NationStates Jolt Archive

martin strolled into the bar, and sat at his former stool. Almost drunk with elation, he ordered an everclear and lemonade (50:50) from Grim after he had finished his business with Ed.

Martin drank deeply and smiled.

Ed watched the way Martin eyed obediah. he set his hand on the grip of his pistol, just to be on the safe side. He knew if anything happened, his main priority was to protect his new contractor, whether he used lethal force or not was totaly his own decision.

I walk into the bar again, and ask for a drink that will make my heart explode. Grim laughs like I'm joking, and pours me a tequila. These barmen are all so unimaginative...

I glance around the bar and notice only one person I recognize. Some twit that was presumably going off to his room to take the edge off the hard work of boozing. I wonder if he noticed my mess. Hope he didn't mind.

I take a sip at my tequila thoughtfully, then remember who I am and down the rest in a mouthful. I hope my burly appearance doesn't worry anyone. I also hope that the fellow from last night doesn't recognize me. Then I wonder if I really care.

He's with another fellow, and I'm sure that they're the ones who would best be able to inform me. I walk up to them and introduce myself.

"My name is Obediah. What do they call you gents?

Martin eyed the newcomer and quirked his lips into a slight smile.

"Hello, may name is Martin the Tumbler. It is a pleasure to meet you, Obediah."


This is the man that killed Jeremy...why did he come back here?

"Hmm... handy with knives. That could be helpful if we ever get caught in a sticky situation."

Ed went over to Martin. 'you ever handled a firearm before? This thing goes sour, we might have to shoot our way out." He handed him a pistol. "Just for precautions, if we do get in a firefight, my advice is to get behind me."

Martin frowned slightly and accepted the weapon.

"I'm afraid I'm not too good with pistols, but I can fling my knives around rather well," he said, and gestured. A knife appeared in his hand and he rolled it across his fingers before it disappeared again.

"Thanks."

Martin eyed the newcomer and quirked his lips into a slight smile.

"Hello, may name is Martin the Tumbler. It is a pleasure to meet you, Obediah."


This is the man that killed Jeremy...why did he come back here?

A brief flash of recognition plays itself across the man's face. Shit. On the other hand, leaving now would make things more strange. I decide to continue on as if I don't recognize it.

"A tumbler, huh? Haven't seen many of those lately. Don't see much on the inside of a prison cell. Luckily, they fixed me, so they say...

This place serves up a hell of a drink, doesn't it? The tequila was a bit weak, but this one I had y... not too long ago was killer."

Ed sensed the new comer as letting on more then he knew, by the faint stutter in his speech and the way he carried himself when he talked. He shrugged his shoulders then headed over to the bar. "I need another room." He said. Grim looked out from the smalle room that served as his bedroom and tossed him a key. "Thats way more secure then any other room. " He grumbled, then turn and slammed the door behind him. Ed went over to where he had seen a keyhole in the floo earlier, right next to the whiskey section and unlocked it. The room was cold and damp, but it would have to do.


OOC: Out for the night.

Martin smiled slightly.

"the drinks are all right, they have some not terrible whiskeys. Otherwise, this place isn't much of one."

Martin frowned. he was a little drunk, too drunk for this bullshit. he decided to drop the pretense.

"You killed Jeremy. Why?" Martin's voice was steely, and his eyes glinted dangerously.

Martin smiled slightly.

"the drinks are all right, they have some not terrible whiskeys. Otherwise, this place isn't much of one."

Martin frowned. he was a little drunk, too drunk for this bullshit. he decided to drop the pretense.

"You killed Jeremy. Why?" Martin's voice was steely, and his eyes glinted dangerously.

The man was bold. With a little more boldness on his part, or a little more alcohol on mine, I may have tried to kill him too. But I'm not drunk enough. Not yet, at least.

"Did you know him well? Were you friends? Friends for a long time? How about since birth? Was he like a brother to you?


'Cause that's what he took from me."

My eyes gloss over in anger briefly, and I consider ordering another drink. But I don't. My parole officer doesn't like it when I drink. "Brings out violent tendencies" or some bullshit. Instead, I just look the man in the eye.

"Are you going to make something of it?"

OOC: I'm not sure whether I'm thankful or disappointed that there was no mention of my fairly bad pun in my last post.

Martin frowned.

"Like a brother? He took... What do you mean? He killed someone? Why would he do that?"


OOC: I groaned and figured it was best not to mention it...

Martin frowned.

"Like a brother? He took... What do you mean? He killed someone? Why would he do that?"


OOC: I groaned and figured it was best not to mention it...

"Can't say for sure. Didn't take the time to find out. All I know is that he did it. I was hoping you could tell me... along with what the word on the street is. I'd prefer this not get back to my parole officer."

I know that if my parole officer gets wind of this, I'll never be a free man again. Not after last time. Oh, Emily, why did I kill you?

"Can't say for sure. Didn't take the time to find out. All I know is that he did it. I was hoping you could tell me... along with what the word on the street is. I'd prefer this not get back to my parole officer."

I know that if my parole officer gets wind of this, I'll never be a free man again. Not after last time. Oh, Emily, why did I kill you?

Martin thought for a moment.

"No, I have no idea. You might speak to some of the other regulars when they come around, but I only met him last night, just before he was killed."

Marin smiled slightly. "As to making something of his murder, I'm afraid I cannot afford to--killing you would draw too much attention." He paused again for a moment.

"Parole officer? What crime did you commit? Kill someone other than Jeremy, maybe?"

Martin thought for a moment.

"No, I have no idea. You might speak to some of the other regulars when they come around, but I only met him last night, just before he was killed."

Marin smiled slightly. "As to making something of his murder, I'm afraid I cannot afford to--killing you would draw too much attention." He paused again for a moment.

"Parole officer? What crime did you commit? Kill someone other than Jeremy, maybe?"

I pause for a moment. The man was delving deep, into the kind of history that turns your blood into liquid fire. The kind of history that can drive a man to murder. The kind of history that did so to me.

"You could say that. Or you could say it was the alcohol. Or you could say that she had killed me first."

I draw a long breath as I think of her. Emily Valiant. Her voice was sweet as aged wine, and twice as intoxicating. Her hair was a shock of golden fire, carefully burning down her face and outlining her storm blue eyes. I remember the feel of her pressed against me.

Then I remember the sight of her pressed against another man.

Suitable, to be killed by the one you love. Only...

She hadn't loved me.

"It was a woman I once knew... or thought I knew. She was with another man, and I'd had a few drinks. My parole officer says to stay off the bottle. It brings out my violent tendencies..."

My mind calls me to a sudden pang in my hand, and I see that I had crushed the empty cut I had been drinking from. Blood flowed onto the table in it's own beautifully random stream.

"Sorry about the mess."

"I...see."

Definitely a man to watch, this one...

Martin looked at Obediah. "Unfortunately, I must be getting to my room. A good night to you..."

Martin walked up the stairs and into his room, deep in thought.

I can't decide whether to kill this one. He did kill Jeremy, but then again...

He flopped down onto his bed and was asleep in seconds.

"I...see."

Definitely a man to watch, this one...

Martin looked at Obediah. "Unfortunately, I must be getting to my room. A good night to you..."

Martin walked up the stairs and into his room, deep in thought.

I can't decide whether to kill this one. He did kill Jeremy, but then again...

He flopped down onto his bed and was asleep in seconds.

I watch the man's retreating back, and I wonder if our paths will cross again. I need a drink. I'm afraid of where I might wake up if I take one, but I know that the image of Emily will plague me tonight if I don't.

I order my drink, the same deadly mix I'd had yesterday, and laugh at my own hollow logic. Her image will haunt me anyway. I down the drink and, with my vision beginning to blur with my thought process, I head out the door.

OoC: Goodnight, sir grape.

Glacia awoke all of a sudden, with the weirdest feeling ever.
She got up, looked in the mirror and was shocked. Her beautiful pale blond hair, had turned a shocking hue of gold-red.
"So, this is what I can do, change my appearance at will?"
"The powers they gave me are huge. I feel bad for my next target."

"Talking to yourself, again?"

Glacia spun around on the spot, and saw her old contracter. A representative of the Monarchy she had served for over 300 years.
"Acid, wat the hell was that about? Did you have to scare me?"

Before Glacia stood a woman of about 30 years, with short brown hair, and wearing an assasins outfit. Glacia's trained golden eyes could see the outline of the different knives against Acid's outfit.

"Glacia, I have come to ask you a favor."
"I was kinda enjoying this new life, but I'll hear you out. I am the best spy and assasin you've ever had."

Acid told Glacia all about the fall of the Monarchy, and how her old homeland had been turned into a wasteland. And that only those deemed ok by the new government were allowed to live.
"Glacia, they've started a mass killing spree! We need you!"

"Can you give me a few days to think about it?"

Alright, I'll be back in 3 days, please." Acid added with a note of pleading in her voice

Eds phone beeped, waking him up. He flicked it open ad set it in video mode. "Ed" Said the man on the other side. "how goes the progress." Ed coughed a bit then looked back at him. "managed to figure out how the imperialists managed to get such a large force here. Using a local crime lord." The man continued. "You new orders are to terminate this crime lord seize any evidence." Ed shrugged. "Can't comply with the first part, but the sonc dpart I sure can do." "And why not?" Ed chuckled. "My new contractor wants him alive. Maybe if I can convince him to dissapea, would that be acceptable?" The man frowned then looked back at him. "Very well, make sure he stays well out of site then." Ed closed hs phone then slid it back into his pocket before heading downstairs. But something caught his interest, he though he heard someone else talking about a contract, a termination contract. Ed shurgged, what did he care as long as he wasn't it? He continued down the stairs to the bar and ordered coffee and eggs. "sleep well?" Said Grim, brining him his food. "Better then in a long time."

Ju wanders downstairs. he grabs a glass and fills it with an Orange-Red liquid and sits down by the fire.

wait a minuite... a futuristic world and this place sports a fireplace?

Gem wonders down stairs and walked over to sit in one of the comfy chairs by the fire.
"hello Ju"

Glacia decided she needed a drink, and a comfy chair to think about the offer she had just been offered.
Glacia checked her gear, just in case something happend, and walked down the stairs towards he fireplace. She passed by Ju and another girl, she said hello, and grabbed the largest comfy chair, and yelled at Grim to get her some vodka. "Please!" She addes as an afterthought.

