<div class="floatleft">(http://redskytrader.com/images/product-images/m206b_2.jpg)</div><br/><div align="center"><strong>A Masquerade Party on Osiris ~ Around 3 and a half years ago</strong><br/>(<span class="bbc_size" style="font-size: 8pt;"><em>Thalia and Samson "meet" for the first time </em></span>)<br/></div><br/>Samson felt out of place at ball, bunch of fancy people bragging about all their money. It was also a great place to hear a few things for future heists and his contact wanted to meet discreetly at the masquerade ball. She would be wearing a mask of green with lace, no one had fit that description, yet. The suit he was wearing was warm, the mask hotter. Taking a moment to move towards the nearby tables for a drink, he was walking off to make another round of the gala when a guest bumped into him. Samson did not take any offense nor voice any, it was a crowded event and he could not fault someone for needing a drink. The words he loudly muttered caused him to turn and catch the offender's sneer behind his half mask. "Watch your tone boy or I'll fix it for you." Samson warned, prepared to just leave it at that, a shame Dale couldn't.<br/><br/>Dale face twisted angrily, first he had been denied by Thalia and now this rim worlder thought he had a right to threaten him! The man let reason slip away as he stepped forward. "Who do you think you are, I am Dale Silver. Do you have any idea who I am?"<br/><br/>"I don't have time for this junior." The man in the pirate mask (Samson) cut him off, taking a step away but Dale cut him off. In a quick motion, Dale grabbed Samson by the shoulder. "Don't you dare walk away from meoooooof." The recent law graduate grunted as he found himself on is back, all the wind knocked out of him with Samson looking down at him.<br/><br/>"I told you boy, I don't have time for this." Samson repeated, catching a glimpse of green in the crowd. Dale's head was pounding, his cheeks pink from embarrassment. A few heads had turned his way as he scrambled to his feet, still struggling to breath. "I challenge you to a duel you back water son of a whore! Fight me or prove me right that all of you from West Point are nothing but war deserting cowards and traitors!" Dale ran his mouth, the murmuring crowd began to whisper among themselves. Challenges and duels, a useless custom of the core worlds but one that made or broke a man. Samson Castle had nothing to prove, but the stupid son of a bitch had gone and dragged his family into the shit.<br/><br/>"I accept boy, I Samson Castle, Cavalryman of West Point accept. Time and place boy, and I will show you your place." Samson accepted, Dale stood. "Now, I will make the arrangements. I will show you your true place you scum sucking peasant!"<br/><div class="floatright">(http://images.amcnetworks.com/amctv.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/tu-s1-judge-590.jpg)<br/><div align="center"><em>Governor of Osris<br/>Richard Vanderbuilt</em></div> </div><br/>Word of a growing scuffle near the tables had reached Richard, drawing his attention. His guards reported a duel had been  issued and they were looking for someone to oversee it followed planetary law. The Governor of Osris loved duels, a common place practice before the war. A duel at his party, what a lovely distraction for his guests! As host of the party, Richard sent for the two men and made all the arrangements for them. Word began to spread around, a duel! A duel outside for the guests! What could have been handled quietly would now be handled "civilly"<br/><br/>True to his word, Samson followed the escorts, Dale arrived moments later. A crowd was growing and weapons were issued. The Cavalry sword that started it all was inspected by the officials as Dale tested and demonstrated multiple blades, for the crowd. He was also showing off, confident he would beat the rim world scum.