RP: ISC Phoenix [Interlude 4] - A Hard Day's Night

Instead of answearing Robert's question, the Kohanian continued to look in the menu and mumbled, "I wonder if they serve human here..." adding a little purr at the end. Not that he cared for the taste of human, unless he was really hungry...

He made a small nod to Luca as he set down the tea, Panther picked it up and sniffed it first before beginning drinking it. The assassin glanced at the lady at the mention of himself but made no contest to the results, he ordered something with chicken after she had left though.

Panther did have a single problem though, "Luca, I have no means to receive this payment, as I am accustomed to receiving up front." He then pulled out a single DA card and put it on the table, it read 10DA on it. It was a single charge card, best used by those dealing in the dark considering it wasn't as easy to trace it back to the source.

"So let me get this straight," Seiren began just after the lady left, "You were attacked not once, not twice, but three times in one night? You are quite the popular guy, Mr. Pavone! Is this sorta thing on a daily basis for you?"

He rocked the chair that was obviously mentioned in my last post on its legs a little, nearly falling over as he teetered. A small beeping noise came from his pocket, and the inventor pulled out a small tracking device for his money.

"So, I suppose that means that I'm part of the crew now?"

At being offered money for having done nothing, Uriel stopped eating. It could be noted that in such a short amount of time he had almost bulldozed through half the food he had claimed for himself. It was at times like this, on a planet like Nepleslia, that the Patrician was grateful of his race's extreme metabolism in comparison to most others. Others that attempted to eat as he did often ended up with rather rotund bellies and ridiculously shaped backsides.

"Having done nothing, Mister Pavone, I feel it inappropriate to collect from this transaction." Having said this, he refused to be sent the 2500KS. He would earn his own through the appropriate means.

Enzo shuffled his various money cards like playing cards and leant back in his own chair, finishing his Irish coffee as he confirmed the plans. Silently he was cheering to himself. Outwardly, he was nonchalant; almost flippant.

"It's a good thing too. Aside from proper payment for services rendereds in the rescue process, I needs to take a gander at the old skin-sack's place anyhow. They might be able to sets me up with a good lead on my ship." He shifted his gaze to Mel before continuing, "I'm sure there'd be plentys of stuff fors a graceful marksmistress such as yourself."

After a pause, Enzo returned to address the rest of the crew, "Yes, anyone interested in weapons, ship parts, and the occasional airbike could find something nice for a reasonable price at Bortelli Brother's. At least, that's what the radio adverts used to say. That was back in Funky City, though. They shoves'd out to Prime after the law trieds to shut down their perfectly legitimate business endeavor. More privacy out here. so they say."

John quirked his eyebrow at Panther's mention of serving human, "Erm, well, don't eat me. All bones, no meat, y'know? Heh heh." He half joked, keeping a sheepish face.

Meanwhile, Luca was hearing everyone out.
"Zeta, don't worry about getting paid too much," Luca gave her a pat on the back, "Hell, compared to my last haul for, well, saving the universe, this is peanuts - but it adds up."
"I had me a whopper 'o trouble considerin' what I was gonna spend it'dall on," Mel added her two cents, "Still ain't sure wot to do with it all, maybe spend it on bullets, 'er booze."

"As for Enzo, well, you need two things - One, to get your ship back," He outlined the obvious, "The other is to get back on your feet during the meanwhilst so we can kick the pirate's asses who stole your ship."
"Heh heh, he talks pretty, don't he?" Mel talked back as she gave Enzo a punch, half playful, half insulted. She had a chuckle.

"Well," Luca turned his attention to Uriel while suppressing a smile, "I suppose you can think of this as a forward payment," Luca rationalised as he looked at him frankly whilst trying to ignore Mel and Enzo's playfight, "I have the feeling that we're going to cross paths frequently, and not just in transportation."
"It frequently happens," Sebastian nodded sagely, "It happened to me too."

