I fought the law, nuclear aftermath: Open for now

[The_gladiator]

Year 2142: eighty-second year of the aftermath.

A long time ago, in a time best forgotten, there was an explosion. New weapons testing had gone wrong, and roughly 75% of the worlds population and surface structures were destroyed. Forests went up in smoke, and, people died in mass.
Many survived the holocaust in underground bunkers and other defensable positions. The new weapons had flooded the world with radiation but after 25 years it became liveable on the surface once again, just barely. All governments were in ashambles, and there was a deffinate power vacume. This gave rise to the International Empire. Based in what was once eastern United states, the emperial powers soon drew strength and took over the world. imposing its will on everyone. Within 7 years they had total control, and the bulk of the survivers were all too eager to join the armies of the empire, for the empire's goal was to control all remaining resources.
Where there is oppression comes the fight against it. Those who fight the law, or simply dodge it. Jason Bensin is one such man, he makes his living stealing and smuggling medical supplies, food, and weapons to those that wish to be indipendent. His buyers can offer him little money, but that isn't important to him, he lives for the danger, for the thrill of fighting back, for taking back his own destiny from the empire. Many people grow weary of the empire, after 48 years of domination. Jason, at 25 has known no other life than oppression, but his aging parents told him stories of times before. Before the rapid tensions that lead to the world war that left earth in the state it is in now.

Jason sat on a bar stool in one of the underground establishments that had been built, it was a meeting place for folks like him, those that enjoyed a drink at the end of the day, a practice that was forbidden by the empire. Not all the folks that frequented the place were smugglers or the like like he was, but many were. He found, that despite the danger, he was growing lonely. He didn't even have a partner, let alone a woman special to him. He took a deep draft of his beer and placed his hand on the but of his laser pistol, the worn leather grip the only lovers flesh he had known for years. It was his only companion. He sighed and looked around the bar, brushing his shaggy brown hair out of his eyes, he needed a trim he thought to himself as his blue eyes examined the smattering of individuals sitting at the bar, or at the modestly clean tables in the room with him. Maybe there was someone worth talking to here today.

ooc: This thread is open for now, please PM me your interest, so we do not clog up this thread, this is not based off anything, I am kind of inventing as I go. If you have any ideas for me, or would like to play please show your interest. I am looking for at least one player, female preferably, but if there is a great influx of interest, I might expand my ambitions.
Thank you!

 

[The_gladiator]

ooc: on second thought, just post here if interested...)

 

[MissMarbles]

Eva slowly made her way through the busy underground corridors of the bunker. Sounds of chatter and laughter overwhelmed her ears and grew louder as she approached the bunker's hub. The hallway came to an end, spewing Eva and several others into the busy "marketplace." Truth be told, it wasn't much of a marketplace - there wasn't a lot to be sold nowadays. The hub was full of beggars, crazies, and those unfortunate enough to have their bodies overcome with need for chems - drugs, they would have been called before the aftermath. Eva pulled the hood of her cloak over her head, veiling the mess of blonde hair that she had pulled into a bun when she awoke this morning. Blonde hair was something of a commodity these days - the gene was rare. Almost everywhere Eva went, people gawked at her or tried to feel her hair. Once, a man chopped off a lock of her hair. Eva was held in confinement for nearly a month after beating him within an inch of his life.

Dark chocolate eyes searched the market as she slowly made her way through the crowd. Yes, she had a target - and there he was. Knox Zimmerman - poorly disguised as the average bunker squatter. Zimmerman was a big man in the public eye, a politician, if you will. The international Empire would miss him sorely. Eva was emotionless when it came to most hits - but this one? He made her blood boil. He was the kind of filth that deserved a painful death. On top of oppressing the very bunker squatters he was doing business with at this very moment, he was a pedophile, constantly cheating on his wife with barely teenaged prostitutes who can't say no if they want their family to eat that night. And he was strongly addicted to chems. Buffers, mentals, pills or needles - it didn't matter to him as long as he was high. He was disgusting. Eva was more than happy to take the job.

