Here's part two of Chiv's story, I enjoyed writing this part. I like Chiv as a character. But, to be honest, while writing for Gun-Kin he quickly outshined Chiv, in my opinion. He's got a bit more charisma I think.
Hope you enjoy this tale and if you haven't read the first part here's a link to it.
@killerwot/bounty-hunt-part-1
Chiv's eyes fell to the corpses. He set his club back into its holster. I'll clean it later, he thought to himself, hearing the slight trickles of blood hit the ground, he also heard slightly larger thuds, as well, which he could only assume were skull fragments. Chiv started to rummage through some of the weapons held by the man he just killed. He grabbed at the undershirt of the man who he shot in the gut. The undershirt is ruined, he thought while inspecting it. One-shot. The skull of the first guy didn't slow the bolt at all, I'm going to miss that rifle.
"You're going to hand me in aren't you?" Gun-Kin said. Chiv had to concentrate on ignoring him. "Hey! You hear me? Fuckin' Trisken.
Chiv picked up a pistol. Cheap, poorly maintained. He fired in the air. A laser bolt shot out, slightly illuminating the campsite with its blue hue. Energy weapons. Useful, but only against certain opponents. It'll do for now. A bit more rummaging later and Chiv was armed with a new rifle, sadly though it had no scope, he hung onto the pistol and went as far as to take a couple of holsters. He was even considering taking a new jacket for himself, only problem was that it didn't fit. The old one will have to do.
The new gear was just what he needed, he even bagged up some other bits and pieces, knowing they could fetch a decent price back in town. Not like they need them anymore. Chiv wasn't one to rob the dead, but, desperate times called for desperate measures. With the size of the bounty on Gun-Kin Desets head, he knew everyone who fancied themselves a hunter would be after the reward. On top of that, money was too tight to pass up any and all income. He sat down at the fire and helped himself to some leftovers, just some small game, burned to a crisp at this stage, but, foods food. He even saw a bottle by the fire. Half full. The fight had made him thirsty. The job. He had to pull himself back to the task at hand. While thinking about anything, but the drink on the ground, He had picked it up, instinctively giving it a sniff. That's all, just one waft. It stung his nostrils, strong stuff. His hand rattled slightly while he sat with his eyes closed. He threw it against the canyon wall watching as it the glass shattered and the liquids soaked into the sands of Zun-Kulla.
"What's your problem?" Gun-Kin asked, pulling Chiv from his dreams of a liquid embrace. "No problem here." "So you can speak basic then? Well now, what a surprise. How about you do me a favour? Throw me some of that food. I'd of asked for something to wash it down with too, but you already took care of that." Gun-Kin had an annoying persistence and condescending tone, Chiv was also annoyed at how his swollen jaw made every other word sound lispy. Chiv stood up and tossed what was left of the food into Gun-Kins lap.
"Guess you're looking to take me in alive then?" Gun-Kin said while desperately munching on the leftovers. Slurping as he did and picking up any bits that dropped out of his unclosed mouth. "What's the bounty at? 100? 200?"
"150 dead, 500 alive." Gun-Kins eyes lit up as Chiv finished. "That's a good one. They must really want to make sure I'm still breathing. They send you personally? I mean someone with your skills must be working for someone." Gun-Kin slobbered out the last of his words.
Chiv sat on a rock, still facing Gun-Kin Deset. "No. I just saw the notice. You're right about one thing, they really want you alive. No concern to me, I'll do that. The thing I don't like is that everyone in the surrounding area will be looking too. How do you suppose we make sure you get back to town alive?" Gun-Kin sat back and scratched his head. "You must really need that money. I mean, by the way you scrounged through those bodies, you're desperate. I don't care if it's you or someone else that brings me in. But, I'd rather not be brought in."
Chiv laughed. "No surprise there." Gun-Kin spat on the ground and wiped his mouth. "Let's make a deal. See those lads you killed? I used to work with them, close friends. Well, that's only a few of them. Where's the rest, I hear your eyes asking me." Gun-Kin started to laugh maniacally. "They're back at the base. It's not far from here. We were all taking it easy, waiting for a batch of Stinter to finish brewing when some of the lads came in. Bit of quiet talk and before I know what's going on, they've beaten me senseless. I come to, not long later and I'm like this. Tied up with a busted face."
Chiv pulls out his gun and aims down the sights at Gun-Kin, Chiv started to focus on the iron sights, watching it jitter. When did my hands get this bad? He wonders to himself. "Yeah now you're here, covered in piss and your friends are dead. What's your point?"
Gun-Kin chuckles to himself. "You got a good case of the wobbles. Your not that scared of me are you? Stinter. That's my point. The batch is long done now. That means it's been sold. That means the other seven lads are sitting in the base, out of their minds, no doubt. Sitting on a few weeks worth of pay. Those four over there aren't collecting anytime soon. So, what if you and I. Head back, kill them, take the money and get the hell off-world? 500 is nothing compared to the kind of money that's back at base. Not just money, valuables. You've been here sniffing after what I know is crap weaponry. The boss, he's got way better guns than that bag of scrap metal you've collected."
Chiv couldn't help but consider it. He knew of the gang, he also knew there was big money in the chem trade, especially for a group with their reputation. "So, you expect me to believe that you'd kill your old friends?" Gun-Kin waves a hand over his face. "Friends? This is what being friends got me, they all knew about it. None of them tried to stop them from turning me in and not one of them tried to stop them from beating me. I'd see them all killed. I want my payment too. I'd rather see you get the lump sum of course. On account of you helping me get revenge."
Seems easy. If he's lying I turn him in and get the reward, the detour would fill my pockets, big time. When it's all said and done I'll have new weapons, a lot more money and I can turn him in after for the extra on top of that. Don't see what the problem is. "Okay, Gun-Kin you've got a deal."
"Well isn't that some good news? Now, if you'll just take these restraints off me, we can move out." Gun-Kin says with some roguish confidence.
"You think I'm stupid? Those are staying on until we get to the base. After I evaluate the situation I'll decide whether I need your help dealing with them or not." Gun-Kin nods. "I guess that's fair. Some trust wouldn't go a miss, but I understand."
Part 3 is out now if you would like to continue reading.
Bounty Hunt. Part 3 (Final) @killerwot/the-bounty-hunt-part-3
