Taric TaiserviBuy the railgun and two clips for it, then contact my informants about the black baron.
[4] - Taric orders a delivery to his door. A short while later, a nondescript transport pulls up across the street and he lets the black market men carry their packages in. The Railgun doesn't look new or unused, but seems to work well enough.
[6] The bounty hunter messages some of his informants next, digging up any extra intel about the Baron. He gets plenty of responses, but only a few catch his eye. There's a police intelligence report from one of his contacts, which says that Sebastian detests firearms and prefers to fight in melee. He's also known for challenging those he deems worthy to personal duels, in which his troops are not allowed to interfere. Unfortunately, he's also a master swordsman. There's also a few pictures and technical information about his starship, which Taric reads just to be sure.
The report speculates that his forces are most likely made of old regime naval officers and marines, plus whatever old agents and operatives he's gathered around him.
Taric TaiserviHP: 75/75
Equipment: Zuche 4 Railgun
(1/1)Funds: 16,000¤
Known Perks: Focus Improvement PackageFaction: Bounty Hunter
Target: 'The Black Baron' (Old Regime)
Akhain GazhornAkhain looked around, before heading to the cockpit to ask the pilot where they were.
[5] - Akhain marches towards the cockpit but pauses at the door. A formally-dressed human is displayed on the main monitor in the cockpit, talking to Jinan. [2] He stops abruptly.
'What the... he's right there! Behind you!' he exclaims, seeing Akhain through the cockpit camera. Jinan turns quickly and manipulates the door controls with her implant. They shut close with a hiss behind him before the bounty hunter can react.
'I thought he was supposed to be asleep?' the man asks, sighing. 'No matter. Mr. Gazhorn? We were not supposed to talk until we had proof you were up to our standards, but I suppose we have no other choice now.'
He aims a stare that could bring down mountains at Jinan's general direction. She rolls her eyes.
'I have a business proposition for you, on behalf of Earth and her protectorates. Before I say anything else, you are free to walk away and will never hear from us again. Operative Avci will take you to your destination and back regardless of your answer. My government's offer could interfere with your line of work heavily, though I assure you we will provide you with funds. The choice is yours. But I assure you, listening further will be worth of your time.'
Akhain GazhornHP: 75/75
Equipment: Zuche 3 Cloaking Device (6/6), Zuche 20 Shock Mine (4/4), RUS2 Accelerator Carbine
(14/14), Thermal Blade (8/8)
Funds: 500¤
Known Perks: MultiVision Ocular ModificationFaction: Bounty Hunter
Target: Father Kosh (Old Regime)
SystarAccept the mission, and study the tips and info mentioned. Go to the Black Market and look for devices and implants, and anything else that helps with bypassing locks or making me faster.
[6] - No turning back now. Systar starts reading the files. It doesn't help his mood much. Off-world mercenary bodyguards - Blood Pact and Marauders, mostly - plus the elite of the Republican Guard. No reliable inside men in the government or inside his security. Uses personal shields, Zuche-manufactured. No blueprints available of her home or the governmental complex - and if the Federation couldn't get them, it's not very likely Systar can.
It's not all bad, though. The Consul is due to give a big public speech in the Old District in five days. Security will be extremely tight, naturally, but it might be the best chance he could get. Especially if the guards were distracted. The files also suggest hitting her mid-travel to the administrative complex or out of there as an alternative.
Truth to be told, these files help frustratingly little. Looks like he'll have to do some personal digging as well. There's plenty of time.
[1] With all this new information and thoughts buzzing inside his head, Systar completely forgets about the black market.
SystarHP: 75/75
Equipment: Thermal Blade (5/8), Aurora Revolver
(6/6), Gravity Trap (2/2), Zuche 3 Cloaking Device (4/6)
Funds: 35,000¤
Known Perks: AugeanTech LightningBolt PackFaction: Bounty Hunter
Target: None
GaosaronGao followed and jumped over the side as well, counting on his wings to slow his fall enough that he wouldn't be hurt. He couldn't lose that thing now.
