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Post by <> MetaWulf <> on Dec 15, 2013 21:32:58 GMT -5
He pulled a throwing knife out as he read the letter, considering what she had asked. He continued to read the note over and over as he tried to address the questions that Cat wanted answered.
Bullseye then began to change his voice. First, he became an educated man, and Catherine reckoned this to be close to his true nature. He explained, while playing with the throwing knife, that his drawling accent was only part of his job here, and was a necessary illusion. Cat leaned back against the wall, regarding the man with no expression but one of study.
Next, the mercenary's voice changed to the brutal vulgarity of a common raider or outlaw. Oddly, it fit the man well. He snarled to her about how she needed to cut the shit out with Earl, and that he regretted nothing he had said before. Catherine attempted to remain detached, but a look of crept into her eyes. They burned with the same fuel that had driven the woman for years.
Changing his voice again, Bullseye became a compassionate and soothing man. He consoled Cat and claimed he understood her feelings towards Earl, but that the NCR soldiers would have shot the three of them down. Cat Fyre held back her argument. She had found through her experiences that the NCR troops and such were pretty reasonable if your knew what to say. Or what names to drop. She allowed Bullseye to continue, still regarding him with a hint of offense.
Then, he donned the voice she loathed so much. It was the voice of men showered in fortune. Men stinking of greed and coercion. "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...." Bullseye seemed please whit himself over the line, smiling as he looked at Catherine. She regarded him with narrowed eyes.
He sighed, sitting down on one of the broken mattresses, twirling the knife around in his hand. 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.
The merc claimed he didn't want the money, on favors. He also claimed he had never killed anyone without a good reason. The woman in the weathered duster did not believe him.
He stopped twirling the knife, and eyed the revolver on her hip. He then told Catherine about the Raider job he had taken from Hatfield. He said they had locked him up and were going to execute him when someone decided he would be useful out here, or at least more so than hanging from a noose. He ended with a laugh at the idea.
He stood up and walked over to her, his weapons clinking together. 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. ...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?"
Cat Fyre stared up into the mercenary's eyes, her nose only an inch away from his own. The woman had not moved from her position against the wall, and returned his burning gaze with her own. No words were spoken between them more a long moment. The woman resisted the primal urge to drive her knee into his crotch. ( The simple maneuver was ridiculously effective against most of the wasteland's bad guys. ) Things had made less and less sense for Cat since she had arrived in Tull, and for the first time she realized that she might just miss the delusional simplicity of the Mojave Wasteland. Burying the rogue thought deep in her subconscious, Catherine spoke.
"Yer fuckin' nuts, aren't yah?" Catherine asked quietly as she continued their staring contest. "Yah think you were justified in yer words. Fine by me. You think you were right in killin' that NCR man today? Fine by me. You do whatever you feel is called for... You have my word that I won't betray yah, s'long as I have the same from you. But I think there are a few things you're still confused about, sugar..." Catherine said, her voice softening even more. She licked her lips slowly, then her eyes glanced from his own lips in front of her. As she met his gaze again, a rare smile appeared.
"Obviously, no one ever thought tah teach yah proper manners, Bullseye." she continued, "You should know better 'an tah curse at a woman in such a way. It's not proper." she said. "I'm not Mandy Stark." She went on, a mischievous smile appearing. "And yah should know better 'an tah come on tah me like I'm some jetted-up, brainwashed hooker in tha Gmorrah. Speak honest or don't speak tah me such ways." she said sharply as the blade of her own throwing knife came to rest on the button of his pants. She tapped it twice to let him know the blade was there. Then Catherine leaned to Bullseye, brushing her cheek against his before her mouth was beside his ear. He felt her the brim of her hate brush his hair and the heat of her breath on his neck. The woman smelled of gun oil, sweat, and shampoo. "Step back, sugar. You're startin' tah make me uncomfortable." she whispered.
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ShockHelix
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Post by ShockHelix on Dec 15, 2013 22:43:19 GMT -5
He frowned as she called him crazy and kept up the staring contest. This was not the reaction he had expected, and he was even more confused as she licked her lips. He hadn't wanted this at all, and he opened his mouth to get a word in when she continued.
