Go to see Praxus and ask him
Try to ascertain from Praxus’s subordinates where she is
It doesn’t take long to find out that there is an underground deathmatch organised that many of Andromeda’s criminal element will be attending and gambling their ill-gotten gains. Knowing Praxus’s men will likely be present, you enter a large chamber carved into the side of the mountain. The baying crowds are arranged around a deep pit where a bulky Eridanian is fighting a muscular Siriusian. Both are bloodied and battered and the watching crowd cheer louder by the moment, sensing that a winner is only moments away. Indeed, the Siriusian throws a weary right hook which his opponent easily ducks beneath before countering with a heavy punch of his own that makes you wince. The Siriusian’s head rocks back and he drops to the floor unconscious. A roar goes up from the crowd as the Eridanian stands over his fallen opponent and throws his arms up in victory. You mingle amongst the crowd in the gloomy, smoke filled chamber as they collect their winnings, listening for any clue as to the whereabouts of Eris. Snippets of conversations drift through the hubbub.
“…Close run thing that…”
“…Siriusian cost me three hundred fucking credits…”
“…Nearly knocked his head clean off!”
“…Fucking fight was fixed…”
“…Got my winnings. Drinks are on me lads…”
“…Feeling like it’s my night. Might try my luck with that green bitch.” You immediately tune in, glancing surreptitiously at the Andromedan who spoke. The grey skinned humanoid is quite a sight with a jagged scar down the left side of his face which has cost him an eye. He is in a group of four other Andromedans who drunkenly guffaw with him.
“She’d cut your balls off.” One sniggers.
“She’s too much for just one of us.” Another suggests. “Bet she’d prefer all of us.”
“I bet she would!” The first laughs. “Damn, she’s hot.”
Listen a while longer
Join in the conversation and try to learn more
You listen to the Andromedan thugs for a few more minutes as they discuss in graphic detail exactly what they would like to do to the Cephian assassin. You can tell from their talk that it is all little more than drunken bravado. There seems to be a deep underlying respect and almost fear of Eris. You begin to wonder if you are biting off more than you can chew, attempting to capture this one. Eventually their conversation switches to other more mundane subjects and you glean no more useful information as to Eris’s whereabouts.
An hour later, having drawn a blank, you leave the premises. Having decided that subtlety is clearly not your best suite, you decide to hit the problem dead-on and pay Praxus a visit.
Continue
You reach the top tier of the capital city and make your way to the lavish home of Praxus. The crime syndicate boss hides in plain sight, insulated from his criminal empire but overseeing its activities through a series of go-betweens. Indeed, it says something for the state of Andromeda that Praxus’s grand residence neighbours high ranking government officials in the affluent upper tier district of the city. You stride up to the gate of the large house and manage to talk your way past the guards, who relieve you of your weapons before ushering you through to the balcony on the outer edge of the tier. You see the imposing figure of Praxus leaning on the railing watching the sun set behind the mountainous horizon.
“Beautiful.” You comment, joining him on the balcony. Two bodyguards stand a respectful distance away, hands resting on their holstered blasters.
“I never tire of it.” He replies, a smile crossing his grey skinned face. “I’m a busy man, but I like to try to make time for something beautiful every day. A work of art, fine cuisine, the touch of an attractive mistress or the simple pleasure of watching the sun set.” He turns towards you. “What can I do for you, mister…?”
“Trent.” You grin, shaking his hand. “And it’s more about what I can do for you, sir.”
“Oh?” He replies, arching an eyebrow.
Impersonate a rival assassin
Suggest Eris is working against him
“I’ve got some information that someone you have recently employed does not have your best interests at heart.” You tell Praxus.
“Oh?” He replies, slowly turning towards you.
“The assassin Eris.” You reply. “She is working for one of your rivals and just biding her time to get close to you and assassinate you.”
