• Blood & Dust - A Post-Apocalyptic Pseudo-Western Character RP
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Eliza glanced over to the tall SWAT robot, who was now sitting back down in the seat he had been in before. "That was some nice shootin' up top, tin man. Cool shield thing too. What's your name?" she asked, walking over and propping against the seat in front of him as she looked him over. The unit cocked its head toward her, staring her down and practically motionless as its eyes focused on her face. Odd of this woman to offer him a compliment, or even give a unit such as himself a passing glance. Still, it was not going to try and turn down an amicable conversation with coldness. At least, not on purpose. "Compliments recognized and... appreciated." he states. "Designation: Vegera Dynamics Aegis Unit 306-B. Squad members and other citizens have elected to call me 'Aegis' for the sake of efficiency. It can and will suffice as well." Aegis stays quiet for a few moments, the movements of the speeding train having little effect on his metallic frame as he continues to seat himself. It was a wonder why he was sitting in the first place, considering he had no bone structure or muscles to tire. Perhaps it was a matter of making himself appear less threatening, on guard and a friend to the people. It was a noble pursuit, even if it made him come across as a deranged pile of scrap with an itchy trigger finger to the uninitiated. "I appreciate the assistance in repelling the terrorist attack. Exact details and specifications of state law are unavailable - but I can recall vigilantism to be a crime, considered a disruption of law enforcement and citizen endangerment due to lack of training and safety parameters." he states, continuing to stare her down. Was he insinuating that he would arrest her? "However, I have only recently been activated in this area, and have learned that if such reckless vigilantes like yourself did not exist - there would be even more crime. A conclusion I have gathered from all official law enforcement channels being inactive. For this reason, your assistance is both welcome and appreciated."
Eagle, still sitting behind Roadrash on his hoverbike, did a thumbs up at Slade. "Yeah, I'm fine!" He gestured at the train. "You see my rifle somewhere up there? Or my hat?" ----------- Malin smiled ane noddee at Adrian. "Thank you. We'll make sure to restock your meds once we arrive at the final destination. Now, please, you and your crew should return to the engine." Malin then glanced at the passengers. "I recommend that children stay inside. We have to clean up a bit first inside the coach."
Sled looked around and spot the riffle not too far from him. He picked it up, but there was no sign of the hat. "Your rifle is fine. You're gonna need a new hat, tho."
Ozzie took back his piece, "Ain't about the piece ya have, but the nerves in yer hand." he said with a smirk. He flapped his dusty mid-length coattails and sat down, studying Eliza for a while. "I'm just curious is all, my the Marshall wants to drag ya around on this here investigation. Don't seem right to travel with someone that has such..." He paused and looked around in the train car, and dusty beams of light that formed from the various bullets holes. "Angry friends." he concluded with a slight chuckle.
"However, I have only recently been activated in this area, and have learned that if such reckless vigilantes like yourself did not exist - there would be even more crime. A conclusion I have gathered from all official law enforcement channels being inactive. For this reason, your assistance is both welcome and appreciated." "You mean sheriffs and marshals like those two? They're the law enforcement in Texas now." said Eliza, motioning to Masterson and Jasper. "I'm not a vigilante. I'm more of an outlaw. I was a raider." She glanced back to Ozzie as he spoke, before turning to face him. "I'm just curious is all, why the Marshall wants to drag ya around on this here investigation. Don't seem right to travel with someone that has such...Angry friends." The look on Eliza's face turned serious. "...Only one of those fucks was my friend...that was years ago, though. Now all she cares about is dragging me back to Dixon." "As for Masterson..." she continued, walking over and sitting across from Ozzie, "...I honestly don't know what the fuck he's thinkin'. Or that GEH Jasper. I guess they think they're giving me a second chance? They know how fast I am, so maybe there's that...which might not help if we run into her again." --------------------------------- Motor City, thirteen years ago... "Hey. Some of Vega's group dragged Sarah off. Thought I should bring it up to you, knowing how you are about her." said Rayne, poking her head into the beat up red car. Eliza tended to use it as a place to sleep, curled up in the back seat on some old scavenged blankets. More comfortable than just laying on the worn out seat itself, really. Eliza popped up, a look of shock on her face. "Fucking what?" she spat, locking eyes with Rayne. Eliza and Vega never really got along. Vega had a habit of drugging himself up a bit too often, plus he often played the kiss-ass to their boss. Lately, though, Vega had been acting odd. Well, odder than usual. "Vega. He's got Sarah. They're headed over to the old steel mill out on Zug." responded Rayne, moving her goggles out from over her eyes so she could look at Eliza. Rayne was one of