Exodus

((Remi O'Haren---Gun))

Remi sat high and far from the crowd on her bike. The old Earth style motorcycle had been refitted over and over until it became Remi's signature. Every Gun who'd ever come to her knew her by her bike. It sat calmly on the ground, waiting to be started. It was wheel less, giving it a pod like appearance. Remi had installed a magnetic system that allowed the bike to hover over the ship's metal body. Mounted on the back were two small reactors which gave the bike extra speed if needed.

Remi crossed her arms and shifted her gun on her back to a more comfortable position. Down that stairs and across from the platform sat the crowd, listening to Captain Jamis. Remi would go as far as she was in fear of her life. The fight between the Guns and the Uppers had put her on edge. Several of her comrades had died, ones she'd helped and known.

"Enjoying the view?"

Remi jumped up, easily slipping her gun around the strap and to her front and flicked it towards the voice, finger on the trigger. James Gates stood behind her bike, smiling at her jumpiness.

Remi smiled warily and loosened her stance. "Hello James. Good to see you again. How's your gun running?"

James fingered his pistol that was strapped to him. "Very well. The new part works miraculously." He grinned.

Remi sat back down on her bike and glanced toward the crowd. "I still don't see why you want to keep that old piece of junk. My offer on a new gun still stands. What d'you suppose is going on down there?"

James took a few step forward, placing himself next to Remi. "he listened for a moment. "Can't tell. Why don't you go see?"

"I like living," Was her response.

James shrugged, his finger absently running over his pistol.

Zander

I seriously needed to get a new gun I fingered the remains of my automatic multi-barrel pistol.

Of all the places that I had gone to get information this time i had made a mistake. The killings on that day, i had been there and i had seen what happened. And of course me and a few of the other Guns who had come with me had been treated like shit, which resulted on the gun fight. We had been tricked, they had told us they were going to give us information, information about the 'virus' or 'killings'. I escaped as soon as i felt the tension grow between them and that's the last i saw of the Gun's that i had been with.

I got off my bed and walked out of my room, and into the open. After wards i walked towards one of the Gun hideouts, it was were most of the Gun's had their guns hidden.

The wall was almost exactly the same as the rest of the place. Only the Gun's knew where the hideouts were, and they guarded them. I looked around, one couldn't say where a Upper Sector could be. I knocked on the door thrice as required and after a few minutes entered as the door slid open.

Inside it looked as normal as it had been outside, except for the fact that everyone wore their guns out, as if it was normal.

I ventured more, until i came to a friends room.

Kate

I fingered my laser-taser while I walked the halls of the shipped. I traced the trigger with my fingertips, making everyone around me ill at ease. I smiled absently to myself as I continued down the hall to my room. I dug through my pouch, a small leather bag that was usually strung around my waist, and extracted my room key.

Recently I had always been extra careful to make sure my room was locked. Call it paranoia, but by my point of view there must be people on this ship who wants me dead. I wasn't exactly your friendly type of person, rather than someone who is feared by all. I jiggled the key in the lock and was relieved to see everything untouched.

My room was small, but it was so with all the Guns. I had had a better room when I was in the agriculture mechanics sector, but now it seemed I was low-class. My bed was stuffed into a corner and since I couldn't pay for a maid anymore my room was in disarray. There was a small kitchen with a counter, sink, stove-top and mini fridge, but most of the time I dined out at the Eatery. A chest that was filled with my clothes stood at the foot of the bed and a desk with a chair. I had my latest project on the desk, an old hologram projector given to me by one of the second generations.

Jamie

Beep...beep...beep. I looked over at the holographic monitors in my watch. My patient seemed to be doing well with the plastic surgery and I was almost finished. I was finishing by applying some cream to her face that would knit any torn skin together, just like stitches use to. The cream worked quickly and efficiently, leaving not a scratch on the woman. I was pleased by my work, the woman looked at least 50 years younger.

Zander

I knocked on the door. A few minutes later the door opened and a girl looked at me.

"What do you want Zander?" She asked opening the door.

I showed her the remnants of my gun.

"That's typical of you Zander" Kate said sighing.

"Well, got any ideas?" I asked politely.

"Maybe maybe not" She said.

"Come on Kate, Please?" I begged.

"Okay, I'll fix your gun." I finally gave in and took the pieces of scrap metal from his hand. I inspected the damage.
"How did this happen anyway?" I looked over suspiciously at him. This wasn't exactly easy to break.

