EXUSIA III: It Pays the Bills SCRAPPED

[Paintcheck]

Droméas drifted through the void as it always did, oblivious to the war that had just recently ended and the fall of the once mighty empire that once controlled it. "Controlled" being used only in the loosest sense of the word that is. For hundreds if not thousands of years Droméas and the rest of the Borderlands were collectively Exusia's shady back alley. Capitalism is the name of the game planetside where even at Exusia's height bribing the port authority and chief of police would only set you back about 2000 credits (provided you behaved yourself somewhat).

Unlike most of the Borderlands Droméas actually has some semblance of infrastructure, likely paid for by the revenue by bribes and kickbacks to various authorities. A decently large city has sprang up around the major space port, Limni, and over the din of ships landing and taking off business is conducted in the various drinking establishments that line the main drag. Popular more due to the noise (it makes bugs unreliable and eavesdropping difficult after all) than the quality of the alcohol if you need to find someone, move something, or get information the bars are the place to go.

Sitting at the bar is an Auroran with a mohawk and tattoos up and down his bare arms. A large pistol hangs on his thigh. He scans newcomers as they enter periodically and waits.

((This is hopefully enough to start people off since I don't want to dictate what people's characters are doing but hint: Rebel and Pistol you guys probably have business in here in terms of cargo. Plunger and Rav you guys are probably here looking for a bounty or 2 (and by that I mean "Rebel and Pistol"). Misha you are probably on break from fixing ships all day. Whyku...I have no fucking clue what you're doing since yo gave me NOTHING to work with in your backstory so think up something likely. Any further questions talk to me or Tom. You guys DO NOT HAVE TO START OUT AS I JUST SAID but it will probably move the story along if you got to that point sooner rather than later :) ))

((Also a note on combat since I forgot to mention it. Combat is going to work in 1 of 2 ways
1. You post an action and someone voluntarily lets you hit them
or
2. You post an action, the next person posts his reaction, and Tom or I decides who injures whom. This is to prevent 10+ page fist fights of people blocking and dodging constantly while everyone else waits for the story to progress. Ideally you will talk in Steam Friends or PMs BEFORE fighting each other so you can post 1 complete fight scene at once rather than 10 1 sentence "I punch at him" "I kick at him" "I duck" posts.

Against NPCs this rule is not all that crucial just try to be realistic or let Tom and I handle the outcomes please))

[meetdadoom]

Chip is currently wearing a gray jumpsuit with grease stains on his face. He is wielding his two six shooters just in case.

*Chip steps up to the old rusting bar. He see's through the gleem of light, silohuettes of men laughing and enjoying their time. He takes a wiff and smells the putrid smell emitting from the bar. He thinks to himself " At least the drinks are cheap?". He opens the bar door with one hand when he stops mid opening. He glances down and notices his hand gripping his six shooter. He reluctantly let's go and then exhales.  He opens the bar door and walks inside slowly, scanning the people. He makes quick eye contact with the ragged fellow with the tattoos and makes a mental note of the man looking most hostile. He finally parks himself in the middle of the bar table and orders a glass of whiskey. As he waits for his drink, he looks up and pretends to watch the T.v while he listens in on the latest gossip.*

[deluxulous]

Quentin strolls in casually, arms swinging lightly at his sides but with a purposeful stride. He quickly scans the crowd as he walks along. His wrinkled, somewhat loose fitting clothes (jeans and an old red t-shirt) sway with each step. Spotting an empty stool, he walks to it and takes a seat. Ordering a drink, he waits patiently.

[whyku]

Adam Forwin is wearing a long black trench coat with the hood up, The sniper on his back is clearly visible nothing else can be seen.


Adam walks in and takes a sit in the back of the bar.

[Rebel6609]

Alsar steps down from his ship quickly glancing at his PDA before pocketing it. Hes approached by his "friend" the ship inspector. They greet with a handshake as Alsar nonchalantly slides a few credits into his hand with a smile as he pats the mans back. "I'm sure you'll find me legal, huh Jer?" Alsar casually remarks. "Heh, keep paying my bills and you're as legal as you want to be Al". Alsar exits the port and looks around at the city before continuing to the bar where hes supposed to meet a contact. He stands in front of the entrance to the bar as he checks his PDA one last time before pocketing it and walking it.

He strides in the bar with an overcoat that looks like hes hiding something and approaches a lone table off to the far side of the room and sits. Peering across the room at low-lives, drunkards, criminals, and the bounty hunters searching for such criminals his eyes stop at Quentin who's ordering a drink. He quickly checks his PDA once more and nods pocketing it. "Yeah.. thats him..." he thought to himself.

