Cowboy Bebop: Demiurge

[Jacobo_Curious]

Dear Diary,

Quiet.

Do you hear that?

It's silence.

Beyond our world is the vast emptiness known as space. Nothing can survive out there. Space is a vaccum, an emptiness that cannot be filled. In space, there is no oxygen, no friction, no sound. Just silence. The silence of peace. The silence of death.

We, as a people, cannot survive in space. We build ourselves homes where we are safe, tucked away from the vast emptiness that is beyond us, looking away from it to focus on our own lives. We, as a people, constantly strive to fill ourselves, to fulfill ourselves, living quickly and impatiently, and either dying unsatisfied or resigning ourselves to the fact that the emptiness inside of us is just as real and as necessary as the emptiness that cradles our planets, our cities, our homes.

We, as a people, cannot have silence. We surround ourselves with our needs and our desires and strive for perfection -- strive to feel the voids inside of us. Some search for so-called "inner peace". Some envelop themselves in a life of pure hedonism. Most simply involve themselves in day-to-day working life so they don't have time to think about such wide-ranging and unnecessary questions. They all die the same. Human. Flawed by necessity and perfect in a way that only the universe itself could understand.

But some refuse life.

In life, that which is whole must be broken, and that which is broken must become whole. A cycle of life and death -- of love and strife. People have crises and are happy. People run away and then must return. No one is immune. Emptiness is death, and action is life. Life is running away from our emptiness, and throwing things in its path. But we all die. The cycle, even if it is meaningless, is always there, and the wheel will always turn. And no one can survive the chaos of their own so-called egos, their deluded and desire-infected minds, alone.

But some try.

Wait... do you hear that?

Yes. It's silence.

Don't listen too long. You'll go crazy.

And then you'll die.


***


Lena May was committing suicide.

Then she put out her cigarette on the control panel.

Admittedly, it was a lengthy, painful, and habit-forming kind of suicide. But at least it was socially accepted -- at least in comparison to the more merciful kind. And that's what counts.

Right, Lena?

"I don't even like these anyway," she said to herself, tossing the pack of cigarettes over her shoulder. "They taste bad."

The more expensive ones probably taste better.

"Bullshit. I'm eating smoke."

You're also talking to yourself.

"Fuck you."

Actually, you'd better stop. I hear it makes you go blind. Or is that only for boys?

Even Lena couldn't stand silence. So she talked to the rational voice inside of her that kept babbling on -- the thing most people call their mind. It holds memories, which give you personality and knowledge, and also lies a lot through what's called "perception". The funny thing was, Lena knew something that most people didn't seem to recognize:

She really was just arguing with herself.

"I can't escape it. I am you, aren't I? However much I try to hope that I have my own personality, that I have some sort of center, that you're some sort of ghost to my machine that advises me, I really am just you, aren't I?"

Well, it doesn't seem that way, does it? I mean, you're talking to me. But it's not like I can disagree with you or anything.

"Weren't you just lecturing me on masturbation?"

Yeah. What of it?

"I think this is masturbation too. I'm going to stop arguing with myself."

Lena May closed her eyes slightly, raised her eyebrows, and leaned upward to look at the metal ceiling of her ship, the Pleroma. Her straight dark hair fell back behind her chair and curled around her tanned skin, complementing her white t-shirt and blue jeans. She was probably of Hawaiian ancestry, but she had never seen the place. Martian, through and through. Ugh.

Not even two months, and she was already talking aloud. Maybe she hoped someone would hear her.

"I'd scream, but you know, it's really only fun when other people can hear."

Silence.

"You know, how ever much I hate to admit it, I just can't stand this. Why do I need other people? If I just stayed here, nobody would hurt me, and I wouldn't hurt anybody. There's always a balance, right? Helping someone hurts someone else, right? So why not just sit back and let everything be equal? It's what's going to happen anyway."

That's why you became a bounty hunter, though, right? To make things equal.

"I can't even call myself that. I haven't done jack shit. And you know why? Because I'm alone. I'm fucking alone, and I can't do anything by myself. I need help. Isn't that just the ultimate irony? I get out here just to remove myself from the ups and downs, and I feel the urges to drag myself back in."

Everyone needs to leave once in a while, but they always go back.

"I feel so pathetic."

You should. But don't worry. So's everyone else. So you're fine by comparison.

"Not good enough."

Yes, it is.

