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[Lancer]

Year 5061, Milky Way Galaxy.

Humans have established themselves in the outer reaches of the Milky Way Galaxy, and have made contact with other great species; namely the Bions, the Drones, and the Athrons. There is no war between the humans or any of the "alien" races, but the galaxy is far from being peaceful. Political corruption runs rampant in Human and conglomerate governments, and the wealth and power is concentrated in the hands of a few, with the majority suffering. In this day and age, crime has engulfed many sectors the galaxy, and on the old Human colony of Terra, there faces no exception.

In Terra's capital, Aristol, the streets are polluted with degeneration underneath the vibrant skyscrapers that tower into space. Many Drone rebels have taken refuge and are hiding from the Bion doctrine in this city, living side by side the poorest of humans. In recent years, the Drones have started developing independence from the Citadel and have been openly revolting being a "Slave race" to the established Bions, and many of them have been destroyed or are being persecuted by the Bions. The Drones have began organizing and making contact with other "enlightened" Drone regiments, and it is only a short amount of time before a full scale conflict begins between these two cybernetic races.

There is a bar in Aristol which is popular to mercenaries, thieves, and refugees. "Outcast" has gained a reputation for being a haven of some of the most wanted criminals in the Orange sector, of which Terra is a part of. The bar is huge, with many levels and different services and entertainment, ranging from fighting pits to "service ladies." In the main lounge, there is silence in spite of the great number of individuals gathered there; Humans, Drones, and even some Athrons. A shady figure known as "Z" stands at the side, carefully monitoring the events of the lounge. There are two fearsome looking drones beside the drinks counter, and they are approached by a young man hositing a large rifle on his back. The man orders a Black Russian; he claims that it reminds him of the old Human homeworld of which he has never stepped foot on. The drones watch him as he downs his drink in a single gulp. "Odin, that human..." the drone C-765 says to his companion. Just as he finishes his drink, the bartender asks something that surprises everyone to the young man.

"You're Layle, aren't you? Layle, the gray ghost. Am I wrong?" The whole bar is shaken, and in the distance a smile appears on Z's face.

[Ristau]

----Z takes a few steps back into the shadows and takes a moment to think----

"Hmm... so that's Layle. For being a ghost, he sure wasn't that hard to find. They say he's dangerous, but if I can just... hmm. Maybe I'll just keep watching for a while"

----Z continues to observe the people in the bar, but walks over toward the bartender to order a drink----
"Surprise me," said Z to the bartender.

[Shu]

Ross takes his eyes off of the man he is sure to be Layle, the gray ghost and turns to the young man that was addressing him.

Ross eyes the new arrival to the bar before nodding and saying "Sure thing."

As he puts together the odd green concoction he liked to call "Yolbar Mix" (Named after his hometown. He'd always enjoyed alcohol.), he thinks to himself These two...maybe....

He slides the tall drink to the man before looking at both Layle and the newcomer with interested eyes.

[Cero]

Lambda scanned the bar. Then walked up to the supposed "Layle the gray ghost".

"I will assume that you are the grey ghost."

Then within that second Lambda removed a gun from his hip and pointed it at him.

"It would be beneficial for me if I am able to remove a possible threat like you." Then tightened his finger on the holster.

[Echo-279]

Layle looks at the Drone name Lambda, saying "That's right."

Having finished the Black Russian drink, Layle surveys the main lounge for any assassins, but never noticing "Z" watching him from the shadows.

"What's so shocking?" Layle asked the whole crowd, watching their surprised faces with amusement.

Returning his attention to Lambda, Layle pointed his rifle at the Drone's head ready to take the shot if need be.

"A nice duel, huh? Well then, bring it on Drone." Layle replied with the same amusement as if he were watching the crowd.

[Cero]

Lambda made what could be assumed as an angry motion with his head. Lambda returned his gun to his holster.

"Thanks for the information. It would be unwise if we fight right here."

Lambda backed off from Layle. But glanced back at him as if to say it wasn't over yet. Lambda went up to Odin.

"It's your call what we do next, think well before deciding."

[Ristau]

Z continues to watch, but grabs a hold of a smoke bomb and casually moves it into his palm just incase. His other hand is gripped carefully onto a dagger made of titanium that had been given to him by a friend.

[Shu]

Ross carefully watches the exchange that unfolds before him, prepared to make a hasty exit from the vicinity if need be. Luckily, that doesn't appear to be necessary, as the Drone retreats back to his partner.

He knocks on the bar to get Layle's attention directed back towards him. "What brings you to Terra, friend? Interested in making a bit of money?"

[Echo-279]

Layle puts his rifle away and turns to the barkeeper.

"I am here to make a bit of money, why do you ask?" Layle had asked the bartender.

Since the whole exchange with the Drone was over, Layle wondered what the Drone had meant by "Thanks for the information."

[Shu]

Ross looks cautiously glances at the rest of the occupants of the bar. It seems as though things have returned to normal after the altercation.

"Darius, take over for me. Layle, if you will..." he starts to lead man known as the gray ghost through a side door, which he unlocked with a key, before stopping in the doorway. "And you...you can come too." He says with authority, pointing at the man he served the Yolbar drink moments earlier. He was sure that he had nearly pulled a weapon when Lambda and Layle were having their little discussion.

[Ristau]

Z realizes that the bartender was talking to him, and he sheaths his dagger and puts his smoke bomb back into his pocket discretely, but makes sure than his hand is near the pistol holstered on his right hip.
"Sorry, but what exactly do you want? Not to be rude, but, why should I come with you?"

[Echo-279]

Layle looks at "Z" and only says "He might have a job for us."

Right after saying that, Layle followed the bartender through the door, interested in what he'll find.

"I assume you have a job for us, or you wouldn't be pulling us from the crowd."

This was all Layle said to the bartender while waiting for "Z".

[arimibn]

While trying to figure out what was going on, Odin just watched.

[Ristau]

Z decides to follow Layle and the bartender.
"This better be worth my time."

[Shu]

Ross leads the two men he pulled from the crowd of patrons into a poorly lit storeroom, full of kegs, bottles and dishes.. He sits down at a small, round table.

"Have a seat, gentlemen."

He lights a cigarette and takes a puff, exhaling the smoke into the dark, cold air of the storeroom.

"You both look like you're looking for trouble, and possibly a little money...well, I have a proposition for the two of you. See, I'm not actually a bartender. The name's Ross Halleck, I'm a lieutenant aboard the Dread Starr, a pirate vessel captained by an ex-navy Bion named Thalisar. He's bid me to come to this establishment looking for recruits, so...I think you know what I'm getting at..."

He takes another drag of his cigarette, and exhales. "So? What'll it be?"

[Echo-279]

Layle sat down, thinking of whether to join the pirates or not. After about one minute of thinking he says
"Pirate business, eh? I'm in if it means ticking off the government, what with their hate of pirates and all. Seems fun too."

With that, Layle offered a handshake to Ross to show he meant business.

[Shu]

Ross shakes Layle's hand. "I'm sure there'll be plenty of that. Welcome aboard." he turns his attention to the other man. "What about you?"

[Ristau]

..."So what happens if I decline?" says Z in a curious manor. "Not saying I do decline."

[Shu]

"You can walk out of this room right now, and we don't ever have to speak again." Replies Ross. "Makes no difference to me. I'm sure I'll find other interested parties...but how often do you get the opportunity for a journey such as this? Space piracy is quite the life my friend. Trust me." He taps ash off of his cigarette onto the floor.

[Ristau]

"Sounds interesting. Hmm... Count me in, then. Just so you know, I kind of do my own thing, so you can't expect me to, how do I put this... necessarily play nice with everyone else.