“Really!” He replies. “This is troubling information to be sure. Where did you discover such a devious plot?” His eyes seem to bore right through you and you realise he doesn’t believe you.
“I’d rather not reveal my sources.” You reply coolly though your pulse is racing.
“I see.” He shrugs, turning back towards the setting sun which bathes his grey skin in an orange glow. “It might interest you to know, Mr Trent, that before Eris became the accomplished assassin she is today, she was adopted. Adopted by my late wife and I when she was just a few months old. We may not be blood relatives, but she is as devoted a daughter as I could ever wish for. She would sooner die than see harm come to me.” His voice grows louder and angrier with every word.
“Perhaps I was mistaken.” You stutter, backing away from the furious Andromedan.
“You have certainly made a mistake.” He tells you, turning towards his bodyguards and giving them a nod. “Goodbye Mr Trent.” They quickly step forward and grasp your arms, hauling you towards the edge of the balcony.
“No, wait!” You shout at the retreating figure of Praxus. Your cries fall on deaf ears as the bodyguards pick you up and bundle you over the railing. You scream as you plummet towards the tier below. The ground rushing up to meet you as you smash headfirst into it with a dull thud.
THE END
Go back a few moments and rethink your actions
“I understand you have employed the assassin Eris.” You reply. “I would like the opportunity to offer my own services to carry out the task.”
“As you know, I am a respectable businessman.” Praxus replies. “I’m not in the habit of employing assassins.” He pauses, a half smile playing on his lips. “But if I had employed someone for a task, why would I employ another to do the same job?”
“Because I will do it for nothing.” You grin. He raises an eyebrow.
“And what have I done to deserve such generosity?” He asks, clearly intrigued.
“I want to make a name for myself.” Your reply. “A high profile assassin like Eris has an equally high fee. One day I would like to command the same fee, but first I need to prove myself. To have done a job for Praxus on Andromeda will carry a lot of respect throughout the galaxy.” He studies you for a moment before his lips curl into a smile.
“You have me persuaded Mr Trent.” Praxus chuckles. “Very well. I believe Eris is carrying out the task tonight. If you can visit my opposite number in the Astra Nostra before she does, you will have my endorsement and half her agreed fee.”
“Very generous. Thank you sir.” You smile, both at Praxus’s careful, non-incriminating responses and at the valuable information he has just let slip.
“Thank you Mr Trent.” He replies turning back to the smudged streaks of red and orange on the horizon. As you begin to walk away, Praxus calls out over his shoulder. “I’m not sure if your ambition is to be applauded or condemned. A celebrated assassin is not someone I would want to anger…” You nod, wondering if that counts double for crime bosses.
Armed with Praxus’s information, you make your way down to tier three. The Astra Nostra is Earth’s contribution to Galactic organised crime. A conglomeration of the mafia, triads and yakuza that had been muscling in on crime in the central systems. Obviously Andromeda is no different and Praxus has decided to make a stand.
An hour later, you step out onto the flat roof of a tall building overlooking the Astra Nostra compound. Steam rises from vent outlets all around you and you move to the edge of the roof and peer
over the parapet. The compound is a walled oblong of land with a squat building in the centre. Lush green lawns surround the building which is strangely at odds with the arid, mountainous landscape of the rest of Andromeda. A little piece of Earth on an alien world. You have a clear, unobstructed view over the whole compound. An excellent position for a sniper. You move back towards the roof door and conceal yourself in the shadows, staking it out and waiting for the assassin to appear.
As the hours tick by, you begin to wonder if Eris is favouring another approach. Perhaps she is infiltrating the building from the sewers beneath or waiting to assassinate the target when he leaves the security of the compound. You are just about to abandon the hunt when you hear a door open and light footsteps tapping on the roof. Concealed by the darkness, you watch as a tall, statuesque figure clad in tight fitting pants and a leather jacket enters your field of vision. She walks gracefully across to the edge of the roof before ducking low beneath the parapet and cautiously peeking over the top towards the compound. She pulls a pack off her back and removes a long case from inside. She props herself up against the parapet and opens it. You watch as she screws a long barrel into a chunky stock. She fits a scope on top and meticulously checks the action of the rifle before clicking a magazine in place beneath. A consummate professional. She glances over the parapet and pushes the stock into her shoulder, peering through the scope. Now is the moment to make your move.
