Dream Beach, Kingston - 06/10/2070 – 0940

Haywire bends down and lightly shakes Mac again.

"Wake up, Mac, breakfast's getting ready as we speak."

If he doesn't react to that I'll let him sleep...

Dream Beach, Kingston - 06/10/2070 – 0945

Mac stirs as if he is going to wake and mutters as if in his sleep, “just a few more minutes…� but apparently it’ll take far more effort to truly wake him up. Clearly, Mac is not a morning man.

Meanwhile the smell of the mushroom and pepper omelet drifts up through the door reminding you of the fresh breakfast ready for you downstairs.

Dream Beach, Kingston - 06/10/2070 – 0950

Sheesh... no stamina...

Haywire grins and shakes her head at the sleeping Mac, then heads down again, looking for the "sun room", whatever that is. She feels a bit flustered still, and out of place - or out of her league, but it would be impolite to leave. Or so she tells herself. She finds a room with a couch that looks like a sun room could look, and sits down on the couch, fussing with her short robe until it seems decent. For a moment she thinks about heading to the kitchen, but stays sitting on the couch. It just feels like the right thing to do.

Dream Beach, Kingston - 06/10/2070 – 0950

The sunroom is very easy to find being just off the kitchen. It's furnished with wicker weave couches covered with fat comfortable white cushions surrounding a glass coffee table. The coffee table has a neat stack of stone coasters, a flower vase filled with aromatic pink roses and a commlink blinking with a message light. The light pours into the room from the three walls of floor to ceiling windows opening into the surrounding patio overlooking the blue ocean.

Makeda is facing away from you as you pass through the kitchen working on the drinks and you see the omelet pan sizzling on the range. Haywire waits a bit awkwardly on the couch fidgeting with her robe and after what seems like an eternity - but actually a bit less than ten minutes - Makeda glides in to the room carrying a small silver tray with three Bloody Mary's - with what looks like a real celery stick in each - and sets the tray on the table.

When you see her walk it is as if each step, each motion of her arms, the way she moves her torso and hips is a carefully choreographed move in a dance, but practiced to perfection to the point where it takes no thought on her part to perform the dance.

She smiles at Haywire with lightly glossed lips sending goosebumps down her arms, "that kimono looks good on you, but you don't have it on quite right. Let me give you a hand." She places the tray down and before Haywire has a chance to object she is standing nearly on top of her, adjusting the folds, position and the ties of the robe, with her well-manicured fingers occasionally brushing against Haywire's skin. Once done she stands back to admire her work and smiles at her handiwork, "there, all better now. Here have a drink. There are a lot of ways to make a Bloody Mary, but I'm sure you'll like my recipe. I'll be right back with breakfast."

Dream Beach, Kingston - 06/10/2070 – 0950

"Ah, yes... I am sure..."

Haywire feels even more flustered, and overwhelmed by the elf's presence. Like the ugly duckling meeting a swan. Or like a doll that can't dress herself. After Makeda left, and looking at the three Bloody Mary's, she steadies herself a bit, and tries to calm down, rubbing her hands over her arms and legs to get rid of the goosebumps.

A drink will help... and some breakfast... maybe two drinks, I doubt Mac will be up in time...

Haywire swallows dryly as she hears Makeda come back.

picture

Dream Beach, Kingston - 06/10/2070 – 0955

Makeda walks back into the room carrying two steaming plates with a neatly folded omelet in each along with some toasted bread and takes a seat on the other side of the couch. It doesn't look deliberate but as she leans into the couch, one arm casually draped on the back of the couch near your shoulders, the sun seems to perfectly highlight her stunning features.

"I left Mac's breakfast on the stove for him," her lips curl into a small smile as she speaks, "he's always had a habbit of sleeping late." It's hard to tell if she did it on purpose but you feel a certain emphasis on the second part of what she said and her eyes seem to be gauging your reaction, but it's hard to take offense at her.

Dream Beach, Kingston - 06/10/2070 – 0955

Haywire nods. She doesn't expect Mac to have been celibate. Nor to be celibate in the future. He is handsome even when she's sober, and fun to be around, but she's not in love with him.

