Ashley left the Hummingbird in a hurry practically shunting the dock security guard out of the way as she handed him the bottle of masalu whiskey for delivery to Andy before continuing on her way. Ashley had no desire to loiter in the docks or any corridor of ISS 7 for any longer than she had to occupied by scum and villainy as the place was and she quickly found her way to ISS 7s "highstreet". The street was chaotic, perhaps more so than any other location aboard this wretched vessel. The jangle of slot machines and the deep thrum of basey club music filled the air alongside the hubbub of a thousand languages being spoken, sung and shouted by the stations revellers. Here lay the remnants of ISS 7s once strong tourist industry, a selection of successful casinos and clubs ready to steal the paycheck of any soul gullible enough to get drunk within and more than a few fronts for criminal business. It was one such front Ashley had come for today. Sylar's.
Sylar's club was arguably the premier location on ISS 7 if one wanted a good time, drink, drugs, alcohol and women practically flowed from the place on a tap and the bouncers on the door ensured only the elite party animal got in uninvited. Ashley was shot a cursory glance by a one of the grizzled Rothian bouncers before a call through his earpiece prompted him to wave Ashley inside and return to business as usual. The inside of the club never ceased to take Ashley's breath away, not in the least due to the numerous smoke machines and the pounding baseline of the music inside of which each thrum felt like a physical punch to the chest. Ashley pressed through the packed mass of people on the dance floor as the dazzling lightshow seemed to take a personal preference for her. A number of intense red laser dots suddenly appeared on her person and tracked her path through the club letting Ashley know she was being watched, likely targeted, by a number of hidden gunmen. Sylar's club was not unprepared for intruders it seemed. Ashley however had no time for the marksmen and proceeded up to the most exquisite booth, one hidden by a partition of pole dancers. Inside the booth was a single man in a white suit sat with two buxom bimbos one of who possessed a third breast that the man was obviously ogling even with his slatted shades on. Ashley stepped between the pole dancers with a serious expression on her face, nonetheless taking the chance to stroke the ass of one of the four chrome painted women as she passed before lifting her aviators from her face and stonily saying "Sylar, call off your dogs. Let's do business."
Sylar looked startled for the briefest of moments before waving his hand at the dancers and discarding his shades onto the glowing coffee table before him. The red laser lights targeting Ashley shut off immediately and each and every one of the women besides Ashley left the booth without hesitation or complaint. The partition became a solid force field that omitted sound or objects from entering or exiting and Sylar leant forwards with absolute calm and confidence before replying. "...Ashley... I've been hoping to see you for a while now." he purred "Please forgive the security's... eagerness to target you. A bounty your size is hard to ignore even for guards as well paid as mine as is your figure... That offer still stands you know." he continued with a cocky grin.
Ashley blushed, immediately disarmed of her tough girl attitude and Sylar laughed. He had offered, with some sincerity, an opportunity to discard her life as a mercenary in exchange for a position as one of his pole dancers and doubtless a temporary position as his favourite exotic female. On instinct Ashley had turned down the position, the mercenary life offered her a great freedom she doubted she would possess anywhere else and she'd put her life on the line to defend it besides which many of the women in Sylar's bar were paid to dance on more than just the clubs own poles. Ashley had no plans to indulge in such a life and so returned to her business here albeit with a more relaxed attitude than before.. "I'm looking for work more to my usual specs actually." She said whilst pouring herself a drink of something blue. Sylar looked disappointed but not surprised at this response and replied swiftly whilst taking a swig of his own drink.
"Well as I've said I've been hoping to see you for a while now. I got a visit from some really officious people a while back, the kind that usually stay the hell away from here if they know what's good for 'em. Turns out they're looking to recruit you specifically for some task force of theirs. Thought it sounded worth mentioning to you." Sylar told Ashley to a strongly negative reaction.
"Forget it." Ashley said. "You know the drill. I do one job maybe two. I get paid. I move on. I'm not about to take on permanent employment anywhere. Especially not some spooky government business."
"Hang on just one moment." Sylar responded, cool as a cucumber. "It's worth considering right? They said there's a briefing on in Concord, Pax. Might as well listen then see what's going on. If they are paying you anywhere near what they gave me just to get this message across it'll be worth your time and, not gunna lie, the commission they're offering me if I get you on board will put you waaaayyy into my good books. At least listen to what they have to say."