Move closer before apprehending her
Aim your blaster and call out a challenge from the shadows
You step lightly as you close the distance between you until you are standing just behind her. Eris is still perched before the parapet, gazing intently through the scope.
“Drop it.” You growl. You see Eris stiffen before her shoulders slump. “Slowly!” You add. She pulls back from the scope and carefully lowers the rifle onto the floor.
“What’s my bounty up to now?” She asks you, her back still to you.
“Ten thousand credits.” You reply.
“That much!” She replies with a hollow laugh. “I’m almost tempted to turn myself in and claim the bounty myself.” She slowly turns to face you.
Continue
“Sounds like quite a woman.” You grin.
“And what is it to you, Earthman.” The first Andromedan growls, the last word spoken like an insult.
“Excuse my friend, human.” One of the others interjects, slapping him on the back. “He’s an arsehole when he’s drunk.” The first scowls at his friend before his expression softens a little and he shrugs.
“You heard of Eris, the assassin?” He asks you.
“No.” You lie.
“She’s a Cephian.” He tells you.
“That’s the green ones right?” You reply.
“Fucking Earthmen.” He mutters, but a little more good naturedly. “Yes, the green ones. She’s stunning. Tall, beautiful and with the most perfect set of tits you’ve ever seen.”
“And she’s here?” You ask.
“In this very city.” He grins. “She’s doing a bit of work for our boss. A rival boss of a crime syndicate down on tier three. The Astra Nostra. You’ve heard of them right?” You nod. Earth’s contribution to Galactic organised crime. A conglomeration of the mafia, triads and yakuza that had been muscling in on crime in the central systems. “Word is she’ll do the job tonight. She’s rumoured to have an itch that needs scratching after every kill.”
“You intend to help her with that?” You grin.
“In his dreams.” His friend guffaws. “She wouldn’t even want to be in the same room as this ugly fuck.” The others roar with laughter and they drift away towards the bar. You make no move to follow them. You have everything you need.
A couple of hours later, you step out onto the flat roof of a tall building overlooking the Astra Nostra compound. Steam rises from vent outlets all around you and you move to the edge of the roof and peer over the parapet. The compound is a walled oblong of land with a squat building in the centre. Lush green lawns surround the building which is strangely at odds with the arid, mountainous landscape of the rest of Andromeda. A little piece of Earth on an alien world. You have a clear, unobstructed view over the whole compound. An excellent position for a sniper. You move back towards the roof door and conceal yourself in the shadows, staking it out and waiting for the assassin to appear.
You watch from the rooftop as the shadows lengthen before the distant sun drops below the horizon, plunging the city into darkness. As the hours tick by, you begin to wonder if Eris is favouring another approach. Perhaps she is infiltrating the building from the sewers beneath or waiting to assassinate the target when he leaves the security of the compound. You are just about to abandon the hunt when you hear a door open and light footsteps tapping on the roof. Concealed by the darkness, you watch as a tall, statuesque figure clad in tight fitting pants and a leather jacket enters your field of vision. She walks gracefully across to the edge of the roof before ducking low beneath the parapet and cautiously peeking over the top towards the compound. She pulls a pack off her back and removes a long case from inside. She props herself up against the parapet and opens it. You watch as she screws a long barrel into a chunky stock. She fits a scope on top and meticulously checks the action of the rifle before clicking a magazine in place beneath. A consummate professional. She glances over the parapet and pushes the stock into her shoulder, peering through the scope. Now is the moment to make your move.
