Ground Zero, Tables on the Outskirts of the Main Dancefloor
Wednesday 8/14/70 22:17:03


"Well, I sure know who she is. Thing is, she spent all of her time over in the other half of the club. She was friends with some big porn star - Zither or Vesper or something - so she got in easy. Anyway, she caused quite a sensation over there, even though she only came a few times. I'll tell you what, some fucking extremely wrong shit goes down over there - that's why I work this side - there's shit I want no part of - but Cat - it wasn't that she did anything - shit, what can I say? It wasn't more - what? It wasn't more..." the beer-hunk was obviously trying to think of a diplomatic phrasing, so as not to offend his guests and dampen their generousity, but finally he gave up. "Well, it wasn't any more horrible or degenerate than a lot of the crap over there, but she had her own twist. And she handled herself with a certain...authority." He shrugged, apparently uncertain what he should say next.

Inside Ground Zero - Main Dancefloor, NE 126th Pl & Slater Ave NE, Kingsgate, Redmond
Wednsday 8/14/70 22:21:30
Sir Rambo - Looking for a Slave
PAN Icon offline, Custom hidden (signal 3), Moai offline

John was undecided yet, if he wanted to exchange his used but good looking, payed companion for a schooluniform covering much less of an eyecatcher. On the other hand, what was considdered desirable in this place might have deviated dramatically from the elf´s sense of esthetics. He tryed to judge Violet´s feelings about the slaver´s proposal, but in the end, all that mattered was, what which one was more knowledgable of the local scene and which would lend him more credibility. He shouted into the professional escort´s ear, only for her to hear.

Sir Rambo: "Would you mind spending some time with these ... gentlemen? I wouldn´t want to cause you any discomfort, sweatheart, but if you think Tiger would help me get into the VIP-Area and find information on my friend Cat there ..."

He gave her a second to think about it, while he started to talk to Stud again, without pause.

Sir Rambo: "Well, she isn´t one of the subserviant kind, if you catch my meaning, but if you can handle that, you might keep an eye on her. However, I heard 'the real meaning of pain' could only be fathomed in the other half of these grounds. Have you been over that thrashold before?"

While he listened to Stud´s answer, he mentally opened an IM-Window in his field of vision and sent a contact-request to Morningstar´s bussines-comcode.

Inside Ground Zero - Main Dancefloor, NE 126th Pl & Slater Ave NE, Kingsgate, Redmond
Wednesday 8/14/70 22:21:35


Stud: Naw, they charge way too much, and I've got everything I need right here - these bitches really aim to please! Anyway, listen, if yours isn't going to behave herself like a good little doggie, sorry man, no can do. Women were born to serve, and I'm not into whores that don't know their place.

Flophouse- 2nd floor room
Wednesday 8/14/70 22:21:30


Carla had been sitting in the room alone for the last fifteen minutes. She'd turned off the lights and alternated watching her comm and the entrance to Ground Zero.

The comm buzzed. It was Trixie. "Hello?"

"Yeah, hey sister, I got a photo for ya. Brace yourself - if it's your friend, then it's real bad news." The woman sent an image of an obviously deceased young woman. She was very thin, and had apparently been mostly eaten, though her face was intact. Trixie's voice continued over the comm as Carla looked at the picture. "This chica came up in here and got herself into some trouble. Next thing, she found herself outside our turf and the 162s had their way with her. Hope it's not your friend..."

Carla breathed a sigh of relief - it wasn't Esmeralda. But the picture did little to ease her worries.

Flophouse- 2nd floor room
Wednesday 8/14/70 22:22:00

Carla realized she was going to need to give Trix some more details, or she would be getting pictures of every starving waif in the city.

No, that isn't her, thank goodness. If it helps, Cat was friends with Zephyr - the famous pornstar. I don't know whether they ever came down here together or not, but they certainly knew each other. That might narrow down your search a bit.

She checked her watch, noting that she hadn't heard a word from any of her teammates yet. After sending the message to Trix, she sent another one out to the elves:

One to Team: Everybody okay in there? Send a reply to confirm that you're safe.

Flophouse- 2nd floor room
Wednesday 8/14/70 22:22:10


Wow, sister, there just keeps on being more to the story, doesn't there? Whatever. Your call. I'll get back to asking around. But the more you give me the more I'll be able to give you. answered Trixie.

Inside Ground Zero - Main Dancefloor, NE 126th Pl & Slater Ave NE, Kingsgate, Redmond
Wednsday 8/14/70 22:23:00
Sir Rambo - Looking for a Slave
PAN Icon offline, Custom hidden (signal 3), Moai offline

John grinned without any physical sign of his simultanious matrix-manipulation as he heard Stud´s reply. He established a new account on a chat-server associated with the Ground Zero, that featured an instant messanger service as well. The Avatar of his new SirRAMb0 alter ego was a Nosferatu -looking quit like an elven ghoul- clad in chrome and leather compleat with a full face mask from an antiquated Vampire-MMORPG.

Sir Rambo: "Oh, I totaly agree Stud, I just like to have a bit of a chellange. Sorry if you´re not into that. On the other hand, I am sure I could persuade my girl to be a nice kitten if I can just show her how she ought to behave with Tiger´s help over there." He cocked his head in the VIP-Area´s direction, while Violet did her thing to get him on the hook. "Maybe I could get you a drink while you are waiting for her."

As he spoke, he read Ms. Johnson´s message and fired back a brife reply.

Two @ Team: I´m fine, nothing new yet. How about you, anyone found out anything?

Then he formulated his contact-request for MorningStar

SirRAMb0 @ MorningStar: Might be interested to hire your crew for tactical support, care to negotiate terms?

Ground Zero, Tables on the Outskirts of the Main Dancefloor
Wednesday 8/14/70 22:17:20

The more Conall sat in the stinking alcove, with his piss poor imitation of Irish whiskey, the more he could feel his temper rise to the surface. From left and right, his hunter's senses were assaulted by sounds, smells and other sensations he wanted to forget very fast. Everything he saw repulsed him. And worst of all, odds were Esmeralda wasn't even here. His spirit wasn't back yet, so it wasn't a definite answer... but he was starting to doubt that the hunt would end here and now.

As he half listened to what the pale imitation of a man said, the young shaman's mind started to slightly wonder off. He had trailed the nun's last known location to some bus stop headed for downtown. So he knew Esmeralda had gone somewhere. Maybe she had come to the club.... Conall would never admit it, but he'd have to check with Krait if this club could have been her destination.

Conall's pointed ears finally focused back on the conversation at hand just as the bartender was finishing his sentence. He tursted his sister to no end, and he knew very well that given enough time, she could probably talk the man into getting them a foot in the VIP section. But that would take time. Conall's stomach would turn inside out before that. The man who was sitting across from them was probably a total sleaze bag; a fragging sicko who took his pleasure from dressing up in his grannie's undies and reading animal porn while sitting in his own feces. Or something else that was in vogue with the deranged plebe from this forgotten corner of the world.

And a tiny part of Conall felt very uneased by the bartender's presence. Well, not exactly by the man himself.... more by what was starting to filter through the link with his sister.... feelings that made him feel jealous.

The young shaman pulled himself slightly up as he went around the small table to take a very close seat to the bartender. Closer than one would in any social dealings. He casually placed one arm around the man pulling him a little bit toward him like a cheery mate would.

“Ye look like a nice enough lad, mate.� he said in his Irish brogue, giving him a wide, yet obviously fake smile.

“But a got two wee little things fer ye to know.�

He raised one finger toward him.

“Tis here is my lovely sis, which means, ye do not look at her like yer doing.�

He raised a second finger at him.

“Second,� his hand tightened on the man's shoulder just enough to show that he was being dead fragging serious “yer going to get us in that VIP section.�

Somehow, Conall's second wee little fact didn't sound like a suggestion.

