>>6157051Big Dog Mikey clicks his tongue as he measures how far he needs to turn a screw.
"Y'know Chicago's got its own undercity. And Billy was a underground gunsmith. His signature'd end up on a lot of contraband. Nobody knew how he got so good, but when the Judge came cracking down downstairs, instead of killing the man, he shot the gun out of Billy's hand and clapped him in irons. Gabe gets a crafty kid helping him out, and Durant gets a stay of execution. He's kept on a short leash, and he's smart enough to not test it."
The captain finishes tinkering with one of the arms, and pushes it back up to its natural spot. "The thing is with overpop, they'd kill to be on the books. They know people are out for their heads. They'll do a lot to yank their head outta the guillotine. I know Durant has. In a few years, his indenture will be up, and he'll be free to do whatever. Probably not touch a gun ever again, but most certainly not go crawling back underground."
Better than killing him outright, you suppose. But really? Slavery? "Is this a common thing in America?" You ask.
"Not many worth saving," Beth quips.
Mikey's not terribly interested in gossip beyond what he's already said. "Anyway, Gabriel's suddenly up in the Stormwatch's business today. I knew it was his idea to come here from the start, but today he just ran out without a word. Dunno what that's all about, but he'll tell it to me straight when he's ready." He passes a glance back at you. "What about you, Fiona? What've you been up to?"