the group's mechanics, tasked with keeping vehicles and machinery running. She was also pretty fun to hang around and drink with, so she was a pretty great friend to have compared to most of the others in Motor City. There was a brief pause, before Eliza grabbed her weapons out of the floorboard and climbed into the front of the vehicle. "Get in." she said, hints of anger in her voice. Rayne complied, jogging around to the other side of the vehicle and climbing through the passenger side window (as the door's handle was broken.) Once she was in, the vehicle roared to life and sped off. Some other raiders had to jump out of the way to avoid getting hit by the speeding car. The steel mill on Zug Island currently was abandoned, but the boss was considering firing it back up and converting it into a manufacturing plant for ammunition and weapons. At the moment, though, it was used mainly for target practice or a nice place to go on a drug bender. Knowing Vega, he was going for the former. The problem was he was dragging Sarah into it, and it would probably lead to something far worse. The car darted down the street, eventually crossing the bridge onto the island. The mill itself looked like shit. What happens when a world war and nuclear blasts hit. There were destroyed cars scattered about the parking lot, but four in particular were the ones that Eliza locked onto. They varied in color, but all beared the marks of the Motor City group. Lounging on the back of one of the vehicles was a raider, laid out and looking at the sky with a cigarette poking out of his mouth. He sat up, however, when he heard a door slam. "Who the--...O-Oh! Lizzy! W-What are yo--" was all that he managed to get out of his mouth before Eliza jerked him off the back of the car. "WHERE IS HE?" she spat, viciously punching the raider several times. Rayne spoke up. "Uh...fucking beating him to death isn't the best way to get him to talk, ya know." Eliza cut her a look, then gazed back down at the raider. He coughed a few times, spitting out some blood and broken teeth, before pointing toward the mill. "...South s-side. Third level. Y-You'll hear the music." he managed to get out, before he went into a coughing fit again. Eliza looked up to the mill for a moment, then back down to the raider. "You're fucking pathetic." she muttered, before storming off towards the mill. Rayne watched her walk off, before looking down to the raider herself as he tried to sit up. "If I were you, I'd get out the fuck out of here. She's not really known to spare people, so count yourself really damn lucky." she simply said, before walking back over to the car they had arrived in. She propped against the hood, lighting a cigarette of her own that she drew out of her vest's pocket. The raider climbed back to his feet, before quickly jumping in his vehicle and speeding off out of the parking lot. --------------------------------- Maybe I can do some good fixin' before anything else happens. Chance: 2/3 Roll: 3 Result: Successful. Assisting the engineers in repairing any damage that they could to the train's engine, Mariuz was able to restore the engine to full working order. Any pieces of metal that had been knocked loose were also rewelded, providing the train at least some of its lost armor plating.
Mariuz worked tirelessly for over half an hour on the front of the train armor. Getting help from some of the other engineers aboard, they helped him weld new steel plates on top of the damaged ones, hopefully good enough to withstand another attack or RPG blast. He knew it was useful carrying around the tiny argon gas tank, putting the skills he learned from trail and error to good use. He got his stuff packed up when he was satisfied with the job, and went back to his bike to put it all away. He stopped for a drink and a smoke to relax and then headed back to the passenger car where he heard everyone conversing. The look on Eliza's face turned serious. "...Only one of those fucks was my friend...that was years ago, though. Now all she cares about is dragging me back to Dixon." He walked in to hear Eliza explain that the raiders were actually her friends. I knew she'd be a liability. He grabbed a seat next to the military bot and asked her, "What do you mean she was your friend, they just attacked us. What happened between you two that's worth her coming all the way down here?" with curiosity as he lit another cigarette.
"What do you mean she was your friend, they just attacked us. What happened between you two that's worth her coming all the way down here?"  "Sarah's under orders to bring me back to Motor City, so that Jack Dixon can deal with me himself." she said, glancing over to Mariuz. "He's the boss of the raiders there. To sum it up, he tried to fuck rape me so I made him even less of a man than he already was." She made a gesture resembling a pair of scissors, then pointed to Mariuz's crotch. She sighed. "As for what happened between me and Sarah...she's a mistake that I made." she said, sitting back in her seat. "I trained her myself. I taught her to survive life in Motor City. How to fight, shoot, and kill. How to be fucking ruthless and sadistic. I turned her basically into a copy of me....well, what used to be me. And now she's Dixon's right hand, which is what I used to be." Masterson listened from nearby. Damnit. Something else they had to worry about now. A fucking hunting party of raiders lead by one of Dixon's lieutenants.
