Post by farcry11 on Jun 22, 2014 5:41:24 GMT
The alleys of the Lowell Undercity were drenched in neon, filth, and the occasional splatter of blood and gore. Here dwelled the monsters, the mutants, the black market dealers. Here patrolled the hookers, the gangsters, the loan sharks. Here died both the honest folk and the lying bastards, brought down by stupidity, or greed, or misplaced efforts.
It was in this swirling, gory darkness that Leonin Smythe made his home. His apartment, located on a street referred to as "Ghost Alley", was a small, well-kept place. It consisted of a cozy living room, a very clean kitchen, and a compact bedroom. It was at this very residence that a nervous young NanoTrasen agent found himself on one muggy July night. With a lightly shaking finger, he pressed the doorbell and waited.
The man who answered the door was hardly what one would call frightening- not at all what the agent had been expecting. Leonin stood at 5 feet 10 inches, and was clad in a bathrobe and loose fitting pajama bottoms. The official noted that he was well muscled and healthy looking for his age- 55. A telltale whirring whenever he moved his arms signified them to be prosthetics, and his eyes were synthetics as well- albeit very well made ones. They glowed a soft purple as he examined the agent's uniform and rank markings.
"Come in, my boy."
The agent thanked him and entered. Leonin asked him to seat himself, and the agent chose a modest armchair- Leonin himself sat on the couch, and regarded the youth skeptically. Finally he spoke.
"Would this old dog be right to assume that you've come with a proposition?"
"Yessir," the youth replied, "and a very lucrative one at that. We need someone with your particular... Talents."
"Of course you do. Go on, kid- elaborate."
"Well... We have a problem with a certain captain onboard one of our Research stations, the NSS Aurora. You see, he's rather... Loose lipped. He's given information about high security projects to his, shall we say "close friends", numerous times- we've had to perform multiple memory wipes, and as you know, those are quite expensive."
The agent paused for a moment, and Leonin made a 'go on' gesture with one of his metal hands.
"Jump to the chase. You want me to muzzle him?"
"No. We want you to watch him, keep him on a leash if you have to. We don't want any more leakage occurring, and we've decided you're the man to prevent it. My superiors tell me that you were the best in your field."
Leonin grinned, and the agent noted that his canines were unusually sharp- as if they had been artificially modified. The old man's eyes glowed an unearthly yellow now, and his very presence was unsettling. Smythe chuckled, then asked:
"They weren't lying to you. Now allow me to ask- what's in it for me?"
"A very, very large payout- you'll receive an iteration for every shift you watch him. You'll also have a pardon for any... Unorthodox actions you may be forced to take."
Leonin nodded- keeping in mind that it was no excuse to go overboard.
"Of course. Well, if that's all there is to it, I agree. When do you want me to ship out?"
"Today. Housing arrangements have been made for you at the CentComm installation nearest to the station."
"Right. I'll be ready to go in two hours."
Leonin stood, as did the agent. The younger man held out his hand. The older man reached out and shook with a firm, mechanic grip.
"It's a pleasure to be working with you, Mr. Smythe."
Leonin grinned, gripping tighter so that the shake was just barely uncomfortable. His eyes glowed yellow again, and the agent paled slightly.
"Call me Revenant."
It was in this swirling, gory darkness that Leonin Smythe made his home. His apartment, located on a street referred to as "Ghost Alley", was a small, well-kept place. It consisted of a cozy living room, a very clean kitchen, and a compact bedroom. It was at this very residence that a nervous young NanoTrasen agent found himself on one muggy July night. With a lightly shaking finger, he pressed the doorbell and waited.
The man who answered the door was hardly what one would call frightening- not at all what the agent had been expecting. Leonin stood at 5 feet 10 inches, and was clad in a bathrobe and loose fitting pajama bottoms. The official noted that he was well muscled and healthy looking for his age- 55. A telltale whirring whenever he moved his arms signified them to be prosthetics, and his eyes were synthetics as well- albeit very well made ones. They glowed a soft purple as he examined the agent's uniform and rank markings.
"Come in, my boy."
The agent thanked him and entered. Leonin asked him to seat himself, and the agent chose a modest armchair- Leonin himself sat on the couch, and regarded the youth skeptically. Finally he spoke.
"Would this old dog be right to assume that you've come with a proposition?"
"Yessir," the youth replied, "and a very lucrative one at that. We need someone with your particular... Talents."
"Of course you do. Go on, kid- elaborate."
"Well... We have a problem with a certain captain onboard one of our Research stations, the NSS Aurora. You see, he's rather... Loose lipped. He's given information about high security projects to his, shall we say "close friends", numerous times- we've had to perform multiple memory wipes, and as you know, those are quite expensive."
The agent paused for a moment, and Leonin made a 'go on' gesture with one of his metal hands.
"Jump to the chase. You want me to muzzle him?"
"No. We want you to watch him, keep him on a leash if you have to. We don't want any more leakage occurring, and we've decided you're the man to prevent it. My superiors tell me that you were the best in your field."
Leonin grinned, and the agent noted that his canines were unusually sharp- as if they had been artificially modified. The old man's eyes glowed an unearthly yellow now, and his very presence was unsettling. Smythe chuckled, then asked:
"They weren't lying to you. Now allow me to ask- what's in it for me?"
"A very, very large payout- you'll receive an iteration for every shift you watch him. You'll also have a pardon for any... Unorthodox actions you may be forced to take."
Leonin nodded- keeping in mind that it was no excuse to go overboard.
"Of course. Well, if that's all there is to it, I agree. When do you want me to ship out?"
"Today. Housing arrangements have been made for you at the CentComm installation nearest to the station."
"Right. I'll be ready to go in two hours."
Leonin stood, as did the agent. The younger man held out his hand. The older man reached out and shook with a firm, mechanic grip.
"It's a pleasure to be working with you, Mr. Smythe."
Leonin grinned, gripping tighter so that the shake was just barely uncomfortable. His eyes glowed yellow again, and the agent paled slightly.
"Call me Revenant."