IC: Chasing the Prize, We always get our mark Options

[HeySparky]

Herne homes in on Edana and streaks through the shifting bright and dark to her. He slows as he nears the ritual site sensing the gathering power, it sends a strange cold prickling through his astral form. He dives down, shedding the Hunter's guise for the Hound, pausing briefly to startle Sally in her idle tottering with a pounce and a playful nip. He surges away from the outraged spirit howling his laughter and charges up the side of the ramshackle building.

The Rider commands great power. He seeks one of the other Hunters. I do not know which one, but if this man comes you must promise to stand aside.

Really? I'm not qu-- "HOLY---" Edana scrabbles frantically for a sword that she isn't wearing,

Herne leaps out of thin air, materializing at chest height in a dive that lands him right in the middle of the crew on the roof.

"HERNE. Was that entirely neccessary?" Edana growls eyes leaping with electricity and skin darkening over her entire body as adrenaline and panic surge. He pads over to her and looks up, eyes gleaming, tongue lolling.

I think so.

The shaman shakes her head, horns rattling with beads and pendants and other somewhat dire looking things. She turns to JT, "Herne is here. I am ready." She sits down easily grimacing at the wet ground. Her voice takes on a fierce tone, harsh and haunting, horn-like, "Let the Hunt begin."

She sits in the circle she has prepared across from JT with a bowl in her lap. Herne stands between them. Edana twines the longer strands of Ballefour's hair around her fingertips and dips her hand into the bowl. She reaches out to draw a symbol on the massive spirit-Hound's shoulder whispering in a familiar and guttural language. An apple. A crude face surrounded by a circle. A fleur-de-lis. A great spoked wheel. And one long line hatched with shorter lines perpendicular to its length. With outstretched fingers she draws rough lines from Herne's right eye to the bottom of his jaw.

She untwines the hair into the bowl and hands it across Herne's back to JT indicating with a glance that it his turn to mark the Hound with symbols of their quarry's potential whereabouts. Releasing her mind to the rhythm of her body - the ebb and flow of blood and breath - she chants to The Great Huntsman, calling for his favor in their search.

We seek this man. We will find him. We will run him down until he gasps for life. Until he yields. Until he is ground to dust under our heels.

[BishopMcQ]

Power builds between the two shamans until both masks pour out of their bodies glowing with an inner light that is clearly visible from the street. Around the circle, the power feels like a building pressure--Gonzales and Helios have the sense that their ears are about to pop but they never do. After nearly an hour the Huntsman appears in the center of the circle, his massive bow drawn back to his cheek. Firing an arrow to the west, it trails a pale green cord.

Seek this bringer of death, hunt this man falling towards apotheosis, revel in the sense of blood and meat this bounty offers.

With that, Herne springs forth chasing after the arrow, coursing across mountain and river not daring to rest and lose his prey. Coming upon a great iron dragon, the hunter-hound makes his way through the speeding train. Fading through the door of the private car, so unlike his actions at home, Edana's Ally finds the prize.

The dual-natured doctor is packing a bag hurriedly, the sense of impending doom filling his bones. He shoves past Herne and races out into the night. A faint trail follows after him for Herne to keep pace with...

Mistress, we are in a massive station of steel and glass with a strong sense of history. The voices say we are in Grand Central Station, New York.

[Bastard]

With little rest from the early wake up call and last nights late adventures, a ritual tracking should be quite draining. The aging Dog shaman however, finds it refreshing. Absorbing himself in the mana swirling around the lodge, JT is able to relax his body and focus all his mind and energy into the rite.

He is impressed by the young Huntsmen's devotion to her magic, and the ease she is able to control it. Something most shaman dont handle until they are well into their lives.

After the ceremony is complete, JT stands, rejuvenated. He scans the team, to see if any new faces have arrived.

"Well, what are we waiting for?"

[HeySparky]

Herne tumbles back into the circle, all red mouth and ears. He and Edana share a moment of triumph and the spirit's eyes blaze. All the symbols have been rubbed into indistinguishable smears except one, the apple high on the spirit's shoulder is perfect. Herne trots over to JT and butts his massive mastiff's head into the dog shaman's leg.

Edana stands and stretches, skin swirling with the passion of the chase. Bolts arc across her eyes. Painted and draped with the paraphenalia of the ritual it looks as if some wild spirit might have manifested in your midst. She scratches behind a horn, scrunching her face an the likeness passes.

"Ballefour is in New York. He got off of his train moments ago." She stoops to begin putting the roof back in order. She cocks her head and glances at Helios with a grin.

"Why don't we all head downstairs and have something hot to drink while we figure out what steps we can take next?"

[HMHVV Hunter]

Helios raises an eyebrow at the look Edana gave him.