Her expert eye watched as Zimmerman exchanged International Credits for several pills contained within a tiny plastic bag. Most probably wouldn't have noticed, but Eva was used to watching for that sort of thing. Zimmerman tucked his newly purchased stash in some unseen pocket. Eva's heart raced with excitement. For weeks she'd thought of the most terrible, most painful way to off this guy. Certainly he deserved the worst she could come up with. Slowly she approached him, black boots silenced by the bustling of the hub. Hmm.. he's taller than I expected, she thought to herself as she gently bumped up against him, causing him to turn to her.

"Oh.. um.. Excuse me, sir, how clumsy of me," she said sweetly. Eva managed to hide the fact that she wanted to spit in his face.

"Oh it's... not a problem," Zimmerman said to her as he gave her the once over. Eva was definitely not dressed modestly - black shorts showed off long slender legs. And that top? Some kind of black leather harness that left little to the imagination. Zimmerman grinned - he was definitely imagining something. "Say," he said, his voice hushed as he leaned in close to her. "I've got a room.. Care to join me for..?" he inquired, his voice trailing off.

Was he serious? she thought to herself. What a fuckin' dog.. This was too easy.

Eva grinned devilishly, responding only with a nod as he led the way back to his room. What a careless fuckin' ol' coot. The walk took several minutes and finally they arrived at the room he had rented for the day. Zimmerman unlocked the door, guiding her in by grabbing hold of her ass and gently pushing her in. First thing he's losing is that fucking hand, she thought to herself as he entered behind her and shut the door.

______________________________________________________

Sometime later, Eva had emerged from the rented room, alone and unscathed, and continued down the corridor. She sighed, smiling a perversely satisfied smile. A drink, I definitely deserve a drink. Wonder if Echo's working? She let out a long sigh as she now made her way to that hole-in-the-wall nameless bar. Despite it being a hole-in-the-wall and despite it being nameless, it was probably the most successful honest business in any bunker this side of the Empire. Eva approached the entrance, noticing a lack of a bouncer. Must be slow today. Eva entered, removing her hood as she did, feeling confidant that no one would try to clip her hair.

Noticing that Echo was indeed working, she headed over the bar, plopping down on the barstool next to the shaggy brown haired guy. "Echo, my friendliest friend!" she exclaimed. "I am in dire need of drink." Eva propped her elbows onto the bar. Echo let out a hearty chuckle.

"No prob, Eva. Mind helpin' yourself, though? I'm a little busy" he said playfully with a wink as Eva finally realized that he was involved in a conversation with a very exotic looking girl sitting a few stools away from her.

"Sure thing!" she said, winking back. Eva reached over the bar, retrieving a long neck from the nearest cooler, popping it open with a bottle opener before settling back down in her seat. Eva brought the tip of the bottle to her lips, relishing in that first glorious moment when the beer hit her lips and trickled into her mouth. This.. is exactly what I needed.

 

[The_gladiator]

Jason Benson

Jason sat sipping his beer when a woman who seemed rather lightly dressed came in. Every line of her screamed deception. The only thing he could nail down that was true about her, was she was beautiful. She appeared deceptively weak almost, he decided she was probably a nasty customer. He wasn't sure what her line of work was though. He stood from his seat at the end of the bar, and wove his lean hard form through the group of people. He lifted one black boot and layed it on the rung of the nearest barstool, and addressed the newcomer, a blonde, a hair color that made her unique. "Can I buy you that drink?" he asked with his customary lopsided smile. as his hand shoved his hair from his eyes yet again, as he always did. He spoke to women often, bought them drinks and talked, but rarely went any farther than that, letting people in made one soft. "Jason Benson." he said sticking out his right hand, still honoring the tradition that predated the holocaust.

 

[MissMarbles]

Eva set her beer down, watching the man approach from the corner of her eye. It made her terribly uneasy, being.. approached - but like most other things, she was good at hiding it. She briefly made eye contact with Echo who gave her a quick nod, which meant to Eva that the man appraoching her wasn't a known threat. She relaxed slightly, though didn't let her guard down.

