Dr. Winters opened a secure metal door and Chad followed. His entry caused a general arming of the populace. Three burly
men drew laser pistols and whirled around to point them at his head, obscuring his view a bit. A few drew particle acellerator
blade weapons and the rest readied an impressive array of implants and large guns to murder any foe. One old looking fellow
even cocked the hammer on an old six shooter. Chad looked to his new companion with a nervous grin on his face, hoping this
was just some kind of hazing ritual.
"He's not for shooting." Dr. Winters said sternly.
"Well we know that of course but we've got to keep up appearances don't we?" Asked a humanoid creature with two suctioned
tentacles where its hands should have been and a rather peculiar streamlined body.
"They're really not all that bad you know, they're just as cagey as Halirian sky squirrels." The Dr. said as if to excuse
their actions as they all holstered their weapons.
"I wasnt aware that Halirian sky squirrels were so well armed..." Chad said dryly.
"The skies aren't as safe as they once were, kid." Said the fellow with the six shooter and a thick greying moustache.
He really looked like the romanticized image of the old Ymidra ranchers that were slowly dying out, and there was good reason
for this.
"They'd have to be pretty unsafe before squirrels would need weapons." Chad quipped as the doctor began to move off.
"That aint what I meant and you know it. I've been taking down Ymidra rustlers since your daddy was wondering where his
prick went. What the blazes are you here to do anyhow, serve coffee?" This drew a round of laughter from everyone, though
a few of the older hunters were amazed to see this fellow, obviously the most senior in their ranks, become so animated.
Chad on the other hand was in a corner, but he knew that telling them of his mission might well restore his footing.
"I'm here to take down Ignacius Lux." He said with a confident bravado just now in its infancy. The room went silent. The
slender and rugged fellow before him gave him an appraising look and went to speak covertly with the two other senior bounty
hunters, who's looks Trent already disliked. In a room of bounty hunters it was clear that these two were real killers.
Chad could scarcely catch any of the conversation no matter how he tried. When one is used to being discrete they find
ways to hide their thoughts and words even from the most enquiring people. It looked as though a game of cards were being
played, and despite the poker faces displayed Chad could tell it was Dusty that had been dealt a bad hand. The conversation
finally ended with what seemed like cold fairwells on the part of the two other senior figures, and Dusty stood up to collect
himself with a resigned look/
Chad soon lost interest in these petty intrigues, for all he knew they might have been taking a pool on how long he'd live,
and some indeed were busying themselves with just that. There were a few glances directed at him before the rest of the group
began to go back to their normal business, a few murmering "So long." and not bothering to speak the implied "Sucker."
"Well, I can see you're all a lot of help. I'll be going then, I need to get my weapons." He said as he began to leave.
As he headed for the door through which Dr. Winters had passed a leathery hand with a firm, steady grip fell on his shoulder.
It was the fellow with the six shooter.
"What's your name kid?" He asked softly.
"You think I'm going to run off and die anyhow, you can read about me when I capture my mark, like everyone else." Chad
said, the words he spoke seeming to swim out of his mouth and arrousing the admiration of a few of the younger members of
the organization.
"I don't do much reading. I think I'll run off with you instead." He said simply. There was a great deal of wonderment
and questions addressed to Dusty, but he simply shrugged them off, saying that it was time he went out again. The two killers
were silent during this, smirking at the surprise this announcement had elicited. Chad had no idea what to think, but by the
fellow's age he could guess that he was good, perhaps one of the best, and he wasn't about to tell him no.
Chad held out his hand and introduced himself, trying to maintain his cool composure. "Chad Lazor, bounty hunter."
His new found companion raised his head to look up from under the brim of his hat and nodded, obscuring frank grey eyes
just as soon as they had been revealed. "Dusty Creed, Interdimensional bounty hunter."
Chad was impressed by this title, the highest afforded to an agent of the G-bay corporation. He felt the need to ask a
great many questions, not the least of which was to figure out who was going to be leading and who would be relegated to the
role of the sidekick. He already had an idea of this though. Dusty had brushed through the people wishing him goodbye, many
even seeming honestly sad to see him go, and he was now infront of Chad heading after the doctor.
Chad could have hurried on and passed up his partner. Dusty's slow easy strides were those of a man walking towards some
certain point which he need only reach when he wished to. At the expense of his own ego Chad let Dusty amble into the next
room ahead of him.
On to Chapter 11