He then turned to Panther, and heard out his dilemma.
"Hm. I didn't really consider that..." He then spotted something under Panther's tea cup. It was a bank card, "Oh," He pulled it out. It was a single-use money card, "I think this is it." He passed it over to him.
"She seems like a smart woman, prepared for anything," Sebastian made an educated guess, "Business oriented, too."

As for Seiren's query.
"Well! There's never a dull moment! Not that I complain, mind you," He pointed to his mother, "Someone else picks up the slack."
"He gets into fights too often, it's rather worrying." Anna folded her arms and frowned, looking at her son disapprovingly, "I just wish he wouldn't do such risky things."

"Mum, I can't help it if I've become a lightning rod for interesting times."
"And where do your 'friends' keep coming from anyway?" She inquired whilst looking mostly at the newer additions to the crew, "What are you, some sort of magnet?"
"As a matter of fact, possibly," Luca smiled mischievously.

Sebastian sniggered at this prospect, "Anyway, I'd say it's time to high-tail it outta here. After all," He noted as he got up and put his chair away, "I suppose we've earned it."
"Mmmhmm," John mumbled in agreement as he swallowed the crust on his toast.

"That settles it then," Enzo stood from the table and gathered his money cards, stuffing them eagerly into his cargo pockets. Without a moments notice, he was headed to the door, leaving a trail of cigarette smoke behind him. When he had reached the streets outside, he tapped a local on the shoulder and pointed his thumb southward, saying, "Bortelli Brothers that way, pal?"

The man only shook his head and pointed the other way. After a couple of seconds, he added, "Dey is set up a couple blocks that-o-way pardner. Little ugly buildin' nixt to a junk yerd; cain't miss it."

Enzo thanked the man and beckoned to whomever had followed, trotting down the sidewalk. Eventually, they arrived at a small office filling the only gap in a chain-link and barbed-wire fence surrounding a sandy lot filled with shuttles and trucks in various states of disrepair. A faded sign hung above the door, reading Bortelli Brothers Quality Used Merchandise: If you can't find it here, it's probably brand new! Enzo tossed his cigarette to the curb and yanked open the door, causing a small hanging bell to jingle. Inside, the walls were covered front to back with guns. Small handguns and rifles lined the lower shelves, with space-faring weapons disassembled on racks near the ceiling. In the aisles near the middle of the store were all manner of devices which would no doubt catch the eye of the junkers-- plasma manifolds, distortion cables, cardialotic kajiggers and gargleblasters or what-have-you. A large pile of parts surrounded a workbench where a man was busy at work on something.

He was a large, bald man with two cybernetic arms and a cybernetic eye to complete the ensemble. He turned to Enzo briefly and lifted a metallic hand in a slight waving motion before returning to his work. Hearing a pause in the clamor of tools being used, a second bald man entered the room, wearing a business suit. This man was short and portly, but not so much as to be hideous. He was putting on some glasses when he caught sight of Enzo at the door. They both stared at each other in silence for a moment before breaking into a chorus of noise, starting with a really stretched out "Eeeeeeeeeeey!" and ending with a rough-looking bear hug.

"Vinny! Vinny! My own nephew as aye lib an breave!" The larger man was almost cheering, "What, what may I ax ju, brings ju outta to my parda da galagsee, eh?"

Enzo squeezed his burnt hand from the night before and responded slowly: "I, uh, I gots pinched Uncle Lucco. Not by the Yams's or anybodys important-like. But some pirates pinched me, see? An' I was, uh, wondering if you sold anythings to people lookin' for Mule parts."

Lucco frowned at Enzo and put his hands on Enzo's shoulders. "Dis is not good news, my nephew. No, no, not good news at oll. If dey comes here, lookin for parts for your ship, nephew, dennat means dey gots your ship. Not a good good sign for you or business in genarell."

Enzo remained silent while Lucco moved to the register and flipped through papers on a clip board. When he had waited long enough, Enzo decided to speak up again, "Unlce Lucco. These guys behinds me, they pulled me outta my escape pod and saved my skin. They've been good to me these past few days. They dids me and this family a favor. Can you arrange to helps me pays them back for what they've done?"

