Low key? Yeah, not happening (Open)

[Victoria Angel Paulsen]

Though she typically stayed away from the general populace, Angel found herself in a bar on Whitefall. She had been wandering for days and was tired, wasn't even sure what settlement's name she was in was.
Avoiding eye contact with anyone, she pulled her cowboy hat down low over her eyes and moved quickly to a corner booth. She sat there for only a few moments when a commotion started up at the far left of the bar, near the pool tables. Apparently someone had just been caught hustling, and the victim of the ploy wasn't too happy about it.
The larger man was now viciously beating the hustler now. The first strike was a pool cue breaking over his head, then he went to his fists. And to make matters worse, his two buddies joined in.
Angel didn't like what she was seeing, yes the guy was wrong, but these three would surely kill him, and he didn't deserve that.
She slowly moved out of the booth and pulled one of her pistols from the holster on her left hip. She moved up behind the larger man and placed the barrel of the gun to the back of his head.
"That's enough," she said, her tone even, but with a twinge of anger in it. "You've made your point."
She was not expecting what happened next. The large man spun quickly, slapping her with the back of his left hand across her jaw. She spun away from him with the blow, barely keeping her feet under her.
"It's over when I say its over Gorramit!" he shouted.
His buddies closed first, one using a chair as a stepping stool to leap over a table.
She quickly fired off one shot, taking out one of the men's kneecap. The other landed off to her left, and she quickly turned the gun on him. He didn't back away. Damned drunks, she thought to herself. She fired, taking him in the belly. As the man fell back, she turned her attention back to the larger man, who had another pool cue in hand.
"You gonna shoot again, ya little whore!
She aimed as if she was going to shoot, but as he closed the distance between them she sidestepped just a bit and kicked the man right between the legs. The man lurched forward and dropped the pool cue.
Angel holstered her gun and picked up the pool cue.
"Nah, she started "You're not worth the bullet."
She swung the pool cue down, slamming it against the man's face. It knocked him cold.
She dropped the cue and looked around frantically. She quickly then lowered her gaze and ran out from the bar, leaving the settlement before any authorities could arrive on the scene. She hoped beyond all hope that these guys had no ties to anyone who would come after her. The last thing she needed was to have to look over her shoulder.

[Thomas B. Garret]

Whitefall had called him back, not in the literal sence but it was the only place he felt at home. The dirt clod of a settlement he found himself in wasn't any thing like his home town. This third world dung heap didn't even have a landing pad for any type of ship nor did it have any way to contact the outside world. The perfect place for Thomas B. Garret former tinman and law of Whitefall.

His last three week here at this hole was spent making money to get drunk. Yet the most he could do was get buzzed and eventually fall asleep when every thing in the town was three hours in the hands of the sandman. This day was like the rest he had got back into town after tracking and returning four criminals to the local authorities of the larger town which was sixty miles south east. Thankfully for him he bought a few cases of spirits and had them stored at the bar called the 'Mudhole'. Why was it called so it was suppose to have been on a natural spring but with the latest drought going on it's third year it was now being known as the 'DustBowl'.

His bottle was nearly gone when a noise roused him from a morning after drunken sleep. Most would have hangovers but not Garret. He was just grumpy to angry till his head cleared. The noise of shouting, which made his right eye twitch, was very anoying and sharp. Thomas was started to get over the noise when a gut shot rang out which made his head ring like a chinese gong. Looking over at the source he got the clear picture Russle Jebbs was trying to take on Collins boys. Jebbs was too smart for his own good and the Collins boy were generally to stupid but it seemed like they were finally catching on to Jebbs pool tricks and a fight was started but ended when a woman had entered the fray.

Tommy which from the look had back handed her. Then Tyler and Toby rushed her one in the knee the other in the belly. If she had known those two had simular injuries two weeks ago by him she probibly shot them in other places. Tommy once again showing how stupid just one Collins was mouthed off and rushed her. Taking a pound of aunt Betties nut butter he fell to the floor. The girl was good he had to give her that not many would stand up to the Collins Boys and not run for their life afterwards.

Looking at her longer he noticed he hadn't seen her 'round here before. So when she left he tried to follow she would be needing a place to hide while the Collins cooled off. Grabbing his gear at the door he tried to run after her. Bottle of spirits in one hand his gear in the other he found that his head and feet were not talking just yet as he stumbled after her.

Yo miss! Hold up for a sexs theres. You'll need a place toowhooo.... layzs lower for a bit. Follow I'll git uze there in ones piecies. Oi my flapping head. Is the sun brighter to day than normal? Anywhos follow heres. I'll watch your pretty six for ya.

Garret made for an old hornet class transport ship which was half buried in sand and dirt at the far edge of town.

