Lao-Zi Port, New Ceres
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Lao-Zi Port is situated at New Ceres' north pole, putting it right in the center of the planet's perpetual daylight. In contrast to the dark side's cold, marshy environment, the constant sun here keeps the ground dry and dusty, and the lack of night-time makes for a constantly busy port and marketplace. Besides the landing pads, which are off-limits to anyone not getting on or off a ship, merchants are set up everywhere, hawking their wares to anyone walking by, trading off shifts so they don't lose their precious spots.

There are some interesting deals to be found at Lao-Zi, if one knows where to look and when to stop asking questions. Flash enough money to the right people, and you can get yourself almost anything. And to those looking for work, Lao-Zi is prime territory - Gao at the Fray's Inn, the local tavern, knows everything that's going on. For a small fee, he can point to someone who's got some cargo that needs moving, or an enemy that needs taking out. And it's not always safe, but of course, the more risk, the higher the pay.

Now, follow the gaze of a couple of the Inn's patrons to a landing pad, where the engines of a small transport ship whip up the dust as it lands. The door lowers, and out steps a man in an old-style Admiral's outfit. He squints into the sun, smooths his hair back, and puts on a big tri-point hat, then looks at the scene around him.

(All players, feel free to introduce your characters however you like. Take it away!)

B-Gev spreads his arms out before him and takes in a deep breath.

"Ahhhhh, the sights and sounds of a busy port; sweet Jesus how I love them! Nothing else gets me so invigorated for a day of looting and theft!"

He see's Fray's Inn ahead (I assume the Inn is near the landing pad right?)

"Aha, and what is the first thing I see here? An Inn! Thank the Heavens, I need a nice cold ale after the trip; might help me think straight when I get down to business."

He walks towards the Inn.

Only an hour since he had awakened, he's already running as fast as his skinny legs can carry him, clinging to the batch of fruits in his hands like dear life. Glancing back more often than looking forward, he continues to run, knowing if he'd get caught now, that'd spell big trouble for him.

He takes as many sharp turns as possible, trying to lose the angry shopkeeper following him vigorously. The boy increases the pace a bit, though barely able to keep up with it. He turns sharply yet again, glancing back for a single moment. That's when Fortuna decides to abandon him.

'Ouuff!!' he grunts, feeling like he's hit a rubber wall.

He's promptly thrown back, the fruits he was carrying rolling into every direction. Rubbing his head, he glances up, only to find himself staring at the person he managed t run into, fascinated mostly by his appearence and fancy clothing.

B-Gev is taken completely by surprise, concentrating entirely on the big pint of ale he is to have. He stumbles back and almost falls as the kid runs into him.

"Woohoo there Sunny Jim, what the devil is your rush!? Runnin' from someone are ye?"

He wipes dust off of his clothes, helps the kid up and grabs the fruit from the ground.

The shopkeeper, a balding man in his late 40s, catches up. "That's my fruit you got there. And gimme the boy, while you're at it."

The boy flinches as he hears the shopkeeper behind him, not even looking back to face him. He just takes a deep breath and exhales, sighing in annoyance. Things just don't seem to work out for him today.

Nevertheless, he waited patiently for whatever would come now, knowing the shopkeeper would probably drag him to the nearest authorities. His hand hovers over his pocket, preparing to cause a distraction, if he'd really be taken.

(Ha, a classic "Boy steals apple" scene, I love it :P Can't introduce Sabre now, I'll wait for an opening...)

David Miller looks out into the crowd as he sends his message from his PDA: 'Pipes are scrubbed' the message is one of several meaning a failed mission.

David looks out and sees 2 men rushing around the far corner of the main square of this port. "they're looking for a single person" he mutters to himself, "I suppose it would be best for me to find some company..." and a way away from here, he doesn't mention.

his PDA flashes "Speak with Gao at Fray's inn" David is ashamed he needs to message his father for an extract, but he knew it was a risky mission when he took it on. "It was an assignment meant for a team" he mutters to himself, I should have known better than to try and deal with the issue myself.

then an idea bubbles into David's head: why then not find a team, the mission still stands, after all.

near his two pursuers he sees a boy bump into another man. when his pursuers look for David Miller where he was, he's long gone, off into the dustiest part of town, If Lao-Zi had not been such a hub, he might have looked out of place, no, he would have looked out of place. but not today, and that might well save his life...

Gem hated Lao-Zi. Hated the constant noise, the forever-moving crowd, the annoying shopkeepers, trying to gain his attention to their fruits, liquors and drugs. And especially he hated the constant dust, always getting to his nose and his eyes.

