Living in the Shadows: IC, your run might be over... Options

[grendel]

05:08:34 Saturday 06 January 2063 - Kumeya Industrial Processing Depot Parking Lot, 707A East Holt St, Los Angeles, CFS

The move was perfectly timed, a flawless touch and roll that left her in a perfect covered position. She'd been trained by the best. But her dismount had not been as perfect as the landing, and she watched in some dismay as the rear door of the Roadmaster closed, but without enough force to latch. As the cargo van slowed, the door swung open again, then slowly closed.

Drek.

[Morgannah]

05:08:40 Saturday 06 January 2063 - Kumeya Industrial Processing Depot Parking Lot, 707A East Holt St, Los Angeles, CFS

Cosmo allowed herself to wince and suppressed a groan now that the moment of perfect calm had passed. Blood thundered in her ears, pounded within her chest as she waited, hoping the sounds of the parking lot covered the muffled closing of one door. She listened for the telltale scuff of boots on pavement and wondered if these soldiers trained in hand signals or had voiceless comm units .. would there be a shout to alert her before things went 'boom?'

[grendel]

05:08:53 Saturday 06 January 2063 - Kumeya Industrial Processing Depot Parking Lot, 707A East Holt St, Los Angeles, CFS

The heavy growl of the Roadmasters' engines slows to and idle, then dies completely. Silence returns to the parking structure. Then, movement. Amplified by her artificial ears, Cosmo listened to the scuff of boots on concrete, the click of thermoset plastic buckles against injection-molded composite stocks. She could almost see them in her mind, the fire teams covering each other as they cleared the immediate surroundings, then checking over the vans.

A pause in the action. Instructions being received?

The sound of tarps being pulled aside. Must be starting the loading.

Moving cautiously, Cosmo turned to face the column, weapon indexed along her side. Slowly, she slid back, bringing the Colt up to ready. Smartlink active, finger on the trigger, she eased around the curve of the support column until she could put eyes on the action.

Six of the armed figures were loading the vans, purposefully shuttling gear from the pallets to the rear decks beneath the watchful gaze and weapons of two more. She almost cursed aloud, almost drew down when she recognized the three slim figures dressed in khaki jumpsuits clustered together by the rear of vans. She looked closer at some of the gear the armed guards were loading, recognizing several containers.

[Morgannah]

05:09:26 Saturday 06 January 2063 - Kumeya Industrial Processing Depot Parking Lot, 707A East Holt St, Los Angeles, CFS

All four vans, not just mine.

Cosmo nodded slowly, as though the movement would convince her further that the Kalds had not noticed her presence yet, or were still uncertain. The packages interested her more, for the moment, and she zoomed in on several of the crates she did not recognize, scanning for serial numbers or identifying marks as she plugged a thin datajack cable into her p-sec. The interface was quick, seamless, and within moments she was making notes on everything she saw regardless of how trivial it seemed, reminding herself that there was no such thing as a 'useless detail.'

[grendel]

05:29:08 Saturday 06 January 2063 - Kumeya Industrial Processing Depot Parking Lot, 707A East Holt St, Los Angeles, CFS

Just twenty minutes had elapsed and already three vans were fully loaded. The Kalds moved for the first time, turning towards each other in conference before one, one of the boys, climbed into a truck accompanied by two guards. The truck backed from its spot before heading out of the parking structure. The remaining personnel continued to load the last of the gear, finishing in a matter of minutes. With the same swift efficiency, the guards and the remaining two Kalds mounted their vehicles, the trucks bracketing the Roadmasters in the convoy.

[Morgannah]

05:37:22 Saturday 06 January 2063 - Kumeya Industrial Processing Depot Parking Lot, 707A East Holt St, Los Angeles, CFS

Not much of a 'conference' if no one's talking, is it?

After taking a second to consider the wisdom in following the convoy herself, Cosmo ultimately decided against it. Following four empty vehicles into parts unknown was one thing, but following those same vehicles under an escort of at least six men with automatic weapons and three of those strange children was quite another. She'd uncovered a bit more information, after all, but it wouldn't do her any good until she could find some way to put the pieces together. No, it was time to regroup and get her second-to-last tasking.

She sighed softly, leaning against the concrete pillar until the residual heat from the vehicles had faded from even her vision. Her thoughts never wandered, exactly, though she did spend a while wondering what would happen once she'd finished her last tasking; if her employers were willing to kill her at this stage, what would stop them from eliminating her once her usefulness had ended? Could she really expect whomever had found her to simply let her go? Difficult questions with impossible answers. A few more things to consider. Perhaps this Oracle fellow would be able to shed a bit more light on her situation and if not .. she would find her own way. Somehow.

[Morgannah]

06:03:17 Saturday 06 January 2063 - Somewhere along the I10, Los Angeles, CFS

A brief tour around the industrial lot had reinforced her belief that the place was mostly empty, with only a few light utility vehicles and no signs of security personnel. She entertained the thought of 'borrowing' a small pickup truck for a ride back to town but discarded it almost immediately; it would be better to leave no trace that anyone was there, much less a lone 'runner sticking her neck out much too far already.