"Well... you know..." I sighed as I extracted my tool box from behind my desk. Of course it would be Zander that did this to my new virtually indestructible gun. It looked more like a sad scrap of titanium rather than the most dangerous gun on the ship.

"It better not happen again or you'll have to find another mechanic that supplies guns to the Guns." I smiled to myself as I took out a laser and began taking parts off.

"Are there any besides you that actually make new guns anymore? One of the Authorities might find out what your doing." Zander warned me. I waved his thoughts away.

"Don't worry about me, worry about yourself." I looked down at my work. "Zander, I may not be able to repair this and I don't have the supplies for it." I saw that the metal had been warped and twisted by another bullet, but how I couldn't fathom. This was a special titanium I had had on hand and now it would be impossible to come by.
I let my hands fall to my sides in defeat.

"Even if I do finish this it won't be for another week or so." I glanced over at Zander's reaction, but he seemed completely untroubled by the fact that he may be walking around the ship without some sort of protection against whatever it was that was killing so quickly. Seeing his response made me uneasy, so I walked over to my cabinet by my bed.

"Here." I said, handing him one of my old guns. They seemed to become scarcer and scarcer as the killings increased.

The first thing that Bree noticed when she opened her mother's and grandfather's door to their quarters was the silence, the stillness. It seemed to suffocate her. She stood in the doorway for a few moments, trying to figure out why it seemed so silent in here. Shouldn't she hear her Grandfather's soft breathing? Shouldn't she hear her mother's muffled sobs? The realization came at her like a slap in the face, it whatever it was must have been here.

She began to breath heavily and went to her pocket for the small pistol that she always kept with her, just in case. The pocket was empty... How? Scared out of her wits, that's what her grandfather would call her feelings right now...though she really didn't know what that meant. Taking a deep breath she proceeded in, making as little noise as possible. There was no one in the kitchen/living room areas now she had to check the bedrooms

The door to her Grandfather's room was half-open, and there seemed to be some rustling noise coming from within. She felt paralyzed and yet she couldn't stop her hand from going forward and pushing the door all the way open. Her eyes became round and her scream caught in her throat, there, laying on the bed, was her grandfather cold and dead, near him was someone (something?)indescribable...

Bree sat up suddenly in her bed. She was shivering and covered in sweat, her heart beating a mile a minute. Taking a long deep breath she laid back down and released it in a sigh. All a terrible dream, all just a terrible dream she calmed herself, but still she reached for her coat pocket which was hanging on a chair next to her bed and pulled out her small pistol. She held it in her hand and tried to calm her breathing.

After a few minutes she decided that sleep was hopeless, checking the time she sighed again. It was only 5am. "Whatever," she murmured and threw off the covers. Bree began to make a list of a few things she needed to do to calm herself down. 1. Make sure that her Mother and Grandfather were fine, 2. Make sure they locked their doors from now on after she left and 3. Get a better defense than just a crappy old pistol from so long ago. She smiled, knowing exactly where she could get such a weapon.

(Remi O'Haren - Guns - Mechanic)

Remi sighed. "I'm out. Customers to see, guns to fix."

James nodded and pulled himself out of the leaning position and towards the crowd. "Later."

Remi swung her leg over the side, mounting the bike and kicking the start lever on the right side of the bike in the same motion. It started with a sputter and then hummed, its magnets coming to life, pulling the bike a few inches above the ground. Remi turned a dial on her handlebars. The magnet resistance rose, causing the bike to move vertically. It stopped at the top of the nearest building. She eased the bike forward and it took off. whenever she came to a taller building she simply adjusted the resistance again.

She scanned the nearly identical streets, keeping count in her head. She finally arrived at the thirty second block west of the plaza. Remi turned the resistance off gradually, the humming sound declining as she descended. She stopped a few inches above the ground and swung off. She pushed the bike up to a wall and moved around it to knock five times on it. Part of the wall clicked and moved aside, revealing a eye scanner. Remi leaned forward and let the scanner do its work. It beeped happily, flashed green and opened the door into the garage. Remi pushed the bike in and casually kicked the wall behind her, causing the door to close.

Inside various part lay askew on the ground. A vehicle of sorts sat propped up in the middle of the room. Aside from the vehicle and its parts, the rest of the garage was neat and clean. Rows of tools lined the walls along with brand new guns in good condition. the powerful weapons, bombs, and vehicles lay in the level below the garage.