Yet he always returned here. That was always the best place to find a commission, since most employers prefered to stay way out of the Core and way out of the less civilized areas of the Galaxy.

On his way to Fray's Inn, Gem notices a little rumpus, involving a lad, a well dressed man and one of many fruit sellers. At first, he wants to bypass the whole event. Yet, on a second thought, he decides to stay and take a look at it - he isn't in hurry, after all...

B-Gev naturally feels bad for the boy, being a looter. Little guy is just starting out, gonna have to bail him out and give him some tips, thought B-Gev.

"Why don't you let the lad off sir, just this once? Boys probably hungry. How much is the fruit good sir? I'll pay for it m'self."

"Well, I'd much appreciate that, sir. But this ain't the first time I caught him stealin' from me, and if I let 'im off, it ain't gonna be the last." He glares at Marcus.

An armed local security guard walks over. "Come on, McCready. You know as well as I do that only travelers are allowed on the docks. Let's not start trouble."

The shopkeeper draws his breath, then points sharply at the boy, saying "I'll be waitin' for you." He walks backward a few steps, still glaring, before turning and walking off.

The guard turns to B-Gev: "Welcome to Lao-Zi port. As you can imagine, we've got our hands full keeping this place straight. We have to keep the docks clean, or all hell breaks loose. And unfortunately," he says, looking at Marcus, "we can't make exceptions. Unless you're getting on a ship, son, you'll have to leave the area."

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As Gem watches, a hand claps him firmly on the shoulder. A big, mean-looking man steps up beside him, and says, "Gem. Good to see you." It's one of Gao's men, Ronk - a surprisingly soft-spoken man who looks about as elegant as his name sounds. "Gao heard you were around. He's always got a job for a good man like yourself. You know where to find him if you're interested." With a nod, he walks off towards the Inn.

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As David heads away from the pursuers, a voice speaks from a dusty corner. "You lookin lost, man. You sure you in the right part of town?" Three locals, each wearing a bright red armband, step out in front of David.

"He's with me sir, we were just leavin'."

"Come on kid, i'll give ye some tips on how to really loot; you'll be swipin' goods left and right with such speed and grace you won't even havta run" he whispers to Marcus."

He starts to walk off to find the Inn.

Marcus swallows a bit form the discussion between the man he bumped into and the shopkeeper, only to grow even more nervous when the guard is involved as well. Knowing the shopkeeper would definitely make him pay for the stolen goods, one way or the other.

When the man tells the guard he's with him, he just grows even more confused. He can't even begin to think why someone completely unknown to him, would stand up for him. He can't help but be excited a bit about the probability to learn something new though. He quickly shakes his head a bit, getting rid of his sudden freeze.

'Wait up!' he calls, quickly running after the man. If he saved him from a possibly bad fate, he couldn't be a bad person, he mused.

The guard nods and goes back to patrolling, relieved at not having to send a kid for punishment.

Sabre stood on a rooftop watching the whole scene take place, he was, surprisingly, intrigued. Ever since he arrived Lao-Zi, which was only a few days, he has been looking for good company. Not for protection, he could do that himself, he was looking for company that had good intentions. Something that was hard to find these days.

His senses told him this might be the group he'd been looking for. "A smuggler and a thief...", he said to himself, "What else?".

He dropped down into a small alley, and decided to stick close to these people. Find out a little more about what they're doing and where they're going. He decided to remain unseen, for now.

David twitches his mouth, like a snarl. *great another obstacle*
"and you look meek" he replies to the front man, "as you can clearly see, we both aren't what we look"

all the while David is looking for a way out. he knows he should destroy his PDA, but he can't bear to part with it.
*no choice then* he thinks.
"poppa always said, the man with the gun wins" David reaches for his gun. he aims it at the chest of the guy doing all the talking. "and I do enjoy winning. That's a nice bracelet you wear there, care to part with it?"

if David's words aren't understood, his voice sure is and his short gesture at the armband cannot be mistaken.

a bead of sweat drips past David's face, this is not his kind of confrontation, -no confrontation is the confrontation David prefers, but it's better to take no chances.

David is still looking for a way out, but sees none other than through the men, which would blow his cover and reveal his presence to the world. his only chance is that they don't know that.

[Jagori WTF? I have made 1 post and already you place me in trouble? I still need to get to the bar and become part of the team!]

[ I guess I misunderstood where David was headed. He's on his way to the Inn now? ]

The man in the lead raises his hands unconfrontationally, but doesn't stop grinning. "Hey man, chill. I can tell you's new around here, so what say we forget this little run-in and let you off with a warnin' for now."

