sirenspull | [002 - audio] by the pricking of my thumbs

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[002 - audio] by the pricking of my thumbs

[There is the rumble of an engine in the background and some wind distortion, but John's voice is very clear. The benefits of training your voice to be as measured and newscaster-bland as possible.]

You spend enough time around certain elements and you get a sense for things. That feeling of 'something wicked this way comes.' Though a friend of mine is always quick to point out that in context, the hero of that story was the something in question and blind to it.

I tend to have a better track record than that, though. [Not that he isn't wicked, mind. But he's not exactly in the hero role anyway. Christ, and he can almost hear Nathan ranting about literary theory and storytelling conventions and et cetera.]

Anyway. Does anyone know where a concerned citizen might gain access to some firepower? Something better than what the pawn shops have on offer.

[With an ounce of humor:] It is the shopping season, after all.

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[He has capital-R rules, and the Black Market breaks them.]

I don't suppose AGI deals at all? [They also break the Rules but. Well. He's not so rusty at thieving.]

They do.

[ Though he doesn't generally deal with AGI's arms manufacturers (or SERO's), he'd be a poor mercenary if he didn't know some of them. ]

Do they deal to the unaffiliated, or are their resources internal use only?

Generally, internal use.

Stipulations have tightened somewhat since the fiasco with the 'soul-eating' creature that appeared in October. Likewise with SERO.

[ A beat, then- ]

Does the affiliation of the seller matter so much to you?

[ He doesn't really care either way; it's just been a while since he's met someone so particular. ]

I see. That complicates things, but not insurmountably in the long run.

Soul-eating. [He'll have to go through some network archives...]

More than you know.

So the news has claimed.

[ Hm. ]

I see.

[ After a moment, he swaps over to an encrypted feed. ]

There's a man in Sector 8 who deals in scrapped parts.

If he doesn't have what you need, he should be able to build it.

[Takes a moment to read, then chuckles] This place is just full of good fun, I see.

[He's familiar with the area. Some discrete people in Sector 8 helped him with his new motorcycle.] Is there a name available?

[ Dryly: ] Always.

[ As for the name... ]

Mason.

Thank you. [mental note]

... I believe this is the second time you've offered information. Altruism?

[ 'Altruism'. He snorts quietly at the thought. It's been a long time since anyone's attributed that trait to him. ]

Consider it the hospitality of strangers.

[ Which he does not always offer. ]

Take it where you can.

In my world, there is no more insidious a weapon than hospitality.

If your aid is genuine, then you have my thanks. If not, then I will fulfill my debt with a favor should you need, excepting requests that hurt children, perpetuate slavery, or violate my Accorded duties as I interpret them.

[And if John sounds like a lawyer there, it's only because where he comes from, the spirit of the thing is dead while the letter can be a knife in your back. Always cover your bases.]

[ And he's just....going to raise an eyebrow at this. ]

If I wanted payment, we'd have a contract.

[ Even mercenaries hold to their own particular codes. ]

Whether or not you use the information is entirely up to you.

[Go right ahead. He'd rather confuse someone than end up paying back some entity that's snared him in a trap. Ah, the perils of hospitality.]

Apologies. Standard operating procedure for me. Unresolved debts can kill.

Don't worry about it.

[ He's dealt with his fair share of magic users and powerful entities. It's why he generally dislikes them. ]

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[002 - audio] by the pricking of my thumbs

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