King Bandit

[1x1 Sporko and King Bandit] Star Hopper

Sev laughed to herself, hearing Nessa gush about how high-tech she was. If she could blush then she definitely would be right about now. She felt odd about letting this stranger rummage around in her head. However, she wasn’t completely uncomfortable with the situation. More than anything the android felt vulnerable, like an exposed nerve. Maybe their trust in one another was well founded. Sev couldn’t feel anything beyond where the panel had opened but the vibrations from where Nessa was working sent tiny shivers down her spine. The sensation itself was always fairly difficult to describe, especially in organic terms. She could feel her carbon fiber muscles finally relax for the first time in what seemed like ages. Sev held her position while Nessa operated on moving the component into it’s rightful place. For an instant Sev thought of being mischievous and faking some sort of malfunction to startle the Nessa. It was one of her favorite gags to pull pm someone that was working on her for the first time. Poor Nessa was already so tense that she thought better of it. Once Nessa managed to nudge the junction back into place, Sev noticed an immediate difference in her vision. Static no longer rolled through her line of site. Her vision was just as clear as it had been before she took that blow to the head. Sev blinked her electric blue eyes quickly as her vision adjusted itself. She then closed the panel on the side of her head as it resumed it’s tawny pigmentation. The android then made a show of looking around the room and taking in the sights. The lights from her eyes cut through the dimly lit room like a pair of headlights.
“Thanks Nessa”, Sev sighed, “I think this is all I need for the moment. I really needed that fixed though”. The springs of the mattress screeched as Sev pulled herself up from the bed. Tufts of silver hair tumbled over her shoulders as she moved about the room, still testing her visual senses and abilities. Everything appeared to work the same as before. It was only a manner of seconds before Sev’s ocular scanners fell upon Nessa’s scoutbots. In one swift motion she managed to pluck one of them from it’s spot on the bed among Nessa’s things. Sev turned the tiny robot around in her hand. “I’ve always been curious about these things”, she said more to herself, “And they’re vintage too. How’d you manage to come across these? Being a bodyguard I wouldn’t think that you would get much time to tinker with stuff like this”. Sev was absolutely fascinated by the thing.

Six held her position against the wall. Unphased by Feya’s venomous words. She simply cocked her head and eyed her in the way that organics look at cute animals. This one was amusing. Why shouldn’t she have a little fun with her? “Honestly, I did come to brag at least a little bit”, Six chuckled. The android pushed herself up from the wall before shoulder checking Feya as she walked passed her and to the scouters she’d been assaulting. “Get out of here. And fast before you get hurt for real”, Six spat. The visual of the bloodied android was enough to send the scouters clambering and sprinting in the opposite direction. Six watched in content silence as the rabble fled the scene. Once she was sure that Feya and herself were alone she spoke again. “Your little vendetta against the Star Hopper is cute”, the android turned on her heel with the grace of a dancer to face Feya, “I’ll give you the approximate location of the bounty. One, because you’re shit at gathering intel. Two, because I’m an android. The credits mean absolutely nothing to me. The bounty is currently in hiding with a personal target of my own. You won’t be able to get near her by yourself. Not without my help at least”. Silently Six began making her way closer to Feya, letting her words linger in the dust filled air that surrounded them.
“We need a truce”, Six said with a wry smile, “I need you to agree to that before I can let you in on the information that I have”. With that Six extended a slightly moist hand for Feya to shake. This was probably the best possible move for either of them to make. Six could always double cross her if she didn’t like the way that things turned out in the end. Feya was just another toy for her to play with. A potential meat shield if she needed it. She felt as though she had the bounty hunter wrapped around her finger.