He steps aside, and the other two do as well. He makes no motion to give David his armband.

"Ok Sunny Jim, lookie here. Before lootin', look at your surroundin's, that's very important. If you can hide behind somethin', crawl under or behind somethin', do it! Look for things to distract the guards with. Shadows around? Use 'em! Thems the basics. I was headin to the Inn around here, i'm mighty thirsty; i'll tell ya the more advanced things when I get my throat wet. Can't get ya a beer, but we'll see what they got."

He sees the Inn.

"Aha, there she is! The sight of her gets me more thirsty Sunny Jim, how about you?"

[yeah, he was. I'm sure his UBER1337 PDA gave him the location]

"Yes... I'm duly warned" David thinks for a moment "I'll tell you what, you keep on to you trinket, and in return, you will do me a favour later, don't worry I will see you well rewarded. that is... if you can keep your eyes open, and your mouth shut"

David knows one thing street thugs will never have: true wealth. he feels sure that the promise of coin might turn these thugs into future allies, if only until the money runs out, or someone else pays more.

He also believes that treating the gang leader with a small measure of respect might lessen his desire for revenge over the humiliation he just received.

[what does the gang do? if it pleases you, I'd like to forward myself to the bar after this]

The boy listens closely to whatever tips he was giving, knowing he could put them to good use later on. He didn't ask any questions yet, first focusing on getting as much information as possible. He'd ask about other things later on. He didn't even mind the nickname he adresses him by.

Stopping before the inn, he glanced at the building for a bit, before speaking up.

'I haven't really been in here yet...' he muses, his voice a bit low. 'They don't let people of my age in."

The leader, a bit shaken at first, regains his cocky composure at the mention of cash. "Rewarded? You maybe not from around here, but you know how things work. We know all what's goin down on the streets, so you just ask for Red Jack when you want somethin' and you got somethin' we want."

He tips an imaginary hat to David, then disappears down an alley.

[ Fast-forward to the Fray's Inn. ]

The Inn is just like you'd expect for a place like Lao-Zi - noisy, crowded, and the beer is flowing freely. A mostly-ignored band plays in a corner. The odd fight breaks out, but most patrons know that Ronk and his buddies don't take well to rowdiness, and anyone getting physical is quickly tossed out on their face.

B-Gev looks inside the Inn, realizing that this sort of place doesn't serve any kind of drinks without alcohol.

"Hmm well, just stick close to me Sunny Jim, on the side away from the bar counter, the place seems pretty busy, we should have no trouble blending in, plus, it's good to get experienced with people in Inns, makes ya a more cultural person heheheh."

He starts to walk in.

'Okay...if you say so...' the boy mutters, keeping close to him at all times.

He couldn't say he's feeling comfortable in the Inn, but he doesn't mind having a roof above himself, if nothing else. And in any case, he nearly disappears next to the man, so why would anyone care about him, right?

Denden was sitting at the bar, he didn't feel comfortable sitting there all out in the open, but he knew this was the only place he could get a job since he blew his cover on his last mission. His former superiors weren't happy about it to say the least, even though they knew perfectly well he wasn't suited to an undercover job. After dealing with the hitman they sent after him, Denden hitched a ride to this godawful planet on a transport ship in the hope to find a job. A freelancer, like in the old days. He looked at the door and saw two people coming in. Perhaps people looking for a job?

No...not another team mission, he remembered all too well what happened last time. Denden turned his attention to his drink again and noticed it was empty. "Barman, another cold one, please."

A couple people glance at the couple walking in, but nobody raises a fuss about Marcus.

The bartender wordlessly fills Denden's glass (as well as that of anyone else ordering a drink from here on).

B-Gev finds a table in the back.

"Make yeself comfortable, i'll see if I can get ye something to drink" he says to Marcus.

He goes to the bartender.

"'Scuse me sir, i'll be havin' a large pint of your finest ale, please. Also, uh, you wouldn't happen to have somethin non-alcoholic would ya sir? I like to have both alcoholic and non, call it an eccentric taste heheh."

The boy sits down, glancing around the bar, bewildered about the whole place. It reminds him a bit of the lounges the ship had on which he'd traveled for nearly two years. He gets comfortable in his seat, but nearly blends into the background, his old insticts coming back for a few moments. He was not to disturb the entertainment of others.

He patiently sits, gazing at the man who helped him out, silently waiting for him to return.

Sabre makes his way into the Inn, unnoticed by the crowd. He finds himself a small table in a corner, which was quickly empty when Sabre glanced at the guests sitting there. He has always had a way with looks.

As he glances at the staring bartender, he's quickly ignored.