The realization that somehow he had slipped dimensions and worlds, clearly spells out the danger of taking shortcuts, down dark alleyways, into a whole new perspective.

Though tough to understand the meaning of his current situation, Johan's curiousity took the best of him as he decided to try and understand: where he was? How he got here? What exactly is Grim's Tavern and the identity of the patrons who frequent it?

With pen and paper in hand and filled with a sense of purpose Johan headed down the stairs, to record the future or possibly the past.

"Hello is anyone down here?"

"Hello is anyone down here?"


"Hello." Glacia waved the new guy over to where she was sitting. She was in desperate need of company.

Johan noticed that besides the ever present and quite Grim, there was this girl that he has never seen before. He noticed from her attire that she was someone of some importance, but the fact that she was drinking hard liquor by herself things might not be going all too well.

Aha, my first subject for the night. "Rough day in the outside world?"

"Not rough, just, well, a bit of shock to be honest. Tell me a bit about yourself why don't ya, and have a drink. It's on me"

"A little about me? But it is you who is the interesting one." He thought that his simple school boy attire represented clearly how plain he really is. "The truth is that I am apparently lost, took a wrong turn on my way home from school, and have apparently slipped worlds and dimensions arriving at this place. What this place is and who are the various people who come here, I thought you could help me with that."

"From what I can tell, it's just a tavern. The owner's a bit of a grouch, but aren't we all some times. The only guy I really have spoken to since I got here 2 days ago is Ju. He's sitting over there with that girl. Gem, I think her name is. But the people have all kinds of reasons for being here. I'm here 'cause it was a safe haven for me."

"A safe haven you say? From what exactly? Since I've arrived last night I haven't gone outside, but from some of the people I've seen arrive, all there seem's to be is rain." He decides to take an adjacent seat as standing was getting to be too awkward.

"Because of my line of work, I was being pursued. That's all you need to know. And the reason loads of people come here, is because it's hard for anyone to find exactly where you are. Except some people, they just always manage to show up everywhere. She thought, shaking her head, witch caused the firelight to reflect her redblonde hair.
"However, some people are just stopping on the way. They move on."

OoC: Sorry, wrk called me away.

Ic:
*Ju wakes with a jerk.*

hehehehe... falling asleep by the fire... how cliche.

*She had been sitting unobserved in the shadows for almost 24 hours now, sitting watching.
Only one or two of the passing patrons has made her head buzz.
She had overheard many conversations, most were meaningless but a couple of them had been most interesting.
Ju was sitting beside the fire chatting to a girl, and the couple who were sitting quite near to her were just getting acquainted.
Everyone else had either left or were getting slowly drunk.*

None of these are any of the ones I'm looking for except maybe......yes...I think he must be one.

Ed looked up from his lunch and saw that a new comer had entered the bar. He got up and edicded to introduce gimself, information about new patrons was always good in case he had to shoot his way out. He stuck out his hand at the man with the notepad. "Names Edward Harriosn." He said. "Pleased yo make your aquaintence."

"Line of work? Being prusued? Well that has certainly got me interested, but I guess I shouldn't ask about that which doesn't concern me."

Johan noticed that from the swish of her head the lady's hair seemed to flash from brilliant red to bright gold, and at this moment he was sure that this was the most peculiar lady he has ever met in his life. But from the vast volumes of books he read when from he was younger, with great beauty comes great danger. A fact that he immediately recorded in his travelling notebook.

"You mentioned that this is a place of sort of refuge, from the people that you have met so far, are they also fleeing a similar danger? Ju for instance."

Ed looked up from his lunch and saw that a new comer had entered the bar. He got up and edicded to introduce gimself, information about new patrons was always good in case he had to shoot his way out. He stuck out his hand at the man with the notepad. "Names Edward Harriosn." He said. "Pleased yo make your aquaintence."

OOC
Sorry....not certain if that was meant for me.....

"Ju, for all I know, just works behind the bar. But I don't ask people why they are here. Granted, I've only spoken to 2 people. You, and Ju. I guess I haven't had time to be Ms. Social. But some people can run, but not hide. I heard someone was shot here a day ago."

Ed looked up from his lunch and saw that a new comer had entered the bar. He got up and edicded to introduce gimself, information about new patrons was always good in case he had to shoot his way out. He stuck out his hand at the man with the notepad. "Names Edward Harriosn." He said. "Pleased yo make your aquaintence."

The shadows in the room were deceptive, from what first seemed to be a quite room, was actually busier than what he first took it for.

A man that he had never seen before arrived and Johan made sure to respond to the greeting.

"The name is Johan, from planet earth 2007 AD, pleased to make your aquantince Edward"

"suppose I should start with where I came from as well. Came from the Planet Arkheim, 2172. Looks like you jumped forward almost two undred years."

ooc: whoops, work calls again... brb

"Ju, for all I know, just works behind the bar. But I don't ask people why they are here. Granted, I've only spoken to 2 people. You, and Ju. I guess I haven't had time to be Ms. Social. But some people can run, but not hide. I heard someone was shot here a day ago."

I heard Grimm mutter something about ruffians tearing his place up, but I just took it as him being an old croak. Ju works behind the bar you say? Well he certainly seems the right type, looks like a smart man, can keep the place orderly and can throw a party when the need is there. This is only from first impressions mind you, as he takes a peak at Ju getting up from his nap they not always right, but I have to say I have pretty good intuition.

"suppose I should start with where I came from as well. Came from the Planet Arkheim, 2172. Looks like you jumped forward almost two undred years."

Glacia couldn't help but overhear the newly struck up conversation.
Had it really been a 600 hundred year jolt back. Damnit....how did Acid find me? She shook her head again, which caused her hair to flash...very brilliantly.

"Yes, can tell. Some of my first impressions have been completely of at times."
She smiled at Johan.

ooc: sorry for the mix-up:p

"suppose I should start with where I came from as well. Came from the Planet Arkheim, 2172. Looks like you jumped forward almost two undred years."

So I jumped 200 years, wow that dark alley next to the old church really put me off. Will need to right that down for future reference.

"200 years you say and I suppose this particular tavern isn't located on your home planet by any chance? First, so as not to be too rude Ed take a seat, I was just talking to this fine lady next to me and she says that she using this place as a sort of refuge are you also on the run by any chance? I still haven't got the courage to go outside since I got here so I need the information I can get."

Ed shurgged. "Seems like this place is caught in a diffrent time. At least this city is." He looked out the wondow. Gothic arctecture mingled with Victorian and art deco, as well as the modernistic style of the twenty first century and several styles he didn't recognize. "Have no clue what this place is, only its not supposed to be here."

"Hey Ed, I'm Glacia. Pleased to meet ya."

Ed chuckled. "Most of the peple here are on the run from something, I myself am on the run. This city is very strange." He pulled out his PDA. "The date in here is August 2nd, 2035, but step outside and it changes to 2074. Same goes for most of the city."

"Johan, Ed, it was nice to meet you. I'll talk to you later. I promise"
Glacia got up, and aware of the impression she made, sauntered up the stairs to her room.

ooc: goodnight all of you.

Ed turned to her. "Judign by the way you look, I'm guessing you've lived through a lot, correct?" He stuck out his hand. "So have I. managed to live a life time in fifteen years."

As Johan watched Glacia take her leave to the rooms above, he smiled respectfully and was taken a bit by her appearance, as he was looking forward to finding more about this woman and her situation, when surely their paths will cross again.

"It was a pleasure meeting talking to you GLacia"

"So Ed you're only of the ripe old age of 15, seven years my junior. I noticed the gun in your side holster, you wouldn't happen to be one of the men that old Grim's been mumbling about recently? Shooting up the place and all?"

ooc: good night.

"Fifteen? No, my biological age is Fifteen, my physical age is twenty four. Lets just say... I'm not a natural human being. And I'm not one of those people Grim was mumbling about, sure I was involved, but not the troublemaker or makers."

*She found that last conversation very interesting indeed.*

So there are others from different times and places here.
I wonder if any of them have been sent here by THEM....

*She wriggled a little in her seat, 24 hours was a long time without moving, but it was easier than she had thought it would be.*

" Aha, so you are another very important and interesting person, who may know more about some of the other people here. Is there someone who I should particularly stay clear of, for fear of causing too much trouble? I am just a simple aspiring history scholar, fighting and altercations of any sort aren't really my thing. My interests are simple where hopefully, by the time I can find a way home, I'll have enough material to write a book."

Ed's PDA chirped. "Sorry, gotta take this." He pushed the video feed button and was greeted by the shadowed face of his employer. "Edward Harriosn, I hvae new contract info for you." Ed looked around. "Hold on a minute." He went back into the single toilet bathroom. 'What is it sir?" "New contract information." Ed let out a sigh. "If it involves injuring civies, don't even bother." His employer stared. "Assisn are supposed to kill, correct?" Ed nodded. "Seems like you're going more bounty hunter now." Ed shruged. "times change, still am an assasin for hire, just I do more hunter work these days." His employer shifted a little. "Never the less, here is your contract information." Several pages of data compiled themselves on his PDA, along with a photo of a woman, someone very familar. "Thats it, review it if you like." Ed went through all the data, he now recognized the photo, it was the woman in the bar who had been listening to his conversation. "Sir, I refuse this contract." He could tell his employers eyebrow raised. "Oh really then? This isn't a kill contract, I need her alive." Ed sighed again. "I'll do my best sir. Harrison out." Not gonna do this contract... This place is a safe house for those on the ru, for all I know, shes innocent. He left the bathrrom and took his seat.

Ed looked back at him. "No one in this bar, but if you ever leave the bar, avoid anyone wearing a crimson uniform. Nasty buggers those imperialists..."

Johan was taken aback at the abruptness in which Ed left for the washroom. His short trip to the loo gave Johan enough time, to scan the room only to notice another lady shifting from her seat a few seats behind him. He gave the lady a friendly smile and was about to walk over in her direction. But he saw ed hurry back and decided to sit back down.

"Imperialists you say? Like the British red coats in their days of empire? It does seem as if you know the place where this bar is situated, and has anyone of these so called imperialists found this place yet?"

