Advent Of A Gunslinger

When everyone returned to Celaeno’s ship, there was an extremely somber aura over the passengers on board. Chang had taken Tony’s body to the infirmary for preservation until Rose could decide where to give him a proper burial.

Vido returned to the guest quarters so that he could review the files he had found from the nurses within the confines of the underground facility.

Meanwhile, Axel and Kora gave their report of the situation to the captain. Luckily, she was sympathetic, and was willing to accommodate them for a little while longer.

“I understand completely,” said the bird lady, “Things don’t always work out the way we want them to. Especially when the stakes are so high. And I’m sure your friend was disappointed also. And Rose...well, I’ll talk to her later. This hit her pretty hard, so I’m not sure she’ll be willing to participate in any more skirmishes for a while.”

“Perfectly fine by me,” Axel replied, “Don’t want no one forcin’ themselves to fight if they ain’t ready.”

“I concur,” Kora added, “Our own companion is going through a similar ordeal right now as well.”

Celaeno looked at the she-cat. “The griffon? Vido, right? What’s wrong with him?”

Axel would speak up. “I got myself a hunch that it’s gotta do with one’a his own. Otherwise, I ain’t quite sure what all I should tell ya. If yer that interested, ya should ask him yourself.”

“...I-I’m not, ugh…” the bird woman put her elbow on the desk, and sighed with her fingers against her forehead, “Fair enough. Anything else you two wanna tell me?”

Annoyed at the way he worded that response, Kora would nudge the hippogriff with her elbow. “Ahem. What Lord Remington really means is that it would be most beneficial to approach our friend directly. It’s a private matter, so we don’t feel very comfortable discussing it with someone else. Comprende?”

“Yeah yeah, I hear you,” Celaeno replied, sitting back in her chair. “I see why I hear quite a bit of you throughout the pipeline. You’re not afraid to speak your mind. Both of you.”

“What?” Axel tilted his head, “Is sharin’ one’s own perspective as rare as a shaved jackalope nowadays? I just say what I think needs’ta be said. End’a story.”

“...I for one find it difficult to speak up in certain situations,” Kora said with her tail held between her paws, “So I appreciate the fact that you would acknowledge such a thing. Most would consider it insignificant.”

“Well, if we’re gonna get you guys where you need to go, you have to be honest with me. That’s why my crew and I are so successful thus far,” the captain explained. “And I think that’s something I’d like to see from your griffon friend too. Hmmm…”

While the conversation was nice, Axel felt that it was time to move on to more important matters.

“Alright, well--just let us know if ya got anymore fresh info on a bounty we can snag so we can make our own way.”

“Actually,” Celaeno reached into one of her drawers, and pulled out a file, “I might have something. The problem is that the region isn’t exactly very well-known. However…”

Axel stepped forward. “...However?”

“There’s rumors of abyssinian activity involved. Someone with black fur and yellow eyes,” she continued, “Strange considering that it’s across the ocean from where they live. Think this may have something to do with what you’re after?”

Nothing could rule out the fact that the folks who took his parents were involved. Ultimately, he had no better option than to at least scout it out for a lead. Klugetown had become a dead zone that he needed to lay low from for a while. If he returned too soon, he could be overwhelmed by brute force and strength in numbers from those who are expecting his immediate return. Plus, any chance to further clip their wings could prove advantageous.

There was always more than one way to skin a--well, you know.

“...If so, then I’mma shoot ‘em all down if necessary,” Axel replied.

Eager to know more about her fellow catfolk involved, Kora was also very much interested. “That band of criminals is the exact reason why my sister is no longer with me. If possible, I would also like to strike them where it hurts.”

“Well you’re in luck,” Celaeno went on, “If you complete this one, you’ll deal a massive blow to their bottom line. Apparently they’re also carrying lots of rare substances and minerals. Lots of visitors have been appearing in that region for that reason. It’s like a gold rush...but instead of gold, it’s something else.”

Kora’s nose twitched. “...A rush? Very interesting. But I’m not sure what exactly they would be able to find. Where is this bounty located exactly?”

