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Post by <> MetaWulf <> on Dec 12, 2013 21:07:37 GMT -5
Catherine rounded the corner silently, aiming the Sequoia at Earl's head. When they met eyes, her own bore into his like a pair of emerald drill bits. A weathered gunman would have recognized this look as murderous.
Bullseye lowered his weapon as he spoke to Earl, but Cat did not. She kept the .44 magnum trained on Earl's head and walked slowly up to him. Her stance was rigid and sharp.
"Would ya put that fuckin' thing down. Between you, Cat, and the NCR, I got half a mind to shoot the next person points a gun at me. S'been quite enough for one day." Bullseye said quietly to Earl as he watched out for rebels and soldiers.
"Earl, I want you to listen tah me very close-ly." Catherine said in her trademark calm voice. "If you point that fuckin' gun one more time at me, it will be the last thing you ever do." She was not bluffing. The wind blew her hair across her back, and the brim of her hate bounced up and down.
Cat Fyre kept her gun on Earl, obviously struggling to calm herself. Bullseye leaned around the corner, watching something down the alley, and Cat did not seem to notice. "I could have killed you, Earl. That was part of mah contract. But I decided to try an' help you, instead. Yah repay me by tryin' tah kill me!? ...Maybe you're not as different from tha Mojave scum as I thought. Leading men and women from both sides to the slaughter. Don't you fuckin' see, Earl? You did this to Tull, not me. ...You did this." Catherine said in a stone voice. A muscle twitched near her eye. Her lip curled slightly into a snarl, and the blonde woman spat on the ground near Earl's feet without breaking the stare.
It looked as if the furious woman was about to continue her sharp tongued lecture, when Bullseye returned to their side and spoke. "Can we please get the fuck outta here? Last thing I need is another NCR bastard trying to give me the noose." Bullseye said, obviously nervous. Catherine glared at Earl. Then she spoke.
"Bullseye, take his guns. I'f he resists, I'll shoot him." The woman said coldly. "Obviously trusting you with a weapon is something I can't do right now, Earl. You understand." She concluded, beginning to head down the alley and away from the troops. The heirlomm weapon remained trained on Earl's chest.
"Lead the way, handsome." She said to Bullseye quietly. "Let's get the hell outta here."Catherine concluded, eager to be alone with Earl so she could continue her job in Oregon.
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Salvahkiin
Archer
My Siren's name is Brick, and she is the prettiest.
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Post by Salvahkiin on Dec 12, 2013 21:43:49 GMT -5
The Devils were still asleep when Daniel arose, he felt quite sore, it had been a while since he wore the power armor. He looked in the mirror, and washed some water in his face, then dressed into the Enclave Officer Outfit in his wardrobe. It was time to restart the Enclave. He walked into the mess, and quietly navigated through the sleeping bags, and rung the loud bell, waking the Devils up.
"Rise and shine boys and girls, it's time for breakfast."
Daniel showed them the food dispensers, and they all picked their foods, and when they were comfortable, Daniel gave his speech.
"Most of you are wondering why I was clad in power armour, why I have access to this bunker. It is because my parents were Enclave soldiers. They left this bunker to me, along with what they had when the Enclave Oil Rig was destroyed. Some of you will get the chance to become Enclave soldiers, and destroy the NCR. I have selected five soldiers. You will be notified. The rest of you, there is ammunition and a firing range."
Daniel ate his food, and watched the five he had chosen. When they finished, Daniel went around to all of them, and told them to meet him in the dojo. Then, when they all arrived, Daniel begun training them in the use of power armor, a process that would take many hours, probably days.
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Post by GuardsGhost on Dec 12, 2013 21:59:40 GMT -5
Earl recognized the look all right. He was matching her glare for glare, his scarf pulled up over his mouth and nose. Only his eyes were visible, and they had the same murderous glare...only with a slightly wild look. His adrenaline was up.
And then I can't get the bitch back for this. Earl thought to himself, his glare hardening for a moment before he spoke.
"I didn't do this to Tull." He spoke slowly, "The NCR would've done it without me or my boys raiding them in the first place. Or haven't you been listenin' to a word ah've been saying?" He asked softly, and then removed his fingers from around the butt of the revolver in his hand, his trigger finger still in the guard, but ramrod straight. He'd slowly bend down to drop the weapons, managing to wrestle control over himself with that thought.
"You take care of my guns, or I'll make you kill me." He spoke again as Bullseye presumably went to grab the revolvers. Earl said this as if he might've said he was going out to milk the Brahmin, and his eyes shifted over to Bullseye, nodding once. "Thanks for killing that fucker. Suppose you'd have died if you didn't. Nice trick, going through the house. Shoulda seen it coming I suppose. Yep." He spat to the side, over Cats spit.
"Lead the way. You two hold all the cards."
Earl just sounded resigned.
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ShockHelix
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Post by ShockHelix on Dec 12, 2013 22:39:09 GMT -5
Bullseye let them argue, wishing they'd both shut their traps until they were well away from the NCR. He watched the corner until Cat ordered him to relieve Earl of his weapons, and he moved quickly on the rebel leader.
"You take care of my guns, or I'll make you kill me."
"Well, that's what the NCR hired me for. 'Fraid I'd rather keep you alive since Cat wants you that way, friend. I'll treat 'em like they're ma' own."
He stuck them in the back of his belt next to the rucksack, listening to Earl absently as he watched for NCR.
"Thanks for killing that fucker. Suppose you'd have died if you didn't. Nice trick, going through the house. Shoulda seen it coming I suppose. Yep."
