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Rule #1: A bounty hunter should not determine his own ethics.
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"Squishies".
An odd label. Rake had seen many bounties thrown back and forth over these nucienses, healers and party protectors, unable to operate alone without support. Most of the time these were short life marks, low pay and low effort. Typically all that was needed was a pair of balls and the determination to see the squishie eat pavement, where others could only complain.
Hunting them down was one thing, catching them at their most vunerable, while the support was busy with other targets. Defeating them was another, flimsy and ill-suited for personal combat, they'd go down with very little effort.
"Blappers".
Definately a different breed of squishies. Little dogs with rabies and nasty teeth. Very decieving, if you're not prepared. There seemed to be a lot of these things on the hero side of the coin. Single target oriented, with the ability to overwhelm a target with a quick combination of powerful hits, but sacrificing their own defense to defeat the target. If they couldn't land a hit, they were definately in trouble.
The trick was, of course, to disorient them first before they could start their attack, and then keep them unbalanced with anything you could while caving in their heads with something heavy.
Rake preferred targets that worked up a sweat. The Khelds were his favorite. The shape-shifters. Near invincable in hulk form, and deadly in flying squid mode. Nothing inflated Rakescar's ego more than watching a Kheld panic when he realized it's target was it's hunter. The "Scrappers" and "Tanks" were fun to bring down too, far to used to the idea of that the enemy would go down easily.
Clobber-Girl was a squishie. But she did have a hefty bounty on her head.
$50,000 US dollars to be exact.
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Rule #2: The correct way to hunt a mark is for it to come to you.
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Rakescar had known about and observed Clobber-Girl's habits, at least from the places he could safely operate in. Paragon was still teeming with vigilant heroes eager to pummel a precieved threat, so second hand information was valuable from within the walls of the city. Just like any good villian, the information was free, because those who demanded compensation usually was beaten within an inch of his life. Rake was more than happy to change deals for his own benefit. Integrity was for military officers and submarines.
The new Pocket D night club offered a unique opportunity to confirm and scout marks without the repercussions of fist, foot, or mind. Rake was more than happy to mingle strongly among heroes, because while idle threats and menacing stares were exchanged, he was collecting information of a mark's abilities and traits. Heroes are far too busy proving themselves right to think about the orange hulk that was going to specifically hunt him/her down for mere cash. Or fame. Both selfish causes that flew below a hero's radar like a sparrow.
Clobber-Girl was no different.
She had been running around the D looking for information about the bounty on her head. The only person this did not benefit was Rakescar himself. She had already gotten a few nasty glances from other hunters, mostly when she wasn't looking. There had to be a good eight interested parties that wanted to collect on that bounty.
Instead of pursuing her, Rake waited at the choke point where she would most certainly go, the hero elevator. All he had to do was wait, effortless and efficient. Surely enough a cautious and preoccupied Clobber-Girl made her way to the elevator. A simple elongated arm got her attention. It was time to do business.
Not so fast Tera Summers, or should I call you Clobber-Girl?
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Rule #3: When the time comes to collect, never fight fair.
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The bait had already been set. Clobber-Girl wanted to prove something about not going down without a fight. That was enough for any bounty hunter. All Rake had to do was put the scent of blood in the water to seal the trap. He had learned where the prior two hunters had attempted to collect. Rake cleared the area of all interferance from third parties, mainly Thorn mages and Shivians, a good warm up. Oddities attracted heroes like moths to a flame.
Rakescar checked his equipment again:
He had his EMP gloves, good for heroes that ran out of breath quickly.
A few toxic smoke grenades, essential for those who didn't have any augmentations to resperatory system.
Web-shooting charges, speedy and flying heroes hate being confined to their current position.
Simple tear powder flares, heroes loved to show their faces for the papers.
A rag and bottle of ether, for when the mark has had enough.
And of course, the "Deal Sealer" he liked to call it. He did not invent it, of course, but it's effectiveness was praised by bounty hunters everywhere. It had many versions, undergoing changes every time PortalCorp caught on to the trick, but the maker had been able to stay a step ahead of the discoveries.
Satisfied, Rake waited in the treeline, and sure enough Clobber-Girl came. A grin cracked across his face like old plaster. He made no attempt to totally surprise her, he mearly walked out of the woods and went straight below the hovering mark. Business was good today.
So... you came?
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Rule #4: Business is NOT concluded until both parties have what they want.
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The FUTURE agent had come and gone with Clobber-Girl. Few words were exchanged. Rake had heard all he needed over the cell phone. They had something nasty in store for the Hero. The initial deposit had been made, the rest upon true confirmation of the mark. But it never came. The briefcase of $10,000 USD had been the only money recieved. Rake was not accustomed to being stiffed.
Returning to the D, he caught a glance at one of the FUTURE agents mingling in the hero bar. He had a white suit with a scarf, as well as blue shades. His name, Rake could care less. It was the organization that owed him $40,000, not the man himself. Therefore, a little bit of privy information made blatenly public was the best course to getting what he wanted. Money.
"Lookie here flashy," Rake said, walking straight up to the man, surrounded by other heroes and villians alike. "We had a deal. I was to capture Clobber-Girl for you, and you were to deliever $40,000 to me to conclude business. I've done my part, and you have not."
"I'm afriad I don't know what the specifics of this deal was," the man responded, uneasy about the public venue of this discussion. "This was something I was not involved in. But if a member of FUTURE made this deal with you, perhaps if you had proof of this deal, then something could be corrected quickly."
"You want proof? Perhaps you should check inside one of your warehouses, or even your oh-so super secret base, and look for a little badly bruised woman, this high, undergoing some terrible experiments. That's your proof."
"I will certainly look into it. If you excuse me, I have other business to deal with."
"You better. If I don't have that money soon, so help me I will come to you little hidey-hole and take her back. And I promise to make it as costly and embarrassing as possible."
"Good day sir."
The FUTURE agent left amongst glances and grumbles. Rakescar, concious of the public display, left soon afterwards.
Something would happen soon enough. Be it a surprise visit from a few FUTURE agents wishing to "conclude business", payment in full, or even a posse of vengful heroes looking to free their commrade in arms. Rake had nothing to hide thankfully. He had no idea where Clobber-Girl was, and was only a cog in this little saga. But a cog can certainly tear apart a house of cards should it be grinded down too hard. Even if he got Clobber-Girl back, he still had the issue of cashing a bounty to a different client. Villians would pay, but they were prone to stiffing the cog. Heroes on the other hand would pay a ransom, but also prone to simply beating the piss out of him to take the girl back.
Sometimes that was the way the wind blew. But Rake knew one thing for sure.
Business was not concluded.
(( Apolgies if names have been left out of specific people mentioned, I seemed to have not logged the convos of those I spoke to. Hope you do recognize yourself if you are in this bit.
And thanks to Bradders for letting me take part in this. Glad I could help out. ))
))
GRRR!