Feb 27 16:10:51 107 PA - Arguing at the Gunnery

From Chronicles

The current game time is: Mon Feb 27 16:10:51 107 PA.

This place is a gunfighter's wet dream. The showroom floor is easily the size of a city block and completely filled with every sort of weapon imaginable. From pistols, to rifles, to heavy weapons to the truly exotic it is all here and it can all be yours.... for a price! The many isles of weapons are spaced well apart from each other and are actually supprisingly thin. Not a single thing is removeable without special keys and other security measures either, as there are no shelves but only showcases. This means if you want to hold that NG-57 Long Pistol, you will need to find a salesman. Most of the stores display is made up of weapons, but one can find suits of armor here and even a power armor or two. Also along with each weapon, is a display of what kinds of munitions it can use in the case of slugthrowers, or a sheet of what kinds of E-clips it can use if it's an energy weapon rather than having e-clips present for every energy weapon. The weapons are devided up into various catagories, hold-outs, pistols, carbines, rifles, and various heavy weapons. These catagories are further devided into slug throwing (or anything that uses actual ammunition) and e-clip weapons. And then even further into MD class and SDC class weapons. With each one is a basic read out of the weapons capabilities, it's price and various modifications available for it. At the far back of the store a large counter streatches across the room, filled with other odds and ends and some of the more bizarre equipment available, laser sights, scopes and other tools of the mercenary trade. The place is incredibly well lit and decorated too, with guns of all sorts, shapes and sizes lining the walls. The only thing that is missing here are Naurini weapons and one gets a funny look if they are mentioned. Off to one side is a small cafe where one can get a cup of coffee before going back to browsing. Called 'The forty-five' it doesn't serve much more than said coffee and bagels, and the coffee is so strong you have to fight it before you can drink it. The Gunnery also boasts a shooting range where one can try out weapons they are considering purchasing for a small fee. Naturally, under heavy guard.

A bit late for lunch, but with the clock nearing four, Zero is sitting in the small cafe that's part of the Gunnery, off to the side of the entrance. Casually slouched in one of the chairs there, he's got some coveralls on, though the top is undone and tired about his waist, revealing a light, black shirt underneath. He's got a slice of cheap, but servicable pizza on a plate before him, A little 'salad' on the side and a drink. Cola of some sort, likely. Though for the moment he picks at the salad lightly with his fingers as he watches the day's customers mill.

Erica is going through the Gunnery looking for weapons and items she might need. Already having placed an order for a few Wilks Blinder gernades she just browsed the heavy weapons for a little bit. Having finished up her buisness she heads over to the cafe for a diet soda. Noticing Zero sitting there she gives him a smile and a quick nod.

Zero lifts a hand to wave casually as he spots Erica in return. He grins and makes a casual motion to the chair across from him at the small table. Though only a light invitation before he resumes picking at his salad. Not rushing his break in the least. He's polite enough not to shout at her. This time anyway.

Erica picks up her diet soda and heads over to the chair across from Zero. Pulling out the chai she stakes a seat and opens up her soda. Taking a sip of her soda she leans back on her chair. "Hey Zero. How are you doing?

"Going alright," Zero replies, which he proves with his smile. Though he is almost always smiling. Or grinning. "Just having a little lunch before I get back to finish a little work. I'm doing maintenance here now. Decent money and flexible hours. Which is pretty much what I wanted. Could always use more money of course, but I'm not real greedy, you know?"

Erica nods her head slowly as she returns Zero's smile with a smile of her own. "Fair enough. I'm just looking for a few things I'll likely need a little later." She shrugs her shoulders quickly as she takes a sip of her soda. "I usually do all my own maintenace."

"Yeah, but sometimes something gets messed up in the shipping boxes, sometimes someone messes something up back at the range." Zero jerks a thumb back towards the range. "And some people bring their gear in. Not real hard work usually, but it fills the day." He starts to tend with his pizza slice then, getting both hands on it before lifting it up for a bite.

Erica shrugs her shoulders as she nods her head again. "Ah fair enough. I can see that as fairly entertaining work." She says with a shrug of her shoulders before picking up her diet soda and sipping on it. "Well sounds like you are setting yourself up pretty well."

"Seting myself up decent," Zero replies with a nod. "No highrise and furs, but I have a warm place and steady food. And eventually I'll be able to fix up my truck." He tilts his head towards her and wonders, "You mentioned a new place. Got it set up?" He lifts the pizza slice for more bites.

"Ya mostly it is all set up. I still have a few bits of furniture to get. But it is looking like a home so that is nice." She says as she leans back and crosses her legs. "Well you should have fixed your truck already. It has been a while. You sure have been putting it off for long enough."

"Didn't have enough money coming in before," Zero replies with a slight shrug. "But I will now. Just a matter of how long it takes to save. Might not take long. I don't tend to buy much. Most of the furniture for my place was swapped for or scavenged. People toss away some decent stuff, you know? Got a nice couch. Only problem with it is it doesn't have those little feet on the borrom. Which just makes it shorter, not sure why someone would toss that out. Waste of credits if you ask me."

