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>>4008120

You and Dutch have a job to do, at the behest of an Easternphile going by Hugo. He's had a briefcase containing a magitech tablet stolen and wants it back, the tablet in particular. The entire thing has stunk since you started, but it's escalated into a full on wash, both literal and figurative, that ended with you stabbing a man that was threatening Dutch.

With that lead down the drain, you're down to only a few other choices. One of them, ironically enough, involves types that you normally would do your best to get as far away from as possible: the Scale Knights. Armed and armored to the teeth, their do a good job of keeping the peace in Airgrid, though the one you're looking for is one you're used to seeing while she's off duty.

"I've got an idea, but you can't come with me," You speak up after both of you have caught your breath. It's not the greatest idea to split up, butr while you're just barely tolerated by the Scales Dutch is most certainly on their shitlist, "Gonna go see if I can't find Stella."

"Oh? And so early in the day, too?" Your best friend just grins in his usual shit-eating way, but you do your best to ignore it.

"Yep, I'll meet up with you at your place when I'm done," Without waiting for any more snide comments to come your way, you walk off into the foggy backstreets of Airgrid.

If you're remembering right, at this time Stella should be out on patrol in this area...

> Rolled 56

[2/3]

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>>4008123

[3/3]

The circumstances of your acquaintance with Stella were unusual to say the least. Through some incident or another, the Scale Knights had weapons in need of maintenance and they decided that their best bet was to strike a deal with the Genovese. You don't know the name of the genius who thought of that idea, but if you did you would have had half a mind to throttle the bastard as that entire mess was dumped into your lap. That meant almost a work week of sitting in a Scale's barracks with naught but a pile of blades and firearms to clean and a squad of Knights to watch you do it.

Stella had said that it was a measure taken to ensure that you wouldn't attempt to sabatoge, or run off with, the gear.

At this point, you'd say that the two of you are a few steps beyond acquaintances but there is still a reason that you meet while inebriated. Stella gives you a very wary look as you approach her, a single eyebrow raised at your current state. You look like a fucking beggar off the dock next to her immaculate dress uniform, shortsword held in a simple holster at her waist while her pistol is likely tucked away in the small of her back.

You nod as you join her in standing against an arch leading into a homestead, a quick glances reveals that there are other Scales within looking like they're turning the place over.

"John." Her voice is quick and low, a sharp contrast to how she is off duty, "What are you doing? Why... why are you filthy?"

You wave her off, "Fell into the harbor, long story." Pushing back your drying clothes as best you can, you continue:
> "You know anything about a man going by 'Hugo'?"
> "Something happen? Odd to see so many Scales crawling over a place."
> Other

>>4008120
God bless your soul for showing signs of life OP, and happy new year to you!

PRAISE THE LORD!

>>4008128
>You know anything about missing magi-tech baby girl?

Lets flirt because we can.

>>4008128
>"Something happen? Odd to see so many Scales crawling over a place."

>>4008128
>> "Something happen? Odd to see so many Scales crawling over a place."

>>4008136

Thanks, and same to you.

>>4008139
>>4008142
>>4008172

Questions with a smile.

Writin'

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>>4008128

"Something happen? Odd to see so many Scales crawling over a place." You usually do your best to avoid poking your nose into the business of the Scale Knights, but this is going to have to be an exception.

Stella doesn't look irritated by the question, glancing back into the compound before turning back to you, "Break in and kidnapping. My squad is securing the area before I go talk to the principle."

That explains why she's all dressed up then. The role of 'Face' isn't unknown to you, but you usually leave that up to Dutch. People tend to either like you or hate you; with no real rhyme or reason to it. Makes sense that the Scale Knights do the same, given how they're just as mercenary as you are. You can purchase their protection ahead of time, but it's not unheard of for them to want to negotiate something after the fact.

You just nod in response, but further conversation is cut off by a Scale walking up.

If he cares that you're around to here his report, he doesn't show it as he's got no problem speaking up, "Place is secure, Lancer. No signs of someone still being around and we're still working on how they got in and out in the first place."

"Security system?" Stella questions in a level tone.

"Shot to hell." Even through his helmet you can see the Scale grimace, "Something fucked it up bad, and we don't have anyone trained in magitech to figure it out in the first place."

That gets a grin on your face.