"No." Ashley responded firmly, hesitating a moment beforehand following the mention of money. The stuff had a hold on the woman like little else had ever done placing just behind the Hummingbird on her most valued list. Sylar sighed, rubbing his forehead with the butt of his hand before speaking once more.
"Fine... if you're one-hundred percent sure you aren't going for it don't worry... If it makes any difference they said you were recommended by some woman named Ra'reth."
Two days later:
Ashley at her destination in Concord still smelling slightly of lowtown, the fumes and damp of that place were impossible to shake without a shower or some mighty strong deodorant but the parking was cheap and the law enforcement minimal by Pax standards so she had gone there nonetheless. She had hoped to swing by Old Dalan's warehouse for some more equipment but having practically no time between arriving on Pax and the briefing she had had to go directly to the meeting instead. Once inside the building Ashley was greeted by an attractive, slender, gender ambiguous person accompanied by an obvious and intimidating looking cyborg. Ashley's initial reaction had been to ignore the light-hearted greeting in favour of arriving on time but a double take persuaded her otherwise. Ashley's eyebrows raised in surprise as she recognised August and she was doubly surprised to find herself a little star-struck. Floundering on her words for a moment Ashley finally managed to stutter "I-I'm just here for the briefing."
Hailfire Member
Tenacious Rogue
STATUS: I am bad, and that is good. I will never be good, and that's not bad. There is no-one I'd rather be, but me. 8 yrs ago
- Last Seen: 4 yrs ago
- Old Guild Username: Hailfire
- Joined: 11 yrs ago
- Posts: 514 (0.13 / day)
- VMs: 0
-
Username history
- Hailfire 11 yrs ago
Status
Recent Statuses
8 yrs ago
Current
I am bad, and that is good. I will never be good, and that's not bad. There is no-one I'd rather be, but me.
2
likes
Bio
User has no bio, yet
Most Recent Posts
Kyelin... looking at your signature with pretty much any music in the background is just so funny. I had New Religion by Black Veil Brides on when I saw it.
Receiver? which game?
Phew. First post done. Getting hooked on Mirrors Edge (which I can finally knock off my to complete list) and discovering the secret world mmorpg in one weekend completely destroyed my productivity.
I'll have to post again obviously but now I've started it should be simpler.
I'll have to post again obviously but now I've started it should be simpler.
Ashley rolled through space, the great ocean of stars swirling around her as she experienced a rare moment of tranquillity. All was silent save for the light patter of space junk bouncing off her skin and the sub-zero temperatures soothed her on her way. As with anything however, it was not to last and moments later the peace was disrupted by a voice over her onboard coms.
"ISS 7 to vessel, please identify and state your business." It said, simple and efficient albeit heavily accented. Ashley sighed, her moment lost and then dropped out of possession with a jolt, the feeling of her consciousness leaving the Hummingbird and returning to her vessel not unlike a punch to the chest.
"ISS 7 this is Hummingbird landing for business reasons. Sending the digital identifier now. It's been a while Andy!" Ashley replied chattily. Even with the slight distortion from ISS 7's dated radios Ashley could recognise that voice and she'd learnt a while back that the accent came from a large island in south eastern earth, Australia she thought.
"Roger that Hummingbird." Came the enthusiastic response. "Y'know I was told not to expect you back. Heard you encountered some issues at the Virtus borders." he continued. Then there was a pause before he got to his next and most important question, presumably to look both ways over his shoulders. "Have you got the goods?" he asked.
"Yep!" Ashley retorted quick as a Rothian energy bolt. "One bottle of Masalu's finest coming your way the moment I am on board." Of course the alcohol was no-where near the quality of Masalu's finest but Ashley had long ago learnt that either Andy and his men didn't know the difference in quality or simply didn't care. Drinking Masalu spirits was not unlike playing russian roulette anyway unless one also possessed a Masalu constitution and so Ashley figured she was doing them a favour, not to mention saving some of those all important credits. Regardless this transaction had proven beneficial in the past and so she had made it a habit. Moments later Ashley heard what she wanted to hear.
"Right. I'll get you to the front of the cue." Andy said. "I'm afraid that's still a twenty minute wait today as Starclaw's been hogging all the docks since their leader died so sit back, relax and await further instruction." he instructed.
"Understood ISS 7." Ashley confirmed. "One last thing Andy. What happened to the infamous Mr Little?" She queried.
