Sunday 00:45:13 @ Ferry port, Tacoma-2-Vashon

The exhaust fumes of a number of bikes leaving hastily leaves a foul smelling mist out on the blackwater
it fades and peels back as the ferry rolls silently into the dock, spot lights flash over the harbour as lines are tossed manually aaround the pier posts.
an old diesel engine rumbles and chugs, churning and frothing the water as it closes to the boarding ramp.

'Officer Crispy' steps up into the glaring lights as the loading mechanism lowers to reveal five or six roadcars in the hold, headlights dimmed ready to move off and into Seattle.

"Ahoy there Lawman!" an unseen voice calls out from the vessel "There a problem here? we got a schedule to keep to!"

To his left and behind the office the other vehicles start their engines but are unable to go forward as the barriers are fixed in place, the off ramp from the boat leading directly onto a separate one way road into town once the all clear is given, if at all.

behind him, the sound of emergency medical vehicle sirens can be heard, growing louder

------

In the office, Nova has finished tending Pete's wounds and he sits groggily looking at his fallen Son
"He's a good kid! just fell in the wrong crowd, nothing else to do round these parts with the docks bein' all automated these days"
He looks up at Nova fearfully "You ain't be usin' them powers on my mind now like you did him ya hear! .. what your types be wantin' round here anyways?"

"What do you mean? I only tried to talk some sense into him. Anyways, it is exactly as I said, I am a reporter, and I want on the island. The rest is my business and stays my business. I will keep your little story here for myself, and I hope the same goes for you. But I would like to know one thing... now since this thing there is broken beyond repair, how do I get on the ferry?"

<< @Team [Nova] Gang leader is down. The ticket guy has been wounded by him, but has been cared for. Trying to figure out what to do here now. We need to get on that ferry. The ticket machine is broken, and everything seems to be automated. >>

<team: suppose if things come to the worst hostile takeover would not work. Crisp is dressed up as a sec. Goon squad member trying to cover things up. Not sure what to do Wont be all that much help at this Point. Though there is an unconscious ganger here we can blame things on.>

Crispy coughs into his hand, faking a deep rasping throaty affliction. He motions to his throat and makes a negating motion by way of explanation, then continues to wave them on.

<< @Team {Crispy} : Nova, can you get the ferry clearance gear working? We need to allow the ferry to dock and lower it's security barrier so the passengers can disembark. Or do you need me to come take a look?>>

<< @Team [Nova] I cannot fix this. If you want to give it a shot, you are welcome to try. >>

<< @Team {Crispy} : On my way >>

Waving his arms wildly in "hold-on-a-moment" gestures to the ferry crew, Crispy races as fast as he can to the ticket office. Bursting inside, he sees the crazy scene inside and gives Nova a wild grin. I heard you ordered a repairman? What needs fixin?

"The pirate over there. No, not him. He's alright. The plastic guy. It's the ticket machine."

Tatjana points to the broken toy troll pirate.

Crispy fumbles around in his tactical utility pouch™, finally finding his hardware toolkit. He starts working at Robotic Pete with various sockets and wrenches and spanners, trying to find a way into the electronic entrails of the terrifying troll.

Quickly pulling his hands out of the guts of the animatronic troll to make sure the rats didn't get a taste, Crispy held up the PCB with the hole against his eye, staring at Nova and the real Pete.

Looks like Pete's warranty was voided. Hey old-timer, is there a manual override to let us take a vehicle onto the ferry, lower the bollards somehow?

<<@Team {Crispy} : Might be that we're on foot if we can't get the Humvee onboard the ferry. Anyone have any ideas if Pete doesn't come through for us?>>

...what's with that loud siren? You call the Star old man? Got a Life-Alert or something?

Sunday 00:50:27 @ Ferry port, Tacoma-2-Vashon

"I Just usually gives it a kick and it squeals and works again, if'n that dun work then I call the engineer hotline and they comes over in a day or so wiv new parts"
He looks at his wrist where the flashing red LED is still activated
"Huh, yeah Johnny got me this after his boys tore this place up a while back and he wasn't around to control them, guess it calls in the medics, though never tested it, dunno how to shut it off neether!"
He looks back and glumly takes in the Robo-Trolls dilapidated state
"there might be a manual override in there somewhere though, the engineers usually manage it while they fix Pete up, Have a look deep in the back!"

Having ignored the officers frantic arm waving, the skipper draws the boat in to dock and releases his precious cargo of departing vehicles.
They filter into the one way system designed years ago for a much higher volume of traffic to keep inbound and outbound separated, and vanish into the night.

Crispy is up to his elbows in wiring and circuits as the Skipper enters and loudly clears his throat.