From this point he could see that the smuggler was ordering drinks, while he left the boy sitting at a table alone. "This boy..." Sabre thought, "so young, and already tainted with evils of this world. This is no place for a person to grow up."
Sabre felt a strange compassion for the boy, and decided to keep an eye on him. The smuggler might look like a jolly nice guy, but in his business you don't survive by being jolly and nice, Sabre knew that much.

David dusts himself off, then walks to the bar, when the bartender fills his cup he asks "I'm looking for someone who goes by the name Gao"

The bartender looks at B-Gev a moment, then gives him a pint of ale and a cola in a beer glass (rum & coke, hold the rum ;))

In response to David, the barman waves, and Ronk walks over. He motions David toward a curtained doorway along the back wall, with two equally imposing guys standing next to it. "If you would like to meet with Gao, then Gao would like to meet with you. Of course, I'll have to ask you to check any weapons you're carrying before you meet with Gao. You understand."

Being the spy that he is, Denden immediately noticed the figure that came in before and sat at the table in the corner. "A ninja, eh?" Denden thought, "now this crowd in here is getting interesting." He also noticed how the ninja was keeping an eye on the two figures that entered earlier, and realised that the ninja was following them. "What's a ninja got to do with that smuggler and the kid?" Denden wondered. Suddenly he heard the name Gao drop right next to him, and he looked at the person who apparently just entered the Inn, who was now pointed towards a curtained doorway. "Damn it, should have paid more attention, I could have wired that guy before he went to Gao. I'll have to wait for the next one," Denden thought, eager for a mission.

(Hell, everyone else is already here... I definitely should starting to check up here in the evening.)

Gem knew Gao had thousands of eyes and ears around the port, thanks to which nothing slipped the man's attention. Therefore Gem wasn't surprised Gao knew about his presence in Lao-Zi.

The scene was over, but it was sure that the merchant will be heard of. Luckily for the lad, the captain has taken care of him. Gem wondered what the captain - an obvious smuggler, possibly a pirate, since most smugglers often became those in hard times - planned for the kid. Such people rarely do something out of a kind heart...

Luckily, both of them entered Fray's Inn, so he might as well keep an eye on both of them. Unless something keeps him away, of course. The girls in the Inn were really fast ones.

Simpering, he makes his way to the bar, noticing a figure on the nearby roof. Another thing to take care of, he thinks, and enters the inn, as crowdy as ever.

Gem quickly glances around. First, he notices the smuggler and the kid he watched earlier, the first ordering something, the latter evidently uneasy. He also notices Ronk talking with a tall man, possibly a commissioner. Later, he notices a strange, ninja-like man - gotta keep an eye on him as well, ninja tend to be trouble - and his old acquaintance, Denden, sitting at the bar. For a second Gem debates with himself, then decides to sit for a while with Denden. Gao can wait, and he hasn't seen the spy for a while.

Gem takes a seat near Denden and pokes his shoulder.

(Damnit, I thought no one noticed me! I'm a ninja! :ph43r: )

As he saw the smuggler return to the kid, with a glass in each hand, he felt he was being watched. A man at the bar, dressed in black, looked away as Sabre turned his gaze towards him.

Another man, who just entered, also took notice of Sabre's presence. After a few seconds Sabre saw the man walking towards the bar, tapping the guy dressed in black on his shoulder. They enrolled in a conversation.

Sabre wondered why these men had spotted him. He might have stood out in the crowd a little, with his outfit, but other people knew better to ignore him. What made these different? He decides to "eavesdrop" on their little chit-chat, since the smuggler didn't seem to be leaving too soon.

"Here you go Sunny Jim! You must be thirsty eh, I know I am!"

B-Gev sits down and takes a huge gulp of ale.

"Ahhh, that does me good. Ok Sunny Jim, now, I gotta tell ya, i'm kinda like yerself. I steal things too, but in my line of work, it ain't that easy runnin away if i'm spotted, so I try not to get spotted at all, ya follow? I have to trick 'em, with words a lot of times. I've had to use really complicated schemes, bombs, decoys, you name it. Rarely have I had to use violence, Sunny Jim, you can't use violence a lot, no matter what anyone tells ya, only in extreme circumstances. You make enemies real quick by doing that, and no one wants that. That's why i've been successful with my career kid! Take that to heart. Now, this one time..."

B-Gev sees a man with spiffy clothing walking behind a curtained off area, suddenly remembering the real reason why he was here.