So Cosmo sighed and went through the contents of her duffel, selecting the same silvery top she'd worn earlier and a pair of low-slung jeans that fit her to perfection. Her long hair had become curlier than usual in the tight bun she'd fixed before working on the Roadmasters, a fact she took advantage of by shaking the mane about her torso while she walked along the 10.

Only a matter of time, now....

[grendel]

06:05:38 Saturday 06 January 2063 - Grand Ave Exit, Interstate 10, Los Angeles, CFS

Cosmo smiled as she heard the tone of the vehicle's engine change, unloading as the driver came off the accelerator. The wide swath of electric blue from the headlights cast her shadow on the road in front of her, but she didn't look back.

Not yet.

Gravel crunched beneath tires, and Cosmo took one more step, swinging her hips and her hair around, her eyes and smile curving like the weapons they were. Only to have the red and blue lightbar on top of the cruiser illuminate.

Facts impressed themselves onto her memory, even as the door opened and the Ranger stepped out into the night. The vehicle was a California Ranger's modified GMC MPUV, dressed in digital desert camouflage, and equipped with pursuit and law enforcement accessories.

The officer himself was young from what she could see, wearing the one piece gray tactical jumpsuit and tac gear that was standard issue to the Rangers. As he came around the hood of the cruiser, he unsnapped the cover on his stun baton holster.

"Can I help you, ma'am?"

[Morgannah]

06:06:06 Saturday 06 January 2063 - Grand Ave Exit, Interstate 10, Los Angeles, CFS

Her devastating smile never faltered though her soft gasp was timed in perfect sync to the lights that didn't bother her eyes at all. Lifting one arm to shield her face from the glare (as well as expose a healthy expanse of bare midriff), she pretended not to notice the weapon at his hip.

"Hmm," Cosmo inclined her head toward him, "could be. You aren't heading toward town, by chance?"

Headed my way, handsome?

[grendel]

06:06:29 Saturday 06 January 2063 - Grand Ave Exit, Interstate 10, Los Angeles, CFS

"Yes, ma'am, I am."

Almost in response to Cosmo's gesture the cruiser's lights dim, dropping down to illuminate the ground at their feet. He remained standing outside arm's reach, his posture relaxed but primed. It was textbook: his approach, his positioning, the way his eyes scanned her eyes, then her hands, then the surroundings.

"I'm afraid that it's illegal for pedestrians to be on the interstate. May I see some identification, please?"

[Morgannah]

06:06:41 Saturday 06 January 2063 - Grand Ave Exit, Interstate 10, Los Angeles, CFS

A world full of dirty fragging cops and I have to find this one. Bloody lovely.

She sighed heavily, bringing 'unconscious' attention away from her face, eyes darting up and down the highway to be sure she was clear in case she had to ..

what? Assault an officer on the side of the road and abscond with his car? Please.

"I would, Officer," her soft voice tinged with a hint of breathy respect for his position, "but that's part of the problem. My boyfriend and I, we were driving and .. got into an argument. I wanted to turn around but he told me to get out."

Cosmo looked at him, eyes wide, and sighed again.

"My purse was in the glovebox and I didn't have time to get it before he pushed me onto the road. Please, help me?"

[grendel]

06:07:03 Saturday 06 January 2063 - Grand Ave Exit, Interstate 10, Los Angeles, CFS

There was a second of hesitation as the Ranger weighed her explanation, taking in her posture and her clothes, the slight dishevelled look to her hair.

"This boyfriend, he have a name?"

[Morgannah]

06:07:11 Saturday 06 January 2063 - Grand Ave Exit, Interstate 10, Los Angeles, CFS

"He does. You won't get him in trouble, will you?"

She reached towards him, her pale (almost trembling) hand stopping just short of his chest as she stalled for a few extra seconds to get a better read on this young, handsome Ranger.

[grendel]

06:07:38 Saturday 06 January 2063 - Grand Ave Exit, Interstate 10, Los Angeles, CFS

"You're telling me that abandoning you on the side of the road isn't some kind of crime?"

The young Ranger offers a smile to cover the fact that he's shifted back, keeping a safe distance between Cosmo and himself in case she made any suspicious move.

[Morgannah]

06:07:54 Saturday 06 January 2063 - Grand Ave Exit, Interstate 10, Los Angeles, CFS

She smiled enchantingly and a hint of a girlish dimple peeked out of one cheek.

"You're the expert, Officer. I'm just glad you found me before the cold really started to seep in."

Cosmo rubbed her bare arms, shuddering to reinforce the fact that it was, in fact, January.

[grendel]

06:08:22 Saturday 06 January 2063 - Grand Ave Exit, Interstate 10, Los Angeles, CFS

"Yes, it would seem so. Why don't you step into my office and out of the cold. You can tell me the name of the scoundrel who left you out here."

The Ranger gestures towards the rear of the cruiser with his off hand.

[Morgannah]

06:09:12 Saturday 06 January 2063 - Grand Ave Exit, Interstate 10, Los Angeles, CFS

"Thank you so much, Officer."