"What seems to be the trouble officer? or did ya just feel like a bit of 'Alone-Time' with our Pete over there ... I can come back later if you wanted some privacy"

There's very little respect for police authority in his tone but he barely steps the line of cordiality as he addresses you.
Spotting the Human Pete, he steps over to him and Tatjana, grabbing a steaming cup of coffee he says
"Seems you got yourself a friend too Pete, she a little young fer my tastes but, whatever floats yer boat huh ?"

Looking down he barely acknowledges the snoring form of the ganger "Johnny over for another family visit huh?" He steps over him and picks up a chair from the floor sitting on it.
"Well, looks like I ain't going nowhere fer a while, or til officer mechanic over there finishes up his trist.... anyone fer 'Go Fish' ?"

Outside Longshot sees the rapidly flashing blue and red of an emergency vehicle approaching down the long main street (The WRONG way down the one way boulevard)

<<@Team {Crispy} : Nova, you go rough with this one, you know I've got your 6. But just keep in mind, I don't think any of us can pilot that ferry out there. Longshot, can you stall whatever emergency response shows up?>>

Mutterings and clankings emerge from the interior of the robot as Crispy rattles around inside, trying to simulataneously find the manual override and keep all of his fingers intact and free of nibblings. The words of the skipper are mostly ignored, acknowledged only with a mere withdrawl of his hand from the robotic innards and a silent answer given with a single raised digit. Focusing again on his work, the merc can feel the sweat beading on his scalp as he burrows his way through old wiring and what he hopes are dust bunnies but could in fact be the droppings from the nest of rats. There! Working by touch alone, he thinks his fingers brush against what he's looking for.

"That is such a mess. Do you really need this thing working to get me over to the other side? There surely must be some sort of manual override, if it fails, or not? I can pay for the ticket, that's not the problem, I just can't wait the whole day for the trip. So, what's the deal here? Can't we work something out?" Tatjana says, mainly addressing the newly arrived guy with her plea.

Sunday 00:59:09 @ Ferry port, Tacoma-2-Vashon

Mutters and curses emit regularly from the Troll innards as Crispy battles with vermin and live eletricals "Thassit!" and "Gotcha ya bast...aaaaargg!" seem to be his favourites thus far.

sipping coffe the Skipper talks to Tatjana and Pete
"There ain't no gettin' round it missy, ole Pete there has the only access to the ferry unless you drive the wrong way round the block and that's illegal ya know."
He points out at some traffic cameras on tall poles pointing down the main street but not covering the carpark
"looks like here comes our medics, hope you got a better story for them than ya did me! I don't rightly care why you need to get over there, just as long as I get my wages on time and the soyBeer doesn't taste too much like piss!"

Pete butts in "come on Roger, these folks saved my boy form gettin in a stupid firefight, can we help 'em out a bit?"
at which roger rubs his bearded chin in thought "well, I ain't goin nowhere till my shift ends, you manage to get on the boat, I'll sail ya an that's fair!"

Eventually though, the smell of ozone and burnt flesh for the second time today emanate from his body,
the Mechanical Port authority figure lurches from it's resting position into a fully erect posture standing nine feet high and brushing the ceiling as it salutes
and roars out at full volume "...Reactor Online .... Yaaaargh me hearties ....Sensors Online .....Clear out tha Bilge ya' filty swabs ... Weapons Online .... And a Bottle o' RUM! YOHO ... All systems Nominal!"

Snorting on the floor the recumbent Johnny stirs and moves then leaps into a sitting position screaming in fear and letting rip again from the automatic pistol
"WwaaaaaaaaaaaahhhhhgggeeeeetsoooomeMUTHAAAAFragggaaaAAAAHHH!"
with a stuttering burst of the weapon he still clutches, the sparks fly and Crispy, only partially visible crawling out of the machinery hits the deck to avoid the gunfire.

The weapon discharges only four rounds though before expiring in a series of clicks as Johnny repeatedly pulls the trigger, tears streaming down his face.

Outside the Hummer is pulled up into a parking bay as the Emergency medic pulls up to the office bathing the side of the building in red then blue then red, almost hypnotically.

In front of his Vehicle as Crispy has found the Manual overrides, the Retracting Bollards retreat into the ground allowing passage and Brian shifts it into gear and urges the vehicle forward onto the slip road toward the ferry,
behind him the other vehicles follow suit, bunching up urgently to get away from the sounds of gunfire.

"Stay down, drughead!" Tatjana screams as she kicks at Johnny to send him back to sleep.

