IC: Extassis, Les Etrangers Beaux Options

[BishopMcQ]

With an exhaled breath all emotion, fear and doubt, has been cleansed from Shiver's mind. He could feel Moira's song stretching light tendrils of control over as the emotions of the room begin to crystallize.

As the newly hired muscle courses across the room to engage Zuzana, the ancient troll knows that now is his time. A web of deception surrounds her, preparations made to give a moment to save Michael.

He would not be saved.

Movement from Aaron, the strange katas which project force across the gap, striking against the Chi of the target rather than the flesh which binds the spirit to this realm. Now is the time.

Shiver, a shimmering half-seen force, begins to move.

[Buddha72]

Body Bag

The strange contrast of entralled guests and violence makes the events seem unreal. A woman in an elegant evening gown flows into motion, dropping her purse and withdrawing two short handles or cylinders from her gown. She draws up to Nancy and makes a slashing motion with one hand and a small weight draws forth a line of silver so thin it seems to appear and disappear. It cuts a thin line down her one arm that wells up crimson. Her shriek of pain rings out through the club.

"Take down him fast and make sure it's messy, that's what we're being paid for." The woman seems to be addressing the rest of the team, her tone suggest familiarity.

"Ready the car." Zuzana's speaks quielty and looks to Hiroto, her eyes promising pain and release from this life before turning away. She moves quickly, sliding like silk past the enspelled bodies. As she reaches Nancy's side her body twists and a foot lashes out. You hear the faint crack of bone as the woman wielding the whips is struck soundly in the ribs. She tries to roll with the kick but ends up slamming into a table and falling to the floor.

Murrey

The senser network comes alive around you as a broadcast of alarm is carried out through the network of the Core security force, you watch as you insinuate yourself into their network with relative ease. You watch the limo heat up as the driver starts the vehicle. You hear the incoming message that the patrol units are inbound to the club. You watch with alarm as a strange distortion builds and pulses out from the club. The signals from the drones inside seem to skip and fade but stabilize, you see the distortion have a similar effect on the drones in the Core network.

Shiver

You move vitually unseen through the space, a ripple of distortion like a heat vapor as you arrive at your target. His face is a mask of arrogance and contempt, no real fear registering on his features. You watch a smug small creep across his lips as his bodyguard attacks what he believes the leader of this pack of shadow trash. You breathe out and feel the calm descend as the blade does, arcing gracefully through air, tendon and bone but none of that matters just the small vial is of any importance. You watch through the spray of blood and bone as the leading edge of the sword slices cleanly through it and the small scale held within. You feel the last of your breath leave you as the scale is neatly cut in two.

Body Bag

A pull, like a wave returning to the sea grips the room. A ripple passes through the air and a moment of stillness hangs in the air until a heartbeat later a pulse of pressure and light explodes outward from Micheal and washes across the room. Light flicker and the sound of fuses blowing from the stage go off like machine gun reports. The room is filled with the after images of astral spirits made visible by the pulse and glass shatters, filling the air with tiny points of light. A single roar of outrage and defiance fills your mind as the pulse fades.

In the silence that follows Desdemona strikes. She draws heavily on the mana around her and hurls it with a savage gesture at one of the Circle members, Alex. The air between bends and twists as the mana is warped, deflected and reflected between them. It hurts to watch the space as it rips and tears before the magic grounds itself into the objects around them. Small chairs explode, the floor smokes and tables warp from the contact with the mana flows. Desdemona screams with rage at the failed spell and draws a large pistol, readying it.

Micheal stumbles back from the strike as his wrist sprays his life's blood to the floor. His face gripped with disbelief and shock. He quickly mutters a series of words and clamps a hand to the stump where his hand once was. The blood flow slows but doesn't quite stop completely as his body tries to repair the damage fueled by the mana pouring into it.

On the stage, Moira watches with undisguised horror at the violence and bloodshed, her skin pale and waxy as she holds the song strong. A shimmer heralds the apperance of her ally spirit as she rests a hand on his back. Reaching out, she weaves flows of mana around the club erecting spell shields around the guests near the confrontation creating a bubbles over groups of them.

[Fenris]

A snap, and the length of the collapsible staff extends, power and possibility collecting around the mage as he triggers the power focus.