Pirates, a woman in every port, or were those sailors?

Besides, she can't imagine Mac turning Makeda down. Haywire looks at Makeda, then at the breakfast, and slowly reaches out to her plate, drawing in the smell through her nose as she pulls it closer to her.

"Smells very good."

A platitude, but as the situation is, Haywire's content to be able to talk, and not babble.

"Very nice mansion."

Dream Beach, Kingston - 06/10/2070 – 0955

"Thank you, cooking is one of my life's great joys," she picks up her plate and begins to eat in earnest. There is really nothing dainty or prissy in the way she eats, despite what one would expect.

She nods when Haywire compliment her house, "and hosting is anothr one of my life's joys."

There is a bit of a pause in the conversation as both women are occupied with the food. Makeda clears the dishes and sits back down - a bit closer than last time but barely so - and finishes the last of her drink, "Come, tell me about yourself. How did you come to find yourself in that bedroom this morning? I've never heard Mac mention you before."

Dream Beach, Kingston - 06/10/2070 – 1000

"The food shows it - and the mansion."

Finishing her own Bloody Mary - very good indeed, Haywire could use another - the mage smiles, relaxing. The woman is a very good host, and it feels natural to talk to her, especially with a drink in her stomach.

"I just met him yesterday, through a mutual friend, Sec. He took me to Bee's beach party, and we went swimming, and then we ended up in your guest room."

Haywire giggles, feeling a bit embarassed at how easy she sounds, and hopes her robe is still looking good, and did not crumple or something.

She doesn't feel as scary as Mac said...

Haywire would mention that Mac to her to "Pig Pickers", but as good as the food there was, it feels a bit cheap compared to Makeda's mansion.

Dream Beach, Kingston - 06/10/2070 – 1005

�So you’ve just come to Kingston recently I take it?� She picks up your glass as she heads into the kitchen, her robe billowing behind her, “keep talking hon, I can hear you just fine in the kitchen. I’m just making us another drink.�

Dream Beach, Kingston - 06/10/2070 – 1005

Haywire nods, even though Makeda can't see it - although maybe she can see it, she seems to know what happens in her house.

"Yes, I came to Kingston a few weeks ago."

She doesn't know why she shares information about her past, it just seems a good way to keep talking, as Makeda said to.

"Left my employment in the UCAS, and wanted a change of scenery."

And a change of jobs and life...

Unconsciously, Haywire licks her lips, anticipating the drink Makeda is making.

Dream Beach, Kingston - 06/10/2070 – 1010

“Well, isn’t that interesting,� she says as she comes back into the sun room carrying a small silver tray with a pair of Champaign flutes filled with fizzing orange drinks, “I hope you are enjoying the scenery then.�

She hands Haywire her glass, holding it delicately by the stem. Haywire vaguely recalls that the proper way to drink Champaign is to hold it by the stem.

Makeda settles back down on the couch – maybe even a bit closer this time – and as she reaches for her glass her thigh brushes up against Haywire’s leg sending goosebumps down her spine, thought Makeda does not seem to notice.

With her drink in hand she leans back into the couch, tucking one bare foot under her other leg, “so, what is it that you do that you find yourself mixed up in this lively crowd?�

Dream Beach, Kingston - 06/10/2070 – 1015

Haywire stiffles a gasp when she feels goosebumps on her skin, then, after a second, focuses on the conversation again. She got asked a question.

"Oh, I zap stuff with magic."

Haywire gesticulates with her fingers, giggling. If she knew a harmless spell she'd show off, to impress Makeda. It seems important to Haywire to make a good impression, even if she doesn't know why exactly. Maybe her flippant way is not appropriate, given the classy surroundings?

"Full-blown mage, trained and certified in accordance with college standards of thaumaturgical education."

And grade 1 cannon fodder for the vultures at Knight Errant.

The familiar anger at her former employers fails to well up inside Haywire, it's just too relaxing and distracting here. And she got a drink.

"So, once I arrived here I looked for a job, and hooked up with Deanna. Deanna McArrister."

