One Month Later
I always loved getting a quest with Moon. Well, he just got his first one in a long while, so I jumped at the chance to come along. I've been breaking in Snipe as both a Ranger and as a student, I could use a little full-fledged hunting. So I met Moon this morning down by the Transporter, noticed he once again upgraded some equipment, and went down to Ragol with him. Well, it scared the hell out of me.
Moon is probably one of the best HUmars, if not all Hunters, I've known. I've mentioned his work on the big monsters, but with the smaller ones he doesn't break a sweat. He just darts around with his Stag Cutlery like he's been doing it for ages. And, he got a retrieval quest down in the Ruins. Get a chip or something, bring it back.
The first room I watched him break a few crates without pausing with that double-saber of his. I laughed, checked my gear and split the items with him as he mentioned some things he's been working on in his off time. Next room we both took out a hoard of average robots. I was too busy shooting, didn't pay much attention to him. When they all went down I took a breather, leaning against a dead console. Moon was wearing just a black armor-suit, standard color, but it looked like it was loaded with whatever rare items he'd been hoarding. He was currently putting away his Stag and taking out his Slicer.
"…you been working out or what?"
This was slang for, upgrade your weapons lately? He shrugged, as usual, and flicked a few energy swipes through the air.
"…got my hands on a few things."
I raised an eyebrow and stood up to get the next door open. I turned to look for a switch as a deafening clang sounded. I spun back to see a large robot, obviously an advanced Red Sinew, drop down a foot behind moon as he practiced his Slicer twirls. He didn't have his Stag out. I reached to shoot the thing away but before I could get my hand on the trigger Moon spun on his heel, pulled back and landed an uppercut to the thing's head. I watched the thing's head detached and spin off, its body falling stiffly over next to Moon. I let my rifle fall back on its strap, slack-jawed.
For one thing, I'm fast. I'm one of the top-ranked quick draws on the ship. Moon reacted with reflexes that are unheard of for a human. And that punch. Moon doesn't do barehanded, he's a blade user. And he just KOed a metal freak without breaking his hand. Usually I'd ask a few questions, but in the years I've known Moon, he's a surprising guy. I shook the shock off and watched him pick up an item crate the thing dropped. He noticed the look on my face and scratched the back of his head.
"Um…I started going to the gym?"
I lowered an eyebrow slightly.
"…added a few levels to my MAG?"
He pointed to his twin black Kamas floating over his back. I lowered my eyebrow another notch.
"…I've been taking lessons from Snake…"
I let my eyebrow relax. It always worked when I was grilling Moon. We started walking toward the next door, I nailed the switch with a rifle shot as we walked.
"Figured…I saw him do that to a few drunks, probably less powerful though. You broke through the plating on that thing without breaking your hand."
He flexed his glove, just noticing. He tapped his badge and his MAG warped out his Stag.
"It's all technique."
…Yep, this was a friend of Snake. The android said that ten times a conversation. The next room held a few of those spinning taser bots. I shot them down, Moon sliced them in half before they hit the ground. I admit we're a bit equally matched in some ways. The other ways prove he's just a plain powerhouse. But he did show some improvement, somehow. Maybe Snake's lessons were affecting his power in other aspects. Six rooms of this later we took a MAG feeding break and noticed a small orange cube sitting on a dead console. Moon picked it up and nodded, it was what we were looking for.
"…mind casting a Ryuker?"
He glared. This guy didn't know one ounce of magic. I laughed like the sick banshee that I am and cast it myself, I love teasing Moon over his cave-man complex.
A day of this later I for the thousandth time came home to see Shade shuffling through a pile of spell disks again. Surprise surprise, he was wearing pants. Usually I had to pry him out of that Force Dress he wore at work.
"Wow, my husband is wearing male clothing…"
He grumbled, stacking the disks into category.
"…any of those for Snipe?"
