A man with dirty blonde hair marched into the dingy room and dropped onto a stool which had been made in a time before the world changed. He glanced up at the man standing on the other side of the wooden bar and glared. “Water.” There was a thud as his pack at the floor beside him. “And let the Boss know I’m back.”

The man nodded and hurried with the water. He knew this man wasn’t to be messed with. He was on the bosses good side and once more he always brought home the copper. “Here you go.” The man behind the bar told him pushing him a glass which had seen better days filled with a clear liquid.

The blonde took a long pull and smiled. “As good as I remember. The Boss.” He reminded the man who quickly darted off. A few moments later another man looking a bit older perhaps in his late 20 early 30’s came out and smiled. “Corwin, you’re back and just in time.” He waved a hand. “Come with me.”

The man at the bar stood taking his glass with him as he followed the other man back. “What ya got?” he asked closing the door behind him.

The Boss sat down and pulled a few sheets of paper out. “I have these for you.” He glanced up then smiled. “How did you do?”

“I brought back what you wanted.” Corwin told him in a calm almost emotionless voice.

However the Boss knew he felt and cared what happened around him. “Let me see as I explain what I’ve got for you.” Corwin started to bring out the copper as the man talked. “There have been reports from the north about a winged person wondering around. No ones seen it’s kind before. I want you to investigate it and see what it wants or who it works for.” He moved a single sheet to him. It had a badly taken picture.

“What else?” Corwin asked as he studied the shot. “Nothing better on this thing?”

“What more do you need to know it has wings and clawed feet.” The Boss laughed. “The next is also in the North. There’s a hit out on a young girl seems she pissed off the wrong people and they want her dead. I didn’t get all the details of course but I’m sure you’ll get it along the way.” He slide a few sheets over to him this time. On top was another badly taken picture. There were a couple of other shots as well all much better them the last.

“This will do.” Corwin nodded then looked at the last sheet. “What the hell is that?” he asked.

“Ah this,” the other man held up the sheet and smiled. “It’s badly written and nothing is spelled right but the idea is there.”

Corwin lifted his eyebrows. “And that is?”

The older man gave a small snort. “Forgot man. It says; Join the Gears today.” He gave another small snort. “I want you to look into this Gears thing and see what it’s all about. Seems the guy doing this is in the East.” He smiled.

Corwin sagged and nodded. He knew the meeting was over and it was time for him to leave. He stood finished his water and took his cut of the copper. “I want dust for the road enough for four months. It might take me longer. I’ll need a full restock. While you work on that I’m going to shower.” The other man nodded and began the work as Corwin left his office and headed out back for the showers.

Corwin stood under the water and puzzled over his three assignments. Two to the North, one to the East. East meant clean, cheap water, North was wild and ever expanding. The hit might not be hard and who ever had asked for it done could part with quite a bit of copper. He turned in the water rising the dirt of the road off as he wondered which way to go first. The target should be stationary while the bird person would be on the move. He knew he wanted to take care of the Gears last, what ever that was about.”

As he stepped out he knew what he was going to do. It might take him a month to get there but he would go after the bird first. All he needed was information nothing else. Once he had that, he’d head for the mark, make the copper he would need while in the East and take his time tracking the last one down.

That very night he left heading into the North hoping to find the bird person soon. If he didn’t have to walk the whole damn territory it would help a great deal.

Days passed and still he hadn't heard anything about a bird person let alone anyone who had seen one. Corwin was tired. He had been saving his copper by sleeping outside as much as possible but it didn't seem to be doing him any good. He knew he would have to stop soon at a Dump site in order to at least get some water in his mouth or he would be to sick to travel soon. Unlike others his body didn't convert alcohol to water in order to stay hydrated.

He paused looking at the ground in front of him. In the darkening light he could just make out what seemed to be a foot print. He bent low and looked at it more carefully. He wasn't the best tracker and he never claimed he was but he was pretty sure that print was a few days old at least. Though he could have been wrong he was pretty damn sure, more sure than how old the print was it was made from a bird like claw.

He stood up and smiled at himself, at least he was heading the right way. Corwin glanced at his pip and nodded. The weather was clear for the next few days. Once more he glanced at the track then lifted his eyes to the sky. He had half expected the bird person to fly but if this track was any indication the thing had to move about on the ground. It would be easier to track it then at least.

He reached a hand out as if to touch the print then stopped and dropped his pack to the side of it. Before long he had made his camp. There was no point in moving on tonight, it was growing to dark for even him to see and his target was a good ways off. He could wait until dawn the move again hoping to catch the bird before it got wind of him.

At least this hunt was proving to be a bit more exciting then the last one he had been on a number of yrs before. As he stretched out he glanced once more at the print and smiled soon they would have their first face to face meeting, at least he hoped they would.

Corwin had stopped at the last dump site to refill his canteen. Once clean and shaved as best he could and with a full nights sleep he had moved on. While at the site he had heard rumors about a girl with what looked like wings. He had tried to get as much information as he could however there wasn't much more than she was seen.

He stepped out into the bright red sun and blinked. Carefully he reached into his pocket and pulled out a small package, licked his fingers and stuck them into the small bag. His thumb and fore finger were both covered in a white power which he then pressed onto his tongue.

It didn't take long for the stuff to work. Expanding his senses giving him more clarity. He opened his mind and scanned the surrounding area. If she was out there he would find her. He took a a few moments to be sure then moved forward heading the way he had been told she had gone.

It took him time but in a day or two he found his mark. The slight blimp in his mind which told him she was close at hand. He smiled and moved more quickly heading right for her. If he could head her off he could at least see what she looked like.

He didn't manage to head her off instead he did one better. He walked right up to her scanning her mind. She was thirsty and in need of copper. He smiled as he approached. "Hello there. Haven't seen your kind before. Mind telling me where your from?" He asked as he took out the canteen making sure to show it off.

I see." Corwin stated with his smile firmly in place. He was glad to note she was looking at his canteen. He carefully unscrewed the cap and lifted it to his mouth. "Tell me can you use those things or are they simply decoration?" It was an honest question since he had never seen anything like her.He was very interested in what she was doing there is she came form the north. He took a small sip of water letting just a small amount run down from his lips. It was a waste but one he hoped would pay off.

The man nodded. "Names Corwin." He looked her over again and smiled so she wanted to control the conversation. He was almost tempted to let her do so, if only so he could learn more about her. "I'm sorry to hear you can't fly yet." He waved the canteen around in such a way as to make the water splash against the sides but not to spill. "Like I said I've never seen your kind before. Are their others or are you the only one?" His mind scanned her's and he nodded. He didn't need her to answer but it was good for form if he waited for her to do so. He had other questions as well though while they were the more pressing he could wait.