Ground Zero, Tables on the Outskirts of the Main Dancefloor
Wednesday 8/14/70 22:17:30


The bartender swallowed visibly, and his eyes went to the purple-bodiced blond for support, any sort of lifeline to clutch in the face of this new threat. He stammered, "Sure, null persp. I mean, hell, cred's the key, right, and you guys have got plenty of that, I know..."

Inside Ground Zero - Main Dancefloor, NE 126th Pl & Slater Ave NE, Kingsgate, Redmond
Wednesday 8/14/70 22:23:10


Stud's lips twitched. His eyes shifted back and forth like a man in waking REM - his attention split between Violet's body and Krait's face. The elf was an expert at reading people, and it was clear to him that Stud found the offer questionable, but was tempted anyway, so great was his lust for the Heartbreaker. So when the ex-lawyer offered his harem a round of drinks, the pot-bellied top had the excuse he needed to say yes.

"Tiger, kneel at the feet of your master!" he shouted. Obediently the woman prostrated herself at his feet, the fat on the backs of her arms brushing the floor.
"Now," continued Stud, "Raise thine eyes and behold they new lord, the Dread Sir Rambo! For the next hour, as time is measured on this plane, your body and soul are his, that he may satisfy his appetites in your worthless flesh as he most nobly pleaseth."

"I obey," answered Tiger's high-pitched whine, and she scurried over to Krait and began licking his shoes, never lifting her eyes.

Ground Zero, Tables on the Outskirts of the Main Dancefloor
Wednesday 8/14/70 22:17:37

“Thatagood lad.� said Conall, matter of fact, while gently patting the bartender on his shoulder.

He looked across the table toward his sister.

“Ain't he a good wee chap?� he added for her attention, not even making an effort to have his question sound genuine.

A few seconds of silence passed as the young shaman looked at the man sitting next to him.

“So?� he simply said, getting a confused look back as an answer.

“Assay, we three all seem to be still sitting here, aren't we?�

Pushing his chair back as he rose to his feet, the young elf took the man by the arm, pulling him to his feet with him. Almost holding him by the collar of his jacket, he “gently� trusted him toward and across the dance floor.

Conall got very close to the man's ear, making sure he wouldn't miss a single drop of what he was about to say.

“Now, I don't want to be here, and I don't want to have to do things to ye ye wouldn't enjoy. If i decide to do these things, no one will notice, and no one will come to help ye... not in this kind of place. Get us in that place with haste, and ye'll never have to see us again.�

He started applying some pressure to his collar.

Inside Ground Zero - VIP area, NE 126th Pl & Slater Ave NE, Kingsgate, Redmond
Wednesday 8/14/70 22:23:10


Seeing that the cash-flashing blond was going to be no help at all, the hapless bartender forced a smile. "Uh, no problem. Um, let's go talk to Ernst right now." Getting up to go with the man toward the VIP gate, the twins noticed that Krait, accompanied by Violet the prostitute and some other woman, was headed in that direction as well from the other side of the dance floor.

Once the elves and their "guide" arrived at the gate, however, things seemed to go sour. The bartender walked right up to the troll bouncer and blurted, "Ernst, help! These people have taken me hostage! They want into the VIP lounge!"

But before Conall or Etain could react, the leather-clad giant burst into great bellowing guffaws. He slapped the bartender across the face. "Simpering putz. What were they gonna do, shoot you right here in the club? Or maybe give you a titty-twister or an Indian burn? Maybe a noogie? Hell, these two are on the list anyway. Now get back to work," he ordered the man, as he opened the gate for the twins and motioned them inside.

Krait also found the path to VIPdom much less difficult than he'd anticipated. As he approached the gate, Ernst merely teased - "Picked up some extra baggage, I see. Be careful, she's a softie, and her keeper spends a lot of money in here." He was already opening the door before the elf could say a word.

Entering, the first thing Krait noticed was the twins over against one wall, and he was careful to keep his distance from them so as not to disturb any play they might be making. Before he had a chance to take a careful look around, however, an incoming AR text message in his Ground Zero chat account demanded his attention.

<<Send when and where, and if it looks feasible we'll talk more. You're at GZ? That place is out of our reach, so stop now if that's the gig.>>

Message or not, however, the former lawyer was not easily distracted, and he was able to take in the general surroundings as readily as the pair from the Tir.

Like the other half of the club, the place was dimly lit, though to their elven eyes that was no impediment. And like the other half, the music was not only deafening but psychologically invasive. Krait's tech made it easy for him to turn it down, however, and the twins, though annoyed and uncomfortable, could still communicate clearly - perhaps too clearly - through their mystical link.

All around them were scenes of unspeakable depravity. They had entered this place expecting to see the real extremes of fetishism, but had not been prepared for this room. Whereas the first dance floor had been witness to its share of degradation, subjugation, and much physical pain, the things taking place here...one man was covered in a variety of human wastes, with other people lining up to add to his filthiness. A woman was being beaten by two orks - she kept trying to get up but was repeatedly punched and kicked - periodically a man approached and embraced her, whispered in her ear, and she would nod and the beating would continue. Another woman, wearing the scraps of what had been a leather teddy, was being ravaged by several men simultaneously - Krait recognized her as the "first-timer" from near the bathrooms - she seemed in great distress - his filtered hearing could hear her begging the men around her to stop.

Elsewhere in the room, a dog yelped in pain and, if it were possible for an animal, shame.

Etain had thought that the event which she had recently attended, the things she'd recently done, had prepared her for what they would find here. She had been wrong.

There was no sign of the group of "artistes" that had preceded the shadowrunners into the club, though the line of doors to private rooms on the other side of the room was quite obvious, if only in begging the question, "What more could be done in this place that would need to be hidden?"

Flophouse, 2nd floor room
Wednesday 8/14/70 22:25:00

Carla was quite happy to have the little room all to herself for a while. Not wanting to touch the filthy bed, she leaned against the window and observed the crowd bustling around the entrance to Ground Zero while awaiting feedback from her team. She wondered whether those astral figures Etain had noticed were indeed what she thought they were - - shedim spirit orbs, as The Black Cat had called them. If so, then they should be hovering around Carla herself rather than tracking her friends into the club.

Carla suddenly felt rather uncomfortable being alone in this strange place. She checked to see whether the lock on the door - if the door had a lock - was fastened shut, and then she scanned the room for any other possible entry ways. She checked in the tiny bathroom. She inspected the walls. She even peeked underneath the bed, as if she expected to find a monster waiting for her. Returning to the window, she peered outside to see whether there was a ladder or fire escape of any sort - just in case she needed to make a quick exit.

Inside Ground Zero - VIP Dancefloor, NE 126th Pl & Slater Ave NE, Kingsgate, Redmond
Wednsday 8/14/70 22:23:24
Sir Rambo - Looking for a Slave
PAN Icon offline, Custom hidden (signal 3), Moai offline

Slightly disgusted by the woman´s show of obediance, John fealt the urge to kick Tiger into the face or at least back-off for a second, but not knowing how hard-core these guys realy where and hasitant to hurt his new slave, he just put the sole of his shoe into her face slowly and pushed her away. With a hand-gesture, he ordered her to stay by his left side like a dog, while his right hand moved throgh the air like a butterfly, as his fingers raced over invisible keys to conect to the barkeeper´s PAN. He ordered a round of cocktails for Stud´s circle, asking the barkeeper to chose the regular patron´s favourits and telling them to give the group a re-fill when they where done. He put his arm back around V´s shoulder, pointing his finger ad Stud and giving him a wink, as he footed the 100 bill for the drinks from Ms Johnson´s credstick and turned around to enter the VIP-Zone.
As they found their way through the crowd, the elf shouted into Violet´s ear, asking what she thought of Stud and if she happened to know his friend Cat. Noticing the twins as they approached the towering troll, slightly anoyed that they´d all end up in the back of the club, instead of spreading equally between the two separate areas. The technician tuned into their exchange of words and was pleased to hear that the transition into the restricted area would be much easyer then he had feared for. Still he was happy for his precautions, as they would help make a better impression on Ernst. When the Bouncer commented on his new companion, the former lawyer gave him a dirty grin with his reply.