Flickering, ghostly essences rise up through the floor, the towering outlines of the great form elementals already taking shape amid the already crowded club. The rumble and groan of earth, the roar of fire, and the howling of the winds fills the space as the elementals push through the boundaries between this world and their own.

A small smile touches Bakatare's lips as he adjusts his own protective shields, including the elementals for the moment to assure they're not removed by some errant spell effect before stepping forward. He raises his voice above the din, making sure to be heard by all.

"MEMBERS OF THE CIRCLE! Your leader's life is forfeit, but that fate can be limited to he and he alone if the rest of you leave immediately!"

[Buddha72]

Body Bag

Bakatare's voice carries through out the club and holds a power to it that compels belief. You watch the uncertainity and doubt wash over the faces of the Circle members as his words sink in. They seem to teeter back and forth in the wake of the destruction of the focus and Bakatare's words seem to make the final choice for them.

Brett smiles once at Micheal before a spirit appears, wrapping itself around his body. His body begins to distort and waver becoming harder and harder to see. The ripple of his form makes it's way through the crowd and exits from the main area of the club.

Nancy, face pale and drawn, locks eyes with Micheal and a quiet moment passes between them. "I told you that this was coming but you thought yourself safe from this fate. The Tower falls as I said it would." Her voice is cold and hard as she speaks. "I leave you to it." She backs away cautiously from the guests and makes her way to the front door of the club.

Watching the other two leave, Alex seems lost as he briefly weaves the threads of mana around and into his body. As he begins to fade from sight you see his flesh ripple and change. The sound of wings flapping are heard as he disappears completely from mundane sight.

Micheal screams at their departure, his voice ragged and raw. "I'll kill you all! Do you hear me? I will find each of you and gut you! You'll take hours to die...." His tirade is cut short by a sudden explosion from a small hand bag dropped during the fight that rips through the club. You hear screams as flechette slices through the air, it clatters against any armor with no effect but tears through flesh with ease. The calm held by Moira's song is broken as guests scatter from the explosion; you can see several prone bodies riddled with wounds as the smoke clears.

Zuzana does not seem fazed by the unfolding events as she pivots and strides towards Hiroto. With the space cleared by the flechette and fleeing guests, she launches into a series of back flips, her body becoming a blur as she crosses the floor. She stops just in arms reach of the swordsman. Her arms lash out, weaving into a kata as Hiroto brings his katana up and launches into a series of parries trying to keep her at bay. In the space of seconds they exchanges blows and counters faster and faster, her face cold and focused. The strain begins to show on the young runners face as she drives him backward. The building tension snaps as she feints a strike to his neck, he raises the blade expecting resistance and stumbles slightly when there is none. You see the awareness of this vulnerability dawn on his face as Zuzana turns in the space of his hesitation and delivers a roundhouse kick to his head. There is a sickening wet cracking noise as she clears her foot from the strike. The sound of the katana blade tumbling to the ground seems to echo out louder than any other sound as Hiroto is knocked to the ground.

On the far side of the club floor, the whip wielding woman kips up to her feet. A brief look of regret flashes across her features at the sight of Hiroto falling. Once again a hardened mask falls into place as she runs towards the recieving area, where Micheal's gifts were being kept for later. With an expert flick of the whips she slices away the silk cloth wrapping one of the larger gifts. It falls away revealing a set of elven twins no older than ten bound together in a pose that makes your body ache in sympathy. Her voice carries out once again. "Kill him and let's secure the package, we don't have all day their rent-a-cops are going to be on us in seconds." She appears to be addressing Bakatare as if they were long time companions. "Make sure to get our fallen, leave as little evidence as possible."

Micheal still seems to be reeling from the sudden reversal of fortune. His will reaches out and weaves a tight sheath of mana around his body, as the last threads touch his whole body is wreathed in flames that burn white hot. He glances around trying to keep Shiver in his field of vision as he backs away, trailing a thin stream of blood from the partially healed stump of his wrist.

[Fenris]

Discipline is the only thing that kept Bakatare from breathing a visible sigh of relief as the group dissipated around Michael, leaving the circle leader alone. He winced as the flechettes tore into the crowds, but that wasn't him or his, so the Madame would have to take it up with someone else.