Haywire looks at Makeda, just a bit anxious to know how she took that.

Dream Beach, Kingston - 06/10/2070 – 1017

Makeda laughs softly at your gestures, “a mage then and a school educated one no less. That’s certainly a rarity here.�

“You must be quite something to makes Mac get over his little phobia,� she smiles softly as her eyes seem to devour you again as if looking for something she didn’t find last time, “but then, I can see that as clear as the sky.�

She doesn’t bother to acknowledge you mentioning McArrister. “You’ll have to make coming to my home a habit then,� she finishes the last of her drink – rather quickly too – and places it back down on the tray, “it’s not often I get to have company so pleasant – and exotic too – at the same time.�

Dream Beach, Kingston - 06/10/2070 – 1020

Mac has a phobia of Magic? Maybe that's why he is so afraid of Makeda.

It seems a logical explanation to Haywire, even though she herself is a bit intimidated by Makeda - especially if the elf is looking at her like just before. But before she can dwell on that thought Makeda's compliment fills her with pride. Unconsciously, Haywire moves to sit a bit straighter, almost posing for the elf.

"I'd love to."

Haywire smiles at the invitation for future visits, and finishes her own drink.

Dream Beach, Kingston - 06/10/2070 – 1020

She smiles, warming your heart, “good, I look forward to it.�

“So, tell me about yourself. What else do you do and what kinds of pleasures have you enjoyed on our little island?�

Dream Beach, Kingston - 06/10/2070 – 1025

Haywire smiles as well.

"I am still getting used to the Caribbean. The beaches, the food, the drinks, dancing, partying."

She laughs, a bit self-consciously.

"I guess I am acting like a tourist, outside work."

Dream Beach, Kingston - 06/10/2070 – 1155

Your conversation continues for a bit longer - drifting between casual conversation, to slightly personal and the slightly professional. She doesn’t seem to really care to get into the details and it’s very hard to judge her reaction to anything.

Through the hour there are numerous “incidental� contacts - a brush of a finger, or a thigh or a foot – always brief, never acknowledged by her or even seemingly noticed. It’s difficult to get used to it though and each time it rouses a similar reaction of a chill or goosebumps. Not unpleasant, but difficult to ignore.

Eventually you hear sounds coming from the guest bedroom and then the sounds of Mac’s feet on the steps downstairs. Makeda looks up, “there’s your man now.�

Dream Beach, Kingston - 06/10/2070 – 1155

Haywire smiles at Mac. For all his pirate ways, the man just feels safer than Makeda. The sheer presence and personality of the elven beauty, not to mention the touches, keep Haywire off-balance, and slightly overwhelmed. Not in a bad way, despite the slight hint of danger she seems to feel near Makeda at times - just the right does to make it thrilling.

But he isn't my man...

"Finally awake? I tried to wake you earlier, but you acted like a hibernating bear. Your breakfast is in the oven I think..."

Haywire looks at Makeda, hoping she did not commit a gaffe by presuming... something.

Dream Beach, Kingston - 06/10/2070 – 1205

Mac scratches his head as he walks into the sunroom wearing a pair of loose fisherman’s pants.

Haywire notices his eyes bulge when he sees you sitting next to Makeda and the expression is quickly replaced by one of awkward discomfort as if he is having a hard time coming up with the right words.

“Hey, morning babe,� he gives you a quick peck on the cheek. He moves as if to give Makeda the same, thinks better of it and just nods at her and goes and grabs his breakfast.

Apparently he has a hard time finding it or would just rather be in the other room as it takes him about five minutes to get back.

Dream Beach, Kingston - 06/10/2070 – 1210

He's taking a long time to come back...

Haywire is slightly puzzled, but blames Mac's phobia of magic for his behaviour.

Or maybe...

Haywire bites her lips, unsure how best broach the subject. She'd not have trouble asking other women, but Makeda just seems different... bothering her seems not right. After a minute, she starts to speak hesitantingly.

"Uh... did you two ever, I mean, you know..."

Haywire trails off.

It would explain his reluctance... not many men like if if their women meet.

Even as she thinks it, she corrects herself.