Bullseye just nodded absently as he watched the corner, motioning for them to shut their mouths as the soldiers passed back through the alley.
"Lead the way. You two hold all the cards."
He flinched as the soldiers looked down the alley, ducking back behind the way and shooting Earl a murderous glare. Carefully, he peeked back around and saw the soldiers had gone, so he motioned the others to follow him quietly. He led them south quickly, ducking behind buildings, through them, around rocks and crawling against the ground. Whatever happened, at least none of them wanted to get caught by the NCR, so he let Cat worry about keeping Earl under lock of gun.
Eventually, they escaped from the town of Tull unspotted, with soldiers focusing on cleaning up the town, trying to stop the fire from the office building from surging across the street. They were out of earshot, so Bullseye felt it as good a time as any to begin his rant.
"Are you both idiots? We have NCR breathing down our necks, and you want to argue it out in the middle of the road while they're searching for us?" He was upset enough that his accent was slipping, but there was nothing to be done about it. He turned around, staring needles at the both of them, arms folded across his chest. "You? You want to tell him HE caused that, the NCR shooting up the place over a bullet that didn't even come close to any of them. I shot a fuckin' radroach. They rolled into town LOOKING to kill somebody. You dot just start gunning down civilians in the middle of the street. Especially when they ain't even armed." He continued spewing his lecture, staring the blonde down. "And what do you think he's supposed to do, when the 'authority' rolls into town and starts gunning down all your friends. How many of those bodies were actually rebels? You bloody told me you had ties to the NCR, I'd blame you too if it was my fucking town."
He turned to Earl then, pointing a finger. "And oh no, don't you think for a second your skull isn't half as thick as hers. You're working with the Legion you moron. Do you have any idea how fucked up those fuckers are? They goddamn CRUCIFY people. Oh wait, you already knew that cause you let those Legion fuckers do it! Of course the NCR is going to roll up on your doorstep and start shooting. You ain't just some rebel anymore. Oh no, if the Legions involved, you're starting a bloody fucking war. So don't go blaming this on her. She was getting shot at just like everyone else. Your stunt with the legion brought down this hellfire, whatever the fuck you want to think."
"Now if it were my call, I'd crucify YOU, and see how much you like working with the Legion then. Then your stupid rebels would turn on your legion buddies, and maybe, just maybe, I could finish this fuckin' war and go home. Which by the way, I can't, since the NCR wants to hang me for killing raiders. So I swear to god, if you two can't fuckin' get along and quit acting like goddamn idiots, I'm going to kill you both. I'll do it to."
He took a few deep breaths, calming himself down, and taking his hand of the revolver which he didn't remember he had done. "Now. Earl. You play nice, and Cat will put her gun down. Gods know why she wants you alive, but since you seem to be worth something other then a bounty, we'll get along nicely, and figure out a way to deal with this damn rebellion." He shot Cat a glance that said the situation was not up for debate.
"And you, you play nice with him to." He said, the accent naturally coming back now that he had calmed down. "I don't know why you want 'im alive or how you think it's gonna' work, but I ain't no negotiator and I sure as hell ain't no good speaker. But ya probably figured that out," he said, grinning in good faith. "Now I expect you two gonna act like some level headed professional that actually live up to their reputation instead of acting like goddamn children. Whatever bullshit you got goin' through your head, we ain't enemies, any of us. So knock it off." He turned and stalked off towards where he had been leading them, an old graveyard positioned by a radio tower. On top of the rock with the radio tower was a manhole, which Bullseye began to pry open, grabbing an abandoned shovel from nearby to do so. "There's an... Old... Radio... Station.... Under... The Rock...." He explained, panting while he used the shovel as a lever. "We can... hole up.... Here..."
The manhole cover popped off, revealing a ladder into darkness, and he grinned, wiping sweat from his brow. "Can hole up here 'til we figger' somethin' out."
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Post by <> MetaWulf <> on Dec 13, 2013 1:51:04 GMT -5
Bullseye ranted as they left town, obviously frustrated with both Cat and Earl. Catherine did not agree with what he had to say, but she kept her thoughts to herself. She had a lot to think about, already.
Bullseye took a few deep breaths, calming himself down, and taking his hand of the revolver which he didn't remember he had done. "Now. Earl. You play nice, and Cat will put her gun down. Gods know why she wants you alive, but since you seem to be worth something other then a bounty, we'll get along nicely, and figure out a way to deal with this damn rebellion." He shot Cat a glance that said the situation was not up for debate.
"And you, you play nice with him to." He said, the accent naturally coming back now that he had calmed down. "I don't know why you want 'im alive or how you think it's gonna' work, but I ain't no negotiator and I sure as hell ain't no good speaker. But ya probably figured that out," he said, grinning in good faith. "Now I expect you two gonna act like some level headed professional that actually live up to their reputation instead of acting like goddamn children. Whatever bullshit you got goin' through your head, we ain't enemies, any of us. So knock it off." He turned and stalked off towards where he had been leading them, an old graveyard positioned by a radio tower. On top of the rock with the radio tower was a manhole, which Bullseye began to pry open, grabbing an abandoned shovel from nearby to do so. "There's an... Old... Radio... Station.... Under... The Rock...." He explained, panting while he used the shovel as a lever. "We can... hole up.... Here..."
The manhole cover popped off, revealing a ladder into darkness, and he grinned, wiping sweat from his brow. "Can hole up here 'til we figger' somethin' out."