[5] - Like hell he's just going to give up now! Gao jumps after the creature, using his wings to glide down to the nearest catwalk. He lands heavily due to his wounds and spares a quick look up. The beast is dragging itself forwards acrobatically, hanging on to the miscellanous pipes and outcroppings in the ceiling of the Steelworks complex. Gao's catwalk isn't that far from the ceiling. He can still catch the thing!
[6]vs[1+1=2] The bounty hunter musters all his remaining strenght and runs. Blood from his wounds drip through the catwalk and into the vats of molten steel below. He ignores the pain, knowing the creature is in even worse condition than he is. As if just realizing this, the thing drops on the catwalk up ahead of him, too tired to hold onto the ceiling. It begins racing down the thing, but Gao's already cleared the distance between them. [4] He opens fire.
[Dodge:1+1+1=3][Damage:30-12=18] And it's finally over. The beast goes limp and slumps against the catwalk railings. Gao can no longer continue, and collapses in exhaustion. He has to get these wounds fixed. The adrenaline finally begins fading, bringing with it repressed pain and fear of dying. Gao drags himself over to the beast's body and puts a few shots through it's brain for good measure.
[3] After a while, factory workers begin to gather around him, together with the security guard. Some cheer, some seem horrified. Gao can't bring himself to focus enough to notice. He's close to passing out when someone finally pulls him up and introduces himself as one of the workers who hired him. He says he'll transfer the funds as soon as he can. Gao soon falls back down, with his last memory being the workers dragging him somewhere.
He wakes up soon enough. The pain isn't gone, but atleast he can think straight. His wounds have been crudely patched up for the most part. They probably didn't want to poke around too much in fear of damaging some part of his alien body. Good enough. The workers give him the address of a real doctor, which is good seeing as he doesn't know anyone on the planet.
It's already dark - and raining - when he gets home from the Industirial District and the backalley doctor he was directed to. He finds the money safely on his account, good.
Gaosaron el-Anaula Ra'VantahinHP: 75/75
Equipment: Widowmaker Shotgun
(6/7), Golgo Mechanical Blade, NTT Inferno
(26/26), RUS2 Accelerator Carbine
(13/14)Funds: 28,000¤
Known Perks: NovaCore Electronic ModificationFaction: Bounty Hunter
Target: Unknown Lifeform (No Faction)
Subject 971Feint a slash, roll away and throw a gravity trap at him.
[3] - 971 tries a clumsy feint with his claws, which the inexperienced Fashuk thankfully buys and jumps back. When he realizes what 971 is trying, the bounty hunter already has a Gravity Trap in his hand. [2] He suddenly realizes he's not entirely sure how these things are activated. Fuck.
[6-1=5] Fashuk closes the distance again and attacks. The bounty hunter has to drop the stun grenade and dodge again. [Dodge:4][6][Dodge:1] 971 moves aside and gives Fashuk a fist to the chest in return. [Damage:5+2=7] The smuggler grunts and takes a step back.
'What do you want?' he asks. 'How much are they paying you? My government can pay much more. The Federation is much stronger than this upstart republic of yours.'
EnemiesFacing 971, Close RangeFashuk il-MaldasHP: 23/30
Equipment: Thermal Blade (5/8), Aurora Revolver
(6/6)Known Perks: Inexperienced FighterFaction: Sikhet Federation
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Subject 971HP: 33/75
Equipment: Flare Gun (4/4), Zuche 13 Gravity Trap (1/1)
Funds: 1650¤
Known Perks: AugeanTech FlexiSpeed AidFaction: Bounty Hunter
Target: Fashuk il-Maldas (Sikhet Federation), Fashuk's Files
ZaraZara pulled out his Widow maker, and took cover preparing for the coming enemies.