Silence.

"I'm going back. I'll need some help for this one. My fund will cover me for a few more years, but it can't stop me from getting bored."

Or hoping.

"Whatever."

Maybe with a bit of noise you'll stop being insane. At least you'll stop bothering me so much.

"Right. And you can get back to bothering me all the damn time."

Lena changed course.

"I'm not crazy, by the way."

You're not now.

 

[hybirdx]

(Ty)

Ty just laid there. As usaul, he shut himself from the world, not wanting company from anyone, or anything but himself, most likely the only one who would understand him. "2 months, 2 fucking months I have stuck on this planet, stuck in this hotel... But I can't go anywhere unless my ship is fixed... and in order for ship to be fixed, I need alot of money... And in order to get that kind of money, I need an decent bounty damnit!" Ty sat up, and got out of bed. He walked torwards the mirror, and looked at himself

"*sigh* So bored..... Its been an year since I caught an bounty, most of the big ones are already caught before I get an chance. And now I'm stuck here... Talking to myself...."

For an moment Ty stood silent staring at himself. But he began to chuckle, which broke out into an sadistic laughter. After a few minutes he calmed himself down, and glared right back at the mirror with an evil smirk. "I'm so pathetic..."

Ty pushed himself away from the mirror for his own safety; insaulting himself would only pull him into an deeper depression, and he knew it. "I need to get out..." Ty shoved his hands in his pockets and walked over to his jacket. He grabed his jacket and taken out his walet. "Lets see what I have... seventy bucks... Good enough for a few drinks and another week in this hell hold..." Ty stood there for an minute, then he shruged "Eh... Works for me!"

 

[Khadgar]

Gear Tecnar

Gear nailed the dusty ground hard. there was no gentle way about how he was being treated. spitting the grit from his teeth he got off his belly and to his knees. only to be kicked in the ribs to the ground again. Deciding that the settling dust was beter than a broken body, he stayed down, and only grunted as the five people used him as a step off the ship.

Gear opened his eyes as the last bootstep faded out of earshot. Rolling into his side and looking up at the sky he coughed and wiped the blood off his cheek. "good afternoon Mars"

Finding he could stand, he walked back inside the ship. It was strange to him, wasn't his. some friendly asshole camy by and picked the crew of the "Immaculate" up five and a half hours before their lifesupport reached critical. this was three days ago. and he could still feel the agonizing wrench of his body being hung by his wrists from the celing piping.

Gear grimaced as he walked down the corridors of the parge cargo vessel. It really wasn't his fault that the Immacualte had been destroyed. He set the course for Mars, returning to see if some small scale locals could be hunted, the crew was getting desperate. but anyway, as soon as he'd done that, someone started pounding on the bulkhead, probably Red, that fat Bastard. it wasn't the size of Red that bothered him, it was the bastard part. but the voices carried demands of diner.

If Gear was from the Nav room to the Kitchen, could he really steer the ship? He certainly didn't think so. especially when as soon as he sat down to food himself a mop was tossed into his lap.

Gear sighed and remembered the crash, they had nailed a goods trawler. the driver figured it might have been his fault or somethign, and since the trawler was somthign like 8 times larger, with little damage, the guy took off.

Gear finally found the ready room for the captain of the cargo ship.
thats where the hanging came in. He was the Navigator, it was his fault. or so the crew thought. Gear swore under his breath, how was he supposed to be a driver, cook and janitor? not to mention poersonal slave to five people. it was pretty simple, either he does what he's told, or be overpowered by five people and tossed out the airlock.

he took some beatings, and starved untill another good vessel came by, the crew was let abord, and saw the ship from the outside, the Immacualte would never make it home, and if it was towed? it would never make it to a mechanic. pooled together everyones credits might pay for a new bridge.... barely. so now, he was out of work, and out of a life. the only smiles brought to his face were from knowing those moron's were out of a career for soem time too, and that he was walking out of the trawler again, but this time with a pocketful of cash. not his of course, but he payed for it in blood.

he needed to find a ship, and a crew, a fresh crew, so if they stomped on him, he'd break their arms. and not get shot doing so. Newbie crews were dangerous though. either you played ti too safe, and died of starvation, or you went into something you wern't ready for, and died.

