I promise such a meeting will not end as well as this one did."
With that said, Vildayvin begins to make his way down towards the main gate, eventually arriving at the small holding pen for horses near the gate. Sebastian is standing nearby waiting for the others, her mask and everything in place once again and a horse next to her ready to go. Vil guides his steed out of the pen and waits for Seth and Enoka to arrive.
=================================
As the duel ends, Chester walks up next to Seth.
"It would seem the son has surpassed the father. Looks like your friend is a little impatient there."
Chester pats Seth on the shoulder as he continues to speak.
"Looks like this is where we part ways. I suspect those responsible for what happened to your father are still out there and may still be wanting to get their hands on that bike. Perhaps some day we will meet again. Take care of yourself Seth."
-
"We'll definitely meet again, Chester." Seth says, nodding at the other man as he puts the key into the ignition of the bike. "I think I'm beginning to see a pattern. I don't think any of these events have been coincidence. Perhaps not even my own hiring."
As the bike roars to life, Seth takes one last look around the settlement. "I hope next time We'll be here on more peaceful grounds." With that, he spurs the bike into motion, Rolling it at a slow running pace outside the gate before bringing it to a halt and putting his feet down for balance, waiting for the others.
While he waited, he pulled the railway rifle from its rack on the side of the bike and began to inspect it, adjusting steam valves and the iron sights, tuning the weapon into better condition based on its performance in the previous battle.
-
Enoka watched the duel idly. It was not really that spectacular. One shot rang out, one person died. She sighed. These people.
She stood and jumped off the edge of the building, twisting to catch the lip of the roof with her hands and proceeded to climb down the rest of the way. It seemed like everyone was in a hurry to get the heck out of this place, so she settled into a quick walk which soon brought her to the gate of the camp. Unless anyone actively approached her, she had no business with any of these people.
She would glance at the Marshal, meeting his hidden gaze unflinchingly and move to being preparing her horse for departure.
-
Once everyone has gathered at the gate, Vil climbs up into the saddle and glances back at the others.
"We ride for Yewanrey with all possible speed. It's time to finish this."
With that, he spurs his horse into motion, the group barreling out of the encampment. The group travels towards Yewanrey, making it about halfway without the slightest problem. About halfway through the journey the group is travelling through a small canyon and as they round a bend in the road leading out of the canyon...all hell breaks loose. As they round the bend gunfire erupts from a series of rocks in front of them, forcing the group to retreat back around the corner. The Marshal slides off his horse and leans against the protective rock and glances around the corner.
"Looks like a handful [6] of targets, all of them behind decent cover."
Vildayvin moves back to his horse and removes a rifle from a holster next to his saddlebag. Glancing around and then upwards he slings the rifle onto his back and begins to scale the rock wall.
"I'll provide come cover from above!"
Reaching the top the man hunkers down behind a rock, unslinging the rifle and begins to pop off shots at the entrenched enemies, his bullets pinging of the rocks they are using for cover and causing the gunmen to duck behind the cover, giving brief windows of opportunity for the others to possibly push forward out of the bottle neck.
"I may be wrong about my count!"
-
Enoka climbed into her saddle, wrapping her leg around the pommel and sitting side-saddle like a proper lady. She started off after Vildayvin as he took off with unnecessary haste. As she rode, she went through the rote motions of checking her blades, and focusing on the environment around them.
As they round a corner in a small canyon, gunfire breaks looks, causing her horse to rear, tossing her off backwards. She lets out a curse that would do a sailor proud and lands gracefully on her feet as she drags the horse backwards.
“You were leading Marshal, how could you lead us right into this?” she growled even as he glanced around the corner to count guards. In her left hand, she pulls out four of her throwing knives, putting them between her fingers and thumb. In her right she draws one of her combat daggers.
She shakes her head and mutters under her breath, shooting a glare at the marshal as he climbed. Flattening herself against the canyon wall, she waits for him to begin firing. As he does, she darts, her heavy skirts fluttering behind her as she skids behind another rock for cover. She continues to do this as she closes in on the enemies forward position.
Waiting for one more opportune cover fire, she darts out, and leaps one of the bandit’s forward positions, sailing alongside of one of the men who had been shooting. As she she lands, she casually attempts to knife him in the throat with her combat knife, and with her left hand, unleashes two more throwing knives at other targets around, attempting to hit vitals or something that will incapacitate. She then grabs the man she slashed with her combat knife and drags him around in front of her to use as a human shield.
“That’s NO way to greet a lady” she spoke loudly, perfectly articulate and proper.
-
Pulling to a halt after the first gunshots, Seth immediately turned the bike around and pushed it around the corner of the bend in the path, away from the trap. Spinning around after gaining some distance, he pulls down his goggles and proceeds to mentally inspect the situation. In his mind's eye, he could see red lines marking the pathway itself, potential routes up the wall, the positions of his allies, and likely positions of the enemy. They had cover, but were camped in a position on top of a canyon ridge that was not likely to be easy to scale down. Running directly through the canyon was dangerous and likely to lead to injury, unless...
Seth proceeded to rifle into his saddle bags for some components, pulling a vial of powdered chemicals used in oxidizing metals, some powdered coal for fuel, and some simple black dye. He didn't have a moderate to keep the reaction from getting hot, but he only needed it to work for a little while. Pulling a glass bottle from the bag, placing it between the handlebars securely and pouring the materials he had pulled into the bottle along with a lit match, he waited a few moments, and soon the reaction had begun. Black smoke began to pour out of the bottle, thick and opaque. Pulling the collar of his outfit over his mouth and leaning down so he could see under the smoke, Seth pulled the bike around the corner and gunned it for the exit, trailing a smoke screen around his bike that should at the very least make him hard to spot. If he made it out, he could start looking for easier access to the top of the hill, but he wouldn't be abandoning his bike to be potentially stolen by more bandits lying in wait.