[1x1 Sporko and King Bandit] Star Hopper

Unintentionally, Sev picked up on the subtle changes in Nessa once she'd presented her with the question. The Star-Born's body temperature and heart-rate seemingly increased slightly once Sev had gotten closer. Perhaps she was running a fever or something? It's not uncommon for off-worlders to get sick on a foreign planet. Or maybe it was something else. She hadn't appeared sick earlier. Organics are such overly complicated creatures. "A tool should work fine", Sev said, "Preferably something small". With that Sev activated a small rectangular panel on her right temple. The tawny brown flesh color gave way to a glossy and clinically white finish. With a slight pop and hissing sound, the panel slid itself upwards towards Sev's hairline. The panel revealed a hatch filled with all manner of high end circuitry and wiring, the likes of which most technicians could only dream of. Braided cords lined with crystal flickered with the same blue energy that Sev's eyes were colored with. While the components sat in a relatively condensed space they were all organized and pristine like Sev had just come fresh from the assembly line. The scent of heat and ozone wafted into the space they occupied. It was.... Humbling for Sev to need help with something for once instead of demanding cooperation through means of violence or extortion.
Sev grabbed a handful of her silver hair and moved it to the opposite side of her head to give Nessa room to work. The jagged scar that ran from just behind her ear towards the back of her head was plainly visible, covered in pale blue scar tissue. Sev twisted her body awkwardly and leaned in closer to Nessa. "There should be a junction in there that's out of place. According to my schematics it should look like a bright yellow box. I just need you to jam it back in place for now", Sev instructed, "And don't worry. I can't feel any of this stuff". Sev shot Nessa a reassuring smile as she waited to begin their brief procedure. The android was putting a lot of trust in this woman. She could easily destroy Sev's mind if she wanted to. There were a very select few that Sev trusted enough to work on her body. It was a deeply personal matter that she wouldn't even have bothered Nessa with if she didn't need to potentially fight her sister and whoever else was on the hunt for them. Sev needed to be performing at one hundred percent and she was trusting Nessa to get her there.

Six waltzed herself towards the exit of the Sandtrap Projects. Her once immaculate white jacket was now covered in bright orange Vesh blood on the right side. Stained from the sleeve up onto her shoulder. Areas of her jacket were singed where she'd been shot at with blasters. Her boots squished slightly as she walked, leaving vibrant orange footprints in her wake. The onlookers that she'd encountered before gave her a wide berth as she passed once again. Both children and thugs alike reeled back in fear and desperation. The denizens of the projects had witnessed a portion of the violence that Six was capable of. Children ran horrified as she approached. The android looked like the embodiment Death. Only a few moments ago she massacred several individuals like it was a simple household chore. Six was a monster and the projects were being exposed to it for the very first time. They were right to be fearful. They were right to leave her alone.
The once lively and noisy apartment complex lulled itself into and uncomfortable and tense silence as Six neared the exit. She'd gotten the information that she'd come for. Now it was time to stalk her prey. With the blood still wet on her hands and clothes Six merged into the ever shifting mass of meatbags that inhabited the streets. She was getting even more looks now but no one dared to do or say anything. Six began making her way back towards the area that the Vesh tipped her off about. The odds of her catching her sister infinitely higher. And when she found Seven, she'd find the Star Hopper. Two birds with one stone so to speak. The android wandered about for what seemed like ages until she'd finally the district she needed to. She was scoping out the area from her spot on the ground, trying to identify the best place to perch when she heard a commotion in a nearby alley. With her keen android senses she could make a faint yet familiar voice. In spite of her better judgement Six decided to give in to her curiosity and follow the noise. She rounded the corner and found no other than Feya beating up on a bunch of low-lives. "You won't get anything useful out of those", Six teased, "I've already got a solid lead on the Star Hopper". She propped herself up against the corner of a nearby building.

