Living in the Shadows: IC, Jan 8th-14th Options

[grendel]

20:28:13 Sunday, 14 January 2063 - Baker Primary Care Clinic, 500 19th Ave E, Downtown, Seattle

On my way.

The simple words were enough to let Mac draw a breath and relax, her body slumping back in the chair even as Doc Baker probed at her shoulder, painfully lifting back the edges of the wound to remove the shrapnel within. The disinfectant draws a snarling curse from her lips, though, her vision going grainy as the pain once more takes hold. Then the analgesics kick in, and a soft fuzziness wraps her head. She blinks several times, staring dully at the time stamp on her commlink. Somewhere she's lost fifteen minutes. Glancing up, she watches as Golem applies the last of the bandages to Mario, who seems to have mostly passed out at this point. A dark form appears in the hallway, and Doc Baker straightens, his body suddenly tense.

"She's with me," says Kovacs. "How bad is it?"

"Shrapnel wound. Bullet fragments. It's not serious."

Kovacs surveys the other two wounded as he crosses the room to Mac's side. His eyes are cold and unreadable as he assesses the doc's work. Find it satisfactory, he turns back to the older man. "Get them ready to travel."

[Vegas]

20:29:07 Sunday, 14 January 2063 - Baker Primary Care Clinic, 500 19th Ave E, Downtown, Seattle

Relief flooded through her at just the gruff sound of his voice before she even saw him. As Mac watched the two men have a silent showdown of wills directly in front of her as Kovacs made his demand. Doc Baker looked like he was about to cower beneath Kovacs' presence, but then he seemed to find and latch on to his professional knowledge and skills to bolster his courage.

"They're in no shape to travel. I can't in good conscience let you take them out of here right now," the doctor paused as he watched Kovacs' face go hard before Doc Baker nodded in Mac's direction, his voice going steely. "She can go. The other two's injuries are too severe. The girl lost too much blood and he's got second degree burns across more than 70 percent of his back."

Mac opened her mouth to say something but it was dry and her head was too fuzzy to form full thoughts so she just shook her head, fairly certain Kovacs would get his way in the end.

[grendel]

20:32:19 Sunday, 14 January 2063 - Baker Primary Care Clinic, 500 19th Ave E, Downtown, Seattle

Kovacs checked left and right, his head pivoting like a gun turret seeking a target before the shark-dead gaze of his eyes returned to fix the doc.

"It wasn't a request. I have access to magical healing which you do not. They'll recover. Further, there's a risk that those responsible for the injuries will come looking for them. You're not equipped for that fight."

Doc Baker opens his mouth again, the Hippocratic oath on his lips. The muscles in Kovacs' face go cold and hard. Golem shifts, moving with inhuman quickness, but Doc forestalls the descent into bloody action.

"Don't!" he cautions his assistant, turning to make sure his instructions are obeyed. Golem stares at the tall samurai for a moment, then turns back to his patients to begin the process of readying them for travel.

"Bandages, dressings, and antibiotics," says Kovacs in a softer tone, holding out a credstick. Doc Baker hesitates for a moment, then nods, taking the offered payment and disappearing back into the back room. The tall samurai slides his arm around Mac's shoulder, lifting her to her feet and steering her out the door and into the passenger seat of Gulfen's truck.

"It's all fragged," she whispers, her eyes wet. Kovacs cradles her cheek in his hand, pressing his forehead against hers momentarily.

"Later," was all he said. She nodded, numb and overwhelmed. He reentered the clinic, emerging several minutes later with Mario. The bouncer was doing his best not to lean on the samurai's shoulder, his face fixed and tense with pain. He climbed into the rear seat stiffly, hissing as his weight settled against his back. Once more Kovacs disappeared inside. This time Golem accompanied him out, helping to carry the still supine Frankie and lay her across the back seat with her head in Mario's lap. One of the nurse's arms held a small plastic sack which he set on the rear floor of the truck. Kovacs nodded his thanks before climbing into the driver's seat and pointing the truck into the night.

