as written by barney_fife and roomrider
Bright headlights illuminated the dark, dank streets of Lutetia as Callandra made her way back towards the apartment that she had reserved for her stay here in Lutetia.
The soft reflection of the gauge lights and the various radio equipment played across Cally's face with a soft blue-green hue as slender fingers wrapped around the steering wheel of her white Tech Con issued Toyota HiLux.
The truck's radio chimed a few more moments, before she turned the volume down, and then her hand shifted to raise the volume on the music radio, the sounds of Aschen pop filling the speakers.
"Gods this city is a dump..." The young woman commented before she came to a stop at a red light, the car engine idling as the brakes squealed as the car came to a stop.
Her gaze flitted left, and then right as she leaned back into her seat. The white truck was the only vehicle on the road this time of night, a tingling sensation of paranoia crept along her back as the young woman surveyed her surroundings. She took a moment to smooth her khaki BDU outfit, before she leaned back in the seat once more.
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"Fool" he thought to himself limping down the empty streets of Lutetia City. The cold wind fluttering his dark green cloak and stinging his face. "Should have just ended quick and easy, no trouble, no harm...to me anyways." The Ranger's hip throbbed where it had been hammered to the hard ground. Bruises were forming all over his body, scrapes and road-rash covered various parts as well. His clothes were torn in places, the same places he was bleeding for the most part.
He was dizzy, disoriented, and weakened. Sooner or later, he would be picked out as a target by some rather fortunate small-time criminals wandering the same roads. Going solo had it's downsides. As the battered man approached the intersection, the green light blinking to a red, a miracle caught his eye. "Impossible?!" He nearly smiled. There, in the middle of the road stood the gallant figure of white pickup truck.
The green clad man made his way to the driver's side of the car, trying to put on the friendliest look he could manage. Hoping the glint from the hilts of the rather large dual knives at his hips were well covered by his cloak, he rapped on the window with his raw knuckles.
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Musical beats continued to thump, that was until the woman's serenity was suddenly interrupted by the sound of knuckles on glass;
The woman started, and let out an audible yelp, her right hand moved down towards a concealed Disruptor pistol, and slender fingers wrapped around the weapon's stock, while her thumb moved across the power switch. The weapon then armed with a subtle yet audible whine.
The second movement came with the cracking of her window. The window motor whirred and the glass pulled down several inches. Warm air billowed out from the cracked window as Callandra turned her head to see who was on the other side.
Her blue eyes briefly scanned the robed figure, while her right hand pulled the weapon free from it's holster, and she discreetly held it down by her thigh.
"Can I help you?" She asked, hoping that it was just some tourist asking for directions.
Her left hand moved back onto the steering wheel, using it's controls to turn the radio off, leaving only the muted chattering of her Tech Con CB radio.
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Smart, definitely far from naive, if not friendly. This woman was giving off bad vibes, literally. He could here the low hum of a weapon of some sort that uses energy...probably a stun gun, energy blaster or baton of sorts. Furthermore, the female's movement that obviously resembled pulling something from it's holster and holding it down close to underside of the car seat didn't help the Ranger ignore the fact she was armed.
"No sudden movements, easy talking, non-aggressive presence, etc." He cleared his throat. "Hello ma'am, my name is Alexander Autry. You may have heard of me, and if you have, I'm sure that you are aware that I am no criminal and wish you no harm." The man looked left and right, turned around. No sign of anyone. "As you can probably see...I've been in quite a...predicament of sorts and still am. How? The streets of Lutetia City at night can be quite...dangerous. Obviously, this usually isn't much of a problem for me, I'm able to fend for myself for the most part...and I'm usually not one to ask for help..."
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The Tech Con Security chief continued to survey the man while listening to his plea. She kept the weapon out of sight, and was ready to use it at a moment's notice.
The Disruptor was a staple in both the Aschen Military and Civilian markets, a weapon that fired charged particle beams was a weapon that was eponymous with the Aschen, whom themselves were quite technologically advanced.
She had been watching the Ranger almost as much as he had been observing her movements. It didn't take much to note that he had been wounded, how that came to be remained a mystery to the woman. She pondered a moment and assessed his stance.