Mariuz listened to Eliza explain her story, and that of her hunters. "Jesus...well sucks to be Jack Dixon, amazed he survived the uh...blood loss." He said taking a long drag from his cigarette. He pointed out the window into the fading desert, "As for your uhm...compatriot there...if the last hour was anything to go by, she can't shoot or lead for shit. You on the other hand handled yourself pretty well. You also didn't shoot any of us in the back so that's a plus in my book." He looked her up and down, seeing her past making her feel vulnerable and open. Old scars opening up again. "Listen, you're alright in my book, for now. Don't worry about that Sarah either, we'll handle her if we have to." He gave her a wink and pulled his hat down over his head for a nap. "Wake me if they come back."
Ozzie smirked, "The old raider cycle" he said with a shark-like grin. "It aint never gonna end because it won't ever stop getting fed." He looked to Eliza with his head tilted back, "Now that you ran into a wall with your old buddies ya wanna come back to a world were there are rules and not just might to protect you?" Ozzie fished out a pack of handrolled cigarettes and a well-worn zippo with elvis presley on it. He lit a cigarette and took a long drag before chuckling and shaking his head "A touching story, really."
Eagle cursed. "Shitballs." He had been wearing his favorite hat. --- A few minutes later Eagle, with the help of Roadrash, was back on the train. He stepped in and greeted Masterson with a quick handshake. Despite the hole in his head he was fine. "Figured you'd miss me." --------- After speaking with some of the civilians and distributing medical supplies Malin found herself a seat inside the passenger coach and took the time to start up her drone. It hovered near her and recorded the inside of the train and its many passengers. She then got up and sat down next to Jasper. "Are you feeling better?"
Masterson had a look of genuine surprise on his face. A hole in his head, and he's still kicking. "Nice to have you back, Eagle." he said, shaking his hand. ------- "Are you feeling better?" There were a few more tinks. The sound of more bullets being forced from Jasper's body. Almost all of them were gone now, and he was looking much better than he had been. He glanced over, and gave her a thumbs-up. "I'll be up and about shortly. Just another bullet or two." ------- "Now that you ran into a wall with your old buddies ya wanna come back to a world were there are rules and not just might to protect you? A touching story, really." "I could give less of a fuck about rules and protection. I just wanted to get the hell out of that place. Besides, you don't seem the type to care about rules yourself. After all..." said Eliza, before leaning forwards a bit. "...you did give a known killer a weapon." She looked up when Eagle came in, and noticed the hole in his head. Sarah's shooting, most likely. How the hell was he still walking around? She then pointed to Eagle's head. "See that? That was Sarah's shooting. If we face her again...make damn sure that you either kill her first or find cover. She doesn't miss because I made fucking sure that she never did."
Ozzie laughed, "Allegdedly." He responded to being accused of being a criminal. Ozzie leaned in as well, "I gave ya a gun because you were about to wet yer breeches." He then leaned back into his seat, grining slightly, "But since you're so proud of being a known killer, remind me not to trust you again." He concluded with a wink.
Eagle nodded. "Thank you, sir." He gestured out towards the rest of the coach. "Don't happen to know of a mechanic who can fic my head? I got some spares but no tools." ------ Malin leaned down and picked up one of the bullets. She grunted. "Never seen a GEH do anything like this before," she said as she weighed the bullet in the palm of her hand. "Come to think of it we don't have alot of GEHs in the UNC."
"Well, I'm not exactly proud of it. Hell, there's really no emotion involved in it at all now. I've killed two marshals, a sheriff, three deputies, a bank teller, three idiots in a saloon, two gunslingers, and a farmer since I got into the Republic. Before that, I killed a shitload of homeless fucks, a few dumbass raiders that never got their shit together, quite a few idiots that tried to rebel against Motor City..." she said, her voice eventually trailing off. There was a pause, before she finally glanced up and said "...I've lost count. I used to like it. Hell, I used to love it. Now...nothing." There was another pause, before she sat back. "I'm not going to shoot you guys in the back. I'm gonna do what I have to, get my pardon, and leave. Maybe head further west...or take the boat to Europe or somewhere. Get as far from Dixon's shithole of a city as I can." ----------- Masterson nodded. "I think Mariuz is a mechanic. He might can patch you up...how the hell are you even walking around anyway?" he asked, looking at the gaping hole in Eagle's forehead. ----------- Jasper tilted his head towards her. "We GEHs can't do this naturally...its one of the effects of the regenerative serum." he said, before holding up the syringe he had stabbed himself with earlier. "Its a pre-war compound...I'm sure any of the GEHs that fought in the war in Europe were carrying some. It's formulated specifically for GEHs. Kicks the body's healing factor into overdrive, and expells foreign matter. Such as bullets. As Masterson explained earlier, its toxic to normal humans...causes total organ failure. Humans had stimulant packs that were issued that did something similar, I believe." He raised an eyebrow as she mentioned there weren't a lot of GEHs in the UNC. "That's...surprising, considering GEHs were produced en mass on a global scale. Perhaps not many survived the blasts. We're very resilient, but nothing like Eagle over there."