Remi turned off the magnets on her bike and let it rest on the ground. She went to an old wooden door and turned its handle. Past the door was a 20th century style home, hardwood floors, carpet, furniture of all kinds clashing with each other. Remi liked it anyway, it had a gypsy like mismatching matching that was homey. Remi took off her gun and laid it on a kitchen counter and checked her communication line to see if any customers left messages.

((If anyone want's something from Remi they can PM me with a message she could find))

Kate

There was another knock on the door that made Zander and I look up from our conversation.

"I'll get it.", Zander said. He took his new pistol and aimed it down at his side, very ready for a quick shot.

"Sure, because it's not like I'm perfectly capable of getting it for myself in my own home.", I mumbled to myself. Zander looked over and smiled tauntingly at me as he turned the knob on the door.

"Who is it?" he asked just before turning it all the way.

"It's Bree. Is Kate there?" Bree inquired. I answered,

"I'm here." I shouted over. "Zander, let her in." I whispered under my breath. He reluctantly opened the door for Bree. My face lit up when I saw my old friend.

Jamie

The surgery was done and my day was, as well. I had received three patients today alone that had to be sent to the drop-off. They were just a little too late for me, having the virus spread quickly through there blood stream and finally stopping the heart. It was at times like these that I felt utterly helpless, simply allowing all these people to die along with this undetectable disease. There was no real way to find out what specifically it was, but my theory was as good as anyone's.

I was beginning to wonder how long it would take until I snapped. Some might say I had a severe case of paranoia, but I would rather call it self-preservation. At this death rate I wouldn't make it into my thirties.

I opened my door to my house, or "penthouse" as most of the Uppers called our luxurious homes. The name seemed to fit, so it stuck with everyone on the ship. My home had a master bedroom, which included a king-sized bed and hologram screening, something similar to a TV only not as dull. I had a laundry list of rooms, but my favorite was my office. I had medical history books from as early as the 20th century and my research for the virus was stored away in that room. Everything in my office was probably one of the most valuable things on this ship.

When I entered my foyer I first noticed something was out of place, or rather something was here. I cautiously made my way over to my bedroom to find a figure sitting quietly, as if waiting for me to return home.

"Hello, Jamie." the voice said. I immediately recognized it.

"Alex? Is that you?" and then I remembered. There was only one person I was willing to trust with keys to my place. I saw her smirk.

"Of course." she said.

Zander

"Gun replacement" said Bree sowing Kate a extremely old un-named pistol.

"For some reason everyone's been coming here for new guns" said Kate sighing.

"Umm am i disturbing you" I jumped in before a conversation started.

"Oh sorry, Elsbree Zander, Zander Elsbree" introduced Kate.

"Greetings" I replied.

"Hey" She said warmly.

"So about our guns" I asked.

"You can have that one" She said sighing "...and Bree..."

Kate started rummaging through her belongings.

"Hey Kate by the way, have you got any rifles with you?" I asked.

A piece of titanium came flying at me, which i dodged at the last minute.

"I'll take that as a 'no'" I sighed making Bree laugh.

I laughed lightly and Bree did the same. It was nice to have friends around again.

"So Bree, how did you manage to get such an out-dated gun?", I inquired.

"Ummm... I think it was my grandfather's." Bree said, looking around the room.

"Nice." Zander said. I shot him a dirty look before continuing on my scavenger hunt through my cabinet. There were only parts here... I was afraid the one I gave Zander was my last one that was intact. The rest of my gun supply cabinet was parts from Zander's old and shredded guns.

"Tell you what. If you get me some more supplies, like titanium, I will have my newest model ready ready for you in a few days."

"Hey, You said mine would take two weeks!" Zander complained.

"Yes," I replied smirking with my hands on my hips. "and that's two weeks of you not breaking it."

((Remi O'Haren - Guns - Mechanic))

Remi check her communication feed, no calls or anything major. She sighed and placed her hands on her hips, looking around her house. Nothing new and nothing misplaced. just the way she wanted it to be. Taking her hands off her hips she lumbered over towards the door to the garage and knocked five times. A eye slat appeared and scanned her eye, granting her access. She kicked the wall after she was through, shutting the door behind her.