[deluxulous]

Quentin begins drumming his fingers on the bar, impatiently. He looks up and down for the bartender, and finally relaxes as he reappears with the drink. Quentin thanks him and slides him some money, indicating that he wasn't staying long. Quentin begins sipping lightly, while listening around him, interested in what the other less than legal inhabitants had to say. He looks around him casually, observing the people around him more carefully.

[Paintcheck]

((I was going to wait for Plunger but I think you guys probably want to move on sooooooooo Plunger can post whenever he gets his shit together and apparently Rav is waiting for him soooo let's move on.))

The Auroran at the bar downs the rest of his foul-smelling drink, wipes his mouth on the back of his hand and eyes Quinten and Alsar as they walk in. He waits for them to seat themselves, looking over the rest of the patrons for anything amiss. The obvious loner in the trench coat catches the Auroran's eye and he makes a mental note to keep tabs on him. People sitting alone and dressed like that usually end up shooting up the place, at least in his experience. From the trenchcoated man his eyes sweep to Chip, noting the obvious Gunslinger hardware on the man. He sends a scowl his way Aurora won when it mattered, Gunslinger. Look at you now... he thinks as he approaches Al's  table.

Seating himself without introduction he begins to speak in accented Exusian.

"Alsar after your previous fuck up I have no idea why we are hiring you again but that is not my concern." He waves Quinten over, seeing that for some reason he does not appear to be moving on his own.

"We have stuff that needs to be moved as usual and I guess you were the only one nearby. Well, you and him," he says with a nod over at Quinten.

"Because your dumbass managed to get on even Exusia's crumbling "No Fly" list we have a ship for you already loaded. You and Quinten over there need to get it to Isis. I will explain more when he gets his ass over here."


Over at the bar the Lowborn bartender fills up a glass and slides it to Chip. "Rather strange mix of apparel you have there. Not sure Gunslinger guns are supposed to be worn by grease monkeys."

[meetdadoom]

*Chip stops pretending to watch the t.v and watches as the glass slides effortlessly across the bar table towards him. He takes a powerful gulp of the whiskey and sets the glass down with force. He wipes his mouth and turns his attention to the bartender. His face reddens a little bit   (from a mixture of strong alcohol and fear)  after the Bartender points out his six shooters. He quickly thinks up of the many excuses he has said and spurts one out. *


"My Boss let's me borrow these shooters when I go out to town." Chip then adds after a small (but, ackward) pause " You never know when a wannabe preacher tries to start a genocide or a honey bunny and pumpkin want to point a loaded one while I eat my Dromeasen Omelette."

*Chip then goes back to "watching" the T.v which happens to be advertising a cheaply made Zombie Movie filmed in Dromeas.*

[whyku]

Adam rests his head on his hand and starts fiddling with a string from his coat, he seem bored.

He grows tired of the string fast and gets up moving to the bar to order his drink. (He sits away from the others)
He starts fiddling with the string as he waits fro the barkeep.

[Plunger]

(Sorry for the wait, had to get home.)