The radio station was not large, and it seemed no one had been there in some time. Rotting papers was scattered about the place, and shelves of Old-World junk and electronics stood everywhere. A few of them had collapsed. As the three of them entered the hidden station's main room, Catherine parted from the two men.
Catherine walked across the room and pulled out a chair on rusty wheels. Collapsing in it and rotating so that Earl and Bullseye were still in view, Cat began to tap at the radio's dials. She picked up the microphone, examined the cord for damage, and turns the radio on. Nothing happened. Shit. Either stuffed with dust or the battery is dead. The blonde removed the curved legion machete from her leg and smacked the rear end of the dusty radio with the blade's dull side. The device then crackled to life. Cat quickly found the correct frequency she wanted, then spoke into the microphone while watching Earl.
"Quieter than a shadow." Catherine said clearly into the mic. Only static replied. With a deep breath, Cat repeated the phrase.
*static* "...and more ferocious than a deathclaw. What's up kitty cat?" a man's voice replied over the radio. "Thoug you *static* the Tull job?"
"You told me I had nine days, Clyde." Cat Fyre said slowly into the microphone. There was a moment of silence.
*static* "You do. Two trucks are scheduled to r- *static* -noon on Friday." the voice said matter-o-factly.
"Well, I just walked out of ah firefight between ah armored truck full of troops and the rebels. I'd say yah got your fuckin' facts wrong, Clyde." she said harshly.
*static* "Not a chance, kitty cat. I have the papers in mah hand. How many trucks showed up?" *static* he asked.
"One." Cat answered.
*static* "-what's going on up there, but someone called that truck in, Cat. I gotta go. Take care of yerself." the man's voice replied. Next there was a click. Then, muffled static. Catherine sat the micriphone on the dirty table and turned the radio off. She sat quietly for a moment, thinking of what Clyde's words might imply.
Cat retrieved a cigarette"Alright, Earl. We can still stop this shit before too many more people get murdered. Just tell me who's runnin' that show, and who murdered the Baron?" Catherine asked quietly. She propped her boot up on the steel table.
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Salvahkiin
Archer
My Siren's name is Brick, and she is the prettiest.
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Post by Salvahkiin on Dec 13, 2013 2:47:25 GMT -5
(Skip me guys, do so for about five-six rotations, and I'll say if it's time for me to join back in.)
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Post by GuardsGhost on Dec 13, 2013 14:57:28 GMT -5
Earl climbed down after the two. He had made no moves to retrieve his weapons throughout the trip, and maintained his silence, keeping to his own thoughts. His eyes widened when they were inside the building, and he did acurious thing. He began to examine everything he could look at, lips moving as he tried to read the old and worn papers on the ground. He seemed fascinated with it all.
Finally however, before Cat spoke to him, he responded to Bullseye. "I wasn't made awares of the crucifixions until after they happened. If you think I'm givin' the go ahead- or like working with this legion feller, you're wrong. All the bastards done is cause trouble fer us. Helluva fighter, but after my palaver with Cat he came up to me, started stroking his machete, and spoke. He eavesdropped on us Cat, wanted to make sure I knew he didn't 'approve' of peace with the NCR."
A snort.
"Basically kept callin' me centurian, or centurion, who the hell knows? And threatened to kill me for betrayin' the 'Caesar' if I negotiated peace with the NCR. He's got abit of a followin'. Calls 'em the 'Cult of Mars'. Bastards always cause trouble."
He worked some saliva around his mouth, it being dry from the days activities. By the time he had wet his mouth again, Cat spoke, and the man winced, as if in pain. "It don't matter who killed the Baron. He's dead, last I saw." Earl sighed, looking at his boots. The young man had seen Abe go down with shrapnel in his back, and logically assumed he was dead."
He stared at his boots for a bit, and then began to speak again. "As fer whose runnin' the show? What the hell makes you think ah know myself? Could be anyone. All I know is that a courier comes, tells me about NCR positions and gives me 'recommendations' for a course of action."
He shrugged again, "Fact is, I've never met the man personally. Nor any of the other flyin' Column leaders except ones operatin' outta Tull. Suppose it's fer this very reason. For all I know, it could be President Kimball himself, havin' a fun game of 'War' up 'ere." This last bit ended with a bit of a derisive snort.
Earl rubbed his hands together, blowing on them after he finished speaking. He twitched once or twice. Perhaps he knew more. Perhaps he didn't. He'd dig into his front pocket, withdrawing a beat up cigarette of his own, and lighting it. The adrenaline from earlier had long since worn off, and now he just looked weary.
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ShockHelix
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Deity of Death
No mercy for the weak. No pity for the dying. No tears for the slain.
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Post by ShockHelix on Dec 13, 2013 17:54:41 GMT -5
Bullseye wondered idly if Cat had ties to the NCR as Earl tried to explain himself. Whatever excuses he made, he had condoned the Legion executions just by working with them. There were no illusions about what the Legion was. If they were involved, there was bound to be someone bleeding out on a cross somewhere. At the mention of whatever cult it was, Bullseye held up a hand. He was sick of these two trying to make excuses.
"You allied with 'em Earl. Centurion is a leaders title. Whatever you tell yerself to sleep at night, I don't want to hear it. If you didn't want people crucified, you should've shot your freak friend and moved on. Quit making excuses and deal with your mistakes. Otherwise yer rebellion ain't got a lick of salt on talking shit about the NCR."
