Deus Ex !ufTN/9IJ8c 2008/08/01 (Fri) 09:13 No. 4418 I'm sorry for the delayed post. In return, walltext.
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[X] "Do you know what the coach company is that's delivering the supplies and who exactly hired them? I'd like to know who we're making enemies with."
[X] "I heard some grumbles yesterday when the boss said we weren't going after the merchant carriages--anybody in particular I should keep an eye on?"
Parsee rests her head in one hand as she considers the questions. “I don’t know the finer details, so I can’t fill you in. In fact, from what I’ve heard, or rather, haven’t heard, this carriage is special. I don’t think it’s cause for concern, but there may be something up. I’ve already discussed this with Mima, and she’s taken it into consideration. In any case, it’s not something you should worry your little head about. Mima’s a worse enemy than just about any you could find. She proved that during the war.”
“The war? You mean the civil war?”
“Ah, of course. You’re new, so you wouldn’t know. I can’t stand seeing someone so ignorant of those around hem, so I’ll tell you. The good mistress who leads our band of brigands is a war veteran. In fact, most of this group were under her command. Unfortunately, in the aftermath of the conflict the changing economy didn’t seem to have any room for them. So they had to turn to less socially acceptable means of living. And, well, here we are now.” A war veteran? Mima? It really gives you a different perspective on her. “But I digress,” Parsee continues, “The point is, in short, that I don’t know or care who we’re dealing with, as long as it gets done, and neither should you. We really can’t be picky this far out in the middle of nowhere.” Parsee falls into a thoughtful silence again. “As for your second question, there has been some complaint with how Mima handles things. For a veteran, many would say she’s pretty soft. She dislikes killing, and takes no more than is needed. A true paragon of the honorable thief. But not everybody here shares her virtuous spirit. Some of the same people that followed her on the battlefield are those that you heard last night. In fact, it might be only because of that that something more hasn’t already happened. In this group, the balance of power may be more frail than you imagine. Like your other question, though, it’s not something you need to worry about. As for me? I’d say that I understand the argument on both sides, and nothing more than that.” She sighs, and looks over her shoulder, towards the sleeping quarters. “It should be time for the others to wake up soon.”
Indeed, others soon begin to wake and trickle into the commons. You and Parsee sit in silence until finally Mima makes an appearance just in time for breakfast. With the bustle of preparation, even you find something to do, and don’t have much time for talk. Finally, you’re ready to go. A feeling of anticipation wells inside of you. Though you’re a competent shot, you haven’t had many chances to use your gun. Aside from that, to think that the opportunity would present itself in a bandit raid, with you doing the raiding, is something you never would have expected. Down the entrance tunnel, you saddle your horses. Mima, whose horse is next to yours, turns to speak to you. “So, how ya feeling?”
“I’ll manage.” Mima gives her signature grin.
“That’s what I wanted to hear.” She mounts her horse, and everyone else does likewise. “Well,” she says to the group, “we’re off!” And with that, she rides off down the tunnel.
You’ve been riding for a time when you notice something out of place. Deciding to ask Parsee about it, you ride up next to her.
“I just noticed, but Yamame isn’t here.” Parsee looks at you.
“Yes, as you so acutely observed, she isn’t. She’s not really one for fighting, so she stays behind. It’s an odd feature for a band of thieves, but Mima says so, and so there’s not much we can do.” Parsee shrugs unconcernedly. “We should be coming up on the caravan in a moment.” And soon the caravan does come into sight. Along with the caravan, there’s a figure riding on top of it. You can’t make it out because of the distance, but they seem to be holding something. A second later, there’s a high-pitched humming sound as something embeds itself into the ground some distance off.
It’s an arrow, with a message tied to it. “Good sirs, please refrain from following. This is your only warning.” Mima looks at it questioningly, then tosses it over her shoulder.
“Continue!”
Soon the figure appears again. Seeing that you still are following, She shakes her head and ducks back inside. Without explanation, the carriage stops. You look among each other. Is it a trap? They certainly wouldn’t give up that easily. “Well, it’s time for us to make our move,” says Parsee. She motions to you, and the two of you set off for the caravan, the rest of the group trailing behind. As you approach, the door of the last carriage opens, and a considerable number of large, burly men carrying and assortment of revolvers and crude weapons pour out. Parsee dismounts, and you follow. “I assume this is the welcoming committee?”
The biggest and most burly of them, presumably their de facto leader, steps forward.
“Yeah, little missy, and it’ll be your last. We don’t want trouble, but if you don’t leave, we’ll be forced to do some things we won’t enjoy.” This is, of course, a lie. All of these men look like they very much do want trouble and would immensely enjoy the things he referred to. Parsee, however, pays this no heed.
“I’m sorry, but I’m a businesswoman. I can’t stop in the middle of a job. However, I’m fair and reasonable. If you step aside now, I won’t hurt you. Too much.” She smiles in an almost cheerful fashion. Reaching down, she fingers the hilts of the two long daggers she wears.
“It’s a shame,” the man says.
“Truly,” Parsee relies in mock-remorse. In a flash, she draws two long, crooked daggers and rushes into the fray. The mercenaries, not expecting this, are caught off guard. Three of them are down in a flash of metal as Parsee dodges among the group. In the ensuing confusion, several of the men are wounded by friendly fire while Parsee continues to wreak havoc among their ranks. The entire skirmish is over in seconds. Parsee stands, bloodstained. “Don’t worry,” she calls to Mima, “I avoided their vital spots.” You stand, shock evident on your face. She hadn’t needed your help at all. Parsee turns to you impatiently. “What are you waiting for? Get over here.” You walk toward Parsee. “And hurry up.” You quicken your pace. Sheathing one of her blades, she grabs your wrist. “Come with me.” Not that she leaves you much choice. Pulling you along, she enters the carriage. It’s simple and undecorated, being meant for only the mercenaries. On either side of the room there’s two long benches and two windows. In the far wall, there’s a door that leads to the next carriage. Parsee walks silently to the door, still with a firm hold on your wrist. Suddenly, she stops. Releasing your wrist, she holds up a finger to indicate that you should be quiet. You unholster your weapon as she slowly opens the door. There, in front of the open door at the end of the next carriage, is the lady you saw earlier. You can now clearly see the bow she has drawn, pointing at Parsee. Her long silver hair is braided and drops behind the shoulder of her red and blue patterned dress.
