[Jerry Cox]

-Hadley

"There's more ways of learning that than by going all the way to the HQ, Mr. Wilson."

The man eyes rested on Barry and Biddy in the distance, but his mind did not so much as whisper their presence - his mind was on Aubrey, the vault, and this expedition, now. He raised his arm to look at his highly advanced, modified pip-boy, trying to keep his fingers busy by rubbing the palm of his hands and using his thumb to press down on others - as if to crack the knuckles that way. He was clearly dwelling on something when he continued, more serious and focused than usual:

"Information travels in many ways, it doesn't hide in some safe forever. The way we're learning about the world is one of the ways someone who would find value in a vault could. And we're not about to make it easier for them to find our own."

'Why didn't I think about this more?'

He heard Pini give a grumble of disgust, and Hadley noticed the trail of blood more fully then, practically falling over himself at the horrible stench and stain in the sand. However, after a moment, Amos realized this wasn't because of the blood, but because of their "diplomat's" flirty grin and pose - showing off her bust and hips again - in greeting to Mr. Wilson, complimenting the man's blue armor and helmet and some other thing about how cute or handsome or impressive whatever else it was.

Hadley, himself, couldn't help but twist his mouth downward. Ms. Aine sometimes caused near as much trouble as their security man.

As Mr. Wilson's...bodyguard? pushed into the building, it revealed itself to be a...club...of some sort. Very old-fashioned, something from before the war, yet without a scratch, dent, hole, or debris in sight. Everything was a vibrant, warm red, tables and chairs set up for company. Hadley was vaguely aware that Biddy excitedly gasped at the sight.

He almost held hope that there might be a chance to learn something about the Wasteland, from this, but then he was reminded that this was something that Ms. Aine had wanted to do:

"THIS INSTANT HAROLD!"

Hadley heard the two Wastelanders in their group chatting about the building - as bewildered as the scouting group - before Mr. Wilson asked a man in armor about it, appearing to be one of the many mercenaries the researcher had seen, recently. He called it the "Tropical Room."

Someone must have put a lot of effort, or made others put a lot of effort, into making this building. 'How one would even get the resources...'

Hadley began to quietly take pictures of the room in detail, trying his best to ignore the screams of that "Calypso" and two other men. Aine was no doubt loving this.

He began biting a finger and tensing as it grew louder, however, and a giant man began pulling the woman by her hair violently enough to catch from the periphery. As little as he cared for, or about, conflict among these people, it was increasingly difficult to simply block it out. Amos heaved a sigh, near black eyes darting toward the situation with a disapproving grimace and furrowed brows as he spat,
"What is-"

He felt his light face pale further before he demanded quickly, "Aine, get back here."

"Calypso, so soon to see you, again," the researcher scratched his head and tightened his jaw nervously, suddenly catching that she was leaning a little to the arm of the stairway and drawing her words out, just a tad. Her smile was a bit off - not what Hadley was used to seeing all the time. She reached the top, face redder than typical as she asked, "Something wrong?"

"I don't believe I've met you two," as she stepped near "Harold" - the bulky man with disturbing scars, wounds, and a missing arm; bloody and still standing - she gave a delayed, startled scream at the sight of the table, before she could make any of her typical gestures. "W-wha-"

Mr. Pini broke away from Mr. Tate and Hadley on instinct, running for Biddy at her cry...

Hadley felt a deep horror stab his gut, failing to grab the man's arm as he shouted, "No!"

[Anne marie]

Reserved. Will be a Harold post today.

[LADONA]

A.R.E.S.

Patrolling the Rooftops

Night

ENTERING RETRIEVAL MODE. PLEASE STAND BY.

NOW IN RETRIEVAL MODE. SPECIFY TARGET OF INTEREST.

"Tracy," Ares said, climbing up the fire escape of an abandoned home on his way to the roof.

RETRIEVING PROFILE.

NAME: TRACY

AGE: 12

six: FEMALE

PSYCHIATRIC PROFILE: UNAVAILABLE.

LOCATION: UNAVAILABLE.

UPLOADING IMAGE FROM MEMORY BANKS.

COMPLETE. BEGIN TRACKING.

With the anolysis complete, Ares was now able to pursue Tracy with maximum accuracy. Taking up point on the corner of the rooftop, Ares scanned the surrounding area for any evidence of Tracy. He picked up a set of small footprints leading away from the tent. Ares departed from his current set-up and sprung to a nearby rooftop, where he soon began tracking the footsteps to a location outside of town. Pretty soon, he ran out of roof to travel on, and was forced to jump down to continue tracking.

As Ares continued following the footsteps, he noticed that not only were Tracy's small feet noticeable in the dirt ridden wasteland, but another pair of slightly larger but still small in general footsteps along with hers. Around the two footsteps were a mix of medium and small feet, leading Ares to believe she was captured along with another young individual, and her kidnappers were leading her to a undisclosed location.

I'm coming for you, Tracy.

------

Ares had taken up shop on a hill, overlooking the location where Tracy was being held. He scanned the area, and it seemed that Calypso and her mercs were handling the situation with efficiency. But that wasn't enough for him; He felt something inside him, a feeling that overcame logic and made him was to intervene. He wanted to kill the bastards.

But Calypso is handling it

"Calypso isn't a variable. Shes my responsibility, I handle her," Ares muttered, pulling out his pistol. He was pissed that he had left his rifle and helmet at home in exchange to blend with the "normal" crowd, but a pistol combined with his combat mode should be enough to take out the group.

ENTERING COMBAT MODE.

PLEASE STAND BY. . .

COMBAT MODE INITIATED.

Ares eyes focused tightly, a heavy red gleaming off the iris. He looked down the sights of his pistol, aiming towards the man closest to Tracy, as well as securing the rest of targets so he could take them out as well.

What a shame.. And it seemed Calypso was just about to resolve the situation..

Ares gave a devilish smirk, and began counting down the second before all their bodies dropped to the floor.

3...2...

Out of nowhere, a large brightening light disoriented Ares, throwing his balance off and causing him to fall over. He was unsure what had just happened, but he didn't care; His targets had been lost, and Tracy was already in the hands of Calypso.

So I'll kill her too..

Ares shook his head, banishing the thought. He was beginning to think irrationally, and anger began overtaking his sense.

I can't kill her, she saved Tracy..

Ares shook his head once more, try to regain control. "Deactivate combat mode," He stated.

COMBAT MODE SHUTTING DOWN.

PLEASE WAIT . . . .

But it was already too late, Ares had lost control. He simply watched as the targeting protocols began highlighting Calypso and her mercs while they walked away from the scene.

Stop... Stop.. It... Take.. Control..

He tried, but the shut down process was being purposely delayed. With combat mode still in effect, his human identity was useless.

SHUTDOWN COMPLETE.

Ares gasped as he regained control; Quickly disabling the firing queue and looking away from the mercs.

That was.. Too close.

He took a few moments to run a systems check, making sure there was no back-logging and making sure he was the one in full operational control. After he confirmed he was in control, Ares decided to follow the group in the shadows back to town, and rejoin Tracy when she separated off.

[Tiffany Castillo]

(OOC: I apologize for the delay, and the rather BLAH post. I believe that I got everyone included.)

Calypso - The Tropical Room - Late evening

The door downstairs opened again, Barry, James, and the redheaded Vault Dweller entered followed by a few of the other dwellers. James being James, whipped his plasma rifle, training it on Harold, “Harold you [censored] buffout ogre! Drop her now or I will fire on you!”

Harold glared at James, but the conversation continued without paying James much, if any attention. Calypso raised her brow at Mieux's last comment, "Mr. Mieux..." Harold brushed her aside, stepping up to Mieux his nostrils flared at his angery breaths.

"I only do as Moriarty says," snarled Harold as he reached for Mieux. Calypso narrowed her eyes, jumping in between the men.

“Mieux or whatever your name is” James called out in his Texan accent “If Harold causes any more trouble, call me and I’ll shoot him, or melt him for that matter. If not I’ll speak to you once your business is concluded with Calypso." Calypso rolled her eyes as James returned to the main floor. She could not quite make out what he was saying, but he was explaining something to the dwellers.

"Harold love, do remember what it was that we discussed yesterday?" She asked.

"Calypso, so soon to see you, again," One of the dwellers ran up the stairs, his face was red as he to also interupted, "Something wrong?" Calypso believed that he was reffered to as Hadley, but was not certain. Calypso did smile as she watched the redheaded girl, Biddy, run up the stairs clumsily.

"Oh this," Calypso straightened the dress on her cleavage, "It tis fine love, I have it handled," she looked at Harold why questioning eyes, "Well, dor you recall that conversation darling?"

Harold pressed his tongue to his cheek, the fire in his eyes erupted like a volcano, "That was until I found you dining with him," his large hand motioned to Mieux.

"Darling," Calypso rubbed his massive chest, backing him up gently, "If you wish for me to return to The Rose with you, then we shall depart immediatly."

Biddy, with drunken boldness, approached Harold and Calypso, "I don't believe I've met you two," as she stepped, catching a glimpse of the heads sitting on the table, she gave a delayed, startled scream, "W-wha-"

Calypso followed her gaze to the table and grinned devilishy, "I know love, I to imagine she was much more attractive earlier this evening." As she was about to look back at Harold, Mr. Pini went to dart past Hadley, who grabbed his arm and told him no in a commanding tone. Calypso cocked her head, "Mr. Pini, Welcome to The Tropical Room, I do hope that you find your visit both fulfilling and pleasing. Now, if everyone would excuse us, we have town business to discuss."

Calypso lovingly rubbed Harold's neck, Harold paused, the volcano that was his eyes, focused intently on Calypso's mismatched eyes, returning to a simmer. Harold grunt as he nodded, turning by the table to walk towards the stairs. "Look at Mr. Mieux's esquiset taste darling," she waved her arm in the direction of the main ballroom floor. The giant turned to look, stepping to the edge of the balcony. Calypso wrapped her arm around Harold's waist, "Is it not a lovely spectical darling?" She inched around behind Harold.

