[h3]John Dusk[/h3]

John had to admit the clothes helped, even if a little. The locals would've likely been much more suspicious of them upon entering the town if they had been wearing the prison clothes, he was still unsure of their true origin but for now he'd have to settle with it. 

As the group made its way into town, Dusk found himself studying the place with a soldier's eye. The streets were dusty, it was mostly weathered wooden buildings and the locals watched from shaded porches with weapons resting openly on their hips.

Not exactly the sort of place that screamed "major transportation hub."

If there was a way off-world here, it wasn't obvious. Still, it beat sitting in the desert waiting to die of exposure.

The saloon was the first place that looked remotely alive. The sounds of conversation and music spilled out through the swinging doors, drawing the group inside. Dusk stepped through after Neri, they were faced with a dozen faces all looking at them almost immediately as they stepped in.

At first, it seemed manageable. Curious looks followed them, but nothing unusual. They were strangers in a small town so this much was expected.

Then Kim when walked through the door the mood changed instantly. Dusk felt it before he fully understood it.

Murmurs swirled and the suspicious eyes narrowed.

The hairs on the back of the marine's neck stood up.

His gaze drifted across the room, trying to figure out what had triggered the reaction. Before he could, the bartender slammed a hand against the counter.

[quote=@Dyelli Beybi]
[h2]Chapter Two: High Noon Knockout[/h2]
"You lot aren't welcome here!" he growled, pointing to the door, though apparently the option of a rapid retreat was not available to them as in the intervening space two large men had moved to block that route.

One cracked his knuckles menacingly.

Neri did a quick head count. Including the barman there were a dozen people here who seemed ready for a fight, dhasath and a few kiellar, a few others were skulking off.  But why?  "I think there's been a misunder-" she didn't get a chance to finish as someone yet out an enraged yell, hurling a bottle at her, which she swayed to avoid, feeling the brush of air over her nose.  He gave a growl of rage and charged, fists balled as if ready to punch her.

The move seemed to encourage others and faster than one could have clicked one's fingers, the otherwise peaceful morning turned into a fist fight.[/quote]

Dusk reacted before he even thought about it as his foot slammed into the attacker's ribs with a solid thud. The man folded sideways and crashed into the floorboards, skidding across the room in a cloud of dust.

The entire saloon exploded as people surged to their feet, toppling chairs and throwing punches. 

The fight spread through the room like a brushfire.

"Son of a bitch."

A large dhasath was already bearing down on Dusk, they swung hard. Dusk slipped inside the punch as his own fist sailed past and he drove an elbow into the attacker's jaw.

The impact snapped the man's head sideways and Dusk shoved him backward.

The dhasath stumbled into a table, sending drinks, cards, and furniture crashing to the floor. People were fighting everywhere now.

The Marine lowered his center of gravity and raised his hands instinctively.

The day had started with looking for work and instead, it looked like they'd found a bar fight.

And judging by the number of angry locals closing in, it was only getting started.