[1/2]

>>4008218

[2/2]

"That's just a damn shame then." Really, you're just asking to get clocked here, but you can't help yourself, "If only someone around here knew how to work magitech."

There's a glimmer of recognition from the Scale as he turns to regard you fully, "Oh, it's you."

"And he'll have to do."

Both of you look over at Stella, shock to varying degrees coloring your features. Still, it's the Scale that objects, "You really wanna bring in someone in the Genovese's pocket?"

"I never said we'd be giving him free reign of the place, only that he'll do as magitech support." The look she gives you is cold and calculating, the unspoken threat clearly there, "Now, let's move before we waste anymore time."

With that the two of them walk into the homestead, you on their heels. Inside provides some protection from the elements, but your still chilled to the bones even as you slowly dry out. From what you can see, there isn't much to note here aside from the usual solid Airgrid stone construction, based on the skeleton of whatever was once here millennia ago, and a small garden that looks rather well maintained for, a patch of weeds notwithstanding.

You're broken out of your musings when the two ahead of you begins to split.
> Follow Stella and sit in on negotiations with the principle. Might give you some more insight into the situation at hand.
> Follow the Grunt and get to work on figuring out what happened to the magitech security. It's your specialty after all, and maybe the infiltrators got sloppy somewhere.
> Other

>>4008245
>> Follow the Grunt and get to work on figuring out what happened to the magitech security. It's your specialty after all, and maybe the infiltrators got sloppy somewhere.

>>4008245
>Follow the grunt
And call to stella as we go "That I want a favor for this"

>>4008245
>> Follow the Grunt and get to work on figuring out what happened to the magitech security. It's your specialty after all, and maybe the infiltrators got sloppy somewhere.

>>4008260
>>4008262
>>4008311

Electrical it is.

Writin'

>>4008245

The choice between more Face work and magitech is an easy one, though there's something else you almost forgot about, "I'm expecting a favor in return for this."

Stella barely looks back, "Naturally."

Works for you. Following the Grunt, you're taken around the back of the compound where the various utilities are routed through. A couple others Scales are around here, but it looks like they're keeping an eye on the perimeter more than what's in it. More than one odd look is thrown your way, your appearance really at odds with the Grunt's claims that you're their magitech support.

Rolling up your sleeves, you're directed to where the central console for the security system is. Additionally, there's the connection to Airgrid's power gird as well as where they believe that the intruders broke in, even if they can't find any evidence of them actually being there.

Where to start?
> Central Security Console
> Breaker Box and Power Grid Connection
> Breach in Security
> Other

>>4008439
Check the connection to rule out the most obvious entry point, then check the security hub to get feel of the system and less obvious entries, then look at the suspected breach.

>>4008439
I feel like >>4008447 has the right idea.

>>4008447
>>4008464

Starting with the Connection it is.

> Roll me three 1d100's please

Rolled 38 (1d100)

>>4008482

Rolled 98 (1d100)

>>4008482
Lets go

>>4008534
John my boy. It is good to have you back.

Rolled 64 (1d100)

>>4008482

>>4008534

98, Great Success.

Writin'

>>4008439

Of all your options, there's one that'll be easy enough to cross off the list: namely the Breaker Box and Power Grid Connection. It's the last place you're expecting to find anything of note, really this is just to make sure that you're not about to start fucking around with live wires.

Again.

Your request is met with a irritated glance from the man you've been simply referring to as 'Grunt' but, credit to him, he does show you to the small sub basement nearby. The faint thrum of electricity that usually accompanies these sorts of rooms is absent, which is a good sign that the power is actually off, but you go ahead and check anyways. Popping open the breaker, you note that they've all been thrown at this point. Everything looks okay at the moment, but there's something that's just a bit off.

Its the words of Grunt that bring you back into focus, "The hell are we even doing down here? Thought I said that we'd already turned off the power. Not that it matters, considering the breaker was already thrown..."

"What did you say?" You slowly turn to the Scale before looking back at the breaker in a new light. It makes sense with what's been said that the breaker was flipped before they even got here, but that means...

"You done yet?" Grunt doesn't sound impressed or even concerned with your current thoughts.

With nothing else you can do from here, you get ready to move on.