[Vegas]

20:46:51 Sunday, 14 January 2063 - Baker Primary Care Clinic, 500 19th Ave E, Downtown, Seattle

Mac tossed a glance towards the backseat as Kovacs pulled out of the clinic and onto the surface streets. At that very moment she was grateful Mario was behind her so she couldn't see Frankie's face, certain if she saw her friend so vulnerable it would break her. She couldn't look at Kovacs either as he drove, feeling like an utter disappointment, so she stared straight ahead and lost focus as the city streamed past them outside.

She lost track of time and direction as they drove on, uncertain if they would head back to the warehouse but didn't feel it was right to ask. Instead she shivered beneath the thin pale blue scrubs shirt the doctor had given her and pulled her coat up tight around her like a blanket trying to disappear beneath it. Kovacs' words to the doctor lingered in her headspace and she wondered if they really would come looking for her and Mario. She glanced up and caught Kovacs' eyes in the rear view mirror, dropping her coat so her whisper would be heard over the rumble of the engine.

"Thank you for coming."

[grendel]

20:58:07 Sunday, 14 January 2063 - The Stable, 620 Stewart Street, Downtown, Seattle

Instead of replying, Kovacs reached over and laid his hand on Mac's leg. She rested her head against his harm, closing her eyes, letting the motion of the vehicle mix with the residual haze of the pain killers, lulling her into a semi-aware state. It was only the cessation of movement that roused her minutes later, and she was surprised to recognize the back door to the Stable.

Waiting in the alleyway was the Shadow, Suda stepping out as soon as the truck came to a halt. Mac opened her mouth to protest when Suda approached her door first, but Kovacs forestalled her. She shivered beneath the flow of mana, the unfamiliar sensations causing the hair on the back of her neck to stand up. The undercurrent of pain, suppressed by the drugs, vanished from her awareness, although vague hints remained, like the echoes of a sudden scream.

Suda opened the back door of the truck. "Another one? How many whores are you going to collect?"

Kovacs turned a baleful look on the cat shaman, who waved her hand at him. "Oh, lighten up, I'm only teasing."

"I appreciate your help with this," he replied, his voice so neutral as to be almost mechanical. Mac felt her anger returning, although her emotions were terribly conflicted. Suda was helping, putting all three of them back on their feet. But she was such a goddamn bitch about it. Frankie opened her eyes.

"Mac?" she called.

"I'm here, sister," replied Mac, turning in her seat so she could lay a hand on Frankie. "Just hold still, we're almost done."

Kovacs turned his head, putting his mouth close to Mac's ear. "Take her upstairs," he instructed, "I'll be along with the other one as soon as Suda is finished."

[Vegas]

21:09:44 Sunday, 14 January 2063 - The Stable, 620 Stewart Street, Downtown, Seattle

Mac looked between the back door and Kovacs and shook her head. The Stable was just about the last place on earth that she wanted to be at that moment, but if her choice was to go inside or spend another moment around Suda, she'd gladly take her chance with Wayne or his security.

"Well this should be interesting." She shook her head as she reached for the door handle and stepped into the back alley. As she settled her coat around her shoulders, she barely restrained a nasty look as Suda started her work on Mario. She made her way over to Frankie and slipped her arm around her friend's waist as they started towards the door.

Mac muttered under her breath as they walked, something to the effect of not being responsible if the drek hit the fan inside. She tightened her grip on Frankie's waist as much to help her inside as much for steeling her own resolve.

The girls stepped through the security door and into the building itself and Mac pushed the pace, wanting to get in and out as quickly as possible. The girls managed to make it to the elevator without incident and Mac let Frankie key the access code to the 6th floor as she kept her head down and angled away from the camera in the corner.

Once they were inside Frankie's room, Mac helped the girl get settled, neither of them saying much as everything was too raw, too real. She gave Frankie a tight hug before her friend pushed her away a little and sank down onto her bed.

"You should go. Before he realizes you're here." Frankie's voice was cold and hollow and served to further push Mac away.

Mac wanted to stay, to find the right words to say but she knew she'd be pressing her luck and just nodded her reluctant acceptance before she placed a kiss on her friend's forehead. She stepped out into the hallway and started back towards the elevator, pausing for a moment outside the door to the room she used to share with Holly Anne. She rested her head against the door as she struggled to keep it together. Grief, regret, guilt and more flooded through her all at once as tears stained her face.

