Voice; un: belova

[laviny]

Has anyone else heard anything about a group of bandits called the Bouldersnakes?

Shaun, Bucky and I have been doing some digging at the saloon and the name has come up a few times. The information is almost always vague and the subject is usually shut down. But Bucky was able to get one of the locals to talk a little.

[By scaring them. The Winter Soldier scared a dude into talking. Anyway…]

He said the Bouldersnakes are very large, very bad group, and they are willing to do ugly things to get what they want. Usually they would ignore a town like this, but a man named Rudy tried to give them some ore once. Maybe that got their attention.

It scares the old Branson man, too. He stormed out of the saloon when he heard the name. I tailed him for awhile and he was visibly shaken.

I have been wondering if they could be involved in the fate of the town somehow. Maybe the fire wasn’t an accident.

Comments

audio — un: hotel.california ;

[karaoqi]

Hey — Shaun here.

Definitely count me in — what little we know isn't nearly enough, and if they have anything to do with why the rest of this town is ... a little weird — [ to put it lightly ] — it's worth looking into.

[heypartner]

It's gotta all be connected. I don't know if it'll be useful for us but it's worth finding out.

I appreciate the help. When's a good time for you to go out lookin' around with me? And anyone else who might want to help.

[karaoqi]

At this point, anything will help paint a bigger picture to explain why this town is the way it is.

[ In other words, he's in full agreement. ]

I've got a job over at Horseshoe's stables during some mornings and afternoons. But whenever you want, I can make it work.

[ The hours are pretty flexible and he's really only there to gather intel anyway, so. ]

[heypartner]

It would be harder to track at night. Not impossible, just harder. The moons here aren't very bright though it's not pitch black if we time it right.

[ When all the triplets were full back on Tatooine it was real easy to see at night. Cobb missed those nights. These five moons were there but usually on the dim side. Not always the most helpful light source but it was something. ]

Can you get an afternoon off? We could track while we still have the light and then set up an ambush at night. Or come back around the next day because we know where to go.

[laviny]

What if you have night vision goggles?

[heypartner]

Suppose that would depend on how good the night vision is. Could definitely help.

[laviny]

Oh, they are very good.

[It's Stark tech. And being on the Ximilia with him has forced Yelena to acknowledge Tony Stark definitely knows what he’s doing with stuff like this.]

[heypartner]

If you're willin' to let me use it, I'll try it.

[karaoqi]

Yeah, it shouldn't be a problem. I can talk to one of the guys, see if I can switch a shift around — I'll make up some excuse.

[ To keep in tune with their "carefully crafted" cover stories, and all that. ]

Sooner the better, right?

[heypartner]

When you get the time, let me know. I don't think anyone at the blacksmiths will care if I take off.

[ He's not quite as concerned about keeping his job after having a month to get comfortable. ]

We'll ride out as soon as we can.

[karaoqi]

Awesome. I'll shoot you a message the moment things are figured out.

[laviny]

Tell them you have a date with a saloon girl. I bet they will be understanding.

[karaoqi]

Actually — yeah, that's not a bad idea. And if I need verification, you're willing to vouch for me?

[ :) ]

[laviny]

Yes, of course. It was my idea, wasn't it?

[She won't suggest a cover story and then leave him hanging.]

[karaoqi]

Yeah, yeah, you're right.

[ There's a ... definite smile in his voice. ]

Well, it's a pretty iron-clad alibi. Thanks.

[ Hm. ]

We don't need to hash out the details, do we? You know, to make it more believable.