Where next?
> Central Security Console
> Breach in Security
> Other

Thoughts on what may have occurred?
> Write in

>>4008744
> Central Security Console

>>4008744
>Central console

Check logs

If not the guards then who did disable the system and why? Was it an inside job?

>>4008744
>> Breach in Security

Better to resolve that issue ASAP.

>>4008744
>Central console

If the power was cut from the inside before hand then the security system is just a bunch of pretty wires. So how many people live in this house grunt? Check with the witness and see whom they had been visited by.

But this tells us little, we need to check more.

>>4009431
Support

>>4008820
>>4009431
>>4009492
>>4009248

Central Security Console it is.

> Roll me three 1d100’s please

Rolled 69 (1d100)

>>4009663

Rolled 25 (1d100)

>>4009663
Letsago

Rolled 84 (1d100)

>>4009663

Just gonna Roll the last one

>>4009666

69, Success.

This is the third time now this has happened damn it AQ

Writin’

>>4009708
We just need best elf

>>4008744

Heading out of the sub basement and returning to the group of other Scale Knights, you’re escorted to what looks like the a security station. Not just there to House the magitech console, there’s a pair of guards here, trying to poke through the remains to figure out what happened. But you don’t even need to look at the console to figure out what happened; there’s the smell of burnt rubber in the air, faint enough to not have been noticed thus far.

Pushing your way past without a word, you pull open a nearby panel, that telling has had its screws removed, and start looking through the wiring.

“Who the fuck are you?” One of the security guards asks.

You don’t need to answer as, surprisingly, Grunt does for you, “Temporary magineer, just stay out of his way. Besides, ain’t there supposed to be another of you?”

“Dude’s sick with something.” The other responds, sounding bored above anything else, “Went to his bunk an hour or two ago.”

Any further conversation is cut off when you come back up, holding the console’s power cable. Or rather, what’s left of it. It’s been cut clean through, the rubber near it partially melted and thus the source of what you’ve been smelling. “Bloody amateur work...” You mutter to yourself, the idea only being reinforced when you find a pair of heavy wire cutters, the blades visibly darkened and the grips scorched.

Grunt kneels down, talking just above a whisper, “The hell you got now?”

“Cut and slagged wiring, what caused the surge in the first place.” The pieces are starting to come together now, but there’s still some things missing, “It’s stupid though, an idiotic way of doing it.”

“It worked didn’t it? Not everyone’s a smug magineer like you.” You’re close enough that you can see the Scale roll his eyes through his visor.

So you also see them widen a bit at your next words, “No, it’s stupid ‘cause whoever did it severely electrocuted themselves. Look, there’s still burnt skin on the handles of these cutters.” To punctuate your point, you gesture to the tool in question, then to the electrical burns across your own arms.

Where to next?
> Breach in Security
> Other

Thoughts on what’s happening?
> Write in

>>4009829
>> Breach in Security

>>4009829
>Thoughts
Why didn't you two fuckwits smell burnt rubber? it isn't that difficult.
Guards incompetence aside, ask them if their friend went away clutching his hand or otherwise injured. He may, if I am being paranoid, have been a secondary man behind this incident whom has been hired or bribed to clean out a any evidence found or just plain the culprit who stole one of the scales uniform for some last minute work.

Further onto the question, the person who did this has no idea about technical safety meaning they are not magineer or even a professional contracted for a job.

The crime is kidnapping, yes?

If this is the case, then we may assume one of two things. This is either a group of people who think the principle is a wealthy man or this man has enemies who would hire a group of thugs to kidnap someone without outfitting them with high grade gear. Both situations do not have high end training and these cunts didn't even wear gloves. Probably more than one person broke in as well.

>Break in security

>>4009829
>>> Breach in Security

Who reported the kidnapping? If the system was disabled by shorting out the main console it had to be someone from within the compound else they would’ve tripped alarms getting in.

>>4009858

To clarify something quickly, the two guards in the room along with you and Grunt are not Scale Knights, but rather the personal security of this homestead. In the future, Scales will be referred to as such and other guards will go by that denomination.

>>4009898

And there's one of the major clues that you would have gotten if you went with Stella. Of course, that would have delayed this part of the investigation...

>>4009857
>>4009858
>>4009865

Breach it is.