"Clean, it is..." Harold began, while Calypso stepped back utilizing a front kick to his lower back. Harold was caught completely off guard, she kicked him a second time and Harold stumbled over the waist high balcony railing. "I WILL KILL YOU CA." His voice stopped at impact, the fall knocked him out.

Calypso snapped her fingers, "Take him to our special quarters, AT ONCE!!!" she ordered, turning to face Mieux, straightening her dress and flipping her hair over her shoulders. "I do apologize for the interuption Mr. Mieux, but I need just one more moment."

Downstairs a man had entered and collasped, Calypso recognized him, Aaron, "Could I get some help here? I just got shot." He said rather calmly.

Calypso spun around, the bottom of her dress trailed behind, wrapping gracefully around her long legs. Her mercs were rounding up Harold to take him away, "Do hear me clearly, ALL OF YOU," she pat Biddy's shoulder, "you are OK dear, " looking up at the stunned faces, "Mr. Mieux and I have much town business to discuss, we wish to not be interupted any further. Failure to adhere to this request, will lead to some most unstatisfactory actions. You have not heard, but Mr. Mieux is making available a steak dinner at no cost to you, simply relax and enjoy yourselves, now if you will excuse us. Would someone please see to it that Aaron recieves some medical attention." She curtsied before hooking Mieux's arm with hers, "Please, do show me the way to your office love."

[.X chantelle .x Smith]

Justin Mieux simply curled his lip in calculations. "I hope that man isn't dead, wouldn't do well for a new club." He simply shrugged and thought back, "Oh well, my real concern is that railing, I don't believe that....gentleman is good for that railings support." He shrugged it off watching as Calypso had others drag him away. He simply shrugged it off and looked at the drunk. Mieux shifted with delight as he heard the song 'http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zGxL2uNr7bk came over the speakers. Mieux raised his eyebrows in shock behind his sunglasses as Calypso offguard and connected her arm to him, as he'd been listening to the song and hadnt paid attention when Calypso courtsied. "Sure. Au Revoir ladies and gentlemen." He said, smirking and leadingh her up a small staircase to the side of the second floor, ascending to a floor with a Pre-War sign saying 'Employees Only'.

Mieux escorted Calypso through the third floor, it was dimly lit with a warm toned lighting, the walls an old, fading deep red wallpaper, some of it newer, obviously replaced. this floor, unlike the public floors, was absent of speakers. No sound stirred but Mieux and Calypso padding softly on the old Pre-War carpets, the gentle sound of air conditioning fluctuating, the occasional chink, likely from the cranky Pre-War ventilation and air systems, they were a little funny to work with, but it kept to the building cool.

Mieux stopped at a faded deep brown office door, Mieux pulled a small cache of keys from his briast pocket, unlocking the door and throwing his bloodied suit coat in a corner and taking his bowtie and shirt off. "The filthy effing pig getting blood on my shirt, my jacket. Who does that big balooka think he is?" Mieux muttered, forgetting Calypso was there, so he muttered it in his true voice, which sounded no different than an average Wasters. He rummaged through his wardrobe and pulled an old shirt and buttermilk toned coat out of the closet. Quickly buttoning it on and putting the jacket on, he guided Calypso from his bedroom to his office. He sat down in an old, chapped chair and didn't bother putting on his faux accent "Sorry about the change of clothes, forgot you were there. I get wrapped up in my appearance a bit." He smirked and laughed. "Accent may not be real, but the charm and manners are dear." He got up and went to a cabinet and pulled out two glasses and a bottle of old white wine. "If wine's not your thing, I have stronger. Whiskey? Scotch? Perhaps some Absinthe? If you want, help yourself to whatever else may be in the cabinet, I scavenge lots of odds and ends." As he sat in his old chair behind his neatly organised desk, he simply sighed and looked at the blank RobCo terminal screen facing him, took a deep drink of his glass, and asked curiously, "So, where do we begin?"

[Sabrina Schwarz]

Calypso - Mieux's office

"Sure. Au Revoir ladies and gentlemen." Mieux said, smirking and leading Calypso to his office. She admired the work Mieux had done beyond the main floor as they strolled quietly down the hallway. Mieux stopped at a faded deep brown office door; he pulled a small cache of keys from his briast pocket, unlocking the door and throwing his bloodied suit coat in a corner and taking his bowtie and shirt off.

Calypso watching intently, she smacked her lips and started to unzip the back of her dress. "The filthy effing pig getting blood on my shirt, my jacket. Who does that big balooka think he is?" Mieux muttered the accent was gone from his voice, causing Calypso to pause. He rummaged through his wardrobe and pulled an old shirt and buttermilk toned coat out of the closet. Quickly buttoning it on and putting the jacket on, he guided Calypso from his bedroom to his office. She raised her hand, looking back at the bed and then back to Mieux.

He sat down in an old, chair, "Sorry about the change of clothes, forgot you were there. I get wrapped up in my appearance a bit." He smirked and laughed. "Accent may not be real, but the charm and manners are dear."

He got up and went to a cabinet and pulled out two glasses and a bottle of old white wine. "If wine's not your thing, I have stronger. Whiskey? Scotch? Perhaps some Absinthe? If you want, help yourself to whatever else may be in the cabinet, I scavenge lots of odds and ends." As he sat in his old chair behind his neatly organized desk, he simply sighed and looked at the blank RobCo terminal screen facing him, took a deep drink of his glass, and asked curiously, "So, where do we begin?"

Calypso took the glass and went to the cabinet to pour herself some Scotch, “This is somewhat a cause of concern, you fa?ade that is,” Calypso’s face was one of disappointment as she zipped her dress back up. She sat down; crossing her right leg over her left, the split in the dress fell to reveal her long, smooth leg. She put the glass on his desk and leaned forward, running her hands down to her ankle, “I assumed we were about to consummate our arrangement. I do love pleasure before business.”

She swirled the Scotch in her glass, taking a sip and licking her lips seductively after she placed the glass back down. “Firstly love, when you speak of hiring my girls, I must ask of your intentions? Also, I am a woman of authority, and as such, I wish anything to do with my town be run through me first. I would be willing to host an audience whenever the need arises.”

Calypso adjusted her bosom, her finger then tracked across the desk to Mieux’s hand, “Perhaps my dear Mr. Mieux, since I am recently divorced,” she flashed a grin, “If our business relationship blossoms, I may take you as my husband.” Her finger traced his entire hand, “I wish to hear of your means to profit from our humble little town.”

[rheanna bruining]

James Wilson

As James spoke to the vault dweller, the one Amos had called Mr Tate or something like that when there was a scream from behind followed by Amo’s shouting “No”

James turned around expecting to see calypso being killed by Harold only to see that it was Biddy who was scream but Harold had not hurt her… she had seem something in the room, probably the dead cow Harold had dragged in…

Is that girls nuts? Why did they go up there….

James simply watched as calypso waved her arm in the direction of the main ballroom floor, being just at the bottom of the staircase he could hear pretty much what they were saying although some of was a unclear for him.

"Is it not a lovely specti-cal darling?" he though calypso said as she inched around behind Harold…. It look like she might push over the railing….

Nah she isn’t gonna do that? Well then again….

“I’d stand back” James said as he stepped back a bit…

As he did Calypso stepped back utilizing a front kick to his lower back. Harold was caught completely off guard; she kicked him a second time and Harold stumbled over the waist high balcony railing. "I WILL KILL YOU CA." His voice stopped at impact, the fall knocked him out

It was lucky James had stepped or he would have been flattened by Harold as he fell to the floor. Looking at Harold James chuckled silently; seeing Harold getting knocked out was humorous slight to see and in some ways payback what he had done to James the other day….

Now I just need to fame him haha haha

"Take him to our special quarters, AT ONCE!!!" calypso ordered, this time it loud enough for most of the people downstairs to hear.

“Special quarters? You got a dungeon over there? Jesus what doesn’t that place have.... a pool? ” James joked to calypso mercs although they did not answer, as they were busy securing Harold….

The Topical rooms doors then opened, James turned around to see that it was Aaron... the guy he had asked to take Tracey to the tent “Could I get some help here? I just got shot." Aaron said calmly. Then fell down

Holy [censored]

James approached Aaron “Sorry mate But I’m no doct...” James said as he noticed Aaron Bullet, it was a bit smaller than James wound but was roughly in the same place… attacker had attacked again…..

“Son of a [censored] .... I bet it’s the same [censored] that shot at me" James muttered to himself "Barry let’s get this [censored] before they can get away…”James shouted in an angry tone....

leaving the others to treat Aaron, James and Barry left the Topical room and began to follow Aaron footsteps to a nearby alleyway, someone was shouting in pain inside the alleyway… it seemed like Aaron had shot the [censored]er…

“Guess Aaron shot dike but let’s take any chances… This [censored] isn’t getting away” James said as he readily his plasma rifle…. Entering the alleyway, James and Barry finally saw the attacker….

“It’s a kid?”

The” attacker was in fact a teenager, wasn't tall so couldn’t be much older than 15. Holding his right knee, the kid was screaming in pain from being shot, presumably by Aaron before he was able to get to the topical room….

James walked up the kid and placed his 44. Magnum against the against his forehead as the kid screamed in pain or mercy… yet in the end James simply couldn’t do it.

Men, women, Ghouls, mutants and animals he could kill and sometimes enjoyed killing especially with slavers but kids… No he couldn’t… what if it was his daughter? He wouldn’t be-able to live with himself afterwards…

Whack!

James punched the Kid in face knocking him out cold….

“I don’t get it why would a kid I don’t know try and kill me Or Aaron?” James asked as he looked at the kid.

“Maybe he was hired to do it? You got any enemies out there?” Barry asked

“Some but they wouldn’t hire a kid do it, they would use the Talon Company… or would have, and Talon Company’s getting their ass kicked by the Brotherhood, we killed everyone at their little base” James said as he searched the kids pocket and found a switchblade.

“Well then maybe that’s it, without the talon company to do they’ve had to hire kids to do their dirty work, can’t afford the likes of me and you” Barry chuckled.