-
The ride to Yewanrey the group takes, turns out to be more interesting then what Sebastian had expected. Their group gets ambushed as they are about to turn and reach the exit of a canyon their were moving through. After quickly retreating back behind the canyon, the group begins to take action. Vil's cover fire gives a few opportunities to close in and utilizing those, the jagger shrinks the distance between herself and the attackers. Ascertaining the situation and noting Enoka's position, she puts 2 slugs in her shotgun and waits for the next cover fire. When that happens the bounty hunter bursts into the enemies. With that destraction in place, Sebastian attempts to flank and take out the enemies closest to her.
-
The Marshal's plan seems to be working out well. As he fires off rounds towards the bandits, he sees Enoka ducking and diving across the field and then the figure of Sebastian moving in as well. As the two begin to close on the enemy, the roar of Seth's bike bellows out loud across the area as he roars out of the ravine entrance, a thick black smoke billowing around him. Both Enoka and Sebastian reach the enemy gunmen about the same time, the assassin diving over the rock one of the shooters was using, the sunlight glinting off her blade as it slashed through the air. The sharpened edge slashes through the mans neck, crimson blood spurting out as the eviscerated blood vessel gushes outward. Clamping a hand on his neck in a vain attempt to staunch the flow, the doomed gunslinger leans against the rock and with a gurgle collapses to the ground dead. The knives that Enoka had unleashed have mixed results however. The first two were more beneficial, the blades singing through the air and imbedding themselves into different areas of two of the enemy combatants, one man taking a knife into his gut and the other was struck in his shootin' arm (right arm). The second two blades though were not quite as accurate. The third pierced into the calf of a bandit and the fourth succeeded only in slicing into the hat of another bandit as the criminal ducked down to avoid a shot from Vildayvin.
At the same time, Sebastian reaches the men from the opposite side of Enoka, her shotgun issuing two loud blasts as the shells within explode outward, their deadly cargo scattering forward. Both shots hit their marks, the first spray tearing the upper half of the now hatless bandit apart, the second shot peppering the wounded bandit (with the calve injury) with hot lead into his left side. The remaining two bandits were positioned farther back and managed to avoid the onslaught, one of them standing up, intent on trying to take a shot at the shrouded bike rider....but he took too long attempting to aim and a bullet whizzes through the air and pierces his skull, blasting out the back. Vildayvin looks at the results of his shot, a slight smirk on his face as the corpse collapses to the ground. The two injured bandits turn to face Enoka and Sebastian (one targets Enoka, the other Sebastian) and draw their pistols, the one grimacing as pain shoots through him from his injured arm, and open fire at their targets. The final bandit however has a different idea. Bolting from his cover he retreats backwards towards some horses tethered nearby. Leaping atop one he quickly gallops off down the road and away from the battle.
-
Smoke rises from the barrels of Sebastian's shotgun, as she glances at the remaining bandits. She quickly judges the running bandit is not an immediate threat and focuses on the two ahead of her. Clenching his gut one of the bandits does a clumsy motion to draw his gun and points it towards Sebastian. The other bandit mimics him and faces Enoka. If not for the mask the jagger's amused look would have been clearly seen all over her face. *bang* A quick dodge to her right side and a hole stood in the ground with a bullet buried in it, a few feet backwards from where Sebastian was standing. With a daft movement of her gun wielding had the shotgun snaps open and the empty shells hit the ground. *bang* This shot she ducked. "You missed," the bounty hunter's voice was loud and rasp. Sweat was pouring down the bandit's face, his eyelids closing and opening, trying to push the sweat and the stinging feeling away. *bang* The jagger was on the move before the shot even rang. Circling the bandit to the right. Visibly strained, bandit’s face portrayed a desperate look, the muzzle of his gun was beginning to shake. *bang* *bang* Diving through the two shots she pulled two shells from one of the pouches on her waist and placed them into their chambers with a smooth motion. She was a few steps away from the bandit now, pulling the shotgun up to her shoulder made it snap closed. *bam* A few of the bandits fingers and half of his face hit the rock behind him before the rest of him had the chance to fall to the ground.
-
One bandit is on the run. But he's leaving using a horse. Unfortunately, no horse is a match for Seth's bike. Tossing the hot bottle of chemical reaction to the ground and pulling a revolver into his left hand, Seth guns the bike once more, swiftly catching up to the horse, Seth turns his head to face the man on horseback, and shouts over the din of the engine.
"Hello friend, time to lie down."
Bringing his left hand up, Seth opens fire, aiming a little ways ahead of the man's shoulder to compensate for both of their motion. He fires a pair of shots to ensure that he makes his target, and then revs the engine even faster and bolts ahead of the horse before whirling in front of it to try to spook the animal into rearing. Pistol still trained on the rider, Seth waits for any sign of resistance. Any motion for a weapon would make Seth fire a shot at the hand in question.
-
Sebastian and Herself both seem to have garnered the attention of the last two bandits, the third running away whom seth seems to be taking care of.
Casually, she dragged the bandit with the slit throat in front of her, even as the bandit with his wavering gun pulled the trigger twice.
Blam blam!
