The faint smell of saltwater brushed Joe's nostrils as he traveled seaward. He was getting closer, but had yet to find a lantern. [i]Wonder what'll happen if I skip the lantern? Might end up in a fight. Might get some new loot.[/i] Joe's thoughts were cut short by a faint light bobbing in the distance. [i]Though, I don't want to start off on the wrong foot with my new employers.[/i]

[hr]

Joe sighed as the man cowered before him. Just some wanderer, probably a straggling caravaneer. But he had what Joe needed. Otherwise, Joe wouldn't even have bothered with him. Tough luck.

"But, it's too dark! If I give you my lantern, it'll be a death sentence for m-" he was cut off by the sound of Joe's pistol cocking.

"If you don't give it to me, it'll be a death sentence for you. Now, either put it on the ground, or I'll pry it off your corpse." Joe demanded.

The man's face contorted, faced with certain death or probable death. Just as the tears were beginning to form, his expression changed. Fear was replaced with anger, and his once trembling hands now clutched the lantern with white knuckles.

"Fine! Take it!" he screamed, and threw the lantern at Joe's feet. The lantern broke, spreading fire and causing Joe to fall back. Joe trained his crosshairs on the man's fading back, but holstered his weapon instead of firing. [i]Waste of a bullet.[/i] he thought, [i]Besides, he's got guts. Oughta make the mirelurks happy.[/i]

[hr]

Joe sauntered past the sentry, who seemed to pay him no mind. Nonetheless, he was tense. This wasn't like any of the other jobs. There were two men speaking in the doorway, and what looked like two women in the house. One of the men was holding a bloody lantern, and looked severely out of place, compared to the others. Joe didn't think clothes that nice even existed anymore.

Joe tossed his broken, burnt lantern at the men's feet, announcing his presence.

"So, what's the pay?"