He tugged on the lines mentally connecting him to the elementals, redirecting and focusing their energies on the single man. As the woman calls out, he spares only a moment for the odd sight of the twins, not a bit unusual considering Michael's tastes.

"Moira, get Hiroto and get out of here. You've done your part."

[Buddha72]

Body Bag
The sharp crack of bullets fill the air as Desdemona fires at Zuzana. The slim adept only makes small adjustments in her stance as the bullets bite into wood and concrete behind her. Her eyes seem to focus in and outward on the shooter, once again promising death and pain.

Murrey
You see Nancy exit the front door of the club, she looks panicked and frightened as she runs down the street towards the approaching security vehicles.

[Nikoli]

Over the comms, "Make up in there folks, someone is about to have a chat with the wan."

[Buddha72]

Body Bag
From the other side of the club floor, Aaron seems to draw into himself as his body moves through an elaborate kata. The mana ripples through the space around his body as he mimics striking a target in front of him. The distortion moves quickly through the space, Zuzana's eyes narrow as the blow slams into her. She is knocked from her feet, spinning through the air she reaches out with her hands and rolls into the force of the strike. She comes to her feet looking balanced and steady but a growing bruise is spreading across her ribs.

Meanwhile Micheal seems to be trying to back away from his unseen assailant. There is a flash of metal almost too small to be seen except for the gleam as it catches the light. He twists and turns, desperate to keep the small silver from touching him. A look of comprehension and horror creeps over his face as he turns to try to run from the attack. Despite his frantic movement the needle strikes home. There is a comically delicate popping noise as if a bubble had been burst. His scream is filled with rage and hopelessness as the room seems to grow darker and heavier. In the span of seconds everyone is reduced to a dim outline in the gloom.

"Ring around the rosie,
Pocketful of posies.
Ashes, ashes.
We all fall down."

The light silver laughter of a child echoes through the space and the light floods back in. Micheal is nowhere to be seen.

Murrey
You watch as one Core patrol vehicle pulls over to intercept the fleeing Circle member whille the other one comes to an abrupt stop outside the club entrance. You see two sec guards exit the vehilce with heavy pistols drawn, they appear to be readying themselves to enter the club.

[BishopMcQ]

The changeling community avenged and obligation met, Shiver now had two duties left.

"Desdemona, we're leaving."

Turning to look to the alter-ego of his ward, it is obvious that the decision was not meant to be questioned. Zuzana while perhaps a personal threat was not yet a danger to the supernatural community. The Circle was broken and the direct influence of dragons removed. Now he must live and serve.

The others would survive if it was in their destiny. Here his path diverged from theirs.

[Nikoli]

Over Comms, "I'm not sure if that means we win however, you should consider plan B. Two uniforms are entering as I transmit. That's
'B', like back door."

Murrey calls up the Felix camera view, scanning around for prying meta-human eyes.

[Buddha72]

Body Bag
The sound of a door being kicked down or busted open echoes from the coat check area of the club. A strong and steady male voice calls out.

"Security! Everyone down on the ground and arms away from your sides!"

Moira nods at Bakatare and releases the spells being sustained in the main floor of the club. The feeling of ants across your skin diminish as the ambient mana begins to recede. She sings a soft tune, it brings the to mind the shore and the sound of isolation. Hiroto begins to lift gently from the ground, supported firmly but gently by the flows of magic. Somehow she weaves a ssecond melody into the song, one that seems insubstantial and ethereal. Moira and her cargo begin to fade from view as she makes her way to the back exit with Hiroto in tow. Her ally spirit gives a shake and leaps from the stage and transitions to the astral leaving no evidence of his existence.

Around the club the groans of patrons fill the relative silence. Several bodyguards upon hearing the command, lay themselves over their clients but wait before putting their weapons away. The whispers of conversation start as people begin to talk.

Zuzana takes the arrival of the security forces with little visible reaction. With the same determined look she launches herself into motion, turning and entering the coat check area. The sound of shots being fired soon follow quickly followed by grunts and the sound of bodies slammed against walls then silence. The sound of the main door being opened is heard.

The woman bearing the whips gathers the twins and reaches for another gift. With little finesse she rips the package open and removes a small electronic device of some sort. She hits a button on it and makes her way towards the stage and into the back area behind it.

