The sharp twang of the bow is the only warning the man has, this time though it wasn't enough. The arrow plows into his chest dropping him like a sack. He falls backwards collapsing in a heap.

@ Dex and Indigo
The trip around the park is somewhat more complicated then it first appeared. Short of cutting cross country a few building had to be navigated before the far side of the park could be seen.

The gangers were making no attempt to be stealthy. Four vehicles were parked in a semi circle with there lights illuminating a large area. Loud music played from a deck and the sound of beer cans being tossed could easily be heard.

Cougar exhales. "Target three down... That was too close."

Cougar and Mirage make their way through the perimeter of the park not finding any more sentries. The noise of the makeshift party at the other end does grow louder.

Parking their bikes a couple of blocks away from the gathering, Dex and Indigo continue on foot. Dex calls upon the aid of the Spirit of the City that he had summoned on the journey to once again conceal their presence.

As the pair quietly work their way closer to the gangers, the shaman summons a couple of small Spirits. Dex orders the first Spirit to fight off any Astral aggressors, and the second he commands to manifest and inform him of any unusual or threatening Astral activity.

Over the comms, Cougar asks, "Caden, where is the forth target? We've only been able to locate three so far."

@ Dex,

The first watcher returns quickly.

There is no one on the astral master.

@ Cougar,

Caden replies over the comms.

He was a romer that was closer to the main group.

"Got it. Keep your eyes open Mirage"

Cougar continues his watch, scanning for any other sentries.

Dex gives the Watcher a dirty look, then rolls his eyes and tries valiantly to hide a smile.

"That's good. Now go back and keep watch on the Astral, and return to report only when the situation changes."

The pair continue to stealthily work their way closer to the assembled group of gangers.

Mirage continues to follow Cougar.

"Copy, lead the way mon ami."

Dex and Indigo get pretty close to the gang. About 20 feet out they can go no further without risking exposure, as it is they are hiding behind a roach infested dumpster.

Cougar and Mirage walk carefully through the woods and still come up empty on the fourth guard. Though no one takes a shot at them.

10 Minutes to the meet time.

"Unable to locate forth target. Do you want to proceed with the meet? And do you want Mirage and I to stay hiden to cover you, or do you want us there, up close and personal?"

Barely giving the bug-filled dumpster a second glance, Dex hides behind it and scans the gangers, searching out the small group that has been surrounding their 'package'. Once he catches sight of them, the shaman draws his head back, then promptly sits with his back against the stinking garbage container.

"We've got 'bout ten minutes 'fore the meet. I'm goin' t' go have a look around. Keep your eyes open, eh omae?"

Without waiting for Indigo to respond, Dex leans back and closes his eyes, freeing his Astral form once again. Before he begins his recon, the shaman commands the small Spirits to remain with the woman, the first to quickly find him and warn him if anything attacks her, and the second to to defend her to the best of its ability. The larger City Spirit he commands to continue its concealment on the woman and his meat body, and to defend the woman if the need arises.

The young shaman's Astral form then speeds away towards the trees of the park, as Dex circles the assembled gangers and checks for anything new, or anything he might have missed earlier.

Everything looks exactly as it appears to be. Several men and woman filled with anxiety, arrogance, and a few with fear. As the time approaches they start readying weapons and putting their beer cans away. The girl Dex earlier identified as the package hasn't moved form her spot.

"..., up close and personal?"

Gregor lifted an eye brow to Mr. Bowles.

"They have secured the area sir, perhaps it is time to move in?"

The older man looked back with a hint of nervousness.

"Yes, tell them to move in."

Gregor nodded and spoke into his radio. "Ok runners, you have secured the area, I would like Cougar, Indigo, and Caden with the money. Mirage and Dex hang back to cover any retreat as needed."

The black SUV started quietly and Gregor pulled the vehicle forward slowly.

"Check."

Cougar moves through the park to intercept the SUV in route. He hopes in and turns off the Ruthenium Polymers.

"Alright, lets do this."

He stows the Ranger-X Bow back in his duffle bag and pulls out his SPAS-22 with the attached Antioch. He pockets a few extra clips of Ex-Ex and loads the Antioch with Freeze Foam grenades.

Caden returns from prowling the park and takes up position on the left side of the money. Cautiosly he scans the area for additional threats.

Dex finishes his recon of the area and his Astral form returns to where he left his body behind the dumpster. As he stretches and opens his eyes, an impatient Indigo fills him in on the latest communications. The shaman dramatically rolls his eyes at their employer's latest instructions.

"So, if they are moving in now, just how're you supposed to be with the money when you aren't anywhere near it?"

Indigo glowers at the shaman, "Null sheen chummer, I'll just walk there."
She waits for the right moment before standing up and walking into the gangers, passing through them like she was one of there own (indeed she was dressed similarly) and then out the other side in the darkness to meat up with the rest of the group.

Mirage moves cautiously through the woods, uneasy about the remaining sentry, to a position with a good view of the meeting site, and takes cover.