"What was that look all about?" he asks as he follows her downstairs.

New York. Great. Just great. Corporate Central. No way in hell I'm gonna be able to smuggle weapons in there, unless we use that "Property of the Military Box" idea.

[Kremlin KOA]

Gonzales follows, wondering about many things. If Ballefour is in the rotten apple, then why the subway incident... also border crossings are alwasy a hassle, I could get the manhinter across, but the squirt should probably go in the box. Also got to get to Chrissie's and get the paperwork and samples to let leak to the press and maybe the government too.

[Johnson]

Tiny sips on the hot coffee, cupping his big hand around the Mug trying to warm his hands. Listen to what he can pick up form peoples discussions, and chatting to some of the local business men and women.

After spending 3 hours during a Lunch trying to gather as much infomations as possible. He leaves the shop and head for a last walk around the building, looking for the que for the dipensery if they have for the Antidote. After finding a location Tiny ques for a sample of the serum.

[Ecclesiastes]

<deleted post>

[BishopMcQ]

::Seattle, December 16, 2063 1700::

The massive troll named Tiny clearly stands out as he looms a meter over everyone else in the line. It had been a productive day, over lunch he had spoken to the guards who were working OT to protect the outside of the Ballefour Pharmaceuticals building. They were there to do crowd control and make sure that the riots didn't spread into the complex. Walking around the building, he couldn't see any signs of the previous runners activities or infiltration, only the ever-present guards with assault rifles scanning the surrounding area. With only about fifty people left in front of him the queue actually felt like it was moving. Credsticks were being slotted and debited for further research funding and people were receiving injections into the upper arms, some rubbing at the injection site, others pulling their coats back on and walking past the long lines obvious for their lack of masks. Tiny had already had a small sample of his blood fed through a small device to make sure he was not carrying the VITAS plague in his body. As the sun begins to set, large halogen flood lights are activated filling the area with artificial daylight.

Debian dropped off the computer with the highlights of his findings at Charlie's. Skimming through it on his way to Edana's it became clear that the doctor was ill. The early stages of research for the vaccine had been in traditional retroviral areas. Take the RNA strands of antibodies that the body creates as it fights off VITAS then splice them into Meta-Human DNA to create a natural antibody that lays dormant in the system until it comes under attack.

Ballefour references a pygmy tribe in the Pacific in his research, that is when his research methods changed. He looked into the Krieger strain of HMHVV and captured several feral specimens to begin experimenting with. One of them bit him and Ballefour contracted the disease. That is when his mind fully understood the vaccine. By using his own blood as a source of the virus, he began to tamper with it and test on patients who were coming in for his services as a street doc. Personal journal notes indicate a change in his own tastes and a need for metahuman feeding. He found a way to enable himself to eat without people noticing through his own sexual choices. The journal doesn't go into explicit detail.

By the time Charlie arrives at the Daughter of the Storm's house, most of the team has assembled and they are getting ready to go over their findings.

[Johnson]

As the darkness creeps in and the chill of the snow settle above the ground and the air gets heavy. The Chill factor starts to slow the body. Everyone is seeking the warmth of buildings and coffee shops.

Tiny looks to where the antidote is kept. Examining the trays where they are kept, and having one last look around for escape routes and guards. Tiny grabs a good 2 hand fulls of antidote and shoves it in to his pockets.

[BishopMcQ]

Tiny:

"Stop right there!"

A booming voice cybernetically augmented comes from the roof of the building. Glancing around you see several guards running in your direction and the guards on the roof take to a knee for better stability in aiming.

[Ecclesiastes]

Bishop pulls up outside of the Ballefour Pharmaceuticals lab to pick up Tiny. As he pulls up, he brings the BattleTac array online and contacts Tiny through it.

"Your ride is here chummer, I'm at the north-east side of the crowd."

[HeySparky]

As Edana gets out mugs and glasses she looks a little flustered. I don't even have enough cups for all these folks... let alone places to sit. Shoulda gotten somebody else to host our little jumping off place. Her brain plays seating-Tetris while she fixes hot drinks for anyone who's interested.

"Well, what's our next step? Besides Charlie helping me move the bed so we can accomodate more ABUs?" She gestures Charlie over to the foot of the bed and she moves a low shelf to make space.

[toturi]

Grave:

"Colonel..."

"Yeah, kid, talk fast. Time's tight hereabouts."

"Traced my target to New York, need to ship my firepower over there..."

"What do you need shipped, kid? Frag... Tell you what, I give you a flat shipping fee, UCAS Air Force style but this is coming out of my Black Ops budget so standard fee. :nuyen: 150 for every 20 kilos. I'll leave a Ops Box over at your place, put your stuff in, seal it and I'll send the boys over to collect it."