Writin'

>>4009829

Several threads are being to lay themselves before you, but really you should cover the last suspected breach. Maybe, just maybe, there's something there that'll help shed more light on what's happened here.

Or maybe it's just the rear service entrance that's poorly secured. No wonder the Scale's thought this was the point of entry, as it runs right up next to the next alley over and is positioned inside of the compound to be out of sight from the majority of it. The builders probably designed it so that guests wouldn't see waste being removed, but it just means that whoever is responsible here was able to walk out without anyone being the wiser.

No broken locks, no signs of forced entry, or a struggle. No glaring evidence of an escape that you or any of the Scale Knights can find. Which is odd, considering how much of a fuck up the sabotage on the security system was...

"C'mere magineer." Grunt motions you over to where he's got a log book opened up, courtesy of one of the nearby guards, "You recognize any names in here? Any friends stupid and desperate enough to try for kidnapping?"

It's your turn to roll your eyes at his words, scrolling through the pages nonetheless. Most of them you don't recognize, until you get to a week ago. You pause at the entries of 'Daphne Hart' and 'Edward Lowe'.

They're the names of the two you're supposed to be chasing down.

Is this a coincidence? A sign of some hidden connection you're not aware of?

Flipping further to the present, you find another entry for Daphne only a day ago.

"That ringing a bell?" Glancing to the side, you see that Grunt is looking right at where you've got your finger under the woman's name.

"Maybe." Is your response, before something that was bothering you earlier springs to mind. Stepping back, you approach one of the security guards, "Yo, that buddy of yours that's sick. You wouldn't have happened to have seen him recently?"

He shrugs, not looking particularly concerned, "Honestly, he said he was drinking a lot with this gal and that he'd be sleeping off a hangover. Bastard must have had a hell of a time, considering he hasn't come out of his room yet."

There's a growing pit in your stomach as you ask your next question, "Did you see his hands? Were they burned?"

"Yeah, he said it was a cooking accident. Weird for him to be cooking, given how he can barely boil water without burning it, but maybe he's trying to impress that chick."

Absentmindedly, you turn to the side and consider your next action carefully.

Where to next?
> Reconvene with Stella, you need to get the principle's side of the story before anything else.
> Go after the 'sick' guard, he's probably the dumbass who cut the wires.
> Other

Thoughts on what happened?
> Write in

>>4008120

ITS HABDENINNNGGGG!!!!!

SO happy you're back Storyteller

>>4010571
>Go after the 'sick' guard, he's probably the dumbass who cut the wires.
Shouldn't hurt too much, not for us at least.
So how many posts will we have before you suddenly disappear again STQM?

>>4010571
>> Go after the 'sick' guard, he's probably the dumbass who cut the wires.

Sounds like this Daphne got the guard to blow the security for her. Now the guard is probably either escaped with her or (more likely) dying or dead of poisoning.

>maybe check on the guard, assuming his room is in the compound.

Another question is how much do we want to tell Scalies, and how to ensure we get first pick of the loot, with or without their knowledge...

still, we need to learn who and what is missing, and to what extent they went willingly, cause kidnapping implies somebody is missing.

>>4010571
>Lean into grunts shoulder and quietly tell him to get someone on the guard. He is either dead or run out of town, but he almost certainly was the man responsable for the sheers. Then re-group with stella

My earlier suspicion that they people whom were contracted to disable the system were not possessing of that paticular skill set.

Now, while our "friends" the scale knights are off hunting down a lead, we need to figure out who was taken and what they specialise in. If they have any relation to magitech or ruin diving then we have our link.

>>4010805
>>4010872
>>4010919

After the ‘sick’ guard it is.

Writin’

>>4010571

“Let’s go check up on him.” Eventually, you decide on going for the missing guard. From what’s been said, he’s responsible for frying the security console. How is easy enough to figure, but why is a very different question. Money, extortion, sex, could be anything really.

The security guards pause for a moment, but a glance from Grunt gets them moving. Thankfully, the room he’s crashing in isn’t far; hell, it’s on the compound itself.

“Steve, open up!” One of the guards knocks on the door and calls out, to no avail.

Grunt solves the issue by kicking the door in. Your amusement ends with his exclamation of, “Shit!”