<to team: sorry crisp. Not much I can do about the inbound heat. Looks to be just medical guys though not sure. Also humvee is in the ferry and so am I. Cover up. Wrap it up, and get your arses in here. Blame the gangers for the trouble. I am sure they got them on at least one cam. longshot signs and wishes he was back in the war field. Least out there no one cared what gear you had or what weapons. Was much simpler there.

Sunday 00:59:39 Ferry, Tacoma-2-Vashon

Pulling onto the ramp and descending into the ironclad ferry Brian & Longshot find their vehicle guided toward the end of the vessel.
In front of them the boats stern has another ramp raised and secured in place to be lowered at the opposite end of the journey so they can drive straight off.

a few ordinary vehicles pull in behind them and civilians get out and make their way to a small staircase up to the passenger deck,
a sign to the left states "No unauthorised persons during passage - Health & Safety Executive order"
but it looks like only the sailing staff are on site and no visible security for now.

Bullets whistled past Crispy's head, pinging and ricocheting off of the giant mechanical troll behind him. If not for his combat training, he might have ducked right in to the line of fire. As it was, that was too close for comfort. Nova's boot showed up none too soon by the merc's reckoning. He'd be glad to be on the Island and able to react to known threats that were trying to kill him as normal.

Longshot's message to the team, while slightly garbled, gave Crispy pause. For a start, the message seemed to be positive, the humvee was already on the ferry. But the last word, "cam", shook Crispy to full awareness of the situation. He eyed the old man for a second, rolling the idea around in his mind...then he shook his head slightly. If he started cleaning things up like THAT, there's no telling where it'd end. Instead, he made sure to mention out loud Chummer, you and your son there could get in a lot of trouble if there's any security footage of tonight. If I were you, I'd make sure any relevant cams had a failure that erased the feeds from this entire night. Catch my meaning?

Turning and smiling at the ferry operator, he wiped his dirty hands on his ill-gotten uniform and poured himself a cup of soykaf. Well, that's fixed then. How about we see about getting that ferry loaded and on it's way on time? Gotta schedule to keep! Crispy did his best to usher the captain out of the office, giving Nova a significant look over his shoulder as he left.

Sunday 00:59:39 Ferry, Tacoma-2-Vashon

In the office the medical personel burst in the door in a flurry of activity, Medical bags bearing the corp logo hanging from shoulders as they are expecting to find a bleeding out body, they push past a Law man escorting the captain back to his boat.

"Peter Depp? where's Peter Depp? Medical team coming through people!"
They see Johnny on the floor but his bare fore-arms don't have the bracelet they are looking for and they halt in the centre of the room looking perplexed.

"That's me, I'm Peter Depp" Pete speaks up "But I'm fine, must have been a malfunction on the thing!"

the Medics look at him, his open shirt hastily clutched to cover his torso, the blood stains seem to go un-noticed as does the machine pistol in the gangers hands

"Are you sure Sir?" they look around at the devastation incredulously but don't seem keen to answer too many questions
"This guy need any attention ? we have a single use fare if he's associated to your subscription... or do we need to call the authorities?"

As they talk a set of headlights illuminates the office briefly as a couple of vehicles pass and drive down the ramp to the Ferry.

down on the boat, the guys are making themselves inconspicuous as the civilian vehicles are followed up by shiny new black hummers and a similarly new articulated truck.

Tatjana nods towards the weird plastic troll and then moves to the exit to head out as well, leaving Pete and Johnny in the competent hands of the medical team.

On the way out, she switches her senses to the astral, to see where her spirit is hiding, and to take a look at what kind of attention the gunshots might have brought.

Sunday 00:59:39 Ferry, Tacoma-2-Vashon

With the Gangers gone and no other threats present the astral landscape looks quiet, although tainted by the constant presence of human pollution and urban decay.

Tatjana looks over to where a bored spirit is occupying itself by attempting to encourage a small bush to sprout from the dry and cracked salty earth with not much success,
It notices the attention of it's master and returns to it's guarding stance, peering around for threats like a dedicated hound, one that wasn't just caught peeing on the new carpet.

Her eyes still folded back into her skull revealing the whites to her physical companions she glances around, the trucks that had passed their position into the ferry only moments ago has watcher spirits patrolling the roof, small feral looking beings that glare back with eyes too big to be natural, they catch the light like oily mirrors, staring right back at her.

She blinks rapidly switching her sight back to the physical, Crispy is wandering down the ramp with the captain deep in discussion, tthe team hummer is parked way at the front and caged in by civilian vehicles and the Semi-truck and it's cohort of four humvees.

Around the new vehicles, men in black gel impact pack embossed armour disembark and take formation around the truck while the civilians are escorted up to the passenger decks..

It's almost sailing time

"Let's hurry up!" Tatjana says, and begins to jog lightly to make it in time before the ferry is moving out.

