Badlands

Chapter 1: Ironbeak Valley

"Ey, Smiley!" Grub screeched from across the bar. My attention switched from my half empty glass of bourbon to the conversation Grub was having with a new customer.

"What?" I barked before downing the rest of my drink. The liquid burned the back of my throat, but warmed the rest of my body.

"My friend here might have a new job for you." Grub flashed his gap-toothed smile. "What do ya say, kid?"

"I say how much you payin me?" I stood from my seat, and walked to the couch in the other room. I heard Grub giving the customer the go ahead before footsteps followed my own. I sat on the old couch, leaning back into the soft fabric. I lit a cigarette while the customer closed the door behind him. I looked up through the smoke to see a tall, blond man walking in. He wore an old fashioned button up and vest; grey slacks and some shoes that at some point would have looked nice. He pushed his hair back and sat down on the chair in front of me. "So," I took a puff of the cig and looked back at the man. "What's the job?"

"I'm with a trading caravan. We're looking for some added protection on the way down to Hunter's Hill." He leaned forward, placing his elbows on his knees and his head in his hands. "Grub told me you'd be perfect for the job."

I sneered.

"Well in case you couldn't figure it out, Grub lies. I don't normally do supply runs. How long is this trip?"

"Three days."

"How much you payin?"

"300 Republic Credits. 100 a day."

I thought about the offer to myself. On one hand, this wasn't my usual fee, but this also wasn't my usual job. The man's rough voice pulled me out of my thoughts.

"But I don't think we'll be able to pay you in advance."

I pulled what was left of my cigarette out of my mouth, putting it out on an old oak table and flicking the rest towards blondie.

"You better start thinking about it," my words dripping out of my mouth like poison.

"I'm sure once we get to our destination my employers will-"

"You see," I interrupted him, pulling my combat knife from its sheath at my side. "That's not gonna work for me."

His eyes followed my blade as I toyed with it. Flipping and looking down the shiny steel, I locked eyes with him. "So, what's it gonna be?"

I saw a bead of sweat run down his forehead. His eyes were wide with fear. I quickly realized I may have screwed up. I sighed and put my knife away. "Look, I'm the best here. I get the job done, but I don't do it unless I get paid in advance."

His face relaxed, but he looked around the room nervously. He sighed and reached towards his waist. He untied a small leather bag from his belt loop and tossed it to me. I caught the pouch and looked inside. Small silver coins gleamed like stars in the darkness of the bag. "I'm in."

"Good. I'll meet you outside when you're ready." Blondie stood up from his seat. He rubbed the back of his neck with a shaky hand. I heard Grub outside the small room.

"Hehe, told you that you better pay her in advance."

I smiled to myself and walked towards my room, credits in hand. I prepared a small bag of some things I would need for the trip. Clothes, extra food, a lighter, ammo, and soon enough my bag was full of the necessities. I looked around me quickly, checking to make sure Grub didn't follow me. I then quickly pried the loose board off the wall. My stash of Devil's Kisses and Frost Bites remained hidden in the dark, rotting cubby. Grub never liked it when I took these, so I quickly stashed the needles and pills into a pocket in my bag. After zipping the bag, I headed to my bathroom. I turned on the faucet and splashed the cold water on my face. I looked up into the dirty mirror. My pale skin dripped with beads of the cold water. My green eyes were surrounded by black smudges. I sighed and turned off the faucet. I tied up my ink black hair in a ponytail, a few shorter strands falling out and framing my face. I traced a finger over the scar going over my left eye; a final reminder of my greatest failure. I finished by tying my black bandana around my neck. Before I exited my bathroom, the small photo taped to my mirror caught my eye. Buck. I got up on my toes and carefully removed the photo from the mirror. I held it in my hands, tenderly tracing over it. I opened up my bag again and gently placed it at the top. I zipped it up again and slung it over my shoulder. I grabbed my trusty laser rifle and exited my room, saying goodbye for the next few days. I walked out into the main room. Grub was behind the old bar, cleaning some of the glasses. I tried walking out the door, but Grub's voice stopped me in my tracks.