The first shot struck home, into the already dead man and in his pain, the second shot went wide. He grimaces in pain, barely keeping a hold of his gun, seeing as his shooting arm was already injured by one of her knives. She unceremoniously dropped the bandit who had taken a round for her, and took off at a sprinter’s pace, her offhand now devoid of her throwing daggers and left still contained the combat dagger.
She quickly closed the distance and he tried to bring up his gun. Even to her right, the bangs of sebastian’s shotgun rings out, taking out the other bandit. She snaps a quick jab with her right hand, landing a shot on one of the weakened tendons in his shooting arm, causing him to drop his weapon. She brought her knee up into his groin, and as he doubled over she brought her fist with the knife up into his soft vitals. She yanked hard, tearing the soft squishy bits and jumped back as they spilled out.
She smirked to Sebastian, obviously pleased with how that entire scenario had played out, before she goes about retrieving her knives, as things seem to be wrapping up.
-
The shots from Seth's gun ring out as the bullets whizz through the air, one of them striking the fleeing bandit in the shoulder, almost knocking him from his mount. The next thing the injured criminal knows is the bike has surged past him and loudly rev's in front of him, his steed lurching backwards and throwing him to the ground before it tears off across the wastes. The wounded bandit struggles on the ground, his face pale...a clear sign that his injuries have placed him upon Deaths Door. He shifts across the dirt as Seth rolls his back up near him, the dying man attempting to grasp his fallen weapon but realizing he apparently broke his arm in the fall off his horse, making it almost impossible to properly grasp the gun and use it, he finally forces himself up to his knees as he glares at the technic. A mixture of anger and perhaps resolute determination and pain is clear on the mans face as beads of sweat slip down his ashen skin, his left hand dangles near his other holster, a pistol still residing within, though he doesnt seem to be making any sort of motion or movement towards the firearm.
-----back with the rest of the group-----
The battlefield grows silent as Sebastian and Enoka slaughter the remaining bandits. A moment later Vildayvin arrives on his horse, guiding the other steeds behind him. He surveys the area from atop his steed, his eyes unseen behind his goggles as usual.
"They seem....too clean to be regular bandits. Something isn't right here. See if you can find anything, I will ride ahead and check on the technic."
Not waiting for a response the Marshal slowly saunters his horse ahead, seeing the sight of the dying bandit kneeling in front of the mounted technic. It is obvious to the gunslinger that Seth seems to have matters in hand and he continues the slow trot down the path, interested to see what the technic might do with the situation that lies before him.
-
As vil rode up and told them to look through the bodies and left, she glared at his back. She HATED when employers came on the job. It really made things such a pain in the neck. With a sigh though, she retrieved her daggers, cleaning them off and went to work without much of a word.
She would begin systematically checking all of the bandits for things of important. Correspondence, things of apparent value, the like. She would also retrieve some of the guns/powder/shot to stash away later for selling. No use letting it go to waste. She would make a thorough check of everything, the whole time not really speaking unless Sebastian spoke first.
-
"So." Seth said, spinning the pistol in his hand. "You've got a couple of options, my friend. I want to know who hired you and what they wanted from our group. You can tell me now, and I can put you out of your misery. Or, you can refuse to tell me, and I won't kill you. I'll patch you up. Then I'll let my friends break you again. Then I'll fix you up again. And I'll repeat the process until, in your agony, you either lose your mind or tell me what I want to know. I'll be honest, the information you have probably isn't vital to me, I'll probably find out later anyway if I look hard enough. I don't care which option you choose. It's entirely for your own sake that you should probably tell me what I want to know."
Seeing Vildayvin approaching, seth spins his pistol and returns it to his holster. "Marshal! You're just in time to see whether this man wants to die now or later!" Seth reached into the saddlebag and pulled what appeared to be a vice and some bandages. "So, friend, will you tell me what I want, or shall we get to setting that arm of yours? I'll make sure you know when it pops back in."
-
Sebastian is not quick to follow the marshal's orders. She takes her time reloading her gun and only looks through the belongings of one of the bandits. The entire time she tosses something like a nervous glance, when she thinks Enoka is too preoccupied to take notice. With something obviously on her mind she takes sits on one of the rock and watches as the other bounty hunter strips the bodies of their belongings. Her leg begins to twitch nervously and she changes position to make it stop and now her whole body seems tense. Frustrated more with herself then anything else, the Jagger stands up and kicks the rock. The pain goes through her like a shock of electricity, she tightens her fists and swallows a curse. Suddenly aware that Enoka is probably staring at her she turns to face her and tries to regain her composure.
"So... how did you end up in this kind of business, I mean didn't you have something else to do?".
-
She keeps an eye out, even giving Sebastian a quick side glance as she sits on a rock. Her dress swishes around her as she moves from man to man, regardless of what kind of gruesome wounds each has. Her head snaps to the other but tilts slightly in curiosity as Sebastian stands and kicks the rock.
"So... how did you end up in this kind of business, I mean didn't you have something else to do?"
Enoka's face was blank and she stood, appraising Sebastian after she asked her question. It didn't seem like Enoka was going speak, but finally she did speak quietly.
"I've been on my own for a long time" She said, and seemed to be thinking "Longer than most people, I suspect. Not many people seemed interested in a little street rat, so it was either become good at what I do or die" She shrugged a bit and waved her hand slightly at sebastian.
"You seem awfully proficient in what you do as well. It is not often I see that level competency without the Marshal's hardass attitude."