<< @Team [Nova] Whoa! Lots of guards there... they also have watchers on the astral sitting on top of that truck. We better stay clear of them. >>

So you see, the old T-15A won't put out nearly as much power as the newer X17, it just doesn't have the manifold pressure to sustain such a high throughput. Now, there were a lot of tricks you could pull with the T-15A, things I knew how to do, like vent the exhaust back through the inflow system to clear out the deposits that would slow down airflow. I figured that out myself, took the damn corps a year to implement something similar. I like to think the T-15B was my baby, hacked from my cyberterminal where I designed it while I was upst..I mean, at the university.

The never-ending stream of chatter from Crispy seems to have captured the ferry captain's attention, at least in the sense that Crispy's not letting him get a word in edgewise. It's clear the captain is trying to get away, and he finally is able to put his hands up and tell Crispy that while the conversation has been great, he's got a job to do and has to see to it. Ok, but if you ever wanna hear how I jury-rigged a Skipray player to bypass the content filter... is thrown at the captain's back as he departs.

Having seemingly gotten out of the situation with the captain without raising any alarms, the merc returns to the Humvee and his team.

<<@Team {Crispy} : Everyone ok?

Sunday 00:59:59 Ferry, Tacoma-2-Vashon

"Ya might need ta see the engineering chap, I'll uhh .. I'll tell him that you want to have a .. chat ... If I see him... looks like our last passengers arrived so I'm gonna have to go, enjoy your trip to Vashon, ... Officer!"

The Skipper makes his excuses and escapes Crispy's exuberant discussion of the benefits of the post combustion intake of the X-series ducting
and marches to the "CREW ONLY" marked hatch up into the ferry control room.

Catching up to her team mate Tatjana nods at the vehicles that are now filling the remainder of the boat "Much security here, they have watchers in the astral too, may need to steer clear!"

Crispy nods and marches ahead anyway, confident in his new found 'Authoritah' as he attempts to get near your own Humvee.

the vehicle ramp throbs and humms with the increased revs of the massive engines as you step on board, then forcing you to speed up your step the ramp begins to raise to form the bow of the vessel and closing the vehicle area off from the outside world, only a few overhead neon strips illuminate the vehicle bay.

Longshot, crouching low in the blacked out hummer with his armour set to CAMO mode, regulates his breathing and holds still as muffled voices pass around the vehicle, Brian has already gone up to the passenger area, following the civilians to the food hall.

"You checked those two over there Jack ?" a brash voice shouts over the engine din "Yeah, got that, all clear.. hey you reckon we got time for stuffers before we get there? I'm starvin'!" another of the security agents replies.
"You and your stomach, jeebus H Christ ! ... maybe, check that hummer and let's leave it to the others to babysit.. come on, haul ass!"

Booted feet sound off cast iron floor plates right next to the hummer, a flashlight is thrown across the windows but the polarized glass barely admits any light and Longshot holds his breath

"HEY! You there !...." a shout echos around the steel cavern
Backed by two obviously armed and armoured colleagues a tall Orc barks at Crispy as he tries to pass the Semi-truck to get to his vehicle "No admittance to civilians Chummer! you need to go up to the passenger area NOW!"
His hands are on the gun ready but it is not aimed, just ready to be bought to bear.

At this distance the sound of nails down a chalkboard make Crispy wince visibly and he looks up to see the side of the truck shake as something bounces off the inside of it.
The sound is suddenly cut off as the massive airhorn of the ship rings out into the night alerting any passing craft to it's motion, or just saying g'night to ole Pete.

Nova doesn't hear the scraping but sees the motion of the truck, and also the slightly visible "V" logo of Vashon industries in a lighter black on the side of the truck nad hummers

Showing his hands and backing off, Crispy heads towards the passenger area. A bathroom would be nice, or anyplace private really where he can get rid of this disguise and drop it over the side of the ship to get rid of possible evidence.

<<@Team {Crispy} : Something big inside that semi-truck. Feels like something's going on here, the Island has more going on than simple clothing design.

<< @Team [Nova] Yeah, definitely. Quite a bit of magic in there, too. Not going to investigate that further. We should keep in the clear. >>

Tatjana also heads to the passenger area, not going to question the guards' authority.

Maybe there would be an opportunity to learn more about it later, but for now, it was most crucial to get their operation going.

Sunday 01:02:09 Ferry, Tacoma-2-Vashon

"That's right Lawman, keep moving, and leave that piece holstered if ya know what's good for you!"
the Ork sneers and he goes back to his crew with a laugh at some private joke they share.