Eagle chuckled. "Takes more than a bullet to bring me down." He placed his hands on his belt in a proud manner. "Besides, all I got up here is circuitry and sensors. Data core is in here-" he pounded on his armored chest twice. --------- Malin shrugged. "It's been a long time since the war. Scandinavia fared no better than the rest of the world. Before the UNC the only organizations up north were limited to loose coalitions and alliances between fallout shelters, descendants of military forces, wastelanders and whatnot." She paused as the memories of her early life and childhood brought a deep sense of nostalgia with it. "I knew only one GEH during my childhood. His name was Sten- Swedish for 'Stone'-, it was a reference to how he was. He'd served during the war as a scout. He got shot up and sent back to Stockholm for repairs just before the bombs hit. These days he help train our own scout forces, although no matter how good they are they'll never beat him at camouflage." Malin smiled and laughed. "Once he stands perfectly still you often forget he's there. When I was a girl he'd help me take pictures of the birds around camp. He'd find a hilltop, position himself and stand there. If a bird landed on he'd use his eyes to take a photo of it."
Masterson nodded, then noticed the massive dent in Eagle's chest plating. "Kinda looks like they almost punched through there too." he said. Whoever was shooting at Eagle was a damn good shot, and determined to kill him. ------- "We scout GEHs take pride in our stealth abilities." said Jasper, smiling a bit. A few moment later, two more tinks. All the bullets were finally out. "Well, that's it for the bullets...the wounds will probably be healed in a few moments."
Diplo practically squealed upon sighting Eagle, "You're not dead! Huzzah!" Diplo ran up to Eagle and cradled his mangled head in his arms affectionately, "There, there, we'll can fix you. We have the technology." Diplo stepped back to properly survey the damage to Eagle, "Blimey, that mean lady sure did do a number on you. Lucky the dumb bitch had no idea about your data core!" He said with a chuckle, playfully slapping Eagle on his back.
Aegis cocked his head at Eliza after her explanation, soon swiveling its neck to Masterson and Jasper. He would continue to talk to Eliza but his gaze would be transfixed on the duo. His mind was racing, attempting all manner of backgrund checks or searching for active badge serial numbers. All of these attempts would be unsuccessful with no database to connect to. A few low toned buzzes emitted from his head to indicate such failures. "A colorful history and criminal background by extension." he comments to Eliza. "Those men are law enforcement, or your definition of such. However I do not see them in uniform and cannot locate their badge information. I surmise they are unofficial enforcement, yet as previously stated their assistance is welcome."
Ozzie looked at Aegis and then to Masterson and then back. "I don't know what kinda scrap heap you been lyin under, but them two over there are as official as it gets. The real Law" he explained calmly whilst puffing on his cigarette. He then tapped Aegis on the head and directed his attention towards Slade in the back end of the carriage, "Now that there isa vigilante. Used to ve a real lawman, but I guess after the incident he was just too ugly for a proper badge." He concluded with a croaking laugh.
Slade glared at Ozzie as he was coming closer. Wise cracking asswipe. "Keep croaking you swamp mutant. Maybe you'll attract a mate." He turned his attention to Eagle. "You dropped this up on the roof." He said while handing him over the riffle.
"I don't know what kinda scrap heap you been lyin under, but them two over there are as official as it gets. The real Law" he explained calmly whilst puffing on his cigarette. "Scrap heap is an apt term. I was near the impact zone of the nuclear bomb that struck the state, it had left me deactivated for hundreds of years. Whether these men have taken up the mantle of law enforcement under their own volition or have kept it organized for all of these years is irrelevant - I am willing to neglect the crimes of impersonating law enforcement for the sake of creating stable communities." he replies, gaze following to that of Slade before he sauntered over. "Active law enforcement, unstable individuals, vigilantes and/or outlaws. Is this a group of conscripts for a mission, or some sort of disorganized gang?" Aegis queries.
