The Outer Worlds: Tragedy On The Halcyon Hyper-rail!

A Chance Meeting In Prosperity Plaza

It was just turning four o'clock in the morning in Byzantium. Patrons, inebriated and otherwise, were stumbling out Billingsly's and Bijous often colliding with each other and starting deep heated debates over the Tossball final that aired just a few hours before. UDL security would sigh at the disturbance of peace and grab whatever weapon was nearest to foist in their faces to break up the crowds.

A rather distinguished patron wondered out with a Bijous dancer in each arm, both laughing at each of his slurred witticisms and the odd story – which they were convinced was over embellished.

He had a charming face which was framed either side with well kept sideburns, two soft eyes that oozed a certain charisma, and thickest southern drawl decorated his words as they danced out of his mouth. Such a thing was foreign, even to the girls who entertained freighter captains and the odd freelancer.

He'd nestle his face into their necks and whisper something in their ears with a light kiss, rousing a flirtatious "Ooh Captain!" from them.

Their journey to his ship was halted by a sturdy look auto-mechanical. Though lacking eyes, the Captain could tell it was looking at him.

"What'd'ya want?" the Captain asked "You're not gonna sell me something are you? O! I hate it when you stupid things try to sell me things!"

The auto-mechanical remained motionless. It's parts whirring and the occasional flashing light let the trio know that it was functional.

"Not got nothin' to say ah?!"

No response again.

"Slag it!" the Captain reached down to his waist and drew his weapon; the banned FORCE handgun, Ultimatum. Even drunk as he was, the Captain was quick to aim the gun at the machine and fire, the bolt of plasma ricochetting off its armour and bouncing from the building walls to the dancers feet on the road.

Fearful at the prospect of their career ending, they pushed the Captain away and made off into the darkness of Byzantium.

"Hey! Where'ya going?! Great... just great! You bucket of bolts!" the Captain forgetting his weapon in one hand, used his other to unleash a furious whack on the auto-mechanical with a loud "Sunuvabitch" upon afterwards he danced around on the spot waving his hand frankly with grunts of unbridled fury.

"CONGRATULATIONS, winner!" the auto-mechanical announced after receiving the blow, "You are the, ONE MILLIONTH, customer to walk into Byzantium."

"Huh?"

There was some more whirring and clicking, another voice – a human voice – began speaking from the machine, "To celebrate your custom, we at the Halcyon Holding's Company, would like to award you with three free tickets for a trip of a lifetime! On board the Halycon Hyper-rail, sit in luxury and observe the scenic sights of Terra 2. A one way, non stop train ride around the world!"

The original voice of the machine returned, "If you wish to accept the terms, please confirm your identity" a slot opened up on the machine for the Captain to insert something into it.

He patted his coat down and pulled out his Captain's Identification cartridge and made a few attempts to get it in.

"Confirming. Confirming. Processing. Complete. Thank you [CAPTAIN ALEX HAWTHORNE]."

The identification cartridge was shot back out of the slot onto the floor with three tickets being dispensed from a thinner slot.

"Have a pleasant day" the auto-mechanical signed off and began walking around the streets before vanishing into an alleyway, leaving the Captain to pick up his prize, leaning over too far and falling over. Clutching the tickets closely to his chest, he shuffled and made the roadside his bed for the night.

He was woken a few hours later by the "Woah woah woah! It's Rizzo's!" sounding off from a nearby vending machine.