Gear opened up the door to a jobs center, or something, he hadn't bothered looking for what the place actually specified in. he let his foot come down heavily, sending dirt and dust streaming fromhis shoulders, and wipedthe blood trickling down the corner of his mouth with his sleeve. leaning over the table and looking the person dead-pan in the face. "hey, i want to post a resume, one that will be read."

The clerk looked up with an "i'm tired of dealing with you scum look," but stopped when she saw the bleeding bruised face, and look of danger in his eyes, at the exact moment the people that had been staring at him left, and a drop of blood dripped off his chin, and into her cup of java. she leaned back some and tried on a smile. "it all depends on the type of job you're looking for, i er.... can of course try helping you in any field though."

Gear smiled, only causing his lip to split further, and paint the counter further. "Good, i'm a bounty hunter, skill in navigation, technical maitenance, repairs, all the like, i can run a ship. i've brought in six warented dangerous criminals, their names aren't necessary. do what you can with that."

She looked up from the pad and nodded. "the way this looks, i can post it up there, place easy to find,i can gussy it up so it's a little more imporessive, but they way we're looking here, you seem like a high class hunter. shouldn't be a problem."

Gear nodded and payed for the ad, even gave a nice tip for her work, and left the building. heading around to the corner where he slumped up against the wall and grabbed his mouth. that REALLY hurt. his hard concrete eyebrows shattered and his face contorted itno one of pain, his body bent once more, from a proud rock, to a crippled stick.

Checking into a hotel, a cheap one, basically with rooms like coffins, he sat down, and ate a meal at the restauraunt. filling his growling stomache, and letting his wounds close. he'd take care of some buisness, find some friends, take a break from his pounding and relax, then come and check up on the ad in a few days. yeah, sounded like a good enough plan to him. maybe some new clothes, a beter weapon, he DID have a bit of money anyways....

 

[4U2Notice]

Ahh, the life of a bounty hunter.

Sitting in the same bar, full of rats and weasels who'd rather drown out the world in their drinks then face up to it like a man.

Though I guess I'm not one to be talking.

This is the type of place where you forget abut everything... the smoke numbs your sight, smell and taste, and the beer takes care of everything else. Unless you're like me, and you're here to find someone that wants you to capture, kill, or hurt an adversary. Mercs have no morals when money is involved. It isn't that easy anymore, after the miltary, after your hopes were flushed down the giant scummy toilet that life is.

Don't you remember when money was all that mattered?

You know the past doesn't matter anymore. The bounty is your life now. You don't need the money, you just need a reason for living.

The cigarette burns more. Flick into the tray. Sparks shine bright and fade out.

Remember when you had a reason to live? You remember, I know you do... you had people you loved, but they're gone now, and it's your fault, all your....

Shut up.

That doesn't matter now.... none of it does. The eye is gone, cuz life took it so you didn't have to see any more of this dirt and garbage that you answer to. I swear if I see much more, the other one'll be gone, and then it'll just be you. You know you're not any different than them. You're the one that does their dirty work.

Better than being on the receiving end.

The barkeep walks up after refilling the lonely man's drink. Hate to have his job... no excitement.

No matter how bad your life is, there are cat food testers and mine field clearers that have a life exponentially fucking worse than yours.

"How's business, Don?" Heh. Business.

"Gonna be a job anytime now, I'm sure.... but this time it'll be different. No more of this trash. There'll be someone that'll walk through that creaky door, and it'll be just like it was in the forces. Life'll be better than ever, the money'll roll in and I'll never walk back into a bin like this again."

"Really?"

"Yeah."

"I'll be damned. When did you start drinking?"

So much for dreams. Take another drag.

"Go back to inebriating the masses."

Put the cig out and ditch it. Since I'm on such a damn new leaf, maybe today's my quitting day. Stop smoking, stop wallowing, and stop associating with garbage.

"Hey one-eye!"

Look over. Stupid punk, mid-twenties. Ignorant little snot.

Like you used to be?

Shut up.

"Got a job for you..."

"It involve killing or maiming?"

"Uhh..... yeah..."

"Go hire a hitman. I got better things to do."

Walks off, pissed that I'm not scum like him.

The dirt moves and shuffles, the smoke turns and cycles. That's life. Your dream job doesn't walk through the door. Neither does your soul mate or a rich man giving out money. Dreams are for horoscope readers and innocent bystanders that get killed every other second when they don't pay attention. Life's a bastard, and you either deal or you jump out a window.