BedroomTrasseur: "Only one rule, right?! Stud´s a chummer, we are cool."

What anoyed him most on first sight, was the beating-scene, but he calmed down considderably, when he watched what looked like her freely giving her consent to go on. The scenery triggered memories of dark thinks he had seen documented in the countless intelligence-reportsand conspiracy-blogs he had seen in his life and the place´s smelly, dark and cramped place filled with warped bodies and painfull moans somehow remembered him of the mining-operation in Erskin Ridge.
None the less, he retained enough concentration, to read the Ghoul´s message and send a reply.

SirRAMb0 @ MorningStar: <<Just trying to take precautions. Though I don´t expect trouble, this is still a dangerous area. We might need someone to cover our backs on our way back to lonestar-land down the 132nd>>

Then he recognized the 1stTimer seamingly in genuin distress. He allways wondered how gullible people could be. 'It would be all right to just watch.' He wanted to turn away, telling himself that she was into this off her own free will, but from what he knew about her allready, that wouldn´t be the case. He wanted to forcefully redirect his attention to the task at hand, as he had done so many times before, but for a split second his heart stoped and his blood turned to ice. For a single moment, the light fell just right on the tear-covered face, as the victim shook her head from side to side. For less then the blink of an eye, the former lawyer thought he saw someone he knew in the strangers face.
In the face of this stranger, he recognized Emma and his mind threatened to break apart. For a moment the seamingly only good thing he had ever done, rescuing that elven girl from Erskin Ridge, was taken away from him and it fealt like he was cracking up again.
Then the moment was gone, leaving nothing but a hollow feeling. He wasn´t in a position to make a difference in the great sheam any more and he wouldn´t be for a long time to come, but he could make a difference for this one, maybe even without risking to compromize his objective.
He tiped off his borrowed sub with a slight, hardly painfull slap to the back of her head and a wave of his hand, to watch the scenery. Meanwhile, he leaned over to Violet to speak into her ear, at the same time commanding his com to scan for any of the 1stTimer´s 'playmates'´ PANs.

SirRAMb0: "Do you know any of these guys?"

Inside Ground Zero - VIP Dancefloor, NE 126th Pl & Slater Ave NE, Kingsgate, Redmond
Wednesday 8/14/70 22:23:30


Krait was having a tough time in his new environment - it brought out too many of the feelings that had recently cost him all that he'd spent his life working for. Here and now, in microcosm, was the same sort of cruelty he'd risked everything (and lost) to stop.
It was enough to strain his sometimes tenuous hold on reality, threatening the sort of cognitive dissonance that pitted his calculating rationality against his fledgling conscience.

He was starting to see things. Always a danger sign.

It was a good thing he was staying so busy.

Even before he'd gotten to the VIP gate he'd questioned Violet about Cat, but the prostitute didn't know her.

Then, entering this den of sexual nightmares, he'd dashed off a message to the local ghoul leader, Morning Star, and almost immediately received a response.

<<That is doable. Cross out of HB turf and Y1,000 will get you back to T-town with the devil himself at your heels, payable on arrival. Say when, and where you'll cross. Keeping us on standby is another Y200/hour in advance.>>

But once the distractions ended, he had little choice but to witness the scene around him. Most he could shrug off, but the gang rape getting into motion before his eyes - he'd made millions for himself and tens of millions for others reading people like open books, and that woman was not acting.

Easily scanning the PANs of her assailants, he skimmed over a variety of SM/BD jargon that basically translated into their being non-consensual sex fetishists - a fancy way of saying sport rapists.

Violet yelled in his ear - "We know them - they've been warned not to try their shit on any of our girls, so they come here and hang out, like spiders waiting for a fly."

Inside Ground Zero - VIP Dancefloor, NE 126th Pl & Slater Ave NE, Kingsgate, Redmond
Wednsday 8/14/70 22:23:35
Sir Rambo - Helping a maiden in distress
PAN Icon offline, Custom hidden (signal 3), Moai offline

Sir Rambo: "I need your knife! If all goes well, I won´t have to use it."

The former lawyer yelled back to the callgirl, with a definitive feeling that he was going to do someting really dumb. He fired off a short message to his teammates, while he took Tiger´s hand and gently lifted her up from the floor. Maybe there still was an easy way out of this, otherwise he´d have to play his cards extreamly well to help the 1stTimer while still staying out of trouble and fulfilling his objective tonight.

Two @ Team: I might get into some trouble. Try to stay out of it or at least restrict yourself to remote support. You might be the only ones left in here to get what we are here for!

He leand forward, to shout into Tiger´s ear in the usual dominant voice, before he looked straigt into his borrowed slave´s eyes but with a softer expression then before. He had to make sure she was meaning what she said instead of feeling forced into something.

Sir Rambo: "Would you like to be in that girl´s place?"

Inside Ground Zero - VIP Dancefloor, NE 126th Pl & Slater Ave NE, Kingsgate, Redmond
Wednesday 8/14/70 22:23:45


Violet gave Krait a look like he'd just ask her to have her legs amputated. But as he held her gaze the force of his magnetic personality won out. She shrugged and shook her head in disbelief at her own stupidity and extracted a small plastic spray cannister from inside her thigh-high boot. Holding it in his hand, the elf could see a tiny ARO label, visible only upon immediate inspection of the object - Habanero Hitter© - Oleoresin Capsicum content 10.0%. This concentration for law enforcement use only.

Next he made his rather extreme suggestion to his new slave. She answered, "I will serve thee to the final limits of degradation." To anyone else, her face would have shown reluctant compliance, but to the lawyer's practiced eye, she was desperately hoping to be cast into the fray.

Of course, it was painfully obvious that willingness was the very last thing the gang of rapists was looking for...

Amazingly enough, Krait's talents were such that he was able to toss off these two delicate social interactions while simultaneously sending a message to his teammate and reviewing his agent's analysis of the assailants' commlinks.

Flophouse, 2nd floor room
Wednesday 8/14/70 22:24:00

Carla flinched upon receiving Krait's message. She couldn't afford for him to get hurt; not only was he vital to the team, but he also had her credstick!

One @ Team: What kind of trouble are you gettting into, Two? I'm-going-to-get-kicked-out-of-the-club kind of trouble, or someone's-going-to-kill-me kind of trouble?

Inside Ground Zero - VIP Dancefloor, NE 126th Pl & Slater Ave NE, Kingsgate, Redmond
Wednsday 8/14/70 22:24:50
Sir Rambo - Helping a maiden in distress
PAN Icon offline, Custom hidden (signal 3), Moai offline

John was relived to see the desire to change her position with the 1stTimer in his borrowed slave´s face, this would make his endavor much easyer. He also was happy to see that Tiger was waring some kind of dagger at her side. The spray-can Violet had given to him would be much more usefull in a physical confrontation, but it had next to no intimidation-potential and even less style. A ganger without a knife? The barrens are not what they used to be, or else Seattle is not Boston or Newcastle!
He wanted to discuss the situation with Tiger and give her detailed instructions, but time was ticking and he was in a hurry if he wanted to do any good for the maiden in distress. So he slaped his slave in the face mid-force with his palm, without explanation, and simply took the ceremonial blade from her. Though the weapon only seemed to be a fake, it would suffice if everything went according to the ex-lawyer´s plan.
He took a tangent cours towards the group of mollesters, as if heading for one of the doors to the left of them, one hand tightly wraped around the pepperpunch, the other holding the blade flat against his forearm, close to his side. In the seconds he needed to cross the short distance, he redied a message for all the mollester´s PANs, but heald it back for just the right moment.

