Crow checks it out

"Hahh," sighs Vex. "Fine. We'll wait on that hill until sundown. After that, I'm moving on with or without you." Crow nods in understanding, starting towards the saloon with a light jog. He covers the distance quickly enough, approaching from the front.

"Afternoon, old timer," Crow offers to the man sitting in front of the saloon before pushing the door open. Several loud barks and growls sound from a dog a few feet away and Crow reaches for his handgun.

"Cheyenne, stay," speaks a female voice. "Don't worry. She won't bite unless I tell her to." Crow chuckles, having hand bad experiences with dogs in the Mojave.

"Heh. Right. You must be--"

"Sunny Smiles."

"I'm Crow." He extends a hand and she takes it, giving it a firm shake. "Mm. As tough as she is beautiful."

"Flattery won't get you anywhere, Crow."

"I can always try. Anyway, the doc says you might need a little bit of help around here. That true?"

"I don't know. What do mercenaries charge these days?"

"For a woman as beautiful as YOU? Well...I might be willing to lower my rate in exchange for having a drink with me." Sunny smiles a bit and Crow chuckles. "What seems to be the problem?"

Hearing arguing coming from his left Crow peers in that direction, finding a man agruging with a woman behind the bar. He approaches, placing a hand on the man' shoulder. "I think it might be time for you to leave."

"Get your hands off of me!" exclaims the man, turning sharply. Crow draws his 9mm in response, pointing it at his head.

"Whoa, there. There's no reason for you to turn that quickly...that's how you get yourself shot." Crow looks him over and makes a face. "You ain't NCR...who are you?" He steps around Crow and then makes for the door without a word. "Well..."

"That was Joe Cobb," speaks the bartender. "You must be one of those boys doc Mitchell saved."

"I am." Crow holsters the 9mm at his thigh and places a few NCR bills on the bartop. "Whisky in a tall glass for myself and..." He looks over at Sunny. "What about you?"

"Usual, Trudy." She does as asked, pouring Crow a drink and placing a bottle of Sunset Sarsaparilla on the bartop.

"Not much of a drinker, I take it?"

"Not really."

"So, how is Joe Cobb?"

"A Power-Ganger." Crow raises his drink and takes a pull, eyes narrowing in concentraition.

"Powder-Ganger...I've gun across a few of them across the Mojave before. Pretty well organized for a band of raiders. What's one doing here in Goodsprings?"

"Looking for someone," Trudy tells them both. "A man named Ringo that came through these parts recently."

"You want me to shoot him?"

"That won't solve the problem," replies Sunny. Crow takes a pull on his drink and then nods, setting it back down on the bar top.

"Alright, then. What would you like for me to do, Sunny?"

"Go have a look. He was heading towards the old gas-station last time I saw him." Crow finishes off his drink in a few quick chugs and sighs.

"I'll get it done, beautiful. Then, I'd like to have a REAL drink with you."

"This IS a real drink, Crow."

"Anything that comes out of a bottle like that isn't a real drink, Sunny." As Crow passes Sunny, he gives her a light pat on the behind. Rather then outrage, she smiles a bit at the merc who chuckles as he leaves the saloon.

Out in front of the saloon he takes a breath and scans Goodsprings, finding the gas-station at the edge of the town. Crow moves at a jog towards the station, drawing his 9mm as he approaches closer and closer.

Crow stops in front of the door, stepping to the side and gently pushing open the cracked door. After a moment he steps into the station and he's immediately confronted by a man, weilding a weapon. "Who are you?" asks the man.

The two point their guns at each other, pacing in a circle with guns in their faces. "You must be Ringo."

"What's it to you? Are you working with Joe Cobb?"

"Nope. Sunny and Trudy told me to come have a look for you, and quite honestly, I find myself wondering why you're running from some Powder-Gangers."

"Ain't it obvious? They want me dead."

"Why is that?"

"You'd have to ask Cobb."

"You a trader?"

"I am. I work for the Crimson Caravan Company. You're a merc." Crow nods in agreement.

"Hmph. How much do you charge?"

"Why? Trying to hire me to take out Joe Cobb?" Ringo narrows his eyes and Crow chuckles. "Don't worry about it. I'd kill Cobb for free, even if my fee hadn't been settled."

"I'd recommend enlisting some of the people of Goodsprings if you're going to take on the Powder-Gangers."

"I'll see what I can do, Ringo." The two slowly back apart until Crow steps out of the station and Ringo lowers his gun. Only then does Crow lower his gun as well and turn back towards the saloon.

He walks quickly, making it to the saloon to speak with the others. "Sunny! Trudy! I'm gonna take out those Powder-Gangers so that the town won't be in any more trouble."

"That sounds like a big job," responds Sunny.

"Hey, you two told me to talk with him," counters Crow. "Now, I'm gonna need a little back-up to pull this off."

"I'll help."

"Atta girl, Sunny."

"We'll need more help, though..."