Her next words sent a wave of relief over him. He had been right after all, and even a slight flinch at the mention of the Stark bitch was not enough to ruin his mood. He wasn't bothered at all by the tap of the knife, but panicked for a moment when she leaned in. Going for his ear an not for his lips, he let out a relieved sigh. He'd just taken such a ride he wasn't sure why he thought it was a good idea in the first place. He could smell her strongly now, and he loved the smell, but at her request he backed away, giving her an apologetic nod. If he had seemed to be coming on to her before, it was clear something else had been at hand, and she had given away enough about herself for Bullseye to be satisfied. At least for the moment.
"You're right about one thing Cat," he said, pulling something out of a ouch on his back and clamping it in his hands. "I am a little nuts. But I never said I had good reasons, and I never said I was justified." He gripped the object tighter, whatever it was. "Sometimes Cat.... Sometimes we don't get the luxury of taking our time an making sure we're on the right path."
He sighed again, opening his palm and staring at the piece of metal. It was a Rangers symbol, the bear and star above the word Ranger, often pinned on belts or hats, sometimes jackets or shirts. For most people, it wasn't anything more then scrap metal, but it obviously held some meaning for Bullseye. There was a lot more to the story of his arrest, but he knew he couldn't trust Cat with it, not yet.
"Doesn't matter where we're from Cat. Where we're headin'. Wasteland changes us all eventually. Somethin' awful must of happened to breed a women cold as you seem to be, but I'm willing to bet there's more to you." He looked at the emblem one last time, then tucked the metal back in its pocket. "Maybe you should give others the same benefit of the doubt." With a touch of his hat and a sad smile, Bullseye headed for the door, seemingly a different man then the one that had walked in the room.
"Well Earl, I don't know 'bout Cat, but I couldn't make anything outta that letter. Sure I seen a that symbol 'fore somewheres or 'nother, jus' can't put ma' finger on it."
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Post by GuardsGhost on Dec 15, 2013 23:00:15 GMT -5
Earl had been sitting against the wall. His hat was off, and he seemed in much more control of himself now than he had been earlier. He came to his feet and turned to the two as they entered, tilting their head, curious- and then he heard Bullseye say he couldn't make out the symbol. Earl shrugged.
"Ah don't know what it means myself. I know Daniels been wearin' this strange black armor. Glass balls for eyes that shine like a golden sun. And on the shoulder pad is this white E painted on. On the backs this...fan? Ah don't know. Any of that ring a bell?"
He was nervous. It was occurring to him finally that this rebellion might not be exactly what they had thought it was, and it was evident on his face. He was making connections. Beginning to doubt.
"Ah don't know anymore, but this entire deal seems fishy now. Those NCR troops didn't act like NCR troops, and now that I recall...why did they have a flag draped over the truck? Why not just paint it on?"
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Salvahkiin
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Post by Salvahkiin on Dec 15, 2013 23:01:55 GMT -5
Daniel, before he slept, went back to Tull, clad in Power Armour, and a Gatling Laser. The trip was long, and he wasn't sure what to expect. He decided to enter the town through the hidden radio station way. He crouched near the hatch, and looked around. The NCR had a few still here. One of them was about to see him, and he couldn't crouch, so he opened the hatch, and got in. He looked around. There was Earl, a woman, and another man. It would take too long to pull his Gatling Laser up, which he had to almost drag in, so he just spoke, hoping to scare them.
"You aren't meant to be here."
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Post by <> MetaWulf <> on Dec 16, 2013 1:28:30 GMT -5
"Ah don't know what it means myself. I know Daniels been wearin' this strange black armor. Glass balls for eyes that shine like a golden sun. And on the shoulder pad is this white E painted on. On the backs this...fan? Ah don't know. Any of that ring a bell?" Earl said to Cat and Bullseye after they had entered the broadcasting room. He looked as if he had relaxed a little, but was obviously still uneasy.
"Ah don't know anymore, but this entire deal seems fishy now. Those NCR troops didn't act like NCR troops, and now that I recall...why did they have a flag draped over the truck? Why not just paint it on?" It was a question Cat had asked herself as well. She began to reply when a noise was heard.
