Caribbean Sea off Jamaica - 06/11/2070 – 2240

Damn traitor

Haywire snarls. It doesn't look good, with reinforcements coming on board - if they manage to board in that storm. She wonders if the man has some magic backup, or not.

Caribbean Sea off Jamaica - 06/11/2070 – 2240

Deanna says, “I’m backing off a bit to give them room to come in so they don’t get violent. Sec, take the machine gun’s trigger mechanism off and look for somewhere to stay put. If you are going to get discovered go over board, I’ll find you before your internal air tank runs out.�

As Deanna speaks, Haywire hears Brian’s transceiver, “Hey, I’ve got the kids and Travis locked down in the research room and everything is locked down tight. The scary chick with the dreads should still be on deck. The crew should be able to take care of her-“

Brian suddenly cuts him off, “okay, shut it, heard enough. Lets hold tight till they come and we’ll let them take care of the rest.�

Caribbean Sea off Jamaica - 06/11/2070 – 2240

Haywire takes a deep breath, sending a message to Deanna and Secoiya through her commlink.

"Sec, I'll zap the guy, or die trying. Go and waste the boat that's approaching."

Then she looks at the man, her fingers moving behind her back as she gathers man for a combat spell - more than she can safely handle, but risking the scumbag to survive is even riskier. Seconds later she mumbles a syllable, and releases her mana bolt. She can almost feel her rage fuel it as it slams into Brian.

Caribbean Sea off Jamaica - 06/11/2070 – 2240

Secoiya says, “I’m going back for the machine gun then, stay safe babe!� Deanna confirms, “roger, I’m going to cut them off before the Bronze Coast gets in the way of my fire.�



Almost anticlimactically, Brian silently crumples into a heap onto the bridge deck, blood pouring out of his ears, nose and mouth. His gun clatters to the ground and slides near the Captain.

Bill’s expression would be comical given different circumstances, as his eyes nearly pop out of his head. He quickly scrambles for the gun, nearly sending it flying in the other direction and then looks at Haywire hesitantly. There is an expression of fear and doubt clear as if it was written on his face.

Caribbean Sea off Jamaica - 06/11/2070 – 2240

Damn... what a wuss!

"Don't stand there, free me!"

Haywire calls Deanna and Secoiya through her commlink.

"I got him, but he has an accomplice on board, sobe careful Secoiya - it's not Travis, and not the kids, those are locked up."

Caribbean Sea off Jamaica - 06/11/2070 – 2241

Deanna asks, "good, thank god. Do you know what system they are using to communicate, I don't want the other accomplice to kill the kids if the boat says they are being fired on. Maybe I can intercept their signals."

Then Secoiya chirps in as the Captain finally gathers the stones to approach Haywire, "the boat is getting closer, I'm almost in firing range."

Caribbean Sea off Jamaica - 06/11/2070 – 2241

Haywire yells at the timid man, pulling on her bonds.

Stupid captain actually tied me up well.

"Hurry, captain! We got hostiles inbound, and another enemy on board already!"

She tells Deanna that she has no idea, other than that she saw Brian using a tranceiver.

Caribbean Sea off Jamaica - 06/11/2070 – 2242

"Good, radio signals are a lot easier to jam," Deanna says, "Sec, wait for my all clear, then open fire."

The Captain spurred by the reminder that his children are also held hostage manages to quickly untie Haywire's hands which are covered with pale and ride lines from the tight bondage.

"What do we do now?" he asks.

Caribbean Sea off Jamaica - 06/11/2070 – 2242

Haywire rubs her wrists, then recovers her weapons. Carrying her assault rifle, she turns to stare at the man.

"We hunt the second traitor, mutineer, whatever you call it. It's not Travis, nor your kids, so there are not many left."

Caribbean Sea off Jamaica - 06/11/2070 – 2243

"Yeah!" says the Captain, "can you find out what part of the ship they are in with a spell or something? My override should be able to get us anywhere on the ship."

He hits a few buttons on the ship's console and the blast windows slide back up. Haywire hears Deanna through her commlink, "Sec, radio is jammed, open fire!" Within a split second Haywire sees the muzzle flash of the ship's MMG.

