Nothing's Free in the Free Zone (IC), Adventure 2: A Dish Best Served Cold Options

[Lobo0705]

Chen Huiquing's Estate, CAS Zone, 4:50 AM, September 12, 2075

The team moved quickly through the early morning, the two orks in the lead. Despite their size, the combination of vat-grown muscles and skill-wires combined to make them move from tree to tree with barely a whisper. The two elves, however, were having a more difficult time of it.

Snap cursed every time she stepped on a branch, or caught her foot in a tangle of undergrowth. Why couldn't have this job been in the city somewhere? She could move through the empty alleys and rooftops of the Warrens with ease, but the trees and manicured lawns here were foreign to her.

The team continued along, the Microskimmer about 20 to 25 meters in front of Jack, gliding along the ground like a tiny manta moving through the ocean. Jack strained to see where he was going as a fog started to swirl in from the west. Blinking, his vision switched to thermographic, but he wasn't sure whether the fog was a blessing or a curse. They had come about 150 meters from the wall, and they stopped briefly behind a copse of trees. 50 meters on the other side of this tree is first sensor array.

Checking the footage from the drone, the area was clear of patrols. The infrared camera mounted in the Fly Spy picked up the outlines of two metahuman heat signatures near the entrance of the main building, along with two parked cars. It was impossible to tell make or model from the thermal imaging, but Jack could see that the engines gave off a residual heat in the cool morning air.

[Jack VII]

Chen Huiquing's Estate, CAS Zone, 4:50 AM, September 12, 2075

Jack paused and held up his fist, simultaneously squatting down and calling the microskimmer back to him. I wonder if Grease ever named this one? Mentally, the ork composed a message to the team.

<<@Team [JustJack] So far so good. We're about to hit the first sensor array. Mel will distract it and we're going to move past it as quickly and quietly as possible. There are two people by the main entrance as well as two cars. The odd thing is that the car engines are still warm, even at 0450, meaning they arrived probably within the last hour or two. Once we get past the array, we may want to organize ourselves a little better.>>

[Lobo0705]

Chen Huiquing's Estate, CAS Zone, 4:55 AM, September 12, 2075

The team nodded their understanding of the plan, and Mel went to work. Splitting her focus between the meat world and the digital one, she moved through the hallways of the skyscraper, quickly finding the computer terminal which represented the sensor array. A few deft keystrokes later, and she nodded at Jack, who pumped his fist up and down. Sisco, recognizing the hand-signal, was up and moving quietly, his Smartgun at the ready, his bulky form crouched low as he sprinted across the open area covered by the camera. Snap went next, stumbling slightly from the fatigue of summoning, her knuckles white on the handles of the cases, holding them firm so they didn't bounce around and make noise. Jack nodded to Mel to go, and she went at a quick trot, her Crusader slung over her shoulder, her pace a little slower than the others due to the distraction of acting in two worlds at once. Jack brought up the rear, the microskimmer hovering along at his side, and then darting in between his legs, almost tripping him. The drone then sped on to catch up with the others, leaving Jack to grit his teeth and press on.

The team didn't stop till they hit another group of trees. There, reasonably certain they were out of view of the camera, they regrouped. Jack looked around, trying to keep his head on a swivel. Now that the team had overcome their first series of obstacles relatively cleanly, he started to feel better about their chances. With that said, he wasn't about to assume they didn't need all the help they could get. Reviewing the footage from the Fly-Spy, the ork quickly developed a plan. Sisco's going point since he isn't controlling a drone at the moment, should be the most observant. Mel's taking the left flank, there shouldn't be much between us and the southern wall. Snap's taking the rear, she's seems a little spent after that summoning... at the same time, she can poleaxe a troll with her magic and can clear our path if we need to abort. I'll take the right flank... most of the patrols seemed to be in that direction plus there was that possible guard shack. Tallying it all up in his head, he transmitted the plan to the rest of the team.