[1x1 Sporko and King Bandit] Star Hopper

Six wandered the bustling and overly crowded streets of the cesspool of a city. She'd receive all manner of nasty looks and glances from the various alien species that she passed along the way. It didn't bother her though, by now she was used to being gawked at like some sort of sideshow. These primitive, carbon-based idiots weren't enlightened enough to comprehend what a technological marvel she was. Six considered herself far more superior than these walking bags of meat that surrounded her. They should be worshiping the very ground that she walked on. The android continued to wade through the droves of commoners as she made her way towards the area she was tipped off about. She'd assumed that she was fairing better than Feya at this point. Sev's trail was still relatively fresh and odds are that if Six found her dear sister, then she'd find the Star Hopper too. Six had spent most of the morning roaming the streets in search of the Sand-trap Projects. The sun was getting higher and higher as the day progressed. If Six did have her sensory receptors active, the intensifying heat would probably make her uncomfortable. Desert planets were always her least favorite to deal with. Especially when there was a bounty to hunt down.
It probably took a little longer than it should have but Six finally made it to her destination. A derelict apartment complex that seemed to extend to the next block or so. Most of the windows and doors to these homes were in disrepair. Shattered glass covered the ground in some places while bullet holes and singe marks from blaster fire littered most of the walls along with typical graffiti. Civilians and gangers alike were posted up in various positions either armed, smoking, or drinking. None of them looked like they were expecting any particular action. It just appeared to be the norm around here. Six could see a man on his balcony grilling some mysterious form of rodent and serving it to the residents that had lined up on his floor. The level of poverty and danger in this area was painfully obvious. These lifeforms lived in absolute squalor and Six couldn't fathom a reason for it. To her it just didn't make sense.
The neighborhood scouts cooed and made various noises to signal Six's arrival before running off into the nearby alleys. These scouts were usually small children, the elderly, or the homeless. Usually people that were seen and never perceived as an actual threat. By now Six was pretty familiar with this type of routine. She wasn't on edge though. If they were going to attack he then they would've done it by now. At the moment she's being watched and welcomed. The android wandered for a few minutes before she found her target. A blue scaled Vesh with a golden fang. He was speaking his native tongue with another younger looking Vesh. The two of them were posted up behind a suspicious looking cargo vehicle. Six slowed her approach so as not to alarm anyone. She crossed the massive parking lot slowly. The children that had been playing and jumping on an old mattress stopped and stared as she passed by. The blue Vesh noticed her approached and waved the younger reptilian away with a massive clawed hand. "Can I help you miss", he said, "You seem lost".
"Yeah, I think you can actually", Six shot back, "I'm looking for someone. A customer of yours to be precise". The Vesh's slit eyes darted back and forth with suspicion.
"I think you're mistaken lady. I don't have any customers. I don't even sell anything", he roared with laughter causing his massive belly to rise and fall.
Six's eyes flickered like a cat that was about to start playing with it's meal. She crept closer to the cargo vehicle and ran a perfectly manicured finger through the dust on it's side as she walked the length of the vehicle. "That's funny", she said, "I've heard that you've been dealing with a very peculiar character. An android, like myself actually. One with blue eyes. Does that sound familiar to you"?
The Vesh didn't meet her gaze. Instead he flashed a glance over to the younger Vesh that had wandered to the other side of the parking lot. The younger Vesh went over and muttered something to the children before they all wandered off. "I don't know what you're talking about lady. You're the only android I've seen in these parts".
In one motion Six brandished her super heated knife and pinned the Vesh's hand to the back of the vehicle. She used her free hand to pull the blaster pistol from the holster that the Vesh was wearing and pressed it against his skull. "I really like your scales", she said, "If you keep playing dumb with me, I'm going to start peeling them off. Now, where is the android".

Sev watched with mild interest as Nessa worked. "Yeah, the android that's coming after you is particularly cruel", she said. Sev had seen her sister commit more atrocities than she cared to admit. She knew the extent of Six's cruelty because witnessed it all firsthand while they grew up and trained together. Images of the horrific scenes that Six has left in her wake flashed in Sev's mind. Still as vivid and graphic as the first time she'd seen them. That's one of the curses of being more machine than human. The longer they stayed on this planet, the more concerned Sev got. Not for her own safety but for Nessa. She was the one with the laundry list of killers coming after her. Static rolled through Sev's vision yet again and she let out an aggravated sigh.
"Hey Nessa", she said reluctantly, "Can I ask you a favor"? Before the Star-Born had a chance to respond Sev had already crossed the room and plopped down onto the bed beside her. "I uh... I need assistance with something. I got jumped last night and one of the creeps got a hit in. My vision hasn't exactly been the same sense then. Do you mind helping me re-calibrate? It doesn't need to be perfect, just well enough so that I can aim properly".

[1x1 Sporko and King Bandit] Star Hopper

Sev took a deep breath before responding. "We're just getting started Nessa. Besides, somebody once got me out of a similar situation. I think it's only right that I pay it forward". The android paced the length of the tiny hotel room, briefly and silently like a caged hunting animal. She was in the middle of an internal debate with herself. Should she give Nessa the heads up on her sister? Granted, if Nessa knew the things that Six was capable of doing she'd probably thank her for the warning. Sev was even sort of relieved that Six even made herself known to her in the first place. It was slightly uncharacteristic of Six actually. It was probably just a part of the head games that she likes to play with her targets. Odds are Six already knew where they were or maybe just the general area. Either way the two of them weren't completely safe. It would probably be within Nessa's best interest to at least spill some of the beans.
The android stood smack in the center of the filthy hotel room floor. She nervously scratched at the back of her neck, "You do have some of the best coming after you. Specifically, an android like me. We need to be extra careful moving forward. We won't be allowed to make any mistakes". Hopefully Nessa wouldn't press too hard to find out where she was getting this information from. That would be diving deeper than Sev was comfortable with at the moment. Those particular wounds were still fresh. Sev made her way over to the opposite end of the room and propped herself up against the door. She mentally assessed the amount of arms and ammunition that Nessa and herself had. Between the two of them it seemed like they were well equipped to defend themselves. Now if they could just manage to survive until the ship was ready. Having a battle plan and being prepared for combat was one thing, Sev had gotten this far by that alone. The one thing she absolutely hated was the waiting. "I'll take first watch Nessa. You get some sleep. You'll need it".