He strode off as Cat finished her conversation, putting the rucksack and Earl's guns on one of the radio desks. He was still tense over the whole situation, and pulled open a broken fridge in the corner. Earl began making more excuses, and while Bullseye didn't care much for anything about dead Baron's, his description of his 'leaders' was interesting enough.
Rummaging through bottles, he grinned when he found a bottle of whiskey, and his mood significantly improved. He popped the cork off, laughing at Earl's demeanor. The rebel looked tired and shaky and jittery, and Bullseye was surprised this was the man he'd supposedly heard so much about.
"So let me get this straight. Yer tellin' us you take orders from some fuckin' mystery man you ain't know nothin' about. You work with the fuckin' Legion and claim you don't like 'em. You don't make any fuckin' sense to me. You smart enough to lead your own men, get respect for yerself all the way to the Mojave, yet yer stupid enough to make some of the dumbest decisions I've ever heard of. How the fuck you know your leader got your best interest? Surprise, random truck roll into town full of NCR, start shootin' up the place."
Bullseye gathered up a few dirty glasses, pouring them each a glass, setting one by Cat and handing Earl the other. "I take back what I said earlier. Either yer full o' shit, or that slaughter's your fault." He took the chair next to his rucksack and Earl's weapons, taking a drink of the old whiskey. It tasted awful.
"Stop and think for a second. You made too many bad decisions that it can't just be blind to you. You keep waging your little war, eventually that was going to happen. You can't relax in a little town, not with no Legion on yer tail. Not while the NCR wants your neck around a noose. Whatever you think you're tryin' accomplish, they way you headin' you was bound to get a bunch of folk killed that didn't even want yer war."
"Next, you go and work with the Legion. You gotta know as well as we do, every person from Montana to Texas knows they're bad blood. Whatever righteous bullshit cause you had, you soiled it by lettin' the Legion name get anywhere near it. They hurt too many people fer you to let them help. Now you just as bad a the NCR, maybe worse, and people know it. They talk 'bout it. What'd you think was gonna happen you win this little war? Legion just gonna pack up an' walk off?"
"You lookin' down a scope and ain't go no mind for the Deathclaws closing in on every other side. Yer just shootin' what ever walks in front of you without even thinkin' 'bout what yer aimin' at."
"You don't start usin' yer mind Earl, you gonna get everyone you care about killed."
He propped his feet up on the desk, taking another drink and pulling out a throwing knife. He began to idly pick at his fingernails with it, glancing at Cat. Hopefully, she and Earl wouldn't get back into it again. Not at least until their business was concluded. "Now, I'm of the mind you ain't tellin' us everythin'. So let's try again. Who killed the Baron. Who gives the orders. And who would want you dead enough to send in a secret NCR convoy that Cat's fancy contact didn't know nothin' about."
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Post by <> MetaWulf <> on Dec 13, 2013 21:32:55 GMT -5
Cat Fyre tilted her hat forward, and the brim cast a shadow over her eyes. Leaning back in the rusty chair and smoking her cigarette, the blonde woman listened to Earl's response.
"It don't matter who killed the Baron. He's dead, last I saw." Earl sighed, looking at his boots. Catherine did not agree nor believe him, but sat slouched in the ancient chair anyway and allowed him to continue. Cat watched Earl explain himself with narrowed eyes, giving only a quiet click of her tongue in response.
"As fer whose runnin' the show? What the hell makes you think ah know myself? Could be anyone. All I know is that a courier comes, tells me about NCR positions and gives me 'recommendations' for a course of action."
He shrugged again, "Fact is, I've never met the man personally. Nor any of the other flyin' Column leaders except ones operatin' outta Tull. Suppose it's fer this very reason. For all I know, it could be President Kimball himself, havin' a fun game of 'War' up 'ere." This last bit ended with a bit of a derisive snort. Earl sat and rubbed his hands, then twitched. Catherine fought down the anger still burning in her veins. Cool, Calm, Collected. Cat repeated Vigo Fyre's words in her mind.
Bullseye then began to tear apart Earl's excuses just as Cat had wanted to. The gun for hire was please with Bullseye's speech, but did not show it outwardly. Catherine was still simmering over his hasty words on the way to the station, and that conversation was not concluded. The woman hated to be disrespected, and the fact that Bullseye had done it in front of Earl and without a proper reason in general made the offense corrode her nerves even more. Briefly, Cat wondered why she even cared. The answer was one she did not choose to acknowledge, and focused her attention back to the conversation.
As Bullseye continued, he poured three glasses of whiskey retrieved from the ancient refrigerator. Catherine nodded to Bullseye but said nothing as he placed a glass near her on the table supporting the old radio. Continuing his speech outlining Earl's poor decision making, Bullseye admitted he may have been wrong about Earl's influence leading up to the day's events. Catherine said nothing, only took a long drag of her cigarette. No one had to tell her she had been right. She knew.
Don't change tha fact that yah described mah actions as idiotic, and belittled me in front of ah criminal, Bullseye. she thought to herself sourly. But, worse of all, yah compared us, Bullseye. Yah put me in tha same bracket as this man who, intentionally or not, kills innocent folks. ...I have a feeling you two are more alike than him and me. her own voice whispered in the back of her mind.
Like most women, Cat held grudges. Unlike most women, Cat had difficulty talking about things like "feelings". Frustrated with all the thoughts in her head, Catherine picked up the glass of whiskey and downed it. Setting it on the dusty table, the woman listened to the conversation between Earl and Bullseye.
