The past can haunt you (Open)

[Daeran Winters]

(a week before the events of A Storm A Brewin)

A gun in each hand, Daeran found himself in a standoff. Persephone was his home, but he was getting a little sick of this happening. He didn't know why it was happening.
He was surrounded on all sides, and these men, all fifteen of them, were well armed. Another man, a non combatant obviously, stood behind them all. He wore a top hat and a fine suit, and used a cane to walk with, though he showed no signs of actually needing it.
The man spoke, a slight British accent showing through.
"It appears you've found yourself in quite the predicament."
Daeran steeled his gaze at the man, not answering. The men around him all had their guns pointed at him, he was outgunned. He knew he was screwed if he took a shot, and on top of that, he really didn't want to take the chance of missing and accidentally putting a bullet in an innocent.
"What do you want?" he finally asked.
For a moment the man in the top hat didn't answer.
"My good man, it's not what you have that I want. You are a minor consequence, merely in the way of my employer's needs."
Daeran wasn't surprised. The man hardly looked as if he was a leader type, despite his dress.
"You're about to make me really angry, you piece of go se. You want someone with nothing to lose on your trail?"
The man laughed heartily before he answered.
"Nothing to lose? I don't think you've thought it all through. You see, you are not going to come after me, or my employer, because I know something about you, or rather, someone you are close to."
He knew immediately that the man was talking about Rachel. What had she not told him? Was she ok?
"You hurt her..."
He was cut off by the man's laughter.
"We have no intention of hurting the girl. No no no, all my employer wants is the money owed. You see, your girl borrowed the coin to get her to the companion training facility, and she's yet to complete her training, so the money hasn't been repaid yet."
How could she have done that? She should have asked him for the money instead of trash like this. He would always give her anything she needed to accomplish her dreams.
"How much is the price?" he asked with an severely angry tone of voice.
"She will know." he answered with a sly smile. "Get the coin, or we will go after your whore, do we have an understanding?"
Daeran gritted his teeth, staring the man down. He almost fired a shot at him when he called Rachel a whore. He thought better of it, though, knowing his temper would not help the situation. He nodded firmly.
"Good," the man smirked. "My men will not have to leave you in a puddle of blood and broken bones."
He motioned for his men to leave, and they did.
"This isn't over!" Daeran shouted to the man as he walked away. "Once this is settled, I'll find you, and you won't be able to hide behind your personal army here. I'll be coming for you. And I'm gonna put a bullet right between your eyes."
His tone was even, but clearly the rage was building within. The man smirked and continued on his way with his men.
Daeran walked off, he really needed to think now. How was he going to contact her? He admitted that he really wanted to see her again, but there was no way he could right now. She had told him that her training would consume all of her time, and in truth, it would kill him to see another man touching her.
"Damn it!" he yelled out as he entered a small bar near the edge of town. He sat down and paid for a beer. Something had to give. What would happen next?

[Vladamir Kelchkoff]

As Vladamir walked into the "fine" establishment he noticed a man sitting near the corner when looked like he was fuming over some sort of previous issue.
"Mind if I sit down?"
Vlad hoped this man would be a man he could get along with, and possibly make a coin or two.
"I just arrived on this planet and you look like a man with something on your mind. Something you just can't fix on your own, if I'm readin' you right."
"Oh and by the way privyet I am Vladamir Kelchkoff."


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Ooc: I will use russian like some do Chinese ill also occasionally use Chinese, but if you have any questions about what the Russian means just ask. Ex: privyet means hello

[Daeran Winters]

Daeran motioned with his hand for the man to go ahead and sit down. He then motioned for the barkeeper to bring them both a beer.
"Daeran Winters," he introduced himself, rage still very clear in his voice. The man was right, he did have something on his mind, and he wasn't sure how to fix it. "And you're readin' me right."
He was still very angry over the situation before he had entered the bar, but what could he do. He had no way of reaching her. They had both promised to see each other again, but neither knew when it would be.
Daeran didn't even look up when the lovely waitress brought the beers to the men. She sat one down in front of each of them and smiled as she walked away.
"You know of a way to get to Xenon?" he asked the man quickly, before he even realized the words left his mouth. It was half out there now, he may as well finish the thought. "I have a friend there, she may be in trouble and I need to get to her, make sure she's safe."
He took a swig from his beer and then silenced himself, hoping that his directness and tone of voice would convey to the man that he didn't care what kind of danger or he had to face to get to her.