"Can I buy you that drink?" he asked her with a smile. Eva raised a brow, turning to him as he introduced himself and stuck out his hand. "Jason Benson."

Eva had to hide her perverse grin at the sight of his hand, as it reminded her of the fate of Zimmerman's. She did smile, however, which was rarely offered to acquaintances let alone strange men who approached her in a bar. This one's attractive, at least, she reasoned to herself as she gave him the once over. And he's willing to pay for a drink!

She hesitated before extending her hand out to his. Eva knew this made her vulnerable. Once she'd made the mistake of shaking the hand of someone who'd wanted her dead - and he'd immediately dabilitated her by yanking her shoulder out of its socket. However, she risked it, knowing that if he tried anything, Echo would blow his brains out with his plasma rifle that he kept with him behind the bar. Her petite hand grasped his and shook it firmly.

"Eva," she said simply. "Have a seat?" she asked, motioning to the stool next to her which his foot was resting on.

 

[The_gladiator]

Jason Benson

Jason shook her hand, another reason, besides tradition for offering his right hand, was she could obviously see the laser pistol on his right thigh, and if his hand was in hers, he wasn't going to draw on her. He bowed over her hand, not quite kissing it, but coming close, and then he stood back up and threw a leg over the indicated barstool. "A pretty name, eva." he commented. Sliding his Official ID through the bars built in scanner which would automatically start a tab, for him, and then when he left would be charged to his account. Of course most of the people like had multiple ID's but he used his official one here, there was no reason to hide here, no one round here would turn him in, or so he thought. Each citizen had an ID, it was how the empire kept track of everyone, and their money. That's why those that wanted to acrew welth had multiple ID's so the empire didn't absorb their funds if they felt they were making too much, which the empire did on a whim.
"So, what brings you to this sector?" he asked curiously. The question was actually quite innocent, he was esentually asking for her coverstory were the imperials to come in and shoot up the place. Whether the answer she gave him was strictly innocent, or she told what she really did was totally up to her. "I'm a cargo driver." he said, "I drive one of those hover trucks from city to city, taking what's needed to folks." In that statement, she might have been able to read his true life as a smuggler, gunrunner, and chem transporter. She would probably assume he transported the chems that folks were hooked on, but he had his own code,Jason personally only transported medical chems when it came to that type of traffic.

 

[MissMarbles]

"Thanks," she said, turning back to face the bar, watching him from the corner of her eye as he swiped his ID. Eva couldn't help but smirk. It had been a long, long time since she'd had an ID. She'd managed to fly under the radar, generally avoiding any situation where an ID was mandatory. She always had a few credits on her, but in her business, favors were the official currency.

"So, what brings you to this sector?" he asked her. Eva grinned, picking up her beer again as she brought it to her lips for a sip. Besides the torturous assassination of a public figure? "Work," she said, purposely being vague.

"I'm a cargo driver." he said, "I drive one of those hover trucks from city to city, taking what's needed to folks," he Jason explained to her. Eva quirked a curious brow. 'Cargo' was a vague term as well, and she wondered if they weren't playing the same game. Now she was curious as to what kind of cargo he transported.. and whether or not he was lying to her.

"Do you mind if I ask what kinda cargo it is you transport?" she asked. Eva surely sounded innocent in her inquiry, though her intentions were purely selfish in nature. "Food? Chems..? People?" she asked, probingly. There was a little known "servant" trade that went on underground for politicians and supporters of the International Empire. Eva was definitely not a fan of the Empire and figured she'd fish for information that would give her an idea of where Jason's alliances lied.

 

[The_gladiator]

Jason Benson

He considered her for a long time, "I make it a point to deliver to those in need, what is hard to find." he said, his answer still criptic. "I don't transport people." he specified, "Unless there is a really good reason." he added. Lets say, that when I come into an area, some folks like to see me, and a great many don't like to get wind of me." he added, trying to show that he was not a friend of the empire, but if for some reason she was, there was no way to prove that's what he meant. It could just mean he had a lot of enemies.

