They might not be easy for others to pick out, but I do have beliefs in that regard that I hold to. I won't do it without cause, won't do it just to make a point as I seen others do and I sure as hell won't do it just for pay.
A life's a fragile thing but it sure as hell aint cheap.
Now I don't find myself conversing about this sort of thing often, happen cause it don't need to be said - other folk might well hold to the same way of thinking. Far as I see it the 'Verse has a mighty irregular, but definite, sense of balance 'bout things like that. Each time I find myself drawing down on another body I know fine well it might be my turn. Might be that the 'Verse has decided it's high time my account was settled in full.
That said I aint above taking a life, if needs be. Exactly what them particular needs actually being? Might say that kind of differs from case to case as you'd expect. In this case I ended that Purplebelly's life case he was shooting at them I consider my own.
Course Feds wouldn't be feds if'n they didn't take exception to that kinda of thing, so I can't say as to why I was feelin' a little uncomfortable when Krenshar told me there'd been a bounty hunter on Hale's Moon asking questions about the crew of a certain oh-three class boat. I've had writs and warrants issued on me 'fore now. Happen some of the crew I'm running with have too. Difference is I aint never been responsible for youngster at the time. I don't mind providing for Jin and hell I actually surprise myself to admit that I like having him around. Gets on well with the rest of the crew too and his duties, such as they are, sort of subsitute for formal schoolin'. All in all he seems happy to run with us and up till now I had never given a thought to any megative implications since Seana asked for the Lil' man to work on Raivenn.
I should have.
First time the hunter came to Hale's we were out of the world. The second time? Pure happenstance had me taking a turn about on horseback when I spotted a stranger walking toward the town, looking back I don't know if maybe I was trying to press fate in case this was the bounty hunter I'd been warned of, I wanted to get up right close and personal or if I was just being plain stupid. Either way I got a good look and any suspicions I might have had were washed away later when I crossed the street outside of Fook's and took fire soon as I came to the open.
Ching-wah tsao duh liou mahng bounty hunters. Time was you wanted to fight someone, you stood toe to toe.
With town deserted that night it was a near run thing, had nothing to hand but my old liberty hammer sidearm and that gorramn hunter was dug in tighter than horsetick on the hill over looking the landing pad. There weren't no way I was going to make it all the way across the open to the boat to raid the small arms locker. Shalimar heard the shooting and came running and 'tween the pair of us we managed to work the hunter into a cross fire. Weren't no doubt about it, this one was a pro. Not some dumb thick regional muscle looking to make their bones. She had her escape route planned, had the right tools for the job and the ammount of fire we put down she must've been wearing some sort of covert personal armour. Just when it started to look like there was an advantage that maybe Shal and me could put to use the hunter popped a few concussion charges and doubled back to where she'd stowed her ride. Small, stealthy and fast skiff, top of the range by the looks of it and the engine profile.
Reckon I might have been feeling somewhat relieved if it weren't for the wave that came in soon as I got back to the Raivenn:
'So you're a tough one to bring in. I hope the boy is tucked up safe and warm....might have to pay him a visit sometime, huh?'
***static***
There's no barbed wire tween me an' you, next time I won't give you the courtesy of letting you shoot first
You won't see it comin' jus' like you didn't this time...I almost had you there. Next time.....
Almost aint good enough
***static***
Goading her did the trick, but maybe worked too well.
I spoke with Seana straight away. Asked her to take Jin back, tell him whatever she had to in order to make the boy not want to be seen anywhere in country mile of me. He might grow up depising me, but at least he'd grow up. Following that I took down a rifle and stood vigil just waiting for our friend to come calling again.
And come again she did. First I knew of it was when the round tore into my shoulder. Lying there in the street I was left groping for a weapon as I heard her footfalls approaching me.
"That'll be my bounty, browncoat."
And it would have been if the shot hadn't brought some folks running from the bar and the port. Either that hunter hadn't wanted an all out firefight or she'd figure her game of cat and mouse could continue a while yet, all's I could see from the ground was her running off from town as familiar voices surrounded me.
One in particular resonating most clearly in the night sky.
I was beginning to think that discretion might be the better part of valour, head out of the world and if this hunter was so hell bent on her prize that she'd follow? When then at least it wouldn't the problem for the folks in town on Hale's and the chase would leave Jin far behind.
Don't know quite what the Doc in the infirmary did, just told her to dig the round out and patch me up, my eyes were burning at the time. Jin was there, his arm bound and bandaged, still he wasn't afraid, not for his own sake. He cried angry at himself that he hadn't been fast enough to warn me. Me... the one who should have been looking out for him. Soon as I was able, despite the protests of the doc I made sure he was as safe as I could and strapped on my gunbelt.
There are many reasons I'm glad there's an Imrhien Fargis in the 'verse. One of these days I might even talk of 'em. One such reason she impresses me so much is that she aint exactly what you would call backward when it comes to standing and being counted when the going is a little tough. Don't think an hour had gone by 'fore I noticed her, then heard the gunfire. Folk where running about, taking what cover as they could find, I started running in Imrhien's direction. Sure as I know a hawk from a handsaw, I know that if there's trouble needin' sorting, Ms Imrhien's going to do her damnest to sort it.
Hunch paid off.
Runing along the rooftops I could see them below. Gorramnit if that assassin didn't get more than she bargained for when she thought she'd throw down with Imhrien. She might well have an angel's heart, but she's got the devil's hand. Muzzle flashes broke the semi dark an' I heard what I could swore was her voice cursing being hit. Can't says I gave thought to what to do next, leaping off that roof by the hydroponics bay my hand was already closing on the grib of my sidearm. I hit dirt and started fanning the hammer of that pistol for all I was worth. Imrhien had dragged herself to the side as the first group of shots struck that hunter. Reckon I'd be deader than a dog at Eavesdown had Ms Imrhien not softened up that hunter's armour some. Took near every round in the magazine but she went down, one caught her in the left shoulder and turned her about and into the groud.
I went to help Imrhien to her feet, see how bad she was hurt and help her to the med centre. By that time a crowd of locals had already gathered round and picked her up fore even I got the chance to thank her, kinda par for the course in many respects. Instead I walked the hunter on over to the jailhouse. Didn't rightly know what else to do with her, though I heard soem hushed whispers along the way with pretty convincing suggestions.
Last I heard someone shot that hunter in the cell.
Can't says the 'verse will mourn her passing too much. I know I won't.