When he passed the abusive female with the rape-fetish, he turned around and quickly slung his arm around her nack, fingertips touching her throat. Before she could overcome her surprise and ram here ellbow into his belly, he shouted a warning into her ear and flashed his blade to put it at her throat.

Sir Rambo: "Freez, got nervous handblades!"

At the same time, he fired a bold, flashy BACK OFF!!! at the wannabe-rapist´s coms, which would also recaive the words he was going to speak to the female, wether their owners where paying attention to them at the moment or not.

The instant he lifted the dagger to his 'hostage´s' throat, the bully ork made a step towards them in a threatening move and opened his mouth in a vain attempt -at least for most listeners- to shout over the ambient noise thatpassed for musik. With no intention for soft negotiations, John instinctively pulled the trigger of V´s spray-can, though he cursed himself for it at the very same moment, seeing the situation escalate into a bloody fight before his mind´s eye.
In an incredible streak of luck, however, the stream of irritants exploding from the small container shot directly into the poor metahuman´s mouth, while he was taking a deep breath to scream out his anger. But instead of a shout, the ork´s mouth released a brif but strong cough, imediately interrupted by a fountain of vomit, as huge man fall to the ground like a child, nose and eyes flowing over with tears. Seemingly unimpressed by the muskleman´s downfall, John went on to speak to the woman with the strap-on in his most commanding voice.

Sir Rambo: "I´ll take this worthless slut for my own purposes!"

The blade wandered down to her chest with the tip pointing at her heart, putting up enough preasure to be painfull.

Sir Rambo: "You can have your fun with someone else. I bet that softy-wannabe over there would be most unpleased to be in her place."

The hand with the pepperpunch pointed in Tiger´s & Violet´s direction, then went back to the female´s nack.

Sir Rambo: "Unless you want me to satisfy my needs with your blood!"

The dapper wandered back up the nack and cheak, untill the tip rested at the base of her eye with slight preasure, as if prepairing to pop out her eyeball.
The two corporate-types backed off to the side, but did not move fare away, watching the scene unfold without intervention, while the vicious dwarf looked at the female for guidance, as John let go of her. The elf locked eyes with her for a moment, as he let the ceremonial blade slide down her face to her lips and then took a step away. Clearly furious at first, she finally makes up her mind and walks away, her halfer companion in tow. They headed toward Tiger leaving behind the ork that was still on the ground, crying like a baby as his sinuses emptied out onto the floor. As she left, John almost thought she got a thrill out of it.

Under her corporate-friends´ curious eyes, John draged the 1stTimer to her feet, rather harsh and gripped her upper arm, to lead her away. When they had moved a few steps away, his hold softened a bit but stayed firm enough to offer guidance and support, while he shouted into her ear as soft and sympathetic as shouting over a club-sound-system goes.

Sir Rambo: "Calm down. I´ll do you no harm! You will be out of here in a moment. I just need your com-code and name, so a friend of mine can guied you savely back to TouristVille!"

He lead the newbe towards the restrooms and gave V a look to follow them. Tiger was putting up a good show of unwillingness, that almost convinced the elf for a moment. But even though he was quiet sure she enjoyed the experiance, he was a bit worried that the pair of mollesters might treat his leased servant to harshly.
As they walked towards the gated hallway leading to the restrooms, he kept shouting soothing words into the traumatized girl´s ear, while he sent another message to his teammates. Every other moment, he cast a subtile look towards Tiger and the two corporate-types as well.

Two @ Team: I´m clear and back at work, everything went down smooth.

Inside Ground Zero - VIP Dancefloor, NE 126th Pl & Slater Ave NE, Kingsgate, Redmond
Wednesday 8/14/70 22:25:20


In a matter of seconds, a complete newcomer had swept into the midst of a gang of violent players and scooped their prize away from them, and he had made it look easy. As the dwarf and the woman descended on a faux-fleeing Tiger and people ignored the hapless ork, the crowd of spectators parted for the elf that had now appropriated the woman in the torn black teddy for himself.

As he approached the gate to the restrooms, the troll bouncer opened it without a word. Passing through and trying to calm the victim, Krait noticed the two corpers trailing him out of the VIP area...and Violet trailing them.

The woman he thought of as the 1st Timer was sobbing uncontrollably, but thanks to his well-chosen words was no longer struggling against his grip.

Inside Ground Zero - Dom´s Restroom, NE 126th Pl & Slater Ave NE, Kingsgate, Redmond
Wednsday 8/14/70 22:26:00
Sir Rambo - Helping a maiden in distress
PAN Icon offline, Custom hidden (signal 3), Moai offline

John gave the bouncer a casual nod, as if they knew each other and ushered the sobbing woman into the Dom´s Restroom and into a toilet-cell next to the door on the VIP side of the club - making sure that it was unoccupied and it´s self-cleaning function intact.

Krait: "Wait for me, here you will be save, I will be right back my dear!"

He closed the cell and turnedback to the restroom´s entrance, waiting to confront his tails. Inside he was cursing. He had not intended to spend any more time then necessary on this little rescue operation, and he didn´t even know the 1stTimer´s name or com-code yet. Searching the ether for her PAN, he found nothing at first sight and initiated a search for a hidden signal. As an afterthought, he also looked up the pricing of the irritant he had borrowed from Violet.
When the two corporate-guys arrived at the restrooms door, he blocked their path casting a hard gaze on them. He shouted barely audiable over the background-musik, but the simple phrase wouldn´t be hard to read from his lips and he mirrored his words in the wirreles world, sending them directly to their implanted comlinks, if they where willing to accept it.

SirRAMb0: "May I help You?"

As Violet came up behind them and leand against the wall, he gave her a nod, so they would know that somebody was behind them. Turning back to his shadows he said.

SirRAMb0: "The Sub´s Restroom is down the hallway!"

Ground Zero
Wednesday 8/14/70 22:25:03

As Ernst lashed out at the bartender both with tongue and open palm she couldn’t help but flinch slightly. Perhaps it blew her cover as being of the more dominant variety, but likely no one even noticed. As Ernst stated they were on the list and opened the gate for them she tried to smile as if she knew it was coming, all the white the surprise lingered inside her head. Just who were Miss J’s friends if they were all associated with this type of place and had pull to get them into VIP?

Stepping into VIP however was like stepping into the 5th layer of hell. Even with all Etain had seen and participated in during the Lockdown she was in no way prepared for the sights, sounds and smells that engulfed her. Her stomach turned as her amber eyes moved over the crowds and the “shows� taking place all around them. Her eyes lingered on the series of closed doors to the private rooms both out of curiosity as well as it was the one place where all of her senses weren’t assaulted with depravity at the same time. The beaten up black doors were a void.

She closed her eyes and tried to center herself, to find some type of harmony in the dischord of the music and the screams of pleasure and pain around her. She felt the bile creep up into the back of her throat.

�I can’t do this Conall.�

She had reached her breaking point. She turned on a heel and in doing so pulled herself free from her brother’s tight grasp. When she tried to run back to the chain-link door, the mass of bodies bumping into her kept her from moving with any speed. The closer she got to the door the more relief she felt. Somehow, the air nearer the door Ernst was guarding actually felt cleaner as she gulped it in trying to settle her nerves and her stomach. When Frank’s message about possibly being in trouble came across her comm however her head immediately snapped up and she couldn’t stop herself from looking around to see just where he was and what trouble he was about to get into. She could feel her brother stop in his tracks behind her as he got the same message. She knew if there really was trouble Conall could be better suited to help than she and that meant she’d have to do some more digging for details, and right now the safest place she could think to be if not at her brother’s side was at the bouncer’s. She pushed her way forward knowing her brother already knew what she was thinking and where she was heading.