Not that Makeda or I am "his women", but the principle stands.

Dream Beach, Kingston - 06/10/2070 – 1210

She looks up at you inquisitively, "know what?"

Mac walks in just at that moment carrying his plate of microwaved omelet and large glass filled to the brim with mimosa.

Just at that moment, Haywire's commlink beeps into life and she sees a new message pop up in the corner of her vision indicating a new priority message from McArrister.

Dream Beach, Kingston - 06/10/2070 – 1210

Haywire is not sure if Makeda didn't understand, or is just making her squirm, and with Mac returning she doesn't want to ask right now. Then she receives the priority message from McArrister and holds up her hand, indicating she is receiving a call or message with her commlink. She opens the window in her augmented vision.

I wonder what is up... the new job she spoke of is scheduled for tomorrow...

Suddenly unsure, Haywire rechecks her calendar. It would not be the first time she misremembered an appointment after a night out in town. It's not too common, thanks to her implants, but can happen.

Dream Beach, Kingston - 06/10/2070 – 1210

Mac sits down and begins to eat while Haywire takes her call. The AR window displays McArrister leaning over a table, adjusting settings on a console, “Haywire, great, you are here. I need you down here soon as you can.�

She pauses a moment as she continues to adjust her equipment, “When can you get here? Secoiya’s already on her way over.�

With the aid of her GPS mapping software, Haywire can tell it would take her about 15-20 minutes to get there.

Dream Beach, Kingston - 06/10/2070 – 1210

Drat. Sounds like trouble...

Haywire answers Deanna after checking her map.

"I am at the beach, I'll need a lift to my place first, to get my gear, if that's needed. Let me see if I can get one here."

Looking up, she apologises to the two others for the interruption.

"I am terribly sorry, but something came up at work, so I need to leave. I don't like to ask this of you, Mac, but would you mind driving me back to my place?"

Haywire smiles, embarassed. She doesn't like asking him when he's still eating, and she doesn't like leaving Makeda's mansion so abruptly. Terribly impolite.

Dream Beach, Kingston - 06/10/2070 – 1210

McArrister replies, “yeah, whatever you need to do, just get here fast,� and terminates the call. She was never one for pleasantries.

Makeda waves away her apology as if there is no need for it. Mac looks up from his food, “yeah, sure thing. I’ll just finish up while you get dressed and I’ll drop you off at your home.�

He looks around the posh surroundings, “I guess I gotta get going too anyhow.�

Dream Beach, Kingston - 06/10/2070 – 1210

"Yeah, Boss."

Haywire talks to the AR window showing "no link".

Typically.

Haywire smiles at Makeda, thanking her for her hospitality, and smiles at Mac, thanking him for driving her, then gets to the guestroom at a brisk pace - not running, that would look bad she thinks, where she dresses and grabs her holster.

A bit later she's seated on Mac's bike behind the pirate, on the way to her home. Using her commlink she tries to contact Mac through her skinlink, to better talk while they drive.

Dream Beach, Kingston - 06/10/2070 – 1220

On your way out Makeda makes sure you take the robe with you saying it looks like it was made for you and reminds Haywire that she promised to come back soon.

Mac gladly takes Haywire back to her house on his bike, and his riding skills seem a lot more polished this morning compared to last night.

Along the way the conversation is fairly light and pleasant but he makes sure to apologize to Haywire for any awkwardness there may have been. He explains that while it would probably have been a good idea to crash somewhere else, the combination of alcohol and your bikini was too much to allow a better considered decision.

Dream Beach, Kingston - 06/10/2070 – 1225

Booze and boobs, a deadly combo

Haywire grins, sitting behind Mac. She can understand that, and it is flattering in a way. Still, something nags at her.

"So... what happened between you and Makeda?"

