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Post by Mikey on Aug 22, 2012 6:15:42 GMT -5
Richard looked over slightly when he saw Phoenix wave to someone a distance away. He followed her gaze and saw another BSAA agent emerging from a building holding a sub sandwhich. That reminded Richard that he hadn't eaten in a while...
Taking another puff from his cigarette, he held out a hand for whoever would take it first.
"Richard. BSAA STARS unit." He said. Phoenix mentioned the arms dealer in camp.
"I saw her come in, but I didn't go over." He said. Personally he didn't have much of a need to. Everything he needed in the way of equipment was taken care of. That and they usually gave him a wide selection to pick from.
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Post by Caliber on Aug 22, 2012 21:09:17 GMT -5
Anna chimed in as she regrouped with Phoenix and the man she was now talking to. Anna began to explain how cash was tight, and she wouldn't be much of a customer for Cel.
"Well, either way, Cel would be glad to meet you. Maybe I'll be able to bum a box of .45 off of her for that 1911 there," Phoenix spoke, referencing Anna's sidearm, visible in a holster beneath her left arm.
Anna was obviously wondering who the man was beside them.
"Oh, this is..." Phoenix began, only to realize she didn't know his name either. Luckily, the man quickly chimed in.
After the man introduced himself as Richard, Phoenix decided to do the same for herself.
"Phoenix. Private contractor," she told him. That was all anyone really needed to know.
Richard mentioned that he hadn't gone to see Cel.
"She's a lot less intimidating than she looks. She can be a hardass businesswoman at times, but she makes friends with a lot of her customers," Phoenix assured the man. "If nothing else, it'd be good to stop by and introduce yourself. Half the camp swarmed over when she first arrived, and the other half likely already knew her, so I'm assuming she's met just about everyone around here."
Still holding the loaf of bread in her arms, Phoenix shrugged her drenched trench coat off of her shoulders, then pulled her arms out one at a time, revealing her 'Sweeper' skullsuit. It wasn't exactly the most subtle of attires, despite its uniform black color, as it was very easily recognizable as expensive and extraordinary. However, the suit was very practical, and has saved Phoenix's life more than once. She refused to leave home without it.
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Post by NotAvailable on Aug 22, 2012 21:20:20 GMT -5
Anna had raised a brow when 'Richard' introduced himself. She grinned a little and chuckled. Finishing up her sandwich and crumbling the wrapper in her palm, she'd started batting some smoke out of her face. "Rich, huh? Well, to save myself and everyone the confusion, mind if I call ya' Dick?" she asked. She hadn't meant it in an offensive way, although it was pretty funny in the back of her mind.
"My fiance's name is Richard so...ya know," she said, awkwardly. As she did so, Phoenix had been mentioning something about how Cel knew almost everyone while removing her coat to expose a unique bodysuit. Looked expensive with a strange sort of texture and fabric.
"Yeah, I met her before, actually. Back when I first joined the Alliance six years ago, good friends actually, heh."
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Post by Caliber on Aug 23, 2012 4:05:22 GMT -5
The man didn't look too interested by Phoenix's offer to introduce him to Cel. After a brief awkward pause where the man puffed on his cigarette, Phoenix broke the silence.
"Maybe next time, then."
Phoenix made quick eye contact with Anna, then jerked her head toward the other side of camp, where Cel's APC was, implying they should head over. Phoenix turned and began walking in that direction, assuming Anna would follow. As the two women approached the APC, Cel stepped toward them.
"Took your sweet time, didn't ya?" Cel addressed Phoenix, jokingly.
"Shut up," Phoenix rebutted, grinning a bit. She tossed the loaf of bread to Cel.
Cel smiled, then directed her attention to Anna.
"McGraw, good seeing you again. Maybe you'll actually buy something this time?" Cel joked, reaching out for a handshake.