“Huh yeah” James chuckled “let’s take this guy to Bobs, he will know where we can place this guy until he wakes up and we can question him. Plus we can find that doctor guy for Aaron if he hasn’t already got one. ”

With Barry Help James picked up the kids and carried him down the street, seeing that Bob was not in the tent they took the kid to Bob’s house, opening the door James and Barry placed the kid on the floor.

“Bob are you in? We found the gunman…..” he shouted

OOC: If the front door is locked, Have James knock on the front door and I’ll edit tomorrow.

[Lexy Dick]

Mieux smirked and shrugged, "Tempting, but the pleasure comes last. No need for fun, only to ruin it with mindless yawp." He made a quick linger with his eye up the skirt of the dress, then looked off at an old painting of some owner from long ago, his eyes glazed over as he remained aware, his eyes calculating invisible odds in his head. "My intentions?For your young ladies? Classily, dressed waitresses. As for my plans? Simple. I don't care about Grayditch, I'm here to drink from a barely tapped well. I've amassed a fortune in my name back in Tenpenny. Curious? One hundred thousand. But, well, there's no such thing as too much money."

Mieux pulled his lighter and a cigarette out, lighting it and blowing smoke away from Calypso. "Robbery, heists, extortion, even simple scams. I guess you could say I'm a.....confidence man. I've done well at never getting caught. My interest was a purely bleary eyed want for this club. But, well, hearing this town belongs to another crook. I'm obliged to take it from him, to take it all away, and the best part? He'll never know until the caps are gone." Mieux took another deep inhale, then put the cigarette out. "I'm more of a brain, the show runner. I'm confident in my mental finesse, but I'll need muscle. That's where you come in, Calypso. I intend to start running Med-X from here, discreetly, under that.....'sheriffs' nose. I'll need someone who KNOWS this town. I'll make an offer to you Calypso, you help keep my club look clean and spotless to whatever 'law' is here. In return, you and I run things 50/50, including the take. There's five crates of Pre-War Med-X down in the basemant. Why? Don't know, I suppose I wasn't the first organised crime person to plan to run chems through here. I don't want Post-War chems, to dirty. We're running Med-X, or will." He took a look at Calypso. You want a good night? Here's how I'll make your night, in short terms. You and I run the Med-X, you and I both get a good two thousand caps a week from the Med-X distribution, and we sit back, let the money pour in. I have no interest in prostitution, so if you run that, that's your call. My business would likely be small time, but the rewards will be immense."

Mieux got up, strolled around the office and ran her through the idea of distribution via Caravans that run through Grayditch, bribing any mercs working as lawmen who would take bribes, and keep the business hush hush aside from her trusted loyal friends. He stopped behind her, his hands falling onto her shoulders, slowly massaging them with invitation. "Think about it, two thousand a week, all for keeping any goody two shoes off my ass. Easy money, and a lot of resources here at my disposal." He sunk low and whispered in obvious flirtation, "As well as....bedside benefits for you and I. Think about it, we both get what we want, and we drive this Moriarity to be a nobody to Grayditch." Mieux stood up once more, and said with a smirk, "So, easy money, or no money, and no fun? If you have questions, lay them on me."

[suniti]

Calypso - With Mieux

Mieux strolled around behind Calypso, she moaned slightly as his hands found her shoulders; gently massaging her. Her head lolled to the side, "Think about it, two thousand a week, all for keeping any goody two shoes off my ass. Easy money, and a lot of resources here at my disposal." He sunk low and whispered in obvious flirtation, "As well as....bedside benefits for you and I. Think about it, we both get what we want, and we drive this Moriarity to be a nobody to Grayditch." Mieux stood up once more, and said with a smirk, "So, easy money, or no money, and no fun? If you have questions, lay them on me."

Calypso swung around in the chair to face him, switching her left leg over her right; placing her hands on her knee. "Is that all that you require from me? That shall not be a problem love," She stood up, closing the gap between them until her chest brushed his, her lips almost touching his as she asked, "What other information about me has been brought to your attention?"

Calypso kissed Mieux's lips, she drug her lower lip over his to nose and met his gaze, "I am most curious as to what you have been told." Calypso began pressing herself against Mieux, provocatively pushing him back to the bedroom. "I will offer two guards, two of my girls available to do as you wish, and two more girls to strike up business on my end."

She kissed Mieux passionately before pushing him down onto the bed. She reached back; unzipping her dress and letting it fall to the floor, "I believe that is it time to seal our deal, and christen future endeavors with one another."

[Leonie Connor]

OOC: THe song might be a bit of a stretch, but given the situation I think it's appropriate. Also, I know the post is a bit blause, but I didn't want to end up encurring Moderator wrath, so you'll have to leave leave what happened when that door shut to your imagination.

Mieux simply froze inside, letting the motions outside flow. It'd been a long time since he'd had any actual romantic or sixual relationship with anyone. His heart had always been set on one thing, money. But this was the life he'd lived most of his life. Money, six, chems. It all came with the turf. But he left that behind after leaving Vegas behind, working for a small time 'mob' family. "Good to see you're in agreement. As for the information, I was led to believe you can be a bit of a black widow. But, well, I'm a gambling man. So let's see how well this pays off." His smirk dropped from his face as fast as Calypso's dress to the floor. His heart sprung with desire. He got up and opened the bedroom door, checking to make sure no one had snuck upstairs, and left the door wide open. He grabbed her by the hips as the two slowly progressed to deepening passion, Calypso undressing him. Justin went with the motions, doing things he'd read in old books and holodisks. "So, Calypso," He said with a quick breathing to his voice."You'll have to show me how an exotic woman like you can tease a man." He put an http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0uqCocIh3_oon and gave her one last gentle kiss, admiring her feminine form, and slammed the door shut with his left hand, and pushing Calypso playfully onto the bed.

After a couple of hours, Mieux sat behind Calypso on the bed, cuddled behind her with his hands around her hips and exhausted and his hair untidy. He nuzzled her neck and said with an obvious tone of contentment and open heartedness, "So, how about we go downstairs and dance. I know it's a bit odd, but 'sleep after love making' is so boring. Let's go down stairs and perhaps waltz a little." He didn't say anything, but after giving her one last kiss, he suggested they dress each other. He admired her exotic and feminine form with a smile, and locked his arm around her once more dressed arm. Mieux, now in a buttermilk tone silk jacket, black dress shirt, and black pants, he escorted Calypso down the stairs to the public level once more, though not presuming to much of where they stood in terms of relationship, he still regretted leaving the third floor, up there it felt almost as if he and Calypso were in their own private world. He stopped midway down the hall, stopped, and said slowly to Calypso, "Look....I know how you and I just had our passionate session together, but, well, I...hope we can carry on as an item." Mieux felt himself blushing, and putting on shades and false accent to try and hide his blushing shy nature, "So, how about that dance love?" He grinned once more, and brought her downstairs on his arm.

[Michelle Chau]

Calypso - With Mieux

Calypso's body glistened in the light of the room from her thin coat of sweat. The distraction of intimacy only prolonged her emotions, she wondered about the little girl in the yellow dress, Tracy. She rolled onto her side, hoping to hide any concern that managed reveal itself in her eyes. Mieux slid his hands around her waist, his body rest against hers in the afterglow of passion. Calypso was snapped from her thoughts as Mieux nuzzled her neck. "So, how about we go downstairs and dance. I know it's a bit odd, but 'sleep after love making' is so boring. Let's go down stairs and perhaps waltz a little." His voice was genuine, bringing a smirk on Calypso's face.

Calypso rolled over to face Mieux, she ran the back of her hand down the side of his face, He didn't say anything. Mieux gave her a kiss, suggesting they dress each other. Calypso saw Mieux ogling her, she flaunted her body as they dressed. Mieux being a gentleman, opened the door and escorted Calypso down towards the main floor.

He stopped midway down the hall, and said slowly to Calypso, "Look....I know how you and I just had our passionate session together, but, well, I...hope we can carry on as an item." Mieux blushed, he put his dark glasses on and the accent made its return appearance, "So, how about that dance love?" He grinned once more, and brought her downstairs on his arm.

That surely didn't take long, this could open up a few more opportunities, Calypso squeezed Mieux's arm playfully, leaning her head on his shoulder, "Why, so soon after my divorce?" She laughed, "I believe it to be a wonderful idea darling, that is..." Calypso swept around in front of Mieux, her eyes sparkled, "If you think you can handle me?"

Calypso turned to the dance floor, taking Mieux's hand and placing on her rear, "As for the dance, I would be most thrilled to grace your beautiful floor as Grayditch's dominant couple."

Her remaining mercs, and girls, looked on in surprise. Just the other day she had completely flipped when she thought Harold had been killed. But now, she refers to Mieux and herself as a couple? Calypso and Mieux seemed to float about the meticulously refurbished wooden dance floor. Calypso was beside herself, entirely engulfed in the moment. She reached up, pulling the back of Mieux's head closer to kiss him with the utmost of passion.

[Amy Smith]

Barry Burton

"No one does Barry, but look at this place, it's new, brand new. I don't know who runs this place but it could be where all Colin's people have [censored] off to."

Barry scratched the side of his face, the bristle of his overgrown shadow played against his fingers as he lowered his shotgun.

"Colin? You mean Moriarty? The saloon owner in Megaton?" Barry asked suspiciously, having both worked for, and drunk in his saloon for days at a time over the years, Barry was all too familiar with the slimy bastard, and knew quite well how he had a lot more influence in the wastes then he let on.

James walked over to one of the many mercenaries, this particular one wearing a tuxedo, a very strange outfit for a hired gun, or at least Barry thought. Maybe he guarded the brothel, the place was pretty classy, it wouldn't be the first time security were made to dress in some sort of uniform to further distinguish a place, Barry thought further, becoming nostalgic as he imagined the Tenpenny Tower security personal all lined up in a row, standing to attention; a vivid image he still had from when he was a kid, their beige combat armor shining in the hot sun as they were assigned their guard duty's and assignments for the day.

