Recap
In the last instalment, Chiv had been tied up by the gang leader Gauge. He was about to be shot and killed by the man, but, just in the nick of time Gun-Kin staggered in and killed Gauge. After Gun-Kin untied Chiv the two of them got to work. Taking everything they could carry from the compound to sell back in town.
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@killerwot/chiv-sketter-s-issue
A few quick trips back and forth to the speeder was all they could manage. Neither of them had the strength to carry more than what they got. Some weapons, armour, some other miscellaneous valuables that Chiv knew he could sell fast. On top of that, a nice stash of FSTs. Free Space Tokens were the main reason for the trip. Although, he was expecting more. Shame.
Nonetheless, it was a good haul for one day's work; It'll fetch a good price. Enough to get Off-world. Start again. "When we get back to town. I'll see a doc, while you sell this stuff. We can split the profits and go our own ways." Gun-Kin said slowly. As he laboured his way into the speeder. "We could walk the same path for a while. Make some money on another world. I'm not bad with a gun and I've seen what you can do." He continued.
Chiv stayed quiet, focusing on getting the speeder powered up and getting back to town. His mind was elsewhere. Go it together? He did save me. Maybe. It might be good to have some company. I've spent so much time isolating myself. But, what about the bounty? Sharing the money of this haul will leave us both with enough to leave this planet. All of it though. All of it would allow one of us to set up a new life. Properly.
A searing pain came on fast as Chiv's conflicted thoughts began to take his focus. No. I'm in no mind to concentrate on anything.
"Let's get back to town then." Chiv said. Through gritted teeth. He raised a hand to the back of his head. Bumpy, and course, as he gently ran the tips of his finger over it, flakes fell off. Beneath the flakes. Wet. Even to lightly touch it, hurt. Fragments of my skull cap are missing. Chipped off by the whack I got back there.
Triskens had two skulls. So it was no big deal. Chiv reassured himself. "Looks pretty bad." Gun-Kin said. Craning his neck to look at the back of Chiv's head. "Nothing wrong with a bit of outer damage. Inner damage is the real problem." Which Chiv had in spades.
He pulled the speeder around and left the grounds of the compound. They were full speed in no time, flying through the landscape. It was dark. But, the darkest hours of night were past them. Soon, the sun would break. Should be early morning by the time we arrive.
"Who was that back there? Your old boss?" Chiv asked Gun-Kin. "Yeah. He was the leader of the operation. Myself, him and one other, who died a few years back started it. Soon, we had so many people we didn't know what to do with them. I focused on making Stinter and training others in the makings of it. Gauge become something of a leader." Gun-Kin went quiet and looked off to the landscape. "We used to sell to people as far off as Jex. You know. With them gone there is a market open." Gun-Kin said giving a slight grin as he turned to Chiv.
"Not in the business of the chem trade. I have no interest in it." Chiv had seen what it does to people. The living nightmare he found himself in concerning alcohol. He wouldn't wish it on anyone else. Addict.
The sun broke long before they reached town. Chiv had started to find it hard to concentrate after a while of driving. But, he managed to stay awake. Once they reached town Chiv dropped Gun-Kin at the local doc.
"I'll go and see about selling our haul. Get yourself checked out and patched up. I'll meet you back here when we're done." Gun-Kin nodded as a response. "If you're looking for someone to give you a good price on this stuff. Go to Baska's Weapons and Armour. Old Baska is a friend of mine; He'll give us a good price. Just tell him I sent you." Chiv knew of the shop, but, had never used it before.
Luckily Gun-Kin was able to get himself out of the speeder and into the doctor alone. Chiv wouldn't have liked the thought of leaving a speeder full of valuables unattended.
Baska's Weapons and armour. Chiv pulled up out front of the shop. The street was quiet enough. He picked through the weapons, slinging the rifle over a shoulder and he put a pistol in its holster. He was hanging onto the armour and weapons he had picked out before he was knocked unconscious back at the compound. As well as his old trusty club. Sure it had seen better days. But, he couldn't think of trading her in for a newer one.