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Post by NotAvailable on Aug 23, 2012 4:25:10 GMT -5
Anna had shook Cel's hand, smirking a bit at her comment. "Maybe, maybe not. I'm a poor b*tch, you know," she joked, pulling her arms back to her side. "So how's buisiness, Cel?" she asked.
She'd shifted her stance a little, adjusting her holster around her arm more comfortably. Itwas beginning to dig a little in her rib. Just then, her cellphone began to ring in her pocket, the ringtone belonged to her text messages.
Not wanting to be rude, she'd merely kept her hand over the phone, trying not to flip through it during work hours. Not like she was actually doing a damned thing, but it was common courtesy.
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Post by Caliber on Aug 23, 2012 4:41:23 GMT -5
"Well, business as usual," Cel laughed. "People want guns... I got 'em. It's a very lucrative business."
"How about a box of .45 ACP for Anna's 1911 here? None of that surplus s***, either. Give her the good stuff-- two-hundred thirty-grain overpressure. Put it on my tab," Phoenix told Cel, half-jokingly.
"Ya know what, Galloway? I just might make you pay up one of these days," Cel laughed, shaking her head.
Turning around, Cel walked up into the APC. She had already set aside about two boxes worth of the good stuff for Anna, knowing she'd run into her at some point. Seven stainless steel 1911 magazines lay side by side, filled to a capacity of seven rounds. Cel swiped up the magazines and walked back out of the APC.
"Here ya go, Anna. It's two-fifty-five-grain hardcast overpressure, pre-loaded. These mags are quality stainless, too. I think this makes up for our last exchange," Cel spoke to the red-haired woman, handing her the seven magazines.
The exchange in which Cel was referring to was several months ago, when Anna had found offered up a few things she'd found in exchange for ammunition. The deal was tipped in Cel's favor, and they both knew it, but they were friends, so no harm done.
"How's Lucy doing?" Cel asked. Lucy was Anna's daughter, whom had been suffering from Lieukemia. It wasn't much of a happy topic, but Cel felt she should ask.
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Post by NotAvailable on Aug 23, 2012 4:47:07 GMT -5
Anna took the magazines, gratefully and placed them carefully in her hip pouch. She smiled, mouthing out a 'Thanks' when she'd asked about Lucy. Not alot of people were in Anna's business but Cel was a friend and even if it was great talking things out with Rich, it was still nice to vent with a friend.
"She's doing alright. She's still complaining about the Chemo but...she's doing alot better than a month ago," she responded, warily. She'd swallowed a hard lump in her throat and put on a big, fake, smile.
"Anyway, I really appreciate the magazines. One day I've gotta make that upto ya, ya know. Who knows, I might win the lottery. Or maybe I'll stumble across some anti-virus, now that'd be somethin'!"
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Post by Caliber on Aug 23, 2012 5:00:16 GMT -5
Anna explained that Lucy was doing better, though 'better' still isn't 'good'. Cel decided not to push the topic any further.
"Well, I'm glad she's doing better. Give her my best," Cel told Anna, smiling comfortingly and putting her hand on the redhead's shoulder.
Anna lightened the mood by thanking Cel for the ammo, and joking about how she'd make it up to her.
"Hah, anti-virus," Cel laughed. "Imagine the price that'd go for on the open market."
Phoenix watched the situation play out. She wasn't sure if it was her place to say anything.
"I'm sorry about your daughter. I'm not much of a person of faith or hope, but I hope she gets better. If anything is a beacon of hope in the wasteland of a world we live in these days, it's a child. Keep her safe," Phoenix smiled, suddenly being a mix of thankful and regretful for not having a child.
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Post by Mikey on Aug 23, 2012 5:19:23 GMT -5
After the quick round of handshakes and introductions, Richard took another puff off of his cigarette as Phoenix talked about Cel for a moment. He cracked a quick smile and scratched his head through the cap on his head when Anna asked to call him Dick.
“I… Don’t see why not. It would not be the first time.” He said with a smirk. But usually it had been someone being cheeky. Oh well.