Red brushes his side against the door keeping his hands at his sides as he does so, pushing his way into the musty, and grimy bar. Stopping for a moment by the door he looks around, taking in the sights, the people, wondering who out of them he can bring in for a nice old reward. He quickly picks out a booth at the opposite end, making his way across the bar towards it with a casual stride to his step, and pushing his way past some of the more drunken, and unsavory customers. Finally arriving at the booth he takes a seat, sliding into the far corner of it before settling in, and scanning the crowds, looking for any bounty heads. Red pats his pockets quickly, checking that his trusty Vulkan handgun is still in his holster, and that his money, and ID are all in order, having not been nabbed by a pickpocket on his way by like before. Perking his ears up he listens to the conversations going on nearby, hoping to be tipped off on any outlaws in the area, or anyone with a particularly large bounty, though always keeping his eyes on the television screen as not to draw to much to much attention. Cowboys aren't to well liked around these parts so he keeps his hand ready, in case anything gets interesting, and runs his other hand through his hair letting out a deep sigh, one of boredom, and tiredness. A waitress walks over, seeming to be in her mid-forties, and slightly overweight, leaning over the table lazily, uninterested in the job. She quickly spits out a disgruntled, "What can I get for ya' hun.", and holds the pen, and pad of paper ready, itching to get out of the rowdy crowd taking refuge in the bar. Red tilts his head back for a moment in thought, checking his near empty wallet for his money, "Eh, I'll just take some water, I'd rather not crash my starship today.", he bluffs, not wishing to explain that his lack of money is that bad. She gives a disgruntled nod, and slips the pen, and pad into her apron, walking to the back of the bar, and into the kitchen as Red turns his gaze back to the television screen. Sighing Red reaches into his coat pocket, pulling out a cigarette, and small lighter, sliding the cigarette into the corner of his mouth, and cupping his hand over it while he lights it. Taking a long drag he pockets the lighter. Just then the waitress returns, holding a small tin mug of water. She pounds it on the table rougly, sloshing around the liquid, and holds a hand out expectantly. He counts out the money, and gives his eyes distastefully behind her back as she slinks back to the bar. Red cycles back, and forth between his drink, and cigarette often, breathing wisps of smoke out of the far corner of his mouth, into the center of the already smoke filled bar.. After a couple minutes go by, growing bored by the silence, he pulls out a small communicator, and holds it to his mouth. "Hey Jacko, how's it comin' with the info, everyone in here looks like a fuckin' convict already, I think our intel was fucked up. I don't know how were supposed to find anyone in this goddamn mess.". He lets go of the button after he says his bit, waiting for a reply from Jacko as he continues taking a drags from his cigarette, and sipping on the cold tap water, a thin of taste of tin remaining on his lips after each one. Suddenly he stops overhearing the words, 'No Fly', and tilts his head back towards the group, listening in, and smirking to himself as he hears about what sounds like a smuggling deal. Still grinning to himself he takes another drag, mumbling, "Time to get some payback on those Auroran assholes, and get payed at the same time. What could be better then that.". He tilts his head to the group, watching with the corner of his eye, and every once in a while, looking at the bar door for any newcomers. Slipping a hand into his pocket he pulls out a small photo of a squad of riflemen wearing Exusia standard armor, and equipped with the basic gear. Written on the bottom of the photo is, Kent, Red, Manard, and Jed, with all but Reds name crossed out. He looks at the picture momentarily with a frown, before looking back at the Aurorans. With a sigh he slips the photo back into his pocket, and flicks the cigarette into the ash tray sitting on his table, putting it out immediately. Pulling out his communication device again he leans on his right hand, speaking into it quietly, "Yo' Jacko, we've got a couple of smugglers, working for the Aurorans in the bar, they'll fetch a nice enough price that we can finally use to afford some more ammo for the ship, get the weapons ready just in case, and meet me inside, check the booth in the corner, I'll be alone. Oh, and by the way, there are bout fifty fucking trenchcoats in here, so I'm pretty sure everyone's packing, let's try not to start another bar fight this time.". With that he lets it roll back into his sleeve, and leans back, keeping his ears towards the group, interest peaked for the rest of the conversation.

[Paintcheck]

((Holy wall of text Plunger. When PistolKid and Rav post I will move this along a bit further but right now I will just give Misha and Whyku some stuff to do.))

The bartender looks at Vulcan/Chip incredulously.  "Your boss is a Gunslinger?" he says, shaking his head at the obvious lie and turns to the new patron, the weird guy with the string.

"What do you want to drink, bud?"


Seated near the door with his back to the wall is a tall man built like an athlete. His hair is short and dark brown, almost black. He wears a t shirt and pants with no visible guns or other weapons. He watches the people come and go disinterested until he sees Chip's guns. He strides over to the bar and sits next to him

"Your guns are obvious. If you're trying to hide you're doing it wrong." he says in a low, deep voice.

[deluxulous]

Quentin looks out the corner of his eye, spotting the man waving him over. He stares into his drink for a moment in thought, then downs it. He slowly gets up, looks towards the TV for a moment, and slowly strides to the table. He looks up, down and all around before taking a seat unexpectedly and quickly. Speaking in a low, hushed tone he says "Quickly, boys. No time for chit chat, there's no telling who's a cowboy around here." He glances behind him again for a security check. Satisfied, he returns his attention to the group.

[Rebel6609]

Sorry for the late reply

*Alsar sighs as he speaks to the Aurorian as Quentin is walking over.
"Listen, what happened was not my fault. Someone was tracking me and knew where I was going and when. I still got the cargo there, just not all of it. I should have charged extra to fix my damn ship."

*after Quentin speaks*

Alsar turns towards the Aurorian and speaks in a hushed voice aswell

"Just transfer the mission details to us and we can discuss this else where. I'm not taking chances after last time."

[meetdadoom]

*Chip, noticing the bartender occupied with the psycho fiddling his string. He takes another strong gulp and says in a quite and calm voice says "And what are you supposed to be? An ex-rebel trying to get revenge? Aurorian bounty hunter?"

[Plunger]

Obviously he is referring to the character I had walk up and talk to him in my previous post. Use SF if there is confusion like this please.

I'm in my classes, so that's not an option.

[Ravanger]

Jacko makes his way to the bar only a short distance away as his communicator sounds faintly in his pocket as he takes it out hearing Red's message as he sends back. "Alright man I'll be in that hole in a sec, also man information being a bit of a bitch but from what you tell me I think we can get a better picture once I get inside the 'bee hive'. Yeah so make sure you don't take all the 'honey' before I get in."