Suddenly the hatch was swung open wide, and a man entered holding a huge energy weapon, clad in devilish armor. Catherine spotted the mark on his shoulder as he climbed inside. The twin magnums were cocked and aimed at the intruder's helmet instantly.
"You aren't meant to be here." the helmet said. Catherine looked again over the suit.
"Funny, ah was thinkin' that same thing 'bout you... Bullseye, the emblem." Cat hissed, motioning to the Enclave brand with the barrel of her left gun.
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ShockHelix
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Post by ShockHelix on Dec 16, 2013 17:46:24 GMT -5
Bullseye had both his pistols in a flash the second the black figure dropped through the manhole. It was definitely some sort of black power armor, an he kept his pistols trained on the man's head. He was worried about the Gatling laser, but if the new arrival tried to pull anything, then they would figure out just how many bullets it took to break his fancy helmet. Bullseye was betting five.
"You aren't meant to be here." There was something unnatural about that armor. He'd never been much of a fan of power armor, and it had always seemed a cowards way of fighting, except whee the Rangers were concerned.
"Funny, ah was thinkin' that same thing 'bout you... Bullseye, the emblem." He nodded, keeping one eye on the Gatling laser. It was the same symbol from the letter, and he tossed the letter on the floor in front of the black suited man
"I figur' this is the armor ya' were talkin' 'bout Earl." He said, glancing at Earl. He looked back to the man, flicking a gun at the ground for emphasis. "Daniel is it? Put the gun down, nice n' slow, and then you can explain to all of us just who 'xactly Earl here's been takin' 'is orders from."
"That symbol on the letter," he said, motioning with one of his guns quickly again to the letter he'd tossed on the ground. "What's it mean? And don't try nothin' stupid, now."
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Post by GuardsGhost on Dec 16, 2013 18:19:01 GMT -5
When the hatch swung wide, Earl had automatically gone to his feet. His hands moved with a startling quickness to his holster...only to find it empty. His eyes narrowed on the armor, squinting to make it out, the armor blending in with the night behind them. When Daniel spoke up however, Earl let out an exclamation of mixed pleasure and surprise.
"Danny! It's you, aint it? The hell are you doing here?" He asked, raising a brow. "Also, what's that symbol on the armor and letter mean? Might wanna answer that. Those two have guns, and they have mine. And Cat's there look like they could punch a hole in your armor given enough shots." He warned, and Daniel would recognize a tone familiar to him. It was the same one that warned him not to go near radscorpions when he was little, and not to eat the 'bubblegum' they would find.
Earl had a look of apprehension however, realizing the next few moments could be crucial.
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Salvahkiin
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Post by Salvahkiin on Dec 16, 2013 18:25:29 GMT -5
Daniel suspiciously eyed the two strangers. They had him a gunpoint, and he'd rather not get his father's armor damaged, so he laid his gatling laser on the floor, and answered their questions.
"Daniel is it? Put the gun down, nice n' slow, and then you can explain to all of us just who 'xactly Earl here's been takin' 'is orders from."
"I don't know the leader of the rebellion, none of us do."
"That symbol on the letter,"
"What's it mean? And don't try nothin' stupid, now."
Daniel looked at it, and he had to look twice. He had to hide his excitement. Another Enclave member, living! This could be wonderful!
"That symbol would've been the bane of the NCR, the destruction of the Brotherhood, had they become enemies. That symbol represents true power. That symbol? Is the Enclave."
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Post by <> MetaWulf <> on Dec 16, 2013 21:04:40 GMT -5
Catherine Fyre heard the man well. He was Enclave. And from what Catherine had heard, that made him pure evil. Just about everyone in the wasteland had heard the Legend of the Vault Dweller and the descendant of the Vault Dweller. From the stories, the Enclave had been a force of pure evil that survived the Old World and wanted everyone else dead. Rico had told her stories of the Enclave as a girl, stories of how the Wasteland would have been doomed in the hands of the men in black power armor. Stories of how the Enclave wanted to enslave the people of the wastes, or worse. Cat mentally scolded herself for not putting two and two together before now.