Eagle grunted. "She." He looked at Masterson steadily. "Some woman. Scared the hell out of Cohen yesterday at the restaurant." --------- Malin studied Jasper with curiosity. She then nodded towards the syringe. "Do you mind if I take a look at that?"
"Conscripts." said Masterson, turning his attention from Eagle to Aegis. "My name is John Masterson. I'm a Marshal for the Republic of Texas." He stepped over, reaching into his duster and drawing out his badge. "The rest of these people are my deputies." he said, before holding the badge out to Aegis. Jasper held up his badge as well, so it could be seen.
Once more his head swiveled to the next point of interest, looking between the two badges slowly as those low buzzes played from the back of his head. The database was still a glaring issue, what with being completely down and more than likely wiped out over all of these years. "Understood. Marshal Masterson, I am Vegera Dynamics Aegis Unit 306-B, Texas State Police Special Weapons and Tactics." he states, starting to stand up from his seat, holding his weapon at his side. "If you are functioning law enforcement, I offer my services and assistance with your current mission, whatever it may be."
Eagle nodded at Aegis and simply gestured towards the magnetic badge on his shoulder. He then nodded. "I'd tip my hat for you but it seems to have been lost in the wind. Name's Yellow Eagle, you can call me Eagle for short." "Judging by your markings you're as old as me." -------- Malin took the syringe and eyed it closely, making sure to study every detail. Her camera drone circled around as well. "If these were massproduced during the war there's probably some NATO stockpiles tucked away somewhere..." She shrugged. "Assuming NEO didn't loot them all." After studying the syringe she returned it to Jasper. "Thanks. You don't happen to know if the Republic are capable of producing those types of meds in bulk?"
"Thanks. You don't happen to know if the Republic are capable of producing those types of meds in bulk?" "Not that I know of. The Ranger base at Fort Hood has a large stockpile of it, though. I believe with the right equipment, they could possibly produce it. The Union produces plenty on a daily basis in Pittsburgh." responded Jasper. A moment later, he sat up. Wounds were healed, and he was back to normal. Shirt was full of holes though. He'd have to get a new one in Memphis. ---------- "Understood. Marshal Masterson, I am Vegera Dynamics Aegis Unit 306-B, Texas State Police Special Weapons and Tactics." he states, starting to stand up from his seat, holding his weapon at his side. "If you are functioning law enforcement, I offer my services and assistance with your current mission, whatever it may be." "Welcome to the team. We're on a manhunt. Some men stole a large artifact from Houston, so we're tracking them down. They were last seen headed to Memphis, which is where this train is currently heading." explained Masterson as he tucked his badge away.
"I'd tip my hat for you but it seems to have been lost in the wind. Name's Yellow Eagle, you can call me Eagle for short. Judging by your markings you're as old as me." Aegis turns toward the other automaton, right hand straightening into a salute as his arm locks rigid and he straightens his stance even further. "Eagle, identified to be NATO Rapid Assault Infantry unit. You have my respect and appreciation for your service." he states, soon dropping the extreme formality after several moments before returning his attention to Masterson. "Welcome to the team. We're on a manhunt. Some men stole a large artifact from Houston, so we're tracking them down. They were last seen headed to Memphis, which is where this train is currently heading." "It is fortunate that my wandering has lead me to this train. My current attempts to find law enforcement to rendezvous with have been unsuccessful. Many counties are either obliterated or filled with violent squatters, from my observations." Aegis explains, finally holstering his weapon proper. "We will find whatever den this scum has crawled into and will bring them justice. Protocol 2: Uphold the Law."
Eagle chuckled and clapped Aegis on the shoulder. "If you start shouting about supporting our troops I'll start blushing." He nodded towards the many police markings on Aegis's frame. "For your age you look pretty good. When did you reactivate? I've been down myself a couple of times. Maintenance mostly."
"For your age you look pretty good. When did you reactivate? I've been down myself a couple of times. Maintenance mostly." The humor was only slightly lost on the simpler bot, but he still looks to him as he processes the answer to his question. "I have been active for 33 days, 7 hours, and 13 minutes." he states. "The resulting electromagnetic pulse from a nuclear blast caused me to shut down, thankfully my chassis was kept intact due to the building collapsing around me, preventing vandals and creatures from wrecking my form. Though that benefit meant I had to spend several hours clawing my way out."
Eagle grunted. "That's longer than I expected. You should hear how Diplo survived..."
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