Caribbean Sea off Jamaica - 06/11/2070 – 2243

What do I look like, Seren from "The Oracle"?

Haywire resists the urge to answer with a barb, and shakes her head.

"No, that's not my speciality. I'll do an astral recon instead, after I check the area right outside the bridge."

Haywire moves to the door of the bridge, placing herself at the wall next to it, assault rifle ready to move up. She bites her lips to release some tension.

"Ok, open the door from the other side, captain."

I need a drink...

Caribbean Sea off Jamaica - 06/11/2070 – 2243

He operates on the control panel for a few seconds, "there, I should have control of the ship now, unless he has the same codes I do. I can't seem to change them."

A moment later Haywire hears the loud sounds of the mechanical locks withdrawing from the bridge door and it swings open. The corridor outside is empty and the door to the left heading out on the deck is closed and certainly locked.

Caribbean Sea off Jamaica - 06/11/2070 – 2243

Haywire nods, and sits down at the wall, next to the door, cradling her rifle so she'll have it ready right when she gets back to her body.

"Close the door again, I am doing astral recon. Don't open it for anyone."

And for heaven's sake, don't mess up.

She sends a message to Secoiya and Deanna through her commlink as well.

"Boss? Sec? I am going astral to find the second mutineer."

That said, Haywire concentrates, her spirit leaving her body and entering astral space.

Here we go, I hope the bugger is holed up somewhere and waiting, and not doing anything troublesome...

Caribbean Sea off Jamaica - 06/11/2070 – 2244

"Okay," he says and punches in a code that swings the door shut and locks it tight, "I won't open it till you tell me to."

He then goes over to take a look at the gunfight outside. Haywire hears the frantic sounds of gunfire and Sec and Deanna reporting to each other as the fight continues.

It doesn't take long for Haywire to find the only other three people left on the Bronze Coast. They are holed up in the large research room just two decks below the bridge. The two kids are huddled together in a corner and the adult is pacing back and forth, his aura flickering with mixed emotions.

Caribbean Sea off Jamaica - 06/11/2070 – 2244

Where is the accomplice he was talking to?

Haywire materialises in front of the three people, and tells them that help's on the way, planning to sweep through the ship again to find that missing hostile.

Can't stay in astral space too long... too risky.

Caribbean Sea off Jamaica - 06/11/2070 – 2244

Haywire zips through a few compartments and corridors until she spots a figure running at speed through a corridor one deck above where the others are being held. He seems to be making a beeline for the stairwell up and out towards the back of the ship.

Caribbean Sea off Jamaica - 06/11/2070 – 2244

Run, you rat, run! Your time's up!

Haywire follows the man for a little bit, trying to guess where he is going and what he is planning, then returning to her meat body to give chase physically.

Caribbean Sea off Jamaica - 06/11/2070 – 2245

Haywire sees him run to the end of the corridor and stop at the door persumably to operate the console. Just as she sees he manages to sucessfuly open the door she snaps back to her body ready to give chase.

The Captain is startled by her body coming back to wife and suddenly there is a large flash of light, the sound of a muffled explosion and the ship shudders as something blows up right where Secoiya was a moment ago. Deanna yells through the commlink, "Sec, talk to me, you okay?" But there is no response.

A quick look shows Haywire that the explosion ripped the MMG off its mount and Secoiya was blasted ten yards back and is lying in a small pool of blood quickly being washed away by the storm.

Caribbean Sea off Jamaica - 06/11/2070 – 2245

Damn... Sec's down...

Haywire uses her comm to call Deanna.

"Boss, I am going to help Secoiya, the mutineer is in the back."

Then she turns to the captain.

"I am going out, don't open this door unless I call you on the commlink. Understood?"

Without waiting, she heads out, not to the back, but to Secoiya's position, sprinting as fast as she can, flashbacks of other, similar situations running through her mind.

Please, be ok...

Caribbean Sea off Jamaica - 06/11/2070 – 2245

Haywire runs out of the bridge before the Captain has a chance to ask an inane question and she hears the door slam shut and lock behind her as she heads out into the storm.