"Of course, of course, Vinny!", Lucco replied, still flipping through papers, "Just have dem look trew my moichandice anyting dat might be for to have nifty or whateva! I'll be eggs-tra reasonable an' keep 'em cheap. Mide eben gib 'em something free if its nota big thing."

He looked up at Enzo before continuing, "I may hab sold some stuff-o dis guy. He comes in here sayin' he gots a Mule, yeah? Annit's needin' some new stuff, yeah? So I gets 'im 'isduff an he tries to takes it widout payin, see? Well, big brudda Frank innit to happy about all this sos he ruffs 'ima up a liddle. He gets us ouwa moneys and shazaam, we gives him his goods and faggedaboutit, it's all good again. If dat's your guy you got no trouble gettin' your stuff back, yeah? He gotta eyebowl tatooed on his fore-ead."

"That's my guy, Uncle." Enzo assured him, a bad taste coming into his mouth as he remembered the eyeball staring at him from over the pirate's brow. He pushed the though out of his mind and began browsing the store, looking through a rack where several combat jackets were hanging for a suitable replacement for his former jacket, no doubt resting peacefully in the hotel's garbage with the remains of the goo-woman.

"'Only Slightly Used?'" Vincent grunted, analyzing a brown leather pilot's jacket. It was one of the old-style bomber jackets with the sheepskin collars, probably a reproduction from the early days of the Nepleslian Empire when daring flyboys wore the old jackets as part of the uniform. This one may or may not be a relic from that era.

The jacket looked (and smelled) old. The leather was faded and the sheepskin stained, some of the patches were hanging on by a few threads, and the ex-merc swore there was a hole in the left breast that looked like it had been left by a knife. A very large knife. The ex-merc shrugged, sliding both arms into the large jacket (after removing his white two-button dinner jacket) and adjusted it, to the point where it fit satisfactorially. The smell was just barely within bearable levels, but it was a pleasant smell- tobacco and age (although not graceful age, to be sure). The hole in the breast swelled to a much larger size, and Vincent shrugged. He was sure there was a tailor on the planet that could fix this jacket and have it up and running before the vacation ended.

By the end of his perousal, Vincent had come away with the jacket, two pairs of oversized grey cargo pants, a mechanic's belt and a (mysteriously heavy) oak baseball bat.

Still at the hotel Zeta was a little starled by the look Luca mother gave to her and other "new guys". She wondered why would she could be offended by Luca getting new additions to crew. Not to mention that few new ones like Seiren and Enzo saved Lucas life.

Maybe she thinks that the big crowd lures more attention? She is also a doctor, if Zeta remembers right. Maybe Zeta could ask someone of Pavones family later. Sebastian probably. Lucas father looks like perfect gentleman, but Zeta wasn't sure if he would like to speak about his wife.

But that will come later. Meanwhile they got on the way to Enzos uncle. Zeta didn't like the way at all. She would be much more happier if they woudl use any kind of vehicle for transportation. It is much more safer and you can get to the safe zone much more quickly than on foot. Not to mention it is easier to carry wounded that way. Well with luck, ther won't be any attempt on Lucas life today. Zeta certainly hoped so, while she shadowed her boss.

When they got in shop, Zeta was quite in seventh heaven. First of all, there were so many guns and other stuff. Secondly she could upgrade her wardrobe a lot here. But there were so many stuff, that she would be looking around for ages by herself.

Before anything else, she looked around for some clothing. She picked up two pairs of khaki cargo pants without any camo. Then two khaki shirts. She also grabbed a holstered combat knife. Proper bodygurad should have a knife with him at all times. Okay that would be enough of this.