"Lutetia can indeed be very dangerous at night, not really a place for someone to be traveling alone at night, especially on foot. Begs to question just exactly what you were doing and why should I help you?" She asked, still keeping her eyes both on him and subtly keeping track of where his hands were going.
"Cut to the chase, you need a ride." She said, making a face. "And how do I know this isn't a ploy to either rob or rape me? You said it yourself... this city can be very dangerous at night." She said, her accent unmistakably Aschen; this meant it was unlikely she knew who he was.
"You can call me Cally, I'm going to guess that you need a ride to the Hospital or something."
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Alexander broke into a smile, he couldn't help it. "Haven't been here much, have you?" he gave a shrug. "You're technically right, this could all be a plan to do something else. But factoring in my habits, and lack of stupidity, I'd assume you could rule those possibilities out. Got a phone? I've got a few trustworthy people you could ring, I've got a bit of a reputation. I do mercenary work sometimes, know a lot for someone with my social status. I've got much to give, believe it or not."
The ranger tossed half a gold coin into the automobile through the slit in the window. "Hope that's worth something to you. As for why I'm in need of help? One word should sum it up, 'supernaturals.' Supernaturals with to much time and anger to be exact." Alexander took another look around their area, this time he swore he could see shadows...moving.
He turned back to the woman. "So, know anyone in town? They'll know my name."
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As he slid the coin through the window, she watched as it fell to the floorboard. "I don't need your money." She quipped, before she nodded to the empty passenger seat.
"I'm going to go on a leap of faith, get in, I'll give you a ride. No sudden moves though, or I'll vaporize you." She said, now bringing the pistol into view.
"I'm the security chief with Tech Con, so no, I move around a lot, I'm just here on a business venture. I'm an Aschen.. whether or not that means anything to you, but I'll help you." She added finally, the lock clicked signalling the doors were unlocked, and she nodded once more.
"I don't know anyone in town other than my work associate, and he too is an Aschen, we're both here from Wing City, where Tech Con has it's HQ for this world." Cally added, bringing the car gear into park.
"You've answered all but one question, where do you need to go?" She asked, still watching him. She figured if he tried anything, she could rely on her military training and weapons to handle herself if things came to that. If he stole the car it could be tracked, thus she was confident that she could prevail if he tried anything.
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His smile faded a bit, drawing the edges of his lips back to their default position. "I suppose I was quick to judge. Naive it is. Alexander made his way to the passenger side door, opening and closing it after he sat himself in the seat. "I don't doubt you'd shoot me up at a moment's notice ma'am. As for a place to go...Luskonios if you may." He gave a sigh "Yes, the richer part of Lutetia, it always seems to surprise people where I reside..."
The ranger glanced down at the gear stick. "I wouldn't have done that if I were you. Step on it, and we might have a chance." The man leaned back in his seat, closing his eyes.
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Perhaps it seemed Naieve, perhaps it seemed foolish to allow a complete stranger get into her vehicle. But she did, and her reasons for doing so remained rather ambiguous.
Putting the car into gear, she floored the gas and the back tires screeched, and then the 4wd engaged and both tires spun as the truck lurched forward.
The pickup itself seemed rather unassuming, with a large brush guard on front, a reinforced and armored frame, bullet proof glass, and a myriad of other augmentations. This gave the truck added weight, which it's modified engine groaned in protest to move.
The truck moved through the intersection, turning onto a side street as Cally turned to her new acquaintance.
"Supernaturals... so tell me what exactly are you running from?" She said, keeping an eye on her surroundings, and her hand never left her weapon.
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Alexander opened his eyes, letting go a sigh of relief. "You're rather...should I say "smart" for a civilian." The ranger turned around looking through the rear window of the HiLux.
"And thank you...for the help, and for listening. As for your question...it's rather poorly worded. If you really did know how dangerous these streets are after hours, what one is running from is...just about everything that moves."
"Oh yes, and by the way," the man unstrapped the belt holding the sheathed daggers at his hips holding it up for the woman to see. "Thought you may want to know I had these on my person." A smirk took over his face.