The footing is slippery and the ship is rolling in the waves but she manages to keep her feet under her while rushing to Secoiya's aid.



As she runs towards Secoiya she sees Robert Smith running from the back of the ship on the other side with a gun in his hand. Haywire and Robert see each other at the same time and he suddenly skids to a stop and fires two shots at Haywire.



She manages to dive behind a crate and avoid the first shot but the second shot hits her shoulder, driving her into the deck.

Caribbean Sea off Jamaica - 06/11/2070 – 2245

Oww... damn asshole!

Haywire curses, and yelps, then grits her teeth and raises her assault rifle, firing at the mutineer once the crosshairs from her smartlink are on his form, holding the trigger down for a long burst, then sending a quick short burst after it.



DIE!

The first burst hits him full in the breast and he twists towards the ship's railing and the second burst pushes him over board into the waves. Just as he hits the water and explosion goes off under the pirate boat blowing it into pieces.

Caribbean Sea off Jamaica - 06/11/2070 – 2245

Haywire smiles, or rather, bares her teeth, salt water running down her face, as the man's corpse gets thrown over the railing by the bullets from her Ares Alpha.

Good riddance, fucker!

Haywire gets up, gasping when her bruised ribs send a spike of pain to her brain, then sprints to Secoiya, sliding the last meters on her knees on the deck. She's already concentrating on a heal spell even before she has really looked at the injuries. This is too close to that time in Boston.

Come on, Sec, hang in.

Caribbean Sea off Jamaica - 06/11/2070 – 2245

Haywire channels the mana into Secoiya’s body, forcing the shrapnel out of her legs and abdomen. She gasps for breath and suddenly sits up right grabbing at her guts as she pants for breath.

Deanna speaks urgently through the commlink, “Haywire, what’s going on. Talk to me. Is Secoiya alright?�

Caribbean Sea off Jamaica - 06/11/2070 – 2246

Ugh... focus, girl, focus... keep it up...

Haywire grinds her teeth, shaking as the drain hits her, blood running down her face from her nose and mouth as she concentrates to sustain the spell until it becomes permanent. She holds Secoiya down so the woman won't move and break her concentration.

"Hold still, Sec. I am not finished yet."

She uses her Commlink to inform Deanna.

"I got the mutineer on board, skipper, and I am healing Sec - she's gonna be ok, but we'll both need some rest afterwards. Damn bastard shot me, and healing Sec was hard."



Finally, after 50 seconds, the spell takes permanent hold, and Haywire slumps down.

Caribbean Sea off Jamaica - 06/11/2070 – 2247

“Okay, hold tight,� Deanna says, “I’m going to come aboard with the medkit to take a look at you. Can you tell the captain to get his people together. I want to make sure there are no loose strings we need to tie up. This is a big mess.�

Secoiya relaxes as the healing takes hold and lies back down on the deck. The rain washes away what blood remained. The storm isn’t abating but it seems to have stopped getting stronger.

Caribbean Sea off Jamaica - 06/11/2070 – 2250

Finally...

Haywire leans back on the railing, closing her eyes, letting the rain hit her face. Her torso hurts where the bullet struck her, and she feels as bad as Secoiya is looking from the drain - it hurts, but not concentrated in one area, more like all over her body.

Overdid it again...

Haywire comms the captain, telling him that the ship's clear, and that he should ge the rest out from the room they are locked in.

Caribbean Sea off Jamaica - 06/11/2070 – 1110

The Captain goes about finding the rest of the crew while Deanna boards the ship with some difficulty. Eventually, Haywire's wounds are attended to and despite the continuing storm, the minisub is lifted back onto the Bronze Coast.

There is a long moment of confusion as they explain everything that happened to the surprise of Mary and Megan who had apparently been cutoff by a lot of confusion and a short moment of Happiness as the children are reunited with their mother.

Eventually the group ends up gathered in the bridge, the Delivery on auto pilot. The topic of discussion is "why?" The Captain argues that it must have been to stop their expedition, while Secoiya can't hold her tongue and calls him an idiot for thinking it was for anything other money.

Caribbean Sea off Jamaica - 06/11/2070 – 1120

Damn... Sec, we're the hired help, keep your temper in check.