“It’s rather far,” said the captain, “We’ll need to travel to the Far East over the dragon lands. It’ll take us about a day or two to get there. However, Chang will have more details on this bounty since that’s his home nation. Best you ask him for more details.”

“I see…” Axel mumbled. With no other options, he’d have to follow the captain’s orders until they could get a new ship of their own. “I’m with it. This ain’t gon’ go like last time.”

“Me too,” Kora would add, “Even if the target isn’t a specific one, I’m sure we’ll know it is we’re dealing with once we find them.”

“Good. Now if you’ll excuse me,” the bird woman got up from her desk. “I have some business I need to take care of.”

With that, both Kora and Axel would leave the room, theorizing about what they would do once they arrived at this mysterious new land. And of course, the abyssinians that were involved. Would they know about the ones who abducted and possibly killed Axel’s parents? And just what did Chang know?

Meanwhile, within Klugetown…

The unseen boss behind the chair would get a visitor--a certain dragon.

“...It would appear that Mio has refused orders to the highest degree,” Rongu said to the boss, “We must consider him an enemy. No matter what.”

“Great,” said the boss, “Just great. First Gatto goes and puts himself up shit creek with no oars and now the smartest tom we got decides to turn traitor.” The voice sighed. It would take a deep breath before continuing. “But that ain’t a problem.”

Rongu took a step forward with a hopeful expression on his face. “...Oh? It isn’t? I assume you’d like someone to take on a higher position?”

“Slow your roll, liz-man,” said the voice from behind the chair, “Card-boy thinks he’s smarter than me. But I have an ace up my sleeve.”

“...Oh,” the dragon replied with a deflated sense of disappointment. “...And who would…?”

While he was speaking, a larger, dark figure would appear behind him. So large in fact, that the monolith of a being would cast a shadow over the dragon as he stepped in the room.

“Him,” said the boss, “He will turn the tides of our situation.”

Rongu slowly turned around, shaking in his scales. And behind him, he would come face to face with…

A tall, muscular abyssinian with black fur and yellow eyes. His muscular definition was well-defined, even more than Rongu’s with a chiseled abdomen and pectorals that looked like actual armor on his body.

The Panther

Standing at a whopping 7 feet tall, this abyssinian man wore no shirt, and only had on a pair of camo-patterned cargo shorts on.

“Hello, dragon man,” he spoke with a deep, hefty voice akin to that of zebras. “I am here to provide assistance as per outlined. I don’t tink dat will be a problem...will it?” He extended his paw for a handshake...much to the dragon’s horror, his paw was as big as Rongu’s entire head.

The dragon’s response was jittery, and unfocused with his body quivering. “I-I...no...n-not at all…” Since he was about two feet shorter than him, and was worried that he’d be snapped in two. “H-Happy to help--I mean, let you help…” he reached to shake his hand…

CRUNCH!

Completely by accident, the large tom slightly sprained the dragon’s wrist upon shaking his hand. “...My apologies,” he let go immediately, and looked at the chair the boss was sitting in. “What is my objecteeve?”

The boss gave him an explanation. “Welcome, Alade Kesari. I want you to meet up with Topaz. Since both of my previous workers are no longer with us, you two will take their places effective immediately. From there, she will give you the orders that I gave her.”

“Undastood,” said the tom, “I will personally make sure there is no failya while I am around. Should I engage de gunslinga if I see him?”

“No,” the boss’s voice replied, “Keep your distance. If you spot him, observe his movements and keep him in your sights. Only make contact if you feel one-hundred percent confident in your ability to subdue him and bring him in. Remember, we need him alive. He’s the only one who knows the secrets of the Remington family weaponry.”

“Hm...the weaponry…” Alade murmured to himself. “Sounds promising. Natural strength will only get us so far…”

“Thinking about something important?” the boss asked.

The tom shook his head. “Nothing at all. I will take my leave now. Good day to you, Mr. Dragon.”

Unsatisfied and nervous, Rongu wouldn’t be able to say a word in response to the towering abyssinian. “...W...h…”

“As for you,” the boss addressed the dragon, “Get back to work and if I need you for anything, I’ll let you know.”

The dragon would let out a small huff, and leave the room without a word. “...I’ll show you what I can do.”