:)Ch80

Another minute passes by and there's still no sign of someone returning to the booth with the massive 'BOUNTY' sign overhead. One of life's tiny annoyances is that when you see a sign that reads 'Out to lunch. Will return in 30.' you really can't be sure when that actually is. Did they leave eight minutes ago or twenty-eight? How long should I stand here waiting before just leaving and coming back later?

A hand lazily reaches up to fiddle with a lock of hair. 'Tch. It's getting long again. I'll have to find time to get it cut later. I wish it would just stay the way I like it.' My finger pauses as the idea strikes me. 'Wait. Can I do that? Hair growing is an involuntary process and hypothetically speaking [Seimei Kikan] lets me control those. Is it possible for me to just... turn that off? If I 'can' turn it off will it stay that way once I stop thinking about it?'

My hand comes down to eye level and I start inspecting my nails. 'These grow involuntarily too. Maybe I could start experimenting. If I can turn the growth of these off and it stays off...then the question has to be asked. What else can be turned off? No. More importantly, what can be turned on..'

"Jack?"

The surprised voice derails my train of thought and I crane around to face the redhead. "You're back in town?" Abrella's eyes briefly turn to the hooded figured slumped against the wall. "And you brought me a present! So thoughtful." A soft chuckle rang inside my throat. "Nice to see you too Abrella."

"So so." The Petty Officer continued as she removed the 'Out to lunch' sign and took her post. "What's the occasion? Who'd you bring me this time?"

"I'm just here for the day. You could say I was...in the area. As for the guy, we'll get to him in a minute. Trust me, he's not going anywhere. How have you been? Anything exciting happen while I was gone?"

Abrella sighed and leaned over the countertop. "Not really. There's this new kid around named Vince who's brought in a couple people for petty stuff but nothing major. I think the largest payout was maybe…" Abrella's brow scrunched in thought. "200,000 I think? Haven't seen him in a bit over a week though. That's about it. Pretty boring days here I'm afraid." "Sorry to hear that. Hey can I ask you something?" I said, my voice suddenly changing tone. "Is Mori still stationed here? Not that it isn't great to see you again, but I mostly came to turn the bounty in at this particular base because I want to talk to him about something."

Abrella's smile subtly weakened. "He is. But ever since his promotion to Master Chief he isn't my direct supervisor anymore. I report to Chief Klyce now. If you need to talk to someone higher up the chain than me I could go fetch him if you like?"

"Hmm..no...It's more of a personal matter really. Do you know where I might find him?"

"Master Chief Mori spends most of his time either in his office on the fourth floor or sparring in the yard with Master Chief Curren. He's up for Warrant Officer next quarter and Mori's been helping him train." Abrella paused to check the time on her watch. "Actually, they usually break for lunch right around now. I can run a message to him that you're here if you really need me to. Are you sure you can't just speak to someone else?"

"I really appreciate that. Actually wait...maybe you should get someone else too..what's the most you're authorized to pay out for captures?"

Abrella scrutinized the hooded figure more closely. "Any payment on a bounty or group of bounties that exceeds 3,000,000 needs a Warrant Officer or higher to sign off on it. There are some more restrictions when you get to the crazy high numbers but none of that is really relevan-" Abrella choked on her words as I lifted the bag away and she took in the mans features.

The scraggly beard. Single curlicue in his greasy jet black hair. And the very noticeable crisscrossed scar just under his chin. Not a day went by at work that she didn't see that face hanging on her left-most bounty board. The one that displayed 'actual' threats. Not just street thugs and pickpockets. "Jack, is that…?"

"Andrew 'Mulligan' McCarthy." I confirm. "Captain of the Gambler's Fallacy and wanted for 12 million Dead or Alive...this case being dead."

Abrella is speechless as she continues to twist her head between the intimidating poster on her wall and the pale corpse just a few feet away.

"Could you go get those people now?" I prodded with a smile. "I'd hate to be rude but I do have some other errands I really need to get to today."

It's 14 minutes later and I'm watching Abrella count out bills as I wait for Mori. At our left a Junior Lieutenant -Jorgen's replacement most likely- is signing the authorizing forms for a monetary dispensation of this size while a duo of Seamen behind him are carrying the body away for...huh... now that I think about it I really have no idea what they do with the bodies turned in. Cremation maybe?

The officer stops scribbling on his clipboard, gives it one last look over, and then silently nods in satisfaction. "Carry on Petty Officer." He speaks neutrally as he hands the papers over to Abrella for filing.

"Thank you sir." Abrella calls to his retreating form and then pushes the money my way. "Well here you are Jack. Master Chief should only be a few more minutes."

Ding!

Quest Completed!

Quest: Collect a bounty worth at least 10,000,000 Beri.

Reward: +15 STR, +15 VIT or DEX and 10,000 Exp.

You have reached Lv. 44! You have reached Lv. 45! You have reached Lv. 46! You have 60 points to spend!

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