Ivy and Chrome PbP Forums

Shep takes the card without looking at it too closely and tucks it into a pocket. "Appreciate it." He glances at Monkey across the room, then carries the suit and shoes over to the girl at the counter and sets them down. He picks up the "special" shoe and examines the heel more closely. "Any idea what's special about these shoes?" he asks casually, treating her with the same respect he would one of his kids back home. oO(Another home, another time)Oo he thinks sadly as the girl behind the counter reminds him, once again, of what he's left behind.

"The shoe is designed for upper class social gatherings, with concealed weaponry designed to take down most human adversaries and some d-bee," she replies with rehearsed accuracy. She glances at her computer and absently states, "That'll be 1375 credits, please," Shep is shocked as she looks up, her eyes are a light glaze of blue, meaning she's blind...

He thinks about asking about her blindness, then lets it go. No polite way to ask that right now. He hands over the credits, thanks her, and heads for the job boards with his voucher and his new purchase.

He thinks about asking about her blindness, then lets it go. No polite way to ask that right now. He hands over the credits, thanks her, and heads for the job boards with his voucher and his new purchase. She smiles, as though she can sense his kindness through all of the anguish. Her eyes seem to focus on his forehead and mouth as she mouths, "Thank you," before he moves on.

Shep approaches the metal door marked “Job Board and Lounge,” though the lettering looks like it’s been repainted more times than anyone wants to admit. A cyborg stands guard, clutching an oversized railgun like it’s a beloved pet. His glowing red eyes flick to Shep’s entry card, then back to Shep, as if weighing something only he can see. After a beat, he steps aside and the lock clicks open with a sound too soft for a door that heavy.

Inside, the lounge feels like a place that prefers its secrets dim. Only a dozen patrons linger in the shadows, their conversations low, their faces half‑lit by the faint glow of the bar. The only real illumination comes from the job board, which is a clear panel scrawled with fluorescent marker, bottom‑lit by a blacklight that makes the writing float like ghost text.

Most of the patrons huddle at scattered tables, murmuring over mission plans. At the bar, a man and woman, sporting matching bushman armor still stiff from being new, sip whiskey with the caution of people who know spills can cost more than money.

Two bartenders work behind the counter: a man polishing glasses, and a woman whose skin carries an uncanny bluish tint, her hair a pale, icy blonde, with blue streaks. She glides toward Shep, studying him with bright green eyes that glow unnervingly under the blacklight, as if they’re seeing more than just his face.

“What’ll you have?” she asks, voice smooth but edged with something unreadable. “Drinks are on the house for job candidates.”

"I'll take a rusty nail." Shep lets his eyes move around the room as he speaks, taking in the layout and watching for trouble. "I have a thing for Scotch," he adds as he brings his gaze back to the woman with the strange green eyes and offers a small, reassuring smile.

After she steps away, he moves closer to the job board to look over the possibilities.

"I'll take a rusty nail." Shep lets his eyes move around the room as he speaks, taking in the layout and watching for trouble. "I have a thing for Scotch," he adds as he brings his gaze back to the woman with the strange green eyes and offers a small, reassuring smile.

After she steps away, he moves closer to the job board to look over the possibilities. He reads the following:

Categories:
1. In Search Of
2. Help wanted
3. Wanted DoA
4. Delivery and Transport
5. Body Guard Needed
6. Missing Persons
7. Fighters needed for Competition
8. Information/Investigation Requests
9. Search and Rescue
10. Weapons Trade

Please consult the bartender or barmaid for the current job listings for each category. Just ask for the number. The barmaid returns with Shep's rusty nail, made nearly the way he likes it. "Is there a number you'd like to see?"

Shep studies the board for a moment, then looks back to the barmaid. "Number nine, if you would. Search and rescue." He takes a small sip of the drink while he waits.

Shep studies the board for a moment, then looks back to the barmaid. "Number nine, if you would. Search and rescue." He takes a small sip of the drink while he waits.

She smiles as she reaches under the bar and produces a folder and slides it over to him. Upon opening the folder, it only has one job in it.

"Miners and researchers missing in Shaft 8

"Two days ago, excavation engineers and two researchers entered Shaft 8, in search of answers to recent disappearances tied to the haunted Shaft.

"Payment: 50,000 credits for the safe return of any of the engineers or research team. 30,000 credits for a full conclusive analysis of their fate.

"Research team: Dr. Persephone Caty, Dr. Harris Ekland
Excavation Team: Brian Conlin (mining borg), Manny Nishi (structural engineer), Buster Thane (demolitions expert)

"Mine Shaft 8 is noted for mysterious disappearances and rumored to have uncovered grisly murders within. Many who enter usually find nothing of interest. Some, enter and never return."

"Yeah, this doesn't really sound like me," he says, sliding the folder back to the barmaid. "What about five and six?"

"Yeah, this doesn't really sound like me," he says, sliding the folder back to the barmaid. "What about five and six?"

She winks as she slides over both folders, with a small sticky note, reading, "My shift ends in 1 hour. Care for company?"

Folder 5 (Body Guard Needed) contains the following folders:
1. Local Singer needs stage security (5000 credits)
2. Scientist in need of security or mercenary team (10,000 credits)
3. Escort Prisoner from jail to court (1500 credits)
4. Armed escort needed to Hope (2000 credits)
5. Armed escort to Rifle Ridge (1500 credits)
6. Body Guard needed for dinner ((1500 credits)
7. Guard needed for Author book signing (200 credits)
8. Muscle needed to gather belongings from ex husband.

Folder 6 (Missing Persons) contains the following sub-folders:
1. Missing Children (the folder is thick)
2. Missing Miners and Engineers
3. Missing General (Rather thick)
4. Missing Inventor
5. Missing Dogboys
6. Missing Cold Cases

Shep’s heart skips when he sees the folder about missing children and how thick it is. Memories of the children lost during the zombie attacks come rushing back. Children he knew. Children who had been, in many ways, the only family he’d had since his father was killed. The memory of how close he came to killing Nova still tears at him, and seeing what was left after the attacks had been too painful to stay. His eyes finally refocus as he pushes the memories down once again.

He reaches for the Missing Children folder, his hand hovering over it as if some force field blocks it from going farther. Finally, with a deep breath, he flexes his fingers to stop them trembling and opens the folder.