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+--- Thread: The Mercenary's Code (/showthread.php?tid=38823)
The Mercenary's Code - Zapp - 04-24-2010
I was sipping the local brew in an unmentionable bar. The lighting was dim, and the figures inhabiting the bar were even shadier. There was not one, not two, but three bouncers: one to keep the bartender safe, one to check weapons at the door, and another to just look menacing. If it wasn't for their crude imitation of law and order, the place would be chaos. I was happy enough to keep my head low and not do anything. You see, a man doesn't survive long on the edge when he presses down too hard: he'll end up cutting himself.
A young man of no little trepidation was glancing at me askance. I couldn't tell if it was envy or suspicion. My hand twitched to the holster that had no gun. Reflex. It had saved my life more than once. The young man approached.
"I ummm..." he stammered, looking around. Fixed his eyes on the table slightly in front of me. "Heard you're a mercenary."
I relaxed. A little bit. A very little bit. Then I nodded.
"I want to become a merc too," he said, almost sweating. I sighed. Looked skyward, and saw a few stains on the ceiling. Blood stains? Doesn't matter.
I nodded to the empty seat across from me, and raised a hand to the bartender. He brought another drink. I gruffly asked what he wanted.
"I'd like to know how to get started..."
I told him to stop acting so nervous. Mercenaries can't afford to look nervous. He immediately tried to still his features.
"Now," I said. Little inflection. Words aren't my strong suit. "First thing, you'll want to follow the Mercenary's Code."
"Mercenary's... Code?" He seemed puzzled. I simply nodded.
"Yes. The Mercenary's Code. The unwritten laws that almost all mercenaries live by."
"Which are?"
I looked him in the eye. Told him to make eye contact. He forced his eyes off the table and into my unwavering gaze. "Always make eye contact. They'll see you as weak if you don't."
"Is that one of the laws?"
"No. It's a simple fact of life."
He quieted and fidgeted some, his gaze wandering. I put my glass on the table. Hard.
The Mercenary's Code - Zapp - 04-24-2010
His eyes snapped back to mine.
"First, a mercenary will never sell his allegiance for money. Services? Of course."
The young man looked at me quizzically. I chose to indulge him in elaboration.
"You work for your money. You don't grovel at the feet of someone who figures he's better than you cuz he's in some faction."
I took a swallow of the brew and continued.
"Second, a mercenary will only ever give his allegiance for the ship he flies and the guns he uses. And then only as much as he wants to give. You don't shoot at the people who gave you your ship or guns.
"Third, a mercenary will never back-stab an employer. There's times when you can, and times when you'll make someone think they're paying you when you're really just getting close for the kill, but by-and-large you don't bite the hand that feeds you.
"Fourth, a mercenary will never trust."
I paused and looked closely at him. This was one of the most important points: trust means you let your guard down. Letting your guard down is getting blind-sided.
"Fifth, a mercenary will not shoot another mercenary. Unless there's money involved.
"Sixth, a true mercenary," I paused, because this was a bone of contention between me and other mercenaries. My own rule I added to the Code. "will not reveal his name to anyone. A name holds a lot of power over a man."
"Seventh, the past is nothing to a mercenary. No attachments. No luggage. Do you understand?"
He nodded shakily. There were parts I left out, both purposely and by forgetfulness. You can't be expected to summarize the rules governing your existence on such short notice. He coughed. "If you don't reveal your name, then how do people know you?"
"I'm Any Colour You Like." Sometimes, a moniker can speak volumes more than anything else ever could. Whatever it takes to get the job done, whatever it takes to get hired; that's what I am. And that is the eighth rule. A true mercenary will always become what he needs to be to get paid.
The Mercenary's Code - Leo - 04-24-2010
"Aye." a man said from the other table. He stayed in the shadows spinning his empty glass on his own table, his voice metallic, as if coming from speakers. "...but you forgot one old friend. 'When you have the means to an end, always keep your cards close to your chest.'"
He rose slowly from the table, still partially in the shadows. Slowly he made his way over to the table, the dull thud of metal on metal echoing in the small bar. As he came out of the shadows, the young man whom was being mentored leaned back in his chair. His eyes became as large as dinner plates as he saw the shadows peal away. The man's entire body was in some kind of powered armor. The suits chest read only one word: "Archangel".
"Now where has my number one competitor for credits been hiding all this time? I was worried I would have to take all of them for myself as of late."
The Mercenary's Code - Zapp - 04-24-2010
"Keller, you snake," I hissed. Scooting back my chair, I began to rise. Then I stopped and eased back down. A fist fight in the middle of a bar wasn't the smartest idea, and neither was it smart to pick a fight with a guy wearing power armor. I settled for a simple, "What do you want?"