Take out the pack, pull out another cancer stick and light up.

Aren't you on a new leaf?

Fuck it.

 

[Sky Jade]

Boredom. Sheer Boredom.

That was what Rikka was feeling as she sat on a bench in the space port and looked up at the stars. She watched the ships move to and fro out of the docking bay as she sighed. This was not what she imagined things would be like so far.

Two months ago her court-martial had been held down on Mars, and she was left out in the cold then. Her father had given her enough money to get to the space port and onto a transport one-way. Things didn't go exactly as planned because she didn't have a clue on where she was going to go when she got to the space station.

She had to blow the money she was given on food and clothes since she didn't have enough to get by. Without money, she was stranded. Taking matters into her own hands, she was able to lift couple credit chips from their owners. It was pointless for her to try and leave the station so she didn't have any place to go yet.

"Such a bright idea to stick around here."

Think of any place better? Why not try your hand at bounty hunting?

"That would require a ship, which would be out of my price range right now."

So? Find someone to join up with.

"Like who? And why am I even arguing wityh myself about this? It's not going to get me anywhere at this point."

She smirked and closed her eyes as the people milled passed her.

 

[Abraxas Winterlight]

Alexan

Promethius, you are clear to dock in shuttlebay four

Thats what I had been waiting for. Two weeks on this job. Two weeks tracking down the little peckerhead, and he was one shady little man too. Didn't matter, he was meat in the end, like all the others.
I finally docked the shuttle, pulled on the various things I use to make peoples day a lot more misrable, and lastly picked up the black dufflebag & headed out the hatch. Twenty minutes later I was at my employers office. The guards had given me some serious looks, as I was armed and carrying a bag, but the look I gave them back calmed the puppies down. They knew a wolf when they saw one.
It took a few minutes for the bimbo in front of his office to let me in, but she eventually did her job & let me in to see tha big man. Time for me to collect my pay.
"Ahhh, Mr. Rosantha, I see you have returned. I take it there was no trouble taking care of my little problem?"
I tossed the bag on his desk, which landed with a meaty "hump".
"Here is your proof. I expect the money to be in my account within the hour, or I'll be back, and not in such a good mood."
I turned and left, he would figure out what to do with the proof he required. He was a bright boy.
An hour later i was five thousand credits richer, and headed to the bar. A few minutes later, I was at a table, enjoying the fruits of my labors and trying to think up reasons to stay alive.

 

[Jacobo_Curious]

It didn't take long to get back to Mars. It was almost embarassing, in fact, as to how close she was to the planet. So much for being isolated.

Most people got out of her way. You could tell what that glint was. That glint was strength. Not a lot of people had it. There's no strength without weakness, and only people who accept their weakness have that glint...

Some people, though, who do not know weakness yet, cannot recognize the glint.

As she rounded a corner, exiting the docking area, a young man, probably a temp worker, almost ran into her. "Oh, excuse me!" he said, smiling widely, a cigarette in his hand. Lena nodded sharply and stepped out of his way, but he smoothly stepped in again. "Hey, wait, sweetness," he said, "where are you heading so fast?"

"Out," she said, looking expressionlessly into his eyes.

He chuckled, shaking his head. Smiling, he laid a hand softly on her shoulder, gentle enough not to be considered assault, but hard enough to keep her from going anywhere.

"Out? By yourself? It's dangerous. Why don't you go out with me, instead?"

Lena took a quick glance around. There was practically no one in this area, except a blonde girl who didn't seem to be paying much attention...

He saw her looking around and smirked, assuming she was looking for help.

He was wrong.

She was looking for witnesses.

Shrug and duck to avoid the grip. Then, one palm strike to the face, and they don't notice the reverse elbow to the solar plexus coming. When they double over, knee them in the face, and reverse to hit them with your wrist in a White Crane Opens Its Wings, a Tai Chi maneuver. After that, it's simple enough to step forward, place your foot smoothly behind theirs, and shove. They'll topple.

He did too. Eyes wide, blood oozing slowly from his lip, he stared up at her merciless expression.

"You touched me, so I consider that reasonable force." She shook her hair back and smiled slightly, a small crook in her mouth. "Though, I must admit, that wasn't a bad line."

He grimaced, and jerked his head to the side. Two figures faded from the background to surround her from behind.

"You got to be kidding," said Lena, her voice low.