She came to Enzo. "Hey Enzo could you translate for me you uncles speech? I don't want to be rude, but I don't understand much," she asked. She was raised to serve bussinessman. Street accent were way out of her league. She then turned her head to Enzos uncle and asked him. "Excuse me, but could I ask if you have a suit or just a vest of Styrling Everyday armor, Spectre Arms Close Defense Weapon with slug ammo or NAM M-5 Personal Defense Weapon submachinegun? Or any kind of PDW submachenigun? Machine pistol would probably worked out too."

Upon hearing her request, the larger man working at the table in the back rose and approached Zeta. He motioned her to follow him to a series of racks behind his own workstation, where he produced several submachine guns of varying makes and model. With a smile, he loaded a magazine into one and slid back the hammer on it before handing it, handle-end forward to Zeta. He made a few noises in his throat before he was able to speak a single word in a low, growling tone: "Better."

Lucco looked on quietly and Enzo just went back to his browsing. Soon, the silent giant had laid out combat vests as well and slid a few towards Zeta, motioning her to pick one up. Lucco took this time to speak, "Dis is not ushal for my brudda Frank. He done lieggit wid all these pureskinned prinsays types oll around. He likes yous, cuz yous gots dat pretty little robot arms for ta havin a good time, eh?"

Enzo translated over his shoulder from the coat rack, "Lucco says Frank doesn't usually helps customers, but he's helpings you because yous got cyber-arms, like him. He thinks you're a real woman, not a pampered little princess like other Nepleslian women."

Lucco rang up the items Vincent had chosen during the translation process, making approving sounds over the oak bat which was apparently one of his favorite items. He set the total for 35 DA with a smile and slid a business card across the counter towards Vincent. "You looga lyg a goods customers to me. Ju shud stoppie neggsd time yous in town, eh?"

Seeing that business was done for the moment, Enzo held up a faded green duster and swung it around to face Lucco, who priced it for him, "That'sa ona dose feyancy combat dusters or whateva. Picked up tree for tree-hunred DA apiece, see? I sell dis to ju at tree-twenny, convenience fee, alright nephew?"

Enzo shook his head and replaced the coat on the rack. "Uncle Lucco, that's just too much for me. Whataya gots in three-quarter's length?"

Lucco frowned and reached under the desk to find his inventory sheet, searching for apparel. Enzo snatched the notebook from his hand with a quick "Thanks" and headed back to the clothes, searching with renewed ferocity for a new coat.

Robert hung out in the doorway as he watched the others shop. He didn't feel the pressing need for anything so he just browsed the shop looking for anything that might catch his attention.

Jim smiled at the mention of getting paid for getting woken up in the middle of sleep, having drinks poured on him, and generally being knocked around. Hopefully he would be actually getting paid for something he had done, rather than endured. Luca seemed to be getting up to leave, so he rose as well. Enzo seemed to be taking the initiative, packing up his stuff and quickly exiting the establishment. Jim shrugged, remembering the quick profit the man had made off a few shiny-looking watches, grinned to himself a little, and made his way out the door after Enzo.

The trip to Enzo's Uncle's place was a short one, and Jim wasn't surprised to see a maintained, but slightly shabby facade waiting for them at the end. Enzo didn't hesitate as he stepped into the shop, and Jim, following his footsteps didn't either. The shop had about as many different kinds of things as gangs in Funky City, from guns to clothes, to electronics, to scrap to even some canned food. Jim wandered along the rows of items, checking each and every one out. Out of all the things stacked along the walls, his eyes found one single thing. It looked like a banged-up hood to a hover bike. It had intricate decal work done to it, as well as what seemed to be a small sensor package on top of it, and what looked like a hole meant for a gun of some sort. It seemed to have really taken a beating due to the obvious scuff-marks and dents in it. Turning his head towards Enzo's uncle, Jim asked, "Hey, how much for this thing?"

Lucco eyed the junky airbike part for a moment and said, "For ju, dis heya bike piece's 96 DA, my friend."

This is really great shop! We should stop by more oftenly. Thought Zeta as she shuffled through the merchandise. There was lot of stuff. She saw Easy submachine, which she will probably take too. Small and compact. She couldn't se NAM 5, but that didn't matter that much, Easy will make for that.