"A nightclub, Tropical Room, I think. It's run by some guy called Mieux, he wanted to do some business with the boss." Replied the tux wearing merc, snapping Barry from past thoughts as another shout erupted from up the stairs.

"STAY OUT OF THIS." Boomed an unknown voice, male, and angry, very, very [censored] angry. "This is between me and my wife. If any of you try to get involved, you had better pray you kill me before I get hold of you!" He finished, the voice booming and bouncing off the walls throughout the club.

Numerous guns were trained on the man, now in sight as they made their way up the club stairs to witness the crazy scene. There were a bunch of decapitated heads spread across the table, with blood everywhere. Stood next to them was a man who looked like something out of the comics Barry had read as a kid, he was clutching Calypso by the hair, Barry raised an eyebrow, half in confusion and half in amusemant as he spotted her hand down the giants pants. Barry was in no way small, he was large, both in height and muscle, but compared to this guy he might as well of been a Ghoul. Add to that the numerous contraptions that seemed to adorn the man and the amount of scars and war wounds that he seemed to have lived through Barry quickly decided this bloke was not one to [censored] with without some sort of tactical plan.

Before Barry's happily tipsy brain could even start the process of thinking one up, James was up the stairs, his plasma rifle quickly finding itself leveled at the giant, demanding he let Calypso go. Then Barry spotted yet another man, he was small compared to the giant, but he looked supremely confident as two Protectron's backed his orders of the giant letting the women go up. Barry found himself chuckling at the tone and manner of the mans voice and air, it kind of reminded him of the posh bastards back at Tenpenny Tower; to him the rich and supreme toned voice sounded something like nails scraping against blackboard, and had a very similar effect on him.

"Bloody hell, just resolve the situation so I can go have a nice game of Russian Roulette with myself please." Barry chuckled, only half joking.

Barry didn't listen to the numerous threats and pleas that were exchanged, he really didn't give a [censored], as far as he was concerned his job was done for the day, he had worked and protected his new boss all day, now it was time to rest and have a drink, let what was going to happen, happen; and enjoy it with a smile and a few slugs of vodka. Despite all of the guns and various weapons being a zoned in on the man, it was not them that even made a dent in his demeanor, they didn't even seem to effect him, instead it was a plea from the woman, a confident, almost flirting sentence that eased him and made his massive vice like hand uncurl from around her hair. She got up, exchanging looks and words with the giant before casually turning back to the annoying voiced man and being taken over once again with a dominant demeanor. Barry took his spare vodka from it's strap and took a large gulp, turning back to take a look around.

He spotted Biddy coming up the grand steps next, making her way toward the giant and Calypso almost care free, her steps clumsy and her face even more care-free then even her body language let on; she seemed almost oblivious to the scene playing out before her, finally looking up and spotting both the huge man and the decapitated heads on the table she let out a short but sharp scream, her reddened cheeks became further visible as the scream stopped as quickly as it had started to be replaced with a small smirk.

Barry rubbed a hand through his hair, not stopping there and ending up rubbing his neck with a small smirk on his face, he knew he would be in trouble if there was anyone for him to be in trouble with, he had gotten the poor women drunk, and it hadn't even been with the usual naughty intention; although he couldn't honestly say it hadn't crossed his mind. He quickly put the vodka away, his eyes darting from the giant to the Protectron's and then to the numerous armed people before finally back to Biddy, he felt a small, weird sense of responsibility as the essence of danger and the girl mixed, he didn't like it, the feeling of responsibility svcked. He stood up, keeping his eyes glued to the redhead as he spotted Pini reacting to the girls scream in the corner of his eye, he jumped up, his muscles flexing in the tense few seconds; luckily, the other, more likable man, Hadley? If he remembered correctly, managed to stop the big bloke, probably pointing out the lack of danger the girl appeared to be in at the moment as Calypso's attention was firmly on the giant, as was near enough everybody else's.

Suddenly, Calypso lashed out, swiftly and powerfully kicking the giant in some sort of precise spot that made him stumble, causing him to fall against the balcony railing as she followed up with another, sending him flying over the railing and causing him to hit the ground below with stunning force; as strong as he looked, the giant, no man, in fact, were a match for both a kick or fall like that, and as the mans eyes closed as he drifted into unconsciousness Calypso began casually giving orders to her mercenaries; telling them to take the giant away and asking that someone treat a man that had just collapsed at the entrance.

"What a [censored] day." Barry chuckled, taking a swig of vodka and walking over to Biddy; not quite sure what to make of her reaction to the scene.

Biddy's head jerked to Barry as he chuckled, she looked almost surprised for a second, before letting out a sigh and sliding down the wall slightly.

"You feeling alright? You dwellers couldn't of seen [censored] like that too often down under... Hell, that was quite a scene for me." Barry chuckled once again, tucking his vodka away, consciously deciding against giving the girl any more.

"She just..." her lips pushed out again, complaining with the slightest slur, whipping her wrist in an annoyed wave, "ignored me - both of 'em. For people with such fancy clothing, they sure don't know courtesy."

Biddy sighed, "Yeah, I'm-" she seemed to gag, Barry had to look around, quickly remembering the severed heads; he had long since gotten use to the smell. "God.. let's just - go. Away from this thing."

"Barry! Let's get this [censored] before he gets away!" A voice boomed from down the stairs, Barry recognized the accent immediately, it was James. What the hell was he on about? Who was getting away? Who the [censored] was he? They were the questions that in less then a second Barry asked himself, but they were irrelevant at the moment.

"Yeah, you coming?" Barry quickly spouted, holding his hand out to the drunken young red head. Her face turned from a slight frown to an almost clumsy cute smirk.

"Course I am." she took hold of his hand without a pause, Barry returned the gesture with yet another smile before rushing down the club stairs, the pair eventually coming to a stop next to James. Barry needed to ask a few questions, what was he on about? A dozen questions came to mind, but all that came out was.

"What?" Barry mumbled, his eyes quickly darting from James to the wounded man. He didnt get an answer, James was too eager, he was out the door, following the trail the wounded bloke had left as both Barry and Biddy paced to catch up. It wasn't long until the sound of painful crying hit the small crew as they approached a dark alley, and as they made their way down it Barry could only just make out the shadow of a small male on the ground. He focused his eyes on the figure, readying his gun, but also trying to keep another eye on Biddy, which was pretty hard to do.

"It's a kid?"

"Yeah, looks like it." Barry spoke, confirming the same question on his mind.

The kid was still screaming as the pair approached, Barry kept his shotgun leveled at the kids chest, he had learnt long ago that kids could be just as dangerous; if not more dangerous then grown men and women if all aspects were taken into account.

James leaned down, aiming the barrel of his .44 Magnum at the kids forehead, but a pained expression crossed his face, and no squeeze, no loud bag came. Just a faint thud as James cracked the kid round the head, knocking him out.

"I don't get it... Why would a kid do this to me or Aaron?" James asked, more consciously then anything, but Barry gave a reply anyway.

"There's a dozen reasons that don't even require him seeing you before, just be thankful he didn't score a head shot... Then again, I don't see any evidence as to why he would want to kill you besides the basic things, so who knows, maybe it wasn't even him. Either way we have to get him fixed up if you want to be able to ask him, being knocked out and relaxed while losing that much blood is just as likely to cause death as you squeezing that trigger, we have to get moving." Spoke Barry impatiently, he had seen and done enough for today, he didn't need this [censored].

"Maybe it was a contract?" Barry spoke, thinking back. "Do you have any enemies?" Barry asked, already feeling dumb, this was the wasteland, everyone had enemies.

?"Some, but they wouldn't hire a kid to do it. They would use Talon Company, or they would have, Company's getting their ass kicked by the Brotherhood. We killed everyone at their little base"

"Well then, maybe that's it. Without Talon Company they sent a kid, can't afford what it would take to take us out." Barry chuckled, pounding his chest dramatically before undoing his belt and leaning down; quickly fastening it around the kids wound and throwing the kid over his shoulder.

"Huh, yeah." James chuckled. "Let's take this kid to Bob's house, he'll know what to do with the kid until he wakes up and we can question him."

The crew made their way to Bob's house, eventually reaching it and pushing the door open. Barry laid the kid down on the floor, waiting as James called out.

"Bob, are you in? We found the gunman!" He shouted to the seemingly empty house, waiting to hear any response Barry took the time to take a look at the kid in the light. He did look pretty young, with an average muscular build and very short cropped dark hair.

"You sure this guys going to be cool with us bringing a wounded kid into his home at this time?" Barry asked, more to break the silence then actually caring. He made a mental note to somehow get Biddy to drink some water before he retired for the night, hell, if he was lucky she may not hate him as much for the hangover she was bound to have in the morning.

[Brandon Bernardi]

Bob Dobbs

His house – Late Evening


"Oh, sure”, said Clark to Sue with a smile. “Sorry, I'll tell ya later, if you still need tellin'."

Sue then left the room, clambering down the stairs to go get Jeeves.

"And, back to that subject…”, said Clark. “I know you told me about him..."Toby," before. I saw him. I'd like to see that guy get what he deserves - whatever that is - but that doesn't mean the other three hits, one definitely intentional, weren't someone else."

“Toby was inside the tent when James and Cole were shot”, replied Bob. “It couldn’t have been him.”

Clark began to quickly list off the facts she had leaned of the case, her left index finger touching every digit that stretched from her right hand as she did so, "The bullets? 10 mm. Standard vault weaponry is a 10 mm pistol and submachine gun. Motivation? The word you're lookin' for is "hate crime." They're frickin' xenophobic as Hell - especially Pini. Place and time? I was heading for the same place I found the killer had gone right after, and they suddenly popped out of no where with the little kid to a gun. Got a better suspect or suspects than them, Bob? Because I have a hard time believing that. It certainly wasn't the wind."