"Uh huh well if you actually knew what was wrong with it I might believe that. But you haven't done much to it at least from what you say." She shrugs her shoulders again. "Uh huh nice throw away couch? Wait until spring and the eggs in the couch hatch. That is pretty gross Zero." She giggles softly to herself and takes another sip of her soda.

Zero makes a dismissive noise and shakes his head. "Checked it over, its fine. I don't think Sofi would have let me bring it in if it was infested. People just got too much money to burn. Managed to find some of the parts to fix the oven and a decent showerhead." He nods his head slightly and grins. "The place was a bit of a wreck, whoever lived there before worked it over but good."

Erica giggles and shrugs her shoulders. "Well I'm not going to be taking advice from someone with such poor hygene. Not a lot of showers in a truck after all. You really are determined to be white trash aren't you? Finding a place in bad shape. I think you take pride in all this crap." She shakes her head slowly as she rolls her eyes.

Zero smirks faintly. "I just don't see much point in spending credits on things you don't have to," he says. "Especially when I can do it myself. Besides, I have the essentials. Heat, a tub, a soft place to sleep and a locking door." He grins idly. "And I do take pride in being able to fix things up. Been doing it since I was a kid, so being handy is something that's second nature to me, even if I'm not an artist at it."

Erica keeps rolling her eyes as she sips on her soda. "No you just take pride in stupid crap like pretending your the poorest piece of crap out there. It's stupid." Shaking her head she lets out a little sigh. "You should think about growing up some time. Concentrate on something worthwhile then this fake image you have set yourself up for yourself." She shrugs her shoulders as she finishes off her soda.

Zero chuckles. "I'm not the poorest person out there. The ones out living on the streets are. What I am is an underachiever. I could probably make loads of credits if I wanted to. I could.." He pauses, considering for a moment. "I dunno.. get a job with NTI making weapons or something. Or go out with you and blow the Coalition up for money or something. But I don't want to so I don't. Didn't feel like getting a steady job before, so I decided to do odd jobs and live that way. Wasn't much wrong with it. I had enough to eat generally and a warm enough place to sleep. But I'm not living on my own now, so I do something else. Nothing to do with a fake image. Just has to do with what I want to do. I suppose that makes me a child?"

Erica shakes her head slowly. "Whatever. I don't think you'll ever fix your truck. You like having it the way it is. Gives you something to talk about and something to show off. It is all part of the image of a cowboy or whatever. I don't get it. But I guess that is your life. Being whatever you are." She sits back up as she toys idly with her empty soda can.

Zero chuckles and shakes his head. "You know, I'm getting a bit tired of being talked down by you, yeah?" He gives her a level look. "Maybe that's why you haven't hooked onto a guy yet, you're a little too picky and all the poking you do at me isn't really helping, you know? Maybe you oughta accept people for who they are, rather than what you do now, cause I like my life. It's real, not some kind of image or play at something like you seem to think."

Erica keeps shaking her head as she laughs softly. "Or maybe I don't like the fact that all the guys are just playing cowboy. Sorry if I picked on you too much. I just find it kind of silly. The thing is this is not who you are. It is just some strange game your playing. But whatever you say. I should get back to work. I still have a few things. Sorry if I picked on you." She picks up her can and tosses it into a recycling bin nearby.

"No no.. tell me what game I'm playing," Zero says, setting the remains of his pizza down to consider her. "To what purpose, do you think? It's insulting that you think my life is a game that I'm playing, but alright. I'm willing to bite. What's the goal of my little life game? This so called 'cowboy' that you see so many guys as."

"Beats me I don't understand it." She says while shrugging her shoulders. "I guess you just like the image that your working to cultivate. Maybe that is it, or maybe I'm just completly wrong. Whichever the case may be sorry about insulting you."

Zero nods. "Alright, I'll tell you what I think now, since that's only fair." Now, he's not much changed his tone. He's not so amused as he was before, but his tone hasn't changed from being causally polite. "I think you feel too much need to define what you don't understand, rather than trying to understand it. It's easier to look at a guy that likes life a certain way and dismiss him as 'cowboy' or whatever else you want to call him. Or when you don't have guys falling all over themselves to get close to you, that its you that's messed up somehow, rather than taking time to figure out why for real. You like to take the straight road, rather than looking for a side path that might show you more. Might be a good idea for you to dig deeper rather than accepting face value, you know? Keep your mind open."

Erica laughs softly and shrugs her shoulders again. "Well if you say so. I think I keep an open mind. I was just curious about you, and if you think I worry that much about having a boyfriend then I think you might be confused. You are the person that keeps bringing that up not me. I'll take what you said though and think about it. I'm not sure what you mean by the straight road though."

"I'll let you make what you want out of it. Just keep this in mind.. I live life how I like," Zero replies. "I'm not looking to prove nothing to no one. Well, maybe Sofi's parents, but that's self preservation, cause those are some scary folks. But I'm not putting out an image." He extends his arms out. "What you see is what you get. My goal in life is to enjoy it and I do. That's my goal, so you don't have to wonder about what it is."