"Now, I'm of the mind you ain't tellin' us everythin'. So let's try again. Who killed the Baron. Who gives the orders. And who would want you dead enough to send in a secret NCR convoy that Cat's fancy contact didn't know nothin' about." Bullseye said in his reestablished drawl. Catherine sat in the chair and listened carefully, absentmindedly appreciating the decisiveness of her partner's words.
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Post by GuardsGhost on Dec 14, 2013 10:33:25 GMT -5
Earl listened to Bullseyes speech without interrupting at once. His eyes once again becoming focused, and the shaky, jittery look he had had on disappeared. Briefly, one of his hands sought out the revolver that -should- be resting against his hip, and found nothing. So, instead he just pat the leather holster, eyes shifting over to Cat once, then back to Bullseye.
He had heard the 'mystery mans' voice, and that was all the proof he needed. Finally, when Bullseye finished, he nodded.
"Suppose I have made a few dumb choices. But what could we have done? Just let 'em roll over our land, take our buddies, take our cattle, and then let the Brahmin Barons come in and push us -off- our land?"
He drawled, and then continued. "NCR came in originally, promised us peace and prosperity. Promised that as a part of the Republic they'd guard the land. And they did. For a bit. Got rid o' the raiders that they -cared- about, but not the ones that were hired by the Barons. Wasn't even the NCR we initially cared about. It was the -Barons-. We fought them first. Of course, everyone hears about the 'murdered barons' and not how they came to our land, hard-calibers in tow and threatened us with beating, burning, or death."
At this part, he spat, "And when they came back 'round, we started fighting back when they tried to beat us. We shot back when they tried to shoot us. Only thing we -wouldn't- do was burn land. We gave that back to people they stole it from. And finally, someone shot the man who was behind it all. That's the man you're looking for, and that's the man you want me to tell you about. But I can't and I won't. You could hold a gun up against my head, kick me in the nuts, and bleed me white and I still wouldn't. You've seen how people are loyal to me in the Column Cat? Well, picture that loyalty times a hundred for me to this man in particular. This man taught me practically everything I know that -ain't- about ranching."
He sucked in some breath after his speech, pausing briefly. "The leader of the Revolt is somebody from the eastern territories. That's all I know, and I swear it to you on my fathers name and face." He put his cigarette on the ground, stomping it out. "Call me what you will, but ah ain't a liar." Earls eyes shifted over to Cat, and he took on a slightly apologetic look. Perhaps in reference to the dynamite trick earlier.
Then, he was back to Bullseye. "And how the hell should I know anybody who hates me enough to send in the NCR? You think I'm particularly acquainted with anyone down at their HQ or something? What I do know, is the NCR's never done something as -stupid- as roll into a town down the center road, with all their troops clumped together to begin throwing people outta their homes in a place that's already hostile to them. As much as I hate the NCR, that don't very much sound like them, does it? Especially after they've lost a few troops already. If they wanted -me- dead personally they'd have sent in the -really- hard calibers. The vaqueros with the round brown hats."
He gave a slightly amused look over at Cat, "Or apparently, two trucks. But ah've got a feeling that those wouldn't be hunting for me specifically. But one truck? Not enough room for them to get prisoners into. If they were meaning to take any. And they didn't go to the saloon. Nor did I see any sun glinting off scopes. If they were hunting me down and not just trying to cause trouble, they're the greenest of the green."
And it was true. Earl was, essentially a terrorist to the NCR. That sort of stuff usually wasn't the type of thing Troopers would be hunting down. Or if they did, they'd have brought a lot more soldiers, and snipers.
"I was willing to negotiate peace before. Only problem was I'd have to convince the boys. Most of 'em woulda listened to me ah assume. Except for Martius' boys. But now, we've got a bit of a problem. With me gone, you've left Daniel incharge. Daniel, and Martius." A sudden look sparked into his eyes, and he muttered "Shit."
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ShockHelix
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Post by ShockHelix on Dec 14, 2013 12:57:42 GMT -5
Bullseye didn't agree with Earl in the slightest about most of the things, and yet was completely on board about what he said about not letting people come and take what you own. Which he found funny, since that pretty much entailed his entire life. He had a few comments to make, but sipped on the whiskey instead, waiting until Earl finished. Whether he was telling the truth or not, there was a plan forming in his head. He absently began staring at Cat while the plan formed, and if she had paid any attention to him earlier, the sparkle in his eyes would be plain as day.
".... Daniel and Martius. Shit."
He had no idea who Daniel was, but leaving a Legion psychopath in charge was never a good idea. They might take things into full scale war, and that was not goin' to bode well for things. "Sounds like we ain't got much time to lose. But if you ain't gonna' tell us what we need to know, we're at a bit of an impasse."
He rolled the throwing knife between his fingers, careful not to nick himself. It was time to see if Earl would take the first piece of bait. "Now, I don't know who hired Cat, but NCR wants me to stop this rebellion. They didn't specify how, so long as it ends. Right now, the only way this things gonna' end is by them killin' each one of you. Right now, you're no better then raiders, and maybe worse. And this shoot out jus' gon' made things worse."
"So... Problem is NCR and pretty much everyone else jus' see ya as Legion dogs. Even if you wanted to talk peace, NCR wouldn't listen. But you keep this up, you gonna get everyone in Oregon dead or worse. Including whoever you'd lay down your life to protect. If they ain't dead already." It was a shot in the dark, but Earl's vehemence said it might be a stab that would wake the rebel leader up.