He was one of those hot-shot mercs. Into theatrics and 'power of numbers'. Led the group known as the Children of Conviction, and their conviction was one that I don't subscribe to. They hold themselves to purely illegal contracts, dealing with pirates and other shady clients exclusively. I don't care where the money comes from, but there's no way I'm tying myself to any one philosophy.
"I just like keeping an eye on what goes on in my station," he said back, disregarding my tone. I kept a tight reign on how angry his condescension made me feel.
"Your station?" I asked, trying to keep bite out of my tone. Barrier Gate station, Coronado: one of the best places to go when you have no ties to anything. "What would Tinsley say about that?" Tinsley was the Freelancer who initially found the Barrier Pass and had the station constructed. He still ran the show. At least I thought he did...
"Sure, he runs it... for now." The pause was telling. I swallowed, then took another pull from my drink. Rising from my seat, I looked around and said something about needing to fix my ship. I started walking out of the bar.
The Mercenary's Code - Zapp - 05-23-2010
Later and elsewhere...
I sat in a different bar this time. Not bar exactly; Sunbucks. They didn't have a decent bar on this damned Police base, Fort Bush. Not exactly my favorite place to be, in a coffee shop full of cops, and not just any cops, but Liberty cops. However, business had brought me. Weapons deal. A necessary part of being a mercenary is arming yourself, and it's something I do well. My Nyx was in one of the hangars being refitted with the new weapons I had purchased. For now, I sat sipping whatever crap coffee byproducts they served here.
Thirty minutes after sitting down, I got an itch between my shoulder blades. A sign that trouble wasn't far off. And the feeling wasn't wrong.
"Jude?"
I swiveled and came face-to-face with my sister.
Continuation (Sunbucks)
The Mercenary's Code - max_was_ere@hotmail.com - 05-23-2010
Somewhere in the Tau systems, One week earlier...
"SIR, The ToG are gaining on us!" A frantic SIC shouted at the skipper of the Super Freighter.
"Hmmm, Worthy adversaries. We need more speed to reach the gate. Prepare to jettison cargo bay four!" The skipper said.
"But SIR, We can't jettison the Napkins. They're for Liberty!" complained the SIC.
"Do you want to die to a bunch of hairy hippies!" retorted the skipper.
And so, Fourteen Hundred Thousand Napkins entered the cold void of space.
Sunbucks, Current Day
Both siblings face-to-face with shocked expressions on their faces.
"Jude? ....Is that really you?"
Tears entered Laurens eyes, She hadn't seen Jude since he left their Mother and Lauren on a trade port in Liberties Border systems.
The Mercenary's Code - Zapp - 05-23-2010
I glanced past my sister to the man she had been eating with. There were the pips of rank on his collar identifying him as the Chief of Police. ****. He was thoroughly distracted by devouring his meal, however, and was not paying Lauren or me any attention.
"Not here," I whispered, almost hissed. "Ditch him and meet me in Hanger 27b."
With that, I turned and quickly walked out of Sunbucks. She would follow soon enough.
The Mercenary's Code - max_was_ere@hotmail.com - 05-23-2010
Lauren turned back around to face her father, Who was in the process of devouring what used to be a small animal, Lauren wasn't exactly sure what animal it was but she guessed that Matt didn't mind. Moving to the door to follow Jude, she had a quick word the to the Bartender.
"I heard the Chief has paychecks"
That should keep him busy for long enough she thought, fighting back the tears she began to chase after her brother, She wasn't about to lose him again.
The Mercenary's Code - Zapp - 05-23-2010
As I entered the hangar bay housing his Nyx, Lauren crashed into me from behind in a big hug. When she let go and I turned around, she punched me in the face. Oh no, she wouldn't slap... it'd have to be a punch. And it was a helluva blow, enough to make me take a couple steps back.
"Why the hell did you leave us? I was so worried, I went looking for you!" she yelled accusingly, confusion on her face. It had been ten years since I had left home, never to return. Honestly, it had more to do with that fat lard of a man back in Sunbucks than anything. He didn't even know he had children. Well, apparently he knew about Lauren now. But him? No thanks.
When I turned seventeen, I learned who our father was. He hadn't been Chief then, no, he had just been a Sergeant, and a lot fitter than he is now. He never gave any support to his children or his then-girlfriend, our mother. He probably abandoned her when he found out she was pregnant. And now this.
But I didn't say any of that, no.
"I left because I had to. I sent some money so you could get by."
The Mercenary's Code - max_was_ere@hotmail.com - 05-31-2010
"Oh comon! You didn't leave because you had to. All you did was show yourself to be your father! I missed you like crazy so did mum, Where have you been anyway? I've been looking every .... Wow, That's a nice ship. Which faction allows that?"
Lauren began to admire the Nyx parked in the hangar before snapping out of her admiration trance and back to scolding Jude.
"And whats stopped you from contacting me! I've been searching for you for years. I really missed you"
Lauren steps forward to hug her brother again as she fell apart in tears.