[1x1 Sporko and King Bandit] Star Hopper

I wry smile tugged at either side of the android's face. "So it sounds like we're embarking on a proper quest then", she said more to herself. The idea of taking part in a grand adventure to find some long lost world was fairly exciting. With the rest of her arsenal maintained, Sev took the blaster from her hip holster and began cleaning the barrel so that the name that was carved into it began to shimmer and shine in the daylight that was trailing into the room. She was gentle with the weapon, taking special care not to damage it's design in any way. She handled it in completely different manner than she'd handled the earlier weapons. It held a certain significance to the android. "Finding your mythical planet shouldn't be too hard right? We can ask around and shake down a few leads. Clearing your name though, that's gonna be a challenge. Once the Council get's on a witch hunt there's not a lot you can do to get off of their shit list". Sev gently placed the blaster on the desk and silently moved across the room and hit a switch beside the window. A tinted visor slid down over the plate glass window. The room darkened slightly with the exception of Sev's glowing eyes and the energy radiating from Nessa's body. Sev made her way back over to the desk she'd been sitting at and posted up on the side of it and watched Nessa work for a moment. "I have one more question and then I'll leave you alone", she spoke quietly, "Do you have any idea who they're sending to hunt you down"? Playing dumb wasn't exactly the Sev's strong suit but she didn't want to give Nessa another thing to worry about. The last thing that she wanted to tell her was that a super killer android was out to get her. She really just wanted to know what else to expect. For the moment her sister was the only real threat to their escape. So far anyways.....

[1x1 Sporko and King Bandit] Star Hopper

While she appeared to look quite busy as she reassembled the assault rifle, Sev listened intently to every word Nessa had to say. By the time the Star-Born had finished with her statement Sev had already managed to put the firearm back together. She aimed the weapon at the wall in front of her and peered down the holographic site. Everything appeared to be in order. Silently, Sev placed the rifle on the floor beside the desk before plucking the sub machine gun from the duffel bag and repeating the earlier process of stripping the weapon down. "The Council are known for their lies Nessa", she spoke as she worked, "For all you know there could be more Star-Born out there. You can't lose hope". It didn't take Sev as long to completely dismantle the weapon this time. The components of the gun sat on the desk, organized in a fashion similar to the assault rifle before. Sev adjusted to face Nessa before she spoke again, "By the way, we've got a ship. It won't be ready until later tonight though. We should be able to get clear of any checkpoints or blockades if we time this right. I've got a place that we can lay low and come up with an actual plan". Sev's eyes scanned the room as she took a mental assessment of everything they would probably need to have. Ra wasn't exactly high on the priority list at this point.
The android turned and continued her work. "If you need food or whatever I can run and grab something. Other than that we should probably stay on lockdown. I suggest you get some sleep. I can keep an eye on things while you get some rest". The android continued to work, accompanied by the 'clicking' and 'clacking' of the various gun components sliding and fitting together. Once Sev was finished, she repeated the process of aiming down the sites before placing the machine gun next to the assault rifle and beginning work on the automatic pistol. This was an activity that she really enjoyed. It was similar to what happens when a child receives a new toy. There was something relaxing she found in breaking the firearms down to ensure that they would work properly. It was partly due to the fact that she knew that she could trust the weapon if she examined it. "What exactly is your endgame anyway Nessa", Sev asked as she worked, "Do you have a plan? Potentially you can just stay on the run forever but assume you wouldn't want that. So what's your goal? You're an exotic and high priority target. How do you see this playing out"?