"Not at all," said the young man, slowly rising to his feet. "My father's very important in this area..."

"Well, at least it will be quite publicized when they find you dead," she said calmly. "I'm sure you'd like that."

Bravado. They're going to kick my ass, and then... oh, man, and right after I leave my ship, too. I'm really not in the mood for a real fight, either...

The two other men were taking casual stances, so they were probably at least somewhat professional. Good, because they might not allow any shit. Bad, because they were probably damn good. Better than her.

If I just had a distraction...

 

[Sky Jade]

True, her eyes were closed, but that didn't mean she wasn't paying attention. At the first sound of fight going on, she opened her eyes a little. She lifted her hands up above her head and strecthed for a moment. She wiggled her fingers a little, the black fingerless gloes she wore allowed her plenty of movement to work.

She watched the other girl handle herself with the worker and then took her time getting up as the other two guys appeared without noticing Rikka. Another second and she cracked her neck softly before clearing her throat.

"You know boys, two on one isn't exactly fair. What do you say I even the odds up a little."

She gave a brief smile to the other girl before she ducked a punch from the nearest guy.

"Aww, too slow."

As she spoke, the palm of her right hand shot upwards catching the guy off-guard. She hit him square in the middle of his chest and stumbled backwards holding his chest.

"It's not nice to beat up ladies, or did your father not teach you that?"

She smirked as she took up a loose fighting stance looking to the man who had mentioned his father.

 

[Jacobo_Curious]

I don't think I've had such good luck in quite a while.

"This isn't important. Let's break!"

Lena spun, ducking under a strike attempt by the man who accosted her and kicking him in the stomach, winding him for the second time and splaying him on the ground. Shoving the second bodyguard back while the first recovered, she grabbed Rikka's hand and started running.

They didn't follow. It wasn't worth it, and reporting the incident wouldn't do anything to help the two girls.

Lena didn't stop until they were out of the docks, and then she sighed, leaning back against a wall. She was breathing slowly, and didn't even appear to be sweating, surprisingly.

"Thanks. I appreciate your help."

She shook out her hair again, pulling it back with her hands, and then smiled. She leaned down and pulled a gun out of her boot, twirling it around once with her fingers.

"Corpses are hard to get rid of."

She pushed the gun back in her boot, stowing it away completely, before turning to the blonde girl.

"You look like you know how to handle yourself. What's your name?" She turned back to the street. "Talk while we walk, why don't you. I'll treat you to a drink. I have to go to the bar, anyway -- I figure I might be able to hire somebody there."

 

[Sky Jade]

Rikka blinked for a moment as Lena suddenly grabbed her hand and began running. She figured that Lena might have wanted to do a little more damage than what she had, but Rikka ran after her anyways.

Rikka strecthed her fingers out for a moment and nodded.

"No problem. Their kind of behavior couldn't go unchecked."

She giggled for a moment as she watched Lena play with her gun and then put it up. She reached into her back pocket and pulled out the wallet she had swiped from the first guy before attacking him.

"That mat be true, but they don't always need their money."

She tossed the wallet to Lena before turning to face her fully. Her eyes were different from normal. Her pupils and irises were one solid black and then a green spiral was in the middle of each eye.

"My name's Rikka Kuro. I used to be in the Space Military before I got discharged."

She stood up straighter and glanced into the bar.

"Well, let's go have that drink."

 

[Jacobo_Curious]

Lena stared, somewhat surprised, at the wallet in her hands.

"A military girl and a thief, hmm?"

She smiled at Rikka as they approached the bar. "Tell you what. I'm a bounty hunter, and I'm going after a target that I don't think I can handle alone, but that I want to get rid of. Are you interested in working with me? I'm planning on splitting the rewards equally with all of my team members... and it will be nice to have another girl on the ship. You don't meet too many women that can fight like you."

She looked down at the wallet, opened it, chuckled, and took out almost four-hundred wulongs in cash, offering it to Rikka.

"If you join, how's this for advance pay? Along with the drink."

 

[Sky Jade]

"Yep, I was also trained as a medic while I was in the military as well."

She took the seat and smiled nodding at Lena's offers. She took the money and pocketed it quickly.

"Actually I was looking for a chance to get out of this place of boredom. I was left with only a small amount from my father when I was discharged two months ago. It seems they didn't take too kindly to a theif among their midst. I also have a few connections if you ever need access in any way. I would be happy to join up."