[Vladamir Kelchkoff]

"Firstly, I appreciate your offer but I have chosen not to partake of alcohol sir. If you wish for your money back I would be happy to repay you", Vlad said as he pushed away the beer. He racked his mind for a way to use one of his many contacts without giving too much of his past away. He didn't know this man, or whether or not he would take kindly to knowing that the man he had offered a drink to had worked with some of the largest smuggling operations in the Verse.
"I could, more likely than not, come up with someone willing to let us hitch a rid. That is if you aren't opposed to an uncomfortable journey, and a small amount of cash gone."
Again, Vladamir didn't know this man, and couldn't be sure he'd be good in a fight, so he decided, against the fact that this man seemed mad, as to the detailed nature of this man's predicament.
"Sir, I hate to be bothersome, and nosey, but would you mind tellin' me a bit more about your issue? It ain't that I don't trust you, it's more that i don't trust anyone until I get to know them. As mad as you seem I'd figure someone is goin' to make it a bit difficult to get your girl back. Oh, and, by the way what's your name?"

[Jeff Weston]

Weston settled a short cargo runner on a pad on the outskirts of the docks. He was to drop a cargo and then pick one up. This short run away from the Star was not fully his idea. He didn't mind much he just wished one of the new crew was able to come along. The trip so far was more than boring. He even wished for a gun shoot out on Persephone just to livin' up things.

Getting out he handed the cargo manifest to the dock major an watched till they finished. The loading would be next morning. Now all he could do is wait. The best place to wait was at a bar called Aunt Sis. Local color and dark corners was it's calling cards and right now a dark corner sounded really good.

Entering the bar he looked around walking further in and the alarms sounded on him.

I guess you changed your policy Sissy.

Yea we did Jeff after the last time you came in here. You know the routine........... strip.

Strip you wantin' to see me half naked again? That might cost ya a pretty coin.

Not like that you amo case......Your guns love. In the locker over here.

Jeff walked over to her removing his trench coat. It must have weighed about twenty pounds worth of ammo clips. Her eyes went wide as she stared at the new MP-90's clipped to a set of straps across his chest. With a single click the straps came free. Gently placing them in with one hand he reached for a hidden combat knife held within a leg strap pocket. As he started to move off she coughed and he turned remembering the sonic weapon at his back.

I'll take a Major General on the rocks, ...OH and a bowl of nuts.

She smiled and flipped him the bird. Jeff was in fine form today beging able to tease Sissy and her Major General father all in one fell swing was quite nice. Sitting at a round booth he place a boot on the edge of the table and leaned back letting the darkness smooth his spirits.

[Vladamir Kelchkoff]

Vladamir's voice changed to a whisper. "See that guy? 'Bout two tables over just removed a trench coat and some weaponry? I know him, we worked together about 4 months back. I left the crew because the pay just wasn't good enough. I think he has connections to a ship, and may be able to get us on board."
Vlad knew it was a risky decision. This man, Jeff Weston, wasn't the kind of person one negotiated with, and Vlad didn't even know if this man he was with had any money.
"Listen, I need to know your name, how much money you are willing to spend, if you are willing to pay me, and when you want to leave. Like I said, that man", Vlad motioned his head in Jeff's direction hoping he wouldn't pick up on the motion, "can probably get us a ride. His name is Jeff Weston and I'm warning you now, if you want to live, you won't question anything he says. I'll try to back down any price he gives us, but with a man like Jeff you normally can't do much negotiating."

[Daeran Winters]

"My name is Daeran Winters," he answered. "My girl borrowed money from a local crime lord to get to Xenon to start companion training. She hasn't finished her training yet and hasn't gotten the payment to him. They are threatening to find her if I can't get to her and get the coin paid. I don't have a lot of coin, but I'm willing to work for it, and if he has connection to a ship, then maybe I can do some odd jobs for that ship, let them keep my share in payment in exchange for a trip to see her."
Despite his anger, he still thought that would be pretty sound reasoning. He didn't care what he had to do, it wasn't about him, it was about her, and keeping her safe.
"If your friend there can ok that kind of deal," he said motioning for them to both head over and talk to the man. "Then lead the way."
He didn't care anything about the coin for the beer, or the beer itself, so he didn't say anything about it. It was a trivial matter, and he had more important things on his mind. He stood up and waited for the man to do the same.

[Vladamir Kelchkoff]

"Your girl, she must be mighty fancy bein' a Companion and all."
Truth be told Vladamir didn't much care for companions. The all thought that they were above others, when really they were just expensive prostitutes with training.

