I rub at the stubble on my chin, and nod along. "Now it's my turn to cry ignorance... If you know someone who might have some inkling about that, then I'm all about usin' their tech against 'em. Me on the other hand... I wouldn't even know where to …
Her hand in mine is a relief. I grip her tightly, and shake my head. "No ma'am — I do need you."
I beckon her over to the desk, and sit down at one of the chairs on the "business" side of my desk. I motion for her to take the vacant one. "I got so…
The Starship
I added the location of the original colony ship that brought the people here — The SSV-05 — whose landing algorithms were unable to adjust for the turbulent climate, and ended up crash-landing way off course.
I nod without hesitation when she asks if I think she's worth bringin' on.
"Bringin' you on would make us both rich — no doubts — and you have been doin' stuff like this, pretty much the whole time you've been here. Especially these last few days,…
I nod, "I'll tell you what — take some time to think on it. I don't need an answer right now. This stuff with the Fat Man isn't normal business for me — most days it would be serving drinks, playing songs, and chatting with the girls when things are…
I wave a hand dismissively, and lean back on the desk.
"JD has his cut; but this is my joint, and this is as much an investment for me as it is an opportunity for you. If JD has a problem with it, he can take it up with the Fat stacks of jingle our…
Sketching Terrain
Before the game begins, we must establish some facts about the community and what its surroundings are like. We begin with a brief discussion (taking two minutes at most) of the general terrain and habitat of the area. This can b…
That catches me off guard. I look up at her, and wait for her to laugh, or something. If she seriously can't see her own value, I'm not sure how to answer that...
"I presume you mean beyond being a shrewd negotiator, knowing things about the camera…
I... Did I read that wrong?
"Partners... Like you just keep doin' what you're doin', and I bring you in on a cut of the Diamond's profits. You've got a real mind for this line of work, and I like you — I think we offer each other a lot more than j…
I think on it a good long moment before nodding. Option 3 is dirty, underhanded, and my kinda plan. It's missing an element of truth to it, though... we're pussyfootin' around the real core of this. Sierra's too smart for her to not be getting a cut…
I shrug.
"You might be right... I should be payin' you..."
I get up, and pace for a bit while I mull it all over. If I'd known this back before Zig showed up, I might have done things differently... Had she come down here, and I'd known I had the …
I slump back into my chair once Sash takes Preen out of the room, and look up at Sierra."It's more than most folks see in a season... More than any of the smaller holds would pay to Ziggy in a year. If what Preen's sayin' is true, and the Fat Man is…
This news... This is not what I'd come to understand of the Fat Man, and his dealings. This is a much bigger, much more imminent threat, than Ziggy. I didn't think the Fat Man gave a shite about The Irons, or The Diamond. It seems beneath him... I c…
Raking it in? Compared to his fekin' holdings? The Fat Man must be fekin' cooked in the head... I mean yeah, there's a bunch of blazin' road agents I pay to keep that jingle in my back yard, but Depot jingle? Bordertown jingle? He's five days in the…
I listen as Sierra goes to work – pinnin' Preen in a corner, callin' him some name he clearly doesn't remember... The woman's a natural. I swap glances with Sierra when she suggests Preen work security here for the miners... She ain't wrong. We coul…
I absolutely do — for one, I could use a good bath, and for two, I can't resist spendin' more time with Sierra in that capacity. I don't push her to do anythin' extra, though. I just enjoy yakin' some more, and soapin' up that beautiful body of hers…
I keep dressin', listenin' to her wax on about what might happen next."I'll tell the girls to start boilin' some water. Don't you worry about the Fippers — you said the Fat Man's runnin' a hold off the grid, we just need to figure out a way to make …
That's a relief."Probably not... If they did, then they'd probably know the deal I made with Zig's predecessor... Which was probably worse than the deal I made with Mot. I'm payin' Mot top jingle to play the part of Sand snakes, then I'm gunna have …
Something doesn't add up... Other than Mot frequenting the Diamond, Mot doesn't have any public ties to me. At least, none that Ziggy and the Fat Man would know about unless they've got access to the feed Sierra's talkin' about. Even if they do... I…
Here I was, all fekin' relaxed, and ready to enjoy a little sleep, when JD comes barging in, without askin', and hands me this bag of shite to hold. I don't move."He still here?"
Don't be ridiculous — everyone's been in love with someone. I love my girls, and JD like a brother. I loved my Ma. I'm gettin' the impression you mean something else, though. I think you're confusing passion with love. What this was, with Sierra? Th…
I'm locked on those blue eyes when the leash falls slack, and I pull Sierra into me, plunging deep into a kiss. Her sweet aroma envelops, and embraces me, as I let the riptide of desire pull me out to sea. I've been longing for this ever since I lai…
Fek this woman is beautiful. I bite my lip, and consider this new information... I've never had any love for Fippers, or any trouble stirring the pot with them, either. I'm not too keen on that dream of mine becoming a self-fulfilling prophecy, thou…
Ho. Ley. Shite.
I stand there, mouth on the floor, starin' at this small little invasion of privacy starin' me in the face. At first, I don't believe it — who the fek would wanna watch my customers whack off when they can't afford a touch, or watch…