This is beginning to get more interesting my story should be filled with deception, action and strained relationships.

"they found the bar. Once. Managed to kill the messenger. And they are a bit like those 'red coats' thats who I'm on the run from. They came from my home planet, and they want to exapnd there empire, trust me, you don't want to cross them."

"And about where the bars located. Honestly have no clue, this place looked like a planet from space, think it might be caught in a temporal loop, several timelines intersecting on one point."

*When the one guy went to the bathroom, the other one seemed to catch sight of her and smiled, but before she even had time to return the smile the first guy was back in his seat, so she shrank a little further into the shadows, hoping to hear a little more.*

I wonder if Glacia is running from the red coats as well? But she certainly doesn't look at all like Ed, so I assume they must be from different places.

"Don't worry about me I plan on staying out of trouble as much as I can. Getting to know everything about this place, the people and to find somone who knows something about interplanetary and dimension time travel is what I am after. *smirks* Although, I definetly am looking forward to relaxing and having a little fun before I find my way back. It isn't every day that you get to travel 200 years in the future and across galaxies and solar systems."

"I assume it isn't just work that brought you here to. I wouldn't put it past the old man, I am sure he has a few tricks up his sleeve when it comes to tough situations and the ability of throwing a good party."

"Work kind of brought me here, but mostly running from the imperilists. My boss said that the traget for my contract was here, and so Icame. But the imperialists were here before me, and with time all screwed up, I wouldn't know where a train depot or space port is. Trust me, the more you stay here, the easier it is to undersatnd. Now I might as well talk about the imperilists. Started out as a small political party on my home planet, managed to start a coupe. I esacped from that with a small group of marines but we eventually went our seperate ways. Last I checked, they dominate several sectors of the galaxy, ecompassing several diffrent types of humans, as well as non-humans. Never know, maybe they see this place as something valuable because of its role as a temporal rift. I just know my contractor sent me here, never even seen his face."

Ed chuckled. "Contracts are kept seceret. But... I will tell you I don't really want to complete the contract, the contract doesn't really agree with me." Ed scratched his chin. "And about the temporal rift, go out the back door, and you'll be in the past, go out the front, your in the future, stay here, and your in the current present, make sense?"

This lesson in Edward's history looked to be promissing as a possible prologue or forward of the future events that might transpire. Johan worked diligently as he thought any good reporter would dpo and recorded as much information as he could.

"This place is a temporal rift you say? The tavern is essentially its own dimension, so it could be any time imaginable I suppose? This is good to know and would explain a lot, on why everyone here seems to be so different from on another."

"You said something about a contract and a target, you wouldn't have happened to have seen that person? If you have a possible description I can be sure to look out for you and tell you if I come across that person. And sure hope that person doesn't happen to be me." *awkward smile*

OOC: Looks like it put my post above yours.....

Martin walked down the stairs from his room. He glanced around the bar and noticed Ed talking with someone new. Orchid was sitting in a shadowed corner, he saw. He gave her a friendly nod and a smile, and made his way over to Ed, interested to meet this new arrival.

"Hello, Ed. Won't you introduce me to your friend?" Martin said as he approached. He chuckled slightly slightly and nodded at Ed, and gave the man he had never met a welcoming smile.

OOC: off for a while, don't knwo how long.

*Smiles* "So you aren't, the cold blooded killer that I first took you for, if violence can be avoided I am happy to here it. So I came in through the front door checks the door behind his shoulder, yes that must be right. There is no time like the present make as much of it as you can I always so say."

With that Johan closed his notebook and smiled at Edward.

"It was an absolute pleasure talking with you Edward, but I am feeling a little tired and probably go take a little nap."

As he headed back up the stairs he took a final look at the the lady and the other man sleeping in their respective stairs and was looking forward to doing the same.

ooc: I guess we can still assume that Grim's is located on planet 098 like in KJ's opening post. I am off for the evening but am looking forward to coming back on in 6-8 hours.

It seems as though this is a place where everyone who is looking for someone turns up at eventually.

The thought struck her as being odd, but then life (or death) was odd.

Well I am almost sure that neither of those two are my quarries.

Martin sighed as both Ed and the new man left.Then he brightened slightly and approached Orchid.

"Hello, Orchid. You look a bit uncomfortable. Been here long?"

He smiled warmly at her.

*She laughed at his question.*

Hello again Martin.

Only the last 26 hours....it's amazing how you can mould to a seat when you have no need to move.

How is the entertainment business going?

I'm almost sure he's not one of them either.

*She laughed at his question.*

Hello again Martin.

Only the last 26 hours....it's amazing how you can mould to a seat when you have no need to move.

How is the entertainment business going?

I'm almost sure he's not one of them either.

Martin's eyebrows raised slightly in surprise. "26 hours on these hard chairs? I can't imagine I would be able to stand it..."

He chuckled slightly at her question.

"Incredibly badly, in fact. I haven't been able to land a single job since I got here." Martin did not seem at all worried about his lack of income. "However, certain other matters of a personal nature that I am pursuing while I am here are proceeding nicely."

"How is the...actually, I don't think you ever told me your trade..." Martin trailed off.

Marcus slowly pulled himself out of the sticky mix that had gathered around his head as he was passed out on the bar. At one point it has seemed that he had heard gunshots, but he wasn't able to to ascertain the direction or frequency before he faded out again.

He didn't even know how long he had been out? Hours? Days?

He stood up and purposefully brushed the dried gunk of the collar of his Imperial Military uniform. He scanned the tavern again, but didn't see enough alarm to feel that he should impose his authority to investigate the matter.

Besides, he wasn't sure if he had any authority left. He had never checked out when he left in the middle of his shift, and depending on how long he'd been gone, he was now listed as either AWOL or as a deserter.

And to the imperial army, desertion was a capital crime.

Well actually, I'm not sure that I have what you would call a trade.

I just am.

I don't think you told me where you came from...if you did I'm afraid I have forgotten.....

*She flashed a smile at him, her blue flecked eyes shining.*

"I see." Martin smiled slightly at her response.

He thought for a moment before speaking. "I do not know where I am from. I spent only very little time where I was born, and I do not remember it. After I was moved, I was never told where I was. Later, I always drifted around, searching."

He frowned and produced a bottle from somewhere about his person. Uncorked, it smelled strongly alcoholic. Martin took a deep drink and swallowed quickly, a slight grimace of distaste on his face. The bottle disappeared from his hands and he lapsed into silence.

We seem to have much in common.

Tell me, why do you drink that stuff if it is so distasteful to you?

*The silence was thick enough to cut, he seemingly deep in thought.
An image of the copper-haired Orchid laughing and drinking alcahol entered her head, but the jabbing soon dispersed it.
She rubbed the back of her head, while watching his expression for a change.*

We seem to have much in common.

Tell me, why do you drink that stuff if it is so distasteful to you?

*The silence was thick enough to cut, he seemingly deep in thought.
An image of the copper-haired Orchid laughing and drinking alcahol entered her head, but the jabbing soon dispersed it.
She rubbed the back of her head, while watching his expression for a change.*

Martin looked up, somewhat startled--he almost seemed to have forgotten she was there. He smiled warmly.

"You don't know where you came from either? Quite a coincidence..."

The bottle reappeared in his hand and he turned it round and round, studying it. "This stuff? Because it is so powerful, I suppose. A little goes a long way." He grinned, and the bottle disappeared again, to be replaced with a Mescal worm. "Besides, they are actually quite tasty with these worms," he said as he popped the worm into his mouth and began to chew.

Martin noticed orchid rubbing the back of her head.

"Headache?" He asked sympathetically.

*She watched fascinated has he crunched the worm.*

Headache?
Oh no...it's just...a part of me...
You don't have a prober in your head then?
You obviously don't have improper thoughts to subdue.

*Red and blue sparks seemed to fly from her eyes.*

Martin swallowed the worm and grinned. He produced a bag seemingly from nowhere, and offered it to Orchid. it was full of Mescal worms.

"Want one?"

Prober? thought Martin, slightly puzzled. He kept smiling, revealing no hint of his confusion.

"Of course not. I pride myself on thinking only the most pure and proper thoughts at all times," Martin said dryly.

*She peered into the bag, and took out a worm. It felt somehow familiar and she shuddered inwardly as she popped it into her mouth and chewed it slowly.*

Strange how these days I don't feel the need to eat very much.

Thank you....that was....an experience.
Oh, I don't think unpure thoughts....just improper ones.

*She leaned forwards and whispered...*

They don't like it you know.

Martin grinned widely as he watched her eat the worm, and laughed at what she said.

"I am very gratified to finally find someone who will at least try one...most people refuse to go near them."

As Orchid leaned closer to whisper, Martin frowned. He could hear the capital "T" as she said "They."

"And who, exactly, are They?" He whispered back.

*She looked all around.*

They know my thoughts so I'll probably get a bad jabbing....They are those who rule...

*She continued looking all around in a nervous manner.*

They sent me...

*Her hand flew to the back of her head.
She then smiled at Martin.*

Thank you for the worm....it was most kind of you to offer me one.

I have to go now...
It has been nice talking to you.

*She stood up and patted him on the shoulder, as she made her way past him, up to her room.*

OOC
I have to go get some sleep....I've only got five hours before the alarm goes off....night.

Martin frowned slightly. He wanted to press her for more information, but it seemed that her "prober" delivered jolts of pain when she discussed her masters. Besides, he got the feeling that pressuring her would do no good--she would tell him if she chose to, and nothing he could do would make a difference.

He smiled at her comment.

"Not at all. It is a pleasure to find someone willing to at least try my worms. Until another time then, Orchid." He smiled at her as she left, and turned to follow her with his eyes until she was out of sight.


Well, that is certainly something to ponder...

Ed entered the bar again, eh had left to survey the surronding area. The bar was empty,not a soul in sight. He took his usual seat, then ordered a glass of bourbon.

Squorn strode purposefully into the barroom. He noted happily that is was empty, or nearly so, and continued across to the stairs, heading up to his room. If someone had been looking closely, they would have seen that he held a smallish bundle under his coat.
A minute or two later he emerged back down the stairs, minus the parcel. He stepped quickly over to the bar.
"Dark rum Grim, and keep em coming," he said with a grin, before settling into his usual posture, looking out over the room.