“Da. One must be in her line of work.” He said. An illegal arms dealer had to be careful. A legal one, even more so. For the simple fact that if she were to sell to much for too little, she would quickly go out of business.
Silently accepting the offer to go over to the APC with a nod, he followed the pair of women and took a look at the small setup that Cel had. Small being a relative term, but she didn’t have everything spread out like some would expect. Instead, everything was in fair sight on racks in the back of her vehicle. He spied a few things that were interesting, but was sure he didn’t have the cash or trade goods to afford anything. He didn’t make much money, considering his entire life was paid for by the BSAA. When they provided you with everything, down to a toothbrush, the money flow was akin to a drippy sink.
The three women began to converse, and Richard had learned long ago to not try and get involved when the gaggle was in full swing. Even if it was a heavily armed gaggle. …Especially if it was a heavily armed gaggle.
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Post by NotAvailable on Aug 23, 2012 5:51:11 GMT -5
Anna nodded at Phoenix, her smile fading a little. "That's true, they're our only hope for tomorrow....Lucy's a tough kid, she's gonna pull through and kick cancer's ass," she said, hopefully.
Not long after, she'd pulled the cellphone out of her pocket and began to flip through it. "Excuse me, Rich's little girl is texting me," she told them before looking at the other Richard. "My Rich, that is," she joked, wandering a few steps away.
Looking down at the screen, she'd rolled her eyes.
soooo hngry. dad cnt cook rice lke u!
Anna snorted, texting back: There's $40 in my bed side drawer, order cheese pizza. Did Rich give her medicine yet? Make sure she eats.
She never did like her nine year old's text speak, it was an eye sore.
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Post by Caliber on Aug 23, 2012 6:05:22 GMT -5
Phoenix stepped up toward the APC. "My shotgun ready?" she asked Cel, eagerly. Phoenix had requested that Cel convert a pump-action forty millimeter grenade launcher to chamber shotshell, for the purpose of a door-breaching and anti-vehicle weapon. Cel grinned. "It sure as sh*t is."With that, Cel walked back up into the APC. She took great pride in her work-- especially her custom firearms. Cel was wildly intrigued by the idea of a forty millimeter shotgun when Phoenix first requested it. There was no doubt that she was eager to reveal it. Cel returned with a huge piece of machinery, as well as a bandolier of gigantic shotgun shells. Phoenix immediately smirked at the sight of the exotic rifle. "Here ya go," Cel told Phoenix, handing her the large rifle. Phoenix took a moment to admire it. she racked the pump back and forward a single time. Phoenix was overtaken by the beauty of the giant hunk of metal. "It's unloaded. Here's all the ammo you'll need for awhile," Cel said, handing Phoenix a bandolier lined with a few dozen shells. "Fifty shells. Twenty-five slugs, twenty-five quad-ought buck."Phoenix slipped the weighty bandolier over her left shoulder, then slung the shotgun over the other on a sling. "Outstanding."
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Post by NotAvailable on Aug 24, 2012 7:20:05 GMT -5
"Holy sh*t, can I see that?" Anna suddenly interrupted, reaching her hands out toward the shotgun. She always had an affinity for shotguns and if she was a man, she'd probably have a hard on about now.
"Man, if I were a man, I'd totally rock a chubby right now," she said aloud. At that exact moment, she'd laughed at herself. "Aw man, I said that out loud again, didn't I?"
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Post by Caliber on Aug 24, 2012 8:21:46 GMT -5
Phoenix grinned as Anna loudly proclaimed interest in getting her hands on the forty millimeter. She then burst into laughter when Anna mentioned that she'd have a 'rock-hard chubby' if she were a man. Phoenix hadn't legitimately laughed in a few days. She'd been so focused on work lately that she forgot to let herself have a good time.
"Sure, go for it," Phoenix told Anna, lugging the gigantic shotgun into her hands. "I'd offer to have you come shoot it with me, but I think we'd better wait for tomorrow. It's getting kinda late. You up for it?"