The stair case is cramped and steep, the gentle rocking of the boat making it almost a chore to get to the next deck.
Once up, the gantries open up to an enclosed lounge area, once plush red carpets are threadbare and full of roughly patched holes that do more to trip you up than cover the steel plates underneath, dust and grime of years of use covers every surface making it greasy and looking orange coloured like the rust that covers any metal surface where the paint has flaked almost completely away.

An old sea dog stands at the galley dishing out steaming bowls of something that might be edible to the few passengers brave enough to try it.

the Stuffer ™ vending machines look a safer bet until you examine the expiry date ... things that you imagine would survive the apocalypse look shriveled and nasty in their pritsine wrappers, where the date is visible it is probably 20 years out.... or more.

pan pipe music echoes from the one or two remaining speakers in the room corners, this dies as the PA system blares out the Captains voice

"Welcome to the S. S. Capability ladies and gentlemen, the time is roughly 1.a.m. and we are currently departing Tacoma and heading for Vashon island"
pan pipes briefly resume before interruption
"We estimate the journey to take approximately twenty five minutes and conditions are clear, apart from a tidal swell that we are used to in this area"
the speaker crackles and the next bit is inaudible then continues
"........so we advise you stay seated if possible and enjoy your trip, Thanks"
the awful muscial rendition returns and you look around for something to occupy you for the journey.

Two obviously security agents from the trucks in the hold, stand by a vending machine shaking it angrily "Drek it all, that's my fraggin' creds AGAIN.. I hate this fraggin' ship, I hate this fraggin Job !"
His colleague smirks and lights up a Synth-arette despite the large "No Smoking" sign right beside him "Take a pill Jack, you'll kill yerself before you earn the danger bonus man!"

a blinking light in AR indicates a message received via ZERG-SAT

<<encrypted @Hijackers[Ricoh] : Do not get on that boat >>
<<encrypted @Hijackers[Ricoh] : Repeat, DO NOT board the ferry to Vashon, contra-intelligence received, competitive assets are in play >>
<<encrypted @Hijackers[Ricoh] : Return to HQ location for alternative insertion plan >>
<<encrypted @Hijackers[Ricoh] : Confirm >>


Yuo look at each other and then out of a portal onto the oily black waters and the retreating lights of Tacoma dock

Crispy walks up to the vending machine with a swagger. You have to know how to hit it He then attempts to bang on the vending machine, earning himself about as much success as the security guards had. Frag it!! Piece of DREK! accompanied by Crispy starting to shake the machine in earnest. Frustration is plain on his forehead as the machine fails to respond.

After a few moments, he calms down. Sorry, just get frustrated doing this kind of work. Guard duty, never know what you're really supposed to be guarding. It's frakkin' awful. You know what I mean, right?

<<@Team {Crispy} : We're ignoring that drek from Ricoh and continuing the mission. Nova, can you help me out up here? A woman's touch might work. Longshot, what can you find out about that truck? Brian, where the ghost are you?>>

At the sign of a uniformed guy he stiffens up and looks to his colleague nervously, trying to communicate your presence and you can see he was not expecting any security on this trip, but halts short of saying anything to him, addressing Crispy directly
"no offense officer chum, but frag off okay, you got no jurisdiction on Vashon and I ain't no stinkin' guard bitch! ya scan... come on Amigo, let's get back before the boss gets her panties in a bunch again"

He turns back giving the machine another angry slam that produces no results "Fraaaaag!" and they wander off towards the stairs.

<< @Team [Brian] : in the head, I don't travel well... anyone have any meds? >>

Longshot tries to move to a spot where he can get a good view of the trailer and the guards. He takes care to move as silently as possible and ducks bobs and weaves through shadows and behind cover. He takes care to note any guard patrols and tries to time them out if they make routine rounds.

<< @Team [Nova] Yeah, well... guess it's a little too late for that. We have to play this calm and quiet. Do not draw the attention of those guards. We are just tourists like everyone else. >>

Tatjana looks over to Crispy's feeble attempts of getting the vending machine to work, but then turns away and finds something else to occupy her.

What the hell is he thinking... woman's touch... yeah, right!

<< @Team [Nova] Repeat... Do not draw the attention of those guards! >>

Sunday 01:05:22 Ferry, Tacoma-2-Vashon

<<encrypted @Hijackers[Ricoh] : Confirm gods dammit ! where the FRAG are you people! >>

The message beeps incessantly in your AR view like an angry little yellow wasp that you want to swat.

Longshot creeps quietly from the vehicle and thanks whoever is watching over him that the engine noise is covering any stray sounds he makes.
Moving between vehicles and staying out of sight of the handful of security team, knowing that if one of them spotted him in his fully Mil-spec armour it would be the start of a small war in this place.