"Enclave, huh?" Catherine asked, her guns still trained on Daniel's helmet. "NCR thinks the Enclave in the West is long dead. From what ah heard, the Brotherhood and the NCR hunted down the rest of yah rats and snuffed yah out in California. Apparently a few scampered away." the woman said dryly, regarding the man with great distaste.
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ShockHelix
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Post by ShockHelix on Dec 17, 2013 12:32:41 GMT -5
He felt like some kind of an idiot. After the wild rumor about an Enclave remnant being in charge, the E symbol an the mention of black power armor should have lined up for him. Bullseye wondered how he had been so blind to the evidence lining up in front of him. Clearly it was Cat's fault, distracting him, sending his mind into another spiral. The matter at hand was more pressing, and he kept his pistols trained on the Enclave soldiers helmet.
Everyone in the wasteland knew about the tales of the Enclave. Now they were only used as stories used to scare children into behaving. Not that that had ever worked on Bullseye. The only thing he ever needed to fear was whatever was right in front of him. Of course, how fearsome could Daniel be? Certainly his armor was intimidating, but coming into a hole with a Gatling laser that he'd never be able to aim in time? The man was either foolhardy or an idiot.
"Yeah, we all know how it wen' down. Enclave got their ass kicked. Ain't no power there. Now how's about'cha step away from yer' gun and come have a seat, and you can tell us all about what ya' Enclave pals want wit' Oregon."
The room was silent for a moment, but Bullseye heard something, the faint sound of words. Somebody was talking and they weren't in the room. "Ya bring some friends wit' ya Daniel?"
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Salvahkiin
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Post by Salvahkiin on Dec 17, 2013 17:00:50 GMT -5
"NCR thinks the Enclave in the West is long dead. From what ah heard, the Brotherhood and the NCR hunted down the rest of yah rats and snuffed yah out in California. Apparently a few scampered away."
"The NCR is marvelous at wounding their enemy, but not destroying. The NCR is weak, like Martius' Legion, or the Brotherhood of Steel. Those that you say 'scampered' away? Those are the ones that have the power to rebuild nations. Beware where you are stepping, lady."
"Yeah, we all know how it wen' down. Enclave got their ass kicked. Ain't no power there. Now how's about'cha step away from yer' gun and come have a seat, and you can tell us all about what ya' Enclave pals want wit' Oregon."
"I haven't communicated with other Enclave Remnants since my parents died. Whoever is running the Flying Column, I have no idea."
"Ya bring some friends wit' ya Daniel?"
"NCR soldiers, they were coming up when I came down."
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Post by <> MetaWulf <> on Dec 17, 2013 20:39:56 GMT -5
"The NCR is marvelous at wounding their enemy, but not destroying. The NCR is weak, like Martius' Legion, or the Brotherhood of Steel. Those that you say 'scampered' away? Those are the ones that have the power to rebuild nations. Beware where you are stepping, lady." the man in the dark armor said.
"Yeah, we all know how it wen' down. Enclave got their ass kicked. Ain't no power there. Now how's about'cha step away from yer' gun and come have a seat, and you can tell us all about what ya' Enclave pals want wit' Oregon." Bullseye added.
"I haven't communicated with other Enclave Remnants since my parents died. Whoever is running the Flying Column, I have no idea."
Catherine butted in, "Tha NCR is weak, huh? Is that why yah hide in the shadows from them all the way out here in hell's half acre? And as far as ah can tell, ya'll been tryin' tah build yer nation since the end of the Great War, and you haven't has much success in the last couple centuries, now have yah Daniel? Fuck, NCR accomplished building a nation in less than a hundred years, and ya'll be trying fer over twice as long, with nothing to show fer it but a reputation as cowards hiding behind technology." The woman concluded, pulling the hammers of her magnums back with each of her thumbs.
"Ya bring some friends wit' ya Daniel?" Bullseye questioned after a moment of silence. Cat had heard something, too.
"NCR soldiers, they were coming up when I came down." Daniel said.
Catherine tensed a little more, then took a long step back from Daniel and the hatch. She was careful to keep her guns trained on his helmet as she did so. Shit. I have a feeling they aren't on a casual patrol. she thought to herself. Cat's heartbeat quickened. "Bullseye, this place got a back door?" Cat asked calmly.