 

[sandinextdoor]

Sandi

As I made my way through this underground hovel I kept to the shadows avoiding small groups of people. I detested these underground slime pits where the scum of our society gather to avoid detection and barter things that are hard to come by. But what she sought was supposed to be located here or least thats what she was told by the scum of a human in his last breath just before she slid her sharp blade between his ribs and into his aorta.
Sandi made her way through the strangers and she could feel a few eyes follow her as she passed. Mostly men however but a few women as well would gaze at her form. She wore a tight black pair of leather breeches, a leather top that was laced up the front with leather which exposed plenty of cleavage. Sandi had curly black hair that she kept tied back and long legs. Her deep natural tan help to keep her hidden in the shadows. Her body was athletic and she stood 5'10 and packed a tight 130lbs on her frame. She saw the sign indicating the place she was looking for and entered the rudimentary bar. As she approached the bar she noticed an attractive woman chatting with a man and took a stool near the two of them waiting for the bar keep to approach her. She looked around the room and other than the normal stares of lust she had not drawn any unwanted attention. She turned her gaze back towards the couple at the bar.

 

[MissMarbles]

"I see," Eva said in response to Jason's answer. She twiddled her fingers along the dampness of the beer bottle. She still wasn't sure what to make of him - though she figured it safe to presume that he wasn't a supporter of the Empire, since most supporters were.. outspoken and foward with their beliefs. "You're a popular guy then?" she said with a wry smile and half of a laugh.

Eva quirked a brow as she waited for Jason's response, noting the woman who had come up to the bar. She eyed the woman from the corner of her eye, but not obviously so. Seemed as if Eva never had a chance to relax without someone making her throw up her guard. Which, could be a seven year old selling cookies for all it mattered to her.

____________________________________


Echo's black eyes watched the black haired woman enter the vicinity and walk up to the bar. He tied up the conversation he had been having with the exotic beauty at the end of the bar before turning his attention to Sandi. "What's yer poison, miss?"

____________________________________
OOC: Echo's not going to be a character I will normally be playing, but figured I might as well give the bar tender some personality. =) So if anyone from this point on wants to pick up this character, or to continue playing with him outside of the bar, feel free. =D

 

[The_gladiator]

ooc: Unless someone from outside the thread wishes him, you ma continue to NPC him as you see fit. I will make an IC post tomorrow)

 

[sandinextdoor]

Sandi

"I will take whatever you have that is strong and nasty. I was also hoping that you might have a little information for me as it could be profitable if you do have some information."

I knew that without the offer of profits that I was going to get no where as it was just a plain unwritten rule or code. Nothing was for free in this day and age especially information. While the bartender was pouring my drink and mulling over my offer I turned my attentions back to the couple sitting next to me. I guessed the woman was some type of bounty hunter, assasain, probably free lance work. The man was a bit more intriguing but perhaps he was a soldier at one time and had run away from the opressive rule of the so called empire. Perhaps he was a smuggler and if he was he might be able to help me in my quest as well. Both the man and woman was rather attractive and I thought how nice it would be if we all got to know each other a little better. I surveyed both of them not caring if either one knew I found them attractive but was careful not to convey any looks of hostility. It was'nt that they scared me however I never tried to make enemies out of people unless I had a damn good reason.

 

[The_gladiator]

Jason Benson

Jason laughed hartily, "I guess some people would agree with you that I am popular, but there are those that hate my guts, that is they would if they knew I existed." he smiled.
"I tell you, its good to laugh." he said with another smile at her. "So, where's your clothes?" he asked with a smirk, "Get in a fight with a buzz saw?" he was obviously teasing her now, "I mean I'm not complaining, I have to say I like what I see." he continued to laugh and brought up his hands in placating surrender watching for the slap he was sure she would give him for his insolence.