"Seein' as I got plenty o'leeway, and Cat here seems to have more conscience then either of us, I think we can all agree what happened in Tull was wrong. Whatever it was, it's not somethin' the NCR make a habit out of." He neglected to mention Bitter Springs, knowing that wouldn't really help the situation any. "Either way, for now you got good enough a reason to want to rebel, you just gotta understand it ain't gonna' end pretty. You win, you gonna' have a bunch o' psychos like Martius come up and take on over. You lose, it's just gonna be as bad as before. You gotta' make a choice. You want the Legion or the NCR in charge?"
"So, we'll make you a deal. We'll help you clean up this little mess o' yours. Make ya' look like good clean freedom fighters wantin' some proper help, rather then bloodthirsty Legion dogs." It was important he include Cat in the next part, since he was still unsure where her loyalties lie. "Now, first, we all agree we ain't gonna' turn on each other when things get bad. They all get bad. Next, you gotta stop workin' with the Legion, it's jus' gonna' mean trouble for everyone later on." It looked at Earl demandingly, pointing the throwing knife at him. "Remember, you know 'bout them crucifixions. You know how fucked up in the head Martius is." Bullseye had no idea himself, but based on the way Earl talked about him, he was bad news.
"Last, when it comes an opportunity, you gonna' but this rebellion down n' work things out with the NCR. You get things set right, and you'll get proper down government like the rest o' NCR territories. No one comin' in on yer land and drivin' ya off n' what not. Ain't up for discussion neither. You said yourself you ain't got no clue who this mystery man is. Well if he's from out east like ya said, for all you know, could be some Legion bastard tryin' a get some proper land to hold. Can't take the Dam from where they at, but I reckon they swing around up north and attack from two sides, ain't nothin' NCR can do to stop 'em. Then you got crucifixions, slaves, and slaughter from here to Mexico. And every drop o' that blood be on your hands Earl. You tell that mystery man if he wants you do a damn thing else for 'im, he better come on out and shake your hand. What kinda man hides in the shadows while other's do 'is work 'em."
And if he did, Bullseye and Cat could cut the head off the snake, and stop this rebellion in it's tracks. All they had to do was play their parts. With enough work, he might even be able to convince Earl the slaughter in Tull was the mystery man's fault. It was strange that any kind of leader would be okay with working with Legion psychos, let alone one trying to bring justice to the land. Something didn't add up in all this, but Bullseye couldn't put his finger on it.
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Post by <> MetaWulf <> on Dec 14, 2013 16:58:06 GMT -5
Towards the end of Bullseye's lecture to Earl, the rebel patted his hip only to find his weapon still missing. When he glanced over to Catherine, she simply held his gaze until his attention returned back to Bullseye. Sorry, Earl. No six gun.
Earl had waited wearily until Bullseye had finished, then he began to speak. He explained his actions as best he could, trying to give the hired guns his idea of how this situation came to be. Cat could see where the man was coming from, but still disagreed with his choices. Earl took a few breaths, then went on. She mused to herself how drained he appeared to be.
"The leader of the Revolt is somebody from the eastern territories. That's all I know, and I swear it to you on my fathers name and face." He put his cigarette on the ground, stomping it out. "Call me what you will, but ah ain't a liar." Earls eyes shifted over to Cat, and he took on a slightly apologetic look. Perhaps in reference to the dynamite trick earlier. Cat Fyre returned Earl's gaze with her own face of stone.
Earl continued, drawing attention to the fact that the day's events were very unusual for the NCR. He gave a slightly amused look over at Cat, "Or apparently, two trucks. But ah've got a feeling that those wouldn't be hunting for me specifically. But one truck? Not enough room for them to get prisoners into. If they were meaning to take any. And they didn't go to the saloon. Nor did I see any sun glinting off scopes. If they were hunting me down and not just trying to cause trouble, they're the greenest of the green."
Catherine had spoke with Clyde, an NCR Ranger, before she had left the Mojave. Clyde has informed her that she had nine days to conclude her business in Oregon, before the NCR took matters into their own hands. Luckily, Clyde had not revealed much over the radio to Earl and Bullseye. Cat knew the full extent of the coming operation, and it involved more than just two trucks. There were also a handful of Rangers, and a surprise waiting for the rebels that was probably crossing the border as they spoke. She had not told anyone about it, as the information Clyde sometimes shared with Catherine was as expensive as it was secret.
"I was willing to negotiate peace before. Only problem was I'd have to convince the boys. Most of 'em woulda listened to me ah assume. Except for Martius' boys. But now, we've got a bit of a problem. With me gone, you've left Daniel incharge. Daniel, and Martius." A sudden look sparked into his eyes, and he muttered "Shit."
Cat then spoke in reply. "We haven't left anyone in charge, Earl mah boy. We ain't responsible fer the company you choose to keep." she said quietly.
Bullseye replied to Earl in a way he thought may work better. "So... Problem is NCR and pretty much everyone else jus' see ya as Legion dogs. Even if you wanted to talk peace, NCR wouldn't listen. But you keep this up, you gonna get everyone in Oregon dead or worse. Including whoever you'd lay down your life to protect. If they ain't dead already."
"Seein' as I got plenty o'leeway, and Cat here seems to have more conscience then either of us, I think we can all agree what happened in Tull was wrong. Whatever it was, it's not somethin' the NCR make a habit out of. Either way, for now you got good enough a reason to want to rebel, you just gotta understand it ain't gonna' end pretty. You win, you gonna' have a bunch o' psychos like Martius come up and take on over. You lose, it's just gonna be as bad as before. You gotta' make a choice. You want the Legion or the NCR in charge?"