The tank-like vehicle looked at her, she returned the stare. Maybe I should work on you. She thought. Remi shook her head. She had forgotten, she was out of platinum. She grunted, with the Uppers doing sweeps of the ship for the next few days there wouldn't be any looking for platinum that she wouldn't have to fight for. They would've taken all the scrap they find. It would be at least another week or two before scraps would be delivered to the yard or left in the streets.

Remi sighed. She'd have to call Kate.

Remi walked lightly over to her communication board. The wireless, traceless video calls were part of a system Remi had helped create and build for the Guns. She tapped the screen, turning it on. She typed in the line that was Kate's and hit connect. An old noise was emitted, she was told of the telephones of Earth.

The screen flashed and Kate's face appeared, her face smiling. "Hey Remi. What's up?"

Remi noticed two other Guns sat in her house, "Nothing much. I was just wondering if you'd have any extra platinum you could spare?"

Kate's face scrunched. "Nope sorry. I haven't found any useful platinum in a while. Why don't you go find some for yourself?"

"The Uppers have a sweep tonight and I don't feel like fighting."

Kate let out a thoughtful sound. "Sorry. Hey, do you have an titanium you could spare? Bree needs a new gun"

Remi grinned. "I've got plenty to spare I raided a couple Authority metal yards. I can bring it over now if you want, with a gun she can use until yours is done."

Kate nodded and crossed her arms. "Sound's good. It'll be a bit cramped, however. Not everyone has a mansion like you freakin' do."

Remi rolled her eyes, "Be right over," and turned the com off.

My place was a little more than crowded at this point, it was getting to be claustrophobic. Zander sat on my bed while Bree leaned over me as I worked. Then came the knock at the door that was Remi.

"Come in." I yelled over my shoulder. Zander got up to get the door once again and welcomed Remi in.

"Hey, I have your supplies." she said shutting the door behind her. "Oh, wow. You do have a crowd today."

"Yeah. Remi, this is Zander and Bree. Zander and Bree, this is Remi." I said focusing on my work. They said there greetings until Remi found her way over to me.

"Here." she said handing me a backpack. "All the titanium you need." I smiled up at her.

"Thank you. I wish I had some platinum with me, but I don't." I told her apologetically. Zander looked over at us.

"I know where some platinum is. It's by the Uppers near the hospital dock. They're loading some in tonight." he said.

"Really?" Remi said cocking her head to the side. "And how would you know this?"

"Well, I used to live near there before the Upper freaks took over. Plus, I was hunting someone down a few days ago."

"That explains your gun." I mumbled. Remi was intrigued by what Zander knew and asked further,

"Can you show me tonight?"

"Show you? I need some action! Let's get it tonight. I still need to get that guy, anyway. He's on my "Most Suspicious for Murderer List"." Zander declared. I was rather amused by all of this.

"I'll tag along. Bree, would you like to join our little hunt for gold? Or rather platinum?" I asked her.

"I guess this is the best time to test my new gun. I'm in."

I couldn't believe what I had just agreed to! The words had just tumbled out of my mouth and now I was going to go on a hunt for platinum with a new gun! A mixture of anxiety and excitement gave me butterflies in my stomach. Then it gave a dive, "What if I see Dad?" I thought, my stomach twisting into a knot, it'd been years. I pushed that away knowing that there were hundreds of places where the uppers hid. What were the odds that he was in the place where I was going?

I smiled at the thought of the fun we'd all have tonight. It had been awhile since I'd felt happy like this, with the persistent worry about my mother and grandfather nagging at me, it was my job to take care of them after all. I turned to Kate
"You'll have the gun ready for tonight, right? If I take the old one it might just fall apart in my hand."

"Yeah, don't worry about it, I'll have it ready in no time."

"Thanks Kate." I replied, then facing Zander I asked him "When do we meet?"

"Any time is fine with me" I replied yawning, i needed some sleep.

"How's two hours from now sound?" asked Remi.

"Yeah that's fine, meet you, here i two hours then" I said.

Remi nodded and we went our own ways.

I looked at the gun Kate had give me, it wasn't much but it would have to do.

----------

I walked into my room and then collapsed onto my bed. I yawned again, set my alarm for one hour and forty five minutes and fell asleep.

Bree sat there in my room with me as I worked. Remi and Zander had left and Bree decided to stay with me before the action began.

"Are you up for tonight" I asked casually.

"I guess so, I mean I just agreed to it." Bree seemed to shake her to herself.

"It'll be fun." I told her.

"What do you mean by fun?"