 

[MissMarbles]

Echo nodded in Sandi's direction as he got busy making her drink behind the bar. He was quick, obviously experienced in his trade. He fixed her a concoction of whiskey, gin and a few other ingredients that were easily missed with his quickness. Echo slid the drink - on the rocks - over to Sandi. He leaned his large dark arms on the bar, looking her over. He'd never seen her around before and was therefore immediately suspicious of her.

"What kind o' information're ya lookin' for?" he said, his voice low but booming. "Jus' so ye know, some information may be a bit more pricey than others, an' some may not 'ave a price t'all."

___________________________________________​

Eva continued to watch the woman from the corner of her eye, partially listening to their conversation but still managing to continue her own. She laughed along with her new drinking partner and nodded in agreement. Indeed, it did feel good to laugh.

"So, where's your clothes?" he asked her with a smirk, "Get in a fight with a buzz saw?" he was obviously teasing her now, "I mean I'm not complaining, I have to say I like what I see," he said. Eva quirked a brow, almost surprised in his outward friendliness. She grinned, watching him throw up his hands as if to defend himself. Bringing the bottle to her lips again, she took another generous sip before answering.

"It's good for business, what can I say?" she replied with a playful wink and the shrug of a single shoulder. He probably would think now that she was some sort of prostitute. Close. Instead of seducing and sexing, she was seducing and killing.

 

[sandinextdoor]

Sandi

The bar keep slid the drink towards me and I hesistated for just a second wondering if it was exactly what I asked for? But I dismissed this notion for lack of motive. I took several small swallows and was unable to detect anything unusual in the concoction.

"Well, I was looking for the location of a certain trader from these parts. A man that is known as "The Dealer". It seems he might have sold a particular item I need."

The man and woman at the bar watched me carefully but then they began to laugh and actually appeared to be playfully flirting with one another.

 

[The_gladiator]

Jason Benson

He laughed with Eva some more. "Oh man, good for business eh? Please tell me I'm not a potential mark?" he said his hand dropping smoothly to land on the butt of his pistol. He still held his playful mood, but the air had suddenly thickened with tension, tension that could crack or disipate depending upon eva's answer. He knew she was no street whore, he had seen those, he knew she was something more. He had actually been almost killed by a woman like her, or so he thought. He still had the scar along his ribs where her blad would have killed him if he had been a hair slower. Yet another reason not to take a woman to his bed.

 

[MissMarbles]

"Oh man, good for business eh? Please tell me I'm not a potential mark?" he said to her playfully. Eva quirked a brow, her laughter fading into a smile as she brought the bottle up to her lips for another drink. Out of her peripheral she could see his hand falling on to what she would imagine to be his weapon - mostly likely some type of gun. So he had an idea, hm? she thought to herself.

"Well, since you said 'please,'" she said playfully, pausing to take another drink from her bottle. She continued to look at her bottle as she spoke. "Honestly, I ain't on the clock. But I'd be more than happy to clock back in if you don't take your pretty little fingers off of that fancy little gun you got there," she told him. She was being honest - Hell, she was still being friendly compared to other conversations she'd been known to have. But people with their hands on their weapons made her nervous. "And trust me," she continued her voice hushed, "if you had been, you wouldn't have known." Her tone was playful once more and she offered him a wink. She'd gathered that he wasn't a supporter of the Empire - and therefore, was more than likely someone she could trust.

 

[The_gladiator]

Jason lifted his hand, "Hey, I wasn't lookin to start trouble." he said, "I was just making sure that my appreciation for your pretty face wasn't going to get me killed." he said leaning on the bar as he looked at his watch. "I got 3 hours till my run outa here." he commented. "Was lookin for a partner, but haven't found one yet." he said making conversation.

 

[MissMarbles]

"Hey, I wasn't lookin to start trouble." he said, "I was just making sure that my appreciation for your pretty face wasn't going to get me killed." Eva couldn't help but grin. She didn't mind so much that people knew what she did.. In fact, it was a rather common profession. Eva was just.. extremely talented. Most bounty hunters and assassins around these parts don't last more than three or four months, tops. Eva'd been active for nearly four years now.