“I assumed it was Pini”, Bob said. “But it seems as if folks have decided to forgive him…for now. But that is based mainly on his behavior….the Capital Wasteland is swimming with 10mm ammo and weapons that chamber it, left in ammo dumps and bunkers by the Old World. Alone, having a 10mm doesn’t prove guilt. I’ve got a N99 I got in barter from the people at Vault 101….it was still in it’s long-term storage packaging which had Old World military stock numbers on it. Apparently Vault-Tec was using the military supply chain for weapons purchases.

"I – sorry”, Clark said as she palmed her forehead, slowly brushing it to the side of her face with a sigh. “No one's listened to a word I've said about these guys, and I'm the one that's lived with them. James is potentially living with the very person that tried to kill him, and he agreed to do it with this dumb-ass-grin."

“That’s James for you”, Bob replied. “I’ll say this much….they had better learn how how to behave out here, fast. If they take advantage of James’s better nature and harm or kill him…things will get ugly. As soon as the Regulators find out they dry-gulched a Good Samaritan they are as good as dead…..that’s assuming they make it out of town alive, of course. And between the people here and the Brotherhood camping out by the Diner….that isn’t likely.”

"That guy did seem a little nuts," Dean agreed, smirking awkwardly. "I can't imagine Pini trying anything with a round in his hand and two armed men keeping their eyes glued to him though. He's a tad crazy, sure, but not suicidal, at least not without good reason... I think."

"Well", said Bob, "For his sake...and that of your friends...please keep him in line before he does something that can't be forgiven."


Bob reached for his glass of milk, then paused as he realized he had not offered his guests any.

“I appear to have forgotten my manners”, Bob said. “Would you like some thing to drink? We’ve got plenty of milk…fortunately Robco added milking a cow to Jeeves's domestic pet care programming.” Bob then turned to Jeeves. “Jeeves, get another bottle of milk and two glasses.”

“Right away, sir.”, said Jeeves as he floated out into the hall. Jeeves then floated downstairs and into the kitchen, retrieving two clean glasses and a bottle of Brahmin milk. As Jeeves began to float towards the stairs, he heard the front door open.

“Bob are you in?”, called a voice that Jeeves matched with the voicepring on file for Mister Wilson. “We found the gunman!”

"You sure this guys going to be cool with us bringing a wounded kid into his home at this time?", asked a second voice. Jeeves could not find a match in his memory…this man was a stranger.

Jeeves floated into the foyer and found two men, standing above what appeared to be a teenager, who was bleeding from what looked to be a shattered knee. One of the two men was Mr Wilson, Jeeves did not recognize the other.

“Oh my goodness”, exclaimed Jeeves. “This man appears to have been shot! I’ll get Master Dobbs at once!”

Jeeves floated up the stairs and into the spare bedroom. He placed the bottle and glasses on the dresser then addressed Bob.

“Sir”, said Jeeves. “Mister Wilson and a friend are here to see you. They brought a youth with them who appears to have been shot. Mister Wilson said something about him being ‘the gunman’. ”

“Get a First Aid kit, Jeeves”, replied Bob as he got up. “I’ll be right down.” Bob then turned to Clark and Dean. “Could you keep an eye on Brandy while I look into this? It shouldn’t take long.”

Making his way downstairs, Bob found James and a man he did not recognize with a third individual. Bob looked him over, he looked like he was maybe fifteen. He had been shot in the knee. Bob examined the injury. It looked bad, at best he wasn’t going to be able to walk right again….at worst, he would lose the leg.

“I can bandage him up”, said Bob, “But this wound is out of my league. We need a real doctor to treat this if he is going to keep his leg. Anyone seen Cody or Edward recently?”

Outside, came a familiar clanking sound. Sue came in, followed by Mirvin. Mirvin bent at the waist to get a look at the youth lying on the floor.

“That looks like a serious gunshot wound, my good chums”, Mirvin said. “I would recommend seeking immediate medical treatment.”

Jeeves floated up and handed Bob a First Aid kit. Bob applied a temporary dressing to stop the bleeding until a doctor could look at him. Bob then looked up at Sue.

"Sue", said Bob. "Clark and Dean are in with Brandy. Could you keep them company?" He then turned to James.

“I need someone to find Cody or Edward and bring them here”, said Bob. “And James, what happened to this kid?”

[M!KkI]

Alexander Winter, Grayditch, Late Evening

Alexander looked appraisingly at the sight that beheld his eyes Grayditch he thought to himself my, my Colin Moriarty must have spent a lot on this place Alexander tapped the brahim Which led another brahim on the back The Brahims backs strained with the weight of Alexander’s Possessions, Alexander led them at a leisurely pace into Grayditch he appraised the many buildings and overgrown weeds that made up the settlement.

He strolled through the streets to his allocated New home He beheld it looking it over his grey eyes anolyzing then reanolyzing it such was his gift and curse, his Regulator duster fluttered in the light breeze that fluttered around the aged houses he pulled out of his pocket a key and unlocked the door to his house he took a look inside The inside was adorned with good solid furniture and leather chairs Must have been some sort of gentleman’s club or a home to one Alexander deduced.

He began unloading his possessions from the two brahim not paying attention to any happenings around him he stopped every so often his weak leg straining from the effort of lifting his various possessions he finished around midnight he led the brahim to the pen and released them before wandering around his house the first thing he did was set up a pre-war record player and set a http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TWexuHVh9W8 on he sang along to it as he busied himself with his possessions, a long time later he sat down to look at the four remaining possessions.

On the table before him lay his old weapons A 9mm Black berretta, a Webley mark VI revolver and his Lee-Enfield rifle he looked over at a fireplace located in the corner he picked up the Lee-Enfield a flashback reoccurred to him, The lightning flashed as he led the men into battle a hundred of them in all he looked down at his watch before blowing a whistle a great cheer went up as Alexander led the Rifles out from their cover and smashed into the side of an NCR column the rifles used their weapons taking out the majority of the enemy before they had a chance to react missiles landed around Alexander as he led the men into a charge.

Alexander opened his eyes and realized his weapon was pointed at the wall his hand in the process of reloading the empty rifle Which he had done so in case this occurred he sighed looking down at his weapon he placed it over the Fireplace he went to the record player and began to replay the record along with its other songs he went back to the table he picked up the two handguns and set them over the fire place next to the Lee-Enfield he walked solemnly up the stairs to his room his regulator duster hung on a coat hook next to the front door.

he took of his shako setting it on top of the wardrobe he sat on the Bed sliding of his leather Boots he set the next to the wardrobe before unbuttoning his Old Green Rifle Jacket and hung that in the wardrobe he did that for the rest of his attire which was a white linen shirt and black trousers he took of his Leather wristwatch and set it on the bedside table before slipping on some sleepwear he lay down on his bed reminiscing about old times his record disc finishing as he drifted into sweet sleep.

[Naomi Lastname]

Skirt: James has not seen Cody so would not know who he is.

James Wilson- Bob house- Nighttime

"You sure this guy’s going to be cool with us bringing a wounded kid into his home at this time?", asked Barry.

“Probably not but with everything that going on Bob is the choses thing to law enforcement in town, plus I don’t want this kid in my house when I take down Mr. Pini” James said before looking down at the kid “Even if this Kid is the attacker..."

probably won't kill him though...

“Oh my goodness”, exclaimed Jeeves. “This man appears to have been shot! I’ll get Master Dobbs at once!”

“Oh Hello …. Jeeves is it? Is bob in? This is this gunman who we think attacked me at the diner and then Aaron at the club.” James asked the robot.

Jeeves floated up the stairs and a few minutes later Bob made his way downstairs, looking at the kid and his wound Bob “I can bandage him up, But this wound is out of my league. We need a real doctor to treat this if he is going to keep his leg. Anyone seen Cody or Edward recently?”

“Who’s Cody? And I think Edward went back to the tent but that was a while ago…” James replied, he had not seen Edward since he patched him up at his house.

Outside, came a familiar clanking sound. Sue came in, followed by Mirvin. Mirvin bent at the waist to get a look at the youth lying on the floor whilst Sue signed to James, asking who the knocked out kid was and if James had shot hi .

“No Aaron did that and I think this guy who shot me at the diner “James replied, Sue then started to look at the kid with an angry look.

“That looks like a serious gunshot wound, my good chums”, Mirvin said. “I would recommend seeking immediate medical treatment.”

Jeeves floated up and handed Bob a First Aid kit. Bob applied a temporary dressing to stop the bleeding until a doctor could look at him. Bob then looked up at Sue.

"Sue", said Bob. "Clark and Dean are in with Brandy. Could you keep them company?" He then turned to James as Sue nodded and began to walk upstairs.

Dean? And did something happen to Brandy?

“I need someone to find Cody or Edward and bring them here”, said Bob. “And James, what happened to this kid?”

Whoever this Cody is, they must be doctor.

“Not 100% sure on that but got into a fight with Aaron, speaking of which he was shot in chest like me… which is why I think he might be our attacker…. But yeah he got into a fight with Aaron they shot each other.”

“Aaron managed to make his way to Mieux club, I saw his wound and though it was the some [censored] who attacked me and Barry went to find them before they could get away. We found the kid in the alleyway… and I knocked him out…”

“Brought him back here as I reckon you would know where we can locking him up or something until he awakes and we can question him about the attacks. He might not have shot me but he defiantly shot Aaron. Speaking of which he probably needs a doctor too, not sure if any of the vault people or calypso mercs are doctor?" James said.

I hope one of them is....

"And hey did something happen to Brandy?"

[Maria Garcia]

Justin Mieux- Tropical Club

Mieux looked at a corner chair next to a decorative palm tree longingly, yearning for sleep. For this night had been more drama than he'd expected. People, a gala, a fight, and a sixual encounter. While he enjoyed the last one, he didn't care for all the trouble caused tonight. He shrugged it off as Calypso snapped him from his head and encouraged him to dance. "Of course dear. Let's get to it gorgeous." He encouraged her to go downstairs alone, he ran off to a small side room, the master control room, and dimmed the lights to a low minus the ballrooms, one of the lights, being pre-war and fussy, flickered and flashed and went out permanenty. Uttering an obsenity, he carried on, aiming the spotlights onto the center of the room at the dance floor, with Calypso standing at its center, though not enlightened to his plans. Overriding the music, he set the music to play in a couple of seconds, giving him time to change into a silk, faded black tuxedo with a white bowtie and reach the staircase.

