The deserts of Vacuo were largely uninhabited save for the oases and occasional city. An oasis was the equivalent of a small town in any of the other kingdoms, but these locations achieved their names from serving as water sources in the desert, among other things.
At one of these oases, a Jeep drove through the streets, eventually pulling into a bar parking lot. Out of the Jeep stepped a young man in a thin, gray longcoat and broad-rim hat. His skin had developed a tan that was common in Vacuo and his eyes were a bluish gray. He strode up to the bar entrance with a neutral gait.
The barroom was filled with people. Some were sitting at the tables, laughing and drinking. Some stumbled about in a stupor. Others were dancing to the loud music. In general, many came there to have a good time, though a few would come for private conversations where listening ears were deterred by the overlapping noise.
The man in the longcoat walked up to the bar. "What do you want?" asked the bartender. "I'll need some ID if it's alcohol."
"How about information?" the man asked.
"What kind of information?"
The man in gray held up his scroll. A picture was displayed on the screen. "Seen her recently?"
The bartender thought for a moment. "Are you some kinda cop?"
"Huntsman."
"You're a bit of a ways from Shade, aren't you?"
"Yep."
"Well then, information like that's got a price."
"Yeah?"
"Yeah. Cash"
"Will bullets do?"
"You can't try anything in a place this crowded."
"You willing to bet on that?"
"Look, I don't want any trouble."
"Just tell me if and where you've seen the woman and I'm outta here."
"Alright, fine. She came in here just yesterday. Seemed like an antisocial type. If you don't mind my asking, what's she to you?"
"I mind. Any idea if she moved on?"
"I think she wanted to stay somewhere for the night, but I don't know where. That's all I know."
The man nodded and placed a small amount of lien on the bar. "Thanks." He turned to leave.
"I didn't get your name," the bartender called.
There was no response.
The next order of business was checking the local hotel. The building interior was plain, but clean. The receptionist wore a cordial smile.
"Can I help you, sir?" she asked.
He held up his scroll. "Have you seen this woman lately?"
She thought for a moment. "There was a lady with similar features who checked in yesterday, but her hair was black instead of brown. Is she in some sort of trouble?"
"With the law."
"Oh, my."
"Has she been out?"
"I don't think so."
"What's her room number?"
"Here, I'll give you a spare room key."
A few minutes later and the young man was standing at the door to the woman's room. The "Do not disturb" sign hung from the doorknob. He held his scroll up to the door and knocked.
"Can't you read!"
A message flashed across the scroll screen, "Voice match confirmed."
"The sign says 'do not disturb'!"
He pocketed the scroll. "What sign?"
"'What sign'? Are you blind? The one on the doorknob!"
"There's no sign there."
"What? I'll just see about this!"
The young huntsman drew a gun as footsteps approached the door. His target undid the chain, telling by the sound. The door opened and he instantly kicked the woman, knocking her back into the room. The huntsman pointed his bayoneted pistol at the woman. "I've got quite a few reasons to blow you away."
The woman glared at him. "Some hotshot kid trying to play hero."
"There's a bounty on your head. I'm gonna collect."
"So it's money you want, huh? I think I could help you there. Maybe not with money, but I'll bet a boy like you has something he wants, am I right?"
"That boy's dad isn't particular if I bring you back alive or burn your body and scatter the ashes. If I kill you, he'll be happy his kid got justice. If I bring you back, he'll probably kill you himself and I'd hold you for him."
"I didn't hear a no." The woman stood up and smiled in a way many would consider seductive. "What's a little extra lien compared to a good time for free? What's your name, little boy?"
He fired the gun. The woman collapsed, clutching her stomach as blood seeped through her clothes. He moved closer and pointed the pistol at her head. "Max." He fired again.
Max pulled out his scroll and snapped a picture of the corpse as proof of his target's death. He proceeded to notify the hotel staff and local authorities. Once the police had finished questioning him, he climbed into his Jeep and drove out of town.
There are several colors that start with "maximum" such as "maximum red". Also, Max doesn't need to become an unregistered sex offender to get information. *cough* Yang *cough*