"I got 3 hours till my run outa here. Was lookin for a partner, but haven't found one yet," he said to her. Eva brought the bottle to her lips once more, polishing of the remainder of the liquid inside. She set the empty bottle back on the bar and spun around on the stool so she could lean her back against the bar. That harness that adorned her torso was tight and revealing, moreso now that she had turned around. Eva nodded slightling in Jason's direction.

"You usually have a partner in your business?" she asked, wondering if something had happened to the one he'd had..

 

[The_gladiator]

"No, I usually work alone. But loads have been getting harder to hang onto, and more difficult to obtain. Having a partner sounded like a good idea. Of course I've taken folks on runs in the past, but no one hung around for long. Most couldn't hold their own, I require any partner, of any kind to be able to shift for themselves, and prove their worth." he smiled and reached over the bar for another couple of beers, "Taken a couple," he called down the bar at Echo. He didn't figure the man would care, he knew that Jason was good for them.

 

[MissMarbles]

Echo nodded in Jason's general direction. He didn't know Jason well, but well enough to know that he was always good to pay for his drinks. Turning his attention back to the woman in front of him, he eyed her up and down suspiciously before answering.

"The Dealer, eh?" he asked. "I heard o' 'em a couple o' times.. All hear-say, though, y'know? Most people 'round these parts don't even think the guy exists." Echo paused for a moment, starting to wipe a few glasses down with a white towel. "Fer the right price, though, I may be able te point ya in the right d'rection, y'here?" The large man grinned, his toothy smile seeming brilliantly white compared to the dark color of his skin.

________________________________________________​

"I see," Eva said, voice trailing off as she momentarily became lost in thought. Her last hit had been a big one. She usually lies low after a hit anyway, but this one? She may be flying under the radar for several months or more. She'd have to find a way to feed herself that didn't require her to sell herself or steal from the people who, in a backwards way, she was trying to protect. Eva plucked at her bottom lip with a single finer, obviously still thinking. She glanced back over to Jason.

"So, what's a girl gotta do to prove her worth, eh?" she asked, smiling. Eva could care less if she was doing this guy a favor - it would be beneficial to her and that's all that mattered.

 

[The_gladiator]

Jason benson

he looked at her, "You trying to say you're interested?" he asked. "Tis been a long time since I had a good partner. Never hade one that was female. I'm sure you'd be up to the task though." he said as he slid the second beer towards Eva. "I don't know, what kind of work can you do?" he asked trying to think of what sort of job he could offer her.

 

[MissMarbles]

"You trying to say you're interested?" he asked her. Eva responded with a confidant nod. "Tis been a long time since I had a good partner. Never had one that was female. I'm sure you'd be up to the task though," Jason told her as he slid another beer in her direction. Eva smiled, taking the bottle opener on the bar and popping it open, reaching over to do the same to the bottle he was holding. "I don't know, what kind of work can you do?" he asked her. Eva's smile broadened.

"I can get anything done - I can finish any task. And if for some reason I can't, chances are I know someone who can," she replied, offering him a wink before taking a generous first sip of her new beer.

 

[The_gladiator]

He considered her for a long few moments, examining her closely. He leaned a bit closer to her, "Some of what I do is highly illegal." he said, "Especially when I help folks, the business of helpin people is not one the international empire encourages." he said quietly. "If you are still interested, I can take you somewhere more private for a more indepth discussion of what I do. Just one thing, can you shoot?"

 

[MissMarbles]

Eva had to stifle a laugh at his words. Maybe he didn't know what she did afterall? She liked the fact that whatever it is he did, the Empire didn't encourage it. Eva's lips curled into a devious smirk.

"Sweetie, everything I do in my business is illegal," she said, almost whispering. "The Empire don't take too kindly to what I do either." Eva looked him dead in the eye, taking another swig of her beer. "And I can do a hell of a lot more than shoot," she said, pausing before she continued. "Where'd you care to go, hm?"