He steps around a beat up civilian truck, it's got all it's external mirrors and parts ripped off, he remembers back that the gangers may have had something to do with it and chuckles under his breath. and runs a hand down the side of the vehicle to steady himself as he moves in a crouch. touching the vehicle produces a strange result, he looks at his gloved fingers and trace amounts of tacky paint have come away leaving an armoroured hand print in the side of the vehicle.

He pops his head over into the flat bed of the truck and there's an assortment of baggage there all neatly loaded with a tarp dragged over the top, it looks like someone has taken some of the luggage as there is a space for a suitcase sized item where the tarp is drawn back.

That's when he sees it.

over to his right hand side, across the top of the truck, one of the huge metal portal doors with the wheel locking affair in the centre of it is swinging with the sway of the boat, it clangs shut and then creaks as it swings open on the opposite pendulum motion. the "CREW ONLY" sign on it alongside other warnings about moving parts and electricity damage say it's part of the engine mechanism that's housed in there.

The piece that does not fit this scenario are the blinking LED lights in red and green, He's not seen anything else electronic on this ship so far, and Crispy has been moaning about the complete lack of any tech up here as it's all ancient and barely maintained.

"For frags sake, Drago, get that fraggin' door will ya! .. the noise is making my teeth ache!"

Longshot looks around at the guards and sees he has to move quickly before they turn the corner from the back of the truck and have a perfect line of sight to his position.

<<encrypted @Ricoh : We're on the boat, so now the situation is that you should tell us what the intelligence was, and why we shouldn't be on the boat. >>

<<encrypted @Hijackers[Ricoh] : Mission has been compromised: >>
<<encrypted @Hijackers[Ricoh] : Intel suggests another group operating in same theatre as you for a competitive corp >>
<<encrypted @Hijackers[Ricoh] : Suggested action : Exfiltrate asap while we ascertain their target and motive >>

Longshot finds a dark corner somewhere out of sight then mentally sends a message to Ricoh < encrypted To Ricoh:Well, how do you suppose we do that? sure I can swim back to shore but what happens when they find the Humvee full of weapons and gear? I'll see what I can do, I am monitoring what seems to be the other group now.

<<encrypted To team: checking things out down here. got a name, anyone know a "Drago" or want to see if they can pull info on him? not a lot going on, except these guys may be rummaging in the engines...>>

<<encrypted @Hijackers[Ricoh] : well, at least one of you fraggers can follow orders, SITREP when you get clear >>

After finding a private area and changing out of the security uniform, Crispy quickly moves to the side of the ferry and lets the waves hide the evidence. This mission was starting to get complicated. Like every other mission really. He was almost surprised how long it had taken this one to come unravelled. Reaching into his pouch, he pulled out the iBall and sent it on it's way into the vehicle area, keying it in on Longshot's position.

<<@Team {Crispy} : That's great work Longshot. Stay on it. I'm sending a drone down to help you keep an eye on things. I'll patch it's feed into the tacnet, so you'll be able to see what it's seeing.>>

<< @Ricoh [Nova] So, what's the deal now? Are all teams called back? Any word from the others? Can we get them on the line for further planning? >>

<< @Team [Nova] Guys, do not make them aware! That will make things a hundred times more difficult for us than not knowing what exactly they are up to. >>

Sunday 01:06:22 Ferry, Tacoma-2-Vashon

It's been a good week for Jocko so far.
Getting hired on by Vashon island couture, away from the dump of a nightclub playing bouncer to all the chrome and pvc clad teenies.

Then getting paid up front for the weeks work, the money was good too, paid his family rent for the year with enough over for some extras.

Then, when the job starts he gets issued with a brand new squeaky set of top of the line armor and a nanofax smg.
--------------------------------------------

Rolling the drone out again, Crispy rubs his numb fingertips on his thigh to work up some sensation, making sure he doesn't frag up the setup.
Whirring quietly it drops down the iron staircase with muffled thunks as the gecko tips activate.

Stepping out onto the deck he fills his lungs with the cold night air then strips the cop uniform, thankful he kept at least minimal armour under there with his civvy pants. Shame the rest had to stay in the truck.

Tossing the renmants over he spends a moment looking out towards Vashon, wondering what they were getting into.
Something in the water catches his eye, he immediately thinks it's the uniform floating and hopes it vanishes before someone comes.

A flash of light from the mast illuminates the water and unless he is totally mistaken, that's a body down there in black uniform, that or his clothing has grown new limbs in the water.
He chuckles but is already looking around and reaching for his comm, as a shadow rounds the corner and into a doorway out of sight.