"So, we'll make you a deal. We'll help you clean up this little mess o' yours. Make ya' look like good clean freedom fighters wantin' some proper help, rather then bloodthirsty Legion dogs. Now, first, we all agree we ain't gonna' turn on each other when things get bad. They all get bad. Next, you gotta stop workin' with the Legion, it's jus' gonna' mean trouble for everyone later on." On this note Cat moved slowly. Replacing the machete in it's leather sheath, the woman sat her ungloved right hand gently on the grip of the big iron.
Finally, Bullseye stressed the importance of Earl's possible negotiations with the NCR, and final threat of the Legion's involvement. Finding the man behind the puppets was a major priority for both Cat and Bullseye. Catherine adjusted herself in the old chair as she felt her tail bone becoming numb. She was thinking about the fact the Earl's story seemed much deeper than he had made it seem, unaware that she and Bullseye were on the same page.
As Bullseye finished, Catherine leaned forward in the chair. The relic made a slow creak as she did so, and a rusty spring snapped somewhere underneath the seat. The chair remained uncomfortable despite this.
"That sounds like a swell idea, Bullseye. There's only one problem. Ah don't trust this "rebel" any further then ah can throw 'im." the woman said slowly, her hand resting gently on the heirloom weapons grip. "Yah see, when someone tries tah kill me, I have a hard time trustin' that person afterwards. Ah feel like it paints ah picture that says: "I do not care about you or yer life." Reckon it's cus ah'm old fashioned like that." Cat continued "As ah matter of fact, Earl, the last few people who tried a stunt like that are still laying face down in the Mojave." Cat said truthfully. The dynamite had obviously got under her skin.
"Bullseye, can ah have a word in private?" The woman asked the merc. She did not care if they had to climb out of the station or where they had to go, she wanted to talk to Bullseye alone. She watched to ensure Bullseye took Earls weapons with him if he chose to palaver in private.
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Post by GuardsGhost on Dec 14, 2013 20:08:12 GMT -5
Earl maintained his silence for now. He didn't look at either of them, just stared at the ground, letting them sort out their own problems while he sorted out his. It was obvious whoever this 'Daniel' guy was being in charge wasn't a good thing. Or at least in Earl's mind it wasn't. Then, suddenly, his eyes lit up and he pulled something out of his pocket, a piece of crumpled paper.
"Here. One of the letters the leader gave me. Might be able to make more sense out of it than I could."
It read:
Earl Walker,
Your flying column has performed admirably the last few weeks. The NCR has been given a black eye thanks to yours and your mens efforts. You must keep up the good work however, do not slow down. Soon enough, the NCR will be leaving all of us alone.
If progress continues as so, we will soon gather all the flying columns together for one big push into the NCR bases, to drive them from Oregon once and for all. We will unify Oregon as a free state under a better flag. A flag of unity, peace, equality. Mutant scum will be purged, as will raiders.
Remember Lieutenant Walker, you're fighting for a better tomorrow.
At the bottom of the worn page was a black
E with stars around it.
"Same E that Daniel wears on his armor."
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Post by <> MetaWulf <> on Dec 15, 2013 11:22:00 GMT -5
Catherine and Bullseye made their way into the old broadcast station's side room. As Bullseye entered the rooms ( Earl's weapons in hand ), Catherine paused outside of the doorway and regarded Earl as he sat on the chair in the middle of the broadcasting room. She retrieved the letter from Earl hand, giving him a silent nod before carefully moving back to the door.
"Listen tah me, Earl... don't do anything stupid. We'll hear you if yah try to leave, and we'll hear yah if you try to use that there radio, as well. If you try either of those things while my associate and ah are having a quick word, then there will be problems. Now ah don't trust you Earl, but that don't mean I want you dead. If yah are serious about helping yer fellow Oregon folk out of this shit, well then jus' sit tight and wait a min'." Cat regarded to Earl, a look of calm now cast on her face.
Catherine then followed Bullseye into the small living quarters of the side room. The room was covered in a heavy layer of dust, and most of the items on the shelves were long dry-rotted away. The woman closed the door carefully behind her, sure to keep it from fully latching so she could hear better. Walking through the dust she kicked an old controle module across the floor, then leaned her back heavily against the stone wall. Catherine then pushed the brim of her hat upwards with her finger so she and Bullseye could meet eyes once again. Crossing her arms, Cat spoke.
"I will let mah distrust fer the man go, as I'm sure yer aware of it. I want to talk about you, Bullseye." she said in her old calm, soothing tone. Her voice was soft enough that Earl would not hear.
Adjusting herself against the stone wall and raising her knee, Cat rested her right boot back against the dirty wall. "Ah ain't sayin' ah ain't grateful fer yer help in catchin' Earl Walker, and ah like the way yah went at him in there. Unfortunately, ah seem to get a bad feelin' in mah gut sometimes 'bout just what yer capable of, Bullseye. Why are yah runnin' from tha NCR? What did you do? You want me to trust yah as we walk headfirst into hellfire and lead, I need to know who you are, Bullseye. The accent, the strange behavior... I have a feelin' this thing is just a lot bigger than we think, and...." Catherine looked confused for a moment, unable to find the words she wanted to say. Handing Bullseye Earl's letter from his contact, she sighed. "I'll be ready if Earl tries to put a knife in my back... but I need to know I ain't gonna get one from you..." Catherine concluded. It had not been exactly what she had wanted to say, but it was close enough. It had been a long time since she had trusted anyone.