When a big guy was done, he handed her a submachine gun. Zeta wasn't really familiar with it and scanned it a little. She wanted to ask about but giant went away somewhere. Well she can ask later.
She will take Easy submachinegun for sure three three 60 round magazines with it.

Few seconds later, big man returned with set of vests and received a comment from Lucco. Zeta didn't know what she should say about that, but she was prety sure that Enzos translation wasn't word for word. Maybe it is better that was. She turned to Frank. "Uh thanks," she muttered.

Zeta began inspecting vest that Frank slided to her. Some were combat vests. Nice for war, not for going through city. Could be useful, who knows what kind of jobs Luca takes on, but it takes mobility off, which is worse.
But Zeta also found concealable vest and bulletproof trousers much like Styrling everyday. But this one looked that it was worked on. Zeta was sure ti should give same protection as Styrling, which was fine. It was sleeveless, but that was okay. One of her arms is metal anyway.

She looked at the size of it and it should fit. Well she could always return here and have Frank work a little on it. She was sure he could do that easy.
She took vest and trousers and put it on the counter nest to the Easy. Then she came to Frank, "thank you for you help. Could I ask bout that submachinegun you suggested?"

As soon as he arrived in the store, Seiren browsed through the various pistols of various make and conditions, every now and then measuring one up to his arm. After about 10 minutes he had selected three small pistols and one hand cannon. They were as following: A GP-13 Pulse Pistol in moderate disrepair, a Zen Armaments 'Little Killer' in fairly good condition, a Styrling Silver Special .45 Caliber in bad condition, and a Styrling Man Cannon, .455 Loud Boom in good condition. He walked up to Zeta, seeing as she seemed to know a lot about guns (and Seiren didn't want to have to deal with translations) and asked her, "So, which one of these pistols should I get? I honestly don't know much about guns, but these are all the right length for a project I'm working on. The big one is just there for usefulness."

The Kohanian followed silently and browsed around the store everyone was led to. His Nargual curiosity took hold as he examined the various weapons in the room, his tail twitching under his pants. Hmm, I believe keeping two small guns would be good. A knife would also be needed if not at least more than one as well, as he thought he was keeping an eye on the origin pistol.

He heard the short one talking, and said without a note of sarcasm, "That weapon suits someone of your stature, no?" he paused a second for a purr that came with the thought of firing the powerful weapon, "A worthy choice."

"Just a minute please mister Frank." said Zeta and looked at little person next to her. If she wouldn't know it would be realy easy to mistake him for girls. She looked at what he brought to her.

"I am no expert, but let me see." Said Zeta nad bend down to have proper look at guns, that small Seiren holded. She took one after other to see it properly. She wasn't familiar with bigger pulse pistol, but it was a pulse pistol.

"Well okay, this here Little Killer isn't bad thingie. Good hold-out gun. I would keep one consealed and had something else as a main weapon." Zeta muttered as she held tiny pistol and then picked up next one. "Now this Pulse Pistol. I don't know it. Looks like a Yammy-gun. It is a pulser wich can be fine dor you thank to low recoil. Looking at it, it can fire both full and semi-automatic. I would say it is not bad choice.

When she picked up another pistol she began smiling.
"Oh Silver here is classic. I used it for while back in times. It is a good old .45 caliber so it has good stopping power. Not very useful against anything armore, but is still kicks them like a bull. And good thing is Silver here doesn't kick as much as you would expect from forty-five. Good gun I would say, if 8 round are enough for yer."

She took the last one and weighted that large weapon in her hand. "And what is this. A Man Cannon eh? You know it is called cannon for a reason. It is said about this gun, that is is not healthy to shoot out of it if you aren't ID-sol or cyberneticaly enhanced. Well but you could get it a stock and foregrip, then it would suitable even for you. Than there is other option. You could try to find here somewhrer .45 caliber barell and cylinder. Than even you should be able to use it. But it a big gun so think about it. Also it is a singe-action. You should try out if you are ablo to chamber another round."