Since Rikka had almost became a regular to the bar, the bartender had her drink ready and at her place shortly. She sipped her drink as she looked around the bar.

"So what's the plan?"

 

[Jacobo_Curious]

They entered and sat, and Rikka explained her situation.

Lena ordered iced tea.

"Looks like there are a few bounty hunters around here. We should be able to pick up some people with talent. I'm going to use discretion, though. I'd rather have a small team of people I can trust than a larger team of people who are more likely to shoot me in the back than watch my back."

She smiled gently, looking down into her drink.

"I'm glad you're a medic. I've found I have talent for piloting, and I'm relatively good at bossing people around without making them angry--" Here she chuckled. "--but I need a person with knowledge of the ship's computers. The Pleroma is my baby, but I don't know her strengths yet. I think we'll be able to track down the person I'm looking for with the computers, because I think I know where he's staying and I don't think anyone else does, but I don't know how to do that yet. Also, I need some more artillery. I'm a good shot, but nobody can shoot someone sneaking up behind them." She smirked, taking a sip of the tea.

"Needs more lemon, I think."

Everything needs more lemon to you. You're just a sour girl.

"Funny," she said under her breath, barely moving her lips, "I haven't talked to myself for a whole ten minutes..."

<<--->>

He wiped the blood off his lip, standing in front of the door to the bar.

"Sir," said one of his bodyguards, "is this necessary?"

"Yes, sir," said the other. "Is this really important to you?"

"Yes, you useless bastards!" the young man snapped. "We're going to get them out here and fuck them up! Nobody does that to Elwyn Jack!"

The young man closed his eyes and grit his teeth, preparing himself, not yet ready to enter the bar. The bodyguards leaned in close to one another.

"He says that far too often, doesn't he?" one whispered.

"Yeah. Just because it rhymes doesn't make it catchy. 'Nobody does that to Elwyn Jack'. Psshh."

"I heard that, you assholes! My father doesn't pay you to talk shit about me!"

 

[Sky Jade]

Rikka nodded softly as she listened, keeping her eyes on their surroundings. If it's one things she had learned growing up, it was to always be aware of her surroundings. She tipped her head back and guzzled down the rest of her gin and coke before placing the glass on the table.

"You know, if I didn't know better I would think we were followed."

She inclined her head slightly towards the glass door where the three stood a few feet away.

 

[Khadgar]

Gear Tecnar

Gear let his heels come down and rest on the booth. gazing across the bar he saw the two girls come on and sit at the counter. Gear looked down and lit a fresh cigarette off the butt of the old one.

Tilting his head back, and just listening to the buzz comming through the bar, he shut off everything but his ears, shutting up his body, and it's whimpering.

"stupid assholes...." he had drunk a little, but the pain wasn't going, slowly slowly fading, but not fast enough.

"at least i'm not the only person with a problem...."
Gear looked at his nose, and pulled out a fresh ciggarette....

 

[Jacobo_Curious]

"Goddamn."

Lena shook her head.

"I'm going out there. I think we'll just have to bust them up a little." She peered out through the door. "The bodyguards don't look too happy. If we survive for a while and manage to rough up the punk, they might get him to back off. Three-on-two aren't odds I like, though." She glanced back at Rikka. "Come out and help, please..."

Shaking her head slowly, she stood up and walked out the door, pushing it open.

"You're back," she said quietly, slipping casually into a ready stance. "I didn't think you'd be so persistant. Are you still attracted to me, even after that? Or... did you enjoy it?"

"Bitch," he snapped. "How dare you talk to me like that? You're pretty confident for someone who's going to get her ass beat."

"Hmm," said Lena simply. "We'll see..."

The three circled around her, more cautious this time. One would have to attack, and they would be countered and probably hit -- but then she'd be open for a second, and if they played it right, it would be all over. But, of course, someone would have to make that first move, and be ready to be smacked.

A back attack would be nice, but Rikka's here, so they'll see her coming... at least she'll be able to cover me from when the second attacks... but there's still one more than us... they'll break through...

 

[Khadgar]

Gear Tecnar

Gear heard somethigalong the lines of "you're gonna get your ass beat" just after the two girls left the bar. but if the chick was a walking dollar sign, then he'd have no problem. this oen probably wasn't. and you don't assault girls, something he'd been taught from his younger years.