Pushing in, you find the guard, ‘Steve’, laid out across his bed, still in his uniform. He could almost be mistaken for being asleep, except his eyes are open, a look of pure shock across his face, and foam slowly dripping from his open mouth.

Grunt puts a pair of fingers to his throat and confirms it, “He’s dead. Body isn’t cold yet, this was recent.”

You go to step around him and pause as your boot comes down on something that crunches underfoot. Looking over, you see there are shards of glass scattered about this side of the room and a small stain of something is splattered on the wall above it.

What happened here?
> Write In

What next?
> Investigate the room more, this can’t be all that there is.
> Go back to Stella and get her up to speed. This was recent, which means that whoever is responsible might be around.
> Other

>>4013152
>What happened here?
Somebody forced the guard to drink poison

> Go back to Stella and get her up to speed. This was recent, which means that whoever is responsible might be around.

>>4013152
>Back to Stella

He was probably tricked into thinking it's a healing drink. Or invisibility potion. Or viagra.

>>4013152
Back to stella

>>4013152
Yeah, what the other anons said. the dumb bastard drank poison at the behest of this woman for an unknown reason. We need to warn stella and get her guys to mobalise really fucking quickly.

And find out the most likely way that bitch came in here, tell the guards to get looking for people who saw a woman in here.

>>4013162
>>4013167
>>4013174
>>4013175

Back to Stella it is.

Writin’

>>4013152

The fact that Steve here died to poison is easy enough to figure out. Dumb bastard probably got seduced or tricked into drinking it. Still, you feel like you’re missing something here. Maybe Stella will have some answers.

With that in mind, you turn back to Grunt, “Let’s get back to Stella.”

He closes the dead guard’s eyes before beginning to follow you, nodding in agreement. The two other security guards follow you, the one who was banging on the door before looks saddened at the revelation of what occurred.

Heading back towards the main entrance of the compound, you find Stella just leaving the inner home along with another Scale Knight.

The four of you reconvene at the back of the compound near the rear entrance. No one wastes anytime as the discussion begins.

Any questions about the principle/case for Stella?
>Write in

Prime Suspect?
>Write in

How did they do it?
>Write in

Do you tell the Scale Knights any other information?
>Write in

>>4013197
What is your relation to the woman.
Why was she here?
Information about her looks and those of her companion.
Is your kidnapped person any authority on magi-tech?

>Prime suspect
Daphne
Maybe not the mastermind/contractor, but certainly involved.

>How?
She and her companion broke in while the alarm was down, taken down by the now deceased steve who used the pliars to cut the wires. Steve, not being the clever sort, got injured by the resulting electrocution and a few hours ago went to meet with the woman who either tricked him or with the help of her companions forced him to drink a poison. They may have struggled briefly resulting in the half drunk vial or another vial being smashed against the wall before they made their escape.
Steve probably wasn't lured in by sex given his state of dress but it isn't an impossibility.

>Tell them information
The woman and her friend are theives who recently stole some magi-tech.


Even if she is completely innocent, which is unlikely, if the guard can find her, then they also do us a solid by bagging our target for us. And if it is revealed she was hired, we don't care, we have what we need.

>>4013197

>questions
Who reported kidnapping, and who has been kidnapped.
Has anyone else been missing from the estate?
Have there been any signs of struggle anywhere?

>prime suspect
"Daphne" seems like she could have been the girl the deceased guard was talking of. analysing the poison could be a valuable clue for investigation (though probably not all too relevant for us)

>how did they do it?
so far it seems to me the Daphne got the guard to disable the security system, either by giving him a signal, or by arranging a date for the event.

>>4013209
Supportan

>>4013209
>>4013523
>>4014114

Ask some questions, Daphne is suspect, infiltration break in, and tell them that you’re hunting Daphne for other reasons.

Writin’

>>4013197

Stella starts things off by answering your questions about the principle and the kidnapping itself, “The victim is the principle’s daughter, nothing really particular about her. Dancing, singing, usual skill set for her stature. She went missing sometime last night. No signs of forced entry into her room.”

You continue things with what you suspect and know, “There’s a woman recorded in the guard’s logs called ‘Daphne’. I’m assuming that she’s the one responsible, especially since she was here yesterday. Don’t know how she did it, but she must have convinced one of the guards to fry the security systems and then tricked him into drinking poison.”