<<@Team [JustJack] Alright folks, we're going to borrow a page from the CAS Army. Over the last month, I spent some time with a military training sim about small unit tactics. I think that could be útil here. There's a maneuver called a diamond formation that's used to cross enemy territory. It's pretty basic, we form a diamond and each cover a sector. Sisco, you're on point. Mel, you've got the left flank. I'll take the right flank. Snap, you're taking the rear. Spread out, no less than five meters between each point of the diamond, front and rear should have about ten meters between them.>>

Sisco nodded, taking his position quickly and easily. Mel and Snap were a little more unsure, but caught on fast enough. The team was now 300 meters away from where they started, almost halfway to the house. The rope slung over Jack's shoulder was irritating, but he didn't have a better way to carry it. Sisco led them, half crouched as he moved smoothly through the grounds when a quick "Hsst. Down" came from Mel. Her ears, top of the line models from Chiba, had picked up a grinding sound from the southwest.

All four members of the team dropped to their bellies and waited. Jack sent a quick message to the drone to bank left and get a visual. The feed from the drone showed a limousine approaching up the main road to the house, the grinding sound Mel had heard was the gates opening to let the car pass. Their own eyes could see headlights through the fog as it approached the house.

[Jack VII]

Chen Huiquing's Estate, CAS Zone, 4:55 AM, September 12, 2075

Limousine at 0500, what the frag is going on? Typical, drek always has to get complicated, like some unseen force can't just let us put together a plan and stick to it... Jack thought as the new developments played over the drones sensor feed.

<<@Team [JustJack] OK. The new additions don't really change anything, just may make it more difficult. My guess is the two by the door may be an advance team of some sort for whoever is in the limo, it would explain why the engines had been running recently. Someone important apparently, either Huiquing or someone else. We're just going to have to circle around it all and hope they don't visit the gallery. Let's move out, but really, really slowly. The guards are going to probably be on higher alert until whoever is in the limo is inside.>>

[Lobo0705]

Chen Huiquing's Estate, CAS Zone, 4:57 AM, September 12, 2075

As the team watched, the limo moved up the long drive to the house at a sedate pace. As the car passed them, Sisco signaled the team to start moving again. As they moved parallel to the road, Snap checked the astral plane for any surprises. At this hour, even the denizens of the astral were quiet, and only a few Watchers roamed back and forth, busy on their errands.

Mel stumbled slightly, unused as she was trying to stay in formation, move, be quiet, and run the Matrix all at the same time. <<Still, while her physical form may might stumble, her Persona was smooth as ever, flitting down the corridors of the skyscraper, looking for a duplicate of the sensor array that had barred their way forward earlier. She found a receptionist at a desk in the main lobby, the blank face of the secretary marking her as a construct of the host. Recognizing the Mark on Mel's Persona, the 'bot spoke, "How may I help you miss?" Nodding, Mel said, "Yes please, run me a diagnostic on all the perimeter sensors please." The 'bot's fingers flew across its keyboard, simply a visual representation of the inner workings of the machine. After a moment, the schematics were uploaded to Mel's deck, and she almost thanked the 'bot before realizing how pointless the gesture was.>>

She pushed the window showing the Matrix to the side. and focused on the real world. "I've uploaded the next sensor location to your AR, We should be okay in this direction for another 150 meters." A breeze had come up, and the fog was beginning to disperse, allowing the team to move more rapidly, although at a slightly greater risk of being spotted.

Meanwhile, the car pulled to a stop in the main courtyard, and both front doors opened. A slight Chinese man stepped out of the driver's side, while the hulking form that came out of the passengers was recognizable as Hao Fe even at this distance. The big man opened the rear door of the limo, a Rolls Royce Phaeton, and the Huiquing stepped out of the back. He straightened his Armante jacket and spoke in hushed tones to Hao Fe. The bodyguard bowed, and then headed to the door. The two guards had waved briefly at them as they had arrived, but were now busy talking to one another.

Hao Fe approached them, barking at them, although the exact words were lost at this distance, but the guards seemed to ignore him. Getting more agitated, he approached them, while the chauffeur took Huiquing's bags out of the trunk, and the owner of the estate himself was retrieving something out of the car.

The team was far enough away that they saw the chauffeur's head explode before the sound of the gunshot hit them. The two guards turned on Hao Fe, but they had let him get too close. Both trained their HK's on him, but he stepped inside their arc of fire and took one of the gunman's arm off at the elbow with a handblade. The finger still tightened reflexively, and the HK sprayed bullets as the arm fell to the ground, the hand still locked around the handle of the submachinegun.