-
"Well... my initiative was real good... learn or else..." Sebastian stays silent for a moment, remembering a time not so long ago. "I am awfully sorry, I didn't mean to pry, I simply..." the jagger seems to suddenly be at a loss for words. "Well we ought to be going now, the marshal and Seth might need us." She starts towards the other with a quick step.
-
She couldn't very well tell Sebastian her true story, but what she did tell was good enough for now. She wasn't sure how she felt about the other woman. Regardless, their job was soon to be done anyway.
"Well we ought to be going now, the marshal and Seth might need us."
She watched as Sebastian started towards the others, her head slightly tilted. After a moment, she moved around to the remainder of the dead men, getting what she could.
She gathered her horse and started off after Sebastian to meet up with the others.
-
The bandit looks up at the technic, a strange mixture of anger and possibly nervousness on his face.
"You have already demonstrated....that you have no idea what we were after. Your "group" is of no concern to us. You're a damn fool and will die. He will get what he wants in the end....he always does."
A coughing fit overtakes the man as he grimaces in pain. Meanwhile Vildayvin stops his horse and draws out his rifle once more, chambering a round and glancing at the terrain surrounding them.
"Whatever you intend....make it fast. No telling if there might be more of them in the area or further ahead. We should not delay too long."
He turns his gaze down towards the bandit.
"Besides....if I have MY way....this can only end one way....so perhaps its best you do as the technic commands."
He then turns slightly as both Enoka and Sebastian draw closer, signalling to them to stay behind him....he is still interested to see how the mechanic handles things, the Marshal knowing full well how the other two would act.
-
Seth made a sucking noise on his teeth, sounding almost disappointed in the bandit. Retrieving a long, thin metal rod from his bag, he turned and approached the bandit with the bandages and vice as well.
"Well, let's get to work then. Marshal, if you could hold him down." Not waiting to see if the Marshal responds, the techanic spins the metal rod in his hands and approaches the bandit's shoulder, flicking on a light on the corner of his goggles to look into the wound and inspect if the bullet remained. If it did, he would take the rod and force the bullet out the other side with a sharp thrust rather than pulling it out the traditional way. Following that he would bandage the wound too tightly, making sure the man could feel the pressure on the open wound. Moving down to the man's broken arm, taking the two halves of the fracture in each hand and gripping a bit tightly, he would swiftly snap them back into place, not bothering to brace the man or warn him ahead of time, making the sharp pain even more surprising. Then he would again bandage the wound too tightly, ensuring the bones couldn't shift again, but also ensuring he felt it if they even nudged. Taking the time to tap the broken arm right on the fracture, he looked up to the bandit. "Any other wounds I should know about, my friend?" Not bothering to get a response, he looked over the bandit himself, trying to find if there were any other wounds that needed his 'attention'.
-
She shoots an annoyed look at the Marshal as he signals for her and Sebastian to stay behind him. She walked up behind the Marshal, and slinks up beside him with disregard for his command, crossing her arms in front of her, watching with an unreadable face. She doesn't say anything, however, just observes.
She tilted her head as Seth brutally treated the bandit, but otherwise said nothing.
-
Sebastian goes and stands next to Enoka as they observer Seth's handiwork. Not sure if she would have handled the situation much differently, she continues to observe quietly. The jagger is curious to see the results of the mechanic's methods.
-
Vildayvin slips the rifle back into it's holster and slips off, grabbing the briefcase before he moves away. As he draws near the bandit struggles slightly under the Marshal's hidden gaze. Placing the case down on the ground, Vil kneels down and assists the technic by holding the bandit down. As Seth proceeds with his "treatments" the bandit struggles and hollers out in pain as each injury is seen to. As the technic inquires about further injuries the man groans and glares at Seth.
"Y....you think yourself so smart. I wonder...if they know the trouble...you are causing them. He failed before....he will get what he wants and no one is going to stop him."
The criminal glares at the man responsible for furthering his pain even further, beads of sweat forming on his face as his body shivers from the shock of his injuries. Vildayvin stands up and places a hand on his pistol
"This is ridiculous...he keeps spouting the same garbage...I say we end this and move on. Time is..."
Suddenly a shot rings out and the bandit seems to spasm and then goes silent, the life gone from his eyes. The Marshal has enough time to gaze up at the hills from where the shot came from when another shot rings out, sending the lawman into a spin as a bullet slams into his right shoulder. In the blink of an eye a large number of gunmen appear behind the rocks and outcroppings up on a hill a distance from the party. Sunlight glints off the barrels of numerous rifles as they open fire. Bullets slice past the three standing still, a nearby gathering of rock and brush seeming to be the only suitable cover in the general area. Stumbling to his feet the Marshal makes a mad dash to his nearby steed, grabbing the rifle once more and dashes over to the nearby rocks, snagging the briefcase once more. Sliding down behind the cover he examines his injury, a sizable bullet hole in his right shoulder. Grunting in pain he raises his weapon and begins providing cover fire for the others to join him behind the cover. A moment later a bullet embeds itself in the skull of the Marshals steed, sending the creature crashing to the ground.
-
The first shot catches Sebastian unprepared, she only manages to peak in the direction of the shots before a second one rings out and catches the marshal in the shoulder. With a few quick steps and dive, the jagger moves into the nearby cover next to the marshal. Nothing underlines the seriousness of the situation more then the glaring hole in the marshal's shoulder. Adding the dead steed to that and things get pretty ugly.
"Things went south quickly," Sebastian takes another look at the gapping wound "I can make a smoke screen and we can make a run for the horses," The jagger unholsters the gun on his side and counts the little ammo he has left for it. "I don't think we out to fight this one out with bullets."