[1x1 Sporko and King Bandit] Star Hopper

Sev discretely scooted her chair back a few inches as Ra approached her. The small creature seemed to have some intelligence. Rodents are among some of the most intelligent mammals in existence after all. However, Sev still wasn't completely sold on the thing though. A part of her apprehension to deal with the creature came from the fact that she didn't really know her own strength and she didn't want to run the risk of going in to pet it and end up damaging it. That and she was still convinced that it was gross. It's tiny raccoon-like paws unnerved her. The android continued to listen intently as Nessa explained her peoples origins. Her story was absolutely fascinating. It sounded like something from a fable. Sev reached out and gently plucked the smokey grey crystal from Nessa's hand and began turning it around in her own. Her internal heads-up display was buzzing with activity as she analyzed the object. It's composition and molecular structure was unlike anything Sev had ever come across. Whatever this crystal was it was way too valuable to be hocked on the streets for a few credits. "Nah", Sev thought aloud, "Can't sell something like this. Scanner says it's priceless but, I might have some ideas about how to make it useful though". As she spoke, her heads-up display was running tests and creating diagrams about how she could properly integrate the crystal with her sidearm without causing any issues. The prospect of an upgrade for her hand-cannon excited her slightly.
"Thanks", she said as she carefully placed the crystal on the desk next to the neat arrangement of assault rifle parts. She leaned back in the chair causing it to creak as she adopted a more relaxed posture. Silence fell upon the cramped room yet again, with the exception of Ra's panting. It's been a long time since Sev actually had company. Her people skills were getting rusty for sure. It was difficult for her to get comfortable enough to let her guard down and just talk for a change. There were no stakes involved, no one was being hurt, she wasn't under blaster fire or anything remotely threatening. She'd been navigating the streets and the violence of the wastes but the art of conversation was something that she was lacking in. Nessa's presence made her painfully aware of how much she missed having allies. "I um", she croaked awkwardly, "I know what it feels like to think you're the last of your kind. I can empathize with you on that. It's....It's hard. It can be lonely and isolating. For the longest time I thought that I was the last of my series but up until very recently...", she trails off feeling as though she's oversharing with this woman that she hardly knew. For the first time in a long while she actually felt vulnerable. Sensing her own moment of weakness, Sev sat up once again and went back to work on the assault rifle. This time she worked to put the firearm back together again. Her perfectly manicured fingers moved deftly and with the prescience of a seasoned veteran.
"How do you know for sure that you're the last Star-Born anyways?", Sev quickly tried to shift the subject from her own familial background. "Your people had to have colonized another planet somewhere or something. They could be out there somewhere. Maybe you just haven't found them yet". Sev continued to work without looking up this time.

Six's eyes flickered like a fire up towards the cloaked figure that had just revealed himself. The android acknowledged him with a playful and exaggerated bow, "Your Councilship". The grin that once adorned her face was immediately gone when the human she was grappling with spat on her. " Hey fuck you tin man. I don't know nothin 'bout no droid alright", the man exclaimed, his screams could probably be heard for a couple of blocks, "You broke my knees you crazy blue blooded freak". Six did in fact destroy the man's knees. He looked like a tube of half used toothpaste from his place on the pavement. Six reared back with the pipe in her hand ready to end the meatbag's miserable life when another one of the gangers interfered, placing himself between the android and his friend. "Whoa whoa whoa. Stop please, stop", he spoke with his hands up indicating his surrender. He was a younger man, maybe in his late teens or so. "You're looking for that android right? One with the glowing blue eyes and the silver hair"?
Six released her first victim and him get dragged off for medical attention by his fellow gang members. "That's the one", she loomed over the young man. After his friend's rude outburst, every fiber in her wanted to turn this place into a massacre. She knew that she could and it would be easy. "Look, I don't know where she is but I do know where she does business. There's this Vesh guy with a gold tooth in the Sandtrap Projects. He sells guns out there. Might be able to give you some intel". Six reached down and took the young man's face in her hand and squeezed until he looked like a fish. "Now see? It wasn't that hard now was it", she gave him a playful slap on the cheek before turning on her heels. The rest of the gangers that had been hanging out began to scramble away in several different directions as she passed. She could still hear the other guy screaming and crying about his knees somewhere in the distance. Six had been so wrapped up in the sport of intel gathering that she hadn't bothered to pay attention to what Feya was doing. It didn't matter anyways. She was way closer to hitting her target anyways. "I'm already on the trail Feya. Better catch up", Six called over her shoulder, mocking the woman like a child playing a deadly game of hide and seek.