The other guard shifted and fired point blank at Hao Fe, the bullets hitting him in the chest, the force of the bullets forcing him back, although the low caliber ammunition flattened against the ballistic weave of his armor. Hao Fe screamed "Kuài pǎo!" and leaned in to grapple with the guard, while Huiquing took off at an impressive speed for an older man, leaving behind the car and sprinting off into the undergrowth. He made it to the trees an instant before another round took out a chunk of an old oak, and he zigzagged, his path taking him directly towards the team...

[Lobo0705]

Chen Huiquing's Estate, CAS Zone, 4:57 AM, September 12, 2075

Flattening at the sound of gunfire, Sisco instinctively crawled a couple yards to try and gain a little more cover. Snap threw out a quick message through her trodes.

<<@Team [Snap] We should capture Huiqing. Tell me what you want from me, Jack. >>

Mierda, nothing is ever easy. Flipping open the case of the linguasoft he got from Tara earlier, and quickly slotted it.

<<@Team [JustJack] Hit the dirt, but try to get in position to nab the guy. Could be a useful hostage>>

Mel hit the dirt, her ears recording everything for future playback. Even if I can't understand what they are saying, Jack can translate it later.

Huiquing continued to zig-zag through the trees, a scream erupting from the last guard as Hao Fe buried his handblade deep into his chest cavity.

[PraetorGradivus]

Chen Huiquing's Estate, CAS Zone, 4:57 AM, September 12, 2075

Gǒupì, just what we needed. Nothing can be simple.

Sisco registers Jake's transmission: <<@Team [JustJack] Hit the dirt, but try to get in position to nab the guy. Could be a useful hostage>>

Good thing I have the Stick-N-Shock loaded

Sisco turns on his smartgun system using his dni connection, takes aim and fires a six round burst at Huiquing. It's hard to see the exact result but it appears that Huiquing is hit center mass and drops like a stone.

Now we see if we have to shock him again and that bodyguard may need the APDS. In any event, doesn't look like we're getting the items tonight. No pay and I'm using up ammo. Just great.

[Lobo0705]

Chen Huiquing's Estate, CAS Zone, 4:57 AM, September 12, 2075

Dropping to a crouch, Snap sent off a quick mental command to her spirit. "Come to me, and conceal us from any watchful eyes."

A few hundred yards away, Snap's astral vision saw the shift in the spirit's aura as it materialized onto the physical plane, its bark-skin taking on shape and substance. Turning her gaze back to Huiquing, she took the measure of the man, finding him to be what she expected, a mundane who had traded away bits of his soul for the quick-fix gains that cyberware offered.

<<Mel, relieved at being out of the constrictive confines of Huiquing's reality filter, sighed with relief as she reached for the normal tools of her trade. I viola appeared in her hands, and she played it lovingly, the bow moving slowly across the strings as she played an old Brahms' piece in A minor.

The notes reached out across the Matrix, piercing the distance and fuzzy connection of the grids to reach out and caress Hao Fe's commlink icon. The music reached back across to Mel, and she could read the information from his 'link as easily as a piece of sheet music. When she had the information, she prepared to take up a more strident tune, one that would render his 'link useless to him.>>

<<@Team [JustJack] Well, even though we didn't do it, our cover is pretty much blown. When el jefe is attacked at home, the whole place is going to be on high alert. If anyone has non-lethal and a silenced weapon, take Huiquing out. It may draw Hao Fe to us so we can gang up on him.>>

Jack's message was barely sent when Sisco's Ingram opened up, the suppressor reducing the full auto burst to a dull roar. He groaned inwardly as he saw Huiquing drop from the outgoing fire. He couldn't have waited till he got a little closer?

Snap looked around for somewhere to get a better position to engage from. Casting her eyes back and forth, she found nothing that seemed much better than where she was now. Crawling behind a low mound, she decided to trust here spirit and hope for the best. Concentrating, she send a message out.

<<@Team [Snap] Jack, I can try an attack on Hao Fe, even from this distance, should I?>>

[Lobo0705]

Chen Huiquing's Estate, CAS Zone, 4:57 AM, September 12, 2075

Snap hunkered down preparing herself to launch an attack against Hao Fe on Jack's command. She could feel the Spirit of Earth preparing to cloak them with its magic, the shadows around them drawing tighter.

Sisco switched targets, hammering another full auto burst downrange. This time his bullets are targeted around Hao Fe, who leaps behind one of the cars still parked in the driveway, Sisco's rounds sending arclight-intensity sparks in every direction as they impact the car.