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ShockHelix
Administrator
Deity of Death
No mercy for the weak. No pity for the dying. No tears for the slain.
Posts: 666,666,949
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Post by ShockHelix on Dec 15, 2013 14:49:24 GMT -5
Gathering Earl's weapons, he nodded to Cat and led her into the other room, wondering what it was she wanted to talk about. She seemed to have the threats covered, and while he wasn't happy about her vendetta against Earl, he certainly couldn't blame her. "Watcha' need darlin'?" Well Cat positioned herself against the wall of the dusty room, he looked around it for anything that might be useful. Maybe another bottle of whiskey.
"I will let mah distrust fer the man go, as I'm sure yer aware of it. I want to talk about you, Bullseye." He raised an eyebrow and turned to face her, crossing his own arms in a mimic to hers.
"Ah ain't sayin' ah ain't grateful fer yer help in catchin' Earl Walker, and ah like the way yah went at him in there. Unfortunately, ah seem to get a bad feelin' in mah gut sometimes 'bout just what yer capable of, Bullseye. Why are yah runnin' from tha NCR? What did you do? You want me to trust yah as we walk headfirst into hellfire and lead, I need to know who you are, Bullseye. The accent, the strange behavior... I have a feelin' this thing is just a lot bigger than we think, and...." Catherine looked confused for a moment, and he got the impression she couldn't quite figure out what it was she wanted to say. As she sighed, he stepped forward and took the letter, turning it over in his hands.
"I'll be ready if Earl tries to put a knife in my back... but I need to know I ain't gonna get one from you..."
He pulled a throwing knife out as he read the letter, considering what she had asked. He wasn't sure he wanted to tell her anything. He didn't trust her or Earl, and as far as he could tell their emotions were getting in the way. And maybe their greed too. After the last fiasco, he was ready to have someone around who he wouldn't need to shoot. He continued to read the note over and over as he tried to address the questions that Cat wanted answered.
"T'accent ain't nothin' but what I need to fit in. Y'think I come in'ta town talkin' like some fancy city boy ain't never stepped outside New Vegas, ain't no one gonna' talk to me." Speech had come naturally to him, and mimicking others hadn't been hard after the merchant taught him how. He switched it, talking in a more pristine manner. "Now, I apologize if my manner of speech makes you uncomfortable, but it's no more a tool then my blades." He held up the throwing knife in example. "I can kill almost anyone with this knife, but I can't kill an army. A mercenary is only as good as the skills he possesses."
His voice grew far more gruff, resembling that of a raider. "But yet fuckin' shit with fuckin' Earl ain't fuckin okay. You cut that shit out. I ain't sorry for nothin' I fuckin' said, an you better fuckin' understand why."
His voice grew soft, and he stepped closer, putting the knife away. "I'm sorry Cat. I understand how difficult it must be to trust Earl after the things he did." Bullseye had to strain to keep his voice compassionate after speaking like a raider, but it was convincing nonetheless. "I know how much disdain you must have for him, and I understand. But back in the city, with you two having it out in the middle of the street... If those NCR had found us, we both know they'd have put a bullet in all three of us without a second thought."
Bullseye's voice took on a more suave tone, similar to some of the men in New Vegas who spent their days gambling and their nights trying to get the prettiest women in the room to come back to their room. "It'd be a shame for such a beautiful face to befall such a horrible end. Not when it should be cherished like the setting sun, and welcomed like the morning light...." He grinned, keeping himself from laughing about how ridiculous he sounded. Bullseye was fairly certain sweet talk wouldn't work on someone like Cat. Or at least he hoped it wouldn't.
He sighed, sitting down on one of the broken mattresses, twirling the knife around in his hand. He had left out of few of the voices he had learned. Legion soldiers, NCR Rangers. There was no need for her to start wondering where he' picked them up at. He dropped into a casual tone, his true voice. It was the same one he'd used earlier when he was shouting at Cat and Earl, but so much calmer and deceptively docile.
"I'll be honest with you Cat. I don't care about money. The caps you offered me, I don't want them. I usually just want favors from whoever I work for. More then a few hundred caps at a time is worthless to me. Everything I have, I paid the blood price for. But I've never killed anyone without a reason Cat. Never killed someone if it didn't serve some kind of purpose. I keep my promises."
He stopped twirling the knife, and eyed the revolver on her hip. "Sergeant Hatfield. Back in the Mojave, I took a job. Had to do with some raiders. Long story short, things went south and the NCR picked me up for killing a few of them, thinking I was a raider myself. Hatfield locked me up. When my employer finally confirmed my story, he decided I was still going to get the noose. Kept me locked up until one of his superiors decided they'd let me go if I agreed to help them with this rebellion. Seems a whole territory is more important then a single mercenary," he joked with a grim laugh.
He stood up and walked over to her, his weapons clinking together. No matter how many times he'd read the note, he still couldn't make sense of things. Whatever that E symbol was, he had seen it before but couldn't put his finger on it just yet. He moved closer to Cat, leaning forward with an arm outstretched next to Cat's head and supporting himself on the wall she was against as he leaned forward. He stared into her eyes, much closer then necessary, and he felt a little ridiculous at the whole show. Still, some kind of fire seemed to burn in his eyes, but whether it was insanity or passion it was hard to tell. Perhaps it was both.
"I am capable of whatever I need to be capable of. But I am a man of my word. You can trust me Cat. My question is, can I trust you?"
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