As she made her way along side the bouncer she tried to regain her composure enough that she could try to wrap the burly Troll around her finger. If her charm wasn’t enough, perhaps he had his own price, much like the bartender. She slid up next to him as best she could with her tiny frame, going up on her toes to start her conversation with him. She needed to find out more about Cat and since she had no interest in asking around in VIP, it made Ernst the target of her “affections.�

“When was the last time ye saw me friend Cat anyway?�

His eyes remained fixed on the other patrons, it was obvious he wasn’t going to abandon his post for their little conversation. He was getting paid to watch the door, not to talk.

“It’s been a couple of months now. She only showed up three maybe four times, but I’ll be damned if she didn’t make one hell of a splash.�

Etain couldn’t help but quirk a brow, wondering just what the waif of a woman could have done to make herself stand out in a place like this.

“Cat stood out ‘ere? How, I mean I never made her fer a showstopper I suppose.�

The big Troll grunted, shrugged and spit on the concrete floor.

"Girl, I just let people in and out. The less I know about what goes on inside, the better I sleep at night. You want details, talk to the freaks."

She was about to say something else when she felt her brother come closer as he went after Frank. She gave him a slight nod and gave Ernst a look letting him know he was completely cool. She could tell the Troll was about to clam up however, and she needed him to continue to be forthcoming with the information.

Inside Ground Zero - VIP area, NE 126th Pl & Slater Ave NE, Kingsgate, Redmond
Wednesday 8/14/70 22:23:10

When then reached the bouncer, for a brief moment, Conall was sure that his hold on the barman's willpower had broken. By the way he already almost had him in a headlock, the young elf knew his victim would be in no position to hurt him. As he was the big troll start to lean forward, Conall's training started to kick into gear, his mind racing ahead and quickly coming up with an answer to the threat. He would kick the barman's knee on the side with his boot, breaking his kneecap and dropping him to the floor. It would leave both of his hands free to grab a hold of the Troll's leading arm so he could pull him off balance and topple him to the ground. But as he was about to reach over and execute his move, a glimmer of hesitation, not from him, but from his sister crept in his mind. He had missed something... something she had noticed. At the speed of thought, he realized what she had picked up: the Troll wasn't making a threatening move at all... not toward him.

Through the link, his sister's self control had seeped into his own mind, slowing down his rash reaction.

A few seconds later, they were stepping inside the very worst place on earth. The young shaman had been sure he had experienced Hell a few minutes ago... but this was worst. When the worst of the worst died, they were sent to a place like this.

Through his sweaty palm, he could feel his twin's growing uneasiness. It was already difficult enough to contain his own emotions.... With his sister's now filtering through, he was ready to burst at anything. As she slipped out of his grip, Conall stood on the spot, breathing hard and using all the self restrain he had to contain himself.

Whatever goes on in this place, it does not concern us. We are here for one thing. I have a task to accomplish.

In the corner of his eye, he say his sister start to withdraw toward the bouncer, and Conall was about to follow her lead when he heard a synthvoice in his hear read him Krait's message.

Now, what the frag is this guy thinking of again...

Conall immediately turned around, scanning the crowd to see if he could pick his teammate out. If he started real trouble in this sort of place, there was no telling how many foes would come out of the shadows... and somehow, the young shaman somewhat doubted Krait could deal with “real� opponents. If the drek started to hit the fan, he'd most definitely have to bail his ass out. He gave a quick look toward Etain, making a step toward her... but quickly froze on the spot. The reassuring nod she gave him, and the flow of calm and assuredness that flowed from her to him told him clear than words that everything was fine.

Stand too sister... I'll be right back.

Turning his back to his other half, Conall dove head first into the crowd, pushing and shoving himself a way toward where he thought Krait was. Even though the voice in his ear was telling him that everything “was clear� and had “went down smooth�, Conall simply didn't trust Krait any farther than he could throw him. Conall was probably strong enough to throw him a few feet away.... so it wasn't a very good expression for him to use. But nevertheless...

Reaching to his collar, Conall activated the throat mike. His voice sounded cold and clinical over the comm relay, and the way he spoke sounded practiced, as if the words he was using had been repeated over and over.

Sit Rep Two. Moving toward yer poz from side 1.

Krait seemed like a rather perceptive person, but the young shaman simply didn't trust his judgment concerning things that could jeopardize their mission. He was going to eyeball the situation himself.

Inside Ground Zero - Near Restroom, NE 126th Pl & Slater Ave NE, Kingsgate, Redmond
Wednesday 8/14/70 22:26:10


To reach the place he'd estimated Krait was at, Paddy had had to wade through more of the human filth that polluted this place. Even as he pushed people aside he would notice the vile acts they were engaged in, and to make matters worse, many of them were orks and dwarves!

Arriving roughly where he wanted to be, he found a dwarf roughly having his way with an ugly human woman, while nearby a completely androgynous individual twisted snake-bite leechers onto the nipples of a grossly obese troll.

But this probably was the site of the other elf's "trouble," because there was the unmistakable smell of cayenne in the air. Looking around on the ground, Paddy found the confirmation he was looking for - lost and ignored among the feet of the decadent revelers was a hapless ork with meter-long strands of snot dangling from his nostrils as he tried to get to his feet. His eyes were tight shut, and whenever he almost got up, someone nearby idly pushed him back to the ground. Paddy could hear very little over the noise coming from the club's sound system, but it looked like the ork was screaming in pain.

Looking around, he finally caught sight of the other elf near the gate that led to the restrooms. He was leading a woman, and followed by a regular procession - his whore-guide, and then two men. It took him a few moments to get through the crowd and past the horned beast that monitored the toilet gate, but he made it through in time to see Krait in the door of the "Dom" restroom, blocking the path of two of the cleaner-cut men in the place. Krait was just telling them, "The Sub´s Restroom is down the hallway!" in a voice that seemed quiet, but just loud enough to be heard over the music, and carried an undercurrent of menace that Paddy would never have thought possible from the other elf.

Deciding how to respond, the two men glanced around. They saw Violet standing behind them, and then they saw the elves exchange curt nods. One, the one that had only been watching the gang rape, started to say something to Krait, but the other put a hand on his shoulder and leaned in to whisper in his ear. It was child's play for Krait's filters to pick out the words. "Don't be an idiot. These aren't freaks. They're pros of some kind. Just leave it for now." The first corper gave Krait a long stare, then stalked with his friend out, past Paddy, and back into the VIP section.

Ground Zero
Wednesday 8/14/70 22:26:24

She had to keep him talking she could tell there was more to be said and she just had to find the way to get the information out.

“Look, I don’t want t’get ye into any trouble. I just want to make sure me friend is safe is all. Anything ye can tell me that could help me do just that would be appreciated.�

She let a little vulnerability and desperation filter into her voice because really at least the desperation was genuine. They were hitting brick walls, and if they could manage to get solid information from the bouncer that would allow them to leave this place it wouldn’t be soon enough. Ernst’s eyes moved from the crowd of people milling in and out of VIP to the Elven woman’s face for an instant as if he was judging her with his own internal bullshit meter. His eyes moved back to the crowds before he spoke again.

"Last couple o' times she was here, when she left I wanted to call a doc or somethin'. She could take some punishment. But she always walked out on her own two feet. And the management don't exactly appreciate callin' in outsiders, anyway."

She nodded, in some strange way she found the information comforting. If Cat could come here, get the crap beat out of her and walk out on her own accord, it gave her hope that she could withstand whatever trouble had befallen her.

“The guys in the black coats with the one woman when we came in… Ye never saw Cat with them did ye? They looked a little more professional than anyone in me group tonight.�

She knew she was pushing it, after the way he had blown off Frank in the entrance when he brought up the group out of curiosity but she had to try. Something about them and the woman with the holopic was nagging at her and she hoped that Cat wasn’t wrapped up with them as she had no interest in going up against them to find Miss J’s friend.

"That's why I don't pay no attention." is all he says before he spat once more onto the floor. This time his arms crossed over his chest and she knew their conversation was over for good. She had pushed her luck too far with the bouncer asking about the “artistes� and there wouldn’t be a magic number to bribe him with now.