He made a few trips, staggering back and forth into the shop. There was no sign of this Baska character, so he just carried on. While outside some of the locals were staring at him. But, who would approach a beat-up Trisken carrying enough firepower to supply a second Gnosian rebellion.
He stepped inside, with the last of the haul and stood patiently at the shop's counter. "Baska?!" He shouted. Hoping to hurry along the shopkeeper. "Yeah, yeah. I heard you." The man grumbled through a door behind the counter. Chiv could hear some slow lumbering footsteps make their way down a staircase. "What is it?" The man asked when he came out into the shop. He was an old and grey Beskin. Don't see many of these around. His long and matted grey fur with patches of black throughout covered his whole body. He was heavyset, with no other discernable features. Other than the light coloured jacket and trousers he was wearing.
"Gun-Kin Deset told me you would be the man to come to about selling this gear." Baska's eyes lit up when Chiv mentioned Gun-Kins name. "That boy. I didn't think I'd hear from him again. Thought he would have been handed over to The Grey Qengs by now." Baska started to pick up some of the items and gave each a careful look. Chiv thought he could use Gun-Kins plan to his advantage. A friend of his?
"He's keeping a low profile. He wanted to come himself, but sent me in his stead." Because he's sitting in the hospital being exercised of lead.
"That so?" Baska asked. "It is. He has a plan to make some money to get himself Off-world and set up a new life for himself. Someplace more. Hospitable."
"For the best really. I don't know what he did. But, he's got himself into some trouble with them Qengs. Nice to know he's got someone looking out for him." Baska trailed off while continuing to inspect the gear. "Some great pieces here. In varying conditions. Most intact and most looked after. Now. Should I ask where you two picked this stuff up?" Baska asked giving Chiv a squint near the end. "I think it's best you didn't." Chiv replied. "Right you are. Give me a few minutes. I'll make an evaluation. You can find a place to sit yourself down and wait." Chiv nodded as Baska finished talking.
Chiv had been sitting for a while. Flashes of daydreams filled his mind. But, none he could really place. They were just random. "Okay. That'll be it." Baska said. Snapping Chiv from his thoughts. Chiv stood up and walked back to the counter.
"The weapons and armour will fetch you two a good price. The other items I wouldn't usually even look at, but, I do know someone who deals in that kind of stuff." Baska said. "Under the usual circumstances, I would take these in, sell them and give you a cut of the sale price. But, these aren't usual circumstances. So here. It's as high as I'm willing to go, I even threw a little extra in there. On account of Gun-Kin's situation. He helped me out of a tight spot once or twice so I feel it's high time I return that favour." He continued on.
Chiv nodded as he received a large pouch of FSTs from Baska. "That's kind of you." Chiv said. "Don't mention it. Also, tell Gun-Kin Deset to stay out of trouble wherever he finds himself. It's about time he settles down." Baska said. In a tone that Chiv could only describe as caring and paternal. "I'll relay the message." Chiv responded as he turned and walked away.
Sitting in the speeder outside the doctors he decided to take a peek in the pouch while he waited. His mind drew a blank when he looked inside. There must be over 5000 FSTs in here. What the hell did Gun-Kin do for him that was worth this kind of generosity. 2500 each? It was less appealing. It was enough though. Could he set up a new life with that?
Chiv decided to stretch his legs, he paced around the speeder until after a while he started to lean against it. It was at this point Gun-Kin walked out of the doctors. "Well, Chiv. I'm back. They extracted a bullet, stitched me up and even had a look at my mouth. I'll have a lisp for a few more days, but, with some rest aboard a ship. I'll be arriving someplace as a new man. How did you get on?" Gun-Kin asked once he got close to Chiv.
Chiv clenched his fist. Punching Gun-Kin as hard as he could in the face. He went limp and in a daze started to mumble something. Chiv hit him again for good measure and picked his lifeless body up and threw him in the back seat of the speeder. With the bounty money on top of what Baska paid me. I can set up anywhere I want. Chiv thought to himself as he hopped in the driving seat.
End of Part 2
Here's a link to the final part of this story.
@killerwot/chiv-sketter-s-issue-part-158d14b5122f7