She took her time walking to the vehicle, smiling up over her shoulder as he helped her inside with a quiet reminder to watch her head. Impossibly long legs took even more time to fold into the spacious backseat, crossing one way and then the other as she 'tried to get comfortable.'

"I don't suppose you'd sit with me, would you? It's been such a stressful night, I'd ..," she sighs again, shaking her head slightly, "I'm sorry. It's fine. You don't need to hear this...."

[grendel]

06:09:49 Saturday 06 January 2063 - Grand Ave Exit, Interstate 10, Los Angeles, CFS

"Of course. Just a moment."

The nametag on his uniform, visible by the interior light through the open door, reads McCrossan. He closes the door after Cosmo has suitably arranged herself, continuing around behind the cruiser before sliding in to the driver's seat.

The interior of the vehicle is clean and well kept, a study in steel and gunmetal gray. The security mesh dividing the front and back seats is so fine as to be almost invisible, but Cosmo is willing to bet that it is strong enough to hold back a troll. The front seat is illuminated by the pale flat screen displays from the cruiser's computer and sensors. McCrossan closes his door, turning on the small inside lights and adjusting the environmental controls to blow warm air across Cosmo's feet. Turning to face his passenger, he offers the same warm but professional smile.

"How about a name and address?"

[Morgannah]

06:11:15 Saturday 06 January 2063 - Grand Ave Exit, Interstate 10, Los Angeles, CFS

Cosmo allowed just a touch of a sulk to paint her lips as he climbed into the driver's seat when she would have been much more effective at close range. A series of names and identities ran through her mind in the few seconds she gave herself to smile back at the Ranger, each one, of course, was immediately discarded since it was clear he'd be checking his computer as soon as she gave him a name. There was one name that would work, but could she risk using it?

"It's Megan, but I can't go home," she breathes, "he'll look for me there and I don't want to see him. Not for a long time. I just need to find a quiet place to think things through, you know?"

[grendel]

06:12:28 Saturday 06 January 2063 - Grand Ave Exit, Interstate 10, Los Angeles, CFS

"Megan. Is there somewhere I can drop you where you'll be all right? A friend's place, perhaps?"

McCrossan turned in the driver's seat, fastening his seatbelt.

"You'll want to put your safety belt on, Megan."

The cruiser's lightbar dies, but the highbeams come back on. With a signal, the MPUV pulls back onto the highway, it's pursuit turbine snarling.

[Morgannah]

06:13:03 Saturday 06 January 2063 - Grand Ave Exit, Interstate 10, Los Angeles, CFS

"I'll be all right so long as I'm out of the cold. A coffee bar, maybe? Someplace near a hotel? I really just need to clear my head and get a good, long sleep."

She sighs again, masking her intense relief by glancing out the window. Not many people in her profession could say that they'd be entirely comfortable buckled up in the back of a Highway Patrolman's cruiser, and rightly so, but there was a certain security in knowing that she was safe for the next quarter hour or so, even if McCrossan wasn't likely to warm up to her.

Maybe she didn't have to charm everything that moved.

What a novel idea....

[grendel]

06:15:21 Saturday 06 January 2063 - Westbound Interstate 10, Los Angeles, CFS

"I don't think I could justify dropping you off just on the corner somewhere. Surely you have a friend in the city who would let you crash on their couch for the night?"

McCrossan drives with skill, signalling and checking his blindspots. His attention extends not only to the positions of the other vehicles on the road, but also to their speeds and intentions. He still has a job to do.

[Morgannah]

06:17:08 Saturday 06 January 2063 - Westbound Interstate 10, Los Angeles, CFS

"At this hour?" Cosmo chuckled, appreciating skilled driving when she saw it.

"I doubt anyone I know here would still be a friend if I showed up so early on a Saturday morning. Most of them will be comatose until tonight." She absently massaged the side of her neck. "Thanks for caring, Officer McCrossan. I haven't seen a lot of that in this city and it's nice to know that there's someone looking out for you, you know?"

[grendel]

06:21:07 Saturday 06 January 2063 - Westbound Interstate 10, Los Angeles, CFS

She caught him watching her in the rearview mirror again, his eyes flicking back to the road when she tried to hold his gaze. A soft smile stole across her lips as she found herself back on familiar ground. Silence grows between them, broken only by the rhythm of the tires on the road, and the occasional passing vehicle. McCrossan finally breaks the silence, his voice a little less detached than before.

"I know a deli that's open early. They serve a respectable breakfast. You could get some coffee and a croissant or whatever your particular brand is."

[Morgannah]

06:22:45 Saturday 06 January 2063 - Westbound Interstate 10, Los Angeles, CFS

The radiant angelic glow that suffused her features at the mention of coffee was hardly contrived; there were few things in life she enjoyed as much as a cup of good, hot java. Some things she enjoyed more, of course, but those weren't quite as accessible as what she was being offered now.

"Mm, that sounds fantastic. Tell me, Officer, have you had breakfast yet?"