"Hey your back!" Said Ed. "Find what you were looking for?" He asked.

"Hey your back!" Said Ed. "Find what you were looking for?" He asked.

He flashed Ed a quick grin, "Even better, found what someone else was looking for." He took a swig of rum.

"Hm, a job well done, eh?" He turned back to his bourbon. "I myself have been trying to help your friend find who he was looking, have a pretty good lead to. Turns out hes the current puppet master of the local government."

"Hmm, I wasn't aware the Tumbler was looking for anyone." He took another swig of rum and contemplated this for a moment. "I guess everyone has their own agendas."
"As for my job well done, you'll probably be able to hear all about it on tomorrow's news."
He leaned back against the bar again, smiling enigmatically.

"Ah, so you 'aquired' it, eh? Have no fear, wouldn't go to the proper authorities even if I could, always have to respect other peoples lines of work unless it directly threatens me."

"Ah, so you 'aquired' it, eh? Have no fear, wouldn't go to the proper authorities even if I could, always have to respect other peoples lines of work unless it directly threatens me."

"A noble sentiment sir, and one I share." He finished off his rum and leaned his head back, grinning up at the cieling. "It really was a nice piece of work though, if I do say so myself."

"Oh really? What was it? Some artifact, a sculpture, a painting? Maybe something else?" Ed shrugged. 'Was never very good at guessing, prefer to deal in absolutes."

"The item itself isn't terribly special to me, except for the dollar amount it represents if I can get it to a fence or a collector, but I must say I even impressed myself getting ahold of it."
He took a quick sip of the fresh bottle of rum Grim had brought him.
"Museums have all kinds of taxpayer dollars to spend on security systems and guards. I like the challenge they present."

"Musuems, I remember I had a contract on the musuems curator, appearently was stealing alot of the artifacts for himself. Had a hell of a time getting through all the security systems and gaurds, had his own little private army."

Foxfire walked slowly along the street in the rain. He looked up. "Grims Bar." he muttered. "Good a place as any." He slipped inside. Foxfire had Fox ears and a fox tail (hence the name), yellow eyes, and sharp, pointy teeth. He's fast, very fast, agile, and graceful. Otherwise he's about 6,0 with dark brown hair, dark skin, and gray eyes. He's a dodgy sort. A down on his luck merc, actually. He went over to the bar and sat down, singnaling the bartender. "Drink please."

"Mmhmm." Squorn nodded knowingly, "There are several avid collectors around who don't ask questions about where I get the pieces they want. There's plenty of stuff in museum storage vaults that no one will miss too much, although," he smiled, "they'll probably be in an uproar to learn some of the things they'd set aside have gone. Just like a spoiled child."

He broke off as a stranger entered, nodding briefly in greeting as the man sat down.

"storage vaults? Musuems might as well give the stuff away if they don't put it on display. But hey, whats it matter, you did your job and got paid, like any good memeber of the lelgal work force. Although.. you don't fit in with the legal work force, but oh well."

"storage vaults? Musuems might as well give the stuff away if they don't put it on display. But hey, whats it matter, you did your job and got paid, like any good memeber of the lelgal work force. Although.. you don't fit in with the legal work force, but oh well."

Squorn did not reply but nodded and smiled, watching the newcomer out of the corner of his eye. He caught Ed's eye and gave him a meaningful look which clearly said, Don't talk about this with strangers. He took a swig of his rum and turned to face the man, who appeared to have large ears and a tail.

"Evening."

Ed noded in the direction of the person who walked in the door. he looked human except for the fox ears and the tail.

Squorn did not reply but nodded and smiled, watching the newcomer out of the corner of his eye. He caught Ed's eye and gave him a meaningful look which clearly said, Don't talk about this with strangers. He took a swig of his rum and turned to face the man, who appeared to have large ears and a tail.

"Evening."

Foxfire nodded. "Hello. How ya doing?"

"Xiscapian, actually." Foxfire said. "You've got that look most other people get when they're trying to figure out where we come from. You probably won't have heard of us, we're far away from most anywhere. Prefer not to get into galactic affairs, usually."
EDIT: OOC: Forum timewarp!

Ed turned towards him. "Evening to you to." He turned back to his drink, running the newcoers description through his mind, trying to figure out what race he is.

Foxfire nodded. "Hello. How ya doing?"

"I'm just fine, thank you, and yourself?"
Squorn took a few moments to appraise the man. He was really quite an unusual specimen. His gray eyes and dark skin were an uncommon combination and the fox ears and tail added to the strangeness.

"well, don't think I;ve ever run acorss your race before. Then again, I really don't go beyond human setors of the galaxy, heard that some aliens can be down right nasty to humans." OOC: Yeah I hate those forum timewarps....

"I'm alright, I don't bite. The only humans who truely piss me off are the North Caleverans and those Choas people. One wants to cage us, the other wants to destroy us. Fortunatly, we have resisted and come out victories."

Ed turned towards Squorn and handed him a a pocketwatch. "Careful, its really old. Solid gold on the outside, maybe one of your customers could use it, I really have no use for it."

Ed turned towards Squorn and handed him a a pocketwatch. "Careful, its really old. Solid gold on the outside, maybe one of your customers could use it, I really have no use for it."

Squorn carefully, almost reverently reached out and took the pocketwatch. He slowly turned it over and around in his hands, studying it carefully. Presently he looked up, with a somewhat bemused expression on his face.
"Do you have any idea how much this is worth?"

Ed turned towards firefox. "I know what its like to be actively hunted, your not alone."

Ed turned towards firefox. "I know what its like to be actively hunted, your not alone."
"I know. Humans are probably some of the most twisted, odd beings in the galaxy, no offense."
OOC: You're both human, I take it?

OOC: Squorn is Human as far as I know. My character isn't quite human, but as to not spoil any further plot points, won't say anything else.

"Well, thats just most Humans, some of us have some honor and dignity. Honor among thieves, as they say."

Ed chuckled. "Last time I got it aprasied, several hundred thousand dollars. Turns out its one of only four in existence."

Ed chuckled. "Last time I got it aprasied, several hundred thousand dollars. Turns out its one of only four in existence."

Squorn nodded at the amount Ed told him, "At least that, probably more. You'd just give this away?"
He was struggling to comprehend how someone could say 'I have no use' for an artifact that could be worth as much as a million dollars.
"If you played your cards right selling this off could set you up for life."

Good to be back.Ed chcukled. "Don't need to be set for life, already am. Seems in these days of upheaval, assains are in high demand. I try to justify my work by only excepting contracts that will exterminate a greater evil. But even though the pay sometimes isn't good, keeps food on the table, fuel in the tanks, and a good supply of ammo. I don't need much in terms of material goods, im a very simplistic man. besides, better somebody else has it then it getting shot up in a fire fight, eh?"

Foxfire looked over intrestedly at the timepiece. "What's that?"

Squorn's awed stare alternated between Ed and the watch. Eventually, still not quite believing what had just happened, he slipped it into one of his coat pockets.
"I am deeply in your debt sir."

Ed held up his hands. "no need to thank me, like I said, better giving it away then havng it shot up in a fire fight."

Foxfire shrugged. "Odd human rituals." he said under his breath.

"Odd human rituals? Thats nothing but the exchanging of gifts, surley your species must do something similar."

Ed held up his hands. "no need to thank me, like I said, better giving it away then havng it shot up in a fire fight."

"I suppose that's a valid point, but I'd think, something this old, it doesn't have any value to you at all?"
In his consternation, he hadn't heard Foxfire clearly.

ed shook his head. "It doesn't really. Took it off a dead contract, looted it from a family that was exectued in a purge."

"Odd human rituals? Thats nothing but the exchanging of gifts, surley your species must do something similar."
Foxfire laughed. "Sort of, yes, but not odd little circles of gold! Is that a amulet of some sort? A machine?"
OOC: He's never seen an actual watch, Xiscapians don't have watchs, just chronos mounted on the wall.

"Its called a pocket watch. It tells time. Uh... like a chronometer in your pocket. Does that help at all?"

The slightest hint of distaste flickered across Squorn's face, but he masked it well.
"Even so, it is a very great thing to give."
He looked at the bottle of rum in his hand as if noticing it for the first time and abruptly drained what was left of it.

"well, it was never mine to begin with, never know, it might find its way back to the remainder of the family."

"well, it was never mine to begin with, never know, it might find its way back to the remainder of the family."

"Stranger things have happened."
Squorn sat quietly, reaching into his pocket to gently finger the watch.

"Well, plus it keeps the watch safe, and might make someone happy. I try to give myself a noble cause."

"Its called a pocket watch. It tells time. Uh... like a chronometer in your pocket. Does that help at all?"
"Odd. So who else has come to this bar, anyway? Terrans, Isans, Alversians, Hoobeebians, Tappens, what kind of species?"

"Well, mostly humans from diffrent parts of the galaxy, two androids, one hasnt shown his face since, and one quite dead."

"Dead how? Laser bolt, plasma, bullet, EMP?"

"I believe it's primarily a Terran crowd here."
Squorn looked over at the conversation. It was as if he was speaking from a great distance away.

"I twisted its neck 360 degress. Nearly killed me, that bastard machine."

"Why would it try and kill you? Did you offend it? Or was it an assassin?"

"It was an assasisn, sentient android. Tried to inflict pain before it killed me." He pointed to the bandage on his arm. " Damn thing clipped an artery, nearly bled out."

Foxfire shook his head. "Stupid thing."

"yeah, didn't realize I'm still a threat even while bleeding and on the floor."

There was a pure sounding chime. "I need to go now, been nice talking with you." said Foxfire, and he exited.
OOC: See ya

Ed turned back to Squorn. 'I don't trust him." He said.

Squorn shrugged, "He did seem rather inquisitive without much reason."
He swirled around the rum in a third bottle, looking thoughtfully into its depths. "Course you're probably better off not trusting anyone, not until you know them a lot better."

Ed shrugged. "Well, thats why I haven't told anyone who I really am, yet. Besides, he has an attitude against humans, don't think I will trust him."

I wake up to sirens, wonder what I've done this time, and hurry down the fire escape. I know where I'm going before I hit the ground. Grim's. A hideaway for refugees, from what I had seen of it. Plus I still hadn't learned anything about the reactions to Jeremy's death.