Down in the hold, the drone hits the deck and rolls under he parked vehicles scanning it's surroundings

<<<@boss[Baller] : vehicle semi truck, composition material unknown. Occupants species not in database, number 20 active bio signals, beginning radar scan >>>

Longshot shifts his position nervously looking around, he can't see the door from here but can hear voices.

"Holy frag, BOSS YOU WANNA SEE THIS!" A shout calls out and booted feet clatter on the floor.

"What the..... Is that what I think it is? .. Drek, secure the area and get jocko down here, he's done demolitions!"

Drek was heating up, and they weren't even to the island yet. A small sigh escapes Crispy, although whether it's a sigh of frustration or happiness is anyone's guess. Time to start the ball rolling. With a quick mental command, his vision became partially covered with all manner of AROs, tactical feeds from the drone and his smartlink and other gear all feeding their data into the tacsoft running on his commlink. He nudged several over to the periphery with a quick eye-blink, and gave priority to the window holding the drone's sensor feed. Then messages flew out to his teammates with the invitations necessary for the security of their comms. As he waited for his teammates to respond, he activated his wired reflexes, flipping life into slow-motion once again.

<<@Team {Crispy} : Accept those little blinking invitations I sent you - it'll give us our own encrypted tactical network. Could come in handy really soon. You know, just in case the drek my drone found, the unknown species contained in the unknown material of the semi-truck gets loose or something. Oh, and we need to secure our positions. I think I saw a body in the water. Brian, if you're still having trouble maybe you could lock the bathroom door, and hope they don't have thermite.>>

Tatjana accepts the TacNet invitation.

<< @Team [Nova] Can we please make at least some sort of plan before we start pulling random stuff here? >>

Looking around, she heads to a suitable hiding spot, where she can change her spells. In case something happened on here, she rather prefers to be combat ready.

After taking a quick look into the astral space, Tatjana casts a spell to be sustained by her focus. When that is done, she also summons a new spirit, to be on standby just in case.

It takes a few attempts and strains the mage quite a bit, but in the end, she gets it done, being only slightly exhausted.

<< @Crispy [Nova] Hey Crispy! You are handy with a Medkit, right? Could use some first aid. Magic is taxing sometimes. I did some preparations, in case something happens here. >>

<< @Team [Nova] There are fewer people walking around here, it seems. Is anything happening here, which we are not yet aware of? Better to stay vigilant. >>

<< @Team {Crispy} : Good idea Nova. Something very...interesting...is happening on this boat. Stay where you are, I'll come to your position and see what I can do - but I left my medkit in the truck, if you don't have one handy I'll try to rummage one from the emergency supplies on the ferry. Longshot, what are you seeing? Once we have more intel we can develop a course of action.>>

Crispy's swaggering demeanor has evaporated under the possibility of upcoming violence. Eyes constantly scanning and rescanning the area around him, he moves at a careful pace towards where he saw the shadowy movement in the doorway. His hand never strays far from his holstered Predator as he moves.

Longshot accepts the tacnet invitation then immediately sends a message through it. <To team: Not much going on.. except the fact that someone is screaming about demolitions and a bunch of yelling, I am sure thats nothing though. I gotta move. they are securing the area near the door. want me to fall back?> worst comes to worse Longshot is willing to hide under a vehicle to avoid being seen.

<<@Team {Crispy} : Demolitions? That's just fraggin great. How accessible is our Humvee? If there's gonna be trouble, it's be nice to have the rest of our gear. You've got eyes on the scene, so unless you're in immediate danger of being spotted I'd say stay put. You could even try hiding in the truck if it comes to that.>>

With his back to the wall Crispy moves up the deck towards the light flooding from a port-hole.

With the Pred' held in his right hand next to his chin and ready to point and fire his left hand finds the door handle and eases it open quietly.

Glancing inside he sees it leads back into the vending area, Nova is nowhere to be seen, probably gone to the head, scanning the area he sees the black clad guard he was attempting to converse with earlier, he looks around the place nervously, and is holding his machine gun his finger is on the trigger.

walking away from you are two civilians deep in conversation and eating Soy-Dogs, the female is berating the male for getting sauce all down his new shirt.
He fidgets with his attire and his jacket rises up to reveal the bulge of a small pistols tucked in his pants. nothing unusual there though.

the guard turns to one side, glancing down the hallway and begins speaking into his comm
"No boss, Jocko ain't here, he was gonna get some air after he grabbed something from the kitchen... want me to go check on him?" there's a pause as he waits for an answer
"Yes, Yessir right away sir!" he drops the call and begins sprinting towards the doorway that Crispy is looking through
He closes the gap, so that the guy isn't looking directly at him.