-
As a bullet strikes the man he was tending to, Seth's brain immediately receives a dose of adrenaline. Everything slows down for him for a moment as he takes in new information. There are guns on the hill. Too many to take care of. The marshal is hit, and Seth is in the open. The bike is still running, but he wouldn't make it back to it in time without injury. The situation seemed bad. No time to make a smoke screen. Only one choice.
Red trajectory lines traced themselves in the air in Seth's mind's eye. The height of the hill, the angle of the enemy's guns, the distance to his bike. As he turned and began kicking up dirt as he sprinted for his bike, he was envisioning the best path to get away from the gunfire. As he made his third stride a bullet grazed his Left forearm. On his fourth one bounced off his gauntlets. His Seventh stride saw him leaping onto his bike. As he turned the handlebars and kicked the engine, the wheels kicked up a screen of debris as he turned and gunned the bike toward cover. A third bullet grazed his Right leg. Moments later he was skidding the bike behind cover. A bullet ricocheted off the bike's chassis and cut across Seth's cheek. An extra bullet struck near his hand, missing flesh and scraping across metal. The Techanic tumbled from his bike, dragging it low to the ground behind cover with him as he hit the dirt. The sting of the ground getting into his wounds was compounding issues. The bike had landed on his leg, trapping it for a moment before he pulled himself free. Leaning against his cover, the adrenaline still coursing through his body, Seth took stock. he had several scrapes, many of which now stung with the debris running over them. He had not taken a direct hit, but he could feel the knot forming in his left calf from the bike landing on him. Running was out of the question for him. He took one of his pistols and fired blind over his cover at the enemy.
"Escape route?" He asked, his brain running at a mile a minute as he calculated odds and trajectories, red lines and numbers running through his mind's eye.
-
As she listens to the downed man prattle on and spouting pretty much what she expected of him her eyes catch a glint. Just as she sees it, however, there is a crack and the bandit on the ground spasms in his death.
She throws herself to the side, grabbing her pack from her horse, as another shot rings out. She slips behind cover just in time to see the marshal get hit in the shoulder by the second shot. She curses under her breath as the glint of many more rifles twinkle on the edges of the Canyon.
She pulled her climbing gloves from her belt and put them on her hands just in case and crouched, darting towards Sebastian and the Marshall. There were more gunman than she had thought and bullets tore up the terrain around her, one catching her skirts and tearing a rip though them. She dove into the cover and came up beside the MarshalL on his wounded side, ears ringing with gunfire.
"That looks bad" she growled at his wound and reached into a pouch on her belt. She popped some leaves in her mouth, chewed for a bit, spit a crumpled mess of plant matter in her hand at would attempt to press it into the Marshall's wound.
"It should help stop the bleeding. Now what are we doing to get out of this?"
-
The Marshal fires round after round as the rest of the group slips behind the boulders, bullets whizzing all around. Grunting in pain he leans against the rock as he brushes away Enoka's hand. "No! No....I can manage....." He grits his teeth as he pulls a small syringe out of his jacket and jabs it into his leg, his breathing relaxing a moment later. He looks over at the bounty hunter and shakes his head.
"N...no....too many guns up there, even with smoke screen there would be too much of a chance of someone taking a round."
The Marshal pauses for a moment as he grits his teeth, the man turning his head about as if trying to think of a plan.
"I'll be damned if this is how it ends...."
A moment later the suns seem to darken as a shadow washes over the area. The silhouette of a ship covers the area, the size increasing as the craft lowers closer to the ground until its only a short distance from the ground. From the deck of the ship gunfire begins to ring out, a few thumps echoing through the area followed by explosions peppering the hillside where the bandits are firing from. As this all occurs a platform quickly begins to drop from the other side of the ship. The platform is surrounded by fencing, metal plating bolted to the front. Crouched behind the barrier, a man leans out and souts to the group
"If you have any desire of living to see another day you had better get your asses on here right now!"
He leans out and fires a few rounds up at the bandits, providing covering fire for the others to dart onto the platform
-
She throws the clump of herb on the ground
"Fine, be a stubborn, pig headed..."
Her voice trailed off as she caught the silloutte of a ship covering the area. She crouched down at the first explosion rocked the cliffsides.
She turned to sebastion, her eyes catching the other's before jerking her head in the direction of the platform.
"Let's go" she called, and darted out, staying low. She grabbed the edge of the platform and pulled herself over, even as a bullet zipped past her face and gouged out some metal of the fencing, throwing a small amount of shrapnel up to put a shallow slice across her neck.
Peering up, just over the the railing, breathing hard at the near death, she readied to grab sebastian's hand and help get her over the top of the fencing, to help prevent further injury to anyone.
-
Their savior has arrived in mysterious fashion. Seth's odds of something like this were exceptionally low, but here they stood, and he wasn't going to hurt his odds of survival by refusing aid. Carefully moving over to his bike while behind cover, he lifted it halfway from the ground and looked at the ramp, calculating his odds.
'One chance at this. Get the bike onto the platform and yourself behind cover. No mistakes. Cost of failure too great.'
Seth shoved the bike onto its wheels and threw himself into the seat haphazardly before gunning the gas and pulling back on the handlebars. As the bike shot toward the platform, it left its front wheel for a moment just long enough for the back wheel to kick off the ground and the plating, slamming the front wheel forward on the other side and performing and impromptu see-saw over the edge of the platform. Planting the bike back on its side safely on the platform, Seth stumbled into cover again, his injured leg giving out on him shortly after leaving the bike, and began to fire blindly to create an opening for his remaining compatriots.