I stick low and to the shadows until I reach the alley where the tavern is located. It's stopped raining for once, but the smell of drowned rats is heavy in the air now and I pray it will rain again soon.

I duck into the bar and order a drink. Since I seem to be wanted again, I'm less afraid of what I may do.

As the surly bartender hands me my drink, I look around the tavern, and glimpse two people deep in conversation over a watch. I think I've seen them before, and regulars would be able to tell me exactly what I needed to know.

"Evenin' gents.
Pretty little watch you got there..."

Ed reached for hid gun. "Don't even think about it." he said.

"I don't think any prejudices he may or may not have are the main problem. He just asks too many questions. If you frequent this type of establishment interrogating people like that, eventually someone will get upset and do something unpleasant."
He drained the last of his bottle, but waved away Grim when he approached with another.
"That'll be enough for one night, thanks."

"I don't think any prejudices he may or may not have are the main problem. He just asks too many questions. If you frequent this type of establishment interrogating people like that, eventually someone will get upset and do something unpleasant."
He drained the last of his bottle, but waved away Grim when he approached with another.
"That'll be enough for one night, thanks."

"Amen to that. Just wish Grim would let me keep my gun loaded when I'm in the bar."

Ed reached for hid gun. "Don't even think about it." he said.

ooc: Directed at me?

"Grim likes to have an edge on people should trouble arise I think. If they're still loading while he's pulling the trigger. . ." he left the sentence unfinished. "Not that I'm implying you mean to start anything here."

"oh no, I don't plan on starting any trouble. As you may have guessed I'm trying to keep a low profile."


OOC: Yes, that was directed at you.

The watch in question quickly disappeared into one of Squorn's inner jacket pockets. His attention was now fully directed at the newcomer, the hand inside his jacket moved slowly from where it had deposited the watch to find the handle of a long dagger.

Squorn's face was impassive as he appraised the man who had approached them. "Good evening. Something I can do for you?"

Ed reached for hid gun. "Don't even think about it." he said.

The men were reaching around, obviously towards some hidden weapon, when one barked a hasty accusation and the other offered a cool response at my comment. They should be thankful I hadn't had my drink yet. I know I am. I don't need blood on my hands right now.

"Woah there, buddy. Just trying to break the ice. Saw you two boys talkin', thought I could get some company. You two regulars round here?"

Ed noticed how Squorn reached inside his coat after he had placed the wacth in his pocket. A knife, genious He reached inside his pants poket and grasped the cold metal grip of the knife he kept strapped on the inner lining, he was prepared to pull and throw if things got messy.

"Kind of, I only arrived a couple of days ago." He let go of his knife but kept his hand near it in case he needed it. "Sorry for the abrupt intoductuion, names Edward Harrison."

"I find myself in here a fair bit, you could call me a regular I suppose. Why do you ask?"
It was obvious that both other men had noticed his hand moving to a weapon. Ed was quite obvious in reaching for various weapons. Hopefully the potential for a truly nasty and dangerous fight would prevent one breaking out at all.

Ed slowly moved his hand away from where his knife was and tapped the bar. Grim came out of the back room, as usual. "Whiskey, stiff." he said. Grim noded and went to the whiskey rack. "Well now," he said. "What brings you here?"

"Kind of, I only arrived a couple of days ago." He let go of his knife but kept his hand near it in case he needed it. "Sorry for the abrupt intoductuion, names Edward Harrison."

"Don't worry about it, Ed. I got greeted with weapons in prison too.
They learned it was a mistake, I hope you don't have to.

The name's Obediah. I was wondering if you'd heard anything about the events of the last few days...

What's being said about that murder...."

"Muder, eh? yeah, some guy was found murdered. But I;m not gona ask any questions, Grims bar is a haven for those on the run, you've got the right to hide anything you want to. OH, I believe I was present last night, you were having an altercation with my secondary contractor. Don't worry, no hard feelings."

Upon all the talk of murder, Jeremy's face flashes before my eyes. I'm still not sorry for what I've done, and I snarl it away. It fades, to be replaced by Emily's knowing smile.

Why do you mock me, Emily?

I reached at my previously untouched cup and take it in a swallow.

Ed looke dover and saw Obidiahs face display a hint of disgusts, followed by deep thought. He knew better then to interupt him and turned to squorn. "So whats your next move?" He asked.

"Muder, eh? yeah, some guy was found murdered. But I;m not gona ask any questions, Grims bar is a haven for those on the run, you've got the right to hide anything you want to. OH, I believe I was present last night, you were having an altercation with my secondary contractor. Don't worry, no hard feelings."

I'd thought he looked vaguely familiar. Maybe my parole officer is right. Maybe this stuff will kill me.

"Are you talking bout that acrobat? We didn't fight. We exchanged a few words, and then he went off on his own."

Squorn noted both other men relaxing very slightly, he wasn't sure why, as nothing terribly reassuring had passed his ears.
"Apparantly the killer beat Jeremy to death and fled out the window."
He watched Obediah carefully, observing his face.
Why should he be so curious about the murder? Another thought floated into his mind, and while he suppressed it for now, it remained in the back of his head: A guilty man always returns to the scene of the crime.

Squorn noted both other men relaxing very slightly, he wasn't sure why, as nothing terribly reassuring had passed his ears.
"Apparantly the killer beat Jeremy to death and fled out the window."
He watched Obediah carefully, observing his face.
Why should he be so curious about the murder? Another thought floated into his mind, and while he suppressed it for now, it remained in the back of his head: A guilty man always returns to the scene of the crime.

ooc: I suppose this is still adressed to both.

"So there's not much talk about it, then?"

Well, it seems I'm off the hook for that. Now it's whatever I did last night I have to worry about.

"Evidently not," Squorn's voice was devoid of emotion. He hadn't moved since putting the watch away. Something about this man just put him on edge, he would have written it off to nerves, but his instincts were seldom wrong. Many times he'd been saved when a feeling of dread had cause him to hide just in time to avoid a security guard on a job. Obediah just gave off a horrible vibe.

"Evidently not," Squorn's voice was devoid of emotion. He hadn't moved since putting the watch away. Something about this man just put him on edge, he would have written it off to nerves, but his instincts were seldom wrong. Many times he'd been saved when a feeling of dread had cause him to hide just in time to avoid a security guard on a job. Obediah just gave off a horrible vibe.

I got what I needed. The man who killed my friend was a low life nobody. I guess we weren't so different, then.

This is where it get's awkward. I know I can't just leave. It would arouse too much suspicion. I was never good at small talk though. Already my attempt at it had caused both men to try and pull a knife on me. My lack of small talk was what Emily said she adored. That I was a "man of action". She had lo...

There I go, thinking of Emily again and fooling myself into believing she'd loved me. I need another drink.

"Another drink for a damned soul, Grim? So, uhh.... what brings you guys around here?"

At last, Squorn allowed himself to relax fractionally. Something had changed in Obediah's demeanor. The threat Squorn had perceived seemed to have passed. Still, he kept his right hand ready to plunge back inside his coat for the knife, while he ordered a small glass of water from Grim.
"A few things, it's as good a place as any to lay low, and because of that, you can make useful contacts here. I also have a few friends around here," he glanced around at the interior, "on top of that, it's just my kind of place."

Johan awoke from his sleep and decided to head downstairs towards the main bar area. Ed and Glacia certainly made a lasting impression upon him and he was still curious about the dark haird girl that arrived the same day as him and the men that she was conversing with.

As always, armed only with the might of pen and paper the young (terran) boy headed downstairs to check on Grim and anyone else who happened to be present.

Immediately as he entered the room he saw two men in deep conversation, one of which he saw once before and another completely new to him.

He decided to creep into a dark corner and record the conversation from a distance.

At last, Squorn allowed himself to relax fractionally. Something had changed in Obediah's demeanor. The threat Squorn had perceived seemed to have passed. Still, he kept his right hand ready to plunge back inside his coat for the knife, while he ordered a small glass of water from Grim.
"A few things, it's as good a place as any to lay low, and because of that, you can make useful contacts here. I also have a few friends around here," he glanced around at the interior, "on top of that, it's just my kind of place."

"Glad you've found a place where you can fit in."

There seems to be little place for one like me. I'm prehistoric, brutal, and drunk. The world no longer lives on instinct. It lives on intellect, and that's something I seem to be lacking.

I down my drink, and nod to this man who has given me his time.

"Thanks for your time, kid. As for me, my time is up. All I can say to you is keep hold of what you love."

I walk out the door, pick up a rock, and heave it through the nearest corporate window. Alarms blare, only matched in intensity by the sirens that join the chorus a few minutes later. Police swarm around me. With alcohol pumping in my veins I swing at them. A few go down, but more come. Some cop gets wise and pulls out his stunner. I feel it prick into me, but keep on fighting. Several seconds later a few more cops follow in his example, and I'm down.

They carry my body into the van, ready to drag me away for the last time. Maybe the judge won't want to keep me alive this time. Then I can join her.

As the van drives off, all I can see is Emily's face.

Emily, I'm sorry.

I love you.


ooc: Fin. Sorry I keep getting rid of characters. I tire of the same story dragged out too long.

ooc: I like your style, your characters so far enjoyed lives that were nasty brutish and short.

OOC*: Trivialite, want to work on something? I could scratch up a quick character for you. I need someone new to work with anyway.




*I don't really have an IC right now:p

ooc: If you have an idea feel free to give me a TG. Otherwise, make an IC that may play well off of one of the regulars, a character that you may want to hang on to for awhile. Collaberative plots and characters are always a good idea.

Glacia awoke. This time she decided to go for a small bit of shock, and dress differently. She put on a pretty short skirt, with her knives strapped to her legs under it, and a pretty bell sleeved shirt. Both in a pretty gold color that complimented both her redblonde hair and golden eyes. She walked downstairs, and saw to men deep in conversation. Looking further, she found Johan, the boy from yesterday, sitting a bit farther away. She walked up behind him.

"Hey Johan."

Ed swung himself out of bed. He had forgotten to excuse himself last night, a small lapse of coutesy that tugged on the back of his mind. He dressed in his usual outfit, a casual two piece suit, and grabbed his coat and headed downstairs for some breakfast.