Dream Beach, Kingston - 06/10/2070 – 1225

“Um… you know how it goes,� he pauses for a second as he maneuvers around a slow car in the winding one lane road, “boy meets girl, girl seduces boy, boy’s girlfriend finds out and yells at him and breaks up with him.�

He pauses for another moment, “and then boy finds out that his girlfriend was seduced by her too before he even slept with her and well… you get the idea.�

“She’s really nice though,� he says, “and pretty generous and a lot of people I know hang out there so it’s hard to avoid. In a small place like Kingston, it doesn’t take long before everyone’s no more than two steps removed from having slept with everyone else on this island.�

Dream Beach, Kingston - 06/10/2070 – 1230

Interesting island... so different from the sprawl of Detroit... like a big dysfunctional family, sort of...

Haywire grins behind Mac's back. Still, there seems to be more to this story than a break up. But this is not the time to dwell on such affairs, Deanne did sound urgent.

Back at her place she gives BigMac a "thank you and see you"-kiss, then quickly enters her appartement. Stuffing her camo suit into her duffel bag with her Ares Alpha, ammunition and other gear doesn't take long, and so she's on her bike and off towards Pier 4 soon afterwards.

I wonder what's up...

Dream Beach, Kingston - 06/10/2070 – 1245

Mac reminds Haywire to call him before he departs, revving the big bike’s engine a few time for good measure as he rides off.

By the time you get to Pier 4 you see there is no point in entering the office. You can see McArrister on deck preparing the boat for departure – her drones scurrying back and forth carrying a variety of equipment – and you see Secoiya pull up in her jeep, wave, and begin unloading relatively heavy firepower.

Pier 4, Kingston - 06/10/2070 – 1245

Oh, yeah... that does look serious.

Haywire greets both, moving out of the way of the drones, and steps on board, going belowdecks to change into her gear.

"I'll be ready in no time, Deanna."

Haywire hurries, slipping into her camouflage suit and loading her Ares Alpha. Through her comm she asks Deanna what was up.

Dream Beach, Kingston - 06/10/2070 – 1245

McArrister nods and says, "don't worry about the armor yet. We've got a while to travel before we get to any potential action."

She fades out for a moment as she does when she enters hotsim, then her eyes snap back to her surroundings, "just get your equipment onboard and make sure you aren't missing anything important before we set off. I'll tell you what you need to know once we are in open water."

Secoiya walks by you carrying her huge duffle bag of equipment and gives Haywire a light smack on the butt, "what's up babe, Ready to kick ass and take names?"

By the look of the rest of the equipment by her Jeep, she's got a few more trips to make before she's done loading her equipment.

Pier 4, Kingston - 06/10/2070 – 1245

She sounds like my old commander when she does this...

Haywire suppresses the urge to salute.

"I got all I need - rifle, sidearm, sword, knife, ammo, grenades. And my brain.. ow."

Haywire rubs her butt, and returns the favor once Sec passes her the next time, then helps the woman carry her gear to the ship.

"So, Sec - cut your family visit short?"

Pier 4, Kingston - 06/10/2070 – 1310

Sec laughs when you return the favor, "hey, you gotta do what you gotta do and I've never let family get between me and some sweet action."

On your last trip you both carry a box of ammunication - a tremendously heavy box - on board the ship and that seems to be the last of it. After McArrister takes care of a few more things, Servobot-1 loosens the boat from the dock and you hear the familiar gurgling sound of the ship rotors churning up the water as you cast off into the deep blue sea.

Pier 4, Kingston - 06/10/2070 – 1311

So beautiful...

Haywire takes a look at the sea, and can't help but smiling. No matter anything else, no matter how often she sees it, the sea alone makes coming down to the Caribbean worth it. Detroit simply hasn't anything like this.

Wish I could be sailing... but that means more money to buy a good yacht.

The mage switches her perception to the astral space for a short moment, to check for pursuers on the astral plane.

Don't want to have some spirits trail us - or mess with us.

Then Haywire sits down on a bench, propping her left foot up on the bench, and lets the wind blow over her while waiting for Deanna to explain the mission. Or job, whatever.

Pier 4, Kingston - 06/10/2070 – 1311

The Delivery quickly picks up speed once it clears the port. What the small ship lacked in armor or fire power it made up in speed. Or so McArrister would have you believe.