-
Everything unfolds at a quick pace and the jagger has little time to act. Despite the marshal's earlier suggestion Sebastian blind fires her last three smoke grenades from cover. As soon as the grenades were fired, her attention was drawn to a shadow encroaching the area. A massive ship came and with a thundering explosion shook the hillside where the bandits were firing from.
"If you have any desire of living to see another day you had better get your asses on here right now!"
There was no need to tell Sebastian twice, she quickly jumped on her feet and followed Enoka's example rushing to the platform. Reaching out she grabs Enoka's hand and with a few quick steps on the metal surface of the outward wall, the jagger leaps into the platform. She gives the other bounty hunter a nod of appreciation.
-
Once Sebastian leaps over the railing, the Marshal follows, steadying himself against the railing as the man who had shouted at them hollers into a small device on the railing.
"Alright, they are all in, get us up and out of here!"
The lift begins to rise quickly, the ship turning and beginning to move off even before the lift fully ascends. Reaching the top the entire lift swings in over and touches down on the deck. Soon after a handful of people arrive from various directions, each carrying some sort of firearm, one of them actually carrying one and having a multitude of assorted firearms strapped to him. Moving off of the lift the man hollers out.
"Jayne would you put all of that away, and Doc, looks like we've got someone in need of those vaunted services of yours."
One of the crewmen steps forward, his attire looking like someone from the Capital City. Moving to the Marshal he quickly examines the bullet wound.
"Doesn't look too bad. His coat seems to have took most of the force, though I do need to get that metal out of him."
He moves to support the Marshal but Vil waves him off.
"I'm alright Simon....I can walk."
The lawman moves off the lift, the briefcase in his one hand and extending the other to shake hands with the one who seems to be in charge.
"Well....I must certainly say I did not expect you and your crew to be the ones pulling us out of that mess Mal."
The man laughs as he shakes the Marshal hand.
"Yeah yeah....we're big damn heroes. Truth be told, didn't even realize it was you down there. Simply saw your little band down there pinned down, figured it for bandits attacking a caravan and I had one of my rare softie moments."
He chuckles as the doctor interrupts the two of them.
"I hate to break up this cheerful conversation but the Marshal is still bleeding and I need to get him down to the medroom at once to see to that."
Mal waves a hand dismissively.
"Yeah sure."
He leans in close to the Marshal seems to mutter something to him, eliciting a nod from the lawman who mutters something in return before moving off with the doctor towards the door leading below deck. Mal moves back to the lift and looks at each of the companions, his arms crossed in front of him.
"Well...the Marshal vouches for you so that's enough for now....so welcome aboard the Serenity. If you are going to spend time on my ship you had better keep some things in mind. First...you are free to wander the ship. She's got all your standard amenities...galley, one or two spare bunks if you need some shut-eye, however...you will stay out of the hold. I catch you in there...well...it won't be good. Second...this is my ship....my rules, simple as that."
He turns to one of the others behind him.
"Wash...set a course for Yewanrey. Kaylee, make sure everything is running smooth in the engine room...Zoe...you're in charge up here. I'm headed down to check on the Marshal."
-
She nods back to Sebastian, ducking behind the wall of the platform as it begins to rise.
They soon reach the deck, where a doctor is summoned to see to the marshal. Enoka sorta spaces out, glancing to Sebastian as the group natters on, but something being said breaks her out of her daydream.
"I hate to break up this cheerful conversation but the Marshal is still bleeding and I need to get him down to the medroom at once to see to that."
"Well the stubborn man wouldn't be bleeding if he had accepted my help below" she snapped, looking to the Marshal then, shaking her head.
After a moment.
"Well...the Marshal vouches for you so that's enough for now....so welcome aboard the Serenity. If you are going to spend time on my ship you had better keep some things in mind. First...you are free to wander the ship. She's got all your standard amenities...galley, one or two spare bunks if you need some shut-eye, however...you will stay out of the hold. I catch you in there...well...it won't be good. Second...this is my ship....my rules, simple as that."
She looked away and rolled her eyes at his little speech and attempt to intimidate them, before she looks back and performs a picture perfect curtsy and speaking in a soft voice.
"Thank you so much for your hospitality sir, it is most welcome, and your timing most fortuitous."
And that point she gingerly reached up to her neck to check the wound, bringing away a hand covered in blood. She sighed, taking out a small cloth of linen and held to her neck.
-
Seth hardly listens as he and his friends are given a brief rundown of their situation on this ship. His mind is still running in overdrive from the fight, and he is running a damage assessment on his own body as he lay slumped on the railing of the platform next to his bike.
'Bullet Grazes-two, one on the left forearm, one across the right cheek. Minor burns and lacerations; no bleeding due to the heat of the passing bullet and the surface nature of the wounds. Gauntlets and bike moderately injured, low on ammunition, and left calf muscles strained from the weight of the bike. Ankle might be fractured. Ribs almost certainly bruised from getting the bike onto the escape platform. Walking is likely painful, should avoid it as much as possible.'
As he lay there, his gaze roved around the room, taking in the people and the contours of this ship's interior. After a moment of taking deep breaths, he forced himself to get up onto his one good leg before carefully seating himself in the saddle of his motorcycle. Fortunately the kickstand was on the side of his injured leg, so he forced it down and began walking the bike further into the ship away from the platform using his one good leg. He brought it next to one of the walls of the room before gingerly stepping off of it and sitting down with his back against the wall next to it.