[6] - Zara turns off the lights, crouches behind one of the databanks and prepares for the Guards to come. He doesn't have to wait long. The door he came through is kicked open and [6+2=6] a Gravity Trap rolls in. [4] It doesn't land anywhere near the bounty hunter. He's got a clear view of the door, and sees two Guards enter. They're followed by two others. They must be talking on a private comm channel or perhaps they're just all familiar with this tactic, but soon both pairs begin moving slowly through the room. Their helmets have built-in night vision, so the darkness isn't bothering them at all. They move in almost perfect silence, scanning the room for movement.
[4] They haven't seen Zara yet, but the other pair is closing in towards his hiding place.
ZaraHP: 61/75
Equipment: Widowmaker Shotgun
(7/7), Golgo Mechanical Blade, Medkit (1/1), Zuche 3 Cloaking Device (5/6)
Funds: 20,000¤
Known Perks: AugeanTech LightningBolt PackFaction: Bounty Hunter
Target: CSC Database
Achutugu-oshaAchu walks up to the front desk of the casino. "We would like... An appointment. With the owner. We have some... Business matters to discuss."
[5] - The staff member manning the desk forces a fake smile to his lips. 'I'm sorry, Mr. Aurol is not seeing anyone today.' he says, and adds after glancing at a hidden screen; 'Madam.'
'I must ask you to give up your weapons now. I assure you our security is up to the task of protecting you. We have a strict policy about such things. I'm sure you and your companions understand.'
Achu looks at the others, who seem to be threatening the nearest staff members behind her back. Ugh. The one her visor identifies as Dorne marches up, having heard the conversation.
'No deal. Tell your boss to come meet us or we'll shoot the whole place up!' he bellows, waving the Carbine in the deskman's face.
The staff member's eyes narrow and Achu sees him push a button under the desk. Calling security. She notifies Dorne of this and [6][Dodge:2][Damage:16] he nonchalantly presses the barrel of the gun against his skull and pulls the trigger. It's not very pretty.
The gunshots finally snap the mass of visitors and staff out of their stupor. Someone starts screaming, seeing the faceless corpse on the front desk. Panic erupts.
'Perfect!' Dorne exclaims. 'They'll never find us with this chaos! Let's go!'
The bounty hunters look around for exits. Stairs leading up on both sides of the lobby, an elevator and glass doors to what seems to be a bar. The lobby itself is a large hall, with an enormous fountain in the middle. Panicking visitors are pretty much filling it completely now. It should be easy to get lost in the crowd, but the guards could do the same.
AlliesBy AchutuguDornechyl BalosiHP: 40/40
Equipment: RUS2 Accelerator Carbine
(14/14), Golgo Mechanical Blade, SychTech Gas Grenade (2/2)
Known Perks: AugeanTech FlexiSpeed AidFaction: Bounty Hunter
At the casino doorsSach yl BadthHP: 50/50
Equipment: Flare Gun (5/5), NTT Inferno
(26/26), Zuche 13 Gravity Trap (4/4), Zuche 20 Shock Mine (2/2)
Known Perks: Master Marksman,
MultiVision Ocular ModificationFaction: Bounty Hunter
By AchutuguTahada el-Fosaron Ra'MethinonHP: 50/50
Equipment: Widowmaker Shotgun
(7/7), Combat Knife, Golgo Shrapnel Mine (1/1)
Known Perks: None
Faction: Bounty Hunter
By AchutuguDemo ColchiniHP: 40/40
Equipment: Snaplock Pistol
(8/8), Combat Knife
Known Perks: Terrible Shot,
FoolhardyFaction: Bounty Hunter
---
Achutugu-oshaHP: 115/115
Equipment: RUS4 Snaplock
(7/7), Aurora Revolver
(6/6), Widowmaker Shotgun
(7/7), Frag Grenade (2/2)
Funds: 100¤
Known Perks: 'Juggernaut' Athletic GraftFaction: Bounty Hunter
Target: Slomon yl Eos (Old Regime)
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Toaster, you're free to do other missions in the meantime as well. But I'm not going to stop you if you get the urge to charge in blindly and get yourself killed. There's more info about the Black Baron in the characters spoiler on the first page, Taric.