Murrey
You see the events unfold in the club and see Zuzana exit the club onto the street. You see no sign of pursuit from the sec guards that had just entered. She seems to pause a moment to get her bearings and take in the street with the a glance. A small alert scrolls past your vision from the sensors. With a thought you open a small window in your mind and it reports a signal having been sent from somewhere in the club.

[BishopMcQ]

Body Bag
With a twist of the staff that Bakatare always seems to have in hand, he begins whispering in Latin. He and Aaron vanish from sight and footsteps are heard heading to the back of the club. Seconds later a rustling near the gift table is heard and several packages fall to the ground from an unseen force.

One box lifts into the air and the magic surrounding the thief extends over the box to shield both from sight.

Desdemona glares at Shiver and moves to the front door. Gun fire and screams from wounded guards cry out, as the changeling woman vents her frustration on the downed rent-a-cops. She gets to the street and begins moving in the opposite direction of Zuzana.

Over comms, Bakatare's sure voice calls for an evac. "Meet at the staff entrance."

Murrey
You can clearly see Nancy point at the fleeing forms of Zuzana and Desdemona. The security personnel begin to move to get back in their vehicle, calling for reinforcements.

[Nikoli]

.oO(Fraggedupsonsofmotherlesswhoremongeringtrollops
Over the radio to the team, "Going loud. Go out back door, head for my honda, if I get clear, I'll contact you."

Over the drones, Lynx's remove target limo from the field.
Cutting transponder data and opening up on the police car.

[BishopMcQ]

Murrey
Servos whine as the lynxs disembark the van. The loud report of automatic fire echoes in the street as bullets pull across the reinforced body of the limo, marring paint and denting the door. Fractures form across the windshield with the first bullet and as the machine gun strafes across, the ballistic glass shatters inwards.

Sensors register the target as forward weapons manually lock onto the patrol car. Bullets chew through the lightly armored plating of the hood. The guns climb with recoil, ending just before reaching the windshield. A puddle of fluids begins to pool under the front of the vehicle.

[BishopMcQ]

At the Honda
When only half the team arrives at the vehicle, Moira begins to look around. Her eyes almost glassy as she looks at a world beyond the material.

"They are coming."

Within seconds, you hear movement and a splash. Unable to see the people who joined you, there is a sense of presence that lets you know someone else has arrived. Coming from a different direction than the noise, Shiver becomes visible as the ruthenium polymers deactivate.

"Where are the others?" The aging troll asks as he leans against the car to support his weight.

"We are here." An unraveling of mana reveals Bakatare and Aaron. "Now I would suggest that we leave. Aaron, or whomever is best qualified, drive. We are heading for Tacoma."

[Nikoli]

Page to the Honda, Allow manual driving controls once door closes. Activate Security System once in motion.

Over drone network, Good job Number Two, finish it off then recover. Number One, recover. Fixit and Six, assist. Felix, get in the Honda.

.oO(Of all the times not to be running the show from the Honda...)

[BishopMcQ]

Murrey
Sensors report a solid trajectory angle for the grenades, measuring distanc and wind speeds. The explosive soars through the broken windshield and bounces around in the front seat.

Each drone follows orders and a dance of electronics organizes them into the vehicles.

At the Honda
Servos unlock the doors automatically and the passenger door swings open. Scurrying from behind another parked car, a small robotic cat zigzags between legs and jumps into the Honda.

There is a moment of hesitation as you realize there are no controls to actually allow you to drive the vehicle. Noticing the datacable, the job falls onto the only person with a datajack.

All
A thunderous boom echoes down the street as a grenade detonates. The explosion built up in the confined space of the limo and the shockwave seems to have cascaded, building on itself to become more devastating. Before the first echoes have cleared a secondary explosion roars as the limo itself detonates.

Car alarms are blaring, threatening to drown out the constant sound of sirens approaching your area.

Murrey
With the explosions, sensors report a spike in radio traffic on the police bands. Beyond Core, it's likely you have attracted the attention of LoneStar.

[BishopMcQ]

As it becomes obvious that the team gathered around the Honda is not going to be able to drive the vehicle, Shiver looks to Desdemona and then to the rest.

"Part ways and evade pursuit. Desdemona lead the way, conceal your nature if you will."