Shade, being the obedient husband he is, has been giving Snipe quad-weekly lessons on basic spells. And it's been heck. That kid took like brushfire to being a Ranger, but it took a week for him to just learn to summon his inner force. God, if a civilian had heard me say that. Shade answered quietly, obviously distracted.
"…he's close to gaining a bit of power, I'm sorting out the next level on a few of his spells…"
"…you mean he actually got somewhere?"
"…said he did some research. That kid learns like a sponge."
I agreed with him while I changed clothes, I've been looking for a larger quarters all over the ship. Sure, the one we have is bigger than most people's buildings, and this is only a three person family, but I need a walk-in closet or I'm going postal.
"Hey, did Moon send over those armor fittings for Snipe?"
I've been buying stuff from Moon and Snake for Snipe, most of the stuff I have won't fit a RAmar.
"Yeah, it's on the table. Hey, how do those two get along anyway?"
I was currently buried in my tiny closet.
"What?"
"Moon and Snipe, they have a lot in common."
"…I think they may have run into each other, but I don't think they've met."
"That's a shame. How about Snake?"
"I've taken the kid to the bar a hundred times, Snake is always out on business. Maybe he's avoiding the kid or something."
I heard Shade grumble.
"…what was that?"
"…Sonnet, remember that one movie we saw last week?"
"No…wait, the one at…"
I stopped dead, holding two shirts.
"…you remember it?"
"…yes I do…"
I quickly walked out to the living room, Shade was now at full attention.
"…it's impossible…"
I shrugged.
"…well, it's possible…I mean, guys have done it short-term…"
"…how long have you known Snake?"
"A few years."
"…has he ever mentioned the stat-enhancing market?"
"…what?!"
Shade thought that my Moon and Snipe were possibly on those stat enhancers…the illegal ones, with the addictive side-affects. Wait, he meant THAT movie?! I thought he just pointed out this big secret…great, yet another couple moment killed off.
"…Honey, they're not on that stuff…but remember the OTHER movie we saw?"
"…the other…? You don't think…"
I crossed my arms.
"…yes, that one…"
He was now pacing the room like he, and sometimes our daughter does.
"…you said people do this short-term…"
"Yeah, guys who need work, or need a thrill…"
He nodded as he paced.
"…Moon is extremely holed up on this ship…"
We talked over the matter for an hour before I took off to Snipe's quarters. He wasn't there. I left behind a package addressed to him with a note. I stopped by Snake's bar next, just for a drink. He was in, rarely enough.
"Sonnet! Where ya been?"
"Back at ya…"
He was currently putting together a pool cue at a side table, not even having to look at it, he's an android after all. He shrugged as his hands flicked around the screws.
"Been looking at swords, thinking of starting a collection."
I took a seat.
"I've heard you're pretty handy with a katana."
"Basic programming."
He finished the pool cue, tested its weight and took it apart again.
"Well, how about pawning this off for me?"
I had my MAG drop a crate, I opened it and caught a plain looking wooden pole. Snake stared.
"…um…a broomstick?"
"…Monkey King Bar…Shade found it in the garage."
Snake reached over and took it careful, standing up and twirling it. His hand spun it as if he'd done it before. A very practiced, skilled movement he did without thinking. Then he saw me looking and let a finger drop, the thing clattered to the floor. Bingo.
"…you're pretty good with a double-saber…"
He sat back down a bit rigidly.
"…rifle twirling program…"
I nodded, picked up the Bar and set it on the table.
'Well, it's a gift. Put it towards my tab."
I spun and left, going straight back home. Shade was waiting.
"…well?"
I nodded.
"Trap's been set…"
Author's Notes
...so, has Moon or Snipe been using stat-enhancers...? Think high-tech steroids. Some of you will piece together it WOULD explain Snipe's aptitude, Moon's little feats, and possible some of Snake's business deals. And what the heck is Sonnet talking about when she meant the other movie? Trap? Heh, I love suspense...