Hao Fe, crouching behind the car, looks around for the source of the incoming fire. He spots the muzzle flash of Sisco's weapon and returns fire, the HK spitting flames. Sisco tries do make himself part of the well-maintained lawn, yet can feel as several rounds slam into his body armor despite his best efforts.

Seeing a member of her team in danger, Snap no longer feels the need to await confirmation from Jack. She concentrates for a moment, a ball of mystical energy shooting out from her fists that rockets over Hao Fe's shoulder as he dodges to the left. Cursing, she gathers herself for her next action, all thoughts of her fatigue forgotten as her blood was getting up.

<<Mel, her physical form motionless as she tries to stay out of the gunplay, manipulates her persona, her form growing bigger and bulkier as she prepares for combat. Lashing out with a strident version of Beethoven, the notes hurtled toward Hao Fe's Persona, an ancient Chinese warrior, and collided heavily with a quickly upraised shield. The impact between the two changed the tone of the music, discordant notes vibrating back along their path, ringing painfully in Mel's ears. Gritting past he pain, she broke the connection and prepared to try again.>>

As this unfolded, the team picked up a new sound, engines, the high pitched whine indicating drones, coming from the north of their position, heading toward the driveway. Any visual was blocked by a stand of trees, but the noise was unmistakable. Jack could see Huiquing was still moving, weakly crawling deeper into the woods, not knowing which way was safe.

Madre de Dios, sighing as he swapped out his Gel ammo back for his Regular ammunition.

<<@Team [JustJack] Drones incoming from the north, probably that shed. I've got that area covered. Take down Hao Fe, Huiquing is crawling. Mel, see if the Fly-Spy can acquire and follow him>>

[PraetorGradivus]

Chen Huiquing's Estate, CAS Zone, 4:57 AM, September 12, 2075

Sisco took aim at Hao Fe and noticed he moved slightly as if punched in the shoulder.
The mage must have cast some sort of spell or there's somebody else shooting rounds that I can't spot.
Sisco lets loose with another 6 round burst. Hao Fe staggers somewhat but he refuses to go down.
Wow! Center-mass shot and he's still standing. Got to hand it to him: that's one tough Shenshi.
Sisco thinks about switching to APDS but decides that an SOB that lucky deserves to keep on breathing.
Well, Ani, if your still standing in a few seconds, your getting another blast from my trusty little friend.

[Lobo0705]

Chen Huiquing's Estate, CAS Zone, 4:57 AM, September 12, 2075

As Hao Fe staggers from Sisco's blast, the rest of the team gives him no respite. Snap again launches a magical attack, this time connecting with Hao Fe's shoulder, jerking up upright just a little.

Jack, seeing Hao Fe momentarily exposed, hold down the trigger and slams three rounds into his shoulder. The low-caliber rounds fail to penetrate Hao Fe's armor, but the cumulative concussive force drops him seemingly unconscious to the ground.

Taking the quick break in the action, Jack put a glowing ARO on the spot he last had eyes on Huiquing. His new datajack allowed him to do this without taking his fingers off his weapon, and he snapped out a quick message to Grease's microskimmer to go to that location, hoping that the little drone would just listen and not behave as erratically as he had seen them in the past. The dog-brain of the drone seemed to register the command, and it began humming along the grass, its disc-like shape almost invisible in the early morning darkness.

Seeing Hao Fe fall, Snap turned her attention to Huiquing. not wanting to risk killing Huiquing, but wanting to make sure he didn't run off, she decided against just smashing him directly with her spells.

Realizing he was in the middle of a grove of trees, she launched her spell at him, and the area around him glittered on the Astral. She knew to Huiquing's mind, he would see the number of trees multiply, the paths between them grow more confusing and disappear, and hoped her spell would hold him until he could be retrieved.

[Lobo0705]

Chen Huiquing's Estate, CAS Zone, 4:57 AM, September 12, 2075

Closing her eyes, Snap attempts to maintain two spells at the same time, not an easy task, but one which Hubert had worked with her on constantly until she could master it more times than not. With Huiquing's mind already weakened by his wounds and her previous spell, it should be child's play to manipulate him now.

With a wave of her hand, her spell reached deep into his brain, manipulating the synapses until he saw two large men in UCAS uniform stand up suddenly in front of him, their shapes materializing from behind the tree trunks. The larger of the two, an ork with a hideous scar across his cheek, yelled at him. "Get over there, now!" Their assault rifles gave emphasis to his command.