He made a light jog to the staircase and descended, the fussy sensors in one light followed Mieux down a stairwell. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=df-eLzao63I gently flowing from the speakers like a cool breeze on a spring day. He tried to keep his cool, being a little nervous with all eyes watching him. He pretended only Calypso was in the room, bowing on one knee, he took her hand and ask with a smirk, "If I may have this first formal dance of the night Madamouiselle Calypso, I'd be most honored." He took her hand and looked around, you're all free to join us as well, it gets lonely to see only one couple on the floor. Find a partner! Enjoy the dance! Come morning half of you will be to hungover for fun for a while." He smirked again, focusing on Calypso once more. He grabbed her by the waist and slowly waltzed her around the room. He wasn't the best, as he'd never had proper education for it, but he learned the basics from old holotapes of fancy parties and romantic movies and dancing books. "I hope you like the song, I find it....refreshing. I'm a jazz and big band man all night, but there's something.....eloquent about the music from these people from...er....forever ago." Tonight was ending with a pleasing note, he nuzzled on Calypso's neck lightly, letting her perfumed scent waft gently in his nose, intoxicating his senses like an aromatic liqour. "So, after this, what should we do? I've been cooped up here for days. Would be nice to stroll about town, especially with you at my side." He grinned at her once more, not with his usual confidence, but a genuine appreciation for her company.

[Charles Weber]

Calypso - Stirring about town - Early A.M.

Mieux grabbed Calypso by her waist, taking lead in their dance. She found herself just...letting go, enjoying the dance, allowing Mieux to sweep her around the wooden floor. Her hand slid up his back to the back of his head, she buried her face in his shoulder. She kissed her way up to his lips, then to the side of his face. She just held his head next to hers, at that moment, Calypso was over-come with a sense of tranquility. Mieux nuzzled Calypso's neck, she let out a slight moan and tipped her head back, exposing her neck to Mieux. She felt him smell her scent, it was an exotic few seconds.

"So, after this, what should we do? I've been cooped up here for days. Would be nice to stroll about town, especially with you at my side." He grinned at her, the accent gone; replaced with a genuine satisfaction of her presence. She could sense it, it was part of her. For years she used it to her advantage, but for now, the simplicity of knowing Mieux's acceptance of her. One thing that she never cared about before, if she wasn't accepted in the past, she had no problem taking that person's life.

Calypso opened her eyes and lifted her head to look into Meux's eyes. The chandelier seemed to spin, the Scotch she had drunk was finally catching up to her, not to mention her lack of sleep. "Yes darling, I believe some fresh air might do me well," she said smoothly; taking Mieux by the hand, leaving the Tropical Room.

Calypso swayed while they walked, she hummed the song aloud, but softly. Like a maiden having been swept off her feet by a charming Prince. Swick, Hart, Louie, and the girls split from the pair, returning to the Elusive Rose. But not without murmurs of disbelief at Calypso actions. Like the obvious difference of the sides of a coin, her mood and demeanor had completely flipped opposite of earlier in the evening.

As they neared the tent, Calypso arched her arm, "I shall invest in our future love. I shall aid financially in the repair of the diner. That is, not to take away from your establishment, but rather for weary travelers passing through to divulge in Tap's cooking. Thus, adding to our profit margin. I believe we should send flyer's with Merchants on their travels," Calypso separated from Mieux, and dramatically spun; arms in the air, "And we shall host marvelous Gayla's, where one can dance, drink, and feast. Lining your pockets at the Tropical Room, and mine when the bed one of my girls."

She stumbled slightly, catching herself she continued, "Then we I send them to the..." Calypso, one to rarely falter, came deathly close. Though she was pleased to have Mieux as her companion, she was unsure of what all he truly knew about her. "Other, places of interest in town. Grayditch will begin to prosper, and Mr. Wilson may actually sell a gun." She laughed, then pointed to Bob's house, "Let us check on Mr. Dobbs and Ms. Brooks, shall we?"

The door was unlocked, Calypso fumbled through the doorway, sitting unceremoniously on the old couch. She looked around, noting how tidy the home was, "Mr. Dobbs? Mr. Mieux and I came to see how Ms. Brooks is coping with her injuries."

[u gone see]

Walking along side Calypso, he kicked a pebble, regretting not having more casual clothes as he walked through cracked and dirty streets. He shrugged it off, paying attention to what Calypso said. He couldn't help but chuckle at Calypso mentioning 'competition'. "No problem dear, I don't see other businesses as competition. A night club is more a luxury, but a diner is...well.....a diner. At any rate, any growth in this town is good. Besides, the less Med-X I end up selling casually is better for me. I had the idea of selling it in bulk to medical clinics in Tenpenny, Rivet City and Megaton. Never having had to pay for that stuff, if I sold it for 75% their value, I'd be not only undercutting any other sales, but also lining my pockets at the same time, well, I might keep it at 100% for Tenpenny, posh bastards can afford it." He grinned at his serious remark. He lived at Tenpenny, but he never liked their sense of self entitlement.

He looked at her concernedly, worrying if the alchohol may cause her to pass out, but she handled her own and seemed to temporarily slip into her tipsy delusions. He didn't know her that well, nor had he known her for long. But despite the vague details of her he knew and heard. He had to admit, he found her a tasteful mix of deadly, feminine, and classy. He sort of let Calypso be, eavesdropping on the mercs. He stopped and turned to one of them, and simply responded at the merc who made a comment about the 'scandal'. "Call me what you want, but that's the Wasteland pal, you either take what you want or you fight for it. I usually talk my way to what I want. I wanted Calypso, and I got her. Seriously, it's not like I'm some brute like your 'enforcer' is." He simply stopped his annoyance as Calypso mentioned airly about how a 'Mr. Wilson' might start selling weapons for once if the town got on its feet. She then stopped them at a 'Bob Dobson's home, knocking on the door. She named out to the face at the door Mieux, and by instinct, he nodded his head to his lower left in a silent greeting, awaiting how these people would respond.

[Timara White]

Alexander Winter, Grayditch

Alexander tossed and turned in his sleep as he fell into the recurring nightmare of that night, that terrible night, Alexander hurries up the track to the top of the hill his hunting clothes stained with the blood of some creature that he had killed he finally reached the top of the hill only to fall to his knees at the sight that greeted him, he sprints down the hill tripping on a stone and rolling the rest of the way down when he has stopped he picks himself up only to fall into a quivering wreck when he sees the bodies of his family cast slightly to the side his wifes body heavily beaten.

Alexander picks himself up he walks over to an unassuming bush and rips it aside he pulls out a crate and sets it on the ground he pulls it open inside rests his old uniform and weapons he picks up his revolver and turns to shoot a raider that was sneaking up on him alexander begins to question the raider screams come from the raiders mouth as alexander breaks him then finally silence which is broken when a single gunshot rings out for alexander has gotten his answer and not even the devil himself can stop alexander who buries his family then slinging his rifle on his back he sets out and wherever he went the hell that was his wrath followed with him.

Alexander woke with a start his breathing heavy and broken he swings himself into a sitting position and hangs his head in his hands before stopping to listen to the sounds of the night he gets up and wanders over to the window he listens to any and all sounds that cross his ears before wandering downstairs in his pajamas to put on a http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pSK-1guFLDk alexander limps over to a chair and sits listening to the songs that play as the ink spots sing their songs.

OOC: cant make a link on my current device doesnt show the http thing rubbish device.

Edit: Link made

[Julie Serebrekoff]

Shelby - The Underworld - Afternoon

Joe attempted to smooth over the scenario Shelby had caused inside The Ninth Circle, but to no avail. Sydney went to draw he SMG, Shelby promptly jammed the fiery blade of her staff under her chin. She swept around, swinging the flaming staff to give her some room. Charon pulled his combat shotgun from his shoulder, ducking under her blade he used the gun as a bat; hitting Shelby's leg bringing her down. Lying flat on her back, Joe of no use as he raised his hands, surrendering. Shelby looked up at Charon, "What the [censored]? I thought we were here together?"

Charon stood over Shelby, kicking her staff, sending it clattering off to the side of the bar, "You thought wrong smoothskin. Moriarty sold your trashy ass to Ashur."

"Bull [censored]! Ashur knows who I am, he wouldn't do that," Shelby snarled back.

"That's where you're wrong, it's strictly business," Charon raised his shotgun. Shelby only saw him bring it down when all went black.

Somewhere Evening

Shelby's eyes struggled to open, her right eye was throbbing and heavy. Her hands were bound behind her back, her ankles bound together, and Charon had gagged her with what smelled like dirty underwear. She blinked hard, trying to clear her head, it was dark out.

"The smart ass awakes," Charon poked the small campfire, "You might make a decent companion if your tongue was cut out."

Shelby narrowed her eyes, fighting with the restraints, "You won't get free of them smoothskin. I know who you are, and what you're about. Do you take me as a fool? Hungry?" Charon threw a partial piece of cooked dog meat in front of Shelby and laughed, "If you get hungry enough, maybe you'll figure out how to get it," he laughed some more.

"[censored] you, you maggot hotel," Shelby's voice muffled from the fabric shoved in her mouth. She kicked her legs, causing her to fall to her side. This brought even more laughter from Charon.

"Listen Honey, your escorts should be here shortly, maybe you should get cleaned up a bit huh?" Charon pulled a combat knife from his sheath.

Shelby forced herself to turn, looking over her shoulder and flipping him off from her bound hands, "Always so pleasant, maybe I should gag you with something else?" Charon fumbled with the button on his trousers. "Naw, but it has been quite awhile since the last time I was with a pretty girl." His rotten teeth showed as he grinned down at her, pushing her onto her back with his dirty boot.