McArrister spends the beginning of the trip on the small bridge - open on the back, shielded in steel and glass on the front, top and sides - adjusting her instruments and bringing the shit to it's top safe speed. In the short time Haywire has been working with her, she has never seen McArrister run the engine at full throttle. Today she was close, but not running her fast enough to stress the engine.

Once the island is distant on the horizon, Secoiya begins unpacking one of the crates she brought on board. She waves you over from your bench, "hay, Haywire, get your ass over here and help me with this. Gotta get this gun in place. Help give the Delivery a good strut."

The crate contains a well-used and disassembled HMG-2 and pintle mount.

Open Sea off Kingston - 06/10/2070 – 1320

The weapon is a reminder that as beautiful as the sea is, it's also very dangerous, teeming with predators, both of the animal and metahuman variety.

That'll scare some of the smaller fry off.

Haywire walks over and helps Secoiya set up the machine gun. She's not trained in heavy weapons, but it's not exactly rocket science, and she saw them in use often enough, and the gun is soon mounted, loaded and ready. Wiping her hands on a rag to get the gun oil off, Haywire looks at the rest of Secoiya's gear.

"What else did you bring?"

It's not as if she can fire more than the machine gun at once...

15.855674, -76.989441, North Atlantic Ocean - 06/10/2070 – 1350

Secoiya looks at her duffle bag and a second crate, “some man portable weapons and a good grenade launcher,’ she nods her head at the HMG, “Captain’s going to rig that gun.�

McArrister jumps down on to the main deck. She’s dressed in a pair of army shorts, reinforced marine boots, a green tank top and a vest covered with a massive number of tools and miscellaneous gear.

She squints her eyes in the sun as she sits down, “alright, thanks again for coming on such short notice.�

She continues without waiting for a response, “this is the deal. I got intel from an associate that a small vessel showed up on a satellite feed.

“This wouldn’t normally rouse anyone’s interest but he got a read on the registration number, and it’s registered to Aztech.

“Normally I wouldn’t get within 20 clicks of one of their boats but I’ve also been told that’s it’s a ship that may have been transporting magical materials, and on top of that all it’s electronic systems have been totally fried.

“Working to our advantage is that Aztech’s satellite is about to pass over the area and we are going to have a small window to get in, find anything valuable on the ship and get out before their coverage comes back up.�

15.855674, -76.989441, North Atlantic Ocean - 06/10/2070 – 1400

Oh, joy - azzie salvage... I do hope her source is reliable, or this will be very, very nasty. And we'll have to move whatever magical goodies we recover very quickly, or they'll be traced.

Haywire grimaces at the news, but doesn't complain.

"So, we're going after magical goods. Any preferences known? Materials and telesma and stuff are not as valuable as foci, but easier to move and sell without getting traced."

Haywire begins to suit up during the talk, suddenly feeling too exposed in her top and hot pants. Once she is wearing her familiar suit, weapons holstered, she feels better.

"I'll do an astral sweep of the ship once we're in sight of it, so don't get too close."

Better than sending a spirit for recon and hope it doesn't miss something crucial.

15.855674, -76.989441, North Atlantic Ocean - 06/10/2070 – 1400

McArrister frowns a bit, not so much at what Haywire asks, but more at her own lack of a sufficient answer, “unfortunately my intel is limited. We know there are magical goods of commercial worth on board. Beyond that we don’t know much.

“The astral sweep is a perfect idea. We know the electronics are down, or were down when we last had satellite coverage, but beyond a visible heat signature we don’t know much,� she says, “so any live intel will be helpful.�

She turns to Secoiya, “Sec, you just make sure we are prepared to defend ourselves. I don’t know if anyone else got the same intel we did, but if we get there first, we are going to enforce the rules of salvage. He who gets there first gets to drink the punch.�

“We’re still about an hour away so just make sure everything is prepared by then.�

15.855674, -76.989441, North Atlantic Ocean - 06/10/2070 – 1400

Haywire nods, checks and rechecks her weapons and other gear, to pass the time, and waits.

I hate waiting in transit... I wish I could sleep, like Brenner back in the days.

Haywire considers summoning a spirit, but decides against it - she doesn't want to risk being exhausted from the drain when they hit the ship.