“Fair enough. I appreciate what ye could tell me about Cat. If ye hear anything more about her, or ye feel like talking more off the clock, feel free to drop me a line.�

She made her commcode available to him for an instant, not wanting any of the rest of the patrons to be able to pick up her information. When his eyes moved back to her face for an instant she nodded and turned on a heel to move away from him towards the restrooms.

Inside Ground Zero - Dom´s Restroom, NE 126th Pl & Slater Ave NE, Kingsgate, Redmond
Wednsday 8/14/70 22:27:07
Sir Rambo - Helping a maiden in distress
PAN Icon offline, Custom hidden (signal 3), Moai offline

John gave his team-mate another respectfull nod. Before he went back to the rescued girl, he gave Violet a thankfull smile and tilted his head slightly, to make sure she would follow. He made sure that the 1stTimer was still ok - as ok as he had left her behind anyway. Then he handed the used spray-canister and fake dagger over to the Heartbreaker. Holding her hands he locked eyes with the young girl for a moment, before he leand forward to speak into her ear.

SirRAMb0: "Thanks, I owe you some extra. Now could you please get some warm chocolate or irish coffee for my new friend? Get something to drink for you as well, and please bring me the windbreaker that´s inside the backpack I checked in. We will be here, thanks again!"

He gave the professional escorte a kiss on the cheek and looked at her for another moment, softly stroking her face with his hand. The gesture would seem like asign of affection and thankfullness -and in deed the paranoid ex-lawyer was thankfull for the comfort and security that having a local guide provided to him- but the real reason was to whipe off enough of any dna-traces he might have left on her face, to make it impossible to collect a sample. He released the callgirl, beamed her 30 and turned back to the corporate-girl.
He took of his suite-jacket and wraped it around the young woman´s shoulders, rubbing them softly to make her feel warmer, before he leaned in to talk to her again. Taking off a significant part of his protective clothing made him feel very uneasy in this place and after the confrontation he had just had. His pulse was still racing and he wanted to go back to work, but at least the show would have gained him some credibility and respect with the freak-crowd, something that could make his job much easyer in the end.

Krait: "Feel better? My friend will get you something to drink."

He crouched down before her and sighed inaudiable over the music thogh it was less assaulting in this room, his back against the side of the cell, so he could still see the restroom´s door from the corner of his eye. Leaning closer again, so he wouldn´t have to shout as loud, he went on.

Krait: "First time around, huh? Well there is nothing like 'just watching' in this place I guess. I went in with the same intention and the next time I know, I´m hitting some fragger with a load of pepper-spray!"

He chuckled slightly and whiped some hair-strands out of her tear-covered face, before he offered her a tissue.

Krait: "So, I guess you don´t come her often, either. I´m Mike."

He offered the girl a hand and a reaffirming smile in some semblance of a formal introduction.

Inside Ground Zero - Near Restroom, NE 126th Pl & Slater Ave NE, Kingsgate, Redmond
Wednesday 8/14/70 22:26:15

When Conall reached the bathrooms, he felt annoyed enough he would have been ready to take on a Great Dragon, one on one, bare handed, if that would have allowed him to get the frag out of this place. He just couldn't deal with it anymore. Arriving at the bathroom, the young elf still wasn't quite sure what was going on, but he had apparently arrived before anything had gone down. Stopping close to the entrance, he spotted Krait's disease ridden whore close by, and the man himself squaring off with tow corporate looking types. They all exchanged a few words and parted ways, the two men passing by him without noticing him. He trailed his eyes behind them, making sure the got swallowed up by the rest of the club, before turning back toward Krait in time to catch his nod.

Still unsure as to what had just transpired, but sure enough things were well, Conall withdrew back into the club, pushing and shoving himself a way back to his sister's side.

Inside Ground Zero - NE 126th Pl & Slater Ave NE, Kingsgate, Redmond
Wednesday 8/14/70 22:26:30


Conall and Etain picked up each others' presence spiritually before they ever saw each other. The managed to find one another halfway between the two gates, where they reflexively embraced, comforting each other, steeling themselves to continue their search for information in this filthy pit of iniquity.

They found a good vantage place and started watching - trying not to notice the scenes of pain and degradation, and focus on spotting someone that looked like they'd know something.

22:29:00

The corp woman cried for a while longer, but it was clear to her elf rescuer that she was trying to pull herself together. Finally, she spoke for the first time, responding to Krait's humor. Smiling up at him shyly, she managed, "I'm Kayla...oh shit, I shouldn't have told you that. Oh my...they...they were going to rape me." Looking down at herself, she realized that her teddy was in shreds, and with the shadowrunner's jacket all that was between her and indecency, she closed it about herself self-consciously. She cried a bit more as Krait waited patiently, then, as if talking to herself, muttered - "I am so fucked. I can never let anyone know I was ever here." She looked up at the elf - "Can you get me out of this place? I could pay you. I know cabs won't come here, and I can't trust anyone. Especially the person I came here with. I will pay you handsomely for your discretion."

At that moment, Violet returned with a warm beverage, and Krait's agent relayed him an intercepted signal - it was from the lead corper, the watcher. Dammit - we are so fucked. But I got that keeb's picture.

There was no reply.

At the same time that Krait got his message, Conall got one of his own. Master, the one you seek is not in this place. I am sure of it.

Relaying this to his sister, she had a conclusion of her own. She explained she thought she'd found the person they should talk to - an extremely beautiful woman wearing nothing at all but a pair of highly polished thigh-high boots. She viciously whipped a couple of kneeling slaves, while at the same time carrying on conversations with a few supplicants - it seemed almost as if she was holding court. She had a strong "queen bee" aura.
Conall shivered in disgust at such beauty so corrupted. Well, at least she was an elf.

Inside Ground Zero - NE 126th Pl & Slater Ave NE, Kingsgate, RedmondWednesday 8/14/70 22:29:57

From their vantage point, Conall's naturally light sensitive eyes could easily make out the different grotesque creatures that made up the crowd. He did his best not to shy his gaze away from anything, but such twisted display of metahuman nature was revolting. He would have nightmares for some times. That was one sure thing.

Putting one arm around his sister's waist, he pulled her close to him, burrowing his face in the base of her neck, his forehead against her silk smooth bare skin.

I am truly sorry you've experienced this place sister. Don't worry... it is almost over...

As much as he wanted to sound extremely confident, Conall could barely contain his anxiety from spilling over and filling the link. Sighing deeply, he pulled himself slightly away from Etain to resume his watch. It was then that his nose picked up on a familiar scent. He almost immediately felt the mix of rough and soft hair running under his finger. Unconsciously, his gaze shifted to look upon the real fabric of the world, and Conall set his eyes on the wolf servant he had called to before.

He crouched slightly down, getting to eye level with the large beast.

What news do you bring me from your hunt, my friend?
Master, the one you seek is not in this place. I am sure of it.
Well done my friend. Go rest now... but stay close. I may call on you during this night.

With something resembling a bow, the large wolf disappeared back into the ambient flow of mana.

Relaying this to his sister, she had a conclusion of her own. She explained she thought she'd found the person they should talk to - an extremely beautiful woman wearing nothing at all but a pair of highly polished thigh-high boots. She viciously whipped a couple of kneeling slaves, while at the same time carrying on conversations with a few supplicants - it seemed almost as if she was holding court. She had a strong "queen bee" aura.

Conall shivered in disgust at such beauty so corrupted. Well, at least she was an elf.

The young shaman gave his sister a firm nod as he pressed in the earbud in his ear, and keyed his hidden mike.

