Cerberus guild

((Some inspiration from Ryorea with her writing got me back into this story I started about a month ago. I've not actually finished it, but I'll go with the "episodic" format and post a section or two.))


There is a lot of my past I'm not proud of... but... perhaps it's time to share some of it with you. This story occurred not too long ago...


GOODMAN'S LAST DEAL

The doors were slammed closed and a boom resonated throughout the near-empty warehouse. A tall figure stood before us, bathed in a beam of light streaming through windows above. Shadows cast over his face by his broad-rimmed headpiece, hiding his features. From within that shadow, two soft points of cyan light glowed. Some kind of optical implants, I guessed. The figure removed a thin hand from his trenchcoat pocket, gestured to his surroundings.

"Rather empty, is it not, Mister Goodman."

Mister Goodman. Mister Julius T. Goodman, actually. "Good man" by name only, let me tell you. He was a ruthless trader, or mechandise mover as he liked to say. A specialist in "hot" items. Clients submitted their orders, we delivered the goods. If the price was right, of course. The hotter the items, the more the risk -- which meant more cred. Live life on the edge, keep the clients happy, get paid, get the hell out. Just how Goodman liked it.

"I can assure you everything is quite in order, Voiro. There has just been a slight delay with the shipment. Did I not send you a comm on the matter?"

Voiro. That was the mysterious guy before us. The client. And judging by the thugs who just locked us in, this client was not pleased.

Three burly atrox and a wiry opifex chick; I'd counted them when we'd arrived. Now I'm not the type to back down from a fight, but those guys looked like they could have single-handedly wrestled a bronto momma. Not those fat, docile dinos bred at the bronto farms, mind you -- I'm talking about the massive wild ones out Newland way.

So I was thinking our chances of seeing anything other than a reclaim terminal were going to be slim, and wondered if my partner, Bonebreaker, was thinking the same. When I glanced his way he appeared completely at ease. I couldn't tell if the 'trox was just keeping his cool, or if his mind had gone wandering again and he was oblivious to our situation. Either way, I knew I could rely on Bone when it came to the crunch.

If my sixth sense -- the erect hair on the back of my neck -- could be trusted, there was going to be some crunching soon.

I love it, the opening is a classic!! Voiro's opening line had me enjoying the hell out of myself .
Dang, you guys are good!!

Cogs

You enjoyed his opening line?
Fair enough, hehe!

That was our job, though. Bone and I were bodyguards. Hired henchmen, if you like. Like all so-called careers, we had good days and down-right crappy days, but the pay was high, and Goodman looked after all medical expenses. Of course, we'd have been happier if we'd actually received our wages rather that the boss' usual story of You'll get your money soon, guys. I'm just waiting on a client to pony up.

"Delayed?", Voiro chuckled coldly while the glows beneath his hat disappeared for a moment. "When I make down-payments, Mister Goodman, I like to think my order will arrive as agreed, at the scheduled time." He reinserted his hand into his trenchcoat. "If I was to believe the Grid news this morning -- something about, oh, Omni-Pol intercepting a freighter carrying an illegal shipment -- it would appear my goods would not be arriving, hmm?"

"Voiro, please." the trader spoke with a placating smile. "Jumping to conclusions does no-one any good. Indeed the interception of the shipment was a set-back, but immediately upon hearing the news I secured another shipment -- due early tomorrow. Or the following day at the latest." He nodded reassuringly. "Rest assured. Your down-payment has been well invested, and you will receive your merchandise."

"You would have made an excellent politician -- you are brilliant at making promises you are unable to keep."

"Now, now. I've broken no promises here." Goodman was struggling to maintain the faux-sincerity in his smile. "As I said, the merchandise is on its way." He pouted his lips in thought, then his broad smile returned. "In the interests of goodwill, and because of the delay, I'm willing to slash one tenth off your outstanding payment. How does that sound?"

There was an unsettling moment of silence. My entire body was tensed, my senses alert. Hearing the faint scratch of dirt as the heavies, a few paces behind us, balanced their weight only heightened the anticipation.



[edit: minor additions/changes]

Hmm, looks like this story didn't get finished. Was anyone interested in its continuation?

Sure!

yep yep yep!
Wold love to see how this evolves, FLamey!

Hey I see Cogs has one of those cool siggies too now..

I want one too!

Voiro's hands came into view again as he steepled his fingers in front of his hidden face, and finally spoke. "I do not usually do this -- one's past is one's own affair -- but I took the liberty to investigate your background, Mister Goodman. Or should I say... Mister Furneaux?" The forced smile vanished from my boss' face, replaced with an expression resembling a hunted animal. "It appears you have left a long line of unfulfilled deals across numerous systems."

Goodman opened his mouth to speak, but was obviously lost for words.

"After communications with a few of your... former clients, I discovered a somewhat large bounty on your head. Or rather, for your head." He paused for effect. "No business man could ignore this considerable bounty, but I am also a reasonable man. My proposition: return my down-payment from your failed deal, plus fifty percent of said payment to cover the bounty, for which you will be forgiven and, uh, remain alive."

"Fifty percent! That's... that's extortion!", Goodman gasped. I had no idea how much cred the boss had stashed away, but I was sure that sum, on top of the expense of the shipment, would really have broken the bank. Better than a broken body, I guess. "I'm not some gutter dweller", he spat back. "I've paid for my cell-scan insurance."

Voiro shook his head calmly. "Surely you, as a seasoned trader, are familiar with methods of perma-death?" He paused, then continued with a slight chuckle, "Due to a, uh, technical malfunction, your insurance record has become corrupted. I am truly sorry, Mister Goodman. Please look after yourself until you can access another cell scanning terminal." The sarcasm palpably dripped from his words.

As far as I had been concerned, that meeting was then over. Time to haul butt and get the boss out of there. Bonebreaker was looking toward me, as subtly as an atrox could. I gave him a small nod. Action time.

"Get fu--", Goodman managed before the sharp crackle of gunfire stopped him mid-sentence.

I'm kinda looking forward to read up on how Bonebreaker will develope in this story afterall this (( atm )) sledge swinging troxx loves the sound of bones breaking in the morning, it sounds like.... like hmmm Victory!!!!