Chapter 313: Big Ballard
Jace frowned at hearing the description but a moment later as the shop’s bell rang indicating the door opening he could not have agreed more with the description. A short round fat man barely fit through the door. He then hobbled partially into the shop stopping between some narrower shelves and glaring at them like they were his enemy.
Jace actually had to bite his lip and look away so he would not burst out in laughter. The door to the backroom opened and the old man with spectacles set a book to the side discreetly as he walked to the counter. "Sir, what can I do for you today?" The store owner asked. But Jace saw him nervously glance at the Siren.
"I am collecting today, it appears some non-human scum made its way to my planet so it is only right I own them." The man rumbled out as he looked up and down the Siren woman. He licked his lips. Half of his face was metal so it left a bit of slobber on his metal cybernetics. "Now are you going to be coming willingly or are you going to resist. Because either way there is no out for you here."
Jace could hear a new voice come over their communication channel. "That is Big Ballard or Big Fat Ball to anyone that hates him. He is the top slaver on this planet. Slaving is a big business in the republic and for Ballard it is also a pleasure. We could off him here and now. It would certainly cause some chaos. It would also save a bunch of people."
"I thought you were here to keep us on task Atlas." Marcus pointed out. "There will always be people like this. We just have to avoid them."
"Except in this case we can’t." Salem reminded them. While the human and Siren exchanged a look.
"Jace I just got word that Salem and her people are another squad’s problem. We can leave them alone." Nila interrupted his eaves dropping on their conversation.
Jace thought for a moment about the situation. He can just leave but it was likely going to bite him in the ass or rather Salem in the ass if he just did that. So he could swoop in and pull the heat off of them. But then they would have to leave the planet quickly to avoid being tracked down by the Republic.
Jace used his HUD to send a bunch of messages to his squad members. Then he set down the book as he continued listening in on them. "I am no one’s property. I am most certainly not some fat slug’s property." The Siren spoke proudly as her hand slowly reached for Tanto that was hidden on the back of her hip. It was essentially a dagger version of a katana. He had researched them when studying various types of swords. He was thinking about getting a larger and shorter sword for his new weapon form and that version of a katana came up.
Jace walked around to the front door going around some shelves so he did not come in between the pair of Union Agents and the Slaver. One of the officers looked at him and he nodded at the door, "do not mean to interrupt but you are blocking the door and I need to get out." Jace told them with a smile.
"What are-" The slaver started up but one of the officers stepped to the side so Jace just stepped out and the slaver cut himself off. Turning back to the Siren and human. "So the hard way it is. I do not mind. But your human friend there might just end up being a casualty in this little fight so I suggest you change your mind."
Jace stopped outside the front of the store and pulled his Pyre looking directly at Marcus Trentwood who was across the street leaning against a wall. He pushed himself off the wall as Jace could even see him blink in surprise as Jace attached a silencer to the Pyre.
Jace then turned around and raised the Pyre. The human, Siren, and book store owner were the ones to first notice him. Jace winked at them and gave a grin before he fired on the police officers first who were in the back. Four fountains of blood emerged, one from each of their heads as the bullets traveled right through. The human, Siren, and book store owner all ducked and dived for cover.
The two suited individuals and the fat man were confused about the burst of blood for a moment before they heard the bodies falling to the floor. Then a moment later the suited men were dead and falling to the ground with two new holes in their head. The ball of a human turned around slowly, not because of some dramatic effect but because he was just that fat.
"Ha... go ahead and try you lowborn-" Ting! Jace blinked in surprise along with Ballard the slaver as a bullet ricocheted off his head. Ballard reached up and touched the skin part of his head which had been torn off to reveal the metal plating underneath. "You tried to kill me!" He yelled in surprise.
Jace shrugged, "to be fair you were supposed to be dead. That is some decent armor plating." Jace complemented as he removed the silencer from his pistol and put it away along with his Pyre.
"What, are you done trying to kill me?" Ballard asked with a smug tone.
Jace shook his head, "No, I just figured I would save the bullets." He then stepped forward and put his hand on Ballard’s head and looked towards the Union Agents who were peaking around the shelves out with their weapons drawn and ready.
He grinned again before he charged and released some of his built up electricity, having it travel through his hand and into Ballard. It went from him to around the room as the man began spasming and Jace took a few steps back. He watched as the slaver’s eyes burst and then he could see with his senses as the man ceased existing.
Jace gave a slight head nod to the agents and walked in the direction of the space port. As he got to an intersection he almost ran face first into Salem who slid to a stop in a wide eyed surprise. Atlas following her stopped as well looking confused.
Jace gave her a grin, "you owe me one." He told her before walking across a street. Leaving her momentarily stunned.