"Would you believe their saying Jayrin Augustin herself turned up to take him down?.. Probably just infighting but that's they're story and they are sticking to it. Anyway, that's all I got for time right now, there's another ship on the line."
"My thanks." Ashley finished before pushing her seat back across the cockpit floor and immediately regretting the action. "And good riddance to Mr Little." She thought. Ashley had never liked slavers and still cringed at the memory of the one slave run she had made before committing to never do that again.
Ashley's muscles were feeling tense and rubbery after prolonged disuse and a check of her wrist computer showed she hadn't done anything besides pilot the Hummingbird for four days straight, all of which she had spent possessing the Hummingbird and neglected even sleep to do so. For the second time in five minutes Ashley sighed and as if on cue her stomach rumbled. Turning off the artificial gravity to minimise strain Ashley headed over to the microwave-like device in the far back corner of the cockpit, inserting a small grey dishwasher tablet of "food" and awaiting the beep before nibbling at the tiny, tasteless and textureless morsel for nutrients. More often than not Ashley's body felt like a liability and she had often pondered in her moments of idleness if it would be possible to replace the weak flesh with the crisp, clean and efficient technologies she was so in tune with before then dismissing the idea as expensive and ridiculous. Food still in hand she headed off to the "bedroom".
Little more than a converted storage unit Ashley's bedroom was far from luxury. The walls were decorated with "cultural" tempu wall art, little more than splatters of colour that looked remarkably similar to the colourful collection of clothes now floating around the room. Near the far wall was a large mattress bound to the floor with a set of bungie cords and in the closest corner a portable showering unit Ashley had stolen from a music festival some years ago. Stripping down to her skin Ashley stepped into the shower wearing only her old UN dogtags which remained perpetually nestled in her bosom. The water began to flow, cleansing Ashley of days worth of secretions with the water bouncing off at any and all angles in the zero gravity environment, droplets hanging in the air like jewels until and even after the shower was turned off. Once she was done Ashley towelled off, dressed in her baggy combat trousers, white tank top and brown leather aviators jacket then returned to the cockpit just in time for Andy's call to dock.
ISS 7 was a dated space station from the early era's of human space flight, a relic and showing it. The international space station had been built in orbit of Saturn as a ship refuel point for long distance expeditions and still bore the original and faded inscription NASA on it's topmost surface, the meaning of the letters lost in the passage of time as was the stations original purpose. Long distance flight technology had rendered the station obsolete and with the increasing privatisation of space some entrepeneuring individual had purchased the station and re-branded it Cloud 7, turning it into a hub for tourism and filling it with casinos and clubs. Whilst the tourist division still insisted it be called Cloud 7 by the time Ashley arrived it would have been something of a misnomer. The attractions within were rarely more than a front for some criminal business within and the tourists attracted frequently awoke from their first night with a headache and zero possessions. Ashley approached the dock slowly, the outer edges stations opening blackened with soot and even rusted from eras of exposure to rocket burners. Ashley had never decided if she loved or hated this place.
"ISS 7 to vessel, please identify and state your business." It said, simple and efficient albeit heavily accented. Ashley sighed, her moment lost and then dropped out of possession with a jolt, the feeling of her consciousness leaving the Hummingbird and returning to her vessel not unlike a punch to the chest.
"ISS 7 this is Hummingbird landing for business reasons. Sending the digital identifier now. It's been a while Andy!" Ashley replied chattily. Even with the slight distortion from ISS 7's dated radios Ashley could recognise that voice and she'd learnt a while back that the accent came from a large island in south eastern earth, Australia she thought.
"Roger that Hummingbird." Came the enthusiastic response. "Y'know I was told not to expect you back. Heard you encountered some issues at the Virtus borders." he continued. Then there was a pause before he got to his next and most important question, presumably to look both ways over his shoulders. "Have you got the goods?" he asked.
"Yep!" Ashley retorted quick as a Rothian energy bolt. "One bottle of Masalu's finest coming your way the moment I am on board." Of course the alcohol was no-where near the quality of Masalu's finest but Ashley had long ago learnt that either Andy and his men didn't know the difference in quality or simply didn't care. Drinking Masalu spirits was not unlike playing russian roulette anyway unless one also possessed a Masalu constitution and so Ashley figured she was doing them a favour, not to mention saving some of those all important credits. Regardless this transaction had proven beneficial in the past and so she had made it a habit. Moments later Ashley heard what she wanted to hear.