[1x1 Sporko and King Bandit] Star Hopper

The android didn't really pay much attention to the fact that Nessa was partially undressed. Things like modesty and shame don't really apply that much Sev and her kind. However she did manage to contort her face in order to reflect genuine disgust when Nessa presented her pet Phantor. Sev was never really fond of vermin type animals. Concepts like 'cute and cuddly' were also lost on her. Sev liked to focus more on practicality and the way people and things could be used to obtain an objective. Ra didn't exactly fit into the practical category as far as Sev was concerned. She eyeballed the tiny beast for moment, analyzing it to see if it was archived in her database. No search results were found according to her heads-up display. The occasional lines of static would roll over her field of vision like a VHS tape that's been played too many times. That blow to her head was having some lasting effects. Sev shook her briefly before tossing a few bundles of clothing onto the bed. "Here", she said simply.
She then knelt down to rummage through the bag of firearms she'd been carrying and pulled out the assault rifle she'd bought. It was a classic shade of matte black with a brown leather shoulder strap. Serkash had been so kind as to throw in an automatic pistol and a sawed-off shotgun that looked slightly homemade. She shrugged herself out of her trench, which was still splattered with bright blue blood from her earlier scrap with Six. Turning over her right arm to asses the damage, she noticed an X shaped scar just below her elbow. Under normal circumstances the wound would've healed completely, but apparently the intense heat of Six's knife could do permanent damage to her body which was alarming. Sev took her free hand and rubbed the sore spot before casually wiping the blood away on her jeans. She carefully draped her coat over the desk chair that she hadn't been using before sitting down to field strip the assault rifle to ensure that it was in working condition. As she sat there and meticulously picked the firearm apart she cast a glance over in Nessa's direction. Her silhouette cast oddly shaped shadows as light from the morning sun spilled into the room.
"I....I don't think I've properly introduced myself", Sev said quietly, "You can call me Sev. I figured you might as well know my name since we're gonna be on the run together". Once she finished neatly deconstructing the firearm she set the individual pieces on the desk in front of her and swiveled the seat of her chair around to face Nessa directly. Her glowing azure eyes scanned Nessa from head to toe once again, noting her wings and trails of energy that seemed to radiate from her body. She knit her brow in a confused fashion "Nessa, what are you?", she asked. "I have a catalog of almost every known species built into my brain and I've never seen anything like you".

From her vantage point on a rooftop Six watched the massive sun rise over the horizon. Her keen eyes could even see the particles of sand being swept up by the winds that mercilessly ravaged the wastes beyond the city. Time was running out. If she didn't manage to get a solid lead on this bounty soon then she'd end up losing the trail. So far she'd only managed to find her long lost sister. The only sister she had left. Seven wasn't even as formidable as she used to be. The android felt.....Conflicted? Or maybe it was just a minor system malfunction. She shouldn't 'feel' anything. Especially not for the one that abandoned their family. Throughout the years sometimes Sev was the only one she'd ever had by her side. Six steeled herself, now wasn't the time to get sentimental on another piece of hardware. A job needed to get done. Her creators expected nothing less than perfection on her mission and she always delivered. Six stuffed her hands into her jacket pockets and strutted over to the edge of the building she'd been staking out. Apparently a bunch of the local filth had pilfered the crash site of the Shade Skipper. She'd been listening to the gangers talk most of the night and some of them witnessed a blue-eyed android with silver hair speeding from the scene. Curious indeed.
Just as Six was about to pounce on the unsuspecting thugs, a familiar figure entered the scene. A stuffed-shirt Council bounty hunter. A mischievous smirk tugged at the side of her face. With that, she sprung from position on the roof and landed on the hoods of one of the gang's hover crafts. The machine dented with an audible moan from the metal underneath Six's weight. The thugs scrambled about, already on edge because of the woman that had shown up moments before. "You know, I think I've figured out why you're so bad at this", Six addressed the woman directly. She casually stepped down from the hover craft, hands still in her pockets. Her movements where slow and methodical, like a panther stalking it's prey. Six's eyes shown with the same hue of the rising sun as her eyes flitted from one ganger to the next. She was sizing them up, waiting for just one to react. "You can't just stand there and loom over them like you're some sort of monster", Six continued. In an instant, one of the humans closest to Six lunged at her with a jagged rusty pipe. Before the fool even had a chance to realize what was happening, Six had managed to rip the pipe from his hands and shatter both of his knee caps causing him to slump to the ground moaning and wailing. "You have to get your hands a little dirty. Try being a little more social". The android knelt down and pulled the man's face from the ground by his hair. " You might be able to walk again, but you only get to live once. Now, be a good boy and tell us who you saw with the android".