“Three @ One. The target isn't within the building. The whole area has been canvased thoroughly via ether scouting. She isn't here. Current sit update is that she's been here quite a few times, but hasn't been seen recently, or ever since her last whereabouts. Got some info from the locals concerning her habits and such, but nothing of any help.�

He released his mike a few seconds, freeing his hand to catch Etain who had begun moving toward the elf woman she had spotted. His brother raised a single finger a her, signaling her to wait

“Current status is green and cover is uncompromised. Please advise.�

Flophouse, 2nd Floor Room
Wednesday 8/14/70 22:30:30

Carla hadn't actually expected to find Esmeralda at this place (not alive, at least), so she wasn't extremely surprised by Conall's message. She didn't want to leave without any good leads, though.

One @ Team: Roger that, the target isn't on the premises. If you still think you can extract some useful info from the club, then pursue it as far as you can. If none of you think there is any more useful information available, then get out as soon as possible.

Please wait for your partners before exiting; I don't want anyone left inside alone.

Inside Ground Zero - Dom´s Restroom, NE 126th Pl & Slater Ave NE, Kingsgate, Redmond
Wednsday 8/14/70 22:30:31
Sir Rambo - Ensuring Discretion
PAN Icon offline, Custom hidden (signal 3), Moai offline

Mike: "Don´t worry my dear, everything will be allright! Talk about money when you need to pay someone - I know some people who could probably help."

While he spoke, the elven technician read the message intercepted by his trusty agent and imediately started to formulate a plan to counteract the implicated consequences.

Mike: Now to ensure discretion, we have to deal with the one you came her with, because he´s been taking pictures! Who is he, what´s his name, what´s his com-code? The more I know, the more my friends can do about it."

He looked eyes with her, to drive home the point that he needed some more information to help her, while his mind raced to cook up a course of action and set it in motion. He hated it when he was forced to think quick.

BedroomTrasseur @ Ernst: Looks like someone´s been breaking the rules! A friend of mine picked up some jibberjabber between two guys in VIP I had a little disagreement with. Two corpers, one blond, blueeyed, one darkbrown with silver eyes. I´d apreciate to have a little chat with them myself, before they leave.

He attached the intercepted message and the two guys access-IDs and PAN-signals. Next he contacted his teammates, editing the message twice, as news from them arrived.

Two @ Team: I´d like to ask around among the crowd some more -restroom guard, barkeeper, some of the patrons- but I´m still cought up with that other situation. If your interested in a little sideline activity, it would be a good thing to do, helping a maiden in distress. If nothing else, you could get some extra funds out of it, to further our own agenda. In this context it´d be helpfull if Three could keep an eye on those two guys I talked to at the door.

Inside Ground Zero - Dom´s Restroom, NE 126th Pl & Slater Ave NE, Kingsgate, Redmond
Wednesday 8/14/70 22:31:19


Traumatized as she obviously was, the combined mention of the man she'd come with and the idea of pictures galvanized the woman. "That little fuck! He's so out of his league. Hang on one moment." The half-naked blond leaned back on the toilet seat and her eyes rolled back in their sockets.

Ernst replied to Krait's message with a brief <<Stay where you are.>>

And then a few seconds later, the woman came back with - "No pictures now. I have backdoors into all my people's systems. Wiped his entire memory clean, the little puke. Now, I need some clothes."

Inside Ground Zero - NE 126th Pl & Slater Ave NE, Kingsgate, Redmond
Wednsday 8/14/70 22:30:40

Conall nodded in an absentminded fashion as he listened to the voices piping up in his ear. Like before, their employer was deffering to their own judgement. Like before, this whole thing was starting to be another big fragging waste of their time. But he wasn't the one calling the shots. He wasn't the one in charge.

And now, by the sound of it, Krait had pulled them into one of his little side gigs. They already had enough on their plates wihtout including helping some woman they didn't know anything of.

His temper started to flare up again.

"Three @ One. Copy. Will update if situation changes. Out."

As for whatever Krait was up to... if he dragged himself in a drekhole, he was going to have to dig himself out of it.

Let's get this over with sister...

Ground Zero
Wednesday 8/14/70 22:31:22

Etain didn’t consider herself exceptionally skillful in the art of disgusting, filthy, sleazy etiquette that you’d find in a BDSM club such as this one, but she could navigate circles around most in almost any social situation, and planned to do just that.

The sooner we’re done here the happier I shall be brother..

She stalked her way through the crowd knowing her brother was a step behind, her head held high and proud as it was her right to do so because of her former station back home, here she was just playing a part. Where many who gathered around the Queen Bee stood back in awe or kneeled at her feet in supplication, Etain strode right up to the edge of the crowd, pushing her way through to the front. Her upper lip twitched as she watched the Elven woman whip the pair of kneeling bodies before her without so much as a glance down or second thought.

Where most people were mesmerized by the show before them and watched on with curious fascination, only Etain was brazen enough to stare directly into the Queen Bee’s face and with the full intention of catching her gaze.

Inside Ground Zero - Dom´s Restroom, NE 126th Pl & Slater Ave NE, Kingsgate, Redmond
Wednsday 8/14/70 22:31:49
Sir Rambo - Waiting for the Troll
PAN Icon offline, Custom hidden (signal 3), Moai offline

When Kayla´s eyes went white, a spark of nostalgia lit up inside the former corporate-exec, as he was suddenly reminded of Alice, even though his trusted assistent had never jumped in like this. At the same time, the small candle-lite of mistrust flared up a bit, since the cautious ex-lawyer had always been esecially paranoid about mages and hackers. Ernst´s message cought his attention, however, before his imagination took off and went wild. When he started to mentally dictate a reply, the woman came back from VR and the elf updated the text he was about to send according to what she had to say.

BedroomTrasseur @ Ernst: We´re at the D-Rest. Pictures should allready have been erazed.

He was pleased that he had to worry less about the pictures and that the corporate lady was starting to come out of her apathy. He handed her the double-sided, black-orange windbreaker that V had brought with her from the check in. It was neatly folded, black side outside and since the jacket was pretty thin, the small bundle didn´t look like it would be much help. Since John was a 1.93 meters tall, medium built, male elf however, and the windbreaker was intentionally chosen a bit too large for him, it should be sufficient to at least cover all of the female´s body except her legs. In exchange, he took the hot drink, to hold it for her, holding his arm in an angle to throw his suit-jacket over it, once she´d take it off. Before he made an indication to turn around, he commented on her demand in an apologizing tone.

Mike: "That´s all I have to offer right now. I could pick up some more pieces for you, if you´d be ok to wait here. A friend of mine would keep an eye on you. I´d be just next door and be right backagain."

Doing my job for tonight on the side.

Inside Ground Zero - Dom´s Restroom, NE 126th Pl & Slater Ave NE, Kingsgate, Redmond
Wednesday 8/14/70 22:31:55


The blond woman looked to be in her late thirties, though she'd spent money to make that work for her - though not to the extent that she was ridiculous. She said, "Thank you. You've been very kind." And her eyes - the eyes of a woman who knew everything in this world had a price - asked why.

Ground Zero - VIP Area
Wednesday 8/14/70 22:31:32


The nude elf was wearing more eye-liner than Etain might apply in a year, but it worked in the club's eery lighting.

On her right shoulder was an image of the Passion, a nanite tattoo in which the Lamb writhed and groaned on the Cross.

She met the Tir elf's gaze head on - though she did not fail to notice Conall's brooding presence as well. She did not seem to shout, but her voice carried clearly across the noise-wracked meter that separated them - "Supplicants will strip and kneel before Mistress Nightshade."

Flophouse, 2nd Floor Room
Wednesday 8/14/70 22:31:55


As Carla sat by the window, her attention split between the entrance to the club and her commlink's AR feed, the latter flashed an incoming message. It was from Trixie.

<<Is this her?>> The text message was accompanied by a still photo. It looked like an image capture from video, and also like it was a piece from a larger frame. It showed Esmeralda's face, framed by long black matted hair. Her expression mixed panic, anger, and indignation.

Ground Zero - VIP Area
Wednesday 8/14/70 22:31:45

With all the years of voice training behind her, Etain’s voice rang out sweet and true back to Nightshade’s ears without much effort.