Satisfied with her work, she quickly sent a triumphant message to her team, <<@Team [Snap] I got us some reinforcements. wink.gif >>

Great kid, now don't get cocky. Clipping his Flashpak to the front of his jacket, he mentally switched the wireless setting, seeing the icon appear next to his Persona in AR.

<<@Team [JustJack] Alright, good job everyone. We've got drones inbound, so this might get nasty in a sec. Mel, can you see about taking down the rigger controlling them? If we can despejar el tablero, we might be able to take them for ourselves.>>

Getting his ass as low as possible, he finds a slight depression in the ground, and crawls into it. Not much, but better than nothing.

[Lobo0705]

Chen Huiquing's Estate, CAS Zone, 4:57 AM, September 12, 2075

A growing metallic ratcheting sound got closer, and closer to the team. They could see small branches whipping back and forth in the treeline about 120 meters to their north. The low, sleek forms of three tracked drones moved to the edge of the woods. Their turrets tracked left and right, sensors reaching out to feed a target resolution back to their fire controls.

A high pitched sonic whine reverberated in Mel's ears, and she could a dark shape pass in front of the moon, the size of her deck that vanished almost as quickly as it had come.

[Lobo0705]

Chen Huiquing's Estate, CAS Zone, 4:57 AM, September 12, 2075

Spinning around to face the drones, Sisco had a brief moment to regret not bringing along his Doberman to the fight. Goddamn Stone. Aiming down the extended sight of his Ingram, chewing through another few rounds of his ammo. The ARO displaying his gun's statistics flashed orange, letting him know he had expended over three-quarters of his ammunition. The Stick and Shock worked even better against the drones than it did on humans, and the first Doberman in the treeline showered the immediate vicinity in sparks. The ground, still wet from the early morning dew, smouldered in a few areas, but did not catch on fire.

Satisfied at his success, it was almost a very short lived one. It seemed one of the drones had malfunctioned somehow, its weapon ripping the night apart with its discharge, the ripping sound it made very distinctive. Sisco barely had time to register it as one of Fabrique Nationale's latest models before the other drone, having acquired his position, returned fire. Making himself as small as possible, he could feel the bullets impacting, ripping his expensive Armante suit in a half dozen places.

<<Mel was tired of the interference from the substandard grid she was forced to rely upon. It made her music full of static, the notes no longer crisp and clear. Reaching out, she played a quick tune on her viola, parting the curtain between herself and the CAS local grid that here opponents seemed to be using. She began to move towards it, already looking forward to the clarity it would impart to her, when Jack's message came through. She watched as the drones began chewing apart the area with their automatic weapons, and decided that her comfort would have to wait. A quick series of whistles, and the dark grey shape of one of the drones began to glow, its icon, previously obscured by the surrounding digital haze, came into bright focus.>>

To this cacophony was added more sounds. The windows of southeast tower of the Huiquing estate blew outward with concussive force. Gunfire erupted from inside the house itself, both semi-auto and fully automatic weapons seemingly involved. Two men came out the front entrance of the building and began running, toward Huiquing, firing back at the house, and one of them went down as a bullet took him in the upper shoulder. The man hit the ground hard, the sound of his head striking pavement almost loud enough to be heard over the 100 meter distance.

To Amy's Astral vision, Huiquing's demeanor changed from scared to terrified. Following the instructions of the two soldiers, his mind too shrouded by spell and pain to wonder why they wore UCAS uniforms, he began to run toward the team, heedless of anyone else, just trying to get out of the crossfire.

[Chrome Head]

Chen Huiquing's Estate, CAS Zone, 4:57 AM, September 12, 2075

Good, at least we have Huiqing coming towards us, just like I wanted. What is going on at the house though?

The elf was hesitant about what to do next, looking at the scene as it unfolded in front of her.

<<@Team [Snap] I don't wanna get caught in the cross fire. Once we get Huiqing, let's beat it. >>

[Lobo0705]

Chen Huiquing's Estate, CAS Zone, 4:57 AM, September 12, 2075

Damn, no way to know which one Mel is going after. Hoping for the best, the rangefinder on his Ingram feeding its data into his smartlink, he dashed off another quick burst toward the drones, this time at the drone who was peppering Sisco.