"Apologies, but I think I will sit here and rest for a bit. Exhaustion is setting in now that the Adrenaline is gone."
-
Jayne listens as Enoka comments about the Marshal refusing her help. Moving forward he gives his best suave smile as he speaks to her.
"I certainly wouldn't refuse help from such a lovely lady. I'm sure i've got something in my bunk to help stop that bleeding..."
The woman that Mal indicated as Zoe rolls her eyes and steps forward and shoves Jayne to the side "Jayne...didn't the captain tell you to put away your toys?"
The man glares at Zoe and then turns to head below deck. "Fine....I'll be in my bunk!"
"What else is new? Anyways...sorry about him, Jayne is good when it comes to a fight....outside of that...well, yeah. Anyways, as the Captain pointed, I am Zoe, second in command here on the Serenity."
She glances at the wound on the other womans neck.
"Perhaps you should have the Doc check out that wound m'am, especially while the Captain is seemingly in a "giving" mood."
As Zoe is chatting with Enoka, one of the other crewmembers approaches Seth, stopping a short distance from him and the bike. Black-skinned with white hair pulled back into a small bun he gazes between the technic and his ride, his hands clasped in front of him as he gives the man a disarming smile.
"Forgive my forwardness...but once you have gathered some energy it might be best that we get you down to the Doc as well, in my experience it is never good to let any injury go untreated for long out here is the wasteland. Oh, I apologize, let me introduce myself...Shepard Book, and you are?"
He kneels down and extends a hand out towards the technic.
Radobe watches the other two companions speaking with some of the crew and silently moves over to a crate, sitting down on top of it and going over her armor and weapons.
-
As Jayne moves forward and gives Enoka his best winning smile, she would lean forward just a bit towards him, a grin of her own on her face.
"I certainly wouldn't refuse help from such a lovely lady. I'm sure i've got something in my bunk to help stop that bleeding..."
"Are you suggesting we play doctor?" she asked in her sweetest most innocent voice she could muster. Dropping the hand from her neck she reaches to her belt and draws one of her razor sharp knives from her belt and her grin turns wicked. "Can I be the surgeon?"
As Zoe speaks up, she chuckles as Jayne glares and stomps below deck. She replaces the knife and put the cloth back to her neck.
"What else is new? Anyways...sorry about him, Jayne is good when it comes to a fight....outside of that...well, yeah. Anyways, as the Captain pointed, I am Zoe, second in command here on the Serenity."
"Nice to Meet you Zoe. Good to see they have someone sensible as at least the second." she nodded to the other woman.
"Perhaps you should have the Doc check out that wound m'am, especially while the Captain is seemingly in a "giving" mood."
"It's not as bad as it looks. A long cut, but shallow. Just prone to bleeding a lot. Might see what your doctor is made of though." She pulled a small flask of something out of her belt, and unstoppered it. She dabbed a bit of paste on the cloth and replaced the bottle and cloth before looking back to Zoe.
"So, what brought you out this way? We were very fortunate to have found you. I couldn't have snuck out with the two noisemakers in tow. Maybe with Sebastian" She said with a nod of respect to Seb "But not with the Marshal and Seth. Glad you picked us up"
-
Seth looked up at the Shepard as he spoke to him, the Techanic's moving between his bike and the speaking man. At his suggestion of moving, Seth shifts his torso against the wall and moves his injured leg with his hands, pulling it closer to his chest.
"I'm afraid if you want to have your medic look at me I'm going to need some help getting there. My leg is currently going numb in response to blunt impact. The weight of my vehicle was pressed on it momentarily, and, I've more than likely strained a muscle in my leg. Likely the lower calf."
Seth looked over to his bike, feeling his neck to ensure that the key was still on its necklace. It was, and he sighed, lifting the goggles from his face to look the Shepard in the eye.
"And if it's not too much trouble, could I request that no-one touches my vehicle? It's not delicate machinery, but it's mine, and I'd like it not tampered with."
-
"Nice to Meet you Zoe. Good to see they have someone sensible as at least the second." she nodded to the other woman.
Zoe stifles a chuckle at the womans comment.
"Don't think too harshly on the Captain. He might be a tad brash and forceful but well...he's one of the best damn men I know out here in the wastes, besides my loving husband at least. Worry not, the Doc might not exactly be that skillful when it comes to human interaction but I'd almost bet my gun belt on finding anyone better when it comes to patching up wounds."
She watches as Enoka tends to her wound, giving a slight shrug to question.
"Well....simply put we were on a run...and just happened to be in the vicinity. Though I certainly know what you mean about the Marshal. He and the Captain share a similar school of thought in that area. Though, pardon my possible intrusion, how is it you became acquainted with the Marshal?"
-----------------------------------------------------------
The Shepard maintains complete eye contact as he replies to the Technic's request.
"Worry not, I guarantee that no one lays hands on your bike. I can understand the connection it must hold for you to your past."
Taking the Technic's hand, the man hoists Seth up, supporting the injured mechanics weight on his shoulder as the two slowly make their way down into the belly of the ship and towards the medical bay. As they make their small journey the clergyman occasionally speaks to the man next to him.
"So...that bike is certainly an engineering marvel. Can't say I've ever seen anything like it. Build it yourself?"
-
"My father built it." Seth responded as the Shepard assisted him in limping toward the med-bay. "It's all I have left of him. He was attacked and killed seeking that machine and the blueprints. The latter was destroyed, and so I'm the only one with the knowledge of how it works or how to build it. I do all I can to remember my father by making sure that bike survives. I've improved on its design and repaired parts over the years, but that bike is all that's left of Alexander Ravenhall. Especially after the capital has likely wiped both of us and our family from its records."