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"I'm a veteran." She commented, rounding another corner, shifting lanes and pushing on the accelerator. "I served in the Aschen Military through two wars, and then I got a job as Tech Con's security chief." She explained, shifting into the lane to head towards Luskonios.
"I was also married to the Admiral of the Aschen Fleet for a time... you tend to learn things when you're involved with the McGregor family." She added, eyeing the daggers as he unclasped his belt.
"I figured you had weapons of some kind, there's a certain way a person moves when they're armed, a certain way clothing falls on concealed weapons." She said, offering a smirk. "I was watching your hands, you didn't reach for them, and even as you moved to show them to me, the moves weren't furtive or threatening." She added, glancing over to the daggers for a moment, her pistol sliding back into it's holster.
She turned briefly to make eye contact, smirking once more. "To be honest, I never figured you as a threat, I've been up against bigger and meaner, I've seen battle across dozens of planets, even though I was mostly relegated to Hangar duties. I've seen some things that no man should ever see." She said, turning to face forward.
"I was on-board a Reverence as it burned a planet to glass.." She trailed off.
"Look.. if we run into trouble.." She said, pulling out the center console, opening it up and pulling out a second Disruptor pistol. "Switch on the side powers the weapon, it also arms it; these weapons have no 'safety' per se. Holographic sights will do the rest, just point and shoot. These weapons hold fifty shots before they're depleted. Fire it too fast and it'll overheat. Oh... and the muzzle flash can be a bit disorienting for someone who isn't used to these kinds of weapons." She said, sliding the weapon back into the console.
"Don't go for it unless I say so, we'll watch eachother's back if we need it." She said, shifting in her seat. "So what brought you out here? If my gut tells me right.. You weren't out just enjoying the sights."
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"You have a staggering amount of faith in humanity 'Cal.' 'Aschens'...aren't they the xenophobes?" He gave a smile "Well, you'll be able to fulfill your xenophobia to the fullest on these streets, many already do. Don't like the presence of supernaturals around here myself..."
Alexander took a glance at the Disruptor Pistol as Cal presented it to him. "I've had plenty of experience with fire-arms, and a little with weapons of the sort. Thanks for the info though." The ranger re-did his dagger belt.
"Enjoying the sights? Tourists aren't common here. And the few that do visit are either oblivious to what happens here, or well aware. The latter tend to hire people like me at times." He eyed the road illuminate by the car's headlights.
"Like I said, I do mercenary work in my free time. A little while before, I was scouting out a...place for a job. How I got hurt wasn't job related...so no compensation unfortunately." The ranger gave a smile.
"As you've probably inferred, I'm also a forest ranger at most. Scout perimeters, borders, key areas. Rarely get a chance to see some action. Although I have had a chance to show my light. That's why I'm not known as some third rate bruiser. Really helps the business roll in."
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The woman smirked at the mention of 'Cal' That smirk inevitably turned into a lighthearted chuckle.
"Not many people call me that; Cal that is.." She commented, still smirking once they stopped at another light. Her eyes went back, and fourth as she scanned their surroundings.
"I was sent here to survey the city, if the survey was worth the investment, Tech Con would purchase land in the city, likely the Phantom Quarter, bulldoze everything and evict the residents; with force if we need to... we were then planning to construct a facility to build engines for the new Iconoclast ships, since Tech Con was awarded a military contract." Cally explained. "Unfortunately we have to handle a lot of manufacturing off world, since Langara has stringent environmental laws."
"So you're a mercenary scout... you don't look like much, a pair of daggers won't get you far in this world." Cally said, accelerating once the light changed.
"I guess you could say I'm a mercenary, as I'm part of Tech Con's private army."
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It was his turn to to smile now. "Quite true, a pair of daggers won't even keep most alive in the wrong parts of Lutetia. Luckily for me, I've got more than that. Just not on my person, it was only a scouting operation you know."
The ranger watched the buildings wiz by. "And yes, I don't look like much. That's what I'm going for, living here has got it's few advantages you know. Just an 'example' would be ready access to magic wielders, which comes in handy. Potions, enchantments, etc. They've got it. I don't really try to look flashy or anything, it can be rather fatal in some parts. Better to look humble, helps with the element of surprise and keeps you from being targeted...most of the time."