The drone's dog-brain, registering a new threat, threw its engine into reverse, backing the drone far enough back that Jack's bullets either went into the dirt at its feet, or spanged off the sloped frontal armor.

<<@Team [JustJack] Job's not done. We need to try to retrieve the objects. The chaos may help us get in and out... or it may make it worse. Let's see if we can get to the north side of the house first before aborting.>>

The other drone ceased covering the landscape to the team's right with lead, and moved swung its turret around toward Sisco, joining the other drone. Sisco felt the amount of impacts increase, more painful now, and only his vat-grown skin prevented it from spraying blood everywhere. Even as it was, he felt the wind knocked out of him.

[Lobo0705]

Chen Huiquing's Estate, CAS Zone, 4:57 AM, September 12, 2075

Wincing in pain, Sisco returns the fire of the drone, the ammo indicator in is vision spiking from orange to bright red as his clip ran almost empty.

Fortunately, his wounds and the recoil had not thrown off his aim, the ammunition adhering to the Doberman's outer surface long enough for its capacitors to overload, the charge resulting from the successive impacts frying the circuitry of the drone, leaving it a lifeless metal hulk in the trees.

Snap felt a momentary adrenaline surge as Sisco was injured, but she felt it go as quickly as it came. Steadying herself, she cupped her hands, and a ball of glowing white-hot energy coalesced between them. Pushing her hands forward in a throwing motion, she hurled the ball towards the last remaining operational drone. As the lightning reached its destination, it exploded outwards, sending arcs of electricity along the drones body. However, although the drone was burned, its outer hull scarred by scorchmarks, it continued to rumble along.

<<Seizing her opportunity, Mel continued to play, this time focusing on the glowing icon of the drone. Notes flashed away from her in succession, each one burning its way onto the drone, strengthening her ability to manipulate it. At the same time, she could feel another MARK forming, the notes appearing on a robot-like persona. Having MARKed the slave, she now had access to the master as well.>>


Gunfire continued to flash and echo from the interior of the house, but it was lessening quickly.

[Chrome Head]

Chen Huiquing's Estate, CAS Zone, 4:57 AM, September 12, 2075

Snap was busy shooting relatively weak spells at the drones while continuing the conversation with Jack.

I sure want to complete the job and get paid too, but not at any cost...

<<@Team [Snap] Roger that, Jack. But if we're under too much fire, we better try again later, maybe with the help of Huiqing.>>

[Melpomene]

Chen Huiquing's Estate, CAS Zone, 4:57 AM, September 12, 2075

<<@Team [Melpomene]>> Update: I've MARKed the wounded drone, and in doing so, gained a mark on their Rigger. She's now my target...if you need to, you can scratch that drone.>>

[Lobo0705]

Chen Huiquing's Estate, CAS Zone, 4:57 AM, September 12, 2075

Snap launches another ball of lightning at the drone, less powerful this time, the amount of magic channeling through her body causing her to grow more fatigued as the fight wore on. Again, the lightning ball traveled unerringly toward its target, sparking and scorching the metal body of the Doberman. However, this time the drone remained unscathed, and continued to trundle forward undeterred.

Sisco, knowing he had to make this shot count, got off a short burst, the last rounds out of his gun splanging against the drone, and with the circuitry already damaged by Snap's earlier spell, the drone began to billow smoke out of the casing and ground to a halt. Ejecting his clip, looked around for new foes. Maybe I should have brought more ammo on this job.

As his Microskimmer continued to travel toward its predetermined point, it zipped right by Huiquing, who was running in the opposite direction. Shaking his head, Jack put a new ARO on Huiquing was now, and then shot a new message off to the drone to change course.

<<@Team [JustJack] Alright, take the last drone and the other guy heading toward Huiquing. Not sure what we're doing with him yet, but if he thinks we're rescuing him, he may drop his guard>>

<<Now that she knew the location of the rigger, Mel gathered herself to strike at him. Still dealing with the degraded signal of trying to hack across grids, she began a ferocious fugue, one designed to shatter the robotic icon into pieces. Unfortunately the notes warped and bent as the crossed from one grid to the other, and as they hit the rigger's firewall they changed, rebounding back at Mel, infecting her deck with the virulent code that should be attacking the rigger's Persona instead.>>

The man behind Huiquing started to pick up speed, "Xiānshēng, xiānshēng, qǐng shāo hòu!"