Crispy sees the approaching guard and quietly eases the door closed, then finds a suitable spot of shadows caused by the dark night and the imperfect light from the port holes. He tries to blend in to the darkness, saying a silent prayer that his dark skin makes this easier than for someone of a lighter skin tone. He holsters the Predator, deciding that if he's going to follow this guard it wouldn't help matters to be caught with a pistol in hand. Instead he cracks his knuckles and accesses the power levels of his shock glove - it's all juiced up and ready to go. Feeling slightly more secure, the merc waits to see where the rushing guard will lead him.

<<@Team {Crispy} : Some guy from the ship named Jocko? Looks like he's missing. Hope he's not the one I saw floating in the water, he sounded like he was an important guy. In case it comes to this, anyone good with the demolitions? Not me.>>

Sunday 01:07:45 Ferry, Tacoma-2-Vashon

it's the most beautiful thing Longshot has ever seen.

Beginning as a tiny pinprick of light and slowly burgeoning into a cloud of volcanic looking fiery gas and comets of ignited metals
some spiralling and cartwheeling across from the engine access room, others on perfectly straight trajectories and then ricocheting off into the deeper hold.

It lasts barely a moment in his minds eye before time re-accelerates and the noise hits him, almost as hard as the truck he is crouched behind.

The noise and the pressure increases to unbearable levels even in the atmosphere controlled armour he is wearing, as he is propelled backwards by the blast and the sudden tilting of the ship as it is leans precariously over it's central axis.

the blast of heat that follows is almost like a warm summer breeze in comparison. a summer breeze that tosses vehicles and armed guards around the cavern like ragdolls
bodies twisted into strange shapes the meta-human body is not designed to accomadate as they tumble and smash into solid surfaces.

The Semi-Rig barely moves from the impact of the blast but it's weight alone cannot hold it from sliding and tipping the tractor onto it's sides, the screech of tortured metal as
the trailer is ripped from it's couplings.
The side of the container punctured and steam gushes from inside as cool liquids are evaporated, the clanging of metal cylinders colliding with the floor echo around the hold.

on the opposite wall a similar gaping hole looks out onto the starlit bay, in the distance other vessels lights blink in the deep darkness.
__________________________________

Tatjana is leaning on the hand rail of the door in the ladies head,
peering out into the main area she is already braced against the sway of the ship and manages to hold on as a violent boom sounds underneath her feet.

Gripping on for dear life, she rides out the worst, cursing in an amalgam of many languages she lurches out as the ship rights itself.

the lights flicker and die, replaced by the eery green of the emergency exits, smoke billows and begins to fill the room, already a body has succumed, his unconscious form in black armor on the floor near a "CREW ONLY" hatch, looks like up to the control deck.

It looks like there aren't any other casualties, in fact there aren't any other anybody's !

the acrid smell begins to fill her lungs and blind her with stinging tears.
___________________________________
Crispy smoothes himself against the wall as the soldier passes talking into his comm
"No, he's not here boss, I thought I saw that law-man out here a bit ago, but there's no one here"
another pause as he receives instructions, he spins and Crispy holds his breath as the torchlight flashes dangerously near his position
"Look for a radio control? eh? what's that for ?"
indredulity fills his voice and you can tell he's being told to shut up and follow orders, instructions punctuated with some foul language in Orzet and other languages too
"Yeah .. uhh right ..ummm... what do I......."
His mumbled query is cut short as the vessel lists massively, and a booming explosion echos out and reverberates throught the ships structure
his hand drops the firearm and the other swings the torch illuminating Crispy perfectly in it's cone of 10,000,000 candles the look of shock and fear matches the other guys as he is propelled by mass towards the railing, with his hands empty he manages to catch the rail and save himself, but can only look in horror straight into the eyes of the other man as he is torn from the safety of the ship and plummets into the pitch waters, vanishing instantly as if sucked down by some mighty sea monster.

<<<@Boss[Baller] : Scan completed structural anomoly detected : Vessel no longer safe for travel, please secure alternative mode of transportation >>>
<<<@Boss[Baller] : Access granted to golbal database: Species : Araneae{Para} Genus: unknown family : unknown >>>
<<<@Boss[Baller] : Initial scans suggest not native to UCAS : Logic suggests due to size and composition : potentially carnivorous >>>
<<<@Boss[Baller] : Advise further actions, unit reports zero damage from structural failure of vessel >>>

"Oh, crap!"

<< @Team [Nova] Anyone hurt? Brian? What's the situation in the 'garage'? I'm coming in to get my gear... no point in lying low anymore. >>

Tatjana calls her spirit back from the metaplanes, sooner than expected. Having it around, even though in astral space, gives her a feeling of reassurance. At least she has a powerful ally nearby, if anything happens.

Then she turns herself invisible and begins to hurry down to the Hummer.