[grendel]

21:14:36 Sunday, 14 January 2063 - The Stable, 620 Stewart Street, Downtown, Seattle

The elevator chimed and Mac scrubbed a hand across her face as Kovacs and Mario emerged. The bouncer was moving better, although with the same hesitancy that she felt, as if the body wasn't sure it was healed. Mario enfolded Mac in a fierce embrace, her recently healed wounds crying out in protest. She did nothing to lessen the pressure, though, the human touch pulling her back from the edge of despair.

"Weren't your fault," whispered Mario. "Don't let the bastards drag you down."

Mac nodded, not trusting herself fully to speak. Mario stepped back, nodded towards Kovacs, and disappeared into Frankie's room. The tall samurai slid his arm around Mac, guiding her into the elevator and back downstairs. Although the Shadow was still there, Suda was nowhere to be seen. Kovacs handed Mac into the passenger side before climbing into the driver's seat and pulling out of the alleyway.

21:55:08 Sunday, 14 January 2063 - Luna Cafe, 2081C Harbor Ave, Everett, Seattle

The constant drone of the Shadow's engine couple with the vanishing endorphins from her system combine to lull Mac into a semi-conscious daze, her eyes closed while dark currents sucked at her emotions. It was only the cessation of motion that roused her from her stupor, and she glanced around, blinking tiredly.

"C'mon," said Kovacs. "I'm hungry."

[Vegas]

22:01:19 Sunday, 14 January 2063 - Luna Cafe, 2081C Harbor Ave, Everett, Seattle

Mac opened her mouth to protest but she didn't have it in her. Instead she forced herself to climb out of the car and followed Kovacs into the restaurant. On any other night the smells that filled the small dining room would have made her mouth water, but tonight they turned her stomach. As they were led back to a small table towards the side of the room, Mac's eyes never stopped scanning the space and the people in it. Her head was pulled in a million directions at once and she was desperate to mute it, to stop feeling for just a moment. She could feel Kovacs' eyes studying her from across the table, his face impassive as she studied him in return arching her brow.

"See something you like?"

As much as she tried to bring levity to the situation, her voice carried very little humor and she shook her head and sighed before running her fingers through her hair. She was tired, edgy and impatient and Mac barely glanced over the menu much preferring the idea of alcohol instead of food. She glanced back up, catching his impassive grey eyes once more, and she hesitantly slid her hand across the top of the table. Her fingers seeking his as much for reassurance and comfort as for the thrill of the spark she felt whenever she felt his touch. She held his gaze and through the jumble of emotions he could read there, one started to emerge dark and true. Her breathing slowed slightly as she wet her lips with her tongue, her voice dropped to just above a whisper.

"Can we go anywhere but here?"

[grendel]

22:03:52 Sunday, 14 January 2063 - Luna Cafe, 2081C Harbor Ave, Everett, Seattle

Kovacs let his fingers intertwine with Mac's while he turned to the waitress to amend his order. "Can I get that to go, please?"

22:39:14 Sunday, 14 January 2063 - Room 202, Harbor View Inn, 12070 12 St, Everett, Seattle

True to the name, Mac could see the dark waters of Puget Sound from the narrow window of the motel room, although the Everett shipyards weren't really what she would call picturesque. She heard Kovacs lock the door behind him as he carried in his small satchel from the truck. He set the deadbolt as well as the maglock, dropping his bag on the table and sliding out of his longcoat. She felt him behind her, sliding his arms around her, his breath warm on the back of her neck. Turning in his arms, she lifted her face to his and he kissed her, his breath tasting of the vanilla shake he'd bought at the diner. A shiver of feeling ran through her, a faint echo of something amidst the crushing numbness that gripped her mind. Mac so desperately wanted to feel but she was terrified of the emotions that burned just beneath the surface of her mind.

"Kovacs," she whispered, breaking free from the kiss.

"Shhhh," he replied, before throwing her across the room.

She hit the wall face first, her arms cushioning most of the impact. Surprise and anger boiled to life inside her, and she spun, only to be met with a stunning blow to her chest. She wheezed, dropping to her knees in an effort to breathe. Kovacs hauled her up, tearing her clothes off as he did so with violent, wrenching motions that left harsh abrasions on her skin. She lunged at him, her face twisted in rage, her fists and knees flying. He slapped her down again, blocking her attacks with bruising force, his fists seeking out her back, thighs, and ass, pummeling her relentlessly. Pain rose up in waves, shearing off layers of her mind, scraping away everything but the raw bedrock of Mac.