Haywire resists the urge to roll her eyes, and interjects. She's still sore form her drain, and the bruise where she got shot still hurts. But an argument over this would probably hurt more, figuratively. So she steps up, partially blocking Secoiya's view.

"That depends on what exactly the expedition was about."

Caribbean Sea off Jamaica - 06/12/2070 – 0145

At that comment Mary perks up a bit, "well we did find something-" She is quickly cut off with a sharp look from the Captain and she sinks back down into her chair.

The rest of the trip is spent in relative silence. The two ships make it out of the storm and back to port in a few hours. Deanna and the Captain spend sometime going over what to tell the authorities about what happened. Then she speaks over the commlink, "don't worry about unloading the Delivery you two. Did either of you need to see a doctor or are you fine?"

Caribbean Sea off Jamaica - 06/12/2070 – 0145

Staying on the commnet, Haywire answers.

"I should be fine after a night of rest, boss."

Haywire rubs her head. Her body's still aching, but she's had had worse.

"So... what do you think this was about? Or is about?"

I need a drink though...

Pier 4 - 06/12/2070 – 0145

Deanna shrugs, “I don’t know. It’s an inside job so they were probably going to ransom them and take the ship. That ship’s probably worth close to 800,000.�

Secoiya gets up from where she was sitting and gives Haywire a long hard hug. “Thanks girl,� she whispers, “I appreciate what you did there for me.�

She lets go and says, “I’m gonna head home now. I need some sleep.�

Pier 4 - 06/12/2070 – 0145

Haywire hugs Secoiya back, until her ribs send a spike of pain up her brain again.

"Ow... my ribs".

She rubs her ribs, wincing.

Sleep sounds good. Drink, then sleep.

"Yeah, me too. Unless there's anything else, boss."

Haywire turns to Deanna with a "That was just me being polite, I hope you don't have anything else" expression.

Pier 4 - 06/12/2070 – 0150

“No, don’t worry about it. Go home, I’ll wire you your payments in a bit,� Deanna says, “I’ll let you know when I have another job but the schedule is pretty clear for now.�

Secoiya nods and gets in her Jeep, honking lightly to say goodbye as she drives off.

Deanna, true to form and despite her exhaustion, seems set on supervising her drones as they scour over the Delivery and begin to unload equipment that needs to be stored in the warehouse.

Pier 4 - 06/12/2070 – 0150

Ok... bar and bed, here I come...

Haywire pushes her bike out of the warehouse, after stashing her weapons in her duffel bag, and rides home. She winces each time she leans into a curve and feels her bruises.

Damn... maybe a painkiller too.

She considers sending a message to Makeda and state that she got home ok, but decides against it - it feels too pushy of her to her. She doesn't want to appear as if she'd presume that she was that close to Makeda.

Pier 4 - 06/12/2070 – 0215

The streets Haywire rides through to get to her home are fairly deserted but at certain points she gets close enough to downtown to hear the crowds, music and the blaring of car horns.

She arrives home shortly thereafter and after she takes few steps into her she receives a text message from of all people - Makeda: "I saw the Delivery heading back a while ago from the beach. Let me know you are alright."

Kingston, Jamaica - 06/12/2070 – 0215

Haywire smiles, and - after getting a double shot of Jim Bean down her throat - sends Makeda a message back.

"I am ok, just a bit bruised and drained. Nothing a good night's rest won't cure."

Haywire kicks her boots off, strips out of her suit, and heads under the shower, to let the water wash the blood, salt and dirt away. She stands there, using the mirror and a camera linked to her eyes to check her wounds, wincing at the sight of the bruise.

I'll heal that tomorrow...

Another double shot dulls the pain.

Kingston, Jamaica - 06/12/2070 – 0945

Sleeps comes easily with a worn out body and the aid of alcohol, thought the bed isn't as comfortable as it was recently.

In the morning she is awoken by Deanna ringing her commlink, "Hey, are you awake, I just wanted to check up on you."

Kingston, Jamaica - 06/12/2070 – 0945

People who call that early are cruel...

Haywire groans.

"You just killed me... do you know the time?"