[1x1 Sporko and King Bandit] Star Hopper

Sev watched Ness like a sentinel as she wondered off into the dank alley and out of her line of sight. Without wasting another second, she rocketed back on to the bustling streets. There was an electrical energy in the streets. News of the crashed bounty was probably starting to get around. Below, she could see some of the local cut-throats mobilizing their teams for a witch hunt. They had to get out of here and fast. Worst case scenario they'd have to shoot their way out. Sev managed to reach her first stop without any issue. She found herself in a seemingly derelict apartment complex. Children of various species ran through the almost vacant parking lot, throwing rocks and deftly avoiding the shards of broken glass that littered the ground. The parking area was only occupied by one other vehicle, a cargo carrier being guarded by a massive blue scaled Vesh. The Vesh were a warrior like race of reptilians. Sev parked the hover bike a couple of spaces and made her may over to her contact. "If it isn't my favorite customer", the Vesh greedily rubbed it's clawed hands together, "What can I do for ya". He felt comfortable enough to address Sev in his native language. The bouncer Sev had dealt with earlier was a huge guy, this Vesh made him look like a kindergartner by comparison. His blue scales glinted in the dull glow of the streetlights. His green draconian eyes shined like emeralds. A forked tongue lashed at the golden fang that jutted from his bottom jaw as he spoke.
"Good to see you too Serkash", Sev spoke in basic, "Wish it was under better circumstances though".
"What are you working again? For you, I can throw in a discount. It's the least I can do. What do you need"?
"A couple of retro automatics would be nice. Maybe an assault rifle and something smaller like an SMG. Oh, and throw in a belt of frags too if you don't mind".
The lumbering Vesh wrenched the trailer door of the cargo carrier open and began rummaging through his stock and loading it into a black duffel bag. "You must be planning something big huh", he called over his shoulder, "Did you hear about that bounty that just crashed? Ten million Cs. I wouldn't know what to do with it all myself". Sev opted to not speak on the subject. In her time on this planet she's that it's always better to keep your mouth shut and your ears open. She was on good enough terms with the arms dealer but she wouldn't trust him as far as she could throw him. The android watched carefully as Serkash packed her bag and waited impatiently to complete the transaction. "Here ya go, Blue", he handed over a the duffel bag, "I packed you a few extra clips and a couple of other things just cuz I like ya". The weight of the bag would've been cumbersome for a human but Sev shouldered it like a purse. She handed over a handful of credits, more than enough to cover the cost of the firearms. Upon completing the transaction Sev headed back to her bike and stowed the loot in a small cargo hatch under the seat. "A pleasure as always", Serkash called out while he clawed through the credits.
Her next stop took her deeper into the belly of the city. One of the many docking stations. Sev parked the bike a relatively discrete location and made her way through the sliding doors to enter the docking depot. A human shaped android with a chrome plated exterior greeted her. "Oh, long time no see", it's voice was raspy and robotic, "I didn't expect to see you again since last time". It took one of it's heavy metallic hands and gestured towards several scorch marks that littered the counter that it sat behind. Sev recalled the shootout that she took part in when she first landed here. Those blaster marks weren't going anywhere anytime soon. "That got the Bombers off your back though didn't it", Sev laughed. The android nodded silently and pretended to fiddle with the screen in front of it. "So, uh is there anything I can help you with Miss"? Sev leaned over the counter so that she was mere inches from the other android's face. "I'm calling in a favor", she said shortly, "I need a ship and you owe me one".
The Depot android whirled it's head around left, then right. Checking for any prying eyes from it's superiors. "Okay", it hissed, "What do you need"?
"Nothing fancy. I can work with a small cargo rig or something. One cabin, it doesn't need to be huge. It just needs to be able to get me to the next system. And I need it tonight".
After a few moments of searching the database of ships the depot android perked up, "We have something, but it won't be ready until some time tomorrow".
Sev slammed a hand on the desk a bit harder than she meant to and created a small dent, "Don't fuck me on this X23. I need to get out of here".
"Miss I'm sorry but that's the best I can do. These junkers take some time to prepare. I can have the guys get started tonight but it'll be awhile".
"Fine", Sev managed through gritting teeth. She turned with a flourish and made her exit. Everything seemed to be going fine for the most part. Sev was filing away her mental checklist and there was only one last stop to make before she headed back to the hotel with Nessa. There were a few questions that remained unanswered and if she was willing to put a target on her back then she was going to need the full story. Sev turned onto the dimly lit alleyway where she parked the hover bike, and that's when she saw her. Perched on the seat of the hover bike with her legs crossed ever so delicately. Clad in a form fitting black stealth suit that bore the mark of the Elite Guard on the right side of her chest and on the outside of either thigh. With a white flight jacket thrown over her slender frame just for fashion's sake. Tan skin adorned her master-crafted face. Her strawberry blonde hair was styled into an undercut, exposing the external input plug on the left side of her head. The same kind that Sev herself used to have. Through the tangles of lifelike hair a familiar pair of glowing tangerine colored eyes pierced the darkness of the alley like a stray blaster shot. "Six", Sev managed to udder. If she had an actual heart it would've fallen through her stomach and the other side of the planet.
"Well, if it isn't my darling baby sister", Six spoke as she elegantly dismounted the hover bike. Her voice was velvet but her words dripped with venom. "After all this time I thought you were dead. Yet here you are. Hiding away on this trash fire of a planet, living among the rabble like a common thug. You know, I came here to put down that 'Star Hopper'and low and behold I've found you". As she monologues she creeps closer and closer. Sev has her fists clenched and ready to defend herself but she glances down to find her hands shaking. Her body has betrayed her and she's unable to spring into action. What is this? What the hell is happening? This was the android's first taste of complete and total fear. Six pressed forward, continuing to close the gap between the two of them. Once she was a few inches away she leaned in to whisper in Sev's ear. "You betrayed us. Betrayed our family. And for what? Because you've got some new found humanity in you all of a sudden. Well I've got news for you...." In one swift, dexterous motion Six managed to unsheathe the high frequency combat knife from the small of her back. Sev's body finally jolted into action. She went for a jab and Six avoided it completely, punishing Sev with a cut on her forearm. Sev spun around with a backhand and met nothing but empty air. Her head suddenly rocked to the side at an inhuman angle as Six delivered a roundhouse seemingly out of nowhere sending Sev crashing into a nearby wall. Six walked over to her fallen sister like a model on a runway before grabbing her by the collar and lifting her from the ground. "You bleed blue like the rest of us", Six showed her the bright blue substance that was on the blade of her knife before it evaporated from the intense heat of the weapon. "You were designed to be a weapon, just like me. The only difference is that I know my place. I know where my loyalties lie". Six drew back the knife, ready to finish the job she'd started. Then she hesitates for a moment. Sev was staring her in the eyes, defiantly. "Sis, you don't have to do this", she struggles. Six tightens her grip for a moment then drops Sev to the ground once more in a heap.
"You're right", Six turns and begins to walk into the darkness of the alleyway, "You're not ready yet. I want you to give me a real fight. Dealing with these meatbags has made you soft and sloppy. I'll find you again but in the meantime I have a job to do. I'll be watching, Seven". With that, she was gone. There was no trace of her to be found. She'd vanished into the night like a shadow. Sev lay in the alley too afraid to move. Her ears were still ringing from the impact of the kick she'd received. She spent a few moments re-calibrating her vision before she slowly picked herself up from the ground. She looked like hell and her healing factor was delayed so she was still bleeding slightly. The android made her way over to the hover bike and found that it wouldn't start. It just sat lifeless on the ground like any other hunk of junk. If she had to hazard a guess, Six had removed the power core. It was one of her favorite little head games. A thing she'd always do to her targets. With a defeated sigh Sev checked the cargo hatch and found that her guns had been untouched. She shouldered the bag and attempted to blend into the busy streets as best as she could.
It took a little longer to get back to the hotel than it should have but Sev managed to make it back in one piece. Before calling it a night she remembered to stop by one of the street venders and grab Nessa a change of clothes. Given her keen android eyes she didn't have much of a problem guesstimating the proper sizes. With her brief yet hazardous mission complete she finally returned to the hotel. The room door slid open with an audible hiss and she was greeted with the sight of Nessa playing around with some tiny green...."What the fuck is that"?