"Right. I'll get you to the front of the cue." Andy said. "I'm afraid that's still a twenty minute wait today as Starclaw's been hogging all the docks since their leader died so sit back, relax and await further instruction." he instructed.
"Understood ISS 7." Ashley confirmed. "One last thing Andy. What happened to the infamous Mr Little?" She queried.
"Would you believe their saying Jayrin Augustin herself turned up to take him down?.. Probably just infighting but that's they're story and they are sticking to it. Anyway, that's all I got for time right now, there's another ship on the line."
"My thanks." Ashley finished before pushing her seat back across the cockpit floor and immediately regretting the action. "And good riddance to Mr Little." She thought. Ashley had never liked slavers and still cringed at the memory of the one slave run she had made before committing to never do that again.
Ashley's muscles were feeling tense and rubbery after prolonged disuse and a check of her wrist computer showed she hadn't done anything besides pilot the Hummingbird for four days straight, all of which she had spent possessing the Hummingbird and neglected even sleep to do so. For the second time in five minutes Ashley sighed and as if on cue her stomach rumbled. Turning off the artificial gravity to minimise strain Ashley headed over to the microwave-like device in the far back corner of the cockpit, inserting a small grey dishwasher tablet of "food" and awaiting the beep before nibbling at the tiny, tasteless and textureless morsel for nutrients. More often than not Ashley's body felt like a liability and she had often pondered in her moments of idleness if it would be possible to replace the weak flesh with the crisp, clean and efficient technologies she was so in tune with before then dismissing the idea as expensive and ridiculous. Food still in hand she headed off to the "bedroom".
Little more than a converted storage unit Ashley's bedroom was far from luxury. The walls were decorated with "cultural" tempu wall art, little more than splatters of colour that looked remarkably similar to the colourful collection of clothes now floating around the room. Near the far wall was a large mattress bound to the floor with a set of bungie cords and in the closest corner a portable showering unit Ashley had stolen from a music festival some years ago. Stripping down to her skin Ashley stepped into the shower wearing only her old UN dogtags which remained perpetually nestled in her bosom. The water began to flow, cleansing Ashley of days worth of secretions with the water bouncing off at any and all angles in the zero gravity environment, droplets hanging in the air like jewels until and even after the shower was turned off. Once she was done Ashley towelled off, dressed in her baggy combat trousers, white tank top and brown leather aviators jacket then returned to the cockpit just in time for Andy's call to dock.
ISS 7 was a dated space station from the early era's of human space flight, a relic and showing it. The international space station had been built in orbit of Saturn as a ship refuel point for long distance expeditions and still bore the original and faded inscription NASA on it's topmost surface, the meaning of the letters lost in the passage of time as was the stations original purpose. Long distance flight technology had rendered the station obsolete and with the increasing privatisation of space some entrepeneuring individual had purchased the station and re-branded it Cloud 7, turning it into a hub for tourism and filling it with casinos and clubs. Whilst the tourist division still insisted it be called Cloud 7 by the time Ashley arrived it would have been something of a misnomer. The attractions within were rarely more than a front for some criminal business within and the tourists attracted frequently awoke from their first night with a headache and zero possessions. Ashley approached the dock slowly, the outer edges stations opening blackened with soot and even rusted from eras of exposure to rocket burners. Ashley had never decided if she loved or hated this place.
Fuck... Are you ok?
Back home at long last... Phew.
Also. Yay for new player, character and the fact it is a medic!
Also. Yay for Telmeck.
Also. Where is Luna? Y'see those hips don't lie and I am starting to feel its right.
Also. Yay for new player, character and the fact it is a medic!
Also. Yay for Telmeck.
Also. Where is Luna? Y'see those hips don't lie and I am starting to feel its right.
I am in france. So i am driving home.
I am also ANGRY, and TIRED and IRRATIONAL. Mild jokes much seriousness.
I am also ANGRY, and TIRED and IRRATIONAL. Mild jokes much seriousness.
Looong roadtrip ahead and my dad just woke me up and told me to be fully packed and ready to go in ten minutes. He seems to think I am just more cargo to drive home it seems. *grumbles*
5:23am for me and I assure you. I am not a happy bunny being awake at this hour.
© 2007-2024