"Thank you, sir."

"Watch your six, kid. The feds are all over this like white on rice. Be careful they don't pull a juri-your-hoop-diction on you. Hodge, out."

[Tanka]

Charlie does as asked, no questions. More room means more sleepspace for everybody, which is always good.

"Say, what've ya got ta drink 'round 'ere anyway?"

[Johnson]

Tiny Grabs as many bottle as he can without braking any, shoves them in the pocket of the Large Coat he is wearing. Turning and making the dash for the door. Some people move out the way of the running Troll, but some get forced out of the way with minimal effort from Tiny's large arms.

The electric door which are stuck open from the ques, pose no problem for a quick exit.

Bishops voice comes a sigh of relief over his personal comms unit.

"Stop right there!"
A booming voice Resounded in his ears. The natural adrenaline coursing through his vain, enhancing his sensors.
Bishop could not have arrived at a better time than this.

Heading for the large populated areas, trying to minimise the guards from randomally shooting into the innocent by standers, trying to track a difficult running target.

[BishopMcQ]

Tiny:
"Stop thief!"

The shout comes from behind you as you try to break the line of fire and surround yourself with bodies. A sharp report of burst fire comes from behind you as several non-lethal alternatives slam into your back.

Bishop:
Muffled shouts carry over the large line of people waiting hopefully for an injection that will keep them safe from one of the greatest plagues of the sixth age. A burst of gunfire is clearly heard.

[Johnson]

The sudden impact as the bullets slam in to Tiny's back, make a thudding crack, as the Form fitting armour absorbs the impact. Even through much of the impact was absorbed the pain was still eminent of the impact. With a slight stumble Tiny regains his footing and continues.

With the crowds now scattering from the resounding gunfire. The path is clear but things are still not home free. Keeping his pace weaving and dodging, trying to cover as much ground as possible.

[Kremlin KOA]

Gonzales looks at his wathc, it's finally late enough to call

"Hey Chirssie, jsut got the full data on the little blue vials, I need them shiped to the CDC with your reports on what they are... key note list that Luke Baiour is an Alias for Lucien Ballefour.. sorry for the inconvenience, will make this one up to you."

He looks at his coffee, and wonders if stoking caffiene on long haul is really a good idea...

[Ecclesiastes]

"Drek."

Bishop reaches behind his seat, pulling out his SPAS-22. The underbarreled grenade launcher is already loaded with his riot control rounds, his grenade of choise. The throws the door open and lets the BattleTac tell him the best spot to fire.

"Tiny, follow my commands and I'll get you outta here."

[BishopMcQ]

Gonzales:

"Will do and don't worry about it, I'm just keeping a running tab. I figure you'll pay up before your next cyber check up, no one likes their steret doc mad at them." You can hear the smile and joke in that last comment as she hangs up the phone. Looking to the coffee, you've never heard anything bad about mixing stimulants, oh wait, heart attacks, that's right....

Bishop:
A chill runs down you spine as if someone walked over your grave. In the distance you hear the sirens of Lonestar patrols barreling down the street. ETA fifteen seconds.

[Bastard]

Seeing there isnt much space in Edena's place, Taggart stands and heads for the door. "I will be right back, I got to make a call."

Taking his coffee with him, JT steps outside in front of the flat. He places a call on his cell phone to his contact at Lone Star. "Hey Tak. Did you recover that poor young lady yet? We went back this morning to see the place in some light. We have tracked the target to New York, so it looks like I will be out of town for a bit. I have permits for my weapons, are there any extra forms I have to fill out, being under this high security state we are in right now?"

[BishopMcQ]

JT:
The electronic equivalent of Tak's voice comes over the line, subtly telling you that he's working on enough different projects that he has to transduce because he needs both hands.

"I haven't had time yet, the boys upstairs dropped this whole thing in my lap which means I could become a Captain if this works out, or I coud get canned if it doesn't. I'm en route now to Ballefour's lab, someone got the brilliant idea of trying to steal some of the vaccine and we've had shots fired. Listen, give me the names of everyone on your team. I'll send them to the captain in charge of the blockade, he'll need proof from a certified doctor that you are all clean of the virus. What was your exit plan? The streets are dead-locked, I'd recommend an air-taxi."

[Ecclesiastes]

Hearing the sirens, Bishop climbs back into the Brumby and replaces his firearm in its hiding spot. He opens a line to call through to JT.

[BishopMcQ]

Tiny:
You feel the bruising spread across your back as pain shoots tingling sensations down your fingers. Coming back to your feet you press into the crowd which is starting to realize what you are doing and what you have in your hands. The guards in riot gear have closed the gap and are trying to surround you. Each appears to be armed with a heavy stun baton and a riot shield.