A string of obscenities flowed from Shelby's mouth, all it did was amuse Charon even further. "We need to do something to pass the time, what do you reckon we do there Miss Hot-ass? Show me your bullet wound?"

[Jessica Lloyd]

Monroe

Megaton – Moriarty’s Saloon – 8 pm

“Keep quiet and let me do the talking, mami”, Monroe said to Lexy as he grabbed the handle to the door. “Colin is a shifty [censored], the less you say to him, the easier time you’ll have with Calypso”. He then pulled open the door and waved her in. Lexy walked inside, wiggling her rear a little more than usual as she knew Monroe was staring at it as she walked by.

Lexi crinkled up her nose slightly at the familiar smells. Still the same old Moriarty’s Saloon, smelled of six, stale cigarette smoke, stale beer, stale piss….and ghoul. Looking around, she noticed Nova leaning against the wall in her usual spot by the urinals, filing her nails with bored disinterest. Nova looked up as they entered, eyeing Monroe coldly with predatory interest, then looking over at Lexy. Nova looked Lexy up and down, then shrugged slightly and turned her attention back to her nails. In the corner, Jericho was passed out, a nearly empty bottle of whiskey on the table before him. It was a slow night, only a few patrons were there, drinking at various tables. Nearly everyone in town fit to work was in Springdale helping tear everything worth a cap out of the old school building. Gob was at the bar, cleaning a glass as he watched the pair impassively, waiting for them to approach the bar. Colin, oddly enough, was nowhere in sight. Upstairs, she could hear a woman loudly enjoying herself in one of the rooms.

Monroe walked up to the bar and took a seat, Lexy sat next to him.

“Evening, Gob”, Monroe said. He then gestured upstairs with his thumb. “Somebody’s having fun, it seems.”

“At least somebody here is enjoying getting [censored]ed”, quipped Nova…the bitterness edging out the bored tone for just a moment. Gob stopped wiping for a moment, looking hard behind them at Nova. After a moment Gob’s features relaxed, he chuckled as he started wiping the glass again.

“Ain’t that the truth”, Gob said. He put down the glass and faced Monroe and Lexy. “So, Monroe, what will it be?”

“Whisky…and not from the cask Colin whizzes in, Gob.”, Monroe replied. He then gestured at Lexy, “And whatever the lady here would like.”

Lexy ordered a beer, Gob turned to fill their order.

“Is Colin around, Gob?” Monroe asked. “I need to see him.”

“He’s not seeing anyone tonight”, said Gob, who began to get visibly nervous. “He’s busy”.

Before Monroe could reply, he heard the click of heels behind him, followed by a blast of cheap perfume as Nova wriggled in between Monroe and Lexy and wrapped her arm around his, and pushed her bosom up against him.

“What’s your problem?”, said Lexy irritably.

“I’m bored”, Nova said, ignoring Lexy as she licked Monroe’s ear. “Take me upstairs and let’s [censored]”.

“I’m talking to you, Nova!”, Lexy said, her voice rising as she got angry. “Don’t you be disrespecting me!”

Nova looked at Lexy, smiled slightly and turned back to Monroe.

“Your friend can join in, but it’ll cost extra.”, Nova said provocatively. She then looked back at Lexy. “But I’ll tell you what, if you do something for me…during”, she then leaned forward and whispered something into Lexy’s ear, “do that for me, and you can ride for free.”

Lexy’s eyes widened at what Nova whispered to her, and she shook her head no.

“You’re sick”, Lexy said. “I don’t do things like that!”

“Then you’ll have to stay down here…”, Nova said, “….and keep Gob company while Monroe and I do some business”. She then tugged on Monroe’s arm. “Let’s go…we haven’t got all day.”

Between Gob’s sudden case of nerves and Nova acting like she was actually interested…totally uncharacteristic of her…Monroe knew something was up. So he allowed Nova to lead him up the stairs, ignoring the daggers Lexy was staring at him.

Reaching her room, she unlocked and opened the door, and waved him in. Once in the room, she shut and locked the door. Then she turned to face him and put one hand on her hip, and held out the other.

“Two hundred caps…”, Nova said, gesturing at her body, “…and you own this for an hour.”

Monroe pulled out two small bags and placed them in her hand. Nova hefted the bags, finding the weight satisfactory. She placed them on the dresser, next to a radio, quietly playing violin music. Picking up a egg timer, she turned the dial to one hour, then she turned the volume up on the radio, and walked to the center of the room.

“Undress this”, Nova said imperiously as she held out her arms. Monroe complied, and Nova stood still as he slowly removed her blouse, then skirt, not stopping him until he had removed her stiletto heels and moved to roll down the garter hose on one of her legs.

“Not those”, she said gently, “I like the way they feel when I’m with a man.”

She then reached into a crate and pulled out a Nuka-Cola, popped the top on it, then handed the bottle to Monroe. Once he took it, she took his other hand with both of his and gently began to pull him forward.

“I’ll let you do the honors”, she breathed. “Before we start, there are some things you really need to know.”

[Charity Hughes]

Alexander winter, Grayditch

Alexander stepped out into the night time streets the wind blew lazily through his pre-war casual wear he strolled through the streets, he smiled in nostalgic memories as two lovers walked from some sort of nightclub he leaned against a wall and watched, his cane resting by his side as he watched them in their giddiness he carried on past them after a while, he carried on his stroll through the streets of Grayditch occasionally stopping to view something.

[Colton Idonthavealastna]

James Wilson – find out about Brandy – Night-time.

Bob informed James of what happened to Brandy….

“What!” James said shocked of what had happened “where is she?” he asked.

“She’s upstairs you can go and see her if you like” Bob replied

Passing by Bob James made his way upstairs and into the room were brandy was, she was silently sleeping on the bed whilst Sue, Clark and the small vault guy who had ran off earlier where watching her sleep..

James silently walked over to brandy, she had been shot in chest and then in the shoulder, James sat down on the chair next to bed and began to slowly stroke brandy hairs as he watched her sleep and randomly mumbling stuff…

How could .. why did toby do this…?

Tears began to run down James face as he learned in and whispered to brandy “get well soon Brandy don’t you dare die you
hear that don’t you dare die… James then learned out “ and don’t worry I’m going to fix this… you just rest now, need to regain your strenght.”

With that James stood up and left the room, walking back downstairs he walked passed Bob and the others with Bob asking “James where are you going?”

James turned back and face Bob and the others “something I should have done at Springvale…” before walking out of bob’s house and made his way across the street. As he did he drew his 44. Magnum and shot the security shack door lock before slamming the door open….

Yet however the security shack was empty, were ever Amelia and David took toby it was not here… With his gun still drawn James made his way over to tent, walking in he walked up to counter.

“Nice helmet” Tap sarcastically said “So do you want a drink or are just here to look badass after getting shot.”

“Where did they take Toby?” James asked

“That little [censored]? They took him to Jailhouse personally I would have just killed him, Bob was going to but Miss Lazy [censored] stopped him, can’t believe Colin left her in charge…”

“Thanks” James said as he walked back out as he did he noticed the guard guy, his hand was bandaged up but he seemed okay “ If you’ve done svckering around from a fresh wound, your needed at the nightclub on the other side of town, find that doctor “Cody” guy too, Aaron was shot in the chest...”

James didn’t even wait for his response as he walked out the tent and made his way over to Jailhouse…

Approaching the Jailhouse James walked inside and began to search around yet just like the security shack it was empty… well minus the splatter remains on the enclave soldiers in the cell…

Dam it were the [censored] are they!

Knocking over a table in rage James left the police station & began to walk down the street, thinking were else they could have taken him? That was when it pondered on him… If they hadn’t locked him up, they might have taken him to their Boss…. Colin… In megaton…. Of Course he had no way of knowing if they had done that or if someone had killed them and helped toby escape along with a various other situations that could of happened.

James then stopped walking, he was standing outside the rose, and the doors were locked, probably because everyone was at
the club…

Wandering around in dark won’t help me find them, I need to go to sleep again and try again in the Morning and maybe by then “security” would have done it's job and killed the bastard…..

Deciding to head back home and go to bed James holstered his Magnum and began walking back home as he did he passed calypso and Mieux outside bob and then some guy with a cane walking down the street.

Opening his door, James took his helmet of and placed it on the table and looked around….
“I need to clear up this place” he said to himself

Locking the door, James walked upstairs to his bedroom, taking off his armour James slowly fell to sleep on his bed thinking about tomorrow and what it might bring….

Billy said he might come for a visit tomorrow….

Ooc: soon as Tiberius posts bob I will rewrite the beginning to include Bob’s words I may also change parts of the ending

[Kieren Thomson]

Brandy - Home - Wee hours of the morning

Brandy smiled as the wind swept her hair around gently. She pulled her knees to her chest and took in the site, the awe that was the Atlantic Ocean. The waves rolled onto the shore, one after another, the sand would begin to change colors in between them. The sun shown brightly, it oversaw everything within sight. She slid her feet down the rock that she sat on, curling her toes in the warm sand. Brandy grinned ear to ear, pinning back her hair with a bobby pin and stood up. The sand shifted under feet causing her giggle.

She pulled up her white dress up over her knees and skipped through the sand. The warm water cascaded over her feet up to her ankles, it was inviting. Brandy started to dance around in the salty water, it was exhilarating. She didn't have a worry in the world as she bound through the waves. She bent down and scooped some of the ocean water in her hands. The smell of a campfire mixed with the aroma of brahmin steaks cooking over it filled her senses with a small gust of wind.

"Steaks are finished sweet pea," Bob called from behind her, she turned to see Bob forking the steaks onto a plate. Sue spread a blanket out on the sand, her black hair caressed her cheek.

"Brandy, come eat then we'll go swimming," Sue smiled, her blue eyes sparkled. Sue looked striking in her black swimsuit. Brandy waded out of the water, up to the little picnic that had been set up. She and Sue sat down, Bob handed them each a plate. He waved behind them.

"I'm surprised they showed up," Bob said while he sat on the blanket. Brandy whipped her head around, two silhouettes, one tall and one short.

