Dalia Waran's Story

"There are too many of them these days, especially after those rumors of that huge treasure."

Kurt blinked, but remained staring at his drink.

"Beg your pardon, miss. Didn't mean to offend," he replied, "You won't have to turn me in. I hunt 'em just like you do."

Kurt drew his revolver and placed it firmly on the table.

"Though I try to keep 'em alive if the reward is higher."

He took another sip of his drink and looked up at the woman across the table.

She had dark hair and fierce, golden eyes. She was clearly cybernetically modified.

"Name's Kurt, ma'am. Most folks call me 'Doc,' though. I'm a bit of a tinkerer."

Kurt holstered his revolver, thankful to save a few rounds. His funds were low and he wasn't sure when he'd be able to buy more.

"Now THERE'S a modification I've never seen," mused Kurt, "I suppose the saying, 'Sticks and stones,' might need a new definition."

He chuckled quietly to himself, appreciating his own joke.

"As for your offer earlier, consider me in. Let's find that treasure. Who knows? Maybe we can send a few deserving souls up the leafless tree while we're at it, eh?"

Kurt allowed himself a smile and extended his hand to the woman, offering a handshake to seal their alliance.

"Pleased to be on your good side, Miss Dalia."

"...It would have to go through a massive firewall first. Any questions?"

Kurt was silent for a moment while he allowed all she had just said to soak in.

"None that I can think of. I suppose I should show you mine since you showed me yours," Kurt said, smiling.

"See, I've got a cybernetic left eye. I lost the genuine article quite some time ago in a lab accident."

He paused for a moment and switched his eye into scan mode, causing a small green light to turn on within his iris.

"I've also got a completely cybernetic nervous system that allows me to react to situations within 10 picoseconds. It also allows me to perceive stimuli that a normal human cannot. Proud to say that I designed it myself."

With this last remark, Kurt crossed his arms and allowed himself a smug look. He was quite proud of his inventions, especially his nervous system.

"So this treasure," he said, "Any ideas as to where we should start our search?"

"But anyways, the increased criminal activity could probably mean that the treasure might be in that area and that it hadn't been found yet, probably means that the criminals are either not smart or permanently fighting each other."

"Sounds like that town's just about gone up the flume," Kurt replied, scratching his chin.

"It'd be dangerous," he thought, "but even if the treasure is nothing but gammon, there's bound to be more bounties round those parts than a body could shake a stick at. Lord knows I need the coins."

He pulled two of the last four bullets he had left for his revolver and reloaded his gun.

"Well, Miss Dalia," Kurt said as he slid his revolver into the holster at his hip, "What do you say let's make hay while the sun shines and get moving?"