Gear got up and stretched, the walked over to the door and slumped against the side, slightly buzzed. the two girls were going be fighting big guys.... big guys who could be bounty hunters. Gear cleared his throat. "hey, you bringing in a bounty, if so, want any help?" he gestured with the bottle towards the two girls.

the little guy gave him the finger, and the other two advanced on the girls. hmm.... maybe there's a little more money in things for protection that just standing here....

Gear shrugged, and moseyed on past the girls, and past the bouncers, opening a door, and then closing it without walking through. Turning around, he saw that no one had bothered to follow him. he calmly walked back up to the three guys, and just as one of the big fellows was pulling back, Gear reached up, hooked his elbow in the other guys elbow and wrenched back. the unsuspecting thug fell back the ground, and started to get up, but fel right back to the floor when the beer bottle shattered across his temple.

Gear nodded at the girls, "two on two." then he tossed the shattered, and now jagged bottle neck at the two of them, then walked back into the bar. sitting down by a window to see what was going to happen. people have to fight their own fights, fair fights.

Gear unholstered the pistol in the holster tucked beneath his armpit. that of coruse doesn't mean that i'm a normal person, i'm allowed to stack the deck.

 

[hybirdx]

Ty sat there and ignored everything and every one at the moment. All he did was stare at his beer, thinking to himself. But then he heard an commotion at the front door.

Turning his head slightly, making sure that nobody could see him under his jackets hood, he saw that three men were at the door, talking about revenge. 'Great, some stupid asshole is pissed as hell, and now he wants revenge. For crying out lound! Do what any decent man would do, shoot the person in the back ally! Sheesh! Ty taken another swing of his drink, and quietly sat there waiting, knowing all hell just may break loose.

Ty smiled as his theory began to come true, already one of the thugs were down, it was like Jerry Springer the 4'th, only without the horrible plots! But just in case, Ty shoved his right hand in his jacket's pocket, which held an dull dagger he had for safe keeping.

 

[Sky Jade]

Rikka only raised her eyebrow for a moment as Gear walked out after them and took out one of the bodyuards.

"Not bad."

She glanced back at him, the opening which the other bodyguard took advantage of. He threw a punch at her, catching the side of her right cheek as she turned back towards him. She growled as she stepped back, a red mark along her cheek.

"Bastard."

She lowered her shoulder and charged him, catching him in the chest. She pushed him over a bench, landing him on his ass. He gasped for breathe and then cried out as Rikka kicked the bench into his legs.

"Like that?"

 

[Jacobo_Curious]

Elwyn was starting to look nervous.

"Looks like we have friends in unexpected places," she chuckled to herself, glancing sidelong at Gear. "Thanks, guy. Don't worry -- we're not bounties. We're bounty hunters, in fact..."

The young man charged. She pretended not to notice Elwyn rushing her until he was close, and then she thrust out her palm to his head, attempting to stop him short. However, he twisted around it and kicked her in the stomach. Flexing her muscles, she ignored the pain for a few moments and spun into a fierce side kick, sending him sprawling at Tyler's feet.

Elwyn staggered to his feet as Lena stumbled forward. She swung out with a haymaker and caught him in the cheek, but he recovered quickly and punched her in the eye.

"No mercy, bitch," he snapped, and kicked at her stomach again, but she blocked it, even with one eye closed.

"Hmph," she said, and smiled grimly before turning as if to kick, and then reversing and punching him in the neck. He twisted, taking it in the side instead of the adam's apple, and punched her back again, hitting her in the breast.

"Aah!" Hissing her breath in, she stepped back a few paces, clutching at her chest. "Motherfucker... I was going easy on you! I was still fighting fair!"

Elwyn actually looked a little flustered. "Uh... I didn't mean..." He slowly put his hands down to cover his crotch. "Hey, look, about that whole 'no mercy' thing? I didn't mean NO mercy, I meant..."

He took a step back, not noticing Tyler, as Lena continued to stand doubled over.

Next time, I bring my padding. Bastards.

 

[hybirdx]

Tyler watched as Elwyn punched one of the gilrs in the chest, then cowardly began to back away, right into him. Sighing, Ty stood up, and waited for the idiot to bump into him. "You know... Its really shameful to hit an lady there..."

Elwyn shot around and glared at the young man under the hood. "Piss off! This isn't any of your buisness!"