"You cannot hide from what happened," said Kovacs, his voice level without any indication of effort. "Even if you blame yourself, it does not change what happened. Had you not acted, they would be dead anyway. Now, a year from now, ten years. Everything dies. You did what you thought was best. They tried to help. It is not your fault they are dead."

Mac sobbed into the carpet, crawling away. Kovacs paced her, his fists and words relentless.

"Use your pain. Embrace the pain. But ultimately it holds no answers. No salvation. It is only a byproduct of life."

"Kovacs!" cried Mac, and he was there, his arms around her, holding her as her body shook and all the fear, and anger, and regret, and grief flooded out from her.

[Vegas]

22:47:19 Sunday, 14 January 2063 - Room 202, Harbor View Inn, 12070 12 St, Everett, Seattle

Once again he had the power to strip her bare, to cut through every layer of protection she tried to hide beneath. It frightened her that she craved it, that she desperately wanted the connection he could make with her. She was being pushed through her grieving process with tremendous speed, every sob that wracked her body was in counterpoint to every touch of his skin against hers, every ounce of pain he inflicted. His words sufficing to bare her down to her core as they took hold in her mind. She could come out of this changed or she could let it break her. She was a survivor, he had told her as much just days prior.

As she slowly began to find her strength, raising herself back up to her hands and knees she quickly was transitioning from being overwhelmed with emotion to feeling the dark side of her threatening to take over. To make everything else in her mind numb and only let her physical body feel, to crave, to need, to want.

She came up all claws and full of fire as she twisted beneath his arms. Her fingers sought more of his flesh, sliding beneath his shirt as her nails dug in, leaving deep gouges and angry red trails in their wake. Mac growled as she fed on the anger she felt, the slowly building need for revenge for what was lost. She fused her mouth with his, her lips punishing his as her darkness consumed her and threatened to ensnare him.

He was her salvation.

[grendel]

22:58:26 Sunday, 14 January 2063 - Room 202, Harbor View Inn, 12070 12 St, Everett, Seattle

It was like igniting a blast furnace while standing inside it. Kovacs could feel the moment that Mac let everything go, that instant she transformed from a pale shadow of grief into a living being again. They rolled together onto the bed in an embrace that was more like a submission wrestling match. Her nails clawed at him as his teeth tore at her, like a pair of wolves, growling and snarling together. Mac eeled her way out from beneath him, hissing angrily as he dragged her back with a hand in her hair. She rolled on top of him, settling her hips against his and engulfing him in her warm wet readiness, even as he wrapped a hand around her neck, choking her. She fought, yanking at his fingers before he could twist her other arm up behind her back, never stopping the desperate rhythm of her hips, riding that razors edge of consciousness, waiting for the wave of pleasure to draw it fully and finally across her aching, bloody skin. Kovacs slammed his hips into hers, pushing them both over the edge, a hoarse and strangled cry escaping his lips even as she fell forward against him, body shivering with ragged breaths.

[Vegas]

23:17:09 Sunday, 14 January 2063 - Room 202, Harbor View Inn, 12070 12 St, Everett, Seattle

Mac pressed her lips against his neck as she caught her breath, inhaling the scent of him, finding solace in the mix of sweat, sex and citrus. She sighed softly against his skin as she felt his arms wrap around her waist, holding her tight to him as they rode out the lingering waves of pleasure together. The thin sheen of sweat mixed with blood that lingered on her skin from their violent tryst caused her to shiver against him even in the warm dry air of the hotel room.

Her fingertips traced random patterns along the myriad of scars along his left arm, knowing each one likely held a dark story of its own. She rolled her hips against him slightly as she felt as close to relaxed as she had been in the last twelve hours. Her body practically melted against his as their breathing fell into a matched rhythm. Her demons were held at bay for the moment and she was content to just lay in his arms. Eventually, Mac felt his body stir beneath her and a smile pulled at her lips as she nipped at his ear before her breath spilled hot and moist against it with her whisper.

