Spoiler:

Sturm was sitting on a lawn chair that rested on the front deck of the ship that rocked in the murky waters. The large cowboy cyborg was leaned back in the chair just watching over the horizon. He saw the dock that slowly came into view. A few others were on the deck of the ship. A boy was mopping around Sturm. There was another man walking around with his head held high. This scruffy looking man was the captain of this fine vessel. As the ship got closer the Captain turned to the crew and spoke. “We are nearing the docks! Prepare to disembark!” There was a resounding “aye!” From the few members on the ship that heard it. This was Sturm's queue to stand up and place on his garments and weapons. He stood up and threw on his dark brown poncho. Following this he slung his weapons over his back. The handle of his clay-more hung over his left shoulder, while his rifle over the other. It formed a sort of cross on his back. He was heading over to Karate island to gathers some goods for future projects. At the time he had been living in a offshore shack that was off the grid. He managed to meet a fine individual but he had no idea where he went. Just someone who could have potentially been a good sparring partner but he was too busy with his own hunting to bother. It was just one of those fated encounters. He hoped one day he might meet him on the field of combat.

Sturm stood up and just waited for the ship to press into the port where he would begin his journey for some goods. He was no where near ready to go back to being a full time pirate. He needed to prepare himself and also get stronger. He was very aware of the people he may cross in his future journey. This metallic body of his had massive potential but it would require loads of work and training to get there. The ship pulled up to the side of the dock before the sound of the anchor dropping echoed into the sea air. Sturm turned to the Captain and give a calm fedorian hat tip. It was a sign of respect and a thank you for the ride. Sturm offered protection in exchange for the ride to this island. Granted nothing happened on the way, it was still reassuring to the crew to have him aboard. He did not way for the ramp instead he stomped on the ledge with his right foot and pushed off with sufficient strength. The machinery turned and whined as he leaped into the air off the ship and onto the docks. As he went into the air he placed his left hand onto his hat to keep it from flying off. With his bionic enhancements he was quite strong while being agile. You could say he was what the future of man could be.

His clothes covered his mechanical limbs and body so no one would be able to tell he was not human. If anything they would just write him off as just being a rather tall gentleman. He sailed into the air over the few people on the docks before landing safely on the wood. He landed with his left foot first, following the rest of his body. The landing would make a loud thud on the thick wood of the docks. He straight up and began to calmly walk into town.

WC: 599

Prying eyes would not draw his attention away from the town he walked into. He scanned the area with quick eye movements hidden behind rose tinted goggles. They caught the glare of the sun but did not hinder Sturm's vision in any sort of way. He was watching for any form of sudden movements made towards him as he was sort of a paranoid one. He had every right to be like that, because of his past. While he was scanning for any sudden movements he also looked around for any form of shop or area that could be of use to him. A weapon store, general store, anything that he could take with him. He spotted a local general store that also happened to be a weapons store. More likely than not they would not have any form of munitions given the type of island this was. However, Sturm did part take in the combat that fancied weaponry based combat. He could always use something better than what he had now. His claymore that he wielded was simple but it got the job done. He knew for future endeavors he would have to upgrade it. A simple weapon would not be strong enough to stand up to the likes of a mighty sea king or admiral. Well, any powers of the great sea that ran rampant at the moment. He casually walked over to the store that was five meters directly ahead of him that was off to the right.

His ears caught the sounds of children playing and all he could do was smile. It reminded him of his own child that was ripped away from him at a young age. The only thing he had left to remember him by was the very hat that rested on his head. He continued into the store, he did not have to use much force to open it. A slight nudge was enough to cause the wooden studded door to open. The corner of the door nipped the bell sounding a sort of alarm to the current clerk to respond with a greeting. It was a young man who seemed in his teens who had his back turned for a moment. He turned around at the sound of the bell to only be greeted by a over-sized cowboy. The boy was roughly 5'10, most likely around the age of 16 or 17. He was blonde headed with baby blue eyes. He was not shocked at all considered he saw all kinds of characters come through on a daily basis.  

“Well howdy there! Welcome to the shop anything ye lookin for?”

Sturm stopped for a moment and looked over at the lad and placed his hand on his chin. He thought for a moment before speaking. “Looking for your wiring, metals, weaponry and munitions.” His voice carried past the cloth that covered his mouth and echoed through the store. The boy seemed eager to please. He came from behind the counter and began to walk down a isle that was to the furthest right of the medium sized store. “Right this way sir!” Sturm quickly deduced that he wanted to make his shop and family look good. He appreciated such energy from a hard working lad. Sturm looked at the various goods they had, nothing special just what you would expect from a general store.

“Sir we don't have anything fancy or a whole lot of munitions but it's something. As for spare metal and wiring we do not have anything like that here, sorry”

In the very back of the store there was a rack that spanned the whole back end of the store. It was a mighty assortment of simple weaponry. Nothing crazy or anything that stood out. He noticed the few ranged weapons that were locked in a special case. Sturm looked them up and down. He gave a calm nod and responded. “No this will be good enough thank you.” The boy turned and left to the front of the store. “Let me know if ye need anything big fella!”