Vladamir stood up and nodded for Daeran to follow.
"Like I said, Jeff may or may not be able to find us a ship. Anyway, how much money are you talkin' 'bout for this companion training?"
Vlad really didn't care but wanted to soften the man up before spilling his next question.
"I couldn't help but notice, Daeran, that you failed to mention my question about payment for me. I don't often do this, but, for you, I will help you free of charge. However, I will accompany you on any odd jobs, and anything of value that the crew of Jeff's ship doesn't want I get. Deal?"
By this point the pair were nearly to Jeff's table. Vladamir, setting an example for his new job, slid into a seat opposite of Mr. Weston.
"Howdy Jeff. I don't know if you quite remember me, but we worked together a few months back. I seem to recall you having connections to a ship and me and my pal here", he said while good-naturedly slapping Daeran on the back, "need a ride to Xenon to take care of some business."
Vlad tried his best to ascertain the emotions of the man opposite him, but couldn't tell a thing.
"Daeran here ain't got much cash, but is willin' to work and let you keep his share. You in?"

[Daeran Winters]

"I'm not sure how much coin we are talking. The worm that works for this crime boss wouldn't say. I have to find out from her." Daeran quickly replied before Vlad asked the next question.
"I apologize for that. I can agree to that deal, I had no intention of not paying you somehow."
At this point they had gotten to Jeff's table and Vlad had started asking his question. Daeran barely looked at Jeff, his mind still a whirlwind of anger and concern for his girl.
He looked up long enough to nod at Jeff after Vlad asked "You in?"

[Jeff Weston]

Jeff looked at the two men. The one speaking he didn't remember the name but the mustash was familure to him. These two needed a ride and he needed to legitamize a reason on getting more funds for himself. When the name of the place they were wanting to go to gave him all he needed.

Before I say yes You have to know it's my ship and what I say goes, not questions about the cargo either. If you agree then we have a deal. Your job will be unloading the cargo when we get to the planet OK?

Getting up he moved over to the bar asked to use a com line and made arangements for more cargo to be brought aboard. He had though of doing the work by himself but now he has free help. Returning with his drink he was about to set it down when a drunk bumped into him spilling his drink. The mug and the drink hit the floor. A silent sizzle when unnoticed by most but Jeff. Hydrocloric acid, was a bad way to die but drinking it made for some thing harder to swallow. Looking over his shoulder at Sissy she looked back toward the kitchen. Then she slowly moved out of the line of sight from the kitchen this meant some one in there was dangerous enough for her to be nervous.

So standing straight he said once again.

If we have an accord then I'll meet you at the docks in thirty minutes.

Walking back to the barhe noticed his sonic pistol on the floor in front of the gun box. His footing was a bit sloopy as if drink had taken it's ungly effect upon a sober man. Stumbling he tumbled and rolled to the sonic weapon as a shot rang out. With two flips of a switch and a single adjustment Wesston lifted the sonic weapon above the top of the bar and squeezed off a shot. The bone shattering blast ripped through the kitchen doors. Following up the shot with another his mp-90 was sent over the bar to him. Swapping out for the 90 he nodded to the men.

See you soonish I have a bounty to collect.

Like you do Weston I'll kill you before you get the chance.

A male voice shouted from the kitchen. Weston followed the shout with quick bursts from the 90 and stormed over the bar. Rushing the kitchen it broke out in gun fire, yet as he passed through the broken kitchen another set of metal doors slid into place. Slowly Sissy rose up and came over the bar for protection.

I knew that Weston would do this again. Thank God for the forthought of putting blast doors on the kitchen. If Jeff makes it out alive the back door will be open and he'll get out that way.

A loud crash followed by heavy gun fire echoed from the kitchen and tapped across the blast doors.