[Lobo0705]

Chen Huiquing's Estate, CAS Zone, 4:57 AM, September 12, 2075

Reaching for his clip of APDS, Sisco slams it into the gun, as he watches Snap throw magical energy at the man following Huiquing. The ball of energy slammed into the man's chest, almost knocking him down.

He aimed down the sight of his Ingram, ready to finish the job if Snap couldn't. Another ball of energy flew past him, this time missing the man wildly, and he heard Snap call out in pain behind him.

Snap stemmed the fresh flow of blood from her nose, feeling the pain from the binding early come back in full force. Damn it, now what we needed right now!

[Lobo0705]

Chen Huiquing's Estate, CAS Zone, 4:57 AM, September 12, 2075

Holding her head in pain, Snap fought back the pounding in her head and focused her Astral energy inward. She could feel the headache lessen, her breathing getting a little easier as the spell took effect, but was getting worried. I can't take much more of this.

Sisco aimed down his scope at the man following Huiquing. Don't know which side this guys on, I don't want to kill him if I don't have to. A quick burst, and the man cartwheeled to the ground, although not before screaming in agony as several of the Discarding Sabot rounds punched right through his armor into the flesh beneath. He moved slowly, making piteous cries as he clutched his leg. Well, I didn't kill him, but I don't think he's going to be happy.

<<Mel had decided she had had enough of the constant interference of the terrible connection she had on this side of the FRFZ. Having already hacked the local grid, she "stepped" from one to the other. The signal immediately became stronger, everything coming into focus, and she felt herself for the first time since she crossed the border.>>


While this was going on, Jack pulled up the AR feed from the Fly Spy overhead. The bodies of the various Triad members were sprawled out where they had fallen, and the smoking wrecks of the drones could be seen where they lined the perimeter of the woods to their north. More troubling was the house itself. Lights were coming on all over the house, illuminating the inside and the area around it. While Jack couldn't see anyone exiting the house at this time, it was clear that security systems were beginning to come online.

Huiquing himself, stumbling forward at a dead run, is now only 25 meters from their position. Jack looks down his barrel, keeping his gun on the goon that Sisco had kneecapped.

[Lobo0705]

Chen Huiquing's Estate, CAS Zone, 4:57 AM, September 12, 2075

Seeing Huiquing getting closer, Sisco struggles to stand, grunting as he shakes off the pain from the bullet wounds. He starts to run toward Huiquing, trying to remain non-threatening, yelling out to him, "Gēn wǒ lái, xiānshēng!"

Seeing her teammate's move, again shifts the energy of her Mass Confusion spell onto Huiquing. The older man, almost insensible with pain and distraction, seems shift direction, staggering toward Sisco.

<<With the interference gone, Mel redoubled her efforts, the notes increasing in volume, the sound shaking the digital air of the Matrix as she launched her attack against the enemy rigger. The robot-like Persona began to vibrate as well, its arms and legs shaking as the volume increased, until the music reached its crescendo, and the robot shattered into a thousand pieces, vanishing from the digital landscape.>>

[Jack VII]

Chen Huiquing's Estate, CAS Zone, 4:57 AM, September 12, 2075

As the sound of small arms fire hit a lull, Jack focused on their situation. Sisco had taken a light hit and Snap was looking a little wobbly. That didn't bode particularly well, but then none of them could have anticipated an all-out attack on their target happening at the exact same time as their attempted break-in. Fate sure is fraggin' fickle...

With Huiquing stumbling their way, the ork sent a message to the team.

<<@Team [JustJack] Everyone okay? What's the plan with the 50,000 (IMG:style_emoticons/default/nuyen.gif) man? Whatever security system they have in the house is booting up right now, so we may need to consider aborting. As it is, I'm not sure if those items are going anywhere anytime soon, unless they were the target of the attack, in which case we're fragged anyway. Thoughts?>>

[Melpomene]

Chen Huiquing's Estate, CAS Zone, 4:57 AM, September 12, 2075

<<Mel screamed exultantly as she watched the rigger's persona shatter. Sonic reverberation raced through the "nerves" of her digital being. Clenching her fists, she centered herself.>>

<<@Team [Melpomene] Y'all won't have to worry about the rigger, at least for the moment. As for us, I think getting the artifacts is going to be orders of magnitude harder than two minutes ago. Huiquing is a solid consolation prize, though.>>