[Victoria Angel Paulsen]

Angel heard the man come after her, though her initial thought was more along the lines of wondering was it someone trying to catch her to fight some more. She really didn't want to fight anymore today, she had already put two bullets in people, and though she was good at it, she didn't like it. When she turned, keeping her head low, her hand behind her back, wrapped around the handle of the knife sheathed at the back of her belt, she saw the man stumble out of the bar, gear in one hand and a bottle of god knows what in the other.
Then he spoke, at least, that's what she thought it was, considering how slurred his words seemed. She didn't recognize him, though something in the back of her mind told her that she probably should. She relaxed the grip from the knife and finally let go as she followed as he headed for an old hornet class ship. Did he live there? she wondered.
"I hope I don't regret this," she muttered under her breath, low enough that she was sure he wouldn't hear.
She continued to follow as he approached the ship, only just realizing that it was half buried in sand and dirt.
"Uhm," she hesitated, then continued with a half sarcastic, half questioning tone. "Nice place you got here?"

[Thomas B. Garret]

s1133.beta.photobucket.com/user/Saislyra/media/Ships/Hornet/Hornet-elevation-diagram.jpg.html

(occ-layout of Hornet class ship)

The hornet was more or less buried someone before him had dug out the side hatches and made a very ruff passage way. The tunnel was very dark even with the blazing sun.

Keep to the left.

By this time his mind was clearing and so was his speach. Thomas ducked in and worked his way down the thirty foot tunnel to the hatch. Held within the darkness of the tunnel was booby traps all on the right side. You could only see them when you look back down the tunnel to the light outside. A clanging bang and the hatch opened with a shrill screech. Thomas never oiled it for this purpose of it making the loud noise that rattled your teeth.

Slapping a wall panel the solar charged batteries came to life. A simple 'beep beep' came from the galley area. Thomas walked with a mind focused and knowledge of the ship which was often engulfed in darkness. The bottle in a wire rack to the right the bag was gently laded on a ruff hand made table to the left. With a single movement he opened the bag and removed a new teched rifle and disappeared entering a cabin. the sound of clips and shells being fumbled with and the sound of a heavy thud. On exiting Thomas held his favorite rifle in his right hand, a long shot Sharps 1874 rifle, and the new teched in the left with a back pack of ammo.

Looking at the young girl he looked over his shoulder and said .....

Get what you need you'll be here for a while.

Turning the corner heading for the beeping sound Garret entered his galley area. Dropping the pack with a heavy thud he removed a beaker and poured himself some coffee that resembled hot tar than coffee. Like syrup it oozed out of a pot that had been one for the majority of a week.

If your hungry there might be some protein bars in the cupboards. Maybe.

Moving further toward the bridge he banged open the bridge doors and the sun poured back into the galley area. Dropping his plunder around the pilot's seat he flopped down sighing trying to think on how the Collins would come at him. They had a few times before but he was on their turf the last time now they were going to enter his. In a 'no quarter' mind set he sipped the coffee.

[Victoria Angel Paulsen]

She followed him the entire way, making sure to keep to the left as he had instructed. His speech seemed to be getting better. This was a good thing in her mind, as she had no wish to misunderstand something he might say later on and do something wrong because of it. She glanced back due to curiosity and noticed the booby traps. "Genius," she thought to herself.
She removed her coat, revealing all the previously hidden weapons, a shotgun, and multiple pistols, along with the knife sheathed at her back.
"I have plenty of ammo, but thanks. Now if you wouldn't mind, why are you helping me?"
She was not ungrateful, but was definitely a bit suspicious. Despite not knowing who he was she still felt like she should know. His face seemed so familiar, but she couldn't place it.
She couldn't deny that she was hungry, and the mention of the protein bars really peaked her interest, but she stifled that. This man was helping her, and she really wanted to know why.
"You seem familiar," she admitted. "Like I should know you. But for some reason I'm just not sure. My name is Angel."
She stuck out her hand to shake his, though a bit reluctantly.
"And what exactly are you expecting to happen here?" she asked, motioning to his rifle.

[Thomas B. Garret]

Thomas looked at the offered hand to shake. His right eye twitched at the thought of the contact. He hadn't touched a female in any way for a very long time. What also disturbed him was that she thought she knew him. Many on whitefall knew Thomas Garret as Cannon, tinman.

Garret. Thomas Garret. As to why your here and my involvement, I know the Collins very well since this is my home world. They're like a dog with a bone, and Miss you're the bone.

He openned the breach of the long shot. Fiddling with a very long paper patch shell he thought back to his wife. Warm thoughts of her folded around him for a bit before the cold curtian of the dropped over him. Loading the rifle he asked his question.

So why this town?