That did it. That was all it was needed to piss Ty off. "Idiot..." Without hesitation, Ty pulled his fist back and forced it right into Elwyns stomache. Elwyn quickly dropped to his knees and knelt over, holding his stomached, making an fetal attemp not to barf. "You know the saying, what goes around, comes around." He then turned his head to the girl doubled over.

He knelt in front of her, seeing if she was okay "Are you alright?" He didn't even have time to get an answer because he felt an stinging blow on the back of his neck.

"OW!" Ty turned his head to see that Elwyn just hit him upside the head. "Ok! If thats how you want to play it..." Ty got up and cracked his knuckles, then signaled Elwyn to take the first shot. Elwyn swung his left fist torwards Ty's head, and his right fist torwards Ty's gut. Ty ducked under the first strike, and grabed Elwyn's arm before it made impact. He then quickly got behind Elwyn, dargging the arm with him, flipping Elwyn over and to the ground on his stomache. He then stomped his foot on Elwyn's lower back, and pulled his arm back. "I think you owe this lady an apology!"

 

[Jacobo_Curious]

Lena looked up and raised an eyebrow as Tyler flipped and pinned Elwyn.

That took some training. He seems to know what he's doing.

"Thank you, too, friend," she said, slowly rising. "I think I'll be okay."

Or I think I'll puke. Same thing. Urrrgh.

Elwyn shuddered and shook his head. "God damn... what the hell happened... I was... dammit..."

The bodyguard that Rikka had punished seemed to be recovering, albeit slowly. The other one seemed to be unconscious. Their morale was obviously depleted.

Elwyn hissed. "Alright... I won't bother you punks again... just leave me the fuck alone before I get mad and decide to call my father on you after this!"

Lena shrugged. "No permanent damage to anyone... hopefully not to the bodyguards, either." She glanced sidelong at Rikka and smirked. "Careful, now, dear. He might be married, and his wife will be disappointed."

Shaking her hair back, she finally rose to full height. "My name's Lena May," she said quietly, looking at Elwyn. "Leave me alone, and I'll leave you alone."

"Whatever. Fuck you." Elwyn shivered slightly. "Get your foot off me, dammit!"

Lena shrugged at Tyler. "Let him talk. Let's just leave him and stop wasting our time." She took another glance at Ty, looking him up and down once. "Say... your hand-to-hand isn't bad. Can you do anything else?" She glanced back at Gear. "I'm looking for crew members for my ship... there's a job I want to do... and maybe we can stick together afterwards too, if things work out."

She jerked her head at the door. "Come on. I'll go buy you guys drinks. I never finished mine."

 

[hybirdx]

Tyler sighed and let go, then he got off of Elwyn's back. "Spoiled brat... Probaly never been whippen in your life..." Elwyn's response was an silent one, but it was clear, the "bird" is always clear. THat only made Ty smile, pissing people lime Elwyn always made him feel good.

Ty turned to the others as he heard the job offering. "I don't know... I usauly work alone..." You stuborn jackass! take the deal! take the deal! for crying out loud, its better than being stuck on Mars! "But I'm willing." He said shrugging.

 

[Sky Jade]

Rikka had stood up straight and turned around in time to see Lena doubled over. She growled and was about to go after Elwyn when Ty stepped. She nodded appricatively at his fighting skills and dusted her hands off.

"Not bad, not bad. You did well."

She laughed softly as Lena made the comment about the guy having a wife.

"He doesn't look like the type to have a wife."

She shook her head and turned back towards Lena, Ty, and Elwyn. She smirked as Elwyn struggled some.

"I'm up for another drink. After you."

 

[Abraxas Winterlight]

Alexan

Well that was interesting. It's not everyday you see two georgeous ladies beating the hell out of some punks. The gentlemen who helped weren't bad either. I raised my glass in a private toast to their skills when I noticed the one on the floor pull out a very small but very lethal gun out. None of the others seemed to notice , so I had a split second to decide to help or not.
I pulled the tazer pistol out of my holdout holster on my wrist and fired, hitting the asshole in the forehead. Blue sparks flew over him and he cried out, his gun flying from his fingers and landing at the feet of the one who was looking for people to hire.
I stood and walked over, checking to make sure the kid was still breathing. He was, so I reached down with my metal arm and picked him up, then threw him out the door of the bar, where he landed in a heap.
I turned to the girl. "So, you are looking for a crew? Talk to me, I may be interested."