"Ready to go another round already?"

She raised up, placing her hands against his chest as she tightened her grip on his hips with her thighs for an instant before she rolled to her side, doing her best to bring him with her.

[grendel]

23:31:39 Sunday, 14 January 2063 - Room 202, Harbor View Inn, 12070 12 St, Everett, Seattle

Kovacs rolled with her, rising up onto his elbows as he felt her legs lock behind him. Adrenaline still sang through his veins, a restless, eager energy that he felt echoed by her raw and desperate hunger. Some deep, distant rational part of his mind knew it was unhealthy, knew that there were no answers here for the lonely cry of pain that still echoed in her memory. But the rest of him knew it didn't matter, that here and now was the only answer she needed, the only meaningful reply to the question that every surviving soldier has ever asked since the dawn of time: Why did I live and they die?

This time there's no raw animal hunger to them, no frantic passion. Only a slow, quiet connection, a gentle burn that builds as their bodies rock together. Kovacs sits back on his heels as Mac climbs into his arms, her hips settling astride his as they sit entwined on the bed. Their rhythm builds steadily as their mouths fuse together, breath mingling, as he drank the soft cries from her lips, her hair draped over his shoulder like a shroud. This time it's the shivers in her body, the uncontrolled fluttering of her muscles as her passion releases that steals the last of his control from him, and he sighs, a low sorrowful moan of a loss that echoes Mac's own.

[Vegas]

23:46:17Sunday, 14 January 2063 - Room 202, Harbor View Inn, 12070 12 St, Everett, Seattle

Mac rested her forehead against the hard lines of his shoulder as her mind and body came unraveled above him. Her fingertips pressed against the muscles of his back as she held tightly to him. Forcing herself to let go she fell back against the mess of tangled sheets on the bed as she closed her eyes and her heart rate slowed to something close to normal. She felt Kovacs lay down beside her, rolling her to her side before drawing her body back against his as his arm slid protectively over her hip. If peace was what she was seeking, in that moment is where she found it.

She felt what was left of the tension in her body drain away into the warmth of his skin. The highs and lows of the day and the constant adrenaline surges had taken their toll on her body and their time in the hotel room only solidified the fatigue that pulled at every inch of her. Mac couldn’t help but close her eyes and she was whispering an apology.

“I’m sorry I dragged all my personal crap into the team’s business. I won’t let it happen again.”

It wasn’t long after that her breathing quickly deepened.

[grendel]

23:52:46 Sunday, 14 January 2063 - Room 202, Harbor View Inn, 12070 12 St, Everett, Seattle

Kovacs gently brushes Mac's hair back from her face. "At times, it is unavoidable. You are part of the team, and just as team business is your business, sometimes the reverse is true as well."

Mac murmured, averring, almost asleep. Kovacs reached over and turned out the light. The room sank into half-darkness, the thin curtains on the window doing a pitiful job of blocking the harsh sodium orange glare from the streetlights outside. He listened as Mac's breathing deepened, her body relaxing into sleep. He pulled in surveillance feed from the warehouse, half a city away, resuming the tactical planning with Tristan that had been interrupted an hour before. He knew Drift was elsewhere in the city as well, laying the groundwork for the extraction that would happen two days from now. The equations were complex, a bevy of unrelated unknowns littering the matrix, but the team had scoured their information sources, reducing and eliminating as much as possible. Kovacs glanced down at his right hand again, watching the fingers flex in response to his mental commands. If it didn't happen, it would be the one time he was glad that his plans had failed.

02:14:39 Monday, 14 January 2063 - Room 202, Harbor View Inn, 12070 12 St, Everett, Seattle

Mac woke with a start, blinking her eyes in the dimness of the unfamiliar room. Only Kovacs body, spooned against her, calmed her. She glanced back at him over her shoulder, finding his eyes closed but knowing that he wasn't asleep.

[Vegas]

02:23:44 Monday, 15 January 2063 - Room 202, Harbor View Inn, 12070 12 St, Everett, Seattle

Mac twisted in the sheets beside Kovacs, her hand sliding across his bare chest in a stretch as her feet disentangled themselves from the knot of sheets, baring her skin as she settled into the crook of his arm. Knowing he was awake meant he was likely working and she tried to mask the disappointment when she spoke.