*Ju wandered downstairs. Munching on a white bun of steamed bread with seasoned meat inside. *


I Guess I was meant to be here... it feels like home. He tosses a piece of bread to the moldy patch on the wall and watches as the bread is broken down and consumed by the green patch. a soft purring sound is heard.

Truce? you don't snap at me, and I'll toss tidbits at you...

Hops in through the door to see what happens here.

Empty bar.
Hey there barman get me a beer will ya?

Downs a beer while waiting for the action.

Hey there... what brings you here... besides the brew that is.

I was in the neighbourhood. Thought I'd catch a little action, but don't seem like there's much to be had.
What happens here as the norm?

Hey man I never saw you there. Where'd you come from, you scared the crap outa me.




man we got a time warp

Ed looked over and saw the newcomer. might as well... he walked over and stuck out his hand. "Names Edward Harrison. What brings you here?"

I was in the neighbourhood. Thought I'd catch a little action, but don't seem like there's much to be had.
What happens here as the norm?

intrigue, romance, death, destruction... you know... same ole, Same ole.

intrigue, romance, death, destruction... you know... same ole, Same ole.

Quirks a lopsided grin.

Not too much of that going on just now...you the barkeep?

Martin the Tumbler strolled into the bar, whistling softly, and glanced around the room. He walked up to the bar and took a seat near Ed.

"Hey, Ed." Martin smiled slightly at Ed and gave a careful nod to the newcomer.

"Hello."

Ed looked over and saw the newcomer. might as well... he walked over and stuck out his hand. "Names Edward Harrison. What brings you here?"

Shakes the hand with a firm grip.

Hi Ed, Rob here.

Martin the Tumbler strolled into the bar, whistling softly, and glanced around the room. He walked up to the bar and took a seat near Ed.

"Hey, Ed." Martin smiled slightly at Ed and gave a careful nod to the newcomer.

"Hello."

Nods back.

How do?

Not too much of that going on just now...you the barkeep?

*looks around*

HEY GRIM? YOU HIRED A BARKEEP YET?

"Yep! YOU!" Grim's harsh reply echoed through the room.

Great! Let's talk wages and pay then!

***

as I figured.... I guess I am the barkeep...

"Ah, there you are. been looking for you." Ed ordered a round of bourbon for himself. Ed shook Robs hand. "What brings you here?"

"Ah, there you are. been looking for you." Ed ordered a round of bourbon for himself. Ed shook Robs hand. "What brings you here?"

*slides out glasses filled with the amber liquid*

Nods back.

How do?

"I am quite well, thank you. And yourself?" Martin seemed to warm a little to this man.

Ed paid for his round and noded to the bartender. 'So you're the new bartender? Grim always managed it himself, guess this gives him time to relax."

actually... I'm the Cook. :p

Ed paid for his round and noded to the bartender. 'So you're the new bartender? Grim always managed it himself, guess this gives him time to relax."

"Ah, there you are. been looking for you." Ed ordered a round of bourbon for himself. Ed shook Robs hand. "What brings you here?"

Martin frowned slightly at Ed's comment.

"Yeah. Sorry I haven't been around here for a while--some of my pal Alex's little buddies came out to play, and I had to deal with them, and take a little time to recuperate."

Ok then barkeep, I'll have another of the same

pushes the empty beer bottle across the bar.

I'll get the tab for those and get yourself something.

Pulls a seat nearer the bar and sits.

Nice to meet yous all.
The names Rob and I'm from the defunct asteroid Bortius.

Ok then barkeep, I'll have another of the same
I'll get the tab for those and get yourself something.
Nice to meet yous all.
The names Rob and I'm from the defunct asteroid Bortius.

Thank you sir. yes sir. alrighty sir.

*serves more drinks around.*

"Ah, at least you had playmates. I haven't left the bar in two days."

"Ah, at least you had playmates. I haven't left the bar in two days."

Martin smiled. "They weren't too good at the game."


He leaned a little bit closer to Ed and dropped his voice so that it would be audible only to Ed. "So, you found something, then?"

"Ah, at least you had playmates. I haven't left the bar in two days."

Two days in a bar..man my heart bleeds for you.

Downs half the beer and wipes his mouth on his sleeve.

Any reason you couldn't leave?

Ed shook his head and adressed rob. "Just didn't leave, no where to go." He turned back to Martin and lowered his voice. "Lately Alex has been building up his army and weappns cash, all with Imperialist funds, thats definently not good."

Ed and his mate were well into the secrecy bit so not wanting to pry, walks to where the room keys are hanging and turns the sign in book towards himself takes a squint at the names written there.

"Ed shook his head and adressed rob. "Just didn't leave, no where to go." He turned back to Martin and lowered his voice. "Lately Alex has been building up his army and weappns cash, all with Imperialist funds, thats definently not good."

Martin frowned slightly. "No, it isn't. He's building up to something big. have you found out anything about his whereabouts? If we can get to him, I think I can dissuade him from whatever he's planning. If not...if not, I will do what is necessary."

"No, I haven't, he's been careful. All the transactions always take place either offworld or in the governmental building, and as we know, that place doesn't have living quarters. All I've managed to find out is hes building not just a small one, but a large army capable of taking on other armys."

"No, I haven't, he's been careful. All the transactions always take place either offworld or in the governmental building, and as we know, that place doesn't have living quarters. All I've managed to find out is hes building not just a small one, but a large army capable of taking on other armys."

"Damn. I've no friends to go to for favors, no one who knows where he might be."

Martin frowned, concentrating. Suddenly he looked up.

"Hold on. Noire. She's a young woman, a mercenary, I think, who comes in here fairly regularly. She was the one who first hinted to me that Alex was even on this planet. She worked for him. Maybe she can help...although I haven't seen her around in some time." Martin frowned slightly. "There is another problem with her--her reputation. She is a mercenary, and one of the good ones. She wouldn't sell out at the drop of a hat, and she will protect client confidentiality. I doubt she can afford to appear to be any kind of turncoat."

Whistles tunelesly to himself wandering to the antique looking jukebox.

Hey barkeep, hows this thing work, never seen one like this before.

"Mercs, yeah there allegences are bought by cash. Might have a tough time convincing her, but its a risk I'm willing to take."

"Mercs, yeah there allegences are bought by cash. Might have a tough time convincing her, but its a risk I'm willing to take."

"Well, looks like e might be in for a bit of a wait. Oh well." Martin sighed and stood up, stretching.

He wandered over to Rob, smiling. "Hello. I apologize if I seemed to crowd you out of the conversation earlier. Ed and I had some rather secret business to conduct." He extended his hand, still smiling.

"I don't believe we have been properly introduced. I am Martin the Tumbler, at your service."

Hey no sweat mate. I want nothing less than to know your secrets.

Holds out hand and shakes firmly.

Tumbler eh?
We had a famous one on Bortius, maybe you heard of Travis?

Hey no sweat mate. I want nothing less than to know your secrets.

Holds out hand and shakes firmly.

Tumbler eh?
We had a famous one on Bortius, maybe you heard of Travis?

"Unfortunately, I have not. Until recently, I was entirely unaware of the existence of habitable worlds other than the one on which I spent most of my life, let alone people on those worlds."

Martin looked at a chronometer above the bar and his eyes widened. "OPardon me, I've got to go!" He exclaimed, and hurried out of the bar.


OOC:Sorry, called away...

You're kidding me!
Don't they teach planetary geography where you come from?
We learned about four different galaxies time I was 59.
Time I was 102 I'd been round most of quadrant 9.

Shakes head in disbelief.

"I gotta go for a bit, need to go see something." Ed went over to the lock box and grabbed his ammo belt before heading out the door. The second he stepped out of the alley, he was ordered to halt. he turned and came face to face with an imperialist. "And just where do you think your going citizen?" He asked with a sneer on his face. Ed turned to face him. "What, is it a capitol offense to take a walk?" The head officer's snear dissapeared from his face, he wasn't used to getting back-talk, espicially from civilians. "Come with me, we'll teach you to back talk to an officer." All of them pulled out stun batons, ready to use them. Ed chuckled. "You really don't want to do that." One of the imperialsts appearently didn't like that comment, and rushed in front of the others. Ed's hand lashed hand and crushed his windpipe. "Expressing second thoughts, anyone?" The other officers turned and looked at each other, then drew their pistols. "Thought not." Said Ed, and dove behind a large trash bin. Shots pinged off the sides, and ed jerked his gun out of his holster. He clicked off the safety then popped over the side, two shots, two corpses. The remaining officers, either deciding to cut their loses, or not acustomed to being shot at, turned tail and ran down the street. Ed leaned out a bit to check to see if it was clear, then turned back towards the bar. He entered and immideatly took off his ammo belt and placed it in the lock box, before heading back into his seat. "Ran into a bit of trouble, looks like they might know the general location."

The sound of shots was enough.
Sorry mateys, but I just remembered something gotta be going.
Be seeing yous.
Runs out through the rear door.

Ed turned to look at the new comer fleeing the bar. He went out after him. "Wait, they don't know this place exists yet."

Squorn walked through the backalleys of the city toward Grim's, pocket full of money from selling of the other night's acquisition. As he turned the last corner before the tavern, he was shocked and dismayed to see flashing lights and yellow crime scene tape almost right in front of the tavern.

He almost ducked back around the corner, but knew that would look to suspicious. He had no choice but to walk nochalantly to the tavern door, paying some attention to the crime scene, but not enough to get himself noticed. He made it inside the door and wanted to breathe a sigh of relief. If they'd been after him he never have made it this far.

With his heart beating somewhat slower after the shock in the alley, he sat down at the bar and ordered a vodka shot to help the relaxation process.
"So what's going on out there?"
"Double homicide," muttered Grim, "both of em officers."
"Damn."

The alchohol was having a marvelous calming effect on Squorn and as the minutes passed he became surer and surer that the police outside were not even aware of his existence. He ordered a large glass of ice water, better to keep his wits about him, just in case, and settled down into one of the couches near the fireplace.

*Ju walks in.*

Same ole same ole.

*Ju sits at the bar and scans the night crowd.*

wonder if this will affect business...

"I wouldn't expect too much traffic through here with that show just outside. The denizens at this sort of establishment tend to avoid flashing lights."
Squorn smiled.

"I wouldn't expect too much traffic through here with that show just outside. The denizens at this sort of establishment tend to avoid flashing lights."
Squorn smiled.