Zeta rubbed her chin in thought, then looked at Seiren and said. "If I were you, I would take both pulse pistols. But Silver is nice too so give it a thought. Oh and one toher thing maybe you coudl get look at Easy Submachine Gun. It is good choice too, since it is small and handy and you can set it on semi-auto and then you can use it as pistol. I hope I helped you out."

Then she turned back to Frank.

By the time Zeta had turned to face Frank, Lucco was standing next to him. Frank was signaling Lucco to show Zeta the gun. It wasn't long until Enzo had approached, clutching a charred Cirrus Station Security jacket and a dusty brown peacoat. After some murmuring between the three of them, Enzo agreed to show off the weapon; being the least communicatively impaired of the group. He took the weapon into his arms and released the mag, then cleared the chamber.

"This here," he began, "Is a forty-caliber submachine gun. It has an extendeds barrel for greater accuracy and the stock has been cut off for one-handed wielding. It also looks like somebody messeds around with the slide to makes it fire faster. No doubt, Uncle Frank sees yous got the metal arm and thinks it's perfect for yous."

He looked up at Frank (Who nodded in the affirmative.) to make sure he was telling the truth before continuing, "And this extended clip ensures you don't run out of bullets at the wrong time if you know what's what in a firefight. I think it's got some other fancy stuff done to it, but when it comes to anything bigger than a pistol, I'm pretty much pull the trigger, shoot the pain. I can imagine it's a pretty nice gun if Uncle Frank likes it, though."

Lucco had wandered to the storage room to retrieve his inventory sheet while Enzo was busy describing the weapon to Zeta. Eventually, he called for Zeta's attention again with, "Eida way, dat big toy's gonna costsyous 520 DA."

Frank made a noise that caused Lucco to sigh. "Fine. 475 DA." Lucco was unhappy to lower the price, but at Frank's insistence took it down.

"So," he said bitterly, "Ju wanna buy dis toy or nah?"

"I hate to interrupt." Enzo interrupted, "But I's made my decision on buyings a new coat, Uncle."

Lucco scowled at Enzo and snapped, "Canju see dat bidness is bein' donn 'ere ju liddle jamook?"

Enzo held up dark grey duster with a tall collar and a wide lapel. "How much, Uncle Lucco."

Lucco grunted and replied, exasperated, "It's gonna be 180 DA, tage it, leabe it, whateva grab it and git sos I can help outchore frenns ju no-goods sons-of-my-whore-sister."

Enzo chuckled and tossed two of the money cards he had aquired during the course of the morning. "It's 193 DA in total, keeps the change you old skinsack."

Lucco stuffed the money cards under the counter and turned his gaze back to Zeta. "Alright, sistah, ju wanna buy dis toy?"

Jim nodded, thinking about how he would be modding up the hover bike being stored in the Big Bird. "I'll take it, but you think you got something that would fit in this gun-port thing? If I'm going to be usin' this thing in some more extracurricular pursuits, I'd like to think I've got some muscle behind me. I'll need something a little bigger than a pistol though, if you know what I mean." He grinned.

Zeta lookedat a gun again. .45 bullethrower? She can't let that go. "Of course I am buying! And I will take two extra magazines and 200 hundred rounds with it. Make it three hundreds I will have to practice. Plus I will take Easy here and this armor. Oh and I shouldn't forger the clothes and the knife. So how much for it all?" she asked.

Oh she has to try that submachine gun as soon as posibble!

"A'course, messer Lucco." Vincent said, duplicating Lucco's thick, nigh-on indecipherable accent. Handing over the bank card to pay for his stuff, he scratched his head as Enzo made his way back to the clothes rack.

"'Ay, set Enzo up wiv dat dustah, take it offa my card. An' ya wanna check da stock ta see if ya have onna those new SiZi Model 30 Plasma Revolvas?" The ID-Sol shrugged mightily, waiting at the counter for Enzo's answer.