"Gregor: Mirage, I am in position, ready when you are."

Dex watches Indigo's brazen move with more than a little amusement, slightly surprised when she actually makes it unchallenged through the group of gangers despite the presence of a rival gang's insignia clearly emblazoned on the back of her jacket. He could have hidden it with magic, and he knew that she was well aware of that fact. Sometimes the girl could be even more reckless than he was.

Still grinning, the shaman shakes his head and turns his attention on the gathering in front of him, wishing he could light up a smoke. While he watches, he once again sees to his summoned Spirits. The City Spirit had departed with his return from the Astral, the little Watchers were still present, and he sets them to their respective tasks, as he had previously outlined.

Keeping one eye on the quarry, Dex then sets about summoning another Spirit of the surrounding City.

Gregor takes the SUV as far into the woods as it will go before stopping. The large black man gets outs and starts walking to the gangs camp. Both Suitcases in hand.

Cougar steps out and follows at Gregor's flank, keeping an eye out.

"Money is on the move."

The large man moves confidently with the troll and the razor girl on his flanks. They themselves are flanked by Mirage and Caden.

The clearing where the meet is to take place is an excellent point, easily ambushed by the guards that the Frenchwoman and the troll disposed off. The wait isnt long before the gang starts migrating into the clearing. There leader follows them, using them as a shield if anything goes wrong.

Indigo watched the entourage of gangers made its way into the little clearing, a slow vicious smile curling across her mouth as she imagined their reactions once they realized their snipers wouldn't be helping them tonight. It was enough to make her want to laugh.

At any rate, she affected an air of bored unconcern, absently checking her dully gleaming fingernails while she waited for .. something.

Once again cloaked by the powers of a Spirit of the City, Dex continues to spy on the gangers as they assemble for what is supposed to be the exchange.

Mirage watches the gangers enter the meeting area, as the leader appears she raises her Manhunter and concentrates on keeping the graticules of her smartlink on target.

Don't try anything clever chummer.

Mirage easily keeps the leaders head in here sights. The wind has stilled for the moment blanketing the area in an eery calm. The gangers seem loose and confident that nothing can go wrong.

"You have the money?" The young man who speaks is not the leader, but another standing next to him. A paltry attempt at subterfuge?

"I do," Gregor replied. He moved forward and put the cases on the ground.

"Give us the girl."

A finger snapped and the girl walked forward. She was dressed in fragments of her previous outfit. A torn skirt, ripped blouse, no jewlery. It is instantly clear whatever transpired was not voluntary.

Gregor moves to the girl instantly. The leader disconnects the control leash he had attached to her head ware.

Gregor snatches her up and starts moving backward, yes on the girl.

Over the comm the old mans voice speaks, "Kill them all and retrieve the money."

When she gets a good view of the girl Mirage has to fight the urge to put a bullet into the ganger there and then, unable to stop herself thinking of Kikumi...

A thin smile crosses her face when the old mans order arrives, "With pleasure."

There are four muffled blasts from the silenced barrel of Mirage's gold Manhunter as she sends a fusillade of 10mm bullets towards the gang leader.

Rock and Roll...

Cougar brings his shotgun up, pumping the grenade launcher. He sends a pair of concussion grenades into the frey.

That should slow em down...

The Manhunter bucks in Mirages hands as she send round after round down range. The bullets stitch a perfect line up the leaders torso. Stomach, chest, throat, forehead. He collapses in a heap and a spray of blood.

The crowd of gangers freeze for a split second, then the explosions start. Two air timed concussion grenades explode in the heart of the formation, flattening half a dozen people to the ground.

Indigo pops her razors and leaps for the first person she sees. The unlucky punk try to fend of the madwomen but fails at the cost of his life as she slashes him throat to stomach, spilling his life and blood.

Cougar pops another grenade into the frey, detouring those who are moving for the money. He then makes a move for it himself.

"I'm going for the case, cover me!"

"Copy, I've got you covered."

The big troll lops out of the wood line and runs past Indigo, who is curently playing Razor Girl with sseveral gangers. She cuts them down with an ease not oft seen in humans.

Cougar grabs the cases and hefts them one handed. Theres nothing but screams of the dead and dying, and those to stunned form the quik turn around to mount any kind of defense.

Dex covers Indigo with his spirit while unleashes an enormous fireball in the middle of the gangers. The explosions sends bodies and people flying in all directions. Anyone left alive is wisely staying down or pretending to be dead.... or dying.

Mirage falls back behind the big troll and the 4 runners double time it back to the SUV's where the Johnson is waiting. They come out of the cover of the trees to just one remaining SUV though, the second one is gone. Caden meets them there.

In the cabin of the truck is the payment plus a 10k bonus for each runner. They have one hour to use the SUV to return to Seattle before its Auto pilot will return it to its home.

A hand written note is on top of the money, it simply says,


"Thank you."