"Slow night then."

*Ju moves into the kitchen and comes out with a trolley filled with small sandwiches and some coffee. he opens the door and puts out a sign.*
"Free: Help Yourselves."
*He puts the trolley next to the door and moseys back in.*

"So... Names Ju by the way. nice to meet you mr..."

"I go by Squorn."
He sipped his water and sat up somewhat from where he'd sunk into the couch cushions.
"A quiet night is just fine by me, I'd rather the attention stays out there, not in here."


ooc: how are we going to have this work, do Ju and Squorn know each other?

Martin approached Grim's Tavern. He frowned slightly as he saw the police clustered nearby, but he continued on without breaking stride. He walked into the door and immediately headed for the trolley of food. He grabbed a couple sandwiches and a cup of coffee. He walked up to the bar, sat down, and began eating ravenously.

"Who do I have to thank for this delicious sandwich?" He asked. "Surely not old Grim..." He looked at the man behind the bar.

"It must have been you. Well, thank you! I don't believe we have been introduced. My name is Martin the Tumbler, and I am indebted to you for your generosity." Martin smiled, and his eyes were friendly, but they held a hint of laughter as well.

Ooc: up to you. don't know if you knew Ju at the final days of the PBC/PC... if you did, you'd notice these things. Ju's left arm/hand is not covered. normally he wore a jacket and gloves. if you know why, then details not needed. otherwise, his left arm and hand are flesh and bone. he has some memory gaps so you may remember him, but he doesn't remember you.

ooc: but it's the same Ju then? hmm

"I go by Squorn."
He sipped his water and sat up somewhat from where he'd sunk into the couch cushions.
"A quiet night is just fine by me, I'd rather the attention stays out there, not in here."


ooc: how are we going to have this work, do Ju and Squorn know each other?

Ooc: up to you. don't know if you knew Ju at the final days of the PBC/PC... if you did, you'd notice these things. Ju's left arm/hand is not covered. normally he wore a jacket and gloves. if you know why, then details not needed. otherwise, his left arm and hand are flesh and bone. he has some memory gaps so you may remember him, but he doesn't remember you.

IC: Squorn. *nods in greeting* a quiet night may be desired. but it doesn't pay the rent.

He chuckled quietly, covering up a sense of uncertainty that he'd seen this man somewhere before, although he knew it hadn't been here at Grim's.

"Maybe not for you, but my rent-paying nights are very quiet indeed. When they get noisy, that's when I have my troubles."

He glanced over at Martin and smiled in greeting.
"Had a hungry evening Martin?"

"Who do I have to thank for this delicious sandwich?" He asked. "Surely not old Grim..." He looked at the man behind the bar.

"It must have been you. Well, thank you! I don't believe we have been introduced. My name is Martin the Tumbler, and I am indebted to you for your generosity." Martin smiled, and his eyes were friendly, but they held a hint of laughter as well.

*laughs* "of course you thank Grim. if he wasn't so generous of heart (as long as it's not his) that wouldn't be there. "

and I believe we met a couple of nights ago Martin.

*laughs* "of course you thank Grim. if he wasn't so generous of heart (as long as it's not his) that wouldn't be there. "

and I believe we met a couple of nights ago Martin.

Martin smiled apologetically. "Ah yes, of course. I'm sorry, I had momentarily forgotten. How do you do...Ju?" Martin finished the last of his sandwiches and gulped down the remaining coffee.

"Oh, and hey, as long as you are tending bar...does Grim have any absinthe secreted back there, by any chance?"

"Oh nothing so exciting as that, made a little money on a sale and then just a little scare coming up the alleyway outside the tavern."
He shook his head slowly.
"Bad business out there."

He chuckled quietly, covering up a sense of uncertainty that he'd seen this man somewhere before, although he knew it hadn't been here at Grim's.

"Maybe not for you, but my rent-paying nights are very quiet indeed. When they get noisy, that's when I have my troubles."

He glanced over at Martin and smiled in greeting.
"Had a hungry evening Martin?"

"Hello, Squorn." Martin grinned.

"I suppose you could say that. Got involved in a bit of a rooftop chase...I guess I'm just not very good at hide & seek. How about yourself?"

"Oh nothing so exciting as that, made a little money on a sale and then just a little scare coming up the alleyway outside the tavern."
He shook his head slowly.
"Bad business out there."

Martin frowned. "Yeah, I saw the Imperialists out there. What the hell happened?"

Martin frowned. "Yeah, I saw the Imperialists out there. What the hell happened?"

Squorn shrugged, "I don't know for sure. Grim said it was a double homicide of two officers."
He took a long drink of his water.
"Like I said, bad business."

"Oh, and hey, as long as you are tending bar...does Grim have any absinthe secreted back there, by any chance?" sur...

*slides a small glass filled with the liquid.*

Squorn shrugged, "I don't know for sure. Grim said it was a double homicide of two officers."
He took a long drink of his water.
"Like I said, bad business."

"Indeed. That is bad business...especially considering that it is happening right outside our tavern..." Martin thought for a moment.

"Guess this means an end to my leaving the tavern, at least till that lot clear off. I can't afford to go by there again. That I didn't get picked up earlier is pure luck." Martin frowned and once again lapsed into thought.

"Unless...no, Alex wouldn't be that paranoid, would he? Or maybe afraid someone will take what he wants?" Suddenly, Martin was grinning and laughing almost uncontrollably.

"I can't beliieve it! Would he really be that..." His speech dissolved into laughter again.

In an instant, his laughter was cut off and his face was again somewhat somber. "But I don't really know, do I? Better to be safe..."

Squorn looked at Martin with a somewhat bemused expression on his face. It wasn't so much the fact that he was talking to himself, but that he did it so loudly and about something that was obviously somewhat sensitive.

"Having a good conversation there?" he asked with a grin.

"If you don't mind my asking, who's Alex?"

sur...

*slides a small glass filled with the liquid.*

"Thank you, but I cannot stand the stuff unless prepared traditionally. If Grim has absinthe, surely he must have an absinthe spoon, a lump of sugar, and a glass of ice water?"

Squorn looked at Martin with a somewhat bemused expression on his face. It wasn't so much the fact that he was talking to himself, but that he did it so loudly and about something that was obviously somewhat sensitive.

"Having a good conversation there?" he asked with a grin.

"If you don't mind my asking, who's Alex?"

Martin glanced up at Squorn, his eyes dancing with merriment.

"My apologies, I have a regrettable tendency to think aloud. I hope i didn't reveal anything too sensitive. Alex is...Alex was my best friend. I haven't seen him in some time, though. In fact, he is the reason I am here. I am looking for him, you see." Martin frowned.

"Unfortunately, his trail seems to have petered out."

"That's a pity."
Squorn could clearly see that he was being lied to, or at least, having large portions of truth omitted. Alex obviously had some connection to Imperialists. He would have to ask a few questions around. It was good to have knowledge about this sort of thing.

"Thank you, but I cannot stand the stuff unless prepared traditionally. If Grim has absinthe, surely he must have an absinthe spoon, a lump of sugar, and a glass of ice water?"
apologies... here you go.

*a plate with the other items is placed next to the glass. including a glass of ice water.*

apologies... here you go.

*a plate with the other items is placed next to the glass. including a glass of ice water.*

"Ah, thank you, Ju."

Martin placed the spoon across the glass with the sugar lump on top. Then he slowly poured ice water over the sugar, which began to dissolve slightly and flow through the slots in the spoon. When the glass was nearly full, he stopped. the absinthe had turned milky and opalescent. Martin took a drink and sighed contentedly.

"Thats gooood." He said, smiling. "Thank you again, Ju."

"That's a pity."
Squorn could clearly see that he was being lied to, or at least, having large portions of truth omitted. Alex obviously had some connection to Imperialists. He would have to ask a few questions around. It was good to have knowledge about this sort of thing.

Martin saw that Squorn was becoming uneasy-- either he had picked up on Martin's omissions, or he knew more than he let on.

Could be either, with a guy like this...

Martin sighed slightly. he looked around to make sure no one was within earshot. ju was in the kitchen doing something, and the bar was otherwise deserted.

"Look, Squorn, I know you are a man who can keep secrets, and you certainly aren't likely to go blabbing to the Imperialists. If you must know, Alex has become a bit of a criminal kingpin around here. He had a hand in staging the coup that gave this place to the Imperialists. I'm here for my own reasons, but I'm afraid the Imperialists might have my description from him. thats why I have to hide...for now, at least."

"You need not worry about me keeping my silence. I've confided in you what it is I do and you know I have no love for the authorities and my own reasons to lie low. I may not share all of your ideals, but I am no informer. You have my word."
He drained the rest of his water, accidentally dropping one of the ice cubes, which tumbled down his side and onto the floor. He looked after it for a moment before turning his eyes back to Martin.
"I'm happy you had the confidence to share your secrets with me."

"You need not worry about me keeping my silence. I've confided in you what it is I do and you know I have no love for the authorities and my own reasons to lie low. I may not share all of your ideals, but I am no informer. You have my word."
He drained the rest of his water, accidentally dropping one of the ice cubes, which tumbled down his side and onto the floor. He looked after it for a moment before turning his eyes back to Martin.
"I'm happy you had the confidence to share your secrets with me."

"Ideals?"

Martin laughed.

"I'm no idealist. I am here, in fact, to make an acquisition. I simply have no idea where to find the man who has what I want, and I have no idea how I will get what I need once I do find him."

Martin sighed and leant back, producing a Mescal worm, which he chewed while he sipped his absinthe.

"Ah! So it's like that is it? That's something a little more up my alley then. I'm afraid I jumped to a bit of a conclusion. I believe I saw you chatting with Ed, who obviously hates Imperialists and I believed for a moment that your intentions were a bit more sinister."
Squorn laughed quietly at his own presumption and began to chew on one of the leftover ice cubes.

"Ah! So it's like that is it? That's something a little more up my alley then. I'm afraid I jumped to a bit of a conclusion. I believe I saw you chatting with Ed, who obviously hates Imperialists and I believed for a moment that your intentions were a bit more sinister."
Squorn laughed quietly at his own presumption and began to chew on one of the leftover ice cubes.