[Victoria Angel Paulsen]

The name was familiar, but she let it go at that, halfway noticing his discomfort, but then really seeing his reaction when she extended her hand. She immediately pulled back her hand and leaned against a wall.
"Why this town?" she repeated his question.
She fidgeted a bit, clearly uncomfortable now. Had she made a mistake following this man?
"I've lived here all my life. Well, on Whitefall anyways. Victoria Paulsen, that's my right name. I go by Angel, momma always called me that, before my daddy killed her and sold me."
She wasn't sure that she was comfortable giving all that information to him, but it didn't matter now, she couldn't take it back. She did notice that he had gone off for a minute, maybe he hadn't heard it all.
"Are you ok?" she asked when he did come back to.

[Thomas B. Garret]

Thomas had heard a bit her name mainly but still the ghosts of the past were still haunting him.

Just past ghosts of sorts. Well Miss Paulsen, Angel, sorry for your past but we all have baggage. Mine is still eatin' at me. These Collins knew me for my job because of their criminal ways. You see I was a Tinman. Those boys you dealt with nicely had never learned to keep themselves out of trouble.

Some time before they tried to swipe a shipment from a town near-by. What they didn't know was that it was just seed and furtilizer for the out lying farmers. They though the hover tram was money or some thing else. The three also didn't know I was on board traveling to this town because a bank shipment was going to touch down two hours later. The three ended the job in the same manner as you left them. The resulting event was a kidnaping of the town's mayor and my having to go git him.

Shortin' it all, they lost a few of their family and I lost them when they dug in at the canyon maze. Now with the damage you did and they knowing I'm living in this town they're goin' comin'. If they start asking questions and I know Momma will she'll find out it wasn't me but you and your life just got a bit more interesting and short. From here we should have the advantage only two ways in here: first is the way you came in the other is here and it's bullet proof.

Garret walked over to the window and tapped it with the muzzle of the long shot.

So till they git heres you tell me how you learnt to handle a gun so well.

[Victoria Angel Paulsen]

She began to get more comfortable with the man as he told her his story. She understood all too well having flashbacks, or whatever you wanted to call them. She wasn't so upset now that she had shared her history.
"The guns," she smiled. "I had to fight to survive after my father sold me. Really wasn't interested in getting hurt or worse by all those fellas in the crime bosses organization. Funny, I never met the actual crime boss, or maybe just blocked it out. Still, I had to learn to shoot to survive."
She turned slightly and pointed to the sheathed knife on her back. "I'm pretty good with this, too."
She moved up to the window.
"How long you think it'll be before they come at us?"

[Thomas B. Garret]

The sound of something bouncing off the main glass answered her question. It was followed by the sound of a rifle shot. Taking a few steps back from the glass Thomas could see in the distance riders and a short cloud of dust rising behind a truck with a heavy caliber gun mounted on the back. Hitting a button on the pilot's console started the motor for the blast panels of the main bridge.

As it lowered they opened fired. Most went wide but a few hit the glass and cracked it even punching a hole head high where he would have stood.

Well that saves me from having to break it. I like you have a need to survive. I'm not going to just roll over when some one asks me too.

As the blasts shut Garret walked up to the glass. The hole was just right for him to place his long shot through. Raising his sights and cocking his gun, he gentle pulled the double triggers. The following thunder of the long shot stayed mainly outside, but was still felt and heard. The target of Thomas' was the heavy gunner. The shot flew hot and true to it's inteaded target. Whipping him off the turret and out of the back of the truck. A second round fired heading to the engine block it's self. It do died just as quickly.

Now that they can't get that thing over to the hole, the next thing is for their demanding. You make sure they don't get smart and try to dismount that gun from the truck. OK. Oh and if you see a head have fun, cure their ill manner. It's not nice to to be heavy handed toward a fellow Whitefallian.

Thomas moved out of the bridge and toward the side hatch. He hoped that things would end well......for them at lest.

[Victoria Angel Paulsen]

"Son of a bitch!" she cussed as she heard the gunfire open up, instinctively covering her head and dropping low.
It all started so quickly. It took her easily by surprise. When she stood she couldn't get an accurate headcount because of the amount of dust kicked up. But just as Thomas had said, she kept her eyes on the mounted gun.
The men did not seem smart enough, at least not yet, to dismount the gun, but a couple of them did take cover behind the vehicle.
Not wasting any time thinking, she fired off a single aimed shot from her pistol. It rang out as it smacked against her target, the gas cap of the vehicle. It did blast the cap off the tank, but did not ignite.
"Gorrammit!" she shouted.
She fired off a few more shots, intentionally hitting the vehicle, she was trying to draw them out from the vehicle's cover so she could finish it there.
"Well I guess this answered my questions. Me and my big mouth!" she scolded herself.
She knew deep down she shouldn't have gotten involved earlier, but she couldn't have continued to watch as that poor man caught a beatdown like that.
She fired off another shot, and this one caught one who strayed from behind the vehicle in the left side of his face.
She hoped Thomas was getting a better view of the situation.