"We don't have to stay any longer if it would be more efficient to be back at the warehouse."

She could practically feel his eyes open at the sound of her voice and before he could say otherwise, Mac slipped from the bed. Crossing the room, her curves illuminated by the streetlights outside made her skin look like it was aflame. Stepping into the bathroom she left the door open and the lights off as she turned on the shower as hot as it could go and stepped beneath the stream of near-scalding water as the steam filled the small room and spilled into the main room.

She found solace in the darkness of the room and the roar of the water washing over her as she rinsed the traces of the day down the drain at her feet. She quickly washed her hair and scrubbed at her skin, her fingers traced over her right shoulder where the bullet had grazed cut into her skin and she shuddered at the memory, igniting the ache that lingered in every muscle. She shut the water off, wringing the excess water from her hair before wrapping her body in what passed for a towel and stepped back into the half light of the main room. She gathered her clothes from where they were strewn across the floor, standing near the edge of the bed she pulled her jeans up over her hips as she looked back over her shoulder where Kovacs remained reclined on the bed.

"There should be enough hot water left for you."

[grendel]

02:31:19 Monday, 15 January 2063 - Room 202, Harbor View Inn, 12070 12 St, Everett, Seattle

Kovacs was already ahead of Mac, passing her in the bathroom door on his way into the shower cubicle. He would have suggested they shower together, but in truth, the narrow alcove was barely big enough for him let alone another body. He scrubbed quickly, showing no outward sign of discomfort as the water ran over the multitude of scratches and abrasions this most recent romp had left him with. Unfortunately he would have to take the towel with him, though, as it carried away enough blood to be problematic. He stuffed it into his satchel, throwing on his clothes and armor. Mac was just finishing up putting her damp hair into a twist to keep it off her neck. Kovacs swept the room one last time to make sure they hadn't left anything either valuable or incriminating behind before gesturing Mac out the door. He handed her into the passenger side of the Shadow before climbing into the driver's side and accelerating into the night.

03:28:16 Monday, 15 January 2063 - 1400 Willow Heights Road #4, Tacoma, Seattle

Tristan looked up from the command console as the Shadow purred into the warehouse. His face was carefully neutral, but Mac could still read the concern there as he greeted them. She offered one of the sausage and egg bagel sandwiches from the all night deli Kovacs stopped at along the way, and the swordsman's face lit up. He slid an arm around her shoulders even as he took a bite of the sandwich.

"It's good to see you again."

Mac felt Tristan's glance over her head, and knew that he and Kovacs were sharing another one of their intuitive brothers-in-arms moments. She found that she didn't care.

"It's good to be seen," she replied.

[Vegas]

03:37:39 Monday, 15 January 2063 - 1400 Willow Heights Road #4, Tacoma, Seattle

Mac tensed almost imperceptibly beneath Tristan’s welcome and while she knew his words and actions were genuine, she slipped out from beneath his arm and started back towards the cots. She turned on her heel and back towards the two men as she gestured to the pale blue scrubs she still wore from Doc Baker’s clinic.

"If you don’t mind I’m going to go change. Medical chic isn’t quite my thing." She tried to smile but it didn’t reach her dark eyes.

She didn’t waste any time heading back to her things, pulling out a new pair of loose fitting jeans, a faded long-sleeved tshirt and she traded the damaged and now bloody longcoat for the motorcycle jacket she had stuffed in the bottom of her bag. She welcomed the warmth of the insulation and the feel of the broken-in leather. When she closed her eyes for a moment she missed the feeling of freedom being on her bike always gave her. With a shake of her head she headed back out to the center of the warehouse, grabbing a seat in front of the consoles where she pulled her feet up beneath her and settled in. She dug into the crumpled white bag that she caught Tristan’s eyes wandering towards while he and Kovacs continued to talk in hushed whispers. Pulling out one more sandwich, she unwrapped it and tore off a small piece before handing the rest over to the swordsman with a shrug.

"I wouldn’t be able to finish it anyway.”"True to her words she barely picked at the piece of the bagel as it grew cold.

"Anything I can do now that I’m back?"