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Post by GuardsGhost on Dec 18, 2013 14:24:20 GMT -5
Earl had stayed quiet, a sinking feeling in his gut beginning to form as the conversation continued on between his old friend, and his new acquaintances. He had kept a thoughtful look on his face the entire time, though his eyes constantly strayed to the guns that Bullseye had confiscated from him, a pained look straying for a moment. He could run to them, and get them while they were distracted with Daniel. But then Daniel mentioned NCR, and his blood turned cold.
"Shit. We're stuck in here like a quadruplet of rats. I take it you still won't give me my guns? Despite that?" He'd sigh, rubbing his forehead. "Can I at least pull out my knife?"
Earl placed his hand on his knife, but didn't draw it. He didn't really expect them to say yes, but, there was always a chance they might. Even if they said no, he was still going to pull. Like hell was he going to die in here, trapped like a rat. Though..if there -was- a backdoor...that could save all of them from a short, and more than likely bloody fate at the hands of these NCR troopers. If that's in fact what they were.
When the Troopers got close enough to shout, they did so. "If there's anyone in there, in the name of the Presidents Militia step out with your hands up! You are violating an Enclave military zone!" One of them bellowed, having seen the hulking black figure charge over, they had ripped off the NCR flag on their sleeves, revealing the hidden E. Their service rifles were aimed at the hatch.
If the quadruplet did not head out when ordered, he'd bellow again. "I repeat! Come out with your hands up and we will not shoot!" While saying this however, one of his other troopers walked over to the hatch, preparing a Plasma grenade.
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ShockHelix
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Post by ShockHelix on Dec 19, 2013 20:14:56 GMT -5
"Bullseye, this place got a back door?"
"Shit if I know, but we ain't gettin' out that way..."
"Shit. We're stuck in here like a quadruplet of rats. I take it you still won't give me my guns? Despite that? Can I at least pull out my knife?"
Bullseye have him a flat stare. "Oh sure Earl, that'll be real helpful 'gainst them," he said sarcastically with a roll of his eyes. Damned NCR had found them, no doubt by following the idiot in black armor to them. Bullseye was getting tired of the number of targets he needed to keep track of. A voice from above shouting into the hole sounded none to friendly either.
"If there's anyone in there, in the name of the Presidents Militia step out with your hands up! You are violating an Enclave military zone! I repeat! Come out with your hands up and we will not shoot!"
Bullseye's eyes went wide and his trigger finger tensed. They'd been had. It had never been the NCR, and what Earl and Cat had been saying added up. It had been the Enclave dressed up like the NCR. He wasn't sure what their goal was, but that slaughter was probably enough where he could trust Earl now that the NCR wasn't at fault.
"Jesus fuckin' Christ, you son of a bitch. See that Earl, was your leaders fuckin' Enclave the whole time. And yer friend Daniel led 'em straight to us. Some loyalty. Looks like you finally outlived ya usefulness."
He glared at Daniel, shaking one of the pistols for emphasis. "No. I don't wanna fuckin' hear it. Keep your mouth shut. Go tell your Enclave fucks that there ain't no one down here, place is empty, before we see how many bullets that armor can take." He glared angrily and waved one gun at the ladder, holstering his other pistol, before grabbing Earl's revolver and tossing it to the man.
"Change a plans Earl, get movin', we look for a tunnel, anythin'. You take the lead. And don't you turn that gun on us." He backed up slowly keeping the gun trained on Daniel and the ladder. This whole thing had just gotten extremely messy. "Know it ain't the best time. But I told ya so."
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Salvahkiin
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Post by Salvahkiin on Dec 19, 2013 21:07:09 GMT -5
Daniel started to move when he heard Enclave, but stopped when he remembered where he was. He ignored the remarks, and when ordered to, went to climb up. Before opening the manhole, he said a common Enclave quote.
"Long live the Enclave. I am friendly, and an Enclave soldier."
He opened the manhole, and climbed out. He looked into their eyes, through his helmet.
"Welcome to Tull, brothers."
Daniel, in his excitement almost forgot about Earl and his new friends.
"There was just me in there, I couldn't get the radio to work properly."
Daniel went back into the manhole, grabbed his gatling laser, came up and closed the manhole, then walked back with them into Tull.
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