[Thomas B. Garret]

Garret watched down the tunnel, as he heard a few more shots ring out from the bridge. The ensuing cursing from the entrance from a older woman made Garret smile a bit. Shutting down the smile and raising the bullet shield in place with his foot the raining of bullets told him that ma Collins just outside and she was fuming.

Cursing at the top of her lungs Ma wasn't looking for a peaceful out come to the situation. Garret picked up the com mic that echoed his voice down the tunnel like he was standing in it.

Hello Ma Collins. You know all this shooting and dying could have been settled long ago if you gave those three to me when I asked. Now all you did was get the bounty raised on their head and your's. Ten thousand for each of them and twenty five for your loverly smile. This is of course being in your dead state. I would rather take the double amount for your giving up.

The sound of a deafing shotgun blast echoed up the tunnel. Garret let the ringing in his ears go for a bit to watch the light sensor to see if anyone was running the tunnel. Nothing. Sighing he knew she'd spill her all of her blood and anyone elses to heave them dead.

Garret you ugly rusted piece of tin. You sack of reaver guts. Stupid Alliance lawman. I'm goin' gut you and let my boy's brake that pretty on the bridge for what she did to my boy's. You know my mind Gaarrrreeeet. Blood was shed and more will coat the ground at my feet either your's or the pretty trallip.

She was right looking up to the bridge he wondered if this would end well. At least well enough forone of them to claim the bounty on these sickos heads.

[Victoria Angel Paulsen]

Angel heard the two arguing over the comm mic, though it wasn't easy to focus on that when she was firing off shots again, hitting one man in the left elbow, another in the right shoulder, and a couple more missing and skipping off the downed vehicle.
What was Thomas doing? Was he really trying to convince her to give up? Angel knew that wouldn't be an option, but trusted that the lawman knew what he was doing. Then she heard her call him stupid alliance lawman. He was alliance. She wondered for a brief second if that were true, or if Ma Collins knew about her history and was lying, playing a little game herself. Thomas had said she would ask questions. What if she had found out?
Angel had to push that aside, as more gunfire erupted. Two men were still around the vehicle, and they were advancing, coming out from behind the vehicle, one carried a repeater and the other a shotgun. She aimed her pistol and took two quick shots, downing both of them. She shook her head as the two men fell, lowering her eyes to the ground. She really didn't like fighting.
"Why did I have to get involved in that fight?" she scolded herself.
Angel turned and shouted down to the lawman.
"Clear up here!" She finished her statement just in time to hear Ma Collins call her a "pretty trallip."
"What the? I'm not a... Wait, what's a trallip?" she asked.
She had heard the word before, but never understood its meaning. It didn't matter at the moment. She just wanted to survive.
"So, uhm, she really hates you, huh?" she directed the question at Thomas, still shouting from the bridge, also still looking out the window periodically, making sure the boys weren't trying to surround them. She fired off another shot when she saw one who was. Headshot, he fell in a heap.
"Gorramn it!" she silently scolded herself again.

[Thomas B. Garret]

To hear Angel's words made him for get a little of the past and the hard times ahead. Taking his rifle in hand he perched the barrel upon the shield and aimed out the tunnel. Stopping he swapped guns to a quick shot rifle. The New Teched Winchester zinged to life as he charged the ammo clip. A slight ssssss...came from the gun as he squeezed off the first round hitting a motor bike's tank people scattered and hit the deck as it went up in a ball of flame.

Laughing Thomas called back to Angel to answer one of her questions.

Yea she never like me since I turned her down at the down's dance. That and I had shut down her slave trade house five years before that and ....... what was the other thing there Ma. .... Oh yea Your husban tried to rob the year end payroll of the Alliance base eight years before that. So yea Angel she not only hate me she'd skin my alive before she remember anything about your transgressions.

Garret looked back down the tunnel to see a flunky being pushed down the tunnel toward him. Shaking his head he calls out.

If you don't mind walk on the left side.

The poor guy stopped and tried to remember which side was his right. Ofcoures he didn't and a trap went off and the man shrieked as ropes wrapped around his legs and dragged him back out side and down past the front of the ship to swing in the air there. Garret had wondered what that first one was now he knew as for the others he all ready knew for the previous owner had warned him the first was non-leathel but the rest would get steadly worse.

[Victoria Angel Paulsen]

"Well at least I've got time to try to escape while she tortures you if we get captured," she jokingly prodded at Thomas as she reloaded her pistols.
She fired off more shots out the window, two at the vehicle, but the gorramn thing wouldn't ignite. "Maybe I need more power," she thought. Pushing that aside, she fired the other shots, at surrounding thugs. She caught two in the right shoulder and one in the neck. She missed with her other two shots, as the thugs dove to dodge.
"I count six more over here, you got a count?" she shouted back to Thomas as she fired off another shot, hitting a thug in the head.
"Make that five!" she yelled.