Move closer before apprehending her
Aim your blaster and call out a challenge from the shadows
“Drop it!” You call out. Eris glances over her shoulder, her eyes darting left and right, searching for the source of your voice. “Drop it!” You repeat. Her eyes fix on your position before dropping the rifle and vaulting over the parapet. You curse and race in pursuit. You reach the parapet and peer over the edge, seeing Eris sprinting along a catwalk leading to a fire escape at the corner of the building. She’s clearly quick and agile and if she makes it to the fire escape, you’ll never catch her. You curse again and carefully aim your blaster, not sure whether to fire a warning shot or clip her instead.
Fire a warning shot
Shoot her in the leg
You aim low down at her legs and fire, the plasma bolt fizzing through the air and hitting Eris’s right leg just above her ankle. She cries out in agony, pitching forward and crashing down hard onto the catwalk. You clamber over the edge of the parapet and drop down onto the catwalk behind her. She rolls onto her side, glaring up at you as you approach.
“Son of a bitch!” She snarls.
“Your fault.” You shrug nonchalantly. “You shouldn’t have run.” Her eyes burn with rage as you approach. Pulling some handcuffs from your pocket, you bend over her to clamp them over her wrists.
“Fuck. You!” She shouts, sweeping her good leg across yours. Already off balance, you cry out in surprise as you topple off the edge of the catwalk, plunging several stories before slamming headfirst into the ground far below.
THE END
Go back a few moments and rethink your actions
You pull the trigger, a plasma bolt briefly illuminating the darkened building before burning through the steel catwalk in a shower of sparks a few paces before Eris. She skids to a halt and glances up at you.
“You’re worth just as much to me dead.” You call down. “The next shot goes straight through your head.” Realising she has run out of options, her shoulders slump as she resigns herself to her fate. “Get back up here.” You growl, gesturing towards a ladder fixed into the wall just behind her. She reluctantly climbs up the ladder, her feet clanking on each rung before clambering back over the parapet. She stands before you, glaring defiantly with her hands in the air.
Continue
Finally able to get a clear look at her, Eris certainly looks a formidable woman. Her dark green hair is tied back in a tight ponytail and her grey eyes are cold and calculating, yet her tall Amazonian figure len
ds her a certain allure. She has the physique of a swimmer with toned muscular limbs and stomach while still retaining her feminine curves with firm, though generous breasts, a narrow waist and wide hips.
“What now?” She growls at you, her eyes flicking around the rooftop, no doubt seeking an opening to turn the tables.
“The contract says ‘Dead or alive’.” You shrug, your blaster trained on her. “Which would you prefer?” Her lips tighten and her eyes narrow. “I thought so.” You grin before reaching for some handcuffs on your belt. “Here.” You toss them on the ground before her. She reluctantly reaches for them and you can’t help but notice her impressive cleavage as she stoops to pick them up. She straightens and clicks them in place on her wrists.
“Happy?” She asks sullenly.
“Tighter.” You tell her. “You have a reputation for being a dangerous woman. I don’t want to risk you slipping out of those bracelets now do I?” The handcuffs click again and you gesture for her to lead the way as you take her back to your ship.
It speaks volumes about Andromeda’s capital city that you barely warrant a second look as you escort your prisoner at gunpoint through the streets towards the landing platform. As you reach your ship, the hydraulics hissing as the boarding ramp descends, Eris glances over her shoulder at you.
“At least with the bounty on me, you’ll be able to buy a better ship. What a piece of shit!”
“Why thank you!” You grin and gesture for her to board. Keeping your distance, you guide her to your cabin. You throw another set of handcuffs on the bed. “Now handcuff yourself to the bedframe.”
“This how you get all your women?” She mutters, climbing onto the bed, the second set of handcuffs clacking as she fastens one bracelet to the first set and the other to the thick tubular steel bed frame. She lies back, her arms stretched above her head.
The Seductress of Andromeda Page 3
