Shivering slightly from the cool air Ash Ashley pushed his way through the crowds towards the gauss station, flinching ever so slightly when he got too close to a Shaktar, Ash notices and curses slightly, he had developed a lingering though mild fear of reptiles ever since a bloody huge dinosaur had stood on him, the phobia was annoying and distinctly offensive whenever a Shaktar noticed, and they noticed almost every time.

Squeezing past two Chagrins, they out-massed him too much for Ash to simply shove past them, Ash paid for his ticket and waited on the platform for the concussive blast of air that heralded the arrival of a gauss train.

WUMP! Ash barely rocked as the blast of air struck him and everyone else in the immediate vicinity of the tunnel mouth even as the gauss train screamed to a halt and the doors hissed open. Using a 313 as a mobile wall Ash got aboard the train before the doors closed and the train started moving, Ash had just managed to secure himself when the train broke the sound barrier for the 20 second trip across Mort City, the expectant pressure slammed Ash against the bars that made up the side of the chair and a muffled scream could be heard from elsewhere in the carriage, either this was someone’s first trip or they had just made a potentially fatal mistake. Momentarily the pressure flipped direction then disappeared all together as the train slowed to a standstill at the next station. Ash waited as some people boarded and others got off before the train began moving again.

Ash got off and left at the next station, mentally wincing from the bruising he received from the brutal acceleration and deceleration. The streets were much quieter, which was the hallmark of Central where everyone had a purpose and had no time to waste. Ash went with the majority who were heading for The Pit, which was less than a kilometre from the gauss station, and was also where Ash was meeting the rest of his squad to chat and find out what their part-time financier had got them and generally relax.

At Deth’s Door Ash handed over his FEN 603 and received the ultrasound tag that would allow him to reclaim the weapon when he left later. Upon entering The Pit Ash’s first stop was at the third level, and specifically the Winter Bar to meet the first of the other two squad members. Ash paused by the door to hear how many ‘live meals’ were being served and sighed, too many by the sounds, shaking his head Ash entered and quickly located Palus Somnii, Wraith Raider and squad scout. She was at one of the small side-table enjoying the wriggling and squirming of her meal, as he approached Ash winced as he saw the Wraith Raider scoop up her meal and swallow it whole, he was almost sure Palus knew it was him and had waited for just that moment to finish her meal. “Finished?” he asked as the Wraith Raider finally decided to turn and look at him. “Yes.” She replied and stood in a single fluid motion, sealing her cooling suit as she straightened and followed Ash out of the restaurant. Glancing back Ash raised an eyebrow and Palus nodded, pointing downwards and raising a single finger. The third member of the squad was on the floor below and would be found with his clan buddies. Ash sighed, this meant he was going to have to use a show of strength to get anything done if he wanted Callum, and not be stopped by too many Frothers.

On the fourth level Palus waited by the lift shaft as Ash went further into the level, making his way to the area where Clan McLusky, a very minor clan, could usually be found. Fortunately Ash was only stopped once and after a brief arm-wrestle, which was a draw, Ash was able to find Callum and get back to the lifts. Callum laughed quietly as they reached the lifts. “Were that Dougal McCullen ya wrestled?” Ash shrugged, he hadn’t bothered to ask. “Yeh well he looked like he were ‘bout to knuckle the table when yer match was called. Yer gettin’ scary.” Ash shrugged again, and smiled faintly. It was reaching the point where he had a rep with the Frother clans. They were starting to remember that he dislike wasting time, but also stories of the squad’s exploits were starting to circulate, the recent thing with those dinosaurs had garnered some extra respect, and also some heavy thumps to the chest by Frothers claiming Ash must have a chest of granite to have a dinosaur stomp him and limp away, as they said. The squad then went to the lowest levels of the Pit.

At level nine, Treachery, Ash guided the squad to The Respite, possibly the quietest bar in the entire complex, and then to the corporate suit that waved them over. “Afternoon John.” Ash said as he sat and ordered soft drinks for himself and the others. The others nodded greetings as they sat and the John Karneky, Financier and Strike Operative, pulled out a document file and passed it over to Callum. Callum opened the file and spread the contents slightly so Ash could see as well, the pair were joint squad leaders having formed the squad a month before Palus joined. Ash snagged the BPN card and quickly scanned it.

“‘Combat ready squad required to clear Cannibal Sector Four of several Cannibal Clans that have came too close to the wall. Bonus of 5c per Cannibal. Proof required for bonus. Department of Expedition for area covered.’” Ash then glanced at John. “This says eleven-hundred for the squad. What’s your cut?” John shrugged slightly. “Two hundred.” Ash smiled darkly. “Fifty. You're not coming out with us, and all you had to do was talk with some friends. I’m not doing this for three hundred, three-fifty is hardly any better.” The financier winced but accepted the massive reduction, Ash out SCLed him by a good three letter bands, and he also had a point, John wasn’t going with the squad to complete their BPN, and it did look costly in time, money and potential risk of death.

NOTE: This is a work in Progress.