"Ahhh, you see that curtained area over there Sunny Jim? That's a sign that a pretty important guy is here, and pretty important guys in dives such as this usually have work, which is what I need. And would you take a look at that guy in those formal clothes. By the Gods, I wonder what company he works for? Wonder if I looted from them once...probably not, considering he wouldn;t have those clothes anymore; I really clean most of them stink holes dry heheheh"

B-Gev considers going behind the curtained off area, but doesn't want to leave the kid alone.

"Uhhh, hmmm, ...come with me Sunny Jim, after your done drinking, I want ya to see how I do business, it'll do ya good. Wish I could fit ya inside me coat but I dunno if your small enough...ah hell let's just see what happens; i'll convince em to let you though."

B-Gev finishes his ale in a few gulps.

(I'm a spy, Reaper, I notice things that are supposed to be hidden :P)

At first, Denden was annoyed by the sudden distratcion, but then he was pleasantly surprised to see it was Gem, his old acquaintance. "Hey man, how are ya? What brings you into town? Wait, have a pint first."

Denden greatly respected Gem and looked up to him. In his line of work, he knew he couldn't trust anyone, so he was careful even around Gem, especially considering Gem's profession, but Denden liked his calm personality and he was one of the few people he knew he could talk to without the conversation turning into a sneaky interview to get information. Still, he wondered what Gem was doing here. Could he be after a mission as well? If so, Denden reasoned, it could be something interesting for him as well.

(I'm a thief and a bounty hunter, in this line of work you have to be observant, Reaper boy :P)

"Thanks, friend", Gem smiled, accepting the drink. He took a sip and replied "I'm here looking for a job. Ronk found me outside, said Gao wanted to talk. Apparently, he's occupied, so I'm free for a while." He lowered his voice. "What do you think of the smuggler and the ninja?"

"I'm not sure what that smuggler's deal is with the boy, I don't trust it. The ninja...he's keeping an eye on them, I'm not sure if he knows them but I don't think so. The guy gives me the creeps." Denden informed Gem.

Denden wasn't sure about mentioning his failed mission. But he was sure that Gem already suspected him looking for a job. Denden thought that this could be a nice opportunity for him, so he decided to try and find out if he could join him. "So, you're looking for a job too, huh?"

Denden realised that he was already falling into his old spy behaviour with Gem, and hated himself for it. But he needed the money.

The boy took the glass with a somehwhat confused look, gazing at him. He wasn't the least used to people just giving him things. He nodded a tiny bit as a thank you and gulped from the glass. His brows raised for a moment, the taste of the liquid quite new to him, though rather tasty.

As he started talking, he stopped drinking, only focusing on his words. He was like a sponge, sucking up every little bit of information he could. Though Marcus didn't intend to continue stealing, except if he really needed it, he listened well, figuring he could use the information one day. Though a crude similarity, he seemed like a dog learning about a new trick.

He gulped down the rest of his drink after he did, feeling a bit strange as the coke fizzed in his throat and his stomach. He ignored the feeling though and glanced into the direction he had pointed out, curious on what he had exactly in mind.

(Ah spies and bounty hunters, what do they know. I mean, I WAS the wall behind me! Still, since I'm going to wind up with you guys, it's good to know you can spot me when needed)

Sabre quickly that the two at the bar where called "Gem" and "Denden" and they were both looking for a job. Sabre wasn't interested in money, he did what he needed to survive, nature can be a great ally when you're in need of food.

He wondered why the people he'd been watching had a connection. I was obvious that Gem and Denden did, but they he had heard them talking about the smuggler too. The name "Gao" was also mentioned, and Sabre knew he was an important person around here. Even though he'd only been here for a few days, it seemed like Gao was mentioned at least once in every conversation.

From what Sabre had heard about Gao, is that he was an "employer" of sorts. He knew who and what was needed where. Everyone who needed work, or workers, came to Gao. Yet, the last few days had been slow, there were some small jobs to be done, but nothing big going down. Sabre would have known that, if it was.

Behind the curtain where Gao was present, it was awfully quiet... This meant a business meeting was going on, and probably not a small one, cause it had been quiet for some time now.

(Sabre is so observant, he sees/hears everything! :D Well... except David entering... oh well :P)

David clears the clip out of his gun, and the last slug from the chamber, before handing his weapon to the goon that wants it "I'm certain you won't mind me keeping the clip?" David says, his voice thick with sarcasm. "It's not like I can harm anyone with it"

As David walks past the curtain, he feels the prying eyes removed from his back, the throb of curiosity around him increasing though.
that feeling, that empathic sense, again, comes in useful *so, there are people interested in my presence here?* David wonders, frustrated that his 6th sense can tell him no more.

[what do I see?]