Seth's eyes are somewhat unfocused as he speaks, as if he is reliving the events of that moment as he walks. There was something about this most recent attack that had sparked memories of that day inside of him. Perhaps it was the numbers, the mysterious nature of the attack, the suddenness of the ambush. But this attack was all too familiar to Seth, and he was remembering back to the last time he had experienced something like this.
-
The two men slowly make their way through the ship towards the medical bay, the Shepard listening to the injured mans story. He seems to pause for a moment as the technic mentions his fathers name
"Alexander....Ravenhall. Hmm..."
The two reach the door to the med bay, the clergyman gazing into the window in the door.
"Well it would seem the good doctor is almost finished patching up the Marshal. However there isn't much room in there so it might be best if you rest out here until he is ready for you."
Guiding Seth over to a nearby sofa he lowers him down and then takes a seat at the other end of the sofa.
-
As Seth and Enoka chat with the two crew members, the Serenity draws closer to its destination. Down in the medbay Vil and Mal speak as the Marshal is patched up.
"So Vil, what brings you all the way out here? Especially while in the company of such fine and upstanding looking citizens."
The Marshal chuckles.
"As fine and upstanding as yourself Mal I would say. Let's just say I am helping out a friend with a....delivery."
The Captain catches the slight hint and nods his head
"Ah....I see, say no more. Well, I can promise you safe travel to Yewanrey, after that...."
"Don't worry about the local guards or any of that. I will see to that."
From a small device on the wall a voice echoes out.
"Mal, we are coming up on Yewanrey. We doing a drop and hook or landing?"
The Captain moves over and hits a button on the side of the device.
"Take us down Wash. I'm being told we shouldn't have any issues with the locals, and if so this would be a good opportunity to restock and whatnot."
Releasing the button he glances over at Simon.
"So Doc, is he good to go yet?"
"I would say so, all patched up. Though I would advise getting into any tumbles or anything until those stitches have had a chance to set in."
Both Mal and Vil head out of the medbay, the Marshal noticing the Technic nearby and gesturing that they were headed topside. Reaching the deck they watch from the railing as the ship lowers down and settles on an open patch of ground a short distance from the walls of Yewanrey. Lowering a gangplank they head down in time to meet a handful of guardsmen. The leader of the group approaches the two men.
"We have no scheduled airship arrivals at this time, nor did we receive any contact noting anything. Explain your business at once."
Vildayvin pulls his coat open slightly, the sunlight glinting off the Marshal badge on his chest.
"Official Marshal business. They have been assisting me, therefore they shall not be harassed and their vessel is exempt from any searches or anything else. Do I make myself clear?"
The guardsman stumbles for a moment, clearly surprised to suddenly be facing a Marshal.
"Y....Yes sir. I do apologize, we will be off now."
With that the guardsmen turn and head back into the city. Letting out a chuckle Malcolm turns towards the Marshal
"I gotta say, it never gets old watching you do that."
"Well...I'm sure you are aware it is not something I do often or without reason. You and yours pulled me and the others out of one hell of a bind, gave us transportation as well as medical aid. I figure this makes us even, especially if you are up to your old tricks."
"Me? Nah, I am a perfect legitimate and honest ship captain."
"Riiiiggghtt."
The two remain at the bottom of the gangplank until they are joined by Seth, Sebastian, and Enoka. Placing a hand on the Captains shoulder the Marshal nods.
"Well Captain, I would say this is the point where we part ways for the time being. Thank you once again for your assistance and may you always keep flying."
Malcolm nods, smiling at the last bit.
"Oh, I can promise we will. Good day Marshal...Sir....Sir....M'am. (He nods at Seth, Sebastian, and Enoka as he passes them."
Vildayvin turns and heads into the town, passing through the streets in a round-about fashion, eventually arriving at the Doctors house once more. Once more Vil simply heads inside, the same old man from before is sitting in one of the chairs.
"Ah Vil, you are back!"
His eyes immediately settle on the case in the lawmans hand
"And successful I take it?"
Nodding Vil places the case on a nearby table. Fiddling with the locks on it he pops the lid and turns it to the doctor. The old man nods and Vil closes the lid. Gramps gets up and walks into the side room and comes out with three purses, the contents inside clinking softly. He hands one to Vil and then one to Seth and the other to Sebastian. He then realizes that Enoka is there.
"Oh, um I do apologize m'am. I am a little busy at the moment. If you would be so kind to wait outside I can see you once I am done with these gentlemen."
Vildayvin waves his hand dismissevely.
"She's with us Gramps. A little bit more muscle we acquired at Southridge."
Vildayvin tosses his purse to Enoka.
"I'll cover her."
"Ahh....well...up to you Marshal. Once again I do appreciate all of your help."
The Marshal nods and gestures to the others to end out the door. Once outside he looks at each of them.
"Well, with that I do believe things are complete. You have each received the agreed upon payment. I do want to thank you all for your assistance, and I do hope some of you have no intention of violating my trust about what was said the last time. There should already be a ticket for each of you at the station should you wish to head back to Brimstone. Perhaps we will meet again, though hopefully not for the wrong reason...."
He gazes at Radobe and Enoka.
"With that said...I believe I will head on over to the tavern. Could use a good drink after all this. Good day to you all."
He slides his goggles up over his eyes and tips his hat to each of them before turning and walking away, a breeze blowing through the street and rustling his long dusty coat.