Seeing the bar as he looks up he takes the short path to the bar as he reaches the bar door putting away his communication device. Then he quickly moves his necklace under the cover of his shirt not wanting to risk it getting stolen or drawing a lot of attention. A man comes up as he lets him pass into the bar as he follows in behind the man into the bar as he opens the bar door. Adjusting his coat and ensuring his vest is ready and coat zipped up as he walks in.

He steps into the bar wiping off some grime from his face adjusting his coat ensuring his .357 is in place by faintly feeling the side of his coat hoping to not draw any attention  as he heads inside looking about in the crowded and scum filled bar. Jacko seems to fit in with the look of a relative scumbag so it would seem he would generally fit in to the lowly bar. He looks around eyes squinting and bandana over his brow as he makes his way towards Red's booth with slow strides giving a good look around the bar to get a decent visual of those around as he reaches the booth Red is in. He takes a sit on the other end of the booth that red is in as he looks to him acknowledging him as he moves back to scanning the bar a bit.

[whyku]

*Speaks to the Barkeep*
Miss, may I get a glass of beer?

*Barkeep: Sure thing hun* *The barkeep brings out a bottle and a glass pouring his drink*

*Pulls out his wallet setting down the amount that is needed and begins to speak as he takes a small sip*

Do you know of any work that needs to be done miss?

[Paintcheck]

The Auroran favors Al with a scowl "You are lucky to be alive, do not push it Exusian." He then addresses both of them,

"One of the rising stars of the post-Exusian world is a man named Amore who I am sure you've heard of. He is working on taking Isis to be his own and needs guns to do it. He is paying quite well but Isis isn't exactly the safest place so most of our competent smugglers are not willing to risk it. That leaves you, Alsar. Quentin I know has experience running guns so he is contracted to help you with this.

There is a freighter in hangar 94, the guns are being loaded now. You are to land at the main settlement there and someone will meet you to offload the stuff. Assuming you live through the trip, of course. Any questions?"


At the bar the man talking to Chip chuckles and replies in accented (though passable) Auroran "I have spent time in Auroran space, yeah" before switching back to Exusian which is obviously his native language "Looking for information actually about Amore. The war is over but I still want him dead. Was wondering if maybe you were attempting to do the same, Gunslinger."


The bartender (who is MALE Whyku, read more carefully. Their is a waitress taking orders. The guy behind the bar is a...well guy) looks at him "Always jobs to be found if you look hard enough" he replies cautiously.

[whyku]

*Nods, as he takes a sip of his wine*

[meetdadoom]

*Chip looks at the last of his drink and sighs. "Yeah I know of him alright. Listen partner, I havn't been no Deputy since the brass fell. Your going to have to give me a lot of convincin' if you want me to help out." He takes the last gulp of his whiskey. "To tell you the truth, I already live with a python under my pillow. Don't want to start keepin a mounted machine gun under my pillow any time soon." *

[Plunger]

Red tilts his head over as Jacko enters, centering his gaze on the man, grinning he leans in, talking to Jacko in a quiet tone, "What took you so long, taking a piss break on the job, how's the ships weapons? Good enough to not jam like last time?". He nods his back at the group discussing the business before leaning forward, and speaking in a hushed tone, "I'm sure they're in on a smuggling job right now, heard some shady shit from the sparse words they were speaking. You're packing right? Get ready to shade them when they leave.". With that he returns his head to the booth seat, listening back in on the group, awaiting Jackos reply.

[Ravanger]

( My original post bugged for some reason and lost it, so I had to remake it real quick.)
Jacko listens to him as he responds in a hushed voice "Yeah..Yeah I had to walk through all the homeless junkies near this hole but I made it, they should hold up for a little awhile but I am not betting on it.... The guns that is not the junkies in the alley."

Looks around as he speaks to him.

"I suspect bro we can have our little cannon fixed up once we bag us some shit-stains, as for heat I have strapped got my lucky blaster and some backup, also I am ready for this so no worries."

[deluxulous]

Quentin listens with interest, finally nodding. "Is that all? I'm itching to get going." He shifts in his chair uneasily.

[whyku]

*Adam Finishes off his drink and turns to look over the others in the bar.* *Sighs*
*Looks at the people at the table then the others at the booth*

[Paintcheck]

The Auroran looks at Quentin "Yes that is all if you have no questions"


At the bar the stranger gives Chip a weird look similar to what the bartender gave him "Very...inconspicuous" he says sarcastically as his eyes pan over the room. He notices the nervous-looking Exusians at the table with the tat'd Auroran and makes a note to keep an eye on them.

"You see any interesting ships? Any interesting cargo?" he asks after a pause.