[Buddha72]

On the Street
The group looks around quickly before splitting off. Desdemona pauses for a moment and a ripple passes from the top of her heead to her feet as she fades from view. The sound of her running off away from the bar can be heard.

Moira floats Hiroto closer to her as she sings a song of new mornings and renewal. Running her hands along the sides of his neck, you can see the discolored flesh heal and hear the crack of bones resetting. "His wound is severe, we need somewhere to take him and soon. I've done what I can." She closes her eyes and takes a moment to concentrate, a small luminous cloud appears near her head. "I need your help one last time before the moon sets. Conceal me and my companions as we seek shelter and safety this night." A brief pulse washes over the gathered runners as the spirits slips back into the astral with a sound like a sigh.

Aaron nods once to everyone before sprinting down the darkened street, his footsteps only lightly echoing as he begins to lose himself in the city and its shadows.

[Fenris]

As the ripple of luminescence washes over the companions, Bakatare reached up, lightly brushing along the space where his familiar sat curled across the back of his shoulders in astral space. The tiny dragon wasn't actually present in the physical world, but Bakatare could feel him nonetheless, the closeness of the bond passing on ghostly sensations. Keep watch o'er us... he whispered silently.

Gathering the strength of his familiar and the staff still extended in his hands, he quickly lifted himself and Moira into the air, clearing the tops of nearby buildings and maneuvering rapidly to put as much obstruction between himself and the arriving security as possible. Acceleration abruptly kicked in as the Air Elemental added it's power, jetting the group away at speeds many times faster then he could have accomplished alone.

[Nikoli]

Murrey berrates himself, Sure, nobody will ever need to drive the other car but me. How stupid. You've put their lives in danger, just like with the other team.
Sending a page for the Honda to park in a lot in Tacoma.
Once #2 is tucked away in the back of the van, Murrey begins moving away from the scene of the violence, searching for a route to curtail overhead viewing.

[BishopMcQ]

With an ear for his ward, Shiver follows the path that she sets upon. Between steps there is a shimmer and he fades from view.

[Fenris]

With the staff gripped tightly in his hand, his draconic familiar curled around his shoulders, and Moira floating along beside him as the elemental sped him through the air, it almost seemed anachronistic to reach up and tap the ear plug cellphone, and dial up Winter's LTG through the interface in his glasses.

"Winter? I need a chop shop. Something high rent...it's got alot of bruises, but it's all blunt force. No gun shot wounds, but I'm assuming lots of internal damage. I don't want to risk it on some gutter trash with a sharp knife..."

[Buddha72]

Bakatare
Once again her warm yet dettached voice washes over you, she always seems to make any request sound reasonable and casual. "Not a problem, you understand with the lateness of the hour and the lack of any prior appointment it will be a little more expensive for high end care?" Her voice conveys the sublte message of giving a repeat customer fair warning of a possible high price tag, she waits the few seconds to allow you to decline then procceeds when you don't. "There is a small clinic run out of the edge of downtown that specializes in urgent care, I'll send the address and the physician's name is Dr. Anderson, I'll call ahead and let her know you're coming. Good night." The connection is terminated and a small icon appears in your vision heralding the arrival of a data packet bearing Winter's ID.

Murrey
You watch the rigger traffic spike in your immediate area. You catch snippets of communications.

"..I repeat, we have men down and heavy ordiance is in play...please advise.."
"..Lone Star please confirm, this is an request for immediate assistance.."
"..all drone units, priority target is in play, all units priority target is in play.."
"..be advised, targets are armed and armed response has been authorized.."
"..all employess please respond with location and status, I repeat all employees respond.."

The sensor network registers three incoming aerial drones converging on your present location. You slide your consciousness into the van and pull away down the street. You see two Core patrol cars take up pursuit from behind. You acccelerate and take the the upcoming corner tight as possible. You hear and feel the impact of one of the patrol vehicles as it fails to maintiain control and loses control. You see the plume of fire as it crashes into a building front.

[Nikoli]

Windshield wipers stutter across the windshield as Murrey mentally wipes his brow. Think man, think. Alley way, gotta get out of line of sight.
Murey crosses his fingers for luck as he wrenchs the van in a powerslide left turn, narrowly avoiding an on coming taxi into a service alley bisecting the block.