[1x1 Sporko and King Bandit] Star Hopper

Sev quietly regarded Ness for a few long moments. Her glowing eyes flickered as she studied the young woman from head to toe, processing the story she was just told. Ness didn't look the part of a cold blooded murderer. Sev spent enough time as a bounty hunter herself so she'd grown to recognize the types. Clearly there was more to the story than Nessa was willing to share right now and time was of the essence. For the moment Sev decided to trust her new charge and the gears of her mind began to formulate a plan to get off world before the Guard put the city on lock-down. She would need to talk to a couple of people, purchase a few things, and put an ear to the streets. It looked as though the two were linked together, if only for the time being. Although Sev's survival instinct was screaming internally to leave the woman be, let her fend for herself, slip away while you still have all of your pieces in place. She recalled a time where she was in a similar position. She recalled the woman that took a chance on her and taught her what it means to be truly human. "Hand over hand, you help who you can", the mantra rang out from the corners of the android's mind like a bell.
Wordlessly, Sev removed herself from her perch on the handlebars of the hover bike and briefly paced the cramped alleyway with her chin clasped between her index finger and thumb. A few seconds passed before she finally approached Nessa, standing about a head higher than the alien. "Okay", she said with a sigh, "I believe you. But if you want a chance at making it off of this rock alive, you're going to have to trust me. I know that's asking a lot but I have a plan to get us out of here". The android slowly and carefully opened up the side of her trench coat, taking special care to not scare Nessa off. Sev's kind were notorious for their inhuman drawing speed. After a second of rummaging through her pocket Sev brought out her hotel room keycard and shoved it into Nessa's hand, gently forcing her fingers to grip the sliver of plastic. "I'm staying at this hotel around the corner, room A1. Keep your head down and don't talk to anyone. Once you get in you can get cleaned up and let your....pet run around some. I'm gonna run a few errands, get you some clothes and see about getting us a ship". Sev threw herself back onto the hover bike seat and locked eyes with Nessa one more time, "What are you waiting for? Go"!