Cel cut in. "Speaking of getting late, I should be heading out. I've got somewhere I need to be by eleven tonight. A few B.S.A.A. snipers at the southern outpost said they needed a good supply of .338 Lapua, and I think I can help them out with that. You two have fun."
"Thanks again," Phoenix told her.
Cel stepped up into the APC and began preparing to head out, making sure everything was secured, when she suddenly remembered one last thing she had planned to do. Crouching down, Cel pulled a small crate from beneath one of the APC's seats. She removed a small satchel.
"Oh, Galloway," Cel spoke, peeking her head out of the APC once more. "This should keep you topped off on 12.7x25 for awhile."
Cel tossed Phoenix the satchel.
"Great, thanks," Phoenix replied.
Phoenix immediately lifted the Velcro lip from the pouch, exposing its contents. Several ten-round handgun magazines for Phoenix's HK MK23 were topped off with ammunition. Phoenix removed the magazines from the satchel and began placing them into the pouches around her body, filling empty ones and replacing those occupied by an already empty magazine. Phoenix dropped the left-over empty magazines back into the satchel, pulled the Velcro lip back over it, then tossed it back to Cel.
Catching the bag, Cel tossed it aimlessly onto one of the seats inside the APC. "Right then, I'm off. Nice seeing you again, McGraw" Cel said, finally. And with that, she allowed the APC's ramp to rise, closing off the back. A moment later, the engine was started, and the vehicle drove off, heading out the camp's front gate.
Looking to Anna, "I'm hungry," Phoenix told her.
She had had her mind on a eating a can of pork 'n beans by one of the firepits ever since she dropped her loaf of bread into the gutters. The firepits were always an interesting place to hang around, as people often exchanged war stories. Phoenix had never been very sociable with any of the agents, nor was she too interested in sharing any of her stories from her time in the special forces, but it was always interesting to sit around and hear the tales that everybody else had to share.
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Post by NotAvailable on Aug 24, 2012 8:33:42 GMT -5
Anna took the heavy weapon into her grasp, giving it a look over and grinning as she'd slid her fingers along the bulky body of it. It was a monster of a gun. When Cel mentioned she was leaving to the southern outposts, she bid both Phoenix and she goodbye.
"Good seein' ya too, Cel. Tell them good ol' boys in the south outpost McGraw said, Oscar Mike." she joked. She knew most of the snipers there and some of them shared an in-joke about military lingo.
When Cel took off, she'd looked to Phoenix who'd mentioned she was hungry. Handing the shotgun back to her, she'd gestured for the firepits out by the training courtyard of the outpost.
"Me too, Tits only gave me a six incher. Hahaha...totally unintentional...but in seriousness, I'm hungry too, let's go see what the ol' salts are passin' around. If we're lucky, it's not pork 'n beans or fruit cocktail."
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Post by Caliber on Aug 24, 2012 9:07:22 GMT -5
"You know, pork 'n beans aren't so bad once you grow the stomach for it. Takes a few years, though. Fruit cocktail is downright awful, though," Phoenix replied when Anna mentioned that she was hoping there was no pork 'n beans or fruit cocktail, which were the major staple of post-apocalyptic campfire feasts.
Phoenix slung her shotgun back over her shoulder, then she and Anna began walking toward the nearest fire pit. Phoenix sat down in one of the two available folding chairs. Next to the fire, but at a safe distance, two wooden crates of canned food set side by side. Beside them, a pile of empty cans sat carelessly in the dirt. Phoenix leaned in and dragged a crate toward her and Anna. She began digging through the stacks of cans-- the usuals were available: fruit cocktail, pork 'n beans, cream of chicken, tomato paste-- as well as a few rarities, like shredded pork, sliced pears, and pineapple rings.
Phoenix immediately snatched up a can of pineapple rings for desert, then decided on baked beans for a main course.
"There's actually a few cans of the good sh*t in there. Take a look," Phoenix said, shoving the crate toward Anna
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