“That would imply that we were yer slaves Mistress, and trust me I am a slave to no one.�

Her eyes remained on the Elf’s face, forcing herself to avoid any of the other portions of the woman’s unclothed body. She didn’t blink and she didn’t look away. She had to admit the woman did have a captivating presence about her.

“But if I may, I would like a moment of yer time. For which I ensure ye’ll be rewarded handsomely.�

Ground Zero - VIP Area
Wednesday 8/14/70 22:31:58


"You may approach."

Etain took a step forward, and the dominatrix slowly placed a hand on one shoulder, leaned in, and whispered in her ear. "For...business...a moment of my time starts at five-hundred nuyen. But you must still show me...respect before my vassals. If you still want to talk, bow your head and wait quietly by the door behind me. If not...then get thee hence."

Ground Zero
Wednesday 8/14/70 22:32:15

While she stood before the dominatrix the link between her and her brother suddenly went dark. Since Conall could see his sister just before him it wasn’t so alarming as he was used to her cutting off such communication if she felt casting other spells would become necessary, but it still left both of them with a sense of emptiness for that first instant.

As Nightshade leaned down and whispered in Etain’s ear, the younger Elf nodded once in understanding and slipped out from under the woman’s hand. Reaching back to take her brother’s hand in hers she showed the woman the “respect� she needed by bowing her head and moving towards the door.

As the twins stood in front of the door Etain once again tried to establish the link with her brother, something that would be necessary in the private presence of the woman they waited to speak to.

Ground Zero - Private Room
Wednesday 8/14/70 22:32:35


The woman finished her "session" with a vicious series of whip cracks that pierced the background music. Then a moment later a cringing wisp of a woman in a white maid's dress opened the door, and Mistress Nightshade strode through it. The twins followed, and the door shut the three of them in.

The chamber was lit with red candles placed in sconces along the walls. At the side of the room was a crude pallet, and at the far end a sturdy looking high-backed chair equipped with straps on the legs, arms, and even the backrest at various levels. The Mistress sat in the chair imperiously, brazenly tossing one leg over an arm of the chair. She took a candle from the wall and idly played with the flame and pool of wax at the top while speaking, now in a normal voice in the sound-muffled room.

"First pay me," at which an ARO appeared above her head to accept credit, "and then tell me what you seek."

Ground Zero - Private Room
Wednesday 8/14/70 22:32:35

Etain couldn't help the smirk that tugged at the corners of her lips as she watched the Elven woman who was so wrapped up in her "job" and was obviously motivated by money. Thinking nothing of the five-hundred nuyen, she quickly made the credit transfer to the woman as she watched the heel of one of the PVC boots bounce up and down over the arm of the chair impatiently.

"There's yer money. Now, what can ye tell me about a woman named Cat that used to frequent this place? Do ye know where she is?"

Ground Zero - Private Room
Wednesday 8/14/70 22:32:55


If an evil witch could laugh melodically, then that is what the Mistress did. "So that is what this is about. Will it never end? Another angry sub can't get paradise out of his head, hires pros to come looking for his little taste of impossible heaven. Well, I don't have any idea where she is, and I have no idea why she never came back. But I'll tell you this - monkey that girl had on her back, there's no way she walked away from it - she's in till it kills her. And now that Mistress mentions it, that could very well be what happened."

Flophouse, 2nd Floor Room
Wednesday 8/14/70 22:32:00

Yes! That's her! Carla typed enthusiastically as she saw Esmeralda's face for the first time in weeks. Please come back to the room quickly so I can pay you. You've been extremely helpful.

Of course, Carla had a milllion questions: Where did she get this footage? Who did she get it from? When was it taken? Where was it taken? However, she'd rather wait and ask Trix the questions in person rather than over the airwaves. If Trix didn't have all the answers herself, surely Carla could send some of her 'runners to follow up with whoever gave Trix the footage.

After sending the reply, Carla debated whether or not to immediately update her teammates. She decided she'd wait until she got more info from Trix.

Inside Ground Zero - Dom´s Restroom, NE 126th Pl & Slater Ave NE, Kingsgate, Redmond
Wednsday 8/14/70 22:32:27
Sir Rambo - Waiting for the Troll
PAN Icon offline, Custom hidden (signal 3), Moai offline

When the woman spoke, John looked back at her face. He instantly turned around again, as he saw that she was just taking off his jacket, adding a bit of played bashfulness. Still he had notice the question in her eyes. Truth to be told, even when his first impulse to help was compleatly unselfish, he allways though about how to get something out for himself in every situation, even more so after the guy had called him a pro. He was a strategic thinker more then a tactician however and thus always aimed for what he thought to be most adventagious in the long run. He surely could use any money she would offer, he was practically blank, but this woman obviously had some clout and he was also still desperately lacking contacts in this new life. In his experiance it was often much more usefull to give help and advice for free, making the receiving person feel in dept. Beside these considderations, it realy made him feel better to help people free of charge. Without looking directly at Kayla, while she put on the wide jacket, he answered.

Mike: "Well, we 1st-timers got to stick together, right? I just thought I could make a difference for once. Besides, I´m fairly new to town and I thought it would be a great oportunity to make some enemies!"

He looked back at her face with a slight smile, as she drew shut the zipper. To his elven eyes, most humans looked either very young or just old, sometimes the perception changed from one moment to the next, but he hadn´t met a norm in the last decade, that did not have the apearance to be beyond their best age and still didn´t feel like a kid to him at the very same time. Probably his elven arrogance-genes.

Flophouse, 2nd Floor Room
Wednesday 8/14/70 22:32:11


The reply came back quickly. <<We'll be up in a few, talk price then.>>

Inside Ground Zero - Dom´s Restroom, NE 126th Pl & Slater Ave NE, Kingsgate, Redmond
Wednesday 8/14/70 22:32:50


"Well then," the woman replied, "if that's how you want to play it, you've made one very good enemy." She forced a smile, her face lighting up a little through tear-streaked make-up, and extended a hand. As Krait shook it, a message flashed into his AR field - <<Your friends are outside now. Not my problem. You want to talk, that's where they are.>>

Inside Ground Zero - Dom´s Restroom, NE 126th Pl & Slater Ave NE, Kingsgate, Redmond
Wednsday 8/14/70 22:33:00
Sir Rambo - Waiting for the Troll
PAN Icon offline, Custom hidden (signal 3), Moai offline

When Kayla´s face lit up, John´s smile broadened in return and shook her hand firmly, but not too hard. In this warped place, the smeared make-up somehow apeared to fit in much better then it did before. He did not show the slight disapointment as he read the troll-bouncer´s message.

Two @ One: Can you see two corporate-type guys that just left the club - may even have be forced. One blond, blueeyed, one darkbrown with silver eyes. I guess they put on some more cloths, so I can´t tell what they´re waring if it´s much more then black boxers.

BedroomTrasseur @ Ernst: Allright.

A moment of silence pased, while the elf managed his electronic correspondence and picked a contact-address for Kayla from one of his long list of on-line accounts.

Mike: "Ok, now I´d like to try and get some more cloths for you - do you have anything left at the check-in? I also need to take a look around for a friend of a friend, but that should only take a minute or three. V here will keep an eye on you and if something is up, just give me a sign. Allright?"

He gave the warm drink back to her and sent a short message at minimum signal range, containing a mail-address, that would be re-routed to a board his Agent checked continuously. He looked into the woman´s eyes for a moment, to make sure she was ok with beeing left behind for a while.

Flophouse, 2nd Floor Room
Wednesday 8/14/70 22:33:15

We? Carla thought after receiving Trixie's message. Her thoughts were shortly interrupted, however, but the abrupt ejection of two men from the club VIP entrance. Carla watched the rejectee's trail away from the club, somewhat dazed, when she received a message from Krait.

One @ Two: Roger that: two men were just ejected from the club; they look a little roughed-up too.