Erica nods her head in acceptance. "Alright Zero. You are who you say you are then. I wasn't saying you had anything to prove, and I'm glad that things are going well for you." She gives Zero a quick little smile. "You just keep going on how your going then."

Zero nods. "I don't mind a little nudge of someone things I can be doing something better, but I can only take so many pokes before I have to poke back." He grins casually, his normal mood returning as he retrieves his pizza. "If you ever want to contribute to my funds, then let me know if you need any heavy work done on your guns. I know a bit about modding and such. Have to save up to get myself a sidearm. They won't let me cart around my rifle." He shoulders roll.

Erica giggles as she nods her head. "Well you need to work on your pokes." She says while relaxing in her chair. "Uh I would, but I already have someone that is doing weapon customization and armor repair and that sort of stuff. Sorry." She says while offering Zero an apologetic smile. "I do have a lot of work that needs to be done though so maybe I can send you some."

"I'm not looking to horn in on nothing, but I thought I'd offer," Zero replies with a nod, working on the thick slice between bits of talking. "Been a little while since I did real gun mods, though. Was sort of a side trade I picked up. Being around mercs, weapons and such you usually pick up something. I took more to tinkering with guns than shooting them. Don't really like killing people."

"Sides do you have the proper tools? I wouldn't want you doing personal work here. They might fire you, depending on your boss." Erica says as she looks idly around the shop. "Yah I'm getting customized grips and rebalancing all my energy weapons. Also going to pick up a heavy weapon. I know enough to maintain and do minor repairs but not any serious modifications. I don't like killing people either, but sometimes that is what you have to do."

Zero grins. "I have a portable kit, should have what I need for small jobs. Might not be enough to overhaul the engine of my truck, but enough for guns and.. other such things." He then shrugs a little. "Have to for me is when someone's about to shoot me or someone I'm looking after. Well, it is for now, anyway. People change, so maybe some day I'll find another reason. A bit of a silly way to look at things, but life would be nice if there were less shooting going on in general. But that's how things have always been, yeah?"

"That is what they say. I'm not so sure myself. Soon I'll have enough credits to set up my soup kitchen. Hopefully that will make a little bit of a difference." Erica says with another shrug of her shoulders. "I don't like killing myself. So far it's been demons and evil dragons, but I'll likely have to take down some CS troops in the future. Of course with this war I think that will become the norm."

"You know, a lot of them folks aren't real bad," Zero says. "Lived in the Burbs a while.. the slums around Chi-Town. Born there and all. Lots of people from there enlist in the military just to get a chance at living in that big, safe looking city. Not saying much else, but lots of people don't know that. NOt all of them folks are bad sorts. At least, not by most reckoning, I'd say. Lots are.. don't mistake me. Had a few run ins, living there. But it is something to think about."

"I'm sure some of them are nice people, but I've seen what they are starting to do to the people around Tolkeen and the surronding area. Rumors of death camps are spreading and some of those rumors are fairly reliable." Erica says with a soft sigh and a shake of her head. "The soldiers might be ok people, but what they are doing is pretty bad. If it means stopping them slaughtering some innocent D-Bees then I'll shoot to kill."

Zero nods and says, "Yeah.. can't really argue with that. I just try and stay out of it. Not really the hero thing to do, but then, why be what you're not?" He chuckles lightly and lays the crust of the pizza down, picking up his drink with greasy fingers. "Plenty of guys gunning for the glory, after all. A few will even live to collect. Never much understood all that myself. But I guess we all have things we don't understand, really."

"Well if you want to sit by and let people die then that is your choice, but don't expect me to respect that choice." Erica shakes her head slowly as she licks her lips quickly. "If you think it is about glory then you don't really get it, but whatever. I won't get into it with you again."

Zero grins and shakes his head. "Going to say that to everyone that doesn't pick up a gun and march off to fight the good fight?" He shrugs and says, "Someone has to stay behind to make sure things don't fall apart back here. Besides, I'm not really a good fighter. I can shoot alright, but do I look like your average tough merc?" He grins, spreading his arms out. "That mean I don't get no respect?" Not that he sounds too troubled not getting any.

Erica keeps shaking her head as she stands up. "So then your going to do nothing? Well that is of course your choice Zero. I need to go back to making some preparations and then run to get some food and maybe a drink. Have fun at work and all. Maybe see you around later." She says with a slight frown as gives Zero a little wave goodbye.

"If you have ideas, I'm all ears," Zero says, a brow arched. "Though I do sort of have more to think about than me now. Sofi'd be pretty torn up if I got punched full of holes after all." He grins and lifts a hand. "Catch you later though. Get some ideas of things I can do for the good fight, run 'em by me. We'll see." He sets his drink down and picks up the crust to nibble on casually.

Erica shrugs her shoulders as she takes her leave. "If I thought it would do any good I would mention them to you, but I don't so I'll just try to keep my mouth shut. Have a good day Zero. See you around." Erica turns on her heel and starts heading to the exit.

Zero chuckles lightly. "There you go, writing me off right from the start." He shakes his head and looks to his meal again, casually amused still. He doesn't really look upset.