Grunt cuts in here, “Most of that sounds right, but there’s a few issues with that. Daphne’s in the records, but it’s also noted that she left early last night, well before the kidnapping. Also, this murdered guard died sometime today, we’ll after both were gone. There’s also no signs of a struggle anywhere here. I agree that Daphne’s our suspect, but there’s something we’re missing here. First and foremost is where we’re even going to find this gal.”

“I know where we can find her.” You begrudgingly agree with Grunt’s assessment; there are things that don’t add up, but you at least know this much, “She’s over in the markets. I’m actually looking for her for another contract I’m on.”

“Bloody Genovese...” Grunt shakes his head.

“Save it for later.” Stella speaks up again, “John, if you’re right about this we need to bring Daphne into custody. We’ll go after her tomorrow but we’ll need you to join us again.”

Your response?
> “Sure, I’ll lead you there.” You go with the Scales after Daphne.
> “Naw, I’ll take care of this.” You go with Dutch after Daphne.
> “Sure, but I’ll be bringing a friend along.” You go with Dutch and the Scales after Daphne.
> Other

>>4015434
Fine, but I am bringing my own backup and when we find her, I get the shit I need for my contract from her.

Thats the offer, take it or leave it, though I highly suggest you take it

>>4015434
Hmm... ideally we could use both Stella and Dutch for their perspectives but trouble might arise in case of conflicting interest. Picking either over other may cost us too...

Maybe we could offer to find her and either signal scalies after we’re done with her, or plant a tracker on her if either of us have this kind of tech and can share it without compromising either factions operation.

>>4015539
Argument: scalies are not exactly subtle, with Dutch we have better chance in approaching our mark.

>>4015434
>> “Sure, but I’ll be bringing a friend along.” You go with Dutch and the Scales after Daphne.

>>4015440
>>4015539
>>4016531

Scales and Dutch it is.

I guess it wouldn’t be AQ without a health dose of CHAOS.

Writin’

>>4015434

You think on it for a moment before noding, “Works for me. I’ll be bringing a friend along, and once we have Daphne we’ll need a hot minute to get the info we need; that’s the deal, take it or leave it.”

Grunt looks irritated, though he’s been irritated the entire time so far, while Stella just shrugs her shoulders, “Works for me. We’ll meet up with you in the morning, John.”

And with that, you leave. The Scale Knights, being the official investigators, have to deal with informing the principle, filling out paperwork, and other such joyous things. Suckers.

Instead of that, you begin the long walk back to where you live: Dutch’s family home.

Only a few blocks from the docks, it’s a modest but well cared for home. Like the vast majority of the homes in this area, it’s a thin, two-story building with a slate roof that’s worn but still holding. Pulling out your key, you unlock the front door and push it open.

“I’m back!” You call out as you enter. By now, you’re dry but your boots still make a slight squeak as you pull them off. Leaving your shoes and cloak in the mud room, you enter into the house proper just in time to see Rishia duck around the corner.

It’s hard to imagine such a shy girl is Dutch’s little sister, his general cocky disposition completely absent from her. Instead, her tendencies to avoid others in favor of curling up beside the fireplace with a book reminds you of an especially plucky cat. Shame really, she’ll probably be quite the looker one day, what with her gentle features and smooth, dark hair.

It’s a thought that you put to the side. At this point, you’re practically another older brother to the girl.

[1/2]

>>4017248

[2/2]

Running a hand through your dirty blonde hair and opting to give Rishia her privacy in the den, you walk into the kitchen to find Dutch’s father and mother reading a book and cooking respectively.

The man of the house himself is getting a bit long in the tooth, with the first specks of silver coloring his otherwise pitch colored hair. His resemblance to Dutch is uncanny, mainly in the facial features, but given how you know he taught your friend how to shoot he was probably quite the hotshot back in the day. If you’re remembering right, he used to work as the personal guard of someone in...

In...

...

You can’t remember where, but feel like you really should.

“Welcome back, John.” Dutch’s mother snaps you out of your thoughts, directing your attention over to her. If he got his looks from his father, Dutch certainly got his attitude from his mother. Even while cheerfully cooking, the corner of her mouth is pulled up into the barest hint of a smirk. It’s frequently full, whether to lightly tease her husband, her children, or you, but always done in a motherly, benevolent way.