WC: 689

Upon browsing the wares sounds could be heard from the front of the store. Loud, indistinct chatter echoed through the halls of the store. Enough to make Sturm turn his head to the side a bit to get a better scope of things. A group of men entered the store and they came off as obnoxious. The thing that made him stop browsing was the fact they were wearing uniforms. Sturm stood up and motioned to a blind spot in the back. It was between the back end of a aisle and the weapon selection in the back. They would have to physically walk all the way to the back to see who exactly was in the store. He was trying to stay off radar of the marines for good reason. He felt he was not strong enough yet to confront them at mass. His body needed more changes to reach that level. Also he needed a crew, henchmen or something to mitigate large numbers. He did not have a lot in his arsenal yet that could dispatch a group just yet. The chatter became a bit more rowdy more tense.

[Front of store]

A marine leaned over the counter top while eye balling the trembling lad. There was roughly five men at the front of the door. One was leaning over the counter top. One stood outside the door, and the other three congregated at the front. They laughed and made small talk among themselves. The blonde clerk said nothing for a moment.

“Look boy we need your finest booze but you aren't gonna charge us cause ya know protection. Or maybe next time we will have to look the other direction when trouble comes your way.”

It was quite common for pirates to come through but with the amount of martial artist that existed on karate island they would be silly to stir up trouble. However, most would not contest the marines out of pure fear of being locked up or worse. The boy finally mustered up the courage to say something.

“I have to respectfully decline sir, you would have to pay like anyone else. Only my father...”

Before he could finish his statement the marine stood up and reached for his pistol on is left. Things escalated really quick and before the boy could blink he was staring down the end of a barrel. “Maybe I should make myself clear. You are gonna give us your finest booze and look the other way. As far as your father knows you got robbed boy.”

[The back]

Sturm was looking down the aisle directly at this action. This was upsetting to him to say the least. Corruption at it's finest. It was enough to grind his gears. A well spring of anger came about in a instant. Instead of jumping into action like some hero he stood up and kindly walked to the front. “No need to be hasty officer.” His voice boomed from the back causing all of the marines to get spooked. A seven foot cowboy made his way to the front with his hands up. The marine at the counter spun his gun around to aim at him. It was one of those things he was put in a bad position because they were unsure how much this cowboy had heard. This could put them in a shit position with the locals. Sturm's eyes quickly scanned the area for targets. He saw all five of them and their position. The only way out was blocked, one already had weapon drawn and the other three already were reaching for their sword handles. Good thing was there was only one side arm present while Sturm inched his way closer with hands up. While he did this he spoke calmly.

“Now now no need for that we are all customers here.” Sturm looked over at the lad and spoke calmly. “Look get these men a good drink from the back and I will pay for it.” This was an attempt to get the boy to leave the scene just in case things got ugly. The boy did not say anything but only trusted him. The marines seemed to calm down for a moment. “Well that is mighty fine of you sir don't make any sudden movements now.”

WC 722

Sturm gave a slight nod and only pointed a finger under his poncho. “Now how am I supposed to pay if I can't get to my beli officer?” The marines looked around for a second at each other before thinking he was right. The boy casually strolled to the back of the store. Sturm's eyes, hidden behind rose colored goggles watched carefully. Sturm took a step closer to the shorter marine, now at striking distance but no movements yet. The marine did not move which was stupid on his part. Someone this big being in striking range would not be pretty. He had a lot of faith in that flint lock pistol. “Now I am going to slowly reach for my dosh so I can pay up can you please put the weapon away. It's a bit rude don't ya think? Having the man at gun point who is willing to buy you lads a round of drinks.” As he talked he shrugged a bit to unease the soldiers. Sturm's eye's cut to the three marines to his left relax more and remove their hands from their weapons.

The marine that held him at gunpoint seemed to relax a bit more and motioned his gun downward away from Sturm's chest. This was a fatal mistake. Steam would erupt from the two pistons hidden under his poncho as the system activated. The marines did not know what exactly was going on. Before the marine with in striking range could even react he was met with a high speed punch that would lodge itself into his neck region. He would be swept off his feet in an instant. The other two being less than a meter close began to reach for their weapons. While the first marine was being flung into the wall he dropped his gun. The gun began to fall, and with reflexes that were not human like he caught the pistol. With no hesitation he pulled the trigger causing a bullet to leave the chamber and enter into the frontal lobe of the middle marine. The bullet entered and exited out the back of the skull and brains splattered on the back wall. The other marine was lodged in the wall in a comical fashion. He would not be able to breathe so he was not too lucky to die quickly. This was a showcase of strength, Sturm did not want to needlessly kill these young lads but two would do the trick.

Considering the gun was a single shot, because flint lock pistols were not efficient for multiple targets. The other two were frozen, left in shock by what just happened. This cowboy moved fast enough to disorient these grunts. He dropped the weapon and placed his hand on the clay-more handle that rested on his back. “You get one chance, drop your weapons and leave. If I took out two of your buddies with minimal effort what makes you think you wouldn't meet the same fate?” The two marines looked at each other and made their way out of the store slowly. They joined the third one and Sturm would follow to the door way. This was a insurance and add to the intimidation. The blonde headed kid would have watched all of this unfold. He was no stranger to death but at the same time he was in awe. Sturm took out some beli and placed it on the counter. “Sorry about the mess, you have a good day.” He tipped his cap and walked out of the store.

Task Comprete

5 Stamina used for SPI
245/250

5/5 posts