[Vladamir Kelchkoff]

As Mr. Weston finished his briefing on the constraints of the deal, Vlad stood up. He motioned for to do the same.
"I believe I'm good with that. I ain't had a job in a month or so and I could house the workout about as much as the cash. From what he told me would probably be ' to agree with that deal, aren't ya ?" Vladamir hoped secretly for a bit of excitement, as life had gotten boring Weston finished his briefing on the constraints of the deal, Vlad stood up. He motioned for Daeran to do the same.
"I believe I'm good with that. I ain't had a job in a month or so and I could house the workout about as much as the cash. From what he told me Daeran would probably be willin' to agree with that deal, aren't ya Daeran?" Vladamir hoped secretly for a bit of excitement, as life had gotten boring planetside. He didn't want to kill anyone, just a little tussle— at about that moment, shots rang out and Vlad noticed Jeff firing back into the kitchen and the less wasted of the patrons running out the doors. Vladamir drew his two concealed .44s. One from his shoulder rig under his coat, and the other from his tall combat boot.
" I'd feel a lot more comfortable with a few rounds of ten buckshot in my shotgun right now, but I left it at my place! We better move on this gets bloody. Come on! We need to pack quickly anyway if we plan on being to the docks in a half hour."
'I really need to pick up some ammo.mi didn't have much when I got and never bought more. Guess ill have to trust to be at the docks promptly, because if I know Jeff, he ain't gonna wait'

" , I need to run a couple of errands. I'm trusting you to be at the docks in a half hour"by this point Vlad was ten yards from the door. He stopped and turned around. " I suggest you get a move on. Jeff ain't gonna wait for you, so you better be there. and with that Vladamir walked away.

[Daeran Winters]

Daeran nodded his approval at the man's statement. "Thirty minutes," he repeated.
Then the man broke into combat after the mug smashed at his feet. But the mug wasn't filled with alcohol. Daeran shook his head. He hated when someone wasn't man enough to try to kill someone straight up.
He wasn't sure about Jeff, but he had no other choice, and he really didn't care what kind of cargo he was talking about.
Vlad was saying he was low on ammo, a problem Daeran didn't have.
"I'll see you there," he answered as he split off from the man and headed straight fro the docks.

[Vladamir Kelchkoff]

Twenty-five minutes after the event at the bar, Vladamir approached the docks with a bag of clothes and personals in one hand, a slightly (but not by much) duffel with ammo in it, his pistols now both in shoulder rigs, and his shotgun slung diagonally across his back.
"Nice to see you made it on time. ," Vladamir shouted to Daeran as he approached the man. "Where's your stuff? Come straight here from the bar?"
Vladamir didn't know the man well, but he figured either the man had already stowed his gear, or he didn't have much or any to speak of. Either way, the trip was bound to start soon, so Vlad walked to the line of ships and began searching for the one owned by his old "pal" Jeff.

[Daeran Winters]

As Daeran saw Vlad come up and start speaking, he stepped behind a wall and picked up a small bag, containing all he had, including extra ammo and a few different pieces of clothing. He didn't have much, and he liked it that way. He nodded to Vlad and started following as he walked down the line of ships.
He was a bit uneasy getting on a stranger's ship, but it didn't matter. He would endure any discomfort just to see her again, and even more so to ensure her safety.
"So where's your friend?" he asked quietly, his voice still having a twinge of anger in it.

[Jeff Weston]

The kitchen fight was bloody and brutal. He tried as he could not to hit any thing that would make it in the a blazing furnice. The bullets bounced and clanged upon the metal that surrounded him. Tiring for the infuryating situation he rolled left from his position. Under a work station he spotted knees and hands and a back. Raking the area of a hail of bullets the fight quickly went from noisey to death quiet.

Getting up slowly he moved over to that location. He noted the dead men and found that they were low classed gun men from a local gang he use to clash with on a regular basis. Now he knew what he was going to do the next time he came to Persphone. But now he had to get to the docks and get his cargo loaded. Finding the back door he pushed it open slowly with the butt of the gun. As expected the action was met with another hail of bullets. Letting them run out of bullets he slides across the door to a more protective area noting the shooter's locations. This time it wasn't simple gun men but the gang it's self. Popping around the edge of the door he layed down cover fire as he rushed outside.

The movement was forward but he was very tired of getting shot at. They were unprepared for the rush they had always known him to sit and hit. The firefight was short lived. The last to fall was the thuggy boss. He was a man of little title and no bounty on his head. Shouldering the P90 he moved off before the tin showed their face.

---------

When he arrived his cargo was just showing up and the two men from the bar were there as well.

Good you're here. Let's get this aboard and get gone. This cargo is burning a hole in my ship already.
Taking a pallet himself he pushed it into the cargo hold.

The cargo only he knew what it was. A large cashe of silks, spices, wine, and ladies cosmetics, was what he ahd ordered and spent the majority of his money on. But he figured he'd get ten to fifty times the price for the cargo once they arrived on the companion training world. Going back out he grabbed the second of ten pallets and dropped it off and made for the bridge to fire up the jump drives.