Faking a confidence she doesn't entirely have, she remains on the bench, making conversation and staring out on the sea while the "Delivery" moves toward their target. She reloads her under-barrel grenade launcher as well.

HE grenade, followed by a Frag... just in case...

Haywire isn't a very good shot with the grenade launcher, but it has its uses, and is less draining than a spell.

13.613956, -78.491821, North Atlantic Ocean - 06/10/2070 – 1510

As the hour passes by a wind begins to pick up and Haywire sees dark clouds forming in the distance.

Eventually you hear McArrister’s voice over your comlink from the bridge, “Contact, 12 clicks. Lets lock and load girls.�

Secoiya begins to secure herself, zipping up her armored cammo and zipping up her combat vest. She is covered with a complicated array of blades, ammo and grenades – and she looks right in her element.

McArrister releases two aerial drones – one with a complicated sensor array and the other an armed security drone – as the ship makes initial visual contact.

A quick adjustment to your cybereyes and you zoom in on the target vessel. It appears to be a small cargo ship, non-descript and with no visible movement on deck. The identifying markers on the vessel are not yet visible.

13.613956, -78.491821, North Atlantic Ocean - 06/10/2070 – 1510

Haywire switches communication to her scrambled commlink and heads belowdecks, to lie down on a matress there.

"Ok... I'll go out and check it... keep an eye on my body, please."

Closing her eyes, Haywire concentrates, feeling suddenly weightless and distant. When she opens her eyes, the world around her has changed to the weird yet familiar astral space. Her astral body is not wearing her fatigues, nor carrying weapons. Back in Knight Errant, she was trained to make her astral self appear as if wearing the KE uniform, but she dropped that practise when she quit KE. Dressed in a shorts and a top, she flies up through the deck, reorienting herself once outside the "Delivery".

Once she spots the the ship in the distance, she looks around for possible astral threats, then starts to fly towards the ship, looking it over from afar already.

13.613956, -78.491821, North Atlantic Ocean - 06/10/2070 – 1510

In the astral world, Haywire sees the vibrance of life teeming life from glowing in the ocean. Compared to the glow, the Aztech ship is a mere blur. As she moves closer the ship reveals a more distinct form. The ship appears to be a research vessel approximately 300 feet in length (sample).

As you get close enough you see the ship is clouded all over by recent signs of high emotions and violence as well as numerous astral signatures and what you feel may have been a large ward that was ripped apart.

The ship appears unarmed, though it is hard to tell at this distance.

13.613956, -78.491821, North Atlantic Ocean - 06/10/2070 – 1510

Haywire frowns, and slows down, taking a better look at the ship, checking for life signs on deck first, then slowly floating closer, looking out for threats.

This looks bad... what on earth happened?

13.613956, -78.491821, North Atlantic Ocean - 06/10/2070 – 1510

As Haywire moves closer she can see no active threat in the area. There doesn't appear to be any sign of life on the dec of the ship and from what she can tell there is no movement seen through any of the porholes.



Seeing that there is no threat she continues to move forward and assenses the recently destroyed ward. Despite being able to tell that it is completely torn assunder she is unable to figure out what may have been responsible.

13.613956, -78.491821, North Atlantic Ocean - 06/10/2070 – 1515

Looks safe... but whatever did rip this ward to shred could probably do the same to me...

Haywire grimaces, but flies closer, looking for a good spot to enter the ship without floating into an ambush.

Brigde first...easy to retreat from there...

Haywire closes on the bridge, feeling nervous at the whole scene.

Looks like a ghost ship...

13.613956, -78.491821, North Atlantic Ocean - 06/10/2070 – 1520

Haywire approaches the bridge carefully. As she enters the bridge she sees a scene of some mayhem. A body lays slumped over a console and another is collapsed on the floor near the ship's wheel.

You can still feel the lingering emotion emanating from the area. There seems to have been an intense argument and then violence broke out. In the open sea, the emotions stand out, clear as day and free from all the background noise in an urban area.

It is unclear from the astral whether any of the ship's consoles are functional.