"Yes. I'm working with Ed, but his goals and mine are quite different." Martin smiled. "If you want a real idealist, I think Ed's your man. However, he does raise some worrying points. It seems Alex is building an army, although I don't know why. that is worrying to me and Ed (although again for different reasons). To me, it suggests he is going to send an army to search for the last of us, but Ed sees it as another attempt by the Imperialists to expand. Either way, it seems that it may be better that I dispose of Alex (or at least depose him) before I leave."

"Hmm, and that's another thing entirely. Politics has never been my cup of tea, although in this case I suppose for you it's more of a self-preservation issue. We'll let Ed worry about the particulars, he seems to care about it more."
Squorn smiled and leaned back, crunching ice between his teeth. Ed struck him as almost comical in his extreme focus and apparant bloodthirstyness and he couldn't help but grin at the thought of him.

"Hmm, and that's another thing entirely. Politics has never been my cup of tea, although in this case I suppose for you it's more of a self-preservation issue. We'll let Ed worry about the particulars, he seems to care about it more."
Squorn smiled and leaned back, crunching ice between his teeth. Ed struck him as almost comical in his extreme focus and apparant bloodthirstyness and he couldn't help but grin at the thought of him.


Martin laughed softly.

"Yes, Ed does seem to have a bit of an obsession, doesn't he? I suppose you can't blame him--from what I gather, the Imperials started on his homeworld, and have been taking planets nonstop ever since. Personally, I'd just as soon set myself on fire as get involved in politics on any level...but Alex is a different issue entirely."

"I think I understand as much as I can without prying far too deep into your personal life. There are some things that you just have to do, from time to time."
He kept a straight face for a moment, but then cracked a crooked smile.
"Ed seems to run across those instances hourly though."

"I think I understand as much as I can without prying far too deep into your personal life. There are some things that you just have to do, from time to time."
He kept a straight face for a moment, but then cracked a crooked smile.
"Ed seems to run across those instances hourly though."

"Hah." Martin smiled humourlessly. "He does, it seems. You saying you think he might have been involved with the shootout earlier?

"I have no idea who is responsible for the mess outside, but I wouldn't be surprised if Ed was the one. It seems like the sort of impulsively violent thing I'd expect him to do. Although, I must admit, this is a little over the top, even for what I'd expect of him."
He frowned suddenly, thinking.
"If it was him, I'm going to need to have a little chat about drawing attention to this place."

"I have no idea who is responsible for the mess outside, but I wouldn't be surprised if Ed was the one. It seems like the sort of impulsively violent thing I'd expect him to do. Although, I must admit, this is a little over the top, even for what I'd expect of him."
He frowned suddenly, thinking.
"If it was him, I'm going to need to have a little chat about drawing attention to this place."

Martin frowned. "Yeah, me too." He said, grimly.

"I hope it wasn't him--he had as much reason to want to lay low as us, and to slaughter Imperialist officers right outside of the place he's staying does seem a bit excessive..." Martin's frown grew deeper.

"Then again, you never really know with some people..."

"No I guess you don't."
Squorn's frown deepened.
"The more I think, the more I suspect Ed could be behind this. The other night there was a man in here behaving, oh, mildly threateningly, and Ed showed all the subtlety of a gunshot to the head. This could become a serious problem."

"No I guess you don't."
Squorn's frown deepened.
"The more I think, the more I suspect Ed could be behind this. The other night there was a man in here behaving, oh, mildly threateningly, and Ed showed all the subtlety of a gunshot to the head. This could become a serious problem."

"Oh really?" Martin frowned, and anger flashed briefly in his eyes. "I see."

His fingers tapped on the bar as he thought. He looked up.

"This could be very serious indeed...And it sure as hell jeopardizes my mission. Godsdamnit, if it was Ed..."

He sighed. "I suppose it's only a matter of time before they start questioning people around here about it..."

Squorn nodded with a long sigh.
"With that in mind, I'd suggest neither of us discuss this particular issue with Ed. Plausible deniability, we can still honestly say we know nothing about it at this point."
He slowly and laboriously stood, up stretching as he reached fully upright.
"For now, though, I think I'll be off to bed. Good night Martin."

He walked over to the stairs and headed up, where he was asleep within minutes.

ooc: I'm nodding off here. see ya later

Squorn nodded with a long sigh.
"With that in mind, I'd suggest neither of us discuss this particular issue with Ed. Plausible deniability, we can still honestly say we know nothing about it at this point."
He slowly and laboriously stood, up stretching as he reached fully upright.
"For now, though, I think I'll be off to bed. Good night Martin."

He walked over to the stairs and headed up, where he was asleep within minutes.

ooc: I'm nodding off here. see ya later

"Agreed. Have a peaceful rest."

Martin frowned and ordered a whiskey. He seemed deep in thought as he sipped his drink.

Martin sighed and got up from his stool staggering slightly.


I really ought to sleep...


He made his way to the stairs and up to his room, walking unsteadily. As he turned the key in the lock, he thought he heard the creak of floorboards from inside, instantly a long knife grew in his hand and he seemed more alert.

He opened the door quickly, barreling into his room...only to find that it was empty. He relaxed somewhat, and the knife disappeared.

He saw a slight blur of movement out of the corner of his eye.

Shit!

Martin dropped instantly, without even turning his head. A bullet whistled through the air exactly where he had been. He rolled on the ground, narrowly avoiding another bullet. He jumped up from his prone position and third bulled whistled in between his leg. Martin quickly drew back his arm and snapped his wrist in the man's direction. A knife bloomed in the man's eye and he slumped.

Only then did Martin realize that the man had been wearing an Imperialist uniform. He sighed

looks like Alex isn't as paranoid as I'd hoped...and they've found out about this place. he looked down at the corpse.

I'm too drunk for this...I'll deal with it in the morning. He thought as he closed and locked the door to his room. He dropped onto his bed and was soon fast asleep.

Ed turned the alley and found several imperialists standing in front of the enterance to the bar. Aw shit... Ed calmy walked up to the head MP. "Whats the meaning of this?" He asked? The MP turned to him. "This area is closed furthing an investigation." "And have you filed a report yet?" "No, we sent one of our own to check it out, he'll be back soon." Ed smirked. idiots He had his knife out and in the MPs throat before he could act, then turened and buried it in the other MPs chest. Silent, good, last thing I need is attention. He wiped his knife on one of their uniforms then went inside the bar. The final straw, hope they didn't send that report. He went to his room and tapped the video feed button on his PDA, his employer appeared. "Changed my mind, going to accept the contract." His employer noded then dissapeared in a haze of static. He went over to his bags and borught out a large case, as well as a folded suit. He opened the case first, it contained pieces of a sniper rifle, then started to assemble it. He quickly changed out of his clothes into his suit, a black armour weave suit designed to dampen the sounds he makes and blank out his thermal image. He sighed and looked around the room. This was home for a bit Ramming a clip into the sniper rifle, he walked over to the window, prying it open. He silently slipped out onto the sil, then climbed onto the roof as quickly as he could. Luckily, most of the buildings were close together, making rooftop travel far easier. He dissapeared into the night, trying to lead them as far away from the bar as possible.

*Ju carried a chair out to the door and sat down. he watched the proceedings and clean up. aparently, a third body was found and now more police were on their way.*

*sighing, Ju dissappeared back into the bar only to come out with more sandwiches and now a variety of doughnuts and more coffee. He put those on the tray and sat back down to watch the action.*

Martin awoke, and was puzzled to see that the dead Imperialist was still lying dead in his room.

Surely someone heard the shots--old Grim if no one else... then Martin's eyes focused on the gun that was lying near the dead man. He noticed for the first time that it had a silencer. Thinking back, he realized that only a soft spitting sound had accompanied the shots, but last night he had been too concerned for his own life (and too drunk) to notice. He sighed, and went downs the stairs. He approached Grim. "Grim, I know you are no friend to Imperialists. Well, one of them tried to kill me last night, and I cannot afford to take the body out of the tavern, not with all the Imperialists poking around here right now..."

Grim frowned, and then nodded. "There's an incinerator in the kitchen. Use it."

Martin smiled at the old man. "Thanks, Grim."

He hopped up the stairs and a moment later was coming back down,carrying the body over his shoulder. He disappeared into the kitchen for a moment, and then came back out, dusting off his hands.

I'm lucky I got him in the eye--hardly any blood to clean up.


He sighed and took a seat at the bar. He didn't order anything, just sat staring vacantly into space.

Ed had taken up a postion overlooking the main thourghfair, just a quarter mile from the bar. He lay silent, and didn't have to wait for long. About ten minutes later an armoured patrol came down the street, a single APC flanked by four soldiers. He knew right where to hit it, dead in the middle and the gas tank would go up. He aimed carefuly and waited until he had a clear shot and fired. He hadn't used a supresor, didn't need it for this one, the explosion would surely give him away. Sure enough, the shot went staright through the driver, he saw him slump over milliseconds before the gas tank ruptured and the APC exploded. All four soldiers and everyone inside it were killed. Screams of the civies and shouts of other Imperialists migled together, the civies quickly got out of the way, replaced by a small squad of Imperial regulars. Ed grinned insanley. Payback time and then the shooting began.

OOC: Going to start a histroy thread about the Imperalists and the fall of the union, if any one here is interested. After this thread is over.

Ed had finished shooting up the Imperial soldiers and turned towards the direction of the bar. He pulled out a pair of micro-binoculars and zoomed in. Good, no Imperialists, yet. He put them away and headed back towards the bar, he needed more ammo for his sniper rifle, with luck, his room hadn't been broken into yet. He jumped off a second story building and landed perfectly, his legs absorbing the shock of his fall, and strode towards the bar door. He thought about it for a second, then pushed his way inside.

then pushed his way inside.

nice... you didn't need to push me outta the way.

BTW... by the smell, you didn't change your clothing. GSR you know.

"Sorry, kind of in a hurry." He raced to his room and pulled out the case that had once held his sniper rifle, he quickly flicked it open and pulled out the nine extra clips, then rummaged through his bags. Sure enough, there it was. He pulled out an SMG, smaller then the usual standards, but still fit for use. He un folded then folded the stock again and grabbed two clips, he could find more ammo on the way. He went into the bar and saw Martin staring off into the wall. "Guess I owe you an explination, huh?"