[grendel]

03:53:42 Monday, 15 January 2063 - 1400 Willow Heights Road #4, Tacoma, Seattle

"Take a turn watching the console," replied Kovacs. If he noticed the shift in Mac's mood, he gave no indication. Neither did Tristan, who happily gave up his seat and disappeared towards the cots, still munching on the bagel that Mac had offered. She didn't know if the men were giving her space or were simply unaware of her mood, and frankly she didn't care. Despite the much needed rest and reset of the past few hours, there was still a rawness to her emotions, an unsettled current that jumped up and down her spine, making her nervous and uncomfortable. She thought she might need a smoke, but then decided against it when she didn't want to stand outside alone. She settled for a piece of gum, propping her chin on her hands as she watched the light-enhanced visuals from the drone overhead and the video cameras mounted around the warehouse. Kovacs rustled around in the bed of his truck for several minutes, and Mac thought he might be going to sleep himself. Instead, he returned with a cleaning kit bundled in a blue microfiber cloth, setting it on the table between them.

"Your weapon see any use tonight?" he asked.

[Vegas]

03:59:13 Monday, 15 January 2063 - 1400 Willow Heights Road #4, Tacoma, Seattle

Mac's breath caught in her throat at Kovacs' question and she swallowed hard but she managed a slight nod as he set the now-familiar kit down in front of her. She reached for the weapon that rode on her right hip, but she couldn't keep the tremble from her hand as she placed her weapon on top of the cloth, pulling away from it as if something had bit her. Her hands dropped to the arms of the chair, her fingers gripping them tightly as her breathing shallowed. She focused on the rotating images on the console, trying to push out the memory of the sight, the sound and the feel of firing into the back of the man. She could feel herself losing the precious control she had just regained.

He was going to kill Mario. He killed Holly Anne. He would have killed me.

No amount of repeating the facts in her head made her forget, but it did help her find a foothold against the rapid descent back into despair. Mac's voice was ragged and rough when she spoke.

"I shot one of them."

[grendel]

04:23:27 Monday, 15 January 2063 - 1400 Willow Heights Road #4, Tacoma, Seattle

"Did you hit him?" asked Kovacs, his voice coldly clinical. Mac hesitated, reaching back into her memory with some trepidation.

The fleeing figure appears almost motionless in her view, its leg poised in mid step. Her pistol recoils into her hand silently, the impulse traveling up her arms and into her shoulders. Something dimples the back of the figure's jacket.

She nods, ejecting the magazine from the pistol and cycling the action to clear the live round from the chamber.

"Then you did it right." Kovacs leaned back, propping his feet up on one of the console's modules and crossing his arms. He watched her clean in silence, offering a few tips, and demonstrating a technique once when she asked for it. When she was done, he walked her through the function check of the weapon, before having her reload and reholster. He policed up the cleaning kit, tucking the tools back into the pouch and rolling it up with the mat before crumpling the used patches into their makeshift trash bag.

"Drift will be back in a couple of hours," he said, stretching out on his seat again. "He'll take over the watch from you then."

[Vegas]

04:47:51 Monday, 15 January 2063 - 1400 Willow Heights Road #4, Tacoma, Seattle

Mac shook her head as Kovacs spoke about her shooting the guy like she had said she picked up milk from the store. She doubted she’d be that blasé about it for quite some time. While he stretched out beside her, she was splitting her attention between the screens as they rotated through the various camera feeds, Kovacs' breathing patterns and her commlink.

She was hoping for a message from Frankie or even Mario, but there were none. What was there however was the message from Isomer, glowing unread in her AR view. Her mouth compressed into a thin line, twitching slightly as she felt anger rising in her again, this time it was tempered only slightly with dread and curiosity over knowing just how deep of drek she managed to get into over trying to be the hero. She decided to open the message, convincing herself she needed to know in case they truly were going to come looking for her.

Better the devil you know...

[grendel]

04:49:17 Monday, 15 January 2063 - 1400 Willow Heights Road #4, Tacoma, Seattle

Names alone are not enough data to converge a solution. If you have any more information I can be more accurate. However, correlating your names with data purloined from the Heart of the City indicates your unknowns arrived in Seattle via an international flight on falsified papers. I hesitate to provide more detail because the error bars are large, but if pressed I would say they belong to a European syndicate, most likely Winternight.