Th blonde mage drags her arm over her eyes whle she talks internally. I am feeling better, not 100% fit already, but good enough. How's Secoiya? I hope you woke her up at this ungodly hour as well..."

Kingston, Jamaica - 06/12/2070 – 0945

"Oh," she Deanna says, "well it's pretty late in the morning. Figured you would be up." Then almost as if to herself, "I should have known better after Sec's reaction."

"Oh, right, I'm glad you are okay, and you should have 3,500 nuyen to help you get over your bruises. So get rested and I'll call you when I got another job lined up."

Kingston, Jamaica - 06/12/2070 – 0945

Morning people...

Haywire's anger fades at the news of money. Deanna's concern also feels good - not as artificial as her old platoon leader's bedside visit that was taken straight out of "Handling wounded subordinates 101 (with examples)"

"Thanks, boss! And how's Sec doing?"

Kingston, Jamaica - 06/12/2070 – 0946

"Oh, she's fine, trust me," Deanna answers, "she can still yell up a storm with the best of them. Anywy, take care and let me know if you need anything. I gotta get back to work."

Kingston, Jamaica - 06/12/2070 – 0946

"Ok, boss. And I've got to get back to sleep."

Haywire grins at the last line, and does just that, planning to nap some until noon.

That's one of the perks of working as a freelancer... no more getting up early every day

Kingston, Jamaica - 06/12/2070 – 1204

Noon comes far too quickly and it become difficult to ignore the bright sunlight pouring into the room. Secoiya can see she has two messages, one from Mac: "Hey, just wanted to say hi. I'm gonna be out of town for a few days but feel free to drop a line on me." The other is from Secoiya: "I'm gonna hit the town tonight and spend some of that money. Let me know if you want to join up."

Kingston, Jamaica - 06/12/2070 – 1204

Haywire smiles, and sends a message back to Mac, stating that she just got a bit banged up on a job, but was ok. She takes a shower, then pops a beer for breakfast and starts to compose a message to Secoiya, then hesitates. Gazing at the sky through the window, she wonders if she should visit Makeda instead.

Makeda would understand, but...

Feeling guilty, but not sure why, Haywire sends the message to Secoiya

"Sure, where do you want to meet, and when?"

I could visit Makeda in the afternoon...

Kingston, Jamaica - 06/12/2070 – 1204

"Why don't we meet at like ten thirty tonight?" Secoiya asks, "we can start at Cool Runnings and see where the night takes us."

Kingston, Jamaica - 06/12/2070 – 1204

"10.30 at Cool Runnings it is."

Haywire finishes her beer, and grabs a nuke-it burger for the microwave, ging over her mails while she eats. Afterwards, she rechecks her weapons and armor - a routine ingrained by her past training.



Since she doesn't feel that well yet - her bruise is now fine, but she still feels the drain she took from overcasting - she heads back to the bed, to rest until the evening.

No sense in walking around hurting...

Kingston, Jamaica - 06/12/2070 – 2108

Sleep comes easy and Haywire wakes up at nine to the sound of a car accident followed by arguments and honking horns. The joys of living in a city.

She notices a message on her AR display from Secoiya, "ask the door guy for my booth, I invited my bro, Mac and all those guys, but I couldn't reach any of them. I think they are out on some job or some shit."

Kingston, Jamaica - 06/12/2070 – 2108

Haywire groans, getting up. She takes another quick shower that wakes her up. A cold shower, although cold is relative at this time of the day on the tropical island.

Getting ready for the evening, she glances over the new clothes she got, but decides against it. Such fashion is not in fashion where Secoiya hangs out. She pockets a micro-bikini though, just in case they end up swimming again. Instead she picks some shorts again, with matching top, and sneakers - and her Ares Crusader.

A bit later, she's on her bike, driving toward "Cool Runnings".

Kingston, Jamaica - 06/12/2070 – 1030

Cool Runnings is already hopping at 1030. There isn't a line quite yet but there is a steady stream of all types heading inside. A raggae-rock mix is playing loudly on the club's speakers.

When Haywire gets near the entrance, and orc bouncer with a shaved head seems to recognize her and says, "Sec's at a table upstairs, right near the front, you can't miss her."