“Thank you, ma’am. Sir...” You and Dutch’s father stare at each other for a moment before you place a small pile of silver on the table in front of him and walk past.

Rent, as agreed upon when he first allowed you to live with his family.

The beginning of the question of where your family is is cut off by you opening, then closing, the door to the workshop in the very back where you knew you’d find Dutch.

“Yo.” He calls out from the workbench, where he’s got his revolvers dismantled and is in the process of cleaning them.

You ease into the seat next to him, relaxing a bit as you watch his methodical, if a bit clumsy, work, and then open your mouth.
> “Got a minute to step outside? I’ve got an update on our job.”
> “Hey... where did your dad used to work again?”
> Other

>>4017308
> “Hey... where did your dad used to work again?”
Then >Inform about the job
I suppose?

>>4017308
>> “Hey... where did your dad used to work again?”

>>4017308
>Where did he work again
Then update, but I have a feeling that something is off here.

>>4017308

Why do we need to step outside for the update? Is there someone else within the workshop, or do we suspect it might be bugged?

Anyway I'll bite too
>“Hey... where did your dad used to work again?”

tfw most of these people are gonna die horribly

>>4017377
>>4018879
>>4018874
>>4022269

Ask a question before giving some answers.

Writin’

>>4017308

“Hey... Where did your dad used to work again?” Why the question comes out of your mouth is beyond you. You should be focusing on the job at hand, but for whatever reason just thinking about it hits an itch in your mind; a ragged wound that’s been smoothed over.

Your back aches horribly but you ignore it. It is raining out.

Dutch looks at you oddly, as if he can’t believe what you just said. “The hell are you on about now? He worked as a personal guard back in Westmire-“

Whatever else he says is lost on you, that single word worming it’s way into your ears and ringing and ringing and ringing around until you can’t hear anything but the sound of flesh tearing, bones breaking, cobblestone sundered, and name that’s yours but isn’t being yelled and yell-

Reality snaps back into focus with painful clarity, your best friend beginning to show concern when you wave it off, “Yeah, sorry, just forgot. Anyways, let’s step outside; I got an update on our job.”

[1/3]

>>4024149

Despite the fact that it was his connection that got you and Dutch your current jobs, his father is rather adamant about his ‘no business in the house’ policy. It’s really for Rishia’s sake more than anything else, you’ve overheard the two parents talking about wanting her to go into a ‘honest’ occupation rather than what the rest of you do.

So that’s the reason why you and Dutch are standing in the alley behind the house, each with a cigarette smoldering away between your lips while the light drizzle and fog that characterizes nights in Airgrid envelope your surroundings. When you’re confidant that your composure has returned, you start speaking, “That gal, Daphne, that we’re going after, the Scales are going after her for suspected kidnapping. They’re going after her tomorrow, and we’re joining them to get what we need out of her before they take her into custody.”

Dutch snorts in amusement, “Hilarious John, you’re a bloody riot. What’s the actual reason we’re standing out here.”

Your silent and unflinching stare is better than any number of words at telling just how serious you are.

[2/3]

>>4024151

[3/3]

“You aren’t joking...” Your best friend just looks bemused, though there’s a serious glint in his eyes that wasn’t there a moment ago, “We’re gonna be working with a bunch of Scales for this then. This... is going to be interestin’. Real interestin’...”

You’re inclined to agree, but you get the feeling you’re going to want those extra hands, even if they’re most certainly not on your side, around for this.

Now what?
> Mention something else you think is relevant to Dutch (Write in).
> Shoot the shit for a bit longer before turning in for the night.
> Other

>>4024154
Give him the lowdown on what we found after making sure we are alone.

Then pop a line of something like

"Yes it will be. But hey, at least with the scales to soak up the bullets, we will be in control by the end of it"

>>4024154
>> Shoot the shit for a bit longer before turning in for the night.

>>4024154

>Both Daphne and Edward have been in touch with someone in Principle's compound, and this Daphne is most likely involved in his daughter disappearing.
>I'm gonna go on a limb and say that this job and Scalies' investigation overlap more than we currently suspect.
>by the way, did I tell you that this job stinks?

>>4024160
Supportan

Bumpy

>>4030537
Bappity bap ba bump.