"FRIEDA, CELESTE!!!!" Brandy jumped up and ran to them, hugging each of them, "you're just in time to eat." She led the two women back and gathered them each a plate.

"I invited James, but he said something about hunting down someone, or something," Bob said as he chewed his steak, Sue sighed and rolled her eyes.

"He's always after something," Sue said.

After chatting it up and finishing their main course, Brandy giggled as Sue bit the punga fruit she dangled in front of her mouth, its juices ran down Sue's chin. Brandy wiped it with her thumb and kissed Sue, then turned and kissed Bob, "Let's go swimming now."

Bob nodded, turning on a transistor radio, The Beach Boys played through its single speaker. All of them went in the water, Brandy dove under, coming up with her eyes closed and brushing back her hair while she stood. She didn't hear any splashing, no music, she opened her eyes, grey clouds had overtaken the sun. She saw Bob, Sue, Fried and Celeste walking across the beach.

"Hey, where are you guys going?" Brandy got out, wringing out her hair, "wait for me." She bent down and picked up her dress, when she looked up, they were gone.

"Hey there Girly," a scratchy male voice came from behind her, she spun around, clutching her dress to her chest. Toby stood within ten feet of her, "did ya miss me?"

Brandy's eyes went wide, she looked back, nobody was there except her and Toby, "Where did they go?"

"Away from you, and your prissy little ass," Toby stepped towards her, she instinctively stepped back, "Nobody wants you here, you're a pain in everyone's ass Girly." He stalked her slowly, like a lioness seeking at the right moment to pounce on her prey.

"No, tha...they love me, Fri...Frieda and Celeste are my friends," Brandy trembled.

"You're sta...sta...stuttering again you little [censored]. God you are an annoying little [censored]." Toby's thin, dry lips curled into a sinister smile. His yellowed, decaying teeth ground against each other, "You are not, never have been, and never will be any body's lil princess." Toby laughed, "You're just to STUPID, you ignorant little [censored]. You and your 'I'm so sweet and innocent'" Mocked Toby, putting his hands on his chest.

Brandy's eyes glassed over, Toby flipped his hand, "Now you're cry? Like the helpless little tramp you are? What? Were you going to get those other two women to join your trio? You little skank."

"STOP IT!!!" Yelled Brandy, her fists at her sides, tears running down her cheeks.

"Or what? You're as helpless as quadriplegic on an obstacle course," Toby roared with laughter.

Brandy turned and ran across the beach, thunder boomed from the clouds overhead. She looked frantically for Bob, Sue, or anybody who could help her, "HELP!! SOMEONE HELP ME!!!"

Suddenly, an Enclave soldier was standing in front of her, she gasped and clapped her hands over her mouth. The soldier raised his plasma rifle and fired, luckily, Brandy was able to duck and the shot missed. She ran to her left as fast as she could, running until she entered a wooded area. She tripped over the remains of a stone statue, she couldn't, and didn't, care to try to make out what it was. Before was a cave entrance, she bee-lined it inside.

A few torches lit the way, she could hear Toby calling after her. Turning a corner, Brandy entered an open space line with red, boomerang patterned coffins. Just like the one she built for Ryler out of the diner's table tops. There was no exit, she looked anxiously as she turned several times.

"Oh Girly, where are you? Girly, Girly, Girly," Toby said menacingly.

Brandy grabbed one of the coffins, pulling open the top. Her legs buckled, inside lay Sue. She opened the next to find Frieda, then Celeste, and finally Bob. She was hysterically sobbing as Toby walked into the tomb.

"Ahh, there you are Girly." Toby sneered, the Enclave soldier was right next to him, he raised his plasma rifle. Toby pushed it down, "She was shot with one of those already, the brainless twit survived it." Toby toyed with his pistol, "I think Girly here needs some lead in her diet."

The soldier removed his helmet, it was her brother, Ricky. "Guess I'd a been better off throwing you off a cliff. Because, you're still a pain in my ass Sis."

Toby walked right up to Brandy, the dim light reflected off the sweat of his tall forehead, his teeth appearing even more yellow, "You don't belong here Girly, you don't belong anywhere." Toby pointed his pistol at Brandy, "YOU. DON'T. BELONG. HERE!" He snapped, squeezing the trigger.

**********************************************************

"AHHHH.....," Brandy shrieked, but stopped as she tried to sit up in bed, the pain caused her to slam back down. "Bob, Boooooooobbbbbbbbb," she got out, clutching her side. Brandy was soaked with sweat from head to toe, her heart raced, body throbbed. Her hands trembled and lip quivered as she bawled.

[James Shaw]

Bob Dobbs

His House - Evening

“I need someone to find Cody or Edward and bring them here”, said Bob. “And James, what happened to this kid?”

“Not 100% sure on that”, James replied, “but got into a fight with Aaron…speaking of which, he was shot in chest like me… which is why I think he might be our attacker. But yeah he got into a fight with Aaron they shot each other.”

“[censored]”, Bob said with a sigh. “What is going on around here?”

“Aaron managed to make his way to Mieux’s club”, James continued. “I saw his wound and though it was the some [censored] who attacked me and Barry went to find them before they could get away. We found the kid in the alleyway… and I knocked him out and brought him back here as I reckon you would know where we can locking him up or something until he awakes and we can question him about the attacks. He might not have shot me but he defiantly shot Aaron…speaking of which he probably needs a doctor too, not sure if any of the vault people or calypso mercs are doctor?"

“Don’t know about the people from the Vault”, Bob said, “but Calypso had a doctor in her retinue…a guy named Edward Conagher. If he’s not at her bordello, he is probably bunking with some of her mercs.”

"And hey, James asked. “Did something happen to Brandy?"

“Yes”, Bob replied sadly, “Toby shot her. Over at the Diner…right in front of everybody.”

“What!” James said, visibly shocked, “Where is she?”

“Upstairs in the guest bedroom”, Bob replied. “Sue is with her now, go on up if you’d like. Don’t mind the Eyebot.”

James leaped up the stairs. Bob turned his attention back to the wounded youth. After a few minutes, James came back down, his face as hard as stone as he headed for the front door.

“Where are you going, James?”, Bob asked.

James stopped and turned to face Bob.

“Something I should have done at Springvale”, James said flatly, then spun on his heel and left.

“James”, Bob said, “What do you want me to do with this kid?”

James ignored him, drawing his pistol and walking faster and faster towards the dilapidated old shack Moriarty’s men had used for a office. A shot rang out as James raised his revolver and shot the lock off the door and kicked the door open and went inside…only to come out a moment later and stalk off in the direction of the Diner.

Bob was considering following James to back him up when Edward walked up to the door.

“I heard someone else got shot”, Edward said, “where is he?”

Early AM

Bob sat in his chair, next to the sleeping Brandy, watching the curtains lazily move in the gentle breeze from the open windows. The Eyebot, it’s radio turned off for now, emitted a quiet hum and occasionally raised and lowered it’s antennae as it slowly floated in circles around the room. Picking up his Hand-Comp, Bob selected the video feed from the other Eye-Bot, currently patrolling just outside the town.

Nothing but mole-rats…good.

Bob looked at the time….0215.

It should be starting shortly….should be able to hear the shelling from here.

Bob almost felt sorry for Talon Company…almost. Being pulverized by heavy artillery was not a pleasant way to go…but they had it coming. No one would shed a tear for them when they were gone.

“Sir?”, asked Jeeves, disturbing Bob’s thoughts.

Bob looked over at Jeeves, who was floating at the door. “Yes, Jeeves”, Bob said. “What is it?”

“You have visitors, sir”, said Jeeves. “A Miss Calypso and a Mister Justin Mieux. They wish to pay their respects to Miss Brooks. Should I ask them to come back later?”

”No”, replied Bob. “Go ahead and bring them up”.

“Very well, sir”, replied Jeeves. He then floated away. A short time later, he returned with Calypso, who was quite tipsy, and Mieux. By the familiarity Mieux was showing towards Calypso, it appears he had already made her acquaintance in the biblical sense.

Works fast…or he was lying about staying in seclusion until this evening.


"Mr. Dobbs?”, Calypso said with exaggerated courtesy, “Mr. Mieux and I came to see how Ms. Brooks is coping with her injuries."

“That is very kind of the both of you”, Bob replied. “The operation appears to have been successful, we’re keeping her sedated for the time being so she can rest”.

Bob fielded their questions, they displayed a polite interest in her well-being. As they pvssyd, a distant rumbling noise began. Bob glanced over at the clock, it had just turned 0230.

“What is that…thunder?”, asked Calypso. “There wasn’t a cloud in the sky when we came in…”

“Not thunder”, said Bob. “Artillery. The Brotherhood is attacking the Talon Company positions at Jury Street station. They mean to finish the job.”

“Edward and I ended up at Ft Bannister yesterday morning”, Bob continued. “Their Commander, Star-Paladin Cross, told me herself. They’ve got at least four big guns there…most likely they’ll shell the piss out of them then charge in and mop up what’s left. Couldn’t happen to more deserving people”.

“Somebody needs to secure this town”, Bob concluded. “There are going to be Talon Company stragglers roaming around for weeks to come…and the crew Moriarty hired to ‘protect’ this place doesn’t seem to be all that interested in keeping the peace. First a Raider attack….now we’ve had three shootings in a couple of hours”.


Early morning – around 3am

"AHHHH.....," Brandy shrieked, trying to sit up in bed, then grimacing in pain and letting herself fall back into the bed.

Bob, having dozed off after Calypso and Mieux left, was startled back into wakefulness.

"Bob!" Brandy sobbed as she crawled out of bed, clutching her side. Brandy was soaked with sweat from head to toe, her heart raced, body throbbed. Her hands trembled and lip quivered as she bawled. “Boooooooobbbbbbbbb!!”

“I’m here, Sweet-Pea”, said Bob as he gently maneuvered her back into bed, “you’re safe….you’re at the house”. He tucked her back into bed. “You’ve been badly hurt, and need to rest. Are you feeling OK…are you in pain?”